#zahra;introduction

[hotterthcnhell]

Welcome to Boston ZAHRA BECKETT (SHE/HER). We are so glad to have you joining us. You said that you are a 39 year old LAWYER and living here for TEN YEARS. When people walk pass them, they’re pretty sure they hear BAD REPUTATION by JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS blasting through their headphones. When you look at them you instantly think of HBIC ATTITUDE, HIGH HEELS AND BRIEFCASE, & LONG FINGERNAILS but they don’t want you worrying about them. The only thing we can think of is that they remind us of CYNTHIA ERIVO.

character information

name: zahra beckett

nicknames: zah, zarrie

gender & pronouns: cis woman & she/her

sexuality: pansexual

age: 39

birthday: november 3, 1985

place of birth: washington dc

occupation: lawyer

time since arriving in boston: ten years

aesthetics: HBIC attitude, high heels and briefcase, & long fingernails

parents: william beckett (father) & penelope beckett (mother)

siblings: 3 younger siblings

pets: none

appearance:

faceclaim:  cynthia erivo

height:  5'1"

build: petite

eyes:  Hazel

hair:  Black

piercings:  multiple ear piercings, septum, nostrils

tattoos:  too many to count

personality:

traits: butally honest, overly critical, talented & creative

labels / tropes:  boss bitch

mental health:  fine

physical health:  healthy

likes:  people who don't question her, people who respect others.

dislikes:  people who shame others, people who don't speak up for others.

fears:  N/A

phobias:  None

biography; tbd

[beaxtifxlthings]

| this just in! ZAHRA BECKETT has just been spotted in town. Wait. You don’t know who SHE/HER is/are? the 39 year old HEAD CHEF @ INFERNO STEAKHOUSE has been in town for, like, 8 MONTHS. they’re known to be quite CONFRONTATIONAL, but being CREATIVE seems to balance that out. or maybe it’s the fact that they resemble CYNTHIA ERIVO. personally, i’d love to know more about them seeing as how they’ve got those LONG FINGERNAILS, CONSTANTLY TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL, & SINGING KARAOKE vibes. and maybe i’ll get my chance if i hang out around AVONLEA GARDENS long enough! 

character information

name: zahra beckett

nicknames: chef, boss lady

gender & pronouns: cis woman & she/her

sexuality: pansexual

age: 39

birthday: june 4, 1985

place of birth: miami, fl

occupation: head chef @ inferno steakhouse

time since arriving in clearwater: eight months

aesthetics: tlong fingernails, constantly listening to music whenever she can, singing karaoke, & diet sodas with lemon

parents: william beckett (father) & penelope beckett (mother)

siblings: three siblings

pets: corgi named rigatoni

appearance:

faceclaim:  cynthia erivo

height:  5'1"

build: petite

eyes:  Hazel

hair:  Black

piercings:  multiple ear piercings, septum, nostrils

tattoos:  too many to count

personality:

traits: butally honest, overly critical, talented & creative

labels / tropes:  boss bitch

mental health:  fine

physical health:  healthy

likes:  people who don't question her, people who respect others, cooking as a release

dislikes:  people who shame others, people who don't speak up for others.

fears:  N/A

phobias:  None

biography:

Zahra was the oldest of the bunch and that’s something that her parents never let her forget. They were always busy with their rich friends and out doing things. When she was old enough to take care of her siblings, it’s like it was all she did for a long time. Eventually though, her siblings were old enough to take care of herself and she could be a real kid. She had friends in school, but she never got to spend a lot of time with them due to her babysitting duties. She didn’t know what happened, but there was one day where her parents just clicked and they became very family oriented and they did a lot more things together. 

As a teen she was following her mother around the kitchen, baking with her and then she was grilling with her father as well. At first it was believed that Zahra was going to go into politics because of her strong opinions and how she didn’t care about what others thought about her, but it was clear her talent for cooking was present.

Zahra decided to go to Johnson & Wales University where she majored in Culinary Arts and Culinary Arts Management. She graduated at the top of her class and she was hired as a private chef for celebrities. While this would be exciting to most people, she felt like it wasn’t utilizing her talent all that well so she decided after a year or so to quit and she went back home to New York City where she got a job in a high end steakhouse and she was ready to build her way up the corporate ladder.

After years of busting her butt, they made her the head chef and she was ecstatic. However, one day she was missing her family and they all had moved to Clearwater. She didn’t want to give up her amazing job, but family was far too important to her now that her parents seemed to care about it. So she packed up her bags in 2021 and came to Clearwater to join her family. She was working as a chef, but then they gave her the job as head chef @ Inferno Steakhouse

[crwbannwen]

Read this book when I was 18 and an image of this character has plagued my mind since her introduction.

Loved her so.

[utilitycaster]

this is another "inspired broadly thoughts about veilguard, a game I haven't played" post (it is currently downloading!) but this time it's about, to be honest, epic/heroic fantasy in general, and Campaign 3 and especially Vox Machina.

I think having Vox Machina's mission kick off first chronologically (in a fun way - last to be introduced, but first to go) fits because while the Nein's story is about the change enacted by a small, determined group of people who rely utterly on each other, Vox Machina has always had powerful allies from their introduction to the audience, though not, to be fair, their inception in the home game.

Vox Machina's story in campaign 1 ends with Vasselheim behind them - they are the strike force, but they can call upon bastions defending the city. Devossa and members of the Slayer's Take join them in the final battle. Gilmore, Allura, and Kima have their backs. The same is true in their battle against Thordak, in which they're joined by Tal'Dorei's army, the Ashari, and again, Devossa, Zahra, and Kash. Whereas the Mighty Nein's most public and political victories are ones of mediation and crisis aversion taking place largely off the battlefield (the beacon, the reveal of the Angel of Irons cult, the treaty negotiations, and taking down Trent and the Volstrucker), Vox Machina's public victories concern threats to the realm that bring disparate groups together. (These themes continue quite nicely in the parties' post retirements, Vox Machina being comprised of key figures in Whitestone, the Tal'Dorei Council, Vasselheim, and of course the Ashari and the Mighty Nein's main institutional tie being to the Cobalt Soul.)

I'm very openly a Nein Girlie, but Vox Machina is also quite dear to my heart and I have a particular love for that aspect: for Vox Machina serving as the tip of a worldwide spear against existential threats. The world unites behind them, repeatedly, and they take that role seriously, dick jokes notwithstanding, and do not let their allies down. Indeed, I think the Briarwoods arc is a great example of them not letting their allies down even when they are let down by their allies. Vox Machina is often described as the most archetypal fantasy campaign, and I think that's valid, and there is something very satisfying and lovely about a Tolkien story in which the world comes together against great evil. I think those endings are often harder than endings like those the Mighty Nein had - a story of a small group succeeding against the odds tends to fit narrative patterns of, well, succeeding against the odds, whereas everyone banding together often comes with both victory and terrible sacrifice - but they are vitally important.

I've really loved the Exandrian Accord and the Grim Verity as factions within Campaign 3 - I'd honestly watch 5 more accord sessions and I'm not joking - and after seeing Vox Machina this episode, I hope that Bells Hells are able to honor their agreements the way Vox Machina has and continues to do so.

[crazerk]

The Shah’s Harem Pt 1: The Imperial Consorts.

A brief introduction to the women of Khazunef's harem. Note that this does not include the MC or odalisques recently added to the Shah's harem. These women were part of his harem when he was a still a prince. I feel like I’ve used the word harem a lot. Oh well, harem.

☀️ Empress Yaris.

Yaris is the Imperial consort of the realm. The officially recognized wife of the Shah, and highest ranking woman in the empire, save the imperial dowager.

She is an intelligent, ruthless, and politically savvy woman who feels frustrated by the constraints of her role as imperial consort. She yearns for more power and influence in running the empire but is often met with polite dismissal in favor of her husband.

Yaris and Khazunef's relationship is complicated and strained. Having been wed to him when he was an inexperienced 17-year-old, Yaris expected to be able to control and mold him, essentially wielding power through him. While this worked initially, Khazunef has grown into an independent ruler, much to Yaris' annoyance. She views him with a mix of condescension and resentment, still seeing him as the child she married rather than the man he's become.

🌿 Consort Nimeda

Her father sent her to the prince's harem as a gesture of goodwill to forge an alliance with the future shah.

Nimeda has a gentle, dignified bearing that reflects her upbringing as nobility. While initially nervous about being so far from home, she carries herself with quiet confidence.

As Nimeda settles into harem life, she finds herself increasingly drawn to the charismatic young prince Kaz. She admires his intelligence and drive, and begins to develop romantic feelings for him, though she's careful not to let it show too openly. Nimeda sees an opportunity to secure her family's position through gaining the shah's favor.

🌊 Consort Saline

As the coddled daughter of a wealthy merchant, Saline is used to a life of privilege and luxury. She's beautiful and she knows it, carrying herself with a haughty air. Being selected for the imperial harem fed into Saline's vanity and ambitions. She believes it's her destiny to enchant the future shah and become his favorite.

Saline is immediately taken by Prince Kaz's good looks and his aura of power. She sets out to win his attention through flattery and seduction, viewing the other consorts as rivals and she's not above using her family's wealth and connections to scheme as well.

While she can be catty and condescending to those she views as beneath her, Saline knows how to turn on the charm and act the part of an alluring, sophisticated consort when needed. She's determined to secure her position at all costs, even if she risks making enemies within the harem.

🐺 Consort Nyserin

Raised in a militaristic household, Nyserin was taught from a young age to be tough and disciplined. As the daughter of a northern king, weakness was never tolerated. Her father sending her to the shah's harem as part of a peace treaty was a bitter pill to swallow. Nyserin feels like a prisoner in a gilded cage, her pride chafes at her new status.

Nyserin is known for her sharp tongue and icy demeanor. She's not afraid to speak her mind, often in cutting remarks, which hasn't endeared her to the others. Beneath her prickly exterior though, she is highly intelligent with a keen strategic mind. She recognizes that the harem is its own battlefield requiring different weapons.

While Nyserin would never admit it aloud, she can't help but grudgingly admire the shah's strength and military cunning, qualities she respects. There's an undercurrent of reluctant attraction even as she resents him.

🦁 Consort Zahra

Though a foreign princess from a conquered rebel kingdom, Zahra carries herself with regal bearing even in defeat. She was sent to the shah's harem to ensure her people's continued subservience, a role she deeply resents. Zahra views the opulent palace as a symbol of her homeland's humiliation and suffering. 

Zahra has a distant, melancholy air, often appearing lost in thought as if remembering a life now lost to her. She tends to look down on the decadence and petty intrigues around her. However, Zahra's wry sense of humor occasionally slips out, hinting at a sharp mind behind the aloof mask. Her and Nyserin's similar backgrounds lead to an unlikely friendship.

While outwardly indifferent to the shah, Zahra is wise enough to realize that he holds her people's fate in his hands. She's torn between wanting to hate him as a conqueror and knowing she must find a way to secure his mercy for her kingdom.

🪽 Concubine Brielle

Lady Brielle was once a celebrated beauty of the Amethine court, daughter of a high-ranking duke. Amethine culture emphasizes chivalry, courtly love and romance. From a young age, Brielle was entranced by tales of knights pledging devotion to fair maidens. She dreamed of a grand passion for herself.  

However, Brielle's life took an unexpected turn when she was pledged in marriage to a brutish, much older nobleman to secure a political alliance. Horrified at being trapped in a loveless union, Brielle begged her father to reconsider. Moved by her pleas, the duke sent her to the shah's harem instead, hoping she might find a better fate as a cherished concubine than as a mistreated wife.

Brielle's romantic nature persists in her new life. She's often lost in daydreams, sighing over snatches of love poems. Some of the more ruthless pragmatic concubines view her as pawn for manipulation, but Brielle's kind heart has won her a few devoted friends. She clings to hope that the shah might be the true love she's longed for.

🪭 Concubine Junli

Junli was born and raised in the kingdom of Xinghai. As a girl, she was chosen to train as a palace entertainer for her intelligence, beauty and talent. She excelled in poetry, music, dance and the art of conversation, becoming one of the most sought-after companions in the royal court.

When an alliance was formed between Xinghai and the Sharazad empire, the Xinghai king gifted Junli to the valide as a sign of goodwill. While saddened to leave her home, Junli also saw it as an opportunity.

She's one of the few who loves to read and write, often penning verses and love letters for the other concubines. Her trained entertainer's mask rarely slips, but Junli is always observing, gathering information to aid in her subtle machinations.

Junli captivates Khazunef with her beauty, elegance and wit. He's drawn to her creativity and learning, the way she weaves poetry and hidden meanings into their conversations. Junli is skilled at being an entertaining companion, seeming to anticipate Khazunef's moods. She uses her favor with the shah to lobby for trade relations with her homeland.

[meraki-yao]

RWRB Movie Cut Scene: The Extended Polo Scene

Alright I went from obsessively wondering about one deleted scene to obsessively wondering about another deleted scene. Namely. this time, the extended Polo scene.

To start with I do really like what we got! It was really fun and quick and horny and it worked really, really well, both in atmosphere and pacing.

I remember in an interview (forgot which one) Matthew said the polo scene was originally six minutes then with the new editing idea which is what we ended up getting, it was cut down to like two and half minutes, which means we have three and half minutes worth of a deleted scene

I'm guessing what happened was the actual polo match -> conversation and introduction to Bea -> hooking up in the tack room, with that being said:

Alex was practically drooling over watching Henry riding on horseback playing polo (the asshole (jk I love you) even posted a photo of Henry on horseback from the match on his IG close friends stories) how did they go from wanting to make out and eat each other to having a conversation in public (as seen from the montage during the speech)

What the hell were the two of them talking about????

I want the scene with Pez I wanna know what they talked about and I wanna see more friendship. Oh and is this when Pez figures it out? Since in the scene where Zahra finds them Henry says Percy knows

I also really want the scene with Bea. They're obviously close that's explicitly stated in the movie, plus Henry posted a photo of them two from that day on his IG (yes I know it's marketing but right now I'm treating them as real sue me) and I recently learned that Nick and Eliie have been friends for a couple of years by now? I really, really, want more sibling scenes. (especially as someone who relates to Henry and has a sister that I'm very close to) Also Alex and Bea like each other so I really want to know how their proper introduction and this conversation went. On top of that, Henry told Bea about Alex but Alex didn't know that until Zahra busted them and asked, did he tell her here? After all, Bea knew definitively that Henry's gay, and she pulled Nora aside during the wedding, is she wing-womaning? I WANT TO KNOW

In the book it was just Henry and Alex so it was relatively easy to get away and sneak into the tack room. In the movie apparently, they met face-to-face in public and Alex had a whole introduction to the two closest people to Henry. However the fuck did they go from that to hooking up in the tack room without suspicion?

As awesome, hilarious (I can never hear a bagpipe the same way again) and fitting as the quick cut, it was flashes between the match and the hook up. What was the original edit of the tack room supposed to be???? What does the full hook-up footage look like???? Was it longer??? Was there dialogue??? I WANT TO KNOW

I swear if Prime doesn't release the deleted scenes I'm gonna over-analyse everything in every deleted scene and drive myself to insanity in the best way possible.

SO PRIME PLEASE FUCKING RELEASE ALL OF THEM

(probably not all at once because the promise of something new being released in the future is like, my one motivation to fucking live right now I have fucking problems, but like, PLEASE PROMISE YOU'LL RELEASE THEM PRIME)

[ym-loreposting]

On the origins of Shez

Shez is the protagonist of Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes and a mercenary who helps shape the war that erupts across the continent Fódlan during the events of the game. They are not in the original game, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, likely because their survival in a battle against Byleth marks the point where the timeline of Fódlan diverges to lead either into Three Houses or Three Hopes.

And while they appear to be a simple mercenary at first, their origins are shrouded in some mystery. They share their body with a being known as Arval, who can grant them great power. So what actually are the origins of Shez and Arval?

Shez’s life before becoming a mercenary

Shez is thought to be in their late teens, as they are said to be around the same age as the students attending the Officer’s Academy of Garreg Mach Monastery by Archbishop Rhea. It is unknown who their biological parents are, as they were raised by a woman in a secluded mountain village. The village was situated in the Ordelia territory in the far south of the Leicester Alliance.

(Credit to @cartographers-office for removing the names from the Fódlan map used in the above picture)

In various Support Conversations, more details are given about this time of their life. To Yuri, Shez tells that their adoptive mom took them in when they were abandoned. Most of their Support Conversations with Ashe are dedicated to their mom. It is said she was a smart woman who knew about most things, including magic. She also taught Shez arithmetic, to read and to navigate using maps, things that are noted that only nobles are taught in Fódlan. Finally, to Claude Shez explains that their mom at one point fell ill and died. They were then chased out of their village and they fell in with a mercenary group when they ran out of money. Shez started out by doing their laundry and eventually worked up to become a fighter, which is they are found at the start of Three Hopes.

On Epimenides and Arval

The backstory of Shez raises some questions, but is mostly just vague on its own. However, Shez’s body also houses the being known as Arval. They awaken when Byleth is about to kill Shez and grants them power that allows them to survive the encounter. The presence of Arval, who does not have any memories either, raises many more questions about where Shez originally comes from. Arval’s origins are explained more in Chapter 15 of Three Hopes, The Hour of Vengeance, and the Paralogue Cycles of Nostalgia.

In the former, a man called Epimenides who looks identical to Arval, talks with Arval. He explains that his race wavers at the brink of extinction and that he seeks to reclaim the world for his people. He created Arval and seems to have sought to place his own soul within Arval, but this is a dangerous technique that can lead to irreparable consequences if an essence is wrongly transplanted. The initialization of Arval’s consciousness faced an unforeseen accident, but proved to be useful to Epimenides in another unspecified way, which would allow Arval to become Epimenides.

The identity of Epimenides is made more clear in Cycles of Nostalgia and the introductory cutscene of Three Hopes. There, he is seen fighting in the War of Heroes that transpired more than a thousand years before the events of the main games. He fights against the forces of the Adrestian Empire and the Four Saints led by Saint Seiros leading several dark mages in battle, aiding the forces of the Liberation King Nemesis. He also references Thales, the leader of the Agarthans or Those Who Slither in the Dark. This makes it clear that Epimenides is an Agarthan. This is further made clear by the presence of ruins that bring to mind Shambhala, the underground home of the Agarthans, in the void of Zahras where Epimenides and Arval reside.

The introduction cutscene of Three Hopes then shows how Epimenides met his end and how Arval failed to initialize. During a battle of the War of Heroes, Epimenides led some Agarthan mages into battle and caught the attention of Saint Seiros. She transformed into her dragon form, the Immaculate One, and killed the Agarthans, including Epimenides. Before that, water is seen rushing and some markings that indicate this is inside Shambhala. This lines up with how Arval’s initialization is described.

“When my consciousness first initialized, I was nothing. I remember the sound of water… Of bubbles… The sound of a massive object slowly lurching along… I thought the noise would continue for eternity. But then…a change. Something gave way. The water began rushing rapidly. Pale shadows closed in around me. Amidst deafening sounds, I walked desperately in search of light.”

What are the Agarthans?

The query as to Shez’s origins and their relation with Arval and Epimenides thus ties into the Agarthans. It also begs the question as to what they are. They appear to be very long-lived, as Thales was around during the War of Heroes and is still the Agarthan leader in the present day. They are also capable of shapeshifting and do not want the secrets of their bodies to be revealed, as Thales says in Chapter 10 of Three Houses.

“If you were to die, then the mystery of our bodies would be revealed. Preventing that was my only aim.” -Thales in Chapter 10 of Three Houses, Where the Goddess Dwells

In Chapter 22 of Three Houses’s Verdant Wind route, Fodlan’s New Dawn, the history of the Agarthans is explained. They were the original humans who inhabited Fódlan and were a technologically advanced civilization. At some point they waged war against Sothis and her children, the draconic Nabateans. In that war, Fódlan was all but destroyed and the Agarthans retreated underground to Shambhala to bide their time. Sothis would eventually use her power to restore Fódlan, although this took an extremely long amount of time.

The Agarthans are thus human and also consider themselves as such. In the Romance of the World’s Perdition, a book found in the Shadow Library in Abyss of Garreg Mach Monastery, they are described as “the children of men”. The book was likely written by the Agarthans and tells of the war against Sothis and the Nabateans from their perspective.

But that begs the question as to how they are so long-lived and have abilities like shapeshifting. A hint might be found in the concept art of the Agarthan Solon, which reveals something interesting about his gloves and eyes.

“He is fitted with a prosthetic eye made with Agarthan technology that can store magical power and knowledge. His right eye does not blink because his eyelids are fixed.”

“These gloves are sewn directly onto the wrist. They have a smooth texture.”

These pieces of concept art, which are reflective of Solon’s final design, reveal that his body is integrated with advanced Agarthan technology. His gloves are sewn directly into his arms and his unblinking eye allows him to store knowledge and magical power. Furthermore, in Chapter 10 of Three Houses, Where the Goddess Dwells, Solon pulls an object from the chest of fellow Agarthan Kronya. He shatters it and uses it as fuel for the Forbidden Spell of Zahras. The object is hard to make out, but appears to be metallic in nature.

The Agarthans are thus most likely humans who used their advanced technology to cybernetically enhance themselves, giving them long lifespans and the ability to shapeshift. They do not want the humans of Fódlan, who they consider beasts, to discover this and so go to lengths to keep the contents of their bodies a secret. Furthermore, in Three Hopes, it is also implied that they sometimes switch out bodies when their current bodies give out. They talk about “this flesh” when they are wounded and how it has run its course, likely referring to this.

“I need to get this flesh underground…” -Solon in The Hour of Vengeance (Three Hopes) “So this flesh has run its course. No matter.” -Thales in The End of Tragedy (Three Hopes)

Attack of the clones: Arval and Shez

With all of this context, it becomes clear what Shez’s relation to Arval is and what their origins are. Epimenides was likely the one who invented the technique to rehouse souls, allowing the Agarthans to swap out their bodies. Arval was supposed to be a backup body for Epimenides, but things went awry when their consciousness was initialized. Everything was lost according to Epimenides, but then Arval proved useful in a different way.

It seems likely Shez was another backup body of some kind. Solon confirms in The Hour of Vengeance explicitly that Shez is from Shambhala and in Chapter 10 of the route Azure Gleam in Three Hopes, Fanaticism, the Agarthan Myson says the following to Shez.

“Why? Why do you wield the power of Epimenides? […] Tell me, where did you obtain it? Unless… His core!” -Myson in Fanaticism (Three Hopes)

It seems the core is what is transferred from body to body with the Agarthans and may have been the device that Solon pulls out of Kronya in Three Houses. The core of Epimenides was first housed in Arval and came to house their rudimentary consciousness as well after their initialization failed. It was then transferred to Shez, who was created in Shambhala. The streaming water that Arval and Epimenides reference is likely a liquid they were held in while in stasis, perhaps in one of the holding pods on the lower levels of Shambhala that are seen in Three Houses.

Shez was likely taken from Shambhala by the woman who would become their adoptive mother. She may have been an Agarthan, hence her great knowledge of many fields, who felt pity toward Shez and their destiny to become a vessel for Epimenides. The hamlet where Shez grew up is located not far from Shambhala after all, as its entrance sits on the other side of the Airmid River that borders the territory of Ordelia.

(Credit to @cartographers-office for removing the names from the Fódlan map used in the above picture)

[sageandred]

Things I Need to see from Firstprince

Alex's relationship with Bea & Pez

Henry's relationship with Nora

The introduction of June-I've always thought it was unintentionally left open in which they could still say that she was away & spend more time developing her if there was ever a sequel

Furthermore, Alex & June relationship/ Henry & June

Alex playing with David

Henry calling Alex "baby"

Proposal

Wedding

Alex trying to ride a horse

That extended scene at the polo match

The extended scene of their first time

That scene of the morning after in Paris

The part where they're sitting at the campfire

Henry telling stories about his dad to Alex

More w/Henry's depression and his "cocoon phases"

Alex playfully shoving Henry

A baby + flashforward to kids

Them at the tree (+ the lead up-Were they running through the forest??)

Shaan playfully messing with Alex some more (and Alex's comebacks)

Sweet Zahra and Alex relationship moments

[talesfromthesnogbox]

The Red Room

Summary: Alex finally gets Henry alone to talk in the Red Room. Henry's POV of Red, White & Royal Blue, Chapter Six, pages 129-134.

Rating: M

Word Count: 1,843

AO3 Link

Part 1 | Part 3

Emily Taylor [5:36 P.M.]

Good luck tonight Henry. Sending my love, you’ve got this

Henry smiled at his phone and sent Emily back a heart emoji as he left his room in the residence of the White House. He was invited to stay as a guest for the evening’s gala, and he’d luckily (maybe unluckily) not yet run into Alex.

He entered the ballroom and immediately, Alex was the first person to catch his eye. His breath stuttered as their eyes met, and he briefly considered making a run for it, but he had to stay. As Alex approaches, his heart rate jumps, he can feel the blood rushing to his face, but he’d promised he’d stay, he promised himself he’d talk to Alex.

“All right, photos.” Henry winces at Zahra’s curt introduction.

“Oh.” He forgot, he’d have to pose with Alex, who was mad at him, who looked absolutely delectable in his crisp black suit.

“Hey.” Henry could tell Alex’s smile was put on, and not well. It was the same smile and the same stiff handshake from their first weekend at Kensington Palace. “Cool to see you’re not dead or anything.”

Ouch. “Er.” He definitely deserved that.

“We need to talk.”

Henry was about to agree, when he was whisked away to mingle with the Prime Minister.

Dinner was uneventful, the conversations dull, the food was just fine, the ballroom just a degree too warm to be totally comfortable. But Henry could feel Alex’s eyes boring into him from across the room, which added a whole other level of interest to the night. His ears were heated, and he wasn’t sure if it was from the temperature of the ballroom (it wasn’t), or Alex watching him (it was). He tries not to get jealous when Alex turns to whisper something in Nora’s ear, but then she was heading his way and dear lord, he had not had enough wine for this conversation.

“Henry! So nice to see you again. You left in such a rush after New Years.”

“Ah, yes, sorry. Nice to see you too. I’m afraid I was feeling the alcohol a bit too much that night and decided to retire early. I hear Pez stayed for a pleasant evening though?”

She smiled. “Yeah he did. Hey, you like French pastries, right? The White House just hired this new pastry chef,” Nora grabbed Henry by the elbow and walked towards a table next to an exit. “Try these profiteroles, they’re to die for.”

Henry was about to protest when Alex appeared beside him suddenly. “Hi.”

He knew he was gaping like a fish out of water, but this wasn’t what he quite had in mind for their conversation. He pictured something a little… quieter? More private? He was possibly about to bare his soul to the man he’d been crushing on for years, he wasn’t about to do it in front of the British Parliament and American Congress attendees.

“Sorry to interrupt. Important, um. International. Relations. Stuff.” And suddenly, it was Alex grabbing him by the elbow.

This was not how he pictured this talk going. “Do you mind?”

“Shut your face.” 

Henry grumbles as he’s led by Alex to a room not far from the main ballroom. His security detail he’d come to know as Amy stood outside the door keeping watch, and his stomach sank. It was now or never, this talk was happening, and it wasn’t off to a good start.

“You’re not going to kill him, are you?” Amy asked Alex, giving Henry a pitying look.

“Probably not.” Alex was pissed.

There hadn’t been many moments where Henry was fearful for his life, but today was one of them. Well, okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but he felt two seconds away from throwing up at any given point, and that didn’t feel much better. Seeing how upset Alex was as he lead Henry through the doors into a red room really did make him feel like a complete dick; he was definitely losing a friend tonight, and despite having only really been friends a few months, he considered Alex a good friend. This month apart was really taken a toll on him, and he wishes he’d just been brave enough to extend the olive branch anytime before now.

“What on God’s earth are you doing?” He demands as soon as Alex lets him go.

“Shut up, shut all the way up, oh my God.”

Henry doesn’t even have time to close his mouth before Alex pushes him into the nearest wall and kisses him. 

Shock keeps Henry from moving at all, and for a moment, Alex starts to pull back. But after allowing his brain to reboot, Henry has a moment of realization. He kissed me. HE kissed ME. This was it, best case scenario, he almost felt like pinching himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, but even if he was, he better make it the best damn kiss he’d ever had. Henry moved his hands up Alex’s chest, tangling his fingers in his hair as he tried to pour everything he wanted to say to him into the kiss. If their first kiss felt life-altering, this kiss was shifting the entire universe on its axis. It felt good, it felt right, and maybe Emily had a point about Alex also wanting Henry. But no matter what they both wanted… they weren’t just Alex and Henry. They were FSOTUS and HRH Prince Henry Fox Mountchristen-Windsor.

“Wait.” He broke off reluctantly, and looked up at Alex. Alex looked like he was doing exactly what they were just doing, his hair undone, lips red, eyes wild, and Henry was sure he was in the same state. “Should we—” he didn’t even know how to finish that sentence.

“What?”

Fuck. “I mean, er, should we, I dunno, slow down?” He winced. They just kissed, it wasn’t like he was bare-arsed in the middle of the White House. “Go for dinner first, or—” But really, he’d never done any kind of dating outside of his approved suitresses. He’d never really had an adult relationship to be frank, everything at Eton and Oxford was just sex, and although he knew what he wanted from this arrangement with Alex, he was almost entirely sure he wouldn’t be able to get it.

“We just had dinner.”

Double fuck. “Right. I meant— I just thought—“

“Stop thinking.”

Alex was right. Henry was way overthinking this. Yeah, ideally he wanted to wine and dine Alex, share their hopes and dreams, tease him about his incorrect Star Wars opinions, then kiss him slowly. But he was still a young man in his early twenties who’d been pent up for far too long, and Alex looked like a wet dream. If he couldn’t have it all, well he could still have something. “Yes. Gladly.” 

This time when Alex pushed Henry up against the furniture, he went willingly, propping his bum on a table he knows shouldn’t be sat on. Regardless, he leans back, his head hitting the corner of a picture frame (shit, was that Alexander Hamilton?), and opens his legs for Alex to slot his hips between them. This kiss is still frantic, but so much deeper than the other two he’d shared with Alex; their hands were everywhere, tongues, teeth, it was delicious. Alex pulls away only to drop his lips to Henry’s neck, and a choked groan leaves his throat. His hips cant up into Alex’s, and he’s satisfied to feel Alex’s arousal is as prominent as His own. Alex’s hand cups under his thigh, and Henry is helping him hitch it up around his waist, the heat of Alex’s palm only egging him on further to slot their lips together again in a fervent kiss. 

Of all the ways Henry imagined this conversation going, this was not even on his list of possibilities. Alex was straight. He’d kissed Nora on New Years, he had a dating history that only included women, and yet he’d pulled Henry from a gala specifically to pin him to the wall and have his wicked way with him. Alex had more depth than Henry initially thought he did, or maybe he was doing it to fuck with him…

Henry had time to grind himself against Alex once more before Amy poked her head through the door and yelled “Time’s up!”

“Fuck.” Alex swore, pulling away.

“I’m going to die.” Henry was breathless.

“I’m going to kill you.” Luckily, Alex sounded just as winded.

“Yes, you are.” He gave Alex a once-over, focusing on the finer details from their romp. His buttons had become undone, and his shirt mussed, his eyes glazed over and lips swollen, something that made Henry swell with pride. His hair was a hopeless disaster, and as he scanned back down Alex’s body, he could see the prominent bulge in his pants. He gulped audibly… it didn’t look small. Maybe he wasn’t trying to fuck with Henry, but rather just�� fuck him.

“People are going to be coming in here soon.” Henry watched Alex flit around the room, trying to fix it back up. Henry met his eyes as he turned around, and suddenly, he was the subject of Alex’s focus. His own shirt was half unbuttoned, and completely untucked, his hair tangled beyond belief, getting it back into his own signature coif would be nearly impossible. “Fuck, you look—fuck.” 

Alex sounded ruined. It did absolutely nothing to help Henry’s own situation.

God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen. He hummed.

“What are you doing?” 

Henry looked at him incredulously. “Christ, I’m trying to make it”, he waves his hands in front of his pelvis, “go away.” He watches Alex take a deep breath, and it looks like he’s using every ounce of self-control to not look down at the bulge in Henry’s pants that was not going away!

“Okay, so, yeah. So here’s what we’re gonna do. You are gonna go be, like, five hundred feet away from me for the rest of the night, or else I am going to do something that I will deeply regret in front of a lot of very important people.”

Sensible plan. “All right…” Henry tried to step back, but Alex only pulled him closer.

“And then… I’m not done yet” 

“Of course you’re not.” 

Henry’s breath hitches as Alex draws him in closer by the waist. He was so close once again, just a hair’s breath away, close enough to plant another life-altering kiss on his lips. “And then you are going to come to the East Bedroom on the second floor at eleven o’clock tonight, and I am going to do some very bad things to you, and if you fucking ghost me again, I’m going to get you put on a fucking no-fly list. Got it?”

Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us, God save the Queen!

“Perfectly.” 

He was fucked.

[clarasdomain]

Twisted Wonderland OCs:

Night Raven College

Genevieve (twisted from Giselle)

Sabine (twisted from the Magic Mirror)

Pearl (twisted from Ariel)

Dalia (twisted from Alladin)

Blume (twisted from Mother Gothel)

Liana (twisted from Lady)

Zahra (twisted from Jafar's Lamp)

Royal Sword Academy

Annabella (twisted from Belle)

Alyssa (twisted from Alice)

Vivian (twisted from Bambi)

This list can and will be updated over time as I create new OCs or decide to introduce OCs from other universes. As I finish the proper introductions for each OC, the list will be updated with the appropriate links.

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad(pbuh):  The Miracles of The Prophet Muhammad  (PBUH)

The Miracles Concerning the Increase in Food and Drink

Part. 3

The satiation of seventy to eighty people with one loaf of bread

Abu Talha, the uncle of Anas who served God’s Messenger for years narrates:

“The Messenger fed seventy to eighty men with a small amount of rye bread that Anas had brought under his arm. The Messenger ordered: “Break the bread into small pieces!”, and he prayed for its increase. Because the house was small, they came ten at a time, and left having filled themselves.

Unending Barley

Jabir al-Ansari narrates:

“Once, a man asked the Noble Messenger (pbuh) for food for his household. The Messenger gave him a half load of barley. For a long time, he ate of the barley together with his family and guests. They would look and see that it did not finish. So, they measured it to see by how much it decreased. After that, the blessing of abundance was gone and the barley began to dwindle rapidly. The man went to the Messenger and related what had happened. God’s Messenger replied: “If you had not put it to the test by measuring it, it would have lasted you a life-time.”

The satiation of a crowd with a single bowl of meat

Hazrat Samura relates:

“A bowl of meat was brought to the Prophet (PBUH). From morning to evening, many groups of men came and ate from it.”

In accordance with the explanation we gave in the introduction to this section, this is not the narration of Samura alone, since Samura narrated this incident on behalf of, and with the approval of, all those present.

The Feast given to the Suffa School

Hazrat Abu Hurayra narrates:

“The Noble Messenger commanded me, ‘Invite the poor Makkan migrants who have made the Bench [suffa] of the Mosque their home and who number more than a hundred.’ So I went and searched for them and gathered them together. A tray of food was set before us, and we ate as much as we wanted, then we arose. The dish remained full as it was when set down, only, the traces of fingers on the food were visible.”

Thus, this incident is related by Abu Hurayra in the name of all the People of the Bench, supported by their confirmation. Hence, the incident is as definite as if all the People of the Bench had related it. Is it at all possible that if it had not been true those men of truth and perfection would have remained silent and not denied it?

A Miracle of Abundance Performed during his Invitation of his Relatives to Islam

Hazrat Ali narrates:

In the first years of His prophethood, the Apostle of Allah invited all of His closest relatives to the feast that He arranged in order to invite them to Islam. They were about forty, including some who would eat a young camel and drink a gallon of milk in one meal. Yet for them he had prepared only a handful of food. All ate and were satisfied, and the food remained just as it had been before.

Later, he brought milk in a wooden bowl that would have been sufficient for only three or four persons. They all drank their fill.

The Wedding Dinner of Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima

According to an authentic narration, on the occasion of ‘Ali’s marriage to Fatima al-Zahra, The Noble Messenger (pbuh) ordered Bilal al-Habashi: “Have bread made from a few handfuls of flour; also slaughter a young camel!”

Bilal relates: “I brought the food and he put his hand on it to bless it. Later, the Companions arrived in groups, ate, and left. From the remaining food, he sent a full bowl to each of his wives, saying that they should eat and feed anyone who visited them.”

Such blessed abundance was indeed necessary for such a blessed marriage!

The plenty which the prophet’s family favored with

It is narrated by Imam Ali:

Fatima al-Zahra had prepared enough food for her family. She then sent ‘Ali to invite the Noble Messenger (pbuh) to come and eat with them. God’s Messenger came and told them to send a dish of food to each of his wives. Fatima said that after a dish of food had been set aside for himself, ‘Ali, Fatima, and their children, they lifted up the saucepan and it was full to overflowing. Through God’s will, they ate of the food for a long time afterwards.

The Miracle witnesses by four hundred men

God’s Noble Messenger (Pbuh) ordered ‘Umar b. al-Khattab: “Equip with provisions for a journey four hundred horsemen from the Ahmasi tribe!” ‘Umar replied: “O Messenger of God! What we have in hand is the equivalent of a seated young camel.” The Messenger said: “Go and give it to them!” So he went, and out of that half load of dates, gave the four hundred horsemen sufficient provisions. And he stated that “it remained as before, without diminishing.”

Thus, this miracle of plenty occurred in connection with four hundred men and ‘Umar in particular. They are behind the narrations, supporting them, and their silence confirms them.

The Satisfying of the army with a handful of dates in the battle of Tabuk

Abu Hurayra narrates:

The army went hungry during the expedition of Tabuk battle. God’s Noble Messenger (PBUH) asked: ‘Is there nothing?’ I said: ‘I have one or two dates in my saddle-bag.’-According to another narration, it was fifteen.- He said: ‘Bring them here!’ I took them to him, and he plunged his hand into them and took a handful. He put them into a dish, and offered a supplication for their increase. Then he called the men in groups of ten and they all ate of them. Then he said: ‘Take what you brought, hold it, and do not turn it upside down.’

I put my hand in the bag; there were in my hands as many dates as I had brought. Later, during the lifetime of the Prophet (PBUH), and those of Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthman, I ate of those dates.” -It is narrated through another chain of transmission: “I gave several loads of those dates to be used ‘in God’s way.’ Later the bag containing the dates was plundered when ‘Uthman was assassinated.”

Abu Hurayra was a constant and important student and disciple among the People of the Bench, the sacred school and tekke of the Teacher of the Universe, the Pride of the World (PBUH). In addition, the Prophet had prayed for his strength of memory. The miracle of plenty he reported which occurred in a large gathering like the expedition of Tabuk, should therefore be as sound and certain as the word of a whole army.

The Companions who are satisfied with a cup of milk

Abu Hurayra narrates:

“Once I was hungry, so I followed the Noble Messenger (PBUH) into his house. There we saw that a cup of milk had been brought as a gift. God’s Messenger said to me: “Call all the People of the Bench!” I said to myself, “I could drink all the milk myself, as I was most in need of it.” However, since it was God’s Messenger’s order, I fetched the People of the Bench, who numbered more than a hundred. God’s Messenger told me to offer milk to them. I gave the cup to each one by one, and each drank until satisfied.

At the end, the Messenger told me, ‘The rest is for me and you.’ As I drank, God’s Messenger kept telling me to drink more, until I said, ‘I swear by the Glorious One who sent you with the truth that I am too full to drink any more.’ Then God’s Messenger drank the rest, invoking the name of God and offering Him thanks.” (16) May it be a blessing for him a hundred thousand times!

This indubitable, manifest miracle, as pure and sweet as milk itself, is related by:

1. Foremost Bukhari, who committed to memory five hundred thousand Hadiths and books like Kutub Sitta… These books are so strong that a riwayah from them are as certain as if it was witnessed by eye.

2. It is narrated by a celebrated, loyal, and brilliant student of the Prophet’s blessed school of the Bench, Abu Hurayra, who also cited as witness -rather, represented- all the other students of the Bench.

Therefore, not to regard such a report as having the certainty of ‘consensus,’ either one’s heart should be corrupted, or one’s brain, destroyed! Is it ever possible that such a truthful person as Abu Hurayra, who devoted all his life to the Prophet’s Hadiths and to religion, and who heard and himself transmitted the Hadith,

“Whoever knowingly tells a lie concerning me should prepare for a seat in Hell-fire,”

should have related an unfounded incident or saying that would have made him the target of the contradiction of the People of the Bench, and that would have caused doubt concerning the value and soundness of all the other Hadiths he had memorized? God forbid!

We have narrated a few examples concerning increase and plenty. Before finishing this part, we want to express some more points. When we evaluate those miracles of abundance that we have quoted along with hundreds of other miracles, we will see that they will become an unbreakable strong pellet of evidence and no delusion can break it off.

It is well-known that when assembled together, weak things become strong. Fine threads are twisted, and they become a strong rope; strong ropes are wound together, and no one can break them. We have shown different kinds of miracles above that related to the blessings of increase and plenty. Each of the examples mentioned is a proof on its own, with enough strength to prove prophethood. Even if some of them -supposing the impossible- were to be regarded as weak, they could still not properly be called such, since whatever is united with the strong also becomes strong.

When we evaluate those miracles of abundance that we have quoted along with hundreds of other miracles, we will see that they will become an unbreakable strong pellet of evidence and no delusion can break it off.

Certainly those miracles concerning increase and plenty show that Muhammad the Arabian (PBUH) was the beloved official and honoured servant of One All-Compassionate and Munificent Who creates all sustenance and provides all beings with it, for contrary to His practice, He sent him banquets of different varieties of food out of nothing, from the pure Unseen.

It is well-known that the Arabian Peninsula is a place where water and agriculture are scarce. For this reason, its people, and particularly the Companions in the early days of Islam, suffered want and scarcity. They were also frequently afflicted with thirst. Due to this, the important of the manifest miracles of Muhammad (BPUH) concerned food and water. Rather than being miracles proving his claim to prophethood, these wonders were on account of need and like Divine gifts, dominical bounty, and banquets of the Most Merciful One for His Most Noble Messenger.

For those who saw the miracles had already assented to his prophethood. However, as the miracles took place, their belief increased and became more luminous.

O our Sustainer! For the sake of the blessings You bestowed on Your Most Noble Messenger, bestow the blessings of abundance on the favours with which You have provided us!

[heathercollinsmd]

New! Chapter 4 of Nocturno

Chapters: 4/12

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Relationships: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Alex Claremont-Diaz & Beatrice Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, June Claremont-Diaz/Nora Holleran, Shaan Srivastava/Zahra Bankston

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Prohibition Era, kanthony but make it firstprince, aro/ace Bea, Bea as Edwina but in a matchmaker way, Grief/Mourning, Panic Attacks, Period-Typical Racism, Period-Typical Homophobia, (but like toned down and not a main focus), Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, mentions of the past parent death of both arthur and oscar, i apologize to oscar diaz and specifically oscar diaz, Internalized Homophobia, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, unnecessary amounts of digs at France, i cannot stress enough how not even the smallest amount of interested bea is in alex for a second, she’s just a conspiring older sister

(Chapter 4) Summary:

When they arrive after the hours travel by carriage to the home, Henry tries to feel angrier at the large residence than he can. The air is cooler here, kinder to his British sensibilities, and the forest air that’s fresh and lacking the smell of desert earth or salty ocean is even better.

Alex and his sisters are waiting at the entrance outside of the home, as well as whom Henry believes to be their mother, and it’s Alex who accosts him first with a smug grin. Clearly he can sense the brief relaxation Henry had experienced, because he immediately gloats, "By the end of this stay, your opinion of me will completely change."

"I'm not sure there is a possible worse opinion to have," Henry replies without any bite, "but leave it to you to try."

David runs up behind them, quick to arrive at Henry’s heels and to growl at Mr. Claremont-Diaz. Henry feels momentarily triumphant until he sees the surprised look on Alex’s face.

“You have a dog?”

“This is David, yes.”

“David ?” Alex sighs, critical.

“As in King David,” Henry defends. 

Alex squints at him for only a second, arriving too quickly at the truth. “The biblical King who had a lover in Jonathan?”

Henry supposes he should have guessed that a Catholic would have enough command of the bible to understand the reference all too quickly, but he still feels his cheeks heat with embarrassment at so quickly being seen. Luckily more introductions have to be made and Alex is taken away from Henry.

—-

OR (a firstprince twist on bridgerton/kanthony)

[alittlefrenchtree]

“AN INCOMPLETE LIST: 20(ish) THINGS YOU LOVE (or don't) ABOUT RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE”

Hi! No idea how I end up writing this since I’ve only been casually hanging in the fandom for about two minutes.

A few things to know before hand:

I apologize in advance if some of the questions sound weird. English is not my first language :).

Like said, I know about 2% of the fandom so the questions are pretty basic. Hope you had fun anyway!

Feel free to send me numbers AND to tag me (I can also put a tag but tumblr doesn't care about these half of the time so... do what you want #rwrb ask meme) if you play/want to answer some questions . I’m not sure I can answer myself to half the question, but I want to read your thoughts. 

1- What was your introduction to Red, White and Royal Blue? How did you become aware of it, what was your first impression of it?

2- Team Alex or Team Henry? (I know you love them both equally but choose anyway. OR choose depending of the circumstances. Like, "I’d go shopping with Alex but I’d marry Henry. Or I’d hug Alex but I’d go karaoke with Henry. I don’t know. Try something.)

3- Pick a Sis’ to be your Sis’! June or Bea? 

4- If you could keep only the book or only the movie, which one would you choose?

5- Choose one scene from the book to add to the movie.

6- Favorite kiss of the movie?

7- Tell us something you like better in the movie than in the book. And tell us something you like better in the book than in the movie. 

8- Favorite person in the Claremont-Diaz family (but you can’t say Alex).

9- If you had to delete the entire movie but one scene, which scene would you save?  

10- You’re in a difficult situation where you have only one call to get help (or to save your life), who are you calling? Amy, Zahra or Ellen?

11- Choose your prison. Would you rather live in a royal palace or in the White House? 

12- Share one of your unpopular opinion about the book and/or the movie.

13- A detail you feel like it’s not enough discussed. Whether it’s a scene, a quote, a frame, a piece of acting, a decor…) Time to ramble about it!

14- Favorites outfit(s) in the movie? (You can pick as many as you want, from as many characters as you want. But if you reply with a screenshot of a naked person, I’m going to put you in horny jail).

15- Gapfiller — briefly describe a scene you would have love to read/watch. It can be a whole new scene or a scene you would have like to be a bit longer, include more things.

16- Pick a line and/or a quote for each:

-You have to sell the book/movie to someone who doesn't know anything about it.

-The quote that makes you the most emotional.

-A quote/line that could be a life lesson to you.

17- Who is more in love with the other? Alex or Henry? (we know they’re both equally in love and idiots, just entertain your audience with some arguments to feed the international debate).

18- You have to get a RWRB tattoo (either because you want one or because someone is threatening you and you have to get one to save your life). What do you choose? It can be anything! 

19- Karaoke time ! For each, pick a song :

-To tell the love of your life how you feel about them.

-To tell your crush that you want them.

-To present yourself to the world and show what kind of wonderful you are as a person.

20- Suggest a fun drinking game rule that would be the deadliest or the funniest while watching the movie. (Like, "drink every time Henry looks at Alex with heart eyes").

Bonus! (or 21-) Do you read fanfic? Follow some visual artist (drawing, painting, gifing...)? Recommend someone to follow! (rwrb related ofc)

Have fun people 🏳️‍🌈💜

[tamarajare]

 Diversity Contemporary II

I am beyond thrilled to be participating at Diversity Contemporary II, Rossocinabro Gallery, Rome, Italy,10 December 2024 – 31 January 2025.

Read the curator Joe Hanson introduction:

”This exhibition celebrates artistic diversity and cultural interconnectedness, transcending geographical and stylistic boundaries.

Born from a desire to make a selection of artworks accessible to the public, many of which have never been exhibited or only for brief periods, this show offers a unique opportunity to discover hidden treasures and admire the richness and variety of contemporary artistic production.

Through this exhibition, Rossocinabro reaffirms its commitment to internationalization, a path it has been following since its early years. The aim is to build a bridge between artists from different cultures and to offer the public an increasingly rich and varied artistic experience.”

read more: Diversity Contemporary II, Rossocinabro Gallery, Rome, Italy,10 December 2024 – 31 January 2025.

Participating artists:

Elaine Asarch, Charlotte Baqai, Helene Brinzas, Lorraine Brown-Glessner, Patricia Canino, Alain Churlaud, Manolis Drosakis,  Elisa Friman, Tamara Jare, Christine Kingerski, Rebeccah Klodt,  Michael Lin, Hanna Liubinskaya, Fiona Livingstone, Gertrude Lozeau, Marcus Luconi, Sandra Meyer, Bobby Austin Mombray,  Gerti Papesch, Mages Peter, Lin Pin, Gayle Printz, Giulia Rizzotti, Rosalorenza, Roger Schultz, Milos Sejn, Miyako Shimizu, Eleftheria Sifnaiou, Anne Swift, Tamara Sweere, Josefina Temin, Zahra Tharan

We look forward to welcoming you from Monday to Friday, from 11 am to 5pm 

[withloveheart]

What book are you reading or have you read?

Hello Habibti,

Recently, I joined a romance book club to make some new friends in my area. Since then, I've been on a romance binge.

The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn

I don't feel this series needs much of an introduction since the show has been a huge hit for many people but in case you've been out of the loop, this series follows the Bridgerton family in regency era with each book following a specific sibling and their respective romantic partners. Personally, I ended up reading the books out of order for a reason I don't even know. The Duke and I is the first book and the one that I found to be the most boring. An Offer from a Gentleman the third and Romancing Mister Bridgerton were equally entertaining for me. I finished them rather quickly but by no means would I consider either to be the best romance novels I've ever come across. The last one that I read was actually the last book in the series, On the Way to the Wedding. It was a chaotic book and I finished it within a day. All the books that I've read though I've had sobume issues with plot points and characterization. I felt like they were missing something more.

Dreamland Billionaires Series by Lauren Asher

Another romance series that I devoured in June. At least the first two books. The last book has been rather slow, and I get bored very quickly. This series follows the Kane brothers who are set to inherit what is essentially this novel's version of Disney. After their grandfather dies, the will is revealed. In order to get their inheritance, the brothers are given a set of tasks to accomplish. Each book then follows each of the men and their female lead as they navigate their personal issues and budding romantic relationship. The Fine Print was a quick read. Rowan and Zahra had nice chemistry and struggles that you could easily root for them. Terms and Conditions was honestly the best so far despite not being the biggest fan of the tropes that were present. I'm mentally stuck with Final Offer, I just can't seem to finish it despite being so close to the end.

The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer

Sports romances are all the hype, but I've never really been a fan. However, when a trusted friend keeps raving to you about a book, the best course of action is to pick it up. She recommended the entire series, but the first book didn't seem interesting in the slightest, so I skipped to the second book. The two main characters are fake dating which then turns into a real romance. No surprise there since it is a romance. By no means is the book unique, but is sexy, romantic, and fun. Witty banter and conversations between the two main leads was enjoyable to follow. Rory, the male lead, is cocky but in a way that is entertaining and not annoying. Hazel was an interesting fleshed out character. Following her struggles with dealing with her own insecurities and attempting to reach her dreams were a treat. If you're looking for a fun book to get you out of reading slump, I'd recommend The Fake Out.

Building a Story Brand - Donald Miller

I really tried to stick with mostly romance but at one point I started itching for a good non-fiction. Building a Story Brand is a marketing book where Miller concentrates on the importance of a good narrative for consumers to resonate with. There is a step-by-step framework that makes things easier to comprehend. Insights from psychology and neuroscience are used to make storytelling more effective in connecting with the customers. As someone who wants to get into the business world, I found this book helpful.

With Love, Heart💚

[extraneousdominomask]

What I did on my summer vacation

As you've no doubt gathered by now, for the last two years I've been playing various old games with my wife. I often used to post about that adventure here, and then I kinda stopped. I feel bad about that, especially when it comes to the two excellent, free indie games I had fully intended to spotlight. So here's a quick rundown!

Celeste, OJONMRAG, Double Cross

Three great indies I got in the same bundle. Celeste needs no introduction, and I've spoken about it before. I don't know if I ever mentioned Oh Jeez Oh No My Rabbits Are Gone!!!, but it's a fun puzzle game with cute visuals and surprisingly catchy music. And speaking of those two things, Double Cross is a hidden gem of a game. We really enjoyed its eclectic cast, and still sometimes quote the zany catgirl in particular. ("All cats are tyrants, Zahra.")

Manic Miners

Lego Rock Raiders was a toy line in the 1990s, which earned its own video game tie-in. I remember it fondly... as did one absolute hero, who remastered the dang thing as a non-profit passion project. Manic Miners is available via Itch for free - because it's a fan game! He had to ask very nicely to do this at all! - and it completely revitalizes what was an engaging but flawed fuzzy memory from my childhood. As well as adding several quality of life improvements to make the game flow better, cut content is restored and entirely new features are added in, such as a character creator. If you want an accessible game that can provide the sweet, sweet satisfaction of collecting every scrap of resources from a initially messy environment, I highly recommend this.

inFamous 2: Festival of Blood

An important thing to know about me is that I hate vampires. I don't like 'em and I don't like looking at 'em, so I usually avoid and and all vampiric media, even if they're getting slaughtered. For that reason, despite loving inFamous 2, I never checked out its DLC side-adventure Festival of Blood... until now. (Making a new purchase on the PS3 digital store was hard, but not impossible. Thanks for complaining every time they try to shut it down, everybody!) It's a short experience, but a lot of fun, thanks to the wise decision to let Zeke narrate the whole bullshit stor- I mean, thrilling tale of true heroism. I found Bloody Mary to be an entertainingly nasty villain, despite my biases.

Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts is one of the video games ever, no question. Expectations were lofty for its much-delayed sequel. If anything, I think I prefer this one! The core (the gameplay, visuals, hilarious writing, and Peter McConnell's consistently excellent music) all remain unchanged, with new mechanics, some quality of life improvements, and an impressive voice cast all added on top. Jack Black and Elijah Wood are both in this game, and they're both great!

Pokémon White

this one kinda sucked ngl

Halo: Combat Evolved

Mostly, I'm showing my wife a game and not the other way around. There was one major franchise that I had almost entirely missed, however - aside from a few free-form skirmishes at parties - that she fondly remembers. This summer, we both experienced the first Halo together, and in short: yeah, I can see why this changed the course of the industry singlehandedly. It still feels great to play, even with my wife assuring me that the sequel is a big improvement from these already solid bones. I frankly don't relish slaughtering the fleeing, crying Grunts, since we as a society have moved on considerably when it comes to the rights of funny little guys. But it feels great to shoot aleins and Cortana is my friend. Exactly as advertised.

Jak II: Renegade

this one definitely sucked, holy shit. I remember this being a good game. I remembered incorrectly.

Shantae (2002)

I've played two of the more recent Shantae games, and I found them charming. But how does the original hold up? Pretty well, honestly! It's far from perfect - the day and night cycle really adds nothing beyond referencing Castlevania - but the music and visuals are truly impressive for the original GameBoy. I'm gonna be thinking about Shantae's cute little 8-bit dances for a while.

Undertale Yellow

Like anyone who listens to a lot of Toby Fox's music over YouTube, I've seen my fair share of dubious OCs and "epic fights" floating at the corner of my vision. With that in mind, I went into UY with managed expectations, despite the positive buzz. Could a fangame really match the unique energy and charm of one of the greatest independent games of our generation?

Uh... yeah! I'm as surprised as anyone else, but everything from the music to the gameplay to the writing was really bang-on. It's not a flawless experience - the El Bailador fight needed reworking, it was WAY harder than other, more impactful fights - but the eight years of passion very much shine through. If you're a fan of UT/DR and need something to tide you over as we all wait for Chapters 3+, I fully recommend this. It's free!!!!

Spyro the Dragon (1998)

Finished this just yesterday! I got the remaster when it came out, but - no offense - nothing beats the blocky low-poly charm of the original. This was my first time replaying it in several years, and for the first time, it felt small. Levels I remember struggling with posed no challenge any more. But I think that only speaks to how many times I replayed this lovely little adventure. Also, did you know that of the, like, four voice actors in this game, one of them is Clancy goddamn Brown? He plays like 30 of these polygonal dragons!

...I would normally try to end a post this long on a more climactic note, but, uh... yeah.