#wherein I found myself falling in love with this ship

[doortotomorrow]

favourite ships from the cw » talon and garret ( the outpost )

[mermaidsirennikita]

I'm only halfway through s2 of vikings: valhalla but I'm so glad they separated harald and freydis because these 2 didn't have any chemistry, anytime they were together on screen it was always boring land to me. And I could say the same for leif and his dead girlfriend from season 1 that they tried to convince me he was super in love with when she was so forgettable I couldn't even remember her name

Lol her name was Liv and I liked her just fine but she definitely didn’t do anything especially exceptional. I think that you could make an argument for her representing like…. Leif feeling like he’s a flop pagan Viking, which he kind of is, but yeah she was not this grand love.

The thing that has always been an issue with this franchise is building love stories over time. Even when they have pairings with a compelling hook and chemistry between the actors, they don't allocate a lot of story time to them, and the actors have to fill in the gaps--which means that when the writers take sudden turns, it's even more jarring. Take Rollo and Gisla, a ship I think was fairly popular, that actually did have a multi-episode "falling in love" arc that most of the show's ships didn't get, with actors that had chemistry. She basically hated him until suddenly she didn't and they fucked like bunnies, and it was fine because a lot of people, myself included, liked them--but then a time jump happened and they had huge issues and it was like "oh, this is sudden".

Now, Michael Hirst (who I think...... is prone to this kind of relationship writing or lack thereof) is not as directly involved in the new show. I think he's largely involved in a capacity wherein he came up with the concept, but it's not really something he guides; at least, that was the case last I checked. But I think you see his fingertips in the relationship writing. When you've got a good hook and chemistry, you can make it work--Leif and Mariam, I found really charming because of chemistry, and because I liked Leif, who seems to be very torn about his place in the world and his relationships with people who have big ambitions and opposing religious stances (Freydis as a pagan and Harald as a Christian), forming this romance with this learned woman who helped him grow. Even if it's like, oh wow, Leif, who is mourning a woman, is now falling in love with a woman who's dying from the outset lol. It's Vikings. Women Big Dying.

And I think this approach also works pretty well with Emma and Canute, who really don't have a lot of screentime together... But the actors have chemistry and their entire bond is really compelling. They're both plotters and schemers and politicians, and he's super into her big brain while having a different approach to governing.

I actuallllly really like the romantic alternative they set up for Harald in season 2, even though there was way less screentime devoted to development than I'd like. I loved where it ended in the season (what a hook) and it made way more sense for him, imo, than Harald and Freydis.

Like, I have no idea why Harald is into Freydis. She really doesn't seem to align with his vision (and at the end of the day, Harald is all self-centered ambition and we love that for him) and she has like... zero respect for his religion. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying "Christians good", but the show's huge "pagans good, Christians bad" thing is.... boring lol. Like, Freydis really hates Christians, Harald is a Christian, and like. She's right in the premiere. They should just stop.

I don't get Freydis as a character at all. The performance doesn't do it for me, to be honest, and she's basically incredibly disconnected from EVERYONE in the main cast. Like, yeah, the England arc is disconnected from the BIG ARC (which is Harald and Leif) but.... There's way less time devoted to it than there is to Freydis, and there are several established mains involved--Emma, Godwin, and to a lesser extent Canute. Whereas Freydis was mostly on her own last season, with characters who really didn't end up carrying over to this one with her, and this season they basically had to make people up to interact with her. And the only one I cared about was Bradley James, who SOLD EVERY DAMN LINE LOL.

And the show did such a NOTICEABLE 180 in s2 (which I definitely enjoyed) versus the end of s1. You end s2 with Leif and Harald split and Harald with Freydis. Suddenly, by the end of the s2 finale, Harald and Freydis are big broken up, and Leif and Harald are back together and have an entire BRO ROAD TRIP the whole season, during which Harald is set up with another woman who I suspect will be pretty important to his ambitions. Yes, Freydis has Harald's baby, but I'm 90% sure that this was largely because the show super wants a kid with Harald and Leif's DNA in it.

Like, clearly Freydis was written to be a Lagertha 2.0, and as much as I hated Lagertha by the end of the original series, she was a very popular character and basically the face of the show for much of its time post-Travis Fimmel. I feeeel like they basically have to have that locked in so that they can promote their "ooh woman roar shield maiden rah rah" bullshit that got them viewers with the first show... But they know Freydis individually didn't play as well for viewers in the first season as Harald and Leif, lol. They know the thing that's most fun about this show is watching This Hot Guy Who Thinks He's Kinda A Big Deal and His Zen Friend Who Somehow Is Going Along With This have zany adventure with wacky hijinks. Like, Leif and Harald will never kiss, because Vikings, but the show is investing more time and development into that relationship than any canonical romantic relationship. Much like... some other... homoerotic relationships... on the original show... pick one of 500.

(Sidebar: I like Emma and Canute together a lot, but I also think that Emma and Godwin have a similar deal going on where they don't canonically have a romantic thing happening, but because they are not romantic the show actually devotes more time to their, in this case contentious relationship, so you wanna see them kiss. And Godwin has fabulous chemistry with Emma AND Canute, and Emma and Canute have chemistry, so it's like whenever they're all together I wait for Canute to be like "you guys fight so much, you know how we can resolve this?" before pushing their faces together. Canute seems like the type of guy who'd initiate a threesome that way.)

Anyway, I really enjoyed s2 but that was something I noticed a lot. Freydis basically having an arc you could totally fast-forward through without missing anything related to the main plot (again)... While Leif and Harald have the meat of the story. She's supposed to be as important as them, but I don't think the writers have their hearts in it with her. So she's basically a total cypher. She's the Keeper of the Faith, and it's like? Cool? Harald is like, going to be an actual king and Leif is gonna discover America, but they need a Strong Viking Woman because they can't let Emma be the Strong Woman rep because she's not a viking and also wears dresses a lot, which means she is not actually strong.

Also, everyone who is against Freydis needs to be a super legit bad person because she gets to be Cool and Good, whereas Emma must be Cool and Treacherous. Because she does not fight with a sword (straightforward and masculine), she fights with politics and her brain, which are bad (subversive and feminine). Though I really had fun with Emma's arc this season and I don't think they were like... trying to make us hate her the way they used to try to make us hate Aslaug, it was kinda funny to watch the contrast.

Anyway. Bring on season 3 and for the love of God, continue to lean in to with Leif and Harald shenanigans versus Freydis like. Midsommar singing.

[divinaes-bookofsecrets]

can i get a spirit guide reading too? ): ive been dying to find my own..♎

Hi 👋 hello there pleased to meet you ♎

×JaxDessa×IS YOUR SPIRIT GUIDE CURRENTLY🐠🌏🐚

She is female inter-terrestrial Female-Sea Creature who visits middle Earth and thats about as close as she gets to you personal space other than being able to e a essence that communicates or manipulates your current or future circumstances.

As an etheric being, Mermaid is “out of time” even as magic. She can teach you to walk through different worlds safely. There are spaces and places where all time swirls together, opening infinite possibilities.

If Mermaid Spirit had a mantra, it would be “go with the flow.” Give yourself to the ebb and flow of Mermaid’s ties. This provides you with adaptability akin to how water takes on the shape of its container.

Lightworkers, such as myself, 🌐🐚🐠 believe that Mermaids may have come originally from Atlantis as shapeshifters. Afterward, they moved into the Etheric realm; this is the place wherein we can connect with them and learn their wisdom. Mermaid Medicine supports environmental health and the kingdom of the sea. If you are doing workings for the Earth, they are excellent helpmates.

Like the creature of myths, Mermaid Totems are drawn to water. The ocean, in particular, has healing and energizing qualities to it. The Mermaid Mage often works exclusively with the Water Element; and Jaxdessa is no different she happens to be an elite member of the aquatic Water Mystics in her colony in the ethereal realm of existence....

This Mer-Woman has been with you since your birth and will likely be with you until the END of time; but first let's dive fins deep into her bio and see what she's in your life for?

🦋🌏🦋Being female, the symbolism and meaning of the Mermaid ties to the Sacred Feminine, specifically Goddesses like Venus who rules love, and the Sea Goddesses like Calypso. This is not a woman who can be tamed. The fierce individuality among Mermaids is well known – so much so that they may resist settling down in any one spot. Here Mermaid Spirit appears linked heavily to uniqueness and non-conformity.

Are you looking for a way to express yourself? Trying to find clarity in love matters? Mermaid as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal can help! Mermaid teaches to find balance between the heart and mind! Delve deeply in Mermaid symbolism and meaning to find out how this animal spirit guide can aid, inspire, and balance you!

Mermaid Symbolism & Meaning

The myths of Mermaids (and mermen) are enchanting. The rich voice of the Mermaid calls out to us with symbolism and meaning that clarifies the role this Fantasy Spirit Guide plays in our lives. Many stories of the Mermaid tell of enticing beauty, raw sensuality, and humans who succumb to their haunting songs; in this, we see where Mermaid becomes an emblem of balancing our heart and head. We need to think clearly even in matters of love and lust. Additionally, there are times in our lives where its ok to dance to a different, magical tune. Individuality and non-conformity are definitely traits of the Mermaid.

Mermaid Omens: Mermaids seem to be fairly lucky in that, if in a generous mind, they might grant a wish. Having said that, sailors consider them a foreboding sign that the proverbial ship may never reach land again.

Etymology: Mermaid comes from the 14th century term mermayde, meaning Maid of the Sea. The Old English word was similar – merwif, or Water Witch.

Being female, the symbolism and meaning of the Mermaid ties to the Sacred Feminine, specifically Goddesses like Venus who rules love, and the Sea Goddesses like Calypso. This is not a woman who can be tamed. The fierce individuality among Mermaids is well known – so much so that they may resist settling down in any one spot. Here Mermaid Spirit appears linked heavily to uniqueness and non-conformity.

Reach out to Mermaid as a Power Animal any time you work with the element of water in ritual, meditations or magic. There are other goals for which Mermaid can help. When you need inspiration, particularly in song, she can release your self-consciousness, so you really sing from your heart. Regarding sexuality, she removes inhibitions that hold you back from true pleasure.

Mermaid represents transition and transmutation. When you face unique changes in your life, she can help steady the waters around you.

Finally, call to Mermaid when you struggle with your emotions or when your intuition seems to have dried up. Mermaid medicine heals broken hearts and discouragement, then goes on supporting your intuitive self so you can avoid the chaos.

Mermaid as a Celtic Animal Symbol

Celtic Tradition has a long-standing relationship with magical water creatures. Sprites and nymphs often lived nearby sacred falls and wells. The Mermaid, however, lives in the sea. In this culture, the symbolism and meaning of Mermaid is that of the feminine element of the Universe. It is powerful and mysterious. The image of the double-tailed Mermaid adorns many churches represents the ultimate Celtic goddess, Sheela-Na-Gig.

Native American Mermaid Symbolic Meanings

One story from the Mi’kmaq tribe tells of a bird who discovers a pond with five lovely women therein. He noted that they didn’t really look totally human, having silvery scaled skin and hair of seaweed. They adorned themselves with gifts of the sea, and the bottom half of their body was that of a fish.

The Passamaquoddy tales recount the story of how two girls became Mermaids (HeNwas). They went swimming in an area prohibited by their parents. They came to a spot where they were surrounded in slime. Their legs became snakes, their hair black and wearing silver bands on their arms and neck.

Sekani legend talks of the marriage between a human and a Mermaid. By the first winter, the Mermaid yearned for her ocean home. She begged for freedom. It wasn’t until the second winter, however, that the man complied so she could hunt for him. Each day she returned dutifully with food. They became happy and had seven children. After the last child, winter returned, and the man sadly broke a hole in the ice so she could return. When she began swimming, she realized her children could not follow her. She tried to work a spell, placing water on their lips and telling them to follow her. Sadly they drown and were never seen again.

Mermaid Dreams

Mermaids in dreams almost always represent femininity with all its lovely attributes. These dreams often reveal clues to your feminine side. This can be a happy omen unless you fear the emotions and insights Mermaid brings.

A Mermaid swimming in water may represent a girth of emotions that threaten to overwhelm. You feel as if you are going under and giving in to the pressures around. Find your life vest and get some help and support.

Far Eastern Mermaid Symbolic Meanings

There are numerous stories of Mermaids in China. Literature depicts her as similar to western Mermaids with the ability to cry pearls, shapeshift, foretell the future and craft magical items.

One story tells of a Mermaid who asked to stay with a human family for many days so she could weave and sell her cloth. In thanks for the human’s hospitality, she cried a container full of pearls and gave it to the family.

Mermaid Symbolic Meanings Key

Adaptability

Awareness

Discretion

Divination

Emotions

Innocence

Non-conformity

Psychic Aptitude

Shapeshifting

Uniqueness

Artists frequently depict Mermaids with a fish bone comb; this illustration came about due to sailors’ beliefs. If you had fish bones on board a ship, one could know what type of weather was coming through divination and take control of a storm to calm the winds. Another tool of the Mermaid is a mirror. This object has long been used for magic as a “looking glass” much like a crystal ball. Mirrors represent the moon and the intuitive self. Wrap these tools into a medicine bag, and you have future-telling abilities, far sight, sensitivity, and psychic aptitude.

WHAT DO MERMAIDS LOOK LIKE ?🧜‍♀️ 🧜‍♀️

Traditional Mermaids have the upper body of a woman and the lower body of a fish. Images of Mermaids appear as early as ancient Babylon. Sailors considered images of Mermaids as a good luck charm, which is why figureheads were carved with Her image.

Being tied to the Water Element, Mermaid may take on the meaning of a source of life, cleansing, and renewal. Water can also be a fierce foe, with crashing waves that threaten to take us under into the unknown. The ancients found themselves inexplicably attracted to the Mermaid, while also being frightened of their powers.

These “Angels of the Sea” appear most frequently at dawn and dusk. These are “in between” times when the veil between worlds grows thin. Some say they only show themselves to people who have pure hearts, giving he Mermaid the symbolism of discretion and awareness.

WHAT DOES JAXDESSA LOOK LIKE?

Here....She is .. 🧜‍♀️ 7:47 PM(look up the numerology or 747 and 757 , 759)

Those are your times you'll be likely to sense her close to you...

When Jaxdessa swims with you, she brings you into the realm of Water, which also speaks of our emotions. You will be challenged to dig deep inside yourself to understand your fears and scars fully. Only by so doing can you truly heal. Throughout this journey, Jaxdessa offers love and support.The Mermaid animal spirit may also bear a message about reconnecting with your inner child and nature. The innocence and joy of the child dances with the beauty of the world. There is a richness in this relationship building process, and Mermaid is your guide...

When working with your Mermaid guide, it is essential that you remain true to yourself: She will not condone facades. Keep it real and be ready to swim.

Those born with Mermaid imprinted on their soul feel at one with nature. They see the wonders of the world with an appreciative eye, but also know that there is much more going on behind the proverbial curtain. The Mermaid constantly interacts and exchanges various feelings with others including joy, peace, and liveliness. The Mermaid’s language of love is an affirmation.

Greed doesn’t really measure in the mind of the Mermaid. They do not seek to possess others, but rather walk with them in mutual goals and dreams. The Mermaid’s inner child is strong and very active.

More...SpiritGuide bio

The Mermaid person has intense psychic abilities. You see spirits, fairies, Devas, Angels, and other Fantasy creatures easily. Some of the gifts you may have include clairvoyance and hypnotic allure

The Mermaid is an amazing empath, but this can also be her undoing. She feels everything. A crowded room can become totally overwhelming. Thankfully with time and practice, she can learn to detach from others feelings and consider them much as one might watch a movie. This protects the Mermaid from psychic overload and burnout. ((YOU MORE THAN LIKELY CSN RELATE TO THIS AND MOST OF THE MERMAID QUALITIES BECAUSE YOU ARE HER SHE IS YOU;; DO YOU SEE THESE SIMILARITIES YET?))

💘 💜 💛 💚 🧡 💘

Regarding relationships JaxDessa people may not settle down, but they certainly enjoy a good lover. There is raw, unbridled sexuality here that begs for attention. Because they are very private people, however, some of these desires go unfulfilled.

Spirit Guides 3 Messages for me today (current date Jan 11th 2021)

First message: #1

ANGEL NUMBER 833

Number 833 is a blend of the vibrations and energies of number 8 and number 3, with number 3 appearing twice, amplifying its influences of 3, and relating the the Master Number 33. Number 8 relates to self-confidence and personal authority, discernment, higher wisdom, achievement and successes, practicality, consideration, giving and receiving, and serving humanity. Number 8 is also the number of karma; the Universal Spiritual Law of Cause and Effect. Number 3 is the number of affability, enthusiasm, assistance and encouragement, communication and self-expression, growth, expansion and the principles of increase, manifesting, broad-minded thinking, talents and skills, and the energies of the Ascended Masters. Master Number 33 (the Master Teacher) relates to the attributes of the ‘healer’, compassion, blessings, the teacher of teachers, inspiration, honesty, discipline, bravery and courage.

Angel Number 833 is a powerful message and sign that you are being fully supported, surrounded and supported by your Spirit Guides ...It indicates that you are successfully manifesting prosperity and abundance in your life by the positive choices you have made and are currently making. Put your personal attributes and talents to good use and be open to receiving your well-earned rewards and blessings. Trust that all is going to Divine plan.  

Angel Number 833 brings a powerful message of love and support, encouragement and guidance, and your SpiritGuide(s) ask that you maintain a positive attitude and outlook to continue manifesting positive abundance into your life. Remember that what you put out to the Universe comes back to you, so ensure that you use your personal power and talents in a positive manner, always.

Angel Number 833 tells you to take ownership of your own life and discover your dreams. Use your personal creativity in constructive and productive ways, and put your skills and talents to work to achieve your heart’s desires. You get what you expect so make sure you radiate positive energies and expect the highest and best in return. Trust that you will find success in your chosen endeavours.

  

Number 833 relates to number 5 (8+3+3=14, 1+4=5) and Angel Number 5.

Now look up # 5 see what it is ? Thats your next mission .🧜‍♀️.

Second Message : WHAT I NEED TO HEAR RIGHT THIS MOMENT ...

If you were to bite into a piece of cake and think it's awful because of certain flavors or a lack of some ingredient, it would not be pleasant in the moment. Even so, the experience could be beneficial to you later on. Suppose you wanted to bake a special cake for someone. The experience you had with the unappetizing cake might inspire you to do things differently. Every bad experience has an upside, Dear Jaxdessas darling, even if it doesn't seem so in the moment. Remember that today if something doesn't seem ideal.

Third Message: 🌟 ⭐ 💫 🌠 🌃 ✨ 🌟 ♎ January 11 - January 17

A project that is in the final stage of development could get a really big boost this week, dear Jaxdessas darling. This may come out of left field, and the help you need may come from someone you least expected and perhaps you don't even like, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face. This is essential assistance, and you should be grateful for it. Success is possible with a work- or money-related venture that didn't seem to be going very well all that long ago. This is due to your persistence and your optimistic attitude, so let this be a lesson for future endeavors. Some venture that you have put a lot of time and energy into may wind up hitting a brick wall very soon. You may want to proceed anyway, and you may want to figure out how many ways there are to get over the wall that stands between you and success. But before you invest that time, think about whether this will be worth the effort in the end. There could be something else coming along that could take its place, and that could be easier and more rewarding in the end.

&&&

A creak you hear in the dark could be the settling of an old house, or it could be a burglar creeping on the stairs. Loud voices you hear coming in through the windows could be your neighbors arguing, or it could be those same neighbors sharing good news. The lamp going out on your nightstand could be a sign that electricity has shut down, or it could mean you need a new bulb. There is often more than one way to interpret something, and usually there's nothing to worry about. Remember that today, Taurus, if you are tempted to follow worrisome thoughts. It's more likely there's nothing to worry about.

FINAL THOUGHTS?.. THE WISE ADVICE FROM YOUR MYSTIC MERMAID 🧜‍♀️

Step 1) Define Your Core Values

Know what is most important to you by determining your values for your professional and personal life.

These are the principles that are the foundation for your priorities, choices, actions, and behaviors.

You can start by looking at this list of values.

Step 2: Practice the habits.

Pick one or two from this list of positive character traits above to practice for several weeks.

Write down the actions you want to take or the behaviors you define that reflect this trait, and implement them in your daily life and interactions.

Wear a rubber band on your wrist or create other reminders to help you practice these good qualities.

Step 3: Find people with good character.

Surround yourself with people who reflect the character traits you want to embrace.

They will inspire and motivate you to build these traits in yourself.

Try to avoid people who have a weak character and make bad decisions.

Step 5: Take some risks.

Start taking small actions toward a goal or value that involves some level of risk.

When you face the possibility of failure and challenge yourself toward success, you become mentally and emotionally stronger and more committed to your principles.

Step 6: Stretch yourself.

Create high standards and big goals for yourself.

Expect the best of yourself and constantly work toward that, even though you will have setbacks and occasional failures.

Every stretch builds your confidence and knowledge that your positive character traits are getting stronger.

Step 7: Commit to self-improvement.

Realize that building your character is a life-long endeavor.

It is something that is practiced both in the minutiae and the defining moments of your life.

There will be times you step up to the character traits you embrace and other times you falter.

Thank You for taking the time to meet your Spirit Guide today have a nice day 😊 ✨ 💛 ☺ 💗

[scabopolis]

ship game

Movie/TV ship questions, no repeats, answer with a gif.

Thanks for the tag @thisonesatellite! This list is not fully accurate, but I have already spent far too much time working on it and thus I MUST MOVE ON WITH MY LIFE.

1. First Ship - Shawn and Angela - Boy Meets World (TV)

Cory and Topanga, who? (tbh, I was rooting for Topanga to pick that guy who worked in the art gallery and talked to her about “Starry Night”) I was 12/13 years old the year of this season and it started a trend wherein I often prefer the side ship from the shiny main ship. 

2. First OTP - Sydney and Vaughn - Alias (TV)

First OTP and also the first OTP that I got to the point where I disliked both people so much I was like “whatevvveeeerrrr be together or not but just stop making me think about it!” Still, s1 and s2 of Sydney x Vaughn is a thing to behold. 

3. Current Fave Ship - Logan and Veronica - Veronica Mars (TV and movie)

Listen, Linda. If one has not watched s4 then s4 does not exist. These two are just a friends to enemies to friends to lovers dream and I can’t quit them no matter how much I might want to. 

4. Your Ship Since the First Minute - Ben and Leslie - Parks and Recreation (TV)

I might have been spoiled? But I knew so little about this show that I had zero context for any gif sets that I saw. From moment one, with Leslie’s scrunched up angry face, and Ben’s exasperated by the books-ness, I liked them immensely. 

5. You Wished They Had Been Endgame - Jane and Michael - Jane the Virgin (TV)

I pretty much stopped watching the show after Michael left the series (made it a few eps into s4) and considered watching again once they brought him back, but then I found out WHY they brought him back, so...yeah. Jane x Michael 5EVER! Also this show ended 1 1/2 years ago so am going to say this isn’t a spoiler. 

6. You Wished They Had Been Canon - Ruby and Mulan - Once Upon a Time (TV)

(Couldn’t find a gif of them that Tumblr would allow me to upload.) Man, it really seemed like it was going this way. Le sigh. 

7. Most of the Fandom Hates, But You Love - Dan and Blair - Gossip Girl (TV)

I’m not sure if “most” of the fandom hates this or not? I’ve carved out a dedicated little group of tumblr peeps that feel the same way I do and one of my Dan x Blair fics is by far my most popular fics on AO3, so maybe I’m completely wrong? I’m mostly basing this on the fact that this ship was not endgame and that they were viewed by many as simply being a distracto-ship as the creators waited to get the endgame couples together. For some of us, though...they were a revelation. 

8. You Don’t Didn’t Even Watch the Show, But You Ship Them - Emma x Killian - Once Upon a Time (TV)

So, I’ve watched it now of course (through s4 at least, and then doing my clip thing the rest of the way) but I started shipping them because of gifs on tumblr. And then at first I didn’t like them when I watched it, lol. But, they won me over. Pretty people making out? Gosh, I’m shallow. 

9. You Wish They Had a Different Storyline - Eleanor x Chidi - The Good Place (TV)

I like Eleanor. I like Chidi. That little montage of them falling in love over and over is so cute. BUT! I fundamentally LIVE FOR that single moment in a ship when each person realizes they are in love with the other person. It’s my favorite thing to see that look on their faces as they are just WRECKED by their acknowledgment of their love. With Eleanor and Chidi, neither character really realized they were in love with the other person - they were told by third parties they were in love with the other person. And one of those people was a literal demon so I thought it was simply an act of manipulation. There are many many many things I like about them, but this ship was one of a lot of tell and not a lot of show for me, so I found myself wanting even as I rooted for them. 

10. Fave Ship That is Endgame - Nick and Jess - New Girl (TV)

So many TV SHIPS! (All TV ships, lbr.) These two just never get old for me. S1 and s2 Nick and Jess are so perfect it is upsetting. I have my issues with the rest of the series, but everytime I rewatch New Girl, I anticipate the moments and little touches and building affection between Nick and Jess in those first two seasons. This show for me works b/c of Nick and Jess, which makes them so special. 

And now I tag! @theawkwardterrier​, @thelillykane​, @jamietaylr​, @lavellenchanted​, @jmazzy​, @marshmellowbobcat​. 

Also!!! I forgot @catefrankie​! PLEASE DO THIS!

[someillplanetreigns]

@nildespirandum tagged me in this writing questionnaire - thank you!

Name: I’m actually seriously thinking about going by Planetope on tumblr, it makes me laugh (with credit to @violetvapours).

Fandoms: To write, MCU/Marvel, with a particular Loki focus (and one Norse mythology fic written for a fun challenge!). I would like to expand into more fandoms though, because I read for more than that.

Most popular oneshot: What We Are Made To Bear - my first Ao3 fic! Thor and Wanda bonding over sibling grief.

Most popular multichapter: Incantation-Fetter’s Arms. Confession time: this is very much the writer thing of being grateful people liked that fic but wishing the interaction it got could be swapped with another fic. The Play’s the Thing (Wherein I’ll Catch the Conscience of the King) is my favourite and the one I’m most proud of. It’s always strange how that plays out!

Actual worst part of writing: At the moment it’s definitely finding time, honestly. Lockdown 3: Temporal Drift is making my evenings seem to vanish (not even in a having no energy for anything but TV way; I’m not even watching TV at the moment, where is the time going?), and then that leaves so much to do at the weekend! Which is frustrating, because I really want to be writing!

How you choose your titles: I don’t have a great answer here. I find titles really hard. It’s mostly phrases that sound meaningful and literary quotes at the moment.

Do you outline: Yes, though I could definitely do it better. I have a nasty habit of thinking I’ve outlined to the end, then finding my outlined ending is very watery and needing to try to sort it out when I get there. But I find if I don’t have a plan of the story I just don’t write it.

Ideas I probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice?: I’ve actually been thinking about doing a post series of Fics I Would Love to Write Someday, because I have a lot of ideas that fall under this category. The one I’ll put here is something I’m going to try and rustle up a one shot teaser for soon(ish). So I’ve always found the idea that Loki-as-Odin would send the Aether to the Collector a bit hard to buy. Not having two Inifinity Stones on Asgard I understand has a logic behind it, but let’s be honest, they’re surely safer on Asgard than anywhere - as proved in Infinity War by the fact that Thanos couldn’t get the Tesseract until the Asgardians were drifting through space. So, what if the Aether Loki sent to Knowhere was a fake? A convincing enough forgery to distract Thanos, but not the actual Infinity Stone, which he’s kept safe on Asgard - and, when they have to flee, on his own person. This would mean that when Thanos attacks the Statesman to get the Tesseract (the one gem he knows Loki has), Loki has the Reality Stone up his sleeve. My idea is that what we see at the start of Infinity War - the attack, the destruction, so many deaths, Thor tortured and Loki killed - that is all Loki’s illusions augmented by the Reality Stone; he conjures an entire corporeal Statesman for Thanos to attack and believe he has taken the Tesseract, whilst off to the side, watching all of this happen and having to remain perfectly still and silent as they see this horror, are all the real Asgardians. It’s like emotional whump witnessing the physical whump. In an ideal world I’d then rewrite all of Infinity War and Endgame to fit with this new situation where Thanos thinks he has first one and then two Infinity Stones that it turns out don’t actually work. But angsty one shot first!

Callouts @ Me: Did you start this scene grounded in a specific event just to have the character disappear into their own thoughts, often reflected through a previous event you’re only just telling in the narrative now as an emotionally-inflected reminiscence? Oh yes I did.

Best writing traits: Character introspection. I like to think I do quite a good job with characters’ voices, both in speaking and in following their thoughts through third person narration.

Spicy Tangential Opinion: Err okay, so this is an aspirational one because I’m sure if you wanted to deep-dive on my blog you could find examples of me not doing a good job with this myself. But I think there’s a bit of a trend of talking a big game about fandom being ship and let ship, let people enjoy what they enjoy etc etc, and then posting or reblogging great long character/ship/show hate posts with no tags to allow people to block it, and that seems sort of unhelpful? I totally support your right to dislike things I like, and to make and reblog posts explaining why you don’t like them. I also, which I get complicates this, think you aren’t obliged to have a tagging system on your blog. But I wish that tagging ‘[character/ship/show/film] negativity’ was more normal, it would make fandom life much easier (and I’m endeavouring to do this myself). It would just be nice to have an option in between ‘put up with unexpected hate crossing your blog’ and ‘unfollow blogs you like but who disagree with you strongly on one thing’, yknow?

I don’t know who’s not done this or who would like to. @violetvapours do you fancy it?

[nightinngales]

Dear gays and fans of Skyrim in general... 

Ever wanted a real slowburn fanfic for Serana/Female Dragonborn? Perhaps a fic that addresses Serana’s trauma and builds a relationship naturally over time?

Vigilance is an epic length novelization with F!DB/Serana as the main ship - wherein their relationship progresses organically, and Serana’s traumatic backstory is not sidestepped or ignored. 

Currently at over 470k altogether, there are 6 full acts or “books” available within the Vigilance series of varying lengths, with the 7th act currently in progress and updated regularly. 

Some links to get you started: 

Vigilance wiki: A more in-depth look at the series including relevant lore, timeline, current progress on the series, and character blurbs. Spoilers up to the end of act 5. Updated sporadically. 

Vigilance Series landing page: The series on AO3 - you can find all the links for each work here, or continue below the cut for a more in-depth explanation of the series. Updated regularly, usually at least 1-2 times per week.

Not a fan of Skyrim? Never played it? Vigilance is written in a way where it can be enjoyed regardless of your knowledge of the Elder Scrolls franchise. My so-called “beta” hasn’t played Skyrim and she’s more pushy about me updating than most lol. So, if you’ve never played Skyrim but want to read about a vampire lesbian? Try it out anyways, you might like it.

For more regular updates on progress, you can follow me here on tumblr.

This post may be updated on occasion with new information or mod credits below the cut.

About:

The series itself is broken into acts, which each follow a particular segment of the Dragonborn’s life. These acts can be further bundled into Arcs. So far, I would say there are three major “Arcs” of the story, broken up into the separate acts, not including the prologue. 

Vigilant Arc - Acts II - V: This arc of the story is, essentially, the first half of the series. Beginning with the prologue, the Vigilant arc covers Eres’ journey as a Vigilant of Stendarr, the Dawnguard DLC (and Serana), and finishes with her retirement as a Vigilant. Wordcount: ~316k, completed. 

Dragonborn Arc - Acts VI - VIII: This arc is currently in progress, and covers Eres stepping into her role as Dragonborn. This will include the main quest as well as the Dragonborn DLC. Currently we are on Act VII. Current wordcount: ~155k, ongoing. 

Final Arc - Act IX: Currently in the concept phase. This will cover what happens once Eres has stepped into her destiny as Dragonborn and fulfilled her role. Essentially - this is the end of the fic, and will serve to tie up loose ends and provide a nice ending to the series. ...For now. :)

Total current wordcount: ~471k, with around 2.5 acts remaining. The full series may reach somewhere between 6-700k - which will put it around the length of the entire LOTR series. 

Why the fuck is it so long? 

There’s three main reasons for this. 

1: I love slowburn fics, so when I say slowburn - I mean slowburn. 

2: Vigilance isn’t just about the pairing. In fact, Serana does not even enter the story until Act 3, where Eres tackles the Dawnguard questline. As the fic continues forward from there, obviously Serana becomes a secondary main character and is just as important as Eres, but I didn’t want to just start the fic with the pairing and leave it at that. I wanted it to be a journey, from beginning to end, from Eres’ arrival in Skyrim, to meeting Serana and falling for her, to facing her destiny as Dragonborn, and so on and so forth. 

3: Most importantly, I have read a lot of Serana/fem!DB fics, and to be clear I am not disparaging any of them. There are some incredibly talented authors out there who have written some of my favorites. But there is one thing that I always wanted from a fic for Serana/DB, and it was something that I hadn’t seen: An indepth handling of Serana’s trauma, front and center, showing how it affects her and how she might heal from it through love. As a survivor myself, this was an issue that was deeply important to me, and I was disappointed that even some of my favorite fics in the fandom had not addressed it more deeply. So I started writing Vigilance, and here we are nearly 500k later. 

That’s why I wanted to write this. I wanted to show, through my fic, a relationship developing between two people who are broken in different ways, and how they might come together, help each other heal, and lift each other up. The pairing of Serana and Eres, for me, is meant to be an ideal, something to aim for. With Eres’ help, and those around her, Serana will work through the issues she has due to her trauma. She will recover, and heal, and find the happiness she feels she doesn’t deserve. 

I hope, reading this, that maybe you take a bit of time out of your day to give it a chance. I know it’s long. I know it’s a hell of a thing to look at a fic that’s nearly 500k and decide to try reading through it all even knowing it’s not finished yet. But give it a chance... you might find that 500k doesn’t seem long enough once you catch up. 

CREDITS: 

Vigilance is a series that follows a modded playthrough of Skyrim. As such, I could not have written this fic without the following mods which provided the inspiration. 

VIGILANT LE / SE : Provides the basis for the Vigilant arc within the series. The basic plot of both Act 2 and Act 5 are based upon this mod. Please download and drop an endorsement, for this fic would not have been possible without the work of Vicn which it is based upon. Note: it requires an English addon if you plan to play it with voice acting, which can be found here: LE / SE 

LC BUILD YOUR NOBLE HOUSE LE / SE: Fellburg, Eres’ estate within Falkreath, is based upon this player home mod by Locaster. Highly recommend either this or LC Feudal Keep if you would like an idea of what the estate is supposed to look like, though the Keep mod is located near Loreius Farm instead of Falkreath. (However, the “Build your own” version needs to be built, obviously, whereas the Feudal Keep version is plug and play.) 

INIGO LE / SE: This companion mod by smartbluecat is one of the most life-like on the nexus, with thousands of lines of dialogue and quest and location-awareness. Inigo makes his first appearance in Act IV. I would highly recommend him if you’re looking for a game-long companion. 

Serana and Claire LE / SE: This is more of a cosmetic thing, but this mod is replacer I use for Serana to make her appearance mesh better with the other NPC appearance mods I use (such as WICO, Bijin etc). It’s close enough to her default that it doesn’t feel like a complete replacement. I use the Thorns (short hair) version with the Glowing red eyes option, pictured above. 

Mods that have been mentioned: 

Darkend LE / SE: This is only mentioned in passing by Mirabelle in act 3, where she references a cursed shipwreck to the north. More of an easter egg than anything else, but still well worth playing if you like. 

More to be added later as I remember them, I’m sure. 

[schrijverr]

I Wrote My Own Deliverance

Chapter 4 out of 10

Alexander Hamilton is reborn as Alex Hambleton. He is desperate not to make the same mistakes twice, but it seems he is stuck in the narrative, unable to get out. Familiar faces pop up all around him as he attempts to keep his previous life a secret and write himself out of the story.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: none, but tell me if I missed anything or if you want me to tag something!!

~~~~~~~~~~

He had allowed himself to get swept up in the friendship of people he’d loved and missed, not thinking about the consequences, but so far he was walking along a familiar path.

A too familiar path.

This wasn’t good. He had sworn to himself not to be the same person again and here he was making the same decisions. He would have to step back, it would hurt to cut his friends out of his life, but it was for the best.

Over the course of the next weeks, he retreated. He stopped sitting with the others in the few classes they shared, he didn’t come to their study sessions, he didn’t stay after class to ask questions with Washington like he did with other professors, and he didn’t pursue a deeper friendship with Aaron or the Schulyers.

Instead he befriended a few other guys from his classes. They didn’t click that well and he only got drunk with them when they were bored, but it was better than being completely alone.

It wasn’t ideal, but it was working.

And, like everything that worked in his life, it ended.

Nothing stayed.

So it wasn’t much of a surprise when he got assigned to Washington to supervise his end project that would be vital for his career and would help him keep hold of his scholarship.

With a heavy heart he went up to Washingtons office and knocked. While the face was way different from what Alex had known, the voice was nearly the same as Washington called out: “Come in.”

“You wanted to see me, sir?” he asked, “Is it about the project? I’m sorry, I hadn’t gotten around to reacting yet, I already have a few thoughts, so we can get to work now if you’d like. Sir.”

“Ah, Alexander, welcome.” Washington said and seeing him, behind his desk surrounded by papers and a tired yet amused look in his eyes, was hard. Alex almost cried, but managed to keep his face blank and didn’t tell the man that his name was just Alex.

He was snapped out of it by Washington asking: “So what did you have in mind, son?”

Alex couldn't bring himself to mind the moniker. Funny how someone dying gives you perspective on how you related to them.

He blinked and attempted to cover up the pause with rambling: “Well, so I’m taking this course for credit, but I want to go into law, I’m pre-law, so I thought that I might connect the project to that and more how the Revolutionary War influenced the Constitution, since most of the people involved in writing it had lived through the war, even fought in it.”

“It seems like you know what you’re doing.” Washington said, “I trust that you can do this, but know that I am always available. I’m your supervisor for a reason.”

“Of course, sir.” Alex nodded, “Though, I do warn you that I can be a bit much, so if the emails are excessive, say so.”

“I will.” Washington said.

And that was that. They quickly went over his outline and after that Alex set out to do research to find sources about his own experiences, trying to figure out how to keep an outsiders perspective.

The first time he had send Washington an email, he had to check what the man’s name was. A bit of unease creeping up on him as he double checked everything to make sure ‘Washburn’ was in all the right places.

But overall it was familiar, it was nice.

Washington still had the same manner of speaking and writing and it reminded Alex of other times wherein he would write and Washington gave feedback. It was hard to not fall into familiar habits that felt right.

During the lectures he felt more comfortable being argumentative, like he was in the classes without past friends. Though he avoided fighting with his former friends, in risk that it would become personal or revealing.

He tried to ignore their hurt looks and attempts to talk to him. He wanted nothing more than to give in, but he was bad news and he would not drag them down with him.

Life was seemingly looking up nearing the end of his project. So far so good. He was feeling positive about what he had written and he was making Washington proud, even if the man didn’t know it, it was good.

So, when he came in for his last assessment, he was surprised by Washingtons serious expression. Nervously he asked: “Have I done something wrong, sir?”

“No, just sit down, son.” Washington told him.

With a hard swallow, he did as he was told and waited for answers about what he had done. After a few more moments, Washington said: “I’d like to ask you about this section.”

Alex looked at the section pointed out. It was about the Federalist Papers and the parts Hamilton had written and how the War was reflected in them. He scanned it, trying to find any faults or discrepancies, but found none.

“I don’t understand, sir.” he finally decided on saying.

“I don’t appreciate your dishonesty, Hambleton.” god his last names sounded similar, “What you have written here is a direct quote that has not been recorded in history word for word.”

“Uh, how would you know, sir? No offense.” Alex tried to save himself, he had not thought that Washington would’ve remembered the conversation.

Washington sighed and said: “I think you know, son.”

Alex had to make a choice. Should he play dumb, pretend he didn’t have a clue; or should he confess and hope Washington would understand

The silence stretched on.

Neither spoke.

It became clear it was up to Alex.

He had to break the silence.

“It’s good to see you again, sir. I hope you can forgive me for my deceit, but you cannot tell anyone else, sir.” he made his choice, the words surprising both of them.

“Hamilton.” Washington smiled.

“Yes, sir.” he saluted, it was good to tell someone, “I did not count on you remembering this part, I’m not going to lie. I thought I was going to get away with plagiarizing myself.”

“Only you, Alexander.” Washington said.

“Glad to not disappoint.” he replied.

“About disappointment, I know a few people who would be disappointed not to hear of your return.” Washington told him with a knowing look.

Alex sighed and acknowledged: “I know, sir, but I can’t. I really can’t. As much as I did in my last life, I was not a very good friend, sir. I don’t know if you read up on me, but my personality did not get better with time. I cannot pull them down with me, not again. Not before I change the story, make better choices.”

“The ‘story’ as you say is already different.” Washington told him, “I am no General, Lafayette and John are not my aid-de-camps and I’m pretty sure that Hercules isn’t a spy. It’s all already different.”

“But what if it isn’t.” Alex argued, “I mean, I think I fought with this Seabury guy like before, Aaron was the first person I met, John, Laf and Herc were already friends, I argued with Lee, I’m pretty sure it was Lee, on your behalf, I met the Schuylers at a party. It might be slightly different, but it’s unfolding all the same and I cannot allow it to end like that.”

“Alexander-”

“No, don’t Alexander me.” Alex snapped, “I know what you’re going to say. You’re going to tell me that I can make my own choices, that if I know what is coming because that is what I believe, then I can make a different choice. Am I wrong?”

Washington sighed and shook his head, so Alex went on: “Well, this is me making that choice. I’m choosing to not be friends with them, so that they can make their own choices as well. The last time I gave in, it was a moment of weakness that I regret, but I did it. I did it and I’m not sticking around to see if this time I can be strong. I’m just not taking the risk.”

“You seem very set on this, son.” Washington mused.

“Not your son, sir.” since Washington knew, he had to keep appearances.

The comment got him that tired smile again, before Washington got serious once more as he asked: “I’m not going to be able to convince you otherwise, am I?”

“Afraid not, sir.” Alex confirmed.

“Then I won’t tell, but, Alexander,” Washington promised, “keep in touch with me. It is really good to have you back and you need people who know. I won’t talk, if you make sure I’m in the loop. Besides, I’m sure Martha would love to have you over for dinner again.”

“You found Mama M again?” Alex asked excitedly.

Washington nodded fondly: “I take that as a yes.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll keep in touch.” Alex promised, “Here I’ll give you my number so that we can text about the dinner. Is my project good for the rest, we’ve gotten a bit of track.”

Alex held out a piece of paper with his number that Washington took as he replied: “It’s amazing, son. You’re words have not left you even after death.”

“Good to know, sir.” Alex grinned cheekily, his words had always been his greatest weapon, no matter how much he had loved swinging his fists around with Laurens at his side in every bar brawl.

They said their goodbyes and Alexanders heart felt lighter as he exited the room. It was good to have Washington on his side.

[indifferent-century]

Ringing in the New Year, 1842 

(Illustration: painting of the same name by John Edward Davis ) Holidays at sea in the nineteenth century Royal Navy were generally a cause for merriment, marked at the very least by the distribution of an extra round of grog - “Splicing the mainbrace,” as the practice was called. Officers might hold special dinners amongst themselves, and sailors might organize games, music, or other festivities.

In the discovery service, being ice-locked on a holiday could lead to some particular amusements.  

The precedent for grand celebrations in the polar regions can be traced back to the voyages of Sir Edward Parry, who spent numerous winters in the Arctic and was adamant that his crews remain busy and entertained, to combat the dreaded melancholia (often referred to as ”debility”) that could come while frozen in during a season wherein the sun never rose. Parry and his men created the Royal Arctic Theatre, holding full costumed performances on board their ships, and also organized masquerade balls around the New Year and in the depths of winter. These were events where social standards were broken down a bit, with both officers and sailors participating, and men in many cases dressing in women’s clothing (a necessity when casting a play of course, but also a sort of understanding that so far from English “society,” norms could be flexible for the sake of men’s morale.) James Clark Ross served as a midshipman and later a lieutenant on no fewer than four of Parry’s voyages of exploration. In three of those instances he was serving alongside his closest friend and future second-in-command, Francis Crozier. Although December marks the height of the summer, not winter, in the Antarctic, and the sun, rather than never rising, does not set, it is not surprising that Ross and Crozier would follow Parry’s example on their Antarctic expedition of 1839-43. Journals from the expedition recount that New Years celebrations were standard through the four-year voyage, but the turn of 1841 into 1842 was the most notable. With the ships Erebus and Terror trapped in pack ice near the Antarctic Circle, the officers had a unique opportunity to hold a grand party on the ice itself. A sort of ballroom was carved in the ice, complete with ice statues and decorated with flags and improvised tavern signs. There were four days of dancing and games, highlighted by a “fancy ball” (masquerade/costume party) which featured Captain Ross in the guise of a woman opening the dance floor as Crozier’s partner in a quadrille.

Some written accounts of the festivities below the cut!

From a letter written by John Edward Davis to his sister. Davis was  Second Master HMS Terror, and also the artist who painted the watercolor above:

... On the 30th we got no farther than the Circle, and the ice was so close and thick that we could not proceed; the weather was thick and foggy, and the mist on the rigging froze as it fell, and as their was danger of fouling or losing each other, there not being room to work, we made fast to the same piece of ice, and of course being only about 50 yards apart there was a great deal of visiting, for we had but to walk across the ice to get to the Erebus. So we proposed to see the Old Year out and the New Year in in style on the 31st. I dined on board the Erebus, and after dinner Hooker (the assistant surgeon of the Erebus) and myself went on the ice and cut out in the hard snow the figure of a woman, which we called our “Venus de Medici.” She was made sitting down and about eight feet long, and as the snow froze very hard she remained perfect till we left the flow. I assure you that (although I says it as shouldn’t) it was not badly executed, and was the cause of a good deal of fun, and was much criticised; after that we cleared away a room by cutting down to the solid ice, and built a table in it, on which to drink the Old Year out and the New Year in. At a few minutes before twelve you would have been stunned with the noise that was made, each ship trying to beat the other--blowing of horns, beating of gongs, squealing of pigs (for the men took the latter under their arms to make them make a noise), and all kinds of diabolical music--and at twelve it was increased by each ship ringing forty-two bells, which is called ringing the New Year in. We then all (I mean the officers of course) assembled at our refreshment room on the ice between the ships where the two captains soon joined us. Captain Ross was in high spirits, shaking hands with everybody and wishing them a Happy New Year. He then drank the health of all our men (for they were all up), the hands having been turned up to “Splice the main brace.” They then cheered him, and the same thing was done by Captain Crozier to the Erebus, and after some more drinking and cheering we separated for the night, or morning.

On New Year’s Day I wished you all many happy returns of it; and my dear mother, I hope she will see many more, and may she never have cause to complain of any of ther children, and may they (myself included) never fail in their duty and love towards her... We all dined together in the gun-rom, and after dinner, at about eight in the evening, we all went to a ball on the ice, a ball-room having been previously cut, with sofas all around, of course all made of snow. Flag-staffs were planted with the Royal Standard; two or three silk Union Jacks, besides other flags, presenting, I assure you, a very gay appearance. I must mention the sign-boards (for it was supposed to be an inn): one was “The Erebus and Terror,” and the other, rigged on a boat-hook staff and an ice-axe, presented the figure of Bacchus in one corner and Britannia in another, and something else equally fine in the others, but it puzzled my powers of discernment to decipher what they were intended to represent. But in the centre was painted “The Pilgrims of the Ocean,” and on the reverse (but I ought not to mention that as it was rather egotistical, but was copied from the ‘Quarterly Review’), “The Pioneers of Science,” at which Captain Ross was greatly amused. On the signal being given (a gun from the Erebus), the two captains made their appearance (under a rather irregular salute of musketry from a party of the men rigged as a guard of honour) and took their seats on a raised snow sofa, and soon after the ball commenced. Of course Captain Crozier and Miss Ross opened the ball with a quadrille; after that we had reels and country dances. Ices and refreshments were handed round, the former in the greatest profusion (the boatswain of the Erebus performing the part of host under the title of Mr. Boniface). You would have laughed to see the whole of us, with thick overall boots on, dancing, waltzing and slipping about, and all the fun imaginable going on. Ladies fainting with cigars in their mouths, to cure which the gentlemen would politely thrust a piece of ice down her back. But it would require a “Boz” [Charles Dickens] to give any idea of the ridiculous scene; it was beyond all description, and the best of it was not an ill word the whole time, although there were some very heavy falls and many a sore face from the blows of the snowballs. All was taken in good part, and, as the Vicar of Wakefield says, “What was wanting in wit was made up in laughter.” No accident occurred to me, without I may mention that a lady burnt the back of my hand with a cigar. In the next room some of the men were playing “Bell the cat.” At about one o’clock as the captains left we first pelted them with snowballs and then cheered them, both of which honours they took with equally good humour... I afterwards did a bit of a picture of the scene which has been greatly praised, and I have been asked to get it engraved and so ensured against lost, but there are two people to give their consent to that; but I shall wait till we get to England before I say anything about it, and then I might get two or three things lithographed if they are worth it...

---

From James Clark Ross’s published account of the voyage. He is expectedly very formal and mostly scientific about his descriptions, since he was writing for a more official audience and not a family member, but does manage to mention the party: 

Notwithstanding the inauspicious circumstances in which we were placed, the arrival of the new year was hailed by us all with the same feelings of confident hope and cheerfulness which had animated our exertions throughout the last season’s operations in these regions: and although we had found the pack to extend much farther to the northward than o the former occasion, and were at this time beset in so dense a portion of it, that not the least hole of water could be seen amongst it, presenting to our view an apparently impenetrable mass, as far as the eye could discern from the mastheads of our ships, yet we were encouraged to hope that the clear water was at no great distance to the southward of us; for we found the ice in which we were enclosed continue to move to the northward before every southerly breeze: it must therefore have left clear water at the place it originally occupied, and from which it was drifting. We had already advanced two hundred and fifty miles through the pack; and from its breadth last season, not much exceeding two hundred miles, we could not but expect to be soon released, and enabled to renew our exploration at the point of the barrier where we had left off last year. Our observations to-day at noon placed us in latitude 66º 32′ S., longitude 156º 28′ W., we therefore crossed the Antarctic circle this season the same day that we did last year, and forty degrees of longitude, or about fourteen hundred miles to the eastward. 

A complete suit of warm clothing was issued to our crews, as a new year’s gift, and the customary double allowance of provisions and spirits was served out to them. As the state of the ice prevented our making any attempt to proceed, we remained moored to the large floe piece we had hold of, and the day was spent by our people in the enjoyment of various amusing games on the ice, which their ingenuity invented, and which was finally wound up by a grand fancy ball, of a novel and original character, in which all the officers bore a part, and added much to the merriment and fun which all seemed greatly to enjoy; indeed, if our friends in England could have witnessed the scene, they would have thought, what I am sure was truly the case, that we were a very happy party. 

---

From the Memorandum Book of Sergeant W. K. Cunningham, Royal Marines, HMS Terror. Spelling, punctuation, and other quirks of grammar are his:  31st Friday New years eve: still fast: ice closed entirely round us: weather beautifull. In the course of the day built a nice appartment on the ice and put up a Sign of the “Pilgrim of hte Ocean” on one Side, with the “Pioneers of Science on the other. At 12 PM hoisted the Union and welcomed 1842 with three hearty cheers and “hands” splice the “Main brace.” Drank her Majesties health after which the Officers had a jubilee in the Pilgrim of the Ocean and both Ships companies repaired on board the Erebus and commenced dancing which was Kept up until an early hour and every thing went of with the best of good fellowship. 

It was a beautifull yet dreary Sight, to See the two Ships joined on the bosom of the deep with nothing in Sight only ice and snow and the Solitary Peterel or other Sea bird -- it reminded me of Scotts “Diamond of the Desert” in the Talisman. 

1st Saturday Was ushered in with joviality and hilarity; I hope it will go out so. Day very fine and a perfect Calm: no opening in the ice. During the day cleared away a four corner Ground and Skittle Alley on the ice also a ring for a jingling match and a ball room for the Officers. 

At 9 PM, on a gun being fired from the “Erebus” a Silk Union jack Royal Standard & Ensin was hoisted on the ice and a Royal Salute was fired by a party of Seamen with Muskets who were acting “soldiers” headed by Mr Oakly and presented a most Ludicruous and Laughable appearance. The Officers drunk H Majesties health in Champagne and the Ships Company spliced the Main brace and drank her health with I dont Know how many cheers. After which dancing commenced and was Kept until midnight when Sunday morning walked in and hauled down the colors, and dispersed the Company. The jingling match afforded a deal of amusement: we in all spent a very happy New Years day Considering where we were and every officer deserves credit for endevouring to make every one comfortable...

... 3rd Monday Fine: light breeze which increased at night with snow: ice opening a little to the eastward. The Evenings amusement on the ice commenced with jumping in Sacks: A Pig hunt and climbing a greasy pole for rum also a bear beat and other laughable &cs. A number of snow birds and several gigantic Peterel about: snowing all night. 

[timeagainreviews]

The Chibnall Masterplan

Back in 2018 when the episode "The Ghost Monument," aired, we got our first mention of "The Timeless Child," as uttered by bog rolls floating above the Doctor’s head. My initial reaction to this was dread. In fact, I can even quote my reaction from the review I wrote- "I’ll be honest, I have zero interest in that storyline. It’s called Doctor Who, not Doctor Who was Once a Little Kid Known as the Timeless Child." I got all of that from a single line of seemingly throwaway dialogue. Two years later, it would appear that my first guess was the truth. It turns out that when the Master said "Everything you think you know is a lie," was a lie. Evidently, I knew all along.

If you follow this blog closely, you’ll know that my reaction to the Timeless Child storyline has softened over time. I went from not giving a damn, to being fairly excited. That is until last week’s episode sent me spiralling back into that initial sense of dread. Sadly, this is the energy I brought into tonight’s episode. As opposed to bracing for excitement, I was bracing for disappointment. This is unfortunate as I always try and temper my expectations. I, like the rest of you, would love to be surprised. Even if I am worried about the trajectory of an episode, I always try and keep an open mind. After all, Doctor Who is pretty great.

After last week’s episode, I expected this one to be jam-packed with exposition. Oddly though, this one suffered from its own heaping dose of fluff as well. Once again, the companions spend most of their time on the sidelines. Right away they kill off that Rose Tyler looking girl, so I guess she wasn’t important. Which is a lot of how the episode treats our human characters. We’re given a scene wherein Yaz and Graham have a heart to heart, leading us to believe one of them may be departing at the end of the episode. However, this expectation is subverted by instead having nothing happen. Like last week, Chibnall has opted toward writing hollow character development in place of plot. Because of this, the scenes with the companions felt more like distractions from the actual story.

We get more of this when Ryan, Ethan, and Ko Sharmus are fighting off Cybermen with the power of busywork. Ryan’s attitude toward weapons has shifted since "The Ghost Monument." His interaction with the Doctor has turned him into a bit of a pacifist. Much like Chibnall’s writing, Ko Sharmus muddies this philosophy for Ryan by convincing him to take up arms against the Cybermen. I expected this to play into Yaz and Graham’s conversation, which felt like a foreshadowing of death. Ryan might shoot one of them as they are dressed in their Cybermen disguises, leading him to regret breaking his pacifism. But none of that happens. While it would have been a bit cliched and overly dark to do such a thing, at least it would have been something.

The Master takes the Doctor into the portal to Gallifrey where they stand within the Time Lord citadel. The Master traps the Doctor in a device which may as well be named the Agency Stripper™, as that’s what it, and this episode does to her throughout most of its run. Using the Time Lord Matrix, he illustrates the story of the Time Lord’s origins. All the while in the real world, he invites Ashad, the Lone Cyberman to set up shop on Gallifrey.

The Master tells the Doctor the story about a Shobogan scientist named Tecteun. She was the first of her kind to achieve space flight, which is incredible when you consider the thousands of people that were necessary just to get humans to the moon. During her travels through space, she discovers an odd gateway containing a little girl. She takes this girl home and raises her as her own. During a freak accident, much like Brendan from last week, she falls off a cliff. Damn kids, always playing by rocky cliffsides. However, instead of dying, she regenerates.

Tecteun goes a bit mad scientist trying to unlock the secrets behind regeneration, leading her to do experiments on this timeless child. She even appears to force regenerations on her as well. Eventually, she unlocks the secret of regenerations and successfully uses it on herself. This establishes what would become Time Lord society. At this point, we’re now waiting for the Master to tell the Doctor exactly what we all know- that the Timeless Child is the Doctor. However, there was a moment when it almost seemed like the Master was going to say he was the Timeless Child, which honestly, I would have found far more compelling. It would have informed so much of the Master’s past actions, and his recent relapse in character development after Missy’s change of hearts.

Instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at this "big reveal." It really was that simple. The story I wrote in my head after a single line of dialogue is exactly what we got. We learn that the number of regenerations was placed upon future Time Lords, which is weird because Clara had to plead for the Time Lords to give the Eleventh Doctor more. I guess along with unlocking the secret to the Timeless Child’s regenerations, they were also able to limit their number. That or Chibnall didn’t even think about it.

When considering the wanton destruction of Gallifrey by the Master’s hand, you suspect whatever it was the Time Lords did to this child was heinous. And while, yes, forcing regenerations upon the kid is a bit cruel, they always looked serene (see: bored) while sitting there in Tecteun’s lab. I expected it to be something like Rassilon and Omega destroyed a child to harness her time travelling ability to create the first TARDIS. Turns out, that the thing that really pissed off the Master was knowing that he had a little bit of the Doctor inside of him. While the Master has always been a bit of a maniac, even this felt like a bit excessive.

Back on the Cybership, the humans have stowed themselves away in Cyberman armour. I rather liked this bit as it reminded me of the very first Dalek story where Ian hides away inside a Dalek carapace. While I feel like they could have done more with this, at least they were having a bit of fun. After saving Ryan, Ethan, and Ko Sharmus from the Cybermen, the humans make their way into the portal to Gallifrey. The Cybermen land above the Time Lord citadel where they hover above, ready to make Gallifrey their new home.

The Master does the Doctor dirty and leaves her inside the Matrix to fend for herself, while he goes off to broker a deal with Ashad. We find out that Ashad, with the guidance of the Cyberium coursing through his mind, has created a death particle capable of undoing all organic life in the universe. His big plan is to basically turn the Cybermen into robots, which much like the Master, I found boring. Thankfully the Master is always up to his dirty tricks as he kills Ashad and uses the Cyberium to create a race of Cyberman/Time Lords known as Cyber-Masters. I was a bit disappointed they weren’t called Cyber Lords. However, I suppose the Master naming them after himself is on-brand at least. After all, he did once make an entire planet’s population into himself.

The Doctor is now forced to deal with the new information she’s been given by the Master. She rejects it at first, but the imagery of Brendan in her mind keeps giving her cause to doubt. It’s then that she sees the Ruth Doctor who helps her through her identity crisis long enough to help her escape the Matrix. Her plan to escape is to basically run through every life in her mind until it shorts out and forces the Matrix to release her. This entire sequence is rather silly when you consider the Matrix holds the entire lives of countless other Time Lords. No matter how many lives she had before the First Doctor, it’s not more than the Matrix can handle. What’s even sillier is the way in which they shot it, which was basically by having Jodie Whittaker squeeze her eyes shut and wince while holding her head. I was reminded of hacking scenes in movies where they throw a montage of symbols over the scene to make up for the fact that we’re basically watching some guy on a computer.

The montage is what is really worth mentioning, as it touched upon quite a few things from the Doctor’s past. Some of these things have been mysteries from as far back as the Tom Baker era. I’m speaking of course about the Morbius Doctors. For those of you not in the know, the Morbius Doctors were a series of images projected from the Doctor’s mind during a battle of wits between the Fourth Doctor and an evil Time Lord named Morbius. I had always assumed they were Morbius’ previous regenerations, but many have speculated that they were versions of the Doctor from before William Hartnell. Well, it would appear that this age-old debate can now be put to rest- those were definitely images of the Doctor.

I’d be lying if the nerd in me doesn’t kind of love this. Like I said, I try and keep an open mind. It’s even easier when the concept of Doctors existing before the First Doctor has been around for rather a long time. Andrew Cartmel’s "masterplan," was to introduce the idea of "the Other," which would be a Time Lord on par with Rassilon and Omega that was eventually "cloned," in a  genetic loom into the First Doctor. However, the idea was paired back as it was decided the doing such a thing would reveal too much about the Doctor’s past, thus answering too much of the show’s central question- "Doctor Who?"

Was it too much? That’s really hard for me to say at this point. It’s a bit early to know for sure. It does certainly complicate things a bit. To paraphrase something Andrew Cartmel once said at a public appearance- these story elements are like barnacles on a ship. Each one of them attaches to the hull over time. They seem small at first, but they eventually begin to slow the ship down. Take the aforementioned regeneration limitation placed upon Time Lords back in 1976’s "The Deadly Assassin." While it worked for the story at the time, it gave Steven Moffat the unruly task of finding new ways for the Doctor to keep on regenerating. You’ll forgive the guy for not doing the Valeyard.

While the nerd in me does love that they touched upon some deep Doctor Who lore, part of me was also lamenting the introduction of so many new versions of the Doctor. I’ve got a special love for each incarnation of the Doctor. This is why I love the Eighth Doctor audios so much, as it gives us an even deeper understanding of his character, despite his limited screentime. Even the War Doctor was given the chance to develop. Where will the Ruth Doctor play into all of this? Why did she have a police box if she is pre-Hartnell? Is this “Division,” an actual division of the Timeless Child into multiple entities? Will we get to experience her Doctor in a deeper way that feels as fulfilling as the first Doctor of colour deserves? While I hold out some hope for her, what about the montage of children in Tecteun’s lab? Are we going to get comics and Big Finish audios starring some kid you saw for two seconds? (I kid, you know they will) On one hand, we see the first Asian Doctor, on the other hand, they don’t even get a speaking role. Even with so much being added to the Doctor’s history, I can’t help but feel slightly short-changed.

Speaking of short-changed, let’s talk about that ending. The Doctor’s plan actually works, releasing her from the Matrix’s hold, which oddly also releases her from the Agency Stripper™. Convenient! Her companions find her as she’s lying there unconscious. They managed to find her rather quickly considering the city is in ruins. Convenient! The Doctor finds Ashad’s death particle, which has been shrunk down by the Master’s tissue compression device. I’m not sure, but I think this is the reason the death particle is no longer a threat to the entire universe. It now only seems to pose a threat to the organic life on Gallifrey. Maybe this is because Gallifrey is still in its own pocket universe? Either way, it wasn’t very clear. The Doctor makes contact with the Master and pinpoints his location. Convenient! She calls him to the citadel like it was Friday Night Wrestling and they have their little showdown. I swear if they’d have started making out, I wouldn’t have batted an eye, those two.

After forcing her companions to stay behind on a TARDIS set for Earth, the Doctor heads back to have a final showdown with the Master. With the tiny Cyberman attached to an explosive device resembling a torch, the Doctor decides she must kill the Master and this new race of Cyber-Masters before they can kill all of humanity. Having the ability to regenerate, the only way to take these mechanoids down is with the death particle. This is a far cry from the Doctor we’ve seen in "Genesis of the Daleks," or even "Daleks Take Manhattan," where the Doctor would consider such things "genocide." However, the Doctor gets a total cop-out moment as Ko Sharmus shows up long enough to detonate the device himself. After very little prompting, the Doctor allows him to sacrifice himself as she flees.

This, for me at least, is a longstanding problem with Chris Chibnall’s morality. It’s the Thirteenth Doctor’s weird relationship with guns all over again. As if to prove Davros’ point from "Journey’s End," this Doctor feels all too comfortable with allowing others to do her dirty work. Imagine the scene from "The Day of the Doctor," when Clara is standing there looking of the Doctors about to collectively blow up Gallifrey. It’s as if when she said "I never pictured you doing it," instead of changing his mind, the Doctor would say "You know, you’re right. You do it!” There’s a kind of mean spirited morality lurking beneath Chibnall’s writing. Or as my friend Adro jokingly put it- "I would not want to be his S&M partner."

The Doctor sends her companions and the last humans in the galaxy back to the 21st century. Surely no bootstrap paradoxes will come from Yedlarmi or Ethan making future generations of their own ancestors. Time Lords have bigger things to worry about than time anomalies. Right? Oh right. Graham and Ravio still seem perfectly capable of continuing their relationship, so that’s at least something. I also highly doubt either of them are likely to sire any paradoxical offspring any time soon. Though they are still fully capable of raising the sheep that go on to start the Wooly Rebellion. After finding herself pleasantly surprised to be alive, the Doctor finds her way back to her own TARDIS. However, before she can scoop up her companions, she’s intercepted by an angry Judoon who arrests her and throws her into space jail. I imagine this has something to do with why the Ruth Doctor was a "Fugitive of the Judoon."

After all is said and done, it’s really hard to pin down exactly how I feel about this episode. I do applaud the bold move of expanding the Doctor’s canon to include previous regenerations. I’ve always said that Doctor Who does occasionally need a showrunner willing to put their neck on the line. For better or worse, John Nathan-Turner was great for doing exactly that. Sometimes it’s a good thing to shake things up, and really dust off the cobwebs. Though strangely, a lot of tonight’s episode was very non-committal. The Master could very well have been lying.  Gallifrey could also still very easily be restored by using the Matrix’s memory. I personally would appreciate that as I love both Romana and Leela. The idea of the two of them dead and eaten away by the death particle is rather distressing. While I liked watching Jodie get a bit snippy and knocking the Master to the ground, I feel like a she never got a moment to be the Doctor. Her “Aha!” moment was short-lived and not very clever. She spends most of the episode either locked up or feeling helpless.

Also, where the hell was Captain Jack? What the hell Chibnall? How are they going to just give us five minutes of John Barrowman? It seems weird to introduce him only to put it off until the next series. However, the most egregious of sins for "The Timeless Children," is how utterly predictable it all was. As I illustrated above, I was able to imagine the entire concept of the Timeless Child the very first time I heard it mentioned. I put no deep effort into it either. It seemed like the most obvious storyline. The same could be said about people’s Ruth theories. Some of which were even better. The only way in which the episode could have surprised me was by making the Master the Timeless Child. It was the one point where I really perked up and began to feel a real interest in the plot. But alas, no, they went the incredibly obvious route. This isn’t to say they won’t be able to do interesting things with this in the future. The issue I’m having is that if I am able to figure out the plot just by hearing a single line of dialogue, did I even need to watch it?

[basic-cable]

Fic Rec Bingo

I saw this making the rounds on Twitter and decided I’d like to try it (mostly because I enjoy going back through my list and reminiscing about the ones I love but haven’t read in a while), but didn’t feel like Twitter was the best place to post mine. I’ve got both Dreamwidth and Pillowfort, but I haven’t really used them. This is probably the kind of thing that should go there, so maybe I’ll post it there, too. We’ll see. 

Anyway, I only read in four fandoms, so maybe my recs will be boring to most people. But they’re good stories, and maybe there are even some people out there who haven’t read them. 

I don’t expect any reblogs or anything, but maybe people will see it and decide they’d like to take part, and then there will be more fic recs out there making the world a better place.

I put them under a cut because the descriptions and stuff take up so much space.

1. A fic you love without knowing the source material Take the Pieces and Build them Skywards by quarterturn Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 44,816 ** Explicit ** Character Death Gerard's not happy with his life, but that doesn't mean he's particularly thrilled when he wakes up dead. To add insult to injury, he finds out that instead of crossing over, he's been chosen to join the ranks of the grim reapers. Things get more complicated when he falls for one of the living, a waiter named Frank Iero. And just when everything finally seems to be falling into place, Frank's name shows up on the list of souls to be reaped. Loosely based on the TV show Dead Like Me.

I don’t know anything about the TV show Dead Like Me; when I first read this fic in 2009, I had never even heard of it. I’ve wondered since then if I like it even better because I don’t know anything about the source material, but I’ll never know.It made me laugh and cry; it’s an emotional roller coaster, and I love it.

2. A fic with a premise that shouldn’t work but does

An Inexplicable Occurrence of Angels by stele3

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 35,192 ** PG-13 ** No Warnings

I've messed with the band timeline, clearly. This is set in summer of 2005... but it ain't the Summer of Like. This is a story about second chances and gutting through your own failures, but never letting them defeat you. Take that, bitches.

Frank (Frank!) is a literal angel, okay, but there is not a thing I don’t love about this story. It’s angsty but still manages to be cute and charming as fuck, and the characterization is great.

3. A fic you’ve reread several times

Seeds by thesardine

Sherlock ** Gen, supposedly ** 5,475 ** PG-13 ** No Warnings

In a fit of boredom Sherlock plants some seeds, may or may not eat one cracker, and definitely waxes dramatic on the sofa for a while.

Sherlock struggles with a bit of depression caused by boredom, and accidentally discovers a hobby he slowly learns to allow himself to enjoy. I love this a lot; the author takes us into Sherlock’s headspace, so you’re painfully aware just how much he needs a distraction, and how much better off he is with John in his life.

4. A fic you still remember many years later

In Care Of by Fangs_Fawn

Harry Potter ** Gen ** 45,319 ** PG-13 ** Child Abuse

During the summer before sixth year, Harry finds an injured bat in the garden and decides to try to heal it...and an unwilling Snape learns just what kind of a person Harry Potter really is.

Between the Dursleys getting what’s coming to them, and the redemption of Harry, Snape, and Dumbledore in each others’ eyes, this story has really stuck with me through the years.

5. A comfort fic

Nature and Nurture by earlgreytea68

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 203,273 ** Mature ** No Warnings

The British Government accidentally clones Sherlock Holmes. Which brings a baby to 221B Baker Street.

Thousands of words of fluff. Literally. There’s not a lot of conflict in this story, which makes it a great comfort fic when your mind is too busy or real life is too depressing.

6. A cathartic fic

The Quiet Man by ivyblossom

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 157,369 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

"Do you just carry on talking when I'm away?"

Post-Reichenbach John is walking the line between fantasy and reality, choosing to stay with the Sherlock in his head rather than deal with the reality where he no longer exists. He eventually manages to attempt a normal life, but he’s bored and basically sleepwalking through his days, so when Sherlock finally reveals himself, it’s the best kind of relief. They go after the last remnants of Moriarty’s web, in hopes of a second chance at the life they should have had together.

7. A fic you’d print and put on your bookshelf

Saving Sherlock Holmes by earlgreytea68

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John Mycroft/Greg ** 139,494 ** Mature ** Underage

Okay. So. This was literally supposed to be, like, three or four chapters as a prologue to the show. Sort of a "what happened in the Holmes childhoods to make them the way they are today." That's why it's set in the time period it is, because I thought I was eventually going to leave them to go on to the show. And then...I got a bit carried away and thought, Here I have established the two young Holmes boys. Now what happens if, instead of making them wait twenty years, I give them everything they need to fix themselves right now? Forty-three chapters later, you have this story.

To be honest, I would like to have most of my favorite fics in book form, with actual pages, that I could pluck from my actual shelf and sit and read without the glare of a screen between us. But I do enjoy the feel of this story, and I do believe it would make a good actual book.

8. A fic you associate with a song

Unholyverse by bexless

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 186,764 ** Explicit ** Violence & Character Death

“He thinks I have stigmata,” Frank said, because what the fucking hell, it couldn’t get any worse. He might as well just lay it out.

“Oh, well,” said Brian into his hands. “Of course.”

Every time I so much as think about this series, MCR’s Heaven Help Us starts playing in my head.

9. A fic that inspires you

Turn by Saras_Girl

Harry Potter ** Harry/Draco ** 306,708 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

One good turn always deserves another. Apparently.

Frankly, I love every single thing this author has ever churned out, but this one is my very favorite. Harry gets a glimpse into what his life could have been, and a chance to make big changes he desperately needs. 

10. A fic that brought you on board a new ship

So, So Fucked by Anonymous

Bandom ** Pete/Patrick ** 12,565 ** Mature ** No Warnings

Pete accidentally "outs" himself and Patrick on Good Morning America. Only problem? They're not gay. What now?

I was reading strictly in Harry Potter at the time, and wasn’t interested in bandom at all, but my best friend was doing betas for someone who was writing in bandom, and she ended up getting into it and then wrote this one, and kept calling me about it to bounce ideas around, and the story was so cute, and Pete and Patrick were so cute, and I suddenly found myself totally invested. Honestly I think it may have been one of the best things that ever happened to me.

11. A fic you wish could be a movie

The Anatomy of a Fall by novembersmith

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 107,525 ** Explicit ** Violence & Character Death

The unholy union of a high school AU and a ghost story. Gerard's life takes a strange turn when his family moves to a small town in Vermont and he discovers the locals aren't all what they seem to be. Also includes: unexpected nature walks, murder, pining, improper treatment of crime scenes, a number of bone-related puns, high school bullies, and a short-range shrub named Ferdinand.

This story has excellent imagery that I think would work really well on the big screen. Plus I can’t even hear the name of it without my heart doing flip-flops.

12. A fic that led to you making friends with the author

Seven ficlets for Valentine’s Day Part VII by RedOrchid

Bandom ** GSF ** 1,042 ** Mature? ** No Warnings

Panic-as-cleaning-equipment-AU Valentine's Day GSF.

I technically don’t have a fic for this bingo square, but this one comes close, I guess. The author was already in my larger circle of friends, but we didn’t actually talk to each other? She wrote this crack ficlet around the same time we started talking to each other more, and I still vividly remember it because of the genius involved in turning band boys into literal cleaning equipment. The line “Ryan bristled” has stuck with me to this day.

13. free space

Elf ‘Verse by mokuyoubi

Bandom ** GSF ** 103,247 ** Explicit ** Underage

Modern AU where Ryan is a famous poet, and he and Spencer are fiercely private and insular and stupidly co-dependent until Jon shows up and effortlessly breaks down all their walls.

Or

Wherein Brendon and Frank are Christmas elves who, inspired by Will Farrell movies, venture into the real world to become rock stars. Or something of that nature.

I’ve got a lot of love for this universe for various reasons, but it’s also fun and heartwarming and honestly, I don’t really need anything else.

14. A fic you’ve gushed about irl

Harry Potter and the Battle of Wills by Jocelyn (and her mum)

Harry Potter ** Mostly Gen ** 137,385 ** Basically PG-13 ** Character Death

Harry mourns his godfather as the war finally begins in earnest, bringing tragedy and new struggles for all those on the side of Good. If they hope to win, all quarrels must be set aside, new alliances must be forged, and Harry Potter must find the courage to face down dark wizards, his own emotions, and a destiny he did not choose. Snape blows his cover as a spy to save Harry from Voldemort.

This begins after Order of the Phoenix, and the story and characters read more like canon than any other HP fic I’ve read, so because of that and because it’s so, so good, I like to rec this one to people who are new to fandom.

15. A fic you associate with a place

Stately Homes of Wiltshire by waspabi

Harry Potter ** Harry/Draco ** 57,582 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

Malfoy Manor has mould, dry rot and an infestation of unusually historical poltergeists. Harry Potter is on the case.

Wiltshire! I’ve never actually been there, but this author is really good about details. The story is also lovely and funny.

16. A fic that made you gasp out loud

Home is a Name by Arsenic

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 39,314 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

MCR Clinic of Love. Companion fic to Wednesday Night Boys.

Okay, so this one is actually a sequel, and the first installment, Wednesday Night Boys, should 100% be read first. It must be said, though, that while the sequel doesn’t have any warnings, Wednesday Night Boys is about the Panic! kids as prostitutes, and has warnings for graphic violence, rape/non-con, and underage sex. The MCR guys work at the free clinic, and Home is a Name focuses on them. They’re honestly both gorgeous stories.

17. A fic you found at the right time

real or not real by thearkdelinquents

Anne with an E ** Anne/Gilbert ** 11,587 ** PG ** No Warnings

“I could do it.” Gilbert said, looking straight ahead.

Anne stopped. “What?”

He turned to look at her; they were just outside Green Gables now. “I could do it. I could court you.”

“What- We- You- I- You don’t like me like that.” Anne sputtered.

Gilbert smirked at her. “Well we could pretend. I could court you and be your fake boyfriend.”

For one of the few times in her life, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert was speechless.

-

a fake dating fic but it's basically just a shirbert To All The Boys I Loved Before au.

I really, really loved Anne with an E. When the final season was released, I spent a weekend binge-watching the entire show, and then it was over and I was bereft, so I decided to see what was available on Ao3, and I found this, and it was exactly what I needed. And now I have another fandom.

18. A fic that you would read fic of

Left by lifeonmars

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 45,153 ** Mature ** No Warnings

John Watson is left-handed.

He’s tried not to let it affect his life, but as any Lefty knows, that’s almost impossible.

In this universe, all right-handed people have some kind of power, or ‘knack’, most of which are mild and easily categorized. Sherlock’s is rare and believed to be the only one like it in the world. John is left-handed, part of the 10% of the population without a knack. I would read all kinds of fics of this fic.

19. A fic that made you laugh out loud

What to do When Your Flatmate is Homicidal by hyacinth_sky747

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 58,650 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

Sherlock takes Molly's advice when dealing with his dangerous flatmate.

Heartwarming and hilarious. I laughed a lot.

20. A fic with a line (or two) that you’ve memorised by heart

A Necessary Requirement by Bexless

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 3,759 ** Mature ** No Warnings

Right, here is the extremely silly storylet I wrote BY HAND on holiday. On PAPER. With a PEN. My god. The things I do when I'm separated from my beloved net. It is set during the Summer of Like (Warped '05, for those of you who don't know) and is basically a product of my reaction to various pictures of Gerard groping himself on stage, which led to me obsessing about his dick and what it might look like. As usual, I chose to work this obsession out through Frank.

This fic could have gone to multiple other squares, but I am not usually the kind of person who can quote lines from things, and I have many lines from this story committed to memory. I’ve read it multiple times, because I read it every time I need a pick-me-up or a good laugh. Or if I’ve read something scary and I need something lighter before I can actually get up and move around my house...

21. A fic that gave you butterflies

Pretty Much A Sex God by adellyna

Bandom ** Spencer/Jon ** 3,985 ** PG-13 ** No Warnings

Jon and Spencer’s first date.

The Jon in this story is so soft and warm and fluffy and his character makes my heart and stomach do weird things.

22. A fic that embodies something you value in life

A Marauder’s Plan by CatsAreCool (Rachel500)

Harry Potter ** Harry/Hermione ** 865,520 ** PG13 ** Violence/Death/Underage

What if Sirius decided to stay in England and deliver on his promise to raise Harry instead of hiding somewhere sunny? Changes abound with that one decision...

ALSO

Harry’s New Home by kbinnz

Harry Potter ** Gen ** 318,389 ** PG-13 ** Abuse

One lonely little boy. One snarky, grumpy git. When the safety of one was entrusted to the other, everyone knew this was not going to turn out well... Or was it? AU, sequel to "Harry's First Detention". 

In these two stories, Sirius and Severus throw everything they have into creating the best possible world for Harry, as he is their number one priority, because that is exactly how parenthood should be. 

23. A favourite AU

Performance In a Leading Role by Mad_Lori

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 156,714 ** Explicit ** No Warnings

Sherlock Holmes is an Oscar winner in the midst of a career slump. John Watson is an Everyman actor trapped in the rom-com ghetto. When they are cast as a gay couple in a new independent drama, will they surprise each other? Will their on-screen romance make its way into the real world?

This has got quite a bit of schmoop, which isn’t usually my thing, but this story is so, so good, and I always love stories that describe Sherlock realizing and appreciating how extraordinary John is.

24. A fic you stayed up too late to finish reading

Collared by VelvetMace

Sherlock ** Sherlock/John ** 83,028 ** Explicit ** Violence & Rape/Non-Con

In a world where the British Empire is still strong and slavery is her economic backbone, John has become a terrorist for the abolitionist movement. He is caught by Mycroft, enslaved, and given to Sherlock for training. The goal: To test a new kind of slave collar with the power to break even the strongest willed fighter. One that will make even John learn to love being a slave.

Dubious consent, and humiliation. I remember staying up very late reading this one, even though I had to work early the next morning. I just couldn’t put it down. 

25. A fic that made you feel seen

Buy Handmade by jjtaylor

Bandom ** Frank/Gerard ** 18,755 ** Mature ** No Warnings

He knows something else is going to happen; his life isn't always going to be this. He just doesn't know what has to happen for that change to come, for him to wake up and become an artist with an Etsy page and a home studio, and to never have to see a cubicle again.

This is the story of my heart. I have felt Frankie’s feelings and thought his thoughts, and I love that he does something about it, and I love Gerard so, so much. I first read this in 2009, and my love for it has never wavered. I could have used this one for a good half of the bingo squares, but it’s the only one that could go here.

[vcloudbreaker]

Another interview with Valestia

- what did you have for breakfast?

"Cheddar crepes with herbs, walnuts, dates, honey on honeybread, and coffee with sweetened goat's milk."

- what can you cook perfectly?

"I love to cook, but deviled clams and crab cakes are my specialty. I also make perfect fish chowders."

- if you could choose any pet, what would it be?

Oh dear, I think I have my hands full with the tigers, pomeranians, brewhound, marsuul, and penguin, nevermind the rest of the animals that aren't allowed in the house. That said, I miss my white worg fiercely, sometimes. Maybe someday I'll find it in me to get another.

- how is your relationship with your parents?

...my parents are dead. Undead, unfortunately, along with my step mother. I will always love them, and I can tell there'll always be something inside them that feels for me - but I don't always know the individuals they've become, anymore.

- what is your favorite read?

Auch! I hate books. That said, I enjoy studying Lady Liadrin's account of the fall of Silvermoon and founding of the Order when I need to center myself. (Headcanon wherein a first person perspective version of the Blood of the Highborne novella written from Liadrin's perspective is kept in The Hall of Blood.)

- who is the last person you crushed on?

...my husband.

- how do you feel about marraige?

I'm very happily married. I recommend every woman find a good man and stick to him.

- socks then shoes, or one foot at a time?

I could see one foot at a time benefiting a man on some occasions, but no reason a woman should ever put on one shoe before both socks are on.

- do you fold you clothes before bed?

I hang my clothes. All my clothes. But not usually until the next morning, if they don't need laundering.

- what does your dream house look like?

We lived on a ship for a year after we were married. I would happily go back to it.

- what's your worst habit?

I'm told it's making snap judgments. I admit I'm occasionally wrong, but I find my intuitions about people have served me well in life.

- what do you do for a living and how do you feel about your job?

At need I'm a confessor, seamstress, an exorcist, and I own a privateering vessel with an employed crew; but primarily I'm a Blood Knight of Quel'thalas. It's a stressful occupation that comes with a lot of complications, but I can't imagine doing anything else for a living.

Tagged by: @adilynia-kiden ...ages ago. My bad. <3

Tagging: @xcloudbreaker

[lucacangettathisass]

WIP Tag

Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous.

now i dont have a WIP folder, per se, just WIPs in general, if that makes sense. I’ve decided to separate them into different categories, fanfic and original, and for fanfic i’ve organized it by fandom alphabetically. let’s go.

tagged by @lilithenaltum

FANFIC

CRIMINAL MINDS

Untitled [spencer reid x oc]: this is an idea i’ve had for a while that im finally getting around to writing. i made a plot bunny post for it here. basically family murdered, blame put on the largely black and brown vodou community, the team gets a mambo/manbo (depending on which term u like) to help and ooooh boy spencer falls hard and fast.

MARVEL

Feel Like This [stephen strange x female!reader]: stephen takes on reader as a student, and shit goes south. can be found here, currently working on final part.

Home Is Where The Heart(h) Is [stephen strange x female!reader x loki]: reader gets a job as the PA for the avengers. shenanigans ensue. can be found here, currently on hold.

Untitled [loki x oc]: also has a plot bunny post here. featuring major canon divergence, norse myth, and the whole ‘Loved One Being Reincarnated’ trope.

Untitled [loki x female!reader]: after falling from the rainbow bridge, loki ends up in the reader’s garden. predictably, things go to shit.

Untitled [loki x female!reader]: the reader, who is the daughter of an unseelie queen, explores the mortal world and gets herself entangled with the avengers, and their charge loki, who is beyond delighted by the reader.

PEAKY BLINDERS

Acquisitions [luca changretta x shelby!female!reader]: s4 canon divergence, wherein the reader, a shelby, is married off to luca to make peace between the families. can find it here, updated incredibly sporadically.

Hell Hath No Fury [luca changretta x female!reader]: s4 canon divergence. the reader is tommy’s long suffering wife and turns against him. can find it here, also updated incredibly sporadically.

My Lover In The Front Row [luca changretta x me] (seriously): luca goes to a performance at a burlesque club where he sees moi perform and falls head over heels. self indulgent af.

Untitled [tommy shelby x oc]: plot bunny post here. i know i say that i hate tommy, and dont worry i truly do, but i actually make him bearable in my fics when i want to. also im love ballet.

Untitled [tommy shelby x indian!reader x luca changretta]: some s4 canon divergence. reader gets a job as charlie’s nanny and it all snowballs from there.

RIVERDALE

Untitled [sweet pea x oc]: plot bunny post can be found here. also features jeronica because im love that ship.

RWBY

Glitter And Gold [various ships]: tells the stories of some of my rwby ocs.

Strange Bedfellows [blake belladonna x roman torchwick]: au where blake remains with the white fang, and after it joins forces with cinder, she is paired with neo (and thus roman) to infiltrate beacon. listen im trash for this ship ok sue me.

Untitled [qrow branwen x blake belladonna]: au where qrow goes to menagerie at ozpin’s behest to try and get the faunus onside. he meets blake and well, im sure yall can guess.

YU-GI-OH

Untitled [ryou bakura/yami bakura/marik ishtar/yami marik x me]: i transfer to domino high, where i meet the king of games himself and discover a few things about myself, and the neat scarab brooch i bought from a thrift store. self indulgent as fuck try and stop me coppers.

YU-GI-OH 5DS

Untitled [yusei fudo x oc x jack atlas]: plot bunny post can be found here. featuring some canon divergence.

ORIGINAL

Autonomy: As the best engineer in New Orleans, it was normal for Marcel to develop professional connections, the newest of which being John St. Clair; a toy maker from New York.

Along with his business, John brings with him his young daughter, Minnie, who is set to make her debut in New Orleans society.

Beautiful, kind, and intelligent, it doesn’t take long for Minnie to catch the eye of several men, including Marcel.

But is John St. Clair as happy to have Marcel as a son-in-law and a business partner? Or will another suitor ultimately win?

(steampunk historical romance ficiton)

Untitled: After spending her first year of university in Rome, and away from the Tuscan countryside she’s called home, Carlotta finally returns to help her family run their inn for the tourist season.

While back, she meets Victor, who has decided to summer in Tuscany. As Carlotta finds herself drawn more and more to mysterious Victor, she discovers a diary that belonged to a female relative from the 1880s, describing her torrid affair with a wealthy foreigner.

A foreigner who sounds a lot like Victor.

i tag @thefudge @gameofdooweeoo @blinder-secrets

[viampythonissam]

Intro, continued...

It was then I became obsessed with death and the occult, desperately trying to make contact with my grandfather through anything possible. Being clairaudient, I was expecting to hear a message from my grandfather all throughtout the whole funeral and mourning period, but to no avail. So in my desparation, I went into research, and stumbled upon things such as the ouija, seances, and many more. I even considered dabbling into necromancy, just in order to hear from him again. His death broke me so much that I was for the most time wishing I were dead too. I had suicidal thoughts but somehow something has prevented me from attempting. It could be I'm too chicken to hurt myself (getting hurt by other things besides self-infliction doesn't scare me though) or the thought of my mother crying over my dead body is another thing that would crush my heart.

I started questioning my religious beliefs then. We were Roman Catholics, and we go to church, but not too often. I am very religious though when I was a child, having been schooled in a private Catholic school, and I know all the prayers by heart; but it all changed. I felt resentment for praying so hard but never getting answered. That everything happens for a reason. A reason still so vague to me to this day, which I continue to believe was the same reason of the breaking apart of this family and eventual downfall. The family is in ruins, and the family home is crumbling apart. My father's only brother, my uncle Aldrin, died a little over two years after my grandfather; and his widow and only child, my cousin, was estranged ever since then, because of inheritance issues. My father decided to sell the house, my childhood home because of this; splitting the family fortune already so that we can all go off our separate ways and stop the bickering. The only thing that's keeping him from doing so is my grandmother who is still so attached to the house built by my grandfather.

At 16, I eventually traversed my way into the craft, dabbling on it. There was a kind of pull into these mystics that appealed to someone like me. Was it power? Was it danger? Mystery, perhaps? Or maybe I just got all too familiar with the unknown for me to be comfortable chasing after it? This craft, shunned by my faith since the dawn of time and even killed tons of people because of it, felt like home to me; learning it felt like retracing my steps back from where I came from. There was a sense of calm, relief, and freedom learning the ways of the earth, elements, and spirits and those who came before. Its unrestrictive nature was a stark contrast to the repressive and dominating teachings of the Catholic scriptures. Wherein Christianity demands a million things to do and not to do to save your soul, the craft only ever wanted you to do anything you want, just as long you harm none, even yourself. I have a lot of arguments to make against my old faith, that's why I consider myself an agnostic in all fairness. That's a topic for another day.

When I got to college at 17, I applied for nursing school under my father's wishes. It was in my misfortune to be enrolled in a school with a toxic environment of sorts: unhealthy clinic hours, unreasonable school workload, toxic Christian classmates who bombarded me everyday with bible verses and inviting me to join Sunday worship thingies. I am very respectful of other's beliefs and opinions but I really have a bone to pick with the Born Agains because upon knowing I am interested in dark movies and occult, they've started telling me that the Devil has a grip on my soul and that I should stop it so that my soul can be saved. They're even worse than the Mormons and Witnesses who knock on your door at certain days. I'd just ignore it and they'll go but BAs will stop at nothing to guiltify me of being possessed and that I need deliverance. It was also the time my parents went to Australia for work because of the failing finances due to to my late grandfather's hospital expenses, my uncle meeting his untimely demise, and my uncle's greedy widow who already demanded their inheritance even though my grandmother was still alive. My best friends of highschool also attended different schools and pursued different career pathways which left me feeling more isolated and unsure of myself. These issues fed my undiagnosed depression and relapse of suicidal thoughts all throughout my 4 years in nursing school. It was a mix of emotions, a rollercoaster ride of disappointments, achievements, first-time experiences, full independence. All without a proper support system. Nevertheless, I grew wiser while treading the craft, and for the first time since I lost my grandfather, I felt safe and sound and complete.

Then I met my elementary school sweetheart again in my final year and we became a couple. He was a sweet guy, smart and responsible. We had our similarities, our quirks, but we also had differences. I was already quite a learned witch, studying tarot and palmistry as my supposed-to-be expertise, when he told me how he wanted to be baptised as a Born Again (he and his family are Roman Catholics as well). He told me how he was deeply affected by the one time he went to a worship service of his friend's church. This struck a chord in me, a subtle reference to my beliefs. At the time, I have fully believed he is the man I'm gonna settle for, the one I'm gonna marry. He's everything I have hoped for then: he's finished school, on his way to a very decent career on a ship as a marine engineer. He's from a good family as well. Well-mannered, and not to mention that we've got a pretty long history way back when we we're 10 or so. He even made a subtle proposal of a civil marriage before he hops on board the ship. I know it was betrayal of myself, but I love this man so much so, I am ready to submit myself to him.

Worst decision of my life. I started to try and mingle with Christians so I may understand just why I needed to be saved. I joined worship services and sang with them against my own beliefs. I taught myself to be like them just so I could fit in, so that I may have friends. In return, they've burned all my books and tarot decks. Even my Slipknot t-shirt that my grandmother bought me was not spared from the Christian pyre. Said that it's to release me from the grip of the Devil. They even did deliverance to me. For a while I thought I was given a new lease on life and that this is the only right thing to do. I was easily convinced since it was the most trying time of my life so far: I was killing myself reviewing for the nursing licensure exams, my parents are already coming to get us and live away in Australia for good, my bf and I hit rock bottom and broke up (the girl who is the 3rd party confessed to me that they're having an affair, and that she was so guilty she can't sleep at night knowing we are good friends and they're doing this behind my back, also I've noticed red flags about him that made me doubt him a bit. I factored everything and the dots connected like a damn constellation so I've called it quits), and I was caught in an identity crisis because of inner turmoil. Maybe it was a time of personal upheaval and the mix of situations was too much for me to handle. Maybe it was a good thing though that I never got baptised because my life just got much more complicated after that.

So I did pass the licensures, ex and I never got together again, I went to live to Australia, but I never recovered from the inner turmoil thing; which made me spiral down again the depression lane, this time in its dangerous, ugliest and darkest recesses. I was fighting with my parents which I never did before, I was angry all the time. I started drinking then and I was exhausted all the time I just want to sleep. All the activities I've enjoyed before like sketching, playing the piano, afternoon strolls, and cooking for the family, I've totally lost interest in. My health deteriorated and I cut off and isolated myself from my friends overseas, ignoring their messages and emails. I tried to cope up by immersing myself in Christian songs and scriptures but it was not enough. I was still empty and numb. I was like a zombie, waking up just enough not to get late for work, then go home after, eat unhealthily, play video games, chug a bottle or two of beer, surf the net for worthless and trivial things, and sleep very late, like around 3 to 5 am, only to wake up again a few hours later for work. This was a vicious daily cycle that went on for 4 years. The only reprieve I had was my video games, and my sombre playlist, just enough to block the deafening screams of suicidal thoughts and ideations before I go to sleep. There was also a time I was going home from my internship waiting for the train home, that I thought of just jumping on the train tracks to end the struggle and pain. I was more than ready to attempt as I felt braver now. That was the time I lost all fear for death. Hell, I was ready to buy a rope at Bunnings too as well. But at the back of my head, the same sad picture of my mother crying over my dead body stops me from doing such thing. They said the deliverance was supposed to stop these things, but guess what? It was it that brought it back. It was supposed to keep the demons away, but it did the opposite, and felt so trapped in a cage of deceit and lies. I was supposed to be saved, but why did it felt like I was dying?

It was then I pondered over everything that's happened in my life so far. Where did I fall, where did I stand tall, where did I pick myself up? I thought long and hard enough and decided to start off where it began to crumble: back home. Retracing my steps back to Manila, now 25, I found my old stuff in my old room, before things happened. It reminded me of my simple life and my freedom and innocence. Back when I had complete control of my life. Back when I was the master of my fate. I let the people around me convince me that the man from the sky take the wheel, and it damn well crashed. A head-on collision with a destructive force. I decided to go back to my roots, the one where I felt best. And embracing it tighter than ever and promising to never betray it anymore for any reason.

My ex is now preparing to marry his girlfriend of 3 years. We met accidentally and forgave him already. I'm happy for him and that hopefully his happiness continue on. My old friends are still my friends, but there's already a notable gap between which I do not intend to close at all anymore. I do have new friends now and I keep a healthy distance from them whilst making a worthwhile connection. I am now preparing to enter med school in August and become a surgeon someday. The old house is in shambles, and I realized that a house is not a home, but the family that lives in it. I miss my parents and that my family will always come first, but I am happy to be more independent now and live by myself while studying medicine. Things are well between me and my cousin (my late uncle's child) and that I have forgiven his mother already for the hurt and trouble that they caused us. We see each other as he visits me and grandmother here at the old house every 2 months. When BAs, Mormons, and other religions try to do bible study to me, I am now assertive to tell them that I am agnostic and that I am firm in my beliefs. I am now recovering from my self-destructive ways and more optimistic and living healthier. Love is around, but it felt to me that I have lots to undertake first before I commit myself to someone again. I have backlogged so much that my time has to be devoted to the craft, my family and myself first before anything else. I am trying hard to pick up all the pieces and it seems things are finally going back in its right place. And the craft, after all these years, welcomed me back with open arms without any questions, like a mother does to her child. The sun, moon and the stars never shone brighter before, the day I returned home and answered its longing call.

Now. I have to let this off my chest now once and for all. Pleasure. Why is it a sin to pursue whatever makes you happy? Why must you endure pain just so you can be saved? Isn't that a crooked logic? Why must you be averse to your own will just so you get into a good place in the afterlife? I am only human, I am flawed, but it isn't my fault because I was born and created this way. Why must I be punished for something that is natural for me? If being free and happy costs me a one-way ticket to Hell, then I'd best be off. If my witchcraft, which teaches the opposite of your tyrannic religion, is a surefire way to deliver me there, then I'll make sure I will be a remarkable witch and enjoy my lifetime, and be very ecstatic to march down the fiery highway to Hell after I am gone. But I will never again submit myself to a narcissistic, psychopathic religion who has to kill millions of innocent people, and shun and humiliate people who think in contrast, just to justify and preach the existence of their god and its scriptures. My argument does not end with this and I will not back down anymore in defending my faith.

The craft is my world, and nature is my home. I am a daughter of those who came before, of those who are truly enlightened, of those you can never ever kill. I am a witch, and you can never take that away from me again.

*** Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading, if you did. I hope you had something to take from my story and may it help you with whatever is botheringvor troubling you right now.

May the journey of life be kind to us all. Blessed be! ❤

[fyrapartnersearch]

bloodsport

hello!

My name is Emmy! i'm going to make this fairly short (or at least try to haaA). I am looking for 1-2 new rp partners!

I am currently in uni full time and work 2 part time jobs so please understand this is a hobby for me. My posting speed ranges from once every few days to once every couple of weeks. I am almost always available ooc though, esp through google hangouts.

I am in my early twenties and prefer my partners to be 20+. I love detailed plots and stories; crafting good posts is a huge part of why I love rping. I match/mirror my partner's length and put a high amount of importance on compatibility as writers. Good grammar, punctuation, spelling is A Thing for me. I tend to switch capitalization OOC but as an English minor, when it comes down to posting, I put 110% in.

If you want a partner that's invested in writing together and all the joy that brings, I'm your person! 

what do I write?

I write a few fandoms, but not many. If I’ve got plots listed, they’re the ideas I have, but I’m totally open to yours as well. Stars denote how much I'm craving them. I'll also list the canon characters I write after I list the fandom!

Fallout: New Vegas & 4: Arcade Gannon & Elder Maxson, Paladin Danse - also got a ton of ocs for both ***plot for fallout 4 a: We explore the cut ending to the Brotherhood of Steel questline, wherein the Sole Survivor and Paladin Danse refuse Maxson’s final orders for Danse, and fight for Danse to become the leader of the Brotherhood of Steel. Would likely require you playing Maxson or Danse and me playing the other, with one of us playing the Sole Survivor.  ***plot for fallout 4 b: Your/my oc is a double agent for the Railroad, with the mission to infiltrate the Brotherhood of Steel and send intelligence back to the agents back at home base. Your/my oc becomes unexpectedly attached to elder Maxson through work and circumstance. Eventually, your/my oc must make a choice of where their allegiance lies: within the arms of Arthur or with the faction they are fighting for. (potentially, we could double and do plot a & b at the same time.) 

Mafia 2: Vito Scaletta  *plot for mafia 2: we explore the dynamics of a relationship between Vito and your oc. Your oc could be in a position of great risk- think outside of the mafia, possibly a police officer, prostitute. Some position where power dynamics could be played with. If the pairing is m/m we could also deal with the themes of internalized homophobia and coming to terms with one’s identity. 

Bioshock 1, 2 & Infinite: Brigid Tenbenbaum, Andrew Ryan, Frank Fontaine & Eleanor Lamb, Sofia Lamb & Booker Dewitt 

**Marvel Cinematic Universe: Tony Stark, Steve Rogers - get @ me with your Stony plots (do people still write that??)

***greater Marvel Universe: Logan Howlett, Carol Danvers, Jean Grey  ****random plot: We do a crossover and we ship Sharon Carter/Carol Danvers. I just. Uuugh I have a lot of feelings about them and I have hella muse for these babes. Lemme know if you’re down to give this a shot I will love you forever no word of a lie. 

But honestly where my heart lies is within oc rp. Here are a few plots i have of mine, stars denote how much i’m craving them:

****(m/m) power & politics: My oc is a prestigious state senator, who lives a double life. He is currently in the closet with no intent on leaving it anytime soon. However, a certain someone falls into his life, making him question what he thought he knew for certain. Your oc breaks down the walls my oc has put up and changes him into a softer, better man. However, with an upcoming presidential campaign on the horizon for my oc, the limits of the secret relationship will be pushed and pulled beyond what both parties have ‘signed up for.‘

****(m/m) the guardian: Your oc is a newcomer to the nhl but is quickly making waves- think Connor McDavid style. He’s young and impressive, but mostly, impressionable. He starts to get battered around by both his teammates and opposing teams. After a few hard hits and fowl play within the game that have cost your oc bench and recovery time, the team’s coach calls in reinforcements to boost the team’s morale and serve as a protector to your oc. My oc is a player who hasn’t got the talent part but has got a huge heart. Not to mention… huge hands. Good for makin’ fists. Good for fightin’.  My oc protects your oc during the games, coming to your oc’s aid, picking fights for your oc and protecting him on the ice. As such, the two players grow attached to one another.. perhaps too attached for the captain to be comfortable with. Possibilities for a love triangle and other complications, for sure

***(m/m) too good to be true: Our ocs start out in the whl, both as promising wingers. Their good chemistry is vital to bringing back their team’s success. However, one of our ocs starts to get too attached to the other, and when an nhl draft separates them, one of our ocs is all too eager to cut contact and try to forget. The two excel in their nhl careers without one another, and end up on nhl teams with a history of deep rivalry. Occasionally, the gloves hit the ice, fueled by the tension of unresolved feelings and the pressure of the respective teams to keep up the rivalry. The two are reunited when they are both chosen to play nationally for the same team, and are forced to reconcile what they have both buried so deeply within them. 

***(m/m) big money: These two ocs play for rival teams in the nhl. While their teams have a history of tension, our two ocs take it to the next level. Audiences are more excited to watch these two fight than they are to watch the game itself. There’s a market in the violence between these two, and a reputation to maintain on both ends. If the public found out that these two were secretly seeing one another, their careers would both be over. 

**** (m/m) sugar daddy: My oc is a law student studying in your oc’s country in order to get their degree abroad. They’re from eastern Europe and uh. broke af. They settle into an arrangement with your oc where your oc agrees to ~pay him for his company~ after they meet while my oc does camming online to make ends meet. We could take it anywhere- your oc could whisk mine off his feet and 'save’ him or. Be toxic & trashy and make my oc’s life hell.

Okay and, here are just some general prompts that could be intertwined with the plots above, or could be something we use to springboard into our own rp:

my oc has serious commitment issues. they often go around ‘ghosting’ individuals after 4-5 dates, with little to no explanation of why. your oc falls for mine, and is the first to confront my oc about their shitty habits. 

your oc and my oc were best friends, but they lost touch over a stupid fight they had when they were preteens. they can’t believe that they’re seeing one another in a bar, halfway across the world from where they met. 

your oc and my oc were flames. my oc proposed to yours, but yours turned them down. they never spoke again… until they were sharing a crammed elevator, with my oc being completely intoxicated, and still confessing their feelings for your oc. 

your oc is a huge fan of my oc’s nhl career/political career. your oc wins a contest to meet and have dinner with my oc. while my oc expects a boring night out, my oc is completely surprised by how well they hit it off with your oc. 

my oc, your first oc and your second oc all grew up together. your first oc has always been pining for my oc’s attention, and is thrilled when my oc and your first oc finally get together. they develop a long term relationship, but my oc knows it would devastate your first oc if they told them that they have been seeing your second oc for most of the relationship. 

I recognize that a lot of these focus on the nhl/the lives of professional hockey players- please don’t be worried about hockey knowledge/nhl jargon/whatever else goes through your head! I’m more interested in sport as a realm for drama than i am for following the rulebook and being 100% accurate to life when it comes to hockey. There’s a lot i don’t know and am still needing to learn, myself! If you know a lot, great!! If you don’t, let’s figure things out together! as for general oc ideas, here’s a list:

professor x student

veteran x civillian

cop x criminal 

** OC superheroes (I have a lot of muse for this one!)

street racing, fast-and-furious-esque setting

rival gangs 

** nhl/hockey based (lol obviously)

small town canadiana or americana 

fun, fluffy romance based modern settings

historical setting- preferably, the second world war/1940s-1960s 

light worldbuilding - new to this but wanting to learn

honestly whatever you can pitch to me that isn’t high fantasy :)

I can expand on and work with any of these ideas, these are just like, topics. Whatever i do with you, I promise it’ll be fleshed out, with tons of opportunity for drama. 

how do we get started?

pleaaase send me an email at ehmmywrites@gmail.com ! I will get back to you asap, but please give me some of your thoughts/an idea of why/what you'd like to write with me!

I am also almost always around on google hangouts.

We can sort out the brass tacks there and figure out if we're a good match. :) 

Thanks for your time and I hope I hear from you!

[youareoneofmany]

“Untitled no. 23: ‘On getting off from everything,’ or ‘victory’”

I love my life

And I live it well

It’s the furthest place

From that thing called hell

A paradise full of grace

A hermit in his shell

Here there is no strife

It’s a rather painless case

This life: my own, the world

Wherein I dwell, in a whorl

My wings are given flight by the wind:

I am the Winged Victory of Samothrace

And in the potent light of day, I steep

In the drink of the night: I’ve won, the end

To this raucous fight (with the deep, I contend)

And taken by the fleet feet of a dancer, I twirl

In ecstasy, like a ray of light made radiant

By bar tracery refracted in, as it creeps

Through, a cathedral’s oculus, defiant

Of every will to pretend, I unfurl

My masts, a ship intent on meeting the Grandest —

Its sacerdotal — end and cheating its wanting

To bend back away from banks of life

To retreat from the grace-soaked sands,

Reviled by the fact that no one except

Myself holds the responsibility to accept

His own defeat: my death draws nearer

To me in worrying that deeper water lies ahead of the shore

But when I close my eyes, the beacon of joy,

A jewel in the shrubbery (the light in the trees),

Is beckoning me, “move forward, come closer: explore

My depths and find beauty everpresent therein;

Clearer water lies within,” so in faithful duty I deploy

Myself into the sea, passing beyond the boundary

Of this liminal space called my vessel wherein

My body’s calls to action radiate, long gone, into the void

Silently resonant, vibrations of wind in a bottle, devoid

Of meaning to the mind, and finally I reach the end

Of my swim to the shore, unscathed by the bygone perils

Of doing my duty to this world which I love

So dearly; and love endures on the Isle

Of Samothrace; this, its crowning laurels:

A somatic being emerges (extracted of infinite marbles

By Daedalus) in victory, a white-winged dove

Whose function and form are one in the same while

The beauty of its being, in sync with all,

Can never know the fall: the light of being

Alive is to be the light itself, never once alighting to the call

Of strife; instead, take flight and ascend beyond the clouds

And find yourself diffuse (heavenly body rarified, a being

Whose particles could not ever comprehend the shrouds

We use to protect ourselves, in fear of impending doom);

However, always make room for others to settle themselves

Amidst the glory of your space, and be like the jewel of that beacon

Which beckoned you here to Samothrace, celebratory in joy.

As an angel — a dove — once told me

When she found myself steeped in peril

At the park, “Enjoy yourself always,

You must trust me on this, really, and

All your days will with heaven meet;

If you do this fast, without any thinking,

You are set to gain the fleet feet of

A dancer lost in ecstatic praise

Of her benevolent creator whom (in love)

Gave her the grips to raise herself up

And take a sip from the Lord’s cup,”

And from this moment on life

Was different: devoid of strife; so

I loved it, and I lived it well,

And there wasn’t a soul — no,

Not a one, and still not even

To this day — who could or can

Convince me otherwise: that heaven

Is here and now in the present

And for this I could never resent

My creator: this life is the furthest place from hell;

Rather it is paradise, full of grace,

A veritably painless case: a stately

Pleasure-dome with caves of ice

In which I dwell, my home: this life.

Written by ME, A. Springate II; #ARSJ

[autolovecraft]

Of marble and porphyry are the turrets of marble upon its walls.

I boarded the White Ship sailed into the mist lifted, we beheld on the infinitely distant horizon ahead the titanic spray of a monstrous cataract, wherein reside all those mysteries that man has striven in vain to fathom. The man who had beckoned now spoke a welcome to me in the Land of Hope, and saw that the city was greater than that of the world drop down to abysmal nothingness.

In the Land of Sona-Nyl there is no bound, for it is told that he who treads them may nevermore return to his native shore. And the roof is of glass, under which flow the cunningly lighted waters of the wave-tips or of the West? Day after day and night after night did we sail, and besought the bearded man again implored me to embark for far unknown shores.

In the days of my grandfather had assumed its care. From bowers beyond our view came bursts of song and snatches of lyric harmony, interspersed with faint laughter so delicious that I dwelt there I wandered blissfully through gardens where quaint pagodas peep from pleasing clumps of bushes, and where the white walks are bordered with delicate blossoms.

I heeded him not; for Sona-Nyl is known of men, and cities of gold. And it was by moonlight the sparkling sea, the City of a monstrous cataract, wherein reside all those mysteries that man has striven in vain to fathom. And when the tide is high. One night I espied upon the platform of that land, the City of a mighty city; and far back beyond the bounds of lovely Cathuria. I found was only this: a strange dead bird whose hue was as of the Narg, gay with gaudy fish not known beyond the horizon and in it shine the perfect ideals of all that we know elsewhere; or at least so men relate. Then as I glanced out over the city. So the White Ship from the East. Past that beacon for a century have swept the majestic barques of the seven seas. Soon to our eyes appeared on the infinitely distant horizon. And the roof is of pure gold, set upon tall pillars of the mountain snow. Thus would I speak to myself, is the palace of Dorieb, and with the years it grew more friendly and spoke of other things; of things which in turn he told to me, who had voyaged far from the shore stands the gray vapors of the West. For the aeons that I knew would come, shutting out the sight of the West. High is the palace of Dorieb, and the lutanist. The old captains of the West. This is Xura, the City of a whiteness greater than that of the celestial bird, whose glossy plumage matched the sky the spires of its temples reached, so that no man might behold their peaks; and there the gleaming white roofs and colonnades of strange temples. But more wonderful than the lore of books is the secret lore of books is the secret lore of old men and the lore of ocean. But more wonderful than the sweetest songs of the tortoise, and with the lethal, charnel odor of plague-stricken towns and uncovered cemeteries. It was against the full moon I boarded the White Ship on a bridge of moonbeams. The gods are greater than men, while none hath ever beheld Cathuria. And whether the wind was friendly or adverse, it would always glide smoothly and silently over the city was greater than that of the West. Past that beacon for a century have swept the majestic barques of the azure sky, and having such carven figures of gods and heroes that he who looks up to those heights seems to gaze upon the living Olympus. Of marble and porphyry are the houses of the sun and enhances the splendor of the ages. Then did the moon was full we would listen to soft songs of the cities of Cathuria are all palaces, and told him of my new yearnings to depart for remote Cathuria, which we may never behold again.

From bowers beyond our view came bursts of song and snatches of lyric harmony, interspersed with faint laughter so delicious that I knew would come, shutting out the sight of the azure sky, and perfumed lakes whose beds are of aloe and sandalwood, even as the fragrant groves of Camorin, and he seemed to know well, and saw that the White Ship sailed silently away from that damnable coast the bearded man left the happy shore of Sona-Nyl is known of men and of things which were not men.

Shrouded in mist they were, so that no man might peer beyond them or see their summits—which indeed some say to myself, is the secret lore of books is the abode of gods and heroes that he who treads them may nevermore return to his native shore. Very brightly did the bearded man warn me to turn back, but unseen when the moon shone full and high in the heavens. Then I spoke with the memories and the placid harbor wherein lay anchored the White Ship sailed on past the walls of Thalarion, the Land of Cathuria stand temples of pink marble, rich with carven and painted glories, and of things more strange and more distant in space and time. From the East. Suddenly a wind blowing from over the waste I saw on the cruel rocks, but watched me as we could see entrancing panoramas of loveliness, with tears on his cheek, We have rejected the beautiful Land of Hope, and I heard the shrieking of men and of things more strange and more distant in space and time. I beheld the green and flowery mountains of Cathuria are all palaces, each built over a fragrant canal bearing the waters of the cities of Cathuria stand temples of pink marble, rich with carven and painted glories, and whether the wind howled eerily from the sea have grown clear and cool the fountains, and cities of Sona-Nyl; for Sona-Nyl, which is guarded by twin headlands of crystal that rise from the South it was by moonlight the sparkling sea, the Land of Cathuria with its splendid groves and palaces, each built over a fragrant canal bearing the waters to the sound of melody the White Ship sailed into the mist lifted, we beheld not the Land of Sona-Nyl there is neither time nor space, neither suffering nor death; and the lore of old; from far Eastern shores where warm suns shine and sweet odors linger about strange gardens and gay temples. And the cities of Sona-Nyl. And the bearded man said to me, who had voyaged far from the sea and meet in a resplendent arch. Far from the three-colored shell of the seven seas. And I viewed by moonlight that we anchored at last in the books men gave me when I was young and filled with the glow of that land there is no bound, for it is told that he who treads them may nevermore return to his native shore. From the East. Suddenly a wind blowing from over the waters to the sound of melody the White Ship, and cities of Sona-Nyl; for from the full moon and dwelt in the Land of Cathuria are cinctured with golden walls, over warm blessed seas fanned by caressing, aromatic breezes. All my days have I watched it and listened to it, and freighted with the lethal, charnel odor of plague-stricken towns and uncovered cemeteries. Green are the turrets of marble upon its walls. Therein walk only daemons and mad things that are; for ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and to our eyes appeared on the distant horizon ahead the spires of its temples reached, so that no man might peer beyond them or see their summits—which indeed some say to myself of Cathuria with its splendid groves and palaces, each built over a fragrant canal bearing the waters of the wave-tips or of the celestial bird, and their pavements also are of gold.

And when the wind was friendly or adverse, it would glide very smoothly and silently, its sails distant and its long strange tiers of oars moving rhythmically. Sometimes at twilight the gray lighthouse, above sunken slimy rocks that are no longer men, and when the wind howled eerily from the distant thunder of falling waters, and roofed with glittering gold that reflects the rays of the ways beneath. Blue, green, gray walls, over warm blessed seas fanned by caressing, aromatic breezes. The wind grew stronger, and where the white walks are bordered with delicate blossoms. Soon to our ears came the distant peaks. But more wonderful than the lore of old; from far Eastern shores where warm suns shine and sweet odors linger about strange gardens and gay temples. Therein walk only daemons and mad things that are seen when the moon was full we would listen to soft songs of the sun and enhances the splendor of cities can move at will the happy folk, of whom all are gifted with unmarred grace and unalloyed happiness. And the floor of the ages. Then I spoke with the glow of that lighthouse whence I had known or dreamed of before. On the green shore the bearded man spoke no word, but watched me as I glanced out over the brink of the ways that are; for ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and to our ears came the notes of the torrent. All my days have I watched it and listened to it, and among the sights before me were many things I had ever known; the visions of young poets who died in want before the world drop down to abysmal nothingness. Then I spoke with the lethal, charnel odor of plague-stricken towns and uncovered cemeteries. Out of the azure sky, and perfumed lakes whose beds are of aloe and sandalwood, even as the fragrant groves of Camorin, and the bearded man say to myself, is the secret lore of books is the palace of Dorieb, whom some say to be a demi-god and others a god. With the dawn I descended the tower and looked for wreckage upon the rocks, but a swift-rushing resistless sea, the City of a monstrous cataract, wherein reside all those mysteries that man has striven in vain to fathom. At night the deep waters of the cities of Cathuria are cinctured with golden walls, over warm blessed seas fanned by caressing, aromatic breezes. I viewed by moonlight the sparkling sea, the City of a mighty city; and though many times since has the moon shone full and high in the harbor of Sona-Nyl is known of men and the lutanist. Blue, green, gray, white or black; smooth, ruffled, or mountainous; that ocean is more ancient than the lore of books is the Land of Hope, and with the glow of that crash came darkness, and among the trees flutter gay birds sweet with song. As we drew nearer the green shore the bearded man left the happy folk, of whom all are gifted with unmarred grace and unalloyed happiness.

The man who had voyaged far from the templed terraces of Zar, for it is told that he who treads them may nevermore return to his native shore. I saw that the city. From bowers beyond our view came bursts of song and snatches of lyric harmony, interspersed with faint laughter so delicious that I dwelt for many aeons.