#Valery Marie

[baltharino]

V For Vendetta (2005) Dir. James McTeigue

[scarletwandas]

❝This life will be good, and beautiful, but not without ｈｅａｒｔｂｒｅａｋ. In death, comes 𝓅𝑒𝒶𝒸𝑒, but pain is the cost of living. Like love, it's how we know we're 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄.❞

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (2009-2017)

[heckcareoxytwit]

The X-Men take a break from the Danger Room training session when they received a call from Beast. He tells the X-Men about the news of Dazzler's abduction at the hands of the mutant-hating group, the Friends of Humanity. Hearing the news, Jubilee is in dismay because she had been waiting to go to Dazzler's concert. Everyone (except Jean Grey and Beast) leave the X-Mansion for the rescue mission. Jean Grey is forced to stay behind for her pregnancy while Beast is busy repairing Bishop's time travel device. Meanwhile, Gambit and Rogue are on a shopping trip when they received a call from Storm to aid their team in a mission.

Just as the X-Men arrive at the Friends of Humanity's hideout, they see Rogue and Gambit had already at the hideout where they are kicking the bigots' asses. The X-Men are fighting the mutant haters while Jubilee managed to locate Dazzler and rescue her. Just then, the authorities led by Valerie Cooper, arrive at the hideout where they arrest the Friends of Humanity goons. During the arrest, one of the Friends of Humanity goons sneer at the FBI agents for siding with the mutants but the scarred agent forces him to keep his mouth shut as he promised him that he would go free if he cooperates. While Valerie Cooper is talking to the X-Men, Wolverine sniffs out a familiar scent among the agents or the Friends of Humanity but he could not tell which one of them is the familiar enemy. Little did the X-Men know that the familiar enemy is actually Carl Denti, the FBI agent with scars on his face, he is the one who became X-Cutioner in one episode of X-Men 97 cartoon.

X-Men 97 #1, 2024

[sundaynightfilms]

L'Amour et les Forêts, 2023

[operafantomet]

...just follow the lantern...

Rob Pitcher, Hamburg

Ben Crawford and Emilie Kouatchou, Broadway

John Cudia, US Tour

Peter Karrie, Toronto

Glenda Balkan and Peter Karrie, Toronto

Peter Karrie, Toronto

Hugh Panaro and Sam Hill, Broadway

Norm Lewis and Mary Michael Patterson, Broadway

Valerie Link and Mathias Edenborn, Hamburg

[wav3y-zzz]

Valery LEGASOV, my bestie bff. Mr soviet chemist

[miaqc1]

[archduchessofnowhere]

Archduchess Marie Valerie's journal entry on the death of her mother Empress Elisabeth of Austria, in 1898 (written on 21 September):

10 September. In the evening at 7.30 o'clock I returned with Maria from a tour of our poor… souper… then went with the three grown-ups to the chapel for evening prayer. Maria came with me, I did not pay much attention to her, did not notice her disturbed expression. I was no more devout than usual… Coming out into the corridor, while the children ran into their room, Maria asked me to come into my writing room, she had something to tell me. I was still thinking only of a small house cross, but when I looked at her, my heart stood still. “The Archduke?” “No — Her Majesty.” I don't know whether I asked further questions or whether I immediately said the word “dead”? whether she told me right there in the corridor or already in the room: “Murdered by an Italian anarchist — in the hotel in Geneva.” I don't know. My hand still trembles when I think back to that hour… Remorse for having returned her great love so badly, and above all… more and more the unspeakable pity for him, the poor, old, sorrowful and grief-stricken father, and the probably also futile question of whether it was not too much for a poor human heart? We were on our knees, Maria and I — in the room and in the chapel. Then I sent a telegram to Franz [Archduke of Austria, Valerie's husband]. And to Papa [Emperor Franz Josef I], “I'll come to you tomorrow morning at half past six.” He himself had telegraphed to Maria that she should “teach me in a good way”. I went in to see the children. Ella [Elisabeth, Valerie's eldest child] was not quite in bed yet … When I kissed and shook her, hardly knowing what I was doing, telling her softly: “She knows, that dear Grandmama has died,” she began to cry softly, as if she understood. God bless the good child! The boys were already in bed. Hedwig [Valerie's second daughter] was already asleep. From one room to the other and with Maria out into the quiet starry night. — I lay down too, but sleep was out of the question. At half past one we drove away, Maria and I … arrived in Penzing at half past six in the morning. How the morning dawned over the Vienna Woods, which she loved so much, and how unspeakable fear shook me before seeing Papa again, those are hours that one is amazed to have survived. Papa stood at the foot of the big staircase at Schönbrunn and we fell into each other's arms. That was the first time he was able to cry, he told me later. But he was still stunned then, and soon afterwards he was calm again, as he had been after Rudolf's death. We went to Sunday mass together, and then I was allowed to spend that first day with him almost without interruption, sitting next to his desk while he worked as usual, reading with him the more detailed news coming from Geneva, helping him to receive the condolence visits of the family members… Prime Minister Thun, who cried like a child — a good feeling that Papa has such servants around him. The unfortunate person who had to bring Papa the first message from Vienna to Schönbrunn was Adjutant General Count Paar with the still undetermined telegram from Irma Sztáray [Empress Elisabeth's lady-in-waiting]; “Her Majesty the Empress seriously wounded”, which was very soon followed by the second: “Her Majesty the Empress just died at 2 o'clock in the Hotel Beaurivage.” Papa seems to have immediately thought of an assassination, although he repeatedly said: “How can one assassinate a woman who has never harmed anyone?” Papa's intention to leave for Geneva immediately was thwarted by the second telegram.

(Translation by DeepL, keep in mind that in a machine translation a lot of nuances may/did got lost)

[princesssarisa]

Mary Costa – best known as the voice of Aurora in Disney's Sleeping Beauty – as Violetta in La Traviata.

[procrastinatingalways]

My latest post on AO3 is not a fic but an overview of labor statistics for Call the Midwife Series 1-12. You can get a quick look at the mums, birth locations, if it was on screen, nurses/doctors present, baby number and gender, and any other medical notes. I was doing this for my own fic writing but thought I would share for any others who might find it helpful.

[ladykatie512]

for my birthday (three weeks ago, oops) my fandom bestie surprised me with this amazing commission by cyanfacade. 

[scarletwandas]

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES S07E02 - Never Let Me Go

[sundaynightfilms]

L'Amour et les Forêts, 2023

[kendrysaneela]

I would like to point out a few things about this clip and how it basically sets up the whole show. First of all.

It’s a Romance novel actually.

Setting up the romance part of the show being Allison and Patty

Second part the synopsis of the show basically

It’s about a woman who’s sad she’s very sad. She just wasted the last ten years of her life on this terrible marriage. It’s very depressing in the beginning. But then one day she realizes what she wants. And she has this brilliant plan. She keeps playing perfect housewife. But in the meantime-

And then here’s another important part the librarian says:

Affair with her neighbor

Which is what she does with Patty. It’s not a sexual or romantic affair or anything (yet) but there’s no denying it’s an emotional affair. They’re having an emotional affair.

Then. Another important part that applies to season 2. Especially 207.

The librarian says: Why wouldn’t she just leave.

And Allison replies with:

Maybe she doesn’t wanna leave.

Maybe this isn’t about leaving at all.

It was never about leaving. It was never about killing Kevin. It was never about Allison faking her death. It was always about Patty and Allison saving each other. And making it so they could each escape without leaving each other.

And that’s why I think that the show has to end with them finding each other again. For it to end with Patty just stuck alone again and Allison alone again would go against the whole thesis of the show. They need to find each other again and save each other. One last time. For good this time. After all. Valerie did say:

The show is about two women. And how they save each other.

[thefugitivesaint]

This is a screen shot I took from 'Kevin Can F**k Himself', Season 2, episode 2. I'm sharing this because I want to see if anyone out there can provide any information about the poster on the wall in the back (Yes, the one circled in red). It looks like a vampire movie poster from the 80s but I have yet to find any reliable information on whether this is an actual film (that I just never heard of) or if this is an invention of the shows production designer? The movie's title is 'Eventide' and the tag line is "It's fun to be a vampire." (which is a Good Clean Fun song & part of the tagline for 'The Lost Boys' from 1987). This is where paying attention to the details of the entertainment you consume inadvertently sends you down a rabbit hole encouraged by the nagging need to assuage one's own curiosity over a piece of visual minutia. As to the show: it's a study of tone and you either vibe with it or you don't. I thought it tried to walk off the beaten path and I tip my hat to the effort. Whether or not it was a successful excursion into untrodden territory is something I'm still weighing.

[foreverinthepagesofhistory]

~ Rumors About Our Daughter ~ (fan fiction requested by @historical-epic)

Rumors questioning Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria’s legitimacy have been circulating within the Austrian Court. What do her parents think about this? What do they do?

Characters: Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, Empress Elisabeth of Austria

Valerie heard her mother talking to a random maid servant in the drawing room of their summer home Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl. Thought it sounded more like arguing to her.

“Don’t you dare make such treasonous accusations!” Elisabeth shouted, loud enough for 8 year old Valerie to make out what she said. 

“Y-Y-Your Majesty….I didn’t mean to…I was just implying that”

“What, that my daughter is illegitimate? That her father is not The Emperor? How dare you!”

Valerie had never heard her mother this angry before. It was quite shocking, more shocking than the rumors of her own illegitimacy. 

These rumors were swirling in and out of Kaiservilla for months now, mostly the fancy talk of lower servants. When the imperial family arrived, the servants had to be more careful about their gossiping and shut out their willful thoughts as these thoughts could imprison them for life, or even worse, death.

Emperor Franz Joseph I was married to Duchess Elisabeth of Bavaria, who later became Empress Elisabeth of Austria by marriage. But everyone close to her called her either Mother or Sisi. 

Together they had four children. Archduchess Sophie, who died young, Gisela, Rudolf, and Marie-Valerie. They all lived somewhat happy lives although there were problems in all.

Franz and Sisi had to bear the burden of ruling an all powerful Austro-Hungarian empire, Rudolf had to bear the burden of being heir, Gisela had to bear the burden of being unloved by her parents (it was very complicated), and Valerie now had to bear the burden of various rumors spreading about who her real father was.

There are plenty of servants and nobles who live at Kaiservilla and that means that there are various mouths to blab whatever they want about whoever they want. 

A few months ago, the topic of Empress Sisi and her lover Count Andrássy was being spoken about and somebody must’ve put together that Valerie might not have been her father’s daughter.

These were obviously just nonsensical rumors because Valerie was Franz’s child. She was legitimate. 

But Valerie herself didn’t know that and neither did all of the servants who had been blabbing their mouths off for months. 

“Get out of my sight! Sisi practically screamed at the frightened chamber maid who unfortunately gossiped at the wrong time to a footman.

The maid scurried off and Sisi sat down on the nearest chair and was trying to hold in tears.

“Mama..” Valerie walked in from the other room. “Was that maid talking about me?” She asked.

“Oh darling” Sisi held out her hands to embrace the trembling young girl who started to cry.

“Don’t pay any mind to what that filthy servant said. It was all lies and it wasn’t true at all.”

Sisi stroked her daughter’s unruly dark brown hair and continued to do so until Valerie broke the embrace.

“But Mama…I heard it all…I don’t know what this all means.” Valerie was on the verge of hysterics. 

Seeing her mother so upset ignited something in her that is usually hidden away. It made her angry and confused and utterly upset.

“Valerie darling” Sisi soothed. “All you have to believe is that you are your father’s daughter, you are my daughter. If somebody said that you aren’t then shame on them!” 

Sisi gave her youngest daughter a little playful slap which turned the sad frown on Valerie’s face into the wide smile that would be seen playing outside with her dogs or drawing pictures with her mother.

“You are Archduchess Marie Valerie of Austria, youngest daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, King of Hungary. That is who you are and you can’t listen to anybody if they say otherwise, especially the nasty servants who gossip.” Sisi softly placed a hand on Valerie’s face.

“Okay Mama, I love you very much.” The two hugged firmly again.

“Next time Valerie, don’t eavesdrop okay?” Sisi said strictly, but with a laugh.”

“Okay Mama!” Sighed smart Valerie as she skipped out of the room.

~

Later that night, when Valerie was doing her nighttime prayers, Sisi was informing Franz about the events of the day.

“Franz, darling,” Sisi spoke to her husband who was sitting calmly on the bed taking his boots off.

“Many people are questioning Valerie’s legitimacy, today I caught a maid servant gossiping with a footman. I’m greatly concerned.” Sis went over to sit next to Franz who wrapped his arm around her.

“Darling, you know those rumors are false. I remember the night we conceived. It couldn’t possibly be anyone else. What makes you so worried?” Franz said

Sisi wanted to say that the rumors were specifically stating that Count Andrássy was the suspected father and that she never did anything with him except one small kiss, but she couldn’t say that to her husband. 

She loved Franz and Andrássy’s kiss brought her no affectionate feelings, minus disgust and anger, but this was just not the right time.

That was a story for another day.

Sisi decided to tell Franz the truth about half of the worries about this situation.

“I’m worried because Valerie was in the other room and she could hear me yelling at that maid.” Sisi was close to tears.

“She has never heard me that angry before and she came up to me afterword and was quite distressed...” Sisi wept into Franz’s arms while he gently stroked her back.

They might not have been passionate soulmates, but after all these years of marriage, Franz still loved Sisi, and the feeling was mutual.

“Sisi darling hush now, I will talk to her, I promise.” Franz stated his wife in the eye and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

He then exited the room and let Sisi undress peacefully.

As Franz was walking to Valerie’s rooms, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking more deeply about the rumors.

Why would anyone think that Valerie is not my daughter?

Valerie heard a sudden knock on her bedroom door.

“Valerie, darling, it’s Papa, can I come in?”

“Enter.” Valerie spoke softly as her nanny calmly put the book away and exited the room.

Franz came in and slowly sat down on Valerie’s bed.

“What’s wrong Papa?” Valerie noticed the solemn look on her father’s usually joyful face. At least he was joyful when she was around.

“Valerie…” Franz spoke in a nervous but fairly calm tone. “Mother told me about what happened today.”

Valerie’s face fell into a sad frown.

“Does everyone think like that maid thinks?” She said desperately. “Mama says that I shouldn’t listen to them…but I did.”

“Oh Valerie my dearest,” Franz wrapped his daughter in a tight embrace and rocked her around like he did when she was a baby. 

“Look in my eyes, Valerie, you are my daughter. Nothing can or will ever change that.” Franz was disgusted by these ugly rumors. His heart knew that Sisi could’ve and would’ve been unfaithful at times, and he could’ve been too. But he knew deep down in his heart that Valerie was his child, nothing could convince him otherwise.

“Papa is that really the truth?” Valerie asked longingly.

“Darling,” Franz cooed. “It will forever be the truth.”

“Oh Papa I love you so much!” Valerie gave her father a kiss on the cheek and a tight squeeze before hopping under her covers.

Franz kissed the little girl goodnight and exited calmly.

He knew that everything was going to be okay, and if not, he would take care of it.

~