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carpe-astra · 1 year

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Ain't No Grave

"Do you actually want her dead at the end of this?"

"He has killed for less. And she deserves to die.”

Valentino planted the spade into the freshly turned dirt next to him, leaning on the handle as he stared into the yawning darkness below. Scuttling grey clouds covered the moon, bathing the entire area in shadows. During life, it might have made him uneasy to be surrounded by the black with no way of knowing when an enemy might appear and put a bullet in his brain.

Shadows had become a refuge since his death, however. A melding between the physical and the spiritual that settled the Beast in his bones in a way nothing else could. Except for blood. Thirst burned in the back of his throat as if he’d swallowed battery acid, and he wondered not for the first - and not for the last - time where his wife was. Bitter anger gnawed at him, but he forced those thoughts aside before he did something drastic, and focused on the matter at hand.

Exhaling a rough bundle of smoke, he stubbed his cigarette out in the dirt, then leaned to jump down into the open grave and straddle the back end of the coffin. It was blue, like her favorite color, like her magick, like the lights of Embraced. Hesitating, he rested his hand on the edge where it was sealed shut. It wasn’t the first time he had been privy to the decay of a body, but the sight - and stench - was something one couldn’t quite prepare for no matter how many times they’d experienced it.

****

“Dad! Wake up! It’s time to wake up!”

Childish shouting rang tinnily through his ears while the molasses of Torpor began to ease away from his limbs and minds in sluggish drips. He couldn’t move just yet, couldn’t speak, but he could feel a tiny hand shaking his shoulder.

“Hurry! I wanna show you what Miss Britta bought me!” Another shake of a small hand punctuated the words.

He felt the prick of his fangs against his lips, a deep hunger rooted in his chest that accompanied the sensual murmur of his Beast. The little creature disturbing him would make for a good snack -

The dull shadows of the ceiling greeted his gaze as he opened his eyes, turning them down to catch sight of the small blonde girl bouncing at the edge of his bedside. Warm and alive with suntanned skin, gleaming gold hair braided back and still the chubby cheeks of youth. She clutched a pair of thin books littered with foliage and butterflies on the cover, thrusting them at him.

“My apologies, Mr. Bellerose. I looked away to ensure the door was locked, and she scampered off,” Britta’s voice sounded from the doorway. Looking contrite, she gestured at the little girl to come back. “Come along Alicia. Let him wake up first…”

“No, it’s alright,” he answered, pulling himself up to sit against the headboard.

Alicia bounced on her toes, then scrambled onto the bed to spread her books out across his legs. “Miss Britta took me to the butterflies at the zoo today, and they had these there. There’s lots of pictures, but there are facts too!”

Valentino picked one up, examining the glossy cover full of monarchs. It still held the scent of cotton candy from Alicia’s sticky fingers, and the aroma of ink on paper.

“Mr. Bellerose, he will be arriving shortly.” Britta reminded him.

Valentino felt Alicia stiffen where she had tucked herself beneath his arm, quieting immediately.

He sighed. “Have Isaac entertain him for a few moments if I’m not out by then.”

Alicia lit up beside him as Britta nodded, and departed.

He cracked open the first book to examine the first few pages absently.

Half listening to her chatter about her day, it took him an extra second to realize she had asked him a question.

“Will you read these to me? For my bedtime story?” Alicia asked again, looking up with hopeful blue eyes.

“You don’t want Isaac to read to you tonight like usual?” Valentino moved at a mortal’s pace, easing out of bed.

“No! I want these ones!” Already pouting, Alicia huffed at him.

He silently assented, hauling the little girl up to balance on his arm, collecting the books with his other hand. He could read to Alicia for a little while, until she fell asleep. Then he could ready himself for Jean-Pierre’s arrival, with Alicia safely out of view and awareness of the elder LaSombra.

“Just one, Alicia.”

****

Inhaling, he pried open the coffin. Despite not breathing, he could still feel the wave of foul rot and decay brush his skin with a putrid humidity as the air rushed out. Blinking away a sting, he stared down at the coffin’s contents. The flesh had turned a sickly brown and black, like old bruising before it turned a nasty yellow. Reasonably he knew it was because the veins were deteriorating, and it would be only a few short years before the grave wax would fill the coffin.

“You poor bastard. Wonder where she picked you up.” Whoever was in the coffin, he didn’t recognize them. It could have been someone Alicia had plucked right off the sidewalk one day. His grip on the coffin door tightened.

The day he and Isaac had buried Alicia had been a bleak one. Her broken body made to look beautiful and untouched again, tucked away in the white satin of the coffin Britta had chosen because he hadn’t been able to.

Fighting the urge to rip the corpse out that was spoiling the final resting place of Alicia, he relaxed his grip on the coffin’s lid. He was surprised to find numerous splinters buried in his fingers and palm. It brought him back to reality.

There was a body in the coffin, but it wasn’t Alicia’s. Despite having buried her in that coffin, and in that grave.

“Looks like you’re missing something though,” he remarked as he pulled out a small amulet from the pocket of his coat.

It didn’t look like much. A simple river pebble, with markings etched onto it. It looked like something Alicia had been using to practice her glyphs on, like she’d used to do as a child. Yet, he’d found it on the corpse masquerading as Alicia the night they had finally killed Nathaniel, even though the last time he’d seen it, it had been in the pocket of Alicia’s body when he had buried it.

“Always the clever one. Stealing corpses to make them look like you so you could be everywhere at once,” he spoke, stowing the stone away. He would have Yelena look at it later on, when she had time to spare from the other tasks he’d set her to. “Too clever.”

She was playing the game with a masterful stroke, pressing her advantages and cutting her losses when needed. Exactly as she had been taught. Maybe if she had been allowed to be more of a child, rather than being forced to grow up so quickly, things would have been different. Or if he had managed to stop the fire that took her parents. Or, had simply been better.

His world, the world of the Kindred, was no place for a mortal, let alone a little girl he’d taken in because she’d looked so much like his own dead daughter.

“Everyone has a weakness, Val.” Old words from his Sire echoed in his head.

He had too many, and the girl he’d raised was one of them. He’d killed for a lot less, but he couldn’t kill this one.

#valentino bellerose #Valentino darling #jean-pierre bellerose #Isaac solomons #Alicia montgomery #Brittany harwood #vtm #vampire the masquerade #consequence by night #carpe astra

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letsmakerpstuff · 2 years

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And I told you one day you will see That I'll be back I guarantee And that hell's coming with me

#feeling inspired #AAAAAAAAAAH #Consequence By Night #Consequence coterie #Nathan Lockwood #Alicia Montgomery #vampire graphics

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sabohteurs · 2 months

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& as ‚ madison montgomery. & as ‚ cordelia goode. & as ‚ galinda upland. & as ‚ alex russo. & as ‚ maya hart. & as ‚ aurora renaud. & as ‚ elsa. & as ‚ cat grant. & as ‚ martha jones. & as ‚ river song. & as ‚ amelia pond. & as ‚ the twelfth doctor. & as ‚ abigail dudley. & as ‚ verna. & as ‚ madeline usher. & as ‚ camille l'espanaye. & as ‚ alicia clark. & as ‚ sophia peletier. & as ‚ rachel berry. & as ‚ shelby corcoran.

#& as ‚ madison montgomery.#& as ‚ cordelia goode.#& as ‚ galinda upland.#& as ‚ alex russo.#& as ‚ maya hart.#& as ‚ aurora renaud.#& as ‚ elsa.#& as ‚ cat grant.#& as ‚ martha jones.#& as ‚ river song.#& as ‚ amelia pond.#& as ‚ the twelfth doctor.#& as ‚ abigail dudley.#& as ‚ verna.#& as ‚ madeline usher.#& as ‚ camille l'espanaye.#& as ‚ alicia clark.#& as ‚ sophia peletier.#& as ‚ rachel berry.

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backstreetsbackalright · 3 months

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#Roy Montgomery #Faded From You #2024 #Discreet Music #Alicia Merz #Broken Heart Surgery

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justmoreocs-writing · 1 year

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Christina James: I feel like Jem Harrington (Stranger Things OC) would fall for her. They both seem to be scientifically minded, so that would be a bonus. Also, there are times when Jem can be a massive coward, and I think Christina knowing that she has to save herself, and probably some of those around her, would balance him out to some degree.

Chelsea Bright: I feel like Monty Sanderson, if he was more age appropriate, (A Discovery of Witches OC) might fall for her. I’m not sure why – I mean, I feel as though he might do anything he could to make her laugh, and he’d probably be a little confused by all the singing too, but also he’s the type of person that would join in.

Elena Barnes: I feel Elena needs someone calm, someone patient, someone who can also deal with her anger as well though and honestly I don’t really have many who fit that. But, looking back over OCs and things, I think that Allie (Riverdale OC) might work for her. I think she’d be calm enough, and have enough naïve awe about her that might just help break Elena’s armour a little.

Celeste Nichols: So, I think that Cesca (iZombie OC) would actually be quite an interesting pairing for Celeste. For all Cesca’s hardness, I feel like Celeste has a softness to her which would be quite nice. A shared understanding of loneliness and orphanages might help build the foundation; a love of found families, but I think they’d soon fall for each other far more quickly than they were expecting – especially Cesca.

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davedocrogers · 1 year

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5 Love Languages, 5 Love Words

with Pastors Dave & Alicia RogersFoundational Scripture:John 13.35 ESV“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love [agape] for one another.” The byproduct of a life in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ is love for one another.•It almost seems too simple.•Love is a choice, not a feeling … you cannot fall out of love, you have to stop choosing to…

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kenneturner · 1 year

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Houston Chronicle Article, October 2006

A Framed Copy of an Article in the Community Section of the Houston Chronicle, October 2006 What began as the “Reading Series” at Montgomery College in 1993 evolved to become the “Writers In Performance” seriesconducted by the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council (MCLAC). Over the years, many local poets, as well as nationalpoets, have read their poetry at Montgomery College. Since moving to…

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#Alicia Bankston #Cliff Hudder #Dave Parsons #Houston Chronicle #MCLAC #Montgomery College #Montgomery County #Montgomery County Literary Arts Council #The Reading Series #Writers In Performance Series

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cieloclercs · 11 months

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*:･ﾟ✧* ── 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫, c. leclerc

( royal!charles leclerc au )

𝐁𝐘 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄, the House of Verstappen announces the betrothal of its youngest daughter, Princess Cecilia Verstappen, to Prince Charles of House Leclerc

“my hand was the one you reached for, all throughout the 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫.”

— taylor swift, the great war

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍 values her freedom above all else. She's been a wandering spirit, a lone wolf, if you will, for as long as she can remember. Her heart and soul belongs in the wind between the trees and on the rushing waters of the river that flows through her home. It most certainly doesn't belong to the young prince of her father's rival Kingdom, and, she swears, it never will.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐂 doesn't exactly have marriage on his mind at fourteen years of age either, but, as he has learnt over the years, the needs of his family and his people always have to come first. If getting married to the annoying, spoiled girl who taunts him and runs away whenever he tries to speak to her is his duty, then he swears he will do it. Albeit reluctantly.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀 are out of options. In a world where their two kingdoms are constantly on the brink of war, they have no choice but to make their less than favourable situation work. Yet, as time passes, and secrets are revealed, they discover that perhaps they aren't so different after all; and maybe, just maybe, they need each other just as much as their kingdoms need them.

𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ nadia parkes as

𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀 of house verstappen

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ charles leclerc as

𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐒 of house leclerc

𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇!

max verstappen as 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐗 of house verstappen

lily james as 𝐋𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐓 of monteo

alicia vikander as 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐇 of hasselia

janet montgomery as 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐘𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 of hasselia

the royal families as themselves

read it on wattpad!

if you want to be added to the taglist, just leave a comment on this post!

next ➜ the kingdoms

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usnatarchives · 2 years

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WWII 6888th Central Postal Battalion vet Romay Davis, 102, Jay Reeves/AP.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at Dedication Ceremony Honoring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, 7/13/2022 (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post).

Black Women ROCK (US history)! By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

Two BIG story updates: Mary McLeod Bethune Returns to the Hill (7/13/2022) (Figuratively) topples Confederate Statue! 1st Black American in Statuary Hall! See related NARA Tumblr post. Dr. Bethune joined Old Boys Club on Capitol Hill (90 of the 100 statues there are of men) as an impressive 3 ton, 11 foot statue in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

80 years late, WWII vet Romay Davis is recognized (7/25/2022) Davis was part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe in WWII, led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black woman in the Army during WWII. See: Black Female WWII Unit Gets (Congressional) GOLD!

More amazing facts about Dr. Bethune:

1st Black woman to lead a federal agency.

1st Black women with a university founded in her name.

Founder of the National Council of Negro Women

More amazing facts about Ms. Davis:

She earned a martial arts black belt while in her late 70s!

She went back to work at grocery store in Montgomery, AL, and retired only last year, at age 101!

The 6888th by the #s:

855 - # of Black women in the 6888th

3 - # of months it took them to clear a 6-month backlog of mail.

3 separate 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week - work hours.

65,000 - # of pieces of mail processed per shift

17 million - # of pieces of mail processed by the conflict’s end.

77 years - # of years wait for these women to be honored by Congress

Connection between the two? Mary McLeod Bethune worked with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to establish the Women’s Army Corps, and advocated for the inclusion of Black women who wanted to contribute to the war effort.

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“Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams,…and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, …inspect the first contingent of Negro members of the Women’s Army Corps assigned to overseas service.” 2/15/1945. NARA ID 16214.

Much more online:

We honor WW2’s #InvisibleWarriors! Black Women in WWII

BLACK (military) NURSES ROCK!

Pictorial History of Black Women in the US Navy during World War II and Beyond, by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History.

Before Kamala: Black Women in Presidential Administrations, Rediscovering Black History

Official Personnel Folder for Mary McLeod Bethune, NARA ID 158329664.

Mary Bethune: Adviser to Presidents, Hoover Heads blog

Providing a New Deal for Young Black Women: Mary McLeod Bethune and the Negro Affairs Division of the National Youth Association, Rediscovering Black History.

Featured NARA public program: Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All

The Closed Door of Justice: African American Nurses and the Fight for Naval Service, by Alicia Henneberry, The Text Message.

Their War Too: US Women in the Military During WWII, The Text Message

African Americans and the War Industry by Alexis Hill, The Unwritten Record blog

I too, am Rosie by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History

Women’s History Month and African American History National Archives News special topics pages.

#black history #black women #blm #ww2 #civil rights #black lives matter #blackwomendidthat #blackwomenrock #world war ii #women in the military #african american history #blackexcellence #blackwomen #mary mcleod bethune #romaydavis #nancy pelosi

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bergiesims · 3 months

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IX Landgraab

Welcome to IX Landgraab, home of the prominent Fengs!

I purposely put the Fengs back where they were in the original City Living save file. Living next to their political rival, Peter Montgomery and his family definitely leads to some tension. Peter and Alicia were getting loud and frisky in the shower while I was play testing and Victor took the opportunity to scream at him for being so loud.

Although the wallpaper, flooring, doors, etc. match XIII Landgraab, I finally broke free of my self-imposed CC constraints because Victor and Lily would spare no expense to have their apartment furnished just the way they like. I included some Alpha CC artwork by @cowbuild and used swatches that fit the "city living" vibe.

When they're not working away in their respective offices, Victor and Lily spend most of their time dancing or smooching in the living room, enjoying cocktails and trashing on their mutual adversaries.

I also pulled a butler down from The Gallery and added in game (because one didn't auto generate to the lot when I hired one) to do all of the cooking and chores. He also has his own scantily furnished bedroom and bathroom. There's also a daily maid that comes so neither Victor nor Lily have to lift a finger.

My favorite part of this build is the atrium looking down into the living room and the large floor to ceiling windows. The view looks gorgeous in a blizzard, so I'm sure it will look even more beautiful in when the snow melts.

Tray Files (including Packs Used + CC List) are below the break.

Both levels have also been uploaded as Rooms to The Gallery; remember to check 'Include Custom Content' when you search!

Tray Files: Google Drive | SimFileShare

#simblr #sims 4 #ts4 #san myshuno #maxis match #custom content #originals #bergie builds #show us your builds #uptown #ix landgraab #victor feng #lily feng #city living #apartment renovation

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glitter-troublewind · 2 years

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Sun + Ascendant = who you might look like

(extra celebrity bullsh*t) <3

xoxo gossip girl *try to ignore age and race, it could literally be similarity in eye shape or bone structure*

Aries Sun + Aries Rising - Heath Ledger

Aries Sun + Taurus Rising - Alia Shawkat , Scott Eastwood

Aries Sun + Gemini Rising - Kristen Stewart , Gregory Peck

Aries Sun + Cancer Rising - Mariah Carey, Paul Rudd

Aries Sun + Virgo Rising - Doris Day , Conan O'Brien

Aries Sun + Libra Rising - Elizabeth Montgomery , James Garner

Aries Sun + Scorpio Rising - Jessica Chastain

Aries Sun+ Sagittarius Rising - Leona Lewis , Marlon Brando

Aries Sun + Capricorn Rising - America Ferrera, Brendon Urie

Aries Sun + Aquarius Rising - Selena Quintella , Harry Houdini

Taurus Sun + Aries Rising - Barbara Streisand

Taurus Sun + Taurus Rising - Gigi Hadid, Robert Pattinson

Taurus Sun + Gemini Rising - Michelle Pheiffer

Taurus Sun + Cancer Rising - Cher , Rami Malek

Taurus Sun + Leo Rising - Al Pacino

Taurus Sun + Virgo Rising - Renee Zellweger , Roy Orbison

Taurus Sun + Libra Rising - Dwayne Johnson

Taurus Sun + Capricorn Rising - Megan Fox

Taurus Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Grace Jones

Taurus Sun + Aquarius Rising - Audrey Hepburn, George Clooney

Taurus Sun + Pisces Rising - Bettie Page

Gemini Sun + Gemini Rising - Judy Garland

Gemini Sun + Cancer Rising - Angelina Jolie, Mark Wahlberg

Gemini Sun + Capricorn Rising - Naomi Campbell

Gemini Sun + Leo Rising - Logan Browning

Gemini Sun + Libra Rising - Greg Kinnear

Gemini Sun + Scorpio Rising - Nicole Kidman, Chris Evans

Gemini Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Courtney Cox

Gemini Sun + Capricorn Rising - Colin Farrell

Gemini Sun + Aquarius Rising - Shia Labeouf

Gemini Sun + Pisces Rising - Maria Menenous

Cancer Sun + Aries Rising - Farley Granger , Lena Horne

Cancer Sun + Gemini Rising - Lindsay Lohan

Cancer Sun + Cancer Rising - Liv Tyler, David Hasselhoff

Cancer Sun + Leo Rising - Meryl Streep

Cancer Sun + Virgo Rising = Nicole Scherzinger

Cancer Sun + Libra Rising - Michelle Branch, Benedict Cumberbac

Cancer Sun + Scorpio Rising - Lana del Rey , Vin Diesel

Cancer Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Cheryl Cole

Cancer Sun + Capricorn Rising - Gisele Bunchen

Cancer Sun + Aquarius Rising- Cyndie Lauper

Cancer Sun + Pisces Rising - Shane Dawson

Leo Sun + Aries Rising - Taylor Schilling

Leo Sun + Taurus Rising - Halle Berry , Austin Butler

Leo Sun + Gemini Rising - Sandra Bullock, Mick Jagger

Leo Sun + Cancer Rising - Karlie Kloss, Ben Affleck

Leo Sun + Leo Rising - Gillian Anderson , Matthew Perry

Leo Sun + Virgo Rising - Madonna, Patrick Swayze

Leo Sun + Libra Rising - JLO

Leo Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Mila Kunis , Robert Plant

Leo Sun + Scorpio Rising - Iman

Leo Sun + Pisces Rising - Whitney Houston, John Stamos

Virgo Sun + Gemini Rising- Greta Garbo

Virgo Sun + Cancer Rising - Lauren Bacall , Jack Black

Virgo Sun + Leo Rising - Beyonce, Nick Jonas

Virgo Sun + Virgo Rising - Chris Pine

Virgo Sun + Libra Rising - Barry Gibb

Virgo Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Shania Twain

Virgo Sun + Capricorn Rising - Joan Jett, Richard Gere

Virgo Sun + Aquarius Rising - Zendaya

Libra Sun + Aries Rising - Cardi B, John Lennon

Libra Sun + Taurus Rising - Serena Williams , Josh Hutcherson

Libra Sun + Gemini Rising - Christina Millian, Will Smith

Libra Sun + Cancer Rising - Emily Deschanel

Libra Sun + Leo Rising - Rachel leigh Cook , Lindsay Buckingham

Libra Sun + Virgo Rising - Marion Cotilliard, Donald Glover

Libra Sun + Libra Rising - Doja Cat , John Mayer

Libra Sun + Scorpio Rising - Naomi Watts , Charlton Heston

Libra Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Kim Kardashian

Libra Sun + Capricorn Rising - Gwen Stefani

Libra Sun + Aquarius Rising- Alicia Silverstone, Matt Damon

Libra Sun + Pisces Rising - Gwenyth Paltrow

Scorpio Sun + Gemini Rising - Mathew McCoughney

Scorpio Sun + Cancer Rising - Hedy Lamar

Scorpio Sun + Leo Rising - Miranda Lambert

Scorpio Sun + Libra Rising - Anne Hathaway, Leonardo Di Caprio

Scorpio Sun + Scorpio Rising - Grace Kelly, Shah Ruhk Khan

Scorpio Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Yaya Decosta, Mark Ruffalo

Scorpio Sun + Capricorn Rising - Drake

Scorpio Sun + Pisces Rising - Demi Moore, Ryan Gosling

Sagittarius Sun + Taurus Rising - Miley Cyrus

Sagittarius Sun + Gemini Rising - Julianne Moore

Sagittarius Sun + Cancer Rising - Tyra Banks

Sagittarius Sun+ Leo Rising - Tina Turner, Jake Gyllenhaal

Sagittarius Sun + Virgo Rising - Sarah Paulson

Sagittarius Sun + Libra Rising - Keri Hilson

Sagittarius Sun + Scorpio Rising - Taylor Swift

Sagittaarius Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Jimi Hendrix, Xosha Roquemore

Sagittarius Sun+ Aquarius Rising - Nicki Minaj

Sagittarius Sun + Pisces Rising - Billie Eilish, Jay Z

Capricorn Sun + Taurus Rising - Issa Rae, Jared leto

Capricorn Sun + Gemini Rising - Naya Rivera , Ricky Martin

Capricorn Sun + Cancer Rising - Kate Bosworth

Capricorn Sun + Leo Rising - Ava Gardner , Jason Bateman

Capricorn Sun + Virgo Rising - Dolly Parton

Capricorn Sun + Libra Rising - Alison Brie, Denzel Washington

Capricorn Sun + Scorpio Rising - Hrithink Roshan

Capricorn Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Eartha Kitt, Nicolas Cage

Capricorn Sun + Capricorn Rising - Zooey Deschanel

Capricorn Sun + Aquarius Rising- Regina King , Orlando Bloom

Aquarius Sun + Aries Rising - James Dean

Aquarius Sun + Taurus Rising - Taylor Lautner

Aquarius Sun + Gemini Rising - Lana Turner, Ashton Kutcher

Aquarius Sun + Cancer Rising - Molly Ringwald , Chord Overstreet

Aquarius Sun + Leo Rising - Heather Graham

Aquarius Sun + Virgo Rising - Zsa Zsa Gabor , Michael B Jordon

Aquarius Sun + Libra Rising - Jennifer Aniston, Harry Styles

Aquarius Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Paris Hilton

Aquarius Sun + Aquarius Rising - Alan Cumming

Aquarius Sun + Pisces Rising - Brandy

Pisces Sun + Aries Rising - Rihanna, James Dean

Pisces Sun + Taurus Rising - Dakota Fanning

Pisces Sun + Gemini Rising - Drew Barrymore

Pisces Sun + Cancer Rising - Cindy Crawford, Kurt Russel

Pisces Sun + Leo Rising - Laura Prepon , Adam Levine

Pisces Sun + Virgo Rising - Lauren Graham, Kurt Cobain

Pisces Sun + Libra Rising - Jean Harlow , Sidney Poirtier

Pisces Sun + Scorpio Rising - Eva Longoria, Daniel Craig

Pisces Sun + Capricorn Rising - Rashida Jones

Pisces Sun + Sagittarius Rising - Elizabeth Taylor

Pisces Sun + Aquarius Rising - Nina Simone

Pisces Sun + Pisces Rising - Johnny Cash

#sun signs #dumb astrology #astrology #capricorn rising #random astro #aries rising #sun and rising #scorpio #astro notes #signs as #looks in astrology #rising signs appearance #appearance in astrology

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carpe-astra · 1 year

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Alliances

Keven Church

-there's nothing special about tonight. except a slightly drunken vampirate who'd taken an impulsive sip from a pothead earlier. he's currently wandering the streets of the Red Light district....very close to straddling the border between there and the Northern Slums. the sweaty armpit of the city shared by hookers and crackheads - D-d-demons arra gals best friend. Oi. Oi. -he sings lazily beneath his breath -

Anonymous

-In the midst of a red lit cityscape, the glint of blue is bizarre and out of place but it doesn't last for very long at all. More bizarre perhaps, is the figure that comes into perfect stride beside the drunken dhampir, matching him step for step in silence. -

Keven Church

-he fucking screams -

T'A FECK ARE YE, CUNTYBITCH!

Anonymous

-As his scream rings against dirty brick walls, a gloved hand reaches out to clamp over his mouth and muffle the noise. It was likely no one would pay any attention, but there was always a slim risk. The figure pushed at him, trying to force him down into the darker shadows of an alley they were passing, free hand up to put a finger over the snarling wolf's maw of their mask. -

Keven Church

-he easily smacks her hand away after they've been swallowed by darkness. drunken, yes. intoxicated by dirty blood, also yes. instinctively unable to protect himself from a small shadowy sneaky lurking freak? never. he takes a quick few steps back in a swaying blur. closer to the harsh line drawn by shadows of an alleyway and the light from a buzzing street lamp. one toe crosses that line as he glares hotly - Piss off, cunt.

Anonymous

-Once they're in the allyeway, they stop moving even as he continues. They put their hands up, displaying they aren't holding anything. Moving slowly to grasp the mask, and pull it free. The distortion at the edges of their frame resolve firmly back into reality, and the strange shape of their body becomes more feminine under the long red coat. The mask dangles by their fingers, as the woman shakes out long blonde hair. -

Alicia Montgomery

I have news for you, and an offer.

Keven Church

-oh he's holding something already. an empty tle of dark rum and a toothed combat knife. not yet pointing it at the figure...at her...but staring intently. and just...waiting - Hah! Knew it. -NOW he points the knife at her, recognizing that little cherubic face - Cheap trick frem a cheap whore. Whatcha want? T'a Lasombra's pompous head onna pretty platter?

Alicia Montgomery

I always knew you were smarter than you pretended to be. -There was a certain intelligence to coming up with all his colorful insults, that if applied elsewhere, would have reaped a great deal. Her attention flickers once to the knife, then dismisses it entirely by fixing on his weathered features. - I want a great deal more than that. And I have been thinking to myself as of late, just whom might else share a common vision - or might, if that vision was explained. -The woman's eyes, once upon a time, a dull and empty blue, now fairly glowed with a feverish zealotry. - You have a problem. And I have a way to fix it.

-She took a step forward, leaning towards him. - A way where you won't have to ever run again.

Keven Church

-he squints at her. 99.99% sure she's just trying to use him for some sexy evil villain plot before deciding he's just dead weight. they always do - Oi. -he wiggles the knife at her as she leans closer like a tamarin monkey in its cage looking for a stray french fry to snatch - Back up. Yer rubbin' t'at stench o' desperation on me. -his green eyes turn a bit more serious - Feck ye know about me runnin?

Alicia Montgomery

-She stopped in place, studying him. Unable to help herself as she took another step in. Extending a single hand towards him. - I know a great deal. I was there for it, in the beginning. I saw, no, I still see how you twist and turn yourself to keep a step ahead. The others, they don't really understand what that means. But I do. Running to survive. What if I told you that you could stop running. You could put down roots wherever you wanted. Be with someone, or not. All because the Tremere were no more?

Keven Church

Ohhhhh boo. Kiss me arse. Ye talk like a goddamned Bond villain. -he glowers, jabbing his knife toward her outreached hand just to get his point across that his personal space is not to be crossed. even if he is humoring her for a moment - So yer big bad plan is t'a take down t'e Giant Ginger an' his magic army? How?

Alicia Montgomery

-The swipe of the blade nearly goes unnoticed, but the fact he wouldn't take her hand went entirely noticed. Her fingers curl, arm drawing back in to herself. - I plan to take them all down. -Bright and burning, before a pause and an abrupt switch. Growing cool and distant. - What have you heard on the streets about the Kindred community as of late, Keven Church?

Keven Church

Some gettin' burned. Some endin' up on milk cartons. Oldies turnin' tits up. -he spits to the side - Fuck 'em.

-he definitely doesnt like the way she uses his full name. feels a bit too invasive. like a bad doctor getting a little too personal in their rectal exam -

Alicia Montgomery

Exactly. -There's a note of pride in her voice. For herself? For him perhaps, for noticing. - My work. What do you think? -She hooked the mask to a loop on her coat, reaching out to the grungy wall beside her to knock against it absently. - I've taken all that a step further even. Experimenting. -The others had found that safehouse of Nathaniel's, and the bunker beneath. She hadn't expected them to put so many clues together, or for them to dig so deeply into the website to realize the address was real. Or to find the records of what she had been doing. It had to have been Andrew. Something cold squeezed in her chest, but she gave a rusty laugh. - Admittedly, it looked dicey in the beginning, but I've been able to take away the... disease that makes them Kindred.

Can you imagine what that might mean for you? And people like you? Like me?

Keven Church

-he laughs, and not in a fun "ha-ha you're so cute" kinda way - I t'ink yer feckin' mad. -he listens, for whatever reason. instead of booking it--cause the devil knows she couldnt keep up if he was quick about it--he hears her out. and just gives her a wtf look - Sounds stupid. Ye t'ink I'm stupid?

Alicia Montgomery

Why? Why do I sound mad? Why does it sound stupid? Because if I were you, I'd be leaping for the opportunity to make the Tremere human.

Keven Church

Aye. If it works.

If yer not just tryna set me up.

If t'is ain't a trap fer yer favorite wankers I be around at t'at lil club house.

Alicia Montgomery

It does work. If you don't truly don't believe me, ask Dixie. Or better yet, ask Isaac. I tested it directly on Dixie and they've seen the evidence in the video files they managed to dig up. -Gleaming eyes soaked the sight of the drunken dhampir in. - I need a partner in this endeavor. One with your skills. Someone who can go in and out of places I cannot, and who can get information I cannot. In exchange, I protect you from the Tremere, and resolve the problem for you entirely by turning Konstantin and his Scourge, human. No powers, no anything. No need for you to run.

Keven Church

-he squints again. his look of judgmental contemplation lasts a little longer than last time. then he waggles his dagger once more - How I know yer not just gonna off me after all'a t'is?

Alicia Montgomery

You are not a Kindred, so I have no qualm with you to begin with. But if you have some way of guaranteeing I hold true to my word, I will do it. -For the second time, she finally looks at the dagger. -

Keven Church

Hmm. Aye. -he gestures for her to stick out her hand like before - Make yer promise.

Alicia Montgomery

-She extends her hand out to him silently. -

Keven Church

-he cuts, no hesitation. a quick, deep cut right across the palm. unless she has some magic to heal it later, its gonna fucking hurt to use it. but he doesnt care - Sigillum. -a streak of red passes through his eyes and settles in his pupils for half a second as his own magic, fueled by Vitae, is used to begin a binding spell with her own blood - Now. Say it. Say what yer gonna promise me.

Alicia Montgomery

-It's familiar, like when she'd bonded herself with the Tremere. The cut burns, nerves gone numb until she couldn't even flex her fingers had she wanted to. Blood quickly pools, staining the leather of her gloves, dripping between the creases of her fingers and splattering the ground between them. Despite the deep ache, she doesn't flinch. This is nothing in comparison to what she had already suffered. Then she echoes his words to make her promise. - I will not kill you after everything.

Keven Church

An' yer lil magic trick works. It'll turn em human. -he says it like he wants her to repeat his words -

Alicia Montgomery

-She smiles, a pretty expression with a touch of smugness. - I also promise that my serum makes Kindred human, and that I will use it on the Tremere.

Keven Church

-he still doesnt fully believe her on that. at the very least, he doesnt have as much confidence that it'll be as effective as she seems to think it'll be. but...she makes her promise - Sigillum. Verbum. -a white hot thread of magic weaves in and out of her wound on the hand, disappearing beneath the leather glove a few times as it metaphorically stitches the oath into her very flesh. doesnt close the cut of course. but with a blip of red, she can feel her own words settle into her bones as the spell is sealed -

Ye even t'ink bout goin back on t'at promise, yer arm will rot off. -he smirks. just slightly before it falls - Sounds familiar...

Alicia Montgomery

-This draws a hiss from her, taking the stitching of her words into her skin with heat and magick. At the end, she cups her hand, cradling it shut to stem the flow of blood. - I won't go back on that promise. But remember Keven Church. There is no where you can hide from me. I can be far worse than what you're running from right now. But so long as you do not betray me, and you help me, you'll get what you want. -Then she frowned. - Familiar how?

Keven Church

Jus somet'in I heard. -he whistles, finally taking that one step back. fully into the cheap street light - Seeya 'round. Partner. -then he's gone in a flash of vampiric speed. using a little extra Vitae to keep the exit clean -

Alicia Montgomery

-Her expression grows reserved, slotting the mask back into place. Lingering there in the alleyway until several minutes had passed, and Keven was long gone. Then she stepped closer to one of the brick walls, tracing a glyph onto the ruddy stone, lines glowing with arcane blue light. When the light faded, left behind was a doorway she stepped into, then it closed behind her. Only a brick wall remaining. -

#consequence by night #truths come to light #vampire the masquerade #Alicia montgomery #the ashen witch #anonymous #keven church

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theveriest · 5 months

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A couple of weeks ago I asked about people’s favorite book or books they read this year. Between Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and discord, I have a list of 123 books in no particular order that my friends and family loved this year. If it was a series then I listed the first book. Each star is an additional recommendation. I haven’t read all of these, they may or may not reflect my personal opinions, though my favorite books are on the list too. The most recommended books were How Far The Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler, one or all of the Murderbot books by Martha Wells, and Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki, because if there’s one thing my friends have in common across platforms, it’s that you’re all nerds (affectionate). Enjoy, and I hope you find your new favorite book!

Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming

Jesus and John Wayne by Kristen Kobes de Mez

The Soul Of An Octopus by Sy Montgomery

Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

The Going To Bed Book by Sandra Boynton

My Hijacking by Martha Hodes

Longhand by Andy Hamilton

Babel by RF Kuang*

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff*

Lies We Sing To The Sea by Sarah Underwood

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone

I Lost My Tooth! by Mo Willems

The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho

How Far The Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler**

Radiant Fugitives by Nawaaz Ahmed

Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora

The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks

These Precious Days by Ann Patchett*

I’m Stuck by Julia Mills

Entangled Life by Martin Sheldrake

Iris by Eden Finley

Hot Vampire Next Door by Nikki St. Crowe

Devil of Dublin by BB Easton

Tied by Carian Cole

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld*

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

From Blood And Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Where I End by Sophie White

Wool by Hugh Howey

The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

Yellowface by RF Kuang

Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas

North Woods by Daniel Mason

After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin*

The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison

Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera

The English Understand Wool by Helen Dewitt

Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning by The Gardeners & Farmers of Terre Vivante

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Love In The Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa*

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Welcome to Night Vale by Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Prophet by Sin Blache and Helen MacDonald*

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki**

System Collapse by Martha Wells***

The Brutish Museums by Dan Hicks

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine*

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

A Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers*

Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

The Lazarus Heist by Geoff White

The September House by Carissa Orlando*

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

Mistletoe and Mishigas by MA Wardell

A Restless Truth by Freya Marske

The Last Smile In Sunder City by Luke Arnold

The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes by Zoe Playden

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Manywhere by Morgan Thomas

Shit Cassandra Saw by Gwen E. Kirby

Loot by Tania James

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

Grave Expectations by Alice Bell

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

All Systems Read by Martha Wells

The Once and Future Sex by Eleanor Janega

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner*

The Door by Magda Szabo

Fluids by May Leitz

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Lieut. John Irving, R.N. of H.M.S. "Terror" in Sir John Franklin's last expedition to the Arctic regions a memorial sketch with letters

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Raven the Pirate Princess by Jeremy Whitley

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Slewfoot by Brom

The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr

500 Miles From You by Jenny Colgan

O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker

The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell

The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles

A Line In The World by Dorthe Nors

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

Glitter and Concrete by Elyssa Maxx Goodman

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

The Tragic Menagerie by Lydia Zinovieva-Annibal (translated by Jane Costlow)

The 100 Years Of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Precise Oaths by Paige E. Ewing

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots

A Dead Djinn In Cairo by P. Djeli Clark

#favorite books #favorite books of 2023 #books #books and reading #what we read this year other than fanfic

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alwayschasingrainbows · 5 months

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A Question for Everyone Who Have Read and Enjoyed "The Blue Castle" by Lucy Maud Montgomery:

Thank you for voting!

The book synopsis under the cut:

"Sometimes fairy tales can come true--even for plain, shy spinsters like Missy Wright. Neither as pretty as cousin Alicia nor as domineering as mother Drusilla, she seems doomed to a quiet life of near poverty at Missalonghi, her family's pitifully small homestead in Australia's Blue Mountains. But it's a brand new century--the twentieth--a time for new thoughts and bold new actions. And Missy Wright is about to set every self-righteous tongue in the town of Byron wagging. Because she has just set her sights on a mysterious, mistrusted, and unsuspecting stranger... who just might be Prince Charming in disguise."

From:(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/550343.The_Ladies_of_Missalonghi).

#lm montgomery #blue castle book club #the blue castle

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so-much-for-subtlety · 1 month

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gives me hope to see that news media seems to slowly becoming self-aware. really great piece from Alicia Montgomery with a diagnosis about what’s going on at NPR.

#I still listen regularly because what other options are there?#but I cringe and yell at some of the redic takes on their coverage #NPR

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mzannthropy · 5 months

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L.M. Montgomery - The Red Room

This story gets included with LMM's Christmas stories in collections, however it's not a Christmas story (this is not a 'is Die Hard a Christmas movie' type of discussion, The Red Room is just not a Christmas story; the only reason it gets lumped with those is that it partly takes place at Christmas). But bc I listed it in my initial Merry Maudmas post, I still want to recap it, and I think it's worth doing so. Just without the festive heading, lol. (But still under the tag.)

It's an early piece by LMM, dated 1898. It's very different from her usual works, and the prose is different too, more old fashioned. This actually makes sense within the story: it's a tale narrated by an elderly lady to her grandchild (it is not specified whether this is a granddaughter or a grandson). So if she's old in 1898, the events she narrates could have taken place mid-19th century.

It's also deliciously melodramatic.

You would have me tell you the story, Grandchild? 'Tis a sad one and best forgotten—few remember it now. There are always sad and dark stories in old families such as ours.

The narrator, Beatrice, is asked by her late father's stepmother, Mrs Montressor, to the Montressor Place for Christmas holidays. Beatrice is excited about this, her mother less so (as she has no one else, having lost her husband). The Montressors are, it seems, very a proud family, and Montressor Place is a big old mansion, and all of Beatrice's aunts love her and dote on her. Beatrice looks forward the most to the Christmas Eve ball, bc she'll get to meet Uncle Hugh's new wife, of whom she heard many tales about.

The family are not thrilled about Uncle Hugh's marriage. For years he was a bachelor. And when he finally got married, instead of choosing his stepmother-approved bride, he brought home, from his voyage to the Indies, a foreign wife, of whom nobody knew anything about, aside from being dazzlingly beautiful. Her name is Alicia, and Beatrice's aunts speak of her being a 'light woman' and that no good will come from Hugh marrying her.

Beatrice has no one to play with at the Montressor Place, but she doesn't mind (she is one of those children who are older than their years), she has her books, she helps out in the kitchen--and she likes spending time in the Red Room. It is Mrs Montressor's (the step grandmother) sitting room, where she writes letters and does accounts.

The room was low-ceilinged and dim, hung with red damask, and with odd, square windows high up under the eaves and a dark wainscoting all around it. And there I loved to sit quietly on the red sofa and read my fairy tales, or talk dreamily to the swallows fluttering crazily against the tiny panes.

This year, however, Beatrice is not allowed to the Red Room, for it belongs to Alicia now. (So I guess Uncle Hugh is the patriarch of the family, which would make his wife the lady of the Montressor Place, while his stepmother is a dowager. Of sorts.)

At last, Alicia arrives to the Place. Beatrice is stunned by her beauty. She's described very poetically (which fits the story's overall tone). She is tall, royally graceful, with red-gold hair, skin like a delicate white rose leaf and eyes 'that might have been dark or light for aught that I could ever tell, but which seemed always like pools of warm flame, now tender, now fierce'.

Alicia takes an instant liking to little Beatrice. Beatrice, being a a sensitive child, notices that while Uncle Hugh looked proud of his beautiful wife, there was a lurking mistrust in his face.

Alicia allows Beatrice to spend time with her in the Red Room (she prefers company of the little girl over the Montressors, whom she calls 'cold'). Perceptive Beatrice notices that Alicia seems to endure her husband's affection, instead of welcoming it.

Christmas Eve comes. Beatrice wakes up with an unfortunate cold; she won't be able to attend the ball. But Alicia, not wanting her new little friend to miss out, comes to Beatrice's room, dressed up for the occasion, to show off, bc she knows Beatrice wants to see her.

Her gown was of white, and there was nothing I could liken the stuff to save moonshine falling athwart a frosted pane, and out from it swelled her gleaming breast and arms, so bare that it seemed to me a shame to look upon them. Yet it could not be denied they were of wondrous beauty, white as polished marble. And all about her snowy throat and rounded arms, and in the masses of her splendid hair, were sparkling, gleaming stones, with hearts of pure light, which I know now to have been diamonds, but knew not then, for never had I seen aught of their like.

Uncle Hugh enters the room. He tells his wife not to dance with 'that man' bc he mistrusts him. Alicia whispers something in his ear, to which he replies: "Do not try me too far, Alicia."

Beatrice is ordered to stay in bed, but every once in a while, even a good kid disobeys. She slips out of her room, but before she can reach the hall, she hears footsteps and hides in the nearest room, behind the curtains. Then, Alicia comes to the same room, accompanied by a strange man. Beatrice dislikes the man on first sight, he reminds her of a snake she once encountered in the garden. Alicia and the man start kissing passionately.

Uncle Hugh enters the room and they stop. He strikes the man, who, as Beatrice narrates it 'being a coward at heart, as are all villains, turned white and slunk from the room with a muttered oath, nor was he stayed'. Uncle Hugh tells Alicia that from this moment, she is no longer a wife of his.

He keeps his word. Everyone is aware something must have happened, but nobody knows what and Beatrice keeps quiet about the scene she witnessed. She goes home after New Year, but Mrs Montressor soon invites her again bc she misses her (no word about the kid going to school). Beatrice spends time in the Red Room with Alicia, who seldom leaves it. Uncle Hugh is away a lot on business.

One day, Alicia calls Beatrice to the Red Room again. She asks the girl to tell her the story behind the room, suspecting there must be one. So little Beatrice tells her. Generations before, a Montressor, disgraced himself. When he came home to his mother, she started shouting insults and reproaches at him and he, in despair, turned his swords against him and killed himself. His mother went mad from this and was kept in the Red Room for the rest of her life.

Alicia asks Beatrice what she'd think if those cold proud aunts of hers told her she was unworthy of love. Beatrice, remembering what she witnessed, says nothing. Alicia then picks up a small dagger with a jewelled handle that was on a side table. She also gives Beatrice a gold chain and sends her out of the room.

Alicia sits by the hall window. It's a stormy night. Uncle Hugh is away and not expected back in this weather. Yet, he does return; he is all wet and carries a whip in one hand and a crumpled letter in the other. Beatrice follows him to the Red Room, thinking of the confectionery he brought her. Thus, she witnesses another dramatic scene.

Alicia is dressed for travel. Uncle Hugh is not having her run away with her lover. They argue, throw insults at each other, Alicia attempts to leave the room, but he stops her. He won't let her go. So, she takes the dagger out and stabs him. He falls dead and she runs.

Poor Beatrice gets ill form this experience and lays in bed with fever for weeks. By the time she recovers, Uncle Hugh has been buried and as for Alicia, nothing has been heard of her since she fled the country with her lover.

Beatrice's mother, thankfully, takes her daughter home and gets rid of the gold chain. Mrs Montressor has the wing that Red Room is part of torn down.

So, Grandchild, the sad tale is ended, and you will not see the Red Room when you go next month to Montressor Place. The swallows still build under the eaves, though—I know not if you will understand their speech as I did.

Holy gothic melodramatic in the attic, what a story! Look me in the eye and tell me you don't love it!

This is probably the type of story Anne and her friends would write in their Story Club. I think it's actually good that LMM experimented, before she landed on her signature style that we now know and love. How do you know what works for you if you don't try?

Also I think this is what could have gone down in the Tomgallon house. You know their family is cursed.

If I can add my commentary--and I can, bc this is my blog, dammit--Team Alicia all the way! Coming from me it's not surprising, also I'm an unapologetic mad wife supporter (I have a whole ass heretical Jane Eyre sideblog). But think about it. The Montressors are so up themselves, it's a rare one that is good enough for them. Our narrator is biased in this matter herself (she straight up admits to being a proud Montressor). I mean, her mother didn't want to be separated from her at Christmas, yet she had no choice over sending her child to the Place. I wonder how many unhappy wives this family had? The aunts mentioned in the story are all Montressors by birth. And they were all prejudiced against Alicia from the start. Sure, their mistrust towards her was justified--but how much of this is just a part of the destructive cycle?

Uncle Hugh declared Alicia was his wife no more, yet he didn't want her to leave. He was terrified of being 'dishonoured'.

It would be interesting to play with different scenarios about how those two met and married each other, who was the snake-like lover--and what happened to Alicia afterwards? If anyone fancies writing it, here's your prompt!

#l.m. montgomery #lmmblogging #merry maudmas #the red room #mypost

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