#The Earl | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

liyahsun · 2 years

Text

The Earl - Chapter 1

Summary: In the world of the late 1920s England, you and your sister sought out to live comfortably in times economic decline and hardships, until an opportunity presents itself to you unanticipatedly: working for an earl and his estate which holds many private affairs. Secrets uncovered not anyone could fathom.

Featured: Erwin Smith, Levi Ackerman, Armin Arlert, Hange Zoe

Word count: 2.7k

Chapter contents: black reader, black female reader, racial injustice alluded to, reminiscing, dark themes/subjects suggested, superiority/inferiority complexes, mention of infectious disease

Playlist as ambience while reading

A/N: Hey guys! This is my first piece of fiction that I am ever sharing. Was nervous about it but with the help of some friends I got some encouragement, thanks to them for those kind words🤎 Cannot wait to see where this work goes, hope y'all enjoy the ride that this is going to be! Heavy inspirations for this work are Rebecca, Anna Karenina, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride & Prejudice (im a sucker for period dramas)

Prevail

Your eyes are fixed on the words that rested gently on the pages before you. Calm breeze accompanied the pores of your soft skin as it wisped through the window that was slightly ajar at your side. Mixed with the sensation, the inviting ambience of the lively town you and your elder sister reside in, Temberlock, which happened to be bustling with more voices than usual. That was typical around this time of year. Folks from all walks of life flocked to town during the summer to reunite with family and friends for the season’s festivities. Which also meant gossip and scandal increased as it went hand in hand with the influx of persons. It was three hours past noon. The squares of light from the paneled window crept slowly up the desk. The warmth from the summer sun slowly illuminated onto your brown skin, causing it to exude tones as if it were golden like the large star was giving you its compliments and kisses. The chair creaked as you lean forward to get a closer look at the phrase of words:

…but this place will always have one claim on my affection, which no other can possibly share.

This fragment from this novel; it resonated so well within your mind--it's as if Austen knew what was transpiring in your own life. Surely you wanted for more: an estate of your own, perhaps in the countryside.

Privacy.

To not have to worry whether or not your fortepiano was disturbing your neighbors. You longed for it, a dream that seemed so far out of reach--almost too good to be true to be tangible it seemed. Oh, what it'd be like to have a loving husband who is abundant in dowry, wealthy in intelligence, and sensibility in regard to your fervor. You did not think of yourself to have wanted so much. What you deeply longed for was a life more than sustainable. Whether or not dinner may be on the table at night having to cross your thoughts upon merely waking up to the day.

But the two of you lived comfortably, which in no other choice you had to be accepting of. Evangeline worked meticulously at the Smith estate, or so she'd come home and tell you the stories of what she'd experience in a work day as a governess for the earl's younger sister—and how she had an energetic temperament. On some occasions your sister placed the palm of her hand against her head in annoyance when solely mentioning her. You felt that the two of you were fortunate he opened the governess position to your sister as work was hard to come by in these times, moreover, being two unmarried women of African descent. Having skin resemblant of cocoa deemed life inconvenient. Although, not as many hardships were faced as the news stories you’d hear of people with your same complexion in the states, or that’s what you’d hear people call them. On odd occasions nightmares would present themselves to you in your sleep--the cries of your brothers and sisters of different soil, every scream and emotion was felt. Every plead to walk equally among white men, despite the successive Emancipation Proclamation the two of you educated yourselves about. In those dreams your soul would ache, personifying as a large calming hand that’d long to lift about and carry away those conforming souls of your people. You knew you were the minority, British of African birth or descent, and held your culture as close as you could to your heart. There were more of us than what people perceived, in all social standings: doctors, soldiers, merchants, musicians…and even among us newly actresses. But nonetheless, your sister was contemptuous with her position working for him. The highly-spoken Earl Smith.

You worked as a bookkeeper at a nearby bookstore. It was small, traditional, and homey. Working there was satisfactory. Each person that came in came from different realms of life. Old and young. The kind of books they'd check out gave you a glimpse into their spirits. The books had their own way of storytelling without you not having to actually know them. A few of your regular patron's book trends you've become familiar with. One who went by the name of Hange, would come in weekly and check out scientific books--the kind that touched on controversial topics. This week's transaction, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica by Sir Isaac Newton. You personally have not read through it as it did not peak your interest, but knew it explored Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Not so controversial this week.

The thought crossed your mind as you carried out your usual business.

They had a scientist-like appearance to them each time you'd see them enter the store, and smelled of chemicals that were unmistakingly potent. As you finished up your markings, you heard fragments of one-word statements such as "gravity and friction" mutter from their mouth as they were in a deep trance of thought. You didn’t dare ask what wild experiment they must be up to this time.

Another, a mister Arlert, who'd occasionally come in and acquire books on the ocean, ranging from the deep undiscovered waters to how the moon affected the tides. Unlike Hange who was lively about purchasing their books and leaving immediately after, he would be calm about his transactions and stay to read a few chapters before departing.

One customer in particular you couldn't exactly decipher, nor did you want to pry. He'd say in several instances that he was sent by his Lordship to pick up the books, but never clarified who they were. Upon checking out he never stated a name as other customers usually do.

He'd say, "write patron," for your transaction records, and that was it. No hesitation from him nor did you bother inquiring.

His stature and build was short, but toned nonetheless. He'd come in uniform, a similar composition of what your sister described the male staff would wear, but dressed down as he walked among the public and not his Lordship. His raven undercut was not hard to miss and was made to be his signature. You couldn’t associate the style with anybody else. He being a man of a few words adjacent to his constant cold scowl intimidated you utterly; stealthy-like eyes piercing yours as if a snake were scoping out its next potential prey in a high society of the survival of the fittest. This town was not too large, and word spread fast. His Lordship could be a few you've had in mind. Your thoughts would consume you every time he came in to think about the earl your sister worked for. He didn't seem like the kind of gentleman to read books of historical erotica which leaned toward the ideals of sadism. You couldn't fathom why the bookstore owner chose to carry such books. To each their own you suppose.

Your mind wanders back to its current setting and you close your book, pacing to the kitchen. The thought of savoring cheesy baked potatoes brings your palate to salivate. As you put on the water to boil, Evangeline walks through the door, more seemingly fatigued than usual.

"Sister," she calls from the door, "Are you making dinner? I'm exhausted!"

She doesn't bother hanging her outer coat, instead letting it drop off her shoulders to the floor, followed by her shoes being kicked off heavily. You watch in concern as she mopes to the couch, slumping down on it, hanging her feet over the edge. The areas of her smooth unwithered face were clammy with sweat and more pale than usual. Her once bright and youthful demeanor now appeared droopy. No doubt she's fallen ill.

She picks up on you staring at her in concern in her peripheral vision. Through breathiness she manages to mutter,

"His Lordship Smith told me to not return tomorrow…" she paused momentarily, "and he's sending a doctor out to keep observation of this newfound unknown illness…" her words trail off.

She turns her head to you slowly in pain and faintly continues, "My muscles ache more than usual and breathing has become difficult."

Another pause follows.

"Dearest sister, you must take my place. No telling how soon I will recover from this." Her brows furrowed from the aches she was enduring.

"What does this mean? Me working alone does not guarantee our security-"

She cuts your words short,

"But my position as a governess makes a livable wage, rather than your bookkeeping. It is settled. You must take my place."

You could not protest that. She was correct. She was always correct. Sometimes it greatly affected you, made you insecure about your own line of thinking. Other times it's one of the qualities she possessed well that you admire so greatly. Always so just and confident in what she believed in, not wavering in the slightest. No hesitation. She had a kind of demanding nature to her, and people would bend. She was not an intimidator, no, but she made her intentions well known, and you followed suit in her shadow to remain affixed.

Your body grows numb as your senses gain in on the solemnity of the situation you two are now in. Before you knew it, the plushness of the couch engulfs your derrière as your legs give out from sudden shock. To be a governess for a man of such rank meant holding oneself with such class and dignity you didn’t feel you obtained naturally—not such as your sister at least. Surely being a governess only meant being employed to teach children within a private household, but it was for him.

Him.

From time to time your curiosity would get the best of you and would lean to asking Evangeline what the earl looked like. She described him as handsomely tall, bright blonde hair neat and sleek. His ensemble and its trappings remained uniform with nothing out of place. The way a gentleman presented himself told people of society a lot of who he was as a man. She’d add that his sharp features surely demanded the attention of those who he’d choose to associate himself with upon entering any room.

The one thing that still baffles you is he's unmarried and no one speaks of it.

Your hands find themselves rubbing your temples to find some tangible form of relief—that is—until you are interrupted from your anxious thoughts.

“Sister, hello? Hey!” Evangeline snapped her fingers with the ounce of strength she had left to gain your attention. Your rising anxiety had caused you to zone out, something that has been happening more often. Your eyes snap to her’s which were looking to the framed opening of the kitchen in concern.

Smoke. Heavens.

Realizing quickly that she was too weak to get up, you rushed to the kitchen to take the pot with the overcooked potatoes off the stove. Your breathing is heavy.

“Dinner is beyond a state to consume it,” you mutter to yourself.

You sigh in disappointment and frustration. Why was it things that seemed miniscule—minor inconveniences such as dinner being ruined—upset you so easily? Perhaps it was the scenario that you now find yourself in so troubling. Panicking wasn’t going to bring justice to either of you, and there was no avoiding the situation at hand. Something that you became so easily accustomed to: running away from the good and bad, abandoning everything, which time and time proved again it’ll leave nothing. Nothing to look back to. No one to trust.

Straighten up.

Pacing to the kitchen sink, you splash the chilling water against your skin to ground yourself, the uncomfortableness from the chill leaving behind growing goosebumps. Patting yourself dry, you approach the frame of the kitchen and lean against it. Her tiresome eyes meet yours in concern as she understands dinner is derelict having to speak. That was the last of your potatoes.

...

Your senses are awakened to muffled talking from the living room. It must be the doctor that was sent out. They’re here awfully early. Rubbing your heavy eyes you approach your window that was ajar with a cool breeze. Bleak thoughts of the situation at hand returned to your mind—the gift of sleep temporarily erased your memory through the night departed you, leaving you with the realities of today and many days after that must be overcome. Any other person would be happy to be in your position of being employed for such a man of nobility—but then maybe perhaps not, due to the unforeseen circumstances that brought you here.

Bringing yourself to enter the living room, there your sister lies looking as ill as ever. Leaves you wondering how the doctor was let in at her being shaken at this rate. Beside her on the tea table lay medical instruments your eyes have never seen in their curious life. Some of which looked to repair the most disastrous of illnesses unimaginable. Seemingly with some deliberation as if he were about to deliver grim news to your awaiting ears, the physician begins,

“Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Dr. Edvard, head doctor of the Smith estate. I was sent here to tend to your sister,” he turns to pick up an instrument and fixes himself back to Evangeline.

“Her condition seems to be of recent discoveries…” trailing off once again as his focus is on administering his tool.

“Sore throat, fever, weakness, and some swelling around the underside of the jaw,” he says as he presses against that area as you see her wince in pain.

Your heart was racing and your throat grew more dry.

Frantically you ask, “what does this mean for her?”

“I will be keeping a close eye on her. For now, I recommend you keep your distance as symptoms of this condition are known to be easily transmissible. If my impressions are correct, this is a mild case of diphtheria, which there is currently a vaccine being brought to perfection to treat.”

His words were affirming yet dreary. The usually comforting sounds of the town appeared still this morning and not lively as it usually was, adding to your ever-growing anxiety you felt beginning to make its way back through your body again.

Her weak voice cut through your intrusive thoughts,

“It’ll be okay. I will be okay. I am in good hands, have faith.”

Without a verbal response you just nod so that she can visually see you are agreeing, even though deep down within you feel paralysed with fear like a child who lost track of their parent in a hectic marketplace—tall giants hastily walking past you in all directions as you feel your world slowly coming into collision with your innocent mind.

With a mind of their own, your feet trail back to your bedroom where a cotton blouse that buttoned up and a wool skirt lay on your vanity, folded. The ensemble of your new position. Had that been there before? You didn’t notice it as you were so worried about what today may bring.

She put these here for me.

From when the two of you were adolescents, back when your mother was living, Evangeline would always go out of her way to help everyone, even when a situation would deem it inappropriate. You despised it. It annoyed you to a great extent because she’d insist she was always okay. Like the night you became so frustrated because your mother would not assist you with pinning your hair before bed as she promised that day. So you made a promise to yourself you’d learn to do it on your own with no assistance, and you made that known to her. Regardless of you emphasizing how much your personal growth meant for you, Evangeline dismissed your feelings and assisted you anyway. Words did not make their way to the world as you were uneasy they might offend her offering of assistance to you, furthermore, making you appear ungrateful. Deep down you felt that she was afraid to not be in control of her situation at hand. Always had to have the upper-hand; the final say-so. Why couldn’t she fall back and be complacent when times called for it? Why’d she have to be so strong-willed? Didn’t she ever become tired of pulling a heavy load? The action of these clothes that lay on your vanity gave you all the answers you needed.

#erwin smith #the earl #1920s #erwin smith fanfiction #levi ackerman #erwin x reader #erwin x y/n #historical fiction #armin arlet #hange zoe #black!reader #black!fem!reader #commander daddy

45 notes · View notes

concerthopperblog · 5 days

Text

Big Dumb Tour 2024: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol Live @ The Earl

Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol (RBBP) is a rock/doom wop/groove metal/heavy metal/metal/party metal trio from Austin, Texas. RBBP consists of Leo Lydon (vocals/guitar), Sean St. Germain (drums), and Aaron Metzdorf (bass/backing vocals). RBBP has released three (3) LPs, four (4) singles/EPs, two (2) compilations, and one (1) cassette. Their latest release is entitled Big Dumb Riffs, and I am stoked for this new release to arrive in the mail so I can add it to my RBBP collection. I randomly stumbled upon RBBP one day scrolling through Bandcamp and came across their album, Burger Babes… From Outer Space! Then a few years later, I was surprised that they were announced on the Shaky Knees Music Festival lineup in 2022 among some other wicked bands/artists.

My first time seeing RBBP at Shaky Knees was all that I expected. Loud, heavy, fun, energetic, and full of big dumb riffs. Just the way I like it. This tour stop on the Big Dumb Tour 2024 was also full of meaty big dumb riffs, but this time RBBP gets to play The Earl in the East Atlanta Village on Flat Shoals Rd. One of my favorite smaller venues in Atlanta is The Earl because it is so intimate, and you can get up close and personal with your favorite artist/band while they perform. When RBBP announced the Big Dumb Tour 2024 via their socials, I was ready to get another opportunity to see them perform again but this time with local Atlanta favorites NAW and Pretty Please as opening support at The Earl.

Starting this evening’s festivities was the Atlanta band Pretty Please. Pretty Please is a three (3) piece rock/grunge/noise rock band from Atlanta, GA. Pretty Please was formed as a band in 2012 and consists of Robee Whitmire (guitar/vocals), Brian Martinez (bass), and David Bair (drums). I think the best way to describe Pretty Please is by comparing their earsplitting sound to (the) Melvins, Whores., and very early Nirvana. Also, I think that when you attend a show featuring Pretty Please (or any band on this bill), it is safe to say that you should wear some ear protection because it gets LOUD! That is exactly how we like it. Loud and crunchy. Pretty Please was the perfect choice to start this evening with their deafening and vivacious set of songs from their five (5) LP discography. I cannot wait to check Pretty Please out again at a future show, and you should also. Check out the setlist from Pretty Please below:

· “Vulsella”

· “Lowered Expectations”

· “Wormy”

· “X-Mas box”

· “White Castle”

· “Rock is Dad”

· “It Pays to Complain”

· “Brick Shithead”

You can support and listen to Pretty Please over on their Official Bandcamp page today.

NAW is a four (4) piece noise rock/post-hardcore/noise metal/grunge/rock band from Atlanta, GA. NAW consists of Amanda Sherman (vocals), Jared Singleton (guitar), Kevin Stokes (drums), and Dave Sherman (bass). I did not know what to expect from either NAW or Pretty Please, as I wanted to be surprised with both bands especially since they were Atlanta artists. NAW came onstage to many people in the crowd screaming their names, so I knew something special was about to transpire. Within the first few minutes of their set, I knew why the crowd was going berserk while they were taking the stage. NAW’s raw energy and passion while performing are quite evident and unbridled. Like Pretty Please, I was blown away by NAW’s intense set with some crowd interaction by Amanda sprinkled in for good measure.

The most random part of this evening came from the fact that Dave Sherman recognized me from my stint working at Sam Goody in the Augusta Mall in Augusta, GA. many moons ago. It makes me happy knowing that music can bring people together and over time they can reconnect. Music makes the world a much better and happier place. You can see NAW’s setlist from this evening’s show below:

· “You’re a Coward and This World Will Remain Unchanged Without You”

· “Weed Them and Reap”

· “Meat”

· “I Against I” (Bad Brains cover)

· “Null”

· “Ugly”

· “Cope Atypical”

Head to NAW’s Official Bandcamp page or their linktr.ee/nawatlanta and show them some love!

When it came time for RBBP to take the stage, you could feel the excitement with many folks in the crowd. I overheard some people talking about the previous times seeing them perform live and how they were stoked for this evening. Once Leo had added his setlist to the stage, I was over the moon to see four songs that I hoped they would play made this evening’s setlist. And two of the songs on my list kicked off their unforgettable set. I highly recommend seeing RBBP do their thing if they come to your favorite venue if you like your music thunderous and full of big dumb riffs. Check out this wicked setlist from RBBP from The Earl (04/20/2024) in Atlanta, GA below:

· “I’m the Fucking Man”

· “1-800-Eat Shit”

· “Body Bag”

· “Peanut Butter Snack Sticks”

· “Whip It Around”

· “Blue Collar Man”

· “It’s A Jar”

· “The Worm”

· “Sister Militia”

· “Fly Super Glide”

· “Shoo-in”

· “Baby Man”

· “Gravy”

You can listen to and support RBBP on Bandcamp by following this link. Also, do not forget to preorder the new LP, Big Dumb Riffs, when you visit their Bandcamp page.

Curious about Concerthopper? You can find more music-related articles, interviews, various photo galleries, indie music reviews, our ‘Bars & Bites’ section, our exclusive “She Said, She Said” column, or become a Concerthopper at www.concerthopper.com. Sign up for our monthly newsletter by following this link: The Setlist! Please ‘Like’ our page on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date in 2023, on all music-related events/festivals such as Tour of the Valedores: John Garcia Live at The Masquerade, High on Fire: Live at The Senate (Columbia), Shoot For The Moon Tour: Sierra Ferrell Live at The Eastern, Seasons World Tour 2024: Thirty Seconds to Mars & AFI Live at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Mr. Bungle: Live at The Tabernacle, Ashes of Leviathan Tour: Mastodon & Lamb of God @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, An Evening with Goose (Night 3) @ The Fox Theatre (Atlanta), Least Anticipated Album Tour: A Day To Remember @ Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B, S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival w/ SLASH, Larkin Poe, ZZ Ward, and Robert Randolph – Live @ The Orion Amphitheater (Huntsville), Doyle & Otep Live at The Ranch (Ft. Myers), Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, & The Kitchen Dwellers: Live at The Eastern (Atlanta), Weedeater w/ Telekinetic Yeti & Restless Spirit: Live @ Grantski Records, Blackout Tour Pt. 2: From Ashes to New Live @ Water Street Music Hall (Rochester), Is For Lovers Tour (Fox Summer Stage), We Legalized It 2024: Cypress Hill, The Pharcyde, & Souls of Mischief: Live at Tabernacle, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Live at The Fox Theatre (Atlanta), The Godmode Tour: In This Moment Live @ Landmark Theatre (Syracuse), Hawthrone Heights: 20 Years of Tears Tour (Sound @ Coachman Park), Catalyst 20 Years Later - New Found Glory: Live at Buffalo Riverworks, Underoath “They’re Only Chasing Safety” 20th Anniversary Tour: Live at Buffalo Riverworks, and Pallbearer w/ Rwake & The Keening @ The Masquerade (Atlanta) by following us on all social media formats: Concerthopper on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also follow my concert hopping on Facebook and Instagram.