#text: finn h

[staceylevcns]

Stacey: I think it totes depends on the situation. I mean, some men have kids well into their 80's look at Robert DeNiro! I don't think there's any rush for you to have kids unless you want them sooner. Though, you gotta think about raising babies at 60/70 and having to run around after them if you wait a looooong time.

TEXT || OPEN

Finn: just curious, but how old do you think you should be at the latest to start a family? Finn: hear me out! my mom's been pretty constant with bringing up grandkids already these last couple years, but now even my kids at school are asking if i have kids of my own way more and i feel like i gotta start thinking about this stuff more.

[sleepynegress]

More on Annie and Mary...

Like the Twins...these two women are mirrors.

Both of their clothing colors reflect their respective twin lover.

Haint Blue for Annie, which feels reflective of both the indigo planted in the south and hoodoo, as a color painted on the ceiling of quite a few southern porches for protection.

....Shades of pink for Mary are colors that represent the contrast between the 'pure white,' acceptable womanhood she presents and the true self still coming through as a lighter diluted shade (clever-clever) of Stack's red.

They both perfectly match the energy of their twin, posturing and mouthy for Mary and Stack, more laidback in grown settled comfort for Annie and Smoke.

I also hope y'all recognize that *both* twins avoided their loves because of something substantial in the way of their own misguided care.

Stack insisted that Mary pass, which is an act of love in his eyes, so she could have a privileged life.

He didn't push her away because he didn't love her.

He pushed her away because he *did*.

In Smoke's case, it was because of the shared trauma with Annie of losing their infant son.

Again. I keep seeing takes that act like Stack didn't love Mary, but he absolutely pushed her to pass *because* he loved her.

She just didn't want to pass because of her stubborn love for him, and called his bluff.

It's clear these vamps don't have glamour powers, or they would have gotten invited in easier.

And don't forget that Stack and Mary's liaison with what one tiktoker called a symbolic pact spell (and I agree!), in that bit with the 🤤...At least the *human* aspects, were consensual.

Smoke and Annie aren't necessarily meant to be seen as the better pairing, IMO...just a contrast.

The fact that Smoke left Annie, while she performed most of the spiritual care and emotional labor alone...even after their shared loss (though Smoke did respect the charms enough to wear and take care of it until he no longer needed it).

Still, they are both apt reflections of the men they both love. And like the brothers, they are opposite sides of the coin. Where Annie calmly imparts spiritual warding clues, Mary is full of blunt verbal bite.

Where Annie is resourceful and wise, Mary is misguided in her attempt to use her white presentation to be protective of her "kin".

I'm gonna say something else you may not like but it is rarer to see Black men with attractive white women in love contexts, in mainstream media than the other way around, because white men tend to steer the gaze in that space...Which is why if there is interracial love portrayed it's usually a WOC, and most often she is ambiguous in appearance. I'll never forget the weird racist incel posts about Finn and Rey in The Force Awakens (whew!).

Mind you, I've already explained the proper gaze within the text of the movie in that time and space Mississippi in 1932, for Mary is a white-presenting Black woman because that one drop rule was very much in effect and violently enforced if white people found out they were "tricked". ...And thankfully, (and with much earned respect, people rarely correct themselves on social media) Cindy Noir also took back her post insisting that Stack wasn't in love with that "white woman".

I am old enough to remember both my white passing elders and black listings for the rare white actress who played a Black man's love interest in film (as in they did not work after even "playing" that back in the day).

So, though the entire movie is gonna catch strays from racists, I guarantee some very salty nazi incels are big mad about H. Steinfeld and also coming for her..

As for Annie, I'd like to hope to continue to see her be part of a reset for standards of beauty in love and love scenes. Wunmi is just so objectively stunning in whatever context... I am WILLING her to star in a traditional romcom or pure romance with a hot lead. It's just so much baggage entangled in the gaze on both leading women, I wanted to get this down.

[ssweeterthanfiction]

🌷 AQUARIUM DATE WITH FINNICK

Aquarium Kisses

Valentine’s Day Week/Isa’s Birthday Week!! 🌷- send me date prompt and a character/character + reader pair and i’ll write a oneshot based off of it!

modern/high school boyfriend finnick odair x reader summary: a trip to the aquarium with your boyfriend wc: 915

It all started when Finnick excitedly texted you that he would be by your place in 10 minutes. Once he was there and you were in his car, he couldn't stop smiling.

"Finn, where are we going?"

"Oh you'll see" he says, smiling widely.

You didn't realize where you were at til you saw banners hanging from lamp posts with pictures of sharks, fishes, and other sea animals.

"Finn...why are we at the aquarium?"

"Well...they're having this special event and I thought we should go!" he says, starting to ramble a little, "They're having special exhibits and special shows and there's this one exhibit with sharks that just sounds so cool and there's another with otters and-" he pauses for a moment, "I just, wanted to plan something special for us."

Your heart squeezes in your chest.

The excitement in his voice, the way he’s practically buzzing in his seat, his fingers tapping eagerly against the steering wheel—it’s all just so Finnick.

"You planned this?" you ask softly, watching as he pulls into a parking spot.

Finnick nods, a little sheepish now. "Yeah..."

You smile and take his hand.

"Well...come on. Let's go, we don't wanna be late for anything, do we?"

Finnick smiles and quickly unbuckles his seatbelt.

Once inside, Finnick immediately grabs your hand, lacing your fingers together as he practically bounces up to the event map booth.

He takes one and unfolds it, "Okay, okay. Here's the plan, otters first, obviously. Then the sharks—because come on, sharks. And then—" he points at a small section on the map, eyes sparkling, "—they have a sea turtle exhibit. Babe. We have to see the turtles."

You let out a soft laugh, squeezing his hand, "Alright, lead the way"

The moment you both reach the otter enclosure, Finnick gasps and he practically runs up to the glass

"Babe. Look at them." he says, pointing to them excitedly.

Two otters float lazily on their backs, paws clasped, eyes closed as if they have no cares in the world.

You smile and walk towards the glass. "They’re cute."

"They’re soulmates," he says, turning to you with big eyes. "Like us. That’s literally us."

Your heart melts and you take his hand.

"It really is."

He’s glued to the glass, eyes wide with wonder as he watches them swim, paddle, and nuzzle against each other. Every now and then, he glances at you with that same softness in his gaze—the kind that makes your cheeks warm.

You don’t even realize he’s taking pictures until he turns his phone toward you, showing off an album full of blurry otter photos.

"Look how cute they are."

You shake your head with a smile. "You’re cute."

Finnick grins, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek before tugging you toward the next exhibit.

Once you reach the shark exhibit , and Finnick is just as excited, rattling off random facts about different species, eagerly pointing at the largest ones, eyes wide with admiration.

"Did you know some sharks can sense a heartbeat from miles away?" Finnick says, practically vibrating with enthusiasm as he presses his face up to the glass.

You arch a brow. "That feels… slightly terrifying."

Finnick turns to you, grinning, "Don't worry, I'll protect you"

You laugh, "You'll protect me from a shark?"

"Yea, I could totally take a shark in a fight"

You roll your eyes with a smile, and watch as the sharks swim past. His eyes sparkling under the soft glow of the aquarium lights.

"Okay, but do you see that one? That’s a nurse shark. They’re bottom-dwellers, kinda like... the lazy stoners of the ocean. And that one—oh, babe, that’s a hammerhead! They can see almost 360 degrees around them—how cool is that?"

You’re holding his hand, trying not to laugh as he stares up at the sharks with childlike wonder.

He turns to you and smiles sheepishly, "Sorry...I just really like this kind of stuff."

You smile and kiss him on the cheek, "No no, don't apologize. It's nice to see you this excited about this stuff."

He smiles and blushes. "Come on, the sea turtles are next"

When you reach the sea turtle exhibit, Finnick’s excitement has only slightly mellowed. He stands in front of the massive tank, watching a large turtle glide lazily through the water, its movements slow and unbothered.

He sighs dreamily. "You know, I think I might be part sea turtle."

You glance up at him. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I mean, I love the ocean. I move at my own pace. And if I could just chill like that guy for a hundred years? Ideal."

You giggle, leaning into his side. "I think you’re more like an otter."

Finnick smirks. "Because I hold hands?"

"Because you’re sweet," you murmur, looking up at him.

His expression softens as he squeezes your hand. "Only for you, angel."

You both make your way to the aquarium tunnel. You’re still holding hands, still stealing little glances at each other as glowing fish and sleek sharks swim overhead, casting a dreamy blue light over everything.

Finnick slows down, pulling you just a little closer, his arm slipping around your waist.

"This is kinda romantic, huh?" he murmurs, voice softer now.

You nod, watching the reflection of the water dance across his features. "Yeah. It really is."

Finnick doesn’t hesitate. He leans in, brushing his lips against yours in a slow, lingering kiss.

When he pulls back, he grins, "Best Valentine’s Day ever."

You couldn't agree more.

[travellingthestarsbeyond]

(hi this is my first time requesting at someone and I'm nervous like akshsksj idk😔) anyways-

can you make Finn ames x strong!f!reader like the that stoic women who can protect him all the time -and love's him secretly because she's scared she might get reject-

(I've been itching to ask someone to write something like this, and im sorry my grammar is bad 😞 「thank you :33」)

ᕙ⁠(⁠⇀⁠‸⁠↼⁠‶⁠)⁠ᕗ to be a real man!

➷ a/n: time to crawl out of my hiatus for the mashle fandom💜🤚 TYSM FOR ASK ANON I'll try my best (we love timid guy x girlboss)!!

➹ genre: fluff, a little bit of angst if u squint, reader is badass but shivers at the thought of confessing

➷ warning: LANGUAGE but minimal, reader is described to be a girlboss but it's mainly gender neutral, not proofread, I don't know how to describe fights

. text under the cut!

to be honest, you weren't the type of girl to shove love letters in boy's lockers. nor the type to like someone that was way out of your league. atleast, in the opinion of others.

the first time you laid your eyes on the brother of THE rayne ames made your heart skip a beat. Like, literally. you wanted to protect him from those stupid ass bullies who kept charging stupid spells at him. oh how you wanted to just.. sigh

being able to put someone in a headlock was at first, just a SMALL flex. having a great physical condition as one of your strengths didn't stand out as much for you as it did for others.

but, that day, it did.

during after hours, you strolled around the campus. captured by the wonderful hues of orange and yellow with some purple in the sky. clouds wandering in the vast horizon as the sun began to tuck itself for the moon to rise. then, you heard the laughs of students terrorizing a certain ames. rushing over with furrowed eyebrows, you spot him. his cooler being pulled by a man that was taller and muscular. (was he even a second year??)..

"ames!" you call out, and his familiar shy, sun colored eyes widened at your voice. the man's grip released from his shirt and scoffed at you. taking the chance, you sprinted in their direction and immediately landed a bone crushing kick in the guy's side. leaving finn bewildered and with his jaw dropped.

after sending the bully to the nurses office, you walk with your crush. your hands shaking slightly as you remained 'nonchalant'. having an apathetic expression despite almost sweating like a river.

"hey.. um--thank you." finn suddenly speaks up, as you nod with your head turning to the opposite side to let your cheeks turn red. luckily, your h/c hair covered that up.

after walking him to his dorm (without crashing out on the spot) he asked for your name. and willingly, you told him. waving goodbye, your heart clenched at the small yet meaningful reaction. so much for a first impression, huh?

finn closes the door (that mash broke just a while ago) with his back. covering his cheeks as it turned pink. his freckles probably jumping as well. he drags a hand through his hair, subconsciously smiling at the moment you shared.

maybe your feelings will be reciprocated, if one of you even tries to confess first. :)

[mrsarcherofinfamy]

DOMINK DOMINK DOMINK FICS

●Dominik Mysterio x Reader●

Summary: Someone from Dom's past returns.

________________________________________

*Y/N's POV*

Walking into gorilla looking at the tv seeing Dom and Rhea making their way to the ring, I take off my sweatshirt laying it on the chair. I watch the TV hearing Rhea talking about how there is no more women on the roster that can stand toe to toe with her. I fix my kickpads still watching the TV. This is my return to the ring since I was out with an injury and everything changed with Dom. One of the producers walks over to me and hands me a microphone. I grab it and tap on the top of it making sure it's on.

"Woah woah woah."

I walk out of the curtains as my music hits causing the crowd to cheer loudly for me. I do my pose at the top of the ramp than bring the microphone to my mouth as my theme song turns off. Rhea is standing against the ropes staring at me.

"Rhea. Rhea. Did you forget about me?"

I start walking down to the ring.

"Remember breaking my leg two years ago?"

I climb into the ring and look at her.

"Remember that? Yeah? Well now, I'm fully healed.... and coming for you."

I get in her face and she gets in mine. I bring the microphone up to my mouth.

"Also seems like someone's little Dom Dom has seen a ghost."

I throw the microphone on the mat as Rhea turns around, walks over to Dom and lightly slaps his face. Dom shakes his head and looks at her. I grab Rhea's arm, whip her around and go to hit her with a forearm. She ducks, rolls out of the ring and I hit Dom in the jaw really hard. He falls on the mat and I turn towards Rhea walking up the ramp. I pull Dom over to the corner, climb up to the top rope and do a moonsault landing on Dom. I stand up, lean against the ropes and point at Rhea.

"You're next!"

She shakes her head no and I push Dom out of the ring. She grabs him as I celebrate with the crowd. They make their way to the back and the show goes to commercial. I climb out of the ring and make my way to the back.

_________________________________________

*In my locker room*

Taking my kickpads off, I hear someone start banging on my door. I look at the door confused, walk over to it and open it seeing Dom standing there with his arms crossed.

"What do you want?"

He pushes past me into my locker room and I roll my eyes closing the door.

"What was that out there Y/N? You clocked me in the jaw than hit me with a moonsault?"

"I was making a statement to your Mami."

"But I mean you really hit me hard. My mouth was bleeding."

"Does the baby boy need to go see a doctor? Do I have to hold your hand while they check on you?"

I say this in a mocking voice and he walks over to me, getting in my face.

"Stop. Right now."

"What are you gonna do about it?"

He raises an eyebrow looking down at me and I smirk looking up at him crossing my arms. He puts both of his hands on the sides of my face looking down at me.

"God I have missed you and your smart mouth."

"Again, what are you gonna do about it?"

He smirks, leans down and kisses me hard. I kiss him back just as hard and run my hands up his shoulders to his neck. We start making out as I run my fingers through his hair. He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me over to the couch. He lays me on the couch and starts moving his lips down my neck as I play with his hair. We don't hear the locker room door open as he continues kissing my neck.

"Woah! What did we walk in on?"

I gasp pushing Dom off of me seeing Damian and Finn standing in the doorway. Dom stands up, clears his throat and looks over at them. I gulp and fix my shirt looking down at the ground.

"Ummm Dom, we came looking for you because we have an interview soon."

"But seems like he is pretty busy, huh?"

Finn hits Damian's arm and laughs.

"Guys, get out! I will be there in a minute."

Damian and Finn laugh while walking out of the locker room. I look up at Dom as he leans down to be face to face with me.

"To be continued tonight. I will text you."

He kisses me one last time and makes his way out of my locker room......

[crossedsabers10s]

I just thought of how interesting it would be for Enzo to meet with your SI-Finn, and how the others would react to their interaction, and how would that interaction even go?

ohohohoo i have Thought about this

First. Finn gets mistaken as a baby vamp. Bc. They half-are? Ish? Not really but also not not.

Second: Finn gets kidnapped, as Finn does. Augustine has found themselves a disposable test subject, one they didn't even have to turn themselves.

(Tangent: Look, I'm no scientist or whatever but like. Don't you need a variety of subjects and such to make sure the study is legit? A good sample pool? Testing things over and over on one (1) vampire is not good science. Even two is bad. Which is why I think that Augustine went through baby vamps like tissue paper. A lot of them have to have died on the table. It wouldn't even be hard to procure more. Like. Original Dr. Whitmore tracked down Damon and Stefan in the 50s--who said it was just them he had eyes on? Plus it was a school were they already had the grounds and system for making people disappear AND a source of vampire blood, right there. Which. Why. Did they keep just Enzo??? His vervain tolerance would only grow, so would his age, both of which make keeping him more costly than just. Finding. Or making a new baby vampire. So. Long story short. I think Augustine did have multiple prisoners at once more than in just the 50s and in S5. And a system in place for finding more or making their own when the pickings were slim. Enzo just had a knack for surviving the longest. But he did have a revolving door of fellow prisoners. Which leads to: Contracted Vampire Hunters Stumbling Across Originals and Kidnapping Them For Nefarious Means)

Finn wakes up in a cell with a quickly fading headache. They do not appreciate this. Thankfully, Augustine cells are not rated for an Original, nor are their vervain doses. They just. Casually break the lock. No real effort into it.

Enzo, watching this: w h a at

Finn then goes, oh hey. A person. And Finn has feelings about people being locked up. Strong ones. Especially given they Know Enzo's like. Having the Worst of Times. So they follow the viibes and just go, hey. You here on purpose? And Enzo's like No? Fuck no? and without further ado, before Enzo can even begin to spill his Tragic Backstory Finn breaks open his cell, then goes to leave, job done.

Enzo, staring at the door half on its hinges, then the weirdly benevolent seeming giant that has just sprung him from imprisonment like it was. Not even an afterthought. Just a given that they would and who is now leaving: oh. okay? Ig we're friends now???

Finn kind of wanders around a few hallways, lost. Because they were knocked out for the way in and do not know where they are and, quite honestly, are looking for their phone.

Enzo catches up with them, asks very seriously if there's anyway to repay them and when Finn goes uh no? I'm just here and so are you and what was I going to do??? Leave you??????? Enzo decides that he is this man's--"nope. not--uh. don't call me that today?" "Lady?" "Not today? Just call me Finn, thanks" "Finn, then." "Ha. That rhymes."--new best friend ever bc Enzo has attachment issues and also a weird notion about debt when he feels like it.

They do manage to find Finn's phone. Kol has left a scathing voicemail about Finn wandering off to chase butterflies instead of meeting him for their Bi-Weekly Coffee and Bitching Appointment.

Kol is, in fact, turning Mystic upside down and sideways and maybe splattering it with a light sprinkling of blood bc his Bigger-Younger Favorite Sibling is missing. He has kept this information to himself, as he's gotten a little possessive about Finn, who genuinely cares for him and other such fluff headed rot, except when he lobs the Finn Is Missing Bomb at his siblings and they start mobilizing, bc like. Who can kidnap an Original? this is Serious Business. Right up until:

Elijah, halfway out the door, phone in hand, three text conversations with three different witches going on concurrently: how long has Finn been gone?

Kol: They missed our coffee meeting (that none of you are invited to). It's been three hours and I still haven't found them!!

Elijah, slowly putting down his phone: ....

Rebekah, where she's stringing a bow: ...

Klaus, putting down a sword:....

Finn has, at this point, been kidnapped for less than ten hours.

Elijah still looks into it and Klaus and Rebekah call Kol hysterical (Rebekah, scathingly and pointedly, bc Kol's def called her that before) and swan off. (They still take a look around town. And try calling Finn themselves. And threaten Elena. Just because? Seems like something they'd do.)

Meanwhile: back with Finn and Enzo

Finn is Having a Bad Time. Sure, Finn's brain went all bzzzzt nope nope nope at Augustine but now they are seeing everything first hand. The journals, the table, the still-bloody tools. They remember the scratches on the wall of the cell they woke up in. Enzo's also been chatting with them, dropping nonchalant facts about having his spleen taken out or swapped with another vampire's or the weird aftertaste he always got in his mouth after electric therapy. (Enzo finds nothing he's saying to be Odd. This has been Enzo's normal for almost over half his life? Ugh math. But years and years. He's just talking and trying to Bond with the New Bestie. Finn is feeling sick to their stomach. Finn has been dumped into yet another shitty horror movie. Finn would Like to Leave Now and is, in fact, dissociating a lil.)

Enzo is Having the Best Time Ever. He is killing so many people. Sure his new friend hadn't wanted to join in, but that's okay. More for him.

(Finn. Does Not Like Death. But this is Enzo's Coffin and they have no sympathy for these people, besides wishing them a quicker death than, maybe, they deserve. But not being cruel has never been about deserving, to them, so they mercy kill the ones Enzo leaves to suffer. It will give them new nightmares, but so will this whole miserable place.)

Anyway. They get out. Finn gets signal on their phone. Calls Kol. Who shows up in a speed-limit breakingly quick time and starts harping on them for getting kidnapped again and interrogating Enzo over if Finn is hurt (again) and who did it (so he can kill them once Finn's not looking) and what's ggoing on (so he can prevent it from happening again).

Enzo, rolling with this, because his new pal is tolerating the new guy's small-angry-dog snapping like a pro: Hello I Have Already Taken Vengence, Tho Im not Done. Want to Join In?? You can have Finn's since Finn doesn't want it?

Kol, semi-appeased: yea love too

Finn dips to go chill somewhere. Finn needs their headphones and their Calm Playlist and maybe a nap. Kol secures the area--and compels a babysitter--then goes to investigate the Vampire Hunting Scientists. This is So Interesting to Him, Actually.

Not blinking for prolonged periods of time, Enzo: bye bye best buddie we'll meet up later. *leaves. nearly gets hit by a car bc he forgot about traffic*

Finn, an hour later: wait does he think we're friends now? ...a r e we friends now????? they are not surre if they want to be friends now

Kol and Enzo have so much fun pulling up Augustine from the roots out of Whitmore campus that they are both in very good spirits when they track down Finn, who has not moved from the campus library and is doing such a good job looking like an exhausted college student that they have gained a mostly-silent study buddy.

Temporarily finished for the day with their vengeance (plus Finn would Like To Go Home Now) they depart for good old Mystic Falls, where surely they will find a brief period of peace.

Ha. Jk.

Enzo, upon hearing the name of their destination: oh wow that sounds familiar.

Finn: ... does it? Really? Because it's not on some maps. Thats how small it is

Enzo, smiling: yeah! the name rings a bell in a mentioned-by-a-traitor-im-going-to-rip-out-the-heart-of-like-he-did-mine kind of way!! :))

Finn: ............

At some point, Enzo does meet Damon. And tries to Kill Him Dead. Damon having past enemies surprises no one. No ONe. What does surprise them is when he Does Not Try To Kill Enzo Back. He also wont let anyone else kill Enzo either. To the point it's a little like. Cartooish.

Enzo, chasing him with a chainsaw: JUST STAND STILL AND LET ME HURT YOU

Damon: NO!

Stefan, to Ric, who is also watching: should we do something??? about this??

Damon, still running: ALSO NO! MIND YOUR BUSINESS!

Damon, once he realizes that A. Enzo's decided Finn is Best Friend Now and B. Finn did in fact do what he couldn't a free Enzo, is. Jealous in ways he does not particularly want to untangle. He gets so. so bitchy about this that every single person in town except Enzo and Finn catch on.

Finn is so chill that they are basically the Mystic Falls capybara at this point. Enzo is... less chill? Chill in a different way??? Chill like an alligator but the alligator is also a cat. But it is not unusual to find the two just hanging out. (Kol likes this Newest Babysitter. Not family, not a threat to his Favorite Sibling Position; capable of protecting himself and also Finn from mild threats (and kidnappings); fun to play with (the playing is Augustine Murder);

Klaus has decided. all on his own. that Enzo is like. A minion? minion shaped? Slotted him into some weird little niche of Finn and Kol's minion. (Untrue. If anything Enzo is some wandering hedge knight that swore himself to Good Prince(cess) Finn and Kol is encouraging this)

Rebekah flirted w him once, realized he was cray cray and obsessed with Damon Salvatore and went : he's still kind of hot tho... but decided against it.

Elijah. Went: oh good they have a friend and patiently cleans up after Enzo's bloody revenge messes in the same put upon manner he does everyone else's

okay ive run out of words. thank you for the ask!

[oyasuminto]

L W X Y and H for our favourite alter ego Finn?

Hell: What would be their darling’s worst experience with them?

Having to deal with the way he panics when he thinks someone will discover his dirty little secret. Finn has worked so hard to get where he is! All the therapy and medication and cutting people off when he starts getting too close oh god he's so lonely...

Love letters: How would they go about courting or approaching their darling?

He tries to be normal. Really, he does! Finn will find ways to be around them and strike up some conversations so they can get to know each other, maybe he'll ask them out for coffee, his treat. He might even go to his mother for advice, she's back in the dating scene, she has to know how this works!

Wit’s end: Would they ever hurt their darling?

Not on purpose but... he's a big guy, and with all the stress and panicking there's a good chance he'll lash out or grab them too hard. They'll be bombarded with apologies and gifts afterwards, but he also can't stop staring at their bruises.

Xoanon: How much would they revere or worship their darling? To what length would they go to win their darling over?

He adores them more than life itself. Finn needs them to know just how much he loves them and cares for them and wants them to be happy. He would give them anything; money, gifts, affection, his blood. Ask and they shall receive.

Yearn: How long do they pine after their darling before they snap?

As long as he possibly can. Finn wants to do this the right way. He doesn't want to hurt them, he doesn't want to give in to his impulses! His therapist will be getting a lot of panicked calls and texts as Finn realizes just how deeply he's fallen.

[whatsgoingonlove]

Empatilösa kräk

"Sanningen är väl den att det därute vimlar av folk som uppvisar grava brister i såväl empati som inlevelseförmåga i hur andra människor känner. Med de senare menar jag de människor som får ta emot de elakheter som folk kläcker ur sig. Eller så förstår de som ägnar sig åt att uttala saker som detta eller liknande mycket väl hur det de säger kommer att tas emot och kännas för mottagaren och helt enkelt bara skiter i det.

Finns så, så mycket bittra människor därute som genom att trycka till andra känner att de mår bättre själva. Eller ja, är väl mer komplicerat än så. Ibland drar jag mig nästan för att gå ut på fb faktiskt. Jag tycker mig se alldeles för mycket personangrepp, folk som brukar olika typer av härskartekniker, rasism, sexism samt rena elakheter. Love is a rare thing out there, känns det i vissa stunder."

Tirad från mig efter att jag har reagerat på ett inlägg inne på fb-sidan Svart kvinna. Inlägget bestod av vad en rasistisk kvinna i Göteborg vräkt ur sig mot en färgad kvinna i Bergsjön. Det finns många inlägg inne på den sidan där min text skulle passa. Men det jag tar upp skrevs 5 mars 2015.

"Man ser/läser nåt och så tänker man att lägre än så här kan ej människosläktet sjunka. Men man har ständigt fel på den punkten." Var en kommentar jag skrev på ett helt annat ställe, nämligen till ett inlägg från Viralgranskaren. Men det passar in här.

Närbesläktat till detta ämne är då figurerna i NMR. Dessa höll då under sensommaren 2018 en olaglig demonstration på en flotte (!) på Stockholms ström. Se Tobias H:s inlägg från 2018.

Svart kvinna, 5 mars 2015, Svart kvinna ska gå och handla: Facebook

Tobias H, 25 augusti 2018, NMR:are cirkulerar just nu runt Stockholms slott och håller tal via högtalare: NMR:are cirkulerar just nu runt Stockholms... - Tobias Hubinette | Facebook

[engbergsinfinland]

Greetings on a Grey Saturday

It is for sure grey out there, and cold, and it will get dark around 3:30 p.m., but it just sort of seems like a regular day! I have a cold, but luckily it is not too severe. I am just going about a recognizable weekend routine. But, I did totally forget that Rowan had ballet dress rehearsal today and his teacher texted me to ask whether everything was OK and that everyone had missed him today. I am seriously getting Google Translate fatigue. Everything that comes across my WhatsApp or email from the ballet, gymnastics, or ice skating is, logically, in Finnish, so I have to translate everything. And, I am missing things -- as today's absence from dress rehearsal shows. He has another ballet dress rehearsal tomorrow (I am very glad Sari, his teacher, reminded me) and then right after that he has tap rehearsal. I am on top of the tap communications because his teacher is Dutch and writes to everyone in English. Next weekend is the holiday show, and so we are in high-gear getting ready for that.

Yesterday was Finnish Independence Day! The kids were off of school, but the day before they had some special event at school because of the holiday: all of the 6th graders (including Rowan) sang in Finnish at two school assemblies and Cece's class got many treats, both for the holiday and for two kids' birthdays. Kids were invited to wear fancy clothes to school, if they wished. Cece wore a cute blue H&M dress I got at a thrift store the day before. It was so cute and I feel a bit better buying "fast fashion" if I am buying it as a second or third owner. Anyway, yesterday, on the actual holiday, Cece and I took the train to Jyväskylä for her ice skating competition! We arrived at the rink just around 11 a.m. and then we got her outfit on and her hair done. Then, we waited. She started her off-ice warm up around 12:45 and then she had on-ice warm up close to 1 p.m. and then she skated -- first in a huge group of "artists with no axel." There were 28 girls, and they ranged from her age (maybe there were one or two girls younger than her) all the way up to the high teens. I thought this organization was a bit odd. Seeing her, brand new to this division and with such a long skating program for the first time, competing against girls who were like 16 was really a new thing. Anyway, she skated her program well! She was so proud of herself. But, it is so hard going first. And they did each grouping, comprised of eight girls each, and there were several breaks for ice-cleaning and new groups' warm-ups. The results, which we waited and waited for, were released at about 6:20 p.m., and some teenagers won the top three places, and then the top ten were all older girls except maybe two of the younger ones, who clearly had a lot of experience at this level. Cece was much more depressed after the announcing of the results, but she -- I love her resilience-- bounced back quickly and said "well, it's hard going first, and I know there are some things I can do better in my program, and I will work to do that for next time!"

We were able to get to the train station with 40 minutes before our train and we ate at a sushi buffet, which is something Cece loves to do. Once we were on the train, we watched something that is traditional for Finns to watch on Independence Day: the procession of guests arriving to the Presidential Palace for the gala! There were like 1500 guests! I guess it is something of a national pastime to comment on all of their attire. There was a live chat on the YLE Areena stream of the event and we even made two comments :) The prime minister's wife's dress was amazing. I love it. I will post a picture below. The picture I found does not do it justice at all, but you will get some idea.

This week otherwise -- after our incredible, whirlwind trip to Ruka last weekend-- just flew by. One exciting development was that I was invited to give a talk at a Swedish university in March, so we will start sorting out all of the details for that soon. I also have an invitation to talk at a Spanish university at the very beginning of April. I want to line something up in the UK and Norway, so we will see what happens! This week, I also met with the Space/Environment Symposium group to workshop my D. H. Lawrence paper, and that went well! They gave me some great feedback and I will do some revisions this week, before I deliver the content as a lecture, for the virtual event "The Lawrence London Group" on Wednesday of this coming week. After the Space/Environment meeting, we all went to lunch. That is very common here: going to lunch with your workmates. So civilized. No eating lunch hunched over your desk for these people!

My students turned in their final projects on Wednesday and I am going to try to have them all graded by Monday night. Monday is Eric's and my 18th anniversary! I will let you know what kind of fun stuff we end up doing -- if I feel better from this cold, that is! It is kind of taking the wind out of my sails.

Cece also this week got to try out her new gymnastics group, the "perhoset" (or "butterfly") group. She was thrilled. They practiced for 2.5 hours on Tuesday. Now, the coach is 16, and I have issues with that (that seems to be the norm here), and I know there are older coaches for the high-level girls, but this coach is very nice and speaks English, as do many of Cece's new group-mates, so Cece is excited. And this is a competition group, so she may get to achieve her goal to be in a gymnastics competition, before too long. We have a little ways to go, though, in terms of skill development, but I hope this new group will provide a more structured setting for her to learn some of the skills she is really aiming for.

Oh! One last thing. On the train last night, Cece and I were sitting at seats in the table-configuration, and across from her was a young man who ask whether he could move my coat to plug in his phone. We got chatting about the ball at the Presidential Palace and he said he knew people at it this year who were invited because they are star athletes for Finland. This young man, Antti Sainio, was about 18 and it turns out he is a star athlete too, the under-20 2023 world champion in the 400-meter hurdles! He is being recruited by many US universities, his top being UT Austin. So, he is going out there in a month or so to check it out. He was so nice and has such interesting information to share about his life as a top athletics athlete for Finland.

Have a great rest of your weekend, everyone!

[imaginefinneganswake]

His scutchum fessed with archers, strung, helio, of the second, Hootch is for husbandman handling his hoe, Hohohoho, Mister Finn, you're going to be Mister Finnegan!

Finnegan’s Wake - James Joyce

ChatGPT40 literary report:

This line from Finnegans Wake is rich with the puns, polysemic references, and historical echoes that characterize much of the text. Let’s break it down and explore some critical interpretations of its layers of meaning:

"His scutchum fessed with archers, strung, helio, of the second"

"scutchum": The word scutchum might derive from scutcheon (as in escutcheon, a shield or coat of arms), but it also echoes scutch, which refers to a tool for beating flax or hemp. In this sense, the phrase calls forth both martial and agricultural imagery. Finnegans Wake frequently blends these two themes, particularly in how it ties the domestic with the grandiose.

"fessed with archers": Fess refers to a band on a heraldic shield, but this phrase suggests not only the visual image of a coat of arms but also evokes battle and defense (archers), implying some kind of readiness or martial stature. In heraldic terms, "fess" is also a horizontal stripe, linking back to the idea of the shield or scutcheon.

"strung, helio, of the second":

Strung could refer to a bow being prepared for battle, but in the context of Finnegans Wake’s cyclical structure, it may also imply tension, connectivity, or even music (as in stringed instruments).

Helio is a reference to the sun (helios), a key motif throughout the work symbolizing light, time, and enlightenment.

Of the second could suggest the second rank or generation, implying something iterative or cyclical—very much in line with the novel’s themes of eternal return and history repeating itself.

Overall, this first part of the passage weaves together militaristic and agricultural imagery while hinting at a cosmic scale (with the reference to Helio). Joyce often interlaces the everyday (tools of the field) with the epic (warfare, celestial bodies), suggesting an interplay between microcosm and macrocosm.

"Hootch is for husbandman handling his hoe"

"Hootch":

Hootch is a slang term for alcohol, particularly illicit liquor. This fits with the Wake’s many nods to inebriation, in keeping with the titular Finnegans (after Tim Finnegan, the Irish folk character famous for his whiskey-fueled rise from the dead).

It also resonates with the idea of hoot, as in laughter or a cry, adding a playful tone to this line. The Wake often uses humor as a kind of release from its density.

"husbandman handling his hoe":

A husbandman is a farmer, so this phrase literalizes the connection to labor, but also plays with the dual role of “husband” as both the agricultural worker and the marital figure.

The repetition of h sounds in “handling his hoe” provides a rhythmic quality, as well as a sexual undertone—typical of Joyce’s playful use of language. Joyce’s Wake is filled with these earthy, everyday figures like the farmer or the laborer, but here, the image of the farmer with his hoe might recall mythological associations—especially given how agriculture is tied to cycles of death and rebirth, themes central to the novel.

"Hohohoho, Mister Finn, you're going to be Mister Finnegan!"

"Hohohoho":

The laugh here suggests both mockery and celebration. It mirrors the refrain-like quality of much of Finnegans Wake, with its repetitions and musicality.

Laughter is also a nod to the Wake's eternal "comic" nature—the grand joke of history, the cyclical farce of death and resurrection (as in the folk ballad of Tim Finnegan's Wake).

"Mister Finn, you're going to be Mister Finnegan!":

Finn refers to Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill), the legendary Irish giant and hero whose spirit infuses Finnegans Wake. Throughout the novel, there is a recurrent play between historical/mythical figures like Finn and ordinary people like Tim Finnegan.

The phrase suggests transformation or elevation: Mister Finn (perhaps an everyman figure) is becoming Mister Finnegan, aligning with the Wake's cyclical theme of death and resurrection. In the folk song "Finnegan's Wake," Tim Finnegan dies, but he rises again during his wake when whiskey is spilled on him—this myth of resurrection is a central motif of the novel.

This line plays into the Wake's deep obsession with transformation and identity—how individuals are not static but flow into and out of different roles, often grander or more mythical than their original selves.

Critical Interpretations

Transformation and Mythical Identity: Critics often read this passage as a moment where Joyce blends the ordinary and the mythical. The transformation from Mister Finn to Mister Finnegan encapsulates the Wake’s recurring theme that history and legend are cyclical, that the everyday person can also be a mythic figure. Finn MacCool’s mythology is transposed onto the figure of Finnegan, the everyman, merging Ireland’s ancient heroism with modern-day working-class life.

Death and Resurrection: The transition from Finn to Finnegan echoes the novel’s pervasive death-and-rebirth motif. Finnegan, in the folk tale, is resurrected after his wake, just as Joyce’s language and characters continually shift and transform in circular, regenerative ways. This ties into broader readings of the Wake as a text about the cycles of history, human experience, and language itself.

The Blending of Cosmic and Earthly Themes: The passage deftly mixes the agricultural and the cosmic, the local and the universal. Critics like Joseph Campbell and Henry Morton Robinson have pointed to how Finnegans Wake collapses the boundaries between these scales of experience, showing how even mundane tasks (like handling a hoe) are intertwined with the grand cycles of life and death, myth, and history.

Laughter and Language: The playful tone here—punctuated by the repeated “Hohohoho”—has been analyzed as a form of linguistic comedy, with laughter serving as a release from the density of the text. Laughter in the Wake often functions as a means of acknowledging the absurdity of the human condition, especially in the face of monumental cycles like birth and death.

In sum, this passage captures the intricate blending of the mundane and the mythic, the playful and the profound that typifies Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. Critics tend to view it as a pivotal example of the novel’s central preoccupations with identity, history, and the cosmic cycles of life.

[evigtlivihimlen]

Förstår du inte?

☝️FÖRSTÅR DU INTE "komplicerad, avancerad" text, svåra böcker och artiklar? - Nej, du är inte dum!🤗 Det "akademiska" sättet att skriva och utlägga i vetenskapliga termer eller s k "svåra ord" är att likna vid ett språk. Vem som helst kan lära sig ett nytt språk, samma här. Det tar förståss tid lära sig "akademiska", men faktiskt snabbare än till exempel spanska. Man pluggar in några hundra "svåra ord", både vetenskapliga och just svåra ord. Det finns sådana ordböcker. Sedan är det ganska lätt läsa och förstå 🤗

Många tror per automatik att akademiker alltid är smarta, intelligenta. Jag har akademisk bakgrund och kan berätta en hemlis; Det finns många rätt korkade med fil.kand, och de blir lätt omkörda av kreti och pleti (vanligt folk) som har lång och rik livserfarenhet. Så nu vet du😅 Och är du dessutom Bibelläsare, så kör du förbi samtliga akademiker som inte är Bibelläsare, i 240 knyck där akademikern traskar fram i diket i 30 km/h…😏

P.S! Jag förringar självfallet inte att skaffa sig maxat med kunskap, men kunskap finns inte bara i böcker eller på "internet"…Och det gäller att fylla sitt huvud med vederhäftig info, inte en massa skräp eller en blandad kompost av visserligen en del bra grejjer men som är förgiftat med falska ingredienser…Sedan så kopplar många "akademiker" sin identitet och självkänsla till sitt akademiska intellekt, på bekostnad av "kreti och pleti" som nedvärderas, vilket irriterar mig något kollosalt. Men, jag rekommenderar alltså intag av kunskap, maximalt i ett vettigt urval. Och vill du köra i 240 knyck tryggt och säkert, koppla in livserfarenheten och daglig Bibelläsning🙏💯

Behöver till sist sägas; "Svåra ord" är ofta komprimerad fakta eller beskrivning. Svåra ordet säger mycket, sammanfattat eller mer precist om något. Istället för en hel mening som kanske inte lyckas beskriva något tillräckligt bra, så fixar det "svåra ordet" saken ifråga. Men, detta "språk" behöver hanteras rätt, och inte bara slarvigt och inkorrekt slänga omkring sig med massa svåra ord för att impa…👏

[awful-amateur]

FINN????

If you actually end up being finn I'm texting you

-🃏

u h h h yeah, I go by Finn sometimes ^w^

[edgessunflower]

Masterlist 95

[quoteoftheweekblog]

RACHEL RHYS - 'MURDER UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN' (FIRST PUBLISHED 2023)

First sentance:

'We have to walk the last part of the hill.' (Rhys, 2023, p.1).

On D.H. and Frieda Lawrence:

' ... an English writer called Duncan Fletcher and his "frightful" German wife, Klara, who had rented a house a few miles away - "an utter hovel" - in which he was writing a book rumoured to be "total filth" ... ' (Rhys, 2023, p.44).

' "I heard he's writing the filthiest book ... No publisher will touch it with a barge pole, apparently, I cannot wait to read it." ' (Rhys, 2023, p.132).

' ... the Fletchers - the celebrated writer of filth and his "frightful" wife ... ' (Rhys, 2023, p.146).

On literature:

'On the first day, I asked if he'd like me to read from a copy of "Bleak House" I'd found on the library shelves. "Don't you think I've suffered enough?" he asked.' (Rhys, 2023, p.45). ' ... I sat outside on the front steps of the castle, reading with Nora from a copy of "Huckleberry Finn" I'd found in the library, not realizing until Allina told me tht its author, Mark Twain, had been a regular visitor to this very region and had even lived for a short while in one of the neighbouring villas.' (Rhys, 2023, p.89). ' ... I was reading to him from a disturbing novel called "A Passage to India".' (Rhys, 2023, p.115). 'I was reading to William from a collection of comic stories by P.G. Wodehouse. In recent days, we had come to an unspoken agreement to avoid anything too downbeat or tense and stick to books that were gentle or amusing.' (Rhys, 2023, p.287).

On life:

' " ... a person can learn everything they need to know about life from studying ant colonies." ' (Rhys, 2023, p.50). ' "I eat a great quantity of raw vegetables to keep up my strength." ' (Rhys, 2023, p.161).

' "Everyone should go to at least one party a month ... " ' (Rhys, 2023, pp.176-7).

On the Summer Exhibition:

' "I remember once, when Millie was young, taking her to see the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and her coming straight home and doing a drawing and insisting we go back there to h ang it with the others." ' (Rhys, 2023, p.83).

On art:

' "Art isn't just pretty flowers and the same boring religious scenes ... " ' (Rhys, 2023, p.148).

REFERENCE

Rhys, R. (2023 'Murder under the Tuscan sun'. Amazon.com [E-book]. Available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Under-Tuscan-Sun-tradition-ebook/dp/B0B9G2TVCF/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1695558904&refinements=p_27%3ARachel+Rhys&s=digital-text&sr=1-3 (Accessed 27 August 2023).

[ardentblossomings]

Ask!

S H A R E

(Previously on "ask games" . . .)

S - Show us an example of your personal headcanon

Velanna and Sigrun (Dragon Age) start a relationship during the course of their adventure. Finn specializes in Elven magic, as Arianne is not a mage and thus cannot make use of their findings. If Merrill weren't so innocent, Isabela would've started a relationship with her; Sebastian would like to marry Bethany, but the mage-templar conflicts put a pin in his plans. As previously mentioned, my Hawke is definitely elf-blooded, as is my Marquis de Serault.

H - What is your favourite source text for fandom stuff (e.g., TV shows, movies, books, anime, Western animation, etc.)?

To absolutely no one's surprise: Dragon Age. Anything Dragon Age goes for me. Aside from that... I honestly don't know. If we consider "10 Things I Hate About You", where I liked both movie and TV show, it'd probably be Taming Of The Shrew, though I didn't particularly care for it.

(Using the "K" from "Ask" due to previously answered letters)

K - What character has your favourite development arc/the best development arc?

Zuko from Avatar. I guess I could count multiple Avatar characters here (not Aang, however), or even Dragon Prince characters (though some less so), but... eh. Too easy? But it's not about redemption here, so... also Damon and Bonnie from Vampire Diaries, and likely other characters I cannot think about right now.

[casspurrjoybell-27]

Claimed by the Beast - Chapter 7a

*Warning: Adult Content*

War - Part 1

- Everett -

"Take me to bed?" Everett mutters to himself.

"Have I lost my fucking mind? Why did I say that? Why did I almost let him..."

Everett glances at the stairs leading into the basement for the hundredth time, wondering what's taking Knox so long to come back.

The movie he started is now at the midway point and it shouldn't take someone this long to move their motorcycle down the street.

Not unless something bad happened.

"Oh, no. What if..."

Everett hops off the bed and races upstairs as his thoughts take a dark turn.

He immediately inspects the ground for blood and a body once outside, silently praying the body doesn't belong to Knox.

It's frightening and alarming how close he feels to Knox while also hating everything about the man.

Maybe even closer than what he felt towards Shaun and they knew each other longer.

"Fuck. Did he just up and ditch me, then?" Everett questions after clearing his empty, spotless driveway of any crimes.

Eager for an explanation, he reaches for his cell phone, only to find it isn't in his pockets.

As he turns to head back into the house, his parents pull up and park.

They step out of the car and look as miserable as Everett feels on the inside.

"Did you come out here to greet us?" his father jokes.

Sarah gives a pitiful smile before scurrying into the house while clutching her stomach.

"I was, uh, just getting some fresh air," Everett lies. "Is there anything you need me to do for you guys?"

His father shakes his head.

"But if you could go back in time to prevent us from going to that damn restaurant, I'd really appreciate it."

"I'm afraid I haven't mastered that ability yet," Everett teases.

They head inside the house and go their separate ways.

When Everett locates his cell phone, he sends several texts Knox's way.

Hours pass without a reply, leaving Everett to assume the worst has definitely happened.

He doesn't sleep well that night, tosses and turns through the majority of it.

The little sleep he gets comes in the form of a terrifying nightmare, instead of Shaun being the one lying in a pool of red on the floor of Club Inferno, it's Knox.

But the pain doesn't end there.

The knot in Everett's chest expands when the nightmare switches to Knox's funeral.

Everett is the only one in attendance.

No one mourned for the man, no one showed up to send him off to the afterlife properly.

He entered this tragic world alone and that is also how he left it.

The next morning, Everett wakes with dried tears on his cheeks. 

He does a few breathing exercises before rolling out of bed, hoping his nerves will eventually calm.

He then checks his cell phone but much to his dismay, the messages with Knox remain the same as it did yesterday, unchanged.

Everett exhales a frustrated breath while marching to the bathroom for a shower.

If only he remembered the way back to The Fallen Angels clubhouse, he could 'borrow' his father's car to verify with his own eyes that Knox was still alive. 

"What has you frowning like you've lost your best friend?" his father asks during breakfast.

"More boy troubles," Everett answers while taking a seat at the kitchen table.

The bowl of cereal he made for himself suddenly looks a lot less appetizing when he picks up his spoon.

"I can't seem to stay out of it."

His father grunts and then glances over his newspaper to meet Everett's eyes.

"I remember the biker that came over here last week. The tall, skinny fellow with all those wild tattoos. Has he been giving you a hard time, or is it someone else? Either way, it's no problem for me to step in and handle it."

"Dad, calm down," Everett laughs, deciding to play along with Finn being the biker that's living rent free in his mind.

"Whatever you're imagining, I promise it isn't anything like that. Miscommunication is to blame but we'll get through it..."

Everett looks at his phone again, impatiently waiting for the text his heart knows isn't coming.

"Hopefully, anyway."

"Well, if you don't, I will happily dust off my pistol..."

"Dad."

"What? I have every right to look after my kid."

"I know, I know."

"I never get on you about the men you date but if I ever find out one of those assholes has hurt you in any type of way, then it's war." Everett smiles.

"Glad to know you're my ride or die. And for the record, the same thing goes for Sarah if she ever ends up breaking your heart."

"Let's pray neither of us ever has to step out of character like that."

His father laughs, then gets back to reading the news.

Everett spends the rest of the day moping around the house and blowing up Knox's number with more panicked texts, half of them cursing him out.

Relief doesn't come until after his father asks him to make a run to the grocery store, and outside he sees a familiar motorcycle speeding down the street.

The man riding the beast of a machine has a large, muscular build that makes Everett's stomach flop.

He nearly drops the car keys in his hand after the uninvited guest parks his in his driveway and removes his helmet, freeing long, tousled locks.

Grey eyes meet brown and Everett's cheeks instantly heat with a feeling that he shouldn't embrace.

Pure delight.