#and yet most people either don't know about it or conveniently flash forward to when she entered sanctuary

[wishesofeternity]

“Warwick launched his final bid at kingmaking, this time in alliance with Margaret of Anjou to restore Henry VI. He and Clarence landed in Devon while the King was in Yorkshire. Elizabeth (Woodville)’s initial reaction was to prepare for a siege in the Tower of London where she had already retired in expectation of the imminent birth of another child. But on 1 October news reached the capital that the King was preparing to set sail from Bishop’s Lynn, abandoning his kingdom. With no hope of imminent rescue, Elizabeth moved swiftly into the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey with her mother and her daughters. She sent Abbot Thomas Millyng to advise the Mayor and Aldermen that she was surrendering the Tower, and consequently Henry VI, into their custody.

- J.L Laynesmith,  “Elizabeth Woodville: The Knight’s Widow” in “Later Plantagenet and Wars of the Roses Consorts” / “The Last Medieval Queens, English Queenship 1445-1503″

"Elizabeth (Woodville) at first fortified the Tower of London against the approaching Lancastrians, but then decided instead to hand over custody of the Tower to the mayor and aldermen of London while she went into sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. It was a move which not only protected her daughters, who were with her, but also saved London from attack, which perhaps explains some of the praise she later received. The author of 'The Historic of the Arrival of Edward IV, who claimed to have witnessed much of what he recorded, stressed

the right great trowble, sorow, and hevines, whiche [the queen] sustayned with all manar pacience that belonged to eny creature, and as constantly as hathe bene sene at any tyme any of so highe estate to endure; in the whiche season natheles she had browght into this worldc, to the Kyngs grcatystc joy, a fayrc son.

...When Edward (IV) arrived, there was a scene of family bliss, in which the queen's vulnerability and domesticity could be contrasted with his heroism.  The king was thus presented in an unusually human guise, which might appeal to readers familiar with such partings themselves throughout the civil wars:

The king comfortid the quene, and other ladyes ckc;  His swete babis ful tendurly he did kys;  The yonge prynce he behelde, and in his armys did bere. Thus his bale turnyd hym to blis.

[coping-via-clint-eastwood]

Electrified (Rise Up part 2) - Gil Grissom x Reader

(A/N:  An answer to a question that you might ask later:  yes I had to.

@addictedtostorytelling sorry this took so long. I had to take a lot of breaks when writing the last part...)

Many weeks went by. The one of you went over to the other's house more often than before, and you held each other every morning. With the increased physical closeness, the both of you became closer emotionally as well.  The public displays of affection increased in frequency and intimacy.  Well, 'increased' for Gil and you.  To other people, it was normal.

There came a time when the both of you were standing in the centre of Gil's office. You two were holding each other's faces, laughing softly as your foreheads were leant against each other. Your fingers gently moved over Gil's beard, letting the hairs slide in between and rub your fingers.

Catherine was passing by the office.  Gil and you did take notice of her, but did not stop what you were doing.  She was one of the many who had gotten used to the unfamiliar but not unwelcome openness between you two; the two of you were the most closed-off people on team graveyard. But this, this closeness of your faces - this was something new. All the other touches: hugs, kisses on the cheek, rubs on the shoulder, and so on, could all be put down as platonic gestures. And they were sparse enough not to indicate anything deeper than friendship.  So this was indeed new.  Plus, Gil had excellent work ethic.  He would never allow himself to be in a relationship with his subordinate...or would he?  She turned sideways to slowly step into the office and asked, "Just what is going on with you guys?"  You were still staring at each other, but both knew she had her investigator's look and stance on, and they had heard it in her voice anyway.

No warning, in a flash of light

Don't need no warning, this feeling's right

Vibrations chill through my bones

Sensations flow through your glow

So incredible

The way I feel we do, so phenomenal

And you always push me through, unforgettable

The way I feel with you, unbelievable

How you always push me through

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

"Oh, is there something going on between us?"  you smirked at Gil.

So incredible

So phenomenal

Before Gil could respond, Catherine interjected, "Okay, that's a yes, because you never flirt." But the poor woman was ignored again.

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

"Only if you want there to be," he grinned in return. Catherine's eyes widened - it was only on very special occasions that Gil graced anyone with such a bright smile. Acknowledging the cue, she turned and walked out to let you two have your privacy.

That threw you off your feet.  If your heart was not thumping hard before, it was now.  "Y-you're sure?" Was he really...?

"I'm sure," he whispered, one hand stroking your cheek now to reassure you.  Knowing you well enough, he let go of your face and pulled you into a hug, voluntarily pushing you to bury yourself in him. "I will do everything I can to help you adjust to your new sleep cycle. I promise." He could not see you smile, but maybe he felt your tears soaking through his shirt. He definitely felt how tightly you were squeezing him.  "Do you think Catherine has told anybody else?"  he murmured.

You shook your head, even though it was still against his chest.  "She is more respectful than that."

You felt him nod in silent agreement.  "We should tell them, then," he put to you.  It was your turn to nod.  Still holding onto you with one arm, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.  He texted Catherine, 'Could you help us gather everyone in my office?'  The reply came in quite soon after he sent his text.  'Of course.'

I'm pulsing, in a flash of light

My eyes convulsing, this feeling's right

Vibrations chill through my bones

Sensations flow through your glow

So incredible

The way I feel we do, so phenomenal

And you always push me through, unforgettable

The way I feel with you, unbelievable

How you always push me through

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

Electrified-ied

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

A few minutes later, all the CSIs, plus Hodges, Al, David and Jim (who was conveniently in the lab) were standing in a semicircle in the office. Gil and you were facing them all. "(Y/n) and I have an announcement to make." Everybody waited patiently for him to continue. "W-" He turned to look at you, and you did the same.  He hesitantly took your hand in his. "(Y-y/n) is gonna have to change shifts," he almost gasped, eyes wide and mouth open, gaping at you.  What a way to put it.  Glares from Catherine and Jim kept Hodges quiet.

So incredible

The way I feel we do, so phenomenal

And you always push me through

Electrified-ied

Electrified with you

You pulled yourself together and turned back to your audience, taking over from Gil, giving him time to compose himself. "Yes...well..." you raised your held hands; Gil seemed unconscious of it still, "we're gonna try being together.  I'm...I'm gonna miss working with you guys.  I hope that we can still see each other.  But," here you smiled briefly from one side of your mouth, "you won't be able to reach my at my address for much longer. You'll have to go to Grissom's."

They were all smiling at each other. Hodges stepped forwards. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that I'm very happy for you guys. We've all noticed how close the both of you are, and we're glad that something more has come out of it."  Everyone else just kept quiet and waited for your response.

You smiled at Hodges.  Then you continued, "I'll be on the night shift for a while longer.  Until I can get used to my sleeping hours getting thrown forward."

Hodges turned to look back at everyone, then at you again.  "Can you stop holding Grissom's hand for a second?"

You raised the hand that Grissom was holding and ran his own hand along his beard.  His eyes flickered to look at yours.  "Let go," you smiled.  He did so, but his movements were still robotic.  You stepped a little distance away from Grissom to let him recover.  "What is it, Hodges?"  The Trace analyst hugged you.  You accepted hugs more readily than Gil, so this was nothing new.  You smiled and returned his embrace. Each person present took their turn congratulating Gil and you.

9am+-:

Gil and you were in his room, chatting. Pacing helped you think, so you were walking around the room while remained seated at the foot of his bed with his feet on the floor. At one point, you backed up against the wall next the DVD shelf, facing him. "...so that's what I think," you concluded as you leant on the wall. You put your hands behind your head and interlaced your fingers. Instead of responding however, Gil just stared at you with a distant look in his eye, and yet seemed to be concentrating on you. "Uh...Gil?"  You did not move.

He stood up and approached you.  He did not stop walking even when he was fifteen centimetres from you. Your heart and breathing rates heightened and your pupils dilated, but you remained still.  He put his hands on your forearms and pulled them out to the sides if your head, until your arms were perpendicular.  He pinned you against the wall with his hands on your wrists and stared down at you with such a burning intensity that you had never experienced before. Your breaths came in soft gasps, and yet you could not tear your gaze away from his.  His eyes momentarily shifting downwards, he released your wrists and placed his hands on the wall on either side of your waist. Even then, your arms were still stiff against the wall. Not breaking eye contact with you, he leant in and kissed you. You gasped and flinched in shock when his lips first touched yours, finally blinking. Still he pressed his lips to yours, and in fact he was pressing his entire body onto yours, his eyes finally closing when he did that, tilting his head to one side slightly. You let your eyes close as well, your arms relaxing and coming down to lightly hold his upper arms. But you did not kiss him. You remained perfectly still as you just enjoyed the feeling. You had forgotten about the fact that he had been in relationships before until now.  Oh well, at least the awkwardness was only on your end.  Your inexperience did not put him off.  He patiently kissed you, making sure that you felt comfortable. His hands turned and pushed themselves in between your back and the wall to push you closer to him, so that your hips were pressed against him while you leant back so that he could continue kissing you.

When you first gasped for oxygen, he detached his lips from yours, but rubbed his forehead and nose against yours.  The both of you inhaled and exhaled through your mouths, chests heaving with each breath.  He regained his breath first.  "You okay?"  he muttered.  His first words after he first kissed you was to ask of your well-being.  How touching.

"Y-yeah..."  you assured him, rubbing his shoulders.

"That's good..." he whispered, forehead still on yours.  He pushed you against the wall again and hugged you protectively.  You sighed and relaxed on him.

He took advantage of your lax state to manhandle you and bring you to the bed.  You shuffled a few steps, but he supported most if your weight.  He lay you flat on your back, and assumed his previous position of pinning your arms beside your head. His knees were on either side of your thighs. Once again, he fixed you with that sizzling gaze. "How...how do you keep doing that?" you panted.

"Doing what?" His gaze still did not let up.

"Let me touch you," you begged. He placed his hands on the bed. You raised a hand and gently brushed it over his eyes.

You removed your hand and he looked at you again, but not quite so intensely after you mentioned that it unsettled you. "Do you know how long I have been wanting to do this?  To even be this close to you?" Your heart throbbed a little at his earnestness. Before you could respond, he kissed you again.  You held the back of his head with both hands, and tried to return his kiss this time.  But this kiss was brief.  He pulled his lips away almost as soon as he starter.  "Eight years," he breathed, forehead and nose on yours, eyes closed, again.

You let out a little choke before saying, "That's as long as I have been in love with you."

"Good."  His voice was still breathy.  It was honestly thrilling; you had never heard him like this before.  He pushed the lower part of his face down and kissed you again.

[annerbhp]

H/G, "You don't have to stay."

Ginny navigates her way across the crowded room. Theballroom is rather impressive, with candles floating up in the high ceiling,rich fabrics draping the walls. The most powerful and famous figures in thesporting world are here—players, coaches, owners, and journalists alike.

Ludo Bagman currently holds court over by an ice sculptureoff a Bludger chasing a Snitch in an endless game of tag. A shrewd-lookinggroup of owners in expensive robes sit around a table eyeing each other and nodoubt brokering deals what will shape the next season of Quidditch.

For now, the season is at an end, and Ginny is glad of it,looking forward to a little break from her grueling training schedule. Havingmade her rounds of the room, saying hello to teammates and friends, doing herduty to schmooze politely with various important contacts, she is now in searchof far more pleasant company. 

She’s nearly across the room when she’s stopped by a hand onher arm. “Miss Weasley,” the wizard says, drawing her name out, his fingertrailing down her bare arm.

Ginny forces a smile on her face, though she doubts it’sexactly friendly. “Mr. Tate,” she says, turning to look at the wizard only afew years younger than herself dressed in robes that are no doubt moreexpensive than the entire value of the Burrow. “How is your father?”

An innocent question on the surface, but she knows how muchhe hates to be reminded that his father is the one who owns the Appleby Arrowsand not him. He’s always enjoyed pretending he’s more important than he reallyis.

Sure enough, his smile slips, but then so do his eyes. Asin, he’s staring at her chest rather than her face. She can’t really blame himall that much; her dress is rather spectacular.

“Father does well as always. He trusts me to keepthings,”—his hand slips lower down her arm—“running smoothly.”

“Hmm,” Ginny says, moving out of reach and suppressing ashudder of revulsion. “And does he know that you’re out after curfew?”

His face flushes, and she knows she shouldn’t have said it,but he bloody well shouldn’t have touched her either. There could beconsequences, pissing this particular arsehole off, but somehow she justdoesn’t care. She’s a Harpy, not an Arrow, and any goodwill she needs from himfor national play and recognition just isn’t worth it.

He’s looking angry now, but before he can say anything thatwill prod her into even less subtle retaliation, Ginny casually drops in, “Nowif you’ll excuse me, I need to find my boyfriend.”

This has the intended effect, everyone knowing just whoGinny Weasley, upcoming Chaser for the Harpies, is romantically involved with,thanks to the invasive media. Mr. Tate straightens up a bit, the red flush ofanger fading, leaving him looking a little pale.

He tugs at the edge of his collar. “Oh, is he here? I hadn’trealized.” He glances around, looking equally eager and horrified.

Ginny somehow manages not to roll her eyes, insteadgesturing vaguely off in the direction she’d been heading before he stopped her.She doesn’t actually know where Harry is at the moment, but he’s definitelyhere somewhere.

“Well,” Mr. Tate says, recovering his slimy composure. “Do sayhello for me.”

No chance of that,Ginny thinks, hating herself for using Harry’s name this way. He wouldn’t mind,she knows. But she minds. Being forcedinto stooping that low just makes her hate the bloody spoiled brat even more.

She bites back another parting shot encouraging him to askfor some warm milk at the bar, instead resuming her trek across the crowdedballroom. See? She’s learning tact. She’s like a real grown up and everything.

She finally locates Harry at the far side of the room. He’sretreated so his back is pressed against the wall, his arms crossed formidably overhis chest. It’s working too, to judge from the pocket of space around him.People are clearly too intimidated to approach.

He isn’t dressed in the thick wool and leather of his Auroruniform tonight, rather in simply and elegantly cut black dress robes, but hestill radiates the feeling that he is on duty, his eyes narrowed to slits as hesurveys the room with an air of bored indifference.

He’s not on duty, of course, but rather here as her plusone. Ginny recognizes his pose as the ‘I’m stuck out in public at a socialevent and really really hate it’ posture. Meaning that he has his back pressedagainst the wall not so much to keep from getting snuck up on by a dark wizardas to protect his bum from getting grabbed. Again. She’s pretty sure Marlena’sgotten him twice this evening already.

Ginny can feel the moment his attention shifts to her as shenears, even as his posture doesn’t change in the slightest.

Having just returned from a long mission somewhere Merlinknows where, Ginny assumes he’s exhausted. Not to mention not keen to share herwith an entire room full of people.

There are definitely other places she would rather be withhim right now.

“Having fun?” she asks as she steps up next to him.

“Loads,” he says, voice dry.

“Well,” Ginny says, “neither of us have hexed anyone yet, soI think we should take that as a win.”

He lets out a derisive snort. “Oh, I’m making a list.” Hiseyes trail down her arm, unerringly taking the same path Mr. Tate’s hand hadtaken, and she knows he didn’t miss a moment of that little interaction.

“We’ll have to compare lists later,” she says lightly. “Noneed to double up on anyone.”

His face contorts with what she realizes is an attempt tohold back a yawn. She eyes his face, noting how exhausted he looks. He hasn’tbothered to shave, but she isn’t sure how much of that is laziness and how muchis an attempt to look even less approachable. 

“You don’t have to stay,” she says.

His head doesn’t turn, just his eyes latching onto her face witha mix of incredulity and anger. “Not bloody likely.”

“I doubt Mr. Tate will try anything again, not the way I’mbrazenly throwing your good name around.”

Harry’s eyes seem to flash with something that could besatisfaction. “I’m not worried about Mr. Tate.”

“Ah, yes,” Ginny says, her voice coming out surprisinglybitter. “No one wants to risk incurring Harry Potter’s wrath.”

They still refer to her as ‘Harry Potter’s girl’ in thepapers sometimes. Eleven-year-old her would be ecstatic. Twenty-one-year-oldher is far less enthused, wondering if she’ll ever be seen as anything otherthan an appendage.

Harry leans slightly towards her. “If they had half a brain,they’d be more afraid of your wrath.”

Against her will, Ginny feels her lips twitch into a smile.“So then why hang about when you’re clearly miserable if not to protect me fromhandsy arseholes?”

His gaze sweeps her body, having quite the opposite effectas Mr. Tate’s attention. “You mean besides getting to see you in this dress?”

She slides him a look. He’s seen her in far less, and willagain very soon if she has anything to say about it. “You know you can have afashion show whenever you like. A private one.” She considers him. “Or are youenjoying looking but not being able to touch?”

He finally unfolds enough to wrap an arm around her waist,his fingers unerringly finding the small cutout at her lower back. “But you’vemade touching so convenient,” he says, voice lowering.

Harry isn’t one for public displays, but that doesn’t stopher traitorous heart from speeding up in anticipation. They’ve been apart formore than a week, after all.

He draws her closer, his head lowering to her ear. “I’mexhausted and would definitely rather be alone with you anywhere else on theplanet and am probably very close to causing a scene if one more person pissesme off.”

Ginny can’t stop her eyes from closing at the littletraitorous thrill she feels at his closeness. “My original statement stands.You don’t have to stay.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I see my girlfriend rightly crownedbest Quidditch player of all time.”

“I’m only up for breakout star of the season,” she correctswith a laugh, “and I may not win.”

Harry pulls his arm away, and Ginny tries not to make asound of protest even though she knows this is hardly the location for more. Hesettles back into his crossed-arm pose of brooding. “You damn well will.”

His certainty fills her chest with warmth.

He flicks his hand, making a little shooing motion. “Now goaway and dazzle the crowd while I remain taciturn and off-putting.”

She looks at him fondly. “Okay,” she agrees. “But you knowthis act is only going to work for so long.”

His composure breaks just long enough for him to smile ather, the real Harry shining through for a moment. “Just so long as it workswell enough to keep my bum safe until you win.”

She can’t help herself, stepping up against him and kissinghim solidly, letting her body press fully against his. As much as she wants to,especially when Harry’s hands find her waist, she doesn’t linger, stepping backaway before she can embarrass him.

Harry looks endearingly befuddled by her surprise attackdespite the brevity of her attentions, one of his hands still stubbornly on herhip.

“Careful, love,” she says with a smile, “your disguise isslipping.”

He scowls, pulling his arms back into his chest. “We’rehaving words about this later,” he says, trying to sound stern but the warmsparkle in his eyes completely ruining the effect.

“Oh, I was hoping for far more than words,” she says, givinghim a wink.

He makes a low sound of protest. “Go away,” he says.

She laughs. “You know you’ll miss me.”

“You have no idea,” he mutters.

She takes mercy on him then, strolling back out into thecrowd, but not without looking back at him. Harry has once again settled backinto his defensive pose, already glaring at someone who has dared to sidlecloser.

She’s glad he’s staying, even if she wishes he didn’t haveto submit himself to so much scrutiny. One would think his hero status might fadeover time, but people seem as interested in him as ever, much to his chagrin.

Fortunately the period for mingling ends soon after sheleaves him, an emcee stepping up on the podium and beginning the officialceremony. The trophy for the league champions will be handed out—the damnMagpies already look smug and pleased with themselves. But there are a fewother awards, like most valuable player, standout defense, most impressivesnitch catch, and others. Including breakout star, which Ginny is up for.

She’s honored, of course, but also knows she’s worked herarse off for years to earn her starter position, and then to demonstrate thatshe deserves to be taken seriously. Her nomination goes a long way towardsacknowledging that.

When they call her name out to announce that she’s won, shefeels an intense beat of satisfaction, of having proven herself. She takes thestage—managing not to trip or anything—aware of her teammates slapping her onthe arm, of people clapping for her.

She takes the crystal trophy from the emcee and looks outover the crowd, and there Harry is in the thick of it, no longer hiding in thecorner. He has his fingers in his mouth, whistling a high pitch that rises farabove the polite applause of the crowd as he bounces on his heels.

Unfortunatelythe emcee notices Harry too. “It seems we have an esteemed guest with us in thecrowd tonight,” he gushes.

Everyonenot already staring at him turns to look, and Harry’s beginning to look alittle sheepish, like he definitely didn’t mean to draw that much attention tohimself but couldn’t help it in his excitement.

Itoccurs to Ginny as she watches him that Harry’s brooding act wasn’t just abouthating parties and attention. It was about not stealing her thunder. He stoodhuddled up against that wall so she could talk to people without being Harry Potter’sgirl.

Shefeels her throat close up with how much she loves this ridiculous, wonderfulman.

“Ofcourse,” the emcee says, “he is a man who needs no introduction.”

“I shouldhope not,” Ginny says with just enough asperity to make the crowd laugh. “Hemay have collected a lot of titles over the years, but I think we can all agreewhich one is the most important.”

“Andwhich is that?” the emcee asks with a smile, apparently content that he knowsthe answer. The Chosen One. The savior. The hero. The Boy Who Lives.

Ginnydoesn’t look away from Harry’s smiling face. “Ginny Weasley’s number one fan.”

A fewpeople in the crowd look horrified, thinking she’s making light of hisaccomplishments, no doubt, but Harry just nods enthusiastically in agreement,nudging the guy next to him and saying, “That’s right.”

The emceeclears his throat. “Well, okay. Uh, shall we talk about your greatest momentson the pitch this season?”

Ginnysmiles. “Sounds like a plan.”

[survivorreelsmagicwithin]

Episode 1B - “I'm praying to Yoncé I survive and don't get first boot.”-Jess

no words.

LITERALLY

NO WORDS.

Two points. TWO FUCKING POINTS.

I'm praying to Yoncé I survive and don't get first foot. That ain't a cute look xoxox

i'm already forgetting to search for the idols, i'm already getting paranoid about if i need to start making alliances instead of just enjoying the really cute convos i'm having with ruthie lily and kevin (max is kinda dry and annoying but... we'll try to make it work ig).... and i'm already hating every challenge we do especially this one although i actually really liked the challenge it was so creative and fun, i just hated that i have bad luck and am stupid with the deduction things, HENCE why i havent looked for the idol yet. LOL. so.... tl;dr - things are going perfectly! this hufflepuffle is workin exactly as he should!

I just wanna say we really are the hufflepuffs. 114 moves in like 5 hours, but we did it.  Really proud of Ruthie, Landen, Kevin, Max, and I! Sending positive vibes to slytherin. Hope they are okay in this madness.

Yo my tribe? Kinda dope. I think that everyone worked really well together today! I think Joanna kinda took the lead and some of her ideas were... a choice. But! It got us first place! I think that this tribe has a good shot of getting to swap unscathed.

With Slytherin going to tribal, I really hope that someone I don’t know goes, but at the same time I’d be okay with Jess going? I feel like she’s such a sleeper threat in most games I’m in with her and I really just don’t want to compete with that this time around.

I kind of snapped and got myself an idol good until final 6 teehee.

I knew that the Snape's letter or writing or whatever that freak was up to was SOMETHING. Did I get lucky... hell fucking yeah.

A crackhead like me SHOULD NOT have all this POWER.

I also gave Jacob literally the worst clue ever because we are sharing clues ladies xoxoxo

The clue was:

"Snape is taken aback. “That wouldn’t be any business of yours now would it? I wouldn’t want to find out you are spreading false information. I trust you won’t have any issue with that”. Congrats! You’ve discovered Snape Storyline 2! That’s all for the moment, and will end your search for this round."

BOTH ARE HALF TRUE. Just in case he doesn't put 2 and 2 together and now I went from place to place on purpose. He's gonna think now I gave him something of value and I know he's gonna think "No way someone go an idol on day fucking 3".

CONFESSIONAL 1.1 — Walking into the Great Hall, I saw a few familiar faces... for not good reasons!

First Jacob, who I know from tengaged. He and I were in a similar friend group for a short period before he left it, but we had a rocky relationship. We flirted a bit (blame 16-year-old Nicholas), but that is in the past.

Secondly, Jess... who I just directly sent home in Eve’s The Challenge: Fresh Meat. She did not have great words to say to me (such as I’m condescending), so I was very wary and, honestly, unhappy with her being here.

But, as Kylie Minogue says, it’s better the devil you know.

Flash forward to the Sorting Ceremony, and I’m so happy to be.. Slytherin? I told Mister Vintage (Sammy) and Mister Heinen (Caeleb) that I’m either a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, but I suppose I’ve been lying to myself.

Then, I see my tribe: both Jess and Jacob are present. This is a curse wrapped in a blessing wrapped in an enigma. And, I love it.

I hate, hate, hate conflict and bad vibes, so I directly spoke to both. Jacob did not easily recognize me, but remembered me fondly; so, a successful reacquaintance. Jess, on the other hand, was definitely more apprehensive (as was I), but I made one thing clear: the past is the past, and I am declaring my loyalty.

I have been hurt in previous games by shoving the past aside while the other is still grudgingly aiming for revenge, but I feel Jess is different. She apologized to me about her words, which did hurt, and I apologized to her. What I said was honest, so I’m glad to see a fateful blossoming.

The first reward challenge is revealed, and honestly, I’m really bad at participating in pre-merge competitions, because I do not mind tribal. However, I do want to, since we are such a small tribe, focus on maintaining our numbers in case of a swap. We came in second this reward, and honestly, I’m glad to have eaten cupcakes (although I hate cherry). The fact we all chose a dessert and were privately messaged makes me assume someone received an advantage, but who knows...

What I DO know is that I had two separate relationships, so I wanted to lock a trio down (Me, Jess, Jacob), but I obviously did not want to gamebot this early and make the chat day one. So, naturally, i waited until after immunity.

Speaking of immunity... I took charge, because I like it, but also, I wanted to be able to take blame if we lost. I hate the whole “let’s vote someone out cuz they cost us a virtual challenge” this early in the game, it’s a cheap way to vote. I want to vote on loyalty and activity instead. That’s why I am probably going to target Jessie or Vi, but I‘m unsure as to which will be my vote. On one hand, Vi is much less social, but she also contributed a lot to the challenge. I do not want to judge a book by it’s cover, so I will reach out to her and assess her vibe.

I like going to tribal first, because my philosophy is that it’s better to test loyalties now, rather than guess loyalties later.

Regarding other players, Jules and Juls just played in a mini with me and sheeped the majority alliance to screw me over, so I’m not feeling them right now. Bitterness doesn’t exist in my mind: play well and I respect it; sheep and be stupid, and I will gladly dish out the karma. 

I’m satisfied with the happenings of this game so far, and I hope to make it further!! This is one of my first real orgs so, I’m em definitely excited. x. nick

Yay we won immunity. Raffy do be carrying our tribe though!

WELL WELL WELL!!!!!!! as far as my relationships go which is where i left off last round, really nothing much has changed about how i feel about or view my tribemates, but in exciting news... we won immunity!! i am not going to be first boot that is so nice, and im hoping that we can keep winning immunity until a swap so I can feel more secure. I think I could stand a shot if we lost on this tribe but i think if so the vote would split 3-2 i dont think i can get a unanimous vote on anyone unless its myself which is NOT WHAT WERE TRYNA DO HERE !! if anything i feel like i have the best chance to wiggle myself in with the girls (lily and ruthie) Max would probably be my ideal first vote if we ever lose an immunity because I know landen can be useful in challenges, but he YET AGAIN addressed me with a name that does not sit well with me he called me a "challengewhore" yet another reference to TS 2020, so this is not a good sign. Ideally I could get landen out and still be set but i know he has a relationship with juls who i also have a relationship with and wish to continue to have in this game, and us going against each other could make that more stressful than it needs to be because i know landen avenged beck for voting juls out maybe juls would do the same for him? Much to think about, but thankfully i dont have to think about it all that hard because yet again we ARE SAFE !!! woo, anyways thats pretty much it hopefully we can keep winning :D

Ahhhh safety feels so nice, I’m glad that I’m not in danger of being the first boot. Also I love the fact that ravenclaw won the first challenge with so little moves HAHA!

I want to go far in this thing with lily and with kevin, my goal right now is to get to merge and owen be alive so I can work with him!

I am very happy to have won this immunity challenge. We barely won, but I managed to pull my tribe to a victory. Emphasis on the "I" part. I am very frustrated with my tribe's lack of challenge activeness and ability. If the time did not work for them, then I do not know why they even suggested doing it at 2 PM. This challenge would have gone faster if I had done everything myself. In the end, though, I hope this helps in me staying in the game because I am a necessity if they want to ever win a challenge in first place. I highly doubt that they could do it without me.

So I’m currently writing this with one hand because my cat decided to lie on my other one  anyways Nobody is really talking about the vote which means it’s probably me going but I’ll see what I can do to change that

Here's a breakdown of my first few experiences since I am writing this a few hours before the first tribal council.

FIRST I was cast in this game along with a BUNCH of people that are icons across different formats of Tumblr Survivor - so that's intimidating. Mostly because my play style is kinda vanilla in comparison. I gotta find a way to stand out or I'm going to be thrown out fast.

SECOND There's a twist that will probably have some major effect at some later point in the game where everyone is added to the Great Hall. I think that it's for convenience of posting things like results and challenges so it only has to be sent to one chat... but also so that we can feel THEMATIC which is a lot of fun.

The game started in the Great Hall and we got sorted into our houses and the implication was that it's random but.. I don't think it's entirely true if I can read into what the hosts said to me once I was sorted into Gryffindor (something about running out of room in Hufflepuff) - because I definitely didn't say Gryffindor in my application.

THIRD My tribe has the following people: Joshua, Juls, Raffy, Autumn, and myself. 

I do not know how many of theme said Gryffindor when they applied but also did not want to bring it up to them as I am masquerading as a brave idiot. :D

Anyway, I started conversations with all of them and they all seem very sweet!!

I've played in a game before with Raffy where he was super snakey but also a great ally until he tried to snake me. So there's that... he's also an "over the top" type of person so he takes charge a lot of the time and voices his opinions about everything. I hope we can create some sort of working relationship in the game, but I think that he will tell me the truth if he does align against me.

Autumn is super chill and super strategic-minded. She puts lots of thought into all of her decisions and makes calls that benefit her getting to the end while trying to align with the right people. If I can't get to the FTC of this game... TBH I want to make sure she gets there. I played with her in one game and we both were tossed out one after another when the game turned on our "side". I don't think that relationship will factor into this game as it was forever ago and we both kinda play "new" every time we start a game but I'm hoping she will want to try and play with me just because I've seen how great she is at the game.

Juls is a very fun person who seems to always be having a great time! I found out she lives in Texas too and that she was excited to get to know me because we are from the same state. I was like.. do I know you? Because when she messaged me the way she did implied that she knew who I was and I was thinking OH NO what have people said.

Joshua seems really sweet. He hasn't added incredibly much to conversations so far with him but he has contributed some fun things. I love that he tries to be entertaining, but as I see it so far he's the first person I'd be willing to vote out if it came to our tribe going to council... though of course, having said that I bet they've all declared me their first choice.

FOURTH The reward challenge was the Letter plus Number challenge so as predicted...

I did terribly and earned 0 points for our tribe and was SO happy it was not for immunity.

The immunity challenge was a Choose Your Own Adventure Puzzle.

We got a slow start in that I feel like everyone was afraid to make a move because that would put a target on whoever "failed for the team". Then me and Raffy kind of got things rolling with him taking the main leader role and me taking on a secondary role either agreeing with his suggestions or contributing a suggestion for what we should do.

There was a misunderstanding with the competition and we ended up making a whole bunch of extra moves because it was unclear to us that the letters we found at a later part of the challenge were able to be changed into numbers at a lockbox so we did a bunch of extra stuff... and I was resigned to the fact we were going to the first tribal when we go surprised that Slytherin... DID WORSE!!! O_O

Anyway... I still have no alliances or confirmed "working game" relationships and I really don't feel like starting those conversations at the moment so if I am out of the ones established or on the bottom of one that will add me to "pick me up" for later votes then I blame myself for not trying hard enough in that category.

FIFTH I definitely didn't just now search for the idol and waste two days that I could have searched other times. Nope! Not me!! :)

Anyway I went on a trip to Hagrid's Hut because I love me some Hagrid and I figured he'd let me in since I"m a Gryffindor and he loves us the best (you know, like a reverse Snape)... I dug through all of his junk and found his umbrella. Apparently I liked that it was pink and then left his hut. 

To be honest, I probably should have taken his dragon's egg and turned him in... maybe could have gotten him fired.

Someone finally got me to come out of retirement- can you believe it

It's been cute so far and I have no complaints, probably cause the hosts wisely put me, Owen, and Dan in separate corners lmao. Yooo if we all make it to merge?? Hell hath no fury. But we will cross that bridge when we get there! And for now I enjoy the calm before the storm. I deadass forgot how to be an org so I need all the time I can get to socialize and reacclimate. Me checking Skype more than once a year? Don't remember ever doing that. I love Raffy, it's always good to see Chips, I think I like Juls, and I'm not sure how I feel about Joshua but it's fine. I like Gryffindor cause we have no beef and I hope it stays that way.

ok so my tribe lost :( big sad. but im def ok bc jess is soooo close to me and we made a threesome with nick so. i think jessie is an easy first boot bc shes not around as much as vi. but really its our decision at the end of the day!

here’s the hot goss.. i’m a little upset i didn’t get anyone i Know on my house/tribe but also grateful HSBSNSNN all i know is that so far i’ve been doing pretty solid in securing relationships with those on my team (at least.. i hope so :flushed:) and i’m hoping they all like me hehe. kinda praying to just mist my way to merge where i can be united with people who like me enough to keep me around still.. >:D