delanie: is sarah in there?

verna, leaning in the doorway: hmm, yknow what?

[sarah jumps out the window]

verna: she just left

the fall of the house of usher 1.03: murder in the rue morgue

𝑶𝑮 𝑯𝑷𝑯𝑴 𝑶𝑪𝒔, 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈...

...Artemis Hexley by @the-al-chemist

...Verna Malinda by @gaygryffindorgal

...Juliette Farrier by @cursebreakerfarrier

ive updated the dress up room and this time Eve is now shown!

i really enjoy all her outfits :]

Loving the complexity of Madeline Ushers character: a woman who declares she doesn’t want to be limited by men, who’s life is defined at every turn by the decisions and actions of her brother.

……

Madeline Usher is doomed by her attachment to her brother, and it is the root of all her eventual pain.

When Verna offers them the deal, it’s Roderick who ‘charges forward, straight at it’ and accepts the terms despite the fact that the only ‘next generation’ they current have are his kids. Madeline agrees afterwards but only once Rodrick makes it know he is already in. I don’t think she’d have gone for it if he had objected, she’s always had a very ‘both of us or neither’ kind of attitude.

And then she is as much these kids parent (from what we have seen) as Roderick is. Granted we see next to nothing of the kids biological mothers so we have to assume they weren’t very involved (either by their choice or other circumstance) with their kids after Rodrick got his claws into them.

That first scene when we meet Perry Madeline and Roderick are equally dismissive of him, but she is the one asking questions and prompts: you’ve had a year to come up with an idea, is this it or is there more? How are you going to make this successful? Why will your pitch be different? She even asks Roderick to jump in ‘anytime now’ to help her handle this train wreck. And Rodrick has just received the news he’s dying but I think it’s telling that Perry is looking at both of them for validation, for support. They are equally intimidating but equally supporting him.

With Camille we don’t get 1-2-1 interactions between her and her father (despite her own obsession with winning his approval) but we do get a scene with Madeline. After Perry’s death Camille lobbies to be given the power to lead the family’s PR response, and Madeline takes her seriously and asks what she would do. When Camille lays out her plan it’s Madeline who gives a proud nod of approval and okays her actions.

Leo unfortunately gets no parental interactions from either senior Usher. Victorine only gets it right at the end just before her monstrous actions are revealed. Otherwise all she gets from Roderick is pressure and the interactions of an investor, not a father.

Tammy gets the most parental interaction from Madeline, which is tragic as she’s trying to show her father that she can be the heir to his empire. But her aunt is the one who shows up to her presentation, who gives her the pep talk, consoles Tammy (in her own way) about the failure of her marriage, who believes Tammy when she is terrified by someone in the crowd.

Frederik is always focused on his father so Madeline doesn’t get many moments with him, but again Roderick is more of a CEO or boss than a father: focused on how to protect the company, how to secure the future. Little to no concern or support to his son as he mourns his wife’s injuries, as he deals with his siblings deaths, as he takes on more pressure from the world and the family. Roderick only mourns his son (as opposed to his heir) after Fredrick is dead.

Added to this: the security on all the kids? Madeline arranges it. When more kids die? We see Madeline demand it be doubled. She’s the only one still fighting for them, fighting fate itself.

With Lenore we see more interactions with her and Roderick but her interactions with Madeline are just as sweet and show a close, loving relationship. Lenore even calls her Granny Madeline. And Madeline is the one planning to preserve Lenore via AI: this must have been the main reason she begged Roderick to kill himself. Not to save her to but to spare Lenore. What’s the bet that she started working on the AI project in earnest when Morelle announced she was pregnant?

Madeline tracks down the supernatural entity they made a deal with and tries to negotiate a new deal: again (now we know the original terms) this is likely for Lenore’s benefit, not hers. She faces down a power far beyond herself and tries to save or protect what’s left of her family. Not Roderick.

Madeline took steps to preserve and protect her nieces and nephews, and grand niece while her brother did next to nothing. Once you know the nature of their deal with Verna, Roderick’s attitude to his remaining children after they remember who Verna is is just baffling.

Madeline even makes reference to birth control that she took on the off chance the deal was real. She says to Tammy that she didn’t want children with her first husband and hasn’t since, but she has been a mother to Rodericks kids. This lack of biological motherhood hasn’t spared her for the heartbreak of loosing a child. Or a grandchild.

And it’s even the decision of a man (again her brother) which is going to end her family’s legacy in another way. His marriage to Juno, his treatment of her, his denial of her fight to get clean and his horrible reference to himself as Victor Frankenstein and Juno as his monster - this is what pushes her to sign away the company when she inherits it. Madeline speaks about the board choosing her and moving the company away from pharmaceuticals, into the fields of AI and tech. Sure Madeline then died but a lot of the groundwork was likely there, and it could have been a possible path for the company. If Juno didn’t inherit it all and break it apart. Because of Roderick, and the way he treated her. Once again Madeleine’s legacy is destroyed by her brothers actions.

The irony of 1970’s Madeline declaring she doesn’t want to be limited by men’s choices or by a man, taking steps to protect her self and her heart, focussing her work on things outside of medical drugs in the hope that one day that can be what they become known for… then being doomed to more heartbreak and failure by every one of her brothers careless actions is so sadly tragic.

Hey Mike! Absolutely love your work, especially Haunting of Hill House and Fall of the House of Usher. I was wondering a couple things:

Any chance we will ever get to see that deleted scene where Carla plays a homeless woman singing to Madeleine? Loved the Easter egg and also can’t get enough of Verna so it would be so cool to see that deleted scene!

Also wanted to know what it was like working with Mary? It was such a joy to see her in House of Usher!! Hoping to see her in future Flanaverse projects!!

Hi there! That material was removed very early in the editing process, long before the scene was completed, so there isn't a finished "scene" to show. Carla and Mary did fine work acting in those moments, but the series as a whole is stronger without it, so a completed version of the scene with that footage simply never existed. It's an odd alchemy when you tell a story this way, and sometimes scenes that seem to work on the page can be acted beautifully, shot exquisitely, and still not be necessary or additive. In this case, it actually worked against the mysteries of the show, it wasn't believable that Madeline wouldn't recognize Verna, and it was clear that this was a mistake. It was my mistake for writing the scene the way I did, and it happens all the time. We could tell immediately that it didn't fit, so we didn't waste much time proving it out. Releasing deleted scenes is a tricky thing. I love bonus features - it's one of the great benefits of physical media - but even if we had a huge special edition box set of Usher, I don't know that we would have included this scene. Sometimes these things just aren't meant for the audience, even as an interesting relic, and this is one of those times. Incidentally, I had the same feeling about some of the material that didn't make it into the Bly Manor edit. We knew the scenes weren't working very early in the process, so they were never refined into any shape that would warrant their release. Fans will hear an actor talk about scenes they worked on, and the fans get all excited, but if they were to see those scenes it wouldn't enhance their love of the characters or the story... in fact, it can work against it. For years, I've had Bly fans reach out lamenting that they can't see some of the Bly material they've read about in cast interviews, but I'm certain that seeing it in its raw, unfinished state wouldn't enhance or deepen their love of the characters or the show. There's really nothing to release. It's just excess material that lands on the floor while you're sculpting, and sticking it back onto the sculpture only makes a noticeable wart. Other times, though, deleted scenes can be incredibly additive. For example, I think the 30 minutes we took out of the theatrical release of Doctor Sleep only enhanced the movie, and made the experience that much more rich - which was why I was so happy to release the Director's Cut with those scenes restored. Those scenes, though, were fully finished, and only removed in the first place because of the movie's run-time. Restoring those elements made the sculpture complete - they were always supposed to be there. But most times, deleted material is just unnecessary material. It can be like having an amazing meal prepared for you, and then being handed a plate of surplus or unused ingredients. Like, the chef needed to peel a lemon before squeezing it over the meal as a wonderful finishing touch. That dash of citrus really made the meal sing. But that doesn't mean you want to eat the peel. And I LOVE working with Mary. I'm sure we'll do it again!

For the random writing prompts... how about #89 for Verna/ Madeline?? (I would also accept Bill/Laura 😆😉)

Ahhh thank you! I might still do this for Bill and Laura later, but for now, enjoy. 😏 (just in case it needs to be said, the below is rated M!)

Madeline’s phone was rarely out during a business meeting. If it was, she was bored and didn’t care who knew it. Even more rarely did her phone sit on the table top, screen exposed. Yet it sat there now, serving as a distraction when the screen illuminated unexpectedly. She timed her speech so she could lean against the table, eyes scanning the men focused on her—or rather, her low cut blouse—and then she looked down. There was only one person, one woman, who could unlock her phone with their conversation on screen without being in the room and she was greeted by a picture of her naked body stretched out in Madeline’s bed.

It took every ounce of her willpower, earned tooth and nail after working in a man’s world for years, to not react. Even as her heart started to race and a thrum of arousal coursed through her veins, all that leaked out was a small, confident smirk.

After only a second, she raised her gaze and considered the room again. “Well?” she snapped when no one else said anything. “You’re paid to sit here and make decisions, so make a goddamn decision.”

“Ms. Usher—“

“Oh, fuck you,” she interrupted quickly, cursing him further in her mind. Anyone else in the room, even within the building, knew better than to call her that. “Fine, take your time. I have other things to do.” One hand grabbed her phone and locked it while the other pushed the folder containing her research and results toward the center of the table. “You know where to find me.”

She slid her phone into her pocket and strode from the room, aware of the murmurs that began to rise behind her. Uncaring, she didn’t even look back; she wasn’t lying when she had places to be.

Her mind was focused as she rode home, her confident smirk returning as she walked inside and dropped her things on the table by the door. The house was quiet but not empty, allowing her earlier arousal to start building again as she undid the buttons on her blouse. It slid off her shoulders when she walked into the bedroom, carelessly letting it join the black pile clothes already there.

“You sent me pictures of you naked while I was in a work meeting.” Her eyes roamed over Verna’s still naked form, happily lounging in sheets that hinted at how she had occupied herself in Madeline’s absence.

“And now you’re here.” Verna grinned up at her and slowly extended her bent leg, revealing even more of her body.

Madeline matched her grin, hands already working on the fasteners to her pants while she kicked her heels off. Gravity took care of her pants, leaving her free to unhook her bra and then drop her underwear. She stepped out of everything and knelt on the bed, hands moving up Verna’s legs.

“If they delay this project because I rushed out of there…” she warned.

Verna lunged up, fingers grabbing at her hair to pull her into a forceful kiss. Madeline fought for dominance and pushed her back toward the bed but moved with her to maintain the kiss. She ended up leaning over Verna, hands planted on the mattress to keep their bodies apart.

“You’ll get everything you want,” Verna murmured when they finally broke the kiss to breathe.

“I know.” Madeline nipped at her lip and then kissed her again. “I’ll get what I want now too.”

“We’ll see,” Verna simpered and then Madeline found herself on her back, looking up at the only person that could make her scream for heaven and hell.

Curse of Strahd party winter outfit lineup! May color later. Did this for a secret thing for the party 👀

Sorry for not posting much! Been working a on a couple projects and a few I can’t share yet. Hope to have more to show soon. Have some cuties in the mean time :)

Player characters in order: Peura (our Ireena PC), Ji, Adino, Saoirse, and Verna.

There’s absolutely no way Joe is not living through the fish market saga with Dancer and Verna five minutes into this project.

I FINALLY finished writing chapter 1 of a “what could’ve been” universe au for Madeline and Verna. I hope y’all like it :)

There’s Something Strange About Aunt Verna

Introduction Post

Main timeline (in roughly chronological order)

it’s not polite to stare // the night we met (verna, sarah) // i have to stay // small talk (harold, ephraim) // so this is it // sarah’s little flock // try to scare me // one for the road

a little rush of hope // what comes next // make our peace // sticks and stones // on this cold winter’s night // from the medicine cabinet //

too comfortable for my own good // the leaves won’t change // who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? //

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

the seventh bellows // no name found // the woman at 29 wilson (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4) // the old hospital // three black cats // ephraim // the red room // you have to let go //

give me your answer do // awake //

wait till martin comes: verna’s story

Upon the Heads of Sunflowers

masterlist

Misc.

what you see in me (heterochromic delanie au) // bottle up lightning // don’t cry

New chapter of Madeline x Verna nonsense ✨

The Fall of the house of usher

I hope Mike Flanagan never stops making horror.

The Haunting of Hill House is still my number one from the Flanaverse, but I really enjoyed this one.

I wish we could have gotten more into the siblings' lives to know them better, but I guess it was not important bc they were not the main focus of the show.

I love that we got Carla Guggino back. I hope Mike never lets her go again. She was magnificent.

And Samantha Sloyan, the actress that you are, my gawd. I love her performance so much.

Of course, Kate Siegel was brilliant too, but she got killed so fast, and we didn't get to explore her character that much, but her last scene with Carla Guggino, that's what kids nowadays call "a mother off"

And this shoot, I'm still thinking about it.

What really got me at the end, after they revealed the reason why they were dying, was that I never considered Leonor to be in danger because she was not one of Roderick's kids.

I think I've never wished more for a kid to be a product of a betrayal.

Also, they didn't have a choice. I thought that the reason Verna was giving them the option to be good was to be saved, but nope, it was just so they wouldn't suffer, but they couldn't help it, they were assholes.

Love that Mr Flanagan keeps bringing back his friends to his projects. It's always fun to see them in different roles.

And what is Elizabeth Resse doing that she hasn't come back?

Ok, my ranking of the Flanaverse:

- Hill House

- House of Usher

- Bly Manor

- Midnight Mass

I didn't watch midnight club, but I have only heard bad thing about it, so I'm skipping that one.

I can't wait to see what Mike is going to do with Amazon now.

updated dress up room to include the new designs + adam!

Chapter one of "The Two Among Many" a fanfiction set in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 following the life of my OC Faith Verna!