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claireelle18 · 10 months

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She’s a Gem - Vince Dunn

Shoutout to @cellythefloshie for gushing about this man, and encouraging this write. Hope everyone enjoys it!

Vince bought her some sort of sparkly gem for every major occasion that happened between the two. The tradition started after he won Lord Stanley, because she deserved something shiny. Paper rings were what he made her on every date leading up to the first gem. The St. Louis 2018-2019 team won the Stanley cup. He got his Stanley Cup and the ring to go along with it. He bought her Sapphires. This was the first major gift he ever gave her. The two only had been dating a little under a year when he did this. He said it was because she needed to rock something blue to go along with his gear. She wore the set every game, even during the bubble series. It made her feel closer to him, even though he was in Toronto, and FaceTimes were the only form of face to face either got of each other. Her shadow box with the paper rings he made her sitting next to the new box containing her first gem.

When news broke he was going to Seattle during the expansion, she was the first one to cheer on the new opportunity, even if that turned them long distance again. In the bubble, she moved home to Florida to be around her family. Due to the world turning back to some weird level of normal, the couple was allowed to see each other again. He wasn’t in the bubble anymore. He presented her with Aquamarines to match his new team’s jersey color. “You need to be able to coordinate correctly, loves,” he explained. A small promise to her that she had his heart. Her box of paper rings, more added to the collection of both because again he continued the original tradition for every date. She took the move to Seattle right before the fall season, right before the hockey season started up. She had been out of the Florida heat for a while, but her wardrobe was bright, cheery, Key West colorations. What did he get her? Pink Ethiopian opals. They reminded him of her so much, matching her personality (and her clothes). October 23, 2021 - Vince Dunn scores his first goal as a defensemen for the Seattle Kraken. The following day, he took her out and bought her black pearls. “What? I can’t celebrate my first goal with a new team by spoiling my hunny with some new jewelry?” “I’m not saying you can’t, but Vince this is about you!” “And it wouldn’t be for me without my number one cheering me on from the sidelines.” A paper ring adorning her ring finger at that time. “Vince Dunn! You better not tell your mother you just said I’m your number one! She’ll be heartbroken!” ‘Ha,’ he thought. His mother would be estatic, knowing that there was good reason behind that statement.

She landed a new job in Seattle, finally, after being out there for a couple of months. Peruvian blue opals for her new job, and because it was another reason for him to gift her with something to reminder her of him. “What? Can’t spoil my girl?” “Vin, it’s your birthday celebration!”

“So? My beautiful girlfriend will now have something to wear and think about me while she rocks the new job!” She rolled her eyes, and thanked him again. The opals came in back to back sets, along with the pearls, due to the fact that their birthdays were days apart from each other. That paper ring collection larger than imagined when the tradition started. He couldn’t resist giving her options and reminders of him, every major chance he could. Whenever she wore them, it made his heart swell with pride. She loved it because he took the time to choose each item, each one holding so much meaning to their relationship. Maybe one day these would be passed down to their children, and then their children, and so on. The two had talked multiple times, at length, for the future, what it held for the couple - marriage, children, a real house. Over the off season break, he put his next plan of what celebration the two would have. The biggest decision for him. That ring. Not her paper rings, not the other rings that matched the sets of jewelry previously gifted. He had been giving it thoughts for a year now. First season completed in Seattle, he was ready for that next step with her. She donned his name multiple times for years, stitched into all the jerseys. She had stuck through it all with him. Every twist, turn, bump, and loop-de-loop life threw at them. Glued to his side. The ups and downs, highs and lows, every moment. That old box of paper rings proving every day their commitment. He knew she kept them all. He finally settled on the perfect ring for her. A 3.5 karat diamond with a titanium band. Classic, with minor flare. A little more flashy than the others in her now decent size collection, but she deserves the attention. The most important piece she’d own.

He found it by accident while out with the boys back in Toronto. Home for him is with her, no matter where they are. The group had popped into an antique based shop, and as she was more of a timeless, classic girl, he took a peek at what the case held. Nestled in red velvet, sat the ring. Then and there he saw her with that particular one adorning her finger. A little more shiny and sparkling, definitely a conversation starter. Similar to her grandmother’s ring that she said she adored growing up. The marquise cut, flower set diamond ring. Immediately he rang his mother, followed by her mother. Both were in agreeance. That ring was meant to be hers. Without a second thought, he bought it.

He had the girl of his dreams. He now had the perfect ring. All he needed was the perfect place to ask her that all so important question. She wasn’t the type to care for the general cheesy proposals. He needed something more meaningful, more unique.

He held onto that ring until their trip to the Bahamas with some of the other teammates that weren’t selected for the All Stars series. Sunset on the balcony of their hotel room with drinks, and a hidden bottle of champagne to celebrate with further after he asked. His phone hidden and recording to keep this moment forever.

Her back facing the camera, she was admiring the fire painted sky. He came up, hugging her from behind. The box in his pocket feeling heavier than before. “Hey hunny…you know that I love you, right?” He asked her.

“Yeah, of course I do loves. Why do you ask?”

He was already nervous, a little giddy even. He never thought he’d be there, ready to ask her to be by his side forever. He took her hand making her face him. “I say that because…be…because…I want to spend the until the end of time with you.” He drops down to one knee, his ocean tumbled curls falling into his eyes. “For years already you’ve worn my last name proudly across your back, but now I want you to share that last name. Our last name across your back. I want those future moments we’ve talked about time and time again. Will you marry me?” He pulled out the velvet box, that ring glinting, reflecting the scorching colors.

Her eyes sparkled with tears that threatened to tumble down her cheeks. “Of course I’ll marry you Vince!” He slipped the ring on, she pulled him in for a kiss.

After dinner and celebrations, back in the hotel room. “You picked a wonderful ring. Knowing me so well for this shiny one,” she commented to him. “But you know I’d marry you with paper rings if it came down to it. You’re the one I want.”

#vince dunn #imagine #hockey imagine #nhl hockey #nhl imagine #reader insert #seattle kraken #kraken hockey

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2000sfm · 4 months

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please can i reserve the fc of jenna ortega for ghost & possibly ask for some role ideas? thanks so much!

absolutely !! some places i can see jenna working are : jenny humphrey, vanessa abrams or hazel williams from gossip girl, sam walker from one tree hill; anna stern or taylor townsend from the oc; willow rosenberg, faith, tara maclay or cordelia chase from buffy the vampire slayer; vicki donovan or liv parker from the vampire diaries; hailey rogers or claire brown from aquamarine; jessica stanley, angela weber, jane or bree tanner from twilight !!!

#answered #mw.

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happenedinforks · 3 years

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𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

summary: You and Jessica go to Bella's and Edward's wedding

pairing: Jessica Stanley x fem!Swan!reader

warnings: none

”OKAY, be honest", Jessica walked out of the bathroom for the fifth time this morning. "Does this make me look fat?"

She was wearing one of your favourite dresses on her actually, deep honey-coloured strapless dress. You always loved it on her because of how it complemented her hair.

You sat in front of her on her bed, in your bright aquamarine-coloured pantsuit and heels. Jessica had done both of your hairs earlier, and you had been glad you had stayed the night when she had been pulling your locks early in five in the morning. That and also you were glad to have been out of Bella's hair as she no doubt didn't need any more hovering she already got from Alice.

"You look gorgeous as always hun", You leaned your arms back on the bed. "You always do, you know that."

"Well, yeah", Jessica somewhat reluctantly, yet smiling, agreed and turned to look at herself from the mirror. As she smoothed down the skirt part and twisted her back to see how it was looking there, you got up and wrapped her into a hug.

"Seriously, you look amazing Jess", you reassured her with a kiss on the cheek. Your phone went off, a message from Bells asking you to come and get her head straight. You huffed at the message, knowing it was probably Alice who had written it.

Grabbing your purse and looking at your girlfriend (girlfriend, it still made your stomach tingle) one more time, you declared you had to leave.

"Wait, wait, wait", Jessica awkwardly fast-walked in her heels with the best of her ability and came over to you with some lipgloss. "Oh, c'mon, it looks amazing with your eyes."

She painted some on as you watched her. After a mandatory 'pop' and a satisfied nod from Jess, you bid her goodbye and went outside to your car. She'd be getting a lift from Mike, so you could drive you both later to your place.

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and even though he would deny it to the ends of the world, even Charlie teared up when Bella walked down the aisle by his side. Her gown was beautiful, simple yet stunning. Alongside her, you got congratulations on now being part of the family.

"Ugh I can't wait to get to organize your wedding", Alice cheered happily as the party got going. You stood with Jessica, hands locked together and both smiling stupidly. Jasper sent an amused look to his wife.

"We just have to hope it won't be too long", you said, trying your best to not taint the happy mood. Jessica beamed at your side, always the cheery one.

"We'll get it one day. And besides, in the mean time we can get ideas from others' weddings", She said leaning to your arm, grinning from ear to ear. She was still in the sort of gay-honeymoon phase where everything was so amazing and cool and joyous after realizing this part of herself. You mumbled a 'you're right' and kissed the tip of her nose affectionately before Jess spotted Eric, Mike and Angela on the other side of the dance floor.

You stayed to chat up with Alice and Jasper a bit longer, not having had the chance properly especially after the whole Riley Biers thing.

"You two are really made for each other", Alice smiled sweetly as you stood there blushing. Jasper agreed with her, an arm around her waist.

"I'm glad you've found your happiness."

"Thanks, guys", you said with a happy sigh. Jessica was talking with Mike, Angela and Eric about something, moving her arms wildly animating the story in the usual Jessica Stanley way. It made you smile knowing that was your person.

"I'm glad too."

#jessica stanley x reader #jessica stanely imagine #jessica stanley #anna kendrick #twilight x reader

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sometimesiwrite · 2 years

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Tagged far too long ago by: @rawrkinjd

Favourite colours: Cobalt, aquamarine, butter, emerald, coral, burgundy.

Currently reading: "Henry VI: part 1" by William Shakespeare

"Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve" by Stanley Rosenberg

"The Right to Speak" by Patsy Rodenburg

"Freeing the Natural Voice" by Patsy Rodenburg

"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk

"The Emotional Body: A Method for Physical Self-Regulation" by Laura Bond

Last Song: "All of my Days" by Alexi Murdoch

Working on: a piece within the With Us universe (Geralt/Eskel/Lambert/Essi), a piece within the Steady As She Goes universe (Essi/Lambert), a chapter of Delayed (Lambskellige), Eskel/Cerys, Essi/Cerys, NaNoWriMo edits

Passing it on: @frenchkey @cylin-aka-ankamo @lohrendrell @jayofolympus @hungarianbee

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snipehuntpotatosack · 3 years

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O brother we blew it now

(a 50s bar ballad - apologies to Stanley Styne)

Don’t tell me, I’m tellin you how perfect it seemed, boy the run we had going, all aces, just peaches and cream, boy

not a care, not a bump anywhere in the road the ice and the heat, that sizzle a la mode, o boy... Well, I shoulda knew you’d do it, find a way to short-cirk-kew-it; and right this night you lay it on me pow, and I’m what wait where who me how, why you looking at me like that holy cow,

and after I come down from Cloud Nine Town I wake up for a sec and think o mister, we just got bopped by the big old Clown you been cupid-clocked, yes you sister, And you and me, Mister no problem nohow, Lady not-a-care-in-the-dam-world yeow, we in actual fact just very much blew it:

Boy did we super-romantically personally-frantically and unto the death of me azurely aquamarinely and bluishly blow it,

I mean, Lover, jeepers, but boyo we blew it now.

#song lyrics

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tornrose24 · 3 years

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Alright so here’s other ideas I have for the Red Diamond AAU. Starting with who gets what gem. (And again, the original gem au belongs to Angery DJ)

The kid gems (not including Melvin, George, and Harold, whose forms were created by Angery DJ). They never gave the kids canonical gemsonas yet.)

Erica-Emerald (also, I’d imagine that in Homeworld she uses her adult form, but uses her kid form around Red Quartz’s group and on Earth.)

Gooch-PinkTourmaline (Because it seemed to fit him).

Bo-Bismuth (a part of me wonders if he’s parents should both be fusions since they are gigantic in canon.)

Dressy-Moonstone (It screams ‘hippie gem’ to me.)

Stanley-Lapis Lazuli (Its the only gem I can think of that involves water powers, but I can see him and his family being defects and thats how they constantly sweat in this AU. I don’t know if he’d have the role of Lapis herself yet or not).

Jessica-Pink Beryl/Brixbite (to keep with the pink theme)

Sophie 1-Aquamarine (to keep with the blue theme)

Other Sophie- Green Pearl (to keep with the green theme and because she’s forced to serve Jessica).

-I admit it would be cool if gradually they form a team together, but it would take awhile.

Other kids

Heidi-Pink Sapphire (Has future vision regarding love, including platonic, familial and romantic. Went missing during the final fight between the rebellion and Homeworld and Harold is trying to find her).

Kipper-Jasper (He seems prefect for this role and his goons would be gems too. Has a history with George and Harold similar to canon and would confront the both of them for the ‘Stronger than You’ version of this AU. Also, how ironic that he’d be bullying/fighting his ‘cousin’ in this au.)

Lia and Billy- Not quite decided yet, but I love the idea of Billy being a Spinel of some kind.

Tommy-Not sure yet, but he might still be human.

Dante-Yellow Pearl (works for Erica).

Adult gems

-Most of the school staff characters were under Red Diamond, but they had no idea about him being Red Quartz. Well, given how dumb they are... Any way, perhaps some of them ended up getting corrupted while others returned to Homeworld

Anthrope-Purple Pearl (was Red Diamond’s pearl for a time, but due to their relationship, she didn’t care about her job and failed to notice when he vanished for long periods of time).

Ribble-Blue Dendritic Opal (Actually I saw Jackie-Sugarskull proposing this to Angery DJ for the original gem au and it does seem like it’d be a cool design).

Meaner-Taaffeite (as chosen by angerydj for the original gem au)

Rected-Tiger’s Eye (I thought it’d be funny if I picked a gem that helps with confidence, which we see him struggling with in season 2. Also it unintentionally made for a good reference to a certain prank in the movie)

Fyde- Sodalite (a stone that helps to calm someone. Again, I thought of using such a stone for ironic reasons for this character).

Misty-Same as her brother (Is also trans in this AU and in a relationship with Dressy’s mom who is also a moonstone).

Melvinborg-Olive Peridot (was badly damaged and half of his body was repaired with gold alloy.)

Bernice-White Diamond (There was no other choice. I don’t even know where to begin on this one other than her abusive behavior towards Red Diamond had lasting effects on him.)

-A part of me wants Moxie and Ree to be Yellow and Blue Diamond, but it’d make more sense if the rest of Krupp family took on the role with Jasper as Blue and the yet to be seen sister as Yellow. (And it would make sense if Jasper directly created Kipper and had him serve his ‘uncle’ for a time, which is how he crossed paths with George and Harold in the first place). Though I’m not sure how John would fit into this.

-Because of the above could change things, I think Ree and his brother would be the same gem type (like flint or at least something more rock like) and Moxie would be a high ranking emerald.

-As for Spinel... well I’m kind of eyeing a certain someone’s version the character because there isn’t anyone else who is just as whacky.

#captain underpants #cu gem au #red diamond aau

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arunavmathur · 5 years

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The sun felt warm on my skin and the sky above the Stanley coastline radiated with its blue colour. After an early rise on Saturday morning, it was time to make my way to the south side of Hong Kong for our hike. As we began the hike, my eyes were fixated on the peaceful and compact houses and buildings surrounding the area of Repulse Bay and Clear Water Bay. Brilliant shades of aquamarine began to form in the ocean and the lush green mountains stood out like shiny diamonds. Towards the peak of the mountain, we took a good look around and felt a large gush of breeze flow through our hair as we looked into the distance. The emerald green mountains, dotted white houses, and purple and white flowers - it was like a scene from a picturesque movie. It was then that I knew I will never stop exploring new things in this city.

#landscapephotography #lensbible #hiking #hongkong

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huntingtonlibrary · 7 years

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Today on VERSO, art curator Chad Alligood talks about a few of his favorite objects going on view this coming Saturday in the new exhibition “Tiffany Favrile Glass: Masterworks from the Collection of Stanley and Dolores Sirott” (Oct. 7, 2017–Feb. 26, 2018).

images: Tiffany Studios, Flowerform Vase, Favrile glass, 19 × 6 in. Collection of Stanley and Dolores Sirott, © David Schlegel, courtesy of Paul Doros. Image courtesy of The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

Tiffany Studios, Peacock Vase, Favrile glass, 11 7/8 × 5 3/8 in. Collection of Stanley and Dolores Sirott, © David Schlegel, courtesy of Paul Doros. Image courtesy of The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

Tiffany Studios, Aquamarine Vase, Favrile glass, 17 1/8 × 6 in. Collection of Stanley and Dolores Sirott, © David Schlegel, courtesy of Paul Doros. Image courtesy of The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

#Louis Comfort Tiffany #tiffany glass #favrile glass #exhibitions #art

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marbarwantsbacon · 7 years

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Gems! BATB AU

Soooo I’m thinking about a BATB AU where everything’s the same except all of them are gems. I already planned what type of gems the characters are going to have, the problem is I’m still unsure about my decisions and I want everyone’s opinions on this. So if any problems about the gemstones just tell me and I’ll change it o3o I’ll be drawing it soon :3

Belle: Lapis Lazuli/Sapphire

Beast: Corrupted Gem

Prince Adam: Aquamarine/Jasper

Gaston: Spinel/Red beryl/Rubellite

Lefou: Gaston’s Pearl

Lumiere: Citrinie/Ruby

Plumette: Moonstone

Cogsworth: Topaz/Zircon

Mrs. Potts and Chip: Spinels/Pearls

Madame Garderobe: Sapphire

Cadenza: Turquoise

Stanley: Morganite

Tom: Amethyst

Dick: Jasper

Tom Dick and Stanley: Soldier rubies (Imagine them being Gaston’s rubies omfg yes XDD)

The Bimbettes: Pearls

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anonymous1211 · 7 years

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All My Ships (Not in Order)

1. Paranormal Reaper (Mandy x Dib Membrane) 2. SpicerPuff (Jack Spicer x Blossom Utoniom) 3. ShelJen (Sheldon Lee Oswald x Jenny) 4. Fluttercord (Fluttershy x Discord) 5. ToffeeMoon (Toffee x Moon Butterfly) 6. WilVi (Wilbur Robinson x Violet Parr) 7. Stanchez (Stanley Pines x Rick Sanchez) 8. Norper (Para Norman x Dipper Pines) 9. Starco (Star Butterfly x Marco Diaz)

11. RaphLisa (Raphael Hamato x Mona Lisa) 12. Tootcup (Tootie x Buttercup Utoniom) 13. Medd (May Kanker x Edd aka Double D) 14. Prick (Princess Morbucks x Brick) 15. Rainbow Quartz (Pearl x Rose Quartz) 16. Greg Quartz (Greg ‘Universe’ x Rose Quartz) 17. Garnet (Ruby x Sapphire) 19. Emerald and or Aquamarine (Lapis Lazali x Peridot) 20. Marcgum (Marceline the Vampire Queen x Princess Bubblegum)

21. MarshBall (Marshal Lee the Vampire King x Prince Gumball)

22. FinnFlame (Finn x Flame Princess)

23. GreenCanary (Green Arrow x Black Canary)

24. WonderBat (Wonder Woman x Batman)

25. RiddlePenguin (Gotham’d Riddler and Penguin)

26. Frebessa (Ferb Flynn-Fletcher x Vanessa Doofinshmurtz)

27. Phinbella (Phineas Flynn-Fletcher x Isabella Garciez)

28. Mabdion (Mabel Pines x Gideon Gleeful)

29. MakaSoul (Maka Albarn x Soul ‘Eater’ Evans’)

30. Cielizzy (Ciel Phantomhive x Elizabeth)

31. Alois Trancy (Alois Trancy x Himself)

32. Cronkri (Cronus Ampora x Kankri Vantas)

33. GamTav (Gamzee Makara x Tavros Nitrum)

34. Erifef (Eridan Ampora x Feferi Piexies)

35. Hanlease (Hannibal Lector x Clairese Starling)

36. JohnKat (John Egbert x Karkat Vantas)

37. RavDex (Raven Queen x Dexter Charming)

38. DarlingApple (Darling Charming x Apple White)

39. PopSparrow (Poppy O’ Hair x Sparrow Hood)

40. Hicreda (Hiccup x Merida)

41. RobinFire (Robin x Starfire)

42. RavenBeast (Raven x Beast Boy)

43. BeastRock (Beast Boy x Terra)

44. CyBee (Cyborg x Bumble Bee)

45. Spitfire (Kid Flash x Artemis)

46. JinxFlash (Jinx x Kid Flash)

47. JinxChaos (Jinx x Klarion)

48. Nightoad (Kurt Wagner x Todd Tolansky)

49. TabiFred (Tabitha Smith x Freddy Dukes)

50. ShadowAvalanche (Kitty Pryde x Lance Alvers)

51. Luna (Monkey D. Luffy x Nami)

52. Robky (Nico Robin x Franky)

53. Kisopp (Kia x Ussopp)

54. Shankino (Shanks x Makino)

55. Narnata (Naruto x Hinata)

56. Saksuke (Sakura x Sasuke)

57. Shikmari (Shikamaru x Tamari)

58. TenLee (Ten Ten x Lee)

59. InoSai (Ino x Sai)

60. Haruki (Haruhi Fujioka x Tamaki Souo)

61. KohtSaya (Kohta Hirano x Saya Takgagi)

62. Effiemich (Effie x Hamich)

63. KatPete (Katniss Everdeen x Peeta Malark)

64. AnnaPerc (Annabeth x Percy)

65. PerNic (Percy x Nico)

67. Bendgle (Bendy x Alice Angel)

68. Bertnie (Bert and Ernie) 69. Erevi (Eren Jueager x Levi Ackerman) 70. Yuri (Yuri x Yurio) 71. Vicuri (Victor x Yuri) 72. JesteRose (Harley Quinn x Poison Ivy) 73. SuperMartian (Super Boy x Miss Martian) 74. Hanson (Hannah Marie x Orson) 75. Corbe (Coraline Jones x Whybe) 76. Vicly (Victor Van Dorton x Emily aka the Corpse Bride) 77. DeadAll (Deadpool x EVERYONE) 78. Armwin (Armin x Erwin) 79. LuPlume (Lumiere x Plumete) 80. VelShag (Velma x Shaggy) 81. CroJohn (Cronus Ampora x John Travolta) 82. ScoutPauling (Scout x Miss Pauling) 83. Nalu (Natsu x Lucy) 84. Greucy (Grey x Lucy) 85. MistAsh (Misty x Ash) 86. Dualska (Dualscar x Vriska) 87. JohnDave (John Egbert x Dave Strider) 88. Septiplier (JackSepticEye x Markiplier) 89. CupRed (Cupquake x Red) 90. Pie (PewdiePie x CutiePie) 91. ClayJack (Clay Bailey x Jack Spicer) 92. RaiKim (Raimundo x Kimiko) 93. Possible (Kim Possible x Ron Stoppable) 94. JakeRose (Jake Long x Rose) 95. KatAang (Katara x Aang) 96. Sukokka (Suki x Sokka) 97. Tophokka (Toph x Sokka) 98. Popranch (Poppy x Branch) 99. Tucklivia (Tucker x Olivia Benson) 100. SamFred (Sam Puckett x Freddy Benson)

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rutlcdge · 7 years

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A Moment of Silence | Pt. 1 |

SCENE 001: Part 1: “A Moment of Silence.”

February 17th, 2017.

CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVES. 115th Congress of the United States; House Committee of Energy and Commerce.

Jonathan pored over the President’s aspirations for clean energy, transcribed elegantly onto a sheet of parchment. A tremor of apprehension fluttered in his stomach whenever he thought of Theresa Wright. It was as if he didn’t have to read at all, as if he knew the President would never provide an agenda that served his family’s interests. It amused him, silently, because her directives forced him to operate underground in Washington. His days were bound to devolve into Congressional meetings, Country Club alliances, and boardroom antics—far from the Public Eye. He would invite his son, Jonathan Jr., and nephew, John Jay Jr., to hash out a deal ensuring natural gas and coal remain the Country’s energy focus. It could cost the family millions of dollars. As Jonathan eased the parchment into a brown manila folder and slipped it into the bottom-right drawer of his desk, he thought of a Washington devoid of Theresa Wright entirely. He wouldn’t have to work underground, then.

Leon Solis should have won the election. Jonathan leaned into his Herman Miller chair of charcoal leather and gazed upon the ceiling. How did he lose… He made a steeple of his fingers upon the armrests, feeling himself searching for recollection. And when he couldn’t remember he furrowed his brow. Might she have torn a page from a Tom Clancy novel and rigged the election in her favor? He smirked. Inconceivable…for a Democrat.

The office phone rang and sent a shrill into the silence. Jonathan straightened in his chair and grabbed it.

“Mister Chief Justice, Mrs. Rutledge has arrived,” chirped the administrative clerk.

“I have no doubt she’s left before permission was granted,” he jested, returning the phone to its modem. He hoisted himself from the chair, gently, and turned to spread the thick velvet curtains that cast an impenetrable shadow over the chambre. The high noon sun filtered in. Jonathan caught the grand stone pillars of the Library of Congress in the distance. The American flag rested at the top of the building threaded to a silver pole, and he gazed as it flickered in the stark wintry breeze.

“There you are, darlin’” greeted Savannah on her way into the Office.

Jonathan turned from the window and smiled, “Good morning, sweetheart,” he said, watching her traipse toward the far right wall. A short and petite woman, Savannah seemed taller than five-feet in a pair of alabaster white kitten heels that accented her form-fitted pantsuit. The collar of her blazer was weaved in gold thread that glistened in tandem with an elegant necklace adorned with aquamarines. She expertly removed the glass top of Macallan 25 he reserved for his private chambers and poured them both a glass. “I didn’t expect you to return so soon,” he remarked, inclining his head ever slight as Savannah traipsed toward the desk.

“From breakfast at the Smithsonian?” she asked, narrowing her eyes suggestively before offering him one of the glasses. Jonathan lowered himself into his chair as his wife perched upon the desk. Savannah waved her hand dismissively after Jonathan took the glass, “I went as a courtesy to Elizabeth Henderson—they hosted us in their Hampton Manor on President’s Day and I thought it’d be sweet to thank her properly,” she explained in her singsong tone, stopping to sip the Macallan 25, “I went thinking it would be just the two of us, but she’d invited ten other women, all of them members of her pet charity ‘Relief for Disasters,’” Jonathan laughed quietly, listening closely, but before he could respond Savannah continued, “She said she’d turned our breakfast into a working breakfast. Can you believe it?”

“Of course I believe it, sweetheart, there are only so many hours in a day,” he spoke softly, his smile brightening when Savannah hoisted herself from the desk and claimed one of the two adjacent Hermann Miller chairs.

When she’d settled in, she shrugged her shoulders, “Washington is unpleasant, darlin,” she murmured, finally, “The people here are so busy there isn’t time to smell the roses and enjoy life—Yankee women.” Jonathan nodded, thoughtfully; he felt the same way when the Supreme Court’s monumental weight pressed upon him. Savannah added, “I’ll be pleased when we’re Home this weekend.”

So will I, Savvy. Setting his glass upon the desk, Jonathan lifted the phone from his modem and punched a familiar number. He glanced at Savannah as the phone started to ring, “Have you heard from three-sticks?” he asked, his tone mired in concern. His eldest grandson, Jonathan K. Rutledge III, hadn’t responded to his call earlier that morning. He called three-sticks every morning to check on him, and he always answered. Until that morning. He frowned when the dial tone bled into the voicemail he and Savannah used for their Welbeck Estate.

“Maybe he went for a swim out back,” his wife consoled; she set her glass on the desk.

“He always answers my call…every morning,” Jonathan bristled, glumly, placing the phone onto its modem. When he lifted his gaze to Savannah’s he noticed a scowl on her face, “To tell him how proud I am of him.” Savannah’s hair was coiffed into an elegant ring of dark grey curls around her small face, accentuating her eyes—the same cerulean as Jonathan’s own.

“Have you tried calling Harvey or George Jr.?” she asked, as if she already knew the answer. He inclined his head, gently, as if to confirm his unspoken answer.

“Darlin,’ you’re not supposed to play favorites—with our grandchildren,” Savannah retrieved her idle glass of Macallan 25, “You have as much cause to be proud of George Jr.—why he graduated Cornell just last year.”

“I’m only human, sweetheart,” he responded, lowering his gaze to the desk. How could his wife understand his connection to three-sticks? He was the third of his name, the third Jonathan K. Rutledge. How could he explain that when he spoke with three-sticks in the morning it reminded him of a future both alive and strong? His grandson was, in many ways, as much the pearl inside his oyster as his wife was the oyster. He glanced at his watch. 11:27 AM.

“Yeah, well…promise you will congratulate all our grandchildren during the toast Sunday night,” she edged, downing the remainder of her glass.

“I promise.” Jonathan brought his glass to his lips, suddenly aware that their week in D.C. was soon at an end. They decided to spend the weekend at Welbeck Estate in Oak Ridge. Ever since Savannah had flown into Washington that Monday three-sticks resided alone at the Estate. He felt uneasy about his missed phone calls, but resolved to quietly withhold judgement until they touched ground in North Carolina. Jonathan stood from his chair and eased into the deep navy blue jacket of his Vanquish suit.

��Where’s Stanley?” asked Savannah, who turned curiously to peer behind her.

“He’s waiting for us, now,” Jonathan fastened the top-button of his two-button jacket before prying the manila folder from the lower-right drawer of his desk. He heard a silent crack as he leaned over, followed by a droll ache in his left ankle. Suppressing a groan, he lifted an aluminum briefcase leaned beside the desk, eased it open, and slipped the manila folder inside, “He’ll escort us to Executive Park and accompany us on the flight into Elk Rivers.” He expected them to touch down in North Carolina at 3:00 PM. To depart Washington, too, had ridden him with relief. Relief from the incessant buzzing and twenty-four-hour hums of energy that should earn D.C. the second-city that never sleeps. If he were honest he’d jumped at the chance for a brief respite from it all. “Let’s not keep him waiting, sweetheart,” he said, offering his hand to help her from her seat. Savannah’s hand fit intricately into Jonathan’s, and to their car they went.

A brisk, wintry breeze whorled amidst bare tree branches and silent pillars of marble. Jonathan lead Savannah along the rear steps of the Supreme Court toward their Lincoln town car. A thick canopy of clouds hovered over D.C. like an impenetrable smog, but Jonathan didn’t remember reading anything in the forecasts predicting a storm. The winter snowstorms had been sparse that year.

“Good Morning, Stanley,” greeted Savannah soothingly as she settled into the rear seat. Jonathan lowered into the seat beside her and closed the door, suppressing a sling of pain ricocheting from his ankle to his knee, “You’re a sight for sore eyes—it’s nice to see you.”

“Morning, Ma’am,” Stanley peered at them from the rearview mirror before jolting their car to life. He smiled before peeling away from the sidewalk, veering onto Second Street with ease. After the forty-minute drive to Washington Executive Airpark, a thirty-eight hundred-foot private hangar for jetliners, Jonathan and Savannah would board the family’s Gulfstream G650 into the Elk River Airport fifty-miles north of their Estate in Oak Ridge. Elk River’s forty-six hundred-foot hangar cost them one-point-five million dollars annually, and its value stemmed from the convenience of arranging flights between their Home and America’s Capitol.

“We ought to go over the weekend’s schedule, darlin’,” offered Savannah; she averted her gaze from the frigid brick houses and mullioned entryways to bodegas just south of downtown D.C., and peered at Jonathan, “We’ll have a private dinner tonight—long overdue.”

Jonathan intertwined his fingers with his wife’s, their hands forming a gentle knot between them, “I look forward to it, sweetheart. I have a gift for you,” he teased, a small smile crinkling his leathery-thin pallor. He brought Savannah’s hand to his lips and bestowed a chaste kiss upon it.

A warm smile graced Savannah’s small face, “Tomorrow morning we’ll have breakfast—I know you wanted to meet with the boys afterward, but try not to keep them too long, darlin.’ Malcolm’s branch of the family is scheduled to arrive at one, by then the barbecue will be arranged across the rear lawn. Ah, and then fireworks to cap off the evening.”

Jonathan nodded. The President’s Energy Initiative rang incessantly in his mind, reminding him of the true purpose of their weekend in Oak Ridge. He invited the power brokers and moneymen of his Family; men such as his nephew John Jay Jr. who chaired the multibillion-dollar Rutledge Trilateral Commission, and his grandnephew, Malcolm IV, senior partner of Taft, Rutledge, and Van Dyke and special attorney of the RTC. Together, Jonathan hoped, they would assemble a formidable war chest capable of tackling the President’s ambitions. Against a hostile White House the Rutledge Family would have to employ subterfuge and cunning, and perhaps ruthlessness above all.

As his mind wandered Savannah continued to prattle on, “After breakfast on Sunday I’ll take the girls for tea and luncheon on the Harbor. We’ll return in time for the football game between the boys.” Jonathan grinned. He, too, looked forward to the Family’s traditional flag-football game on the Front Lawn. He remembered his time as a young, hot-blooded male looking to score at the expense of his quarrelsome cousins. Now he was forced to referee, like an invalid, and it reminded him balefully of his grandson. Who hadn’t answered his call that morning.

Savannah continued, “Later in the evening we’ll have dinner at the House—and you’ll give a toast congratulating all of our grandchildren. Lord knows they’ve earned it,” she took a deep breath, peering over at her husband, “We have to make life tolerable for them, Jon—we shouldn’t pressure them.”

“Life would be more tolerable if that woman were not in the Oval Office,” Jonathan remarked, returning his wife’s pleading stare. But Savannah scoffed and tore her hand from Jonathan’s, inclining her head, her cerulean eyes widened with incredulity as if she could not believe Jonathan would turn their conversation into politics.

“Jonathan,” she said in warning, “the President is not your enemy, we have been over this.”

“That woman is a destructive force to Rutledge vision and purpose, sweetheart,” Jonathan soothed, “I’m not angry—I’m…perplexed. How could she have wormed her way into the White House?”

“Darlin,’ you have to let it go…you’ll drive up your blood pressure—we promised each other to take care of ourselves,” She remonstrated, “Even if the President were your enemy, and she is not, how could she threaten us?” She continued, exasperatedly, gesturing around the car. Somehow Jonathan knew she alluded to their walls of protection; the Capital, the Homes, and the Security that they possessed. Savannah pressed on, her tone lowering in finality, “Bury this personal vendetta.”

Jonathan held his wife’s gaze as long as he could, then he peered out of the tinted window. The Lincoln veered left into Washington Executive Airpark, and in the distance, upon the horizon, he could glimpse the hulking alabaster exterior of their Gulfstream G650. It would not be long before they touched ground in North Carolina. It wouldn’t be long before Jonathan spearheaded a meeting designed to draw battle lines against the White House. As Jonathan sat, gazing over the finely garbed young man and young lady—their personal stewards for the flight—the Chief Justice resolved that no one, not even his wife, would stand in his way.

#[ m. ] : monologue.#[ m. ] : part one : a moment of silence.

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