#making these fixes seem intentional but not making them invisible

[monty-glasses-roxy]

I suppose if I go with the 'Roxy patches structural holes with random ass scrap' that means that the colours of all of them could be different in certain places and not just the Wet Floor Bot's. Like a maintenance panel being bright pink or entire limb casings recreated with metal

She can't do that for herself because someone would notice and she'd get in trouble but in terms of the little guys? It could really help emphasis the 'found destroyed in the basement' vibe whilst also making their designs like three times cooler

#patchwork animatronics!!! #thats cool right? #making these fixes seem intentional but not making them invisible #allowing the animatronics to maintain their structural integrity whilst not removing the evidence of a fight #i just think thats neat! #sidekicks au #roxy isn't a miracle worker shes not going to make them look exactly like before #remember this WAS just a hobby #a pet project that got out of hand #she didn't know ANY of these guys were sentient #except the Minis who she's been friends with since the beginning #and were online long before she arrived at the Plex #so like #making them functional was always the main goal #so now they're all functional and all look funky because what the fuck they're ALL sentient #well there's probably a few random ass toys that she found that aren't sentient #but dayum she really just revived four traumatised little guys huh #whoops! #fnaf security breach #/chill

[neoplatinum]

to love and to cherish - epilogue | minatozaki sana

summary: the aftermath of that day has left more than physical scars on your family

pairing: heiress!sana x reader

themes: blood, murder, gore, knives, kidnapping, assassins, katanas, arranged marriage au, fluff, angst, tension, lots of elitism, conglomerate power-hungry side characters, implied sex, misamo!

wc: 4.0k

(series masterlist)

you stare at your shoulder, the scar from the stabbing in a lighter color. you lightly graze over the scar, watching the way it contorts under the pressure of your finger. a faint pain coming back just from the mention. you barely survived that attack from the abes. the injuries from your fight leaving imprints not only physically, but mentally.

some days you wake up crying, tears already staining the pillowcase. it’s either sana or the kids dying in front of you, the evil smile of the brothers causing you to toss and turn. sana’s always there next to you.

always next to you.

you tend to go quiet those mornings, letting yourself be vulnerable in her arms. constantly living with the images of the brothers killing your family.

today seems to be one of those days.

you’ve been having the same dream for the past couple of days. in this dream, sana is the one who rushed in, chasing down the brothers herself. intending to make them pay for their crimes. to tear them to pieces, instead they kill haruto and hanako with their laughs filling up the empty room. 

sana letting herself fall to the ground, sobs let loose as she lets them kill her, no longer willing to live. and you stand in the corner, pounding at an invisible boundary, screaming to save them all. 

in every dream, you are powerless, unable to protect the family that you’ve grown to love.

you watch yourself in the mirror, the injuries of the fight still evident across your body. some cuts deeper than others; a testament that you survived according to sana.

you let out a deep breath, as you wash your hands, trying to rid the thoughts from your head. a distorted version of the reality that you now live. the abe’s are dead and your kids are safe. even momo and mina are recovering quickly, momo’s back to her old muscly self.

turning off the faucet, and wiping your hands on a small towel as you walk back into the bedroom. sana’s still sleeping, her head lolled to the side, the comforter wrapped around her snuggly. 

smiling, you lightly adjust her head back, so she wont wake up with a neck cramp. her head continues to chase after your hand even as you step back.

you lean down to kiss her forehead before exiting the room. and outside your room is both haruto and hanako. his big eyes staring at you, rushing to hug your legs. you bend down, pressing a kiss to both of their temples before wrapping them in a deep hug.

haruto’s been more clingy with you, he doesn’t tell you what he’s seen that day. but you have an inkling it’s more than you intended him to see. maybe the bloodshed has made him more worried for you. he always clung to sana before, but these days, you find him wanting to sit on your lap at dinner, or begging you to read him to sleep. 

all of which you will happily oblige to, doing anything to keep his childhood a happy one. hanako doesn’t seem bothered, a warm smile always on her face, she’s grown to cling to sana.

you stand back up, picking hanako up in your good arm. letting haruto hold onto your fingers as you descend down the stairs, the family portrait fixed against the wall again. rounding the hallway and down to the kitchen.

sitting hanako into a high-seat while haruto clambers up a step-stool. hands against the ledge, watching you intently. you start making a simple japanese breakfast for everyone. spooning warm hot rice into bowls, and plating tamagoyaki on long rectangular plates. the distant chirping still heard through long panes of windows.

it’s a nice sunday, with your family until sana’s mother’s birthday. sending staff to the minatozaki estate to help set up.

haruto watches as you continue to stir the miso soup, pouring it into bowls, giving it to him to place on the dining table. a chore that he’s found himself enjoying. the heavy steps of his little feet against the hard wooden planks. his little hummings as he continues to walk back and forth. hanako’s just happy to be there with her little toy in hand as she tries to bite it. the rest of the breakfast gets served when sana walks into the dining room. 

you walk up to her, feeding her a piece of steamed egg, to which she happily melts into your arms after. “good?”

“the best.” you pull her towards her chair, scooting the chair in, and leaving the dining room to wash the dishes. haruto’s already going on about how excited he is to see grandma, while you can hear hanako’s toys shaking. grateful beyond belief that your family is safe and happy.

--

the drive to the main estate is quiet, other than hanako’s toys shaking in her hands. the sounds of light music playing through the radio speakers, haruto’s happily sat in your lap, hands on the car door as he watches the scenery outside. it’s nice to see him so happy, wonder-filled eyes observing the world around him. brushing through his hair, and teaching him the different things that he sees out the window.

the calming hum of the car, coupled with light coughs from the chauffeur makes you lose track of time. unaware that you have rolled into the main estate. gazing upon the beautiful trees branching down towards the people, like a giant canopy over the mingling guests.

that familiar crest on the wall, now in a golden pin on your breast pocket. a dignified gift from sana’s mother. a valued heirloom of the minatozaki clan, one you had to officially sign that was yours to own when she handed it to you. hanako continues to shake her rattle, clanging the wooden pieces against each other. you grab haruto in your arms as you step out the car. rounding around the back and opening the door for sana. a hand outstretched as you take it, letting her stand up. placing haruto on the ground for him to run behind sana’s legs. peering at the crowd of people out front. 

you place hanako on your hip, taking sana’s hand in yours. walking towards large doors, the sounds of gasps filling your ears, the feeling of being stared down from afar. continuing to walk in as the crowd parts at the sight. you pay it no mind as you walk down the familiar stone slabs. hearing the trickle of water and the sounds of the wind chimes nearby. 

immediately the security team is bowing to a perfect right angle. head straight down as you pass. little haruto hiding behind sana’s legs as he watches the people strangely. once you enter through the main doors, immediately you’re hit with the sight of dignitaries everyone. a far too familiar scene, you’ve started to dread these events. they always put you in a sense of unease. crowded spaces with limited exits has made you more hyper aware, constantly darting your eyes for exits and counts of people.

heads are turning at the sight of your family, the familiar lewd glances from the men and curiosity or disdain at the sight of you. rolling your eyes at the familiar looks. seems that even months away from prying eyes has made the people more nosy. you pull sana a little closer to you, her eyebrow slighted up at the motion. you just offer her cheek a kiss and continue to move forward.

its clear why sana feels like a zoo animal at these events, you’re feeling the exact same. 

you can’t blame them though, this is the first sighting of your family out in public in months since the showdown with the abe’s. it’s made friends and foes more curious of you. 

you even took a temporary leave from work, spending more time recovering and finding peace with the events that unfolded. the death of the abes led to an uproar in the japanese underground network, more people vying for the dissolved power that was once there. 

not many people know that kaito was killed by kenji, instead it was leaked that you killed them both. causing unease in the people, a sign of power being shifted in your direction. more and more of the minatozaki council is recognizing your power in the family. a sign that you could become the next capable leader. 

you can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing anymore.

you spot momo and mina afar, their eyes already scanning the scenery. a clear sign that they didn’t want to be here, resorting to their military training to distract themselves. you smile as haruto runs up to mina. shaking on her pant leg as she picks him up.

“hi momo, how have you been?” you ask, letting her coo at hanako, your daughter continues to shake the rattle in momo’s face. nearly hitting her with it. momo dodges it easily, and just pokes her cheeks lightly.

“always doing better than you.” she says, smiling wildly as she tickles hanako, her squirming in your arms. you pass her to momo, watching the way she tosses her in the air. your heart nearly dropping to your stomach, but then she catches her and hanako cheers. 

mina gives an approving nod before going back to people watching, sharp eyes looking for anything out of place.

sana pulls you into her, a content smile as she watches her kids play with her cousins. a reminder that this life wasn’t always going to be this way. had she been married to kaito, she doubts momo and mina would be willing to interact with her kids. but knowing that you are her partner, it’s obvious how willing they are to be intertwined in your life. 

the sound of a gong taking you out of your little bubble, the sight of sana’s mother taking center stage. a mic in hand as she welcomes the guests to her birthday ball. a bright smile on her face, as she continues to share the sentiments of how happy she is for the life that she now has. short anecdotes about how she started and how far she has come, even taking the time to pan to you and sana. giving a quick bow to the clapping guests as their eyes fall on your family.

she gives a graceful deep bow before exiting the stage. you grab hanako from momo’s arm and make your way over, letting her coo at her granddaughter. the other women in her circle fawning over the young girl, hanako absorbing all the attention. 

you’re starting to think that you’re raising a mini sana. one that showers in attention and wants to be treated like a little princess. sana’s mother smiles and picks her up. 

you step away from the group of woman, walking back to the trio. haruto begging to be held when he sees you, his eyes happy as he wraps his arms around your neck. a sign that he’s feeling safe.

you and sana make your rounds with other guests, kindly greeting them all. worried over the injuries that you’ve sustained. a trained smile as they express their empathy with greedy eyes. you keep your hand on sana’s back as you continue to move around the floor. taking time to appreciate the dragon tattoo that peeks out from the dress, fingers softly moving across her back through long conversations. 

her tattoo is a gorgeous sight you will never get tired of seeing. you continue to stare at it until she turns towards you, hair covering the tattoo as she caught you again. a warm blush spread across her face, a knowing grin sent your way. sana only smiles before coyly walking away, off to mingle with her mother’s friends. all of them fawning over her and her daughter. haruto peeks his head over, asking you to bring him towards his grandmother.

you drop him to the ground as he stands in between his grandmother’s legs. eyes peering at the older women in the circle, awws and compliments filling his ears. you take the time to glance around, more and more eyes on you than ever before. 

before abe blood was spilled, no one bothered to look at you. seeing you as another lap dog for the minatozakis, conditioned to become a pawn for their bidding. but since the events, it seems people are paying attention. the rumors of the death of both brothers at your hands spreading like a forest fire. causing hushed whispers and fear in those that know nothing of your background. 

you’re brought out of your thoughts when sana places a hand on your lower back, gently bringing you back to the present. giving her a kiss as you offer your hand for a dance. pulling her onto the dancefloor, weaving past on-lookers and those already dancing across the waxed murals floor. finding an empty space towards the middle. bringing your hand around her waist and intertwining your other hand with hers, giving her a nod as you both start dancing. you twirl her with your hand, watching the way her hand flows along with her. you don’t know it but couples around you have left the dance floor, instead watching her elegance with every step. instead you’re focused on her satisfied smile as you continue to keep in time with her steps. letting her dance around you, pulling her back in for a quick dip of her body. applause from all directions hitting your ears. you smile widely as you pull her back up. taking a deep bow with her, clapping still filling the dance floor.

she looks radiant like this, face shining under the lights, a genuine smile as she takes in the applause, even doing a quick spin for the theatrics. you laugh before offering your hand once more, walking away from the dancefloor. the couples that once were dancing finding their places once more.

“you never asked me to dance when we were kids. i didn’t know you could dance like that.” she says handing you a drink from one of the circulating waiters. 

“didn’t want to ask you then.” you explain, continuing to down the smooth amber liquid, the strength of the liquid hitting your senses. “thought you were stuck up.” immediately she hits your arm, the one holding the cup, you watch the liquid slosh up the sides, nearly spilling over. 

moving it away from your body as she stares at you, jaw hanging at the words. “you did not just say that.” she says, folding her arms over the other, staring you down.

“i never tell lies sweetheart.” you grin downing the rest of your drink before she could slap the cup out of your hand. laughing lightly as you just offer her a forehead kiss instead. 

“i was not stuck up.”

you just laugh, placing the cup onto a tray, giving a small thank you to the waiter before focusing on your wife once more.

“sana, you’re the heiress to the biggest japanese conglomerate family, and you want to convince me you’re not stuck up?” you challenge her, amusement dripping through the words.

“even if i was, you can’t say that i am. i’m your wife so that means that i’m always right.” she says with finality. you don’t have it in you to argue with her, reassuring her that it was all a big joke. her arms still folded as you try and hug her. you continue to pester her until you feel a tap on your shoulder. immediately turning around and keeping sana behind you, a hand keeping her away from whoever tapped you.

in front of you is a man and a woman. both their face stoic and strange tattoos along the side of their face. relaxed posture and open hands, dark purple kimonos, a fan in the woman’s hand. their crest upon the fan. you step backwards.

“hello.” you offer. the woman continues to stare at you, eyeing your outfit and particularly focused on the minatozaki pin you have on. stopping her fanning before starting up again. sana stands next to you, staring at the pair in front of you instead.

“it’s nice to finally put a face to all the rumors.” the man’s deep voice hitting your ear it’s raspy like a smoker’s and rumbly. he looks away from you towards sana. “sana minatozaki, it’s been a while.” he offers his hand, sana’s outstretched as he presses a soft kiss to her hand.

“yukio ito. it’s been a while.” she pulls her hand away from his hand, his eyes glancing up, a small grin as he continues to stay bending down. the woman stops her fanning, closing it quickly.

“i’ve missed you sana-chan.” the woman says, her eyes lighting up in that feigned smile, offering a hug to sana, watching the way she lightly touches sana. you feel your hair standing up. 

“yuri, it’s been a while.” sana offers, more bite to her words than you expected. yukio fixes himself back up while yuri starts fanning herself again. 

this feels like meeting the abe brothers all over again.

“taking down the abe brothers yourself and you married sana? what can’t you do?” he laughs out, grabbing a cigar from his pocket, lighting it in front of you. the scarring of his hand apparent, running zig zag lines all over. you watch the line of smoke floating up.

“i’m flattered you think that.” you say returning back to his face. 

sana steps closer to you, slipping her fingers in between yours, standing toe to toe against the ito siblings. he takes another cigar out of his pocket, offering it to you. 

“i apologize, but i don’t smoke.” you return it back to him, watching the way he stuffs it back into his pocket. 

“how proper, can kill two men with your hands but doesn’t smoke.” he laughs with his sister. you just nod and let them laugh away. “i like that, come have a drink with us sometime.” he says before turning away with his sister. 

watching them disappear into the crowd. letting out a breath you didn’t know you were holding as sana squeezes your hand.

“never thought i’d see her again.” sana mumbles to herself.

“why?”

“she disappeared to thailand years ago, way before we got married. said she was going to elope with this model that she found there. never heard from her since.” sana explains, pulling you towards her mother and her kids.

“i’m assuming you were close?” you say, continuing to walk next to her.

“my best friend actually, well before she disappeared.” she says, and you both arrive in front of her mother. haruto and hanako are dancing in the circle. wild movements and swinging arms everywhere as they enjoy the music.

“do you miss her?” you whisper to sana. continuing to watch your kids playfully dance with cheers from the older women. 

“not at all, one of my exes cheated on me with her for months. i only found out because mina caught them together.” she explains. you nod and go back to watching your kids. “that and she also stole money from me.”

“sorry to hear that, dear.” you say, patting your shoulder for her.

“it’s okay, it’s in the past.” you nod, letting her lay her head on your shoulder. watching the children fondly. 

sana’s mother admires the safety that you bring to her daughter.  a comfort in her heart finally easing in, knowing that she made the right decision approaching you all those years ago.

 then she turns on her heels rounding towards the stage. and immediately the music goes quiet, turning heads towards the platform. 

“thank you all for joining me tonight,” quick claps of applause before she moves along the stage. circulating across the platform, the lights shifting as she moves around. “i’d like to propose a toast!”

she grabs a drink from the tray behind her.

“to the future of the minatozakis!” she turns her head towards you, pointing the glass tipped your way. a light being shown on you and sana. you pull yourself closer to sana, pointing your glass towards the older woman.

everyone grabs their glass, and you cheers your in the air towards her. a loud harmonious cheer of ‘to the minatozakis!’ can be being heard as everyone takes a drink. loud claps following as she exits off the stage once more. 

sana kisses your cheek, intertwining your fingers once more. handing you her glass. you place the cups down on the table, taking sana’s too.

“i wanted to ask you something.” sana says, taking your hands in hers as she pulls you away from the main hall, taking one more glance at haruto and hanako still by their grandmother.

“what is it, honey?” she continues to lead you away from the main hall, there’s a few people lingering outside the doors but other than that’s its quiet. you continue down the hall with sana’s heels hitting the floor as she guides you to a meeting room. closing the door behind her and returning back to your side.

“do you want to have another kid?” your eyes immediately widen, thinking back to how scared your kids were in that room. that dreaded room, you hope to never see those crying eyes again.

“i do, but i’m scared sana.” you explain. there’s nothing more that you want but knowing the horrors that could have been inflicted on your family, you’re scared to bring another life into this family.

“scared of what?” she whispers gently, tucking your hair behind your ear. watching the way your eyes are so unfocused and lost in your thoughts.

all you can see is your hands covered in blood from then, your own children’s wails filling the air as you stare at a dead kaito abe. blooding spilling from his own shirt onto the ground. the dreams of everyone around you dying, without you being able to save them. stuck behind a barrier from those you care more than anything about.

“i’m scared i won’t be able to save them.” you exhale, dropping into a chair. “won’t be able to save the kids, won’t be able to save you.”

she shakes her head, dropping to her knees, watching the ways your shoulders sag as you lean back. concern filled eyes searching for yours, “but you did, you saved us. you saved the kids, you saved my own life.” she says dropping into your lap.

“you saved me, more than you could ever know.” she says kissing you softly, bringing you out from your vortex of thoughts. 

“but what if i can’t save them?” you counter, worried about the new threats that now exist just because the abes are dead. there’s newer powers to worry about. 

“you will, because i know you. you would save them even if you were on your last breath” she says confidently. you don’t challenge her on it, even if you were on your last leg you would still fight with everything in you to protect this family, to protect this marriage and your kids.

“i would do anything to save them, i just have dreams that i can’t save them.” you explain, letting her understand the night terrors that you’ve been experiencing since that day. she nods, she never step foot into the room, but she knows enough to be glad she never was there. 

“you can save them, i know it.” she says. and you nod, pulling her into a kiss as well. everything that’s been taken from you in your life, you have grown from it. learning to adapt to the circumstances that have been dealt. you can grow from this too, not letting the potential fear that festers in your brain stopping you from achieving the next step in life. 

“so another kid?” you say in a teasing voice.

“yes?”

“let’s have another kid then.” tickling her lightly as she erupts into giggles.

there’s no one else you’d rather live this life with. having sana by your side every day is a dream you didn’t know you had until now. to love and to cherish sana minatozaki with everything in you.

--

a/n: and it's finisheddd!!!! thank you to everyone who read this series frfr. and a special thank you to @cry4mina for always listening to me talk about my troubles with writing and giving me ideas. i hope this epilogue was a nice fluffy finish to such a dramatic story LOL. and for @d3viant0n3 this one's for you. stay safe and stay healthy everyone!

#sana #twice #twice sana #sana twice #sana minatozaki #minatozaki sana #sana x reader #sana x you #kpop imagines #twice x reader #twice x you #neoplatinum

[stsgluver]

synopsis. satoru returns from his final meeting with geto before he defects.

wc. 750

satoru didn't speak to anyone when he returned to jujutsu high. he pushed past both you and shoko and especially ignored yaga’s attempts to find out more about suguru's next intentions.

understandably, suguru's slaughter had created a mass panic as it shook the foundations of jujutsu high. an 18 year old special grade sorcerer murdering an entire village (his parents included) in the beginning of his efforts to erase all non-sorcerers, i.e all humans who he has been taught to protect? it sounded unrealistic – a poor joke that no one laughed at.

"don't worry sensei, i’ll talk to him. this is just a lot." yaga gave you a small nod, but your words brought him and yourself little comfort. from yaga’s perspective, he'd just lost one special grade sorcerer, if satoru spiralled too there's no telling what the consequences could be. and you? you'd just lost one of your best friends and now you were grasping at straws trying to make sure you didn't lose your boyfriend too.

since the day you'd met him almost three years ago, satoru had kept a clear wall between the world and his emotions through his extroverted personality and humour. even after dating for eighteen months, you could only count a handful of nights when he'd let himself be vulnerable around you. admitting to the stresses of limitless and six eyes, and how he doesn't know if he'll be enough.

gojou satoru wasn’t emotionally stunted — he’d just never known what it was like not to be the strongest. since he was a child, he’d been praised and set above on this pedestal that no one else could touch.

pushing open his bedroom door, you found satoru sat at a desk, scribbling something down onto paper. "hey, toru-"

"i’m busy,” he cut off harshly, not bothering to turn back and look at you. there’s a pang of hurt in your chest again, a repeat of when he’d disregarded you after returning ten minutes prior.

he’s just hurting, you reassure yourself, as if though your heart wasn’t also breaking from losing suguru too.

"i just wanted to check in.” you tried again, stepping past the threshold into his oh-so-familiar room.

you’d woken up that morning in his bed, both of you unbeknownst to what would come. he still hadn’t tidied the sheets properly and you longed to go back in time for an extra five minutes curled up with him.

"i’m fine,” satoru insisted, spinning around on his chair to face you. he looked anything but fine. his white hair unruly like he’d been combing his fingers through it repeatedly, ultimately tangling it. his eyes were the faintest of reds but clear enough for you to see he’d been crying. his posture was tight and rigid. this wasn’t your boyfriend.

"go. i can’t deal with work and you right now." he pointed to the door when he couldn’t handle your physical analysis of him any longer. his eyes bore into yours but there seemed to be no life behind them. suguru had stolen it when he’d turned the other way, wandering down a path satoru could never follow.

"satoru," you tried reaching out to comfort your boyfriend with a hand on his cheek. you barely made it within 15cm before your hand hit an invisible barrier. there’s a dry sob that is tight in your throat and you hated this wall that he built up between you because you needed him, for him to tell you that things would be okay and suguru would come back, that this was all a big misunderstanding and he’d fix it… so why didn’t he need you too? did you not bring him any peace in the storm that’s brewing around your lives?

"go.” satoru repeated the demand again, swivelling himself back around so you were stuck with the back of his head.

your nails dug into your hands as you tried not to cry or lash out because you were both grieving. you don’t say anything as you turned to go, not trusting your voice as you felt your heart break more with each second of silence, another second he was pulling away.

and it was for the best, he concluded, for he was supposed to be the honoured one. yet he was a fraud who didn't even know his best friend was suffering, let alone not being able to save him from the path he strayed down. how can he save the only person left who really knows him?

#— toru!! #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #gojou saturo #gojo oneshot #gojou satoru x reader #gojo x y/n #gojo drabbles #gojo imagine #gojo angst #angst

[xekstrin]

Xekstrin Arbitrary Writing Rules V2

1) Sentence variety and paragraph variety is important.

Quick and dirty fix: make sure the FIRST WORD of EVERY SENTENCE and EVERY PARAGRAPH doesn’t repeat too much. (Some repetition is inevitable as you will see later.)

“Huh???” I hear you say.

Ex:

Here’s my example text. Here is another sentence. Here once again is another line of text and even though it has a different length (good) it still starts with the same word and it repeats a bit too much.

Here we have a whole new paragraph, a completely new sentence with commas and everything. However it still starts with the same word. Here you might say, “but I’m repeating it on purpose!” Repeating on purpose is usually fine. Repeating unthinkingly means you aren’t diving into your edits deep enough.

Not a hard and fast rule by any means, but it starts you on the path to thinking more closely about your work down to the itty bitty details.

2) Adverbs are fine… depending on what you want to do.

“It’s not like she loved me or anything.” Sally laughed sadly.

This is a fine brief sentence that still tells us a lot! We can move on to other things while still keeping Sally in mind.

But! If you want to linger for whatever reason… give us some physical details. Tell us what things feel like and sound like. Describe what is happening.

“It’s not like she loved me or anything.” Sally choked when she laughed. Tears were streaming down the distraught lines of her face. Every inch of her was pale and cold to the touch.

Both sections can be equally sad, depending on the context. More words does not mean more emotion! It merely is a tool to let the reader sit with something a bit longer than they might otherwise. You can then try to control the speed a reader is introduced to things, and set up a “wham line” by forcing them to linger somewhere else a bit.

Not every line has to be a poem. Unless that’s your thing. Use your best judgment! Every writer is different and will want to write a scene differently.

3) Said is not dead

I see you, trying to replace every other “said” with “exclaimed” “shrieked”“hollered” “hooted” “ejaculated” or otherwise use another verb to replace “said” for no other reason than you are trying to avoid “said”.

At first this rule seems to go against rule number one, not to repeat words. But “said” (or “says”) is a special word.

Why?

“Said” is effectively invisible.

Readers tend to skim or skip it on instinct. When you use any word OTHER than “said”, however, you are forcing them to make a brief pause and absorb this. Are you wasting their time? Is it notable or otherwise important that this character is doing anything other than saying their words? Use your best judgement.

4) Shi shi shi shi shi shi shi… who is “she”?

We’ve all seen that chinese poem about Shi eating the lions, right?

Writing a lesbian threesome feels a lot like this poem. When in doubt, even if you feel like it breaks rule number one, just use a character’s name rather than an epithet (“the long-haired girl” “the shorter girl”.)

This is less of a problem with het romance but still worth mentioning.

Epithets have their place, if you’re doing it with intention. If you want to talk about swift-footed Achilles, you know your story better than I do! Just don’t use epithets as a backup because you’re scared to repeat yourself. Readers can smell your fear.

5) Readers can smell your fear

Don’t force it. Don’t write for an imaginary audience that is out to punish you. Don’t write defensively in case someone misunderstands. We can smell your fear and it distracts from the story. Trust in your story!

6) Words mean things.

Flexing your vocabulary is sexy. Using big words incorrectly is the writing equivalent of slapping yourself in the face and smugly saying “see how strong I am?”

7) No one knows your story but you. This is both good and bad.

When you are writing, you are trying to show off what’s in your head. The reader does not, CANNOT, see what you see. Mind-reading is impossible.

It’s YOUR job to immerse them in your fantasy as completely as possible. Be clear, be vivid, and engage all the senses. They should know how your fantasy feels, how it looks, what emotions are wrapped up inside it, how it smells, and what it sounds like. What it means.

But also you’re not gonna please everybody so you should just do what you like anyway.

Bye!

#making words #idle raccoon thoughts

[tired-teacher-blog]

Your game or mine

Characters : Shigaraki Tomura/ Fem reader

Warnings and Genre : NSFW/ 18+/ Breast Play (reader is having fun with Shiggy's tiddies)/ Dry Humping/ Mating Press/ Cream Pie/ Squirting/ A Hint Of Fluff/ One Shot

Notes : This is your fault @fictionfordays 🤤

Banner by @/cafekitsune

Masterlist|Second Masterlist

_ "Cut it out already, can't you see I'm a little busy at the moment?" and he wasn't even looking up from his phone as he groaned his displeasure with your advances.

_ "But I'm bored! And you've been playing that stupid game for hours now." your whines were falling on deaf ears as he ignored you completely to get back to the mission ahead.

You sat up, crossing your arms over your chest and pouting in disapproval, how could he possibly focus on anything else after you've put in the effort to look irresistible to him? Was he truly unaware of your intentions? Even after crawling on top of him in a new sexy lingerie set that hugged your luscious body perfectly? Or did the phone glued to his face absorb the last few brain cells he had left?

No matter the reason, you've never been one to give in easily, and so..

_ "Alright do as you wish sweetheart, play your game, and I'll play mine." the smirk lacing your words was invisible to him, and the mindless "uh-huh" spilling from his lips, proved that he wasn't even listening.

You studied his sprawled out frame once more; comfortably sinking into the plush mattress underneath himself while crumpling the soft bedsheets with each little move he made.

Your eyes lingered on his bare flexing pecs, pale skin covering the protruding muscles beneath, and pink perky nipples begging to be touched.

You bit back a threatening moan as your gaze traveled down to his yet meek bulge, knowing all too well that one small caress would be enough to bring it to life.

However, he was clearly playing hard to get, so why not see how long he could resist?

You positioned yourself on his soft cock, neglecting the flimsy fabric of both undergarments separating you, and relishing the sudden flinch escaping him when you slowly rolled your hips.

_ "Y.. you're going to make me lose." his resolve was clearly faltering against your approaches, but his eyes were still fixed on the video game ahead.

_ "Oh I'm sorry love, I'll be more careful." you feigned innocence as soft giggles escaped your throat, placing your palms flat on his firm abdomen and trailing them up until you reached his chiseled bust.

You licked your lips and clutched onto the bulging muscles, giving him one teasing squeeze before relaxing your hold again.

Nothing yet, except for a suspicious tremble appearing under your fingertips. It was undeniably working.

You ran a finger along the deep valley of his chest, rolling your hips slowly on his awakening cock and smirking victoriously as he failed to conceal a frustrated groan.

_ "If I lose.. damnit.. I'll make you pay." he hissed gloomily, fingers still tapping away on his phone's screen while his body was getting more and more restless underneath you.

Any other person would be terrified hearing the symbol of fear rasping those words, but not you.

_ "We'll see about that Tenko." yes, definitely not you.

Your hands groped his godly breasts once more, kneading his flesh greedily before leaning in to lick a perfect stripe leading to his quivering throat where you sucked a bright mark.

_ "Fuck.." the word vibrated under your lips as it left him, and you were uncertain if it was due to your actions or the mobile game he was invested in. Regardless, you were having loads of fun on your own.

Your wet kisses traveled downward to join your hands and cover every inch of delicious skin encountered, you were eager –starved even– as your warm tongue sneaked out to flick on his cherry blossom pink teats.

Your hips moved a little faster on top of him, and your giggles resonated across the dimly lit room when he shallowly met your thrusts.

_ "Seems like I'm winning." you slurred between soft nibbles on his plumpness, peering under your lashes to witness the whitening knuckles as he gripped the device tighter.

He was fully erect by then, you could tell –you can always tell– and it was only a matter of moments for him to drop the pathetic charade and give you the attention you so much craved.

Your warm greedy maw engulfed one of his nipples, sucking on the hard nub like a thirsty little kitten while your fingers played with the other; flicking, pinching, ranking your nails over the prickled skin until he no longer could keep his aloofness.

You weren't done though, disregarding the hand leaving his phone to grip your hair as you switched your teasing mouth to the other teat. But all of a sudden, an alarming sound flared up to replace the rhythmic tunes of the game and announce your man's failed mission to clear the level..

_ "Alright, that's it!" was all he snarled out before placing the gadget onto the bedside table and grabbing your hips roughly to roll you on your back and hover over your stunned frame.

You blinked in pure confusion, striving to wrap your head around the swift change of your positions as his looming figure sent shivers down your spine.

_ "I warned you didn't I?" he did, and it was time for you to receive a proper punishment.

He gripped the back of your knees and spread your legs apart, his crimson irises blazed with fervent emotions that you could not pinpoint, while yours shamelessly ogled the conspicuous damp spot on his boxer briefs, wondering if it was your creation or his, and maybe –just maybe– it was a little bit of both.

You gripped the rumpled bedsheets and braced yourself for what was coming as he hastily tucked your legs up and pressed them to your reddening ears, "that's better.." he chuckled darkly before lowering his underwear just enough for his rock hard shaft to spring back against his abdomen, a heavenly sight that forced your cunt to squeeze around nothing.

Your longing for him was clear as day, and his gleaming eyes held an intense desire as he glanced at you once more while pushing your panties to the side, before smearing the leaking head over your sensitive folds and finally easing himself into your welcoming heat.

Your eyes rolled back in absolute ecstasy, and his name left your lips in a broken murmur as he stretched you perfectly around him.

He gave you no chance to adjust, retrieving his length until only the tip was sheathed within you, before slamming his hips mercilessly against your own.

His pace was unforgiving from the get go, grazing your insides deliciously with every deep thrust he delivered.

_ "Eyes on me angel, show me that beautiful face of yours, come on." he demanded huskily, tightening his grip on your legs and pushing them further against your chest.

His strikes were deeper and harsher from that position, filling your senses with a pleasurable pain you so much adored.

You weren't going to last much longer and neither was he, your earlier teasing and playful behavior had lead you both closer to a certain release, "Tenko, don't stop!" and he didn't, pounding even harder into your core while chanting your name like a mantra.

Your heart hammered in your chest and a thrilling heat pooled in the pit of your belly as he pushed you roughly into the mattress, his bruising clutches and erratic hips announcing his own imminent orgasm.

_ "I'm cumming! I'm cumming! Tenko please!" you tensed up beneath him as you mewled a warning, bracing yourself for the inevitable shockwaves of pleasure that washed over you only a moment afterwards, and whimpering unintelligibly as you spasmed violently and gushed all over yourself and him, soaking the two of you in a clear warm spurt before going limp underneath his persistent thrusts.

_ "Amazing.." his eyes traveled between your spent body and the mess between yourselves, clenching his jaw and panting breathlessly while the obscene sloshing noises intensified as he ground on you, "fuck! I'm cumming too!"

You shakily grabbed on to his veiny arms and dug your nails into his pale skin, wordlessly pleading with him not to pull out before spilling every last drop inside of you, and thanking the heavens when he ultimately understood.

_ "I got it beautiful.. fuck.. I got it." a strained smirk appeared on his lips as he replied, sinking into your slippery cunt and kissing your cervix with every brutal snap of his hips, once.. twice.. thrice.. and then a final lunge before exuding his thick pearly load and coating your clenching gummy walls.

He finally pulled out of you, placing your tingly legs onto the stained bedsheets, and collapsing on top of you with a satisfied heave leaving his chest.

_ "We made a mess Tenko." your tired laughter stabbed at every fiber of your pained figure, but you were blissed out; being entangled with him while sharing a few joyful instances, forgetting everything outside of your room and pretending to be in a typical relationship with a typical man— even for a little while.. it was your own paradise.

_ "This was courtesy of you angel, and we'll have to do that again soon." a soft chuckle was lacing the muffled words tickling your shoulder, and a pair of eager lips trailed gentle kisses along your skin before nuzzling the curve of your neck.

Yes, your own paradise..

#shigaraki tomura x reader #shigaraki headcanons #shigaraki imagine #tomura shigaraki x you #tomura shigaraki x reader #tomura shigaraki headcanons #shigaraki tomura x you #tomura shigaraki smut #shigaraki smut #shigaraki tomura smut #tomura shigaraki imagine #shigaraki fanfiction #tomura shigaraki #bnha smut #mha smut #bnha shigaraki x reader #tenko shimura x reader #shimura tenko x reader #shigaraki fluff

[ykiwrite]

behind the scenes

description: georgie was feeling way too comfortable with your girlfriend and emergency was needed

warnings: fluff, angst, suggestive

word count: 1.3k

"And just as we finished shooting that scene, i saw Jenna standing over there looking so terrified 'cause-" said Georgie unable to contain his laugh from escaping.

He was putting all of his weight on one particular person he sat next to.

Jenna.

The apparent height difference, the difference in personalities, both undeniably eye catching people made them look like fairytale couple.

That refers to an untrained eye who knows nothing about who's dating who really.

You watched them while nested in the depths of the couch shared with as well laughing Emma. A fluffy blanket over the two of you did not help with the slumber you were falling into. The feeling of Emma shaking from laughter kept you awake and on standby. Both thankful for it and silently despising it.

Actually, forget it. You couldn't fall asleep even if you wanted to. Georgie and his storytelling was on volume 100, it was too hot in the room, too loud and Jenna was too far away.

Never really the jealous type but today something was in the air. Except you didn't know what exactly.

Perhaps it's because this week's schedule was terrible. Perhaps, you just missed her. Perhaps today's day at work went not so smoothly and you hoped a fraction of comfort for the end of the day could be found on the set with Jenna.

Jenna, who without a second thought saw through all of your complaints over texts demanded you drop by for a few hours.

Turns out everyone was evidently having a blast, you could not relate to that. Maybe it's the part of the acting, the actors high or such. You weren't sure if that was Jenna's attempt of making you feel better. It probably was not, she'd go out of her way for it. It's just how the pieces fell and you ended up on the filming set. If she had the time and space she would do it differently.

Whatever the reason, you picked to withdraw in silence. With not enough energy to speak, drained and drowsy it seemed like the best answer.

Fairly annoyed by the sight of Georgie going out of comfortable bounds with his hand around her shoulder surely reflected on your expression.

"Pssstt..." secretly called out Jenna with no intentions of stopping Georgie's rambling.

Simply looking at her and nodding gave her a green light to continue. In series of polite movements, she removed his hand and leaned over the table. Hoping you will copy her but you didn't made her puzzled. She kept staring, squinting her eyes, trying to figure you out. After a few seconds with no avail that turned into a pleading pout;

"Please?"

With a sigh, you raised yourself with help of hands. Not bothering to fix stoic face of yours, finally eye to eye with her.

"Hey," she whispered with a smile that almost broke you out of character.

"Jenna, i'm not up for jokes."

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You good?" she asked genuinely, swiping a strand of messy hair out of your place.

"Oh wow, you actually noticed? I thought Georgie was more interesting." It's a bitter line and tone Jenna is not used to. Especially coming from you.

She looked at you with invisible question marks above her and continued, "Of course i did but i admit he is a bit too talkative today." She gave him one last glance before her eyes scanned you up and down. She was suspicious of something. One thing in particular she was positive of.

"Hold on, you're not..." she wasn't sure whether to push it or let it slide.

"What?"

"You jealous?" She took a dare and let it be heard.

Were you offended? Not really, more like just shocked and caught red handed. Even from her first try. Not moving an inch, trying to keep what's left of your cool, you told her "No? I'm just wondering is he always like that? No wonder everyone ships you two."

A grin on her face portraying the complete opposite of how you're feeling right now started to bother you. It usually meant she read right through and there was no defense left to use.

Promptly leaving her chair only to kneel next to your figure on the couch. Soft hand rested on your leg supporting her. In not the best position to be, compromising even.

"You know so well i could care less about him," tilting her head, "romantically."

"Romantically?" you repeated to chase what's that supposed to mean.

"He's my friend and we're pretty much forced to look at each other everyday on the set. It's not like i can escape him." A rested hand on your leg was sort of a comfort. Comfort that would last if it weren't for her fingers repeating circles around.

Slightly distracted knowing she would get worse if you let her continue.

With no goal nor energy for fighting about her valid answer, you simply nodded. But would you be her girlfriend if you didn't know that's not a sufficient answer? You are not off the hook.

Mainly because she cares and wanted to make up for it. And because there's a rule no one should go to bed mad.

A grand idea was being forged in Jenna's head while you talked about today's events. Not that she didn't listen, she was just calculating the risks and advantages of the idea while listening.

"Hey Georgie?" Jenna asked loudly, turning to him.

"Yeah?"

"Remind me, how long is our break?"

"Uhh," pondered Georgie while checking time on his phone, "we still got over 20 minutes free. Why?"

"Nothing, just wondering." All of her attention back to you again.

Quickly, without looking shady, she signaled her head over to point out the direction you two were supposed to go. Like it's your secret language, though you had no idea what's she on about.

"Jenna, i don't-"

Being pulled by the hands never allowed you to finish the sentence. Standing on your feet, you offered her unfazed stare.

"We got 20 minutes to spare. That's plenty." She said with confidence, her legs ready to sprint out of the room. The less time wasted the better.

"For what? I know how your set looks already, i had a tour."

It was possibly the most amusing disappointed state you ever saw Jenna in. In disbelief but loving you no less, her hand linked with yours in rush.

"No, i know. It was wild, that's why i told Hunter-", Georgie got startled by his coworker's hurried steps, "Where are you guys going?"

If he let one more second pass Jenna wouldn't have to lose time. "Just around the building."

"You already showed her the entire place three times already." Now Emma sided with Georgie.

As if betrayed by Emma's question, knowing damn well she was the least oblivious one. "So? I forgot to show her something."

Catching your breath, Jenna let go of you while struggling to open the door. Observing the "Dressing room" sign, you smiled to yourself.

Grabbing you by the shirt while pushing the door open with her back was a view, to say at least. It was enough of an adrenaline rush itself.

"Again? Dressing room?" You chuckled, backing your steps away from her who paced towards you.

Stranded in the corner with a body against the wall and no space to left to move.

"Again. It's not like we have any options, really."

"If i recall, you have 20 minutes ticking. I think it's not long enough for you to do the job."

So she took it, and you as a challenge.

Sitting in front of the makeup mirror, Emma let out a gasp.

Making Jenna's head look up from her phone in a similar panic, she asked "What?"

"Jenna, our makeup artist will kill you. Of course you didn't take her on the fourth tour around the set. Georgie will have nightmares."

Looking at herself in the mirror, she noticed what Emma did. Her neck to be precise.

"Let him."

notes: at this point idk what i'm writing except my daily delusions that will never happen

*enjoy though! 🖤

*update: removed percy from the fic 20/1

#jenna ortega imagine #jenna ortega x reader #jenna ortega #jenna ortega imagines

[kairiscorner]

Omgg I saw a request for like ballerina reader and miggy and invites everyone to her show. Can’t really remember what they requested srry but that sounds cute. Like everyone gushing over her 🤭

it's okay !!! i did like that req too tbh, i was planning on making a separate one for the ballerina one, thanks for giving me motivation to make it rn >:DD

⋆⭒✮⭒⋆ like a graceful swan. — miguel o'hara x ballerina!reader

though you invited the whole spider society to watch your ballet recital, only one of them couldn't rip their eyes away from you, was glued to their seats, and constantly hitching their breath every time your pretty face looked so focused in dancing—your flexible arms curving with every movement of your fragile, yet fortified body. you tiptoed and moved your arms and legs in sync with the beat, with the harmonious melody of the gentle piano notes and dulcet rhythm coming from the violins, cellos, and basses playing the tranquil song numbers that prompted you to dance and entertain the audience with the story your body language and facial expressions were delivering in an angelic, pure, innocent manner.

some of the audience were already yawning, though many remained awake and in awe at your performance—enjoying how lovely and graceful your movements and how reactive you were to the right times, practically seeing the cues of the time signature change by listening intently to the orchestra playing. gwen was enthralled by the tenderness of your dancing, with her considering practicing her ballet once she'd have the time. pavitr was astounded by how flexible your arms and legs seemed, and how long you could hold yourself in the air; he'd ought to ask you for some tips and tricks on how to do that, maybe he will take up ballet himself for a change. jess and peter b enjoyed your performance, though the brunette father had to leave early due to his redheaded daughter fussing in the audience. he didn't want to ruin your evening, so he left; leaving the only two adults that were still watching being jess and... miguel, miguel o'hara.

he was the only one in the audience who gave his full, undivided attention to you and your dancing all throughout the performance. his hazel brown eyes were fixed on your dainty figure, moving so gently across the stage like the wind was carrying you by your invisible wings and practically making you seem like you were soaring while your pirouetted and twirled. with every pirouette and with every twirl, miguel felt himself get more and more hypnotized with your beautiful figure and effortlessly captivating aura as you spun and danced. he had never understood the meanings behind dance or any form of art such as ballet, but tonight, he thinks he's discovered what dancing evokes in him, what art such as this evokes in him: devotion, adoration, and need. he can't explain them all in ways anyone but him would understand in even the slightest, but the bottom line is... your dance moved him, made him feel things he's never felt before, and jess was the firsthand witness to this as she watched miguel's lips part and his eyes soften as they were directe dtowards you and you alone.

the other dancers disappeared into his fuzzy peripheral vision as he focused his gaze solely on you and the way you danced so perfectly; though you made some mistakes and nearly stumbled once or twice, miguel was so taken in by your performance that he forgot for a moment that he wasn't in a fairy tale, that you weren't an otherworldly beauty he could never have—you were real. you were here and before him, dancing your heart out passionately and the best you could; and that made him stand and clap, giving you a standing ovation that began with him, and ended with him as he looked at your gorgeous grin from up above in the audience's seats, with a heat forming in his face and a throbbing in his chest that made him palm his chest to try quelling it himself. "they were beautiful back there, weren't they?" jess asked miguel as he sighed, still watching you and your figure as you exited the stage all dainty and gracefully, not wanting you to leave his sight. "like you wouldn't believe..." he sighed as he felt his heart's beat returning to normal, but his thoughts still conjuring up the many images to form one thought: the thought of you, still and always fresh in his mind.

tags !! @miguelswifey04 @hearts4gabri @hisachuu @wreakingmarveloushavok @fictarian @yuridopted0 @simsrandomstuff @luvstarrstruck @popeheywardssecretgf @meeom @arachnoia @melovetitties @fable-library @ophanimgold @smokeywhalee @capnshtfce

#miguel o'hara #miguel o'hara x reader #miguel o'hara x y/n #miguel o'hara fluff #miguel o'hara fanfiction #miguel x reader #atsv miguel x reader #spiderman 2099 #spiderman 2099 x reader #atsv #atsv miguel #atsv fluff #atsv fanfiction #spiderverse #across the spiderverse #spiderman across the spiderverse #spiderman across the spiderverse x reader #spiderman across the spiderverse fluff #spiderman across the spiderverse fanfiction

[actual-changeling]

my brain is still stuck on my last meta post so uhhhh have a fix it ficlet???? this is very soft and angsty and i am abusing italics as usual but honestly i really needed it.

-

"Crowley," the whisper escapes him without intention, an exhale shaped into a plea by a mouth that has been betraying both of them.

Aziraphale does not know what about it makes both of them freeze, but they do, Crowley's hands still and his glasses close enough to his face, they would catch his tears if they fell now. He does know him, though. God, does he know him, and it is more than just that, always has been.

Even with the sunlight warm on his cheek, it feels wrong for him to be putting his shades back on, a disturbance of the balance they have created on a primal level, a claw tearing at the space they have carved out for themselves. All emotions were about to leave his eyes, despite the tears, golden irises dimming and losing their sparkle, and the person he loves disappearing behind a wall he somehow senses he would not be able to break through—maybe not ever.

That thought more than anything is what scares him, what caused his name to spill from his lips. Heaven is a hand around his throat, pulling him back in, away from earth, with the most tantalising offer they have ever made him—an offer Crowley rejected—but everything pales compared to losing him.

His hands are shaking, fine tremors running through Crowley's fingers and causing the faintest noise of rattling metal, but his eyes remain downcast. It is, Aziraphale realises, a chance he does not deserve but was nevertheless granted.

"Crowley," he repeats, incapable of saying anything except his name, and it echoes in his mind as fear sits heavy in his chest.

Crowley Crowley Crowley Crowley

"Please."

He doesn't know what he is asking for, but his fingertips have gone ice cold, and his breathing grows more and more shallow with every inhale. A myriad of confessions he wants to make, should have made long ago, and several lifetimes worth of utter devotion to the one being he wants to spend eternity with, angels or not. Above all, he needs Crowley to be safe and happy, and he thought—still thinks, in the part of his brain that isn't paralysed—that being able to return to heaven, to his stars, would give him that happiness.

In the background, the clock ticks and ticks, time passing impossibly slowly and too fast, and Aziraphale cannot feel his breath anymore, his pulse a white-crowned river in his ears.

Crowley's hands are trembling harder than before, tears clinging to his waterline like raindrops on storm clouds, and with an odd sense of relief and electricity prickling in his veins, he allows his body to take the reins. Before he can change his mind or panic any further, before Crowley can change his mind, he is tipping forward until their foreheads touch and gently, oh so gently, sliding his palms along the outside of his wrists.

His skin seems to be the same temperature as his, cold and clammy with fear, his fingers wrap loosely around his hands to absorb their tremors, and Aziraphale feels his breath ghost across his face when all the air leaves Crowley's body. Tears do fall then, both of their cheeks growing wet, but they stay connected with fluttering lashes and tension gradually draining from their bodies.

When Crowley speaks, he feels it more than he hears it—vibrations and puffs of air against his skin.

"Stay, angel, please," soft and desperate and real and Crowley.

His Crowley.

Even with heaven digging invisible nails into the line of his throat and the Metatron's voice painfully bright in his ears, Aziraphale leans towards Crowley, into their touch, and swallows the taste of disobedience like a dying man finding water in the desert.

"Okay. I'll stay." For you, he doesn't add, cannot add just yet, but it is there all the same.

Aziraphale has no idea how he is going to break the news or escape heaven's grasp, he has no clue how to fix any of this, but what he does know is that he loves Crowley, and Crowley loves him—and whatever happens, they will survive it together.

#alex writes good omens #good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale #good omens season 2 #go2 #aziracrow #crowley x aziraphale #ineffable divorce #the final fifteen

[eightyonekilograms]

What are the left-NIMBYs' policy positions? What are the YIMBY policy positions? I mean I know what they are in a broad sense (more regulation on constructing housing vs. less), but I'm curious to know in more detail. Obviously some regulation is good (living in California, I'm glad there are standards for earthquake safety), and some is bad (I'm generally against single-use zoning for a bunch reasons you probably agree with). The basic supply and demand stuff and how it affects the cost of housing is obvious enough to me, but the weeds of how specifically regulations should be changed in light of this seems like a more complex issue.

I don't identify as either a NIMBY or a YIMBY; this discourse is somewhat foreign to me, but I probably have some mixture of NIMBY-sympathetic and YIMBY-sympathetic positions, and I'm interested in getting a better picture of the details of the debate from someone who clearly knows a lot about it.

Also as an aside, if you have any good sources of information you can recommend on the present state of housing policy in San Francisco, and/or how it's changed over the years, I'd be very interested in them.

At least from my POV, left-NIMBY policy prescriptions generally seem to fall into one of three camps (arranged from least to most radical):

non-zoning regulatory updates to try and make housing more affordable; the canonical example being adding low-income requirements to new housing developments

large expansions in government-funded housing projects, possibly to the point of having all housing construction be government-funded

"housing can't be fixed until we abolish capitalism"

Each of these has a flaw, although they need to be analyzed separately.

The people in camp 1 are well-intentioned, but unfortunately in practice they are useful idiots for the people who want less housing to be built (landlords, homeowners who want to Preserve the Neighborhood Character, the aforementioned BlackRock investors from my original post, etc.). Those people know full well that the actual effect of attaching more requirements to new housing construction is that less new housing (of all kinds, low-income, high-income, etc.) gets made, because projects which were just-barely profitable get pushed into being unprofitable, and so they don't happen. Obviously individual cases vary, but in general, if you say "you can't build those 50 new housing units unless you also add 15 low-income units in that development" is not that you get 50 market-rate units and 15 low-income units, but that you get zero new units. Which helps nobody.

This is one example of a depressingly common pattern where left-NIMBYs unfortunately make it very easy for themselves to get played like a fiddle by people who say they have the interests of low-income renters at heart, but absolutely do not. As I said, the sorts of "wealthy suburban single-family homeowners" who go to their community meetings and demand that new construction include low-income unit requirements are doing that to murder low-income housing, but because it's an invisible murder (since the development simply doesn't happen), those homeowners with their In This House We Believe signs can keep saying they want to help the poor get housed, while guaranteeing that won't happen.

With camp 2, in general it seems to me like a lot of them aren't paying attention to what YIMBYs actually say, and instead have built up a strawman in their mind of YIMBYs as diehard anti-government libertarians. Some of them are, but most YIMBYs— myself included— do want more government-funded construction and think it definitely should be a part of a comprehensive solution for housing affordability.

The issue is, if you want government-funded housing, the government still needs to pay for the land, and the construction. And if land and construction are more expensive than they could be because of limited supply and burdensome, then the government has to pay more for this housing, and gets less for its money. I know a lot of left-NIMBYs tend to scoff at fiscal/budgetary constrains, but they are a real thing, if only because eventually you'll get voter revolt, and if you have X dollars of taxpayer money to spend on new housing construction, it would surely be better to make that X dollars go as far as possible and build maybe 5,000 units instead of 1,000. This is a case where the libertarian and socialist views do not need to be opposed and can in fact work in concert: the more land reform you have, the cheaper land gets and so the more bang for you buck you get. So even if you are a Camp 2er, you should support YIMBY policy reforms anyway.

The people in camp 3, well... I wanted these posts to be as factual and non-ideological as I could, but at some point there's no getting around the fact that camp 3 is delusional. We're not going to abolish capitalism, at least not any time in the foreseeable future. It could happen in succeeding decades, but in the meantime, wouldn't it be nice if people could have an affordable place to live now? Note that there are differences in housing affordability across areas, based mostly on to what extent they have YIMBY-like policies in place, so the claim that only abolishing capitalism can help seems empirically wrong. (And if the response to that is that helping people now is bad because it would delay the revolution, that's when I start yelling and pounding on my keyboard again. Accelerationism is fundamentally a monstrous, evil ideology, gleefully throwing people under the bus for the sake of a fantasy world).

#i know a lot of people are rightfully asking for sources for a lot of this stuff and I do want to get to that #it's just competing for time with other things

[eye-of-yelough]

anyway here’s the aeryn/gortash dynamic explanation.

nsfw shit under the cut. CW for. i mean so much. but specifically CNC

because it is all consensual, despite the atrocities. although it’s worth mentioning that that does not make it healthy and there’s definitely a lot of manipulation going on so like. is it. its dubious that’s for fucking sure.

So. their dynamic is really just me taking “psychosexual warfare” and seeing how far i can possibly take it. That’s it in a nutshell. also exploration of how a sexual “relationship” between a hypersexual and grey-sexual would work.

Aeryn’s hypersexuality is a real point of interest to Gortash, and is his main angle when trying to pick apart his psyche, the way his behaviour changes depending on how long he’s gone without, how it seems intrinsically linked to his Urges, “whoever decided to call it bloodlust was a fucking genius” [real aeryn quote]

That fascination really hits its pique when, somewhere a between a year and two into their partnership, gort wakes up in the middle of the night to aeryn just straight up jerkin it. staring at him. (wether he was already there because aeryn stayed over after them being awake for 50 hours plotting and doing medical malpractice or he just walked all the way there from the undercity to break in and wack it to gort’s sleeping body, i don’t know. but it’s important to me that you know that with aeryn, while the former is more likely, the latter is entirely plausible. he’s a creep.) obviously this brings up a lot of question in his head. “did he want to be caught?” (most definitely.) “has he done this before without me noticing?” (you can bet on it, mate.)

Sad thing is, I can’t t for the life of me figure out what gort would actually do in the moment here, but it’s when he realises that if he wants to manipulate Bhaal’s favourite child, to claim, to conquer, he’s going to have to speak his language. so the next morning he very nonchalantly brings up the incident that Aeryn is eagerly pretending didn’t happen, and offers his help. puts himself in this caring, almost therapeutic role. bullshit, of course. he has no intention of fixing just yet. only after he’s been broken can he be fixed, remade in his perfect image. and aeryn, to his credit, does know that it’s bullshit. he just underestimates the depth of it. See, he knows that Gortash wants to break him. he knows that gortash is a manipulative, domineering control freak. but he kind of just. thinks it’s a weird sex thing. his reaction to gort’s proposal is basically “you’re even weirder than i thought. okay fine. i’ll play your game. i’ll win in the end.”

That’s another key part of their dynamic: mutual misunderstanding. Aeryn thinks it’s a game, Gortash thinks it’s war. Gortash thinks he’s breaking Aeryn, but Aeryn’s loving it.

Gortash’s “therapy” is anything but, of course. Aeryn doesn’t become less of a sex pest, he just finds it increasingly difficult to enjoy himself with anyone but Gortash, who knows him, what he likes and doesn’t like, inside and out. (all part of the plan, the possessive cunt) which pisses Aeryn off to no end because the man Just Won’t Fuck Him in the way he wants. oh, they’re doing weird “stabbing as a metaphor for penetration”, sexually charged medical malpractice, voyeurism, full on bdsm shit all the time, but there’s very little genital touching. Gortash just gets off way more on denying Aeryn what he wants while slowly driving him insane with desperation than he ever would if they just. had sex. This isn’t to say they never do, but we’re talking years down the line here, and only under very specific conditions. (more on that in a bit.) If aeryn was right about one thing, it’s Gortash being a weird sexual control freak.

anyway here’s some things their warfare includes:

Gortash bringing some noble up to his chambers to seduce them, notices the window he left closed is open, a chair in the corner’s cushion being smushed down by an invisible weight, and thinking “ah, i’m performing for two tonight.”

gortash just straight up asking if he’s the one aeryn thinks about when he masturbates. aeryn makes the mistake of thinking the right answer is no and gets whipped :)

Aeryn waking up after Gortash spikes him in increasingly awkward positions over the years (this happens a lot. like, a lot.) the first time he wakes up bound, gagged and blindfolded in gort’s basement. “i just wanted to see how long it would take you unti you freed yourself. 2 minutes and 31 seconds if you were wondering. i’m impressed :)” eventually he gets used to that routine and he just ends up laying under gort’s desk for a few hours, listening to him work, Gortash occasionally talking to him like you do to a pet. this is probably the closest they get to domesticity. A few years down the line, Aeryn wakes up naked, covered in bruises and black handprints, aching between his thighs.

Knowing it happened, but with no memory? If I had to pinpoint the closest Gortash ever got to winning the war, it was there.

(it is such a shame that i’m too squeamish about about the violent gory stuff to really have thought about the more fucked up shit they get up to, but. i just can’t, it’s not for me. It’s definitely happening, don’t get me wrong, but i’m not gonna force myself to think about it if i don’t want to just to list off examples of their weird game.)

Oh. And they only kiss once. Right before Aeryn’s lobotomy, as well, it’s a whole thing. I might make that into a separate post. or you can send an ask. that’d be nice :)

edit: here it is

#they’re insane :) #aeryn and gortash #uh. yeah. yknow what. fuck it. i’ll put this in the main tags what the fuck have i got to lose #durgetash #gortash #enver gortash #bg3 #your daily dose of idiocy

[spider-jaysart]

Hi!! Can I ask Damian (and maybe Dick 🙏?) for the character ask game?

Thank you, take care <3

@zephyrwrites2

Damian

Favorite thing about them: I just love his whole personality loll. He's a crazy, funny little guy that I think is really cool

Least favorite thing about them: Nothing. Only when he gets really mischaracterized by official writers who don't understand him, which happens A LOT

Favorite line: "Father, I imagined you taller."

Brotp: Damian and Jon

Otp: Damijon

Notp: Batcest, any of them that have adults paired up with him, including the canon ones Mar'i x Damian, Cassie x Damian, and Cassandra x Damian

Random headcanon: He can do ballet and it's because it's something Talia taught him while he was growing up in the league and being trained to learn many other things. He's a skilled professional at it now because of this and also bonds with his sister Cass over it and will sometimes even join her in her dancing. He also tries teaching Jon too, which can become fun for them both, and his other friends sometimes as well whenever they get curious or don't actually understand it that much like they think they do. Damian also owns a pair of green ballet slippers, but usually keeps them put away in his closet to keep them safe and clean and only takes them out when he really does want to use them.

Unpopular opinion: Okay sooo, a lot of people believe that Talia's character just gets only more ruined because of Damian's existence or whatever, but I don't believe that at all. Damian may be her son and is big part of her life because of it, but his character itself has nothing to do with hers like that at all when it comes to hateful writers choosing to write her horribly and just as another evil, lunatic villain and whatever else. Some people even say that he stole her story, but he did grow up with her during those 10 years of his, so of course he's gonna have the same life she dealt with and is also gonna have to get through certain issues from it now too because of it. But the point is that if anyone's gonna get blamed for Talia's usual trash characterisation, it should be the writers who hate her, NOT Damian who has many writers of his own who don't even treat him that well or like him that much at all either just like with Talia. Trying to pick on him is never going to fix anything about her. If Talia's ever gonna get anything better that she deserves in comics and other things, it needs to be done by writers who actually have care about her character and don't have anything weird against her that just only causes bad intentions of messing her up and then THAT'S what will finally start doing justice for her. And this not meant as an argument towards anyone or whatever btw, this is just me stating my opinion and beliefs about the whole thing

Song I associate with them: Self love by Metro Boomin & Coi Leray (Mostly because even though Damian may always put on a very confident act and always seems so prideful of himself a lot of the times, he actually has a lot of insecurities underneath all of that and doesn't actually always think so great of himself as a person)

Favorite picture of them: Definitely this very beautiful panel of him ofc💖

I just LOVE the way Gleb Melinkov draws him and gives him his Arab features without holding any of it back as well! He even gives him long lashes (longer than Flatline's even, which I noticed while looking at another panel from this series!), which I really love too!!

Dick

Favorite thing about them: I really always liked his leadership style, especially in the Teen Titans 2003 cartoon, which I grew up with

Least favorite thing about them: Only when he's potrayed as a dumb, clumsy guy in some canon stories just to lift up other characters and put them in a bigger spotlight instead. It makes no sense because he's a professional acrobat and always has been that way since he was a little kid, so how could he ever be so trippy all over the place as if there are invisible banana peels getting in the way everytime?! And he is very smart, especially with all of the important experience he has from his many years of hero work, so he's not dumb either and if he was, he wouldn't have made it so far with this kind of life because of it or ever get much done like he did because he has to overly depend on others knowledge

Favorite line: "Titans Go!"

Brotp: Dick and Starfire, Beast boy, Raven, Cyborg (I know he's friends with many others too, but this is the group I grew up with and am more attached to, so they're my fave to see together)

Otp: Dickkory because they bring the best out in eachother and have so much love for one another too

Notp: DickBabs because I just don't think they really fit that well together at all and most times Barbara just makes Dick feel bad in a lot of ways with how she usually treats him in a romantic relationship, and that's not a healthy thing to deal with at all. And then there's also Batcest and Slade x Dick (which I don't even get at all because Slade is just such a horrible, gross and very toxic guy)

Random headcanon: Years ago, back when he would used to have long hair still, he one time had it tied up in a ponytail and then a villain chopped it off in half while fighting him. Dick was pissed and really kicked their butt for doing that

Unpopular opinion: People always think of Dick as the positive, sunshine guy and then there are the ones who get very mad about it and say that he's actually the angry, tough guy because him being super friendly and happy is just too "ooc". I don't listen to any of that stuff, because I believe that he's actually both. He IS a friendly guy with a warm, charming, humorous attitude that easily attracts others, and is very much an inspiration to many because of his positive, sunshine vibes as a great, hardworking hero, but none of it makes him dumb, weak or gullible, because he IS also the type who can become very serious and gets mad when he needs to be, also doesn't actually take bull from anyone, can be chaotic and crazy, works a LOT, is independent, does have a lot of intelligence and especially experience that should never be forgotten about just because he's nice, and also definitely has the determined mind to take care of things and get them done even though others will sometimes try to tell him what to do, but he doesn't actually listen because he's not the type to easily be controlled that way like a puppy would be and if he believes it's something that needs the attention and it's what should be done and no one else is doing it, then he will do it

Song I associate with them: Annihilate by Metro Bommin, Swae Lee, Lil Wayne & Offset (because it's about being fearless, embracing self strength and individuality, and becoming a much more independent person, and I think that totally fits Dick because he's not the type to fear much and hates being stuck under Batman's shadow and having independence is something that always had an important role in how Dick's life goes)

Favorite picture of them: Well, I just found this pic of him, which was done by Travis Moore

It's very nice and really shows the struggle he goes through as a hero a lot of the times. Also, I really always liked the way he draws Dick, because he doesn't just look like everyone else and isn't sharing same face syndrome with his brothers and Bruce either, it's just a look that's unique to only him and it fits him very well. It's the exact way I always imagine him looking like whenever I envision him in my mind, even the hairstyle that's given to him by this artist too!!!

Thank you for sending this ask, I enjoyed answering it! And you take very good care too!! :)

#damian wayne #dick grayson #spider-jaysart asks

[kradogsrats]

I just want to return to What We Know About Ghosting(tm) for a minute since we've now seen three Ghosted Moonshadow elf characters with very different reactions to it:

The Convict: Redfeather is Ghosted for an unknown reason, but one she claims not to regret, she has essentially leaned in to it and rejected Moonshadow society and her previous identity in turn. Redfeather implies that many Ghosts react as she did and discard everything from their previous lives, including their names.

The Penitent: Tylluan is Ghosted for being kind of a shitty leader, and has come to accept their sentence while still deciding to work to fix their final mistake, not with the intent to reverse their punishment but to help their former community in the way they should have before. Tylluan is a bit weird about their name—it's possible the implication is supposed to be that the closer they get to their goal of fixing their mistake, the more comfortable they feel reclaiming it? They go by Feathershawl for the entirety of "The Lost Oasis," but then switch to saying they prefer to be called Tylluan at the start of "The Gloaming Glade." (It's noted that "most elves" refer to them as Feathershawl, whatever that means.)

The Martyr: Rayla, of course, is Ghosted for a misunderstanding of what was actually an incredible sacrifice on her part, for which she still blames herself rather than her community, but still holds to her identity and (it seems) the hope that one day she can return. Rayla, as far as we know, never even considers the possibility of abandoning her name.

Ghosting appears to be very localized to individual communities, since Tylluan, for example, is invisible only to the people of the town he was exiled from—a Moonshadow PC is not indicated to have any problem seeing him. Mechanically, it's something that can be done to an individual in absentia by all of the community members undergoing a ritual, but it's not clear if this is the only way to do it or if it can be performed on the individual instead (which seems like it would be more efficient, at least).

(I will note that there are a lot of things that make absolutely ZERO sense about ANY of this, such as the fact that a Ghost can still enter their community and simply cannot be seen or heard—but can still affect their surroundings. I, for one, would hesitate to punish someone in that way simply because APPARENTLY THEY CAN COME BACK AND FUCK WITH YOU AND YOU LITERALLY CAN'T STOP THEM IN ANY WAY. Maybe there's some intricate thing going on that prevents a Ghost from doing actual harm to the community that exiled them and its members, and Tylluan is able to affect things in the Hollow Wood because they are acting in its defense, but... that's really needlessly complicated, imo.)

Following the very community-centered nature of Ghosting, Tylluan can be un-Ghosted depending on how "The Gloaming Glade" plays out, so we know it's both reversible and, again, basically subject to the whim of overall community majority attitude. This very localized status is interesting, since it implies that Moonshadow communities are not only insular with regard to other elves, but even with regard to other Moonshadow elves. Unless there's a way to detect if someone has been Ghosted by a community, it wouldn't be quite as devastating to just... pick up and go to another community. The implication here, I think, is that moving between communities is regarded as generally suspicious unless there's a negotiated reason (marriage, training in a trade, etc.)—you can't just show up, because you will presumably be actively rejected.

Finally, the fact that we know Ghosting can be reversed makes Moonshadow justice in general just... even more bonkers. I feel like one of two things has to be true: either a) there's some kind of super-Ghosting that is used for actual severe crimes and expels the individual from ALL of Moonshadow society, not just their local community, or b) Rayla is actually correct in her somewhat naive assumption about Redfeather's crime being a circumstance similar to her own, where she was served a legalistically simplistic punishment over a very complicated situation with mitigating circumstances. ADDITIONALLY, Rayla is, or is at least willing to believe that she is, STILL GHOSTED two years after it has presumably come out that she SAVED THE DRAGON PRINCE'S LIFE AT LEAST TWICE. Did Zubeia just like... not dispatch that memo to the Slivergrove, because it kind of seems like the least she could do, given that it was on her order that the assassins were sent in the first place? Is the Slivergrove SO insular that it only accepts messages from even the fucking DRAGON QUEEN if they include assassination orders? The alternative is that everyone in the Silvergrove is so fucking insane that they heard all of that and were like, "yeah, but..." and let the punishment stand, despite presumably knowing Rayla since she was a baby. (Though to be fair, they probably knew all the assassins who died since they were babies, as well. But still.)

Now, maybe the happy alternate to that will be that they DID un-Ghost Rayla, but she's so self-hating that it doesn't occur to her that would ever happen without some further grand redemption gesture on her part, and they just literally couldn't find her to tell her that. (Ethari like "OH MY GOD RAYLA IF I EVER SEE YOU AGAIN YOU'RE GOING IN THE TODDLER LEASH FOREVER" and crying.) Maybe now that she's back in fairly static, predictable company (Katolis, Callum and Ezran, etc.) the news will reach her?

Anyway, TL;DR: Moonshadow Ghosting: still absolutely fucking insane, possibly the most bizarre thing we're supposed to accept about the setting.

#the dragon prince #moonshadow elves are the worst kind???? #i don't remember what that tag was for but tbh it fits

[trinoxtrinox]

Circumventing partial omniscience

Ectoberhaunt 2022, Side Chaos. Prompt: Coup.

Summary: Pariah Dark has become a megalomaniach warmongering tyrant, and must be stopped. But how can the Ancients begin anything if he has partial omniscience? Well, it's not as hard as it might seem at first sight.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Things were bad, very bad, and the realms wouldn’t be able to deal with it much longer. The Infinite Realms were destabilizing slowly but surely, and the mad conquest Pariah Dark begun centuries ago is taking its toll on everyone within it, not only affecting the veil between the realms, but also any ghost newly formed within this new dark era. Some ghosts dealt with this crisis by running away, others by hiding, many more simply bowed their heads in order to avoid getting themselves ended by the megalomaniac Ghost King, and the Ancients? The Ancients were sleeping.

However this didn’t mean that they didn’t want to do anything, the reason they were sleeping was due to their desire to have a reunion without the mad king knowing of their intentions. Within the realm of the dreams a round table was set up, tea was being served by an invisible hand and cookies remained at the center of it. Surrounding the table were all of the Ancients, Ancient of Time Clockwork, Ancient of Hope Pandora, Ancient of Medicine and Care Frostbite, Ancient of Life Undergrowth, Ancient of Weather Vortex, Ancient of Safety Marduk, and finally the owner of the dream realm everyone was residing in, Ancient of Dreams Nocturn.

“It is very rare for everyone present to allow themselves to come to my realm, it is such a pity that I won’t be able to weave precious dreams for any of you today”

“Worry not Nocturne, I’m pretty sure we can get everyone to sleep sometime soon.” Undergrowth comforted his friend a little, it is well known that for life to thrive they need to sleep a certain period of time, and as the Ancient of Life, Undergrowth also follows their patterns in order to be more attuned with them.

“While sleep and dreams are often important for maintaining one’s mental state healthy, I’m afraid that your dreams have a tendency to overextend themselves into a coma-like state, and those are not healthy, they actually indicate a problem that must be taken care of.” Frostbite offered a rebuttal, yet still maintained his amicable attitude against them.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to a few days of sleep causing mayhem with my tornadoes, but them leaving no consequences after their actions ruins half the beauty of my precious natural disasters.”

“We should return this meeting’s purpose back on track. We’re here to discuss how we’ll dethrone Pariah Dark.” Observant Marduk reigned in the conversation.

“Yes, I predict we only have 15 more minutes before he notices we’re all asleep in your realm and tries to make a move against you.” Clockwork relied the worst case scenario he could see at the moment, and that got everyone to shut up for a few seconds before Pandora opened her mouth.

“Well, I certainly hope that we’ll be able to find a solution to our problem with the mad king today.”

“And that’s our cue to start talking about a way to get rid of him. Any ideas?” Frostbite clapped his hands together, bringing everyone’s attention to him.

“I’d say we end him once and for all.” Vortex let his opinion be clear, his swirly tail reflecting his opinion of wanting to be done fast with this by spinning faster than usual.

“No, if we do that we’ll be forced to find a new ruler, and the realms are not ready for that, especially if we need to fix all the problems brought by the mad king first.” Observant Marduk shut down his idea.

“In that case a seal would be for the best. If we can find a way to trap him before he attacks us it would be for the best as well.” Undergrowth proposed next, smelling a flower he was holding in his hand all the while.

“That’s a brilliant idea, the thing is how to seal him though.” Pandora congratulated the plant ghost. After that comment she spun towards Clockwork, and everyone casted their gaze in his direction.

“I foresaw this possibility, and have already talked with Kagu-tsuchi in order to create something strong enough to contain the sealed Pariah Dark. I’m sure you’ll find it enjoyable as well Nocturne.”

“Oh? Are we putting the mad king to sleep then? I can’t say I won’t enjoy every single dream and nightmare he might have then.”

“Yes we are, according to Kagu-tsuchi, the Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep should be done in about 2 weeks, we need to resist until then and plan for a way to knock him out when the time comes so we can seal him away without any troubles.”

“Considering his ability to oversee everything that happens in the realms, that won’t be an easy task.” Ancient of Safety Observant Marduk noted

“But that doesn’t mean that it’ll be impossible, we just need to distract him.” Pandora, ever the strategist, proposed her idea. “We can’t do any concentrated attacks however, otherwise he’ll focus on us since we’d be the biggest threats.”

“So causing chaos throughout the whole realms? That’s exactly what I like to do .” A grievous smile appeared across Vortex’s face, him already imagining the different things he could do and incite.

“In order for us to knock him out we’d need to attack all at the same time at almost point blank.” Frostbite continued, “It’s feasible, but hard enough that we’ll have to coordinate very well before delivering the final hit so as to avoid giving Pariah any chance to strike back.”

“Once we wake up, come to my realm, I'll give everyone a communication flower so as to allow us all to talk with each other without having to depend on dreams like now.”

“I’ll make sure to oversee Pariah Dark’s movements.” Marduk said, separating himself from the round desk.

“Leaving so soon? And here I was going to say I’d go to Kagu-truchi to engrave some runes in the sarcophagus to incite sleepiness and keep whoever’s trapped inside in a deep slumber.”

“It is time for us to leave, Pariah Dark is beginning to be suspicious of some of us.”

“I’ll make sure to let my people know of the dangers that are coming afloat.” Frostbite finished the conversation, stood up as well, bowed to everyone, and woke up. Everyone else soon followed his example. It might not begin today, but soon the crown will be put in eternal sleep and the realms will be free of the reign of the mad king.

#Ectoberhaunt22 #EH Chaos #Day 21 #Coup #Danny Phantom #The Ancients #Clockwork #Nocturne #Pandora #Undergrowth #Vortex #Frostbite #Observant #Pariah Dark is talked about

[goblin-writer]

Tracking the Passage of Time

Ruins always seem immutable.

Stone pillars and arches burst from beneath the grass. Some collapsed, others proud and tall. Bottle are scattered amongst the grass and their bases, remnants from some late night revelry. And through it all the soft sigh of the wind flows towards those that would make their way through this decrepit corpse of history.

A circle of small, grey stones sits next to a dark, almost invisible path. Black charcoal, long cold belies the bursts of activity that flare up when time and mood permits. It is not that the ruins are malevolent, but in the shadows, hidden from moonlight sticks, roots, and grasses all seem to bend towards travellers.

You meant to be back by sunset, but the fading twilight had bathed the landscape in a fiery gold. Flickering through the leaves of the tulip poplar. Those leaves of green with hints of myriads of yellow. And now the stars were out.

Brilliant and aloof. Casting their ancient rays around you. The sight that had held such calm at day now transformed. Those stone pillars and arches, no longer so certain. Undulating tentacles reaching toward the sky. As if just below you a monstrous beast was clawing its way to the surface.

The way out lay beyond a dell of those self-same trees, interspersed with tall, dense bushes. And as you wandered in, toward the lights of the city and safety of home you could not help but feel noticed. By what or whom you could not say. Rumours had always swirled.

Rumours.

Rumours of lavish bacchanalian excesses.

Rumours of blood on the wind. Screams in the ground. Promises to something.

As thoughts swirled so did the fog. Those bushes, obscured in the dwindling moonlight. And hollow wooden whistles were picked up by the wind from somewhere behind you.

But a foggy dell and crying wind are symptoms of the woods. And those ruins funnelled sighs toward you. None of this was unusual, and maybe nothing would have been. But there is one vice all people have. Curiosity.

Was this all really just your mind playing tricks?

It wasn’t difficult to answer that question. All you needed to do was look back. Surely, it couldn’t hurt.

Just look back.

For a moment.

The ruins were empty.

There was nobody there when you arrived or when you left.

So you look back.

And the fog changes. Thicker now, and tinged with that red of pomegranates. Laughter echoed in the dell as fires bloomed in the ruins. Creatures moved about. Horned and hooved and dancing in the ruins, with the heady smell of grapes.

Those bushes seemed to move in around you. Writhing, and hissing. You turn to leave. None of this is real. It cannot be.

From the corner of you eye. You see a tall figure in the woods. Striding through the undergrowth as if it isn’t there. Taller than any mortal. Piercing green eyes, and a cloak of Tyrian purple. Too substantial to be a fantasy. As was the figure that seemed to melt out of a tree on the other side. Yellow tentacles, tearing at the bushes, pushing the aside before a hooded yellow figure. With them a golden light envelopes you. And the two colours seem to crawl across your eyes.

You are not alone. And with certainty, as both figures fix you with their stares, you shall not be so – again.

The sun rises with you safely in your bed. Birds chirping outside your window. And next to you placed with unknown intent a book, wrapped in leather, and embossed a bushel of  purple grapes, and a two headed, golden sickle.

--

Than you @flashfictionfridayofficial​ for the propmpt. Can’t believe I managed to get this done between classes today. It was a load of fun.

#flash fiction #flash fiction friday #original writing #the king in yellow #dionysos #wanted to try my hand at 2nd person #not sure it worked out #I'd love to hear your thoughts #much love delicious reader

[evernoddingaudience]

This post is going to serve the purpose of stating what I know I experience, with regards to "plurality" or feeling as though I'm not the one in control of my actions. As far as I'm aware, I do not have a dissociative disorder and I am not identifying with being plural or single until further introspection and research allows me to better understand myself. I am doing my best to refrain from using any specific diagnoses or diagnosis-specific terms, as this is meant to be clarification about symptoms and issues only, without the bias of any psychiatric label.

So far, the best way to sum my understandings up is to say that I am divided between my internal and external selves. While I mostly identify with the internal part- the part where my consciousness and thoughts reside- my external self has gained such a level of automaticity that it doesn't need my input and operates almost autonomously, which then widens the split between myself. I generally refer to the external self as 'the other part' or 'my body'.

Additionally there may be other parts of myself that I am unaware of; I indeed have a suspicion that there's at least one more chunk of repression blocked off somewhere that I've not been able to find, though the amount of which it might affect me is unknown.

I find myself doing or saying things without being wholly aware of them, and only processing what has happened afterwards. I've never experienced dissociative amnesia (unless you count my childhood), but in stressful situations I often 'go away' in which I stop existing as a conscious entity. I cannot think or feel, I have no judgement or opinions- it's as if time has paused for me. My awareness that something isn't right depends on how stressed I am; if I'm extremely overwhelmed, not only am I not aware something is wrong, I'm not aware of anything. Only after I 'restart' when I've relaxed can I access memories during this time; I can picture the scene, I can remember the words and sounds, but they're distant and have no emotional impact no matter how intense the event was.

Yet, in the stressful situation I am still able to move. I can still speak, I still act and interact with others. I even still seem to make decisions. However, looking back at what happened, the decisions made would not be the ones I would make.

This may get ramble-y so I'll add a readmore:

Even when I am somewhat present, I never have full control. This other part of me has the ultimate say in what we do and what we say. There have been many instances, even in calm or relatively peaceful circumstances, in which I have wanted to say or do something and did not move despite clearly wanting to. This almost always only happens when other people are involved, and not when I'm alone. Commonly, I'm 'awake' but daydreaming instead of controlling the body, which is a whole other thing and also debatably affecting my sense of plural-versus-single but if I talk about that, it won't be in this post.

I have assumed a few things from the way I've acted outside of my intentions. The main goal of this other part seems to be safety (which makes sense, considering at least part of my issues are trauma based). 'Safety' is possibly understood by this part as what I have divided into a few different positions, ranked by how much they seem to be prioritized:

1) staying invisible, looking normal, and sticking to the status quo.

2) preventing intimacy or genuine emotional expression.

3) getting out of the situation, or at least getting through it.

First, my body employs a lot of autistic masking despite my wanting to just chill and behave naturally. This results in an odd experience in which I'm distantly aware of purposefully fixing my facial expressions and tone of voice and holding myself still but it's also not purposeful at all and is often not how I want to present myself.

Next, my body sometimes stays quiet even when I have something I want to add to the conversation. This is especially intense if the conversation is emotionally charged or if the thing I want to say might be too vulnerable. Additionally, if it apparently decides something hits too close to home, the body can even edit a script I've already thoroughly planned mid-conversation which... is not even something *I* can do, so??? I also am prevented from hugging or initiating physical contact if it comes from a place of actual want on my end (which, to be fair, is incredibly rare anyway).

Last is pretty self-explanatory. I always try to leave a situation if I can do so without being called out on it (because staying invisible takes priority), and if I can't, I just bear it. I don't meltdown or get visibly upset even when I feel like it's killing me inside, because that would draw too much attention. This one is not that abnormal and usually something my internal self already agrees with. The action isn't the problem here, it's the fact that I don't have a choice either way.

Crucially, despite everything I've said above, I feel no personhood from this part. I don't hear any distinct voices, no alien feelings, no frustration or disappointment when I try to fight against it. I don't think it has any sort of identity or agency of its 'programming', so to speak. I can't get into its space or understand its reasoning and it does not feel like me but it also doesn't feel like anyone else.

(As an aside, I'm gonna feel like an asshole if I ever find out that I've been trash talking an actual person/alter this whole time lmaoooo)

One of the hardest things about this, and the reason that I've only recently been bothered enough to look into it is because it's also just so helpful. It's so necessary for me to function enough to live. I can't speak without extensive scripting, I can't deal with ever-changing plans and schedules, I can't deal with the sensory overload of screaming children, I wouldn't entertain casual friendships, I wouldn't agree to the social outings or activities that get me out of the house... Etc.

Beyond the external help, I feel it's also necessary for me as a being. My internal self just feels so weak. I don't know what else to call it. I feel like if I ever fully surfaced and had to even look at someone in first-person point of view, it would kill me. It would wash me away, engulf me, and erase me in any way that matters. I just don't think my sense of self is strong enough to face other people.

If I'm paying attention to myself, there is a clear distinction between this phenomenon and executive dysfunction. Executive dysfunction feels like a “can’t” whereas this feels like a “won’t”. When I struggle with the former it’s usually related to task initiation and lack of momentum, and there’s always a reason even if that reason would seem silly to someone who doesn't experience it (i.e. there's too many steps, I don't know where to start, I'm sitting down and I need to be standing, I've arbitrarily decided I can't do this until XYZ happens, etc.). When my body decides for me though, I don't struggle initiating; I can get up and move and I can start a conversation but I am stopped or redirected (or perhaps I should be using active voice "I am stopping or redirecting myself"?) when trying to do certain things. The two symptoms may both be present when I'm not doing something, but there's a clear internal distinction between them. Not to mention, it doesn't explain the time when my body decides to add actions and words.

As with the previous paragraph, there also seems to be a distinction between this phenomenon and autistic masking. Autistic masking is a bit hard to define because it's more of a personal experience that changes based on one's environment. Masking is intentional. That doesn't mean it's always conscious or voluntary, but at some point you decided to imitate certain actions and modify your behaviors for some reason or another, typically as a child. If you can bring awareness to yourself and your actions, you can stop the masking, though sometimes this takes practice to do this consistently. There are several ways I do mask, both through the conscious part of me and the bodily part of me. If it’s my masking, while it may not always be a conscious effort initially, I can change the behavior if I notice it. If it’s part of my body’s actions, the effect I have is limited as with every other action my body decides to make.

I welcome any questions or comments anyone may have! I'm trying to better understand myself and clarify my experiences (and therefore learn what to do about them) so if you relate or have resources or whatnot, feel free to contribute

#syscourse #cluster a #schizoid personality disorder #szpd #madd #maladaptive daydreaming #actuallyautistic #um should i tag dissociative disorders ? #i only tagged syscourse for blacklisting purposes #I'd like opinions from people with DID/OSDD but idk what tags they use so I'll just leave it i guess #did #osdd

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

Gossip Girl Reboot 2x07: Quotes

- “Someone who knows the old you, the new you, and everyone in between. But what about the poor souls sans a tried and true? A ride or die? Especially those of you, who show up for yours, when they don’t bother showing up at all? For those, I have a little advice. No matter how close you feel to someone... how much trust you may have, how much you feel connected, in the end it doesn’t matter.” (GG)

- “How am I supposed to do that? I only report drama, I don’t create it. I am not playing God. (Kate) - You don’t play God, you are God. Jesus fucking Christ. And I can say that because He and I are good now. Oh, stop going for the heart. Go for the jugular.” (Georgina) 

- “After all, the road to hell is paved with the best intentions” (GG)

- “I helped you? No, no. That doesn’t ring any bells. You brought me food? No one died, Zoya.” (Monet)

- “It seems you’ve inherited his aptitude for kindness. Might I guess my daughter doesn’t appreciate this quality?” (Camille de Haan) 

- “I am trying to make an effort. Please. (Audrey) - You’re letting him off the hook.” (Julien)

- “You know, it has its privileges to know a Wolfe. Name any show and the best seats are yours. (Max) - Oh, I’d never take advantage of that. I mean, that should be for people who can’t afford it, not people who can, right? (Audrey’s dad) - Should we order some champagne? Hmm? (Max) - It’s not even 8:00 a.m.” (Audrey’s dad)

- “I’m officially resigning as relationship intermediary.” (Wendy)

- “On a scale of one to then... (Luna) - Less than zero. (Max) - Yeah. I mean, he liked me fine as her friend, but as her boyfriend? He, uh, he loathed me. I mean, I may as well have been a line cook or a busboy or a... (Max) - Entitled brat if you expected to be immediately accepted as the man debauching the apple of his eye? (Luna) - Yeah, but I am in her life now. Okay? She loves hime. She’s into me. How do I make this a transitive property? (Max) - Stop caring. (Luna) - This is my first relationship. It wasn’t easy getting here, and there is no way that I’m taking a backseat now.” (Max)

- “Next time I want a compliment, perhaps I should just pull you string and save you the effort. I don’t mind the smell of sweat. But you... You reek of desperation. And that is something I cannot abide. It’s always covering up for something, you know? Insecurity. Doubt. The feeling that you’re not worthy. Good game, Max. Maybe try a little less hard next time.” (Audrey’s father)

- “We are not some broken toys that need fixing, Julien.” (Audrey)

- “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, right?” (Audrey’s father fiancée)

- “Basic Blair and Serena are going to that whatever luncheon tomorrow. That’s when we get them to go full Chernobyl in public.” (Georgina)

- “I did it because I care about you. (Julien) - You don’t care about me, Julien. You care about me caring about you.” (Audrey)

- “Every head is turning for you, while I’ve become the invisible Max.” (Max) - I told you, the key is to not care. (Luna) - I used to never care. Now I care too much about everything. I’m broken. I... This relationship’s broken me.” (Max) - You’re not broken. You’re growing. Will matters to Audrey, so therefore he matters to you. The problem is, you think you have to be someone else to get you to matter to him. You don’t. (Luna) - You know what? Giving a shit ends now. Messy Max is back.” (Max)

- “How do you know if you can trust someone despite their reputation?” (Zoya)

- “They have Krug Grande Cuvée at the bar. You seem like someone who doesn’t settle. (Luna’s love interest / cute boy) - And yet you think you have a shot? (Luna) - So, no fucks given and still no progress. (Max) - Has it ever occurred to you that it’s okay if not everybody likes you? (Luna) - Has it ever occurred to you that it’s okay if someone does?” (Max) 

- “Because anything you try to do always fucks up, Julien. (Audrey) - This isn’t my fault. (Julien) - It never is. It’s Jessica’s or Obie’s or Zoya’s or Gossip Girl’s, but you’re never the one to take the blame. Do you ever stop for a second and think what the common denominator is when something malfunctions? It’s you. Always you. Every time. (Audrey) - That’s not fucking fair. (Julien) - Maybe it’s not, but it’s true. You can never take a back seat. Sit something out for once. Let a single fucking thing happen without making it into your own show. A shitshow written by, directed by, and starring you. But I am done. I am not buying a ticket anymore. I want you to stay away from me. You’re just... you’re just too toxic.” (Audrey)

- “She’s gone. She’s really gone. You’re a genius. (Kate) - Oh, I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just... fluent in crazy. We spoke it at home growing up.” (Wendy)

- “Wow. I can’t... I can’t believe that I spent the last two days trying to get you to like me. Because that was never gonna happen, was it? Because you don’t even like yourself. And you are determined to make everyone around you miserable as a result.” (Max)

- “MDH stirring a little shit like the little shit she is. Sex-shaming poor little Z? Monet must really be over if she’s pulling such a millennial move. (GG) - Siding with a sex shamer? Even Gossip Girl has standards.” (Luna)

- “Can you get through one party without some childish stunt? It’s bad enough you crashed, but you had to add misogyny to the mix? (Camille de Haan)

- “This semester’s power grab has been powered down. The only queen we’ve ever cared about is Calloway. Monet de Haan, you’re dismissed.” (GG)

- “Honestly, fuck it. No matter what I do, I get nowhere. (Julien) - Yeah, Tell me about it.” (Obie)

- “Hey, maybe we can remind each other of who we used to be.” (Zoya)

- “I mean, maybe there is an evil genius inside of me. (Kate) - You like to be right, not rotten. What do you have in mind? (Wendy) - I wanna be an apex predator. Which is what I should have been doing all along. No more Harriet the Spy. It’s time for Jurassic Fucking Park.” (Kate)

#quote #quotes #citation #quotation #gg reboot #gg reboot 2x07 #gossip girl reboot #gossip girl reboot 2x07 #gg reboot quotes #hbo gg