#what would Alexander the Great want to know about the future?

[jeannereames]

Conversely, if you and Alexander talked only once, what do you think he’d ask you? I guess he wouldn’t be surprised to find out there are professors studying his life and reign more than two thousand years after his death - but what do you think he would ask you about the history of, well, himself?

Interesting question. I think it would be difficult for him to know what TO ask. While it’s possible to forecast a little way into the future (science-fiction authors do it all the time), the further into the future we look, the further off-base we get. Unsurprisingly. Things come out of left field that even the most foresighted can’t anticipate.

For Alexander, I do think he realized that he died too soon, and his empire wasn’t established enough yet. Ergo, one of his first questions would likely be, “So, how fast did it all fall apart and who came out on top?”

He might even be weirdly happy to hear the answer. (Not long.) Why? It proved they couldn’t hold it together without him—which underscores his own uniqueness. I realize that’s self-centered on his part, but don’t all of us, deep down, kinda wanna know we’re irreplaceable? How much more for somebody raised in a society where kleos (glory) and timē (public recognition) were so important? An older king might have been more concerned with his “legacy” after ruling for decades. But Alexander was still young. He didn’t have much of a legacy yet to protect, other than his remarkable success. That nobody else could match it would, I think, have pleased him.

Would he have asked about his family? Probably. But I think it’d be part of the larger question of what happened next and who came out on top.

He’d LOVE that Rome named him “the Great.” In his own day, he was known as “the invincible” anikētos; “the Great” is Roman.

Yet I don’t think he’d have seen Rome coming. I expect he’d predict Carthage as the dominant Western power. Remember that, in his day, Rome wasn’t especially notable. This was still the Early Republic. Plebians were relatively new into the Senate, Rome was nowhere near in control of all the peninsula and just starting the shift from a Greek- and Etruscan-style phalanx to what would become the legion.

Reputedly, Alexander of Epiros (before his death in 331) resented Alexander of Macedon’s early successes, claiming he (Alexander of Epiros) was fighting real men in Italy while his nephew “waged a war against women” (e.g, barbarians). That’s a typical Western-centric view.* At the time, however, Persia had the most powerful army in the world. Whatever Livy claimed, had Alexander brought the Macedonian military machine west instead of east, he’d have mowed through Italy, just like in Greece, Thrace, and Illyria. It took another hundred-plus years of Roman military development to result in the wins at Magnesia or Cenoscephalae. Italy/Rome at that point was just no match for Macedon, much less Macedon under Alexander’s command.

But hoo-boy, he’d want to know about the legion, even if he wouldn’t know enough to ask directly. He might ask about future military innovations.

Also…he’d be PISSED that more people in the West today recognize the name of Julius Caesar than Alexander of Macedon. 😉 “Why didn’t Shakespeare write a play about ME???” But he’d be tickled there are more stories about him in more varied world cultures than there are about Caesar (true fact). IOW, Caesar may be more famous in the West, but Alexander is more famous in the larger world (thanks to the Alexander Romance).

Last, he might ask me about my world. If we assume he knew I was 2300+ years in his future, I think he’d naturally want to know what life is like in my time. I mean, wouldn’t we ask what life would be like 2300 years in our future? He’d probably be fascinated by the changes, although perhaps not the ones we’d anticipate.

Long ago, on a drive from Kentucky back to Nebraska, my son and I had a fun conversation about a fictional interview between Alexander and Stephen Colbert (Ian’s favorite talking-head person at the time). Stephen Colbert would ask Alexander what were the three most surprising things he’d found about the future? Would it be medical breakthroughs? Computers? The rise of democratic states? Flying through the air (and into space)? Etc.

Nope. The three things I think would surprise him the most are:

1. Near-instantaneous speed of communication 2. Easy availability of information (even if it may be wrong) 3. Changes in the importance of religion (at least in some places)

It was such an interesting conversation, I turned it into what’s now the opening Power-point in my World History I class! Ha.

————

* This supposed claim of Alexander of Epiros may not even be real. It’s recorded by Roman Cheerleader Livy, where of course the West is more powerful than the weak, decadent Oriental East.

#asks #Alexander the Great #what would Alexander the Great want to know about the future? #Classics #Alexander the Great and Rome #alternate history #Successor Wars

[aphroditelovesu]

The Lost Queen - IX

— summary: You woke up near a military camp without remembering how and why you got there, you didn’t understand why they were dressed like ancient Greeks, all you knew was that you weren’t safe and you needed to get out of that place as soon as possible. Too bad for you that you found yourself attracting unwanted attention from the Macedonian King and he won’t let you go so easily.

— genre: yandere, dark!au.

— warnings: time travel, obsessive and possessive behavior, murder, mention of torture, kidnapping, angst, fluffy (very rarely), dub-con, possibly smut.

— pairing: yandere!alexander the great x female!reader, yandere!generals x female!reader.

— word count: 1,600.

— tag list: @devils-blackrose, @faerykingdom, @hadesnewpersephone, @mariaelizabeth21-blog1 , @kadu-5607, @zoleea-exultant, @borntoexplore11-blog, @silmawensgarden

— the lost queen series masterlist.

Chapter 9

A few days passed and everything remained the same except for a few changes. The atmosphere in the camp was slowly improving and Alexander seemed to have recovered after your decision.

You still regretted your choice, but you knew it was the right thing to do.

Cleitus finally woke up, to everyone's surprise, and he was recovering slowly, but that was to be expected. It was almost a miracle that he had woken up and that was both a good and a bad thing.

You had prevented his death and changed history.

You sighed and looked around you. There was a lot to be done for the imminent wedding. Alexander wanted to get married fast because they would soon go to Sogdiana Rock and everything had to be done as quickly as possible. Knowing that he would soon meet Roxanna filled you with hope and fear. You hoped he would still marry her, as he was supposed to, but you were worried.

You knew Roxanna's story and you knew what she had done to Alexander's other wives. Honestly, you were more nervous about meeting her than marrying Alexander. And if there were children...

You shook your head, it was better not to think about it for now. There was no guarantee that you would get pregnant with him so quickly and you didn't even want to think about it, the idea of getting pregnant filled you with dread, not because having children was a bad thing, but rather the circumstances and who you would be getting pregnant by. It was all very stressful and you felt like you were going to throw up if you kept thinking about it, so it was better not to think about it, no matter how hard it was.

Nor was there a guarantee that he would marry her because history has already been changed and could change again.

Your head throbbed as you thought of the countless possibilities and chaos that your presence here could have caused in the future. But there was no point in thinking about it now, you would leave soon, you were sure, and you would find out for yourself. You just hoped it wasn't too serious.

''Ugh...'' You grumbled and massaged your temples, trying to ease your headache.

There was still a lot of work to be done. Alexander left you in charge of organizing the wedding, along with some servants and slaves, because according to him, it was something women would do better at. You were tempted to throw your shoe at his head, but you didn't.

Too bad.

Honestly, you never thought your marriage would be like this, that is, if you ever got married. You definitely never thought you would marry Alexander the Great.

And you always imagined that you would have your family and friends present at the occasion, that your mother and friends would help you organize everything, it would be with someone you really loved and it would be a happy occasion.

Instead, you were being forced to marry a man who was supposed to be dead a long time ago, in a place in the middle of nowhere? You weren't sure and it was a very sad atmosphere.

The reality was harsh and painful.

You looked at some colorful fabrics left on your cot and regarded them with apprehension and perhaps disgust. Your wedding dress wasn't what you wanted either, it wasn't white lace or those beautiful dresses you only saw in movies or magazines.

You should get married in black at once, to symbolize your mourning.

You took one that was deep red in your hand and stared at it, taking in its details. It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't what you had in mind. It had some gold features, which you knew was real gold, and a very discreet neckline. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

Sighing, you prepared to try it out.

Two days passed and everything was ready. It would be a simple but beautiful ceremony, everyone was eager and excited. The atmosphere in the camp changed radically and it was as if everyone had forgotten what had happened to Cleitus and were focused on the wedding and the fact that they would have a Queen and, if the gods permitted, an heir soon.

Alexander was being prepared for the wedding. He had already showered and was putting on the final adjustments, the red tunic he would wear and some jewelry that would complete his appearance. His hair was drying naturally, he wore some kohl on his eye, highlighting his beautiful eyes of different colors, and perfumed. A sweet, soft scent radiated from his clothing.

In general, he was attractive and well dressed. There were no longer any traces of the defeated and drunken man he had been a few days ago, but of a King and a conqueror. And his men were grateful for that.

Hephaestion entered Alexander's tent and smiled to see his friend looking happier and healthier. The image he had of Alexander would still haunt him for the rest of his days.

''You look good, Alexander.'' Hephaestion commented and sat down on a chair and took a jug of water and poured it into a cup, sipping it.

Alexander looked at Hephaestion and his gaze softened and he smiled, ''You look good as well.''

And indeed, Hephaestion was well groomed, as were all the guests. He was dressed in a dark blue tunic with a few ornaments, but enough to make him look more handsome than he already was. His long hair was braided and he also wore kohl, highlighting his blue eyes.

Hephaestion smiled but there was a sadness lurking in his eyes. Alexander noticed and went to his closest friend and placed his hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. He knew that today was a painful day for him.

Hephaestion touched Alexander's hand with his own and shook his head, ''I'm fine. I just... I still don't know how to deal with this properly, but I'm fine, I promise.''

''I know it can't be easy, but it's something I have to do. As a King and as a man.'' Alexander whispered the last parts, feeling sorry for his friend. It wasn't easy, neither for him nor for Hephaestion.

''You are the King. You must marry and have an heir, I know that.'' Hephaestion smiled and faced Alexander, ''I always knew that. From our days in Mieza to when you became King of Macedonia. I always knew that.''

''Hephaestion...'' Alexander sighed, suddenly feeling melancholy.

''Do not worry about me. I am fine. The wedding will start soon, don't be late for your own wedding.'' Hephaestion stood up and placed the cup on the table and walked towards the exit, ''I'll be fine.''

Alexander smiled sadly, ''I know you will, after all, you are also Alexander.''

Hephaestion's face lit up and his face looked a little red, but he smiled and waved at his friend and turned away. Alexander watched him with regret, feeling guilty for causing his friend pain, but he couldn't shirk his duties.

And his desires. He wanted to marry you, it was a necessity and he couldn't ignore it.

The sun was setting over the war camp, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, while the gentle breeze blew through the olive trees and poplars that surrounded the camp.

There was music and dancing involved. Some musicians played instruments, such as the harp and lyre, and dancers danced and enchanted the audience who watched them.

The bride, (Y/N), looked beautiful. Her clothes highlighted her beauty even more, a heavy red and gold tunic draped over her body, with jewelry adorning her and a red veil hid her hair, her face was clean and her natural beauty was highlighted. Her soft, wistful eye was alluring, with the kohl highlighting her color.

The ceremony began with a colorful procession, led by flutists and dancers. (Y/N), draped in a magnificent red robe, gracefully paraded through the camp, crowned with jewels. Her radiant face and eyes sparkled with joy or sadness. Alexander, dressed in a deep red robe, waited anxiously on the table, surrounded by his generals and soldiers watching from a distance.

The priest, a man of great wisdom and a white beard, led the ceremony. With the blessing of the gods, they exchanged vows of eternal fidelity and deep love. As the flame of the eternal candle burned before them, symbolizing the eternity of their commitment, the couple exchanged gold rings, a promise of love that would never lose its luster.

The wedding celebration took place under a starry sky, with long tables filled with Greek delicacies - olives, feta cheese, bread and red wine. Everyone danced to traditional music, celebrating the union of (Y/N) and Alexander. It was a night of joy and communion, where generals, friends and soldiers shared stories, laughter and wishes for eternal happiness.

This was a time of great joy and promise. The promise of an heir and the joy of a marriage that would be talked about for centuries to come.

As the night came to an end, the most awaited hour would arrive. Finally, the consummation would be made and if the gods bless the newlyweds, a child would come from their union.

Only the gods, the children born and the bride would know how cursed this union would be.

— lady l: and that was it! The wedding night is coming and I promise drama in the next chapter, this one was calmer and based on the wedding. I'm not good at describing weddings, but I did my best! I hope you enjoyed it and wait for the next chapter because it, my readers, promises to be CHAOTIC!! 😈 Hope you have liked and feedbacks are always welcome! ❤️

#the lost queen #tlq #alexander the great x reader #yandere alexander the great x reader #yandere alexander the great #yandere history #history #yandere historical characters

[historicallyaccuratecheese]

Well, I guess I’m continuing to make these now! Here’s the next part of my thoughts on every Magnus Archives episode! Now, last time I said that I was planning to write about episodes 21-40 in the next post, but as it turns out, the hyperfixation has set in and my thoughts are a LOT longer (so buckle up if you want to read this), and I also reached the tag limit. So, I’m only going to be covering episodes 21-30 here, and then I’ll write about episodes 31-40, and this 10 episode trend will probably continue for the rest of the posts, but that just means I’ll be able to put them out faster.

Also, unlike my first post, where I wrote all of my thoughts after finishing episode 20, all of these ones were written right after I finished the specific episode I talked about, so my thoughts are a lot more clearly documented. Finally, there’s a link to my masterpost, which will contain all the post’s detailing my thoughts on every episode before and after these ones.

Once again, no spoilers for future episodes please, and for anyone who hasn’t watched up to episode 30, spoilers are under the cut, so I recommend turning away until you’ve caught up. :)

- Episode 21, Freefall 🪂

Statement of Moira Kelly, regarding the disappearance of her son Robert.

WHAT THE FUCK??!! MARTIN??!! DAMN, I guess the horrors did get to him! Well, it’s nice to finally meet him, even if his first line was dropping shit on the ground. Either way, I get the vibe I’m in for a wild ride for this second half. ….What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the actual statement. Anyways this one upset me. Not only did it bring out my fear of heights pretty well, but the portrayal of a grieving mother who can’t comprehend what happened to her son was really heartbreaking. The line “The sky ate him” was kind of comedic at first, especially with Jon’s following reaction (love this guy btw, he’s such a loser), but then it became really horrific when I realized how it was just Moira desperately trying to make sense of the impossible horrors she just witnessed. The plot thread set up with Simon and Harriet Fairchild is also very interesting, and the whole sky thing kind of reminded me of Dominic’s visions in Ep. 4. Overall another one of many fantastic episodes, but HOLY SHIT I’M SCARED.

- Episode 22, Colony 🔦

Statement of Martin Blackwood, archival assistant at the Magnus Institute, London, regarding a close encounter with something he believes to have once been Jane Prentiss. Statement taken direct from subject.

….aaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! Ok let’s start from the top. Firstly, I’m really happy we finally got to meet Martin in this episode, and he’s great! Honestly he comes off as more dorky than stupid, and just comes off as a real sweetheart, so Jon’s distaste for him (outside of very different personalities), gets more mysterious. Though all things considered, after what he experienced, I don’t think that the bullying is his biggest worry anymore… Alexander J. Newall does a fantastic delivery, as much as I love Jon’s readings, you can really feel how terrified Martin is here (also “Blackwood” is a sick as fuck last name, and I related to him trailing off about spiders…) Outside of Martin himself, we have Jane Prentiss (or what remains of her) and…well, let’s just say that I don’t find the sex worms nearly as funny anymore. Jane and the worms inside her are absolutely terrifying, and while I would say I’m excited to learn more about her, I wouldn’t be complaining if the institute staff never had to deal with her again. Also the text episode made me, if you’ll excuse my language…squirm. Honestly, this might just be my favorite episode so far. The way that the plot threads from previous episodes connected here was extremely satisfying, and needless to say, I’m very excited and horrified to see where the show goes from here.

- Episode 23, Schwartzwald 🇩🇪

Statement of Albrecht von Closen, regarding a discovered tomb near his estate in the Black Forest.

Worst episode ever because Jon didn’t do a German accent, smh. Ok but in all seriousness, I really liked this one! It wasn’t the strongest in terms of complex themes in my opinion, but it had a great vibe, and was still very interesting, entertaining, and decently creepy. Having a “statement” written before the archives was founded is a really cool idea that’s executed perfectly here, and while we didn’t learn that much about Jonah Magnus, I still found it cool to get a first glimpse of the archives’ history. (Also, given the eye imagery that appears both in here and in other episodes, I can’t help but feel like Albrecht’s wording of Jonah having “good eyes” or something like that is a little weird…) And…now that we have the instance of something that isn’t a statement, but is important being in the archives, I absolutely agree with the idea that Gertrude Robinson organized these poorly on purpose, so that Jon would get the knowledge he needed to have. Regardless, this whole episode had the vibes of a classic ghost story, which while not as weird and off-putting as some of the other horror here, was still a nice change of pace overall. The descriptions of The Schwartzwald were really well done and added to the atmosphere, and I just like the fact that we have another historical episode, that’s also set outside of The UK. Also, the way that they played with the time period at the end was amazing, I already had my suspicions due to the eye imagery, but the reveal of Mary Keay (and therefore Gerard Wa- I mean Keay) being a descendant of Albrecht was still really cool. I also do wonder if the Arabic book was eventually found by Jurgen Leitner in the future…eh, food for thought. Lastly, I loved Martin jumping in out of nowhere, it was both funny, and a grim reminder about how fucked the archives supposedly are, yippee!

Wow, these are a lot longer than my previous thoughts. This, my sweet children, is a phenomenon called “brain rot”.

- Episode 24, Strange Music 🪆

Statement of Leanne Denikin, regarding an antique calliope organ she possessed briefly in August 2004.

Jon, honey, are we not going to elaborate on the fact that one of ✨the horrors✨is literally inside the institute? Like, HELLO? That’s not terrifying at all! Anwyays, this episode continues the trend of making me scared of things I’m not initially scared of, yippee! It had great vibes as well, the weird shit in the attic was made to be as creepy as possible. Initially, I didn’t find this one to be too scary, and figured it was going to go in the direction of “music makes people feel kind of weird”. AND THEN JOSHUA GETS KILLED AND TURNED INTO A DOLL HELLO??!!! Like, I know he was kind of a toxic boyfriend, but DAMN, whatever was behind the calliope and the dolls did NOT have to go that far. (Also until the end I thought he might be Joshua Gillepsie, and like, I don’t care how toxic he is, but you do not dump a guy who bested an evil coffin with his freezer.) Outside of that, It was really cool to meet Sasha! I like her voice, and the introduction was quite funny. (Also, even as someone who has lived in England for over two years, and has a family that is 90% British, nothing hurt more that Jon’s “Americans”.) Lastly, I have a theory, which I like to call “Ringmaster? More like cult leader.” Because I’M SORRY, but you cannot convince me that a CIRCUS, called THE CIRCUS OF THE OTHER, which possessed a HAUNTED CALLIOPE ORGAN, is anything but a cult. (Watch me when I’m inevitably wrong lmao.)

I guess now is a better time than any to say that I’m kind of wondering if there’s an in-universe reason for the music in the background? I mean, considering that the whole framing device is Jon recording these statements, I have to wonder if there’s a reason for the noise we hear, especially with the worms in Ep. 22 and the music in Ep. 24.

- Episode 25, Growing Dark ⛪️

Statement of Mark Bilham, regarding events culminating in his visit to Hither Green Chapel.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I LOVE BEING RIGHT!!! I saw the episode title and immediately assumed this would continue the lore of Episode 9, and I WAS SO RIGHT!!! (Also, I now just noticed that the PCOTDH’s symbol is a closed eye, while The Keay Family’s symbol is an open eye…my cult theory thickens…) Anyways, this was another very enjoyable episode! Firstly, even though it’s far from the first piece of media to do so, I though the way they portrayed a cult brainwashing someone when they’re most vulnerable was very well handled and pretty depressing. I also really enjoyed how the episode isn’t the most weird and paranormal on it’s own, but the knowledge of the connections to Ep. 9 makes us know that it DEFINITELY is, even when the characters in the story don’t. The episode was certainly very spooky, the description of the spinach and the dark church definitely got me. (Also my mom came into my room briefly and when she left she accidentally turned off the light and I nearly screamed.) There were also some really interesting plot threads set up here, like the chanting of the northern most human settlement in the world, the mention of “three hundred years waiting”, and I also wonder if “Mr. Pitch” is an alias for “Detective Rayner.” then…the ending. Holy shit. You know, maybe I DON’T need to know what happened to Gertrude….

Episode 26, A Distortion ☕️

Statement of Sasha James, assistant archivist at the Magnus Institute, London, regarding a series of paranormal sightings. Statement taken direct from subject.

I…what…I don’t even…we are so fucked. Ok, there’s a LOT going on here, but I’ll try my best to formulate my thoughts as clearly as possible. Firstly, this episode easily scared me the most so far, I agree with Jon when he says that the horrors being somewhat friendly is scarier than them being antagonistic, like HOLY SHIT this one was unnerving. But with that out of the way…uh…let’s talk about Sasha! She’s really cool, I like how her character gives us a lot more insight into what working in the archives is like for a fairly regular person (i say this because Jon is weird as fuck and Martin is too nice to be normal, and I mean that as kindly as possible). But…while I don’t necessarily doubt her status as the most level-headed person in the archives, I don’t think that’s saying much. Like, she saw a creepy guy with weird-ass hands who spoke in riddles and knew too much about her and her coworkers, and followed him into a dilapidated building, also she works at the council of ghost stories despite not liking horror. Like, no offense, I’m sure she’s overall an intelligent person, as are most people in the archives, but none of them are beating Joshua Gillepsie anytime soon (yes I’m still thinking about him.) But mentioning the guy with fucked up hands, WHO OR WHAT EVEN WAS THAT??!! I have very little ideas as to how this “Micheal” even connects to the greater picture. I know some people connected him to the mentions of the man with bones in his hands in Episode 8, but that honestly reminds me more of the Leitner in Episode 17. Outside of that, his name is quite interesting, I initially thought that he might be Micheal Crew, but given that Sasha doubts it being his real name, I have my suspicions (although it would give us a connection between this, the words in Episode 8, and The Boneturner’s Tale….hm….) However, I could absolutely see him being Micheal Keay, as he gives off enough ghost vibes to pass as him (and I’m assuming that if Gerard’s dead, Micheal is as well.) Also he is not described as having a Lichtenburg figure on him so…yeah. Lastly, we have the return of THE SEX WORMS. And as happy(?) as I am to see that The Magnus Archives, a podcast developed by RustyQuill.com, that is also licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, is continuing it’s message of staying abstinent, all things considered, that was absolutely terrifying. I just LOVE the knowledge that the worms are a hive-mind and that Jane might not be the source, I LOVE THAT SO MUCH. In conclusion, I am probably going to sleep with a fire extinguisher tonight, and I am very scared for what the next 14 episodes have in store for me.

Also I guess I’ll mention Tim (the archival assistant, not the dead guy) here because why not. So far I’m getting major bastard energy from people’s descriptions of him, which means I will either love or hate him. Also I found it very funny but also kind of sad that Jon said he only trusts Tim to not prank him in Episode 11, and then he pulled a prank shortly before this statement took place.

- Episode 27, A Sturdy Lock 🔑

Statement of Paul McKenzie, regarding repeated nocturnal intrusions into his home.

Ok, after everything that happened in the last episode, it was nice to get a short and sweet one here. Well, as sweet as an episode of a horror podcast can be. Overall, this one isn’t my favorite, I thought it was a little bit under the standards of creativity for the show as a whole, but that’s obviously not saying much, as it was still pretty damn good in its own right. I think it was definitely very effective with its storytelling, and credit where credit is due, it certainly brought out my fear of weird noises in the middle of the night. And even if I can’t personally resonate with this aspect of it, I do really appreciate how it tackled the idea of mental illness at old age, and while I’d be surprised if the statement wasn’t real, considering where the show seems to be going, it did a very good job at planting seeds of doubt in my mind. But still, it was genuinely pretty crushing how Paul had no proof throughout the entire thing, along with how the cops treated him. It really did make me thing about what would have happened if he hadn’t washed the blood off his hands. It still had a creepy atmosphere, and the reveals at the end were pretty interesting, I hope they show us Marcus’ statement soon enough. Also, the aspect of loneliness in this one did remind me a lot of what happened in Episode 13, so I wonder if there’s some connection there. (Also, I love how I’m 27 episodes in and Jon is STILL roasting Gertrude’s organizational skills.) So while this one isn’t the most interesting for me, I still enjoyed it, and it was nice to have a slightly lighter one after Episode 26. I hope Sasha had a good few days off, she deserves it.

- Episode 28, Skintight 📷

Statement of Melanie King, regarding events at the abandoned Cambridge Military Hospital during filming in January 2015. Statement taken direct from subject.

WHOA THAT WAS SO GOOD!!! Ok, I feel like I should start off with my thoughts on the basic premise, as while those episode is certainly…not the most humorous in its execution, the premise itself kind of is. I don’t know why, but I just thought the idea of there being an in-universe competitor was a really fun concept that was executed perfectly here. It kind of reminds me of something like Hatchetfield and Clivesdale (I don’t know how many people reading this will understand that, but there seems to be overlap between TMA fans and Hatchetfield fans, and also like, shut up, let me indulge in my hyperfixations.) The bickering between Melanie and Jon was great, as was Melanie herself, I’d love to see her again as I think she oddly brought a lot to the world of the series. Although I will say that, while it doesn’t make me like him any less, Jon’s reluctance to buy into statements is a lot more frustrating when there’s another person in the room. I also absolutely love the fact that there’s an in-universe spooky podcast mentioned by name, like, come one, that’s genuinely hilarious. But comedic value aside, this one was definitely pretty creepy. In a similar vain to what Episode 23 was doing, the whole “young people enter creepy abandoned building to film stuff and then get genuinely scared” concept felt evocative of other classic horror stories, and the way they spun it into the context of the show was great. The atmosphere was definitely very creepy as well, as I have mentioned, hospitals creep me the fuck out. And lastly…oh my god, THE CONNECTIONS. So, I’ll start off by saying that all of the skin shit reminded me of what happened in Episode 18 (which I hope is true because I think some connections to other things would make me like that episode more). But that pales in comparison to the fact that we have stuff on THE ANGLERFISH, HOLY FUCK THE ANGLERFISH. I’m SO glad that they didn’t throw it away just because it was in the pilot episode. In retrospect, I think that the story of Episode 1 isn’t quite my favorite. It doesn’t really have to be, as I think the main draw of the episode is getting a first look at the framing device and general vibe of the entire podcast, but the stories didn’t really grab me until Episode 2, which is still one of my favorites. But MAN, this episode really made me appreciate the setup at the beginning so much more, and the knowledge that the people who walked into the alley didn’t necessarily die, meaning that all of those names could potentially come back, is SO exciting to me. In fact, when you consider that Sarah was kind of going through what looked like a possession, I wonder if The Anglerfish is a figure of worship in a cult, if that theory is to be true. (Also I have relatives that live in the same area as Sarah so…maybe I should tell them to watch out for their neighbor lmao.) So yeah, this…this show is just really freaking good.

Note: I have discovered the Leitner rant, and therefore I have achieved true enlightenment.

- Episode 29, Cheating Death ♟️

Statement of Nathaniel Thorp, regarding his own mortality.

I should start off by saying that I love the episode title for this, like, it’s not even metaphorical, the guy literally cheated in a game against death. Well, anyways, the main thing that caught me about the episode was how it absolutely blindsided me. While I was right about the soldier being the same as the statement giver, which I think was supposed to be obvious, everything else in those last six or so minutes left me with a wide-open jaw. (Also, can I just say that I love how poetic this guy just…decided to be? Like, I just love it when the statements really show of personalities with the way they’re written, and it comes with a cool framing device.) Regardless, I initially assumed that it was going in a very traditional line. Nathaniel cheats death, becomes immortal, and regrets it in modern day because he’s lived longer that he really should have. That, combined with the fact that “Death” didn’t seem like the one of the more creative horror monsters in the show so far, had me so prepared to just write this one off as one of my least favorites (once again, not like that’s saying much.) And then the twist comes and HOLY SHIT I WAS WRONG. The idea of there basically being multiple grim reapers at the hands of some unknowable power, who have to gain successors to finally die themselves is absolutely terrifying and extremely clever. I tip my hat to you Rusty Quill, you did a great job at fooling me. Kind of funny considering how this is a story about being punished for your hubris (which seems to be a recurring theme???) I have a few other small thoughts as well. Firstly, I can’t help but shake the feeling that Nathaniel Thorp was an actual revolutionary war soldier, but I can’t find anything online other than the character from this episode. Also, the fact that his fate remains unknown makes me think he’ll show up again, as it seems weird to NOT end the story with confirmation of his death, given the themes. Secondly, a lot of the…less than pleasant imagery here definitely reminded me of Piecemeal and The Boneturner’s Tale. I don’t remember the story inside that Leitner very well, but I might check just in case there’s any parallels between it and this statement. (Update: Not really.) And finally, I was just a little bit intrigued by the fact that we learn no one who was working at the institute in 1972 works there anymore. It’s probably nothing, but given the mysteries surrounding Gertrude’s death, I’m just a little suspicious, both in general, and of Elias because he’s still around. Overall this episode went hard, I’m still kind of stunned by what it pulled off.

Jane Prentiss statement…save me…save me Jane Prentiss statement…

- Episode 30, Killing Floor 🍖

Statement of David Laylow, regarding his time working at an industrial abattoir near Dalton.

You know what, Jon is right, there’s a lot of meat in this show. Not that I’m complaining, I mean, it does fuel my obsession with connecting the dots between statements. Regardless, while this isn’t among my favorite episodes so far, I still had a good time with it. The reason it’s not one of my favorites is purely personal, as I don’t do too well with animal violence. Like, as much as I do really appreciate how viscerally Jonny Sims can describe the statements, I will admit that the opening minutes describing the slaughter house made me more uneasy than the actual horror, and not in a particularly fun way, but it was overall fine. Speaking of the actual horror, that was actually pretty good. The endless hallways lined with doors that lead to precarious situations also kind of tapped into a personal fear of mine, but in a more fun and digestible way. And while the idea of “imagine humans being slaughtered like animals” is something I’ve seen many a time before, it was still much more well executed than many other interpretations of the idea (*cough cough*, peta) and there were also plenty of other interesting themes and ideas, like how the episode touched on the inherent horror of working in a job as gruesome as the killing floor, being enslaved to said job, and the idea that maybe we’re all just walking sacks of meat in the end, and nothing more. As for some other thoughts, I was definitely creeped out by Tom Han, I’m not sure whether or not he’s someone who spreads ✨the horrors✨or someone affected by ✨the horrors✨, and his sudden disappearance was certainly…odd. On top of that, it’s admittedly haunting to know that there’s still creepy stuff going on at the slaughter house, and that this isn’t something that happened to David, and only David. Overall, a pretty good episode, I don’t have much to say about it, but it was a fun time overall.

Tim…save me…save me Tim…

Well, if you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading! Genuinely means the world to me when there are people willing to listen to me ramble about my horrible (affectionate) interests lmao. I should have my thoughts on the final episodes of Season 1 out in due time, and while I’m sure it’s obvious, I’m absolutely hooked on this podcast. It absolutely has the potential to become one of my favorite things ever if the overarching plot becomes more involved and this is coming from someone who up until now, wasn’t all that gripped by podcasts. While I’m a little sad that I’m as late to the party as I am, then I remembered “oh yeah, I was in elementary school when this horrifying series came out”, and I’m also hopeful that I’ll be able to be around for The Magnus Protocol while it’s airing (I know it premieres in like a week but still.) Anyways, thanks for reading and hopefully you’ll be around for my thoughts on the next batch :)

#tma #the magnus archives #jonathan sims #moira kelly #robert kelly #simon fairchild #harriet fairchild #martin blackwood #jane prentiss #albrecht von closen #gertrude robinson #jonah magnus #mary keay #gerard keay #joshua gillespie #joshua drewery #sasha james #micheal crew #micheal keay #timothy hodge #jurgen leitner #marcus mckenzie #paul mckenzie #micheal mcweirdhands #melanie king #sarah baldwin #the anglerfish #nathaniel thorp #tom han #david laylow

[karizard-ao3]

Hi Karizard! Just finished reading Clueless Teens in like … two sittings - it’s legit the best school caste au fic I’ve come across, i love it so much. I know Eremika is the main focus but holy shit ur Aruani is! So sweet! 😭 Would you ever consider writing more Aruani stuff in the future?

Aw, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I tend to include Aruani as a side ship in my longer fics. They feature in Anamnesis but I didn't tag them as a ship because they do not have a happy ending together and it's pretty much just solid angst between them throughout lol.

I'm still working on finishing my single parents au wip, but Aruani are the other couple in it. They, of course, don't show up as much as Eremika, but they are in it and they deal with changes to their relationship due to becoming new parents.

I'm going to share a little snippet, as a treat (also, I'm chomping at the bit to get this finished and posted, so I want very badly to share scenes and whatnot).

Here, Armin and Annie bring their baby on his first outing, meeting up with Eren, Mikasa, and their kids at the playground.

BEGIN SCENE!

Annie made sure Alexander was secure in his sling while Armin grabbed the diaper bag and slung it over his shoulder. 

"Is he okay in there?" he fretted. "You're sure he won't fall out or smother?"

"Maybe the sling wasn't a good idea…" said Annie, looking up at the other families occupying the playground near Eren and Mikasa’s houses. "Maybe bringing him out at all wasn't a good idea…" 

She bit her lip and glanced over towards where Eren and Mikasa were watching their kids play. Mason was running back and forth across the play structure’s bridge, doing spin kicks at each landing, while Adriana squealed and hollered because Eren was wiping her nose when she wanted to play. She had been a snotty, coughing mess all morning, he’d warned them, adding, “But don’t worry. The doctor said she’s not contagious, just gross.”

So maybe Adri wasn't an infection risk, but what about all these other kids? Annie held Alexander protectively against her body. He made a grunting sound, bobbing his fists and looking up at her. She glanced down at him just in time to see his face screw up and relax as he farted. Her heart swelled. "We're going to bring you home so none of these rowdy little shits can get you sick," she cooed. 

Alexander grunted again, not comprehending but pleased to be part of the conversation.

"Armin, we're going," said Annie.

"Sounds good!" said Armin, opening the car door he had just closed and stowing the diaper bag back inside.

Across the park lawn, Mikasa smacked Eren's arm and pointed at them.

"Ope!" he said, setting Adri free and jogging across the grass to the Arlerts. "Don't even think about it!" he said, stopping next to them. "You told us you were going crazy stuck at home. Now that the baby has his shots and it’s warming up, it's time for you two to get out of the house. He’ll be fine. You don’t need to keep him in a bubble."

"Look," said Armin. "I know it probably seems like we're being excessive to you, but you don't know what it's like having a child with medical issues."

Eren gaped at him. “Seriously?”

"What?" said Armin. "You don't."

"My kid literally can't breathe without daily steroids and gets bronchitis multiple times a year," said Eren, his eyebrows dropping into a dangerous line across his face. "What is Alexander's chronic illness?"

Armin averted his eyes. 

"Sorry. I didn't hear you. What was it again?" said Eren. He was in a far worse mood than usual.

"Nothing," grumbled Armin. "The doctor gave him a clean bill of health.”

“Oh!” said Eren. “How interesting!” 

“But his immune system is still immature so we have to be careful with him,” Armin persisted.

Eren held up his hands. "Fine. But if you keep sheltering him from everything like this, Alexander is going to turn out like you," he warned.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Armin demanded. "My parents did a great job!"

Annie reached past him to open the car door and get the diaper bag back out. “I guess a little fresh air and sunshine wouldn’t hurt.”

Armin turned to look at her, the betrayal evident all over his face. 

"I love you so much, baby," she said. "Just the way you are."

"That's not really what it seems like right now!" said Armin.

"No, really!" said Annie. "You're so intelligent and handsome and talented!"

"But?" said Armin, folding his arms.

"No buts," said Annie, heading towards Mikasa. "It's just that my dad didn't coddle me at all and I'm much less…"

"Much less what?" said Armin, scowling and chasing after her.

"Um... Prissy," said Annie. 

“We are talking more about this at home,” said Armin.

“Yes, dear,” said Annie.

“Tan I see the baby?” Adri squealed as soon as she noticed the Arlerts had finally joined them, chugging down the play structure steps as fast as her little legs could carry her and wiping her snot on her pudgy wrist.

Annie closed her eyes, took a deep, stabilizing breath and kneeled down so Adri could see Alexander. 

“Hello little Aleskander!” Adri said, then sneezed in his face, spraying him in spit.

Alexander gasped, his eyes popping open wide and his arms flinging out to his sides. “Oh, god…” groaned Annie.

Armin glared at Eren.

“Sorry little guy! I promise she’s not contagious,” said Eren, snatching his backpack from the ground and pulling out a pack of wipes. Alexander’s fists were bopping a mile a minute. His run-in with Adri had been very exciting. Eren held out the pack of wipes for Annie and she extracted one, using it to clean her son’s face while he aired his grievances in a thin wail. He was no longer enjoying his grand adventure now that it included being subjected to torture. 

“He’s crying,” Mason observed, skipping toward them to see the new baby. “Maybe he’s hungry. Mom, can I have a snack?”

“Tan I have one, too?” said Adri.

“I might have something,” said Mikasa. She hadn’t packed anything besides her and Mason’s lunches because they were going to be eating so soon but she might have a bag of chips or a protein bar in her purse that the kids could split.

“I’ll give Aleskander his bottle,” Adri said, putting her hands on her hips and inspecting the baby with an officious nod. “I’s going to take very good care of him.”

Mason grabbed his hair. “You know what? I can’t take it anymore, Adriana!” he shouted. “It’s I’m! Not I’s! You are saying it wrong! You say everything wrong! How can you be so dumb?”

"Mason!" said Mikasa.

Adriana’s face twisted with rage and she punched him.

“Ow!” Mason yelped. “She hit me!”

“Adriana May Jaeger!” Eren barked.

“I think she gave me internal bleeding,” Mason moaned, doubling over and clutching his stomach.

“He said I’s dumb!” Adriana howled.

“I’m,” Mason screeched. “You’re supposed to say I’m! Did you learn to talk at upside-down school?”

“I’s! Too! Little! For! Stool!” Adriana shrieked, punching him again.

“My organs!” Mason wailed.

“Kids with busted organs don’t get to play at the playground,” said Mikasa, sifting through her giant bag with greater urgency. Maybe if their mouths were occupied with chewing, the kids would stop screaming at each other. “Kids with busted organs have to go to the hospital.”

Mason eyed her, then straightened with theatrical uncertainty, patting his abdomen. “Hey! It doesn’t hurt anymore! ” he said as if he were as shocked by the news as any of them. “I’m okay!”

“A miracle,” said Mikasa.

END SCENE!

#ask me things #my asks #answered asks #armin arlert #annie leonhart #aruani #eren jaeger #mikasa ackerman #eremika #single parents au #writing wip #fic wip #fic writing #sneak peek #wip scene #rough draft #current wip

[alexanderlightweight]

Happy Wednesday! (treating this like a weekly holiday now) I was gonna wait till I saw you post the banner that says prompts are open, but I have to go to work in a couple of minutes and was afraid I might forget when I get back home. So I hope this isn't too early.

I love everything you write and normally always give long prompts, but I would love to read what you do with just: "truth potion/spell" cause I think this could fit into a lot of the AU's you already have 💜🖤💜🖤

haha it is a holiday for me as well tbh and you're absolutely good! i very much had fun with this prompt and it was fine

it took a little bit because i couldn't figure out where i wanted to go with this. because sometimes i just really want to think outside the box? and i didn't like where my brain was going with it until tonight! i hope you enjoy!

<3 lumine

-

Alec sighs as he holds up a vial, showing it off to Camille who is bound and caught in the trap she tried to set for him.

“This is a truth potion.” He tells her with a smile, “you said you had things you wanted to tell me, didn’t you?”

Camille is staring at him, eyes fierce with the vicious hatred she feels for him burning in her eyes. It’s a pity Alec doesn’t care enough about her to consider what she thinks and feels. There’s no way for her to manipulate Alec with a truth potion, not without a great deal of effort that she won’t have the energy for, not while her body fights the potion.

It’s almost a pity it’s all for nothing, that even her terror doesn’t mean anything.

Because it doesn’t, not for Alec.

Alec smirks at her and then swallows the potion, all of it.

“What?” She starts to ask and Alec laughs, because of course she wouldn’t expect this.

“I don’t care.” He tells her, honestly, truthfully, the potion demanding every ounce of honesty he has to give. “I don’t care if you were once a saint and Magnus worshiped you. I don’t care if you saved his life or if you saved the life of everyone he loved or if you think you were the love of his life. None of that matters to me. The only thing you are to me, is a nuisance and one that is currently, insisting on interrupting a schedule that has no time for you.” Alec smiles and he knows most of his smiles aren’t nice, but it’s gratifying to see her fangs flick out for a second because it means Camille feels threatened.

Which is good.

Alec hates being misunderstood.

“I’m not here to hear you out. Or to secretly find out more about Magnus or to listen to you lie with every breath you don’t take.” Alec shrugs and then his arrow is in her chest, the adamas freezing her heart before her body shatters into frost. “I’m just here to be honest.”

Alec sighs as he stares around what once was very clearly a feeder den. It’s damp and smelly and full of stale blood and enough distractions to spook a team of green hunters. Thankfully, Alec is not a green shadowhunter and Camille’s trap was easily subverted.

That doesn’t mean he still isn’t a little insulted by her audacity or amused by Magnus’ badly hidden hovering.

“Are you following me home?” He asks the room quietly, gently curious because he’s not sure what Magnus thinks about this whole situation. “Or are we going together?”

Magnus materializes.

“Where do you consider home?” He asks, coyly like he sometimes gets and then his eyes go wide, and he adds, “Alexander you don—”

And Alec laughs, cutting him off because he knows that Magnus is worried about the potion but there’s nothing Magnus needs to ever worry about when it comes to Alec’s affections.

“Home is wherever I’m with you.” Alec tells him, the words flowing like honey off of his tongue or blood from an artery. “So, wherever you want to go.” Alec blinks, because the truth potion makes it incredibly easy to speak to Magnus and Alec is considering employing it during future endeavors, no matter how much Magnus enjoys flustering him. Because right now, Magnus is staring at him, golden eyes huge with astonishment and Alec wants to see it again.

And again.

Until Magnus no longer looks surprised at the depth of Alec’s devotion.

#lumine writes #writing wednesdays #writing wednesday #shadowhunters #malec #magnus bane #alec lightwood #shadowhunters au #my fics #my fanfics #my ficlets

[doomsdaydicecascader]

hey, could you go into more detail with what you mean with ‘being precious’ with characters. im curious and i like your writing a lot <3

i think it's difficult to express without it reading as just "mary sue" critique, you know. tvtropes bullshit. but it is kind of a thing that occupies the same space. and atop that, it's a thing that's a little bit difficult to express without context but i think there are three pretty meaningful examples of a character being made worse by the author from which you are smart enough to discern what i mean

the thing which ties them together is this: you are meant to come out of their story with an affection for the character that rivals the author's care for them - the author wants you to feel as much for this character as they do, but is afraid of portraying the character in flawed or even grounded ways, when the character's flaws or ways in which they are a grounded character tend to be what makes them relateable or worth caring about.

example number one is albus dumbledore. the end of harry potter is genuinely one of the worst things i've ever read, even before the terf shit, and this is best expressed through the way characters around him act - he is always right, except when he's wrong, but the ways in which he's wrong are okay because the character archetype that he turns out to be in the last book before he dies is "guy who makes the hard decisions because nobody else will", winston churchill guy. and naturally, jk rowling adores him so much that she made him the protagonist of her flop three-movie pentology even though there was a better protagonist right there with newt. he is a character who is thoroughly adored by the author in a way that ruins the story.

example number two is johnny, from the room. tommy wiseau is by no means a great artist, but i think a lot of people resent analyzing the room as art because it is so obviously bad and i think that takes away from its most compelling fact. johnny is characterized as too good for this world, as though the world itself was closing in on him, ready to take him out. his future wife is cheating with his best friend, lying about him being an abuser to her friends, his boss doesnt give him his promotion for no reason, his mother in law would put aside her cancer diagnosis to further tear apart her daughters marriage, and through this, johnny does nothing wrong. he was always too good for this sinful world. he is a character who is thoroughly adored by the author in a way that ruins the story.

example number three, as mentioned in that last ask, is lin manuel miranda's portrayal of alexander hamilton, which kind of combines the both of the previous examples. throughout hamilton, alexander hamilton is repeatedly portrayed as a tortured artist, a guy who writes like he's running out of time, a guy whose writing is so powerful that he could have meaningfully changed the world, if he were not also, a dipshit idiot who got shot in a duel. and hamilton is interesting, because the story itself bends over backwards to imagine new outs for him. when his wife, who is so upset by his actions that she exempts herself from being in the writings from which hamilton was based, something i am to believe is made up whole cloth for hamilton, the story itself goes out of its way to say "what if the stuff that his wife destroyed would have redeemed him" when the answer is, probably not, he was a shithead, but lin manuel miranda can't help but ask, "what if hamilton was actually just like me fr, a misunderstood dude who just wanted to make great art", he is a character who is thoroughly adored by the author in a way that ruins the story.

i dont really want to use the term "mary sue" or whatever because it is pretty loaded, and honestly, if the story you're telling justifies this feeling, i tend to really enjoy characters who really are just flawless, characters who the authors love and want you to love too. but theyre character studies - half blood prince and deathly hallows are almost entirely about dumbledore and his relationship to the cast, and it's the worst shit i've ever read. the room would be so unbelievably forgettable without johnny. and hamilton is hamilton.

and its the kind of thing i found myself prone to doing too - that kind of feverish, "he would not fucking say that" behavior about a character who would definitely, absolutely do that. i felt this way for a while about jane in post-canon, and i still kind of think post-canon jane deserved a better arc, to make a tragedy out of her existence, but that is a desire i have because i care a lot about jane crocker, you know?

[ninchen1909]

The Teacher and the Mob Boss -Chapter 7-

Word count: ~1.700

Warnings: mention of suicide and murder

My whole body is tense as I wait for James to start telling me his story. Again and again my gaze glides to our intertwined fingers, the warmth emanating from his hands makes me feel calmer and I have to fight strongly against the urge to rest my head on his shoulder. His tangy, unique scent lulls me to sleep and I close my eyes for a brief moment, hoping that this will help me focus on the important things again. Once again James exerts a light pressure on my fingers, before he begins to tell in an emotionless almost monotone voice.

"My family and the Pierce family came here together from Romania about 20 years ago.  My father grew up together with Alexander Pierce and they were actually friends from childhood. At some point, the two of them decided that we would move here together because we had no future perspectives in Romania. No money, no job, nothing. But even here it was a lot harder than they had imagined, we all still struggled to make a living here and slowly but surely we start to lose hope again. That was until my father and Alexander met Joseph at a bar one evening. They got to talking and when he heard about our fathers' money problems, he offered them a job. I remember my father coming home that night, beaming with joy and telling us, that everything would be better now, that we all would have a great life here. And at first it really seemed like it.

In the beginning they worked for him as bouncers or drivers, then at some point they were dealing drugs and guns for him on the street. And during that time things looked really good for our family and for the Pierce's, the money worries were gone, we moved into a house of our own and for a short time it really made it seem like our lives were perfect."

A happy smile spreads across James' face and for a brief moment, he seems truly content with himself and the world, however, this changes abruptly as he begins to continue.

"And then came the evening that brought my father to his doom. You know my father was never violent or anything, I mean he was always strict and wanted my sister and I to do something with our lives, but he would never have thought of hitting or harming us. But that moment must have destroyed a lot in him. I remember when he came home with blood splattered all over his body I heard my mom screaming my sister and I instantly run there, to see what's going on but they sent us  to our rooms right away.

We never talked about that day at first, our parents initially acted as if nothing had ever happened, my father only told me a few years later what happened that night. He drove Joseph to a meeting as he had done so many times before and stayed in the car as usual, only to drive him home again later. It was  summer at that time, which is why my father left the car window open to get some air. Suddenly he heard loud, aggressive voices and then a single gunshot. Therefore, my father quickly grabbed the gun from the glove compartment of the car and, against his better judgment, ran to where the shooting was. He saw  Joseph lying on the ground bleeding and moaning in pain, his blood was already gathering around his body an he started to get limp. my father  saw that the other man was aiming his gun to shoot  again..."

Shortly James breaks off in his narration, with an audible sound, he swallows the lump in his throat down.

"...and to prevent that, my father shot the man, just like that.  He told me how he watched the life disappear from the man's body. And that at that moment he felt nothing but freedom and power.  After that, he took Joseph to a safehouse where they patched him up. From that day on, Joseph blindly trusted my father, he became his closest confidant and his most sought-after advisor. And then when Joseph died, my father took his place and became the boss. Pierce became more and more jealous of my father during that time, so when he became the head, he turned his back on him and started his own organization. And since then, we've been at war with the Pierce family, sometimes more and sometimes less."

Determined, he searches mine with his eyes, unshed tears clearly visible in his sky-blue orbits.

"This position destroyed him. He was hardly ever at home anymore and when he was, he was in a shitty mood, he literally ignored my sister and he became aggressive towards my mother, hardly a day went by when he didn't fuck her up physically or mentally. And when I wanted to do something about it, it only became harder for her because he wanted to "dull" me, as he called it. He didn't perceive me as a son anymore, but as an object of use, he formed me to his successor, whenever I granted myself against it, he threatened to kill my mother and sister. So I played along, resolving never to mix my private life, everything that is important to me, with this life. My mom, sister and Steve helped me not lose myself, so I'm still the same as I was then. At least mostly"

At the mention of his family and best friend, a smile creeps onto his face. Carefully, I begin to stroke the back of his hand with my thumbs.

"Is that also why you started the women's shelter? To help women like your mother?"

Silently, he nods as he follows the movement of my thumb with his eyes.

"Yes. No woman or child deserves to have to live in such circumstances, I wanted to give them the opportunity to escape such a life."

"What happened to your father?"

A contemptuous snort escapes him as he lets his gaze slide to the living room ceiling.

"The asshole apparently couldn't take it anymore and shot himself. My whole life he's been preaching to me that I need to be strong and what does he do? He puts a bullet through his head and leaves his 22 year old son behind to lead a mob and take care of his family. And on the side, I'm supposed to be fighting this pointless war."

A stifling silence falls over us, which I break with a soft voice.

"Thank you for telling me all this and for being honest."

He lovingly strokes a strand of my hair back behind my ear and then lets his hand rest on my cheek. His eyes look at me Sincerely and full of warmth.

"I would tell you anything to keep you in my life. I told you last time in the schoolyard, I want you to know everything about me, even the things I'd rather hide for."

At his words, a smile creeps onto my face, without thinking much about it, I bridge the distance between our bodies and rest my head on his shoulder. Shortly after, I also feel the weight of his chin on my head.

"But and now please don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely against violence, but why don't you just eliminate the family?"

For a short moment I am shocked by myself that these words have now really left my mouth, however, I do not have long time to think about it, because James is quick to answer.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, if I just go after Pierce now, it would start the entire war, which would then not only affect us and Pierce but all the mob families around."

Stunned, I pull my head off his shoulder and look at him with wide eyes. The sight elicits a genuine laugh from him.

"Mob families? I didn't even know there was a a single mob familiy here until a few days ago and now we're suddenly talking plural? How many are there then?"

"You really haven't noticed in all these years that this city is run by mobs?"

"There are still days when I get lost on my way to work and you really think that's when I notice that the mob is here?"

A loud, throaty laugh escapes him, to which I can't help but join in

"It takes you about 10 minutes to get to school, how the hell do you get lost?"

" Easy , just by taking a wrong turn."

Unimpressed, I shrug my shoulders and cross my arms in front of my chest

"You're really special, you know that?"

"Sure I'm completely unique. But now please answer my question, how many mob families are there?"

"So as the two biggest we are Barnes and Pierce, then there's Banner, Romanoff and Maximoff they're all on our side, Hydra is on Pierce's side and then there's Stark."

Abruptly I tear my eyes open and jump off the couch.

"Stark? As in Tony Stark the principal? You can't be serious."

"Calm down princess. Tony isn't involved in the whole thing but he knows all about it, his wife Pepper took over the mob from Tony's father and has been running it in ever since, Tony has never wanted anything to do with it."

"How can a principal be involved with the mob?"

Stunned, I shake my head as the corners of Jaime's mouth twist into an arrogant smile.

"How can an innocent-seeming teacher be involved with the mob?"

He tilts his head slightly, but that arrogant smile doesn't disappear from his face for a second.

"By a totally annoying mobster deciding that she is now the main focus of his life."

James pulls me close before resting his forehead against mine.

"And that's exactly what you are"

#Bucky Barnes #bucky imagine #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x reader #mob au #mob bucky au #MOB BOSS BUCKY #mob bucky x reader #mob bucky barnes #mob bucky fluff

[romanceclub-lovers]

Love, sin & Evil screenwriter: Alexander Tepish.

The excitement around a possible monster scene has given me some thoughts, so let's test the limits: How do you feel about tentacles? It is important to know the opinions of those for whom this is unacceptable.

I’ll say right away that this survey is not for the first volume, but with an eye to the future.

People. Have respect for each other. There are tastes, there are fetishes, there are interests. I actually ask what people like and what they don’t. I am interested in the opinion of my Audience. Let each other speak without labeling, shaming or humiliating each other.

P.S. Of course, in many ways the focus is not on the room of abstract tentacles, but on creatures of other worlds and dimensions.

Well after this post a mini scandal has risen within the fandom concerning the tentacles debacles and the way Tepish interacts with his younger followers which results in this 👇

Well, in general the conclusions are:

- There are unexpectedly and absurdly many people who want tentacles.

- But opponents clearly indicate the position that this is literally a crime and a scandal.

- There are those who generally do not approve, but do not see crime.

However, since I’m tired of scandals, I don’t think you should expect this from me. Moreover, although this topic is well known and understandable to me, I’m still not a fan of it, so I would have to think hard about how to portray it well, sensually and romantically, and getting another raid for a lot of effort is such a prospect.

I thought and reflected on yesterday’s situation... Well, first of all, I need to somehow become tougher. Otherwise, he became completely limp and dropped to the level of Twitter with these nervous experiences.

Of course, out of habit, this all hits you over the head. I myself once joked ironically and did not understand these crazy people on the Internet. When I encountered it myself, it turned out that it was no joke, and it really hurts my mental health.

It's certainly easier said than done, but at least I'll set a course for less empathy and more focus on my fans. Otherwise, it doesn’t turn out very nicely when hundreds of people support you, and the opinion of a dozen is more important to you, simply because they hit you harder.

So. The first point I want to demonstrate is: on this channel I am going to talk to subscribers as adults. And use a normal adult vocabulary with words that mean what they mean.

If you write the words sex, prostitute, murder, etc. with at least three stars, then go to those chats where such preschool shyness would be appropriate.

Any hypocritical statements about “the children are watching” are subject to a ban. My house is next to a school and every day I hear these children under my windows, so don’t try to deceive me about their vocabulary.

If you consider yourself a child (or are going to communicate within such a framework), then it is better for you to find another page for communication.

Second point.

Judging each other's tastes is strictly prohibited. Since the 70s, women have been fighting for the decriminalization of sex and the opportunity to be satisfied as they wish, not to be shamed for their fantasies in the 20s and 21s.

If you want to hang labels on someone’s favorites and condemn sexual preferences, go to the cyber shop of the cyber monastery. I repeat: this is adult communication between people who know what they want, regardless of your assessment.

Hypocrisy and (hypocritical) ostentatious decency, (especially when it comes to novels) are unacceptable to me.

And the final third point.

I can’t stand all this moralizing and, again, the hypocritical covering of one’s interests and tastes with some common great goals to protect someone.

Before saving the female gender from “objectification” and “normalization of violence” or some other fashionable term, first ask what women themselves think about this and whether they need to be saved and whether there is anything to save them from.

My audience is 99.99% women. They know exactly what they like and what they want. I cannot impose anything on them, but only ask what to add to their taste.

Any attempts to cover their tastes and views with the broad back of the entire female race will be suppressed. The female race has its own head on its shoulders and they do not need self-appointed heralds.

To summarize: all genders, ages, nationalities and views are welcome on my channel. The main criterion for staying is adequate adult communication with a refusal to get into each other’s heads.

I do everything right, and if I mess up, my audience will correct me and direct me where I need to go. And the content itself is made in accordance with the tastes and requirements of the fandom.

Source note: Alexander. Tepish

#romance club #romance club game #rc #rc love sin and evil #rc lse

[my-deer-history]

Francis Kinloch in the Müller-Bonstetten letters: Part 2

My translations here, German and French originals below the cut.

[Undated, 1776]

Did you know that Lord Dunmore has imitated the billets d'état of the Americans, and thereby enticed them to provide the loyalists with what they needed from their own supplies? This ruse has left them in terrible confusion. Kinloch envies Colonel Cunningham, who is marching against Charlestown with 2,000 regulars under His Majesty’s standard?

[At the end of Müller’s letter is this addition from Kinloch:]

It is not enough my dear sir, to tell You, que je Vous embrasse de tout mon coeur [that I embrace you with all my heart]; that is but a futile French expression, invented in order to express a nothingness of sentiment in a decent manner; no rather let me say that I wish for nothing more than opportunity of manifesting to You how much, how sincerely I esteem You. 

Pour les manières et les Graces [For politeness and the Graces.]. You will not be astonished at our friend Muller's having made the progress he boasts of, when I inform You, that we have had the courage to read Lord Chesterfield's letters, though swelled to the size of two volumes in quarto, and filled with continual repetitions and inculcations of principles every way different from those that a Man of honour flatters himself has lodged in his bosom. 

We have lived a life this Winter as happy as the warmest imagination could have traced out. We have read a great deal, talk with rapture very frequently of those happy days spent under this humble roof in Your company. 

Good night. I ask Your pardon but I can not refrain from telling from time to time how much I esteem you. 

Kinloch.

[undated, 1776]

I must ask you for advice. You know my destination for the summer. Next winter, either Italy or, without a doubt, Genthod. But considering the future, I see many challenges in seeking a position as a tutor. Parents in England do not know me; would they trust their son to me? And when they ask to see me, would they then trust me, with my young face, without any mentorly traits? What do you think, should I get Kinloch to write to his tutor? Trembley to his friends? or should I leave it to time and chance?

13 April 1776

I feel what the union of two hearts like ours wants to say. I feel no gratitude for everything I have received from you, for Geneva, Genthod, Kinloch, because my gratitude is intertwined in my friendship.

April 1776

I have not often thought and felt so much in such a short time, as in the 4 divine days with my friend. I now know how I must live to properly develop my mind: alone, or with you. The noble American earns all my love, nor am I in debt to the friendship that he has for me, but you stand out above everyone in my heart, because I believe myself to be alone when I am with you.

“Monday”, 1776

Write to me urgently - on which day shall the society meet at Schinznach? Perhaps Lord Clive, Mr Fraser, Kinloch and I will also go. You will understand how urgently I need to know this.

“Early May” 1776

I can barely read anything. I spend 3 hours organising and thinking; the rest of the time I spend collecting. I read Montesquieu and Horaz with Kinloch. So I have about one hour left every day; I then read Heloise, or The Essay On Man, or Tristram Shandy.*

*”Heloise” is probably La nouvelle Heloise, an epistolary novel by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. An Essay on Man is a poem by Alexander Pope. Tristram Shandy is a satirical novel by Lawrence Sterne.

6 July 1776

I read your letters about Italy with Kinloch. They are excellent; if I were not covetous, I would tell you that they deserve to be read by the public.

I do not know if I am wrong; but to my eyes, Winkelmann* is so incomparable, so elevated, so profound, so entirely a man of genius, so genuinely Greek in his feeling, of such energy, in sum so perfectly, in my view, what a writer should be, that I dread to read Sulzer** after him.

*Johann Joachim Winckelmann was an archaeologist and art historian who revolutionised the understanding of classical art; he was also known to be homosexual, even in his own time.

**Johann Georg Sulzer’s Die Theorie der schönen Künste.

16 July 1776

Kinloch is leaving in September, probably towards the end, then I can come to Baleares for a week, or what would be better, if it’s at all possible, to take off for a week and come to the Lac de Joux; we could spend seven heavenly days there. In August, perhaps! I don't know if Kinloch wants to visit his relatives, but if so, I would visit the closest kinsman of my soul.

2 Aug [1776]

I saw, heard and felt Lekain* in the role of Tancrède, and on Tuesday, I will see him play Zamore. Everything that stirs my soul reminds me of B.** I could have cried at the theatre, because cruel fate does not allow me to feel, to sigh, to cry at my friend’s side. Why did I not lie sprawled next to you on the grass with the Aeneid? Our souls, dearest friend, are sweet and gentle; our spirit sympathises wonderfully; our taste is susceptible to the beauties of nature and genius. Every day I become more worthy of you; and so you will love me more than before. Pour the full stream of feelings into your letters. Do not hide anything from me, my dear, and allow me the divine pleasure of rejoicing with B. and feeling sorrow with him. Let me write my reflections, then the whole world will see whether I am worthy of you, and then we will see each other for longer and more often. Write to me, I beg you, as often as possible. Do away with the frustrating error that you never answer my letters. Comfort me, I grieve that Kinloch is leaving in two months. He is the noblest, the most amiable, the most virtuous youth: his faults themselves are amiable and the faults of a noble man.

*Lekain was a French actor, one of Voltaire’s favourites.

**Bonstetten

8 Aug 1776

Lekain in Tancrède entranced me; as Zamore* he disappointed me; the latter feels and speaks with liveliness, has a noble open countenance, is the most amiable and greatest character in all of Voltaire’s work; [...] Aufresne** would have done it better; but I do not want to see Zamore played by anyone other than you or Kinloch.

*Zamore is an Incan prince in Voltaire’s play Alzire, ou Les Américains.

**Aufresne was a Genevan actor.

[Undated, 1776]

Wissen Sie wohl, daß Mylord Dunmore die Billets d'état der Amerikaner nachgeahmt, und hierdurch sie verführt hat, aus ihrem eigenen den Königischen das Nothwendige zu verschaffen? Diese List hat sie in eine entsetzliche Verwirrung gesetzt. Kinloch beneidet den Obrist Cunningham, welcher mit 2000 Königischen unter dem Standart Sr. Majestät gegen Charlestown angezogen ist?

[undated, 1776]

Rathen Sie mir. Gür den Sommer wissen Sie meine Bestimmung; für den Winter, entweder Italien oder ohne Zweifel auch Genthod. Betreffend ferneres; so sehe ich viele Inconvenienzen, um eine Gouverneurstelle zu schreiben. Die Eltern in England kennen mich nicht, werden sie mir ihren Sohn anvertrauen? Und wenn sie mich sehen wollten, würden sie mir ihn alsdann vertrauen, mir mit meiner jungen Miene, mir ohne alle Mentorszüge? Was meinen Sie, soll ich schreiben lassen — den Kinloch an seinen Vormund? Trembley an seine Freunde? oder die Zeit und Zufälle abwarten?

J'ai des conseils à vous demander. Vous savez quelle est ma destination pour cet été. L'hiver prochain, je projette un voyage en Italie, ou un séjour à Genthod; mais il faut penser à l'avenir, et je vois beaucoup d'inconvénients à chercher une place de gouverneur. Personne ne me connaît en Angleterre: quels parents voudraient me confier leur fils? Et quand on demanderait à me voir, obtiendrais-je plus de confiance en montrant une mine si jeune et si peu convenable à un Mentor? Qu'en pensez-vous? Dois-je faire écrire Kinloch à son tuteur, Trembley à ses amis, ou dois-je m'en remettre au temps et aux circonstances?

13 April 1776

Ich fühle, was die Vereinigung zweier Herzen, wie unsre, sagen will. Ich fühle keine Dankbarkeit für alles, was ich von Ihnen habe, für Genf, Genthod, Kinloch, denn meine Dankbarkeit wird von meiner Freundschaft verschlungen.

Mon cher et noble ami! ce qui distingue notre amitié, c'est qu'elle domine sur tous nos autres sentiments. Je ne sens aucune reconnaissance pour tout ce que je vous dois, pour Genève, pour Genthod, pour Kinloch; ma reconnaissance se perd dans ma tendresse pour vous.

April 1776

Ich habe selten in so kurzer Zeit so viel gedacht und gefühlt, als in den göttlichen 4 Tagen mit meinem Freund. Ich weiß nun, wie ich leben müßte, um meinen Geist recht zu entwickeln: allein, oder mit Euch. Der edle Amerikaner verdient alle meine Liebe, auch bleibe ich ihm nichts an der Freundschaft schuldig, die er für mich hat, aber Ihr zeichnet Euch in meinem Herzen vor allen aus, indem ich allein zu seyn glaube, wenn ich mit Euch bin.

“Monday”, 1776

Schreiben Sie mir nächstens, an welchem Tag die Gesellschaft zu Schinznach sich versammle? Vielleicht gehen Lord Clive, Mr. Fraser, Kinloch und ich auch dahin. Sie begreifen, wie nothwendig ich dieses bald wissen muß.

“Early May” 1776

Lesen kann ich fast nichts. 3 Stunden ordne und denke ich; die übrige Zeit sammle ich. Mit Kinloch lese ich Montesquieu und Horaz. So bleibt mir täglich ungefähr eine Stunde; ich lese alsdann Heloise, oder the Essay on man, oder Tristram Shandy.

6 July 1776

Ich habe mit Kinloch Eure Briefe über Italien gelesen. Sie find vortrefflich; wenn ich nicht geizig darauf wäre, so wollte ich Ihnen sagen, sie verdienen vom Publicum gelesen zu werden.

Ich weiß nicht, ob ich Recht habe, aber Winkelmann ist so unvergleichlich, so hoch, so tief, so ganz Mann von Genie, von so griechischem Gefühl, von solcher Energie, so recht wie ein Verfasser nach meinem Sinn seyn soll, daß ich fürchte, Sulzern nach ihm zu lesen. 

J'ai lu avec Kinloch, vos lettres sur l'Italie. Elles sont excellentes, et si je n'en étais avare, je vous dirais qu'elles méritent d'être connues du public.

Je ne sais si je me trompe; mais Winkelmann est à mes yeux si incomparable, si élevé, si profond, si entièrement homme de génie, si vraiment grec et antique dans sa manière de sentir, enfin si parfaitemént, à mon sens, l'écrivain tel qu'il doit être, que je crains de lire Sulzer après lui.

16 July 1776

Kinloch reiset ab im September, vermuthlich gegen das Ende, alsdann kann ich auf eine Woche nach Baleires kommen, oder was besser wäre, wenn es nur möglich ist, sondern Sie sich auf eine Woche ab, und kommen Sie an den Lac de Joux; da könnten wir sieben Göttertage zubringen. Im August, vielleicht! Ich weiß nicht, ob Kinloch seine Verwandten besuchen will, dann besuchte ich den nähesten Verwandten meiner Seele.

2 Aug [1776]

Ich habe gesehen, gehört und gefühlt den Le Kain Tancred vorstellen und am Dienstag stellt er Zamoren vor. Alles, was meine Seele rührt, ruft mich zu B. zurück. In der Comödie hätte ich weinen mögen, daß das harte Schicksal mir nicht erlaubt, neben meinem Freund zu fühlen, zu seufzen, zu weinen. Warum lag ich nicht neben Ihnen hingegossen aufs Gras mit der Aencide? Unsere Seelen, liebster Freund, sind lieblich und sanft; unser Geist sympathisirt wunderbar; unser Geschmack ist für die Schönheiten der Natur und des Genies empfindlich. Täglich werde ich Ihrer würdiger; so lieben Sie mich dann auch mehr, als vormals. So ergießen Sie denn im vollern Strom Empfindungen in Ihre Briefe. Verschweigen Sie mir nichts, mein Lieber, und gestatten Sie mir die Götterlust, mich mit B. zu freuen und mit ihm zu betrüben. Lassen Sie mich meine Betrachtungen schreiben, dann wird alle Welt sehen, ob ich Ihrer würdig bin, und dann werden wir uns länger und öfter sehen. Schreiben Sie mir, ich bitte Sie, so oft als möglich. Legen Sie einen verdrüßlichen Fehler ab; den, daß Sie meine Briefe nie beantworten. Trösten Sie mich, ich traure sehr, daß Kinloch in zwei Monaten abreiset. Er ist der edelste, der freundschaftlichste, der tugendhafteste Jüngling: seine Fehler selbst sind liebenswürdig und die Fehler eines edlen Menschen.

8 Aug 1776

Le Kain im Tankred hat mich entzückt; als Zamore hat er mir mißfallen; der letzere fühlt, spricht mit Lebhaftigkeit, hat eine edle offne Miene, ist der liebenswürdigste und größte Charakter im ganzen Voltaire; [...] Aufresne hätte das vielleicht besser gemacht; ich aber möchte Zamoren von niemand spielen sehen, als von Ihnen oder von Kinloch.

#francis kinloch #johannes von müller #karl viktor von bonstetten #18th century history #queer history #french translation #voltaire

[terristre]

Could we perhaps get some info on your OCs? Their designs are so cool and they seem really interesting :)

jidsajidoasjiodas SCREAMS sorry its been like a week im just so happy i needed it to be good

uhh heres a good place to start for lore-grounding! alexander graves is a ghost from the 1500s who now serves in the court of the queen of monsters, notably being the only male member of the high court. hes far from a strong fighter, though his strengths are that as a ghost he cannnot die- and that for a ghost, hes VERY good at pretending to be alive

he has a confident, well-spoken air about him but its not hard to pin him as a more introverted, even shy person under it. the sort of person who would prefer keep their head down and go back to their business quietly, but one who holds the people close to him in an adoring regard. (hes NOT in the high court for his power after all- his value is in his kindness) hes been a diligent seamster since a young age & in-canon most of the clothing designs of characters under the queen can be credited to him lol

marcus deangelo THE BIRD BOY OF ALL TIME is alex's notably more introverted angel son. he tends to take the role of the silly goon/errand boy in the queens court & forms a light-hearted team rocket-esque duo with the plague doctor to take back pandora's box, stolen from the queen & brought to the monster hunters

marcus is an immediately curious character because he fits the high-energy genki archetype like a glove & has nothing but positivity for others- but his philosophy towards his own life & future are absolutely bleak. and the thing to pin about him is, he isnt really all that dumb- its more a mix of lack of worldly knowledge & this ascetic fold of catholicism where Bad Things Happen To Me Because I Somehow Deserve Them so he has LITTLE self-preservation & accepts misfortune without a fight

alexander holds the same self-poisoning principles, but marcus is the only one naive enough to say the quiet parts out loud. its not something the man ever pushed upon his sons but rather something they adopted themselves after seeing it from their role model. congrats to them for inheriting all their fathers positive traits AND his negative traits theyre both adopted btw

YES THIS IS AN INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA PLOTLINE anyways marcus talks to animals all the time & it makes other people think he actually has the power to communicate with them but He Does Not. also sometime his misinformed beliefs about the world will coincidentally line up with what europeans thought in medieval times & its like. who told you that buddy. HOMESCHOOLING if i dont know it you dont either LMAO

OUR BAT FRIEND IS THE PLAGUE DOCTOR! appearances can be deceiving my friend shes a recently-turned vampire whose only powers, really, are turning into a bat & burning in sunlight <:3c she refused to swear loyalty to the queen of monsters but couldnt bring herself to return to her old life Now Thats Shes A Monster so shes just kinda been. tossed around the court until she tragically rattled down to The Fuckers Whose Entire Personalities Are Being Catholic

if there is a musical episode the plague doctor is the one who goes WOAH WAIT WHATS GOING ON every day she wakes up & tries SO HARD to understand whats happening around her. shes definitely struggling to keep her miserable life together but despite that her kindness & good humor tend to shine through, most of the others actually quite enjoy her company the problem is shes always like "IM BETRAYING YOU GUYS FIRST CHANCE I GET"

but yeah as mentioned she makes for a good duo with marcus, hes great at fighting & she actually understands human society so together they make One Functional Person when venturing out of monster society lol. curiously for someone who doesnt want to be there, the plague doctor chose to assist in the chase for pandora's box of her own free will

#THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR ASKING IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY I KNOW FULL WELL THIS WILL LITERALLY NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN TwT #lore tag #ocs #alexander #marcus #plague doctor

[thirstyforlulu]

Okay, how about Alexander Anderson with a pregnant S/O?

Anderson is NERVOUS

He’s seen men who lost their wives during child birth, orphans who lost their mothers, all sorts of tragic losses surrounding pregnancy and birth

If that happened to you or the baby, he’d lose his mind

You’re everything to him, and soon, that child will be too

He wanted to start staying home as soon as you started showing, but you assured him you were fine

He’s going to read everything he can to prepare himself

He’ll be checking the Bible for pregnancy advice

Everyone around him can tell he’s distracted

They think it’s sweet though and can’t wait to see him with the baby. They always said he’d make a great dad

The pregnancy makes him rethink his work

When the two of you are laying down to sleep, he holds you hand over your belly and thinks about your future

If something happened to him, what would happen to you and the baby?

Could he train the kid to be a hunter like him?

His life had always had one singular focus, but now he had the two of you, things had changed

You’ll only be allowed to do light housework as your due date approaches

“I couldn’t make a pregnant lady mop the house,” He says as he gently pushes you down into a chair

He knows a lot of massages that are meant more for martial arts, so he’s going to have to look into how to relieve your aches in particular

With how much he tried to prepare for the day of the delivery, he is completely caught off guard

He’s rushing like crazy to get you to the hospital

Then when they actually start to work with you, he’s watching every step, scrutinizing everything they do

If they mess up and hurt you or the baby they will not survive

He doesn’t calm down until the baby is born and they place it on your chest

He gets as close to you as he can, looking lovingly down at you and the baby

#alexander anderson x reader #alexander anderson #anderson x reader #anderson #father anderson x reader

[aphroditelovesu]

6 for Alexander in the Lost Queen pretty please 🙏🥺??? It's too good for me not to request, especially with the whole time travel thing...

Thanks !

Prompt [6] - "Our destinies are intertwined. No matter what happens, we will always end up together."

Running away was not a smart choice.

You always knew this from the start, but you did it the same way.

You chose to leave him.

You abandoned him because you wanted to. No one had forced you, you chose to do it out of sheer will.

And it broke something inside him. Maybe it was the heart, the heart that always belonged to you and even after your betrayal would continue to belong to you.

You always knew this, but chose to be ignorant of the love he felt for you.

How cruel you were. Alexander couldn't remember feeling so much pain, so much anguish, so much betrayal after you tried to leave him. Not even Philotas had hurt him as much as you had.

You were so stupid and yet he still loved you so much it hurt.

Alexander looked down at his hands, watching them carefully, looking for any trace of blood. There was nothing. Not a single drop of your blood. Nothing. The only thing on his hands were the scar marks he had earned throughout his life.

Maybe it was his fault, maybe he pushed you too far. Maybe his mother was right.

Alexander shuddered at such thoughts. No, his mother wasn't right. She couldn't be right. He loved her very much, but he preferred to keep her out of his love life.

It was better for everyone involved.

He took a deep breath and finally decided to go visit your tent. Where were you being held. He didn't want to have to do this, arrest you, but you had shown an annoying tendency to run away. He couldn't allow you to try again, not when it might cost your life.

Alexander felt like crying at the thought of you succumbing to Gedrosia's searing heat. You could not leave him, never, not even in death.

There was still the other matter to be broached, the fact that you were... From the future. He still didn't quite know how to react to that. How could that be true? How could you be from another time that he couldn't even understand? The King didn't know what to think about that. Nor what to do.

However, he knew you weren't lying. He had seen the truth in your eyes when he had found out, how you cried in his arms. It wasn't a lie, it couldn't be.

But how he wished it were.

He needed to talk to you and clear everything up. But the most important thing was to make it clear that you would never leave him.

Resolute, Alexander walked purposefully to his tent, ignoring the glares of his soldiers and generals. He needed to see you and he would. He was the King, after all, and he always got what he wanted.

Upon reaching your tent, Alexander took a deep breath and finally entered it. His eyes widened upon seeing your state.

You were sitting on the floor, with your head resting on the small cot and your hands on your stomach. You were sweaty and bloody in some parts of your body and he didn't even want to look at your back.

Not when he was causing your pain.

You didn't even look up when he walked in, but he couldn't help but notice how your eyes filled with tears and your body flinched. Fear. You were afraid of him.

Alexander crouched beside you, his knees touching the cold ground. He stared into your face and he removed a lock of hair from your face, leaving your beautiful face in full view. Bruised and full of tears. This sight was heartbreaking for the Great Conqueror.

''(Y/N)... My Queen...'' He murmured and pulled you into his arms. You didn't even move or fight.

He hugged you tightly, placing his head above yours. You were broken. Alexander felt his eyes water, he held you tighter, ignoring your bruises.

''Forgive me... I just...'' He couldn't finish speaking because he didn't know what to say.

You didn't answer, completely still. Like a doll in his arms.

''You have to understand! I only did all this because I love you and...'' Alexander closed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that fell on your dry and disheveled hair.

Alexander pulled back a little and forced you to look into his eyes.

''You can't run away from me. Leave me...'' He murmured and watched you close your eyes, "Our destinies are intertwined. No matter what happens, we will always end up together."

Alexander felt you shudder.

''You can't leave me! I will not allow... I love you, (Y/N), I love you so much that I cannot and will not live without you.'' He hugged you tightly again. Alexander made a promise to himself in that moment.

You would never go back to your time, or whatever it was, you would be with him forever. No matter what means he used, you would never go home. Not when your home is with him.

#yandere history #history #yandere historical characters #yandere alexander the great #yandere alexander the great x reader #the lost queen #alexander the great x reader #prompt #yandere prompt

[elettralightwood]

Everyone, please, stand up and give a round of applause for the birthday boy, our one and only Consul, the hero of many wars, one of the best Shadowhunters of his generation, an amazing and loving father and husband and brother: our sweet, caring, special boy Alexander Lightwood.💙

"It’s the world that needs to change, and we’re going to be the ones to change it."

"We change the Clave,” said Alec. “From inside. We make new Laws. Better ones."

He knew Alec enough by now to know the conflicting impulses that warred in him. He was conscientious, the kind of person who believed that the others around him were so much more important than he was, who already believed he was letting everybody down. And he was honest, the kind of person that was naturally open about all he felt and wanted. Alec's virtues had made a trap for him; these two good qualities had collided painfully. He felt he could not be honest without disappointing everyone he loved. It was a hideous conundrum for him. It was as if the world had been designed to make him unhappy.

It was part of the dichotomy of Alec that had caught Magnus unaware and left him fascinated - that Alec seemed old for his age, serious and responsible, and yet that he approached the world with a tender wonder that made all things new.

Alec knew who he was. He knew what he had done and what he had fought for, and he knew what he would fight for in the future. And he knew exactly who he loved.

Alec, with his heartbreaking contradictions, shy and brave, relentless and tender.

"But that's what you're doing, isn't it? You're part of the fight just as much as the Shadowhunters on the ship—and I know you can take some of my strength, I've heard of warlocks doing that—so I'm offering. Take it. It's yours."

"If I’m a hero of war, so is he."

"Anyone who says women are weak is afraid they’re too strong."

"I hate it when straight guys think all gay guys are attracted to them. I’m not attracted to every guy any more than you’re attracted to every girl."

"Iz," Alec said tiredly. "It's not like it's one big bad thing. It's a lot of little invisible things. When Magnus and I were traveling, and I'd call from the road, Dad never asked how he was. When I get up to talk in Clave meetings, no one listens, and I don't know if that's because I'm young or if it's because of something else. I saw Mom talking to a friend about her grandchildren and the second I walked into the room they shut up. Irina Cartwright told me it was a pity no one would ever inherit my blue eyes now." He shrugged and looked toward Magnus, who took a hand off the wheel for a moment to place it on Alec's. "It's not like a stab wound you can protect me from. It's a million little paper cuts every day."

"No one blames her." "That never matters," said Alec. "Not when you blame yourself."

He deposited Chairman Meow on the ground, and the cat moved over to Alec, and rubbed against his leg. “The Chairman likes you.”“Is that good?” “I never date anyone my cat doesn’t like,” Magnus said easily, and stood up. “So let’s say Friday night?” A great wave of relief came over Alec. “Really? You want to go out with me?”

"All I did was think about being worthy of coming home to you"

He’d always assumed that storybook moments like these were meant for Jace, Isabelle, anyone but him. Yet here he was.

"You never called me back," he said. "I called you so many times and you never called me back." Magnus looked at Alec as if he'd lost his mind. "Your city is under attack," he said. "The wards have been broken, and the streets are full of demons. And you want to know why I haven't called you?" Alec set his jaw in a stubborn line. "I want to know why you haven't called me back."

"I did not make a pie,” Alec repeated, gesturing expressively with one hand, “for three reasons. One, because I do not have any pie ingredients. Two, because I don’t actually know how to make a pie.” He paused, clearly waiting. Removing his sword and leaning it against the cave wall, Jace said warily, “And three?” “Because I am not your bitch,” Alec said, clearly pleased with himself.

"Just because you said dragon demons were extinct—" "I said mostly extinct." Alec jabbed a finger toward him. "Mostly extinct," he said, his voice trembling with rage, "is NOT EXTINCT ENOUGH."

"Izzy. My sister. She told me you liked me. Liked me, liked me.”

"The Institute has a very old magic woven into its walls. I shall now use it to commune with my mother, wherever she might be found." He put his hands around his mouth and bellowed at the top of his lungs. "MOOOOOOOOOM!"

"Check you out,' said Magnus. 'My famous boyfriend, inspiration to the masses."

#tsc #shadowhunters #the shadowhunters chronicles #alec lightwood #alexander lightwood #happy birthday alec #happy something

[warwickroyals]

beginning - previous - next

Alex joining a long line of toxic and possessive royal simblr dads, I'd imagine . . .

[ALEX] I cannot believe this. I can’t believe you!

[NICHOLAS] How is any of this my fault? I didn’t tell them to cancel it.

[ALEX] He forgot? That’s the excuse they’re pulling and you’re just buying it?

[NICHOLAS] Yeah, I buy it, Alexander, because he’s geriatric. He doesn’t even own a cellphone. They redirect his calls with a fucking switchboard.

[ALEX] Oh, great, so they control his calls, too.

[NICHOLAS] Who is this “they” you’re suddenly so obsessed with?

[ALEX] His staff! The people that are clearly trying to stonewall me. Schuyler arranged that meeting at Christmas, but now that it’s the week of his calendar has been rearranged and he’s swamped with engagements.

[ALEX] These people know him too well, they know he’ll never skirt his obligations to speak with me. He didn’t forget, Nick, he was told he was busy and never thought to question why. He doesn’t want to see me.

[NICHOLAS] And what’s the end goal here? Is he just going to avoid you forever?

[ALEX] No, he just wants me back at my station where I can’t be a bother to him. I’d be happy to oblige if he wasn’t ripping me away from my daughter in the process.

[NICHOLAS] Okay, that’s enough, you’re making him sound like a Goddamn supervillain.

[NICHOLAS] He’s the King of Sunderland, sometimes he gets busy. You know that.

[ALEX] That’s easy for you to say, he always makes time for you. He’s never rescheduling those weekly breakfasts, is he?

[NICHOLAS] Those are important there are certain things we need to discuss because—

[ALEX] You’re the heir.

[ALEX] It always comes back to you being first, the future king. You always have to centre yourself. Do you think I don’t know what’s going on? With me out of the picture, you’ll be picking M.G. up from school. You’re the one buying her toys and braiding her hair. She’s just another person you’re trying to steal from me like Mom and Grandfather and Dad. It’s never enough for you.

[NICHOLAS] What are you talking about? I’m not—

[ALEX] You know, after Dad died, all anyone wanted to talk about was you. How hard it was for you, how you were adjusting to being first-in-line, how you would never be able to live life on your terms. Everything was always about you.

[ALEX] Honest question, Nick, do you really think you don’t get special treatment? Yes or no?

[NICHOLAS] Schuyler, is this really—

[ALEX] Don’t talk to him, talk to me, Yes or no. No, Alex, I couldn’t help being born first. Happy?

[NICHOLAS] Where the hell are you going? I’m not done with you.

[ALEX] I don’t want to look at you anymore and, until you answer that question correctly, you won’t be seeing Margaux either. I’m her father, I forbid it.

[NICHOLAS] Yeah, fuck you, too.

[NICHOLAS] Oh, my God, I can’t believe this. He is such . . . a teenager sometimes.

[SCHUYLER] You can’t be too hard on him, Nicholas, he’ll come around. Your

father—

[NICHOLAS] I know, I’ve heard it all before. Thanks for the thought, Sky, but none of this is part of your job description.

#warwick.story #ts4 story #ts4 storytelling #ts4 legacy #ts4 royal legacy #ts4 edit #ts4 screenshots #ts4 royalty #ts4 monarchy #ch: schuyler #✨

[the-clumsywitch]

Pick-an-Image General Tarot Reading

Image #1

Cards

The Fool (reversed)

Two of Pentacles (reversed)

Ace of Swords

Eight of Cups

The Lovers (reversed)

You are not trusting your intuition right now, I feel like it is because there is a lack of balance in your life, you are solely trusting what is in front of you and things that are more tangible. I am also seeing that you are afraid to walk away from something that isn’t serving you, this is the thing that could be causing the lack of balance in your life. With the lovers I am not picking up on a relationship but instead something that you are very passionate about, this could be related to work or a hobby that you would like to pursue as a career. Now is the time for you to decide if you want to stay where you are or take a leap of faith and walk away.

Image #2

Cards

Eight of Pentacles

Five of Swords

Ten of Swords

King of Wands

Page of Cups

For this group I feel like you are really great at what you do for a living and are a hard worker. Unfortunately I think there is a coworker or even a family member (a cousin, which I know is a weird message) that is less than excited about how good you are at what you do or where you are in your life. They are jealous of your drive, ambition, your ideas, and even your ability to connect and relate to almost everyone. Be careful around this person and limit the amount of information you share with them.

Image #3

Cards

Knight of Cups (reversed)

Eight of Wands

Strength

The Magician

Five of Pentacles

With the knight of cups and eight of wands I feel like you don’t really process your emotions and are quick to move on to a distraction that will help you to avoid feeling complicated emotions. You might think you are coping and I see that despite not addressing your emotions you are still able to manifest fairly well. But what you might not realize is that you aren’t doing yourself any favors in the long run, you are setting yourself up for failure by not dealing with the things that you are feeling. This could leave you in a situation where everything that you haven't dealt with comes crashing down all at once. Please consider processing your emotions as you feel them, to avoid possibly having to deal with a much bigger emotional mess in the future.

Please let me know if this reading resonated with you!

Image Credit

Image 1 - Megan Forbes

Images 2 & 3 - Alexander Grey

#tarot #tarot card reading #pick an image #tarot reader #tarot reading #general tarot reading #tarot readers of tumblr #witch #witchy vibes #witches of tumblr #black witches of tumblr #black witch #pink #tarotblr #witchblr

[offender42085]

Post 775

Ian Gulbin, New York inmate 14B3263, born 1982, incarceration intake in November 2014 at age 32, sentenced to life, scheduled for parole consideration November 2037

Murder, 2nd Degree

Ian Gulbin’s murder case should never have been about him, prosecutors said.

Instead, it is about 1-year-old Brayden, who was violently slammed into his crib by Gulbin just because he wouldn’t stop crying.

It is about 8-year-old Mikey Hogan, who doesn’t yet grasp why he’ll never see his younger brother again and fears Gulbin will come after him one day.

And it is about Brayden’s mother, Anastasia Hogan, whose infant daughter with Gulbin will never meet the brother her father killed.

“I always saw greatness in you,” Anastasia Hogan wrote Gulbin in a letter read by First Assistant District Attorney Dawn Catera Lupi in Oneida County Court. “I never thought you could be capable of something so horrific. Who would have thought that you could go from teaching Brayden how to walk to something so terrible and hateful?”

Gulbin who believed at the time that Brayden was his son until DNA tests proved otherwise – was sentenced to 24 years to life. However, this came only after Gulbin pulled the focus back onto himself at the expense of the family members he once said he wanted to spare from any further suffering.

Gulbin previously claimed he was coerced into pleading guilty, allegations another judge recently ruled were contrived. Gulbin then admitted that he had selfishly lied after being influenced by other people.

“I was scared to go to prison,” Gulbin told Judge Michael L. Dwyer, noting that he never meant for Brayden to die. “I tried to extend this thing as far as possible.”

A statement by the father of Brayden’s brother touched upon the future that Gulbin might face behind bars.

“Just know that you are a low-life criminal and are going to jail with the big boys now, as a baby killer," Lupi read from Michael Hogan's letter. “No one there likes criminals that have committed a crime like yours.

While Lupi described Gulbin as a “monster,” Gulbin’s new attorney, Jeremy Alexander, said his client will always be haunted by what he’s done.

“I hope he’s able to find some sort of meaning in life from this point forward,” Alexander said. “There is value in redemption and forgiveness to be had.” Brayden’s mother even wrote in her statement to Gulbin: “I hope and pray that you become a better person, for Brayden.”

Dwyer finished by asking Gulbin: “Thirteen months and 16 days. What do those words mean to you?”

“Everything,” Gulbin said about the length of time Brayden was alive before he was killed through Gulbin’s “stupidity.”

2v