#also my inner writer came out halfway into this

[eldritch-elrics]

control (2019) review

alright! i now have 45 hours in control and have beat the main game, both big dlc quests, and the vast majority of the other sidequests (except shüm fuck shüm). so let me share my updated thoughts!

short answer: it’s really good 👍

longer answer:

control is a weird one. while it is technically true that i've never played another game like it (i have never played a third person shooter before!), it also takes much of its inspiration from stories, art, tropes, and aesthetics with which i am extremely familiar. of course, that isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. but it did kind of add to my lukewarm feelings about it in the first couple hours. there is very little in control (at least in its beginning) that legitimately surprised me, which somewhat contrasts the ~deep, dark, mysterious, twists around every corner~ vibe it’s trying to cultivate. but i absolutely warmed up to it.

while i’m talking about the beginning and my hesitation surrounding this game, i should probably bring up my only major grievance with control: the way jesse is written. i’ve joked many times that cutting 80% of jesse’s inner monologue would make control a far better game. the thing about jesse is that she is very invested in her own role as Mysterious Protagonist With Dark Past. i cannot emphasize enough that the worst way to make a character feel Mysterious (in a non-comedic work, at least) is to have them think to themself about how mysterious they are and how they have to avoid telling people about their backstory and etc etc. the opening ten minutes of the game actively made me want to know less about jesse. i did not care about her backstory until maybe halfway through.

she also keeps a running internal commentary throughout the game that i think is written to make her feel “relatable” ( “ugh, i have to go do more tasks?” “i kind of hate that guy” sorta stuff) but instead feels tell-not-show-y as hell and also just plain obnoxious. writers have GOT to understand that in a visual medium, giving a character an inner monologue and/or running commentary is going to make them look like a dork. hades understands this. psychonauts understands this. hell, death note understands this best of all. i do not believe jesse is a dork. i think she’s supposed to be cool as hell. and she is! i just wish she were a little less Aggressively Normal. (though, to be completely fair, it is cool to have an AAA video game with a female protag who’s extremely normal.)

well, with that out of the way, let’s talk about some of the other stuff in this game.

on the topic of characters, i surprised myself with how much i liked a lot of the characters here. the animations are a little uncanny but the voice acting is just top-notch. honestly i cannot pick a favorite (human) character; they’re all really fun, and i came to really look forward to talking with them. (oh except trench. did not like watching his hotline things. he has the same problem as jesse: the narrative thinks he is too Cool.) i think emily pope, casper darling, and langston all really nail the “cool but also dorky” vibe in a way that jesse, alas, does not. speaking of dr. darling, i loved the decision to keep his involvement in the plot to the backstory, and have him only “speak” to jesse through prerecorded messages. (live-action messages too! how cool!) unraveling his entire deal was one of my favorite parts of the story.

goes without saying that ahti, the quirky janitor, is GREAT. what an excellent character. “finnish tango” is my favorite section of the main plot (along with ashtray maze directly after it, of course).

well, that is a perfect segue into talking about the main plot. i think it’s fine. idk. no strong feelings. the hiss are a fun antagonist. dylan’s interesting. there are some parts of the ending i don’t entirely understand but that’s all cool. yeah idk! i can’t say i was really playing the game to see what happened next in the main storyline. but i also don’t really have any complaints about it, other than wondering if i would have been more invested if jesse’s backstory had revealed itself more quietly & naturally.

meanwhile, the way control uses environmental storytelling is top fucking notch. oh my god. i LOVED collecting documents. hooooooly shit guys this is such a good game if you want hundreds of irrelevant documents. there is lore about EVERYTHING. some of it is important to the main story. the vast majority is not. you gotta sift through it and piece stuff together. there’s a lot of stuff that’s just there to make the world a little richer. and the overwhelming bureaucracy of the bureau really makes me believe that they would have vast amounts of documents describing all of it.

in general, the stuff about the FBC and the oldest house is where the story really shines. it’s equal parts fucked up government agency & group of people who is actually doing important work. (well, maybe with an emphasis on the former. though i kind of wish there was more direct political commentary in the game...) i loved the unethical science, and all the disagreements about scientific method (hi underhill), and just the vast amount of history everywhere.

it helps that the number one appeal of control is its environments. obviously the game is gorgeous. i love its sinister brutalism, its use of color and light, the surrealist parts, just everything. it’s one of those games that well-balances realism with having a striking artstyle. but, of course, one of the biggest delights in control is how tactile the environment is as well. the part where i started liking the game was when i got the launch ability and could interact with just about anything. and then i started REALLY liking the game when i got to the maintenance sector and saw just how serious the worldbuilding was. not only are practical concerns like “how does the FBC process energy” taken into account, those questions also form the basis for hugely complex rooms with an insane attention to detail. goddamn.

ok well with the launch ability i suppose i should talk about the gameplay too. it’s very fun! since i was playing on controller, i wasn’t a massive fan of the shooter parts, but as soon as i got an ability that locked onto targets it was like yes. this will be my primary weapon for the rest of the game. and it was. (also the gun pierce. i love you pierce.) the movement is also great. and the other abilities. seize! is really fun! and it is so awesome to fight in environments where you have to take the environment into account even more than usual, since you’re launching stuff all over the place!

(edit: i have just now remembered one more thing i really didn’t like about the game: the obnoxious quest ui that just stays on the screen! i am a seasoned player of video games; i can tell what i need to do next without having a big message on screen at all times. and if i can’t, that’s what the missions menu in the pause screen is for! i turned off that ui very early on and completely forgot about it.)

i think the sign of a great game to me is one that makes you want to do the sidequests. boy i wanted to do the sidequests. i wanted to discover shit! i wanted to do all the fetchquests! i didn’t care at all about the rewards! the whole mold thing was an especially fun & challenging part, and i really liked confronting silly altered items. it’s also an interesting choice to lock many of the major boss fights behind sidequests. i won’t say much about it for spoiler reasons, but hands down my favorite character in the ENTIRE game is former. i love former with my whole heart. oh my god. best beastie in the world. (or, uh, not in the world. idk.)

one thing i will say about the gameplay, though, is that inventory management was a bit tedious. i could not get rid of mods fast enough (and i got so much money from that LOL) and there were so many of them that getting one didn’t feel particularly special. though yes, i did try to pick up every collectible and chest i saw.

finally, about the dlc!

investigations sector felt a little bit like a hamfisted crossover, but other than the alan wake stuff i was pretty into the execution. i really, really enjoyed the stealth sections, and just the general horror throughout.

the foundation is EXCELLENT. i liked the story of the foundation far more than the story of the main game. aesthetically sublime. great lore/backstory that keeps you intrigued but never gives too much away. FORMER IS THERE. contains “found footage,” one of the best short sidequests. there is a secret astral bathroom. it’s great.

overall, control is pretty good. as a story about a fucked up house it very much fits into my realm of interests, and i generally think it’s fun, interesting, and well-polished. i don’t play many AAA games, but wow, you can absolutely see how the big budget helped this one. would recommend.

#my post #control #control game

[r2tmit]

OISB Kamen Rider Franchise (pt 1 of ?)

I have been into Kamen Rider about since I found myself in college stumbling onto Den-O and Gekiranger at the same time and stuck very close to it ... uuuup until I tried to review it weekly on youtube.... Had tried to catch back up but, basically have been out of the loop since Reiwa era started... anyways, spoiler warnings for Ryuki, Ghost, and Zero One

I accept Precure Black as an honorary Kamen Rider, and anyone who has a problem with Precure anyone being included, or a woman can't be a Kamen Rider, you can talk to mister Black RX about that

I really... do not like Ryuki. I know it's a lotta people's fave, and it helped lead to Madoka and there are real good bits to it but I just... The first time the antagonist comes in to reset character development because characters were getting to friendly, to the ending that just, put a serial killer and arsonist back on the street I just did not like it.

Oh... I HATE Ghost. I don't think I'll ever hate a Kamen Rider series as much as I HATE Ghost. The writing bad enough that I can feel when different writers come on, or the lead disappears to work on the movie coming back only to introduce character details never a part of the story UNTIL they needed tie-in references to the movie. The editing even for a weekly low budget live action kid's show, glaringly obvious use of footed scrapped and redubbed over to give it the current story's context. The grating way that every time our hero died he came back stronger. How the first 'history fact' they introduce is literally wrong and it's documented Japanese history! How those two last points clash with the theme about 'the importance of inspiring people who light the future' as well as 'you only have one life to live'. The suits, due to having so much inner lighting going on just look bulky and the hoodies don't hide that. God and how they wrote the side characters- I need to move on, I literally spent over 40 minutes straight discussing my issues with Ghost before.

My favorite Kamen Riders, are not what I would recommend to people as their first, since Gaim, Faiz, and Fourze, are not structured written or directed like standard Kamen Riders and will not really help to familiarize people with the franchise

I am REALLY uncomfortable with the setting to 01. The 'happy to serve' slave android race, the main character being just an underdog president of a multi-billion dollar company going up against the evil rival who is evil because they are a multi-billion dollar company that is ALSO multi-national. The mangaka episodes x.x

Rider chip version of Kakusei is better than the base version, but the base version of Flashback is better than Rider Chip's

Full Force better than Lords of Speed

I'll never forgive parents groups for what Hibiki turned into at the halfway point

Folks keep swinging, and it's far from perfect, but Decade is still the best Kamen Rider anniversary series.

Toei are cowards for only putting up the first two episodes of near every Kamen Rider series on their global channel along with some rather low res versions of some movies and crossovers

Shout Factory, for the love of God, Buddha, and the Rider Kick, please work on expanding your Kamen Rider selection for streaming?!

#kamen rider #OISB #Opinions I Stand By

[strawberryspence]

Vienna

Angst | Spencer Reid x FEM! BAU! Female

Summary: Spencer meets the love of his life while Reader continues to the search for her love for life.

Word Count: 2,1k.

Warnings: angst, no happy ending, reference to having sex, lots of sentimental stuff, rossi has a part in this he was the only old OLD member

Writer’s Note: Hello! I am sad, so this happened... I wanted to clear up that I used the song Vienna in this, tho the meaning of the song is more of a “slow down, you have a whole life ahead of you.” I took the song and made it the direct opposite which for me is “find yourself and never stop until you find it. vienna (your destined destination) waits for you.” I didn’t edit this and I wrote it in one sitting so I am sorry for the mistakes. This is basically me venting out my emotions and I am not entirely sure if this made sense.

Spencer knew that you would change his life the moment you stepped foot in the BAU conference room.

You were a new agent with a fiery passion for the job. You were a Psychology Professor before quitting and took up Criminology and after that you ended up in the BAU. You were eager to learn, always on the go and was always energetic to do any job Hotch gives you. You had a heart of gold and would do absolutely anything for anyone in the team and Spencer was in no doubt completely in love with you.

It took Spencer a year and a month to finally ask you out. By this time, you were already close. It wasn’t hard to be friends with you, you radiate warmth and brightness and you were always so kind to everyone. He honestly felt embarrassed and weak. You were this amazing, strong person but Spencer... he was only Spencer.

“W-would you like to get dinner? Or... L-like coffee?” Spencer fidgets with his fingers, staring at his stained converse as it lines up to your black ankle boots. The contrast was jarring, it shows the two opposite spectrums of your personalities. When he looks up, your face was hard to read and it makes his heart beat harder against his chest.

“Like... a date?” Spencer watches as you chew on your inner cheek, something you do when you’re nervous or anxious.

“Yes... But if you don’t want to it’s okay! You can forget what I sai—“ Spencer raises his hand as a sign of goodbye, as the other grips his satchel. He turns halfway before you hold his catch his arms, stopping him from leaving.

“No! I want dinner! I mean, coffee! Whatever it is!” He looks back at you, a smile now forming in your face, and no matter how many times Spencer have seen it, it still catches he’s breathe.

“Really?” A grin starts forming in his face as he watches a shade of pink color your cheeks, “Yes. Tell me when and where. I’ll be there.”

The date was perfect. Spencer picks you up with a bouquet of daisies in his hands. You pick one of the daisies, clipping it in your hair for the rest of the night making it hard for Spencer to look away from you for the rest of the night. He reserved a table for two in a small, quaint cafe. Even with the nerves Spencer had, the date went smoothly. You talked, he talked and it was just like any other day but this time it was a date.

That date leads to another one, and another one, and another one, until you both finally made it clear that you two were dating.

It leads to numerous adventures.

To museums where Spencer becomes your own tour guide, where he teaches you everything he can teach you, where he watches you become one of the beautiful art pieces and where he realizes that he can take something so beautiful and surreal home.

To libraries where Spencer opens a book, any genre, and reads it you as you both take a journey to another world together, where you watch him read books that he probably already have memorized in the back of his head and where you realized that the world is so much bigger than you thought. More than anything it makes you itch for that world.

To movie nights which more often than so ends up with you on his lap, making out like you were both craving for something only the other can give. If it does, you both end up in bed, tangled in each other as both of you catch your breathe as you make love to one another. If it doesn’t, you both watch a movie chosen by the other and just sit in comfortable silence, cuddled into each others warm body.

To coffee shops where you both try as many different kinds of pastries, making a list of which one has the best pastries. The little corner shop down the street near the library is where Spencer learns that you liked croissants but only if they had chocolate in them. In the cafe down on 5th near the pet store, you learned that Spencer liked his blueberry muffin with cream cheese. The expensive, posh coffee shop in the high end street is where you were both kicked out for laughing way too much when you both realize that a muffin costs ten dollars each.

It leads to numerous sleepovers on Spencer’s double bed. Waking up to a new day with you was the best thing in the morning. Waking up tangled with your limbs all around him, waking up to you making him his favorite coffee and pancakes in bed, waking up to your naked body pressed unto him as you dream of him some place else.

It leads to home cooked dinners with silly dance numbers in the middle, warm hugs after hard cases and silent whispers of It’s okay’s, picnics in the park with packed sandwiches and it leads to five hundred, eighty one, forever treasured I love you’s.

One date leads you to numerous adventures and dates with Spencer.

But it was also a year and a month into the relationship when Emily video calls you both for a job offer in Interpol. She says, it would be a breathe of fresh air for the both of you. A new adventure. Together.

Spencer was set in his ways. Virginia was the closest thing he’ll ever have to a home and that’s because of the BAU. They were family. Penelope and JJ are the sisters he never had. Will, Henry and Michael was his extended family. Derek is his best friend and he loved being near him and Hank. Hotch and Rossi was the closest thing he’ll get to some kind of a father figure and he didn’t want to lose that in his life. He has long set his roots in this place, his home and he immediately shakes his head and declines.

He looks over you when the silence was to deafening to ignore and it doesn’t take a profiler to see the hesitation in your face. There was a spark in your eyes, the same one he saw when you first came to the BAU, the spark of excitement. You look at him and you see the way his eyes shines with sadness as he realizes that this was what you wanted. You shake your head at Emily and declines.

Emily smiles as she says her goodbye before reassuring both of you that there will always be a position open for the both of you in her team if ever anyone changes their mind.

That one video call leads to exactly six fights about the job opportunity. Spencer knew that you wanted to go and the selfish part of him wanted to hold unto you. So he did, he held, and he held, and he held until he couldn’t anymore.

Spencer stays late at the BAU one night. The two of you haven’t been the same since the job offer. You have left earlier to go home as he stares at the place he has called his home. Can he leave this? Was his love for you enough to leave everything he has known half his life?

“What’s keeping you here?” Spencer snaps out of the thought, looking up from his paper work to Rossi leaning over the railing right across his office.

“Nothing.” He looks back down, but he can see Rossi giving him a soft smile, “News flies fast around here.”

Spencer snaps back his head, “What?” Rossi nods, “We all know.” He continues to chew on his lip.

“I don’t know what to do.” Rossi walks down the stairs, walking closer to Spencer, “You remember Y/N’s first few weeks?” Spencer nods, the memory of your first week still vivid in his mind.

“You remember how before she was in the BAU she was a psychology professor? When she came on her first day,” Rossi smiles, reminiscing as he continues, “Remember how eager she was to do everything? There was this spark in her eyes and she was just passionate about the job and to learn?” Spencer nods again.

“Kid, in my life, I have met two kinds of people. The Mover and The Homebody. The Mover is the one who moves, they never get enough of the high that life can give, they go around looking for more adventures to learn and to help them grow,” Rossi looks down at him, a sad smile on his face, “Then there is the Homebody. Its not a bad thing to stay in one place. They are the ones who set roots in one place and grows in that place, they get comfortable and make that place in their life their home.”

“Are you saying I am a homebody? And Y/N is a mover?” Rossi forces a smile, giving his shoulder a pat.

“If you’re so smart then tell me, why are you still so afraid.” Rossi sings before giving him one last smile as he turns his back, not giving Spencer the chance to ask what he meant.

Spencer later learns from Penelope that it was a song written by Billy Joel. He asks Penelope if he can hear it by himself in her bat cave and she immediately agrees, leaving him alone with a song someone wrote in 1977 that perfectly fits and embodies you. As the final beats hit his ears, Spencer lets go of you.

The next twenty one days comes in a swift. Spencer stands in the airport as the team says their teary goodbyes to you. The team leaves to give the two of you space and privacy to say your goodbye.

“Spencer... I am sorry.” Spencer gives a smile. It wasn’t fake, there was no bad blood. He wanted to let you go, to go find the best version of yourself.

“This is what you need in your life to grow. I am happy for you.” Your eyes sparkle in tears as your heart softens.

“I’ll be back, if you are still in the same place as we are today, can we pick up were we left?” Spencer nods, as he opens his satchel and reaches in for a box.

You open it and inside is the same daisy you pinned in your hair on your first date, but it was dried and framed. You look up at him with questions in your eyes, “I stole it from you after our first date. I kept it for future purposes but it’s more suiting to give it to you right now.”

“Last call for passengers of flight 582 bound for London. Again, last call for passengers of flight 582 bound for London.” You both look at each other as the announcement rings through your ears

“I love you.” You whisper. Spencer gathers up all the courage he has and pulls you into one last kiss. His hands stays on the curve of your neck as he pulls you closer to him and as you snake your arms around his arms.

Spencer kisses you with fervour and fear. This was the last he’ll kiss you and if he had to tattoo it in the back of his mind he will. He will remember the distinct taste of your peach lip balm, the way your lips moves against him and how your hand presses hard on his back to pull him closer. Spencer pulls away when a voice in his head screams at him to not let you go. He had to let you go now before he change his mind, screams and beg you to stay with him. His heart breaks a little more as he sees tears flowing down your cheeks.

You pull him into one last hug and it sinks in, his holding you for the last time. He tries to memorize how your hands wrap around his neck and how you perfectly fit between his arms. Your body vibrates as you sob against him.

You pull away from him with tear stained cheeks and barely catching your breathe, you smile through it as you wave at him, “Goodbye Spencer.” You sobbed as you start backing away from him. You see him clench his hand as tears start filling his eyes.

“I can’t wait to meet who you’re going to be. Good luck, Y/N.” Spencer raises his hand to wave at you as the inches between the two of you grow bigger.

“Thank you. I love you.” You bid him goodbye before turning your back on him and running to your gate number. Spencer smiles through his tears as you give your ticket to the airport staff. You look back at Spencer and give him one last smile before boarding the airplane.

“Vienna waits for you, my love.”

-

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#spencer reid #criminal minds #spencer reid x fem!reader #mgg #spencer reid imagine #spencer reid x fanfiction #spencer reid fic #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x reader #spencer x fem!reader #spencer x you #spencer x y/n #spencer reid au #spencer reid angst #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid blurb #criminal minds blurb #spencer reid one shot #spencer reid fanfiction

[kirinda-ondo]

You know him, you either love or hate him (or are moderately confused by my sudden dive into this hyperfixation); we're talking about Orko because I have a lot of feelings.

As a disclaimer, I am not gonna claim to be some kind of superfan. I am not aware of every single iteration of the lore and all of its secrets. I don't know anything about the DC comics. I'm only halfway through the 2002 series as of me writing this. I am not someone you want to have discussions on the wider Masters of the Universe.... universe with. However, after watching Revelation, the entire Filmation He-Man (and some of She-Ra, cause he was there too), and going on a deep dive of storybooks, annuals, and minicomics courtesy of He-Man.org and the lovely people who submitted their scans there, I do feel pretty qualified to at least talk about Orko.

So, with all that being said, I'd like to get into a little bit of backstory, if only for my followers who came to this blog for completely different things and are wondering where the hell my love for this funky little wizard dude came from all of a sudden. Truth is, Orko is actually one of my earliest faves! Mind you, I only had limited access to Masters of the Universe as a kid, only seeing a couple of rented VHS tapes and later getting my hands on a small pile of the Golden Books from Goodwill, but apparently it was enough for Orko to  imprint himself into my brain. However, also due to my limited exposure, he kind of got shifted to the back of my head as I got deeper into other things. I still knew for a fact I liked Orko a lot though, even if I couldn't quite remember why anymore.

And then Masters of the Universe: Revelation dropped on Netflix. I'm not gonna get into my opinions of that show lest I open a flood of irrelevant discourse (for those uninitiated, it is a bit... divisive, to say the least). However my feelings on the matter did encourage me to go and watch the original and well, holy shit I love Orko more now than I could have ever comprehended as a kid. He is THE quintessential underappreciated comic relief character I tend to gravitate towards, and then some.

But before I get into that, let me back up a bit and explain. Orko is a Trollan, a race of magical little dudes that are basically floating sweaters with hats and covered up faces. Out of these Trollans, Orko is an incredibly fucking OP archmage. Like, they straight up call him Orko the Great, he's so powerful. But then, he gets caught in a freak storm that whisks him away from his home dimension and into Eternia. Immediately, he runs into a young Prince Adam, who is trapped in a swamp/tar pit and needs rescuing. Orko, being the upstanding lad that he is, uses his magic to save him but in the process loses the item that allows him to focus his magic to the swamp (in the 80s version, it's a medallion, but in the 2002 series, it's a wand). Worse yet, the magic (and dare I say the very laws of physics) in Eternia works pretty much the opposite as it does in Trolla, so he's been incredibly nerfed.

So basically, Orko is trapped in a topsy-turvy world away from friends and family, a world with magic he is fundamentally incompatible with. Ouch. He's not completely screwed, however, as he is rewarded by the king and queen for his heroism and appointed... the court jester. Double ouch. He surprisingly doesn't seem to mind though. He genuinely does enjoy entertaining people, even when his tricks only ever work like half the time because he's basically a Mac program trying to run on a Windows computer.

It's not all horrible though, as he does quite literally get adopted by the royal family  and thus sort of become the entire palace's weird son/little brother (despite being older than many of them. He's very, very child-coded largely for the purposes of being a stand-in and example lesson to the actual children watching). But also, more importantly, he becomes one of the very select few to know that Adam and He-Man are one and the same.

But outside of secret-keeping, he is actually a pretty valuable ally to have against Skeletor and his dudes because even though his magic is kind of screwed up, when it does work, he's still one of the most powerful mages on Eternia. In various materials, he's created floods, a second winter, and hell, he can literally explode himself and still be perfectly fine. He's also really clever and can weasel his way out of a number of situations. In one episode, for instance, he manages to convince someone that he's He-Man and Adam is his "assistant" in order to free him from captivity so the day has a better chance of actually being saved.  He's also got the ability to just be really frustrating and incomprehensible to the point that villains who capture him sometimes either don't want him or don't know what to do with him anymore, which is honestly really funny. In an episode of She-Ra, the villains tried to scan his brain but because the inner machinations of his mind are that much of an enigma, he got diagnosed a weirdo and broke the entire machine. Absolutely delightful.

However, there's a lot more to Orko than just comedy and bungled magic. He's actually surprisingly complex!

See, going into this, I expected Orko's whole situation be played entirely for laughs while the sadder implications of his existence go entirely unaddressed. Coming off the heels of characters like Cobalt and others I enjoy, I'm used to this sort of treatment by writers. But they actually don't do that. The depressing subtext is for once, actually TEXT, which was INCREDIBLY surprising to me. We actually get to see another side of him, a side that hates that he can't be taken seriously no matter what he does, a side that is well aware of all the trouble he causes and feels like a burden to those around him. He actually runs away on multiple occasions, fully believing that he's unloved and everyone would be better off without him, even if that couldn't be further from the truth (a point which the Sorceress hammers home with multiple straight up magical video presentations, and in the 2002 series, a literary adaptation, of why he is loved and important).

Underneath all the hyping himself up that he does, there's a lot of insecurity. He's someone who desperately wants to be loved and respected and feels that without funny magic tricks to entertain people, he has no inherent value (which is incredibly relatable if you are also known by people as The Funny One). At one point he agrees with the notion that he doesn't feel like much more than a pet, which is absolutely heartbreaking. Even when he gets the ability to go back and forth between Eternia and Trolla, his feelings of inadequacy now extend toward his family, worrying that his own uncle, the one who taught him everything he knows and greatly contributed to him being Orko the Great back home in the first place, wouldn't be proud of him. Being on Eternia highkey wrecked his shit, man.

However, even when given the opportunity to go back home for good, he always chooses to stay because he's loyal as hell. Even if he needs some reminders, he does know he's needed not just in the fight against evil, but just because his friends and newfound family genuinely love him. It's heartbreaking, but also incredibly wholesome. I did not even remotely expect a comic relief character like this to get this much depth and respect from the writers, especially not from the incredibly campy and cheaply animated 80s series. I am genuinely so unused to this.

But I think that's also what separates him a bit from his fellow Silly Kid Appeal Characters That Kids Fucking Hate ala Snarf Thundercats or Scrappy Doo. He not only makes a concerted effort to be an actually useful ally, but he's also in fact very self-aware of his status as one of these characters. He knows he screws up a lot but he actually tries to accept responsibility and fix it. It makes me wanna root for the lil dude. Now I understand if someone isn't a fan of the brand of humor he brings to the table, or feel like he's simply a distraction from the Cool Buff Dudes Fighting Each Other, but I hope you can see why he might also be a really appealing character to other people, both kids and adults alike. I mean, he was popular enough to be embedded into the canon despite originating from the cartoon and not the toyline for a reason, after all.

Orko is a fun, entertaining, but also complex, heartwarming, and relatable character. I know there is a faction of people that would disagree with me, but I don't think you need to change him all that much or make him a super serious character to be more appealing. He's already got a lot going on that a writer could easily work with. It all just depends on where you decide to focus. Take a lesson from the show and accept that he's fine just the way he is.

#kateh rambles #a defense of orko (aka 'i can't believe the subtext is actually TEXT this time') #i feel like there's more i could say but i can't get my thoughts organized let alone enough to have it flow with the rest of this #so there could be a part 2 at some point? maybe? i don't know #orkoposting

[universitypenguin]

Hey!! I wna start off saying that I love your writing style. As in I don’t usually reread fics/oneshots/etc. but YOU!! LOL I love you so much that I have read Restitution multiple times. My friends and I we all read stories on tumblr and have our own Marvel men to read. We talk/share the stories that we read and I non stop talk about Restitution. 🔥 I showed them some snippets of the smutty parts and they

They actually encouraged me to ask this, and I hope it’s okay to ask. You don’t have to write if you don’t want to. I think I’m only asking bc I’ve never read a really good threesome until I came across your story.

But I was wondering if you were gna write a foursome between Y/N & the three brothers one day? 🥵

LOL. ILYSM ✨

Have a good day!! Always stay safe. 💕

Hey!

Thank you so much for your kind message - you really brightened up my day! Getting a sweet ask like this is super motivating. I really needed a nudge to get me back into writing. There’s no need to be nervous about stopping by my ask box with something like this. I’m thrilled to hear how much readers have been enjoying my work. Re-reading is the highest compliment a writer can get!

I’ve wanted to do a foursome story with the Restitution characters, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.

My recent lack of updates isn’t due to anything negative. It’s mainly grad school stress. The program has become more intense this quarter, so I had to step up my studying game. It paid off the other week when I got an 84% on the midterm. 🥳 We just finished a module on physical chemistry, which I didn’t learn very well* in undergrad. To pass, I had to practice a lot. It fried my brain.

* “Didn’t learn very well…”

Translation: I had a professor who tested a lot on the math of physical chemistry and not the concepts. This allowed me to skate by on pure memorization. Not one word of P-Chem was retained in my tiny little brain.

I digress. The point is, trying to switch gears from my “homework” brain to my “writing” brain is sometimes difficult. Mostly, it hasn’t been happening.

The good news is that I can definitely move the foursome story to the forefront of my list. You chose a great time to ask - I’m on spring break right now!

I’ll probably be able to write a first draft over the next few days and work on editing it a bit later. I’d also love to get feedback from a beta reader (or beta readers, plural) who could help me edit out repetitive word choice, restructure unclear paragraphs, and other general things. If you or your friends feel comfortable with that, send me a private message.

Beta reader feedback would soothe my inner perfectionist’s nerves… 💕😬

Since you liked “Restitution” I’d love to share (ahem, by share I mean mindlessly ramble on) about what’s rattling around in my drafts folder! Mindless babbling about my WIP folder below…

I’ve got three WIP going at the moment!

Despite not having much time, I still manage to squeeze a little writing in. Whenever I have to wait or something, I’ll pull out my phone and write to keep myself entertained. All of these stories are on their first drafts.

First, there’s a one shot with Jake Jensen and a roommate reader, which is halfway complete.

The second WIP is about Andy Barber and a figure skating coach reader. In that story, Jacob has moved to another state to major in physics at a top tier university. He misses Andy, and is still struggling from the trial and loss of his mother. To help him, Andy moves to the area, choosing to live in a picturesque town a few miles away. The town held a Winter Olympics in the 1980’s and is famous for its skiing, snowboarding, and figure skating. Andy enjoys the change of scenery but as Jacob starts doing better he realizes how empty he feels. To compensate, Andy lets a friend set him up with a one night stand.

His date is a figure skating coach. She gives a fake name, because she’s worried he would recognize her real one. They only agreed to one night and no contact past that. Later, they end up thrown together by Jacob’s physics project at the ice center. Andy learns his one night stand is actually a former Olympic medalist who retired and moved to the United States to coach. He asks her out and she counters with a suggestion that they just keep it physical. Andy realizes dating has changed in the two decades he was married and decides to accept her proposition. He wants more than just sex, but doesn’t want to come across as too demanding.

The figure skating coach has good reason to keep Andy at arm’s length. Her life is a mess. Professionally, her coaching career is on shaky ground, and emotionally, she’s still dealing with the loss of her mother. Her time as a skater ended abruptly because of a highly publicized rift with her former coach. The woman who made her a champion is currently the focus of an international investigation. Her former coach has been accused of doping skaters, abusing her athletes, and extorting a number of skating judges. The reader is caught in the middle and fighting to avoid the spotlight. Investigators are on her case, the media keeps asking for her comments, and she’s turned into a pariah in the only community she knows.

Worse, past injuries have come back to haunt her. The dangerous jumps she used to do came at a physical cost. Doctors have a diagnosis, but she’s hesitant to accept their treatment plan. The damage can’t be easily undone and her career has to come first. With an investigation ruining her reputation, her career circling the drain, and health problems flaring up, the reader is in desperate need of a friend.

Andy is drawn into a web of lies, violence, and abuse, as the mystery surrounding his lover unravels. When he learns the truth about her past, will it ruin everything he’s hoped to build with her? The secrets she’s fought so hard to keep can’t be contained forever - but bringing them to light might kill her.

That story has kind of dried up at the moment. I know where I want it to go, but it’s not cooperating. Until that plot straightens up and does what it’s told, I think that WIP is on the back burner. Due the figure skating coach story stalling, I was bored. So this week I decided to set up a new story. My third WIP! (Someone should really be supervising me. Preferably before I start a collection of unfinished WIP’s. Usually I’m better about staying on task but grad school has ramped up my stress level recently.)

Anyways, getting back to the third WIP. In this story Ari Levinson gets assigned to a multi-agency undercover mission which takes place in a resort community on the Mediterranean Sea. He gets sent to work with a team of international spies due to his background with the hotel in Sudan. The agents are investigating… something important. (I don’t know what it is yet, we’ll find out when it hits the page🤗).

The love interest in Ari’s story is a banished mermaid princess. She has married off to a rival clan’s king because he was building a military. To create stronger ties and avoid being conquered, her father gifted his daughter to the rival king as a peace offering. This caused tension within her community because of changing ideas about arranged marriage. Part of her clan was outraged by the union and it splintered their kingdom. Marrying the rival king doesn’t calm tensions for long. He doesn’t allow her much contact with her family and is abusive. When her father suddenly dies, messengers come to inform her of his passing. The princess sees a chance to run and escapes her marriage. To keep her safe, her brother sends her to the surface world. She’s sent with three of his most trusted men, to a place beyond the reach of the rival king.

Ari’s agents are living right next to the mermaid princess’s home. He’s fascinated by his beautiful neighbor, and very interested in the living arrangements of three men and one woman. The princess’s guards are against the blossoming friendship between Ari and their royal. They can’t help their natural allure, though both have concerns about the other. Ari knows the mermaid’s unnatural beauty attracts him too much, to the point where it simultaneously rouses suspicion. He soon questions who the mysterious people next door might really be. The princess is drawn to the sapphire eyes man who exudes warmth and kindness. But she’s known enough violence in the past to distance herself from any potential entanglement. Her secret can never be shared with a human man. Ari has secrets of his own, and he’s guarding them just as tightly. But his mission and her past aren’t as far apart as one might think…

I’m 4,500 words into that at the moment.

If you’re still with me after all that rambling, would you let me know what story you’d like to read the most? The ask box is always open. I could definitely use some input and motivation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In conclusion, yes. I’d love to write a foursome about the Restitution characters. Thank you for motivating me with your ask! 🥰

I’ll start writing this weekend and edit over the next few days. If you or any of your friends would like a sneak preview, I’d appreciate a beta read! Also, please drop a comment (below or in the ask box) if you liked any of my WIPs.

Thank you!

❤️

#alice rambles #penguin replies #alice answers #my wips #too many wips #restitution #coming soon #(hopefully) coming soon #grad school #thank you for the request!

[crestfallercanyon]

You Don't Always Have to Kill Your Darlings

I feel like a lot of writers have heard the old adage: "kill your darlings". Referring to aspects of your work that you adore, but you can tell is slowing down the narrative/not conducive to the plot/a distractor/whatever flaw it is putting there. It's where that scene/aspect you love is actually more detriment than a positive (and the only reason it might still be in that manuscript is because the author is the one who wants it there) and it really should be removed in order to improve the quality of the story.

(it's probably also been overused or taken out of context, or something, but lots of people have heard this regardless of where it comes from and a lot of people adhere to it)

So, people tell you to kill it. Recognize it's for the good of the writing and nix 'em right out of there.

For some people, this might truly be the best method. But, something that I've come to learn, is that this attitude really started screwing things up for me -- and I've heard from others that it screws them up, too. Especially, funnily enough, when it comes to when I write fanfiction.

Now, the cool thing about fanfiction is that it is entirely for people's own desires of writing. So, you don't ever really have to do anything because you don't need to have the best plot/narrative/characters etc. Fanfiction is, in itself, self-indulgent, so therefore your darlings are essentially what you're making. Some people aren't writing fanfiction to write good stories. They're doing it because they have a plot bunny and want to put it out there and they're good knowing they wrote something. For some people, this adage will not and should never apply. In which, this post really doesn't pertain to you, go about your merry way, enjoy your writing and have a ball! I'm glad you're writing at all!

However, I actually started writing fanfiction to help me with my pacing in stories. It's a practice tool for me on writing anything, and I know I'm not alone in this. Lots of people write fanfiction also with the goal of getting better at writing in general. We work for the fics to be solid stories in and of themselves, and sometimes, that means adhering to some commonly said phrases for writing. Like: kill your darlings.

Except, I find that if I just outright kill them, sometimes I freeze on the entire fic.

Which is why, I, personally, think kill your darlings might be a bit too harsh a statement. Because there's probably a reason your author brain is clinging to the darling. Maybe it's self-fulfillment, but maybe it's also 'cause there's phrases/development/action beats in there that you find you did really well and want to include. To completely obliterate that from your sight is a disservice.

So, I make something that I call a darlings dump. I use scrivener, so it's just a little folder underneath the fic that I'm writing, but it can be anywhere. A file on your computer. A notepad, whatever. It's where you place the darling scene/character/moment/chapter and take it out of your fic so that it's no longer clogging up the works, but it's not completely dead. You can still go back to reference it. You can even reincorporate it or parts of it somewhere else. I find that this, usually, gives me great relief.

Sometimes, though, even doing that really screws me up.

Like, right now, I'm writing a fic that has one major theme/plot in it, and then two subplots. And about halfway through, I started adding this other subplot. It just kind of came to me, made sense, and I liked the way it highlighted a character's inner turmoil outwardly. It's a subplot that could probably be its own fic for this particular character if I gave it effort (and one day, I still might -- even though the idea of "reusing" ideas gives me hives, I'm trying to get over that). Either way, I noticed that it might be too much to have all of these things at the same time. A reader might get overwhelmed, or it might be detracting too much focus from the fic's main idea, or honestly, the fic might just get too damn long because this wasn't meant to be that long of a fic anyway.

Anyway, the realization that it might not belong in this fic made me think "man, I should really just remove it." So I did.

My writing brain acted like I was Indiana fricking Jones or Brendan Frasier from the Mummy and that I had taken out this ancient artifact and now I am damned. Suddenly everything was on the verge of collapse. All the traps were up and firing. Things started shooting from corners I could not see. If I moved forward, I would die. I could not write anymore. I had no idea where to go. It's not even like structurally the fic relied upon this stupid subplot and suddenly there were a lot of holes in the story. It didn't take me long to remove it at all. But somewhere along the way, my inner writer got really f@#!ing attached I guess, and for some reason I could not continue without having it there.

So I put it back. All the traps stopped firing, all the alarms stopped ringing. For some reason, this silly little subplot must remain or else this thing will never get finished.

So, I guess all this post was meant to say is, sometimes, screw kill your darlings. Or even removing your darlings. At least for the moment. Even if you notice that it's probably a darling and might eventually need to be removed, finish out what you're writing with all of it's little flaws in it.

That's probably why you're really not supposed to edit until the end, anyway (but I cannot help myself). Because sometimes, even though there's an aspect that's flawed and the fic might improve upon its removal, sometimes it's the thing that's keeping your writing drive even if your reader's eye is on it like Sauron looking for the ring. You're not going to forget that it probably needs to be taken out. But if it keeps you writing, for god's sakes, leave the flaws in, because if it's remove the flaws and never finish or finish it with all the flaws, finish it with all the flaws.

Right now, you are the only reader. You actually have no real clue what the eventual readers will think of your fic, and you will never know if you never finish it. So don't let everything you think the reader is going to be upset with stop you from finishing it out. Finish it out.

And maybe everybody already knew this, but I thought I'd post about my stupid mid-writing revelation. Because I imagine, other people have had to go through this, too. And it is a bizarre experience, but it was also a worthwhile revelation for me.

TLDR: a completed fic with a darling in it is better than a never-to-be-finished fic with all of its darlings taken out. If what's keeping you from finishing your fic is because all of your little editor-bots in your brain are screaming at you that certain things are too "much" for your fic, or for your scene, or for your character, shut the fricking bots down and write blindly into them anyway. If you're worried that it will be too much for the readers, right now you are the only reader, so write what you want to write anyway.

Killing your darlings can be a truly useful thing to do in order to improve the story, yes, but if it stops you from writing the story that's the most counterproductive it could be. In the end, if you want to write and finish the fic? Do what you need to do. Even if it's a darling-filled-travesty, hey, you finished it, and that's worth all the darlings in the world. (originally posted this on Reddit r/fanfiction)

#ficwriting #writing #writing tips #writing advice #writer problems #kill your darlings #or don't

[maxwell-grant]

Batman: The Idiot Root Part 2

Following @mirrorfalls​ ‘s ask and Part 1, in which I continue my look at the Batman storyline called “The Idiot Root” 

I feel a strange disconnect reading this storyline, in the sense that this comic is definitely hitting on some really, really good ideas, ideas that could make for a really gripping and incredibly disturbing storyline, but is passing them by too quickly for any of the ideas to sink in, which I’m starting to realize is a problem I may have with Batman comics in general.

But I’m definitely welcoming what this story has to offer. Peter Milligan really knows how to bring out the disturbing in Batman, and when paired with Norm Beyfogle it’s a winning duo.

...Huh, I guess Zeno is indian? Definitely doesn’t look like one, I just thought he was a random white dude getting too much focus. “Zeno” is not a Brazilian name, and I guess the intent was for it to be exotic on purpose? He did say he was “born here” when they arrived in the jungle, but...bruh, no

“my people”

Moving on

God, this should be harrowing and dramatic, and I feel like if this was a prose narrative you could get such delightfully unsettling descriptions of Crosby destroying the children one by one as the great horror from another world feasts on their minds and then the heads tethering him to this world explode as said horror bursts forth and talks about "dipping his tongue into all that succulent consciousness”, and I’m already sounding like I’m about to write a pulp horror story just describing it, but

but he looks so STUPID

he is just a GUY

I’m not even opposed to great horrors looking silly or ridiculous, I’m firmly in the “Mxyzptlk doesn’t need to be anything more than just a little guy in doofy clothing, and any attempts to make him “scarier” than he already is are hokey as shit” camp, but The Idiot’s not even that silly, he’s just a white guy in a straight jacket and a doofy haircut.

Like at this point I think the whole “Idiot” gimmick stopped being cute and funny and now it’s just frustrating and feels like it’s getting in the way of what could easily be a really, really great Batman horror story.

Not that it isn’t a GOOD Batman horror story or even nearing a great one, mind you, because this is still Peter Milligan with Norm Beyfogle at work, and they sell the hell out of the idea. But, again, it’s a couple steps short of being potentially the Batman horror story for the ages it could have been.

I do definitely like the “Zombies are the gateways to the real world” and the idea of a cosmic horror story where the great monster only uses the zombies as means to travel and sustenance, and the zombies themselves are just helpless victims. It’s almost like a Cosmic Vampire kind of thing.

Frankly, I would have liked it more if it was The Queen of Hearts from earlier that transformed into a cosmic vampire needing to hijack minds to survive, then you could blow up her inner struggle from before to greater proportions, as Batman tries to both save her as well as Rio from being consumed by an unholy abomination ever growing in power and bloodlust.

In fact, I’m gonna save this idea for later.

I get that De Freitas here is supposed to be a fairly typical “unsympathetic authority figure who doesn’t like the superhero and is going to be proven wrong by the story’s end”, and I’m definitely not about to start defending a cop character, especially a Brazilian cop, but I get the feeling that his constant remarks that he doesn’t trust Americans and their arrogance, and doesn’t trust American vigilantes, don’t quite make him as unsympathetic as Milligan intended. I absolutely think he’s right to be wary of Batman and to want this American superhero to stay the fuck away from Rio’s streets, which are more than enough of a handful to deal with as is without vigilantes and superheroes.

Well, I sure know who this asshole voted for in the last election.

To the story’s credit, getting torn apart by a crippling fear of birds is absolutely the kind of rushed, horror-movie finale that’s befitting The Idiot’s nature. It also means that The Penguin could kick this guy’s ass if warned beforehand of his capabilties and I absolutely want to see that happen.

Okay, I get that this is also very much an appropriate ending for a horror story, the hero finds a brief return to normalcy that’s forever tainted by an encounter with horror beyond imagination, and definitely not what I expected from a Batman comic, but...

That’s it? Batman just, left them? Didn’t drag the victims and Zeno to a Wayne Enterprises hospital to look after them, didn’t try and find a cure for their condition, didn’t stay in Rio to try and see where else the Idiot might have winded up, nothing? Didn’t even try to completely eliminate said idiot root from existence? Just, took a plane back to Gotham and brooded about it?

...Look, I don’t want to make this a pissing contest, I genuinely detest and never want to do those, but I gotta point that, in the one storyline where The Shadow encountered an ancient, all-powerful evil puppeteering the mindless husks of children to telepathically prey on mankind, the very first thing he did after temporarily putting it down was learn where it came from and travel halfway across the world to take a flamethrower to it.

And frankly I don’t see why Batman would have any reservations about doing the same thing, to a being that’s killed at least 60 people by the story’s count. But, really, he just feels bad about himself for a bit and leaves Rio (and Brazil by extension) to deal on their own with the potential return of a godlike murderous monster created by American machinations and perversions.

...Again, definitely wasn’t expecting that level of authenticity from a Batman story set in Brazil.

I guess overall I’d say I liked reading The Idiot Root, but it’s also one of those things that I keep having mixed feelings about due to the story not living up to it’s incredible potential. In regards to it’s depiction of Brazil, it’s definitely a lot better than I was expecting, considering the writer’s British and this is a Batman comic after all. I can definitely say there was some effort here (really undercut by the baffling decision to draw a supposed indian character as a white man but, hey, can’t win everything).

I can definitely say I’ll be mining some ideas out of this story for my own writings, thank you very much for introducing me to it. It’s quite fascinating, and if nothing else, if I ever get a job writing Batman, I’m definitely going to bring Mister Slim (under a more fitting name like Zé Magrão) back, definitely the most pleasing surprise from the book.

#batman #dc comics #peter milligan #norm beyfogle

[moldisgoodforyou]

There were so many good ones, but how about 37 or 54! Also, anyone being mean to you should go away. You’re an excellent writer and Charlie is such a fun, well developed character!

“oh. keep doing that.”

"you’re really bad at hiding how turned on you are.”

also thank you 🥺so kind!!! 

warnings: nsfw, 18+

in all fairness, she had started it. 

charlie was reading a particularly spicy book and took it upon herself to text jj a few of her favorite lines - no context included, just randomly throughout the day. he texted her a few warnings - including a “watch yourself, charlotte” - but that was all. she was a little disappointed, honestly, thinking she would get more of a response. 

strangely, jj didn’t mention it when he came to pick her up to meet their friends at their favorite mexican restaurant. he greeted her at her front door like always, giving her a forehead kiss before opening her car door as well. “hi, pretty girl. I like your dress.” 

“hi j.” she grinned, then hesitated. “that’s all you have to say?” 

he raised his eyebrows as he got in and started the car. “what else would I have to say? how was your day?” 

she hummed in response for a moment, hoping he would have acknowledged the texts. “it was good, uneventful.” she grinned, trying to test him. “yours? read anything interesting?” 

“hm. not really. boring textbooks, that’s all.” he replied, not budging. she gave up the conversation as he took her hand, pressing a sweet kiss to the back of it. the rest of the drive was in comfortable silence. 

_

two margs later, jj was beginning to get handsy as the alcohol got to his head. “where did that come from earlier?” he murmured into her ear, his hand straying to rest on her inner thigh. 

she pushed it away, gently, trying to play innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

he raised his eyebrows, keeping his voice low but loud enough for her to hear over the chatter of the loud restaurant. “you know damn well what you’re talking about. you had me hard in my marketing class, walker.” 

she grinned. “sounds like a you problem.” she then let out a soft squeak as he gripped her thigh hard under the table, pushing up the fabric of her dress. “j, don’t.” she warned, grabbing his wrist to still his motions. she could already feel the heat creeping up her face. 

“nah, no one’s paying attention. there’s a tablecloth here anyways. and we’re the only ones at the end of the table.” he reasoned, keeping his hand where it was as he reached for another chip with salsa, nonchalant. “plus, you were being a fucking tease earlier. and I think you deserve a little teasing back.” 

charlie swallowed, eyes going wide at what he was insinuating. “do I? I hardly did anything.” she relaxed her grip on his wrist slightly, allowing him to do whatever he wanted. 

jj smirked and walked his fingers up her inner thigh until he brushed his fingers against her core. “good girl.” he whispered to her. 

“jesus christ.” she breathed out, louder than intended. his frat brother elliott glanced up from his food and the ongoing conversation, giving her a puzzled look. “you good, walker?” 

she plastered on a smile and lifted up her fork from her (mainly empty) plate. “yeah, just - the food is so good.” 

she shifted a bit as jj nudged her thong aside and slipped one finger inside of her. 

elliott laughed. “don’t you order the same thing every time?” 

she nodded. quickly. “yeah! I just, uh, love the quesadillas. best I’ve ever had.” she got out, struggling to keep her voice steady. he nodded and went back to the conversation with the boys, completely ignorant to what was going on. 

"you’re really bad at hiding how turned on you are.” jj told her with a smug grin. 

“I’m not used to getting fingered in a fucking restaurant.” she bit back, keeping  her voice low. 

“it’s just a mexican restaurant.” jj corrected her, making her roll her eyes. he drew her wetness up to her clit, circling it with two fingers, and she grit her teeth. “oh. keep doing that.” she mumbled, quickly grabbing her margarita to hide her heavy breathing. she shuddered as she took a heavy sip that was mainly tequila - and as jj took the opportunity to plunge his fingers into her soaked entrance. 

“careful, charlotte. gonna give yourself away.” jj warned, lips brushing against her ear as he spoke - then nipped at her earlobe playfully. 

"j, you gotta - you gotta stop.” she mumbled, only halfway meaning it. 

“you sure?” he asked, somehow completely keeping his composure. 

she bit down on the rim of the glass to restrain herself as he traced around her clit again. “yes.” 

“yes...more?” he teased, continuing his steady circles. 

“no, I - stop, I can’t take it.” she told him a little more firmly, but was still disappointed when he withdrew his fingers. she sighed, shifting in her seat again (and ever thankful for the busy pattern on her dress that wouldn’t show how wet she was once she stood). 

jj smirked as he wiped his fingers clean on the napkin, then shoved it in his pocket to throw away later. he stood, setting a comforting hand on charlie’s shoulder. “hey guys, we’re gonna head out early - elliott, cover me and I’ll venmo you later?” 

elliott nodded, unfazed. “sure, you guys good? do you feel okay, walker?” he asked with a hint of concern, noticing her flushed cheeks for the first time. 

she nodded, forcing a reassuring smile. “yeah, uh, tequila is just getting to me.” she excused, standing as well and following after jj quickly out of the restaurant. “you’re fucking trouble.” she scowled at him the second they got out to the parking lot. 

he smirked. “you got yourself into this mess, charlotte.” 

#also don't do this in real life kids #kind of gross (but also kind of hot) but also kind of gross #jj maybank smut #obx smut #jj maybank #jj x charlie #mine

[trumanjo]

By chance I stumbled across a photo of Larry Hovis’ father, Freeman Hovis! He was was 16 at the time this was taken!

You can really see the resemblance! The photo is attached to an five part series on the family, but only the first part is really interesting. You have to pay for a subscription to read the article, so I’ll post it under the cut for anyone who wants to read it! 

“First in a five-part series 

In 1929, a strong man came to southwest Mississippi. Though only about 5 foot 6 inches and 150 pounds, Freeman Hovis could bend iron bars around his neck, take on all comers in boxing and rip a New York phone book in two.

Hovis was only in southwest Mississippi a couple of years, but he left a lasting impression. “He was quite an athlete, and he made quite a splash in Liberty,” said Joe Hoff, 90, an Amite County native who now lives in Terrytown, La. 

“He was there less than two years, but he became very famous there for his deeds, and he was a very likable fellow.”

Hovis’ legacy would extend far beyond the impression he made on local residents, however — halfway around the world, in fact.

Hovis married an Amite County woman named Ruth Shirley. Their daughter, Joan, became a Broadway singing star but gave up her career to marry a man named Allan Eubank and move to Thailand as a missionary.

The Eubanks’ son David — who shares his grandfather’s lean, muscular build — grew up in Thailand, joined the U.S. Army, served in the Special Forces, retired as a major, enrolled in seminary and became a missionary.

 In 1997 he formed a group known as Free Burma Rangers. Burma, which borders Thailand, has been embroiled in civil war for some 60 years. 

In 1989, the military government changed the name of the country to the Union of Myanmar, and in 1997 the Burmese army launched a major offensive against the Karen (pronounced Kah-REN) and other tribes. When the action broke out, Eubank hustled into the thick of things to help the refugees. 

Inspired by a meeting with Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, he formed the Free Burma Rangers to bring medical supplies, food and other essentials to refugees — no matter the risk. 

Forest Freeman Hovis was born Feb. 2, 1905, in Buckhorn, Mo., according to family records. The family moved to Olathe, Colo., in 1916. Somewhere along the line, Hovis reportedly won the title of Colorado lightweight wrestling champ. At Gunnison College he became friends with Audice Causey of Liberty, Miss.

In late 1929, with the national economy falling apart from the Great Depression, the two pals came to Causey’s hometown.

Liberty native Joe Hoff, who was Causey’s cousin, vividly remembers when Hovis came to town. Hovis and Causey stayed in the Hoff home behind the Amite County courthouse.

“He came in Christmas of 1929 to our house with my first cousin Audice Causey, and he stayed at our house there through the school year,” Hoff said.

Hovis gave demonstrations throughout the area, including at local schools. His feats made him seem like a super-hero.

“He was trained in riding horses or cows,” Hoff said. “He was into body-building and had muscles like a wrestler. He was an acrobat and chinned himself 100 times easily. He could walk on his hands and turn flips from the standing position. He could pick up a yearling and carry it on his back. He could bend iron rods into pretzels. He could blow up one foot of inner tube and burst it. He let a Model T car run over him on the ground.”

Hovis would lie between two chairs, head on one and feet on another, and have someone place a large rock on his chest and smash it with a sledge hammer. He could tear a New York phone book in two, and offered $100 to anyone who could defeat him in a boxing match.

Hovis broke wild horses and could play the fiddle and tap dance. He didn’t smoke or drink, and he bought a goat so he could have a steady supply of goat’s milk.

This writer’s father, the late Bob Herndon — who would be 90 if he were alive — used to tell about the time a fight broke out between players at a Liberty High School football game. Hovis, who happened to be in the audience, strode out to midfield, grabbed two of the biggest players by their belts and began power-lifting them — which brought an end to the ruckus.

Hovis got a job doing auto body repair in Liberty, Hoff recalled. Hovis married a local girl, Ruth Shirley, on Jan. 18, 1931, and they moved to McComb, where he did body work for a Chevrolet dealership.

But the Depression did away with that job, and the Hovises left the state in October 1931, Hoff remembers.

“They were going to the reservation in Washington. He had lost his job with the Chevrolet place. Everything shut down. You can’t imagine what a Depression that was.”

Funnily enough, Larry is given only a passing mention in this series which is why I won’t post the other parts. But if you’re curious and don’t want to pay for a subscription let me know and I’ll post them!

Also: It’s mentioned that because of the Great Depression they had to move to “the reservation in Washington” if I had to guess it was probably the Yakama Indian Reservation. Larry was born near there in Wapato, Washington in 1936!

#Hogan's Heroes #Andrew Carter #Larry Hovis #History #the great depression #I love learning family histories of people #so interesting

[murasaki-murasame]

With chapter 54, Ao no Flag is finally, officially over, and even though I think this finale is going to be extremely controversial in many different ways, I think I . . . kinda loved it? Mostly. There’s at least one big Thing [tm] that bugs me about it but anyway the rest of this will be under a cut because spoilers lmao.

Anyway TL;DR: it has it’s flaws, but this series is basically revolutionary when it comes to LGBT representation in shonen manga, and I think that’s worthy of respect in it’s own right. Also the physical volumes are gonna start coming out at the end of this month in English and this is basically gonna be my last chance to shill for it :)

Oh boy where do I even start with this ending, lmao. So much shit went down and a lot of people on all sides are probably gonna be upset and disappointed for one reason or another.

Just to get my main complaint out the way, I’m really not a big fan of Masumi ending up married to a man [especially one that she seems to not even really like that much]. On the one hand yes I don’t want to be biphobic about it, but on the other hand it just feels like another instance of this whole cliche of a character being set up as pretty explicitly gay, with it being made clear that they aren’t attracted to the opposite sex, but then they end up in an m/f relationship at the very end and I guess we’re meant to think they were bi all along. I feel like it does bi people a disservice to basically portray them as ‘gay people that just eventually find the right man/woman to end up in an m/f relationship with’. But it’s not really my place to talk about it one way or another. In general I just think Masumi deserved more screen-time and development to flesh out her own character growth, but one way or another it feels like this series ended a bit earlier than it was probably intended to, and I think she just got the short end of the narrative stick when it came to prioritizing which characters to focus on in the second half.

I’m also still not really a fan of how little of a voice Touma got as the series goes on, to the point of there being multiple chapters where he straight up doesn’t get any dialogue even if he’s the perspective character for most of it. At least there’s a sense of artistic intention and merit to it, but in the grand scheme of things I just wish he could have gotten to DO stuff more as the series went on.

I did at least end up liking how that set up the big ‘twist’ of this finale, though, and there’s no other way the same twist could have been pulled off, but I almost just kinda wish that the author had chosen to write this finale in an entirely different way if it meant we actually got to see Touma, lmao.

But anyway that brings us to the other big reveal that’ll probably dominate at least half of the discussions about this finale and the series as a whole, that being that not only did Taichi and Touma end up in a relationship, they’re actually married. And honestly the inner writer in me can’t help but respect how effective the set-up for it was, with us seeing everything through Touma’s eyes without anyone referring to him by name, and him writing his family name in the wedding registry thing as ‘Ichinose’, to lead the reader to think that we’re just seeing things through Taichi’s eyes as a literal cypher protagonist situation. But then you get the scene at the end where Touma meets back up with Taichi, who was at an entirely different wedding, and we get the whole final scene that paints a pretty clear picture of them being a happily married couple living together in their own house. Which also kinda has to be taken in the broader societal context of how Japan more or less still hasn’t legalized gay marriage yet, which makes the twist even more effective. And also goes to show how much of a message this is trying to send.

I think it’s 100% valid to be upset about how things ended up with Masumi, but honestly if you think that Taichi and Touma ending up together is completely out of nowhere and not set up at all then lmao get over yourselves. To be perfectly blunt I think like 90% of the people who are upset about this part of the ending are just bitter that the gay dude got to have a happy ending and wasn’t just subjected to live in single misery forever. Let’s just say that after all the gloating I saw straight people do in the last chapter about how ‘things don’t always end up happily for gay people’ and ‘this series was always about the cruel realities of life’, I feel pretty fucking vindicated now, lmao.

In general I’ve got mad respect for Kaito for pulling off the galaxy brain scheme of having a shonen romance manga where the protagonist gets a girlfriend halfway into the story, then right at the end of the penultimate chapter we find out that they broke up, and then we find out that the protagonist ended up married to his gay best friend instead. I can see why people are mad about it, but I’ve always wanted to see this sort of thing happen in a manga like this. I just wish that Masumi could have also gotten a happier ending, but oh well.

Sadly I have a feeling that the whole twist of this finale also means it’s going to be even more unlikely for them to ever make an anime adaptation of this series, even though I think it could work really nicely if they made one.

I feel like I’m gonna have to reread the series at least once now that it’s over and we know exactly what everything was building toward, since it really changes a lot of things in hindsight, especially all of the various hints about Taichi’s own feelings for Touma which I always thought was just wishful thinking on my part but now seems like genuine foreshadowing. I think even this final chapter itself might feel a bit different if I go back and reread it knowing the twist, especially with how it changes the context of Masumi’s husband talking to Touma about his relationship insecurities, and what he indirectly says about Touma and Taichi’s own relationship.

In a lot of ways I think this series was a master-class in visual storytelling, and leaving things unsaid. But unlike a lot of stories that relegate the LGBT thematic arcs to metaphors or hints or unspoken words, this lead to a really concrete ending that gives you a lot to look back on and re-examine the story with. I’m honestly a lot more willing to excuse how little of a voice Touma got as the series went on now that he actually got his happy ending, one way or another.

There’s also a lot to be said about editorial censorship and pressure to keep certain story elements unstated and implied, if not removed entirely, which has to be taken into account for pretty much everything like this. Not like it’s an excuse for everything, but we all remember stuff like the censorship and whatnot that went on behind the scenes with Yuri on Ice from the various higher-ups.

I really hope that series like this can slowly pave the way for more straightforward and explicit LGBT narratives within mainstream shonen manga, but these things take time, and for now I’ll take what I can get.

Anyway I’m at least definitely going to be buying the series in English even though I already own it all in Japanese already, lol.

#murasaki rambles #ao no flag #this series was a fucking RIDE y'all #the last few pages actually made me kinda emotional once the big twist dawned on me

[friendofspidermannedleeds]

2020 overview: writing edition 

Tagged by the loveliest and kindest of friends, @momentofmemory​. 

I’m not tagging anyone because I’ve not been around and am sure most have done this by now, but if you’re reading this and you’ve not been tagged and would like to participate please say I tagged you! <3 

1. List of works published this year 

The Kid Really is Smitten (Peter & Happy, Peter/MJ. 233) Nightmares and New Beginnings (May & Peter. 733)  Normal Teenager Stuff (May & Peter. 5+1, 1.8k)  Breaking a Promise (May & Peter, May & Tony. 3.3k) Carry Me (Morgan & Happy. 1.2k)

Fictober 2020 Series  * Works around 1k+ include:  Somebody to Talk To (May & Karen. 1.8k) Fireproof (Happy & Peter. 904) Flight Conversation (MJ & Peter. 967) Incalculable Worth (Ben & Peter. 2.8k) Regrets (May & Peter. 1.2k) A Nice Peaceful Afternoon (Mr. Harrington and the AcaDec kids. 3k) 

Knowing (Peter/MJ, May & MJ. 2.5k)  Forever Ours (May & Peter, May/Ben. 3.8k)  2. Work you are most proud of (and why)

I think it would have to be Incalculable Worth from my Fictober series. I’m forever disappointed in the Ben Parker erasure of the MCU and had been wanting to give him the respect he deserves. Most of this fic came to me much more quickly than my typical writing inspo (that Fictober deadline magic!), and even though I still have things I might change about the final product, I’ve never been so pleased with a fic’s result and reception. Several lovely people stumbled across this fic on Ao3 and left kind comments about how moved they were, which makes me think that I did what I set out to do! 

3. Work you are least proud of (and why)

This would be Nightmares and New Beginnings. I just think it’s weird. I was so new to fic when I wrote it and was feeling experimental one night. I normally write quite slowly and edit a lot, but the idea for this one came to me after midnight and I published the fic before 2am. I hated it when I woke up and nearly deleted it. Two months later, as I was beginning to post Fictober on Ao3, I almost deleted it once again. The words of one extremely kind commenter saved it from destruction, however, so it’s still there! 

4. A favorite excerpt of your writing 

This is going to be hard for me because I don’t actually enjoy my writing for its composition! I like the concepts and character interactions a lot but I’m not terribly proud of my actual writing ability yet. 😬 

My favorite thing I’ve written lately is the ending to Forever Ours, my new fic about May and Ben adopting Peter, but I don’t want to put it here because it might be a very minor spoiler. 

So here’s a little section of Trust, my last Fictober ficlet. I liked it because May’s inner turmoil over Peter’s Spider-Man life is one of my absolute favorite things to write about. 

What troubles her most is this: whatever is out there, whoever he’s fighting—they won’t know he is fifteen. That he’s a child. That he loves Legos, and Star Wars, and science puns, and Mathletes. But what can she say? 

He’s not asking for permission. He’ll do this no matter what she says, and they both know it. 

He is asking for her blessing.

5. Share or describe a favourite review you received

This review meant so much to me! This lovely commenter read multiple May and Ben Parker fics and it was so nice to find that I’m not the only one who wants more of the Parker family than what we get in the MCU. It made me feel like my niche writing wasn’t of interest to me and me alone after all. :) 

6. A time when writing was really, really hard

Halfway through Fictober, I lost one of the most important people in my life. It was devastating. Writing was nice about 90% of the time, and actually a nice distraction that helped me take a break from the grief. But sometimes it wasn’t, sometimes it felt impossible, and that was when I’d just skip writing or posting and wait until it would serve me again. (So I finished Fictober a little later than I wanted to, but I have 0 regrets about that.) 

7. A scene of characters you wrote that surprised you

I only wrote one thing that wasn’t an MCU Spidey fic, and that was Carry Me with Morgan and Happy. I wasn’t expecting to write it at all, and it’s not one of my favorite finished fics, but I really enjoyed the process. 

8. How did you grow as a writer this year

I grew by writing fic for the first time! My job for the majority of this year involved a lot of nonfiction copywriting, so I’m an experienced writer, but I had no idea what writing would be like outside my “professional life.” I’m glad I tried it! 

9. How do you hope to grow next year

I’m hoping to finish and publish a longer (for me) fic! I’m currently working on Penance, a fic about MCU Spidey’s origins and Uncle Ben’s influence. It should be at least 6-7k by the time I’m finished. I know that is actually short, but I haven’t even cracked 4k yet 😂 Longer fics stress me out because I don’t feel confident enough in my ability to tie together so many words, and I also can’t come up with plots to save my life. So this will be a stretch for me and I am looking forward to it! 

10. Who was your greatest positive influence this year as a writer (could be another writer or beta of cheerleader or muse etc. etc.)

This is, without question, @momentofmemory​. For so many reasons. (Sorry in advance for how rambly this will get, my friend.) 

Mem’s writing (particularly this May fic that is perfection and no I will never stop rec’ing it til the day I die thank you) is to blame/thank for getting me into fic in the first place. I’d been here in the Spidey fandom on Tumblr but I didn’t trust fanfic because I’d seen my most beloved characters shoved to the side/killed off in too many stories. I began 2020 hating all fanfic tbh. But then I read Mem’s captivating masterpieces (like this, the greatest one-shot!) and opened my heart to fic that celebrates the worlds I love! 

Mem is the kindest human ever. She read ALL of my Fictober works and left the kindest comments that made my heart soar. Knowing that my favorite author had taken the time to read all of that motivated me to write more than anything else has this year! 

Sometimes, when I was trying to write fic but felt burned out or uninspired, I’d go and read Mem’s writing. Her prose is divine, her dialogue is realistic, her characters and their relationships are so well thought-out--her work inspires me! I’d read it and feel excited by the ways that we can use our words to create beautiful things, and though I’m not anywhere near her level, I do think that reading her work has made me a better writer. 

Bonus positive influence: @i-lovethatforme​! Jess, thank you for being the world’s best cheerleader, for being endlessly kind and supportive, and for being my first ever beta in November. I go back and read your wonderful comments whenever I’m doubting myself. You’re an absolute gem and ilysm ❤

11. Anything from real life show up in your writing this year?

Yep. Regrets is about grief, and I was grieving pretty heavily when I wrote it. Peter’s regrets didn’t necessarily mirror mine, but writing it was still a cathartic experience. 

12. Any new wisdom you can share with other writers

Write what you want to write! Since I don’t do IronDad or smut, I wasn’t sure if anyone in the MCU Spidey fandom would be interested in my work. I thought briefly about trying to write based on what I thought people would read, but I decided against it. I enjoy writing platonic friendships and family fic more than anything else, so that’s what I publish most. I write what I want to write, and it’s made me so happy! 

13. Any projects you’re looking forward to starting (or finishing) in the new year?

I have a few things I’m excited about! I’ve got some Spideychelle ficlets that might be a series. They’ll focus on Peter and MJ after coming back from The Blip, featuring MJ trying to ignore her crush and Peter developing a crush. The other is Penance, the MCU Spidey origins/Ben Parker story. 

14. If you could recommend only one work from yourself published this year

I think I’d say Knowing, my fic about Peter/MJ that’s more about MJ & May bonding. I just love these two women with all my heart, and I’m proud of the way this one turned out because I think it honors both of them pretty solidly.  

15. End of Year word count

36,625 words! It’s not a lot in comparison to other writers but it’s a huge accomplishment for me! 

#love u mem #thanks for the tag #<3 #tag games #tag game #my fic #2020 recap

[treatian]

The Chronicles of the Dark One:  Breaking the Curse

Chapter 47: A Sudden Plan

After everything that had happened today, the last place he wanted to be that evening was at Mary Margaret's apartment. Emma had planned a party tonight for her homecoming. Even though she'd actually been released the night before, she'd wanted her to have a night of normalcy before being shoved in front of half the town. But he suspected there was more to it than that. Emma seemed like someone to face challenges head-on, not to run from them but rather conquer them. After everything that had happened to her dear roommate, he imagined she wanted to help her get the "gawking" stage over with. There was no doubt in his mind that people would stare at her over the next few days, he was sure that when she returned to work next week, her own colleagues would watch her with suspicion, but by inviting people over and into the apartment, Emma took care of some of that for her all at once. It was smart. And also a waste of time for him.

However, if he wanted to uphold his cover as Mr. Gold, accepting Emma's invitation seemed like the thing to do. So he'd arrived, mostly because it was polite. They hadn't wanted him there; when the invitation came from Emma, she'd made that abundantly clear. But, if he was completely honest, the feeling was mutual. He was here because it was the cordial thing for Mr. Gold to do and nothing more. He didn't actually want to be here, or at least he hadn't wanted to be. Not until he'd arrived. And then things had changed quickly.

When he'd received the invitation, he'd made plans in his head to stay for no more than thirty minutes. He'd eat a bit of food, have a little bit of punch, and then politely excuse himself so he could go home, drink some whisky and consider August Wayne Booth a bit more. And then he'd stepped inside the apartment and saw who was gathered there; Emma Swan, the dwarves, a few other teachers from the school, Henry, naturally, Archie and Pongo, Red…and one Mr. August Wayne Booth. The man of the day.

Strange. He knew that he'd been spending time with Emma, but why he'd come to a party for Mary Margaret…it was odd. He couldn't figure out why he was there unless he was trying to potentially court Emma. However, odd as it was to see him there, it was also incredibly convenient for him.

The second he registered his presence, the second he saw the sheriff and Mary Margaret and Ruby and finally Granny all in one place, he'd had a remarkable revelation. He wanted to know more about Mr. Booth, about who he was or who he could be. What better way than to search through his possessions as he suspected Booth had attempted to search through his own. And right now, his room at the bed and breakfast was beautifully unoccupied while the sheriff and the B&B staff were all very occupied.

But for how long? He'd come to the party halfway through, and Granny had been late too. She and her granddaughter here meant that they would be leaving soon because the diner and Bed and Breakfast couldn't be left unattended for too long, which meant that if he wanted to do something with this opportunity, it had to be quick.

"Hey. I have something for you," he looked up, pulled from his inner planning by Henry. Nearly everyone else at the party gathered close when Henry smiled up at his teacher. He had a large paper card in one hand and a silver-wrapped box in another that chimed when he moved too much, no doubt the windchime he'd bought earlier.

He smirked, realizing this might have been the first time he'd seen grandmother, daughter, and grandson all together for the first time. Three generations all in one room. Of course, none but Henry actually believed that, but it was almost impossible for him not to make a note of it when they stood beside one another. Didn't they realize they all had the same chin?

"Well, thank you," Mary Margaret sighed, taking the card and opening it. "'We're so glad you didn't kill Misses Nolan…'" she read awkwardly.

"It's from the whole class, and I got you a bell," the boy smiled proudly, even as Mary Margaret winced before looking back at him.

"Thank you. Tell everyone I'll be back soon."

"Okay."

"Hey, Henry, we should get you home before your mom finds out. That won't be pretty."

And that made this a perfect time to leave himself. Emma, busy with Henry, trying not to be discovered, hurried to return. It was perfect. If he left now, he could have a solid five to ten minutes in Booth's room alone, for sure, so long as he fetched what he needed from the shop quickly. But when he turned to head for the door, he was shocked to find Emma closing the door on her father, David. He overheard the quick arrangement that Emma made for Henry to go home with his grandfather, though she didn't know that, and set his jaw when he realized that it meant Emma would be staying here.

It was fine. Not as perfect as it could have been, but fine. Emma might not be busy doing something else or even be across town, but if she was determined to stay here, then that was good. If he left now, he could still bank on at least five minutes. But…since he had the Savior so perfectly backed into a corner…he may as well talk to someone about Booth.

"Hard to let him go, isn't it?" he commented, wondering for a brief second at the look on her face if maybe she felt something for David like she did Mary Margaret. Perhaps there was that parental bond reaching through the cracking and fraying Curse. But there was no need to expose it now. "Your son…"

"Yeah," she answered swiftly. But then she approached him, her face hardened, and her entire demeanor changed. She was angry. Good. "Pretty much the hardest thing. Speaking of something we weren't talking about, was it you?"

"Was what me?"

"Did you make Kathryn suddenly materialize? Cause it sure played that way to me. Was that the magic you were going to work? Because if you kidnapped that poor, innocent woman, just to let her go-"

"Are you proposing I'm working with Regina or against her?"

"I don't know. Maybe, diagonally."

Smart girl. Very smart. A woman worthy of her title. It was too bad that when it came to intelligence, he still had the upper hand, right along with decades of experience she could never make up for. She'd never figure it out. And if she could correctly channel that anger toward Regina, then by the time she figured it all out, it wouldn't matter. She'd have other things to worry about by then.

"Well, you keep working on that one. My question's about something else. What do you know about him?" he questioned, motioning to Booth, who was busy chatting with some of the dwarves as well as Archie. Jimnny and the Dark Haired Stranger were comfortable…another point for the Seer.

"Goes by August," Emma answered honestly, which surprised him because he'd been expecting a bit more trouble from her given their previous comments. "He's a writer-typewriter wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in stubble. Why?"

"He was poking around my shop today. August Wayne Booth. Clearly a false name. If there's one thing I know about its names."

"Writers go by pseudonyms. What does it matter?"

"You trust him?"

"Yeah…a lot more than I trust you."

She left the conversation at that and walked away, straight to Booth, actually. Probably to tell him that his ears should have been ringing. He was fine with that. If the conversation kept two of the four people he was most worried about at the moment busy, they could talk about him all they wanted. He had work to do.

#Rumbelle #Rumple #Rumpelstiltskin #Dark One #mr gold #Emma Swan #mary margaret blanchard #snow white #David nolan #prince charming #Henry Mills #Regina Mills #evil queen #august w booth #pinocchio #ouat #ouat fanfiction #fanfic

[crowautumnrain]

review: Cherry Magic | Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!

Disclaimer: This is my very own humble opinion. If you  agree with my review, I’m glad that I’ve found someone like-minded, if  you do not agree, that’s fine too. Every opinion is valid. Don’t hate me  for mine.

I do not speak any asian language and therefore I rely solely on subtitles. And we all know that they are not always flawless. So if I misread a situation or misunderstand something, feel free to inform me. Spoilers ahead!

Genre: BL

From: Japan

Known Actors:  /

Trigger Warnings: cuteness overload

Rating: 8.5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ☆    

Synopsis: When Kyoshi Adachi reaches his 30th birthday he develops an ability to hear the thoughts of other people by touching them. One day, he discovers that his popular co-worker, Yuichi Kurosawa, is in love with him.

Main Character(s): Kyoshi Adachi, Yuichi Kurosawa

Side Character(s): Masato Tsuge (Adachis BFF), Minato Wataya (Tsuges lover boy), Yuta Rokkaku (co-worker + Kurosawas “friend”), Nozomi Fujisaki, Kengo Urabe (Adachi's co-worker)

Short Appereance: /

Main Couple(s): AdachixKurosawa

Side Couple(s): TsugexMinato

My review:

I think I don’t really have to explain much, the title does a good job.This is going to be a little different than most reviews I do. I’m not going to comment every scene or comment on every step of the storyline, even though I will try to. For the most part I’m just going to ramble around for a bit. And try to write my thoughts down.

I remember when Cherry Magic fan edits popped up on youtube and it looked so cute I just had to watch it. During that time winter came into my town and another lockdown was around the corner. So, this show was really there to brighten my day once a week (or for a few days while I binge watched it).

The concept was really interesting, too. And here are my thoughts about it:

Adachi and Kurosawa

We start our story one day before our protagonsts 30th birthday. His name is Adachi. He has very low self esteem and and little confidence in himself (sounds familiar) but a big heart. It’s not always easy for him to say “no” (espacially to his co-worker). His life is mostly uneventful and repetitive. UNTIL one day on his 30th birthday he discover that the old wives’ tale that you develop powers if you are a virgin for 30years is actually true. He is able to hear peoples thoughts!

At the beginning he isn’t really sure if it’s just all in his head or if he really has this power. On his way to work he meets his co-worker Kurosawa. Due to a very crowded elevator, Kurosawa accidentally touches Adachi. Because of that, Adachi finds out that his super popular and super handsome co-worker is actually madly in love with him (relatable right?)

At first Adachi tries to ingore his powers. He can not be sure that the things he hears are really other people’s thoughts or just him making stuff up. He avoides crowds and Kurosawa. But fate just throws these two together again and again.

Since Adachi can read thoughts, every encounter he has with Kurosawa from now on excalates pretty quickly. Because our boy Kurosawa is just as horny as we all are. One day Kurosawa is being a “nice boy” and helps Adachi with the workload that his co-worker asked him to do. Totally selfless of course, not in any way him trying to be near his crush or anything noo. After hearing Kurosawa gushing over Adachi’s mole on his neck, that Adachi wasn’t even aware of, he is now pretty sure that his powers are real.

Adachi knows that - if the tale is true - he will only lose his powers if he also loses his virginity. And let me tell you something... Honestly, sex is probably really great and all but...you have powers. You are basically one step away of becoming a superhero. You can help people with that. Come one now, this show just proves that asexuals are above us all and are so powerful and deserve to be wizards. If you were able to life a life without sex to your 30s, it’s not that hard, you are almost halfway there. Just hold on.

This show follows mostly our two main leads, Adachi and Kurosawa, trying to manage their love for each other. But what makes Cherry Magic so sweet and heardwarming is the fact, that there are other topics being addressed besides same-sex-love. Like I said earlier, Adachi has extreme low self-esteeem and this is one of the biggest reasons why it takes so long for Adachi to realize and accept that he is not only in love with Kurosawa but also that he deserve this kind of love.

So many times, Adachi chickens out of telling Kurosawa how he feels and espacially when Kurosawa wants to take things to the next level, Adachi needs time. And Kurosawa respects that (bare minimum, but sadly the bar is so low) and gives Adachi time.

Kurosawa also suffers from some incecurities that he not often talks about, but since Adachi has his powers, we are often granted a quick look into Kurosawas head. And these little thought trains that we get tell us so much more about Kurosawa and fully flesh him out as a character.

We get to know about his fantasies, his wishes, his fears and insecurities. Sometimes, when Adachi reads Kurosawas mind, we get little fantasies. We see Adachi through Kurosawas eyes and it’s always a cute scene of Adachi smiling. We see how beautiful Kurosawa thinks of Adachi.

We get one episode from Kurosawas perspective, where we discover how Kurosawa fell in love with Adachi. He was always “aware” that he was there, but he never really “noticed” him. One day, when they both are having dinner with their boss and some random creepy lady, both realize pretty quickly, why they are really there (because of their looks). Kurosawa notices that Adachi does not drink alcohol and therefore he takes his glass and get’s drunk quickly.

Even though, it seems like a dumb thing to do, it tells you so much about Kurosawas character. How he wants to help people, even if that means he is the one to “suffer”. No matter the consequences, he helped his co-worker out there. The lady starts harassing Kurosawa and he turns her down in a very obvious way which was apparently something he wasn’t allowed to do. But fuck this lady and fuck his boss. Kurosawa, you did nothing wrong. She did.

He overhears his boss saying that Kurosawa is only a pretty face and apparently he can’t even do that right. This just gives him the rest and he leaves. Adachi, who was surprised by Kurosawa’s actions (drinking the alcohol for him), follows him outside to comfort him.

It’s a very touching backstory and it’s great that we get it in the middle of the show and not at the beginning, only allowing the characters to become more fleshed out.

When Adachi reads Kurosawa’s thoughts, he mostly thinks about how much he adores Adachi and how much he wants to help him becoming more confident. He often is pretty hard on himself and blames himself for things too often. He seems calm on the surface, but his inner-monologues show how much of a chaotic hopeless romantic he really is.

A reaccuring theme is Adachi being a little put off by how often Kurosawa get’s presents or just admiring looks or words. Because he get’s none and if so, he can’t really take compliments well.

What is really interesting is that through Adachi, we can hear that Kurosawa is not really enjoying all of this presents and kind words of his (mostly) female co-workers. He just wants to be praised for his work not his looks. Which is something only pretty people say. No, fr, I can only imagine that it’s super annoying that people only view you as “pretty” and therefore do not acknowledge your talents and skills. This show actually deals with that nicely. In Kurosawa’s episode he has this beautiful monologue: I had an advantage because of my looks. I hated that people only saw my looks. I knew it would annoy others if I talked about it. So, I pretended it didn’t bother me.

This show was not only about love, but also about loving and respecting yourself. Trusting yourself and gaining a little more confidence in yourself. What I loved so much about Kurosawa and Adachi is that they bring out the best in each other and help each other in so many ways.

At one point, Adachi tells Kurosawa the truth about his powers. Kurosawa tells him that he actually is happy that he has his powers, since they were the reason they got together in the first place.

But Adachi is not so happy about it. He grew used of the powers and now fears that his relationship won’t work out with Kurosawa, once he loses them. Since he wouldn’t be able to read his mind anymore, like he used to. The only option Adachi sees is: breaking up. And since Kurosawa respects his wishes, he leaves (hoping that Adachi would fight for him and maybe hold him back).

They make up in the end, when Adachi realizes that maybe communicating would be another option they have left. Because, guess what, that’s what most people do. So, they get back together and Kurosawa basically proposes to Adachi, which seemed...quite abruptly tbh. But hey, everyone has their own pace.

Minato and Tsuge

Tsuge is Adachi’s best friend and also a virgin. Later, he becomes a wizard like Adachi, being able to read minds. He is a writer and spends his time at home 20/7, the 4 hours are probably just the hours he is willing to leave for grocery shopping and eating out with Adachi.

He has a really sweet cat and this cat will help him get him his future boyfriend. Minato, is his name. He works as a deliveryman. Tsuge doesn’t like Minato very much, since he is a so called “youngster” (oh gosh I think a brain cell just died while writing this).

Minato feels the same way about Tsuge “the old man”, but does love his cat. Tsuge develops feelings for Minato pretty quickly and even begins to stalks him, to find out more about him. He orders so much stuff from different shops just so this guy would show up at his doorstep again.

He finds out that Minato is actually trying to fullfil his dreams of becoming a dancer.

While it would’ve been a sweet idea, this couple couldn’t really win me over. First and foremost, how old is Minato supposed to be? The actor was at that point approximately 20/21 and he looks way younger than that tbh.  And in the show it’s never stated how old he is, his love interest states multiple times that he is “young” and refers to him as “the youngster(s)”. And it’s clear that Tsuge is 30. So...I just can’t ship them. Like, they are both of age and adults but it still feels weird for some reason. If the actor would at least look older...I guess that would maybe change my view on them. In reallife they are 6 (?) years apart which is still a lot but way less than what seems to be 8 or 10 years on the show.

It really didn’t help that Tsuge was the one initiating the relatioship and stalking Minato. Others called him even a pervert and honestly...he acted like one. Secretly talking pictures of someone, following them around, etc.

On top of that, their scenes often included cringy / over the top acting and triggered my second-hand embarassment, which...was that really necessary? Maybe, it was part of Tsuge’s character in the Manga, but you just can’t translate everything into a life-action show, because it looks hideous and awkward. In the more serious scene that Tsuge was in, he actually wasn’t all that bad.

I can take cringy acting, that’s how I survived most BL’s actually. But was it really necessary to have Tsuge kneel before Minato and scream at him how sorry he is in public? While people are watching? And Minato doesn’t really seem to be delighted by that. I’m sorry, but that’s where I draw the line, my cringe-o-meter exploded. I’m a very private and introverted person, so that just wasn’t it for me.

It actually hurts my heart that so many people think this is how socially awkward people behave, which - as a socially awkward person - I can’t confirm. We don’t flinch everytime people touch us, we don’t scream and shout and talk very fast, when we get nervous (at least not to that extent). And we don’t...ugh..back to the series.

I mean they had potential, they could’ve been cute and I don’t mind if anyone is shipping them, it’s just really icky to me and I can’t do that.

Things I disliked

The actors ages. I mean, I know that most asians look very young, but come on. No one can tell me that these guys are supposed to be 30. I guess the actor of Kurosawa was about 29 (?) so he comes closest (he doesn’t look like he is 30 but I appreciate the attempt) but the others...They just don’t look like they are 30. And please, don’t cast some really young-looking dude as the love interest of a supposedly 30-year old.

Over the top “humorous scenes”. It doesn’t make me laugh, just cringe. But this happened only with scenes between Minato and Tsuge. Sometimes, I just skipped them. But yeah...not everyone’s tea I guess.

No kiss. I don’t need NC scenes or anything too intimate. But the whole no-kissing seems more like a “no homo” situation here. These guys are insanely in love and are basically married and you tell me that they didn’t even kiss on camera ONCE? Don’t tell me they are asexual or anything (even though I would love to see more representation like that, I mean if the actors don’t wanna kiss or the management is against it, why not create a little more representation while you’re at it?) because I would support that, they just didn’t want to show that or maybe the actors didn’t want to kiss. But then again I ask myself...why not cast actors who actually want to act out the role? Or was it a management issue? Whatever it was, defiinitely made it seem less believeable and it felt more rushed. Like, even if you give me the classic “fish kiss” with eyes wide open and it’s basically just them pressing their lips together...this treatment most Korean BLs get (thank you TMS honestly) it would’ve been better imo.

Also, Minato and Tsuge had a kissing scene (it wasn’t good but still). And that even further aligns with my theory of the actors or the management not wanting them to kiss. But this show is still cute and enjoyable, so I’ll let it slide this one time.

Rushed ending. Like I already said, this kind-of-proposal came out of nowhere for me and felt rushed. Sure, they know each other for years, but they only began to grow closer over the last couple weeks. Shouldn’t they start with dating first, then go to living together for a few couple of months and then - after really being sure that they want it and after talking it through - propose? But hey, I’m the single one here, so maybe I am in the wrong here.

Things I liked

How they handlded Adachi’s powers. Adachi was suddenly able to read peoples thoughts. One of the most private and intimate things. And Kurosawa was just like ‘“k, I’m actually glad you secretly kept reading my thoughts” which seemed a little too anti-climactic. Please, sweety at least pretend that you are a little hurt that your boyfriend kept reading your most private thoughts. It’s like someone reading your diary without your permission.

But apart from that, they handlded it actually quite well. Adachi wasn’t super okay with reading other people’s thoughts. He didn’t use it for revenge, there were no bad intentions. He always wanted to help and only used it as a way to help others or clear things up. When he did use it for his own advantage, he felt bad afterwards.

Miscommunication subplot. Overused, lame, just for the sake of plot, annoying - these are the first things that come into my mind, when thinking about miscommunication subplots. But Cherry Magic actually did a decent job at it. There was a miscommunicating subplot at the end and I expected to hate it, but I actually did like it.

It makes so much sense here, since Adachi was so used to his powers at some point, that losing them seemed like he was no longer able to understand people or their feelings. The “oh no I lost my powers and since I used them to understand Kurosawa better I don’t know if we can be together now that I don’t have them anymore” struggle seems realistic.

Tsuge only made it worse by saying: “I forgot how difficult it is to sense other’s feelings [without being ablte to read their thoughts]” after having a minor fight with Minato. And since Adachi is a person that worries and overthinks quite often and easily, he didn’t take it too well. It could’ve been so much better, if they did actually drag it out a little more. But maybe it’s for the better like that. They got the most important points across, even though they resolved it pretty quickly.

No happily ever after. This title is actually a little misleading, since the couple did get a happy ending. What I mean with that is that they didn’t give the couple a “they are now offically a couple so there story ends with that”. Most shows think that viewers only want to see the couple coming together and call it a day. In Cherry Magic the story doesn’t end with them getting together. We see them struggle with their relationship, going on cute dates, breaking up, resolving their issues and semi-propose.

It’s nothing new or groundbreaking, but it’s rare and refreshing to see. I do like that shows always try to give us the “and all was well” happy ending after they get together, but seeing storyline like Cherry Magic, where they actually deal with them being a couple and show us their ups and dows, I really appreciate that.

Special episodes. IIRC there are a total of 3 special episodes that are just the cherry on top of this cake. I really did enjoy them. They weren’t necessary for the story to work, but were a nice add to it. Pure fluff and comedy. Speaking of fluff-

Fluff and feel-good. This show in no way ITSAY or MOD and nowhere near them. It doesn’t make you ugly cry at 3 o’clock in the morning. And it’s not a mystery where you sit at the edge of your seat, trying to figure out who is the big bad guy. But - and this is important - this show is not meant for you to feel these kind of emotions. Cherry Magic is more of a rom-com. A feel-good show. Some sort of “grab your blanket and some hot chocolate and watch it and feel safe” kind of show. Espacially needed during whatever the hell is going on right now.

So, if you ever want a show, where the leads are adorable and relatable, where there is a little sprinkle of magic and a ton of fluff and you just wanna lay back and find a safe space to escape reality, this is the show for you.

I think this covers my thoughts on this series. Thanks for reading. Check out my other reviews.

My BL Review List: https://urmyquerencia.tumblr.com/post/627642344497364992/bl-reviews

- urmyquerencia

#cherry magic #cherry magic review #30 years of virginity can make you a wizard #this title get's me every time lmao #adachi kiyoshi #kurosawa yuichi #bl reviews #bl series review #urmyquerencia

[cowandcalf]

Writer’s Month 2020 - To Find A Way

Prompt No.17 - Cooking

Chapter 1-9

Chapter 10

Danny hears birds chirping. The sound gets interrupted by some strange screeching from a much larger creature he doesn't know at all because he has never camped out in the jungle. He's surrounded by a green sea and the reason why he's out in the wild is Steve. And momentarily, he's lying in Steve's pull-out bed. Naked and alone.

Danny takes stock. The blanket covers half his face and tickles his nose. He's curled up in a comfy sleeping position. He knows from the outside there is nothing to see but a lump under a sheet and a mop of blond hair peeking out at the top. That's him still in bed, barely awake. He doesn't move, doesn't show that he hears what's going on in the small open room that combines kitchen and sleeping space.

And there's wind.

Also on AO3

Danny listens to the softness that is moved air and the way it rustles in the treetops. He almost feels the air move gently over his warm skin. And he's aware of the amount of sand between the sheets. And that brings all the wild memories of their breathtaking and strangely intense lovemaking to the forefront of his mind. He notices the steady thud of his pulse in his ears. Even with all the sound filling the air, a magical calmness rests on top of all.

He breathes and sustains the way his body temperature rises. He's alone in bed. Cracks tear slowly through the powerful mood from last night, the assurance that Steve and he have taken the next step. That's how Danny sees it. Even if they didn't talk at all. Their kisses and how they fisted the other's hair and swallowed each other's breath when they came was proof enough that the tide has changed. Danny clings to Mary's confirmation that Steve deals with emotions so differently than the rest of them.

Danny listens to the clatter of someone cooking. Steve. The air is saturated with the most delicious coffee scent.

More memories of last night rush in in a flash. The way Steve murmured his name like a prayer. And how he watched him come, hold his gaze in the same way he carried him inside, with a steely grip – not letting go, not allowing Danny to blink, to look away. And Steve let him see, too. He showed him how he felt. God, it was so much more than sex. They have bonded over fucking into each other's fist.

More heat lets him break in a sweat. He rolls over to lie on his back. Danny listens to the noise from the kitchenette. It's not good. The sound carpet isn't smooth and in sync with a happy, content mood. The sound is tempered. And Steve is already up. That's not a good start either. Steve hasn't woken him; hasn't said he's getting up. Danny has expected at least a word, a soft kiss. After last night? Yeah, a gentle press of lips is what he has wanted and has wished for.

The clatter quiets down for a bit. Danny can still handle the pressure of the increasing sorrows which makes him fist the sheets. He holds his breath. He tries to analyze the rhythm of how dishes are moved, cupboards get opened and closed. Occasional odd bumps and a spoon slipping from fingers into the sink make Danny twitch. What the fuck is wrong?

No morning snuggling, no morning sex.

Steve just got up before Danny has been awake. He snuck out from under the sheets. What does this mean? It means something. It always does. They had unfamiliar emotional sex. Danny wanted to say that he loved Steve; wanted to groan the three magic words into his mouth when he arched into Steve's arms before his balls got painfully drawn up and the dizzying wave of his climax knocked him almost unconscious. And Steve watched him as he has never seen anything more beautiful. And Danny felt like crying and that has never ever happened before either.

He remembers how Steve fell asleep on top of him, totally exhausted. Danny was the one to wipe off the cum and the sweat. His heart ached when he watched the guarded look on Steve's face he did not even lose in his sleep. He covered Steve with a blanket and pulled him into his arms. Steve was comatose, knocked-out completely. Danny was worried he might have bad dreams but the only thing he remembers is sweet nothingness and one of the best nights of sleep he has had in a long time.

Maybe Steve had bad dreams and he was so beat that he just slept right through Steve's struggle.

Why did Steve get up without waking him? Danny pretends to be still under and listens. The clatter has no melody. The longer Danny waits the more jacked up it gets. There's a nervousness to it and the soft, constant floating movement Steve normally has with plants doesn't come through at all. It gets chopped, inharmonic even and it's interrupted by total silence as if Steve is lost in thoughts.

Danny knows what this means. Of course, he does. He thinks of nothing else but last night and how this changes everything. Steve must be all worked up about what has happened between them. Maybe he's worried about how to go on. Steve's a guy of honor and devotion. He has made a statement last night. Danny knows that. But Steve doesn't know that Danny knows this and that he's the same kind of a statement-making guy. Having sex like that is not sex anymore, it is already making love with a commitment. Danny doesn't fuck around for kicks. He never has and he never will.

They didn't talk, not really, no actual words that would end in full sentences. They weren't capable of doing that. There was nothing but passionately grunted 'fucks', 'keep goings', 'harders'. Lots of groans and moans and the profound tongue-licking. God, Steve can lick and suck. Danny shivers. His cock twitches and tents the bedsheet. Last night, their brains were bloodless with their balls heavy and their hands everywhere.

When the clatter stops entirely Danny's alarm bells push him out of bed. He throws the blanket off and gets up. He doesn't care how he looks. His hair sticks out in all directions. He blinks and rubs the sleep from his eyes and pads over to where Steve is busy doing morning chores.

Steve stands with his back to Danny. The room is small. Danny knows Steve has heard him getting up. Danny's naked and it feels good, natural even. His clothes are soaked with mud lying around somewhere in the garden. And he forgets he has a shirt he could put on. Steve has put on some boxers. It's not the time now to worry about such banalities.

Steve's breathing is off, and he has this hard line in his shoulders again where the tension shows. Danny steps up behind him and wraps both arms around his waist. He presses his still bed-warm body into Steve's back. "Good morning, babe," he kisses the patch of skin in front of his face. He rubs his scratchy cheek over Steve's bare skin. He holds his breath and waits for Steve's reaction.

A large hand moves over to cover Danny's forearm. Steve's tight grip is alarmingly painful as if he wanted Danny to keep from leaving. Steve hangs his head. Danny senses the stuttering breath he takes. "Good morning," he answers like a question.

"You're cooking breakfast?" Danny's fingertips trace Steve's fast-beating heart beneath the skin under the soft arch of his impressive pecs.

"Yeah, I thought you might be hungry." Steve strangles the rag he holds in the other hand. He's agitated and tries to play it down.

"And you're not?"

Steve's smile pierces through his words. "I sure as hell am."

"Got some spare boxers for me?"

"Yeah, somewhere in the wooden chest there on the wall."

The fact that Steve doesn't even mention Danny's hard on pressed between Steve's ass cheeks makes him hurry. Steve's too wound up in an invisible world with a worst-case scenario concerning Danny. He is tied up in emotions he can't express with words. And they mess with his mental state. Danny wants to understand, and he still needs to talk about Grace and the dolphins.

They eat in silence at first. Scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and watermelon. Steve has his elbows propped up and nips at his huge mug. "You said last night you wanted to talk about something." He lowers his coffee.

Danny puts down his fork. "Yeah, right," Mary's words float back into his mind. Danny must be patient this cannot go sideways. He has no idea how Steve will react once he starts talking about his baby girl and the mammals. Danny leans back and fumbles with the knife. "I had a talk with Grace last night. I tucked her in. I went back to Stan's and Rachel's to make sure they are okay. Grace loves to tell me about the stuff that made her happy during the day." Danny clears his throat and watches Steve. He listens and wears a blank expression as if he waits for a punishment.

Danny can't stand it. He leans forward and reaches with his arm halfway over the tabletop. His hand is turned upside, his palm is open, his fingers relaxed. An invitation for Steve to take it. Danny stays quiet and waits patiently. With a sharp exhale and the inner decision to jump Steve grabs Danny's hand and circles his fingers around his wrist. Danny latches his hand around Steve's forearm like a lock and holds on tight.

"Steve, it's okay. I just need to ask you something. Don't wait for the beating. There's none, okay?" Danny speaks gently.

"Okay," Steve loosens his grip a bit but Danny won't have any of it. He keeps on holding on tight.

"You, uh, gave Grace a promise. I just want to check with you if you can keep it. You told her to show her dolphins at your beach. She dreams about going to see your dolphins. Can you keep it, Steve? The promise?" Danny lifts his eyes and stops fumbling with the knife. He's nervous too.

Steve casts his gaze and shoves the food around on his plate. "Do you think I promise your little girl something I can't keep?" He seems deeply offended. He wants to pull his hand back.

Danny doesn't let him do that. "It was intense, yesterday with Mary's pregnancy. With me and Grace and meeting your friends, who turn out to be my teammates. I didn't get the part of the conversation where you said you'd show Grace the dolphins at the beach where you live. I don't even know where this is." Danny sighs. "You should have informed me first before you go and say stuff like that to Grace. She's only six, Steve. Her world is different. To her, everything is real, and all dreams always come true. Do you get that?"

Steve puts the fork down. There's a beat of silence. "I get it, Danny." He shuffles and pushes his chair back, but Danny's grip tightens around Steve's forearm. "I bought a paddling pool and a life vest for Grace. The ocean is so big and she's so small." Steve's voice is thick. He tries hard to sound normal.

"I don't understand, Steve. Why the pool? And the life vest? Do You want to take her out on the ocean?" Danny inches forward. He's not sure what Steve tries to say.

Steve shakes his head. "No, man, the ocean is too dangerous for her. Too big and too wild for a little girl." He stops and Danny sees the hard beating of his pulse in the vein curving up the throat. "I told her we have to wait. We have to ask Danno. The dolphins won't appear before the big tide changes. A few more weeks but then she will see them, swimming in big schools. She can watch from the shore, totally safe and in no danger at all."

"That – that sounds great, Steve." Danny scoots closer. "I'm sorry, I assumed you would want to take her out on a surfboard, six miles from the shore." He laughs shakily. The love for this incredible man burns like wildfire through his body.

Steve adds in a hurry. "I also bout some stuff to build a sandcastle. And, uhm, and a sunshade. Sun blocker, too, stuff for a beach day, if –" his voice dies in the middle of the sentence.

Danny's heart is about to burst into a million pieces. Steve starts to crawl back into his shell. He has admitted what Danny and Grace mean to him and Danny hasn't answered to that. Steve's too unsure to stand the silence. He wants to get up.

Danny pulls him gently back by holding on. He slips his hand in Steve's and laces their fingers together. He fights with the moisture in his eyes. "You did all that, huh? You plan a beach day at your house for Grace and me. God, you're killing me, Steve."

Steve doesn't eat, doesn't move. "Only if you want." He murmurs.

"When did you plan to tell me? I mean you have to invite us."

"I'm telling you now." Steve hugs Danny's hand hard.

"I love the idea and I know Grace will be bouncing with joy to be with you." Danny waits but Steve tries not to combust with nervousness and stabs holes with the fork in a watermelon piece. "Did you buy a can of color for her room, too?" Danny chuckles. It's meant as a joke.

"Turquoise," Steve says as if it's the most normal thing to say. But the tightness in his upper body tells a different story. He's dangerously close to tear his hand away from Danny's grip to dash out the back door. Steve's hand trembles slightly in Danny's embrace. "Grace said she likes the colors of the ocean. I bought turquoise and different shades of blue so she can choose."

Danny's sucks in a harsh breath. "Steve,"

But Steve freezes and wants to pull his hand out from Danny's grip. "Let me go, Danny," he demands.

"Don't. Steve, please, don't do that. Give me your hand. I need five seconds to let your answer sink in."

"It's too much, is it? I went overboard. I scared you off. I'm sorry," Steve has Danny's hand in a choke-hold, cutting off the bloodstream. He's falling fast and hard in the wrong direction. "I don't know how to do this. I don't know what's right or wrong. I thought," Steve swallows dry and runs his hand through his hair. He leans on his elbow and hugs his neck with one hand to hide his face from Danny. "I thought I prepare a room for Grace at my house, so she has a place to sleep if you want to stay over. If you want to drop by, spend time with me, be with me." Steve breathes, "I'm sorry if I shocked you. I'm moving too fast. I thought – I just."

Danny tugs at their hands and makes Steve look at him. He wipes at his eyes, "Steve, look at me," Steve's pained gaze melts into something else. Danny knows he has red, watery eyes but the world is not ready for guys like Steve who have a heart as big as the whole damn world and so much love to give it's downright overwhelming.  "I fucking love you, Steve. Don't you get that?"

Steve doesn't answer, doesn't say it back but he swallows hard, bites his lips.

"Grace loves turquoise. She's going to love her room and everything you have planned for her. I can't believe I found you. I don't know what to say." Danny almost chokes on the love. This feeling when beauty is too much to sustain. He grabs Steve's hand so tight the knuckles turn white. Danny's not ashamed of the tears he wipes off with the back of his hand. "Eat up babe. I wanna take you back to bed."

TBC

#writersmonth2020 #h50 #mcdanno #fic rec #mcdanno fic rec #prompt fill #prompt cooking #ongoing story #cowandcalf writes #I almost made it #still proud #stories will be finished #never could let the boy not have their happy ending

[augustwash1]

Latest iPhone Phones Continue Getting Significantly Better

Users more than likely are in agreement with me personally that iPhone X design was among the very best, and that is exactly why Apple decided to keep the identical look for their next set of exclusive cell phones. Introduced a year ago, it's the very first Apple cellphone to take out the main button. In the other, I held its own brand-new successor, the Iphone Xs. My eyes squeezed shut, I passed them back and forth between my hands, rolling each phone above, feeling the curves, glass springs, dual lens camera bumps, and radar vents. I realized that I couldn't tell the difference between the two phones. This is not a criticism. It is just a simple fact of S version years, in which Apple locks at the iPhone design and concentrates, rather, on upgrading key internal parts. Therefore, the biggest changes to the 5.8-inches Iphone Xs and its big brother, the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max, each of which I analyzed, can be seen in functionality (thanks to this new A12 Bionic CPU), photographs and movies, (new digital cameras and a new ISP endorsed by the A12), along with functionality (iOS12, the last version of which came pre-applied in my test units). The outcome is a pair of fantastic, tasteful, and high-performing devices that will please iPhone enthusiasts and receive over a few glances out of Android smartphones. It still has the exact rigid surgical steel frame wrapped into a brand new glass material which Apple stated was devised to be scratch resistant and heavy duty. I gave the phones a couple half-hearted drops on a thin-pile rug but wasn't prepared to let them slide away . So far I have discovered just one very nice scrape on your iPhone Xs Max. So let us consider them scratch-resistant, however still not scratch-proof. The bigger iPhone Xs Max shares all the iPhone X's substance and layout attributes, but does this in a 6.2-inch x 3.05-inch x 0.30-inch human anatomy. In 208 grams, it is substantially thicker than the Iphone Xs. The Xs Max is really a hair shorter (0.04 inches) and thinner (0.02 inches), however, it's also a couple of grams bulkier when compared to the Iphone 8 Plus, the big-screen telephone that from a space the Iphone Xs Max most looks like. Button positioning power/sleep, quantity controllers, ring/silent switch -- will be exactly the same. However, there is one minor chassis difference. At the bottom edge of the telephones sits the lightning connector. It's book-ended by means of a pair of drilled holes that accommodate one half of their stereo speaker program and among the telephone's microphones. There was six openings on either side. Now the ideal side includes six slotsbut the left, that just houses a microphone, has just three. This small change was done, in part, to adapt the new inner antenna configuration which includes 4x4 MIMO and License Assisted accessibility, which utilizes unlicensed 5 GHz range to provide 1 Gbps chip over LTE. Apple updated the water and also dust-resistance rating to IP 68, which translates to the handsets residing in 2 meters of water for up to half an hour. I did not get to go swimming with all the iPhone Xs or Xs Max, but didn't run the latter phone below normal water, juice and milk. Afterward, as advocated, I rinsed and dried off the smart phone. I was careful not to plug it back into a lighting cable (that is a no-no after a dowsing) but didn't put it on a wireless charging foundation at which it had no problem accepting a fee. Apple, incidentally, said it put some effort in making the wireless charging platform (basically the hidden coils within the phone) more forgiving. This is great news, since I have, on more than 1 occasion, woken up to find that my iPhone X did not charge because I placed it a modest off-axis about the charging base. I have never ran into that issue with the iPhone Xs or Xs Max. The Iphone Xs and iPhone Xs Max body frames are somewhat rigid and solid-feeling, but torqueable, particularly the bigger telephone, which actually creates a tiny clicking sound once I attempt to twist it. Apparently, I've just had those iPhones for a week, but based on a calendar year's experience with the original iPhone X (granted, mostly in a thin instance ), I consider this design framework tough and ready for the long run. Even now as Samsung follows Apple to the dense black cutout at the peak of this iPhone Xs and Xs Max, Apple shows no traces of going backwards in the multi-option technology, which neither grew nor slipped in the most recent iPhones. Just like the original TrueDepth Module, that one is still packed with all the exact components (none of that, as much as I can tell, have been updated). There is a 7 MP camera, dot projector for depth sensing, infrared camera (depth sensing), flooding illuminator (yes, too for depth-sensing), proximity detector, ambient light detector, the second half of the stereo speaker program, plus a mic. On the backs of the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, there is more of the custom glass, the Apple Logo, the word Iphone (but no"X" or"s"), along with the 12 MP dual camera system. This vertically-oriented, pill-shaped camera module appears exactly the same as it did to the last iPhone X. It is still a prominent bulge, but it didn't get any bigger. Within the module is new hardware backed by new image technologies, but more on that later. I've always considered that the 5.8-inch Iphone X an fantastic tradeoff involving a big-screen phone and hand-friendly ergonomics. The screen is large and immersive, however, the body is comfortable to hold and pocket. The iPhone Xs Max in comparison can, particularly if you're used to holding a more compact phone, feel big. It is not embarrassing to hold, however people with smaller hands will probably fight with one-handed use and will likely want to turn Reachability, which with a swipe down on the flat bar moves all halfway down the screen, which makes it longer accessible. Still, the trade-off might be worth it. I forgot just how much I like the larger iPhone display, and about the iPhone Xs Max, you get much more screen without contending with a bigger phone (there is just that 0.04-inch height difference between the Iphone 8 Plus and the iPhone Xs Max). Apple's full-stack management of the iPhone layout, development, and production process pays dividends throughout the handset. However, it's most clearly from the silicon, which can be designed and developed in conjunction with the software and hardware components that will rely on it. Last year, Apple revealed the A11 Bionic, a powerful cellular CPU with built in Artificial Intelligence Power. The newest A12 Bionic assembles on that short legacy with a more powerful Neural Engine and much more impressive graphics performance. When I discuss a brand new Iphone, I begin using Geekbench 4 to check out the raw CPU operation. To ensure that there are minimum background processes going, I usually run the exam before I've set up a single app. I ran the Geekbench CPU benchmark and (together with understanding that Apple stuffed an additional gig of memory within the brand new Xs course iPhones) found that the single core scores had improved marginally between the A11 Bionic along with A12 Bionic. However, that the multi-core score was inexplicably lower. Not by a good deal, but I hadn't ever seen that happen. The amounts were still much higher than what I obtained from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845, however a lower result on the new Iphone didn't make sense. However, once I reran the Geekbench CPU evaluation per day or so after, the A12 multi-core numbers beat those of the A11. My guess is that, though I set up the iPhone Xs and Xs Max as fresh iPhones, there may nevertheless have been some background setup process going on that dragged down the CPU amounts. The bigger leap in functionality is in the Geekbench Compute Metal Score, which jumped from 15,145 on the Iphone X into 22,245 about the Iphone Xs and Xs Max. Apple's done a great deal of work to beef up graphics performance, particularly for the raft of ARKit two (and Surface 2) software heading into the stage, some of which can support multiplayer gaming. While there aren't a lot of ARKit 2 programs in the program store, I did get a hands-on time using an Iphone Xs operating Galaga ARthe identical demonstration Apple showed off during the iPhone Xs unveiling. To play with, me and a couple of other writers stood on a desk and pointed out our telephones at the Galaga video arcade game console. Soon, alien attackers began streaming first from the video game display and from all round us. I swung the phone from side-to-side up and up and down to watch and then shoot the incoming assault. It had been fast-paced and a lot of fun. In the same way, I've seen how, together with ARKit two, the telephone can set, say, a very realistic digital pressure stove or sneaker to a real table or at my toes, the illusion broken only when I slid my hands to the framework and, about the iPhone Xs screen, it looked just like my notes had been stuck beneath the pot. You can't encourage these kinds of real-virtual combinations without ample graphics horsepower, thickness mapping, and the AI required to identify how surfaces, shadows, and even reflections will work on virtual shapes in a real open space. This processing ability also helped amp more ordinary operations such as Face ID. While the procedure for registering my head was unchanged from the original iPhone X, opening either phone with my face, in addition to utilizing Face ID to access password-protected apps and services, is significantly faster than it had been about the iPhone X. Overall, in actual programs, both Iphone Xs and Xs Max run reliably. Apple place massive work into enhancing the photo and movie experience on the Iphone Xs and Xs Max. Along with brand new lenses and a bigger sensor, both the cameras (rear and selfie) are all backed by a fresh picture signal cpu. The technical specs on the double cameras are untouched by the iPhone X (and would be the same on either the iPhone Xs and Xs Max). There is the 1.8 wide angle lens along with the f 2.4 2X telephoto. Both of those comprise optical image stabilization and will shoot around 4K video at 60 fps. They still take slow-motion video in up to 240 frames per second. If you'd like insane 960 fps super-slo-mo, then you are going to have to look to Samsung. In the pure-play photography race, though, Apple requires the head. The Smart HDR uses detector, ISP, and neural engine enhancements to catch a number of the finest high-dynamic range photographs I've ever seen. The gap between what has been possible on the first iPhone X and the Xs and Xs Max is stunning. Apple produced a system suitable of shooting 2 frames each thirtieth of a second, and immediately analyzing and combining them into a single image that preserves not only foreground and background detail, but that can freeze actions without presenting tremendous grain. In multiple images, I saw that the iPhone Xs and Xs Max find colour and detail in dark spaces without wasting out the lighter areas. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is also an excellent low light shooter, however I think the Xs line is a little better. I'm particularly impressed with how Apple's built upon its own position position in Portrait Mode digital photography. Apple created Portrait Mode in 2016 using the iPhone 7 Plus (the applications lagged from the hardware). Since that time, Apple's elegant the technology, adding items such as Studio Light, Contour Light, Stage Light, and Stage Light Mono. All these attributes remain, and are somewhat enhanced. That which I love and, as an amateur photographer who regularly performs with f-stops to get just the perfect depth of field effect, is that the newest Depth Control. Depth Control lets you choose a Portrait Mode photo and correct the Bokeh, or depth of field attention, after you shoot the photographs. This works with both front and rear cameras, which means that the image chip is using two different types of depth details. On the rear, it's the benefit of two lenses to find stereoscopic info. The front camera relies on the depth-sensing hardware. I understand, Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 gives the capability to correct background attention as you're shooting the image, as well as after. But, there is an essential difference here that is evident in the iPhone Xs and Xs Max Depth picture editor. It's a slider that lets you adjust smoothly from an electronic f 1.4 aperture to a virtual f16. At a real camera with a mechanical aperture, higher numbers interpret to sharper focus from the background along with reduced numbers imply the focus thickness is significantly shallower. About the Galaxy Note 9, Live Focus basically sees the pictures as two planes: the foreground and background. The slider blurs the background plane. The Iphone Xs's depth slider is based on all of the depth advice to reduce or enhance background focus through all of the planes between the very front of their subject and the background. Together with the enhanced Portrait Mode stitching (handling how the subject and a blurred background fit together), the subtlety of this effect through the selection of virtual f-stops is remarkable and, Apple's explained, is modeled on how actual lenses together with hardware apertures would influence each image. For most people the smartphone is their only camera. This places a pro-level command from the hands of millions of individuals, who are about to begin taking some really awesome portrait photographs. Just after capturing normal pics, movie, and even 4K, I continue to be stunned with the standard of photos and videos coming out of their iPhone Xs and Xs Max. Sure, it is strange that the larger Xs Max doesn't, as might be tradition, have any enhanced picture capturing features, however I doubt anyone is going to be dismayed with the photo quality delivered by either new mobile phone. There are a couple of other hardware-related enhancements, such as the guaranteed dual-sim technology which allows for multiple telephone numbers (believe work and individual numbers of one phone) via the support of eSIM technology. Unlike ordinary SIMs, you don't require a carrier card just for the provider to confirm it and allow it on your phone. It's a wonderful characteristic which, for obvious reasons, I could not test. For sound aficionados, there's also the new stereo recording and wider-stereo playback. This can be relatively hard to check, and I occasionally worry my ears aren't good enough to notice what could be a more nuanced difference. However, I'd find a method. I recordedin landscape mode, a few cars driving by. They begin on the left of this screen and push to the right. In video I recorded together with all the iPhone Xs, the noise travels from one side of the telephone to the other. Playback about the iPhone X is loud but lacks the identical degree of separation noise. Clearly, films with a great deal of sound engineering aren't just great displays for the amazing displays, but highlight the new, wider stereo playback abilities too. As hardware/software relationships go, you can not do better than the Apple iPhone Xs and iOS 12. I have been running betas of their new mobile OS for months on my iPhone X and found it incredibly smooth and stable. About the iPhone Xs and Xs Max, it becomes even better spouses. In addition to butter-smooth and lighting fast operation (in matches, video, and internet browsing), the augmented reality abilities first released into iOS 11, ARKit, along with the iPhone X tend to be far more refined and easy to customize from iOS 12 and the Iphone Xs. The smart assistant is a much better listener than ever, and getting smarter. Her address is much more conversational and she is requesting follow-up queries. Siri can also be more proactive, putting connections between benign items such as locations and schedules and offering them beforehand. There are also a number of third party programs tapping into Siri, allowing you to use only your voice to access program features and data without even launching the app. You can set up iOS 12 on your older Iphone (down into this iPhone 5s), however not all of attributes, particularly those involving AR, will operate on the older devices. Still, I clearly advise the upgrade with anyone operating an Iphone 7 and up. It is simply a much better, more polished, educated, and smart user experience also, to be fair, I have hardly scratched the surface of all of the updates and feature improvements you'll find. Apple claims 30 minutes more battery life involving the iPhone X and Xs and 90 minutes more with the Iphone Xs Max. In my experience, either new phone might get you through the majority of the afternoon on a single charge. I spent one day using only the iPhone Xs Max. I retained the brightness high and ran all types of programs and procedures. It lasted a strong 10 hours. Perhaps a tiny bit less than I expected, but still enough for me through the majority of the working day. In all honesty, with less than a week under my belt, it is difficult to give a full assessment of battery performance. There are so many variables and, obviously, battery life will be good on new mobile phones. Talk to me in 6 months or one year, and we're going to see if I am still satisfied with battery life. It is not strange that Apple did not bring down the cost for the brand new $999 iPhone Xs (or hold onto the original model and market it at a lower price). I'm not even shocked that we finally have a nearly $1,100 version or that we're able to cover a whopping $1,449 for the 512 GB iPhone Xs Max (which happens to be the version that I tested). Apple's already proven that individuals will pay almost anything to get their hands on the latest iPhone. Is $1,000 or more to cover a mobile phone? Perhaps, however many people think about the entire cost instead of monthly payments? I am, however, a little annoyed that Apple stopped the lightning -to-3.5 mm adapter. It's as if, in the last 12 months, we've gotten rid of our audio and Bose headsets, such as it is a solved issue. Memo to Apple: It is not. What I will say is that these are the iPhones you desire. The iPhone Xs does not mess with that which I consider a traditional layout, and also the Xs Max simply takes all that's amazing about the iPhone X and expands it. As a set, they are just as beautiful as the original home-button-free Iphone X. The plan looks especially elegant in a gold finish. Photographers will love the new camera, and gamers and content consumers will want the big-screen iPhone Xs Max. Even if you own the iPhone X, I still wouldn't upgrade unless you absolutely need more realistic augmented reality and full depth control on your portraits. For iPhone 6s, 7, 8, as well as 8 Plus owners, the iPhone Xs and Xs Max is going to feel as a massive leap to the foreseeable future.

#smartphones

[sad-panda-dib-blog]

Just gonna drop this here and run. ;;; v ;;;

Okay, so like, some of you guys have been asking for me to upload some of my works here, so here I go at last. Please don't hurt me. ; v ;

My name is Pat and I'm one of the original authors for that god-awful ZADR fanfic, "ZADR Orange." It's likely one of the cringiest fanfics I've ever written in my life, but like, also the thing that has been feeding my soul for the past 10 years of working on it. The beginning is rushed and terrible, the characters are OOC, and my writing from back then is just...blah. HOWEVER it's become something I can't let go of and so I continue to plague the fandom with its continued existence even after all these years of posting. Some people have come to love it, others hate it to its core, but for me, it's that thing that has given my life purpose (as stupid as that may sound). It's pushed me to make improvements in my writing, even if you can't necessarily see those improvements in the earliest chapters of the work (and by earliest chapters, I mean like the first 150 of them. Yep, that's how long it took me to not suck as much as I did back then). To this day, I continue to upload new content and VERY SLOWLY make revisions to its beginning. Perhaps someday it will be a halfway decent work of fiction in the fandom and not a target for criticism as mentioned in this hate Wiki:  https://toxicfandomsandhatedoms.miraheze.org/wiki/Invader_Zim_Fandom (which I really can't argue with. XD It is pretty cringe-worthy).

There are like a million other fics posted in this fandom that far surpass anything that I could ever hope to write, but still, I strive to improve my works constantly. I know I've gotten a lot of love and support from some fans over the years, but my inner critic is always there to remind me that if I hadn't been the one to write it myself, I likely would have passed it up as a reader simply for its rushed formatting, dialogue, and word flow. Also for the copious amounts of pointless filler word vomit I tend to get into because I think it's interesting at the time only to realize later that I was simply rambling. But ah well. That's just how it goes sometimes, especially when writing an RP (Oh, did I mention that this story was originally a role play with another person? Yeah, there's that too. Since I was the one writing our parts into narrative though, I feel solely responsible for butchering what could have been a decent story if I just hadn't rushed the beginning bits so much). Umm...But yeah, anyways, moving on.

As I mentioned above, this story has also been accused of portraying the characters as WAY OOC from the show. Once again, my fault because I have a tendency towards writing Dib as a whiny little overemotional bitch most of the time. Sorry about that. ; v ; It's a preference in most of my writing with him though. To me personally, what makes ZADR so appealing in the long run, is exploring the emotional torment of somebody who has been called crazy all his life. Dib is just the saddest little stubborn panda bear in all of my writing and I heavily prefer works in which he is the submissive to Zim. Like, Zim is adorable in his own right, but I can't imagine him simply surrendering his dominance to Dib, regardless of how much taller Dib might ever grow. Plus, in my head, Dib will always be that hopeless virgin type of character (even if Zim IS fucking his brains out half the time in my works). Zim's not as clueless as he may seem sometimes either. Like, he's lived a whole other life long before he came to Earth. I imagine he's seen some things and experienced more in his life than Dib has, even if one of the main consensus is that Irken's mature more slowly than humans. Irken society is very different from human society in my mind so I imagine some things are more normal for Irkens than other things (but I won't get into that here. That's a post for a different point in time.)

Whoo boy, this is getting long, and I haven't even posted a link to the actual story yet. ; v ; I guess what I'm trying to say though is that I have a very personal way of viewing and portraying the characters in my work. Perhaps that's why it gets both positive and negative feedback from people. I don't expect everybody to agree with or even like my work, but I simply ask that it not be crushed into the ground for its flaws. Above all else, I write my stories for fun and to see my own improvement. And yes, I know it may seem weird that I'm so paranoid about advertising a work that's been present in this fandom for YEARS now (especially as it used to be advertised quite a lot back when I was still writing it with my co-writer), but let's just say this fandom has left me with some pretty nasty battle scars in the past. I know the haters will always exist and they're better off ignored, but I've had to see close friends come and go from this fandom as a result of that hate. I don't understand the fixation some people have with drama in this fandom. Yes, you're entitled to an opinion, but please don't shove it in other people's faces. It's like some people enjoy intentionally being assholes online and trying to ruin other people's fun. I've tried to distance myself from that sort of hatred because I don't need that sort of stress in my life any longer. But in doing so, it DOES make it harder to interact with the nicer fans out there/continue posting my works, regardless of how long I've been in the fandom. Also, I was kind of an attack dog back in the day when it came to defending some of my friends, which kind of put me in a bad light to some people in the fandom for a while. Whoops. My bad. As much as I hated that sort of drama, I was always the first to jump in and make an ass of myself when it came to defending my friend. Hahaha. <XD

Gah! I'm stalling now. Here's my shit for those of you who were asking: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5995185/1/ZADR-Orange

(This links to the PG-13 version uploaded on Fanfiction.net. An adult version is also available for 18 + viewers over on DeviantART).

https://www.deviantart.com/dib-the-hybrid/art/ZADR-Orange-Chapter-001-277634496

And for those of you who weren't asking for it, sorry to spam the ZADR tag with my bullshit. ; v ;

Oh, and while I'm at it, since this Tumblr account IS a joint account with another one of my co-writers, Sass (Sassafrass002 over DeviantART. Go check her out! Her art is amazing and she deserves all the love in the world for it. <3  https://www.deviantart.com/sassafrass002), here's another set of links to yet another ZADR roleplay we've been writing together for years now (almost as long as ZO, actually). :> We just recently posted chapter 100 of our story and have so much more to add onto it. Once again though, we do lean towards a softer side of ZADR so it'll likely be OOC to many. I feel this work to be at least a little less cringe worthy though. :> Plus she does amazing preview images to go along with the chapters.

(PG-13 FanFiction.net Version: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7311546/1/Dib-Is-Sick )

(18+ DeviantArt Version: https://www.deviantart.com/sassafrass002/art/Dib-is-Sick-Chapter-1-254253924 )

I might advertise some other stories of mine at a later point in time, but for right now, these two are the ones that I've invested the most time into. They've kept my mind occupied with ideas for them for years, and I doubt I'll ever be able to move on from them until they're actually complete. (Technically DIS IS complete. Just not all posted yet. But we have a sequel in the works currently that I hope we eventually get to posting also! :>)

Enjoy! :> ...Or not. ; v ; I think I'm going to run away and hide now.

#ZADR #Sad Panda Dib Uploads #ZADR Orange #Dib Is Sick #Sorry for spamming my shit on Tumblr