Dr. Briana Jackson 🏴‍☠️
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baladria.bsky.social
Dr. Briana Jackson 🏴‍☠️
@baladria.bsky.social
2.9K followers 860 following 6.1K posts
Egyptologist ⛏writer ✍️ archaeogamer 🎮 39 👵🏻 OFMD 🏴‍☠️
- Egyptian OFMD art & essays
- Please Let Me Hold You 🌵🦉

🔗: https://www.brianacjackson.com/biolinks
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baladria.bsky.social
I began writing Please Let Me Hold You while still living in Egypt. It's now past midnight there, which means it's officially the 1st anniversary of our beloved cactus boys. Here's a WIP for the next chapter & a link to the fic. I'm feeling emotional. 🌵🦉. #OFMD

archiveofourown.org/works/606381...
Leaving Ed’s apartment Sunday night very nearly felt like the hardest thing Stede had ever had to do. They kissed slowly and deeply over and over at the door as though they’d never see each other again and that it was a goodbye for eternity, when really it was a goodbye until Friday night when they’d see each other again. They spent the weekend planning how to schedule themselves since they both had to return to work and Ed had long and late hours streaming, while Stede had to work with Mary about scheduling the family, and they decided that Ed would spend Friday and Saturday nights with Stede at his house. It was so disappointing to return to reality after a glorious week spent solely with Ed, navigating new feelings and activities, figuring out how to be in love and wading through feelings of fear that Stede couldn’t let go of just yet. Ed understood, somehow. Perhaps he even felt a little fear himself, as it was he who said that taking it slow like this was likely the best for them. Not to mention Ed was in a new frame of mind regarding his career and personal life, and his growth. Stede had a lot of catching up to do in that respect. He felt like a newborn as he began to learn more about himself by the hour, including how resilient he actually was when faced with the challenges of his new family dynamic and the empty house that came with it. And then he knew. He knew he was, at last, ready to “do everything”, as he’d referred to it. But he wanted it to be as special for Ed as it would be for him. It was the final push he needed to reclaim the master bedroom. He resolved to take off all of Friday, and start his day extra early to prepare for Ed’s arrival Friday night, as was their routine now. He wouldn’t let on there would be a change in plans. He scheduled laborers through Task Rabbit to help him move his bed upstairs while putting in orders for Instacart shoppers to pick up several pillow forms of various size and enough battery operated flickering candles to make the shipper ask if he were preparing a Satanic ritual. Meanwhile, during the week he left early from work to visit his favorite linens store where he picked up royal purple silk sheets, decorative pillow shams and accent pillow covers in shades of rich red, and a very exquisite and indulgent cashmere blanket with a paisley design in royal colors of green, blue and golden yellow. Stede would typically have considered the blanket a garish contrast to the purple sheets, but Ed looked so striking against these colors. He wanted to build Ed a veritable nest of softness and warmth that he could luxuriate in while Stede held him close and looked into his eyes, and fulfilled the desire that he’d stored so patiently. How divine he would look amid these fabrics, an ornament of Stede’s bed, pressed onto the soft mattress and pillows, skin glowing golden in the candlelight. Ideally, the candles would be real, but Stede preferred not to test fate, which would, with his luck, culminate with Stede and Ed sucking air in through an oxygen mask, wearing nothing but a foil emergency blanket, while an exasperated fireman lectured them about the dangers of unattended candles.
November 16, 2025 at 10:51 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Progress of new sweater in wool!!
Photograph of a knit sweater in progress made with green wool yarn
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
baladria.bsky.social
The winner of the 3 keychain set is @chaoticreader.bsky.social YAY! 🥳 I'll be in touch!
November 16, 2025 at 6:12 AM
baladria.bsky.social
We have the Egyptian OFMD winners! For the card deck, the winner is @adhdedteach.bsky.social 🥳 Many congrats! Let's be in touch! ❤️

Many thanks to everyone who submitted their name to the raffle! And most of all, thank you to the anonymous donor!
November 16, 2025 at 6:12 AM
baladria.bsky.social
My back yard of the only pocket of the universe that does not get northern lights, possibly also drowned out by my neighbor’s stupid garage lights 🙄. Anyhow, I’m starting the wool sweater already, but a different pattern this time.
Photograph of a knit sweater in progress, showing the ribbing of the collar
November 13, 2025 at 3:27 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Sweater is done!!! It was very nice practice. I’m ready for wool now!! Should’ve made the sleeves longer and the neck is weird, but not bad for a first go, eh?
Photograph of a gray sweater with yellow, orange, and red stripes lying on a wooden floor Photo of a woman wearing a gray sweater with yellow, orange, and red stripes.
November 12, 2025 at 6:32 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Ok so...I have grand plans to make a robe a la francaise of Stede's blue suit. But also, god damn it, these DIVAS from Versailles have me trying to source fabric so I can have these outfits too...I think I want to officially be a robe person. My brand of weird at Egyptology conferences...
Screenshot from the tv show Versailles showing the characters Philippe Duc d'Orleans and the Chevalier de Lorraine wearing a blue and blue & gold chinoiserie wrapping gown, respectively. Screenshot from the tv show Versailles showing the character Philippe Duc d'Orleans wearing a light blue brocade 17th century suit.
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Ugh I uploaded a PNG. The OFMD logo hieroglyphs sticker would be a circle
OFMD logo in hieroglyphs with Egyptological transliteration and English translation
November 9, 2025 at 11:25 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Sigh. So anyway. In case anyone's wondering what my fave card is, it's Jack! Everyone will get free stickers: Stede in battle jacket w/ words "Given strength forever and ever", Fish-Man Ed & Stede, & sluts flag in hieroglyphs. And is there interest in a #OFMD sticker in hieroglyphs?
Photograph of a trading card with OFMD character Calico Jack drawn in ancient Egyptian art style, and a sticker of Stede in ancient Egyptian art style wearing his yellow robe, a sticker of the sluts flag written in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, and a sticker of Ed and Stede drawn as Mesopotamian fish men. Photograph of a trading card about OFMD character Calico Jack with a micro essay. Text reads: Calico Jack. Jack is dressed in a long, fringed robe worn by the Naharin, people of modern Syria, as shown in art of the New Kingdom that shows such people as captives, even when they were on good terms with Egypt. Jack is also wearing a necklace decorated with the hieroglyph for tooth. He carries an ankh, symbolizing life, and a nekhakha, or flail, which, together with the crook, was carried by the god Osiris, believed to be the first king. He was killed by his brother Seth--as gods are always in various stages of screwing each other over--chopped into pieces and strewn around Egypt. Goddess Isis gathered his pieces again, except for his penis, which was eaten by a fish. The flail was also carried by fertility god Amun-Min, typically shown with an erect penis. Jack is joined by several jars of beer, which was a nourishing staple food in Egypt." Also there is a sticker of Stede in ancient Egyptian art style wearing his yellow robe, a sticker of the sluts flag written in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, and a sticker of Ed and Stede drawn as Mesopotamian fish men. Digital image of the Our Flag Means Death logo in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs with Egyptolological transliteration and English translation
November 9, 2025 at 11:23 PM
baladria.bsky.social
A sleeve!!

Definitely want a more streamlined fit than this so I’ll probably choose a different pattern for the next one and also try German short rows for better structure in the neck.

There are a few crappy looking parts on the back, so I won’t be showing the reverse 😂
Photograph of an in-progress hand-knitted sweater made of gray yarn with red, orange, and red stripes. One sleeve is missing.
November 8, 2025 at 3:27 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Repost of this chapter in Please Let Me Hold You when oblivious Stede makes a PPT presentation to convince Mary to let down bad Ed carve the Thanksgiving turkey & he shares it w/ Ed's livestream 🤣 #OFMD

Find all 7 slides and the chat's loud & crazy reaction here: archiveofourown.org/works/606381...
Slide from a powerpoint presentation showing hands carving a roast turkey. Text on a dark gray background reads "Turkey carver nomination Edward Teach" Slide from a powerpoint presentation with dark gray background. Heading text reads: Ed is talented with his fingers. Below this are three icons showing a video game controller in a yellow circle, a pair of scissors in an orange circle, and a spoon in a tan circle. Below the controller icon are the words "video game controller". Below the scissors icon are the words "knitting" and below the spoon icon are the words "tiny spoons for tea blends" Slide from a powerpoint presentation with dark gray background. Heading text reads: Ed is determined and accomplished. Below this are three icons showing a stack of books in a yellow square, a succulent plant in an orange square, and a ball of yarn stuck through with two knitting needles. Under the books icon the text reads "Completed the summer reading club and wrote 5 review essays of incredible length". Below the succulent icon the text reads "Successfully raised succulents from seed". Below the yarn ball icon the text reads "Knitted a scarf and doily (and currently a secret thing he won't show me)" Slide from a powerpoint presentation with dark gray background. Heading text reads: Concluding remarks. Below this are three icons showing a sword cleaved in rock, a yellow dress, and an orange smiley face. Below the sword icon the text reads "He's done a lot for this familu and he deserves the honour". Below the dress icon the text reads "Probably looks good in an apron". Below the smiley face icon the text reads "It would make him really happy."
November 7, 2025 at 7:04 PM
baladria.bsky.social
We're going to have a bit of a stretch sans cactus boys updates because the next chapter will be big in lots of ways and it will take time, but I do have a #WIPWednesday for you... 🌵🎮🧶
Screenshot from an OFMD fanfic titled Please Let Me Hold You. Text reads: “Well then,” Stede began, playfully poking at the opening of Ed’s knitting bag. “What new project do you have going on?” Ed nervously shifted from foot to foot, averting his eyes shyly. “Yeah, I guess maybe I should ask you if it’s okay first. And not, like…weird.” “Oh, I don’t know. Weird has been pretty good for us so far.” Ed chuckled and glanced up at Stede before looking down again and fiddling with the straps of his knitting bag. “Yeah, suppose so. Well…I kinda had an idea to make something for Alma. And Louis, too, because I’d want to make something for both of them. But, I thought a sweater for Alma. Something inspired by Tangled, so pink and purple, maybe with flowers if Ruthie can teach me.” “You…want to knit something for my children?” Stede asked in wonder, feeling joyful tears appear in the corners of his eyes at the thought. Ed’s cheeks reddened and he continued to fidget with the bag. “Yeah, well, because Alma kinda had something to do with us finally getting together, and…I dunno…thought it might be nice.” Lucius snorted, earning a glare from both Ed and Stede. “No, okay, like, I promise I think that’s really cute and sweet. But if either of you are going to be knitting things for getting you together, I think you owe me an entire wardrobe at this point.” Stede rolled his eyes. “Ignore him. Oh, Ed, I’m so moved you want to make sweaters for my kids. Of course that’s not weird! And they both will love them so very much, I know it! What did you have in mind for Louis?” “Something with a dinosaur maybe? Does he like dinosaurs?” “Oh God,” Stede groaned. “Yes, he’s in a paleontology phase. Thank goodness I studied Latin so I can pronounce all the names when I read to him. His favorite is a stegosaurus, if that helps.” Screenshot from an OFMD fanfic titled Please Let Me Hold You. Text reads: Stede glanced over at Ed as he turned the page of his book, blinked, lowered his book, and stared while a stirring grew in his pajama bottoms. Ed, with his braided hair over one purple silk-covered shoulder, was wearing his glasses and focusing intently on his circular knitting needles that looks quite small in his hands. His tongue poked out in concentration as he knitted carefully with the petal pink yarn of what would become Alma’s new sweater. Overwhelming passion pulsed through Stede’s body; the domesticity of the man he loved sitting beside him in bed knitting, the sexiness of his glasses, the knowledge that Ed was dedicating effort, time, and skill to make something special for Stede’s child in quiet gratitude for her role in bringing the two of them together. He wanted to spring upon Ed and kiss him until he swooned in his arms like an old Hollywood starlet. Ed paused his knitting and glanced over at Stede, clearly having felt eyes upon him. “Uh, hey,” he said curiously. Stede could only nibble his lower lip in reply, earning confused blinking before Ed finally realized what was happening and a sly smile creeping across his face. “Is this doing something for you, love?” Stede nodded slowly and swallowed, bringing a wider grin to Ed’s lovely face. He settled the knitting project on his lap and asked huskily, “Well, you gonna do anything about it then?”
November 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Like so
November 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
baladria.bsky.social
I’ve made it to the bottom! Now I just need to do 7cm of ribbing. I’ve decided I dislike ribbing because I dislike purl stitches. It’s annoying to bring the yarn forward and backward and I have to do this forever and I’m mad about it.
Photograph of a hand-knitted sweater in progress. It’s made of gray yarn with stripes of yellow, orange, and red.
November 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
baladria.bsky.social
I find that it’s difficult, now, to enjoy a tv show unless there’s two idiot dudes I can obsessively ship together. Versailles, my current beloved. I’m on my rewatch already for these two disaster boyfriends 😂
Actors Alexander Vlahos as Philippe de France and Evan Williams as the Chevalier de Lorraine from the tv show Versailles
November 4, 2025 at 2:54 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Wow I’ve finally reached the red stripe! Soon I can start on the sleeves!
Photograph of a gray sweater with yellow, orange, and red stripes still in progress of being knitted.
November 3, 2025 at 2:52 AM
baladria.bsky.social
Alas, no Halloween for me this year. Please enjoy these other looks from a few years ago! 😂
Photo of Briana dressed as Gretel from Hansel and Gretel in her NYC apartment decorated for Halloween Photograph of Briana dressed as Egyptian goddess Hathor with a red maxi dress and a headdress of horns with a sun disc Photograph of Briana dressed as Darth Vader but in a skin tight version of the costume Black and white photo of Briana with messy hair and black makeup around her eyes to look scary
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 PM
baladria.bsky.social
I set up the first book, called The Lords of Maat, as an actual 6x9" paperback and printed it via a self-publishing site (not published, just printed for me). This is the cover 🤣. In the great purge of 2022, I discarded it. Why? Because I decided I DIDN'T LIKE IT! Bye bye 15 years of work!
Screenshot of a cover of an unpublished novel titled The Lords of Maat, by Briana Jackson. It shows the Egyptian goddess Maat, kneeling with wings stretched in front of her. Above the title is a kheker frieze, and the background is a clay tablet with cuneiform writing.
October 31, 2025 at 9:25 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Happy Halloween! Resharing the Please Let Me Hold You chapter with the reveal of Stede’s Halloween costume AND their book club is about Frankenstein! The most adorable art ever by the amazing @pogonr.bsky.social #OFMD

archiveofourown.org/works/606381...
Digital drawing by Pogo showing Stede wearing a rosy maple moth costume and Ed wearing cat ears with cat nose and whiskers painted on his face. Ed is licking a lollipop and leaning on a desk. They’re standing in a library and there are rows of bookshelves and a cart of books.
October 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
baladria.bsky.social
I’m so excited over how ugly this is 😂😂😂

I’m officially knitting the body! Can’t wait for the sleeves part
Photograph of a knitted sweater in progress made of gray, yellow, and orange yarn
October 31, 2025 at 5:58 AM
baladria.bsky.social
I especially like this potential Christmas sweater… Tis the season!
October 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Omg I just had a thought. Now that I am learning to knit actual clothes…WHAT IF I made sweaters with patterns inspired by the Hyksos painting??? 👀👀👀
Facsimile drawing of a painting from an ancient Egyptian tomb in Beni Hasan belonging to a man named Khnumhotep. It shows two registers of migrants from the Levant. They’re wearing colorful patterned wool tunics and kilts and are traveling with donkeys and antelope. Some are carrying weapons and musical instruments.
October 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
baladria.bsky.social
Jumping on this post to specifically shoutout to @savernake.bsky.social for steadfastly reposting stuff and thereby being a real force in the fandom. I award thee an honorary Djed-pillar - the spinal column of Osiris meant to symbolize stability and the enduring spirit.
Photograph of a wall painting in the tomb of Nefertari, showing the god Osiris as a Djed-pillar with arms that hold ankh symbols and was-scepters
October 29, 2025 at 6:35 PM
baladria.bsky.social
This sweater is going to be so gloriously hideous and I can’t wait. 18 more rows until the yoke is complete!! I’m determined to squish the additional 72 stitches on these 80cm needles!
Photograph of a gray and yellow striped sweater in the process of being knitted. And orange skein and a red skein of yarn are situated to the right to indicate further stripes will be knit in those colors.
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 AM
baladria.bsky.social
🚨 To add to this FREE GIVEAWAY 🚨

Second place winner will receive these little guys. The entire set of Egyptian Stede, Ed, and Izzy keychains (2.5 inches).

Fill out the form via the link below for your chance to win the Egyptian #OFMD card deck or keychain set 😍

forms.gle/A72eu1f8CrUv...
Photograph of three keychains featuring Stede, Ed, and Izzy from Out Flag Means Death in ancient Egyptian art style
October 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM