#it makes the insight a bit easier | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

friskarm · 2 years

Text

so that dinner party scene huh

thinking once again about the dinner party scene and how... deliberate it is on jinx’s part

like okay obviously it’s deliberate, yeah, she spent all that time putting it together for one more big fucked up reunion BUT

relative to jinx, the dinner party comes at a crossroads where things are particularly shitty for her, and she’s using this scene to help herself make a particularly shitty choice: vi or silco. so, why does she frame it as “am i powder or jinx”?

in my opinion, it’s purely for vi’s sake. [oh boy this is a long one]

like, at this point, jinx feels let down by the two people she cares for. silco firstly lied to her about vi, and then she mistakenly assumes he’s going to betray her. and then vi, from her perspective, chose caitlyn over her. two points against versus one against.

then, there’s also... jinx really, really wants to believe in vi. the vast majority of her turmoil is related to and about vi’s intentions -- does she still love me? is she replacing me? are we still sisters? the value of this relationship to jinx is so high that the symbol of her relationship with silco -- the hextech gem -- stops mattering entirely when she thinks she’s getting her perfect reunion. even when she sees caitlyn with vi, she’s still conflicted. she wants to believe in what vi’s saying, that caitlyn is a friend and vi isn’t going to abandon her. she asks for time to think -- time that unfortunately isn’t given to her.

even on the bridge, we can see jinx visibly wrestling with mylo’s voice, telling her over and over -- just like silco and sevika do -- that vi is going to abandon her. “it’s just a goodbye hug” -> “she’s not leaving me”. losing her faith in vi is the absolute last thing she wants. she only fires upon caitlyn and vi because the threat caitlyn poses to her -- in her perception of things -- becomes so immediate and large that she stops seeing vi entirely -- vi is quite literally blacked out of her vision.

and then we get to the dinner party, where jinx is at the end of her rope -- and god knows what all that shimmer’s done to her. but she sets up the dinner party such that everything is relative to vi.

it’s all of their family members -- jinx and vi’s both -- claggor and mylo gets seats, vander gets a seat, and then caitlyn and silco also get seats, in their respective relevance to either of them (the implicit detail here is that jinx acknowledges, somewhere, that caitlyn is effectively part of their family now, whether she likes it or not). vi, obviously, gets a seat, and then there’s “powder” and “jinx”.

“Where should I sit? It’s... your choice, really.”

in her one proper interaction with vi, where they talk atop the tower in episode 6, jinx takes pains to try and communicate that things are different now. she’s different now! she says as much very explicitly. it seems like vi is listening, but the moment things break down, it’s clear that vi doesn’t quite get it (and how could she? i want to make it clear that i don’t think vi is to blame for any of this, not at all). and so jinx is left with the understanding that vi doesn’t understand who she is.

and, to be clear -- with the exception of when she’s in a panic state (which happens unfortunately often...), jinx is decidedly lucid relative to who she is, and who other people think she is.

i mentioned it in another post, here, the line “But he didn’t make Jinx. You did.”

the gist is that while part of it is saying, yeah, vi holds some culpability for the person jinx is now, that goes both ways. both the good, and the bad.

“You’re the reason I’m still alive.”

it’s true. silco cared for her, but deep down jinx was always, always hoping vi would come back for her. they are motivated by the exact same thing.

but jinx can’t trust that -- not on vi’s word. she is too beaten down by silco and sevika’s years of assertions; by the metaphorical monsters in her head telling her vi abandoned her -- and by the threat of caitlyn taking jinx’s place in vi’s life.

she needs proof, and she needs a conclusion.

the scene where she reveals the cupcake-that-isn’t-caitlyn is really fucked up, but part of me thinks that’s kind of... her point? “do you think that i would do something like this? do you think i’m that far gone?” and vi, unfortunately, falls for it. there’s such a look of disappointment on jinx’s face.

the other reason for this, maybe, is kind of to punish vi. jinx really left vi with no other hoice, so this is kind of her being hoist by her own petard in this case, but jinx still saw vi walking away with caitlyn as a betrayal, as an abandonment. we’ve seen her do this with silco, albeit in a different way, what with her stabbing him repeatedly with his shimmer injector when she discovers he hid vi’s return from her. it’s not great! i get why she’s doing it, but... yeesh.

in any case, she brings caitlyn out, and vi’s immediate reaction is to yell at her and tell her to keep caitlyn out of this. but, from jinx’s perspective, vi was the one who brought caitlyn into this in the first place. little unfair of her to ask jinx to keep her out of it this late in the game, right? jinx looks unimpressed, and elects to ignore it. vi isn’t clicking. there’s a particular way she rolls her body language here. it’s so... “okay, you’re not getting it.”

so she asks vi where she should sit. the big question that vi needs to understand.

what’s really interesting is that... jinx doesn’t look at the powder seat for very long, but she stares long and hard at the jinx seat. the camera follows vi’s vision as she looks to either side, but jinx specifically looks at the jinx seat at the same time as vi. there’s a correct answer she wants vi to reach, here.

powder = jinx = powder. it’s the same girl, no matter how you slice it. silco only sees jinx, and rejects powder. vi only sees powder, and rejects jinx.

jinx knows, at this point, that silco is never going to accept powder. his entire philosophy is based in rejecting your previous, weak self. it’s just not going to fly.

vi, however, is an unknown, and also jinx’s preferred outcome. if, somehow, she can get vi to understand, to have her accept both jinx and powder, then... she wins. she just has to do that.

now, the next thing is possibly me reading too much into things, but let’s give it a crack. jinx puts a gun in vi’s hands and asks her to make caitlyn go away.

“Make her go away. Please. Send her on her way and--” [Caitlyn’s muffled protests] “--and you can have Powder back.”

This phrasing struck me as weird after watching it a few times, because... Jinx knows who she is. She prefers to be called Jinx. She’s not... holding Powder hostage inside of her; Silco hasn’t locked her away inside of this bag of crazy such that if Vi appeals hard enough, her baby sister will pop out. This is an impossible offer that Jinx is never going to be able to fulfill.

but again, i think that’s... the point. jinx knows vi. they’ve been separated for years, but she knows that vi doesn’t hurt people for fun. she doesn’t hurt people without cause, without reason. she’s quick to use her fists, but she has always been a protector, not an aggressor. not to mention -- vi cares about caitlyn. what jinx is asking her to do is functionally impossible for vi. and i think jinx knows that.

an impossible request for an impossible reward -- to help vi understand that what she is trying to achieve isn’t possible. “powder” isn’t coming back. but vi’s little sister can -- if vi is willing to accept her.

but even within this choice, there are a number of “right” answers, i think. one of them would just be for vi to kill caitlyn. i don’t think jinx would expect this to happen, but it certainly would be undeniable proof of vi’s loyalty to her!

the specific phrasing is “send her on her way”. that doesn’t have to mean murder, and the fact that jinx is super down for vi’s suggestion of running away indicates to me that murder is not the goal or the point -- it’s breaking ties with caitlyn.

but vi just dismisses it as impossible out of hand, and doesn’t put any thought into it whatsoever. that scoff that jinx makes, is, in my opinion, her frustration that vi isn’t even trying to understand [which, y’know, is pretty reasonable because vi must be so fucking confused].

so, vi isn’t willing to do anything about caitlyn, so jinx goes to put her down herself. i’m not sure if she was just doing this clinically or if the point was to threaten vi, but before we can really get a read on that, vi starts giving back.

vi suggests they run away, and immediately jinx is trying to work with her. “where would we go?” is a reasonable, non-dismissive question. she’s willing to try and make it work -- even as the weight of the world’s insistence that vi abandoned her plays out in her head.

what’s interesting is that jinx gives up on removing caitlyn from the equation almost immediately, the second vi gives her something to work with. it must feel so unfair, from vi’s perspective, but jinx really is trying her best.

silco’s involvement complicates things because silco plays directly into the voices in her head -- he is the material anchor for all of her doubts about vi’s intentions.

but silco does offer exactly what jinx needs -- that unconditional love, that unconditional acceptance. it’s not the everything that she wants so badly from vi, but it’s pretty damn good offer. she does hear silco; she does believe that he loves her. it’s what makes this whole choice she needs to make so damn hard.

but. things go awry. i really kind of love the pissed-off look on jinx’s face once caitlyn frees herself. she’s not threatened by caitlyn, she’s just annoyed. like, she just told mylo to shut his mouth, because, they’re talking! they’re in the middle of something, thanks! and now caitlyn is interrupting.

at vi’s pleading, jinx very specifically doesn’t raise her gun at caitlyn [despite the fact that caitlyn very much has a gun pointed at jinx] until she hears that whisper [It’s time to leave them.]

not sure who’s meant to be whispering here, but i don’t think jinx actually fires? firstly because there’s no sound, and secondly she’s a crack shot so i think caitlyn would have eaten a shot if she did.

caitlyn reaffirms her order for jinx to drop the gun, and jinx once again refrains from aiming at caitlyn. when caitlyn motions to shoot again, vi pleads with her to stop -- “Wait! She’s my sister.”

there’s such a visible look of joy on jinx’s face after vi says that. there it is -- more evidence that vi really does care for her.

jinx also does this little giggle that she tends to do throughout the series when she’s deliberately playing up the fact that people see her as crazy in order to get something. here, she wants caitlyn to lower her guard, and she does -- at vi’s pleading. which is exactly the opening jinx needs to regain control of the situation from caitlyn.

but she doesn’t regain control. not at all. silco and vi start pushing her. the visual dynamics of this scene are pretty straightforward and incredibly good, so i don’t think i need to unpack what happens here too tightly -- but silco and vi start impressing their ideas of who this girl is onto her. silco says that jinx would finish caitlyn off. vi tells her to snap out of it.

and -- most unfortunately, vi does the most damage here. she doesn’t understand in the end, that making jinx relive these memories is torturous; that they’re not the positive memories of a happy childhood, they’re painful reminders of ghosts that haunt her.

and this is all the evidence jinx needs to make her choice -- but even after all that, she still can’t bring herself to hurt vi. not properly.

vi demonstrates profoundly and undeniably that she doesn’t accept jinx. that she cannot accept that this person in front of her is her baby sister. it is a rejection of the highest degree, and you can hear just how heartbroken jinx is in those few lines she says to her after silco’s death.

silco loved her in the way she needed to be loved; vi didn’t. both of them really, really do love this girl -- but vi doesn’t understand. silco doesn’t either, but he is more willing to accept her than vi is.

so... silco wins. even in his death; tragic proof that jinx really is jinx.

what follows is jinx exacting silco’s dream -- using the hextech weapon against the topsiders. there’s no going back from something like this -- it is undoubtedly an act of war. can’t get much more war-provoking than attacking the government with a rocket launcher.

it’s not the outcome she wanted though. jinx came out of this and lost in every regard. she doesn’t get vi or silco. she gets nothing.

so let topside burn.

#arcane #arcane analysis #jinx #vi #caitlyn #oh boy this was big and dumb but i hope i made some sort of sense #i added pictures which does make it longer but hopefully it's a bit easier to follow #really i'm just making these as a way to help myself understand what's going on here #but if people agree or have other insights or even disagree #i would like to know about it!

36 notes · View notes

glow-in-the-dark-death · 3 months

Text

A Week (He Will Take You)

Danny moved to Gotham for school, while there he noticed that Gotham's ambient ecto was really murky for lack of a better word.

This didn't really affect him too much besides a mild headache every once in a while but that also just might be stress from all his school work so maybe not.

Anyway

This murky ecto seemed to effect the people who lived there or more importantly the ghosts,

They were visible to the human eye like most ghosts back in Amity but instead of looking very much like a ghost they still looked like humans if a bit off putting.

They all seemed to be continuing their normal lives as if still fully alive, with the people around them none the wiser.

Danny noticed this and began approaching them to figure out what was going on.

Apparently the murky ecto in the city had made it so that they were strong enough to still continue a somewhat normal life but not be able to cross over to the GZ.

In other words they were stuck in Gotham

Danny was the Ghost King so he could easily fix this problem, all he needed to do was give them a bit of pure ecto for around a week to fully stabilize them them then he would just open a portal into the GZ and they could cross over with all their things also transferring into the GZ for their new haunt.

Unfortunately this looked rather worrying to an outsider,

Imagine you're used to your neighbor being very outgoing so you and others see them a lot suddenly this man seems to appear in their life out of nowhere an at exactly one week, your neighbor and all their belongings in their home disappear no trace to be found.

You tell people and they begin saying the same story they knew someone and them a man with black hair and blue eyes appeared in their life, then they and all their things disappear in exactly one week.

Of course the police in Gotham do the bare minimum so they're no help.

But it starts to begin a trend, especially online.

"Oh careful or the blue eyed man will make you disappear in a week"

This of course after time catches the bats attention, Gordon had already given them all the information he had.

"Young adult early twenties, dark hair, blue eyes"

That was it.

The bats look into it and from their point of view Danny is a serial killer.

But they can't find the connection between all of his victims, they range from young children and the elderly from different backgrounds absolutely no connection,

Worrying enough he doesn't just make one person disappear he has taken entire families up to over a dozen, without anyone figuring out how he's doing it or why at all.

The disturbing thing also being that he seems to take everything in their home, leaving it like it has always been empty

Like no one had been living in it.

People have tried to take photos of Danny get some kind of evidence of his existence, but when they try to do it, it either comes out completely corrupted or their devise simply shuts down fully.

Danny of course has no clue what is happening he's just happy that he's able to help so many ghosts, and is trying not to fail his exams.

Danny leaving the house he just helped: "That went easier than I expected!"

Neighbor peeking from the window: "Shit it's that guy! "

Red Hood marching down into the cave: " The fucker took many from my territory without me even realizing it!"

Tim: "I'm pretty sure his kill count is nearing the hundreds and he just started like maybe 4 months ago, this is bad."

Barbara: " I think I got a theory, this matches up with the new school year beginning so maybe their not a Gotham native which narrows down my suspect list."

Bruce: "Hn."

Tim: "Yes thank you B for the insightful commentary"

Danny trying not to fall asleep while on his way to class: "Strange I keep seeing shadows following me, oh well must be the stress!"

Bats who are pretty sure Danny is the killer: "Has he done anything suspicious yet?"

Just an Idea

#dp x dc #danny phantom #dc x dp #dpxdc #batman #danny fenton #dp x dc crossover #dc x dp crossover #prompt fill #story prompt #prompts #writing prompt #dp #ghost #ghosts

4K notes · View notes

sheathandshear · 1 year

Text

As much as many pediatric nurses bitch about how awful it is to deal with parents and family -- and lord, that certainly was the case on the adult side! -- I usually really enjoy working with parents, particularly the ones with lower health literacy who come in hot and loud and scared. There are plenty of awful parents out there and even more deeply flawed ones, and I've seen and heard some truly evil things, but most of the parents I work with just... really love their kids, and want them to be happy and safe and try their best to make that happen, even if they don't understand how to, and they're terrified when their child is sick or injured and they don't know what to do. I take those extra few minutes to explain what's going on, what we're going to do and why it'll help, to listen to their fears and address them, to joke and chat and gently reassure, and you can see the relief settle over them, and the kids too. Those are the proudest moments I have in my career, the memories that I go back to during the shifts when everything seems hopeless and overwhelming and I can't seem to get anything right -- the times when I could bring a little bit of peace and calm to my families and my patients, lift a little bit of that fear.

#same goes for my adolescent patients -- the ones who are trying so hard to act grown-up and not show how scared they are #the rapport you build just by chatting with them while you're in there doing things #asking them questions and treating them like individuals with valuable insights & opinions #and be gently optimistic without setting them up for false hope #I think they value that and I hope it makes their time in the ER even just a little bit easier #adventures in nursing #health care

1 note · View note

crypticreid · 8 months

Text

KINKTOBER DAY ONE

October 1st -- Praise

happy first day of kinktober 🎃🎃🎃🎃!!!

masterlist

summary: You've been secretly hooking up with your coworker Spencer for two months. He notices something about you and wants to try something new. (I personally imagined circa season 10 Reid, but you do you bestie 😘)

warnings: praise, lots of 'good girls', oral [m/f both receiving and giving], light dom behavior, finger sucking, piv, safe sex practices, and a little bit of begging

word count: 3.1k (this one got away from me a little bit oops)

this is adult content. 18+ plus only. minors do not interact!

You had never wanted to be one of those people, a girl with a huge crush on her coworker, but then you’d meet Spencer Reid. A year ago, you’d waved at him instead of shaking his hand when Hotch had introduced the two of you, and you’d felt the first flutter of butterflies. You had tried desperately to ignore your feelings, but the more you got to know him, the harder you fell. And then, about two months ago, you’d become another cliche. The girl who was sneaking around and secretly hooking up with her coworker.

Now you were trying to avoid touching your knee against his as you sat on the plane on the way home from a case. The last time you’d simply accidentally brushed your hand against his, it had been like an electrical shock between the two of you. So it is just easier to avoid touching at all costs while in the presence of your other coworkers.

The words in the book that you’re holding in your hands are absolute gibberish as you can’t focus on anything except the way Spencer’s hands glide over the page of notes he’s re-reading. You've always known he has captivating hands, but now you know intimately just how capable those hands were. This case was long, and before that, Spencer had been at a conference for four days. He hasn’t touched you in almost a week, and you’re becoming impatient. But you both had wisely made the promise that as long as you were on clock, so to say, you were only coworkers and nothing more.

You look up as you hear him say your name.

“Would you mind reading over this? I’m not sure it makes any sense.” He hands you his leather bound notebook. You place your book on your lap and look over into his eyes.

“Me? I really don’t think I’m the person who…”

Spencer interrupts you, “I trust your opinion.” It’s a simple statement, but it sets your skin aflame all the same. To hide your reaction, you focus on reading Spencer’s notes.

“I think it’s great, Spencer. But you’re presenting this to college students, so I think it would be beneficial to use examples they may have heard in the news or at least know ‘cause of the insane amount of Netflix documentaries.” You roll your eyes as you mention the oversaturation of true crime television. But then suddenly you feel self-conscious and hand back his notebook. “I mean, I don’t know. It’s just a small idea.”

“No, it’s insightful. You’re brilliant.” You can feel your skin heat in embarrassment, not comfortable with the compliment. Compliments often make you uneasy and you don’t know why. Well, that’s not entirely true, but you didn’t feel like profiling yourself to better understand this aspect.

Spencer’s eyes observe you, and you watch as his tongue slips out and wets his bottom lip as he thinks. “I mean it.” He emphasizes.

“Thank you,” you say quietly.

“Good girl.” The words glide from Spencer’s mouth almost absent-mindedly and barely audible as he returns to his work. If he notices how much deeper your blush becomes, he doesn’t say anything. And you pretend you didn’t even hear him, or else you might make a fool of yourself.

Several hours later, you’re finally back at your apartment and getting into pajamas. As you pull a tank top over your head, you allow your mind to think about Spencer.

Good girl.

He said it so flippantly, practically under his breath. Did he even mean for you to hear it? Did he know how it would make your heart hammer? You play it over again and again, letting yourself bask in the feeling.

There’s a knock on your door, so you quickly pull on an old pair of yoga pants and race to your door. A brisk glance through your peephole causes that all too familiar heart tremor. Dr. Spencer Reid at your door, as though you’d summoned him with your thoughts.

You swing open the door and let your eyes trail down his body.

“I meant it.” He says immediately.

“What do you mean?” You want to reach for him. He’s still dressed for work, and it takes everything in you not to wrap your fingers around his tie and pull him into your apartment.

“When I called you brilliant.” He replies casually.

“You came all this way to call me brilliant?”

He smirks. “No, I came all this way to do this,” as he talks he steps toward you.

You let a small breath of anticipation escape before he has his hands on either side of your face and is pressing his lips to yours. Your own hands find their way first to grasp at his waist and then around to his back, pulling him impossibly closer to you, desperate for the feel of his body against yours. The harsh sharp lines of him melding into the soft, lush curves of you.

He moves you further into your apartment, shuts your door, and then pushes you up against the cool wood of the door, all without pulling his lips away from yours. Goosebumps spring to life across your skin as your body tries to process the head spinning sensation of the warmth of his body, combining with the chill of the door against your back. His hands are in your hair, possessive and needy, and you moan into his mouth.

You feel the puffs of breath against your mouth as he laughs softly and then pulls away, his hands come to rest between your neck and shoulders. “I’ve missed you.”

A small smile curves your freshly kissed lips. “It’s been like two hours since I saw you.”

“I’ve missed being able to touch you.” He amends. The thumb of his right hand starts to move up and down the skin of your neck, and you wonder if he can feel how fast your heart is beating. His eyes search your face. “Did you like it when I called you a good girl?”

Your lips part as if to reply, but no words come out.

“Answer me.” He demands softly, his words are never harsh, but they still hold a sense of power.

“Yes. I liked it,” you admit.

He continues to watch you as his mind works, and then he makes a low sound of approval from his throat. “And would you like me to call you a good girl more often?”

Need and want pools low in your belly, but you take a second to wet your lips before answering. You want your voice to come across as strong and sure, so there is no question that you want this. “Yes, please.”

Your head is swimming in the overwhelming sensation of his lips back on yours in a matter of seconds. His hands explore your body, grazing and grasping onto your breasts before settling on your hips. He uses his knee to push your legs apart, and you move without resistance. A guttural moan breaks free from your throat as that same knee connects with the place that has been begging for friction since the moment Spencer put his hands on you.

Spencer breaks away from the kiss. “You’re so beautiful when you moan like that,” he murmurs against your skin as he kisses, licks, and nips along your jaw and neck.

Your hips jerk involuntarily, but it instantly causes a wave of pleasure as you slide against him. “Do that again, baby.” You do as you’re told and again and again. His mouth continues across your clavicle, and then lower until his teeth scrape against one of your nipples over the fabric of your tank top. You gasp and push yourself closer to him, but he pulls away.

He lowers himself to the ground as he works to push down your yoga pants. As soon as you step out of them, the pants are thrown across the room, Spencer not bothering to pay attention. All of his attention is on you.

“Look at you, pretty girl.” His thumb traces over the damp spot in your underwear while his other hand travels up your leg, sending zaps of pleasure straight to your core.

“All for me?” His eyes flash up to yours.

“I’m yours,” you answer.

“That’s my good girl.” You twist your hands into his hair when his mouth makes contact with your still clothed pussy, his tongue swiping against you. He only teases you for a second before he can’t take it anymore and pulls down your underwear to be able to taste you without a barrier. The room fills with the obscene sounds of him lapping at your core as he lavishes praises on you in between licking and sucking. “So perfect, so goddamn perfect.”

You throw your head back with a deep moan.

Spencer continues, undisturbed. “Yes. Keep moaning for me. I want your neighbors to hear how good you are for me.” His tongue circles and caresses your clit. “Do you want my fingers inside of you? Tell me.”

“Yes, oh god. Fuck. Spencer.” You can’t think straight. The only thing your brain is capable of is focusing on how good you feel.

Spencer obliges your request and plunges two fingers into you. Your fingers tighten in his hair. “I can’t believe how wet you are. And you’re taking my fingers so good. I bet you’d take my cock even better.” He hooks his fingers and massages against the swollen pressure point inside you.

You lean forward over him, trying to keep your legs steady.

“Are you gonna come for me, sweetheart?” You simply nod your head even though he can’t see with his face buried in your pussy. “You’re gonna come all over my face and my fingers because you’re my good girl, aren’t you?”

Your legs shake, but Spencer uses his free hand to hold onto your hip and hold you steady.

“It’s okay, you can let go. I’ve got you.” His fingers buried deep within you speed up and he focuses all of his attention on the pattern of his tongue against your clit, ramping up the building pleasure that’s threatening to bubble over. “You’ve made such a mess, a beautiful mess. Look at you, so good. So good.”

You clench around him. “Yes, that’s it. I want you to come. Just like that.” You jerk against his fingers and jaw as the pressure cascades and overflows inside you. His name is the only thing you can say in between your moans. “I love when you say my name when you come.” His fingers slow their pace, and his mouth becomes less frantic as he guides you through your orgasm and the small after-shocks.

When he finally pulls away completely, you watch slack-jawed as he takes his two fingers and puts them in his slick mouth, cleaning away traces of you. “Tasting you makes me so hard, I love it.” You lean back against the door with a smile.

“Do you want me to help with that?”

He laughs. “I’m not even close to finishing with you, my beautiful girl.” When he starts to reach for you, you grab onto his tie first and pull him closer. You work on his tie as you kiss his mouth, tasting the remnants of yourself.

In a matter of seconds, you have his tie off and thrown into the abyss, your shaking fingers focusing on unbuttoning his shirt. His eyes watch as you strip him of his shirt and then pull on his belt. But he can’t keep his hands off you, and they create a path over your skin. You undo the clasp, the tingling sound of metal like a beckoning call.

After taking off his belt and letting it drop to the floor, you also head toward the floor onto your knees. Spencer’s hand’s end up in your hair, and your hands travel up his thighs to the noticeable bulge in his pants. “Do you see what you do to me? Only you can make me this hard.”

You bite your bottom lip and work to take off his pants and underwear as he kicks off his shoes. Your eyes look up to his eyes, and he smiles at you. “Go on, I know you’re desperate for it.” One hand holds onto the base of him as your tongue circles the pink tip. He lets out a sharp breath at the contact.

You watch his reactions, flicking and teasing his head, gathering the stickiness of his precum on his tongue. Then you circle your lips around him and inch down, your hand sliding up and down on him to meet your mouth. His mouth is wide open as he watches you, the eye contact between the two of you almost overwhelming. Your body doesn’t seem to care that you just had an earth-shattering orgasm because you can feel the steady thrum of need building.

“Are you getting wet again just from sucking me off?” You nod and take him deeper in your mouth, the hand resting on his thigh feels a muscle twitch. “You have the perfect mouth.” His fingers in your hair pull slightly, not enough to cause pain, but just enough to cause you to moan on his dick.

“If you keep doing that I’m gonna come down that pretty throat.” You moan again, and he makes a low humming noise. “Is that what you want, sweet girl?”

You pull off of him, a string of spit following you, “yes.” You take both hands and twist and stroke up and down him with a smile on your messy lips.

“Open your mouth.” You do as he says, sticking your tongue out flat. He takes his two fingers and sticks them in your mouth, and you instantly start to suck on them, never stopping the motion of your hands. “My perfect, beautiful girl.” He mutters and then pulls his fingers from your mouth. Before you can put your mouth back on him, he’s stepping away and then helping you stand up.

When you’re on your feet, he kisses you slowly, allowing his tongue to explore your mouth, and you reach down with one hand to continue to stroke him. He breaks the kiss and lightly guides you to turn around and bend over, using your hands to hold yourself up on the door. “You’re so good for me. Stay there.” You look over your shoulder and watch him find his pants to grab a condom. He quickly unwraps it and slides it on before returning to you.

He glides his hands over the back of your thighs and over your ass appreciatively, then squeezes your ass. “Are you going to take all of me?” The whispers tickling the back of your neck as he leans over you toward your ear, you shiver against him.

“Yes.”

He trails a hand down your spine as he pulls away and then helps you to set your legs further apart. You bite your lip, so ready for him, when he squeezes your hips. Both of you moan deeply as he guides himself into you, inching himself in until he’s seated completely. His hands are back on your hips, holding you in place. He leans forward and places a kiss on your back. He whispers in your ear again, “now you’re gonna be a good girl for me, and you’re not gonna come until I tell you you can. Do you understand?”

You nod swiftly.

He presses another kiss. “Words please, sweet girl.”

“I understand.”

He stands fully and slowly starts to pull himself out of you, dragging against every inch of your core. When he’s out fully, he pushes forward, again at that agonizing slow pace. You squirm against him, needing more. “You think you can take all of it, baby?”

“Yes. Yes. Please. Please.”

“You’re so beautiful begging for me.” You think he’s going to continue to tease you, but he doesn't. He starts to move faster and faster, building up a steady rhythm. Your nails scratch against the wood of your door. “That’s it, so good. I only ever feel this good with you. Only you can take my dick like this. You take it so perfect.” He gasps and rambles as he pumps into you.

The base of your spine zaps pleasure through your body and you shake on him.

“Don’t come yet, baby. Not yet. I could spend forever inside you.”

You feel your arms start to get weak, but Spencer holds so tight on you that you know that you’re stable. “I need to –” you gasp and squeeze your eyes shut.

“I know. I know. But you can wait, I know you can. Do you know how I know you can?”

You shake your head.

“Because you’re my good girl.” You press your lips together and moan. “Yeah, and you’re gonna wait until I tell you. And then you’re going to touch that swollen little clit of yours. It’s aching isn’t it.”

“Yes!” You practically shout. “Spencer, please.”

“Beg again.”

“Please. Spencer. Oh god, please. I need it. I need it.”

“Touch your clit, baby.” You cry out as soon as one of your hands makes contact. “You still can’t come, honey.”

You whimper, but try so hard not to give yourself over to the pleasure.

“You’re all mine, aren’t you.”

“Yes, yours all yours. Only yours forever.”

He bites out a harsh moan, and you know he’s trying just as hard as you to keep it together. “You look so pretty.” The words are just rambles, almost imperceptible. “Come for me. Come all over me.”

You do so instantly, Spencer tightens his grip on you to hold you steady as you lose yourself in the feeling. He comes with whimpers and sighs and deep grunts. When he finally stops moving, your legs are gelatinous, so he holds you tight against him, your back against his chest. He pulls out of you and then turns you around in his arms.

“You’re perfect.” He peppers light kisses across your face and lips and neck. “You did so good.” His hands are wrapped around you, both holding you steady but also keeping close to him. “I’m so proud of you.”

Your eyes flutter closed, and he kisses your lips fully. When he pulls away, you open your eyes and look up into his eyes. “Are you okay?” He checks in softly.

“Yes.”

“Good.” He kisses you again chastely. “That was beautiful. You’re beautiful.” Another kiss and his hands massage down your back and your hips, checking to see if you’re sore.

“I’m fine.” You answer before he can ask.

“Did you like that,” he asks earnestly.

“I loved it.”

He smiles brightly and you match it. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving.”

#spencer reid #spencer reid smut #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid x reader #kinktober 2023 #kinktober #my writing #see you all on friday 😘😈

2K notes · View notes

heliza24 · 3 months

Text

I want to talk a little bit about Daniel in the Interview with the Vampire show, because the new trailer material has me stuck thinking about him, and also I’ve never written about how meaningful he is as disabled character to me before.

I don’t see many people thinking about show!Daniel in these terms, but he’s a canon disabled character. And I think the way he is written is just SO good. The acerbic wit, his relationship to doctors and his medication, his rueful acceptance of the way his disability has changed him. It is all so correct!! It’s really incredibly rare to have not only a disabled character written this well but specifically a chronically ill character written this well. His illness is always present; it doesn’t get forgotten about by the story. It gives Daniel insight into the vampires (more on this in a min), but it also gives Louis and Armand leverage over him. When Louis triggers his Parkinson’s symptoms? Deeply not ok. But that’s what made it such a great scene, and really made Louis feel dangerous and threateningin that moment. Armand and Louis arranging Daniel’s meds is a sign of great care and also great power over Daniel. It’s the perfect way to communicate the complicated power dynamic in their relationship.

I also just fucking love that this show takes place in 2022 and doesn’t erase the pandemic. Covid is a very present concern for Daniel and I cannot describe how validating that is for me as someone who is clinically vulnerable to Covid and who has had to really limit my life and take a lot of precautions because everyone else has decided to stop caring whether they pass on Covid or not. The fact that Daniel gets on a plane to Dubai is a BIG DEAL. He’s risking his life to talk to Louis and Armand before he’s even in the room with them. He really wants to be there. I have to make a similar calculation every time I travel, and trust me, getting on that plane knowing getting sick could spiral you into even worse health or kill you is really hard.

I think making Daniel disabled and including the pandemic is kind of a genius level decision on a thematic level. Of course Daniel is now facing down his mortality, which gives him a whole new lens on the vampires and the fact that he once asked them to turn him. And the pandemic further highlights his fragility, and is also possibly being used as a cover for drama that’s happening in the vampire world. But I think it also really sets Daniel up as a foil to Louis.

There’s a lot of analysis of the vampire chronicles that reads vampirism as a metaphor for queerness. But I would actually propose that it’s a much neater parallel for disability and illness in a lot of ways. So many of Louis’s initial experiences after being turned resonated with me, as someone who became chronically ill in my 20s. My appetite and relationship to food completely changed, much like Louis. My relationship with the outdoors and the sun changed, because of dysautonomia and allergy reasons. I was very mad, and very depressed, and I too have missed out on birthday parties and big life events like Louis did because I was too sick to go. Hell, you can even say that the way that Louis is treated as evil by his family, that the way vampires literally can’t be a part of society during the day, is reminiscent of ableist exclusion and ugly laws. (Ugly laws were laws that forbid disabled people, especially those with visible differences, from being out in public, and they were on the books in many American municipalities until the 1970s.) You can look at Lestat being an out and proud vampire in the first few episodes on the season and imploring Louis to leave his shame behind as a queer thing, but you can also view it as a disabled thing. Disabled people are portrayed as monstrous so often (and in a way that has gone relatively unexamined compared to say, the queer coded villain trope) that sometimes it’s just easier to embrace that label: I’m the monstrous Crip, but at least I’m not ashamed of or disgusted by who I am anymore.

I do think the real strength of this adaptation is that while you can find parallels between queerness or disability or other forms of marginalization with vampirism, ultimately it’s not a one-to-one parallel. It speaks to the real world but ultimately it is a gothic horror story about supernatural monsters. So I don’t mean to say that vampirism directly equals disability, because it does not. But I do think that making Daniel disabled was an intentional choice to help draw out some of those parallels, and I think the text is richer for it.

So Louis and Daniel have had these kind of parallel experiences of uncontrollable and difficult things happening to their bodies. It sets them up perfectly as foils, and even, I would argue, as the A plot and B Plot protagonists. This is one of my favorite ways of kind of examining the structure of a TV show (or maybe it’s that most of my favorite shows seem to be structured this way?). When TV was all episodic, it would be common to refer to the A plot (mystery of the week), B plot (interpersonal drama happening as the mystery gets solved) and C plot (any overarching plot tying the season together) in an episode. Now that stuff is serialized, there’s often a main protagonist, who has the main dramatic question and the most agency, and then there is often a secondary B plot that explores similar themes and mirrors the A plot, or presents a second main character who is the ldifferent side of the same coin” to the main protagonist. (My favorite example of this is Flint and Max in Black Sails, and I’ve also made the argument that Wilhelm and Sara fit this pattern in Young Royals.) In IwtV, Louis is obviously the main protagonist of the show, especially in the A Plot, which is the stuff taking place in New Orleans/Paris. But I would argue that Daniel is the protagonist of the B Plot set in Dubai. At the very least they’re intentionally set up as mirrors of each other:

They are both unreliable narrators, who are struggling with the way memory contorts (through memory erasure, illness, deliberate obfuscations, and just the passage of time). The most recent teaser trailer, where we hear Louis saying “I don’t remember that”, with panic in his voice, further underlined this similarity between Louis and Daniel to me. I don’t know if it means that Louis has also had his memory tampered with, as I’m assuming Daniel has, but I do think it means that Louis is going to be struggling with feeling out of control of his own narrative more in season 2, a thing that was already starting for Daniel in season 1.

They are also both locked into power struggles with people more powerful than they are. The fact that Louis is under Lestat in the flashbacks and above Daniel in the Dubai scenes in terms of power/status makes it all the more interesting. And, if we want to go ahead and assume that the Devils Minion’s years have happened in the past by the time we get to Dubai— it’s possible that both Daniel and Louis are united in being the less powerful partner in their own respective fucked up gothic romances.

They’re also both the audience’s entry point into their respective stories. Louis’s narration guides us into the world of vampires. Daniel’s questioning satisfies our human curiosity in Dubai.

I think one of the things that makes the show so special is the way that these two protagonists interact. In a lot of shows the a plot and the b plot stay pretty separate. I love talking about Black Sails for this because I think it’s such a good example; Flint and Max never exchange dialogue the entire show, even though they’re so clearly affecting each other the whole time. But the way that Louis and Daniel clash in Dubai is so exciting. We see them both wrestling for control of the narrative. It’s thrilling to watch and it just hammers home the theme of how complicated and changeable stories can be.

I am SO excited to see how the Dubai scenes play out in season 2 because of it. I really can’t wait. I’m really hoping we’ll see Daniel and Louis’s relationship evolve in surprising ways, and I’m holding my breath that we’ll get a lot of Armandaniel material to work with. (I have a whole other post drafted that’s much less smart than this one and is just me waxing poetic about Devil Minion’s theories which I may post at some point. You have been warned.)

I do have two wishes for Daniel in the new season, and they’re 1: that he gets to have romance/sex, because disabled (and older!) characters are so often seen as unworthy of being desired, and I would like to see that challenged and 2: that he continues to refuse to be turned/is not offered a vampiric cure for Parkinson’s. The magic cure for a disability or chronic illness is probably my least favorite disability trope, because it serves to erase disabled characters and representation from the narrative, and I want to see my experiences continue to be reflected in Daniel’s. That means that whatever ending Daniel’s story has will probably have at least a bit of tragedy baked into it, but I’m ok with that.

#interview with the vampire amc #interview with the vampire #iwtv #daniel molloy #armandaniel #devils minion #louis de pointe du lac #armand #my meta #my crip media reviews

341 notes · View notes

angelshadowsinger · 1 year

Note

oh my fucking god your work is incredible! holy literal shit balls i have never felt that entranced by a fanfiction until reading yours. thank u thank u thank u your azriel is PERFECT.

also i’m totally gonna need your thoughts on azriel sharing with his shadows 👀

re: ummmmmmm call me parmesan bc u got me CHEESIN!?!?!! that is literally sO sweet of you to say, i am touched 🥺 as a fic author you always worry if you’re making the character OOC and, it just makes me so happy to hear your praise!! thank you so much anon~ ♥︎ This HC is a bit more than what you’ve asked for, but it does includes it, so pls enjoy!

Azriel’s Shadows Around his Mate Headcanons

･゜゜・．｡･゜゜・．｡･ﾟﾟ･．｡･゜゜・．｡･ﾟﾟ･

ɴᴏᴛɪᴄᴇ: ʙʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴇʀᴛɪꜰʏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀ 18 ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴏʀ. ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴍᴀʏ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀɪɴ ɴꜱꜰᴡ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇꜱ. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴡɴ ᴅɪꜱᴄʀᴇᴛɪᴏɴ.

･゜゜・．｡･゜゜・．｡･ﾟﾟ･．｡･゜゜・．｡･ﾟﾟ･

In my eyes, Azriel’s shadows are a part of him. There hasn’t been much insight that Maas has given us with shadowsingers and their capabilities in general, but this is what I choose to believe~

Since Azriel’s shadows were perhaps the first of his powers, and the first entity to treat him with some kindness/obedience, I think he would be very in tune with them and he himself would consider them a part of him. He has had over 500 years to develop his relationship with them and therefore, I believe once he found his mate, his shadows would be just as captivated with her as he himself.

Obviously, Azriel is a total simp for his girl (but that’s another hc in its own), so that means his shadows are too. Honestly, it could be viewed as annoying how often at least a few of his shadows are constantly at your side. He’s used to having them totally loyal to him, so now that he has to share them with you… well, it’s not really actually that cumbersome, because he knows that even when you two are apart, he’ll be sure to know if you need him/his help. Though he has a couple less to send out on his spymaster business, technically, the ones with you are acting as his spies anyway. Just, with a far more interesting and important subject.

His shadows do a variety of things for you, making your everyday life easier and more pleasant. Just as their master, the shadows like to give you princess treatment.

For example, they go out of their way to help you with mundane things. If you’re making dinner and a tomato rolls off the cutting board, they’re pushing it back to you. When you’re putting on a dress, they’re helping you with the zip and clasp. If you’re writing something and your pen runs out of ink, somehow they’ve procured a new one that matches your exact preferences.

Both Az and his shadows notice the small things. They take notes of your likes and dislikes, what makes you giggle, cry, or provides you comfort.

At times when he’s away for a long while, and you’re missing him, they will deliver small gifts to you. A couple flowers tied with twine, native to the strange lands he’s currently working in. A special spice he knows you love to use in the foods you share with him. An especially-delicious pastry made with your favorite fruit/flavor. Though the shadows themselves do not find you gifts, they are happy to deliver whatever Az requests they send.

They also will take anything you wish to send him. Whether he’s in another country, or simply training at the House of Wind with his brothers, his shadows will deliver your every gift. Most of the time it’s little sweets or a lunch you’ve packed. Sometimes when you’re feeling cheekier, a receipt from the lingerie store informing him of your latest purchase. If you’re really feeling brazen, sometimes the panties themselves. His shadows are perhaps happiest to carry those items, either to get into contact with them or to see their master’s red cheeks as he shoves them out of his brothers’ view.

His shadows are your caretaker when he is not with you. When you’ve fallen asleep staying up for your mate’s return from yet another mission, his shadows will tuck you under your favorite blanket, taking off your reading glasses and ensuring your spot in the open book on your lap is not lost. Az nearly melts when he comes back to the sight, you dead asleep on the couch in front of the blazing hearth, his shadows perched dutifully there, guarding you.

However, they grow attached to you and even when he is with you, they will not leave you alone unless he commands them.

Azriel likes to take full advantage of his time alone with you. There is nothing he finds more comfort and pleasure in than being in your embrace. Sometimes that’s hard to do, though, when his shadows steal away your attention, or beat him to helping you with the zip of your dress.

It’s a very endearing sight to see him get jealous of his own shadows. He’d have a scowl on his face as he glared at them, silently ordering them to leave your side so he could have you all to himself. The shadows would melt onto the floor, gloomy in a way, whisper once more around your ankle before they go off to fulfill their master’s instruction.

Most of the time, you manage to guilt your mate into letting a few of them come back. And as soon as he calls them, they appear and shoot right for you. Az rolls his eyes but of course he understands. How could they not fall in love with you?

Azriel is actually very good with sharing. This usually applies to you when his shadows are involved, though sometimes he just needs to be alone with you. Whether it’s to have his way with you or just to snuggle up and bask in his mate’s presence. When he needs time like that, he will have his shadows guard your quarters and they will do so without question— fiercely protecting the only two beings they care for.

~spicy hc’s begin ;)~

Most of the time, Azriel will take the lead in pleasuring you— as he should, as your mate— but he’s likely to let his shadows watch or join his efforts if they play a supporting role.

For example, his favorite thing is to be between your legs, feasting on your sweet cunt and making sure you know you are his, while his shadows hold you down so you can’t move an inch. This way, you have to take the pleasure in the exact way he desires, unable to greedily chase your high or buck your hips or push him away.

Usually he plays with you for a while like this, teasing you and edging you a handful of times before he’s ruthless, unstopping even after you’ve come. He does cease his ravishing after you’ve come again, only to ensure he doesn’t overstimulate you before he’s had a chance to fuck you like you both want.

His shadows are happy to shackle you and render you helpless to his onslaught of pleasure; they love hearing your wanton cries and will dry away any tears of pleasure that escape with a cool, ghostly caress.

Speaking of their caress, one of his favorite uses for them is to soothe your skin when he’s done marking it up. Meaning, after every spank or particularly hard bite, the shadows will rove over the irritated flesh, kissing you with their cooling tendrils.

Since the shadows are slightly cold, sending them to curl around your nipples while he fucks you from behind is also another favorite. The temperature-play heightens everything— especially when they move down your curves to tease at your clit or your ass, depending on your preference…

Sometimes he lets them fuck you as part of your foreplay— usually while you’re sucking his cock. He just loves the surprise that flickers in your eyes when you’re choking on the length of him deep in your throat, how your lashes flutter when that familiar cool touch tickles your inner thighs and pushes your wet panties aside, how your moan feels vibrating around him when they thrust inside of you. He savors how your rhythm gets thrown, how you struggle to continue when his shadows are running over every sensitive crevice of your most intimate parts.

On rarer occasions, Azriel will let the shadows have their way with you. He’d sit back in a comfortable, wing-friendly armchair, darkened hazel eyes drinking in every movement before him— you with your eyes rolled back in ecstasy, the darkness holding your legs spread and fondling every inch of you— cupping your tender breasts, tweaking those pert, hard nipples… stroking your face, your hair, your hips and thighs… flowing over your puffy clit, slipping between your dripping folds and even wandering inside of you, perhaps just as deep as Azriel’s cock could reach. He would jerk his leaking shaft at the sight before him, lip held prisoner in his feral snarl. He wouldn’t be able to last very long, the sight before him too much for him to keep his composure.

When you’re both spent and panting for breath, the shadows will run up and down your moistened back, taking away the heat that lingers there and helping to lull you to sleep.

Only when you’re unconscious do they return to Azriel, curling around his shoulders in thanks. They know they are lucky to be the sole creature/presence with which he shares his mate, and any time spent with you is valued payment for the many services they provide their master with.

#anon love #anons make angel blush (˘◡˘)#azriel x you #azriel x female!reader #azriel x reader #acotar x you #acotar x reader #azriel smut #azriel fluff #azriel fanfic #azriel fic #azriel headcanons #azriel hcs #angelshadowsinger #my hcs #my work

2K notes · View notes

lovelyyandereaddictionpoint · 10 months

Note

I reread your tanjiro reader post and always wondered what would happen if it’s a Muichiro reader?

How would the Vise and dorm leader react if reader was known as a Young prodigy in Swordsmanship and is very rich?

Since Reader is has amnesia, she would always forget that she’s in another world but was always reminded by her loyal crow

Both the Dorm leaders and Vice Dorm leaders are a bit much

🖤🖤🖤

Muichiro Reader | Yandere Twisted Wonderland

You’re doe-eyed, airheaded, painfully blunt, and a true sword prodigy. Always forgetting and wistfully floating by in life only really reacting to your memory’s deepest secrets. The only thing that keeps you grounded is the loyal crow that gives your missions. While you are as determined as you could be to return to your world the boys of Twisted Wonderland feel the exact opposite. You don’t have much of a will which makes it easier to instill their own:

Trey Clover

“(Y/n)?!”

“...”

“(Y/n)?!”

“Hmm?”

“How long have you been like that?! All the blood’s going to rush to your head!”

His obsession festers from his worry

Taking that big brother role and watching out for your wandering self

But then he realizes its more when you in a rare moment of clarity speak your truth

Lighting the fire inside him

And he can’t help but want to protect you

Even when he watches you slice at an entirely insane speeds

He still feels the need to safeguard you

Even if it means keeping you in the dark about everything

Rook Hunt

“Mon amour brumeux! Please show me the prowess of your sword!”

“...”

“Oui, your beauty is shining even when you dream!”

You’re so lovely for him

Not reacting to his open photography

You don’t even protest when he swabs the insides of your cheeks

He’s brought to shivers at the thought of your immense power with a docile personality

In fact he’s never seen someone so skillfully dodge and reflect arrows without being angry

You’re just so perfect for him

He’s determined to have you

And he wonders will you fight when he takes you or just let him

Ruggie Bucci

“You’re so gullible! You’ve got to fight me if I take your food! Come on showing me your game face!”

“You want me…to fight you?”

Shink

“Whoa whoa (Y/n) hold on!”

He thinks your airy attitude is a breath of fresh air

But he realizes how easy it is to string you along

And he feels no one is better to do that then him

Well guess he’s getting a lot more practice with ‘laugh with me’

Specifically in accidental injuries

Lilia Vanrouge

“Whoa (Y/n) you’re so skilled! Would you be willing to maybe spar with me?”

“No, I’m looking at the clouds.”

“Awww come on baby! Pleeeeaaasseee?”

He loves pestering you

Because you don’t really react so it ends up bothering him instead

Ultimately he finds himself obsessed with knowing your inner workings

And when you say something insightful he feels his heart speed up and his cheeks flush with a feeling he hasn’t felt in ages

Won’t you give this dying fae his final wish and stay with him forever

Or maybe he’ll come with you–the greatest mystery he’s ever come across

Jamil Viper

“I sometimes think I could hypnotize you to do what I want…but you’re so flighty I doubt it would even work.”

“...Your hair looks like Kabumaru…”

“What?”

He thinks you’re the cutest

Even when you expertly wield a sword

He wonders how knowledgeable you can be if he eliminated your chances to go home

If you stayed they’d be the perfect duo

He’ll be your brains if your his muscle

Heck you can even leave the killing to him

Jade Leech

“Ah, I see you’re busy staring at the Monstro Lounge’s tank.”

“...”

“You seem to like fish.”

“...No, no I don't think I do.”

“Hmmm, how would you like to be one?”

Floyd’s nickname of JellyFish is accurate to him

Especially when you show off your sword skills

An almost mindless creature that has a sting

But he thinks you’re allure is like a mushroom

Possibly deadly but wonderfully gorgeous

Perfect for a terrarium tank of your own

1K notes · View notes

13eyond13 · 1 year

Text

#started reading game of thrones because i was like #the problem i had with the show was that though it was interesting I found it a bit hard to get super attached to any of the characters #so i bet reading it will make that easier because it will be more in depth with them all #but TO MY SURPRISE it feels almost exactly the same as watching the show to me??#like i have almost the exact same level of feeling and familiarity toward everybody so far and insight into them as characters etc #and maybe that is somewhat because grr martin was a tv writer because dang if he doesnt write a novel exactly like a tv drama #but im feeling a bit disappointed maybe because i really did want it to feel deeper to me instead of basically the same #idk why but the ones i like best so far still are a bit hard for me to love you know #its more like i mildly enjoy a few of the characters and then tolerate or dislike the rest #i kinda like tyrion and littlefinger and jon and sam and arya #oh weirdly i also kinda like king Robert too idk he just feels more like a real person to me than some of the other guys #if anything i think i actually like some of the main characters less in the books than the show like #catelyn and sansa get on my nerves more in the novel than i remember them doing in the show #so far the character that seems the best cast to me is lord varys lol its like he stepped straight off the page onto the screen #all sickly sweet and sneaky and bald and perfumed #p

19 notes · View notes

astrosky33 · 10 months

Text

𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓

☆ OF COURSE THERE IS MORE BUT THESE ARE THE MAIN ONES -> astro sources not to trust

Books written by certified astrologers

Books are one of my personal favorite sources because they always have direct information. Make sure you check who the author is and search their name to see if they have their diploma though. There are many popular books such as “The Rulership Book written by Rex E Bills“ that are written by random people with zero astrological experience -> Some Reliable Books

Astro.com (Astro Dienst)

This website is owned by multiple certified astrologers with their diplomas. The formulas they use to calculate your chart are accurate as well as the descriptions they give on each placement. The downside is it’s a bit difficult to navigate but often the websites that look like they haven’t been updated in decades have the best information

Astro-Seek.com

This website can be off a few degrees sometimes but other than that everything is accurate and it’s easier to navigate than Astro.com so it’s better for beginners

Tiktok/Tumblr Accounts that are certified astrologers or post info they learned from certified astrologers

Many Tumblr accounts and ESPECIALLY Tiktokers will mislead many people into believing false stereotypes. Some are actually very popular and believed by millions of people

You have to make sure the person running the account gets their info from reliable astro books, websites made by reliable astrologers, or is certified astrologer themselves. Many of these accounts also claim to be astrologers but are not -> reliable tiktok astrologers

Websites/articles made by certified astrologers

Don’t trust Google blindly. You must make sure the owner of the website is a real astrologer with their diploma. Many of the popular astrology websites are written by random people and are giving completely false information

Some Reliable Websites: astrolibrary.org, astrologyzone.com (made by susan miller a renowned astrologer), chaninicholas.com, serenapowers.com (horary astrology), astro.com, and astro-seek.com

Time Nomad

If you don’t prefer websites and would rather use an app this is an amazing source! Only downside is that for certain features you must pay but for all the basic natal chart info it’s free

Cosmic Insights

This app is only for Vedic Astrology and will not show your Tropical chart but is an amazing source. It was created by a Vedic Astrologer

<- 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧

#astro community #astrology #zodiac #astro placements #astrology tumblr #astro chart #birth chart #asteroid astrology #mars #mars astrology

637 notes · View notes

ancientgoddessofegypt · 2 months

Text

ASTROLOGY OBSERVATIONS : THE ASPECTS

I've lost count on how many I've done so far, so that mean we onna role lmaooo.

So lets get into it ;)

Sun Square Venus - Could have issues dealing with their self expression. But this is momentarily. At times, they have to work hard into seeing themselves in a better light than there peers. Its easier to see yourself in the wrong light than the one you truly want to see of yourself. All in all, there is a gift in this placement. They usually have to agree that their auras are not a match for certain environments and people, and this in turn keeps them out of the wrong places and shifts them into the space that is both healing and nurturing to their energy.

Moon Trine Pluto - Interesting auras. Have a capability of working and helping the community. Can receive insight on what not to do at the right time. Literally God sent. Could be in the middle of nowhere, but it brings them somewhere. Like their energy could pull them into spaces that they're not usually equipped in but for some reason people look towards them for guidance. They're a door opener to the right dimension. Timeless entity. Blessings of abundance comes to them through the art of silence. Communication is a skilled art as they deal with the emotional sector in their own life, which makes them good counselors or therapists.

Mercury Conjunct Jupiter - Can captivate an audience with their words. Really good at making something out of nothing, as far as ideas go. They are usually interested in finding new ways into expanding their minds and they will do this till the end of time.

Honestly their ideas and ways of communication are so intriguing, they could be talking about nothing and still make it interesting to listen to. Could be someone excited to share their thoughts with the world, and honestly they should. They could be great teachers if they give it a try.

Saturn Trine Neptune - Illusive Idealism. Remarkable energy. Materialism and Imagination meet in one world. These individuals have a knack for control over their horizons, but it usually works in their favor. Could be interested in knowledge of the occult, but the kind that shapes their world view and perception. These people are good with communication and leadership. On a scale to 1-10, they are usually a 9 when it comes to leading the masses to an idea that can influence and empower others subconscious. Expansion is the goal when it comes to their reality.

Uranus Conjunct Sun - These individuals are interesting to look at. They have a strong appetite for things that are different. They are usually ahead of their time, and usually need more time alone that most people realize. Their unique with the way they express themselves, because they normally feel like the world around them is too boring. So they tend to challenge the status quo a bit.

Neptune Conjunct/Trine/Square/Sextile Sun - They are deep in control of their reality when they learn to accept the power of vibration.

Let me explain: These individuals are incredibly passionate with energy, mind control, subconscious matters, the imagination, and the spiritual realm. All these things I've mention deal with vibration in some way shape or form.

They are naturally sensitive to things that aren't welcoming to their spirit, and they normally are able to detect this through the power of vibration anyways. They have a gift in seeing things, and knowing them before they happen. They are reclusive to the world because some of the things that are popular and catch are attention is something that can make are energy go a lil awry cause the vibration is too much. And they usually can feel it deep.

#astrology theories #thoughts #astrology thoughts #astrology #astrology observations #tropical astrology

198 notes · View notes

mynahx3 · 2 months

Text

One Moment Was All It Took Part 3

Inspired by Yandere! Soulmate! Satoru HC @envy-of-the-apple This is kind of a flashback/ Satoru POV. Gives a little insight into his state of mind. Will drop another part tonight or tomorrow! Hope you enjoy! Warning!! MDNI!!! Contains sexual thoughts/ delusions, masturbation, and kidnapping. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!! Masterlist

Over the last few days, Satoru has been researching the phenomenon of sorcerers and their soulmates.

For the first time in years, since high school, he used his clan's library. There, he found out that each sorcerer has their own soulmate, but it is rare for them to ever find each other. They were the only ones alive who would be immune to their technique, even remaining unaffected by their domain. He was told these things as a child and thought of them as tall tales, but now he couldn't ignore the evidence in front of him. Satoru's curiosity was piqued, and he was determined to find out more about his soulmate.

Propping his head onto his palm, he read through the writings he had at his desk in his room with a pout on his lips. The sun had just begun to set, casting his room in a warm glow. Boredom had long crept in; he had been in the same spot for hours with the smelly, ancient books, their brittle pages a pale yellow.

He looked over at his laptop to see a live feed of your apartment. Without his six eyes, he had to resort to more traditional ways of keeping track of someone. From the looks of things you had just returned from work, cooking dinner for yourself while you danced to some music playing. He smiled softly at the sight. As he watched you move around the kitchen a bit clumsily, he felt a sense of admiration and curiosity growing within him.

While you were pretty, you weren't his usual type. Nonetheless, he was drawn to you because you were carefree and genuine, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. You weren't one to sugarcoat things or get caught up in drama. It was refreshing to see someone so grounded and content in their own skin. He was eager to learn more about you and discover what made you tick, what passions drove you, and what dreams you held close to your heart.

Satoru had no trouble getting all the information on you without his six eyes. The man had plenty of money and connections to make up for it, and he knew exactly how to use it to his advantage. It was easy to pay off your landlord to give him a copy of your key, and it was even easier to plant the hidden cameras all throughout your place.

The book was long forgotten on his desk; his attention was focused on you. Hours could have gone by, maybe just minutes, but he didn't move an inch. Now you have moved to your master bathroom, unwinding from the day. You began to shed your work clothes, dropping them to the floor in front of your sink. He took in every detail of your body as he watched you shower greedily. The clear water is running down your body to every lump and crevice. Soap slowly foamed down your breasts and supple ass perfectly; he felt his cock harden at the sight in his slacks.

Groaning, Satoru pulled his shirt up and slowly unzipped his pants. With his shirt in his mouth, he let his erection free from the confines of his pants, making it slap his stomach a little. It was long and pale with veins throughout it; the tip was red and glistening with desire. Now he was grateful for buying high end cameras, the quality showing every drop of water cascading down your skin in crystal clear detail.

As he began to touch himself, he knew this footage would be worth every penny. Precum dripped from the tip of his cock, lubricating it more, which made his hand glide across it easier. He tightened his hand, moving faster as he watched. Biting on his bottom lip, he let out a few moans, his cock twitching in his hand.

On his laptop, he saw as your hand traveled across your body—a hand began to play with your breast, the other feeling between your legs. From the looks of things, you were also feeling some urges, with small moans escaping your mouth. Closing his eyes, his hips bucked up into his hand, wishing he was inside you, not in his hand.

The sight of you pleasuring yourself only fueled his own desire, his breathing becoming more erratic as he imagined being with you in that moment. He imagined touching you himself, with his long fingers touching parts of you that your own couldn't reach. Your small hands would rub his length fervently, and your fingertips would barely not be able to touch from his girth alone.

Moans would escape your lips for him, and you would plead with him to fill you up and let you cum all over his cock. The thought of exploring your body together made his heart race with anticipation, aching to feel the warmth of your skin against his. Listening, he synced his strokes to your movements, a tight, coiling sensation building in his stomach as he watched you.

The thought of being together in person intensified his arousal, making him ache for the real thing. More pre dripped from his cock, his breath quickening as he imagined the sensation of being inside you, feeling your tightness around him. The feeling of your slick covering him, soaking his skin from your finishing. He wondered how you would taste, imagining the sweet and salty combination of your essence on his tongue.

With a final shudder, he released himself, his cock falling limp against him. Even after that, his body is still craving the intimacy he longed for with you. He panted in his chair, his abs painted white in his release. Cheeks flushed red from how intense he came, his hair sticking to his forehead from his sweat. As he caught his breath, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of finally making his fantasy a reality with you. Looking over at the screen, he saw you had gotten out of the shower and were just finishing getting dressed now.

You wore a simple black oversized shirt, and your hair was still damp from the shower. Rubbing lotion on your smooth legs, he couldn't wait to be wrapped around him. His eyes scanned over your form, and his mind was imagining all the ways he would explore your body. To his dismay, your fiance came back, and the two of you were in a loving embrace. Your lips are locking together as an icy rage fills his heart with jealousy.

Quickly, he turned away from the screen, busying himself with cleaning up his mess. Seeing the two of you soured his mood greatly. He tried not to be mad; you didn’t know you were supposed to be his, and he was yours.

He knew he had to figure out what to do with your fiance; he needed to be out of the picture.

Nearly three weeks have gone by since Satoru met you—three weeks that he kept constant watch on you and prepared his home. To keep himself from acting too quickly, he often went into your apartment when you were gone. Knowing you wouldn't be back for a while, he took his time looking through your belongings, making sure to take home a few of your trinkets.

He was sad to see that you had thrown away the gifts he had gotten you, but no matter. He'd be sure to spoil you once you were fully his. Everything was falling into place. Your room was ready; he made sure to stock it with clothes in your size and excitedly grabbed ropes and chains to use. A specially padded cuff was made per his request, sturdy but comfortable to an extent. And your fiance was dispatched on a perfectly timed business trip; Satoru didn't even have to intervene, as he had originally anticipated. He was counting down the days and had almost acted on his impulses. He happened to see you at the park, looking so beautiful and unsuspecting that he had to fight himself from taking you then and there.

It was finally ready, and he was beyond happy.

Holding you in his arms, Satoru was smiling like a fool. He was in his own little world with just you and him in the car; he ignored the driver, who didn't blink at the sight of you, who was taking the two of you home. You lay in his arms, your breathing relaxed, and your face serene. The man was still bleeding from his wounds, but he could care less. Having you in this moment proved everything to be worth it. He took in every detail of your face, as if you were about to vanish into the world of molecules and blobs of energy in which he grew up.

Tentatively, a finger traced your cheek carefully and trailed down to your lips. He couldn't get enough of your smooth skin, the way your eyelashes fluttered against your cheeks, or the warmth of your body against his.

As he held you closer, his face nuzzling your neck, he whispered softly, "You have no idea what you do to me."

His eyes looked over your form, intent on never letting something so dear to his heart go.

He would never make that mistake again.

#jjk x reader #gojo satoru x reader #yandere gojo satoru #yandere jjk #yandere jujutsu kaisen #cw dark content #reader insert #cw kidnapping #cw yandere #gojo satoru x you #gojo satoru x y/n #yandere imagines #yandere x reader #yandere jjk x reader #dark gojo satoru #cw smut #One Moment Was All It Took

311 notes · View notes

bakubunny · 8 months

Text

daddy’s right here

pairing: daddy!pro hero bakugou x little!fem reader

wc: 1.0k

summary: katsuki finds you sleeping with a pacifier one morning. he tries to figure out his feelings and eventually tells you it’s okay.

tags: aged up characters, daddy!bakugou, pro hero!bakugou, little!reader, fem!reader, caregiver/little dynamic, age play, comfort fluff, bkg is a softie he’s just bad at it

a/n: another shoutout to @heartofjasmina. i’d never even considered writing daddy!bakugou until i saw them write him so well. though i don’t see him having a natural inclination towards cg/l, this is how i think it might come about if it did.

Katsuki came over to yours in the early morning after a long night shift with flowers. He hadn’t had much time to see you lately, and he was aching to be in your presence. So, exhausted and still in his hero costume, he made it happen. His plan was to surprise you with a spotless kitchen and a hot breakfast.

He trimmed the flower stems, put them in a vase, and was about to quietly set them on your dresser when he saw you knocked out cold with a large lavender pacifier between your lips, hanging halfway out. His stomach and his cheeks burned hot. Katsuki’s first instinct was to run a hand over your head, but he didn’t. He backed out quietly and left the flowers in the kitchen before taking a shower to clear his head.

******

A pacifier. A fucking pacifier. What the hell was he supposed to make of that?

Katsuki sighed with furrowed brows as he took another sip of coffee. Eijirou sat with him in their shared kitchen.

“I know you will, but just… try to be gentle,” he said. “Having had these conversations in a relationship myself - and having them go very poorly - she’s probably gonna be pretty embarrassed, and she may get scared and try to hide it from you.”

Katsuki nodded, staring into his coffee as steam curled from the cup.

“Littles can be pretty sensitive, and they get misunderstood, so-”

“What can be huh?” Katsuki spat out. He hadn’t meant it to sound harsh, but he was struggling to grapple with everything.

Eijirou gave him an empathetic look. “Littles. Age play. That’s what it’s called. It could be age regression which is kinda different, but only she can tell you which it is.”

“I’m gonna fuck this up so bad,” Katsuki groaned. “I don’t have a fucking clue about any of this….”

He’d really only told Eijirou because he knew his best friend might have insight. At some point during their early days as roommates, Katsuki came home early to see Eijirou wearing a fucking collar. It led to a few awkward conversations and a lot of questions on Katsuki’s part, but it made living together easier when they were able to be open with each other.

“I’ll tell you what I know, but looking online is gonna be a bigger help,” Eijirou said. “Honestly, bro, it might not go as badly as you think. I know you like to pretend you’re not, but you’re a bit of a softie. And it’s obviously something she really likes about you. Just be yourself. Show that you’re not rejecting her. That’ll be enough.”

“Yeah. Yeah…” he replied with another nod.

Eijirou had that look on his face that Katsuki hated - like he’d figured something out before Katsuki did, but wasn’t going to say it. Ei was terrible at hiding anything.

“The fuck is that look for? Why are you staring at me like that? It’s fucking weird,” Katsuki said defensively.

For once, Eijirou didn’t try to deny it. He shook his head with a grin. “You’ll figure it out, Kats.”

Katsuki felt hot again, and he hated it. “Fuck off, man,” he said as he stood up and downed the last of his mug. “I’m gonna go workout.”

******

Sitting next to you on the couch was supposed to be relaxing, but Katsuki’s body felt grossly heavy. His heart was in his throat. He had to get this over with.

“Hey, angel, can we talk?” Katsuki asked. He felt your body go stiff under his arm. “‘S not bad.”

You relaxed only slightly. Maybe it was a shift in the air, but something had been hanging over Katsuki for a couple of weeks. And he’d been acting differently, too - making an effort to be sweeter, more loving. It was strange, and at this point you had to wonder if something was wrong.

“Of course, always. What’s up?”

“So - the other day when, um, breakfast. Uh. I made breakfast. And I bought flowers n shit. I was gonna leave them on your dresser like always. And I… I saw your-”

Fear struck through your heart and your eyes went wide. Your stomach was in knots. You’d thought it was odd he hadn’t left them where he usually does, but didn’t think much of it at the time. Now it made you feel sick.

“Oh my gosh I’m so sorry, it won’t happen again, I promise,” you said. “You don’t have to say anything, I know it’s really weird and I don’t want you to be uncomfortable and-”

Hot tears were already springing into the corners of your eyes as Katsuki took your face in his hands and kissed you.

“Stop fuckin’ talkin’,” he said. He pulled you onto his lap facing him and pulled you in again tenderly. When the kiss broke, he wrapped his arms around you and took refuge in your shoulder, much like you did in his. He squeezed you tightly and took a deep breath.

“I don’t… I don’t understand a lot of this shit, but I’m tryin’ to. I want to. I been doin’ a ton of reading and - and I wanted to tell you it’s okay. I’m okay with it,” Katsuki said. His voice fell to a mumble, barely audible. “You - Y’don’t have to be scared, babygirl. Daddy’s right here.”

Your cheeks burned. Your heart pounded. “W-what did you say?”

Katsuki called you a lot of things. Babygirl was not one of them.

He pulled away with a sigh, eyes shut tight.

“I said it‘s okay. It doesn’t bother me,” he repeated.

“No, the other part,” you replied.

Katsuki’s hands gripped a little tighter as his eyes met yours. “You don’t have to be scared. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

“But… d-… daddy?” you said hesitantly. You watched his face turn red.

He hadn’t been entirely sure about it before, but he was now. The sweet cadence of your voice and the tentative look in your eye grabbed his heart, and he was hooked.

“Yeah,” he replied. “That’s right, babygirl, you heard me. Daddy’s right here.”

banner made by @cafekitsune.

#aged up characters #bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #boku no hero #bakugou katsuki #millennialmagicalgirl #x reader #fem!reader #little!reader #daddy!bakugou #bakugou x reader #bakugou x you #comfort fluff #tw age play

808 notes · View notes

jennamoran · 4 months

Text

The Far Roofs: Systems

Hi!

Today I’m going to talk a little bit more about my forthcoming RPG, the Far Roofs. More specifically, I want to give a general overview of its game mechanics!

So the idea that first started the Far Roofs on the road to being its own game came out of me thinking a lot about what large projects feel like.

I was in one of those moods where I felt like the important thing in an RPG system was the parallel between that system and real-world experience. Where I felt like the key to art was always thinking about the end goal, or at least a local goal, as one did the work; and, the key to design was symmetry between the goals and methods, the means and ends.

I don't always feel that way, but it's how I work when I'm feeling both ambitious and technical.

So what I wanted to do was come up with an RPG mechanic that was really like the thing it was simulating:

Finding answers. Solving problems. Doing big things.

And it struck me that what that felt like, really, was a bit like ...

You get pieces over time. You wiggle them around. You try to fit them together. Sometimes, they fit together into larger pieces and then eventually a whole. Sometimes you just collect them and wiggle them around until suddenly there's an insight, an oh!, and you now know everything works.

The ideal thing to do here would probably be having a bag of widgets that can fit together in different ways---not as universally as Legos or whatever, but, like, gears and connectors and springs and motors and whatever. If I were going to be building a computer game I would probably think along those lines, anyway. You'd go to your screen of bits and bobs and move them around with your mouse until it hooked together into something that you liked.

... that's not really feasible for a tabletop RPG, though, at least, not with my typical financial resources. I could probably swing making that kind of thing, finding a 3d printing or woodworking partner or something to make the pieces, for the final kickstarter, but I don't have the resources to make a bunch of different physical object sets over time while I'm playtesting.

So the way I decided that I could implement this was by drawing letter tiles.

That I could do a system where you'd draw letter tiles ... not constantly, not specifically when you were working, but over time; in the moments, most of all, that could give you insight or progress.

Then, at some point, you'd have enough of them.

You'd see a word.

That word'd be your answer.

... not necessarily the word itself, but, like, what the word means to you and what the answer means to you, those would be the same.

The word would be a symbol for the answer that you've found, as a player and a character.

(The leftover letters would then stick around in your hand, bits of thought and experience that didn't directly lead to a solution there, but might help with something else later on.)

Anyway, I figured that this basic idea was feasible because, like, lots of people own Scrabble sets. Even if you don't, they're easier to find than sets of dice!

For a short indie game focused on just that this would probably have been enough of a mechanic all on its own. For a large release, though, the game needed more.

After thinking about it I decided that what it wanted was two more core resolution systems:

One, for stuff like, say ... kickstarter results ... where you're more interested in "how well did this do?" or "how good of an answer is this?" than in whether those results better fit AXLOTL or TEXTUAL. For this, I added cards, which you draw like letter tiles and combine into poker hands. A face card is probably enough for a baseline success, a pair of Kings would make the results rather exciting, and a royal flush result would smash records.

The other core system was for like ... everyday stuff. For starting a campfire or jumping a gap. That, by established RPG tradition, would use dice.

...

I guess technically it didn't have to; I mean, like, most of my games have been diceless, and in fact we've gotten to a point in the hobby where that's just "sort of unusual" instead of actually rare.

But, like, I like dice. I do. If I don't use them often, it's because I don't like the empty page of where to start in the first place building a bespoke diced system when I have so many good diceless systems right there.

... this time, though, I decided to just go for it.

The Dice System

So a long, long time ago I was working on a game called the Weapons of the Gods RPG. Eos Press had brought me in to do the setting, and somewhere in the middle of that endeavor, the game lost its system.

I only ever heard Eos' side of this, and these days I tend to take Eos' claims with a grain of salt ... but, my best guess is that all this stuff did happen, just, with a little more context that I don't and might not ever know?

Anyway, as best as I remember, the first writer they had doing their system quit midway through development. So they brought in a newer team to do the system, and halfway through that the team decided they'd have more fun using the system for their own game, and instead wrote up a quick alternate system for Weapons of the Gods to use.

This would have been fine if the alternate system were any good, but it was ... pretty obviously a quick kludge. It was ...

I think the best word for it would be "bad."

I don't even like the system they took away to be their own game, but at least I could believe that it was constructed with love. It was janky but like in a heartfelt way.

The replacement system was more the kind of thing where if you stepped in it you'd need a new pair of shoes.

It upset me.

It upset me, and so, full wroth, I decided to write a system to use for the game.

Now, I'd never done a diced system before at that point. My only solo game had been Nobilis. So I took a bunch of dice and started rolling them, to see ... like ... what the most fun way of reading them was.

Where I landed, ultimately, was looking for matches.

The core system for Weapons of the Gods was basically, roll some number of d10s, and if you got 3 4s, that was a 34. If you got 2 9s, that was a 29. If your best die was a 7 and you had no pairs at all, you got 1 7. 17.

It didn't have any really amazing statistical properties, but the act of rolling was fun. It was rhythmic, you know, you'd see 3 4s and putting them together into 34 was a tiny tiny dopamine shot at the cost of basically zero brain effort. It was pattern recognition, which the brain tends to enjoy.

I mean, obviously, it would pall in a few minutes if you just sat there rolling the dice for no reason ... but, as far as dice rolling goes, it was fun.

So when I went to do an optional diced system for the Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, years later, to post here on tumblr ... I already knew what would make that roll fun. That is, rolling a handful of dice and looking for matches.

What about making it even more fun?

... well, critical results are fun, so what about adding them and aiming to have a lot of them, though still like rare enough to surprise?

It made sense to me to call no matches at all a critical failure, and a triple a critical success. So I started fiddling with dice pool size to get the numbers where I wanted them.

I'm reconstructing a bit at this point, but I imagine that I hit 6d10 and was like: "these are roughly the right odds, but this is one too many dice to look at quickly on the table, and I don't like that critical failure would be a bit more common than crit success."

So after some wrestling with things I wound up with a dice pool of 5d6, which is the dice pool I'm still using today.

If you roll 5d6, you'll probably get a pair. But now and then, you'll get a triple (or more!) My combinatorics is rusty, so I might have missed a case, but, like ... 17% of the time, triples, quadruples, or quintuples? And around 9% chance, for no matches at all?

I think I was probably looking for 15% and 10%, that those were likely my optimum, but ... well, 5d6 comes pretty close. Roughly 25% total was about as far as I thought I could push critical results while still having them feel kind or rare. Like ...

If I'm rolling a d20 in a D&D-like system, and if I'm going to succeed on an 18+, that's around when success is exciting, right? Maybe 17+, though that's pushing it? So we want to fall in the 15-20% range for a "special good roll." And people have been playing for a very long time now with the 5% chance of a "1" as a "special bad roll," and that seemed fine, so, like, 20-25% chance total is good.

And like ...

People talk a lot about Rolemaster crit fail tables in my vicinity, and complain about the whiff fests you see in some games where you keep rolling and rolling and nothing good or bad actually happens, and so I was naturally drawn to pushing crit failure odds a bit higher than you see in a d20-type game.

Now, one way people in indie circles tend to address "whiff fests" is by rethinking the whole dice-rolling ... paradigm ... so you never whiff; setting things up, in short, so that every roll means something, and every success and failure mean something too.

It's a leaner, richer way of doing things than you see in, say, D&D.

... I just didn't feel like it, here, because the whole point of things was to make dice rolling fun. I wanted people coming out of traditional games to be able to just pick up the dice and say "I'm rolling for this!" because the roll would be fun. Because consulting the dice oracle here, would be fun.

So in the end, that was the heart of it:

A 5d6 roll, focusing on the ease of counting matches and the high but not exorbitant frequency of special results.

But at the same time ...

I'm indie enough that I do really like rolls where, you know, every outcome is meaningful. Where you roll, and there's never a "whiff," just a set of possible meaningful outcomes.

A lot of the time, where I'm leaning into "rolls are fun, go ahead and roll," what it means to succeed, to fail, to crit, all that's up to the group, and sometimes it'll be unsatisfying. Other times, you'll crit succeed or crit fail and the GM will give you basically the exact same result as you'd have gotten on a regular success or failure, just, you know, jazzing up the description a bit with more narrative weight.

But I did manage to pull out about a third of the rolls you'll wind up actually making and assign strong mechanical and narrative weight to each outcome. Where what you were doing was well enough defined in the system that I could add some real meat to those crits, and even regular success and regular failure.

... though that's a story, I think, to be told some other time. ^_^

#the far roofs #jenna moran #rpgs

229 notes · View notes

hazelnut-u-out · 2 months

Text

Rick and Morty does an awesome job at highlighting generational trauma cycles. The fact that Beth adopted Rick’s parenting style and approach to marriage (and even IDOLIZED him/the abuse) without realizing that her biggest character flaws come directly from him is super interesting.

I honestly think splitting her into two different versions of herself— one who chooses to be more like her mother and one more like her father; one who stays and one who leaves— was a good choice. As someone who relates a lot to sentiments like ‘my parent idolizes their parents/I’m angry with my parents for what their parents did to them/when I’m angry with my mother, but then I remember she’s just a girl’, the Beths are a powerful representation of not only what I see in myself, but also an experience of motherhood I have little insight into on my own.

With all of their parallels, I like to think Beth has moments where she— like her father— says to herself, ‘Holy shit… I’m a terrible mother.’

I’ve never thought about it before, but Beth truly resents feeling ‘trapped’ in motherhood. She views it as something Jerry did to her instead of something she also partook in. I’m not saying that Jerry didn’t do that intentionally, but I am saying that Beth made choices there, too, and it’s unfair of her to hold contempt for her children (mainly Morty) because of that.

It makes me wonder what her relationship with Diane was like. Diane might have felt like Rick trapped her into motherhood and then took a backseat, too. Did Diane resent Beth for taking away what her life could’ve been? Did Diane blame Beth for her decision to be a mother?

On the other side of the coin, we have Morty. He’s like his dad in a lot of innocent ways, but that concept terrifies him because he’s seen the malice behind that harmless facade.

Part of him hates his mom for never wanting him— for never caring for him or protecting him— but that’s a part of himself he buries. He knows, at the end of the day, his mom is just a girl who desperately wanted her dad to love her.

‘I love Daddy!’

People talk about how much Morty is like Jerry all the time, but I’ve NEVER seen a post about how similar he is to Beth. (Please tag me if you have, so I can hype it up!) He spends all day everyday cripplingly aware of just how little his parents want him. He feels their rejection and neglect. He buries those feelings to protect them; or maybe because he’s so aware of their disdain for him that he believes they just might discard him if he’s too much work.

…Sound familiar?

Sometimes I wonder how much of Morty’s efforts to protect Beth from Rick’s actions and people pleasing to make Beth and Rick’s relationship just a bit easier comes from a certain relatedness he feels to his mother’s experience of rejection/abandonment.

‘Rick, I can handle it if you go, but you’ll break Mom’s heart, and I won’t forgive you for that.’

He loves who some may consider unlovable.

But, holy shit, is that kid angry.

Angry at people he can’t justify holding accountable because… Fuck, they’ve been through a lot, too, haven’t they? How could he possibly justify hating someone he could so easily become?

I can only hope we get some more of Rick’s relationship with his parents. I’m dying to know about it.

#rick and morty #rick sanchez #morty smith #beth smith #sorry i’m having a moment #back on my constant analysis bullshit

164 notes · View notes

creativepromptsforwriting · 9 months

Text

How to choose a first name

do not repost

First names often stick with someone for their whole life, even though it's becoming more popular to change their first name to reflect their own personality. A name chosen before someone can even develop a personality/is born can lead to names that don't fit a person that well. In fiction, you already know a character's whole personality and can name them accordingly.

First names can be more experimental, since they are freely chosen by the name givers, not like the last names.

Origin

A first name can indicate where a character or more importantly their parents come from. Every country (and each region inside a country) has often used names and therefore names that people would associate with that country and wouldn't think twice if someone from there was named like that.

This does not mean that the name has to be originally from that country. Depending on the country and their population there will be influences from other languages over the years that make names completely normal in a country whose language does not fit that name. It may just be pronounced a bit different.

(Ex. Jacqueline was a very popular name in the 90s in Germany, despite it being hard to spell for German kids, and sounding nothing like German, while at the same time it's pronounced very different from the French or English version to still fit somewhat into the German language)

How to find good names for a specific cultural background

I do not recommend generators. They are fun, but most that I tried for German names gave reasonable last names, but very archaic first names or names that kind of looked German, but did not actually exist. Same with baby name sites. Some of these names don't make any kind of sense.

Better solution: find the Top 100 baby name lists for that specific country, it's more accurate of what is a common name there (but find the ones from the years around where your character is born. Not the most recent ones!)

Living with their first name

Decide if your character is happy with their first name and how they use it. Do they think it fits them? Do they get bullied or do they get put into a box because of it? Do they want to change it or do they only go by their nickname? Does it fit their last name? Who calls them by their first name?

An unfitting name

Here are some examples for why a name might not fit a character that well or why it could be surprising to be named how they are. This can be fun to explore in a story and give some insight into their parents' thought process and motives.

Parents that want their child to assimiliate easier to a new country by giving that child a normal name for that country, but that doesn't fit with their own cutural origin

Parents that want their child to succeed in life by giving them a name that they think is a royal or upper-class name, or a name fit for a celebrity, therefore choosing names that are not common in their own surroundings

The parents subscribe to a lifestyle that fits the name (a very old-fashioned one, or one that seems more free-spirited), even though the nameholder may not fit into that lifestyle

More: How to use nicknames | List of Names

Coming soon: a guide on how to name your characters in general and how to choose a last name specifically

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

#writing advice #how to write #how to name your characters #how to choose a first name #names #creativepromptsforwriting #writing ideas #writing prompts #writing inspiration #creative writing #writing prompt #writeblr

474 notes · View notes