#silver earrings ireland

[irisharchaeology]

These beautiful earrings take the form of a Trinity Knot motif. Fashioned out of sterling silver, they are available here: Celtic Trinity Knot Earrings

[bullet-prooflove]

Only You - Filip 'Chibs' Telford x Reader (NSFW)

Tagging: @corruptedcoffin @anime-weeb-4-life @redpoodlern @ravencrow83 @kishie8 @thelonewolfwillsurvive @thanossexual @nu1freakshow @oureternalbond @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @jtelford @the-wandering-lunatic @darqchilddaydreamz @yourwinchesterbros @lexondeck @keyweegirlie @poppyrose33 @belovedbastardremus @trublu2u @thebaileybugle @ambassadortotrilliusprime @yvette22 @legally-a-bastard @thequeenoftheisleofavalon @joyfulfxckery @waysbsgr @thanossexual @justreblogginfics

Companion piece to Punishment & Silver & Gold

Follows on from the events of Weak

It’s quiet up here at the cabin and it’s exactly what Chibs needs as he lays in the large cosy bed with the flannel sheets, your warm form pressed against his naked body. His fingertips trail over the scars that line your back, each lash a reminder of your bravery, your strength, your resilience.

It’s been almost three months since the barn and they’re still no closer to tracking down Galen. The Butcher of Belfast has well and truly gone to ground. They’d received word from Connor that he’s back in Ireland, attending to True IRA business. There’s no way for Chibs to get his hands on the prick because the other Kings won’t let him have him. If he crosses back over to the US it becomes a different story.  

The only solace is that you’ve been able to return to your own life. With Galen out of the country, you’re safe. You returned to work almost a month ago and have been indulging in your own courtroom battles. He’s forgotten how vicious you can be, how you use words to cut down your adversaries and tear apart their arguments. It’s like watching poetry in motion and Chibs is man enough to admit it does something for him to see you in your element.

One of the reasons he’s brought you up here for the weekend is because he thinks you need to take a breather, you’ve been hurtling head long into your cases, working all hours of the night in an attempt to catch up on the ones you let slide during your ‘sabbatical’. The other reason is perspective.

He didn’t set out with the intention of becoming President of the club, it was always assumed that Jax would take over when Clay eventually stepped down. However, it had all gone to hell when Clay had set the Persian on Tig’s girl, Suzie Q. It had ended with an unmarked grave on the outskirts of Charming.

After Clay’s untimely demise Jax hadn’t wanted to take up the mantle, in fact he didn’t even want to be V.P anymore. He wanted to step back into a member position so he could spend more time with his kids. Clay’s death had changed his view on the world. He saw how the power of the gavel could corrupt, how insidious it could be if you didn’t have the Club’s best interests.

Instead of making it his own he had nominated Chibs to take over the role with Bobby as his Vice President.

“There’s nobody here that loves the club as much as you do brother.” He had told Chibs when it was taken to table. “The two of you will do what’s best for everybody and that’s what we need right now. Strong leadership with the M.C at it’s heart.”

The vote had been unanimous.

It’s been over a week and he still isn’t sure how it sits with him.

Your nose trails up along the curve of his throat, distracting him from his thoughts, your lips following suit. He can not express how good it feels to be alone here with you, to carve out this tiny piece of heaven away from all the other shit in your lives.  

Your teeth graze his earlobe, breath ghosting in his ear. It’s one of the things that takes him zero to sixty, you know that. He feels himself stirring, despite the fact he had you less than hour ago.

You and him…

It’s a craving he just can’t sate, no matter how hard he tries.

“You’re insatiable lass.” He murmurs as your hand begins to wander, fingertips trailing over the tattoos that mar his chest and then lower, over the scar where Jimmy O had driven the knife into abdomen and left him bleeding out in the street.

You laugh and he loves that sound, it’s airy and light and it loosens something deep down inside of him. Your palm grazes over his hardening cock, thumb skirting over the tip before you squeeze just right. He moans at the sensation, his head tipping back into the pillow.

“Fuck love.” He mutters as you begin to move in slow languid strokes.

“It looks like I’m not only the interested party.” You tease and he smiles because you really are ruinous.

You have no idea of the things you do to him, how he would spend his days doing anything just to make you happy. You never ask him for that and he knows you never would. It’s part of the reason he loves you.

“I can’t ever get enough of you.” He tells you as he rolls onto his side and cradles your face, his thumb chases over the blush of your cheek. “You’ll always find me wanting.”

He doesn’t know it but his words mean the world to you because deep down there’s this fear. One that you can never explain to the man you love. Sometimes you hear Galen’s voice in your ear, his breath a hoarse rasp when he tells you that Filip won’t want you when he’s done, that he won’t even be able to look at you.  

When Filip kisses you, it feels like you’re drowning. Passion intermingles with the tenderness and before you know it, he has you on your back, moaning into his mouth as he presses deep. He loves you slowly, with languid thrusts that drag over that sweet spot again and again until stars combust through your synapses, igniting every single one of your nerve endings. You tug at his hair, and he comes apart with you, his eyes locked on yours at the pinnacle of release.

This is what he needs, he thinks as he dips his head and kisses you again. You and only you.

Love Chibs? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[philibetexcerpts]

15 November 1967: The Queen wore an evening gown of plain ivory silk crêpe for a royal performance at the Manoel Theatre in Valleta, Malta. Its left shoulder incorporated a bow and a draped panel of fabric. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with a band of gold and silver sequins and beads.

As for the jewelry, she wore the Girls and Great Britain and Ireland tiara, Queen Mary’s ruby earrings, the Baring ruby necklace, the Art Deco diamond and ruby bracelet, and her Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 watch.

[fantomette22]

The Dogs in Bloodborne!

So @bobbyzombiegg you wanted some headcanons on the dogs right? Following this post. Alright I will, but first i’m gonna recap all the dogs we can see in Bloodborne!

No I'm not talking about the weird beasts. Even the ones we're not sure if they have animal or human origins, I will stay focused on dogs only.

Rabid dog (Yharnam and found in most of the locations of the game)

They seems to be cream coloured but I saw people said it could be brown. It's the dog ennemies we encounter the most often. The chimera in the Nightmare of Mensis are made with them too.

Grey Rabid dog (grey/silver version found in Yaha'rgul & chalice dungeons)

Same breed as the light coloured ones but they have darker fur (grey/silver)

Some might already know but for the ones who don't know this dog highly ressemble the Irish Wolfhound Breed

It's one of the biggest dog in the world. Typically used to hunt wolves (that's how all the wolf in Ireland disappear), deers and big animals.

The breed almost disappear in the 19th century but it was restored into the one we know today with mixing the last ones with the Great Dane, Scottish deerhound, borzoi and even Tibetan dog.

It also highly ressemble the Scottish deerhound, the too breed being very similar and link.

I personally call the ones in Bloodborne just wolfhound because there's no guarantee it's a real breed and again Bloodborne, like dark souls is not our world so I don't think Irish and England exist XD there's equivalent maybe. (And Yharnam would be closer to this universe version or Poland or Czech).

If you are attentive they aren't presented in the hunter's nightmare (see below the old hunter's hound) With the scourge of the beasts becoming worst and huge beasts appearing more frequently the hunters and citizens turn themself to bigger dogs to hunt bigger prey.

Hunting dog (Hemwick Charnel lane & chalice dungeons)

Don't ask me what breed it is I have 0 idea. Greyhound? A mixt breed? Idk. They are principally found in Hemwick too. They have been equip of weapons to hurt beast better I supposed. A hardcore version of the collar of some shepherd dog 😅 The ones left almost in completely autonomy with a herd and half collars with spike to not get hurt by wolves.

Keeper's hunting dogs

Found in the chalice dungeons and are weird mutated fire dogs. They follow their master, the keepers. I suppose they were normal dogs before.

Watchdog of the Old Lords

Idk if that was a dog before. Could be a keeper who transformed or something for all we know. But well it's literally called a "watchdog" so-

The corpses of dead dogs in the chalice dungeons

(I know it looks great but please imagined it's a dog 💀 it's the only screenshot I found)

Sometimes you can see corpses in the chalice dungeons and sometimes there's dogs ones as well. They seem rather "normal". And not really the breeds we already see.

Old hunter hound /rabid dog (Hunter's Nightmare-Yharnam/ The Old Hunters dlc)

So those are probably Dobermann. Used as guard dogs and for protections. During old hunter's era, most beasts were beast patients / human size not huge scourge beasts. So this type of dogs was ideal. With the beast growing bigger having more scourge beasts around the poor dogs become too insufficient. And that's why Yharnam adopt bigger bred like the wolfhounds.

Dobermanns are born with long falling ears and a tail. The tails was cut so they don't got hurt into fight or hunting and the ears because they often got affections. Many countries have forbidden it because with modern standard of life it donees't have any real use now. Contrary to what people think "attack dogs" are not born agressive. It's just that if they aren't trained well and develop comportement issues and agression it's going to be a bit more of a problem than a chihuahua who would have the same issues.

Fish dogs (Hunter's nightmare-Fishing hamlet/ The Old hunters dlc)

Don't ask me please. there's no idea of knowing what they were before. But their fish's head apparently ressemble a viperfish's head, also called a chauliodus, deep sea fish from the Stomiidae family. Not putting pictures here for people who are sensible, I put a link above. Their body as slimed and long (30cm), they lived between 200 and 4000m of depth (3300-13000ft). Those types of fishes (their genus) were discovered in the very early XIX/19th century.

Now my headcanons on why most of wolfhounds in Yharnam have light fur and why the one in Yahar’gul have dark colored ones.

Objectively the most possible answer is simply that the dog’s population of this two area weren’t mixted together. When you have a small portions of individual who don’t mixt with more exterior individuals they tend to end up with similar traits because of dominant & rececive genes (and if it last a LONG time, that’s how new species appears. But it take thousands if not millions of years and generations).

Well my headcanons is much simpler than that and basically for fic purposes. I just thought it would make sense that Yahar’gul hunters kept the darker ones because they need to stay discreet (they themselves have black clothes) etc. And the other would have kept the lighter ones because they are easier to see and recognize at night.

At the beginning of the introduction of the wolfhound races in Yharnam it was probably mixed individuals of different fur coats. With a bit with time, selection and breeding they would end up with most of the dogs being light light colored for the hunters/citizens and church. And Yahar’gul doing the same would ended up with the darker ones.

And bonus headcanons:

I imagined a younger Paarl possibly taking care of the first generation of wolfhound in Yharnam (they were introduced to replace the dobermanns because beasts grew bigger). And i like imagining Gehrman to had help with training and had one of his own :3 a white one (yes I draw it I should do that again) (because you see, to have survived that long and have will to live after Maria passed away and the old hunters dying one by one i imagined it would have been nice for him to have a companion for a time).

[brian-in-finance]

Caitríona Balfe attends the premiere of 'The Cut' at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. ROBIN MARCHANT/GETTY

Outlander star Caitríona Balfe says boxing for The Cut with Orlando Bloom was a lot more fun than wearing corsets

"It was undoing a lot of the corset damage," the actress tells EW.

Outlander star Caitriona Balfe steps out of the stone circle and into the ring for The Cut, director Sean Ellis' psychological sports drama.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly on Friday at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival where the film had its world premiere, Balfe says she "really got into boxing" for the role of Caitlin, the wife and trainer of Orlando Bloom's protagonist, known only as The Boxer, in the film.

Was it more fun than putting on a corset as Claire Fraser on Outlander? "Hell yes," says Balfe. "And it was undoing a lot of the corset damage, I have to say. A decade of wearing a corset has done wonders to my back."

Described as an exploration of the "wounds that will not heal," The Cut follows Bloom's retired fighter and his obsession with getting back into the ring after a nasty cut took him out of commission a decade ago. John Turturro also stars as Boz, a brash trainer not above using every technique — legal or not — to come out on top.

Bafle wouldn't categorize herself as a "super boxing fan" per se, but the Irish actress does hail from Ireland, after all, where the sport is massively popular. "I knew quite a lot about various different boxers and the sport and stuff." Yet "it was only when I signed onto the film and I started taking some boxing lessons and worked with this amazing coach, Ruth Raper," she says, that the world opened itself up to her.

"You talk to people in the boxing world and it is often —especially [for] working class kids — the sort of one avenue where they go to get out of trouble," she explains. "They put their energy into that, it keeps them off the streets, keeps them on the straight and narrow. But it's a single road. It looks after one thing. It's like, we're going to take you and put that intensity and all of those energies into something, but it doesn't really fix the root."

Orlando Bloom as the Boxer in 'The Cut'. COURTESY OF TIFF

It's a path that represents Bloom's fighter, says Bafle. "He's found something that's kept him on the straight and narrow, but it's just really put the actual problems back in the recesses of his mind," she notes. "We all know if you repress something, it eventually has to be dealt with. And I think that's a lot of people in sports. It's such a single track. It's like, you can do one thing brilliantly, but sometimes at the expense of dealing with the rest of the things in your life."

Entertainment Weekly

In The Cut, Orlando Bloom transforms into a washed-up prizefighter in an otherwise overwrought boxing drama

"Outlander" star Caitriona Balfe plays Bloom's partner and coach.

Despite a trio of knockout performances, The Cut is a lackluster boxing drama.

Orlando Bloom's character, known only as Boxer, runs a boxing gym with his partner Caitlin (Caitriona Balfe). Until the death of a fighter propels him back into the ring for one last shot at glory, even if it might cost him everything. Bloom is the center of the drama, his handsome leading man visage transformed by prosthetics that give him a broken nose, cauliflower ears, and a pugilist's demeanor. It is truly a physical leap for Bloom, and he disappears into the role of a hard-scrabble, mumbling Irishman.

There's no trace of vanity as he sheds pounds in dangerous pursuit of returning to fighting weight (at one point we're told he has to lose 26 pounds in six days). Bloom moves with the lithe, unsteady canter of a man who's punch drunk, while the trauma of his horrific childhood emanates from his haunted eyes.

He's matched by a silver-tongued supporting performance from John Turturro, who plays Boz, a sadistic trainer who pushes Boxer to the physical and mental brink. He is the devil in a polo shirt, charming and malevolent all at once. A less charming actor would have robbed the role of any warmth, but Turturro sells the notion that Boxer cannot release himself from the man's toxic web.

Balfe gives a thankless role her all as the lone woman in this boys' club. Caitlin has a dark past too, alluding to a struggle with addiction. But we never learn any of her past in detail despite numerous and repetitive flashbacks to Boxer's bleak childhood. Instead, it's left to Balfe to convey it all through Caitlin's stricken expressions and misplaced devotion to Boxer. She even gets a few moments to shine as a fighter herself, training Boxer for his fight before Boz takes over. Balfe is a sublime talent, but she deserves far better material that doesn't rely on her to make up for deficiencies in the writing.

Orlando Bloom, director Sean Ellis, Caitriona Balfe, and John Turturro at the TIFF premiere of 'The Cut'. RYAN EMBERLEY/GETTY

Because despite these three strong performances, The Cut can't overcome its overwrought script by Justin Bull (with a story from Mark Lane) and Sean Ellis' flaccid direction. The film is a drama that explores a man who pushes himself to insane limits, only to realize he needs help for his issues (which include an eating disorder and PTSD over the death of his prostitute mother who also pimped him out to pedophiles), and an unhealthy obsession with proving himself a champion in the ring.

Bloom reduced himself to an emaciated husk of a man to tell a story that should've started where it ends. There's not much to take from a man's descent into hell if we don't also get to watch him attempt to crawl out. But that's where it concludes, with Boxer only just peering out of the pit he's fallen into, realizing he needs help to emerge.

As a director, Ellis seems more interested in gratuitous vomit shots and strained depictions of hallucinations than the subject at hand. The Cut is a boxing movie with very little boxing (indeed, we don't even see the climactic fight). It's a deliberate directorial choice that seeks to foreground Boxer's fight inside his soul rather than any external battle. But it robs the film of any energy or propulsion beyond a clichéd portrait of a man in free-fall.

The Cut has the potential to be something fresh and interesting with three particularly fine actors at its heart; instead, it keeps its audience against the ropes, bludgeoning viewers with a trite, histrionic tale of trauma that will likely eliminate any hopes it has of being an awards contender.

Grade: C-

Entertainment Weekly

Remember… Balfe is a sublime talent, but she deserves far better material that doesn't rely on her to make up for deficiencies in the writing. — Entertainment Weekly

[momentsbeforemass]

St. Patrick

There are two St. Patrick’s.

There’s the corned beef and cabbage, Irish-themed everything, drunken green nonsense version.

And then there’s the other one. The one who was kidnapped and sold as a slave into Ireland. After 6 years of slavery, he escaped.

When he later became a priest, he returned to Ireland. As a missionary. Beginning his ministry in the very place where he had labored as a slave.

This year I ended up spending some time with the other one.

Not because I have anything against drunken green nonsense. But because I was doing a little cleaning up and throwing out. And I found the box that my favorite rosary came in.

It’s a very Irish rosary. Each bead is a squarish piece of green Connemara marble. With a silver-plated chain.

One of the beads is long gone. Much of the silver has worn off. It’s well-loved and well-worn.

In the bottom of that very Irish box was a holy card. With a prayer, the Lorica. St. Patrick’s Breastplate.

It’s a long prayer. Here’s the part I keep coming back to. The part that hits home.

“Christ be with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”

It’s a prayer that reveals the heart of someone who didn’t give up on anyone. Even those who had done their worst to him.

It’s the prayer of someone who loved like Christ.

I think I need to spend more time with this Patrick.

Today’s Readings

[arrowofcarnations]

O’Knutzy Week Day FIVE! (The end!)

The last part of Triwizard Cubs for @oknutzyweek2023, featuring fluff, fluff, and more fluff. This (finally) completes my bingo row of A1-A5! Woohoo! :)

Characters by @lumosinlove—thank you as always for letting us play in your universe. And a very happy belated birthday to our beloved Finn O'Hara! <3

Day 5: Summer Vacation (A3)

Leo had woken up from their Room of Requirement nap with Finn's body still tucked safely against his and happiness filling his chest. He was happy as he found Logan's green eyes calmly watching him on Finn's other side, and as he got to see Finn's copper lashes flutter as he slowly surfaced from the depths of sleep. He was happy when he kissed them, and when they did a little more than kiss, before they hastily redressed and snuck back out of the enchanted room, grinning knowingly at each other as they rejoined their classmates in the Great Hall.

He was happy when he won the Triwizard Tournament. A little shocked, maybe, but definitely happy as the raucous applause from the Ilvermorny camp (and quieter, polite applause from the Hogwarts and Beauxbatons contingents) roared in his ears and the gleaming silver trophy was pressed into his dirt-streaked hands. It mixed with a little guilt as he found Logan and Finn's eyes, but they looked so genuinely thrilled for him that he turned away from any bad feelings and leaned into the good.

Leo felt a bittersweet kind of happiness—the kind that presses on your lungs when you're exactly where you want to be but you know you can't stay long—as they shared a bed on his and Logan's last night in the castle, all urgent mouths and gripping hands and tangled sheets. He felt it even more sharply the next day as they lingered at the castle gates the next morning, the spring chill and dew-soaked grass making him want to crawl back into the warm sanctuary of the previous night even more.

A moment of nervous dread as Finn turned those doe eyes up at him. It's been fun, he braced himself to hear. I like you, but you're leaving. Too hard, scattered in three different countries, their studies coming to an end, the next chapter of their lives unfolding and taking them Merlin knows where. Bad timing. Won't work.

A flicker of hope as Finn actually said, "Can I come visit this summer?"

The happiness slowly returning, buoyed by hope, as Logan pulled them both into a crushing hug. It filled him up as he mumbled "you better" into Finn's neck. It made tears spring to his eyes as they made plans—a week in Nice, another in Galway, and another at his family's home in New Orleans. They'd all have to talk to their parents, of course, and sort out all the details, but that didn't matter just then; what made Leo happy-cry as he kissed them both breathless was that he got to say see you soon instead of goodbye.

His parents' happiness amplified his own as he spent a glorious weekend soaked in Southern sunshine before he had to be back in New England for his last few months of school. Whether they were more overjoyed at the news of his victory or his love life, he couldn't say, but he knew what he was happiest about as he scribbled hasty notes to Logan and Finn—apologizing to Kermit as a drop of ink splattered on his tiny green head—telling them they were welcome to come stay the last week in June, and that they could go to Lo in July and to Ireland for Finn's birthday week in August, maybe, if they wanted to.

They did.

If you asked Leo's friends and family what his happiest moment was, they might say it was when he received his Ilvermorny letter, or the first time he took flight on his very own broom, or when he won the Triwizard Tournament, or graduating at the top of his class.

But they'd be wrong. It actually, at least so far, was the moment Finn O'Hara and Logan Tremblay appeared in his family's old brick fireplace to spend part of their summer vacation here with him, far too warmly dressed and grinning like fools.

Or maybe it was the moment Logan drew him into his arms for one of his tight, all-encompassing hugs, ending the torture that was going weeks and weeks without it. ("Bonjour, Knutty, missed you.")

Or when Finn joined right in and wrapped his arms around both of them, laying his head on top of Leo's as he breathed a "finally."

Then again, the moment he pulled each of them in for dizzying reunion kisses could top the list.

Maybe he couldn't settle on just one moment. But as he led them into the bright kitchen where his mama had insisted on cooking up a feast, their hands a perfect fit in his, he knew there would be plenty more to come.

[adelha-mathilde]

Tending Injuries (Obey Me!) drabble

content: Adelha tends to Beelzebub after a vicious Fangol game. Established relationships, blood, injury, broken bones.

The locker room was currently sectioned off after a serious accident during a Fangol championship game. With Satan guarding the entrance into the locker room as Adelha tended to the injured player. Beelzebub sat on the bench with blood dripping down his face. Since his nose was currently leaking. A black eye also apparent as he rested his leg over the bench. His entire left foot and ankle getting blue as the moments ticked by. Adelha soon handed Beelzebub a wet cloth holding runes to keep the cloth cold. So Beelzebub put such over his eye to stay still. Just as Lucifer entered the locker room to look absolutely furious.

Adelha was able to kneel down so as to get a better look at Beelzebub's injured foot as Lucifer crossed his arms. Waiting as the Fae lady did her work. Her sigh one of both sadness and sympathy. "Both the talus and calcaneus bones have cracked for the ligaments holding them in place to be ripped. Meaning that Beelzebub will need a cast to keep the injuries immobile." Lucifer gave a rumbling growl a lion would have flinched at to close his eyes and take a few deep breaths. his words holding barely held in fury. "Margaret. Would you be willing to use any healing magic or powerful potions? I will gladly provide the magic power or whatever you need to heal Beelzebub completely."

Beelzebub gave a hesitant breath out before he spoke up. "Lucifer. You know better than the rest of us that asking for highly powerful spells or items from the Fae is extremely risky to do. Even if we trust Addy as family. I will heal up in a couple of days if I just stay in bed. So it's fine." Lucifer gripped his arms so hard his fingertips ripped the material of his coat. Which had Adelha smile a little at the sight before she sighed. Her words holding that lilt of Ireland in every intonation as she answered. "Such abiding love. A magic unto itself. There are several spells that we might use. As well as elixers and potions we might dip Beel's foot into. Lucifer. Come and sit Beel in your lap."

Lucifer was next to Beelzebub in an instant to lift the Avatar of Gluttony into his arms as if Beelzebub was a child. Holding Beelzebub close for Lucifer's wings to unfold and gently come close to all but cradle Beelzebub to him. Which had Beelzebub blink in surprise for his own demon form to appear. Those ethereal wings giving a slight buzz as Beelzebub leaned into Lucifer's embrace. While Adelha removed a butterfly knife from her boot to flick it open. Taking the blade to her long white hair to shear the length. That long braid that reached down to her waist falling to the bench for her hair to now be only at ear length. Which had both Lucifer and Beelzebub look stunned. Adelha took the braid to gently wrap it around Beelzebub's foot for her to begin to sing. A warm and elegant sound echoing from deep in her throat for magic to take to the air.

Lucifer gave a heavy sigh to extend a hand and direct his power towards the braid to add his power into the spell work. The sensation of the other brothers as well as their beloved pact human also doing the same outside the locker room. While Adelha continued to sing in rich tones as the healing spell wove through the braid to turn it into warm water. The water glowing silver to then soak into Beelzebub's foot and heel as the scents of each spell caster took to the air. the base scent being ocean salt, since it was Adelha's hair that made up the core of the spell being used. Until the song had concluded for Beelzebub to give a hum of relief. His foot completely healed for Lucifer to smile and also look relieved. The Avatar of Pride giving his younger brother a gentle squeeze before speaking up with soft gratitude. "I am glad to see you healed, Beelzebub. Margaret. You are a wonder in the ways of healing and song."

Adelha gave a tired chuckle as she moved to sit herself on the bench. Looking to the two demons to then give both of them a loving smile. "Now for your end of the barter. I expect all of you to help me with my apothecary shop this month. From fixing the window panes on the greenhouse roof to grinding up mustard seeds to even walking my five puppies. One full month of all of you working for me regardless of school work or student council." Lucifer heaved a sigh of air to nod his head in acceptance. While Beelzebub smiled happily to look pleased at the whole situation. "Does that mean you get to make us dinner when we help out at your shop?" Adelha burst into peals of laughter to nod her head. Which made Beelzebub sweep her and Lucifer into a group hug to look absolutely delighted at the idea. His tummy already rumbling to have Beelzebub exclaim, "That sounds perfect! Addy always makes the best stews and bread rolls!"

[ccherrybloom]

i know i literally just started posting content of my ocs but i wanted to post character descriptions/relationships because……….why not. then they’re here and can be referenced easily lol. everything will be under the cut, thanks for putting up with my oc brainrot the last few days and surely the next few days as well

potentially will add to this as more characters get introduced, but wanted to get the core 4 down

Peter Patrick Byrnes:

28 years old, only child, born June 13th (Gemini) in Belfast, Ireland, but moved to Dublin with his mum shortly before his 9th birthday. Grew up lower-middle class. Highschool dropout. Peter can speak a bit of Irish but he’s nowhere near fluent. Gets kicked out from his mum’s at 27, homeless/motel + couch surfs for awhile before bussing to London to live at Geoffrey’s flat. 5’11”/180cms. Skinny for his age/height, approx 147lbs/10.5 stone. Naturally black hair that he normally pushes up in the front, almost fauxhawk-esque, with tapered sides. Green eyes, wears black-framed glasses. Has a light dusting of stubble. He has an eyebrow piercing on his right brow, studded snake bite lip piercings, double nose rings (one ring in each nostril) plus a septum, a tongue ring, and one singular nipple piercing on the left side. Ears are slightly stretched, roughly a size double 0 (probably just big enough to stick the tip of an index finger through) he wears black tunnels in them usually. He’s heavily tattooed from the neck down, including the tops of his hands and fingers. Sometimes paints his nails black. Most of his tattoos are gray wash, though he does have some coloured tattoos that aren’t as visible/prominent. He plays lead guitar and sings back up vocals. Nice jawline, long sort of thinner nose. Very lean build. Hayfever sufferer. Bisexual. Aggressively Irish LOL. And honestly just an all around shithead. He’s crass, gets in fights, dabbles in drugs, drinks excessively, and smokes like a chimney. He gets into a lot of trouble but is oddly charming.

Geoffrey Thomas Brown Jr.:

29 years old, oldest child (has a younger sister), born December 29th (Capricorn) in London, England. Approx. 5’10”/177cm. He’s a bit heftier than the others. Grew up comfortably middle class. His face is best described as just…long. Smaller chin, long & slightly crooked nose. Ginger hair, bright blue eyes, a scattering of freckles. He likes to style his hair pushed back (think: Alex Turner aka his inspo lol) Easily the glue that holds this shit band together. Extremely nonchalant and casual, genuinely the most average of guys. He is just…SO chill. Plays bass. The token straight. Loves to read and drinks a lot of tea. Big fan of scarves. Allergic to dogs. Has his own flat in London. Originally lived alone but then Peter moved in. Chris stays over often, too. Maurice only on occasion.

Maurice Pierre Blanchet:

28 years old, born August 31st (Virgo) in Paris, France, but moved to Dublin, Ireland with his parents at age 10. Only child. His first language is French, and he’s known for it slipping out when he’s drunk/can’t think of the right English word/stressed out, etc. Learned English in Ireland so he speaks it with an Irish accent. Tallest of the group at 6’3”/190.5cm. Lean/athletic build. Honey-blonde hair that’s usually tousled atop his head or pushed back. Hazel eyes. Strong jaw, long, straight nose. Stereotypically handsome ass dude. His family is rich, and his privileged upbringing reflects that (ex. can play like a billion instruments and sing wonderfully due to years of lessons). His father runs a company and wants Maurice to follow in his footsteps. Maurice ends up choosing to pursue the band instead (music is his passion lollll). His ears are pierced and he switches between small gold hoops or little silver studs. Prone to catching colds, & catches them most often when he’s stressed. (Not ideal when you’re the lead singer of a band!) also plays rhythm guitar. Recently discovered he’s probably bisexual. (Had only ever been with women before Peter.) gets his own small flat when he moves to London but still stays at Geoffrey’s with the others every now and again.

Christopher (Seojun) Michael Lee:

23 years old, born April 7th (Aries) in London, England. 5’7”/170cm & an athletic/lean build. Only child. Chris is half black, half Korean. His mom is from London, his dad from Busan. His legal name is Christopher and he prefers it, but when his dad speaks to him in Korean (or when he interacts with anyone from his dad’s side of the family) he gets called Seojun. Fluent in Korean and English. He has loose curly black hair that is slightly on the longer side. More of a flat, button-ish nose, his eyes are a deep dark brown, almost black in colour. He has a silver eyebrow ring on his left brow and a silver nose ring in his left nostril. both of his ears are also littered with multiple piercings. Chris is gay. Grew up lower-middle class. He had a rough childhood due to excessive bullying for being mixed and queer. Chris however, takes absolutely no shit. He is hot-headed and reactive, quick to kick the ass of anyone who dares to try and insult or belittle him. He got suspended often in high school because of this. Can often be found with new scrapes or bruises just from his sheer scrappiness. Plays drums, but can pluck some chords on a guitar. Works part time in a record shop. Allergic to cats. A drinker, sometimes dabbles in party drugs.

Relationship stuff to know:

- Peter and Geoffrey have been acquaintances/friends for years. Jam buddies whenever they had chances to get together. Original two who formed The Undergrounds. Peter used to sing lead before he recruited Maurice.

- Peter and Maurice met via a one-night stand. They happened to be at the same pub the night Maurice got dumped by his long-term girlfriend Maeve. Peter managed to seduce him. They exchanged contact info after, Peter found out Maurice was a great singer, asked him to come to London to join his band, Maurice said fuck no. They initially left on bad terms.

- A few months later Maurice reached out asking if the offer still stood, then moved to London shortly after. Peter and him begin hooking up more frequently after that. Maurice is definitely catching feelings.

- Peter called Maurice Murry-rice the first time they met because he thought the way Maurice pronounced his name with a French accent was stupid. Murry-rice eventually morphed to just Murry & sometimes Mur. Only Peter calls him this. Maurice isn’t a fan but has just given up.

- Geoff recruited Chris. He frequented the record store Chris works at, the two got to talking, the rest is history.

- Chris and Peter hooked up one (1) time and then never again. They were drunk.

- Peter and Chris argue a lot because they both have big personalities. It’s mostly all in good fun but sometimes gets out of hand. They have definitely fist-fought before.

- Chris’ parents are in the middle of getting separated. He goes back and forth between living at his mum’s and living at Geoff’s flat.

[gloriousgwendolinechristie]

AFM: Naomie Harris, Gwendoline Christie Team for Family Adventure ‘Robin and the Hood’

GFM Global Sales is shopping the film, produced by Silver Reel, that also stars Mark Williams and Darcey Ewart.

Naomie Harris, Gwendoline Christie and Harry Potter star Mark Williams (who played Arthur Weasley in the film franchise) have joined the ensemble cast of family adventure film Robin and the Hood alongside rising star Darcey Ewart (Prancer: A Christmas Tale, To Olivia).

The film, which completed principal photography over the summer, comes from director Phil Hawkins (Prancer: A Christmas Tale) and was written by Stuart Benson and Paul Davidson, with the script first optioned by Silver Reel in 2021. It’s set to debut as a Sky Original in the U.K. and Ireland on Sky Cinema, with GFM Global Sales handling the film at the AFM following a deal inked prior to the market.

Robin and the Hood follows the tenacious 11-year-old Robin (Ewart) and her loyal band of friends, called “The Hoods,” for whom the patch of overgrown scrubland at the end of their cul-de-sac is a magical kingdom. Sticks and bin lids have become swords and shields, drones have become majestic eagles, and the hippy lady in the forest (Christie) is a terrifying witch. The only thing limiting their colorful imagination is the prospect of losing their kingdom forever. When the slippery property developer Clipboard (Harris) turns up and dazzles the parents of the area with promises of health spas and day-care facilities, Robin and The Hoods’ world is faced with an existential threat. Despite the children’s best efforts, their protests fall on deaf ears. When their parents can’t see the wood for the trees, Robin and her friends take matters into their own hands to defend their kingdom. 

The film is produced by Silver Reel’s Claudia Bluemhuber and Future Artists Entertainment’s Matt Williams. Alexander Jooss, Florian Dargel and Karol Griffiths (from Silver Reel) and Julia Stuart and Andrew Orr (Sky) will executive produce. 

“We were excited about Stuart and Paul’s script from the moment we encountered it – Robin and the Hood is a story with a big heart and plenty of laughter, which reminds us of the power and importance of imagination in a world that is swiftly losing it,” said Bluemhuber. “Landing the fantastic (quartet) of Naomie, Mark, Gwendoline and Darcey to lead our cast is a brilliant coup, and we’re thrilled that Sky, Future Artists and GFM are joining us on this adventure!”

[ruairimacarthy]

↪ not-so-brief introduction. BASICS.

full name: ruairi oisín peter macarthy. nickname(s): ror (based on the pronunciation of his name 'rory'), sunshine. age: twenty-nine. date of birth: 28 december 1994. zodiac sign: capricorn. place of birth: killiney, county dublin, ireland. ethnicity: white. nationality: irish. gender: demiboy ( nonbinary, he/they pronouns ). sexual orientation: pansexual. romantic orientation: panromantic. religion: ruairi was raised catholic and practiced long enough to have first communion and other childhood milestones go by. as an adult he doesn't practice actively but he'll attend mass when his parents visit him or he visits them. education: bachelor’s in mechanical and computer engineering ( trinity college, dublin ), master's in game design ( blue harbor university ). occupation: game developer; co-owner & co-founder of starcrest gaming. language(s) spoken: english, irish ( his irish is a little rough as he grew up speaking it but fell off at a certain point. he's trying to brush up and re-learn it as best he can ). accent: ruairi has a fairly thick irish accent though the time he's spent in the united states has softened it the slightest bit.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE.

face claim: callum turner. hair color: dark brown. eye color: blue. height: 6'2". weight: 176 lbs. build: ruairi is fairly lanky as things go but he's recently taken to hitting the gym regularly and has managed, against all odds, to bulk up a bit. tattoos: he has a tattoo of a baby owlbear holding a d20― it's inspired by baldur's gate 3 and on the inside of his right bicep ( here ); he has a tattoo of his favorite character from baldur's gate 3 ( shadowheart ) on the back of his left calf ( here ); he has a legend of zelda themed tattoo on his left forearm ( here ). piercings: he has a helix piercing in his left ear that he got when he was seventeen and hardly remembers enough to think to remove it. he wears a basic silver ring there. distinguishing characteristics: the level of energy he has on any given day, his accent, the fact that he always seems to be in seven places at once in any conversation, his smile.

PERSONALITY.

label: the avid gamer. positive traits: adaptable, charming, clever, compassionate, empathetic, flirtatious, independent, methodical, passionate, persuasive, resourceful. negative traits: anxious, impatient, impulsive, mischievous, needy, obsessive, perfectionist, reckless sarcastic, self-deprecating, self-sabotaging, shy, stubborn. goals/desires: to continue to make games he can be proud of, to be a good father to his son, to fall in love again. fears: autophobia ( fear of being alone ). hobbies: playing video games, streaming on twitch, writing in his spare time, cooking, baking, building computers, learning new things, finding new games to play, playing dungeons & dragons with his friends, reading, spending time with his son, playing with his dog, programming, spending time with his friends, listening to music, playing guitar. he notoriously will try anything at least once and he's prone to doing some chaotic things if they look fun or interesting. quirks: he very nearly always talks with her hands to some extent when he’s speaking, he gets obscenely excited over animals of just about any sort, he always seems to have some kind of sweet on his person, he tends to look like he needs to sleep for the next three days even when he's full of energy. he always seems to have coffee or an energy drink with him ( his mother is very concerned for his kidneys ). likes: disney movies, cute people, flirting with said cute people, spending time with his friends and family, taking naps with his son and his dog, strong coffee, food of any kind, trying new things if his friends will try them with him, watching documentaries, watching foreign TV shows, watching anime, fantasy novels, queer romance novels, jigsaw puzzles, crafts of any sort ( knitting, especially ), video games of all sorts, finding new rpg style games to play, streaming, baking, going out with his friends, milkshakes ( he developed a love for them once he moved to the states ). dislikes: being bad at things on the first try, people who don’t listen, anyone who has something negative to say about his being a single parent, black licorice, the amount he throws himself into work sometimes, people who are unnecessarily rude, most hard liquor that isn't whiskey ( he'll legitimately fight someone if they make a joke about it, though ).

FAMILY.

father: ciarán macarthy. mother: maebh macarthy. sibling(s): eoghan macarthy ( older brother ), calahan macarthy ( older brother ), conor macarthy ( younger brother ). pet(s): a three year old belgian malinois named jaina ( after his favorite world of warcraft character ). financial status: upper middle class.

BIOGRAPHY.

Born in Dublin, Ireland - the third of what would eventually total four Macarthy sons - Ruairi ( 'Rory' he'd stressed time and again throughout school, eager to help anyone who cared to listen understand how to make at least a passing effort at not butchering his name ) - was a rambunctious and energetic boy seemingly from the moment he knew enough about anything to get into trouble. And, as luck would have it, he had a particular knack for getting into trouble that was only matched by his apparent gift in talking himself right out of it. He was genuinely sweet when he interacted with most people and between his good manners and even better grades, well, it was difficult for his parents to find a reason to discipline him too severely for his boyish shenanigans.

Being nearly the youngest of his brothers certainly never seemed to help matters - though he wasn't lacking in attention by any means, Ruairi seemed determined to get that much more in any and every way he possibly could - whether that involved placing first in a science fair in primary school with a robot he'd built from scratch or getting in trouble for getting into fights with local boys for picking on his siblings mattered little in his eyes. Attention was attention. His parents disciplined him as best they could and hoped that he'd grow out of that particular habit as he got older and, much to their relief, he seemed to the moment he was ready to attend University. They hadn't quite expected him to follow so closely upon the heels of his brother Lorcan who'd enrolled at Trinity College two years before Ruairi himself darkened its doors.

University was a delight for someone as insatiably curious as Ruairi had always been and he delighted in every experience he could take in - his courses, making new friends, enjoying everything that being away from home had to offer. He had some measure of supervision if he decided he wanted to spend any significant time with his brother but thankfully, in his mind, the elder Macarthy wasn't one to ride him too hard about what he was getting up to. When his brother graduated and Ruairi found himself left up to his own devices more often than not he began to spend time with an exchange student who would eventually become his girlfriend - Margaret Rourke. She was American, in the same engineering courses as Ruairi and he was head over heels for her just as soon as they met.

It was a whirlwind romance in every imaginable way and Ruairi was determined to enjoy every possible second of it. Though, he thought, perhaps his enjoyment went too far afield when Maggie told him she was pregnant a few weeks after they'd celebrated their first anniversary together. Ruairi was equal parts terrified and determined to be a proper father for his child and stepped up in the way he did just about everything else - with laser focus and the utmost effort. The prospect of fatherhood seemed to settle him down even more and shortly before they graduated from University, Maggie gave birth to their son Fionn. Another year passed that involved raising Fionn with Maggie, nurturing their relationship and debating the merits of enrolling in graduate school - something Ruairi finally committed to when he agreed to move back to the United States with Maggie - to be nearer to her family in her hometown of Blue Harbor, Illinois.

Living in the US was something of a novelty for Ruairi for at least two or three months but he was perfectly happy to balance raising their son, attending school, and working on developing an indie RPG video game with his best friend in his graduate program while he did so. Everything felt rather perfect and he made the quiet decision to buy Maggie an engagement ring as their second anniversary approached. As most things seemed to do when they felt all but perfect - they shattered in a fraction of a second when Maggie walked out on him and their son one night - explaining little more than the fact that she wasn't certain she wanted a family after all. Ruairi was heartbroken, to say the least, and tried his best to pick up the pieces and carry on as he always had. He couldn't very well fall apart when he had a child to look after and, much to his surprise, his ex-girlfriend's family still seemed more than happy to support him. When he finished his graduate program as class valedictorian he made sure to thank them first and foremost alongside his own family and his son.

Now, with school behind him and the pet project game he'd worked on during school having grown into something of a phenomenon - Ruairi was doing his best to give his son a good life above all else. Though still only in single digits - Fionn was just as wildly curious as his father though, thankfully, with none of Ruairi's penchant for trouble. There was nothing in the world Ruairi wouldn't give his son and he made sure to remind him at every opportunity. His life wasn't exactly where he'd expected it to be when it had fallen apart as Maggie left but he was relieved that he'd managed to land on his feet above all else and continued to put one foot in front of the other with his gaze forever towards the future.

[greenwayinc]

HEADCANONS, PART TWO:

🇮🇪

(God help me when I have to write part 3...)

No worries about misgendering this guy... because they don't know. They would've forgotten it long ago anyways at this point, so they just don't give a crap what gender they are.

Their name is Kelsey Windsor. It used to be Dermot Windsor but they had it legally changed.

As a human, they're a very pale-skinned person of average height(5' 9"), with curly, blondish-red hair(yes it's a weird colour, but they manage to pull off the look). And they're absolutely saturated with freckles. Everywhere you look, it's just freckles, freckles and more freckles.

Usually wears Aran knit sweaters, jeans, bomber jackets and flannel shirts. They're still living in the early to mid-2000s fashion-wise.

This motherf***er is BUILT. Seriously, they might be neutral but God almighty are they stacked. They'll be up for anything, from US-led invasions to UN peacekeeping missions. For any large military operations they usually serve with America or UK, but they're always happy to just do peacekeeping work. More about this later.

Tiny scars are dotted across their neck and shoulder. Those are the remnants of a shrapnel bomb that exploded behind them during one of his many tours in the Troubles. There's more scars from where they've been grazed by bullets, beaten by batons and worse. They wear them like bravery medals though- each scar is a sign of their continuous luck.

Speaking of luck, they HATE it if you say "luck of the Irish" in a positive light. He is extremely self-conscious of the term's origins.

Much of their history has been them trying to rebel against England, and latterly, UK. As a result their relations could be described from a historical context as "strained"(top 10 greatest understatements in history coming up). However, since the 1960s, they've gotten along with each other and have left their previous animosity behind them... for now. Brexit has not gone over well with Ireland, it must be said(!).

The Famine screwed up their body greatly- mainly, they can't eat specific foods because of the irreversible damage to their digestive system caused by hunger. Mainly, they have to stay away from most fast food and fizzy drinks(although they've never liked the former much).

But, thanks be to the Lord, alcohol is on the safe list. They've said many a time that they wouldn't know what to do were it not for Guinness. As is to be expected, they drink like there's no tomorrow. One time they got so drunk that a SWAT team had to be called to contain them. But usually it ends up in him passing out in the street or having a one night stand with some other country.

They like to travel. A lot. And I mean A LOT.

Absolutely has PTSD from the amount of wars they've been in, plus the abuse from England, etc.

Tea addict. UK's influence definitely rubbed off on them in this aspect.

Jewellery. Oh my lord the jewellery. This fucker absolutely LOVES jewellery and anything gold or silver. They have ear piercings, they've got gold necklaces, silver rings, etc. Bling is this person's passion.

Also a good singer. Has recorded a few albums, which have found rather unlikely success internationally. As a result of this they work with South Korea and Japan on music projects a lot.

The music fame has also landed them roles in a good few movies.

Was a Formula One driver for a few years during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and again in the 1990s. Surprisingly good at it, too.

Has multiple Irish wolfhounds.

If you confuse them with Ivory Coast, Italy or Mexico... well God help ya.

(related to a previous statement) They've been in the wars. Surprisingly often, as it turns out, because they were in both world wars, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Falklands, Vietnam- name a war in the past 100 years and they've probably been fighting in it at some stage.

They and Northern Ireland are estranged. They don't talk to each other WHATSOEVER.

Generally regarded as the "partier" of the EU, and has gained notoriety within the organisation for their drunken exploits.

Good friends with America, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Finland and Sweden. And all the ex-commie Central European countries.

Knows English, Irish, Polish, Lithuanian, Romanian, Czech, Finnish and Latvian. Currently learning Spanish so they can stop embarrassing themselves while on holiday in the Canary Islands.

In a relationship with Finland’s twin sister(will explain later). They met at a party in Helsinki back in the 1970s and have been together since.

Always has the best Halloween parties. Yes, it sounds childish, but they've been hosting those parties since the beginning of time. And everyone attends for the party, the dressing up... and the copious amounts of alcohol consumed at these events.

[hokulazuli]

Friends, booknerds, fandom, lend me your ears eyes! My first ever real post on here shall be shouting out my favorite books that I read in 2022!

2022 releases: 

Fevered Star by Rrebecca Roanhorse

Fault Tolerance by @valerievaldes

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers 

The Kindred by Alechia Dow

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron

Ocean's Echo by @everina-maxwell-updates

Rust in the Root by Justina Ireland

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

A Thousand Steps into Night by Tracy Chee 

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk   

Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore 

Shutter by Ramona Emerson 

The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones (audio only) 

How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur 

Into the Riverlands by @nghivowriting

2021 or older releases: 

The First Sister by Linden A. Lewis

Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta

We Free the Stars by @hafsahfaizal 

The Mermaid the Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Darling by @kaylapocalypse

The King of Infinite Space by Lyndsay Faye

The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones 

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

The Second Rebel by Linden A. Lewis

Ring Shout by @pdjeliclark

Far Sector by @nkjemisin

The Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers 

Heartstopper by @aliceoseman

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag 

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

[philibetexcerpts]

26 January 1954: The Queen wore a gown of ice-blue silver brocade with a halter neckline and a low cut at the back for the royal concert held at Dunedin Town Hall.

As for the jewelry, she wore the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, the Diplomatic Corps diamond floral earrings, Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee necklace, the Edinburgh wedding bracelet, and her Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101 watch.

[chickensarentcheap]

Esme at work :)

So those who read my stuff know her background.  How she worked on the black market as an intel specialist.   Yet we rarely get to see her in that element.

Just a little something :)

For context,  Tyler ‘recruited’ her to help with a job in Ireland. 

@tragiclyhip @youflickedtooharddamnit @munstysmind @mrsmungus @muchadoaboutcj @asirensrage @thesirenrealm @secretaryunpaid @starryeyes2000 @themaradaniels @ninjasawakenedmystar

*****

The wooden floors are scuffed and bowed; peanut shells and wood shavings cracking under the soles of her heels. It fits every stereotype that her mind has ever held of an Irish pub; Guinness on tap, the smell of fish and chips hanging heavily in the air, polished wood tables and booths, chairs and stools and benches clad in rich green vinyl. The Tiffany glass swag lamps that hang over diners as they eat, the dart pools and pool tables taken up by the young and old alike.

She notices the attention she attracts; a fairly young woman clad in modest business attire, the black patent pumps and the vibrant hair. She feels the eyes on her with each patron she passes; the curious, the intrigued, the suspicious. A fresh face in a place like this is bound to turn some heads, and puts an extra sway in her hips as she walks, licking her lips and making them glisten, shy smiles for the men her age and younger, broader and more friendly ones for the elderly gents. It's been a hell of a long time she's had to play this game; lure men in, give them a false sense of confidence, encourage them to approach yet not coming across as too eager. She's missed it. The sense of satisfaction that you get when you know you've got someone on the hook and you just keep reeling them in until they're eating out of the palm of your hand.

“May I?” she address an older man as he drinks at the bar, casting a glance down at the overcoat and the copy of that day's paper that sits on the stool beside him.

“Of course, love. My apologies,” he hurriedly removes the items, then gallantly offers a hand to help her up onto the stool.

“A gentleman,” she muses, and curls her fingers around him, accepting the gesture with a smile.

“Can I buy you a drink, love?” he sounds a little too eager. But he's encouraged by the fact that a woman more than half his age has chosen the seat beside him...out of all the empty stools remaining at the bar...to perch herself upon.

“I'd love to accept, but I'm actually on the job.”

“Something non alcoholic, then. Just to quench your thirst.”

She relents, laying a hand on his shoulder and squeezing lightly. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

“Billy!” he calls down to the bar keep, a younger man that leans against the end of the bar, watching soccer on the flat screen mounted on the nearby wall.

Esme estimates his age; twenty five, thirty at the most. Tall and and thin but blessed with broad shoulders and a wide back. Rowing perhaps. Maybe even swimming. A brush cut that draws attention to the thick silver hoops in each ear lobe and the tribal tattoos that decorate each side of his thick, strong neck. Faded and well fitting blue jeans. Doc Marten boots. A black and red button down plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbows and a white tee underneath. Casual, yet well put together. And he regards her suspiciously as he wanders towards them, both hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.

“Something for my new friend here,” the older gentleman says. “And another for me. “

“Just a diet coke,” she orders with a smile. Not too broad. Not too dazzling. Just right to break the ice. It's a process; some people are more easily charmed than others. She can tell he's going to be more of a challenge. If she seemed too friendly and chatty, it would turn him off from continuing a conversation. Too standoffish and he won't even engage. “Busy in here tonight. Is it always like this?”

“One of our more busy Thursdays,” the bartender confirms, as he moves way to gather their drinks.

“I'm sorry love,” the man beside her speaks up. “But I didn't catch your name,”

“That's because I didn't give it to you. Patience is a virtue, after all.” She pulls out her cell phone...her personal line...and uses the front facing camera as a ruse to fix her make up and touch up her hair, sneaking a picture of the young bar keep as he pours a stein of Guinness. She slips her phone back into the laptop bag, then turns to the older man with her hand out. “I'm Meghan. Meghan Young.”

“George,” he says in return, politely shaking her hand and then going the extra step of pressing his lips against the top of it. “You're not from around these parts, are you? An outsider. What brings a pretty young lass like yourself to these neck of the woods?”

“Business,” she offers a smile of gratitude as the bar keep places her drink in front of her, then takes the plastic straw behind her thumb and forefinger and places just the tip between her lips, eyes never leaving Billy's as she takes a long pull. “I'm here for work,” she continues, and removes one of the business cards from the side pouch on the laptop bag, placing it on the top of the bar and then sliding it across with the tip of her finger.

“What kind of business?” George inquires, sitting sideways on his stool now, leaning towards her ever so slightly.

Billy picks up the card, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he reads the information. “Journalist.”

“For the Chicago Tribune.”

“And they send you all the way here on business?”

“They send me everywhere. Nothing can stop a reporter from chasing a good story. And I've stumbled upon quite the winner, here. I was hoping maybe you gentleman could help me. Give me a little information. Or at least point me in the right direction.”

Billy slips the business card into the breast pocket of his shirt, then leans back against the bar, arms folded across his chest. “What kind of information?”

She leans forward, elbows on the bar, hands clasped around the glass of soda. “I received an anonymous tip. From someone in Chicago that has connections. To the IRA.” Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the way George's eyebrows shoot up, mug of beer pressed to his lips. “Is it true? That this place is owned by a member?”

George is more forthcoming with the information, eager to please and impress. “Indeed it is. Been in the same family for more than fifty years. All of them in the IRA. What makes you so interested?”

“I've heard there's some trouble brewing.” she keeps her voice low. “Between the IRA and one of their ex members. Who has ties to a New Zealand crime family.”

George nods enthusiastically, then looks at the young bar keep. “She's talking about McMann.”

“How do you know of him?” Billy asks her.

“I already said. An anonymous source with his ties to the IRA.”

“What's his name?”

“A journalist never, ever gives up her sources. I'm sure it's the same way with you. I'm sure you'd never out one of your informants would you.”

His smirk grows.

“Look,” she sips at her drink, then taps her fingernails against the glass. “Journalism is a dying art these days. Everything is on the web. There's no substance. No spice. There's no one out there delving into the hard topics and writing truly valuable human interest stories. I want to bring that back. I want to bring back the passion for the written word. A story like this could launch my career. I could really make a name for myself. And I'd really appreciate if you'd help me out. If not now, then maybe we can arrange something? Talk in private?”

He nods down at her wedding band. “You're married?”

“Separated. He's out of the picture. Chose work over me. What's the saying? His loss is another man's game? I really, really, really want this,” she adds a slight plea to her voice. “Badly. And there's nothing I wouldn't do to get the information I need. Is it true? That the IRA kidnapped McMann's wife and son's?”

Billy shakes his head. “Rumour. We...they...had nothing to do with it. It's that crime family you mentioned. Trying to stir up trouble.”

“Do you think we could arrange something? Perhaps I could come back after hours? Or during the day when it isn't as busy?”

He nods, a slow grin spreading across his face. “We can definitely arrange something.”

“And I was thinking...” she runs the sides of her fingers along her straw, her eyes never leaving his. “...it would really help if I could get more than one perspective on things. Perhaps someone higher up the chain of command? A boss? Someone with a little more...pull?”

“I could arrange something.”

“You're a life saver, William,” she shoots him a wink, and she sees the slight blush that creeps into his cheeks at the use of his full name. “Here...give me your hand...” she motions for him to do as asked, and when he steps forward, palm down, she turns it out to face her. Then fetches a pen from her back and scrawls her SAT number into his skin. “This is a better, more private line to reach me on. Non work related. If you catch my drift.”

“Oh I catch your drift alright,” he says, and then gives her hand a squeeze before she pulls it away.

She pulls her cell phone from her back, gasping dramatically when she checks the time. “I'm running late. I have another place to be. More people to talk to. It was a pleasure, William. I look forward to seeing you again.”

“Pleasure was all mine,” he declares. “I'll be in touch.”

She flashes him a dazzling smile. “I hope so. George...” she lays a hand on the older man's back, rubbing softly as she slides off the stool. “You're a gentleman. And incredibly charming. Thank you for the drink.”

“Hope to see you again,” he calls after her, as she slings the laptop bag over her shoulder and heads for the door.

[theheadlessgroom]

@beatingheart-bride

"Oh, I'm very sure," he replied with a grin, making a mental note to wear the pearl cufflinks with his suit on the big day, in order to match with his blushing bride. "I think Ma always anticipated passing them on to my future wife; that and the necklace she wore..."

Remembering it, Randall went back through one of the other boxes kicking around and fished out his mother's jewelry box, including the aforementioned earrings and a few other little bits of jewelry (chiefly bracelets and brooches, nothing overly-extravagant, but still quite lovely), as well as a lovely silver necklace he pulled out to show Emily.

"This is a claddagh," he explained with a small smile. "Pa brought it with him from Ireland; his ma wore it to her wedding, and her ma wore it to her wedding and, uh...w-well, you get the picture. A-Anyways, Pa brought it with him and asked if Ma wanted to wear it, and at first, sh-she was a little hesitant, since she's not Irish herself. But it was such a symbol of love and a celebration of Pa's heritage, a heritage so many people frown on, that she couldn't say no. She took good care of it in the years since Pa died; she planned to pass it on to the next generation."

He smiled as he cradled the necklace in his pale palms; two hands holding a crowned heart, a simple but elegant symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. It seemed only right that this also be a part of Emily's wedding ensemble-he had a good feeling that, much like with the earrings, his mother would be very happy to pass it on to her son's new wife.