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orangepeelshortbreadcookies · 9 months

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Curtain Story: The super serious, dark, dramatic and heroic rivalry of Miles Bridgerton and Charles Bridgerton

by orangepeelshortbreadcookies

Chapter 1 - 4.2 / 3.7

At four years and two months old, Miles Sharma-Bridgerton rules the world. Everybody will always give him anything he wants.

Until he comes face to face with his new cousin, Charles 'Seong-Ho' Bridgerton.

Miles is perfectly fine with being the baby of the family and the centre of the universe then Charlie comes swinging in like a rocket and ruins all of that by being younger than him.

I need to write some wholesome baby fluff for a change

Author’s note: The even more ridiculous alternative title, courtesy of my partner and the lovely @dollypopup - Curtain Story: the (super serious dark dramatic) rivalry of one Miles Bridgerton and Charles Bridgerton by fall out boy ft. Panic!At The Disco covered by Paramore with a rap bridge from Batman

Special thanks to @hptriviachamp for helping me write Kate and Miles.

At four years and two months old, Miles Sharma-Bridgerton rules the world.

Well, Miles rules at least one world. From Kent to London, from Mumbai to Chennai, everybody loves him. His grandmothers. All of his aunts and uncles. His Amma and Dad most of all. The adults always swoon and gush over how cute he is when Miles looks up at them from under his soft curls and his long eyelashes, as he flashes them a view of the dimples on his round cheeks. Everybody will always give Miles anything he wants.

Miles isn’t worried about his brother, Edmund, or his cousins, Auggie, Belinda and Caroline. He is the youngest of the bunch, so they have to share their toys with him. Miles will tell if they don’t. Plus, Edmund never lets anybody bully him. Secretly, Miles thinks of his brother as his sidekick. The fact that he will soon gain a younger sibling, as his Amma is currently pregnant, is still too abstract of a concept for the boy to comprehend. As far as he is concerned, this is Miles’s world forever.

Miles has yet to have any reason to think otherwise on a day such as today. Turns out his Dad has another brother, Uncle Benedict, not just Uncle Colin and Uncle Gregory. He is returning home with his wife, Auntie Sophie, from their long business trip in Europe. Amma is taking him and Edmund out to meet them for lunch, along with Auntie Daphne, her kids, and Auntie Eloise.

Before they depart for the restaurant, Miles conducts his investigation.

“What does Uncle Benedict do?” Dad says one can judge a character by what they do for a living, and Grandma Violet says it is very rude to directly ask that kind of question. So Miles snuggles against Amma and whispers the question in her ear. She giggles as his breath tickles her.

Also, Miles just wants to be close to Amma and smell her. His aunts and Grandmas smell nice too, but his Amma has the best smell.

“He is an artist, angel.” She answers. “He paints things. He takes photographs of them too.”

He considers her answer thoughtfully.

“He paints things? Like trees? Like animals? Like horses? What about kittens? What about our dog Newton? And houses?” To each “Yes” from his Amma regarding his inquiries, he is more sure of his resolve. This is good information. Uncle Benedict can stay. It can be useful for Miles and Edmund, having an uncle that powerful.

The fact that Benedict is also his cousins’ uncle, Miles does not agree with.

“What does Auntie Sophie do?” He whispers into Amma’s ear again.

“Auntie Sophie is an astronomer.” says Amma.

“What is astromomomer?” He asks.

She smiles, repeating the words more slowly. “An as-tro-no-mer, darling. She studies astronomy. The sun, the stars, the moon, space. Everything outside of Earth.”

Miles’s eyes brighten at this explanation. He recognizes the term now.

“Space? So she is astronaut? Like spaceship?”

“No, she is an astronomer, dear. Not an astronaut. They work together.” Kate’s attempt to clarify the distinction unfortunately goes completely over Miles’s head. Now, the boy can only think of which possible ways he can charm this Auntie Sophie, so she loves him enough to give him a seat on her spaceship.

His plan starts with this lunch. As Edmund leaves the table to play with Auggie, Belinda and Caroline, Miles stays behind. Like a smart boy that he is, Miles decides that his chance of getting on a spaceship will be higher if he helps his Amma and aunts chat up this pretty, fairy-like lady who they say is Auntie Sophie. It is his world after all, he should be responsible for it. So he stays in his chair, little feet dangling off the ground, busying himself with his snacks. Occasionally, when he feels generous, he turns to his Amma and pushes a piece of tart against her mouth until she eats it. It is very wise of him, indeed, that he remembers that Amma needs to feed the baby as well.

His plan is working perfectly. His Amma is doing her part, talking about how excited he is to meet a real-life astronomer, while Miles flutters his lashes and grins at Sophie with both of his dimples. Both of them! This is a huge, never-before-seen concession on Miles’s part. Normally he will never be this friendly to strangers. But he really wants that spaceship.

Auntie Sophie is moved, he can tell. She looks at him like every woman in his life looks at him, full of melting love and adoration. She coos and nudges his cheeks. She helps dab napkin at the spot when Miles has jam on his chin. He allows and accepts the gesture with sovereign regality, preening under all the attention of the women at the table.

As Miles is just about to gather enough courage and ask Auntie Sophie about her spaceship, someone else arrives.

“I hope we are not too late. Somebody found a flower shop.” Miles hears an adult male say.

Everyone’s attention turns toward the voice. Coming into view is a man who looks like his Dad but not really. All of his aunts cry out “Benedict!” as he approaches them. Amma leans over him, introducing helpfully and encouragingly.

“Look, honey. It’s your Uncle Benedict.”

Uncle Benedict is carrying two things in his arms. One of them is a giant bouquet, with so many flowers Miles cannot count all of them. The other is a child. A boy.

Uncle Benedict introduces him.

“This is Charlie. Say hello, Charlie!” The kid is smaller than Miles. Rounder than Miles. Pinker than Miles. He gives them an excited wave and a grin so wide, his eyes close up. Then he makes a gesture of blowing everyone at the table a kiss, and Miles hears his Amma, his old Aunties and his new Auntie collectively sigh.

“Eomma!” Charlie calls out, flailing his arms as if he wants to fly away from his Dad’s embrace to his mother. When he smiles, one corner of his mouth is higher than the other, just like his Dad. Benedict releases him on the ground so he can walk to her by himself.

Halfway through, Charlie turns around, suddenly realises he has forgotten something. Benedict grins and gives him the flowers.

The boy begins his journey anew. The bouquet is so big and heavy, he cannot hold them up in his hands. Instead, he has to drag them on the ground behind him, and he does this with great determination, shaking away every offer of assistance from his dad, only accepting it when Benedict helps him bring the flowers up to Sophie’s face as they finally reach her.

“Eomma.” Charlie says in a melodic, innocent voice. “Eommeoni. Je t'apporte des fleurs !"

Miles hears a gasp from somebody.

“My goodness!” says Auntie Daphne. “He speaks French?”

“And Korean.” Auntie Sophie shyly reminds everyone, as if that fact is important to her. “But yes,” she confirms, holding both the flowers and her son on her lap. Pride fills her eyes. “He watched a lot of French programs when we were at the CNES.”

“Hey, I helped too.” Uncle Benedict chimes in. “Someone cannot fall asleep without his P’tit Loup.”

“P’tit Loup!” Charlie exclaims happily.

“Thank you for the flowers, baby.” Sophie kisses Charlie’s head. “They are lovely.”

“He picked them out himself. I helped.” Benedict says, as his head nuzzles against Sophie, signifying that he himself wants a kiss too. She rolls her eyes, but gives it to him.

“Baby. Seong-Ho-ah,” she tells Charlie. “These are your Aunties. Kate, Daphne, Eloise. This is your cousin Miles. Would you say hello?”

“‘Allo!” Charlie says, before blushing so furiously he has to dive his face back into his Mum’s chest. Someone, perhaps Auntie Daphne, maybe Miles’s Amma (His Amma!) giggles.

“Honey, look at me.” Sophie tries to maintain eye-contact with Charlie. “These flowers are very beautiful, but you only gave them to me. Can you see that your Aunts and your cousin don’t have any flowers?” Charlie takes a look around, then nods. His head is so big, it is like he nods with his entire body. Sophie continues. “I want to share these flowers with them. Would you agree?” Charlie thinks, then nods again. Sophie’s smile widens. “Would you help me do it?” Another nod starts off hesitantly, then turns excited.

Charlie slips off of Auntie Sophie’s lap, his parents help him pull the blooms he wants out of the big bouquet. Only two or three stems are much easier for the child to handle, and he toddles on his chubby legs over to Auntie Daphne and Auntie Eloise to give them their gift. He also says something to them that makes them blush. Even Auntie Eloise looks impressed, and she is never impressed with anything.

What is so special about him? He can barely walk. Miles thinks, scoffing petulantly.

At last, Charlie approaches Kate, raising to her, with both arms, two pink tulips. One of the stems bends a little under his clumsy grip.

“Tata! Tu es manifique!”

Kate sniffles, her hands tremble as she receives the flowers and Miles is aghast, aghast , at her betrayal. How can his Amma do this to him? It is not like she has never received flowers before. Dad gives her flowers everyday . And those tulips are not even nice. They’re all mushy.

Then Amma does something worse.

Leaning down to Charlie, she asks him.

“May I hold you, baby?”

Miles is, quite justly so he thinks, shocked to his core at this blatant insult.

Charlie considers the question. He looks to his Mum, his Dad, and back up at Miles’s Amma. Then he reaches his arms out for her, granting permission. But that is not before he gives Miles a smile, the likes of which Miles can only describe as pure evil. The older boy narrows his eyes at that.

Kate picks Charlie up into her arms.

At four years and two months old, Miles Sharma-Bridgerton comes face to face with his cousin, Charles Seong-Ho Bridgerton. His nemesis.

Miles gets off his chair at the utter indignity of the scene. Overwrought with emotions, he throws himself on the ground and wails.

#bridgerton #kathony #benophie #bridgerton fanfiction #kate sharma #anthony bridgerton #miles bridgerton #charles bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #sophie beckett #my writing

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bridgertonbabe · 1 year

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May we please get a Benophie babies hogwarts sorting hat ceremony Drabble!!

His mother had sobbed when she cuddled him tight and kissed his cheeks in abundance as she bade him farewell on Platform 9 and 3/4s. His father had worn a watery smile as he told him to be good and squeezed him into a hug. His brother Alex had asked him to write everyday and tell him all about Hogwarts before flinging his arms around him and whispering how much he would miss him. His five year old sister Violet had begged him not to go, tears streaming down her little red face and she clutched him tightly for several minutes. His brother William had grinned and informed him he was going to move into his bedroom while he was away (their father assured his eldest that no such thing would happen and gripped a reprimanding hand on his youngest son's shoulder).

And then Charlie had waved goodbye to his family as the scarlet train departed the station, waving alongside his cousins David and Miles until the engine's steam clouded their loved ones from view.

Charlie wasn't nervous about starting Hogwarts. It wasn't like he was without family at Hogwarts anyway. David, Miles, and John were in the year above him; Carrie and Georgette in their third year; Oliver, Amanda, Edmund, Belinda, and Benedict in their fourth; and Amelia and Sophia were starting their fifth; he was in plenty of company with so many cousins looking out for him.

There was no reason for Charlie to be nervous. It wasn't as if he had put on a brave face to spare his little sister's tears and to grant his mother peace of mind.

No. Not at all. He was fine. Really.

Even as he waited in line in the Great Hall to be sorted in front of the entire school he wasn't nervous. Nope. He was fine. All he had to do was sit on a stool and plonk a talking hat on his head. There was nothing even remotely nerve-wracking about that.

And so what if the Sorting Hat sat silently on his head before clearing it's throat to politely announce that actually a mistake had been made, that Charlie Colin Bridgerton was a squib and shouldn't have been invited to Hogwarts in the first place? These things happen, and he would simply shrug it off and go home and everything would be fine. Really it would.

"Bridgerton, Charlie." Professor Danbury beckoned.

He definitely didn't look like a pig walking into a butchers shop as he walked up to the wooden stool and took a seat. His lip definitely wasn't trembling as he looked out on a sea of faces staring back at him. He definitely wasn't trying to swallow back the lump in his throat.

Be brave. Be brave. Be brave. He kept telling himself as the hat was placed on his head.

"Be brave?" a small voice said in his ear and Charlie's breath tightened. "But what is there to fear?"

N-nothing. There's nothing to fear. Because I'm brave.

"Ah. And do you pride yourself on your bravery?"

And it was only then that Charlie thought about it and realised that yes, perhaps he did in fact pride himself on being brave. Ever since he was five and had suffered from a rare mysterious flu-like illness and his mother had sat by his bedside night and day telling him he was her brave little soldier. He wanted to prove himself to his mother that he was in fact the bravest little soldier there ever was, that he was her very own brave little soldier. With the mightiest determination he soldiered through the illness until he was well again and from then on he had always striven to be courageous in everything he did.

He bravely chased off the pesky garden gnomes whenever they tried infiltrating the garden of My Cottage. He bravely ignored the monster he had convinced himself lived underneath his bed. He bravely told his Uncle Colin that yes his butt did look too big in those jeans and should consider going up a size.

Yes. Charlie swallowed - if he wasn't brave, what was he?

"Are you sure?"

Yes. I am brave. I'm nothing but brave.

"Well then, if you're so certain... GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat was pulled off of him and Charlie was met by applause, especially from the table on the far left. He hurried over to the Gryffindor table (not because he was desperate to no longer be the centre of attention but because he wanted to be with his cousins) and was met by Sophia, Edmund, and Miles who were all ecstatic for him to join them.

And once he was sat among them he relaxed; he wasn't nervous at all.

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Alexander could admit to feeling a bit scared - after all, it was normal to feel like that. Even his big brother Charlie had said he had been nervous when he first started. It was nothing to feel ashamed about.

For the last two years Charlie had written to him, telling him every little thing about Hogwarts and it had excited Alex to know one day in the not so distant future he would be joining his brother at school.

And now that day had come.

He had held onto his mother extra tight and for a while longer than he normally did (and his brothers teased him for being a mama's boy enough as it was) when he was saying farewell to her. The night before he had shared his anxieties with her, how even though he'd have Charlie and all his cousins there that he'd still miss home and her and dad and William and Violet and Colin the cat and Clement and Ember and sleeping in his own bed and painting in his dad's studio with him in companionable silence and her cooking and talking to her everyday.

His mother had assured him that it was natural to feel the way that he did, to already feel homesick and how he might be sad during his first week away but that once he'd settled in he'd grow to love being at school and be able to call Hogwarts his home away from home (and she promised she'd write to him every single day if that was what he wanted).

He had shared a compartment with Charlie and their cousins on the train and they provided him with enough welcome distraction from the gnawing feeling of missing home that had already formed a pit in his stomach.

But it was when he shared a boat with other first years across the lake to the great big castle that lay up ahead that he began to terribly miss home. How could the looming castle that approached him ever be as homely as My Cottage with all his creature comforts and his family?

"Bridgerton, Alexander." Professor Danbury called.

He somehow managed to walk across to the stool and sit down and gripped onto the seat, half-wishing the Sorting Hat would refuse to put him in a house and send him packing back home where he knew he belonged.

"Why do you feel like you don't belong?" a small voice spoke to him.

I do belong. At home. With my mum and dad.

"Ah yes. Sophie Beckett and Benedict Bridgerton." The Sorting Hat mused. "They didn't think they would belong either."

What?

His mother had assuaged his fears before he left by sharing with him her own Sorting Hat experience. How she had fretted about being rejected and feared she would be forced to go live with her cruel step-mother who hated her. How scared she was to find herself not belonging yet again - and then much to her surprise and relief the Sorting Hat couldn't make it's mind up of what house she belonged to; it considered her worthy of belonging to any one of the four in equal measure.

He knew of his mother's insecurities - he never knew his father had feared he would never belong.

"Mmhm. Your father was scared of living up to his brother's expectations." The Sorting Hat elaborated. "That he wouldn't live up to the hefty expectations of the Bridgerton name. He wanted to be his own person but he didn't want to stand out, he still wanted to belong."

Alex had never known that. He had always looked up to his father and admired how self-assured and confident he was. To think of him ever feeling uncertain about his place in life was baffling and yet all at once Alex felt reassured, knowing both his parents had felt similarly to him when they had once been sat where he was right now.

"You belong. Just as much as they both did... RAVENCLAW!"

And with a crooked smile on his face, Alex slid off the stool and pelted over to the Ravenclaw table, being welcomed by Carrie and John and then joined later by his friend Julian Granville-Wetherby. He caught his older brother's eye from the Gryffindor table and received a wink and a thumbs-up from Charlie, and as he settled into the feast, Alexander felt at peace knowing that Hogwarts would become as much as a home to him as it did to his brother, his cousins, and his parents.

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"Now I'm warning both of you; behave!"

"What was that?" William cupped his ear. "Beehive, did you say? You want us to find a beehive in the Hogwarts grounds and send it back home as a present?"

Charlotte giggled whilst their fathers furrowed their brows at the pair, thoroughly unimpressed with how unserious they were being.

"William." his mother sighed. "Please. Just try not to wreak too much havoc. Please restrain yourself from your impulses enough to not send Professor Danbury into an early retirement. Please? For me?" she implored and cupped his cheek.

And as much as William loved winding up his father, his uncle, his siblings, and his cousins; he always drew the line when it came to his mother. He would never do anything to intentionally annoy her at the very least.

"Alright." he sighed and his mother pulled him into a hug. "But if she just so happens to retire while I'm at Hogwarts, it doesn't mean I tipped her over the edge."

"For your sake, you'd better not." his father clapped him on the back.

He had bounded onto the train, waving goodbye out the window with Charlotte and his brothers and he had guffawed when he watched his little sister trip over as she had tried to run alongside them as they departed.

During the train ride he had blown the majority of his pocket money on candy from the trolley and had pigged out on it throughout the duration, provoking Charlie into groaning with exasperation when he realised William had eaten every last chocolate and sweet he had purchased.

"You're not going to have any room left for the feast, you do realise?"

"The feast!" William gasped in awe. "I had almost forgotten about the feast!" he murmured to himself as his imagination began swimming with the thoughts of the self-refilling plates and of all the food that would be on offer for him to indulge in.

"Well when you end up sick, don't say I didn't warn you." Charlie tutted in a very matter-of-factly eldest brother tone.

"Bridgerton, William." Professor Danbury wearily waved him over after Charlotte had hurtled over to the Gryffindor table.

He had pranced forward and hopped onto the stool, eager for the lively debate he would have with the Sorting Hat for it to house him in Hufflepuff since their common room was closest to the kitchens -

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

What? You've made your mind up already?! You're not even going to humour that I might be in Ravenclaw-

"Ha!" chortled the voice in his ear.

Oh I see. You think you're so funny, don't you?

"Why are you complaining? Did you or did you not want to be in Hufflepuff?"

... Well, I suppose-

And before Professor Danbury could take the hat off of him, William had whipped the hat off, not remotely caring it had fallen to the floor behind him as he traipsed off to the Hufflepuff table.

He waited impatiently for the sorting to be over (why did he have to be one of the fist to be sorted, being a bloody Bridgerton?) and then the plates magically filled up with food and instantly his mouth salivated.

And, contrary to his brother's belief, William didn't end up bringing back up his food. Instead he proudly paraded his pot belly down to the Hufflepuff common room, much to Charlie and Alex's shared embarrassment.

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Violet had beamed with glee as she ran onto Platform 9 and 3/4s and saw the scarlet engine, her heart racing with anticipation at the prospect that she was finally going to be able to board the Hogwarts Express. She was eager to push her own trolley, to be just like her brothers and older cousins as they pushed along their own trolleys.

"Dad!" she groaned as her father got a hold of her trolley and assisted her in pushing it along. "I can push my own trolley!" she insisted (and ignored the fact that he had helped give the trolley a push through the barrier onto the platform, otherwise she wouldn't have got much momentum out of it by herself).

"Sweetheart, it's too heavy for you to push by yourself."

"No it isn't!"

"I helped pushed your brothers' trolleys on their first day; you're no different from them."

She wanted to argue but as she looked back on the days her brothers were brought to the station to board the train for the first time, she reluctantly acknowledged that her dad had in fact helped push their trolleys along. And she supposed her trolley was quite heavy, what with the trunks, school supplies and owl cage piled on it.

And so she allowed her father to push on the trolley's handlebar with her as they followed after her brothers. They met Kate and Anthony where they were waiting with Charlotte and Violet's cousin squealed in greeting, eagerly as thrilled to see Violet joining Hogwarts for the first time.

Her mother insisted on taking photos of all four siblings by the train, since it would be the first and only year they would be at Hogwarts together since it was already Charlie's seventh year, and then when it was time to say goodbye their mother got misty-eyed at the prospect of returning to a home empty of her children. And while typically he had always remained strong, it was the first year that their father had openly wept and he held onto Violet tightly, stroking through her hair and constantly reassuring her she would be okay, even though she had shown no sign of anxiety (and she quietly acknowledged that her father needed the moment more than she did).

Violet had fizzed excitedly all throughout the train ride as the countryside flew by and then when she sailed across the lake she had been in awe of it all as the famous castle beckoned the first years closer. She gazed all around as as they entered the school she had heard so much about over the years and then she gaped in wonder around the Great Hall as Professor Danbury led them in.

"Bridgerton, Violet."

She sat down on the stool and waited for the hat to be placed on her head, wondering if it would be up for a discussion or if it'd shout out her house instantaneously.

"What a surprise; another Bridgerton." a small bored voice remarked. "And which house do you suppose you belong to?"

Oh. Well... I guess wherever you think is best?

"Really? You'd be happy to be in any of the houses? It doesn't matter where you end up?"

If there's a house I suit more than the others then does it really matter what I think?

"But if you had to choose... which one?"

And though Violet was genuinely open to any of the houses, held no particular dislike towards any of them - there was one in particular she would be lying if she said she didn't have her heart set on it.

Well I suppose if I had to pick... I would want to be in Ravenclaw.

All her life she had wanted to be in Ravenclaw. It was the house both her parents were sorted into, the house Alex was in, the house her Uncle Phillip and Aunt Francesca had been in. She had long pictured Ravenclaw tower and had seen her father's sketches from his time at school; from the panoramic views from the turret, the coziness of the common room, and the bronze eagle knocker that would only let you enter if you solved it's daily riddle. Her father would even wrap her up in his old Ravenclaw scarf to keep her warm on their winter walks and as a result she felt as though she was already a member of the house her parents had both been sorted into.

She liked to think she was worthy of the house; she felt she was smart and creative and witty enough to earn her place; though just because she wanted it, did it mean she had any right to be a part of it?

"That's more like it... RAVENCLAW!"

And Violet beamed with delight as she hurried over to the table decked in blue, embracing her brother Alex as soon as she had reached him, elated to be in the same house as one of her brothers (specifically a brother that wasn't William).

That night she had ecstatically written to her parents to inform them she was officially a Ravenclaw just like them and the very next morning she received a letter back from her father sharing his elation at the news on a clearly tear-stained parchment.

#requests #harry potter au #bridgerton drabble #benophie babies #charles bridgerton #alexander bridgerton #william bridgerton #violet bridgerton ii

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queerlilchinchin · 2 months

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A Most Deadly Encounter

Characters: Belinda, Nane, Emerson

"Oh my god, you're Nane Fahkry, the famous vampire! The one from that show... I have seen every episode the second it aired!"

Nane sighs. Another fan. Great, and Elizabeth isn't even here to steal the spotlight from him, the way she loves to.

"Where's your girlfriend? Elizabeth? I thought you two were always together."

Nane's eyes narrow at the question and he turns to finally face the voice that's relentlessly bombarding him with questions and starstruck statements.

"Yes, I am Nane. Yes, I co-host Vampire Idol. No, Elizabeth isn't always with me, clearly, as she isn't here."

The woman seems startled by his responses but she quickly recovers and offers a smile.

Nane hesitates when he sees the smile. It isn't the usual smile he receives from fans. Not from vampires, not from human fans. His eyes narrow again, but this time he studies the fan as she speaks again.

"Wow, Nane out and about all by himself! I never thought I'd get to talk to you alone! Can I pick your mind on a couple of things?" He heaves a sigh. How annoying. However, he has an image to maintain, so he forces a smile and indicates away from the crowd toward a bench on the side of the road.

"After you, then." She beams and takes the offer, moving toward the bench to sit.

He notes something about her. The red stilettos. Didn't he hear something about a woman who always wore red stilettos? Her intense interest in him coupled with that... what did it remind him of?

He shakes off the thought and follows her to sit as well, waiting for her questions.

"When you kill your victims... do you prepick them or are they actually members of the audience, for real?" She asks. His bottom lip twitches ever so slightly. This question, he hates.

"No, they're not prepicked. They are members of the audience that volunteer to die."

"So... you never kill out of vendetta against people?"

"No."

"Do you... ever take the bodies home and consume them later?" His eyes shoot over to the woman for a second, a bit surprised by her question. She doesn't scream vampire to him... but she's so morbidly interested in the death aspects of the show...

"I.. have once or twice..."

She pauses. "Hey, uh... if I told you I had a way to get ahold of people for you to... partake in... what would you say?"

Now he's had enough. He's heard about this before. People that enslave humans for vampires to feed from. He may be sadistic, he may be a vampire, but he finds the whole practice gross. He starts to stand without reply.

This seems to surprise her.

"Wait-"

As he takes a step away from the bench, he bumps into another person, hearing a muffled "oof."

"Oh, I'm-" before Nane can get another word out, the face that collided with his chest shoots up to meet his eyes.

"Watch where you're going."

Nane throws his hands up in surprise, then suddenly registers that the woman has bent to her knees, picking up... spray cans?

"I apologize," he says simply, having no idea who he's speaking to.

"Oh, I'm so sure," she shoots back as she picks up the last of the spray cans. "Watch where you're going next time."

He starts to open his mouth as their eyes meet and something registers across her face.

"You-"

"... me?"

"You're that Nane guy from that horrific show, Vampire Idol!" Nane groans. Another person that recognizes who he is.

"Yes I a-"

"You need to be shut down!" His mouth snaps closed and his eyes narrow once more. He knows who this is. It's that pathetic human who calls herself a hero and has been trying so hard to shut down his show. "You're doing unspeakable things on that show! I don't know how it's allowed to air at all!"

He laughs. "People are sadistic."

"You're the sadistic one! A sadistic freak. Those poor victims."

He takes a step closer and hears a soft gasp.

When he glances over toward where the red-heeled woman had been sitting, she's now standing closer to the two with her hands clasped in excitement, eyes gleaming like the weirdass fangirl she is.

This woman freaks him out.

He glances back toward the strange woman he bumped into.

"Those victims volunteer to take part in Vampire Idol. Victims don't volunteer to die... I can show you a real victim, if you'd like."

His lips curl up in a dangerous grin and his eyes gleam sadistically, making the woman take a step back.

"You're a monster."

"Sweetie, I'm a vampire. What do you expect, a kiss?"

"Do it!" Calls the woman from behind him.

"Gladly, I'll give you a kiss. A kiss of death."

The shorter woman takes a staggering step back and points an accusing finger in Nane's direction.

"I'll have you shut down yet!" She screams as she scurries away.

"I'll be waiting," he says nonchalantly, waving off her threat. A sound makes him glance back at the heeled woman once more, where she's standing clearly disappointed at how that interaction ended.

"I'm leaving now," he says, ignoring her protests and walking away a little faster than normal.

Freaks.

#my writing #creative writing #writers of tumblr #my ocs #silly writing #nane #nane fakhry #belinda #bella #emerson

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afdg10 · 3 months

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hehe my turn to send music :3

sylvia by autoheart for belinda @ sophie, riot by three days grace for jason, and ramblings of a lunatic by bears in trees for jason again but angsty <3

Yes, Yes and YES you are so right about that especially ramblings of a lunatic like the angst is palpable and accurate Fr dude

#jason asano #hwfwm #he who fights with monsters #shirtaloon

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asrisgratitudejournal · 11 months

Text

Orangdalam

Helo again all,

Tentu saja kalau aku muncul di sini berarti ku sedang procrastinating aka sebetulnya ya harusnya kembali ke response to reviewers-ku tapi ya karena denial jadi tidak mengerjakan. At least ku mendapat pencerahan terkait jarvie equation tho.

Pagi ini tadi kelas DD tapi karena harus di dept dari jam 10 akhirnya kelas DD-nya ku majuin jadi jam 7-9am. Berujung baru mulai 7.20an sih dan selesai 9.10 karena Kalina masih di kamar mandi juga anyway. Kalina semalam ngechat di messenger to say bye karena dia bakal pulkam ke SA sampai 10 Juni (yang berarti rumah kosong sampai tanggal 10 Juni!) ku bisa aja bikin movie night sambil hotpot (sebetulnya pas Kalina di rumah pun ya bisa-bisa aja sih ngundang orang), tapi kalau sendirian kan lebih leluasa ya. Btw berujung masih sempet ketemu langsung sama Kalina sebelum ku berangkat ke office. Dia pesawat jam 14.15pm jadi baru akan otw Heathrow jam 10.30-an.

Terus kemarin Belinda juga ngechat bakal ada teknisi ngecek gas ke rumah, gatau dah jadi apa nggak tadi. Tapi kalau mereka dating jam 10 sih harusnya masih papasan sama Kalina ye.

Sampe dept langsung nyari Erdem tapi ternyata doi lagi sibuk nguji viva 4th year student sepertinya. Yang lucu tadi yang ku-twit itu: yang ku dibilang sama Laurence kalau ku Chinese -__- padahal si Laurence ini ngerjain granitic ore di Southeast Asia salah satunya di Malay Peninsula lho di profilnya dia nulis, masa iya nda tahu ras Malay… anyway iya tapi gamau judging deh, ku juga pasti gaakan bisa bedain black African atau Caribbean jadi yasudah kumaafkan.. Erdem juga bilang “harap maklum ye doi orang SA jadi ya gitu deh rada bingung bedain Chinese vs Malay”.

Ku btw juga di twt kemarin habis curhat panjang lebar kalau hari Minggu ku CAPEK bgt ternyata ku punya teman di Oxford ini banyak banget ye. Nggak ku ceritain ulang lagi, karena nginget-ngingetnya lagi aja painful banget, tapi at the same time super bersukur dan capek juga aja. Hari ini pun sebetulnya pas dipikir-pikir, ku dari pagi deal sama Manda, Kalina, terus Tharina tiba-tiba ngechat, Erdem, Bram, terus untung bisa lunch sendirian di Linacre, jalan-jalan di Uni Park sendirian sambil berjemur main duolingo. Ku pengen dating ada exhibition di Pavillionnya tapi takut-takut gitu gatau pintu masuknya di mana. Terus pas lagi jalan mau ke Robert Hooke solat Zuhur tiba-tiba diteriakin di seberang jalan Keble ada Iris sama mak bapaknya, rupanya mau wisuda dia besok.

Habis solat ini langsung ke VHL buat nulis ini. Terus tadi pagi juga udah dibalas email sama Alex terkait kalau ku numpang ngetorch ke Royal Holloway aja gimana, dia bilang OK tapi dia harus cocokin sama schedule dia dan lab dulu. Si Beth lagi off email sampai mingdep. Kemarin juga udh ketemu Steve bahas logistik gimana kalau masukin silica wool ke tube buat mencegah si sedimennya masuk ke vacuum line. Tadi bahas sama Erdem gapapa banget sih pake silica wool juga sebetulnya untuk result eksperimennya. Tapi Alex bilang dia pernah nyoba dan berujung si silica woolnya ke-isep dan malah ngestuck di vacuum line. LAH jadi bahas teknis eksperimen di sini saya. Naon Non. Sori pembaca.

Hm apa lagi ya yang menarik di hidupku belakangan ini. Kemarin pas lagi duduk-duduk di depan office kepikiran buat moto papan thin section Krakatau terus tertarik banget sama captionnya! Ditulis si thin sectionnya digambar pake tangan di tahun 1883… Pas baca itu rada janggal, kayak… hah… emangnya bisa ya mereka ngambil sampelnya langsung dulu habis erupsi? Berujung semalam jadi baca reportnya Symons 1888 di mana si thin section ini berasal, dan ternyata ya emang beneran digambar tahun 1883. Waow. Menarik banget lho btw si buku ini gratis bisa dibaca FULL BOOK di googlebook: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Eruption_of_Krakatoa/Vk8PAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover Bagian peta-peta lampirannya juga ikut di-scan tapi ya ga dibukain satu-satu gitu tapi menarik banget!!!

Terus tadi pagi juga ngecek ke library dept dan beneran ada buku fisiknya, sepertinya beneran first edition yang published 1888 HUHU sangat mindblowing. Kupinjem kubawa ke ofis terus si Bram terheran-heran. Ku senang banget bisa lihat asli si gambar-gambar sketsa letusan dan crayon-colored red-orangey sky yang diamati dari UK waktu dulu. Sama tentu saja print-print-an asli si thin section yang di poster depan ofis itu.

Di Indo siapa sih geologis yang paling ngerti atau “juru kunci”nya Krakatau, apakah ada…? Not me asking the public karena ku sendiri sebagai geologis nda tahu… Yang keluar pas di-googling langsung Mas Mirzam. Plus, NOT ME langsung masukin “Bapak” +” Geolog” sebagai kata kunci pencarian!!!! Sangat penuh dengan misogini dan dari diri sendiri yang adalah juga perempuan!!! Tapi maksudnya lebih karena ya sudah tertanam saja di otak diriku sendiri bahwa “ahli” suatu per-ilmu-an di Indonesia di 2023 ini ya memang masih didominasi oleh laki-laki, kecuali mungkin di bidang kesehatan kali ya (tapi siapa juga emangnya di dunia kesehatan ahli yang ibu-ibu..., ga muncul satu namapun).

Oh iya, terus masukin judul pos ini “Orang dalam” karena awalnya mau bahas tadi pagi pas nunggu bis scrolling twitter nemu tweet menarik banget yang bahas gimana orang kaya vs miskin vs menengah mensupport anak-anak mereka. Awal mulanya dari twitnya ainun najib terus berujung ada meme distribusi normal gimana orang-orang mensupport anak mereka (DUH twitnya ga ketemu wkwkw cari sendiri ye). Anyway, tapi ku relate banget dan itu ku-observe banget di sini, di Oxford. Mostly anak-anak self-funding ini ya disupport abis-abisan sama orangtuanya buat ga pusing mikirin biaya sekolah: “pokoknya fokus aja belajar, berorganisasi, have fun”. Jadinya anak-anaknya gimana? Ya OK banget. Sangat cerdas mostly yang kutemuin, hidupnya aman, bisa mikirin banyak hal karena gausah pusing ngirit hidupnya. Mereka juga akan nyambung aja gitu naturally dengan sesamanya karena bisa relate banget dan akhirnya terbentuklah relationship yang organic di mana dari situ nanti mereka akan join bikin bisnis bareng saling bantu, muncul ide-ide startup ok dsb. Yang nantinya membuat mereka makin kaya lagi.

Sesungguhnya bukan mereka ini eksklusif maunya main sama mereka-mereka aja, tapi ya karena mereka ga ambil pusing ajasih hidupnya. Udah dilatih dari kecil kaya gitu. Mereka mikirnya kalo gagal ya masih ada safety net, mama papa di rumah pasti akan backup, jadinya keberanian buat taking risknya jauh lebih gede.

Meanwhile, yang ngepas-ngepas dari keluarga menengah modelan aku ini gimana....? Wah effort hidupnya mah sudah tidak perlu ditanya betapa luar biasa. Kita sampai di sini nda kaleng-kaleng usahanya. Ngos-ngosan kalau dibilang. Lari soalnya. Belajar mati-matian buat IELTS. Nabung dulu ngumpulin duit buat ikut IELTSnya. Ini yang bikin orang-orang modelan saya ini jadi TAKUT banget buat taking risk. Karena kalau udah failed ya beneran failed. Terus kami jadi individualis banget. Kompetitif. Super suuzon sama orang di sekitar. Kenapa? Karena bisa sampai di sininya pun ya hasil di-adu, baik via LPDP, Jardine, apapun lah bentuk beasiswanya. Ujungnya apa? Jadi susah buat kerja sama, susah buat percaya orang untuk bangun usaha bareng. Masih tertanam banget di otak kalo nda ada yang namanya win-win solution, yang ada win-lose aja situasinya.

Oh, sama yang terjadi di diriku sendiri bahkan, orang-orang di kelas tengah ini SUSAH BANGET MINTA TOLONG. Mikirnya semua ngapa-ngapain tu harus sendirian. “Lha wong dulu sampe sininya juga usaha sendiri kok”, ngga ada support systemnya, nggak ada yang bisa diminta-tolong. Beda banget sama si anak-anak orang kaya, mereka selalu tahu bahwa orangtuanya akan selalu siap sedia kalau diminta support apapun, jadi mereka juga lebih open to help dan akan ask for help when they need it, which makes everything easier dan tidak perlu struggle sendiri (kalau emang support systemnya ada).

Ku sekarang sudah berusaha untuk shift mindset pelan-pelan. Mulai minta tolong. Mulai mikir kalau pake jalan normal kagak akan sampai-sampai. Bakal sampe tujuan sih, tapi bakal butuh waktu 10x lebih lama. Kayanya dimulai pas stres dulu nyari kerja 2017 ga keterima di mana-mana. Ku ngemail alumni GEA angkatan 80-an kayanya, ngemail minta kerjaan. Yes. Aku cerita aku lulusan ITB 2015 etc terus tanya kira-kira di Pertamina ada posisi yang ku bisa isi nggak ya. Bapaknya orang Pertamina kalau gasalah. Dibalas akan dikabari. Di saat yang bersamaan Alhamdulillah dapat ajakan Octri untuk bantu-bantu dia di UI.

Habis itu kayanya yang real banget ya Jardine sih. Nanya Wian Hanifi, latihan interview sama Wian. Ku mulai sadar bahwa ya sepinter apapun diri ini, tetep perlu bantuan orang yang pernah ngalamin. Ya bisa-bisa aja sih mungkin ku dapet Jardine kalau usaha sendiri... Nggak deng... Kayanya susah wkwwk. Iya pokoknya dari situ belajar kalau “oh, nanya orang tu ternyata sangat membantu ya”.

Terakhir pas cari rumah kemarin. Ku usaha sendiri. Viewing sendiri. Ujung-ujungnya ngepos di grup gede juga, kali aja ada yang kondisinya sama, atau ada info. Berujung dibantuin mikir banget sama Dwi dan akhirnya bisa dapet akses Castle Mill dari current tenant yaitu Listi.

Intinya, untuk teman-temanku, terutama yang sudah sangat mandiri hidupnya (I’m looking at you first daughter), minta tolong-lah. Pake networknya. Itu temen ada banyak dimanfaatkan sebaik-baiknya. Kalopun ga temenan, bisa make friend. Dan kalau kita nanti sudah mampu, jangan pelit-pelit sama anak, kalau emang mampu bayarin sampe lulus master InsyaAllah anak kita bakal jadi jauh lebih ok lagi dari kita.

Btw istilah “orang dalam” yang ku maksud di sini adalah “orang dalam” yang bersih ya. Yang buat kita dapetin posisinya tetap pake usaha kita, tapi nanya-nanya dikit aja ke orang yang tahu. Nggak nyogok, nggak nyuap. InsyaAllah kalau dimanfaatkan, si orang dalam ini akan mempercepat proses kita 10x lebih cepat... (angkanya turun dari langit dan eksagerasi, tapi dapet gist-nya lah ya).

Dah gitu dulu aja. Habis ini mau balik ofis. Berusaha do what I can do terus pulang jam 18 mungkin. Mau beli krispy kreme ah pas pulang, tiba-tiba craving sugar gara-gara Iqbal barusan ngirim dm twitter strap applewatch lgbtq+ yang baru yang kaya meses ceres.

Byea.

VHL, 24/05/2023

16:35pm

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studentinpursuitofclouds · 5 months

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👋😃

I’ve been wondering what is your thought about the farmer working with some kind of organization to stop any crazy events from happening because since kids going missing magic and stuff and must we not forget monsters and evil spirits keep happening I can see some kind of organization stopping this from happening or maybe even had a hand in stopping different species wars that lasted many years, and to be honest, just the idea of the magic council kidnapping kids to become wizards and sorcerer is something that must cause a lot of chaos and the stuff about the cult of the lady, while I like the idea of the farmer being a secret agent working with other species and having a double life in the dark while acting oblivious to all the magic And the stuff happening around and the only reason the farmer moved to the valley is because the reports of crazy things that keep happening there but there is a lot of thinking about it.

and if you want you can make a short story since I really like your stories.

Wow, I've never gotten that far with headcanons, but the idea is pretty interesting!

If I understand correctly, dear anon, your idea is that the reason for Farmer's arrival in Stardew Valley is to investigate strange magical occurrences, since Farmer himself is a member of a secret disaster prevention organization. Let's call it the "V" organization.

I think such an organization makes sense at least because humans (at least some humans) don't want to make the same mistakes as the elves, a race that lived before humans and destroyed itself because of powerful magic and advanced technology (Dwarf talks about this in his mature event). Then, the reason the Farmer came to their grandfather's inherited farm is just a cover.

Still not much is known about the Ministry of Magic, but I and others have had speculation that mages from the Ministry are doing rather questionable actions under the pretext of protecting people from monsters, malicious magic, and whatnot (the way the Morgan arrived in the Valley). Apparently, someone had a lot of questions about an all-powerful magical organization that does not obey anyone, but many obey it.

About the Belinda's cult, by the way...

_________________________________________

"So my gut didn't deceive me!" Jio took out his blade from its sheath and was already in a fighting stance, but the elf didn't have time to do anything because Belinda gave the command.

"Hold. All of you. Put your weapons away."

A few seconds of tense silence, and yet Jio dared not disobey the order. "Yes, my lady," a note of irritation and concern could be heard in his voice.

"Who would have thought, my dear friend, that your grandchild would go so far..." Belinda's expression softened for a second at the memory of Farmer's grandmother, but she became serious again as she approached Farmer for answers.

_________________________________________

In the case of the cult of the Lady with a Red Tail, I think Belinda will offer to cooperate. For both organizations that operate regardless of the rules of the Ministry of Magic/ Order of Pythagoras/etc., wish for the good of humanity... They share the same goal, so why not become temporary allies? Or at least not to kill each others.

It is not difficult to guess that the reaction of other adventurers and magicians to the truth about the Farmer (either they will tell it themselves, or the truth will come to light) will be, to put it mildly, unpleasant. Because if it turns out that the Farmer's organization is an official enemy of the Ministry of Magic, there will be a lot of problems, and not only for the Farmer.

#this is quite interesting AU #if anyone have more thoughts about this - feel free to add!#I'm interested in other's opinion 💕#thanks for the ask!#sdv #sdv au #sve au #sve #stardew valley expanded #rsv #ridgeside village

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stellarred · 1 year

Text

One morning, Picard sat staring at his Earl Grey somberly as he mindlessly turned a spoon in the cup.

He heard the door chime to his quarters.

"Yes?"

Riker then entered the room carrying a computer pad.

"Good morning, Captain. Here are the preliminary reports on Rynari wormhole, sir," Riker said handing the pad to Picard.

"Thank you."

Riker furrowed his brow as he studied Picard's solemn expression.

"Something wrong, sir?"

Picard looked up; his eyes looking tired.

"No. It's just personal."

"How was your...you know. Last night?" Riker began to ask.

"Date with Belinda?" Picard sighed. "It...wasn't..." He sighed sharply and shook his head.

"That's unfortunate, sir. New relationships can be awkward."

"It wasn't a relationship, Will. Nothing happened. Just like nothing ever really happens in many of my attempted relationships."

Riker smiled and tilted his head.

"You'll find someone, Captain. You'll find someone amazing, and if it seems like a good match, you can then choose how to proceed."

Picard shook his head and sighed again.

"I appreciate the advice, Will. I'll be fine. I guess I tried to begin a relationship with Belinda that wasn't the best move for either of us. Life goes on."

Riker smiled and turned to leave.

"Yes, sir."

"Besides Will, I've heard it said that sometimes what we love the most in our life isn't something we necessarily looked for. Sometimes we don't choose our passions; they choose us."

"Yes, sir," Riker replied before leaving Picard's quarters.

Picard leaned back in his chair to take a final sip of his tea.

Suddenly, he heard a very familiar voice.

"Bonjour, mon capitaine."

A flash of light appeared before him, and there was Q, sitting across the table from him.

"Q."

The entity smiled warmly at Picard, and extended a hand towards him.

"You look a little glum today, Jean-Luc. It's always a sheer pleasure seeing you. So, what's this I hear you saying about...passions?"

#qcard #star trek q #q #john de lancie #patrick stewart #star trek tng #star trek

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wandawiccan60 · 1 year

Text

Part 6: Feral Love

Tommy Conlon X Belinda(FemOC)

A/N: How’s it going everyone and I am back on track with writing more for Feral Love. I have been trying my best to know where Tommy and Belinda should start falling for each other but this is just a bit of the ice peak. But I want them to develop their relationship before it gets more adorable. But I hope you guys enjoy this new part of this story I am so happy to have created. As always guys leave a comment, reblog, and drop a follow it’ll mean a lot for the page. As always guys thank you for reading and see you on the next part.

TOMMY CONLON MASTERLIST

Word Count: 4,426

WARNING 18+ ONLY!!!: Some Cussing, & Lots of Fluff!!!

TAGS: @i-love-th-characters1, @hecatemoon87, @kittycatcait219, @omgeternal, @potter-solomons, @rikkaboshi, @zablife, @jollysoulfestivalfreak, @ao3feed-symbrock, @jarvisrocks, @annisse, @theshelbyclan, @theshelbyslimited, @star017, @97freaknik, @tomhardyspinkyfinger, @edwardthomashardy1, @ninja-potato-shelby-solomons, @alfiesolomons-treacle, @evita-shelby, @thealmightybitchgoddess, @symbean, @veddieiscanon, @professor-alfie-solomons, @grungebabyblu, @maladeusa, @mollybegger-blog, @iheartdilfs01, @weirdgirl16355, @tea-atfive, @twvstedsouls, @queenofthefaceless, @bubblyani, @buttercup32sstuff, @queencoraline3, @thefics-that-drip, @quarterpastmidnight, @vee-eddie, @spicyshelf, @shahandy

youtube

💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎💜🎶🤎

After Belinda finished dressing in clean clothes, while feeling embarrassed and dirty for what she did earlier. Trying her best to act her normal self when she sees Tommy again. It was going to be something to feel uneasy since Belinda tried her best to behave. And act as if she didn’t do such nonsense thoughts of imagining Tommy in all of his physique. Seeing that he hadn’t come out of the showers yet, she then made her way towards the small hallway leading to the front. Where she saw Brendon training with a male customer, showing them how to do proper pushups. It was nice to see Tommy’s big brother help and train people who want to try something new and better themselves physically and mentally. Which made Belinda wonder and hoped that with the gym, including Tommy’s company. It’ll help her mental state and mostly it’ll be of some use when it is necessary. Wishing it would have been useful to her when she was in high school. Standing up against bullies that pushed her and her friends around all because they were different. But that was all in the past. There really isn’t anything to do but to remember and try the best to ignore it. Being deep in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Tommy already next to her side.

“Hey, I’m back. Did I miss anything?” Tommy said, but Belinda jumped back until she noticed who it was. “oh didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re ok Tommy, I was just remembering something, but it’s nothing important,” she said, giving off a small smile at him.

Tommy smiled and nodded his head while gripping on the strap of his gym bag. Belinda, however, tried her best to act normal next to him, knowing that what she did earlier in the shower still felt wrong. They both stood quiet for a moment until Tommy broke the quietness between them.

“Hey ummm… do you still want to get that drink if you’re up for it? I mean, if you don’t want to, it’s fine. We can do it another time since we did a lot today. And I’m sure you feel tired right now and I don’t want to take your time away from other things you need to do,” he asked, feeling his sweaty palms hoping he wasn’t sounding like he was pressuring on her.

“Tommy, how many times I got to tell you, you’re not wasting my time. In fact, I don’t feel tired at all. Which is strange, but it is a good weird feeling. I’ve never felt this much strength before and it feels right. And yes, of course, why would I say no. Come on, Werewolf Boy, let’s get going, yeah?” she said, giving a smile in his direction.

Tommy felt his body at ease when she said yes, not noticing he was holding back a breath. The two made their way towards the door and before leaving, Tommy called out to Tess from the front counter.

“Hey, I’ll see you and Brendon later. I’m headin’ out with Belinda now,” he said while his brother’s wife put some paperwork down on top of the black counter.

“Alright, sounds good. You two have fun wherever you both might go too. It was nice to meet you, Belinda. I can’t wait to see you again soon. The gym is always open for you and I hope you continue coming with Tommy. It looked like you enjoyed it very much,” Tess said while walking out from behind the counter.

“I enjoyed it very much actually and yes, I will come back again. It’ll probably become a habit for me to do, especially that Tommy encouraged me,” Belinda said looking back at him, which he just gave a shy smile, “but it was also nice to meet you and your husband, you two are awfully nice I have to say.”

“Oh honey, you’re so sweet for saying that. I have to say that you’re also nice yourself and pretty by the way,” said Tess, making the young woman giggle at her comment, “but you two go on now. I’ll see you all soon stay safe out there alright?”

“Yes, we will don’t. worry, have a good day now,” said Belinda as both women exchanged a small hug. Tommy then saw his brother coming from the back, waving a hand at each other.

“Bye Belinda, see you again soon,” called out Brendon as he saw the young woman and his little brother walking out of the gym together, feeling happy to see Tommy socializing with someone.

Hours later, both Tommy and Belinda were walking through the park, having their cups of coffee in between their hands. Enjoying the last few rays of sunlight before nightfall fell over Philly while a few people walked one way to the other. They made their way to sit on one of the brown benches, overseeing the rest of the park. Once they both sat down, it became quiet, while Belinda took another sip from her coffee. Feeling the cool breeze against her cheeks, Tommy spoke up a moment later.

“Hey ummm… did you enjoy the workout we did today? And how do you feel so far right now?” He asked, placing his cup of coffee down on the floor underneath the bench.

“I enjoyed it very much. I’m looking forward to going more and more. And I feel tired but fine. The coffee is helping me mostly, but it’s still cold,” she said, smiling in his direction returning the gesture.

“I’m glad you liked it and excited to bring you to the gym with me more and we can plan meals to make, our cheat days and such. If that is something you want to do, that is. Here, let me put my sweater for you,” Tommy said, removing his thick sweater from his body and placing it over Belinda’s body, thanking him.

“That actually sounds like a great idea. I’ve never done that before, but I’m looking forward to it for sure. And hehe does the coffee count as a cheat since we workout today or it doesn’t?” She jokingly asked, looking down at her cup of coffee in hand. They both chuckled.

“Yea, why not just for today but starting tomorrow is when the real seriousness takes place? But I won’t be so nice and easy when I’m teaching you more extreme workouts. Even if you try to make puppy eyes to make me not be so nice,” Tommy cheekily said, giving her a side grin while Belinda only softly slapped his left shoulder.

“Wow, how rude of you, Tommy. Hehe not even a polite kiss will change your mind?” She said out of nowhere, making her cover her own mouth quickly with her right hand, feeling her cheeks become red.

Tommy didn’t know how to react with what she said, his eyes wide open in surprise at the unexpected comment. And yet he found it quite cute, thinking that didn’t sound like an obscene suggestion. Though he had reminded himself about what he did the previous night, knowing that was wrong to begin with. He saw Belinda like a friend and nothing else beyond that, but he knows that is a big lie to himself and Tommy knows it. They both again went mute while a person and her dog walked by them, giving a friendly nod to them which Belinda returned the nod. Still feeling embarrassed for what she said a moment ago, hoping that Tommy won’t see her differently. She drank the last few sips of her coffee and spoke this time.

“I’m sorry that came out the wrong way, really. I just thought it would be just for fun to say, but I’m guessing you see it differently than I do. I think we should get goin-.”

“What if I said yes to your kiss? How would you react or say?” Tommy unexpectedly said, feeling surprised at what he just heard himself say to her.

Belinda looked at Tommy through his blue eyes, hoping he was joking around. But he wasn’t, and that made her feel even more insecure. Goosebumps grew throughout her body. Before she could answer his question, the most unexpected thing she never would have thought would happen. Tommy leaned forward, giving her a sweet and long kiss on her right cheek. This made her heart beat ever so quickly, not believing in what just happened. She caressed her cheek with her fingers, looking back at Tommy, giving off another small smile holding back a chuckle.

“Ummm… sorry just thought… giving you a kiss on the cheek would have seemed more appropriate… is that ok with you?” He shyly said, looking down at his hands while feeling his immense body become warm as well as his cheeks.

Belinda took another moment to get her sense back until feeling a small smile forming against her lips. Without Tommy noticing, Belinda returned the gesture. This time, her kiss was sweeter and tender against his left cheek.

“Just so we can be even and hey Tommy, what did I tell you already? Don’t be sorry and to answer your question, yes it is alright with me Werewolf Boy. Knowing that it is you who said it and nobody else,” she said with a smile, hoping it’ll make him feel more comfortable.

He only nodded and smiled, relieved that things didn’t become awkward. Belinda scooted closer to him without asking and gently rested her head on top of his left shoulder. Tommy said nothing at her unexpected action, feeling her hands wrapped around his arm. Without another word, he placed his chin on top of her dark hair, wrapping her closer with his right arm, not wanting to let go. They both stayed close to each other for a good while, seeing the sky become dark while small shining stars and a big full bluish moon appeared above them. However, from far behind them, they were being watched closely by someone who wasn’t pleased to see what they were witnessing. Gloria felt enraged seeing Tommy being with another woman and how he was very close to her. She tried her best to steady herself, but it was very hard to do so. Instead, she just turned the other way around and walked the other way to her home. Not believing in what she saw in front of her eyes.

So that’s why you’re not into me anymore then, Tommy? Well then, enjoy it as much as you like honey, because I’m going to ruin everything for you. Just wait and see…

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thursday

The small studio-like apartment smelled of both lavender and cinnamon, giving it a very homey and relaxing atmosphere. Belinda, Lethia, Morticia and some members of The Silent Souls have been recording for what felt like hours since 10 in the morning. Which was a record for everyone since they mostly didn’t get up very early. Tommy, in the meantime, was relaxing throughout the entire session, enjoying the sound of every instrument being played and seeing how Belinda tried her best to write the lyrics. While playing the guitar, to give a hook for the words. He thought it was nice to see and was amazed at how dedicated and passionate Belinda was putting the work in. Comparing her to the night he met her at the bar, where she looked miserable and soulless to a sudden creative, bright, and talented girl with many dreams. It was as if Tommy could see Belinda’s wings spread open free and being herself and not pretend to be someone that isn’t her. While he was laying flat on one of the black couches while hearing everyone play one instrument after another, he didn’t realize Belinda was approaching his way. She playfully patted his long legs, which made him come back to his senses.

“Oh crap, you scared the shit out of me. I thought you were sleeping,” she said between a chuckle, placing a hand against her chest frightfully.

“No, I wasn’t and hehe my bad for scaring the pants out of you. I was really hearing you guys playing. I thought that was pretty sick and can’t wait to hear the rest of the song,” Tommy said, sitting up straight, making room for Belinda to sit next to him.

“Me too. I just have a hard time fixing the right tune to fit in with the lyrics. But I know we will get there, but I’m also thinking of my other song that I’ve been working on for a while. Which nobody knows about actually,” she whispered her last words so the others didn’t hear her.

“Oh no way, are you serious?” Tommy whispered back, getting closer to Belinda, wanting to hear more than he went on, “what have you’ve come up with? Or you’re still having trouble with writing the words down?”

“No, it’s actually done, mostly. However, I’m just not sure if it’ll come out as I have it pictured in my head. And well… it’s a song that is very personal for me, you know what I mean?” She said, hoping that he understood what she meant.

“No, I totally get what you’re saying, but you shouldn’t be nervous about how you play and sing the song. But I’ll tell you what I know. It’s going to be a song that I would like to hear when you feel ready, of course,” Tommy said reassuringly, giving that cute smile that Belinda has grown to like very much.

She simply nodded her head, ruminating on what he just said, which he was right mostly. Before she continued on, Lethia interrupted them, holding a black guitar in her hands.

“Hey you guys, what’s up? We are actually heading out to get some dinner and we’re thinking of getting some chicken wings. Are you guys up for it or can we get something else if you like?” Morticia suggested placing the instrument against the side of one of the black armchairs.

“Oh, chicken wings sounds like a good choice to eat. Don’t you think Werewolf Boy?” Belinda said, looking back at Tommy, which he agreed with both friends.

“I’m good with anything really, but yea, why not funny thing is that I’ve been craving that food for a while. So you all read my mind to be fair,” he said with a smile, looking between both girls nodding in reply.

“Alright great, I’ll let the others know then,” said Lethia while from behind everyone was making their way out of the studio.

“You know you guys go on ahead. I actually want to show Tommy a small project that we have been working on. And I think he should be the first to witness it,” Belinda said with a quick wink at her friend, which she just gave her a thumbs up.

But in reality, Belinda was actually going to play the song that she told Tommy about. And mostly, she wanted him to be the first to hear it before anyone else did.

“Oh yea that thing alright sounds good,” replied Lethia covering her mouth with her right hand knowing what her friend meant, “Well then I’ll see you guys later and I’ll send you the address of the restaurant too, hon. Be careful on your way over too, ok?”

“We will Lethia don’t worry but yea, please if you can but see you later,” said Belinda as both girls exchange a side hug from each other.

As they saw Lethia and Morticia be the last people to leave the apartment, Tommy then got up from the couch. Once the sound of the door was closed, they were now both left alone. Belinda tighten her hands nervously together for what she was about to do next.

“So what was it you wanted to show me about your project you’re doing, Dracula Girl?” He asked while he picked up the black guitar, trying his best to rest it against his body.

He then tried his best to play some tunes, but they all came out awful and noisy. Belinda smiled at seeing him fooling around, but it was adorable to see. While he was busy experimenting with the guitar a bit more, she then felt confident about what she wanted to show him. Feeling her breathing more relaxed this time, she went on ahead to say her next words.

“Tommy… how would you feel to be the first person to hear and witness the song that I told you about earlier?” She said, biting her lips together, hoping that she was doing the right thing.

When Tommy heard this, he stopped playing the guitar all together as he looked up to see her face. He had to take a minute into what she just told him. But knowing what Belinda said made his heart flutter with excitement.

“You mean like right now at this very moment?” He said, sounding so unsure, Belinda slowly nodded her head feeling her cheeks become red.

“I just… thought it would be nice if you were my first audience before anyone else, you know? But it’s ok if you don’t want to. It was more of a suggestion than something el-.”

“No Belinda please, I mean… really, I want to hear it. I believe me. Here,” he said, handing out the guitar towards her, which she wasn’t so sure of at first, but she then gave in.

Taking the guitar from his hands, she smiled at him, feeling the nerves but excitement building inside of her. Tommy sat next to her right side, making himself feel comfortable, also feeling expected of what Belinda was about to play for him. She adjusted herself underneath the couch while stringing a few notes, making sure the instrument was not out of tune. Once satisfied with the sound, Belinda felt her right hand begin to slowly shake. She took a few slow breaths, trying her best to feel relaxed, though it wasn’t helping that much. Then a gentle hand was on her left shoulder, looking to her side where Tommy sat.

“Hey don’t be afraid. It’s ok, just don’t overthink. It, let yourself go,” he soothingly said to Belinda, giving her an encouraging smile and, with his words, she felt more at ease.

She stood straighter than before and, stringing the guitar one more time, she let the music take control of her.

“I took the mother road

Down to goddess flesh

I swallowed the key

I want to learn to swallow my pain

Hallowed the fruit, hallowed thy name

Guess I needed something to break me

Guess I needed something to shake me up

Guess I needed someone to break me

Guess I needed someone to shake me out

While her loving voice fascinated Tommy, he slowly bobbed his head to the rhythm of the notes. Paying close attention to the lyrics that he found different and yet things that he could relate to from a personal perspective. But it was something hauntingly beautiful he found about it.

Afraid to live, afraid to die

Building a broken but precious web

Like a spider in Chernobyl

And when the cattle low, something is on the horizon

I do not have a child

But I’m old enough to know some pain

And I’m hell bent on loving you

Women know what it is to endure

Guess I needed something to break me

Guess I needed something to shake me up

Guess I needed someone to break me

Guess I needed someone to shake me out

It was you

Belinda looked up and gave a smile to Tommy, which she just blushed as she continued singing the song.

Bloom and eclipse them, wake up and transform

Guess I needed something to break me”

Once the last notes of the guitar were played, the song came to a slow stop. There was a slight moment of silence between the two until Tommy was the first to speak.

“Wow… that was beautiful, see what did I tell you?” He said, giving her another warm smile. Belinda only just shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s just a Tommy song. There’s really nothing special about it,” she then said, placing the guitar on her right side of the couch.

“Just a song?” He exclaimed out making her look back his way, “Are you kidding me Belinda? That was amazing. You should really tell the others what you have created. Believe me, the public will love it since I’m the first to hear it. And let me tell you that as your first critic, it will be a big hit.”

Belinda thought he was joking around, but she knew he was being truthful. She replied with a nod of her head and a smile, believing in what he just said.

“Alright fine then. You win, Werewolf Boy, and thank you for being. Honest, that means a lot,” Belinda said, letting out a small chuckle while fiddling her hands together, feeling warm all over her body.

It was quiet once again however Belinda was thinking of something that she wants to do Tommy. However, she thought it was a risky action to take a step forward. Not wanting to ruin anything that she and Tommy have been growing together in their friendship. But the best of her intimate side got the best out of her.

“So hehe yea, do you want to get going before it gets lat-.”

Suddenly, his words were cut out, feeling something soft against his thick lips. The kiss was pleasantly warm as both Belinda and Tommy continued to exchange a longer kiss. They held hands between each other while Tommy’s right hand gently caressing the back of her head. Belinda let out a small, inaudible gasp, hugging him closer to her body. She felt her back resting on top of the couch as Tommy hovered above her body. Not letting go of a single inch of her small lips that he couldn’t seem to get enough of. He gently grasped her right thigh while he felt her hands hugging around his neck. Belinda’s mind was going all over the place until she felt one of his hands going under her long sleeve shirt. She quickly sat up away from the couch, breathing out for air and feeling her heart palpitating.

“I’m sorry Tommy. I… I don’t know what came over me. Please forgive me,” she said between stutters, freaking out uncontrollably, not wanting to make eye contact with him.

She covered her face with both of her hands, knowing she made a huge mistake. Tommy, however, didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

He placed a hand on top of her knee, wanting to reassure Belinda that she did nothing wrong.

“Hey, hey, it’s ok. I also should be sorry too. Honestly, I let myself get carried away, too. I hope you know I am not mad. Just didn’t expect you were going to give a kiss and can I be honest with you,” he said seeing in her face she felt uncomfortable and out of place but Tommy then gently grabbed her chin between his right fingers wanting her to look him in the eyes, “I… I’ve been wanting to do something like this to you for a while but I was just afraid to tell you because I still want to take things slow. You know what I mean. I like you Belinda very much. But it is you who has the last word and wants to go forward with our relationship. So please don’t feel bad and just know I’m more happy than upset.”

And with that, she let her body relaxed and so did her heartbeats, glad to know that they were both on the same page. She placed her hand against the side of his right cheek and he felt at ease.

“I’m glad that we both see eye to eye. Tommy, I also like you a lot, but you are right. It’s best we both take things little by little. I also don’t want to ruin our bond, but just know that you’re not as bad a kisser then I thought you would be,” she said jokingly while Tommy arched an eyebrow at her.

“Wow, that really hurt my feelings, you know. Well then, I also thought that your lips would feel dry and nasty,” he clashed back, which Belinda jokingly made an offended face at him.

“Tommy, what the hell you're so rude,” she said as she playfully gave him a light slap on his right arm as both laughed together in unison.

“I’m just fucking with you, Dracula Girl, but I got to say you have one of the smoothest lips I have ever felt in my life. And I’m being real with you,” he said with a cheeky smile, making her feel warm once more.

“Awww well thank you Werewolf Boy, your lips also felt nice to feel too. I enjoyed it very much. And I think I tasted a bit of mint while we kissed,” she then said, making Tommy laugh at this.

“Well, I’m flattered hehe, but thank you. And by the way, should we get going and meet with Lethia and everyone, or do you want to stay longer?” He asked, not wanting to really leave, but he felt his stomach rumble.

“No, you’re right. We should get going in actually getting hungry and they might be waiting for us. And hey Tommy… is it ok if I can give you one more kiss? If that’s ok with you,” she said shyly, hoping it wasn’t much to ask.

Without saying another word, Tommy smiled as he leaned in to place another small kiss. She chuckled and smiled between their lips, gently placing her hands on his cheeks, not wanting to let go. But it lasted for a short amount of time as they then made their way out of the apartment, as they both now shared a secret relationship with each other.

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hopepaigeturner · 1 year

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🎄 Giftmas Day 8: Matching Pyjamas--Saphne

Cutsey fluffy drabble of the Basset--Bridgertons and Daphne's unrelelnting quest for the perfect Christmas picture.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Ah Deer! It's Christmas Time! Love, S&D Basset

“No Daphne.”

“Oh, please—just for the photo.”

Simon shook his head at the reindeer horns she proffered him—a couple sizes larger than the ones on their little babies.

“I love you, I love our children, but I have to draw the line.”

Daphne pouted.

“I suppose I did manage to convince you to have a child with me," Daphne continued, rubbing her belly.

“Indeed,” he turned away then whipped back and pecked her on the lips, “and I am ever so glad you helped me change my mind.”

“Noted. Although I would truly appreciate…”

“Daphne—no chance.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

Christmas has us feeling extra Santa-mental. Love, S, D & A Basset

“Darling look what I found,” Daphne cried, holding up four Father Christmas costumes—one of them large enough to go over her baby bump.

Simon only needed to raise an eyebrow. before Daphne sighed.

“You just have to do the hat.”

“Daphne.”

Daphne sighed.

“Alright, alright. I get the message.”

*~*~*~*~*

Wishing you a tree-mendous Christmas. Love, S, D, A & B Basset

“My love, are these not the cutest Christmas tree glasses—”

“Daphne.”

“I shall take that as a no.”

*~*~*~*~*

Have your elf, a very merry Christmas. Love, S, D, A, B &C Basset.

“Daphne…”

“Just this once,” she wheedled with the elf ears. “I’ll make it worth your while,” she whispered against his lips.

“Daphne…” Simon leant forward as he dropped the octave of his voice, “No.”

Daphne huffed.

“Fine, then no sex.”

“Are we going to do this again?”

Then again, their previous attempts had ended quite wonderfully…

“Yes.”

“My love, we know how this shall end—why not skip the pointless posturing?”

“I am trying to make a point.”

“So have I, for the last four years.”

Daphne pushed him away.

“The things I do for love.”

“And the things I love to do to you,” Simon whispered, trailing his hand somewhere that made Daphne’s eyes roll back in pleasure.

*~*~*~*~*

It's a be-yule-tiful time of year! Love, S, D, A, B, C & D Basset

Simon rolled his eyes as he watched his wife move past with a bag full of wings and halos.

“Christmas card pictures on Friday,” she announced putting her wares on the kitchen island.

Simon sighed and went to speak but…

“I know, I know. You do not have to wear the angel wings.” Daphne gave Simon a small, albeit sad, smile. “I have long since realised that there are always compromises in a marriage. Anyway, it would be bizarre if you joined now—you have set your own precedent.”

Simon swallowed thickly even though his wife’s eyes were soft with understanding.

Daphne kissed him on the cheek as she left,

“I love you regardless.”

That did not help matters.

*~*~*~*~*

Daphne smiled at the set of angel wings and halos in her hands. Her four little angels and Simon. Her mother had spotted them and, once again, queried why she brought one short.

“It is not Simon’s thing, it never has.” Daphne gently put the wings in her cart and perused the tinsel halo.

“Oh hush, if you truly told him how you felt—"

Mother it is a picture, once a year.” Daphne snapped, then took a deep breath, “And I know he does many things he is not comfortable with for me that are far more significant. I can excuse him of this.”

“I know…I do not doubt your love, but it would be nice…” her mother had trailed off, in that annoying way that encouraged one to complete the thought process.

“Yes, yes it would,” Daphne whispered.

Daphne shook herself and started calling through the house for her children. With four of them now it seemed an awful chore to collate them in any space.

However, none of her children were in playroom nor nursery, nor hidden under Simon;s desk or raising the kitchen. Finally, she heard whispered giggles from the sitting room.

“Is that some cheeky children I hear?” She called with a burgeoning grin. “I hope you are all being good children for father—” she flicked the switch on.

“Surprise!” Amelia, Belinda and Caroline cried. David squealed in Simon’s arms wearing a reindeer onesie that matched his siblings…and his father.

Daphne gasped.

“Surprise!” Simon called. Daphne could barely speak—and not because of her children who had tackled her into a hug.

Once free she came up to Simon, eyes wide and glistening.

“Simon…”

He kissed her sweetly.

“Yes, there are always compromises in a marriage, but there should be no place for pride. I am sorry and truly—this was quite fun.”

Daphne sniffled slightly,

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.”

“Oh, my gorgeous, beautiful wife—that is one contest you shall never win.” He replied with the smirk that had enchanted her across a dancefloor five years ago. A smirk that had changed her life and Christmas forever.

#12 days of giftmas #bridgerton #saphne #Christmas puns #the duke and i #family fluff #christmas cards #you know Saphne would be the family with the syncopated costumes #writing challenge

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bethanydelleman · 2 years

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Belinda by Maria Edgeworth

I read Belinda because it is mentioned in Northanger Abbey:

“I am no novel-reader—I seldom look into novels—Do not imagine that I often read novels—It is really very well for a novel.” Such is the common cant. “And what are you reading, Miss——?” “Oh! It is only a novel!” replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. “It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda”; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.

I really liked it, until the last quarter. I will not summarize the story because it’s just too long, so check Wikipedia if you need an outline, but spoilers ahead. I am mostly going to be comparing Maria Edgeworth to Jane Austen, because that’s why I read this book, but I want to say up top, I did enjoy this novel, but I also can see and appreciate more what Jane Austen was working against and why she is heralded as such a realistic author.

Belinda, the main character, was the height of a Mary-Sue: perfectly good, perfectly disinterested, perfectly moral, and apparently very beautiful. I liked Lady Delacour far more than Belinda. She is Belinda’s mentor. Lady Delacour was a hot mess, she is addicted to laudanum; she hates her husband; she’s still pining over her first love who married someone else; she erroneously thinks she’s dying of cancer after fighting a woman-only duel in breeches; she made her husband so jealous he killed her supposed lover in a duel; she’s fascinating. And her early descriptions of how she’s shining in public but a mess at home reminds me of modern influencers. Belinda and her love interest, Clarence, “fix” Lady Delacour by reuniting her with her daughter and pointing out that her husband loves her.

Lady Delacour is also suspicious and irrational, she begins to suspect without evidence that Belinda is trying to secure her husband once Lady D dies. I liked this, Belinda is NEVER irrational! Give me some Emma always thinking the wrong thing, give me some Elizabeth and her prejudices. Belinda was just too perfect! The only problem with Lady D was that we got a 36 page info-dump of her entire past. This is something Jane Austen spoofed in Northanger Abbey and I can see why. It was very strange to read.

The novel was also disjointed in a way that Jane Austen’s aren’t. Aside from Lady D’s extensive backstory, there was a huge section in the last quarter where Clarence had (before the action of the novel) been trying to build the perfect wife out of a random girl he found in the woods. Yes, I know. And he is the hero and still marries Belinda in the end. But it was very strange to begin this whole new story so late in the game, though the forest girl had been referenced time and time again, so she wasn’t a new character, but it was still very odd.

The redemption arcs were also far less believable than Jane Austen, Lord Delacour is a raging alcoholic, but he’s fixed in like a week by his daughter coming home and his wife not being an absolute jerk to him. Lady Delacour is advised to wean herself off laudanum and apparently she does it perfectly because we never hear of a relapse. Lady Delacour even becomes friends with the woman she hated (Lady Anne) and gives up her seven year rivalry with Mrs. Lutteridge. It just seemed like too much in too short a time. And then despite these magical turn arounds, Belinda won’t believe it is possible for Mr. Vincent to turn his back on gambling (I mean, I’m with Belinda on this, but in this universe people seem very fixable)

There were some amazing and insightful passages which gave some great insight into Jane Austen’s time period. Belinda’s aunt, a reputed match-maker, talks about how women need to take the first opportunity they are offered or they might end up at 35 as a perpetual dependent (Charlotte Lucas explained). Belinda goes into this big discussion where she points out that gossip can force couples together before they really understand each other’s characters or risk ruining their reputations:

“But after a certain time- after the world suspects that two people are engaged to each other, it is scarcely possible for the woman to recede: when they come within a certain distance, they are pressed to unite, by the irresistible force of external circumstances. A woman is too often reduced to this dilemma- either she must marry a man she does not love, or she must be blamed by the world; either she must sacrifice a portion of her reputation or the whole of her happiness.”

This book did include an interracial marriage, but don’t get your hopes up. The black servant Juba portrayed was a caricature, especially in the way he spoke and he was nearly scared to death by someone impostering a cursed creature from his country. So, not great. But he was there and did have a happy ending. Oh, also, the character who employed Juba the servant also had a dog named Juba...

The finale was strange, Belinda barely spoke and didn’t actually accept her marriage proposal (though it is implied she did marry Clarence). The solution seemed pretty contrived. Lets just say, when compared to Belinda, I can see why Jane Austen is hailed as a realistic writer and I appreciate so much more her flawed and human characters and heroines.

Next up: Evelina by Fanny Burney

#summer reading interlude #I see what people mean by realistic now #Jane Austen #flawed heroines are awesome #still enjoyed Belinda

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