#there was one specific sweet they brought that I've been wanting more of Ever Since and I'm pretty sure it was candied lotus seeds

[kirby-the-gorb]

#kirby #daily kirby #my art #digital #hal laboratory #nintendo #my wife and my partner said I can go to the fancy korean bakery nearby and pick out lots of snacks #*and* it's right next to a taiwanese grocery store that probably has a lunar new year candy I've been idly looking for for like. 20 years. #not a joke btw #one year we celebrated lunar new year in school because blah blah white people school with like 2 chinese kids #it was meant as like a cultural exchange thing but it feels very tokenizing in retrospect #but Anyway #there was one specific sweet they brought that I've been wanting more of Ever Since and I'm pretty sure it was candied lotus seeds #but I only pinned that down for relative certain like. this month #and we mostly shop at american korean and japanese groceries #so I had one one time over 20 years ago #and haven't seen them since. #until jessica kellgren-fozard's recent video with her wife about lunar new year traditions #and I was like 'oh dang I probably can actually just look that up now huh' #cuz I remember the shape very distinctly #and I've been kind of looking for it since before I was on the internet lol #so it genuinely didn't occur to me that I might be able to look it up. #point being - a brief break in The Horrors for Snack Excitement :)

[justhereforthemeta]

Romantic expectations and the story we didn't see: A magic trick hiding in plain sight

Here's a hopeful meta for all my fellow celestial brainrot sufferers out there. Cheers! :)

This idea started as a dead end, trying to track the movements of Crowley’s sideburns/tattoo because I thought time travel shenanigans were afoot. I had to abandon that theory when it was pointed out that David was simultaneously filming as the sideburns-having Fourteenth Doctor, and in-universe Crowley can do whatever he wants with his facial hair whenever he feels like it. But hey - null findings are still findings!

On the bright side, pausing the show to make notations in a spreadsheet forced me to slow down and notice other changes I'd overlooked the first time around: acting choices, costuming choices, references to book lore. And possibly a few surreptitious flicks of the wrist, in places where we’re meant to be focused on the magician’s other hand.

@amuseoffyre and @ineffablefood had a great exchange recently about romance and “the significance of misdirection and three-in-one (magic) tricks” throughout the show. I suspect Neil has done something brilliant with the audience’s long-standing expectations (since the 1990s, really) for the love story between Crowley and Aziraphale to develop. And while it is a wonderful story indeed, playing to this expectation lets Neil distract his audience from the blink-and-you'll-miss-them seeds he's planting for the final chapter.

Continued below the cut...

Let’s start at the beginning of Episode 2. First, context: In the previous installment, Crowley stormed out of the bookshop, was whisked away to Hell by Beelzebub where he learns about the Book of Life threat to Aziraphale’s existence, then returned to the bookshop to dance a little apology dance and hide Gabriel with an unintentionally massive joint miracle. In S2E2, we and Shax catch up with Crowley as he's snoozing in the Bentley.

Shax: “You’re in trouble”

A. J. Crowley, cool as a cucumber: “Obviously. Former demon, hated by Heaven, loathed by Hell. How will our hero cope?”

Interesting! Sarcastic? Yes, absolutely; but that’s also a good 4500 years and an averted apocalypse away from “I’m a demon. I lie,” wouldn’t you say? Someone is sounding a whole lot less depressed and aimless and navel-gazey (do snakes have navels?), and a whole lot more like he’s got a project to focus on, since his "what's the point?" ruminations on the park bench in E1.

And of course we all noticed the costume change right away. Hello, black turtleneck. Feeling cute today, thought I’d cover up my graceful long neck? That sounds unlikely. Let’s put a pin in this one.

There’s also an interesting acting choice going on here. Crowley speaks to Shax in a funny, drawling, too-cool-for-you voice that we haven’t heard in a while. Specifically, not since 1967. If you go back and give the S1E3 scene in the Dirty Donkey a listen, you’ll hear it (and if you know of another instance of it that I've missed, please let me know!). In S2E2, he keeps up this odd voice (if anybody knows what kind of affect this is supposed to be, please do tell!) throughout this dialogue with Shax, except for the brief moment when she first surprises him about the joint miracle having been detected.

1967 was a fun year. Crowley masterminded a heist! And seemed like he was having a ball doing it, right up until his little caper was called off after Aziraphale brought him the thermos of holy water. Crowley spoke to his co-conspirators in that same funny, very 60’s-caper-film voice. He wore a hip 60’s turtleneck. He bought petrol for the only time ever, so he could get those sweet James Bond bullet hole decals for his car (per the book, seen on the Bentley in the show).

Those James Bond bullet hole decals would of course have been part of a promotion for this 1967 release, which you just know our film-enjoying demon went to see in the theater:

Starring this suave, be-turtlenecked guy:

And now - begging your forgiveness - a brief rant.

There are a number of posts out there that refer to Crowley’s S2E2 turtleneck as a flirtatious sartorial choice - actually, ‘slutty’ seems to be the favored accusation. There are even a few posts floating around commenting on how sweet it is that Crowley swaps out his slutty, kinky, throw-me-over-your-desk-and-take-me turtleneck for a more dressy and appropriate collared shirt specifically to attend Aziraphale’s Jane Austen ball. 

Now this is all in good fun, and Crowley does indeed look fantastic here, and I do love a good fangirling sesh as much as the next person. However, fandom’s collective tendency to interpret what we are seeing on the screen through the lens of romantic expectation can, at times, give rise to a kind of blinkered enthusiasm that obscures the original text in a haze that is part Mandela Effect, part unrestrained horniness, and part in-group code talking and identity reinforcement.

Respectfully, Crowley’s black turtleneck does not appear at all in S2E5: The Ball. In fact, it never appears again after the end of S2E2.

For Someone’s sake, let’s collectively pull our heads out of the romantic fog/gutter for a moment and focus on what we are actually seeing in the book and on the screen. For Crowley, this is an uncharacteristic within-period costume change. There is a surreptitious flick of the wrist happening here, out in broad daylight, and we are all missing it.

So here’s a thing. Aziraphale appears to have settled comfortably into life on Earth, his neighborhood, his books, using Crowley as an outlet for sharing his good deeds that he would once have reported to Heaven. Meanwhile, at first glance, Crowley appears stuck in a rut. There he slouches on a park bench with Shax in S2E1: a guy who lives in his car, stagnantly clinging to old familiar habits, mulling over the pointlessness of it all.

Setting aside the bit about living in the Bentley (I’m going to attribute this to well-documented issues between him and Aziraphale, discussed in many other excellent metas, and move on), Crowley has at least two very good, proactive reasons for maintaining his contact with Hell through Shax. First and foremost, it’s a source of information he can use to keep ahead of potential threats to Aziraphale and himself.

But also, I would posit…he kinda likes it.

Recall that book GO was first conceived as a parody, with Aziraphale and Crowley as spy-against-spy (but not really) field operatives in an ages-old cold war between Heaven and Hell. Their entire book dynamic is rooted in the trope of two opposing agents who have been in the field for so long that they now have more in common with each other than with their respective head offices. Their St. James’s Park meetings among other spies and ministers trading secrets are a sendup of what was once a well-known Cold War-era cliché. 

Our contemporary Crowley still likes slick outfits and hellaciously expensive watches and high-performing vintage cars and pens that write underwater while looking like they could break the speed limit. He coaches Shax on how to blend in as a demon on Earth, and he helpfully redirects the wayward contact looking for the Azerbaijani sector chief. He loves improvising and getting away with shenanigans under the institutional radar. And boy golly was he impressed with Jane Austen: master spy, brandy smuggler, and mastermind of the 1810 Clerkenwell Diamond Robbery. 

And if you look at it a certain way, for as long as Crowley has considered himself to be on “[his] own side” - going at least as far back as Job - he could almost think of himself as a sort of double agent. It’s actually a very romantic sort of notion, befitting our hopeless romantic of a (professedly former) demon; but it’s romantic in a very different way than we, the audience, have been primed to watch for.

In other words, in a very “on my own side” kind of way, Crowley really gets a kick out of being a spy. Or at least, dressing up and accessorizing as one, and moonlighting as a good-doing double agent when he can get away with it. And also being a plotting criminal mastermind. Two sides of a coin, really. Just look at Jane Austen.

My point is: No, Crowley did not wait around for Shax to come find him in a turtleneck so that he could go flirt with Aziraphale later. He’ll flirt with Aziraphale no matter what. No, this:

is actually this:

Much like the one he wears to the Dirty Donkey in 1967: 

whilst holy water heist-plotting. Here's a clearer shot with gratuitous Bentley, because I love them:

…and which he'll wear again, with appropriate camouflage, while infiltrating Heaven in S2E6:

That is the 1967 planning a HEIST turtleneck for committing ESPIONAGE and STEALING THINGS in. Because turtlenecks are what modern human master spies wear to get their hands dirty - after all, he saw it in a movie once. 

Crowley dons his tactical turtleneck sometime during the first major break in the action (which doesn't happen until after the joint miracle to hide Gabriel) after he learns about the threat the Book of Life poses to Aziraphale. Loverboy started mentally preparing himself to go after that book immediately upon learning that it was in play as a genuine threat. 

Now let’s pick up at the S2E2 Dirty Donkey scene, reading the story from this angle. Of course, Crowley enables Aziraphale’s delusions about Heaven by hiding information from him, and does not disclose the Book of Life threat when they meet again. They go into the pub, Aziraphale shamelessly paws Crowley’s chest like the seductive Bond Girl he is, and Crowley gets to act all smooth and suave and intimidating as he chases off the interloping Mr. Brown (or Mr. Collins for the Pride & Prejudice fans, take your pick).

Ergo, theory: beginning in S2E2, Crowley is already thinking of himself as a Jane Austen/James Bond action hero (“How will our hero cope?”), psyching himself up to rescue Aziraphale by getting his spy game on and stealing the Book of Life.

Now, watch closely...This is where Aziraphale and Crowley brainstorm their plans to solve the problem they both know about: getting Maggie and Nina to fall in love and thereby get Heaven off their backs. Crowley’s vavoom plan is drawn from yet another movie (“Get humans wet and staring into each other’s eyes - vavoom, sorted. I saw it in a Richard Curtis film.”). But Crowley also implicitly shares his solution to the problem he hasn’t told Aziraphale about. And true to form, Crowley’s Jane Austen solution isn’t the same as Aziraphale’s Jane Austen solution. 

Two solutions that fail by the end of Season 2, and a secret third one that might still work...and there's our magic trick of three.

‘“I’m lost. Am I doing a rainstorm?” Yes, babe. And a heist, too - just not until season three. Can I get a wahoo!? 

I won’t spend time on A Companion to Owls during this meta, except to note that in all three minisodes, we get to watch stories that involve Crowley acting as a double agent on “his/their own side” - successfully making Hell and Heaven think he’s fulfilling their will while saving Job’s goats and children; failing to fool Hell when he does a good deed in Edinburgh; and of course, collaborating with Aziraphale whilst evading detection as an infernal turncoat during the Blitz.

(Because this is getting long, I'll also skip over Crowley's interrogation of Jim in this episode - I'll probably come back to that in another meta. But interrogating is a rather spy-ish thing to do.)

When we catch up with Crowley again later, he’s already slipped out of the bookshop, having left Aziraphale to his biblical reverie about Job. He saunters snakily down Whickber Street as usual, but with a very pointed and swift glance over his shoulder (see pic above). This demon is up to something - possibly something we didn’t get to see, something that may have happened offscreen while he stepped out. In any case, knowing there’ve been unfriendly angels in the neighborhood that morning, he’s rightly concerned about being spied on.

From this point until the beginning of episode six, there isn’t a whole lot of opportunity for Crowley to make any next moves. He babysits the bookshop, during which time he manages to wring some crucial information out of Jim; he follows his Crowley’s Angel around like a puppy, and downs a bottle of red like a good old fashioned lovesick boy once that’s been pointed out to him. If any plotting or scheming is underway, this occult being is keeping stumm for now.

This has been a long one, so I’ll wrap up with Crowley’s infiltration of Heaven with Muriel. The turtleneck disguise works (Archer fans, be vindicated!) long enough to gather some information that will be crucial not just to the denouement of S2, but also to Crowley’s journey in S3 (previous post on Crowley's Fall, Saraqael, and memory wiping). And Aziraphale gets to enjoy that view exactly zero times. The point isn’t oh, a turtleneck! How flirty! So cunty! So cute! Y’all. Everything matters. The costume change was a deliberate choice. In-universe, Crowley’s decision to wear his special spy turtleneck for spying in is a signal that he is out doing spy things, even as we watch.

In sum: Beginning in S2E2 and continuing through the end of the season, Aziraphale and Crowley are actively living out the scripts of two parallel, concurrent, and completely different Jane Austen stories. But you and I, dear fellow audience member, we came here for a comedy with a hefty jigger of romance, and that’s what Neil gave us to focus on. And right up until the Final 15, that was the only story we saw.

Meanwhile, Special Agent A. J. Crowley doesn’t have time to mope around at the end of S2E6. He’s kicked down, but he’s not out. He's got a Book of Life to steal, a very serious bone to pick with a certain memory-wiping angel, and his Angel and the world to save. 

“‘Heigh ho,’ said [romantic, optimist, former demon, hero, master spy] Anthony Crowley, and just drove anyway.”

#so honestly #I think the biggest mark against this conclusion is that Crowley sees his mirror Maggie taking a nap at the end of S2E6 #there is a strong chance of a depression nap before any further spying gets underway #but I am counting on Muriel to be a dorky ray of sunshine and snap him out of it with Clues #good omens #good omens meta #good omens 2 #crowley in a turtleneck #demon bookseller plantdad spy

[runa-falls]

scratches and bites - 2

Pairing: Miguel O'Hara x Reader

Warnings: Could be a little off-canon for some characters, lots of plot, slight angst, Miguel is an helicopter mom, reader just wants some friends :(

a/n: ok. i didn't realize how much i wanted to put into this chapter so spicy stuff is coming NEXT chapter. promith. i've already written some of it. anyway, i'm glad y'all are enjoying my O'Hara content. I hope this lives up to your expectations lmfao

Summary: Miguel O'Hara is a grumpy man and you make him grumpy. You regularly go against his orders, create chaos, and invite danger. This is what you've been doing since he swept you away.

w/c: 2.2k

series masterlist | main masterlist

----

So being “Spider-Woman” turned out to be harder than you thought. It’s not all swinging from and shooting webs like you imagined. Apparently, there’s a spider-specific physical regimen you’re required to keep up with. Every day. 

You’re almost convinced that you’re being hazed into the spider-verse community because you are yet to see anyone else doing upside-down web squats on a 100-story building. Not to mention the life-threatening training simulations you were thrown into as soon as you arrived in Nueva York. 

“They can’t hurt you, Kid. They’re holograms.” 

“Yeah, that’s what they want you to think O’Hara, but my ass has been kicked enough to prove differently.”

“Alright, well they can’t kill you.”

Miguel has been “training” you for the last few months to become the best Spider-Woman you can be, pushing you harder than you’ve ever been pushed before. Though these days, this “training” is actually just him telling Parker to drill you in whatever he thinks will work. 

O’Hara attempted to do it himself for like three days, and it turns out he’s too impatient to take in a spider apprentice or even be in a room where you do anything but exactly what he commands. 

You should’ve expected it. 

Sure, Miguel is a naturally grumpy man, but you swear he has it out for you. He literally tenses whenever you enter the room and makes sure to barely meet your eyes when he’s forced to talk to you.

Actually, ever since you were dropped in the middle of Spider-Central, O’Hara has been ignoring you. Treating you like the plague. Always making the excuse that he’s too busy with things that are far more important than anything you’d ever have to say. As if he wasn’t the one who forced you to come with him in the first place…

It’s not fair. He was literally all you had. 

Months ago, he showed you a side of him, the one that convinced you that he actually brought you here for a reason, but now he can’t even look at you. Sure, you’re a particularly slow learner, and one that never really liked PE, but you deserve some slack. You left everything for him – for them. 

Meeting people who’ve gone through similar circumstances as you was quite interesting, to say the least. And it doesn’t stop at people either. Spider cars, dinosaurs, and cats were just the beginning. 

You’ve made a few friends. There’s Gwen, a 15 (or was it 16?) -year-old who mostly talks about her friend Miles, music, and…uh, Miles. It’s sweet how she gushes on about some guy without fully realizing how into him she is. Miles sounds great, really great, but you’ll probably never get to meet him because of the number of restrictions placed on your watch. Fucking O’Hara and his parental controls. 

Gwen is cool, she plays the drums and can do a bunch of acrobatic things that you’d never even attempt, but she’s also almost a half-decade younger than you. There’s only so much you can talk about before you start getting homesick. Of course, despite her young age, she’s still given more responsibilities and missions than you. If Miguel has one hobby, it would be undermining everything you do. 

“She’s been in the game longer than you have.” He always makes that excuse. 

And you always counter it with: “But I’m older! I can do more than just scream for help!”

“This isn’t a discussion.” That honestly might be his favorite phrase to shut you up these days. “You’ll be called on when you’re ready, Kid.” And that. 

“I am ready. And stop calling me that. I’m not a kid, I’m 20 years old!”

“Yeah, whatever.”

There’s also Peter Parker, your reluctant coach. He’s…something else. Sure, he’s your friend, but he’s more like a substitute teacher and crazy uncle type of guy. Usually, he listens to everything Miguel says, acting like a glorified babysitter, but sometimes, he’s up to bend the rules on some things.

Once he let you visit his dimension, claiming you’d need some real-life experience as a “friendly-neighborhood spider-woman”. You spent that day chasing down petty robbers and helping old ladies cross the road. Sure, it was a small field trip, but that was only the third dimension you’d traveled to at the time. 

Parker is also always trying to get you to hold his daughter whenever she comes to work claiming that “it’ll be good for your mental health, trust me.” Of course, for Parker, every day is “bring-your-kid-to-train-the-new-spider-woman-day”. And really, you don’t mind holding her, but not when you’re in the middle of sparing 5 of Doc Ocks tentacles. 

The baby is adorable, but you do worry about how she crawls up the walls. Parker doesn’t seem fazed. Actually, neither does O’Hara. 

Sometimes you wonder if O’Hara wants kids one day. He certainly handles Mayday like a pro, letting her crawl over his shoulders and paperwork. Would he possibl– No, actually, it doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter, because he left you. He’s not – couldn’t even be an option. – Anyway…

Parker and Mayday are nice company and the only real constants in your life, but you really just want to be a consistent part of the team. You don’t know how much longer you can spend your days doing swinging drills and spider crunches (don’t even ask). But Parker has actually been your rock these past months, to give him credit. He’s one of the few people that makes you feel like you belonged in this distorted array of spiders and dimensions.

Then there’s Hobie. 

The first time you met him you probably had literal stars in your eyes. Donned with a spiked vest and several facial piercings, he caught your attention right away. He catches everyone’s attention. Even his suit is cooler than everyone else’s with a spiked mohawk that surely gets in the way.

Unfortunately, just as you were hoping to take on the Brit as your mentor for all things spider, he was decidedly off-limits, courtesy of O’Hara. Apparently, his rebellious nature and brash energy make him a “bad influence”. 

“Seriously? You should be glad that I’m taking a bigger interest in my training.” You have your hands posted up on your hips, trying to make yourself look bigger than you actually are. Damn, O’Hara and his domineering presence!

He rolls his eyes openly, genuinely already done with the conversation. “Yeah…your ‘training,’ sure.” 

“What is that supposed to mean!” You practically whine it out.

“Don’t get distracted gatita, just do as you’re told.”

“Ok, what does that mean? I don’t speak Italian.”

“That was Spanish dumbass.”

Of course, that doesn’t stop you from hanging out with him anyway (though he’s not around as much anymore). Who knew making friends as Spider-Person would be so hard. You’d think you’d have a lot in common with everyone around you, but really, you’re all alone. Sometimes you think the spiders actually resent you deep down because you’re the only one that has never lost anything. Or had anything to lose in the first place. 

For now, you’re just moving through a sea of spiders, trying to catch a glimpse of what you’re supposed to be doing here. Trying to figure out why you were chosen over the infinite other versions of you in the multiverse.

—

So far you’ve been on 2 and a half missions. The half was when you were forcibly sent home and effectively grounded for a week. Apparently, talking to civilians while standing guard is prohibited, even when they’re selling dip’n’dots. What? It was a long ass mission. And it was hot! 

This one is your official third mission. It’s quite simple, in theory. Just travel to Earth-275A, infiltrate a tech lab, pick up some – worryingly volatile – equipment, and go home. Easy. 

Except, it didn’t exactly go that way. 

It’s just you, Miguel, Gwen, and Jess on this mission. You and Jess were placed on lookout duty (you on the roof and Jess on the ground with her bike), while Miguel and Gwen broke in and out of the building. It was all running smoothly, each spider occasionally muttering quietly through the radio whenever their positionings changed. Otherwise, it was silent. And frankly, a bit boring. 

You idly kicked around some pebbles that somehow found their way onto the roof of this tall ass building, sometimes smacking them against the half wall separating you from falling a thousand feet downwards. You were actually dying to get back to HQ because you briefly spotted Hobie talking to Parker and Mayday before you had to go. He’s been quite absent lately, and you want to show off some of the new moves you learned this week.

Then, there was suddenly action. 

A huge explosion surges out the right side of the building that O’Hara and Stacy were infiltrating. That mission plan was not kidding when they described the ‘volatility’ of the shit inside of those supply crates. Deep creaking and smashing objects follow the blast. You watch as the tallest building in the city starts to tilt. Shit, the explosion must’ve taken out some of the support beams.

You hear Miguel yelling your name through your earpiece, as well as heavy breathing and crumbling concrete in the background. 

“Y-yes? Copy–”

“You and Gwen collect the crate and get out of here. I already called for a portal. Jess and I will get surrounding civilians away from danger.” 

“Understood, sir.” You don’t usually call him anything like ‘sir’, but the stakes are high and complete compliance is needed at this moment. 

“Crate is located on the top floor, Stacy is already there waiting for my word.” You briefly shake yourself out, mentally preparing yourself to scale the larger building in front of you.

With a quick fwp, you attach your web to the nearly as tall building next to your target to give yourself some leverage. You jump without even giving yourself time to think about it, tugging slightly at the web, making sure to collect as much kinetic energy as possible. You release the web when you get to the highest point and spit out another web to get you to the top floor of the building. Luckily the blast took out the windows so you could easily enter the floor. 

There, Gwen stands next to a crate with several scientists and guards nicely pasted onto the walls with perfectly placed webs on each limb and over their abdomens. 

“Took you long enough.” 

“It’s been 30 seconds!”

“Relax, I’m teasing.” She shoots out a couple of webs and connects them to the crate. “Here, help me out with this.” You follow her movements, pulling at your webs slightly to get a good evaluation of its weight. Surprisingly, it moves quite easily, almost three inches from your soft tug.

“Why’re we both doing this when it weighs 100 lbs. We have super strength.”

“I dunno, Miguel just gave us the orders. There’s probably a reason. It doesn’t really matter.” You frown realizing you could’ve been down there helping O’Hara save actual lives but instead, you were ordered to assist a teenager on a one-person job. “The portal is opening in a few seconds on the roof of the building behind us.” Gwen doesn’t seem phased. “We can just swing it with us.”

“Isn’t this shit going to blow up if we move it too harshly?”

“Not when it’s in this protective crate.” She steps closer to the broken window, mentally measuring and planning out the escape route. “That explosion earlier was from an open container.” You hum, still torn over leaving Gwen to do the delivery so you can help people get out of the way faster. “You ready then?” She’s been watching you. Clearly, your thoughts are painted on your face.

You nod briefly, “Let’s go.” Together you take each side of the crate and use your other arms to swing yourselves over to the portal that magically appears. This time, that odd purring sound of the portal is completely blocked out by the chaos going on around you. Somehow the building has still only tilted a little bit since the explosion. 

As Gwen pushes the crate into the gateway, you look down at the streets, watching as Miguel and Jess work impeccably together as they save hundreds of civilians from falling debris and the inevitable demolition of the building.

Then you look back a Gwen, who’s ready to head home. Then you look down at them again. 

Then your eye catches on a red sedan sheltering a terrified family that sits under the chaos.

Gwen catches your eye. “Don’t.” 

“I have to.” 

“Migu–”

“Would do the same.”

“--Will mur-der me.” You sigh, but quickly shoot a couple of webs downwards without looking. Gwen has her arms folded, sharing that unamused expression that Jess loves to sport. Her feet are now temporarily stuck to the floor. You’re sure she could get out of it in a second, but you can tell, she’s not going to stop you. “Don’t die.”

Right before jumping off the ledge, you send her a cheesy smirk, “Me? Never.”

----

Taglist: @deputy-videogamer @danaeaurelia @reuxxi

#miguel o’hara x reader #miguel o’hara x you #miguel o’hara #spider-man

[silvery-orchid]

YAN! GENSHIN MEN READING YOUR DIARY(includes: childe, heizou, dottore and capitano.)

childe.

he likes to think of this as something of a habit. back when you were friends and you dozed off so securely and safely in front of his very eyes; in your own room might he add - childe admits that he loved to pick up your diary and skim through it. he hadn't been home for a while so how much did you miss him? oh, his name is mentioned here a lot! that made him very happy. but.. who is this 'charming, educated and handsome' man that you've met now? and when did his name start to show up far more than his? this very 'habit' and revelation was what compelled him to finally show you just how deep his twisted love was. the cutest thing? he still reads your diary and you have no idea. you sleep less peacefully when he is next to you now but he still gets to continue on with it. you never realize it because he spaces it out. three months after you mention a specific snack is when he will bring it; he rewards you later on with the things you forget you ever wrote in there. oh, but childe doesn't. never has and never will forget. now, his name is the only one that shows up among the pages. isn't that wonderful? whoever the 'charming, educated and handsome' man was - he meant nothing.

heizou.

oh, heizou reads your diary without you knowing but his feeling towards it are not appreciation or something good - he reads your diary in complete mockery. don't get it wrong, he loves you - adores you even above anything else imaginable but - the detective in him laughs at you. really, just what do you mean 'i feel that something is off' and nothing else? he was in your room and he watched you sleep, how didn't you notice? oh, you did not even document the missing spoon, or lipstick, or underwear. seriously, just how incompetent must you be he asks, with all the love in the world of course. heizou wants you to be more perceptive and less gullible - and reading your diary gives him enough ideas on how to make you so. after all, you are not just anyone. he wants to chase you but he doesn't want it to be oh so boring.

dottore.

dottore reads your diary as if it was the most boring newspaper ever brought to him. and it makes you mad. but no matter how many times you explain that this is the only privacy you thought you had; or, that he is better off not reading it since all those lines contain are pure hatred for him - he never stops. no privacy and no regard. you hate that it doesn't wound him. it seems to hurt you more in fact. because even if you write about the sweet dream where his whole body got melted with poison chemicals; dottore doesn't even bat an eye. instead, he reads it with sighs; he reads it while rolling his eyes. and then he sits it down in your lap and tsks. what? he looks disappointed.

'how many times do i have to tell you? all of these plans you have for 'killing me' as you so sweetly put it - lack innovation. worst of all; they're not even feasible! i've left behind my worthless diary logs in sumeru and all over the world; and even they are better than this thing you claim to value so much.'

how dare he make you feel like your only escape is a homework assignment brought in front of a professor that is unable to be pleased? yet, it is all you have. and perhaps one day - one of those plans works.

capitano.

capitano likes to make you believe that he is nonchalant to these words. when in reality, he reads every single sentence twice and makes sure his eyes do not skip even a single article placement. really, knowing your lover is as important as knowing your enemy. even more; so no detail shall escape him. you live in this delusion that the only time capitano reads your diary is when he is punishing you. because he makes it seem that way. only when you really mess up, do you think that he will stand in front of you and read it while you sob. he is so mean about it to. endlessly commenting and asking you questions. but, he likes that you believe in a lie. ever since the first time he saw what you wrote about him after he kidnapped you - he knew he couldn't put it down. you were guessing what he looked like under his mask, if he was even human. alas, his excitement didn't last long because suddenly you were mentioning how 'nice' the guard was in front of your door. through your diary, he found out the guard disobeyed his orders; he found out that your heart was leaping at the lavender flowers he gave you. immediately, he dealt with it as any rational man would; by burning down any lavender around his manor and by dealing with his 'rival in love' with a quick duel. your diary is an endless extension of you. so when he sees that your was twisting and you were imagining even worse scenarios of how the guard died - he felt pleasure. your fondness for lavender remained persisted; and he found the best way to deal with it. capitano was patient enough, but he didn't have an endless supply of it. so, for your one year anniversary as he called it - he decided to take off his helmet and present you with some lavender. before he... conquered your body and soul. he cannot wait to see your new impressions about him and if you still had an attachment to those silly weeds.

a/n: what is this you ask? just a silly idea thats been in my mind for a long time. why? i,,do not know. but this is part one hehe

#yandere genshin x reader #genshin x reader #yandere genshin impact #yandere childe #yandere dottore #yandere capitano #yandere heizou #childe x reader #heizou x reader #capitano x reader #dottore x reader #part one

[heartcereql]

bel air

✩ lo’ak sully x fem!omaticaya!reader

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒- no words were ever needed between lo'ak and you. just you were enough for each other.

𝐂𝐖- english is not my first language, not proofread, nothing really, it's so so so sweet:(

𝐀/𝐍- probably one of my fav songs on the album. | okay so. i'm trying to finish the series before summer. so expect a lot of content. xxx

you paced anxiously around the pod. how long could they take?

the party that the olo’eyktan had taken to one of the raids included today both of his children, one of which happened to be the boy you adored.

anticipation drew you away from whatever task you had going on. you had tons of chores to get done, loads of people to catch u with, lots of gifts to deliver, and your mind was constantly reminding you, trying to, indirectly, tell you to wait. but you couldn't wait to see him.

so, as soon as you distinguished the war party arriving you ran like mad. just in time to watch the harsh expression of the olo'eyktan telling his kids off. and one specific hurt gaze. lo'ak's.

you immediatly wanted to catch up, clean him up and talk to him, but he was suddenly out of sight.

frantically looking for him, you crossed paths with neytiri, who silently nodded, pointing in the direction he had left. your eyes sent her equally silent gratefulness, before heading to where she had indicated.

“lo’ak?” you called softly.

you had barely seen him since he had arrived, and the resentment expression on his face had left you worried.

you heard a muffled “come in”, which you would’ve done anyway.

lo’ak’s face was a mess of paint, tears, sweat and scratches. you approached him and sat down next to him. no more words were needed. he laid his head on your shoulder as you intertwinned your fingers with his.

after a few moments, you turned to face him and pulled him into a hug. your hands around his neck, tracing patterns in his scalp; his own hands were around your torso, gaze buried in the crook of your neck.

"wanna talk about it?" you whispered once you pulled away.

he shook his head, eyes refusing to meet yours. you mumbled the softest "okay" and cupped his face to give his lips a tender kiss.

yet soon drops of warm liquid stained your hands.

"shit" lo'ak muttered, hand immediatly trying to stop the scratch from bleeding any further. but you stopped his hands, motioning for him to stand up and follow you instead.

"please allow me" you joked, though the gentle expression never abandoned your features.

you guided him to the container of aiding supplies. you grabbed a leaf and dropped the remedy in it. carefully, you grazed it upon lo'ak's wound, making him lightly hiss. your other hand went to hold his again.

"i've been waiting to meet you. all day long. glad you're finally here" you hummed.

you then procceeded to place a lotion alongside the scratch, doing so ever so gracefully and tenderly. once you finished, you pressed a quick kiss to his forehead before turning away to clean everything up.

but lo'ak pulled at the hand that still held yours, making you turn to him again.

"you're divine. did anybody ever tell you that?" he murmured.

a smile graced upon your face. your grip on his hand tightened slightly.

you brought his body closer to yours, so close he could smell the rose scent of your skin.

"c'mon, let's get the paint off" you suggested.

but, though he tried to mask it, you didn't miss the way his eyes fell to the floor.

"hey" you said "lo'ak i don't know what happened back there. and i don't need to, not for the point i'm trying to make. it's his loss. okay? and it is definetely not your fault" you finished your words with the most truthful smile.

he tried to reciprocate the smile, but his eyes avoided yours again, shifting his gaze to the side.

"don't be afraid of me; you can trust me. don't be ashamed about whatever he told you. okay?" he nodded, but his eyes still hadn't met yours.

your hands gently lifted his jaw so that his face was directed at yours now, but his gaze was still settled somewhere else.

"lo'ak" you called, trying to get his attention.

it seemed to work, for his eyes finally found his way to yours. eyes that carried hurt. and eywa knows how much you wished you could just take it away from him.

" 'm okay, it's fine-" he tried to mumble.

but you knew it wasn't, so, before he could finish his excuse, you held him again, arms around his torso, bringing him impossibly closer, as his arms embraced you, appreciating the comfort.

you could've sworn this was enough, wanting for life to just eternally loop around this instant.

© heartcereql. all rights reserved.

#avatar the way of water #avatar x reader #heartcereql #atwow x reader #atwow #lo'ak x reader #lo'ak sully

[littleeggrock]

Dirty Little Animals by Bones UK (from the Arcane soundtrack) is so first couple days feral BOLAS?! To me. Explanation under the cut for anyone interested lol

Like the first verse? "Taste what fell from grace"? They weren't exactly high and mighty on the first island, but they sure had it better there than in literal purgatory.

"You wanna mess around they're gonna take you down down down" - The other teams took this somewhat seriously, but by the end of the first day Bolas was completely broke and decided to go with the rp route, go completely insane, and somehow are still winning, despite all the hangups and deaths they had.

"such a lovely way to burn burn burn" - at the end of the first day there was a solid five minutes of people throwing themselves into the campfire to amass a large pile of bodies

"I've never felt like this before, think I might just want some more" - the amount of all the trauma and just general vibes given off by these specific people was enough to allow bolas to go over the edge and go crazy, alone they've all got their respective RP things going but together the energy bounces off each other as they constantly enable the ones around them, allowing for them to go well and truly insane after Bad provided a catalyst

"the kind of wrong that make you feel right" - so many of the characters on this team are considered morally grey, really none besides Phil and maybe carre have any sort of moral standing, and even then it's debatable, Jaidens close but she's also very easily manipulated as we see with cucurucho, she has good intentions most of the time but she doesn't have them because they are good, she has them because she doesn't want the people close to her getting hurt

"the little death that makes you feel alive" -jaidens complete disregard for her life on day four, willing to die upwards of 30 times (she died ninety four times total but also died from the gas a lot so im not sure how much was spawn camping, figured id play it safe) to cheat and manipulate the other teams for the benefit of BOLAS. Also again the campfire. And the stick fights. They just really like to beat eachother to the death.

"it makes your blood run hot, it makes your spit taste sweet, it makes you feel more alive than you have ever been" - literally just the insanity that's swamped the team, it's been dialed down some since day 4 but it's definitely still there, they are not ok and I love them. Some analogy could be made with the gas masks and the toxic gas, knowing you are immune to something that has killed many, the high of the adrenaline as they run through this fatal fog with little regards for their own safety.

"dirty little animals, beautiful cannibals" - they've brought up cannibalism multiple times and the majority of them (characters, to clarify) say they would be fine with it if given consent first, cellbit's canonically already done it too lmao. You can't tell be that they aren't just a buncha dirty little guys. Have you seen Charlie's skin, have you heard jaiden and foolish barking, all of them screeching muffled at the enemies, or howling in joy

Also for those of you who haven't seen, arcane season 2 got a release date for sometime in November 2024, which is so fucking exciting and it's a lot sooner than I expected

Sorry for the long post the brainrot got to me and I had to write this down somewhere lmao, figured id share with the class

#Qsmp #qsmp bolas rojas #qsmp bolas #Qsmp Jaiden #Qsmp foolish #Qsmp Cellbit #Qsmp Slimecicle #qsmp baghera #Qsmp philza #qsmp carre

[wraithsoutlaws]

Then & Now the (x: perfect drug) edition:

Inspired by the fandom to look back and celebrate the boys' journey as well as my own in terms of vp.

March 2021, ps4.

I never created Dagger with the intention to ship him with anyone, but by the time I got here on his file it felt strangely natural. He was still a very fresh oc but things began to click immediately and genuinely felt like it was meant to be. The development of him as a character began to happen side by side with this silly little ship and both ended up becoming really personal and special to me.

It's hard getting decent shots on ps4 with anyone. It's especially hard when it's a minor npc with extremely limited screen time available! You have no idea how many times I went back and played these two quests trying to get something interesting. Honestly I'm really grateful for my time on ps4 not only because it helps me appreciate what I can do now a little more, but I think a lot of my growth happened here, stretching the limited resources I had available.

July 2021, ps4

Learning how to work within the confines of totally vanilla photomode, getting creative with base game poses and skipping time to find the best natural light, etc. I'm still proud of these pictures, they capture an intimacy that I think is really special, and at the time were some of my favorites I'd ever taken, and even now I can note the growth between these and the first ones I'd taken.

April 2022, laptop

The first pictures taken on my laptop and my first time posing them with AMM/setting up a scene. I might like to retake these some day. I'm more critical of them than I am of my ps4 pics tbh but they're still an important part of my journey. Over time I noticed red lighting had become my comfort zone, or more specifically, a crutch! So I've tried really hard since then to improve on that and push myself in different directions.

February 2023

It took me almost a year to feel comfortable enough with posing to attempt some goddam kisses. I'm still not very good at these but at least I improved in other ways. Honestly, I struggle with these two at times because they aren't your typical outwardly loving, cute couple, and I'm usually very strict with myself to keep them as in character as I can. That can make it hard to think of couples poses/ideas, both cute and spicy, but. they can be lovebirds as a treat.

May 2023

Only recently have I begun to feel a strong sense of style in my own work. Playing with lighting and scenes, and trying to jam as much personality as I can into these slice of life pictures is really important to me and is one of my favorite parts of doing this. They can be sweet together but it's important you see the other side of that (the blood, the knives, drugs, etc. Also Dagger resting his ashtray on Dum Dum is one of my personal favorite quirks). I really try to put a lot of their life into pictures like this. I want to convey all the parts of who they are together, even if nobody else notices.

June/July 2023

Its pretty hard to articulate how important these two have become for me over the last couple years. I've been playing this game since release and haven't had this sort of steady inspiration or creativity for years. Even on the bad days, just thinking about them is enough to get me through as silly as it sounds. I've grown so much not only in VP but my own art (something I had all but entirely abandoned until I picked up this game). They've provided an outlet I've been searching for for a very long time, and I'm really grateful for that. It's kinda wild looking back at where it started, and seeing how far it's come. Sometimes I still struggle with my perception/the worth of my work but I can't deny the happiness its brought me either.

Including a couple other character ship pics under the cut c:

I'm always a little insecure about my ship pics specifically, I'm very bad at comparing myself with others! But I put a lot of love into these and I can see the improvement when I look at them over time. Regardless of anything, they were all made with lots of love and I hope that comes across.

#cyberpunk 2077 #oc: dagger #dum dum #x: perfect drug #and others under the cut but just a lil #ty for reading if you read #this silly game means so much to me!! #and even if this fandom has been a little rocky at times it also is very dear to me #yall have helped me so much i hope you know that <3

[bookshelf-dust]

A stranger thing fic with blk!reader being like Will from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Like Blk!reader knows Billy but Billy leaves California. Blk!Reader convinced Uncle Phil to go visit Billy. (Neil let’s blk!reader be friends with Billy cause They’re rich). Maybe they play some basketball and blk!reader wins. -🪨

is that so?

billy hargrove x blk!gn!reader

word count: 1,623

warnings: swearing, neil being an asshole, allusions to trouble before reader moves, friends to lovers type beat, me trying to write basketball, smoking

a/n: this is literally the second request i have received in my entire life and i swear i get flustered every time. i haven't ever written anything like this before and i did my very best to make it good! and i won't lie, i've never seen the entirety of fresh prince, just parts of episodes when reruns are on, but my parents used to watch it, so i know basic things, but i definitely did research before writing this to reassure myself. i try my best to make all my fics inclusive and i hope they come off that way, but i appreciate that you trusted me with this specific one, anon! i quite like the idea of billy with a partner of color. thank you for the request my little rock friend! i hope you enjoy this. <333

————

1983

You could take care of yourself, you knew that. But your mother didn't care--she wasn't losing her baby, not like that. So you got shipped off to California, all on your own, to live with your disgustingly rich aunt and uncle, to go to a new school, to meet new people.

That's also how you ended up throwing yourself onto a bench across from this pretty, pretty boy you'd seen smoking in the courtyard during lunch. He had an earring and these tight dark jeans and he was sitting alone. You were determined to fix that.

He'd furrowed his brow at you, confused at your assertive manner. "Can I help you with something?" Billy thought you were gorgeous, and no one had ever looked at him like that before, like he was this precious thing.

"You looked lonely," you told him, catching how he turned his head to blow the smoke away from you, since you clearly weren't going anywhere.

He chuckled. "Is that so?"

"Sure is." You brandished your checkered lunch box, unzipping it. "So, you want a pretzel?"

He'd held his hand out after stubbing out his cigarette, and the two of you had been attached at the hip ever since.

Billy had slowly, slowly let you in. He was a sarcastic asshole most of the time, sure, but he could be so fucking sweet. And you reveled in the perks of that.

Reveled in the all enveloping hugs, where he held onto you and everything else disappeared, the nights sitting in his car talking about nothing and everything. His ability to know when something was bothering you, his willingness to put up with your shit. In the plethora of times spent trying to beat the other in a supposedly friendly basketball game.

But letting you in meant more. It meant Neil. Neil Hargrove was a piece of shit. He had a big mouth and an opinion on everything, a bigger taste for alcohol and treating his family like shit. And when Billy had brought you over after school the first time, he'd been worried. If Billy thought the things his father called him were bad, he was terrified that Neil would disapprove of your friendship just because of the color of your skin.

But Neil hadn't said a word, despite Billy knowing he wanted to, knowing he'd said horrible shit before. But Billy had told Neil that you were new around, told him your aunt and uncle's names, and that had been it. Neil knew they were rich, and that was all it took. He'd approved because he knew about the money that his son could be sitting on. That was all he cared about. And otherwise he left the two of you alone.

Billy was your best friend, and you were his. He thought you were the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he told you as much, after awhile--the first time in his room late one night as you finished making flashcards and he went through his own.

"You wanna know somethin'?" He'd started, and you'd hummed, waiting for him to continue.

"You're my favorite person in the whole world. Think I'm gonna keep you around forever." You'd laughed, ignoring the way your stomach flipped and blood rushed to your ears.

You sat up, trying to reach for his forehead. "You feelin' alright, Hargrove?" He'd caught your wrist gently and looked at you with lose stupid ass blue eyes.

"I mean it." And you'd believed him, tackling him in a hug.

————

1984

"You're leaving me?" Your nose tickled with tears and you blinked hard.

"A fresh start," he'd told you. Billy's parents wanted out and they were dragging him along, forcing him to lose his entire life in California in trade for one in fucking Indiana. Forcing him to leave you.

Billy brought a hand to your cheek, leaning over the center console in the Camaro. "Hey. Baby. I don't want to, you gotta know that. I would never leave you. But I'll call and maybe we can work somethin' out, you know? I'll drive fucking hours away for you, I swear."

You grinned, but he'd never called you baby before. And it hurt, knowing you might not hear it in person for a very long time.

"I know, Billy. I just don't want you to go. Gonna miss you." You looked up at him, and he was crying. Crying over you. Shit.

————

1985

"Please. I swear I'll be safe. It's Indiana! I don't think you have to worry about me. I'll be with Billy. And I'll only stay a few days."

You'd begged your uncle to let you fly out to see Billy. It had been five months and the phone calls, the letters, they just weren't cutting it anymore. The both of you were going too graduate soon, and you'd gone far enough to think about applying to to schools in Indiana just to be closer to him.

Your uncle let up, and you had the go ahead for the proposal you'd made to Billy a few days prior. You'd been sitting on your bed, phone in one hand, a letter in the other, trying to feel for him through the page, running your fingers over the letters, the scrawl of his name.

"I wanna come see you. Would that be okay? I don't want to intrude or anything." Billy's breath hitched at the idea of you being in hugging vicinity. You'd offered to go to him, knowing he couldn't afford a plane trip, and he just hadn't had time to drive that far to get to you.

"You really have to ask me that? Of course that would be okay."

And here you found yourself, stepping out of the car and watching Billy barrel down the sidewalk to you. He picked you up, hands wrapping around the squish of your tummy, squeezing you like he wanted to meld your body to his.

He put you down, mumbled a "Baby," into the soft skin of your shoulder. He pulled back, both hands coming to grip your cheeks, his eyes scanning every inch of you, trying to take you in. "Missed you, gorgeous."

"Missed you, dipshit."

————

"What you wanna do tonight, sweetheart?" Billy was laying on the couch, the Hargrove-Mayfield household free of anyone besides the two of you, hand propped up against his neck.

"There a court anywhere around here?" Billy stroked over the deep brown of your skin, bare where there were rips in your jeans. He grinned, eyes glinting in the shitty yellow lighting of the living room, getting ever darker as the sun set.

"Yeah, a shit one a little ways away. But we could always sneak into the school gym. Doors are never locked and it's not like there are any cameras. Could play a little, if that's what you want."

You nodded excitedly, ready to beat his ass, even though that wasn't a guaranteed ending considering he was quite well off with the sport. And so you'd ended up parked behind the school, out of the main lot, holding Billy's hand as he led you to the gym doors.

He wrenched the green painted metal open, reaching around for the switch on the wall. You blinked against the fluorescents, waiting for your eyes to adjust as he moved further in, walking towards a rack of basketballs by the bleachers.

Billy shrugged his coat off, leaving him in a half-buttoned shirt. The two of you played just like you used to, running circles around one another, you watching him do over-the-top and dramatic tricks, tossing the ball under his leg, just to be a show off. Watching his tongue stick out, his brow furrow as he got his footing.

And he watched you, feeling over the moon. Laughed at each one of your wraparound passes. He felt like he could fucking faint looking at you. So fucking stunning.

After the two of you had been playing a while, he took the whole shirt off, leaving himself just in jeans and worn out sneakers. He caught you eyeing his chest, the muscles of his back as he jumped a little, the ball catching the net, chain clinking the edge of the backboard.

"See something you like?" Flirty bitch.

You caught the ball as he bounced it to you, dribbling around him as you moved closer to take your shot. You were going to beat him, if this worked. "And if I did?"

His hand brushed the pudge of your side, but you moved away, catching him off guard, shooting and scoring. Ta-da.

"You little shit." Billy crossed his arms, looking at you.

Your warm umber skin shone in the bright lighting, sweat glistening on it. You were winded, breathing heavily, but now doing a little victory dance.

"Suck it, Hargrove."

He jogged over to you, grabbing the fat of your thighs and tossing you over his shoulder, helping you in a victory lap that made you squeal.

Billy put you down again, taking in your smile, the way you looked at him. The way you'd always looked at him. Like he was the only good thing in the world.

"You're so fucking beautiful."

You smiled, eyes softening, and he leaned in, capturing your lips with his. It was short and sweet, but fuck if he didn't put everything he was feeling into it.

Billy pulled away. "I'm in love with you, you know." He started to get shy, afraid he'd gone to far, but you pulled him back in.

"I know. And I love you more."

He grinned against your mouth, moving to kiss the corners of your lips, your cheeks, the center of your neck. "So beautiful, baby."

————

please let me know if you liked this! feedback is always appreciated!! comments and reblogs mean more than you know. <33

#billy hargrove #billy stranger things #billy hargrove x black reader #billy hargrove x blk!reader #billy hargrove x gn!reader #billy hargrove x blk!gn!reader #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x you #billy hargrove is a sweetheart #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove fanfic #savannah’s fics

[flock-talk]

Hi! Was hoping you might have some advice for me? Bit of a long one sorry.

Ive had my green cheek for about 5 months now, and hes always super sweet. Hes only about 1 year old but hes picked up basic training and general manners really well, super cuddly velcro-bird.

The other day I got my hair cut for the first time in months, went from just below the shoulders to a fade, and when I came home he was fine? a bit shocked, but got over it after a bit, was acting his normal cuddly self. Then yesterday when I get him out of his cage in the morning he crawls up to my shoulder like normal and starts attacking me? Nothing else changed either.

I would often have my hair tucked behind my ear and he would try and nibble on my earrings, and he was easy enough to redirect onto his actual toys, but since getting my hair cut hes suddenly super violent and aggressive? When I let him out of his cage in the morning or just when I pick him up, he crawls straight up to my shoulder and starts biting my ears/cheek VERY hard. He'll give me a new piercing at this rate. And when I try to remove him he just starts biting my hands instead. Hard enough to draw blood too, which is the first time thats ever happened.

I've been trying to use treats to reward him for sitting calmly, distract him with toys, but nothings working. He'll forgo his favourite toys and treats that he normally goes crazy for in favour of biting me. I've been having to keep him in his cage for way longer than I want because I can't handle the constant attacks from him.

He's my first ever bird and I don't know what to do at this point :(

There's a number of reasons that behaviour can suddenly flip and without doing a super thorough background dig on your specific bird I can't guarantee a 100% correct answer here

based on the information provided it's very likely a defensive stress response. Birds ID each other visually so when you suddenly change your appearance you're no longer recognizable, they may have reacted 'fine' when you initially changed your hair due to increased stress suppressing behaviour. Think of how young birds react when you meet them in a store, many end up very complacent, slow moving, or even affectionate due to the stress of the environment and strangers handling them. Once they get home and relax their true mannerisms start to show up and they can present more aggressive behaviours and selectiveness as the stress that was suppressing these behaviours is no longer present. So they may have been stressed upon seeing the change and over the following days became more adjusted to the change and are now reacting to you as they may a completely unidentified stranger that has barged in and is taking over the home.

Conures also tend to be very sensitive to emotional changes, becoming overstimulated exceptionally easy and often default to nipping for communication. So it's another possibility that the conflict of figuring out who you are, confusion, and random bursts of excitement or stress release with the changes could be triggering events as well.

I would approach this situation as though he's a brand new bird you just brought home. Give him space, utilize target training for necessary handling, and go right back to the basics with building foundations and trust. I would ensure to keep interactions very short and successful, enter the room, drop off some snacks, and promptly leave sort of things. This may help him be able to observe you, recognize you aren't a threat, and form better associations about the change.

You may find it helpful to experiment with hats, some birds will become more aggressive around hats but others recognize it as being an accessory rather than a part of you and it could help bridge that recognition gap for them. Additionally if there are certain phrases you often say to them, certain tones, routines, or body language you presented with them often prior to the haircut I would ensure to lean heavily in to those to further help them connect your mannerisms to your identity.

As your foundations with this bird get stronger they will adjust to these changes easier and you are less likely to have these massive fallbacks. In the meantime it's important to recognize that they aren't behaving this way to spite you, they're behaving this way because they are distressed and don't know how to cope. During this time you have to meet them where they're at, move slow, and help them relearn that you aren't a threat.

[yourantag]

Morningstar and Fun Facts

AN: Hello fellow Ithaqua simps. Apologies for the long radio silence, college was kinda brutal. I've been wanting to draw something for "Of Vices and Virtues" for a while, but couldn't find the motivation. So, after many months and getting through finals, I offer you this! ...and some fun facts for my previously posted fics. No one asked for them, but I figured it'll be a good way to organize a mini masterlist until I finally gather the motivation to make the official one. Whether you're new here or not, I hope you enjoy!

"Of Vices and Virtues" Fun Facts:

The concept of shadows and light representing vices and virtues, good and evil, was literally just made up on the spot as an excuse as to why the reader is so intrigued by pre-snap Morningstar

I kinda had to get rid of reader's parents somehow to further get across the point of Helel being all you have just as you are all he has, so I made them traitors lol

But also, the sweet sweet taste of betrayal is always worse when it's from the people you trusted the most

Reader's parents were the ones to snitch on Morningstar's mom since they believed she was using witchcraft on you

They just wanted to protect you as you were slowly acting weirder and weirder the more time you spent in the forest

Naturally, the first person they blamed was the lady who everyone already kinda thought was a witch

Really, it's just that your curiosity led to you being enraptured by others "true" selves, warping and twisting your views on people, including yourself

That being said, your light and Helel's shadows being irregular ends up implying that the shadows and light you see never fully expressed whether a person was really "good" or "bad," just as the world is never black and white

Were you always insane? Or was it your abilities that drove you mad? Or perhaps your reliance on said abilities was what brought you to your downfall?

Regardless of what conclusion you come too, I hope it was fun

"Apricity" and "Zephyr" Fun Facts:

I actually only wrote Apricity since a friend said there wasn't enough Ithaqua fics

Legit I didn't feel like writing another fanfic ever again since my first one (I still get nightmares of it every night)

I never intended for Zephyr to exist, but I really wanted to show that one, you aren't an oblivious idiot, and two, you only got that one on one match because you specifically asked for it, worked for it, because you were willing to try and keep him in your life instead of letting him slip away

Because I wrote Zephyr after Apricity, Zephyr built on and sometimes conflicted with Apricity, which led to me straight up having to go back through it at least two hundred times

Despite that, I've kinda already forgotten what happened in both fics 💀

"Sweetest Thing" Fun Facts:

Currently the one and only non-Ithaqua fanfic I have (hint hint)

Another fic for another friend, and honestly I had a blast writing it

More people need to write for the ladies cause I don't see them enough >:[

This idea ended up coming from a random prompt generator that threw at me "royal" and "baking cookies together"

It's extremely attractive when someone tries to cook for you, especially when they aren't good because it shows they care and want you to know they care even though they aren't confident in themself

Their love for you overpowers their fear of failure and the unknown

And failing then trying to do it together is also super sweet

I might end up doing this prompt again but with Ithaqua at some point

(Morningstar accidentally making bread instead of cake or a salty scone instead of a cookie sounds fun too)

("Is that a scone dusted in salt???" "...I was trying to make sugar cookies.")

"New Beginnings" Fun Facts:

I hate this fic with a burning passion

I put too many ideas in and described too much

Literally I think this is the worst fic I've posted thus far

It was meant to show a world where Ithaqua and Nathaniel are happy siblings, then go into the romance bit with the reader and be all sweet and sappy

This fic made me understand why writers start killing off characters out of nowhere

HOW DO YOU ONLY WRITE FLUFF???

Let me just sprinkle in a little angst,,, just a little...

Half considered shooting Nathaniel mid fic for fun/hj

In conclusion, I'm never writing a fic with more than one central idea ever again

"Mercy" Fun Facts:

Well, first and foremost, the fact that it has a title at all is probably a surprise

Yes, it does have a title, but no, I'll never actually put it there in the post

It doesn't look nice when I do :<

I should probably try and format my posts differently-

It was honestly pretty difficult to write this since I had never gotten a request before and didn't know how to do it

I think in the end, it turned out pretty decent

I hope to get better at writing requests in the future since they make me happy

The prompt actually made me realize that duo hunters is basically a goldmine of opportunities

Jealousy, betrayal, character dynamics, and other things are so much easier to do when you're in the perfect setting for it

"Paper Stars" and "Glass Heart" Fun Facts:

This idea started when I saw a reel on Instagram about this person who made a bunch of paper stars

I've always thought it was cool, and then I remembered the little legend and was like "mmm yes angst"

It was a new flavor too! Unrequited love instead of self sabotage

Oh wait actually it's self sabotage in a trench coat and a hat

Well, technically both since you didn't know that your love wasn't unrequited 

This duo fic was actually gonna be a trio fic with the last one being happy

But I think I like the amount of emotional damage I've inflicted with Glass Heart

(If requested though I'll finish writing the third part)

(It's called Velvet Moon)

I actually never had a chance to add this in, but later on, Ithaqua finds out that those who remained in the manor never had to participate in matches again, so his sacrifice was for nothing

No I am not sorry

#idv #identity v #identity 5 #idv ithaqua #idv fanart #identity v fanart

[halowritesthings]

i love learning about things a week late through youtube recommendations from random channels i've never seen before

(bad grammar and typos cause i'm shooting my shot as fast as possible so I can get back to Important Adult Stuff(TM))

i suppose i can't really gripe because i'm still largely logged out and wouldn't have heard otherwise so maybe I should take it for what it is

i know i'm a random person who writes as a hobby so I don't necessarily "owe" anything to people online, but y'all have been so sweet to me and I feel it would be unfair to keep dropping off the face of the planet like I have been, plus, I have been stewing over quite a bit of my thoughts these past few months and making a large "get all my thoughts out in a word vomit" post is a good way to A.) sort out my shit and B.) to procrastinate homework

college is BEATING MY ASS and i'm not even at the harder junior/senior year type stuff so even if my writer's block wasn't the worst it's ever been I highly doubt I would be writing anything anyway. i cannot say for certain when I'll be able to get back (it seems the universe is tailored specifically to punch me in the face whenever I have the slightest inclination to do so) but i will say it is always on my mind. i don't ever want to give up writing fully because of how many good things it's brought me but i want to be mature and say that it has taken a backseat in my life.

i still don't regret the things I've created and i will always be thankful for the experiences I've had + the friends I've made (even if we haven't talked in a while :') sorry guys) BUT this situation has just become the nail in the coffin for me in terms of what i want to do with my ds/mp and other adjacent fics. i can't say for certain what I'll go through and orphan/keep or just outright delete (WIPS/unfinished series will probably get deleted is what I've decided so far) so this is a BIG WARNING sign right here and now: if there are any ds/mp fics of mine you are fond of, please go and save them now. even if you think the one you really love is "safe" it's better to be cautious and have it yourself than hope for the best outcome.

now's a good time to mention that i have been feeling similar feelings toward my fl0wer husb4nds fics (gonna come out and be honest: i don't particularly care for sc0tt anymore, sorry) so if you like those you should also search them out. i think a hard majority if not all of them will be orphaned, so they'll still be up, but it never hurts to be able to read something while offline anyway

however, due to the aforementioned Important Adult Stuff(TM), i won't be able to get to the whole Properly deleting/orphaning process for a hot minute. that does not mean you should put off saving my fics because my brain could decide one night that i HAVE to do it IMMEDIATELY, but i can promise that it's not happening tonight (might hold off for at least a week just to give people time to see this post).

TSALP, my pride and joy, is perfectly safe and fine. when i think about whenever ill be able to write again, this series is the First thing to pop up in my mind. i have so many things i want to do with that series (and h3rmitcr4ft as a whole) that make me smile despite all that has happened surrounding mc/yt. someone will need to threaten me with death to make me even consider giving that up. hell, even taking a step back, i can say that i will never fully let go of mc/yt. i straight-up have tickets to go see tommy's america show later this month (send my dad well wishes as he's the one taking me LMAO) .

remember to drink water, take breaks, tell your friends you love them etc. I'm terrible at giving advice since I'm a bonafide mess of a person, but i will say that the best thing you can do for each other is support one another. i've always been a bigger fan of giving support to those who are hurt than trying to go and cause more pain to the people that you can argue "deserve" it. the people you care about are going to be with you much longer than the assholes, so be sure to put more energy into focusing on them than the ones that don't even deserve your scorn.

#halo be talkin #dont plan to tag this with any warnings unfortunately but i hope i left it vague enough to not be upsetting but specific enough #to know what im talking about

[jessplaysgenshin]

Anonymous Question

Pairing: Gorou x gn!reader

Summary: Whenever he dropped by Inazuma City, Gorou always made sure to meet up with you, and ask for your help for asks he receives and how to answer them. Until one day, he received a specific question.

Warnings: Spoilers for his hangout event

"Oh, (y/n) !" The General called for you, his tail wagging behind him. He always looks so happy to meet up with you, it was heart warming. Though, you couldn't say that you weren't happy either. Quite the opposite, in fact. Lately, Gorou often came to you for assistance for something regarding readers, and questions, you didn't quite follow, but he was always giving his all when it came to giving advices, even if they were a bit clumsy and messy sometimes, but he was happy while doing most of the time, so you never thought much of it. It was interesting to see him think slightly differently than when he was the Ganaral of an army. Well, of an army during a war, as the peaceful times finally reached the land.

As per usual, the two of you made your way in a calm place, the one you always go when he needs your help. It was a real shame that the two of you don't spend more time hanging out than this. When you meet him in town, you'd usually treat him to a desert, or a snack since he's so weak for sweets. You did see him in Watatsumi Island once, though. He looked like such a fierce and strong General with his soldiers, it was impressively out of character compared to what you're used to see of him. But then again, he helped leading a war, so there was nothing that surprising, but it was still somewhat strange. "-hat do you think about it ?" You stared at Gorou after his voice snapped you out of your thoughts. After a while, he looked concerned. "Are you okay ?"

"Ah !" When did you get to your usual spot ? "I'm sorry, I was thinking of something. You were saying ?"

He kept that worried look, it broke your heart. He's usually smiling and cheerful, or he'll be serious and composed, but seeing with such an expression was breaking your heart. You've grown extremely found of him, to a point you started wondering if you weren't seeing something more in him, more than once. "Are you sure you're fine ?" You reassured him with a nod and a warm smile. He always smiled back at that, and it was something you wanted to protect. "Well, someone was asking about their special someone and what would be the best way to propose. Any ideas ?" A love request, huh. Must be nice. Being single had its advantage, but at the same time, dating someone gives you that feeling of belonging in someone's arms, and that was just such a swell thing to think about. Yeah. proposing on a scenery like the one in front of you... A light breeze on the beginning of the evening, the sun setting slightly, the sky becoming hues of pink and orange, a few skies here and there, and mostly, the face of the person you love so much. "(y-y/n) ? Do you... Need something ?" Once again, it was Gorou's voice that brought you back to reality.

"Oh ! Right, the proposal. It depends ? I would totally spoil them all day and do their favorite things, so it is at least in their top three days of their lives." Thinking back on it now... It is what you've been doing for a while. "Come to think of it, Gorou..." He was happily noting down your suggestion for review when you interrupted him. "I guess it is what I've been doing, huh ?" His face turned slightly red, making you smile. He was so very cute. "I mean, every time we see each other I just spoil you with sweets. Guess you have to be my groom, now." You shrugged. Of course, you were half serious. You really liked him, but he had better things to take care of than a partner. Strangely, you never got the reaction you expected of him. Instead of an amused face, you found yourself looking at the most flustered and embarrassed Gorou you've ever seen. His face was bright pink, his ears facing backwards, as he struggled to pronounce a single word. You wanted to hug him. You put your hand on his shoulder, which surprised him seeing how he flinched. "It's alright, I'm just joking. I enjoy having you around. That's all. I'm glad we're friends."

Friends.

Somehow, that statement made you both sad.

It had been a while since you took a walk around Inazuma, but on one day, there was a ruckus outisde Yae's publishing house. Out of curiosity, you decided to check it out. "Ms. Hina is going to end her responses, we want to meet her !!" Declared a fan. Miss Hina ? Who's that ? You've never heard of her. "She's the purest soul that answers to questions her audience has been asking, look !" The man handed you a book and pointed out 'Miss Hina's responses'. It sounded nice.

"Kinda like what Gorou does." You ignored the 'who ?' that was asked when you decided to properly read what was written. "No way..." There, sitting under the question 'I want to propose to my girlfriend... Any tips ?' was your suggestion. 'Make her feel special the whole day, like a true princess, and end it with a bang !' There's no way. Was Gorou this popular ? But Gorou isn't a.... Turns out, people saw him as a pretty accurate female version of him, it was very resembling, you had to give them that. An idea sprouted in your mind. "Excuse me, are those anonymous ?" The men kept on yelling several things, but what you did understand was yes, they were. This was perfect.

As much as you loved Gorou, teasing him was also a great thing. Of course, there were boundaries. No ear or tail touching, and no talking about sad stuff. These were the only rules. It's hard not getting tempted by the fluffy touch, though. You started wondering if they were really this sensitive or for some other secret reasons.

Gorou was a very kind and serious person, but he was mostly selfless. If you ever wanted to know about him, you'd have to ask. Well, this was half true. He was selfless, but sometimes he'd mention his life in the resistance, which was nice in a way, free Gorou lore, not even need to buy him out of his silence. Though, he didn't like talking about the bad times. Not that he didn't want to vent or rant, but rather, he didn't want to ruin the mood or remind others of the war, even if it was just to talk about life and stuff.

His answers were the perfect opportunity. If he wouldn't answer to your prayers, his natural need to help would. And so, you've started studying his answers. Not as much of the questions themselves, but rather what his thinking process would be. You've considered several time sending an entry yourself, but you didn't really have anything that needed help. Besides, he was busy enough as it is. Trips between Inazuma City and Watatsumi Island took at least a day or two, poor guy must be tired after such long trips. No wonder Miss Hina's fan are there only a day or two per month. You're even surprised they haven't figured out Gorou was their sweet sweet advisor. But you could hardly complain about that, at least you had Gorou to yourself whenever he visited, and you had fun hanging out !

Until you did send one question to him from the ask section, and grew more and more nervous every single day until he came back.

That day, as usual, he walked all around to find you, and when he did, he greeted you with a big smile, which you returned, your face definitely heating up a bit. You talked for a while, and settled at your usual spot to help him. Or rather, to have an honest answer to your question. You knew that he might take a bit to find a proper response, but it would be worth it in the end. Surely, you won't have to put him through too much. And, as usual, you gave him some bit of advice when he got stuck on one of them. You had fun, people were really glad he was around, or rather that Miss Hina was around, and so were you. Inazuma City was nice, especially during the evening, when the sun starts to set, letting the countless stars shine of their own lights later in the night. That time of the day was definitely one of your favorites, so you usually zoned out, enjoying the scenery and the feel of the last ray of sunshine on your skin. It was peaceful, and you just sat there, waiting. And when you ere done waiting for today, you turned to meet a flustered Gorou. Did you say something without realizing ? You simply shot a questioning look. "Ah ! N-no, it's just..." He hesitated. "There's that... Question. It's... Personal. I don't know what to do."

"Personal ?"

"Someone asked about... Me, I guess ? Well, it's definitely the nickname the others gave me when we were up again the Shogun."

You reached for the paper. "Gemme." He hesitantly obliged, and a nervous grin crept onto your face. How did you forget you wrote that ? 'There's that one person, a pointy-eared general of the resistance, I don't know how to ask him out ! How do you ask someone so serious out ?' Come to think of it, it was terrible. The worst question you could have asked, you weren't even slick or smooth. How long has he been processing that ? The sun was almost set by the time you were done enjoying life. "Answer as you always do."

"It's not that simple !"

"Gorou, you have to set your feelings aside and help them. Respond as you always do, neutral and objective. You give great advice."

Gorou took a deep breath. "You're right." He took some more deep breath in, calming down. "So... All I have to do is to tell them to go up to him and have a chat ?" You nodded. That sounded good. "Great. Thanks." He still looked flustered, no matter what he could say.

But you wondered if you could get a direct answer. "What about you ?"

"Hm ?"

"You're answering as the advisor, but what about you ? How would you respond if they ask you out ?"

"Ah... That..." His face still looked red. "I'd... I'd have to decline."

"Why's that ?"

"I... I'm interested in someone."

Ah. You decided to tease him a little, who knows, even if he's easily flustered, with how he reacted last time, maybe there's a small chance... You put on your best smug face. "Oho ? And who would that be ?" He turned to you, his face exploding in red. No way. "Gorou..." He looked away. "I could be mistaken but... Do you like me ?" He just hid his face in his hands. No way ! "Wait waitwaitwaitwait ! Really ?"

He whimpered, before snapping, still extremely red. "S-so what ! You've also been acting weird around me lately ! I could say the same of you !"

You stared at him. It was impressive how he could snap stuff like that sometimes. You let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, you really can." You heard him die inside. "I mean, I did say that I could propose to you if I continue to spoil you. I mean, it was a joke, but, I wouldn't complain."

"Isn't getting married way too fast ?!"

"Oh so you are fine with marrying me !"

"N-no ! Well, yes, but- no !"

Ah, how adorable. You warped him in a hug, he didn't dare to move. "I'm joking. I like you too. You're the only sweet I need." If seeing him flustered was something that you didn't get to see often, there was one thing you saw even less of : his tail wagging like crazy.

The two of you stayed like this for a while, enjoying each other's presence, until both of your hearts stopped beating like crazy. When you tried to pull away, though, he held onto your arm, making you commit to the hug a bit more. "Stay a little longer." It's not like you had a choice. He was way stronger than you. But at least now you have a sweet boyfriend to hold hands with and to feel at home with.

How much have you longed for that feeling of belonging to someone's side.

general good boy my beloved at least

short !

not the draft i wanted to work on, but i've been introducing a friend to my dear general and mentioned ms hina a bit too much and came upon several Ittorou comics of itto finding him out

was fun, so made my own twist.

fun fact: your forgot to tell him you're the one that asked that and he got teased by his men. you don't have the courage to tell him the truth, you'll take that secret to your grave.

#genshin x reader #genshin gorou #gorou x reader #genshin gorou x reader #genshin x you #jess writes readers #jess is simping #genshin impact #gn!reader #gorou x gn reader

[belltrigger]

Robo!Emmet AU with Birthday? c: 💜

-Send me a “Birthday” and I’ll write a drabble about them spending their first birthday together

Ooooooh, Birthday you say! Yeah (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ I think I've got something just for this!

Title: Happy Birthday to You Us Word count: 1,210 Synopsis: Happy 1st Birthday to Emmet! Ingo has to come up with the perfect birthday, just for his wonderful brother. Dynamic: KudaNobo

~~*~~

It was nearly Emmet's birthday!

Of course, that meant it was also nearly his own birthday, but he'd celebrated over two decades of birthdays before. This, however, was Emmet's very first birthday! It was certainly a cause for celebration, and exactly how to make it special occupied Ingo's thoughts whenever he was not working or spending time with his brother.

Surely, Emmet knew what a birthday was. It was not something Ingo had programmed him to understand beyond indicating they shared one as "twins", since it had never really mattered to him. A birthday was simply another day once he'd grown old enough to strike out on his own. But, Emmet was an enthusiastic learner on his own time. Emmet had surprised him many times with his expansive knowledge of such wide variety, and so it was likely that he would also be aware of this human ritual.

So then, Ingo had to decide if he should try and follow the stereotypical birthday rules - a cake, a song celebrating the person, and a heartfelt gift. Perhaps Emmet would be anticipating exactly that, and would be disappointed otherwise.

Or, perhaps, Emmet would want something boisterous, something unexpected for his very first birthday ever. A dramatic birthday certainly fit Emmet and his love of fun, interesting things. To this day, his twin still pouted about not putting nunchaku into their cover story to distract from his sudden appearance. He would normally grant his brother anything, but at the time he'd thought it too silly and frivolous to be believable. Not realizing how much it meant to Emmet, he'd dismissed it and they'd moved on without it being incorporated. But, there was still apparent disappointment in Emmet's voice whenever he brought it up. It did provide a possible gift for him, then, and Ingo added it to the considered options.

For now, he would gather the parts of what made a birthday, and work out which version would better suit his sweet brother later.

Next was the cake. Emmet did not need to eat, but a birthday wouldn't be complete without one, right? Much of the appeal was having an interestingly decorated cake anyway. At least, that was the impression he'd gotten from the various bakeries he'd visited for research. The bakers had all been very skilled in their craft, and he found himself able to relate to their passion in regards to baking the perfect cake. Ingo found himself easily discussing the merits of selecting your materials carefully, as well as the exacting process of baking. He would still leave the actual production of the cake to the bakery he chose, but he felt enlightened on a process he'd never understood before.

Unexpectedly, the bakery that most eagerly discussed baking with him had also provided the perfect celebratory song. It seemed the bakery was frequently selected for birthday parties, and had quite the repertoire of advice for him as well. After all the help he'd been given, Ingo would have been foolish to not select that bakery for Emmet's first birthday cake.

Pleased with his progress, the rest of his plans fell quite easily into place. Although they would be working on their birthday, he and Emmet loved their jobs in the Subway. It would also allow him to surprise Emmet even more when they went to the bakery after their shift, picking up a specifically requested plain white box. Once they arrived home, Emmet would open the cake, he would sing a song for his brother, and then Emmet would receive his gift.

And then, perhaps, he could show Emmet just how much he loved him for the rest of the night.

His ears turning red at the thought, he tried his best to focus on his battles throughout his work day. He and Emmet saw each other frequently through their shift, and spent their lunch together as well. Unfortunately, they did not have any shared battles, but with plenty of time in between, he did not mind too terribly much.

It only became strange when he stepped off his train after the final battle of the day, having looped the tracks a few extra times due to the intensity of the battle. After waving to the challenger, who had not won this time, he clasped his hands behind his back as he looked around. The final passengers of the day were leaving, but he could not see any Agents around. The Station was nearly empty, only the distant din of footsteps exiting echoing softly in the air. Strange. He did not think he'd been *that* late. Had everyone truly finished up their shift quietly and left?

Emmet was probably waiting for him in the office, however. His twin had never once left him behind in Gear Station, stubbornly waiting no matter how much their shifts mismatched. Still, despite how odd he felt the situation was, he still felt light and energized. Emmet would love the cake, gift, *and* song. He was so certain he'd calculated properly, but he eagerly awaited Emmet's response anyway.

As he opened the door, he began to say "Emmet, I have finished my shift." He only got a few words in, however, before being interrupted by the sound of confetti poppers going off and a chorus of 'Happy Birthday, Boss!' Staring blankly with his mouth open slightly in surprise, he maintained his hold on the door handle. Inside, all the Agents had gathered, along with Emmet who stood with his arms spread wide at the front.

"Happy Birthday to us, Nii-san!" Emmet cheered, quickly closing the distance between them and enveloping Ingo in a tight hug. Leaning back when Ingo stayed shell-shocked, Emmet laughed lightly and dragged him further into the room. "Come on, come on. Everyone's been waiting!"

Slowly, the reality that Emmet had planned a surprise party for him dawned on him. Amidst their friends and coworkers congratulating him and Emmet on their birthday, he also received chastisements for having kept it from them before. Touched beyond capacity, he felt himself flush warmly, apologizing for keeping it secret and thanking everyone for thinking about him. Although he'd thought nothing of his birthday before, now that Emmet was here, it was going to be something worth celebrating every year. And now, their friends would know as well, willing and able to celebrating with them.

After celebrating at the station, Ingo's plans unfolded. And Emmet was just as happy as he'd expected! Against Ingo's better judgement, he even brought his nunchaku to work the next day.

#blankshipping #reye-chan #blankshipping prompt fic #Bell Fic #The running joke of nunchaku... it's finally come to its conclusion #Emmet and Ingo had the best birthday ever #and it continued late into the night 🤭 #They slept in the next day for sure! #submas

[littleturtlefish]

Sigh 😔 at this point, I might as well just post my art classwork since I haven't been doing any art in my free time...

Not art-related at all but I've been (kinda) reading Komi-San Can't Communicate and I wanna post my thoughts on it since I like it (I do have some personal complaints though) but I have absolutely no way to put these thoughts out aside from here ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Somewhat related but have you seen how weird some Komi-San fans are??????? Knowing the genre and all, I shouldn't be surprised, but still...i wouldnt want to share my thoughts with some fans either way

Forewarning, literally the only manga I was ever fully invested in was Mob Psycho 100 and I haven't even touched the Komi-San anime. It's also been a while since I reread the entire manga so my memory may suck, my apologies. There will be many paragraphs, my double apologies.

[SPOILERS FOR EVERYTHING UP TO CHAPTER 412]

Overall, I think the manga is really cute. I don't read manga that much but I'd still say that it very much fits the slice-of-life genre well. Maybe too well 🙂 but I'll talk about that later. It's a great manga to read for fluff and just to have a good time.

Side-note: I'll be talking about the one-shot for a bit and when I say "current" Komi, I really just mean Komi throughout her 2nd/3rd year.

First things first, I absolutely fell in love with the concept and the one-shot (...first chapter?). The idea of a character with crippling social anxiety slowly coming out of their shell with the help and support of others? Fantastic :D And jeez, the art style change is REALLY obvious once you look at the one-shot. Honestly, I really wish the entire manga kept it u_u the dead-inside eyes Komi had actually showed why everyone was so scared of her. Her cute-ified/chibi look isn't as intimidating and only shows that people were scared just because she kept staring at them (which is fair lol, but her original look makes more sense). Tadano, though... I would prefer his current look compared to his old one LOL. Style aside, I'm gonna talk about this specific little thing that truly made me binge this manga: the diner and hospital talk. Technically two scenes but they share one thing and that is that Tadana and Komi sit facing AWAY from each other. I don't think I ever really struggled with social anxiety but when I was younger, I had a very hard time talking to people while making eye contact. I know chronlogically that the hospital talk is before the diner one but as a reader (since diner scene is shown first), seeing that issue be addressed without it ever being directly brought up was just...really sweet. I understood it right away. Hell, even when it was noticed and brought up in the hospital talk, Tadano was such a caring person to suggest the idea of facing away from one another i straight up wouldve cried if someone did that for me irl moreonmylovefortadanolater— One-shot Komi is also pretty interesting because she actually IS able to talk, she just varies between saying very little to saying a lot. I'm no psychiatrist but personally, I felt that could've been more relatable BUT that's not a complaint because the manga isn't obligated to accurately portray every single thing about the disorder (especially since it's clear that this manga is focusing on being lighthearted so of course it won't necessarily go into the very heavy stuff). I find current Komi's trait of using a notebook to speak much more interesting but I was shocked on the relateability of one-shot Komi, haha.

Okay, now for the actual manga. I'll admit, I don't really have much to say in the beginning portion purely because I don't really remember much 🙃 The chalkboard scene was really cute but I'll just be saying that for any scene with Komi and Tadano alone, tbh. Komi and her reactions in social situations are mood as always. Tadano was a KIND, CARING, and LOVING lil guy and all he got was death threats smh. Yamai.

She's part of a bigger issue.

In general, I love seeing Komi and Tadano together. Together relationship-wise and also just simply interacting with each other. Their relationship is SO adorable and I always reread their pining moments :ↄ I understand the dislike for the trope of an extraordinary woman falling in love with Some Guy™ but I like it here because while Tadano truly is Some Guy™, he's a genuinely nice person and not even just basic-human-decency nice; he goes out of his way for people. He also sees Komi as a friend before all else, too. Like, yes, he finds her attractive and, yes, she is literally his girlfriend now, but they still share a lot of platonic moments together and just act like a couple of besties ✨

Manbagi is also a main character I can't help but adore. I found it fascinating that the love triangle, while still a competition, was lighthearted and friendly. I've personally never seen one portrayed like that so I'm really impressed! The love triangle showcased Komi and Manbagi's friendship so much that, despite not being a fan of OT3s, I genuinely just wanted both of them to date Tadano lmao and I truly believed that it would've worked out!!! I still do; all three of those characters have chemistry with each other! Anyway, love triangle arc aside, I'm happy that she's at least getting her happy ending with that one dude :)

Speaking of that dude, the side characters are cool. My favorites are Hiki and Komitani. I like the name puns and some side stories are pretty sweet (like with Hiki's). I forgor their names but surprisingly, I liked those two bitchy girls who "bullied" Komi (quotes because it wasn't that serious). How they acted towards Komi and the reasons why they acted that way (AKA their assumptions about Komi doing it for attention or whatnot) was a nice change from the standard character reaction towards Komi. Yeah, they were still dicks and I especially didn't like how everyone quickly forgave that one tsun (?) girl, but they were a refreshing deviation from status quo. Those good examples aside, there...are a lot of side stories to the point I get tired of them :U I mean, I assume that's just a genre thing because I have read other slice-of-life manga before but would drop them because the side stories were too much >.> Clearly, I didn't really drop this manga since I'm talking about it but 400+ chapters feels like a lot to me (especially when a good portion of those chapters are side stories) and it's still ongoing, which I typically wouldn't even touch since I like endings to a story :u It feels like trudging through mud sometimes but I gotta get through it or I won't see my favs Komi and Tadano ✊😔 The side stories really would've been a dealbreaker if not for those two.

Ah, and finally: sexual fanservice. God, I hate it so much. Both, in the manga and in general. I hate how it's prevalent in so much media, I hate how it is used as a tool to attract audiences, and I hate how it works in attracting those audiences. Yes, the manga has many, many instances of sexual fanservice but I've just accepted that I can never escape it. Yamai and her sexual harassment. Close-up shots of teenage chests. Hiki being a literal middle schooler at one point. Almost every character's sexualization of Komi, no matter their age. All make me disappointed, but not surprised. You gotta make money somehow ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I am surprised that Tadano and Komi's relationship isn't sexualized all that much. Maybe I missed some things but the only sexual things I can recall are the "Tadano unlocked a new fetish" moments (which happens only twice? Thrice?) and other characters asking/teasing on how far they've gone. I like that. It makes their relationship very wholesome and also reinforces the fact that Tadano sees Komi as an actual person.

Kinda related to fanservice but I very much dislike the current art style. Y'know that meme of anime girls being compared to pugs? That's exactly what happened to Komi's face. Why is it so scrunched up??? To be fair, this applies to every character so I guess there's consistency... Her sharp edges in her hair are kinda jarring, though, because she has these really detailed eyes but her face is small and her hair, although detailed, is a geometric shape and all of these factors do not look good together. I'm fine with Tadano's design because it gives him personality, which...may or may not be a good thing, character-wise? Like, yeah, he's supposed to be some normal guy and all, which his original design perfectly portrays that bUT ITS SO BORINGGG. I like his sharp edges! It's better on him since he isn't as detailed as Komi. Anyway, I say this is related to fanservice because, while yes, this art style is much easier to draw with than with the old style, Komi's prominent eyes and tiny face surely must've been influenced by some other factor other than time management :U but that's just my theory. Final note: this art style kinda ruined the Tadano confession scene for me a bit because the close-up of Komi's face was...not good, imo.

One last thing: YAY THEY KISSED!!!!!11!°!! When I stopped reading, I stopped at the end of the Kawai arc since I do not like being left on cliffhangers and there were only some chapters left at the time. I heard about the kiss scene at Chapter 411 and so, I only read the chapters that led up to that scene instead of picking up where I last was 🙃 I have some thoughts. Why is Kawai trying to insert herself into Komi and Tadano's relationship. Why is Kawai's family weird. Why...is Kawai even here lmao. Komi and Tadano are adorable, though <3

My final thoughts are that it very much is a slice-of-life manga. Nothing revolutionary, I think, but that's fine! Watching the relationship grow between Tadano and Komi was the main thing for me and now that they're officially together, I'll admit, I'm not all that interested in the story anymore ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I know the main goal of the story is for Komi to overcome her social anxiety and make 100 friends and I do like the development of that goal, but...eh... I remember seeing a comment in the subreddit mention that they wish the goal was changed so that the quality of friendships mattered over quantity and I agree. The manga does emphasize that Komi has made meaningful connections with some of the friends she made (Tadano, Manbagi, Kawai...I assume? Didn't read LMAO) but that's the thing: it's only some friends. Her other friends are side characters that have their own side stories which may or may not be boring. They're not as fleshed out as Tadano or Manbagi nor do they share the same impact. Sure, a mean character may push Komi to stand up for herself once or twice but there's no revolutionary moment within Komi compared to her moments with Tadano or Manbagi. To be fair, those small moments with side characters do build up for Komi but my point still stands that Komi has friends that are much closer than the rest. Because of that, I just feel like Komi already reached her goal 🤷‍♀️ She has Tadano, her #1 support system and friend, along with other friends that played a role in her development. She doesn't really need more friends, since the friends she has now are already caring and considerate. She was able to form deep relationships despite her communication disorder; I feel like that's a great ending. And I know, ending a story when the main couple gets together is cliche and there'd be no kiss scene if that did happen but I'm just saying!!

oh and komi's parents' lil side story was adorable

#littleturtle? more like littlethoughts #komi can't communicate #I typed this instead of doing school work oops #I really did want to get my thoughts out though #watching a relationship develop between characters is my favorite past time and is why i read fanfic so much #ao3 my beloved #i may or may not do this again but with cheese in the trap (webcomic) #seol and jung's relationship is very interesting but ALL of the characters in the manwha are interesting tbh. for better or for worse. #its 3 am so im sorry if my thoughts are sloppy i will try my best to clear up anything when im not sleep deprived #god i love typing/talking about my thoughts on stuff i like #no more art. just thoughts. #thirty-fourth post

[studentofetherium]

quarter for your thoughts

if a penny is worth one thought, then 25 thoughts...

just finished watching Shinjuku Boys, and i think it was a really interesting film. i think it's cool to see a film focusing on trans men, when a lot of historic queer films tend to focus on trans women, and i also always love films that focus on a specific niche subculture, in this case, trans men working at a host club

i've been getting back into regularly watching film this year, and it's been so fun. i really, really love film, and particularly over the last few weeks, ive been trying to explore films from countries i don't usually watch films from. Korea and China are the two ive been thinking about, but also Australia, and once i get through all that ive set aside for that, i keep this up, tho i'll decide where next later

purple is a really nice color, y'know?

my music taste last year was the most singular and consistent it's been since 2018, since i was listening to a lot of postrock and emo, particularly The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die, but this year i haven't really been stuck on any one genre or artist all that much, except maybe Owl City

i miss having air conditioning, but having an excuse to spend more time outside (where it's generally cooler than inside) has been nice

i need to read more. I have the Prose Edda and Understanding Media sitting on my desk, plus Ougimonogatari and Ikusamonogatari on my phone, and i wanna finish those before starting anything new

Svefn-g-englar is one of the most gorgeous songs i have ever heard

i keep thinking that i want to get back into keeping up with chika idol music, but there's just so much, and i haven't really followed it for a few years now, and i'm not listening to much current music these days anyway, so i keep putting it off

despite all the posts i'm making about Koyodachi, my takeaway from Ikusamonogatari is that Koyomi and Hitagi are truly perfect for each other. the whole relationship is so sweet, and it's great to see them have come so far together. the "18 years" motif is a little heavy-handed, but i think it's a great throwback to the origin of the series

i'm still not over how surreal it is to see covid brought up directly in a Monogatari novel, considering they all take place in the same general timeframe and ive been following these books since before the pandemic

i should reread Juuni Taisen. it's been a while

i'm coming to realize that i much prefer to write stories for my ocs than to come up with details to include in a planning document. it's just easier for me to create a character when i'm putting words in their mouth and thrusting them into situations, because that way i can get an idea of how i feel about them as a character. i'm also more of a storyteller than a write (meaningless distinction), so i naturally find it easier to tell stories

ive been pushing myself to watch more films this year, but ive also been trying to push myself to read more, and i'm hoping to finish some of the stuff that's been sitting on my bookshelf for years, unread

similarly, and back to movies, there's a lot of stuff ive bought and local video stores that i haven't watched, because i do most of my watching on the computer, and i really should start watching that stuff more

Caligula Effect is a fascinating game and i cannot wait until it's cool enough in my room that i can play more, because it sounds like it only gets better from here

as i keep practicing Japanese, every now and then i think that i should try to read something in Japanese, but it always goes poorly and puts me off from trying it again... but it's been a while and i'm thinking that i should maybe try it again. something simple, but still, something

having self-confidence is so cool. i play up my pride a bit because i think it's funny, but i genuinely think it's really important to take pride in oneself and what one does because that's a really easy step towards a better mental health. thinking of myself not only as a good writer, but a great one has done wonders for me

i keep a sticky note on the wall behind my computer monitor with all the numpad codes for special characters that i use most often. my most used ones are —, Æ, and á

i haven't stopped thinking about the quote "can you really say a song is your favorite if you've only heard it once". it hasn't even been a year, but that has definitely led me to rethink the way i look at art, and in particular value returning to things i love more highly. my most recent Monogatari rewatch in particular has been an effect of that

having a girlfriend is so cool

i wish TJPW shows weren't all 3-4 hours long, because that makes it a slog to catch up

hey nuriel we don't talk much but you're a cool friend

i really should just commit to learning to draw. actually looking up tutorials, actually practicing with regularity, etc. all my efforts in the past have been half-hearted, but i really should commit myself to it one of these days

i'm so excited to rewatch Adolescence of Utena in a couple days, even more than i'm excited to rewatch the ending of the tv show

i'm still trying to find a new hyperfixation! nothing has really landed, but i was getting into a couple new things (Ruina and Caligula) plus was about to commit to finishing some other stuff, but then the ac broke and that's totally thrown me off any sort of schedule, so i have to wait for that to be fixed before i can really get back into any of it

there we go :) 25 thoughts

[cizzle-freezy]

rules: tag 9 people (or so) you want to know better and/or catch up with, then answer the questions below! — I was tagged by @whitewyrmings !~

~Song~

The Mind Electric-- Specifically the Chonny Jash version.

Dear goodness has this song given me major earworms lately. Sure, the original is great! Amazing even. But this one tickles my brain in many ways. Not only is it satisfying to listen to, but my mind wanders to the "Bad End AU" plot thread for the Phantom Gang (Seph, Izulda, Angelo, Tempys, and Gelum... and technically Ignis?), and keeps associating the lyrics to different OCs. The feelings that the Phantom Gang has to come to terms with when they meet the worst versions of themselves.

~Ships~

I rarely indulge in fandom ships, because generally I can appreciate the chemistry people write between characters (as long as its not like... toxic or pedophilic or something)

Huntlow (Owl House... despite only watching the first 3 eps and I SHOULDN'T KNOW ABOUT THEM--)

Virgil x Richie (Static Shock)

And whatever the HECK is going on in Maya and the Three (the entire series I kept saying "is this a prophecy or a polycule?")

I do have some OC ships I am especially soft for, but that's so many to list, especially when considering friends and mutuals ;w; (looking at YOU, Greyscale)

~Books~

I haven't picked one up in a long time because I am DETERMINED to read the Amulet series before anything. I read the first book in middle school (so like, as of 2023, 10-12 years ago??), and it's been stuck in my brain since.

~Movies~

I rarely watch movies unless it's a Discord Watch Party Night, which I haven't done in a long time... The last movie that sticks out in my mind is Turning Red, which I found pretty enjoyable and brought me back to my old Flipnote Hatena days. Maybe it was the Sonic movies?? Which were also pretty fun. Just sadly, movies don't stick out like shows do.

~Cravings~

Well... I often crave meat and seafood more than anything these days. I'm diabetic, so ever since I've weaned myself off of excessive sweets, sugary foods like candy and soda haven't tasted the same, but at least chocolate is still pretty good depending on brand. I find that spicy sushi rolls such as crunchy rolls, spicy tuna/salmon/etc are safe bets despite the rice, because by now I've memorized the carb amount. Plus, the sushi guy at my workplace tends to make them special for us!

Outside of food, my brain is always craving drawing, writing lore, and RP. It likes being creatively stimulated, and I'm lucky my workplace is cool with me bringing my art supplies to keep myself entertained when I'm bored.

~Tags~

@jessebizarreart @juan-o-clocks @jorgedrawssomethings @hikaririnku-blog

sorry for the ping yall! but it might get yall more accustomed to tumblr lmaoo

#tag game