#nicola always delivers

[trikaranos]

TRIKARANOS: THE PROLOGUE

TRIKARANOS is a dramatized narrative based on ancient events following Crassus (and Pompey and Caesar) through the years 87-48 BCE. Intended for an adult audience.

⭐ Trikaranos will always be free to read (in the near future, you’ll have the option to support this comic & my ability to make it through Patreon!)

⭐ There is no set update schedule (chapters vary in length and will be posted as I finish working on them)

⭐ alternative places to read it (coming soon!)

CREDITS all additional art used are in the Public Domain [as per the Met's Open Access policy]

🍊 The Abduction of the Sabine Women, Nicolas Poussin 🍊 Obverse, a Terracotta neck-amphora depicting Aeneas rescuing his father, Anchises, during the fall of Troy. [description taken from the Met] 🍊 compositional study for The Lictors Bringing Brutus the Bodies of his Sons, Jacques Louis David 🍊The Battle of Vercellae, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 🍊 The Capture of Carthage, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

UNDER THE CUT creator's commentary, ancient citations, whatever else seems relevant. ideally, this is optional! you shouldn't need the citations for it to make sense as it unfolds since it's a comic and a story first and foremost, but it's here if you're curious and want to see where the inspiration is coming from!

so! there are a couple of accounts about the return of Marius and Cinna, I've chosen Appian's account for the primary source of inspiration, although I've cut the cast down to it's barest essentials because I want the claustrophobia of violence to really eat itself.

Cinna now began to despise his enemies and drew near to the wall, halting out of range, and encamped. Octavius and his party were undecided and fearful, and hesitated to attack him on account of the desertions and the negotiations. The Senate was greatly perplexed and considered it a dreadful thing to depose Lucius Merula, the priest of Jupiter, who had been chosen consul in place of Cinna, and who had done nothing wrong in his office. Yet on account of the impending danger it reluctantly sent envoys to Cinna again, and this time as consul. They no longer expected favourable terms, so they only asked that Cinna should swear to them that he would abstain from bloodshed. He refused to take the oath, but he promised nevertheless that he would not willingly be the cause of anybody's death. He directed, however, that Octavius, who had gone round and entered the city by another gate, should keep away from the forum lest anything should befall him against his own will. This answer he delivered to the envoys from a high platform in his character as consul. Marius stood in silence beside the curule chair, but showed by the asperity of his countenance the slaughter he contemplated. When the Senate had accepted these terms and had invited Cinna and Marius to enter (for it was understood that, while it was Cinna's name which appeared, the moving spirit was Marius), the latter said with a scornful smile that it was not lawful for men banished to enter. Forthwith the tribunes voted to repeal the decree of banishment against him and all the others who were expelled under the consul­ship of Sulla.

Accordingly Cinna and Marius entered the city and everybody received them with fear. Straightway they began to plunder without hindrance all the goods of those who were supposed to be of the opposite party. Cinna and Marius had sworn to Octavius, and the augurs and soothsayers had predicted, that he would suffer no harm, yet his friends advised him to fly. He replied that he would never desert the city while he was consul. So he withdrew from the forum to the Janiculum with the nobility and what was left of his army, where he occupied the curule chair and wore the robes of office, attended as consul by lictors. Here he was attacked by Censorinus with a body of horse, and again his friends and the soldiers who stood by him urged him to fly and brought him his horse, but he disdained even to arise, and awaited death. Censorinus cut off his head and carried it to Cinna, and it was suspended in the forum in front of the rostra, the first head of a consul that was so exposed. After him the heads of others who were slain were suspended there; and this shocking custom, which began with Octavius, was not discontinued, but was handed down to subsequent massacres.

Appian, Civil Wars I, 70-71 (trans. Horace White)

Plutarch's biography of Marius also recounts the same event, but I was leaning more on Appian for this.

ALSO! the choice to use Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's painting The Capture of Carthage as a backdrop to Octavius: it's because Cinna and Octavius were co consuls for a minute and Rome and Carthage are twin cities (instar Carthaginis urbem babyyy), and I do love the doubling/twin-ification of a thing. which is what co consuls are to me. we're overlapping the themes, in addition to the overlapping of violence, which is what all iterations of Rome are founded on.

Textual Monuments: Reconstructing Carthage in Augustan Literary Culture, Nora Goldschmidt

the chapter cover is my own illustration of an Etruscan kantharos because Crassus may or may not have had some kind of Etruscan heritage. YMMV but for me it's fun to think about

Marcus Crassus and the Late Roman Republic, Allen Mason Ward (& the citation!)

#trikaranos the komik

[be-curious-and-not-judgemental]

Lots of commentary on Penelope and Colin lately. I thought I'd throw my two cents in (I'm old and have lived the Fandom life before Tumblr existed).

My thoughts? Book wasn't great, but out of the ones I read, their book was the best for me (don't get me started on Benedict's book, oof). I like how the show has made Colin and Penelope true friends, definitely more than what happened in the book.

In the book, I think the world of Penelope. And the fun-loving Colin too, although I was a bit... disturbed at jealous, angry Colin. In the show, I think they gave much of Colin's charms to Benedict but I still like Colin's kind of moral compass. He's young and impulsive and generally a good person. He's a great son to Violet, a great brother and a good friend to Pen. He is also a little clueless about his true emotions. He says things without meaning offense, not necessarily thoughtless or unkind, just lacking insight. So what we interpret is this great guy who unknowingly leads Pen on. I don't think he means to, she's his very close friend. But unfortunately, he does sort of push the boundaries of propriety with her. Holds her hand, takes her into private rooms and closes the door, tells her how special she is. I can only imagine how confused Penelope would be. Everything points to his growing affection. Until she hears him state otherwise. And regardless if he didn't mean for her to hear, it was kind of a cruel, especially the laughter. Ouch!

Now onto Penelope. She's allowed to be upset. She read the signals and unfortunately, she read them wrong. Everything she's ever known about courtship is from her perception of society. She watched Marina take Colin into a private room with the intent to seduce (and to this day, she would be clueless as to what happened in that room). So when Colin grabs her hand and takes her into a private room, well, she's thinking that Colin is into her! Then he dances with her, tells her she's special and he'll always look after her. I mean, she was riding Cloud Nine. So for her to hear him laugh about courting her, well, that's gotta be a tough pill to swallow. So let her have some anger and be upset. She's allowed emotions. Honestly, I'm sure even if she's angry at Colin (and Eloise), she's having just as hard time looking internally and discovering that part of her problems stem from her own issues and fallacy of reading too much into things. I mean, she's done some very questionable things. Things that were not pretty. She has hurt people with her lies. But she also isn't the villain that some people make her out to be. The show clearly shows her expressing remorse for doing awful things. She sobs after delivering the LW about Marina and is seen crying as she writes about Eloise. I'm not sure the show will have her apologize but I don't think they'll show as this selfish manipulator that a lot of people tend to see her as. She's supposed to make errors. She's young and for the first time in her short life has got people talking about something that she created. So she's probably making questionable choices with her skewed sense of importance.

All I want for season 3 is to see them fall in love. Not with an idealized sense of love (Penelope) but truly accepting each other's everything. I love a good Friends to Lovers trope, and I think Luke and Nicola are gonna be incredible. I'm excited (and I'd be more excited if they released a date, a picture, a hint, anything about season 3).

#polin #bridgerton #bridgerton season 3 #penelope featherington #colin bridgerton

[respectthepetty]

The only one whose intentions I can't entirely understand is Nick. Like Boston is pretty harmless, he is just a hoe and a shitty friend. Mew is straight-laced and could be devilish, but pretends to be a kind of a saint to get away with things. Top is just a red flag, all around. Ray is broken in a way he himself doesn't understand and (falsely) projects loving Mew will resolve all his hurt. Sand is a walking green flag, at least so far. But Nick, I don't know, I can't tell if he's just starting out as a Machiavellian villain that'll do a double kill on both Boston and Top, or he is just obsessed with Boston to hurt him but keep Boston on a leash.

Anon, I'm gonna skip over you writing that "Boston is pretty harmless" so I can get to your ask - Nick.

In this series, Raymond is my #1, but Nicolas is my strong #2, and it's partially because they remind me of a good ass country song.

Think Brokeback Mountain's Jack Twist screaming his legendary line "I wish I knew how to quit you" because that shit is a good ass country song delivered in one line.

*switching into my west Texas accent*

Yes, I wrote "country song" in a post about Thai gays.

See, I love music. I have a large collection of vinyl records and CDs. I like going to music festivals and concerts. I love rap for its wordplay. I love ranchera for the dramatics ("El Rey" anyone?). And I love country for its storytelling.

So the second Nick called Top instead of Mew, I heard Dolly Parton's iconic "Jolene"

In case you are not familiar with the legend who is "Jolene," the song deals with a woman begging another woman to not take her man. This woman knows she cannot compete with Jolene. She knows she is not as beautiful or alluring, so she begs Jolene to let her man go, in hopes that he'll come back to her.

Hopefully, I won't be hearing Dolly Parton's other masterpiece "I Will Always Love You" (yes, the one that Whitney Houston covered for The Bodyguard).

And I always hear the incredible Patsy Cline's "Crazy" whenever Nick looks at Boston.

Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying And I'm crazy for loving you

Because even though Nick is matching Boston's "No Boundaries" energy, he isn't malicious, not yet anyway. No.

Nick is in love, with a guy who doesn't love him back.

And he knows that.

But knowing doesn't help when it comes to matters of the heart.

Other genres have songs that capture the feeling of losing your mind over someone who doesn't love you and being incapable of stopping, but a good ass country song just really hits at the core of that kind of toxic love.

Like Dan + Shay's "How Not To" which tells the story of a man who knows that his lover is no good, but doesn't know how not to love them.

So I read Nick as a boy in desperate love with the wrong man. He is Rascal Flatts "What Hurts the Most" when the lead singers croons that the worst part of his love was "not seeing that love in you."

And that type of love makes you do crazy shit.

Boston was honest in the beginning that he didn't want anything serious, and even though he has changed his tune when needed, everyone else has warned Nick as well about Boston.

Nick knew who walked into his store the second he looked into Boston's eyes.

Yet he couldn't stop himself from falling in love.

If Oh No! Here Comes Trouble taught me anything, it's that love can be an obsession mostly when grieving love, and Nick has to be grieving the love he knows he will never get from Boston while still loving him.

So this is why Nicolas is my #2. He is a good ass country song about a man who hopes that his love will make his lover stay, only to realize that his love isn't enough and probably never will be.

And before any of you ask, Ray is the drinking side of good country songs, but he and Sand in particular are "Tennessee Whiskey"

I've looked for love in all the same old places Found the bottom of a bottle's always dry But when you poured out your heart, I didn't waste it 'Cause there's nothing like your love to get me high You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey You're as sweet as strawberry wine You're as warm as a glass of brandy

So raise your bottle to Nick's pain.

And slow dance under some hicktown's bar lights.

Because like my girl Bonnie Raitt sang " I will give up this fight 'cause I can't make you love me, if you don't" (yeah, that famous song George Michael covered).

#only friends #nick is a good ass country song #I love country music and Nick #I want the best for him #the best is either getting toxic Boston #or losing the guy he loves #he can't win #and he knows that

[jaded-falcon]

1, 3, 9, 10 for the ask game

- Melissa (@is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not)

1. What is your go-to drink order?

A David Martinez. Sixty millilitres of vodka on the rocks, 30 millies of blue and fifteen millies of violet NiCola syrup, plus ninety millies of club soda and a lemon twist. Looks awesome and tastes incredible.

3. What was your most expensive purchase/where does your disposable money go?

Most expensive purchase? Well, in C-Bills, it was the LosMech. I'd argue it was probably the ability to bring Death Knell with me when I retired, though. I had to first serve with honour, then lose my entire Star, then kill the people who killed my Star and deliver their heads to the Khan (this is not a metaphor, I mean this wholly literally), then fight a Trial of Possession in order to retain Death Knell.

In other words, it depends on how much you value spilled blood.

Most of my disposable money tends to go to the LosMech; buying new drinks and giving my staff bonuses and whatnot. I don't spend much on myself.

9. What is your favourite holiday?

Eleventh night of the Winter Holiday. Specifically the eleventh night. Seeing someone's face light up as they get a gift they didn't expect is... well, close to my heart.

10. What objects do you always carry with you?

Honestly, pretty few. Vera, my pistol, is always riding my hip; I never leave my house without my keys and wallet... honestly, the most interesting thing I carry is probably the four dog tags on my keychain. One for each member of my old Star.

#silk hiding steel #battletech #mechwarrior

[strawberrymintie]

The Bet

This is my half of a trade with @mikosmaw! She drew me art of my favorite voreish ship, and I wrote this short story of her gladiator, Lionel, collecting some spoils he won in the ring~ 

I hope you like it!  -------

Over the roar of the crowd chanting “cull the cowards,” Nicholas threw his wine glass to the ground. Flora winced at the sharp sound, though everyone else just laughed. They wouldn’t be responsible for cleaning it up, after all. 

“Damn it all!” Nicolas yelled, his voice slurred from all the alcohol that flowed freely in the colosseum's private viewing box. “Phoenix lost!?”

“I told you to bet on Lionel,” a fellow dignitary said. “Your man didn’t stand a chance.” 

“You’re lucky it’s just an exhibition match, Nicolas,” another said. “Your prize fighter will escape with his life.” 

“What does that matter if he loses!? Making a fool of himself at his own exhibition match... Pathetic.” Nicholas reached for his glass, forgetting he had shattered it moments earlier. As soon as he realized, he grabbed a bottle from the table and poured himself another. 

This was Flora’s least favorite duty as Nicholas’s attendant. The lavish parties she could handle. The political banquets were fine. But she hated when all the wealthy young men gathered together to watch gladiator matches. It always ended up with copious amounts of money tossed around--and often bottles or ashtrays literally tossed around. 

“Flora!” Nicholas yelled over his shoulder. 

“Yes, sir?” she answered, wondering what he was upset about now. Was it because she hadn’t started cleaning up the shattered glass? Usually she waited until everyone left to clean the larger messes. Heaven knows they’d just make more. 

“See that box?” He gestured lazily towards the back table. “Take it down to the Pit.” 

“What is it?”

“The money your stupid boss wasted on Phoenix!” one of the men yelled, and the others erupted in laughter. Nicholas rolled his eyes, letting the others rib him. Fellow members of the elite had that privilege. 

“Yes, yes, I lost, we all know,” he said, growing weary. “Flora, take this down to the Pit and deliver it to the winner’s team. This is what I get for putting my chips on the wrong man…” 

And, just like that, they went back to bantering, ignoring the lowly servant girl. Flora breathed out a sigh and walked to the back table. There was a lovely lacquer box sitting there that must have been worth a significant amount by itself. Flora picked it up. Heavy--likely filled with the money her employer had bet. 

“Don’t take too long,” Nicholas called over the clamor. Flora didn’t like the idea of going down so close to the arena, but anything was better than here, surrounded by smoke and spilled liquor and men who acted more like frat boys than VIPs. 

As she slipped out, Flora felt that urge she often had, that she could just run away. With this money, she might actually have a shot…

She shook the thought from her head. No, she’d deliver this down to the Pit and then return back to Nicholas. He’d probably be done galavanting by then. It would only take her a few hours to get the private box back to working order. Of course, the arena had its own cleaning service, but Flora would be ashamed to leave it in such a state for them. The least she could do was clear out the garbage and sweep up. 

When she finally arrived at the Pit, she stared at the double doors, a bit apprehensive. Who was this money even supposed to go to? Apparently, Nicolas hadn’t been betting against his friends, but someone tied more closely to the gladiator himself. A coach? A sponsor? 

Of course he’d forget to tell me the essential information, Flora thought. She tucked the box under her arm and used her free hand to knock on the door. 

“Come on in,” a voice from inside called. 

Steeling herself, Flora opened the door. “Pardon me,” she said, stepping in with a lowered head. 

The room was a mess, not too unlike the private box she’d come from. There were piles of large pillows on the floor, almost like a dog bed. Inside, there was only one person--the gladiator Lionel himself. He was more than twice her height, with huge horns and piercings everywhere. Not to mention, he had just trounced Phoenix, who had been touted as the best of the best. To say Flora was intimidated was an understatement. 

“Ah, yah got payment, huh?” Lionel said. Flora nodded stiffly. “Put it on the table. Close the door behind yah.” 

Flora hadn’t been planning on staying long, but she wasn’t one to refuse a request, especially on official business. She did as she was told, then walked to the table in the back. The table was cluttered with random items--bottles, bags with their contents spilling out, bunched up clothes, and a few suspicious stains. The housekeeper in her felt the urge to tidy up, but that wasn’t what she was here for. She brushed aside a few crumbs and set the box down, which looked almost comical in the mess. When Flora turned around she was surprised to see Lionel standing in front of the door. He was way bigger than the door. How did he even get in here? “Yah don’t look like the betting type, I gotta say.”

“It’s not from me,” she said, looking away. “The man I work for, he was betting.” 

“Good. I don’t really like people who bet against me, especially people who think that clown Phoenix coulda beaten me.” 

“I do not know much about arena fighting,” Flora admitted. “I am just here to deliver your winnings.” 

“Just deliver, huh…” Lionel raised an eyebrow. “So I don’t suppose he told you what he bet?” 

Flora looked over her shoulder at the table. “I, I assume it’s money in that box. I didn’t open it. I don’t pry.” 

Lionel laughed. “Yeah that’s part of it. Money’s nice and all, but I make sure I get a meal out of it, too.” 

“I… I’m not sure I follow,” Flora said. She absentmindedly reached up to touch the ends of her braids, twisting a few strands of hair between her fingers. 

“The losers I getta eat.” 

Flora’s heart felt like it stopped. She put a hand to her chest to make sure it hadn’t. 

She had to have misheard him. Or was it a joke? The thought had entered her head when she saw just how large and dangerous this man was, but that was just her mind running wild. It would never actually happen. That was just barbaric. 

“I guess he sent you instead? That’s technically allowed, I guess, but it looks like he didn’t even tell yah? That was shitty of him.” 

The gladiator began walking forward, tiny clouds of dirt raising around his hooves after each step. Flora tried to back away, but she bumped into the table behind her. A bottle on it tipped over, clattering onto the floor, but she didn’t even hear it. 

This couldn’t be happening. Nicholas would never do this. Not because he cared that much, of course, but because his life would be a complete mess without her! Now Flora was nothing that special. Certainly not irreplaceable. But she already knew his likes, his dislikes, what needed the most cleaning and when to start each area… Teaching a new housekeeper would be a hassle. Surely that was worth more than a stupid sports bet! 

…Right?

“Yer pale as a ghost, girl,” Lionel said, stopping in front of her. “I’ll be gentle with yah. I’ll even take these off…” 

Lionel opened his mouth, wide, and Flora saw the four golden rings wrapped around his teeth. Some sort of jewelry? With his sharp claws, he pulled them off, one by one, and dropped them. They clattered to the ground, one rolling under a table. 

“Better?” he asked with a toothy smile. Flora still couldn’t muster a single word. Even her scream was caught in her throat. She suddenly felt faint. She barely caught the edge of the table, keeping her standing up. 

“Hey, there’s no need to look like that,” Lionel said. His voice was still rough, unrefined, but it had a sort of sincerity to it. Enough that Flora looked up and met his eyes. “You’ll be just fine.”

“I… will?” 

The giant man crossed his arms. “Course. You think I’d just kill ya? You haven’t done anything to deserve that, have ya?” Lionel expected a response, but Flora just stared up at him, motionless as a frozen fawn. What a dick, sending his maid down. Not to mention a total cop-out. Scaring the shit out of rich assholes? Fun. Putting them in their place--his stomach? Even better. But this? Left a bad taste in his mouth. 

Lionel sighed. He wanted a meal, but… “Suppose I could just hunt down the guy who set this whole thing up instead.” 

“No!”

Flora’s sudden outburst surprised both of them. She hadn’t expected that to actually come out. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “No… Please. He sent me to do this, so, if it really is safe… I will.” 

“...You’re sure about that?” 

“I pride myself on my service,” Flora said, finding the strength to stand without support again. “This… This is my duty, I suppose.” 

Lionel paused for a beat. Well, it was still a shitty situation, but if she was willing, he wasn’t going to turn down a meal. He’d been looking forward to it ever since he heard one of those rich idiot actually bet against him. Unfortunate he didn’t have that guy to humble, but this girl was not a bad snack. She smelled interesting--lightly floral, but hidden under a layer of smoke and booze. No doubt from having to babysit those bozos upstairs. 

An interesting smell. He wanted a taste. 

“Well then. You ready?” Lionel asked, trying not to loom too threateningly. It was hard when you were as big as he was. 

Flora took a deep breath. “Yes.” 

Lionel scooped the young lady up in his paws, keeping his claws retracted for now. She was light as a feather. He flopped down on his pile of pillows, ready for his hard-earned meal. Now, where to take a taste-test? 

“Hmm…” Lionel looked at Flora, who seemed so small in his hands. She didn’t look terrified, but certainly unsure. Her hair, tied in two braids, left most of her neck exposed. Not a bad place to start. 

He leaned in and took a long, slow lick, feeling the human shudder slightly under his tongue. She tasted light, pleasant. Clean, for lack of a better word. Basically the opposite of himself. He slid his tongue back in and clicked it against the roof of his mouth, savoring her flavor. 

“Not bad at all,” he muttered. “You know, uh…?” 

“F-Flora.” 

“Flora. You’re pretty tasty.” At that, the girl blushed a light pink. Lionel chuckled. Didn’t seem like she got that many compliments if that got her bothered. “Yeah, your flavor’s, uh, delicate. That’s the word.”

Delicate flavors didn’t leave you content after just a taste though. Flavors like hers needed to be consumed in large quantities to really shine. Luckily, there was enough to fill his belly staring right back at him, and Lionel was ready for more.

Tucking a finger under each arm, Lionel lifted Flora up, opening his mouth wide. She stared down his throat for a moment, still barely processing what was going on, until she was jolted back to reality by the feeling of his warm, wet tongue on the back of her legs. 

“Hmmm…” Lionel purred, the sound vibrating in his throat. 

Flora’s heart pounded, but she wasn’t completely seized by terror. This felt oddly comfortable. As his tongue reached the back of her knees, she could only think about how it felt warm and soft. Almost like a bed. 

Someone like her never had a chance to sleep in. She was always up early, getting everything ready for the day. She could only dream of having no responsibilities, no one depending on her--needing her--to get through the day. If this was really safe, and she really would be released unharmed, was it crazy to find the idea of just being able to rest inside of this man appealing?

Lionel would never be this popular if he actually digested people, right? Flora always tried to trust what people told her, even though this one was hard to believe. But she wanted to. And it made sense. Nicholas would never want her dead, and Lionel… He seemed kind, despite all of this. He would have let her go. At least, he said he would have, and--

Lionel’s stomach gurgled expectantly, wondering what was taking so long. The delicious morsel had spent more than enough time in his mouth. It was time to send it down to where it belonged. 

Lionel almost didn’t want to, but he had plenty more of her to taste. So he gave a powerful swallow, pulling Flora down. Her legs were sucked into his gullet and suddenly she slipped further down into his mouth. With his lips around her waist, Lionel licked her sides, enjoying every moment of her flavor. He purred again, louder this time, and Flora looked away, for some reason feeling embarrassed herself. 

I suppose this is a form of service, she thought, to both Nicholas and Lionel. 

Now that she was in his throat, Lionel’s stomach grew more impatient. It growled once more, wanting to enjoy the meal, too. Lionel swallowed again, pulling her further in. Now only her chest and head were outside his body. He placed his hand under her top half to support her, though she was stuck by now. She couldn’t have escaped if she wanted to. 

Lionel carefully pushed his hand backward with his tongue, replacing her solid ground with one much softer. He made sure Flora didn’t scrape her back against his teeth. They were fun to show off, but they were very sharp, and she could easily get shredded by them if he wasn’t careful. He stuck his tongue out past her head, cradling her upper body before swallowing again, pulling her body further down into his belly and her head into his mouth. 

One or two more swallows should do it. With a tiny bit of regret, he threw his head back and gave a final, powerful swallow, forcing the girl down his throat. From there, the waves of peristalsis took over, effortlessly carrying her to his hungry, awaiting gut. 

Lionel leaned back further, feeling his stomach distend as she was squeezed down into it. For such a small girl, she gave him quite a nice gut. Just round enough to have something to rub. 

“Not so bad, huh?” Lionel asked, panting slightly to catch his breath. 

Inside his stomach, he felt Flora wiggle, trying to right herself. The walls were soft and squishy, close like they were embracing her. They moved around her, his stomach happy to finally have her all to itself. Lionel had to admit, he loved feeling her squirm, trying to get her bearings, though he was happy when she finally settled down, too. “Comfy?” he asked. 

The voice was from both above and all around her. Flora could hear the man’s heart, the air in his lungs. And she didn’t need to do a single thing. She couldn’t do a single thing. 

“Yes,” she responded. 

“Good.” Lionel stretched, then placed his hands on his belly. He couldn’t help but rub it. It felt amazing. 

Flora startled slightly as Lionel began rubbing his belly. (That, too, felt pretty good.) She wasn’t used to receiving care. It wasn’t comfortable for her, not yet, but it was… Nice. She snuggled down into the gladiator’s belly, content. 

“So,” Lionel said before either of them could fall asleep. “That guy, his name is Nicholas?” 

“Mmhm…” Flora usually would never respond so casually, but she was so tired. It was all she could manage. 

“...I’m still gonna go scare the shit outta him.” 

#soft vore #safe vore #trade writing #extreme cuddling

[lady-stardust-incarnate]

Just finished watching the red white and royal blue movie, here are my immediate thoughts:

1. Omg this movie actually made me so emotional, I didn't expect to cry, I don't cry at movies much but this one, for many reasons, really made me feel a lot of things. I can already tell it will be a huge comfort movie for me going forward and this is simply because of the incredible story that Casey Mcquinston created, the directing of Matthew Lopez, and the acting of Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicolas Galitzine and many more. (If ANYONE wants to say they have no chemistry I will fight you)

2. The way that the relationship between Henry and Alex is shown is incredibly well conveyed and in a way which could be realistic. We see that sweet sweet enemies to lovers but even after they get together it continues to develop and their connection grows stronger into a special bond which we see at the end of the movie (no not the post credit scene, that was a lil silly, nice touch though). Also going off on a slight tangent here, one of my main complaints about heartstopper season 2 was that Nick and Charlie are always kissing/making out, I was worried that this would also be the case for rwrb, but it definately wasn't. I read so many articles on how the intimacy coordinator directed the two actors and how much they themselves researched into the role to really deliver their best performences. It definately paid off. I felt that there was a really nice balance between the really intimate scenes which we see a lot of in the book and sweet tender moments where they really show that these two characters really love each other and aren't just super horny.

3. The sets and the way they filmed the whole thing. yes. The main one I want to comment on is the iconic cake scene, which as I said, I read a lot of interviews, and from those I know that Matthew Lopez had a vision for this scene which he worked really hard to get perfect, and it had a really good turnout (I know I already mentioned it but I love the post credit scene so much). One of my favourite things was Matthew Lopez revealing that the birds eye shot of cake falling onto Alex and Henry was him and another crew member dumping cake into them, this isn't that relevant to my thoughts but I just found that detail hilarious as Lopez said it was a "good way to let off steam." Other than that scene, which for me was a very important part of the film, I don't really know much about the technical side of a production like this, but as a viewer it all came together nicely and the sets were nice.

4. A reason I really connect with this film is the fact that I am a queer teenager who has learned to accept themself, gone through the coming out process (somewhat, we don't talk about extended family). I absolutely love the positive representation that this movie gives to the queer community. For people who have not read the book, it is an incredible story, and for a lot of people it shows for the first time in media that LGBTQ+ people can have their happy ending, it won't be easy to get there but it is worth it in the end. While in reality we see this with queer couples a lot, the community has had to fight for their rights and are still in that process, in countries where it is legal it is still very common to be judged, attacked and even killed for your self expression. So for me this was a very fresh (even though I read the book) story for the community, to show that the battles are worth fighting for your happiness. As I touched on before, I think a reason that this works so well is that the characters are so relatable to the average viewer, despite their positions. The are made to be comedic and actually have banter like you'd expect, it's not uptight and only about the romance and spicy scenes. This is really comforting to so many people out there and it feels very appropriate with the world we live in now. I would say my favourite scene in the entire film was the v&a scene, it's so cute I don't know how else to put it, literally a romance dream. Sorry if that was my worst tangent yet, you can tell I'm passionate on the subject.

5. I just wanted to mention some of the other characters. Like a lot of people I was really disappointed to find out that characters such as June and Liam would not be in the movie, however I think this is made up for by the great portrayal of other characters, my favourite being Nora who, let's be real, is not only Alex and Henry's number 1 shipper, but also just gives the best advice. Everyone in this movie genuinely gave such a great performence and I can only thank the entire team for giving us the adaptation that the book deserves.

6. I'm giving the spicy scenes their own point to mainly say that they aren't even that spicy, I personally don't even see why this film was given an r rating and I believe, as many others have said, that if this film was a straight romcom then it wouldn't be given that rating. Yes you see them with clothes off, there's no dick, you only actually see them having sex once, the others are mainly foreplay, really nothing that explicit.

7. I thought I would also dedicate a point to the travesty that is certain quotes from the book that were not included, "you obtuse fucking asshole." "fucking eyelashes." and "Remus John Lupin is gay as the day is long." (ok they probably couldn't get copyright permission to add that one) "I'm gonna take your pants off now... yes good carry on." "for fucks sake man you just had my dick in your mouth, you can kiss me goodnight." and "what in the rich white people sex dungeon." I know that they probably didn't want the script to be a direct copy of this book but some of these quotes would've been nice, also I like that they atleast mentioned the PowerPoint, despite not having the actual PowerPoint.

I hope you enjoyed my overly formal review/thoughts on the rwrb movie which slowly got more deranged in the hour that I was writing this, I began writing this around 3:20am just after I finished the movie, and it's safe to say, I won't be coming back to this to correct any spelling or punctuation mistakes. Overall I love the film, as typical as it is for a romcom, I love the characters and I really like what they were able to do in the 2 hours of the film. Obviously it's never going to be a perfect adaptation but I loved every second of it nonetheless. It's cheesy, it's romantic, but that's what gives it it's charm and makes me love it so much. I'll be hoping for a series to futher explore the story but that'll probably stay in my delusions.

It is now 4:20am, goodnight (I'm not going to sleep, I'm just not being formal anymore)

#red white and royal blue #red white & royal blue #red white and royal blue film #red white and royal blue movie #rwrb movie #rwrb film #rwrb on prime #rwrb review #alex rwrb #rwrb alex #henry rwrb #rwrb henry #henry fox mountchristen windsor #henry mountchristen windsor #prince henry of wales #alexander claremont diaz #alex claremont diaz #henry x alex #alex and henry #taylor zakhar perez #nick galitzine #nicholas galitzine #tzp #matthew lopez #casey mcquiston #firstprince #first prince

[hekateinhell]

#vcficfriday 🦇

now that your lips are burning mine (4513 words) by @rainbowcarousels Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Vampire Chronicles Series - Anne Rice Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Nicolas de Lenfent/Lestat de Lioncourt Characters: Nicolas de Lenfent, Lestat de Lioncourt Summary: “Where did you learn to fuck?”

Lestat scrunched up his nose and opened one of his eyes, still bleary from his almost slumber. “I know I’m not as educated as you but I know where babies come from,” he said.

“I must assure you that no babies will come from what we just did, but I don't think you uneducated in that kind of way.” Nicolas found himself smiling unbidden. “You do have quite a reputation, monsieur.”

Lestat rolled over, perhaps to look at him better in the low light. “Is it a good reputation?”

“For the right person, yes.” Nicolas replied. “But for most, it borders on notorious.”

Nicki, Lestat and a first time (or two).

This is such a fun, filthy, tender fic that's so uniquely Lestat/Nicki — it tugs at my heart in the best way! There's so much character and kink exploration going on here, and as always, Rainbow's a master of weaving them together! ♥️

Like Crystal Under Your Power (2361 words) by lajeunefilleenfleurs Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Vampire Chronicles Series - Anne Rice Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Armand/Louis de Pointe du Lac Characters: Armand (Vampire Chronicles), Louis de Pointe du Lac, Benji Mahmoud, Sybelle (Vampire Chronicles) Summary: New York, Trinity Gate, 2010 circa. Armand is a very powerful vampire, and Louis is going to have a taste of the tender side of this power.

I'm always starved for fic that delves into Armand and Louis's time together at Trinity Gate pre-PL era and this one delivered!!!

“Where do you want to go this time?” Armand whispered, his voice low, just for him. And then there was only the blood.

PLEASE.

#HAPPY FRIDAY BABES <333333 #fic recs #vcficfriday #lestat/nicki #armand/louis #lestat de lioncourt #nicolas de lenfent #armand #louis de pointe du lac #vc #the vampire chronicles

[schweizercomics]

Companions of Christmas 4: The Krampus!

The Krampus was a rural giftgiver who would deliver presents to good alpine children, but the naughty ones? Well, he'd stuff them into his basket and take them back to his lair, where they would be forced to spend the next year making toys for good kids. They'd be released the following Christmas, but even so, a year of forced labor in captivity is not ideal for anyone, much less a child.

Kids from this area, terrified of the Krampus, started writing St. Nicolas (already widely known for defending children from harm) letters asking for his intercession, and the saint obliged. He and the Krampus had a rumble, and St. Nick successfully shackled the Krampus with the chains that had once held St. Paul of Tarsus.

Bound by the magic of this holy relic, the Krampus had to accompany St. Nick for the next few years, and in observing his captor came to see that his punitive approach to kids wasn't the best way to ensure their good behavior or long-term character betterment after all. Thus reformed of his kid-beating, kid-stealing ways, the Krampus was released by St. Nick, though he asked to retain the chains so that they would always remind him of how NOT to help put right kids that are straying from the path of goodness, kindness, and charity, but to instead practice those tenets himself in order to best right wrong behavior.

He still has his avuncular sense of humor, and likes to put milder scares into wee ones, so expect to get a light whap with his bundle of switches, and a short ride around the room in his basket.

#Krampus #The Krampus #Christmas #Santa #St Nick #St. Nick #Christmas Lore #Folklore

[mylifeincinema]

My Best of 2023: Supporting Actor

My Best of 2023 is a series of annual lists in which I pick the best of the best from 2023, all leading up to my official picks for My Top 10 Films of 2023.

This is usually my most difficult category… and almost always my favorite. This year's different. Yeah, Mark Ruffalo delivered one of my very favorite performances of the year, period. But the rest - aside from 8-10 - aren't really in any locked order, despite all delivering great, scene-stealing performances. Both Roberts turned in phenomenal, complex, villainous performances. Downey honing in on his character's ego, and De Niro nailing his character's evil entitlement. Gosling was an absolute blast in Barbie. But he was just Ken, so.... Willem Dafoe was wonderfully weird, but should've gotten more screen-time. Same goes for Cage, whose Dracula really should've been onscreen for every single second of Renfield's running-time. I'm not super familiar with Sterling's work, but I didn't know he had such impeccable comedic delivery. And the final three are all young actors who - much to my surprise - show little to no ego in the way they brought these characters to life. Again, all of these are truly great performances, it's only the order that - for once - has me completely lost (Okay, the Top 4 or so are pretty solid, but after that? Forget about it.)... but I guess this is close enough. Oh, and I have this gut feeling I'm completely forgetting someone I absolutely loved. There's that, too.

Anyway, here they are…

My Top 10 Performances by a Supporting Actor in 2023!

1. Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things

2. Robert Downey Jr. in Oppenheimer

3. Robert De Niro in Killers of the Flower Moon

4. Ryan Gosling in Barbie

5. Willem Dafoe in Poor Things

6. Nicolas Cage in Renfield

7. Sterling K. Brown in American Fiction

8. Jacob Elordi in Priscilla

9. Dominic Sessa in The Holdovers

10. Charles Melton in May December

Enjoy!

-Timothy Patrick Boyer.

Next Up: Directing; Lead Actress

More of My Best of 2023...

#film #movies #best of 2023 #poor things #mark ruffalo #oppenheimer #robert downey jr. #robert de niro #mybestof2023 #killers of the flower moon #ryan gosling #barbie #willem dafoe #nicolas cage #renfield #sterling k. brown #american fiction #priscilla #jacob elordi #dominic sessa #the holdovers #charles melton #may december #movie #cinema #lists #etc.

[agentnico]

Wonka (2023) Review

Anyone doubting Chalamet's singing abilities need look no further than his Tiny Horse skit on SNL from 2 years ago. All I'll say is you're welcome!

Plot: With dreams of opening a shop in a city renowned for its chocolate, a young and poor Willy Wonka discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.

Everyone scratched their heads upon the announcement that young Hollywood heartthrob Timothee Chalament was cast as the famous Roald Dahl chocolatier. Then when the trailer was released it did not instill much confidence either. Something was jarring about witnessing the usually brooding and stoic Dune/Call Me by Your Name actor acting quirky and silly. Comparisons to Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp were of course inevitable as this is the third attempt at adapting Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory children's book, so would Chalamet simply be attempting to portray a cheap knock-off of his predecessors, and what if Timmy simply lacks the Whimsy to play the silly little guy?

Turns out we had nothing to worry about, especially as we seem to have all forgotten that Wonka's directed by Paul King. You know, the guy behind those sweet Paddington films. Those movies are simply the most delightful and innocently sweet little things, featuring universal themes of kindness and embracing new things, featuring genuine laughs, moments that could make you cry, and an overall homage to recent and classic films. Less one forgets that Paddington 2 also holds the endorsement of no other than Nicolas Cage within The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent which goes out of its way to name-drop Paddington 2 and turns it into a running gag that helps members of the cast bond. With Wonka Paul King's magic feels right at home, as he delivers a warm old-fashioned musical extravaganza, that has the innocence and silliness of the Paddington films, mixed with the darker undertones from the Roald Dahl's classic.

Speaking of the musical aspect, the songs in this film are actually really lovely. Naturally, you have the returning remixes of 'Oompa Loompa' and 'Pure Imagination', but the new tracks are truly delightful, with Timothee Chalamet's singing on point, and the melodies very old-school, basking in their simplicity yet accompanying the capriciousness of the movie perfectly. The production design is great, with lots of colours that pop that should provide enough visual candy for the kids going to the movies this holiday season. The costumes also stood out, and I loved how Wonka's suit was an amalgamation of Wilder's and Depp's outfits. What shocks me is that the costume designer here Limmy Hemming is the same one behind Nolan's The Dark Knight. Such different looks, but then again if you change Willy's jacket from red to purple there are similarities to the Joker outfit...

In regards to Chalamet's Wonka - he's solid. Would a different actor maybe have been a better choice? Probably, however, Timothee manages to deliver a high level of quirk through his enunciation and movements, with his Wonka innocent to a fault, and morally pure. The supporting cast is full of comedians who take turns stealing scenes. Hugh Grant's Oompa Loompa is an uncanny highlight that takes a while to appear and is absolutely worth the wait. Paterson Joseph excels at playing a full-on pantomime villain complimented by Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton to make for a delightfully evil trio. An entertaining pairing of Olivia Colman and Tom Davis results for an awkward yet at times hilarious double-act, and amusing yet under-used turns from Keegan Michael-Key and Rowan Atkinson leave you wanting more.

Wonka is an easily digestible and polished family movie for the holiday season that is a rare example of a prequel that justifies its existence. I would say that the comedy doesn't always land and felt as if Paul King and the team were held a bit back with how absurd they were willing to go. I don't know, it feels like putting Mr. Bean and a runaway giraffe together in a church could have led to wilder results than what we are ultimately given. Maybe it's remembering Tim Burton's brand of humour that felt more satirical than this fairly tame Wonka. I'm aware many audiences have mixed opinions on the Tim Burton Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, however myself and my fiancee watched it a few months back and found it to be absolutely hilarious! Also, Christopher Lee as a despicable angry dentist who hates chocolate was just *chef's kiss*. As for Wonka? Well, everyone needs a little willy in their life... I'm of course talking about the movie and nothing else!

Overall score: 7/10

#wonka 2023 #wonka movie #wonka #timothee chalamet #2023 #paul king #2023 in film #2023 films #movie #film #wonka review #keegan michael key #olivia colman #hugh grant #matt lucas #paterson joseph #mathew baynton #rowan atkinson #sally hawkins #comedy #musical #adventure #family #roald dahl #charlie and the chocolate factory #movie reviews #film reviews #cinema #2023 movies #paddington

[niemernuet]

A little oneshot that I've been chipping away for this weeks' osws fandom challenge for the prompt

❄️ Fake Relationship ❄️

Justiel, set somewhere after Justin's second knee injury.

Rating: M characters: Daniel Yule, Justin Murisier, Luca Aerni, Marc Rochat, Ramon Zenhäusern, Matteo Joris, Nicola Macron, OC length: 4'000 words

The training went well, the coach was in a good mood the entire morning, the weather promised to deliver another flawless summer day, and when the cardio coach announced that they would have the afternoon off, everyone should have cheered. The rejoicing was subdued though because a mysterious cloud hung over the group that cast a dark shadow over all of them. On the long gondola-ride down into the valley, Justin could not hold back any longer. He poked Daniel in the ribs with his elbows.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing!" Daniel snapped, and moved away as far as the narrow bench, and Ramon occupying the remaining space, allowed.

"Yeah, sure," Marc said from the opposite bench, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's why you've been in such a sunny mood the entire morning."

"I am not in a bad mood!" Daniel exclaimed angrily, his voice getting louder the higher Marc's eyebrows rose over his forehead.

"You have been snippy since we left the house," Luca threw in.

"You almost kicked a tourist up there," Ramon added, and nodded towards the mountain station that gradually became smaller and smaller in their field of vision.

"He was cutting in line!" Daniel yelled. "Just because you've travelled ten thousand kilometres and have one day to see Zermatt, Lucerne and Zurich doesn't mean you can just do as you please! This is…"

"Daniel!" Justin barked, and Daniel pressed his lips together. His furious glare crumbled like the snow on the glacier once he met Justin's eyes, and with a groan he let his head fall back against the scratched glass of the gondola.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"What is it?" Luca asked. "We can help you."

Daniel laughed joylessly, his eyes closed. "No, you can't. Not with this."

"Try us," Marc said.

For a moment, Daniel remained motionless. "We're going to Scotland for Grandpa's 75th in two days."

"And you…don't want to go?" Ramon asked when he would not continue.

Daniel shook his head. "I want to go but things have become so awkward since…since his neighbour got it in her head that she has to set me up with one of her grandchildren."

With a sigh, he sat up straight again, and stared gloomily on his feet while the rest of the people in the gondola tried to process his words.

"Does she know you're…" Luca began but petered off.

"It's her grandson," Daniel explained.

"So just tell her you're not interested," Justin said, and made Daniel laugh again.

"Wish it were so easy." He sighed again, and after a short hesitation added. "Because he is interested."

He looked up into the faces of his sympathetic yet also barely comprehending friends, and finally his desperation burst out of him. "He's fucking interested and he just can. Not. Take. A. Fucking. Hint! It's all 'oh, you see, at St. Andrews where I study…' and 'at St. Andrews we always do blah blah…' and 'My mates from St. Andrews and I love to go skiing in Courchevel. The French Alps are just so blah blah…" and every word out of his mouth just makes me want to vomit. I'm trying to be considerate and sensitive because my grandparents have been living next to them for the past fifty years, and they like their neighbours and I don't want to make things awkward for them but their grandson is just such a bloody bell end. And the worst of all is that you can't take one step up there without the old biddy knowing about it so as soon as I arrive on Grandpa's door step she'll call him."

Silence fell after that anguished declaration. It was Justin who broke it.

"That's it?"

Daniel's head whipped around. Justin's smile turned into a laugh when he saw the outrage on Daniel's face.

"I thought it was something serious, like an injury," he said while he pulled his phone out of his backpack. "Or that you want to retire."

He handed his phone over to Marc, and threw his arm over Daniel's shoulder. Marc understood him without words, and snapped a row of pictures of Justin grabbing Daniel's head, and putting their foreheads together.

"What the hell?" Daniel exclaimed.

Justin let go, and turned his face towards Marc. "Smile!" he ordered, and rested his head on Daniel's shoulder.

"And?" he asked Marc.

Marc shrugged, and flipped through the pictures. "He didn't smile but I think it just makes it better. It looks like he didn't know the camera was on him." He handed the phone back to Justin who mustered the pictures with a satisfied nod.

"Congratulations," he then said, and grinned at Daniel. "You now have a boyfriend."

"What?" Daniel repeated helplessly. "No, that's not…"

"It's genius!" Luca threw in.

"Thank you," Justin said, still grinning. He typed away on his phone, and shortly afterwards, Daniel's own gadget vibrated in his pocket.

"You can put one of the pictures as your home screen. When he asks you say we're keeping it low-key for the time being."

"Tell him you fell in love with a handsome country boy from another valley but his family doesn't accept you so you have to keep it secret," Luca threw in.

"Or you can say I just don't want to shout it from the rooftops yet," Justin said, and pointedly stared at Luca.

"Tell him they're savages in Val de Bagnes," Marc added. "Barely human. But you can't help yourself, the sex is simply mind-blowing."

"Excuse me!" Justin yelled.

"Tell him you bet you can't find a country boy like that at St. Andrews," Ramon said, and they laughed when Justin threw up his hands.

"Guys!" Daniel spoke up. "I can't…" He was interrupted by the telltale rattling that announced the entrance to the valley station.

"Hold that thought!," Marc grinned, grabbed his things, and jumped out while the doors were still swinging open.

They lugged their skis and material through the crowds of tourists and back to the house where they had spent the past week. Putting everything away took its time, and when Daniel had all his skis lined up the way Nicola liked it, and hanged the inside of his ski boots out to dry, and stuffed his suit and the jacket into the wardrobe, the others had long left for their own rooms. He smiled when he opened the message from Justin with the two pictures, and sank down on the edge of his bed. Justin found him like that when he came crashing through the door, and unceremonisouly dropped his things on his own bed.

"And you don't mind…" Daniel asked without looking away from the picture. It really was a lucky shot, Daniel's wide-open eyes hidden by Justin's hand, and his surprised exclamation frozen to something that seemed like a laugh as Justin came in for a kiss.

"Of course not!" Justin panted, and kicked the shells of his ski boots under his bed. "I wouldn't have done it otherwise."

Daniel hummed, and switched to the other photo. Indeed, it looked as if Daniel was staring out of the window on the other side of the gondola, and not at Marc, his confused expression making him look as if he was deeply lost in his thoughts.

"I don't plan on ever going to Scotland," Justin said as he plopped down next to Daniel. "And I don't think you'll ever invite him here, so we're safe." He chuckled as he looked at the picture. "I make a great pretend-boyfriend."

Daniel snorted though he could not hide the fond smile washing over his face. "Don't flatter yourself."

"I do!" Justin exclaimed, and stood up again. He walked to his suitcase next to his bed, its contents spilling out on all sides. "I am funny, easy-going, romantic…what else?"

"You snore and you leave your stuff scattered all over the room," Daniel added.

"You love that about me," Justin retorted, grabbed his towel, and disappeared in the bathroom.

-----

The hottest weeks of summer passed, and with the first gust of autumn winds, the unending river of tourists pouring down on Zermatt died down to a trickle. Their absence finally left enough space in the restaurant at the top of the mountain for all the groups using the glacier as training ground and, as always, Marc and Luca had managed to snag the one with the best view. Justin joined them with a cup of coffee, and with a contended sigh sank down in a free chair. Training had picked up speed, the new season was fast approaching, and the coaches became sterner with every day.

"When will it end?" Luca muttered, his head resting on a bunched-up sweater.

"You tell me," Justin said as Daniel sank down next to him. "I have to do something. The coach's jokes about me changing the group are getting less and less funny. I don't want to leave! And he wants to send me to the giant-slalom-group of all things! Can you imagine having to train day in day out with that uppity Caviezel? Also I've heard they want to send the snooty brat from Hérèmence too. No thanks."

"Eh, Loïc's nice," Marc threw in. "He's just shy. And you're not exactly helping him come out of his shell."

"Snooty," Justin muttered in his cup before he turned his head to Daniel. "Anyway, I don't want to leave you guys. I love it here and…" He broke off. Daniel sat unblinking, his face white as a sheet. When he realised that everyone was staring at him, he flinched, and jumped up again.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" he muttered, and clamped his hand into Justin's shoulder. With a confused look back to their friends, Justin put the cup down, and followed Daniel into the hallway towards the souvenir shop and the gondolas.

"What's wrong?" he asked while Daniel restlessly paced up and down on the sturdy felt carpet.

"He's coming here," Daniel blurted out, and wrung his hands.

Justin frowned, and pressed against the wall to make space for Daniel pacing in front of him. "Who?"

"The guy!" Daniel exclaimed, and finally stopped. "Grandpa's neighbour's grandson! He…" Here Daniel gestured quotation marks into the air, "…convinced his mates from St. Andrews to come to Zermatt instead of Courchevel for a fun weekend before the start of the new semester."

Justin burst out laughing but Daniel was still in utter distress, and began to pace again.

"He wants to go for a pint with us. I don't want to go for a fucking pint! Not with him!"

"Daniel, that's no problem," Justin said, and grabbed him by the shoulder. "How often do you see couples over the age of 16 make out in broad daylight? It'll be the easiest thing to keep this up. All we have to do is sit next to each other, touch each other's arm once or twice, maybe call each other Honey Bear or Poulette, and we'll be fine."

"I can't keep going on with this," Daniel muttered, and stared into the distance. "I'll have to come clean; tell him I don't fancy him at all."

"What? And risk the good relationship between your grandparents and their neighbours?" Justin laughed. "It's our duty to…"

"I wrote to him that we broke up."

Justin's laugh fell, just like his hand from Daniel's shoulder.

"This was insane from the beginning!" Daniel spat, and tore his fingers through his hair. "What if someone from our team sees us in the pub and comes over? Or really just anyone who trains next to us on the snow? Back in Scotland I told him we're fresh, not even my own family knows about it, because what if he had talked to them? Or to his grandmother who would have told my Grandpa who would have told her that he doesn't know anything about a boyfriend?" He stared at Justin but he was too focused on his ski boots all of a sudden.

"I'll just tell him I don't like him in that way, and whatever happens in Scotland, happens. I don't care."

Justin's chest heaved with a short snort.

"You won't meet him," Daniel continued, "not if I can help it. But if you should cross him in the unlikeliest situation, just tell him we didn't pan out. Don't invent stuff, just…don't. Please."

"We just weren't meant to be," Justin said flatly. He smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. "Shit happens."

Daniel exhaled, and closed his eyes for a second. He tried to meet Justin's eyes. "Exactly. I'm glad you understand."

Justin nodded, and pushed away from the wall. "Of course. We should go, the break's over."

-----

The snow kept its form longer this time of the year, and did not turn into unskiable sludge like during the height of summer. The coaches had left the course from the morning to simulate a worn-out track, and one after the other the athletes hurtled down the slope. A small patch of the mountainside was fenced off. It was reserved for the first winter tourists, and amateurs of all skill-levels pushed the soft snow downwards. A handful of them always lingered near the fence, watching the pros at work. At first, nobody took any heed when another group stopped by, only when they started to hoot and cheer did they turn their heads. Their ski outfits were top of the line and pristine, their faces young and forgettable.

"Oh god, just kill me now," Daniel muttered, stepped into the pair of skis Nicola had prepared, and slid away towards the group.

"What?" Nicola asked into the air.

"Old…acquaintances from Scotland," Justin explained.

"He better acquaints himself with the course soon unless he wants to walk down to Zermatt," Matteo grumbled as he fiddled with the radio strapped to his chest.

“I’ll go first,” Justin said, and lined up at the start gate.

They practiced until the sun started to sink towards the mountain peaks. The group from before had long since moved onto the patio of the restaurant, and had watched them from above.

“We’re going for a beer first before we’re going down,” Luca said to Justin while they finished putting together their things. “Should I order one for you too?”

Justin shut his backpack, and threw it over his shoulder. He shook his head. "I don't feel so well. I'll see you back at the house."

"Okay…" Luca said with a frown, and watched as Justin walked through the turnstile. Only a few people were standing in line, which only existed because nobody felt like sharing a gondola. Justin also stayed put while the couple ahead of him entered their cabin, even though there would have been more than enough space for him. Nobody except Daniel took notice of the man with the eye-wateringly expensive skis coming from the restaurant, and slipping past the queue.

"No no no!" Daniel yelled, and dropped the pair of skis he had in his hands, grabbed his jacket, and sprinted towards the turnstiles. "Dave, wait!"

Justin was too busy with his bags and backpack, and only realised that he was not alone in the gondola when the man was already sitting on the opposite bench. Daniel ran past the queue and the flimsy barrier separating the people from the exit ramp, and slipped in at the last second before the doors shut, and the gondola bolted out of the mountain station. For the first few seconds, while they were still rattling over the masts, only Daniel's gasps filled the silence. Justin stared at the guy with a blank look while he seemed very pleased himself. Daniel, meanwhile, looked miserable.

"I'm sorry for butting in like that," the guy eventually began, with a grin that showed he was not. He held out his hand to Justin. "I'm Dave."

Justin looked at the hand, and back at Dave without moving one muscle. "Daniel's grandfather's neighbour's grandson who studies at St. Andrews," he said.

Dave laughed, and dropped his hand back into his lap. His ski trousers and ski jacket were brand new. "The one and only."

Neither Daniel nor Justin said anything but Dave was not bothered in the least.

"I could convince my mates to change up our usual pre-semester trip," he explained. "Something different for once. It's not quite like Ibiza but almost. I guess that means we'll have to go somewhere warm for New Year's," he mused, and looked out of the window. "Maybe the Caribbean? Though everyone always loves Courchevel…" Slowly they crossed the tree line, and scraggly firs started to spring out of the ground.

With a shrug, Dave came back from his thoughts, and grinned at Justin again. "It's fun, I mean, getting out of the usual rut for once. And even more fun when it means I get to see Daniel." Here he winked, and stared at Daniel until he pulled his lips into a thin smile. Then, Dave turned to Justin. "But now I also get the chance to tell you what a bloody idiot you are."

Justin slowly cocked his head. That and a slight frown was the only indication that he had listened.

"He's just joking," Daniel pressed through clenched teeth.

"I'm not!" Dave laughed. "Do you know how many words Dan used to speak to me before he met you? It was like trying to communicate with a tree. A handsome, handsome tree." He let out an exaggerated sigh as he looked at Dan. "But then I ask one little question about the picture on his phone, out of politeness, I might say, and all of a sudden I can't get him to shut up anymore."

"I was drunk…" Daniel interjected, his cheek glowing bright red.

"It was early afternoon," Dave corrected. "And I learnt more about motocross than I ever cared to know in my whole life. Also I'm happy your knee is okay again, and also that your sister found another job, and…" He leant forward, and mustered Justin's face intently. "Yeah, those are grey. But not that pretty, no offence. I mean, if you're into that…"

Justin barely acknowledged him, his gaze locked in on Daniel who was leaning his head on the scratched window with his eyes closed.

"So imagine my surprise when I come here and learn that you broke up with him. I…"

"It was mutual."

Dave paused, and stared at Justin with a surprised expression.

"I didn't break up with him. We both agreed it's just not the right thing," Justin said softly, and looked at Dave.

As if he was finally realising the tense situation in the cramped gondola, Dave's eyebrows shot up. A short frown flickered over his face before it was hidden under another grin. He turned to Daniel again.

"All the better that I'm here now, right? I'm at the Cervo, we could take our pint at…"

Justin did not let him finish. "You could take a hint, for one."

Dave's glare was now unmistakably hostile but Justin still was unbothered, even as the silence stretched uncomfortably long, and only ended when the gondola suddenly sagged a little before dashing into the valley station.

"I'll write to you," Dave said to Daniel, and with one last, withering look to Justin climbed out.

Daniel and Justin followed him outside, and watched him trot away without sparing them another glance, his skis dangling against his leg. When he had turned the corner, Justin adjusted the straps of the heavy backpack, and lifted one pair of the skis on his shoulders.

"I've forgot my stuff up there," Daniel said, trying to fill the heavy silence. "I'll just…"

He broke off as Justin turned away wordlessly, and walked away.

"Justin!" Daniel said with rising desperation but Justin ignored him.

-----

Marc, Luca, and Ramon were lounging on the patio of their chalet when Daniel returned from his trip back to the glacier. The sun was setting in earnest behind the mountains now, and a cool breeze carried the first signs of the coming winter down the golden hillsides.

"Why is Justin sulking in his room?" Luca asked through the open door, and grabbed a handful of peanuts from a bowl in the middle of the table.

With hanging shoulders, Daniel walked through the living room towards the hallway. "I'll talk to him," he muttered.

"Dinner's ready in twenty minutes," Marc yelled as Daniel disappeared through one of the doors.

With his last strength he carried his stuff through the room, and dropped everything on the ground in front of his suitcase. Justin sat on his bed with his back to the wall, scrolling through his phone. Without a word Daniel shrugged out of his jacket and ski trousers, grabbed a towel, and walked to the bathroom. He stooped, the door in his hand, took a deep breath, and turned around.

His voice was brittle. "I'm sorry," he said. "About…everything. I should have shut this down way earlier, not…" He broke off, and took a deep breath. "Look, whatever you're thinking now, I don't want things to change between us. My feelings for you are my problem alone. It won't change how I…your friendship is too important to me and I'd never do anything to threaten it. So…yeah." He shrugged, and quickly fled into the bathroom but he had no chance to turn the key as the door was roughly pulled out of his hand again. Daniel flinched back, at the sight of Justin blocking the entire door , effectively locking him in the windowless room.

Justin did not move or speak, only stared at Daniel, and quickly he wiped over his cheeks. Justin kept staring even as Daniel helplessly stared back, until he finally gathered all his remaining little courage so he could look him in the eye. His breath hitched when he saw those bright, grey eyes lingering on him.

Lingering.

Tears swimming.

Daniel's shoulders slumped.

"Oh."

Justin laughed, and before Daniel could move, had him wrapped in a painfully tight hug.

"Oh…" Daniel sighed again as he clung to Justin like a drowning man.

"Yeah," Justin laughed, and noisily pulled up his nose.

“Why did you never say anything?”

“I didn’t want to lose you too,” Justin rasped. “Duh.”

Daniel laughed. Hugging Justin was not new, and yet it was, and he never wanted to let go of him anymore.

“We can never tell the others,” he said, and they both laughed again.

“Luca will never let us hear the end,” Justin muttered. “He will be insufferable.”

Slowly, Daniel released his grip around Justin until he could look at him. His head spun madly when Justin closed the gap for a kiss, and when he remembered that from now on, he could do it whenever he wanted, he laughed again.

“I felt like crying when you broke up our fake relationship,” Justin confessed, and a soft blush crept over his cheeks.

"I was sure you'd forgotten about it," Daniel whispered.

Justin shook his head. “But when that moron told that story…”

Daniel groaned, and leant his forehead against Justin’s shoulder. “You know the worst thing? I really was drunk.”

Justin burst out laughing. “In the middle of the day?”

Daniel sighed. “It was the last lunch, and Grandpa had pulled out his entire Whisky-collection for a tasting. I was just trying to get sober again in the garden when he came over…god, just the memory...”

“Lightweight,” Justin teased.

“Am not!” Daniel exclaimed, and pushed Justin off. “You have no idea how big Grandpa’s collection is!”

Justin grinned, and kissed him again.

#osws fandom challenge #justiel #alpine skiing #it just doesn't want to flow right these days

[josefavomjaaga]

Murcia, 1812

The edition of Soult’s memoirs occasionally in the footnotes quotes excerpts from other books, relating to the subject. In some cases, it’s the “Historia del levantiamento, guerra et revolucion de Espagna” by the Conde de Toreno. So, the scene below (from Volume 4) is a double translation, from Spanish to French and then from French to English. It’s about French troops entering Murcia on 26 January 1812.

All these [Spanish] forces were assailed at the same time, not only by those of Suchet and general Montbrun, but also by a part of the French Army of the South, which ran to take part in the spoils.

Or rather, as usual, Soult’s Armée du Midi, had been called in order to help Suchet conquer this rebellious province. It’s funny how the Armée du Midi, while never receiving any resources in men or money, because all that came from France was intercepted in Madrid at the latest and distributed elsewhere, was always the one everybody ran to if they wanted support.

The latter arrived on the 25th of January in sight of Murcia, and on the 26th General Soult, brother of the Marshal, entered at the head of six hundred horses. He had been preceded the day before by a detachment of troops, and both imposed on the inhabitants heavy contributions impossible to meet. To all these burdens, the French general wanted to add a new one, and ordered that a rich and splendid banquet should be prepared for him the same day in the archiepiscopal palace, where he was lodged. He was already savouring the delicacies which were served to him, when he was interrupted in this sensual occupation by a voice which cried out: "The Spanish troops have entered; the enemies are lost."

In fact, Don Martin de la Carrera, who was stationed not far from there, with a large part of the cavalry of the second and third armies, after having assembled a large body of cavalry in Espinardo, half a mile from the town, had just entered it through the Castilian gate at the head of a hundred horses. Other corps had orders to attack at the same time on the other points. Carrera's design was to surprise the enemies, who were hardly expecting this attack, to take them prisoner, or to drive them out, and thus to deliver the city from such a dangerous host.

Caught unawares, General Soult rose from the table in alarm, and, in his haste, he stumbled and almost rolled down the stairs. Although badly hurt by his fall, he nevertheless mounted his horse, and all his men followed him. Unfortunately, the same was not true of the people of Carrera's party, who, with the exception of those whom he led in person, either did not enter the town or soon retreated through error or lack of courage.

“Thanks, but I think we’ll pass this one.”

Don Martin was consequently obliged to face, alone with his hundred men, the forces of the enemy, which were so superior to him. He did not let himself be defeated, however, and before he was surrounded, he went through the streets and squares, slashing and killing as many of the enemy as he could get his hands on. The melee was sustained for a long time. It cost the French blood to put an end to it; but finally, Carrera [... plenty of heroic resistance later ...] fell lying in the street of San-Nicolas, where he died.

As horrible as this story is, I can’t help but laugh, both at the idea of Soult’s little brother Pierre rolling down those stairs, and that Spanish general running through the streets, killing Frenchmen left and right, calling for his men to follow him, until he looked over his shoulder … "Uhm… where are you guys?"

#napoleonic era #pierre benoit soult #peninsular war #napoleon's generals #murcia 1812 #me ignoring the dread

[sweet-vanilla-sims]

Year 1677

TW/CW: Death

Giuliano adored his young children but being as Bastiano would likely inherit their family home and farm he made certain to teach him in the garden just like his father did though they did frequently get distracted.

In February, there was thankfully little bad news to share in fact Giulia was delighted to receive a letter from Orelia saying that Antonio's wife had delivered a little girl though at the time of the letter Sarah and Orion were still bickering over what to name her. Still the news was welcome.

Marcello made more frequent visits to the Morosini home especially as his young cousin was growing up well since it made him all the more certain that there would be no issue with him leaving once he was an adult and married.

Antonio's youngest grew into an admittedly intense little one as the seasons prepared to change from Spring to Summer.

Tala enjoyed the house being so full of children after so long alone. She only hoped that in the future it would always remain like that.

Whenever Ashley needed a break from her family she'd come to the Rossi Carlisle home to spend time with her little cousin. She loved the excitement the Morosini always bustled with but after growing up in a relatively small household, it was frequently too much now that there were four small children. Thankfully the older two wouldn't be that little for much longer.

Sadly it was getting late into the night during one of Ashley's visits that on her way back home she noticed Tala collapsed in the garden and her shocked yell alerted Marina. Age had finally come for Tala as on July 1st she was confirmed to have passed away.

The burial and subsequent mourning put a damper on the fact that young Nicola had grown out of his infancy and into a little boy. The changes in the household didn't end there as now that there was no woman in the household, Gabriella insisted that it was improper to have her niece be in the home when she was getting close to marrying age so Alessandro made arrangements that she would move out by the end of the year and into her aunt's home.

The year progressed as the family grieved the loss of the matriarch that had supported them through the years but in October, Orelia was happy to share that Antonio's youngest son had grown into a young boy big enough to play with her daughter and his brother.

As the year came to a close though, the newness of Newcrest had officially faded and she thought once more about traveling but she also thought about how close together the losses of the recent years had been and decided not to take action in fear of acting from grief but also because her daughter was so young and her niece had little support without her.

#Alexis Carlisle #Tala Carlisle #Giulia Morosini #Orsa Rossi #Alessandro Rossi #Orelia Morosini #Giuliano Morosini #Ashley Morosini #Giovanni Cesare Morosini #Marcello Collari #Antea Taroni #Marina Rossi #Orsetta Morosini #Bastiano Morosini #Skyler Carlisle #Blake Carlisle #Nicola Rossi #The Carlisle Chronicles #Decades Legacy Challenge #tw death #cw death #1677 #1670s #ts4

[spook-study]

Can Nic Cage “Nic Cage” without being able to Nic Cage?

Hot on the heels of the return of the ‘killer robot’ movie, Willy’s Wonderland (2021) seized the moment in not one, not two, but three ways. First, they capitalized on the cult status return of their lead actor, second, they created a camp movie in the middle of horror’s current obsession with bleakness, and third, they did all this when "Five Night’s at Freddy’s" (FNAF) was truly reaching its zeitgeist.

Many people went out of their way to see this movie simply because Nicolas Cage starred. After reintroducing himself with a bang in Panos Cosmatos’ remarkably feverish Mandy (2018), he had reminded us that he was indeed a powerhouse performer, all without losing that manic intensity he became known for. So when Willy’s Wonderland came out, a movie about Nicolas Cage beating a bunch of possessed robots to death, suffice to say everyone went in expecting exactly that. But, to rephrase the first question: can Nicolas Cage perform in the style that he’s known for without (spoilers) having any lines?

As evidenced by the movie, we can confirm the Nic Cage Experience™ doesn't need to be accompanied by lines. He does just fine without.

The Janitor, the only name given to his character, manages to both walk his way through his insane night like it’s just another Tuesday, and go totally crazy when the situation calls for it. This balance makes for a captivating and enjoyable performance from Cage, both allowing him to play to his audience and play for the movie. There's a lot of realism in his performance, which for this movie seems almost antithetical. And yet, what is a good horror movie without the actors really living it? The Janitor was told to clean house, and clean house he did; going crazy is just part of the job.

The Janitor being left to his own devices, the plot and body fodder are provided by a competent group of young actors in classic horror movie roles. The sexually active girl and her boyfriend, the boy in love, the best buddies, the final girl. Peripheral adults flank the plot, but just because they’re grown and have struck a deal with the eponymous Willy, who is now possessing the body of a giant animatronic weasel, doesn’t mean they’re safe. These obvious tropes are played up not only by the actors, but by the script itself. Each word from final girl Liv is #inspirational, delivered with the melodrama of a daytime soap. The exaggerated performances and heightened reality of the script make this movie a total blast.

The downside of this is that there are many moments that feel redundant. They split up, kids have sex in the creepiest place, the lost puppy love interest is self sacrificing and over dramatic in his unrequited love, Liv pursues her ideals beyond the realm of reason. Despite knowing full well what has gone on, and is still going on in the arcade, each of the teens makes the stupidest decisions after entering the building. You'd think they'd be focused on getting out, or just not getting killed, but even that seems to be expecting too much of them. There's horror movie stupid, but the young characters in Willy's Wonderland are on a whole other stratosphere of idiotic.

The performances are passable for the most part, though there's barely any screen time spared for character development. Six teens, two sheriffs, one mechanic, and the latest owner of Willy's are all as flat as cardboard. The primary opposite of Cage, actress Emily Tosta's dogged nobility and bleeding heart final girl that she and director Kevin Lewis created rides the edge of a bad performance. While The Janitor has no lines, Liv picks up the slack; not always to great effect. Maybe five "hope speeches" is one or two too many, not only for the film but for Miss Tosta as well. There are only so many ways one can say "we have to do this!" Just ask Sarah Michelle Gellar.

It seems Willy’s Wonderland was founded on the back of its star. Rather than a movie in its own right, it mostly feels like a vehicle for Nic Cage. The plot feels built up around the idea of Cage's Janitor killing possessed animatronics rather than the thrust of the movie. There's precious little story to be had. This is where Willy’s falls flat. When watching a horror movie, you might eagerly anticipate the next kill, but everything else should be working in tandem to create a fully enjoyable experience from beginning to end. There’s being on the edge of your seat for the next robo-brawl, and looking at your watch waiting for it to come. It's unfortunate that the viewing experience contained much of the latter.

At 88 minutes long with eight animatronics to kill and a few dead teens (and adults) along the way, it’s amazing how Willy's managed to have dull moments at all. Averaging out, that's one kill, robot or otherwise, every six minutes or so, not including flashbacks. Yet, the thin plot and difficult-to-match performance of Cage left the screentime spent on the other cast feeling flat and boring. The other actors pushed for the melodrama, which was a smart choice when trying to share a movie with Cage, but the tone was off in comparison to The Janitor's.

On top of that difficulty, the tension was severely diminished by the large cast of animatronics, which forced the action sequences back to back. Make no mistake, the thrill and fun of Willy's lies in those sequences. But as a movie, this ultra-fast pacing did no favors to the other characters that were charged with attempting to build out a plot when the premise of Willy's amounts to "and then he kills the robots." Don’t expect the dread and fear that is foundational to FNAF, there is little time for anticipation. What could have been a hair-raising movie full of dark corners and jump scares ends up being an exciting romp with little fright to be found, despite its best efforts. There was just too little to build on and too much to do.

Even with these shortcomings, Willy’s Wonderland feels like it did exactly what it set out to do. The movie is fun and violent. Did it do anything wild and amazing? Not really. Will it be your favorite horror movie? A hard maybe. Will you put it on in the background of your Halloween party? Probably!

Without a doubt, the movie made good on its promises of silliness and Nic Cage doing what he does best. It’s a casual watch that one might enjoy seeing alongside their good friend Mary Jane, or with a couple of beers in their system. While not the first to cash in on the evil animatronic craze, check out The Banana Splits Movie (2019) for another round of beloved childhood characters gone wrong, Willy’s Wonderland certainly earned its keep.

It’s exciting to see the return of the killer robot and how it’s being interpreted in the modern day. From Metropolis (1927) to Gog (1951) to The Terminator (1984), and now Willy’s Wonderland, the deadly robot will always hold a special place in the horror canon. Whether possessed by the souls of serial killers or an AI turned rogue, humanity prevailing over machine will be a story told from here to kingdom come. The triumph of the will is twofold. There’s is the triumph of humanity over technology, a story that ensures and reinforces the idea that the best and most powerful form of life is organic, and there’s the success over a being that is supposedly, and in most cases is canonically, smarter than you.

With the way of the world as it is, and the all too dangerous territory the entertainment industry is headed into, it’s no wonder movies like Willy’s pop to mind. Perhaps there is nothing more satisfying right now than seeing The Janitor, a man just trying to do his job, literally demolish the machines that would take his life. The advent of the AI movie is certainly nothing new, though it is distinctly having a moment. While in most instances the solution to the AI problem is a bit more cerebral, there’s no outwitting to be done here. There are no guns or programmers involved in this mess. No one to hack into a system or rewire a relay. This is a killer robot movie for the Everyman. The Janitor hacks, smashes, kicks, punches, and rips these things to pieces. Who would have thought tearing a robot apart with your bare hands would be a relatable fantasy only two years after the movie’s release?

It’s a good enough looking movie, the design sometimes outpacing the execution, and there’s clearly a bunch of love put into it. Anyone who’s ever had a nightmare after visiting Chuck-E-Cheese’s will certainly feel vindicated. The colors move well between the 70s retro look of the Willy’s Wonderland arcade fun zone design and the more neon and vibrant tones used to signify the modern day, the contrast making it visually interesting. The job taking place overnight, the darkness is certainly used to cover some of the movie's visual blunders, and the shaky camera fight sequences can cover a multitude of shortcomings. Still, clever camera work aside, Willy's was obviously filmed on a low budget. Some of the effects will undoubtedly leave you wanting and probably wishing there were fewer evil animatronics. It wouldn’t have hurt the movie to cut out one or two, if only to increase the amount of time and care that could have been spent on the others.

The animatronic cast of characters are all strong, design-wise, and feel just adjacent enough to reality. No one would use a weasel as a children’s restaurant-arcade. Kids get called ‘weasel’ on the playground before they get pushed down. The other characters also feel not-quite-right in the same way. An alligator, a chameleon, an ostrich, a turtle, a gorilla, and the completely off-themed knight and siren. There’s little time to get to know each one of them, which in theory one could do seeing as each is possessed by the soul of a killer. There definitely could have been a bit more about the dead inhabitants, but with so many of them there simply wasn’t time. Is it enough to say they were all horrible child killers? Yes. Could there have been more said? Also yes. Does it really matter when Nic Cage is going buck wild on eight killer robots? That’s up to you to decide.

While it certainly won’t be the best entry in this niche, this movie has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. It's a silly, straight-forward movie with few frills and plenty of robo-killing action. Whether or not it's your birthday, Willy's Wonderland (2021) wants you to have fun! And you absolutely will.

3/5*

#Willy's Wonderland #2021 #horror #spook study #movie review #review #long posts about horror #movies #film #my writing #3/5

[ancientphantom]

It’s time to see what happened in Phantom adaptations in February! I hope you’re all as excited as I am. (I know some of you must be!)

The Phantom of Vienna by Erick Gothenburg is a short story set at the opera in Vienna, where an eagerly-awaited premiere is pre-empted by a mysterious person bent on destroying the show.

This Great & Sombre Stage by Craig Janacek is a collection of four Sherlock Holmes pastiche stories, the last of which, “The Adventure of the Stolen Voice”, is another one for the Sherlock/Phantom crossover file! A secret Phantom causing problems, singers who mysteriously get ill right before they have to go on, and love everlasting are all mentioned.

Belongings and Possessions by Deidre S. Owen, K.B. Bailey & J.B. Rockwell is a collection of three vallet-themed horror stories, and we’re interested in the first one, “They Belong to Her”, in which a new ballet theater appears to be haunted by a ghost with a fixation on a very specific dancer, and chaos erupts when a visiting ballet troupe sets off its jealousy.

Omega of the Opera by Lilith Ramsey is a story that has it all: lesbians! werewolves! lesbian werewolves! A Phantom who IS a lesbian werewolf! Yes, this is of course set in the infamous Omegaverse, but we mustn’t let these things stop us in our quest for academic truth.

The Last Play by Nikita Valischenko is a weird little one: it’s a standalone set in a sci-fi cyberpunk universe (the rest of the series does not appear to be Phantom related) featuring a young woman trying to deliver a package in Paris, only to run into a very mysterious masked man. If you know anything else about what’s going on, you know more than I do!

And down here in the maybe file...

The Vampire’s Opera by Joy Crozier & Joseph Floyd is one of those books where it’s hard to tell if the Phantom is an inspiration or just hanging out in several adjacent genres. The book follows Nicolas and Giuliana, a pair of Italian vampires putting on Nicolas’ genius new opera only to be assaulted by misfortune. I can’t say for sure it isn’t another vampire!Phantom, but I also would have to read it to know if it is.

Universal Monsters Tarot Deck & Guidebook is most likely a good call, but I’m missing key information! It’s an official tarot deck based on all the Universal classic horror movie monsters, which should presumably include the Phantom (probably in his Lon Chaney incarnation, though you never know, sometimes Hammer comes in for a rally!). The packaging only directly mentions Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and The Mummy, with advertising copy adding in The Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Wolf Man, but poor old Erik goes unmentioned. Surely there’s room for him to have an arcana or two?

You know, I always expect February to be Phantom Central for romantic adaptations, and I always get to March and realize that of course if they’re being WRITTEN in February, they probably won’t come out until April or May at the earliest. So stay tuned!

#phantom of the opera #new phantom releases #erick gothenburg #deidre s. owen #lilith ramsey #nikita valischenko #joy crozier #joseph floyd

[cream-and-tea]

FIND THE WORD TAG

snatching this from @albatris bc i haven’t done one in a while! my words were strike, blanket, watch, taste and good

STRIKE

fight scene! fight scene! well more like the end of one lol. pallas and calliope spend the entire book waiting for an excuse to bitemaimattack each other and when they finally get the opportunity it’s a fucking DOOZY

They expect teeth to bare in preparation for the inevitable final strike, but Calliope only cocks his head to one side, almost ponderous. All Pallas can hear is their ears ringing hollow and they muster up everything they have left to spit directly into his face. And everything freezes, and Pallas thinks this is it then this is really it, and then Calliope smiles, and then Calliope sighs, and then Calliope laughs.

BLANKET

i think i’ve shared this bit of description before in another tag game but it’s still one i’m proud of! agnes may be having a bad time lost in this forest but i’m having a great time writing descriptions lol

These woods are dangerous. That’s what they always said, Papá, Mother, even the men in white. Thick and dark and always growing. She’s grown up beside them, always at the edge, in a town full of ghosts. Now here she is in the middle of it all, surrounded by black trees twisting up to the sky, with nowhere else to go. As the sky begins to drizzle with a fine mist she looks up at gray clouds and black trees so twisted and misshapen that their branches form an interlocking web above her. Moss coats the trunks and branches and forest floor in a thick, spongy blanket.

WATCH

this one is actually the opening to the epilogue! just fiver chilling :) nothing to see here :))))

Fiver stood at the edge of a massive yawning well, looking down, or maybe looking up. He tucked his hands into his pockets and kicked a broken piece of flagstone into the darkness, watching as it disappeared.

TASTE

i think i’ve mentioned before how pallas is great for delivering exposition because they simply are that much of an insufferable nerd and this is an prime example

“Because that’s what The Library does,” finally a question they actually know how to answer. “Without it there’d be no order, no standards. We hold the last knowledge of the human race in our hands, we protect it, guard it from those who don’t deserve it and grant it to the ones that do. We’re the only ones who can stop things that shouldn’t see the light of day reaching the hands of the unworthy, we are the keepers of the gates of knowledge.” It’s an impressive spiel, one that they know from memory. In all honesty they can’t help but feel a little smug at Agnes-Maria’s surely-awe-inspired silence. It tastes like relief, thick on the back of their throat.

GOOD

agnes encounters some of the defences that surround The Library with a nice dose of pallas thinking totally normal and okay thoughts that every person definitely thinks

Agnes looks at them, then down to the long, shadowy limbs of the HaithHounds. “Okay, okay I have to go. Um, good… thingys…” She looks to Pallas again beseechingly and they sigh, moving to untangle her. Hands on her shoulders, drawing her away. As they begin to steer her down the passage one of the Hounds let’s out a little whine and padding pawsteps begin to follow behind them. Pallas turns and bares their teeth as violently as possible over their shoulder. These things aren’t living so they can’t do anything that matters, but like calls to like so they bristle and make themselves bigger and think: back off. You got your taste, I found this one fair and square.

i’ll tag @flower-s-wip-garden @chayscribbles and @nicola-writes (no pressure obviously), your words are: pulse, oh, seeth, shine and float!

#haithhounds are creatures created to gaurd the library btw and they are all the goodest of boys #they were created bc i realized that i needed way more fucked up creatures in this story. just some straight up beasties #what is the POINT of a fantasy apocalypse if you can’t have CREATURES about it smh #creme does a tag #wip: ghost story