#writing with friends!

[osric-giroux-ffxiv]

A Meeting of the Minds

Rumors. They crossed her desk every day. It was part of her job to sort through them, to decide which ones were worth following up on, which ones were to be discarded, and which were simply utter nonsense. 

Most of the rumors that came from the gossipmongers after the masquerade were nothing to get excited over. The ramblings of groups of old women with too much alcohol and not nearly enough to discuss who were attempting to make something of nothing. 

Lord so-and-so’s daughter was seen dancing with the son of Lord such-and-such.

Lady what’s her face was seen kissing multiple Lords throughout the night and was even seen leaving with two different gentlemen!

Most of the population seemed to have a generally good time and while a few got up to a bit of mischief, none of the rumors seemed to stand out too much…save one.

One that involved her brother and the rather attractive woman who left the party on his arm.

A bit of digging led to a name, and a name led to an address, which in turn led to Edalene standing before the Cress estate. A quick adjust of her coat, a glance around as she made her way up the steps, and a quick firm knock at the door, clasping her hands behind her back as she waited for someone to answer. 

She tilted her head as the door was cracked open offering a small smile. “Good afternoon. Lady Edalene Slater. I was hoping for an audience with Lady Vahalia Cress, if she’s available.”

The door to the manor opened wider and Bruce welcomed the woman inside. It didn't take long for Edalene to be escorted through the foyer of the manor house and through the stretches of corridors of the Cress household. Ever curious, Edalene let her gaze drift as she followed the Roegadyn down the halls but stayed close to her guide…it wouldn’t do to be nosy.

The pair stopped at a particular room and the double doors opened, the breath of a study came to view, Vahalia pausing at the large bay window with book in hand as Bruce made his presence known.

"Lady Edalene Slater is here to call upon you, Miss."

"Come." She motioned her free hand to Bruce and the woman behind him. The Hellsguard stepped to the side and allowed Edalene in at her leisure.

Vahalia took in the woman's appearance, appraising her as she often did with people, "It's quite alright, you can leave us Bruce."

After a quick glance around the study Edalene’s gaze shifted to the Roegadyn for a moment as he exited the room and then to the woman by the window. She tilted her head before giving a small curtsey before straightening up and offering a small smile. “Lady Cress, I presume?”

“Yes.” Vahalia offered.

Edalene didn’t flinch away from the appraisal, dressed in a dark blue dress, hands clasped in front of her as she met the gaze of the other woman. “I’ve heard your name in passing at a few gatherings recently, but it is good to put a face to the name. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The book in Vahalia’s hand remained and her eyes took in the woman before her, a roving pair of gold and curiosity but she knew enough about the woman by sheer conversation with another that she already had brimming questions,”Likewise though I can’t say I’ve heard of you from mere word-of-mouth but rather enough of your brother.” The woman in black lace and lavender closed the book and settled it down at the small desk between she and Edalene. The desk was a relic really, something quite old that her father had wrote many missives from, these days, the piece merely worked as a suitable holding for books that seemed to interest the Lady Cress.

“Oh, I would hope you haven’t heard of me through word-of-mouth. I do my best avoid the attention of the gossipmongers if I can manage it.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure today Miss Slater?” 

Sharp blue eyes shifted over to meet gold. “To be quite frank, mostly my curiosity. My brother has attended an event or two at my request in the last year or so, but this is the first time I’ve heard of him leaving with someone on his arm. I’m not one to meddle, Lady Cress, but I can’t help but be a bit intrigued. That, and as I said, I have heard you name in passing at quite a few social events as of late. You are garnering quite a bit of attention.”

A hand rested to the book she had been holding previously and Vahalia lofted a brow, “He walked me home. I would hope you’re a smart enough woman to not come into someone’s home and insinuate anything?” the raven haired woman simply smiled at that, “Fear not on the novelty of my name, it will wear off soon enough when the newer face arrives for people to gawk at.”

It was Edalene’s turn to quirk an eyebrow. “I simply stated that he left with you on his arm. I know my brother well enough to know that nothing untoward would follow, and you’re correct, I certainly wouldn’t visit someone’s home just to insinuate that such a thing had occurred. That would be incredibly rude and inappropriate. Not to mention unproductive.” “Forgive me, but I don’t know you and how you might think of something such as that. It’s natural for people to assume that is what is on the mind of another when they approach with vague comments.” slowly and rhythmically Vahalia’s nails drummed at the face of the book under the heel of her palm and in a short stint they eventually ceased, “Be as it may, you’d be surprised the things people will say if only to think they are above others catching on. I’m not a meek woman who would grin and bear such out and about let alone in my own home. It was merely a general comment and not one to dampen your intent or aimed to insult. I’m very candid Miss Slater.”

“So I’ve gathered. A trait I tend to appreciate in an individual.” Edalene reached up, brushing her bangs away from her face quickly before shifting and clasping her hands behind her back as she met Vahalia’s gaze once again with an easy smile. “And to be quite frank, I’m rarely surprised by what people will say or do when they believe they can get away with it as I spend a majority of my time sorting through the mess left behind, but that isn’t why I’m here. I’m here because as I said earlier, I’m a terribly curious creature and rumors of my brother leaving the masquerade with a wonderfully attractive woman on his arm just begged for investigation. But, even beyond that, when I discovered the name of the ‘wonderfully attractive woman’ seen with my brother and connected her to the name I’d been hearing so often at events I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps we might be able to assist one another.” 

"Go on." Vahalia motioned to the woman to continue.

“Connections are a necessity in any city, but particularly in Ishgard. They are especially important for those like you an I - women who are attempting to lead or perhaps progress their houses forward or up the social ladder. For some, and I consider myself fortunate in this regard, these connections were quite well established prior to the house coming into my hands. That being said, since that time I’ve had to foster several new connections and would be quite happy to help point you in the direction of some of the more beneficial connections or individuals who may be in line with your interests if that is of interest to you.” 

“That depends. Your brother happened to let it slip that you have your nose in with the Blythe’s, I’d wager a guess that Ricard Blythe falls in somewhere around there and since you like connections by your own word, I’m not entirely sure I’d be eager to dive into those interests and connections. I’m looking to sever myself from the Blythe name as much as possible and I certainly don’t need Ricard Blythe knowing my business because you happen to be in bed with him and what he does when it suits the lot.” she folded her hands primly infront of her, once more her gaze looked over the woman before her and she finally decided to venture further and eventually stood within an arms reach of Edalene.

“It’s good to know that, as ever, my brother is completely oblivious to the inner workings of my business dealings. I’ve had dealings with Blythe yes, out of necessity, but to say that I’m ‘in bed’ with the man or that I have my ‘nose in’ with the family is a stretch. I interact with him because I must, no more, no less.” 

“They are a figure of speech, Miss Slater.”

“I’m aware, Lady Cress.”

“Glad we could clear that up, you didn’t sound like you were certain. As it stands right now, I’ve been doing well on my own with private council. So as you sit here and offer connections and direction, what is it you’re hoping to gain from such? I was under the impression neither you nor Osric had an interest in your House beyond what it does for you right now.”

“You are correct. At the moment my house serves a purpose and I see no reason to progress further up the ladder because I can accomplish what I need to where I am. Should that no longer be true, then I know what needs to be done in order to progress and can take the steps to see that happen. However, I’m very much aware of my brother’s preference that our house fade to nothingness, and the name be forgotten. Those truths don’t change the fact that I am still required to play the game.” Edalene shifted, fully facing the other woman. “I did not come with a set…goal in mind, so much as to assess if there is the potential for a possible alliance should our goals align.”

“How could they?” Vahalia moved her hands to fold behind her back and speaking further about goals, “Aside from both being women I do not see that you and I have much of anything in common beyond that and having nobility in our blood. My goals differ from yours greatly as you’ve just said you have no interest in furthering your House and name. I have a large interest in keeping the Cress name going and furthering the family. Longevity is my goal. However; I’m sure if you decided not to be recgonized as a noble house bad enough there are more than a few ways for that to be undone. You wouldn’t have to play a game anymore, Miss Slater.”

“If I were to decide to take that step, yes, there are several ways that could be achieved. But I’ve no intention of taking that step. I require that the house remain. The game, for all it’s frustrations, still has it’s uses. My brother’s desires and mine diverge on that particular issue.” Edalene tilted her head slightly to the side. “They’re not insignificant things to have in common, both being women responsible for their houses. And if we were to be able to find common ground, well, I have a vested interest in seeing my friends succeed. That being said, there are challenges and situations unique to our situations. It does lead to a rather significant question, Lady Cress…you mention this goal of longevity, of continuing your name, something that can be a challenge even when a male heir is present.”  She straightened up appearing genuinely interested, hands clasped infront of her, “How exactly do you plan to continue your name? As the female head of your house with no male heirs it does seem as though you have limited options.”

Skepticism wore heavy to Vahalia’s expression and she eventually turned on her heel every so slightly, piercing eyes gazing over her shoulder to Edalene, “How perplexing.” the witch-woman mused sardonically and she cut her attention away, making for one of the small trolleys near the fireplace. The trail of lace over lavender satin paused at the floor and the glass stopper of a bottle was grasped between her fingers, “Are you a bourbon drinker Miss Slater?” once more she gazed over her shoulder towards the woman who didn’t budge from the moment she arrived.

“I am.” Mindful to keep her expression carefully neutral, Edalene kept a watchful eye on Vahalia’s movements before shifting over towards a nearby seat. “Do you mind if I sit? It was quite a walk from home to your lovely estate.”

“As far as you are aware, there are no male heirs but there could be for all you know. Considering you only just found out who I am outside of a name, I don’t suspect you know much of me and the condition of my house.” Vahalia pointed out. She poured a drink for herself and another into a second glass for her guest, “For women such as us there is only one of two answers we know would likely bring the lesser of issues. I would have a gentleman willing to take my name of course. As limited as my options are; they are options. Which I am entirely okay with, mind you, I just prefer to be careful in my choice to avoid unnecessary pushback.”

“Understandable. Certain calculations are necessary. And once again, you are correct, I am only aware of what is listed of your house in public record which isn’t much and what has been spread by word-of-mouth in recent days. There could be some hidden male heir that I’m unaware of. That would be quite the twist.” 

The corner of Edalene’s mouth quirked up as her gaze shifted to the fireplace, one could almost see the wheels turning in her head. “It’s rare to find a gentleman, particularly in this city who would be willing to take the name of another. Most have an ego the size of a dragon but there are…particularly if they’ve signed away…hm.” Blue eyes snapped back to Vahalia. “My apologies, an errant thought. But if we come back to this goal of longevity of your house one would think that you’d have a preference for someone with knowledge of if not the game then at the very least the system in which it is played and how to…adjust it to work in your favor.”

“One would think.” Vahalia parroted and sipped from her glass, taking a few strides to offer one to Edalene, “I had considered someone once for the task but evidently, as it turned out, I cannot trust them with my business. I’ve since resigned myself to the fact that it might be the reality with just about every man I meet. However if I’m aware of how things work here within every circle for myself then I won’t need a partner for such. I suspect it would help but I expect my partner to style themselves in a fashion that is befitting of myself. And I’m not talking about clothing.”

Vahalia turned slightly on the spot and she looked over the study, “Whit, cunning, charm – I suppose they’d have to have some sense of those words and to be able to execute such things. I expect who I’m with to be unrelenting and know when to take a stand or put a foot down. I require an equal in every sense of the word. I don’t need a man trying to one-up me because his ego becomes bruised and I don’t need a puppy that will follow my every whim. I would hire a butler for something such as that. I need bold. I need someone not afraid to take on leadership when it is necessary. I need someone who is familiar with expectations – and like me – would fall in line with trying to meet them for the betterment of the Household.”

With a blink, honeyed eyes cut back to Edalene, “Those are my preferences. However I have come to terms with the fact that beggars cannot be choosers and to find all qualities in someone is damn near impossible.”

There was a hum as Edalene took a sip from her glass, her gaze following Vahalia as she moved. “High expectations. And while yes, I imagine there will need to be compromises in certain areas or in regards to certain traits, there’s also nothing wrong with having such expectations for one who is going to play such an intimate roll in one’s life.” She swirled the contents of her glass before taking another sip, moving over towards the other woman slowly. “You’re looking for a partner…and I’m not referring to ‘life partner’, but in a business sense, the business being the success of your house.”  Her fingers drummed against the edge of her glass as blue eyes shifted to meet gold. “And what if, Lady Cress…I could offer you someone who meets perhaps not all of your preferences, but a few, while also offering access to one who is intimately ingrained within the system and can make it work for you at their will?”

“I’m not looking to undermine people around me in society and I’ve had my fill of making arrangements with people and only ending up contending with the wrong sorts.” Vahalia tucked an arm under her bust, “Color me curious however. Proceed.” her fingers lifted from the side of her glass to Edalene for her to continue as she wished.

“You wouldn’t be undermining anyone, I assure you, not in a way that would be causing anyone harm. It would be navigating around those who have set up barriers to new individuals progressing upwards. But I digress.” Edalene shook her head to the side, quickly reaching up and brushing her bangs away from her face. “There are those who would do almost anything to keep newcomers, or those, like yourself, who are returning to Ishgard from progressing upward. I see it as mixing things up, keeping things interesting…there needs to be a bit of ‘new blood’ in the upper rungs of the ladder.”

“I was born and raised here, there isn’t anything in this city I’m unfamiliar with let alone the scene of noble figures. I’m not entirely sure why people seem to think I might be incapable of wading my way through the nonsense or knowing what I should be doing to leave my mark.” Vahalia looked up from her glass, “Seems like people need me on their side more these days then I’ve ever needed other people. Funny how that works out.” she mused with a hum and she took a few steps to the trolly to place her glass down and refill it.

“I will admit, I did a bit of research before arriving so I do know the name is not entirely new, but nothing cements a new up and coming name like a tie to an old military one…such as Slater. And it just so happens my brother, who signed over the house to me before his departure from Ishgard several years ago, has experience in taking on leadership roles and making choices for the betterment of a household. He also has no issue checking his ego at the door and would be perfectly content to release the Slater name in favor of another, while you’d still get the tie to the house and all that it would entail.”  Vahalia ceased her pour as she looked across to Edalene, “I’ve worked with your brother. Well – as one in my role can for someone in his role.” she continued the pour of her drink and returned the stopper, “Osric by any means isn’t hard on the eyes but he seems….meek? Perhaps in his own bubble from what I’ve observed. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is aside from him being someone that hovers. Some ambition would work in his favor if he tried to embrace such.”

Her finger lifted from her glass to casually point at Edalene, “And what do you stand to gain from such an arrangement? Do try to spare me the: ‘I love my sibling’ dribble. Sure, we all love our family but there is always something just beneath that.”

“I get exactly what I stated. New blood in the upper rungs of the social ladder.” Edalene took a long swig from her glass. “And in addition to that, there’d be the added satisfaction of knowing that while any children that came from this little union, should it happen, would have the Cress name they would have ties to the Slater family. It wouldn’t continue the house but it would simply gall some of the other families and that alone makes it worth attempting.” 

There was a pause before Edalene finished off what remained in her glass. “Who he is outside of the household and who he is when he was responsible for the household do feel as though they were very different people, that I will acknowledge. Why that is, you’d have to ask my brother. All I know is that he is capable of being that person. Certainly with the right motivation. And I can find the right motivation.”

“Maybe I fail to understand what you’re getting at when it comes to motivation. I don’t need pretenders.” Vahalia expelled a breath and her fingertip found the rim of her glass, “My interest in spurring a reaction from other families does not exist. So long as people leave me to my business and that of my family then there is no quarrel. An offer to think on, at the very least since right now it is my only offer; well, one that has been suitable enough.”

There was a shake of her head as Edalene turned her now empty glass between her hands. “I wouldn’t expect you to accept a pretender, Lady Cress, and I’m not calling my brother one. I’m simply stating that I know he is capable of being more than a simple mercenary, the state of our house when it was left to me would indicate such.” Her hands paused as she smiled over at the other woman. “But as you said, it is an offer to be considered. I certainly wasn’t expecting an answer right this moment.”

"Of course not." Vahalia replied and she finished off the contents of her glass, setting it aside, "I do expect whoever I settle with to take the household as seriously as I do and important. Essentially I – we – would be very important people to keep things afloat."

“A reasonable expectation to have. It is the future of your house that you are working towards, afterall. Maintaining one’s house is an arduous enough task. To truely see it grow and prosper is a task that takes no small amount of effort, as you are clearly aware I’m not hear to tell you what you already know. I simply say this to reinforce that I would not put forth a candidate that would waste your time in this regard. Again, simply something to consider. If part of what you’re looking for is someone who will take the household and the steps needed to keep things afloat as seriously as you do, then someone who already has experience in such an arena is not a bad individual for consideration.” Edalene set her empty glass to the side as well. “But once again, just things to consider, and surely there is no rush to make such a decision.”

“Well since we’re being open and uncontrived…” Vahalia began, “ – I’m curious how someone who was good at leading things suddenly signed it all over? I get it, he doesn’t like his Surname or whatever is connected to it. Usually if people are good at something they never do it for free. Or in this case, sign it away?”

“The decision to sign over everything came with the decision to leave Ishgard.” Edalene turned to look towards the fireplace for a long moment. “Shortly after completing his training Osric was assigned to a remote village in the western highlands, Bleakpoint. During his time there there was a ‘heretic’ attack on the village, one that it was later discovered was orchestrated by the villagers themselves. Osric killed the attackers and barely made it out himself, and in the aftermath he uncovered certain…truths. Truths we now know are related to those behind the beginning and the continuation of the Dragonsong War.”

Slowly Edalene turned her gaze back towards Vahalia. “He never told me what pushed him to it, but I know he had a meeting with a superior, and when he returned he announced his intention to sign the house over to me and that he was leaving Ishgard. I do know that our father’s plan…” the word father was said with significant disdain, “-- had always been for Osric to enlist and die in the war, and the house to end up in my hands. And I still have my suspicions about what happened at Bleakpoint and what occurred during that last meeting -- but what’s done is done. What I do know is that things within the house could have run themselves for the first several months which was good, because I needed the assistance in those first few months.”

"I see." Vahalia replied, giving Edalene room to continue if she had more to share.

“Ultimately, if your curious about the details of his decision you’d have to ask Osric himself. That being said, I do believe that he’d been taking steps since being made the head of the house by our parents untimely demise to make sure that the house would continue to stand should anything happen to him…until I could manage it on my own. His…negative feelings towards the house and the name came a bit later.”

With a quiet exhale Edalene glanced down for a moment, lacing her hands together gathering her thoughts. “You asked earlier what I would get out of such an arrangement, Lady Cress. And I was quite honest, the upper rungs do need to be shaken up with new names, new houses….” She glanced across Vahalia, “But Osric is more than a simple mercenary. And in the right situation, with the right…catalyst, well - a pair could do more than just shake things up. But once again, I realize that your interest is the preservation and progress of your house, not shaking things up.” She smiled gently. “There have been…offers before, in the last year or so, since news got out of Osric’s return to Ishgard, however brief the stints have been. None that I ever bothered to pay a mind to, but they’ve been there. That being said, you are the first that I have reached out to. But you’re also the first the Osric has left a gathering with. As stated earlier, it’s simply something to consider.”

"Perhaps. Something tells me the night would have turned out differently had he of not known who I was. But as you said, things to consider. Some time would do me well to simply get to know him better."

“Oh? And how do you think the night may have ended had he not known who you were?”

“A little less familiar for starters. I suspect he would have walked me home regardless since that seems to be in his nature. But people tend to act differently around people they know rather than people that they do not. It’s merely an observation and not some withstanding mystery that needs solving.”

“A valid point.” Once again, Edalene glanced across and met the other woman’s gaze. “Well, to an extent I suppose as you two know each other, but do you really know each other. As you mentioned before, perhaps some time to get to know him a bit better would be beneficial.”

“Know each other intimately? Oh, no we don’t come close to knowing enough. However, not many people know me anyways so I don’t suspect he’ll be a first. But yes, if the opportunity presents itself.”

“Understandable. There are a myriad of benefits to having only a few people truly know you.” Edalene adjusted her hands before lacing her fingers together once again. “But you certainly seem like an interesting woman, Lady Cress, and if my brother is half as intelligent as I think he is, then I’d think he’ll take the opportunity if given the chance. And opportunities are funny things…sometimes we happen upon them, sometimes we make them. Personally, I’m rather fond of making opportunities happen. I get the sense that you are…cut of the same cloth, so to speak.” 

Vahalia laughed, “Was it the reading that gave me away? Mayhap the partaking of a rather popular drink?” her expression shifted easily from a jovial smile into a well-pinned smirk that caused a dimple to form in her cheek, “I suppose time will tell.”

“I suppose it will.” Edalene smiled easily. “And no, nothing like that. Just what you’re working to do takes drive…ambition. I can appreciate that in another woman.” Once again, one corner of her mouth quirked up, her eyes shining brightly. “Now, I would hate to overstay my welcome…so thank you for taking the time to speak with me this afternoon, Lady Cress. I do hope we’ll speak again soon, perhaps next time at the Slater estate…”

“Where ever opportunity presents itself, I’m sure we will soon.” Vahalia watched the woman and eventually she walked to the doors of the study with the other woman, opening them and Bruce maintained his duty, seemingly quite pleased to be able to escort the lady Slater on her way, at her leisure.

Edalene followed, offering a quick nod towards Vahalia before exiting the study. “Until next time, Lady Cress.” She then turned her attention to Bruce with an easy grin. “After you, good sir…”

The Slater woman followed the Hellsguard back through the halls to the entrance of the estate and once she was outside turned and gave the building a thoughtful look as she gathered her innermost musings. She worked with rumors, spent her days sorting through and dissecting rumors, and in the short time she’d spent within the Cress estate she could decisively say that the rumors she’d heard had not done Vahalia Cress justice. 

With a low hum and a grin she turned and started moving in the direction of home, the wheels in her head turning as they often were. An offer had been made, a discussion had been had, and now all she could do was wait and see what happened next.

Collaborative writing with @umbral-flare-ffxiv

#collaborative writing #stories #writing with friends! #of lances and lament #let's see what shenanigans we can get up to hm? #sorrynotsorry

[butchfalin]

the funniest meltdown ive ever had was in college when i got so overstimulated that i could Not speak, including over text. one of my friends was trying to talk me through it but i was solely using emojis because they were easier than trying to come up with words so he started using primarily emojis as well just to make things feel balanced. this was not the Most effective strategy... until. he tried to ask me "you okay?" but the way he chose to do that was by sending "👉🏼👌🏼❓" and i was so shocked by suddenly being asked if i was dtf that i was like WHAT???? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?????????? and thus was verbal again

#yeehaw #1k #5k #10k #posts that got cursed. blasted. im making these tag updates after... 19 hours? #also i have been told it should say speech loss bc nonverbal specifically refers to the permanent state. did not know that! #unfortunately i fear it is so far past containment that even if i edited it now it would do very little. but noted for future reference #edit 2: nvm enough ppl have come to rb it from me directly that i changed the wording a bit. hopefully this makes sense #also. in case anyone is curious. though i doubt anyone who is commenting these things will check the original tags #1) my friend did not do this on purpose in any way. it was not intended to distract me or to hit on me. im a lesbian hes a gay man. cmon now #he felt very bad about it afterwards. i thought it was hilarious but it was very embarrassed and apologetic #2) “why didn't he use 🫵🏼?” didn't exist yet. “why didn't he use 🆗?” dunno! we'd been using a lot of hand emojis. 👌🏼 is an ok sign #like it makes sense. it was just a silly mixup. also No i did not invent 👉🏼👌🏼 as a gesture meaning sex. do you live under a rock #3) nonspeaking episodes are a recurring thing in my life and have been since i was born. this is not a quirky one-time thing #it is a pervasive issue that is very frustrating to both myself and the people i am trying to communicate with. in which trying to speak is #extremely distressing and causes very genuine anguish. this post is not me making light of it it's just a funny thing that happened once #it's no different than if i post about a funny thing that happened in conjunction w a physical disability. it's just me talking abt my life #i don't mind character tags tho. those can be entertaining. i don't know what any of you are talking about #Except the ppl who have said this is pego/ryu or wang/xian. those people i understand and respect #if you use it as a writing prompt that's fine but send it to me. i want to see it #aaaand i think that's it. everyday im tempted to turn off rbs on it. it hasn't even been a week

[waitingforthesunrise]

Just realized that the reason I love making friends on tumblr is because it’s exactly how you make friends on the playground as a six year old. No, I don’t know their name but they love mermaids too and built this awesome sand castle. No, I don’t know their age but their imaginary cheetah is friends with mine. You like this show? You like this character?? You can sing the theme song really loud??? Here is a flower crown. Here is a juice box. You can share my time and I might never see you again but part of you stays in my soul forever. In my mind we’re still on the swing set and the sky is blue and nothing will ever be wrong again.

#original poetry #Original writing #friendship #online friends

[redactedrem]

Headcanon where after so many arguments between the batkids and Bruce over his paranoia and complete disregard for his kids privacy, the entire family had compromised with (in the healthiest way possible) downloading life360 on their phones and that's how they all keep track of each other.

Now Bruce knew that this is mostly for his benefit and is supposed to be a healthy alternative for his unhealthy paranoia and helicopter parenting, but what he wasn't expecting was for his kids to start keeping track of him.

He's putting gas in his car and Dick calls him because apparently Dick has been watching him drive around on the app? And Bruce is currently at a gas station thats right around the corner from a Taco Bell and now Dick wants him to get food for everyone since he's already there.

He's driving home from a meeting and Steph calls him because her and Duke were shopping in the area and wants to know if he can pick them up, when he asks how she knew he was on the same street, he gets a "Oh I just like to stalk everyone on the app for funsies." as an answer.

Jason calls him and he can barely get out a hello before Jason cuts him off, "Bruce why the fuck is your phone battery on 5%, charge your damn phone" which completely stuns him because why does he know that. He clears his throat before answering. "Jason, what?"

"Everyone can see each others phone batteries on '360, now charge your phone." Is all he gets before Jason hangs up on him.

#I have more ideas in my head #but I didn't want to make the post too long #might repost later #might write a small fanfic off of this #I actually don't have life360 but my friend does and I'm basing this off of how she interacts with her mom #batfamily #batfam #headcanon #dick grayson #nightwing #bruce wayne #batman #jason todd #red hood #tim drake #red robin #cardinal tim drake #stephanie brown #spoiler

[theoldaeroplane]

worried that thing you put in your art or writing or game or music is too self-indulgent, too self-referential, too niche for anyone but yourself? fear not! you can do whatever you want forever. and you should.

#writing #art #music #games #things i have to remind myself of daily #anyway ive found those things you're worried about sharing are often the most powerful things you CAN share #i hope you write #<- i would like to replace that tag with something that is less conversational #it makes reblogs awkward #anyway good morning. i have so many things to do today but instead i am crafting a memorial to my partner's best friend in my fanfiction.

[lucidloving]

Girlpool—Before the World Was Big // memorial bench quoting Toni Morrison's Sula // @inanotherunivrse // Iain S. Thomas, I Wrote This For You // Zadie Smith, Swing Time // Fall Out Boy—The Kids Aren't Alright // Audrey Emmett // Mikko Harvey, "For M" // Mahmoud Darwish, Memory for Forgetfulness: August, Beirut, 1982 (tr. Ibrahim Muhawi) // Langston Hughes, "Poem"

#theme: old friends #web weaving #webs #web weave #poetry #prose #aesthetic #prose poetry #literature #art #book quotes #novels #novel quotes #books #quotes #words #reading #friendship #on friendship #writing #inspo #parallels #compilation #song lyrics #poems and poetry #poems #langston hughes #on love #nostalgia

[inkskinned]

at some point it's just like. do they even fucking like the thing they're asking AI to make? "oh we'll just use AI for all the scripts" "we'll just use AI for art" "no worries AI can write this book" "oh, AI could easily design this"

like... it's so clear they've never stood in the middle of an art museum and felt like crying, looking at a piece that somehow cuts into your marrow even though the artist and you are separated by space and time. they've never looked at a poem - once, twice, three times - just because the words feel like a fired gun, something too-close, clanging behind your eyes. they've never gotten to the end of the movie and had to arrive, blinking, back into their body, laughing a little because they were holding their breath without realizing.

"oh AI can mimic style" "AI can mimic emotion" "AI can mimic you and your job is almost gone, kid."

... how do i explain to you - you can make AI that does a perfect job of imitating me. you could disseminate it through the entire world and make so much money, using my works and my ideas and my everything.

and i'd still keep writing.

i don't know there's a word for it. in high school, we become aware that the way we feel about our artform is a cliche - it's like breathing. over and over, artists all feel the same thing. "i write because i need to" and "my music is how i speak" and "i make art because it's either that or i stop existing." it is such a common experience, the violence and immediacy we mean behind it is like breathing to me - comes out like a useless understatement. it's a cliche because we all feel it, not because the experience isn't actually persistent. so many of us have this ... fluttering urgency behind our ribs.

i'm not doing it for the money. for a star on the ground in some city i've never visited. i am doing it because when i was seven i started taking notebooks with me on walks. i am doing it because in second grade i wrote a poem and stood up in front of my whole class to read it out while i shook with nerves. i am doing it because i spent high school scribbling all my feelings down. i am doing it for the 16 year old me and the 18 year old me and the today-me, how we can never put the pen down. you can take me down to a subatomic layer, eviscerate me - and never find the source of it; it is of me. when i was 19 i named this blog inkskinned because i was dramatic and lonely and it felt like the only thing that was actually permanently-true about me was that this is what is inside of me, that the words come up over everything, coat everything, bloom their little twilight arias into every nook and corner and alley

"we're gonna replace you". that is okay. you think that i am writing to fill a space. that someone said JOB OPENING: Writer Needed, and i wrote to answer. you think one raindrop replaces another, and i think they're both just falling. you think art has a place, that is simply arrives on walls when it is needed, that is only ever on demand, perfect, easily requested. you see "audience spending" and "marketability" and "multi-line merch opportunity"

and i see a kid drowning. i am writing to make her a boat. i am writing because what used to be a river raft has long become a fully-rigged ship. i am writing because you can fucking rip this out of my cold dead clammy hands and i will still come back as a ghost and i will still be penning poems about it.

it isn't even love. the word we use the most i think is "passion". devotion, obsession, necessity. my favorite little fact about the magic of artists - "abracadabra" means i create as i speak. we make because it sluices out of us. because we look down and our hands are somehow already busy. because it was the first thing we knew and it is our backbone and heartbreak and everything. because we have given up well-paying jobs and a "real life" and the approval of our parents. we create because - the cliche again. it's like breathing. we create because we must.

you create because you're greedy.

#every time someones like ''AI will replace u" im like. u will have to fucking KILL ME #there is no replacement here bc i am not filling a position. i am just writing #and the writing is what i need to be doing #writeblr #this probably doesn't make sense bc its sooo frustrating i rarely speak it the way i want to #edited for the typo wrote it and then was late to a meeting lol #i love u people who mention my typos genuinely bc i don't always catch them!!!! :) it is doing me a genuine favor!!! #my friend says i should tell you ''thank you beta editors'' but i don't know what that means #i made her promise it isn't a wolf fanfiction thing. so if it IS a wolf thing she is DEAD to me (just kidding i love her) #hey PS PS PS ??? if ur reading this thinking what it's saying is ''i am financially capable of losing this'' ur reading it wrong #i write for free. i always have. i have worked 5-7 jobs at once to make ends meet. #i did not grow up with access or money. i did not grow up with connections or like some kind of excuse #i grew up and worked my fucking ASS OFF. and i STILL!!! wrote!!! on the side!!! because i didn't know how not to!!! #i do not write for money!!!! i write because i fuckken NEED TO #i could be in the fucking desert i could be in the fuckken tundra i could be in total darkness #and i would still be writing pretentious angsty poetry about it #im not in any way saying it's a good thing. i'm not in any way implying that they're NOT tryna kill us #i'm saying. you could take away our jobs and we could go hungry and we could suffer #and from that suffering (if i know us) we'd still fuckin make art. #i would LOVE to be able to make money doing this! i never have been able to. but i don't NEED to. i will find a way to make my life work #even if it means being miserable #but i will not give up this thing. for the whole world.

[ear-motif]

fanfic is so good bc the premise of some genres of fic are just inherently funny. I want these two grizzled crime drama protagonists to have some fucking fun for once, so they go to a water park. I dont care how i have to logic my way into them going there i dont care who has to drag them Theyre Going

#this isnt abt a particular fandom btw just like a general observation #basically: if ur trying to write outside the genre of the media ur in its gonna be so fun for me to read #its like explaining to your friends why kirby should be at the next united nations meeting. youre right and i love you but How

[olive-riggzey]

I made this to combat my current issue:

#Zeta Rambles #Meme #Writing #Writeblr #Writing memes #Writer problems #Writer things #Shoutout to my friend Marc for providing me with the templete #Anyways off to go try and draw some boards

[strawberrywinter4]

Just found out today that my friend posts fanfiction as well.

She told me, nervously, that she posts her writing. And I was like oh! me too!

And her eyes lit up, I’m saying, LIT. UP.

She was like… what do you write?

I was like… fanfiction.

And she was like girl…

ME TOO!

I asked where she posts her writing.

She whispered “Ao3.”

Girl…

ME TOO.

The duration of our conversation included giggling and talking about our fandoms like maniacs.

The best feeling is when you’re able to invite a friend into your secret world of fandoms and fanfiction.

#fandoms #fandom ships #fandom #fandom love #ao3 writer #ao3 author #ao3fic #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #ao3 kudos #ao3feed #ao3 funny #fanfiction writer #fanfic #fanfiction #writer friends #writer community #writumblr #writer tumblr #writer thoughts #writers #writers on tumblr #writer #writers and poets #writeblr #writer stuff #writing community #writerscommunity

[greykolla-art]

I was rereading Skulduggery Pleasant and realised it was a goldmine for cute Alastor & Charlie moments.👌

I’m gonna project genuine friendship onto these fuckers and you can’t stop me!

#grey art #hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel comic #charlie morningstar #alastor #skulduggery pleasant #for the dialog #guys go read those books they are like half my personality #even though Ive not been keeping up since Bedlam 😅 #DEREK KEEPS WRITING THEM I DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPENING #anywho…. #Charlie and alastor being friends or something is something I’ll always devour

[jaynovz]

if yall ever want like serious advice from me about how to solve burnout as a creative it's like...

literally ignore it. stop pushing. go do something else, enjoy your life, fill it with other things, do what brings you joy in the moment if you can.

go to the gym, take a walk to touch grass and look at dogs and smell flowers, cook dinner, watch tv with your friends, talk about your feelings as needed with ppl you trust, take a drive and blast your music, do the chores you need to do, the job hunting slog you need to do, read books that aren't for research, stop cordoning off your brain for The Craft or The Draft or whatever the fuck

forget about the project, stop thinking about it for as long as it takes to be excited again.

fuckin rest, basically

#thoughts #writing stuff #personal #wish there was better advice than Stop Pushing and Rest and Ignore It #but sure haven't found any #and the time in between sucks a lot #jay prescribes a nice beverage four orgasms and a good movie with friends for your burnout #hope that helps #jay philosophies

[ohposhers]

This started as a shitpost and then I just kept going anyway AU where Floyd eventually forgives Veneer and they end up becoming besties a few years down the line and have girls nights ugh [NOT SHIP ART!!!] aaand Bonus doodle of when they take the curlers out or some shit dont look at me man

#floyd was convinced his hair was gonna look stupid with curls but hes a believer now #this is so stupid im sorry guys #can you tell i had fun writing the dialogue #trolls #trolls band together #floyd trolls #veneer trolls #im so tired i stayed up all night making this #veneer and his senior citizen best friend #my art

[lightasthesun]

Comprehensive Lexicon Guide for First-Time SW Fic Readers:

Flimsi/Flimsiplast = Paper

Flimsiwork/Datawork = Paperwork

Stylus = Pen

Datapad = Tablet

Comlink/Comm = Communication Device/Phone

Binders = Handcuffs

Chronometer = Clock

Spectacles = Eyeglasses

Chrono = Watch

Conservator = Refrigerator

Caf = Coffee

Nerfburger = Hamburger

Blue milk = Milk (literally blue)

Hubba chips = French Fries

Sweet roll = Doughnut

Flatcakes = Pancakes

Tabac = Tobacco

HoloNet = World Wide Web

Holovision/HoloTV = Television

Holodrama/Holovids = Movie/Videos

Holocamera/Holocam = Camera

Holomap = three-dimensional map

Holojournal = Newspaper

Holocube = Picture frame

Holotable = Projector

Holoscanner = X-ray machine

Holojournalist = Reporter

Flatholo/Holograph = Photograph

Sonic Damper = Active Noise Cancellation

Refresher/Fresher= Bathroom

Sonic Bath = Bath

Sanisteam/Sonic shower = Waterless Shower

Hydrospanner = Wrench

Hydro Flask = Water Bottle

Power Cell/Energy Cell = Batteries

Authorization Chip = Decryption key

Datatape = Disk

Datastick = Flash drive

(Personal) Com Code = Phone number

Datachip = SD Card

Synthflesh = Synthetic skin

Glowrod = Flashlight

Sparkstick = Match

Slugthrower = Gun

Slug = Bullet

Vibroblade = a blade that can vibrate at high frequencies, increasing its cutting power and penetrating ability (tactical knife)

Rangefinder = Rifle scope

Turbolaser = Cannon

Ion pike/Vibropike = Spear

Electro Staff = Stun baton

Blaster = Pistol/Rifle

Stun Blaster = similar to a Taser

Landspeeder/Airspeeder/Speeder = Car

Turbolift = Elevator

Slideramp = Escalator

Starfighter = Fighter jet

Rotorcraft = Helicopter

Hoverpack/Jetpack= Jet pack

Speeder Bike = Motorcycle

Skylane = Traffic lane

Railspeeder/Hovertrain = Train

Power Chair/Hoverchair= Wheelchair

Windscreen = Windshield

Podracing = Car racing

Dejarik = Chess

Sabacc = Poker and Blackjack combined

Galactic Rebels = Combat simulator

B'shingh = Dungeons and dragons

Jizz = Jazz music

Wailer = Singer (ie. Jizz Wailer)

Cantina = Bar or Pup

Para Sailing = Paragliding

Aurebesh = Alphabet

Credits = Money

Sleeping Pallet = Bedroll

Naming Day = Birthday

Youngling = Child

Galactic Basic Standard/ Basic = English

Medkit/Medpac = First aid kit

Hypo = Syringe

Medic/Healer = Doctor

Medcenter = Hospital

Bactapatch = Bandaid

Nanoweave = Fabric

Transparisteel = Glass

Plastifoam = Packing material

Durasteel = Steel

Plasteel = Plastic

Duracrete = Concrete

Slicer = Hacker (slicing = hacking)

Identikit = Passport

Minder = Therapist

Synthleather = Vinyl

Viewport = Window

Cooling Unit = Air-conditioning

Honeydarter = Bee

Slythmonger = Drugdealer

Spice = Drugs

Stimpill = Caffeine pill

Power Socket = Plug

Cutters = Scissors

Cycle = Day

Standard Cycle = 24h

Standard Week = 5 days

Standard Month = 35 standard days

Standard Year = approx. ten months

Tenday = literally ten days

Cigarras/Smokes = Cigarettes

Click = Kilometer or 'a moment'

Parsec = a unit of distance

Tweezers/Clanker/tin head/tinnie = Droid

Separatist = Seppie

Promise Ring = Wedding Ring

Body Glove = Jumpsuit

Slicksuit = Wet suit

Civvies = Civilian clothing

Carbonite = a metal alloy used to freeze a person in a state of hibernation

Hyperdrive = device that allows a starship to travel faster than lightspeed

Moisture vaporator = device that can extract water from the air, commonly used on tatooine

Glareshades = Sunglasses

Gasser = Gas Oven

Repulsorlift = technology that can create an anti-gravity field and is used for levitating heavy objects

Heating unit = Heater

Utility Droid = Roomba

Sunbonnet = a Clone trooper helmet

Bad Batcher = a defective Clone Trooper

Banthabrain = birdbrain/ a stupid person

Bantha fodder = waste of space/nonsense

Blast! = word of exclamation

Blasted! = s.o in anger or annoyance

Blaster-brained = dimwitted

Blaster fodder = cannon fodder

Blast off = Piss off

Brainless = Stupid

Bug/Bugger = used to refer to Geonosians

Forceforsaken = godforsaken

Full of Poodoo = full of shit

Poodoo = Shit

Kriff = Fuck

Jedi scum = derogatory term for jedi

Kark = derogatory expletive

Larty = LAAT/i gunship

Laserbrain = insult

Meat droid = derogatory term for Clone Troopers

Redrobes = Palpatines guard

Rookie/Shinie = newly recruited Trooper

Scum = insult to refer to bounty hunters/rebels

Sharpie = Sharp-witted

Sithspawn/Sithspit/Hellspawn! = expletive

Sleemo = Slimeball

Son of a bantha = insult

Wizard! = Cool

Spaced = dead

Hutt-spawn = Bastard

Karabast = exclamation of dismay

Stang = Crap

Buckethead/Bucketbrain = derogatory term for Stormtroopers

Bucket = Helmet

Nat-born = Natural Born

Roger Roger = affirmative/copy that

Droid poppers = EMP grenade

Sitrep = short for situation report

Backwater Planet = any planet that isn't part of the core system

Holocron = device that can project a three-dimensional image of a person/object and is used for communication or entertainment.

Kessel Run = a risky Operation. Commonly used as a metaphor in impossible situations.

Thermal Detonator= device that can create a powerful explosion like a grenade or bomb

Ray Shield/Energy Shield = creates a (protective) barrier

Rebreather = device that allows a person to breathe underwater or in toxic environments

Phrases:

Wild goose chase = wild bantha chase

That's bantha shit = that's bullshit

As slippery as a greased Dug = untrustworthy

Credit for your thoughts = penny for your thoughts

Cut the poodoo = cut the crap

to get your gills in a twist = get upset about something

Holy mother of meteors = holy mother of god

Oh my skies/ Oh my stars = exclamation of surprise

Stars' end! = exclamation of disbelief

What in the blue blazes = exclamation

When Geonosis freezes over/When it snows on tatooine = extremely unlikely

Who pissed in your power supply = who pissed you off

Blast it = damn it

By the maker = exclamation of surprise

Great karking Dragon = expression of disbelief

Lothcat got your tongue = equivalent of 'cat got your tongue?'

Sod it = expression of frustration

#shitpost incoming #I'm converting my friend into a star wars fan so I thought why not make a dictionary for every new fic reader lmao #star wars #writing star wars #star wars languages #star wars lore #im definitely missing some but these are words I've seen most commonly used in fanfic #userlumi #writing star wars fic #aurebesh #galactic basic Standard #as long as one person finds this post helpful it was worth it #youre all welcome to add to it #im stopping now coz otherwise I'mma clog the dash

[acertainmoshke]

I've been having a tough time lately, and when I don't have the energy for everything keeping up with social media is one of the first things I slip on. But I still care about all my writing buddies, so:

Reblog if you're not offended when people take a long time to answer asks, forget to reply to your replies, lag behind in tag games, or skip several weekly ask games.

#writeblr is so important to me and I get so scared people will think I'm a bad friend or don't care #but I can barely keep up with my own actual life right now #moshke writes #writeblr #also I'm not judging anyone for not reblogging this I don't believe in reblog bait #but I hope a few people who are up for it do

[why-is-it-always-autumn]

Love a self-inflicted time loop. The main character isn’t trapped.  They can stop whenever they want.  But how can they when things aren’t perfect yet?  They can do better than this.  They need to try again.  They can get it right this time.  They just need to try again.  They can stop anytime they want.  Just one more time.  They can fix this. They just need to try again.  There are still things to fix.  They just need to try again.

#time travel #its about the tunnel vision #its about losing sight of what a win condition even looks like #its about writing off the entire timeline at the slightest inconvenience #its about increasing alienation #its about failing to notice that youre destroying yourself and in some cases making things worse #its about the atrophy of your own problem solving skills #its about treating your friends like unskippable cutscenes #its about gradually forgetting everything outside the loop #its about the fact that you arent even really trapped #its about making the same choice over and over again #its about falling hard into the sunk cost fallacy