#and there are so many more interesting egyptian queens that i wish were getting more press instead

[navree]

Lowkey hate race swapping sometimes. Now hear me out!

I don't mind when people race swap chatacters I just hate it when changing their race would totally change the entire story or have a lot of implications to the story.

I don't mind when fictional charcater race are changed but I hate it when they change a characters race who are suppose to be a certain race for a reason. When they chnage those types of characters a lot of time it changes the narrative of the story and their actions.

Same with historical show or documentaries. If this real life figure was another than they were we would have completely different story on our hands. Like please open a history book.

Listen, when it comes to fictional characters "racebending" means nothing to me unless it's whitewashing (Titans casting a white actor to play Dick Grayson and the MCU casting a white actress to play Wanda Maximoff when they are both literally canonically Romani both ethnically and culturally is my villain origin story) because fiction is fiction, and honestly you can tweak a story to make a character's journey adapt to the new inclusion of them being a member of a minority class so long as you're talented enough. Most writers aren't, and that's why a lot of "oh we made X character a POC in this adaptation" moves tend to ring hollow, but it is possible.

But I have a genuine bone to pick when it's about history.

For one, it's just such a lazy move. "Oh we made Bess of Hardwick Chinese!" fantastic but you do know that Chinese people existed in the late 16th century right? Like, China was a country with a lot of people in it and a thriving culture and way of life and plenty of influential people living there. Why aren't we telling stories about a Chinese woman living in that time period, it's not like that period of Chinese history was dull or as if no one ever mattered or nothing ever happened there. Like, for God's sake, it's just a way of showing that you aren't actually interested in learning about other parts of the world, or decentering Western history, specifically European history, as the only history worth learning about, you just want brownie points for being diverse without actually putting in the work to learn about the vibrant world that existed outside of Europe for the vast majority of human history, aka doing anything to actually explore different non-Western narratives and how the world moved outside of the European bubble.

For two, like you said, a lot of the time "racebending" doesn't really include attempts to accommodate how the history would change. Bridgerton is a wish fulfillment fantasy show so I don't often care about how it deals with history (even tho I do think the Charlotte was black theory is complete bunk and I refuse to engage with people who think it's real) but its whole "and now England is desegregated" thing falls very flat when you remember how involved England was in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, how reliant it was on slave labor, how invested it was in capturing and buying and selling slaves, including the royals. It puts a lot of onus on characters that they've made POC without doing any of the work, and oftentimes deals in a lot of harmful stereotypes. This was seen most egregiously in the 2021 Anne Boleyn show that cast Jodie Turner-Smith as Anne. @duchessofferia discussed this much better than I will, but relying on the same old lazy tropes that have defined Anne Boleyn with a black woman playing her turned into genuinely harmful racial representation. Having Anne be sexually aggressive and domineering and harsh in her mannerisms, especially when compared to Jane Seymour, isn't new, but having a black woman be looming over a small white woman and being sexually aggressive with her feeds into harmful stereotypes about black women and their femininity, and by having George Boleyn also be black, painting him as a sexual deviant and adding a plot where he abandons his responsibilities as a father turns him into the "absent black baby daddy" trope that still does a lot of harm to black men today. Not to mention, changing George Boleyn's race but keeping the rumor about Jane Boleyn lying on the stand to incriminate him turns a "wife turns against her husband for unknown reasons" story into a "white woman accuses a black man of sexual inpropriety that his society would frown on for the purpose of getting him executed by the state" story, which has a long and incredibly dark history in the United States (it's basically the Scottsboro Boys but Renaissance now). I mean, it's basically my primary issue with Hamilton, that the show really wants to capitalize on the whole "America then as told by America now" thing without delving into what it means to have literal slaveowners portrayed by black men and to have the character of Thomas fucking Jefferson call Sally Hemmings by a pet name in that show without any introspection into the fact that she wasn't his girlfriend but, you know, a woman he full on owned and repeatedly raped. It's all surface level and generally causes a lot more problems by refusing to alter the history to deal with these new changes, because it's history and you can't really alter it without creating a host of problems.

With Cleopatra specifically, I mentioned it before but the Ptolemies were total fuckups and literal colonizers in and of themselves, and turning them from a Macedonian dynasty into actual people of color for some kind of narrative (like there aren't any other important women of color in history, or even that time period) while not attempting to even examine the history of that dynasty and that queen in particular doesn't sit right. Like, congratulations, you've now created a story where a woman of color's most important contributions in life were her relationships with white men who held significantly more power than her and over her country, and fucked up to such a degree that her country wouldn't even be considered its own country until the 1950s. How absolutely groundbreaking. Next you're gonna tell me it's subversive to paint Livia Drusilla as a scheming, conniving bitch who manipulated everyone around her, instead of a sexist and tired trope that exists only to demonize one of the few women of actual importance in Augustan Rome because she was half a decade older than her husband and was able to keep her own power after he died. It's not just a lack of intellectual curiosity or good storytelling, but a fundamental misunderstanding of why people want to see stories about people of color, and how Hollywood itself thinks so little of their audience that they think we'll be content with a simple coat of "hey this person's a minority now!" paint over a subject without any attempt to really look into things or understand why the world works the way it does or how these people shaped their lives or the lives of those around them, never mind the new messages you're sending now with these changes.

Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. There's a lot that can fuck up with historical representation in media, and representation of people of color in media in general can always be so incredibly fucked that giving people anything is oftentimes a win in and of itself. But I honestly think that focusing on the same Euro-centric stories and just switching around Pantone skin swatches to do the bare minimum is lazy and insulting. You want me to care about historical stories about people of color? Great, give me historical stories about actual people of color. Let me hear more about ethnic Egyptians, about their lives and their culture and how they influenced history, not ahistorical trash that causes more trouble than its worth and certainly isn't doing anything new or interesting with the subject.

#personal #answered #anonymous #not to mention trying to pass it off as fact is particularly galling #say what you want about fucking bridgerton but they're not pretending this is in any way how it really went down #i'm a bit drunk and i've had a looooooong night (had to mediate a fight between my mom and my sister) so this isn't altogether coherent #but i hope i got my point across #ultimately it doesn't matter it means very little and there's so much more to complain about #but it causes genuine issues that filmmakers just don't want to look at or really introspect on #because they think that audiences of color don't deserve more than scraps #and honestly just like.......stop making media about cleopatra #she's the least interesting person of that era (you guys know me i'm an augustus girlie i think he's the most fascinating) #and there are so many more interesting egyptian queens that i wish were getting more press instead #and you know those egyptian queens were.......actual egyptians

[house-of-slayterr]

The Volturi Gaurd as Gods

Aro: Coeus

Aro is the primary leader of the Volturi and has the power of tactile telepathy. Unlike his brothers, he does find humans more interesting, and not just as a source of food. He sees them as a source of entertainment. He reminds me of the god Coeus. Coeus was the titans of inquisitive minds and intellect. Both he and Aro are very curious creatures.

Caius: Anaideia

Caius is a ruthless leader, he’s extremely cynical and pessimistic. Aro was drawn to his ambition and need for vengeance. He posses no special ability of his own. Anaideia is the goddess of ruthlessness, shamelessness and unforgivingness. She was opposite the goddess of Mercy, which is why I think Caius and Athenodora work so well together.

Marcus: Eros

Marcus has the ability to view and understand relationships and bonds. He can use this ability to discover the mates of those in his coven, and those who wish to deja out his guidance. He is similar to Eros, the god of passion and fertility. Also the god who sees over marriages and bonds.

Sulpicia: Mnemosyne

Mnemosyne is the goddess of memory, and resides over the souls in the pool of hades. She helped people to forget their past lives after reincarnation. Sulpicia is Aro’s mate and has the power to read every thought someone has through touch. She isn’t mentioned much in either the books or the movies, but she gives off the kind and caring for damaged soul vibes that Mnemosyne has.

Athenodora: Ananke

Ananke is the personification of inevitability, compulsion and necessity. She is a primordial deity. She is the most powerful dictator of fate. Athenodora is mated to Caius, a cruel and ambivalent ruler. She used to rule by his side before he hid her away for her own safety. She helps to calm Caius and is the more rational side of his decision making.

Didyme: Euphorosyne

Didyme was Marcus’s mate. She was brutally murdered at the hands of Aro to prevent his brother from leaving the coven. She had the gift to bring joy and happiness to those around her. She reminds me of Euphorosyne, the goddess off cheer, joy and mirth. She was extremely beautiful and brought pleasant moments and tranquility to those around her.

Chelsea: Carna

Chelsea can influence the ties between people. She is a high ranking member in the guard. She’s the glue that holds the coven together and protects the queens. She reminds me of the goddess Carna, she brings strength to those in need. She is the protector of flesh and soul.

Jane: Algos

Jane has the opposite power of her twin. Instead of numbing the senses, she can cause immense pain. And she takes great pleasure in doing so. It’s one of the reasons the kings value her so much. Algos is the personification of physical and mental pain.

Alec: Shezmu

Shezmu is the Egyptian god of execution, slaughter and blood. He was a complex deity with qualities of both light and dark. This reminds me of Alec and his sensory deprivation skills. He uses them mostly to appease the blood lust of the kings, but sometimes can use them to give mercy upon victims. He could make you’re death less painful.

Felix: Deimos

Deimos is the personification of fear and terror. He more specifically represent the feeling you get right before battle. Felix is the primary executioner of the Volturi, you know when he’s coming you’re not going to live much longer. His sheer size alone strikes fear into many. That is why he has a high rank on guard.

Demetri: Ichnaea

Ichnaea is the tracker god. They were another personification deity who’s attributes were applied to many of the greater gods. Demetri is the volturi’s best tracker. He can hunt anyone from anywhere in the world and has the nose of a blood hound. He can track people by infiltrating their minds to see where they are.

Heidi: Venus

Heidi is the bringer of food and humans, she is in charge of luring victims into the place for the rest of the guard to feast on. She uses her good looks and charm to lure in hoards of people to their deaths. She is incredibly cunning and manipulative. She reminds me of the goddess Venus, often likened to that of Aphrodite. She was incredibly beautiful and dubbed one of the goddesses of love and lust.

Afton: Lelantus

Afton greatly reminds me of the Titan Lelantus! He was one of the youngest of all of the titans, and had the ability to move so fast he couldn’t be seen by mortal or gods eyes alike. He was incredibly gifted in stalking and hunting pretty, being able to sneak up on them. Acton posses the skill to appear invisible. The Volturi don’t see his gift as very useful, and the only reason he is on the guard is do you his mate Chelsea.

Santiago: Kratos

Santiago posses no special abilities, but Aro saw something in him and adopted him into the coven anyway. He’s usefulness falls in his superior strength and his incredible ability to strategise and think quickly. He reminds me of Kratos, the devine personification of strength. Kratos sits besides Zeus and is one of the highest Garuda amongst the gods. He is brilliant in all things war and fighting, and is an amazing protector.

Corin: Eleos

Eleos is the personification of clemency, mercy, compassion and pity. She is described as being the most useful to human life. She is the most empathetic of the gods. Corin was blessed with the power of contentment, and can easily bestow it upon others. Similar to Jasper’s emotional control, but her power is limited to the one feeling.

Renata: Averruncus

Averruncus is the god of averting harm. They have both the ability to heal, or cause mass distraction. Making them a god who must be propositioned in order to choose sides, they can be swayed either way. Renata is Aro’s personal body guard, and has the ability to repel opponents. This is similar to the way Averruncus protects some people for on harm, but at the same time can inflict it upon the people intending to cause harm.

Mele: Minerva

Mêle has the ability to absorb other special abilities. In life and death, she uses their ability to steal Aro’s power and kill him, becoming covert leader. She reminds me of Minerva, the goddess Of wisdom, strategy, law and victory. Minerva is one of the smartest goddess, and is known to be able to even fool other gods with ease.

AN: Yes I know some of the gods and their vampire counterparts don't match gender-wise. But I'm under the belief that gods transcend human gender so...

Tag: @simpfordemetri @oceansrose2002

#twilight #the twilight saga #twilight headcanon #the gods #Roman gods #Greek gods #vampire #vampire aesthetic #the volturi #the Volturi guard

[inky-duchess]

History Bites: Best Royal Romances

In History Bites, I pick the best moments of history and the antics historical figures in order to give you inspiration for your WIP. Think of History Bites like prompts, only juicer and 90% accurate (results may vary).

Love is one of the greatest reasons to do anything. Love will make people act strangely, become better people and level empires. In a world of arranged marriages and terrible spouses, some royals found happiness.

Antony and Cleopatra were the Ancient World's power couple. After Caesar's death, who had been Antony's mentor and the father to Cleopatra's son, Antony was sent to govern the Eastern Provinces. At Tarsus in Turkey, Cleopatra paid a visit to Antony. During the visit, Antony and Cleopatra got to know each other better and quickly things got romantic. It was not exactly the best thing for a Roman senator to have an Egyptian mistress and an odd thing for a famously intellectual Queen to take a notorious foolish hothead as her lover but the two were incredibly fond of one another. The two of them had three children, who Antony left the Roman Empire to in his will. The will was the final straw for Rome so it went to war with the couple, which ended in defeat. Antony committed suicide and Cleopatra sometime afterward.

Queen Victoria's marriage was an issue from the get go, because she needed a husband who was not her subject (because women were meant to obey their menfolk and a Queen shouldn't obey a subject) and one who was suitable. Victoria didn't like her cousin Albert when they met as teens but feel head over heels in love with him after they met again after Victoria became Queen. The two were rather smitten with each other and managed to pop out 9 kids. Victoria was distraught when Albert died and rarely wore anything but black for most of her life and rarely went out in public.

Josephine de Beauharnais was a wealthy French woman during the French Revolution which claimed the life of her first husband. Josephine caught the eye of the young Corsican soldier, Napoleon and the two quickly wed despite him being 6 years younger. Josephine was the perfect consort for Napoleon, she was an able diplomat and learned. When Napoleon was away, he often sent her raunchy letters which Josephine hilariously replied with nonchalance. Napoleon divorced Josephine because she was barren and he needed a heir. I doubt he stopped loving Josephine.

Charles II was not exactly the most monogamous of monarchs. The Merry Monarch and one of the few English Kings I think fondly of, had one declared mistress about five others. A friend of Charles saw Nell Gwyn playing on the London stage and decided to introduce her to his royal master, a wingman if you will. Nell and the King hit it off well because Nell wasn't as grasping as the other mistresses and knew how to make him laugh. She once took him fishing and when the monarch caught nothing, she tied a fried piece of fish to his line. She bore him too sons but felt as if Charles was not awarding them the right honours. When he came to visit them, she called one son over by saying "Come hither, you little bastard." Charles was angry at that but Nell reminded him that she had little else to refer to him by so Charles created a Dukedom for his sons. When Charles died, Nell remained monogamous to him telling one admirer than she would not "lay a dog where a deer that once lain."

Louis XIV was Charles's cousin and they shared a similar taste for mistresses. Madame de Montespan was married as Louis was but the two started a relationship together. Montespan was rather spoilt by Louis, earning the nickname "How much" by courtiers. Montespan and the King were together for a long period of time, having many children. A scandal came to light which involved a supposed witch and black masses where Montespan bought love potions and cursed the Queen. Montespan was lucky to avoid execution but she was dealt a personal blow: the King fell out of love with her. Montespan haunted the court as Louis moved on, keeping a bedroom for him at all times just in case he wished to visit. He never did. Louis moved on to the nanny of his bastard children by Montespan, the religious Madame de Maintenon. The two were kindred spirits and when the Queen died, Louis married Madame de Maintenon and the two lived the rest of their lives together.

Henry IV of France was married when he began a relationship with Gabrielle d'Estrees, a Catholic noblewoman during the Wars of Religion in France. Henry was increasingly fond of her despite their religious differences, even more than his wife at the time Marguerite of Valois. Gabrielle was a successful diplomat, going between the Protestant King and his Catholic nobility, smoothing relations by convincing Henry to become a Catholic. Gabrielle went to war with Henry, caring for his clothes and cooking his meals while on campaign. Henry was worried about her safety, especially when he saw bullet holes in her tent but Gabrielle refused to leave his side. Gabrielle sold her jewels to fund Henry's wars and once left the middle of a ball to rush to Henry's side. Her devotion led to Henry deciding to marry and crown her as his Queen. Gabrielle died suddenly before her wedding/coronation leaving Henry heartbroken.

Catherine the Great is on my list for worst marriages bur she found love after her husband was murdered. During her coup when she was making an important speech to rally the troops to her, a young cavalry officer named Grigory Potemkin offered her his own sword knot, a missing detail on her uniform. The two met years later and quickly fell in love. Catherine and Potemkin kept up their touching relationship throughout the wars with Turkey and Catherine's other lovers. They were incredibly close, Catherine giving him every honour and Potemkin helping her realise her dream of a navy. Potemkin died on the roadside, collapsing in front of his soldiers leaving Catherine heartbroken. It is rumoured by historians that the pair had been secretly married.

Have you ever seen bibles with King James written on the cover? Though King James was married and had sired numerous children with his wife, James had a string of noble young men as favourites, his favourite being George Villiers. James was incredibly fond of George, calling him "Steenie" after St. Stephen who canonically (no pun intended) had the face of an angel. When asked by Parliament about the close relationship, James replied that George was as close to him as Jesus was to his disciples. Though historians dispute whether they were actually gay (citing the fact that James had a wife and a loving relationship with her), it is entirely possible that James was bisexual. The two sent numerous letters to one another over the years, each rather touching

Inez de Castro is probably Portugal's most interesting Queen Consort. She was exhumed for her own coronation. Inez was the mistress of Prince Pedro and mother to his children. The King, Pedro's father, really did not want his son marrying his mistress so he had Inez murdered. Pedro was distraught at her death and hunted down the men who had done it, having their hearts torn out in revenge. He would never marry again so to make his children legitimate he had Inez exhumed and crowned Queen, forcing the nobility to kiss her hand and hail her as Queen. Nobody bothered Pedro about his kids again.

Though the film The Favourite (2017) is a skewed version of the relationship between Anne of England and Sarah Duchess of Marlborough, there is some proof to attest to the romantic relationship between the two. They knew each other from a young age and once escaped a house together to avoid the influence of Anne's father who at the time was embroiled in a battle to keep the throne against Anne's sister Mary. The two were incredibly close despite their rather differing personalities. Sarah did care for the Queen but had a habit of being quite abrasive and quick with cruel words which eventually ended the long lasting relationship between the two.

Peter I of Russia was an imposing man both in stature and in political policy. Peter dragged Russia toward Westernization and imposed radical reforms upon his country. Perhaps the greatest wave he made, was his marriage to Catherine, a laundress. Peter and Catherine were incredibly fond of each other, sharing an appetite of good living and each other. Peter did sleep about but Catherine joked about it in letters asking him whether he found any laundresses he liked. Peter fathered two daughters on Catherine but instead of handing control to them after he died he made his wife Empress Catherine I.

Perhaps my favourite royal romance story, is between Emperor Ai and his favourite Dong Xian. Emperor Ai and Dong Xian were chilling in bed together one day. Ai had to get up but Dong Xian was still asleep, laying on his sleeve. Rather than waking his lover, the Emperor cut off his own sleeve so he could get out of bed.

Emperor Hadrian is famous for his bitchin wall between Britannia and Caledonia. But Emperor Hadrian's greatest love would be the Greek Antinous. The emperor had Antonius come with him wherever he went and the two were fond of hunting and writing poetry. Antinous tragically drowned in the Nile, probably by accident but foul play cannot be ruled out.

Jeanne Antoinette Poisson or as you might know her Madame de Pompadour was told at nine years old that she would love a king. In her twenties it came true when she caught the eye of King Louis XV of France, earning her the title maîtresse-en-titre. Madame de Pompadour understood Louis in a way nobody else would. She knew how to read his emotions and knew how to keep him entertained. Though the two stopped sleeping together thanks to a medical condition Jeanne had, Louis kept her as his official mistress. Kings were not permitted to attend funerals so when Jeanne died, Louis couldn't go. He stood on his balcony in a downpour as her funeral carriage left Versailles, the only tribute he could pay the love of his life

Elizabeth Woodville's first husband was an early casualty in the Wars of the Roses, leaving her to care for two sons. Destitute, Elizabeth stood by the road to speak with the new York King of England. Edward IV was younger than her and was her enemy, yet the two fell in love and wed in secret. The court was furious at the marriage as Elizabeth was only the daughter of a baron. The marriage was extremely happy despite Edward's many mistresses and the unsettled times they lived in.

Elizabeth of York, Elizabeth Woodville's daughter, was a highly sought after bride in Europe. Henry Tudor, her uncle Richard's enemy, proposed to her from abroad declaring her would wed her in the Cathedral of Reims. Henry invaded England and won the crown at the Battle of Bosworth. He married Elizabeth and the two, despite being born enemies, lived a happy marriage together. Henry was distraught when Elizabeth died and never remarried.

Mary Tudor, the daughter of Elizabeth of York, was at one point Europe's most eligible and beautiful Princess. She was offered as a bride to the Prince of Spain and then the King of France, who she was married to. Mary was briefly Queen of France but her aged husband died soon after the wedding. Mary returned to England but she had a secret, she had hastily wed her brother's childhood friend, Charles Brandon. Henry VIII, her brother, got so cross that he fined and banished the two of them from court. But he quickly forgave them and the couple returned to court where they spent their short but happy marriage.

Elizabeth II & Prince Philip have been married for decades. The Queen was only eight when she met Philip and the two became friends, writing to each other during WWII. After WWII, Philip renounced his his Danish and Greek titles to marry Elizabeth, becoming Prince Consort and Duke of Edinburgh. Despite Philip's infamous faux pas and wild behavior, the two have a stable and loving relationship.

Edward III & Philippa of Hainault were only children when Edward's mother planned their marriage to gain the military might of Philippa's father. Their marriage was a happy one that produced 12 children. Philippa accompanied Edward to the battlefield many times.

Edward II is on my list for worst marriages but he was a romantic at heart. Edward was very close to a knight named Piers Gaveston. Edward's father didn't like this bond and sent Gaveston away. Edward's first act as king was to recall Piers and bestowed titles and land upon him like there was no tomorrow. Piers was seen as a bad influence and because of this he was killed by a group of rebelling nobles. Edward grieved for years and eventually went on a revenge war against the nobles who had killed his lover.

Despite being Nazi-Sympathizing assholes, no one could doubt that Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII did truly love one another. Edward was King and Wallis was an American divorcee (sound familiar?), and there were laws starting that he could not marry a divorcee. But Edward couldn't give her up do he gave up his throne for her and the two went off to live in France together.

Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra (then Princess Alix of Hesse) were never meant to be married. Alexandra's grandmother Queen Victoria did not approve of the autocracy of Russia and would have preferred that she marry into England. Alexandra herself dithered on whether to marry Nicholas as it meant a change in religion for her. In the end, the two decided to wed and they had a relatively close marriage. Some of their letters still survive.

#History Bites #best royal romances #writing #writing resources #writing reference #writing advice #writeblr #writer #writer's problems #spilled words #writer's life #characters #louis xiv #Charles ii #mary rose tudor #Elizabeth II #anne I of England #Catherine ii #Catherine I #Emperor ai #wallis Simpson #Emperor Hadrian #lgbt+ History #love #Madame de montespan #nell gwyn #george villiers

[masked-buffoon]

Chapter 11: Behind the scenes (Part 3)

Warnings: mentions of murder, parricide, trauma

Author notes: part 3 is there...! I hope you still enjoy it and that there is no decrease in... Quality... The genre has changed, since Ogawa has left the Mafia, but I hope it is as interesting as before...!

Kunikida had, unexpectedly, agreed to start our day later.

After our talk with the bartender, we had gone back to the mansion, where Yumiko-san, Kitaro-kun and Dazai had been waiting for us. There, I had told my friend about our investigation and our coworker had reassured the young woman about her son. We were progressing, after all. Then, she had had three rooms prepared for us as a way to thank us for our assistance. It had been a long time since I had last experienced sheets made of Egyptian cotton, set on a queen sized bed. I had grown unused to such comfort and a regular futon pretty much suited my tastes. Kunikida had decided to sleep in, to my greatest surprise, under the pretense of being exhausted. Why, it was not a pretense, but the fact he had accepted to bend his ideals to adapt his sleep schedule… It was unbelievable.

A knock interrupted my rest and I got out of the warm blanket to open my door. It was Dazai. A smile cracked my tired face and I let him in, tightening the shawl around my shoulders. Yumiko-san had landed me a cotton nightgown for the night, so I could sleep comfortably.

"I knew you wouldn't be asleep." He told me.

"You'd be an excellent detective…" I noted, ironic.

"Why, that's my job, now, after all." He chuckled "I came to help you sleep, Ogawa."

"Thanks…" I cracked a smile.

I laid back on the bed and he put his hand on my shoulder to cancel my ability.

"How did you find your first day among us?" He asked me, seeing my eyes were not closing.

"Mmh…" I hesitated "Strange. At first, I was motivated, and then… I met Taikin-san and my mind was disturbed by unpleasant thoughts about my family… Yosano-sensei got angry, Sakunosuke-kun disappeared and I ended up working with Kunikida… Oh, by the way, I have a video of him I want to show you…"

"So many things happened, right? He told me he had been taken aback by your strong rejection when he had yelled at you…"

"He must think I am crazy now…"

"On the contrary, he finds you more human." He disagreed "You aren't just a killer anymore in his eyes, but a real person with traumas… Well, that's what he said. Do forgive him for taking so long to realise you weren't a doll…!"

I laughed with him. At the very least, Kuninida was not prejudiced against me anymore. I felt we could get along a bit better from that day on.

"You'll keep working with him on the case. As you know, I can't be your partner for now, and Yosano-sensei… She feels you'll do better without her." He said.

"That's because she's a honest person, and I'm constantly lying to myself… She wants me to finally admit Ogawa Eirin loved me and I… I think I'm comforted by the thought she did not…." I admitted.

"At least, you're starting to accept it. That's not an easy task, and sensei doesn't know everything…" He whispered, gently.

"She doesn't know I committed an unrepairable deed… If I do admit I had a mother, I will have to face guilt for my entire life, and it is a feeling I dread…" I darted my eyes away.

"And yet, it is too late to go back… Crime and punishment… You, who committed a crime, have to face punishment in the form of endless guilt. No sentence could ever erase the burden you'll carry, not even death. The world condemned you to eternal regrets for the murder of the mother who loved you…" Dazai told me.

His voice was oddly soothing and I accurately felt my lower jaw tremble. Tears filled my eyes, and I hid my face under the blanket to sob, ashamed by the feelings I was experiencing. Sadness, regret, pain… Did I have the right to feel sorrowful, I, who had taken the life of an innocent woman…?

"I… I made a mistake…" I stuttered, regularly cut by sobs "But that simple mistake… The mistake of being blind… The mistake of not seeing… My mother's love… It cost her life… And I… I can't even fix it… I can't erase it… Because the dead won't ever come back…!"

"That's also your punishment… Don't tell me that, deep inside, you never knew she loved you… Don't tell me that you never wished for her affection… All the things you could have had as mother and daughter… All the love she could have given to you, had you killed only her husband… It is now forever unattainable for you…" He clumsily stroked my hair "She won't smile at you anymore, she won't talk to you anymore, and you cannot apologise to her anymore… By accepting your mistake, this is what you earned. No, rather, these are the consequences of your mistake, and you have to live with them…"

"I guess I'll just die, then… That burden is so heavy… I'm suffocating…" I sniffed, slowly calming down.

"You'll run away if you die… That's not your type…" I heard the smile in his voice.

"Dazai… Do you know why my ability is named The Sweet Appeals…?" I removed the blanket to look at him.

I planted my reddened eyes into his. After all this time, I was still looking for approval in his gaze… And he nodded.

"That's because… When I was a tiny thing, without even a consciousness, my mind was already filled with thoughts… I remembered, when I grew up, that it was frightening…" I paused to bite my lower lip "But, sometimes, other thoughts would come to dissipate them, like sunlight pierces through the thick clouds of rain, and I would feel overwhelmed by love…"

"That's why you cried, that day, too…" He recalled.

"I think…" My throat felt dry "I think it was my mother's… My mother's thoughts… I… Why must I realise now…? Why couldn't I see it before making that stupid mistake…?!"

"I don't know. None will ever know… It's not something you should be bothered about… More importantly, what are you going to do, now…?"

"I'm not sure… First, I have to find Sakunosuke-kun and solve the mystery of that bizarre family… Then, I'll talk to Yosano-sensei… And I'll improvise afterwards… Unlike Kunikida, I'm not good with plans…" I mumbled.

Crying had exhausted me and Dazai's nullification was affecting me. My eyelids were heavy but I tried to fight against them.

"... Why…? Why did you come and talk to me like that…?" I managed to ask.

"It's important to me that you're at peace with yourself."

"... Because I am your friend…?"

"Mmh…"

Liar. Maybe he truly saw me as his friend, but the reason for his care was never completely devoid of interest. The fact I would join the Agency… I felt it would benefit him, too, but I had no idea why. Not yet… Dazai felt completely different from the idealistic Kunikida who planned his life for years to come. Actually, they were similar, except my friend always seemed to prepare… Something else. It was not about his life, but I could sense he was getting something ready for the future. And I was a necessary pawn for him, which was why he needed me by his side. But I also needed him by my side… Which was why, as usual, I would comply without a word.

#bsd #bsd fanfic #bsd dazai #bungou stray dogs #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs oc #bsd oc #bsd imagines #Dazai Osamu #kunikida doppo #bsd kunikida

[shalebridge-cradle]

Historical References in What Are You Going to Do With Your Life - Chapters 10-12

Chapter 10

Boleyn mumbles something about a priest. W. S. Pakenham-Walsh (1868 - 1960), Vicar of Sulgrave, Northhamptonshire, had a strong interest in Anne Boleyn. He claimed to have a series of spiritual experiences after praying at Boleyn’s burial site, and contacted clairvoyants to channel her spirit in the hopes she might become his guardian angel. He also claimed in his diary that he had contact with Henry VIII and other notable members of the Tudor court.

While witchcraft was often punished via the death penalty, Henry VIII made the law explicit in 1542 (though it was later repealed no later than 1547, under Edward VI). Several witchcraft laws were made in the UK over the years, in 1563, 1604, 1649 and 1735. These were all repealed and replaced with more general consumer protection laws, and the last person to be indicted for witchcraft (under the 1735 act) was imprisoned in 1944.

Tarot was a regular set of cards for most of its history, used in various, but similar, trick-taking card card games. It became associated with ancient wisdom in 1781, when Antoine Court de Gébelin wrote an essay claiming (with no evidence) that ancient Egyptian priests had distilled the mystical Book of Thoth into the cards.

“Psychic is Greek, and clairvoyant is French. One is about thinking, and the other is about seeing.” Psychic comes from the Greek word psychikos (‘of the mind’) and clairvoyance is a combination of two French words (‘clear’ and ‘vision’). Catherine of Aragon was known to speak both French and Greek, as well as Latin, her native Spanish, and English.

Cunning man (or woman) was another word for folk healers.

In 1532, Catherine Parr’s brother-in-law from her second marriage, William Neville, was accused of treason for allegedly predicting the king’s death and his own ascension as Earl of Warwick (a title made extinct during the Wars of the Roses, but would be recreated in 1547 and twice after that). He went to at least three magicians to confirm this prediction, all of which agreed that it was meant to be true (it wasn’t). One of these magicians was Richard Jones of Oxford, who was imprisoned and questioned on the matter. He did his best to exonerate himself of responsibility. I have found five references confirming his existence – but many of them claim he had a sceptre he used to ‘summon the four king devils’, which he used for divination purposes.

Chapter 11

Jones of Oxford was taken in for questioning as part of the Neville affair, and he did his best in his confession to exonerate himself. Neville’s claims of a prophetic dream showing himself as Earl of Warwick were now a “fair castle” which Neville assumed must be the castle of Warwick, and a shield with “sundry arms I could not rehearse”. He did admit to writing “a foolish letter or two according to [Neville’s] foolish desire, to make pastime to laugh at”. No treason, just jokes, please don’t execute me Thomas Cromwell. Jones claimed to take his alchemy seriously, however, and wrote that “To make the philosopher’s stone I will jeopard my life, so to do it,” if the king so wished. He would require twelve months “upon silver” and twelve and a half “upon gold”, and was willing to be imprisoned while he worked. Jones made a similar offer to Cromwell, but there is no evidence either man accepted. Jones was released in exchange for revealing incriminating evidence against another figure of interest. The other magicians caught up in this incident, William Wade and a man known only as ‘Nashe’, had perfected their disappearing act and were not sent to the Tower.

There is a story that Elizabeth I attributed the destruction of the Spanish armada in 1588 to John Dee’s wizardry. Given that, as mentioned, Dee was out of favour with Elizabeth at the time, this is likely untrue.

Elizabeth I’s death was in March of 1603, after she became sick and remained in a “settled and unmovable melancholy”, sitting on a cushion and staring at nothing. The death of a close friend in February of that year came as a particular blow – that of her second cousin and First Lady of the Bedchamber, Catherine Howard.

James I (or James VI, depending on where you’re from)… James I of England was also James VI of Scotland. His mother was Mary Queen of Scots, who was executed by Elizabeth I, and his great-grandmother was Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister.

“Anna, born Duchess of Jülich, Cleves and Berg.” This was how Anna signed hers’ and Henry’s marriage treaty, known as the ‘Beer Pot Documents’, because someone drew a stein at the bottom.

Bowling, as a game, can trace its origins back to ancient Egypt, and has been quite popular the world over throughout history. Henry VIII was an avid bowler himself (when Hampton Court was remodelled, bowling alleys were included with tennis courts and tiltyards), but banned the sport for the lower classes. The law against workers bowling (unless it was Christmas and in their master’s presence) was repealed in 1845.

We return to the ground, because from it we were taken. Paraphrasing of Genesis 3:19.

The (possible) first appearance of the word ‘alligator’ in the English language is from Romeo and Juliet. The description of The Apothecary’s shop mentions “a tortoise hung, an alligator stuff’d, and other skins of ill-shaped fishes”. Traditionally, medieval apothecaries and astrologers kept skeletons, fossils, and/or taxidermied pieces on display to demonstrate their worldliness.

The anger over calling the alligator ‘William’ could come from Parr, or from Anna. Her brother’s name, Wilhelm, is often anglicised as William.

Midsomer county does not exist and never has. It’s the setting for the long-running mystery TV show Midsomer Murders. Incidentally, Catherine Parr’s native county of Westmorland existed at one point, but no longer does (the area is now in the county of Cumbria). She is not the only English-born queen who this applies to; Jane Seymour’s Wiltshire and Anne Boleyn’s Norfolk still exist (and have since antiquity), but Katherine Howard was most likely born in Lambeth, which would have been in the county of Middlesex at the time. The area is now under the ceremonial county of Greater London.

“Honestly? Margaret Pole’s was worse.” Margaret Pole, Countess of Sailsbury and the last of the House of York, was kept in the Tower of London for two and a half years for her supposed support of Catholicism’s attempts to overthrow the king, before being informed of her death ‘within the hour’ on the 27th of May, 1541. She answered that she did not know the crime of which she was accused (and had carved a poem into the wall of her cell to that effect), but went to the block anyway. It allegedly took eleven blows from the inexperienced axeman to separate her head from her body. There is another story that she tried to run from the executioner and was killed in the attempt, but this is likely a fabrication. Regardless, pretty much everyone thought this was not only a bad idea on Henry’s part (killing Margaret removed any leverage the king had on her rebellious son, Cardinal Reginald Pole), it was also pointlessly cruel and a painfully undignified end.

(She was also Catherine of Aragon’s lady-in-waiting, and governess to Mary at several points.)

That everyone around her, bar a few visitors, would actively benefit from her death… Yet another quote of Elizabeth Tyrwhitt’s testimony: Parr, on her deathbed, claimed she was “not well-handled” by those around her; “for those that be about me careth not for me, but standeth laughing at my grief, and the more good I will to them, the less good they will to me”.

Chapter 12

According to a lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn claimed she would rather see Catherine of Aragon hanged “than have to confess that she was her queen and mistress”. This incident is probably the origin of the lyric “somebody hang you!” from Don’t Lose Ur Head.

Catalina uses a few Spanish phrases in this chapter, which don’t get directly translated. The first, No se hizo la miel para la boca del asno, directly translates to ‘Honey is not made for the donkey’s mouth’, and essentially means ‘Good things shouldn’t be wasted on those who won’t appreciate them’. Lavar cerdos con jabón es perder tiempo y jabón is ‘Washing pigs with soap is a waste of time and soap’, and is meant to indicate some things aren’t worth the energy.

…like that dream she has where she is cut up by a servant… An autopsy was done on Catherine of Aragon as part of the embalming process, which revealed the growth on her heart. This was done by the castle chandler (a dealer or trader) as part of his official duties.

Jane Seymour got rid of most of the hallmarks of Anne Boleyn’s tenure during her own queenship. The extravagance and lavish entertainments were banned, along with the French fashions Boleyn had introduced – including French hoods, which Boleyn is wearing in the portrait we have of her. Jane, as mentioned, wore a gable hood in her portraits.

“I don’t know why I’m so surprised that people care about what I say.” In the words of nineteenth century proto-feminist Agnes Strickland, Jane “passed eighteen months of regal life without uttering a sentence significant enough to warrant preservation”, which is kind of a mean thing to say. Seymour certainly said things during this time, we know this from reports, but there aren’t any direct quotes from her during her time as queen.

Here’s the painting mentioned, from 1545, during Catherine Parr’s tenure. Jane is on Henry’s left.

It was only after her death that Henry ‘loved’ her, but she is certain that he mourned for only for his own loss. There are reports that, during Jane’s labour, doctors advised Henry he might lose either Jane or Edward. Henry is claimed to have replied, “If you cannot save both, at least let the child live, for other wives are easily found.”

Countdown is a British television game show that revolves around word and number puzzles. It has been going for almost forty years, and is one of the longest-running game shows in the world, with over 7000 episodes.

“I saw a ghost bear kill someone, once.” Anne isn’t making this up. Supposedly, the incident occurred in 1816, when a Yeoman Warder saw a ghostly bear somewhere in the Tower of London. Terrified, he tried to stab it with his bayonet, only for the weapon to go through the image and strike the door behind it. The guard died of shock later on. A similar event happened in 1864, where two guards witnessed “a whitish, female figure” gliding towards one of the soldiers. The soldier in question charged this figure, only to go straight through it, upon which he fainted.

Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London for a little over two months in 1554, as a result of Wyatt’s Rebellion against Queen Mary. The rebellion was also the likely reason for the execution of Lady Jane Grey – both she and Elizabeth were Protestants in line for the throne, and therefore ‘more suitable’ as ruler. Both Elizabeth and Jane Grey denied any involvement, but the latter’s father and brother (also executed) were direct contributors.

“… you did die, Elizabeth was really upset about it…” Elizabeth took the news of Parr’s death badly. She refused to leave her bed, and was unable to go a mile from her residence, for five months following Parr’s passing.

Not because she liked that bearded potato man, God no… I found this deeply cursed engraving (first produced in 1544) in one of my books on the six wives, and now I want you all to suffer with me.

Anne of Cleves reacted poorly to being told her marriage would be annulled – some accounts say she fainted, others says she cried and screamed. Both could be true. The reasons given were threefold – One, the marriage was unconsummated (From testimony given by two servants, Anne thought a kiss goodnight counted as consummation – likely untrue, but this is the only reason that actually has merit). Two, Anne was precontracted to Francis of Lorraine (Untrue – the betrothal would only take effect if Anne’s father paid the dowry, and he didn’t). Three, Anne was not a virgin as claimed, based on the description of her ‘breasts and belly’, a Tudor way of saying Anne had previously given birth (untrue, and conflicts with the testimony for reason one). The annulment went through without Anne’s involvement, but (probably looking at the examples of her three predecessors) she accepted the ruling and kept herself from being banished, beheaded or otherwise.

(Other fact that has no bearing on reality – while researching Anne of Cleves, one of the pages that came up was The Simpsons Wiki. Apparently she’s the only wife who can claim the honour of having been in two episodes. :/)

Dogs don’t need to answer for their sins, they don’t have any. Katherine Howard was reportedly fond of animals in general, but had a particular soft spot for dogs.

She did the right thing. She told the truth. She died for it. Katherine Howard insisted, to the end, that she had no pre-contract of marriage to Francis Dereham. Would she have survived if she said she did?

#the cradle will write #What Are You Going to Do With Your Life: Work

[alottanothing]

Left to Ruin: Chapter Five

Summary: Ahkemenrah and his sister struggle to come to terms with their arranged marriage. The pharaoh meets with suitors to become his second wife; he finds it hard, however, to give them his heart when he remembers someone else who has already claimed it.  

Previous Chapters

Word Count: 7009

Warnings:This one gets a wee bit spicy, not completely smut, but it’s heavily implied. 

Tag List:  @xmxisxforxmaybe​, @r-ahh-mi​, @theultraviolencefan​, @hah0106​, @rami-malek-trash​, @diasimar​, @sherlollydramoine​, @flipper-kisses​, @ivy-miranda-2390​, @txmel​, @sunkissedmikky​, @concentratedsassandcandy​, @babyalienfairy​ (Let me know if I missed you, or if you would like to be added to the tag list)

A/N: Oh man this chapter’s a long one, but, it might be one of my favorites. Shout out to those of you who have been liking, rebloging and commenting! I’m a gooey mess of warmth when is read what stuck out, so thank you all a million times. Y’all are rock stars. ❤️❤️Again, as a disclaimer, I am not an ancient Egyptian expert and google only knows so much. So yeah, I took so historical liberties while writing this to make my life easier, but tried to keep it as “authentic” as possible. As another helpful note, Ahk is 23 by the end of this chapter and Set 18. 

Much like his responsibilities as ruler of the great empire of Egypt, maintaining the charade of a blossoming marriage became easier with every passing day. Ahkmenrah and Setshepsut’s fondness and their genuine love of one another helped to sell the narrative they wanted to. During the day they were busy tending to matters for their respective roles, only coming together for meals. Their nights, however, were always spent together in the privacy of the pharaoh’s bed-chamber, doing whatever they pleased in their few hours free of responsibility.

Most nights they played game after game of Senet, and most of those nights Ahkmenrah let his little sister win just to see that childlike joy spread over her face. Before long though, it was Set who was letting him win much to the pharaoh’s frustration. Even so, Ahk could think of nothing he cherished more than the laughs they shared.

Other nights they would sit on the balcony or lean on the rail looking out over the city as they passed the hours with conversation much like the night they married. Setshepsut loved Ahkmenrah’s stories about his time away from the capital. Even after she heard them a dozen times, she still listened with wonderment in her eyes, and Ahk was only too happy to regale her with as much detail as he could pull from his memory.

Some nights, hardly a word would pass between them, and they would spend the hours with a lonely silence that reminded them of the chains they wore. Ahkmenrah would distract himself from the obvious tension with matters of the realm, busying himself with a hundred tasks scribbled out on stacks of papyrus. Setshepsut would tuck her self far away, in a corner or on the balcony to read histories or poetry without saying so much as a hello or a good-bye, before returning to her own chamber to be free of the strain duty was putting on their kinship.

Ahkmenrah hated those nights when the weight of what they weren’t doing hung so heavily upon them that the mere sight of the other curled a frown on their face. He preferred the nights of game playing or storytelling, when he could make out the glimmer of life in her eyes. There was still so much of his sister that was a child, especially those first two years of their marriage. Ahkmenrah wanted to preserve the child who was still clinging to her, not destroy it. He forfeited his own childhood by choice of accepting the crown; Setshepsut was not given the same choice.

For those first few years, his attempts were successful at encouraging the wonderment of her youth—teaching her about their nation's cultures, histories, and fables. As time progressed, however, wisdom began poking through the ever-fading veil of her childhood, giving way to the wisdom and spirit of a young woman Ahkmenrah greatly admired. Their conversations began to shift to subjects far deeper than tales of places he had seen. They spoke of life and of dreams; dreams they both knew were out of reach for people in their position. Still, under the stars on the balcony, Ahkmenrah cherished every word they shared no matter how bitter, or sweet.

Setshepsut entered the pharaoh's chambers one night, three years into their phony marriage, carrying with her a mien that piqued Ahk’s interest in a way that made him feel abruptly ill at ease. He greeted her as he always did, with a smile and a light kiss to her cheek, and her curious demeanor became more evident the closer he was to her. Ahkmenrah’s smile faded slightly feeling the peculiar vibe and elected the stack of papyrus he’d been looking over could wait until later.

He held Set an arm's length away, his hands planted gently on her shoulders as he searched her expression for a hint as to what was causing his spirited sister such unease.

“What’s wrong?” 

Set swallowed nervously and sighed.

“Set?” Ahk tested, drawing her attention back to him when it began to stray.

“I have something I must tell you—a secret. And I hope that you will help me keep it.”

She said nothing more and walked hastily out to the balcony, leaning against the wide edge of the stone railing to better gaze out over the city. Ahk followed, curiosity and fear fueling his movements. A thousand things flashed into his mind as to what it could be his sister needed to tell him, each slightly more concerning than the last. And by the time he placed himself beside her, he was out of breath, with his heart racing.

“You can tell me anything, you know that,” Ahkmenrah assured her, wishing she would hurry up and end his internal suffering.

“There’s a soldier called Satauhotep. He’s very kind…”

Suddenly, the nervousness on her features lessened, turning into something deeply wistful. A soft smile curled onto her lips and pink tinted her cheeks. She was very obviously infatuated and was scared he might be mad at her on account.

“We’ve sort of been meeting in private—he kissed me once. But I promise nothing more than that.” Set said, some of that concern casting a veil over her smitten features.

He should have warned her, should have told her how dangerous it was for her and a soldier—or anyone—to be caught together. But Ahkmenrah decided not to be angry: foolish as that might have been.

The wife of the pharaoh was to remain loyal to no other man, even if their union hardly classified as a marriage in their minds. To others, they were king and queen, and a queen could be punished for acting so adulterous.

When he smiled, the apprehension vanished from Setshepsut’s face, and her usual spirit quickly surged through her. A part of Ahk feared that fire inside of her would die if she remained stagnantly tethered to him—so he smiled and decided not to be angry.

“This is blessed news. I will gladly keep this secret for you.”

“Really?” Set almost looked surprised.

“Of course,” Ahk promised. 

It wasn’t lost to him that, for her, their marriage was more akin to a life sentence of servitude. Ahkmenrah didn’t want to think about what would become of his sister if she was denied happiness her entire life. As pharaoh, he could take any number of wives to sate his own desires, but Setshepsut? Set could only ever have him, and he was not who she wanted.

“I am truly happy you have found someone, Set. But please be careful,” Ahk warned. “Even as pharaoh, I don’t know if I can protect you both should you get caught.”

“I know,” Setshepsut said softly, meeting his eyes. “Satau does too. He just—he makes me happy. I can’t really explain it beyond that.”

Her gaze turned back out over the city, that familiar guise of infatuation settling firmly across her features. As he looked at her in that stricken state of affection, Ahkmenrah couldn’t help but be envious of the love his sister had found. What followed, however, was a strong yank of sorrow pulling at his heartstrings that stirred memories and a grief he hadn’t thought of in years.

“What are you thinking about?” Set said, catching her brother’s suddenly wistful expression.

“Nouke…” Ahkmenrah whispered, and just saying her name caused his heart to hammer and to break all at once as he realized he had almost let her slip from his memory.  

***

The king and queen’s perfect pantomime held strong for five years before anyone thought to question the legitimacy of their marriage. Surprisingly, Setshepsut’s infatuation with Satauhotep had broken up the monotony their routine had fallen into. Set was happier, and Ahk was happier because she was happier. The three of them could have gone on for many more years that way, but Ahk was called to an early council meeting one afternoon that chose to hinder their comfortable ritual.

The pharaoh was smart enough to know why his advisors summoned him midday to discuss important ‘family matters', and to some extent; it was odd that the council—and his father—had taken so long to bring up the issue concerning heirs. Or lack thereof, rather. And while he knew such a time would come; Ahk found he was ill-prepared to answer the questions his councilors threw at him.

“It’s not for a lack of trying,” Ahkmenrah lied.

Until then, he’d remained vague, which made his father’s glower grow significantly. The pharaoh felt horrible for lying, but that was the best way to keep their charade from seeing the light. He knew the importance of leaving behind heirs to ensure the longevity of the family bloodline. He respected that principle and would abide by it as long as Setshepsut had no part in it.

“Perhaps the queen cannot bear children,” one of the advisors suggested.

Ahkmenrah sat in his chair, listening idly to the men at his table bicker about possible reasons why the king and queen had no children. It was almost comical that none of them even considered the truth.

Finally, Merenkahre silenced them all with the raising of his hand and turned his intense eyes to his son.

“Whatever the reason is; I think it is time our pharaoh takes a second wife. If the queen will not give him children, then another will.”

Ahkmenrah sat up straighter, considerably more interested in the council meeting after hearing his father’s suggestion. His smile was difficult to keep reserved, and his stomach tingled excitedly with a hopefulness that he couldn't quite place.

“Would that be satisfactory to the king?” Meren asked, a single brow hooked high on his forehead.

“Very satisfactory,” Ahkmenrah agreed. “However, I want to choose my bride this time.”

“Yes, my thoughts as well,” his father concurred quickly, as though he already prepared for Ahk to demand such an ultimatum. “You will choose from an audience of suitors the council has deemed appropriate for you.”

A frown threatened to twist onto Ahkmenrah’s features, suddenly feeling that pleasant tingle in his stomach shift to irritation.

“Appropriate?” 

“Yes, my king,” Merenkahre assured him. “Ladies who are deserving of you, and will bring you, sons and daughters.”

Trained servants to open their legs for me, is more like it, Ahk thought trying to stifle his sneer.

He wasn’t interested in women who lacked their own dreams and desires; most noble ladies he had met were no more than trained animals. They wanted nothing other than to please their powerful husband and give him sons. He wanted someone who loved him; and shared like-minded thoughts. Someone spirited and adventurous. But Ahkmenrah wasn’t allowed to be so greedy. Marriage for a pharaoh was a political stratagem and nothing more. What his mother and father had was unique for a king and queen. Every century or so, the stars aligned and two souls were allowed to join outside the normal order as Merenkahre and Shepseheret had done. Ahkmenrah was too late for that chance.

“I suppose there is no sense in trying to change your mind on that?” Ahkmenrah probed.

Merenkahre remained resolute, “It’s what’s best for Egypt.”

A bereft sigh escaped the pharaoh’s lips, and he folded.

“So be it.” Ahk stood and looked to his father. “I’ll leave the remainder of this council meeting in your capable hand's father. I need the rest of the evening to think.”

All the men at the table hurried to their feet and bowed as he left saying nothing more. He spent an hour walking in a loop through the palace halls, brooding while trying to find a silver lining in the latest obstacle laid before him. By the time he made it back to his bedchambers, both his feet and his mind were sore from their work out.

Setshepsut was already inside, lounging on a padded bench, boredly eating from a platter of fresh fruit. She threw him a smile as a greeting but nothing more. Despite her relationship with the soldier Satauhotep letting a little bit of steam out of the metaphorical pot of their marriage, the routine often still felt tiresome. Both of them would have loved to be free to do anything other than faking it.

“You’re back from council early,” she fished, as she continued snacking.

Ahkmenrah’s lips pressed into a hard line as he thought back to the discussions he’d endured while he shrugged out of his golden robes and left them in a pile near the edge of his bed. He removed his crown as well, heedlessly tossing it onto the cushion of where he slept and sauntered over to join his sister on the bench.

She offered him the platter of fruits and Ahk absently picked a date to nosh on.

“The council and father are on to us,” he sighed.

“Five years and no children? I suspect they should be.” Setshepsut shrugged. “So what has the council decided should be done about the issue?”

“I am to take another wife—father is arranging suitors for me to meet with,”

The expression on Setshepsut’s face changed from one of mild indifference to a sort of happy sadness that Ahk had not expected to find when he looked at her.

“What are you thinking?” 

A rueful smile ghosted onto her lips, and she half shrugged.

“Nothing—I’m just glad…” 

“Glad?” Ahk’s brows knit together.

“Yeah,” she looked at him, her big dark eyes meeting his with ample compassion. “I’m glad that you may finally find some happiness.”

Ahkmenrah looked at her adoringly. He knew her well enough to read between the lines: she was happy he may have a chance to find love, but sad she could not pursue the love she had found.

“I’m happy with you, Set,” Ahk assured her, not knowing what else to say.

“I know, me too.” More sorrow darkened her expression. “But you and I will never be completely happy this way.”

Another piece of that little girl he’d grown up with vanished in that moment causing a poignant tug on Ahkmenrah’s heart strings. She was too wise for her own good.

Ahkmenrah sighed and said nothing more, giving his sister a soft kiss to her cheek before going to distract himself with his endless stacks of papyrus’.  

***

It took Merenkahre all of two days to gather an audience of suitable women for Ahkmenrah to choose from. He came to the pharaoh’s bed-chamber early that morning with a taut smile on his lips, wearing an air of pride that could almost rival the one Kahmunrah carried every day without reason.

Ahk dismissed the servants who had been helping him into his usual raiment with a wave and finished the task himself.

“There are five beautiful young ladies awaiting your approval in the throne room,” Merenkahre told him.

“I commend you for making such quick work of this issue, father,” Ahk stated, unsure if his own tone was genuine or sardonic.

Meren always pursued a task with the utmost devotion and haste. However, Ahkmenrah felt that the matter of choosing potential brides should have been executed a little slower. Nevertheless, Ahk swallowed his own irritation and threw on as genuine a smile as he could muster—if only to please his father.

“So when am I to meet them?”

“As soon as you are ready, my son,” Merenkahre said.

“Perfect.” Ahkmenrah finished dressing by placing his crown upon his head and followed his father to the throne room to meet the brides chosen for him, one of with whom he would have to spend the rest of his life with.

The pharaoh took his rightful place on the golden throne, situating himself comfortably but also as regally as he could manage. His father stood beside him and gave the order to bring the king his prospective brides.

They were all beautiful—his father was correct to tell him so. The women before him glittered like gemstones, draped in finery that almost eclipsed his own. Each one was brought before him, introduced like a product for purchase (a rather off-putting notion for the pharaoh) and primly stepped aside for the next one to be ushered in.

Three of them were daughters of respected noble families Ahk knew to be of Waset. Another was the niece of one of his councilors, and the last, who was vaguely familiar to him. Nensala was from Men-nefer, and the youngest daughter of Sefkh: the man who hosted him and his father all those years ago in his city. He recalled her kindness and how much she reminded him of Setshepsut; Ahkmenrah was glad to see at least one familiar face before him.

“I am heartened by your beauty, and your presence, my ladies,” Ahkmenrah stated, taking on his best official-sounding bravado. “I invite you to share my home for the next few weeks, so that I may get to know each of you before I make my decision.”

Ahk instructed his servants to ready chambers for each of them.

“Please, take this evening to get settled. I will call upon you in the coming days.”

The women all graced him with gleaming smiles and bowed as they were escorted out of the throne room and to their own chambers.

Over the course of two weeks, Ahkmenrah upheld his end of the bargain he and his father had come to and devoted as much of his time as he could to acquainting himself with the ladies chosen to be his bride. He was hopeful in the beginning—longing to harness merely a sliver of potential love, but little by little that hope waned. The pharaoh tried to find a connection between each of them he courted, but despite all the kindling, nothing sparked. It was as he feared: each of them wanted nothing more than to serve him. They lacked dreams and wisdom that made people so unique.

After a week of nothing but wholehearted attempts to find a woman who he would be glad to name as his wife, with nothing to show for it but exhaustion of mind and soul, Ahkmenrah chose to take one evening for himself. His chambers were quiet and blessedly free of suitors who shared no more in common with him then the plants in the gardens.

He was laying across his bed, eyes locked with the tall ceiling, swimming through his own thoughts when Setshepsut came to visit.

“Hello,” he said in a dark monotone that matched the heaviness in his heart.

She laid beside her brother when he motioned for her to join by patting the empty space next to him. Her eyes stayed fixated at the hieroglyphs etched onto the ceiling as well, for a long time. Ahk felt some of the tension begin to ebb with the quiet company of his sister, once again grateful that it was Setshepsut he was bound to.

“What’s wrong with them?” Set finally asked.

Ahkmenrah only shrugged. 

“Well surely there must be something wrong with them--they are all so beautiful.” Setshepsut teased, elbowing his side gently.

Ahk, however, sighed and frowned, not in the mood for her wit.

“That is the problem. They have beauty alone.”

Set was quiet a moment, then turned on her side, propping her head on her elbow.

“Don’t most men only want pretty wives?”

A slow smile crept onto his lips in spite of his sour mood, and he rolled his eyes.

“Forgive me for holding such high standards. I happen to have been raised around a slew of women who were both beautiful and smart. Is it too selfish of me to want both of my wives to be this way?”

They both began to chuckle. Heartened, genuine laughs that the two of them had not shared in a long time, bringing tears to their eyes and a dull ache in their muscles from how hard they’d let go. For a moment, the entire world was made up of only the two of them, and it was a welcomed feeling to be free of reality, even if only for a few seconds.

When the laughter settled, and gentle smiles were all that remained of their fit of giggles, Ahk’s mind began to wander into those almost forgotten times when the golden shackles he wore held a longer chain. Memories stirred of his childhood, and the one person who he was sad no longer was a part of his life.

“I wonder what happened to Nouke after she and her family left?” he thought aloud before he could stop himself.

Nearly a decade had passed since he last saw his friend from the garden. He hoped she was still just as spirited as he remembered.

“I imagine she’s somewhere happily married, with a handful of children who love her…” he mused with a sad smile.

He could feel Set’s eyes upon his face, but Ahk’s stayed transfixed in the space above him, his mind still drawing images of Nouke and the family she may have.

“Ahkmen?” Setshepsut said a while later in a voice only an octave above a whisper.

“Hhmm?”

“Do you think the reason you find it so difficult to give your heart to one of these girls is because you gave it away a long time ago...to Nouke?”

Finally, Ahkmenrah’s eyes tore away from the ceiling, blown wide with realization as he gazed at his sister. She knew him better than he knew himself.

Set smiled at the look of shock on her brother's face and returned to her previous position of staring at the ceiling.  

“You mustn’t lose hope that you will never find love again. Don’t waste the freedom that you hold, and I lack. Please.”

Despite the deep-rooted sadness in her tone, Ahkmenrah still found hope lingering just beneath the surface of her features. Seeing him freely court others was beginning to dampen her spirit; it hurt her that she couldn’t do the same with the man she loved without fear. Set did well to mask that ache though.

Ahk turned his eyes back to the ceiling and slid his hand to hold hers—a comfort both knew to show their understanding.

“I will have Satauhotep added to your personal guard. That way, the two of you may be seen together without cause for suspicion. It’s not a lot--”

Set squeezed his fingers, and cut him off, “It’s enough.”

***

After two weeks, only one suitor remained, Nensala, although, in the pharaoh’s mind, he had already dismissed her as he had the others. There was, however, an intriguing allure to her for Ahkmenrah that none of the other brides had. She was the only one whom he had known previously. Nensala was eleven the last time he saw her the night before an assassin sought to take his life while he slept.

When he met her in the courtyard, her beauty threw a veil over the little girl in his memories; she was a vision in the dulling light of the afternoon. Her skin was delicate against his when she took the arm he offered, and her smile was almost a song as she leaned against his side. It would have been easy to get lost in her physical beauty, but Ahkmenrah was determined to find a bride whose soul matched his own.

He led her on a leisure stroll throughout his palace and its grounds as he had all the others, doing his best to keep his mind away from Nouke. In fact, he'd found it hard not to dwell on his friend from the garden ever since his mind allowed her to settle into the forefront of his memory. Ahkmenrah’s heart yearned for her, yearned to be present in her enchanting spirit that he adored in his youth. It was she whom he had compared all of his potential brides to, and none of them could fill the hole her absence had left inside him.

“Forgive me, my king. But you seem distracted.” Nensala’s voice was soft when she spoke.

Ahkmenrah blinked back to reality, finding they had wandered into the West Garden, and a mirthless chuckle escaped his pursed lips.

“Fitting,” he quipped, glancing around as if to look for his friend he knew wouldn’t be there.

Nensala’s eyes followed his, her forehead creasing with puzzlement as she turned back to look at him.

“What is?”    

A poignant ache tightened in his stomach taking in the empty garden and the silent histories hidden there. He wanted to speak of his friend, their adventures; to reminisce freely, but that would not be kingly.

“I spent a lot of my youth in this garden,” Ahk mused. “With my friend Nouke.”

“Nouke?”  “She was a servant girl—we were inseparable."

A gentle smile lit up Nensala’s face, and she took his hand and led him to the edge of the fountain. She urged him to sit beside her on its wide edge, and spoke.

“Tell me about her.” 

A grin unfurled slowly on his face, only too happy to speak of his friend. He told her of all the games they would play, all the scorching afternoons they spent splashing in the waters of the fountain. The pharaoh spoke of everything except the secret passage they used to venture along the Nile; those memories were sacred to him, kept safely locked away in his heart.

“What happened to her?”

A frown twisted the nostalgic smile off of Ahkmenrah’s face, and he shrugged.

“Her family left our services. By the time I returned from my travels across Egypt, she was gone. I haven’t seen her since.”

“That’s sad,” Nensala murmured, with a genuine ruefulness. 

“Mmm,” Ahkmenrah hummed, his mind lost again in thoughts of Nouke. “I think that’s why I have had such trouble finding another bride…”

“None of us are her…” Nensala finished for him, and for the first time, he truly looked at her.

Her sorrow for him was palpable, and it made his heart feel warm.

“I can understand that,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “There was this boy who came to visit my city years ago; he was so kind, and handsome—with a head full of dreams. My father has had a terrible time trying to find me a husband because no man he has ever brought me has been him.”

Suddenly, Ahkmenrah’s heart was aching for her and for himself. Did she truly see him? See past the golden raiment? She’d been the only one so far to even kindle something more than mediocre conversation. 

“What happened to him?” Ahk asked, truly curious.

She grinned, and the sparkle in her stormy eyes made his heart race.

“He returned to the capital and became pharaoh, taking his sister for a wife.”

Before her words had time to register she scooted closer and leaned to kiss him softly—a test to gauge his reaction. Although his mind was still overrun with thoughts of Nouke, Ahkmenrah found his eyes closing, returning Nensala’s chaste kiss; all of those latent desires bursting with rapid heat.  

It was the first time that he’d been touched since his marriage. There had been many who had caught his eye during a feast or festival he'd hosted; ladies he wanted nothing more than to make his for a night as he’d done countless times before gaining a queen. However, Ahk felt it too unfair—perhaps even cruel—to act so heedlessly on his desires when Setshepsut could not. Over the years those urges had grown numb until Nensala made him realize just how touch starved he truly was.

When she pulled away, there was a slight pinkish hue tinting her cheeks, and she let her eyes fall from his in mild embarrassment.

“Forgive me, my king, for my forwardness.”  

He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head until her eyes met his own. Lust was spreading like fire inside of him; a gnawing desperation for the need to touch and to be touched clouding all rational thoughts in his mind. A frown began to turn Nensala’s features, a result of his gawking silence, but before she could look away, Ahkmenrah claimed her mouth with a ravenous desire.

His tongue quickly flicked along her lips, stealing a taste, that caused her to open for him with a sigh—her own yearning an echo of his own. Ahk’s hands framed her face, urging her to close the gap between them, not wanting her mouth to leave his until he’d had his fill.    

They were both gasping when they broke away, and he found her eyes twinkling with wonderment. Her fingers trailed along his jaw, drawing him to her mouth again and Ahk met her halfway. There was a desperation in the way their lips danced, passion too, or perhaps it was simply lust. Nevertheless, Ahkmenrah was consumed. She whimpered a bereft cry when he broke their kiss again, but he took Nensala by the hand and whisked her away to the privacy of his bed-chamber.

Ahkmenrah was glad to find his room empty—Setshepsut nowhere to be seen. For a fleeting moment, a pang of guilt wrestled his lust hazed mind, thinking about his sister and the actions their marriage forbid only she from doing. However, he didn’t dwell on it; he needed to feel something. He only hoped Setshepsut would understand.  

Nensala’s eyes took in the grandeur of the pharaoh’s chamber with wonderment and a smile and when her eyes found his bed, she glanced back at him with a coy smirk.

“My king?” she asked, and he answered with a nod of consent.

She approached him slowly, and he watched, hanging on her every movement, taking in just how thin the linen of her gown was. Delicate hands removed his crown, weaving through his hair and when she pulled his bottom lip between her teeth, licking the sensitive skin, heat pooled in his groin.  

His guilt was at war with his desire; and his desire was winning. Ahk’s eyes slid shut at the surge of pleasure her every touch invoked. Deft fingers snaked down his back, spurring a wave of goosebumps over his flesh, as she worked to loosen the fastenings of his wesekh, laying kisses to his jaw as she did. The jeweled collar fell heedlessly between them to the ground, his golden robes slipping from his shoulders in a heap alongside it.

Before Nensala’s hands could finish their downward trajectory, Ahkmenrah grabed her wrists and pulls away from her kisses. At that moment, the pharaoh considered ordering her to leave him so he could retain his silent vow of abstinence a while longer, but his will betrayed him.

With a wordless instruction, he nodded towards his bed. That same, impish smirk unfurled on her lips as she turned to do as her king commanded and perched herself on its edge. Without ceremony, Ahkmenrah removed the rest of his garments, leaving all of them a forgotten pile on the floor.  

Her eyes never strayed from his as he trod across the room, stopping to loom over her. The intensity in her eyes matched the burning in his core and when she stood, Nensala pushed the straps of her dress from her shoulders, allowing it to fall in a whisper from her body. Ahk pulled her against him, his fingertips pressing possessively into the soft flesh of her hips, reveling in the feel of her breasts against his chest. That sudden friction sparked a moan from deep within both. When Ahkmenrah kissed her again, it was fervent and powerful, the kiss of a virile king and Nensala surrendered herself to him, allowing her pharaoh to chase away all of his desires begging to be set free.

 For the first time in a long time, Ahkmenrah felt a sense of peace come over him—no matter how minuscule it was. It was as though his spirit was anew and the air that filled his lungs was inherently more soothing. Losing himself in another person allowed him to find the pieces of him that had been missing for longer than he cared to remember. In his heart, he still missed his friend, but perhaps he’d found room to learn to love the woman in his bed. 

He called for his servants to bring them a tray of fresh fruits and breads to share as they lounged in cheerful company telling stories. Nen spoke of her family back home—her older sisters and their husbands, her brothers and their wives, and all of her nieces and nephews. In return Ahk spoke of his own family. He couldn’t help but find her presence wholly inviting, and yet his mind never failed to trail back to his friend from the garden.

In an attempt to deter the thoughts of Nouke, Ahkmenrah finally mustered the courage to ask the one question that none of his other potential brides could answer correctly: what was it she wanted out of life, what dreams did she have?

Nensala thought for a moment, her lighthearted expression growing pensive as she really considered her answer.

“There are many places I would love to see—the pyramids. They’ve always intrigued me; the stories there. They’re but a half day’s journey from Men-nefer, but I’ve never gone. And the way you spoke of the Mediterranean? I’d love to see those blue waters.”   

Ahk listened to her avidly as a hopefulness began to take root in his bones. All he wanted was to share his life with someone who he could love, who harnessed the same sense of adventure and adoration for making the most of every day. However, the wistful expression on Nensala’s face fell when she sighed.

“What I want doesn’t matter, though. What does is your happiness, my king.”

Her words were like a knife to him. All of that hope vanished, and he felt knots tighten in his stomach.

“I could make you happy,” she smirked, not taking notice of his suddenly cold expression. “I have already, haven’t I?”

Defeat quickly washed away all the pieces of him he’d thought he’d recovered in her company. She was like all the rest—he was merely a prize that she was ready to bow and succumb to. She held no conviction of her own or integrity. Nensala was trained like all the other brides had been.

“Yes,” he said finally, fighting hard to keep from frowning.

Their conversation lulled soon after, and Ahkmenrah demanded she left, offering no reason. Nensala didn’t question him—more evidence of his fear. He walked her to his door and thanked her for her company, laying a kiss to her cheek and bid her goodnight. 

***

Be it from his own guilt, or the simple want to do something nice for his sister; Ahkmenrah arranged for Satauhotep to join them for a private dinner soon after all the suitors were gone. The modest soiree provided a much-needed distraction from everything that was making the pharaoh’s life significantly less enchanting. His father was unpleased that he ordered his potential brides to leave, he missed Nouke more than he ever had before, and he needed a break from it all.

Set was overjoyed with the idea of a dinner together. Satauhotep however, looked understandably alarmed to find the pharaoh seated at the table they were to share in the secluded dining chamber.

He quickly relinquished Setshepsut’s hand and fell to his knees, muttering a firm, “My king!”, as he did.

“There is no need for such formality here,” Ahkmenrah said with a smirk. “You may rise.” 

Setshepsut helped him stand, and that same look of alarm was on his face when he met the pharaoh’s gaze.

“May I speak freely, my king?” Satauhotep swallowed nervously.

“Of course, I would have it no other way.”

The soldier's eyes drifted between Setshepsut and his king, and he swallowed again before he spoke.

“What is the meaning of this invitation?”

Ahkmenrah smiled and looked at his sister.

“This is my gift to her. And I thought it time I finally met you.”

Satauhotep’s nervousness began to meld into panic, but Setshepsut took his hand to calm him.

“It’s okay, Satau. He knows—he’s known for a while,” she assured him, kissing his cheek.

Color slowly started to come back to the soldier’s features as his mind worked through what Setshepsut confessed, and he looked to Ahkmenrah for some form of reassurance.

“Set told me years ago the two of you met. I only apologize it’s taken me this long to have officially met you.”

A heavy line creased his forehead and surely a hundred questions flooded into his mind.

“W-why am I not being reprimanded? To court your queen—that’s punishable by death.”

“What my sister and I share is a contract, written on a scroll of papyrus by my father—it’s political and nothing more. We’ve been playing our roles for the public alone. Otherwise, our union has been inordinately platonic.”

Satauhotep blinked, confusion drifting over his face as visible as clouds in the sky.

“But I escort you to the pharaoh’s chambers each night—you don’t…?”

Set chuckled, “We play Senet for hours—Ahkmen’s terrible.”

“I taught you how to play Senet,” Ahkmenrah quipped throwing a soured look to his sister.

“You’re still terrible.” She shrugged.

The pharaoh rolled his eyes as he smirked.

“I never told you any of this because it was easiest to keep it between Ahkmen and myself,” Set told him.

“And if you vow not to tell a soul that Set and I are putting on a ruse,” Ahk said. “I promise that I will keep your relationship with my sister a secret.”

For the first time, Satauhotep’s features broke into a smile, and he accepted, pulling Set in for a deep kiss that filled Ahk’s heart with a bubbling warmth to witness. 

The rest of the evening progressed calmly and the pharaoh let himself fade into the background, allowing his sister and her lover some real time so their love could blossom. Watching them together overwhelmed him with both joy and sadness. Their affection for one another enveloped the other in a tangible glow that was brighter than all the lamps and torches combined. A thousand words of poetry drifted between them in the quiet of their intimate glances.

Ahkmenrah found himself turning away just to give them a moment of the privacy they longed to have; it pained him they could not act on what they shared. His actions with Nensala were brought on by unsated lust and greed, on his end, and hers; there was no love there. After seeing what it was his sister was aching to have, Ahkmenrah hated himself even more for giving in.

When Ahkmenrah excused himself, Set gave him a questioning look, but he assured her that no one would bother them, as long as they stayed in that chamber. He bid them both goodnight and returned to his own chamber feeling profoundly tired—worn thin by the cards life had dealt him.

Ahkmenrah wasn’t sure how late it was, or how long after he’d excused himself from dinner when Setshepsut came into his chamber, a vision of love and practically floating across the floor. He welcomed her tight hug gladly, tired of looking out over the city with longing as he thought.

“Thank you, so much, Ahkmen.” She spoke against his chest as she gripped him tighter with her appreciation.

Ahkmenrah hugged her back just as tightly, relishing in the sweetness of her words and the tone that accompanied them.

“Will you sit with me a second? I need to speak to you.”

Concern darkened her carefree demeanor, and she sat next to him on the bench against the balcony railing. Her worry only lessened when Ahkmenrah cast her a gentle smile and took her hands in his.

“I approve wholeheartedly of Satauhotep. He’s kind and strong—the kind of man who can love and protect you in ways that I am unable to.”

Setshepsut grinned and squeezed his fingers.

“I’ve decided; I will find a bride, soon. That way, I can release you from this marriage—you and Satauhotep can be together without fear.”

After watching his sister and her lover, Ahkmenrah realized that his own happiness mattered little to him, and he’d come to accept his time to truly be happy had come and gone in his youth. Kings had to make sacrifices. And if he could grant Setshepsut a life of happiness with someone she loved by making another sacrifice, Ahkmenrah knew he could live the remainder of his days content with the knowledge she was with someone she wanted. Perhaps in time, he could learn to sacrifice even more and learn to love someone like Nensala--someone cut off from the importance of dreams, who strove only to serve him and nothing more. Ahkmenrah dreaded when that day would come, but a part of him knew it would be inevitable. A king needed his queen…

Set lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into another hug as she thanked him more profusely than she had before. There were tears of joy in her eyes when she pulled away, she wiped at them sloppily and gauged him with a new concern, easily reading the heartache on his features.

“You should find her.”

“Who?” He knew already, but still he asked.

“Nouke. It’s possible she could be longing for you somewhere out there as well.”

Setshepsut gave his hands a squeeze again, and Ahkmenrah felt the threat of tears prickle his eyes, but his were not ones of joy.

“Nouke knew a long time ago our paths would always be split: the pharaoh, and the servant…”

Set kissed the back of his hand sweetly, in an act he knew meant she didn’t want him to give up so easily.

“It’s not so strange—the queen and the soldier. Unlikely, but titles don’t define us. You are both more and less than a pharaoh, as she is both more and less than a servant. Mostly, we're all just flesh.”

She left him with another chaste kiss to his cheek, and to ponder her wisdom, which is exactly what he did.

Next Chapter-> Chapter Six: Divided

#Ahkmenrah #Ahkmenrah x Original Character #Ahkmenrah Fanfiction #NATM #NATM Fanfiction #Rami Malek Character #Rami Malek Character Fanfiction #Rami Malek Fanfiction #Rami Malek #Left to Ruin

[paodequeijofeliz-blog]

I won’t take risks

Bloodbound Fanfiction (characters and main story belongs to Pixelberry Studios).

Pairing: Kamilah Sayeed and MC (Annie)

Information: this takes place after Bloodbound 3, but I made a few changes. In my story, MC was never Turned because Gaius wasn’t able to hit her. Also, the world don’t know anything about vampires yet, just a few people (politicians, scientists...). It’s a working progress.

Summary: News about a new virus spreading on China makes Kamilah worry about her human and the vampire holds no effort to make sure Annie will be safe. Even if it means not touching her for months.

Warnings: it has a little bit of sex content. 

Part 1 Part 3

I WON’T TAKE RISKS - PART 2 

          “I bet everything.” – Anna’s statement made Lily shove all of her poker chips in Kamilah’s direction.

          “Huh.” – the Vampire Queen narrowed her eyes. – “Interesting.”

           Behind the glass, Annie was watching the game and participating through Lily. Since both of them were relatively new at playing Poker, Adrian and Kamilah thought it would be only fair to let them team up. So Lily sat on the table with her back turned to the glass, giving Annie a clear view of the cards in her hand. Kamilah was right across Lily, with Adrian in her right and The Baron on her left.

           “I’m out.” – Adrian sighed.

           “Me too.” – said The Baron. He gave them a yellow smile, a cigar trapped between his teeth. – “I like this new type of Council Meeting. Who knew you could be fun.”

           The whiskey bottle on the table was almost empty. Even Annie was drinking behind the glass, her hands playing with the glass of wine while Kamilah kept staring at her suspiciously. They taught the human how to play in the third week of quarantine. She was being impossible, already tired of watching movies and reading books. After the tenth time hearing the intercom ring in one single morning, Kamilah finally gave up and called for help. They moved the Council Meetings to that basement and started to think about group activities to distract Annie.

            Back then, the vampire could read her wife perfectly during game nights. Annie was a terrible liar. But now, a month later, she was getting good at disguising her feelings. Even the human’s heart was not speeding for each lie anymore… And Kamilah wasn’t sure she liked this new skill of hers.

           “I’m all in.” – she shoved her chips too, eyes never leaving Annie’s face.

           “Are you sure?” – the girl offered a cheeky smile.

           “Absolutely.”

            The cocky smile faded into anger in half second when Kamilah put down her cards. Straight Flush.

           “Ah, come on!”

           Lily let the cards go. A simple Three of a Kind.

           She still twists her mouth a little bit when she lies. – the Vampire Queen was feeling very proud of herself.

           “Only three queens in your hand and you were already feeling cocky?” – growled The Baron.

           “In real life I only have one and it’s already mind-blowing. I thought three would definitely make a win.”

           “Only one?” Kamilah arched her eyebrows. “Remember me to not let you go anywhere near any other queens”.

           “You’re the only Royal mouth I wish to sit on, darling.” Anna gave her a wink, amused by the way her wife gasped and almost choke in whisky. After that, they started to get more into the Council’s problems, discussing politics and bureaucracies that soon enough made Annie feel sleepy and nod off in her armchair. She didn’t see The Baron and Lily leaving a couple hours later, and didn’t hear Adrian talking about her either. Even though the girl was truly asleep and had no enhanced hearing, he lowered his voice to make sure not to cause any problems between then.

           “Kamilah… Don’t you think this is a little… Exaggerated?” – he gestured lightly in the glass direction. – “It has been almost two months.”

           “I won’t take risks, Adrian.”

           “I understand your concern, I really do. But why couldn’t you two quarantine together in the Penthouse? Why did you need to isolate her like this?”

           Kamilah sighed, exhausted. “It wouldn’t work. Ahmanet Financial is responsible for supporting the production of too many necessary medications. Besides, we jumped on the lead of the vaccine research. I can’t freeze work. I let most of my people go home, but there is still a few of us who are too essential to stop.”

           “Well, you could go to work and take an alcohol bath once you got home. It’s less complicated than this.”

           “Yes. And what would I do when I got home to find out that this little rebel put on a mask and went outside to buy something to cheer me up?” – Kamilah crossed her arms. – “That’s what she does, Adrian. She can’t stay still, and she most definitely can’t stop herself from finding new ways to make me happy. I love my wife, but I’m certain she would do something stupid for a good cause. And all it takes is for her to press one elevator button and unconsciously touch her face. So, one more time: I won’t take risks.”

           He couldn’t disagree. “Ok. You really thought this through.”

           She nodded quietly.

           “Oh, one more thing. I noticed she had a piece of cake in there today. Did you put a kitchen in the room?” – his tone sounded concerned.

           “Oh God, no. I wouldn’t leave her down here alone with a stove. She cooks very well, but almost destroyed our kitchen four times in the past year.” – Kamilah took another sip of her whisky and used the empty glass to point at the door behind her. – “The food is prepared in there. Everything she desires.”

           Adrian laughed softly. “Why am I not impressed that you would hire someone just for that?”

           “Oh. I didn’t hire anyone.”

           “What?”

           “I told you. I. Won’t. Take. Risks.”

           Adrian’s chin fell down. “Kamilah… Are you the one cooking for her? Every day?”

           “Of course. I can’t be sick, so there’s nothing contagious inside me, and I always make sure to leave my clothes outside and sterilize myself before starting. Besides…” – she glanced at Annie’s figure all tangled with a unicorn blanket. A sparkle of joy appeared for a second in those Egyptian dark eyes. – “She prefers my cooking.”

           “Kamilah Sayeed making everything a human girl desires to eat just to make her feel better about quarantine. Now I’ve truly seen it all.”

           She kicked his leg under the table. “Oh, shut up.”

#kamilah #kamilah sayeed #bb kamilah #kamilah is my queen #kamilah x mc #sayeed #choices

[xmxisxforxmaybe]

Ahk reuniting with his wife after not seeing for over thousands of years? Lots of fluff? Slight NSFW at end? Pwease?

We love our soft Ahk on this blog 💖

***

A long, long time ago…

Ahkmenrah, King of Egypt, watched from his litter as you helped some of the children finish their paper boats before setting them to sail down the Nile, an offering for the great Osiris. The children were enamored with their Queen, listening intently to every word she spoke as she explained the significance of the ritual.

Ahkmenrah knew he would find you here, amongst all the farmers instead of in a circle of nobility. You were never one to choose comfort above duty, and one of the reasons Ahk chose you for his wife was because you knew as well as he that nothing, nothing in this great land would exist without its people and its blessings from the gods.

“Hello, my love,” Ahkmenrah greeted as he walked up beside you, the children all pausing and some bowing, depending on their age and their understanding of the presence of the pharaoh himself.

“None of that, children,” Ahk said. “We are all the same when it comes to our journey to the afterlife. We must all respect the great Osiris.”

The children rushed to show the pharaoh their boats and Ahkmenrah approved of each and every one of them before they were set to sail.

Once the children rushed back to their parents, Ahkmenrah took your hand in his and kissed your temple, the beads in your hair tinkling like music as nuzzled into your neck.

“You are so beautiful, my love. Your soul shines with the splendor of Ra himself.”

“Smooth, my King. Very, very smooth,” you say, chuckling as you pulled away to place your own boat on the Nile, Ahkmenrah watching you and thanking all the gods he had found such a loving, humble queen.

***

Present day…

“And so, we had the Festival of Wag: Dedicated to the death of Osiris and honoring the souls of the deceased on their journey in the afterlife, this festival, was earmarked by people making small boats out of paper and floating their shrines on the waters of the Nile, toward the west to honor the dead.”

Ahkmenrah listened as the latest exhibit from Egypt pontificated, practicing for when it was his turn to serve as a docent during the Museum After-Dark event. Because of the appeal of the young pharaoh, the museum began expanding their Egyptian exhibit. Ahk had been joined by the mummy of a priest, a high priestess, and a craftsman and his wife. He supported them as they adjusted to their new life, and while he was grateful to be joined by more of his people, every time the museum introduced a new mummy, Ahkmenrah couldn’t help but wish it would be the mummy of his beloved wife.

It was silly of him to even hope because no trace of you had ever been found. Ahk assumed his vile brother sought to it, determined to ensure that his afterlife was filled with nothing but an aching feeling of being incomplete.

“What do you think, your majesty?” the priest, Imhoten, asked.

“I believe people will find the festival most interesting. I know it was one of my favorites.”

Imhoten smiled at Ahkmenrah, delighted his king was pleased.

“Ahk! Ahk!” Larry called, puffing for breath as he ran into the Egyptian wing.

“Larry, whatever is the matter?” Ahkmenrah rose, concern filling his face.

“You’re never—gonna—believe—what’s, well who’s—in the antiquities bay.”

Ahkmenrah ran to Larry and grasped his shoulders.

“Explain. Please, my friend,” Ahk said, his eyes full of desperation.

“It’s a mummy from your time, they think. And it’s someone of importance—maybe a queen.”

Ahkmenrah’s heart sank.

“Thank you, Larry, but do you know what the chance is that she is myqueen?”

“I’m sorry, Ahk. I guess you’re right,” Larry said, his face pulling into a frown. “I didn’t mean to get your hopes up.”

“I know,” Ahkmenrah said, smiling at his guardian. “However, duty calls. Take me to her.”

“About that …” Larry said, his eyes on the floor. “She sort of escaped.”

“Escaped?”

“The appraisers had her sarcophagus open, so when night fell, there was nothing to stop her from awakening. Atilla and his goons nearly had her but she wrangled one of their spears and shucked it straight through General Alaric’s head.”

“My gods!” Ahkmenrah said, his heartbeat picking up a bit because that sounded exactly like something you would do.

“She was last headed toward the Hall of Botanicals.”

“I will try to head her off. If I can just speak to her, I think it will calm her. Can you seal off the other entrance?”

Larry nodded and took off.

Ahkmenrah quickly made his way to the exit of the Botanical Hall, figuring that the new mummy would follow a linear path through the exhibit.

The Botanical Hall ended with an exhibit of jungle plants. It was dark and the sounds of the rainforest echoed with big beautiful birds flying from branch to branch, calling to their mates. There was also a light mist that fell to keep the plants watered.

Orchids, Passion Fruit Flowers, and Bromeliads lined the walkway, thriving in the dense recreation of their homeland, their bright colors almost serving as lights as Ahk walked slowly through the exhibit, his eyes straining to find the scared mummy. A stream ran on either side of the exhibit, littered with dozens of water lilies, and that’s where he saw her, leaning over to run her fingers through the water.

She held her wet fingers to her lips before shaking her head, obviously not caring for the taste.

Ahkmenrah spoke softly in his native tongue.

“Do not be frightened of me. I am like you.”

And that’s when she froze, her body stiffening before Ahkmenrah could see her hands tremble.

“My king?”

Ahkmenrah felt as if he had been doused with cold water, his legs frozen, unable to move, just as his lips. That voice! It could only belong to …

Y/N.

You turned and when you saw him, your husband, after all this time, your breath, so recently returned to you, escaped once more. Your hand covered your open mouth and you slowly began to walk to Ahkmenrah, praying to the gods that your legs would hold.

“Ahkmenrah,” you breathed, your voice choked and full of tears.

“Y/N,” Ahkmenrah said, finding his voice, but not yet his legs.

You continued to walk toward your husband, your heart hammering in your chest. When you finally were close enough to touch him, he moved, falling to his knees and pushing his face into your stomach, crying.

Tears fell from your cheeks as you pushed his crown off and ran your fingers through his hair, clutching his head to you.

“I have so many questions, Ahk. I am so confused,” you said through your tears.

“I can answer them all, my love,” Ahkmenrah said swiping at the tracks of tears that had fallen down his cheeks, finally rising from his knees to grasp your arms, holding you in front of him so his eyes could drink in your features.

“You are—gods, I cannot even find the words,” Ahkmenrah said, lowering his eyes and chuckling and you joined him.

“I understand. I never thought I would see you again, and here you are—just as handsome and full of life as the day hetook you from us,” you said, spitting out the reference to Kahmunrah.

“And you, sweet Y/N. It was your face I saw as Osiris came to collect my soul. And it has been your face I see each time I awaken. I have longed for you. Ached for you, my queen,” Ahkmenrah said, the desperation of his love etched across all of his features.

“Here I am,” you breathed, standing on your toes to close the last bit of space between you and your king.

Ahkmenrah’s tongue tasted just as it always had and for all you knew, the two of you were back in Egypt, the Nile quietly talking in the background as you drowned in each other’s embrace.

You made short work of Ahkmenrah’s clothes and he of yours, both of your hands moving with such practiced familiarity. The intensity of your feelings couldn’t be put into proper words, so you relied on your hands and fingers, your mouths and tongues, to fulfill the hunger your bodies had carried for something they hadn’t had in thousands of years.

“Ahk?” Larry called out cautiously, the beam from his flashlight creeping toward the tangle of Ahkmenrah and his wife.

But neither Ahkmenrah nor you heard. Nothing in the word could have torn your attention away from each other, so when Larry got an eyeful and an earful, he quickly turned and ushered the rest of the hunting party out of the Botanical Hall, locking the door behind him.

He knew he’d never see Ahkmenrah in the same innocent light again, but Larry couldn’t help but smile—his friend had found his long-lost love.

#Ahkmenrah #ahk #Ahkmenrah drabble #ahkmenrah x reader #female reader #natm ahkmenrah #NATM

[fiorinda-chancellor]

Notes on Chapter 36 of “Till We Have Cases”

First of all: It’s been four years since this fic updated.

That was...really NOT how things were supposed to go. And I’m so sorry to have kept everybody waiting so long.

The combination of circumstances that led to this very UN-Great Hiatus would, at the end of the day, just wind up sounding like a litany of Inexplicable Weird Shit: life stuff, family stuff, Real World stuff, all conspiring to keep me away. But at last everything quieted down enough for me to start getting back to grips with this work. (And to overcome the awful guilt for it having taken so long.)

Lest anyone wonder if the coronavirus situation contributed to this improvement in local circumstances, in terms of making more time for writing: I only wish. Paradoxically, real-life stuff surrounding the ‘Rona has conspired to make life more busy for me, not less. Yet here we are, and here is chapter 36 for you: 22.5K words, the WP program says.

(Please also note that there’s been a slight change in chapter numbers and numberings. There will now be 49 chapters and an afterword.)

And what comes next?

Well, first of all, I have no idea when the next update will occur except “soon” -- later in July 2020, I hope. What I most need people to know at the moment is that (a) I have no intention of abandoning this fic -- I have approximately another 80K of it complete already, from ch. 37 through to the end -- and (b) that I’ll do my best to be more frequent about updates, a LOT more frequent in view of recent history, despite the depredations of the coronavirus and everything else that’s been going on nationally and internationally. This piece of work is very dear to me, and I’m as eager to see the ins and outs of how it all comes out as I assume a lot of its other readers are.

My endless gratitude goes out to those who have read it and kept reading it -- what there was of it -- despite its being a WIP and despite it having languished so long with no sign of continued activity. I treasure your fidelity; you are my fixed points (as the man says) in a changing world. Thanks again, so much, for sparing this tale your time. I hope so much you enjoy what’s to come.

And now back to it.

...Finally, a note imported from the chapter 35 notes, for convenience’s sake:

Nepenthe: …Nothing whatsoever to do with Edgar Allen Poe (the major reference left to the word in English). νηπενθές is a compound word: νη / ne, “not”, and πενθές deriving from πένθος, penthos, “grief, sorrow, or mourning”. It is the world’s first substance specifically described as an antidepressant…but powerful well beyond anything known today.

The drug is first mentioned in Odyssey book 4 lines 220ff, when Helen puts it in the wine for herself, her husband and their visitors (Odysseus’s son Prince Telemachos and his friendly escort and fellow-prince, King Nestor’s son Peisistratos Nestoridês) after the conversation turns rather sad. The passage says:

Then the noble Helen had an idea. While seeing to the bowl where their wine was mixed, she put in a dose of nepenthe – a drug able to lull all pain and anger, and bring forgetfulness of every sorrow. Anyone who drank wine that had been so mixed would feel no sadness all that day: not even if his mother and father died, not even if someone killed his brother or his only son right in front of his eyes. That was just one of a number of marvelous drugs the Queen possessed, given her by Polydamna the daughter of Thon, an Egyptian woman. For in that country the fruitful Earth brings forth all kinds of medicinal plants, some helpful and some deadly. There every man is his own doctor, and there they’ve become skilled in the healing arts far beyond the ability of most mortals; for they have the blood of Paeion the Healer in them.

There has, as one might expect, been endless conjecture over what nepenthe actually was. Various writers and analysts have tried to identify it with hashish, opium, henbane, and even coffee, but no one has any realistic idea of what Homer was thinking about. The temptation to label it “100% plot device” is strong, but it doesn’t particularly drive the plot, so that doesn’t work either.

Hypermnestra’s mention of the plant eaten by the lotophagoi, the Lotus Eaters of the Odyssey, is interesting in that many mythology-oriented botanists and historians have spent a good while attempting to identify just what plant was growing on their island. (At least one source claims that the word lotos can be translated as “clover” and suggests that the lotophagoi were early vegetarians.)

At any rate, the description in the Odyssey makes it plain that the Lotus Eaters’ plant was at the very least immediately psychoactive and intensely addictive. It has occasionally been associated with the eastern “blue” lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, as well as the Egyptian blue water lily, Nymphaea caerulea. While both have mystical associations, neither seems to be pharmacologically active, though some sources claim N. caerulea was used in Egypt for shamanistic inductions.

#Sherlock #Sherlock AU #Till We Have Cases #Fiorinda Chancellor #fanfic

[mikenewtonhateblog]

My oc’s aka too long of a gd post

The “BL” Crew (does not stand for boys love I’m just a moron who made that abbreviation before knowing what it stands for). My main crew and main series, a lot is a big WIP right now as I’m slowly redoing the first book and all the lore. Why? I love torture. Book is fantasy type but I won’t specify what.

Lacie, the protagonist. God tier idiot, bisexual bipolar depressed MESS, insomniac, former theater kid, doesn’t know what she wants out of life but currently it is not This(plot of book). Hot headed, impulsive, crude, rude, Mommy IssuesTM, would rather be taking a nap right now, rules are made to be broken, absolutely fucking FERAL, more bags under her eyes than the airport lost and found. 5’5, 130lbs, Aries, age 18, white as shit like literally the whitest human you have ever seen, strawberry blonde hair in a 2011 Hayley Willaims haircut with long bangs, the darkest brown eyes you’ve ever seen that stare directly into your soul. Lanky, no curves, body of a 12 year old boy but works out so she can and will kick your ass and thats a threat. Not human?

Josh. Soft boy, smart, Lacie’s cousin and only friend for like the first 18 years of her life, autistic anxious mess who’s special interest is anchient egyptian history, is in honors classes, despises math, passes out when his girlfriend looks too cute, just needs a hug. Can eat a whole carton of easy mac if left alone, whole wardobe is the same outfit just different colors/hoodies, sensory issues, seriously can someone give this guy a hug. 5’9, 150lbs, Pisces, age 18, mixed (half whatever flavor of white Lacie’s family is [they don’t even know its just some scandanavian shit and irish], and half mexican on his mom’s side), medium olive skin with freckles and moles, dark chocolate brown hair that’s a bit of a 2009 Beiber cut, warm brown eyes, not beefy, a lil thicc and self concious about it but squishy boys are GOOD. Gets bit by a werewolf so now he is one his mood on it is “thats a lot to unpack but let’s just throw the whole suitcase away”.

Zander. There is not one braincell in this man, himbo KING, pansexual dumbass with undiagnosed ADHD, no impulse control, head empty and full at the same time, PTSD, his fashion sense should be an actual crime, gets in fights to feel something, basic requirements for him to be attracted to you: kick his ass. Drinks his respect women juice, sees a folding table and must immediately launch himself on it, chaotic, cannot drive a car and will not, food aggression and eats enough for 3 people but never gains weight which is ILLEGAL, him and Lacie may be a couple.....but in this house we stan slow burn, he talks in caps and every sentence either ends with a question mark or exclaimation point, likes romcoms. 6’2, 190lbs, Sagittarius, age 19, austrailian roots and has the accent but is from [REDACTED FOR STORY REASONS], white, dorito shaped with long legs, blueish black hair that’s long and messy, dark navy eyes that match his hair, bigass neck scar from [REDACTED]. Not human

Peter. Gay dad friend who is TIRED of having to be in charge of a bunch of teenagers, only one with full functioning braincells, lowkey a genius who loves engineering, mixes magical technology with human technology because he likes to play god, is he ever sober? No one knows, will kill for a bottle of single malt, his fashion sense? Tastefully expensive suits perfectly tailored. Likes building his own weapons that no one else knows how to even use, generally non-threatening but can get scary if needed. 6’4, 140lbs string bean man, Scorpio, age 179 but looks early 30s, I know I said Lacie is the whitest human but he’s even paler like a literal sheet of paper with scandanavian roots/ancestors were vikings or some shit, blonde hair styled like 2013 Brendon Urie lmfao, light crystal blue eyes. He’s a vampire and was born one.

Danielle. Tiny, sweet, queen of girls supporting girls, comments on all her friends instagram posts with 20 emojis, LOVES fashion and has a wardrobe that would make anyone jealous, oozes feminine energy, only child and parents are in love still, gets exactly 8 hours of sleep each night and wakes up looking like a disney princess. Just because she is small and cute doesn’t mean you should underestimate her she WILL fuck your shit up. Quiet when angey which is terrifying. Josh is her bf and she loves him so much but also loves teashing the shit out of him. Legally cannot cuss, polite, used her high heels as a weapon once, speaks like 5 languages because studying them is her hobby, gardens, hugs everyone. 5’0, 110, Taurus, age 18, mixed (half french-american, half Korean-american), glowy skin always, PETITE frame aka the friend everyone can pick up when they hug, long past her waist curly brown hair, bright green eyes. She’s not fully human as she has fae blood in her and this gives her the ability to talk to and control plants. Flower crowns for everyone

Becca. Theater kid who would die to sing in Wicked and has the vocal range to do so, cannot wait to graduate and go to her dream college which she got into and a scholarship, closeted lesbian bc her whole giant family is extremely catholic and she feels like not dealing with it, “no boys allowed in bedroom” rule is her favorite joke, chill, middle child of 5 siblings and just wants some peace and quiet for ONCE. Her fashion sense is “I’m dropping subtle hints I’m gay but only to other gays”, has a black belt and took self defense classes. 5’6, 145lbs, Virgo, age 18, Latina (cuban and mexican mix), darker brown skin with light freckles over her nose, athletic build, eyebrows on POINT, bright caramel eyes, short light brown hair cut in a bob, has a tiny nose stud, always wears a blue friendship bracelet her gf made her. Human

Anika. Calling her a bitch/slut is a compliment, bisexual, a bit of a mean girl but she grows out of it give her time!!! Is always Too Much, the horny friend, favorite color is red so thats almost all of her outfits, loves to show off her body as much as she can because she’s hot and knows it and thrives in her own confidence. Her mom is literally like Regina George’s mom from Mean Girls but married a rich man 20 years older than her, Anika doesn’t know her bio dad but thats fine neither does her mom and her step dad is nice and does his best to be a dad. Becca’s gf, always hanging out at her home so Becca can get some quiet because Anika’s an only child and has a pool. 5’9, 135lbs, Gemini, age 18, white, long layered dark reddish brown hair, teal-blue eyes, swimmers body type (I normally do not mention bust size but she would want the internet to know she was blessed with big bahoogles so there you go), can sprint in heels. Half mermaid (boy was that a surprise considering her mom doesn’t know who her father is LOL)

Rex. Nb uses they/them he/him pronouns but honestly will respond to any, goth lite, only attracted to men and ace, can read minds so knows all your secrets, mischevious little shit, great friends with Zander and enjoys his dumbass thoughts and that he’s basically a human version of Jackass, wears too many rings, goth boots for kicking and fashion babey, always has the freshest memes and will not hesitate to roast in the group chat, hangs with the girls most of the time. Chaos god who loves making art, be gay do crime, skateboard and spraypaint. 5’8”, 165lbs, Leo, age 18, Native American, masculine frame, dark brown skin, blue eyes, firetruck red shoulder length hair that’s usually in a ponytail, knock-off gucci sunglasses just for judging their friends. Has magic in their blood so not entirely human and can cast spells and shit (don’t roast me its a wip and I’m doing my research)

Sam. Boho goddess, aromantic, makeup and nails are always instagram worthy, quiet and stoic type but losens up around close friends, Rex is her best friend, has some trauma and doesn’t want to talk about it, emotionally numbed out a bit and wants to purely vibe. Has seen some of the worst parts of humanity and wishes she hadn’t, finds no point in being bitter or resentful though because that won’t change anything, loves cats and once she moves out shes adopting one or three. Has wine aunt energy. 5’4, 200lbs PLUS SIZE QUEEN, Scorpio, age 18, Filipino (her parents are immigrants fun fact!), really olive skin sometimes has a grey/green tinge to it, dark brown almost black shoulder length hair, gold-hazel eyes. Sam’s the victim of a family curse that requires her to consume human hearts to survive, she can transform into a pretty scary looking being and uses this curse to hunt down pedoph*les, r*pists, murderers, and abusers. The less often she feeds the less human she looks, hence the constant grey/green tinge to her skin. 

Andy. Baby of the group, must be protected at all costs, 100% didn’t sign up to be in a friendgroup of 90% monsters but highkey loves it, trans, bi, anxiety MAXED, just wants to draw comics and cosplay spiderman, has to babysit his two younger sisters a lot because his parents are....not great, and as a result now knows all the lines to Tangled and The Little Mermaid. Big nerd energy, has to draw on everything including homework, gets inspiration for comics from his friends, awkward and socially anxious, drinks way too much tea and will accidentally steal your pens. Fears include: crowds, thunder, tall angry men, tiny spaces. Just trying his best. 5’2, 100lbs BEANPOLE BOY, Leo, age 16, white (irish and scottish roots), freckles absolutely EVERYWHERE, orangey red hair thats in desperate need of a haircut, chocolate brown eyes, braces, chronic nail biter. Human and kinda wishes he wasn’t.

That’s it for now if you read all this bless u thank u here is my whole heart. Please no discourse, literally these are fictional people I’ll never publish the books they go to.

#no i am not looking for critiques on them #i get my critiques elsewhere lmao #my ocs

[vake-hunter]

Hello there! If I may ask: what exactly happened with the Second City? I know the Duchess was a queen with her brother-husband, and that he became the Cantigaster, and there was a "treachery" of sorts but, "treachery" of what? Was the Second City sold off by a fake love story or something like that?

I'm going to try answer this to my best ability but it's fairly convoluted and that's done on purpose. A lot of our most useful information is found in obscure places like the Mind of A Long Dead God and Seeking Mr Eaten's Name.

First: the Second City is Egyptian and the Egyptians hold cats and the sun very highly. Egyptian religion is not exactly my area of expertise, even though I have a special interest for all religions. I graduated in Christian Mythology and English Literature.

It is implied that the Duchess faked a love story to catch the Masters attention, selling her City in order to go to the Neath. She is the one who poisoned her Brother-Husband (King Tut) so he would need saving in the first place. When the Masters found out they turned him into the Cantigaster.

The reason she wanted to be in the Neath probably has to do with the cats and Parabola. Cats weren't originally a large power in Parabola and a lot of them are refered to as her children by the Duchess. The Cats have an ongoing and brutal war with the Fingerkings, which probably wasn't a thing until the Second City.

If you look at the timeline, the Second City fell around 1334 BCE, given that we know the city was Amarna during King Tut's rule. The Third City didn't fall until sometime between 800 - 900 CE, around the hight of the Mayan Empire (or just before it's decline). That's a LONG time. For example, Fourth City fell 1254 and Fifth (London) fell 1861.

The Masters are described as starving and desperate at this time. In the Mind of a Long Dead God, Storm claims the whole roof of the Neath is physically incased in glass.

From The Mind Of A Long Dead God: “Glass Walls Everywhere! They surround me. They reflect one realm inwards and keep me from the other. These barriers should be fluid!” Note that the Neath IS Storm’s corpse. It seems to imply the Second City physically trapped the Bazaar.

Mother Surperior is one of the Duchess' sisters and she says in Bag a Legend: My sisters and I have been watching the Vake for many years. Since the Second City, in fact. We were a royal house then. We played those black-cloaked vultures for fools, so we did. Beat them at their own game and pulled the nose of the Bazaar. And they never forgave us. Kept the youngest sister hostage while the rest of us ran for it. We ended up here. It was all for nothing, as it turned out. Those d__ned feather-wearing heathen P... no. That's a story for a different day.

Another sister is the Queen of Arbor and she says: "Your Mr Pages would not be happy to see me again. Perhaps I shall enter myself, in another year. Incognito of course." She laughs, a musical sound. "They would not enjoy having to grant my heart's desire, I assure you."

She shakes her crowned head. "Don't worry. I have enough to occupy me for the moment. Funny, really, how I seem to carry on my sisters' work, even after all these years. Come, let's get down to the details."

(she also really wants to put a thorn in Pages chair.)

The other two sisters seemed to have betrayed the Cats and the Duchess to make a deal with the Fingerkings and the Boil of Calamities to raise a new sun in Parabola. "The Palace of the Rising was to be a refuge from the Masters and the Bazaar. A new sun was raised in the sky so the citizens might walk in light again.”

“This is a place that is not. It was not always light, though once it was brighter. The sisters found it in twilight and in dreams. The night was thus sacred to the Second City. They would not be pursued here. The ushabti were created to help in the construction of the Palace. The Second City could have lived here forever.”

The Third City somehow had the power to break the physical imprisonment from the Second City. (And perhaps they needed Candles' power do this.) The God-Eaters have a lot of power with dreams.

Did Candles protect the Second City? Probably not in the long run, but it did make the agreement for the city in the first place. It agreed to the terms, just as Veils agreed to the terms of the Third. Candles knew the price on its head, it simply wished the others wouldn't do it.

Contrary to popular belief there is no evidence that Candles loved the Second City in the same way Fires loves London. This quote from seeking seems to imply the opposite: The third, oh the rage at the deceptions of sand. All of us were, all of us, and now all of us will. (It says third because Eaten counts the decent into the Neath as the first fall in the rest of this quote)

Candles did like the people, and cats, but I believe it liked everyone. It did think the deal was fair, and it gave its word in the contract. A city couldn't be gotten rid of until a suitable replacement was found. The Second City simply made this impossible for a long time.

(interestingly but not surprisingly, this stipulation was not included in the deal for the Fourth City. The Fourth City was actually leveled BEFORE the Masters made the deal for London. And just because the Fourth City started to show signs of rebellion and possibly acting out like the Second. The stipulation also doesn't seem to be included with London, either, as it is added later in one of the endings of Hearts Desire, to give London more time, so it's safe to assume it wasn't part of the deal for the Third either.)

#lore #incest mention tw // #historical incest but still incest //

[rosalind-of-arden]

Sword and Pen Reread, chapter 13 part 2

Or: now I babble about Wolfe more.

A bit of superstition: Wolfe thinks of Orpheus as he’s leaving the Necropolis, and not only does he not look back himself, he makes the kids go ahead of him.

In the prison in Smoke and Iron, Wolfe didn’t recognize Troll right away. Here, he does. A sign of just how out of it he was in prison?

Getting into the carrier, Wolfe feels tired. When did Wolfe last sleep?

“It was the gamble of it he loved, more than anything else: the pure will of those ancients who’d understood that without knowledge, there could be no truth.” This is so Wolfe. He likes defying the odds and he values education. This is why he loves the kids so much: they’re doing the same thing.

“he suddenly wished for peace, for the days and nights he’d spent traveling with Nic on the way to some dire crisis or another” Only Christopher Wolfe would define peace as the travel time between war zone missions.

Things Wolfe likes doing: “days they spent talking, or not talking, making love or just lying together, reading. Playing a nightly game of chess, or Egyptian sennet, or the board games of ancient Ur.” I do appreciate that sex is on the list, not only because I write Wolfe/Santi porn, but also because it’s such a completely normal thing that the text treats as completely normal - media tends so often to get weird about sex where gay couples and parents are concerned, so it’s nice to see this. The whole passage is just so sweet, and I am now craving Wolfe/Santi fluff.

Alexandria isn’t built to handle storms, which Wolfe describes as rare. The streets are flooded, and that’s apparently what always happens in weather like this.

Going into the conference room, Wolfe is already uncomfortable. He can tell something is wrong. And he looks to Santi for comfort, taking a brief moment to appreciate seeing Nic, and then addressing him by his first name even though this is obviously a Curia meeting.

A lot of denial once Wolfe hears what happened. “Santi did not fail.” Not admitting to himself why he would be invited to this meeting. Some part of him knows what they’re about to ask, and he’s fighting it.

“He stared at her. His eyes burned, and for a moment, he thought it was with tears, but no, no, it was anger. He couldn’t speak. Could hardly breathe for the pressure of fury building in his chest.” He’s furious, yes. But also, don’t these sound an awful lot like panic attack symptoms?

Wolfe turns to Nic for support, but Nic won’t look at him. Part of that is Nic being caught up in his own distress, but I suspect there’s also an element of not wanting to interfere. Wolfe and Santi have very recently argued about Wolfe being able to make his own choices, and that gives Nic a very strong motivation to stay out of this so that he doesn’t influence Wolfe’s decision.

Wolfe and Vargas were in the same class. They didn’t like each other. Probably because they’re too much alike - Vargas sounds like the cranky snarky sort, too. What I want to know is how Santi and Vargas got along.

Very satisfying to see Wolfe call the Curia out here. He knows they don’t really want him as Archivist, and he’s not mincing words.

Here’s Wolfe’s first moment of considering and rejecting something he wanted in the past. It’s never stated directly that he wanted to be Archivist, but we’ve had hints that he was ambitious. He imagines himself on the throne, but it’s “disorienting”, “it made him want to laugh, but he knew it would come out as half a sob.” He recognizes how much he’s changed since he was young and ambitious, and he’s also grieving what he’s lost.

“What a sour joke this was, that the same colleagues who’d looked the other way when he was dragged off in the night, when his work was scrubbed from the shelves and his body broken in the cells in Rome... those same colleagues wanted him to be their shelter. Their scapegoat.” And here’s why Wolfe rejects his earlier ambition: he can’t stand to work with the people who did nothing when the Library tried to destroy him. In a way, what the Curia is doing here is the same as what they did when Wolfe was arrested. They’re afraid, and they’ll let him be hurt rather than risk their own necks. They let him be tortured and erased rather than speak up for him. They’d rather let him be murdered or take the blame for anything that goes wrong than put themselves in that position. After everything he’s been through, he can’t tolerate that.

Best fucking moment in the book. Wolfe accepting the robe just to put it on Khalila and announce his retirement. Turning things around on the Curia and simultaneously putting leadership in place that won’t stand for the kind of corruption that resulted in his imprisonment. Khalila is young, idealistic, and stubborn enough to handle the Curia’s shit, and Wolfe knows it.

Still calling Nic by his first name. Wolfe doesn’t just want to hear from Lord Commander Santi, he wants to know what Dad Santi thinks of putting their kid on the throne, and this more intimate form of address subtly signals that.

Dad Santi supports Khalila for Archivist, even though he’s worried about her.

Morgan knows how to make an entrance. Does Eskander really agree, or is Morgan doing this on her own, knowing the Curia won’t ask questions?

Wolfe is aware of Morgan’s corruption. This suggests he could sense it in Ash and Quill, too.

“Beautiful, but fading like a winter rose, and seeing that hurt. I failed her, he thought. But he knew he couldn’t have helped her, either. Sometimes there were no good choices to be made. Only costly ones.” Wolfe’s guilt over Morgan’s corruption is very different than his guilt over Jess’s poisoning. What happened to Jess was a mistake that Wolfe could potentially have prevented. Asking Morgan to overuse her power was a more conscious choice on Wolfe’s part, and one that he knew the risks of when he made it. He knows he’s losing both of them, and both losses hurt, but he blames himself less for Morgan.

Apparently, a gold band is the only requirement to be Archivist.

“I agree with Wolfe; he hasn’t the inhuman patience necessary for the job. Neither do I, Christopher.” Vargas, being simultaneously friendly and insulting. Wolfe actually appreciates this, which is interesting, since he’s just expressed a profound distaste for the Curia and he usually prickles when called by his first name by people he dislikes. He may get along with Vargas better than he lets on.

Santi felt guilty enough over losing Murasaki to resign as Lord Commander. Under the circumstances, I really don’t think that’s a rational response. Of course there will be traitors in the ranks right after forcibly removing the old leadership, and it’s impossible to account for everything. But Santi isn’t thinking rationally. In his view, he’s had one failure after another for the past few months: betraying his company in Rome, failing to protect the pack in the Iron Tower and London, being too injured to do anything in Philly, failing to protect Wolfe and the kids in Castle Raby... The current battle isn’t won yet and the outcome is still uncertain. Losing the Archivist to soldiers the thought he could trust was just the last straw for him. But also, potentially, this could be a sign of some kind of pre-series friendship with Murasaki.

Lord Commander is eligible to be Archivist. Not that Nic wants anything to do with it. Under better circumstances, would he feel differently? Probably not; he knows what he’s good at, and that’s military leadership, not politics.

South American Vargas says “gods”, plural. Standard Library rhetorical polytheism or a sign of some form of polytheism being a major religion where she’s from?

Wolfe has a total dad moment, being simultaneously proud that his baby is the Archivist and terrified that he can’t help her.

The Curia stands respectfully for Khalila. “Wolfe leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.” Nice try, Wolfe, but we already know how much you care.

Santi feels better when there’s a job to do. Now that Khalila is Archivist, he needs to protect his kid, and he’s ready to get to work on that.

Wolfe knows Santi’s failure to protect Murasaki “would haunt him forever.” How many other past failures still weigh on Nic?

The only ones who can Translate into or out of the Archives are Morgan and Eskander. She now has equal access to him. They’re effectively sharing the Obscurist Magnus position, really.

Morgan has already planned to copy the Archives. Khalila has researched the Library’s history of making copies and is prepared to argue for it. And neither of them gives a damn what the Curia has to say about it. Wolfe suspects Morgan has already started the copying, and Khalila has no problem wielding her authority as Archivist to authorize it over any objections from the Curia.

As soon as Khalila calls on Santi to start planning defense strategies, Wolfe heads out. Interesting timing. Not being part of the Curia, he’s probably a bit uncomfortable being there, but I think this is also a gesture of trust in Nic’s ability to handle this.

“That was not the voice of his student. It was the voice of his queen.” Love this line. Nice sign of how Khalila inhabits her role. Also, somebody needs to include this in a Wolfe/Khalila fic.

And the chapter ends with Wolfe now having one more kid to worry about. Thomas is missing.

#the great library #sword and pen reread #sword and pen spoilers #long post

[dykerachelsummers]

earth-82: teams, part i

okay, so people seem interested and i’m dying to talk about this universe so here we go! my version of dc canon. i’m splitting this up into multiple posts because otherwise it’ll turn into a monster.

this first post will focus on my versions of the founders of the justice league and my version of the founders of the teen titans. it’s mostly aligned with canon but with (what i think are) some interesting divergencies.

.

.

.

The Justice League of America

the second existing major superhero team within the dc universe and eventually the most expansive.

Bruce Wayne (Batman) - Bruce witnessed his parents’ death when he was seven years old and after that he was put into the custody of Alfred Pennyworth (his family’s butler) and Leslie Thompkins (a doctor friend of Thomas’s). During his college years, Bruce sought out training so that he could eventually return to Gotham and attempt to eradicate crime. During this time, he joins the League of Assassins for awhile and fell into a brief relationship with Talia Al-Ghul. He became Batman at 23 and adopted Dick Grayson a year later.

Clark Kent | Kal-El (Superman) - Kal-El is the only son of Jor-El and Lara-El (nee Lor-Van), who was born during Krypton’s last days. Jor and Lara sent him to Earth, with the hope that he would be taken in by a human family who would raise him well. When Kal landed he was found by Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent (nee Clark), a childless couple. Martha convinced Jonathan that they should adopt Kal and they eventually chose to name him Clark Joseph Kent and raise him as a normal human, despite his strange origins. He became Superman at 22, a few months after being employed at the Daily Planet.

Diana, daughter of Hippolyta (Wonder Woman) - Diana, Princess of Themyscira, was Queen Hippolyta’s only daughter. Made from clay, Diana is the result of multiple goddesses deciding to give Hippolyta her wish to have a child. Diana grew up semi-isolated on Paradise Island, surrounded by the Amazons but lacking company her own age. She was almost three thousand years old when Steve Trevor landed on Themyscira. After a series of challenges that she won, Diana was chosen as Champion of the Gods and left Themyscira with Steve. She helped end WWI but didn’t return to Themyscira at this point, because she had fallen in love with Steve. She stayed with him until he died, before returning to Paradise Island. She left Themyscira several more times and at one point brought a young orphaned baby girl back with her to Themyscira. Hippolyta chose to adopt the girl and raise her as Diana’s sister. Diana chose the name Donna, in honor of a fallen friemd. Diana became known as the Wonder Woman in certain conspiracy and history circles around the time of the Gulf War.

Arthur Curry | Orin (Aquaman) - King of Atlantis, Arthur is the son of Atlanna, the former Queen of Atlantis, and Tom Curry, a human lighthouse keeper. He was raised in the surface world but was informed of his Atlantean heritage at a young age. His father got sick when Arthur was fifteen and afraid, Arthur fled to Atlantis. Once there, he learned his mother was believed to be dead and that her husband (Orvax) had been made king. Arthur was welcomed to the kingdom, as a member of the royal family. Arthur was there for two months before Orvax was killed by a rampaging sea monster and the Council of Atlantis was split about who should inherit the throne, but ends up choosing his younger half-brother Orm, with Nuidis Vulko as his advisor. At first, Arthur seemed welcome at Orm’s side, but he was soon informed by a mute servant that Orm planned to have him killed. The servant, an Atlantean mutant named Dolphin, helped him escape and took him to the stronghold of the rebellion that was is a member of. He, with the help of the growing rebellion led by Mera, overthrew Orm and Arthur - now known as Orin throughout the kingdom - took his place on the throne.

Kendra Muñoz-Saunders (Hawkgirl) - Kendra is the reincarnation of Chay-Ara, an Egyptian priestess of Isis who - alongside her lover, Prince Khufu, and a priest of Hathor, Hath-Set - found Thanagarian nth metal, which turned them into Thanagarian-human hybrids and made it so they would reincarnate each time they died. This lifetime Kendra is an archeologist, along the vein of Lara Croft. On her twenty-first birthday, she received her first memory of her life as Chay-Ara and has since retrieved many more of both Chay-Ara’s and her other past lives.

Barry Allen (The Flash) - Barry Allen was destined to become the Flash, not that he knows this. When he was eleven years old Eobard Thawne travelled back in time from the twenty-fifth century and murdered his mother before disappearing again. Barry’s father was blamed for his wife’s murder and imprisoned for the crime, despite Barry’s protests. Barry was adopted by Jay and Joan Garrick. His best friend (and crush) growing up was Iris West and he ended up spending half his time at her place, making it so he saw the Wests as a second family. Barry is a certifiable genius and managed to graduate high school at sixteen. Barry went through college and got a degree in biochemistry and could have gone farther and become a renowned scientist but instead chose to become a CSI for the CCPD. Barry became the second Flash (though for about six months he was known only as the Scarlet Speedster) when he was twenty-two, due to a lightning strike which hit him and caused him to crash into a bookshelf of chemicals. Unknown to him, the lightning was actually the Speed Force choosing him.

Dinah Lance (Black Canary II) - Dinah is the eldest daughter of Larry and D.D. Lance, born with a dominant metagene. The metagene activated during a traumatic childhood experience when she almost fell from a great height but managed to stop herself from hitting the ground with a powerful scream. Dinah grew up in Gotham City with her Uncle John Zatara and his daughter - her best friend - Zee Zatara and her Uncle Ted Grant. When Dinah turned eighteen years old, she left Gotham and moved to Seattle, where she started college, joined a (pretty good) punk band, and became known as the “Lady in Black” - a vigilante that stopped muggers and rapists with a single scream and a few well-placed kicks. Little did Dinah know that she’s following in the footsteps of her mother, the first Black Canary.

Zatanna Zatara (Zatanna) - Zatanna is the daughter of Giovanni “John” Zatara, a golden-aged superhero called the Magician who had been a member of the JSA and was capable of some magic (a descendant of the Homo Magi), and Sindella, one of the last pure Homo Magi. Zee was born with magical potential the like of which few could compare. Due to John being close friends with D.D. Lance and Thomas Wayne, Zee grew up as a friend of Dinah Lance and Bruce Wayne. John decided to move to Europe when Zee was ten years old and while Zee lost contact with Bruce, she stayed close to Dinah. During her time in Europe, John sought out magicians to help train Zee. When she was eighteen, Zee decided to leave Europe (and her on-again-off-again boyfriend John Constantine) and move to Las Vegas to try and get a start as a stage magician, following in the footsteps of her father.

Original Teen Titans

the beginnings of the first teen superhero team.

Dick Grayson (Robin/Nightwing) - Dick is the son of circus acrobats, John and Mary Grayson, who were killed when he was eight years old. He was taken in by Bruce Wayne and became Robin the next year. Robin is the most experienced sidekick, having already been apart of the vigilante world for four years before the team formed. He became Nightwing when he was seventeen years old and was at that point de facto the leader of the team, alongside Wonder Girl and Starfire.

Donna Troy (Wonder Girl) - Donna is an orphan that Diana rescued from a burning building and took to Themyscira. Donna was adopted by Queen Hippolyta and blessed by the gods to become immortal herself and to gain all the other attributes of the Amazons. When Donna turned twelve, she convinced Diana to take her to Man’s World. She attended a Justice League meeting, which is where she met and became fast friends with Dick Grayson. She and Dick remained friends even as she returned to Themyscira, communicating through letters they exchanged through their mentors. When Donna was fourteen, and Dick thirteen, they convinced Diana and Bruce to let them have a sanctuary of their own, which Bruce produced in New York City and would eventually become Titans Tower. Donna and Dick are the founding and core members of the Teen Titans.

Karyn Zor-El / Karen Starr (Power Girl/Flamebird) - Karyn is the eldest daughter of Zor-El and Alura In-Ze, four years older than her sister Kara. When Krypton was about to be destroyed, Karyn’s parents put her and Kara into a rocket ship where they would be in suspended animation until they arrived on earth; they were supposed to find Kal and seek shelter on Earth as soon as they landed. They were unlucky though and got caught in the Phantom Zone, where they remained for twenty-five years before breaking free and finally landing on Earth, where they woke up to meet Superman for the first time. Karyn was furious to see someone wearing her family’s symbol and attempted to attack Superman, screaming at him in kryptonian. Clark, who knew very little kryptonian, struggled to explain what happened and, once he finally did, Karyn was horrified to learn that Kal had grown up without her and Kara. She refused to fully assimilate to human culture and asked that Kal find her and Kara someone to live with that they would not have to hide their identities from (as Karyn is only thirteen at the time); Clark decided his childhood best friend Lana Lang was the best choice and after she agreed, he approached Bruce for help in establishing fake identities for them as Karen and Kara Starr, Lana’s long lost nieces. Karyn was introduced to Dick Grayson (Robin) and Donna Troy (Wonder Girl) a few months after settling in. She helped form the original Teen Titans.

Wally West (Kid Flash) - Wally is the youngest child of Joe and Frankie West. He considers Barry Allen his older brother, since Barry always spent so much time at the West’s place. He found out Barry was the Flash when he was twelve (about three months after the new Flash first appeared) and demanded that Barry tell him everything! He foolishly decided to try and recreate the accident and was lucky to be chosen by the Speed Force as well. He was allowed to become Kid Flash when he was thirteen, with Joe and Frankie’s permission. He joined the Teen Titans a few weeks after his superhero debut.

Garth of Shayeris (Aqualad) - Garth is the only son of King Thar and Queen Berra of Shayeris and would have been the crown prince had his parents not been overthrown before he was born. His father was killed and his mother banished to Poseidonis, due to the actions of his uncle - a magician with malicious goals. He was born with violet eyes, which marked him with the potential to become a powerful magic-user in his own right. Unfortunately, magic-users had recently been made taboo within Poseidonis and Garth was cast out. He was found by Princess Mera of Xebel, Xebel being an pocket dimension found within the Bermuda Triangle. Mera convinced her parents to take him in. Xebel had no taboo against magic users which allowed Garth to grow up with no bigotry against him for his potential magical abilities, and Mera (a powerful sorceress in her own right) ended up being the own to train him when he expressed interest in the magical arts. Garth met Arthur Curry when he was ten and Arthur twenty, through the rebellion Xebel had joined to bring down King Orvax and later King Orm, and they quickly bonded. When Arthur later became Aquaman, he offered Garth the position of Aqualad. Garth was the second to last of the founders of the Teen Titans to join.

Roy Harper (Speedy/Red Arrow) - Roy Harper Jr never met his father, and his mother, a Navajo woman, died giving birth to him. Roy was raised by his uncle, Broken Bow, until shortly before his uncle’s death when he was twelve. Broken Bow had convinced Oliver Queen, newly recovered billionaire who had been missing for five years, to take Roy in. Because of Oliver’s relationship with Dinah Lance, a personal friend of both Batman and Wonder Woman, Roy was introduced to the other teen heroes when he was fifteen, as Speedy. He ends up becoming fast friends with them and was the last member of the team to join.

.

.

.

okay, guys that’s all for part one! part two will have at least three more teams (the new teen titans, young justice, and the justice league dark).

#tee talks #my personal dc reboot #bruce wayne #batman #clark kent #superman #diana prince #wonder woman #arthur curry #aquaman #kendra saunders #hawkgirl #barry allen #the flash #dinah lance #black canary #zatanna zatara #dick grayson #robin #donna troy #wonder girl #karen starr #power girl #wally west #kid flash #garth of shayeris #aqualad #roy harper #speedy #dc

[mst3kproject]

Dawn of the Mummy

Like Horrors of Spider Island, this is a movie predicated on putting a bunch of attractive women in a dangerous situation so that we can watch them run around and scream, and like Devil Fish, they’re all Italian but we’re not supposed to notice.  The director, Frank Agrama, is best known for the Robotech movies, and most of the actors were never in anything else (one of them did play a victim in Bloodsucking Freaks), so it can fairly be said to star nobody and feature nothing.  Boy, it sucks.

Long ago, the evil Pharaoh Sefreman rode around Egypt being an utter bastard because he was a god incarnate and he could do that. He wanted to continue doing it after his death, too, so a priestess puts a curse on his tomb – if his treasure is ever stolen, Sefreman and his armies will rise and kill!

Thousands of years later, a bunch of robbers blast the tomb open despite the dire warnings of the wicked queen from Snow White.  It’s not them who end up angering the mummy, however, it’s a bunch of models and their photographer, who decide that an undiscovered tomb is the perfect place to hold an impromptu photoshoot.  After way too much pointless dithering, Sefreman makes with the rising and killing, culminating in a full-on zombie feeding frenzy.

The leader of the three robbers is a guy named Rick.  It’s been a while since we had a Rick.  The actor playing him, Barry Sattles, overacts so hard in every scene that you’ll be looking for tooth marks in the rocks.  The guy who dubbed his voice is even worse.

And that’s just one tasty morsel of the delicious cheese platter that is this movie.  The ancient Egyptians dress in taffeta and gold lame.  The dubbing is atrocious.  Sefreman’s ‘treasure’ is a bunch of cheap souvenirs with a layer of gold spray paint.  People running through wide open desert can’t seem to keep ahead of slowly shuffling zombies. The music is intrusive and both it and the accents are obnoxious stereotypes – the end credits in particular are set to a cartoonified ‘Egyptiany’ piece that reminds me of the theme from Killer Klowns from Outer Space.  If I had to pick a stinger I don’t think I could do it.  I mean, there’s the wicked queen popping into shot screaming, there’s the guy getting attacked by a rat, there’s the lady wandering through the tomb wailing about how lost she is, there’s Rick screaming Sefreman’s name over and over… it’s hilarious.

There’s not much of a plot through the middle part of the film – just Sefreman and his minions wandering around eating people and horses.  Occasionally there are hints of story, like one of the models falling in love with Rick (why!?) or the photographer’s desire to be famous, but these never really amount to anything.  The climax is a total free-for-all, as zombies invade the streets of the town and crash Omar the Hookah Guy’s wedding! This is plenty amusing, but would be more so if we had a better idea what the hell was going on.

Sefreman is finally defeated by two of the models and a couple of guys from the town, who lure him into a shed full of dynamite and blow him up.  This actually isn’t a bad ending.  I’m pleased that they didn’t decide to try to turn Rick into the hero, and that the women didn’t need personality transplants in order to save the day.  After the shack blows, they squeal and jump up and down and hug each other – which is exactly what we would expect from the characters we’ve been following this entire movie.  Omar’s wedding is a fun choice of climax, since we get to see some Egyptian culture, and there’s even a sort of subplot in which it’s rather heavily implied that he’s got to marry this girl in a hurry because she’s already pregnant.

I do have many questions about the old woman I’ve been referring to as the wicked queen.  How does she know where Sefreman’s tomb is when supposedly everybody who did know was killed?  She’s played by the same actress as the high priestess who sealed him up – is she supposed to be a descendant?  Maybe even the same person, immortal for some reason?  Why does Sefreman kill her when she immediately swears her devotion to him? Why does she talk about Sefreman ‘reclaiming his kingdom’ when that was never mentioned in the curse?  All the curse was supposed to do was keep his treasure safe.  The best I can say about her is that she’s slightly more explicable and relevant than the pet shop hobo from Hellraiser… but that’s a low bar.

So what is this movie about, besides the obvious ‘mummy killing women’ level?  I don’t think it’s really meant to be about anything.  Dawn of the Mummy is just a monster movie, but it carries with it a certain amount of baggage from its genre. Mummy movies in general are about the West’s unease with archaeology.

Archaeologists dig up all kinds of things, of course, but tombs are a major subset, because the dead bodies of our ancestors are a wealth of information about how they lived.  Modern science can tell where people grew up, what their diet was like, what diseases they suffered from, the colour of their hair and eyes, and all kinds of other things… but there’s still the fact that you have to dig up somebody’s dead body to get there.  Some people are okay with the idea that their mortal remains might be a subject of study in centuries to come.  Other people are not.

The Egyptians would almost certainly have been horrified by what has become of their dead.  Mummies were meant to remain in their tombs for all eternity so that the souls of the departed would have a home, with their grave goods to take care of them.  A mummy in a museum, separated from its context, means a soul that is alone and penniless in a foreign place.  If they could have put curses and booby-traps in their tombs to prevent this, they would have.  What does that mean for archaeologists?  Do we have the right to disrespect these people’s wishes, just because they’ve been dead for a really long time?

Archaeologists will frequently lament the fact that their profession is also basically destructive – once you’ve dug something up and taken it apart, it will never be pristine again.  Modern archaeology takes great care to preserve as much as possible so that people in the future, who will presumably have better techniques, can still learn something, too.  Dawn of the Mummy sort of deals with this, as we see two groups of people who have no interest in preserving what they’ve found. Rick and his friends blow holes in it looking for a treasure chamber, and the models are in their own way nearly as destructive.

Dawn of the Mummy devotes significant attention to the fact that light is damaging to artefacts.  Mummies on display in museums are always under dim light, because bright light will degrade the wrappings and tissues that have spent millennia in darkness. But the first thing the photographers do is set up a bunch of bright lights, and we see shots of icky blue fluid bubbling out of the mummy’s wrappings where this hits it.  I wondered if this is supposed to be what activates the curse – since the title is Dawn of the Mummy, maybe the magic mistakes it for sunlight falling on him?  If so, the writing should have taken care of that I wouldn’t have to sit and figure it out.

The models also touch everything they come across, leaning on walls and statues covered with thousand-year-old paint, getting makeup all over everything and probably sweat, too, as they constantly complain about how hot it is in there. The movie never entertains the possibility of actual archaeologists finding Sefreman’s tomb, but any who did would find it hopelessly compromised.

Mummy movies are also about imperialism, which is inextricably tied to archaeology.  Modern Egyptology in particular began when Napoleon’s troops raided the country for stuff they thought was pretty, and as I discussed in my review of The Pumaman, a lot of this is still kicking around in museums, private collections, and garage sales, with no provenance or context.  Archaeology derives from treasure-hunting, embodied in Rick – he’s not here for knowledge, he’s here for wealth.  The models are not really any different.  They want images of this exotic place that will please their audience, without much caring about the context behind them.

The mummy, with his magical powers and undead army, is a punishment for this greed, and represents the west’s constant fear that conquered peoples will fight back.  You see this in those facebook graphs talking about how white people will become a minority in America unless we make abortion illegal.  Why should that be a problem?  Because we’re afraid we will be treated as we have treated others. Sefreman’s magic is completely unknown to the Americans and they have no defense against it.

Of course, none of this is actually relevant in Dawn of the Mummy.  These themes are inherent in the premise, but they’re not part of the story this particular movie is telling.  The result, with its Styrofoam tomb art and ostentatious overacting, is great to make fun of but impossible to take seriously – perfect material for some do-it yourself MST3K.

#mst3k #reviews #episodes that never were #dawn of the mummy #why is there always a rick #80s #royally lame crummy mummies

[fal-carrington]

Just Friends Pt.2

Pairing: KamilahxMc

Disclaimer: The characters are NOT mine, they belong to PB

Prompt: “She was able to catch your eye at the minute she stepped into the same environment as you. She was gorgeous, kind, interesting, brilliant and... Single. I never thought my type would be a serious, tall woman, who loved suits, with straight hair down her shoulders and beautiful brown eyes until I met her. It was very easy to fall in love with Kamilah Sayeed, the CEO, billionaire, she was out everyone’s league, the difficult part of the task was to make her love you back. But this was a task that I was more than happy to accomplish”

A/N: This is my newest work, I'm working on this fanfic which is basically the fluff / smut style, since you guys filled my message box with requests for smuts and I've only been writing so much angst lately XD This is for all the anons who asked this ❤️Anyway I have not abandoned my previous works, which will eventually be posted. The events occur after the battle against Vega

Hayley’s pov

“Calm down, calm down!” Lily said trying to calm me down as I paced the room. "Stop being so nervous, you're going to make me nervous too!"

"How could I not be nervous ?! I have a DATE and it's not with anyone, it's with Kamilah!” I said taking off a shirt from the closet while I tried to choose a look that was ideal for an occasion, but nothing seemed perfect enough for tonight.

"Girl, you look so fucked up." Lily laughed, her mouth full of licorice, leaning against my bedroom door. I turned to face her with an ugly face. "I'm sorry, this situation is very funny and at the same time terrifying and exciting" She laughed. "You are so lucky, Hayley. I don’t even know what I would do in your place if she had called me."

"I'm two seconds from having a complete mental breakdown, Lily. This is no time for jokes."

"Okay, okay. Tell me everything, I want to know everything and do not miss anything out!” Lily threw herself on my bed with her licorice.

"I already told you everything!" I said as I paced the room taking off sweaters from my wardrobe.

"But did she say exactly the words 'date'?" Lily asked.

"I asked her if this was a date and she confirmed it was," I said. "OK. So what clothes do you think I should wear? "I stopped in front of her.

"Why do not you put on your flowery red dress? I like that one,” Lily suggested.

"I dropped pepper sauce on it yesterday. It’s washing,” I said throwing a pair of jeans into the bed.

"Your room is so much messier than my life," Lily said looking around.

"I need something perfect," I said, peering into the wardrobe.

"It's so funny to see you around her," Lily said and I turned around. "Usually you're so confident in your relationships, but when you're around her it seems like your brain is totally blank."

I sighed in embarrassment.

“Thanks for reminding me."

"Do you think it's going to be today that she'll take you to meet her house?" Lily raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"I don’t know." I laughed. "I just want to impress her today. I really like her. I've never felt this for anyone. We hardly stay in an place alone, so today it counts a lot for me.”

"Hey, don’t worry you'll do fine. I think I have the perfect thing for you to impress that grumpy CEO and it's right there in your wardrobe.” Lily got up from the bed.

A few minutes after so much fighting, I was finally ready for my date with Kamilah. Lily was sitting in the living room watching TV and I was looking at myself in the mirror for the thousandth time. My cell phone vibrated.

I picked it up and saw it was a text message from her.

"She's coming. Oh my God.” I sighed trying to stay calm. I went to the living room and stopped in front of Lily. "Do you think it's good? Is not anything missing?” I said pointing to my body. That night I opted for a black jeans, boots, a white cropped, so short that I do not know how it would not attract her attention. Underneath a leather jacket. I pinned my fringe with a catch, letting my hair down.

"Girl, you look hot. I think it's Kamilah's turn to drool over you, hm?” Lily laughed and I rolled my eyes. "Now sit here and stop walking around the house otherwise you're going to open a hole in the ground."

I sat down beside her and waited impatiently for the minutes until Kamilah arrived. I think they were another fifteen or twenty minutes until Lily says something again.

"I bet she'll take you to a fancy place today. You better bring me a dessert."

"I can not do this, Lily!"

"Why not? Your girlfriend is a billionaire. Or did you forget you're going out with a rich woman today? "

"She's not my girlfriend. Not yet, but it will be.” I said with a smile and Lily smiled back.

"That's the spirit, girl."

“...Still I can’t bring you the dessert.”

My cell phone vibrated and it was her saying that she was waiting for me downstairs.

"Fuck, fuck. I have to go!” I said taking my bag. "She's down there. Wish me luck!” I said running to the door.

"GOOD LUCK! go get her, girl! "Lily shouted.

I went down the elevator and out the door. I stopped when I saw a black Maserati standing in front of me, Kamilah was on the phone talking and god... She was absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a blue silk blouse with some open buttons displaying a gold necklace on her neck that matched perfectly with her black wide leg pants and her louboutins heels.

"Hey," she said, hanging up her cell phone when she saw me. "I'm sorry, I had a problem..." She looked me up and down. "My god... You look stunning," she said. My cheeks flushed.

"I was the one who was going to say that," I said with a smile. She gave me a small smile back. I peeked after her. "Is this your car?" I pointed out impressed.

“Oh, yeah. One of them. Why? Did you want to go out of a limousine? If that's the case, I can...? "

"No, no. This one is perfect.” I smiled. "I just have the impression that you do not drive much." I kept asking myself how many cars she had. She said it so naturally.

"Not as much as I'd like." She smiled back and opened the door for me. I looked at her with cheeks flushed and surprised by the gesture and got into her car. Of course riding in a car that was more expensive than my life was amazing, but most of all it was being on a date with Kamilah. One of the most unlikely things I ever thought it would happen.

"So, how was your work today?" I asked.

"I've had many meetings today. A bit exhausting." She said with her eyes on the street. "Do you want to go to the museum first and go to dinner later?" She said looking at me briefly.

"You're in charge of our date today, so you're the boss," I said, looking out the window.

"Definitely, I am." Kamilah laughed lightly.

She stopped the car in a private parking lot that was a few meters from the museum and we walked to it. I was telling her it was my week when we walked through the doors of that magnificent place.

"Wow..." I said looking at the classical architecture and the items from that place I've never been to before. "We have so many things to see that I do not know where to start... I think I'll get a map, this place is huge"

"It's beautiful, is not it?" Kamilah smiled. "We do not need a map. Come on, the Egyptian session is on the second floor.” She said going ahead and I followed her. Today the museum had more people apparently, so I had to get away from some along the way. I noticed that Kamilah seemed to know that place with the palm of her hand. She took me there with ease. When we arrived at the Egyptian session I could feel that Kamilah was in her environment. Her eyes took on a different glow and she smiled.

Kamilah took the liberty of explaining to me every item we passed and looked at. I could not stop looking at her, I could see perfectly well that beneath that facade of CEO, vampire queen, there was a big nerdy softie she would never admit to and that was so cute.

I was lost watching the Egyptian paintings and I noticed that Kamilah watched the sarcophagus a few feet from me. I walked over to her and noticed she looked distant.

"...It could be me. I could be here,” she said looking at them.

"But thank God it's not you," I said looking at her. "Honestly, I can not imagine my life now without having met you," I said naturally looking at the same place as her. I noticed that Kamilah's eyes were on me, I looked at her and saw that she was smiling.

"Are you flirting with me again?" She smiled.

"No! I mean... I'm just telling the truth.” I spoke with red cheeks. "You're the most interesting person I've ever met," I said.

"Thank you. This is one of my favorite places in town. I was here at the opening. Is it your first time? "

"Yeah, and it's been really fun by now."

"Well, we can come whenever you want. I'm more than willing to teach my culture to you.” She said and I smiled at her, excited at the idea of ​​spending more time with her, Kamilah held my gaze for some more time until she returned the smile, she shook her head and scratched her throat. "Anyway, I think we should go to dinner. We can come back another time."

"Of course." I smiled watching her go ahead.

That night, I learned four things about Kamilah. One, she loved to talk about art and literature, she knew by heart all the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Shakespeare. Which was more of a certainty of one of my conclusions about her being a big soft nerd. The second was that she was a big fan of watches, especially from the Chanel collection, which was no surprise, and I always saw her with a different watch from that brand. And the third was that she loved desserts, and especially Italian food. And I could not help but admire her, she was so incredible, sometimes I could not believe that woman was real. Every second I spent with her in that restaurant, my admiration for her grew every second.

Kamilah took me to a fancy Italian restaurant, which she had told me was one of her favorites in this city. She knew the chef and her whole family. We stayed at a table with an amazing view of the city, the restaurant was on one of the higher floors so we could enjoy it. The food was one of the best I've tasted in my entire life, that lasagna practically melted in my mouth, and the wine was wonderful.

"...There was a time when her family was in financial trouble, my company helped. Since then, they always give me dessert discount.” She flashed me a perfect smile as she looked at me over the menu and I reciprocated with a silly grin.

And the fourth and not least important was that she was a good listener, it was pleasant to talk to her, she was so open to new possibilities and her view of the world was so different from everyone I've ever met.

I spoke almost half the time, about my life, my old friends and my city. She asked me about my family, my book tastes, and my favorite songs. And as I spoke, she just listened to me with a small smile on her face and a soft look in her brown eyes.

"... Do you miss your parents?" She asked me. When I told her about both.

"My parents? No, God. I miss my dog.” I said being honest and her reaction was the best, she started laughing and her laughter was the best thing of the night, it sounded like the sound of a song, displaying those perfect shiny teeth.

"That was the best answer I heard this week," she said with a laugh.

I was falling in love with her, and I was not sure I could ever recover from it. Kamilah was that person that either you wanted to be her or wanted to be with her. When the dessert came, I was surprised to see that perfect tiramisu that proved to be the best thing I tasted that week. I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost midnight, Kamilah took out her credit card and paid for dinner, despite my protests.

We walked to the car, and to my unhappiness we did not take traffic to get to my apartment. Which meant that our time was now limited. Kamilah stopped the car in front of the building.

"That's it." She looked at me. “You are officially delivered," she said with a half smile.

"Are you going to have a lot of appointments tomorrow?" I asked, taking off the belt.

"As always. A lot of meetings, I have to close some important contracts tomorrow."

"Kamilah tonight was... It was incredible. Certainly one of the best dates I've ever had,” I said looking at her with a silly grin on my face.

"I had so much fun, Hayley," she said. I sighed in relief, I feared she would hate. "Today was something new, but... Surprisingly good."

"I'm glad you had fun. I had fun, too,” I said.

I noticed that she was analyzing me with those beautiful brown eyes. Kamilah lifted her hand and in a quick, but gentle gesture, she brushed a lock of hair from my face. She touched my face gently and approached, her eyes all the time on my lips. At that sudden approach, I could smell the intoxicating scent of her perfume, my heart pounded and I could feel a chill in my belly.

Her lips were inches from mine, I wanted that kiss more than anything else. But could a kiss mean it would end here? The possibility that we might get out again came into my head, as I turned my face before Kamilah's lips touched mine, making her kiss my cheek.

"What? What's wrong...?” She looked at me confused.

"Believe me, I really want this. Too much, but... Maybe we could do it again?” I asked with a hopeful smile on my face. Kamilah studied me for a few more seconds.

"Go out again?" She asked.

"Yes! And this time, I choose the place. It's going to be different and I promise you'll like it,” I said excitedly. It took Kamilah a few seconds to respond, as she was analyzing that idea as if it were a bad or good deal.

"And what do I get?" She asked.

"A kiss. Maybe a lot more,” I said and she smiled back. “So, are you up for it? Another date?”

"I'm going to release my schedule. One day, then" she said, her hand caressing my cheek lightly. "Then I'll be able to kiss you." Kamilah came closer again and I felt that shiver rise as I felt her lips against my cheek again. "Good night, Hayley." She gave me a dazzling smile.

#choices you play #bb #bloodbound #mc x kamilah #kamilah sayeed #just friends pt 2

[whatarubberchicken]

AU YEAH August - 23 - Historical

@auyeahaugust

Khepri: Egyptian Scarab God - Ladybug

Maahes: Egyptian Lion God – Chat Noir

Miraculous: Tales of Khepri and Maahes

A gentle wind blew through the courtyard of the Palace, making the lanterns flicker against the walls of alabaster stone. A young man looked out over the Nile, taking a deep breath before turning to the tiny goddess beside him.

“I hope I’m wrong, Tikki,” he said heavily. “And I wish I could do this as myself, but….”

“I know you don’t like to change into a girl as Khepri,” the little goddess chirped. “But it’s for your own protection. Everyone is looking for a female of the royal blood who has taken the title of Sacred Scarab. You are overlooked and unnoticed.”

“Whereas Maahes is free to come and go whenever he pleases,” the young man sighed with envy as he thought of his feline superhero partner. “Ah, the freedom of not being part of the royal family. Even if it’s only a distant cousin.”

“Your information and insight are critical to our missions,” Tikki said firmly, kissing him on the nose. “Especially this one. Now, are you ready? You promised everyone you’d meet at sunset.”

“Right, right. Tikki, transform me!”

The young man felt the power wash over him and once again sighed as he looked down at his now-decidedly-female body covered in spotted linen. Fortunately, Khepri’s kalasiris (sheath dress) allowed for much more movement than he’d thought possible, and he effortlessly jumped from building to building as he made his way to the meeting place.

Being a female as the superhero (goddess) Khepri wasn’t so bad, really. The change was useful in keeping his identity secret, but he might’ve been able to enjoy it more if—

“There’s my beautiful lady bug!”

--he hadn’t accidentally told Maahes about the change. Now, the cat-themed superhero had taken it upon himself to tease Khepri about it whenever he could.

“Shut up, you drunk old cat!” he—she—spat, tossing her yoyo at him. The catboy easily moved his head to the side to dodge it, fully-aware that she wouldn’t actually hurt him. “Were you followed?”

“Was I—was I followed?” Maahes asked in mock-outrage. “I? The Great Hunter? The Protector of Ra? The—”

“Careful, Eater of Captives,” Khepri warned him lightly, landing beside him and playfully flicking his nose. “You collect many more titles, you won’t be able to keep track of them all.”

“For the last time, I didn’t eat him!” Maahes exclaimed. “I used my power at the last minute and it just looked like I did!!”

“Whatever,” Khepri said, dismissing the subject. “We have more important things to worry about right now. Like whatever the Pharaoh is planning over at the palace that has all the soothsayers in a tizzy.”

“You think Apep is behind it?” Maahes asked lowly, referring to the supernatural villain they’d been after for years.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Khepri admitted with a grimace. “Somehow, he’s gained influence with the Pharaoh himself. And we can’t just ignore it this time. We’ll have to do something. Something drastic.” She was about to say more, but she heard a rustle in the shadows that indicated the other person they were supposed to meet with tonight had arrived.

“You realize what you’re talking about, right? Assassinating the pharaoh?” Maahes growled, making a sign against evil. “A living god? And one with no sons to boot! His lineage will be ended forever! You’ll destroy Egypt! There’ll be a civil war! At least!”

“Believe me, I know.”

“So, you got a plan for getting past this? Tell me you have a plan. I know you’ve got a plan.”

Khepri heard a soft sob from the corner where her informant was still waiting to be called forward, and she grit her teeth as she pushed forward with the conversation. It was better if this came from the mouths of “gods” anyway.

“Tut has been a puppet king most of his reign. Why not simply put the puppeteer in power?”

“Oh, sweet Hathor preserve us,” Maahes exclaimed, running his claws through his hair. “That’s your plan?!”

“You got a better one?” Khepri asked, her eye starting to twitch.

“Take control!” Maahes exclaimed. Khepri sighed in exasperation. “You said it yourself, you have some royal blood—”

“No.”

“—and we already know we’ve been chosen by the gods for the good of the kingdom,” the cat superhero added, indicating his suit.

“And I’ve already told you, I have no interest in ruling,” Khepri reminded him. “I don’t even want a shrine as Khepri. I just want to do my job.”

“And if your job includes ruling Egypt?”

“I already have someone in mind.”

Maahes looked taken aback. “Who?? Who could possibly be better than us?”

“Someone who is already officially in power. Your majesty, will you join us?” Khepri gestured to the shadows behind her. “Maahes, may I introduce, by the grace of Ra, Pharaoh’s Great Royal Wife, Ankhesenamun.”

The young woman stepped into the light just long enough for them to see her, and then lost her nerve to be standing before actual living Gods. She fell to her face before them.

“Have mercy, Eyes of Ra!” she cried. Maahes chuckled a bit as Khepri quickly attempted to coax the young queen back to her feet.

“Peace, my queen,” the scarab-themed heroine said soothingly. “We’ll not hurt you. We simply wish to ask you some questions about your beloved husband.”

“Beloved?” Ankhesenamun choked out. Tears streamed down her face. “Yes, he called me beloved once. I was his and he was mine. Together for eternity, we said. But now… I am unable to give him any heirs. Now he thinks I am weak. Cursed. Now, I am replaced by my own mother! One whom the Sun God has already claimed. Has always claimed! Nefertiti is dead, and still I feel her presence all around. He calls her his sweet, long-lost princess! Says he wants to bring her back from the Land of the Dead! MAY RA FORGIVE HIM THIS BLASPHEMY!!” The young queen broke down, crying, not seeing the uneasy look the two superheroes shared.

“Did he, um… say how he was going to bring her back?” Maahes asked slowly, wetting his lips.

“No, Lord of Slaughter,” Ankhesenamun sniffled.

Maahes groaned and Khepri smothered her laughter at the cat god’s least-favorite title.

“Actually,” Maahes said slyly, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around Khepri’s now-feminine shoulders, “I prefer the title ‘He Who Is True Beside Her.’” He waggled his eyebrows at Khepri and received an elbow in his gut for his trouble.

“Please ignore the son of Sekhmet,” she said irritably. “He’s obviously been drinking. Any information you can give us about the Pharaoh’s plan would be helpful, your Highness.”

Ankhesenamun swallowed. “He said… something about sacrifice,” she said slowly.

“Does this have anything to do with the mysterious disappearances lately?” Maahes asked, suddenly all business.

“Disappearances?” Khepri asked, whirling to look at her partner in surprise. “I thought those were just rumors!”

“I’ve been doing some sniffing around downtown, milady,” the cat said with a saucy wink. “Turns out, they’re all true, more or less.”

“How many?” she demanded.

“About 90 people?” he shrugged. “All within the past three months.”

Khepri cursed. If Tutankhamun had gotten ahold of the Scroll of Spells like she thought he had… well, he was dangerously close to something unforgivable.

“My queen,” she said quickly. “It pains me to ask this of you, but can we, the protectors of the gods, count on your help?”

Anhkesenamun hesitated. “Do you have to kill him?” she asked in a tiny voice.

“I will try not to,” Khepri assured her, smiling sadly at the young woman, so obviously still in love with her husband. “But, if worse comes to worse… I must think of Egypt first.”

………….

The next day….

…………

Khepri swore as she raced across the courtyard, her yoyo already in hand. Already, there was a gaping hole in the sky and a group of mummies were carrying the queen high above their heads, even as she sobbed and begged Tutankhamun to stop.

She felt her gut churn. His own wife. He was willing to sacrifice his own wife because he wanted someone more powerful, more beautiful. But it had to be her. Even after all the pain she’d been through, she loved him more than anything.

And only one with a pure heart could love so deeply.

Even now, Ankhesenamun didn’t fight as the reanimated mummies placed her on a beam of light, all of them chanting.

“My lady!!” she heard Maahes cry across the courtyard. He was trying to take out as many mummies as possible, hoping to disrupt the spell. But, a spell like this… they needed to take out the source.

“You cannot stop me, you vile insect!!” the Pharaoh shouted, turning to face her. Idly, she noticed that Apep’s power had given him muscles and reflexes that the true Tutankhamen had never had in his short life. He blocked her kick easily, and she barely dodged his swing, springing backwards to get out of his range. Tut started laughing, mad with power. Khepri narrowed her eyes and began twirling her yoyo behind her.

She had promised the queen she would try, but if it was a decision between saving Tut or saving Egypt….

“You are nothing but a pathetic. Little. Lady-bug,” Pharaoh spat.

Instead of becoming angry and arguing back, Khepri just smiled at him and nodded.

“As you say, Pharaoh.”

She brought her spinning yoyo down hard on his thigh, not bothering to see how much damage she did as she sprang for his scepter. He bellowed in pain and then in anger when he realized he’d been tricked. Praying for a new, purifying spell, Khepri activated the scepter again, this time with her own true magic.

“Sacred Scarab!”

The void to the abyss and the beam of light disappeared. Tutankhamen’s sacrifice fell from the sky. Maahes displayed his cat-like reflexes when he jumped and caught Queen Ankhesenamun. As one, the one-hundred mummies surrounding them collapsed as the scepter in Khepri’s hands was purified.

“My love!” the queen cried, racing over to Tutankhamen. He turned away from her, still sitting on the ground and clutching his leg.

“Don’t look at me,” he muttered sullenly, as he turned back into teenage king that was his true form. “I hurt you. I listened to Apep’s empty promises and betrayed you.”

“That was not your fault!” Ankhesenamun insisted. She looked at Khepri desperately. “Tell him, goddess!”

“You are neither the first, nor the last man to fall victim to the forces of evil,” Khepri agreed, regarding the Pharaoh solemnly. He seemed to be in a lot of pain from the injury she’d given him earlier. “Do you wish me to heal your leg?”

“No, Goddess Khepri,” Tutankhamun ground out, trying to stand. His wife rushed to his side to help him and he leaned on her, gasping. “This is the symbol of my great sin. All those people… my beloved….” He looked at his wife mournfully. “I will bear this pain. Even in the afterlife. It will weight on my soul forever.”

“There is no need for that,” Ankhesenamun protested. Tutankhamun shook his head at her and turned back to Khepri, even as Maahes also made his way over to them.

“Please, goddess, if it is the will of Ra, keep no record of this horrific incident,” Pharaoh pleaded. Khepri bowed her head.

“I cannot do that,” she said regretfully. “But, if it is any consolation, the record I must make will be buried deep in the record halls of the gods. Along with this,” she said, indicating the scepter of power she had stolen from him.

Tutankhamen nodded, resigned. “If you must, please make it look like a legend, instead of something I actually did….”

Khepri smiled. “I’ll do my best, my Pharaoh.”

……

Less than a week later, the Pharaoh Tutankhamen was dead, having never recovered from his injury.

Khepri took caution as she strode into the palace, where the queen still grieved.

“You did this,” Ankhesenamun sobbed. “It’s your fault. You promised not to kill him!!”

“I promised to try,” Khepri said, stoically keeping any emotion from her voice.

“It’s still your fault!”

“It is,” the superheroine agreed.

“I should set the guards on you! Have them hunt you throughout the kingdom!”

Khepri didn’t bother to reply, and just leveled the queen with a dry stare. She was technically a goddess. The guards would throw their weapons down and abandon their queen before daring to lay a finger on her. Ankhesenamun gasped in a deep breath, trying to steady her sobs.

“But I won’t,” she said, her voice still shaking a bit. “Because it will do no good. Not against you.”

“Have you sent for your grandfather?” Khepri asked, hoping to get to the reason she’d even bothered to come here today.

“I sent for him days ago; just after the… ceremony.”

“Very good.” Khepri turned to go.

“I will erase you from history,” Ankhesenamun called after her. “You will get no shrines. No monuments. In the parts of history I allow to remain, you will be a minor god, lost in the glory of Ra!”

Ah, the irony. Khepri carefully hid her smile.

“As you say, my queen.”

….

Maahes was waiting for her on a rooftop nearby. “Have I told you how brilliant you are today, milady?” he asked, falling into step beside her.

“Considering I’ve spent the past few days holed up, recording what happened before the pharaoh’s successors try to rewrite history, probably not,” Khepri said, allowing herself to smile at her partner as they headed away from the palace.

He smirked back at her. “And considering you just got the most powerful woman in the country to give you exactly what you’ve always wanted, what do you want to do now?”

“We should probably lay low for a while,” Khepri said, thinking. “The Pharaoh’s successor will want to keep the queen happy to earn her support, and that may mean promising things….”

“Like your head on a plate?”

“Mmm, exactly.”

Maahes grin turned into a leer. “You can always come live with me, milady—”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Maahes? I’m a man! I’m actually a man!”

“And you’ll find I’m as flexible as a cat,” her partner said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

Khepri facepalmed. “I certainly hope Tikki’s future charges don’t have to put up with anyone like you. Or your awful puns.”

“Sorry, milady,” Maahes said, cheerfully throwing his arm around her as they headed off into the sunset. “You’re doomed. Doomed for all eternity….”

Khepri elbowed him in the gut and threw her yoyo to the nearest building.

“Only if you can keep up, cat!” she sang, flying away.

He laughed as he chased her. “Bring it on, milady!”

......

End.

#au yeah august #historical #ancient egypt #khepri #maahes #ladybug #chat noir #i had way too much fun researching this