#wessex grove

[ilikethisacompletelynormalamount]

Before the frenzy of Ripley promo takes over, I wanted to highlight Andrew's beautifully moving acceptance speech and tribute to his mother (who died very recently, March 7th) from the Critics Circle Theater Awards and his Best Actor win for VANYA.

Apologies for any mistakes in the captions (and to the stage crew for not catching their names) I did what I could with the audio and the limitations of the free editing software I was using.

Thanks to Cindy Marcolina for the original video source.

[denimbex1986]

'A filmed version of Vanya with Andrew Scott in the West End is to be shown in cinemas this month.

The acclaimed play will be available to watch on screens across the UK from 22 February 2024.

You can find venues and buy tickets online now via NTLive.com.

The original stage production ran at the Duke of York’s Theatre last October.

Adapted by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Scott plays every role in the new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece of love, art, sex and attempted murder, Uncle Vanya.

Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions.

Presented by Wessex Grove and Roast Productions, the production has design by Rosanna Vize, lighting design by James Farncombe, sound design by Dan Balfour, video design by Jack Phelan, movement by Michela Meazza, costume design by Natalie Pryce, associate design by Blythe Brett and assistant direction by Francesca Hsieh.

Andrew Scott, on the NT Live broadcast of Vanya, said: “We put our heart and souls into creating this show together, and we are completely overwhelmed and thrilled with the response. I’m honoured and delighted that our version of this masterpiece can be watched by a wider audience through our colleagues at NT live.

“I’ve never been more convinced by the necessity and connective power of live theatre. Long may it reign.”'

[pers-books]

National Theatre at Home set to stream Olivier award winning CONSTELLATIONS with multiple casts from 12 April

The National Theatre announces that the Donmar Warehouse revival of the Royal Court Theatre Production, CONSTELLATIONS, directed by former artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse Michael Longhurst (Amadeus) will be available to stream on National Theatre at Home, the theatre streaming platform where global audiences can enjoy the best of British theatre.

Nick Payne‘s beautiful and heart-breaking romance was revived at the Vaudeville Theatre on London’s West End with a twist: four different casts took turns to journey through the multiverse and the infinite possibilities of a relationship; each refracting the play afresh. Starring Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker, Omari Douglas and Russell Tovey, Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O’Dowd, and Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah, audiences can enjoy all four versions of the production from 12 April 2024 on National Theatre at Home.

A quantum physicist and a beekeeper meet at a barbeque. They hit it off, or perhaps they don’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways. In the multiverse, with every possible future ahead of them, a love of honey could make all the difference. CONSTELLATIONS was filmed from its West End revival, co-presented by Donmar Warehouse, Wessex Grove and Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Eilene Davidson, Gavin Kalin Productions, Grand Cru Consulting Ltd, Rupert Gavin/Mallory Factor, in association with Nica Burns for Nimax.

Captions and audio description will be available on the platform.

National Theatre at Home launched in 2020 after the National Theatre hosted weekly free streams of archive productions during the summer lockdown when theatres around the world were closed. Over 80 plays have been released onto National Theatre at Home to subscribers from 170+ countries. All titles on the platform are available with captions, and over 85% of titles are available with audio description.

National Theatre at Home has single titles to rent from £5.99 – £7.99, a monthly subscription for £9.99 or an annual subscription for £99.99. Gift membership is also available as a one/two/three month or one-year subscription.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is Headline Sponsor of National Theatre at Home.

National Theatre at Home is also supported by The Linbury Trust.

Visit The National Theatre at Home here.

[asa-do-your-thing]

An Eye for an Eye - 05

“Kindling in the Grove”

Osferth x F! OC - 18+ MINORS DNI

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: fluff, sexual innuendos, adults talking about sex, just general saucyness

Aemma walked along the overgrown trail in the forest, collecting fallen limbs and branches, her short legs striding quickly. The tall grass brushed against her rough-spun dress and twigs crunched underfoot. She placed each log on armfuls of kindling and barked at Osferth to gather their bedding from the horses as she crouched over the pile to light a fire starting with some tinder.

Despite the growing storm clouds, Aemma and Osferth worked together in an easy camaraderie that had been forged in the short time they had known eachother.

"One more log, and I think this should be enough," Aemma said, adding a few logs to the pile in front of Osferth.

Osferth nodded in agreement and struck the bellows to life with a glowing ember. "Let's finish up before the rain starts properly."

As if on cue, the rain started to lightly fall around them in a drizzle. "Right," Aemma said with a smile, turning back towards their task.

Aemma looked up at Osferth with a thoughtful expression, wondering what their journey had in store for them. "Do you know what we have to do in Cirreanceastre?" she asked quietly.

Osferth paused his work and met her gaze steadily, sensing the seriousness of her question under the layer of everyday banter between them. He considered her thoughtfully before replying, "No," he said simply. "But I imagine it will be difficult."

The dim light of the campfire gave a slight warmth to the cold night and Aemma and Osferth had just finished setting up the tents when they heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance.

As it drew closer, they could hear the jingle of armor and the rustle of fabrics. Aemma's heart skipped a beat as she recognized the familiar forms of Finan, Sihtric, and Uhtred.

Their faces were weathered by years of battles and hardships, but their eyes held an indomitable spirit as they dismounted from their horses.

"You made it!" Aemma exclaimed, embracing each one in turn.

"Aye," Uhtred smiled, his eyes twinkling in the firelight. "We wouldn't miss this journey for anything!"

Finan nodded in agreement, rubbing a hand across his whiskered chin thoughtfully. "It's time we make our way to Cirreanceastre."

Osferth nodded respectfully at them all before motioning towards their supplies. "Let's get ready for tomorrow," he said curtly.

Uhtred surveyed the campsite with a delighted smirk, his gaze never missing a single detail. "Excellent work, Osferth, Aemma," he proclaimed, his voice reverberating across the meadow like a lion's roar. He swept his cape behind him and gave a nod of approval. "We'll make this our base camp before we set out to fulfill our mission."

Osferth and Aemma exchanged a glance, sharing a small smile. As the others settled around the fire, Aemma took the opportunity to make herself useful, offering them each a plate of roasted meat and a tankard of ale.

As they ate, Uhtred's gaze settled on Osferth and Aemma. He cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "I have news to share," he began, his voice low but commanding. "We've received a secret message from King Alfred. He has tasked us with a mission of great importance."

A hushed silence fell over the group as they listened intently. Uhtred continued, his words carrying a heavy weight. "We are to infiltrate the camp of a Thane who has been harboring ambitions against the kingdom. Our objective is to eliminate his son, who poses a threat to Alfred's plans."

The gravity of the mission hung in the air, and the fire crackled as they contemplated their roles. "This is no easy task," Uhtred said, his eyes meeting each of theirs. "But it is a necessary one. The fate of Wessex rests on our success."

Uhtred sat in front of his men, trying to keep cool despite the sweat that soaked through his tunic. He leaned forward and grabbed his sword tightly, resting it against his chest. "We could charge into battle and hope for the best," he mused. "Or we could be smart about this and plan a proper attack."

"I agree with Uhtred," said Finan. "We need to think before we act."

Sihtric cleared his throat. "But how do we infiltrate the Thane's son's camp?"

Osferth chimed in, "I suggest we scout out the area first and assess our options."

Uhtred nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, so Finan and Sihtric will lead the scouting party. Osferth and I will gather intel from the locals. And Aemma, you'll have to use your charms to lure away the Thane's son."

Aemma raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And how am I supposed to do that?"

Uhtred smirked. "I'm sure you'll find a way."

"Still, under which pretense am I to lure him away? Should he think that he should help me? Or do you want me to lure him out for a rut? Because if it's the latter, I'm afraid that'll be difficult. These men could do it anywhere, hell, I've even seen a nobleman bending over a maid while she was cooking," Aemma said with a nervous twitch in her brows.

"I... I cannot think of anything to lure him out." She let out a sigh and rested her head on her arm, finishing her ale. "Come on, you lusty dogs, I'm sure you can think of something," she said with a small grin and watched Osferth turning a deep shade of red.

"I... ehm, I do not know...," he choked out and looked at Finan for help. "You're the kind of man that knows his way around these things? Or... Sihtric? Maybe even you, Lord Uhtred?"

Finan grinned mischievously and leaned forward. "I've got just the thing," he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

Aemma raised her eyebrows, intrigued. "Go on," she urged.

Finan leaned in closer to Aemma and whispered a plan in her ear.

Aemma's cheeks flushed as she listened, but she couldn't deny the thrill of excitement that coursed through her.

"I can do that," she said, a sly grin spreading across her lips.

Uhtred nodded in approval. "Good. We leave at first light. Everyone rest up. We have a long day ahead of us."

With the plans for the next day set, Uhtred bid everyone goodnight and retired to his tent. Finan and Sihtric followed suit, leaving Osferth and Aemma alone by the fire. The shadows from the trees danced in the orange light of the flames as Aemma stirred some more stew in a pot over it. She offered Osferth a bowl before taking her own, settling down beside him.

As they ate their meal silently, Aemma couldn't help but feel an odd sense of excitement. This mission was dangerous yet exhilarating - she felt like anything was possible right now. She turned towards Osferth with a smile; he was so composed despite all that lay ahead for them tomorrow.

"We can do this," Aemma said firmly, her gaze meeting his own determined one. "Our skills combined with Uhtred's experience will make us almost invincible." She paused for a moment as she thought about how far she had come since joining forces with these men months ago. "We can do this," she repeated softly before falling into silence once more, watching the lights flicker against her skin.

A few moments later, inside their shared tent, the awkward tension between Osferth and Aemma was palpable. They avoided each other's gaze as they settled onto their respective bedrolls, their movements careful and deliberate.

"Good night, Osferth," Aemma said hesitantly, her heart battling between desire and caution. They had dreamt of laying together and even of marriage - yet, as reality sunk in, she could not help but tremble in fear. If she gave in to temptation now, what would the other men think? She knew that Osferth would never hurt a pup that resulted from their time together - but what else did he have to offer?

“Good night, Aemma,” Osferth muttered reluctantly. He couldn’t help but glance up at the ceiling in search of the right words—words that he was unsure he possessed. The thought of her proximity had stirred something within him on their horseback ride, and he had to adjust himself discreetly in order to make sure she wouldn't pick up on it. Though it was his job to make a move, this situation felt more intimidating than any battle could ever be.

Time seemed to stand still as Osferth gazed upon Aemma, his heart in his throat. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her almond-shaped eyes heavily lidded, her hair clasping her as if it were a protective forcefield from the world outside. Her white linen dress clung to her curves like a second skin and those soft full lips, Osferth thought he would never have the courage to kiss them. His fingers itched to reach out and touch her, yet fear of rejection kept him rooted in place. He wanted nothing more than to bridge the gap between them, but in that moment, she seemed so much further away.

Eventually, the sounds of the night enveloped the camp—the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the soft breathing of his companion. Just as Osferth began to drift into a restless slumber, he heard a gentle snore emanating from Aemma's direction.

He chuckled softly to himself, realizing that she was indeed just a human being, and not some part of his imagination. But the sound, strangely comforting, helped to dispel the tension that had plagued the evening. In the darkness, Osferth allowed himself a small smile, feeling a growing connection between them—a connection that was built on shared experiences, mutual support, and the promise of a brighter future.

With a contented sigh, he let himself succumb to sleep, feeling the warmth of the fire's glow and the soothing rhythm of Aemma's soft snores guiding him into dreams.

[evalucent]

Episode Description

In the last weeks of Opening Night, Hadley Fraser kindly sat down with us to talk about his experience with the show and to look back on some of his recent credits too. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Hadley has proven himself to be one of the most versatile actors on the West End stage, taking on principal roles in both musicals and classic plays. Hadley has also worked extensively in regional theatre, championing venues like Chichester Festival Theatre, Sheffield Crucible and Manchester's Royal Exchange. During Josie Rourke's tenure at the Donmar Warehouse, he also worked closely with the Donmar team on a number of shows including Coriolanus, Saint Joan and City of Angels. The Donmar was also where he met his now-wife: Olivier nominee Rosalie Craig with whom they share a daughter. The couple still occasionally work together, most recently on a livestream of Stuart Matthew Price's Before After and we look forward to seeing the pair on stage again soon.

In this new interview, Hadley Fraser opens up about his experience as a performer and as a creative. He talks to us about his current experience of putting together Opening Night with Ivo Van Hove and discusses the importance of taking risks, even when in a difficult financial climate. He admits he was aware the show would split opinion but remained intrigued by the avant-garde director's vision of the show and shares his admiration for Wessex Grove Productions, Rufus Wainwright and Ivo Van Hove. As he prepares to take his final bows next month, he remains grateful for the time spent with this company as he looks ahead to life after Opening Night.

Opening Night runs at Gielgud Theatre until 18th May with tickets available NOW.https://open.spotify.com/episode/5EH6t9c1BwWoHdlScSsttEhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/5EH6t9c1BwWoHdlScSsttE

[screen1ne]

Full Casting Announced for World Premiere of OPENING NIGHT

Full Casting Announced for World Premiere of OPENING NIGHT #OpeningNight #SheridanSmith @openingnightuk

Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions are delighted to announce full casting for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.  Joining the previously announced Sheridan Smith as Myrtle, Hadley Fraser as Manny, Shira Haas asNancy, Nicola Hughes as Sarah, Amy…

[insanityclause]

That's kind of cool that the production company's name comes from Betrayal.

It is!

I thought of you the other day. (Pause) I was driving through Kilburn. Suddenly I saw where I was. I just stopped, and then I turned down Kinsale Drive and drove into Wessex Grove. I drove past the house and then stopped about 50 yards further on, like we used to do, do you remember?

SCENE 1, BETRAYAL, HAROLD PINTER, 1978.

[justzawe]

Put a pin in the fact that Wessex Grove followed Sam Yates recently as did Zawe. Maybe involved in her upcoming theatre project?

Hmmm. Zawe’s project has to do with the Jamie Lloyd Company though.

[fortheheavenssake]

💙Humble Attempt Anon💙

*** All submitted by @anon-annoyed on @skippyv20

May 20

For fun and entertainment - gave the riddle a try

MM ANON ………

5 years old ‘ COVID security ………

There is video of Fauci stating a pandemic was coming I think it is 5 years old

transmission admission??………

Will China admit it knew more then started earlier? WHO?

1st. June. ……………

HMTQ People cover comes out

A pollution solution …………

Covid 19 has taught lessons in solving pollution problems

free at last………

PH? Free finally? Annulment?

kiss 💋 me 😱😱😱…………

HMTQ can get kisses from her 3 Cambridge grandchildren?

another Father???……………

Artificial’s real dna Father is announced?

Spanish,French and judo 😂😂😂……………

MM riduciliousness

lies,damm lies, and MM………

Damm. (archaic and original) a small, essentially worthless coin from India So

Money flaunting PR homes are lies

an expensive squat…………

The cost of pr using TP’s house is going to be an expensive bill to pay In terms of owed favor?

A Greece-y gamble. …………

A double word play on greasy person from Greece that MM took a chance on and will be burned by it?

“ is one sitting comfortably’ good, Once apon a time “

Apon is front eh Middle Ages meaning same as upon. Are we about to see a Middle Ages divorce reminder in this fairy tale of dread?

Great job! Love it! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

May 29

2nd attempt at a MM ANON riddle

First want to say my thoughts and prayers are with you dearest Skippy. May your family be surrounded by Light!!

MM ANON ………

looting/ shooting …………

DT;s statement

“ tic-toc Nanny”…………

Nanny doing the dance

“ ok! Charlotte, get Louis too” ………

Including Louis on the tic toc

“ George,do it properly “………

Charlotte bossing George around

W&K , It’s a challenging schedule ma’am” …………

Laughing at the Tatler article with HMTQ

” there having a bike day at Brands Hatch with Ducati “ ………

The whole Cambridge family went to track and rode bikes while PW rode Ducati

“ Nottingham cottage ma’am”…………

Prince Harry finally able to say he is there

“like old times ma’ am”……………

Prince Harry able to be honest about being at NC like old times with a pause of relief

” I’ll have a quiet word with Donald “…………

HMTQ having to give DT the details of the soon Anulment anouncments

“ not Philip, his diplomacy is wanting”…………

PP not handling the details since he is not delicate

“exiting times ma’am”………

Exiting the drama, announcing the A Nul ment and finally being free !!

“ one shall insist on compliance Christopher “

Insisting on being compliant with all the agreements for A Nul ment (hope so)

Wonderful! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————-

June 8

Another humble attempt at the MM riddle

MM ANON ……

D.O.J.………

DOJ requesting PA to appear in JE court

A Stern retort. …………

Hmmmmmmmmmmm can figure anything for this one.

the sept. Soothsayer ………

Fortune teller - when Kate is due with 4th baby

A 14 day suicide for the trade…………

Tatler magazine has created a suicide for themselves with the Kate article

in court today ………

Is this regarding MM or PA? The demand for PA to be in court or that MM is in court …hmmmm

Beatrice tooo tu!! ……………

Beatrice looks to become a senior royal as she is showing great charm and ability

wonderful Wessex………

Sophia being praised for her awesomeness

more photos from Kate??? ………

All 3 kids will have a new picture released soon thus 3 question marks?

no fuss birthday …………

PP wants no fuss for his birthday on the 10th

“ shall one suggest a gathering of 8 .” ………

Cambridges are 5, HMTQ and PP make 7 and Harry makes 8??

” no, silly’ Balmoral?? ………

headed to Balmoral for the meet up of 8

MM desperatum iri videbatur……

MM desperate situation hmmmm hers or the BRFs?

Great! Thank you….I think MM is the desperate one….😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

June 9

Riddle humble answer another attempt

MM ANON ………

everyone and their brother,brother ………

Trooping the Colors…PH will be there this Saturday?

wow!! What a photo Kate!!……………

A second photo coming like the umbrella one ?

little Louis gets a surprise ……………

Agree with PG that this is them telling him a baby is coming

a well rounded future of three( four) ………

Well rounded meaning the 4th will be a girl?

A birthday tic-toc dance…………

PP gets a tic toc dance for this birthday on the 10th

“ do Catherine , come and bring the children “…………

DoC bringing the children for Trooping the Colors mini even

“maybe a change of routine “…………

Trooping the colour change of routine will be at 2:00 AM - 5:00 AM Saturday, June 13

“ Both of you are an example hope”………

Sophie and Catherine are shining examples of hop for the monarchy

“ yes George,I’ll see if we can get to a match”

George is missing sports and hoping to see a match

Thank you…looks great!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

June 10

super humble attempt at the riddle (love these riddles so much )

MM ANON …

Gone……………

Covid 19 gone from New Zealand with a capital G

everything is now B&W……………

The protests and movements are making everything B&W

“ but’ tomorrow is another day”…………

Gone with the Wind famous line - echos of Carrying On

“ but old thing, I look like bloody Bela Lugosi” …………

PP complaining about something he was asked to wear

“ shutup Philip”………

Telling him to just get o with it

“ just Take the bloody picture “.………

PP famous quip at the photographer most likely said again

”they’ve hardly ever been on a train William “…………

Taking the train to Balmoral

“ yes , they’d be very excited 😜 “ …………

How excited the kids will be to ride the train

🎼we’re all going to the zoo tomorrow 🎼……………

Hmmmm can’t crack this one (PG’s the smart song one!! So grateful)

she lies for exposure………

MM;s never ending lies for keeping in the press

yachting’ secret exposure !! ……………

Ohhhh a yachting owned secret coming - a picture thus exposure

this time it’s explosive!! …………

It will be a big explosive exposure this time

“ great scoop Beth.”

Hmmmm can’t crack this one

Wonderful! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

June 14

Humble Riddle Attempt…THANK YOU MM ANON!!!!!!!!!

MM ANON ……

Adeleville……… Adele’s connection to Grenfell memorial and IT connecting to her….does Adele use Sunshine Sacks? hmmmm

Westfield?? ………… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westfield_Group the malls in LA The Grove are owned by this group https://caruso.com/ and I remember seeing the CEO in a pr fluff of IT

Charlottes delivery …………… Maybe referring to Baby 4 coming same as Charlottes. But not possessive plural hmmm

🎼grab the cash with both hands🎼………… Pink Floyds “Money” Dark Side of the Moon 1973…hmmm

another scam charity …………… BLM has been showed to be directly connected to Dems …scam?

she’s a race… ist …………IT is a race onto her self for sure and clearly is a ist..and JM is now going to turn

she publishes the book ………………… Will JM publish a book now? With all the skeletons?

we will destroy her, we have the tapes…… JM saying she has the tapes and will leak them?

“ no more Mrs, nice ma’am!! “ …………IT no longer Mrs???? TOOO exciting to think about….

“ ones gloves are orf Christopher ………… Hmmm https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/orf/ of disease of sheep to human. Could the sheep following IT finally be seeing the disease she is? And LG is able to move forward with final finals?

“ it was a very good year,old thing “……..PP telling HMTQ it has been a great year (period)

This is great! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

June 16

humble riddle notes - PG & LK THANK YOU I learn so much and am so grateful

MM ANON ………

Shetland lift-off……… https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-53049513

LIZA with a ‘ don’t know em…LM;s public facebook post that she has never met them

” it’s shopping Jim, but not as we show it……… PG & LK have linked to Star Trek, I have never watched that show so completely miss the reference and am so grateful to them for their interpretations. Interesting that it is half a quote. Does this have to do with MM mirror site? Maybe LK was right and the Jim reference is supposed to lead us to a person within the firm? Maybe Prince Edward’s youngest son?

“ matter of fact it’s all dark” .. everything to do with IT..dark and ugly …LK’s interpretation was enlightening and taught so much. Wanted to add that June 21st is also Father’s day in the United States.

first jet easy …………Jet return to Scotland so easy to get to Balmoral

Brexit,old white guys drinking a lot. …………LK & PG interrupted this I am lost

a moment of reckoning ……… According to the Cambridge dictionary “a time when the effect of a past mistake is experienced or when a crime is punished”

a virtual Wimbledon?? …………plans to show highlights from past games

Catherine to the rescue …… baby 4 to lift the spirits of all or maybe she will narrate/ host the virtual Wimbledon event? Or BOTH?

“ Ahhh , a relaxing night old thing “ …“Sydney’s provided a new box set” ……“Boardwalk Empire” ………“ bit violent old thing” ………“ Epic Philip!!”…… “ones usual Sydney “…“great!! No bloody tic toc. PG’s excitement was so fun to read and lifting THANK YOU for that PG, MM Anon and LK for these riddles and interpretations.

This is great! Thank you!😊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

———————

June 16

riddle attempt humbly (Love how I learn through these, I now search the news for clues0 THANK YOU MM Anon!!!!!!!!

MM Anon

“she Ascot nothing on me” ………… IT only went to Ascot once and it was when Doc did not attend https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1296617/meghan-markle-news-kate-middleton-royal-ascot-megxit-royal-family-latest-spt

para-thanks William ……… PW visiting the paramedics to thank them first outing https://people.com/royals/prince-william-steps-out-for-first-official-public-duty-to-thank-first-responders-during-covid-19/

PC , LOST weight??…………That PC lost “dead weight’ of IT with 2 question marks meaning Artificial and IT…hope so!!!!

Oxford,Oxford ……… Protests https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8428313/Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-march-Oxford-ahead-meeting-Cecil-Rhodes-statues-future.html

STIR-oid ………news that steroids help with sick Covid patients? https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/16/health/dexamethasone-covid-drug-recovery-trial-bn/index.html “Stirring an old remedy” “Finding value in an old medicine”

U-Turndinner…https://london.eater.com/2020/6/16/21292624/marcus-rashford-free-school-meals-coronavirus

falling tragedy …………UK headed to recession a tragedy from falling to the Covid 19 https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2020/06/how-uk-has-been-left-worst-all-worlds-over-covid-19 and/or the tragedy of IT is falling into place to a end!!! A NUL ment (hopefully)

the Paris peasants are revolting ……… ……… There are 2 spaces for answers to this one so thinking there must be 2 meanings : 1) the anniversary of Richard II’s chat with the Revolting Peasants at Mile End (1381), and of Owen Glendower’s declaration that he was allying himself with the French against Henry IV, in 1404. Perfidious Welshman. No wonder there are a couple of border towns on the English side where it’s still legal to kill a Welshman as long as you do it with a bow and arrow and at certain times of the day or week. And today https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-medical-workers-protest-unrest-and-fires-ensue/1879407 So happening on this day in past and present

“ we can still dress-up cabbage 🥬 “ …“Anne, my yellow ensemble”…“Sydney ‘ a photo”…“that’s a keeper, old thing” …“ here we go , tic-toc, the three of them”… “O, and Catherine!!” … “ ehhhh, And William “ … “ make it a double Sydney “… “ how entertaining Philip “ PP telling HMTQ they can still dress up for Ascot/his bday and she wears the yellow dress and PP thinks it is a good shot and then he sees all 3 Cambs o tic toc and Catherine and then William join in as well so he tells Sydney to double the drink and HMTQ is very happily entertained by it all.

You are doing a great job! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————-

June 18

another humble attempt…..LOVE LOVE the riddles!!!!!

MM ANON ………

“NEVER………… No chance of IT returning to BRF

“ ………” mon dieu” …… “ “ My God (in french) President telling PC he can’t believe IT is still around and feels sorry for the BRF

🎼some sunny day 🎼……… Well Meet Again (Alternate) Vera Lynn a remembrance of her as she passed away

“ good to meet again Mr President “………HMTQ speaking with French President

air corridor ………Britons could yet take foreign holidays this summer as ministers draw up a list of countries who could be exempt from tough quarantine laws, Matt hancock confirmed today.

“ to be honest,he was an obnoxious old bastard” ……… Maybe Lord Hague being described ? https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53061432

world beating cherry …trace testing hoping to be the cherry on top of COvid19 getting in control …https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/boris-johnson-foreign-aid-dfid-coronavirus-test-trace-a9572941.html

non app- licable …… What does not applicable mean in court? “Not Applicable” or “N/A” is often seen on forms or in tables or for questions. It’s the answer you would give if a question did not apply to you. For example, if there were a question “What is your date of marriage?”, but you have never been married, you could answer “N/A”, because the question does not apply to you.

“ Bolt-hole. ………… Another markled celeb https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8435543/David-Victoria-Beckham-LOSE-planning-row-neighbours-31-5m-London-mansion.html

self interest

………https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/18525189.letters-triumph-naked-self-interest/ Something to do with Scotland’s feeling toward the UK serving their self interest

BOE- more money!! ……………https://www.wsj.com/articles/central-banks-pump-more-cash-into-economy-to-fight-recession-11592482055 Bank of England printing more money as many countries are.

pepper sprayed……… hmmm lots of stories of pepper spray by police hurting protestors was IT in the ned just a pepper spray on the BRF….annoying and painful but forgotten and healed up in a little bit of time….hmmmm

“ O Philip, it’s the last one “……… “Always Downton Abbey old thing”

HMTQ being bummed Boardwalk is doe and PP saying can always watch DA…..does this maybe mean that the gangster back room drama of IT is over and that they can go back to just living the DA life again…….We can HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful! Thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

———————

June 20

another humble attempt at MM Anon riddle - LOVE YOUR RIDDLES

MM ANON

Hello!! ………… Welcome back to the family being together - a BIG HELLO!!

“ It’s a rally Jim , ……… “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer broke down what drove Tuesday’s market rally.

viva espana ………… People were singing this in SF along protests

🎼drink, drink, drink,🎼…………… “Drinking Song” or “Drink, Drink, Drink” is an exuberant song composed by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly. It is the most popular piece in the 1924 operetta, The Student Prince.[1] It was a success for tenor Mario Lanza, who performed it in the 1954 movie, though the part was played on screen by another actor, due to a contract dispute.[2]

black wall……… History of Black Wall being destroyed 99 years ago and Trump trying to bring bring attention there by holding rally there

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/19/tulsa-1921-massacre-trump-violence-legacy

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-20/on-black-wall-street-hope-and-fear-as-trump-comes-to-tulsa

MM , another agenda!! ………… IT’s new agenda of BLM the never ending circling door of IT’s missions and agendas

bollotics …… this meaning fits all this for nothing to resolve it BLM feels like bollotics

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bollotics

Bollotics The art of defining why something can’t be done without any real reason - is a urban word for Red Tape, when everyone knows it is total bollotics that is preventing things from progressing and yet nobody can resolve it.Often found in the work place e.g. when a department refuses to allow a change because there isn’t a process for it, that is Bollotics, just do it and shut the **** up.by MowgliCub October 10, 2013

“ Kate and William,the children are with nanny “ ………… “ Dover Sole and lemon parfait old thing “………… cream caramel,and Irish coffee Sydney!! ………… “September 9th ma’am. …… “ Stay over Catherine “ –

Sounds like the family is celebrating and knowing the children won’t go back til September so asking them to stay in Balmoral for the summer

This is great! Thank you!😊❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

——————

June 21

Thank you! This is great😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

short attempt at riddle (LOVE THE RIDDLES)

MM ANON …

give us a hug…………PH is back and with the family? getting/giving a hug

Duchess of Cambridge Royal collection ………Her amazing photographs

in the footsteps of lord Lichfield ………… photographer in RF now is DoC https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/nov/12/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries

EOS C700 Christmas present … … camera ready for Christmas present Camb baby 4?? https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/cameras/cinema-eos/eos-c700

“slow the testing down”…………President Trump said that’s how you slow the spread stop the testing

Kung-flu…………… PT also called the COVID 19 this i his speech

Size matters………… School class sizes will be small in the fall

reopening NYC……… NYC opening up after Covid19 lockdown- IT going there?

“ get ya hair 💇🏽‍♀️💇🏼‍♂️cut” …………… hmmmm hair salon open

“ 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️🍺 “ ………… Everyone excited for the pubs to open - PW said he was

Rachel for president?? …………… LC said IT has presidential ambitions

archificial daddy day?? ……… hmmm no father’s day cause no real Archie

spotted in St Johns Wood………PH seen there? St John’s Wood An affluent district of leafy residential streets, St John’s Wood is known for Lord’s Cricket Ground, the headquarters of English cricket and a venue for domestic and international matches. The Beatles made many recordings at Abbey Road Studios and fans use the crosswalk outside to recreate the iconic album cover for photo ops. Boutique stores and chic eateries dot St John’s Wood High Street.London borough: Westminster; CamdenLondon Assembly: West Central; Barnet and CamdenPostcode district: NW8Sovereign state: United Kingdom

——————-

[autodidact-adventures]

English History (Part 5): Iron Age

Iron Age (c. 800 – 43 AD)

From the beginning of the Iron Age, relations between the land and people were governed by an advanced concept of territoriality.  This concept of territoriality had gained strength over the millennia – leaders & tribes were already firmly associated with specific regions, which can be seen in the boundaries and locations of settlements.

But this all intensified greatly during the Iron Age, and iron played a huge part in it.  Gradually, new trade networks and forms of alliance were established.  Ritual and ceremonial objects were made out of iron.  The iron trade contributed to the eventual shape of England, as the various regions were becoming more intensely organized and controlled.

The hierarchical structure of societies also intensified.  There were chieftains and sub-chieftains; warriors and priests; farmers and craftsmen; workers and slaves.  Slave irons have been found near St. Albans (Hertfordshire), and a gang chain on Anglesey (an island off the north-west coast of Wales).

Meanwhile, funerary practices for the elite were becoming extremely elaborate.  Iron Age chieftains were buried surrounded by molten silver, gold cloth, ivory, iron chainmail suits, and precious cups & bowls.  One mortuary chamber was found to have trampled earth around its base, which suggests that people danced there.

Elite women's graves contained many ornaments, including mirrors, brooches and bangles, bowls, beads and tweezers.  On woman was buried with a large bronze bowl placed over her face.

The Oxfordshire Mirror, from the 00s BC.

Because of the increased sense of territoriality, regional identities were strong.  This can be seen in the types of settlements in various regions of England:

Eastern England – undefended settlements (similar to villages) among open fields.

South-western England – small communities in defended homesteads, and unenclosed settlements at a distance.  This was likely a division between the tribal leaders and the ordinary people.

North-eastern England – defended homesteads.

North-western England – round houses known as “beehive huts”.

Wessex Culture (Salisbury Plain) – a pattern of large territorial groupings based around hill forts.

There are variations upon these themes, such as the pit dwellings carved out of the chalk in Hampshire (a county on the southern coast); and the lake villages of Somerset (south-western England), with round huts built upon floating islands of logs.

The hill forts of Wessex show that this society was strongly hierarchical.  They probably originated in the Cotswolds (south-central & south-western England), and then spread over the whole of south-central England.  They were a symbol of elite ownership, as they demonstrated the mastery of land and resources.

The territory controlled by each fort was often marked out by linear earthworks that served as boundaries.  The forts became more heavily-defended over the Iron Age, and some of them were occupied for centuries.

These hill forts served as towns, not just forts.  They had clusters of building and streets, temples and storage facilities, and “zones” for separate industrial activities.  The circular houses were made of upright posts, woven together with wattle and sticks of hazel.  Their doors & porches faced east.  The roofss were usually thatched with reeds or straw, which was held in place with a daub of dung, clay & straw.  Soot from the peat fires was a valuable manure, so the dung mixture (and thatch?) was probably replaced each year.  The people had small cupboards inside their houses to store weapons in.

The populations of these hill forts were small, from 20 to 200, but they were the beginning of urban English life.  It is possible that London was once a hill fort, with its origins buried beneath the modern town.

British Camp, an Iron Age hill fort in Hertfordshire.

The many small tribes of this period lived in a state of constant alert against their rivals.  There were cattle raids, conflicts between warriors, and even large-scale wars.  Some hill forts were stormed and burned; bodies have been found in the ramparts, with their bones marked & hacked.

In this sort of a culture, heroic songs & tales would have been sung & told to celebrate the deeds of individual warriors and/or leaders.  Early Irish epics have such tales, perhaps containing stories & refrains from the prehistoric Irish tribes.  A comparison with the Iliad can be made.

These tribes & regional groupings did have network alliances and kinship ties, however.  Many smaller clans were eventually integrated, and became larger territorial units (perhaps because of danger).  These were the English tribes whom the Romans would confront later.

By the end of the Iron Age, some hill forts had become dominant, and took on the role of regional capitals.  The population increased steadily, and so agriculture became even more intensive.  People continued to clear woodland and forest.  The thick clay soils were worked with heavy wheeled ploughs.  This was the foundation for the agricultural economy of England.  They grew wheat in Somerset and barley in Wiltshire, and they still do today.

In 325 BC, the Greek merchant & explorer Pytheas landed on England's shores.  He named the island as Prettanike or Brettaniai, hence why we have the name “Britain” today.  He gave the land of the Picts the diminutive name Pryden.  He visited Cornwall, and watched people there work and purify the ore.

Pytheas wrote about the people worshipping various Greek gods, but he was simply projecting the Greek names onto the native Celtic gods. The Greeks saw all foreign gods in their own terms.

He wrote of seeing “a wonderful sacred precinct of Apollo and a celebrated temple festooned with many offerings”.  This temple was “spherical in shape”.  Close by there was a city “sacred to this god” who kings were called “Boreades” [the Greek god of the cold north wind].

Iron Age art (often called Celtic art) was very intricate, with a mastery of artificial form and linearity.  It uses spirals and swastikas, curves and circles.  Its patterns are related to the whorls, spirals & concentric circles carved upon Mesolithic passage graves several millennia earlier.  This suggests a continuity of belief and worship.

The Battersea Shield (c. 350 - 50 BC), a decorative shield facing.

The religion of England was Druidism.  There were certain sacred places, including caves and sacred groves.  Druids congregated in these sacred groves, with ancient trees creating the setting for ritual practice.

In a barrow in Yorkshire, dating back to the early Bronze Age, drum-shaped idols made of chalk have been found.  They have what seem to be human eyes & noses.  2,000 years later, the British writer Gildas (c. 500 – 570 AD) wrote of these “diabolical idols...of which we still see some mouldering away within or without the deserted temples, with the customary stiff and deformed features.” This shows that there was a long tradition of worship that may have had its roots in the Neolithic Period.

The image of the horned god Cernunnons has been found at Cirencester (Gloucestershire), and images of the horse goddess Epona in Wiltshire and Essex.  In East Stoke (Nottinghamshire), a carving of the hammer god Sucellus has been found.  The mysterious god Lud (or Nud) has his name in Ludgate Hill & Ludgate Circus (London).

There were religious sanctuaries all over the land, and even the smallest settlements probably had their own central shrines.  They have been found in hill forts, within ditched enclosures, along boundaries, and above barrow graves.  Often, Roman temples or early Christian churches were built atop them.

During the Iron Age, it was believed that the rooster served as a defence against thunderstorms.  This is why we have weathercocks on church steeples.

Human sacrifice was practised, probably in order to sanctify the land.  One man was bludgeoned to death and had his throat cut before being deposited in the marsh in Cheshire (north-western England).  In southern England, many skeletons have been found in the bottom of bits, flexed into unnatural positions.

Severed heads, probably believed to be the site of the soul/spirit, were also important.  Skulls have been found lined up in a row. Often the bodies of defeated enemies were beheaded, and their heads either buried or placed in running water.  300 skulls have been found in the Thames, dating from the Neolithic Period to the Iron Age.

According to Caesar, the Druids (high priests) created images of wicker-work, which they “fill with living men and, setting them on fire, the men are destroyed by the flames.”  The Druid priests were the lawmakers of the land – they determined rewards & punishments; and settled disputes over boundaries & property.

Pliny wrote that the Druids “esteem nothing more sacred than the mistletoe”.  The high priests “select groves of oak, and use the leaves of the mistletoe in all sacred rites.”  They tied the sacrificial victim to an oak tree, and the killers wore chaplets (garlands/circlets worn on the head) made of oak leaves.

The Druids practised divination, astrology and magic.  They believed that the soul was immortal, and was reincarnated.  The Roman writers considered this belief to make clear the native English contempt for death.

The Druids worshipped the sun and moon, and this solar belief persisted even after their demise.  In 1452, a butcher from Standon (Hertfordshire) was accused of proclaiming that there was no god except for the sun and moon.  The Druids' power was retained by the Anglo-Saxon bishops, and the tonsures of early Christian monks may also have originated with the Druids.  Thomas Hardy, in Tess of the d'Ubervilles, notes that “old customs” last longer on clay soils.

By 100 BC, there were 15 large tribes in England, and they were coming under the control of leaders who were now being called kings. In the years before the main Roman invasion, Suetonius named Cunobelis (leader of the Catuvellauni) as “rex Britannorum”. Cunobelis' capital was St. Albans (Hertfordshire, southern England), and he controlled a large area north of the Thames, including Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire.  The Catuvellauni were a fully-formed elite culture of warriors and priests, and its traditions went back to the early Bronze Age.  Cunobelis is the Cymbeline of Shakespeare's play of the same name.

Territory of the Catuvellauni.

Territories of southern Britain’s Celtic tribes.

At some time during the 400s BC, members of the Parisii (a tribe from northern Gaul) settled in Yorkshire, where they created an archaeologically distinctive community.  During the 00s BC, a tribe called the Belgae launched a small invasion, and eventually settled in Hampshire, Essex and Kent.  The Roman name for Winchester was Venta Belgarum, meaning “the market of the Belgae”.

England's population during the late Iron Age was about 2 million, and by the time the Romans left, it would be 3 million.  It was a flourishing, wealthy country, with a surplus of corn, which was why the Romans wanted to invade it.

The south of England was particularly well-off.  In south-eastern and central southern England, there was a spread of settlements with extensive towns & villages, markets, industries, shrines, cemeteries and fields.  Julius Caesar stated that “the population is very large, their homesteads thick on the ground and very much like those in Gaul, and the cattle numerous.  As money they use either bronze or gold coins or iron bars with a fixed standard of weight.”  The coins had the stamp of powerful leaders, and made trade easier between tribes.

The further north you went, the less there was of all this.  This was because the southern tribes had been trading extensively with Rome and Romanized Gaul long before the Roman invasion.  They loved certain foods and luxury goods, and were Romanized to a fair extent.

But they still had their ancient tribal ways as well.  There was consistent warfare between tribes, and various leaders appealed to Rome for assistance.  Large earthworks were built as boundaries.  The warriors rode chariots to battle, and were naked, covering their bodies with blue woad, and having pierced tattoos.  Caesar wrote: “They wear their hair long, and shave all their bodies with the exception of their heads and their upper lips.”

[ilikethisacompletelynormalamount]

Congratulations to Andrew for his Critics Circle Theatre Awards - Best Actor win for Vanya and for becoming the first to win Critics Circle - Best Actor for both Film and Theatre in the same year!

L-R Isabella Pappas, Sam Yates, Andrew Scott and Sarah Hemming pose with the Best Actor award during the 33rd Annual UK Critics' Circle Theatre Awards at @sohoplace on March 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Benjamin Lowy, Andrew Scott and Emily Vaughn-Barrett

[denimbex1986]

'Last Sunday, the West End production of Vanya won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Play Revival.

To mark the occasion, famed (and long dead) writer Anton Chekhov wrote the following email, read out on stage by Simon Stephens:

Dear People who voted for the WhatsOnStage Awards,

Thanks guys. This is f**king crazy.

We didn’t really have theatre awards like this when I was alive. There is part of me that is entirely baffled by the idea of turning art into a competition. But if there was one thing I came to value in the course of my work it is that, regardless of what we think about them, audiences know more than anybody else. They intuit things. We need to trust that.

When I first heard about this bunch doing a one-man Vanya I thought what the f**k guys. Haven’t you read my play? Are you like f**king skint or something? But I watched the conditions Wessex Grove made for everybody and the care and the rigour that Sam Yates and the team he assembled put into making the play and I recognised that. That collective faith. That’s theatre. It was the same in the 1890s let me tell you. It’s timeless. And now I think I know what they were trying to do. I think that they, like me, had faith in their audience. And the power of a shared imagination. And they had a faith that a congregation of strangers gathered in one space at one time to imagine the same thing for a while, can be astonishing.

It can survive pandemics. It can survive economic peril. Despite how hard a government might try to break theatres and challenge our faith in the shared experience, and they do try, they do, they never will. It transcends our individuality. It survives us.

I also realised that Andrew Scott was f**king mental good. He is an actor of brilliance and diligence and wit and humanity. And if I was alive now, I would definitely want to work with that f**ker.

Have some champagne for me. F**k, I miss champagne.

Love Anton.

Vanya is being released in cinemas next week.'

[quicksilverlightning]

I have chased you through a thousand novels.

You saw her under a black umbrella on the corner of Cherry and Wessex. Dark eyes, dark hair, pale skin; her rainbow polka dot rubber boots felt incongruous under the orange street lamp as she stepped back, avoiding the wave created by a passing taxi. The rain splatters over the taut black curve of her umbrella in a melody you almost recognize before the tempo changes with her impatience and she walks into the street just before the walk sign changes. You start from your place under the awning of a small-time lawyer in a small-time town - the compulsion to follow her, to know her, is suddenly unbearable. You duck into the rain, heading for the crosswalk, already feeling the uncomfortable sensation of water down your collar. The white walking man is blinking orange - you only have a few seconds to reach the corner and cross. Your feet graze the street just as a flashing ambulance appears from around the bend; the wail of the siren is like a death whistle, and you rock yourself back just as it passes and you can see the splash of the puddle coming in slow motion, full of yellowed leaves and you raise your arms, hoping to at least keep the grime from your eyes as you shut them tightly.

You see her again in a garden, blonde ringlets bouncing in the sunlight. Her wicker basket is full of jonquils, tulips, and a small white flower you have no name for. You place your finger in the pages of your book and rest the spine on the stone bench you find yourself occupying, breath caught between the dappled light under the trees and the translucency of her white sundress fluttering in the breeze. The hum in your ears might be the honeybees flitting in the azalea bushes, or it might be the white noise of love at first sight - you’re too caught in the moment to care which. Her blue eyes flash with a wild, untouchable joy as a dragonfly alights upon her fingers curving over the basket handle. A sudden gust sends her sunhat flying - the dragonfly takes off as she yanks herself forward to grab it, but it’s already out of her reach. The straw bristles graze against your forehead and your senses are suddenly flooded with the scent of her coconut shampoo. Your free hand rises to pull the hat down, shading your eyes from the harsh glare of the day. The heat of the desert is absolutely ruthless - your white shirt and cargo pants do nothing to spare you from the brutal gaze of the sun. The excavation is going smoothly - your team has already procured enough priceless treasures to fill a museum, and the tomb is still largely untouched. Today is the day you will remove the funeral mask - today, you will finally see the face of the woman so beloved her servants willingly followed her to the grave. You step into the tomb and the temperature instantly drops ten degrees, falling lower with each antechamber until you find yourself in the center of the complex where she awaits. The gold funeral mask is painted and stylized with harsh angles that only vaguely resemble a human face. The flicker of torchlight casts strange shadows, further distorting the false persona laid over her body. Your team is ready; all of them have gathered here for this moment, the climax to twelve years of searching. Your hands tremble only a little. The mask is cold to the touch, and incredibly smooth. You hook the tips of your fingers just so around both sides of the dense metal, pulling as gently as possible. A few strands of straight black hair rise with the mask, and fall again as you lift it away completely, leaving the face of this land’s legendary queen open to your gaze. In the dark, a black cat brushes up against your ankles. You look down, catching a glimmer of green eyes, before the cat bolts away, dodging between the puddles and garbage cans of the back alley. You take another drag on your cigarette, holding the smoke in your lungs before letting go with a sigh.Your boss is just about ready to fire you again, this time over a spilled beer bottle. It’s almost not worth going back in. You flick the butt away - it lands in a greasy puddle without a splash. You’re halfway turned towards to door when she runs by - her long black hair waves behind her like a banner and her combat boots hit the pavement like bricks as she speeds through the alley, taking almost exactly the same path as the cat from minutes ago. You would finish your turn and get back to the bar, but you saw the fear on her face - the whites of her eyes, the jerky movement of her arms, the rapid breathing that had nothing to do with simple exertion. You call out and begin to run. She makes one turn, then another, stumbling over a pile of flattened cardboard boxes and jumping over discarded two by fours. You can barely keep your eyes on her vintage bomber jacket in the poorly-lit backstreets; you rely on the sounds ahead of you to keep up, and hope you’re only imagining the sounds behind you. The passage opens up suddenly, and you find yourself in the ocean, waves crashing over the sand in cadence with the cry of the gulls. You brush the sand from your knees and reach for the surfboard that knocked you over, passing it to the sheepishly grinning boy who lost control. You make your way back to the blanket spread under the grove of palm trees, lying back to watch the clouds roll by. You must have dozed off at some point, because the sun is much lower in the sky when you open your eyes again. The sky is just beginning to glow and the ocean is a little less cerulean and a little more navy. You prop yourself up on your elbows, wondering what time it is when she walks by. Her red hair is slightly damp, clinging to her shoulders in a way that makes your swim trunks feel a little tighter. Around her neck, held loosely by a black cord, a white scallop shell hangs perfectly between her sun-kissed breasts. She’s holding a glass bottle with a rolled scrap of paper inside, and you wonder if she found it in the surf, or if she’s planning to throw it in. You pick yourself up off the blanket, stepping on to the warm stones of the cathedral courtyard. The singing is louder here, and you know you’re close to the source. You step as quietly as possible, over fallen pillars and shards of stained glass scattered all over the cobblestone. An echo of song reaches your ears, and you think you can make out some of the words. You’re on the other side now, the side covered in shadows, and you can see a set of stairs that weren’t visible from the entrance. They go up into the clouds; you grip the armrests of your seat, uneasy with the sensation of taking off. The woman across the aisle is eagerly looking out the window, watching the airport shrink into a pinprick. You wish you were so comfortable with flying. You also wish you were brave enough to talk to her - it’s going to be a long eight hours without anyone to talk to. You breathe a little easier as the plane levels out and can already hear some of the other passengers un-clicking their seat belts. You keep yours on, glancing again at the cover of her book - her palm covers the title, but the dust jacket looks familiar. You open your mouth ask her about it, but shut yourself up, quickly - you can’t bring yourself to interrupt a reader, to pull her lovely brown eyes away from the page that has so captured her interest, to remind her that her coffee is getting cold and her chocolate chip cookie is uneaten and the clouds look like they might rain and you have so much laundry to do. You’re already on the third load today, washer spinning your clothes like a personal hurricane. You can’t complain though - you always save the laundry for Thursdays. You glance at the clock just as the bell over the door jingles and know she’s right on time. The basket at her hip is full of pastels and skirts dirtied with garden soil. Her moccasins hardly make a sound over the tile as she heads for a washer only a few spaces down from your own. You can see your reflections together in the laundry shop window - her; soft, blonde, gold-rimmed glasses and beads, and you; gawky, awkward, nerdy t-shirts and Converse shoes hitting the pavement with a pile of resumes under one arm. None of the big companies are hiring much, but you might have more luck in some of the smaller businesses. You wonder if the pizza place with the cute cashier is looking for anyone - won’t hurt to give it a shot. You decide to begin your job hunt in that direction, when a sudden squeal of tires has you stomping on the breaks - the driver on the other side of the road has hit someone. You frantically reach for your seat belt, struggling a moment with the buckle before rushing over to see what you can do. The woman in the street is unconscious, blood pooling at the tip of your finger as the nurse presses it against the glucose meter. She has lovely brunette hair pulled back into a bun and all you can think about it pulling it loose to watch the cascade down her back. The prim white uniform is sterile, professional, but does nothing to hide her curves. The meter beeps with a shrill buzzing and you slow your jog to a walk. You rest your hands on your knees - maybe next week you’ll be able to keep up with her. Maybe the week after that, you’ll be able to talk as you run. Maybe the week after that one, pigs will fly. You huff and lift the package over the counter; same day delivery, just like always. You wonder what she’s sending in all these boxes, and to who. She thanks you with a pleasant smile and heads out the door to the Corvette she left idling outside. Your coworker’s radio is playing Mozart on a violin that looks older than her. Her song is impossibly beautiful, and you find your eyes watering with the sting of pepper spray. The riot shields are backing your fellow protesters into a corner, and you look for the girl with green hair, hoping she’s alright. You see her pick something up from the ground - a rock? She turns it over in a her hand, her expression curious. You move a little faster, heart racing with fear; you’ve dreamed this before, and you know, with absolute certainty, that the town’s witch is in danger. You reach out an arm to hail a cab, but it isn’t going to stop. In the backseat you can see a woman in a sharp business suit, ear pressed against a cell phone with a pained expression. Her red nails are clenched into her free palm, and her mascara is running down her cheeks. You see all this in but a moment - and then the cab is gone. Speeding around the corner, you nearly crash your bike into a woman with an armful of groceries. You yank the handlebars just in time, choosing to crash into a telephone pole instead. You faintly hear the woman drop her bags in shock - your dazed head hopes vaguely that she wasn’t carrying any eggs. You are in an empty station. The trains are all long gone for the night, save one, a black and red locomotive idling before a woman in a long brown skirt, a traveling coat, and sensible leather boots. The large suitcase sitting next to her is old and frayed at the corners; the few travel stickers are illegible now. You walk to her, one echoing footfall at a time. She turns her her to you, a faint smile on her face, as you slow, stopping barely a foot from where she stands. You say I have chased you through a thousand novels. She says I know. The train lets out a whistle as the steam bellows from the smokestack; you sense rather than hear the all aboard from the conductor. The woman picks up her suitcase, holding the bar with both hands. She turns to face you once more. Then, with that strange smile still gracing her lips, she bows, once, and boards the train. She hefts her suitcase up the stairs, the conductor following just after with a tip of the hat in your direction. You can still see her through the window of the passenger car, handing the inspector her ticket. She glances to you outside; you raise a hesitant hand and she smiles, a true smile, and waves back. The train whistles again and jerks, a fog of steam clouding the window. You step once, twice, as the train begins to pick up speed. You see the woman turn her head to the future. You stop, letting the rush of cars ruffle your hair, one hand loosely gripping at your coat, watching the train vanish into the distance. You stand a few minutes more, lost in thought, before finally moving away. With a gentle sigh you close the book.

[hollowgroverp]

❝  wanted connection

emmett bryson (henry cavill) is looking for a brother    please contact jules here if you’re interested in filling out this connection this connection is (open. closed)

Name of requested character:

I’ve called him Garrett Bryson but I’m open to name changes!

Age range:

961. I’ve said Emmett was two years younger than him and Emmett is 959. Emmett last saw his brother when he was 28 so how old he appears can be anything from 28+

Faceclaim (please try to state more than one suggestion):

I’ve always pictured Richard Madden. I’m open to others though! Really any male fc with dark hair that looks like he could pass for Henry’s brother. Some potential others could be Jamie Dornan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tom Welling, Daniel Gillies, Josh Duhamel, James Marsden, or possibly even Paul Wesley. I’m always open to having ideas run by me! This is by no means an exhaustive list. 

Species:

Vampire

Connection to Character:

Brother

Background:

I went a little bit history heavy for Emmett’s bio, but pretty much everything you need to know for their childhood should be in Emmett’s bio here, but I’ll also give you a rundown of the history in this section. Garrett and Emmett are the son of a nobleman in Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the south of Great Britain in the mid-11th century. Given Garrett’s age he would be born in 1057 (or around then depending on any shifts in age). They were both prepared to be a lord of their own land one day. They had access to education, and were able to learn things like Latin and math, and they were trained from a young age to sword fight so that they could one day defend their land and the land of their king. The two would go with their father, Lord Bryce, on his hunting trips once they were old enough, and would have been well aware of their social status in relation to everyone else.

It all changed for their family after the conquest of England in 1066 (this is where it gets history heavy). William the Conquer invaded England and won the battle of Hastings, killing Harold Godwinson. Bryce believed that William would eventually be beaten even after the battle of Hastings but he was wrong, and William continued to win battles and was eventually crowed the king. Their family remained, hoping a rebellion would overthrow the conqueror until it become all too clear that it would never happen. To consolidate his hold on England, William confiscated land from English nobles, giving the land to his French followers so they would hold all the power and wealth. Instead of being forced to become peasants, their family took what they could and fled to the Byzantine Empire in a mass exodus from the country in around 1075. During the journey to the Byzantine Empire, Emmett and Garrett’s mother Florence as well as their two younger sisters Odette and Leila fell ill and passed away during an outbreak on the ship (you can read more headcanons I have here in a family task I completed).

Garrett, Emmett and Bryce reached Constantinople and began rebuilding their lives. I had Emmett become a mercenary and join the Varangian Guard, an elite group created to provide the byzantine emperor a trustworthy force because it’s believed that many English men joined the Varangian Guard after they fought for the city that was being besieged and were offered the opportunity as an honour. However, that doesn’t mean Garrett had to as well. It’s just a possibility for him.

The next part is loosely based off of few historical accounts. After the English helped fight off an invading force there were former-nobles that longed to have a land of their own, and asked for a place to settle and rule themselves. They were granted land by the Emperor on the western tip of the Crimean peninsula. I had this happen around the time Emmett was 26 and Garrett was 28 (which might not be super historically accurate for when it happened cause dates are hazy but that’s when I had it happen). While Emmett, now with a young family, had no interest in giving up what he had and restarting his life again, Garrett and Bryce had never given up hope of reclaiming England and longed for a land of their own. Garrett tried to convince his brother to come with them, but he wasn’t able to. Instead, the conversation ended in an argument. After that, the brothers didn’t speak again until Garrett came to his brother shortly before he left.

The last time Emmett saw his brother was when he and his father left for Nova Anglia, or New England. A few short years later Emmett was turned into a vampire and left Constantinople. There is evidence that the colony existed and that it survived until the 13th century and was believed to be a 6 days’ and nights’ sail away, though they would have had to set up the colony and I imagine that would’ve taken time and limited the amount of travel that could happen back and forth between the city and the colony. What happens to Garrett after he leaves Constantinople is entirely up to you. Maybe he lived in the colony for years before being turned into a vampire, maybe he was attacked and never made it.

Whatever you decide, he eventually becomes a vampire. Centuries later, he’s still alive and is coming to Hollow Grove. He has no idea his brother survived and would believe that Emmett died long ago in the 11th century. He could be coming because of the tensions in the world now that supernatural’s have been exposed again, or maybe he lived in another safe haven and is moving to Hollow Grove. No matter what, he gets a surprise reunion with his not dead younger brother!

Preferred personality:

UTP. I had a few headcanon’s that when Garrett and Emmett were younger the two were constantly competing and both were incredibly competitive in nature. However, they were always close. Other than that, his personality is entirely up to you and could have changed significantly over the years because of the long life he’s lived.

[therealcalicali]

Where did Margrethe go? I assume she went to Kattegat with Kadlin and Aslug, but maybe she could have gone to Wessex 👀 I don’t want her too go bc she will start shit and be problems (even tho that’s true no matter where she goes lol) but also I do want her there bc drama 😈

LMAO, sweetie.😅💖

You're correct in assuming Margrethe's dramatic behind didn't leave for Kattegat. She's at the Trudig Grove encampments, whilst Ubbe is at the war zone encampments in Stolf Cross Valley.