#thank you for this very interesting question though!!! it was a joy to figure out the Piepoe reaction ^^

[pinkestmenace]

WOOOO! Done just in time! @kirbyoctournament

Name: Olympea, the Pummeling Peacekeeper

Gender: She-himbo, She/Her

Age: Never ask a woman her age! (She's an adult.)

Occupation: Warrior/Hero of Yore

Species: Puffball/Starborn/Star Child/whatever the Kirby species is called.

Uh-oh, due to a temporal anomaly the Hero of Yore Olympea suddenly finds herself transported alive and well from Ancient Halcandra to the Kirby OC tournament! She doesn't know what's going on, but she'll roll with the punches and treat it like a fun dream vacation of sorts. She does like meeting all sorts of new people and trying new foods, weapons and technology. She'll have so many stories to tell her friends when she returns! It's probably for the best if she doesn't learn what disaster befell the four heroes in the regular timeline, though...

Some ground rules, just in case:

I would love seeing people's OC's interact with her! Asking Olympea questions is okay, but this is not an ask blog/rp blog and I'm not looking for extended roleplay. I may not answer your question. If I see potential for an interesting interaction I may draw it, but I can't promise anything. (Keep in mind if I don't respond right away -> 1: I'm timid and get anxious easily. 2: I may not have figured out that part of her story/the history of Ancient Halcandra yet. 3: The answer would have contained a spoiler for my fics. 4: I'm very slow at drawing.)

I'm joining this tournament for fun, so thank you for understanding!

Overview:

While she's not very big, intellectual or attuned to magic, she is unbeatably chipper and physically strong. She loves fighting and gleefully uses a variety of lovely accessories/weapons like a giant club, enchanted glaive, magitech gauntlets, etc. Her left glove allows her to access a dimensional storage. Teases hard, punches even harder. Actually quite feminine when off the clock. Loves magitech gadgets a lot. Doesn't think science or magic is better, because their society needs both. She's definitely not insecure about her height. She'd also never conjure a giant squeaky hammer to bop you over the head if you call her short.

Likes: Vegetables, Nectar, Trying new foods, The colour green, Flowers, Butterflies and moths, Pretty/cool/badass women, Her club, Brass knuckles, Tinkering, New gadgets, Teasing her friends, Seeing a certain winged magenta knight open up and feel genuine joy

Dislikes: Being mistaken for a child, Being called stupid, Stuck-up people, Seeing her friends being hurt, Strangers flicking her antennae, How much dust and scales her wings leave behind

Abilities: Able to fly. Very physically strong. Innately has access to Suplex and Hammer, but mainly uses her trusty club. Her boots and gauntlets let her emulate elements of Hi-jump, Laser and Mecha. (The boosted jump, laser finger guns and palm blasts, respectively.)

Weaknesses: Can't fly quickly. Stubby little arms limit her great strength with little reach. Distractable and a little naive. Can't resist eating strange and exotic snacks no matter the source. Seeing cute girls (she HAS to show off).

Fighting Style:

Her gauntlets are good for punching and the palms can release blasts of energy as well. They're mainly so she can hold large weapons well, since her actual hands aren't very big.

Her moth wings aren't very big either, so while she can normally fly and can still break her fall when she's armoured, she prefers to zip around close to the ground. It's often faster and easier to run and jump when she's fighting. Especially when she's wielding her heavy club. Her boots help her boost and maneuver quickly.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that because she prefers close range combat and isn't proficient with magic she can't attack at a distance. Her gauntlets possess finger laser guns and she can use her left glove (which she also wears under her gauntlet) to access her weapon hoard at all times. Who knows what else she keeps in there?

Even her civilian outfit isn't harmless. She still has access to her innate Suplex and Hammer abilities, after all. And those shoes have steel toes! Of course, the platform heels are just to keep her delicate wings from scraping across the ground when folded. No other reasons. (Like being taller.)

Design Thoughts:

Olympea is the first of the Heroes of Yore who came to me. I was thinking about how to describe the Heroes of Yore and knew I wanted at least one to be a woman. Suddenly her name resounded through my head! Then I just started associating. Olympea sounds like Olympics, so she must be strong. Pea calls to mind small, round and green, so what if she's (mostly) the same species as Galacta Knight? Peas are famous for research on genetics and alleles, so what if she was born, not formed like him? Maybe she doesn't have a lot of magical affinity. Then she needs weapons. Pea, peace, pea shooters, peas in a pod, peacemaker, pea-smacker. Let's give her a hammer, no, a club! She's strong, so what if she packs a punch? How about some gauntlets for punching? She can have a gun, wait, let's put the gun (pea shooter!) in her gauntlet's finger! She needs storage for her weapon hoard (girl needs to accessorise!) so what if her enchanted gauntlets let her access dimensional storage (peas in a pod)? Hmmm, does she have wings? There's a bug called a pea moth, so she has moth wings now. Her ponytail is twisted like a dried pea pod and not-so-coincidentally looks a bit like a cocoon when down and a boxing glove while up in a bun.

I maaay have gone completely overboard with the whole pea thing, but such is life. Although there is a bit of Hammer Lord in there as well. She doesn't hate magic, she just doesn't have a lot of affinity for it. She does enjoy tinkering and building weapons. This is how she ended up relying mostly on technology instead of magic.

She's not a knight and has no mask, because while many people depict all adult puffballs as masked knights (probably influenced by the Star Warriors from the K:RBAY anime) I personally don't think this has to be universal for their kind. How sad it would be if all they were destined for was fighting! ...And then I made her a warrior anyway. Oh well.

#Joining fashionably late but I'm giving this a shot #kirby oc tournament #Olympea's Quest #HoY Olympea #Olympea #The heroes of yore #kirby oc #ibispaint #my drawing #my art #long post

[awakenthebeing]

Knock Knock

Hiii, I have a new question (and this is for one art for you again,mhm, I think I've got a hyperfixation on Piepoe,help-)

How do Piepoe will react to mirror? Does she will react normally or like a cat/dog (aggressive/with curiosity)? If she react normally - will she like to look at it, maybe to preen a little sometimes?

Actually, they can react both normally, without much reaction at all, or with negative thoughts/feelings toward the reflection. Sometimes she doesn't know if he's looking at himself, or at another clone, or at something else entirely. Mirrors are a bit confusing for it... and rarely can cause feelings of stress for no apparent reasons <:3

I think there are definitely some rare times, when the reaction to the reflection is calm, that Piepoe fixes their outfit or adjusts their hat, etc etc :3!

#Do i really look like that #Or is that a clone? am i looking at me or someone else #...i look fucking weird. #translations for Piepoe thoughts btw #thank you for this very interesting question though!!! it was a joy to figure out the Piepoe reaction ^^ #make sure to take it easy!! be safe and drink water and rest and eat food...!!! sending lots of love your way!! thank you again!! #💘💖💖💘💓💘💖💓💖💘💖💓💖💘💖💓💖💘💖‼️‼️‼️ #Piepoe arts

[writefightandflightclub]

Ride or Die (Santiago “Pope” Garcia x fem!reader): Chapter Two (of 11 - COMPLETED SERIES)

Series summary: Together, you and Santiago have been “soldiers” then “friends” then “lovers”; but can you ever figure out what comes next, especially when Santiago can’t (or won’t) stop running? 

Series genre: a LOT of tasty angst, tasty smut, best friends to… lovers?

Warnings: see series warnings, here. Please note this series is 18+ / NSFW / MDNI. Minors or ageless blocks interacting will be blocked.

Series info: this is a COMPLETED SERIES. Posting schedule and series masterlist are here. 

Author’s note: Thank you SO much for the response to Chapter One! And if you're still with it, I hope you enjoy chapter 2! It has been a LOOONNNNGGG time coming! 😆 This one is slightly shorter, with a bit of exposition to bridge between the OG instalment and the meat of our newly embarked upon continuation! The next chapters are where things really kick-off, but I do hope you enjoy this stoking of some tension, and, of course, finally seeing Santiago again - for the first time since the jarring conclusion to chapter one!!!!!! 

Word count: 4.8k for this part 

“It’s okay,” Frankie rumbles, looking at you levelly. “You can ask me about him.” 

You sigh, squirming in place - on the rear porch steps of your sister’s home - as your game is finally unmasked. Your pretense dashed. 

The hubbub of the lazy, Sunday BBQ is nothing but background to you now as Frankie zones in on your true wants, rendering you as an observer - rather than a participant - in the annual gathering you usually draw an abundance of joy from. 

Not so today, despite your best efforts at going through the motions. At pretending like everything is fine. 

Up to now, chatting idly with your bud in this safe little bubble, you’ve cycled through a gazillion conversation starters; each to emphasise just how interested you are in Frankie, and Whatever He Has Going On. Clearly though, you have failed to convince. Your friend simply knows you too well. Knows your weaknesses. 

Your one true weakness. Santiago “Pope” Garcia. 

You look at kind-eyed Frankie apologetically from beneath your lashes, sorry that your flimsy chat has failed to mask your disinterest in... um, whatever it was he was saying. 

“Shit, I’m sorry, Cat.” Then, so help you, you ask the question you’ve actually been burning to ask all day. “How’s he doing, Frankie? Really?” 

Confirming the shift in tone, Frankie sets his plate of food aside and nestles his bottle of beer on the corner of the lowest porch step. Now you’re having a conversation. The pilot tents his fingers together in his lap, giving your question the full merit it deserves. “Pope?” 

Who else? 

“He’s… fine,” Frankie nods, studying your face as he says the words. Noticing -no doubt- the way you chew on your lip as your gaze wanders, fixing on the man in question. As you watch him mingle comfortably, effortlessly, amongst the throng of people on the lawn. Making connections, as per usual. 

Your stomach drops. An unease jostles in the pit of you. The niggle of regret. 

You shouldn’t have invited the guys here today. Shouldn’t have agreed to have them be present at your family gathering. Shouldn’t have agreed to follow-up it up with a squad weekend at the beach house - no matter that it’s tradition. But, then again, who were you to disrupt the usual way of things? And, more so, who were you to pretend that you didn’t want to see him again? After all this time? 

In truth, you had wanted nothing else but to see him again. That is, until you had laid eyes on him, and then, very quickly, you had pivoted. Wanted nothing more than to keep your distance. 

Why? 

Because by all accounts it’s true. 

Santiago is fine. 

Santiago certainly looks fine. He looks fine in all senses of the fucking word. He looks as though he’s thriving, in fact. 

Your face falls at the implication: that he’s thriving without you. 

With effort, you hum, schooling your expression into something neutral; however, Frankie’s already on to you. “Is that what you wanted to hear, chiquita?”

You turn your head towards your friend and exhale a small, pitiful laugh. Pondering Frankie’s question, you set your own plate and beer down too – a signal that shit’s getting real. 

Is it? 

Is that what you wanted to hear? 

“I don’t know. I don’t know what I wanted to hear, Cat.” With a dejected sigh, you lean your head on Frankie’s shoulder, hooking your arm into the crook of his elbow. “Does that make me cruel? If I don’t wanna hear that he’s happy?” 

Your buddy doesn’t answer rightaway, but he does rest a reassuring hand on your thigh in response, his plush bottom-lip protruding as he pouts – apparently mulling over whether or not to throw you a bone. “Okay. Look,” he begins  - always a soft-touch for you - and you instantly perk-up just a little. “He had a rough spell when you left and-” Frankie huffs out air, shaking his head as though he might have gone too far in divulging already “-fuck, actually, you don’t wanna know.” 

You head snaps up from Frankie’s shoulder as it begins to shake with mirth, your curiosity piqued. 

“What?” you probe, as Frankie turns his head to look at you, a smile cracking his sharp features. Apparently, Frankie has a small part of him which is cruel too. “We stumbled upon his heartbreak playlist. And it was not pretty.” 

“Come on now,” you protest, a little too defensively, your mouth suddenly dry.  “I hardly broke the fucker’s heart.” 

Frankie pumps his eyebrows. Shrugs his shoulders. Then, his bark-brown eyes mist over, just a little. “More likely than you think, chiquita.” 

With that, your eyes flick right back to Santiago’s figure on the other side of the yard, as if trying to reconcile Frankie’s assertion with the reality you see before you. After all, Santiago “Pope” Garcia looks fine. In all senses of the word. 

Right this second, for example, he’s engaged in a highly tactical water fight with your kid nephews. About to enter the killbox any moment, you wager, given that 5 and 7-year-olds don’t seem bound by those pesky rules of engagement. His cargo shorts are – naturally - far too tight, and he’s wearing his crisp blue shirt as though he forgot what buttons did half-way through getting dressed, the fabric split in a deep, plunging “V” across his tan chest. 

Despite all that, however, the thing which captures your attention most, is the beaming, wide-open grin he has painted on his face. 

He looks... 

...Happy.  

Genuinely happy. The bastard. 

This is the first time he’s seen you since he stormed out of your apartment all those months ago. The first chance he’s had to make things right - and he hasn’t spoken a word to you all day. Despite being in your family’s yard. Eating your sister’s food. Playing with your goddamn nephews. You broke his heart, apparently. So Frankie tells you. And yet this fucker dares to looks happy. 

So… Is that what you wanted? 

For him to be happy? 

Without you? 

Or… is a small part of you cruel? 

You’re not sure about the answer to that question, but you do know that your eyes turn mildly devilish as they flick back towards your buddy, your voice hushed and downright conspiratorial. All of a sudden, you’re not concerned with being the bigger person. 

You decide you’ll willingly catch that bone Frankie is throwing. “Tell me more about this playlist, Francisco.” 

You need this, you justify internally. You need something. Some sign that Santiago is hurting too. 

You’ve needed this for months, in fact; but, goddamn - you especially need this before you and the squad spends a whole weekend together up at the beach house. 

You need it badly.

Why? 

Because you’re not fine. 

Not fine at all. 

Not fine without him. 

This is your family's yard, and it’s your family’s  party, and it’s the first time you’ve seen him since he stormed out of your apartment all those months ago… and you’re emphatically not happy about it. Have found that, despite what you had hoped for, your reunion hasn’t solved a damn thing. Hasn’t eased the knot in your chest. Hasn’t allowed you to feel any sense of resolution.

“Fuck.” Your eyes brim over with the realisation, wet and glassy, and a tight lump balls in your throat. 

“Come on,” Frankie mutters - softly but urgently - as your eyes begin to swim with emotion. He nods up towards the interior of the house, and you are endlessly grateful when, with minimal spectacle, your buddy bundles you inside, his arm slung casually around your shoulder for comfort. 

You’re not the retreating type. At all. You have always been comfortable running headlong into things that scare you. Even so, it is a marked relief when you do slink inside. A relief that you were able to save face. Keep your pain hidden. But, most of all, it is a relief that you no longer need to suffer Santiago’s abject joy. 

It is a relief in the same way it is to retreat from the blazing sun, and you immediately find sanctuary in the cool, shaded interior of the house. 

Still, given the tumult of emotions inspired by his general proximity today, you are less and less sure that you can handle this trip. 

The only thing pushing you to go through with it, in fact, is the knowledge that there’s one thing harder than being close to Santiago… and that’s being apart from him. 

Perhaps Frankie’s wrong. Perhaps you didn’t break Santiago’s heart when you left. But, one thing’s for sure. Leaving him had certainly broken yours.

Truth be told, even after all this time, you’ve barely begun to put yourself back together. 

You’re in pieces; which - to be fair - is always how Santiago liked to see you, isn’t it? 

A friend. A soldier. A lover.  

That’s the only way you can stand to view him now. In mere fragments. In the shrapnel of stolen glances; because trying to see him all at once? That’s like trying to stare directly at the sun. 

He is too bright for you and it burns. Even with all this distance. 

***

You’re surrounded by laughter and chatter, yet you feel an unease. An unrest in the pit of you. 

Will’s ballcap is tugged down over your eyes under the guise of staying warm - a flimsy excuse, considering the raging fire pit in the centre of you all, acting as the warm sun to your orbits of beer, passed amiably around from hand to hand via the cooler at Will’s side. 

Naturally, the conversation has veered sharply towards the crude - it reliably does when you are and the boys are all together. 

“For real, Pope. Since we’re, uh, sharing,” Tom interjects, already looking far too pleased with himself. “Do you ever play up the knee thing to… encourage women to go on top?” Tom’s question earns shocked titters from Will and Frankie and, despite yourself, a softly exhaled laugh from you. 

“Why are you so obsessed with me?” Santiago asks Tom with an assured grin, and, upon being subject to the group’s attention, he leans forward in his camp chair. He drains the dregs of his beer and tosses the emptied bottle into the gathering pile in the sand, the label already peeled off by his nimble fingers.

Tom presses him for an answer, and you see Santiago’s pearly flash of teeth glinting in the firelight. “Play it up, buddy?” Santiago emits a deep, throaty chuckle which bobs in his corded neck. The sound is echoed by the other boys too, the threshold for laughter pleasantly lowered by the alcohol. 

Their movements are growing increasingly pack-like - a little less measured and a little more instinctual. Less individual and more unified. Moving as a team even as they sit still, with their spread legs and dropped shoulders and dipped chins. Alert eyes glinting in the dark with each lick of flame. Their energy would intimidate you, you think, if you didn’t know them. If you didn’t feel safer here than anywhere else in the world.

Still wearing that grin, Santiago scoops his hand over his stubble, his finger and thumb tracing around his mouth. “It’s practically a pick-up strategy.” His voice is warm sand and it scrapes you. Leaves a mark. 

Frankie titters off to Santiago’s side - a chaotic, beer-addled laugh. To his other side, Will grins too, his laughter striking a robust and deep note, even whilst shaking his head as though he’s somehow above it all. Together, their sounds form a cacophony you can feel deep in your chest - like the rumble of bass from a speaker, or the subdued roar of the ocean. 

If they are a pack, you - for once - are at odds. You feel it now more than ever, and it jars you. You are hyper-conscious that no display of mirth falls from you; and, in fact, the corners of your mouth turn down. 

Instead, you dwell on this roar - this rumble and hum under your skin. If you feel like the tide, like you are being swept up, Santiago is your shore. Everything about him draws you in, and you feel you could wash him away with the force of your need for him. 

Regardless of that, you continue to do precisely what you’ve been doing all night. You try to bury everything. To subdue your feelings. To calm this frenzy deep in the pit of you. In this moment, thinking about Santiago pursuing people other than you - listening to the damn stories - you take that urge quite literally, digging your bare toes deeply and intently into the sand as though you could disappear wholly into it. 

But; even that reminds you. 

Everything reminds you. 

Santiago. 

You’ve thought of nothing else all night. 

How could you? 

And, you feel the lack of him. 

The roughness of the sand against your smooth skin is a poor substitute for the rasp of his stubble. For the grit of his voice against your throat. The warmth of the curling, licking flame is a poor substitute for his body heat. His curling tongue. His fingers. The way you bury your feelings has nothing on how he buried himself in you. 

You fall into memories, tacky and hot, tumbling, and yet Will’s voice rips you abruptly back to the present. 

“How in the hell do you spin that one, man?” he asks Santiago with a genuine curiosity, his ice blue eyes dancing with amusement.  

Santiago risks a sheepish glance at you then, as though sensitive that his prowess with women might offend you in some way; but your eyes simply glance off of his like a flung spark from the fire pit, desperate to turn towards the dark and rid yourself of any heat which he may ignite. Desperate not to linger on the way the shadows and the light pool across the harsh planes of his face. The way his dark eyes are flickering and alive, and entirely capable of burning. 

And so, Santiago continues, relishing his moment. “Come on. It’s easy,” he breezes. He clears his throat, fully readying to inhabit his role. He shuffles in his chair and changes his demeanour, his body language, his voice. Shifting and contorting himself until he is layered with seduction. His frame even grows bigger, bolder, his legs spread. Chin raised and eyes hooded with a slow, sultry blink of those long lashes. 

Even this performance of heat hurts you; burns. Burns brightly enough that you have to look away from him before your skin is singed by it. “Hermosa,” he rasps, voice pleasantly scuffed by beer and smoke, the sound so rough and gritty you swear you can feel it scrape your skin. Your core clenches around the full, deep, dark tones of him, as though they alone could fill you.

The fire throws out careless sparks like cracked whips, and, like them, you cling to a dying heat. This vestige of the way he spoke to you in the dead, dark night at one time, your bodies all salt-slick skin. “You’re right,” he purrs, and you see that his body has shifted - angled towards Tom. 

You feel embarrassed. You feel alight, as though somehow, they could all find you out in this moment. Could sense the wet slick pooling between your legs. Smell it somehow. Like all of a sudden their eyes will converge on you and they will know - hear the flutter of your pulse in your throat. Sense the throb building in your core. Feel you barrelling from dull ache to desperation. 

“About what?” Tom asks, playing along as Santiago sneaks a hand up his thigh. 

Santiago’s smile is lopsided. Charming, but full of challenge. “Thinking that I’m a bad idea.” He’s hamming it up, for sure, but the syrup and grit in his voice is taking you right back there all the same. Right back to between those sheets, and a disobedient heat snakes down your back. 

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” 

“Well,” Santiago offers with faux regret, voice husky, and you can’t help but lift your eyes back to him. Can’t possibly look anywhere else now. Can’t help but observe the smirk twitching his appealing mouth and the way his thick brow arcs up. “‘Cause my knees are shot from years in the military, so I’m afraid you’ll have to get on top and ride me senseless.” 

God in heaven.  

Looking at him was a mistake, even like this. Even as he feigns seducing Tom, of all people. There’s just something about the rough edge layered into his voice right now. Something about the firelight painting his sharply-angled face with shadow. The flickers causing his smouldering eyes to glint with an echo of that formidable, latent heat. 

You feel this vestige of warmth in you ignite. Feel it begin to blaze and catch. You feel memories of him, his skin, his touch, amassing grain by grain. Ever so suddenly you are the shore now. Parched. A hot, baking expanse seeking its relieving tide. 

God, you want him. 

You feel your core shiver around the memory of him slipped into you, deep and dirty, teeth on your throat, and it’s almost too much to take. 

You need him, even though you’re still so damn angry with him. 

Or… no. No, that’s not it. Yes - you want him because of it. 

You need to fuck the residual anger from beneath your skin, for it has festered there for months now. Months, and you need it to move. Need it to give. Need it slaked and sated and gone. 

It’s not a healthy desire, you think, and you feel a little shame at that. You are grateful then - as Santiago effortlessly drags you back into the inescapable pit of him - that the boys’ laughter tears you abruptly from this impossible yearning. Gives you a lifeline. Reminds you where you are. How far you’ve come. 

You got out. And that meant leaving him behind too, didn’t it? 

“You’re such a fucking dog, man,” Will snickers. 

The chair over, Frankie’s shoulders are shaking with laughter too, his head tipped up to the sky and his eyes disappeared with it. You wish that you could laugh like that. That you could feel light, but instead you feel heavy and sick. 

“That works?” Tom asks incredulously, and you take another hasty swig of your beer, the froth hissing against your lips and a hoppy taste flooding your tongue. You briefly wish it was something stronger.

“Don’t go getting ideas, Tom,” Santiago says smugly, slapping his buddy emphatically on the thigh. “Works when I do it.” 

Oh, you bet it does. You bet it works. 

Tom throws Santiago a stink-eye then, before sitting slightly taller in his chair, his face contorting in a clear attempt to smoulder. “My knees are shot from years in the military...” Tom echoes, trying to inject a similar level of grit into his voice... and, the contrast? The failure? It is… an instant relief. 

Tom’s attempt is laughable, in fact. And so, when your favourite pilot’s dense, throaty chuckle sounds out to your side once more – this time, you can’t help but crack a smile too. Indeed, the laughter which spills out of you is a welcome vent, and so you reach for it wholeheartedly. 

There is an eruption of good-natured, teasing banter from the boys now - and Tom looks miffed that his attempt to tease Santiago has almost entirely backfired. Then, grasping for this welcome escape route a tad too eagerly, perhaps, you submit your own dig. “You might wanna run that script again. Give us a little less of that insurance infomercial vibe next time, buddy.” 

Frankie can barely breathe from laughing now, his hand coming to clutch his belly, and it’s pleasantly infectious. The atmosphere is safe and cocooning and familiar, and for the first time tonight you almost forget. You almost forget the thing that you haven’t been able to forget for months. That Santi isn’t touching you, and that, God; you need him to. 

But then, your relief is snatched from you all too suddenly. “Well sure,” Tom aims, his shot primed to land. “You would know how it goes, right? First hand? Did Pope use that line on you too, right before he and that guy from the bar practically double-dipped you?” 

The group fucking brace. 

You can feel it. 

It’s the exact same energy as when you’ve all grabbed for purchase in the helo or the humvee, right before a collision. The world seeming to flow in slow motion, your stomach being tossed up in the air and rolling as you lurch and sink.  

Most of the time, sure. You pride yourself for being able to take the boys’ banter on the chin. For having a thick skin. For being able to muster a scathing comeback, rolling off your tongue without a thought. 

But this? This has you beat for a second. This has a sinkhole opening up in your middle.

You meet Will’s eyes for a split second in desperation, but he looks at you helplessly, and you know. You know you need to say something. You know you need to, before they witness -before he witnesses- you falling apart. Before you let your silence reveal that you’re not over Santiago. That this hang isn’t ‘just like old times’. Not like ‘before’. That maybe, it can never be how it was again. 

Finally, something comes to you, and you grab for it; once again, a little too eagerly. “At least I got some, Tom. I doubt you could even seal the deal these days.” You push the words out and hope they sound light, even as you feel a tremor in your body. In your throat. Even as you feel Santiago’s eyes on you without looking. Can imagine them, dark and knowing, and worst of all… apologetic. Maybe even pitying. “Oh hey! Just like your ‘career’ in real estate!”

“Ohhhhh shiiittt,” is the prevailing sentiment from the group, hands flung up into the air as Tom realises he’s just been owned by your spectacular throwdown. 

Good, you think. Good. You’re glad the asshole’s getting his comeuppance but, even so, your petty victory does little to fill the hole in your chest, your heart still hammering and your fingers still trembling subtly against the cool, wet neck of your beer. 

To your surprise though, Tom doesn’t even bite back. Not this time, and that makes you feel even more annoyed, somehow. It makes you feel as though your anger is misdirected. As though Tom’s not the asshole here. As though he’s not the dude you’re fuming at after all. 

Still, your comment served its purpose well enough, you think, as steady, safe banter erupts again. You are pleased that you avoided the full impact of this collision, brakes slammed on as you still teeter on the cliff edge; but your heart feels bruised and rattled in the roll cage of your chest all the same. 

Mainly though, you are pleased that you are no longer the focus of everyone’s attention. However, your skin warms when you notice one man’s eyes remain on you, his gaze fixated and hooded and intense, and a shiver of heat dips down each notch of your spine. 

You look away. You tug Will’s cap a little further down over your eyes and you wait. You wait for the topic to shift so that you can excuse yourself without the cause being quite so obvious. You wait, until you can’t take the heat from this fire a second longer. Then, and only then, you make your excuses and dip out, retreating into the empty, quiet shell of the house. 

You pad into the kitchen, the cool interior immediately relieving against your hot skin, gooseflesh snaking down your arms and making your hairs stand on end. The dim light is certainly a respite from the searing brightness of the fire and the sting of the smoke in your eyes. But most of all, of course, it is relief from him. 

Santiago. 

It’s rough. Rougher than you expected. You simply can’t take this distance from him. You’d thought, before, that the miles between you - between here and Colombia - had been hard to reckon with. But this distance? The vanishingly small distance where he’s right here yet has never felt further out of your reach? That’s a thousand times harder. This petty distance – this rupture, this wound – hurts far more, because it feels far harder to heal. Far more festering than a clean break, and seeing him has already torn out every self-applied suture. 

You don’t like that things seem to have been irrevocably changed. You don’t like that your two bodies - which used to be so in sync - are now so awkward around one another. Purposefully aloof, rather than tactile. Remaining so separate, rather than together. 

It has been slowly amassing all day, the weight of this pain. Of this lack. And now, after feeling the absence of his touch so intensely - of that blessed togetherness- ironically, you finally need a moment alone. 

You cross the room and fold yourself over the kitchen counter, hinging at the hips. You rest your head in your hands, laying your forearms flat along the cool, marbled surface. 

For a brief moment, it is even a relief. You breathe deeply. Put him out of your head. But, after only one moment more you find yourself missing the pain. You’ve become fond of it, in a way. You haven’t been able to let go because, in truth, you’ve wanted to feel the continued burn of this loss - like a scar.

It is the only proof you have left that he touched you at all. 

That you came close to having something with him. Within touching distance of it. 

But now… 

You sigh deeply. You hate this torment. You hate not knowing how to be around him. The way the familiar is recast as unfamiliar. Your certainty now uncertainty. Your home now a hotel. 

You’ve spent the whole day so far keeping your distance. Talking only to the group, always some buffer of Tom or Will or Frankie in between you. Always leaving one seat between your bodies. Avoiding prolonged eye contact. Going out of your way to make sure the two of you were never left alone.

Being left alone with him is the last thing you want; and the first, of course. 

And, as if on cue, a low whistle sounds from behind you. You know the sound without looking, and your body stiffens. “An ocean view and now this?” Santiago jokes cautiously as he approaches behind you, clearly faced with a perfect view of your ass as you fold over the counter. “Pretty sweet deal. You should get Tom in on this real estate action. He might actually sell something.” 

Despite everything, all of it, you can’t help but laugh at that. You appreciate the dig at Tom a hell of a lot more than you should, actually. 

“Listen. Are you… alright?” Santiago asks next, much more softly. You hate the way his voice prickles the hairs on the back of your neck; but also, you don’t hate it at all, of course. 

You inhale and stand, pushing your torso up from the counter. You look up to the top of the cabinets, not blinking until the would-be tears have dried, and only then do you turn towards him. 

Santiago. 

Only then do you face your sun, praying that you will not be singed.  

All day, you have had a buffer in between the two of you. Clouds, to dim his brightness. But now, it is just you and him, alone in the kitchen of the beach house. 

This bland domesticity sure is a far cry from the field, yes. From your original shared domain. But, it also serves as an all too painful reminder of the last time you saw him. Of the last time his lips moved against yours. Of the last time, in that kitchen, that he’d had you. Taken you, bunched up naked against the fridge as he filled your slick heat with his fingers. As he kissed you and tongued you and claimed you back, as if he ever intended to keep you. 

It is a reminder of the time he had told you he loved you, and with finality, you had both realised that it still might not be enough.

You turn towards him, finally, and you brace. 

Brace like you’re about to collide. 

Like there will be an impact when your eyes meet.

Your brace like you’re expecting hot tempers, hot feelings, hot words. Wounds splitting and salt being rubbed in. 

Still, that’s not at all what you get. 

Instead, Santiago’s eyes are as wet as your own. All of his boldness and bluster is gone, and he’s standing on the very perimeter of the room as though he is the one who dares to venture no further. As though you might burn him if he gets too close. 

“I missed you,” he rasps, and despite the softness and the sincerity of the words, they feel like a rough struck match against your skin. 

You try desperately. Try desperately to fling this offered spark away before it catches, but it is futile. 

He missed you, and his admission already has you blazing for him. 

He’s standing mere feet from you.

And, despite everything, all you can think about is closing this oh so petty distance. 

#santiago pope garcia x reader #triple frontier #oscar isaac #ride or die series #santiago pope garcia

[drdemonprince]

thanks for your response to my question about knowing what you want. that's broadly what i've been trying to do, though dealing with long covid and being very conscious of not getting it again makes in-person stuff... tricky. i've been trying to do something nice just for myself for my birthday (in kind of a reclaiming manner, as it was a very much not good day for most of my life) and was completely blanking on the question. (i have a lot of difficulty imagining things i've never done/experienced for some reason.) guess i'll keep on taking baby steps and hopefully figure this out better sometime

It's *very* common for Autistic people to have trouble imagining themselves doing something they have never done before. I once had a HUGE meltdown at the doorsteps of a haunted house because I had no idea what the floorplan would be, when actors would be jumping out at me, how long the experience would be, or anything else to expect. I NEVER went to half of the gay clubs in town until someone I was seeing finally brought me, and I finally learned what to expect of going to a bar on my own. I truly did not conceive that public spaces were "for me" just as much as they were for anyone else. I experienced most of the world as this shadowy, forbidden world that I could not understand and did not have permission to access until pretty recently, in the grand scheme of things. And I certainly felt immensely guilty having a birthday and DARING to want to do anything for it, especially not something everybody would like.

But there is a way out of this! One of the ways is to simply try new things - there is no true self inside of us with hidden true desires and habits that we can just magically find and unlock, rather the self is an active becoming, a process of trying new things that sound appealing or that we simply wish to learn more about, and potentially becoming the type of person that does them (or, conversely, learning something about ourselves in the process if we try something and find we do not like it).

If you cannot imagine yourself experiencing joy, happiness, belonging, you can probably at least be curious about something. This was how I became a furry: I was intrigued by the idea of Furfest, and so I went. I didn't consider myself a furry when I went. I didn't put any pressure on myself to enjoy it or to belong there. I considered myself something of an anthropologist studying a cool subset of human culture when I first attending in 2018. While I was there, I also decided that trying on some antlers in the dealer's den might be interesting. It turned out I liked it, and I grew closer with other people in that community too. Eventually through repeated adventures and trials it became a thing I enjoy. Most of my hobbies and passions have evolved similarly -- I wrote a short story because I was bored, and then years later I had lots of writer friends and a career, I attended a local comedy show because I had nothing to do, and then I tried out for one, and then I was in the comedy scene.

We are what we do, and that means that who we are can always change. It can always expand and deepen. If we cannot currently access much joy or genuine passion, we can find it -- by pursuing new things and taking an interest in life, in whatever ways we can. And of course, if you are Autistic, I do recommend doing research and googling about various spaces and subcultures and social mores in advance, so you know a little bit more of what to expect, which will help the concept of going to crystalize more in your mind. But there's nothing quite like trying it!

Let me know what you decide to try as a birthday adventure for yourself. Good luck!

[circle-with-me]

Where Do We Go From Here?

Pairing: Joakim "Jolly" Karlsson x ofc (fem reader)

Content Warning: 18+ MINORS DNI, voyeurism, vaginal fingering, mentions of smut, if i missed anything let me know.

Taglist: @thesazzb, @tearfallpixie, @synthetic-wasp-570, @nerdraging4point0 (thanks to them for cheering me on and dealing with me being a complete psycho as I freaked out over posting this. You're the best)

Author's note: This is the first thing I've ever written, or at least written and shared with multiple people. I don't have a clue what I'm doing but I'm kind of proud of it, so I hope you all enjoy it :)

PART 2

You’ve known Jolly for years. You met him not long after he moved to the area, striking up a conversation in a bar one evening. After hitting it off he had invited you to come watch his band play the following weekend. At first, you thought it was an attempt to get you in bed but when he caught up with you after the show he seemed genuinely interested in your opinion. You couldn’t help but find it adorable how nervous he was waiting for your review of his band’s performance.

As you gave him your very serious but glowing seal of approval, you watched Jolly’s once nervous features transform into pure joy. His infectious smile soon caused you to smile back at him and Jolly picked you up in his arms hugging you tightly. He laughed at you as you squealed from the unexpected bear hug. You spent the rest of the night parked on a cliff eating fast food and talking about anything and everything. You only realize how long you’ve been talking when you see the sun come up.

And then suddenly, Jolly was in your life. He would come over after you got home from work, and you’d make dinner and watch movies. The two of you would spend most weekends together; drinking, going to shows, or being useless couch potatoes. You were friends; best friends, never crossing any lines. Cuddling on the couch was the most “touchy-feely” the two of you would get and even then, Jolly would keep his hand on your upper arm or your head softly playing with your hair. 

It got to the point where the two of you spent so much time together that you questioned whether your friendship was affecting his love life. You had seen him with girls in the past, but they had mostly been one-night stands or short flings. None of them had lasted longer than a couple of months. You tried to make yourself scarce when a new one came along. You figured they didn’t want their boyfriend’s girl best friend hanging around much. Jolly always made a point to hunt you down, though, asking you why you were disappearing on him. 

“I don’t know” you’d say, shrugging. “I’m just trying not to interfere with your love life.” Usually, he’d roll his eyes and tell you to stop being ridiculous, but this time was different. This time when you said it his gaze fell from yours to your lips and back. The action was so quick you could have blinked and missed it. He pulled you into a hug and placed a kiss on the top of your head. 

“Ah, Käraste.” He said quietly into your ear. “You are my love life.”

Then, one night, after a particularly difficult breakup and a little too much to drink he kissed you. Kissing Jolly wasn’t at all what you expected it to be. You didn’t expect it to happen whilst inebriated in a poorly lit alley. You also didn’t expect it to be as soft as it was. You assumed it would be somewhat rough like his calloused hands. Instead, it was gentle and way too quick for your liking. He pulled back and ran a hand through his hair. 

“I’m sorry.” He sighed, staring at the ground. “I shouldn’t have done that.” 

You grabbed his chin gently to make him look at you, running your thumb lightly over his bottom lip. Jolly had one arm next to your head as he leaned against the wall behind you watching you intently. With your other hand, you grabbed him by the belt loop of his jeans and pulled him closer to you. He groaned as his hips slotted into yours and he pressed his hardening cock against your core. Your lips crashed together, and it wasn’t long before he had flipped you around against the wall and was fucking into you like it was his only purpose in life.

The rest of the night had been spent in bed with Jolly slowly taking you apart and putting you back together. Over and over again until you both fell asleep, sated and exhausted. 

After that, you were inseparable. More so than before. Things were perfect the first two years, but you never made it to the third. Something had changed, but you weren’t sure what it was. The spark wasn’t there anymore. You both found yourselves spending more and more time apart. He was spending more time working on music and you spent your days on your hobbies and work. Neither of you could pinpoint what caused you to drift apart but after a few months and a lot of fighting, there was no denying that things weren’t getting any better. 

So, you broke up. You were both devastated but couldn’t figure out a better way. Thinking back on it, you could have tried harder, and gone to couple’s therapy. Something other than just giving up, but the damage had been done. Living life completely without Jolly had proved impossible. He kept showing up with food or a terrible movie to watch. You couldn’t resist going to his shows. Old habits die hard. The romance was gone but you were best friends first. That was where you’d settle. Best friends and nothing else. You could still manage that, right?

At least that was what Jolly had planned.

Now, a year after the breakup, he’s sitting in your living room trying to keep his composure. You’ve been with this dipshit a couple of months and seeing you with him makes his skin crawl. He can’t even remember the guy's name. Kyle? Andy? Kody? Something stupid. He just knows that this gangly pathetic excuse of a man is making out with you on the couch less than two feet away from him and he’s ready to implode. 

This evening was supposed to be a group movie night with the guys from the band included but they all bailed for one reason or another. Deep down Jolly knew that the guys were trying to push their friends back together. They had seen how much the breakup had affected Jolly and hoped that by passing on the movie night it would give the two of you some time to reconnect.

Unfortunately, none of them, especially Jolly, knew that you would invite your shit-for-brains boyfriend. 

So now he’s stuck on this couch with the two of you. You’re leaning into Connor’s (Tyler’s?) chest, and he has his arm around you. One hand is resting on the arm of the couch and the other is rubbing the outside of your thigh. 

Jolly tries not to stare, but you’re wearing those fucking shorts. They’re pink satin pajama shorts with a slit at the side seam. He knows you’re not wearing underwear with them either because you never do. He’s fucked you in those shorts so many times he’s lost count, bending you over the nearest surface he could find. Sometimes he’d pull them down over your ass but most of the time he’d just push them to the side and pound into you until you had drenched both the satin material and his cock.

Fuck, he loved those shorts.

You were wearing them on purpose, Jolly figured. You were in a completely different outfit when he arrived at your place earlier in the evening: an oversized t-shirt and black leggings. Your idiot boyfriend showed up right after with pizza and beer and ruined Jolly’s hopes for a quiet evening alone with his best friend. You gave him an apologetic smile as Chris loudly made his way into the living room with dinner.

Chris. That was his fucking name. Still stupid. 

The three of you were eating quietly on the couch. Well, the two of you were. Chris was blabbering endlessly about his day at work. This was the fourth job he’d had since the two of you had started dating a little less than six months ago. He had left everyone because they “didn’t understand him”. Jolly knew that was code for “I fucked around and got fired.” He wondered what the hell was so appealing about this guy.

Chris continued along with his animated storytelling, his voice becoming even louder and more annoying every second. He started to wave his arms around, because how else do you get a point across? As he flailed his arms, he hit the beer bottle you’ve brought to your mouth, barely missing your lips and knocking it out of your hand. 

You stand up abruptly, gasping at the sudden sensation of cold beer in your lap. “Jesus Christ, Chris!” 

Chris just sat there, mouth agape, and laughing. “It’s not funny, you asshole.” Chris continued laughing as Jolly headed to the linen closet to get you a towel. 

“Thanks.” You mumbled quietly as you took the towel. Jolly nodded and sat down, glaring at Chris who was still quietly giggling. You cleaned the excess beer off your pants and the couch with the towel, annoyed at the fact you’ll have to deep clean your cushions later to avoid them reeking of cheap beer. 

“Babe I’m sorry, but that was funny.” Chris finally spoke. Jolly winced at his comment. Wrong thing to say. Both men watched as you slowly turned to meet Chris’ gaze. Jolly had been on the receiving end of that look on more than one occasion and was not envious of the man sitting beside him. 

You threw the now wet towel at Chris’ face. “You’re an idiot that needs to watch what the fuck he’s doing.” You hissed. Chris watched you wide-eyed as you stalked towards the stairs. “W-Where are you going?” He stammered. “I’m not going to sit all night in wet clothes reeking of beer, am I?” 

“Why bother changing? You could just strip here. I’m sure Jolly wouldn’t mind, would you?” He said, laughing and nudging Jolly with his elbow. Jolly started to say something but was interrupted by an object flying and hitting Chris directly on the side of his face. Chris yelped and held a hand to his face looking around wildly searching for the culprit. The object landed on the couch between the two men. Jolly erupted with laughter when he realized you had thrown your flip-flop from the top of the stairs and made perfect contact with your boyfriend's head. 

Suddenly, Jolly is brought back to the present by the sound of you giggling. He glances over to see the two of you had made up as you and Chris were making out. Your back is facing him, so you have no idea that he is currently watching the show. He stifled a groan. He liked it better when you were pissed and throwing things at him. Jolly dares to sneak another glance and watches Chris' hand not so subtly begin to slip into your shorts. He can hear you softly gasping and attempting to hide your moans in Chris’ neck, but he can hear them even over the movie that was playing. While I’m right next to you, are you fucking kidding me?

Jolly considers making a scene, bursting their little love bubble. He couldn’t decide who he was more pissed at, Chris or you. Then, as if he could hear Jolly’s thoughts, Chris made eye contact with him. Fuck. He didn’t realize he was watching again. He refuses to look away in some piss-poor attempt at establishing dominance. He’s the one fingering your girl right in front of you. Pretty sure he has the upper hand here. 

Chris smirks and Jolly breaks eye contact and watches as you begin to pant harder and whine. The noises go straight to his cock, and he has to avoid adjusting himself because he knows Chris is still watching. He can tell by the way you’re breathing that you’re about to cum and all he can do is sit there and watch. He could get up and leave but those pretty little noises you’re making are keeping him glued to his seat. Even if they’re not for him. Jolly watches as you roll your hips into Chris’ hand one last time and you’re seizing in his hands and bury yourself into his neck further to stifle a very loud moan unsuccessfully. 

Jolly mistakenly makes eye contact with Chris again, whose smirk is even bigger than before, and he winks. He could have strangled the motherfucker right there and not felt bad about it, but you love him. He quickly gets up off the couch and stalks to the kitchen because he’s pissed and the tightness in his joggers is getting to be too much. 

He stands in the kitchen trying to calm down. He should just leave. Just get in his car and leave. Later, he could tell you that he got a headache or something and that’s why he left. It had nothing at all to do with the fact that your boyfriend made you cum two feet away from him. No, she would know something was up. As upset as he was, Jolly didn’t want to embarrass her. He sighs and closes his eyes trying to think.

He hears footsteps coming into the kitchen and his eyes fly open thinking Chris was coming to brag in his face. Instead, you walk in, legs still a little wobbly from before. You lock eyes with him and instantly know something is up as his hazel eyes are now a dark brown. He stares intently at you, gripping the kitchen counter in front of him.

“Is everything okay?” you ask quietly, almost afraid of his response. His gaze flickers down your body and back up to your eyes as he licks his lips. You swallow harshly. Jolly hasn’t looked at you like that in over a year. You knew exactly what that look meant, and you couldn’t help but feel guilty at how much it affected you.

He pushes off the counter and in two quick strides has you by the throat and is licking into your mouth. He snakes his other arm around your waist and pulls you into him. You considered protesting but knew it would be a waste of time. Aside from his bruising grip, Jolly was always your weakness. You’d spent a year pretending you didn’t still care about him while also pretending your boyfriend had a chance at satisfying you the way Jolly did. If it was Jolly who had just taken care of you on the couch, you wouldn’t be walking at all. Jolly’s hand releases your throat and slides up into your hair. He pulls away, both of you panting. He stares at you for a moment and says “Tell me you love him. Tell me you love him, and I’ll stop.”

You blink for a moment, confused. Why would he say that now? Was he suddenly feeling guilty like you had been? You startled slightly as you heard your boyfriend laugh loudly at the movie in the living room. He wasn’t bothered by your absence. You continue to stare into Jolly’s eyes, still blown wide with lust but there was something else to them. They were almost pleading. You knew you didn’t love Chris. How could you? He was a placeholder, and you knew it. You couldn’t resist the beautiful Swedish man who had his grip on you, physically and emotionally. You feel his grip loosen slightly and watch his gaze drop. You realize in the time you’ve been considering his statement it appeared to him as if you were afraid to respond, which gave him his answer.

Quickly you grab his face with both of your hands and pull him close to you. Your noses bump and your lips are so close that they would touch with the slightest movement forward. “I don’t.” You breathe, “I don’t love him.” Jolly scans your face for any hint of insincerity. Seeing none his grip on your waist tightens and he sighs. “I can’t stand watching him touch you any longer. I can’t stand that he thinks you belong to him.” You tilt your head to the side slightly, pushing the hair out of his beautiful face and smile. “Then why don’t you show me who I belong to?”

#joakim jolly karlsson #joakim karlsson #jolly karlsson #jolly karlsson x reader #jolly karlsson fic #jolly karlsson x ofc #jolly karlsson fanfiction #bad omens #bad omens fanfiction #bad omens fanfic #bad omens fic #bad omens band

[lurkingshan]

Hi....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

Thank you for the ask, I don't mind a bit! Though I will say that this particular question sent me into a minor existential crisis, because how on earth could I ever pick just 10 things that I love across all media. I don't know if y'all have picked this up about me yet, but I consume vast amounts of media, like...unbelievable amounts of media, it is my great joy in life. I consulted @bengiyo about how to approach this question, and he suggested a frame to help narrow it down: what are my favorites that someone else recommended to me, that I then felt compelled to recommend to others? Hope you don't mind the tweak! As always, keeping this in the realm of Asian media for this blog, here is what I got:

What Did You Eat Yesterday?

When I met @bengiyo and @waitmyturtles I learned very quickly that this was their all-time favorite, and if I didn't like it we were gonna have a problem (jk but not really). I hadn't watched it on my own because until recently (shoutout to our savior Gagaoolala) it was quite inaccessible and I hadn't yet stumbled onto @isaksbestpillow and found her amazing subs. Luckily, I have impeccable taste and WDYEY is in fact a masterpiece, so they watched me watch it, I lost my mind over how unique and brilliant and technically flawless it was, and we are now all bonded for life over our love for this show, which just returned for a second season and will hopefully continue forever. I love it so much I have even started reading the manga, and I am not a manga girlie by nature (I prefer reading prose), so you can be assured I absolutely will not be shutting up about it anytime soon.

Go Ahead

Credit for this one goes to @ginnymoonbeam for watching it first and then sending up a flare for me as a fellow cdrama enjoyer that this one was worth prioritizing immediately. I love big sprawling family stories that unfold over time, I love digging into intergenerational family trauma, I love good dad characters, I love found family dynamics, and I love a well done romance subplot embedded in a much bigger story, so this show hit so many of my sweet spots. It's #1 on my list of modern cdramas and I would recommend it to anyone.

Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Untamed

Speaking of cdramas, I must give a shoutout to @dangermousie who wrote this post summarizing their favorite danmei novels, which I found when I went looking for recommendations and was trying to figure out a way into this segment of Asian media. I admit I am a bit bougie about my reading material and modality, so I really can't deal with machine translations or reading on html pages, and thus I still have not read some of these as I am patiently waiting for official English translations to become available (me and 2HA are gonna have a party in 2024 I tell you what). I had already heard of The Untamed, of course, because I am a human person who lurks in online spaces, but reading the novel got me significantly more interested, and I quickly fell down a months long rabbit hole that included consuming the novel, the show, and copious amounts of fanfiction. This story is so complex and layered and full of fun mysteries and meaty moral quandaries and interesting family relationships and has an A+ second chance romance and one of my all time favorite characters to boot; it really took over my brain for a minute. And while it hardly needs me to recommend it given how popular it already is, I'm still gonna do it whenever I get the chance.

Mo Du/Silent Reading

And while we're on the subject of danmei, let me give a shoutout to my favorite modern danmei novel, which was recommended to me by an IRL friend who is not on tumblr. Mo Du is a sprawling mystery novel that spans five major interconnected cases, and it centers on an exceedingly competent police captain, Luo Wenzhou, and a young business heir/super genius, Fei Du, who start out with an adversarial relationship (but I bet you can guess what happens next!). The crime stories in this are almost shockingly intricate and every detail comes together in the end without a single loose end, which is impressive enough on its own, but somehow the author (Priest, who some of you will know as the writer of Faraway Wanderers aka Word of Honor) manages to also write a perfectly paced, incredibly compelling love story between the two leads that is layered with complex trauma and psychological hot buttons and secrets and lies that unfold organically alongside the mystery. I am in the middle of re-reading it right now and my love for it only grows stronger. The gif above is from a recent attempt to adapt this into a live-action drama that got quickly canceled, but honestly, the less said about that, the better (though Zhang Xin Cheng will absolutely remain the Fei Du of my heart). With China's censorship laws, there will be no faithful live action version of this story, so I highly recommend reading the novel.

Pachinko

While we're on the subject of novels, I must mention another IRL friend recommendation: Pachinko. This one is a sprawling multi-generational family historical fiction epic that tracks the lives of a Korean family that is forced to migrate to Japan during Japanese occupation in the early 20th Century. Y'all, this book is amazing, and it has now been turned into a television show airing on Hulu that is also quite good (though structured quite differently, but that's another post). I learned a ton of real history in the course of reading this, and I found the journey of Sunja and her family so compelling. The book has a real intersectional lens and digs deep into themes of oppression, racism, class disparity, and sexism, and is rooted in Korean values around filial piety, respect for hard work, religion, moral condemnation, and of course, the importance of food to communicate.

The Great Indian Kitchen

Switching gears, let me give a shoutout to this Indian film that my bestie @neuroticbookworm recently recommended to me and @waitmyturtles. This film is about a modern young woman who enters an arranged marriage with a family of high status (though maybe not of the kind you think) and explores her experience of oppression as a woman in a very patriarchal religious setting. The story is really compelling, I learned about a common experience for women in India, the narrative ended in an unexpected place (in a good way), and I really enjoyed the watch. And this film is on YouTube with good subs which I linked above, so it's quite accessible.

Be Melodramatic

Let's get back to dramas, shall we? I credit this one to @kdramaxoxo, who recommends Be Melodramatic constantly, and thank goodness because otherwise this under appreciated gem would have never landed on my radar. This is a beautiful story about a group of friends who move in together in the wake of personal tragedy and tracks their progress as they heal and move on from their hardships. The themes of grief and growth and change are quite poignant, the relationships, both platonic and romantic, are all very compelling, and the music is beautiful. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for (@nieves-de-sugui this is definitely a good one to add to your list).

Make it Right

Time for @bengiyo to get another shoutout. This is a Thai bl classic that doesn't get the love it deserves, and he is its number one promoter. I don't know when I would have gotten around to watching this if he hadn't recommended it so highly, and I'm so glad I did. I wrote about this one, why I loved it, and why I think it's under appreciated, and I highly encourage others to give it a try.

Coffee Prince

We will end on an OG kdrama classic, which I watched early on in my kdrama journey thanks to a recommendation from an IRL friend who said it was the best version of the well worn Asian drama genderbend trope that they had ever seen, and my god were they right. Not only was this my first Gong Yoo drama (a life changing experience in and of itself) but this one really took me by surprise for how sharp and progressive it was about gender fluidity, sexual identity, and the struggle toward self-acceptance way back when it aired in 2007. I recommend this one to everyone, and its a great entry point for people who prefer queer media and have (justified) suspicion of mainstream kdrama's treatment of queer narratives.

#what did you eat yesterday? #go ahead #the untamed #mo du #pachinko #the great indian kitchen #be melodramatic #make it right #coffee prince #drama recs #danmei #shan answers

[bluerose5]

Zevran & Astarion Banter Pt. 21/?

A longer post, but these two could have some deep conversations once they open up to each other. Can't convince me otherwise.

[First] [Prev] [Next]

...

Astarion: You mentioned before that you are "Dalish", something similar to the wood elves here, correct?

Zevran: Hmm... I technically am in some people's eyes, I suppose, but I personally see myself as Antivan first and foremost. My mother was one of the Dalish, but I grew up in the city. I know very little of their ways, even after the time I spent with one of their clans.

Astarion: And how did that go?

Zevran: About as well as one would expect. I figured out quickly that such a life was not for me, hence why I do not relate to them all that much. In their eyes, of course, that is a failure on my part.

Astarion: I'm... sorry to hear that.

Zevran: I'm not. Perhaps I feel some sort of distant connection to them, enough to come to their aid should they need it, but I hardly feel as if I belong with them. You know?

Astarion: Given how different our worlds are, I won't claim to know the feeling, but I can certainly try to imagine it. You said that much of the elves' history and culture is lost to them?

Zevran: Ah, yes, it is not like here, my friend. In Thedas, the majority of elves are little more than second class citizens, most of them living in slums.

Astarion: Oh, uh, how charming.

Zevran: No need to walk on eggshells about it. Every place has its downsides, some more than others. If anything, I believe the elves of Thedas are more than capable of taking back what is owed to them if they put their minds to it. "Will they?" is another matter entirely.

Zevran: ...

Zevran: May I ask, what brought on this line of questioning?

Astarion: *shrugs* I don't know. I was just thinking about how our "common tongue" is not that different from yours, frighteningly so. You have adapted well to our variation, though.

Zevran: Why, thank you, but I assume this is leading somewhere.

Astarion: Well, I was just curious about how your Elven —or Elvish, I suppose— compares to ours. Or is that, too, lost to the elves of Thedas?

Zevran: Most of it is from what I understand, yes, although the Dalish try to preserve the old ways more than others. I happen to recall enough phrases from my time with them to know that, compared to what I hear from you and Shadowheart, ours is definitely different.

Astarion: Interesting. Would it be too much trouble to ask to hear a little of it?

Zevran: No trouble at all, my dear! Although, I must warn you. I am a bit rusty. It does not come as easy to me as my native tongue.

Astarion: Please, with a tongue as talented as yours, I think you can manage.

Zevran: Ha! When you put like that...

[Zevran looks up and meets Astarion's eyes. His expression softens at the joy he finds there.]

Zevran: I— Ar lath ma, vhenan.

Astarion: ... And that means?

Zevran: That you look stunning tonight.

Astarion: Now, why don't I believe you?

Zevran: Easy, because I'm lying, but it's a mystery for you to uncover in time.

Astarion: Heh, you tease.

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #dragon age #dao #astarion ancunin #astarion #zevran arainai #zevran #zevstarion #crossover #bluerose writes

[imagionationstation]

HI i’m shy but i found your page yesterday and i think your fanfiction and analysis’ are so cool and intriguing!! I mean i read your fanfiction before but i didn’t know you were active here too 🥹 I have 2 questions!!

What are your thoughts on the Creeping Doom episode? Personally I love the episode for the concept and fun moments they gave us but I wish there was more to it somehow? Or that it was more consistent.. I’m not good with words but I’m curious to hear what you think!

I also noticed on one of your posts you said Raph only calls Donnie/Mikey little brother. I never heard him call Donnie that though :( I was wondering if you remember the clip or episode that happened in? That’d make my heart so happy to see hehehe

Thank you for your time bro 🫶🫶🫶

Thank you!! My fanfics and my analysis are my pride and joy so that really means a lot to hear!

I try to drop reminders that I exist in other places whenever I can but (just like with answering asks) I’m really bad at it. Love when people can make connections between my accounts. I do my best to boost 2012tmnt content with every click of a key and get a rush of dopamine when someone can access everything I have to offer!

What are my thoughts on the Creeping Doom ep? Do you have time for an essay or two? Cauuussseee-

Alright. Alright. I’ll keep this… relatively short.

I’m an episode skipper for shows I have little interest in. I don’t normally care about watching them from first season to final season. I just like tasting the random content and putting puzzle pieces of plot together. It makes it more interesting.

So, I know I watched a couple of episodes of 2012TMNT before I watched The Creeping Doom, but it was the first episode that really stood out to me. It essentially made me go, “Omgee, he’s such a sweet, bright little guy- I must learn everything about him.”

Everything about this episode is a wonderful mix of painfully cringe, strangely adorable, and very thought provoking. YEAH. You heard me. It makes me feel things AND have wise thoughts.

It’s the little things that get me. This episode spoke volumes and still does after my many, many rewatches.

FOR EXAMPLE: The brothers always immediately supporting him/assisting him/leading him around like a lost puppy?

(Mikey throwing him is the highlight of his part in this episode, ngl.)

Even BEFORE they know that something is definitely wrong with his brain, they’re supporting him through his off behavior/headache.

Also him pausing to catch Leo and then keeping his unsteady brother upright later on is some prime brotherly content <3<3

AND HE’S JUST SUCH A HAPPY BOY

You can FEEL how tense he is at the beginning of this ep. He’s been carrying this tension- this weight- all season. So much is on his shoulders and he knows he’s running out of time. When he snaps at Mikey, he offers unheeded in vocal hints of I’m busy plz stop being distracting by adding in comment like, “Don’t mess with that! I’m trying to figure out how to reverse engineer this brain worm.”

He’s not even telling him to get out! He’s slightly open to conversation. He’s just trying to communicate that he’s really distracting, but the message isn’t getting across. (And it’s so relatable. He’s not TRYING to be a jerk. He’s trying to stay cool. And I don’t know how many of the show’s audience have little siblings, but when you’re struggling and they’re loud, that only makes things worse. You love them but can’t they let you think?!)

He STRESSED. And rightfully so.

The second that the memory loss kicks in and he forgets everything scary/daunting/concerning happening around him- he’s such a happy and carefree teen. Zero problems. Zero concerns.

NOTHING that he’s doing comes off as weird or abnormal to him. He finds joy in fire and french fries and tinkling vials and ‘squirrels’ and naming things and rediscovering his brothers. He loves doing random things to get his older brother’s attention, anything from shoving metal objects in his mouth to stealing their masks. This is probably the most joy we see for a LONG time and it’s all so PURE.

And he GENUINELY does NOT understand why his brothers are calling him out for being odd. He’s just vibing all ep.

He can’t remember why they left him behind, so, OBVIOUSLY, he needs to go find them- and that random spotlight in the alleyway was NEAT and he found REAL above-ground fires and squirrels. Didn’t they want the ShellRaiser to stop anyway?

He was helping! What’s the big deal? Silly brothers.

And on the same card, there’s a subtle sort of angst. Watching Donnie slowly descends into a dependent child without truly understanding what’s happening to him. Every time that he remembers that he forgot something, a confused fear entered his tone. He knows it’s wrong but he can’t understand why.

His head hurts and his hand itches and he thinks he might be spacey but how is any of that connected and since when did Creep get free and what are they all doing on the surface anyway, and, wait, are they fighting- is that the Creep how did he get free?!

And that fact that he keeps asking the same questions gets me every time. He’s so oblivious and that’s terrifying. He’s used to knowing everything but every thought is slipping through his fingers.

Then we reach the point where he can’t even muster the curiosity to wonder if his brother repeatedly saying something’s wrong with him is weird. He’s just going with it. Any chance they may have had to figure this out is now long gone.

And the multiple references to the fact that they can’t do much without Donnie make me wish this realization would have gone somewhere. The potential of Donnie giggling and playing while his brothers watch their world crash down would have been PERFECT.

It would be SUCH A CONTRAST to Good Genes! Instead of losing him to an angry, vengeful beast that is nothing like him, they’re essentially losing Donnie to himself. This is their brother, no question about it, and they have to watch him deteriorate before their eyes.

Holy Chalupa, I can TASTE that angst. It’s drilling at my soul.

But, sadly, I’ll just have to take what I can get. This type of scenario will simply live rent free in my brain. Along with other ones like this definitely canon scene that’s definitely scripted definitely.

Uh. There was another thing.

OH YEAH-

I don’t know what episode it’s from. I went looking for the quote in my favorites but didn’t find it. Don’t really have enough hours to scan every season. Of course, I would have sworn that Mikey has never said “Don” in the 2012 series a few months ago, and he totally surprised me by saying it in Newtralized. So.

I could be wrong. I can hear his voice saying it clearly in my head like many quotes, but I’m a writer, so that could just be my brain playing tricks on me.

I believe that I am right, but if proven otherwise, I will concede to my incorrect assumptions. Silly trickster brain O’mine.

#teenage mutant ninja turtles 2012 #tmnt fandom #IS Asks #tmnt donnie 2012 #2012 donnie #teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt raph 2012 #tmnt leo 2012 #leo 2012 #tmnt 2012 leo #tmnt 2012 leonardo #tmnt 2012 donnie #2012 donatello #tmnt donatello 2012 #donatello 2012 #donnie 2012 #raph 2012 #2012 raphael #tmnt 2012 raph #tmnt 2012 raphael #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 2k12 #tmnt mikey 2012 #tmnt 2012 mikey #2012 michelangelo #2012 mikey #mikey 2012 #mikey tmnt 2012 #donnie tmnt 2012 #2012 tmnt

[writeandsurvive]

Request by @parkersbunny76 : Hey do you think you could do a aldan Parker fix where y/n in love with Parker but doesn’t want him to know. Because she believes he is still in love with his ex joy But he also feels the same way but thinks she doesn’t feel the same and and Parker figures it out and confronts reader and has to prove his feelings? Thanks so much

Author's note: this turns out longer than I had planned, and I really hope it did it justice 🥺 (yes, always doubting myself)

Warnings: age gap, mutual pining, girls night out, jealousy, ncis stuff

Believe Me ~ Alden Parker

If you were set on not telling Alden about your feelings for him, after hearing about his first love Joy, you were even more convinced. There was no point in telling him, you'd just make a fool of yourself. Gibbs taught you a lot of things; trusting your guts was the most important. And now, your guts were telling you that Alden Parker was still in love with his ex-girlfriend and had zero interest in you.

Despite Jess and Kasie telling you otherwise, saying that the man was completely smitten, you kept your mouth shut and even took some distance from your team leader. You missed him, and it hurt but you needed to protect your heart - wasn't it too late though?

Before knowing about Joy, you'd hang out with Alden outside of work. You two would go out for drinks, watch games together, talk about music. He even showed you his piano skills and that was when you knew how deeply in love you were with him. You almost leaned in to kiss him then, and it looked like he was leaning to, but before you knew it, he was standing up and asking you if you wanted another drink.

Now, you weren't turning down all of his invites, using work or family obligations. However, Jess told you that he was questioning it. He had asked her if something was wrong with you, if he had done something to upset you. A part of you felt bad, you didn't want him overthinking, but most importantly, you didn't want him to get suspicious. After all, he's an investigator too, he could easily figure it out.

So after some mental preparation, you agreed to grab a drink with him after all. Technically, the whole was invited at first, but Tim had to go to his family, Jimmy and Jess were spending the evening with Victoria, Nick is still recovering with his alcohol issues and can't be in a bar for now. That left Kasie, who somehow had "something" to do - her wink at you wasn't subtle.

If you only had a drink or two, it'd be okay. Too much alcohol would get you to be very honest, and you'd probably spill out everything. You ordered a glass of wine, while Alden went with a beer. It started alright, a bit awkward, but he was doing a good job at making small talk, and avoiding the elephant in the room. You did your best to keep a friendly facade, and not think about how bad you loved and wanted him, or how bad you wanted to ask him about Joy.

But you did have an answer without asking. Alden excused himself when he felt his phone buzzing, and he took it out of his pocket. Sitting on his left, you had a clear view on his screen. You didn't want to look at it, you tried not to but your eyes laid on it and it was the confirmation you needed. Joy was texting him, asking if he'd stop by. He simply answered that he wouldn't, and would talk to her later.

You went to the bathroom, letting the tears that had been threatening. You needed to leave immediately; find whatever pretext, and rush over to Kasie's. You felt so stupid for crying over this man, nothing ever happened with him. It wasn't like he was betraying you but it felt like it.

You were insanely jealous of this woman.

Once you were sure it didn't look like you cried, you got back to Alden and told him you were tired and wanted to go home. He offered to walk you back to the car, but you refused. "It's not like I'm going to stick around." He finished his beer and grabbed his coat. "Let's go."

Luckily the cars were fairly close, so the walk wasn't long. It was very awkward though, Alden wanted to make sure you'd eat, so he offered if you wanted to stop at the food joint across the street. "I got food at home. I'm sure it's not too late for you to go to Joy's."

"I-I'm not--" you didn't want to hear any explanations or excuses, so you quickly got into your car and left.

You knew you were being unfair to him, he didn't deserve this but you couldn't help it. Spending the night at Kasie's, you cried some more and felt sorry for yourself. Thank god, she's your best friend.

Alden was getting tired of this. At first, he didn't understand what was going on, why you were shutting him out like this. He asked every member of the team, and it was obvious that they were holding back. They knew why you were acting like this, but they didn't want to betray you. The most infuriating was that he was so in love with you, it hurt to feel rejected. Especially after all those moments together, which meant a lot to Alden. He remembered that time he played piano for you, something he's never done with anyone before. He wanted to kiss you, and do more things. But he was scared. Scared of being rejected, that you'd want just something physical, scared of getting his heart broken again. You were younger, and he felt like you'd waste your time with an old man like him.

After that comment you made about Joy, Alden started to think that maybe you had actual feelings for him. It totally sounded like jealousy and it'd be the only explanation. But he couldn't quite believe it. In his mind, a pretty young woman like you would never fall in love with an old man like him.

But you weren't like any other woman.

You and Kasie have had a traditional girls night out at least every other week and Jess quickly took a part of those nights after she joined the team. Ever since it became common knowledge, Jimmy had been trying to get in, at least once. You always turned him down, it became kind of a running gag. Now that Jimmy was dating Jess, she was on his side and tried to convince you and Kasie to let him in.

Eventually, you caved in. "I love you, I love you, I love you." Jimmy shouted, running over to you and kissing your face. You laughed, trying to get out of his grip - technically you could but didn't want to hurt sweet Palmer.

"What's going on here?" Nick asked for everyone.

"I am officially welcomed in girls night out."

"Just tonight." You pointed.

"After four years, you finally made it!" Tim laughed.

"I arranged everything. Vic is staying at her friend's house, and we're all sleeping at my place."

"We are?"

"Yup. Let's get crazy!"

Accepting him created a monster.

~

Alden's plan formed shortly after Jimmy left the bullpen. Later in the day, he went down to autopsy with a coffee and a pastry. "Oh, what's that for?" Jimmy welcomed the treat with a smile.

"A bribery."

"At least, you're honest. What can I do for you?"

"Where are you guys going tonight?"

Jimmy stayed silent for a moment, trying to figure out why Alden was asking this. "I need to have a talk with her, Jimmy. And she's avoiding me."

"And you think she'll talk after you crash the girls night out?"

"I could be where you guys are. Simple coincidence." Jimmy immediately gave him a glare, but Alden brushed it off. "And you convince them to let me hang out with you."

"Parker, it took me four years to convince them to let me go out with them just once."

"Ah come on. Help me out here."

"Only if you are honest with me."

"Shoot."

"Do you have serious feelings for her?"

Alden didn't even need to say a word, his face and eyes spoke for themselves.

A night out with your friends was exactly what you needed. Drinking, dancing, laughing and forgetting about Alden. You decided to wear a sexy black dress with some boots. You did your makeup and hair more nicely than you usually do. You didn't want to hook up with a random guy, but it'd be nice to flirt and dance with one.

It started out great, you were on your second drink while everyone was finishing their first. They all were making a point of not talking about him, or even about work. You noticed a cute guy looking several times at you and smiling. You smiled back, because why not?

"Oh dear god." Jess said, looking over your shoulder.

Puzzled, you turned around to see him. Alden Parker was there and walked right to the table. "Hey guys!"

You were staring at his beautiful face, with the urge of kissing him and screaming at him for being there and ruining your night. Your Alden free night.

"Parker, what are you doing here?" Kasie asked.

"Can I join?" He avoided her question and he was already sitting next to you.

You were ready to get out of here when your eyes dropped on Jimmy, who looked very guilty. "You dickhead!" You shouted at him.

"Told you." He said to Alden before looking at you. "Look I'm sorry--"

"Forget it." You stood up and rushed over to the bar. Waiting for the bartender to spot you, the man who had been smiling at you stood by your right.

"Hello there." He said with the most charming British accent. Screw Alden. You smiled at the man.

"Hi."

"I was waiting for the moment you'd finally be alone. Not to be creepy, I just didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of your friends." He laughed, "Can I offer you a drink?"

"Sure. Don't worry, you're not making a fool of yourself."

"Good, can I keep you to myself for a few minutes then?"

"Absolutely. I'm sure you can save my night."

You don't know how long you stayed with this man, just talking and getting to know each other. Going back to the table where Alden was didn't sound appealing at all. But of course, he eventually found his way to you.

"I'm busy, Parker." You said before he could speak a word. So instead of talking, he simply grabbed your hand and made you follow him outside. "What the fuck!"

He stood on the sidewalk, crossed arms and was clearly angry. "I'm done playing this game, Y/N. We talk now, once and for all. And if you want to go to your boy toy, I promise I won't hold you back."

"What game are you talking about?"

"You avoiding me like the plague ever since you learned about Joy." You immediately looked down at your feet, but Alden held your chin and made you look back up. "I don't know what you created in your mind, but I'm not seeing her. And I won't. I already got someone who made herself very comfortable in my mind and my heart."

"Who?" You shyly asked, not believing what he was saying.

"Who?" He sarcastically laughed. "You, for god sakes! It's been you ever since I walked into that damn building. And being turned down, even as a friend, hurts pretty bad. Cause I want you in my life, whatever way you want. But I got a feeling that's what you want too cause why else would you be jealous?"

"Who said I was jealous?"

"Well, aren't you?" You started to look down again but Alden immediately caught your chin and took a step closer. "Don't break eye contact with me, sweetheart. Talk to me, tell me if I'm completely off based here --"

"You're not!" You breathed out and a single tear left your eye. "You're right. I was-- I am jealous. Because you clearly still love her and--"

"I don't. Why are you so sure about that?"

"My guts. And the texts last week."

"I admit she--would like to give me and her a chance, but I'm not interested. I told her so." He brushed the tear off the corner of your mouth, his thumb roaming over your lips. "I want you." He whispered.

You wrapped your arms over his neck, nose brushing against each other and lips dangerously close together. "I want to believe you, but-"

Alden caved in. He couldn't be so close to you and not kiss you, know the taste of your lips. It was extremely gentle and slow, clearly giving you time to pull away if you wanted, but you couldn't. You simply closed your eyes and opened your mouth to grant him access.

Unfortunately, he pulled away when he felt eyes on the two of you. Jimmy immediately got back inside when he got caught, but his grin didn't go unnoticed. "Let me take you on a date and make you believe me."

"No. I'll go on a date with you once I believe you."

Alden agreed and he started that same night. After going back inside, where everyone already knew about the kiss but didn't say a word, he didn't leave your side. Flirted with you the rest of the night, inviting you to dance even if he was self conscious about his dancing skills. He looked several times to the man you had been talking to, making sure he knew you were not available.

He drove you home, and helped you to the apartment as you were quite drunk. You were very touchy with him, and he loved every second of it but still acted like a true gentleman. When you woke up, your phone was plugged in, there was some aspirin and a glass of water with a note stuck to it on the nightstand. The note read: "I'll stop by around 10 with breakfast. Hope you slept well. -A"

He obviously did as he said; bringing all your favorite things for your favorite place at 10 exactly. He left right away, saying that he had to visit his dad like every Sunday, but not before repeating what he said a few hours ago. He even went further and admitted he had true and deep feelings for you.

Following that, Alden did at least one thing for you every day to prove his point. Offering you a single red rose, setting up a plant at your desk, bringing your fav pastries, telling you how beautiful and smart you were, he was even praising you in front of the team.

But the most meaningful thing to you was the one he didn't plan or think of. While working on a new case, he offered himself on a silver platter to the suspect, in order to save you. It didn't work at first as the man noticed how much Alden cared for you. "You're right, man. This woman does mean the world to me, so much that I'm willing to die for her. But I'm also willing to do anything to finally have my first date with her, which means that whatever you need, I'll give it to you so we can both get out of here alive. I'm not sure she'd do the same for me, so it'd be more beneficial for you to take me and let her go."

You wanted to kiss him here and there, beg him to take you on a date, despite the gun pressing your temple. "I'm older, I worked for the FBI before, so I know a lot more people than her who can help. But let me be clear, if you kill her- you won't get anything from me, except for a bullet in your head. But you don't want to die, otherwise we wouldn't be in this situation. So, what's going to be?"

Somehow, Alden's trick worked. "I love you." He mouthed as he followed the suspect instructions and got away from you.

The following hours were a nightmare, you were more than scared about never seeing his pretty face again, and not having the opportunity to tell him exactly how you felt, and have more time with the man you love.

When you saw him again, unarmed, you rushed into his arms and didn't think twice. "I love you too."

#submission #ncis #alden parker #alden parker imagine #alden parker fanfic #ncis fanfiction #alden parker x reader #ncis imagine

[cupcakeshakesnake]

You have m o r e ?!?!? Omg they're amazing, I love them already and it's only been like 90 seconds (I've just been staring at them because. Wow.)

Wait but are you actually getting rid of them/ discontinuing their story? I mean, I saw that post about Sisyphus, but I would love it if we got to see more of these guys. I mean, no pressure if you weren't but I just wanted to let you know that I'm a really big fan of your work. I appreciate that, for your nonhuman characters, while their designs are very visually appealing in the artistic sense, you can tell that they're not at all supposed to be attractive in any modern human idealized sort of way (and what does it mean to Objectively Attractive anyway? Popular opinion is so hypocritcally subjective) but instead that each individual drawing, whether it's a character of your own creation or your take on a preexisting one, is crafted to serve their exact purpose on the page (whether it's Humor of Incongruity, expressing frustration, evoking the beauty in the imperfect, etc.), because you can see both the soul of that being and the way the Otherness of their design sets them apart as new and interesting yet accentuates the uniquely human part of their character (however buried and twisted that part may be, in some cases. Looking at you, Valek.)

. . . I was going somewhere further with this but I lost where I was. I'm sorry, it's late and I'm tired, but I just saw this and felt I had to say something (other than "cool monsters go brrr"). I know we're just strangers on the internet, and I'm not any sort of people person. We don't know anything substantial about each other, and we'll probably never meet. But I hope you know that, for whatever it's worth, there are people out there who see what you're doing. And that it's beautiful in all of it's imperfection, and beautiful *because* of it. And that, miniscule though my knowledge of you may be (because who can truly know anyone?), I can *see* the beauty of your soul shining through the crack of your art. And that I get a little bit of joy and inspiration every time I come across your work, so I hope this clumsily, hasty little message can give at least some of that joy back to you.

(P.S. I wrote this as a AtNC reblog, but by the time I finished writing this I figured it'd probably be better to send as an ask, so that you can decide what to do with it. You are in no way obligated to make any sort of response to this. From what I understand, you don't believe in a benevolent higher power, and that's okay, I'm still on the fence about whether I do or not, but I just... felt oddly compelled to write this. Like something was telling me I had to try to convey this to you, because you needed it. It's fine if you don't understand what I'm saying, I'm not sure even I do, but just hope that wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whatever you are going through, you know there's someone out there who cares for you, and that your existence is w o r t h something immeasurable.)

I hope you're okay. You are stronger than you know.

First of all, thank you. It took me a while to reply because I've been very busy with schoolwork, but I've reread this message at least several times a day and it has brought me such joy each time.

To answer your question, no, I'm not discontinuing or getting rid of anything - I assume this has to do with my monster OCs, and there are two major stories of them so far.

One is Walter, which I simply decided not to use for schoolwork after being told its plot is too boring. That's all. I will do what I want with it in my own time. The other is that one with the mutated office workers, which fortunately got the OK from the professor. Both are still very rough works in progress.

I'm very glad that you like the way I draw... er, things, for lack of a better wording. Things I draw for myself may turn out far from "conventionally attractive", but I like it that way. You made me think about an aspect of my art that I never really considered before, but you have a point; in a way, I could be trying to humanize characters not by giving them a more human face but by giving them their own ways to express humanity.

That being said, I don't know what an "AtNC" reblog is supposed to be, but I wouldn't have minded either way. Your kind words are appreciated all the same.

#snake got an ask #anonymous #Regarding “humanizing”: One thing I like to do is make expressions and body languages out of inhuman features #It's fun

[seyaryminamoto]

Look, this question's been rolling around in m head for years and I finally need to ask b'coz you know how I am. So has Ol' Spooky ever been in the room where Ozai and Ursa where getting down and dirty doing the horizontal, or vertical? If so, how many times has it happened? And did Ozai just forget he was there in the heat of the moment? Or did he find some weird joy in having an audience? And would that make Spooky either an unwilling victim of their coupling, or a willingly perverted voyeur?

If there's one thing that can be said about you... you ALWAYS find a way to make me laugh my ass off, my friend. Thank you. Very much.

Honestly? Ozai would most certianly not even remember Seethus existed whenever he got it on with the wife 😂 it's not chance that Seethus seems to fade in importance for Ozai once he marries Ursa and starts his family. The naughty/nasty prince is not only busy making babies by then, but actually thinking about stuff outside of his political advancement for a while :') a total novelty for him, of course. This, of course, means that, if it happened, Ozai had absolutely no idea. I'm not 100% sure if Ozai would be too horrified if he learned that Seethus spied on them in such moments, but he probably wouldn't take it very well. On one hand, his ego would demand that he's smug about his performance! On another, his irrational side absolutely would rear up and he would rage at Seethus for seeing Ursa in her birthday suit?? Soooo... yeah. Anyone who wants to be their voyeur prooobably ought to think twice of it 🤣 not a healthy life choice, no sir...

... Hence, I can vouch for Seethus's, uh, integrity?? (should I use that word when I'm talking about this guy?? 🤣🤣) And say that not only is he not interested in spying in such things, but if he ever had been hanging around Ozai and sensed the ~vibes~ were getting too naughty he would've slipped out the window immediately and given his prince proper privacy 😂 If he was stuck in the room with them and couldn't get out for whatever reason? He'd definitely be more unwilling victim than pervy voyeur, for sure.

I know, probably not the fun answer you would've hoped for, but as much as our amusement would like for it to be otherwise... Seethus has basically zero interest in sexual matters. As things stand, his only actual interest in any such things is solely related to figuring out if Azula actually made a baby with Sokka or not! Beyond that, he's happy enough to go watch the stars while the weirdos in the Royal Family get it on with whoever they want to, has been that way since he started serving Ozai and it will be that way until the end of time.

... Again, though, thank you for the laughs 🤣 that was a good one...

#anon-nemesis #you and your wild ideas my friend #mad respect #this is slightly inappropriate #even though I wasn't graphic about it #if anyone gets too iffy about this answer please feel free to let me know and I'll... tag it mature? #but if not then it stays as it is #all theoretical here really #nothing to worry about (?)

[binaural-histolog]

Good evening!

I have a couple questions for you if you would be so willing.

First is dealing with imposter syndrome/not feeling ready. I've been very interested in hypnosis for over a decade now and have kept tabs/read books on/ even taken Wiseguy's class on the topic, but I never feel quite there. Have you/do you deal with this feeling as well, and if so what works for you in combating it?

Secondly, where can I find people interested in both topping and subbing? I've been on multiple discords/hypnohookup/fetlife, but I feel they are too overtly/explicitly sexual from where I want to start off. I feel like that is done after having had a session or two to figure each other out and having a healthy discussion, since trust is at the very core of hypnokink.

Thank you for your time!

Have you/do you deal with this feeling as well, and if so what works for you in combating it?

All my life, I've had a shadow. It tells me I shouldn't be here. That I'm not ready. If I make something happen, it laughs and then points out all the obvious mistakes I've made. It's not fear, not anger. It's pure negativity.

There's a couple of mistakes it makes though. If I curl up into a ball and do nothing, it doesn't approve of me and then go away. It will tell me I'm useless, incapable. And if I'm really happy with something I've done, it will try to distract me with other things or tell me it's a fluke. It has one damn note it keeps playing all the time, and it cannot stop.

I wondered exactly what it wanted or what would make it happy. Then I realized nothing would make happy, because it wasn't a person. It was just an emotional mirage, throwing my own image back to me in a black mirror. It didn't feel anything any more than rain or gravity feels things. It's just there. Poking at it with my thoughts made it jump around like a puppet on strings, but it didn't think or do anything by itself. It was a feeling.

Imposter syndrome is a feeling. It won't go away because you work hard or work past it or try to think the right thoughts at it any more than the rain will go away because you're wearing a raincoat and rain pants. It's not about solving imposter syndrome. You just get to a point where you accept that sometimes that feeling will happen, and it's okay.

The reason it's okay, for me, is that hypnosis is play. Mistakes happen in play, but if you're having fun and finding joy in stupid shit, you're doing it right, even if you still have that imposter syndrome feeling all the way through.

It took me a year to tell my partner I had a hypnosis fetish. I had a full on panic attack when I told them I wanted to hypnotize them. I was terrified that all the fantasies I had about brainwashing and controlling people were going to inevitably corrode my ethics and turn me into the monster I always knew I was. I knew it was bullshit, but I'd had a lifetime of the shadow talking to me.

And yet... the first time I hypnotized my partner I felt like a five year old given five espressos and a new puppy. Did I screw up the induction? Yes. Did I lose track of my notes and forget half the suggestion? Yes. Was my voice trembling? Also yes. Did I feel like an imposter? Yes. Did it matter? No. Because we set up a schedule and we were going to do it again next weekend, and the goal wasn't to be perfect, it was to play and have fun.

My partner doesn't care about any of the authority or magic involved in hypnosis, so I didn't have to live up to any built-up images of hypnotism. What made a difference to my partner was that hypnosis helped with anxiety and rumination, and it gave us a chance to sit and be close and intimate together. One of the best things in the world is seeing my partner's face relaxed, stroking their cheeks, and tell them things that make them smile even if they don't remember them after the session. The actual experience of hypnosis was completely and utterly different from my fears.

The same goes for writing and presenting. I wrote An Alternate History of Hypnotism not because I want academic or community recognition. It'd be nice to have those things, but I did it because it was fun. Presenting the slides at Mindquake took all my social energy and left me unable to move for a good hour, but I got to show people the links between rhetoric and suggestion and work Mr Rogers into an erotic hypnosis conference. Did I fuck up bits? Yes. Did it matter? No. It was fun.

Your imposter syndrome is a feeling. That feeling may go away or it may not. But the feeling of having fun and enjoying yourself will still be around, and no-one is there to look at the bits that don't work, they are there to look at the bits that do.

Secondly, where can I find people interested in both topping and subbing?

I'm only barely part of the scene, so this is going to be mostly from what I've heard other people say.

Trust and a healthy discussion of kinks should be the first thing that happens. Starting from fetlife/discords/hypnohookup is going to get you people who are "horny on main" so they will most probably not hang back and talk.

Go outside. Go to fetlife munches and hang out and meet people. Look for general openminded kink people, hypnokink is still enough of a niche that the potential pool is much larger than the actual one.

Once you know roughly who people are, then go on a low-effort date to see if they're a top/bottom, how they got into kink, and what their interests are. Then they ask about you, and you explain your hypnosis kink, what you like about it. Depending on how the date is going, you might give some examples of hypnotic suggestions that just so happen to align with their interests and kinks.

If it works out, great! If not, you keep going. Dating is like interviewing, it's not personal and there will be ten or twenty dates that don't work for every one that does. As long as you treat people like people and also feel like you're being treated as a person, you're doing it right.

#binauralhistolog

[doodle-pops]

Lords of Gondolin | Proposing to Their S/O

Request: How would each of the lords of Gondolin propose marriage? Idk if this should be general headcanons or if we should specify one for a fic sorry. 😅 Too much work? - anon

A/N: It wasn't plenty of work but it was tricky to figure out the different ways they would propose lol. Like there were so many options but which to choose from.

Galdor

Excited and nervous at the same time because no amount of rehearsal could sedate his worry. Penlod who stayed up for long longs with his friend helping him to get his phrases right would even shake his head.

The brave Galdor would become a shaky leaf before you. His arms would tremble lightly as though he was chill and every time you question him if he’s alright, his voice grows softer and softer until he stops speaking to not give himself away.

Galdor and you propose to you through something very simple like a picnic. The both of you sitting and watching the sunset and chatting your heart away. More you chatting and Galdor staying quiet while fumbling around with the pouch that contains the ring.

You would notice that his attention is focused elsewhere when he wasn’t responding to your questions and turn to spy his fidgeting around with the pouch. “What do you have there Galdor?”

“Nothing, nothing at all. Nothing of any great importance – let us continue watching the sunset.” If it weren’t for your persistence, Galdor won’t have proposed to you that evening.

His words would be a bit jumbled as he’s expressing himself, but he’s trying his best to remember all that Penlod told him to say until he foregoes his instructions and speaks from his heart.

You could see the relief in his chocolate brown eyes when you tell him yes. In a split instance, Galdor would shoot off the ground and spin you around while littering you with kisses and multiple ‘thank you’s’ because this puppy thought the worse.

Ecthelion

Nervous but a lot more mature about the situation and would have no problem proposing, but here’s where the problem arises, his two best buddies wouldn’t leave him alone.

They insisted on chaperoning to help him, but everyone knows that both of them would make the proposal a mess.

Ecthelion would invite you over for dinner (something simple for him and to keep Glorfindel and Egalmoth away) which wasn’t unusual for you at all since it was a regular event.

He would have the ring placed atop your dessert or on the place in the velvet box as the servant brought your meals out. This is where Ecthelion would slowly begin to express his nervousness through his giddy actions.

Knocking his knee or elbow on the table as he’s attempting to remove himself and kneel at your side with the ring and pour his heart out. Might step on his robe as he’s kneeling but that’s not important because right now Ecthelion was looking at you with unconditional love in his heart.

He could feel his heart in his throat as his words flew from his lips but the grin that spread across your face as he continued to profess his undying love for you and his desire to spend eternity with made him cut his words cut and just ask the question, “Will you marry me?”

Poor you and Ecthelion went tumbling when you dove into his arms, knocking the both of you into the ground. You were squealing yes a thousand times that for the first time in his life, the word filled his heart with joy.

Glorfindel

The way Glorfindel proposes is pure crack and fluff at the same time because it’s also accidental but planned.

For weeks he’d be rehearsing his lines and his actions so he doesn’t mess himself up. Going on rides with Asfaloth and practising in the open fields, sometimes he’d practice on Asfaloth and then grow frustrated with his horse ignoring his attempts.

In truth, Asfaloth was growing tired of all Glorfindel whining about messing up and the grass was more interesting than listening to his master’s speech. So many times, Glorfindel would have the opportunity to propose but he would grow tongue-tied and forget his words.

From walks to rides on Asfaloth during the late evening, his horse and seen it all and had decided to take matters into his hand. You were more than surprised when Asfaloth strolled up to you after pick-pocketing the ring from Glorfindel with a pouch in his mouth.

Don’t worry, Glorfindel has no clue that you were wearing the ring on your finger and on his way to meet him. You can imagine the heart attack your lover gets when you flashed him the ring and asked, “Your proposal through Asfaloth was really cute Glorf?”

“Proposal? Asfaloth?!” At that point, Glorfindel suffered five heart attacks before he could recover and informed you that he was planning to propose for some time now. He wouldn’t pluck the ring from your finger but would hold your hand while finding the confidence to repeat his speech and ask for your hand in marriage.

At this point, he has no doubt about your love for him since you were proudly wearing his ring. He’d pull you in for the sweetest kiss while making some comment about having a talk with Asfaloth.

Egalmoth

Egalmoth is the most confident of all the Lords and never for a second fault. His confidence is unmatched and knows that because you two have been together for so many years, there is no way you would reject him.

It was a simple walk in the park for him, except his proposal will be grandiose. Only the best for you and he’d go out of his way to beg the King to borrow his ballroom for the proposal which would make Turgon look at him unamused, but he’d get the ballroom.

He would rent the entire room out and have an orchestra on standby so you two can dance as well to make the night memorable. Honestly, he doesn’t even need to rehearse his lines because his proposal would roll right off his tongue.

Everything would go smoothly from the entrance to you dancing away with him, not once would you suspect him pulling something so important, but you would ask him about why he bothered the King for his ballroom.

“Why not bother the King for his ballroom, he barely uses it,” in the most obvious tone because he just loves to also tease the King with any chance he gets.

When it’s time to propose, here’s where Egalmoth doesn’t realize he’s sweating as he reaches for the ring and gets down on one knee with a slight tremble. His hands are clammy as he looks you deeply in the eye while holding your hand and hoping you don’t take notice (you don’t).

His proposal is so sweet and delicate, and humorous because he needs to make a joke to ease his nerves. As mentioned, he has no fear of your response because he knows you’ll say yes.

Rog

Talk about an unexpected proposal for Rog. He’d be so nervous and jittery that you would think it was his wedding day, but that’s an entirely different story.

After visiting Ecthelion, Penlod and Galdor for some advice, Rog would spend weeks in the forges crafting the perfect ring for the most perfect person to enter his life – you deserved the best in your life.

He would spend all his time practising his lines, his hand gesture and his body language wanting to have it down to perfection. Whenever you saw him and he appeared lost in thought, it’s because he’s practising. Burnt himself because his head was deep in thought while making the band for your ring.

He’d put a little inscription on the band ‘forever and always’ in Quenya or Sindarin depending on your tongue.

Here’s how Rog would end up proposing. Working on his speech, he’d be so lost in getting the words right, Rog wouldn’t hear you entering the forges.

“…I want to love you for a lifetime and would like to gift you this ring as a proposal – will you marry me?” “Yes.” Rog had never moved so swiftly in his entire life upon hearing your voice. He was so concerned with you walking in on him, he nearly missed your response.

All you did was smile while walking over to the giant to give him a hug and another resounding ‘yes’ to sink it into his head that you’re agreeing to his marriage proposal. If you never imagined Rog capable of transforming into the sun well now picture it.

Maeglin

For Maeglin’s proposal, he’d turn to the other Lords for assistance and guidance because he properly hasn’t any idea of what he wants to do for the proposal. He knows that your way of proposing is different from his race of folks, but he just doesn’t know how to surprise you other than just flat-out asking you.

To him, it doesn’t seem as romantic as he’d like it to be or from what he’s seen and heard. Maeglin would spend weeks and months getting every piece of advice he could from all the other Lords. He’d even turn to his uncle Turgon to hear what he has to say. Turgon would be very supportive of his nephew’s choice.

Maeglin would be left with tons of different approaches to propose, from picnics to dinners to waiting for the anniversary of your courtship. Poor ellon wouldn’t be able to choose and would focus on what he wants to tell you and get your ring made.

The entire time Maeglin is with you, he’s literally boring a hole into your head internally fighting with himself to say something, but he still wants to make it romantic.

Maeglin would end up proposing in the simplest way that would still take you off guard. The both of you would be lounging on the balcony outside his room when he would just…ask you, “Would you marry me?”

“Are you serious?” “I am. I wanted to do something romantic, but I didn’t know – ” you wouldn’t even let him finish without crashing your lips upon his to give him your answer. You made Maeglin the happiest person in the entire world with your agreement.

Masterlist

Tags: @spidergirla5 @someoneinthestars @eunoiaastralwings @mysticmoomin @aconstructofamind @hoshinokurasa @noldorinpainter @ranhanabi777 @starborne0661 @lilmelily

#maeglin x reader #egalmoth x reader #galdor x reader #rog x reader #ecthelion x reader #glorfindel x reader #maeglin imagine #egalmoth imagine #galdor imagine #rog imagine #ecthelion imagine #glorfindel imagine #maeglin headcanon #egalmoth headcanon #galdor headcanon #rog headcanon #ecthelion headcanons #glorfindel headcanons #silmarillion headcanon #silmarillion x reader #silmarillion imagine #middle earth headcanons #middle earth x reader #middle earth imagine #lords of gondolin #gondolin #x reader fluff #x reader insert #silmarillion #doodlepops writings ✨

[goldenslumbersketchbook]

What do you think of the book only characters like Kathrine, Nightlight, ect.

Thank you for the question!

Please note these are just my personal opinions, as of August 2023.

I judged everyone on three categories: Character, Design, and Drawability.

Katherine Shalazar

My opinion on Character 8/10

Adorable and smart and curious and just a lovely girl. Her story is pure fairy tale for a modern age. I believe Katherine is the glue that keeps everyone together, I think she is also a great leader. I want to rank her higher but she does often fall into the damsel in distress trope and is saved by others. I do love that she is never afraid to speak her mind and has a big heart. A classic character who I would love to see on the big screen.

My opinion on Design 7/10

Love the yellow coat. Love her design but it is missing “goose” when she is older and claims the title of mother goose. It would be cool to see added elements like feathers or wings or something more fairytale.

My opinion on Drawability 10/10

I love drawing Katherine. Her Yellow clothing choice makes her stand out. Her hair is fun and bouncy. I like drawing her in modern clothing. She is adorable and youthful! It’s fun drawing her in dynamic poses.

Nightlight (Pre Jack Frost Era)

My opinion on Character 8/10

So adorable and full of curiosity. I love how he is mainly a silent character. I think he is a great hero who at the end of the day is just a kid with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Nightlight is such an interesting character as he is pretty much the personification of light. He is new to earth and is just trying to figure things out.

My opinion on Design 5/10

A boy made of light has armor made of sharp darkness. I’m not a fan of the armor design, I don’t think it suits his character very much... Just my opinion. It is too thin and brittle looking, he looks more like someone working for Pitch then Manny. I do like his wispy hair though. It adds to his otherworldly charm.

My opinion on Drawability 7/10

I like drawing nightlight in casual clothes he deserves to be comfy. He is a silly boy who is fun to doodle. Especially his hair. It’s fun and wispy.

Ombric Shalazar

My opinion on Character 6/10

Ombric is your typical fantasy old wise fatherly wizard. He is a mentor and a joy to have around. It would have been cooler to see more of his abilities. His appeal and downfall is that he is a bit of a mystery. Not a favorite but I respect him.

My opinion on Design 4/10

Picture a traditional fairytale wizard, old with a long beard and a pointy hat and robes. Yup. Not much to excite the imagination. I would love to see Ombric get a more unique redesign. In a world of myths breaking traditional looks. Ombric falls a bit flat.

My opinion on Drawability ?/10

Never drew him before so no opinion. Maybe I should try.

Kailash

My opinion on Character 🪿/ 🪿

Honk nghh quack honk honk honk, honk. Honk honk quack honk honk: hahhh honk ha ha hank honk honk quack honk honk. Quack honk ugh honk ugh honk honk. Honk honky honk hank honk, hank, honk honk, ahhhhhhhhhhhh honk. Honk honk honk honk honk? Quack quack honk honk aaaaaaaaaaaaa honk honk honk honk.

My opinion on Design 🪿/ 🪿

Honk honk honk honnnnnk honk, honk honk honk honk honk. honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk ah honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk. Honk honk honk honk honk honk honk ugh honk honk honk ugh honk ugh honk honk honk honk honk honk honk. Honk honk honk honk honk honk. Quack honk honk honk honk honk honk aaahhh honk honk honk honk!

My opinion on Drawability 🪿/ 🪿

Quack honk honk honk honk honk. Aaaaaaa honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk: honk, honk, honk, honk aaa honk. Hank Ha Ha Ha ahhh honk honk honk honk honk honk. Honky honk honk honk honk honk honk honk honk! honk honk honk hank honk honk honk. Quack quack honk honk quack, honk honk honk honk ah ah ah honk honk quack honk honk ahhhh honk honk

Emily Jane Pitchiner

My opinion on Character 10/10

She is one of the most interesting characters I’ve read. I want her to have a solo book. She is so full of anguish yet must remain a neutral party to keep the balance. I love the fact that we get her whole backstory and even get to see her own hero’s journey. Often time’s characters like her are portrayed as pure evil or pure good, it’s so refreshing to see how she remains neutral in her own fathers war. I adore her and all that she stands for. A character who has grown up quickly and coldly due to isolation and loss. My heart cries for her.

My opinion on Design 8/10

I like her long and flowing hair. Her dress consists of swirls that compliment her form and are fun to doodle. I know the drawings Joyce has provided us with are in black and white, but I love to imagine her in vibrant greens with hair as dark as a stormy night. She is so grand and knows how to make an entrance and take over a room with her presence.

My opinion on Drawability 10/10

I love drawing her so much. She is beautiful.

#guardians of childhood #reply #personal #please also note it has been a few years since I read the books. I need to reread them

[altheneum-writings]

||°~ The Beginning ~°||

KEYWORDS:

(B/N) - Bishop Name

(F/C) - favorite color

(A/S)- Animal specie

Pronouns: they/them by default

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

Summary: The reader is half human, a surprise to those who are usually animals. in this story, Lambert is not brought to the god of death, but rather to the god of life

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

Clauneck hummed as silence took over them and the five bishops who sit in front of him, all eager to hear his answer. How can he describe you? the prophecy of the foretold a true god of life itself. 

Shamura would easily look into the future to see but they insisted that they get the answer from someone who can give them the knowledge of their new sibling coming to arrive to lands of The Old Faith. they had decided that it would be a pleasant surprise to hear the future from an old friend of the bishop siblings.

Clauneck, seemingly lost in thought, not knowing how to answer their questions of what you'd be like, as their tarot cards have told them of what you'd be..

You, are by far the most different everyone has seen. only having "fur" on the top of your head, paws, legs, and tail. your torso, face, and upper arms all seeming to only be covered by soft flesh of skin and bone. you were a special one indeed.

Clauneck knows that the bishops are ever so patient of his answer, he finally lets out a little light-hearted laugh as they turned a tarot card around, showing your figure and telling them of your arrival.

You were coming today, as a little bae 

all five seem to be rather excited of the answer, very happy to hear that you'd be coming very soon.

Clauneck then would have a slight frown, they clear their throat, catching the attention of others.  "I can feel Fate's hand on the cards this rather interesting night....yes, the bishop is of different species than us all, more fragile and brittle than all...only to be fueled by their determination to balance all life...yes, a different breed will arrive..." he says as he draws the second card, showing your figure and how easy you are to break. 

how easy you are to be killed, a fragile soul to arrive on The lands of the old faith...

The five bishops look in shock and concern, normally they'd mock those who are weaker but for ones they will welcome in for their family, it simply cannot be that you are to not be protected at all costs!

Clauneck seems amused by these reactions, before turning the third and final card, the card that showed your mercy, your forgiveness, your heart filled with gold and humbility.

"(B/N), they are called, bringing peace and prosperity to all of the lands of this world. as true god of life, they are ever so patient and intelligent in their realm" Clauneck says, all nod in unision, though worry still filling their minds, they were still curious of the news they bare to hold, a great news to their followers of a new bishop.

Shamura takes a look at the final card, they felt the warmth. finally, they used their future vision to see your paths.  All they saw was warmth, joy, happiness, a realm filled with love and nature. 

Truly, you are of a different god than them, more merciful than them. it would make sense, you are life after all, it is part of your duty to give warmth and comfort to those in your humble abode.

They return the tarot card and stood up, nodding to their old friend. "Thank you, Clauneck. we appreciate your readings to us all, now we must prepare for their arrival and celebrate". ever the wise, Shamura turned to go ahead and prepare their realm to look extravagant for you.

the others stood up and bowed to pay respect to the tarot reader and left to go prepare their realms as well.

Narinder followed behind Shamura, feeling a bit unease of how fragile you are told to be...he wonders how fragile you actually are. Shamura notices and gives a soft pat to his back.

"Worry not, young brother of mine, I'm sure (B/N) will be strong, we shall watch over them and guide them away from the same mistakes we made in our past" they tell to him, ever the wiser as always. Narinder now feels quite eased from the comforting words of his elder sibling.

The five bishops huddled together at the center of their joined temple, whispering of what they should do for your arrival and thinking of how your realm would look before they all agreed to welcome you in warm arms and went back to their realms. 

oh how excited they all were for your upcoming arrival

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

Author's note: this was sort of rushed and a bit lazy but I have exams coming up, while waiting, enjoy reading this chapter! I copy pasted this from my wattpad -w-;;

this is a cotl x reader au! and a pretty cool original one, I hope-

mentions: @aspen-ex

#cult of the lamb x reader #cotl x reader #cotl shamura #cotl lamb #cotl heket #cotl kallamar #cotl narinder #cotl leshy

[ranilla-bean]

20 questions for fic writers

@erisenyo tagged me, thanks! it was really interesting to read some of your process here

1. how many works do you have on ao3? 24

2. what’s your total ao3 word count? 195,338, and i’m pretty sure half of that came from in flammam flammas alone

3. what fandoms do you write for? currently atla but i’ve dabbled in merlin, ancient history rpf (lmfao), and danmei before

4. what are your top 5 fics by kudos?

nip it in the bud (what can i say, zukos nips are obviously enrapturing!)

lan eye for the bland guy (a testament to the people power of the mdzs fandom)

in flammam flammas (always felt like she should get more love! proportional to the sheer bloody labour i put into her 🙈😆)

deep and creamy (doesn’t deserve it. galactic repairman is way better, i wrote this as a shitty lil voice test fic for zuko pov!!)

the iconoclast (neck to neck with deep and creamy actually, will defs surpass in the next couple of days)

5. do you respond to comments? i make an effort to respond to each of them to show my appreciation. the only time i dropped off was when i wasn’t actively writing and ppl were commenting on stuff from the stone age 😭

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? definitely religio, in which i killed arthur. granted arthur dying is very much canon and literary convention unrelated but for that fic i asked my latin lecturer at the time about my translation of a passage that ended up in it lolol

7. what is the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? in flammam flammas. it’s a triumphalist ending, it’s one zuko has absolutely fought for, and now he gets to reap all his rewards. the joy of overcoming adversity to become a stronger, better person, a force for good in the world

8. do you get hate on fics? thankfully not! besides the occasional leery/perhaps poorly phrased comment. but i cut those some slack

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind? yes i love writing smut [40,000 words of plot later—]

10. do you write crossovers? what’s the craziest one you’ve written? noooo idt i have actually…

11. have you ever had a fic stolen? nip it in the bud was plagiarised once actually. plotline down to the story beats and the actual phrasing. it was pretty brazen and it was upsetting to discover

12. have you ever had a fic translated? nope!

13. have you ever co-written a fic before? i allegedly co-wrote a fic with my ex once… i don’t recall much of the process though so i suspect she actually wrote most of it and i maybe edited/chimed ideas/drew art? otherwise the closest i’ve gotten is collaborating with reikah, which i’ve really loved. i think it’s the ex-grad student in me that loves bouncing ideas with someone else, getting a second opinion, getting pushback. i come up to reikah with all these ideas (usually chunks of prose bc writing is my planning) and i’ll say some shit like “i want chapter 2 of nipfic to be structured in a chiasmus!” and she’s amazing at for instance going in to figure out HOW to practically (re)structure all of that. just like. concrete ways to bring the lofty vision into fruition 🫶

14. what’s your all-time favourite ship? noooo i can’t sayyyyy cos what if it changes?! but i do really love writing zukka atm for their ethnic4ethnic energy. i love writing characters of colour and delving into ideas about empire and colonialism and they’ve been the perfect vehicle for that

15. what’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? well there’s one that i abandoned for uh. political reasons 🤡 i was writing an au based on an event extremely close to my heart and i poured a lot of love into it. but the situation irl took a pretty bad turn and while i wondered at first if i could post anon, i became worried about being harassed or doxxed over it

16. what are your writing strengths? i think im good at writing on a technical level. i used to write poetry and it was a fantastic exercise in wrangling words as an art form. so many lessons carried over into my prose. there’s a sonic element to mine that is i think quite distinctive. plus i can be critical of my own writing and im receptive to feedback

17. what are your writing weaknesses? structure can be a little tricky if there are a lot of moving parts. REALLY grateful to everyone who’s beta read to give a second opinion about those elements. and the bit i hated writing the most in iconoclast was the freakin chapter 2 sports montage. i am not a sporty person

18. thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? ehh. what’s the point? it’s all well and good if there’s a point to it, which isn’t just “look, i the author can speak other languages”. untranslated, i just think a whole bunch of dialogue in another language can have the effect of alienating a reader see donna tartt’s goldfinch

19. first fandom you wrote for? merlin i lied. it’s hetalia genfic i wrote when i was thirteen years old on fanfiction dot net

20. favourite fic you’ve written? recency bias maybe but i’m becoming VERY fond of the iconoclast. it’s definitely not a fic i thought would take off (zukki is a smaller ship! and the story is balls to the wall bonkers in a way that im sure isn’t up some ppls alley!) but i uncovered so many fascinating ideas and concepts while researching i felt like i HAD to try do them justice. i challenged myself writing more violent fight scenes & more ruthless/complex characters. i wrote the fucking haiku 🤡 and the plot is a bit of a beast. but i can sense it coming together and im writing the insane fic i wanna read!

gonna tag: @faux-fires, @dickpuncher420, @adriancatrin knock urselves out! 🥳🥳🥳

#responses