#play places in vaughan

[playcious]

Revealing the Secrets: An Overview of Inexpensive Private Event Spaces in Oakville

Planning a private party in Oakville and searching for the perfect venue that won't break the bank? Look no further. Oakville boasts a variety of hidden gems when it comes to affordable private party rooms. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a bridal shower, or organizing a corporate event, this guide will lead you through the process of finding the ideal space without compromising on quality.

Online Search and Local Directories:

The digital age has revolutionized how we discover services, and searching for affordable private party rooms in Oakville is no exception. Utilize popular search engines and local directories to uncover a plethora of options. Websites like Yelp, Google Maps, and TripAdvisor provide reviews and ratings, helping you gauge the experiences of previous patrons. Pay attention to user feedback regarding pricing and overall satisfaction to narrow down your choices effectively.

Social media groups and forums:

Tap into the power of social media to find hidden gems for your private event. Facebook groups and forums dedicated to Oakville or event planning are excellent resources. Members often share their experiences, recommendations, and even exclusive deals for private party rooms. Engage with the community, ask for suggestions, and you might stumble upon affordable options that aren't widely advertised.

Local Community Centers and Halls:

Oakville is home to several community centers and halls that offer budget-friendly private party rooms. These venues often have a range of spaces suitable for different events. Contact the community centers directly or visit their websites to inquire about availability and pricing. Keep in mind that these spaces may offer a more authentic and community-oriented atmosphere, adding a unique touch to your event.

Off-Peak and Weekday Specials:

Timing is key when it comes to securing an affordable private party room in Oakville. Consider hosting your event during off-peak hours or on weekdays. Many venues offer discounted rates during these times, as they are less in demand. By choosing a less conventional time for your celebration, you not only save money but also increase your chances of securing your preferred venue.

Local Restaurants with Private Dining Spaces:

Explore the vibrant culinary scene in Oakville by considering local restaurants with private dining options. Many eateries have intimate spaces suitable for private events, offering a combination of ambiance and catering services. Reach out to these establishments and inquire about their private dining packages. Some may even provide customized menus tailored to your preferences, ensuring a memorable dining experience for your guests.

Collaborate with event planners:

Event planners in Oakville often have insider knowledge and established relationships with various venues. Collaborating with a local event planner can help you access exclusive deals and discover affordable private party rooms that may not be widely advertised. Additionally, event planners can assist in coordinating logistics, saving you time and ensuring a seamless execution of your event.

Local Businesses and Art Studios:

Think outside the conventional venue box and explore partnerships with local businesses or art studios. Some businesses open up their spaces for private events, providing a unique backdrop for your celebration. These venues may not be traditional event spaces, but they can offer a distinctive and memorable atmosphere for your private party at a fraction of the cost.

Negotiate package deals:

Once you've identified potential venues, don't hesitate to negotiate package deals. Many private party rooms in Oakville are willing to tailor packages based on your specific needs and budget. Negotiate on aspects such as rental fees, catering, and any additional services included. Being transparent about your budget and expectations can lead to a mutually beneficial arrangement that meets your financial constraints without sacrificing the quality of your event.

Finding affordable private party rooms in Oakville requires a strategic approach that combines online research, community engagement, and creative thinking. By exploring various avenues, including local directories, social media, community centers, and unconventional venues, you can uncover hidden gems that perfectly align with your budget and event requirements. Keep in mind the power of negotiation and consider off-peak times to maximize your savings while still delivering a memorable experience for your guests. With these tips, you're well on your way to hosting an unforgettable event in Oakville without breaking the bank.

[danikamariewrites]

Heyy back with another ask bestie🤭 ok so how about a cadre g**g b**g where they are in a war camp with reader and lorcan comes up in there bickering with her which gets the attention of the other cadre and row row comes in like “ik what would shut her up”😈 (they are yummier than the bat boys i stand by that😤)

Cadre (SMUT)

Lorcan x Rowan x Fenrys x Gavriel x f!reader

A/n: hey bestie! I also may favor the cadre over the bat boys at times lol. This concept has me feral so I hope you enjoy this. I left out Connall and Vaughan bc they were so left out of the books so I don’t know their character at all.

Warnings: fivesum, praise kink, degradation, name calling, and some light choking

You pushed back the canvas of the tent, Lorcan on your heels, fuming that you once again didn’t listen. “You’ve got a serious issue, you know that?” You turned, smirking at him. “Lorcan, if I listened to you we’d be dead right now.” Steam practically came out of his ears at your tone.

Before he could start screaming you both spotted Gavriel and Fenrys watching you from their seats at the war table. Fenrys was wearing a feral smirk, nothing brought him joy like watching you and Lorcan spar with your words. Gavriel kept a neutral face. As he assessed the situation and was working through how to intervene should it get physical.

Opening your mouth to say something that would send Lorcan over the edge, Rowan came up behind you. He pressed his sculpted chest into your back. Rowan held your chin in his strong hand, tilting your head back to look up at him.

His long white hair creating a curtain so it felt like it was just you and him having in the room. You flashed him a sweet smile, “Hi Rowan.” You and Rowan had been having a casual fling for some time now. Sex with no strings attached, but whenever he was around it was like you were instantly relaxed.

Rowan smirked back at you, “Hello sweetness. Are you giving Lorcan attitude again?” You feign innocence, “Me? Never.” Rowan lets a hum that let you know he saw right through your bullshit. He looks to Lorcan, keeping your head tilted against his chest, “I think I know how to make her behave. Just need some sense fucked into you huh sweetness.”

Your eyes go wide at Rowan’s boldness in front of the Cadre. He liked to keep things private between you, but you could sense something was different. You decided to play along, just to see what Rowan was scheming. You arched your back, grinding your ass into Rowan’s crotch, letting a small moan past your lips. “Yes sir.”

You could scent the arousal coming from the other Fae males in the tent. Mixing together it was overwhelming you. You didn’t know Rowan had an exhibition kink and if he was going to fuck you as the three of them watched you weren’t one to complain. You could feel your slick almost dripping down your thighs at the thought.

Rowan leans down placing wet, open mouth kisses all over your neck. “Now,” he said against your neck, “since Lorcan told us about the danger you put us all in, we’re all going to teach you a lesson. You gonna be a good girl for us?” Your heart was pounding in your ears. You had dreamed of each of these big strong males manhandling you, but all at once? You were going to pass out.

You hadn’t noticed Fenrys and Gavriel join your little circle until you felt Gavriel caress your cheek. Your attention snapped to him. “He asked you a question y/n.” Your mouth was suddenly dry. Your mind was empty as you wracked your brain for words that wouldn’t show up. Fenrys’ deep laugh had your eyes on him next. “Seems like the thought of having all of us has already caused her pretty little head to go dumb. That right baby?” You nod letting out a soft uh-huh.

“Good girl,” Lorcan purred. Rowan picks you up and brings you over to the large bed, the rest of the cadre follow. Putting you down, Rowan starts taking your leathers off, leaving you bare. He strips and slips behind you, wrapping you in his arms, leaving kisses on your jaw, neck, and shoulders. The others strip and watch you and Rowan with intense stares.

Rowan nips at your pointed ear. “The one treat you get tonight is picking who goes first, baby. Who’s it going to be?” You look at Lorcan, Gavriel, and Fenrys, meeting their hungry gazes with your own. You let out a hum as you think. “Lorcan,” you say in a seductive tone, a smirk playing on your lips.

Lorcan growls as he grabs you from Rowan. You wrap your arms around his neck, meeting his lips in a heated kiss. Your teeth and tongues clash as Lorcan fights for dominance as you push into him. You let him win as he pushes you down on the bed, pinning your shoulders.

He slowly moves down your body. Making sure to nip and kiss and lick every sensitive part of you. You shudder under his touch getting lost in the euphoric feeling of Lorcan dominating you. You caress his broad shoulders. Lorcan was quick to grab your wrists and pin them with one hand.

“Uh-uh baby. The only teary you got was picking me. You don’t get to touch.” He growls. Lorcan let’s a bit of his dark magic to wrap around your wrists, tying them to the bed. You whine as you try to move but the dark shadow like tendrils don’t give. Lorcan let’s out a dark laugh.

He moves to dig his fingers into your hips so hard your sure bruises are already forming. Lorcan drags his canines down one of your breasts, his tongue circling your hardened nipple. He looks at you through dark lashes wrapping his mouth around you and sucking hard. A high pitched moan leaves your mouth. You push your chest into his face. He lets go with a pop leaving a kiss to the top of your breast, a purple bruise forming near your nipple.

Lorcan keeps kissing and dragging his teeth down your torso while still keeping you in a death grip. He leaves teasing kisses on your clit and one tiny little lick. You buck your hips as best you can trying to move closer to his mouth. He tuts at your movements and runs a thick, long finger through your soaking folds.

“Fuck baby, so wet. That all for us?” You nod, looking at him through half lidded eyes. Lorcan lines himself up with your entrance, teasing you with the head of his thick, long cock. “You’re gunna be a good girl and take what I give you.” He grunts as he pushes into your tight cunt. You moan in unison at the feeling of him sinking inside you down to his base.

You felt like you couldn’t breathe he was so deep inside you. Lorcan gave you a second to adjust before he started thrusting into you at brutal pace. His thickness felt so good rubbing against your walls. You could do nothing but writhe beneath him. He was fucking you so good that you just went limp as you felt your orgasm approach.

Your moans got louder and louder as Lorcan pushed down on the bulge of him in your stomach. Your walls twitched around him. “Fuck-Lorcan feels so good.” “Yeah baby. You gunna come for me? Gunna come all over my cock?” You let out a pathetic whine in response. “Are you going to listen from now on? Be an obedient little slut?” You nod your head rapidly chanting yes and his name over and over.

With a few more thrusts your back is arching off the bed, your eyes screw shut as your vision goes fuzzy from the intensity of your orgasm. Your left breathless as he finishes inside you and immediately pulls out of you.

Giving you no time to recover Lorcan pulls you up by the shoulders, pulling his magic away from you. Fuck, you’re so out of it you barley feel his hand wrap around your throat. He pulls you to his chest and his lips meet your in another intense kiss. “If only I could have you all night. You’d never have a bratty attitude.”

Before you could respond Fenrys was pulling you from Lorcan’s grip. “Now Lorcan, be nice. Look at her,” Fenrys pulls you onto his lap, snaking his arms around you and rubbing soft circles into your skin with his calloused thumbs. He softly kisses your temple and you relax into him.

“She was so good for you. Don’t you think she deserves a reward?” Lorcan rolls his eyes as he adjusts his position at the foot of the bed. Fenrys gently lays you down and your eyes flutter shut. He smoothes your hair. Your eyes flutter open and wrap your arms around his neck, lazily playing with the strands of his long golden hair.

“You can hold on to me. You’re going to need to baby.” Fenrys kisses down your neck but quickly picks up the pace. Your energy comes back, spurred on by Fenrys’ eagerness to be tracing your curves for the first time. Fenrys wastes no time with you. You tug harder at those perfect curls as he slips into your already stretched out cunt.

Still sensitive from the fucking Lorcan gave you, you knew you wouldn’t last long with Fenrys. His thrusts were long and deep. Exploratory and full of curiosity. You held onto each other as his pace increased, your legs wrapping around his waist. Heels pushing into his back.

Without warning, your walls spasm around Fenrys and come. He keeps going, as he chases his own high. He looks down where you connect and he moans. Your release mixed with Lorcan’s is leaking from your hole. “Shit baby, look at you. Such a mess for us. You feel so good. I never wanna leave this pussy. So warm and full.” You bury your face into his neck and moan, his scent wrapping around you.

“Fuck, you can take another can’t you? You want my come don’t you baby?” “Yes Fenrys! Fuck, please, please, please!” Two more thrusts and his release paints your walls. You once again go limp as Fenrys collapses on top of you. Both of you panting. “So good.” He whispered into your chest.

Gavriel pulls Fenrys off you and rolls him to lay on his back next to Lorcan. Rowan is lifting you again. He turns you to look at him. You settle on your knees, steadying yourself by laying your hands on his chest. “Think you’ve learned your lesson sweets?” Gavriel kneels behind you, his chest pressing into your back.

By the grace of some god you still have the strength to look Rowan in the eyes and give him a smirk that says “not a chance”. He sighs. Looking to Gavriel, Rowan motions with his chin. Rowan move back to lay against the pillows at the headboard, spreading his legs and stroking his cock.

Gavriel moves you both back down the bed a bit then he pushes you to bend at the waist, elbows resting on the bed. Rowan fists your hair “Lets use that mouth for something other than talking back, hmm.” Rowan hummed. He pulls you down to swallow his cock. Making your head bob. Using your hands to cover what you couldn’t take in your mouth you set an acceptable pace for Rowan. “That’s it, just like that. See you can be a good girl. Just needed to give that mouth something to do.”

As you kept sucking Rowan off you felt Gavriel lightly running his fingers over your ass. He moves down to your pussy, sinking two fingers in. He curls and pumps them a few times before pulling out. Gavriel brings his fingers to his lips and licks them clean, moaning at the taste of you mixed with Lorcan and Fenrys.

“Such a filthy slut. But like Lorcan said, just for us to play with.” You could hear the smirk in his voice. As he leaned forward you felt his hard cock poke your thigh, your eyes rolling back at the thought of taking him and Rowan at the same time. Gavriel places soft kisses down your spine, so different from the way he was just talking about you.

He kisses down to your ass and finally lines himself up with you. He slowly sinks into you, letting you adjust to him inch by inch. Not like you need to after having Lorcan and Fenrys absolutely abuse you. But Gods above he feels good. But he’s taking too long.

When Gavriel finally starts to move you hum around Rowan causing him to his, his hands flying to grip your hair again. Gavriel fucks you it’s like no male has ever fucked you before. He’s taking the time to learn every inch of you inside and out. What parts of you are extra sensitive right now. You don’t know if you can go back to just having Rowan after Gavriel. The others were good, but holy shit. Gavriel was great.

You felt his fingers on your clit, rubbing it in small circles. As the pace of his thrusts picked up so did his fingers. You started to choke on Rowan’s cock and he was once again tightly grabbing your hair, controlling your movements.

You’d never admit this to any of them but this felt good. Not being in control. Being pleasured and used by them. You were in heaven right now. You felt your third orgasm on the night creeping up on you. That knot in your stomach tightening. Your eyes rolling. Your moans muffled and squeaky.

With a pinch to your clit and a few more perfectly angled thrusts from Gavriel you come undone one last time. His own orgasm following immediately after. You heard him swear above you as he pulled out of you. He kept your legs spread watching the mess between your legs drip down your thighs and onto the sheets.

Rowan pulled you off of him, finishing in his hand so you could catch your breath. As soon as he let go of your hair you collapsed on the bed, breathing deeply. You felt the four of them staring at you. It felt tense for some reason. You slowly flipped onto your back, stretching as best you could.

You let out a small hum, “Holy shit.” Fenrys let out a laugh. Rowan and Gavriel were pulling you up the bed, tucking you between them. Now that your punishment was over all they wanted to do was take care of you.

“You ok sweets?” An mmhhmm sounds from you followed by a yawn. You turn snuggling into Gavriel’s chest. He wraps an arm around you. Rowan gets up searching for a cloth or spare shirt to clean you up with. When he returns and spreads your legs you whine. Rowan quickly shushes you rubbing your thigh. “I’m just cleaning you up sweets.” He whispers.

You relax letting him wipe between your thighs. “There you go. All done.” He kisses your forehead and slips next to you again. Lorcan and Fenrys head off to their own beds after seeing you content in Rowan and Gavriel’s arms.

“Goodnight y/n,” Gavriel whispers. A cold wind rushes through the tent. Turning out all the lanterns and cooling your heated skin. You were glad it was Gavriel and Rowan holding you. You drifted off thinking what it would be like to be with them for eternity.

[crepesuzette2023]

Ivan Vaughan writes about John and Paul

This is just a relatively brief excerpt from Ivan Vaughan's book, which, for the most part, focuses on his life with Parkinson's disease. (From what I can tell so far, it's absolutely fascinating: far more than 'simply' a memoir, it's a reflection on illness, the mind-body connection, science, psychotropic drugs, patients' autonomy...and much more.)

But since this blog is climbing the drainpipe to the John & Paul business, and there's been some recent discussion of Mark Lewisohn's claim that John was such a bad boy Ivan's mother sent her son to a different grammar school to separate the two, I thought the following might be interesting.

And the ending of this chapter also gives some context to Paul's reaction to John's murder—another topic about which ML has interesting opinions.

This isn't to pile on ML, but more...as words from someone who was there.

(CC: @mythserene, @anotherkindofmindpod) I met John when I was three or four years old. One wet morning there was a knock at the front door. My mother opened it, and looking down, found a boy a bit older than me, smiling, but preoccupied with the effort of remembering what he had been rehearsed to say.

‘I believe a little boy lives here. I wondered if you might like to come out and play.’ He stood there in the porch, rain pouring down behind him, with a pair of slippers under his arm.

‘Come on in. What’s your name? You live round the corner don’t you?’

Next day I went around to the house where he lived with his aunt and uncle. We played with Dinky cars. I was surprised by his generosity and willingness to share his toys; he was happy even for me to take some of them home. When his Uncle George came home with some sweets John readily shared them. There was an immediate bond between us. He was older, read books, and his great intelligence and experience were apparent. I accepted his leadership but I was determined to preserve my independence. From the warm security of Aunt Mimi’s control, John accepted me into his life.

John was a member of his local library and immersed himself in books so that by the age of five he was already a fluent reader. I was still in the infant school when he started at Dovedale Road Primary School, but we played together after school and weekends. There were numerous parks, a golf course, and fields full of tangled growth and trees — just right for playing cowboys and Indians. In one barren area with large lumps of hard earth we played football and cricket. We spent hours digging all tracks to race our Dinky cars. Our most exciting game, though, was ‘fires’. We would go to a large area of waste ground and simply set fire to the straw and watch the place. I have never understood why nobody stopped us.

John’s gang comprised, besides himself, Pete Shotton, Nigel Wally and me. I was the youngest and was constantly having to prove my worth. I feel privileged to be John’s friend since he was nearly two years older. He protected me against Timmy Tarbuck and his gang on the rare occasions when I made the mistake of confronting one of them.

John and I went to different grammar schools, but I used to hear about the chaos and riots that seem to be a daily feature of his schooling. I’d rather lost touch with him when I went to university, and did not see him again until sometime after I was married. Then one day, as I was playing with my little boy Jus on the steps of our house in London, white Rolls Royce turned into the road. John jumped out followed by a woman I have not met before.

‘Hello, Ivy! This is Yoko.’ (…)

My attachment to both John and Paul ran deep and occasionally I would go to great lengths in order to see them at a moment’s notice. Maybe Paul saw our continuing friendship as a way of maintaining simple values he held dear. Jan liked Paul, though she did not see much of John. She was not the least bit mesmerized by their fame. She enjoyed eating at expensive restaurants in sampling London’s nightlife, into which Paul took us from time to time. But, should the effort to come to great, she was willing to let the relationship fade.

A month after telephoning John in New York [with the news of the Parkinson’s diagnosis; their first conversation in years], a heavy parcel was delivered. It was not until I was reading the titles of the books it contained that I realized they had been sent by John and Yoko. There was one by Arthur Janov, author of the Primal Scream, and one entitled Mind Magic. How to Get Well had on the fly-leaf a message from John that read ‘to start looking’, and The Snow Leopard had a note saying ‘to relax’. This last book gave me the greatest pleasure and I frequently re-read passages from it. Its author, Peter Matthiesen, lost his son through illness and journeyed in Nepal and in Inner Dolpo on a completely pointless journey to catch sight of a snow leopard. The peace he found travels across to the reader from each page.

John’s accompanying letter urged me, in punning language, to keep my spirits high and strongly suggested that it was up to me whether I sank or swam. I must not lose faith in myself.

Ten weeks later he was shot dead. Paul and I did not contact each other about it; in fact, we never brought it up in conversation. I hardly reacted outwardly at all. The day after John’s death, however, a colleague said that he supposed I was very upset at what it happened. I heard myself say: ‘I don’t know what I feel. I don’t know that I feel much at all’. As soon as he had gone, I instinctively made my way to a room where I knew I could be alone, and I wept profusely.

-- from Ivan-Living with Parkinson's Disease by Ivan Vaughan. 1986.

[mariaofdoranelle]

Drawing up the Plans

If you saw my struggle here, now you know that I made it 🥳 ! Kinda. I still need to post a part 2 since I had no time to make it the oneshot it was meant to be. But it’s not midnight where I live yet so it’s pretty much still Rowan’s birthday loll

I’m also using a prompt from @rowaelinprompts

Happy birthday to Rowan!! Here’s a birthday fic

Warnings: language

Words: 940

Fenrys: if we were to throw a hypothetical party this sunday

Fenrys: would you be mad if i brought asterin?

His girl for the month. Rowan rolled his eyes at his phone while pressing the elevator button, eager to get to his house and rest. He texted back:

Rowan: You’re throwing a hypothetical party on my birthday?

Fenrys: kinda

He pressed on the button again, as if it would come faster. For fuck’s sake, when Rowan moves to a new place after he graduates, he’ll sure check how fast the elevators are.

The answer was decided, Rowan was just thinking of the best way to put it. Fenrys would bring this girl to the “surprise” party, force Rowan to interact with this stranger and have pictures of her there for the rest of his life, just to get bored of her within the month like he usually does.

Rowan: No.

Fenrys: i can ask her to bring you a friend

Fenrys: as a hypothetical birthday gift

Rowan: No. You can give her a slice of cake after the party is over.

Rowan: Correction: The hypothetical party

When the elevator arrived, Rowan couldn’t help but lean on its wall. Is this the moment he regretted not spending the summer with his family? He could be sipping beer with his cousins for free at Uncle Ellys’ beach house, but of course he’d refuse the plane ticket his parents offered as a birthday gift to stay in Varese, being yelled at by his boss because apparently his customer service smile was too weird.

The thing is: his regrets decreased significantly when he got home.

Rowan was first greeted by the smell of burnt food and the sound of animated characters arguing on the TV. By how loud it was, he had no idea how Aelin managed to fall asleep on the couch. He took his sneakers off and kept his footsteps as soft as possible as he turned the TV off and sat beside her sprawled body.

She was half-clutching a bowl of burnt cookies. Knowing Aelin, she was eating them out of stubbornness. It was the only answer, considering how they looked.

He moved a strand of hair off her face. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

Aelin’s eyes fluttered halfway open, just enough for her to settle around him, hug his middle and fall back asleep. Chuckling, he carefully picked her up to take her to her room before she got a sore neck.

When Vaughan moved out and Aelin asked to take his room in the apartment Rowan shared with Fenrys and Lorcan—and Elide from Thursdays to Mondays—he didn’t think much of it.

He didn’t think she’d sit on a stool and chat about their days while he chopped vegetables.

He didn’t think she’d fill his empty bathroom with six different hair masks and leave the bathroom smelling like lavender every time.

He didn’t think he’d fall head over heels in love with his friend.

Rowan quietly kicked her bedroom door open and placed her in the bed, his touch delicate as if Aelin was made of porcelain.

Once she was settled and Rowan was covering her with a blanket, she held his wrist. “Cuddles?”

A flood of warmth spread through Rowan’s body. He didn’t think twice before lying beside her on the bed, feeling her button nose nestle his collarbones for a few seconds before sliding against his neck and nuzzling his cheek.

More used to it each day, Rowan brushed his lips against hers. It was tender and idle, not quite matching the urge he felt with the way his blood hammered its way against his vessels, making his heart go a mile a minute. Aelin had her hand on his hair and cheek, playing their lips and tongue, nice and slow until he lost his mind.

The only reason he was letting her do that while half-awake was because it wasn’t their first time doing something like that, even if it wasn’t often, but Aelin was very awake in most of them. They never passed this stage—or even addressed what they were doing—and Rowan wouldn’t test her limits when she didn’t seem ready to cross them.

Feeling his heavy breathing, Aelin smiled against his lips. “You’re my favorite roommate, did you know that?”

He snorted. “Good to know it’s not Lorcan.”

Aelin wrinkled her nose, but pecked him once more after. “Do you have plans for your birthday?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Good.” She squeezed his middle, pressing her face close to his booming heart. “Don’t make any.”

Rowan brushed her hair back, watching her drift off again. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

He decided to wait a little more before leaving her room. Not to watch her sleep, just for… reasons he couldn’t think of now. Rowan caressed her scalp, considering the turmoil of feelings he’s been through since he became aware of his feelings for Aelin. And how much of a good kisser she is.

Rowan would be lying if he said he didn’t want to tackle all the bases at once with her. He’d do every single thing that never left his mind if he could, but some things are meant to stay between a man, his shower and his hand. Whatever plans she had for him, he only wanted to know if he could keep his hopes up at all.

Truth was, if Aelin decided she’d do nothing more than hold hands for the rest of her life, Rowan would just hope his skin wasn’t too dry.

The only thing he needed to know was if she wanted him as something more than a friend or not.

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[sparingiscaring]

Continuing from my previous tags, a thing I've wondered about Light Fingers (at least since finishing it) is, why do we never actually experience one of the major horrors of the Ambition ourselves? Like, okay, Starved Men, we go there and have a bad time, Clara is having so much body horror, Hephaesta and the Zee, Edward is staking us, the Orphanage is... yeah, and A Bat Wants to Roofie The City, sure that's a Bad Time, but it feels like we missed out on Actually experiencing what is at the core of this story!!! OBSESSION.

I wish we had gotten Moon-Milked! I think we are the only ones in the story (Aside from Frank n Jasper) who don't experience it! Like, I'm sorry, you're telling me EVERYONE HERE either is or has gone through one of the most intense horror things ever, an obsessive love that is driving you almost to madness, and you DON'T GET TO?! Not even for a BIT?! It feels like it should be there! You should have had it happen!

It could be at Vaughan's Island. Think of it. THE BOTH OF YOU. THE SYMBOLISM. Obtaining Lethean Tea Leaves (It's Light Fingers, you could probably steal some with a high shadowy challenge, make it a Heist if ya want) is how you opt out! Opting out is your Current Route - you don't get the letters full text, you get to act horrified at Poor Edward's... yeah, unchanged. But if you don't, you have to read what he sends. You're compelled to. The game can tell you in Bold, after it happens. "Find a Remedy, or else your Obsession will Grow".

You have the option to burn the letters, but even when you click it, the narrative, the Obsession, makes you read them, makes you keep them, makes you keep the boxes and the letters and everything else he sends you. Just changing the framing, changing it so your every no is changed by the Moon-Milk into a yes, because you are NOT in control of your own Self, when it comes to this. Nothing else is changes - but when it comes to the Object of your Obsession, you just cannot be in complete control of yourself.

And if the first time control is taken is too much, you could just be reminded again. And that option to Undo This is there, you just have to opt out. You get the Biggest Part of the Horror tied even more to your character, and you as the player have to deal with the loss of control of your Self, of that certainty that your choice was your own, and the building unease that, in the following sections, you cannot even trust your own Player to obey you, when it comes to this ambition.

Or, piggybacking off of @thedeafprophet's 'PC Gets Kidnapped' idea, it could easily come into play there, in a much smaller role. You're subjected to it, then, if you don't hold out, and you see the world as your saviors (puts a blanket over Jasper and Frank's heads) did in Clara's case, and still do, in Hephaesta's. You get to experience the need and the pull and the obsession yourself! The parallels of how you freed Clara from her's, to her freeing you now! They physically get you out of there, and then Vaughan mentally gets you out of there, helping you cure/repress the after effects.

You never marry Poor Edward, he's whimpering pathetically in the Nightmare Orphanage, or Murderized in the Nightmare Orphanage, but you can chose between cure and repress. No Edward Card, sealing him away in that place, or leaving open a door in your subconscious, come the next Nightmare card.

I don't know how to end this. I just feel like we should have had the chance to subject ourselves to The Horror of this Ambition, because stopping this from happening to everyone is really the story of Light Fingers. It's one thing to see it in somebody else - I wish we could have seen it ourselves, and had the chance to see just how horrifying it really is.

[zilabee]

"I wasn't there because ahead of the Quarry Men's evening performance I'd gone home for a bite to eat. I only lived a ten minute walk away and hadn't eaten since breakfast, so after coming off the church field and putting my kit in place ready for the evening's performance I'd nipped home for my tea and in the process I missed that historic audition."

- - - Colin Hanton

"I must have nipped out to the toilet because I have no memory of the greatest meeting in rock n roll history."

- - - Rod Davis

"I noticed Paul while we were playing. He was standing with Ivan... but I don't remember him carrying a guitar."

- - - Eric Griffiths

Pre:Fab! - by Hanton and Hall.

-

History quietly shifting itself into place, while half the quarry men are looking the other way.

I just I love that some people are out there writing meaningful fantastic remembrances about Paul's eyelashes and electricity in the air, and then others are like 'I don't know, maybe he was there..?'

Colin Hanton (quarry man) consistently claims that Paul met John before the Quarry Men went on to play in the afternoon. Colin was in the scout hut, playing his drums with one of the scouts, getting ready for the afternoon performance:

"At the far end of the hut, I noticed John had returned by himself. [...] He was standing talking to another scout. It was at this moment that Ivan Vaughan walked in accompanied by this dark-haired lad whom I'd never seen before. I carried on jamming while the three of them stood talking. This carried on for about five or ten minutes, after which John, Ivy, and the stranger left the scout hut together."

Sounds completely like what a constructed memory of that event would seem like, but also sounds completely like something that might have happened too, and we'll never know.

Eric, meanwhile, believes that he was there for the 'historic meeting' in the church, but that Paul never played guitar for them at that point, no matter what Paul, John, Pete, Len and Ivan have to say. He thinks John first heard Paul play a few days later when John and Eric went round to Forthlin Road specially for the 'audition'. That's where he thinks Paul played Twenty Flight Rock for the first time.

Beatles fandom is an incredible study in the vagaries of memory. I love it. It's fantastic how little we will ever know.

As Colin Hall (biographer) writes:

Like most bands, they met a lot of new people every time they were booked to play. Often there'd be a lot of people hanging out with them before or after a performance. No wonder that, in the interim, exact memories faded, details disappeared. It would be many years after the event that the Quarry Men would be asked to describe this day in the forensic detail people now want from them. [...] They were not all present in the same places for some of the key moments. At the time it was a fun day, but of no great significance to most of them beyond the moment of their performance.

He also points out that an article published just one week after the fete, ("All the Fun of the Fair at Woolton" in the Liverpool Weekly News) which is an eye-witness report written while everything was still fresh... claimed that Colin wasn't there, and the Quarry Men played without a drummer. Something easily disproved by any photograph of the day.

Give up, surrender! Beatles reporting has been pure fiction from day nought. Nothing is knowable. Everything is mist. You can keep trying, you will get nowhere. Honestly it's all an imagination, so imagine wonderful things.

[camillecrellin]

hiii!! since there is a huge lack of Lydia (rotpl) fics in this Fandom, maybe some fluffy rehearsal shenanigans? you know, stolen glances, sneaking out and kissing behind a ladder or something :) thank you and don't feel pressured!!

Rehearsal Partners — Lydia (rotpl)

Synopsis: Mr. Vaughan doesn't let the drama club choose their rehearsal partners this lesson.

Word Count: Approx. 500

Warnings: Kissing

Drama club was always your favourite part of the day. The place where you could be whoever you wanted for an hour. A place where you could see your girlfriend, Lydia.

Lydia and you had been secretly dating for a few months now, and you were whipped.

You had been waiting all day to get to choose your pair to act against in class. That's what usually happened, but today Mr. Vaughan was not having that. He instead decided that he'd choose the pairs to "get people out of their comfort zones."

"Y/n you're with Cynthia." Mr. Vaughan instructed, making you walk over to Cynthia.

You thought Mr. Vaughan was kidding when called out Cynthia's name. She was 'in your comfort zone'. A friend in fact. Cynthia had come to you when she found out she liked girls and you told her about you and Lydia (with Lydia's permission of course).

The three of you (and Nancy) had become a found family of sorts. Three thespian lesbians and their ally friend.

"Lydia with Joel." Cynthia and you laughed at this pairing. Joel was a quiet kid, barley interacted with anyone except his friends, but it was clear that he had a crush on Lydia.

"Poor girl." Cynthia commented quietly as Mr. Vaughan handed out a scene for each pair to practice.

You watched from afar as Lydia gave you a small smile which contrasted to her uncomfortable body language.

You reciprocated the smile. All you wanted to do was walk up to Lydia and hold her hand, but you couldn't.

"Hey, Y/n..." Cynthia called, lightly hitting your shoulder. "You good, you're heads in a totally different place." Cynthia then turned her head to see who you were looking at and laughed. "You know I could do that cramp trick. Stop rehearsals today."

"Cynth..." You started, but it was too late Cynthia had already made up her mind. Being the number one wing woman for you and Lydia.

Upon seeing Cynthia's 'pain', Mr. Vaughan rushed over to the girl. "I'm gonna take Miss Zdunowski to the office, you better be rehearsing when I'm back."

And rehearsing you did... not. When Mr. Vaughan left it was like the air shifted. Sure everyone there loved drama, but they also liked talking to their friends.

Laughing at this you looked to Lydia who motioned her head over to the wings. You followed, placing your hands on her waist as you came out of sight of the rest of the drama club members.

"You alright?" You asked.

"I'm much better now." Lydia said, holding your hands on her waist and giving you a peck on the lips.

Smiling into the kiss, you pulled back sarcastically saying, "Wow, I thought you were in love with Joel or something."

Lydia could not even play with the joke as she scoffed, "Joel? Really?"

"Yeah." You laughed. "You make good rehearsal partners."

"Really?" Lydia asked, her eyes wide as her voice turned to genuine love. "I thought I was better with you. In fact I know I've always been better with you."

[darkhorse-javert]

Day 5; 'Bees and Honey

@flufftober

1920s Sussex Downs

How fickle and fleeting the world is, the thought passes through my mind one dozing summer evening as I sit out in the garden enjoying the long stretch of warm light.

My eyes rest on the tall figure, cowed now over his white ships of bee-houses. That the finest mind of London, help (and occasional frustration) of Scotland Yard, Hero of the thrilling papers, could slip into the quietness of Sussex life with hardly a ripple of interest from the wider world. To those who were nearby we are simply Mr 'olmes - as the accent places it - and I a retired medical man. No one of any consequence, really.

"Whither your Musing, my dear Watson?" My beloveds voice says, his long hand coming to settle fingertips on the arm of my chair.

"The waves and shifts of time and memory Holmes." I wave my hand lightly at the soft green garden, the just visible edge of a vegetable patch, a thick hedge at a bottom end "That we, after everything, may just be here and nothing comes rattling to our door. As if the great string of cases never was."

"Another era was it not Watson?" Holmes nods a little "We're from Before, before that terrible war which divides time like a deep river." His eyes glint with their old sharpness, "But you still have cases, John."

"Only in situation extremis, Holmes, as you well know." When Johnny Hodge fell out of the tree and fractured his arm so badly, then someone had run to the front gate yelling for me 'Old Doctor Watson', and I had been glad to splint it until they could get the poor boy to a proper hospital.

Holmes touches my arm again with light fingertips, I cover it with my own.

"Will you play tonight?" I ask soft on the air.

"Of course, Watson," His eyes are lit warm by the drooping sun "I rather fancy that new one by Vaughan-Williams."

(A/N By which I mean 'The Lark Ascending' )

[playcious]

Finding Value: An All-Inclusive Handbook for Reasonably Priced Birthday Celebrations in Vaughan

Celebrating a birthday is a special occasion, but it doesn't have to break the bank. If you're looking for ways to host an affordable yet memorable birthday party in Vaughan, you're in the right place. From budget-friendly venues to creative DIY ideas, this guide will help you plan a celebration that's both cost-effective and enjoyable.

Research affordable venues:

When it comes to hosting a birthday party in Vaughan, the venue plays a significant role. Start your search by exploring local community centers, parks, and recreational spaces. These venues often offer affordable rental rates and provide a charming backdrop for your celebration. Additionally, consider booking venues during off-peak hours or on weekdays to take advantage of lower prices.

Consider outdoor celebrations:

Embrace the natural beauty of Vaughan by organizing an outdoor birthday party. Parks and picnic areas are excellent choices, offering a cost-effective solution with built-in entertainment for your guests. Bring along games, sports equipment, or even a themed picnic to make the most of the outdoor setting. Not only will this save you money, but it will also create a unique and memorable experience for everyone involved.

DIY Decorations and Party Supplies:

Put your creative skills to the test by making your own decorations and party supplies. Consider crafting personalized banners, table centerpieces, and party favors. Not only does this add a personal touch to your celebration, but it also helps you cut down on costs. Visit local craft stores for affordable materials and get the entire family involved in the DIY process.

Opt for potluck or DIY catering:

One of the major expenses of a birthday party is often the catering. Instead of splurging on a professional catering service, opt for a potluck-style gathering where each guest contributes a dish. Alternatively, consider preparing simple and delicious DIY snacks and finger foods. This not only reduces the overall cost but also allows you to tailor the menu to suit the preferences of the birthday person and their guests.

Explore budget-friendly entertainment options:

Entertainment is a key element of any birthday party, but it doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Look for local artists, musicians, or entertainers who may offer their services at reasonable rates. Another budget-friendly option is to create a playlist of the birthday person's favorite songs and have a DIY dance party. Consider interactive games and activities that require minimal investment but ensure maximum enjoyment for all attendees.

Utilize online discounts and coupons:

In the digital age, finding discounts and coupons for various services has become easier than ever. Explore online platforms that offer deals on party supplies, decorations, and even venue rentals. Websites like Groupon or local event planning forums often feature exclusive discounts that can significantly lower your overall expenses. Take advantage of these digital resources to unlock cost-effective options for your Vaughan birthday party.

Plan in advance for cost savings:

Procrastination can lead to unnecessary expenses. By planning your Vaughan birthday party well in advance, you have the opportunity to shop for deals, compare prices, and take advantage of early-bird discounts. Booking venues, entertainment, and other services ahead of time can help you secure the best rates and avoid last-minute expenses.

Utilize community resources:

Vaughan is a community-rich city with various resources that can contribute to your affordable birthday celebration. Check with local community centers, libraries, and schools for potential venue options or collaborative opportunities. Some community spaces may offer discounted rates for residents, making them ideal choices for a budget-friendly birthday bash.

Throwing an affordable birthday party in Vaughan is not only achievable but can also be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. By researching budget-friendly venues, embracing outdoor celebrations, incorporating DIY elements, and taking advantage of online discounts, you can create a memorable celebration without breaking the bank. Remember, the essence of a great birthday party lies in the joy shared with friends and family, not necessarily in the cost of the celebration. Use this guide to plan a celebration that focuses on meaningful moments and shared experiences, making it a birthday to remember for all the right reasons.

[bisphenol-a]

San Francisco closed the lid Sunday on the saga of a $1.7 million public restroom. To commemorate the commode’s installation, residents celebrated at a “potty party” they called the Toilet Bowl.

Lookie-loos lined up in the Noe Valley Town Square to give the loo a whirl. A band played songs including “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys. (“This is a song about a john!” the band leader explained.) Children sipped lemonade and ate chocolate cupcakes while they tossed bean bags into plastic training potties on the ground.

San Francisco may have been a laughingstock over the news that it planned to spend $1.7 million to construct a single public restroom with a sink and toilet, getting skewered by late-night comedians and inspiring the “it” costume at Halloween parties.

But on Sunday, the city got the last laugh.

“We wanted to, you know, really roll with it,” said Zach D’Angelo, dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper with a red plunger as his hat. D’Angelo, the host of Tuesday night trivia at a pub down the street, served as the Toilet Bowl’s emcee — or, as he put it, the Grand Poobah.

“I am flush with excitement!” he exclaimed before he started telling toilet jokes that he said he had gotten from his 7-year-old nephew.

The mood wasn’t quite so lighthearted in October 2022 when city officials announced a news conference in the Noe Valley Town Square to celebrate securing $1.7 million in state funds to build the 150-square-foot restroom — enough money to buy a whole single-family house in the city.

The square was built in 2016 with outdoor seating, a playground and plumbing for a public toilet, but no actual toilet, because money for the project had fallen short.

Just as puzzling as the price tag was the timeline. The city said it would take two to three years to install the restroom, even after it secured the state funds.

Neighbors and a local journalist (well, me) began to question the details of the project. City officials explained the toilet would have to be approved by numerous city commissions. It would also be subject to environmental review. All that, plus the high cost of construction in the city, made the project expensive and time-consuming.

Politicians began distancing themselves from the bathroom brouhaha. Gov. Gavin Newsom took back the state money.

Then, Chad Kaufman, president of the Public Restroom Company, offered to donate a modular toilet instead. He and Vaughan Buckley, the chief executive of Volumetric Building Companies, paid for architecture and engineering work to get the site ready. They also paid for a truck to carry the modular toilet to the square, a crane to lift it into place and union labor to install it.

The tab for the city dropped to $200,000, and Mayor London Breed announced legislation that she said would help bring down the cost of other public projects. It would let city departments team up to get group discounts on goods and services for small jobs. The state gave the $1.7 million back to San Francisco again, and the city says it will be used to build more toilets.

In the end, the new red restroom in the Noe Valley Town Square was worthy of celebration. On Sunday, a woman doled out toilet trivia. Local librarians handed out free copies of children’s books entitled “Everyone Poops” and “Time to Use the Potty.” There was a toilet-themed costume contest with whoopee cushions as prizes.

Three San Francisco politicians — Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, State Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblyman Matt Haney — addressed the crowd. Haney posed for a photo in front of the bathroom.

“It’s not gold-plated, but it’s worth its weight in gold,” he said with a laugh.

Debra Niemann, director of the Noe Valley Association, a neighborhood improvement group, said she didn’t think the toilet travails had done much to make city projects, including public restrooms, any cheaper to build.

“But at least we got one,” she said. “It’s beautiful. It’s clean. It’s simple. It’s everything you could want in a public toilet.”

[wonder-worker]

"The feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist being appointed as the day upon which the coronation of the king [Edward V] would take place without fail, all both hoped for and expected a season of prosperity for the kingdom."

-Excerpt from the Croyland Continuator / David Horspool, "Richard III: A Ruler and Reputation"

Even though Edward IV’s death was unexpected, after twelve years of peace there need not have been too much of a sense of foreboding about the succession. The great dynastic wound from which the Wars of the Roses had grown had not so much been healed as cauterized by the extinction of the House of Lancaster. There was no rush for London, as had happened in earlier, disputed successions. The royal party didn’t set out from Ludlow for ten days after hearing the news of Edward IV’s death, while Richard took his time, too. And the new king had [his mother the dowager queen and] two uncles to support him: his mother’s brother, the sophisticated, cultured, highly experienced Earl Rivers; and his father’s, the loyal and reliable Duke of Gloucester, to whom Edward IV had entrusted unprecedented power and vital military command.

... [Richard of Gloucester] had achieved his goal by a mixture of luck and ruthlessness, and if he made it appear, or even believed himself, that destiny played a part, this only made him a man in step with his times. Modern historians have no time for destiny, but sometimes the more ‘structuralist’ interpretations of the events surrounding the usurpation can come close to it. When we read that ‘the chances of preserving an unchallenged succession were . . . weakened by the estrangement of many of the rank-and-file nobility from . . . high politics, which was partly a consequence of the Wars of the Roses and partly of Edward IV’s own policies’, it is hard not to conclude that an unforeseeable turn of events is being recast as a predictable one. But without one overriding factor – the actions of Richard, Duke of Gloucester after he took the decision to make himself King Richard III – none of this could have happened. That is, when the same author concedes ‘Nor can we discount Richard’s own forceful character’, he is pitching it rather low*.

Edward IV had not left behind a factional fault line waiting to be shaken apart. Richard of Gloucester’s decision to usurp was a political earthquake that could not have been forecast on 9 April, when Edward died. After all, Simon Stallworth did not even anticipate it on 21 June, the day before Richard went public. We should be wary of allowing hindsight to give us more clairvoyance than the well-informed contemporary who had no idea ‘what schall happyne’. This is not to argue that Richard’s will alone allowed him to take the Crown. Clearly, the circumstances of a minority, the existence of powerful magnates with access to private forces, and the reasonably recent examples of resorts to violence and deposition of kings, made Richard’s path a more conceivable one. But Richard’s own tactics, his arrest of Rivers, Vaughan and Grey, the rounding up of Hastings and the bishops, relied on surprise. If men as close as these to the workings of high politics at a delicate juncture had no inkling of what might happen, the least historians can do is to reflect that uncertainty [...].

(*The author who Horspool is referencing and disagreeing with is Charles Ross)

[georgiapeach30513]

Moodboard Masterlist

Requests and part of a moodboard event. Maybe these will become a one shot/series, and maybe we will just have pretty things to look at.

*Chris Evans*

Andy Barber Big Babies Again A Little Rain Must Fall Looking Thirsty Lost in A Dream Cozy Little Christmas Nasty Naughty Boy* It’s Yours, All Yours* Daddy’s Pride & Joy

Ari Levinson Play Me A Memory A Lot of Tears Fade Away* The Midnight Hours New Kind of Tension Kiss The Stars* When I’m With You

Cole Turner Maybe It’s Wrong A Crying Shame You Belong to Me Eyes Like Starlight I Wish I Was Andy The Spike in My Heart*

Colin Shea Like A Bird in Flight Last Night* The Chance to Be A Hero

Curtis Everett Crazy, Stupid, Out of My Mind Saints & Sinners* Pity The Men Sweet Little Beautiful

Frank Adler The Season Gone When the Night Falls What The Lightning Sees* In The Evening Light

Jack O’Malley Run, Run Rudolph

Jake Jensen The Love & Tenderness He Is My Song How You Scream My Name*

Jake Wyler Made to Be Mine*

James Mace Warm Up to Me* The King to Your Story

Jimmy Dobyne The Way You Did Last Night* We Drifted Away

Johnny Storm Blurring Truth Sweat Dripping Down Screaming Out Her Name This Hole in My Chest* But The Truth Is No Privacy* Things I Can’t Escape*

Kyle Heavy Into Your Arms Watch & See*

Lloyd Hansen When You Put Your Hands on Me We All Got Needs The Girls Come Easy*

Lucas Lee Keep Coming Back For More*

Matty “Me” My Only Friends Are Pirates*

Mike Weiss When I Crack That Whip* Even If It Hurts Devoted To You Searching Our Hearts

Mr. Freezy In Mysterious Ways* Your Greed Sold Me Out

Nick Gant The Look in Your Eyes

Nick Vaughan Breath on Me

Paul Diskant Take A Look* Paid My Dues

Ransom Drysdale No Good At All We Don’t Need No Thought Control* Begging For Mercy Forever & Ever Never Fallen From Quite This High Fear The Reaper*

Ryan Ackerman Losing Your Mind* I’ll Take the Pain

Steve Rogers Forevermore Being Poised Counting Stars A Heart Don’t Forget Just Pull the Trigger* Makes You Yearn

*Sebastian Stan*

Bucky Barnes Another Time & Place Take the Time*

Carter Baizen Sweat Dripping Down

Chase Collins Double Shot of Crown* Serving All This

Dayton White Cause We’re All Alone*

Jefferson Within Your Eyes An Open Page*

Lance Tucker Go Where You Go

Nick Fowler A Dizzy Head & A Grin

Steve Kemp The Devil on Her Team Diamonds in His Watch*

*Charlie Hunnam*

Jax Teller Break All the Rules Down on My Knees

*Jensen Ackles*

Dean Winchester He Offers Me Protection/Soldier Boy*

[theladyofdeath]

could you maybe do a holiday prompt which involves someone getting drunk at the holiday party lol

Ship: Rowaelin // Rowan x Aelin A/N: Ugh, I just adore it when someone gets awkwardly drunk. I hope you enjoy! Thank you for the prompt! x T/W: Drunkenness, language

Rowan hated Christmas music.

White Christmas had been playing for what felt like forever. It was not a party song, not in the slightest; and yet, here it was...playing at a party. It made the night he had been dreading drag on even longer.

He felt like he'd been there for at least an hour.

It had only been ten minutes.

Although not his dream job by any means, Rowan didn't hate his job. He went in every morning, got his shit done, and went home in peace. The majority of his coworkers, however, were not who he considered people that he would be hanging out with outside of the office. Most of them were over thirty years his senior, and most of the others thought they were hot shit considering they made almost triple digits a year.

There was only one face he was excited to see on the daily, but she had yet to arrive.

The hotel that was hosting their annual company Christmas party was beautiful. It was old, one of the oldest buildings in Orynth and had been revamped just enough to keep it thriving. The original copper ceilings still hung above him and a crystal chandelier glittered in the strung Christmas lights. The room they were currently in had surely once been one of the many ballrooms, but it had been transformed into a restaurant with a dance floor.

Rowan sat at the bar.

Alone.

Glancing down at his half-empty glass, Rowan thought of everywhere else he could be. He could be at Lorcan's, also getting drunk but at least getting drunk with someone he liked....and downing drinks that were cheaper than ten dollars a glass. He could also be with Fenrys, or Vaughan, or Gavriel, or Connall, or at home by himself, enjoying the silence and doing whatever the hell he wanted.

Maybe it was the fact that the party was mandatory. Maybe that's what pissed him off. If he had the option to come, he probably would have come anyway, but at least he'd have the freedom to do so.

Damn, where was she?

Rowan finished his drink and ordered another. By the time an hour had actually passed, Rowan had a line of empty glasses in his past and his toes were feeling funny. Light. Tingly.

This time when he ordered another one, the bartender paused. "You're not driving home, right?"

Rowan snorted - a snort that he felt went on a little too long. "I- I live in the city. Of course I'm not driving."

It was obvious.

No one drove in the city. Rowan did have a car, but it sat in the parking garage until he left the city limits. He wouldn't dare drive himself if he was going anywhere within city limits. Parking was a bitch. And too costly.

Why pay for parking when you're already paying for drinks?

A taxi was cheaper for the mile back to his apartment.

Rowan ordered another glass.

And that's when she walked in.

Aelin Galathynius, the only woman that worked in his office that was under the age of sixty, strode into the room like she owned the place. Her golden hair was unbound and the dark green dress that she had donned was far too scandalous for their regular nine to five.

Gods, she was gorgeous.

She was always beautiful, no matter what she wore, no matter what day it was. At first, Rowan couldn't stand her. She was too stubborn and that mouth of hers? He had never heard such a loose tongue. The same reasons he had hated her were now the same reasons that he now couldn't stop thinking about her. Every day, especially on those days that he dreaded sitting in his cubicle, she's what got him out of bed and behind his computer.

She spotted him and grinned, ruby lips twisting as her blue eyes lit up. After saying hello to a few of their coworkers, she was walking in his direction, hips swaying.

Rowan took a sip of his drink.

"Hey stranger," she said, grinning as she slid onto the stool next to him. He couldn't help but watch as she crossed her long, smooth legs. "How many do I have to drink to catch up?"

For a second, Rowan forgot how to think. Then, he said, "No idea. Ten? Maybe?" Even as the words came out, he felt his body sway.

Aelin chuckled. "You're gonna spend half your paycheck before you leave this place. It's ridiculous that they don't pay for an open bar. Seriously, they own our souls, the least they can do is get us drunk enough to enjoy ourselves at this thing."

Rowan grinned, taking another hearty sip. "But then we probably wouldn't get our Christmas bonus, and that's the only reason we all stick through the shit every year."

Aelin huffed a laugh. "Fair enough." She ordered a martini. "So, are you doing your usual? Staying for two hours so that the boss knows you've been here and socialized, then ducking out?"

Rowan thought on it for a moment. "Depends, I guess."

Aelin arched a brow. "On?"

"If I decide that there's a reason to stay any longer," he said, eyes drifting to hers. There was always a sense of mischief lingering in those eyes of hers. It drove him wild.

"I see," she crooned, just as her martini arrived. Her lipstick left its mark on the rim of the glass.

The two of them fell into a comfortable round of small talk. He asked about her day, she asked about his. Talking to Aelin was easy, it always had been, ever since Rowan decided that he no longer wanted her to shut up and leave him alone. It was effortless, their conversation, and five minutes quickly turned into ten, then twenty, then it had nearly been an hour since he had been sitting there, facing her.

"I hate this song," Aelin groaned, finishing off what was in her glass as Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas blasted through the speakers. "It haunts my nightmares."

Rowan hummed his agreement, sliding yet another empty glass to the other side of the bar. "We can go outside."

Aelin arched a brow. "It's snowing."

"Don't like being cold?"

"Does anyone?"

"I don't hate it as much as I hate this song."

Aelin chuckled. "Fine. Can you walk straight enough to make it to the sidewalk?"

Rowan nodded at her two empty glasses, even though she hadn't drank anywhere near what he had. "Can you?"

Aelin hopped off the bar stool and adjusted her skirt as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Come on."

The second Rowan's feet hit the ground, he was regretting every decision he had made that night. The room around him swayed and he had to grab onto the bartop to keep his footing. He was on the verge of cursing as a slim arm snaked around his waist.

"Come on," she said, perfectly amused. "Cold air will do you some good."

"I'm not that drunk," Rowan protested, tossing his arm around her shoulders.

"You didn't just hear how badly you slurred."

"I didn't slur."

"Oh, yes you did."

Rowan shook his head, but he knew she was right. Yet, he didn't care. Considering he and Aelin were walking out of the hotel with their arms around one another, Rowan didn't care about a thing.

As they stepped outside, snow was falling from the starlit sky in heaps. The flakes were so thick that he couldn't see to the other side of the street.

But he could see Aelin in perfect clarity.

"It feels good out here," Rowan muttered, closing his eyes. Aelin grunted as his full weight hit her. He hadn't realized that their arms were still around one another until he opened his eyes again and looked down to find Aelin already watching him. "I promise I'm not that drunk."

"Liar," she said, grinning. She leaned into him. "We've known each other for a while now."

"We have," Rowan agreed. "A few years."

Aelin nodded. "And, over those few years, we've flirted quite a bit."

A choking noise came out of Rowan. "Flirted?"

"Yeah, flirted."

"I guess we have," Rowan said, the world around him hazy and unsteady. "A few times, maybe."

"And yet you've never asked me out."

Rowan blinked, slow and drunkenly, as Aelin looked up at him curiously. "I've never asked you out?"

"Nope."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm pretty sure I would have remembered if you had."

"Do you want me to ask you out?"

Aelin's arm around his waist tightened. Her body was warm up against his. "I thought I've made that obvious."

"I've never been great at picking up hints," Rowan confessed.

"Obviously." Her laughter rose above the noises of the city street. Streetcars passed by quickly and people who were enjoying the city lights and Christmas decorations walked by, hand in hand, in awe.

"So, do you wanna-"

"No."

"No?"

"Don't ask me."

Rowan fumbled for his words. "I thought you wanted..."

"Not while you're drunk," she said, her lips twisted in the smallest of smiles. "Ask me when you're sober."

At some point, Aelin must have signaled for a taxi because one pulled up to the curb and she led him to the back door.

"Your two hours are up," she said, lightly, and opened the door before dropping her arm from his waist, at last. "Better go home and sleep it off."

Rowan plopped into the backseat of the taxi, nearly falling over in the process. "But-"

"I had fun tonight," she said, and even though he was drunk off his ass, Rowan knew that she meant it. It was because of that that he put on his seatbelt and let Aelin close the door.

He rolled down his window. "I'll call you when I'm sober?"

"I can't wait," she promised, just as the taxi pulled away from the curb and into traffic.

First thing in the morning, when his head is pounding and he's regretting every drink he had, he'd call.

[nerdyvocals]

Steady, Steady

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: F/F

Fandom: Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (TV)

Relationships: (past) Lydia/Summer Stock Girl, (briefly) Cynthia Zdunowski/Lydia

Characters: Lydia (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies), Original Characters, Cynthia Zdunowski, Mr. Vaughan (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies), (Mentioned) Floyd, (Mentioned) Arthur

Additional Tags: Angst, First Kiss, First Love, Period-Typical Homophobia, Gay Awakening, First Breakup, Kinda?, Author Is Sleep Deprived, Panic Attacks, vomit warning, Author poorly explains the Stanislavski System

Language: English

Stats: Published: 2023-06-23, Words: 4,961, Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

They say you never forget your first love. That's not always for good reason.

(Or, a Lydia character study.)

Title from 'Steady, Steady' by The Crane Wives.

Notes:

Should I be writing my research proposal? Yes. Did I write this instead? Also yes.

(Also shout out to '(this night's a perfect shade of) dark blue' by ytsson for putting 'The Importance of Being Earnest back in my head.)'

Mind the tags, there is a slight emetophobia risk toward the end, as well as a description of a panic attack, and, of course, 1950s homophobia.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Lydia was thirteen the first time she went to summer stock. Her parents had so far entertained her love of theatre by allowing her to participate in school plays, but it had taken a semester of begging for them to allow her to apply for summer stock theatres, plus an additional month when she revealed she had gotten accepted to a theatre camp in the northern-most corner of the state, in a forest that straddled the state line into Oregon. Of course, being an only child meant she was the favorite by default, and there was little they wouldn’t indulge for their rising star.

This camp was catered toward junior high students, teaching them the ins and outs of the professional theatre world, beginning with an audition and technical workshop and ending with a production the campers put on themselves (with the help of the college-age counselors—the actual summer stock employees).

They were to put on an Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Lydia had been awarded the role of Miss Prism. It was at dinner that night, after the casting announcement was made, that she met Katherine Thompson.

Of course, she knew of Katherine. How could she not? She was a year older, a returning camper, and the daughter of a veteran of the camp. Everyone spoke very highly of her.  She was tall, with dark eyes and light hair that never seemed to have a strand out of place, despite the oppressive summer heat. She carried herself with a confidence Lydia admired and aspired to. And it was with that confidence that she plopped herself down across from Lydia at the picnic table, offering a hand in greeting and a slightly gap-toothed smile.

“I saw your audition. Not bad, for a first-year. You had an excellent stage presence once you got passed your jitters. Between you and me,” she offered a conspiratorial wink, “You’re about the only one of the new batch with any real promise.”

She had this way of speaking that drew Lydia in. She flushed, flattered even though she couldn’t really tell if she was being complimented or insulted. She took the offered hand in her own shaking fingers, thanking the other girl, voice wavering over her name.

Her hand was smooth and soft. She smiled at Lydia’s stutter. “Please,” she replied, “My friends call me Kitty.”

(Continue reading on AO3!)

[mylifeincinema]

My Week in Reviews: May 19, 2024

Mean Girls (Samantha Jayne & Arturo Perez Jr., 2024)

Not the train wreck I was expecting. Angourie Rice barely makes a good Cady and her singing is probably the weakest in the cast, I don't get the obsession with Reneé Rapp even in real life, so Regina doesn't work, at all, and the dude who plays Aaron is f*ckin' ugly, so his being the focus of Cady and Regina's attention throughout most of the movie never seems genuine. But other than that, there's some great shit, in here. Gretchen and Karen are awesome. The songs that aren't terrible are actually kinda great. And Moana f*ckin' owns Janis, easily becoming the single true upgrade over the brilliant original. - 6/10

Lisa Frankenstein (Zelda Williams, 2024)

It never gets as weird or over-the-top as it should, but I still had a really good time with it. Kathryn Newton is fantastic (as usual) and thankfully there's enough humor that lands to save it from the elements that don't. - 7/10

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (Ian Samuels, 2021)

It has likable leads and a solid heart that makes it work as a coming-of-age story even without the time-loop mechanics. But I'm kind of a sucker for time-loop movies, so this didn't have to work all that hard to win me over, from the start. - 8/10

The Idea of You (Michael Showalter, 2024)

I've never identified with a singer in a boy band more than when this dude falls head-over-heels for Anne Hathaway. This wasn't bad. Nothing specific really stood out about it aside from Annie, but it had some good moments and ideas and was far from a waste of time. - 6.5/10

Madame Web (S.J. Clarkson, 2024)

Only having Sydney Sweeney in her Spider-Woman costume for less that 10-seconds of the film really has to be the biggest cinematic cheat of the decade... if not longer. Worse even than when they put Drew Barrymore all over the Scream posters. But really, I dwell on this because if I dwell on the actual film itself the depression over the fact that this big budget release with the overall quality of an old Troma flick actually got funding and a wide release would be crippling. Who thought any of this actually worked?!? - 1/10

Also revisited Andrew Patterson's The Vast of Night (because the mood struck for some quiet sci-fi) and Tom Vaughan's Starter for 10, because I completely forgot that I'd ever seen it in the first place, and Alice Eve.

Enjoy!

-Timothy Patrick Boyer.

[fizzyxcustard]

Betrayal (14)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13

Masterlist of fan fiction

Fandom: Crossover of Spooks and Pilgrimage (Modern AU)

Pairings: Lucas North x OC/Raymond de Merville x OC

Warnings: Love triangle. Angst. Language. Sexual references/language. Cheating. Stalking. Some spoilers from season 9. 

Summary: Amy Holland is Lucas North’s girlfriend of six months. Amy is aware of his job as an MI-5 agent and supports him. However, Lucas’ cousin, Raymond de Merville, has always loved Amy and uses their one night stand together as leverage for something more.

Comments/Notes: If you wish to be tagged in any of my tag lists for fics or characters, please let me know, and stipulate what you want to be tagged in. I’m gradually removing people from my tag lists who do not interact.

I also want to thank everyone who has stuck with me so far through this fic. I know it’s probably very different from my normal kind of work and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but your encouragement and support has been amazing, those of you who have shared in this writing journey with me. Again, thank you. 

If you enjoy this fic, please remember that a reblog is always much appreciated and helps us writers out immensely with getting our fics circulated. <3

The journey time on the train from Coventry to Manchester was just over two hours. Every second felt like an eternity for Raymond as he kept hold of Amy's hand. He studied everyone who walked past, excusing themselves up the cramped aisle of the carriage. If Vaughan had been aware of Amy's location and told Lucas, then he obviously had eyes in various places. Between them, Vaughan and Lucas had a number of cards to play which would get them the whereabouts of Raymond and Amy.

"Are you okay?" Raymond asked suddenly, turning to Amy. He noticed that she'd been quiet since boarding the train. He squeezed her hand for emphasis and nudged a little closer to her.

"Yeah," Amy replied in a quiet voice, adding a weak smile. She looked at Raymond and couldn't help but feel something swell inside her chest and stomach, something intense and not quite the same that she had felt with any other partner. It was almost an ache in her gut that spread upward into her chest, a knowing somewhere that this man in front of her was true.

Amy leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Raymond's stubbled cheek. "I'm sorry," she told him.

Raymond cupped her cheek and kissed her small nose. "Don't be sorry, love. There's nothing to be sorry for."

A short while later, about half way into the journey and Raymond brought himself and Amy a coffee each and some chocolate.

He noticed that she had nudged closer and was now sitting with her head on his shoulder. Her could feel her jaw moving against his shoulder, eating a piece of Twix.

Had Amy ever felt like this with Lucas? Content, protected, truly wanted and loved? Perhaps to a certain degree, but nothing like this. There was a longing in Raymond's eyes, a want for love, a yearning. She silently thanked him for not giving up on her, despite all her attempts to push him away. He had always remained in the shadows, waiting to catch her, knowing there would be a fall. Raymond was prepared to watch his cousin fall and succumb to the consequences, but never Amy.

Once the train pulled into Manchester Piccadilly, Raymond and Amy waited for the majority of passengers to disembark first. Then they walked with Raymond in front of Amy, his hand still in hers. His gaze flitted back and forth, checking across the platform, just in case anyone was there who looked suspicious.

***

Manchester Piccadilly was the last place that Raymond had been seen on CCTV. Tariq remained in contact with Lucas, texting him the whereabouts.

"John. Oh, John," Vaughan's manipulative and sly voice came, slithering down the phone line. "I know you want to keep up with that little girlfriend of yours, but our agreement still stands. The Albany file. My advice is that you bring me the file and nothing will happen to Miss Holland. She's in the safe hands of Mr de Merville from what I've been told."

"You fucking bastard!" Lucas spat.

"It seems as if she's taken a liking to your cousin, John. Your position has been filled."

"Fuck you!"

Lucas terminated the call and tossed his phone on the passenger seat of his car. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. He needed to get to Amy, to protect her no matter what happened. Surely Vaughan wouldn't stay true to his word; Amy would still suffer.

***

Amy took money from her bank account, accessing an ATM around the corner from a hotel that was just two streets away from the train station. This was now the only access to her money and was traceable. Everything that she and Raymond did was traceable. CCTV, bank account activity, ANPR data; nothing was scared. Every step was identifiable.

"He'll find us, Raymond," Amy said. "You know he will. Lucas is resourceful, clever. He's got the means that we don't have."

Raymond looked up at the towering hotel block which was easily ten floors. "We can't stay at this one now that you've taken money out here. He'll know. We need to walk. Try and get out into the outskirts of the city."

***

Lucas finally made it to Manchester. The sun was disappearing, casting a great shadow on the land. Tariq confirmed that Raymond had last been spotted walking past a department store and was accompanied by an unidentified woman.

He scoured the city, glancing up and down murky backstreets as he walked. Still keeping his phone in hand, checking messages that Tariq sent through. By the time that it turned 7pm, Tariq text that Raymond had not been seen now for an hour and a half. He must have stopped.

Lucas took that last location, following a map on his phone. To everyone around him, he looked like a tourist maybe, someone unsure of their way around. Definitely not someone who was conducting covert activities. Blending in had become second nature.

The last location Raymond had been seen was at a junction, crossing the street and disappearing behind a hedgerow. In that same vicinity were three hotels, all of them approximately half a mile apart.

One by one, Lucas enquired with the clerk at the main desk of the hotels. The only way he would be able to get the information was to introduce himself as security services. And then, at the final hotel, Lucas held up a digital photo of his cousin on his phone, asking the middle aged man on reception if Raymond had been seen.

"Yes, I do believe I've seen him. May I take his name?"

"Raymond de Merville."

"There is no one by that name here," the clerk explained.

"You bastard," Lucas whispered. He was almost certain that Raymond wouldn't be dumb enough to use his real name. "I need to locate him. It's a matter of national emergency. Even if it means going to each room one by one, then it must be done."

"I understand. I believe if my memory serves me correctly that he checked in with a young woman and she was the one who paid."

"Amy Holland?"

The clerk tapped away on his keyboard. "No, I can't find her name. But I believe she was sent up to floor eight."

Lucas would wait however long was necessary and tear every room apart.

***

Amy sat down on the bed, her hands shaking. Raymond was sat across from her in an armchair, his gaze locked on the window. Raindrops were hitting the pane and dripping down, collecting on the ledge.

There was a sudden beep as the door lock activated and opened.

Terror hit Amy square in the chest as she saw Lucas staring at her, his jaw clenched.

***

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