#i Think this is my first time drawing brain?? and good lord hes fun to draw

[ar-mage-ddon]

extremely messy doodle dump that devolved into me anguishing over trying to figure out how to draw that damn default hat at other angles

#khml #kingdom hearts missing link #kh #kingdom hearts #kh brain #keykid #i couldve just cropped the actual good parts but the line of hats at the bottom is so funny looking i have to leave it #i Think this is my first time drawing brain?? and good lord hes fun to draw #if ur wondering why brain is shaking player up in the corner i just want u to imagine- #-brain trying to figure out what the hell player means by “okay so i Did die but its fine because i decided to keep living afterwards” #thats the kind of friendship dynamic i want for them . i want it so bad (←makes no sense at all) #myart

[lorcandidlucienwill]

Ok this idea is so funny to me so I just had to write it lmaooo

Eris strolled the rich forest air behind his father's house. He despised everything about this place. It reeked of blood. Blood from Beron's torture of each of his sons, blood from the executions that had occurred here, including Eris's brother's lover. Every time he was forced to be here, he desired to leave. Unfortunately, he had to be prepared for a meeting in twenty minutes.

Just then, he noticed a shadow moving on the ground not twenty paces from him; the shadows were unaccompanied by any visible being and were too large to be a little critter. Eris chuckled to himself. He had been wondering when the Night Court thugs would be coming to melt his brain for what he'd seen the cursebreaker do. Perhaps they'd gone to all his brothers first; arrogant fools that most of them were, they had probably not even expected the attack. Or perhaps even they had seen him coming; it is not as if he is subtle.

Did he truly believe no one could see him? Despite his magic rendering him perfect for such a position, he was one of the most pathetic spies he had ever seen. Nearly everyone knew he was a shadowsinger, so nearly everyone knew to look for him.

Eris decided to have some fun with the poor bastard. He wandered across his gardens, and sure enough, the shadows followed him. Come on, little bat. At least try to be subtle. Such a concept was foreign to Illyrians, alas. Well, bad for them. Good for Eris.

He rounded the corner before he winnowed a few feet forward, ducking in the bushes and biding his time for the shadow to approach. He noticed the shadows pivot this way and that, as though they were looking for something. Swallowing his laugh, Eris winnowed behind the shadows, wrapping an arm securely around where he guessed his waist was. There was a grunt and a curse as the shadows fought, but Eris only squeezed him tighter, letting the heat that lay beneath his veins rise to the surface, burning him ever so slightly. The male yelped, and his true form appeared. Eris whipped out his dagger and pressed it to his throat.

"Hello, Shadowsinger," Eris purred.

The prince of Autumn held Azriel against his surprisingly well-built chest, blade pressing into his neck, heat curling off his body. Warm- these gods-damned Autumn Court males were so fucking warm. Lucien had been the same way when Azriel had carried him from Winter to Night. That ember smell stuck to him like natural fucking cologne too. And their dressing style-effortless.

Azriel had been invisible, hidden by his shadows. He had no idea how Eris had caught him, but his breaths were shallow as Eris's lips came close to his ear. "Now, what could you possibly be doing here, shadowsinger? Come to see if the rumors about Autumn Court males are true, hm?"

Not expecting the innuendo, Azriel couldn't control the blush that spread across his face. Eris laughed against his neck. "So easily flustered, little bat. Worry not, I know exactly why you're here. But you see, I'm rather attached to my memories, so I think I'll be keeping them."

Azriel couldn't even speak with the knife at his throat. "No words, shadowsinger?" Eris's tone was somehow mocking and seductive at the same time. He dug his knife in a little bit deeper, drawing blood. Then he lightly ran a finger through the line of blood he'd made. Goosebumps traveled down Azriel's body.

Then Eris pulled away the knife. "Speak."

Azriel snarled and tried to break away again, and Eris tsked, returning the blade to his throat. "Tut tut, little bat. This only works if you cooperate with me. Now I need you to swear that you will not come and try to wipe my memory again, nor will you attempt to murder me, else maim me in any capacity. You will lie to your High Lord and anyone else you associate with that you successfully wiped my memory. Do you understand me?" He pulled the knife away just so. "Yes," Azriel muttered reluctantly. "Swear it," Eris murmured. Azriel's mouth didn't move.

"Swear it," Eris repeated, his voice radiating with authority. Azriel found his mouth opening subconsciously, and before he knew it, he had replied, "Yes. I swear it." Azriel and Eris both watched as new whorls of deepest blue grew on his cheek. A matching pale gold one formed on Eris's cheek, just visible upon his pale skin.

Abruptly, Eris shoved Azriel to the ground before him, and just as Azriel got to his knees, Eris pointed a sword at him. Azriel longed to punch the smirk off of his arrogant face. "No violence for you today, Illyrian brute," Eris crooned. "I know that must be so upsetting to you."

"Bastard," Azriel snapped. "Wife-abusing bastard."

Eris snorted. "Are you talking about Mor, little bat? Surely you have brain enough to understand why I left Mor outside of Autumn rather than risk saving her?"

"Because you're a coward," Azriel growled. Eris only let out a musical laugh. "Says you, shadowsinger, who lurks in the dark, hiding behind your own dark reflection. I have not come here to explain myself to Rhysand's dogs; no, I'm keeping you around for one purpose: to send a message." Azriel glared at him. "No."

Eris bent towards Azriel, and Azriel could not breathe as his warm fingers traced the new tattoo upon his cheek. "You don't have a choice, little bat. My territory, my rules. And you're bound to me by a bargain forever. Besides, I think your lord will be interested in what I have to offer."

This close to Beron's eldest son, he could see the resemblance to Lucien: the flaming red hair, naturally, but also the shape of their eyes, their lips. The dimples when they smirk. Their eyebrows. While Lucien was a handsome man with some ruggedness to him, Eris was...well he was unbelievably pretty. There was no other way to describe it. And he hated that he found Eris so attractive.

"What do you want?" Azriel hissed, letting loathing simmer in his eyes. Azriel could feel the heat of Eris's mouth against his lips as he replied, "The same thing I've wanted for the past four centuries, shadowsinger. I want my crown."

#azriel #eris vanserra #pro eris vanserra #azris #fanfic #acowar

[kirchefuchs]

Ooh! My brain's building up a whole daydream off my last one! (Alternate timeline to the CCRP turning Tinky human...or perhaps even something to happen after he manages to get his powers as a Lord in Black restored.) It's also building off the ask someone gave you about them attempting to hurt Ted to get to Tinky.

So like...imagine they figure a way to forcibly summon Tinky and manage to stick him in a cell with like some demon binding type stuff. Ted wakes up to Tinky missing, goes looking for him, (perhaps even given clues on where to look by Tinky just barely able to send him visions that end up being just brief flashes at a time.) Eventually he finds the labs below the CCRP building and helps Tinky break out. But just as it looks like they're home free, Kilgore and his men attack, restraining Ted and giving Tinky an ultimatum: Use his powers to help them or Ted dies. (Quite possibly with him phrasing it like "Send me back in time to help Jenny" or something along the lines of stopping what happened to her or seeing her one last time.)

Seeing Ted held at gun point, Tinky is of course horrified. Then very quickly pissed.

"You really wanna go back that badly? Fine...I'll send you back. As many times as you need..."

So he sends Kilgore back. Just at the moment of Jenny's accidental death. Right when he's too late to stop it. And he's forced to relive it in a time loop over and over. That is Tinky's revenge. That...is what happens to the toys Tinky *doesn't* like.

He makes sure his remaining men know his fate. He did technically fulfill his end of their deal, and sufficiently terrified them at the same time. Meaning they really had no choice but to let them go. Lest they suffer the same fate.

So it ends up being that they both save eachother. (Though Tinky's score is definitely higher just cause of how many deaths Ted ends up getting close to. Also I love the thought of a good version of Tinky becoming a guardian for this 'doomed by the narrative' family.) Plus... you know Ted would see him go feral to protect him and think it hot as hell.

I love this I love this I love this!!! I would read the heck out of a fanfiction with this plot!! So obviously I sketched the confrontation at the end, though I pretty much just did doodles of Tinky's monolog cuz I wanted an excuse to draw him with long hair a lot :3

(I think it'd be interesting if this were post him regaining his powers, so that's how ccrp was able to capture him in the first place. He was still getting used to having them back)

Tinky shifting from feral goblin to precious cinnamon roll amuses me a lot :))

I don't really know what else to say except this was super fun to draw, and I will be thinking about this idea a lot, lol

#fanart #ask #traditional art #hatchetverse #hatchetfield #ted spankoffski #t'noy karaxis #tinky redemption arc #tinky #tinky starkid #tinky npmd #human tinky #tinkoffski #ted x tinky

[ambrosiagourmet]

thistle for ask meme!

Thistle :0

First impression

No joke I was convinced early on that Laios & the party were making like a huuuuge leap in assuming that Thistle was the Lunatic Magician TM like guys you can't just go accusing every random person you find in a living painting of being the manager. Alas... he was, in fact, the manager.

Impression now

He's so jester coded👍

I think Thistle is very interesting and a great foil to Marcille, which I looove. They are both magic elf(-ish) advisors, they both get caught up in wanting to help the people around them live longer, they both become dungeon lords in pursuit of that... I think Thistle's story as it is works well for the narrative and I don't necessarily think he was underutilized exactly, but it is a little hard not to want A Bit More sometimes. Even if I do think it would be hard to add that more in without sacrificing some of the pacing overall :')

Favorite moment

I was initially going to say the ending for them, because I do love it, but you know what? I've got a more interesting answer. My favorite Thistle scene is.... this:

This fundamentally changes the trajectory of the story. In trying to find someone to stop the Winged Lion, Thistle launches Marcille into becoming the next lord of the dungeon. The next victim of the Lion. If Thistle hadn't resurrected Marcille, then the plot would have played out totally differently. She wouldn't have been able to finish unsealing the book. Laios would have been on his own when the canaries came. Would they have just cleaned everything up more easily? Would it instead have become something worse? Would Laios somehow have unsealed the book and become the lore of the dungeon right away?

I dunno. But this action reshaped Marcille's life, and Laios', and so many other people's. And it was done out of a desire to keep fighting. To not give in.

Augh idk. It's good. Their connection is good.

Idea for a story

Thistle & Chimera Laios.

But not just a "Laios gets eaten by the dragon instead," I think it would be cool to explore an AU where for some handwavy magic reason, Laios gets his soul bound up w/ the dragon during Falin's resurrection, and he gets poofed into a dragon form.

There's a note somewhere that says that chimeras start popping up the more the lord of the dungeon starts to lose their hold on things, but having met Laios before might help Thistle eventually realize that something is Off about the dragon. From there... well maybe he starts to ask questions and gives Laios more freedom to actually answer, and things could continue from there as Laios gets enough humanity back to start to understand what's happening, and also Thistle takes more time to question the Lion's plans rather than just continue to act. They'd be stuck together, probably with Laios still under Thistle's control, but maybe as they figure out more of the truth, they'd actually work together? Need to rely on each other? I'd like to see how each of them would deal with that situation...

PLUS then on the flip side I think switching Falin into the group part way through the story (rather than at the start) could be really interesting. So the adventures on that side would be fun too.

Unpopular opinion

umm idk. Is Thistle widely regarded as a Marcille foil? Because if not then why. They are so inchresting. funky little mages.

Favorite relationship

Hmmm okay so like obviously Thistle & Marcille, but also as seen in my story idea I want to explore more of Thistle & Laios bc their interactions were fun, soo... I'll just say the Dungeon Lord quartet as a whole. I like when people draw art of them all together. Let them bond through shared trauma. And also all of them have tried to kill at least one other person there at some point. It's great. They should go on brunch dates.

Favorite headcanon

This post about Thistle's goal to eat a meal with Delgal fundamentally rewired my brain

#ask #ask meme

[twiceasfrustrating]

A Difference of Opinion 2

Rating: Teen and Up

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Category: GN/M

Fandom: Shall We Date?: Obey Me!

Characters: Main Character/Reader, Barbatos, Diavolo

Additional Tags: Yandere, Conniving, formally sick burns all around, antagonistic tension, non-consensual kissing

Summary: The only thing that matters to you is that Diavolo thinks of you as an equal. You may not entirely understand the politics of the Devildom, but you know you would be good for him and his ideals if given the chance. Diavolo’s attendant, however, silently disagrees and always finds a way to let Diavolo know.

A/N: One of the enablers won. They basically poked me until this came out. Only a year and a half later.

Word Count: 3919

Prev

Diavolo invited you to tea. Just you! Not Lucifer or Solomon or Simeon. Only you! He wanted you enough to ask to see you alone. You were positively delighted as you knocked at the front door of the palace, waiting to be let in. Unfortunately, you didn’t have the pleasure of being greeted by Diavolo as you had wished.

Instead, Barbatos glared at you for only a split moment as he opened the door, eyes burrowing so deep that it seemed he was trying to pierce straight through your eyes and into your brain. Just as quickly, as if he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to greet visitors in his master's stead, he corrected his expression to a painfully formal one. Disappointing. You were hoping to watch him lose his composure a little longer so you could mock his unprofessionalism.

"Welcome," he said with barely restrained contempt. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?" The unstated wish for you to remove yourself from the premises hung heavy in the air.

Unfortunately for him, you didn't care what he wanted. "Diavolo invited me. Didn't he tell you?"

"Ah, yes," he smirked, "he did tell me to expect a guest, but from the way he spoke I thought it would be someone important. That was my mistake."

Oh how you wanted to ring his neck. "Are you claiming that Diavolo's precious exchange program isn't important? He would be so heartbroken to hear that."

"Please refrain from spreading falsehoods like that. Such baseless rumors would be the true detriment to his morale." He opened the door wide, motioning for you to step forward. "Lord Diavolo is in the drawing room. You may see yourself there."

“Oh? You won’t see me there? And here I thought you prided yourself on being Diavolo's loyal dog – I mean, his beloved butler.”

“Please,” he tried and failed to hide the annoyance in his voice, “we both know I have better things to do with my time than walk you down the hall like an infant. But if that’s what you wish, I would not deny any guest of the Young Master’s hospitality. I would hate to think that even the most unworthy failed to see the extent of his generosity.”

“No thank you,” you said as you stepped inside to let him close the door at last. “I think I’ll be able to find my way there without the assistance of a nanny.”

“That is wonderful to hear, because we do not have one.” He bowed to you, but it was clearly in jest; not low enough to show respect, his head still turned up so his eyes stayed locked with yours, and he was too quick to stand back up and walk away before you could take your first steps.

It must have been destroying him inside to know Diavolo cared about you enough to invite only you to a private tea with him. The poor butler probably had to realize by now that he would never be able to compete with you, the personification of all of Diavolo's ideals. 

It was fun to watch him try though.

You knew the royal palace more intimately than the back of your own hand at this point. Every turn and corridor held a story you could recount with exceptional detail and elegance. That painting on the wall was the one you first asked Diavolo about when you couldn't think how to start a conversation. That wooden podium was the same one you'd stubbed your toe on and Diavolo had worried about you so much that he carried you to your destination. Around that corner was the room where you'd listened to him quietly humming to himself from just outside the door before Barbatos had found you and ruined your private moment of peace. Further down the corridor was where Barbatos had unceremoniously dragged Diavolo after you'd attempted to rescue him from the endless pile of paperwork and forms that kept him away from you. 

The drawing room wasn’t far into the palace, but each step reminded you of another precious memory you secretly shared with Diavolo inside of your heart. Everything he did was simply too wonderful to neglect or forget. Soon, you wondered if your heart may just explode from trying to keep them all contained, and, if it did, would Diavolo help you pick up the pieces? You would die of embarrassment if he saw everything inside of you displayed and laid out so shamelessly, so vulgarly.

The thought made your face run hot and you had to take a moment to temper yourself as you finally reached the entrance to the drawing room. In front of Diavolo, you would do him no less than proud. You would be his perfect human through and through because that was what he deserved.

Taking one final breath to calm your frayed nerves, you finally opened the massive, ornate doors in front of you.

And nearly burst a blood vessel as you saw that Barbatos had beat you back to Diavolo’s side.

Despite the unwelcome sight, you kept your face cheerful by focusing on the sight of Diavolo already seated and wafting the aroma of his tea upward to enjoy the fragrant scent that flooded the room.

“Sorry I’m late,” you said as you let the doors close behind you and walked toward him.

His face lit up even brighter than before as you walked closer. “No. You’re never late!”

“Actually, My Lord,” Barbatos interrupted, “they were supposed to be here nearly two minutes ago.”

Pedantic as always.

“What’s two minutes between friends?”

Bless Diavolo’s pure heart.

You took your seat at the table and smiled pleasantly at Barbatos as you dared him to pour you a cup of tea, as was expected. He did so with a polite smile expression on his face, but notably overfilled your cup so that it would spill slightly over the rim if you did not pick it up carefully.

For a moment, you genuinely considered letting the tea overflow onto your hand so Diavolo would fret over you, but that would also allow Barbatos the opportunity to critique your manners. It was better to behave immaculately in front of Diavolo.

You picked up your tea cup with a condescending smirk as subtle frustration crossed Barbatos face at your steady hand keeping the cup level.

“What were you two talking about?” you asked, knowing that they had been speaking of something or other before you opened the doors to the drawing room.

"Oh! Don't worry about it." Diavolo lifted his tea to his lips, seeming to avoid having to speak further about it.

"Do not be so humble, My Lord," Barbatos cut in. "You've managed to finally convince one of the oldest noble families in the Devildom to hear out your vision for the future. Such things should be applauded. Your goal is closer than ever before."

"You flatter me," Diavolo chuckled as he set down his cup. "But I am glad."

You set down your tea, using your pinky to cushion the bottom of the cup so it didn’t clink against the wooden table as you had been begrudgingly instructed some time ago by Lucifer and Barbatos when they were teaching you the basics of high class manners. Thank goodness they had too, otherwise you may have slammed the porcelain cup against the table and shattered it in the process. 

"I'm sorry," you said with a smile to try and appear more affable. "I don't think I quite understand the good news."

After all, the only thing you heard was that some haughty demon too big for their breeches had made a move on your prince.

"Oh!" Diavolo's face practically glowed as he began to speak. "The House of Lords and I have never quite seen," he paused, searching for the right words, "eye-to-eye on our relationship to the Human and Celestial Realms. They've had issues with my plan from the very beginning and having that kind of strife between me and them has been… difficult.

"But," he beamed, "the House of Abaddon has finally agreed to meet with me to discuss our future diplomacy with them."

"Having their support is a great boon, since they are one of the oldest noble families." Barbatos did not smirk outwardly, but you could hear it in his voice as he silently berated you for your lack of Devildom political structures. "They command a great deal of respect and power among the others."

You shot Barbatos a brief glare that seemed to leave him entirely unaffected.

What was more pressing now was recalling which demons belonged to the House of Abaddon. Considering they were a noble family, that meant they were most assuredly invited to Diavolo's balls and soirees, which meant you had surely seen them at some point since you often attended those same parties as the symbol of Diavolo's precious ideal future. The issue was that the demons from the House of Abaddon weren't coming to mind. Neither their demonic faces nor their human facades came to mind.

Who could they be?

"Young Master," Barbatos intruded in the conversation yet again, "I believe you have forgotten that they are from the human realm. They are not familiar with the noble families or their members."

Diavolo looked shocked for a moment before laughing boyishly and blushing so brilliantly that it made your heart skip a beat. "You're right, Barbatos. I should explain, shouldn't I?"

Oh, Barbatos was a sly fox.

He hadn't pointed out your confusion out of a sense of altruism. He had done it to highlight your ignorance. The divide between you as a human and Diavolo as the future king of the Devildom was now made apparent and seeing you as anything other than an outsider in this situation was now impossible. There was now a fissure between where you and Diavolo stood.

A fissure that only grew wider as Diavolo began to speak.

"The new head of the House of Abaddon took over only a few years ago. He's been stabilizing the family since the last head died unexpectedly." No doubt due to outside influences. "I believe you met him once before. His name is Apollyon."

That name sent an icy cold trickle down your spine because you had indeed met Apollyon. He was a handsome demon with thrice spiraled, corkscrew horns and black-scaled wings that he often kept folded back. He also had an eye that somehow reminded you of that brief moment of panic you had when you found yourself falling up the stairs after missing a step. 

"Now that you say the name, I do recall meeting him."

He was one of the leeches that had been clinging to Diavolo lately. Whenever he looked at you, his one good eye was always twinkling with contempt for your presence because you didn't pretend to be swept up in his false charisma. Unlike Diavolo who was so easily taken with even the lowest of scum if they smiled at him and showed even the most vague of interests in his ideals. Despite his ability to tell when someone was lying, Diavolo seemed to overlook all fibs and falsehoods when it came to advancing his planned future.

"I wasn't aware that he was a friend of yours."

"Well," he held the word for a beat too long, "we've known each other for a long time."

Ah! So not a friend. He would be more appropriately described as a potential business colleague. Somehow, that was more frustrating. In order to turn Diavolo’s attention away from a demon that promised to advance his grand plans, you would have to break his innocent heart. Doing something to harm Diavolo like that was outside of your comfort zone. You would have to get creative with sabotaging his efforts.

Every plan you could think of ended poorly though. Either you failed to convince Diavolo, or he overlooked Apollyon’s antics for the sake of furthering his goals, or you ruined your own relationship with him. When you were up against Diavolo’s ultimate plan, you would never succeed. It was that drive that made you love Diavolo, but it also frustrated you to no end.

You set your cup back onto the table and stood from your seat.

“I apologize, but I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back soon.”

Diavolo’s eyes squinted for a moment before he opened and closed his mouth.

“I understand.”

You excused yourself, going into the hall and walking toward the bathroom so you have privacy to think through your next move, but failed to make it there. Instead, you broke down in the hallway out of frustration. Tears started to slowly run down your cheeks as you tried to formulate any kind of plan that would free him from whatever hold this lying demon had on him. No matter what you thought of, though, you couldn’t separate Diavolo from him so long as promised what Diavolo most wanted; the future. And if you tried to push the issue, you would be the one who was pushed away. Not gotten rid of, but you would damage your relationship beyond repair.

The tears only fell faster as you tried not to scream.

How could you show Diavolo that Apollyon was manipulating him just to say he had the future king as an ally?

You felt so lost and hopeless as you stood there.

That was until a voice like nails scraping against your eardrums broke you out of your planning.

“You seem to forget that lying to the Young Master is not an option.”

You knew that voice. Of everyone that had to see you like this, it just had to be him. He was probably loving the sight of you broken down so hopelessly, wiping fat streams of tears out of your eyes with the palms of your hands. 

Well screw him!

"Are you already letting your terrible butler facade slip? It's rude to stand around and watch someone cry."

"Do not flatter yourself in thinking I care about what state you happen to presently be in." Barbatos reached into his pocket for a black handkerchief which he held out to you with only two fingers. "Lord Diavolo is kind enough to worry about his guests, but often needs a reminder that he does not have time to waste on their emotional outbursts. Clean yourself up and return to him at once so you stop causing him distress.”

You sneered at him, no longer attempting to play at being civil with him. "They're using him. You see that, don't you? How can you pretend it's not obvious?"

These demons didn't respect Diavolo. Every single one of them saw him as nothing more than a naive pawn in their political games; a piece they called king but that they all danced around as they took the entire board for themselves. He was too kind to see how thoroughly they were trying to use him.

"Unlike you," he spit the word out with so much bile that you thought it would erode the very air around him as he folded his handkerchief up again and returned it to its proper place, "I have faith in my lord. If he believes the next step to achieving his vision is to align himself with the nobility, then I will support him."

"Then you'd watch him be torn apart by wolves hungry to take whatever bits of his flesh they can in their pursuit of power."

"I understand that it's not my place to question his choices."

"Oh right," you laughed dryly. "I almost forgot that Diavolo sees you as nothing more than a serv-"

You couldn't finish the statement as your back hit the wall, knocking the air out of your lungs. Barbatos had your wrists pinned above your head, gripping them tight enough to bruise. His eyes flickered and glowed an eerie, iridescent green as he glared down at you. His gaze danced with loathing and spite at your mere existence. His horns were already protruding from his head, proving that he had lost his calm.

"With all due respect," meaning none, "Shut. Your. Mouth." He accentuated each word, practically spitting in your face, and fangs gleaming in the light as he opened his mouth.

Your heart hammered in your chest as your throat went dry. For once, he actually looked like the demon he was rather than the butler he played at. Still, you refused to show him even the slightest ounce of fear.

"What? Are you going to finally tear my throat out? Poor Diavolo, having his exchange program ruined by someone he trusts. I suppose it's fitting since every other demon around him is a liar too."

"I would never dare to ruin Lord Diavolo's precious program, especially when he's making such great progress." He lowered his head, stopping when his face was only a hair's breadth from yours. "You, however, could stand to improve your manners."

"You mean like this? Get be-"

Again, he quickly silenced you. This time though it was by pressing his mouth against yours, teeth clashing together as he swallowed down your shock. His tongue slipped by the flurry of gnashing teeth as he silently tried to establish his dominance in this exchange, so you bit down with all of your might to punish him for thinking so little of you.

He pulled away not because it hurt but because he refused to let you get away with that. His own fangs harshly teased at your bottom lip, sinking in until you felt them break the skin and the faint taste of iron filled your mouth.

"You-"

No other words managed to leave your mouth as he grabbed your face with his hand, squeezing until your mouth was forced open so he could shove his tongue down your throat again. A deep growl that originated from his chest rumbled all the way through you as he licked the inside of your mouth and sucked at the blood running from the wound he'd given you.

When he finally pulled away, you turned your head to the side and spit out a glob of red just to get his saliva out of your mouth. 

"Disgusting." It was the only word to describe him and what he'd just done.

"Spitting is an awful, dirty habit," he chastised with harsh, hazy eyes glaring at you as if he hadn't just had his tongue and, therefore, spit in your mouth.

"Then you better clean it up, Mr. Belvedere."

Again, always mocking him for his role like a spoiled child. It was as if you seemed to assume so assuredly he could never break away from.

"Again, I ask that you kindly shut your mouth." This time, the words sounded sweet, but you could hear the poison dripping from them despite his best efforts.

More so than usual, however, you weren't in the mood to play around with him. Your lips curled up at one side and, with a devilish smirk, you asked, "What would Diavolo think if he knew you were harassing his exchange student?"

What was disquieting was the smile he gave in return. "He'd think you were so very weak and small and in need of protection. Someone that could never stand at his side."

You could feel the deep frown that carved itself across your face as he let you go and stepped back.

His usual distantly polite smile dawned his face yet again as his appearance reverted to his more human facade. "Do feel free to tell him everything that happened here. I will acknowledge my wrong doings against Lord Diavolo's precious, delicate exchange student without hesitation."

He really was infuriating. 

Without even sparing him a glance, you wiped the back of your arm against your mouth and stepped around him. As you walked and he followed at a respectable distance behind, you brushed away whatever frustrated tears were left and held your head high.

“Did you really have to resort to putting your revolting lips on me?” 

Barbatos walked calmly beside you, as if nothing had happened. “Did it upset you?”

“Immensely.”

“Then yes. It was a requirement. Plus, my hands were full.”

You scoffed. “You really should switch professions. There is nothing about you that seems pleased to serve others.”

“Others? No. Lord Diavolo? Most certainly.”

And someday, you would find a way to ruin their relationship as well. After all, the only person Diavolo needed was you. You could find a way to make his dreams come true without a single other person interfering. 

For now, however, you would have to tolerate his liar of a butler.

When the two of you reached the drawing room again, you had both reverted back to fake smiles and formal niceties. He even had the decency to pretend he was joyed to open the door for you and let you back inside.You had the common sense to thank him, despite wanting to spit at him, as you walked inside and returned to your seat with Diavolo.

He looked at you with a face full of concern. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I was overwhelmed by everything you were talking about,” a tactical half-truth so he hopefully wouldn’t see through you, “so I left to get a little space and calm myself down. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

You reached for your tea, finding it had cooled in the interim and smirking internally as you held it toward Barbatos.

“Sorry to bother, but it seems I need a new cup of tea.”

Barbatos smiled politely at you, but you could feel every ounce of anger pointed your way. He poured you a cup without complaint though, so you would forgive him this once. 

Now, it was time to establish your position in Diavolo’s life. Rather than focusing on ruining how he saw others, you realized that you had to strengthen your own. Or, better yet, you could accomplish both goals at once.

"Diavolo," you smiled as you picked up your fresh cup of tea, "would you mind if I joined your meeting with Apollyon?"

Both Diavolo and, more importantly, Barbatos looked at you in shock.

"Why would you want to do that?" Diavolo asked.

"When I took my time to process everything, I had a thought. I think it would be good for me to go as an exemplar of the merits of cultural exchange between the realms. It's easier to envision the future when you can see where it leads, after all."

Barbatos frowned, but Diavolo smiled so widely that you could see all of his teeth.

"That's an excellent idea! You should definitely come with me! It'll be exciting for you to see more of the Devildom!"

"I'm looking forward to it," you said as you placed the cup to your lips and took a sip. Now it was time to switch the conversation topic to something other than work and politics. “Oh, did you know that they opened a new charms and curses warehouse in the strip?”It was simple: if the divide between you and Diavolo was about being king of the demons and a random human, then you had to remind him that you weren't a regular human; you were the human he chose. As long as Diavolo never forgot that fact, you could keep the fissure named Barbatos from creating a rift that would tear you apart from your beloved prince.

#obey me #obey me fanfic #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #obey me main character #yandere chronicles #mine

[borzoilover69]

> BORZOI: READ HOMESTUCK LIKE ITS 2011 (PART 3)

We are so fucking back. (4178)

Idiot captchalogued things one by one point and LAUGH. One soup can. One bullet. Bro would be horrible at unpacking.

Never getting over the fact how damn much Jake mentions Dirk in only the FIRST FEW PAGES that we meet him properly like damn dude you got something going with him or what..

And he seems so insistent on finding answers, even if its just backing up his own conclusions, rather than Janes stubborn pushing of the point. This is semi-tragic. Knowing that in their time, they were never considered heroes, but lords.

4184 YOU. *grips and shakes you* STOP IMPLYING FLIRTING YOU DARN QUEERS. Jake just CAAASUALLY mentioning how much he compliments strider, Dirks ar (but in this case a pretty accurate representation of Dirk) just CAASUALLY MENTIONING THAT THEY'VE DONE THIS TANGO BEFORE LIKE HELLOO?? FLUSTERED AMBIVALENCE? HAH??

Iconic line.

I need to think on this for a while. Speaking wise that's true, I'm sure it's fooled his friends before when Dirk just didnt want to talk. I'm rather fond of how Dirk and Jake call each other out on being annoying and hard to work with. Because they are, but that's what makes their relationship all the funnier and real to me LOL. They're ribbing at each other in a way that motivates each other to one up because they. They get it i guess. Thinking now, I don't like relationships where it's just adoration and softness... Nah i want them to beat the crap out of each other. I like ot think they used to bitch at each other for HOURS as kids, but all in good favour.

This idiot is changing from the casual to the formal desktop point and LAUGH. But also it brings up another strange contradiction where Jake "catches on" without being actually.. told to catch on.

From page 4183: You put on a few of your more ostentatious devices. Luckily (or unfortunately) you grew up alone, so there was never anyone around to point out how ridiculous you look.

And then from page 4186

You shed this ridiculous outfit because you look like an idiot. It's time to get serious here. 

Maybe I'm reading too into it. I probably am. But it always astound me the awareness Jake has to some degree. I deadass want to get in his head and mess with his brain a little to see what's up. Its like he'll always go "Oh cool, neato, its this thing!" and then go "This thing is fucking stupid" later. From what im gathering >HUSKTOP: Clunky, too hands on. Good for casual use and movies (I'm assuming)

>COMPUTER OUTFIT? Comfortable, but it looks stupid. And an idiot.

>SKULLTOP: A real businessmans computer. Probably one of the most used ones of the bunch and the ire of Jakes shitty vision.

Also I just got done reading this conversation AGAIN, and I remeber in my previous reading, someone commented that they always took it as Jake defending the autoresponder, but if anything other than Dirk hes probably the most frustrated with it at times outright putting it down and demeaning its presumedly simulated built on feelings, which Hal will proceed to call him out on MULTIPLE times. Which backs up my conclusion that he knew Dirk really just didn't like the thing. My boyfriend saw me reading this out and said something along the line of "Jake has libra coding they can't bring up their point w/o including a third party in the matter" or something. It was a few days ago. I don't know zodiacs so take that as you will.

Along with this, I guess I see where Jakes frustration is coming from, this guy is running on canned food, frustration at being taunted and poked at by Dirks ruddy autoresponder, and he has no times for japery and lighthearted fun from Jane gadzooks hes on a mission!!

4189

There it is again!! That- *waves hands* THAT KIND OF KNOWLEDGE!! YOU SCALLIWAG!! HOWD YOU DRAW THAT CONCLUSION?? HOOOW DID YOU DO IT WITH SUCH LITTLE EXPLAINATION OR BACKING HOW DID YOU FUCKING KNOW?? LIKE JANE WAS FUCKING VAGUE AS SHIIIT ABOUT IT AND YOU JUMPED TO.. THAT CONCLUSION?? WHAT IS YOUR DEAL??

4190

You telling me they slept in the same house together dawg i thought Brobot powered off somewhere remote. Arguably a stupid conclusion but I FORGOT its been a while OKAY.

Operation U-235 Brocurement. Codename: Big Man Hass the Rock.

Heh.

I mean it's reasonable. Given growing up in a hellmurder island, defeat can equal great bodily harm or even death, being cautious about getting too far outside of your comfort zone and quote being a hero endquote will kill you.

A lot of people fail to realise how Jake was affected by living in such circumstances because it just comes down to gungho boy wonder who loves adventure!! And is. A coward. When flight is the thing separating you from living to dying etc, it can affect a lot of life choices like that. For example, hes perfectly up for the idea of plundering tombs, because its territory hes familiar and accustomed to. But he doesnt deal with being tossed a curveball or into new circumstances well.

And yet again Hal brings up a good point. If you bank on victory or defeat and not about the journey it gets to take there which leaves you stranded at the starting line overcompensating for the lack you never worked hard to make, you won't get anywhere, which is why Page class suits him well. Dirk and Jake have this thing in common where they are often too future thinking to the point of being narrow minded, they think they're being realistic when realistically.. these personal pursuits are needed to be fought with undying human spirit so as to conquer and further their self journeys.

Like yes, there's always the prospect of failure. Dirk feels resigned, doomed to the fact he will turn out terrible and therefore he should fuck off. Jake feels daunted by the task of actually living up to the expectations he feels are built upon him by his friends and himself, and chooses to isolate himself rather than build on the hope that maybe he can be known and loved regardless, and acknowledge the hurt he may undoubtedly cause. But with every prospect of failure comes a prospect of success and sure being resigned to failure doesn't hurt but even so you should still strive and claw your way to a happy ending otherwise whats it worth more than pointless self suffering and guilt? Because if you look at it everything is doomed everything is going to fail or fall out of touch eventually but if you turn it on its head, you see that means that unequivocally for a brief moment in time everything will be okay, that bad things will turn out for the better (somehow) in the end. It's the chicken and the egg question, which came first? It's a neverending circle. I got carried away there. Whoops. Anyways.

"Thing". He doesn't acknowledge him as a person it's a "thing".

So you, Jake english (totally straight guy) decree the brobot as bane of your existence (its your company in this hellscape) and is pointed out that you can CHANGE that, that is something YOU can control, that has been brought up to you MULTIPLE times by your BEST FRIEND by his AUTORESPONDER and yet you REFUSE to change it because when given it too easy it feels almost. Almost..tender you say? You proceed to get flustered and.. change the subject? Boy. Boy speak to me boy. You are COMPLICIT in your own downfall because you hate it being too easy, you FEAR it being too easy. For what?

Look at him go.

4195

Hopefully your dad is still out back washing the car. Ideally this is one of his legendary infinite car washes. What can you say? Dad fancies his automotive ablutions.

4191

GT: Man where IS he anyway??? GT: Is he taking one of his legendary infinite showers? TT: What can I say. TT: Dude fancies his ablutions.

4195

While he is preoccupied, you should be able to sneak downstairs and grab the mail undetected. The perfect crime? You bet.

You slip the HALLWAY CERA a furtive wink for good luck.

Jane you are the silliest girl to ever grace this earth never ever drop your dramatics and joyous whimsy. Your relationship with your father is endearing and sweet. Given this it's a safe bet to say Johns would've mimicked this, its just nice to see a pretty sweet goddamn family.

4199 Imagine walking downstairs and seeing this of course their families cant be reasonably normal about anything.

And another sort of outward representation of struggle with the kids environment. With how harsh and how thoroughly restricted Jane is in her household, despite being so far up she might as well just serve as a figurehead to the cooking empire than of anything remote. All backdoors, front doors, windows are closed, which also draws to her general ignorance to actual things. You could even say shes.. whats the word? Oh yes. trapped. In her views. Yes. *The crowd starts seething at me as I click my little device to change slides.*

4202 READY FOR WHAT??

YES, I am going out with this book! No, I will not go get an unabridged copy! No, I will not take yours! I can hardly even lift it! Oh, that is so preposterous. Do you even hear what you're saying? I will be fine! This is a perfectly funny book and it contains many incredibly funny jokes! Oh, will you just stop it. I am going now. Good day!!!

4207

Do you think this was the mystery of johns childhood that he could never solve. Do you. Cus i do. He didn't have a nanna he was raised by the condesce.

The message has always been a fascinating mystery to you, and probably was to him as well. From the way it's written, it seems it was intended for him to receive after her death. She talks about a journey he is supposedly meant to go on. 

In any case, this message to poppop from his sweet old nanna is the best evidence you have to dispute all this evil batterwitch nonsense. She clearly cared for her grandson very much, and would never start a company responsible for the things it's accused of, let alone be alive today to perpetrate them. But then, what if she wasn't the one who wrote it? This thought makes you very nervous.

Big ole fucking SIGH. And he was never able to get that faaar at all. With that in mind I'd be interested to see anyone analyse the post scratch versions of the betas. Would John Crockers deal deem him a failure to his classpect? What about the others? I don't know, food for thought.

4215

Damn. Ok well I just reached the end of an image allowance so i guess. I wrap up here?

GG: I care very much for you, and I don't know what I'd do if I lost you both in my dreams, and here in this world. GG: So for whatever good it does, just please be extra careful out there today! GT: Roger that janey! GT: And um same goes for you about being careful what with these various rogues accosting you with foul play lately and whatnot... GT: Because well i sure do care a lot about you too you know that. GG: Hooray! Will do. ;B GG: Now let's get this silly old adventure off to the races before the coat of dust it's growing gets any thicker. GT: Booyeah! GT: Ok good luck jane and keep me posted! C ya.

Yet another goddamn reminder that they give a whole fucking damn about each other.

#hom3stuck #homestuck meta #borzoi reread #dirk strider #jake english #jane crocker #borzoi talks #borzoi meta #homestuck

[ikeromantic]

A new follower here 🌼

I rlly started to like your fics and I was hoping to see kore of Kyubei 🥺 I swear bro deserves a route for himself, so—

Kyubei - Instructor - 🌸

Kyubei really does deserve a route and a sprite. He’s got to have some interesting stories to tell, working for the kitsune! Here’s to more Kyubei content! Approx. 900 words.

Kyubei held in a sigh. This was going to take time. A lot of time. And of course, the task landed on him because it was yet another thing his Lord Akechi agreed to without actually having time to do it. Well, there was no help for it and at least this wasn’t the most unpleasant thing he’d been asked to do. Far from it.

“So . . . where do I start?” The chatelaine eyed the pile of papers with an anxious eye. 

“Not with those.” Kyubei patted the seat next to him. “This isn’t something you will find on any of our retained correspondence.”

She tilted her head. “Alright, I guess.” She sat primly beside him and looked at the blank slate tile curiously. “So, what is this?”

Kyubei liked how enthusiastic she was to learn things. Always ready to jump in, even when she was scared. “I am going to teach you the first cipher we use with our agents in the field. You have to memorize the symbols and what they mean. So we use this slate board - because we can easily erase everything we write.” 

“Oh! That makes sense! Because if you just had paper lying around with the key, someone could find it.” She grinned. 

That was another thing he liked about her. While her knowledge was woefully lacking in some areas, she could quickly make connections and think things through. She was smart and good natured. Attractive. Kind. 

“Uhm. Kyubei? You’re kind of staring into space. Are you ok? Do you need a break?”

Heat crept up his neck. “N-no. I was just thinking about . . . things. Anyway, Let’s get started.” 

She nodded agreeably, and he bent to the task of showing her the cipher. The symbols weren’t hard to draw - in fact, they were intentionally simple to allow even an illiterate to make them - the lines wide and basic. The hard part was memorizing. A line to the left over a straight line meant enemies north. Two dots meant watched. Three lines horizontal, meant no survivors. And so on. 

“Ok, so if I wanted to say ‘spies to the west’ I would write it like so?” She nearly lost her grip on the narrow bit of chalk, and Kyubei reached to catch it. Their hands met for a heartbeat, her fingers brushing his. an unexpected jolt of warmth shot up Kyubei’s arm at her touch.

He jerked his hand back in surprise. 

“Sorry.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “I’m a bit clumsy.”

“No, no! That was my fault. You had it and I got in the way.” He forced a laugh. “In my line of work, one startles easily. I’m like a rabbit, you know?” He made bunny ears over his own head, hoping she would forgive his reaction and just laugh it off.

After a moment, she giggled. “I do like the idea of Kyu-bunny.”

Kyubei twitched his nose in rabbit like fashion, eliciting another laugh from her. 

“I always have so much fun in our lessons.” She smiled. “I feel like I’ve never properly thanked you.” The chatelaine seemed to lean closer as she said this, or perhaps, Kyubei thought, he was the one bending toward her. 

He cleared his throat, trying to get ahold of the situation. “I-it’s really nothing. At all. I’m just . . . doing as I’m told.”

Her soft laugh made his heart lurch in his chest. “No, I don’t think anyone ordered you to be kind or to make the lessons enjoyable. That’s just you.”

Kyubei couldn’t take his eyes from her face. She captivated him, like a rabbit in a snare. His pulse thundered in his ears and he felt like his face might catch on fire. His mouth didn’t feel capable of words, though he did open and close it as if he had a reply on hand. 

She reached out and laid her hand atop his. “Maybe, if you like, we could go to town one of these days? I’d like to buy you lunch, if you’ll let me. As a thank you.”

“I - I -” He struggled to get his brain to work but all he could think about was the way her hand felt on his, and how warm her gaze was. A mad thought dashed through his mind, what if I kissed her? Kyubei let out a laugh as he imagined her slapping him. She wasn’t flirtatious. She just wanted to say thanks, he told himself. Stop being awkward.   

“Is that a yes?”

He nodded in relief and finally found his tongue. “Yes. Yes, that would be very kind of you. We can pick up some things for the manor too, while we’re out.”

The chatelaine smiled brightly. “We could even spend the whole day together!”

“We - we could.” He swallowed. Like a date. “Is tomorrow alright?”

“Tomorrow,” she agreed. 

Kyubei called an end to the day’s lesson after that. He couldn’t keep the cipher in his head, distracted by every move she made, every breath. His hand still felt warm and tingled where she’d touched it, as if she left some magic in her wake. Ridiculous, of course, for a vassal to feel this way about a princess. He knew nothing could come of it. But that thought did not so much as slow the racing of his heart nor cause the flame within to flicker.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen kyubei #kyubei #fanfiction #fanfic #otome #otome guys #fluff

[ephhemeralite]

Since you came to ask for my process, I'd like to come over here and ask about yours!! I see you also do drafts, and I'd love to hear how that looks for you 👀

There is no pressure to go as in depth as I did for mine though!!! And there is no rush <333

I hope your writing is going well!!!

hello!! i have written, honestly, so much in response to this. thank you very, very much for asking, because i love to talk about writing!! maybe more than i enjoy writing, even. lord.

one caveat about me and prose: my thing is very, very definitely poetry. i write poetry about every other day and i have done for years. i adore fanfiction -- to write it, to talk about it, to brainstorm about it, to help edit my friends'. i love how collaborative it is, i love its unique sets of tropes, i love when people talk to me about my fics and their own. i LOVE fic. i do not adore writing it the same way. sometimes, i think of it as a means to an end (having a fic i would like to read and am proud to have written). the way that i go about writing fics reflects this, i think.

my process is pretty shaky and i can be bad about sticking to it (i try to 'trick' my brain out of needing the things it needs to complete longform writing. like a FOOL). the general shape of my process is: an inciting idea (a song lyric, a poem, another fic, a tumblr post, "wouldn't it be cool if [blank] happened in a fic?") -> an actual concept (what would actually have to go on in a fic to make [blank] plausible) -> first draft (me telling the story to myself, ugly) -> second draft (rewrite with a lot of influence from the first draft but, like, good to look at). all throughout this process, i tend to take the time to line edit when my brain gets too overwhelmed with the actual writing, since i find editing to be leagues easier. it's a good way to take a break while still working on the fic, but it is deeply inefficient from every other angle. but, hey, the first rule of fic is to have fun and be yourself.

i'm going to go into detail under the cut bc no one's dash deserves what i've done to this ask.

warning (?) for the fact that the fic i'm currently writing is hockey rpf.

i usually start out with rambling to my friends, too! when my hrpf first possessed me, i sent about 15 messages to my friend cara (who doesn't give a shit about hockey or hrpf) that outlined the (hrpf-specific) trope i liked, what fic inspired me (x), and the goal of my own fic. an abbreviated snippet of that:

it could be interesting to play with the two ways the trope manifests (violent/aggressive and protective) (needing to be taken care of/reassured by teammates) via having them both nest. it has the potential to be so tender . . . i have this mental image of ullmark, who is spacy (clue that he's due for nesting on his own) at practice doing drills or smth when he hears swayman yell/yelp/smth (depends on what sets him into nesting, hurt/confronted/whatever) and goes to check on him only to be met with a fully nesting goalie. while trying to calm him down, he ends up nesting, too.

i imagined this as a oneshot with an extended version of this scene and, perhaps, another. i knew what vibe i was shooting for and what content might pair with it. i skipped the concept step, because i am a fool and i hoped it might be short enough to get through writing it with momentum. i did not do that. more on this later.

what an idea turning into a concept should look like:

i want to write a version of the batfamily/white collar crossover that deals with all related topics the way that //i// think they should be handled

into

a two-chaptered fic, heavy on parallels, split between peter and dick's povs. lots of unreliable narration where the parallels draw attention to how unreliable everything is. both chapters should include the same or similar scenes with the characters' first impressions of each other, moments when they clash (insert scene ideas where dick loses agency, peter invades his privacy, a major plotpoint from the show, etc), how that results in a rise in tension, and when that tension breaks in the climax (burning building?? dick fakes his death???), and closing scenes. dick's pov is going to include a lot more family stuff, focus on the issues of the fic, etc, while peter's pov obscures the issues and completely misses the presence of dick's family.

this is only a recreation of what my 'acquainted with the saint of never getting it right' fic's concept would have looked like, since i've lost all of this since i drafted it two years ago, but the thought stands. it's really sparse -- less than your zero draft, even, but the next step in my process is more than a zero draft, so i'd say they hold the same place in my process. i might include references to ideas i have for scenes if i have them, but they're usually few-word clues like "sketchbook" or "peter in apartment for coffee."

since i like to swim without a paddle, my next step is draft one. my goal is to get it down; if the details feel good and come easy, i will include them, but i don't let them trip me up. it's easier to add shit into the next draft than it is for this one to go uncompleted, basically. some word choices from this draft might remain in the final piece, but rarely does sentence structure or much else.

Sway is growling from deep in his chest, projecting the sound out across the ice. The rest of the team is inching away from Sway’s crease and towards Linus, which upsets something in the back of his mind — Sway should have the team around if he's upset. Clearly, with the growling, he doesn't want them close, but that doesn't mean that they should leave him, either. Once he settles down, he's going to want them. Linus knows, he'd had his fair share of triggered nesting episodes when he was younger. Unless there was something specific that’d set him off — then things would be different, according to what he needed — but Linus doubts that. It was mostly likely that this was just a simple rough start and Sway could get into proper nesting the moment he settled down and relaxed in the net. He could show Sway that easily, Linus thinks. His drifting forward comes to a gentle stop near the front of the pack of teammates and coaching staff carefully not crowding Swayman. He registers, in a distant way, that what's happening right now is going to cause a heaping helping of issues for somebody, but he's also not worried about it. At all.  What he's worried about is how Sway needs to feel safe right now and how he doesn't. Linus knows that he's never felt safer than while nesting for this team and that he could give Sway that, if he tried. He just has to get Sway to a nest. All he needs to do is tell Sway that and Sway will surely listen. He lets out a loud chirp, cutting off whatever the head and goalie coaches were trying to say to Swayman. Usually, he'd feel pretty guilty about interrupting, but it's alright. He's going to fix the issue; they'll understand. Sway moves from eyeing up the coaches to staring straight at him so fast that Linus worries about him pulling something; all of the more reason to get him safe and tucked away, somewhere where they can both relax. The growl dies abruptly in his throat, which makes Linus want to preen. Clearly he knows his teammates best. Linus chirps again, eager to get this moving along. Eyes locked onto him, Sway chirps back.

this is a pretty long excerpt, sorry, but a lot happens between the first and second draft and this has plenty left unworked.

the first paragraph is alright -- some imagery i like (the growling and the team's movement), linus' thought process toes the line between coherent and incoherent the way i'd like it to (might lift that, wholesale, to the second draft), although the phrasing "which upsets something in the back of his mind" is... eugh.

the second, third, and fourth paragraphs' main use is to outline where linus' mindset is going, although it's clunky and off-target. i just need the reminder to write his mindset in and its vague shape, for this draft, though. if i kept any of this, the phrasing/sentence structure would need to be changed, but it's more likely that i'd scatter it through the movement and description i'd add into the second draft. my first drafts tend to be either all-internal or all-external, so my second drafts act as the equalizer.

beyond that, my second drafts also make everything... longer. so much longer. it helps me move everything from a barebones "this is what probably happens" to "this is what experts call a nice reading experience," you know? plus, i can move forward with draft one with questions still unanswered, like: i haven't actually decided how i want the narration to refer to these characters, yet. the first name vs last name vs nickname and WHEN debate is an important one, but if i got hung up on that first, i'd never actually write the damn fic itself. instead, we can get it moving.

the difference between a first and second draft might look like this for me:

Nile is in the desert.  Her boots are stiff with sand, her hands grasping her rifle, her body weary under her gear. She's marching. On the back of her tongue, she tastes blood. There's not another person around for miles. No squadmates, no commander. No civilians, no insurgents. The sun beats down on her from its place at perfect zenith. Nile stumbles to a stop, heaving for the heat. She casts about for her water, but it's not where it should be or anywhere it shouldn't be, either.

vs

Nile is never going to get out of the desert. That’s most of what she knows. There are other things, like: her boots are stiff with sand, her hands are grasping a rifle, her body is weary under her gear. She’s marching. On the back of her tongue, she tastes blood. She’s alone. From horizon to horizon, the terrain is empty of everything but herself. Her squadmates are missing, her commander absent. There are no civilians, no insurgents.  The sun beats down on her from its place at perfect zenith, millions of miles away. She stumbles to a stop, heaving for the heat. She wishes, desperate beyond words, for water, but her bottle is missing. It’s not hooked onto her vest or around her hips; she’s never spent a moment more aware of each of the trillion grains of sand that surround her, dry as dust, as in this moment.

(this fic, even the sun knows where you sleep, has been languishing as a half-finished second draft since may of last year. it's a crossover between the old guard and the sandman, where nile has a series of dreams influenced by morpheus. this is one of them) the first draft of this fic is about 5k, but the finished second draft could end up around 15k. long as hell, by my poet standards.

this second draft is lacking line edits, but bloop (my beloved sister, muah, ily, etc) helped me comb through it months ago so the proposed changes are available. the phrasing is prettier, the structure less repetitive, the imagery and setting clearer. the parts of this that are written are just a stone's throw away from being of posting quality. unfortunately, i'm also of the camp no-posting-before-completed, so it won't be.

i have a gomens fic sitting unfinished on my account because i lost steam and interest before i finished the second draft of its last chapter, which is just... so unfortunate. i'd love to finish it, and eventually i might, but i've acquired a bit of distaste for gomens in the meantime and (in the spirit of being myself and having fun) i'm not beating myself up about it. but, like, lesson learned.

back to the point: sometimes, the second draft can change more of a fic (warning for non-graphic violence):

Nile is standing at the window at the top of Merrick's skyscraper, Andy's labrys in hand.  The window is shattered again, though there's no other proof of their battle that Nile can sense. Andy is nowhere to be seen, nor is Merrick. Nile doesn't look down through the window, but she knows there's no crushed car or mutilated body, either. There is Nile, standing at the shattered edge, weathering the sharp breeze snapping against her. There is the ax in her hand, the wooden handle rough. Grainy. It hasn't been smoothed by use or through craftsmanship and Nile can feel splinters bite into her grip.  The wood is hot, she realizes suddenly – not skin-warm, but the type of hot that comes from holding something porous as it burns and vents heat through places yet untouched by the flame. In panic, she raises her head to find the source and is blinded, completely. The shock of it is such that she stops moving entirely and blinks, uncomprehending – the sun.

vs

Nile is standing in the moment before the fall. The precipice.  She’s at the top of Merrick’s tower again. Behind her lies a cold and empty room, made more of shadow than substance. She knows that she is supposed to continue through – see the moment to its end – but she has been given the opportunity to pause, as time comes to a standstill. Some things have changed; Andy and Merrick are missing. The evidence of their fighting is gone, except that the window is already shattered. A cold wind rushes through the absence, knocking sharp teeth against her body, frozen in its lunge forward toward empty space. In her fist is the labrys that should be cutting into the meat of Merrick’s shoulder. Nile can feel the tackiness of blood in her grip on the wooden handle. She wonders at the grainy texture caught beneath it, surprised that time nor craftsmanship hasn’t smoothed it over, before she understands that this is not Andy’s handle. Instead, the roughly-hewn lumber extends from the floor to a place over her head to become a sort of halberd, its point on the floor supporting most of her weight.  It's hot, too – not skin-warmth, but the type of heat that comes from holding a porous item as it’s being consumed by fire, venting heat out through places yet untouched by flame. Nile isn’t injured by the blister of it, but the sensation of burning without pain unnerves her and she raises her gaze to find the blade and the flame. Only, she doesn’t make it that far. Lifting her face out of her hunched position brings it to look toward the window, where she discovers the opposite of Merrick’s abyssal building as it inundates her: an immense deluge of light.

there's a lot more definitive changes to structure, phrasing, and imagery here than in my last snippet. i do, in a literal sense, go through and rewrite each word of my fic between drafts, but how many of those words are carried over from the first to the second can vary depending on the quality of the draft. it's way easier for me to rework a pre-existing piece than make something, wholesale, which i'm well aware of and try to cater to. this is the method that's seen my writing improve the most, even though i think it's wildly impractical and unwieldy. i've even done it with this exact post, which part of why it's taking me so long to finish it!

i'm trying something new with the process on the hrpf, since it's been giving me so much trouble. the theme's changed a bit, with a wider scope and something specific to say, but i also want to incorporate a social media/journalism/outsider's perspective element, which will let me move around outside of the characters' narrations while establishing the wider world of the au. this new step is as close to a zero-draft as i've gotten, even though it's still way less detailed. it looks like this:

MOST VIOLENT VS MOST AMIABLE GOALIES TO NEST IN THE NHL listicle Sway and Linus discuss nesting, Linus has settled into a pattern Could gentle-nester ullmark be a calming influence over swayman or will he dull his edge? speculative piece, focus more on the first option maybe to contrast the move towards understanding anger. Bruins vs buffalo, ullmark in net (dec. 7 game? If the timeline for that works), linus is upset at the loss/it goes bad somehow. Sway is supportive in a more assertive way than typical. It doesn’t start here but it turns here Can’t decide if tweets or something would be good here Internal, staff-only memo advising to keep sway away from linus when he’s feeling broody.

each line represents a separate 'chunk' of the fic. with the added elements, i need to know what will go where so that i can make sure the storytelling tracks throughout. i'm still on this part of the draft, but i'm having a good time with it again which is what i think is most important.

anyway, thank you for asking!! i definitely love to talk about writing! i'm always sooo down to chat, too, except for maybe right now because i am going to pass out asleep i think. <3!!!!!!

#answered ask #experiencing the horrors of this british literature class but we keep going!!!! #<- this was uhm ten hours ago i am in bed now. #sorry if you didn't want to hear about rpf. that's where im at tho

[cuddly-asexual]

Okay @buffintruder and @allpurposepanda convinced me to do this fic writer asks post, even though I didn't write too much this year. So here goes!

1.What’s something new that you tried in a fic this year? How did it turn out and would you do it again?

I wasn’t consciously thinking about trying something new, but I did write a fic from the point of view of a child which was pretty fun. I think it turned out pretty well. I think most media tends to miss what kids are likely to notice and think about (at least based off the kids I work with), so I did try to make sure I included those things. For example a tall bookcase might seem towering to a small child, or how a relatively short amount of time can seem extremely long to them when they’re simply waiting. I would definitely do it again, it’s fun practice for getting into the minds of characters you like even when you never see what they were like as children.

2. How many fics did you work on this year? (They don’t have to be finished or published!)

I definitely didn’t finish much this year, but I chipped away at quite a few wips. I posted 3 fics. I have another unposted, but finished. I wrote a few paragraphs for one of my wildermyth characters. I rewrote a decent chunk of a school nurse files fic. Other than those it was mostly just a few words here and there on my various unfinished works. Surprisingly most of my creative energy this year went to drawing.

3. What’s something you learned about yourself as a writer?

I don’t think I learned anything new about myself as a writer. I’ve known for sometime that writing is a bit spontaneous for me. I guess I’m coming to realize that I’m pretty good at writing dialogue, which is always nice.

4. What piece of media inspired you the most?

Well if we were talking about drawing that would be one thing monkie kid, but for writing probably Wildermyth. Even though I didn’t finish any of the pieces I’m writing for it, the writing in the game itself was so lovely to read. It felt like someone was reading a storybook to me, kind of like a bedtime story, with a soft voice.

5. What fandom(s) did you write for this year?

I wrote more original stuff this year, but I wrote for A3! and Kamen Rider OOO. School Nurse Files as well sorta.

6. What ship(s) captured your heart?

Haha the made up ship in my brain of one of my Wildermyth characters, Ystral, and the star in the Minuet event, good LORD they didn’t leave my brain for weeks. In-Pyo and Eun-Young from School Nurse Files also dominated my mind for a while there too. I rewatched the series again this year and man those two are so AAA. They were on my mind more last year, but since I posted a fic about them this year I’ll mention that Goda Eiji and Ankh make me go insane. Also I haven’t started any fics for them yet, but I had lots of ideas for Alear and Pandreo from fire emblem engage.

7. What character(s) captured your heart?

Again, mostly oc’s. I worked a lot on one world in particular so my baby, Aurelius (full grown woman in her 50’s), took over my mind for a while there. I’m also constantly thinking about Juza and I had been missing him. I had lots of thoughts, for both writing and drawing, about Clayton and Al from The Deep.

8. Did you write for a new fandom or ship this year?

Wildermyth was probably the only new one this year. The only new things I was into this year were channeled into drawing more than writing.

9. What fic meant the most to you to write?

Ooh this is a tough one, but probably my Juban fic for Juza’s birthday. First, because I really wanted to write it for his birthday. Second, because I wanted to explore a specific aspect of his character, his thoughts on touch. Juza grew up pretending to be someone he wasn’t because of the way others treated him, but when he came to mankai he’s able to be more himself now that he’s surrounded by people that support him. One of these things being that he actually quite enjoys physical affection and it was nice to write about him rediscovering that part of himself.

10. What fic made you feel the happiest to work on?

Working on my Wildermyth fic made me feel giddy like a school girl, you have no idea. My heart fucked SWELLED for these 2D bitches. And it’s not even done yet.

11. What fic was the most satisfying to finish writing?

My OOO fic for sure. I had been sitting on the idea for a long time and I finally kicked my ass into gear to finish it and boy that was a fun writing session. I just really wanted to show how evil I was for that idea hehehe.

12. What fic was the most difficult to write? Did you finish it?

My School Nurse Files fic eludes me constantly. I definitely like parts of it, but I’ve rewritten the beginning at least 3 times, I just don’t like how any of them came out. I have yet to finish it, but I haven’t given up on it yet!

13. What fic was the easiest to write?

Probably my Juban fic. I’ve written Juza and Banri enough that they come to me pretty easily. As long as I have a concept ready I can write anything for those two.

14. What were your shortest and longest fics this year?

Just going with the finished ones of course. My shortest was the first part of Ocean Memory, my original work about some oc's, at 734 words and my longest was my OOO fic at 1431 words. Pretty standard for me I think, a little on the short side this year.

15. Rec a fic you wrote or posted in 2023

My OOO’s fic please, I had way too much fun writing it. I love when a loved one gets body snatched by something that pretends to still be that person.

16. What were you go-to writing songs?

I usually just play my big instrumental music playlist that has everything from video game music to movie soundtracks to experimental ambient electronica, but this year was probably a lot of the Grindstone soundtrack.

17. What were your go-to writing snacks?

Don’t have anything specific, but I usually always have a coke on hand.

18. What was the hardest fic to title?

THAT FUCKING OOO FIC. This title eluded me that’s why I just said fuck it and picked something stupid. “A Wish Is a Dream Your Heart Makes”??? bro WHAT.

19. Share your favorite opening line

Opening lines are not really my forte, I’m not really sure I have a favorite, but I like the imagery in my Wildermyth fic.

He sees stars behind his eyelids now. Countless, warm and flickering like soft flames.

20. Share your favorite ending line

That he was happy and healthy and loving life brought endless joy to her heart. Pallas was truly a precious child.

Technically there’s a line of dialogue after this, but anyway, I love writing Aurelius being happy about baby Pallas expressing his feelings.

21. Share your favorite piece of dialogue

“Hey, Settsu. Do you wanna cuddle?” It’s an odd sentence, something he’s never asked someone before, but Banri’s name feels like it belongs there. He doesn't miss how the other perks up, then tries to disguise it as a stretch. Banri pulls out of his hold to face him. “Never thought I’d hear that from your mouth,” Banri smirks playfully. Juza lets out a chuckle.  “Never thought I’d hear it from my own mouth either,” his gaze finds Banri’s. “It feels…natural though. Saying it to you.” He can’t read Banri’s thoughts, but he sees the other make an expression that’s something between fondness and annoyance. “Ugh, you really just said that,” Banri falls onto his back, face in his hands, with a groan. Juza raises an eyebrow in response. “You gonna join me down here or am I supposed to cuddle myself?”

I really liked this exchange between Juza and Banri. The way Banri jokes to make everything a little less intense (also he’s absolutely flustered), and how Juza responds with genuine honesty. I think I captured the vibe I wanted super well.

22. Share an excerpt from your favorite scene

He sees stars behind his eyelids now. Countless, warm and flickering like soft flames. They bring him comfort. One of the many reminders of that night almost a year ago. Ystral's leg glows with a soft blue-white light. The tips of his fingers begin to show signs of it as well. A small smile finds its way to his mouth as he admires the way they sparkle. You wear it well. A familiar whisper circles around him. His smile fades. A pang of guilt makes him want to deny the statement, but the thoughts are gently guided away, replaced with wordless reassurances. The unpleasant thoughts could never win. Not when the very stars opposed them.

I had a lot of fun with this opening scene to my Wildermyth fic. Writing anything with stars gets my creative juices flowing and boom we get crazy poetic shit like this.

23. Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?

Gonna be real, I have no idea.

24. What's something that surprised you while you were working on a fic? Did it change the story?

Every time I write Banri I somehow make him even more mushy and soft, so it’s a surprise every time.

25. What did you use to write? (e.g. writing programs, paper & pen, etc.)

Just Google Docs really.

26. If you had to choose one, what was THE most satisfying writing moment of your year?

Finishing that OOO fic after watching it stare at me for like almost a year.

27. Did you do anything special to celebrate finishing a fic?

Not really. They were all pretty short, not super life-changing pieces.

28. How did you recharge between fics?

Play games, draw, rewatch stuff to get back in the mood.

29. If this were an awards show, who would you thank?

My friends who listen to me rant about my crazy ideas all the time. Juza for being an unending font of inspiration.

30. What’s something that you want to write in 2024?

SO MANY THINGS. My Wildermyth fic for sure. I have some ideas for The Deep that I also really wanna write. I really want to write something longer for once. I think my goal this year is to write a 5k word fic. I have so many ideas I’m sitting and still so many more wips to finish. Good luck to 2024!

#woooooo really srunched my brain for this one #my fics #text

[lizardinkart]

Lizard Reads Ward

Arc 1: Daybreak

Lizard’s Cry Counter: 2

TL;DR: A Victoria-focused arc that dragged a bit in places but ultimately felt like everything we needed to know about her (and more). I wished it’d started closer to the fight but having the fight, the trauma, and the family drama laid out felt like the groundwork that was missing from the prologue, especially with the shifted role of Amy. Wish that we had a little more about the other characters introduced in the prologue tho. 8/10 Aight! Let’s get wormin’!

So in my brain I’ve split the arc in to 3 parts, pre-fight, fight, and post-fight, so I’ll talk about the arc in terms of those mini-arcs. Mini-Arc 1: Pre-Fight (Victoria, not Glory Girl)

Ok the fact that the city is Gold colored is hilarious to me. This is Children’s Hospital Red™ levels of awful design choices, somebody really just said color theory in context is fake. I also appreciate the later indications that most of The City is in fact shittily built but hey shitty shelter is better than no shelter I guess (also relatable as someone looking at apartments). Other worldbuilding things I was thinking about since Wildbow really wants us to see the cool world he built (but it’s not really about the world tbh)- the technology of post-GM is so weird. Like you have dial-up internet but it also works perfectly fine and technology works when you need it to. Like I’m sorry but Reddit-AOL would be so much buggier. But all that being said, it’s really funny to see the irl jump in technology from when WB was writing Worm to when he was writing Ward, because Taylor’s flip phone vs smartphone drama was so real and relatable, and now dial-up internet just works on smartphones...I’m baffled. anywho! Onto Victoria lol. So Victoria is working with the new kiddie PRT- awesome, very cool. I appreciate the focus on her wanting to still feel heroic even if she gets that massive body dysmorphic/dysphoric (yes, both) feeling from actually using her powers. Though I also appreciate the small touches we see when she’s on her way to work with a much better mirror scene than the opening of Worm, her interactions with the one hero during the obelisk incident show that she still gets heroes and feels bad for the shit being thrown their way (idk, it gave me big closeted queer energy, queer-to-queer communication in a queerphobic environment one might say). “Nice response time” really is the dorkiest shit to say tho and I appreciate it. Victoria is a dork.  I also appreciate the setup with her parents, laying the groundwork for what’s to come later. Also that she enjoys working with the disillusioned and directionless kids/teens, cause that really is a thing that is the kind of selfless-selfish pull that I think Victoria is shown to be struggling with (finding the balance in the healing process is difficult!). While I felt like this part really did drag the most in the arc, I think there were some really good parts that make it worth it. And it leads into the first Wildbow fight of the story! Woohoo!  Mini Arc 2: The Fight (The Trauma Hammer)

Oh boy I do love me some Wildbow fights. I felt my little storyboarder brain light up because there were some God-tier moments in here that I wanted to draw sooooo bad. But alas, too many, not enough time. 

Crystalclear is cool as hell and I think he may be one of my faves of the new powers so far, he’s a very Wildbow-concept hero and I do really appreciate the man’s flare for the complex and flashy. Tempera is also cool, and Fume Hood is a snarky bitch and I love her. What a queen. She did not deserve to get shot (maybe a little tho).  

But overall there was some great tension in the ticking clock leading up to the fight, and seeing how shit played out was super fun as always, I was not expecting the 18-wheeler to come out of nowhere but it was a very fun time. I gotta say tho, I know Lord of Loss and Snag are important, but I for the life of me could not keep them straight in my brain since Snag made Victoria feel Loss, but like, that’s LoL’s name lmao. 

And on the topic of loss: oof. I did not call this the Trauma Hammer for nothing lol. This is where things went from meh to great for me in this arc, because since Victoria’s story was so ancillary to Worm, I had 1) forgotten how she triggered, and 2) didn’t really remember too much about the specifics of her story outside of the hospital interlude. But god, just sitting in her shoes through falling in love with Dean, losing him, losing her family, feeling inadequate to the rest of her family, and the ever-present looming threat of Her (that we will get to, don’t worry lol), it was just so helpful in really honing in on Victoria’s entire ish that is rattling around in the background. As someone who does characters like this, esp in TTRPGs, having that context of someone’s thought process really is helpful to have in understanding how you’re supposed to interpret the character, even if you’re already in their head (since characters and people lie to themselves, see: Taylor). But yeah, since Victoria avoids those thoughts anyway, it was clever to give them to us up front. And the fact that it happened while she was being a hero again? Kickass. Loved it. 

Mini Arc 3: Post- Fight (Her)

Oh my god this family is messy. I have essays I could write on Carol Dallon and just the Dallons in general but I think I’ll get the chance to eventually cause this is already too long lol. But oh my GOD I truly was thinking “yeah this is gonna go poorly, maybe some passive-aggressive family stuff, getting overwhelmed, getting pie and then leaving”, but holy SHIT the fact that Carol really just ambushed Victoria with lawyer speak and finessed the entire narrative of what was going on- jesus. Manipulative ass snake, but in such a relatable way. 

Once again, have been in that situation before and the way that Victoria goes from like a 2 to 1000 in 0.2 seconds when all the pieces come together- holy shit if that is not the exact feeling of trauma. I know the “#triggered” discourse is old hat at this point, but man I could feel myself get short of breath and panicky when Vicky got trauma triggered in this chapter (this is the spiritual Cry Point). It was so convincingly written that I wanna hold Wildbow in my hands to make sure he’s good.

But I’m proud of how Victoria handled herself, definitely snaps for that therapy working its magic, but man. The Amy Ambush (an Am(y)bush if you will, yes haha joke away), was so something I did not see coming this early, but I’m glad that it did because holy fuck. Victoria talking about moving on and then her family (mom) “moving on” but in a “forgive with an emphasis on forget” kinda way really does leave Victoria in a place that proves all that feeling of inadequacy right, and it’s crushing. But it provides that big stumbling block for her to overcome esp when she finds her new group. 

And seeing how many times she was forced to confront her worst moments and she still actively avoided Amy... oh baby. As an Amy Enjoyer (less “condoning her actions” more “study her like a bug”) I am highly intrigued in how this is gonna go. This is 7 levels of Fucked Up. 

I screamed with joy when Dr. Yamada showed up, I am in love with her and think she is wonderful, and also a great addition to the central cast of this story (esp in a story about healing from trauma? YES get the therapist in there). Also Crystal is wonderful and a good ally for Victoria, and I appreciate Victoria’s need to scrutinize both public and private Aesthetic (shoutout to me and Crystal vibing as 2 fun ADHD individuals). 

Also a shoutout for Gilpatrick because he’s cool and funky and a good boss. Get u someone like Gilpatrick. 

Bonus: The Interlude!

I would give my left kidney for Moose. I’m kicking Prancer’s ass, and I hope Velvet keeps her truck forever and ever. A better love story than her and Prancer tbfh. Also Nursery is so cool guys, she’s so neat. I love the weird shit being done with powers so far in Ward. 

AND A MARQUIS CAMEO HELLO???? HUSBAND?????? Sorry I really like Marquis lol. 

Final Thoughts

The only things I would criticize this arc for that lowered it a bit in my eyes is that the prologue really didn’t do a fantastic job of prepping us to only focus on Victoria. I wished we had sped things along a bit with getting to the others from PHO, even with little PHO interludes interspersed in to let us know what these guys were up to. Bc like, this really did feel like 3 arcs so I feel like we could have used another interlude or 2, just for spice and to break things up a little. Like a commercial break!

The other thing is Wildbow’s uh... underlying ish breaking through. I know Ward was written in the shadow of Worm for him, but there are some parts of these chapters that just feel very mean-spirited and pointed towards people who enjoyed certain parts of Worm. Mainly stuff that could be construed as “fandom” things, or things that fandom would like, that Wildbow seems to be very overt in saying “hey, fuck you for liking/engaging with this.” I dunno, it may just be me, but that kinda attitude cropping up often enough for me to notice the pissed-off hand of the author was off-putting and distracting from I think the greatest parts of this arc. Because it is a good story, it just feels like the occasional potshots WB takes are more coming from his own bitterness than Victoria’s, and are ultimately detrimental to the story as a whole. Idk, I will try not to bring it up so often, but it’s definitely something that’s running in the back of my head and I hope that it subsides soon-ish. 

But all of that to say, I enjoyed the arc! It was a solid opening that’s got me really excited to read more (which by this point, I have, and I will be writing up my arc 2 thoughts shortly lol), and the Trauma Hammer really hit home in a way that felt earnest and really earned. 

That’s all for now tho! As always, I’m happy to discuss stuff wherever, so let me know what you thought of the arc if you’ve read Ward! 

Until next time: Ward out ✨

#lizard’s ward thoughts #ward #ward spoilers #ward web serial #victoria dallon #amy dallon #panacea #carol dallon #wildbow #live blogging #glory girl #antares #ward arc 1

[selfproclaimedunicorn]

Girl, chapter ten was so good. All the characters and alliances you added fit so perfectly into the first episode of the show I don’t know how you do it with this many characters. You always create such a immersive atmosphere with all the descriptions of the places, dragons, the food ect.

I love the Royce family so much and I was so glad we saw them together without Daemon throughout this chapter.

Rhaenyra being like “you’re mine, bitch” to Yorick was so fun to read, I think all things considered they have a pretty normal cousin relationship (you know, apart from Nyra feeling like she’s entitled to have him as her male wife).

I felt so much for all the kids in this chapter, I think by creating Yoricks character and making him the age that he is you really managed to draw attention to how fucked up all the relationships in the show are. ( I think the fact that there are literally no male characters that are around the same age as Rhaenyra and Alicent in hotd plays a massive part in how easily the insane age gaps and abusive grooming relationships get overlooked, and even excepted amongst the fans because if you look at the show, there really aren’t any other options for the young female characters that we see . I mean like of course there are, but they are never shown to us and that’s kind of why most people overlook the toxicity of the relationships they form with the older guys in the show)  but by adding in Yorrick, the son of Daemon, Viserys’ younger brother and making him the same age as Rhaenyra and Alicent and Leana really shows how messed up those are.

I think it’s so cool how Rhea and Otto and all the other andal lords and lady’s are really good at managing shit and thinking up alliances and just you know using logic and their brains and then there’s like the legendary Targaryens that keep throwing tantrums and just doing whatever.

Yorick finally stepping up to Daemon without holding back was to die for, I loved that part so much.

And Criston being Otto’s emotional support guard was absolutely hilarious

“I apologize that did not go how you expected, my Lord Hand.”

“It is not your fault, Ser Criston. I just…have to try something else.”

*slaps Criston's helmet like the hood of a used car* This baby can fit so much Hightower emotional support in it!

I'm so jazzed you liked this chapter, it was so fun to write! Ella had her time to shine with the Royces in Family Ties, so Yorick needed that too! I want the relationships to be well established & thought out so it hurts more when everyone is sad about various stuff so that it makes sense as I string us along to various points within the show. Like, somebody has to do that.

And yeah. The age of the twins (and Aemon for that matter, because he's only 3 years older than Aegon) really is making so many of the relationships feel even squickier. I initially chose the age I did for the twins because, like, that logically feels like when Daemon & Rhea would have had kids, but it has wound up serving other purposes as well (giving the Velaryon sibs friends who aren't each other, showing how glaring the age gaps are/that these men are all old enough to be their wives' dad, explore early season stuff).

Yorick & Rhaenyra's relationship, in my head at least, is gonna get so fun & I had such a good time laying those foundations. I only hope I can keep to what's in my brain for how complicated that shit is gonna be (less complicated than the au where Rhea didn't panic & betroth him to Shireen, but still complicated). Tbh, all the relationships are gonna get complicated. But I'm looking forward to it because I love having a ridiculous amount of moving parts like large, interconnected casts & bickering nobles. (Especially bickering nobles who have to use their brains instead of throwing toddler tantrums backed up by sentient nukes--not that that can't be fun on occasion--, the contrast is absolutely delightful)

Finally: the confrontation. I was sooooooo hyped for that. Unbelievably, mega hyped. It is setup for the good good later. Punches are getting thrown (hopefully multiple times, I want to fit in at least 2 fights. Somebody besides Yorbert needs to beat that man's ass). My Son Boy has so much pent up anger & frustration (& sure he's making Cannibal better, but that dragon is also making him worse a little bit), that he needed to finally let it out. Thank God he likes picking the correct targets for his pointed "lmao, no one respects you" missiles.

#asks #sotf commentary #fic: sins of the father

[believerindaydreams]

me: ok fine. if the problem is that you don't want to decide what bits Time Lords have, just write porn where you don't describe one of the participants

brain: say what

me: oh look I wrote fic

"Doctor," Sarah says sleepily, tugging at his curls.

He rolls over, back in her direction- she'd mentioned tiring of being squashed all the time, so tonight the Doctor's taken middle. Harry snoozes on his other side, warmly sheltered by lengths of knitting.

"Sarah Jane." As delighted and fresh as if he hasn't seen her for absolute ages. "I hope you're feeling quite as well as I do."

"How would I know," Sarah murmurs, nestling against his side. The flowered polyester wrap she'd been wearing has rucked up to her belly, but it's too slight to pose any real resistance. "Not a Time Lord, am I?"

"I could check." He helpfully places his head against her chest, ear pressed flat against her skin. The feel of his cheek is cool, not disagreeably so. "No, I don't think you could be. Not with that single heartbeat- mind you, it's quickening now."

"I couldn't imagine why," Sarah says, in the dry sarcastic tone that appeals to him so- the same one she'd been using about half an hour earlier, teasing him to come. "Are you licking again?"

"Not if I'm talking," the Doctor informs her with great satisfaction; and immediately resumes work on her bosom, his tongue tracing tiny circles around her nipples. She buries one hand in the nape of his neck, carefully tangling her fingers in the delectably soft strands.

"I say. Did you two get started again without me?"

"Not everyone wants to sleep all day, Harry." It's the sort of remark the Doctor would make if he was talking right now, and she doesn't want him to start.

"Well, that's not exactly fair. I mean, any ordinary man would have trouble keeping up with you two..."

"Do shut up," Sarah says, rather dreamily.

The Doctor's attentions are moving in a downwards direction, allowing Sarah a good view of Harry attempting to extract himself from the all-encompassing scarf. Stark naked otherwise, it's a screamingly funny sight and her body trembles with suppressed laughter.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" the Doctor whispers.

"No, no, keep going," Sarah hisses.

He takes her at her word.

*****

There's a line chasing through Harry's head, something from Kipling probably- I've taken my fun where I've found it.

His companions certainly take that sentiment to heart. Here they are on a desolate space station, having nearly died half a dozen times today, and Sarah is acting quite as if they're in a palatial hotel suite. Instead they're on this cold metal floor, cushioned by his coat and the Doctor's corduroy jacket.

He strokes, somewhat tentatively, at the Doctor's back. This is the first time he's been in a relationship with a man (fumbles behind the bicycle shed don't count, surely) (the Doctor isn't so much a man, more a force of nature) (camaraderie under fire is an old naval tradition, of course)

he really is babbling at this point. And not even aloud.

With great care, he chooses a spot on the Doctor's shoulder- that seems safe enough, doesn't it? Presses his mouth against the deltoid muscle.

Harry's aware he isn't the world's finest kisser, but he's not altogether inexperienced either. Aside from fumbles, there was Esther: dainty blue dresses, soft-spoken, drawing room with the curtains closed. She'd given him reason to think he was at least passable in that department.

"Passable" is hardly the correct descriptor for the Doctor's joyous screech, with a full-bodied resonance that's all but deafening. Not altogether voluntary, Harry considers: the abrupt jerk of the vertebral column looks very much like an involuntary reflex.

"Harry. Don't do that."

Sarah Jane's laughter floats upwards. "You really ought to have told him, you know."

"Ought to? Do I have to recite every piddling anatomical difference before getting into bed with someone?"

The Doctor has turned all his attention on Harry, pulling and grasping and sucking, in ways he finds extremely difficult to get to grips with but rather enjoyable despite that.

"Something about nerve clusters in the shoulder," Sarah Jane calls. "He's awfully sensitive there."

"Oh, I see. A corpora cavernosa?"

"Something like that," the Doctor growls. The usual sort of madness in his eyes has faded to something more human than usual, not less. "My dear Harry- my very, very dear Harry-"

"Yes?" Harry asks; and then yelps as the Doctor's mouth closes around his cock.

The only word he can think of for the sensation is indecent: positively indecent. This is an act he's always associated with great delicacy, gentleness of touch coupled with nervousness and shaky hands, which is no more the Doctor's style here than in any other regard. Rather it's passionate, leaves no uncertainty about the extent or sincerity of the associated enthusiasm, and shifts his cock back and forth with tremendous jerking motions that quiver on the edge of pain without reaching it.

Ah, some detached part of his mind processes, that would explain why it's called jerking off.

He repeats this revelation as best he can, between gasps.

"Harry, you idiot," Sarah Jane says warmly. "That's masturbation."

"Oh."

Perhaps it's the frisson of femininity that brings him to climax, perhaps the Doctor's ministrations are solely accountable.

It is rather a comfort, that nobody is going to quiz him as to the precise cause.

*****

Perhaps, the Doctor considers, he should put a trifle more effort into remembering this sort of thing. He's almost positive humans don't really need sex, but then they don't need stuffed owls either and Sarah is very happy with hers.

New life, new body, who's to say things can't be different this time round-

"I wish I could hypnotize you," Sarah says out of the blue.

"Why bother," Harry mumbles. He's worked off some previous uncertainty to have adopted a sprawling all-over pose atop the Doctor, chest to chest and ankles draped on calves. It seems to be making him happy, which is nice. "You know I'd do anything for you, Sarah."

"I meant the Doctor."

"Ahhh," the Doctor says, as a stopgap while he spends an unusual amount of time processing the statement. "Yes. I only do it for your own good, you know."

"That's what's so terribly aggravating about it," Sarah says, and sticks her tongue out at his request for clarification.

Well. As a small puzzle in the mechanics of mental control, it could be interesting enough- "I suppose that by inducing your neural pathways to express volition while subsuming my own to minimal levels, it might be done-"

"Oh, would you?"

She does sound so enthused at the prospect; so he takes her face in his free hand (Harry's cuddling the other one), cradles it. "Think of nothing, Sarah. Think of nothing at all."

"But this is just like the other times," she starts to protest; which is a help instead of a hindrance this once.

"And now think of something," the Doctor says, disengaging his will.

Like floating underwater, in a state of blissful suffocation. Generally he doesn't have the luxury of appreciating the curious qualities of this state-

"I say, how do you know it's worked?"

"I know."

Her voice draws attention like clanging cymbals, the loveliest sound in all the worlds. "It's like he's sleeping in my mind. If I pulled the leash-"

"I say, old girl, no need to be smutty."

Her laughter is like the autumnal migration of brightly coloured frogs, like a handful of melting nonpareils, like a steam-driven puzzle box the size of a house. "Do you think you can describe what we've been doing without being smutty?"

"Erm, no. I suppose not. What are you going to do now?"

"I'm not altogether sure- I mean, I didn't think he'd really do it."

"Don't underestimate yourself," Harry advises. "Doctor, are you really under Sarah's control like that?"

If he had eyes in his mouth, he could watch it working of its own accord; but he doesn't so he can't. "Yes."

"Do handsprings? Sing? Say you're in love?"

"Harry," Sarah intercedes, then pauses. "Are you in love with us?"

He's fallen in love with everything from funny bits of broken architecture to the Trans-Jupiter train shuttle to the moonsglow on Arcturus Four. "Of course I am!"

"...I suppose that's all I wanted to know, really." Her small sigh could explain the whole of the cosmos, if he meditated on it long enough.

"Not going to make him do any party tricks?"

"I- I-" and he adores the stumbling hesitation, that this is what it takes to render her perplexed. "He wouldn't, though. The Doctor's never treated me like- a thing, when he's doing this."

"So no sailor's hornpipe."

"I wouldn't know how," the Doctor interjects. "I don't know everything yet, or what would be the point in travelling?"

"Be happy to teach you."

Sarah snorts at him. "Before you start, I'd better take this hypnosis off him- Doctor, how do I do that?"

Ten bewildered seconds later- "It's all right, Sarah. Don't worry about it."

"Oh good. I wouldn't have felt right about kissing you under the influence," Sarah says, and does.

(He's not at all clear how to undo it. Probably won't happen without the aid of his TARDIS, a bout of unconsciousness and possibly some of those wretched mental exercises they taught back at the Academy.)

Not the worst problem he's ever faced though.

After all. He trusts Sarah with his life.

#fourth doctor #doctor who #four/sarah/harry

[2hero2academia]

Season 1 Episode 1- “Midoriya Izuku: Origin” (part 1)

it’s hard to imagine a time when my hero academia wasn’t popular. it’s reached a level of mainstream where you can find merchandise of it in any old target and not just hot topic. it’s the modern shonen anime, but it wasn’t always. on the first page of the first volume of mha, horikoshi leaves his readers with a note telling them that he tends to draw things that he enjoys, and that he hopes that people find it as fun as he does. i wonder how the horikoshi who wrote that note would feel about his story the way it stands right now? but this isn’t about the manga, this is about the loud, the lively, and the animated anime! every story has to start somewhere, and we’re starting with episode one of season one of MY HERO ACADEMIA!

so everyone who’s anyone knows about wing kid and how he was heavily implied to be the winged noumu in hosu. he’s called tsubasa by the fandom, and even the wiki calls him that, but to be real with you i don’t know if they ever say his name anywhere??? kinda wack, if you ask me. why doesn’t anybody talk about fingers over here? what a guy he is. i think i named him oshiro in a fic from a million years ago, but for the life of me i cannot remember why

aaand here’s our good green boy! protagonist of my hero academia, future greatest hero, midoriya izuku! yeah i know he’s going to be called izuku midoriya in this, but i’m used to calling that so i’m not changing it lol. one of the funny things about watching the english version of mha is hearing izuku being voice acted by justin briner. the first couple of times i heard him in the dub were incredibly jarring, because i knew briner from one thing before mha and that was teamfourstar’s final fantasy 7 machinabridged where he plays a kind of douchey cloud strife and swears a lot. the shift from that to this will never not be bewildering

the funny thing about this opening is i’m pretty sure i’ve haven’t heard the full thing since i watched season 1 with my brother nearly 4 years ago. it’s wild seeing it again. season 1 has been out of my brain for ages.

i really like that izuku has colored lineart in this part, it looks so fun and festive

good lord i forgot shouto’s costume looked like that. 0/10, wouldn’t recommend. the white isn’t actually that bad though, it’d be interesting to see his modern costume with his original costume’s color palette

oh also, get used to me spelling bakugo like bakugou and shoto like shouto. i’ve been on ao3 too long to use anything else

all in all, this opening’s pretty neat! i don’t think it’s super standout in any particular way, but i also don’t think it really has to be. it’s a nice quick way of showing off mha’s huge cast and while it doesn’t dive super deep into any of the characters, we won’t be diving super deep into any of them for this season anyways so it’s not a huge deal. this opening feels shorter than i remember.

because of how much the lore of mha is constantly thrown our way, it’s easy to forget that there was an episode where people didn’t already know the story of how quirks came to be. this shot feels very much like it’s supposed to be humorous, but that father also just looks kind of terrified. we know in mha that quirks were not always as well loved as they are now, so it makes you think. i wonder what happened to this baby? if they faced extreme oppression for their newly mutant powers? if they were cursed for being the start of the quirk plague? if they were revered for bringing about the dawn of a new era? i hope they had a happy life. i don’t think they did, but i hope. it’s also interesting that this baby was born with a quirk— something that i think isn’t seen as much in the modern day.

i’ve seen a lot of people headcanon that during the dawn of quirks, the age that people came into their quirks often skewed much later (with people finding their quirks in their teenage or even young adult years) but i wonder if maybe it’s the opposite. that, maybe, back during the dawn of quirks, quirk users were always born with their quirks? and maybe it was only after several generations that quirks began coming in later? maybe i’m thinking too hard about this

so around this time they drop the population of the planet that’s quirked— which, if you don’t know, is 80%. people have poked this number a lot because of the other part of it. the fact that 20% of the population is quirkless means that, on average, one in five people you meet should be quirkless. but, the thing is, besides izuku, melissa, and some manga spoilers, we never meet any other naturally quirkless people. and that makes those numbers seem a little sketchy. people have come up with their own explanations, the popular few being that most of that 20% are from older generations or that 20% is just the global population of quirkless people, in japan it’s way lower. a part of me wonders what counts as a quirkless person?

take tokoyami and ashido for example— both of them have their own primary quirks that we see them using in combat, but if you take those away, they also have their non-quirk mutations. if ashido didn’t have acid and if tokoyami didn’t have dark shadow, would they be labeled as quirkless? or would these mutations be considered their primary quirks instead of secondary quirk characteristics? or even just look at izuku! his hair’s green for goodness’ sake! if he were born a century ago, he’d probably be called quirked, even without something flashy like firebreath or telekinesis! the classification of quirks confuses me to this day.

do they ever say what death arms’ quirk is? hold on let me check the wiki. no. they do not. i heard some electricity sounds earlier, so i wonder if his strength comes from electricity or something? this nerd doesn’t even have a name, but i suppose even without a name he still has a page on the wiki, which is more than what can be said for some others (looks pointedly at the lack of a page for the second and third users of one for all)

i’ve always wondered— is that supposed to be a mask, or is that just what backdraft’s face looks like? it seems like it’d be a weird addition to what otherwise looks like a pretty basic firefighter costume. i wonder if he’s made of water under there and that’s what he’s using. new headcanon?

despite seeming to be sort of new on the scene, kamui woods already has a pretty avid fanbase. izuku knows his super move before he even uses it and he’s got some fangirls in the crowd. he also makes it to the got danged number 7 spot on the hero rankings!! despite this, he also just has this sort of smalltime feel? i feel like he’s the sort of hero where you’d bring him up to your non-hero-nerd friend, and they’d be like, “sorry, who?” and you’d have to say, “kamui woods! he’s, like, the latest up and comer!” and you’d have to explain his entire history but your friend would be like “i thought hawks was the latest up and comer. is this kamui guy younger than hawks?” and you’d have to explain to your friend that, no, kamui woods is actually a good six years older than hawks, but he’s an up and comer in a different way-! and then your friend would get kind of bored so you’d start talking about something else like the fact that all might’s been spotted more often around musutafu lately. kamui woods is once again left forgotten

this is mt lady’s debut as a pro hero, but she’s already 22. did she work as a sidekick behind the scenes for the past 4 years after graduating hero school, or (gasp) did she go to hero college!? i’ve always found it sort of weird (and kind of messed up, child soldiers and what have you) that people start training to be heroes in high school. while it makes a certain amount of sense that you’d want to start training as soon as possible to get the most out of your quirk as quick as possible, it also just feels kind of fucked up? it makes a lot more sense to me, at least, that if a person wants to maybe be a hero when they grow up, they might not want to commit to that right out of middle school. it makes sense that people might want to wait until they’re a little bit older and knowledgeable about the world to make the leap into heroics. hero college just makes so much sense to me! in retrospect, the idea that the best hero school in the country raises fledgling heroes from puny little fifteen year olds just feels kind of predatory. maybe wait until they’re legal adults to send them to the wolves. good on mt lady for waiting to go to finish high school before committing to a life of heroics. you weren’t made a child soldier :)

honestly everything we hear about how heroics function in the modern day is kind of fucked. the fact that heroics has been monetized to the extent that it has, making it so that heroes are more likely to chase fame and glory so they’ll get the biggest paycheck is dumb as all hell. it means that rural areas aren’t going to get many or potentially even any heroes, and it means that even just most urban heroes are going to stick to well trafficked areas. there aren’t going to be a lot of heroes out at night, and there aren’t going to be a lot of heroes in the communities that really need them. the heroics industry being an industry is the worst thing to ever happen to the justice system, but it makes for a fascinating thing to dissect

and finally, over a third of the way into the episode, we get our title card! i actually really like the “origin” episodes, and i like that a lot of the episodes (and, i guess, the manga chapter names, since that’s what most of the episode names are based on) have callbacks and theming. it’s nice when creators do that. i once wrote a story where all of the chapter titles were sentences in a poem i wrote, so if you read through the chapter list, you’d get a poem that vaguely summarized the story. i never finished that story, funny enough, but i’d like to do a similar thing someday. it was fun to write a story hidden inside a story. i’m getting off track, what was i talking about again? right, origins.

oh speaking of naming themes, i love horikoshi’s place names. if you don’t know, most of the fictional places in mha are named after star wars planets! aldera high school comes from alderaan, the planet the leia was a princess of before the death star blew it up. i didn’t take a screenshot of it, but the place where that first villain was at was called tatooin station, named after tatooine, the skywalker homeworld. musutafu itself comes from mustafar, the planet were jedi go to die (i think). i’ll try to keep an eye out for these and explain them whenever possible. i think it’s a neat little naming joke that horikoshi snuck in there!

i love seeing crowd shots in mha, because it’s clear that horikoshi always puts a lot of effort into making all these one-off characters that will never be seen again.

it’s a little sad seeing izuku back here. he always has his head down and he’s trying to look as small as possible. it looks like he’s always avoiding eye contact for the most part, and he puts more of his attention into writing in his notebooks than on the teachers speaking to him. we know he’s pretty dang smart, but i wonder just how smart he is. he doesn’t do better than katsuki in ua’s midterms, but it’s a near thing. i suppose he’d have to be a straight a student to get into ua

once again, i love me a good crowd shot, especially when i get to see all of those people’s quirks. some of these quirks actually look sort of interesting, and i like that we have all four elements in the class— earth, water, fire, and wind. i like that one kid in the very back second from the left who isn’t cheering or anything but he is glowing as hard as he can

on a more serious note: once again, it feels very weird that this teacher is just like “i’d hand out some career aptitude tests, but i know you’re all just going to try to be heroes!” i don’t know if this is an aldera thing (because in all honesty it might) or if this is what it’s like in other junior high schools as well, but the idea that you’re not going to even encourage these fourteen year olds to think of anything but heroics is just bad. especially when we know that most of them aren’t going to make it into hero schools. of course izuku and katsuki are the only two to get into ua, but i doubt that many of the other students even make it into minor hero schools. what’s more likely is they all apply to a handful of hero schools, fail the entrance exams, and get shuffled into whatever high school will take them because they didn’t think to apply to any non hero schools. the whole thing is just fucked and the teachers shouldn’t be encouraging this. also who’s that kid on the right? i love their head

and so we’re introduced to one bakugou katsuki, one of the more… contentious characters in my hero academia. i have a lot of thoughts and opinions about this kid, but i’m sure we’ll get to him later. i’m probably going to flip flop a lot between calling him katsuki and bakugou, so sorry if things get confusing.

two things to note here: number one is that katsuki’s classmates specifically call him “katsuki”. i’m pretty sure this is because these kids have all known each other since grade school, but it’s still interesting regardless. second thing is that katsuki’s classmates don’t actually seem to particularly like him— which, in all honesty, is not that big of a surprise. i see a lot of people call katsuki the “top dog” back at aldera, but while katsuki might be the “best” student, i don’t actually think he was all that popular with his peers. he might’ve had some lackeys who trailed after him, but i don’t think it was out of love for the guy

it’s very interesting to note that even among these hero hopefuls, the idea that katsuki (katsuki, best in their class, katsuki, with the strongest quirk, katsuki) is trying out for ua is far-fetched. none of the other students had the courage to dare to try out for the national hero school.

… well, except for one.

honestly the fact that izuku so much as wrote down that he wanted to apply for ua is a pretty ballsy move, especially when one considers that he’s, y’know, quirkless. he took a dive that nobody else in his class (besides katsuki obv) even had the courage to do. he may not have gotten in without one for all, but he would have tried, and that’s more than any of his other classmates (besides katsuki) can say.

also, izuku looks so panicked here. you can tell he hates being singled out. i’m sure he’d much prefer being ignored to being belittled. izuku’s whole situation pre-ua is just really sad in retrospect :( izuku’s so clearly not okay

izuku tries to explain to his classmates that ua got rid of the rule that bars the quirkless from trying out. which is. mmh. super fucked up actually? the fact that it was a rule that had to be “gotten rid of” is so intensely messed up, i don’t even know what to say. that’s, like, full on discrimination. until probably very recently, quirkless people weren’t even allowed to apply to ua, much less be allowed in. poor izuku really was doomed from the start

temporarily pushing aside the fact that when katsuki hears izuku’s applying for ua as well he immediately assumes that it’s going to be a him-or-izuku situation, this stylized shot is a very interesting peek into izuku’s psyche. he’s terrified of his classmates, even the ones who aren’t bearing down on him and threatening him with physical violence like katsuki is. this kind of fear is very learned, and i wonder what the other student’s of izuku’s junior high class did to him to make him so wary of him. y’know, beyond the obvious discrimination

i’m pretty sure in the dub, the nickname “deku” is supposed to be a portmanteau of “defenseless izuku” which is. kind of weird. but it means that in this scene we get katsuki calling izuku by his actual name, which is funny because he never does that in canon

after the sludge villain runs out of this store, we get a shot of this lady who’s activated a barrier in a panic. is the barrier always on or was it a fear response? does this count as illegal public quirk usage, or would it be shuffled aside as self-defense? what are the laws on public quirk usage? i need to know. it kills me.

oh wack i don’t remember the sludge villain wearing pants. i guess he probably wore normal clothes before his descent into villainy, y’know to look like a normal member of society. or as normal as he can be. as the sludge villain flees the scene of the crime, the shop owner(? employee?) calls him a monster, which i’m pretty sure is just a dub-ism, but that’s still super fucked up? he’s just a guy. he’s human, same as you and me, just with some sort of mutation quirk. i just know that all of the mutants in mha get so much shit for not looking perfectly human. people love quirks until they stop looking so pretty. then those people aren’t people anymore. just monsters. it’s no wonder the sludge villain stooped to villainy. i bet he couldn’t even get access to anything else

this is actually going to be a really common gripe from me that you’ll start hearing more often once we get a little further in, but i’m sometimes kind of a manga supremacist when it comes to anime. which is funny because i don’t think i’ve ever read a manga before i watched it’s corresponding anime. but one thing about mha is that horikoshi is actually an amazing artist and he’s so good at illustrating motion. this panel from the manga is the exact same moment as the one above from the anime, but something about the panel just hits so hard in a way that the anime’s portrayal just doesn’t. you’ll also see this gripe with certain shots when it comes to shading. horikoshi’s use of shading in the manga can be so striking, and to get to the anime and see all of that weight just stripped away with lower contrast colored shading is just kind of… meh. so, you might see me pull some panels from the manga here and there. if you haven’t read the mha manga, i’d certainly recommend it, even if you still just want to watch the anime as it comes out.

honestly, the fact that all might can just transform in this crowded ass street and not get spotted is fucking hilarious. missed opportunity: all might having to transform in phone booths. i guess it’s just canonical that japan is bad at noticing things in this universe

it was around here that i realized this post was kind of getting absurdly long, so the rest of episode 1 will be posted separately. i have... a lot of things to say.

#2022 mha liveblog #season 1 #bnha #mha #midoriya izuku #bakugou katsuki

[marshmallowloves]

Zelda OC #4 - Tesni

>> (list of posts for other OCs)

(this has become kind of a trend - this post is very long under the cut, due to how much development went into this character. You have been warned, and I am very sorry if you accidentally click "read more" on desktop and have to scroll through it all kdjfhg)

I had Iphenia as my main Zelda OC for a long while, and replayed Skyward several times for the sake of dialogue so I could have more shipping fuel with Cawlin and meme material for Ghirahim's weird ass. Not long after, my friend lovingly introduced me to Hyrule Warriors on her WiiU. I'd never touched a Warriors game before, so this was an absolute blast to play, especially co-op. I remembered playing mostly as Midna, probably because I also had a massive crush on her at the time. Since I was coming fresh off the trails of Skyward, I also messed around with Fi and Ghirahim, who were both very fun to play as (despite people's protests that Fi was one of the weakest characters, but I had no trouble with her git gud deku scrublords). Slowly, Ghirahim became my preference for several reasons - not only was Midna was a bit tough to get the hang of, but Ghirahim's attacks were quick and powerful, Anri Katsu did a fantastic job with his voice this time around, and... oh. Oh no.

It's worth mentioning that around this time, I started realizing that I kind of had a thing for voices. Despite hearing a lot of Ghirahim's voice while playing his source game, I was too preoccupied with the fact that he was a total creep the whole time to really care for it. However, I'm sure Mr. Katsu was told to crank up the Large Ham factor to 11 for his Warriors reprise - which included the anger, the boastful laughs, and the, um... bizarrely suggestive sounds of self-preening. And that's when Marshy broke. This was the first time I had gained some form of attraction to a character I had previously mocked and tossed aside in favor of others. And I went into such hard denial about it that I created an entirely separate OC, with the intention of tossing her aside too, all for the sake of venting this weird sexual frustration (because let's face it - that's what it was). Enter Tesni.

Tesni's first iteration was very different from where she is now. In fact, I think she went through the most change of all my OCs, in terms of background, personality, and appearance.

The very first paper about her was simply a written concept, where I labeled her a "secret Zelda OC" due to my utter shame in my attraction for the Demon Lord, as well as labeled her simply as "Ghirahim's slave." Bear with me here, even though I know you're probably looking into the camera like you're on The Office.

Tesni's original purpose, first and foremost, was supposed to be a vessel, entirely separate from myself, for the purpose of exploring this weird attraction. My brain, for whatever the hell reason, figured that if Ghirahim would be into anything sexually, then his sadistic ass would favor a vessel of his own - someone to use to vent his frustrations, to play with however he liked, to relieve any stress of thhe'd want to be the master of a sex slave okay

Despite the mindless, baseless, loveless and purely indulgent nature of her creation, a small part of me wanted to add a bit of substance. I gave her a fancy name and made her a Twili - the latter of which I specifically remember doing because of a post I came across about making a good Zelda OC, which stated in one part something along the lines of "make your OC of a race that isn't very commonly used, like a Rito or a Twili!" and I was like "oh hell yeah, I love Twili!"

But at the end of the day, she was still just Ghirahim's property, as evidenced in the clothing she wears in the image above. Skimpy, yet reminiscent of the fabulous Sword Spirit. And even though this was the case, I didn't write or draw anything about it. Everything pretty much consisted of saucy daydreams and images in my brain that came and went and didn't pay rent. Nevermind the question of how in the world a character from the timeline of Skyward Sword came to possess a Twili from (presumably) thousands of years in the future.

...Except, somewhere down the line, I must have felt the need to justify this bizarre crossover. Or I started becoming more serious and less wanton about my attraction to Ghirahim. Or both. I honestly can't remember, but whatever the case, I decided to pull a small origin story (and a slight redesign) from the place where all my greatest ideas come from - my ass.

(The first drawing here is from 2015, when I first started developing this origin story. The second is from 2018, after I'd fully established the story I have now - and I also gave her outfit the sleeve from her original design~)

Now Tesni was a young girl who had become very close with Princess Midna after the latter helped Link defeat Ganon - to the point where the two Twili have an unspoken but mutual romantic affection for one another. My way of shoehorning in my less shameful crush on Midna, I suppose. Tesni turned from a blank slate into a sweet, demure, and rather airheaded ball of curiosity who loved to roam and explore the realm she called home. One day during a walk, she comes across a strange red light that pulls her in and drags her to another world, where the Demon Lord greets her and bullshits an explanation as to why he brought here there.

This explanation became more and more thought out as I continued to descend further into "ah shit I actually like this pile of trash" hell over time, but I can't exactly create an extensive or detailed timeline of development from this point on. Adding more substance to Tesni as a character and her backstory was a very gradual process, and thus it's hard for me to divide it into a step-by-step like my other posts. All I can really say is that over the course of a couple years, Tesni went through a vague process of:

blank vessel to vent sexual frustration

vessel With Some Substance™

a whole entire OC

okay I'm putting way too much time into this

self insert (for various reasons)

...as well as share the (relatively) condensed version of the story I've settled on. Just be warned that it really makes zero canonical sense, because to this day it's purely for self-indulgent purposes - that much has not changed - and I'm really not too worried about keeping true to canon. 😂 Also it's lengthy, so be warned!

The current story starts out much like before - Tesni, a close confidant and mutual crush to Princess Midna, wanders the paths of her home in the Twilight Realm, eventually being lured and captured by a strange red light into an unfamiliar world. She is greeted by a man who calls himself Ghirahim. He had performed a magic ritual, intending to summon a being with enough power to revive his master, the rightful ruler of this realm. At first glance, Tesni doesn't look like she'd fit the bill - Her timidity is palpable, and she's hesitant to speak to him. But Ghirahim is certain he performed the summoning perfectly as he always does, and doesn't wish to lose out on an opportunity to further his goals. So he does his best not to scare her away and spins a sugar-coated lie...

According to Ghirahim, his master was a glorious king who ruled the entire realm and was respected by his subjects, but was wrongfully imprisoned by jealous and self-righteous creatures who yearned for his position of power. The means that these villains used to seal him away could only be broken by a power so strong it rivals even the gods' - and Ghirahim is confident that with enough training, Tesni can help him achieve this power, so that his master can regain his rightful place as king of this world and punish those who stole his throne.

Though Tesni is hesitant, it tugs at her heartstrings to hear that this world is without its rightful ruler - especially since what Midna had to go through was so similar. She eventually agrees, and Ghirahim begins to train her while they both eagerly search for the only power that can break the seal - the Triforce. During this long stretch of time, the two grow closer, all while Midna frantically searches the Twilight Realm for her lost friend.

Somewhere down the line, Ghirahim and Tesni must separate and regroup, and the former later returns bruised and battered. He reveals that he was able to see his master for a short time, but got into a scrape during his visit - and he accidentally lets slip that it was his master that left him like this. Tesni of course questions why such a "glorious and respected" king would treat his own second-in-command in such a way. Up to this point, Tesni's cooperation has been crucial to their success in finding the Triforce. But Ghirahim not only fears this will cost him his best chance at doing so, a small part of him also fears of losing Tesni as a companion.

He takes a huge risk and comes clean about his master's true identity and nature - Demise, a ruthless and cruel demon who desires power for the sake of power, and who will do worse than just renounce Ghirahim as his right-hand man (or rather, tool) if the latter fails in his task to revive him. Thus, Ghirahim had no choice but to string Tesni along, though he feels guilty for it after having come to know her as a person.

She's understandably hurt at the prospect of being used by him, and it makes her question what else he's lied about - namely, Ghirahim's own care for Tesni that he's supposedly grown to have. But, true to her nature, her care for him is still very much real, and it pains her more to see that he's being treated in this way. So she suggests that they keep searching for the Triforce, but for a different purpose - to create a new, separate realm in which Demise can reside and have an endless bounty of power and slaughter at his disposal, without actually affecting anyone.

Since Ghirahim was literally created to serve Demise, he has an inherent and incessant need to please him, but he also has a degree of autonomy (shown in game by the fact that he's not stuck in the seal with Demise, he makes his own decisions and crafts his own plans to revive him, etc) - and in this instance, Ghirahim makes the decision to protect both himself and Tesni while still fulfilling his master's wish.

At some point (which is to say that I... haven't actually thought this part all the way through kjdfg), Midna finds the portal that Tesni had gone through, and searches for her in this realm as well...

And that's the end of the story I had written. Yeah, no, really. I completely blanked at this point. I always vaguely imagined that when Midna found the two of them, she and Ghirahim would fight but be stopped by Tesni somehow and things would be fine. I wanted to ship the three of them together - or rather, I wanted to ship Tesni with both Ghirahim and Midna, and have the latter two just kind of tolerate each other for the sake of their shared love interest. But I never knew how to go about writing that, so that's where it just kind of... drops off. XD

Perhaps Midna finally finds Tesni and Ghirahim just when they have the Triforce within their reach, and after learning of what happened, they both agree to let Tesni make her wish, which lets Demise get his own realm and lets Tesni be with the two people she's come to love most. It'd be a total BS explanation, but hey! That's kind of what this whole AU is about.

In the end, Tesni (as well as her ship with Ghirahim and Midna) was never about making a decent Zelda OC to one-up the old ones. She started with self-indulgence, and ended with self-indulgence. At this point, I've devoted so much time into this character and ship, not to mention that it got me through some less-than-good times during my school days, that it's become too precious to me to change much, and honestly that's perfectly fine with me.

Tesni, I think, is a reminder that not every character you make has to be "good" or "believable." Sometimes you just want to have a little gal be in love with her tall girlfriend and taller evil boyfriend, and it costs zero dollars and zero cents and is not illegal to do. ❤️

#zelda #legend of zelda #loz #oc #Tesni

[fahrni]

Saturday Morning Coffee

Good morning from Charlottesville, Virginia! ☕️

Fortune

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak told ABC News that he had “minor but real stroke” while attending the World Business Forum in Mexico City, confirming reports from Wednesday

Here’s hoping for a full and speedy recovery!

The Iconfactory

The latest update to Linea Sketch is now available! From textures to thumbnail cropping, version 4.3 is packed with clever new features to make sketching on your iPad easier and more fun than ever.

By now I think you all know about my deep love for The Iconfactory. They are the brains behind Twitterrific — may Ollie rest in peace — and Wallaroo. But they also make this amazing drawing app called Linea Sketch!

The Iconfactory also does design work and consultations. They recently did the artwork for Stream’s feature in the App Store . They’re extremely talented and so easy to work with. Give them a shout if you needs some design work!

If you’re an artist you should give it a try and see how you like it.

Thanksgiving FYI

Hi, I’m Jim, an enthusiastic and dedicated home cook with more than a dozen Thanksgivings under my belt. I’ve hosted everything from small friendsgivings to giant multi-family affairs in foreign kitchens and I’ve assembled some strategies to help make the day great.

Jim is an internet pal and extremely nice fellow.

Thanksgiving FYI is Jim’s Thanksgiving newsletter chock full of tips and recipes for, you guessed it, Thanksgiving!

Who doesn’t like a good thanksgiving recipe?

I’d imagine you can still sign up and get everything he’s already published if you’d like and at $5 it’s a real steal! You even get access to a Slack so you can chat with others about the big day! 🦃

John Scalzi

FYI, I’m Writing a Film Column For Uncanny Magazine

I didn’t know it but John Scalzi was a reporter for the Fresno Bee at one time. Wild!

It’s incredible to me how much work this man churns out in a year. Here’s hoping his column is well received and long lived.

Kevin Purdy • Ars Technica

It’s not quite the end of Tumblr, but when management is supposedly sending memos with the Lord Tennyson quote about having “loved and lost,” it doesn’t look like there’s much of a future.

I’ve had a Tumblr account for years and years and I cross post to it, like I do Mastodon, but I’ve never used it as my primary blog. I’d considered it multiple times but I was never happy with their fixed taxonomy. I like to publish my posts in a Y/M/D format and Tumblr doesn’t support that. They also don’t publish static HTML which is another strike against them.

I’m bummed out by the possibility of it disappearing. It’s one of those internet properties I’d like to see stick around. It’s also looks like they’re gonna drop ActivityPub. 😔

Jason Snell • Macworld

There’s no real way to gloss over the fact that Mac sales went down 34 percent versus the year-ago quarter. And yet, for some reason, Maestri and Cook got out their Tom Sawyer paintbrushes and got to work.

At some point hyper-growth will stop. It’s just the way it is. Of course Apple offsets this by raising prices, which isn’t a surprise.

I got my first M based Mac early last year and didn’t unwrap it and start using it until early summer because I felt that my x86 Mac was fine. Luckily I decided to take the plunge to M2 land because I went from being a Director back to being a Software Engineer.

For me I’d guess this M2 could easily go for five years before it feels sluggish, and who knows, maybe beyond that?

As I like to say. I’m not compiling Photoshop or Microsoft Word. I’m just compiling iOS Apps. Even big iOS apps written in Swift build super fast. I’d even wager an M1 MacBook Air would blow the doors off my old x86 based Mac. They’re fast!

Marc Anthony Lopez • abc30.com

The founders and co-CEOs of failed tech company Bitwise have been charged for a $100 million fraud scheme following a federal investigation.

This one hurts. I know Irma — Irms as everyone calls her — and Jake. I’m having a difficult time believing they’d do something illegal like this and I still want to believe it was a horrible blunder. 😔

Emma Roth • The Verge

Disney’s combined Disney Plus and Hulu streaming app is on the way. As part of its fourth-quarter earnings results, Disney announced it’s going to launch the new app in beta for bundle subscribers in December, with the official launch coming in early spring 2024.

We are Hulu subscribers, Kim loves it. It makes me wonder how much it’ll change or will it literally be merging what Hulu offers directly into the app? So far Max seems to be fine with this strategy, although I’d prefer to have HBO content front and center instead of the mix of items we have today. Here’s hoping they do a great job combining the properties. I think they will.

Jonathan Lamont • MobileSyrup

Telus has joined Rogers in offering an online tool for customers to manage their eSIMs.

Telus is the grandparent company of WillowTree so I had to share this news.

Mark Frauenfelder • Boing Boing

Trump plans to deploy military on Inauguration Day, seize government agencies, and purge critics

This doesn’t surprise me. I fully expect his next term (he’ll never leave) in office to be a full on MAGA revenge tour. Our democracy will fail under the strain. We cannot let this guy become President again.

[marcholasmoth]

OSRR: 3238

today i ran errands with my mom, did some laundry, agonized over my trip tomorrow, and went and played at a pre-release event at the local game store.

the set fully releases next week and it's the first lord of the rings set. i was definitely more excited than joel was about this drop. and it was my first prerelease event in over four years or something silly like that. i didn't play much before, and it's been so long anyway that it was like trying to learn all over again. which wasn't terrible. i actually built my own deck without asking for help and i passed it to joel to look at and i think if i were to do it again i'd take out some 3 and 4 cost cards and find other ones with a cost of 1 or 2. some card to cut down on the cost of higher cost cards. maybe add something to allow me to draw cards more than just once a turn. but still! i made it myself! i didn't realize you could adjust your deck between matches, though, so what i started with, i ended with, too. womp womp.

but i had a lot of fun!! and the algorithm paired me with people that were joel's friends. he had four friends there. i played three of them. i'm so happy i got to participate and i'm glad that i had a good time even though i was turned into a fuckin swiffer wetjet. they mopped the floor with me. i only won one match because ty scooped twice. but i was learning to play again, so playing her was nice.

it was a lot of fun. i laughed a lot and enjoyed myself. not taking things personally was a good trait for today, and my curiosity about the deck was definitely helpful because i hadn't seen anything about the set, so i'm happy i got to learn and read so many cards. my opponents got really good pulls and were veteran players, so i'm not surprised in the least. i'm just glad they were nice. the last match i was starting to wind down and i was getting grumpy, but i realized it wasn't because i was grumpy or because i was being used as a cleaning apparatus. it was because i was tired. so i managed to help myself a bit and work around that without forcing my brain into a river.

after that joel and i went to applebees because i was hungry. i'm glad we stopped. but when we left it started raining again, and on the way back the rain was pretty bad to where i almost couldn't see the road. i ran in and grabbed my tech when dropping off joel and i made my way back home after that. now i'm in bed and exhausted beyond all reason.

i hope i sleep okay. joel's sweet and considerate and i love him a lot.

#molly rambles #operation srr #osrr #3000s #3200s #sunshine boy