#// cause i just can't help but make my character that is connected to water and space also be very connected to drowning

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Can you give examples of Aang showing Empathy? Oh wait, you can't.

Actually, I can - because unlike you, I base my opinion of the characters on the actual stuff that happened in the story, not the bad faith takes dumb people on the internet come up with.

Zuko literally only survived past book 1 because Aang was the ONLY person amongst the heroes that gave a single fuck about his well-being. Aang offered to be FRIENDS with him as early as episode 13, even though this dude is trying to kidnap him.

In the first damn episode we see him realize and try to remedy Katara's struggle with no longer being able to act like a kid and have fun. He wants to travel with her so SHE gets to learn waterbending. He willingly lets Zuko take him into his ship because he understood that a conflict could lead to the people of the water tribe getting hurt or killed.

In Warriors of Kyoshi he apologizes to Katara for letting all the praise and admiration go to this head. He makes sure to put out the fires Zuko and his crew started in Suki's village.

He tries to help remedy the Hei-Bai situation, even though he is unsure of himself and even scared, because he knows he is the only one that has any chance of helping - and the thing that allows him to connect with Hei-Bai is the fact that he is ALSO upset about the destruction the Fire Nation has caused AND hopeful that the world would eventually heal.

He thinks Jet is awesome because he wants to help people that are being oppressed by the Fire Nation - and then is horrified when he finds out his intension is to "free" them by killing everyone

He wants to help the two rival groups not only safely cross the Great Divide, but also stop hating each other.

He confesses that he hid the map to Hakoda because Bato, Katara and Sokka are showing how much they appreciate and trust him and he feels unworthy of it after what he did because he knows it'd hurt him if the roles were reversed.

He is so devastated by the fact that he ACCIDENTALLY hurt Katara that he swears to never firebend again. He is also able to recognize the same principle behind his mistake in Zhao's fighting style, allowing him to win the battle against the bastard.

He accepts the fact that the Northern Air Temple is now occupied by people who not only don't belong to his culture but also don't understand it and unknowingly destroyed something sacred to him (and that one of them had been forced to make weapons for the Fire Nation) because these people have nowhere else to go and he doesn't want them to suffer.

He is furious at Pakku for refusing to teach Katara waterbending, because he knows how much it'd mean to her and how unfair it is that she can't learn it just because of her gender.

He is so devastated by the death of the Moon Spirit that the Ocean Spirit latches onto him to avenge it and save the day - and the leve of destruction it causes haunts Aang, even though the violence was against his enemies. And still, he tries to go into the Avatar state again because people are dying and he can't accept that.

After the fall of Omashu, he wants to rescue Bumi, not because he needs a teacher, but because they're friends.

He felt empathy for Toph when she was explaining to her parents how lonely and unappriacted their over-protection made her feel.

He and Katara both feel bad for snapping at Toph during "The Chase" and wanted to apologize for not understanding that being part of a group was a radical change to her, even though she had refused to even try. He also didn't have a problem with fighting alongside Zuko and Iroh against Azula, AND he looked concerned when Iroh was injured.

After Katara comments on the fact he called Toph Sifu but not her, he calls her Sifu while bowing, to show that he respects her both as his master and friend.

The hopelessness and downright depression he was feeling after Appa was stolen only starts healing because he saw a couple being happy with their newborn baby - the same couple he decided to help cross the Serpent's Pass, even though he and his friends had just been allowed to take a much safer route to Ba Sing Se.

His understanding and sympathy towards Jet, even after everything the guy did, was so strong that it freed him from literal brainwashing.

He doesn't want to push his love for Katara aside to gain power because he cares about her too much - and then does it anyway because, even though not making her his main focus 24/7 offers the risk of her being hurt, him neglecting his mission guarantees she'll get hurt.

He is devastated to learn that the world thinks he is dead because he knows he was everyone's last hope - and yet in the end he still accepts the burden of failure because he understood that, at that moment, everyone would be safer if no one else knew he was still alive.

He goes to a Fire Nation school and bonds with the kids, wanting to give them a taste of freedom and joy, as well as trying to understand what the war is like from their perspective. The same episode also has him pull Katara for a dance because he noticed she was feeling left out.

The boy felt empathy for, and understood the mistakes of, both Ruko and Sozin. SOZIN. Aang could see the humanity in the monster that is responsible for him losing his entire culture and everyone he loved.

When Zuko spoke about wanting to control his impulses so he wouldn't accidentally hurt anyone, Aang explicitly connected with that struggle and saw them being teacher and student as fate, and Zuko agreed because that's how deep their connection was.

Aang is not happy about Katara wanting to murder a man, but he still lets her take Appa on her mission and is not disapproving when she ultimately spares the guy but does not forgive him and makes it clear she never will.

He feels empathy for freaking Ozai, to the point that refuses to kill the guy - even as he has the balls to say that Aang's family, his people, deserved to die. He spared that guy - but only after he had a way to do that without it meaning the death of more innocents. Aang, the pacifist, was going to turn his back on everything he believed in just to avoid more human suffering.

So yeah, miss me with your bullshit and don't come back until your brain is developed enough to understand a cartoon aimed at kindergarterners.

[oneatlatime]

The Painted Lady

Air Bison, Sea Bison, and now Sludge Bison.

I have no idea how Aang is swimming through a solid. Must be an Avatar thing.

I bet there would be time for more potty breaks if Sokka hadn't spent 100+ hours of their time drawing up the schedule. A very Sokka thing to do though.

Because hills often have horns. Great disguise.

You can't tell me that a factory that close to their town wouldn't also become the town's primary employer.

That is a lot of town.

I sense a return of preachy Katara. This episode is going to suck.

I'm with Sokka on this one. Buy fish, move on, defeat Firelord, return to help with environmental remediation if time permits.

I like Doc. And Shu. Nice people.

Writers: if you have to make one of your characters an entirely different person to set up the episode's lesson of the week, maybe the lesson doesn't fit your chosen characters. This is the Warriors of Kyoshi all over again. Funny how that's happened to Sokka twice.

We are all Sokka.

And where exactly did this mysterious painted lady get the food to deliver to the village, if the reason the Gaang stopped in the village in the first place was because they needed food?

Let the record show: I lost the last of my patience with this episode 8 minutes and 9 seconds in.

Waterbending healing has never thrown off that much light before. Even the spirit oasis water wasn't that bright.

Also where is the water she's healing with? Usually she has a big bubble of it.

Impersonating a religious figure. That won't end badly.

"Well I hope she returns every night otherwise this place would go right back to the way it was." YES!!!!!! THAT'S THE POINT!!!!!

What was Katara's plan? Forget about the eclipse, forget about fighting the Fire Lord, we're going to stay here for the rest of our lives so that the painted lady can put in a nightly appearance. THIS IS WHY SOKKA DOES THE PLANNING.

Spirit magic is more doing the worm than doing the wave. Good to know.

Bold of a kids' show to advocate for ecoterrorism.

Aang's like "Hey spirit lady! Here's my resume! Here's my connections on LinkedIn!" Why did Katara think that faking being a spirit within two feet of the bridge to the spirit world would be consequence free? Actually that presupposes that Katara thought. Which she didn't. Sokka does her thinking.

"I don't get to meet many spirits. But the ones I do meet, not very attractive." I am OFFENDED on Yue's behalf. And Sokka's. I guess Aang doesn't like Water Tribe girls after all.

"I guess I just became her." No. That's an excuse and a deflection. I don't want to hear it.

What was I saying about Aang and Katara enabling each others' bad tendencies?

Sokka is horribly out of character this episode, but Aang is as well. In what universe would Aang be so unbothered by Appa being sick, and then so unbothered by the reveal that Katara had been faking Appa being sick? Like, this is Appa. He nearly skinned a bunch of sandbenders over the guy. And he finds out Katara's been messing with him and calls her 'great' and 'a secret hero.'

So this factory, despite being operational 24/7, has no night staff, not even a night guard? Because if it does (which it absolutely does - automation is a problem for factories in our world, not the ATLA one), Katara and Aang just killed A LOT of people.

And so she follows up one short term solution with another short term solution, which causes a third problem she will no doubt solve with a short term solution. You think there won't be reprisals for the only obvious suspects to this industrial sabotage? You think they won't rebuild the factory?

Sokka was kidding when he said that the Spirit Lady had better blow up the factory, but not in the way Katara thought he was kidding. Katara thought he wasn't being serious. But Sokka was serious, in that blowing up the factory is as short term a solution as appearing every night. He thought the joke - exchanging one bad solution for another - was obvious.

Somebody's enjoying himself a little too much.

Unfortunately, serving as Exhibit A is the most Toph has had to do all episode.

It is cathartic to see someone finally call Katara on her nonsense. But I'll bet everything I own that the narrative is going to side with her anyway.

Welp. I won that bet.

"You need me." Correct! Katara unsupervised needs bailing out after five minutes. "And I will never turn my back on you." A much more realistic goal than never turning your back on anyone who needs you, and also Sokka summarised in one sentence. Impressive for an episode where they had to Flanderise him beyond recognition to make Katara somehow the good guy.

Oh for fuck's sake. It's not about having a heart. This late in the game it's pure damage control.

So that's where the Painted Lady's food came from. I guess Fire Nation factories count as pirates?

I like the jetskis. The seem far more stable than actual jetskis.

It never occurred to Katara to obscure the evidence even a little bit? At least rub some dirt on the emblem. Look at me assuming Katara has thoughts.

Actual reprisals for once. About time.

This kid is annoying.

Toph gets to be a haunted house sound effects machine.

That's awfully waterbendery for a Fire Nation spirit.

I don't buy for a minute that anyone would be able to stay perfectly upright and balanced after an air blast from below without extensive trampoline training.

This won't work. His superiors, or the next shift change, or the first recruit wanting to climb the ranks quickly, will rise to the challenge presented here by the "painted lady." And as soon as one FN attack goes unchallenged by the "painted lady," the village is toast. I give them a week, tops.

Kudos to some clever in-universe bending special effects. Doesn't save the episode though.

Katara's preachy speech here makes absolutely no sense in light of the rest of the episode. Scolding them for not saving themselves, when waiting around for someone to save them appears to have worked perfectly? And having little miss I-must-save-the-whole-world-on-a-weekly-basis-otherwise-my-sense-of-self-implodes deliver that scold?

Who are these people wearing the Gaang's skin?

Yeah, nothing screams undercover in enemy territory like an entire village knowing that you're a waterbender. Good thing the only competent tracker in the Fire Nation is Zuko, otherwise these kids will absolutely be dead long before the eclipse.

Hi Bushi! You're about the only part of this episode that doesn't drive me nuts!

At least the animators had fun with this one.

Is this guy mopping the river?

Exactly how many days did they take out of Sokka's schedule to restore the ecosystem? I don't care how overlevelled these kids are at bending, you cannot mechanically separate an entire river's worth of dirt from water in an afternoon.

Well that's just he piss icing on the shit cake, isn't it? It wasn't enough for Sokka to lose all reason and come around to Katara's very flawed way of thinking, it wasn't enough for Aang to call her a hero, it wasn't enough to have a village worshipping at her feet, Katara needs affirmations of how right and special and correct and perfect and morally justified she is from the spirit world itself. This is Mary Sue stuff.

Final Thoughts

This is the first time an episode of Avatar has felt like a waste of my time.

It's also the first time I've felt like an episode has gone out of its way to insult the audience.

Katara talking about how she knows what she's doing is wrong is worth absolutely nothing when a) she goes right back to doing it; and b) literally every other part of this episode trips over itself to assure Katara that she's in the right.

Katara is downright punchable this episode. Sokka is Flanderised; Toph is non-existent; Aang is just there; poor Appa is an unwitting accessory to crime; and Momo has as much impact as a housefly.

So the execs forgot about the existence of The Spirit World Part One and demanded a save the environment special episode. The writers responded by forgetting that they'd already established that Katara was ride or die for literally anyone with a pulse in Imprisoned, and gave us this to remind us of that fact. They also forgot that they'd already established that Katara has no moral code whatsoever the minute her personal interest is involved in The Waterbending Scroll, so they decided to recycle the "narrative sides with Katara endangering them all over Sokka being reasonable" plot from that episode and hope we wouldn't notice. We did.

At least with Imprisoned, Katara kind of sort of caused the problem that she fixed. She was super tangentially involved in that kid's arrest. Here, she causes problems by trying to fix problems that she didn't really have any business getting involved in.

The more of this I watched, the more I wanted someone to slap Katara. What I wouldn't give for an episode where she is wrong (has happened a lot) and the episode doesn't pretend otherwise (has never happened). For god's sake, LET HER BE WRONG AND FEEL IT. How else is she going to progress past being self-righteously fourteen? Why is she being so consistently insulated from consequences? Aang chooses power over family at the end of season two and gets actually murdered for it. Katara steals, lies, skirts dangerously close to being a false prophet and does a nifty little ecoterrorism (with Aang's help), and she gets villagers being a bit shouty before big brother comes in and fixes it. Then she gets divine sanction for her actions so even the shouty bit is negated.

There's an interesting contrast in Katara's "I will never turn my back on people who need me" and Sokka's "I will never turn my back on you." It shows which of the two doesn't have their head in the clouds, and has actually formulated realistic expectations of how much a single person can do. It also speaks to the fundamental difference in how they operate. Katara acts; Sokka mitigates. Sokka does Katara's thinking for her; Katara outsources her thinking and then gets pissed when rational thoughts don't conform to her emotions' view of the world.

Why haven't the villagers moved away? If the water was poisoning them this much, why are they still here? Was the early 2000s too early to have a theme of climate refugees? Or the pollution equivalent? That would have been more interesting than this.

I hated this. Why isn't this the episode that gets hated on like the Great Divide? Its sins are nothing compared to this.

Doc, Shu, and Bushi were the only good thing in this episode, but they weren't enough to make this one remotely rewatchable.

One out of Three so far on season three episode quality. No other season has had this bad a ratio this early. This does not bode well for the rest of this season.

[ferretseal]

I wanted to write some character stuff and first it was Holly, but then two other Avatar characters basically screamed for my attention!

T'kali and Aìklua!

(here's pictures of them if anyone doesn't know who they are. I'll give some background for them both here too. They were drawn by @buzzkillchainsaw )

Everything else is under the cut because I don't want to force people to scroll through my ramblings!

So! First context!

These kiddos are part of a reef clan that's not the Metkayina. I don't really have a name for the clan but really that's not super important rn. Also they're both actually adults but they're my OCS so I just call them kiddos lol.

Aìklua is the middle son, and has three older siblings and two younger ones. He was born with a deformed tail, so he can't use it to swim. This caused him some trouble and eventually his father was going to allow him to be excluded from some rites but still get his tattoos. But Aìklua wants to earn them like everyone else, but it's a matter of convincing his father that he can. So that means he's the only adult in the clan who's in a child like "rank" and missing his tattoos. In recent times he's come to accept this, even though he's still pretty agitated about it. He's rather grumpy, and maybe bitter. He's resigned himself to basically being the babysitter for the little kids because he rarely has anything else to do other than making another net.

Then we have T'kali. She's a wonderful crafter and specializes in clothing and jewelry. She can probably make anything from whatever you bring her. She's pretty sassy though, a little full of herself because she's beautiful and she knows it, as well as popular. You know the rich blonde in highschool who has a giant group of friends and everyone at least knows about her? Yea T'kali is kinda like that, except she's not exactly a bully. She mainly deals in backhanded compliments, or gentle humbling, but will make anyone clothes or do their hair to make them feel pretty.

Anyway they're dating now! T'kali actually enjoys hanging out with Aìklua and can gossip with him because people will naturally give her all the tea, and he kinda fades to the background so he just hears all the drama that goes on. And Aìklua enjoys having company that's not his siblings or 10 year olds, and if that means he becomes a mannequin for a few hours he won't argue. For a while he actually didn't believe that T'kali actually wanted to talk to him, thought that she just was in it for the gossip or simply was bored, but she just kept coming around, and even invited him to help her collect shells or seagrass in the shallows and tide pools, where swimming won't be a problem, but every now and then the two sneak off into the open ocean and to a small island. Aìklua just doesn't really like using his prosthetic tail all the time because it's heavy and kinda loud and clunky, and overall isn't really comfortable to wear anywhere other than under water, but it being wood it is kinda buoyant so he still struggles with direction.

T'kali could definitely do better but honestly she just likes how Aìklua is. He's more honest, and kinda deadpan, and despite his problems he still has a unique connection to the sea. He can't explore it like he should, yet he still dives in head first. And Aìklua likes how T'kali treats him like an equal, like he's on par with her and not below her.

They're like polar opposites but in a good way I'm hoping.

[mayvora]

Part one of the lore!!

I wanna share more about the au but I'm sick and it makes my brain a wobbly mossy thingy. So I just... wrote down some of the things about the characters? The revolution group! Some you saw already. Some you didn't!! Hope you'll like it. And surely this is not all of the characters, just the main group.

Some explanations :

Higher Force - a high deity that gives the creature their power. Any creature wound have at least one and very rarely they have two w/ one being main.

The common Higher Forces are Fire (not just simple fire, it is also a master of heat and light), Life (as a connection to living creatures and the nature itself), Ocean (like a world ocean? the one that carries all the ocean, seas, rivers and lakes and swamps and every body of water. The system of The Ocean itself), Vortex (the wind but I tried giving it a fancy name. A Force of freedom itself), Pride (as in a flock/pack meaning. like a pack of wolves) (basically is for creatures who are always in clans and are highly loyal to their family) and Ice (the youngest one that was born when creatures of other Forces left their territory to live in a colder land and their magic adapted to the environment).

Then we can look at rare ones - Eye, Moon, Sun and Wing. While the last two will be explored in a story and I can't talk about them rn, we can rumble bout Eye and Moon cause we have two characters who follow their path.

Moon is for creatures who was supposed to become followers of one of the main Forces (being born in a tribe that follows Pride for example) but something usually tragic happened forcing them to change their ways. Some tribes and clans have the "initiation" that helps you awake your connection to your Force. But if you fail the exam you are usually abandoned by your tribe and forced to live a lonely life. That's when The Moon chooses you - she takes anyone who is turned away and left alone and gift them her power. Being a Moon follower gives you access to both your "supposed-to-be-yours" Force and Moon Force making you a follower of both technically. But creatures that follow path of the Moon will never have a full power of their first Force and also depend on phases of the moon quite a lot. They are powerfull when the moon is full, but... new moon understandably cuts their power. Stories of the Moon followers are always unique and they are not very common.

Then you have The Eye, the most powerful yet the most mysterious one. There can only be one follower of the Eye alive. These creatures followed a different Force before, but at some point of their life they made a decision that turned them into "an interesting character for the Fate to watch over". Basically, they are followed by the eyes of Fate and their appearing awakes the Knight of Fate himself. Every decision of the "chosen one" is important and can affect the world massively. They are mighty powerful even if they had no magic before being awoken by The Eye. They also change their appearance after awaking (which is the process of changing from one Force to another) and usually are very purple. xD.

Then there is Darkness - its like an "Anti-Force" cause while literally any other force is guided by the light of a person's soul, Darkness feeds on negativity of their followers giving them powers in return. Some of their followers are evil... some are broken.

And some are forced.

There is also something called an Ancient Force - it's a classification than is put on every old Force that does not take followers anymore but still has some of their followers walking the earth. These followers are always very old and disturbingly powerful, but they prefer to not interact with a world around them and keep their existence a secret so they don't get hunted and killed. They are quite good at masking their powers and pretending to be a human. There is only one Ancient character in the story (I'm not planning to add more but perhaps??) and they will not be mentioned today.

AND AT LAST. and then we talk about the characters I swear. There are Unique Forces. They are the only one quite literally. There will only be one with this power and that's it. Usually they have a heavy lore bag behind their Unique Force - like The Fate which only has one follower and it's The Knight of Fate himself. Possibly one of them have a lore bag behind his back that he knows nothing about...

AND NOW WITH THE CHARACTERS sorry it took way too long I just really love the Forces.

Scar Goodtimes! 💚

Age: around 19 years

Creature: human

Higher Force: none

Abilities: literally has none. okay maybe we can count the woodcarving as an ability. he is very good at it.

Weakness: is a human. poor guy.

Is a very empathetic and sweet guy who stole his way into the hearts of the rebellion by just being kind, loving and accepting. A main character.

Has a little scar on his nose that he claims is from his childhood friend Jellie the cat. Believes in magic and has special connection to the world around him that most humans can't understand. Its not exactly magic... its the way Scar feels connected to the world that gave him life. The way he opens his soul for the beauty of living, enjoying every little thing the world has for him to explore.

Lord Xelqua [aka Grian] 💜

Age: wildly old, is indeed the oldest in the group. Around 350 years (being old doesn't make you less stupid I swear)

Creature: awoken avian with a bump of void magic

Higher Force: The Eye, used to be The Vortex

Abilities: is very skilled with magic, but has a limit cause his magic uses his physical energy to work since he is not born with magic and does not have a "Mana reserve" and his magic literally feeds on what his body creates for itself. Therefore magic for him is quite exhausting. Is crazy fast in combat, uses a halber.

Weakness: does not have Mana => uses his own energy to cast spells. Is the worst at keeping a human disguise cause it's very painful for him for the reason of his magic not being native to his body => it does not accept Xels tries to use the magic to modify his body. Illusions does not work with him cause his wings are very big and nearly impossible to keep on one place.

Sarcastic asshole who actually really cares about his group but does not have the balls to show it openly. Quite clever when he wants to be. Has the worst and in the same time the best sence of humour and a shady backstory (read like TRAUMA) that he does not share. Is a leader of the rebellion. Usually wears black long clothes that help him hide his wings a little bit. Is indeed a nests boy and enjoys sleeping (not in a sex way) with people. Very cuddly when he sleeps.

When he uses his magic, two pairs of "ghost wings" appear on his head, following the real head wings. His eyes are a pools of void with purples and golds circling in it. Has two rings on his hand that are covered by gloves so we can't see their color but can roughly see their shape through the gloves. Also has an enderdragon amulet that is usually hidden too. .

For him Martyn and Jim are his younger brothers.

Is very passionate about his rebellion, but always seems very distant and sad when you try to talk with him about the "brighter future" that will follow their possible victory as a rebellion against the inquisition. I wonder why. I really wonder.

Lizzie Shadowlady 💕

Age: around 250, a little younger than Xel

Creature: spirit of the Ocean

Higher Force: The Ocean

Abilities: her deep bond with the Ocean allows her to control massive amounts of ocean water, shaping it any way she wants. Non-salted water also follows her commands, but ocean water is easier to manipulate - she can literally create a tsunami or a storm with it. Is a skilled warrior and uses a sword. Is very good at masking her appearence and pretending to be a human, can do this without pain and for a long time.

Weakness: as I said, she is stronger when she controls the ocean water. Rivers wouldn't follow her command that easily. Hot dry weather weakens her. Can't stay away from a water source for longer than couple of days in her real form, in her human form she can stay for a week.

For many centuries people of the Ocean lived in peace with the humanity, creating their cities in the lakes and seas near places where humans based. They oftenly visited the surface to trade with humans and socialise and because of that it's very easy for most old Ocean followers to turn into humans - something they used to be able to stay at the surface for a longer time. That's why for Lizzie and Jimmy turning into human disguise is so easy.

In her human form she is just a dark-haired woman with no unique thaits (not counting eyes), but in her true form she has a beautiful blue skin with golden scales all aver her body. Her ears turn sharp and her hair turn pink. She has a coral crown on her head and a little wooden fish on her neck as an amulet - this fish was given to her by Scar the first day they met. She uses her magic to keep it from breaking even when she is in the water. She also has little copper cod-shaped charms on her belt from her brother. Her eyes resemble the ocean, turning from light blue to dark blue and showing little fishes, corals and sometimes (when she is angry) - something dark and scary, as a silhouette in the water, a shadow of something deep inside of it...

She is the latest adding to the rebellion (not counting Scar) and knows about it because they saved her live a century ago. For a long time she helped them with getting supplies, but stayed an empress of her empire, but then something changed and she decided to join the rebellion instead.

Can appear as soft, but only if it's needed. Usually is also a sarcastic character who enjoys pranking others just as much as Xel does. Very clever and is one of the only one who actually thinks before doing.

Jimmy Solidarity 💙

Age: around 240, is just a little bit younger than Liz

Creature: spirit of the river

Higher Force: The Ocean

Abilities: is very strong in his home river, has a wild control over it, being able to manipulate the whole river easily. With other water sources his abilities are much weaker, but he can still control the water if it's not an ocean water. Is a skilled warrior and uses the battle stuff. Also is good with human disguises. Has a strong connection with river/swamp creatures.

Weakness: he is only strong when he is near his home river, that's where he is basically god-like in power. Sadly, the rebellion has to travel a lot so inquisition don't find them and because of that Jim has to use other water sources to fight with and it's just not that cool and strong. Sea water he can't use at all. Also gets weaker in dry hot climate and can't stay away from water for a week, in human disguise - three weeks (trained)

He is the Codfather, he is so cool. He wears armor (AT LEAST SOMEONE, JEES) and has a cool mask for his pretty face to protect it. Wears coral earrings from Liz, they look like little stars. Has a lot of little wooden figures that are attached to his belt with little copper chains. All of those are from Scar and has protection magic over it! Has a bracelet with six little charms on it, each one representing one of his revolution friends. One of the charms is cracked. Adds two more for Liz and Scar after escaping. Has a little replica of the revolutions flag on his belt and a piece of bright red cloth near it. Has a spyglass from Xelqua that he gifted him and Martyn when he first met the two.

He has green (like a swamp green) scales and marks in his true form that glow a little when Jim is in the water. Eyes resemble a swamp with fireflies and are brown-dark green, but they get lighter when Jimmy is happy and turn light blue, resembling his homeriver with little fishes in it. (Yes this is based on the fact that many people draw Jimmy with blue eyes even if they are brown. I think it really funny).

A silly guy with deep sadness hiding in his eyes. Lizzie is his sister and he also sees Xelqua and Martyn as older brothers.

Martyn Littlewood 💛

(I sold my soul to rec2 Littlewood)

Age: unknown, is around Jimmy's age (?)

Creature: unknown, but is calling himself a star. Everyone seems to have a way to call him - with Lizzie and Xel saying he is a firefly, Joel and Jim calling him a swamp firespirit and Etho and Ren choosing a "little comet". Scar is the only one who calls him a Star. No one actually knows what he is

Higher Force: The Starpath (unique)

Abilities: can levitate himself for a short time (2-3 minutes) and control light (creates little balls of light or takes it from a light source). His light can create warmth strong enough to light something on fire. Can speed himself up. He is very fast and deadly dangerous with his weapons - two swords. Easily turns himself into human.

Weakness: doesn't seem to be magically cool to be honest. With his weird Force and abilities that would fit into both Fire and Vortex... No one actually knows what to expect from him, but he doesn't seem to have more magic other then what he already has

Martyn is a weird one. As said, no one actually knows what he is including Martyn himself. His Force is unique, his appearence is more human-like than anything with his true form being... quite literally human with lightmarks over him. He does not remember his young ages or his parents, like he has none.

Has a strict moral code that goes like "creatures should be saved no matter what, kids should not be touched even if they are humans and inquisition can suck their ass and I can punch them as much as I want". Easygoing, fun and reckless, loud and quite silly sometimes. Never thinks (sorry Martyn). Is a strategy man of the rebellion usually helping Xelqua with creating operation plans.

Sees Jimmy as an annoying young brother (who always needs protection) and Xelqua as an annoying old brother (who always needs to fucking SLEEP).

Has a small flag of the revolution on him with it being on his shoulder or on his belt. He also has a red flag with white triangles on the bottom of it that he carries in his pocket, its an inside joke between him and Ren who he is big friends with. Also has a spyglass from Xel.

His eyes are bright blue and looks like humans if he doesn't want them to shine (something that only he can do, no creature can hide their soul glowing except him). When they do glow they are very bright and weirdly glitchy, like there is something you are not supposed to see in them. Only Xel is able to see through them and he says that Martyns eyes are actually endless seas of stars and it terrifies him.

Ren ❤ (I'm not adding dawg but I really want to...)

Age: around 200 years

Creature: werewolf woof woof bark bark

Higher Force: The Pride

Abilities: can turn into a wolf; becomes physically stronger when his allies (read like "his family") are with him. More family = more strength, can also summon a wolf spirit for every ally he has near him that slightly copies the appearence of an ally. Fights with a massive axe. Good with masking since he literally swaps between a human form, a partly wolf form (with ears and tail and sharp teeth) and a wolf

Weakness: is not technically a magic user and does not have spells (spirits are a little bit different thing)

Ren has a red cape with the symbols of the moon on it which has a story behind it for sure. His long hair is sometimes partly braided (he has small braids on both sides of his face but not everywhere else). Braids are locked with little beads that are all custom created by Ren. Has a bracelet with charms that looks a lot like Jims bracelet! Even with one of the charm being broken. Charms glow a little when the ally they are made for is near (ex: Xel is near => a little purple charm with an eye drawn on it glows). Also have two flags on him - the rebellion flag and the red flag.

His eyes are sky blue and resemble... well, sky. Bright sky with little clouds apearring when he is stresses and storm grey clouds - when he is angry. Yes, his eyes turn grey and sometimes even have sparks of lightning if you piss him off. His sky eyes show his pure and bright soul.

Acts a lot like a mother chicken (I'm so sorry Ren) with the rebellion, being a caring and loving big brother for everyone (therapy doggo 😭🤲). Looks after supplies of food and water and after mental health of everyone ESPECIALLY Xelqua. Is the only one who can force their leader to sleep. Is soft and fun and sometimes dramatic for a bit but genually is a very great guy that melts my heart by just existing.

His wolf emh sona is a big brown wolf with long fur and soft blue eyes. Has marks of the moon on his cheecks, I wonder why.

For the "spirits resemble allies" part. Xelqua has a spirit of a black wolf with fur cut like feathers. Lizzie - light grey with blue elements. Jim - sun yellow with a bump of green. Their wolves have their fur in shape of fish scales. Etho's wolf is white with a scar on one eye and massive long winter coat and his ears are in a shape of fox ears. Joel's wolf is just like Joel and surely has that green colored fur on his tail. Martyns is so bright that you can only see a silhouette of light with fun spiky fur. Eyes of the spirits copy the allies they resemble.

Etho 🤍

Age: 234

Creature: an Arctic fox hybrid (you can call him a were-fox)

Higher Force: The Moon & The Ice with Moon obviously being the main one

Abilities: at night and at full moon he's mighty powerful, using the power of the moon to create what he desires from its like. He can turn it into a spirit like Rens or into a weapon or shoot it as a ball of pure power. Can also control snow and create snowstorms, but it's a power that only works if there is snow around him. Can make the air around him colder and uses this to not go insane cause he was born in the cold lands and summers are just way to hot for him. Wields many weapons, having like from 10 to 20 knives on him and a katana. Good at throwing knives

Weakness: his moon powers only work at night and get weaker the closer the moon is to a new moon. Powerless when it's new moon. Always hot at summer and spends a lot of mana just to cool himself down. His ice abilities only work when it's cold & snowing so it's for winter & cold lands. Not very good at masking his ears and tail

Etho is a very silent guy at first look, but when you spend a lot of time with him, you start seeing that he is quite talkative when he talks about something he likes and can be a very fun guy to hang out with. Doesn't talk about himself tho. Took a job of the spy, going into cities at night and collecting information + when he's home he works as a night guard. Very sleepy if you awake him during the daytime. Does most of the night works if there are any for him to do.

Has a fun relationship with Joel (they are "obsessed" with eachother and seems to be always flirting but are 100% platonic and just enjoy their play).

Has a scar on his eye and covers his mouth with a mask. His non-human features are white fox ears and tail, also has little claws on his hands. His right eye is silver-grey, having a constant snowstorm in it (possibly as a mark that he has a lot of mess in his soul) and his left eye is bright red and has a clock in it. Etho laughs when you ask him about it and never gives you a clear answer.

Has a clock and a rebellion flag on his belt, both always on the right side. His clock does not resemble real time instead going very slow and backwards. As a countdown for something perhaps...

Joel Smallishbeans 🧡 (child)

Age: 17

Creature: werewolf

Higher Force: The Pride

Abilities: turns into a wolf and also fights with a big axe. Always bloodthirsty. Good at masking

Weakness: doesn't think. No magic. Can't charm woman (but really tries with Lizzie)

Joel is the most reckless one (but it seems like Martyn really tries to beat him at this for some reason). He never thinks and always acts (definitely got this from Mar) and everyone always have to rescue him from the situations he got himself into. Is a very loyal man and goes into protective mode immediately if someone from his rebellion is hurted. Also is very passionate about the ideas the rebellion is fighting for since he literally grew up with them (they took them in when he was three). Willingly does all the heavy lifting and packing and unpacking when the group moves places and is always ready to help with anything. Does night guarding when Etho is away on a mission. Is a very energetic and enthusiastic bud with a spark of a sarcasm.

His wolf form is way shorter then Rens and has short fur since he is from warm forest while Rens clan lived in taiga. He has a green part on his fur that is on his tail and no one knows where it came from. It is in his hair when he turns back into human.

His human-self wears messy and always dirty clothes since he is a hard worker who does not really care about his clothes as long as it doesn't break. Ren had to force him to change more then once... The only thing he looks after and washes regularly is the flag. Everyone else has a small version but Joel literally wears his as a cape and only takes it off when he is doing work.

He has little cherry blossom earrings! They are actually made from corals and are a gift from Lizzie who knows he is in love with her and doesn't know what to do (since he is too young for her but she respects him as a person and doesn't wanna make him sad). He also has many colorful bracelets that Ren made for him (Ren sees him as a younger brother) and Joel always calls his affection annoying but never takes bracelets off. He is also the only one who has Xelquas feather on him since Xel doesn't like giving them away but when Joel was young he was obsessed with Xels wings and only being hidden behind the wings would calm him down if he was upset. Has a wooden toy of the wolf that was gifted to him by Jimmy.

THIS IS WAY LONGER THEN I EXPECTED IT TO BE. I'M SO SORRY.

[wife-of-all-dilfs]

also question about writing bc right now a bitch (it’s me, hi !!!) is struggling. how do u decide on plots & how do u structure them? bc i have two separate fic ideas & i do plan on writing both of them but not only am i struggling to decide which i wanna do first bc i really like them both but i also don’t know how to structure either of them.

i’m also procrastinating like a motherfucker so yk that’s super fun <333

i didn't see this in my inbox. i'm so sorry, forgive me, por favor 🙏

HI!! honestly, i really struggle with creating plots, it often takes me a long time to piece something together which factors into my excruciatingly long writing process.

i typically get inspiration from movies, tv shows, and books, and i give them my own original twist. i self-indulge a lot with my writing, meaning i write what i would enjoy in a relationship or i channel my emotions into what I'm writing (sadness, happiness, hornyness, what).

my advice (and i do realise i'm a little late to be giving advice) would be to write the fic that you resonate more with, the one you have a clearer picture in your head of, the one you are more emotionally connected with and know you will enjoy writing all the way through to the end.

structure-wise, i just dot-point vague descriptions of how I want the story to pace—different characters actions, internal dialogue, verbal dialogue, setting description, etc. it is very basic and messy, but it's just a guideline to keep your writing juices flowing.

e.g.:

character a walks over to character b

character b looks character a up and down, causing them to blush

[write description of character a's feelings for character b]

character b flirts with character a

"dialogue, flirting"

they get interupted

it's a shitty example but it explains what I'm trying to get across.

also, make sure your pacing isn't too fast or slow; writing a story is like sailing down a river—at some points, the water is going to flow more slowly, giving you time to savour your surroundings and create a visceral image in your mind's eye.

at other points, the water will turn to rapids, and only the most basic descriptions are necessary to the plot. deciding on which pace to use is mostly done on instinct and practice.

if you still can't decide which fic to write first, you can always try writing both at the same time. you aren't bound by any rules. write in a way you enjoy, even if it seems unorthodox to others! <333

idk if this made any sense, but I do hope it was at least a little bit helpful lmaoo

[neonscandal]

Hello.... Another fanfics ideas, cause you also love BNHA. Your top 5 fav JJK characters will be besties with who (in your opinions) if they were in other universe, with your top fav characters from BNHA? Hope my questions are not confusing.....

Wait, I love questions like this lol 1) I feel like there are such obvious connections but still, the chemical reactions would be funny ✨ 2) it reminds me of tiktok series I've seen a few creators do which I will now spend several hours tracking down just to hyperlink them here (unless I get distracted by something else.. okay there's one more but I lost steam). If you end up writing something, please feel free to share but also, I apologize if I misinterpreted your question. I wrote everything out then reread it and realized maybe you meant to inquire whether my top faves for each would be friends with each other... which, tbh, I guess is kind of addressed based on the results of this previous ask? Thank you for asking!

Nobara Kugisaki 🤝 BakuSquad - I mean, Ashido and Kugisaki are kind of a no-brainer, no? Except that's not Kugisaki's in to the BakuSquad. No, no. No one joins that band of idiots without the eponymous leader's express invitation and, characterwise, Kugisaki is who Uraraka could be with more intentional fleshing out/personality. She snatched Bakugo's respect by being equally headstrong, aggressive and capable of backing her smack talk up.

Additional Prospects: She would, of course, be on track to intern with Mirko in any capacity for the same reasons above. She would give Todoroki and Fushiguro a hard time in equal measure.

Yuji Itadori 🤝 Eijiro Kirishima - Itadori gets along with everyone. Midoriya is a very obvious choice, as well (sunshine, cinnamon roll, green flag and sunshine, cinnamon roll, green flag), but there is a gravitational pull that keeps two himbos in orbit of one another and I'm not strong enough to deny that. Literally, look at Kirishima and Tetsutetsu. Plus, the physical prowess that follows him from universe to universe makes him an ideal sparring partner for Kiri and an interesting combatant against Bakugo.

Additional Prospects: While he'd generally be in the inner core of the BakuSquad (re: Bakugo and Kirishima), something tells me he'd spend a lot of time with the outer ring as well (supplementary classes with Kaminari and Ashido...). He'd be able to stomach convo with Mineta and, considering the generosity, Mineta would be mindful of toeing the line of decency so he wouldn't lose an ally. Only with Itadori since Kaminari is sometimes just as depraved as the little grape. Itadori would earn Bakugo's respect but Bakugo would still be wary any time Itadori and Midoriya's paths cross. Even though he sees Itadori as an ally, he's still gunning to be number 1 of whatever is at stake and both Itadori and Midoriya are capable of giving him a run for his money.

Megumi Fushiguro 🤝 Kyouka Jirou - TBH this could have gone so many ways. Kaminari would be all over invading Fushiguro's personal space as soon as he debuted, much to Fushiguro's dismay. He would be a great fit with Shinso too but... neither of them would go out of their way to socialize unless someone extroverted forced the issue, let's be for real. They would also hate that. But Jirou's mellow and shares an interest in music so she wouldn't be entirely grating to be around and I think they'd just kind of mesh well without overcrowding one another.

Additional Prospects: That's not to say Kaminari still wouldn't be a force of nature in including Fushiguro in class 1A hijinks. I just think Fughiguro would prefer the company of less volatile personalities like Ojiro, Shoji, Koda and Tokoyami. He can't help but attract extroverts like there's blood in the water. He and Todoroki would, of course, get along to an extent but I don't think Fushiguro would tolerate constant mention of Endeavor and Todoroki's subsequent family issues. Todoroki's of the talk it out camp and Fushiguro would prefer to never discuss it again. One ill timed trauma dump and Fushiguro would be fixing his hands to summon Mahoraga.

Kento Nanami 🤝 Naomasa Tsukauchi - Nanami would consort with and tolerate a number of adults: Rock Lock and Aizawa come to mind because they are rational and understand that kids are meant to be kids. Tsukauchi in particular is far enough from the fray to suit Nanami's passing desire to leave the chaos of his moral obligations (as a sorcerer or whatever he's imbued with in universe). But he's also patched in enough to be the tip as to when Nanami needs to resume his responsibilities.

Additional Prospects: Depending on where Oboro is in his origin story, I think he'd also be a necessary counter balance to Nanami's staunch, straight lacedness in the same way Haibara is. Haibara and Oboro would be a force to be reckoned with for all parties considered. Nanami only meets up with Aizawa when he knows Present Mic is on patrol or DJ'ing. Also, The Black Parade once summoned both he and Tokoyami but they never spoke of it again.

Satoru Gojo 🤝 Keigo Takami - One could make an argument for All Might (strongest and strongest in each respective universe) but... I think Hawks and Gojo's predisposition to be weapons at an early age kind of embodies the burden that Gojo otherwise carries alone. Always looking to quell that isolation, Hawks would understand. PLUS, who else has a "strong" moral code (... using figuratively as applied to both) and a bluntness to keep others in check? People overlook how silly goofy Geto has to be to keep up with Gojo. The three of them would wreak havoc, naturally.

Additional Prospects: Gojo would go out of his way to endear himself to Aizawa, as well. Because how grating to be adopted by yet another loud extrovert? Gojo would not be successful but, for the kids, Aizawa would do as needed. Aizawa probably sees Gojo as a slightly more competent teacher than All Might. He likely also recognizes what festers under Gojo's facade of frivolous indifference in the same way he sees past All Might's bravado. Student wise, Gojo would still gravitate toward the most unhinged for mentorship: his Big Three + Midoriya and Bakugo. Iida might be demented enough but the knife handed attention to rules would not work out in the long run.

[imsocialshit]

Jojolands Ch 20

uhhh spoilers I just read it today

It's good. End of analysis /joking.

I loved Glory Days and Agent Bobby Jean. He's such a simple character and I have a soft spot for stands that are just straight up A Gun. I was not at all ready for Bobby Jean to die so soon, I was really hoping to learn more about his whole deal. In hindsight, we got his whole deal.

I will say my first instinct about his death is that it was a bit of a cop out. Even though we're still establishing everything Jodio and November Rain are capable of, the splash back feels a bit anticlimactic. That isn't to say that I fully dislike it though, to me it reads as Jodio just trying to play defense and accidentally getting in a kill. It is interesting that November Rains... rain maintains it's properties even after it hits the ground. I'd assumed that once it hit the ground it was Done. The ground becoming the target and usually being too hard for NR to affect.

It's obviously not a very dependable attack though, when water splashes it goes in every direction so it can't be aimed. I am still super interested in seeing how November Rain is used in future fights.

I really enjoyed Jodio this chapter, him just hiding and panicking in the bathroom does a decent job of showing that he's literally just a highschooler. I like to think he was legitimately scared/worried for a good chunk of the fight. I guess that's why I can't be Too upset about Bobby Jeans death being anticlimactic, it feels thematically fitting that it was just luck that let's Jodio survive. Because to me it's less "Jodio Won" and more "The Enemies just Stopped."

Lulu is a star and has been a star from the start, I'm really glad that she's going to be sticking around for a while. Even though it's via Jodio and gang kidnapping her. Mostly Jodio. I appreciate Jodio getting to be a bit more overtly Cruel. Yes Lulu was trying to kill them, but she's also a little girl crying over a fresh corpse. Very excited to see how she interacts with the others.

It's also interesting how Serious Jodio is, he's just instantly ready to take down an entire bank. There's also a hint of black and white thinking thrown in, "Howler are Bad Guys, so anyone who helps them must be too." It's so early in the part, and he's already getting a little crazy with power, which is interesting considering Paco and Dragona seem to be in charge when Meryl Mei isn't there. I appreciate that they take him and his ideas seriously, but I think him trying to present them to Meryl will probably cause some kind of friction.

A final sillier note: I love Usagi. The way this fight's been structured almost feels like an "A-plot/B-plot" style tv show. While yes the two plots are happening at the same time and are clearly connected, Jodio and Paco have a kinda separate thing from Usagi and the others. The B-plot is just so much sillier, even though it hinges on trying to make sure Usagi doesn't Die. Him waking up and immediately going "Oh I'm in a bed with Pink-Chan" is so stupid. It's such a strong contrast after Bobby Jean, I love it.

Overall great chapter. I tend to use stand references as a soundtrack for fights, so having November rain playing for most of it may have added a layer. It automatically makes any fighting Jodio does somewhat melancholy.

Very excited for Meryl Mei's reactions to everything. Especially the double kidnapping.

[shhrrroooommmmmyyyyyy]

Yaptime: Malachite [or japis?? (i think that's their ship name)]

i wanted to summarize what i think of jasper and lapis's toxic relationship in SU. they have a very complex, interesting dynamic that i wanted to yap abt. feel free to share your opinion as well! as a psychology nerd, these two are a topic i've wanted to evaluate for a while.

Malachite

at face value, malachite seems like a very powerful character. the fusion of a lapis, which are already arguably part of the most powerful gems out there with their hydrokinesis (water control), and jasper who is the "ultimate quartz, made completely perfect" according to peridot. being a fusion of such powerful gems would obviously make malachite one of the most powerful non-diamond characters, right? wrong

according to what garnet tells steven in Keeping It Together (season 2), a fusion is not just two beings put together. the stronger the connection between the two gems that are fused, the stronger the fusion will be. that's why alexandrite stopped malachite (with the help of the watermelon stevens ofc). alexandrite held up against malachite because pearl, garnet, and amethyst are much closer than lapis and jasper. malachite is naturally very powerful, which is why it was such a struggle for alexandrite. but malachite's true potential was never seen in the show. while some might argue we saw it when lapis finally gave up her resist against jasper, her and jasper were not close at all. no healthy connection was made while they were fused. so no, we didn't see malachite's full potential.

but why were jasper and lapis so toxic in the first place? while they were fused, lapis was using the water from the earth's ocean to keep jasper fused with her. this was to prevent jasper from being loose on earth to cause chaos or, more importantly to lapis, possibly hurt steven. jasper, on the other hand, had other plans. with a lapis, she would be stronger than ever. she didn't fully understand fusion the way we do at that time. she wanted to be stronger and more powerful.

they both "wanted" to fuse for different reasons. lapis wanted to protect steven, and also gained a sort of punching bag of a person. jasper wanted to be stronger to defeat the crystal gems. that's why they were so toxic. neither of them wanted to be with the other, they just wanted to use someone. They were both abusive to each other. lapis kept jasper bound to her for so long and jasper eventually used her for her strength in the end.

ANYWAYS thank you for reading today's yaptime. the majority of these will probably be helluva boss, but i wanted to address this while it was on my mind. i think my main topics will be helluva, maybe hazbin, and steven univers. they're my current obsessions i can't help it.

[spidermanifested]

returning to the concept of greed playlists: im actually really proud of the one ive been working on. its not "done" yet, in the sense that i like to make my character playlists go in chronological order and theres still comparatively few songs representing the latter half of his arc, but what ive got so far is very solid in my humble imho. so. heres a big post with all the songs ive got in it so far, particularly relevant lyric excerpts, and explanations for how they fit into my Grand Vision

act i: greed the avaricious

softy by kiltro

there's a boy who stalks these halls, he never leaves and when he talks, he talks a lot always by mistake there's a man who runs the show you never see and where he walks, all our breathing stops, how he quiets things

i figured this was a good one to start off the playlist, it sets up the quiet unease of greeds existence. also starting with a song called "softy" on a playlist about the Ultimate Shield and building everything else on top of that is a move of genius i think

shadow's keeper by black rebel motorcycle club

what is the purpose if you feel so incomplete? what is the reason if it beats you to your knees? what do you keep? your eyes were wide but there's a world that keeps you blind a painted serpent turning water into wine seeking light

hes starting to acknowledge how unfulfilled he feels, and the shadow/light motifs are an extra treat considering he uses the metaphor himself. ive done my best to continue that theme throughout the playlist. especially fun if you take the "painted serpent turning water into wine" as the "world that keeps (him) blind" AND the thing "seeking light", aka father, and combine that with the later verse:

you're begging for the truth but now you've seen too much you're living in your head but never feel their touch and everything was buried by the deep blue sky help me to breathe 'cause I don't wanna see the light just tell me to breathe 'cause I don't wanna be denied

he doesnt want whatever grand plans father has in store, he wants a family that cares about him. truth mentioned also, as well, give it up for the truth

willard! by will wood

i've never understood what humans do and want it's quite confusing to me to try to connect never learned how I should feel, instincts somehow stunted just seem haunted by my stupid urge to protect

replace "humans" with homunculi and you have a whole song about how his chimeras are the only ones who really get him. "being haunted by (his) stupid urge to protect" is also such a greed line

hast thou considered the tetrapod by the mountain goats

and alone in my room i am the last of a lost civilization and i vanish into the dark and rise above my station

he, father and the other homunculi quite literally are the last of a lost civilization. also

held under these smothering waves by your strong and thick-veined hand but one of these days i'm gonna wriggle up on dry land

^these lines make me cry on their own already and when i place them in greedcontext it has an effect

what's a devil to do? by harley poe

oh, when the saints go marching in i won't be there, 'cause I love my sin am i so bad that you hate me? there was a time when i could see my hopes and dreams, they are no more i'm not a rich man, but blessed are the poor oh man, forgive me, i turned away i won't come back, so i'll have to pay

i dont think i have to expound on how this relates to greed very much do i. entire song about your inherently sinful nature making you unfit for your home

act ii: taking on the world

could have been me by the struts

don't wanna live as an untold story rather go out in a blaze of glory i can't hear you, i don't fear you i'll live now 'cause the bad die last dodging bullets with your broken past i can't hear you, i don't fear you now

the tiger! he destroyed his cage! the tiger is out!!!!

i by kendrick lamar

and i love myself (the world is a ghetto with big guns and picket signs) i love myself (but it can do what it want whenever it want, i don't mind) i love myself

hes seen how much pain society has in it at this point, but he still has no regrets about leaving home. for the first time in his life hes starting to fill the void in his soul

i want it all by queen

i'm a man with a one track mind so much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me) not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies so i'm living it all, yes i'm living it all and i'm giving it all, and i'm giving it all

the first of several songs about Wanting Everything because you have to have songs about wanting everything in a greed playlist. but thats not the only reason this one fits, youve got the "not wanting to live a lie" part, as well as talking about giving instead of just taking

raise hell by dorothy

young blood, run like a river young blood, never get chained young blood, heaven need a sinner you can't raise hell with a saint young blood, came to start a riot don't care what your old man say young blood, heaven hate a sinner but we gonna raise hell anyway

hes way past young at this point but theres always room for a Fuck You Dad song

emperor's new clothes by panic! at the disco

welcome to the end of eras ice has melted back to life done my time and served my sentence dress me up and watch me die if it feels good, tastes good, it must be mine

this is maybe The classic greed song. everybody knows its about him. the only difference in opinion with the masses i really have is that even though emperor is in the title it really fits more as a pre-nest wild party era greed song than a greedling era song because at no point during the winter road trip does he get to engage in the songs brand of lavish hedonism. hes too busy being depressed

also its fun that it has the word decapitated in it. when, you know

the man by the killers

i know the score like the back of my hand them other boys, i don't give a damn they kiss on the ring, i carry the crown nothing can break, nothing can break me down

obligatory Toxic Masculinity Song. some of the lines about not taking advice dont really apply here because this is greed "looks to his minions for social advice in the middle of a kidnapping" the avaricious but he does have his weird chivalry thing and also a lot of baggage around his own vulnerability. i also think its funny to put in a song where he brags about his dick

thrift shop by macklemore

imma take your grandpa's style, imma take your grandpa's style no, for real, ask your grandpa, can i have his hand-me-downs?

unfortunately this is definitely a greed song.

mr. pinstripe suit by big bad voodoo daddy

now he strolls through the city like a big ol' alley cat with his pinstripe suit and a big bad voodoo hat i don't believe i ever saw him without a kitten on his hand and no one swings as hard to the big bad voodoo band

the time period doesnt quite line up but the Vibe is there. hes making a name and a reputation for himself and hes looking good doing it

busy earnin' by jungle

you think that all your time is used too busy earnin' you can't get enough

a more uncertain interlude. the melody doesnt falter but the lyrics ask if this is really what he wants out of life. after all, he has a long time, but he doesnt have forever.

everybody loves me by onerepublic

don't need my health got my name and got my wealth, i stare at the sun just for kicks all by myself, i lose track of time, so i might be past my prime, but i'm feelin' oh so good, yeah

this answers the question the previous song posed with a "psssh, ill think about it later"

i want it by viv and the revival

in the stores make it rain 'cause it's wet like a dream (a-wooo) cars, boats, big house, everything in between (a-wooo) i don't know i don't care i don't give but i can share, so i'll make you scream make you believe that you can have anything, anything!

another "i want everything" song that stands out by mentioning wanting someone else to have things too. still not really addressing the uncertainty yet in favor of continuing to fuck around

gimme! gimme! gimme! (a man after midnight) by abba

gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight won't somebody help me chase the shadows away? gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight take me through the darkness to the break of the day

well? give him a man after midnight

i'll rust with you by steam powered giraffe

i'll rust with you i'll rust with every one of you nostalgic nights have got me feelin' its all gone, gone, gone to rust

song about being immortal and watching all your relationships fade away before your eyes as the decades roll past? dont mind if i do

highwayman by the highwaymen

i was a highwayman along the coach roads i did ride with sword and pistol by my side many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade the bastards hung me in the spring of '25 but i am still alive

by this point hes been living among humans long enough to have racked up a considerable number of deaths. but hes still around. he'll always be around. Or Will He

act iii: coming together

red right hand by nick cave & the bad seeds

you don't have no money? he'll get you some you don't have no car? he'll get you one you don't have no self-respect, you feel like an insect well don't you worry buddy 'cause here he comes through the ghettos and the barrio and the bowery and the slum a shadow is cast wherever he stands stacks of green paper in his red right hand

the tone of the song is sinister. within the context of this playlist i am envisioning it as entirely literal. whats up with this weird guy and his red right hand. well he got me a new car so he cant be all that bad. he definitely casts a shadow wherever he stands but you know itd be kind of weird if he didnt

this marks the beginning of his quest to find lasting friends minions. clearly just bribing them wont really work

evil friends by portugal. the man

it's not because the light here is brighter and it's not that I'm evil i just don't like to pretend that i could ever be your friend

return of the light motif and the cataclysmic collision of greeds refusal to lie and his refusal to accept the most basic truth about himself. hes gotten to the point where hes able to recognize that who he is isnt a bad thing, but he still cant connect the dots and understand that he was lied to from the start about who he is at all. so he says shit like this with full confidence

let me bathe in demonic light by the mountain goats

someday the old flesh will give way to the new find a functioning mirror inside and slip right through and there, there i'll be and who, who's coming with me? to show me my one true face when i arrive at my preordained place

the light theme continues, and illustrates the fact that in starting to seek out immortality he's retreading the same ground as father-- making the same mistakes. the hunger, as the lyrics explain, runs "deep in the bloodline". just like father, he cant do it alone, and calls on others to join him, while the lyrics run in direct contrast to the past song by saying the word "friend" multiple times. this will continue

amy aka spent gladiator 1 by the mountain goats

i hide down in my corner because i like my corner i am happy where the vermin play

i might wind up relocating this somewhere else on the playlist at some point but right now the sound fits well in this part so. song about Coping, and not necessarily coping healthily or well. but hes surviving, with his little crimelord hobby

if i lead by kiltro

show me the ways that you talk and all of the places you walk if i lead would you follow? let me at the corners where the light don’t touch colors, figures sway love, they might lift you away from the street to what’s under and everything that scatters by the light of day

weve got light again folks! this ones (very plainly i should think) about recruiting the gang. he asks for their trust and brings them down into the underbelly of dublith.

modern jesus by portugal. the man

don't pray for us we don't need no modern jesus to roll with us the only rule we need is never giving up the only faith we have is faith in us

the Greed Crucifixion jokes are hilarious but this song i think fits very well as a refusal by the nest to treat him as anything but an equal, at least in terms of his being a homunculus. they dont want a god, they want a boss and an ally and a friend.

bourbon street by jeff tuohy

every night we throw this little soiree i'm gonna turn her head until she's mine, all mine every night I breed a new disaster might be right, might be wrong try to get away and i will bring you right along

another party song, this time with hints that being on his side isnt totally safe, and he might not be as in-control as he makes himself out to be. everyones having fun, though. for now!

guys on every corner by the mountain goats

with your tabloid stars and your unmarked cars with your special forces and your inside sources with your radar fields and your riot shields and heavy horses i'm coming to swat you down like flies 'cause i got guys

come at him, government. hes got guys.

act iv: the downfall

alligator teeth by mother falcon

i will turn my friends to gold for the treasury to hold them safely while they dream

a sudden shift in musical style to something way more... i dont quite know how to describe it but its soft at first and then turns frantic and its generally not the kind of music i would typically listen to for Fun but in the context of the events leading up to the raid i think the sound works to illustrate the confusion and fear. immortality, i think, was never just for greed. he wanted to protect his friends too. the lyrics start to repeat "i don't wanna ever dream", and then "'cause all it ever leads me to is bad things, bad things"-- this desire is exactly what gets them all killed.

king rat by modest mouse

we spun like birds on fire right down towards the residence, and i i took all that I desired, even crooks have to pay the rent we swam like rats on fire right, right down the reservoir we took all that we could carry, but we tried to carry more and you know, you know, you know it all went wrong

the musical panic continues into the next song, which describes a burglary gone sideways and perfectly captures the raid. greed tried to bite off more than he could chew and paid the price for it. plenty of the lyrics can be directly associated with the situation-- the "king rat" who "has (greed) on his list again", the "deep water" he's sinking in, the claim that he was "honest even when he cheated them". i dont think id be able to find a more fitting song for this part if i looked for a year

going to hell by the pretty reckless

father did you miss me don't ask me where i've been you know i know, yes, i've been told i redefine a sin i don't know what's driving me to put this in my head maybe i wish i could die, maybe i am dead and he said for the lives that i fake, i'm going to hell for the vows that i break, i'm going to hell

barring any better future options this song has provided the title for the whole playlist-- "redefine a sin". the in-context priest being called father really elevates this one, if the whole premise wasnt enough to begin with. a+ greedsong

heretic pride by the mountain goats

and i start laughing like a child and i mark their faces one by one transfiguration's going to come for me at last and i will burn hotter than the sun

maybe greeds emotional state is a little different from the narrator here, but overall this is a certified Song to Get Put in the Soup To

act v: rebirth

still feel. by half alive

floating in outer space, have i misplaced a part of my soul? lost in the in-between, or so it seems, i'm out of control floating in outer space, have i misplaced a part of my soul? lost in the in-between, but it can't keep me asleep for long 'cause i still feel alive

i can so vividly picture the animatic to this one. greeds little soulface flipping around in the stone. zooming in on fathers weird eyeball as he cries him out and puts him in different guys. the last verse being him coming to life again in lings body. why dont i have 7 million dollars

same man i was before by oingo boingo

i'm not the same boy I was before but I haven't changed my desires i've not extinguished the fires i haven't lost wide-eyed wonder i haven't lost, haven't lost, haven't lost that stupid fear of thunder

AND everyone keeps telling him everything he does is wrong. cut that out

ドーナツホール ft. GUMI by hachi

いつからこんなに大きな | When was it that I got these memories, 思い出せない記憶があったか | These big ones I can't remember? どうにも憶えてないのを | Out of what I just can't recall, ひとつ確かに憶えてるんだな | There's one thing I remember pretty well もう一回何回やったって | Try one more time, a hundred times, 思い出すのはその顔だ | All I remember is your face それでもあなたがなんだか | And yet you yourself, I'm not sure why, 思い出せないままでいるんだな | But I still can't remember you…

this is the bido song. look up the rest of the lyrics its about bido. i searched bido on japanese twitter one time and saw somebody else saying this song reminded them of greed and bido. its about greed and bido

act vi: memories returned

stronger by the score

set me on fire set me on, set me on fire (whoa, whoa-oh) i'm still alive i'm still a- i'm still alive (whoa) bet you didn't think that i'd come back to life

every single line fits him perfectly. youve all seen @humming-fly's animation right you dont need me to explain. if you havent what are you doing

long way down by black rebel motorcycle club

don't you cry to yourself just to feel like someone who's hit bottom? but you can't run away 'cause the hole that remains will follow don't you care just enough? don't you feel your heart stop? but you can't know what you want

after the emotional high of 'stronger', representing the anger overtaking him as he goes to attack bradley, 'long way down' takes us, well, Down. hes is so fucking sad. but he cant know what he wants! now more than ever! because to admit it would mean admitting he lost it!!!

clean slate by the mountain goats

rest until you're rested, climb back onto the caravan remember at your peril, forget the ones you can and then just when you think you've learned how to forget you learn it's just the ones who haven't risen to the surface yet

this is The Roadtrip Song. hes sorting through his memories and struggling the entire time. i owe john "the mountain" goats my life for continuing to make ten million songs about extremely specific situations. ideally id have so many more songs in this category but until i find more this is it for the time being

act vii: final sacrifice

human heart by thao

god damn your crooked mouth and lean your fear is a bullet in the wing is it so brave? tell me, is it so brave? the private posture of the self homemade

with this, we skip ahead to the final fight and the moment when he decides to sacrifice himself. shout out to whoever transcribed "eat and won't you be hungry" as "ethan won't you be hungry" on the spotify lyrics for this one, i dont know who ethan is but i hope he has a good lunch. what was i talking about. oh right

children play with fire by mischief brew

children lead us to the lake of fire (fire!) children lead us to the lake of fire (fire!) and as we drive down into the flames maybe I'll let you hold the reins

change da world... his final message. goodb ye

epilogue

just one more by mad caddies

no necesito la vida rica (i don't need the rich life) estoy contento contigo (i'm happy with you) 'cause in the end we all go the same place, yeah so i'll be happy with what i know

like the title says: just one more. because whatever form it takes, he IS partying it up in that shitty bar in the sky. and all his friends are there too.

like i said i would very much prefer to have more songs in the latter parts so if anybody has recommendations. please rant at me about the songs you associate with greed. and if i can fit them in i will. this post took me all day to make i have got to get some follower interaction out of it

[nocturnalghoul]

*frantically grabbing my Ghouls And Hematology notebook* no, no, tell us about blood bags - -

Okie Dokie :D (I need very little encouragement to talk about blood)

Time once again for Kait's Science Corner. Um below the cut for mentions of blood (duh) but its rather clinical and not actually gorey. Also included for free is a small rant about vampiric characters and blood bags because I love that trope and it cracks me up.

I think blood bags are so neat because not only do they normally have that feel to them of those squishy water tube toys, but there are different types for different products.

Blood gets split up into 4 different products: pRBC (packed red blood cells), FFP (fresh frozen plasma), platelets, cryprecipitate (the concentrated coagulation factor parts of plasma)

I know the RBC units are the fun sexy ones that people think of when they talk about blood which makes sense but there are the other components too. Technically speaking in transfusion for blood loss a 1:1 ratio of RBCs to FFP is recommended. So I constantly am like where is the plasma.

pRBC (packed red blood cell) bags have different types of additives in them. The additives are essentially a preservative, acting as food for the red cells and also an anticoagulant.

The bags for platelets are super cool to me cause they obviously need to be closed off so that bacteria cannot get in, especially since platelets are stored at room temp, but also platelets need to breathe so there still is oxygen exchange through the bag.

FFP have water balloon energy to me and I want to throw them so bad once they are thawed. (They are kept frozen until needed because once thawed its only good for 5 days)

NOW for the built in vampire rant. I LOVE LOVE LOVE when vampiric characters are just drinking a bad of blood or like have a connection to get bags of blood because it is always pRBCs and thats funny to me. I know that this is because then it reads as blood instead of weird goo but it still cracks me up because like what is happening to the rest of it? It is something that I love to think about!

It makes me feel like those types of vampiric characters are the vegetarians essentially of the vampiric world. Like they are only drinking the RBC component.

That or like what if the plasma component is like the vampire equivalent of a milkshake or a nice soda. Is cryopoor plasma (the plasma left over after cryoprecipitate gets made) the vampire equivalent of diet soda, except instead of aspartame its albumin? The idea cracks me up so much and I adore it.

Also yes jokes about vampires liking certain ABO types, but there are other antigens on those cells and I can't help but think about if they also have flavor. Do the different perservatives have a taste???? These are the vampire things I think about :D

EDIT because I was silly and forgot to mention it: There also are bags of whole blood that essentially is just if a blood donation never got separated into the individual components. They really only get made for trauma scenarios though. I guess those could be drank as well but also the plasma and the red cells separate out in the bag and then mix back together when you wiggle them around. Kinda like when you have a layered drink and then stir it :)

[dotster001]

Can I get a test match up for your event? This is what o sent on a while ago for an obey me match up (I think it was for 500 or before when I sent this) anyway, thanks and congrats!

-🦈

Transmasc he/they, 4’10(lol), INTJ-I have Adhd and lots of anxiety(always nervous and stressed about something)

I like art and theater (acting and musicals) I also like playing the Irish tin whistle and electric bass. I also like reading (books and comics)

I like to think and I’m told I’m funny, I like making people laugh and be happy(though sometimes my jokes can be like, horrifically dark-it’s coping but I always feel bad when I make someone uncomfy :( ), I’m caring, I’ll be there for anyone and take care of people no matter what (not the best at taking care of myself though rip)

I’m kinda 50%, sometimes I’m chaotic and I’m up to do whatever and dangerous junk without thinking-other 50% I just wanna nap and cuddle with someone.

Btw I don’t really know the new characters/datables so prefer not to be matched with them, sorry

Event Closed

(sup SHARKY!!! Hope you enjoy this 😊)

I match you with Belphegor.

Imma be honest. It's the dark humor. If anyone uses dark jokes to deflect inner turmoil, it's him. I mean, just compare the way he is before and after he was locked in the attic. Point being, you're never going too far with him. If he goes too far though, smack him. Actually, maybe don't, he might like that.

He does his best to stay awake for you, but sometimes he can't help it. So he likes that you're a reader, because it's something you can do while he lays on your lap. You can both sit quietly together, and he doesn't miss too much if he falls asleep. Although, he does get dissapointed missing your expressions if you're reading something particularly interesting. But it's fine. He can see them when you rehash the book for him later.

Got anxiety? Babes, he can help. Sort of. His abilities are typically used to put people to sleep. And if anxiety is keeping you from sleeping, it's all the more excuse for him to use you as his body pillow. But he slowly learns to syphon his abilities so that if the negative energy is starting to rise, he can lull you down enough that you can feel at ease. He's so proud of his new skill, mostly because it means he isn't useless to one of the two most important people in his life (it's the trauma talking)

Glad you like cuddles. Your new position as boyfriend to the Avatar of Sloth is dependent on cuddles. Get ready for your new life skipping classes to nap in the attic, skipping council meetings to snuggle, and disappearing from the HoL to sleep under the stars. He's warm and snuggly, more soft than any teddy bear you've ever cuddled.

Idk how tall the brothers are, but I hc that they are all nearly freakishly tall. His sadistic ass mercilessly teases you for being 4'10" constantly. But if you find a spell that could make you taller, suddenly he's whining and pouting. He likes his tiny boyfriend! You're snuggle sized! Don't stop being his tiny cuddle buddy!

You're lucky you're chaotic. Because once you started dating Belphie, your involvement in the Anti Lucifer League had only grown. Your fingerprints were on all sorts of crimes. Good thing you liked that life.

"So, obviously we are still banned from the kitchen after the incident," Balphie said, pointing to the whiteboard that was detailing his idea for the future prank.

"Right," you and Satan both nodded.

"So, we need a prank that will require less stove top and more finesse! Now, Satan, you will aquire as many bottles of dish soap as possible from your connections."

"On it."

"And as for you, my little shark," he said, giving you a soft smile, before taking your hands in his, "I need you to cause some chaos. While Satan and I spread the dish soap on all the floors in the house, you'll pester Levi enough that he summons Lotan."

"And filling the house with water, along the house full with bubbles! Belphie that's genius," you said, nuzzling your nose against his.

"I do what I can," he grinned, pride radiating off him. "Now if everyone understands the plan, let us begin!"

[imadhatt3r]

OKAY okay… since everyone went for 69… how about your top 3 songs! :3c

1. The Town Inside Me by AISHA and Arc System Works (Guilty Gear Strive OST)

Okay, so this is a weird one, I know. To explain it, I'm afraid that I'm going to need to get a bit personal:

Bridget was released in August of this year as a DLC character for Guilty Gear Strive. In her story mode, Bridget accepts the fact that she's a transgender woman. This doesn't come easy, however- she worries that by being openly herself, she might cause her family shame or that they will reject her, and she's convinced that it's better to just keep it hidden, and feel depressed and anxious.

August was also the month were I was starting my autism spectrum diagnosis. I was coming to terms with who I am, and that some of my behaviors or feelings are normal and should be respected, instead of me having to "unlearn" them. Sometimes it felt like my mind was being broken and forcefully domesticated, because I wanted to better "fit in" with the neurotypical society around me. It was unplesant and hard for me, but I thought that it has to be done, and that I will never be able to live a fuller life than I do now because people will never accept me for who I am.

Bridget as a character, and this song in paticular, have really helped me with accepting who I am. Our struggles aren't identical, but I believe that you don't have to be perfectly aligned with who the character is if you find comfort in their arc or personality or whatever else. Town Inside Me is a musical way of showing Bridget's arc- from someone who has to hide and stifle who they are, and it's bearable, sure, but it feels awful, like your body is empty and your brain is almost split in half, where the real you is somewhere outside of you, in the back, while the pruned version walks around and talks with others, behaving how people around them would want them to. Then, there's the realization, that you can't keep living like this, and you think that it's impossible at first, but something finally snaps in you and you're considering that first step. You jump into that deep, dark water, and you never want to push that "real" you in the back ever again, you want to embrace them and apologise for being ashamed of them and promise that you will never leave them again. Your life instantly gets incredibly vibrant, and it doesn't matter what anyone thinks or what chamges around you, you have yourself with you always, and that's the most powerful ally you can have.

So yeah, sorry again for being so personal, but this song and Bridget the character have really came into my life at a perfect moment, and, as weird as it might sound, her story and character song have given me a lot of comfort and budding confidence. If they'll ever make Bridget figurines, I'm the first one in line.

2. Ram it Down by Dorian Electra

And now, it's time for something completely different.

Dorian Electra and I have a fascination with one very specific subject: homoeroticism. This one mixes the common homophobic expression of "(stop) ramming (your agenda or whatever) down my throat", mixing it with with aggressive oral sex (which is a logical connection when it comes to associations). The beat is just as forceful, combined with shouting vocals, it really gives off the air of someone (rightfully) venting out their frustrations. It twists the narrative around; The homophobe is the side that's "giving" in oral sex, begging the subject to "ram it down" their throat (harder, farther and deeper), one who secretly yearns to suck dick behind their homophobic veneer. It gives the "power", metaphorically, to the gay person subjected to this kind of "silk-gloves-on" homophobia, through the metaphor of oral sex, where they are the "recieving" half, who controls the one who is more submissive.

I actually found out about this song thanks to Lil Mariko, who's featured near the end, since I'm a big fan. Her screaming vocals really add a perfect finish.

3. Liquid Nights And Disco Lights by Miracle of Sound

I was about my number 3 before, so I'll keep it short- perfectly captures the melancholy, wonder, hope, but also the foreboding nature Harry goes through as he hopes to regain (or build a new) identity. A must-listen for any Disco Elysium fan, imo.

[nejishadow]

Part 1 of Tomozuki drabbles and things!

Yep that's right, the even rarer of the two Kenji rarepairs gets an entire post!

I'm taking a break from writing anything big after I finished the Tomozuki 5 chapter, so thought I should start gathering all my ideas and ramblings again Like the kenjikoto posts, you're free to expand on / finish these ideas for fic or art, just let me see! Inspiring people is a huge boost to my drive to create!

Guest Starring Makomoru, because they keep finding their way in here, Kenjikoto and tomozukikoto / tomozukimako! [Ryoji x Kenji x Makoto] (I haven't decided what 3 way ship name makes the most sense)

My tired brain is just thinking of morning clinginess

I see both Kenji and Ryoji being people who hold like a pillow and don't let go. Great, Tomozuki is comfortable while they sleep! Until they need to get up. Kenji trying to wriggle out, but Ryoji is locked on. Try to slip out or push him off? He's adjusting to lie half on Kenji. Now even more stuck. Kenji just gives up and accepts he's gonna be lying here for another hour

Vs Kenjikoto. Makoto needing to get up, still tired and hazy. Kenji curled up around him? He just drags Kenji up with him. Both slowly shuffling so they can stay connected during the morning routine. Kenji staying mostly asleep until Makoto makes them both coffee. Then it's Makoto's turn to curl back up against Kenji until they need to do anything

AKA I love and adore soft daily domesticity

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Ryoji's first winter, totally absorbed with just watching the snowflakes fall down And gets nailed back of the head with a snowball by Makoto

Who then points next to him, blaming Kenji Kenji barely able to stutter, no he didn't - before Ryoji's tackles him into the snow without a second thought

Kenji flailing that this isn't equal at all, why does a snowball get you tackled, now stuck under Ryoji Ryoji too busy laughing to get up, and hey Kenji's pretty warm, it feels nice. Might just stay here

Makoto hitting them with more snowballs cause they're in no place to stop him

----------

This one I can't decide if fully in character, it's more just funny idea for Tomozukikoto.

Kenji maybe just a little bit jealous or insecure about some things. Like every time Ryoji kisses Makoto, Kenji has to as well, don't question him on it! So Ryoji sometimes just kisses Makoto's cheek just to tease Kenji, and then Makoto is stuck between two guys who won't stop being affectionate, which you think wouldn't be bothersome but he's trying to get stuff done

Also can twist the idea to be that Makoto and Ryoji can tell Kenji's being a bit under the weather due to insecurity, so Makoto hugs first (since he's kinda bad at it), Ryoji hugging them both and now Kenji is stuck in the world's strongest hug.

"Makoto and his two boyfriends who are over affectionate in different ways (dog and cat)" just presents a lotta cute funny opportunities ha.

----------

If Kenjikoto is "streetlights shining on rain slicked concrete, kissing under umbrellas where only we exist" vibe Then tomozuki is definitely a "clear skies with salt spray, tinging our kisses as we hold each other in the sun, wishing the moment could be bottled" vibe to contrast

Combined, they're something like "sitting on the boardwalk in the rain barely fitting under cover, enjoying everything nature gives to us, hands locked in our own bubble - own time"

----------

Overthinking Ryoji again Does he know how to swim? Like how much of Makoto's actual knowledge and skills does he have?

Because tomozuki beach date. If he can't swim, Kenji can at least be there to keep him from drowning, also an excuse to hold hands forever. If he does know. Can throw himself into increasingly bigger waves and actually do all the fun beach things with Kenji.

Ryoji standing up after getting bowled over in the water, hair plastered to his face. Kenji going up to help push it all back and. Oh. They're really close. And were Ryoji's eyes always so pretty?

Then the choice of

they get to kiss because it's cute and romantic Or

another wave knocks them both over and get to laugh (and still get to kiss)

----------

I'm stuck with a headache so I've just been thinking of kenjikoto and tomozuki and how they show affection more

Like the idea of each of them having a way or place they kiss more often

Ryoji is forehead and nose

Makoto corner of the mouth and hands

Kenji the cheek. Maybe a hand if he's feeling brave or trying to be gentlemanly

Makoto leaning on people or pressing up against them when they sit. Ryoji lying himself across people or finding any excuse to touch them. Kenji keeping their fingers intertwined, squeezing extra firm when they hug.

----------

Kenji eating lunch, and Ryoji leaning all over him, prob stealing food when Kenji isn't looking

Hidetoshi then approaches them... What does he want?

"I do hope you know excessive PDA can wait until after school. I swear, it's like you're glued together… We won't need to talk about this again, right?"

Ryoji straightening up, holding his hands placatintly, "Not at all, I completely understand, Odagiri-kun! I won't you cause anymore trouble~"

A hmph and Hidetoshi leaves -- he does not like Ryoji, the guy is causing scenes that he has to deal with constantly -- and the second he's gone Ryoji snuggles into Kenji even closer, now he's gotta enjoy it before he's caught right?

Kenji's been blue screened since Hidetoshi mentioned PDA. They're not dating, Ryoji's just friendly! PDA, how dumb is that?! … And then gets stuck thinking about exactly how touchy Ryoji is with him vs anyone else. Realizing he never sees him doing this to anyone else, at least not at school.

Ryoji too busy cuddling to notice.

Go hide on the rooftop if you wanna be all cutesy, Hidetoshi will find you otherwise

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

Raincode AU Ideas

Since I started Raincode, my brain connected dots and ended up at: MC Kenji and Shinigami Ryoji. Ryoji is Thanatos, after all

Yuma being the most "normal" guy, Kenji made sense to me to fit the role. Everyone just like "nah, no way This Guy could be important." Surprise! He's got a pact with death (I could see Kenji trying some ritual like that anyway, thinking it's some dumb thing people only do in shows but whoops it real!)

Shorter than everyone else

Everyone underestimating him cause he doesn't look like he fits the part

Overthinking and overreacting because what is going on

Thinks his memories are worth trading for a pact?

I think there are all Kenji-core actions ha!

Also imagine shinigami's lil ball form But Thanatos? I squish

Planning / plotting issues come from most of the WDO team having such distinctive personalities, it's hard to equate to someone in P3. Might have to go off powers instead Makoto as Vivia is the only thing I'm 100% set on. Mitsuru for Halara I like a lot too, but I'll have to finish the game before coming back and solidifying everything

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

Ice Skating AU (+ Makomoru)

Makomoru ice skating AU. An excellent pair who's won many competitions, and gotten runner up in even more, still competes to try and get ever better. Started out as rivals in singles, and one day realized they were stronger as a pair than alone.

Kenji has always looked up to Makoto, dreaming of one day they'd be good enough to skate in competitions together (childhood friends AU?), but Kenji was never as good as Makoto. After seeing Makoto flourish in doubles he knows he also wants to try, but it keeps falling apart before his eyes.

Kenji's been stuck in singles, stagnating, because his doubles partners fall through, get frustrated with him, or aren't compatible physically, or Kenji was never their first choice so they would leave him for someone else first chance they got.

Enter Ryoji! Up and coming singles skater with great potential. Was also very inspired by Makoto and Mamoru and how beautiful pairs skating can be, wanted to try doubles, his coach also thinks it'd be good for his training if he worked with others for awhile. Everyone else has partners, so he gets Kenji

Kenji a bit jaded after so many people dropping him, also at himself for not improving at the pace he wants. But… things actually go very well. Ryoji adapts to Kenji quickly, and Kenji understands and can follow Ryoji easily. Plus Ryoji's height + strength means they can do more dramatic moves then Kenji was able to before.

Even after just a few weeks of training, Kenji can understand why Makoto flourished, why he glows when he and Mamoru skate. Ryoji also starts to improve, wanting him and Kenji to reach great heights together. Over the months, Ryoji genuinely starts to fall for Kenji and how... normal he is, compared to so many skaters he knows. How dorky and determined, but down to earth he is.

Both of their final goals are to stand with Makoto and Mamoru on the podium

Also also I love ice skating outfits, they're so fun

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

Ryoji Lives AU

Ideas about a continuation of Chapter 5 of "First Kisses - Tomozuki Edition". Because I can't leave anything bittersweet alone

Ryoji, many months after March, just. Standing. In the middle of an open space, seemingly looking at nothing. No scarf, but so clearly that's Ryoji. How had Kenji forgotten Ryoji? It's been so many months, Ryoji's here. He's frozen in place, unable to look away from that tall form.

Ryoji, seeming to know he's being stared at, turns and meets Kenji's eyes. Realization, light sparking as eyes widen. He remembers

Both see each other and just know. That's their person. We got taken away from each other too soon Ryoji jumping into Kenji's arms and so badly not wanting to let go.

But neither remember much else. Kenji knows this is Ryoji, knows he was important to him. But who was he to everyone else? Nobody recognizes him

Ryoji knows this is Kenji, that's the ring and scarf he gave him, so tenderly cared for. But why'd he give him those things if he was coming back? Some form of promise?

Both having to help each other as all the memories click back into place, defying fate and everything else.

A confusing and patchwork overlap where it's a lot of relearning and rediscovering But they still fall in love / stay in love through it all. Ryoji has too big a heart to ever forget the people he gave everything to.

Probably recall more and more as he meets SEES again, eventually will remember enough to tell Kenji the whole truth. And they've been through too much for Kenji to leave him for that

[pulchrasilva]

Bestieeeee

I wanna know ab your ocs, give them up

Noooooo you can't have them theyre mine >:( /silly

Anyway have some fun facts about the gods:

The moon god's gender changes along with the cycle of the moon

The sun goddess' body produces a lot of heat (for obvious reasons). Sun burns are a sign of high status because it means you were invited into her personal space. Also darker skinned people are ones whose family has been very high status for a very long time, because they've live closer to the palace and so in a much hotter climate. Basically social power is all about how close you are to the sun goddess

The only exception is that magic users/priests have higher status than everyone, despite the temples usually being on the furthest edges of the kingdom, because their connection to the sun goddess is more profound than mere physical proximity. They have specific attire to demonstrate that status

The sun and moon gods are simultaneously toxic yuri and foundational fratricide, because they were like. "Married" but also theyre the two gods who existed at the dawn of time or whatever so they basically "grew up" with each other. Pseudo incest win!

The history that people are taught is that the moon god created the kingdom and humanity but needed to put their soul into humanity to bring them to life, so they basically died and the sun goddess took over ruling the kingdom to honour them

Im still working out the details of what really happened but it involves the sun putting the moon into a magic coma so that she could have total power over their kingdom

Where the kingdom meets the ocean, near the Palace of the sun goddess, are the Salt Wastes. These are a stretch of land where the tide washes in, but the heat from the sun goddess rapidly evaporates the water, leaving behind thick layers of salt and making the land toxic for vegetation. Because the tides are associated with the moon, this is symbolic of the push and pull for power between the two gods, and the devastation they leave in their wake

Theres gonna be some sort of climax where the sun and moon goddess have to fight. Or something. Idk but what I do know is that there'll be a solar eclipse when it happens

The sun goddess is kind of a cruel ruler so there's gonna be some kind of resistance once the moon wakes up, which is looking to usurp the sun and give the moon control of the kingdom. But like. While the moon is more benevolent than the sun, they're still ultimately a god and therefore divorced from human life and they have a lot of power to abuse, deliberately or not. The idea is to set them up as the perfect ruler to take over, and then to slowly reveal that this is far from the case

This is reflected in their relationships with the leading priestess, Sidera (my favourite character my babygirl my anguished lesbian). As a priestess of the sun goddess, she has a secret fucked up toxic devotion relationship with the sun goddess, which. Remember how people end up with sun burn in her presence? Yeah so Sidera gets very badly burned when they have sex, and the sun goddess often removes the burns immediately after just for extra mind fuckery. Sometimes Sidera's unsure whether they were even there in the first place. But Sidera eventually finds and wakes the moon goddess, and gets to know them in secret, and learns that she can have a better relationship with a god than what she and the sun goddess have. That's what shakes her loyalty and causes her to switch sides to help the revolution, becoming the first priestess of the moon instead

BUT thanks to the shitty relationships they both had with the sun, Sidera has ended up with an extreme need to devote herself to someone entirely (if you think that sounds similar to another character of mine shhhhh) and the moon has ended up with control issues so they kinda make each other worse, culminating with Sidera sacrificing herself to the moon in order to give them the power to defeat the sun. So like. The moon is better to Sidera than the sun was, but still not good

Also on that note, ultimately the story will show that neither the sun or the moon are good enough rulers, you need a secret third option: earth, as in humans. But Sidera's name was taken from the Latin for "stars", so she's always been associated with celestial bodies and although she's instrumental to defeating the sun she was never destined to live in the human-led world that results from it. She's too deep in the habit of worship for that

Also I'm considering whether I want there to be multiple nations, each with their own gods and maybe even their own magic systems but idk how to like. Handle that in the story lol. But it's inspired by misunderstanding an episode of jrwi apotheosis and briefly thinking there were loads of different pantheons each tied to different countries

[aworldforastage]

刀斩山河 by 不落不落

不管他是教书先生还是高贵的龙脉，于伏城都没有区别，他只想看看他，告诉他，白鹿城的晚霞，很美。 Whether he is a schoolteacher or noble imperial blood makes no difference to Fu Cheng. He just wants to see him, and tell him the twilight in Bailu City is a beautiful sight.

Synopsis

Liuying Alley, tucked into a dark corner of a small town near the northern borders, is home to many sabre masters of dubious origins. They will accept any hard and dirty job for the right price, except for Fu Cheng, who refuses to kill despite being a formidable fighter .

After a rescue job goes wrong, Fu Cheng's client and a friend go missing, and Fu Cheng is stuck looking after his rescue target, Zhou Xuanyi, a beautiful young man with serious injuries, an insufferable personality, a mouth-watering bounty on his head, and an inconvenient bout of amnesia that renders him incapable of offering any explanations or solutions to this mess.

Zhou Xuanyi offers to help Fu Cheng find his friend and promises a sizable reward for Fu Cheng's continued protection. He settles into life in Liuying Alley with Fu Cheng and his ward, teenage girl Jin Ling. Their investigation into Fu Cheng's missing friend quickly connects their plight in the far north to conspiracies that can rock the very foundation of the Zhou dynasty. And as protecting Zhou Xuanyi forces Fu Cheng into increasingly dangerous scenarios, Fu Cheng is forced to reflect on the demons in his past that has robbed him of a life-saving skill -- the ability to kill in battle.

The Main Characters

Fu Cheng is a versatile and efficient fighter, a "traitor" expelled by a famous sect. However, he literally cannot strike a killing blow due to psychological trauma from his childhood in a destructive cult. Despite his morally-dubious profession and dark past, Fu Cheng is a kind idealist who always wants to help people and give them another chance. He falls in love with Zhou Xuanyi, and even though their social positions mean they have no future together, he wants to make the most of the time he can have with the young man who has given him a new purpose in life.

Zhou Xuanyi is the mysterious young man whom Fu Cheng is hired to rescue from a kidnapping, whose real identity is possibly the Crown Prince Zhou Heng. Zhou Xuanyi is daring and smart, always thinking a few steps ahead, and makes the most of every tool and resource at his disposal. He manages to survive the threats to his life in Bailu City without his memories, but the real challenge is waiting for him in the capital. After falling in love, he is determined to hold onto Fu Cheng for as long as he can, though later he feels guilty for bringing Fu Cheng into the quagmire of imperial politics.

Both are in their early twenties.

The Relationship Arc

This story has my favorite type of sour-sweet relationship arc. Two people get to know each other and admiration develops gradually. The main couple gets together about halfway into the novel, so it has a fair amount of fluff from an established relationship. They love and trust each other so fiercely in the present moment, but they also believe they don't have a future together given their political reality.

Their future (or the lack thereof) and their class differences cause genuine complications to the relationship that never get hand-waved away. Fu Cheng believes people like him won't find a happy ending, especially not with someone noble and royal like Zhou Xuanyi; every moment in the relationship is clouded by his belief that it won't last. Zhou Xuanyi himself also expects to one day marry a woman and produce heirs as his position requires; he can't bear to let Fu Cheng go but feels guilty about keeping him in this limbo state. Their circumstances make them angry and a little resentful, even though they still love each. Until it happens at the very end, even they don't believe they can have a happy ending together.

This is also one of the few truly verse/switch couples I have seen in danmei. They both show traditional gong tropes. Fu Cheng is physically stronger, very protective, and Zhou Xuanyi eventually becomes the top priority in his life. Zhou Xuanyi confesses his feelings first, and have more control over the status and progress of their relationship. They are not shy about sex, and they don't bring any gender and power dynamic into who tops. They start with some kind of turn-taking, but it's generally decided based on their needs and vibes at that moment.

Zhou Xuanyi has no other partners after starting a relationship with Fu Cheng, but he has been attracted to men before, and his male ex-something plays a major role in this story. He also has two concubines in his estate, but he hasn't been intimate with them for years, and they are just bored stuck at home and end up striking up very fun friendships with Fu Cheng.

The Plot

To put it briefly: action-packed and fun, but don't think too hard about it.

This novel is a fusion of wuxia and political intrigue. Most of the conflicts in this story are rooted in political motives, but they are often resolved by wuxia-style showdowns. Fu Cheng's personal arc deeply linked to his past in the martial sects, while Zhou Xuanyi's is all about the court politics.

Personally, I find the plot more engaging in the first part of the story, when it's set up like a mystery trying to figure out Zhou Xuanyi's kidnapping and backstory. The second part of the novel is mostly set in the capital, but instead of elaborate politicking, the story relies on creating incredibly threatening villains to raise the tension.

This novel also stands out for putting its main characters are under more intense pressure/threats than I typically see in works of this genre. Fu Cheng is a strong fighter, but his effectiveness in battle is seriously reduced by his inability to kill. Zhou Xuanyi is smart and have a very important title, but I have never seen a main character in a worse position than Zhou Heng in terms of manpower, resources, and political capital. As smart as they are, it feels like an uphill battle just to survive, let alone strike back against their enemies.

Supporting Characters

The side characters are surprisingly fleshed out in this story. Through their actions and choices, they all have different answers to the question "what is the most important thing to you." Some have surrendered their identity and pride to protect the people they love. Some have given up their personal interests to fight for the greater good. And some choose to trample over lives of innocent people for their own personal ambitions, or break the hearts and trust of people they love out of selfish resentment.

Compared to the "friendly" supporting characters, the villains are more cartoon-ish. This story relies on villains being incredibly powerful and threatening to create tension, which limits the space for nuance and complexity. But it is an effective strategy that keeps the story engaging enough.

Other Thoughts [spoilers ahead]

This is one of those rare stories in which the protagonist ends the story in a much worse mental state than what he starts with -- which is fair, given what Fu Cheng goes through, but still an atypical course of character development. He conquers his inability to kill, but is worse off in every other way. In the final chapter, Fu Cheng is technically living out his dream retirement of running a restaurant, but he seems to be doing it to make a point, not because he is enjoying it. He is not nearly as open or friendly as his initial appearance. This vague ideal of Zhou Heng, being a healthy and wise ruler far away in the capital, is the only good thing in the world that gives him purpose to keep living.

It feels strange to see Zhou Heng, set up as a great emperor, leaving his position to be with Fu Cheng (even though he does a lot of good work in his decade of reign and prepares his successor). They are certainly not the first danmei couple to take this route, but it feels a bit off here. Due to Fu Cheng's state near the end, it feels less like them starting a new chapter/retirement that they both look forward to, and more like Zhou Heng choosing a vulnerable Fu Cheng over his responsibilities. However, from Zhou Heng's POV, the worst of Fu Cheng's trauma comes from the sacrifices he has made to help secure Zhou Heng's peaceful reign. Returning to Fu Cheng is him taking care of someone who has given so much to him and the nation, as much as it is about him reuniting with his lover.

Ultimately, the protagonist loses against the challenges set before him in the story. And as sad as it is, it is sort of comforting to see a character who loses, fails, and despairs, but remains sympathetic. Fu Cheng returns to the battlefield to help Zhou Heng in the final arc, but he is so broken compared to who he was before. Zhou Heng isn't judgemental or disappointed that Fu Cheng hasn't healed; he aches for him and only wants to ease his pain. Healing is difficult, and it takes time and energy and support that are in very short supply for broken people. And even though Fu Cheng's recovery is slow, imperfect, and incomplete, he is still capable and deserving of love.

[a-bottomless-curse]

The surface was calm. Even the occasional ripple was not out of place, nor did it signal to anything happening below.

Down in the depths, the light was so pale and far away, it was as distant as a star in the night sky.

Down.

...............Down.

............................Drowning in the deep.

Eyes burned in the water as she thrashed. The soft satin weighed down and tangled with her legs as she kicked, trying to find anything in the water that would serve as a sort of purchase. A she tried to ignore the voice that called for her to sink further, to see what else was lurking in the depths of the frigid water.

The dark infected her vision as air escaped. The bubbles popped before the reached the surface, a silent scream escaping into the water without causing any ripples to be seen by those above.

With bated breath, the first destruction of the waters surface calm was when her pale hand broke through to grab hold of a rock. Pulling herself through the water, she pushed herself to standing. Almost as if from myth, drenched so thoroughly that she felt the chill of deep water in her bones.

She breathed through burning lungs, golden hair swirling around her as the wind whipped up. Thin rivulets of red dripped over her arms and legs, leaving pink stains on pale skin as it turned her pale blue dress lilac.

The sounds of panic and shouting above falling on deaf ears.

-

The free fall, the sense of flying with the imminent knowledge that a crash would follow, did not frighten her as much as she had thought it would. Perhaps it helped that she wholly believed, perhaps too strongly, that fear was born of the unknown, and that by doing, she removed the things she did not know, and thus removed the fear of an action of a possibility from herself, simply by doing.

And she did not close her eyes. Golden hair whipped through the air, but she kept her eyes on the water.

"If you are to fall, and you believe there is even a chance you might survive such a fall, then you must not look away from where you are to land. It is similar to diving you see. You must look at where you are going to fall, that way you can know how to act, or react, to land as safely as you can."

The words of her grandfather echoed in her mind as she kept her eyes on the water, waiting for the opportune time to flip herself around.

Breaking the surface of the water with her feet nearly made her forget to inhale a breath, the pain sending pins and needles through through her legs and partially up her spine. Yet, inhale she did, moment before she slipped under the surface, sinking farther than she thought she would, till the surface above her had enough time to calm itself.

-

The classmates behind chatted and laughed amongst themselves as she stood on the cliff, overlooking the drop. Her breathing was still steady, though she found it difficult to try and gauge the height she would be falling, and part of her wondered if she should have said that she would do this after changing her clothes.

"Aw, come on Kayden, don't tell us your too scared to jump? And here I thought you said you'd do it for Morgan. Changed your mind already?"

Hackles nearly raised, she turned with an icy glare, "I'm not afraid, Jebidiah. I simply don't feel the need to constantly talk about it, or any emotion, unlike some people here. I do wonder how you ever manage to get through the day without saying any and every feeling that crosses through your being, since you seem only ever confident when you speak as though you're king of the world. Now hush, and keep hold your end of the bargain, or you won't like what else I have to say."

She didn't wait to hear his response, though she felt quite pleased with herself at his gaping mouth. The darling boy of the school never did know how to react to those who simply could not be bothered with him.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped over the side of the cliff. 'There is nothing to fear, except fear itself.'