Influenza - Tumblr Posts
Tan henne=askar eaykap, wa tan pinumma=siyeye ne, korkay iwanke ne nankor. Korkay sumsupa nok, opitta kur ya?
(This can’t be clean, and this stallion is sick, but will get healthy. Even so, fried eggs, anyone?) Poor Thunderlane, I hope he would be healthy soon, I bet the flu season was terrible this year, especially in the West from what I’ve heard. I’m glad I dodged this bullet, as has my editor (mostly).
𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒲𝑒𝒹𝓃𝑒𝓈𝒹𝒶𝓎
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𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓅𝓁𝑒
His Majesty George V The King & Her Majesty Queen Mary
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𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒟𝒶𝓉𝑒 & 𝐿𝑜𝒸𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃
The Royal Wedding took place at 12:30PM on Thursday, July 6th, 1893 in The Chapel Royal (Left Picture) at St. James Palace (Right Picture) in London, England
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𝐸𝓃𝑔𝒶𝑔𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎
♕ Previous Engagement: Her Majesty Queen Mary (Top Picture) was engaged before meeting His Majesty George V. Mary had become engaged to His Royal Highness Prince Albert The Duke of Clarence and Avondale (Bottom Picture), the older brother of George. Sadly the wedding never happened, as The Duke had fell ill with the Flu which then took a bad turn, turning the flu into Pneumonia. The Duke passed away on Friday, January 8th, 1892 at The Sandringham House in Norfolk, England.
♕ Staying In The Family - Part 1: Her Majesty Queen Victoria (George’s Grandmother: Left Picture) wanted the then His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales, to marry either Her Majesty Queen Marie of Romania (His Cousin: Middle Picture) or Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna (His Cousin: Right Picture). George sadly was not fond of either of the two women & Her Majesty Queen Marie of Romania (Middle Picture) did react to George’s proposal to her by rejecting him.
♕ “I’m Too Young”: Even after his grandmother tried to wed George & his two cousins, the young prince refused to be married. “I still think marrying too young is a bad thing. The one thing I never could do is to marry a person that didn’t care for me. I should be miserable for the rest of my life.” George wrote this to his grandmother stating that he was too young to be married & even if he did marry young, he would marry someone he loved.
♕ Staying In The Family - Part 2: George’s grandmother & Mary had met during her engagement to the now parted Duke, & Queen Victoria was fond of Mary. She had spoken to Mary to see what she would think about marrying her fiancé’s brother. This was very embarrassing for both George & Mary, as Mary’s fiancé's & George’s brother, had only been dead for 1 year & the two were still in mourning. The couple began to feel the pressures of the royal life. Mary began to feel pressure from not only her family but George’s family to be a married woman. George felt the pressure of his new position as second-in-line to the throne, he was still recovering from the proposal rejection of his cousin Her Majesty Queen Marie of Romania, & he also had no idea if Mary even had romantic feelings towards him.
♕ The Proposal: After a long conversation with George’s favorite aunt Olga Constantinovna of Russia (Also known as Queen Olga of Greece: Left Picture), the young duke was urged to propose to his brother’s fiancé Mary. George had help with his proposal from his sister Her Royal Highness Louise The Princess Royal (Middle Picture) & his brother-in-law Alexander Duff 1st Duke of Fife (Louise’s husband: Right Picture). On Wednesday, May 3rd, 1893, Louise had “arranged” to have tea with Mary. When Mary arrived to have tea with Louise, she had found George & Louise waiting for her instead of just Louise. The Princess Royal had suggested that the couple go to the garden to go watch the frogs that lived in the garden pond. The duke then proposed to Mary by the pond & she happily accepted George’s proposal. The couple came to learn how to love & care for each other deeply, despite the stress & heartbreak of the last year.
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𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔
♕ Morning: That Thursday morning, when George was walking the corridors of Buckingham Palace, he accidentally spotted his bride. As tradition, Bride & Groom are never supposed to see each other (unless a private moment is planned by the couple to meet with each other before the wedding) because it is bad luck. As George spotted Mary, he proceeded to make a low & courtly bow towards the princess, a sweet moment many say that Mary never forgot.
♕ Wedding Party: The Royal Wedding was attended by 5 Bridesmaids, 5 Junior Bridesmaids, & 2 Supporters of The Groom.
♕ Wedding Officiant: The Archbishop of Canterbury Edward White Benson (Left Picture) performed the ceremony. He was assisted by The Bishop of London Frederick Temple (Middle Picture), The Bishop of Rochester Randall Thomas Davidson 1st Baron Davidson of Lambeth (Right Picture), & 5 other priests.
♕ Register Signing Tradition: As Tradition during all Royal Weddings, the Register must be signed. The Register of the Wedding of His Majesty George V The King & Her Majesty Queen Mary was signed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, The Prime Minster William Ewart Gladstone (Pictured Below), & all other royal personages that were present at the wedding.
♕ Balcony Tradition: As Tradition of all Royal Weddings, the Bride & Groom along with family, made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony. Even Queen Victoria made a rare public appearance when she joined the couple on the Balcony.
♕ Official Portraits (Photo is in Order): The Official Painters of the Royal Wedding were Heinrich Anton von Angeli, Laurits Tuxen, & Sir Samuel Luke Fildes
♕ Title Change: As Royal Tradition, the Groom (Sometimes) & Bride’s (Always) Title will change. Mary’s Title changed from Her Serene Highness Princess Victoria Mary of Teck to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of York. George’s Title changed from His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales to His Royal Highness The Duke of York.
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𝒢𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝐿𝒾𝓈𝓉
The royal parties traveled from Buckingham Palace to St. James Chapel in 4 large carriages.
♕ First Carriage: Members of the Household.
♕ Second Carriage: The Groom & His Supporters (Mentioned Below in The Guest List)
♕ Third Carriage: The Bride, His Highness Francis The Duke of Teck (The Bride’s Father: The Left Picture), & His Serene Highness Prince Adolphus of Teck (The Bride’s Brother: The Right Picture)
♕ Fourth Carriage: Her Majesty Queen Victoria (The Groom’s Grandmother), Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Teck (The Bride's Mother: Left Picture), Prince Francis of Teck (The Bride’s Brother: Middle Picture), & Alexander Cambridge 1st Earl of Athlone (The Bride’s Brother: Right Picture)
♕ Wedding Party:
The 5 Bridesmaids: Her Royal Highness The Princess Victoria (The Groom’s Sister), Her Majesty Maud The Queen of Norway (The Groom’s Sister), Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna of Russia (The Groom’s First Cousin: Mention Above In Staying In The Family - Part 1), Her Royal Highness Alexandra The Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (The Grooms First Cousin), & Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (The Groom’s First Cousin)
The 5 Junior Bridesmaids: 1. Her Royal Highness Margaret The Crown Princess of Sweden Duchess of Scania (The Groom’s First Cousin). 2. Lady Patricia Ramsay (The Groom’s First Cousin), 3. Her Royal Highness Alice Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (also known as Mother Superior Alice-Elizabeth & Great-Grandaughter of Queen Victoria), 4. Queen Victoria of Spain (The Groom’s Cousin), & 5. Her Highness Princess Helena Victoria (The Groom’s Cousin)
The Grooms Supporters: His Majesty Edward VII The King (The Groom’s Father: Left Picture) & His Royal Highness Alfred The Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (The Groom’s Uncle: Right Picture)
𝒢𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓈
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒢𝓇𝑜𝑜𝓂'𝓈 𝐹𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎 (Not Mentioned In The Wedding Party)
Her Majesty Queen Alexandra (Mother)
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Sister & Brother In Law: Mentioned Above in The Proposal)
Her Royal Highness Princess Arthur of Connaught, Duchess of Fife (Niece)
Her Imperial and Royal Highness Maria The Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Edinburgh (Paternal Aunt)
His Royal Highness Arthur Duke of Connaught and Strathearn & Her Royal Highness Louise The Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn (Paternal Uncle & Aunt)
Prince Arthur of Connaught (First Cousin)
Her Imperial Majesty Victoria The Empress Frederick
His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Prussia and Princess (Princess Irene) Henry of Prussia (First Cousins)
Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine
The Most Honorable Victoria The Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven & The Most Honorable Louis The Marquess of Milford Haven (First Cousin & Her Husband)
His Highness Albert The Duke of Schleswig-Holstein (First Cousin)
Her Royal Highness The Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll & John Campbell 9th Duke of Argyll Marquess (Marquis) of Lorne (Paternal Aunt & Uncle)
Her Royal Highness The Princess Beatrice & His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Battenberg (Paternal Aunt & Uncle)
The Most Honorable Alexander The Marquess of Carisbrooke (First Cousin)
His Majesty Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Louise of Denmark (Maternal Grandparents)
His Royal Highness Prince Valdemar of Denmark (Maternal Uncle)
Her Imperial Majesty Maria Empress of All the Russias
His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias (First Cousin)
Ernest II The 7th Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (Half-Second Cousin)
His Majesty Albert I The King of the Belgians (Paternal Second Cousin - Once Removed)
Prince Philipp of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Paternal Second Cousin - Once Removed)
Lady Feodora Gleichen (Second Cousin)
Lady Helena Gleichen (Second Cousin)
Countess Victoria Gleichen (Second Cousin)
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒹𝑒'𝓈 𝐹𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎
His Royal Highness George The Duke of Cambridge (Maternal Uncle)
Her Royal Highness Augusta The Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz & His Royal Highness Frederick The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Maternal Aunt & Uncle)
Colonel Augustus FitzGeorge (First Cousin)
𝒪𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝐹𝑜𝓇𝑒𝒾𝑔𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓎𝒶𝓁𝓉𝓎
Prince William “Edward” of Saxe-Weimar & Her Serene Highness Augusta Princess William “Edward” of Saxe-Weimar
The Maharaja of Bhavnagar
Jagatjit Singh, The Raja of Kapurthala
The Thakur Sahib of Morbi
Bhagvat Singh, The Thakur Sahib of Gondal
𝒜𝓂𝒷𝒶𝓈𝓈𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓇𝓈 & 𝐸𝓃𝓋𝑜𝓎𝓈
Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin
Russian Ambassador Baron Egor Egorovich Staal Madam de Staal
German Ambassador Paul von Hatzfeldt
The Turkish Ambassador
Austro-Hungarian Ambassador Count Franz Deym & Countess Deym
The Italian Ambassador & Countess Tornielli
The Spanish Ambassador
The United States of America Ambassador Thomas Bayard and Mrs. Mary (Clyme) Bayard
The Belgian Minister & Madam Solvyns
The Danish Minister & Madam de Bille
Portuguese Minister Luís Pinto de Soveral 1st Marquis of Soveral
Romanian Minister Alexandru Plagino
The Greek Chargé d'Affaires & Madam Romanos
𝒫𝑜𝓁𝒾𝓉𝒾𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓈
The Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury The Right Honorable William Gladstone (Mentioned Above in The Wedding) & Mrs. Catherine (Glynne) Gladstone
The Lord Chancellor The Right Honorable Farrer Herschell 1st Baron Herschell & Lady Agnes (Kindersley) Herschell
The Chancellor of the Exchequer The Right Honorable Sir William Harcourt & Lady Elizabeth (Motley) Harcourt
The Chief Commissioner of Works The Right Honorable George Shaw-Lefevre 1st Baron Eversley & Lady Constance (Moreton) Shaw-Lefevre
The Lord President of the Council and Secretary of State for India The Right Honorable John Wodehouse 1st Earl of Kimberley & Countess Florence (FitzGibbon) Wodehouse of Kimberley
The Secretary of State for the Home Department The Right Honorable Herbert Asquith 1st Earl of Oxford & Asquith
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs The Right Honorable Archibald Primrose 5th Earl of Rosebery & 1st Earl of Midlothian
The Secretary of State for War The Right Honorable Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman & The Honorable Mrs. Sarah (Bruce) Campbell-Bannerman
The First Lord of the Admiralty The Right Honorable John Spencer 5th Earl Spencer (& Viscount Althorp) & Countess Charlotte (Seymour) Spencer
The Secretary of State for Scotland The Right Honorable Sir George Trevelyan 2nd Baronet & Lady Caroline (Phillips) Trevelyan
The Chief Secretary for Ireland The Right Honorable John Morley 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster James Bryce 1st Viscount Bryce & Mrs. Elizabeth (Ashton) Bryce
𝑅𝑜𝓎𝒶𝓁 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒽𝑜𝓁𝒹
The Most Honorable Lord Steward of the Household Gavin Campbell 1st Marquess of Breadalbane & Alma (Graham) Campbell Marchioness of Breadalbane
The Most Honorable Lord Chamberlain of the Household Charles Wynn-Carington 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire & The Honorable Lady Cecilia (Harbord) Wynn-Carington
Gold Stick-in-Waiting Bodyguard Sir Patrick Grant
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms The Right Honorable George Venables-Vernon 7th Baron Vernon
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard The Right Honorable William Edwardes 4th Baron Kensington
Treasurer of the Household The Right Honorable Edwyn Scudamore-Stanhope 10th Earl of Chesterfield
Comptroller of the Household Sir George Leveson-Gower
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household The Right Honorable Charles Spencer 6th Earl Spencer
Master of the Household Major-General Sir John Cowell
Master of the Buckhounds/Hounds Thomas Lister 4th Baron Ribblesdale
Acting Mistress of the Robes Anne (Spencer-Churchill) Innes-Ker Duchess of Roxburghe
Lady of The Bedchamber Jane Spencer (Conyngham) Baroness Churchill
The Right Honorable Francis Stonor 4th Baron Camoys Lord-In-Waiting
Garter Principal King of Arms (Senior King of Arms & Officer of Arms) Sir Albert William Woods
The Right Honorable Charles Harbord 5th Baron Suffield Lord-in-Waiting to the Prince of Wales
Chamberlain to the Princess of Wales The Right Honorable Charles Colville 1st Viscount Colville of Culross & Wife to The Chamberlain to the Princess of Wales The Honorable Lady Cecile (Carrington) Colville
𝒪𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒢𝓊𝑒𝓈𝓉𝓈
His Grace Henry Fitzalan-Howard 15th Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal
The Honorable Frances (Pitt-Rivers) Osborne The Duchess of Leeds
His Grace Spencer Cavendish 8th Duke of Devonshire & Her Grace Louisa (Augusta) Cavendish Duchess of Devonshire
His Grace John Manners 7th Duke of Rutland & Janetta (Hughan) Manners Duchess of Rutland
His Grace William Scott 6th Duke of Buccleuch & Louise (Hamilton) Scott Duchess of Buccleuch
His Grace George Campbell 8th Duke of Argyll & Her Grace Amelia (Claughton) Campbell Duchess of Argyll (Father & Stepmother of The Groom’s Uncle)
His Grace William Cavendish-Bentinck 6th Duke of Portland & Her Grace Winifred (Dallas-Yorke) Cavendish-Bentinck Duchess of Portland
James Hamilton 2nd Duke of Abercorn & Mary (Curzon-Howe) Hamilton Duchess of Abercorn
The Most Honorable Robert Gascoyne-Cecil 3rd Marquess of Salisbury & Georgina (Alderson) Gascoyne-Cecil Marchioness of Salisbury
William Edgcumbe 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
The Right Honorable Edward Bootle-Wilbraham 1st Earl of Lathom & Alice (Villiers) Bootle-Wilbraham Countess of Lathom
The Right Honorable Richard Cross 1st Viscount Cross & Viscountess Georgiana (Lyon) Cross
The Right Honorable Hardinge Giffard 1st Earl of Halsbury & Wilhelmina (Woodfall) Giffard Countess of of Halsbury
The Right Honorable Lord George Hamilton & Lady Maud (Lascelles) Hamilton
The Speaker of the House of Commons The Right Honorable Arthur Peel 1st Viscount Peel
The Right Honorable George Goschen 1st Viscount Goschen & Mrs. Lucy (Dalley) Goschen
The Right Honorable Joseph Chamberlain & Mrs. Mary (Endicott) Chamberlain
The Right Honorable Arthur Balfour 1st Earl of Balfour
♕ Spectators: Since The Wedding of His Majesty George V The King & Her Majesty Queen Mary, was the first public royal wedding in 32 years, the large crowd of spectators spread down the route of travel from Buckingham Palace to St. James Palace. As she arrived at the chapel, Mary gave the crowd a side-ways smile & a wave that made her seem a little nervous about her upcoming vows that were about to take place.
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𝒲𝑒𝒹𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓊𝓉𝒻𝒾𝓉𝓈
♕ The Designer: In 1891, Mary’s mother Mary The Duchess of Teck announced that not only Mary’s dress but also the bridesmaids dresses would be made in Britain. Arthur Silver of Silver Studios was chosen to design the then Princess’s future wedding gown for when Mary was supposed to marry Prince Albert (But sadly the wedding never happened). Before the dress began, Mary & her mother visited the Warner & Sons’ factory which is located at the Hollybush Gardens in Spitalfields, London. The mother daughter duo asked the factory to make fine white silks with silver thread by Albert Parchment for the dress. Mary’s Second Wedding Dress was crafted by Linton & Curtis of Albemarle Street (A street in Mayfair Central London off Piccadilly).
♕ The First Dress: After Mary’s fiancé had passed away, her “Lily of the Valley” (A highly poisonous woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring) wedding was made public but was abandoned by the family & the designer.
♕ The Second Dress: For Mary’s wedding to George, the design that she chose for her dress was “The May Silks” & would be influenced by Japanese Art. The design of the embroidery of the dress would include emblems of Roses, Shamrocks, Thistle, Orange Blossom, & True Lovers Knots. The front of Mary’s Wedding Gown was made of white satin which had 3 small flounces of old Honiton Lace (A Type of Lace Textile made by braiding & twisting lengths of thread, which are wound on wood or bone bobbins & is made in Honiton, Devon) from the wedding dress of her mother which were located on the top & upper parts of the sleeves. The bodice long, pointed, cut at the throat, made of Arthur Silver’s white & silver brocade, & satin fell from the Princess’s shoulders. The train of the gown was long but plain & Mary wore her mother’s veil, which was also made of Honiton lace & fastened using her wedding gift from Her Majesty Queen Mary, diamond pins. The veil was never used again in another royal wedding. Following the flower theme of the dress, small wreaths were placed around the bust & in Mary’s hair. (A Dark Photo than the one above so you can see the design better)
♕ Royal Jewelry: For her wedding, Mary wore a diamond tiara as a loan from Queen Victoria. Along with the Tiara, the bride wore a Diamond Rivière Necklace from the Prince & Princess of Wales, Diamond Earrings from Prince George, & a Anchor Brooch from Prince George.
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𝐹𝓊𝓃 𝐹𝒶𝒸𝓉𝓈:
♕ The Wedding of His Majesty George V The King & Her Majesty Queen Mary, was the first Royal Wedding to take place in St. James Chapel since the death of Prince Consort Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Albert was Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s husband but many of the couple’s children married in the St. James Chapel. The cause of death was Typhoid Fever.
♕ The Couple spent their honeymoon at Sandringham, which is George’s estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, England (Top Picture). They stayed at Sandringham until they left for the Osborne House in East Cowes, Isle of Wright, United Kingdom (Bottom Picture).
hey, y'all!! gimme some Kanej or Zoyalai fanfics to write!!
PS: (totally not down with fever and writing a zoyalai fanfic where nikolai is down with flu-)
Edit: It's Out!! (Stay With Me)
Stay With Me
masterlist
Genre: Angst
Word Count: 2027
Summary: Zoya takes care of a sick Nikolai, who happens to be down with the flu.
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The fierce winter winds howled outside, as Nikolai Lantsov lay in his bed, pale and feverish. The once vibrant and indomitable king now appeared frail, his skin flushed and clammy, his breath coming in labored gasps. The room was cold, despite the roaring fire in the hearth, the chill seeping through the stone walls and biting at Zoya's skin.
Zoya stood by his side, her expression a mask of composure that hid the turmoil within. She had seen him wounded before, seen him on the brink of death more times than she cared to count, but this was different. This was an enemy she couldn’t fight, an illness that didn’t respond to her powers or to any remedy they could find.
"Nik," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the wind. "You need to rest."
Nikolai’s eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile. "Rest is for the dead, my dear," he replied, his voice hoarse. "And I am not quite there yet."
Zoya’s heart clenched at his words. "Don’t say that," she said sharply, her fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket. "You’re going to get better."
He reached out a trembling hand, covering hers with a touch that was both comforting and heartbreaking. "Zoya," he said softly, "we both know that’s not true. The healers have done all they can, and even you…" He trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
Zoya looked away, unable to meet his gaze. She had tried everything, pouring all her power into him, but nothing worked. The flu was relentless, a silent killer that showed no mercy.
"I can't lose you," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Nikolai squeezed her hand gently. "You are stronger than you know," he said. "And Ravka needs you. You’ve always been the strength behind the throne, Zoya. You can lead them without me."
"I don’t want to lead without you. You are the heart of Ravka."
He smiled then; a ghost of his usual grin. "Then you’ll have to be its heart and soul."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She had to be strong for him, for Ravka, for herself. "I don’t know how to do this without you," she admitted.
"You’ll find a way," he assured her. "You always do."
Hours passed, the night dragging on in a haze of fever and whispered conversations. Nikolai spoke of plans and contingencies, of allies and enemies, trying to prepare her for a future without him.
It was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he knew it was necessary. He had to make sure she would be alright, even if he wasn’t there to see it.
"You know, when I’m gone, you should really redecorate this room. Maybe something less gloomy. Brighten it up a bit."
Zoya rolled her eyes, despite the ache in her chest. "Stop talking like that," she said, her voice hard. "You’re not going anywhere."
"Always the optimist," he chuckled weakly. "But seriously, Zoya. Promise me you’ll take care of things. Of yourself. Of Ravka."
"I promise," she said, her voice trembling. "But I’m not giving up on you. You’re too stubborn to die from something as mundane as the flu."
"I do like to make a grand exit," he admitted with a tired smile. "But just in case, you should know… I trust you. More than anyone. You’ll make a fantastic queen."
Zoya’s breath caught in her throat. "Don’t you dare," she whispered fiercely. "Don’t you dare leave me."
His eyes softened, and he reached up to touch her cheek. "I wish I didn’t have to," he said. "But you’ll be alright. You’re the strongest person I know."
She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes against the flood of emotions. "You’re not allowed to die, Nikolai Lantsov," she said, her voice breaking. "I forbid it."
He tried to laugh, but it quickly turned into a fit of coughing that left him gasping for breath. "Is that an order, my Queen?" he managed to choke out between coughs.
"Yes," she replied, her voice trembling as she handed him a cloth to wipe his mouth. "An order from your queen."
His smile faded, replaced by a look of profound sadness. "I wish I could obey," he said softly. "But some things are beyond even a privateer’s control."
The night dragged on, and Nikolai grew weaker, his breathing more labored. Zoya stayed by his side, refusing to leave him even for a moment. She held his hand, whispered reassurances, and tried to keep the fear at bay.
Nikolai's coughs continued to grow frequent through the night, each one more violent than the last. The sound echoed through the room, a harsh reminder of the relentless grip of his illness. Zoya clung to his hand, trying to pour her strength into him, but she could feel him slipping away.
The room seemed to close in around them, the walls a silent witness to their anguish.
"Stay with me," she whispered, her voice trembling with desperation. "Just a little longer."
Nikolai's eyes flickered open, and he managed a faint smile. "I'm trying," he coughed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it's hard, Zoya. So hard."
She brushed a damp lock of hair from his forehead, her touch tender despite the turmoil inside her. "You have to keep fighting," she said, her voice fierce. "For me. For Ravka."
He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. "I'm so tired," he admitted. "I don't know if I can."
Zoya's heart clenched at his words. She had never seen him like this, so vulnerable, so close to giving up. She had to be strong for him, had to keep him grounded in the world of the living.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She had to be strong for him, had to show him that she could carry on. "I can't lose you," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Not now. Not ever."
His eyes fluttered open, and he looked at her with a mixture of love and sadness. "You won't lose me," he said softly. "I'll always be with you. In your heart."
The minutes stretched into an eternity, the night closing in around them. Each cough wracked Nikolai's body, leaving him weaker, his breaths more labored. Zoya's heart ached with every labored inhale, every painful exhale.
"Do you remember," she said softly, trying to distract him from the pain, "the night we first met?
Nikolai's lips twitched in a faint smile. "I remember," he said, his voice barely audible. "You saw right through me."
"And you never gave up," she continued, her voice thick with emotion. "You fought for Ravka, for all of us."
His eyes opened, and for a moment, there was clarity in his gaze. "Promise me you'll keep fighting, even when I'm gone."
A sob caught in her throat, but she forced it down. She had to be strong for him, had to keep him grounded in the world of the living.
"I promise," she said, her voice breaking. "But you're not gone yet, Nikolai. Stay with me. Please."
"Zoya, I. .. I love you."
The words broke something inside her, and she felt tears spill down her cheeks. "I love you too." She leaned over him, pressing a gentle kiss to his burning forehead. "So much. Please, don't leave me."
He gripped her strong hands with his pale and trembling fingers and pressed her knuckles to his lips. "Be strong," he whispered, "for me."
And then, with a quiet exhale, Nikolai Lantsov, King of Ravka, grew still. His hand went limp in hers, and Zoya felt a profound emptiness settle in the room.
He was gone.
Gone.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She stared at his still form, unable to comprehend the reality of his death.
"No," she whispered, her voice breaking. "No, please. Come back. Please, Nikolai."
But there was no response, no sign of life. The man who had been her anchor, her strength, was gone, leaving her alone in a world that suddenly felt unbearably empty.
She clung to him, her tears falling onto his lifeless chest. "You promised," she sobbed. "You promised you wouldn't leave me."
She couldn't contain her grief any longer. She screamed.
She screamed, a guttural cry that echoed through the room and mingled with the howling wind outside. It was a raw, primal sound of loss and anguish, carried away by the winds that seemed to mourn with her.
Outside, the storm raged on.
Zoya's heart felt shattered, her entire being consumed by the void left in Nikolai's absence. She collapsed beside his bed, her sobs wracking her body.
Eventually, the healers came, their faces solemn as they gently took Nikolai's body away. Zoya stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Nikolai's still form, unable to fully grasp the finality of his absence.
She watched them go mechanically, her movements slow and deliberate, as though moving through thick fog. The world seemed to move around her, but Zoya felt suspended in a moment that refused to end.
It was Genya's gentle touch on her shoulder that finally broke through the haze. Zoya turned to her, tears streaming down her face.
"We need to go," Genya said softly, her voice breaking the silence that enveloped them.
Zoya nodded wordlessly, allowing Genya to guide her out of the room.
Each step felt heavy with the weight of the loss. As they walked away from Nikolai's bedside, Zoya couldn't shake the feeling that a part of her had been left behind with him.
Outside, the morning light filtered through the windows, casting a somber glow over the palace halls.
"Zoya, we need you. Ravka needs you."
Zoya took a deep breath, steeling herself against the pain. She had promised Nikolai she would be strong, that she would carry on. She couldn't let him down.
"I know," she said, her voice steady despite the tears still streaming down her face. "I'll be there."
Genya nodded silently. She knew this feeling.
"I remember when David..." Genya began softly, her voice carrying the weight of her own memories. "When he died, it felt like the world had stopped. Like I couldn't breathe without him."
Zoya looked at her, gratitude mingling with her grief. "How did you do it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "How did you cope with it?"
Genya sighed, her eyes reflecting the pain of her past loss. "At first, I didn't cope. I just existed, moving through the days because I had to. But then I realized... David wouldn't want me to just exist. He would want me to live, to find purpose again."
Zoya listened intently, drawing strength from Genya's words. "And did you?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Genya nodded, a small smile touching her lips despite the sadness in her eyes. "It took time, Zoya. Time and the support of friends like you. I found solace in helping others, in channeling my grief into something meaningful."
"You did everything you could," She murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair from Zoya's tear-streaked face. "He knew that. Nikolai knew."
"But it wasn't enough," Zoya whispered, her voice filled with anguish.
Zoya swallowed hard. "I want to honor Nikolai's memory," she admitted, her voice wavering. "But right now, I don't know how."
Genya reached out, squeezing Zoya's hand gently. "You will," she said with quiet conviction. "In your own time, in your own way. And until then, I'll be here for you, just like you were there for me."
They stood together in the alcove, the two women bound by grief and resilience.
As the morning light grew brighter outside, casting long shadows on the palace walls, Zoya felt a flicker of determination ignite within her.
She would carry on for Nikolai, for Ravka, and for herself, knowing that though his physical presence was gone, his legacy would endure in the strength of those who loved him. With Genya beside her, offering silent support and understanding, Zoya took a deep breath, ready to face the challenges ahead with newfound resolve and purpose.
I had a little bird, Its name was Enza. I opened the window, And in-flu-enza.
Este momento de hiseria colectiva es auspiciado por @L8news :P
Papá: Tú por donde estás viendo las noticias de la influenza?
Juan: Twitter B)
Papá: Han dicho algo nuevo?
Juan: Que puede que se convierta en pandemia y que el jefe del museo de antropología murió y hace 2 semanas se había visto con Obama
Papá: Mierda! *Va por el celular*
Papá: Hayi (mi mamá) Hayi! Murió el jefe del museo de antropología de México y había estado hace dos semanas con Obama!
Error en la Cortina de Humo
Como varios de ustedes saben, llevo desde el viernes reportando las últimos detalles del N1H1 sin fines de lucro (al menos que se confirme científicamente que el chisme en estado puro implica lucro, en cuyo caso soy reteharto culpable).
Y desde el viernes mismo, 1º día en que el país estuvo conciente de la infección de gripe A, hubo sensacionalistas y cuentistas que salieron con teorías conspiratorias. Refugiados en el hashtag #cortinadehumo, estos *ejem* seres antropomorfos gritan a voz en cuello que la gripe mexicana es solo un tapale-el-ojo-al-macho creado por el Gobierno de México para esconder hechos misteriosos que ni ellos conocen.
Uno de estos hechos es la nueva ley de narcomenudeo. Ayer, de hecho, me ensucié las manos respondiendo esta subteoría en ReporteInfluenza.org. No obstante, se me sigue llenando de piedritas el hígado al ver que aún hay gente que cree que esta pandemia fue iniciada para esconder algo mas.
Así que vamos poniendo las cosas claras: quienes leen las noticias las leen y quienes no pues no, sin importar lo que pase en el país. Los que gustamos de estar informados no nos distraemos ni aunque lluevan chupacabras. Y aunque fuera así, la influenza solo atrajo mi atención a medios que me han reportado noticias como el reciente robo del casino MGM Grand, o la quiebra de Chrysler.
Si la Cortina de Humo tapa la atención, lo está haciendo mal. No niego que hayan existido antes historias estúpidas creadas solo para distraer. Ni niego que esta epidemia pueda ser usada para distraer. Pero de eso a decir que Felipe Calderón creó el N1H1 usando una lonja de Agustín Cartens hay MUCHO trecho.
En época de problemas, seamos realistas. Y lógicos. Una pena que el sentido común no sea tan común, Molotov dixit.
L8 News te necesita (o algo así :P)
(Advertencia: si quieren ir al grano de lo que L8 News necesita, ve al 4º párrafo)
Primero que nada, y perdón si esto no tiene nada que ver con el resto del post, dejenme presumirles el nuevo diseño de mi blog. *L8 presume y canturrea cual niño de primaria* Ejem, continuemos.
Ya van como mil veces que les comento de L8 News, ese proyecto semi-improvisado que he usado para compartir información de la influenza.
Empecé L8 News (o L8N, para ahorrarme letras como el buen twittero que soy :P) para retransmitir notas que de todos modos yo buscaba y que de todos modos no me costaba tanto retransmitir. Empecé twitteando sobre un tiroteo en Reynosa y desde entonces L8N ha hablado de casi cualquier cosa: de los Óscares al April Fool's, del #AmazonFail al virus Mikkey.
Ninguna de las coberturas anteriores de L8 News duró mas de un día. Ninguna requirió tanto. La epidemia de influenza, en cambio, ha durado mas tiempo (y lo que faaaaaltaaaa). Así que necesito hacerles una pregunta: ¿Cuando creen que debe terminar la cobertura de L8 News? ¿El 7 de mayo, tras el regreso de actividades de prepas y universidades en el país? ¿El 11 de mayo, tras el regreso de primarias y secundarias? ¿Hasta que se declare que terminó la contingencia?
Cualquier opinión es recibida. Bueno, cualquiera que no incluya link a ofertas de Viagra. Quiero saber hasta donde estan ustedes interesados en todo este problema y hasta cuando aguantan. Se aceptan también críticas constructivas ;)
Ensayo sobre el ensayo sobre la ceguera
El día del inicio de la alerta de influenza compré, mas por hambre de lectura que por humor negro, el libro 'Ensayo sobre la ceguera' del escritor José Saramago. Quizás sea por eso que tengo el pensamiento mágico de que tan pronto lo termine de leer "se acabará la influenza" (ya se que no tiene lógica ni que se termine de tajo la enfermedad ni que MI lectura tenga algo que ver, pero no es mi culpa que asi funcione el pensamiento mágico ¬_¬).
El libraco es casi-ideal para estos tiempos en los que los mexicanos no nos logramos apartar de las noticias del H1N1, ya que trata de una epidemia de ceguera "blanca como la leche" en vez de la típica ceguera que ni es clara como el día ni se pega como si fuera una enfermedad.
Del libro en sí, puedo decirles que carece totalmente de separación entre párrafos y reglones, lo cual marea a tal grado de que aún hoy no me he acabado el libro. De hecho, si no fuera porque antes me había leído 'Las batallas en el desierto' de Jose Emilio Pacheco habría tirado el libro de Saramago a la basura pensando que estaba defectuoso -_-U
La diferencia entre Saramago y Pacheco es que en 'Las batallas en el desierto' el estilo literario de todo-pegado ilustra de manera atinada y entretenida los pensamientos del menor de edad que protagonisa. Nada mejor para ilustrar los pensamientos y percepciones de un niño de primaria que escribir todo mezclado con todo, haciendo honor a ese estado de dopaje permanente que Johnny Deep mencionó una vez. En cambio, el mismo estilo en 'Ensayo sobre la ceguera' hace que las palabras se agolpen entre si sin conectar los golpes, como ciegos dándose de golpes >_<
Eso si, una vez que te acostumbras, es un libro genial :P
Cuando termine de leerlo les aviso para que vayan a formarse al IMSS a apartar su vacuna (?).
2009 por la mitad
Hoy ví "Up" y llegando del cine hice RT a un iraní sobre la muerte de Michael Jackson. La frase del párrafo anterior es, por mucho, una frase que casi APESTA a 2009 (aunque quizás le falta alguna referencia a la influenza, al voto nulo o las netbook). Viendo este año "a nivel de cancha", 2009 no se ve tan trágico como se sospechaba. No niego sus puntos malos: al otro lado del mundo, un pueblo lucha por el sagrado derecho al voto (mas sagrado que el Ayatola mismo, lo cual es mucho decir) y de este lado se sufre una crisis económica-sanitaria que, en los números, se parece cada vez mas a la de 1994. Sin embargo, a pesar de lo que yo mismo pronistiqué hace 6 meses, el 2009 no huele a sangre ni mucho menos. Hasta ahora, el '09 me ha parecido mas uno de esos meses que crean flashbacks que casi casi son marca Disney. Supongo que siento eso porque estoy a medio verano. O lo siento porque el 2008 fue un año tan difícil que el 2009 no llenará sus zapatos. O lo siento porque me acabo de tomar un frappuchino mocha alto de un solo sentón y la cafeina me traiciona xD Pero el punto es ese. 2009 me huele a año maravilloso aún con el narcotráfico y las muertes en Irán. Y para ser sincero, eso me hace sentir culpable. Este no es el 2009 que esperaba, y lo peor es que me está gustando.
El fin de L8 News
@L8news, mi cuenta de Twitter con noticias de México y el mundo, ha estado funcionando desde febrero de 2009, teniendo un especial aumento de actividad desde el inicio de la alerta de influenza AH1N1. Aquellos eran tiempos difíciles y se necesitaba compartir información.
Conforme avanzó la alerta sanitaria, conforme esta se fue deslavando hasta quedar en evidencia la exageración de los hechos, empecé a pensar en dejar atrás L8 News. No eliminar la cuenta, sino tenerla a la mano cuando una situación de la talla resurgiera.
Les pedí consejo a mis followers. La respuesta mas frecuente tanto en replies como en el blog fue que debía esperar a que la contingencia pasara.
Han pasado 11 meses desde entonces. Debo admitir que seguí con L8 News más por inercia que por conservar mi palabra. El proyecto cobró fuerza propia (y a veces hasta voluntad). Poco a poco fui cubriendo más y más eventos. Lo que en un principio fue cobertura solo a la influenza se terminó bifurcando en terremotos, reyes del pop, derrocados, más terremotos y más derrocados.
El problema es, no obstante, que ya no puedo más.
Esto no se trata de que la contingencia haya terminado o no (aunque la Secretaría de Salud de México tiene "buenas" noticias al respecto). Esto tampoco se trata de que tenga o no empleo. Simplemente siento que me veo superado física y moralmente para seguir con este proyecto. Repito, este proyecto tiene vida propia, y me siento incapaz de dejar a lado mi vida para pasársela a L8N.
A nivel geopolítico, creo que este es el mejor momento para hacerlo. Recién acaba de terminar la fase 1 del registro de celulares en México, recién acaba de firmarse el pacto nuclear entre EEUU y Rusia, y hace algunos meses terminó el punto más delicado de grandes noticias como la crisis política en Honduras o el cierre de Luz y Fuerza.
Se que estoy dejando también historias sin contar. Se que falta MUCHO para que Haití, Chile y Mexicali se recuperen. Se también que Kirguistán no va ni a la mitad del camino y que no llevamos ni la décima parte de la verdadera historia de Paulette. Tómenlo de la siguiente manera: ya tienen algo que buscar en las noticias sin sentirse ajenos al mundo.
Si necesitan un poco de ayuda para seguir las noticias al estilo de L8 News, las oficinas están abiertas. Cuídenlas, revísenlas, y si encuentran algo grande no duden en avisarme para revivir temporalmente L8N.
L8 News no muere hoy, solo finaliza. Y no se preocupen si no vuelve pronto. Preocúpense mas bien cuando exista una noticia que sea materia prima suficiente para que vuelva.