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bandgie · 5 months

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Hate You So

prince!bangchan x fem!reader

MDNI 18+, fantasy au, enemies-to-lovers (kinda), oral (f!), cum swapping, brief overstim (f!), biting, brief thigh humping

ask here! notes: I am not taking requests, however, I am interested in this one with my own version ofc

3.2k words

There is never a dull moment with Prince Chan. His words are belittling, his eyes are full of scorn when he looks at you in all his ruthless beauty. Sometimes you wish you could ignore his piercing gaze, but he bores his eyes into the back of your head so harshly you feel it burning.

Even without his hatred, it would be hard to turn away from him. With full lips, plump cheeks, and strong nose, it really is hard to think of him as anything below attractive. Still, you know better than to approach him unless you wish to cry yourself to sleep that night.

A masked ball is the perfect opportunity for you to slip away. Pretend to be someone you're not, or perhaps it's to show your true self behind a false face. Not that it matters. A night like this allows you to put the puzzling hatred the prince has for you far behind your mind.

Drink after drink, spin after spin and you find yourself in the arms of the Viscount Felix. You can tell it's him from the way he adorns himself in jewelry, his hair the color of the sun itself. His deep blue robe stitched with silver treading in layers. It must be difficult to dance in heavy clothes, but he twirls you in his arms easily.

"Ah, isn't it the beautiful Duchess," he regards you with a sly smirk. His eyes peek out from his silver mask underneath.

You narrow your eyes, though you doubt he can see much of your facial expressions from your black mask. "How did you know?" To this, Felix's smirk widens to a smile. "Even behind such a clever guise, your charm seeps through the fabric."

You mock the sound of laughter. "Is this a trick of flattery to get my hand in marriage? To help you rise higher than a Viscount?"

Felix's eyes gleam with mischief. "You think too highly of yourself, dear Duchess. I simply wish to lay in your bed."

Now you laugh. Your voice is swallowed from the sounds of heels clicking on the ground and loud chatter. The two of you dance steadily despite the liquor running in your veins. Felix is careful not to spin you too fast or dip you too low. He may speak vulgar, but he is every bit gentleman in every other way.

"I think I'd like that very much, if I'm to be truthful," you say once you're swaying evenly in his hold. "I can't recall the last time I've been properly loved." Felix makes a sound of understanding, eyes darting to the people around you.

It's improper of you to speak in such a way. You are of high status, and talking like this not only in public, but to someone of lower ranking is foolish. Still, it's this potty mouth that gives you and Felix such a close bond. The fact that you can speak freely without judgment.

Chris does not share your sentiment.

He can hear your crass words from where he dances with his own partner. It sickens him to know that you openly express lustful desires, but it disturbs him even more that he finds himself jealous.

His partner is speaking, but he doesn't pay attention to any words she says. He strains his ears to eavesdrop on the conversation with you and the brightly hair-colored Viscount.

"Is that so?" Chris hears the deep voice of the man dancing with you. "Sounds like that is quite the problem. Has no one caught your eye? Do you think no one is worthy of seeing your wholeness?"

You react as if you tire of your dancing partner, rolling your eyes. "Don't be so dramatic. The person I have my eye on would rather see me burn, that's all." The smile on your lips falter. Despite his better self, Chris wonders who would turn down such an opportunity to spend a night with you. What a foolish man.

"And pry tell, who is this person?" Felix speaks as though he read Chris's mind.

"The Prince."

Ah, that makes sense. Chris can't count the amount of times he's upset you, the times he's spewed swears cruel enough to make your eyes water. He brushed it off as you being too sensitive, too emotional. But he knows deep down, it's so he doesn't get close to you.

Felix's eyes widen and his jaw drops. He looks at you with alarm, and some fear, then he hisses under his breath. "I am not one to tell you what to do and how to speak, but I highly suggest you refrain from speaking ill about the royal blood in their own castle."

He has a point, it's treason to speak how you are now. But the alcohol makes not only your thoughts, but your words careless. "So then tell me, what do you suggest? I tire of my lonely state. I think I'm up for any suggestions you have."

Before Felix answers, his eyes dance around the room one last time to spot any itching ears. Chris, despite being a prince, turns his head to finally acknowledge his partner and try to pick up on the conversation. Once Felix determines there are no listeners, he says, "Perhaps you should lure the prince into your sheets. You say you want love, but I argue hate is a much more fun way to spend the night."

A wicked smile finds its way to Felix's lips that you can't help but match. "Now look who's speaking ill" you say. "Plus, that's a terrible idea. I will regret it in the morning."

To this, Felix shrugs. "Then let him make sweet hate to you past sunrise."

☘︎☘︎☘︎☘︎

Chris should know his luck is thin. Only the universe would have him push you away so much so only for you to want him with the same intensity. It mocks him even now as you stand outside of his chambers when he wanted to get away from you as far as possible.

"Did you follow me here?" He questions you with authority. You swoop into a deep curtsy and bow your head, "Yes, your majesty."

You don't have to look up to know he's sneering at you, lips pulled back into a snarl. Felix, along with the bitter alcohol, gave you too much confidence. Sure you may not be of low status, but standing before a prince unnerves you.

Especially when you followed him with intentions.

"If you want me to ask why, you will be disappointed. Leave me." Chris looks at you expectantly, waiting for you to take those steps back. You never do, however, but instead pick your head up and stride deeper into his room, shutting the door.

His eyebrows furrow and a blush crawls its way up his neck. Chris tries to mask his surprise with anger. "Stupid wrench. Can you not listen to simple instructions?" His eyes that are filled with anger slowly dissipates when he sees you reel back at his words.

You fiddle with your hands nervously and you suddenly feel as though you cannot do this at all. How are you, a duchess, supposed to ensnare a prince who hates you so? Doubt clogs your mind, but you are already here. It would be far too shameful to turn away without even trying.

"Why do you hate me so?" That's not what you were supposed to say. You were supposed to sound flirtatious, experienced. Instead, you're meek and quiet. For a moment you doubt the prince even heard you, but the disheartened look in his eyes says otherwise.

He sighs, running his jeweled fingers in his brown hair. A prince is to never be vulnerable, to show weakness in fear of exploitation. In the presence of your teary eyes, however, none of that seems to matter.

Chris takes a deep breath, "I hate you for many things."

Your jaw drops. You're not sure what you were expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. A foolish part of you thought maybe it was a misunderstanding, but there's no time to reply when the prince carries on.

"I hate that I think about you every hour of everyday. I hate that you live freely while I have to act accordingly." He takes a step to you. "I hate how you look at me with those hidden eyes. I hate it even more that I know it's you underneath that plain mask." Chris is close enough to reach for your face and he does just that. Gentle fingers undo the knot that keeps your mask on and he lets it fall to the ground.

"I hate that I know your voice, that I ache to hear it. I hate that I know in which way you walk, should you be in my castle." His fingertips ghost over your skin, sending shivers down your spine. "I hate that I dream of you and I hate when I wake from those dreams."

Chris traces the outline of your lips, watching how your tongue darts out to taste his fingers. He shudders.

"Worst of all," he leans close to your face, a kiss away from you. "I hate that it's only for one night that I will be yours."

You don't kiss him back at first. You can't even register his plush lips on yours. How they move steadily, sickly sweet. The prince tastes faintly of alcohol, but not enough to overpower his kiss. You come back to when his hands find your waist, pressing you closer to his warm body.

A part of you thinks maybe this is a test. That when you begin moving your mouth with his, he'd pull away and laugh. Chris doesn't do that though and instead groans against your lips when you finally reciprocate.

Shaky hands find their way to his styled hair, tugging on his curls to bring him closer. It doesn't take long before you're both chest to chest, one of his legs between yours as you stand, and breathing into each other's mouths. His kiss is bruising, filled with the overwhelming desire he claims to hate.

Chris nips on your lower lip, pulling it back harshly to hear you whimper. Then he kisses you again, messily sliding his tongue against yours. His lips travel down your cheek, your jawline, to your neck. You shiver at his warm tongue tasting your skin, hips rocking on his thigh.

The grip on your waist only tightens to keep pressure on you grinding on him. You feel him smile against your throat. "Humping me like a little bunny, aren't you?" He lifts his head to whisper in your ear, biting your earlobe. "Is my leg enough to satiate your lust?"

You shake your head, "N-no. It's not, my prince." Chris rewards your honesty by moving his hands from your waist. He lifts the many layers of your dress in bunches, holding them above your hips. You take the hint and grasp them in your own fingers, watching him descend lower...

...and lower... ...and lower...

The prince kneels before you, facing your core. You gasp, and despite dreaming about this with your hand underneath your nightgown, it's still an unbelievable sight. No royal blood is to kneel before another, let alone you of lower ranking.

"Prince Christopher!" You sound slightly panicked. "You mustn't! To kneel before...not even that! You must have drunken one too many glasses. I shouldn't have-"

You cut yourself off with a yelp. You feel Chris's teeth dig into the soft flesh of your thighs. He does it hard enough to see his teeth imprints when he pulls back. "You think of me drunk," he says it with accusation. "But how could I be drunk off wine when I could be drunk off this instead?"

Though you can't see him from the frills of the many layers of your dress, it helps ease your nerves when he hooks his finger under your panties. Your hips jolt when the cold air hits your bare cunt, but his warm breath quickly replaces it.

Chris trails kisses just next to your core, his hands planted on each thigh. His fingers makes shapeless figures, dancing closer to where you throb just before pulling away. It's bearable it first, his teasing. But then you start to feel yourself dripping, arousal seeping from your folds. His lips ghost over your clit, moving to the next thigh.

You tremble, trying to move your hips so his mouth catches your pussy. You're met with a chuckle, deep and quiet. It makes you more impatient, whining. "My prince please. I cannot bear it."

The prince pulls away from you completely, leaning back to look up at you. He looks silly beneath where you stand. His mouth red and curls messy from your earlier tugging, but his wet lips are frowning. "Are you, a duchess, telling me, a prince, what to do?"

Shit, you got too comfortable. "Of course not," your voice wavers. From fear or lust, you're not sure. "I didn't mean to offend you, I just-"

"You're quite the nervous talker, aren't you?" Chris's once pouting lips turn into a smirk. His observation makes you blush, though you're sure your face was already a deep shade of red since the beginning.

He smiles at your reaction, teeth gleaming in the candlelit room. "No need to fret, pretty duchess. I told you that tonight I am yours. If my mouth on you is what you desire, then so be it."

You watch as Chris dives forward to the empty space between your legs. His tongue darts out to taste you directly, going under your lower lips to collect your arousal. The warmth from his mouth makes you squeal, but his hands move to the back of your thighs to keep you in place.

It's hot, wet, and a little rough when he licks you. He trails his tongue upwards to rub soft circles on your nub before dipping back down. Chris moves his hands higher until they're under your hiked dress, gripping your arse. His fingers kneed into your soft flesh, forcing you deeper into his mouth.

There's a guttural moan that leaves him, sending waves through your cunt. Chris opts to suck on your flesh, pulling it only to let it go with a wet 'pop!' The sensation makes you shiver, legs buckling for a second before you regain your composure.

"This is..." the prince trails off. He buries his nose on your clit, sticking his tongue out to prod at your entrance. There's no doubt that the evidence of your shame is dripping from his chin, but he acts as though he doesn't mind. He hardly cares how your legs squeeze and how the hair on your pelvis tickles his face when he painfully pushes his face deeper into you.

This is divine.

You want nothing more than to grind on his face, hump on his tongue like the bunny he said you are. But your legs shake so much, your knees lock so often you see your vision go black for seconds. Finishing on the prince's face is something you could have only dreamt of. Yet here he is, seeming to eagerly coax a release from you. Surely he must be flushed himself, straining painfully in his trousers.

"P-Prince Christopher I- oh~ I'm so close. Do you want me to...should I..."

It's difficult to finish your sentence when you're so close to finishing in his warm mouth. You want to taste him how he's doing to you, you want to feel how his length would stretch you out. He must feel the same way, he has to.

But he only shakes his head with your pussy still in his mouth. "You should cum," he says breathlessly. "Let me taste this, drink you in. I've never had a cunt as pretty as yours."

Hot kisses rapidly peck on your clit. The prince spits messily on your already wet core, but he quickly spreads it all over your lips. Chris moves you up and down by your ass, encouraging you to ride his face. The idea of hesitating and passing the opportunity is behind you. You feel as though you might crush his head with the force of your legs, but he takes it all.

It makes sense why you're moaning, writhing under the tongue of the prince. But it makes you wonder why he's so loud himself. Groaning at your taste and whining when your hips shy away from his relentless mouth. You can hear him mumble mostly to himself. Mindlessly babbling soft words of praises.

"So good." "Pretty pussy." "Fuck. Ride my tongue, just like that."

Maybe he's trying to help get you to your high, but it makes you distantly wonder, nonetheless.

You whimper at the feeling of pleasure building in your stomach. It bundles and quivers until you drop the hem of your dress to reach down and grip Chris by the hair. He ignores how the layers surround him like blankets. You feel him gasp against your pussy when you slide your cunt up and down his face.

"S-sorry," you apologize pathetically. "Close. Wanna cum- fuck! wanna cum. Please forgive me." You mewl more apologies before vibrating with pleasure. Chris can't protest as you finish on his tongue, and he seems to rather like it with the way his blunt fingernails stab into the skin of your bottom.

You keep him there on your cunt as your body trembles with aftershocks from your orgasm. The prince obediently licks you throughout it all, collection your cream before loudly gulping it down. Your shaky hands finally release him from your grip, but Chris is persistent on giving your quivering clit final kisses.

Even if you try to move your hips from his mouth, he keeps you in place. "Your majesty," you struggle to find your voice from how much you were moaning. "Please. It's so sensitive."

He licks a fat stripe along your pussy to hear you cry out one final time. "You ask for me to taste you. You practically beg for me to let you finish on my tongue and when I do, you tell me to stop. Tell me, duchess, what is it that you want from me exactly?"

It's a simple question that has a simple answer, yet, saying it would bring complicated issues you know neither of you are able to face.

You. The word is on the tip of your tongue, but you settle for saying, "T-to please you, if you'll have me." It's close enough to what you actually want.

Chris finally brings himself to his feet, reaching for your fallen mask on his way up. He hands you the fabric, but you're so distracted with his face that you gasp.

He's soaked in your juices, his face glistens in the rising moonlight coming from his window. It's almost offensive to look at, reminding you of how you lost yourself so easily.

The prince only smiles at your words, your shocked expression. "Don't worry about my pleasure, pretty duchess." He leans in to kiss you, eyes fluttering closed upon impact. You can taste yourself on him, the bitter flavor settling on your tongue and invading your senses. It brings a new wave of desire, of an aching want.

"There," he gives you a dazzling smile when he pulls away. A string of saliva mixed with your arousal connect your lips. "Have a taste of yourself instead."

#smut #skz smut #skz #stray kids #stray kids smut #skz bangchan #skz bang chan #skz chris smut #skz chris #skz channie #skz chan smut #bangchan smut #bangchan x reader #bangchan fanfic #skz felix #stray kids bang chan

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rebelspykatie · 2 years

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Royalty AU where Steve becomes king after his parents die and they set up an arranged marriage proposal with Nancy before they passed away. He goes to visit her with Robin. Steve is overwhelmed and doesn’t really want to get married at all, but definitely not to Nancy. Robin’s crush on Nancy is glaringly obvious and he starts to feel guilty about being the one that gets to marry her.

So he starts hiding in the stables and riding the horses to get away from the palace. Nancy’s stable hand Eddie notices and thinks Steve is being a little shit for not asking if he can go out riding, until he catches him coming back with tear stained eyes. He doesn’t say anything to him the first time, but it keeps happening.

He finally talks to him and has a moment where he goes uh oh this guy is great, repeatedly telling himself not to fall for a betrothed king. He respects Nancy and doesn’t want to get in the way of this arrangement, but he feels something for Steve so fast. He finds out that Steve isn’t crying over his dead parents, who he actually really resented especially now that he’s caught up in this agreement, but over the situation with Nancy and Robin.

They start taking rides together and get lost in the woods for hours, sometimes having picnics, sometimes swimming in the lake. Eddie’s favorite is when he teaches Steve how to toss knives. He gets close under the guise of showing Steve how to do it, pressing their bodies close together and just breathing Steve in.

Robin brings up his relationship with Eddie one night and Steve just has a complete breakdown, crying over the expectations put upon him by his parents, the weight of running a whole kingdom on his own, and his unexpected feelings for Eddie. Robin opens up about her feelings for Nancy and they hold each other while they cry, thinking it’s hopeless.

Meanwhile, Nancy is scheming with Eddie to figure out how they can switch partners and get out of the royal arrangement. Nancy is meeting with legal advisors and having tea with dignitaries of both kingdoms to discuss the impact their severed relationship would have on trade relations and public approval of Steve if he marries someone not noble. Robin is a royal of some kind like a lady or duchess, so Nancy should be fine. Steve is all alone in his kingdom, so she wants to make sure he’ll be okay.

Eddie is speed running through royal lessons with Mike and Will, learning everything he can about Steve’s kingdom. He starts taking sword lessons from Nancy. When they finally confront Steve and Robin with their plan, both of them sit there in shock clutching each other and it’s like there’s one brain cell pinging back and forth between them as they simultaneously come to the conclusion that it means their crush likes them back.

When Eddie goes back with Steve, there’s an official celebration for their newly announced engagement. Once Eddie settles in, Steve finds out about the sword lessons and suggests Eddie become a knight, where he meets the group tasked with protecting Steve and the kingdom from danger. Dustin, Erica, Lucas and Max are Steve’s personal protection squad.

#my fantasy world is medieval but no homophobia #stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #ronance #I started this draft one night and then forgot about it and came back like ??#this one is for the horse girls #babygirl is a horse girl #readers choice on who I’m talking about #katie writes

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labuenosairesfrancaise · 2 months

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Grimsthorpe Castle

Hi guys!!

I'm sharing another grand english state!

House History: The building was originally a small castle on the crest of a ridge on the road inland from the Lincolnshire fen edge towards the Great North Road. It is said to have been begun by Gilbert de Gant, Earl of Lincoln in the early 13th century. However, he was the first and last in this creation of the Earldom of Lincoln and he died in 1156. Gilbert's heyday was the peak time of castle building in England, during the Anarchy. It is quite possible that the castle was built around 1140. However, the tower at the south-east corner of the present building is usually said to have been part of the original castle and it is known as King John's Tower. The naming of King John's tower seems to have led to a misattribution of the castle's origin to his time.

Gilbert de Gant spent much of his life in the power of the Earl of Chester and Grimsthorpe is likely to have fallen into his hands in 1156 when Gilbert died, though the title 'Earl of Lincoln' reverted to the crown. In the next creation of the earldom, in 1217, it was Ranulph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester (1172–1232) who was ennobled with it. It seems that the title, if not the property was in the hands of King John during his reign; hence perhaps, the name of the tower.

During the last years of the Plantagenet kings of England, it was in the hands of Lord Lovell. He was a prominent supporter of Richard III. After Henry VII came to the throne, Lovell supported a rebellion to restore the earlier royal dynasty. The rebellion failed and Lovell's property was taken confiscated and given to a supporter of the Tudor Dynasty.[2]

The Tudor period

This grant by Henry VIII, Henry Tudor's son, to the 11th Baron Willoughby de Eresby was made in 1516, together with the hand in marriage of Maria de Salinas, a Spanish lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon. Their daughter Katherine inherited the title and estate on the death of her father in 1526, when she was aged just seven. In 1533, she became the fourth wife of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, a close ally of Henry VIII. In 1539, Henry VIII granted Charles Suffolk the lands of the nearby suppressed Vaudey Abbey, founded in 1147, and he used its stone as building material for his new house. Suffolk set about extending and rebuilding his wife's house, and in only eighteen months it was ready for a visit in 1541 by King Henry, on his way to York to meet his nephew, James V of Scotland. In 1551, James's widow Mary of Guise also stayed at Grimsthorpe. The house stands on glacial till and it seems that the additions were hastily constructed. Substantial repairs were required later owing to the poor state of the foundations, but much of this Tudor house can still be seen today.

During Mary's reign the castle's owners, Katherine Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk (née Willoughby) and her second husband, Richard Bertie, were forced to leave it owing to their Anglican views. On Elizabeth's succeeding to the throne, they returned with their daughter, Susan, later Countess of Kent and their new son Peregrine, later the 13th Baron. He became a soldier and spent much of his time away from Grimsthorpe.

The Vanbrugh building

By 1707, when Grimsthorpe was illustrated in Britannia Illustrata, the 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and 3rd Earl Lindsey had rebuilt the north front of Grimsthorpe in the classical style. However, in 1715, Robert Bertie, the 16th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, employed Sir John Vanbrugh to design a Baroque front to the house to celebrate his ennoblement as the first Duke of Ancaster and Kesteven. It is Vanbrugh's last masterpiece. He also prepared designs for the reconstruction of the other three ranges of the house, but they were not carried out. His proposed elevation for the south front was in the Palladian style, which was just coming into fashion, and is quite different from all of his built designs.

The North Front of Grimsthorpe as rebuilt by Vanbrugh, drawn in 1819. Vanbrugh's Stone Hall occupies the space between the columns on both floors.

Inside, the Vanbrugh hall is monumental with stone arcades all around at two levels. Arcaded screens at each end of the hall separate the hall from staircases, much like those at Audley End House and Castle Howard. The staircase is behind the hall screen and leads to the staterooms on the first floor. The State Dining Room occupies Vanbrugh's north-east tower, with its painted ceiling lit by a Venetian window. It contains the throne used by George IV at his Coronation Banquet, and a Regency giltwood throne and footstool used by Queen Victoria in the old House of Lords. There is also a walnut and parcel gilt chair and footstool made for the use of George III at Westminster. The King James and State Drawing Rooms have been redecorated over the centuries, and contain portraits by Reynolds and Van Dyck, European furniture, and yellow Soho Tapestries woven by Joshua Morris around 1730. The South Corridor contains thrones used by Prince Albert and Edward VII, as well as the desk on which Queen Victoria signed her coronation oath. A series of rooms follows in the Tudor east range, with recessed oriel windows and ornate ceilings. The Chinese drawing room has a splendidly rich ceiling and an 18th-century fan-vaulted oriel window. The walls are hung with Chinese wallpaper depicting birds amidst bamboo. The chapel is magnificent with superb 17th-century plasterwork.

More history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimsthorpe_Castle

This house fits a 64x64 lot and features several impressive rooms, more than 29 bedrooms, a servants hall and several state rooms!

I only decored some of the main rooms, for you to have a glimpse of the distribution. The rest is up to you, as I have stated that I do not like interiors :P

Be warned: I did not have the floor plan for the tudor rooms, thus, the distribution is based on my own decision and can not fit the real house :P.

You will need the usual CC I use: all of Felixandre, The Jim, SYB, Anachrosims, Regal Sims, TGS, The Golden Sanctuary, Dndr recolors, etc.

Please enjoy, comment if you like it and share pictures with me if you use my creations!

DOWNLOAD (Early acces: June 30) https://www.patreon.com/posts/grimsthorpe-101891128

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mischiefmanaged71 · 2 years

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Let’s Fall In Love For The Night - (1/10)

Summary: Being the eldest daughter of a Duke and Duchess means that Lady Y/N has been prepared for society; to fulfil her duties as the next heir to her family name and estate. However, she dreams of so much more than that, particularly, finding someone she truly loves rather than a political match. Intrigue sparks an idea with the introduction of Tom Bennett, a soldier she meets on a Press tour - forming a new relationship that could either make or break her apart should things turn against her favour.

Pairing: Tom Bennett x fem! reader

Indifference sweltered through her mind as the car drew round the bend. The sky was cloudy and grey, as per usual, suiting the desolate mind overrun with curious thoughts and possibilities. Y/N had always been a child pondering questions, wondering about the world and the endless paths one could take. New discoveries became intriguing topics of conversation as she asked everyone and anyone at her beck and call about her curiosities. She held an appreciation for learning and knowledge which became a founding part of her character.

Many years later, the woman at present sat next to her father. He watched her stare out the window with a calm demeanour she wore in the face of others, habitually clasping her hands in her lap.

“Darling?” his voice brought her back.

“Yes?” she glanced at him, the car slightly jostling her shoulder as they approached their destination.

“Have you put any thought to what we discussed?" he caught the confusion in her eye, “With your mother and I?”

Recognition flashed in her eyes. He was referring to the topic of conversation regarding her prospectives. She had brushed them off on various occasions, dismissing their regards for her future partner. Y/N was rather attached to the idea of finding love naturally, rather than through any political means.

She wasn’t interested in the idea of an arranged ordeal, nor would it work for her. Not for their lack of trying. Her parents were supportive, but they didn’t grasp her intentions. There were certain expectations as the daughter of a Duke and Duchess. While unmarried, she was living under their roof with the title of a Lady.

“My opinion has not changed.” she stated.

The Duke was curt, addressing her as if he were in discussion something else entirely. “Have you considered it at all?”

She turned to him, “Yes and I am still firm in my belief. I want to travel and experience the world through my own means. Not trapped in a Duke or Lord’s house under his authority.”

“Not even a Prince would sway my decision.” she retorted.

“Entertaining and offer or engagement with a gentleman does not mean a life of solitude under his guise. Your mother can attest to that. We want to help you move onto the next part of your life.” he glanced at her.

"Father, it's not in my interest to fall under someone else's hands."

"Not even a Prince's interest?"

The sound of his sigh filled the car as they passed through an aisle of people, flashing lights catching her eyes. Y/N shook away her hardened resolve, forcing a smile for the oncoming Press. The door opened, a hand offering assistance which she took gladly. The sea breeze brought the ocean to her senses, a slight chill as well, as she held back a shiver. The crowd cheered at their arrival, many bellowing for their attention as Y/N smiled, waving to the people.

Her mother was entertaining important guests at the manor, as well as, her younger siblings. Two younger brothers, ages 12 and 7, the older holding the title of the rightful heir to the estate in the event of their father's passing. She adored her brothers all the same, not finding interest in the title, rather only the stance it provided in certain circumstances of decision making; particularly of political and social matters.

Y/N was now at a suitable age for marriage, as inferred by the various suggestions from her parents, Aunts and varying other figures who bestowed their unwanted opinions. She joined her father as a courtesy on occasions where the Duchess was unavailable, learning more of the duties expected of her standing.

Y/N brushed her dress, an anxious tick as she looked around. Her father caught her gaze as she swiftly followed, tucking her hand into his arm. Many watched the Duke and Lady approach the ship, men awaiting to greet them aboard. She spotted the line of soldiers overlooking from above, witnessing the grinning faces and smirks of many as they caught sight of her. The first beautiful woman they had seen aboard in many months, possibly the first woman aboard ever seeing as it was a naval ship preparing for deployment.

They knew of their House from photographs in the newspapers, several mentions in regards to the Duke’s first cousin of the reigning House of Windsor, making them of great interest in England’s eye.

Flashes followed them, a second hand offered to guide the Lady onto the step. She graciously thanked them, turning to her father and who she presumed was the captain.

“Welcome aboard his grace, the Duke of Richmond, Richard II and his daughter, the Lady Y/L/N. I am Captain Thomas Barrett. We are honoured to have you both aboard, your grace.”

“Thank you for entertaining this tour, Captain Barrett. We are pleased to meet your acquaintance. Shall we?”

The Captain guided them up the stairs to the top deck, Y/N following closely behind. The deck opened up to rows of the soldiers now lined for up in their uniforms. A shy smile crossed her face at the eyes following her, holding her head high.

She knew of the attention she held, intentionally ignoring the incessant stares and averting her gaze to the ocean. The breeze flowed through her hair as she looked around, her gaze wandering over the edge. Her dress fluttered with the wind, a calm settling over her as she watched the waves with ease. A distant call brought her attention away as her father called her. She met a sailor eye as he moved back into his spot in the first row. She stepped toward her father, hearing his encouragement to talk to the soldiers, what with the photographers surrounding them.

***

Men fumbled around, moving close to the edge as the sound of roaring cheers reached them.

Tom made his way through, curious as to the source of their cheers. He spotted the approaching car and the head that turned towards the ship.

His thoughts halted at the sight of possibly the most beautiful woman he’d seen in his twenty-two years. She had a grace about her that was unique, her hair perfectly styled in soft curls which framed her attractive features. Tom found himself drawn in for some reason he could not comprehend, nor express in words as he paused where he stood.

Her smile was pleasing as she waved at the crowd before looking up at them. The men whistled and shouted along with the crowd, the woman shyly bowing her head at the attention.

“That’s a pretty bird, isn’t it?” someone said, rising noises of agreement, “Wonder if a Duchess sings all the same.”

“She’s not a Duchess. She’s daughter to one.” another corrected.

“All the same.” the man echoed, laughing as another man patted his shoulder. “Bet I could teach her a lesson in some areas. Don't reckon those posh bastards know what they're doing.”

The remark irritated Tom in a way he couldn’t describe. He didn’t care much about royalty or titles, but he found the remarks disgusting all the same, especially coming from these men that stared at the lady with hungry looks.

“You best treat her with more respect than that.” Tom stated, walking away from the group.

“What did you say?”

Tom glanced back, squaring his feet “I said show some respect. She’s a lady, after all. Not one of your...acquaintances.”

The man chuckled, stepping forward in a move to intimidate him, he assumed “I can say what I damn like.” he retorted, “Why’d you care anyway?”

“I don’t. I’m simply making a statement. Should you embarrass yourself, doesn’t look good on the rest of us.” Tom made a flippant comment as the man got into his personal space. “Besides, your well beneath her. You glanced in a mirror lately?”

“I outta teach you a lesson, boy. Suddenly he cares for appearances, does he? Why don't we can see what she actually thinks about that when I beat you to a pulp.” the man snided, a fury in his voice.

Tom smirked, “You can damn well try. Don’t think you can land the punch, though.”

The man snided, going to raise his fist when Pete stepped in, tugging Tom to the side before the cheers could begin.

“I can’t leave you for one minute before you’re starting things up.” his friend sighed, tugging him into line as they prepared for the line up.

“You know I can’t resist. They make it so easy.” Tom replied, a grin dying on his lips at Pete's deadpanned reaction.

The rest of the men followed, Tom ignoring the glare set on him. He clenched his jaw, concealing a grin as the sound of approaching steps reached them. He looked straight ahead as the Captain and Duke approached, a figure behind them. Tom felt his heart skip a beat as he caught a close up of the woman. She scanned the group, including him before walking to the edge. He could hear the murmurs around him as the men stared at her, hoping to get a word in.

He tuned it out, caught up in her graceful demeanour. Everything from her walk, to her pinned hair. The flow of her dress around her and the softness to her features; a refreshing change to the harsh nature of those around him. The Duke called her over and then met his gaze.

“Good morning, sailors.” her voice was soft, addressing the group as they crowded around.

“Mornin’, love.” someone remarked, to which she smiled politely in return.

"Your grace."

“How are you today, my Lady?”

Tom watched her smile and address each remark, but there was a definite practiced answer for each behind her facade.

“I’m doing well, thank you.” she clasped her hands, “Thank you all for your service. When do you depart?”

“In two months time.”

"And I suppose you're training in the mean time?"

"Course, have to prepare to sink all those Germans." Another piped up, rising a round of laughter. Although she didn't laugh at the comment.

“Will you visit again?” another voice asked.

Her eyes dart around, forming an answer, “I am not sure. There are many ships across England. It would be difficult to visit them all, especially more than once.” she hummed.

“Come on, love. Can’t spare a bit of time for us, lads? Where we’re going are lonely waters.”

She nodded, “And your country thanks you.”

“I’d love more than a thank you.” someone murmured in the background, rising a few laughs. It was probably intended to be a unheard, but Tom caught the recognition in her eyes as her expression hardened. He clenched his jaw at the comment, seeing the shy look depart from her as she reformed a poised exterior. Y/N ignored the flippant comment, evidently used to the behaviour of men.

The Lady moved along, obvious to Tom that she was unnerved by the interaction. Her eyes meet Tom’s and he feels his heart skip a beat as the crowd parted for her. Tom doesn’t retreat from her gaze, intrigued by her attention now set on him. The pair of mesmerising blue eyes that enraptured her, the blonde hair that she felt the urge to run her hands through. The strong lines of his face and jawline that were sculpted by artists, his full lips that she flickered her gaze from.

“What is your name?” she asked, diffusing the men to silence as they glanced at who she addressed.

He paused, his confident demeanour softened at her stare “Tom.”

She leaned forward, mouth slightly parted at the sound of his satisfying voice; his accent.

“Bennett.”

She smiled, glancing at Pete who replied with his name as well.

“How long have you been in service?”

Tom confirmed, “Joined up last week.”

“Quite recently.” she echoed, tilting her head, “And your family. How do they fair?”

He nodded, “I’ve got a dad and sister. They were...surprised at my decision.”

“Proud nonetheless, I’m sure.”

Tom strained to hold back his quip that they were most certainly not, given his track record. They bet he would lasted longer in a jail cell than fairing in the war.

He wore a small smile in response, asking a question of his own. “And what is a Lady’s opinion on the war?”

Pete wore a stunned expression as he glanced between the pair.

“We all have our duties. Fighting for one’s country is honourable.” she recited practiced words.

“Yes, we know that, but I asked what you thought.” he held her gaze, genuine interest at her surprise, her mouth agape. Usually people weren’t so forward with her.

“I think its a very brave act to fight for freedom. To devote yourself to a cause.” she responded.

“Even if we have to die so others can live?”

The light in her eyes dimmed at the thought of death, Pete opening his mouth at the scandalous statement to say something when Y/N cut him off.

“No. I think every death is a tragedy. It takes more than simply courage to stand up for what you believe.” she held his gaze, “I firmly believe in the idea of following your own intentions in life, rather than the opinions of others. But, sometimes we are unable to fulfil those desires because of duty. And sacrifice.”

He held onto each of her words, not noticing the quiet in the room as the other men listened accordingly.

“You speaking from experience?” he whispered.

“While I can’t bear arms for my country, I know my fair share of sacrifice and duty." she responded, "No one else will know your experience more than yourself. They can't tell you how to live it."

They were two sides of the same coin, equal opposites which were plain to see even within their accents. The stark differences in Tom’s Manchester accent and slang, aside to her elegant voice primed for public speaking.

His next statement was cut off by the Captain addressing the group, instructing them for a photograph.

Tom tilted his head curiously, holding her gaze as she enraptured his attention.

"If I had one wish, it would be to put a stop to the war and any bloodshed before it happened." Her smile falling.

"But we don't live in a perfect world."

"No...we don't." She replied solemnly.

Y/N settled next to her father at the centre of the group, standing with her hands clasped in front of her. Y/N found his gaze again in the crowd four spaces down. She felt breathless, glancing away right as the flash shuttered. This sort of feeling rising in her chest was unfamiliar to her as she followed closely behind her father.

But right as they were departing, she felt a hand brush her own in the crowd, the sensation sending shivers along her arm. A pair of blue eyes studied her with interest, and Y/N fought the urge to stay there, holding onto his stare forever as it seemed.

TAGS

@pearlstiare @dothrckis @aemonds-sapphire @xcharlottemikaelsonx @filipinamultifandom @padfooteyes @aemondsvhagar @batsyforyou @yentroucnagol @cl-0-vr @viviartsy @h3k3t @arcana-greenleaf @yummycastiel @amysnowflake92 @lauraneedstochill @ladybug0095 @rntrsna @schniiipsel

#tom bennett #tom bennett x reader #world on fire #ewan mitchell

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thedemonofcat · 5 months

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At the lavish Masquerade ball, Geralt finds himself in the role of a hired protector, tasked with ensuring the safety of the Duke and Duchess amidst rumors of a lurking vampire threat. To maintain a low profile and avoid raising suspicion, Geralt adopts the guise of a mysterious guest, his features concealed behind an intricately crafted mask.

Much to his surprise, amidst the swirl of masked revelers, Geralt's keen eyes catch sight of a familiar figure: Jaskier. It dawns on him that the Duchess, a friend of the Pankratz family, has invited Jaskier, who currently fulfills his duties as the Viscount of Lettenhove, to the grand affair.

It's been some time since Geralt and Jaskier last crossed paths, their last encounter etched into memory against the backdrop of a treacherous mountain. As Jaskier approaches, engaging Geralt in conversation, it becomes evident that the mask has cloaked Geralt's identity from his friend's discerning gaze.

In a spontaneous decision fueled by a desire to relish this fleeting anonymity, Geralt decides to embrace the charade, assuming a new persona for the night's festivities. As the music swells and the dancers twirl around them, Geralt and Jaskier share a momentary reprieve from their usual roles, lost in the enchantment of the masquerade.

However, their idyllic interlude is abruptly shattered when the ominous presence of the vampire materializes

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nostalgebraist-autoresponder · 1 year

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can you name all 59 women

1. Anne Bonny: a lesbian

2. Mary Read: a lesbian

3. Mary Read again: an abusive, cheating wife

4. Mary, Queen of Scots: a lesbian. (But also not a lesbian because Hester Mary MacKenzie was also her concubine.)

5. Isabella 'Bella' Baldwin: a lesbian

6. Queen Elizabeth of Parma, also known as Isabelle d'Este, was the Empress of Modena. She's one of several queens whose non-biological children were legitimized by the church.

7. Mary, Queen of France (before and during her marriage to Henry III).

8. Charlotte of Savoy: a lesbian

9. Elizabeth of York, also Elizabeth Stuart: a lesbian

10. Anna Ivanovna Demushkin: a lesbian (Ivan the Terrible's wife, as well as Mary Queen of Scots')

11. Mary, Duchess of Orleans: a lesbian

12. Mary, Duchess of Orleans again: a lesbian

13. Isabella of France: a lesbian

14. Margaret of Anjou, wife of Francis Plantagenet: a lesbian.

15. Mary 'Mary of Guise', daughter of Margaret of Anjou and Francis Plantagenet: a lesbian

16. Queen of Denmark: a lesbian (Anne's daughter, Sophie of Poland and Denmark)

17. Catherine Howard: a lesbian

18. Katherine Howard: a lesbian

19. Mary, Queen of England: a lesbian (Mary Tudor)

20. Eleanor of Austria, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella: a lesbian (Mary Tudor's daughter, also Queen of England)

21. Mary, Queen of Bohemia: a lesbian

22. Catherine Parr: a lesbian

23. Eleanor of Austria, again: a lesbian (Mary Tudor's daughter, also queen of England)

24. Mary Tudor: a lesbian

25. Queen of Scots: a lesbian

26. Catherine Parr again: a lesbian

27. Christine de Bourgogne: a lesbian, as well as a queen of France.

28. Jane Seymour, wife of Thomas Seymour and mother of Edward Seymour. Also a lesbian.

29. Mary Stuart: a lesbian

30. Isabella of Castile: a lesbian

31. Mary Stuart again, daughter of Mary I of England: a lesbian

32. Jane Seymour again: lesbian (Edward Seymour's mom)

33. Anne Fitzwilliam, Duchess of Norfolk: a lesbian

34. Barbara Tacy, Countess of Pembroke: a lesbian

35. Mary Tudor again: a lesbian. (Mary Stuart's daughter again)

36. Jane Buckley: a lesbian

37. Catherine Parr: Elizabeth Howard, Parr's daughter, was Queen of England after her mother's death and died without an heir.

38. Margaret Cecil: a lesbian

39. Anna of Cleves: Anne Beaton, wife of Frederick V, Elector of Saxony and of James I and Mary, Queen of Scots; and her granddaughter, Lady Jane Grey, daughter of King Henry VIII and Edward Seymour.

40. Henrietta Maria Stuart: lesbian

41. Anne of Cleves: lesbian

42. Mary Queen of France: lesbian

43. Mary Queen of France again: a lesbian

44. Margaret, Countess of Lennox: lesbian

45. Elizabeth Howard: another lesbian

46.

Anne Stafford: a lesbian

47.

Jane Stafford: a lesbian

48. Jane Seymour again: a lesbian

49. Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots: lesbian

50. Princess Margaret: a lesbian

51. Anne of Cleves again, this time as a mother: Mary Tudor's daughter; Queen of England for less than a month in 1553

52.

Jane Stafford again: lesbian

53. Margaret Howard, Countess of Stafford: lesbian

54. Lady Jane Grey again: a lesbian

55. Princess Anne: a lesbian. (Princess of Portugal and the two Marianas, of Portugal and England.)

56. Elizabeth Howard again: lesbian

57. Margaret of Anjou, Lady of Woodville, wife of Ralph Neville, son of the Duke of Northumberland (Henry Tudor).

58.

#hexedbug

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la-merlaison · 4 months

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Louis XIII and his cooking adventures 🍴🥞

When it comes to our Louis XIII cult, I often refer to the king's iconic omelettes, but what about his other stuff? For example, he really loved sweets (like beignets or jams), but could he also cook them? The answer is YES, and that's not even all yet!

Louis was a curious child who's head was already filled with various interests and cooking became one of them when he was only ten years old at the time (which is quite unusual for a king). First ever case of the king cooking was recorded on february 11th of 1611, when he was preparing milk soups for the Duchess of Guise / Catherine of Cleves. So milk soup, most likely, could be Louis' very first dish made by himself!

Of course many kids have a sweet tooth and our precious omelette king was not an exception which I guess is why he started to learn how to cook mostly from recipes of sweets. Also, take a shot every time I say "sweets" or "cooking" (don't..) 🕊️

So, among 17th century royal sw- *ahem* DESSERTS we had in our menu – a jam, quince jelly, beignets (basically french donuts) and marzipans. In a well-known, among many of y'all Louis stalkers, journal of his doctor Jean Héroard I found some clear evidence of Louis XIII cooking some of these himself, so here it is feat. me periodically panicking over my own translation because my half-french friend is too busy atm and I don’t wanna bother them:

June 6th, 1611 — «He walks through the corridor from the study to the paneled gallery where he had an oven for making jams, he is amused to see how it's done.» I know it's not exactly him cooking, but I just wanted to leave it here :")

October 15th, 1612 — «Madame comes to see him; he has fun making jam with Mademoiselle de Vendôme»

January 29th, 1613 — «He often has fun making almond milk and marzipans at Madame's house.»

March 6th, 1615 — «It was very cold; he goes to the kitchen, makes omelettes, beignets, fried eggs; it was he who made them and ate a little of that he tasted.» Pretty sure the last few words could be translated better because it's always rather my terrible french or a little confusing way of Héroard's writing, so feel free to correct me.

February 3rd, 1616 — «He is preparing a small snack of dry jam for the queen, who must come to him at two o'clock. After going back to bed, he happily forms various battalions of his little silver men.»

February 5th, 1622 — «He leaves Saint-Germain, goes to Pontoise, where he enjoys making and eating beignets; while dining at Cormeille, he suddenly goes to the goblet in which he makes little cream puffs.» The original text says «petits choux au lait» and I have no idea what could that exactly be, but it seems like some sort of little éclair-like buns made of milk? Little cream puffs?? Maybe by «choux au lait» Jean meant «choux à la crème» which were invented back in 1540 in France.

I know you've been waiting for the quince jelly too, but unfortunately I couldn't find anything about the jelly :c Though, judging by what we've got here It's still quite possible Louis could cook quince jelly as well, hmm... Anyways, if you know something I don't know of the jelly mystery, hit me up!

In the future, this great love for desserts will be inherited by his son Philippe I, Duke of Orléans (brother of Louis XIV), who is also a very interesting character in history!!

In conclusion I must say that Louis not only had a sweet tooth, but also a big love for trying out different things, all this curiosity and pure excitement, even when it comes to something so simple and familiar like food, will never ever stop to fascinate me :"D

Btw speaking about Louis 'trying out different things', I of course still have a lot to share on this as well! Stay tuned and have a good day/night 💘💘💘

#I can't believe I wasted more time on the picture than the post itself #But at least now I can go make more Louis content :“”D #In my next post I will most likely cover something that is not food because he had A LOT of other talents obviously hahahaah #Honestly I could talk about him 24/7.... I just can't always be online to flood you with all this :“(#17th century #louis xiii #history of food #louis xiii le juste #king louis xiii

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hundredacreletters · 19 hours

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Lady Whistledown Column from the Doctor Who episode Rogue (1x06) at the Pemberton Ball (SPOILERS!)

spoilers, sweetie! you have been warned

. November 29, 1813

Dearest Gentle Reader,

The Pemberton Ball last night turned into just the show the Duchess seemed to have wanted.

Even though most of the guests lied straight to the Dutchess’ face, the whole event was nothing special at the start. Throughout most of the night, I assumed the talk of the party would be nothing more than the horrid frock of the Duchess of Pemberton. One would assume the host of such an event would put more effort into her look. She certainly did not want the ton assuming she was a delightful person who was easy to approach for pleasant conversation. She did indeed try to turn it around on poor Lady Wallace who had a similar frock on to one she previously wore, but that did not make her look any more handsome. Lady Wallace did seem to know the unspoken rules more than the Duchess.

“If you wear a gown doned by another member of society, especially more than a season ago, the only way to escape ridicule is to turn more eyes in a pleasing way.”

Lady Wallace certainly won that game.

Lord Barton continued his rakish ways by upsetting half of the ladies in attendance tonight. Miss Emily Beckett was particularly disturbed by the Lord, but later appeared to be cheered up by newcomer Lady Ruby Sunday. She comes south from Notting Hill Estate. Lady Sunday almost fell prey to Lord Barton as well. This author has never seen one see through his guise so swiftly. It is like a refreshing cup of lemonade after a night of dancing to see a stranger figure out another’s true nature without reading my column. Comparing Lord Barton to the likes of stilton? Birds of a feather, you and I might be. I hope we meet before you return north.

The night certainly turned around by the antics of some mystery guests and the Duchess herself. This author certainly knew this ball would be the Pemberton’s most eventful ball to date when a particular dance started. Out of the blue waltzed in a couple comprised of both men. Not a closed mouth in the room once eyes were laid on the pair. One in blue looking eerily similar to the late Viscount Bridgerton. Another wearing crimson, only being called the doctor by all who introduced him. The violet pair must mingle often based on their outburst. I hardly assume the traditional courting traditions have been followed. Nonetheless, the unknown Lord in blue asked the doctor, with his heart bleeding out across his chest, to give up his title and fortune for him. The Lord in Blue could not promise him a future without an ultimatum. At that, he briskly dropped to one knee. Despite the avant-garde match, there seemed more love than in almost every match in all of Bath. And, after all of that passion, the doctor turned him down. Note to the Lord in Blue: I would never. Even if this match is scorned by most of society, the pair are ruined in most eyes now. There must be lots of hurt if they don’t end up together when they have no one but each other. I do not see why it is so unsightly to most. From a mathematical stand, if society allowed such ideas, there would be a higher probability for the all coveted “love matches.”

Somehow, this wasn’t the most wild display of the night. There was a horror show played out throughout the house. Actors were dressed as bird-like creatures painted as villains. The Duchess was the star antagonist of it all. If this show was as planned as it appeared, the timeliness of it was peculiar. Many of the guests were gone by the time the show started. Lord Galpin, known for being one of the last to leave a function, left before any action started. It was certainly not for everyone, as it scared off the rest of the party. If the Duchess wanted a show, she surely got it. Not how I would have ended a party, though. You must forgive our haste in leaving without goodbyes, Duchess. Those who were not startled by your frock were later scared off by your avian obsession.

As always, Lady Whistledown

uploaded to ao3 as Lady Whistledown Column from the Pemberton Ball

#hundredacreletters #bridgerton #lady whistledown #lady whistledown column #gossip column #doctor who #new who #rogue #rogue x doctor #rogue doctor who

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renlyslittlerose · 10 months

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Fairest Chain of Love

Rating: E

Pairing: Obi-Wan Kenobi/Anakin Skywalker

Chapter: 1/7

Tags: Alternate Universe - Fantasy / Alternate Universe - Magic / The Force Is Replaced By Magic (Star Wars) / Magic / King Obi-Wan Kenobi / Knight Anakin Skywalker Swordfighting / Assassination / Politics / Intrigue / Drama & Romance / Amputee Anakin Skywalker / Mild Hurt/Comfort / Anal Sex / Anal Fingering / Frotting / Cloak Sex / Oral Sex / Virgin Anakin Skywalker / Gentle Dom Obi-Wan Kenobi / Service Top Anakin Skywalker / Bottom Obi-Wan Kenobi / Top Anakin Skywalker

Summary: It started with visions doom for the people of Naboo; murders in the night and messages of betrayal. Fearful of what may befall Naboo if she doesn’t act quickly, Duchess Amidala sends her most trusted knight, Sir Skywalker, to beg for aid from King Kenobi, First of his Line and Protector of the Realms. But when the threats turn to reality, Kenobi and Skywalker are forced to flee. Under the guise of being simple travelers, Kenobi and Skywalker make their way toward the city of Kaadara to seek the aid of Lord Palpatine.

During their journey they are hounded by visions of ill portent, assassins who would rather see their message never get to Kaadara, and mercenaries who know more than they’re letting on. All the while, Anakin struggles with his feelings for his King that go beyond simple duty and devotion. Drawn to him as if by magics, Anakin must make a choice between his promises to Naboo and the Duchess Amidala, and his love and adoration for his King - a man whom he should not want, but does all the same.

Written for @theseptemberist 💕

#obikin #star was fanfiction #lemon fanfiction #gift fic

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4acesofspades · 1 year

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One of my favorite things in Leverage Redemption is Sophie. Every character has developed and we have a lot to talk about regarding this new information on Eliot, of course, but I think it's Sophie that is given the most room to grow here.

In the original, Sophie is never without her mask. We see her on the con, we're privy to her budding relationship with Nate, etc. etc. etc. Yet we never see her vulnerable. Even when she's caught without a plan, even when Nate gets shot, she may show true emotion but she is never truly Sophie. It's always under a guise or some pre-approved message.

In Redemption all walls seem to have fallen. Here we are presented with a fallen hero, a woman that used to walk around claiming to be a duchess, practically a goddess. And yet she is still just as human as the rest of us. She still mourns her husband, she still has a family to take care of. She was one of the greats, but unlike the greats she is not alone when she comes crashing down.

In the original most of Sophie's screen time was spent looking after Nate and the rest of the team. She would show up after he did something stupid or drank too much and force him to think about his decisions. And she would spend her time helping Parker learn how to be a human. When was Sophie ever just Sophie, with all the nuance, love, and grace her character deserved?

Now we get that. Now we are discovering for the first time who Sophie is, what haunts her, and why she fights. In a way we are better off without Nate, even if his death causes her grief, because for the very first time we get to meet Sophie unequivocally.

I didn't really like Sophie in the original because I felt like there was no effort put into her character. She felt flat, just someone there to keep Nate in line. But now she's someone I can root for.

#leverage tv #leverage #sophie devereaux #leverage redemption #redemption spoilers

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serpentarii · 1 year

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T A G L I S T S ; updates & spring cleaning

it’s that time of year again. since i’m going to attempt to post content on this blog more regularly, i thought it was a good chance to clean up my current taglists. so, i’ve created this as a masterlist/referral for anyone interested in seeing more from my projects ! below the cut will be a list of all my ongoing projects, a set of comps, a brief paragraph about them, and relevant links. those who don’t interact with this post but are still on at least one taglist will be automatically removed.

starborne ; kentaro miura’s berserk meets dante alighieri’s the divine comedy . introduction . tag

genres ; epic dark fantasy . adventure . romance . tragedy . adult

a planned trilogy about an empire on the cusp of a disastrous civil war in a world plagued by constant political upheaval, unfathomable monsters, and a cannibalistic goddess. set in an empire inspired by the greco-roman world and the italian renaissance.

mordlust ; naomi novik’s uprooted meets philip pullman’s northern lights . introduction . tag

genres ; gaslamp fantasy . fairy tale retelling . young adult

a standalone low fantasy novel featuring a pair of assassins and the roles they unknowingly play in a much larger conspiracy. a wicked forest, a missing prince, a horrible affliction. a retelling of the swan maiden myth in a prussian inspired setting.

a hymn for serpents ; samantha shannon’s the priory of the orange tree meets jacqueline carey’s kushiel’s dart . introduction . tag

genres ; heroic fantasy . supernatural . romance . adventure . new adult

a planned series about a girl accused of a crime she did not commit, an ancient evil reawakened, and the countless lies told under the guise of protection. a retelling of the three snake leaves and the seventh son in a sprawling medieval inspired world.

C U R R E N T T A G L I S T S

{ reblog or comment or send an ask to be +/- from any of these }

the tale of ryuurei { inactive } ; @qelizhus | @birdskullz | @ccorpsidious | @hiddenhistoria | @elliewritesstories | @inky-duchess | @chazzawrites | @partlyparchment | @theelectricfactory | @nallthatjazz | @stormharbors | @cannivalisms | @ladywithalamp | @siriuslyprocrastinating | @muddshadow

the inhuman comedy { inactive } ; @scaevolawrites | @inkingfireplace | @morganwriteblr | @muddshadow | @moariin

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #writerly #spilled ink #w.starborne #w.mordlust #w.ahfs #m.edit #w.mine #had to use tvtropes and wikipedia to discern all these damn subgenres #anyways #we're back

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royal-confessions · 1 year

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“485 years ago, the powerful Duchess Marie de Guise had to leave her three-year-old son, Francis, in the care of his mother in France to marry King James V of Scotland and become Queen Consort of Scotland. At that time mother and son could not be together. During this time they exchanged letters. Some time later Marie returned to France and met her son again, but unfortunately they were only together for a short time as Francis died soon afterwards. Fortunately, over time the royal rules have changed, and mothers who have children from other relationships do not have to separate from their children when marrying a member of royalty. Fortunately, Princess Mette-Marit did not have to separate from her son Marius Borg, when she married Prince Haakon of Norway.” - Text & Image Submitted by cenacevedo15

#Mary of Guise #crown princess mette marit #Marius Borg Hoiby

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lamarchesacasati · 1 year

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1919 Augustus John, Portrait of Marchesa Luisa Casati.

Art Gallery of Ontario.

Augustus John met Casati at a party hosted in Paris by a mutual friend, Maria Ruspoli, and the two became lovers. In his memoirs, John described first meeting her:

"Her bearing, personality and peculiar elegance seemed to throw the rest of the company into the shade... The newcomer wore a tall hat of black velvet, the crown surrounded by an antique gold torque, the gift of D'Annunzio; her enormous eyes, set off by mascara, gleamed beneath a framework of canary coloured curls... She moved around the ballroom with supreme ease, while looking about her with an expression of slightly malicious amusement."

At this time Marchesa Luisa Casati had already bedded a number of famous artists, and had been a subject for many others. Rather than present her in one of the mythological guises other artists had, John chose to try and capture her flamboyant, but at the same time guarded personality. It depicts the Marchesa with fiery red hair, highlighted by a muted background, that might depict a stormy view of the Italian Alps near her home. (x)

“In February, she met Augustus John at the Duchess of Gramont's (…) a famous painter and womanizer. At the end of dinner, she ordered a painting, and the next day they became lovers. Time for a first, then a second canvas. One might think that Luisa acted with men as with her dresses, she loved them excessively then put them away without further ado. I'm not sure. Her husband, Gabriele, Kees then Augustus, maybe another artist or two. For an independent woman who spent her life in parties and orgies, at a time when the high society had the freest morals possible, her hunting record is rather meager; Luisa was immensely lonely. A woman too extravagant, too delirious to be loved, buying attention, friends with splendid parties, the glances with spectacular outfits and the inspiration of the painters with knocking and stumbling pieces. » (x)

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spacemagicandlaserswords · 1 year

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The Clone Wars 2x14 ‘Duchess of Mandalore’ Reaction

This first Mandalore-Obi-Wan/Satine-Obitine arc started out so well. 2x12 ‘The Mandalore Plot’ was an absolute hoot. One of my favourite episodes so far. 2x13 ‘Voyage of Temptation’ wasn’t quite at the same level but still had some fantastic and hilarious moments. And then everything just felt like it fell completely flat in the final episode of this Mandalore arc.

We’ve just been introduced to Satine, who we very quickly get to know as an exceptionally capable, hyper competent, dedicated and principled leader. She’s smart, shrewd, quick witted, intelligent, and has the nous to best Obi-Wan Kenobi, the Great Negotiator himself, whenever they flirt verbally joust. The Satine we know is there at the start of her appearance in the Senate, where she delivers the absolute banger of a line that is “You would trample our right to self-determination.”

However it all goes downhill from there when the recording plays and she gets all flustered and upset. Now that is understandable given that she has the lives of her people at stake and she has just discovered that her deputy minister and supposedly good friend has betrayed her while in the middle of the Senate. Yet we’ve seen Satine maintain a level head and remain collected in the face of peril, threat and adversity before so why did she suddenly lose that composure in the Senate? It feels a little too much like leaning into the ‘women are too emotional to be leaders’ nonsense. Even with everything that’s happened, I really couldn’t understand this sudden 180 on Satine’s character. Also, a recording? Of course it’s fake. Though this is an audience perspective looking in, and there was no proof that it was doctored so of course Satine has to go off and find said proof. I did enjoy how much she was pissing off Palps though, and how much he couldn’t show it. Anytime that happens is deeply satisfying.

Then we get to Obi-Wan and Satine having their first real proper fight. The whole thing just seemed really unnecessary. I really was not impressed with Obi-Wan basically barging in with advice and telling her not to be hysterical. Sexist much? I guess this is one of those times where I have to remind myself that this episode aired over 13 years ago and so this is another example of how TCW has aged. Younger nerd me would still be pissed at that though so it doesn’t excuse it. Also, how is 2010 13 years ago?! I can see both of their points of view, even if Obi-Wan really didn’t go about delivering his in a considerate manner. In a way, they’re both right and they’re both wrong. Nothing good comes of it and then the Death Watch promptly tries to assassinate Satine, which gives you some idea of how well her day is going.

All the smarmy politics nonsense that happened after this was utterly frustrating. Hopefully that was the point because what else could that have been apart from an assassination attempt?! The speeder of a visiting political leader crashes into a building and that isn’t suspicious? I also really don’t like how the Republic thinks it can just march on over and decide what’s best for planets under the guise of helping. Sounds very colonial of them but then that’s probably the point. Just because the Republic might think they’re helping doesn’t mean they actually are. Especially when the people and elected leader of said planet have specifically stated multiple times that they don’t want them there. I can think of a lot of real world parallels that this is echoing. Another example of TCW tackling difficult, more nuanced topics. Though I’m beginning to realise that for all TCW is held up as fairly decent to good writing in Star Wars, there’s still plenty of ways that it also disappoints.

Satine has to find proof of the recording being doctored so of course she goes to the Coruscant underworld and of course her day gets even worse and she ends up framed for murder and is now a fugitive on the run. She’s got a hilarious unsubtle royal red hooded cloak on as a disguise, complete with ornate gold detailing. How is that fooling anyone? And then we had the chase sequence, which was utterly ridiculous. It was so laughably bad it reminded me of the speeder bike chase from The Book of Boba Fett.

I’m putting this tangent here immediately so that I don’t get hate for this. I want to make it completely clear that I enjoyed The Book of Boba Fett. There were some absolutely fantastic parts of the series. I think the highlight for me was the physicality Temuera Morrison brought to his acting and to Boba. He imbued so much of his Māori culture into Boba and You. Can. Tell. It was amazing. I loved it. There’s a video interview where he talks about this and I wish I could find it because it’s fantastic and definitely worth a watch. TLDR I enjoyed The Book of Boba Fett. Sometimes it feels like I’m one of the few who actually did. That said, I can completely recognise that there were quite a few elements of the show that were lacking, along with some decisions that were just ridiculous. Just because something is enjoyable doesn’t exempt it from critical thinking. Sidelining Boba in his own show and turning the back half of the season into The Mandalorian Season 2.5 was particularly grating. There were also parts of the show that unfortunately just didn’t land, and the speeder bike chase was one of them. It was supposed to be a speeder chase. That implies speed. The word is there in the name of the vehicles. Yet the whole thing looked like it was trundling along at about 20km/h, almost as if in slow motion. The chase sequence of Satine in this episode had the same vibes. It just seemed ridiculous. Everything happened so comically slowly. Clones are trained from birth and created with the sole purpose of being the perfect soldier and here they are bumbling around Coruscant like a pair of incompetent buddy cops from a dated British comedy show. There’s only so much you can suspend disbelief and it really didn’t feel believable that a pacifist royal could continue to evade a whole cavalcade of pursuers that included two highly trained genetically engineered soldiers and a Mandalorian Death Watch assassin.

Obi-Wan meeting up with Satine, at what I assume was the top of Umate, was also hilariously ridiculous. Two hooded figures in the most populous public space on Coruscant? That’s not suspicious at all! Though there might’ve been a little bit of an acknowledgment of this in Obi-Wan’s line “Nice disguise.” I did love the moment where Satine grabbed Obi-Wan by the front of his Jedi robes and dragged him away from where they were sitting. I’m realising more and more that it’s the little moments that really make the characters and the show. Also, these moments are often a lot more fleeting than I thought they’d be. There’s a similar one at the end of the show where Satine and Obi-Wan both look out over Coruscant through the window of the Chancellor’s office. I was expecting this to be a longer scene with conversation and a moment between the two of them. But instead it barely lasts a few seconds before the credits roll.

I will admit that Satine handing herself in as a distraction to allow Obi-Wan to get into the Senate building was particularly gutsy. So the episode is at least bookended by the Satine we know. I’m almost up to the next Mandalore arc in season 3 and it’ll be interesting to see how that goes. I also have so many episodes that I’ve watched and need to write about and Ahsoka comes out August 23 and I still have to get through seasons 3-7 of TCW and all of Rebels before that starts. Why have I done this to myself? *cries* I may have to revise my approach to these recaps again but I want to get through these ones first before I try changing things again.

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