#Silas x Albert

[selene-and-the-cold]

Taking a Ride (OCs, M/M)

Good evening, snzblr.

I successfully talked myself into fleshing out that Victorian carriage ride scenario a bit more. In a perfect universe, I would take enough time to make it the perfect fic. In that universe, I would write a first draft, then edit this, let it rest for a few more days, then re-edit, and edit some more until it was perfect, but since these past few weeks are the first time I've written anything in AGES and I don't trust this muse to be around forever, I am currently working on the premise: getting it done "ok" is better than getting nothing done at all.

Therefore, I do present the very fresh and un-beta-ed version of this little ficlet, featuring two spanking new OCs Silas and Albert, who did not exist 12 hours ago, yet here they are, making out in a carriage.

Thank you so much @empresskaze for solving my name-conondrum. I literally spent half the day not writing, but fussing over the name for one of the main characters and probalby wouldn't have gotten anything done if it weren't for your wonderful suggestion!

***

Taking a Ride

"Alright, but you've got to promise to be quiet, Bertie“ Lord Silas admonished, and was rewarded with another giggle from his dear friend the Honorable Sir Albert Percival Wardington. Perhaps they should have left their Gentlemen's Club one drink sooner when Albert had still been mainly sober. But it was no use lamenting now that the damage had been done and Albert sat opposite him in the carriage, all tipsy giggles.

"My coachman has excellent hearing, so we've got to be quiet to be discreet.“

"I know, I knowwwww, I'll be as quiet as a mouse, you can trust me, Sy, I promise!,“ Albert declared, then pretended to lock his lips with an invisible key, hiccuped and giggled once again.

“Alright, I believe you. You are in luck that I've been missing you so terribly while you were away on business in Cardiff, my dear Albert... Otherwise I might not have agreed to take you back to your town house in my carriage with me tonight.”

Albert sniffled thickly. “Mbuch obliged...”

“Ah, but I presume I have to come over to your side of the carriage, my dear,” Silas mused, “Otherwise this wouldn't be a true reunion, would it~ ?”

It was scandalous enough as it was that Albert was so visibly, undeniably tipsy, but now to be sharing his carriage with him, doing what they were... well... planning to do? Many a good God-fearing Christian matron would be utterly scandalised.

Fortunately, no good God-fearing Christian matrons were present at the moment, so Silas proceeded to sit on Albert's lap, straddling him, and holding his silken cravat as a kind of rein to keep himself steady.

„Now Bertie, that's much better, isn't it?“

Albert nodded, then sniffled suddenly and rubbed his nose against his palm before he answered.

"Mbuch better. You were so very far away all evening, especially during that awfully boring game of charades.“

"Alas, they assigned me to the other team or else we could have been seated next to each other,“ Silas agreed, making himself comfortable on Albert's lap. Albert grinned, his gaze only a little bit out of focus, then grabbed Silas' buttocks to steady him as well as to make up for all the time without the opportunity of touching each other. Silas gave a little high-pitched squeal, at which Albert tutted. "Sshhhhh.... you've got to be quiet, Sy, or your coachman will hear you! snfff Don't you remember?“

Silas playfully swatted Albert's shoulder at his reprimanding words. "Oh, you! Perhaps you should attempt finding a way to ensure that I'll be quiet from now on, then...”

"With pleasure,“ Albert murmured, his lips so close to Silas's that he could feel his hot, urgent breath crest against them. Albert smelled of brandy, lavender and sandalwood, topped off with some of the cigar-smoke that permeated the Gentlemen's club, and that special something Silas couldn't quite place, but that was Albert's very own scent, which reminded Silas of long walkds through the forest. In short – like a heady, absolutely delicious mix.

The next thing he knew, Albert closed the gap between them and kissed him passionately, hot lips burning against his, while Albert's fingers dug a little deeper into his buttocks.

Silas smirked into their kiss as he could feel Albert's reaction to his closeness grow underneath himself. It seemed that Albert could not restrain himself as good as he usually could while he was tipsy. Or perhaps Albert had missed him just as much as Silas had missed Albert.

“Careful, we cannot afford getting too carried away. You need to be in a state that allows you to leave the carriage as a respectable man once we arrive at your town house,” Silas admonished still the voice of reason despite how much he wanted Albert. It had been weeks since they'd spent a night together. Silas longed for Albert's familiar weight next to him in bed, but it was tricky to steal a night for themselves without it being too obvious. Fortunately, they were both bachelors, so there were only neighbours and servants to worry about, not wives.

“Mmhmm.. I don't want to be respectable,”Albert protested, sloppily kissing a trail down Silas' neck. “I want to be thoroughly wanton and outrageously indecent-...ehh....hehh... Heh'SSHHuH!”

Without much warning, Albert had sneezed all over Silas's neck, who sat stock-still for a moment, his pulse throbbing in his veins. Hell's teeth, this had felt surprisingly good.

“B- Bless you,” Silas stammered after a few moments, relaxing once more.

“I'b sorry...” Albert sniffled thickly against his neck, his voice sounding decidedly stuffy all of a sudden. “I think I caught a bit of a chill id Cardiff. It was ghastly cold 'n rainy while I was there.. Hehhh....ESSHhhTsshU! Ugh... pardon mbe.”

Another sneeze muffled right into Silas, who sighed in a sudden bout of pleasure, then pulled away afterwards to take a proper look at Albert's sniffly face. This close, he could see the dark circles under Albert's beautiful blue eyes, and the slight touch of pink around the edges of his nose.

“Mhm.. it seems you did indeed catch a chill, my dear Bertie,” Silas cooed, taking Albert's face in his hands to study it with more scrutiny. ”Judging from the way you look, it is no small chill, either... but don't fret, I'll keep you warm and distracted until you're home~”

With that, Silas tugged at Albert's cravat to reel him in for another kiss, deep and slow this time. A little voice in the back of his head told him that sticking his tongue down the throat of a sick man was probably not the best idea, but this was his Bertie, who had been gone for far too long and who was in dire need of some comfort, so sod all the qualms about getting sick as well.

The carriage rumbled over the cobblestone streets while the two men continued to kiss and caress in the back of it. Hands and mouths traveled through soft hair and warm skin, dipped under folds of expensive fabric to explore, tease, and tickle as the two men celebrated their reunion.

A few times, Silas had to shush Albert, whose usually calm demeanour somehow melted away in the throws of passion. So much so that Silas had had to resort to stuffing a cravat in Albert's mouth once before. Fortunately, no such measures had to be taken today, and Albert could be silenced by hushing and kisses alone.

As the carriage rolled over a particularly bumpy part of road, all the jostling created an interesting friction between Silas' and Albert's laps, their bodies rubbing delightfully against each other. Albert giggled yet again, then bucked his hips with Silas on top of him, before he asked with a most seductive little pout: “Dod't you think you could sndeak out of the carriage and come home with mbe, Sy? Just for tonight?”

Albert's voice was heavy with congestion by now, and he had barley finished his question, when a pitiful sneeze shuddered through him, sending both himself and Silas a little forward in his seat.

“Hehh'ERRrrSSHHU'!!!”

“Mhm, bless you again,” Silas purred, pulling a fine handkerchief from his suit pocket to dab at Albert's nose. It had started to run considerably at some point during their heated kisses, but there simply just had not been the right moment to take care of it. Silas had been far too distracted by Albert's hands, lips, teeth, and tongue all over him. Now that things calmed down a bit, Silas took a moment to take in Albert's features. He was quite pale, except for he wonderful blush that their shenanigans and perhaps the slightes touch of fever had painted on his cheeks. He looked utterly delicious and adorable and Silas regretted more than anything that he would have to decline.

“I'm afraid I can't, Bertie. There is an important meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. My father wrote to inform me that he'll travel down from our country estate to meet me tomorrow morning. Apparently, he wants to have a word regarding some urgent business. I'm sure it's terribly boring, but I am obliged to attend.”

Being a second son, Silas mostly had the pleasure and leasure to do as he pleased. No one excpected him to marry and produce an heir. This was all taken care of by his older brother Reginald, thank God! In fact, no one expected anything much of him, but Silas was not the type of person to waste his life away in complete idleness, so he took an interest in the family affairs and supported his father and brother in running the family estate as well as managing their land and tenants.

“Besides, I do belive you should take some time to rest, my dear. If I were to join you, you'd surely not get remotely as much rest as this cold of yours demands.”

Albert pouted, then sniffled dramatically, congestion shifting audibly as he did.

“Promise you'll get plenty of rest tomorrow?,” Silas asked softly, cupping Albert's cheek. Their joined carriage ride was almost over as the carriage had just turned into Albert's street.

“Only if you prombise to visit mbe od mby sickbed as soon as that dastardly business with your father is done and dealt with.”

“I will, I promise,” Silas assured, then stole one last tender kiss before the carriage began to slow down.

The two men hastily smoothed away any signs of disarray from their clothes as well as their faces, so that Albert emerged a few moments later from the carriage with his usual mask of bland disinterest in place, seeming for all the world that nothing noteworthy had happened that night – except for a few too many drinks and the early stages of a terribly contagious headcold.

[comicwaren]

From Dark X-Men Vol. 2 #004, “Up Jumped the Devil”

Art by Jonas Scharf and Frank Martin

Written by Steve Foxe

[neverinadream]

Peanut Butter And Baby Names

Summary: You and Christian feel your baby kick for the first time during another discussion about potential baby names.

Pairing: Christian Pulisic x Ex-Fem!Reader

Requested: Yes

Warnings: a cliffhanger because i'm annoying like that, not proofread

Notes: i kinda like the dynamic i have going between puli and the reader. anyway, feedback is always welcome and requests are OPEN

Christian taps the pen against the edge of his kitchen counter, the notepad in front of him with a list of names half the length of the page, most of them crossed out with a line through the middle. "What about Albert?" He asks, scribbling the name down. The name above it was Silas, which you didn't take an offence too, but you weren't the most excited about it either.

You look up from your own notepad, a slice of apple covered in peanut butter hanging from the corner of your mouth. "Albert?" He dips his head, already crossing the name out before you could disagree with it. Swallowing a chunk of apple, you shake your head as you wipe your mouth with the back of your hand. "Unless Sprog is going to pop looking like a sixty year old man, who spends his evenings sitting on a porch swing, reminiscing about the good old days with his wife, who has just brought out freshly made lemonade for them, then we are not naming our baby Albert."

"Sprog?" The corners of his mouth curl into a half smile. "That's a new one. What happened to calling it peanut?"

You shrug your shoulders. "Kinda feels weird calling them peanut when I'm eating so much peanut butter, you know?" Since neither of you wanted to know the gender before it was born, you had taken to calling it various nicknames. First it was bean, then it was peanut and now it was sprog.

"Yeah, about that," he chuckles, catching you as you roll your eyes, "I thought you said peanut butter was the worst thing you had ever tried?"

"It still is," you reply, scooping more peanut butter onto the end of a new apple slice, "I wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten foot barge pole if it wasn't Sprog making me crave it." With the apple slice hanging out your mouth, you look down at your own list of baby names. "What about...Tabitha?"

"I like it-"

"-But?"

"But kinda sounds like a cat's name."

Marking down a question mark next to the name, you lay your pen down beside your notepad. "Who knew chosing a baby name would be so hard?" You ask, rhetorically, mumbling through a mouthful of apple. At nearly five months pregnant, you and Christian had begun to discuss endless list of possible names but none of them really seemed to stick. Last week, you both liked the name Margot for a girl and Grayson for a boy; it only took a couple of hours before you were crossing the names off the lists, texting Christian to tell him you disliked the names with immense passion, especially Margot, because you remember there was one particular Margot you went to school with. "Babies should just be nameless until they possess the ability to talk," you tell him, shifting in your seat, "that way they can pick their own name."

"What? And end up with a child named - oh, i don't know - Sprinkle Dust Unicorn?" He questions your idea, the two of you taking a second to laugh with each other. For a second, you catch his eyes, the overhead kitchen counter lights reflecting off them and the crinkles making them look soft than they were. You swallow the last of your apple, quickly looking away. "You should write that one down," he suggests, reaching across the counter, attempting to pinch an apple slice. You jab the back of your pen into his hand, making him drop the slice back onto the plate. "Still the same then?"

"And worse now that I'm pregnant," you tell him the truth. He rubs the back of his hand, tucking it into his pocket once the pain had subsided. You can feel his eyes flicking between his notepad and yourself as you flick back through the other names. "You know, I actually kinda like-" You look up, feeling your face grow warm when you catch him staring at you. His gaze was soft and familiar to you, holding the same expression he had on his face the first time he told you he loved you. Months ago, you would've craved to have seen that soft look on his face, in contrast to the cold shoulder he had been expressing in the weeks leading up to the break-up. "Don't look at me like that," you mumble, looking back down, shrugging it off.

"Like what?"

"You know what I mean," you sigh, shaking your head.

Christian chuckles, the sound soft and pleasing to your ears. "No," he answers, "no, I don't."

Your eyes flicker away from the notepad to find him still looking at you. "You look at me like you're still in love with me," you mumble, chewing on the end of your pen, "you had the same look the night you told me you loved me for the first time."

"Maybe I still do love you."

"Well, maybe you're just...clinically insane," you tell him, suppressing the fuzziness you feel as watch the smile slowly creep onto his lips, "you ever thought about that? I would, if I still loved my ex."

He took a chance. "And do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Do you still love your ex?" He asks, leaning forwards, resting his body weight on his forearms. "Do you still love me?"

Wiping the end of your pen against your thigh, you clear your throat. "You know what," you change the subject, pushing the plate and jar of peanut butter away, "now that I think about it, I kinda like the name Ellington." You rewrite the name Ellington at the bottom of your list, placing a question mark beside it.

He reaches once more for an apple slice, grinning when you don't try to slap his hand away. "That wasn't the answer I was looking for," he laughs, taking a bite.

Nodding your head, you slip off the bar stool, collecting your empty glass. "I think that's the exact answer you were looking for," you reply, walking over to the sink. He looks at your bump, smiling fondly as your back turns to him. "You had asked if I liked the name Ellington," you turn on the cold tap, letting it run for a second, "and I said that I kinda liked it."

He turns away from the island counter, one hand slipping into his pocket as the other still holds half a slice of apple, joining you at his kitchen sink. "That's not what I asked at all and you know it," he continues to laugh.

You pretend to play dumb. "Well, if that isn't what you asked me, then what was it?"

"I asked if you still lo-"

"The name Freya?" You fill your glass with water, shutting the tap off and drying your hand down the back of your leggings, wiping away some of the water that had spilled out of the glass. "Hmm," the whole act only made him laugh louder, "I do like it. You should put it down on the list." You turn to face him, your head tilted back a little to look at him. Raising the glass to lips, you take a sip of water to wash away the taste of peanut butter that still remained in your mouth. "Anymore quest-"

He watches your expression quickly change, sticking out his hand as your hand suddenly drops, preventing the glass from slipping out of your grasp. "What is it? What's the matter? Is something-"

"-Hush!" You grab his other hand, shaking the piece of apple away, the half eaten slice hitting the tiled floor with a soft thud, and bring it to rest against the right side of your bump. "Just be quiet," you mumble, chewing your bottom lip as you concentrated, moving his hand down in search of it again. Like the soft feeling of butterflies you got whenever you're nervous, you could feel your baby kicking again. "Did you feel it?" You break into a smile, casting your eyes up to meet his.

They're wide and staring back at you, his cheeks turning rosey as he copies your smile. "Was that a kick?" He asks, waiting, just like you, for the moment to finally happen. A half strangled laugh breaks past his lips, nearly sounding like a sob when you both feel another kick. "Hi, baby girl," he coos, stroking his thumb delicately over your bump.

Almost on instinct, you reach to touch his face, wiping away a tear of surprise. "Baby girl?"

"Mom thinks she's gonna be a girl," Christian tells you, not wanting to take his hand away incase the baby kicks again, "and I think so too."

"Well, our mothers must be drinking the same water," you joke, having heard the same prediction from your own.

His hand caresses your bump, teasing out a soft sigh. "Was that first time they've kicked?" Nodding your head, you rest your hand on his arm, stroking your thumb over his tattoos. There's a tattoo hidden amongst his sleeve he got on whim as dedication to you. No one knows about it except for you. "You're not just saying that to make me happy, are you?" You weren't a stranger to the notion that Christian was afraid of missing so much with the situation you two were in. "I already feel like I've missed so much already," he mumbles, finally taking his hand away.

Your hand slides down his arm until you're holding onto the ends of his fingers. "Well, you don't miss this," it was half-assed attempt at making him feel better.

"But what about the first time they smile? Or the first time they laugh? I-I don't want to miss the little things, Y/N-"

"-You worry too much," you interupt him.

He drops your hand, take a step back and turning his back on you. "Can you blame me?" His hands are resting on the edge of the counter, his shoulders slumped over. If you had still been together, you'd have gone over to him and wrapped your arms around him, nuzzling your face between his shoulder blades. And if that didn't make him talk to you, or at least smile, you would just have to resort to tickling his sides. That always did the trick. "I was talking to Azpi the other day about what it's like to be both a footballer and a dad," he tells you.

"I'm sure he gave you some great tips," you reply, taking your seat.

"He did," Christian nods, "and he also said the first thing he does after coming home from an away match is hug his kids. Or, if he gets back late and they're already asleep, he'll go and give them a quick kiss on the forehead and make sure they're tucked in properly." His head dips, his chin nearly touching his chest, as his fingertips curl against the cold countetop. "I want that with our kid, Y/N," he admits, voice breaking as he sighs, "but I just know I won't."

"I have an idea" You speak up. His head shoots up, willing to hear what you had to offer. "It's a risk and might just jeopardise everything we've agreed to," the idea was so fresh in your mind that you could even barely understand it yourself, "but the last thing I want is for you to ever feel like you're missing out as dad."

"What is it?" He asks. "What's your idea?"

"What if I move back in?"

Football taglist: @shanoontje @maseandkepa   @theblxefox @blueathens  @ofxinnocence @masonchilwell @1-800-benji-chilwell @mrschilly @geek-and-proud @in-my-body-bag @laurasstufff1 @mountchilly

[diplomatstime]

Brazil’s President Bolsonaro tests positive for coronavirus

RIO DE JANEIRO  — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said Tuesday he has tested positive for the new coronavirus after months of downplaying its severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country. The 65-year-old right-wing populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital, Brasilia. He said he is taking hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug that he, like President Donald Trump, has been promoting even though it has not been proven effective against COVID-19. “I’m, well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” Bolsonaro said. “I thought I had it before, given my very dynamic activity. I’m president and on the combat lines. I like to be in the middle of the people.” Brazil, the world’s sixth-biggest nation, with more than 210 million people, is one of the outbreak’s most lethal hot spots. More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19, and over 1.5 million have been infected. Both numbers are the world’s second-highest totals, behind those of the U.S., though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing. On Tuesday alone, 1,254 deaths were confirmed. Other world leaders who have had bouts with COVID-19 include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. Bolsonaro is “the democratic leader who has most denied the seriousness of this pandemic,” said Maurício Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. “Him getting infected is a blow to his credibility. It will be seen as another example of the failure of his coronavirus response.” Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, at times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “little flu” if he were to contract it. He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course. For nearly two months, Brazil’s fight against COVID-19 has been in the hands of an interim health minister with no health experience before April. He took over after his predecessor, a doctor and health care consultant, quit in protest over Bolsonaro’s support for hydroxychloroquine. Bolsonaro on Tuesday likened the virus to a rain that will fall on most people and said that some, like the elderly, must take greater care. “You can’t just talk about the consequences of the virus that you have to worry about. Life goes on. Brazil needs to produce. You need to get the economy in gear,″ he said. Brazilian cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of the virus, as deaths began to decline along with the caseload in intensive care units. Bolsonaro supporter Silas Ribeiro said on the streets of Rio that the president is correct in saying the dangers of the virus have been exaggerated. “Our president is a popular man. He is showing that he isn’t afraid to die,” said Ribeiro, 59. “He is going to have health and get through this sickness.” Speaking near recently reopened shops in Rio, Wesley Morielo said he hopes Bolsonaro’s sickness prompts him to reassess his stance. “I think everything he said before, of not giving importance to COVID-19, came back against him,″ said Morielo, a 24-year-old student. The World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “brings home the reality of this virus” by showing that it doesn’t distinguish between “prince or pauper.” The president told reporters he underwent a lung X-ray on Monday after experiencing fever, muscle aches and malaise. As of Tuesday, his fever had subsided, he said, and he attributed the improvement to hydroxychloroquine. He stepped back from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looks well. Brazil’s benchmark Ibovespa stock index fell after Bolsonaro’s announcement, and closed 1.2% down on the day. Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office, requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018. He said on Tuesday that he canceled a trip this week to the country’s northeast region and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document. Unlike Britain’s prime minister, who moderated his rhetoric after testing positive for the virus, Bolsonaro will probably not change his stance, said Leandro Consentino, a political science professor at Insper, a university in Sao Paulo. “He’s going down a path of trying to indicate to his base of support that COVID-19 is just a little flu and take advantage of the illness to advertise for chloroquine,” Consentino said. On Tuesday afternoon, Bolsonaro posted a video to Facebook of him taking his dose of hydroxychloroquine. “I trust hydroxychloroquine. What do you think?” he said while laughing. Over the weekend, the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil, then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat, several ministers and aides. None wore masks. The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any symptoms but would be tested. Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with Trump in Florida. Members of his delegation to the U.S. were later reported to be infected. —By MARCELO DE SOUSA and DAVID BILLER (AP) Read the full article

[allbestnet]

The 5000 Best Books of All-Time

Book 251–499 (go to book 1 to 250)

251. All the King’s Men (1946) by Robert Penn Warren 252. The Maltese Falcon (1930) by Dashiell Hammett 253. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) by Mark Twain 254. Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori 255. Plague (1947) by Albert Camus 256. Jurassic Park (1990) by Michael Crichton 257. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson 258. Shogun (1975) by James Clavell 259. A Town Like Alice (1950) by Nevil Shute 260. Ambassadors (1903) by Henry James 261. Blood Meridian (1985) by Cormac McCarthy 262. No Country for Old Men (2005) by Cormac McCarthy 263. The Castle (1926) by Franz Kafka 264. Phantom of the Opera (1910) by Gaston Leroux 265. Middlesex (2002) by Jeffrey Eugenides 266. The Book of the New Sun (1994) by Gene Wolfe 267. Vanity Fair (1848) by William Makepeace Thackeray 268. Heidi by Johanna Spyri 269. Bluest Eye (1970) by Toni Morrison 270. Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand 271. Pippi Longstocking (1945) by Astrid Lindgren 272. The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1969) by John Fowles 273. North and South (1855) by Elizabeth Gaskell 274. Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2005) by Rick Riordan 275. Gilgamesh by 276. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare 277. Millennium series by Stieg Larsson 278. Cat’s Cradle (1963) by Kurt Vonnegut 279. Northanger Abbey (1817) by Jane Austen 280. The Secret History (1992) by Donna Tartt 281. Screwtape Letters (1942) by C.S. Lewis 282. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare 283. The World According to Garp (1978) by John Irving 284. A Confederacy of Dunces (1980) by John Kennedy Toole 285. Birdsong (1993) by Sebastian Faulks 286. Dandelion Wine (1957) by Ray Bradbury 287. Light in August (1932) by William Faulkner 288. The Glass Castle (2005) by Jeannette Walls 289. People’s History of the United States (2010) by Howard Zinn 290. Lamb by Christopher Moore 291. Water for Elephants (2006) by Sara Gruen 292. Moneyball (2003) by Michael Lewis 293. Three Men in a Boat (1889) by Jerome K. Jerome 294. Jungle (1906) by Upton Sinclair 295. The Forever War (1974) by Joe Haldeman 296. Le Pere Goriot by Honore de Balzac 297. Number the Stars (1989) by Lois Lowry 298. Siddhartha (1951) by Hermann Hesse 299. Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams 300. Misery (1987) by Stephen King 301. Calvin and Hobbes (1993) by Bill Watterson 302. I Am Legend (1954) by Richard Matheson 303. Tuesdays With Morrie (1997) by Mitch Albom 304. Medea by Euripides 305. The Witches (1983) by Roald Dahl 306. The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer 307. Where the Red Fern Grows (1961) by Wilson Rawls 308. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) by Hunter S. Thompson 309. Robinson Crusoe (1719) by Daniel Defoe 310. Angela’s Ashes (1996) by Frank McCourt 311. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (1963) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 312. Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) by Diana Wynne Jones 313. Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953) by James Baldwin 314. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1974) by John le Carre 315. Silmarillion (1977) by J.R.R. Tolkien 316. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958) by Truman Capote 317. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2006) by John Boyne 318. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 319. High Fidelity (1995) by Nick Hornby 320. Parade’s End (1928) by Ford Madox Ford 321. Kim (1901) by Rudyard Kipling 322. Snow Crash (1992) by Neal Stephenson 323. Works by William Shakespeare 324. Song of Solomon (1977) by Toni Morrison 325. Satanic Verses (1988) by Salman Rushdie 326. Ready Player One (2011) by Ernest Cline 327. Starship Troopers (1959) by Robert A. Heinlein 328. Mahabharata by Vyasa 329. Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) by Jules Verne 330. The Day of the Locust (1939) by Nathanael West 331. The Day of the Triffids (1951) by John Wyndham 332. My Antonia (1918) by Willa Cather 333. Swiss Family Robinson (1812) by Johann Wyss 334. I Capture the Castle (1948) by Dodie Smith 335. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990) by Dr. Seuss 336. Sirens of Titan (1959) by Kurt Vonnegut 337. The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King 338. The Golden Notebook (1962) by Doris Lessing 339. Tempest by William Shakespeare 340. Prophet (1923) by Kahlil Gibran 341. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers 342. Everything is Illuminated (2002) by Jonathon Safran Foer 343. The New York Trilogy (1987) by Paul Auster 344. The Host (2010) by Stephenie Meyer 345. How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) by Dale Carnegie 346. Brief History of Time (1988) by S.W. Hawking 347. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2005) by Jonathan Safran Foer 348. One Thousand and One Nights by 349. Winesburg, Ohio (1919) by Sherwood Anderson 350. Ivanhoe (1820) by Sir Walter Scott 351. Farewell to Arms (1929) by Ernest Hemingway 352. Awakening by Kate Chopin 353. Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder 354. Fun Home (2006) by Alison Bechdel 355. USA by John Dos Passos 356. The Shadow of the Wind (2001) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon 357. Ramayana by Valmiki 358. Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965) by Malcolm X 359. The Alchemist (1986) by Paulo Coelho 360. The Power of One (1989) by Bryce Courtenay 361. Aesop’s Fables by Aesop 362. The Virgin Suicides (1993) by Jeffrey Eugenides 363. Darkness at Noon (1940) by Arthur Koestler 364. Love You Forever (1986) by Robert Munsch 365. Batman by 366. Story of Ferdinand (1936) by Munro Leaf 367. Scott Pilgrim (2010) by 368. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) by Stephen R. Covey 369. Divergent (2011) by Veronica Roth 370. Outliers (2008) by Malcolm Gladwell 371. Childhood’s End (1953) by Arthur C. Clarke 372. A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen 373. Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831) by Victor Hugo 374. Thirteen Reasons Why (2007) by Jay Asher 375. Polar Express (1985) by Chris Van Allsburg 376. The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio 377. The Neverending Story (1979) by Michael Ende 378. Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway 379. Jungle Book (1894) by Rudyard Kipling 380. Shantaram (2003) by Gregory David Roberts 381. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst 382. Light in the Attic (1981) by Shel Silverstein 383. The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) by Brian Selznick 384. Scarlet Letter (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne 385. Jude the Obscure (1895) by Thomas Hardy 386. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien 387. Ringworld (1970) by Larry Niven 388. The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett 389. Redeeming Love (1991) by Francine Rivers 390. The Shipping News (1993) by E. Annie Proulx 391. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel 392. Thus Spake Zarathustra (1885) by Friedrich Nietzsche 393. Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902) by Beatrix Potter 394. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi 395. The Once and Future King (1958) by T.H. White 396. Little Dorrit (1857) by Charles Dickens 397. Mythology by Edith Hamilton 398. Gulag Archipelago (1973) by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 399. Invisible Cities (1972) by Italo Calvino 400. The Walking Dead (2003) by Robert Kirkman 401. Hush, Hush (2009) by Becca Fitzpatrick 402. Bridge to Terabithia (1977) by Katherine Paterson 403. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) by E.L. Konigsburg 404. Paradise Lost (1667) by John Milton 405. Moonstone (1868) by Wilkie Collins 406. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 407. Lovely Bones (2002) by Alice Seybold 408. Paper Towns (2008) by John Green 409. The Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith Jr. 410. Underworld (1997) by Don DeLillo 411. Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974) by Shel Silverstein 412. Battle Royale (1999) by Koushun Takami 413. The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson 414. Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) by Alan Paton 415. Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire 416. Waiting for the Barbarians (1980) by J.M. Coeztee 417. The Left Hand of Darkness (1969) by Ursula Le Guin 418. Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782) by Pierre-Ambroise-Francois Choderlos de Laclos 419. Bridget Jones’s Diary (1996) by Helen Fielding 420. Kane and Abel (1979) by Jeffrey Archer 421. Martian Chronicles (1950) by Ray Bradbury 422. Delirium (2011) by Lauren Oliver 423. Borrowers (1952) by Mary Norton 424. Origin of Species (1977) by Charles Darwin 425. Steve Jobs (2011) by Walter Isaacson 426. The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886) by Thomas Hardy 427. Killer Angels (1974) by Michael Shaara 428. The Poisonwood Bible (1998) by Barbara Kingsolver 429. Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997) by Jared Diamond 430. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1970) by Dee Alexander Brown 431. Book of Job by God 432. The Dark Tower by Stephen King 433. Under the Dome (2009) by Stephen King 434. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1966) by Robert A. Heinlein 435. Stories (1971) by Franz Kafka 436. Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889) by Mark Twain 437. Joy Luck Club (1989) by Amy Tan 438. The Sneetches and Other Stories (1989) by Dr. Seuss 439. The Blind Assassin (2000) by Margaret Atwood 440. The Graveyard Book (2008) by Neil Gaiman 441. A Suitable Boy (1993) by Vikram Seth 442. Sister Carrie (1900) by Theodore Dreiser 443. Constitution by United States 444. Notebook (1996) by Nicholas Sparks 445. Silas Marner by George Eliot 446. The Omnivore’s Dilemma (2006) by Michael Pollan 447. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1987) by Fannie Flagg 448. Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba 449. The Last Song (2009) by Nicholas Sparks 450. The Big Sleep (1939) by Raymond Chandler 451. Unwind (2007) by Neal Shusterman 452. A Walk to Remember (1999) by Nicholas Sparks 453. Republic by Plato 454. Little House in the Big Woods (1932) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 455. The Sandman (1996) by Neil Gaiman 456. Speak (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson 457. The Selfish Gene (1976) by Richard Dawkins 458. Lorna Doone (1869) by R.D. Blackmore 459. The Far Pavilions (1978) by M.M. Kaye 460. Gargantua and Pantagruel by Francois Rabelais 461. The Maze Runner (2009) by James Dashner 462. Bonfire of the Vanities (1987) by Tom Wolfe 463. Glass by 464. House at Pooh Corner (1928) by A.A. Milne 465. Tawny Man by Robin Hobb 466. Kafka on the Shore (2002) by Haruki Murakami 467. Portrait of a Lady (1881) by Henry James 468. Good Earth (1931) by Pearl S. Buck 469. Tuck Everlasting (1975) by Natalie Babbitt 470. Make Way for Ducklings (1941) by Robert McCloskey 471. Red Harvest (1929) by Dashiell Hammett 472. The Andromeda Strain (1969) by Michael Crichton 473. Naked Lunch (1959) by William Burroughs 474. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985) by Laura Joffe Numeroff 475. The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) by Philippa Gregory 476. Angle of Repose (1971) by Wallace Stegner 477. Hunger (1890) by Knut Hamsun 478. The Beach (1996) by Alex Garland 479. Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck 480. The Last Lecture (2008) by Randy Pausch 481. Power and the Glory (1940) by Graham Greene 482. Pygmalion (1912) by George Bernard Shaw 483. My Name Is Asher Lev (1972) by Chaim Potok 484. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) by Sherman Alexie 485. Cold Mountain (1997) by Charles Frazier 486. Horton Hears a Who! (1982) by Dr. Seuss 487. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) by Agatha Christie 488. Berlin Alexanderplatz (1929) by Alfred Doblin 489. Cider House Rules (1985) by John Irving 490. Goedel, Escher, Bach (1979) by Douglas Hofstadter 491. The Stars My Destination (1956) by Alfred Bester 492. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870) by Jules Verne 493. The English Patient (1992) by Michael Ondaatje 494. Outlander (1991) by Diana Gabaldon 495. Sentimental Education (1869) by Gustave Flaubert 496. Marley & Me (2005) by John Grogan 497. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles 498. Possession: A Romance (1990) by A.S. Byatt 499. As You Like It by William Shakespeare

[itsfinancethings]

(RIO DE JANEIRO) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says he is confident that he will swiftly recover from the new coronavirus thanks to treatment with hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug that has not been proven effective against COVID-19.

Bolsonaro said he tested positive for the new coronavirus on Tuesday after months of downplaying its severity while deaths mounted rapidly inside the country. The president told reporters he underwent a lung X-ray on Monday after experiencing fever, muscle aches and malaise. As of Tuesday, his fever had subsided, he said, and he attributed the improvement to hydroxychloroquine.

He stepped back from the journalists and removed his mask at one point to show that he looked well.

The 65-year-old right-wing populist who has been known to mingle in crowds without covering his face confirmed the results while wearing a mask and speaking to reporters huddled close in front of him in the capital, Brasilia.

“I’m, well, normal. I even want to take a walk around here, but I can’t due to medical recommendations,” Bolsonaro said. Later Tuesday, he posted a Facebook video of him taking his third dose of hydroxychloroquine, which has also been promoted by President Donald Trump.

But a string of studies in the UK and U.S., as well as by the World Health Organization, have found it ineffective and sometimes deadly because of its effects on the heart. Several studies were cancelled early because of that.

“Today I’m a lot better, so certainly it’s working,” Bolsonaro said, downing the dose with a glass of water. “We know today there are other remedies that can help fight the coronavirus. We know none of them have their efficacy scientifically proven, but I’m one more person for whom this is working. So I trust hydroxychloroquine. And you?”

Brazil, the world’s sixth-biggest nation, with more than 210 million people, is one of the outbreak’s most lethal hot spots. More than 65,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19, and over 1.5 million have been infected.

Read more: ‘We Are Not Even Close to Our Peak Yet.’ Brazil Risks Being Overwhelmed by Coronavirus Outbreak

Both numbers are the world’s second-highest totals, behind those of the U.S., though the true figures are believed to be higher because of a lack of widespread testing. On Tuesday alone, 1,254 deaths were confirmed.

Other world leaders who have had bouts with COVID-19 include British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.

Bolsonaro is “the democratic leader who has most denied the seriousness of this pandemic,” said Maurício Santoro, a political science professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro. “Him getting infected is a blow to his credibility. It will be seen as another example of the failure of his coronavirus response.”

Bolsonaro has often appeared in public to shake hands with supporters and mingle with crowds, at times without a mask. He has said that his history as an athlete would protect him from the virus and that it would be nothing more than a “little flu” if he were to contract it.

He has also repeatedly said that there is no way to prevent 70% of the population falling ill with COVID-19 and that local authorities’ efforts to shut down economic activity would ultimately cause more hardship than allowing the virus to run its course.

For nearly two months, Brazil’s fight against COVID-19 has been in the hands of an interim health minister with no health experience before April. He took over after his predecessor, a doctor and health care consultant, quit in protest over Bolsonaro’s support for hydroxychloroquine.

Brazilian cities and states last month began lifting restrictions that had been imposed to control the spread of the virus, as deaths began to decline along with the caseload in intensive care units.

Bolsonaro supporter Silas Ribeiro said on the streets of Rio that the president is correct in saying the dangers of the virus have been exaggerated.

“Our president is a popular man. He is showing that he isn’t afraid to die,” said Ribeiro, 59. “He is going to have health and get through this sickness.”

Speaking near recently reopened shops in Rio, Wesley Morielo said he hopes Bolsonaro’s sickness prompts him to reassess his stance.

“I think everything he said before, of not giving importance to COVID-19, came back against him,″ said Morielo, a 24-year-old student.

The World Health Organization’s emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, wished Bolsonaro a speedy recovery and said his infection “brings home the reality of this virus” by showing that it doesn’t distinguish between “prince or pauper.”

Bolsonaro has repeatedly visited the hospital since taking office, requiring several operations to repair his intestines after he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018.

He said he canceled a trip this week to Brazil’s northeast region and will continue working via videoconference and receive rare visitors when he needs to sign a document.

Unlike Britain’s prime minister, who moderated his rhetoric after testing positive for the virus, Bolsonaro will probably not change his stance, said Leandro Consentino, a political science professor at Insper, a university in Sao Paulo.

“He’s going down a path of trying to indicate to his base of support that COVID-19 is just a little flu and take advantage of the illness to advertise for chloroquine,” Consentino said.

Over the weekend, the Brazilian leader celebrated American Independence Day with the U.S. ambassador to Brazil, then shared pictures on social media showing him in close quarters with the diplomat, several ministers and aides. None wore masks.

The U.S. Embassy said on Twitter that Ambassador Todd Chapman is not showing any symptoms but would be tested.

Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with Trump in Florida. Members of his delegation to the U.S. later reported becoming infected.

[willreadforbooze]

Hey everyone!!

Hope you all had a great first week of Magical Readathon! I know we did! It’s been a tough week, but I think we’re all getting settle in to the new normal and things will calm down.

Sam’s Update

I had a shit week and it’s not looking like it’ll get better for a while. They need to find a drug to kill this virus, like yesterday.

What Sam Finished:

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore: This is the third companion novel in the Graceling books. I love this series and I’m so sad it’s over. One of my favorite parts is the way that Kristin handles romance. It is beautiful and heart wrenching but also not always the happy ending. Sometimes you just don’t end up with the one you love and that’s ok. I am here for romances like that.

What Sam is Currently Reading:

Transfiguration: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson: This is a stand alone novel where our main lady Elizabeth, a teenager brought up in an enchanted library, is accused of a crime she hasn’t committed. Murder, in fact. And she begins to uncover a conspiracy that puts other lives at risk. She teams up with a sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon servant Silas to figure it out. MAN, I am loving this. Listening on audio and I am really happy about how things have turned out so far. Can’t wait to finish this up soon.

Charms: Ruthless Gods by Emily Duncan: This is the sequel to Wicked Saints a gory AF Russian inspired fantasy story. Nadya and Serefin done fucked up and this is the story for them to try and fix it. Nadya is a bit boring, but Serefin is my bisexual son. I LOVE the villain character. I LOVE the side characters. I’m just over half way and it’s starting to get to the point where I won’t be able to put it down.

Minda’s Update

Magical Readathon continues! One class down, at least 5 to go.

What Minda finished:

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict – As promised, finished this historical fiction following the life of Mileva Marić, the first wife of Albert Einstein. In case you didn’t know, she was a brilliant physicist in her own right. The book was good for what it was, but not my highest recommendation.

Illegal by Eoin Colfer – Potions class complete! The story is about a young African refugee in his journey to Europe. I cried a lot…. it was very heartbreaking.

What Minda is reading now:

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin – For Defense Against the Dark Arts as a book set on the sea/coast. The book is a thriller/murder mystery surrounding the events of a sister’s unsolved death in the Caribbean. Very stalkerish. I’m about halfway done… I think I’m enjoying it?

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire – Counts as the Ancient Ruins class. Not really sure what it’s about? Something about missing children and fantasy magical lands. Added to my list after the appearance of Jack in this year’s character bar fights competition.

Ginny’s Update

Whatsup. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, finding it a little bit hard to get started reading. Which means I’ll probably try to shift focus on what I’m reading for a little bit. i.e. staying away from anything serious.

What Ginny Finished:

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: I’m going to be honest, I did not enjoy this book. I found the main character to be incredibly frustrating and even with a tragic personal history, I found the way he treated his sibling and best friend to be painful even though it made sense for the character. Monty, Percy, and Felicty go on a wild hunt to try to avoid the people who are after them because Monty was a dumbass. I was also confused by the magical element that was added in. It just didn’t fit the tone of this book. I have the sequel on my tbr mostly because I liked the character it should be about, but I’ll have a DNF on my mind if it doesn’t seem to suit.

What Ginny is Currently Reading:

Hilariously Ever After by Various Authors: I might finally read this considering I seem incapable of finishing anything else.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: I’ve gotten a little bit further in this book, but the focus has been getting through some of the library e-books I have that were about the expire.

Started and then the Library Stole Them Back:

The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis: Honestly, I read like three pages and then ran out of time. I put a new hold on it and we’ll see what happens then

Until next time, we main forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Ginny, and Minda

Weekly Wrap-Up: Mar 30 – Apr 5, 2020 Hey everyone!! Hope you all had a great first week of Magical Readathon! I know we did!

[letiimil]

O que são fótons? O que são fótons? Essas partículas que compõem a luz carregam energia e têm massa de repouso nula. https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/fisica/o-que-sao-fotons.htm

Segundo Isaac Newton (1643-1727), a luz era composta por partículas corpusculares, pequenas esferas que colidiam com as superfícies e sofriam reflexão e refração. Anos mais tarde com os estudos do eletromagnetismo e as contribuições de James Maxwell (1831-1879), a luz foi definida como uma onda eletromagnética, isto é, uma combinação de campos elétricos e magnéticos variáveis que se propagam no espaço.

Quando uma grandeza é encontrada apenas em múltiplos inteiros de uma quantidade elementar (denominada de quantum), diz-se que ela é quantizada. No século XX, Albert Einstein (1879-1955) propôs que a radiação eletromagnética deveria ser quantizada e a quantidade elementar que definia a luz era o fóton.

Onda ou partícula?

Enfim, a luz é um tipo de onda ou um emaranhado de partículas que se propagam no espaço? A resposta a essa pergunta é intrigante. A luz é tanto onda quanto partícula. A dualidade onda-partícula da luz mostra-nos esse seu comportamento duplo.

A luz sofre fenômenos como refração, dispersão e polarização, característicos das ondas. No entanto, para se compreender o efeito fotoelétrico, por exemplo, deve-se considerar que ela é composta pelas partículas denominadas de fótons.

Fótons

Os fótons são as partículas que compõem a luz e podem ser definidos como pequenos “pacotes” que transportam a energia contida nas radiações eletromagnéticas. Segundo Einstein, um fóton deve possuir uma quantidade fixa de energia, definida pela seguinte equação:

Nessa equação, E é a energia pertencente ao fóton, f é a frequência da radiação eletromagnética (Hz) e h é a constante de Planck, que possui valor de 6,63 x 10 – 34J.s ou 4,14 x 10 – 15 eV.s.

Segundo essa definição, a quantidade mínima de energia que uma onda eletromagnética deve possuir corresponde ao produto h.f, e qualquer valor de energia para uma radiação eletromagnética deve ser um múltiplo inteiro desse produto.

Massa do fóton

Segundo Einstein, a energia de um objeto depende de uma relação entre sua massa e sua velocidade.

Na equação acima, E é a energia acumulada por um corpo, m é a massa do elemento e c é a velocidade da luz. Igualando essa equação àquela que define a energia de um fóton, podemos definir sua massa. Esse elemento não possui massa de repouso, ou seja, não apresentará massa se estiver em repouso.

Fótons possuem quantidade de movimento

Quando um fóton interage com a matéria, ocorre transferência de energia, portanto, pode-se definir que esse elemento possui movimento linear (p), também chamado de quantidade de movimento.

Na equação acima, P é a quantidade de movimento do fóton, h é a constante de Planck (6,63 x 10 – 34J.s ou 4,14 x 10 – 15 eV.s) e λ é o comprimento de onda da radiação eletromagnética.

Fótons no dia a dia

Algumas tecnologias do cotidiano funcionam a partir da interação com fótons. As lâmpadas que se acendem sozinhas estão conectadas a um dispositivo denominado célula fotovoltaica. Esse equipamento libera elétrons ao receber os fótons que compõem a luz solar. Essa corrente elétrica, ao passar por uma bobina, gera um campo magnético que mantém o circuito aberto. Durante a noite, com a falta da luz solar, o fluxo de elétrons é interrompido, causando fechamento do circuito e acendendo a lâmpada.

Outra aplicação é o aparelho denominado de fotômetro. Muito utilizado por fotógrafos, esse equipamento é um medidor de luminosidade que determina a intensidade de uma fonte luminosa por meio da recepção de fótons.

Por Joab Silas Graduado em Física

[folhadefeira]

Agenda.ba: confira as atrações do feriadão em Salvador

Foto: Rafael Ramos

  Já tem programação para o final de semana? Confira aqui as melhores atrações do feriadão em Salvador. Tem festa para todos os gostos, entre os destaques estão Circuito Eletrônico de Som e Imagem com shows de bandas nacionais e internacionais e a República do Reggae com apresentações de Edson Gomes, Ponto de Equilíbrio e Adão Negro. Encontrinho – Nata do Samba e Dj Rodrigo Fiuzza Quando: 15 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Zen Salvador Ingressos: R$ 65; R$ 45 com nome na lista

Melhor Quinta da Cidade – Kart Love Quando: 15 de novembro, às 22h Onde: GPS Live Music Bar – Pituba Ingressos: R$ 30 (pista- lista); R$ 50 (área vip – lista)

Boteco das Nandas – As Nandas e DJs Nai Sena e Izabela Ruas Quando: 15 de novembro, às 23h Onde: SAN Ingessos: R$ 15

Maroon 5 versusBruno Mars Quando: 15 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Groove Bar Ingressos: R$ 20 (antecipado no Sympla), R$ 30 (na porta)

X Jornada de Dança da Bahia – “Tombé” + “Ziriguidum” Quando: 15 de de novembro, às 19h Onde: Sala do Coro do Teatro Castro Alves Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira) e R$ 10 (meia)

Palco Brasil – Marcelo Jeneci Quando: 16, 17 e 18 de novembro,  às 20h Onde: Caixa Cultural Salvador Ingressos: R$ 10 (meia), R$ 20 (inteira)

Tem que Respeitar – Danniel Vieira e Dan Valente Quando: 16 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Zen Salvador Ingressos: R$ 65; R$ 45 com nome na lista

Show Kart Love Quando: 16 de novembro, às 20h Onde: GPS Live Music Bar – Pituba Ingressos: R$ 30 (pista-lista); R$ 50 (área vip-lista)

Polêmica – DJs Albert Elliot, Ana Julieta, Gotham Waldorf, MAYAQ, Ober e Silas Matos Quando: 16 de novembro, às 23h Onde: SAN Ingessos: R$ 20

Arcady Festa Fliperama Quando: 16 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Groove Bar Ingressos: R$ 20 (antecipado no Sympla), R$ 30 (na porta)

Happy Reggae – Adão Negro e Convidados (Tuca Fernandes, Gab Ferreira e Dow Rais) Quando: 16 de novembro, às 18h Onde: Mundi, Shopping Boulevard 161, Itaigara Ingressos: R$ 20 (couvert)

Sexta do Solinho – Banda Pegadeira + Zé Paredão + Dj Gabriel & Dj Fabão Fitdance Quando: 16 de novembro, às 22h Onde: Club Zero Ingressos: R$ 20 (antecipado no Sympla)

Warm Up Chuveirão Quando: 16 de novembro, às 23h Onde: Amsterdam Ingressos: R$ 10 (antecipado no Sympla)

Baleia – Turnê ‘Coração Fantasma’ Quando: 16 de novembro, às 23h Onde: Portela Café Ingressos: R$ 25 (antecipado no Sympla)

X Jornada de Dança da Bahia Quando: 16 de de novembro, às 20h Onde: Sala Principal do Teatro Castro Alves Ingressos: R$ 80 (inteira) e R$ 40 (meia), das filas A a P | R$ 50 (inteira) e R$ 25 (meia), das filas Q a Z3 | R$ 40 (inteira) e R$ 20 (meia), das filas Z4 a Z11

X Jornada de Dança da Bahia – “O Corpo e a Cidade” + “Borda Infinita” Quando: 16 de de novembro, às 19h Onde: Sala do Coro do Teatro Castro Alves Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira) e R$ 10 (meia)

Sábado Top – Pra Casar, André & Mauro e Dj Rodrigo Fiuzza Quando: 17 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Zen Salvador Ingressos: R$ 65; R$ 45 com nome na lista

República do Reggae – Dezarie, Steel Pulse, Groundation, Ponto de Equilíbrio, The Mighty Diamonds, Edson Gomes, Mato Seco, Adão Negro e Vibrações Quando: 17 de novembro, às 18h Onde: Wet’n Wild Ingressos: R$ 66 (pista); R$ 99 (camarote surforeggae); R$ 120 (casadinha pista)

Lançamento do livro Oito Polegadas Quando: 17 de novembro, das 17h às 21h Onde: Porto dos Livros (largo do Porto da Barra) Ingressos: Gratuito, valor do livro R$ 25

Blessed – DJs Paulo Pringles (SP), Athur Valleti, Diego Baez, Marcelo Cravo e Karmaleoa Quando: 17 de novembro, às 23h Onde: SAN Ingessos: R$ 15

Tributo ao U2 com banda Vertigo Quando: 17 de novembro, às 20h Onde: Groove Bar Ingressos: R$ 20 (antecipado no Sympla), R$ 30 (na porta)

Zona Mundi – Circuito Eletrônico de Som e Imagem – Auss & Auss com Nikima, Ácido Pantera, Xênia França Quando: 17 de novembro, às 18h Onde: Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia (MAM – Av. Contorno) Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira), R$ 10 (meia)

X Jornada de Dança da Bahia – “Bonito” Quando: 17 de de novembro, às 17h Onde: Sala do Coro do Teatro Castro Alves Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira) e R$ 10 (meia)

Castelo da Dança – Cinderella Quando: 17 de de novembro, às 20h Onde: Sala Principal do Teatro Castro Alves Quanto: R$ 50 (inteira) e R$ 25 (meia), das filas A a Z11

Verão Mais Top – Isqueminha e Dj Márcio Bastos Quando: 18 de novembro, às 15h Onde: Barraca Pipa, Praia do Flamengo Ingressos: R$ 40 (couvert), R$ 30 com o nome na lista até às 13h

Domingo do Zen – Guig Ghetto, Isqueminha e Dj Rodrigo Fiuzza Quando: 18 de novembro, às 21h Onde: Zen Salvador Ingressos: R$65; R$ 45 com nome na lista

Biergarten – Cavern Beatles, Lutte e DJ Zeca Forehead Quando: 18 de novembro, às 15h Onde: Trapiche Barnabé Ingressos: R$ 35

Espetáculo #ONOVOBAIANO – Luís Salen Quando: 17 de novembro às 20h, 18 de novembro às 20h Onde: Teatro Eva Herz, Livraria Cultura Ingressos: R$ 50 (inteira), R$ 25 (meia)

Aniversário do Forró do Talco – Jó Miranda, Mestrinho e Jobson Santana Quando: 18 de novembro, às 19h30 Onde: Cubanakan

Beira Mar com Rafa e Pipo Marques Quando: 18 de novembro, às 16h Onde: Bahia Marina Ingressos: R$ 70

Zona Mundi – Circuito Eletrônico de Som e Imagem – Vox Sambou, Muntchako, ÀTTOOXXÁ Quando: 18 de novembro, às 18h Onde: Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia (MAM – Av. Contorno) Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira), R$ 10 (meia)

X Jornada de Dança da Bahia – “Invente Experimente” Quando: 18 de de novembro, às 19h Onde: Sala do Coro do Teatro Castro Alves Ingressos: R$ 20 (inteira) e R$ 10 (meia)

O post Agenda.ba: confira as atrações do feriadão em Salvador apareceu primeiro em Folha de Feira.

source https://folhadefeira.com/agenda-ba-confira-as-atracoes-do-feriadao-em-salvador/

[kneelbeforethecumbercollective]

Inch’Allah, le souffle du jasmin - Albert Sinoué, review.

   J’ai croisé ce bouquin sur une étagère de l’un des stands du dernier SILA et j’ai tout de suite été intriguée par la couverture. En fait, voilà, je juge les livres à leur couverture, Allah ghaleb. x) 

Ce livre parle du conflit Israélo-Palestinien, mais pas que.   L’histoire commence en exposant une amitié fusionelle entre les Shahid, famille palestinienne, et Joseph Marcus ainsi que sa fille Irina. Ce qui symbolise un peu l’idée qu’on retrouvera tout au long des pages, à savoir que la majorité musulmane cohabitait en paix avec la minorité juive, qui s’était d’ailleurs réfugiée en Palestine afin de fuir la persécution chrétienne, ce que l’histoire a tendance à éluder. Enfin, cette cohabitation paisible, c’était avant que les Britanniques s’en mêlent…  Ensuite, l’auteur expose un peu la vie des Shahid, leur plantation d’oranges, leur industrie, leurs relations familiales… etc.   Le bouquin donne également une large optique sur le côté politique du conflit. En voyageant en Egypte, où règnent des rois pantins dirigés par le protectorat Anglais, ou encore en Syrie, une Syrie qui se fait démanteler et passe de la main Britannique à la main Française comme un ballon de volley, ou encore en Irak. C’est à dire que bien que l’histoire soit focalisée sur ce qui se passait en Palestine, l’auteur donne également beaucoup de détails sur ce qui se passait dans le monde arabe en général et en même temps. Avant de lire ce bouquin, j’avais tendance à blâmer les Arabes de ne pas avoir aidé la Palestine devant cette épreuve, mais désormais que je suis documentée, je comprends que les Arabes ne pouvaient tout simplement pas aider. Ou du moins, pas tant qu’ils étaient colonisés.    Il est mentionné également les différents traités signés en catimini, visant à se partager les pays arabes sous coupe Ottomane, sans demander l’avis de qui que ce soit.   L’histoire évolue encore dans le temps, les conflits commencent, les affrontements armés, les boucheries… L’Egypte se révolte, les Arabes vont en guerre contre Israël.

Ce que j’ai beaucoup apprécié dans ce bouquin, c’est le fait qu’il soit étayé. Le contexte historique est avéré et il est très facile de vérifié la véracité de ce que l’auteur avance, car il laisse toute sa bibliographie à la fin du livre.   L’auteur est Egyptien, ce qui est assez sympa, car ça donne un contre-regard sur l’histoire de la colonisation européenne sur les pays Arabes.   L’écriture est fluide, les événements s’enchainent la plus part du temps avec beaucoup de rythme, ça ne tire que rarement en longueur.

   Par contre, j’ai eu un gros problème avec le pathos qui gangrène tout le côté « humain » de ses personnages. C’était affligeant. Les histoires d’amour contenues dans ce bouquin sont absolument indigestes. C’est du coup de foudre à chaque fois, du je t’aime à t’en vomir, des scènes d’amourettes qui n’ont même pas lieu d’être… Enfin bref, c’était une grave déception, de plus qu’un roman historique de cette envergure n’avait vraiment pas besoin de ça. De plus, les personnages féminin sont d’un caricatural !

Le pathos m’aura fait retirer une étoile sur goodreads.   J’hésite à acheter la suite, car je me dis que je pourrais avoir les infos sur wikipédia, sans avoir à endurer le pathos. En fait voilà, s’il n’y avait pas eu ce problème, j’aurais couru chez mon libraire me procurer le tome 2. Mais là, franchement j’hésite...

Voili voilou, si l’un d’entre vous l’a lu aussi, je serais ravie de débattre. 

Bonne journée à tous. 

[pcrkergrimshcw]

PARKER GRIMSHAW

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: parker annelise grimshaw PRONUNCIATION: par - ker   ;   an - el - leece   ;   grimm - shaw MEANING: “the park keeper; the game keeper” REASONING: her mother always liked uncommon names, especially those that could go for either a boy or a girl, so thus, parker was made. annelise came from her grandmother NICKNAME(S): park; abrams; hailstorm; parky; “YO SNOWY” PREFERRED NAME(S): parker; parker-anne; park BIRTH DATE: june 2nd, 1999 AGE: 17 ZODIAC: gemini GENDER: cisfemale PRONOUNS: she/her ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: biromantic SEXUAL ORIENTATION: bisexual NATIONALITY: american ETHNICITY: caucasian CURRENT LOCATION: lake grimstone LIVING CONDITIONS: a cabin with a few other roommates TITLE(S): the spitfire

BACKGROUND

BIRTH PLACE: san frasisco, california HOMETOWN: los angeles, california SOCIAL CLASS: it used to be middle class, but it’s fallen to lower EDUCATION LEVEL: junior in highschool FATHER: jerimiah abrams MOTHER: melrose coscett-abrams SIBLING(S): a younger sister, hayden abrams, 6 BIRTH ORDER: parker, hayden CHILDREN: none PET(S): none OTHER IMPORTANT RELATIVES: her cousin, silas, who she didn’t know was a mutant PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS: none important ARRESTS?: only when she was brought to lake grimstone PRISON TIME?: currently serving a fucking lifetime

OCCUPATION & INCOME

PRIMARY SOURCE OF INCOME: she thought it was her father’s job as a salesmen, but it was truly his robberies. once he was taken away, it turned to her mothers job as a maid. SECONDARY SOURCE OF INCOME: her many jobs she had taken up before being taken away to lake grimstone TERTIARY SOURCE(S) OF INCOME: none APPROXIMATE AMOUNT PER YEAR: ? CONTENT WITH THEIR JOB (OR LACK THERE OF)?: not at all PAST JOB(S): bar tending, waitressing SPENDING HABITS: she’s very good at handling money, most of it goes to savings MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION: the locket her mother threw in her hand as she was being dragged away

SKILLS & ABILITIES

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: 7/10 OFFENSE: 4/10 DEFENSE: 6/10 SPEED: 6/10 INTELLIGENCE: 9/10 ACCURACY: 8/10 AGILITY: 10/10 - she took gymnastics for five years STAMINA: 7/10 TEAMWORK: 5/10 TALENTS: she can play the guitar and piano, as well as sing a little bit SHORTCOMINGS: she’s not too good at staying on focus, and her anger can easily push her off track, but she tries her best to keep an open mind LANGUAGE(S) SPOKEN: english, german DRIVE?: yes JUMP-STAR A CAR?: yes CHANGE A FLAT TIRE?: no RIDE A BICYCLE?: yes SWIM?: yes PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?: yes PLAY CHESS?: no BRAID HAIR?: yes TIE A TIE?: yes PICK A LOCK?: surprisingly, yes

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

FACE CLAIM: georgie henley EYE COLOR: sky blue HAIR COLOR: dark brown/black HAIR TYPE/STYLE: she likes to wear it down, but will sometimes throw it into a pony tail or bun GLASSES/CONTACTS?: she wears contacts, but can get away with leaving them at home DOMINANT HAND: left HEIGHT: 5′4 WEIGHT: 110lbs BUILD: ectomorph EXERCISE HABITS: she exercises daily by running laps around the town SKIN TONE: she’s excruciatingly pale TATTOOS: even though most don’t know it, she has one tattoo behind her ear of a phoenix, and another of a flourishing rose bush on her thigh PEIRCINGS: she has her ears, cartilage, and used to have her nose pierced MARKS/SCARS: she has a scar on her back from falling from the top of a tree and grinding against a broken branch on the way down, and a knife scar on her thigh from an ex boyfriend NOTABLE FEATURES: she has unbearably rosy cheeks USUAL EXPRESSION: it’s usually bitch mode, but it’s not her fault. resting bitch face is serious CLOTHING STYLE: she is usually adorned in dark clothing, throwing in the occasional blue top JEWELRY: she wears her mothers locket 24/7, as well as an old ring of her fathers ALLERGIES: poison ivy, cats BODY TEMPERATURE: she’s usually cold, making sure to carry a cardigan with her at all times DIET: she’s a vegetarian PHYSICAL AILMENTS: she has minor back pain if she sits in one spot for too long, but nothing major

PSYCHOLOGY

JUNG TYPE: ESFP JUNG SUBTYPE: IFNP ENNEAGRAM TYPE: the loyalist MORAL ALIGNMENT: chaotic good TEMPERAMENT: melancholic ELEMENT: water PRIMARY INTELLIGENCE TYPE: musical intelligence APPROXIMATE IQ: 138 MENTAL CONDITIONS/DISORDERS: anxiety,anger issues SOCIABILITY: she’s not too social, many years of teasing having depleted that, but she tries EMOTIONAL STABILITY: she’s.... ok, but not completely content OBSESSION(S): she’s obsessed with sci-fi books and trying to grow her powers COMPULSION(S): food PHOBIA(S): she has a serious fear of spiders and what is to happen to her ADDICTION(S): none DRUG USE: weed, some cigarettes, but it’s only started since she came here ALCOHOL USE: she drinks, but no more than the average teenager PRONE TO VIOLENCE?: only if you provoke her

MANNERISMS

SPEECH STYLE: she speaks well for her age, but the typical teenage lingo gets thrown in ACCENT: american QUIRKS: she snorts when she laughs and can’t help but skip if she sees something she likes HOBBIES: she likes to read and play her guitar, sometimes writes songs when she’s down HABITS: she has a habit of biting her nails NERVOUS TICKS: her knee will bounce DRIVES/MOTIVATIONS: her mother and sister FEARS: she fears losing everything she’s ever known POSITIVE TRAITS: +ambitious, empathetic, intelligent NEGATIVE TRAITS: -blunt, irritable, sarcastic SENSE OF HUMOR: it’s very dark and dry DO THEY CURSE OFTEN?: she has a nasty habit of it, but tries not to CATCHPHRASE(S): oh, fuck

FAVORITES

ACTIVITY: swimming ANIMAL: wolf BEVERAGE: green tea BOOK: fracture by megan miranda CELEBRITY: nick robinson--- don’t get between her and her hubby, okay? COLOR: burgundy DESIGNER: none FOOD: chicken FLOWER: dahlia GEM: emerald HOLIDAY:  christmas MODE OF TRANSPORTATION: running MOVIE: x-men: apocalypse MUSICAL ARTIST: the neighbourhood QUOTE/SAYING: “life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving” - albert einstein SCENERY: the clear night sky SCENT: vanilla SPORT: track SPORTS TEAM: none TELEVISION SHOW: ncis WEATHER: raining VACATION DESTINATION: amsterdam

ATTITUDES

GREATEST DREAM: to be back with her father GREATEST FEAR: to be left alone with no one to pull her up MOST AT EASE WHEN: she’s sitting in her cabin, a book in her hands and music blasting in her ears LEAST AT EASE WHEN: she’s around new people WORST POSSIBLE THING THAT COULD HAPPEN: she hurts the ones she loves with the powers she has BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT: successfully washing her bullies away in a flood BIGGEST REGRET: not telling her father goodbye before being taken away MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: her fathers arrest BIGGEST SECRET: she kept some of the money he stole and is waiting to use it to get out of here TOP PRIORITIES: her family

[selene-and-the-cold]

Taking a Rest (OCs, M/M)

First of all, I wanted to thank everybody who commented or reblogged or liked my fic "Taking a Ride". I was truly surprised and happy that you all enjoyed reading about Silas and Albert so much!

And since their business was not yet concluded, I present to you another installment. It can be read on its own, but I'd recommend reading their first adventure "Taking a Ride" first.

I hope to add another part, since the text post Silas and Albert are inspired by actually talked about Silas catching the cold from Albert, and we have yet to see that...

But I digress. So what are you going to read in this fic? Silas makes good on his promise and pays our sick Albert a visit for some TLC. Fluff ensues, and Silas is confronted with... feelings.

There's also a bit of snz and a bare male chest (shocking, I know...).

***

Taking a Rest

Following the exhilarating carriage ride with his dear Albert, Silas woke up the next morning with mixed feelings. It had been most unfortunate that he had had to decline Albert's invitation due to his father coming down to London to talk business with Silas. However, since this nuisance of a meeting could not be avoided, Silas decided to take it on in stride. The sooner he tackled whatever problem presented itself, the sooner he would have time to make good on his promise and call on his poor Albert, who had contracted a chill on his business trip to Cardiff.

Archer, Silas' valet, had thankfully prepared everything so Silas only needed to freshen up and slip into his clothes with Archer's assistance prior to meeting his father. As usual, Silas skipped breakfast, a habit Albert had often reprimanded him for, but Silas usually did not see the point of it - at least if there was no company to take his breakfast with.

He did, however, take the time for a sip of tea, as his throat was quite parched.

The meeting with his father was – regrettably – not as boring as Silas had anticipated. Well, technically, it was always a good thing when conversations were not boring. In this case, however, a boring conversation would have been much preferred, since there had been some irregularities in the accounts of one of their smaller estates and Silas' father had asked him to look into the matter.

It had to be done discreetly, though, since there was a possibility that the estate's bookkeeper was involved. Therefore, they had to avoid rousing the man's suspicions lest it would lead to evidence being destroyed.

It was altogether unpleasant business, and Silas left the meeting with a slight headache.

At least his father would drive up to their home estate in the country that very night, so Silas would not have to deal with any courtesy visits.

After parting ways with his father, Silas set his private network in motion to discreetly gather information on the matter. This meant several carriage rides to various gentlemen of his acquaintance as well as a long stretch of letter-writing in his office, until Silas was finally free to visit Albert, who had been on his mind all day.

~~~~

“I'm afraid, Lord de Lacy, but Sir Albert is not in a state to receive any callers this afternoon,” Barker, Albert's valet, informed him when Silas came round to call on his friend.

Silas' heart sank. Why would Albert have Barker decline visitors? This could only mean that poor Bertie's chill had taken a turn for the worse.

“I understand. However, we arranged a meeting for today only yesterday evening. Could you please inform Sir Albert that it is me who's calling, Mr. Barker?”

Barker seemed to consider whether he was in a position to decline this request. Silas was, after all, a lord. So he finally bobbed his head and said: “Very well, my Lord,” before he left Silas to wait in Albert's entrance hall. While he waited, Silas found himself fidgeting nervously with the brim of his hat, which he had taken off upon entering. Not knowing how Albert was faring proved to be pure agony.

After what seemed like an eternity, Barker returned and if Silas had not known better, he would have sworn that the ghost of a smile had lingered on the valet's face.

“My apologies, my Lord. Sir Albert will see you now.”

Silas followed Barker into Albert's reading room, where he was greeted by a crackling fire, and a pale-faced Albert.

He was outstretched on a chaise-lounge, propped up with pillows and wearing what looked like his sleepwear and the silk, navy-blue dressing gown with paisley pattern that brought out the colour of his eyes so well. A thick blanket covered his legs and chest, and Albert clasped a white handkerchief in his hand, while a cup of tea sat on a side-table next to the chaise-lounge. It was all a rather pitiful sight.

As he saw Silas approach, Albert weakly tried to sit up straighter, but Silas immediately went over and placed a hand on his arm to stop him.

“Albert, please, don't sit up on my behalf, there's no need...,” Silas began, but stopped himself from fussing, acutely aware of Barker's continued presence.

He withdrew his hand from Albert's arm, and wished things would not have to be so complicated. All he wanted was to comfort the person he... cared about? Liked? Held in great esteem?

Suddenly bewildered, Silas blinked a few times. What exactly was this... feeling spreading there in his chest?

They had never talked about what it was that they shared. It had all just fallen into place one day, so naturally that Silas never had a reason to question or define this new level their friendship had ascended to.

Then again, he had never seen Albert so pale and sick. Had never worried about him so much.

“Thank you Barker, that will be all for the mboment. Please leave us alone and inform any other callers that I won't receive anyone today.”

“As you wish, Sir,” Barker said, then closed the door behind him as he retreated, leaving the two men to it.

“Oh Bertie, you look awfully pale. How are you, dearest?,” Silas asked, as soon as he was certain they were alone, taking off his gloves as he sat down on the chaise-lounge next to his ailing friend. Now that it was just the two of them, all his worry and affection for Albert flowed freely from him once again.

“Truth be told, I have beed better...,” Albert admitted, his usual melodious voice reduced to a weak, rasping, quivery thing. Silas winced at the sound of it. Before he could express his sympathy, though, Albert hastily turned away from him to half-muffle a sneeze into his handkerchief.

“Hehh'ESshhTSsHHtt!! Ugh.. Excuse mbe...”

“Bless you,” Silas offered and gently rubbed Albert's thigh through the blanket. “No need to apologise.”

“Thank you...,” Albert sighed, then sank back against the chaise-lounge, looking thoroughly drained from the effort of turning away to sneeze. “Oh, Sy, I feel truly awful. I couldn't stop sndeezing all day. Mby throat is sore, mby chest hurts from coughing, and mby head has ndot stopped pounding since I got up.”

Silas tsked in sympathy, scooting further up the chaise-lounge until he could rest a hand on Albert's chest. It was warm, yet Albert seemed to be cold despite the merry flames dancing in the fireplace.

“Oh, Bertie! I am sorry you're feeling so poorly... Although I might think the headache was to be expected, since you've been quite tipsy yesterday.”

Albert closed his eyes and let his head loll back against the chaise-lounge with a pathetic sigh. “Please dod't rembind mbe of mby own foolishness... Heh'EsSSHH!” The sneeze was followed by a little whimper and Albert dabbed at his running nose in a pathetic attempt to maintain decorum.

“My apologies,” Silas said with a small grin, taking Albert's free hand to kiss it gently.

“But I've taken your advice, Sy, and have been resting for mbost of the day,” Albert continued and bestowed a tired smile on his friend.

“Very good, my dear. And I would like you to continue in this manner for at least the next two days... We can't have this chill settle any deeper into your bones than it already has.”

As he spoke, Silas's hand travelled from Albert's chest to his cheek, cupping it gently, before Silas leaned down to place a fond kiss on Albert's forehead.

“Mhm... I do believe you are running a fever, too...,” Silas murmured, his lips still lingering on the warm skin.

“I do?,” Albert asked in a small voice, sounding thoroughly disheartened by this news.

“I'm afraid so, dearest. Perhaps we could send for a cool compress for your forehead... Oh and I brought something for you as well,” Silas added, all caring smiles as he pulled a little container out of the pocket of his suit.

“I stopped by the pharmacy before I came to call on you and the apothecary highly recommended this balm to soothe coughs and headaches. It is supposed to be applied directly to the chest and / or to your back, but you have to keep warm and stay bundled up after applying it, so the balm won't cool your skin down too much...”

Seeing Albert's face, Silas suddenly stopped prattling on about the the balm. Albert studied him with an incredulous look, his glassy eyes wide, his face the most earnest Silas had seen him since before he had to leave for Cardiff when they had a hushed, stolen goodbye in the broom cabinet of their Gentlemen's Club.

Had he said something wrong?

“What... what is it, Albert?”

The uncertainty in his voice was unmistakeable and Silas hated being so vulnerable, so fragile. With just one look, Albert had him all flustered and insecure, tearing away the carefully crafted layers of “Lord Silas”, exposing the little awkward boy he was, always in the shadows of his grandiose older brother.

“Ndothing,” Albert was quick to reassure, “it's just... Ndo one has ever brought mbe balms for mby chest when I was sick before. Actually ndo one ever called on mbe when I was sick before.”

“Oh?”

Albert's words took a moment to fully settle in, threatening to make Silas blush. Albert had admitted this so casually, so calmly as if it was the most common thing in the world. Did he have any idea how this set Silas's inner world in turmoil? How his heart was suddenly hammering in his chest?

It took another moment for Silas to regain his footing, his boyish charm slowly returning while he tried to give his next words a light, nonchalant tone as if Albert had made a little joke instead of a confession.

“Oh!... But you knew I would call on you today, Bertie!,” he gave Albert's leg a little swat for good measure. “I promised, didn't I? So no need to be all flabbergasted by it. That's what friends do.”

Albert sniffled, his face still earnest and his eyes filled with an unspoken fondness that ran straight through Silas' heart.

“Yes, you did, Sy. Hehh...HEhh'ERrrSSHHU! Snnnff... However, mbaking a promise and keeping it are two very different stories.”

Silas blushed, then fussed with the blanket, arranging and rearranging it, before he ventured to gaze at his friend.

“I'll always keep my promises to you, Bertie,” he said sincerely. Then, feeling the sudden weight of his words, he panicked and started to babble. “Well, I'll try, alas I'm far from perfect, so there will be ample opportunity for me to make a muck of things...”

Why the blazes was he rambling on about mucking up and failing to keep promises? Thankfully, Albert had the grace to interrupt him.

“I kndow that you are ndot perfect, Sy. And frankly, thank God for that! Otherwise I would be completely out of mby depth with you... Hehh... ESSHHiU!!”

Albert pitched forward with a pitiful sneeze, doing his best to catch it in his handkerchief, but the poor piece of fabric had already caught many a sneeze today and seemed to be at the end of its capacity.

“Here, Bertie. Take mine,” Silas offered softly, then took Albert's spent handkerchief from him, stuffed it into his coat pocket and replaced it with his own. His initials – SdL – were elaborately stitched into one corner, and Silas found a sudden pleasure in the idea of Albert having this piece of him close at all times.

“Thank you, Sy,” Albert sighed, then tended to his nose, which was a deep shade of angry pink and looked thoroughly tender and irritated.

“Ndow, where is this balm you were talking about earlier?”

Silas handed the small container to his friend, smiling as Albert squinted to read the label. He had noticed that Albert usually needed his reading glasses when confronted with smaller writing.

“What do you say, Bertie? Shall we try to find out if this balm really can do wonders for your cold?”

Albert nodded, handing the container back to Silas, seemingly too exhausted to try and read the small, intricate writing.

Since they were alone and he was about to take care of his poor Bertie, Silas shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over the back of a nearby chair. Standing only in his shirt and waistcoat, he rolled up his sleeves, then approached Albert with the confident smile of a world-renowned physician about to perform his best healing procedure.

“Alright, Bertie, let us begin. Ah, but I presume I would have to come a bit closer for this to work, wouldn't I?,” Silas mused with a sly grin, then came over and sat on top of Albert, straddling him once more just like he had the previous evening in his carriage. Albert chuckled, amused by this replication of yesterday's events.

“Now Bertie, that's much better, isn't it?” Silas asked, echoing the question he had asked Albert right after straddling him the previous evening.

“Mbuch better,” Albert replied grinning, happy to provide yesterday's line for their little game of re-enactment. He was too tired to grab and squeeze Silas' buttocks today, though. Instead, he held on weakly to Silas' hips, his fingers digging into the fabric of his fine trousers.

Silas proceeded to carefully peel Albert's chest out of the many layers of fabric protecting it against the chill.

At first, he pushed back the blanket to reveal Albert's dressing gown. In order to slip under it, Silas had to loosen the belt which held the dressing gown in place. This led to much squirming and giggling, as Silas' hand dived deep to reach the dressing gown's belt and to undo the knot, swift fingers moving indecently close to Albert's most private parts.

“Ah! Dod't tease mbe, Sy, I regrettably feel too weak for such shenanigans today,” Albert protested with an adorable pout. Apparently, he was just as dejected as Silas that this cold had taken so much out of him.

“My apologies, Sir Albert, I will keep my hands thoroughly in check from now on~”

Albert chuckled, but had to turn his head to the side to cough into the pillow that supported him. Silas was jolted around with every cough, and his heart went out to his poor Albert, who was left to breathe heavily for a few moments in the wake of his coughing fit.

“Perhaps this isn't such a good idea, Bertie. I should probably not be sitting on top of you..,” Silas began, his leg already twitching as if to get up, but Albert caught Silas' hand and led it back to the lapels of his dressing gown.

“Ndo, dod't stop on mby account, Sy. Please continue. I am quite curious to see what this wondrous balm will accomplish and you cad't expect a sick, ailing man like mbe to undress himself...”

Albert looked up at him with the most delicious little pout, and Silas could not help himself, but leaned in for a tender kiss.

“Alright then...,” he mumbled against Albert's lips, smiling into him before he sat back up. “... where were we? Oh yes, right... these buttons can't stay closed..”

Nimble fingers made quick work of the buttons on Albert's night attire, revealing his bare chest. Albert shivered slightly, but looked more than pleased to be so exposed in front of Silas.

“Mhm.. there we go.. Now, before we can proceed, I need to make a good, thorough inspection of your chest...”

“You do~?,” Albert asked, his voice a delighted little squeal.

“Oh yes, Bertie. Very thorough~”

Silas dived in to conduct his "inspection", peppering Albert's chest with soft kisses, nibbling, licking, and sucking at the pale, milky skin, humming in delight and thoroughly enjoying Albert's softness on his tongue and lips.

Meanwhile, Albert melted into the chaise-lounge, biting his fist to prevent himself from making indecently loud noises and kicking his feet as Silas' tongue took care of an especially sensitive spot.

“Oh, Sy... hmm... oh wait!.. I... I have thhho... eehhh.....Hhhheehh'ESShhsttTSHHU!! HessSSHHU!! EtttSSHHusshh! Oh mby goodness, pardon mbe!”

Albert had sneezed without much warning. Silas had kept his head down, so the sneezes had mostly gone right over his shoulder, but he had felt the urgent panting of Albert's chest as well as the shuddering release. And good heavens had it felt exciting!

“Bless you,” he purred into Albert's neck, nibbling and kissing the warm skin there for good measure. Albert's hands clawed at his back with newfound strength, keeping him close until Silas had kissed that one spot right behind Albert's ear he loved so much to be kissed and sucked at.

As expected, Albert made one of his adorable little sounds of pleasure, and Silas sat up again, feeling thoroughly accomplished now that he had brought Albert to make his little noise.

While Albert composed himself, panting and snuffling, Silas licked his lips as if he had just enjoyed a very fine glass of brandy, then smoothing a strand of his dark hair back in its place.

“I dare say my inspection is complete, Bertie, and I found nothing amiss.”

Albert grinned up at him, all flushed cheeks and runny nose, but with that warm, cheeky glint in his eyes Silas loved so much.

“I'b glad to hear it, Sy.”

“Time to see what this wondrous balm can do...”

Grabbing the little container, Silas opened it, then sniffled tentatively at the smooth substance in it. It smelled of herbs and essential oils, quite potent, but pleasant. Satisfied with its scent, Silas dipped his finger into the balm, taking up a dollop of the mixture, which he then carefully transferred to Albert's chest. Starting from the middle, he rubbed the balm in in small circles, covering the left side of Albert's chest first before he moved on to the right.

“How's that, Bertie?”

Albert shivered.

“A tad cold, but not unpleasant. Ah, but I do believe the scent of it mbakes mbe.. hehh Heh'ERRSSHHU!!! ssniff sndeeze.”

Albert sneezed thrice more until his nose was accustomed to the scent, his body bobbing under Silas from the force of it. He mainly caught the sneezes in the handkerchief, but a few droplets grazed Silas' neck and shoulder.

Silas kept administering these soft touches for some time, taking up another small dollop of the mixture to ensure that Albert's chest was thoroughly covered. And since Albert seemed to enjoy the touch, Silas kept running his hands in circles over Albert's chest long after the balm had been applied.

At one point, though, Albert's chest seemed to get cold, so Silas cleaned the remaining balm off his hands and set out to bundle his Bertie back up again.

“Now, Bertie, that was quite enough fun and games for today. You are sick, after all and should be resting,” Silas said in his best mock-stern voice. Albert answered with his most demure look, before he had to cough again. The sound was deep and rich and set Silas to worry once again.

“See, Bertie, that is exactly what I am on about...”

Albert wheezed, undeniably exhausted at this point.

“Perhaps you are right, Sy. This has been quite the excitembent already... Hehh'ESShhTttsshh!” He quickly brought Silas' handkerchief to his nose to sneeze into it, then sank back into his pillows with a sigh, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.

Silas made sure that all the buttons on Albert's top were closed, before he neatly folded his dressing gown closed over Albert's chest, wrapping him in like a precious gift. Finally, he pulled the blanket up until right under Albert's chin.

“Ah, Sy, stop, that is quite enough! I will ndeed a bit of space to breathe.”

“Sorry, Bertie, I just wanted to make sure that you are warm enough.”

Just like the night before, Silas took Albert's face in his hands, examining it. The dark circles under Albert's eyes were edged even deeper into the fair skin, and Albert's nose was tinged an angry shade of deep pink, bordering on red. His eyes looked tired, yet content, but he was all in all a miserable sight.

“Promise you'll rest until I return to call on you tomorrow?,” Silas asked, soft eyes searching Albert's gaze.

“I promise,” Albert whispered, and Silas kissed him once again as a long, tender goodbye.

[scribblesclub-blog]

Isyu sa wikang Filipino at makabayang edukasyon tinalakay ng ‘Tanggol Wika’

Sa isang pagtitipon na ginanap noong ika-anim ng Agosto, kasama ang mga dalubhasa at akademiko sa Filipino, tinalakay ng “Tanggol Wika” sa Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas – ang isyu hinggil sa pagtanggal ng asignaturang Filipino at makabayang edukasyon sa kurikulim ng kolehiyo.

“Tayo ngayon ay nagbubuklod at nagkakaisa tungo sa isang layuning maitampok sa pedestal ang wikang Filipino,” panimula ng Tagapangulo ng Departamento ng Filipino na si Dr. Roberto Ampil sa mga estudyante ng iba’t ibang fakultad at kolehiyo ng Unibersidad na dumalo sa naturang pagtitipon.

Sinundan ito ng pagpapakilala sa Tanggol Wika at ng paglalahad sa mga layunin nito. Ayon kay Prop. Crizel Sicat, convenor ng Tanggol Wika, layunin ng naturang alyansa o organisasyon na panatilihin ang wikang Filipino sa pagtuturo sa kolehiyo at gamitin ito bilang medium of instruction. Layunin din nitong irebisa ang 2013 Memorandum Order No. 20 ng CHEd mula nang ilabas ito nang nakaraang taon at isulong ang makabayang edukasyon.

Isa sa mga nagtalakay sa pagtitipon ay si Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, ang  Pambansang Alagad ng Sining Sa Panitikan, kung saan kanyang tinalakay ang hamon sa mga guro at mag-aaral na pagtibayin ang wikang Filipino sa panahon ng “dambuhalang konsepto” na tinatawag na globalisasyon.

Dito ipinaliwanag ni Lumbera na ang globalisasyon at epekto ng “borderless world” na nagsasabing pantay ang kakayahan ng bawat bansang kamtan ang kaunlaran ngunit magdudulot lamang ito ng “pananalakay ng mga kapitalismong bansa” kung saan pagsasamantalahan ang lakas at talino ng mga manggagawa ng mga mahihinang bansa gaya ng Pilipinas.

Nagtalakay din ang mga dalubhasa at propesor gaya nina Prop. Melania Abad-Flores at  Asst. Prof. Jayson Petras ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Diliman, Dr. Aurora Batnag ng Pambansang Samahan ng Linggwistika at Literatura ng Filipino at Prop. Jonathan Vergara Geronimo ng UST.

Kanilang tinalakay dito ang implikasyon sa pagpapatupad sa paggawa ng K-12 ng CHEd, mga papel ng mga organisasyong pangwika sa pagsusulong ng Wikang Pambansa, ang lunan ng wikang Filipino sa sikolohiya na nagkukuwestyon sa paraan natin ng paggamit ng Filipino  at ng pagsusuri sa CMO 20 sa pakikibakang panatilihin ang Filipino sa kolehiyo.

Gaya ng Tanggol Wika ay tutol din ang estudyanteng si Albert Montesa na taga-AB Political Science at siya ring miyembro ng League of Filipino students.

“Hindi natin kailangang i-adopt nang buong-buo yung Ingles para ma-attain yung kaunlaran. Kahit sa ilang bansa gamit nila sarili nilang wika pero ‘asan sila ngayon? Mas mataas pa rin sila sa Pilipinas. Samantalang ‘yung Pilipinas ginagamit na natin yung wikang Ingles simula pa nung 1900s pero ngayon, nasaan na ang Pilipinas?” aniya.

Ginanap ang pagtitipon sa AMV Multi-purpose hall na inorganisa ng Departamento ng Filipino sa tulong ng pagsasama ng konseho ng mga mag-aaral sa Fakultad ng Sining at Panitik (AB) ng UST.

Aktibong Alyansa

Kamakailan lang ay nagkaroon din ng pagtitipon na ginanap sa De La Salle University nang Hunyo ng taong ito dahilan upang mabuo ang Tanggol Wika kung saan nagkaisa ang mga profesor ng iba’t ibang unibersidad sa Pilipinas pati na ang mga nasyonalistang organisasyon bilang reaksyon sa MO No. 20 ng CHEd sa pagpapatanggal nito ng pagtuturo ng Filipino sa kolehiyo at sa balak nitong paglilipat ng naturang kurikulo sa hayskul.

Bawat linggo ay naglilibot ang Tanggol Wika sa iba’t ibang unibersidad upang mapalawak ang kamalayan ng mga estudyanteng Pilipino tungkol sa isyu.

Sa kasalukuyan ay humigit kumulang na sa 100 unibersidad ang miyembro ng naturang organisasyon at patuloy din ang pangangalap nito ng mga lagda sa pamamagitan din ng social media na umabot na sa halos isang milyon para sa pagsusulong ng pagpapahinto sa naturang panukala.

( x )

[selene-and-the-cold]

☕️ and 💧for Silas and Bertie?

Yesterday, I reblogged this great list of snz fall prompts by @buckysnose and was sent this great ask for Silas and Bertie.

Warm drinks ☕️

Sniffles 💧

I really loved the prompt combination, Kaze, and was excited to write for the two of them again. Thank you so much for sending this ask <3 I hope you'll enjoy this little ficlet.

These are my two Victorian-era- inspired OCs Silas and Albert. Their story so far can be read in Part 1 - Taking a Ride, as well as Part 2 - Taking a Rest. I am currently working on Part 3, but it might still take a while.

This little scene is set at some point after Part 3 of their story. It can be read on its own and I apologise for the title as well as for any mistakes because this is not beta-ed.

Warnings: two men in love, one of them with a cold, the other with a valet as cool as a cucumber. Nakedness is mentioned, but not explicitly described. And somehow they are drinking alcohol again. It seems to be their thing. Brief mention of naughty things done with a tasseled belt. And of course some snz.

***

Frolicking (OCs, M/M, cold)

"I don't know what you were thinking!,"Albert chided, giving Silas a reproachful look as he hovered over him like an angry bee, then fussed some more as he pried the soaking wet coat off Silas' body. Silas just let it happen, trying his best not to exasperate his friend even more. He shivered slightly, even though Albert's rooms were nice and warm as always, but the damp fabric clung to his body like a second skin.

"Once again, I... hhhehhh... I do apologize, Bertie. It's just that I longed to see you tonight, so I decided to come over for a surprise visit*snnnffff* I meant to sneak in rather stealthily with the key you gave me. It was never my intention to cause any trouble.. and I certainly did not mean to compromise you by letting Barker witness my arrival. ” At that, Albert suddenly stopped the fussing, hands resting on Silas' drenched lapels as he eyed him confusedly. "Barker? Why on earth...?”

It took a moment until the penny dropped and Albert caught Silas' meaning. Apparently, Silas was worried he was angry with him because Barker had seen him enter. Usually, Silas was very good at entering the house unnoticed, but his sodden shoes and trouser legs had naturally drawn the valet's attention as they had made the most horrific noise on the tiles in the downstairs hallway, no matter how hard Silas had tried to slink soundlessly along the hallway.

“Ooohhh...! Oh no, don't you worry about Barker, that's not what I meant,” Albert reassured him, waving his hand dismissively. “Barker won't mind, he is very discreet. No, I'm talking about you, my love! Walking all the way here in the pouring rain! Look at the state of you!" Albert gestured, while Silas kept dripping water from every inch of his being, soaking the plush carpet in Albert's private sitting room. Albert was not wrong. Silas was in an absolutely awful state. The sudden downpour had taken him by surprise only a few minutes after he had left his own house for a sneaky, late-evening visit to his friend. Of course he could have turned around and gone back home, but he had longed to see his Bertie, and besides they did not live THAT far from each other, did they?

In theory, they did not. However, Silas soon found that the downpour was only getting worse and that the distance between their respective dwellings seemed to cruelly stretch out further and further the heavier the raindrops pelted down on him and his fashionable, alas regrettably thin coat.

So Silas had arrived at Albert's town house a dripping wet mess. Barker had met the scene with an almost blank, neutral face. Only the hint of a smile and the slightest twitch of an eyebrow had suggested Barker's real thoughts on Silas' late-evening visit long after respectable calling hours, as the valet had taken him upstairs to Albert's private quarters without as much as a word on why Silas was there. It had all been terribly embarrassing. "I'm sorry, Bertie, please don't be cross with me. I couldn't bear it... heehhhh....Hehh'dzSHhIew!!!" "Ah, there we go! Now you've caught a chill from frolicking around in the rain!" "I did not 'frolic' I was merely walk...wahhhlkhiinnn...Ngg'TSSHiih!! *snffff* Hell's teeth! Excuse mbe!" Silas had hastily ducked to the side to avoid spraying Albert with the poorly stifled sneeze, annoyed with his nose for its terrible timing. Albert just clicked his tongue and gave Silas a withering look. "See?! Quod erat demonstrandum, my love." "It's been only a few sneezes, Bertie. If anything it's a slight case of the sniffles, nothing more... HhEdzZsHIh!! TSSHHIhh!!! *snnfff*" he clamped a gloved hand in front of his face, barely covering the set of sneezes that shook his frame and sent droplets of water flying from his drenched clothes as if he were a wet dog. "*snnnrrff* So sorry.... As I said, it is merely a case of the sniffles. Do not fret on my behalf. You keep fussing over nothing, Bertie!”

“Why don't you let me be the judge of that?,” Albert retorted, sounding audibly piqued. The truth was that Silas had felt not quite like himself for a few days already. He had suffered from a terrible headache and an irritatingly sore about two days ago. The sniffling and sneezing had started yesterday evening and he had felt tired and cranky all day. If he was completely honest, he had felt miserable and craved Albert's sweet, loving embrace and kind eyes, hence why he had decided to venture out for this night time visit despite the adverse conditions. And now he had ruined their evening by getting himself all wet and Albert all cross with him. Tears of frustration pricked Silas' eyes, causing Albert's stern look to soften instantly.

“Come, Sy, let's not squabble about this. The most important thing is that you are here now and that we have to get you warmed up, my love,” he said softly, his hands rubbing Silas' arms in a weak attempt to generate warmth for his sogging wet partner. “We can't have you catch a chill! Now, you stay put here in my quarters near the fireplace, while I go downstairs and organise a few things. And for goodness sake get out of these wet clothes!," Albert chided, since Silas still stood in his wet shirt, waistcoat and trousers, having only shrugged out of his coat, which lay forgotten on the floor in a sorry wet heap.

Silas wanted nothing more than to lean into Albert, to have him close his arms around him and kiss his neck, as was Albert's habit. He was still far too wet, though, so instead of folding himself into Albert's embrace, Silas began to peel the sodden fabric from his body.

“I'll get you one of my pajamas and the warm golden-brown dressing gown,” Albert announced softly, then stayed long enough to ensure that Silas did in fact undress, before he left him to it.

Albert's bedroom was directly connected to his private sitting room, so Silas did his best not to sneeze in Albert's earshot. He could not help the waves of shivers running down his spine, though, and soon he was shaking like a leaf as he tossed one item of clothing after the other on the growing wet pile of fabric. It really was a shame about the beautiful carpet.

“Here you are, my love, you can slip straight into these once you're done drying yourself off. I brought you a towel as well, just toss it on the pile when you're done with it,” Albert explained, sweetly but efficiently, his mind snapping into efficient mode so it would not have to linger on the worries about Silas.

“Thank you, dearest. I am so terribly sorry to be such a burden to you.. Hehh'DZzzSHHI!!”

Letting the last bit of clothing drop onto the pile, Silas snapped forward with a pitiful sneeze that had him sway on his feet. Tears threatened to well up once again, when Silas was suddenly painfully aware of his own vulnerability as he stood there, naked and shivery, barely able to keep his balance in the wake of the sneeze. He blinked, trying to force the tears down, when he suddenly felt himself wrapped into a fluffy towel and Albert's warm embrace.

“Bless you,” Albert whispered softly, his lips mere inches away from Silas' ear as he was hugging Silas from behind, wrapping the towel around his shivering frame. “You are not a burden, Sy. You are a gift I intend to keep protected for as long as I can.”

He turned him around to kiss him, then. Long and slow – a silent promise.

When their lips parted, Silas had stopped shivering.

“That's much better, isn't it, Sy? Now you towel yourself off, slip into my pajamas and get comfortable on the sofa. I'll be right back with a little something to warm you up.”

~~~~~

Some time later, Silas found himself bundled up in Albert's pajamas, the dressing gown with the tasseled belt, which Albert had once used to spank him, and a warm blanket around himself. Next to him on the side table stood a tray laden with the most delicious treats. It seemed that Albert had raided the kitchen for him, since there were biscuits, a steaming cup of tea, as well as another mug filled with a fortifying hot toddy. The first few sips had filled Silas' cold body with a heavy wave of warmth, and he had finally been able to relax.

He had taken quite a few more sips since then and thus felt a little drowsy, his cheeks red from a mixture of alcohol, the heat from the fire and the first licks of a burning fever. Albert sat right behind him on the couch, so Silas could rest against his lover's chest, his body moving softly with the rise and fall of Albert's breathing.

“And you are certain that it is no trouble if I stay here tonight, Bertie?,” Silas asked in a small voice for about the millionth time.

“Quite certain, Sy, my love. Besides, it is still raining outside and I won't let you ruin my dressing gown by frolicking around in the rain again.”

Silas rolled his eyes. “For the last time, I was not frolicking around! Hehh'TttssSHHieW!”

“Bless you~”