#blood in roses harold

[ceragondubs]

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[my-darling-boy]

(TW injury description)

I am SO glad you asked I lose my mind over this man. Sidney Beldam! He’s most known for his miraculous recovery from a major facial injury sustained while he served as a young sergeant in the First World War. If you’ve read the Facemaker by Lindsay Fitzharris you might recognise him! Sources differ slightly about his story, so I’ve pieced it together as best I could. The photos below were from about February 1919!

Born in 1897, Sidney was about 17 living with his mother in Cambridge, England when the Great War commenced. While he didn’t enlist initially, he was soon conscripted when it came about in 1916 though thankfully he was in a non-combatant role driving lorries transporting soldiers to boats headed for France. It’s where he learned he enjoyed driving! However in April 1917, Sidney was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and eventually rose to the rank of sergeant where only 7 months later, his life would change forever.

During the battle of Passchendaele, one of the muddiest most gruelling segments of the war, Sidney was on the frontlines when a shell burst, sending a shrapnel fragment tearing diagonally through his nose and the right side of his face. The young soldier collapsed face first into the mud which ended up saving his life as falling backwards would have caused him to choke on his own blood. For three days Sidney laid in a mangled heap floating in and out of consciousness while vermin scurried about his body and the other dead and wounded around him. No one would ever know the details of those agonising three days, but the trauma he experienced there left him with a lifelong phobia of rats and cockroaches. After the initial wounded had been cleared out, a wandering band of stretcher bearers discovered Sidney alive after one man touched him with his boot fully expecting him to be dead. Miraculously, he was still clinging to life.

The 19 year old sergeant was rushed down the line and then transferred to two different military hospitals where his wounds were hastily stitched in an effort to save his life before infection could spread. Unfortunately, closing the gap where he was missing flesh in his cheek caused his upper lip to be pulled into a sneer and a sunken depression formed where most of his nose was missing around the bridge. Still, he was lucky to be alive, which he later used to remark. Well he was luckier still as he would be transferred to Sidcup military hospital in Kent where he would become a patient under Sir Harold Gillies, the man often considered the pioneer of modern plastic surgery. When he arrived at hospital in 1918, his wounds were healed but his face still bore the heavy trauma of his experience. If you want to see his photographs upon arrival, I won’t post them here but if you search his name, the photos are everywhere. IMO they’re not graphic but I know it can upset some people.

Gillies went to work trying to restore Sidney’s face. This required him to reopen the wound in his cheek where a skin flap was grafted to allow his upper lip to return to normal. He also folded down a skin flap from his forehead in order to create a new nose. Behind his facade, a series of tubes and canals had to be inserted for proper sinus drainage and other unnamed functions. While his initial handful of surgeries did most of the work to reconstruct his face, Sidney underwent over 40 surgeries between 1918 and the 1930s, some reconstructive and some to evacuate the tubes behind the flesh, meaning the common cold was a routinely painful affliction for him. Gillies understood operations were traumatic for the men at Sidcup, especially since most required more than one, and so made a point about creating a lighthearted ward environment, one Sidney says was quite jolly with the staff doing everything they could to make them feel comfortable and dignified as possible. And while I thought the topmost photos were the most updated case study photos for his recovery, I stumbled upon another set from 1920 in the Faces of War by Andrew Bamji I have not seen posted anywhere!

And lads listen. In such a sweet little twist, while Sidney was still recovering from the bulk of his major surgeries, a local pianist by the name of Winifred volunteered to play for the resting servicemen, all of whom had some form of disfigurment or amputation. Carrying in her sheet music, she and Sidney laid eyes on each other for the first time and she later remarked how his smile instantly lit up the whole room! For them, it was love at first sight. The two were soon married, and although it was in the 1920s, I don’t have an exact year for this. This most likely came after Sidney was finally discharged from service in 1921. There is a photo of their wedding and y’all look how SWEET!!

Between his initial surgeries and army discharge, Gillies asked if Sidney would be his personal chauffeur, an offer he took up quickly as he loved driving from his time with lorries during the war. One somewhat humorous account tells of Gillies—who was a bit scattered at times—asking Sidney to renew his driver’s license as the surgeon left it until the last day to take care of; Sidney in a rush waited in a long line at the county hall before jumping the queue and begging the administrator to expedite his employer’s license as it was needed to drive him to the hospital the next day. The man refused, even for a surgeon to get him to his patients. Sidney went to another staff member who was friends with Gillies and begged him the same. The man cheerily agreed but was still in need of a signature from the stubborn administrator who again refused... at least until he found out Harold Gillies nearly won a golfing championship, at which point he took Sidney to his personal office to expedite the license as he was happy to do business for a skilled golfer (apparently saving people’s lives doesn’t matter as much??). A no doubt perplexed Sidney was finally able to get back to the hospital on time!

After his army discharge and most likely about the time of his marriage, Sidney moved back to Cambridge where he worked for the council as a rent collector. He was so well liked, apparently even from the people he collected from, that he soon worked his way to Housing Manager for Cambridge. About this time, he had a daughter, Pam. Every account I read of him, people gush about how sweet he was. His wife recalls how Sidney was always adored by all his family and friends. His granddaughter Marilyn McInnes in an interview said, “He was the most warm and optimistic and loving man. I adored my grandfather, I was constantly on his lap as a small child. I never noticed anything funny about his face, I guess I thought all grandads looked like mine.”

Sadly, Sidney Beldam passed away from cancer at about 80 years old in 1978. But considering the man was given 6 months to live and ended up living for 60 years more surrounded by a large and loving family, I’d say he certainly had a full life. There is a picture of him and his wife in the 60s and they are absolutely charming!!

But anyway that’s me done rambling I’ve a massive crush on him. His story makes me genuinely happy to tell and I’m so glad you asked!

[intuitive-revelations]

The near future in the Doctor Who universe sure gets dire doesn't it? Especially if Mad Jack / Roger ap Gwilliam is still part of history.

I thought I'd have a bit of fun listing things out, combining as many sources as possible. Turns out he fits in shockingly well with what we know. There's a lot missing here or cut out, and for obvious reasons it's very UK / Europe focused, but nonetheless:

[ID: Scene from The Christmas Invasion showing Harriet Jones on BBC News. The news ticker reads "PM HEALTH SCARE", "Unfit for duty?", and references a "SECRET GOVERNMENT MOLE" and a quote: "BLOOD ON [HER HANDS]".]

2006-2021 (obviously the past now, but still noting for the resulting temporal and political butterfly effect) - In the original timeline, Harriet Jones remains Prime Minister for 3 consecutive terms, presumably 15 years assuming no snap election was called, referred to as a 'golden age' [World War Three]. The Tenth Doctor deliberately changes history to cause her deposal [The Christmas Invasion], leading to numerous disastrous terms in the meantime, including those of Harold Saxon [The Sound of Drums et al.], Brian Green (who tried to appease the 456) [Children of Earth], Boris Johnson (an auton host of the Nestene Consciousness) [Rose (novelisation)], and Jo Patterson (responsible for deploying cloned Dalek defence drones in the UK's streets) [Revolution of the Daleks].

[ID: Scene from Revolution of the Daleks. A 'defence drone' Dalek is used to support anti-riot police in a test, dispersing protestors with mock tear gas.]

2010s-2030s - The European Union gradually integrates further, eventually becoming the European Zone / Eurozone, a global superpower which competes with the USA through the 21st century. The UK eventually forms part of the bloc [Trading Futures].

It's likely that Harriet Jones's deposal led to this and related events being delayed or erased, with Brexit (driven by, among others, one of Jones's successors in the new timeline) reducing european unity. Most notably, Ramón Salamander's rise to power occurs now not in the 2010s [The Enemy of the World], but in the 2030s [Doctor Who and the Enemy of the World]. There are other events that are seemingly delayed by ~20 years by changes to the timeline, including future events like the dictatorship of Mariah Learman [The Time of the Daleks, Trading Futures], and yet also possibly past events like the death of Queen Elizabeth II [Battlefield, The Longest Night et al.], which may suggest something else (eg. the Time War) may be responsible.

~2030 - During a time of rising global tensions [73 Yards], Ramón Salamander convinces a group of scientists in an underground shelter endurance experiment that nuclear war has broken out on the surface. They are convinced to generate artificial "natural" disasters to fight back against the enemy. Between this and ongoing climate change, several global food sources collapse as a result, including Canada and Ukraine's corn and flour production [The Enemy of the World].

2031 - Tensions culminate in the "Great Russian War". Despite posturing, not a single nuclear weapon is fired, at least by NATO [73 Yards]. This may be later considered World War III [Trading Futures].

~2032-2035 - Following the war, tensions rise again, now between the Eurozone and the USA [Trading Futures], possibly in reaction to actions (or lack thereof?) taken by NATO during the war [73 Yards]. Both send separate peacekeeping forces to conflict in North Africa. Meanwhile, Italy is engaged in civil war [Trading Futures].

[ID: Scene from The Enemy of the World, showing Ramón Salamander.]

Over the decade, Ramón Salamander rises in power in the World Zone Authority, using his patented "Sun Store" satellite technology to aid the growth of crops by controlling sunlight over agricultural regions. In the background, he murders and blackmails officials to place loyalists into powerful positions, with the goal of ruling over the World Zone Authority as a dictator. Salamander's treachery is later discovered and he disappears [The Enemy of the World].

2037 - 2042 - Several militia declare wars of Independence from the USA. Notably, Phoenix, Arizona is destroyed in a terrorist attack. While the country largely persists after the conflicts, some territories seem to successfully secede - with, for example, a Montana Republic seemingly being in existence in 2054 [Alien Bodies].

2038 - The World Zones Accord is signed. This is later considered to have reduced the United Nations to a 'joke' compared with the World Zone Authority [Alien Bodies]. Given the extensive power it gives to the WZA, this was likely originally part of Salamander's plan, but due to his disappearance he is not around to reap the rewards [The Enemy of the World].

2039 - A group of Mexican astronauts studying minerals on the Moon go missing [Kill the Moon].

~2030s - 2040s - The Earth begins to experience major climate change effects, including "appalling storm conditions" which harm agriculture [The Waters of Mars]. The ice caps melt and flood much of the Earth [K9] with nations like the Netherlands ending up entirely flooded [St Anthony's Fire]. Some regions experience corrosive acid rain [Cat's Cradle: War Head, Strange Loops]. One summer sees Britain experience a 22 week drought. At this time, the Eurozone closes its borders to millions of North African and Baltic Sea refugees [Hothouse]. This time period may be known as the "Oil Apocalypse" [The Waters of Mars].

[ID: Scene from K9 Episode 13: Aeolian. Big Ben stands in the middle of a colossal storm of wind and rain.]

With Earth's ecosystems collapsing [Davros], humanity begin to realise it's facing extinction [The Waters of Mars]. An artificial cooling agent is spread in the atmosphere to semi-successfully combat the effects, but leads to dramatic side-effects, including freezing some areas of the globe. This is known as the "Great Cataclysm" [K9].

2041 - A three-human team, including Adelaide Brooke, lands on Mars for the first time [The Waters of Mars]. However, with this accomplishment, and increasing turbulence on Earth, Humanity gradually loses interest in space exploration [Kill the Moon].

Before 2045 - Around this time, the UK falls into a dictatorship ruled by the "Director", head of a military council that has allegedly (secretly?) controlled the government since 2028 [Britain Protests]. It is possible that this Director was previously the "Minister of War" for previous governments [Before the Flood].

2045 - The World Zones Authority evolves into a World Government, with Nikita Bandranaik being elected President. The UK is not part of the organisation [This is 2065].

2046-2050s - The Director is overthrown [Down with the Director] and the rest of the government "collapses in shame" [73 Yards]. Some of the revolutionaries celebrate now being "masters of [their] own country" [Down with the Director]. Despite the hopes of the World Government for international integration, this nationalistic streak continues.

[ID: Scene from 73 Yards. Roger ap Gwilliam, with an Albion Party ribbon on his chest declares victory on BBC News, live from Kennington High in London. Headline reads "LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR ALBION PARTY: Majority of 92 predicted. Roger ap Gwilliam declared Prime Minister."]

Roger ap Gwilliam is elected Prime Minister, with the far-right nationalistic Albion Party gaining a majority of 92 MPs [73 Yards]. While his government does take the step to officially join the World Government senate [Down with the Director], he seeks greater independence from other nations. One of his first actions is to expand the UK's nuclear arsenal, purchasing missiles from Pakistan and withdrawing from NATO. In his term, the world is brought to the brink of nuclear war [73 Yards], likely in the pre-2050s "Euro Wars" [The Time of the Daleks].

In this time, the "Department", a (private?) multinational security organisation is born, based primarily in the UK. They gain broad powers, which they use to control populations with propaganda and use of "CCPC"s: robotic law enforcement notorious for their surveillance and brutality. Despite its recent revolution, the country is rendered practically a police state [K9].

[ID: Scene from K9 Episode 1: Regeneration. CCPCs, hulking police robots, march down a dark alley.]

2049 - The Moon starts to dramatically gain mass, causing massive tides on the Earth, flooding entire cities. In a last ditch at survival, humanity plans to try and destroy the Moon using an array of nuclear bombs. Despite the people of Earth being offered the vote on what to do by turning off their lights, it appears the decision is made on a national level, with lights going off grid-by-grid. Nonetheless, the Moon is allowed to hatch, leaving behind a new less massive egg "moon" with minimal further destruction [Kill the Moon].

[ID: Scene from Kill the Moon. The Moon hatches in the background, as the TARDIS stands by the sea.]

Humanity's interest in space exploration returns [Kill the Moon], starting a new space race. Among these projects, Australia begins constucting a space elevator, Spain a project called "SpaceLink", while Germany and Russia each begin a series of new Moon missions. The Philippines are rumoured to be planning their own landing on Mars [The Waters of Mars].

~2050 - The UK Government (ap Gwilliam's?) is couped once more, by General Mariah Learman. With the King's permission, elections are suspended for at least a couple years, with her ruling over a "benevolent dictatorship". She is later abducted and forcibly mutated by the Daleks [The Time of the Daleks]. Despite the previous description, her promotion of Shakespeare in schools is remembered as the only good thing about her rule [Trading Futures]. (Note: As mentioned prior, it's likely that Learman's rule may have been delayed as Salamander's was. This is suggested by the mention of her in Trading Futures, set seemingly ~2030s or earlier, despite The Time of the Daleks taking place around the 2050s.)

~2050s - The Gravitron is built on the new Moon. This is used to artificially control the tides and weather [The Moonbase]. It likely also is intended to study and monitor the new Moon for future changes [Kill the Moon].

[ID: Scene from The Moonbase, giving an external shot of the base.]

2058 - 2059 - Bowie Base One is established: humanity's first colony on another planet and an international collaboration between the UK, USA, Russia, Germany, Turkey, South Korea, Lithuania, Australia, and Pakistan. One year later, it is mysteriously destroyed in a deliberately triggered nuclear explosion. In the original timeline, there were no survivors. However, after the interference of the Time Lord Victorious, the true story is eventually told on Earth. Regardless "a veil of darkness" sweeps over the planet over the next few years. [The Waters of Mars], as international tensions heat up once more... [Total Eclipse of the Heart].

[ID: Scene from The Waters of Mars, showing an internet news website. Various articles appear focused on the Bowie Base One incident, including "SURVIVORS STORY - BROOKE SAVED EARTH", "THE MYTHICAL DOCTOR", "BROOKE'S HEROIC ACTIONS SAVE EARTH", and "HOW THE COUPLE ESCAPED MARS". The feature image shows the two survivors: Yuri Kerenski and Mia Bennett.]

2060s - The "Great War" breaks out on Earth, involving every country on Earth. This is likely World War IV. Details are vague, but it ultimately ends in a ceasefire, when it's realised the conflict is risking Earth's habitability [Total Eclipse of the Heart].

[ohtobealady]

Drabbles List

9: Righteousness

“Well, I think I’ll go up.”

He nearly startled at her quiet voice. None of them had spoken much in the several minutes that had prefaced her announcement; Mary sitting and staring into the fire while he and her parents sipped their various drinks. But now as she rose, Harold quickly swallowed his most recent sip of whiskey and stood as well. He watched her in the firelit library, tall and slender, as she bent to kiss her parents’ cheeks. Their whispered good nights echoed intimately in the quiet, and Harold felt heat prickle his face. He felt like a stranger.

He looked elsewhere: the spines of old books, the sparkling crystal decanter, the glow of the lamp in the corner of the room. He did this—acted upon his manners that told him not to intrude on a private moment—regardless of the facts: the woman Mary now kissed, their cheeks quickly pressing, was his own sister.

And, Mary, tall and slender, was his niece. By blood.

He tried his best to bury the unease that crept into his features when she looked at him. He tried to feel saddened by his lack of familial affection for her. But he didn’t feel sad. Regret, yes. But sorrow? He hardly knew her. He’d only met her thrice, this daughter of his only sister—his only sibling. He’d only seen her three separate times in his life, his only sister’s daughter who looked so much like his own mother and grandmother…and who he supposed also looked like his sister, too, had he seen his sister at all between the end of adolescence and middle-age.

Harold had to force himself to grin at her as she passed.

“Good night, Uncle Harold,” she said just as politely, “And sleep well.”

He wished her what he thought sounded a very uncle-like good night as she left the library, and then bringing his whiskey to his lips, he sat. And then he peered up at Cora.

He found she also peered at him.

He took another sip of his drink. “I hope I haven’t kept her awake,” he managed after a moment. “I know she has meetings in the morning.”

Cora made a deep sound, a wry laugh, and brought her own small cup to her lips. “Don’t worry about her.”

“Indeed.” Robert laughed, too. “She could lead the tenants’ meeting in her sleep.”

“She’s more than capable,” Cora agreed, and then, just as it was before Mary’s departure, the room settled into silence.

Harold shifted in his seat near the service table. He let his eyes rove to where his sister and her husband shared a red sofa. Cora’s shoulders were slumped, her posture tired, her hands gently holding her cup. She gazed absently into the fireplace beside her. And Robert, his back reclined into the red cushions, gazed upon her.

Harold took another sip of whiskey, and he looked away.

He’d grown to know Robert a little better, ever since the Teapot Dome business—not well, of course, but better. But Cora … he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been alone with her.

He sipped; he watched the firelight, and his memory prodded him. Forty years before and riding in the carriage with Mother and Father to Crawley House—his parents bitterly arguing; dining with Lord and Lady Grantham and every bite of food somehow tasting worse than the one before; watching Father stare at Cora’s fiancé, and then watching Cora stare at Father.

Oh. And Harold had teased her, too, he remembered sharply. “It’s not bad if you’re happy with cold baths for the rest of your life.”

He hadn’t known it would make her cry.

He remembered sitting beside her on the stone step. He remembered that it was dark and cold. He remembered nudging her gently as she wept and offering his flask; he remembered the stab of surprise when she took it. It was one of the few things they’d ever shared.

Yes. He remembered. And he remembered he’d seen it all more clearly than his mother or even Cora herself. He’d seen his sister’s marriage as something tragic–a loss and not a gain; she was not just wooed for her money, but she was set out as bait by her own mother.

Mother. He wondered, briefly, what she thought of it all in the end—was she proud of what she’d done with her only daughter? Of what Robert had done with her only daughter? Harold studied it all over again, their childhood, letting memories trip through his mind as he sat in his sister’s library. He watched Mother in every flicker of memory, and he knew. She’d been two different mothers. His mother had been confident and amusing, and yes a little demanding, but harmless.

Cora’s hadn’t.

“Oh dear.”

He blinked, coming back to present at the sound of Cora’s voice. It took him another moment to realize that he’d been staring at Cora in their silence, and not knowing what else to do, he forced his mouth into a grin.

“I’m afraid I have to go up, too.”

He watched his sister stand, and then as his brother-in-law stood after her. Harold shuffled to his feet.

“No, no,” he heard Cora mutter at Robert. “Stay and finish your drinks.” She said something else that he couldn’t quite hear, but kept grinning nonetheless when she looked over at him. “My bedtime is rather early these days,” she needlessly explained, and Harold nodded at her, and once again, he looked away when she pressed a quick kiss to her husband’s cheek. “Good night.”

“Yes. Good night,” he called when she passed him, and Harold let his eyes move to Robert across the room. Robert sighed. And Harold sat. And for a few moments more, it was silent.

“Please don’t feel—“

Harold anticipated this, and he cut him off. “No. She’s sick. Let her go up.”

Robert, Harold noticed, opened and then closed his mouth.

“We can talk more freely without the women, anyway.” He heard his own words echo back to him and he frowned. This wasn’t some sort of club. And he certainly wouldn’t talk that freely with Robert. He took a larger sip of whiskey. He tried again. “I mean. About them. Well, Cora. And uh, how she’s been.”

He saw Robert lift his chin.

Harold leaned back in his chair. “She looks well enough. I assume the treatments are working? For the anemia?”

His brother-in-law took in a deep breath, and submitting, he finally sat. “Yes,” he admitted. “I hope they are. They’re dreadfully unpleasant, but she’s quite a trooper.”

“Cora? Oh, sure.” Harold added a quick smile. “She was always tougher than she looked.”

Across from him, sitting near the fireplace, Robert nodded and cleared his throat. “Yes.”

Quiet again. And then silence. They’d somehow wandered into uncomfortable territory, though it was clear neither of them was willing to say why. Harold looked into the amber liquid in his glass and tilted it one way and then the other. “You, uh—.” He thought of the days before her wedding. Forty years ago. He thought of Mother. And he sighed, life was short. And his family was few. It was right. To hell with it. “You’ve taken good care of her.”

He didn’t imagine the way Robert’s face flushed. “Ah, well.” He watched the way Robert stared into the fire, nodding quickly. “I’d like to think we’ve taken good care of each other.” His tone seemed light, airy, almost as if he was sharing a joke with Harold instead of discussing the life he’d shared with Cora. Instead of hearing the words Harold was trying to say in sincerity. Since Mother’s death, Harold tried to live sincerely.

“I mean it, y’know.”

At this, Robert met his eye. And Harold exhaled. The room felt warmer.

“Do you mind if I’m honest?”

“No,” his brother-in-law said, though Harold saw the way his shoulders straightened. “Please feel free.”

“I’m sure to you it’ll seem too American, all these feelings, but uh … it’s important to me.”

If Robert had looked uncomfortable before, now he looked as if he sat on hot coals.

“I..uh…I didn’t like you. Not for years.”

“Oh.”

Harold shook his head. “But I want to tell you now, that I was wrong.”

“I see.” Robert dipped his chin, and then lifted it again. “Thank you,” he tried, and Harold felt guilty.

“It wasn’t you, really. It was watching you and Cora back then, the wedding and all that.”

“That was quite some time ago—“

“Yes. But, uh, well it made me realize what we were all about. Money and social standings and all that baloney. It wasn’t right.”

Robert nodded, and then creased his brows. “Baloney meaning—“

“Oh, y’know. Bullshit.”

He was glad this elicited a small, choking chortle from his brother-in-law who nodded again. “Yes. I must admit that the older I become, the more I find myself agreeing. Some of the things I put such stock in was nonsense. And I,” he paused, and after a short moment, he met Harold’s eye. “I’ve always been quite ashamed of myself for my intentions in pursuing Cora. I wasn’t able to express this to your mother, or father, but—“

“—Ah, you didn’t fool anyone. We all knew you didn’t love her.”

The eye contact was broken. “—but I have—“

“But we also knew she loved you.”

“Harold—“

But he didn’t let Robert continue. “And that’s what really, uh, stirred things up in here for me.” Harold touched at his temple. And then, after a moment, he touched his chest. “But I think uh…” Harold shrugged. “I think my sister is braver than I am.”

He heard Robert say quietly, “She's certainly braver than I.”

“And I suppose she knew that whatever she felt was worth more than her money. So …” he trailed off.

And Robert was silent.

They sat with that for a moment, until at last, Harold moved in his chair. “I’m sorry,” he said. He forced a grin to show he meant it. “I am. And if it counts for anything, I think all my self-righteousness has spoiled whatever I’ve got left of life.” He swallowed. “I shouldn’t have avoided you. And now that she’s the only family I’ve got, I regret that I stayed away.”

Robert was quiet. And then, he nodded. “Losing one’s mother does incite rather a lesson in mortality. And looking back at one’s life to make amends.” Harold watched him. He watched the way Robert held his eye, and then as he looked away back into the fire. “I understand.”

Harold pressed his lips and hummed. And then, after quiet had stretched on and on, Robert cleared his throat. “Edith comes in tomorrow afternoon, I believe.” He paused. He took the last sip of his whiskey. “With her children. And Tom with his. Of course, George may want to monopolize your time if you promise him stories of New York skyscrapers. I’m afraid I’ve exhausted him with my stories of Egypt.”

“How’s that?”

“You mentioned family. I wasn’t sure you knew the plans.”

The fire crackled loudly between them as Harold watched Robert lean back into the red sofa and glance over at him. “I warn you, your dear sister spoils the grandchildren.”

Harold blinked, in slow realization, and laughed gratefully. “That seems like something she’d do.”

Robert nodded, smiling.

[kckt88]

The Fallen Queen.

Summary:

Having fled Kings Landing, Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone unaware of what awaits her.

Warning(s): Fear, Swearing, Riots, Death.

Word Count: 1564

Author Note: A companion piece to Wedding & Consummation/Arrival(s)/Mother & Father/Petitions & Final Tributes/The Hand, The King & The Dragon/Dragonstone/Blood & Cheese/A Time for Grief/The Gullet/Harrenhal and the Rivers & The Gods Eye.

But can be read as a one-shot.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon or Fire & Blood characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used.

Comments, likes, and reblogs are very much appreciated.

A day after Daemon and Caraxes had disappeared into the night, the City Watch drove the first nail into Rhaenyra’s coffin. Bartimos Celtigar and his tax collectors were set upon by the guards and common folk alike, torn to shreds in the streets of Kings Landing.

The riots soon began. Smallfolk charged the Red Keep armed with makeshift weapons, hurling insults at the top of their lungs while they raged.

“Maegor with Teats!”

“Rhaenyra the Cruel”

“Long live King Aegon!”

“Justice for Queen Helaena”

“For Prince Aemon and Prince Jaehaerys”

“Fuck the Whore of Dragonstone!”

And then the castle gates fell.

The Queens Guard tried to move her and the children into Maegor’s Holdfast, but Rhaenyra refused. There was no one coming to save her from this siege. Hiding in Maegor’s Holdfast would only leave them trapped. Their only hope now was to escape.

One by one, the Queens Guard left her side, running to the aid of the castle guards who tried desperately to keep the growing swarm of smallfolk from breaking into the Keep itself. And now Harold Westerling, her only remaining Queens Guard, needed to leave her in the care of a solitary household guard because the mob had finally started to overpower their defences.

They would not stop; they were coming for her head.  

“Mother. What do we do?” asked Aegon tugging on her sleeve.

“We wait for our opportunity and then we fly,” said Rhaenyra.

Their window of opportunity would be small. Syrax, and Stormcloud were chained, the castle’s courtyard. There were not enough guards to defend them, and rioters were streaming into the courtyard in droves, all meeting their death in continuous bursts of dragon fire. And still they kept coming.

Once there was a break between the sea of rioters, Rhaenyra would rush her children to the courtyard where they would mount Syrax and make their escape.

They would return to Dragonstone, and after getting Jace from Driftmark they would cross the Narrow Sea. Even there, she had no money, she still had some jewellery left behind on Dragonstone that she could sell. Or, as much as the thought made her whimper, she could sell her father’s crown. It wasn’t truly hers anyway, not when the realm had rejected her as its queen.

It would be enough to start the family’s new life while they transitioned to earning a living as dragon riders.

Assuming Aegon didn’t put a bounty on her head.

Rhaenyra had brief thought that maybe one day her children or grandchildren could reclaim the throne. But she shook off the thought. 

Let Aegon have it. Just let him have it. Let all the misery that comes with it be his.

After a group of rioters had been dispatched by bursts of combined fire from Syrax and Stormcloud.

The courtyard was empty. This was her only chance to save little Aegon and Viserys.

Maternal instincts kicking in, she grabbed one son in each arm and sprinted as fast as her legs would carry her. They made it to the courtyard with minutes to spare, the next wave of rioters within sight as they barrelled towards the courtyard, screaming and shouting.

Syrax roared and flailed her wings as Rhaenyra situated Aegon and Viserys into the saddle first, then climbed up.

They escaped just in the nick of time, as the common folk began throwing debris at them from below as they rose into the sky.

As both dragons disappeared into the clouds, the reign of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen had come to an end.

Rubbing Syrax’s nose in gratitude, Rhaenyra helped her children off her dragon’s back and then hugged them close to her chest. In time, she would process her losses one by one. In time, she would mourn them all: Her father, Visenya, Lucerys, and the love of the kingdom that she thought would be hers.

In time, she would feel comfortable and safe enough to grieve. And in time, she would recover. She had no choice. Aegon and Viserys needed her.

“Are we safe now, mother?” asked Aegon in a tiny voice, tears streaming down his cheeks.

She couldn’t answer him. She could not tell him another lie, not after everything. Nor could she tell him the truth and inflict another heartache upon him, and so she just hugged him harder.

“We’re waiting for your father to come and join us, then we will go to Driftmark get your brother and then we’ll fly across the narrow sea as a family” whispered Rhaenyra.

“I want father” cried Viserys.

So did Rhaenyra, she had never been so alone, so truly alone, in her life. There was always someone there with her to command her, to advise her, to nudge her in the right direction. And now that she was the only one left, she was a tree without roots.  

But Rhaenyra didn’t know if Daemon would ever be there for her again.

He’d gone to Harrenhall to face Aemond, but there had been no sight of him since he’d left Kings Landing.

For the time being, though, Viserys and Aegon needed to go inside and lay down in their own beds. They also needed food and water.

In her ignorance, Rhaenyra had failed to tell Syrax to circle the island first to look for potential hazards before landing. Otherwise, she would have seen the golden dragon in time to take the family safely away from Dragonstone.

Rhaenyra scarcely made it inside before a scuffling of feet caught her attention from behind. And when she spun around, a cold finger of dread crept up her spine.

“Welcome home. Sister” said Aegon smiling as Rhaenyra was surrounded by guards.

“A-Aegon” exclaimed Rhaenyra.

“Surprised to see me?” asked Aegon.

“What are you doing here?” snapped Rhaenyra as she moved protectively in front of her two young sons.

“When you invaded Kings Landing, I had to go somewhere and what better place than our ancestral home”.

“Dragonstone is my home” snarled Rhaenyra.

“Technically Dragonstone belongs to the heir and had he been alive, it would belong to my son Jaehaerys” said Aegon.

“I-I had nothing to do with what happened to your son”.

“Thing is, Jacaerys already dropped you in it. He told us everything. You were involved in the plot to murder my son, but you were kind enough to want to spare your grandchildren, even though you believed it was Aemond who killed Lucerys” said Aegon.

“Aemond did kill Luke,” shouted Rhaenyra.

“No, he didn’t. If you wish to know who really killed your sweet boy, I suggest you look a little closer to home”.

“What are you-“

“-It was Daemon who killed him” said Aegon.

“N-No it wasn’t your lying” exclaimed Rhaenyra.

“Afraid not. A raven from your daughter arrived just before you did. Daemon confessed to his crime, just before Aemond killed him” replied Aegon.

“D-Daemon’s dead?”

“Perished in a dragon battle above the Gods Eye” said Aegon.

“I-I do not wish for any more bloodshed. Please brother. You can have the throne; I will not fight you” urged Rhaenyra.

“Any more bloodshed? My sons are dead. My wife is dead. My nephew is dead. My grandsire is dead” yelled Aegon.

“I will leave Westeros. I will take Aegon and Viserys and fly across the narrow sea. You will never see or hear from me again” said Rhaenyra desperately.

“You will always be a challenge, simply by breathing”.

“No. I will never seek to claim the Iron Throne again” exclaimed Rhaenyra.

“How the mighty have fallen. You are nothing without your kinslaying husband” spat Aegon.

“Aegon. Please” muttered Rhaenyra nervously.

“Do you even feel one ounce of remorse for what’s happened?”

“Of course, I do. Not a day goes by where I don’t regret what happened to Aemon and your son” replied Rhaenyra.

“What about your daughter? All she wanted was for you too love her and yet you never showed her one ounce of it” snarled Aegon.

“I-I tried to. But I just couldn’t” muttered Rhaenyra.

“What did she ever do to deserve that?”

“She didn’t deserve any of it.” said Rhaenyra.

“No, she didn’t. None of us deserved it” snapped Aegon.

“Please just let me and my sons go. I will never trouble you again” begged Rhaenyra.

“I cannot let you go” muttered Aegon.

“MOTHER” sobbed Aegon as he and Viserys were suddenly ripped away from Rhaenyra.

“NO. DON’T HURT THEM,” shouted Rhaenyra as she was shoved to her knees.

“Do not worry sister. Only you shall pay for your crimes. I am no child killer” said Aegon.

Sunfyre loomed over Aegon, his fangs bared. His roar echoing the fury of his rider.

Rhaenyra closed her eyes, and in the moments before her death she remembered the day she gave birth to the most precious girl in the world. An angel fallen from the heavens, a gift that she’d squandered. How she wished she could see her just one last time and tell her how sorry she was.

“Vaera-” whispered Rhaenyra.

“-Dracarys!” ordered Aegon, his command drowning out Aegon and Viserys screams as his dragon obeyed, engulfing Rhaenyra in his flame.

“MOTHER!” cried Viserys, screaming and thrashing, to get out of Ser Arryk’s grip, but the strength of a four-year-old was nothing to a grown man. Especially when little Aegon said nothing at all, staring on in quiet shock.

[anne-bsd-bibliophile]

Murder in the Age of Enlightenment: Essential Stories

By Akutagawa Ryūnosuke, translated by Brian Karetnyk

"... having fallen as far as this, they had already been so wearied by the many tortures of Hell that they no longer had the strength to cry out." (The Spider's Thread)

"At any rate, if you want to rob a man of his woman, it's only natural that you're going to have to kill him. Only, when I do it, I do it with a sword. People like you don't use swords. You gentlemen kill with power, with money, sometimes with words alone - all on the pretence of doing a man a favour. True enough, no blood is shed. He might even live well. But you've killed him all the same. It's hard to say whose sin is greater - yours or mine. [An ironic smile]" (In a Grove)

"When it once pleased His Lordship to joke, 'You appear to take pleasure in all manner of unsightly things,' Yoshihide's unnaturally red lips creased into an unnerving smile and he replied haughtily, 'Yes, My Lord, it's true. Other more frivolous painters lack the insight required to perceive beauty in what offends the eye.'" (Hell Screen)

"'As a rule, I'm unable to paint anything I haven't seen. ... I have seen a man bound by iron chains,' Yoshihide said. 'I have made a detailed sketch of another being tormented by a monstrous bird. Thus, it cannot be said that I do not know the tortures that sinners endure. As for the wardens of Hell . . .' here the corners of Yoshihide's lips rose sinisterly, 'as for the wardens of Hell, I have seen them any number of times in my dreams and hallucinations. Devils with bulls' heads, with horses heads, with three faces and six arms. Almost every night they come to torment me with their noiseless clapping hands and their voiceless gaping mouths. No . . . They are not what I am unable to pain.'" (Hell Screen)

"The fleeting moments I have left impel me to set down my story, to describe the motives that brought me to commit the murder, the act itself, as well as the strange state that gripped me after the deed was done. And yet - O! and yet - even now, how keenly I am aware of my breath warming the frozen ink, of having placed this sheet of paper before me, and, with fear and trepidation, trying vainly to master myself. After all, to examine my past and set it down in writing means nothing less than to relive a past life. Once more I hatch my plan, once more I commit the deed, once more I am made to suffer the torments of this last year. Can I really have the strength to endure all this?" (Murder in the Age of Enlightenment)

"My state of mind then was such that a Japan without [her] had become utterly foreign to me. Rather than eke out the existence of a broken man in a country that was no longer my own, I thought it might be better to take a volume of Childe Harold, travel to some remote, distant place and, having roamed the world in lonely solitude, bury my bones in the soil of some foreign land." (Murder in the Age of Enlightenment)

"It seems that deep within my soul there lurks a monster incomprehensible even to myself." (Murder in the Age of Enlightenment)

"As the time passed, however, little by little I inched closer to the most despicable temptation of my life, and to a destiny with which I would ultimately have to reckon. By no means do I have the courage to recount how fierce was the battle I had to fight, how step by step, it pursued me to the brink of death. No, even now, as I inscribe these lines, I must enter into mortal combat with this hydra of temptation." (Murder in the Age of Enlightenment)

"... he contemplated death and war. But not even the faintest glimmer of wisdom came of it. After all, dying was still a wretched business, even if it was for the Emperor. As for war . . . Well, he didn't even hold war to be a crime. Next to war, crime, rooted as it was in private passion, was almost understandable. But war mean one's duty to the Emperor, and nothing else. And yet, he - but no, it was not just he, for more than two thousand men, from every division, had been selected for the White Sash Unit, and they too, whether they liked it or not, would now have to die, carrying out the greatest of duties . . ." (The General)

"I have no artistic conscience; indeed, I have no conscience whatsoever. I have only nerves." (Cogwheels)

"Soon enough, I began to feel that anything and everything was a lie. Politics, industry, arts, science - all this seemed to me little more than a gaily coloured enamel concealing the true horror of human life." (Cogwheels)

"I looked up to the lofty heavens to remind myself how small the world was - and, consequently, how small I myself was - amid the twinkling of countless stars." (Cogwheels)

"I haven't the strength to go on writing this. To live in this state of mind is an agony beyond all words. Isn't there someone kind enough to strangle me softly in my sleep?" (Cogwheels)

[ya-boi-haru]

Hey SMTO fandom! Amongst my time of cosplaying the characters (which you can watch here if you don't know my stuff) I did also do a genderswap au for a fun thing to continue doing the characters, but that was really it, however I'm about to reveal a project I never got around to working on...

✨️Seduce Me: Band AU✨️

I just recently remembered this, so I'm going to try and remember all the headcannons + add new ones, that I would have done!

James: Pianist, guitar + Band manager/agent, Lead vocal

Erik: Pianist, a little guitar, singer

Sam: Drums, guitar, back up singer

Matthew: base, back up singer, drums

Damien: learning: guitar, base, piano and vocals

Mika (mc): Singer

Diana: solo artist/singer

Saero: Diana's bodyguard

Suzu: Drums

Naomi: piano, harp

Andrew: piano

✨️Now headcannons✨️:

(Disclaimer: I'm not very knowledgeable on music stuffs so...)

• All the boys have tattoos, they all got a matching one of a heart with horns (the horns varying to what theirs look like in the game)

• Tattoos (not including the matching ones)

- James: tribal pattern around his lower torso, music notes

- Erik: Twisted rose vines with sharp thorns with blood drops

- Sam: Dragon on his back, demon circle on his shoulder, tribal patter on his front torso (to match his demon markings)

- Matthew: probably something colourful and kinda cute. A small simon tabby on his calf (he lost a bet)

- Damien: 4 music notes, each one drawn by a brother on his wrist

- Diana: Panther that looks like its coming out of her shoulder, Matching golden rose with Searo

• Piercings:

- James: (1)Earlobe double, helix, eyebrow

- Erik: Ears double, helix double, lip, nose, nipples

- Sam: Ears (double), helix ( double each), nose, tounge, lip (snakebite)

- Matthew: Ears, nose, helix (double)

- Damien: Ears (double), nose

- Diana: Ears, nipples, tounge

- Saero: Lip Dolphin bites, ear, helix

• Whenever Sam needs to vent out his feelings he takes it out on his drums, doing "practice sessions"

• All the brothers are teaching Damien how to play/sing since he wasn't allowed to learn growing up

• They've heard of Diana since their parents tries to get them to make a contract with each other but the brothers left their Fathers publisher name before they could

• While they enjoy playing together, the boys do have their own style as well

• SAM USES GUYLINER

• Mika would sing with Naomi and Suzu and they'd pretend to have big gigs while playing the the garage. Her father would rather she take over the producer company, but thinks its good she's "knowledgeable about the art"

• Erik is in charge of their outfits/costumes

• Matthew organises light/stage work etc

• Damien chills back stage with James when he's not on

• Damien is working on a song

• Sam takes his drumsticks with him everywhere. He has multiple and even a lucky pair

• Sams never been one for writing the songs but he tries to for Mika

• The boys started out at bars and small clubs and just where ever they could get a gig. They also done some shows for charity

• Harold discovered them and let them join his record company

• Mika wanted to be a singer but was supposed to take over her dad for the company and she "couldn't do both"

• Diana met up with Harold before about a job at his company but before papers could be finalised, he passed away

• Damien doesn't want to show his song as he's "still working on it" but if you were listening at the right time, you can hear him humming it, trying to work out a melody and lyrics

• Erik, Mika & Matthew are shower singers (both in the AU and cannon)

• The boys learned how to play Mikas favourite song as a surprise for her birthday

• Mika helps them out with Social Media management

That's all I have for now but hope you enjoy the concept. Feel free to add on or use as inspiration for anything (tho please credit/tag)

[memoria-99]

Drew something for Blood in Roses!

Like in WH, I slightly changed something about the canon characters and added my OCs.

Unlike WH though, didn't changed much about canon ones cuz they are already interesting.

So what I changed are...

Witch MC's power. She looked kinda powerless as a witch compared to the hunter MC. So for the balance, I decided to make her more powerful. Now she's a genius in potions, including the one giving life to lifeless beings(like creating Rosapast), and the master of curse and blessings.

Hunter MC's name. I can't agree both MCs could have a same name when their history and appearance are different. I think the devs were just too lazy to give another name for the second one. I call her Ruby, because that was the first name that came to mind when I saw her. I think it quite suits her eye and hair color. So the witch MC is Mina, and the hunter MC is Ruby for me.

I didn't change anything for Bridget and Matilda. I decided they're more than fine just the way they already are.

And there are my two OCs.

The silver haired one is Clara, the daughter born between Tatiana and Harold.

The dark blue haired one is Alice, the incarnation of the blue rose.

I'll write more infos about these two in another post.

[ozu-teapot]

Films Watched in the Interim (August - October 2023)

Memento | Christopher Nolan | 2000

Whip It | Drew Barrymore | 2009

Go West | Buster Keaton | 1925

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves | John Francis Daley / Jonathan Goldstein | 2023

Turning Red | Domee Shi | 2022

Barbie | Greta Gerwig | 2023

Gothic | Ken Russell | 1986

The Fall of the Louse of Usher: A Gothic Tale for the 21st Century| Ken Russell | 2002

Bottoms | Emma Seligman | 2023

Pink Hill | Robert Flanagan | 2019

4 O'Clock | Robert Flanagan | 2021

Amelia and the Angel (Short) | Ken Russell | 1959

The Black Cat | Edgar G. Ulmer | 1934

The Black Cat | Harold Hoffman | 1966

The Owl Service | Peter Plummer | 1969

Seddok, l'erede di Satana (AKA Atom Age Vampire) | Anton Giulio Majano | 1960

Saint Maud | Rose Glass | 2019

The Babadook | Jennifer Kent | 2014

The Maze | William Cameron Menzies | 1953

Blood Bath | Jack Hill / Stephanie Rothman | 1966

Les yeux sans visage (Eyes Without a Face) | Georges Franju | 1960

Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly (AKA Girly) | Freddie Francis | 1970

The Velvet Vampire | Stephanie Rothman | 1971

Coco | Lee Unkrich / Adrian Molina | 2017

Blue Sunshine | Jeff Lieberman | 1977

A Candle for the Devil | Eugenio Martín | 1973

Lost Hearts | Lawrence Gordon Clark | 1973

Guest House Paradiso | Adrian Edmondson | 1999

Flesh and Fantasy | Julien Duvivier | 1943

The Ghost Train | Walter Forde | 1941

BOLD = Top Ten

Some notes: So at the end of July I was off film and off tumblr and not sure if I'd be back but I guess now I am, to some extent at least. The very start of this list is a bit innacurate. I probably watched a few more films than I've listed and maybe in a different order but from Gothic onwards it's correct - not that it really matters! I really must try to get back into having a themed Halloween watch list, which I haven't done since the japanese one in 2019, it's more fun. Am I doing Noirvember? I don't know.

[rachelbethhines]

Speed-running Doctor Who - 10th Doctor

A quick and dirty guide for those who want to get into the show, but don't want to watch everything from the beginning.

For Those Who Just Wanna Get An Idea of the Era

The Unicorn and the Wasp - S30E7

Look, if you're only going to watch one Tenth Doctor story then it needs to be one with Donna Noble in it, and this one is fairly continuity lite to start you off with.

Plot Important Episodes

Entrances, Exits, Enemies, Lore Drops, and Character Development

The Christmas Invasion - 2005 Xmas Special (Tenth Doctor's introduction and an important development in Harriet's story arc)

New Earth - S28E1 (the return of Cassandra and the introduction of New Earth and the Face of Boe)

Tooth and Claw - S28E2 (kicks off the Torchwood arc)

School Reunion - S28E3 (the return of Sarah Jane and K-9, and Mickey officially joins the Tardis)

The Girl in the Fireplace - S28E4 (introduces the clockwork monsters)

Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel - S28E5&E6 (reintroduces the Cybermen, Pete Tyler, and the idea of parallel worlds)

The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit - S28E8&E9 (introduces the Ood)

Love & Monsters - S28E10 (character development for Jackie)

Army of Ghosts/Doomsday - S28E12&E13 (the conclusion of the Torchwood arc, the parallel universe arc, introduces the Cult of Skaro, and Rose leaves the Tardis)

The Runaway Bride - 2006 Xmas Special (Meet Donna Noble)

Smith and Jones - S29E1 (Martha's introduction)

The Shakespeare Code - S29E2 (Martha's first trip in the Tardis)

Gridlock - S29E3 (the return of New Earth, the Macra, and the Face of Boe. Also the Doctor tells Martha his tragic backstory)

Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks - S29E4&E5 (second part of the Cult of Skaro trilogy)

The Lazarus Experiment - E29E6 (brings Martha's family troubles to the fore and establishes her mom as an antagonist while starting the Harold Saxon arc)

Human Nature/The Family of Blood - S29E8&E9 (character development for both Martha and the Doctor, introduces the idea of the Chameleon Arch)

Blink - S29E10 (meet the Weeping Angels)

Utopia - S29E11 (Derek Jacobi is back and so is Captain Jack)

The Sound of Drums/Last of the Time Lords - S29E12&E13 (meet Harold Saxon... aka The Simm Master. Martha leaves the Tardis at the end)

Voyage of the Damned - 2007 Xmas Special (the Doctor meets Wilf for the first time)

Partners in Crime - S30E1 (Donna is back!)

The Fires of Pompeii - S30E2 (Donna's first real trip in the Tardis and character development for the Doctor)

Planet of the Ood - S30E3 (Return of the Ood and a squeal to The Sensorites)

The Sontaran Stratagem/The Poison Sky - S30E4&E5 (the Sontarans are reintroduced and Martha comes back for a bit)

The Doctor's Daughter - S30E6 (the only appearance of the Doctor's daughter, Jenny)

Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead - S30E8&E9 (River Song's introduction)

Midnight - E30E10 (character development for the Doctor)

Turn Left - E30E11 (character development for Donna and the return of Rose)

The Stolen Earth/Journey's End - E30E12&E13 (the last part of the Cult of Sakro arc, the reintroduction of Davros, the return of Jack, Mickey, Jackie, Pete, Sarah Jane, and Harriet, the conclusion of the Doctor/Donna arc, the introduction of the doctor's clone, and the Doctor's finale goodbye to Rose)

The Waters of Mars - 2009 Special (character development for the Doctor)

The End of Time - 2010 Holiday Special (Both The Master and the Time Lords return, The Tenth Doctor reintegrates, we say goodbye to Wilf, and Donna finally gets married)

Personal Favorite and Least Favorite Stories

Because one man's trash is another man's treasure and vice versa

Favorite: The Next Doctor - 2008 Xmas Special

Least Favorite: The Idiot's Lantern - S28E7

(disclaimer: no spin-offs or extended universe stuff was considered when making this list)

[ceragondubs]

Here is our completed fan voice over for Haold and Tatiana's Love Story in Blood in Roses!!

[tuxedokit]

🪻ALTER LIST🪻

hi ! we are the tuxedokit system ! collectively, we go by either carpet or tuxsys ! 🪻

as follows is a list of everyone in here

"Autopilot" aka Auto Responder | Unknown | it/they - 💾

Luna | 22 | it/that thing - 🌙

Tyx | Adult | it/they - 🚬

Starlight | Ageless | it/one - 🌌

Carpet | 19 | it/that thing/stim - ✨️

Quinn | 15-18 | she/they/any - ✉️

Secret | 13-19 | any/all - 🧩

Little One | 8-12 | they/them - 👾

Blankie | 2-6 | they/paw - 🧸

Ame | 10-17 | they - 🎧

Sayakura | Ageless (Young Adult?) | any - 🧚‍♀️

King Mom Dad Guy | 30s? | he/any - 👑

Quinslap The Weird | Ageless (Old) | he/any - 🧙‍♂️

The Creature | ??? | it/that thing - 🐾

Mango | ??? | it/they - 🐈

— Below are fictives —

Agent 6 | 19-21 | it/they/squid - 🔫

Sollux Captor | 13-19 | they/bee/buzz - 🐝

Jade Harley | Age Slider | they/she/any - 🧬

Rolal | 16-19 | they/any -🍸

Distri | 16-19 | he/dash - 🧢

Kanaya Maryam | 15 | she/blood/💄 - 💄

KARKAT | 6 SWEEPS | HE/THEY/FUCK - ♋️

Nepeta | 6 sweeps! | any cat prns - 🐱

Vriska Serket | 13-16 | she/8/🎱/eight - 🎱

Gamzee | 13 | he/honk/it - ♑️

Solykl | ?? | any neutral prns -🧍

Scrooge McDuck | Ageless (Old Man) | he/they - 💰

Ms. Beakley | Adult | she/her - 🧺

Della Duck | 26-36 | she/any - 🚀

Dewey Duck | 9-17 | he/they - 🎢

Louie Duck | 9-17 | cash/any "knockoffs" - 🤑

Webby Vanderquack | 12-16 | any - 🦄

Isla O'Gilt | Duckling | any for now - 🗺

Miles “Tails” Prower | Kid | any - 🛠

Cosmo | Ageless (Child) | they/fae - 🌸

Shadow | Ageless (15+) | any - 🔭

Amy Rose | 16-20 | she/heart/sweet - 💞

Rouge | 18-25 | she/they/gem - 💎

Avery | 25 | any - 📊

Tickey | Ageless | he/they - 🕰

Mickey Mouse | 20-26 | they/he – 🧀

Felicity Fieldmouse | 30+ | she/her - 📖

Blissey | 6-12 | he/she - 🎀

Brush | Adult | he/they - 🖌

Kenny McCormick | 10-17 | he/she/they - 🪦

Stan Marsh | 10-17 | he/they - 🐕

Tweek | 8-10 | he/him - 🗯

Kart | 10-17 | any pronouns - 🍗

Razputin Aquato | 10 | he/they - 🧠

Dion Aquato | 17 | she/he/they/any - 🎪

Storm | 24 | she/wind - 🌊

Filbo Fiddlepie | 25 | he/they - 🍓

Lizbert Megafig | 27 | she+ - 🧭

Dr. Eggabell Batternugget | 32 | they/she - 🥚

Dr. Floofty Fizzlebean | Adult | they/them - 🥼

Rybin Fizzlebean | Adult | it/they - 📒

Wee Mewon - 🍉

Charmallow - 🍫

Pinkle - 🫙

Stewdler - 🍲

Bunger - 🍔

Kirby | Ageless | any - 💫

Lammy | 22 | it/they - 🎸

Parappa | 16-18 | he/pup - 🎤

Ramona | 23 | she/any - 🛼

Wakko | 11 | any - 😋

Waks | 16-18 | they - 📹

Sandwich | ouppy | any - 🥪

Wilder | ?? | it/that thing - 🏚

Agape | 1000+/11 | it/they/any? - 💜

Angel | Adult | he/him - 😈

Mox | Adult | he/they - ⚰️

Mil | Adult | she/axe - 🪓

Yuri | 18 | she/they - 📓

Mystery | 18 | she/they/bun - 💻

Harmony | 19 | she - 🎤

Shore/Riku | 16 | he/she - ⚔️

Harold Hutchins | 9 | he/🖍 - 🖍

Flutters | 27 | she/they - 🦋

Applejack | 25 | she/they/apple - 🍎

Jax | 22 | he/they/it - 🔑

Zooble | 🖕 | all. make some up - 🖕

The Doctor | 1000+ | any - 🫂

Elsa | 24 | she/chill - ❄️

Wordgirl/Becky | 10.5 | she/they/word/🌟/📖 - 🌟

Mugsy | Child | she/her - ☕️

Wamma | 30s | she/her - 🎊

Summer | 17 | she/her - ☀️

Pico | 20 | he/they/gun - 💀

Nene | 20 | she/it/kill/cute - 🔪

Link | 17+ | any - 🏹

Crafty | ?? | they/art - 🎨

Uniquecorn | ?? | they - ⚪️

Bubba | ?? | he - 💡

Dogpressed | ?? | she/they - 🌧

Annie | Kid | she/it - 🎡

[adder24]

Take me back to Eden

A Songfic inspired by the song "Take me back to Eden" by Sleep Token.

A/N: I wrote it from the viewpoint of Reese during his quest to fulfill his vengence in "The Devils Share" @untilthe12ofnever @nuggsmum @plinkitee @sunrise68 @savhcaro @imo126 @imelopsittacus @bonnie131313 @scnewztown @bliphany @caviezeldaily @aragarna @eyesofwitt @follow-voice @heike-251 @detective-fiasco @hellostickerdoodle

Please tag on. I have forgotten a few POI blogs so my apologise

An anchor was what she was to him. She showed him mercy at his lowest point, compassion when he was shot, strength when their foes were hunting them down. She had managed to keep this lone wolf under control, made him feel like he was part of a pack, made him feel loved.

Reese had plenty of chances to drop his guard, let her in and bury the monster he used to be, he could have had something, he could have had everything he desired but he left it too long and now it was too late.

I dream in phosphorescence Bleed through spaces See you drifting past the fog But no one told you where to go We dive through crystal waters, perfect oceans But no one told me not to breathe And now the weightlessness recedes

Returning back to the darkness felt natural. The pain from bleeding wounds were numbed, grief now turned into a burning fire of vengeance and the monster had retaken its seat at the top of the table, its hunger would only be quashed when those involved were slain by his blood soaked hands

He should have allowed Harold to get him treated by one of his contacts but there was no time for back end hospital treatments or for wounds to heal. Those would need patching up on the fly, hatchet job stitches and bandages made from rags. It wasn’t pretty but it would hold for the time being while he walked, once again, down the path of the cold blooded killer. Hoping this time it would be a one way trip, hoping once his bloodlust was quenched, he could finally join her.

My, my, those eyes like fire I'm a winged insect, you're a funeral pyre Come now, bite through these wires I'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire I will travel far beyond the path of reason Take me back to Eden, take me back to Eden Take me back to Eden

Simmons was the man to pull the trigger on them but Reese knew he was just the mouthpiece, he knew that order came from above, the man who Carter was putting away. Quinn and he knew where Simmons was going to run to.

Two birds one stone.

For all Reese cared, the wolves that lay in wait could have Simmons but Quinn, Quinn was in his crosshairs and he was determined to remove him permanently. Yet time wasn’t on his side. His wounds were not healing, every day he was popping sutures and patching himself up again, everyday the rags were drenched in blood, blood that his body was struggling to replace. 

Porcelain bathroom sinks were tainted with his crimson nectar, a sight he was oh too familiar with but the fire raged within him, there was no time to process the toil he was dragging his body through, his soul growing colder. Carter wanted to take Quinn down the right way, Reese just wanted to take him out, one way or another. Nobody was going to change his mind. Calls were missed and messages ignored.

His mind was set. The cold blooded killer returned.

Well yeah, I spit blood when I wake up Sink porcelain stained, choking up brain matter and makeup Just two days since the mainframe went down and I'm still messed up Room feels like a meat freezer, I dangle in it like cold cuts Missed calls, answered phones from people I just don't trust Mirror talk, fake love But I'll take a pound of your flesh Before you take a piece of my paystub White roses, black doves, Godmother, rise up I need you to see me for what I have become

He knew the US marshals would be protecting him, he knew where they would be holed up and the best ways to remove them from his mission. Plunge them into darkness, blind them and make sure none of them would get up to disrupt his plans. As simple as it was to perform, even that gave Reese a great deal of pain.

He needed a moment to catch his breath, to mask the pain of his wounds and that of his broken heart. Oh how he blamed himself for not being more open towards her, how he left it till that fateful night to drop his guard. He took her being there, ready to put her neck on the line, for granted and now she was gone and that hurt more than the inflamed bullet holes that oozed blood profusely.

My, my, those eyes like fire I'm a winged insect, you're a funeral pyre Come now, bite through these wires I'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire I guess it goes to show, does it not? That we've no idea what we've got until we lose it And no amount of love will keep it around If we don't choose it

As he marched down the corridor, he could feel the flames of fury take hold, the burning rage filling his eyes. He knew Quinn was in the room, he knew that whoever was with him didn’t stand a chance and he knew deep down that this wouldn’t bring her back. 

If this was to be his last stand at least it would put him at peace, knowing he took the life of the man who coldly ordered her death.

And I don't know what's got its teeth in me But I'm about to bite back in anger No amount of self-sought fury Will bring back the glory of innocence

He watched as the last remaining guard crept out the room, he moved so that he was hidden and then struck, marching the guard back into the room at gunpoint before knocking them out and turning the gun on Quinn, fighting against himself to not end the man's life instantly, to prolong it, make the man give up information that he needed to relay over. Yet Quinn gave a speech about loyalty, droning on about not wanting to break the loyalty he had with Simmons, even if Reese threatened to kill him.

Magic words.

There was no threat, he was going to kill him even if he got what he wanted and he wouldn’t make it painless, he wouldn’t make it quick, he was going to drag it out and he made certain to tell him that, even if his breathing was becoming more labored and the pain more intense. It worked. He got what he needed from him and Reese was going to deliver on his promise, the gun trained on the man’s head, mere seconds from pulling the trigger before he was stopped, stopped by Harold's gentle voice, reminding him what she had sacrificed to bring down Quinn on her terms. 

He didn’t want to undo all that but the urge, the urge was strong. He wouldn’t do it in her name, he would do it to soothe his own soul, to correct his own mistake. He saw the fear flash across Quinn’s eyes as he made one last ditch attempt to put a bullet in his skull, annoyed that he was spared by the gun failing. He looked to Harold for Mercy, an end to the pain he had endured. What he got in return was Shaw hauling him back to the car, getting him into the back before he passed out from blood loss.

That was the moment he was at peace, calm and pain free. His mind put him in a garden, basking in the sun while listening to the birds around him chirping and cheeping. Flowers were bright, colourful and smelling sweet and somewhere in the distance he could hear a stream. He took a deep breath, a smile on his lips as he closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, seeing a shadow cascade over him and a familiar face peering down at him.

My, my, those eyes like fire I'm a winged insect, you're a funeral pyre Come now, bite through these wires I'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired Reset my patient violence along both lines of a pathway higher Grow back your sharpest teeth, you know my desire I have traveled far beyond the path of reason Take me back to Eden Take me back to Eden

[mmufanatic]

i don’t know a lot about dr who but your ideas for a mmu/who crossover sound fascinating!! please feel free to ramble more about your ideas im so curious…

Hello! It's really nice that someone is interested (also more doctor who and mmu fans, yay!). I've only watched up to Series 10, so all the crossover/ headcanons (idk what you would call it) will be from those episodes (none after series 9).

I love the idea of Alexander being Rose in Dalek in Series 1 because of how much empathy he has and I headcanon him to have hyperempathy (he would've hugged that dalek without a second thought) and I can imagine in New World (series 2) George being absolutely FURIOUS when Lady Cassandra takes Alexander's body and going super protective like 'I'm getting Alex back in one piece, thank you very much! Not so much as a cold!' Also, I headcanon Alexander to be scared of cats, so he would not get on well with the cat nuns.

Also, in The Empty Child( series 1) I think it would be really funny if it was George who was rescued by Jack Harkness because I think he would absolutely DIE (the rest of the episode would just be Daisy teasing him, Hazel like 'aw that's cute' and Alexander trying to get them together while George is mortified).

I also like to imagine maybe Zosia and Anna can communicate with the TARDIS in case of emergencies or possibly working for UNIT (maybe Bertie and Harold too. I can imagine Bertie and Harold working with them). Uncle Felix would be head of UNIT ofc, with Aunt Lucy unofficially in charge.

Also, I think that Daleks in Manhattan would've been greatly improved if a tiny Alexander had just appeared and Daisy had been like 'The daleks I can cope with- THAT however...' I think that Hazel and Beanie would've just melted at a baby Alex (well for the time in Daleks in Manhattan he would've been 9 or 10 I think but a 6 year old Alex defeating daleks would be so cute! Or George as Amy in The Eleventh Hour would be really funny because he would possibly be more furious than her when Daisy/ Alexander/Hazel /Lavinia turns up like 10 years later. The possibility of a baby Junior Pinkertons in one episode would be so cute! (And Daisy's reaction would be very funny).

I think that the thought of George being River Song would be interesting too (out of all the MMU characters he seems like the most likely to write on the most ancient cliffs in the universe because someone wasn't answering their phone). Or George or Daisy as missy/ master with Alexander or Hazel as the doctor would be very funny.

I can really imagine George as Clara (like in Asylum of the Daleks:

Daisy: How dare they! I'm much cleverer than him, why don't they want my brain?

Hazel: Do you want to be converted into a dalek?!

Daisy: that's not the point)

Also I can imagine Alexander trying to keep some random little alien creature they found on a planet as a pet and then it gets very big and possibly blood thirsty which becomes a whole other episode (think the red dwarf episode when it transpires that the evil, giant squid in the water tank was there because Cat brought it on board when it was a baby).

(Alexander: but it was so cute!

George looking at the engine which has a big bite out of it and just general carnage in the console room: For fucks sake Alex!)

George would be over the moon at a TARDIS wardrobe with all the different clothes from all the different times in it. Also, George would want to go back in time to try and solve unsolved mysteries (Hazel would not be that keen after a near escape from Jack the Ripper).

I also love the idea of the TARDIS just knowing that they are neurodivergent and putting weighted blankets and fidget toys where they'll find them (it would be interesting if some of them were from the 1930s and only found out that they were in a modern era).

I would also imagine that if they came across an alternative universe where there were different versions of themselves that would be funny (imagine 2 Alexanders and 2 Hazels desperately trying to keep 2 Georges and 2 Daisys in check).

Thanks for the ask :)

[khazadspoon]

Superlantern week day 5 because I’m behind and I’m gonna finish this damn it. Also this au kind of got me inspired so who knows. — feudal au

——

As the son of a wealthy, noble, well-respected Lord, there were many who wished harm upon him. Kal, as he was known to his closest friends and family, spent most of his time learning how to take over from his father. Learning political games, hunting and greeting his peers, being introduced to those who would be his enemies or allies in the coming years.

But Kal was lonely. There were few people who liked him for himself. Most people his age had been put in his social circle to elevate their own status by their families, and those who had been there of their own volition were rarely around for long. Kal was lonely and there was almost nothing he could do to change that.

Until his father arranged for a knight to protect him. Harold Jordan had returned from service overseas and his family was farming on land that belonged to Kal’s father. Jordan had been sworn to his service.

The man was… different to other knights Kal had met. He was quick to laugh, to joke and converse. The armour he wore was made of a curiously green-tinted metal that shimmered in the sun, dazzling those he faced on the jousting field when such an occasion arose. He was a talented rider, and there were few who could best him on horseback. Kal had watched him hoist and shouted louder than he possibly should have each time he saw his knight compete.

And then there were the private things. The way Jordan would sometimes cup his elbow when they walked the grounds. How Jordan would bid him goodnight with a kiss on the back of his hand and a quiet, almost whispered “sleep well.”

Each and every time he felt his cheeks flush and something warm unfurl in his belly. He would lie awake some nights for hours, going over each touch, each gentle kiss, and wonder what they meant. Fealty was allegiance, dedicating oneself to one’s Lord and Master as was the law of the land. What the Emerald Knight did was something else entirely.

It was only when Norfolk sent his men that Kal knew how deeply his knight’s allegiance ran.

There were only a handful of men, paid assassins, but they came in the dead of night. Al rose from sleep when he heard his door unlatch and a figure rushed in, sword in hand, the firelight glinting off of his single emerald ring.

He tried to speak but a hand covered his mouth.

“Shh,” Jordan put a finger to his own lips and Kal was frightened for a moment by the sharpness in his eyes.

Long, tense, terrible moments passed. There were shouts from downstairs, the crash of crockery and the cracking of wood. The door burst open and two men entered with their swords raised. They flew forward, the silence of their movements more terrifying than if they had shouted.

Jordan lunged. He struck the first quickly, his sword an arch of silver soon stained with red. The second man attacked him from the side and Kal heard the sickening sound of metal meeting flesh. Jordan merely grunted.

“Out of the way, knight; our quarrel isn’t with you,” Norfolk’s assassin said.

“You touch him, you die.” Jordan spoke evenly. His arm and side were stained with blood and Kal felt sick.

“Stand aside. We will kill you”

“Try.”

He fought with the tenacity of an army. The two men tried, he knew they did, but it was future. The Emerald Knight slashed, his sword an extension of his body. When the first man fell it knocked the sword from his hand. Jordan’s arm blocked the second assailant’s blow and he threw himself forward, took the man to the ground and slammed his fist into a slack, stunned face.

Once.

“You’ll not have him!”

Twice.

“He is protected!”

Thrice.

“I guard him!”

The mercenary went still. Kal shuddered and shrank back into the bed, his skin pale and his stomach lurching. He reached out for the only thing that made sense. “Jordan- Hal!”

His knight turned and limped over to the bed, wiping his bloody hands on his ruined tunic. He sat heavily and gathered Kal into his arms, cradled him and stroked the cold sweat from his cheek.

“It’s alright. I’ve got you; I’ll always protect you, my Lord.”

[dancingsunflowers-ocs]

🐳 + the amazing Joan? 💜

Thank you Dolly {@faerieroyal/@daughter-of-melpomene}!!! 💕 Also tagging my Narnia moots; @luucypevensie and @ginevrastilinski-ocs!! 💕

Their favorite TV show: Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Their favorite fruit: Bananas.

The short story of their birthday: Joan's father Harold got into a lot of trouble the day Brenda went into labor with Joan so she spent half of that time angry at Harold and the other in pain.

Their favorite flavor of ice cream: Chocolate.

Their most embarrassing moment: In middle school, one of the school bullies shoved Joan into a rose bush after a rain storm which left Joan having to run to their aunt's house covered in mud during a family weekend.

Their most unexpected quality: Their quick problem-solving skills.

Their most destructive habit: Putting themselves in risky or dangerous situations to project those they love.

What makes them cry the most: Films and TV shows where an animal get sacrificed or killed slowly.

Their Chinese zodiac: Horse.

Their favorite family member (blood-related and/or honorary): Their two older cousins and their late aunt, who took Joan into the family when their parents died in a car crash when they were five.