#@randos dont make it weird

[limpfisted]

@hlfcorpse [ I NEED YOU LIKE A CHILD NEEDS A BLANKET, A NIGHT LIGHT, A GHOST STORY BY THE FIRE, A PICTURE BOOK WITH HEROES WHO LOOK JUST LIKE ME, AN IMAGINARY FIEND. / verse: seventeen. ]

Wyll Ravengard, banished son, the Pride of The Gate, a child prodigy, a genius with a blade and with the ladies and gentlemen of the court of proper ages in the ballroom, who scored high marks in all his tests but never quite made his Father proud.... enough of the time----has only ever learned two things in his life that have mattered even an iota in this blasted desert called "the real world."

One. That everything sucks, all the time, forever. It's just really hard. Even if Wyll wasn't half-blind---the world would still look too big, and home too far away. Cooking would be hard even if he knew how to grip the knife right, considering all his studies of law and poetry and history failed to give him anything but a fine palate, fine tastes, and burnt Jerkey and Cheese. And a blade? Forget it. He can barely defend himself with a proper weapon. Not that he hasn't tried fighting everything he can get his hands on.

(A new power courses through him like an electric current in a storm, just as shocking. Such a thrill, such a delight, so scary but so perfect, sculpting Heaven's blessings from Hell's damnation, he'd be dead without Mizora, running into battles testing out his new mettle like this, but he can't stop himself, and if he can't fight at all---he'd rather be dead.)

Two. Demons don't deserve to live. They're evil scum. Monsters, that exist to torment. If Mizora calls him a stinker one more time, he'll end her AND himself with her!

And yet. That is the source of his power. Those are the only people he can share this intimate, perfect, practical secret with.

Part of him knows that to get better and stop sucking at everything, he needs to practice more. He needs to stop relying on his new powers in fights, he needs to train, even at just basic life skills, like his Father always said, two hundred percent harder than he did yesterday, always better, always moving forward, never falling behind.

But another part of him is so lonely sometimes he catches himself trying to engage in conversation with Mizora, of all NOT-people. He's always been... apart from everyone. His Father kept him too busy to make friends, and then Wyll always felt... different, when he wasn't outright impressing people, like he just had more to prove, and more he had to say, to be... cared for.

But he's never felt like... like he doesn't deserve to be looked at, until now. Until his Father---

Needless to say, when you can't look at yourself in the mirror, its hard to talk to other travelers, and far easier to talk to the many demons you stumble across in your travels. (The bastards are crawling all over the place if you know where to look, and they all find Wyll's attempts to kill them "funny" despite the fact that Wyll is a very thick and muscular seventeen, and has already taken down many bandits, in addition to the original twenty-five cultists, where he SAVED Baldur's Gate, thank you very much!)

One such demon recommended this place, outside of Baldur's Gate, far enough away that Wyll felt.... not comfortable, but more comfortable, even looking halfways in its direction. A church, in which he is told he will find everything he needs.

The outside of it is a dusty charcoal black compared to the setting sun outside as he approaches. He's dealt with--or at least, dipped his blade in the arcane, now, but it still makes him scowl to look at it. Who put this demon's nest in such a pretty spot? How can darkness suck in all the light so easily? He doesn't want to go in. (He does. He wants to know who he is, now. He wants to know what this longing to go in means.)

Inside is just as dusty, and as dark. He resists the urge to cough, instead just sniffs and wipes the back of his hand across his nose. Is that a demons scent? Or just the dust of old books? Behind the all-too normal pews, past the statues and strange trinkets, there are bookcases.

...

Is that IT?

Wyll rolls his eyes and mutters curses, shaking his head, folding his arms, every bit the sullen teenager. He's been had. How can he study diligently the way his Father always taught him to, as knowledge is just as much power as strength, as the Good Duke always said----if there is nothing substantial to study? He doesn't even spot the demon he was supposed to look fo---

Oh. That must be him. There's an aura of... slime to him, unbefitting of a priest. He looks like he does sick things to puppies. If not for the darkness, Wyll swears he could see Mizora's reflection in his dark, shiny eyelids. It's not that he's ugly, far from it. But Wyll didn't think Mizora was ugly, either, and demons.... They're known for their seduction techniques. As if Wyll did not promise to his Mother with the full extent of his iron will that he would wait until marriage! He cannot be tempted! Do not try, demon!!!!!

(From an outsider's perspective, Wyll may appear to be standing there, seething, his breath getting heavier and heavier and his face getting meaner and meaner, even more haggard and tired and malnourished than he already looks, especially for a kid so young. But in his head? Wyll believes the battle has just begun. He's just waiting for his chance to strike.)

[kil9]

probably my biggest killjoy moment is that i think 9/11 jokes can go way too far. i think people like to dunk on "america" as a vague concept, but i dont think a government being bad means that 2 buildings and 4 commercial flights of regular people deserved to die...

[welcometoteyvat]

@apologems here, some shenhe & baizhu for you [random character pairs asks] thanks for your patience because this is really late and enjoy <3

———

The light fragrance of qingxin emanates from the little brown pills in Shenhe's palm. It will not change how the pills taste, though, so she downs them all at once.

… They're not as bitter as she expected. The taste is like… like regret softened with honey, a tinge of sweetness lingering in her throat. Something indescribable dislodges itself from Shenhe’s chest, escapes in a barely perceptible sigh. When she looks back up, two pairs of eyes—gold, crimson—human, snake—are gazing intently at her.

“Swallowed it without even a sip of water! You must have taken a lot of bitter medicine before.” The snake draped around the doctor’s neck speaks in a sing-song voice, blinking owlishly up at her. Shenhe stares back at it—and although she is not good at reading humans, and snakes even less, she thinks it seems a bit surprised that she hasn’t yet looked away. When it lowers its head a moment later, suddenly timid, Shenhe feels an inexplicable bubble of satisfaction pressing against the bindings of her red ropes.

The corners of Baizhu’s serpent eyes turn down unhappily, and he frowns a little. “Changsheng. Manners.” And then, to her, in a gentler voice, "Here. Take this dried goji and haw; it’ll wash out any of the remaining bitterness.” He takes out a burlap satchel from one of the many little cabinets behind the front desk, and places it carefully in her still outstretched hands.

“Thank you… Mr. Baizhu— Doctor.” She can’t quite remember what the person before her had said before leaving, but… any parting phrase should suffice, right? None of the other adepti chide Master when she leaves their gatherings without any goodbyes, after all.

“No need; this is simply part of my job.” Shenhe must have said the right thing, because Baizhu is smiling graciously, waving away her thanks. Shenhe follows the crescent-moon curve of his pale lips all the way to the premature crow’s feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes, and wonders if the years have been unkind to him. As she studies Baizhu’s amber irises and vertical pupils, her thoughts wander to the tomes of adeptal transformation arts squirreled away in a corner of her master’s abode. She wonders how long it has taken him to reach this form, for it almost rivals her master’s in its beauty.

“Ah—on another note, I don’t recall filling a prescription for you in Bubu Pharmacy before? Is it your first time coming here?” Baizhu peers at her carefully over his oval glasses, eyes like yellow jade and Hulao amber. Shenhe holds his eye contact, and then—slowly, slowly, like the boiling of medicine and the flow of ages past, Baizhu’s gaze becomes something… vaster, something… boundless—and suddenly, Shenhe’s falling, rushing past the sights and sounds of Liyue as experienced by generation after generation of disciples and masters and masters and disciples and the ever-present white snake wound around their necks. And then, just as suddenly she is back in the pharmacy, and Baizhu’s eyes are simply circular drops of molten gold, and he has a concerned expression on his face.

“Shenhe, are you alright? Apologies if my question was too prying; I was merely curious.”

“No. I have never been here.”

“Well, in that case, welcome to Bubu Pharmacy. May your coming days be full of good health.”

———

A/N: these two are an absolutely slept on character pair thanks for opening my eyes. sorry that nothing consequential happens in this fic i wanted to squeeze in something about not listening to fate and baizhu looking up her name for connections to the adepti etc. but that didn't happen and ive been stuck on it for 2 weeks so i threw in the towel and said to myself that i'll put it in a more-inspired sequel. sorry if this is again confusing. if there's only 1 take home message you get from this I hope it's that baizhu is A SICKLY ASS MAN (please take care of yourself)

and ofc, if ooc let me know, i heart feedback etc etc. open call for shenhe and baizhu likers to give me their theses on either character because i need to Understand them and study them under a microscope

crossposted to ao3 too ig

[burgeaux]

ok now that I'm in elpis I'll probably just post/react and shut off my phone immediately after more than ever to avoid spoilers and allusions and such

[verflares]

ghosts hauntings demons etc etc none of these things actually happen. however someone making an unfunny reply to your tumblr post IS realistic. it could happen to you

[woolydemon]

I am cursed with the burden of liking so many things but not having energy to make art for all the things I like 😭

[total-drama-takes]

hello i will be taking a break of unknown length (like. a few days probably. ill have to be back for tti. actually i could have just not said anything. anyway) due to sha-mental health sha-problems i cannot be here rn <3 think of lightning for me

[dexaroth]

I wonder how badly AI will impact the storage spaces of basically every website given how um. Immediate you can make them images

guess we should start bracing for mass inactive account deletions (harder than before ofc bc its an inevitability)

[worldofgoo]

ive been following the is the fox video cute blog for a while now and while i understand where theyre coming from its still a bit wild to me how pro-farm they are. like i watch videos they share sometimes and stuff bc the ethics of animal husbandry interests me a lot and like i guess the foxes seem relaxed enough? but it must be insanely boring/understimulating even if theyre not stressed to the point of illness. and like. anyone would agree that putting a cat or a dog in a cage their whole life is kinda unfair. dunno

[arolesbianism]

Y'know I know I've said like a billion times I don't want to know shit abt Jackie's past but erm. Hi klei. Please just tell me if Josephine and Alan are her parents or some miscellaneous relative this is so important. Did Jackie seriously come from a household with a colonel and another person with a doctorate or does she just happen to be related to them this is so important for how I decide to move forward with my Jackie hcs and with my aus in general I need to know so bad tell me right fucking now

[gavis-bettel]

Had to do a double take with the name---

yeah its me gorbis beeple dont tell anyone i have a stupid fandom tumblr blog

[crittertalez]

crushes are very much something at least most allo people feel. im aromantic but many of my allo friends can confirm that yes they feel crushes in that they feel an actual Draw to someone, and that draw makes them want to date the other person because said person makes them feel good to be around and for those that are allo both romantically and sexually often their crushes being physically attractive is also a component.

some aro people may feel "squishes" instead (a want to be someones friend and to be platonically closer), they may instead feel crushes for other forms of attraction such as queerplatonic where they feel that their wish to be with someone isnt romantic but rather someone else, they may be somewhere on the aromantic spectrum where they do experience crushes but very rarely or only under certain circumstances (such as demiromantic where you Need to have been friends with someone for a while and cant get crushes on people you dont know well). or they just dont feel any draw to others at all!

it is a pretty common experience to think that things in media like crushing on people youve just met or dont even know or "butterflies in your stomach" or suddenly acting stupid and flustered around a crush or even getting crushes at all is just metaphor and people dont actually act like that or feel those ways but ive been taught time and time again that people Do in fact experience romantic attraction like this.

ultimately though "romantic attraction" and "crushes" and "love" and what have you are just words that people put to the emotions they feel. its just that for some people like many in the aromantic community they just dont feel like they experience these things, just as many in the asexual community just dont feel like they experience sexual attraction.

its.. not exactly how most people in the world feel, though. so no its not really "normal" to not get crushes or to feel like youd be perfectly fine never dating anyone (many allo people, not all but many, actively hate the idea of being single forever because they feel like they need romance to feel fulfilled and friends or sexual partners just dont cut it) and thats why the aromantic community exists. we're just a bunch of people who in a variety of ways feel disconnected from romance and the feelings that come with that

I gotta be honest that the one identity I still struggle to wrap my head around is aromantic. If I don't understand something that's important to other people I just accept that they know themselves best, as one does if they're not a raging asshole, but I'd rather also be able to understand what they mean

[evadnesworld]

a cure to jealousy- head pats, xavier x reader

c/w: probs ooc, lowercase everything, xaviers jealous, that new kitty events got me in a chokehold, sickness (cold),

youre an attractive person, xavier knows that- i mean who wouldnt want you? you had the most beautiful smile, one that reached your eyes, speaking of eyes- yours were beautiful. to xavier they were like the stars, nebulae would shy away in awe and jealousy because of your sheer beauty. you hands, hands which he could hold, nuzzle against, the same hands that gave him pats whenever and wherever were now being held by anthor.

if you asked anybody what this sight looked like, they would respond by saying it was a confession, one that was being rejected. they would pay no attention to you soft familiar hands, your dazzling eyes, and your sincere smile. but for xavier- it was all he could look like. i mean, how dare this rando think he could hold you hand without permission?

but before that, allow me to paint the picture for you.

xavier had fallen ill shortly after magically evolving into a feline, you two werent sure it was because of the transformation- but one thing was for certain, it was a bad cold. he was sweating, his cheeks red, his voice raspy- if this was a different situation, it wouldnt cause much worry. but seeing how frail he was, you had declared that you would go to the store to buy him some medicine.

and my declare, i literally mean that- not only was he clingy because he was a cat but he was clingy because he was sick. so he turned into the ultimate clingy monster.

so, you decided to venture out of your shared home to the local pharmacy, thats where you saw a fellow coworker- one who did not know you had a boyfriend.

and as you purchased the medicine and began to walk back home as you approached your door, h stoppd you- with red cheeks, and a rapid heartbeat he grabbed your hand. and as though it were only the two of you there, he yelled out "i like you, please go out with me!" and if this was a shojo manga, this wouldve been cute.

but it wasnt.

you promptly rejected him, letting go of his hands after a moment- not knowing that your boyfriend lingered by your door, seeing all of this unfold.

after you had left, he decided to take a nap- but not seeing you, or feeling your presence made him pout. his ears ringing, his hart thumping, making so much noise that most of his thoughts were drowned out. but one lingered, and this thought was about you and your absence.

he decided to get up, and wait by the door, no matter how many weird stares he got from neighbors wondering by this sickly boy was standing by the door for so long.

you stopped when you saw him before smiling, a smile which instantly disappeared as he looked away with a pout.

"have you already decided to abandon me so quickly? youre so quick to hold the hand of others, but ever since i got sick youve kept your distance from me." his ears dropped as he crossed his arms, tilting his chin down for an added effect.

you walked over to him, not without chuckling- which wasnt taken well. his ears seemed to droop even more now.

"xav, it was just a guy from work, i rejected him- he was nowhere near as good as you." you teased as you brought your hand to pat his head, this was also not well recieved. he turned his head away, rejecting the pats even though thats what he desperately craved for at the moment.

you ushered him inside the house and turned to him once more as the door closed, "dont worry xav, my hearts only with you. but if you insist that it isnt then ill hav no choice but to leave." you let out a fake somber sigh,

to say this alarmed xavier was an understatement, because that pout soon turned into a frown. if it was any other day, hed insist- but with this horrible cold that decided to attack him, he leaned into your touch with defeat.

and it was there when you felt the familiar softness of his hair as he allowed you to stroke his ears once more. he sounded as though he was purring- your touch made him melt. his body slumping against yours as you two made your way to your shared bed. and after giving him medicine, he clung onto your like there was no tomorrow.

and you too had to accept defeat as you laid with him, his breaths slowing as he surrender to his drowsiness- peaceful now that you were by his side and not somebody elses. content with your warmth, and more than content that hed spend the rest of his life with you.

at least he hoped he would.

dividers from @/nicodefresas and @/konatasoup

how do i improve this story? i know hes ooc, but what would make him less ooc?

[feelo-fick]

thanks for tagging YIPPEE

took maybe a little too much time considering which ones to use (<- loves icebreakers like this) HUEHSUAHE

@floralstorms @eddie-roo and anyone else whod like to join!!

Another Tag Game!

Post 9 pictures from your phone to describe yourself, then tag 9 people.

Thank you to @hawthornsword for the tag!

No-pressure tagging: @norcumii, @darthlivion, @madamtrashbat, @hjbender, @lazaefair, @bolithesenate, @boxonthenile, @trudemaethien, @mandalorianbrainweasel, and anyone who wants to play!

[crushedsweets]

i am so so sorry for the sheer amount of headcanons i'm making you crank out, HOWEVER... i am so curious as to if you have any headcanons for nina and natalie as a duo. i love the way you perceive them and write them it genuinely makes me so happy

i had to doodle them . ok. lets go..

nat was one of the first people nina met from jeff, since she and jeff lived in the barn together.

nina thought nat was a lesbian when they first met . that is literally the only reason why she wasnt mad jeff was living with a woman.

although nina was like, one of the ONLY people to notice toby/nat tension and was sooo heartbroken when she realized they were never getting together..... but then was relieved they didnt get together when she got over jeff because 'well i can't be the only single one!'

again, natalie grew up with 0 girl friends, only hung out with her brother and boys. even after meeting the creeps, theyre still mostly guys. so she's just kinda really awkward and weird around girls. not in a like, 'oh girls r so annoying' way but like... she just doesnt know how to fit in. she just feels so different in the worst possible way and always has.

and nina is very girly, outgoing, touchy, friendly, cute, etc. so it was very like UMMM?!? idk. natalie kept snapping at her, assuming she was fake and weird and just trying to get something from nat, but nina was so persistent and just. friendly. it started making natalie feel warm.

nina's presence started to heal natalies inner little girl. she had it stolen from her time and time again, from her dad, her brother, her peers - the operator, too.

so the two are eventually actual friends. they'll text and play mobile phone games together. sometimes they'll just sit on call and nina will be talking her head off while nat does her own thing at home. one time nat was at tobys cabin and nina was talking about toby on speaker and toby walked in and was like 'hey nina' .... nina almost threw up she was so embarrassed.

nina loves visiting nats bar because everyone is always talking to nina and giving her attention and buying her drinks, and at first nat was irritated but it kinda got nat some better tips since the customers started realizing ninas her friend. so nat was pleased. LOL

nat was never the type to go shopping, but she'll follow nina around and sit while nina tries on clothes and carry around all her bags that she buys LOL... ninas made jokes about nat being boyfriend material and nat just flatout says smth about how nina should get over jeff cuz he would never.

nat is friends with jeff but she's oddly comfortable just telling nina that he's a piece of shit. and ninas always like NOOO U DONT GET IT U DONT SEE WHAT I DO and nats always just .. not... impressed..

nina's always inviting nat out to try new foods. nat grew up just eating bread and noodles with butter half the time so it's fun. nina always tries to pay bc 'well i invited you!!!'. sometimes toby tags along but he feels a way abt going in public places..

nina rarely visits jack cuz she has no reason to, but nat is friends with him so sometimes nina pops in and she's always like ^_^ HELLO TALL MYSTERIOUS SLIGHTLY MONSTEROUS MAN... <3... nat smacks the back of her head cuz she's being dumb and drooling over a bunch of rando freaks. ... . ok i love nina and she owes jeff nothing but she is def not loyal LOLLLL AND SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO FAWN OVER EVERYONE she's a fangirl at heart.

they watch a ton of shows together. nina got nat into horror kdrama stuff, but they have to watch in dub cuz nat cant read the subtitles fast enough . . . at first nina cringed but now she doesnt care.

nat's painted/drawn nina several times, and nina almost cries everytime. she's put the drawings up on her wall before but anytime nat's at her apartment, she takes it down bc 'i dont want my art on ur wall stop it' LOL... kinda rude but whatevs.

ugh theyre just so fucking cute guys im sorry i love them . holds them. brushes their hair.

[i-cant-sing]

some rando bitch making a donation in your name? Yall going to hell with those kids

its so weird to see people having zero conscience. u know, like i just cant wrap my mind around how nazis used to such horrendous, unspeakable things without your... idk morality questioning you, stopping you, hesitating you?

and then we have israel today, displaying the same despicable actions... except its 100 times worse. imagine being worse than nazis.

i think a lot of us think that we have internet and the power of anonymity to say anything we want without any consequences. I dont think its true. Every action, every word, every thought you have has repercussions. So you may have said some vile crap and think "heh, my work here is done." and think youre safe but i can assure u, whether or not youre religious, things always come back to u. Either in this world or in the next.

Im gonna assume u are religious on the basis of u mentioning hell (though i dont think any religion would tell u "murder kids = God's work"), do you really think that this very post- this annonymous ask wont be brought up on the day of judgement? Lets even assume you have enough deeds to go to heaven, do you really think that God would just let you off the hook for this post? That He wont punish you? Because not only do u support murdering kids, babies (because apparently the "children of God" have their lives threatened by Palestinians), burning entire nations down for what? That you think youre superior?

Look this is not an attempt to make you come to the good side and support gaza, no youre a lost cause, youre too stupid and brainwashed, beyond help really. This is more of a suggestion for everyone else to be mindful of what they say/write behind the curtain of anonymity. Who knows, maybe in a few years, someone could remove your anonymity and reveal the disgusting stuff u said years back.