#forgive your third husband John
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Van Helsing be like, “haha if the transfusion made Lucy already his wife then we are all married to her and therefore each other!”
And Seward be like, “yeah duh but what was the joke”
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Chapter 2
They got Sherlocks heartbeat back shortly after his seizures in the trauma room. A nurse was giving John a tour through the ER, explaining their routines to him, when he saw that the young was being pushed towards the elevator, hooked to a portable monitor, vital signs low but stable. He sighed in relief.
“So sad about this man. Brilliant guy, but his drug habit is destroying him. I’ve been working here for a year now and saw him being saved from an overdose two times already. This is the third. Hope he pulls through”, the nurse said, having noticed John’s look and his relieved breath.
“Can’t be that brilliant if he doesn’t know how to take drugs without killing himself”, John muttered under his breath, scolding himself for talking bad about a patient a second later.
“Forgive me for correcting you doctor, but this man is brilliant. He sees things nobody else sees, though he isn’t really shy if his deductions are hurting anyone”, the nurse was showing John towards a supply closet, where they kept spare wound dressings, suture material and more.
“What you mean? Deductions hurting someone?”, he asked, intrigued.
“Well, the first time he came in, it was after some sort of fight or something, He wasn’t unstable, was conscious, just needed to be monitored because he had a concussion. He took one look at me and just knew that my husband was cheating on me. He told me, straight forward. I cried in the supply closet after because I was already suspecting it and simply believed it, now that a stranger also said it” the nurse scoffed and then smiled at John.
“It was for the better tho. Moved out with my daughter a week later and it’s the best decision I’ve made in a long time.”
“I knew his brother in Highschool. The police officer asked me to call him, as soon as we know his status. Could you tell me if there’s any rules on calling family here?”, John asked the nurse, feeling uncomfortable because she shared so much personal detail.
“Not really, doctor. Of course confidentiality but other than that, make sure you know his current status and then you can call. Let’s check his digital file, see what’s going on. shall we?” The nurse, John had forgotten her name, pointed him towards the nurses station.
John signed in to one of the computers and checked the man’s medical file. The neurosurgeon on call wanted to rule out a brain bleed, since the man had hit his head and so he was being brought to an emergent CT.
Cocaine overdoses could cause seizures but so could bleeding brains and it was important to know what caused the seizures to treat it properly.
Looking at the clock, it was about midnight, he decided to wait for the CT results before calling the brother.
After that, he was quite busy, it was a Friday evening after all. Nothing major, just the typical Friday night audience. People who got into bar fights, teenagers who didn’t know their limit on alcohol yet, some firefighters came in after saving a couple from their burning house with smoke inhalations.
The next time John thought about the first patient of the night, it was three in the morning. He sat down with a cup coffee and checked the medical file again.
CT had been done and they had discovered a subdural bleed that needed evacuation. The patient was currently being prepped for surgery. Wasn’t the best point in treatment for a family phone call but John would rather call in the middle of the night than make them wait for news about a sibling. He got the number from the card he kept in his coat and dialed.
“Hello?” A sleepy voice answered the phone. Definitely male.
“Hello. Am I speaking to Mycroft Holmes?” John asked, not wanting to reveal anything before knowing who he was talking to.
“Yes. Who is this? Calling me at this ungodly hour?” The man was more awake now. From his tone John’s could tell that Mycroft was usually the person in charge.
“Hello Mr Holmes. My name is Watson, I’m a doctor at Bart’s Hospital in London. I’m calling you about your brother, sir.” John said, trying to keep his voice neutral to not worry the other man.
“Finally. I’ve been waiting for your call. What took you so long? What’s going on with my brother?”
“Waiting for my call? You know he’s at the hospital?” John was confused. Lestrade had not told him he had called the brother.
“Yes. I am aware he collapsed and was taken to the hospital. So tell me: how bad is it?”
“I can’t say much on the phone but your brother was brought to us with a near-fatal dose of cocaine in his system and a head injury. His heart stopped for a few minutes in the ambulance but the doctors were able to bring him back. From the head injury he got a brain bleed and had a seizure, he is currently on his way to surgery so they can stop the bleeding. He is stable, but we don’t know if his brain and cognitive function was damaged from cardiac arrest or the seizure”
“I understand” the man on the phone sounded less dominant now, more worried.
“If you want, I can call you as soon as I have an update or have someone call you if I’m not available”
“Not necessary. I’ll be at the hospital in 40 minutes” Mycroft Holmes said and hung up the phone before John could say that the surgery may take a few more hours.
#dedicationandcompulsion#johnlock fanfiction#bbc sherlock fanfiction#sherlock fanfic#sherlock holmes fanfiction#bbc sherlock holmes#bbc sherlock#johnlock#bbc sherlock fanart
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If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life and would like to do so, please read this salvation prayer. Before your life can truly change it is important that you freely accept him as your lord and Savior.
Salvation Prayer
Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner and have done many things that do not please you. I admit that I have lived my life only for myself and I am sorry. Please forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me to save me and that you rose on the third day. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take complete control over my life. Every area of my life that is not pleasing to your name please change and correct. From this day forward help me to live everyday for you, and in a way that pleases you. I love you Lord and I thank you that I will spend eternity with you. Lastly I would like to ask you to send your Holy Spirit to live and reside in me and to help me along the way.
In Jesus Name.
Remember you should be repenting daily. All repenting means is to change your mind and turn, so If you find yourself acting in sin get in the habit of repenting
Self Deliverance Prayer- Excerpt from the book Armed and Dangerous by ex Satanist John Ramirez. Note you should have paper towels, or a garbage can near by. Some spirits leave the body by burping, vomiting or spitting up
As you pray this prayer you will be canceling the LEGAL rights that the enemy has against you, and all the satanic agreements that you’ve made whether consciously or unconsciously
When you sense demonic activity in your life, refer back to this prayer (this has helped me so much)
Self Deliverance Prayer
1. I renounce all agreements that I have made with Satan and his demons, in the name of Jesus
2. I renounce and reject any satantic offerings that I have ever made, in the name of Jesus
3. I renounce lust, perversion, pornography, immorality, and every unclean spirit that I have made a pact with in the name of Jesus
4. I renounce and rebuke all witchcraft, occult practices, divination, and sorcery that I have ever made in Jesus name
5. I break all ungodly soul ties in any relationship in my life in the name of Jesus
6. I renounce and uproot out of my heart hatred, anger, resentment, lack of forgiveness, bitterness and envy. Release me now in Jesus name
7. I renounce and uproot from my life every addiction, every demonic pharmakeia spirit that has me bound [this pertains to the abuse of prescription drugs or illegal drugs such as marijuana, heroice, cocaine, meth, etc Name the drug that has you bound and break it in the name of Jesus.] I destroy these attacks in the name of Jesus
8. I renounce from my life today jealousy, pride, self righteousness and egotism. Cme out of me now, in the name of Jesus
9. I renounce fear, doubt and unbelief and every tormenting spirit. Come out of me now, in the name of Jesus
10. I renounce all ungodly generational covenants that my family members on my father’s side, my mother’s side and my ancestors going back ten generations have made. Let them be broken in Jesus’ name
11. I renounce any allegiances to the kingdom of darkness and Satan in Jesus name.
12. I renounce and uproot every demonic word that I have spoken and given the devil legal rights over my life. Be broken, in Jesus name
13. I renounce any spirit husband or spirit wife or any demonic spiritual divorce papers that have come into my life in my dreams. Destroy them all in Jesus name
14. I uproot out of my life all sickness, depression, and oppression trying to operate in my life. Be destroyed, in the name of Jesus
15. I curse at the root, every fals word of prophecy spoken over my life, my family, my marriage, my children, and my ministry and business in Jesus name
16. I destroy all demonic activity and every demonic thought that has been opened in my life. I shut them down in the name of Jesus Christ
17. I break off of me, in Jesus name, any residue of any demonic kind
18. I break off any backlash, any retaliation, and transfer of spirits that is trying to come against my family, my loved ones, and my finances, in the name of Jesus
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💭 + one or more of your FC5 babes about Charlie?
I went with Heather for the dramatics, nothing says meet cute like a good ole B&E <3
Heather hadn't planned for this turn of events, how was she supposed to know John would have somehow managed to convince someone to marry him? Especially someone as gorgeous as the woman standing in front of her with a very unsettled and distrustful stare. An understandable reaction to finding someone breaking into your husbands office, and your home, even if Heather had fully thought it was empty. She put on her best smile and straightened up, closing the drawer to John's desk in a smooth motion.
"Forgive me I wasn't aware you— Well that doesn't matter, I just came to get some paperwork for Joseph." A lie, naturally, she was snooping for a weakness and any openings. This new development made this all a bit trickier, the mess of a situation getting more tangled by the second. Charlie shoots her a look, she wasn't buying it.
Beautiful and perceptive, just her luck.
"Okay, I was supposed to be collecting a deed to a farm today but if I'm being completely honest I was not listening to a word that man said and I thought John would have a list somewhere," Heather tries again, something more believable. She can tell the other woman isn't being fooled but she seems to want Heather gone as soon as possible so she walks around the desk and opens a different drawer sharply.
Her proximity gives way to a waft of sweet smelling shampoo, and up close Heather notes the freckles along the bridge of her nose. Curiosity bubbles away in Heather and she can't help but want to know her story, she didn't seem the religious cult type. But looks were often misleading and she could see there was something deeper hiding in those eyes.
"I'm sorry I don't believe I caught your name."
And a lil Dean one for funsies !! Charlie could trick him into the cult faster than John could this is fact.
She sure was a sight for sore eyes, that Charlie Berger, with a dazzling smile and pale green eyes that left many weak at the knees. Dean had only seen her once or twice, right now being the third chance encounter, and he could definitely understand all the buzz around her.
Though a lot of that buzz surrounded her relationship with the man beside her, tattooed arm securely wrapped around her waist and holding her close. They were quite a vision together, a power couple to say the least. One his coworkers had warned him about on multiple occasions.
"John's bad but watch out for Charlie, she looks sweet but anyone crazy enough to marry into that family ain't right in the head."
"She's just as dangerous as the rest of that family, steer clear of her Rookie."
He didn't quite get it, especially as those green eyes and smile directed themselves at him. It left a pleasant warmth within his chest, the small polite wave reciprocated and leaving him a bit dazed. She really didn't seem all that bad to him, he was sure there had to be some kind of misunderstanding going on. He wondered if they'd actually talked to her, because from what he could overhear that honeyed voice didn't have even a hint of bad intent.
#Heather is like 'John pulled that??? how??????' ashsjshshshs#meanwhile Dean has his rose tinted glasses still in tact and life is great for everyone <3#oc: Heather Lucille Valentine#si/oc: deputy dean sinclaire#Charlie Berger#dean answers#detectivelokis
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13th December >> Mass Readings (USA)
Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr
on
Tuesday, Third Week of Advent.
Tuesday, Third Week of Advent.
(Liturgical Colour: Red)
(Readings for the feria (Tuesday))
(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)
First Reading
Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Messianic salvation is promised to all of the poor.
Thus says the LORD:
Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,
to the tyrannical city!
She hears no voice,
accepts no correction;
In the LORD she has not trusted,
to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify
the lips of the peoples,
That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,
to serve him with one accord;
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
and as far as the recesses of the North,
they shall bring me offerings.
On that day
You need not be ashamed
of all your deeds,
your rebellious actions against me;
For then will I remove from your midst
the proud braggarts,
And you shall no longer exalt yourself
on my holy mountain.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
Nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
They shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
R/ The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R/ The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R/ The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R/ The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R/ The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, O Lord, do not delay;
forgive the sins of your people.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
John came and sinners believed in him.
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did his father’s will?” They answered, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
---------------------------------
Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr
(Liturgical Colour: Red)
(Readings for the memorial)
(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)
First Reading
2 Corinthians 10:17-11:2
I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Brothers and sisters: Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord recommends.
If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R/ Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
This is the wise virgin, whom the Lord found waiting;
at his coming, she went in with him to the wedding feast.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 25:1-13
Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Luke 12v8-12:- Sins are forgivable by men who made the moral laws but no... Luke 12v8-12:- Sins are forgivable by men who made the moral laws but not the Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. https://youtu.be/lrxxtx1QCRs Holy Gospel of our Supernatural Father Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc., delivered by the First Anointed Christ, which in Punjabi we call Satguru Jesus of the highest living God Elohim that dwells within His Most Beautiful Living Temple of God created by the greatest artist demiurge Potter, the Lord of the Nature Yahweh, Brahma, Khudah, etc. and it is called Harmandir or “Emmanuel” according to Saint Luke 12,8-12. Jesus said to his twice-born Labourers, Talmidim, and not the once-born disciples of the crook Messianic Jews, the Husbandmen of the Winepress: "I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, Preach the Gospel Truth from the Rooftop the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God, who kill the sons of Satan, the Blasphemers against the Holy Spirit. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God but handed over to the angels of Satan. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. So, the greatest blasphemers of the order of Anias and Saphira, Tony Blair and Bush that Saddam Hussein had WMD would not be forgiven and the Angels of God, the tribal people of Russia led by the tribal man Putin, Super Hitler, will PUNISH the USA and the West. When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defence will be or about what you are to say. For the holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." Living Islam of Living Allah is of the “Al-Kitab” that gets written over your own heart through "Logical Reasoning" by the Grace of our Supernatural Father of our supernatural “Soul” Al-Ilah = Allah. No son of your tribal father, Qom, "Ilah" no son of Supernatural Father Allah. Only “fools” will believe in me and not in Allah. ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK. REAL SHARIAH-FREE ISLAM OF ALLAH - NOOR IN HONOUR OF ROYAL SHAH SHAMS TABRIZI. HUKUM RAZIAN CHALNA; NANAK LIKHYA NAAL. Sants of the Fourth Panth = Millatt are “Dass” and the Khalsas of the Third Panth are “Singh” surnames, Gotras. And Nanak was the Second Coming of Jesus, the “Christ = Satguru” and not a Brahmin “Guru”. The greedy Khatris messed up the devotees so much that they did not know the First and the Second Panths. http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/tenlights.htm For the full article, visit:- http://www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/JattIslam.htm Real Islam is the knowledge of our spiritual Father Allah (Pakka Peo) for the twice-born "Seekers" of age who are faithful and have the knowledge of their tribal Father "Ilah" (Kacha Peo) learnt from the Mullah - Matt 13v52. Thus, no born of water “Ilah”; no born of the Spirit “Al-Ilah”. The Root of Allah (Al-Ilah) is "Ilah" as that of the Disciple is disciplined by the moral laws taught by a Rabbi, Brahmin, Maulvi, etc. For this reason, Christ Jesus had two sets of Labourers; 70 Outer-circle in the name of John, the Baptist, and Prophet Elijah (My god is demiurge creator of male and female Yahweh), the Corner-Stone of the Temple but ousted by the crook hypocrite Temple Priests that delivered sugar-coated sermons of "falsehoods" that are sweeter than honey to catch their prey and the 12 inner-circle made up of 7 of Menorah for the full knowledge of Yahweh, Brahma, Khudah, etc. and 5 of heart, the 5 spiritual Husbands of the Samaritan Woman, St. Photina for the Full Knowledge of Elohim, Allah, Parbrahm, etc. but the men of dead letters call her a “sinner” woman marrying one husband after the other because they have no "common sense = Surti" that can Brew the New Wine thinking logically. They were all men because you need to be born of water (Tribal seed) before you can be born of the Holy Spirit to learn the Gospel Truth. None of the 12 Apostles baptised anyone in water but the 70 outer circle Labourers did. The sacked Husbandmen of the Winepress (Temple Priests) became hypocrites “Messianic Jews” and corrupted the New Testament too. Messianic Jews keep all the 7 Candles of Menorah at the same level that Christ has not come yet – GREAT HYPOCRITES LIKE THEIR TEMPLE PRIESTS – Matt 12v43-45 is fulfilled in them. COOL-HEADED RUMI WAS A PERFECT TWICE-BORN MAULVI, BRAHMIN, RABBI, ETC. = MOON OF THE "SUN" ALLAH, A WITNESS TO THE “LIGHT” BUT NOT THE LIGHT. HE WAS LIKE PROPHET ELIJAH (MY GOD IS YAHWEH), JOHN, THE BAPTIST, THE LORD OF NATURE AT LARGE WHO My ebook by Kindle. ASIN: B01AVLC9WO Private Bitter Gospel Truth videos:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/nobility.htm www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/Rest.htm Any helper to finish my Books:- ONE GOD ONE FAITH:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/bookfin.pdf and in Punjabi KAKHH OHLAE LAKHH:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/pdbook.pdf Very informative Channel:- Punjab Siyan. John's baptism:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/johnsig.pdf Trinity:- www.gnosticgospel.co.uk/trinity.pdf
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Today's Daily Encounter Thursday, January 19, 2023
God Desires Us
"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."1
While the first Commandment forbids having any other gods besides the one true God, the second commandment forbids making any images that would be used as an object of worship. The verb to worship refers to the act of bowing down before a superior or a ruler in order to show reverence and obedience. As children of God, we are not to make images to represent God, nor should we worship images of any kind. No one has seen God; therefore, He cannot be confined to our mental limits. He is not to be worshipped as we desire, but rather in the way he commands. John 4:24 tells us that "God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." God will always see the motive of our heart, which is the source of true worship.
The Lord is a jealous God and desires what is rightfully his. This differs from envy, which is the desire for something that is not rightfully yours. The people of Israel had made a covenant with God, and God made it clear that there would be consequences should they break their end of the deal. This covenant between Israel and God was like a marriage. God, the husband, wants his wife (his people) to be faithful to him, as He is faithful to her.
Idols may look different today than they did when the Ten Commandments were given by God, but his desire for our worship to Him alone remains the same. We would be wise to evaluate our lives and see what we are allowing to take our time and attention. Are we worshipping God and giving him the best of us or are we giving him only our spare time (if any)? Obedience to God and His commands will bring blessings and God's unfailing love, not only on us, but our future generations.
Suggested prayer: Dear God, you alone are worthy of my worship. Forgive me for the things I have allowed to take my time and attention away from you. Help me obey your commands and be faithful to you, as you are faithful to me. May my example of true worship lead my children and future generations to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Exodus 20:4-6 (NLT).
Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
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Ivy
Alfie Solomons x Shelby Sister Reader where she’s betrothed by Thomas for a truce, now her and Alfie’s secret love affair is in thin line.
A/N: Here I go again, associating an Evermore track to Alfie. Sorry not sorry!
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The air was cold at dawn. You’ve been sitting alone in a cemetery since last night, dreading the moment the day was slowly breaking, and how it reminded you of how time of his arrival was getting nearer.
No, you weren’t there to visit a deceased loved one, but might as well have started grieving for yourself. This was the haven where you would often meet Alfie to either stay and talk in each other’s arms, or where he’d fetch you and bring you somewhere you could freely be with each other for a night.
A full year of secret meetups undetected led you both from solely enjoying each other’s company and wits, to being inseparable. Your special spot was a few feet away from the actual gravestones. It was under a huge tree nearby.
You knew from the start that your fondness with each other would never be accepted by your family. And the odds of them actually even coming close to being open on the idea of you both became slimmer every time Alfie would get power in his head and betray your family despite your friendship.
Months would pass of you ignoring his apologies and notes pleading to meet; To be only forgiven when he’s in Thomas’ good graces again. But it became increasingly difficult to be warry of him when you started feeling funny whenever he’d laugh at your jokes, or when he’d offer his coat for both of you to stay under when it starts drizzling and you both forgot to bring an umbrella.
He’s started a goddamn blaze in you.
Now how were you to tell the lone man you’ve ever loved that your brother was planning on marrying you off for a truce?
You only found out last night, leading to you throwing a fit for the very first time towards your brother who tried to calm you down and make you understand the benefit it would bring to the family – much like what he did to John. The way he told you sounded like it was a mere suggestion. But you knew better that he’s already fixed it.
In a fit of tears and frustration from not being able to give him the truth to why you refuse to concede, Polly barging in the study to intervene and ask what was going on was your take to leave and go to your room, shouting loudly that he better leaves you alone that night.
It took you the night trying to write everything down for Alfie. How you were to be married, and begging him not to intervene. Because as much as you love him, you couldn’t risk him and your family being in another war with the still unknown family you were to be part of.
Sneaking out later on, that’s how you found yourself in your favorite spot in the cemetery crying your heart out, and reminiscing all the memories you hold so dear with Alfie.
Taking a deep breath, your hand took the folded page of paper from your coat pocket. You almost crumpled it and wait for Alfie to tell him yourself. But you were a coward and just couldn’t bring yourself to tell him. Not when you know you wouldn’t be able to open your mouth without breaking down.
Taking a rock big enough to hold it in place, you placed your open letter under the tree and willed yourself to walk away from both your favorite place and your happiness that morning.
It’s been days and you have not uttered a word to your family. Still crying yourself to sleep every night, it became increasingly harder not to call Alfie and beg for forgiveness and ask him to take you away.
Alfie himself was sending your office missives after missives, asking you to see him at least. But all of it were left unanswered and kept in one of your desk’s drawers.
Tonight, was the celebration of your engagement and the first time you were to meet the man you were to be married to. You’ve learned from Polly that he was from a wealthy Italian family, about your age, and that he’s already seen you before and was actually the one to ask Thomas for your hand in marriage.
What a puss. You thought, He couldn’t even ask you and get rejected personally.
Well at least the dress he sent was decent. But hell were to freeze over before you would even consider wearing it.
Opening your closet, your hands skimmed through your numerous formal dresses, and finally landed on one that meant so much to you. It was beautiful, fit you perfectly, and it was a gift from Alfie.
They don’t know it’s from him, but you had to admit that wearing it in front of your family and future husband would be a satisfying last act of proclaiming your love for the King of Camden town.
The night began rather peacefully. It seemed that you were the only one miserable in the occasion thrown for you.
The man you were to marry was alright. He was polite, charming even. But he was a shy pup compared to a beast like Alfie. Sooner or later, you had to stop thinking about him.
“What’s the Jew doing here, Tommy?” you heard your aunt ask Tommy discretely.
“I invited him, Poll. All bad blood in the past, he’s a good business partner.” He explained to your aunt.
But the rest of the conversation drowned out for you. He’s here.
For the first time in the entire night of the party, you moved from the corner you were sulking on, looking for the pair of opal eyes you were wishing to see. To hell with the Italian boy.
You were turning on every corner looking for him. If he really were in here, you figured he’d be in a corner somewhere like usual.
“I knew you’d look absolutely beautiful in that dress.” A voice called out just loud enough for you to catch. Snapping to the direction it came from, your eyes met Alfie’s.
He was dressed formally as asked, his beard was trimmed, and he had his hat on.
“Alfie I-“
“I’ll take a dance, yes.” He cut you off, not wanting to make you cry in front of the guests. Taking your hands in his freezing ones, he led you to the dance floor.
“I though you hated dancing in public?” you mused at him, placing your hands by his shoulders, ignoring the lump in your throat.
“If this were to be our last one, everyone else be damned, yeah?” He answered, looking at you lovingly. You smiled. How could he still look at you so endearingly even after your cowardness?
“The wine’s shite by the way.” He commented, trying to make you laugh. He couldn’t stand looking so defeated anymore. You couldn’t resist breaking into a laugh, and bit your tongue from telling him the drinks are courtesy of your future husband.
Polly and Arthur were stood near each other, looking at the both of you dancing, when your aunt finally spoke up.
“She hasn’t cracked a smile ever since the night Thomas told her.” She told the oldest Shelby brother. “And all it took was for Solomons to dance with her.”
“Yeah, looking at ‘em makes me almost forget the bastard tried to kill me. It’s almost as if they’re…” Arthur didn’t get to finish what he was to say from the sudden realization. He knew that look. Yes, he’d never seen you look at anyone like that, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out what it was - the color coming back to your face, almost as if it actually lit up at the presence of Camden town’s king.
Turning to Poll, she was already smirking at him. “She couldn’t tell Thomas the real reason she doesn’t to be married off for business. But you’re the eldest, Arthur, and when it’s on matters of your siblings’ personal happiness, you have to put your foot down.” Patting the back of his shoulder, she took her drink to go who knows.
“Is there somewhere we can talk, luv?” Alfie asked you quietly, sliding his hand on your shoulder, to your hand where he held it.
Looking around you, relief washed over when you saw that the guests were immersed in their own conversations and dance partners.
“Meet me in my room in a few minutes. It’s the third door at the right hall, and I’ll keep it slightly open.” You nervously told him, trying to keep your voice low.
Letting go of him, you acted natural, smiling at guests your way.
--------
In your room, you stood fidgeting with your fingers. The light from the crescent moon that peeked through your window was the only source of light.
What if he got lost and mistakenly entered Tommy’s office? Or that he decided to confront that fiancé of yours?
You were saved from the panic attack rising when your door finally creaked open bigger, and the silhouette of the man you love came in.
But before you could talk, his lips met yours desperately. Alfie hoped that his kiss would be able to tell you how much he’s missed you, how the past days felt like absolute hell, and how it led him to be willing in being a mister for you. A mister.
“Are you sure that brother of yours won’t be looking for ya? What if he found us out, pet?” He asked in between kisses to your neck.
“He’s gonna burn this house to the ground” you answered, gasping when he squeezed you in closer to him. You almost hated having to stop him. “Alfie, we came here to talk.” You weakly pushed him off you.
His eyes under the moonlight was glistening. It was only now that you realized he was crying. Taking his face in your hands, you held it gently, wiping his damp cheek.
“Alfie, I love you, okay? Everything that we had – no matter how it was only stolen moments, I’d live and die just to experience them again. But I can’t risk losing you and or anyone from my family for my personal reasons.” You tried to sound brave in front of him, knowing that the second you’d break, he’d take you with him.
He shook his head. “Now that’s just selfish of that brother of yours, pet. You know I could help settle any problem he has with ‘em Italians. He didn’t have to drag you into this.”
“And what, have him figure out why you’d go through great lengths for his sister whom you never seemed to care about?” Whenever Thomas was in the same room as you, the both of you would only resort to a formal greeting and not even try to converse. That was how you were able to keep it up so long. “It’s either I run or we dare come clean to him and see what we’ll become. He’ll find me either way, or he’ll shoot you dead.”
Alfie moved away from you, and walking by the window to take a breath and calm his nerves.
Suddenly the door to your bedroom was kicked completely open, revealing Arthur and Tommy who looked like they were ready to murder.
You didn’t know what came over you, but you immediately stood straight as if ready to block them before they could get to Alfie. But to your surprise, Arthur stayed standing by the doorway, and it was only Thomas who took a step closer.
“Alfie, you have one chance to tell me that what Arthur's saying isn’t true.” Tommy was seething, ordering him. “You of all people know my sisters are off limits.”
“It’s true, Tom.” You answered before Alfie could even open his mouth. If he were to push through marrying you off, at least leave him with the guilt for snatching your life away. “I love him.” Relief from finally being able to say it in front of your brothers washed over you.
“I am not gonna let you use my sister for whatever scheme it is that you fu-
“I was gonna ask her to marry me, you fucker!” Alfie growled from behind you, before finally reaching your side. You stood there gaping at him, having been clueless as well of his intentions.
“I went to meet her in our spot with a fucking ring in my hand, right. And what do I find? A letter from her telling me that some scum wants what’s only mine, and her cunt of a brother is allowing it!”
Arthur having been satisfied from what Alfie said, was smiling at you across the room. “And as the eldest of the family, I give you my blessing, so long as you promise to protect her.” He spoke, nodding at him. You wanted to run into your brother’s arms in gratitude, but Thomas spoke up again.
“Don’t celebrate yet, Alfie." He both looked at you with a stern expression. "There are Italians out there still thinking that there’s a marriage happening in a fortnight.”
Alfie scoffed at your brother’s statement. As if he hasn’t dealt with them before.
Taking your hand in his, he turned to your brother once more. “And what is expected to happen when I call off the marriage?” He asked him.
“I’m gonna start a war” you answered nervously.
Squeezing your hand, he turned to you. “Then it's gonna be the goddamn fight of my life, pet.”
#Peaky Blinders#peaky blinders alfie#PEAKY FOOKIN BLINDERS#peaky blinders imagine#peaky blinders x reader#thomas shelby#thomas shelby imagine#thomas shelby x reader#alfie solomons x reader#Alfie Solomons#tommy x alfie#alfie solomons imagine#Shelby Sister#alfie solomons x shelby!reader#polly gray#Arthur Shelby#Tom Hardy#Tommy Shelby#tom hardy imagine#tommy shelby imagine#taylor swift#evermore
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Ahhhh I love your Sherlock imagines! I was wondering if I could request one where the reader and Sherlock were engaged before his “death”. The reader watches his death along side John. And when he comes back they are reunited. Reader is angry at first but comes around?
If you don’t want to write it it’s no worries ❤️
Have a good day!
Pairing: Sherlock x reader
Genre: angst (heavy)
Warnings: suicide, depresssion, anger issues
Song to listen to: heavy hours by crooked fingers
Note: here’s a link to suicide hotlines if you ever need to talk to someone
A/n thanks for requesting anon! Sorry if this isn’t exactly what you wanted but I hope you’ll like it ☺️
-
Your emerald, silver band wedding ring glinted in the sunlight as you were on your way to Barts via a cab. With a soft smile, you admired how gorgeous it was. It was a symbol of a new life. A symbol of a new start with your husband to be, Sherlock Holmes. It meant even more to you he took the care to have it custom made with the stone for your birth month. Emerald: the gemstone representing May. Sherlock didn’t take much fancy in these silly arbitrary things like gemstones and crystals. But he knew it made you happy, and he would do anything to make you happy.
‘I told you not to ring them!’, Sherlock screeched at John through the phone. The latter held up his hands in an apology. John was anxiously standing, looking up at Sherlock, who was currently standing on a ledge on the roof of St Bartholomew’s Hospital. John acknowledged very that Sherlock was in a vulnerable position, literally inches away from taking his life. What he said mattered. He gritted his teeth, trying to get through to his best friend.
‘Please, if you won’t listen to me. Then please listen to your fiancé(e). Whatever’s happened, we can get through this. Together. We all love you dearly’
Sherlock signalled from the rooftop for John to move further away from him. John did as he was told. Sherlock’s heart sank in melancholy when he saw a black cab arrive. You were strolling towards the entrance to Barts when you noticed that John was standing outside chatting on the phone with someone. Shouldn’t he be inside by now? You jogged over to him, mouthing ‘are you okay?’. He said nothing, looked at you solemnly and handed over his phone. To your wonder, you heard Sherlock’s voice. But his voice was shaking. There was something that was very wrong. Simply, Sherlock muttered:
‘Look up’
You glanced upwards and realised that Sherlock was standing on the roof of Barts. You could feel your life smashing down around you, but you had to keep control of your emotions. If you did the smallest thing wrong, it would mean life and death.
‘You don’t have to do this. I’m here. I will always be here for you’
At first, there was silence, a devastating still quietness. You needed to his answer, to hear his voice. But then the silence was gone, and he said:
‘Thank you for everything. Both of you. I love you, Y/N.’
Then the called dropped. Sherlock threw his phone behind him. And he jumped.
Without a seconds thought, you sprinted towards the hospital. But John dragged you back, trying to prevent you from witnessing your fiancé(e)’s body splattering horribly on the cement pavement. He had seen enough death and destruction for a lifetime. He didn’t want you to experience it too. John might have been a soldier, but you had enough adrenaline pumping through you to fight back. The struggle between you and John carried on for a few seconds too long. When you finally got free and ran over, Sherlock’s body was already limp, lying lifeless on the ground. Blood was pooling around his head, staining the grey concrete scarlet. You collapsed next to him, tears gushing down your face, screaming desperately at John to do something. For him to do anything that might save the love of your life.
‘You’re a so-called doctor, right? So do your job and SAVE him’.
John kneeled down, putting a finger on Sherlock’s neck, feeling for a pulse. Then he hovered over his face, listening for any breath from his friend. But it was a futile attempt; Sherlock was as clear as dead. All it took was a shake of the head from John to let you know it was too late.
The next few months after Sherlock’s death were a blur. You could hardly remember the paramedics coming, his funeral and moving away from Baker Street. It was like someone else was living your life, not you. That was the only way to cope with the never-ending grief. Your life continued on like that for a long, painstaking three years.
It was a chilly Thursday evening when you had left your flat for the third time that week to get a takeaway. What did it matter if you ate junk food? You didn’t care about looking after yourself anymore. You were dressed in baggy grey jogging bottoms, an oversized black hoodie and your hair was a mess. It wasn’t like you had anyone to dress up for. While waiting for your order at the fish and chip shop, you recollected about your deceased lover. Last week was the three-year anniversary of his passing. You had attended a memorial at Barts, the place where he fell to his death. Everyone brought flowers, lit candles, and quietly said their personal prayers. Mrs Hudson and John and his new partner arranged it. It was only really on the anniversary of his death that you saw them anymore. They reminded you of him too much. So you thought it was best for you to stay away. You could practically hear what Sherlock would say if he could see you now.
‘Y/N? Is that you?’
Your ears must be deceiving you. You could have sworn you heard Sherlock in real life. Not just in your head. You brushed it aside, taking your order from the server and wanting to get home as quickly as possible. But then you turned around. Saw the distinct navy blue trench coat. Saw Sherlock’s beautiful face. Sitting at one of the corner tables in the small takeaway was your dead fiancee. It must have been a figment of your imagination. But then he spoke again.
‘Y/N, I’m back, he pronounced, a slight grin creeping upon his face.
Rage blew up inside you, and you threw your chips vigorously on the hard floor. This caused a commotion and everyone turned to look at the two of you. You could already hear the server shouting for the manager behind you. You pointed towards Sherlock, stating loud and clear:
‘Piss off! I’m not dealing with this right now!’
You bolted out the door, sobbing all the way home. Every day for the next week, Sherlock visited your flat, but you refused to listen to him. You just couldn’t understand why he would do this to you. Do that to everyone he loved. All he had to do was say one word and let you know he wasn’t dead. On the seventh night, you allowed him to explain himself, but he had to do it through the front door. The two of you sat on opposite sides of your front door, him slowly explaining why he had to pretend to take his life. At the end of it, you stood up and gradually opened the door. You couldn’t forgive him fully yet. It was damn well cruel what he did, even if he did it for good reason. However, you couldn’t help but rush forward and embrace him in a tight hug.
‘I’m so glad you're alive'
#sherlock fanfic#sherlock#johnlock#bbc sherlock#sherlock bbc#sherlock holmes#bbc#john watson#sherlock reader insert#sherlock x y/n#sherlock x reader#sherlock imagine#sherlock au#sherlock holmes x you#sherlock holmes x reader#benedict cumberbatch#sherlock fic#sherlock fanfiction
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are there any sources that say how lafayette reacted to the death of washington and his other friends from america??
Hello Anon,
yes, we do know La Fayette’s reaction - pretty exactly actually. George Washington died on December 14, 1799 and La Fayette wrote to Washington’s widow, Martha Washington, on February 28, 1800. The letter is today hold by the Digital Collection from The Washington Library.
Dearest Madam
My Heart Has for So Long a time and So throughly Been known to You, that I Need Not, Nor indeed Could I Express the feelings Which Over Whelm it—While the world is Mourning, and Mankind weeping Over the irreparable Loss, What Must it Be to You, My dear Madam, the object of His Love, the Companion of His Life, the partner of His Sentiments, the Happy witness to All His private and public virtues? What Must it Be to me, Who from My Youth Have Been Blessed with His paternal Adoption, and Who Ever Have deserved it By the Most filial Affection for Him and for You, Who United in Every thing were particularly So in Your kindness to me? - Continue, I beseech you, to Honour me with this Maternal Predilection, the more necessary to me, as in you, dearest Madam, I Both Love and Revere What Remains of My Respected and Beloved General - My Mind is so wed to introduce Him in every thought, every Sentiment, every Concern of Mine that I Hardly Can Believe that, While I am Living, He Has left us, Nor Could I forgive Myself No to Have personally received His Last Blessing. Had I Not the Remembrance of the Advice By Which You know He Has Repeatedly differed My Departure for America - the Circumstances are Coming on Which Had appeared to Him to proper- for Our Meeting - But Alas, in this World We Can No More Meet! I would think it for me a Sacred and Staeing[sic] Duty to Go Over and Mingle My Tears With Yours, Had I not Lately Reentered My Native Country Where, although I Live in perfect Retirement, and With not Have Any thing to do With public affairs, I am Bound to forward the Business of My friends, Several of Whom, Who followed me in 1792, are to the paine[sic] of Being Restored to their Homes and families - I owe it also to My Creditors and Children to pick up the Remains of My fortune - My Son, not Less a partaker in My Grief than in My Obligations and Gratitude, Has the Honour to write to you, and would Have Gone to Mount Vernon, Had Not the Continuation of the War engaged Him in the Military Senite where He expects to Be Soon employed - But we Both Live in the Hope to present You Again, dearest Madam, the personal Homage of our Respectful Love; and everlasting Regrets Shall ever Make us worthy of the parental affection which from the Greatest and Best of Men, which from You, Dear Madam, we Both Had the Happiness to experience - My Wife, With a Mourning, affectionate Heart, joins in My Sentiments, and as well as the Rest of My family Beg to Be More Respectfully, tenderly Remembered to You - Be pleased to let me Hear from You as often as You Can - permit me to Hold with You the Correspondence I Had with My Beloved General and think often of that adoptive Son of His who with dutiful Respect, and warm, Grateful, filial affection Has the Honour to be
dear Madam
Your obedient Servant and friend
Lafayette
Martha Washington replied to La Fayette on October 31, 1800:
Mount Vernon October 31st 1800
Dear Sir
It was not until very lately that your sympathetic and affectionate letter of the 18th of febary reached my hands - The feeling manner in which you have expressed your sense of the loss which I have sustained demands my greatful acknowledgement. The tribute of respectful veneration which has been every where paid to the memory of my dear deceased Husband, and the tender sympathy which my friends have expressed for the irreparable loss, excites my warmest sensibility, -- But my consolation arises only from that source of infinite wisdom and good help which alone can mitigate our grief and lessen the poignancy of the keenest affliction -- To his will do I resign my self for the few remaining days of my life - Knowing the strong ties by which you were bound to my departed Friend I can readily conceive of your feeling upon hearing of his decease, and I am sure it was not among the least of the manifold afflictions which you have of late years undergone.
To the amiable partner of your heart and the rest of your deserving family I pray you to have my sincear and greatful thanks for their tender sympathy; and be isured that you have my ernest prayers that your and their future years may be freed from that cloud of suffering in which you have been so long involved -, and that every blessing which heaven has in store for the virtuous may be showered upon you,- should you or they visit this country - I need not say how happy I should be to see you under my roof - and it will always afford me the highest satisfaction to hear of your welfare
The kind letter from your son came in closed in yours, for which I pray you to return him my best thanks and issure him that his friends hear hold him in affectionate rememberance and sincerely wish that his career in life may be glorious and happy - with esteem and regard
Im dear sir your friend and obedient(?) servant.
Martha Washington
There is something special about this letter. Martha received at least 55 letters of condolences that we know of, more than 40 of the people who wrote her received a reply - but most of these replies were not written by her but by others, Tobias Lear for example, in her name. La Fayette’s was one of fife identified persons who received a reply written by herself. Martha also send La Fayette two pistols, that Washington bequeathed to the Marquis in his will. Washington wrote in his will:
“To General de la Fayette I give a pair of finely wrought steel Pistols, taken from the enemy in the Revolutionary War.”
La Fayette’s son, Georges Washington de La Fayette, also wrote Martha. He enclosed his letters in the letter written by his father. Beside these letters, there is also an earlier account that illustrates La Fayette’s thoughts about Washington’s demise. Shortly before La Fayette sailed for France in 1784 after his third visit to the United States, Washington wrote him the following on December 8, 1784:
“In the moment of our separation upon the road as I travelled, & every hour since—I felt all that love, respect & attachment for you, with which length of years, close connexion & your merits, have inspired me. I often asked myself, as our Carriages distended, whether that was the last sight, I ever should have of you? And tho’ I wished to say no—my fears answered yes. I called to mind the days of my youth, & found they had long since fled to return no more; that I was now descending the hill, I had been 52 years climbing—& that tho’ I was blessed with a good constitution, I was of a short lived family—and might soon expect to be entombed in the dreary mansions of my father’s—These things darkened the shades & gave a gloom to the picture, consequently to my prospects of seeing you again: but I will not repine—I have had my day.”
To that La Fayette replied on December 21, 1784:
“I Have Received Your Affectionate letter Of the 8th inst., and from the known Sentiments of My Heart to You, You will Easely guess what My feelings Have Been in perusing the tender Expressions of Your friendship—No, my Beloved General, our late parting was Not By Any Means a last interview—My whole Soul Revolts at the idea—and Could I Harbour it an instant, indeed, my dear General, it would make me Miserable (…)”
On February 8, 1800, France held an official funeral service for George Washington. Everybody expected La Fayette to give a eulogy to Washington but that did not happen. More so, La Fayette was explicitly excluded from the funeral. Why? Because Napoléon Bonaparte, who had just risen to power, did not felt like it and because he was a bit petty.
As with regard to his other friends in America, there is not as much documentation that I know of. Washington wrote to La Fayette on October 20, 1782 that John Laurens had died.
“Poor Laurens is no more—He fell in a trifling skirmish in South Carolina, attempting to prevent the Enemy from plundering the Country of Rice (…)”
I am sure La Fayette was saddened by his friends death, but I have never seen him mentioning it. Moving on to Hamilton, who died on July 12, 1804, La Fayette wrote Thomas Jefferson on October 8, 1804 that:
“The Deplorable fate of My friend Hamilton Has deeply Afflicted me—I am Sure that whatever Have Been the differences of parties, you Have Ever Been Sensible of His Merits, and Now feel for His Loss.”
He further wrote to George Washington Parke Custis after Hamilton’s death that:
“Hamilton was to me, my dear Sir, more than friend, he was a brother. We were both very young, when associated with our common father; our friendship, formed in days of peril and glory, suffered no diminution from time: with Tilghman and with Laurens, I was upon terms the most affectionate; but with Hamilton, my relations were brotherly.”
Another close friend of La Fayette, Thomas Jefferson, died on July 4, 1826 and La Fayette discussed his death in a letter to James Monroe on November 28, 1826. I sadly have no full access to this letter so I can only tell you that Jefferson’s death was discussed in the letter, but not what La Fayette actually wrote.
I hope you have/had an awesome day!
#marquis de lafayette#lafayette#general lafayette#george washington#martha washington#thomas jefferson#james monroe#alexander hamilton#georges washington de lafayette#adrienne de noailles#adrienne de lafayette#letters#handwriting#1799#1800#1804#1826#ask me anything#dear anon#george washington park custis#history#death#mourning#french history#french revolution#american history#american revolution#1784#napoléon
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Once again reading Eclipse.
Now, Edward, I am 100% with you on being waiting till after marriage for sex. It is totally right of you to expect Bella to accept your 'no' and wait until you're comfortable with having sex.
That said, I tend to follow a Quaker line of thinking in that the issue is not "pre-marial" sex at all because, by a purely biblical basis, Sex is the ceremony. The convention of the marriage ceremony was invented by the Catholic Church, firstly, to protect the rights of the bride and groom-- there must be witnesses to say "yes I know Mary and John are married I saw it" so that parents can't force their children into unwanted marriages for the financial gain of the family by saying "well you have no proof that the farmer's son is your husband so nothing can stop us!" It's also the reason that, through the years the ceremony has always included the "Speak now or forever hold your peace" clause. Secondly, similarly, it was invented to protect the spouse's rights, if, for instance John leaves Mary and Runs off with Phillppa, Mary has recourse to prove that John can't just go marry Phillppa. So in short, the ceremony is there solely to provide accountability. And the third reason was so the church could make money, but hey ~shrugs~.
So the "ceremony" is pretty immaterial, here Edward, but nevertheless, if you aren't comfortable with gettin it until a crowd of witnesses is present for your vows, then Bella needs to shut up and accept that compromise without you having to give excuses. I'm with you on that point but I've still got a bone to pick on another topic.
"We've had this discussion before, but humor me. How many people in this room have a soul? A shot at heaven, or whatever there is after this life?"
"Two," I answered immediately my voice fierce.
"All right. Maybe that's true... Now of course, it may be too late for me, even if you are right about my soul."
"No, it isn't." I argued angrily.
" 'Thou shalt not kill' is commonly accepted by most major belief systems. And I've killed a lot of people, Bella."
"Only the bad ones."
He shrugged. "Maybe that counts, Maybe it doesn't..."
*scratches nose* okay see here's my thing, Edward. If we're working from a Christian angle here, and let's assume we are, the kind of people you killed doesn't get a look in. It's not too late for you, not because you only killed people who had, or were in the act of, committing attrocities--what matters is that you stopped because you felt remorse and were penitent.
This is one of the basic tenets of redemption and salvation in Christianity--it doesn't matter what you've done, but that you repent of what sins you have committed in the past--yes even murder--and that you desire to go forth and sin no more.
I'm not trying to preach a sermon here, I'm just super FUCKING tired of this constantly popping up in media where whiny bitches like Edward Cullen are wrapped up in self loathing to the point of arrogance and think that their sin is so special that even Jesus won't forgive them, when the sins they've committed are LITERALLY NO WORSE THAN THE MURDERERS AND THIEVES THAT JESUS SPENDS THE WHOLE NEW TESTAMENT BEING LIKE "HEY! I WANT TO SAVE EVERYONE, YEAH, MURDERER, EVEN YOU, ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS MEAN IT!"
Like SHUT UP, Edward. You ate a few serial Killers. You're not special.
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Below are some initial translations by Prof John FA Sawyer, following numerous requests. We have always stated that translation is just the beginning, as interpretation is equally important, as direct translations won't always make sense to the average layman. However, the below gives one a taste of what is on the depicted tablet.
“Credit card” tablet- bottom three lines
The three lines appear to have a similar structure, but I can’t make much of the third. I do think one of the three lines is pretty convincing not least because of the connection with my first thoughts on the text beside the menorah. Some of the letters (Gimel, Dalet, Resh) seem to be in the Old Aramaic/Square script, presumably because that was what the authors normally used.
1. שכת בלידתכם שכת בלידת גר
“(If) ??? when a proselyte is born, (then) ??? when you (mpl) were born”
I can’t understand שכת unless it’s a misspelling of שחת“calamity” See Below
2. במעקש ילדת מעקש ילדך
“(If) your child is crooked, (it’s because) in crookedness you (fs) bore (him/her).”
Cf. Prov.19:1 and 28:6 again. See also Psalm 51:5: “in sin did my mother conceive me”.
3. יך ??? דל דך יך ??? דל דך דלד
“Let a ??? strike a poor afflicted (person), (then) a ??? strikes a poor afflicted (person) ???”
Commentary by David Elkington
The writing on the codices is not gibberish, it is meaningful ‘Temple’ text. Contrary to claims by sceptics that the writing on the codices is ‘gibberish’ and thereby fakes, the fact that they have been translated nullfies that argument.
The translated lines match key lines in the Hebrew Bible. It is not a word for word match, but that’s because the Bible, as we know it today, has gone through a great deal of redaction and re-translation. However, Prof Sawyer argues that the lines on the ‘credit card’ match thematically/structurally two key and well known passages in the Bible – Proverbs 19:1 and Psalms 51:5.
The third line - “Let a ??? strike a poor afflicted (person), (then) a ??? strikes a poor afflicted (person) ???” matches particularly with Prov 19:1: 'Better the Poor walking in integrity than one perverse of speech who is a fool.'
This is a Solomonic Proverb and, by virtue of being Solomonic points us in the direction of the Temple, imagery of which is to be seen all over the codices. This particular proverb is about Wisdom and folly. Again the codices make many references to the feminine figure of Wisdom (The Song of Solomon) about whom Solomon wrote the famous Song of Songs. Proverbs is here to be seen giving a schooling in Wisdom. It is based upon the laws of God and Proverbs 19 is part of a section called Solomon's Proverbs. In this section a young man (the Messiah) has been faced with a choice and urged to choose wisdom. The emphasis on the dual figures of Solomon and of Wisdom brings us back to the centre of the Great Temple of Jerusalem and the older theology of ancient Israel.
The first two lines - “(If) ??? when a proselyte is born, (then) ??? when you (mpl) were born” and “(If) your child is crooked, (it is because) in crookedness you (fs) bore (him/her).” This matches Psalm 51:5 'Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.'
Psalm 51 is a plea for forgiveness. This psalm was purportedly written by King David himself when confronted by the Prophet Nathan, over the adultery of David and Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. In it he is made to see himself through God’s eyes, that he has fallen into grievous sin. He is heartbroken: Various Christian commentators have added: By sin what is meant is not that conception or childbirth are sinful in themselves, but that sin is ingrained in us from the very first moment of existence. This section of the Book of Psalms (Psalms 42 -72) is linked directly to the Temple and to Temple worship, and so, like all the images on the codices, once again links the ‘credit card’ to the system of Temple symbolism.
THE MISSING LETTERS OF THE HASMONEAN ALPHABET CAN ONLY MEAN THE CODICES ARE AUTHENTIC
According to Margaret Barker there are on these codices letters represented for the first time. These are some of the long missing letters of the Hasmonean alphabet for which scholars have been searching for years. This has huge implications for the authenticity of the lead books. Since no forger could possibly have known the missing letters of the Hasmonean alphabet, it follows inexorably that no forger could possibly have faked the codices. The discovery of the missing Hasmonean alphabet on the codices is almost as good a measure of the antiquity of the codices as a radio carbon 14 test.
Top line: 'This person belongs to...the Sons of the Law.' This is a term used in the Dead Sea Scrolls and can also be used of the early Christian movement known as the Jerusalem Church.
THE TRANSLATION INDICATES THE CODICES BELONGED TO A PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN SECT .
a) In the first line of translated text, the use of the word crooked means in Hebrew deviation – in other words someone who has left the way of Wisdom. 'Shakkat' should be translated as not 'calamity' but as 'unclean' – an abomination. This points to a group who are accepting people from outside the faith: this can only be the early Christians.
b) It is also points to the term, ‘Messiah.’ Isaiah 59:8 and Deuteronomy 32:5 talk of they who have ‘twisted their paths.’ In other words those who have forsaken the path to Wisdom – these texts make very definite references to the coming of the Messiah.
c) The focus on the subject of sin brings us clearly into the realm of the early Christian movement in Jerusalem and their claim that Jesus was the Messiah.
d) The emphasis in Proverbs on 'the Poor' (proselyte) could actually be a reference to the Ebionites, called 'The Poor'. This supports the idea that the earliest Christians were the Ebionites, the famous Jewish-Christian sect branded heretical by the later Church.
e) There are also very definite links in the translation to Qumran, indicating the early Christians had links to the Qumran sect who used Isaiah and Deuteronomy in their sectarian writings. If the emphasis in Proverbs on 'the Poor' (proselyte) is a reference to the Ebionites, then it supports the idea of the tablet (Credit Card) being a used as a means of identification throughout Ebionite-Essene communities throughout the Holy Land.
The lettering in the top right corner of the above photograph reads: ‘He who bows down…’
#Jordan Codices#early christianity#Bible#ebionites#the poor#essenes#jerusalem chuch#Christos#chrisos
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APAHS Chapter 6
AN: Chapter 6 has arrived! I love all of your guys feedback it really makes my day ^_^
No real warnings this time I think.....
WC: 2,221
Beta thanks to the wonderful @flamencodiva and dividers by @winchest09
Storybrooke
“What do you mean you want an engagement ring? Hasn’t Samuel gifted you with one?” Rowena asks Ruby, closing her loan payment ledger. Yes, it was only lunchtime, but there were a few payments that had rolled in.
Ruby scoffed, crossing her arms as she tossed her hair over her shoulders. “As if, he has yet again tried to throw me out onto the streets. Both of our names are on that lease. I won’t let him kick me out. I do care for him despite what the town thinks.”
Letting out a hum of thought, the red-headed loan shark headed to her back room. Looking through her drawers of things her debtors had used as a pawn of sorts to help pay off their loan. Finding the jewel she’d been looking for, with a smirk she headed back to the front of the store and placed the ring in Ruby’s hand.
The ring was a thin silver band, in the middle sat a bright white diamond, on either side of the large gem, however, sat two bright sapphires. Rowena hadn’t even asked Ruby’s ring size, but this ring she’d grabbed fit her hand perfectly.
“Oh, Rowena, it's beautiful,” Ruby smirked wickedly, “Sam is mine, I’m not about to let him get wrapped around another woman’s finger. Despite what people think, I do care for Sam, and I’m going to prove who he belongs to.”
Across town, Y/N was occupied, and in pain. After explaining to Amaya her situation with needing more work to keep up her payments, both women had agreed to work at the Queen’s Court inside the Rabbit Hole.
This wasn’t the kind of work she had in mind, but what choice did she have. There wasn’t anything else she could do. There was the option of agreeing to marry Rowena’s son, Crowley, but that was a hard pass. She’d rather rot in hell before agreeing to be his bride.
As she finished her routine, under the name White Swan, Y/N groaned, spotting Crowley standing at the employee’s entrance.
“Y/N, sweetheart, can’t we just talk?” He asks.
“Crowley, can’t you go sit in those crummy cars you sell? I’m sure the carbon monoxide would knock you out faster than living alone,” She snapped. Partly from seeing him, the other from the uncomfortableness of her heels. Walking and dancing in 6-inch heels when you’ve never done it before? Not the best thing to do.
The businessman lets out a sigh of resentment. “It's just a conversation, not a marriage proposal” He tries again.
“Crowley, I’m sure there's a woman in Storybrooke who is better suited for your needs than myself. I can find ways to pay your mother back. I’m not about to just give up now” She says, brushing past him to go change. It had been a long, exhausting day, and all Y/N wanted to do was go home.
Crowley left with a sigh, nodding to Ruby who stood at the street corner, waiting for Y/N to come out. Y/N groans spotting Ruby, muttering her name under her breath.
“Well well, if it isn’t the little duckie coming out of the pond?” Ruby teased, making sure her left hand was in full view. The light from above catches on the gems.
“Ruby, I really don’t want…” her voice trailed off seeing the ring. “Is that?”
Ruby smirked, “My engagement ring from Sam? Oh yes, proposed last night after he got home. Guess he couldn’t wait any longer. He really does love me deep down, you know.”
“That’s not how I understood it. He keeps trying to kick you out.” Y/N argues, trying to hold back her tears.
Ruby scoffed, crossing her arms as she glared at Y/N, “couples fight, duckie.” She licked her lips, “you would know if you ever had a man. Let’s face it, you’re too ugly for any man to ever want you.” Ruby noticed Crowley watching them, a sly smile on her lips, “Crowley must be desperate if he’s going for you. You know, his mom is almost as rich as Gold. Too bad you’ll always be down in the dirt, like the ugly duckling you are.”
“Why don’t you just leave me alone Ruby.” Y/N scoffed, “Surely you must have something better to do?”
Brushing past her, Y/N turns to head back into the Rabbit Hole, spotting Crowley sitting at the bar.
“About dinner…”
-----
Enchanted Forest
“Making me do all your work? What kind of witch are you anyway. You’ve got the girl, why can’t we just take over her kingdom instead of the Winchesters?” Crowley snarled at his mother as he grabbed his clothes.
“Because they banished me for just a wee bit of magic. It's not like I was planning to kill anybody” Rowena says with a shrug, looking through the spellbooks she’d had Crowley sneak in and grab for her. Well, the one’s that King John hadn’t destroyed by putting them into a fiery blaze the day she was banished.
“Mother, we both know you wanted Queen Mary killed, force yourself into King John’s bed till you were pregnant and solidified an heir.”
This made Rowena blink. Her son was smarter than he looked, and minor details didn’t slip past him usually.
“Perhaps.” She says not confirming or denying her son’s allegations against her. Grabbing the final ingredient, tossing it into the black cauldron, she sighed, grabbing a ladle and portioned out the vials.
“This will be the third batch this week. Are you sure you're making it right?” Crowley asks, arms crossed against his chest. Rowena’s dark jade eyes glare at him.
“It’s a slow process. Can’t do it all at once.”
“You said that after the first batch. I’ve been sneaking around, trying to not get caught, yet here you are making me risk my neck for you.”
The red head sighed frustrated, “You know that Castle, as well as I do, Crowley. You know how to remain hidden and unseen. Only a fool would get caught.”
This particular batch of poison made six vials in total. Taking four of them, and placing them in his pocket, Crowley makes his way back to Winchester Palace.
The poison his mother had made, in enough doses and in large quantities, was meant to make the drinker incoherent and unable to think clearly. Once the recipient had received enough, it would make her appear to have an incurable disease. Once to baffle the medical staff till they were blue in the face, trying to heal their precious and beloved Queen.
Since Odette’s capture, Crowley had been giving Queen Mary four vials in the span of a week. He’d started off with two, but there wasn’t as much of an effect as his mother would have liked, so she made him up the vial amount to four.
Being he’d left later than he’d planned, Crowley had managed to sneak into the kitchens just before supper was to be served. The kitchen was more packed than he’d planned as the staff bustled about gathering the finishing touches for the evening meal.
Ever since Princess Ruby’s arrival, King John had spared no expense. Bringing the best protein and sides he could manage. He did want to leave a good impression on the princess if indeed she was to be Sam’s bride.
As soon as Crowley was sure the coast was clear, he entered the kitchen through a secret passage. As he was opening the vial, however, he was stopped when the tip of a blade was pressed just under his neck.
“Back away slowly, before I slit your throat and make a mess for the maids to clean,” a gruff voice said from beside Crowley.
Stepping backward as he was asked, Crowley swallowed the lump in his throat as he met a pair of bright blue eyes.
“Evening Castiel.”
“Benny, what do you mean I can’t go downstairs, it's time for dinner, as usual, what's wrong?” Sam asks him as he was prevented from leaving his chambers.
“I’m zorry, your highnez,” Benny let out. “It zeems Castiel haz caught our slippery snake,” he continued, leading Sam down a long hallway and towards the dungeons.
“Slippery….” Sam says confused before catching who Castiel had exactly caught. “Crowley.”
“‘Ello, Samuel,” Crowley muttered, “Come to be my executioner?”
“I’ll leave that to Castiel. He’s good at killing snakes like you.”
“I was only doing as I was told!” Crowley argued, trying to make a defense for himself, “It’s not my fault my mother’s obsessed with ruling the place!”
“Your mother?” Castiel asked, raising his eyebrow at him.
“The Witch Rowena,” Sam snarled through his teeth, “The one who stole Odette and killed her father”
“Then why was he allowed to work in the palace?” Castiel glared at Crowley, the tip of his blade pressing on his neck. “How did we not know?”
“A girl has to have her secrets blue eyes.” Crowley muttered.
“Benny, give me your sword.” Sam says looking over at him, “I’m sure Castiel would be more than happy to kill him, but this is one execution I’d have the pleasure of handling myself.”
“Kill me if you want, boy, but that little swan of yours will still stay hidden.”
Sam’s anger rose, his chest rising and falling as his nose began to flare out.
“Sam,” Castiel said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We need to notify your father. We need to know how we never knew about Rowena being his mother? Have you seen Crowley with Rowena?”
Sam nodded, his gaze still fixed on Castiel. “Out by the lake, he and his mother are out there every night.”
Back upstairs, John went to find Mary, wanting to make sure that she was alright. Upon entering their chambers, he spotted her still lying in bed.
“Mary? Are you alright?”
“It’s nothing. Just a little tired from this afternoon that’s all” The Queen replied, trying to brush off her husband’s worry.
John felt his wife’s head, noticing beads of sweat running down her forehead. “Mary, you're burning up,” he whispered, running to the door to shout for the Castle Doctor.
“Forgive me your majesty, but your wife does appear quite ill. The problem is, I cannot tell what has made her ill.” He admits with a frown.
“There has to be something you can do.” The King begs.
The Doctor was silent, grabbing his things as he left the King and Queens chambers.
“Your Highness,” another one of the guards says, placing a hand on Sam’s shoulder, “Forgive my intrusion, but your father is asking for you.”
Sam looks at Benny and Castiel, “I’ll talk to my father about this. Get as much information out of him as you can, we need to find what he’s been doing here.” he says, turning to head back up the stairs.
“Dad!” Sam calls appearing at the end of the corridor once climbing the stairs.
“Son, we need to talk privately.” John says in hushed tones, “I have some concerning news concerning your mother.”
----
Storybrooke
After working through the papers at Gold’s office, logging the few items he’d gotten as pawns, Sam looked up hearing the clicking of heels. Groaning as he spotted Ruby leaning against the glass displays. It was valentine's day and Sam had planned on stopping by Granny’s to look for Y/N to give her a yellow rose for the day, in hopes to mend their relationship.
“Ruby, what are you doing here? Couldn’t this wait till I got back?” Sam muttered
“What, and ruin the evening of valentines day? I thought maybe we could go out to Granny’s or something.” Ruby smiled, batting her eyelashes at him.
“Well, Well, Miss Blackheart, wasn’t expecting a visit from you.” Gold says, making his way out of his office. “What a ring you have, looks like you did rather well Samuel. It would seem congratulations are in order.”
Sam looked over at his employer rather confused. “What?” he asks, finally catching the glint of the ring on Ruby’s left ring finger, “Where did you get that. I know I didn’t get that for you.”
“Course you did.” Ruby winked, pulling Sam along with her “Come on, I want to celebrate our engagement by having a special dinner.”
Sam wanted to protest going to dinner with Ruby, he could barely stand the woman, let alone any more unnecessary stress. He just wanted one thing to go right, or even just halfway normal. He’d been meaning to find time to talk to Henry, or even Bobby. He’d talk to Dean, but given their recent conversations, it would just turn into an argument.
As they made their way into Granny’s diner, Sam felt his heart go cold, seeing car salesman Crowley Rosethorn press a kiss to Y/N’s cheek as he handed her a handful of red roses.
Sam felt the wind get knocked out of his chest. His heart felt like it was going to shatter, it held a secondary emotion though. Jealousy. He wanted to be the person giving Y/N roses, wanted to make her laugh, smile or just be happy.
Apparently Ruby had other ideas, as she forced his hand on their engagement. He had to break it off, but how?
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In Another World - T.Shelby Imagine Ch. 21
Paring: (Eventual) Thomas Shelby x Aliena Welsh (OC)
Fandom: Peaky Blinders
Word Count: 13,178
WARNINGS: ANGST, Cursing, Fluff, Mentions of Sexual Activity (Semi-Explicit), Smoking, Brief scenes of Arguments/Fights, Mentions of Blood, “Vivid” Murder Scene
Summary: A direct continuation from the previous chapter, Aliena takes Michael to the spot Tommy reserved for her and they talk. Michael is introduced to the family. Ali and Tommy are somewhat strained again, but is that a good or bad thing?
MASTERLIST CHAPTER 20 CHAPTER 22
A/N: This chapter is crazy long! I was not expecting to have so much to write about in this chapter. It’s kind of filler, but it’s happier than most of my chapters. Anyway, from this chapter to the next, I’m going to be messing with the timeline a little. So, if you’re a real stickler for staying with timelines, this is going to irk you.
Oh! Sorry for this sorry excuse of a GIF. The clip I used for Aliena had a boy next to her and this was the best way to make sure your focus staying on the chapter, if you get what I mean?
I doubled over on my knees as I panted for air. Michael was faring far better than I was.
“Why. The. Hell. Were we running?” Michael asked.
I held a finger up as a hand flew to cover my mouth. I pivoted my body away from his direction, held my hair back as much I could, and let the contents that filled my stomach escape me.
Michael muttered. “Christ!” Then, he helped me hold my hair away from my face and rubbed my back.
I was finished soon enough. I spat out whatever remained in my mouth before laughing while I sniffled. I stood up straight and wiped my mouth. “Um, we were running because I thought it a good idea at the time. Anyway, come on. We’re not too far from it now.” I waved my hand over in that direction before walking ahead.
I kept leaning as I walked, and my body felt like jelly— but I’d rather be doing this, feeling this than be at the house.
Michael cleared his throat before asking, “Did you ever tell me your name?”
I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at him, still walking. “Um, ya know what… Oh my god, I don’t think I told you my name. I’m Aliena Welsh, but everyone usually calls me Ali.” I extended my hand for him to take which he did.
“Henry. Uh, wait. Michael, um, Michael Gray.”
I giggled into my free hand. “I know. Remember?”
Michael chuckled sheepishly while he rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s right, you know me.” There was some silence between us before he asked another question. “You said you worked as the family maid, right?”
I nodded.
“Forgive me for assuming, but how come you look-?”
I interrupted him with a cackle. “How come I look as posh as you?”
Even in this dark night, I could see the blush on his face. “Ye-yeah.”
I sighed as I hiked my coat up to cover my shoulders. “I have rich friends. They buy me stuff from time to time, but I have my own money. Your cousin and mum pay me two pound.”
Michael scoffed. “That’s a lot of money.”
I nodded to myself. “I know. Well, I know that now. I grew up in America, but I was born in Liverpool. Basically, I only knew the US currency system when I arrived back. I figured two pound was an appropriate amount of money for being a maid to such a big family, but now I’m not too sure.” I chuckled at the end of my sentence. I looked up at Michael and smiled.
I gasped as the sight of my parents’ gravestones as they came into view. I grabbed Michael’s hand as I said. “Come on. We’re here!” I began running over to their gravestones.
“Wait! Where the hell are we?”
I didn’t answer him until we were standing in front of them. I walked behind the gravestones and leaned down on them. “These are my parents. Just their gravestones, so you don’t have to be creeped out abar it. Tommy, your cousin, bought me them for my birthday. Well, he bought me ma’s on my 17th birthday and me da’s on me 18th. But, yeah. This little area, even that swing, is mine.”
Michael bent down taking off his cap as he did so, and read them. He peered up at me. “Tommy, he’s the one with the car, isn’t he?”
I nodded. “Yeah.” Actually, the whole family had cars of their own. ‘Cept for Ada, she didn’t want one.
Michael dusted off his cap on his thigh before standing up. “Can you tell me more about them? My family.”
I nodded and then jerked my head over to my swing. We walked over to it and I took a seat facing him, while he leaned against the tree. “Let’s see.” I began. I kicked off my shoes and started to swing a little. “Let’s go in order. Your mum, Polly, is company treasurer. She’s also the heart of the family. She’s not afraid to hit you when you’ve done something stupid or to piss her off, but she’s also incredibly kind. She just looks intimidating.”
I took a deep breath and leaned my head back. “Arthur Shelby is your oldest cousin and the most physically dangerous. He fought in the war alongside his brothers and friends. He packs quite the punch, but he’s a sensitive man deep down. So, as long as you're good with him, he’ll be good with you. Might tease ya ‘cause he can, but doesn’t everybody do that?” I looked up at Michael and we both shared a chuckle.
I cleared my throat and the smile on my face disappeared. “Thomas Shelby is the boss of the family and company. What he says is almost always law. Nothing happens in Birmingham without your cousin knowing. The cops here have less power than him.” I grunted as I gained more momentum in my swinging. “His looks are as intimidating as your mother’s, but unlike her— he doesn’t have a soft side. So, do not go fishing for it or expect it. Um, I’m sure there’s more but I can’t think of anything.”
I cleared my throat again. “Ada Shelby is your only female cousin. Ada lives in London now, so you will rarely see her in Birmingham. She has a son named Karl and her husband passed recently. He died in January. Ada is a communist, but we love her anyway. Yeah, she’s sort of strained in the family right now ‘cause she doesn’t approve of the business.”
I stopped swinging and let myself relax. “John is the third eldest of the men of the family. He has five children. He is one of the smarter ones of the family. He takes care of the books and he has a wife named Esme. She is the mother of his youngest child. She did not give birth to John's first four children. John can pack a punch as well. Um, don’t tell him a fucking thing! His lips are as loose as a… Um, a goose? Is that the saying?”
I shrugged my shoulder then sat up straight. “Finn is the last of the Shelby clan. He’s only little, 13. I think. He does little things for the family, but all you need to know is that he’s the youngest.”
Michael nodded and kicked himself off the tree. He took a few steps and then motioned me to join him. I hopped off the swing and jogged to stand next to him. “Tell me about yourself then. How did you get to know them?” He said.
I giggled then yawned. “Alright then. My da’ died in the war. That was the beginning of my problems. My sister and I weren’t really on good terms, so she didn’t help me and my mum. So, we struggled a lot. Eventually, my mum told me we were heading to England, but she wouldn’t tell me what for. She took sickness on the journey and died. I walked aimlessly around England. I didn’t remember a thing from when I was eight. I ended up in Small Heath. I fell asleep behind some barrels using my suitcases as pillows when Jeremiah, the city’s preacher found me. He introduced me to your cousins and they took me in. That was… Three years ago.” I nodded when I was done talking.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Michael said.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m okay. I’m sorry for what you had to go through. If you don’t mind me asking, were you ever going to search for Polly? Like, do you even remember what happened? How she looks like?”
Michael cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. “Um, it’s alright. I’m not sure. I’m still 17, so I couldn’t really leave the house yet. I was debating trying to find… Polly, but yeah. I did think about it. I remember a little of what happened. That day, but I can’t remember anything before that. I, uh, I don’t really remember how Polly looked like.”
I nodded and hummed. “She’s beautiful, really!”
Michael chuckled. “Really?”
I nodded, enthusiastically. We laughed again. The two of us then circled back to the swing and while I sat on that plank of wood— Michael sat down on the grass in front of me.
“Are you not cold?” He asked.
I shook my head. “No, not really. And I have a lot of alcohol to thank for that. Why are you?”
He shook his head. “No, but you’re wearing less than me. That’s why I was asking.”
“Oh.” I drew out while nodding my head. I yawned and sniffled again.
We talked more. We talked so much that I was eventually yawning between every word I was speaking. I grew tired of sitting on the swing and I laid down next to where he sat. I guess Michael didn’t like looking down on me like that as he soon laid beside me.
I yawned. “When we head back to the ‘ouse, you need to stay outside. Polly will eventually come home ‘n you’ll be escorted inside. When we meet inside again, you need to greet me as if we’ve never seen each other. Got it?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.”
I managed a couple of more sentences before my eyes did not want to lift anymore. I whispered. “Wake me up at dawn, will you?”
Michael whispered back. “Can’t make any promises.”
We woke up when the sun was up. That’s all that matters at this point. As we were walking back, I groaned under my breath. “My feet hurt!”
Michael laughed at me. I blew raspberries at him. Michael looked over at me before he asked. “Do you think my mum is already there?”
I shrugged my shoulders. I hummed ‘I don’t know.’ We trudged all the way over to the house. As we stood outside the door, I pointed at him and said. “Stay.”
Michael glared at me before smiling and shaking his head.
I snickered before opening the door to the house. “By the way, you might want to try and get off any grass you may have on your back. See ya later.” I closed the door in his face and headed up to my room.
I stood in front of Tommy’s door and just tried to listen to see if anyone was in there. When I couldn’t hear anything, I went into my room and began getting ready for the day.
I was asleep for about three to four hours, and I woke up with a nasty hangover. As I stared at the bed beside me, my body was begging me to lie down. But, I couldn’t. I had to work today. There was no Advil or Ibuprofen until 1961. The only thing we had was morphine or opium. I was never going to take the latter, so I was raw dogging the hangover as always.
I covered my face with my hands and sighed deeply. I threw my head back and groaned softly. I wiped my make-up off and reapplied some foundation and concealer. Foundation for the bruise on my chin and concealer for the dark circles under my eyes.
I looked at myself in the mirror and felt nothing.
Last night did not go how I wanted it too. Again, I don’t know what I wanted to happen, but I didn’t think Tommy and I were going to be strained again. Fuck, I can’t believe I caught him in his little escapades again.
If I had to compare the two, this one hurt more. Not only because it was raw, but because I wanted him last night. I wanted something like that for us. But it’s just my useless pinning. God, was I obsessing over him? I hate myself.
I squeezed my eyes shut and cringed. I huffed, angrily, before I yanked off my bra and put a comfier one on. I put on a long skirt and a jumper. I put my hair up messily, not really caring how I looked, before heading downstairs.
Walking straight into the kitchen, I found it empty. I pursed my lips at the sight ‘n shrugged my shoulders. I began my job by getting a kettle of tea on for Polly then I made some eggs and sausage.
The door opened and I knew who it was. I could hear the excited chirping of Polly before she crossed the threshold of the kitchen.
“Oh my-, Aliena! Come ‘ere!”
I turned around. Polly and Michael were standing there side-by-side. Polly’s hands hovered over her son’s shoulders, an ecstatic smile on her face. It would seem that the smile was contagious since all three of us were smiling now.
Polly continued. “Ailena, it’s Michael! My son. Michael, this is Ailena. She’s our maid but we don’t treat her as one. She’s been with us for three years and she’s around your age.”
I walked forward and we shook hands while simultaneously greeting each other. I said. “I’m making eggs and sausage. Would either of you like some?”
Polly looked at Michael expectantly while the latter glanced at her as well.
He nodded. “Yes, please. I’m starving.”
I nodded and turned back around, but I was stopped by Polly. “Wait, Ali, love. Go on, sit down. I got it.”
“Are you sure?” I leaned closer to her and whispered. “I can take care of this for you and you can talk to ‘em.”
She shook her head. “I want you to sit down with him.”
I nodded and flashed her a smile. I faced Michael, pulled out a chair for him before taking my own. I let them talk and sat there quietly. Not like I wanted to chime in on the conversation anyhow. My head was pounding and I just wanted to go to sleep.
I wanted silence and serenity more than anything. I pinched the space between my eyes and took a deep breath.
‘Good thoughts only, Aliena. Good thoughts only!’ I tried soothing myself. It works sometimes.
The plates clattered as they were set down on the table. I opened my eyes and smiled up at Polly. I dug into the scran I made as slowly as I could manage. However, the rubble in my stomach was not going to let me get away with such a slow pace.
“Aliena, have you had any schooling?” Michael asked.
I picked my head up and covered my mouth as I replied. “I finished secondary school, but obviously— I never went to a uni.”
He nodded and asked. “What’s your plans, if you don’t mind me asking?”
I shook my head, my gaze fluttering toward Polly for a second. “I don’t. Um, I’m not sure. I wanted to become an author, but I’m not sure if that’s still on the table for me. Right now, I’m content with where I am. You?”
Michael stammered for words. “I’ve taken courses. Excelled in mathematics, but I’m not sure. I’m thinking of getting an accounting job as soon as I can. Maybe even something else in that field. But, yeah.”
I nodded. “Cool.”
Polly came over with the kettle, poured both of us a cup, and asked Michael. “How was it?”
While looking up at her, he replied. “I was starving, so I would have eaten anything. But really it was super.”
Polly and I shared a small chuckled, but she repeated his word. “Super.”
Never hear that ‘round here.
Michael asked Polly. “So, uh, are you a cook?”
“Not a cook. No.” She set down the kettle and got a cup for herself, scrunching her hair as she did so. I knew she was trying to look her best given the circumstances.
As she took a seat, Michael began talking, “The man who came to the house, he was driving a posh car. He looks rich. What does he do?”
Polly finished pouring her cup as she answered. “He works with horses.”
‘What a blag! Polly, ma’am!’ I thought as I took a sip of tea. My eyes widened and fluttered comically.
“Really? I love horses. I got a bay mare.”
“No.”
“I ride it all the time.”
Polly waved out her hand as she said. “Then, it’s in the blood.”
I was busy eating my breakfast. I wasn’t going to interrupt their bonding moment any time soon. Even though Michael's eyes kept flickering toward me.
Their eyes locked, and Michael had a smile on his face “I’ve got about a million questions.” He said.
“So do I.”
“I’ve had different pictures in my head.”
“Well, here I am.” Polly went for a ciggie while Michael stirred his tea a bit more. Polly moved some of her hair away from her face before asking,“It's all right that it's me, isn't it?”
‘Should I? Shouldn't I? Fuck it, I want one.’ I reached over for Polly’s case, and I gave her a look asking for her permission. She nodded at me while she was exhaling. I got one and lit it up.
“I don’t have any choice.” Michael replied. Polly stubbed out her ciggie as Michael continued. “I mean, you are who you are, aren't you? We don't choose. And that's it.”
I took a long pull and exhaled it slowly.
“Yeah, that’s right. God gave you to me. People took you away.” Polly reached for his hand and grasped onto it. She took a deep breath before placing her other hand onto their grasp. “And it is all right that it's me, isn't it? In a place like this.”
Michael looked around as if he were thinking about it. “I thought it would be worse.”
Polly and I let out a little laugh while Michael just smiled. However, the moment was ruined when Arthur’s booming voice could be heard from outside.
Arthur shouted while bursting through the door with John. “Run for the hills! It's the Digbeth Kid!”
I covered my mouth as a way to stifle my giggles.
“Get out of town, kid, or I will shoot your fucking head off!”
“Time’s Up! Pew!”
I was cackling, bad. I doubled over and tried hiding myself with the table. Polly and Michael’s chairs scraped the floor a little as they stood up.
“You’re dead. Go down. John!”
I wish I could say there was nothing but silence; however, my cackling was filling the room. I held my breath and sat up straight. I moved around in my chair, trying to get comfortable and act right. I looked at John and Arthur and snickered. I muttered under my breath, “I’m fucking dead.” I shook my head as I stifled my laughter while looking down. My body jostled up and down.
As John was putting his gun away, he reached over and tried swatting me. I yelped and tried hitting him back. I cleared my throat as I sat back down. I looked down at my cigarette to see it’s almost finished.
They finally snickered as Arthur said. “All right then, Polly. Who's this?”
The boys looked at me with a mischievous smile and found one on my own. I reached for Polly’s case and got myself another.
Tom said. “Gentlemen, this is your cousin. Polly's son, Michael.”
The looks on Arthur’s and John’s faces were wiped off and a serious look replaced it. I won’t lie. When Tom spoke, I looked at him. A pain shot through my heart, it confused me. So, I numbed it with a quick drag.
Michael walked over to Arthur and shook his hand then John’s. “Pleased to meet you.”
“John.”
“I'm Arthur. You've already met me. I used to throw you out of the window, so John could catch you.”
“Yeah. I used to put you in a shoebox and kick you down Watery Lane.”
Everyone was smiling except for the two troublemakers over here admitting their evil deeds.
Tommy chimed. “I bet you’re glad to be back.”
Michael laughed before saying, “I don't remember any of it. All I remember is the day they took me away.”
I looked over at Polly who looked like she was about to cry from the statement. She walked over to Michael and cupped his face. I averted my eyes.
I knew I was not the only one who looked away as she hugged him. Arthur and John did the same.
When I decided to look back, Tommy began to speak. “Well, you’re here now, son.” Tommy put a hand on Michael’s back. “Welcome to the Shelby family.”
Arthur chimed in. “Later on, we'll show you the ropes.”
While, John added. “Mhmm. Yeah, we'll show you what's what.”
I knew Polly sent Tommy a wary gaze. She didn’t want Michael anywhere near the family business. Poor her.
“Let's leave him be for now, eh? Come on, boys.” As Tom passed by me, he stole my ciggie from my hand. “Ailena.”
“Thomas.” I replied in the same tone as him while arching a brow.
“Nice suit.” Arthur said to Michael.
Polly chuckled before looking back at Michael, fixing his bowtie. Michael looks like he’s been starstruck.
“They seem nice.”
I snickered, looking away immediately after the fact. I looked back at the pair just as Polly began to speak.
“After having a bit more of a talk, how about going with Aliena for a tour of the city? I have a bit of business I need to tidy up and then I’ll be done for the day. What do you both think?”
Michael and I shared a look. I gave a quick smile, nodding. “I’m fine with it.”
“Then, I’m fine with it too.”
“Wonderful,” Polly cheered. “Come now, the both of you.” She took Michael’s arm before walking over to me, and pulled me up to the living room by my arm.
For a while, it was an A and B conversation where C would pop up from time to time. I had to pretend to be engaged, otherwise, Polly would see my head tipping back and she would drag me into the conversation.
Eventually, Polly let out a huge sigh and stood up, which made Michael and I follow suit. “Well then. I should head to the office to finish up my business. Ali, show Michael around the city, will you?”
I nodded. “‘Course, Pol. C’mon, Michael.” I walked ahead of him and out the door. Once he closed the door behind him, I dropped my facade and groaned loudly.
Michael chuckled. “How do you think I did?”
“Someone call a film director and give this man a job.” I giggled. “You did good. I can honestly say I couldn’t lie to your mum for months, but you did it so flawlessly.”
Michael dropped his jaw while scoffing. “Was that supposed to be a compliment?”
I shrugged my shoulders as I began to walk backwards. “Take it as you want it. C’mon, I’ll show you a couple of spots I love.”
We talked as I showed him Mrs. Davies’ Bakery as well as a few other food joints. I wasn’t going to tell a blag, I’m not an experienced tour guide. So, I’m winging it.
We stopped in front of Arthur’s flat when I sighed. “Alright, I had about enough of this. Did you say you had some lodgings elsewhere?”
Michael struggled to find his words. “Uh… Ye-yeah! I did, why?”
I rushed forward and took his hands into mine. “That’s great! Let’s go.”
“What? You haven’t even finished showing me the city yet.”
“The city will still be there after a nap. I know you’re as desperate as me for some sleep. Now, c’mon before I get anymore grumpy. And you won’t like me when I’m grumpy.” I began walking forward, pulling him behind me.
Michael scoffed. He repositioned our hands, increased his pace, and began pulling me instead. “You don’t even know where I’m staying.” He grumbled.
I chuckled. “That’s true.”
We walked to where he was staying. Got a look from the lady at the desk, I knew she knew me. Michael unlocked his door and noticeably swallowed. He clutched the cap in his hands tightly while smoothing his hair down. “Um, so this is it.”
I rolled my eyes, pushed him out of the way, and flopped down on his bed. I let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. “Finally, a damn bed!” I closed my eyes while I situated myself on the bed. “C’mon, Michael. Join me.” I patted on the space beside me.
“I can’t possibly-!”
I opened my eyes and glared at him. “Why not?”
“It’s… We hardly know each other.” His face was beet red.
I rolled my eyes again. “Relax. I’m practically your sister, you know. Your mum says she sees me as her daughter.”
“Yeah, but you’re not.”
I hmphed. “Fine then. Sleep on the floor. Wait for mo’! We slept near each other out in the field. How is this any different?”
“This is a bedroom. My bedroom. I’m still a man, you know.”
I let out a cackle. “Don’t flatter yourself, Michael. I can defend myself, so stop arguing and lay down beside me. If you don’t want to, I’m not gonna force ya. But, just know you can.”
I rolled over and faced the wall. I scrambled under the blankets and closed my eyes. I tried going to sleep, but I couldn’t with Mr. Modest standing over there, fidgeting. I didn’t feel at ease until he took the space beside me. The bed dipped and then I felt his presence next to me.
I smiled and finally went to sleep. I woke up sometime in the middle of my nap. Let me rephrase that, Michael woke me up in the middle of my nap. Without opening my eyes, I croaked. “What do you want?”
“I need to use a telephone. They don’t have a working one here.”
“Nearest one is at the Garrison. Go bug Arthur or Tom. Piss off.”
Through squinted eyes, I could see Michael slip out the door. I rolled back over and fell back asleep.
I grunted as I was slammed against the wall. I met his fervent kisses with the same passion. They were so sloppy to the point where he was about to ruin this for me. I tugged him away by his hair and presented him my neck.
He didn’t waste any time kissing, sucking, and nipping. I let out a sigh that was cut off by my smile. I couldn’t deny the pleasure he was giving me. The target tugged my face in his direction, capturing my lips again before I felt his hands under my knees.
I jumped in his arms. He whisked us into his office and closed the door behind us. We threw ourselves in a kiss once we heard the door slam shut. He reached up and pulled out the pin holding my hair in a bun. Well, it was my wig, but same thing, for now.
I parted from him and shook out my hair. He tugged me back down before slamming me against another wall. I grunted, but I can’t deny the pleasure I felt from the pain he caused me. I scratched his face and neck which spurred a groan from him.
I squealed as he ripped open my shirt. ‘Fuck, I’m getting carried away.’ I thought, a lapse of sanity taking over, thank god! But it faded as he began to suck on the top of my breasts. I hugged his head closer to my body which made him chuckle. He whisked me around again and I giggled.
He held me tight to him as he bent us over, and used his arm to wipe away everything on his coffee table. He laid me down on it which made my head fall back. He didn’t waste any time paying attention to my breasts again.
I craned my head up and looked at him. ‘Fuck, fuck fuck! This feels so good.’ I let out a sigh, a sigh I desperately tried to keep in. I bit my bottom lip and let my head fall back again.
The target trailed his kisses down from my stomach to my ear. He whispered. “I’m going to make it so you’d never want another man again.” He chuckled into my ear and the spell was broken. He fucking broke it by opening up his mouth.
I smashed our lips together before I reached into his coat, grabbed the gun, and pulled the trigger multiple times into his side.
He fell to the side, gasping for air. Deadpan, I took my time getting to my feet. I bent down and watched as he struggled to breathe. I was panting a little, my heart still racing from the adrenaline.
I smiled when he took his final breath, what a malicious smile it was. I stood up and walked over to the mirror he had on his wall. I fixed up my lipstick and tried to fix any other blemish.
“Fuck!” There was fucking blood on me. I walked over to the fireplace, wiped the blood off my stomach, and then tossed the shirt in it. The shirt didn’t burn instantly, but it was a nice sight. I turned around, picked up my hairpin and walked out the door. I got my suit jacket from off the floor and buttoned it all the way up.
I didn’t stop for anyone as I walked directly into the car that was waiting for me outside.
“Successful, Ms. Welsh?” Chris, my now permanent driver, asked.
I looked at him through the rear view mirror, sporting a smile. “Of course.”
He smiled back at me before taking off from the company headquarters we were at.
Who calls for a whore so early in the morning? And to meet up at their job, no less! Jesus christ! It’s too bad, he was quite the looker.
Finger traced over my swollen lips.
I won’t deny that I wasn’t thinking straight. I’m so sexually frustrated. I touch myself when I can, but I’m 19-years-old! I’m an even older virgin!
I rested my cheek on my closed fist.
God, I can’t believe my infatuation with Tommy is so bad that I imagined him while I was doing that. The only reason I could prevent myself from going any further was ‘cause that idiot broke my fantasy. He opened his mouth and I realized he wasn’t Tommy.
I rubbed my forehead and huffed. ‘Now, I’m even more frustrated.’ I reached down on the car floor and pulled the suitcase to my side. “Keep your eyes on the road, Chris.” I ordered before I began unbuttoning my suit jacket.
“As always, Ms. Welsh.”
I smiled before shrugging off my jacket. I tugged my regular work dress over my head and smoothed out any wrinkles. I reached down and tugged my heels off to replace them with some shorter heels. Then, I took off my wig. I placed all my items into the case, and threw it back down.
“You know what to do with it right.”
“Of course, Miss. I’ll incinerate it right after I drop you off.”
“What happens if you try to betray us and try to turn this in as evidence?”
“That won’t happen, Ms. Welsh. I promise you.”
“Answer the question, Chris. It’s procedure.”
He cleared his throat. “Mr. Johnson will kill me and my entire family.”
“Right.” I hated doing this part. Chris really was a diligent worker, but I get why I have to do it. Some dogs like to bite the hand that feeds them.
We arrived a few blocks from the main house. I climbed out of the car and walked over to the driver’s side. I smiled at Chris, thanking him for the ride. He tipped his hat before taking off. I jogged over to the shop side of the house, entering it. Men shouting over each other made me sigh.
I’m just glad I didn’t have to deal with it today.
I walked into the kitchen and passed by the living room where Polly and Michael were sitting. I plastered an innocent smile on my face as I began to spew bullshit out of my mouth. “Sorry, I’m late. It took a little longer than I thought.”
Polly shook her head. “It’s all right, love. How did he take it?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Turns out he was cheating on me, just like I suspected.”
Polly tsked before rushing from her seat to hug me. She whispered in my ear, “I’m so sorry, love. Maybe next time.”
I hummed and nodded. We parted and gave each other a grin. Polly looked over at Michael and said. “Come now. I want to show you my house.”
Michael got up from his spot on the couch and walked over to us. I went ahead of them both, opened the door, and then waited for them to exit the house. Then, the three of us walked over to the garage.
“Do you think I could give it a go?” Michael asked as we stood in front of Polly’s car.
I looked over at her to which she met my gaze. She opened her mouth letting out a drawn out, “Uh...”
Michael began pleading his case. “I have experience, promise.”
Polly’s mouth smacked before she spoke. “Oh, all right then. Here you are. Promise to be careful.”
“Of course.”
We all walked to our respective seats, but as Michael passed me— I obnoxiously signed the cross.
“Oh, shut it!” He muttered as he bumped my shoulder.
“Knock it off, you two.”
I cackled all the way till I sat in the back. The ride was hectic to say the bloody least. The boy was gassing it and breaking hard. I’m just thankful we made it to Sutton without an accident or whiplash.
He pulled up to the house with a screeching halt. Polly’s hand was clutching the outside of the car door for dear life as was mine.
“That was great, well done.”
I scoffed. “Don’t lie to him, Pol. We were holding on for dear life.”
She sighed. “Out we get then.”
I laughed as I climbed out. Polly swatted me gently on the stomach with the back of her hand.
She whispered. “Don’t tease him so much.”
With a shit-eating smile on my face, I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I was only joking anyway.”
Polly flashed me a smile of her own before taking my arm and walking toward the house. Once we were on the pavement, she let go of my arm to lean into Michael and talk to him using her ciggie.
She used her ciggie to point toward the house in front of us. “This house is mine. I’ve taken on a different maid. Aliena isn’t a maid here. She’s my guest, so make sure to, you know, treat her as you’ve been. Anyhow, I told her to make up the big room for you.”
Michael crossed his arms as Polly flicked her ciggie away on the street. “Come on, let’s have a look.” She said while walking ahead of us.
I bumped purposely into Michael and jogged to meet up with Pol. I looked behind me and he was chasing after me. I screamed a little and ran faster.
“Oh, enough the both of you! Acting like children!” Polly tried sounding scoldin’ but she was laughing through her words.
Michael and I ran around the front yard a little before I let him catch me in his arms. He carried to the front door before setting me down.
“Go on.” I said while tucking away pieces of hair that had blocked my view. “Unlike you, I’ve already seen the place.”
Michael nodded. “Okay, then.”
I was the last one to walk in, so I closed the door behind me. I could see Michael’s figure disappearing in the living room, so I followed suit.
I could hear Polly say, “I thought we could spend the week here.” Polly walked to the other side of the coffee table while Michael and I took a seat on the couch. “You know, get to know each other again.”
It got quiet between the three of us, which Polly disrupted. “I've got ham. Do you like ham?”
While nodding, Michael said. “I like ham, yes.”
“I do too.” I chimed in, trying to hide a smile. I felt bad like I was interrupting a moment, but it would be weirder for me not to talk from time to time.
Polly took a side step, placing her gloves into the bowl on the coffee table. “I’ve got a maid.” Her tone was nervous. Instantly, made me feel for her.
“Yes, you said.”
I tsked and smacked Michael’s arm. He gave me a look and I gave him one back.
“She’s upstairs. She can give us some tea. Look, I ring this bell. Watch.” Polly took the bell that was resting on the coffee table and rang it.
Under my breath, I grumbled. “I’m bloody well glad I never had a bell to be beckoned with.” Though, I did notice that Polly looked really happy.
Footsteps echoed behind us and I craned my head to face her. She looked like a young adult. Older than me, at least. Good.
“Yes, madam.” She said.
We all just sort of waited for one of us to say something, or perhaps I was missing a cue.
Michael looked to the side a little as he said. “I think we'd like some tea.”
I watched as the maid walked out of our sight. I raised an eyebrow at the sight. I was never like that.
“You get used to it.” Michael added.
I looked back at him, well more like I looked down at him since I was sitting on the couch on my knees. I muttered. “Cheeky bastard.” And I smacked his arm. This caused another fight to break out.
“Will the both of you fucking stop it all ready!”
I don’t know why Michael and I acted so well together. It was like I gained an annoying little brother. Honestly! Talking to him is fun, though, I do get bored from time to time. His list of subjects to talk about is as limited as mine. Makes it quite difficult.
Oh and play fighting! That’s all me. I take responsibility. I provoked him the first time we ever play fought and it became a trend. It’s improper for the time, I understand, but nevertheless. I’m not from these times, and he’s one of the only males around my age. I’m used to roughhousing with John and Arthur. I think it happened only once with Tommy. I think.
I was walking back to the main house after dropping off Tommy’s laundry at his flat. I had to make dinner for Finn. Polly and Michael were back at the house in Sutton. Arthur elected himself my appointed driver to take me to and from the house. As Polly stated before, she doesn't want me sleeping at the main house by myself. Finn gets to stay with John or Arthur. I mean, Tommy is a choice too— but, is he really?
I was chuckling to myself when I bumped into someone. I gasped and instantly began apologizing. “I’m so sorry! I was lost in thought and I should’ve been-!”
“Ali! Ali, it’s all right. It’s just me.”
I finally looked the man in the eye and sighed in relief when it was just Tom.
Ah-! Just Tom. Tom, who I have not spoken to privately since The Garrison’s reopening. The Tom, who I heard having a threesome. Tom. Yeah, okay.
“Ugh, in that case, watch where you’re going.” I shook my head, giggling into my hand. Tom let out a little snicker.
“Right, well. I wanted to see if you’d notice that I was walking toward you. You didn’t.”
I spluttered into my hand, embarrassed. “Alright, alright. Did you need something, Tommy?” ‘Yes, yes… Keep this nice and calm, Aliena. You know nothing and yet everything. God, let me just ascend, right now!’ I took a calming breath, which was actually very loud.
Tom averted his gaze, his eyes wide, and his jaw dropped before pursing his lips. “Polly told me yesterday that you went to break up with one of your gentlemen fellows.”
I furrowed my eyebrows and waved my hands in a “stop” gesture. “Wait, wait, wait! Did you refer-? Did you just say “gentlemen fellows?” ” I blinked dramatically as I leaned forward. I snickered while turning my head away.
“All right, calm down, Aliena.”
I turned my head back and nodded. I held my breath and then let out a sharp exhale. I met his gaze and bit my cheek to prevent my anxious laughter.
‘I don’t remember the name I gave this boyfriend. Please don’t make me say a name!’
Tommy stared at my face, almost inquisitively. I could see his hand inch closer to my face through the corner of my eye.
Tommy took a step closer to me, cleared his throat, and asked. “Can I check Ali?”
I exhaled quickly through my nose before nodding.
With his thumb and index finger, he held onto my chin and checked my face for any new bruises. He rubbed away what little foundation I had covering my almost healed bruise and then stared at it for awhile.
His touch was comforting even if it was just as little as this. His plump lips were so close to mine yet far away given our height difference. He still had a nick on his cheek, not fully healed. It may never and leave a scar behind. I can’t remember fully if it really did leave a scar. God, this man. He makes me want to spew poetry. I swear to all that’s Holy!
As he dropped his hand from my face, he said. “Well, then. It would seem someone’s eyes were spared today.”
“Ha!” I threw my head back. “What’re you talkin’ about? Are you trying to tell me that you would have hunted this guy down and blinded him all for my sake?” I smiled and shook my head.
Quickly, Tommy held my face and brought my gaze up. “Ali, when have I never not fought for your… honor.”
I blinked as I thought about it for a moment. I held onto Tommy's wrists and chuckled with a smile. “Oh, that’s right!” I let out another set of breathy chuckles.
“We care for you, Ali. I care about you.” Tommy flashed me a grin. Keyword, flashed.
I let go of his wrists and he let go of my face. I nodded, feeling heat overwhelm my face and neck.
Tommy smacked his mouth before saying, “There’s another thing I wanted to ask you about,.”
I hummed.
“The night of the party, you never came home. Where were you?”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “How would you know if I was or wasn’t home?”
Tommy was deadpan, no room for laughter. I so badly wanted to say something, but I held my tongue. “I slept in my room that night.” He admitted.
I hummed again this time with more judgement.
‘Crap, crap, crap! Who do I say I was with? I could say I was with John, but then again he’s a bit fucking slow! He or Esme will probably ruin it themselves. And if Finn crashed with him that night, the little bugger will rat me out! Same thing if I say Arthur. He’ll question it before agreeing to it! Or just flat out say no! I can’t even say Polly! Everyone knows she was fucking with that young guy!’
I huffed, hung my head, before looking back up at ‘em. “Right, well. I didn’t spend the night at anyone’s house. I walked all the way to my little space and spent the night swinging.”
“By yourself?”
I nodded. “By myself.”
Tom sighed. “Ali, you know it’s dangerous to be out alone at night. Especially some ways out of the city.”
I tsked, “I know, I know! Things are sensitive right now with the gang entering the London war. Yada, yada, yada! I was drunk, won’t do it again. Promise.” I looked up at him and smiled toothily. I fluttered my eyelashes and asked, cutesy. “Forgive me?”
Tom snickered while shaking his head, his hands in his pockets. “Whatever as long as you know not to do it again.”
I sighed while rocking on the heels of my feet. “Well, anyway. Where you headin’, Tommy?”
Tommy replied. “Charlie’s Yard. Some shipments came in and others need to be exported. Want to pay me Uncle a visit and see them load them. What about you?”
“Oh! I have to head back to the house and make dinner for Finn. Whenever the lad straggles back in. He’s honestly like a stray cat, that one. After that, I’m headed over to Cassie’s. Polly gave me an early weekend.”
Tommy took out a ciggie and held it between his lips as he said. “Ah, Polly! Feeling quite generous right now, isn’t she.”
I replied back with the same tone while cocking my head. “Isn’t she?”
We shared a chuckle.
“Well, then, Tommy. Good luck with your Uncle.”
“Aye. Good luck with dinner.”
We walked our separate ways. That awkwardness that I had when I first began speaking to him vanished into thin air.
I sighed contentedly as I threw myself back onto Cassie’s bed. “Ah, I missed this place.” I crawled over to Cassie, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “I missed you the most, though.” I rubbed my cheek against her shoulder and huffed.
Cassie giggled at my antics, a hand reaching behind herself to pet my head. “How have you been?” She asked.
I sighed, resting my cheek on her shoulder. “Hmm. My life has certainly been eventful these past few days or rather weeks.” I took a deep breath before sliding off her shoulder and laid down next to her.
“Polly, my female boss, admitted to me that she thought of me like a daughter. I didn’t know how to feel about it really. I liked it at the time, but now I don’t really care. I just feel like her feelings are really flexible, you know? I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders as I let the piece of hair I was holding fall back down.
“Then, I got into this little argument with Tommy. Hold on, hold on! It wasn’t a serious argument, but there was one, nonetheless. He apologized at this party he threw for the pub’s reopening.” I sprang up from where I laid to my knees. I took her hands and put them onto my lap. “Oh my god! I forgot to tell you. I got all dolled up for the party right. I don’t know what I was expecting to happen, but I wanted Tommy to look at me.”
I inched a bit closer to Cassie, who fixed herself to look at me more clearly. “Well, after he apologized he called me beautiful. So, I had my intended effect for a while. However, I couldn’t get him alone after that since like I was talking to other people. Then, he had a cob on from still being in a fight with Polly, and he sort of took it out on me. He apologized right away and agreed to dance with me. Right! Forgot to tell you, I asked him to dance but he said no and that I should sit down ‘cause I was drunk. I was a little drunk, but the way he said it— I didn’t appreciate it.”
I squinted my eyes and gestured “a little” with my hands. “Anyway, when we were dancing— I noticed his attention was not fully on me, so I wanted a break. I freshened up, right, and when I came back, he was gone. When I went home, he was at the house instead of his fucking flat— fucking two girls in his room!” I nodded my head as Cassie gasped, covering her mouth.
“Aliena, no way!” She exclaimed while smacking my thigh.
I nodded, tears slightly stinging my eyes. “I dressed up for him, kind of made a move. And he still didn’t choose me.” I gnawed on my lip while shrugging. My gaze was on the floor.
Cassie sighed and grabbed my shoulders, squeezing them comfortingly.
I sighed, dabbing away at my eyes. “It’s like I’m scared, Cass. I’ve been smitten with Tommy for so long, right? Practically obsessed with the man at this point.” I scoffed while rolling my eyes. “I can’t even explain why I’m so taken with him. It’s just like my soul and my heart reach out for him.” I shook my head as my tongue prodded the inside of my cheek.
“I just feel that once I confess to Tom, right, and get rejected… I’m going to throw myself into the world. But in a bad, unhealthy way. It’s hard because we are both not getting any younger and I’m tired of pinning over him, yet I don’t want to confess either.” I hugged Cassie and hid my face in the crook of her neck. “Oh, Cassie. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Cassie hummed, stroking my hair away from my chest and toward my back. She rocked us from side-to-side ‘n we stayed like that.
“Aliena, how did you get that bruise on your chin?” Cassie asked me.
My eyes flew open and they widened in shock. I focused on not tensing my body or changing the pitch of my voice. “The bruise on my chin. Oh, I got it from Arthur. He hit me by accident. He was ‘aving an episode.”
Cassie pulled away from me, violently. Her grip on my shoulders hurt. “Aliena, stop lying to me.”
I scoffed with a smile. I shook my head. “I’m not lying to you-...”
Cassie rose to her feet and shouted. “Stop fucking lying to me! I saw you, okay! I saw you with my dad! Are you-! What are you doing with my dad, Aliena?”
I held Cassie’s gaze for a while before I looked down. I tried racking my brain for a lie, but one wasn’t coming up fast enough. How did I know one didn’t conjure up fast enough? Well, it’s because I was struck across the face.
Cassie slapped me across the face as she sobbed. “Don’t try lying to me, Ali, please. I know you’re trying to think of some kind of story to tell me.” She hissed, “I. Know. You.”
I sighed and looked away. “Cassie, I-!” I swallowed harshly before continuing. “It’s not like I-! Fine, I didn’t want you to know because I don’t want to fucking parade this kind of information around. And it’s not like I could bring it up in easy conversation, okay? I realize I should have told you to avoid a misunderstanding, but again— it’s not fucking dinner or tea time talk.”
I took a breath before I told her everything. “On the morning after I killed the man who raped you, I took a job from your father. It was a contract killing. He paid me £1,500 to kill some lawyer, and I killed him. That’s what I’ve been doing, okay? I’m a contract killer, an assassin, a murderer. Cassie!” I rose to my feet and gripped her forearms. I jerked her around as I yelled. “Huh! Well, say something, Cassie! Say something!”
Inside I was nervous out of my mind, but outside I was cold. How was I supposed to feel? Would I lose my best friend? I know we share similar views, but we’re not the same person. We’re both warped, but we only talked about these violent events in theory alone. Now, I was actually committing the things we’ve talked about.
Cassie sniffled before saying, “HOW-! How-?”
“How what, Cassie? Spit it out!”
“How can you do something like that! How can-? Why are you doing this, Aliena? Is it because of me?” Cassie was a mess. She was practically wailing at this point.
I shook my head. My emotions were getting the better of me as I felt my throat constrict and my eyes sting yet again. “Cassie… No. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. I’ve always had it in me. That night, it wasn't the first time I had killed someone. I already knew I was capable of it, and-!” I took a shuddering breath as I averted my gaze to the ceiling. “When your dad gave me the chance to make that kind of money he was offering, I had to take it.”
I dropped my gaze back at Cassie and cradled her face. “I’m not with you for your money, Cassie. It’s a job. A job I can do well. Please understand, I would never hurt you. Please. Please. Please.”
I kept begging her and hid my face in her neck. Cassie took loud inhale from her mouth, it stammered as she did so. My shoulders shook as I cried into her neck. When I felt Cassie’s hand stroke my hair and the other rub my back, I let my sobs become more vocal.
Cassie and I fell to our knees and we hugged each other. Comforted each other.
I wailed into her neck. “I don't know! I don't know why!”
And I truly didn’t. There’s no real logic as to why I’m assassinating people, not in this situation. I can’t tell her that I’m preparing for a life on my own. I can’t tell her that the money I get from these completed jobs will allow me to live on my own in England or perhaps in America. So, I stuck giving her these stupid nonsensical half-truths.
“You hate me now, don’t you?” I whispered, a hiccup messing up my words.
Cassie replied no with a sigh. “No, of course not, Ali. What hurt the most was that you didn’t tell me sooner. I almost thought that you were prostituting yourself or you were with my dad...intimately.”
I laughed at that. “Oh, Cassie. While your dad is certainly still attractive, I could never do that to you besides...”
“I’m/You’re totally in love with Tommy/Thomas Shelby.”
We belted out with laughter, our foreheads resting together.
Cassie leaned back and wiped away the snot that was leaking from her nose. I did the same. She said softly. “Ali, how could you ever think I wouldn’t understand? We’ve murdered a man together, remember? You fucking idiot.”
I chuckled while shrugging my shoulders. “I just didn’t want to ruin anything.”
“You’re a bloody idiot, Aliena.”
I smiled. “At least, I’m rarely an idiot.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, that’s best for everyone.”
Silence fell between us before she asked. “How does it feel? Killing someone for money.”
I hummed while looking away and hugged my right foot closer to my body. “Well, it depends on the person and the method. But I can tell you one thing. When I see their blood, feel it, it’s like a high I can’t describe. My reactions just become so raw and get the better of me sometimes. Like I just want to smile and laugh hysterically, but I got to run so... I can’t allow myself to do it for too long either. Other times, I feel nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Do you regret it? Like are you haunted by it?”
I shook my head while pursing my lips. “No. Not one bit. It’s a little frightening, to be honest. How I’m so at peace with myself, you know? I don’t know how many people I’ve killed, but I can fall asleep easy at night. Their screams and pleas don’t haunt me.”
Cassie nodded. “You are so badass.”
We laughed again and I pulled her into a hug. “I love you, Cassie.”
“I love you too, Ali.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“Me too.”
We parted from our hug a little and shared a kiss. I stroked her cheek with my thumb and stared into her blue eyes.
I whispered. “I think you’re one of my soulmates, Cassie.” My mouth smacked as I said through gritted teeth. “Please, don’t ever leave me or betray me or break my heart.”
Cassie nodded. “Never. I ask you the same.”
I smiled. “Never.”
Cassie joined me in my smile and we hid each other’s faces in our necks.
Thank you, God. Thank you, higher power, for blessing me with my soulmate.
I groaned in discomfort as there was this continuous ringing annoying me. Through squinted eyes, I reached for the phone.
“Suite 226, Ritz Hotel.”
“It’s Tommy. I’m calling a family meeting, get here quickly.”
I tried to find words, but ultimately I said. “Right, yeah. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Good.”
Then, he hung up. I put the phone back on the receiver and flopped back down with a sigh. I looked to my left where Cassie laid asleep on my arm.
“Who was it?” She grumbled.
I was rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I replied. “Tommy. It was Tommy.”
“What’d he want?”
“He’s calling a family meeting. Wants me to be there.” I looked down at her and smiled, sadly. I began to get up, but Cassie wrapped her arms around my stomach preventing me from going any further.
She groaned, exaggeratedly. “Nooo! You’re mine for the weekend. You promised.”
I chuckled as I twisted my body to stroke the top of her head. “Cassie, they probably won’t even need me for that long. I’ll come back.”
“You can’t promise me that.”
I huffed as I roughly rubbed my forehead. “You’re right. I can’t.” There was a silence between us.
Cassie let go, using her hands to support herself. “Fine, whatever. You better come back.”
I smiled as I rose to my feet. “I will! Okay, I’ll see you later. Go on back to sleep.” I patted the pillow I was laying on before walking over to the sofa that had my clothes. I was wearing nothing but a tank top and panties.
I looked back at her just in time to see as she pshed me while moving some of her hair away from her face. “Do you even know what time it is? No, I’ma get ready for the day. Same as you.”
I heard her throw off the duvet and stomp away to, perhaps, her drawers. I picked up my bag and tried some appropriate clothing. I wasn’t intending to see them at all till I came back, so I didn’t pack any “modest” clothes.
Unfortunately, I had to settle with yesterday’s clothes which was, unfortunately, a short, purple floral dress. A very short and modern dress.
As I was tugging on my white, knee-high socks, I asked. “Cassie, could you ring Simmons for me, please?”
“Yeah, alright.”
I rolled my eyes. I really didn’t want her ‘ave a cob on for the rest of the day.
Cassie tapped my shoulder as I was putting on my shoes. “He’s downstairs. Just hop in the car when you’re ready.”
I nodded. “Thanks.” I sat up straight and patted her arm as she was knelt over the sofa. I stood on my knees and gave her a toothy smile. “Forgive me?”
She hummed. “It’s not your fault, so there’s nothing to forgive. But! If you don’t come back, then you’ll have to beg for forgiveness.”
I nodded, tapping her arm a few times before I kissed her on the cheek, and made my way to the door. I put on my coat, and flicked out my hair. “See you later then, Cass!”
“Bye!”
I made my way down and into the car. Simmons already knew where I was headed, so I didn’t have to say anything but a greeting.
I can’t remember the exact reason for this family meeting. Only that I have happiness associated with the memory since I have the urge to laugh, all of a sudden.
I ran a hand through my hair and tried to relax.
I can’t describe how liberating it was to finally tell Cassie. I won’t tell a blag. I was never planning on telling her. I just wasn’t. There was no maliciousness behind it nor guilt from me. I just didn’t see a need for her to know.
But now that she knew and understood, I can rest easy. Well, easier.
“We’re here, Ms. Welsh.”
I smiled at Simmons through the rear view mirror and thanked him as I climbed out of the car.
“Do I wait for you, Miss?”
I stammered for an answer. “Uh, um. N-No. I’ll have someone else drive me. Thank you, Simmons.”
He tipped his hat at me and then started up the car. I twirled around, walked toward the door, unlocked, and walked in. I closed the door behind me, took off my coat, hung it up, and began making my way into the shop.
I barely crossed the threshold when I was taken into someone's arms and spun around. I giggled hysterically, my arms wrapping around John’s neck.
“Here’s the little songbird! We were just talking about ya, Ali.” John shouted in my face.
My jaw dropped as I let out breathy laughs. “Oh, really? Alright, you had your fun. Now, put me down, ya big oaf!” I smacked his shoulder.
“If you want something, you gotta ask nicely. C’mon, Ali. Even my kids know that.”
Tom cleared his throat which caught both of our attention. He scratched his cheek with his thumb before saying, “John, put her down.”
John made a face. A face that asked why, and I smiled smugly at him for it.
“You heard the man. Put me down.”
John scoffed. “I don’t ‘ave to listen to him.”
I “ooohed” at the statement. But my smugness was short-lived as John spun me ‘round again. I held onto the man tighter, but my legs were swinging in the air. I hadn’t wrapped my legs around him in fear of showing anything. That’s how short this dress was.
“John!” Tommy yelled. “Stop spinning her ‘round and put ‘er down!” He made a face, one I couldn’t decipher. And neither could John, apparently.
Arthur’s mouth smacked before he pointed at us with his hand. “John, you’re showing her knickers for fuck’s sake!”
John let me go like I burned him ‘n I was glad for it. I tsked, pulled my dress down, and made sure to smack him across the chest a few good times. John snickered as always.
I hissed while still smacking him. “You fucking divvy!”
John shouted. “All right! All right, Ali! I’m sorry.” He caught my wrists and apologized one more time.
He had such a smile on his face that I couldn’t help but mimic it. I pushed his face away from mine as I muttered. “Oh, do one, will you?” We both snickered before finding ourselves a spot to stand. I was leaning against the wall next to John, my legs a little ways out in front of me. My back was arching and I was paying attention to my nails.
Tom cleared his throat again before walking up to me. He whispered. “Ali, how about you head upstairs and change, eh?”
I snickered at him. Looking at him as if that were the most ridiculous thing he’d ever said. I whispered. “I’m alright.”
His jaw clenched. He nodded his head as he looked away. “Alright.”
I tried thinking of reasons for him telling me that. I wasn’t going to get myself in another situation like the one that just happened. So, what was the big deal? Perhaps, it’s because this dress has a v-neckline as well.
Tom walked away and I never took my eyes off him. I didn’t look away as he looked back at me. It wasn’t a long shared glance since he was the one to break it first.
I sniffled before I bumped my shoulder into John. “Oi, you got a ciggie?”
He shook his head. “Nah, but hold on. Arthur, give one over, yeah?”
Arthur took out his carton, lit one up, and then passed it to John. John passed it to me and I nodded to Arthur.
“Anything for you, songbird.” Arthur chimed.
I chuckled before blowing out the smoke. We had to wait a little more till Polly’s car could be heard pulling up from outside. As Tom told John to get Polly and Michael, I walked over to the table to stub out my ciggie.
I was walking back over to the wall I was leaning against, when I heard the door open behind me.
From behind me, Polly said. “This had better be good to interrupt my holiday.”
I took my place as Polly quickly stood in front of the little table that was in front of Tommy.
“Where’s the boy?” Arthur asked.
As she was setting down her things, she answered. “In the back room. I only brought him because afterwards we're going to the museum.”
John chimed in saying, “He wanted to come in and say hello—”
“Shut up, John. There is nothing of interest to Michael in this room.”
I knew I wasn’t the only one who was shocked by her statement. My eyes blew wide and I fought off a tight-lipped smile.
‘Fuck, her eyes settled on me!’
Polly scoffed. “Ali, what in heaven’s name are you wearing?”
“I-!”
She blinked dramatically ‘n jerked her head back as she did so. Polly held up both of her hands before taking a deep breath and faced Tom. “Oh, Tommy, get on with it.”
My jaw dropped a little and I peered up at John, who gave me a similar look of astonishment.
We both turned to Tommy just as he clasped his hands together again. “Last night, one of our men had his throat cut in Winson Green. This morning, I had a telegram saying it was Sabini who ordered it.”
“And it says here that Thomas Shelby's next.” Arthur said as he ripped up the telegram.
Tommy continued. “If our men think we can't look after them in prison, they'll not work for us. Sabini knows that. So we need to get the Green sorted out. Scudboat, you and one of the boys break a couple of windows, get yourselves arrested. I'll have our coppers get you into the Green and you can find the bastards who did it.”
Scudboat asked. “Instead of breaking a window, can we pinch a car?”
Everybody in the room began snickering, except for Polly, Arthur, and Tommy.
Scudboat continued. “What? Everybody else is getting a bloody car.” It made everyone snicker even harder. “I'm still on a donkey.”
Tommy took back control as he said. “All right, just get yourselves fucking arrested, it doesn't matter how. And before you all laugh, a boy is dead.”
Yes, that’s very sad, but that was too fucking funny.
I turned away and hid myself in the wall, my hands covering my face. I stumbled as John pulled me into a hug. I couldn’t stop bloody laughing!
“He was just a kid. We'll start a fund for his family, Pol.”
“Agreed. So is that it? Can I go now?”
I turned back around and quietly thanked John for helping me.
“Well, as company treasurer, I need your permission to spend 1,000 guineas.”
“On what?”
“On a horse.”
“A thousand guineas on a horse?”
Tommy nodded. “That’s right.”
Polly took a moment, taking a couple of steps back with bewilderment on her face. “When was this decided?”
“You've been busy with Michael.”
“Oh, my God. So, in the absence of common sense, you boys have had an idea.”
“Polly, there's a thoroughbred, quarter-Arab filly up for auction at the Doncaster Bloodstock.”
“What do we want with a 1,000-guinea horse?”
“When we make our move on Sabini's racing pitches, any men we get into the betting enclosure will be lifted by Sabini's police. A good racehorse is a passport to the owner's enclosure.”
I knew Arthur was about to chime in and soon after that it would be Loose Lips McGee over here. I began rubbing my lips together harshly as a way to hide my smile.
Arthur said. “We'll be in there with all the toffs. Coppers won't know where to look.”
“Hmm.” John began. “Yeah, the Epsom Derby, Pol. We'll be drinking with the bloody king.”
Polly exclaimed “The Derby?”
Tommy and Arthur both looked at him mean. I snickered and whipped my head away. I used my hair as a shield.
“Did he say the Derby?”
I cleared my throat, faced them again, and held one of my wrists in front of me tightly. I was still rubbing my lips together. A sharp pain erupted on my chest and I groaned softly. I snarled at John and struck him back while hissing, “Watch it! You hit my boob.”
He resorted to snickering.
Tommy sighed, almost defeatedly. “That’s right.” He cleared his throat. “For the last 10 years, Sabini's made it his race. If we're going to take him down, might as well make it there, as a symbol.”
Polly asked. “Did you come up with this idea in a pub by any chance?”
“Pol, good racehorse is an investment, like property. We need to diversify the portfolio.”
‘That’s a load of bullshit!’ I smacked my hand over my mouth and rocked on my heels.
“So when is this sale?”
“Tomorrow.”
Arthur said. “Tommy's had a death threat, so we'll have to go with him for protection.”
Rather irritated, Polly said. “So, you're going to close up the shop, go out on a piss-up and blow 1,000 guineas on a horse that's not even whole Arab.”
Curly’s laughter caught everyone’s attention. “Quarter-Arab is better! Quarter-Arab, it means—”
“Curly, shut up.”
That’s when Michael came ‘round from behind John ‘n stood beside him.
Polly was quick to yell at John. “I thought I told you to lock that door.”
Michael said. “He did. I used the key on the nail. Look, I've been listening. I want to go with them.”
Polly flailed her hands up as she yelled. “You see?” She was looking right at Tommy. Crossed her arms when she was done.
Michael tried pleadin’ his case. “I love horses. I could even help.”
“Over my dead body!”
“It'll be all right, Mum.”
I couldn’t help but notice how much Polly softened as Michael called her mum.
“I've been to loads of horse auctions before with my uncle. They're very respectable. People bring their butlers.”
With a glass raised near his mouth, Arthur added. “Yeah, and their posh wives!”
“And their mistresses.” John said as he elbowed his cousin, playfully.
Arthur said while takin’ a drink. “Let him come, Polly. We'll go there, buy an 'orse, come back.”
John tried helping his cousin as he said. “I'll drop him back at the house in Sutton before it gets dark.”
Polly began shaking her head, tears barely forming in her eyes. “No. Fucking no.”
I pulled back my lips making an “Eee” kind of face before pursing them and looking away with my eyes closed. I knew all three of them were disappointed like little kids. Like little kids being told they can’t have a sleepover.
I could hear as Michael walked away then papers ruffled, and finally, the slam of the door.
Polly looked at Tommy, who was nodding.
He smacked his mouth before saying, “All right, that's it. Back to work. Come on!”
I headed out, posthaste. I caught up with Arthur and clapped my hands on his shoulders.
“Arthur!” I shouted. “Give me a ride to Cassie’s, will ya?”
“Cassie? Your mate’s?”
I nodded while humming.
“All right, hop in the car.”
After Arthur dropped me off at Cassie’s, we soon got a call from Angie. Said she wanted us to be at some event next morning. It was really fancy and I would have to dress nice. There was to be a dress code as well. All white. So, the next morning, Simmons dropped me off at the house in Sutton. As Michael was getting ready to go to the auction— I got ready for the event.
I wore a real modern dress. I got it made by the same person who Tina had make my birthday dress. It was a white, spaghetti strap, fit-and-flare dress. I had a white, fur-lined coat to go with it.
I barely styled my hair, just swept it to one side, really. My make-up was done in lighter shades and I added on jewelry. Had on my heart-shaped locket necklace and wore my pearl earrings.
When I was done slipping on my white heels, I trotted downstairs. I peered into the living room to see Michael showing off his new suit to Polly. I chuckled breathily at the sight before stepping outside.
I waited on the steps for Cassie to come ‘n pick me up. I rummaged through my purse for my lighter and my cigarette case. I put one between my lips and lit it up. I took a long pull and then slowly exhaled. My coat fell from my shoulders and into the crooks of my arms, but I didn’t care to hike it back up.
When I saw that ugly truck pull up, I smiled. I knew it was them ‘cause of the episode. John parked then hopped out of the car. I met him halfway as I ran into his arms.
I squealed as he twirled me around in the air.
“What’s up with your clothes nowadays, Ali? Looking like a rich girl.”
I cackled, mischievously with my head thrown back.
I was put down for a second before I was whisked up in the air again.
Arthur boomed. “Isn’t she a sight Tommy?” He set me down then hugged me from behind.
I couldn’t stop laughing. “Oh, let me go! Don’t mess up my hair!” I broke free from Arthur’s hug and pushed him away from good measure. With my free hand, I patted down my hair.
“Eh, where you going lookin’ like that, Aliena?” John asked.
I sighed. “One of my friends invited me to a party-event-thingy! It has a dress code. All white. And it’s posh people only, hence, the extravagance!”
I looked at Tom from the corner of my eye. I couldn’t read his face.
He nodded before asking, “ And who paid for the dress, Ali?”
I furrowed my eyebrows, confused. I took a drag before I said. “I did.”
He clicked his tongue and said “oh,” almost mockingly.
I walked closer to him and shoved him, playfully. “I’m not telling you a blag. I bought it myself. I had it custom made. Tina referred me to her dressmaker.”
He hummed and nodded.
I prodded my cheek with my tongue. I gave him a shit-eating grin as I said. “You know, the event is for horses. There's going to be a game of polo or something.”
“Lucky you.”
I scoffed. I didn’t manage to make him smile. Yet. I tiptoed, gaining some leverage by using his shoulder as I whispered into his ear. “You know, Polly’s inside making sandwiches for youse.”
“What?”
I let go, covering my mouth as I nodded. “She’s making sandwiches and put tea in a canteen.”
Tommy ran his tongue along the inside of his bottom lip before smiling while shaking his head.
When there was screeching down the road, our heads whipped around to see who it was. Angie pulled up, roughly.
“Oi, Aliena! Get your arse in this car! I’m about to kill Cassie.” Angie screamed while leaning out the window.
Cassie peaked out her head shouting, “Ali, she’s being mean to me.”
I squeezed my eyes shut looking away from them. I tsked, opening my eyes, and flicking my ciggie away. “Shut up, will youse? You’re fucking embarrassing me!” I shouted at them.
Arthur passed us, saying, “This kid. Fuck it! I’m honking the ‘orn.”
I giggled at the man. I sighed looking back at Tommy. I ran a hand over his arm before I said. “Good luck with your horse, Tommy, and be careful.”
“Yeah, I will. Have a good time.”
While walking backward toward Angie’s car, I replied. “Oh, I will!” I turned around and walked correctly. Just as I hopped inside the car, Arthur began his honking. I giggled again.
The event was fucking boss, la. I never thought I would have so much fun at a posh party. The only reason it was fun was ‘cause my friends made it so. Angie and Horace had so much sexual tension, but Angie-! She was playing the game. Good for her.
I mean the dude has liked her since childhood, but men! “Men go for whoever their dicks point at,” as Polly said. Cassie ended up meeting a man. Oh, he was so handsome!
If I wasn’t so in love with Tommy, I would have wanted to pay this lad some attention. Name was Douglas Clayborne. Anyway, she ended leaving me alone for ‘em. Not that I minded. I wasn’t as anxious as I used to be when I was younger.
Psh! I was, I would have prevented her from leaving with him. I would have asked to join them, at the very least. But that phobia’s been squashed. I’ve killed more than twenty people in my life. There’s no room to still be anxious about the world.
I’m the danger people have to worry about now.
Anyway, Horace ended up driving me home. Tina and Angie were incapacitated. When I walked through the door, Polly was there near the entrance of the living room. She was clearly not expecting it to be me, but greeted me, nonetheless.
I told her all about my day. As I was talking, Michael came home. She asked how it was, smelled his breath, and did all that. I smiled as Michael told her a blag.
When we both headed upstairs, I congratulated him for being about to lie. He smirked saying he had no clue what I was talking about.
After that I went to get undressed; however, I was pulled back down soon after. John had thrown pebbles at my window. He came to get me to help with Arthur. I sneaked downstairs and hopped into the car. He told me what happened, even though I already knew.
I spent the night tending to Arthur’s knuckles, cleaning off any blood on him, and then getting him into new clothes. That took a while and some persuading. I had to crash on the couch once I got him to sleep.
Fucking, christ! Can’t have one thing to myself. I sighed, exhaustedly.
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Essential Avengers: Avengers #236: “I Want to Be an Avenger!”
October, 1983
Spider-Man -- An Avenger -- ?
Y’know, march of time and all that but this doesn’t seem as surprising as it once did.
Not much to say about this cover. It doesn’t have a lot to say about the issue other than ‘SPIDER-MAN INSIDE’ but boy does it say it.
But, oh, the logo changed and its snazzy! I quite like it!
So recent going-onses for the Avengers. Thor and Iron Man quit the team for personal business. Hawkeye broke his leg and is on medical forced-to-leave. Scarlet Witch and Vision were called in as reservists and Vision immediately got damaged by a crossover and has been in a robot-coma ever since. Starfox joined the team.
But in more positive news, they totally kicked the Wizard’s ass last issue and it cheered everyone up.
So the issue starts on a lazy summer day.
Scarlet Witch is on monitor duty, scanning for any ‘this looks like a job for the Avengers’ type calls. And multi-tasking by also thinking of her tubed husband.
Captain America takes his turn standing watch over the comatose synthezoid.
And for some reason, Cap leaning on the tube like that cracks me up.
Starfox spends his downtime trying to hit on Wasp.
His pickup line is so bad.
Wasp finds it charming in its misapprehension although it could also be the sexy beams Starfox emits from his brain.
And She-Hulk is taking a bath in a large barrel in the Avengers’ rec center, which they have. Maybe its the super hot bath?
She(-Hulk)’s also multi-tasking by looking up apartment listings while she soaks but finds that everything on the NY listings is either too small or too ritzy.
It be like that sometimes.
Jarvis comes into the rec center barrel bath area with iced tea for She-Hulk, trying to politely avert his eyes. But the intruder alarm goes off and she(-Hulk) tells Jarvis to hand her a towel and runs off to his flusterment.
Between Tigra and She-Hulk, I think poor Jarvis is getting overwhelmed with rad ladies on the Avengers.
The Avengers assemble in the main foyer and found that someone just barged in the front door and disabled the security tentacles with some sort of odd, artificial webbing.
Who could it be?
Who could possibly break into Avengers Mansion under the mistaken impression that its actually a cool way to impress them while asking for a job, showing that he’s learned nothing in years?
Could it be the person who expressed interest in joining in the previous issue? And who is also on the cover of this issue??
Yes.
Honestly, though, what an amazing splash page!
Also, spectacular and no-adjective.
Spider-Man knows how to make an impression.
Not a good one, certainly. But the Avengers aren’t going to forget the time he was casually chilling above the dining table.
And Pete isn’t going to forget it either. He’s going to wake up in a cold sweat years later still mortified at himself.
I also love it when the title of the issue is something someone said but since it has to be emphasized to make it clear its the title, they suddenly start yelling in the middle of a conversation.
She-Hulk has no patience for Spider-Man’s nonsense and grabs him off his web hammock to yell at him for barging in.
Spider-Man: “Well, I’m not exactly uninvited! Your buddy Thor asked me to join the club just a few months ago. Sure, I’m a little slow in replying, but I’ve had a busy season!”
And then he snarks about She-Hulk just wearing a towel because Spider-Man loves low hanging fruit.
SURELY, Spidey knows that offers usually expire, right? A few months ago is forever in comic time and Thor himself isn’t even on the Avengers right now.
I guess, in fairness, he has his reasons.
Besides his usual perpetual poverty liking the sound of a thousand bucks a week.
As he later muses to himself, Black Cat has been hospitalized because she tried to help him and he feels obligated to pay for her not-cheap medical bills. And he’s already quit grad school to spend more time earning but his freelance paychecks are nothing compared to an Avengers salary.
He’s being an incredibly presumptuous dick... but for a good cause.
And its just like Spidey that he has a good reason for being a jerk that he’d never mention leaving everyone to think he’s just a rude goofus.
What a shame.
Anyway, back at the present, Spider-Man asks where he enlists but Cap tells them that unfortunately their roster is full up. The sixth spot is being held open for Hawkeye when his leg stops being broken (and you think he was moany about being sidelined while his leg was broken, imagine him learning that he was replaced, eesh).
Cap does suggest that Spider-Man could join Starfox in the trainee program but Spidey throws a fit.
Spider-Man: “Trainee program?!? Hey, I’m Spider-Man, remember? I was sticking to walls when you guys were still looking for a clubhouse. I’m no green rookie!”
Starfox: “Green -- ? I take offense at your tone, Spider-Man!”
She-Hulk: “There’s nothing wrong with being green.”
Pffft.
As an actual rookie who is physically green, She-Hulk doesn’t care for that phrase, maybe.
She-Hulk and Starfox possibly beating up or more likely being embarrassed by Spider “will punk the entire X-Men in the not too distant future” Man is interrupted by a priority alert that goes ARROOOOOOOO
... Is it the Nixon alarm?
Why haven’t the Avengers fought Nixon’s head on a war mech yet??
Spider-Man offers to give them a hand if their priorities are being alerted but with this particular alarm, Wasp decides its best if they stick to the rules.
And then She-Hulk chases Spidey out by throwing a chair at him.
Spider-Man: Well, that was certainly a wash-out! Maybe I shouldn’t have come on as such a wise guy... Maybe I should have come to the door all humble and contrite. Nah, they wouldn’t have believed it was me!
.... Hah.
But he sees the third-floor of Avenger’s mansion opening up to launch the Quinjet and fount of good decision making that he is, he decides to jump onto the Quinjet as it launches.
Spider-Man: Whew! This baby is really starting to pick up speed! I feel like I’m in a wind tunnel. My sticky fingers can hold onto just about anything under normal circumstances... boy, I wish these were normal circumstances! I wonder if this was such a good idea.
No, Pete, it wasn’t.
But your inner monologues do add a bit more joy to this issue so I forgive you.
Inside the Quinjet, She-Hulk notes that the controls handled a bit sluggish right after take-off but eh whatever the problem disappeared after they went supersonic.
Huh. I wonder if Pete is ok.
Anyway, Captain America, She-Hulk, and Starfox are headed towards Project Pegasus.
Since it hasn’t come up in Avengers yet, Project Pegasus is a government research facility that seeks out new types and sources of energy. And Cap helped organize their security force back in Marvel Two-in-One #42.
The priority alert wasn’t the highest priority. Just a code-five, indicating a low-grade emergency. But it didn’t come with any details so Cap is vexed.
Three Avengers should be enough for a code-five but problems at Project Pegasus tend to balloon into worse problems.
You wouldn’t think a research facility would attract so much negative attention but as Cap points out, there’s a lot of people who have a vested interested in making sure energy stays scarce, expensive, and presumably non-renewable.
And considering that the oil companies like Roxxon are EVEN MORE BLATANTLY EVIL in the Marvel U, yeah, uh, bad shit is going to occur.
Also, Project Pegasus doubles as a place to jail supervillains so their powers can be studied.
So, yeah, Pegasus having a priority alert probably means a headache.
So these three Avengers are going in but Wasp and Scarlet Witch are on stand-by just in case.
The visit to the super secure research station goes off to a bad start when guards rush the Quinjet when it lands because a foreign object was detected on the undercarriage.
Of course it’s Spider-Man.
But before he can be arrested for breaking into a secure facility, his spider-sense buzzed.
It’d be a bit confusing if it wasn’t buzzing before though. He has a bunch of rattled guards pointing guns at him right after some unexplained emergency has happened.
That doesn’t set off the Peter Tingle at all??
Anyway, since the buzz is pretty intense, he figures that its warning him of something “a lot more dangerous than the lecture Cap’s going to give me!”
Hah!
He doesn’t manage to warn anyone before a tremor knocks (almost) everyone off their feet with a THROOM
Spider-Man is still standing because he loves Elton John forewarned is forewarned and he can stick to things. And to his surprise, Cap manages to stay on his feet.
Cap: “It’s just a matter of knowing how to react and how to brace yourself, Spider-Man.”
Hah!
That’s So Cap.
Spider-Man asks if he realio trulio can’t give Cap a hand with this situation. Y’know, since his spider-sense probably will come in handy. Cap isn’t sure because of the question of security but Spider-Man has an idea there.
See, he’s been here before!
In Marvel Team-Up Annual #5 he helped save the dang place! They can ask chief of security Wendell Vaughn (who is also known as Quasar but probably not to all the people in this scene?).
Unfortunately, Vaughn quit a couple months back. Oops.
But since Cap vouches for him the guard driving them to the lower levels is like ‘eh whatever.’
The power of a Cap vouch is not to be underestimate and never to be used for evil.
They’re headed to the thermal research dome because its the last known location of new security chief O’Brien. And where he sent the alert from. AND where the recent quake came from.
That’s good multitasking.
They reach the blast doors sealing off the entire level.
Because yes, not only did O’Brien send an alert, he also sealed off the entire level and now something’s jammed the lock.
They have no idea what could be locked behind there but they do have a Spider-Man and Starfox asks him if he’s getting a bad feeling about anything.
Spider-Man isn’t getting any bad vibes, deeming it safe to go inside.
Y’know, this is an amazing way to use Spider-Sense that they could do more with. I always love it when Spidey basically exploits the sense for things other than combat dodging.
Like when trying to figure out how to turn off a device he didn’t understand in Avengers EMH, he just went around almost yanking wires until he found one that didn’t set off the ‘OH MY GOD YOU’LL DEFINITELY EXPLODE IF YOU DO THAT’ buzz.
Anyway, it being probably safe, Cap tells She-Hulk and Starfox to open the door.
Which they do, with gusto.
And a GRU-U-UNNG
Inside the ruins of the thermal research dome, a bunch of semi-conscious technicians lie about in heaps.
Some Project Pegasus security personnel fan out to do administer first aid while the Avengers look for O’Brien.
Makes sense. The nameless extras help the nameless extras so we don’t go ‘hey are the Avengers dicks for only talking to people with names?’
O’Brien is pinned under an arc of steaming rock which Cap starts chipping in half with his shield while She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and Starfox - all people who could lift that rock - just stand and watch.
Or heck, maybe its not supposed to be a random rock arc. Maybe its attached to the floor. Still though, She-Hulk, Spider-Man, and Starfox could probably break it more easily than Cap does.
Teamwork makes the dream work, guys and She-Hulk.
Spider-Man recognizes O’Brien’s green and also green Not-Iron Man armor from newspapers and realizes that he’s the Guardsman.
That just makes O’Brien sad.
Guardsman: “Aye, I am... or I was. The state this armor’s in, no one’ll ever be callin’ himself the Guardsman again! As of now, I’m just plain Michael O’Brien.”
The Michael Formerly Known as Guardsman starts to Explain It All.
He had come down to the thermal dome to watch the thermal dome researchers sink a new magma tap.
But molten rock came shooting up from the tap hole, which is a thing that’s definitely not supposed to happen.
Oh, and some molten men (but not Molten Man) climbed out of the hole and started trashing the joint.
Plain Michael O’Brien realized pretty quickly that he was the only one who could stand up to these hot men so he signaled for help, hit the evacuation alarm, and sealed off the level from the rest of the project so the problem was contained.
And then he got mobbed by the hot men and got his ass kicked. Turns out that his armor was pretty useless against lava men.
Oh, yeah, Cap recognizes them as lava men from his description.
Spider-Man: “Lava men? You have to be kidding, Cap! Lava men? I don’t believe in lava men!”
Cap: “Belay that, mister! I’ve been up against lava men -- and they’re nothing to joke about! You’d better thank your stars that they left -- !”
You might also remember that Cap has been up against lava men allllllll the way back in Avengers #5. Technically the first adventure he had with the Avengers after officially joining them.
It was also the issue where Thor stoically sank into lava without changing his expression from his default vaguely annoyed one.
Anyway, O’Brien tells the Avengers that the lava men battered their way into the maintenance section since they couldn’t escape to the rest of the facility.
It’s a real good news bad news situation because there’s no one for them to hurt in there and also its a straight shot into the nuclear research dome.
And we don’t want any kind of meltdown there.
Cap decides that this looks like a job for AVENGERS to ASSEMBLE towards. And more than the three plus special guest star they already have.
MEANWHILE, over in New Orleans at an important meeting that definitely would be bad to interrupt, Monica Rambeau (secretly the Avenger known as Captain Marvel but not the dead guy version, true believers) is applying for a small business loan.
And then she gets a bzzt on her radio watch for an Avengers emergency.
Oh no, what of her small business loan!
And also: what small business is she starting? I think I heard at one point that she ran a fishing business with her father?
But what of her small business loan!
Well, Monica agrees with her bank guy Mr. Hillbee that its an alarm watch and that its reminding her of another pressing engagement so hey is there a lot more that they have to do here?
Luckily, all that’s left is for her to sign the documents.
Phew, I’m very used to superhero stuff interrupting a superhero’s civilian life and then them angsting about it. It’s actually a relief that Monica was able to finish up at the bank before dashing off to a phone booth to take a radio watch call with Scarlet Witch.
Wanda tells Monica that they just received a call from Cap(tain America) telling them to get to Project Pegasus. Wanda tells Monica that they’re in transit now and asks if she can join them.
And then the line goes dead before Wanda can give coordinates.
Because Monica just followed the radio signal back to the Quinjet.
She apologizes that it took her so long (!!) because she had to stop at home first to pick up her costume.
Wanda marvels captainly “And I thought my brother, Pietro, was fast!”
Ha ha amazing.
I love Captain Monica Marvel’s ridiculous powerset.
She’s even talking right into their radio so she can communicate from outside the Quinjet.
Wasp, Scarlet Witch, and Captain Marvel arrive at Project Pegasus where they’re briefed of the lava men situation by some of the security staff.
Captain Marvel nyooms ahead lightspeed dash style while Wasp and Scarlet Witch lag behind by taking a high-speed railcar.
Dang, Project Pegasus is big.
I just flipped ahead pages to see how long it takes Captain Marvel to join Cap(tain America)’s group and its a bit.
I guess maybe there’s some overlapped time going on though.
Meanwhile, two technicians in research dome D-2 (called the Compound for some dang reason) ignore all the various alarms and such that have been happening because they’re super into their project. And are possibly mad scientists.
They have the intensity.
But they’re working on... Dr. Croit’s stabilizer? And apparently its vibratory pitch was changed by the tremor that happened? Unbeknowst to them, Captain Marvel just nyoomed by outside and the proximity of her energy form activates the device and the silhouette of some guy leaps out proclaiming FREE!!
Back at the Avengers side of the plot, Cap(tain America)’s group has encountered some lava men.
Spider-Man: “Hey, Cap... I take it all back! I do believe in lava men! I really do!”
Hah.
The lava men are between the Avengers and the nuclear dome so Cap starts thinking of ways to flank them so they can keep them away from it.
She-Hulk starts trying to plow a hole through their forces and... uh.... ok. Cap has Starfox just fly around and annoy the lava men because they’ve never seen a flying man before and its just freaking them out.
Really.
Cap asks Spider-Man to use his webbing to throw up some barriers in the lava men’s path.
Spider-Man: “Heck, I can do better than that, Cappy! Just a couple spritzes of webbing, and these little hotheads won’t be going anywhere for hours!”
Cap: “No, you young fool! Don’t you see what you’ve done!”
Throwing web on the lava men makes them panic because it seems like there’s a lot of stuff that they’re not familiar with and all of it alarms them. When they’re alarmed, their body temperature raises and can get up thousands of degrees.
So they just melt loose of the webbing and now they’ve learned not to be afraid of the webbing at all and they can’t use it to corral them.
Spider-Man: “Would it help if I said I’m sorry?”
Cap: “It would help if you’d follow orders! The Avengers is a team! If you want to be part of the team, act like it! Otherwise, stay out of our way!”
Yeahhhhh. I mean, most of the time. You have your fair share of idiots doing their own thing in the Avengers because all of these guys have egos you wouldn’t believe. But generally they can agree to work as a team.
And Spider-Man, of this era, isn’t much of a team player. Not like Wolverine or Batman ‘i work best alone, bub’ type of not a team player where they’re lying about not being good at teamwork because they like being surly and dour because they think it makes them more interesting. But Spider-Man mostly works alone and is used to just doing whatever he thinks the best idea is. And he has the proportionate speed and reflexes of a spider so he can do whatever he thinks the best idea is way before you can tell him its a bad idea.
That’s why Spider-Man makes so many bad decisions, because he can make them faster than good sense can catch up [citation needed].
Anyway, as he is NOW, he’s not a good fit for the Avengers.
Then again, neither was Hawkeye and they let him join. Makes ya think.
Back over at surprise man out of a box lab, the surprise man was Blackout.
He looks like he’d be an electricity themed villain but apparently his element is darkness. Annd he debuted in Nova annnd this is his second appearance?
At the end of his debut story Nova #19, Blackout was apparently sucked into the Darkforce dimension, a fate that Dr. Croit’s stabilizer had been invented to prevent.
So I guesss.... the stabilizer’s settings were altered by an earthquake and then it was powered by ambient energy from Captain Marvel zipping past and it managed to stabilize Blackout, yanking him free of the Darkforce dimension?
I guess??
As far as villain returns go, its not the most ridiculous but it is a bit contrived.
Blackout has no idea where he is and rants about how he’ll level the place if that’s what it takes to find his way out and in a more acceptable contrivance, he happens to be passing Moonstone’s cell when he says this out loud to nobody in particular and she likes the cut of his jib.
Moonstone: “Sounds like you’re a man after my own heart!”
Moonstone tells Blackout that she’s been locked up here so Project Pegasus could study her powers and that they want to use her the way they would have used Blackout but hey what if they join forces and get some comeuppance.
Blackout: I don’t know if I should trust her... But something about her voice is so reassuring.
Yeah, that’s what we call a red flag, you dingus.
Are we back to the days where some dudes will just villain because a lady bats her eyes?
Anyway, the locking mechanism is too complicated to figure out so Blackout just squeezes it until it explodes.
Um. Okay.
-checks wiki-
The wiki says he’s only supposed to have normal human strength but Blackout himself claims that his body is a living generator of black star energies.
Which apparently means he can squeeze an electronic lock to death. I dunno.
Freed from her cell, Moonstone leads Blackout to what they can do next.
Meanwhile, the Avengers are still struggling with the lava men two levels below. And the fracas has reached the corridor to the nuclear dome. Its now or never but the numbers are too overwhelming even for She-Hulk.
Spider-Man manages to leap above the fray and get forgotten in the confusion but doesn’t find that he can do much. He tries webbing the door to the nuclear dome shut but the lava men don’t even bother opening it when they can melt through.
Hmmmmm not a good showing for a guest starring so far...
When the lava men succeed in melting through the door, a blinding light shines through and the lava men kneel down and start bowing to it.
Ohhhhhh, I get it! They’re not trying to cause a meltdown! They just want to worship nuclear light!
... No? I don’t got it? Okay.
The bright light is actually Captain Marvel who took a shortcut to the nuclear dome to reach the Avengers.
And the lava men are really enamored with her, proclaiming her the lady of light foretold in legends.
Captain Marvel just kinda rolls with this and asks them whats the deal with all the rampaging and destroying.
Lava man: “We did but strike back, radiant one! Our village, deep beneath the Earth, knew peace -- until the surface men bored into our midst with their machines. We could not allow this attack to go unanswered. We only used our powers to stop the invasion!”
Wait, isn’t this the plot of the Jetsons movie?
Cap(tain America) smoothly slides in, diplomatically, to announce that then the surface people beg forgiveness and that this has all been an unfortunate misunderstanding that he pledges shall be put right.
And like how Cap’s clout got Spider-Man into this story, Cap borrows Captain Marvel’s clout to back up his diplomacy roll, saying “The Lady-of-Light will tell you that I speak the truth!”
It’s a good thing that Monica wouldn’t go mad with power.
Also, Scarlet Witch and Wasp show up, while Spider-Man snarks that they “missed the end of the movie.”
But since we can’t have pat resolutions given the subplot that was happening while the Avengers were distracted elsewhere, in the Compound, it turns out that Blackout and Moonstone have freed Electro and Rhino. And Moonstone has a Big Evil Plan.
Blackout: “Pay them back? Yes... yes, we must. But how?”
Moonstone: “In the best way possible! We’re going to bring this place to its knees -- by seizing the nuclear research dome!”
But that’s where the Avengers are! Silly villains, you’ve double booked!
Also, I wonder if the universe cosmically influenced Moonstone to get two Spider-villains involved on the one day that Spider-Man was tagging along.
I also wonder what Moonstone is thinking. She’s the ‘know when to fold ‘em’ villain.
Hmmm... Putting Electro and Blackout side by side makes Blackout look like Electro’s grumpy younger brother.
All kinds of good decisions have been made!
Follow @essential-avengers for more thoughts on villain couture. Also like and reblog so I can feel like I did a good job.
#avengers#lava men#Spider Man#Captain America#She Hulk#Starfox#the Wasp#Scarlet Witch#Captain Marvel#Monica Rambeau#essential avengers#essential marvel liveblogging
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Does The Frankenstein Monster have a soul?
I have seen many strange blog posts and articles recently claiming that Mary Shelley’s creature in the Frankenstein novel does not have a soul. I believe this does a disservice to Mary Shelley and the intention behind her story.
Before we proceed please note that this is written in the literary context of assuming that within the narrative humans definitely do have souls themselves.
First let is begin with the literal and possibly occult aspects of the Frankenstein Story. Victor studied the works of Agrippa and Parcelsus in the novel. Agrippa and Parcelsus were a self-proclaimed sorcerer and alchemist. Victor was not studying hard science as we know it today, despite what you might see in some Frankenstein movies. Victor was studying metaphysics and he was still a student when he brought his creature to life. Many consider Frankenstein to be the first science fiction novel but without the actual description of how he brought his creature to life he could easily be the result of alchemy.
At no point does any character in the Frankenstein novel ever refer to The Creature as soulless. Even Victor, who loathed his creation near the end, never described him as being without a soul. The closest thing to it is when he uses the term “mockery of a human soul” which indicates that what soul The Creature has he sees as an inhuman one.
An article from “The Conversationalist” argues that because the eyes are the gateway to the soul that this means The Creature is soulless since his eyes are watery and yellow. But it is not that The Creature lacks eyes at all. It is that his eyes are different from a human’s. Watery eyes suggests sad, expressive and tragic. Eyes are usually watery as a result of deep emotion. I cannot understand why a description of something often used to convey profound emotion would be used to mean “soulless.”
A different Google Search result on the subject of “Does the Frankenstein Monster have a soul” is a teacher’s resource site that claims it would be a good exercise for the class to discuss “Ways in which it is portrayed that The Creature in Frankenstein has no soul.” But this is, again, pure speculation, and not based on anything of the actual novel. The essay directly under this described “exercise” talks about how The Creature would not have killed Victor’s loved ones if he had a soul and that a creature with a soul would feel remorse for his actions.
There are two things wrong with this sample essay. First, many humans have killed other humans and shown no remorse. That does not mean they do not have a soul. It means there is something wrong with their conscience. The second thing the matter with this assumption is at the end of the Frankenstein novel The Creature does show remorse. He laments the pain and suffering he has caused. His education had consisted of books that glorified revenge as something noble and righteous and justified such as the actions of both God and Lucifer in John Milton’s Paradise Lost. And he only learned after the fact that revenge only helped to make him feel more isolated from humanity and actually served to bring him no peace or satisfaction and in fact only helped to make him feel worse than what he already felt.
Now onto potentially more subjective content.
The Creature, who is well-spoken and articulate in the novel, repeatedly talks about his own soul. He becomes obsessed with the depictions of Adam and Lucifer in John Milton’s Paradise Lost and is actually a surprisingly spiritual figure. He talks about his own soul frequently and does not seem to have any doubt that he has one. He also seems quite certain of the fact that he will have an afterlife. The indication here is simple. If humans have immortal souls that can ascend than logically- as he is capable of the full range of human emotion and thought- so does he.
Mary Shelley, herself, has been quoted as calling The Creature a “Poor soul” and “wretched soul” or “a romantic soul” and as she is the author I do not think she chose those wordings lightly. Note: I cannot precisely source these quotes at this time but most of what I have written here can easily be found in both the 1818 and 1831 editions of the novel Frankenstein.
It is also important to consider that if The Creature was indeed “Soulless” this feels like it would diminish Victor’s accountability for abandoning him, and the world’s fault in rejecting him. It dampens and potentially ruins the entire idea that you ought to pity The Creature and are supposed to sympathize with him despite the horrible things he has done. To claim he is without a soul overly exonerates those who have wronged him and immediately dehumanizes him, making the portions of the novel where The Creature tells Victor his own sorrows and experiences practically pointless and creates a barrier between the reader and character. The ability to sympathize with him is dramatically reduced and I feel this would undermine Mary Shelley’s intentions by dehumanizing him further than Victor already did, and almost justifying mistreatment toward him.
It’s an odd thing to me, to see so many comments, articles, and blogs talking about him not having a soul. I think people forget that in 1818 the soul was usually depicted as a person’s spirit, consciousness that could live on after-death, the part of you that thinks and feels. Your very awareness. In the nineteenth century if you could feel emotion and think it was considered a given fact that you have a soul because “You are a soul, you have a body.”
It seems that the modern “interpretation” of The Frankenstein Monster being soulless mostly comes from not quite understanding what the nineteenth century described the soul as in most literature. This wasn’t the TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer where the soul and conscience are easily confused and interchangeable.
It’s peculiar to me that a low budget schlock film like “I, Frankenstein” can explore The Frankenstein Creature’s soul and conscience with more respect for the source material and Mary Shelley than some so-called academics. Kevin Grevioux is a very underrated writer and his film deserved a better budget and care than what it received. This is why I like that low budget and cheesy little film.
In any event, if you are trying to figure out if The Frankenstein Monster has a soul or not I think it is safe to assume that at least the novel’s author and the character, himself, believed that yes, he does have a soul. And I hope whoever was trying to figure this out heeds this post before the righteous rantings on the Google results from those whom I suspect might not have actually read the novel or may not have wanted to feel compassion toward The Creature.
___________________
Further note: Lots of people mistakenly think Frankenstein’s main moral is not to play in God’s domain.
I do not have patience for those with the assumption that the moral of the novel was "Don't play God." That's the 1931 film, not the novel.
The themes of the novel included parental responsibility, the need to forgive, the futility of revenge, and judging by appearance.There are literary professors who have assumed the film was accurate in the novel's moral but thankfully most people who read the book know better.
The Creature began benign and gentle and only went evil after several instances of mistreatment. A third of the novel is there just to tell is this. If simply creating him was Victor's sin then that diminishes Victor's accountability for how he treated him. It's also why I don't like film versions where The Creature has an "abnormal brain." It overly justifies the mistreatment of him and exonerates his creator.
If simply creating him was Victor's sin than we would not have been repeatedly told he would have remained Good if he had not been mistreated.
Victor's sin wasn't creating him but how he treated him after he was created. The "I shouldn't have played God thing" was the 1931 film, not the novel. Victor, himself, acts as if merely creating him was his sin but The Creature, and (at times) even Victor admitted that The Creature was once benign and gentle, until the cruelties of others got to him.
Finally, "Modern Prometheus." PROMETHEUS! Why do so many people think Prometheus was some sinner who was righteously punished? Does no one know Greek mythology anymore?
Prometheus was a Titan and the creator of the human race. In short, he was God. Zeus and the new Gods coveted light. The fire Prometheus stole represented knowledge and the power to invent. He gave humans (his own creatures) this and it pissed off Zeus. He severely punished Prometheus but it was unjust and in later myths he was freed. The great centaur who invented medicine even gave up his immortality as payment to keep Zeus from trying to return Prometheus to his punishment. Mary Shelley's own husband, Percy Shelley, wrote Prometheus Unbound.
#Kevin Grevioux#Mary Shelley#Frankenstein#Mary Shelley's Frankenstein#I Frankenstein#Does the Frankenstein Monster Have a soul?
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