#al devlin | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

anto-pops · 3 months

Text

The Serpent's Paramour CH 4 - Sebastian Sallow x Female!Reader

Summary: With Sebastian off in London doing Merlin knows what, you find yourself having to deal with more of his cronies and your pent up abilities. It isn't long before you come to realize that not even the wards on the house can stop the inevitable.

Word Count: 4.4k

Warnings: 18+, aged up characters, explicit language, nightmares, graphic descriptions of pain

Chapter 4 can also be read here on Ao3

Not long after Sebastian and Devlin left for London, you’d shuffled back up to your room to dwell on everything you and your former friend had discussed. It didn’t take a Leglimen to figure out that despite Sebastian’s claims that he was only being nice because he needed you alive, his actions were speaking far louder than his words. There were a plethora of ways he could go about getting you to do his bidding; he could bribe you with your wand, for starters. Or he could use the Imperius curse and simply make you a mindless puppet, content to obey his commands without any of the push-back or hurled insults.

But he wasn’t doing any of those things. Even though he claimed that he had hated you for a time, he obviously didn’t now, and he seemed to be trying to win your trust in a way that went completely against what you’d expected of him. Moreover there was something in his eyes that made you draw pause– something eerily similar to affection.

Part of you– wistful and naive as ever– was giddy at the idea of him feeling any semblance of care for you after all this time. The past five years hadn’t afforded you many opportunities to be taken care of, and though there had been a few random flings with strangers throughout your travels, they had always been fleeting and loveless. Quick bouts of physical yearning brought on by too much firewhiskey and ale. Nothing of substance. Your old feelings for Sebastian were as close as you’d ever gotten to the kind of love written about in fairytales.

That line of thinking got instantly crushed under the overwhelmingly rational part of your brain. You were currently his captive, being forced to aid him in the retrieval of yet another dark relic, all for his sister’s sake. He had taken your magic, insisted that you blindly trust him and his obscure plan, and in doing so he had unknowingly put you in a dangerous position. Without an outlet to use your magic, you were bound to be consumed by the dark power that coursed through your veins. Everyday you spent here would only bring you closer to an inevitable catastrophe.

You didn’t even want to consider who else would be affected if the repository magic set itself off here, surrounded by other people.

Not that you would care all that much if you took out a bunch of dark wizards with you. The fact that Sebastian was actively working with the very people that had hunted you all over the Hogwarts region your fifth-year was disconcerting enough. The stench of dark magic on him might have been absent today, but you would never forget how potent it had been when you’d first set eyes on him. He was still using unforgivable curses even now– hell, he had probably been using them the day you arrived for the smell to be so strong. Just because he was being kind to you didn’t change the fact that these people were your enemies, and by extension, so was Sebastian.

You couldn’t allow yourself to be distracted by his suave one-liners or the playful glimmer in his eyes any longer.

You spent the next hour restlessly tossing and turning in your bed, toeing the curtains of the canopy with your foot as you thought about where your wand might be stashed away. Knowing Sebastian, it was more than likely on his person, seeing as that was the only surefire way to prevent you from getting your hands on it. He knew from firsthand experience just how nosey you could be, so you sorely doubted you’d get lucky enough to find it hidden in a drawer in his own room– wherever that may be. Where did he hole up at night? He had to sleep somewhere, though seeing as you’d only ever interacted with him during the day, it wouldn’t surprise you to discover that he had become a nocturnal creature in the past five years.

It wouldn’t be the strangest thing about him.

Your silent contemplation was cut short by the unmistakable sound of the bedroom door smacking against the wall as it was aggressively thrown open, and you shot upright with your heart thrumming wildly against your sternum. There had been so many thoughts racing through your brain when you’d returned upstairs earlier that you’d completely forgotten to barricade the door. It did little to deter anyone from entering, as you’d already discovered, but at the very least it helped prevent you from being scared shitless like you were right now. The door creaked on its hinges as its momentum caused it to drift back into place, but a high heeled foot then knocked it aside once again, leaving you face to face with an unfamiliar woman.

You could tell that she was tall even without her boots on, the top of her ashy blonde head just a few inches short of reaching the top of the doorframe. Clad in black from head to toe, the form fitting clothing she wore accentuated all of her assets in a flattering way, leaving you feeling rather mousy in comparison. Her icy blue eyes narrowed once she zeroed in on you rigid atop the mattress, and her ruby red lips pulled back from her teeth in a fierce sneer. Her fair, unmarred skin looked like pure porcelain against the light that streamed through the windows, and you nervously scooted to the side of the bed in case the murderous glint in her eyes was genuine.

She took a purposeful step into the room, your attention shifting to the small box full of clothing wedged under her arm and balanced against the curve of her hip. As striking as the woman was, the malice that emanated from her was enough to make you want to avert your eyes– but this strange female wasn’t Sebastian, and something told you that letting your guard down around her was the furthest thing from a good idea. Her cold gaze raked down your half-dressed body, rouge lips curling even more when she seemed to take note of the coat Sebastian had given you still draped over your shoulders.

“So you’re what all the fuss is about,” she said, turning her nose up at you as she stalked closer to where you sat. “Don’t know why I have to hand over my clothes when your bag of rags would have more than sufficed, but whatever.”

You weren’t sure what to say to that, so you kept your mouth shut. Sebastian’s earlier comment about having someone named Nora bring you clothing came back to you then, and you realized he must have somehow given her the order all the way from London. He hadn’t seen anyone other than Devlin in the minutes leading up to his departure.

Nora’s animosity was as obvious as it was perplexing, and you slid off the mattress and backed up a step when she reached the bed before unceremoniously dumping the box of attire on top of the sheets. Immediately you noticed that the majority of the material was varying shades of black and gray. Then rather scornfully, Nora began sorting through the pile, tossing shirts to one side of the bed and pants to the other. Mercifully, there were no undergarments to be found. You couldn’t fathom being made to wear someone else's unmentionables.

When the blonde finally deigned to look at you, she was focused wholly on the woolen coat you gripped tightly around yourself. “He may as well burn that now. I doubt the stench will come out after washing it at this point.”

Her comment gave you whiplash, and your voice returned to you as you indignantly asked, “What’s your problem?”

“You are,” she practically spat.

“You don’t even know me,” you helpfully supplied, and Nora scoffed, the sound ripe with contempt.

“And thank Merlin for that. I have no desire to get to know the woman responsible for sending Sebastian to prison. Regardless of what he might think, you are without a shadow of a doubt the worst thing that’s ever happened to him.”

What in the sweet hells had Sebastian told this woman? Her negative feelings towards you seemed to be rooted in something a lot more personal than anything having to do with her boss. “I don’t see how my history with him has anything to do with you.”

Nora snatched up the now empty box at the foot of the bed, her grip on the handle white knuckled as she turned to face you fully. “It has everything to do with me. It was us that gave him purpose again– my people who pulled him from that cesspool of a cell you put him in and gave him his life back. But then after everything we went and accomplished together, he suddenly spends five months diverting resources to track you down, even though you want nothing to do with him. You’re not even interested in helping him and yet he bends over backwards to make sure you’re comfortable. If you ask me, he should have locked your ass in the basement and thrown away the key.”

Your magic flickered to life beneath your skin, thrumming in your blood almost painfully as the wards of the house suppressed your abilities with the strength of a damn Graphorn. The anger you felt wasn’t just that; it was a unique blend of guilt and self-doubt. Everything she was saying to you were things you had already thought a hundred times over, but something about hearing it from someone else’s mouth caused your composure to slip. How much of your shared past with Sebastian did she know of? Who was she to him?

The hands that had been holding onto the lapels of your loaned coat fell to your sides, curling into trembling fists. “I couldn’t care less what you think of me. It sounds like Sebastian doesn’t either, seeing as he hasn’t taken your opinion into consideration. Deal with it.”

Suddenly Nora crossed the space between the two of you to glower mere inches from your face, but you thankfully held your ground. She was nearly a whole head taller than you. “Mark my words; as soon as he gets what he wants from you, he will toss you aside like you’re nothing. He’s worked too hard and sacrificed too much to forget why we’re here.”

The relic immediately came into your mind, but you knew it was truly just a means to an end. “To cure Anne?”

“Among other things,” Nora grinned wickedly, all teeth on display as her sharp eyes bored into yours. “I don’t care about our stupid deal– should he grow complacent in his role, I’ll end your miserable existence myself. You’ll get what’s coming to you, just you wait.”

Maybe it was because you were actively being threatened by someone you didn’t know, or maybe the three days of being unable to use your magic had finally taken a toll that even the wards couldn’t stop well enough. Whatever the reason, Isidora’s dark magic from the repository flooded your system, roaring through your veins like a screeching tempest, so violent that your limbs shook from the ferocity of it. The almost sentient power whirled through your chest, your arms, your fingertips, bludgeoning back the invisible restraints that had worked to keep you meek and non-threatening for the past seventy-two hours. It slithered throughout your body– pushing and pressing in its insistence to break free– until finally a small piece of it slipped out and struck like a snake poised to bite.

The barely there sliver of power was tiny, but it was also more than enough.

As you stood your ground and glared daggers at Nora, her fair skin paled impossibly further when she felt the dark magic seeping from you. The pathetic wards were momentarily forgotten as your magic reared its ugly, corrupted head, conveying to the witch that under no uncertain circumstances would you be an easy target. She could try to kill you, but you wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Nora yelped, jumping away from you as a deafening boom sounded from beneath your feet. The floorboards groaned and strained before a large crack appeared underfoot and spiderwebbed across the room, stopping just short of where the woman now stood a handful of feet away. You enjoyed the moment while it lasted, relishing in the strain that lifted from your shoulders as you expelled the tiny bit of the pent up magic. Then as quickly as the power had appeared, it vanished, receding back beneath your skin and falling dormant under the renewed intensity of the wards.

Nora’s eyes were wider than saucers as she stared unblinkingly at you, fear and apprehension alike overshadowing her pretty features. Your resolve hardened as you stood up straighter, a silent challenge reflected in your eyes. The look said everything words couldn’t, but you still opted to say, “Thanks for the clothes.”

The threat in your gaze registered fully, and without another word to you, Nora dropped the box she’d been holding and sped out of the room, not once looking back.

***

Everything was shaking. The ground, the columns that stretched high within the cavernous room, and even the air seemed to quake with the power Ranrok had unleashed. You threw your hands out to steady yourself, watching on in horror as an unnatural creature crafted from pure pain erupted from the repository. It looked like a dragon– moved like a dragon– but the thing barreling towards you was in fact nothing of the sort. The transformed version of Ranrok flapped its gargantuan wings before banking left and dipping down out of sight, and your gaze fell on Professor Fig, already staring at you.

He had never looked at you like that before. Saddened. Confused. Disappointed.

He’d never once believed that you would claim the repository’s power for yourself– had always trusted you to make the right decisions time and time again. Even after reminding you of Isidora’s folly and the consequences that had followed her into death, you hadn’t yielded to him.

“Isidora wasted her ability trying to save people from themselves. I will not let others dictate what I do with this– my– power,” you had said.

The crestfallen expression on Professor Fig’s face had remained up until now. Your chest hurt at the sight, but before you could apologize to him or justify your reasoning, the beast that was now Ranrok soared overhead, knocking thick slabs of rock free from the ceiling of the cavern. There was no time to react as a massive boulder whistled through the air, heading straight for the Professor.

He broke eye contact in the seconds before his demise, raising his arm above his head as though to protect himself from the inevitable. The chunk of rock landed with a booming crunch, and your stomach lurched vehemently.

No…

No, he couldn’t be–

It wasn’t right– there was no way–

You reached out, your foot lifting to move towards the place Professor Fig had just been standing, but that first step was ultimately your last. The second your boot touched down against the rocky overhang, you were weightless– falling backwards as the earth crumbled beneath you and sent you plunging down into the darkness.

Into the belly of the beast.

***

Your eyes snapped open abruptly, the darkness of the night leaching into your room and imbuing you with panic. For those first ten seconds of consciousness, you thought you were still beneath Hogwarts. That is, until the sight of the canopy overhead settled your nerves.

Not for long, however.

A vicious, skull splitting headache assaulted you the moment you tried rolling over in bed, stilling your movements and pulling a pained groan from your chapped lips. Your ears were ringing, and though it was dark, your vision was blurry. Beyond the banisters of the four-poster bed, everything was hazy and out of focus. You couldn’t even read the clock on the mantle, and you gave up trying after a sharp, concentrated bolt of pain shot through your head in protest of your efforts.

Pushing yourself up slowly on shaking limbs, you became acutely aware of your own sweat-slick skin. The shirt you wore was one of the ones Nora had given you, and the soft cotton stuck to your clammy skin, chilling you to the bone and causing you to shiver uncontrollably. Moving imbued you with the overwhelming urge to vomit, bile rising up in your throat as you tried to swing your legs over the edge of the bed to make for the bathroom.

Uncoordinated as the day you were born, your legs gave out the second you tried standing, and you collapsed to the floor in a trembling, sweaty heap as your bed-mussed hair fell into your face. Despite the struggle that came with trying to see further than two feet in front of you, when you turned your head to the side to glance out the windows, you could make out the distinct sight of your reflection in the glass, the red sparks that crackled across your skin telling you everything you needed to know.

The repository magic was begging– no, demanding to be let loose.

It had been too long since you’d used it fully, the power taking on something of a snowball effect as it accumulated more and more until it was straining painfully from within. You had to get out– as far from the wards as physically possible. You didn’t have your wand, so there would be no way to channel your abilities precisely, but at the very least you could let the overload of dark magic expel itself however it saw fit. The alternative was a very painful death that you weren’t too keen on experiencing.

Forcing yourself up onto your unsteady legs, you stumbled to the bedroom door and shouldered it open, dragging your feet to the staircase before practically sliding down the steps on your bottom. The dull throb in your tailbone was nothing compared to the intense pain that wracked the rest of your body. Using the wall for support, you shuffled into the dining room, noting through your crippling headache that none of the doors were being guarded this late at night. Either Sebastian had taken more people with him to London or the Ashwinders in the house had grown complacent after three days of hardly seeing you. Regardless, you weren’t complaining in the slightest as you dragged yourself to one of the sets of doors you had yet to go through.

Locked.

Dammit.

With effort, you turned and made your way to the other side of the dining room, virtually falling against the handle before you tried twisting the knob. That one was locked too, and a half-sob slipped from your lips as panic started to sink in. The jagged, red bolts that pulsated against your skin were coming in faster waves now, silently urging you to move quicker before it was too late. Your only other option in the room was the door to the garden, but you already knew there was no way out that way. Still, it was your best bet.

You didn’t know if the gods were being merciful or cruel when the garden door opened. It was just your luck to find an unlocked exit that offered no clear cut way off of the property.

Pointlessly, your hands shoved against the cobblestone wall closest to you, as if that would get you anywhere. Dizziness met you when you craned your neck back to stare up at the top of the stone barrier before you, the wards seemingly sensing the growing magic within you and working even harder to stifle it. You felt like you were suffocating. With as much effort as you could muster, you dug your fingers into the divots of the wall and hoisted yourself up a few inches, then jammed your foot into whatever space you could find below to push yourself up higher.

Another wave of pain rippled through you and caused you to cry out as your limbs spasmed, and you fell pathetically back against the grass with your knees folded under you as your fingers twitched uselessly. Your palms stung where they had scraped against the rough stone of the wall, but it was a far cry from the torment Isidora’s magic inflicted upon you.

“I knew it was only a matter of time before you would try clawing your way out of here,” came a vaguely familiar voice, but you didn’t have the strength to turn around and face whoever it was. With a heavy thud, your head tipped forward to rest against the cool cobblestone, and through the insistent waves of agony that gripped you, you heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Your head lolled weakly to the side, allowing you to catch a glimpse of the red headed Ashwinder you hadn’t set eyes on since your first day in the house.

What was his name again? Sebastian had said it to you once. James? John? Something with a ‘J’. His gray eyes were narrowed, his maskless face donning an expression of obvious suspicion as he gauged your pitiful state against the ground, and you dimly noted the fading bruise from the candelabra you’d thrown at him still decorated his forehead. Another surge of the repository’s power rolled through you suddenly, and you clenched your molars together hard in a bid to fend off the piteous moan that threatened to spill from your scratchy throat.

The Ashwinder couldn’t conceal the blatant horror that spread across his face as he watched the dark magic crackle over your skin, and he drew in a sharp breath before taking a tentative step back. “What the fuck is happening?”

It hurt to force the words out, but you beat back the raw, irritating pain that came with speaking to convey the direness of the situation. “Out. I have to get out.”

“Out where!? You’re fucking glowing– what– shit, what’s going on?”

Great, he was panicking. This was exactly what you didn’t need. “Take me outside,” you growled, the words almost breathless as they left you. “No wards– or else I’m pretty sure I’ll level the house to the ground and you with it.”

“I– what? If this is your idea of threatening me, you’re–”

“It’s not a threat!” you barked, your fear clearer than glass in that moment. “It’s a promise, I can’t–” another wave coursed through you, and you whimpered before curling in on yourself even more. “I can’t control it,” you whispered.

To his credit, the man seemed to genuinely consider your request instead of outright refusing– though it probably had more to do with the unmistakable aura of dark magic that emanated from you.

“If you escape outside the wards, I’m done for. How do I know you won’t just apparate away the second you’re free?”

You wanted to tell him that he didn’t know– that he would just have to trust you. But the power pushing against your skin intensified in that instant, and you doubled over against the grass as a loud, grating cry tore from your lips. It wouldn’t be long now.

“Fuck– fuck!” he yelled, raking his hands through his already messy hair as he stared down at you incredulously. “You better not make me regret this.”

The Ashwinder closed the distance between you both and grabbed you by the arm, hoisting you upright despite your mewls of pain before looping your arm around his neck. He supported the majority of your weight as he half-dragged you through the dining room towards one of the previously locked doors before charming it open. As the two of you made your way down the hallway, he shuddered against you from the palpable force of the dark magic that radiated from your near-boneless body, and the next thing you knew, you were outside again– only this time in the front of the house.

As he stumbled towards the end of the gravel path that led towards a set of iron gates, the wards grew fainter, and more of the repository’s power started to slip free from its shackles. The red head glanced sideways at you, picking up his pace the best he could before muttering under his breath, “Sebastian is going to kill me.”

Sebastian would be the least of his concerns if he didn’t speed things along.

Finally, the two of you crossed the threshold of the gates, and the telltale weight of the wards lifted completely from your shoulders. With your last remaining bit of strength, you wrenched your arm free from the Ashwinder and collapsed to the ground, crawling an additional few feet away from him as the magic erupted from you with the force of a steam train.

You were certain your screams could be heard from miles away as all of the pain held within Isidora’s stored magic ripped from you. It was unlike anything you had ever experienced before; it felt like your skin was being peeled away, and like your nails were being pried off. Like your bones were being broken, mended, then broken all over again. The emotional pain that came with all of it was just as bad. The kind of hurt that went hand in hand with mourning, fear, anger, and countless other emotions overwhelmed your fried brain and left you crying in earnest. The Cruciatus curse Sebastian had cast on you all those years ago couldn’t amount to a fraction of what a repository full of hoarded pain was doing to you.

It felt like an eternity had passed by the time your screams dwindled into muffled sobs and you were left twitching against the dirt. Despite your silent pleading to the gods to let you pass out in the throes of agony, you’d remained awake for every torturous second, and by now you desperately wanted to lose consciousness. The dark nothingness that sleep offered looked like a blessing next to the lingering feeling of the dark magic pulsating through you.

You heard the Ashwinder say something from somewhere near the gate, then another voice responded in turn– rough, stern, and familiar– before a pair of solid arms were scooping you off of the ground. The weight of your eyelids was too much to fight, and your head lolled listlessly against a firm chest as you lay in a boneless heap against the warm body that carried you. It was all too easy for your mind to finally slip away as the sound of a door closing reached your ears, and then that blissful nothingness you had craved an eternity ago was there to greet you.

#sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow x you #sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian sallow x female!reader #hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy fanfiction #hogwarts legacy fanfic #I won't make a habit of having Sebastian be MIA from chapters I just had to do it for the sake of progress here #WIP TSP #my writing

38 notes · View notes

rosalind-hawkins · 2 months

Note

Yay, my first ever ask to someone!

Because I know you love him as much as I do, I'm sure you'll probably won't even have to think very long about the answers: Of course, I'm choosing Duke for the character ask game :D I'd be very much interested in 4, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22, 24 – but of course, choose wichever ones you like or make it everything <3 And for the freebie question a little headcanon: What would be a typical phrase you imagine him saying all the time?

OMG Honored to be your first! <3 <3 <3 And you're right, I always love talking about Duke. Sincerely shocked how little attention he gets overall. And as predicted, I answered way more questions than you asked lol. Enjoy!

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

The cheerleaders. I just, oh boy, wow. Please tell me those girls put those uniforms on themselves and he didn't ask them to. That would be so cringe. >.<

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

So, his English VA, Marc Thompson, does the audiobooks for the Star Wars "Fate of the Jedi" book series that my husband and I are listening to, so I find myself frequently picturing Duke in Star Wars outfits during my Duke Devlin Star Wars Storytime. XD

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

Cherry Pie by Warrant, cause I imagine him jamming out to it in his classic car. See also Question 12.

7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

Fandom doesn't do enough with him for me to have an answer to this question, but I have seen people giving him new outfits, which I adore. Yes, dress this boy up, he loves it!

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

Yes, I appreciate the YGOTAS theme song jokes as much as the next dude, but if you try to find Duke scenes on Youtube, that's all you can find. :(

9. Could you be roommates with this character?

Absolutely. I headcanon that he's really tidy with his personal space, and we could take turns making dinner (thank you Season Four for telling us that he's a good cook).

10. Could you be best friends with this character?

Quite possibly, yeah. I have some creative indie side projects of my own, and I feel like he'd have good feedback if I needed another set of eyes on some new character designs or plot-points. I will also be hitting him up for haircare tips all the time lol.

11. Would you date this character?

If I weren't married and I had a chance, absolutely yes. Don't know if it would work out long-term, but it would be fun.

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

I headcanon that he's a big Adam Lambert fan and sings his music in the shower (and everywhere else he sings). Try listening to the Adam Lambert cover of Holding Out For A Hero and try telling me it doesn't have Duke-like levels of drama and flare, I dare you. Other AL songs I think he'd specifically jam to are Fever, Strut, The Light, and Pop That Lock. I don't always have headcanons for a character's taste in music, but I just get really strong vibes on what he's into. I also think he'd listen to a lot of classic rock.

Another few songs that will go on my Duke playlist when I get around to making it: You Put A Spell On Me and Dangerous Hands both by Austin Giorgio, Fangs by Neoni, 100 degrees by Kenzie, basically everything by Steven Rodriguez (there's not a lot, but it's all so sexy), and Play With Fire by Sam Tinnesz ft. Yacht Money.

Okay, I admit defeat, Duke Devlin Playlist Post coming soon. (Songs he listens to, not songs about him.)

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

I'm not going to pick just one, I can't, but I'll give you my top ships: Mastershipping (Kaiba), Minorshipping (Ryou), Snareshipping (Joey). Poly ships: Mumbleshipping (Kaiba + Ryou), Rollshipping (Joey + Ryou), and Petshipping (Kaiba + Joey). Okay, that's just... all my Duke ships. XD But they're all so good!

I'm intrigued by the idea of Ishizu x Duke, which doesn't have a name. I'm not sure they really know what to make of each other, but I think that keeps them intrigued with each other. I think a first date with them, or even just a flirting scene, could be real fun. She's serious and scholarly, he's fun and free-spirited. They could balance each other.

16. What's your least favorite ship for this character?

Him and Tristan, Chaseshipping I think. I think they could be friends just fine, I just don't see the chemistry there.

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

I'm leaving out ship characters for the sake of this question.

I actually think he and Mai could be really good pals, they'd go shopping and talk about bfs/gfs and have a good time. They also both own convertibles, so you know they have some of the same tastes.

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when you're writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

One thing that's always fun for me is Duke's flirting. Can't say I'm a master of writing flirtation, but I do my best to make Duke look like a master of it, because he is. I do generally just love writing him so much, though. He's one of the least angsty characters that I write, so he always puts me in a happier headspace.

In my fic Rock Bottom, he's a solid friend to Seto without being too nosy, which Seto appreciates so much. They understand each other on an intellectual level, but even after Seto's like "no thanks" to a relationship, Duke makes it clear that he's always free to change his mind in a no-pressure way. He's supportive but not nosy. I've got a chapter coming up (spoilers) in RB Season Three where Seto just needs somewhere to chill and lay low, hide from reality, and Duke's like, "I won't say a word to anyone that you're here, it's fine, no explanation needed, just take a deep breath pal." Doesn't ask what's going on, just takes him in for the night. (Also negotiates him into cuddles, but that's separate lol.)

He's just there for people, doesn't need answers (unless things are bad enough that some kind of involvement is just necessary).

22. If you're a fic reader, what's something you like in fics when it comes to this character? Something you don't like?

I like when people fill out the details of him balancing his responsibilities between his game shop and managing DDM, or flesh out his relationship with Pegasus even if it's not central to the story. There's just so much more to this boy that we don't get to see, and that stuff just feels like such a necessary backdrop to the rest of his life.

23. Favorite picture(s) of this character?

DSOD did this boy right. He's just so pretty. :')

But also, look at this boy pretending to read while he eavesdrops. And he set up that hammock so dang high off the ground? Looking down on everybody? No, boy has the high ground, tactical advantage. I love him.

And wait, what's that? The most Mastershipping moment in the entire anime, you say? Show me!

Oh. Oh dear. ;P But, for so many reasons, I'll genuinely never get over this scene.

24. What other character from another fandom of yours that reminds you of them?

I'm gonna try to stick to canon behaviors and traits for this and not let headcanons influence it too much.

ZEN/Hyun Ryu from Mystic Messenger has the same "I'm pretty and I know it" vibe as Duke and shares the casual-but-constant flirting behavior (also ponytail bros). This is a fun comparison for me because their hair and eye colors are also exact opposites.

From Nanbaka, I'd have to go with Uno, who can be abrasive at times with his enemies/rivals, doesn't let his friends fight alone, and shares the "ladies love me, I know I'm pretty, look at how well I take care of my luscious long hair" confident attitude. Also like Duke, there's a good few times where a friend is doing something/rash or unwise, and he tries to talk reason to them. Also obsessed with games, so they have that hobby in common. He also compulsively flirts with every woman in the vicinity (except the warden, because she's terrifying and he knows better). Real smooth operator, even with the dudes.

From UtaPri, I'd have to go with Ren Jinguji. Look, they're even hammock bros! Exceptionally confident, but also a bit mysterious. Flirty with the ladies, not that he even needs to try that hard. Actually pretty laid back and down to earth most of the time.

He also just moves the way I imagine Duke moving, with that fluid grace of a man's who's totally comfortable in his own skin. Just look at him!!!! LOOK AT THE HIP! *chefs kiss*

Another thing all these boys have in common is a strong fashion sense in addition to a strong sense of showmanship (ZEN as an actor and Ren as an idol, this is obvious, but Uno just can't help showing off lol), two great traits that Duke also has.

26. FREEBIE QUESTION!!

Honestly, I can imagine him using "yo" a lot, not exactly a phrase, but a slang term. If anyone tells him something like "that's not cool anymore" he just responds with "it is when I say it ;)"

If we're leaning into my headcanons of him as a good cook, maybe he sometimes uses "now we're cooking with gas!" He probably has to explain this to Tristan and/or Joey, which launches him into the discussion of gas vs electric stoves. He's a strong believer in gas stoves being superior. I wouldn't say he's a snob when it comes to cooking, but there's certain things in the kitchen that he has a strong opinion on.

Bonus Headcanon

Duke Devlin's top Halloween Costumes: some kind of imp/demon/devil (let your imagination run wild with this one, because he definitely did), one of his Monster World OCs, the Phantom of the Opera, vampire, ninja.

#ask #answered ask #headcanon #duke devlin #ryuji otogi #otogi ryuji #song recommendation #musings #long post #thank you again for letting me talk about him more #i love him so much #i do recommend the “Fate of the Jedi” series to any Star Wars fans #it's good old canon stuff #theduchessofboredom

7 notes · View notes

endlessly-cursed · 10 months

Text

fankids appreciation week 23: co-parent appreciation

ottilie enfield, daughter of odessa avery ( @cursed-herbalist ) & kit enfield ( @potionboy3 )

grace of alderly, daughter of cora hastings ( @camillejeaneshphm ) & henry of alderly ( @gaygryffindorgal )

cleo hexley, daughter of jacob hexley ( @the-al-chemist )

emmeline & lucy devlin, daughters of josie edwards ( @slytherindisaster ) & william devlin ( @unfortunate-arrow )

wilhemina stagg, daughter of siobhan llewellyn ( @kc-and-co ) & galen stagg ( @cursebreakerfarrier )

caitlin doherty, daughter of mathilde coventry & lachlann doherty ( @hphmmatthewluther )

reva amari, daughter of lizzie jameson ( @lifeofkaze ) & orion amari

Less: It seems like yesterday when we started talking and you posted Abe & Oscar's profiles and I remember being one of the first to interact with, and ever since you've been such a kind and patient friend and I see you now as some sort of big sister, deal with it 🫶🏻 thank you for deciding to join our little community, because your presence is just what we needed ❤

Annie: It's not a secret that I was at first intimidated when I started following you: you had such compelling characters and cool af videos and here I was, a little guy! But I am so thamkful of having talked to you through Sara and convinced Gryff for you to join our chat, even though you're not there anymore. I treasure our friendship and you and Gryff are now my oldest sisters 🫶🏻 Gryffie wedding when!!!

Gryff: I was intimidated by you too ajhsjssj. You had such cool gifs and content and interesting characters, and I had just started into the OC x OC world, but being your friend during these past years has been a true boon, and I hope to have gained an oldest sister who I can count on and have either a laugh or a very deep conversation. Te quiero, hermana 🫶🏻

Persie: Who would've thought I'd grow to love you so much and become such a close friend? To me, you're the little sister I've always dreamt of having. We can go from making fun of each other, to argue and then proceed to simp for our ocs and blorbos. Thank you for being an awesome friend and being there for me when I needed it ❤ J'et aime, cherie

Al: I've always looked up to you as a writer and a person, and despite being a bit intimidated by you as well, you have turned out to be a great advisor and inspiration for me! Also, you're officially the adventurous wine aunt 🫶🏻 I hope we can do something ourselves in the near future (i'm not exaggerating when I say it'd be a dream come true 🫶🏻)

Lily: Though, because of irl stuff, we haven't interacted much, you were always a great and supportive friend and I constantly feel inspired by you, not to mention that I found a fellow Choicenator here! (even tho chonces is now a dumpster fire but it's ours) and I always remember you fondly 🥺🫶🏻 love uuuu

Arrow: You gave me the impression of someone who was stoic, but once I got to know you through our two ships, getting to know your passionate side, your humour and your wicked wit has been a delight and I look forward to see what you're up to and start writing Aderva's story and get to share it with you 🤎

Kate: We have interacted little (I'm socially awkward and crap at managing friendships :c) I'm constantly in awe with your writing and creativity, and I always learn something new about you and from you, and it is such a privilege 🫶🏻

Sky: You were one of the first people to approach me, and getting to know you through our ships and the chat has been a privilege. You were responsible of me joining the fandom and I'm always in awe with your creativity and how passionate and intelligent you are, and I hope we can get up to more shenanigans together, even if lately we haven't been good at catching up 🫶🏻 you will always have a special place in my heart for showing me the best community ever 🥰

Guzma: You have been the surprise of the year! Getting to know you, talk to you through vc and creating our own verse in the founders era and our 2 am chats have been the highlight of my 2022-2023 and I look forward to getting up to more mischief with you 🫶🏻

Kaze: I think you're the one user I was most intimidated by 😅 you are such a big and respected blog, for a while I didn't have the courage to talk to you, but finding out how sweet, friendly and fun you are has been such a privilege! Like with many others, I'm always learning from you, as well as giving me inspo and motivation to better my writing and as a person 🥰 I look forward sharing something with you! I know I'll have a blast 🥳

Honourable mentions:

@cursedvaultss Alys: You're still new here, but show much promise to our little family! You're so sweet and creative, and I know that soon you'll get far here 🫶🏻 looking forward seeing what you'll do!

@nicos-oc-hell Nico: At first I was unsure of how to proceed with you, but finding out how many things in common we have and your killer sense of humour have been a great surprise! I am always laughing or smiling when I talk to you, and I feel very safe with you 🫶🏻

@mjs-oc-corner Mo: At first I was a bit afraid of talking to you, but you've proven to be funny, badass, super sweet and one of the greatest friends I've got here and, despite having little interactions, I treasure them all just like I treasure you ❤ love uuu hermanita 🥰

@that-scouse-wizard JD: Tbh, I was even more scared of talking to you (I struggle to talk to men in general ksjdjsmaks) but these past months you've been the funniest, sweetest and one of my best surprises this year, and Flossie and Frediette have my entire heart 🫶🏻

@kathrynalicemc Lari: Last but not least, you're probably one of the closest friend here, and talking to you makes my day. You've become very special to me and getting to share stories and shenanigans with you is always a boon to me ❤ thank you for being the absolute best and so you know, te quiero muchisisisisímo, mi mas querida hermana 😘

#ottilie enfield #grace of alderly #cleo hexley #emmeline devlin #lucretia devlin #wilhemina stagg #caitlin doherty #reva amari #founders era #hphl #fbawtft #ww1 era #magic awakened #fankidsaw23 #mine*

30 notes · View notes

sapphiccharacterstournament · 10 months

Text

Sapphic Characters Tournament Bracket 4 Round 1 Masterpost

Clare Devlin vs Ola Nyman

Elida Al-Feyr vs Two

Bea Smith vs Alex Vause

Kelly Olsen vs Grace Choi

Anne Lister vs Yara Greyjoy

Karen Walker vs Ellen Morgan

Lena Burnham vs Shane McCutcheon

Betty McRae vs Ellen Waverly

Toni Shalifoe vs Van Palmer

Callie Torres vs Thirteen

Lagertha vs Lucretia

Bess Till vs Martha Walker

Lyria vs Jade Claymore

Veronica Fisher vs Nancy Botwin

Valencia Perez vs Petra Solano

River Song vs Denise Christopher

27 notes · View notes

heartfullofleeches · 1 year

Note

Does any of ur ocs plays instruments? Tbh V, Callie and Sam look like they would play bass because they kinda musty (jk i love bassists)

Vendetta has a guitar collecting dust in his room. It was the last gift from his mom and he does want to play it for you someday.

I project a lot on Liu so they play the ocarina because I have one too

Devlin knows how to play the violin but has played in literal decades

I can see Al playing the piano and Amyas having a flute. Maddox enjoys the sounds xylophones make

V wanted a drum set once upon a time but his parents told him to pick something more "formal". They bought K the exact same set he wanted for her birthday that same year

There's probably more I can think of but I really don't know alot of instruments

45 notes · View notes

anythingtowin · 1 year

Text

9 notes · View notes

nitannichionne · 1 year

Text

If He Was Your Fan (A Henry Cavill Fanfic), Chapter 75: American Lady

The minute you rise you feel like you are going to faint.

Weeks ago you were worth maybe a hundred thousand. Now you are worth closer to a hundred million. You look to your right and left at Graham and Wilson who are standing by the doors but on opposite sides of the room. They humor you and wear Christmas tree pins with their Men In Black wear.

You look down at Henry. How is he taking this? You look down at your hand and get a lump in your throat as you see he still has it, warm and strong as it envelopes yours. You sit and your eyes go straight to his.

“I have a lot of questions,” He smiles, shaking his head in disbelief as he takes both of your hands into his.

“It’s been an interesting few weeks,” you admit softly.

“I think it’s time we catch up,” he rises from his seat. He offers you your cape.

He escorts you out on deck in the moonlight. “So, how did this start?”

“They found Al, my great great grandfather, buried at Edenvale.”

“What?”

“He was buried not far from the house he was supposed to inherit,” You tell him. “He must have come to claim his birthright, and was murdered. The SIS found out before it could be taken or destroyed. Remember the Eden family was of some rank, so finding a missing heir was a bit of a cold case.”

“But how did you—” he pauses. “The DNA test.”

“Yes, London Grand Dame always wants to know if they have nobility or notoriety in their midst,” you exhale. “so…this year, the search proved successful?”

“So what’s been going on the past few weeks I’ve been gone?”

“A lot,” you confess. “First there was the matter of releasing funds. I was given the house and grounds right away. Landcaster and Devlin was about to put up a fight, but the DNA tests were so conclusive, especially when they compared Alden to Al then to me. They moved quickly on it, but I am not sure why. Then, I was introduced to the people of Edenvale-about eight hundred or so, at a village meeting.”

His look turned to one of concern. “Oh, how did that go?”

Your mind’s eye reflects on the meeting. “Some are curious, some are threatened. They asked if I wanted anything or planned to make changes. I have been.”

He went still. “You have?”

“Well, yes, I’m updating and expanding the library at our elementary school, and I’m reopening a business and turning it into a hostel with a library and all day café-nothing like the Red Lion. Just bunkbeds, tea sandwiches, soups and pastries all day, a collegiate feel. And I’m looking to open a clinic.”

“That’s a lot!”

“It’s what is needed,” you say. “The Red Lion is really nice, but if we want to catch the college students or their visitors this may work. Oxford isn’t far, you know, so I am in talks with Plantlet, our closest secondary school in the next town for some funding...I’m excited.”

He raises an eyebrow. “They want this—”

“They’ve been wanting to develop, and I can help.”

“So how are you paying for this?”

“Out of the money.”

His concern returns. “You really should try to—”

“The projections for all projects is less than five million, though I’m not planning on more than seven,” you shrug. “that’s more than the cost of your house in California, and about a tenth of my fortune.”

“You are going to make it home?”

“One of them, I think,” you nod. “There is still leadership and a council of sorts, and I am not disturbing it. I am reopening a business and establishing a small medical resource, building as little as possible, but reusing or repurposing buildings. I am not dangerous to them. They want a doctor here, they don’t mind rekindling a business, and I am expanding their educational resources.”

“You sound like you are going to run for office, love.”

“I have no desire to participate in politics of any kind,” you say quickly. “I am just respecting and investing in my ancestors’ birthplace.”

“Alright—”

“Lady Edenvale?”

“Uh—” You turn slowly. “Yes?”

“Dancing is starting.” Graham nods respectfully.

Your eyes narrow at “Alright?”

“It seems that you have a dance card?”

Henry is as incredulous as you are. “A what?”

“For charity?” Graham says. “And besides, it’s impressive. Important people, people who can help with your projects for Evendale, milady.”

“I haven’t even—”

“Word got around quickly,” Graham chuckles softly. “The second your name was entered in the book of Lords, everyone got an announcement.”

“But I’m not a member of parliament or—”

“Maybe not, milady,” Graham nods. “but your fortune was untouchable. That is no longer the case now that you are here.”

“I don’t like the way that sounded.” Henry’s voice is a growl.

“Please, milady,” Graham looks around. “for charity?”

“I guess…I should go?” you say to Henry, pleading for understanding.

“I guess I’d better find that dance card,” Henry gives a small smile.

“I think it’s full,” Graham says apologetically.

“Save the last dance,” Henry tells you.

You nod. So much unsaid, you think as he walks away, noting his step is all business. What to do now? “Alright, Graham, let’s go.”

Just as you go back inside, you see none other than Lara Winters. When did she arrive? Was she here the whole time? Your stomach turns, and you fight your inclination to go back to Henry. Truthfully, it wasn’t much a fight, with Graham pushing you along and advising about alliances and such. At the moment you couldn’t care less.

The night becomes an endless dance on the floor. You barely get to talk to your friends, and Henry appears and reappears. He offers dances to help at the charity, and you see he is watching you a little every time he is on the floor with someone. You only feel upset when Lara buys a few dances but Chiru and Sophie work up a dance card for him and cut her off, stopping Sara from making selections of her own, saying it’s only fair to have a list. Thank goodness for friends. Graham gives you a quick “who they are, where they’re from, what they do, and why they are interested in you” rundown before they come to claim you from your chair, which never gets warm. They are surprisingly young to unsurprisingly old, but all well-mannered.

The last song played is supposed to be a jazz version of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” but then Henry goes to the DJ and talks to him.

“One more song,” The DJ smiles. “I am in the spirit and truthfully, I just looked outside and it fits.”

youtube

Henry walks to you and offers his hand. You stand up and he gently leads you to the floor.

“What did you do?” you giggle, almost ready to outright laugh at Graham’s outrage and Wilson’s amusement as Henry rocks you to the beat.

“I told you I’d have the last dance,” Henry tells you, and kisses your forehead right on the floor.

You swoon against him as others join in. “It feels like they don’t want us to be together, love. It feels like they’re trying to pull us apart.”

“Only if we let them,” he nods. “So, are you coming home with me for Christmas?”

Your eyes drop. “I want to.”

“What?”

“I am supposed to be in Edenvale for some activities on Christmas Eve Day and attend mass.”

“And you’re free after?”

“Yes—”

“Perfect,” he smiles widely. “We’ll drive back to London after.”

“But Henry—”

He kisses your forehead again. “Let it snow, darling.”

“Don’t you mean let it go?” you joke in reply.

“Eh, snow, go,” he rolls his eyes and whispers, rubbing noses with you. “the cold doesn’t bother us anyway.”

You laugh at that, and though you want to really talk about your relationship-where it was when he left before the junket-you just want to enjoy tonight, the holidays. You just want to be in his arms.

@mistress-of-ward @nuggsmum @messyinsomniacbookgirl @jencanbeyouryengeralt @sweetdreamsofgelato @mary-ann84 @omgkatinka @the-soot-sprite @viking-raider @keanureevesisbae @henryobsessed @summersong69 @kinbhot4henners @sunshine96love @michelehansel @radofrivia @thelastsock @defffcc @tenaciousneckpartypainter @rn7rocksn @mrskikirazz @daydreamin83 @ruthoakenshield @musicartmayheminmyheart @michelehansel @tumblnewby @defffcc @tenaciousneckpartypainter @rn7rocksn @daydreamin83 @ruthoakenshield @forallthebrokenheartedthings @alphacancrii @liquorlaughslove @designerewriterchic @sofiebstar @tamychm @nikkilynn303 @circesgirl @aaescritora @xoxohannahlee @pixie88 @fckdeusername@maan24@rn7rocks @kaatelyyynn @october505 @absentmindedreader @introvertedmouse

#henry cavill #henry cavill fandom #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill smut #henry cavill fluff #henry cavill x reader #henry cavill x you #Youtube

24 notes · View notes

bisquuet · 1 year

Text

BIRTHDAY DEVLIN!! also i know it says 2.29 but we celebrate devlin day 2.28 and 3.1 on non leap years and IGNORE HOW I AM POSTING THIS A DAY LATE, FOR MY OWN CHILDS BDAY ahem anyways!! expect something else that has to do with his bday later on!! idk when but!! also NO HE IS NOT BALD. they push back the hair all sleek and yes he is wearing contacts but they are uncomfortable for her so they only wear them during demonic rites!!! (or sometimes doesnt wear them at al!) also experimented with a different type of shading for this hehe

#mairuma #mairimashita! iruma kun #my oc #i love them so much #m!ik oc #m!ik #mairuma oc #ocart #original character #my artwork #Rwar Devlin #oc stuff #oc #welcome to demon school iruma kun #oc birthday

23 notes · View notes

maaarine · 1 year

Text

Bibliography: articles posted on this blog in 2023

Posted in January

To grasp how serotonin works on the brain, look to the gut (James M Shine, Psyche, Jan 03 2023)

Thousands of records shattered in historic winter warm spell in Europe (Ian Livingston, The Washington Post, Jan 02 2023)

“Il faut que tu sois belle maintenant” : en Égypte, des femmes libérées du voile restent prisonnières des diktats (Aliaa Talaat, Al-Manassa via Courrier International, 20 nov 2022)

Mystery of why Roman buildings have survived so long has been unraveled, scientists say (Katie Hunt, CNN, Jan 06 2023)

Colombia’s surrogacy market: Buying a baby for $4,000 (Lucía Franco, El País, Jan 04 2023)

How to spot an eating disorder (Phillip Aouad & Sarah Maguire, Psyche, Jan 11 2023)

UAE sparks furious backlash by appointing Abu Dhabi oil chief as president of COP28 climate summit (Sam Meredith, CNBC, Jan 12 2023)

Don’t tell me that David Carrick’s crimes were ‘unbelievable’. The problem is victims aren’t believed (Marina Hyde, The Guardian, Jan 17 2023)

Baromètre Sexisme 2023 : "La situation est alarmante", estime le Haut Conseil à l'Égalité (Juliette Geay, Radio France, 23 janvier 2023)

—

Posted in February

Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws (NPR, Feb 16 2023)

Are Men the Overlooked Reason for the Fertility Decline? (Jessica Grose, The New York Times, Feb 15 2023)

American teenage girls are experiencing high levels of emotional distress. Why? (Moira Donegan, The Guardian, Feb 16 2023)

Figures that lay bare the shocking scale of toxic influencer Andrew Tate’s reach among young men (Maya Oppenheim, The Independent, Feb 17 2023)

Why psychological research on child sex offenders is important (Meetali Devgun, Psyche, Feb 22 2023)

Derrière les chiffres des féminicides, des visages et un continuum de violences contre les femmes (Fanny Declercq, Le Soir, 27 fév 2023)

—

Posted in March

English is not normal (John McWhorter, Aeon, Nov 13 2015)

Are Iranian schoolgirls being poisoned by toxic gas? (BBC News, March 03 2023)

‘Why do we need a supermodel?’: Backlash after Fifa makes Adriana Lima Women’s World Cup ambassador (Henry Belot, The Guardian, March 02 2023)

New Human Metabolism Research Upends Conventional Wisdom about How We Burn Calories (Herman Pontzer, Scientific American, Jan 01 2023)

Polish woman found guilty of aiding an abortion in landmark trial (Harriet Barber, The Telegraph, March 14 2023)

How Diet Builds Better Bones: Surprising Findings on Vitamin D, Coffee, and More (Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, Jan 01 2023)

Met police found to be institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic (Vikram Dodd, The Guardian, March 21 2023)

Chinese Dating App Does the Swiping for Singles to Find Love (Nikki Main, Gizmodo, March 21 2023)

Aphantasia can be a gift to philosophers and critics like me (Mette Leonard Høeg, Psyche, March 20 2023)

—

Posted in April

Facts Don’t Change Minds – Social Networks, Group Dialogue, and Stories Do (Anne Toomey, The LSE Impact Blog, Jan 24 2023)

Uganda’s failure to jail child rapists as teen pregnancies soar (Tamasin Ford, BBC News, April 17 2023)

Italy risks ‘ethnic replacement’ because of low birth rate and high immigration, says minister (Nick Squires, The Telegraph, April 19 2023)

Putin, Trump, Ukraine: how Timothy Snyder became the leading interpreter of our dark times (Robert P Baird, The Guardian, March 30 2023)

India overtakes China to become world’s most populous country (Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian, April 24 2023)

—

Posted in May

Des crèches ferment toutes les semaines, « et ce n’est pas près de s’arrêter » (Le Soir, 5 mai 2023)

People in comas showed ‘conscious-like’ brain activity as they died, study says (Hannah Devlin, The Guardian, May 01 2023)

Chinese woman appeals in battle for right to freeze her eggs (The Guardian, May 09 2023)

Women CEOs: Why companies in crisis hire minorities - and then fire them (The Guardian, DG McCullough, Aug 08 2014)

Glass cliffs: firms appoint female executives in times of crisis as a signal of change to investors (Max Reinwald and Johannes Zaia and Florian Kunze, LSE Business Review, Aug 19 2022)

—

Posted in June

Afghan women in mental health crisis over bleak future (Yogita Limaye, BBC News, June 05 2023)

Support Of Amber Heard Alongside French Feminists & Cinema Figures (Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, June 05 2023)

Why is Japan redefining rape? (Tessa Wong & Sakiko Shiraishi, BBC News, June 07 2023)

Catching the men who sell subway groping videos (Zhaoyin Feng & Aliaume Leroy & Shanshan Chen, BBC News, June 08 2023)

Netherlands to provide free sun cream to tackle record skin cancer levels (Kate Connolly, The Guardian, June 12 2023)

The Cause of Depression Is Probably Not What You Think (Joanna Thompson, Quanta Magazine, Jan 26 2023)

—

Posted in July

‘Farsighted impulsivity’ and the new psychology of self-control (Adam Bulley, Psyche, Feb 03 2021)

Can a perfectionist personality put you at risk of migraines? (Shayla Love, Psyche, July 25 2023)

—

Posted in August

How Loneliness Reshapes the Brain (Marta Zaraska, Quanta Magazine, Feb 28 2023)

Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk (David H Rosmarin, Psyche, Aug 07 2023)

—

Posted in September

What Are Dreams For? (Amanda Gefter, The New Yorker, Aug 31 2023)

Rape Cases Seize Italy’s Attention and Expose Cultural Rifts (Gaia Pianigiani, The New York Times, Sep 03 2023)

Councils in England in crisis as Birmingham ‘declares itself bankrupt’ (Heather Stewart and Jessica Murray, The Guardian, Sep 05 2023)

Nearly one in three female NHS surgeons have been sexually assaulted, survey suggests (Jamie Grierson, The Guardian, Sep 12 2023)

Domination and Objectification: Men’s Motivation for Dominance Over Women Affects Their Tendency to Sexually Objectify Women (Orly Bareket and Nurit Shnabel, Sep 09 2019)

In Spain, dozens of girls are reporting AI-generated nude photos of them being circulated at school: ‘My heart skipped a beat’ (Manuel Viejo, El País, Sep 18 2023)

When the human tendency to detect patterns goes too far (Shayla Love, Psyche, Sep 19 2023)

—

Posted in October

My Brain Doesn’t Picture Things (Marco Giancotti, Nautilus, Oct 04 2023)

“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases (Sarah C.P. Williams, The University of Chicago, Sep 11 2023)

Poland election: exit polls point to Law and Justice defeat as Tusk hails ‘rebirth’ (Shaun Walker, The Guardian, Oct 16 2023)

—

Posted in November

What I have learned from my suicidal patients (Gavin Francis, The Guardian, Nov 22 2019)

Did natural selection make the Dutch the tallest people on the planet? (Martin Enserink, Science, Apr 07 2015)

Tumblr Is Always Dying (Elizabeth Minkel, Wired, Nov 14 2023)

How accurate is the new Napoleon film? Sorting fact from fiction (Andrew Roberts, The Sunday Times, Nov 19 2023)

Far-right party set to win most seats in Dutch elections, exit polls show (Jon Henley and Pjotr Sauer and Senay Boztas, The Guardian, Nov 22 2023)

Climate change: Rise in Google searches around ‘anxiety’ (Lucy Gilder, BBC, Nov 22 2023)

—

Posted in December

The sexual assault of sleeping women: the hidden, horrifying rape crisis in our bedrooms (Anna Moore, The Guardian, June 15 2021)

Afghanistan: Taliban sends abused women to prison - UN (Nicholas Yong, BBC News, Dec 15 2023)

Longitudinal Associations Between Parenting and Child Big Five Personality Traits (University of California Press, Nov 18 2021)

Scientists Pinpoint Cause of Severe Morning Sickness (Azeen Ghorayshi, The New York Times, Dec 13 2023)

#article #articleindex #2023

21 notes · View notes