#Jackdaw Gloom

[mist1e]

Tag Game

@alwachart makes me feel like I'm 13 again and I'm filling out a girls' questionnaire in 2000's.

But here goes.

Last Song: Kelsy Karter & The Heroines - Devil On My Shoulder

Working on a Haarlep playlist, this was the last one I added.

Currently Watching: took a break from the shows

They consumed too much of my time, and my life is fucked as is.

Three ships: Myself/Haarlep, Geralt/Yennifer, V / Judy.

He was silent. He didn’t like it when she fell into a mood like this, the origin of which he knew only too well. Once again, he thought, once again it’s beginning to torment her. There was a time when it seemed she had forgotten, that she had become reconciled to it like the others. He embraced her, hugged her, rocked her very gently like a child. She let him. It didn’t surprise him. He knew she needed it.

‘You know, Geralt,’ she suddenly said, now composed. ‘I miss your silence the most.’

He touched her hair and ear with his mouth. I desire you, Yen, he thought, I desire you, but you know that. You know that, don’t you, Yen?

‘Yes, I do,’ she whispered.

‘Yen…’

She sighed again.

‘Just today,’ she said, looking at him with eyes wide open. ‘Just this night, which will soon slip away. Let it be our Beltane. We shall part in the morning. Don’t expect any more; I cannot, I could not… Forgive me. If I have hurt you, kiss me and go away.’

‘If I kiss you I won’t go away.’

‘I was counting on that.’

She tilted her head. He touched her parted lips with his own. Tentatively. First the upper, then the lower. He entwined his fingers in her winding locks, touched her ear, her diamond earring, her neck. Yennefer, returning the kiss, clung to him, and her nimble fingers quickly and surely unfastened the buckles of his jacket. She fell back onto her cloak, spread out on the soft moss. He pressed his mouth to her breast and felt the nipple harden and press against the very fine stuff of her blouse. She was breathing shallowly.

‘Yen…’

‘Don’t say anything… Please…’

The touch of her naked, smooth, cool skin electrified his fingers and his palms. A shiver down his back being pricked by her finger-nails. From the bonfires screams, singing, a whistle; a far, distant cloud of sparks in purple smoke. Caresses and touches. He touching her. She touching him. A shiver. And impatience. The gliding skin of her slim thighs gripping his hips, drawing closed like a clasp.

Beltane!

Breathing, riven into gasps. Flashes beneath their eyelids, the scent of lilac and gooseberry. The May Queen and May King? A blasphemous mockery? Oblivion?

Beltane! May Day Eve!

A moan. Hers? His? Black curls on his eyes, on his mouth. Intertwined fingers, quivering hands. A cry. Hers? Black eyelashes. A moan. His?

Silence. All eternity in the silence.

Beltane… Fires all the way to the horizon…

‘Yen?’

‘Oh, Geralt…’

‘Yen… Are you weeping?’

‘No!’

‘Yen…’

‘I promised myself… I promised…’

‘Don’t say anything. There’s no need. Aren’t you cold?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘And now?’

‘Now I’m warmer.’

The sky grew lighter at an alarming rate, the contours of the black wall of trees becoming more prominent, the distinct, serrated line of the treetops emerging from the shapeless gloom. The blue foretoken of dawn creeping up from behind it spread along the horizon, extinguishing the lamps of the stars. It had grown cooler. He hugged her more tightly and covered her with his cloak.

‘Geralt?’

‘Mhm?’

‘It’ll soon be dawn.’

‘I know.’

‘Have I hurt you?’

‘A little.’

‘Will it begin again?’

‘It never ended.’

‘Please… You make me feel…’

‘Don’t say anything. Everything is all right.’

The smell of smoke creeping among the heather. The scent of lilac and gooseberry.

‘Geralt?’

‘Yes?’

‘Do you remember when we met in the Owl Mountains? And that golden dragon… What was he called?’

‘Three Jackdaws. Yes, I do.’

‘He told us…’

‘I remember, Yen.’

She kissed him where the neck becomes the collarbone and then nuzzled her head in, tickling him with her hair.

‘We’re made for each other,’ she whispered. ‘Perhaps we’re destined for each other? But nothing will come of it. It’s a pity, but when dawn breaks, we shall part. It cannot be any other way. We have to part so as not to hurt one another. We two, destined for each other. Created for each other. Pity. The one or ones who created us for each other ought to have made more of an effort. Destiny alone is insufficient, it’s too little. Something more is needed. Forgive me. I had to tell you.’

‘I know.’

‘I knew it was senseless for us to make love.’

‘You’re wrong. It wasn’t. In spite of everything.’

‘Ride to Cintra, Geralt.’

‘What?’

‘Ride to Cintra. Ride there and this time don’t give up. Don’t do what you did then… When you were there…’

‘How did you know?’

‘I know everything about you. Have you forgotten? Ride to Cintra, go there as fast as you can. Fell times are approaching, Geralt. Very fell. You cannot be late…’

‘Yen…’

‘Please don’t say anything.’

It was cooler. Cooler and cooler. And lighter and lighter.

‘Don’t go yet. Let’s wait until the dawn…’

‘Yes, let’s.’

Favourite colour: Purple and green

Currently consuming: Immense amount of Haarlep content

He's my comfort creature.

First ship: I loved Chel and Tulio together.

Also, Disney animated film with sex? Hello?

Birth place: Russia, Ivanovo

Relationship status: unhappy together

Last movie: True Romance

Highly recommend, this is a fantastic picture that aged very well.

Currently working on: My Nere fic and a couple of more ideas for Astarion and Haarlep one-shots.

Tagging @seraphimaa @solidsilver @msrhaxoz

[cloudberry-sims]

“ Then I met you You weren't afraid Of anything You taught me how To leave the ground To use my wings

I never thought a hero Would ever come my way But more than that I never thought You'd be taken away” 

[moths-wc-aus]

my personal prefix list

A

Acanthus, Aconite, Acorn, Adder, Agate, Albatross, Alder, Algae, Alligator, Allium, Aloe, Alpine, Alyssum, Amaranth, Amaryllis, Amber, Anemone, Ant, Apple, Ash, Ashen, Asp, Aspen, Asphodel, Aster, Atlas, Auburn, Avocet, Azalea, Azure

B

Badger, Barberry, Bark, Barley, Basil, Bass, Bat, Bay, Bayberry, Beach, Bean, Bear, Beaver, Bee, Beech, Beetle, Berry, Betony, Billow, Birch, Bird, Bittern, Black, Blackberry, Blackbird, Blaze, Blazing, Bliss, Blister, Blizzard, Bloom, Blooming, Blossom, Blotch, Blotched, Blue, Bluebell, Blueberry, Bluebird, Boar, Bog, Bolt, Bone, Borage, Boulder, Bounce, Bowfin, Bracken, Bramble, Branch, Brass, Brave, Bream, Breeze, Briar, Bright, Brindle, Bristle, Broken, Bronze, Brook, Broom, Brown, Brush, Bubble, Buck, Bug, Bull, Bullfrog, Bumble, Burdock, Burn, Burnet, Burning, Burnt, Burr, Bush, Buttercup, Butterfly, Buzz, Buzzard

C

Calm, Canary, Cardinal, Carp, Cave, Cavern, Cedar, Chaffinch, Char, Charred, Chasing, Cherry, Chervil, Chestnut, Chick, Chickadee, Chicken, Chipmunk, Chirp, Chive, Chrysalis, Cicada, Cinder, Cinnamon, Clay, Clear, Cliff, Cloud, Clouded, Cloudy, Clover, Coal, Cobalt, Cobweb, Cold, Comet, Comfrey, Condor, Conifer, Copper, Cormorant, Cornflower, Corvid, Cotton, Cougar, Cove, Cow, Coyote, Crab, Crane, Crawfish, Crayfish, Cream, Creek, Creeping, Cricket, Crimson, Crocodile, Crooked, Crouch, Crow, Cuckoo, Curlew, Cygnet, Cypress

D

Daffodil, Daisy, Dancing, Dandelion, Dapple, Dappled, Dark, Dawn, Day, Dazzle, Deer, Dew, Doe, Dog, Dove, Dream, Drift, Drifting, Drizzle, Duck, Dune, Dusk, Dust, Dusty

E

Eagle, Ebony, Echo, Eddy, Eel, Egg, Egret, Eider, Elder, Elk, Elm, Ember, Ermine, Evening, Eventide, Ewe

F

Faith, Falcon, Fallen, Falling, Fallow, Fawn, Feather, Fen, Fennel,  Fern, Ferret, Fidget, Field, Fin, Finch, Fire, Firefly, Fish, Flake, Flame, Flare, Flash, Flax, Flea, Fleet, Flicker, Flight, Flint, Flood, Flounder, Flower, Flurry, Flutter, Fly, Flying, Foam, Fog, Forest, Fox, Foxglove, Freckle, Freckled, Freezing, Fritillary, Frog, Frost, Frozen, Fruit

G

Gale, Gardenia, Garlic, Garter, Gator, Gentle, Ginger, Glade, Gleaming, Glimmer, Glowing, Gloom, Goat, Golden, Goldfish, Goose, Gopher, Gorge, Gorse, Gosling, Grass, Gravel, Green, Grey, Grouse, Grove, Gull, Guppy, Gust

H

Hackberry, Haddock, Hail, Half, Hare, Harrier, Haven, Hawk, Hawthorn, Hay, Haze, Hazel, Heath, Heather, Heavy, Hedge, Hemlock, Hen, Heron, Herring, Hickory, Hidden, Hill, Hive, Hollow, Holly, Honey, Hop, Hope, Horizon, Hornet, Hound, Hush, Hyacinth, Hyssop

I

Ibis, Ice, Icy, Indigo, Iris, Ivory, Ivy

J

Jackdaw, Jagged, Jaguar, Jasmine, Jay, Jump, Jumping, Juniper

K

Kelp, Kestrel, Kindle, Kink, Kite, Knotweed, Koi

L

Lake, Lamb, Larch, Lark, Larkspur, Laurel, Lavender, Leaf, Leaping, Leech, Leek, Lemming, Leopard, Lichen, Light, Lightning, Lily, Lion, Linden, Little, Lizard, Lobelia, Locust, Long, Loon, Lost, Lotus, Loud, Lupine, Lynx

M

Mackerel, Magnolia, Magpie,  Mallard, Mallow, Mantis, Maple, Marble, Marbled, Marigold, Marmot, Marrow, Marsh, Marten, Mayflower, Meadow, Mellow, Merlin, Midge, Milkweed, Mink, Minnow, Mint, Mire, Mist, Mistle, Misty, Mole, Monarch, Moon, Moor, Moorhen, Moose, Morning, Mosquito, Moss, Mossy, Moth, Mottle, Mottled, Mountain, Mouse, Mud, Muddy, Mulberry, Mumble, Murky, Mushroom, Myrtle

N

Needle, Nettle, Newt, Night, Nut, Nuthatch

O

Oak, Oat, Ocean, Oleander, Olive, Orchid, Oriole, Osprey, Otter, Owl, Oyster

P

Pale, Pansy, Panther, Parsley, Parsnip, Partridge, Passerine, Patch, Pea, Peach, Pear, Pearl, Pebble, Peeper, Pelican, Peony, Pepper, Perch, Peregrine, Periwinkle, Petal, Petrel, Petunia, Pheasant, Pickerel, Pigeon, Pike, Pine, Pink, Pipit, Pitch, Plover, Plum, Poison, Pollen, Pond, Pool, Poplar, Poppy, Possom, Posy, Pounce, Prickle, Primrose, Puddle, Puffin, Pumpkin, Purple

Q

Quail, Quick, Quiet

R

Rabbit, Raccoon, Ragged, Ragweed, Rain, Raining, Ram, Raspberry, Rat, Raven, Red, Reed, Ribbon, Ridge, Ripple, Rising, River, Robin, Rock, Rocky, Rook, Rooster, Root, Rose, Rosemary, Rowan, Rubble, Rue, Rumble, Running, Rush, Rushing, Russet, Rust, Rusty, Rye

S

Sable, Sage, Salamander, Salmon, Salvia, Sand, Sandwort, Sandy, Sap, Scarlet, Scorch, Scorched, Scorching, Scratch, Screech, Sea, Seal, Sedge, Seed, Senna, Serval, Shade, Shadow, Shale, Sharp, Shatter, Sheep, Shell, Shimmer, Shining, Shiver, Shore, Shrew, Shrike, Shrub, Shy, Silent, Silk, Silver, Singe, Singing, Skip, Skunk, Sky, Slate, Sleek, Sleeping, Sleepy, Sleet, Slight, Slip, Sloe, Slug, Sly, Small, Smoke, Smudge, Snag, Snail, Snake, Snap, Sneeze, Snow, Snowy, Soaring, Soft, Song, Soot, Sorrel, Spark, Sparrow, Speckle, Speckled, Spider, Splash, Splinter, Splotch, Spot, Spotted, Spring, Spruce, Squirrel, Stag, Starling, Stem, Stoat, Stone, Stork, Storm, Stormy, Strawberry, Stream, Strike, Striped, Sugar, Sun, Sunflower, Sunny, Swallow, Swamp, Swan, Sweet, Swift, Swirl, Sycamore

T

Tabby, Tall,  Talon, Tanager, Tangle, Tansy, Tawny, Teasel, Tempest, Tern, Thicket, Thistle, Thorn, Thrush, Thunder, Thyme, Tide, Tiger, Timber, Tiny, Toad, Topple, Torrent, Tortoise, Tree, Trout, Tulip, Tumble, Turkey, Turtle, Twig, Twilight, Twist, Twisted, Twitch

U

Umber, Ursinia

V

Valley, Velvet, Venom, Vervain, Vetch, Vine, Violet, Viper, Vixen, Vole, Vulture

W

Walnut, Wandering, Warble, Warbler, Wasp, Weasel, Web, Weed, Wet, Whirl, Whisker, Whisper, Whispering, Whistle, White, Whorl, Wild, Willow, Wind, Windy, Wish, Wisp, Wolf, Wood, Wool, Wooly, Worm, Wren

Y

Yarrow, Yellow, Yew

[jackhkeynes]

5m Lexembr

zajadau /ˌza.ʒaˈdo/ [ˌzaʝɐˈdo] discoloured, stained, of an inapproproate or suboptimal colour; variegated, streaked, spotted, of several different colours; motley, assorted, comprising many disparate elements in an unexpected manner, especially of people

also: veðr zajadau | jackdaw glass, a style of glassmaking from the Iberian peninsula from the ninth century onward, exported around Europe band zajadau | motley crew, group of mixed background working to a common goal

Etymology: Originally from Andalus; the glassware sense is the first. From an Arabic phrase likeزجاج أخضر <zujáj 'ahdar> meaning "green glass", although there is considerable dialect variation in this term. Its route from there to Borland is unclear, though it was likely borrowed during the Second Tetrarchy, given the early twelfth-century attestation of <vitrum zoiactalis> in the alchemical writings of Jan Curçon. Techniques in glassmaking accelerated rapidly in ninth century Andalus, likely due to a cut-off of supply from the east; see the recent archaeological findings of the Stelazgo Edifice.

Yeðrot zajadau scanoirn y mur ne bric. /jeðˈrɔt ˌza.ʒaˈdo xaˈnɔj.rn̩ i mɪr ne brɪk/ [jɪˈʀɔt ˌzaʝɐˈdo xɐˈnɔ.jɐn i mɪː nɪ ˈbʀɪk] ivy variegated climb-pst.3p def wall in brick Variegated ivy grew up the brick walls.

---

excerpted from sensation trevold [novel] Children of the Battle of Rexam (released originally in Welsh as Pa Ðywdan y Plant Car Vantel "What the Children of Car Vantel Say"), a fictionalised account of the three children of the Duke of Legaster left orphaned after the 1483 Battle of Rexam, a major turning point in the half-century-long Wars of Fealty. Written in 1931 N by schoolteacher Jon Paldreth, its close perspective on several famous historical figures of the period (however unlikely it is that the titular children in fact met them all) captured the imagination of the public, of the Isles and beyond.

…with the young prince; though he was not particularly martial-minded, Andrew's uncompromising tactical mind and cavalier disregard for simple diplomacy meant I would likely languish as a prisoner at Safford Castle indefinitely, or until he could put me to some better use.

No matter; the room was warm despite the January gloom outside, a merrily-crackling fire under a long tapestry depicting—I assumed—another Mercian victory, though it was anyone's guess against whom. On the other wall, the clarity of the panes suggested they were a recent addition to this old wing, possibly commissioned from the Bavarn masters. Elsewhere I had noticed many windows still held the jackdaw glass of the previous century, in a sickly green that could not quite be offset with torchlight.

At least I had little of which to complain in the view. We were south of the town proper, and past the many outbuildings stretched unmolested woodland, beyond which…

[sarah-lance]

    “Yen...”

    “Don’t say anything... Please...”

    The touch of her naked, smooth, cool skin electrified his fingers and his palms. A shiver down his back being pricked by her finger-nails. From the bonfires screams, singing, a whistle; a far, distant cloud of sparks in purple smoke. Caresses and touches. He touching her. She touching him. A shiver. And  impatience.  The  gliding skin of her slim thighs  gripping his hips, drawing closed like a clasp.

    Beltane!

    Breathing, riven into gasps. Flashes beneath their eyelids, the scent of lilac and  gooseberry. The  May Queen  and  May  King?  A blasphemous mockery? Oblivion?

    Beltane! May Day Eve!

    A moan. Hers? His? Black curls on his eyes, on his mouth. Intertwined fingers, quivering hands. A cry. Hers? Black eyelashes. A moan. His?

    Silence. All eternity in the silence.

    Beltane... Fires all the way to the horizon... 

    “Yen?”  

    “Oh, Geralt...”

    “Yen... Are you weeping?”  

    ’‘No!”

    “Yen...”

    “I promised myself... I promised...”

    “Don’t say anything. There’s no need. Aren’t you cold?”

    “Yes, I am.”

    “And now?”

    “Now I’m warmer.”

    The sky grew lighter at an alarming rate, the contours of the black wall of trees  becoming  more  prominent, the  distinct, serrated line of the treetops emerging from the shapeless gloom. The blue foretoken of dawn creeping upfrom behind it spread along the horizon, extinguishing the lamps of the stars. It had grown cooler. He hugged her more tightly and covered her with his cloak.

    “Geralt?”

    “Mhm?”

    “It’ll soon be dawn.”

    “I know.”

    “Have I hurt you?”

    “A little.”

    “Will it begin again?”

    “It never ended.”

    “Please... You make me feel...”

    “Don’t say anything. Everything is all right.”

    The smell of smoke creeping among the heather. The scent of lilac and gooseberry.

    “Geralt?”

    “Yes?”

    “Do you remember when we met in the Owl Mountains? And that golden dragon... What was he called?”

    “Three Jackdaws. Yes, I do.”

    “He told us...”

    “I remember, Yen.”

    She kissed him where the neck becomes the collarbone and then nuzzled her head in, tickling him with her hair.

    “We’re made for each other,” she whispered. “Perhaps we’re destined for each other? But nothing will come of it. It’s a pity, but when dawn breaks, we shall part. It cannot be any other way. We have to part so as not to hurt one another. We two, destined for each other. Created for each other. Pity. The one or ones who created us for each other ought to have made more of an effort. Destiny alone is insufficient, it’s too little. Something more is needed. Forgive me. I had to tell you.”

    “I know.”

    “I knew it was senseless for us to make love.”

   “You’re wrong. It wasn’t. In spite of everything.”

Andrzej Sapkowski, The Sword of Destiny

[dansnaturepictures]

24/05/2021-Lakeside and home: Great Crested Grebes, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Ring-necked Parakeet, Swifts, yellow iris and more 

After enjoying more changeable weather out the window and memorable views of House Sparrow in the garden, Swifts flying very nicely closely over the house again against another interesting sky today on a day I took so many sky photos once more and the bright red dahlia on the balcony in a bit of golden sunshine I got out for my lunch time Lakeside walk, seeing the unusual sight of a male and female Mallard among the daisies of the grassy areas beside the tarmac out the front. My Mum had seen them here years ago but it still felt quite surreal stumbling across them in a quite urban setting. By the entrance to Lakeside I possibly caught sight of my long-awaited first young House Sparrow of the year but I couldn’t be sure. They were coming in the garden a lot like the young Starlings this time last year but not so much in 2021 so far, another addition to my noticing differences between this and last spring which I find interesting. 

In what could be the last day of such unpredictable weather for a little bit checking the forecast, I enjoyed seeing everything to the backdrop of a really dark sky like the beautiful buttercup meadow now in nice flower carpeting the southern fenced off nature reserve area. I took in some great views going along here with the sun lighting up the whole scene very nicely which I tweeted tonight on Dans_Pictures. The Starlings were gathering on mass here and it was interesting to see them so mobile up and down from trees and the ground. I saw a Chiffchaff very well coming along the central path in the southern fenced off area. 

I reached the lakes firstly beach lake the easternmost one and would start a journey of taking in the young birds well yet again, firstly I put a wooden jetty to good use and walked along it to find myself really close to the young fluffy Great Crested Grebe which followed its parent among the closest I’ve got to them this year in a brilliant season for it so far again and I took photos I was pleased with including the first in this photoset of this bird. And it is just the one bird now as the other seems to not have made it. The Greylag Geese goslings in their varying age ranges there are a lot of families within the group as they are really taking over Lakeside this year as the second and third pictures in this photoset show they are looking more grown up now which is always interesting to observe. Walking round to the westernmost lake I was happy to see two Mallard ducklings with their mother and some males around too in a  great day for Mallards I took the fourth and fifth pictures in this photoset of those. By beach lake also as I tweeted a picture of was more yellow iris which was great to see a great spring time plant along with other flowers. 

Beside the westernmost lake I had two more brilliant bird moments as I heard the high pitched wail of the Ring-necked Parakeet again which was great. My Mum and her partner finally got to see them at Lakeside as their first of the year on a walk they did there, with me not managing a photo of the newly emerging locally Ring-necked Parakeets since the ones flying past the house last autumn and not getting one at Lakeside I was beginning to think they may think I was making up the ones I’ve seen at Lakeside a handful of times! It seems they may have a nest nearby somewhere as this fascinating journey with them being about locally which I am excited by evolves. I also saw a Buzzard being mobbed my something which was nice. I took the portrait picture the sixth in this photoset of the famous big bench at Lakeside by the westernmost lake. It was nice to take in the quote inscribed on it "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." by the inspirational Maya Angelou. I remember reading that during a breathtaking birdwatching moment as a boy seeing a rare for the country park Goosander one Friday night which I mentioned when I saw this duck species here this year over the winter excitedly here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/641964008609628160/01022021-goosander-and-more-on-a-peaceful, and I've had many more generally and here, today and the last week as all year nature whilst working from home and on the weekend certainly took my breath away so much and allowed me much escapism birds, butterflies, flowers and more so it was a wonderful moment to reflect on the power of nature through those words. I took the seventh and eighth pictures in this photoset on the way out of Lakeside down the northern path as a heavy shower promised by the dark clouds hit and final two of more sky scenes at home. 

The weather remained changeable with sun, shower, repeat into the evening and I just thought my chance to watch a sunset and take photos may had gone in the gloom approaching nine o’clock. But then all of a sudden I spied a crimson glow through the window of the other room on the middle level and a strong looking and nicely red/orange sunset greeted me when I went up to the sunset arena what I call my room and it was a great performance as such again with the sun really making the cloud go red. I noticed now the sun is setting right in the corner to the right of my room where it does those peak days of summer now with it setting late in the evening when the sunsets in the year are at their best so it was a great promise of beautiful things to come. And they trickled back in the past few days but with the weather as its been and other factors I felt I was starting to miss sunsets a little and getting a chance for a photo so I liked tonight. I tweeted these sunset pictures earlier. I hope you had a great Monday. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: Two of my favourite birds the Great Crested Grebe and Buzzard, Swift, Starling, Blackbird well at home, House Sparrow, Goldfinches well at home again out the front and back, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaws well at Lakeisde, Chiffchaff, Lesser Black-backed Gull well on roofs around, Black-headed Gull with a nice nest seen on a tall tree, Mallard, Moorhen, Greylag Goose and I heard Ring-necked Parakeet. 

[jackdawyt]

Solas: “I walk the dinan’shiral. There is only death on this journey. I would not have you see what I become.”

Lord of Tricksters and He who Hunts alone, kin to His People. He who could walk on both sides of Gods without fear, they all trusted him, and all of them were betrayed. He told the Creators that a blade was forged in the heavens and the Forgotten Ones that it was hidden in the abyss, and when they went searching for it, he sealed them both in their realms forever, paying the ultimate price. He comes in humble guises but strikes those who are vulnerable, Thedas has never been in more peril than ever before, Fen'Harel will rise again.

Hey guys, Jackdaw here! Given the many revelations of Tevinter Nights, we have a lot of plot threads and teases hinting at what Solas may do next in his grand scheme to destroy the Veil and restore the Elven Kingdom. Indeed, the Dread Wolf has risen, and we’ve got a lot of theorising to do!  

So, with that said, I ask that you don your tinfoil hats, respectively, as we examine the Dread Wolf rising, and the next stages of Solas’s scheme that will inevitably destroy Thedas.  

Sandal: “When he rises, everyone will see!”  

Fen’Harel has risen as a beastly and ill-natured creature held from within, mantled in the disguise of an elven mage.  

Discovered in “Callback”, the final Fresco that Solas drafted out in Skyhold’s Rotunda before leaving the Inquisition, revealed an outline of a beast stood over a stabbed dragon; two figures painted on either side of a pane of glass with confused forms. The beast is shown to be a horrifying wolf, having absorbed the dragon’s power, stood crooked over all.

“The eighth and final panel of the fresco, meant to commemorate the battle against the blighted magister Corypheus, was unfinished. It showed only rough shapes, outlines that the mass of color crawling around the room now rushed to fill. And as detail and depth emerged, something was wrong.” (Callback, Page 121).

The depiction of the unfinished fresco relates to Solas’s embrace with Mythal at the end of Dragon Age: Inquisition. For many years, we’ve been scratching our heads about this exchange between Mythal and Solas. Thanks to Tevinter Nights, and more aptly, Solas. We have the truth.  

“But here, unfinished, was the outline of a beast that stood over both dragon and sword. This was not the battle, or the victory. This was after. And the beast was not a dragon. The outline alone might have allowed that assumption, but now, filling with black and red, it was something other. The creature was reptilian, but also canine. The snout was blunted and toothy, but edges came to a point in houndlike ears. As the mass of plaster filled the shape, it began to rise, revealing scales and tail, and paws with talons. It looked like two figures painted on either side of a pane of glass, then viewed together, their forms confused. A wolf that had absorbed a dragon, and now stood crooked over all.” (Callback, Page 122).

This fresco uncovers that Solas absorbed an unknown quantity of Mythal’s power, with her essence he can rise as the Dread Wolf. For what purpose, we’ll discuss later. However, an essence of Mythal, somewhat lives on, as she seemingly placed a piece of herself into an eluivan before Solas took the majority of her power, in order to rise.  

Mythal: “It was only a piece, but that’s all I needed”.

I certainly don’t think that’s the end of Mythal. I believe quite the contrary, I think Solas’s scheme that has been set in motion was Mythal’s idea in the first place. Without her power, Solas wouldn’t be able to rise as the Dread Wolf. It’s only because of her immolation, he can rise! I think Mythal too will rise in the future, perhaps in another body.  

Regardless, the fact that Solas engraved rising as the Dread Wolf with Mythal’s power in Skyhold, before the orb broke, proves that Solas always intended on meeting Mythal, to take an aspect of her power.

Mythal’s sacrifice was never a backup plan to Solas, regardless of his orb’s destruction. Solas always planned on paying her a visit, with or without the orb, having the same intention of absorbing her power so he could rise.  

The orb would only fulfil one purpose, and that’s to rip a hole in the Veil. Whereas taking Mythal’s power had a different purpose – to prepare for Solas’s transformation into the Dread Wolf. And, so with that power now invested, the Dread Wolf has risen.  But only willingly on Mythal’s part.

Solas: “I would have entered the Fade, using the mark you now bear. Then I would have torn down the Veil. As this world burned in the raw chaos, I would have restored the world of my time…the world of the elves.”

With the orb’s destruction, Solas will be looking for a new way to destroy the Veil. Perhaps the Red Lyrium Idol is his backup attempt, and tracking down the Idol is his current quest, so he can successfully destroy the Veil with it, as intended.  

If that solves how Solas could destroy the Veil, then what’s Solas’s plan behind rising as the Dread Wolf? He’s not rising as the Dread Wolf to destroy the Veil, so, what is the Dread Wolf’s purpose?  

Perhaps Solas needs to rise as the malicious Dread Wolf so he can vengefully deal with the many hostile forces after the veil is destroyed.  

Although there will be plenty of opposition against Solas destroying the Veil, like the Executors, Qunari, Inquisition and so on. Nothing in Thedas today can equal what lies beyond the Veil, lingering in many places like the Void and the darkest depths of the Fade.  

Ancient beings, things left forgotten, and The Evanuris.  

Solas is rising as the Dread Wolf to slay his ultimate adversaries. The next protagonist may think that we fall among that category, but nothing can measure against the insane, wicked powers of those who dwell across the Veil, and will soon be released from their shackles if Solas succeeds, and destroys the barrier protecting Thedas against the Fade.  

Inquisitor: “If you destroyed the veil, wouldn't the false gods be freed?”

Solas: “I had plans.”

Solas: “They killed Mythal. A crime for which an eternity of torment is the only fitting punishment.”

Mythal was murdered by her own people, the Evanuris, in their lust for power, they betrayed her. When the Veil is destroyed, Solas will rise as the Dread Wolf, seeking justice for Mythal’s murder, he will find and kill each member of the Elven Pantheon that wronged his queen. The deaths of the False Gods will bring forth a new elven empire ruling over Thedas, with Solas and Mythal at the top.

Flemeth: ”Mythal clawed and crawled her way through the ages to me and I will see her avenged!"

I believe that Mythal exchanged the majority of her power to Solas, so he could follow her scheme of vengeance/justice against the Evanuris. Through the ages, Mythal seeks her own reckoning against those who betrayed her, her one aim has always vengeance. With Solas waking from his long slumber, the two have since schemed an ending against the Pantheon. Solas, using Mythal’s power, and rising as the Dread Wolf will be the False God’s demise.  

Solas and Mythal will have their vengeance, and a new world for the Elven people. However, the Veil hasn’t been destroyed yet, and there’s still time to stop Solas from reaching that reality. The best lead on Solas’s plan regards the Red Lyrium Idol.  

"The Dread Wolf wants that idol, and he’s not afraid to get his hands bloody to get it." (TDWTY, Page 490).

“He intends something for the Fade, and if he wants the idol, then whatever he intends will be terrible.” (TDWTY, Page 498).

The Red Lyrium Idol is still a mystery, and I say that with exasperated lungs, because I’ve talked about this blasted relic in every lore video I’ve created since The Dread Wolf Rises trailer back in 2018. Because of that, I’m going to rush through the details on this Idol.

It’s been described as: “a couple hugging, too thin to be dwarves”, or “a god mourning their sacrifice.” However, disregarding what it supposedly looks like, this idol belongs to Solas. It’s his, and he wants it back, he has a purpose for it.  

“YOU USE MY IDOL CARELESSLY TO VANDALIZE THE SEA OF DREAMS. NOW FEEL THE PAIN OF WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED.” (TDWTY, Page 496).

For what? Well, Red lyrium is known to thin the Veil, and this idol has magical properties too. It’d be a pretty good catalyst for the Veil’s destruction.  

Secondly, when the Idol was used in a blood and binding ritual, it revealed a most intriguing ritual blade, perhaps Solas wants or needs this blade. Could this be the blade to end all wars? Does he need it to finish his ritual? Or is it just a nice sharp dagger to cut Lavellan’s heart out again?  

“It was not merely an idol, but a ritual blade. He slashed his own hand, and a wave of power pulsed through the cavern.” (TDWTY, page 495).

And my final reason for justifying Solas’s genocidal actions.... In “The Hunt of The Fell Wolf” codex, Ameridan killed a great canine beast with a mysterious ‘fade touched’ Idol. This Idol was the only thing that ‘could prove the monster’s doom.’

“The wounded knight in darkness

Found within the cavern's gloom

An idol of fade-touched stone,

Which could prove the monster's doom.”

(The Hunt of the Fell Wolf, Stanza 15)

Perhaps this Idol from Ameridan’s story is the very same Red Lyrium Idol, and Solas is looking for it because the Idol is one of the only things that can stop and kill Solas, just like the beast in the codex. So, if Solas finds the Idol before anyone else, he’s got full security over his own victory, and no one can stand against him.  

The Red Lyrium Idol belongs to him, perhaps it’s like a ‘Horcrux’, you destroy the Idol, you destroy an aspect of Solas? If that’s too far-fetched, then perhaps the Idol is just very strong with its magical properties, and Red Lyrium compound, and that’s what can defeat Solas. Or, potentially, the ritual blade released from the Idol is the ultimate blow against him? It’s really a matter of tinfoil at the moment.  

What’s unknown is the Idol’s location. Does Solas already possess the Idol? If not where is it? More apropos, who has it?  

This seemingly pre-veil artefact found in the Primeval Thaig by Hawke, which was then stolen by Varric’s Brother, Bartrand. And then sold to Knight Commander Meredith, who crafted it into a greatsword, that granted her, and the sword magically capabilities.   Apparently when Meredith went boom and almost destroyed half of Kirkwall, the sword made from the idol was also destroyed, however, the idol stayed with Meredith as she transformed into a red lyrium statue.   It lingered for a while, until the Carta extracted the idol using a potion created by a Dalish Elf. It was then sold to House Qintara in Tevinter, the house traded it to House Danarius for information, then a Magister from House Danarius took it to the Grand Necropolis for a ritual.   The ritual ended in chaos and flames as the Dread Wolf was summoned, however, the idol escaped Fen’Harel’s grasp, as a noble’s son grabbed it and fled into Tevinter lands.   At this point, the idol’s location gets a tad fuzzy, apparently the idol somehow made its way to an auction, off the coast of Rivian, on the Island Llomerynn. Supposedly, the Dread Wolf made a physical appearance and took his idol back, and that’s the end of it. However, it seems that this could’ve been framed as a lie, or bluff, so Solas could retrieve the Idol, and stop those who seek it from getting it. (TDWTY, paraphrased a lot lol)  

In short, the Idol’s whereabouts are set up for interpretation in “The Dread Wolf Take You”, by the end of the story, we don’t quite know where exactly this idol is, and even if we take a guess, it doesn’t feel concrete... Did Solas actually take the idol from an overbearing auction, with quite the hysterical crowd located off the coast of Rivian? (doubt face) Or did a Noble’s son smuggle the Idol safely back into Tevinter war-torn territory?  

While, I lean to the side; Solas lied throughout the story, so therefore he doesn’t have it, and it’s somewhere in Tevinter, in the occupancy of Maker-knows who.... That still doesn’t give us any clues.

Fortunately, we have some new information, so we don’t have to continually guess, like a dog chasing its tail. Thanks to Dark Horse, Dragon Age comic writer Nunzio DeFilippis, we have an understanding of where this idol was originally supposed to go, before the comics were reworked with Dragon Age 4’s iteration reboot.  

Nunzio recently mentioned in the Unofficial BioWare Forum that the comic characters from Deception were originally chasing the Red Lyrium Idol. The original plan for the comics would've had the characters retrieve the Idol. Only to have Solas take it back. Eluding to the idol's planned whereabouts before the plot changed.  

So, regardless of where the idol may be right now, is Solas’s retrieval of the blasted thing inevitable considering the comics would’ve had this plot solved before the next games launch? Is it a matter of time before Solas finds his idol? Or has the plot changed a lot since then? Maybe we’ll have a shot at grabbing this idol before Solas gets his hands on it in the next game?  

With that, we don’t have a solid placement for where the Idol is, but we can assume that it will end up in Solas’s hands soon enough. However, regardless of the Idol, Solas already has set-out an ominous ritual to destroy the Veil.  

Solas {He} sighed. “It was a moment of weakness. I told myself that it was because you all deserved to know, to live a few years in peace before my ritual was complete. Before this world ended.” (TDWTY Page 506).

Whatever this ritual is, beats me. Solas mentions that it’s going to take a few years until it’s complete. And then boom, it’ll be down with the Veil, and the Dread Wolf shall rise.  

This once more begs the question, if Solas had made plans to destroy the Veil, then why does he need the Red Lyrium Idol? But again, like I said, perhaps he needs to retrieve the Idol because it’s his greatest weakness if used against him. Once he has it, he can destroy it, or throw it in the rubbish, so no one can stop his plan.  

Back to Solas’s ritual. The Dread Wolf has taken residency in the Fade, where his ritual has started to affect.  

“But whatever fear the name Dread Wolf carries, he has earned. While we might visit the Fade, it is his natural home, and the spirits there serve him gladly.” (TDWTY, Page 498).

The Mortalitasi organised their own ritual to push the Qunari back home, using blood magic and binding spells. These types of magic are undoing the work Solas has set in motion, they’re a hinderance to his ritual. Therefore, the Dread Wolf made his presence known at the Grand Necropolis, in Nevarra, forbidding both types of magic, if anyone dare binds a spirit, or uses blood magic, your life is his for the taking.  

“And as clear as the Dread Wolf’s anger at what we had done— the Mortalitasi binding spirits he considered his own, the Tevinter mage using forbidden blood magic— was the feeling that we had disrupted his own work.” (TDWTY, Page 498).

“FROM THIS MOMENT, SHOULD YOU EVER BIND A SPIRIT, THEN YOUR LIFE IS MINE.” (The Dread Wolf Take You, Page 496).

So, clearly any magic that requires demons and spirits, or changes a spirit’s original purpose, is undoing Solas’s ritual. Most likely because the spirits of the Fade serve Solas willingly, they’re probably required in his ritual. Taking them away from that purpose, is undoing Solas’s work. Spirits and demons want the Veil to come down so many of them can pursue their desires to enter the physical world, so it’s no surprise they serve Solas freely.  

Regardless, what exactly is this ritual doing? It’s already affected the Fade.... So, is Solas slowly decaying the Veil over time? Is he reaching into the Black City? Does this ritual have something to do with the Old Gods? Is it in preparation for killing the Pantheon? Is Solas’s ritual going to take him back in time to restore the Elven Kingdom? So many ideas, very few answers.  

Also, to change the pace from the ritual. Let's say Solas is successful and the Veil is destroyed, how are the elves going to survive the Veil’s destruction? When talking to Charter, Solas tells her that the world will be better off for the remaining elves that survive. But how can anyone survive the Fade crashing into Thedas?

“I have no choice. What I am doing will save this world, and those like you— the elves who still remain— may even find it better, when it is done.” (TDWTY, Page 506).

Is Solas taking those he deems worthy to a safe place, so they can rebuild the elven empire once the Veil is no more? Is he building a metaphorical ark, gathering the elves, as his flood destroys all of Thedas? How can he guarantee safety to the elves? Surely, he has a plan for them to survive this calamity?  

Ultimately, more questions that we’ll need to answer for ourselves when Dragon Age 4 arrives. Although we still clueless on Solas’s ritual and the Red Lyrium Idol’s purpose, I can say; without doubt, that Solas has risen as the Dread Wolf. A lupin, evil creature that seeks the end of the Evanuris, and Thedas as we know it.  

Solas may think that his plan is for the greater good of his people, but I believe he’s naïve to the one who’s fundamentally been pulling the strings of his scheme all along. The one who has set his very purpose in motion, and that is Mythal. A Queen he would not see go unavenged, and someone he’d do anything to achieve justice for in her name.  

I believe this trust Solas has for Mythal will be the end of him, that he is nothing but a puppet to Mythal’s plan for vengeance. I believe this conquest for justice, will send Solas down a path of anger, decay, and ultimately death.  

The biggest threat against Solas is himself, as he admits, he’s foolish, prideful and doing what he must. Will we be the one to stop him before it’s too late, changing his mind?  Or will we grant him a finishing blow, silencing our once beloved friend?  

[tehri]

Things that have helped me deal with the first hurdles of Seasonal Depression

After my move to Finland, I can confidently say that there is a definite difference in how dark it gets - and how soon in the year it happens. Since about a month and a half back, I’ve felt the first stings of seasonal depression for this year. Here are a few things that have helped me deal so far.

Establishing a new routine. I was very worried about doing this when I moved. I had grown fairly comfortable with the routine I had before when I was working, but as I started studying here in Finland, I had to establish a new one. Here’s the thing: routines are not bad. They will help establish some form of normalcy when things do not feel normal. My current routine is based around my schoolwork, just as it was previously based around my job - but it helps, is the point, and it means that I have something to go by.

Getting some daylight. This is important even if I’m not going out. The sun isn’t up in the morning when I get up now - and I make a point to try to get up shortly after my fiancé leaves for work, even if I don’t need to do so every day. But I get up, and I open the curtains in each room to ensure that some light gets in. This always helps, even if it’s dark and rainy outside - because it’s still light, and it signals to my brain that hey, you should be active.

Writing in my diary. I have kept this up since February - I still write one entry per day, preferably in the morning, and only positive things. Things that make me smile, that make me feel calm and relaxed. The entries are always ended with a small note along the lines of “Today feels good” or “Today feels relaxing”. It helps to remind me that I’m doing okay, and that it’s not all doom and gloom.

Going out for walks. This is more of a semi-weekly thing for me, since I am relatively busy with schoolwork. But my fiancé makes a point to go winter-swimming, and I try to go with her as often as I can - just to make sure that I get outside, that I get out of my own head for a bit to enjoy nature. I don’t winter-swim myself, but there’s a plan that I’m going to start next year. But that doesn’t matter. Just being outside feels good, and hearing the birds and seeing something else than the apartment.

Reading books. I’ve started reading more since I moved. Not necessarily at home, but on the train to university and at uni before lectures. It’s a way to give my mind a break, and to remind myself to do something I enjoy doing even if I don’t entirely feel like it. Because once I start, I do enjoy it. I’ve even started discussing books with a classmate who likes the same things as me; she’s going to be borrowing a few books from me that she hasn’t read. It’s nice to talk to someone about these things.

Looking at animals. Although winter is rapidly approaching, I try to pay attention whenever I see animals around me, since I know it makes me feel better. Even if it’s just jackdaws or crows flying around the building where I live (and there are a ton of these here), I like to look at them and listen to them. Seeing dogs when I’m out, or seeing cats here and there, hearing birdsong, it just... it puts me in a very good mindframe.

Admitting that something feels difficult. This falls rather under the “giving myself space” category that I discussed in a previous post. I’ve always had difficulties with this. If something feels tough, I’m more likely to keep butting my head against it and swearing over not being able to figure it out, rather than take a few steps back and breathe before I try again. But lately, I’ve had so much to do that requires me to approach it with a clear head, so I’ve started to try to tell myself off when I’m getting frustrated. I tell myself that “It’s fine, just breathe” and I back away and go and make a cup of tea before I try to tackle the issue again. It helps, and it means I feel less frustrated.

Yoga exercises. No, I don’t mean this as in “oh, you’re depressed? You should try yoga!”, but rather this: I started doing some simple exercises to fix my messed up back during the summer, to stretch and to take a while to calm down. I don’t necessarily do this even weekly - but when I feel like I want to. Yoga does not do much specifically for my mind, but rather for my body. It will help if I feel stiff or if I feel like I have cotton stuffed into my skull - it works out some messes in my muscles, and it gets the blood flowing and just involves me changing position a bit more and thinking more about my posture.

Telling someone if I feel like I’m spiralling. This is the most important note for me. I often notice if I’m starting to spiral - the issue is that I mostly try to work it out for myself, and that doesn’t always work. Mostly, I turn to my fiancé and tell her I’m not feeling too good. It helps to just talk - about anything, really. What I feel bad about, what is bothering me, what I’m worried I won’t achieve, and so on. And having it said helps a lot, because it means you’re getting it out of your head. You’re not arguing with yourself.

Telling myself that it’s going to get better. The first thing I did when I noticed my mood was taking a dive, was to check times for sunrise and sunset. And I noticed the turning point - at the end of December, it already starts to turn. The sun will start to rise earlier again. And knowing this helps me a ton. I can tell myself “It’s going to get better”, and I can tell myself “It will feel easier soon”, and I will know when that turning point comes.

[vermiculated]

baller as all heck, part two

a cool dinner conversation we have at our house is “what if (x), but lady?” below, I have chronicled the results for KJC, one of the Charleses of the YEAR. thus the role of sex in human history is illustrated. 

Also the way some people are into betrothals is the way I am into the use of the term "Miss" so.

The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh

Lady Gabriel Ashleigh is, if not exactly beloved of the ton, then at least the object of many a vivid fantasy. She's beautiful, careless with her money, and has just lost the guarantee of her freedom through a bad night at the tables! Now she must discover what she can really do when she puts her money where her mouth is.

Miss Frances Webster has, for all her money, never had the manner to travel in such exalted circles. When she seduces Lady Gabriel over a hand of cards, it is the fulfillment of her own hot desire. Discovering that she is swayed by Lady Gabriel's charms outside of the bedroom, and bewitched by her when they are together, can Miss Webster tear herself away from her weaving works to provide fulfillment of her beloved's every fantasy?

(I maintain that Miss Webster is the sole beneficiary of what we would call 'a trust' and that this totally works for her. This is, I am going to insist all the way though #more nonsense twenty nineteen, the least realistic part of this story.)

A Fashionable Indulgence 

Miss Harry Gordon has lived her whole life on the run and she's never done a wicked thing. All she wants is a warm room and regular meals, not revolutionary proposals and the gloom of night. When she returns to England, she must hide her true identity. Dark forces mass against her and suddenly, Harry finds that if she wants the happy life she has always intended for herself, she must stick to her principles.

In London, Miss Julius Norreys is known for her exquisite looks and icy manner. When she is set to reform young Miss Gordon for the marriage mart, the proposition is easy. This will be all efficiency and at a steep remove from her heart which froze with tragedy. Julius, however, finds herself melting into Harry's arms and unable to resist the pleasures that Harry promises her. Can the Ice Maiden melt into the arms of an unwilling democrat -- and who to invite to the wedding?

A Seditious Affair 

To rise to her place in the Home Office, Dominic Frey has lived as a man. Busy at work with the new sheaf of Acts from Parliament, returning to the respectable boarding-house for very respectable gentlemen, she cannot have what she most desires. A chance meeting results in the burn of passion and the sordid pleasure of submission: from a radical who can slake Dominic's lust and charms her with poetry.

What begins as sordid offer of revenge on someone who can most afford it quickly becomes a thrilling series of encounters for Silas Mason. Her mystery woman refuses names, so Silas knows everything about her -- her mind, her heart, her passion -- without knowing the truth of their association. When secrets are uncovered and Silas' own past endangers the woman she loves, will revelation be enough or must Silas seek revolution?

(The best part of these is writing the TRULY OBVIOUS stinger puns.)

A Gentleman's Position

After a night of passion, Lady Richard Vane knows she can never regain esteem she has lost in David's eyes. Her lust must have driven her mad! In London, Lady Richard must return to her former intimacy with her maid without imposing herself upon that vulpine cleverness and enchanting form.

As the most trusted maid in London, David Cyprian is well-placed to name her price. Information is her currency and she spends it only on Lady Richard's account. She has yearned for her mistress and on a harrowing night in Yorkshire, David nearly has her. Never before so devoted, David is bewildered at the sudden change in Lady Richard: there's nothing David does not know about the mistress she has dressed for years, but could there be something David has denied within herself?

The Magpie Lord

Bothered and grieving, Lady Lucien Crane hasn't been herself: can she trust her beloved to relinquish control?

She's nearly died three times in the last fortnight: her return to England wasn't meant to be this eventful! Commanding the seat, all the money, and the apparent magic powers would make a lesser lady quail. Lady Crane has faced down pirates (a misunderstanding) and raging stallions (unpleasant) but she enlists the help of Miss Day to quiet the malevolent ghosts. Miss Day's calm competence and unflinching directness prove a dangerous enticement to Lady Crane.

Determined and correct, Miss Stephen Day is only ever herself: the thrill of following a rule brings a blush to her cheeks.

In London, Stephen is in her element: the power to draw on is near and she can be lost in the crowd in a moment. When she takes a job for the exquisite Lady Crane, there will be nowhere to hide and no assistance if she should fail. Only Lady Crane's desperate need could compel Stephen to do anything at variance with her own plans. If Lady Crane should desire her, Stephen would give of herself: but not until all dead creatures are safely underground.

(The tension as I imagine it in this series is that Stephen is dtf in her own, fairly conventional way, but she insists that she'll only submit when Crane doesn't need her power any longer. Crane, who likes a long game, sitting around her rooms with bared ankles and her hair all brushed out, intends to have Stephen as she really is, not some pliant and trusting doll. They have a lot of sex over various items of furniture to prove these points.)

Jackdaw

Betrayed and grieving, Miss Ben Spenser searches London for the woman who stole her heart ... and the treasures of her employer.

After her release from prison, Ben should want nothing to do with Jonah. The flying thief has brought nothing but misery to Ben with her enchantments and Ben has lost everything in return. Without a job, family, or connections, Ben is reduced to finding Jonah through lies, the thief's natural habitat. After a torrid encounter, they flee together. Ben must now decide if she can bear Jonah's company, or if she can bear to be parted from her beloved.

Alone in the world, Jonah Pastern has always looked out for herself ... and no one else.

When she left Ben, Jonah was only doing what anyone would. When Ben finds her again, Jonah is torn with sympathy and cannot help herself: she pulls Ben into the air and they escape to Cornwall. In a place of safety, where Ben quickly becomes a pillar of the community, Jonah seeks her love. Ben is her only fixed point, has ever been her only fixed point, and Jonah cannot read her expressions in the sunlight.

(@mysharkwillgoon said that this would be TOO SAD, so please notice another fucking pun.)

A Queer Trade/Rag and Bone

Bewildered and grieving, Crispin Treadarloe has too often found the answer to all of her troubles; Ned promises nothing easy.

With the death of her master in magic and the upheaval of finding his papers used to wrap fish, Crispin's only trying to do right. Apprenticed to a new master, she's determined to succeed without falling back into bad old habits. With enough kindness and bravery, can she redeem herself?

Ned Hall's well-ordered life is upset by the guilty, beautiful Crispin; thrown into danger again and again, can she find the strength to save herself and the woman she loves?

In the dingy environs of her trade, Ned Hall hadn't thought to look for the love of her life. An instant attraction and a monster change that, for Ned entrusts Crispin with her very soul. When Crispin turns to the blood magic of her past, Ned must protect her -- even at the cost of Crispin's respect and their love. With the tide rising and peril looming, can Ned and Crispin save the day?

(This doesn't work so well but it has the Defining Feature of a contemporary in that both heroines have bizarrely specific jobs.)

An Unseen Attraction

Glass eyes, nice thighs...

Finally free of her horrific past, Miss Rowley Green has settled down with her quiet pets and the charms of her landlady. The freedom to be who she wants and to have the beautiful Miss Tallifer tell her what to do -- it could be intoxicating.

Smooth hair, quiet thoughts...

Running a boarding-house is the best that Miss Clement Tallifer can do and she likes to do it well. When the fascinating Miss Green begins to spend more time with her, Clem knows that it cannot last. Nothing good, and kind, and splendid ever does. As the fog descends over London, visions narrow and danger darkens the way...

The taxidermied animals aren't the only ones screaming.

An Unnatural Vice

Virtuous all the way down...

In her family of churchmen and true believers, Miss Nathaniel Roy has lost her faith. She spends her days writing about the truth under a variety of pseudonyms and investigating charlatanism. When a dangerous fraud needs her help, Nathaniel cannot refuse in good conscience.  She has only to be her finest self through two weeks of skulduggery and not fall in love with a thoroughgoing scoundrel who heats her desire like the molten core of the earth.

Wicked to the base...

At the top of her profession, Miss Justine Lazarus could not be less attuned to the spirits. Being a medium is easy: it's all the lying, cheating, and gulling she would do anyway. When the troublesome Miss Roy saves her neck and treats her with respect, Justin is first appalled, and then aroused. Spending a fortnight with a pillar of virtue becomes a pleasure with the application of a little sleight-of-hand.

(I have historical dudes canon fic, 1710s fic, modern au LADIES fic, and a whole opus about Justine Lazarus, but weirdly, no historical canon ladies fic.)

An Unsuitable Heir

Most women don't...

Miss Mark Braglewicz hadn't thought to frighten the delight of her days (and nights) away -- she only meant to solve a murder, a suicide, and a subornment to perjury. As the bodies pile up and the night grows darker, Mark will have to defend the secrets she has chosen to keep, and abandon the others. Will she be able to keep Pen?

But some will...

Miss Pen Starling has reinvented herself before and she'll do it again: being trapped in an awful family is hardly new. When Pen's told that she's the new Earl of Moreton and all she has to give up is everything that makes her who she is, she turns to the delight of her nights to firm her up.

warning: pegging!!

(don't I fuckin wish.)

Band Sinister In the country...

Miss Gaia Frisby has lived a thoroughly respectable life in the country: she has her small circle of friends, good works to do, and her wild imagination. When Lady Rookwood shelters Gaia's brother, Gaia goes to interview the famous lady with an eye toward the main chance. Falling into bed with a scandalous lady who knows precisely how to summon the pleasures of the flesh is one thing -- but can Lady Rookwood outrun her thrills?

Lady Philippa Rookwood is practiced, wearied, and entirely not expecting the pleasure of Gaia's company. A lady of experience, habituated to her own feelings, is a rare joy. Philippa is transported with passion and forgets herself with this beautiful stranger. As her regard for Gaia grows, Philippa knows that what they share is fleeting and she must permit Gaia to return to her home, to her life -- without Philippa.

... anything can happen to anyone.

( @getlouder gave me this book and I’ve written this iteration for PURITY OF CONCEPT.)

Spectred Isle

Since the War, magical activity throughout England has been on the rise. Randolph Glyde, last of the Glydes, is meant to control the ghosts, demons, and frights that walk London. She's battling Hell and bureaucracy; what she needs is deliverance. What she's getting is an increasingly restive spirit world and a loyal archaeologist.

When a mystical oak explodes in front of him, Saul Lazenby is startled. He's more startled by the vision in grey silk who introduces herself with a feigned name and seems to follow him everywhere. As the peril around them increases, Saul and Randolph find that their skills (and their affections) are strangely compatible.

With bodies piling up and traps everywhere, Saul and Randolph must trust each other. Can two scarred, scared decadents trap the great evil which has nourished London for centuries and now finds itself hungry?

(half-credit because there's not an elegant way to get Miss Lazenby out to Mesopotamia, convicted of treason, and back to London working for peanuts in 1924, so Saul's a dude. "dude" is the correct way to refer to a male person in historicals, I'm glad we all agree.)

Unfit to Print

When her father's despicable family turned their backs on her, Gilbert Lawless abandoned society altogether. Now she is the proud proprietor of a Holywell street bookshop -- and no one's good opinion can matter to her. Gilbert has no interest in other people's problems, or in their feelings. Her business is a quiet one, until one day, her dearest friend walks through the bookshop door...

As a typist for the Shad Thames Eastern Association House, Miss Vikram Pandey is accustomed to a variety of unusual tasks. She's a very good typist, a fine thinker, and entirely besotted with the only girl she ever loved, Miss Lawless from school. Miss Lawless' reappearance in Vikram's life is nearly as strange as her vanishing, fifteen years ago, and Vikram must manage her growing attraction to Miss Lawless with the need for the utmost discretion as a (semi-)secret agent. Will Gill be able to let Vik back in, and will Vik take her hair down for Gil?

(Mr and Mrs Pandey are rapidly re-introduced in the second half of the book and are completely uninterested in Miss Lawless' personal history. It's a tasteful dinner party scene and Gil doesn't feel pitiable or strange at all. When Vik rises, submitting to kisses on her forehead from both of her parents, she takes Gil's hand and brings her to the third-story bedroom which looks as much like a bookshop as Gil's own bedroom which is actually in a bookshop. "They adored you," Vik tells her, lifting Gil's hand with a courtly gesture. "I adore you." She kisses the back of Gil's hand.

"I'm adorable," Gil confirms. Vik's lips are impossibly soft and she is slow to rise and terminate the kiss.

please also notice the research: I did the rest of this from memory, but I had the joy of my days look up that fact.)

The Henchman of Zenda

Jasper Detchard has been a hired sword, a thug in the night, a curse on all that is good: the handsomely-rewarded work in Zenda promises a favor returned. Not even the merest flickerings of her conscience are awakened by the wiles of an old friend, and the representations of her newest employer are unimpressive except as they relate to the money he's paying. Who she is really matters not a whit when there's swordplay to be done: her right hand is her closest ally.

Duchess Rupert of Hentzau has played at vice for long enough: she now intends a more serious project. Dressing as a man to do so brings her within touching distance of the reprobate Detchard, as fast with his sword as Rupert is with her heart. Breaking the stalemate over the throne is only the beginning; can Rupert accept Jasper's attentions as well as her wisdom -- or will they lose this battle together?

(This novel has a first-act twist: Jasper is questioned by the evil duke and only at the end of the scene does he mention her creased trousers. Everyone thinks Jasper is a dude -- again, like I said, "dude" is the correct historical term -- and it's up to dashing young Rupert to conceal this during their much-watched tryst. Rupert gets point-of-view chapters so it's clear she's working for Flavia from the beginning, also it is much more romantic.)

Think of England

On His Majesty's Service, Miss Daniella da Silva is much too capable to be entangled in the schemes of an English rose. When thrown in with Miss Curtis, Daniella takes matters into her own hands  and gets them out of a tight corner. The trouble only really starts when Miss Curtis makes her intentions plain: Daniella is an elaborate woman and she cannot permit the lovely Miss Curtis to see the evil that men do.

Miss Archie Curtis has resigned herself to a life of uselessness: when a madman arrives to scream on the drawing room floor, she makes him tea and listens to his story. By taking herself to the lavish estate at Peakholme, Archie will reveal a treasonous secret. When she finds herself uncovering Miss da Silva, a fellow guest, Archie discovers greater secrets as well.

(Archie's arguably a girl's name, it works. Why are 'philippa," 'gaia,' "daniella," and "frances' called different names? same guiding principle as everything else: random whimsy.)

[spinosaurusdex]

Willow and Grackle IV

Part 3

Willow gets the lecture of a lifetime for using the dorm’s medical supplies, but the dorm manager at least buys his story about hearing a dogfight outside his window and feeling compelled to tend to the loser’s injuries. After the “raccoon,” his fellow physicians are inclined to believe that he’s willing to treat animals just as he does people. He’s still made to pay for what he used out of pocket though.

“You sure you don’t want to be an animal medic?” Sage asks over breakfast. “You sure have the temperament for it, I guess.”

Willow doesn’t try to correct her, lest he expose Grackle, but it gets him thinking it might be worth it to learn some actual techniques for healing animals.

The heatwave finally breaks a few days after Grackle and Jackdaw’s nighttime visit, but Willow and the other trainees don’t get a respite out of it. Summer in this part of the country is sweltering even without excessive heat, so they spend plenty of time treating sunstroke and heat exhaustion. The work doesn’t keep him from thinking about Grackle; he still hopes the assassin is staying cool with his layers of leather.

He finds gifts on his windowsill, left overnight by someone quiet enough not to wake him. A sweet-smelling willow-branch wreath charms him immensely, and he hangs it on his closet handle. The small piece of parchment bearing the letter “G” is quietly stashed in his desk drawer. A small woodcarving of a bird, accompanied by a parchment reading only “J,” is put on a display shelf with other knickknacks he’s collected since his training began.

He has Sage and Poppy over for a study session one night, and it’s Poppy who notices the wreath. “Where’d that come from?” they ask, pointing at it with their quill. “I don’t think willows actually grow around here.”

Willow flushes when he sees where Poppy’s pointing. “Oh, that was a gift,” he says. “They must have imported it from somewhere.”

Sage leans in, eyes alight at the promise of gossip. “Oh? Someone likes you so much they imported a gift for you?” she asks, teasingly. “Who is it?”

“They’re just a friend!” Willow says, taken aback. “They must’ve just thought it was nice and picked it out special.” Sage looks unconvinced, and her grin only widens. “Do you want me to help you memorize the hand bones or not?”

“Oh stars, fine,” Sage sighs, turning back to her books. “I’ll get it out of you at some point, though.”

Poppy laughs. “I’ll try to help her forget,” they say to Willow. “Can you help me with the hand bones too?”

---

Willow has trouble sleeping that night. It’s not entirely unusual for him, but his thoughts are busy from the study session and Sage teasing him about his gift. Grackle was just a friend, after all. Hardly even that. They’d met three times and all three meetings had been as doctor and patient. Acquaintances, really.

He’s staring up at the ceiling when something falls down onto his floor. Another gift? It had to be pretty big this time to make that sort of a noise. He sits up in bed, turning to the window to see Grackle kneeling there, golden eyes piercing through the darkness.

Willow hops out of bed and pads over to him, crouching by his side. He can’t smell any blood--and it actually looks like he’s wearing a plain cloth tunic and leggings instead of his leathers for once. “Grackle?” he whispers. “What’s wrong?”

Grackle takes in a ragged breath, reaching out a hand to steady himself on Willow’s shoulder. “Hurts,” he rasps.

“What hurts?” Willow asks. “What can I do?” Grackle takes hold of his wrist with his other hand, guiding it to his chest and placing it against his left breast. Even through the tunic, Willow feels a burning heat and an irregular throbbing. “Is it your heart?” he asks, eyes widening in panic. “I-I don’t think I can--”

Grackle shakes his head, pressing Willow’s hand down closer. Willow focuses--he can feel Grackle’s heartbeat beneath the throbbing. So it was something else. “Are you sick?” He shakes his head again. “Do you want some pain salve?” He nods.

Willow stands, and Grackle comes with, practically clinging to his shoulder and hand for support. He leads the assassin over to his bed and sits him down. Willow had taken to storing a small selection of medical supplies in his drawers, things that he had the foresight to pay for rather than sneak out of the clinic’s supplies. He retrieves a vial of pain salve and sits down next to Grackle.

“Can you take off your tunic?” Willow asks. Grackle does so without hesitation. There on his left breast, right where Willow had seen the cross-shaped scar on their first meeting, is an ugly purple glow that pulses seemingly at random. “Stars above,” he whispers, touching the spot gently. He can feel that Grackle’s covered in sweat, from the pain or the heat or both. Now he wasn’t so sure that the pain salve would help--he’s never seen anything like this. But he knows he has to try. He uncorks the vial and dabs some of the salve onto his fingertips, then starts massaging it into the pulsating scar. Grackle hisses a breath and leans forward, resting his forehead on the crook of Willow’s neck while the physician works.

Willow wipes his hand on the hem of his nightgown and replaces the cork when he’s done. “I hope this helps,” he says, reaching a hand out to rub Grackle’s back in an attempt to reassure him. “Do you need to be somewhere tonight? It might be best to wait and see if it works.”

Grackle shakes his head, but doesn’t lift it from Willow’s shoulder. His breathing is starting to even out, though it still comes in gasps and he shudders whenever the light pulses especially bright. The two of them wait in the quiet darkness for several minutes, Grackle unmoving, Willow continuing to rub his back.

The throbbing and pulsing of Grackle’s chest doesn’t lessen, but Willow does feel him relax slightly under his touch. “Is it better?” he asks. Grackle makes a quiet grunt, and Willow takes that as an affirmative. He sighs, relieved. “I’m so glad. I don’t like seeing--seeing people in pain.” He’d almost said “seeing you in pain,” and didn’t that fuel the fire that Sage’s words had incited.

Though he seems calmer, Grackle doesn’t move from his spot. Willow hesitantly moves his hand over to stroke his hair lightly; it’s damp with sweat, like the rest of him. “Should you be going?” he asks. “I need to try and sleep too…”

There’s a moment of silence, then Grackle mutters, “Stay?”

Willow certainly didn’t expect that. “I suppose you can… I don’t have any spare pillows, though,” he says. “And the floor’s probably not comfortable.”

Grackle grunts and shakes his head, moving his hand to grasp Willow’s. “Here.”

“Oh.” Willow feels heat creeping up into his cheeks. Oh, indeed. Maybe this was just a Blackbird thing.

“Alright, then,” he says, giving Grackle’s hand a squeeze. “Come on.” Grackle lifts his head then, and in the gloom Willow can see disbelief. “Well, why’d you ask if you thought I’d say no?” He smiles. “I don’t mind it.”

Willow lowers himself onto the bed, rearranging himself so Grackle has more room, and Grackle presses himself against the wall to try not to crowd Willow. It takes a bit of rearranging, but they eventually settle on Grackle resting his head on Willow’s shoulder, face half-buried into his chest.

“Goodnight,” he hears Grackle mumble.

“Goodnight, Grackle,” Willow says, closing his eyes. Somehow he feels like he’ll have no trouble sleeping now.

[cloudberry-sims]

“ I never felt That it was wise To wish too much To dream too big Would only lead To being crushed”   

[phynxrizng]

ELEMENTALS THAT EVERY WITCH SHOULD KNOW

Elementals that every witch should know

Elementals are those mystical creatures that dwell within the spirit realm of the elements, watched over and controlled by the Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty Ones, Old Ones, or the Guardians). Elementals can be related to “nature spirits” and the old favorite, ever written about “witches’ familiar”. These are the spirits that govern all nature, the “forces of life” that may be summoned to assist in working magic. It’s important therefore that we understand “who they are” and “what they represent”. Earth spirits are known as Gnomes, Air spirits as Sylphs, Fire spirits as Salamanders, and Water spirits are called Undines.

After the circle is formed and consecrated with the elements, a witch may next call down the quarters by invoking the Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty Ones, Old Ones, the Guardians), to preside and watch over the proceedings. Specific elementals; those whose correspondences best suit the work or rite being carried out, may then be invited to participate. Their correspondences are closely related to those of the elements, so I shall not re-write them here (See Correspondences in Part 1). Care needs to be taken when calling the aid of elementals, due to the duplicity of all things. Elementals are not always the helpful little creature’s we expect them to be, and can be mischievous, bad tempered little devils if allowed to get out of control.

In folklore elementals were thought to be fickle, malicious and unpredictable spirits sent by the “wicked-witch” in the form of familiars to trick people into accidents and traps and sometimes killing them. This is the sort of belief that led to the plight of witches during the Witch-hunt’s and purges of the 17th–18th centuries. Still today in contemporary Witchcraft, witches use pets and animals as familiars, but stress and emphasizes is given to working with good and friendly elementals in producing positive magic. A colorful character from contemporary times that used a familiar was Sybil Leek. Her trademark was a cape, loose gown, and a pet jackdaw named “Mr. Hotfoot Jackson”.

Gnomes:

Gnomes are the spiritual beings who inhabit the spirit realm of the elements. As spirits of energy they are commonly invisible to the average person, only those that possess second sight can see them clearly. However being on the first level of the spirit realm, they are close enough to the physical realm in order to easily inter-react with it. By tradition Gnomes were the protectors of secret treasures hidden in caves beneath the earth. Legends have it that they were reluctant to help and aid humans, but if you were to gain the trust of one, they could prove to be powerful friends. On the other hand, if you were to lose their trust, deceive them or misuse their aid, then all hell could be let lose.

In Wicca/Witchcraft Gnomes are called to instill confidence, steadfastness and endurance, but can also be used to bring about gloom, melancholy and despair should that be required. In some old legends Gnomes were ruled over by a king called Gob whose followers became known as Goblins. Goblins were wondering mischievous sprites that would attach themselves to households, particularly those containing children. When they moved in, they would help by doing the chores at night and by playing with and disciplining the children, giving them presents when they were good or punishing them when they were bad.

When upset the Goblins general good nature could became unpredictable. They would bang pots and pans in the kitchen at night just to keep the household awake, or move furniture about while knocking on walls and doors and snatching bedclothes off sleeping persons, generally becoming a nuisance. You’ve heard of poltergeist activity? Well this is a type of it. A Poltergeist is generally believed to be the spirit of a departed person or animal, who hasn’t for various reasons withdrawn from the physical realm. It can also be an elemental that has been called for a task and for some reason failed to complete it, hence the haunting. Witches are often called to exorcise haunting by contacting the spirit and persuading it to move on, or if that fails they can contact higher spirits or deities to banish them.

Gnomes and Goblins can be called to aid all magic associated with the element Earth as given in the correspondences above.

Sylphs:

Sylphs are the spiritual beings that inhabit the spirit realm of the element Air. Their activities are manifest in the gatherings of clouds, in the blowing of the wind, the downpour of rain and the formation of snow. They are also responsible for the growth and maturity of all the plant life we see around us. In folklore, Sylphs appeared in many myths and legends. Some tales tell us that if you listened carefully, they would talk to you on the wind as it passed through caves and caverns.

Its been suggested that the Muses of Greek mythology were Sylphs who had assumed human form in order to guide humans on a spiritual path. They are associated with the activity of the mind and can influence and inspire human actions. It is generally though that they are attracted to poets and artists and instills them with visions of spiritual beauty. Sylphs are ruled by a King being known as Paralda, and in form they appear to humans as in the classic image of the fairies.

Sylphs can be called to aid in all magick associated with the element Air as shown in the correspondences above.

Salamanders:

Salamanders are the spiritual beings that inhabit and control the element Fire, and it is through their activities that fire exists. There are many family branches of salamanders each differing in size, appearance and dignity, and in folklore they were ruled over by a magnificent flaming king being called Djin. Salamanders are the strongest and most powerful of all the elementals having the ability to extend or diminish their size as needed. They and others of their kind are mischievous spirits, who like children don't fully understand the results of their actions, which can affect the thoughts and actions of people around them. As such, strong control is required when using their aid in ritual or magick.

Salamanders are thought to move about most freely at night and if you are ever lucky enough to see them, they would appear as small balls of light drifting across the air and water. Old-time sailors often saw them investigating the sails of their ships while sailing at sea, and the term “St. Elmo’s Fire” was coined to refer to such phenomenon. On land they are mostly perceived as small lizard-like flames about a foot or more in length.

When used in magick, Salamanders can have a profound effect upon human nature. Linked through the heat with which we maintain are bodily temperatures, they can influence our emotions and general temperament. When someone is called a hothead, or is referred to as hot-blooded, these are terms referring to their elemental nature.

Undines:

Undines are the spiritual beings that inhabit the spirit realm of the element Water. They not only exist in the water itself, but also in substances of humidity and all other liquids. They appear to humans as beautiful water nymphs or the classic mermaids of myths and legends which tell of them being seen gracefully riding the waves of the ocean shimmering and shining with all the colors of the sea. They are also said to frequent marshlands, rocky pools, springs, streams and wells. They control the forces of nature in relation to plant and marine life as well as the tides and motions of water.

In some cultures undines inhabited waterfalls, while others live in rivers and lakes, every fountain had its nymph, and every ocean its oceanides (daughters of Oceanus the Titan ruler of the sea before Poseidon). In folklore the ruler of the undines is a being called Necksa whom they love, serve, and honor unceasingly. Undines are emotional beings, very friendly and open to being of service to humans, but care must be taken when working with undines for they can have a strong influence upon a person’s emotional well-being.

The smaller undines were often portrayed as tiny winged beings that people have mistakenly called fairies. Seen near flowers and plants that grow in watery areas, they had gossamer wings and shining clothing. Some undine’s closely resembled people in appearance and size, they lived in coral caves under the ocean or on the shores of lakes and banks of rivers. Undines work with the vital essences, the liquids of plants, animals, and human beings and are present in everything containing water.

Undines can be called to aid in all magick associated with the element Water as shown in the correspondences above.

Source,

Controverscial.Com

Found in , Witches of the Craft.com

Reposted by, PHYNXRIZNG

[jackhkeynes]

A Markish Castle

excerpted in translation from trevold Children of the Battle of Rexam, written in 1931 by schoolteacher Jon Paldreth.

Noc obstroint l'er fait poy martial de character, Andreu ant sy ment indeslocabr a jainç e sepostion nonscalent vars tact naðeu vole dar ig jo fos incaint a carceration souvar entr y mur dy Castel Safford lon tarm, ben fin a i sceus me benoçar megl. Though he was not particularly martial-minded, Andrew's uncompromising tactical nous and cavalier disregard for simple diplomacy meant I would likely languish as a prisoner at Safford Castle indefinitely, or until he could put me to some better use.

Val poy; y cambr sta calt cos bel degnant y morostaðde janver tras port, ant un foy kirtant eudæmon sou tapeçment lonc un victoir markesc ancour descreint—j'appone—tandy y pardastr afont no sta bogr discernibr. No matter; the room was warm despite the January gloom outside, a merrily-crackling fire under a long tapestry depicting—I assumed—another Markish victory, though it was anyone's guess against whom.

Ag mur atras, jo saveu des y clartað dy ci quarrel ig il forn cos recent affis all'oc ans veil, accas plausibr ne carganç des y hal dy praxitel bavarn. On the other wall, the clarity of the panes suggested they were a recent addition to this old wing, possibly commissioned from the Bavarn masters.

Allors aye jo plusour fenestr parceut y veðr zajadau dy siecr derran tenent tojorn, un vert obægr surcaint just inequivalibr par y lumner a tijon. Elsewhere I had noticed many windows still held the jackdaw glass of the previous century, in a sickly green that could not quite be offset with torchlight.

[dansnaturepictures]

15/10/2020-A sunny autumn Thursday: Lakeside and more

When out for my lunch time walk on a very sunny day today I enjoyed more wonderful autumnal leaves scenes, taking the first two pictures in this photoset in glorious sunshine of trees out the front of the house (one I’d photographed before a lot this autumn already out the front, a nice different angle of it) and some visible from the back of the house which I have taken pictures of from my room this time I walked a different way round the back of the house in the streets to get to Lakeside to see these trees. 

On the way to Lakeside I noticed yet more shaggy ink cap mushrooms the theme of my week and a theme of a lot of recent weeks I have seen and photographed so many at the front of the house so a different area. So some more pictures of these including the third picture in this photoset, but in my defense today’s including one I tweeted as well were both taken with my big lens rather than my macro/close up lens which I didn’t take with me today and the light was slightly different to yesterday so I didn’t mind photographing them again the light very autumnal that lovely sweet sunlight which is so good for taking pictures in but in the right area a slight raw gloom about it which is very autumnal. 

I walked on and into Lakeside and enjoyed taking the fourth, fifth and sixth pictures in this photoset of the sun nicely over a lake, a view down a path a very sunny autumnal one I thought and a lovely Moorhen. At Lakeside and at home I took in yet more stunning autumnal leaves scenes with the reds and yellow especially looking so nice today on the trees and it was really so much better and so much brighter seeing it in glorious sunshine too. 

As I walked on along the westernmost lake and over the bridge the day suddenly really came to life for birds as I got another cracking view and photo opportunity for an adult Great Crested Grebe the one I took the seventh picture in this photoset of I saw one under the bridge and took a photo with my bridge camera the day before we went to Norfolk towards the end of last month and this time I got a chance to do it with my DSLR camera and big lens on. I was happy with the result on this sunny day. As I walked over the bridge I was delighted to hear another of my favourite birds the Buzzard calling their distinctive high-pitched call. It sounded distant but I looked up and there briefly over my head was a Buzzard flying. I got a sensational view of this bird flying really nicely and I took the eighth picture in this photoset of it the first flying picture I’ve taken for a while of a bird really. A fantastic few moments watching this bird before it flew on. Its always an amazing day when you see a Buzzard and especially so locally at Lakeside this is a regular pair that are around here and at home, but to see it against a bright blue sky and get a photograph is one of the best things in nature for me and has been for ages. It was a brilliant moment. I liked the picture I took of it I took a Buzzard picture here in May my best for two years I always seem to photograph Buzzards well in years ending in even numbers, being the year its been this year those weren’t the only Buzzards I’ve taken but I feel like this one has probably bettered those for quality and particularly of note some at Martin Down that same month so I’ve been spoiled with Buzzard picture opportunities this year. These two specific birds which I saw before and in the early days of strict lockdown raising my spirits once more today. I then walked on and got really close views of the three young Great Crested Grebes too swimming quite close off a fishing platform another intimate moment with these birds which was nice I took the ninth picture in this photoset of some. 

I walked on and reflected on how my Lakeside walks this week have become more tranquil. I think that’s because perhaps as autumn comes and maybe people are not out on social distancing exercise walks as much with how the pandemic is going Lakeside just seems quieter despite really nice weather. But I think just generally getting into nature really does help you focus and sharpen the mind and the sense of peace. And as I walked to behind the steam railway station I was thoroughly enjoying my walk and I reflected probably for the first time - I may have said it on here and otherwise without really thinking about it - not only for the amazing wildlife I see here locally I am so lucky to have Lakeside Country Park right near to me only a short walk away from home and I can just take some time out each lunch or most lunch times as I do for within Winchester when in the office and get lost in a walk and in nature. 

As I walked in front of the steam railway station I heard the harsh and sharp call of the Jay and was delighted to see it fly out across me. I had seen one here on Monday for the first time in ages, in my big autumnal themed week Jay is quite an autumnal bird to see with their association with acorns. It made it after Friday another favourite bird hat trick of mine seeing the three of them on my walk. When home and back working after taking in more nice mushroom and flower views on the green on the way I took the tenth and final picture in this photoset of a Woodpigeon I took a Collared Dove one earlier in the day. I also as I finished working enjoyed watching a lovely sky scene and sunset which I tweeted pictures of. A fantastic Thursday I hope you all had a great and safe day. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: Three of my favourite birds the Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard and Jay, Mallard, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Magpie, some close views of Carrion Crows again today and two dragonflies briefly probably Common Darters together and a great view of a Speckled Wood on leaves right in front of my face it seemed as I walked right towards it with my eyes fixed on the tree. 

[stevelcroft-blog]

Playing Chicken with Crows

I visited the Jackdaw roost again this afternoon determined to settle once and for all whether this was an actual roost or a pre-roost gathering site before heading off to a distant much larger nighttime resting site. 

We, me and the dogs, left it much later before climbing the wooded hillside from Park Bridge towards the back end of Fitton Hill. We could hear gangs of Jackdaws going overhead noisily calling to each other in what always sounds like happy banter. 

At the site we stood on the far side of the field with the treeline silhouetted against the setting sun in the west, the gloom gathering behind us. Around 400 birds gathered in the three trees we have become accustomed to seeing them in. Each arriving group of 40-50 birds caused a clamour of chatter from the growing throng, and an airborne burst upwards as the new arrivals were accommodated into the roost. 

After about fifteen minutes wait another vertical explosion of birds occurred only this time about half of the birds set off across the sky away from us roughly north-westerly. This correlates with what I suspected - I’ve been told of a large Jackdaw roost near to Rochdale/Middleton and drawing a line on my map as the crow flies (sorry) from Fitton Hill to the site is roughly the direction they took off. 

Now we waited. I was sure that the remaining 200 would soon rise. We waited again. In the adjacent treeline around 60 Carrion Crows gathered to roost - their behaviour to each other aloof and snooty compared to the fun social scene of the Jackdaws. The crows seem to accept the sense of roosting together for safety but almost seemed to resent the need to be so close to each other - the space between each of them almost equal across the roost. 

Stood in the stillness other birds flew into the trees at chest height close enough to feel the breath of their wingbeats - quite a treat in itself. 

We waited. I began to feel that this was a bit of a standoff. The birds had the advantage in that if they were to leave they were flying into the light. Me, I had to retreat into the already dark woodland. 

Other wildlife emerged in the shape of other humans passing right by us oblivious to our presence - should I cough out of politeness to show them I’m not some lurking weirdo? No, just hope the dogs don’t move and disclose our presence. 

Then a rebellious youth on a mini-scrambler bike came churning up the field in defiance in front of us, clearly a rebel who didn’t feel quite confident enough to come out in the glare of the afternoon.  He too was eventually beaten by the darkness.

Finally  was too engulfed in gloom to risk staying longer. They had out-waited me and won. I am no wiser about whether Jackdaws roost there...yet. 

[cloudberry-sims]

“ My days of doubt Were in the past With you around You helped me feel I had a place Direction found

You showed me that A greater dream Can be achieved Enough resolve Will conquer…

The light you gave to guide me Will never Fade Away But moving forward never felt As hard as today 

Now it's cold without you here It's like winter lasts all year But your star's still in the sky So I won't say goodbye I don't have to say goodbye  ” 

Cold - By Casey Lee Williams & Jeff Williams