The similarities between Andreas Pietschmann's character in 1899 and Kenneth Branagh's character in Wallander (personality wise) are making me feral. Pathetic, miserable, sopping wet and utterly broken.
Summary: Last chapter, Maeve's flat was in ruin and she was nowhere to be found. In this chapter, we finally meet the murderer, and the reasons for why are starting to unravel.
Warnings: Brief mentions of abuse and death (it is a murder mystery) and suicidal ideation.
Characters: Magnus Martinsson, Maeve (OC)
Chap 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
*guards (gardai) - Irish term for police - Eoin is Gaelic for Owen*
(gif not mine)
Magnus’s phone rings just as he hops out of his car. “Martinsson…I’m just about to -”
Kurt cuts the young man off, “Get back to the station quickly, Magnus, we’ve got another missing girl.”
______________________________________
Maeve groaned as she came to, her head spinning as she slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry and her head and neck hurt. The young detective surveyed her surroundings, her heart sinking when she realized she was tied to a chair in some dank, dirty cellar with only one bare bulb hanging from the ceiling. A set of wooden stairs was off to her right, just a few feet ahead. Her eyes sweep over the rest of the room, looking for anything that might be an escape. She could only see a window in the far corner, though it was too high to climb up to. Maeve sighed heavily, muttering under her breath.
“You’re an eejit, Maeve. An eejit…should have realized sooner.”
A rattling sound catches her attention. “Connor, is that you? If you try and scare me, I swear I’ll -”
“C-connor?” comes a timid voice. “Who’s Connor? My boyfriend's name is Eoin...well, he's not my boyfriend anymore.”
Maeve could hear the all too familiar lilt in the woman’s voice, her heart rising in her chest right before it plummeted into her stomach. “Another one? Fuck…erm, hello? I’m Maeve. What’s your name?"
From a few feet away, a mane of red hair pops out from an alcove under the stairs. Maeve could see that the young girl’s hands were tied to one of the pillars and that her face was streaked with dirt and tears - clearly, she had been there a while.
“I-I’m Esmi. Do you know what’s going on?” her voice was trembling. “Eoin and I were so happy together and then he started yelling at me for every little thing. After one particular argument, he slapped me across the face…and the next thing I remember I was tied up down here. I don’t know how long I’ve been here. When the lights went on, I thought I was saved. But,” she hissed,” it was only him bringing some company for me. Who are ya anyway?”
“Er, I…I’m part of the Guards in Ystad…”
The other young woman snorted. “Oh yeah, and I’m the bloody president of Ireland. At least the Gardai back home know not to get caught by homicidal eejits! Now I will never see my home or family again.”
A loud, creaking sound broke through the conversation, followed by a succession of more squeaking floorboards. Maeve swore under her breath when she saw a pair of black boots descending, knowing that their owner would soon be appearing.
“No, my darling, Esmi, you will not be leaving anytime soon. I am afraid that you were simply a means to an end and you will still have to die, however, not as dramatically as I had planned.” Connor smirks at Maeve. “It will be your death, my love. That will be dramatic.
“I’m the one you wanted, Connor, can’t you let her go? This charade is over and it’s just between you and me. Leave her out of it. Please!”
The man laughed bitterly. “Ah, I do like hearing you beg, M. Just like old times… And I see you haven’t lost that bleeding heart I loved so much.” he looks between the two women thoughtfully. “Hm, maybe I will let her go free so that she can tell how you and I died together. Almost like Romeo and Juliet. It is quite romantic, don’t you think?”
Maeve gave him a look of disgust. “I am NOT going to die and certainly not next to your psycho arse! I was right to dump you when I did. You were controlling throughout our entire relationship and when I finally got up the courage to go to the academy, I knew it was the right thing for the both of us. I wasn’t going to be your puppet anymore and it scared you. You hit me, I remember that… I moved on but it seems you couldn’t. It’s a shame.
“How dare you!” Connor growled and rushed over to her. His face was inches from hers, screwed into a sneer, and put something cold and sharp to Maeve’s neck. “You broke my heart! I had to get even with you and it looks like I will. You will get what you deserve and I will be right next to you, watching the life drain from your face. Don’t worry though, I will join you soon enough in the afterlife.”
Esmerelda watched this whole thing in shocked silence, her heart thudding. At some point during their exchange, she wondered if Eoin, or Connor, was distracted enough that she could escape. This wasn’t her problem, it was a stupid “lovers' spat” that she had been unfairly dragged into it and all she wanted to do was leave. She pulls tentatively on her restraints at first, looking over at the other two to see if she’d been heard, then pulls harder but they won’t budge. Connor’s laugh startles the girl.
“Eheh, nice try, love. But you won’t be going anywhere,” he smirks, “at least not until you see our dear Maeve exit stage left. I want you to be there to witness the death scene and the mourning of a grief-stricken lover.” He tilts his head to the side. “Do you hear that, ladies? I do believe that’s the sound of an anonymous tip ringing through to the police station…if you’ll excuse me.” His laughter echoes ominously off the walls as he retreats back up the stairs, locking the door behind him with a clink.
Thanks always to my beta reader @lotus-eyedindiangoddess 😘
First Date Headcanons for Tom Hiddleston's Characters - Part 2
(Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters or images. This is just a fun listicle, not designed to offend anyone. As always, please feel free to leave comments and/or constructive criticism below. Thank you, and without any further ado, please enjoy!)
Click here for Part 1 with Will Ransome, Henry V, Loki, Bill Hazeldine, and Caius Marcius Coriolanus
Characters in this list: Jonathan Pine, Robert Laing, Magnus Martinsson, Oakley, Thomas Sharpe, Jaguar!Tom Hiddleston
Jonathan Pine from The Night Manager
Breakfast date
A date with Jonathan Pine would begin with him inviting you to share breakfast after his shift as night manager. The meal wouldn't be terribly decadent, but it would be beautiful enough for a
date.
(If this is set in the Hotel Nefertiti in Cairo, then breakfast might be foul/ful or taameya (which are made with fava beans) or whatever was left over from the hotel kitchens. And if this is set in Hotel Meister in Zurich, then breakfast would be bread, margarine, marmalade, and hot chocolate.)
"Are you tired after a long night?" You gently asked while he placed some food on your plate.
Jonathan let out a chuckle. "I'm used to it." He filled his own plate, and then sat across from you. "What do you enjoy doing most at night?"
"Aside from sleeping?"
"Sleeping only makes up a third of a person's life," Jonathan replied without missing a beat. "There must be something else you like to do after sundown."
Jonathan would be very courteous, asking you about where you were from and what you enjoyed doing. He would not reveal much about himself, merely saying that he left an army career for an occupation that was much more 'quiet'.
After the meal, Jonathan would be happy to accompany you for a small stroll or he would escort you to wherever it is you wanted to go. Before saying goodbye, he would gently hold your hand and sincerely thank you for your company, hoping to see you again soon.
Robert Laing from High-Rise
Going out to the restaurant in the high-rise
A date with Robert Laing would begin with him picking you up from your apartment (which is also located in the high-rise) at about 7 or 8 PM. He'd be dressed to the nines, wearing a grey suit and a gold tie, with his hair combed.
As a new resident, Robert wouldn't be very familiar with the fine dining places outside of the high rise. So he'd prefer to go to the one within the building (in my mind, it's also the place he frequently orders dinner from. He can cook, but doesn't prefer to do it often.)
Throughout the dinner, Robert would talk mostly about his work as a lecturer at the medical school. He would also ask about your apartment, how often you went to Charlotte Melville's parties, and where you were from.
"What do you think of the parties?" You asked while Robert cut his food with a fork and knife.
"They are…nothing like I have ever been to before."
"Do you go to many parties?"
"No," Robert replied, taking a bite. "I don't always have the interest. I prefer something intimate like this. In any case, I'm happy we could do this."
"Me too. Charlotte has said many good things about you."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "Did she tell you that I've been wanting to go out with you since that afternoon we met?"
After paying for the meal, Robert would walk you to your apartment. You offered to make him some coffee, saying it was the least you could do. Over two cups of hot espresso, Robert and you would talk some more, possibly falling asleep in each other's company. But in the morning, Robert would thank you for a nice time and help you get ready for the day before leaving for work. Of course, not without forgetting a kiss.
Magnus Martinsson from Wallander
Drinks at the local pub
A date with Magnus would begin with him picking you up after his shift at the police station. Depending on how much work there was for him, he might come to pick you up at a pretty late hour.
"Wow," Magnus gulped, watching you lock your front door and come towards his car. "You look fantastic tonight."
The two of you would go to the local pub and share a few pints, talking about work, the weather, and anything else that catches your fancy. Maybe if he's feeling like showing off, Magnus would play a round of billiards or darts (and hopefully win). And if you asked, he would gladly teach you to play, unafraid to hold you close while he tells you how to properly hold a billiard stick and shoot.
The date would end with a couple of kisses, and Magnus driving you back to your place. He'd bid you goodnight, and if everything went well, he would ask you when you'd be free for a second date.
Oakley from Unrelated
Swimming or skinny dipping at night
A date with Oakley would begin with the two of you sneaking to the pool after everyone else has either gone to sleep or retired to their rooms for the night. And tucked under his sleeve, Oakley would smuggle a bottle of alcohol from the cellar or a flask containing the ingredients of a Negroni. The two of you would take turns drinking, laughing all the while.
When the alcohol's finished, Oakley would quickly remove his shorts, t-shirt, and underwear and jump into the cool, still waters.
"Did you just…?" You gasped before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Of course I did." Oakley leaned his head back and treaded water. "It's so much more fun that way. Come on, love. The water's relaxing and the weather is still unforgiving at night."
Taking a breath, you jumped into the pool and waded towards Oakley. He whispered for you to relax before putting his arms around you and his lips on yours. Depending on how comfortable you were with him, Oakley would kiss you more, leaning you against the edge of the pool so he could nuzzle against your neck.
You can use your imagination for the rest ;)
Thomas Sharpe from Crimson Peak
Ballroom dancing
A date with Thomas Sharpe would begin with you meeting him at a party where he's either the guest of honor, or a party where the two of you are guests. He would politely catch your attention, drawing you away from your friends so he can have a word with you. With an innocent smile, he would make small talk, asking about how you're enjoying the festivities.
And when it's time for the dancing to begin, he would graciously offer you his hand.
"Will you grant me the honor of sharing a dance with you tonight, my lady?" After pressing a kiss against your knuckles, Thomas clutches your waist and begins to lead you in a swift yet gentle waltz.
The two of you would dance together for a few songs, not taking your eyes off of each other. And after that, Thomas would lead you to a less crowded part of the ballroom, talking to you about your family, about the things you liked (so he could remember in the future when buying you a present), and about where you were from.
The night would end with Thomas (and his sister) escorting you home as a gesture of courtesy, and a proper good night kiss. A few days later, you would receive a letter -penned by Thomas himself - about how much he enjoyed spending the evening with you, and how he would like to continue courting you.
Jaguar! Tom Hiddleston
Cocktails at a fancy lounge, and a long drive at night
A date with this Jaguar villain would begin with him inviting you to drinks at an exclusive club in downtown London. Showing off his influence, he would get a room just for the two of you. After a few bits of small talk, he'd move closer and whisper in your ear just how pretty you are, sending chills down your spine.
"You look absolutely ravishing tonight, darling," he purred, placing his hand against your lower back. "After you finish that drink, what do you say to taking this elsewhere? Surely you must be wanting more…"
He'd take you for "a spin" in his Jaguar only for you to end up on the road at nearly 140 kilometers per hour. Little did you know, he actually had some pretty interesting cargo in the dicky - the type of cargo that police might be attracted to.
"Don't worry about the sirens," he told you excitedly, as if he were a child on Christmas morning. "It just adds to the excitement!"
Is there anyone who’s watched BBC Wallander at all recently who is interested in being my read-along person on an in-progress Kurt/Magnus story that may or may not ever be completed?
It's just moments now, Dad. Everything. It's just moments now. They don't join up. What don't? My memories. My life doesn't join up. I can't remember.
Someone else will remember. Someone will remember for you.
