#that's my craft complaint

[kyofsonder]

20, 29, 31

Thank you for the ask, and the chance to talk about how I write!

20: How many WIPs and story ideas do you have?

I keep trying to shrink this number by redefining what counts as “in progress,” then finding new ways to potentially resurrect my shelved/abandoned story ideas and adding onto the pile again. Right now I’m mainly giving attention to 3-4 original novel WIPs, around 6-10 original short story WIPs (some of which belong in a specific collection), and 4-6 fanfiction WIPs of various lengths. I also have 2-4 old novel ideas I’m considering revisiting, not to mention the countless new ideas I cycle through all the time. That said, all of these are on my own time so I’d give deadline priority to any commissions over other works if requests ever came my way.

29: Who’s is/are your favorite villain(s)?

Like the favorite character question from earlier, I have a hard time picking favorites. In the case of my villains, this difficulty largely comes from the different purposes they serve. Some of my villains are likeable as people, making their actual philosophies something I can work into the themes of my stories. Others are absolutely despicable, can’t possibly be redeemed, and serve the role of exploring the protagonists’ emotions while giving the reader some fully-justified satisfaction when they’re taken down in some way. Of the likeable people, most of them are spoilers but I like Martin Pond from the short story “Chances Taken.” He’s greedy and career-focused, but he does care about the people around him and it makes his choices interesting as he tries to balance those aspects of himself. Of the despicable people, I like to hate Tristan Hunt from the novel “To Be Honest” because he’s modeled after a despicable person in my own life and it’s extremely cathartic to have the protagonists get away from him in an even more final and direct way than I did with his model.

31: What is your least favorite part of writing?

It’s less of a craft issue and more of a personal issue, but I hate everything that comes with the feeling of not believing in my own writing. The way it makes motivation difficult, the way it makes me want to delete my rough drafts when I reread them, the way it makes sharing/publishing my work anywhere seem like a terrible idea. I’m working past that self-doubt and learning to appreciate my writing for what it is even in its most painfully rough stages, but there’s nothing that makes writing harder than thinking I’m terrible at it and won’t ever write things that anyone enjoys. I don’t think it’s just a specific mental health thing, either, although I know my anxiety and even my trauma history do play a part in my case. I think it’s a facet of all creative pursuits. That feeling creeps up on almost everyone, and takes the joy out of creating at all. It’s something that can only truly be counteracted by a combination of rest and absolute nonsense. Take a break, make some nonsense things that never have to come together to be anything or go out to any audience, take another break if needed, and then get back to your creative work when you remember why it mattered to you in the first place.

* * * *

Motivated by This Ask: 226 words

Total Written Due to Asks: 14,436 words

#writing #writer's ask game #sonder replies #sonder stories #fearofahumanplanet #also #I hate pacing out long-format stories #it's hard to do & easy to get lost #that's my craft complaint #I do it anyway tho #for the sake of my stories #which are #way too numerous actually #I should maybe get a handle on that #at some point #as for the villains #I wish I could talk about the spoiler ones #some are really messed up #but conversations of redemption could be had #they're so interesting #but so secret #for now

[a-really-bad-decision]

The fallout show isn’t NOT anticapitalist, but it’s anticapitalist in that way that a lot of recent media goes for, where it makes vague gestures towards ideas like ‘There Is Wealth Inequality, Perhaps’, or ‘maybe a few dozen people having more money than god Isn’t A Good Thing, Actually’. But ultimately it kinda just tiptoes around commenting on anything systemic by offloading the blame onto its shadowy cabal of the ultra-rich, and turning the wastelander underclass into a constant running joke that the audience is expected to laugh along at. Which like. Fine. That’s honestly more than I was expecting I guess. But bad-appling fallout feels like missing the point extra hard, given how much it absolves the US of its role in everything, up to and including literal nuclear armageddon

#fallout #fallout prime #fallout prime critical #and that’s not even touching on the weird tonal dissonance? #like. you can’t make any meaningful commentary about classism in your setting if you’re gonna turn right and around and start jeering #‘look at these stupid ignorant fucks. Isn’t it funny how stupid and ugly and mean they all are?’ #‘It’s probably because they’re so poor and dirty and starving’ #‘And it’s fine when the protagonist of the moment guns them down cause they’re just crazy raiders!’ #you understand why those two messages can’t coexist comfortably right? #anyways I finished the fallout show and honestly? my many many may complaints aside? it wasn’t awful #it very much didnt know what it wanted to be or say #but it was fun enough #I felt appropriately pandered to in parts #and it was clearly very lovingly crafted by the people who made it #overall it would have served much better as a non-canon addition to the franchise #but at the end of the day bethesda can knock over all the sandcastles it likes #doesn’t mean I’m gonna start taking their canon seriously #also moldaver can **** me **** in the ***** ******** *** ***** #who said that

[theslowesthnery]

so i often write little posts in my drafts about whatever comes to mind with not a lot of actual intent of ever actually publishing them, then usually delete sometime later when i decide that yeah, i'm not gonna publish it

anyway i looked through my drafts today and found this post i started but then apparently discared, but tumblr had still auto-saved some of it

and idk "why does every tiktok"?

#fwiw my complaint was about every tiktok that showcases extremely skilled artisan working their craft having Extremely Loud #and unfitting music in the background that you have to mute immediately unless you want to go both deaf and insane

[tanoraqui]

on one hand, I’m very pro Maedhros aka Maitimo aka “handsome” being genuinely exceptionally beautiful even for an elf, like, ‘people walk into trees when he passes by’ levels of beautiful. ‘Commonly mistaken for a Maia’ levels of beautiful. ‘Can stop pause a family argument by putting on all his best jewels’ levels of beautiful. ON THE OTHER HAND, I think we should all give way more consideration to the idea that aesthetically he’s, like…fine, decent face I guess, and Nerdanel, holding her firstborn son, was just like, “This is the most beautiful baby in the world!! I’m taking NO notes”

#the silmarillion #maedhros #Nerdanel #feanor and feanor’s kin #relatedly: fingon is usually grouped with maglor and finrod as a Bard #when I know in my HEART he’s like…fine at music and Song. no complaints. maybe a little pitchy #and the thangodrim song did it’s trick not for any skill not power but simply by chance and love #clarifying note on stopping family arguments by looking exceptionally pretty: it mostly only works on those most inclined #to be inspired to craft #balanced by stubbornness of temper #so it’s SUPER easy to distract maglor actually* #Curufin gets harder as he gets older #feanor and nerdanel he has to get both Distracted By The Shiny at once or they’ll pull each other back into the fight #on a REALLY good hair day he can get caranthir out of a shouting match #and celegorm and ambarussa are p much lost causes for this technique

[sparky-is-spiders]

If I may be weird and petty for a moment, I don't get AUs where Martin is the Archivist when Melanie and Sasha are right there?? I mean I get why: roleswaps are popular AUs and martin is a popular character. And maybe its just my specific headcanons re: archivist requirements but I feel like the other two would be so much better?

Yes, Martin reads statements and yes, he gets marked, but I really don't think those are the Only Requirements to do the big ritual? Cause at that point Elias could've chosen any web-marked dude off the street, especially if they have the mark of another entity as well already.

Melanie and Sasha shared several important traits with Jon, most notably a burning curiosity, a willingness to put themselves in trouble for information, and (in Melanie's case (and Sasha's too, arguably) an ability to antagonize extremely dangerous fear avatars. Sasha's whole statement is her putting herself in a dangerous situation without telling anyone or acquiring any help (remind you of any main characters?) and running face first into supernatural dangers (sometimes to protect her friends, sometimes out of curiosity). Useful for collecting marks, but also useful for collecting information and developing her own powers as the Archivist. Considering her seemingly unrepentant willingness to look through her friends' and coworkers' personal files via accessing their accounts, I'd argue that her curiosity and boundary crossing could easily get stronger when investigating supernatural entities. Obviously, this never happened because of how early on she died, but I think you could make a strong case for Sasha's strong curiosity making some avatars incredibly mad. Not to mention how incredibly Beholding it is of her. None of this is criticism btw, I think Sasha should have access to whatever personal info she wants and I love it when characters are so obviously Eye-aligned. I know "Sasha wasn't promoted because she'd solve all the problems and find a way to kill Jonah" is also a popular headcanon but please think for a MOMENT about her appearances in podcast. There weren't many, but there's a very obvious through-line in almost all of them. She's curious, she takes risks in the face of the supernatural, she wants to Know. It's literally what caused the circumstances of her statement. Those traits are arguably the ones that got her KILLED. I'm sorry this went off on a tangent. I just love Sasha very much and I'm constantly filled with Thoughts of Sasha.

Melanie also has curiosity about the supernatural AND a much more obviously antagonistic personality!! Her first appearance is being a total asshole to Jon, mocking him, the place he works at, the equipment they use, and what they do. But she also dedicated basically her entire career into uncovering the supernatural? She ran a Youtube channel about it, and when she discovered that everyone was sticking to the same "safe" sites, she started looking off the beaten path for the real stuff. And she found it! She went looking for ghosts of war and violence and even without access to statements, probably working alone and sifting through bunk on the internet, she found them! She got stabbed by a ghost and instead of trying to avoid ghosts in the future, she decided to look for more violent ghosts. The slaughter tendencies might be a drawback for her becoming the Archivist, yes, but by that point Jon had already survived multiple marks and was developing his powers. If he failed by that point, Elias might've wanted an Archivist who'd be better able to defend themselves. By S4 Melanie was probably far enough gone to the Slaughter (and hated the Eye enough) that she was probably off the table as a candidate. By that point, however, Jon was expected to fully Become and only needed a few more marks.

I understand that Sasha was approved for a transfer to the Archives because Elias let Jon choose who take with him and Jon chose Sasha. And Melanie was almost certainly chosen to keep Jon in close proximity of a Slaughter-aligned person who'd be likely to mark him but unlikely to kill him. But I think that they served a secondary purpose of being backup Archivists in case something happened to Jon.

Obviously this is more headcanon than theory (not to mention it relies on other headcanons to fully stand) but I'm very fond of it. I guess I think that, even if Elias wasn't really looking for another Archivist when Jon seems like the perfect candidate in every way (and I'm not saying this JUST because I love him), I think that if something did happen to Jon, they'd be Elias' next candidates.

#I hope this makes sense? #I've been rotating this idea for a while but I'm not sure if its fully baked yet #might need more time in the oven #if you're wondering why I opened with petty complaints about martin being the archivist #it's because I am Filled With Spite and I Do Not Like Him #and I think he'd be a bad candidate #which is its own post #anyway my Sasha opinions are almost as high as my Jon opinions #my Melanie opinions are... mixed leaning negative #but I think she has archivist potential #I think its important for the archivist to be curious #and for a majority of the marks to stem from active choices they made #to interact with the supernatural #anyway not maintagging this #I've only just started a relisten after not listening in a while #so let me know if I've forgotten something important #or missed a line that invalidates all my headcanon-crafting #I know I post a lot of jonship stuff but I PROMISE I care about other aspects of the show #I got some meta stuff thats been percolating in the brain soup so you can possibly expect more of that in the next couple days #anyway I gotta go now #goodbye

[countingnothings]

me: governance and operations are separate for some important reasons, like x and y. this is not just the case at our institution, but at any institution that has a board of governors.

students who are trying to get me to intervene in operations: it's very strange that you would say governance and operations are separate! we don't like this, and therefore you must be wrong about it.

both of these students are in the process of phds, which i think is proof that you don't need to have reading comprehension to get an advanced degree in the humanities.

#i spent five days crafting a gentle email explaining my position without commenting on the legitimacy of their accusations against staff #which they took less than 30 minutes to respond to in a very incoherent screed #that conflated 'when i was a student rep to the board i felt that i wasn't taken seriously' #with 'it's weird to say that student reps represent students to the board' #hilariously this guy wasn't taken seriously because he neither showed up to meetings nor had anything substantive to contribute when he did #the one thing of value he contributed was something multiple board members took up and advocated for on his behalf #my email: in reviewing policy we may adopt a multi-stakeholder approach that would include student voices #their email: we think it's horrible that no one ever thinks of student voices! you can't make policy without us! #my email: complaints against the Director of X go to me. complaints against the Principal of Y go to this other guy #their email: we want to launch a complaint against the principal of x #no such position exists but alright then #having heard about the situation in which they have appointed themselves the Voice of the Students from multiple perspectives #including student perspectives #they have no grounds for a formal complaint and in fact have been treated with extraordinary generosity by all the non-students involved #but nobody will promise to adopt the strategy these 2 students think is best #(we're in a stage of policy review for the relevant policies and these students have received multiple promises to duly consider their inpu #but unless i get my way i will continue to throw a tantrum!!! #GPOY #i have been chair of this fucking board for two months. #they are so damn lucky they are not interacting with the previous chair #who would have shut them down immediately and forgotten about it two minutes later

[milkweedman]

I keep having the overwhelming feeling that i need to get some crafting done bc this is the only free time ill have to do it, only to be slammed in the face with a coughing jag (which when one also has a migraine is literally so painful that its been making me white out for a good minute or two afterward) and then i sleep 20 hours straight and wake up the next evening and feel bad again about the lack of crafting.

#also my cat and the landscaping guy are currently working in tandem to create horrible noises that are lighting my brain on fire #so like i am aware that i cant craft under these conditions but i have also fallen far enough behind on my gift crafting #that i cant really finish anything on time #blegh #complaints and misery

[usergirlfailure]

this is why… 10/10. no skips. still feeling very emotionally fragile.

#my only complaint is i want MORE but also #just ten perfectly crafted songs like. #paramore i love you #jess.txt

[songship]

WAIT I just remembered this is a secluded corner of the internet where I can bitch about things that dont matter and nobody will care. Awesome

So in addition to being a dying student and cybersecurity boy by day, I also rig vtubers right? But I'm not super invested in like vtubing culture or watch any vtubers, I would honestly compare it to making fursuits without being a furry yourself.

Anyways I'm gettin real fuckin tired of hololive/nijisanji(/vshojo's on real thin fuckin ice)... so like both holo and niji have dropped their new sets of talents literally within days of each other and idk man, it feels fucking ghoulish to see the accounts #funny vtuber tweeting all 'haha horny on main look at me i'm a fellow filthy weeb' before even debuting. Like yeah "holo/niji give their talents lots of freedom" or whatever but not actually because it still has to be approved by a social media manager, it's just that that's a favorable image to project right now. It's not really any different than ye olde funny brand twitter that folks eventually grew tired of.

So I'm seeing my friends get super into corporate vtubers and it's like... listen bud. I respect you as a friend. But by god get some better taste PLEASE and support independent creators instead of the anime flavored dregs of late stage capitalism. It's petty!! It's a minor gripe really!! I'm just mad because my job necessitates high amounts of exposure to other rigger's fanart/clip/etc retweets just so I can get to the cool rigging tips! ANYWAY

TLDR stop watching corpos, start watching my clients and give me money so i can make you a vtuber too

#jasper.txt #i realize this is a weird perspective because i'm so immersed in the community but not really a participant in the traditional sense yknow #'if you're not a vtuber fan then why'- i love the artistic and technical aspects of the craft and i love the money. next question. #okay while we're here i might as well have my other petty complaint fest #where does all the fucking streamer lingo come from and why does it seem to just pop up overnight and everyone is using it #what the hell is 'sadge'. why did everyone start using 'scuffed' overnight instead of 'jank' what's wrong with jank. #<- old man yells at cloud moment (they have autism and do not understand social trends)

[lordendsavior]

do you feel that can be a bit of a dampener on live singing as you are expecting something more but the pitch can't be reached because ots been cleaned up

yeah, i think that's what it is

#in general that is my main “complaint” this era #the album is extremely well produced and also they are experimenting more with harry's voice on it #which i absolutely love (it is my favourite album of his after all lol) #but unfortunately this has one not so great side effect #and it's that there's not much enhacement when he sings those songs live (to be honest it's usually a bit of a downgrade) #which - and i said this before - is a very new experience to me as a harry fan lol #bc before harry's house i'd say he would usually take an already amazing song and make it even better live #like with adore you for example #a song that's already a perfectly crafted pop record and then he'd go on stage and make vocal changes that would make it even more perfect #that doesn't really happen with songs from this album #except maybe for daydreaming

[gracedcoup]

the absolute irony of finishing my first Below Zero playthrough the same day an aquatic-themed event is announced,

#not aesthetic #little d no. 2 speaks #also ngl i can see why people like the original subnautica better but below zero still holds up under scrutiny #my biggest complaint is that there wasn't much variety in terms of small fish or plantable flora #bc i am a person who loves to run around and scan things solely for the sake of scanning things #(and also gardening in video games) #like hey the crystal caves? should've had area-specific small fish like how the jellyshroom caves had the oculus #the selection of plantable flora is pretty good but it'd be nice if there were more Useless But Pretty ones like the Spotted Dockleaf #most of the choices are either edible or serve specific crafting purposes #which like. that isn't a bad thing. but i miss my weird glowy plants u feel me #membrane tree my beloved..........

[halfspunthreads-crafts]

Usually this turns out looking super stretched when I work with circular needles instead of DPN. Good job, me!

#knitblr #crafting complaints #K2tog on the round is my kryptonite #Project turned out way pinker than I anticipated too

[maudeboggins]

Snark subreddits can be king of entertaining for a few minutes but that level of consistent negativity is really overwhelming…

#i was reading crafting snark and like i do have my crafting complaints #but still…

[heraxic]

I’m sorry if you already answered this (I didn’t find it mentioned) but why was Kyril/Karl mutated, imprisoned and hunted in the Greek Myth AU? This definitely feels like Miranda/Athena was punishing him. What happened?

Thanks for asking!

Here’s pre-curse Kyril (story under cut, body horror/gore warning)

Yes, it was meant as punishment (unlike Alina and Daphne), and to no one’s surprise his crime was hubris.

Kyril worked at his father’s forge, far surpassing his skills in both metalworking and stone masonry. As such he was blessed by Hephaestus himself.

He got commissioned to make a statue of Athena in honor of her craftsmanship. He rolled his eyes and set to work, complaining that it’d be more fitting to make one of Hephaestus, who picked up the slack, since Athena abandoned her craft and stopped making beautiful things for the sake of her sick game (Athena’s Gauntlet of Monsters, so far containing a living whirlpool and a sphinx, was widely known and many daydreamed of or even sought the glory of defeating the beasts). In spite of his grumbling the statue came out stunning with clean cut stone and gilded detailing.

The next day, a weaver came to Kyril’s forge saying she’d heard his complaints about her goddess, which confused her cause with a statue that beautiful a blessing would naturally be in order, yet he burned that bridge. ‘What if she could give you the power to make the most life-like statues in the world?’ Kyril laughed and said it wasn’t her domain, and besides he didn’t need it.

Refusing a blessing from a god is one thing, but to mock them and be telling the truth at the same time is unforgivable.

The weaver lifted her shawl from her head and revealed a brilliant blue plume and with it a golden helmet. Athena arose to her full dreadful height, one hand holding her winged spear, the other pointed towards the terrified sinner in front of her. ‘You will know what power is when you see it. You shall have my blessing whether you wish or not.’

In a second, Kyril fell to the floor screaming with blinding agony, feeling horrible squelching and crunching as bone and muscle grew where it shouldn’t. His nails fell out and out of the raw empty spots grew thorny black claws; his spine extended to accommodate a tufted lion tail; the skin of his back ripped to tatters to unfurl two sets of bloody grey wings; his black curls turned to angry, writhing snakes, each more venomous than the last; his teeth grew sharp and pointed, cutting rifts on his tongue so blood filled his mouth; and lastly his eyes grew heavy in their sockets as they were imbued with the last of the goddess’s curse.

Hearing the commotion, Kyril’s father rushed in and cradled the strange figure he knew was his son, turning his head towards him. He instantly froze in place, a perfect image of paternal worry, and the monster felt the arms holding it turn hard and grating like stone.

Athena took him away to her islands somewhere in the Cyclades to become the next glorious creature on her roster, the Gorgon. There he lied writhing in pain for 12 days without sleep or food (besides the right leg of Pallas, which further changed his body and gained him far more muscle and size). When the pain subsided enough to let him speak he prayed for his patron Hephaestus to help him, but alas gods can’t break each other's curses. Instead he carved out a spacious cave for him in which to seek shelter as well as several unbreakable stonemason and smithing tools to keep up his spirits.

700 yrs later Elias comes to the islands.

#ask #re8 #greek mythology #re8 karl heisenberg #re8 heisenberg #re8 mother miranda #re8 miranda #fanart #my art #sketch

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

The Host | Yandere Zoldyck Family

“I’m so happy, we were able to locate the portal so quickly! Now you all can return to your world without breaking the space-time continuum!” You mused, happily sipping on the piping hot tea in front of you.

Whether you liked it or not, you wouldn’t have refused this cup. After all, it was specially crafted for and given to you by the reclusive Zoldycks. It was an honor—more like a miracle that you were being served an un-poisoned cup of tea. 

You were used to prickly (read as: murderous) anomalies that were ejected into the aimless void of time. As per your occupation you housed and befriended said anomalies until it was time that they returned to their dimensions.

When you were selected at the end of your life for this position, the galactic overlords in charge assured you that this was a duty perfect for you. That no matter what, your tenants would find themselves comforted by you during their time there. 

You begged to disagree even though none of your tenants had successfully ended your life yet. You prepared yourself for the day they one day would. 

“Yes, it will be a shame to lose contact with a host as pleasant as you.” 

Zeno smiled, closing his eyes as brought his own cup to his mouth. Letting a hand fall over your heart you silently thanked him. Another hand reached for you tearing your attention away from the former head.

“It is a shame your work keeps you so busy!” Kikyo cried, holding your hand. Gingerly running the pads of her fingers over your knuckles. 

“Ah, but I feel as though I haven’t worked a day.”

“Oh, so you’re saying you like this job of yours?” The old man raised his brow.

“Of course! When I’m not hosting I’m free to do what I please and the guests that come by always make things interesting.”

Memories of the various visitors came to mind as you smiled; Kikyo puckered her lip in a pout. Her clutch on your hand had gotten slightly tighter, nothing alarming but noticeable.

“But don’t you feel overworked? Tired? Lonely?”

“There’s always the other people in the town.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have expected them to have any intelligible conversation.”

You dismissed the slight towards your community, it’d be impossible for her to realize their worth within the year. Granted they weren’t particularly strong or inquisitive; it wasn’t like they were built to be outstanding anyway. Nonetheless, they were kind to you and always understanding when it came to the guests. Not once have you needed to send a complaint to upper management. Everyone played their prescribed roles without fail.

“They can be really pleasant, once you get to know them.”

Zeno sighed, “So you say but I can’t imagine you not caring for them. You're always so forgiving.”

“Well…they have their flaws.”

“Ah! You’re too humble (Y/n)! The least they can do is honor your contribution to their pathetic lives!”

“Thank you, Mrs. Zoldyck but a cake every once in a while is good enough for me.”

“Ah! So simple (Y/n), it screams you no nothing of luxury!”

“Really I feel as though I’ve almost been overwhelmed with it with the Zoldycks here.”

“Please! If you could see the Zoldyck Estate in our world, you’d truly know luxury!” 

You let her continue, chatting with her and Zeno, who occasionally chimed in. It was time to enjoy their company for they’d be gone before you knew it. 

____________________________________

“Ne (Y/n)! Alluka wants to hold onto your jacket for a bit is that alright?”

“Oh? I barely noticed I left it behind but sure.” 

You continued to walk side by side with Killua making your way to your destination. The wind was cold. Wisping at your cheeks and nose as you mesmerized yourself with the smoky puff your breath made. Catching cat-like blue eyes watching you with amusement you stopped, replacing it with an embarrassed smile. 

He snickered. “What? Don’t stop on my account.”

“Oh Killua you're the only kid that makes me feel like a silly child again.”

“Eh?! You make it sound like I’m the reason you’re just childish anyway.”

You playfully hummed. “Hm. Maybe I am.”

You shared a laugh before letting your eyes begin to wander. Looking past the trees of the park to admire the clouded sky blending into the freezing lake. Despite having walked this path millions of times before, it never failed to take your breath away. Making you sigh in awe, you minded the frozen droplets hanging off the naked branches; looking as though they were a part of some artist’s canvas.

Even the rosiness that danced at your cheeks brought by your body’s attempt to warm you in the frigid season, felt magical in its own right. It was easy to lose sight of your path as your feet remember the way; allowing you to drift. 

But before you could go too far the warmth of another hand-a smaller hand in your pocket brought you back. Looking down in surprise at the blushing owner looking away from you. You chuckled intertwining his smaller, rougher hand with yours as you walked with a pep in your step. 

“I-I’m just keeping my hand warm. Where I’m from it never gets this cold.”

You smirked. “Sure!” 

You didn’t believe him and he knew that. But that wasn’t the point anyway. 

“You two seem to be getting along well.” 

The monotone voice stopped the both of you in your tracks. Standing in a slim-fitted insulating jacket was the eldest of the Zoldyck children. Standing precisely on the crack in the sidewalk he demanded you meet at. You didn’t miss the annoyed click of Killua’s teeth. Or the blank foreboding stare directed at a specific pocket of yours.

“Yup, Killua offered to walk me to our meetup spot. If you’re alright with it, I wouldn’t mind if he came with us.”

Illumi robotically tilted his head, his eyes still trained on the same spot it had been focused on since he started watching you. 

“I doubt Kil would find any enjoyment in where we’re going.”

Killua's eye twitched. “Oh? Where are you going?”

“Somewhere for adults, I’m sure you’d find it boring.”

“Really try me,”

The two intensely held each other’s gaze, vaguely conveying that this may need your intervention. With a well-timed sneeze, you might have saved yourself and the whole park from their ‘playful’ exchange of blows. Illumi seemed to back down first stepping closer to your unoccupied side where he waited for his brother to leave. 

Said brother didn’t look all too convinced. Squeezing his hand in yours brought his attention to you, already smiling in silent reassurance.

“Hey, take care of my sweater for me ‘kay.”

The silent message was heard as Killua, who begrudgingly released your hand from his hold. With a final glare towards his brother, he’d begun to leave, watching as you turned and waved to him as he went. He also watched as his brother slipped his hand into your opposite pocket. With a final click of his tongue, he moved at speeds practically impossible for the human eye back to the apartment you’d organized for him and Alluka. 

Making your way wordlessly out of the park, finally stopping within the toasty insides of a ceramics shop. With the unmolded clay in front of you and the guide having finished their instruction, you finally giggled at Illumi. 

“I’d hardly call ceramics an adults-only event.”

Illumi didn’t laugh, he didn’t even look up from the shape he was focused on molding. 

“I would. He isn’t a part of this so it isn’t bizarre for it to be considered an adult event.”

You decided to keep quiet about the toddler two tables down. Instead, you poked your head over the assassin’s shoulder to see what he was making. Glad you hadn’t started working on your own creation, you pulled back the raven locks that were spilling dangerously close to his work in progress. 

Missing the slight stutter of his fingertips as he registered the soft, gentle hold of your fingertips he continued. Opting to focus solely on his creation with more intensely.

“I’m so glad I brought a hair tie for this exact moment.”

“...if you don’t hurry up your clay will dry and your money will go to waste.”

“Ah. So money conscious.”

Finished with a nice low ponytail, you scooched back into your seat; prepared to begin your own creation. Sparing a glance at Illumi, you expected he’d be laser-focused on his work but instead he was staring at you unapologetically. While you found this wasn’t uncommon for him it didn’t change the fact that it was still odd. 

“So uh what are you making?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I’m just asking, are you worried I’ll make fun?”

“My finished product will be more than enough to answer you, right?

“I guess so.”

You had an inkling of worry that he’d create something graphic and horrific. But you had to remind yourself: he wasn’t Milluki. Who unapologetically, on multiple accounts, scarred surprised you with animal entrails, graphic posters, and concerning digital art that bore striking resemblance to you.

Speaking of striking resemblance…you had a glorious idea. 

____________________________________________________

“So…what is it?” 

You hated to ask but you had to. The ceramic resembled the bare requirements of a face colored by a paint color akin to your skin tone. Somehow when you turned your head to the left side you saw a screaming face but when you turned your head to the right it looked as though it was smiling. 

“....” 

He just stared at you blankly (as he usually did) but you could tell there was something unfamiliar. He turned his head away from you as he reached for his creation back. 

“If you can’t tell than it shouldn’t matter.”

“Don’t be embarrassed, I’m sorry!” 

You held the…thing in your hands with care as you bore witness to the rare sight of an embarrassed Illumi. 

“Even if I don’t know what it is I think it’s beautiful in its own right.”

“Don’t lie its unbecoming of you.” 

“I’m not lying!”

You let him snatch it from your hand and tuck it in his pocket. Smiling to yourself, you found comfort in that he didn’t immediately toss it into the trashcan by the doorway. Catching up with his quick pace you held you’re wrapped creation to your chest. 

“I would like to continue on now.”

“Don’t just sweep it under the rug! It’s all about growth.”

_____________________________________________

“Here you are Kalluto!”

He was doing what you had suggested: finding his own style. Alas, he still found himself taking the most buried articles of clothing from your closet and posing in the mirror. If you had noticed you didn’t say much, when you let yourself into the room he’d been given. 

“I made it just for you.”

The vase had a pink hue, with speckles of purple. He liked it but he was curious why he was gifted this. 

“I based it off the color of your eyes. I saw the shade being offered and I thought it’d be a perfect souvenir for you.”

His cheeks were overtaken by a hot crimson as he gingerly accepted the small vase. He loved it! Holding it close to his chest he almost missed the presence of his eldest brother outside his room. Judging by the slim-fitted jacket, his hat, and his pointed stare at the gift itself told Kalluto everything he needed to know. So that was his decision, for his day out with you? The ceramics shop?  

The image of you crafting something while smiling along with him. Hands touching one another while you both crafted something beautiful. Your attention solely focused on him. 

He’s so jealous. 

“Thank you. It looks beautiful.”

“ I’m so happy you like it! I was worried I wouldn’t get the color right but looking at you now I see I’m right on the mark.”

Kalluto’s cheeks never changed from heir red color, causing him to tuck his head into the collar of the shirt he stole from you borrowed. Sending a cautious look at the figure in the doorway he took a gamble. He put the vase down, quickly moving to nestle his head into your stomach almost immediately having your arms wrap around him. He didn’t bother locking eyes with the observer, instead pretending to be fully enveloped by your attention. 

If he did have a problem, Kalluto could argue that his time with you was limited. Therefore nothing was off the table. Not when their access to you would be gone forever. He’d rather it not be that way.

__________________________________________________

“Silva.” 

The call of his wife had the current head of the Zoldyck family, wordlessly asking what she needed. Nonetheless, he responded in kind. 

“Kikyo.”

The two of them were seated a ways apart from one another each sipping on their respective drinks as the candles slowly burned. 

“We need to talk about (Y/n).”

“What is there to talk about?”

He knew what she wanted to talk about. Those of any authority within the Zoldyck family already had a gray consensus about their host. All that was needed was definite words, so that they could be a united front on the subject. 

“On the topic of (Y/n) coming with us.”

Silva crossed his arms. 

“We cannot.”

“Why not? All of us like them! They show promise in maintaining the family, they’ve even convinced Kil to come home more often!” 

He wanted to grit his teeth but he didn’t. Only brought his cup to his mouth for a pensive sip.

“No, they’d never survive training. Let alone our world in general.”

He maintained his composure as he parroted Zeno’s consultation. Even as his wife slammed her own cup on the tray and opened her mouth to protest. He knew she’d ask because he had asked. 

“Mr. Silva. Is it okay if I call you that or would you rather it be Mr. Zoldyck?”

It amazed him that such a meek, small, weak host would have made him even consider bringing you along with them when they returned. Their host couldn’t be farther from them brimming with compassion and mindfulness that brought out a side the family had long since fought against. 

It shouldn’t have enamored them as it had. But it did. Leaving everyone in the family vying for their attention. With them the family’s prowess in killing meant nothing and it didn’t do any favors in garnering positive response. 

But it was for that exact reason Zeno mused that they’d never fit in the Zoldyck family. Even if they chose the route of marrying you into the family it would diminish your time with the everyone. Favoring the one they’d marry over all others. It’d be so unfair

“Husband, this opportunity to attain a sliver of another world would benefit the Zoldyck family! Even more so as a tenant or as a servant under all our care! It wouldn’t impede the family’s strength and their rules to serve would make them an asset to explore.” 

“And have them reach a butler’s strength alone. At their level?”

Kikyo hung her head covering her visor with her hands as she resisted the urge to weep. Silva refused to look at her, focusing intensely on the still liquid in his cup. The pain in this revelation was mutual. 

“Mr. Silva, did you go to aquariums when you were younger?”

“For missions.”

“What about on your own?”

“What would be the purpose of that?”

“I don’t know, to see the animals. To learn about them.”

“What use would learning about these animals do? If there is no time that I’ll be within their biome it would do nothing for me to retain this information.”

“Isn’t it nice to just be in awe though? To just fathom loosely about the world we barely have begun to discover?”

The image of their excited face illuminated by the tank was the moment Silva’s first felt that emotion. It reminded him of meeting Kikyo, of having his heir, of establishing a budding lineage. He learned that feeling was better not left ignored for it could very well determine the safety of the ones he felt it for. 

He’s seen it in his children, in all his children, so he could only see what he could control spiraling for the others. He could only think about the repercussions for when they returned home. There’d be no way to cull it easily; with you being literal dimensions apart.

Kikyo’s sulking stopped abruptly her hands folding to sit on her lap.

“Perhaps there is a way to bring them without breaking the rules.”

Blue eyes look at her expectantly.

“The Zoldyck’s have not encountered anyone worthy enough to consider adoption.”

“Adoption?”

“Yes, the process hasn’t been used within the family before…if it were to be implemented–” There was something hopeful within her voice and a twitch of a smile on Silva’s lip. 

“Then the rules that qualify the one adopted would be entirely up to the head of the family.” 

Silva attempted to resist the smile that spread across his face, as he leaned back onto his hand. How apparent would it be that their host had such an impact on them since they left the mansion? But even so, this was proof that they should have their host after all. 

“I’ll have to check with Zeno…but perhaps it might be a veritable solution.”

____________________________________________

You were glad you spent the night before sobbing your heart out. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to smile through the Zoldyck’s goodbyes. Granted none of them, except for Kalluto and Alluka, were even close to shedding a single tear. Nonetheless, you hugged them all trying to calm yourself. 

The otherworldly energy spewing from the portal never made you nervous before and yet your hair was standing on end. Your tolerance for fearful situations had decreased significantly as you got to know the Zoldyck family but it never completely went away. You weren’t an idiot. 

They were a family of assassins. 

It’s foolish not to expect threats on your life at every other turn. But this had an effect on you on a deeper level than that. This was more unsettling. 

Was it the amount of place-holding spirits killed during their stay? Or the physical planet of this dimension lurching as it coughed up one of the most murderous families to stay here? Or was there something wrong with the integrity of the dimension itself?

You were tethered to the realm and it was tethered to you. For the most part, it only means you have a loose idea of what’s to come with the weather or an effect on a guest’s actions. But in times of dire situations, you’ve had the world reach out to you. At this point, you were already looking for a sign. 

But that wasn’t your main focus not when the younger ones were keeping you occupied. Hanging on your arms were Alluka and Killua; the latter was playfully mirroring the former. 

“Aw (Y/n)! We’ll miss you so much!”

“Yeah! We’ll miss you soooo much!”

“Ah Killua at least you could pretend to be serious about this.”

Spying Kalluto a ways off clutching the vase you had made him you gave him a small smile. 

“This relocation didn’t turn out to be a complete waste.” 

Milluki spoke up, unabashed as he pulled along a cart of all his anime and gaming memorabilia. You could see the invisible sneers of disgust from majority of the family, Killua didn’t even bother hiding his. 

“For once I’d agree,” Illumi chimed sending a bottomless look in your direction. “There were plenty of…unexpected trades to learn in a world devoid of hunters.”

“Thank you?” You shrugged.

Zeno let out a chuckle putting a thoughtful hand on your back. 

“I think all of us in the Zoldyck family have learned quite a bit.” You had to fight the tears now.

“For that we thank you.”

The entirety of the Zoldyck family bowed to you, leaving you to fight tears at the demonstration of respect and love they had for an average-dimensional host. Fanning at the water building up in your eyes you bowed and thanked them yourselves.

“You guys! Get over here and give me hugs!” 

You made sure to hug every member of the family even if they made unsettling comments as you did Milluki. 

Getting the timing perfectly right the portal opened to its full size, the electric blue illuminating everyone’s faces. You could smell the atmosphere of the Kukuroo mountain and the forest upon it. All that was left to do was for them to enter. 

“Alright now as stated before time has only been an hour in your world. Now you will be coming down from the sky but I’m sure you all will manage.”

“Thank you for everything (Y/n).”

You bowed your head to the patriarch missing the devious glint in his eyes.

“Of course.” 

Starting with Silva they each dove into the portal, leaving you to stand by yourself in the field of sunflowers selected as a gateway. Turning away from the flashing portal you could finally address the world’s message for you. The surrounding grass began to lay down unnaturally, spelling out a word. 

“They–”

You bent to down watching as the green blades folded into more words, filling your heart with trepidation as it spelled slowly.

“--will not–”

The blades continued to fold slowly as the sunflower stems frantically sprouted from the ground. Not bothering to wriggle free from the stems wrapping around your wrists, you tried to hurry the world’s spelling. Why did you feel like you needed to rush?

“-let you go–? Wait what the he-” 

Before you could finish a translucent, glowing, and golden dragon, like one from Japanese folklore came out of the portal. Wrapping around your entire body it skillfully carried you into the shrinking portal. Only stopping for a short time to wriggle free of the sunflowers that were simultaneously pulling at your limbs.

Now on the other side of the portal, you were being pulled backward. Your front looking at the endless sky watching the portal shrink and close, slicing the desperately reaching sunflowers and their stems. 

Something within you seemed to break but before you could dwell on that you finally tried to register what was going on.

“AHHHHH!”

Diving with you in it’s coil the dragon was rocketing in the direction of a mansion. All you could do was hold tight as the dragon slowed to a stop. Gently letting you lie on the floor, taking a moment to ground yourself you barely registered the booming voice.

“Congratulations (Y/n), you’ve been inducted into the Zoldyck Family.”

“W-what?”

“As the adopted of the Zoldyck, you’re duty to the family is to be protected and to participate in the family to the best of your limited abilities.”

“Wait—”

“Per your lack of Zoldyck blood, your title as the adopted is willing to change for the family’s convenience.”

“HOLD ON!” You stood up fully holding your shaking hands out as you began to process what this would mean. Before you can get a word in Kikyo runs up to you, shoving your head into her chest as she rocks your unsteady form. 

“Rejoice my (Y/n)! Now for all the care you’ve given us, we get to take care of you!”

“Mother, you’ll smother them.”

“Ah big brother, don’t need to get jealous I’m sure you’ll get your turn.”

“I know that.” 

Unable to speak or look too far away, you felt Alluka and Kalluto grab at your pant legs. No doubt they glared at one another as they vied for your attention.

“(Y/n)!” ”(Y/n)!”

Being no help at all Killua wasn’t too far behind, ”Oi don’t hog them all.”

Whether it was the exhaustion of dimensional travel or losing air within your mother Kikyo’s breast. Beginning to lose consciousness you could barely make out the ghost of a smile on Silva’s face. Zeno withheld no courtesy, smiling happily as he turned away.

After all, you were home with them. Where you belonged. 

Surely the Zoldyck family could handle the dimensional repercussions of claiming their host.

#yandere x reader #yandere x you #lovelyyandereaddictionpoint #yanderexrea #yandere #yanderes #yandere harem #yandere platonic #platonic yandere x reader #platonic yandere #yandere zoldyck family #yandere zoldyck family x reader #yandere silva zoldyck #yandere silva #yandere kikyo #yandere kikyo zoldyck #yandere hunter x hunter #yandere host au #yandere kikyo zoldyck x reader #yandere illumi #yandere hxh #yanderes x reader #yandere illumi zoldyck #yandere illumi x reader #yandere killua #yandere killua zoldyck #yandere alluka #yandere alluka x reader #yandere killua x reader #yandere milluki

[lolliepopcrusader]

Calling all chronic creatives - here's how to up your crochet game!

I'm an avid crocheter, but holding the hook for long periods of time became exhausting and painful. Being chronically ill, losing the ability to enjoy my hobbies was tough for me accept.

My husband took me to the craft store and we purchased a ergonomic crochet handle. This handle needed to fit my criteria;

able to hold a variety of hook sizes

hold up to high tension crochet projects (I do a lot of amigurumi crochet, which you need to complete with tight tension)

reduce my wrist/hand pain

reduce the amount of grip strength needed to hold the hook to avoid fatigue

This ergonomic crochet handle *seemed* to tick all these boxes. It was quite an expensive purchase and to be honest, I was disappointed in it in all aspects.

The purchased handle uses small rubber stoppers to hold the crochet hook in place, but as you are crocheting the hook works loose and spins around inside it. The handle itself was too small, making it painful to hold. I had to use a lot of grip strength to keep it in my hand, which is what I was trying to avoid by purchasing the darn thing. The little knobbly bit at the end really dug into my hand and hurt. It was so annoying to use and I gave up on it altogether after three days of using it (not to mention one of the rubber pieces broke apart within hours).

I expressed my disappointment to my husband, and he decided to come to my rescue! Over the course of a week, he designed me his own ergonomic crochet handle in a computer program called CAD. He then printed it out using his 3D printer. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this new handle - its a game changer!

During the design process, he took into consideration all of my complaints about the disappointing handle and my criteria that I had listed. The handle he designed is bigger, so it uses less grip strength to hold it in place which also reduces my pain.

Instead of using rubber stoppers like the other handle, he designed a 'lock and key' system for keeping the crochet hooks in place and it works fabulously! The hook never moves and I'm really rough with my crochet hooks. It holds up to my high tension crochet projects and I have completed many amigurumi with it, even small, intricate items. Since it is designed with the lock and key system, my husband was easily able to print different keys to be able to hold multiple sizes. I've got keys ranging from 1.25mm all the way up to 6mm!

I can now crochet for hours on end and I swear my crochet skills have gotten so much better.

After expressing my delight at the crochet handle my husband designed for me, both him and I want others to be able to experience the freedom that I now have when crocheting. With chronic illnesses, its important for you to be able to continue with your passions as much as possible, so we have decided to make this crochet handle a sellable physical item for others to enjoy.

Here's the link to purchase one if you would like to give it a go!

Each crochet handle will come with the hook sizes;

1.25mm

2mm

3mm

4mm

4.25mm

5mm

6mm

If you want other hook sizes, send us a message and we can design one.

The cost of the handle and keys covers the cost of the 3D printing material, we are not making a profit off of this because we want as many people suffering from chronic illness to be able to enjoy crocheting again. We are happy to post internationally as we are based in New Zealand, send us a message before purchasing so that I can get you the cost of shipping.

I hope you will love this crochet handle and hook set as much as I have!

#cfs/me #chronic fatigue #chronic illness #chronically ill #me cfs #myalgic encephalomyelitis #spoonie #chronic fatigue syndrome #chronic pain #mobility #mobility aid #crochet #crocheting #amigurumi #yarn crafts #yarn #hobbies #creativity #life hacks #hobby #craft