#Using Benedict is just ratchet

[msclaritea]

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN; EITHER CRAP JESUS, SUCCEEDING AT THE BOX OFFICE OR PEDRO PASCAL GETTING FETCH, JUST BY MENTIONING HIM IN THE SAME SENTENCE. WHERE IS THIS ABJECT THIRST, COMING FROM?

[fayes-fics]

Lightening & Lilies

Pairing: benedict bridgerton x fem!reader

Summary: Simply put, greenhouse sex during a thunderstorm

Warnings: smut, 18+, minors dni, light bondage, vaginal sex.

Word count: 1.9k

Author's note: Unbetaed. Set in the Sonnet #29 universe. This is a bit cliched, but was written in a few hours of classic work avoidance. Inspired by the tweet below, minus the Victorian dress. Also inspired by the gif above, because, come on now, who wouldn't be? The title of ‘my lord’ used here is part of their d/s play. Edit: now with beautiful artwork by @wysteria-clad 🧡

“Please…” your whine is pathetic, and you know it.

“Please what?” he teases, circling you, close enough for you to smell his skin. He's bare-feet, just his trousers with braces hanging around his hips, his lithe torso on display, taunting you.

“Touch me,” breathless and desperate. You writhe ineffectually against your binding, but it's just no use; you can’t move. The wrought iron pillar is cold against your bare back; the rope chafes against your wrists—the heady botanical smell in the air from the riot of tropical plants. In the distance, you hear an approaching summer storm rumbling on the horizon, creating a hum in the air. Intoxicating. 

He smirks and plucks a lily from the beautiful patch blooming opposite you, its neatly hammered brass sign Lilium candidum glowing in the moonlight. He takes a deep inhale of the flower and slowly trails the white petals over the skin of your neck, down your breastbone over the centre line of your stomach. The feathery touch is enough to enlighten your senses but not enough to satisfy. His gaze is intent on the flower as he twirls its petals across your belly button, the tickle making your stomach ripple.

“Is this what you want?” His voice is deep and teasing. 

“No,” you exhale; it's not enough and too much all at once. 

“That's a shame,” he says ponderously, tipping the flower to drag the stamen up under your breast. Ticking the skin there, trailing up until its sticky yellow pollen dusts your nipple, pebbling under his gentle teasing.

“How about that?” he knows how to torture you to the point of frustration - this is his favourite way to make you crazed for him. 

“No, I want you, your hands, your body,” you whimper.

He hums as if contemplating your request. Instead, he tucks some loose strands behind your left ear and slides the flower into your hair, long fingers trailing down the side of your face admiring his handiwork.

“Such a beautiful sight; I should go get my easel…” he sighs thoughtfully.

“Don't you dare,” you grit through your teeth.

“Beauty should be captured so that others may admire its wondrous nature,” he intones, every inch the art professor he is.

“You are not at work now,” you reply, squaring your jaw, frustration bubbling into insolence.

“An artist is never at rest, my love,” he lectures. “But, then yes, I suppose there are other ways to use my time,” he adds, suddenly crowding his whole body against you. 

You inhale sharply, fighting against your bindings again, desperate to have your hands, to touch him. His chest catches against your nipples, tickling.

“I really should have tied your hands above your head rather than behind your back,” he breathes against your temple as if disappointed in himself for not thinking of it sooner. “You are always a little frantic when your discomfort is ratcheted just a little higher.”

His left hand runs down your side, mapping the contours of your skin, listening to your breath hitch as there is a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder much closer than the last. The hand rounds your bum cheek and loops the back of your thigh, pulling your leg up off the ground, hooking it over his hipbone. 

“Is this what you wanted?” he questions again, slowly pressing you further into the pillar.

“Yes, more of this, please,” your voice drunken, feeling his fingers digging into the meat of your thigh, the metal clasp at the waistband of his trousers grazing your belly, his breath hot on your hairline.

He growls a little and pulls your leg higher and out further, exposing your slit to the humid air of the greenhouse.

“You smell better than all of these flowers, my love,” his voice lower and dusky, inhaling deep. His ravishing filthy words bring more moisture, almost dripping down your thigh.

“Please,” you implore again as another ominous clap of thunder rumbles across the room, rattling some of the looser glass panes.

“What is it now? I'm touching you am I not?” he chides, kissing the dewy skin of your forehead.

“Just fuck me,” you whisper against his stubbled jaw, almost ashamed of your need, but there's a heavy ache deep inside that only his cock can remedy now.

“Oh no, darling,” he drawls, "you're going to have to ask me nicer than that or you won't get it at all." He surges his hips against you, so you feel him hot and rigid through his trousers, divulging what you will be missing out on if you don't play along. Your moan is unsolicited but loud, but he soon pulls back again, leaving a few inches of humid, sticky air between your bodies.

“Please give me your cock. I need it,” you beg, thrusting your hips out to chase what you just felt, your hands catching against the metal; you can't move far; he has made sure of it.

“But my love, are you sure you don't want my fingers?” He toys, running feathery touches over your biceps “or my tongue?” he adds, dropping his face lower to lick a hot line up your clavicle. 

“Anything you want to give me, my lord,” you breathe.

“Now we are getting somewhere,” a flash of lightning illuminates the smirk on his handsome face as you finally use the words he loves to hear from you when he has you like this.

“Good thing for you, my love, is that I'm not in the mood to tease tonight either,” he speaks casually, kicking an upturned terracotta pot towards the pillar and dropping the leg he holds; your foot falling on top of it. A loud clap of thunder makes you jump, and you feel a static buzz across your skin from the ozone in the air. 

“Ask again very nicely, and maybe I’ll give it to you,” he murmurs silkily, his hands tugging on the buttons of his trousers.

“Please, please, I love your cock, and I need it. Please, my lord, I'm aching.” You give up any pretence of propriety, just plain begging at this point.

“That's my girl.” A swaggering lilt, knowing he has you right where he wants you. He drops his trousers, and before you can look down admiringly, he takes himself in hand, crowds into you again and presses into you slowly. 

Your eyes roll back, and you let out a long, high-pitched noise as he stretches you out, your foot on the floor being pushed up onto your tip toes with the force of it. Just as the sky is torn apart by a massive lightning streak and a loud thunder roll.

“Yessss,” you hiss, finally the remedy your body has been screaming for, as he reaches your hilt. This feeling, so full, so hot, never gets old. His hands grasp you, thumbs digging harshly into your hipbones. For the first time since he tied you up, he moves to kiss you, his tongue lashing deep into your mouth as he begins to move.

Suddenly the rain begins, a symphony of sound tapping on the glass roof above you. He breaks the kiss to look up at the sky.

“Oh, my darling, do you know anything of the properties of lightning?” he asks as he pushes in and out at a steady pace. Of course, you do - if anything, you are the more voracious reader of scientific discoveries than he is. But the vibration of his voice through your body means you just want to hear what he has to say.

“Enlighten me, my lord,” you chime.

“It is said to be attracted to metal objects,” one hand moving above your head to tap on then grasp the wrought iron pillar you are tied to, part of the skeleton of the greenhouse holding all this glass aloft. “With a moment of bad luck from mother nature, we could expire.” The last word is a harsh staccato - the danger, the tang of fear of being against a metal post amid an electric storm, heightening his arousal. And now yours. 

He speeds up his pace. “If I have to die, my darling, I prefer it be with you, inside you,” his voice passionate and breathy.

You push your breasts up against him, aching to feel more. “Yes, my lord. If I must die, I want to be with you.” Your wrists fight against the rope he has lashed them with. Your shoulder blades drag heavy against the pillar as he takes you harder.

A boom of thunder coincides with his loud moan as you latch your lips onto his neck, biting gently on his overheated skin. “More, my lord, please, give me more,” you implore. 

With a growl, he reaches down and pulls your butt up, wrapping your legs over his arms; you are now pinned entirely at his mercy; he’s carrying your weight, your hands still tied. “I've got you,” he soothes, sensing your disquiet.

The storm is now in full force, the glass rattling as the rain pours heavier and an almost constant drone of thunder echoes around the sky. His pace is unrelenting. He kisses you so many times, each possessive and rough. Tomorrow, your spine will have bruises from the unyielding metal, but it doesn't bother you; you are desperate to come, desire knitted tight in your lower belly. The angle means his public bone is striking against your clit with every stroke; you won't even need his fingers to take you over the edge in this position.

“Oh god, right there, please don't stop,” you scream loud, knowing the storm will drown out the noise. He is also more vocal than usual, loudly groaning with each stroke and babbling your name and how good it feels.

An intense flash of lightning blinds your vision, and you're tumbling over and over, yelling and shaking, dimly hoping he can hold your strength as you writhe and buck hard against him. Pulsing hot all over - he roars at the sensation.

“Please look into my eyes,” he entreats desperately, his movement becoming uncoordinated. You move to lock eyes with him, his face appearing to morph shape with the lightning flashing from all angles. “Tell me you love me,” he pleads; you can tell he is so close to his peak now.

“I love you, Benedict,” you stare into his eyes and use his name for the first time tonight. His responding moan is long and thready as he spears deep and freezes, his head drooping and biting down on your shoulder. Every time he empties inside you, it feels powerful and potent.

“I love you too,” he responds softly when his voice returns. He gently lowers you to your feet as he breathes hard, resting his forehead against yours, pulling out slowly from your body. The storm seems to be easing as it passes east over the woods. 

“Please untie my hands,” you whisper after a few beats. He nods and disappears behind the pillar, making quick work of the knots. You breathe a sigh of relief as your wrists are freed, and he brings them to his lips to soothe the ache.

“I'm sorry, this should be better by tomorrow morning,” he promises, inspecting the red marks.

“I know,” you mollify, crowding into him with a yawn as the storm becomes pacifying background noise. “Mmm, tired,” you drawl against his shoulder.

“I can tell,” he chuckles affectionately, “come on, Mrs Bridgerton, time for bed.”

“Okay,” you yawn again, watching him pick up all the discarded clothing, comfortable in his nakedness, “lead the way, Mr Bridgerton”. 

He plucks the lily you had forgotten about out of your hair and hands it to you. “A souvenir, my lady,” he says with a slight comic bow.

“A night of lightning and lilies?” you giggle.

“Indeed,” his smile is warm as he throws the clothing onto his shoulder and picks you up, carrying you back into the main house.

Tagged: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @kkpolakow

[itsbenedict]

Two-Faced Jewel: Session 13

The Morning After

A half-elf conwoman (and the moth tasked with keeping her out of trouble) travel the Jewel in search of, uh, whatever a fashionable accessory is pointing them at. [Campaign log]

Last time, while waiting in Barley for the high-level adventuring party to slay a dragon for them, the party found themselves in the middle of a small apocalypse wherein they had to fight an army of barley-monsters animated by echoes of ambient blood-feud hatred. They handled that just fine, though! Saelhen only almost died.

This time... well, with everything dealt with more or less smoothly, it's time to get back out on the road. This is a pretty short one (because my second vaccine kicked in halfway through and I had to break.)

They'd like to get on the road immediately, if they can- they've got cover of darkness and plenty of distracted and tired villagers under which to, uh, kidnap a child. Only problem is... Vayen has just slipped into drunken unconsciousness, and part of their kidnapping plan was to have him turn Kensa invisible.

But it's fine! Looseleaf has a plan! She's a spirit mage- she can magically heal people's wounds, right? Surely she can handle a little bit of alcohol poisoning! It'll just take a little arcane improvization...

Saelhen du Fishercrown: WELP Looseleaf: i'm drunk too now Benedict I. (GM): Okay, so, what does a critical failure on trying to undrunk Vayen look like...

So Looseleaf's like, okay, just identify the foreign contaminant in his bloodstream and tell it that it wants to get out, right? Ain't nothing can go wrong with that!

What goes wrong with that is that Vayen vomits all over the bar- and what comes out is not vomit. Or alcohol, for that matter. It's some sort of... pitch-black, sticky substance. And he's still not waking up.

Benedict I. (GM): So I think now you quite conclusively have the problem of "Vayen is out cold". You have technically never had a better opportunity to just ditch the guy, I guess! Looseleaf: Yeeeeah, let's, uh, get him upstairs. I think ditchin' him is out of the question right now. Saelhen du Fishercrown: Oh he's way too narratively interesting for that now Boy is stuck in the roller coaster called player curiosity

As they take him up to bed, they- well, of course they go through his pockets. They have to, to find his room key! And if they just happen to find notes written in indecipherable rectangles of opalescent black ink, and a diagram of the circle on Saelhen's bracer- well, that's just unavoidable.

In the morning... well, first I ask them a bunch of suspiciously-detailed questions about exactly how they disposed of the black goo Vayen vomited up, which ratchets up their paranoia a few levels. Turns out they just wiped it up with some old rags and threw them in the trash.

So when he wakes up, and Looseleaf asks him about the black stuff he threw up... well, first, he pulls some of his notes out of his pocket, stares at them in confusion, then panics and demands to know what happened to the goo. On being told, he rushes down to the kitchen, stares horrified at the contents of the trashcan, and then steels himself to begin sucking furiously on the nasty goo rags. He's barely able to suppress his disgust, but apparently this is really important.

So, Vayen's got problems. What else is new?

Well, Kevin's back, and gives them the lowdown on what happened with the dragon:

They set up camp inside the bedroom, using a lead-lined duck hide sort of situation, and waited for the dragon to show up for the scheduled corpse drop with Arnie. When the dragon arrived, they sealed the whole tower in a forcecage, and got to town with "patented methods". The dragon managed to use some sort of magic item, though- a weird straw doll looking thing that they weren't sure about the effect of. They tried burning it, but it didn't seem to help that there was an army of weird plant golems charging the tower and trying to break down the forcecage. Lady Greatholder's maids were just barely able to fend off the attack- one half of the invading forces was strangely more meager, and they were able to concentrate their attacks on the ones attacking from the east. He mentions that if they'd had to deal with just a few more of them, the barrier might've broken and the dragon could've escaped.

So, Doon's been sent off to track down the dragon's lair (and thereby hoard), but the rest are headed back today. As for Arnie...

Benedict I. (GM): The contact, he says, has decided to come quietly. And he says it funny, like he's implying something else. Saelhen du Fishercrown: 3 - INSIGHT (1) Benedict I. (GM): Not sure what, though. Saelhen du Fishercrown: can't read into it! Benedict I. (GM): Yeah, he might've been assuming you knew what he meant- oh well.

Since the Deathseekers are to be their ride back, and sneaking a child onto a "horse" without the high-level adventurers noticing seems... difficult at best, Looseleaf opts for honesty- explaining that "there's a child in this village who has expressed the desire to flee an abusive household", and that Saelhen wants to bring her. Kevin doesn't pry too much into this, and agrees- he probably assumed they'd done their due diligence on that.

The party comes up with a pretty simple plan for getting Kensa out: the town is surrounded by fields of tall barley, which means getting out of town without being seen is just a matter of making it to the fields and going the long way around. Delivering Kensa's letters is similarly pretty easy after some thought- they leave the pile in the care of the general store, to be discovered after they've fled town.

So, they meet up with the Deathseekers, who're all chuffed about their successful dragonslaying. The maids are kind of bandaged up from their scrap with the Justice Echoes, and Arnie is... tied up on Lady Greatholder's back like a backpack, seemingly pleased as punch about his circumstances. What... exactly... do they have planned for him?

Orluthe and Looseleaf offer some magical healing to the maids- who seem relieved and thankful for it, since apparently they've turned down magical healing from John Human. That guy does healing, apparently! There's something intensely unpleasant about it, apparently! Which is unfair, John claims, because "wasps never hurt anyone", apparently.

Also there's a colony of parasitic wasps under the eaves of the tower that wasn't there before, apparently!

Those things being utterly unimportant, the party gets back on the road. And immediately runs into... the forest. Remember the forest? The one with lots of weird identical trees that Looseleaf's spirit-senses determined weren't, like, exactly alive?

After poking the trees and determining that they're not coming to life and attacking anyone, they decide- eh, this can be a problem for later, or perhaps for someone else. The high-level adventurers know about it now, so it'll be fine!

That thing being utterly unimportant, the party gets back on the road. The trip to Cauterdale is pretty uneventful, and on arrival... well. First, Arnie is thrown in jail.

Looseleaf gets some demonsbane seeds from Kevin's garden, and next time... it's time to catch a boat!

[malarkis]

TURN drunk/drinking headcanons

had a lil drinky dranks with friends and got thinking about this afterwards. im pretty sure someone else did this though. i think i got everyone, so it’s a bit long and honestly just for shits and giggles. i am very sorry ------------------------ Ben Tallmadge - boy finally lETS LOOSE, but not in a wild way. he’s just overly friendly and will laugh at about anything. greets random people at the party. red as a tomato. first to hit that “oh god why did i do this” stage of sobering up Abraham Woodhull - the absolute madman. there is no dare he doth not do. ends up standing on a table at some point. ends most sentences in “ man” at a certain level of half drunk-half sober. falls off most surfaces. terrible balance Mary Woodhull - cheering on Abe at the start of the night. can probably down more than anyone else there. queen of the shots. drunkenly worrying about Abe by the end of the night. tipsy walks back to the car, but knows exactly where they parked Anna Strong - she and Mary are a force to be reckoned with in any drunken competition, simply abort all hopes of winning. stupidly good at aiming when drunk. probably makes a game out of it and has a few others cheering her on. drunkenly teaches you something. sobers up the fastest and check on everyone. probably one of the last ones and helps clean up and chats with you during Caleb Brewster - no idea why but i see him as the first to start, but also the one who can hold is alcohol the best?? the conscious mother hen drunk. never truly out of control. saving ben from something. mixes random drinks that sound awful but taste gr8. doesn’t know how to use the shaker, but looks cool with it anyway. unofficial guidance counsellor of the night

Washington - doesn’t actually get heavily drunk, but hits that borderline tipsy sometime during the night. actually knows how to use the shaker and looks cool with it anyway. will sit you down for a lecture on different whiskies or something. will call someone son by the end of the night. strong and affirming back pats Peggy Shippen - that one girl crying in the bathroom. but also that one girl you befriend in the bathroom and plan a drunken brunch with. came with andré but lost him somehow. 50+ pictures of you two together looking gr8 and remembers to tag you later on John André - started off strong, but got a lil bit weepy. perked right back up though - what a champ. came with peggy but lost her somehow. the sloppy fancy drunk who everyone had a nice time with. brought some imported alcohol. brings out the flute at the end of the night when about five of you are left. bad relationship advice Alexander Hamilton - one man drunken debate team. would probably win said debate anyhow. see saws between happy drunk to angry drunk in a few minutes. probably brings up conspiracy theories at some point. that one guy who you’ll chill with at the end of the party, probably on a lawn chair or something, just talking as you sober up Abigail - drunk or sober, she’s your Best friend at the party. would try not to get drunk, but let herself have a little fun because she works HARD. will hold up your hair while you vom. drunken witty comebacks and jokes for days Akinbode - can and will outdrink you. probably will compete with Mary at some point. intense drunk. he came to have a good time and he’s having it, but he’s also tired and spacing out. starts out strong, but also the one you need to check on later on and tap on the shoulder to see if they’re alive. dancey dancey Edmund Hewlett - nervously agrees to get turnt, but has a gd ball afterwards. you lose him mid party and find him with some sort of pet. laughing at his own jokes, but its endearing. got drunk on like sherry or something. does ONE dumb thing, quiet regret. Feels It(TM) when Coldplay’s “Yellow” plays at some point. brings out a board game. ends up in the pool but not by choice. John Simcoe - is the one who got Hewlett into the pool by some strange reason. not the first to get drunk, but definitely not the last. bit of a close talker. somehow ends up in a bit of a tussle during the party. wanders aimlessly around the house. forgot what he was looking for. you find him in the basement or den looking through music or something. originally came because Anna did. taking André’s bad advice Lafayette - voted most fun at the party. the endearing and a little clingy drunk. makes like 10 new friends even if they cannot understand one another. random yelling/singing in french. gets his new friends to sing in french with him, albeit poorly. nonetheless he is impressed. “i love you guys so much” x20. last to sober up. doesn’t realize how loud he is. losses all consciousness on the way home. probably sent you a novel of drunk texts Robert Townsend - “I’m so tired of being here”. watching over Abe and the gang, but also getting quietly turnt. actually has really good music and secretly gets to the aux/speakers. designated driver. makes coffee for everyone at some point. it’s probably his house and he puts up the “leave by nine” banner Robert Rogers and Sackett and Papa Townsend - who invited their horribly Bad Influence uncles to the party?? ratchet mixology crash course in the kitchen. pitching ideas to the young’uns. bad jokes. hijacks the music at some point - their choices range from absolute bangers to why do you even have this???? Ensign Baker - still a Good Boy. took the longest to get drunk, but got there somehow. probably took one of the drinks made by Sackett or Rogers and passed out somewhere on the couch. helps Anna with the cleaning afterwards, still drunk yet aware enough to tell you to text him when you get home safely. also insists on walking people out when they leave and saying bye, it’s not his house though Benedict Arnold - the worst drinking companion. everything is a competition and he will hijack several conversations during the night. please dont give him the speakers/aux chord. the spotify DJ feat. unwanted ads. bets galore. news flash, he lost all of them. just as bad as when he’s sober. please go home

[the-desolated-quill]

The Quill Seal Of Approval Awards - The Best of 2018

Hello and welcome, dear reader, to the greatest, most important awards ceremony in the history of entertainment. The Quill Seal Of Approval Awards. The award of recognition that everyone on Earth covets even though they don’t know it. For the Quill Seal Of Approval is a most esteemed prize for hard work and artistry. Better than the Golden Globes, more prestigious than the BAFTAs and guaranteed to be more diverse than the Academy Awards. You know your film, novel, TV show or video game has achieved legendary status when some random nobody on the internet says it’s the best in some obscure top 10 list that’s read by only a couple of people. That’s the true sign of success.

First, a few parish notices. Obviously this is my subjective opinion, so if you disagree with my choices, that’s fine. Go make your own list. (also remember that my opinion is 100% objective, scientific, factual and literal truth and anyone who disagrees is clearly a philistine and a dummy and a poopy-head whose mum smells of elderberries). Also please bear in mind that I haven’t been able to experience everything 2018 has to offer for one reason or another. In other words, please don’t be upset that A Star Is Born isn’t on this list. I’m sure it’s as amazing as everyone says it is. I just never got around to watching it.

Okay. Let us begin.

Inside No. 9 - Series 4

BBC2′s Inside No. 9, written by the League of Gentlemen’s Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, is an anthology series that’s often sadly overlooked, but it’s really worth a watch if you’re into shows like Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone, and this series in particular has been fantastic. We’ve had an episode written entirely in iambic pentameter, an episode whose chronology runs backwards, a live episode that really plays around with the format, episodes containing tragic and biting satire, and one especially twisted episode that brings out a side of Steve Pemberton we’ve never seen before. Series 4 has been a real treat from start to finish, with each episode beautifully written and expertly performed. Inside No. 9 deserves to share the same pedestal as Black Mirror, no question.

Black Panther

I’m sure everyone knows about my less than flattering views on the Marvel Cinematic Universe by now, which is what made Black Panther such a breath of fresh air for me. Stripping away all the convoluted crap, Black Panther has often been compared to The Dark Knight, and for good reason. Like The Dark Knight, this movie uses the superhero genre to tackle real social and political issues. In Black Panther’s case, exploring just what it means to be black in the modern world. Boasting an impressive cast of black actors, strong female characters, an engaging and complex antagonist, fantastic special effects and truly excellent direction from Ryan Coogler, Black Panther represents a new benchmark for Marvel, the superhero genre and the film industry in general. It proves how important and how lucrative diversity and representation in media can be, and it unintentionally shows how flawed the Marvel business model has become. The reason behind Black Panther’s success is simple. It’s because it’s bloody brilliant. And the reason it’s bloody brilliant is because Coogler was allowed to realise his own creative vision without Kevin Feige and Mickey Mouse breathing down his neck. Perhaps they should take note of that in future.

Deadpool 2

Of course Deadpool 2 is going to be on this list. Are you really surprised?

The Merc with the Mouth goes from strength to strength in the rare instance where the sequel is actually as good as, if not better than, the original. The first Deadpool was a great origin story for the character, but Deadpool 2 felt like an adventure ripped straight from the comics themselves. Crass, ultra violent and hysterically funny, Deadpool 2 is the crowning jewel of the X-Men franchise. Fan favourites such as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus return as well as new characters such as Domino, played by the exceptional Zazie Beetz, Cable, played by the astounding Josh Brolin, and Firefist, played by Julian Dennison who deserves all the success in the world because good God this kid can act!

But of course the star of the film is Deadpool himself with Ryan Reynolds once again proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that he understands this character back to front. Not only is he hysterically funny, capturing the character’s irreverent tone perfectly, he also absolutely nails the tragic underpinnings of Deadpool that make him such a wonderful character. In between the f-bombs and gore are moments of real drama and emotional pathos as the film tackles themes such as loss, discrimination, abuse and suicidal depression. All this whilst taking the piss out of 2017′s Logan. 

Oh yeah, and it also features the first openly LGBT superheroes in cinematic history. Fuck you Disney! NegaYukio and Poololosus for the win! LOL! No, but seriously, now that you have the rights to X-Men back, if you try and censor Deadpool in any way, shape or form, I will kick your arse.

God Of War (2018)

“BOY!”

Yes Kratos is back, having successfully destroyed the world of Greek mythology and now has his eyes on the Norse Gods. And he has a son now. What could possibly go wrong?

Seriously though, this new God Of War is simply exquisite. While I have long admired the God Of War franchise for its interpretation and adaptation of Greek mythology, the previous games in the series have never exactly been the most sophisticated when it comes to storytelling (and the less said about the casual sexism, the better. Yes Sony, I promise I understand the thematic reasons behind playing a minigame that allows you to have sex with Aphrodite in God Of War 3, but it still doesn’t change the fact that it’s sexist as shit). God Of War 2018 changes all that with an intelligent and engaging story that allows us understand and connect with Kratos at a more personal level than we’ve ever done before. Taking place years after God Of War 3, Kratos is older, wiser and trying to raise his son Atreus in the hopes that he won’t make the same mistakes Kratos did in his past. Not only is the story amazing, continuing the franchise’s themes of vengeance and the strained relationships between parents and their children, the gameplay is also a ton of fun with many memorable moments and boss fights.

And as an added bonus, we get two strong female characters that aren’t treated like discardable sex objects. That was nice of them.

Incredibles 2

The long awaited sequel to The Incredibles finally arrived in 2018 and it did not disappoint. Incredibles 2 was everything I could have wanted and more. Continuing on from the events of the first movie, we see Elastigirl take the spotlight as she fights the Screenslaver whilst trying to persuade the worlds’ governments to lift the ban on superheroes. Meanwhile Mr. Incredible takes a back seat as he tries to reconnect with his kids Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack and prove he can be a good, supportive dad. 

Continuing to draw inspiration from Fantastic Four, X-Men and Watchmen, Incredibles 2 is... well... incredible. Expanding the world he created, Brad Bird tells a smart, funny and compelling story that stands head and shoulders above the majority of superhero movie fodder we get nowadays. Elastigirl flourishes in the lead role this time around and the kids get a lot more development, the Screenslaver is a great villain that compliments the themes of the franchise wonderfully, and we get to see a whole bunch of new characters such as Voyd and the Deavor siblings as well as the return of old favourites like Frozone and Edna Mode. 

Honestly, the baby alone is worth the price of admission. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another fourteen years for Incredibles 3.

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man is an amazing game. But of course you knew that already. It’s made by Insomniac Games, the same guys behind Ratchet & Clank. Of course it was going to be brilliant.

Simply put, this game does for Spider-Man what the Arkham games did for Batman. Not only is it a great game with brilliant combat and fun web swinging mechanics, it also has a great story worthy of the wall crawler. Unlike the movies, which seem to continuously yank Peter Parker back into high school with each new reboot as those the poor bastard were attached to the fucker on a bungee rope, this Spidey has been fighting crime for eight years. With great power comes many responsibilities as we see him struggle to juggle crime fighting, his new job as a scientist, his commitments to helping Aunt May at the F.E.A.S.T shelter and trying to win his ex Mary Jane Watson back after a six month split. It’s a brilliant story featuring many classic villains such as Shocker and Electro as well as lesser known villains like Screwball and the criminally underrated Mister Negative who finally gets to be the central antagonist in a Spider-Man adaptation. It’s fun to play, engaging, dramatic and really emotional at points. I cried real tears at the end. What a punch to the gut that was.

OOOOOH! And we might be getting to play as Miles Morales in the sequel! I sure hope so! :D

The Grinch

At this point I imagine many of you are scratching your heads. 

“Really Quill? The Grinch? Illumination’s The Grinch? This deserves the Quill Seal Of Approval? Are you sure?” Yes dear reader, I’m absolutely sure. Just hear me out.

It’s true that the majority of Dr Seuss adaptations are shit. While the live action version of the Grinch starring Jim Carrey has a cult following and is fondly remembered by some, it’s still pretty crap, and even Illumination themselves screwed up royally with their adaptation of The Lorax. But this new Grinch is truly excellent. For starters, the animation is gorgeous. This is clearly the format that works best for Seuss movies. Benedict Cumberbatch does a really good job voicing the character, giving him depth and complexity beyond just being a big old meanie. The film also has something no other Seuss film has ever had before. Subtlety. Illumination have clearly learned their lesson after The Lorax. They’re no longer bashing you over the head with a moral message. They’re not trying to over-complicate a simple story by adding pointless sub-plot after pointless sub-plot. In fact the bits they do add actually feed into the main core of the narrative, as opposed to The Lorax, which just confused things. And while there are cute Minion-esque sidekicks like there are in a lot of Illumination films, The Grinch limits it to two (Max the dog and a reindeer named Fred), they’re both legitimately funny, serve an important narrative purpose and don’t distract from the more serious and emotional moments.

In all honesty, I was debating between giving the Quill Seal of Approval to The Grinch or to Bumblebee (the first legitimately good Transformers movie), but I decided to go with The Grinch because of how it handles the character and the story’s message. A lot of people scoffed at the idea of giving the Grinch a back story (and to the film’s credit they don’t force the issue or over-explain where the Grinch came from) but it’s honestly what makes this new adaptation of The Grinch so special to me. He’s gone from being a Scrooge-like monster to an anxiety filled misanthrope who associates Christmas with being alone. It may sound like a jarring change on paper, but in practice it honestly works so well and adds a whole new dimension to the Grinch. It’s treated with absolute care and sincerity and the film really earns its emotional moments, particularly at the end when we see the Grinch sit down to have Christmas dinner with the Whos.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you give this new Grinch a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised :)

Doctor Who - Series 11

A woman?! In the TARDIS?! How absurd!

Jodie Whittaker made history as the first woman to play the Doctor and the new series doesn’t disappoint. Whittaker is predictably brilliant in the role, giving the character compassion, charm and wit. We also get a new bunch of companions (including the always brilliant Bradley Walsh as Graham) who all have some great moments in Series 11 and the relationships they form with each other is incredibly touching and fun to watch. But the writing, my God, the writing. Admittedly not every episode has been perfect, but it’s leagues above anything Moffat has given us during his disastrous reign. The majority of Series 11 has been well written and intelligent, tackling important and relevant social issues (something Doctor Who has always been doing and anyone who says otherwise is an idiot) and focusing on likeable and relatable characters rather than convoluted series arcs. We got to meet Rosa Parks, witness the partition of India, and ponder on the dangers of automation whilst the Doctor tries to save the world from bubble wrap. Oh, and the Daleks are scary again! I know! I couldn’t believe it either!

What makes this all the more remarkable is who the showrunner is. Chris Chibnall. A writer I’ve often criticised in the past for being derivative and shit, and yet somehow he’s managed to create some of the best Doctor Who I’ve seen in a long time. Not only has his writing improved dramatically since his Torchwood days, he’s also demonstrated a commitment to having diverse representation both in front of and behind the camera as well as in the scripts themselves. For the first time in what feels like an age, Doctor Who feels like Doctor Who again, and I’m ecstatically happy.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

How come we don’t see many animated superhero movies in the cinema? Considering the medium from which superheroes came from, you’d think it would be a no-brainer. Presumably it’s because Disney have got such a strangle hold on the animation market, but that’s hopefully going to change thanks to Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (or, Sony’s Repentance for The Emoji Movie).

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. The animation is gorgeous. It’s pretty much an animated comic book and it stands out as one of the most unique looking animated films in recent memory. Spider-Verse is essentially a love letter to the legacy of Spider-Man as we see multiple different versions of Spidey, including Spider-Gwen, Spider-Ham and Nicholas Cage as Ghost Rider cosplaying as Spider-Man Noir, demonstrating not only the sheer variety of Spider-Men we’ve had over the years, but also exploring what connects them together. With all these different interpretations across many different universes, the idea of Spider-Man comes to the same thing. An ordinary person who experiences tragedy and becomes something greater. It’s hopeful and inspirational in a way Spider-Man films hasn’t been for a while now (Spider-Man: Homecoming sucked donkey balls. Period).

But let’s not forget that while the film explores the Spider-Verse, the main focus is Miles Morales who finally makes his cinematic debut. Not only is it a very faithful adaptation of Ultimate Spider-Man’s origin story, Miles himself is such a great central character for the modern age and arguably has more relevance to today than Peter Parker does. The characters are funny and relatable and the story is expertly crafted and impactful. But then what do you expect from the writers and directors of The Lego Movie? (if only Disney hadn’t interfered with Solo: A Star Wars Story. We could have had it all).

Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle

This one kind of snuck up on me toward the end of December, but I knew the moment I saw it I had to include it on this list.

Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle is an adaptation of The Jungle Book with Andy Serkis making his directorial debut. Yes the same guy who did the motion capture for Gollum in Lord Of The Rings and Caesar in the rebooted Planet Of The Apes movies and who totes deserves an Oscar for Best Actor (fuck you Academy Awards!), and he brings this same motion capture technology to this film. Unlike Disney’s Jungle Book, which merely rehashes the original animated film whilst somehow stripping all the charm from it, Mowgli sticks closer to the original Rudyard Kipling book. This isn’t a cheery musical. This film is often dark and intense as we see Mowgli (played wonderfully by Rohan Chand) struggle to find his place in the world. He knows he doesn’t belong with the animals in the jungle, but he doesn’t really fit in with the world of man neither. It’s an emotional and dramatic character piece brought to life by great writing, great acting and stunning special effects. 

Andy Serkis has expressed a desire to do an adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and after watching this movie, I would love to see that. If you haven’t already, go watch Mowgli: Legend Of The Jungle. It’s available to stream on Netflix and it’s truly amazing.

And that’s it for 2018. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Quill Seal Of Approval Awards. Unfortunately we’re on a limited budget here on The Desolated Quill, so I can’t offer any sort of trophy or medal or anything. What I can do though is write the words ‘I’m an awesome cookie’ on a post-it note and stick it on your forehead. Will that do?

[pamphletstoinspire]

Skepticism and Certitude in an Age of Relativism: The Dance of Science and Truth (Part 1)

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us….” A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens

This is an apt description of the time in which we live.

As a cultural phenomenon, isolation and loneliness are on the rise as are suicides even among celebrities who have “made” it in terms of material success and fulfillment.

We know more about the universe-from black holes to quantum fields - and about the human mind as cognitive and neuroscience leap forward into new frontiers, but we are still naively shocked by evil: violence perpetrated by gang members, or the casual disregard for the dignity of persons demonstrated by those of any age or socioeconomic class.

We live in an age of “what is true for you might not be true for me” and “Who are you to judge?”. We are warned to be “tolerant”, but who even pretends that this means to be tolerant of a religious perspective or traditional morality?

Where does this leave us? Consider this remark made by Pope Benedict XVI:

We are building a dictatorship of relativism that does not recognize anything as definitive and whose ultimate goal consists solely of one’s own ego and desires.

The sad reality is that this dictatorship can destroy a culture and fracture the connectedness for which we are hardwired.

We Really are Hardwired for Connection

The neurological connections which contribute to our social behaviors can be seen as the foundation for building culture. In an informative panel discussion at the World Science Festival in 2017, active research into the “social synapse” was discussed but not until a very general definition of “culture” was agreed upon by the participating scientists which included anthropologists, a biologist, a neuroscientist, and a Paleolithic archaeologist. The loose definition was ‘knowledge and skills learned from others and the ability to build on this shared knowledge.’

Cars as Nutcrackers

Research shows that animals display this kind of sharing and even demonstrate a kind of creativity. One example given was of Japanese crows who have “learned” that cars can be used as tools to crack open their nuts. In another amusing anecdote, it was related how one of Jane Goodall’s chimps had learned to bang two kerosene cans to make a terrific racket. Incorporating this into his dominance display contributed to his meteoric rise as alpha male of the group.

Apparently, however, advances in research have demonstrated quite convincingly that the human species has the capacity to build culture in spades compared to other animals. One difference that contributes to this “ratcheted up” ability is the capacity to use verbal instructions (teaching)-even in very young children who were given a puzzle to solve and who shared insights with others in the group.

Additional Complexity in Humans

Although the capacity for acquiring new behaviors from others appears across species, humans give meaning and symbolism to certain behaviors which are also passed on.

It seems then that we should look for another more complete definition of culture and its attributes. John Paul II observed in Centissimus annus:

Man is understood in a more complete way when he is situated within the sphere of culture through his language, history, and the position he takes towards the fundamental events of life, such as birth, love, work, and death.

He continues;

At the heart of every culture lies the attitude man takes to the greatest mystery: the mystery of God. Different cultures are basically different ways of facing the question of the meaning of personal existence. When this question is eliminated, the culture and moral life of nations are corrupted.

What is Truth? The Dance of Science and Truth (Part 2)

We don’t have to be Pontius Pilate to ask this question.

In academic circles and the culture at large, the story is that there is no such thing as “truth.” If there is, most still cling to the idea that truth is what the scientific method can verify, professing this belief dogmatically and definitively.

But even in science there is a creeping doubt about our ability to “know” anything out there.

This fear or doubt is based loosely on a superficial understanding of the “observer effect” on the behaviour of quantum particles: the presence of an observer appears to alter the outcome of a particle’s behavior. This is interpreted to mean that we have no way of knowing what would happen if we hadn’t observed it!

In other words, even what we say scientifically might actually be a false narrative of “reality.”

What really is true?

The unpacking of the word is daunting especially in an age of relativism.

If we listen to St. Thomas Aquinas, the definition he gives can be summed up as “the conformity or equation of the thing and the intellect.” Or if we refer to Anselm of Canterbury, to know is “to comprehend that something could not be otherwise than as it is grasped.”

But don’t these definitions just lead to all kinds of objections, including observer bias, poor sense perception, the world view coloring our perceptions, and the fact that new data requires integration and interpretation? Isn’t this lack of “objectivity” exactly what relativism (truth is relative to time, culture, perspective, and beliefs) is pointing out?

The search for certitude

It could be argued that the search for certitude began in earnest around the time of Descartes. His famous “cogito ergo sum” was meant to be the starting point to a new theory of knowledge that would eliminate doubt and offer a pathway to certitude. His quest never quite succeeded and the question still haunts us: when do we know that we really know something? One Professor wrote an 800 page analysis of this very question.

Bernard Lonergan, SJ wrote Insight: A Study of Human Understanding in the 1950’s in an attempt to examine this question analyzing both the scientific method and the truths derived from philosophy. Although his work goes far beyond the limits of this post, it would be negligent not to mention it.* His insights into insight, however, seem close to Anselm’s definition mentioned above.

In any case, whether or not one is swayed by the philosophical arguments of relativism’s mantra, “There is no such thing as objective truth,” we do not need to look too far to recognize that we predicate much of our existence on the validity of our observations and our experience. For Lonergan this common sense experience can be a valid starting point for true insight.

From creating new medicines and curative therapies, landing satellites on comets, and sending a rocket to the sun, to running airports and trains without collisions, making laws to govern traffic, designing buildings to withstand earthquakes, or monitoring weather patterns to prevent unnecessary death from hurricanes and tornadoes, we are as certain as we can be that we are not trying to capture shadows. We can even examine the nature of our emotions, the effects of trauma and neglect, design activities and interventions that can increase our cognitive abilities, and take quizzes about happiness expecting to learn how to get more of it!

Even the scientific method uses “filters” to glean information.

There is an instructive observation in a post on perspective from the Vatican Observatory:

One of the phrases that is used to describe filtered images is to call them “false images.” Yes, the filtered image can look quite different from the original. Yet, when it comes to the science of using filters for the purpose of gathering data, it isn’t that the data is “false,” but the false image brings forward different essential data that isn’t self-evident in the original image .

The author continues with this gem:

It is the odd irony of science that sometimes you need to have a “false image” to gain true knowledge of what you are studying. The best example of this was a false image from the Pluto flyby that had a rather psychedelic appearance. Everyone knew that this wasn’t what Pluto looked like. However, it was an essential image for scientists to understand different surface feature on this fascinating dwarf planet.

Skepticism and certitude in science

There seems to be any number of ways that certitude and skepticism play key roles in the scientific method. Consider these words by Fr. Coyne, Director Emeritus of the Vatican Observatory. After noting that he himself had not measured the age of the universe, the velocity of light, or the mass of a proton, he said the following:

When I do my science, I accept what is in the books about those [measurements]… you can’t question everything, or you’ll never do anything… The other issue, however, is a very interesting one, and always when I start saying to my class, “You know, most scientists would agree that…,” I look at myself and I say, “the truth is not democratic! The truth is true or not – regardless of how many scientists think it is true.” So there is that element of being skeptical.

A healthy dose of certitude in a relativistic age

The important point to these considerations is that “certitude” is not required, even in science, to make progress, to make “true” observations, and to make decisions based on the best information we have available to us at the time.

This point is an underlying but significant theme to much of Fr. Spitzer’s work on the existence of God, which can be found on the Magis website as well as most thoroughly in his book, New Proofs for the Existence of God.

So when we encounter the dictatorship of relativism, let’s remember the encouraging words of St. John Paul II, echoing the words of the Master Himself: Be not afraid!

Written by: Maggie Ciskanik, M.S.

[yahoo-movies-uk]

What happened to Star Trek’s small-screen stars?

We know what Shatner, Stewart and the like are up to these days, but what about those other valuable Starfleet officers that entertained us so? Where are the crew members of 'Star Trek' now?

Jonathan Frakes – Commander William Riker (TNG)

Riker finally got to be a Captain before he bowed out of the 'Star Trek' universe at the end of 'Star Trek: Nemesis' in 2002, but he swiftly swapped the captain's chair for the director's chair. Having already helmed Trek movies including 'First Contact' and 'Insurrection', Frakes was the unlikely director behind 2004's 'Thunderbirds' movie. These days he balances acting gigs with directing TV episodes on series like 'Castle', 'Falling Skies' and 'NCIS', and he can be heard voicing Star-Lord's father in the 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' TV animation.

Brent Spiner – Data (TNG)

Ironically, we all shed a tear when emotionless robot Data said goodbye to 'Star Trek' in 2005 after a few guest spots on 'Enterprise', but Spiner hasn't stopped working since. He reprised his (second) most popular role in this year's 'Independence Day' sequel, with two revelations: not only was Dr Brakish Okun gay, but he was very much not dead as the first movie suggested. He can currently be seen in 'Walking Dead' creator Robert Kirkman's new possession thriller 'Outcast', or at a 'Star Trek' convention near you.

Marina Sirtis – Counselor Deanna Troi (TNG)

Born in London's East End to Greek-born parents, Sirtis played ship's counselor Troi in 'The Next Generation' but didn't really settle into the role until they gave her a proper Starfleet uniform to cover up her cleavage. Sirtis reprised her role in an episode of 'Star Trek Voyager' in 2000 but she's stayed with 'Star Trek' in several small ways, not just on the convention circuit but also as the voice of the ship's computer in unofficial fan series 'Star Trek Continues'. Watch her, if you dare, in 2016 horror 'Little Dead Rotting Hood'.

Michael Dorn – Worf (TNG/DS9)

Michael Dorn is the most experienced 'Star Trek' actor ever, having appeared in 175 episodes of 'The Next Generation' and then a further 102 episodes when he transported to successor 'Deep Space Nine'. Six 'Star Trek' movies bring his total appearances to 281. He's not done with Star Trek, either: Dorn is currently trying to raise interest on social media for a proposed Worf spin-off called 'Star Trek: Captain Worf'. Ironically, Dorn says: “I had come up with the idea because I love [Worf] and I think he's a character that hasn't been fully developed.” Make that 281 appearances... to date.

LeVar Burton – Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge (TNG)

LeVar Burton was famous before he clocked in to the Enterprise's engine room – he brought pleasure to millions of youngsters as the host of educational show 'Reading Rainbow', and thanks to Kickstarter, he was able to do so again in 2014 after raising £3.8 million for its triumphant return. Burton currently lends his voice to Dr Greene in animated kiddy spin-off 'Transformers: Rescue Bots', and made a 2016 cameo in the remake of 'Roots', the mini-series which made him famous in 1977.

Gates McFadden - Commander Beverly Crusher

The American actress originally found fame as a choreographer working on Jim Henson productions like ‘The Dark Crystal’, ‘Labyrinth’, and ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’ before she was cast as the chief medical officer aboard the Enterprise. She starred in all four subsequent ‘TNG’ films, but acting roles soon dried up and she now teaches acting. McFadden, now 67, still appears on the Trek convention circuit and her last movie role was in the low budget comedy ‘Make the Yuletide Gay’ in 2009.

Wil Wheaton – Ensign Wesley Crusher (TNG)

The most hated 'Star Trek' character ever has done pretty well to turn his fortunes around, settling into his role of Ambassador of Geekdom (or 'King of the Nerds', if you prefer). An early adopted of all forms of social media and tech, Wheaton has amassed an army of followers who adore his TV appearances, tabletop game tournaments and cameos on the likes of 'The Big Bang Theory', where he plays Sheldon's nemesis. Now 44, he continues to star in his own D&D web series, on series like 'Powers' and as himself on panel shows like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'.

Avery Brooks – Captain Benjamin Sisko (DS9)

Unlike most of his fellow 'Star Trek' actors, Avery Brooks has shown little interest in hanging onto the show's coattails since his days on the bridge ended – Brooks' last contribution to a 'Star Trek' project was a voiceover for videogame 'Star Trek: Legacy' in 2006. A keen jazz musician, Brooks lent his talents to a performance at the Springfield Symphony Hall in February 2016 to celebrate Black History Month. If you're lucky, you can catch the ex-captain at Trek conventions around the world.

Alexander Siddig – Dr Julian Bashir (DS9)

One of the more successful 'Deep Space Nine' alumni, Siddig left Julian Bashir behind to play large roles in TV shows including '24' (where he played former terrorist Hamri Al-Assad) and movies like 'Clash Of The Titans' and Wikileaks dramatisation 'The Fifth Estate' opposite Benedict Cumberbatch. He was last seen being skewered by the Sand Snakes of Dorne in season 6 of 'Game Of Thrones' and plays Ruben Oliver in excellent drama series 'Peaky Blinders'.

Nana Visitor – Colonel Kira Nerys (DS9)

As Bajoran Major turned Colonel Kira Nerys, Visitor appeared in 173 episodes of 'Deep Space Nine' before moving on to Jessica Alba serial 'Dark Angel' and various single-serving TV appearances. Super Trek nerd Seth MacFarlane cast her, and a wealth of other Trek actors, in 'Family Guy' episodes and in 2015's 'Ted 2', and she'll next appear in low-budget Trek-inspired comedy 'Unbelievable!!!!!' (yes, five exclamation marks, so you know it's going to be good). She married and later divorced co-star Siddig – the pair have a son named Django.

 René Auberjonois - Odo (DS9)

The theatre actor was unrecognisable as Odo, Deep Space Nine’s head of security, thanks to a headful of deeply unsettling prosthetics but fans of ‘M*A*S*H’ (the film) will have known him as Father Mulcahy too. He directed 9 episodes of ‘DS9′ and has worked steadily as a TV actor ever since. He’s also a talented singer and voice actor having played Chef Louis in ‘The Little Mermaid’, and is the current voice of Pepé Le Pew in the ‘Looney Tunes Show’.

Colm Meaney – Chief Miles O'Brien (TNG/DS9)

Irish actor Meaney brought some Dublin charm to both ‘The Next Generation’ and 'Deep Space Nine' and hasn't wanted for work since the show was cancelled in 1999. He played Gene Hunt in a US pilot for 'Life On Mars' (before Harvey Keitel eventually got the role), played Don Revie in 'The Damned United', starred as Russell Brand's dad in 'Get Him To The Greek' and most recently took Norwich's finest hostage in 'Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa'. You'll be able to spy him in next year's espionage thriller 'Felt', about the Deep Throat informant. (He's not playing Deep Throat).

Quark - Armin Shimerman (TNG/DS9/Voyager)

Ferengi bartender Quark appeared in three different ‘Star Trek’ shows, but is most keenly associated with DS9 where his money-grabbing character was often at odds with Odo, the station’s security chief. He’s a TV regular appearing in shows like ‘Boston Legal’, ‘Buffy’, and ‘Stargate SG1′ but he’s probably best known now for his voice work in the ‘Ratchet & Clank’ video game series playing Dr. Nefarious. 

Kate Mulgrew – Captain Kathryn Janeway (Voyager)

Mulgrew made her final Trek cameo as Vice Admiral Janeway in 'Star Trek: Nemesis' in 2002. She's proved adept at playing serious roles in confined spaces: Mulgrew plays Russian prison chef Red in the phenomenally successful Netflix series 'Orange Is The New Black', for which she won an Emmy nomination (fun fact: she was also nominated for a Golden Globe for playing TV detective Columbo's wife in spin-off, 'Mrs Columbo'). Mulgrew recently used her platform to speak out for prison reform. Janeway would approve.

Jeri Ryan - Seven of Nine (Voyager)

The lads mag favourite reportedly gave ‘Voyager’ a 60% ratings boost when joined the cast in season 4 as the liberated Borg Seven of Nine. Must have been a compelling storyline. After the show ended in 2001 she appeared in school drama ‘Boston Public’, and headlined the critically panned sci-fi comedy ‘The Last Man’, before appearing in TV shows like ‘The OC’ and ‘Boston Legal’. Aside from playing Sonya Blade in the short-lived ‘Mortal Kombat’ web series, Jeri can currently be seen in Amazon’s hit cop show ‘Bosch’.

Ethan Phillips - Neelix (Voyager)

Ship’s cook Neelix was a popular character aboard Voyager earning himself a spin-off cookbook featuring recipes contributed by actors from all iterations of the franchise. Since ‘Voyager’ he’s continued to act on stage, and has made a number of film appearances in ‘Bad Santa’, Michael Bay’s ‘The Island’, and more recently in the Coens’ ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ playing Mr Gorfeins, the owner of the escaped cat. 

Tim Russ – Lieutenant Commander Tuvok (Voyager)

Fun fact about the man who would be Tuvok – he also played the guy at the beginning of 'Spaceballs' who yells: “We ain't found s**t!” Work has not been so hard to come by: now 60, Russ has no less than 11 movie projects on his plate for 2016, and a few for next year too, including sci-fi TV series 'Blade Of Honor', which sounds a lot like a 'Star Trek' ripoff if we're being honest. And then there's 'Renegades', a familiar trek through the stars that flirts with copyright law, in which he plays 'Kovok'. Hmmm.

Jolene Blalock - Commander T’Pol (Enterprise)

Following the success of Voyager’s Seven of Nine, the last Trek series followed suit casting model turned actress Jolene Blalock as the Vulcan T’Pol. After ‘Enterprise’ she appeared in ‘Stargate SG1′ but her guest appearance as Sawyer’s love interest in ‘Lost’ never saw the light of day.  She had a starring role in the straight-to-DVD ‘Starship Troopers 3: Marauder’, and prefers to keep her distance from Trek fandom nowadays and has only ever appeared at one convention in 2005. In 2014 she played the wife of Jack Black’s porn baron in Cameron Diaz comedy ‘Sex Tape’.

[ama-accountability]

“If you've been to a grocery store's dairy aisle lately, you've probably picked up on the fact that Greek yogurt is becoming pretty darn popular. At Greatist, we think this stardom is well earned: We consider the stuff a superfood thanks to its high protein and probiotic content. But frankly, we’re getting a little sick of the classic Greek yogurt and granola combo that’s been a staple of our breakfasts since who-knows-when. So we’ve rounded up 51 healthy recipes from around the web that use Greek yogurt in surprising, delicious ways — and not just for breakfast (okay, we’ve got some breakfast recipes too — but we guarantee that they’re equally surprising).

Breakfast

51 Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipes for Any Meal Photo: Recipe Girl

1. Greek Yogurt Pancakes

These pancakes aren’t only beautiful; they’re also loaded with protein and antioxidant-rich blueberries — and not much else. To increase the health “oomph” even more, substitute in whole-wheat pastry flour.

2. Eggs Florentine with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Olive oil provides some healthy fats, spinach adds iron and calcium, and sun-dried tomato pesto and pepper add a zap of flavor to these creamy, protein rich eggs Florentine.

3. Yogurt Breakfast Bowl

This ain’t no ordinary breakfast yogurt. Curry powder, cilantro, and honey add unique flavor to this yogurt bowl, which is packed not only with granola (choose whole-grain and low-sugar options if you’re so inclined) but also with loads and loads of vitamin-rich fruit.

4. Breakfast Berry Enchiladas

Fill a whole-wheat tortilla with heaping spoonfuls of berries and Greek yogurt, add in flavorful seasonings such as super healthy cinnamon and nutmeg. Superfood almonds top off this concoction with a dash of protein, healthy fat, and fiber.

5. Scandinavian Eggs Benedict with Yogurt Sauce

Research suggests that a protein-rich breakfast is the best breakfast, and this meal delivers: Salmon and poached egg top a whole-wheat English muffin, then get smothered in a lighter version of Hollandaise sauce using Greek yogurt and fresh herbs and spices to pack a flavorful punch.

6. Lightened-Up Blueberry Lemon Greek Yogurt Bread

Two large eggs and Greek yogurt pack a protein punch, while a heaping cup of fresh blueberries infuses this moist, delicious bread with a whole bunch of vitamins and antioxidants.

7. Apple Pie Parfait

These pretty little delights are full of protein, thanks to Greek yogurt and quinoa, along with superfoods apple and cinnamon and heart-healthy walnuts.

Main Dishes

51 Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipes for Any Meal Photo: Ezra Poundcake

8. Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes, and Creamy Lemon-Yogurt Sauce

This colorful bowl of pasta uses whole-wheat linguine, protein-rich Greek yogurt, and hearty doses of zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic, which is packed with vitamins C and B6 and manganese.

9. Broccoli Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes with Greek Yogurt

Take a plain ‘ol baked potato up about six notches with the addition of Greek yogurt (a healthier alternative to sour cream) and 2 cups of broccoli, which contributes Vitamin C, fiber, and folate.

10. Skinny Greek Yogurt Chicken

The recipe promises that this chicken will “melt in your mouth,” and we don’t doubt it. Greek yogurt and just half a cup of grated parmesan cheese add protein and a creamy texture, while garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper make the flavor pop.

11. Healthy Mac and Cheese

This lighter take on a childhood classic uses whole wheat macaroni, a whole bunch of onions and garlic, and spicy cayenne pepper, which contains a compound that may help boost metabolism. The recipe calls for much less cheese than the traditional style, but don’t worry — it still tastes plenty creamy thanks to our dear friend Greek yogurt.

12. Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes with Tangy Cucumbers and Yogurt

This fancy, colorful dish is chock full of good-for-you ingredients, including eggplants, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, olive oil, Greek yogurt, rosemary, and pine nuts. It’s light, but hearty enough for a filling lunch.

13. Blackened Chicken Breast over Cilantro Lime Quinoa

In the mood for something fancy? Whip up these flavorful, protein rich chicken breasts and lay them over a bed of cilantro and quinoa. Top with a puree of Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, and some lemon juice, and you’ve got a meal sure to dazzle dinner guests.

14. Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Aleppo Pepper

“Yogurt-marinated chicken kebabs” might not sound tasty, but we’re pretty sure this recipe will change your mind. Chicken and Greek yogurt add a whole heap of protein, while olive oil contributes healthy fats, garlic ratchets up the nutrient profile, and spicy seasonings pack a wallop of flavor.

15. Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

For a healthier take on creamy, delicious quesadillas, swap in whole-wheat tortillas, a whole bunch of veggies, and some good-for-you cumin. Top with salsa and Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), and enjoy.

16. Sriracha-Roasted Chickpeas & Cauliflower with Pickled Mustard Seeds

We’re big fans of Sriracha here at Greatist, and this recipe has just given us another reason to embrace the spicy paste. Chickpeas add protein and fiber, superfood cauliflower packs vitamin C and phytochemicals, olive oil adds some healthy fats, and Greek yogurt helps balance out the heat while adding even more protein.

17. Roasted Eggplant Salad with Saffron Yogurt

We couldn’t find something wrong with this recipe if we tried. Eggplants, olive oil, saffron, Greek yogurt, black pepper, basil leaves, and pine nuts are all that’s required, and they’re all good with us!

18. Steak Salad with Chive-Yogurt Dressing

This hearty salad calls on Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and just a tiny bit of mayonnaise to make a light, flavorful dressing that complements the steak’s rustic flavor.

Soups, Salads, and Sides

51 Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipes for Any Meal Photo: The Faux Martha

19. Garlic-Yogurt Mashed Potatoes

This healthier take on a classic dinner table staple uses only two tablespoons of butter and — it gets the rest of its protein and (healthy) fats from Greek yogurt and olive oil. Garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper add flavor.

20. Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup

This hearty vegetarian soup is stuffed with Orzo pasta, onions, tomatoes, garlic, basil, red pepper flakes, and (you guessed it) Greek yogurt. Perfect alongside a whole-grain grilled cheese sandwich!

21. Spicy Chopped Chicken Salad

This filling salad is chock-full of protein thanks to chicken, Greek yogurt, and fiber-rich chickpeas. It’s also jam-packed with vitamin-rich produce (including cucumbers, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and onions) and flavor-rich spices such as ancho chile powder and cayenne pepper.

22. Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy, low-sugar, flavorful soup is stuffed to the gills with produce (including celery, squash, leeks, and shallots) and seasonings (including garlic, black pepper, lime juice, and cilantro). A quarter cup of Greek yogurt adds protein and a smooth, delicious texture.

23. Greek Yogurt Egg Salad

Just in time for potlucks: This healthier take on egg salad replaces mayonnaise with protein-rich Greek yogurt and adds in celery and onions for at least a partial serving of veggies.

24. Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

Don’t be fooled: These are no ordinary mashed potatoes. Instead, it’s cauliflower! But when you smother it in Greek yogurt, a little bit of butter and cheese, and some garlic, shallots, and scallions, we bet you won’t miss the original variety.

25. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

This healthier take on chicken salad replaces mayo with Greek yogurt and adds in a whole bunch of produce (including celery, grapes, and apples) for a vitamin kick. A sprinkle of walnuts adds some healthy fats. Eat the salad on its own as a side or roll it up in a whole-wheat tortilla for a filling lunch.

26. Smoky Deviled Eggs with Greek Yogurt

There’s no need to balk at having seconds: These deviled eggs skip the mayo and go straight to the Greek yogurt (we’re sensing a trend here…). Sun-dried tomatoes add a flavorful twist to this springtime classic.

27. Spicy Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt

You’ve been warned: This recipe means spicy. Three tablespoons of jalapenos ratchet up the heat while tuna and Greek yogurt add a heap of protein and chopped onion, salt, and pepper bring on the flavor.

28. Creamy, Lighter Macaroni Salad

Surprise! This healthier take on macaroni salad subs out almost all of the mayo in favor of Greek yogurt. Celery, radishes, and lemon juice add light crunch and flavor to the dish, while hard-cooked eggs add even more protein. For an even healthier option, sub in whole-wheat macaroni.

29. Lemony Roasted Potato Salad

Speaking of remaking classic potluck dishes: This light, citrusy take on potato salad uses Greek yogurt, olive oil, and fresh mint to add so much flavor and creaminess that you won’t miss the mayo.

30. Cucumber, Fennel & Roasted Potato Salad with Parsleyed Yogurt

Check out this recipe for an even fancier take on classic potato salad. Modeled after Mediterranean-style food, this salad draws on loads of produce including green beans, celery, cucumber, red onions, and fennel. Light (but sour) lemon juice is balanced out by Greek yogurt’s smooth texture.

31. Stuffed Grape Leaves

These beauties are remarkably simple (provided you know where to get some ground goat meat). Combine the meat with onions, garlic, sweet corn, and roast pepper sauce, then wrap ‘em up in giant grape leaves for a delicious, hearty side. (Of course, if goat isn’t available, you can use beef, chicken, lamb, or pork instead!).

32. Greek Yogurt Dinner Rolls

These airy, low-sugar rolls are made with whole-wheat flour and just a touch of honey or agave. Greek yogurt adds a unique buttery texture.

33. Greek Yogurt Biscuits

These scrumptious biscuits use just a tiny bit of sugar and no butter at all thanks to Greek yogurt. For an even healthier take, swap out regular all-purpose flour in favor of a whole-wheat variety.

Dips

51 Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipes for Any Meal Photo: So Let's Hang Out

34. Kale, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip with Greek Yogurt

This delicious (and delicious-sounding) artichoke dip is already so full of veggies that we’re tempted to suggest eating it with a spoon. Superfoods kale and spinach combine with carrots, red onion, artichoke hearts, and garlic in a hearty Greek yogurt base.

35. Chocolate Chocolate Chip Yogurt Dip

Yup, you read that right: This fruit dip is full of creamy, chocolately richness (but still relatively low on sugar) thanks to unsweetened cocoa powder, a small handful of chocolate chips, vanilla extract, just one tablespoon of maple syrup, and (of course) Greek yogurt.

36. Creamy Avocado Yogurt Dip

Guacamole, meet Greek yogurt. This creamy, delectable dish is full of protein, healthy fats (thanks to our favorite superfood, avocado), garlic, and loads of flavorful seasonings, including cilantro, lime juice, and cumin.

37. Beet Tzatziki

No yogurt recipe roundup would be complete without mention of tzatziki. This recipe adds a quirky twist with the addition of colorful beets. The rest of the ingredients — garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, parsley, ground pepper, and srirarcha add flavor and a spicy kick.

38. Raspberry Dip

This sweet, simple raspberry dip is incredibly simple to make: Just combine Greek yogurt with raspberries and a touch of sugar, and voila! Time to get dipping.

39. Dilly Snack Dip

This healthier take on veggie dip uses Greek yogurt, heart-healthy walnuts, minced garlic, and some fresh, chopped dill. Serve with sliced fresh veggies or whole-wheat pita triangles.

40. Apple Dip

This hearty, delicious apple dip is full of Greek yogurt, peanut butter (for even more creaminess), honey, and cinnamon. It almost qualifies as dessert!

Sweets

51 Healthy Greek Yogurt Recipes for Any Meal Photo: Happyolks

41. Lemon Tart with Rosemary Crust

This wholesome, delicious tart uses Greek yogurt to cut down on sugar and butter. The simple spelt flour crust is infused with rosemary and just a hint of sugar, while the filling gets light, citrusy tartness from the juice and zest of lemons.

42. Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt

The “recipe” is absurdly easy, and pretty darn healthy (especially for a dessert!): Just open up an individually sized container of plain Greek yogurt, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla, a pinch of sea salt, your favorite nut butter and sweetener (such as maple syrup or honey), and a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips. Swirl it all together and nom on down.

43. Baked Pears with Maple Greek Yogurt and Granola

This sweet little dish gets its sweetness from pears, apples (a superfood in our book), and a dash of honey and maple syrup. Add Greek yogurt, half a cup of granola, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, and you’ve got a “dessert” fit for breakfast.

44. Homemade Frozen Greek Yogurt

Make-your-own frozen yogurt? Yup, it’s easy. Just combine water, sugar, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and some vanilla extract, freeze, and enjoy.

45. Greek Yogurt Brulee

This pretty dessert is simple and way low in sugar: Just combine Greek yogurt, a little honey, and only two tablespoons of sugar, then top them with almonds and fresh fruit. Bonus: You get to use a torch!

46. Greek Yogurt Banana Bread

This creamy, low-sugar take on a bread classic is as tasty as it is pretty to look at. Whole-wheat flour, bananas, and healthy fat-rich walnuts all add to the health factor.

47. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Made with Greek Yogurt

For an even sweeter take on banana bread, try this recipe — featuring chocolate! And it remains pretty healthy thanks to whole-wheat pastry flour, naturally sweet bananas, and Greek yogurt (which cuts down on sugar).

48. Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

We dare you to look at the picture for this recipe without salivating. Once you see how delicious it looks, you might be surprised to learn that it’s made with Greek yogurt, tofu (!), lemon juice, vanilla extract, a natural sweetener (such as agave or maple syrup), and arrowroot flour or corn starch — and that’s it! The result is a creamy, protein-rich, delectable treat.

49. Greek Yogurt Frosting

This healthier take on cake and cupcake frosting is incredibly easy: Just whisk together Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and half a cup of powdered sugar for a much less sugary (but still delicious) frosting.

50. Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mousse

Oh man does this look good. Antioxidant-rich dark chocolate combines with milk, just a hint of sugar, Greek yogurt and (bonus!) an optional tablespoon of Amaretto or Grand Marnier. The result is creamy, melt-in-your-mouth, chocolatey goodness.

51. Greek Yogurt Pound Cake

This light, creamy pound cake gets its texture from Greek yogurt and its flavor from vanilla extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Sub in whole -heat flour for an extra healthy kick.”

[missgeoffreychaucer]

Question and Answer Time: Part 2!

Okay, more question and answer things! This is for @august-emerald who tagged me somewhat recently. Sorry for taking so long! :) I’m putting it all below the cut so it doesn’t clutter my or anyone else’s dash if they aren’t interested. :)

List Number 1

Birthday: Flag Day! (I swear…it’s a real thing...and my birthday is on it!)

Zodiac: Gemini

Siblings: 1 sister

What time did you wake up: A little after 7:00

Lemonade or sweet tea: Um, neither really. If I was going to go for one, I’d say pink lemonade

Day or night: Either really…just not morning…I am NOT a morning person.

Coke or pepsi: I collect Coca Cola memorabilia (or used to, not so much anymore) but I think I actually prefer Pepsi.

Call or text: Text, definitely text.

Met a celebrity: A couple at conventions (Matt Smith, Arthur Darvill, Karen Gillan, Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flannery, David Della Rocco, Stan Lee, Bruce Campbell, Vic Mignogna); some bands/band members (98 Degrees (I was in high school okay…)), Papa Roach and a bunch of others Warped Tour one year). Unfortunately I’ve never just “run into” a celebrity somewhere random, though I was almost positive I saw Katie Holmes and her daughter one day (I thought I was seeing things, but then my mom, who I was out shopping with, sidles up next to me and, shifting her eyes in their direction goes, IS THAT WHO I THINK IT IS? So who knows…maybe it WAS them…haha).

Smiles or eyes: Hmm. Both! I’m a sucker for a good smile AND gorgeous eyes.

Country or city: I like to live in the country but be close enough to visit the city.

Last song I listened to: Well, I’m not going to count the Disney Pandora station I have playing all day. The last song that was playing on my iTunes playlist was: Moth to a Light (by Better and the Boy). Side note – this is a song I got from a fan fiction play list (for, you guessed it, Riptide Lover).

List Number 2

1. If we could live on any planet, which one would you choose? Hmm. Maybe Pluto because I refuse to give up on it!

2. Favorite type of music/band? I like a lot of things…mostly pop/punk/rock type things. Not really into country. I like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Owl City, Colbie Callait, Blink 182, Eve6, Lit, Metallica, Maroon 5, Hawk Nelson. There’s more, but those are some of the big ones.

3. Favorite book or series? Lots! Probably the series I’m most obsessed with right now would include Percy Jackson, Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, that sort of thing. When I was younger, I read a book called The Only Alien on the Planet so many times I lost count.

4. piercings/tattoos? how many? No tattoos. 3 piercings in each ear currently. Used to have the cartilage in one ear and my belly button done, but I’ve taken those two out.

5. Play video games or watch movies? I used to play video games (Ratchet and Clank, Jack and Daxter) but now definitely watch movies.

6. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? I’d love to go to Greece and Egypt. I’ve done a small amount of traveling (mostly in groups with school) but I’ve never been to either of those.

7. If you had to be a mythical creature, what would you be? A unicorn. No question. I’ve always been obsessed with them since I was a little kid.

8. Celebrity crush? Oh lord. Ethan Embry was always Number One when I was younger (he follows me on Twitter ironically, even though I am the most inactive person on Twitter). These days it would probably be Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston (though after his fling with Taylor Switft I was really turned off for some reason), Bo Burnham (because he is hilarious and it makes him adorable to me), Chris Pratt. There are more, I just can’t think.

9. Favorite dessert? Anything chocolate and/or peanut butter and/or s’more.

10. Sex or money? LOL It depends on the situation??

11. (ok really laaame noodles for this last one) When did you join tumblr and why? I didn’t become active on Tumble until very recently….within the last 6 months or so I think. It was basically due to Sherlock. I became obsessed with it after watching this summer, and no one in my “real life” watches Sherlock, or reads fanfiction, or really fans-out over things like I do. I was tired of not having anyone to go crazy with so Tumblr seemed like the right place to go!

Gonna tag a couple folks, if you’d like to answer the questions above. Again, PLEASE feel free to ignore, but there are a fun way to get to know new people!

@loveismyrevolution @annika-gf @cdg263 @averycoop865 @johnlocksmybritches @little-miss-creepy-pasta​

[sarahsadventuresineurope-blog]

5/22/2017

wow i suck and i have so much to catch up on...

so some cool things

- india’s host mom works at rathaus schonenburg which is where jfk gave his famous ich bin ein berliner speech, so we got to tour that and stand on the balcony where he spoke

- the day after i wrote, 4/9 was the hertha vs. ausburg soccer game. went with chandler, jessy, amelia, grant and paul. it was fun! got drunk and watched the game

- sometime that weekend we went to afrohaus and chandler lost her phone that night :(

the next weekend was dublin, the last trip we did together as a group. we flew thursday night at like 10pm and arrived at the hostel past midnight. it was a 22 person hostel so we just went straight to bed. the next day we just walked around and explored dublin, like the dublin castle and the trinity college library. that night we went to the dog races since it was good friday and they dont sell alcohol in the city. it was a shit show, we all got plastered and found out the dogs werent even actually racing there lol. jessy got cat called by some man and we talked with this syrian security guard who said he liked trump which was weird. i had a weird breakdown that night about being insecure about being asian with all my white friends and not being pretty like them/being started at/being made fun of or whatever lololol. after we went back to the hostel and amelia had her shitshow of throwing up everywhere and on chandlers backpack/passport. she didnt remember the next day lol. the next day we did the guiness tour, that was really cool. after we went to this really good irish pub for lunch and i had irish beef stew and it was so good. we went out that night to bars in temple bar and that was so so fun! so many good live performers and good drinks. the next day was our last day, we just had a good irish breakfast, then some dessert, then took a bus to the airport. 

- got a tour of the finance ministry, which is a nazi built building in my architecture class

- saw the north korean embassy lol

the next trip was the excusrsion! frankfurt and prague. we took a train to frankfurt and when we got there we took a nap hahah then we got up and had dinner at this thai restaurant. it was actually pretty good, first time having thai food in germany. after, we went to this craft beer place called naaiv, turned out to be one of my fave places ever!!

the next day we went on a tour of the city, it was very lame lol. we had chipotle for lunch which was so nice to have after so long without it. the rest of the day was a blur because we did lame things bc frankfurt is lame lol. i think we went out to this ratchet club that night, and it was just very ratchet haha. first we went to the bars and that was like a cool area but it was really ratchet and like super cheap and trashy guys lol. the next day we went to heidelburg, a cute town nearby. we walked around the cute downtown, then went up to the castle and just hung out there and took pics and stuff. after we went back and didnt do much again. the next day was the european central bank. this i was excited for because i thought it would be a cool tour, but nope we just got talked at about economic policy for two hours lol. after we went shopping for a couple hours so that was cool. had a good lunch/dinner at this fit food place haha. then went back and napped more. for dinner we went to this sushi place and it was pretty good. then we went back to naaiv to have a couple last beers bc it was our last night in frankfurt. it was nice bonding with diane and marie and lily that night (besides that i hate lily glynn lol)

the next day we took the train to prague. got there, got settled in, rested, ate dinner at the hotel, then went out to the ruins bar. that was sooooo sooo cool! there was a bit of drama but we didnt let that ruin our experience. the next day was another city tour but it was sad and rainy and a shitty tour. we went to a bunch of jewish things - synagogues, funerals. after we got daaaaaank pasta for lunch that mikayla recommended. it was actually amazing haha. next we went to the prague castle which had a really cool cathedral. that night we hit up a couple bars then went out with ethan’s friends who were studying in prague to this place called retro music hall. it was absolute trash ahahha like american study abroad students just being fucked up. the next day we got up and went to the charles bridge, then to the john lennon wall. after we went and got czech food, then we went to this tour with the program to these underground cave things under the old city hall with the famous clock. that night we went to the famous 5 story club and it sucked besides the hot check coat guy lol. the music sucked besides the “chill” floor which was kinda like berlin techno. oh before, we stumbled upon this weird czech bar and we ordered drinks and there was this creepy fucked up old man trying to talk to us and then a loud group of guys hitting a raw chicken on the table LOLOL. so weird. anyways, david was really weird and mean that night and it stemmed my annoyance of him to this day of not wanting to talk to him lol. the next day we took a bus to this castle an hour away, i was so so so hungover lol. after, we had the jazz boat tour. then we took the overnight bus to budapest after the boat tour. that was prague!

okay next is budapest! arrived at like 7am, got really fucking high for the bus ride before it and i was like lowkey freaking out bc i was so high haha. but got there okay, didn’t sleep well bc the roads sucked. got eggs benedict for breakfast, then walked around the city. hiked up this hill to these statues, walked down to this cool government building, went to the hostel to nap, went out to dinner then to a bar, then to a club. next day we went to the baths, then on the beer biking tour. after we stumbled upon this market and ate some good hungarian food. after we went to the 360 bar to watch the sunset and it was so pretty. after that we went back to the hostel area and got dinner then went back to the hostel and slept. i threw up when i got back lol i was quite drunk. next morning woke up to get an early flight back to berlin!

may day! got ready, went to tino’s to pregame, left tinos, got burgermeister and just went to goilitzer. 

CONT. later lol

[msclaritea]

Well I know where I'd prefer to zipline and surf! As a Brit myself I'd say BC would likely do those things abroad because of the improved weather and privacy. Most of us LOVE going abroad!

Where I am now it's apparently 12°c and not much better on the south coast, where the better surfing (warmth wise) typically is. Plus because it's spring, the sea hasn't been warmed by the summer sun yet, so the water is relatively cold. Google tells me that in Costa Rica on the other hand it's currently 19° c (24/25° expected later this week) and the sea will be significantly warmer anyway with being closer to the equator.

And clearly someone as famous as BC can't travel far without getting recognised and photographed, but I imagine it's far less intense away from English speaking countries and Europe!

Benedict was sent by his public relations to help hype Costa Rica. End of. There are plenty of places he could have gone, and kept it quiet, but since you pushed the point, he does seem to be used to promote certain businesses and we will be paying a lot closer attention to what those businesses are and who is behind them. Like the ratchet Choose Love, or that glamping buddy of Zero's.

I will repeat for the Stupids on his team: When you involve that hooker in his promo, we will dissect, with cool precision, every angle of why she's there or why anyone would lie and say she's there. We know she traffics, we know she's been a drug runner and sometime pimp of underage girls whenever she's desperate for money, and just like her sister hooker, Meghan Markle, she also spies on people to collect kompromat. Considering they're both linked to Jeffrey Epstein and he, to the CIA, it's not a leap to wonder who she's collecting it for. All of this is why she is now a pariah in most venues and cannot get in without him. Whomever it is that keeps pushing her into his promo is doing damage to Benedict, the ONLY legitimate money maker out of the whole failed bunch, because he's the one with the actual talent. This is why I say that Hollywood is behaving like a bipolar bitch, right now. It can't seem to decide if it wants to make money or not.

Benedict=Profit

Benedict+Sophie=Loss, Debt, Failure

Understand?

[sarahsadventuresineurope-blog]

4/8/2017

ugh so much to write!!

okay first: spring break! amsterdam, vienna, and barcelona.

so me and david flew to amsterdam on thursday right after class. we had an earlier flight than rae and jessy. our flight actually ended up getting a little bit delayed though. so we got to amsterdam and took a bus to our air bnb. so many tesla taxis! that was weird to see. we got there around sunset so it was so pretty to walk around :) our air bnb was in a really cool spot. got there and settled in. got into a fight with jake because he was upset i didnt message him right when i landed. it was weird but whatever haha. david and i went to a burger place right next to our place before the other girls arrived. the burgers were decent, but pretty pricey. jessy and rae arrived so we got settled then went to find a coffee shop! we found one called katsu that was pretty close so we went there and went inside and got some weed hahha it was so crazy. rolled some splifs and then smoked outside the shop. after, we walked around and went to a couple bars! the first one we went to had a soccer game on so it was exciting to be in that atmostphere. then we went to a couple other bars after. at one, david went to get drinks and came back with vodka shots haha we died. after we went to mcdonalds lol it was on the way back to our place. then we smoked a little and then passed out. the next morning we had a slow start bc of staying out the night before. we finally left the place around 11 and headed to get brunch. we decided to walk instead of using public transit because it wasnt too far. we went to metropolitan and it was SO FUCKING GOOD. i got an avocado eggs benedict and it made me so happy ahah. also we all got mimosas. we finished our brunch then walked around to find a place to buy shrooms. we ended up at the magic mushroom or something like that and they all bought shrooms. after we went to a nearby coffeeshop and smoked more. met up with dedrick there! that was crazy to see and meet up with dedrick in amsterdam. after that we walked because we wanted to find this popular park, and there we separated ways. we couldnt find the park so we were kind of just wandering for a while and we found a canal tour so we bought that. i bought a space cake for me to eat while they were tripping on shrooms. we took the shrooms and edibles then went on the tour. that was pretty cool. it hit them while on the tour haha. after we just wandered around for hours hahh. went to a park, found a cool art gallery and then ended at a thrift shop. all were super cool. after we headed back to our place to relax. then we went to dinner right under our air bnb and i was soooo high i ate everything haha. after that we went back to the place and relaxed before we made the trip to the red light district. that was pretty crazy to see and experience. we walked around it for awhile then went into a bar and had a drink. it was pouring rain so we took a taxi home. then just smoked more and hung out. a very chill time in amsterdam but it was super cool. then we just flew back to berlin!

we got back to berlin and had a day before we flew to vienna. so on sunday we went to maurpark and explored. the weather was super shitty though so we didnt spend much time. then i just went home and packed for the week!

our flight to vienna was around 11 so jessy and i headed to the airport in the morning. everything went smoothly, and we arrived in vienna in the late afternoon. we took a train to david’s cousins place, then walked there with the directions he gave us. we dropped off our stuff and explored vienna! we walked through this really pretty park, then found our way to this beautiful cathedral. then we got schnitzel because we were starving. after, we walked more through places i dont know the names of haha. one cool building was where hitler gave a really famous speech. after, we went to the 25 hours rooftop bar for a drink. we went right around sunset so it was beautiful. we spent some time there just having a drink and talking. after that we headed back to his cousins. got there and met sebastian! he was so nice hahha david had talked him up so much too. we just hung out with him and that was fun. drank some beers and got to know each other. then me david and jessy went to david friend’s place, timmy. we went over there expecting to go out but we just stayed at his friends place and drank beers and smoked haha but it was chill meeting autrian kids our age. i felt bad for making them speak english but they were all super nice. at one point a couple of them snorted molly so that was crazy haha. but yeah! then we left and got doner, which was so fucking shitty hahah and then we got back to sebastians and slept. the next day we went to the train station to go to david’s aunts place in the countryside. took the train there and his aunt picked us up. got back to their place, had some tea, then we all went out on a bike ride. the bike ride was amazing! we were out for a couple hours, just riding around to different spots throughout the village. then we got back to his aunt’s place and they took us out to dinner in a nearby town! i had a really really great glass of red wine, and this chicken dish with spinach spatzle (?) its kinda like dduk but like tiny balls haha then we went back home and just hung out and drank beers and talked. jessy and david smoked but i just went to sleep. the next morning we woke up pretty late lol but we had bread cheese meat and coffee for breakfast. david’s uncle drove us to david’s cousins city, just the next town over. we went to the school where his wife and kids were. then we met them and went on a walk through the city. first we got super yummy ice cream, then walked to a park, then to this palace thing, and then finally to their house. we played with the kids for a few hours and then the mom cooked us dinner and we ate with their family and their sister and her bf. that was really nice. then played with the kids more, then the sister and her bf drove us to the train station to go back to vienna. this was the night me and jessy had booked a hostel, but we ended up just staying another night with sebastian haha. so yeah we went to sebastians and brought him a bottle of wine as a thank you. so we drank wine, more beer, and talked and hung out before going out to the club. we even got to drink their grandfather’s schnapps! ugh forever will remember “auf opa” and how i almost cried. got pretty drunk that night haha. finally left at like 12 to meet timmy at this club. right when we got there we just went in to pee then we left to go somewhere else. got to the second club and it was pretty cool but real ratchet haha. the guys were extra creepy. bought some weed off of a guy trying to hit on jessy lol and rolled some splifs and smoked and drank more. was there until like 3-4am lol then finally took a taxi home. went to bed, pretty sure i heard jessy and david fucking lol it was nasty. anyways, woke up the next day and got ready for our flight. jessy and i were super super hungover, it was terrible. but got our flight okay and we were on our way to barcelona!

arrived in barcalona and took a bus to our air bnb. got there and got settled in and met kash. dropped our stuff off and got food nearby. gothic quarter is super super cool and pretty hehe. went to this yummy pasta place, 7.50 for a beer, pasta, and bread. just talked and hung out then just went back home and slept. next morning jessy woke up and threw up :( she felt better so we went to brunch nearby, it was pretty good. then she threw up at the restaurant so we just headed back to the air bnb after brunch. we both took naps but then i got up and wanted to do a little exploring but it was raining so that was shitty. met up with jazmin for coffee! that was nice to see her hehe. then walked home in the pouring rain haha. got back and jessy was feeling a lot better so we went out to eat ramen. she threw up while at ramen LOL so we just went back home after and slept more. this was when kash’s dog came and peed on our bed UGH WORST THING EVER. we moved to the room next door lol. the next day we had booked tickets for the sagrada familia and park guell so we started the day with brunch at a different place. jessy felt a lot better this day and didnt throw up! had brunch, then took the subway to the sagrada familia. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. i found the inside much more amazing than i expected. spent a solid hour there. then we walked to park guell! on our way we stopped for gelato haha. it was such a beautiful day, which was a nice change from the night before of thunder and lightning. the park was on a hill so basically it was a hike haha. got to the park, then entered with our tickets. took a bunch of pics and walked around for like an hour. then we left and took a bus to a main shopping center and shopped a little. found a sephora so jessy was able to buy her concealer! then we headed to the tapas dinner we booked. it was so good!!! pretty pricey but it was fine for a nice meal in barcelona. then we went back to the air bnb and hung out and relaxed. then we decided to go to a bar that was recommended to both of us and we were told it was pretty american, we walked there. got there and got a g&t and just hung out and watched the soccer game on the tv. it was kinda lame bc no dance floor, but they played good american pop music so that was nice haha. didnt stay there too long. left, went to burger kind, ate some food, then went back to the air bnb. went to sleep, woke up, and headed to the airport to fly back to berlin.

oh i forgot to say we never met up with our friends in vienna and it caused drama it was dumb lol

anyways, that was my spring break! sucks that jessy got sick but it wasnt the worst thing ever. the next two weeks were very anticlimactic haha um last week i got sick so that sucked. we went to stammi last week and kevin was still here so that was fun to go out with him. one weird thing was on the way back from stammi on the u bahn a strange man randomly spit on thomas when he said a sentence in english. that was weird. the next night was super fun tho, i went to troyboi with diane marie gus jonathan and madeline! it was so so so fun! we were trying to find e the whole night but couldnt find any hahahah so we just drank. he was suck a sick dj to see live. and we were right in the front! one thing i didn’t appreciate was the mosh pitting lol. me and jc headed back to the apartments after his set bc it was already 3 but the rest stayed out haha. i dont remember anything interesting from this past week... tuesday i went to kimchi princess with alex then we studied after. it was nice to have korean food haha. had a presentation on wednesday that went okay. thursday me and chan and grant stayed in a watched lemonade which was fun haha. friday i had class all day which was annoying but then came back, ate, and then went out with everyone. chan wanted to go to an event at afroclub so we all went but we ended up at watergate because amelia sucks at navigating and none of us wanted to pay $15 to get in lol so we left and walked to suicide circus, then chan made zach trip on accident as we walked in so the bouncer was like you guys are too drunk when we def werent lol. so after that quinn jessy and amelia just went home bc jessy was pretty drunk. but me chan zach and grant tried to go to afroclub. we found it, especially since there were posters literally everywhere ugh. so we go in and get drinks and what not. it was pretty cool but very ratchet lol. chan ended up losing her phone :( so that sucked. me and chan took a taxi home but grant and zach stayed out with other girls in the program. woke up this morning (sat) thinking i was gonna die lol. grant came over and we just talked for a few hours and at random snacks lol. then i watched some netflix, showered, and we went out to get ramen for dinner. just me and grant went. grant wanted to buy new shoes so we did a lil shopping after, and then just came home. its saturday and i think all of us are just staying in tonight haha. okay well thats all!! bye bye

[wysteria-clad]

"He hums as if contemplating your request. Instead, he tucks some loose strands behind your left ear and slides the flower into your hair, long fingers trailing down the side of your face admiring his handiwork"

Omg I love these lines! ❤️

“Such a beautiful sight; I should go get my easel…” he sighs thoughtfully.

Ben, I'm gonna kill you

“I really should have tied your hands above your head rather than behind your back,” he breathes against your temple as if disappointed in himself for not thinking of it sooner. “You are always a little frantic when your discomfort is ratcheted just a little higher.”

I absolutely adore your choice of words here 🤩

“You smell better than all of these flowers, my love,” his voice lower and dusky, inhaling deep. His ravishing filthy words bring more moisture, almost dripping down your thigh."

His dialogue here and the way you write him and capture his character 🤌✨

“Now we are getting somewhere,” a flash of lightning illuminates the smirk on his handsome face as you finally use the words he loves to hear from you when he has you like this"

These lines are literally perfect.

“Please look into my eyes,” he entreats desperately, his movement becoming uncoordinated. You move to lock eyes with him, his face appearing to morph shape with the lightning flashing from all angles. “Tell me you love me,” he pleads; you can tell he is so close to his peak now.

Please I love this part so much 😭✋

“Indeed,” his smile is warm as he throws the clothing onto his shoulder and picks you up, carrying you back into the main house.

Screaming crying and throwing up. Faye, you made me fall in love with Benedict all over again.

your talent to write a whole fic based on a tweet-

Faye. Wow.

Lightening & Lilies

Pairing: benedict bridgerton x fem!reader

Summary: Simply put, greenhouse sex during a thunderstorm

Word count: 1.9k

Warnings: smut, 18+, minors dni, light bondage, vaginal sex.

Author's note: Unbetaed. Set in the Sonnet #29 universe. This is a bit cliched, but was written in a few hours of classic work avoidance. Inspired by the tweet below, minus the Victorian dress. Also inspired by the gif below, because, come on now, who wouldn't be?

Tagged: @makaylan @foreverlonginguniverse @kkpolakow

I do not give consent to have my work reposted, translated or published to any other site or app, in part or whole, unless I do so myself.

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“Please…” your whine is pathetic, and you know it.

“Please what?” he teases, circling you, close enough for you to smell his skin. He's bare-feet, just his trousers with braces hanging around his hips, his lithe torso on display, taunting you.

“Touch me,” breathless and desperate. You writhe ineffectually against your binding, but it's just no use; you can’t move. The wrought iron pillar is cold against your bare back; the rope chafes against your wrists—the heady botanical smell in the air from the riot of tropical plants. In the distance, you hear an approaching summer storm rumbling on the horizon, creating a hum in the air. Intoxicating. 

He smirks and plucks a lily from the beautiful patch blooming opposite you, its neatly hammered brass sign Lilium candidum glowing in the moonlight. He takes a deep inhale of the flower and slowly trails the white petals over the skin of your neck, down your breastbone over the centre line of your stomach. The feathery touch is enough to enlighten your senses but not enough to satisfy. His gaze is intent on the flower as he twirls its petals across your belly button, the tickle making your stomach ripple.

“Is this what you want?” His voice is deep and teasing. 

“No,” you exhale; it's not enough and too much all at once. 

“That's a shame,” he says ponderously, tipping the flower to drag the stamen up under your breast. Ticking the skin there, trailing up until its sticky yellow pollen dusts your nipple, pebbling under his gentle teasing.

“How about that?” he knows how to torture you to the point of frustration - this is his favourite way to make you crazed for him. 

“No, I want you, your hands, your body,” you whimper.

He hums as if contemplating your request. Instead, he tucks some loose strands behind your left ear and slides the flower into your hair, long fingers trailing down the side of your face admiring his handiwork.

“Such a beautiful sight; I should go get my easel…” he sighs thoughtfully.

“Don't you dare,” you grit through your teeth.

“Beauty should be captured so that others may admire its wondrous nature,” he intones, every inch the art professor he is.

“You are not at work now,” you reply, squaring your jaw, frustration bubbling into insolence.

“An artist is never at rest, my love,” he lectures. “But, then yes, I suppose there are other ways to use my time,” he adds, suddenly crowding his whole body against you. 

You inhale sharply, fighting against your bindings again, desperate to have your hands, to touch him. His chest catches against your nipples, tickling.

“I really should have tied your hands above your head rather than behind your back,” he breathes against your temple as if disappointed in himself for not thinking of it sooner. “You are always a little frantic when your discomfort is ratcheted just a little higher.”

His left hand runs down your side, mapping the contours of your skin, listening to your breath hitch as there is a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder much closer than the last. The hand rounds your bum cheek and loops the back of your thigh, pulling your leg up off the ground, hooking it over his hipbone. 

“Is this what you wanted?” he questions again, slowly pressing you further into the pillar.

“Yes, more of this, please,” your voice drunken, feeling his fingers digging into the meat of your thigh, the metal clasp at the waistband of his trousers grazing your belly, his breath hot on your hairline.

He growls a little and pulls your leg higher and out further, exposing your slit to the humid air of the greenhouse.

“You smell better than all of these flowers, my love,” his voice lower and dusky, inhaling deep. His ravishing filthy words bring more moisture, almost dripping down your thigh.

“Please,” you implore again as another ominous clap of thunder rumbles across the room, rattling some of the looser glass panes.

“What is it now? I'm touching you am I not?” he chides, kissing the dewy skin of your forehead.

“Just fuck me,” you whisper against his stubbled jaw, almost ashamed of your need, but there's a heavy ache deep inside that only his cock can remedy now.

“Oh no, darling,” he drawls, "you're going to have to ask me nicer than that or you won't get it at all." He surges his hips against you, so you feel him hot and rigid through his trousers, divulging what you will be missing out on if you don't play along. Your moan is unsolicited but loud, but he soon pulls back again, leaving a few inches of humid, sticky air between your bodies.

“Please give me your cock. I need it,” you beg, thrusting your hips out to chase what you just felt, your hands catching against the metal; you can't move far; he has made sure of it.

“But my love, are you sure you don't want my fingers?” He toys, running feathery touches over your biceps “or my tongue?” he adds, dropping his face lower to lick a hot line up your clavicle. 

“Anything you want to give me, my lord,” you breathe.

“Now we are getting somewhere,” a flash of lightning illuminates the smirk on his handsome face as you finally use the words he loves to hear from you when he has you like this.

“Good thing for you, my love, is that I'm not in the mood to tease tonight either,” he speaks casually, kicking an upturned terracotta pot towards the pillar and dropping the leg he holds; your foot falling on top of it. A loud clap of thunder makes you jump, and you feel a static buzz across your skin from the ozone in the air. 

“Ask again very nicely, and maybe I’ll give it to you,” he murmurs silkily, his hands tugging on the buttons of his trousers.

“Please, please, I love your cock, and I need it. Please, my lord, I'm aching.” You give up any pretence of propriety, just plain begging at this point.

“That's my girl.” A swaggering lilt, knowing he has you right where he wants you. He drops his trousers, and before you can look down admiringly, he takes himself in hand, crowds into you again and presses into you slowly. 

Your eyes roll back, and you let out a long, high-pitched noise as he stretches you out, your foot on the floor being pushed up onto your tip toes with the force of it. Just as the sky is torn apart by a massive lightning streak and a loud thunder roll.

“Yessss,” you hiss, finally the remedy your body has been screaming for, as he reaches your hilt. This feeling, so full, so hot, never gets old. His hands grasp you, thumbs digging harshly into your hipbones. For the first time since he tied you up, he moves to kiss you, his tongue lashing deep into your mouth as he begins to move.

Suddenly the rain begins, a symphony of sound tapping on the glass roof above you. He breaks the kiss to look up at the sky.

“Oh, my darling, do you know anything of the properties of lightning?” he asks as he pushes in and out at a steady pace. Of course, you do - if anything, you are the more voracious reader of scientific discoveries than he is. But the vibration of his voice through your body means you just want to hear what he has to say.

“Enlighten me, my lord,” you chime.

“It is said to be attracted to metal objects,” one hand moving above your head to tap on then grasp the wrought iron pillar you are tied to, part of the skeleton of the greenhouse holding all this glass aloft. “With a moment of bad luck from mother nature, we could expire.” The last word is a harsh staccato - the danger, the tang of fear of being against a metal post amid an electric storm, heightening his arousal. And now yours. 

He speeds up his pace. “If I have to die, my darling, I prefer it be with you, inside you,” his voice passionate and breathy.

You push your breasts up against him, aching to feel more. “Yes, my lord. If I must die, I want to be with you.” Your wrists fight against the rope he has lashed them with. Your shoulder blades drag heavy against the pillar as he takes you harder.

A boom of thunder coincides with his loud moan as you latch your lips onto his neck, biting gently on his overheated skin. “More, my lord, please, give me more,” you implore. 

With a growl, he reaches down and pulls your butt up, wrapping your legs over his arms; you are now pinned entirely at his mercy; he’s carrying your weight, your hands still tied. “I've got you,” he soothes, sensing your disquiet.

The storm is now in full force, the glass rattling as the rain pours heavier and an almost constant drone of thunder echoes around the sky. His pace is unrelenting. He kisses you so many times, each possessive and rough. Tomorrow, your spine will have bruises from the unyielding metal, but it doesn't bother you; you are desperate to come, desire knitted tight in your lower belly. The angle means his public bone is striking against your clit with every stroke; you won't even need his fingers to take you over the edge in this position.

“Oh god, right there, please don't stop,” you scream loud, knowing the storm will drown out the noise. He is also more vocal than usual, loudly groaning with each stroke and babbling your name and how good it feels.

An intense flash of lightning blinds your vision, and you're tumbling over and over, yelling and shaking, dimly hoping he can hold your strength as you writhe and buck hard against him. Pulsing hot all over - he roars at the sensation.

“Please look into my eyes,” he entreats desperately, his movement becoming uncoordinated. You move to lock eyes with him, his face appearing to morph shape with the lightning flashing from all angles. “Tell me you love me,” he pleads; you can tell he is so close to his peak now.

“I love you, Benedict,” you stare into his eyes and use his name for the first time tonight. His responding moan is long and thready as he spears deep and freezes, his head drooping and biting down on your shoulder. Every time he empties inside you, it feels powerful and potent.

“I love you too,” he responds softly when his voice returns. He gently lowers you to your feet as he breathes hard, resting his forehead against yours, pulling out slowly from your body. The storm seems to be easing as it passes east over the woods. 

“Please untie my hands,” you whisper after a few beats. He nods and disappears behind the pillar, making quick work of the knots. You breathe a sigh of relief as your wrists are freed, and he brings them to his lips to soothe the ache.

“I'm sorry, this should be better by tomorrow morning,” he promises, inspecting the red marks.

“I know,” you mollify, crowding into him with a yawn as the storm becomes pacifying background noise. “Mmm, tired,” you drawl against his shoulder.

“I can tell,” he chuckles affectionately, “come on, Mrs Bridgerton, time for bed.”

“Okay,” you yawn again, watching him pick up all the discarded clothing, comfortable in his nakedness, “lead the way, Mr Bridgerton”. 

He plucks the lily you had forgotten about out of your hair and hands it to you. “A souvenir, my lady,” he says with a slight comic bow.

“A night of lightning and lilies?” you giggle.

“Indeed,” his smile is warm as he throws the clothing onto his shoulder and picks you up, carrying you back into the main house.

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