#✘ ۫. savant | exterior

[worstreligiousfanart]

New York Wood Exterior Huge cottage red wood house exterior idea with a metal roof

[aspoonfulofwitchcraft]

New York Wood Exterior

Huge cottage red wood house exterior idea with a metal roof

[stonesparrow]

Dcst Hunger Games AU pt.2

Big city lights and paparazzi for days, the tributes have finally made it to the Capitol! It’s time to put on a show.

—————

The Capitol is so, so crowded. Compared to the wide open fields of District 11, it feels like they’ve been crammed into a can of sardines or something with how closely stacked together the buildings are. Instead of swaths of earthy browns and golds and greens, there’s bright colors tearing at Senku’s eyes, saying look, look at how much wealth there is here, how much grandeur. Love it, covet it, despair at how small and insignificant you are.

He finds, strangely, that he’s glad to finally get to the salon, where there’s security guards posted outside and the interior has been cleared out just for him and Taiju. It’s still garishly fancy inside, but at least it’s empty of people with flashing cameras trying to get a look at him like some sort of prize livestock.

His stylist is…surprisingly young. His name is Gen Asagiri, and he’s only nineteen, clad in rich purple silks with hair parted in an unusual dual-tone look. 

“What, did the Capitol decide I wasn’t worth a more experienced stylist?” Senku asks. Gen gasps theatrically and puts a hand to his chest.

“Why I beg your pardon! I’ll have you know that I’m far more than a simple stylist, dear. I am an artist, a psychological savant, a master of manipulation, and I do not say those words ightly-lay.”

Senku rolls his eyes. “Sure. So what am I wearing in the chariot race?”

“Well that’s up to you.” 

“Huh? You didn’t prepare anything?”

Gen shakes his head and pulls up several images on his tablet. “I prepared multiple outfits, actually. I was waiting to meet you to decide what would be the est-bay image to present to the audience.”

Senku blinks. Ah, right. He needs to make himself look good to sponsors—that could make or break it in the arena. “We’ll then I think it’s obvious,” he says. “I’m just an innocent young girl, drawn into the games out of a misplaced desire to save someone I don’t even know. I’m helpless in such a terrifying situation, so sponsors will sympathize with me.”

“Hmm, nope,” Gen says. “That won’t do at all.”

Senku raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Why not”

Gen sighs. “Well for starters.”

He taps something on his tablet and turns it to show Senku. It’s the District 11 reaping. Senku watches as the him on the screen calmly and clearly volunteers to replace Luna, walking to the stage without a hint of hesitation.

“That,” Gen says, “is no innocent young girl. That’s someone who knows exactly what they’re doing, who has a plan in mind. Everyone’s going to wonder what it is. Why did you suddenly volunteer only after both tributes were called? Why did you look so calm walking up there?” He leans in close. “Why are you here, Senku Ishigami?”

Senku feels a little disturbed. “I don’t see why I have to tell you. What’s your point with all this?” 

“My point is that we’re not really going to sell ‘innocent young girl’ with what we’re working with here,” Gen says. “What I can get you is probably more like ‘tomboy with a mysterious side.’ Everyone’s curious about what’s going on inside your head. If we can get them even more curious, that’ll definitely pull in sponsors.”

Senku blinks. “O…kay?”

Gen smiles. “Senku Ishigami, the mechanic’s ‘daughter.’ A rough and tumble girl with a nasty scowl, but who willingly volunteered in place of another. I want them to wonder what soft side you’re hiding under that cold exterior. Unlike Kirisame who’s cold like iron, you’re frosty like a beautiful flower just before the warmth of spring. I want them to covet that flower, want to see it bloom. That’s the you we’ll show everyone.”

Senku stares at him. 

“Well. If it’ll get me more sponsors I’ll go with it,” he says. 

Gen nods. “Antastic-fay. Let’s try out this pantsuit then.” 

What a weirdo, Senku thinks. 

—————

“There’s so many people,” Taiju murmurs as they step into the chariot. He’s wearing a sleek green suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders, sunflowers and zinnias sweeping from his side across his chest and up to cradle his face. 

“Suck it up, kid,” Brody says. “Imagine the audience naked if you have to, but don’t show any weakness.”

“Take a deep breath and relax,” Taiju’s stylist recommends. “You have a wonderfully kind face. Smile, and they’ll all fall at your feet.”

“As for you,” Gen turns to Senku. “You remember what we talked about?”

“Uh huh, yeah.” Senku rolls his eyes. “Let’s just get this over with.”

He’s wearing a similar suit to Taiju, only the pants flare out a bit more, and the bright red flowers are tucked in the front of the jacket in a manner that makes it look like they’re spilling from his chest like a spray of blood. 

It’s kind of cool.

“Senku,” Taiju whispers, hands clenched into fists. “I don’t like this.”

Out of sight from the audience, Senku takes Taiju’s hand, and squeezes. His friend’s expression relaxes. 

The chariots start, and the announcer’s voice thunders in Senku’s ears.

After a minute, Taiju starts smiling, even laughing as he waves at the cheering crowds. Senku, meanwhile, is following Gen’s advice to the letter, and steadfastly ignoring the crowd.

“Look bored, look annoyed,” Gen had said. “Like all the pomp and circumstance is beneath you, that you’re tired of their bullshit. They’ll wonder why you cared so much about volunteering, why you’re here in the first place. Make them want to break you open and find out what makes you tick.”

It isn’t hard to look disdainful of everyone. Senku notices that their chariot is on the big screen and decides to do something a little risky. 

He sticks his tongue out and throws up a middle finger, and it quickly cuts away as he snorts with laughter.

What a circus this is.

When they finally come to a stop, Gen looks pleased with their performance, while Brody simply says the worst is yet to come. Senku takes a moment to look around at the other chariots as they dismount from theirs. 

The Careers have extemely ostentatious costumes, so much that one’s attention would be completely drawn away from the face, he thinks. The District 7 tributes look ridiculous in their tree costumes, Senku’s not sure how anyone’s supposed to take them seriously. Little Mirai Shishio from District 12 needs help from her partner to step down from the chariot—both are wearing black and gray outfits with matching makeup, as if they’ve been dipped in soot.

The District 4 tributes have shimmering outfits of overlapping sequins that give the appearance of fish skin, though it looks like the girl—Kohaku Hoseki, Senku thinks, has torn her skirt in two. Deliberately, it seems, as her stylist is yelling at her now. She smirks, and Senku grins. He hopes they don’t crush that rebellious enthusiasm in the next few days.

His eyes then land on the District 8 chariot. For a district specializing in textiles, the outfits are rather simple ensembles of tan, he thinks, until he squints and realizes that they’re actually made of overlapping panels of fabrics of various textures and subtle color differences. 

Yuzuriha Ogawa, the one who laughed when her death warrant was signed, looks positively serene and even cheerful as she steps elegantly off the chariot, still waving to the audience with a winning smile. 

Their eyes suddenly meet, and even though she’s a good distance away Senku thinks he sees her gaze widen just a fraction, and they stare at each other unblinking for a moment.

She breaks away first, laughing and chatting with her stylist as if nothing happened. Senku frowns.

What was that about? Maybe she watched his reaping and determined he was a threat, somehow?

Senku hums and turns around. Not enough information to work with yet. “Well, I’m ready to pass out. Who’s with me?”

Brody and the stylists agree wholeheartedly and they start heading towards the stadium doors, but Taiju doesn’t move. 

He’s staring after the District 8 team with a strange look in his eyes.

Senku prods his arm “Yo, Taiju.” His friend startles.

“Oh, right. Yeah, let’s go.”

—————

Senku’s not looking forward to training when he wakes up the next day. Training gear, he’s observed while watching past Games, is almost always skintight or close to it. And even if he doesn’t have much in the way of curves it’s not something he really wants to deal with. Especially not in a place so far from home where he’s already heard “she” and “girl” used to refer to him more than ever before.  

And yknow, the whole training to murder his fellow teenagers thing. That sucks too.

To his surprise however, the outfit Gen has left him, while definitely not loose or baggy, somehow hugs his upper body in a way that streamlines his form and gives it a more androgynous appearance. Along with the athletic shirt there’s some simple beige cargo pants and sturdy hiking boots, and a hair tie.

Well, there’s only one thing to do with that. Senku ties back his hair and takes a last look in the mirror. 

He doesn’t look anything like the sorry excuse for an “innocent girl” that looked back at him from the mirror on the day of the reaping. But he’s also still not quite himself. He kind of looks like…a tomboy with something to hide, just like Gen said. 

Hm. Maybe the stylist does know what he’s talking about.

On the drive to the training center, Brody tells them what they can expect, and what they should consider working on. And not working on. 

“Try to avoid letting the other tributes know what you’re best at,” he says. “Save that for the private assessment with the Gamekeepers. For Oki, that’s his strength. For Ishigami, it’s her technical knowledge. Both of you should work on survival—tributes die from weather exposure and poison in the Games just as much as they do from other tributes.”

They roll up to the training center, and the boys get handed off to the training staff. Before he drives away, Brody calls out one more time.

“And Ishigami?”

Senku turns back. “Huh?”

Brody gives him a hard look. “You need to learn some sort of weapon. Try throwing knives or slingshots.”

“Kay.” Senku sticks his hands in his pockets and turns to follow Taiju and the training staff. 

By now, Brody has gotten to know them a little better. When he says Senku ought to learn a weapon, what he also means is that they both know Taiju could never find it in him to pick one up himself. So it’ll have to be Senku.

Only for hunting and self defense though. Senku won’t entertain the thought of any other scenario in which he’d have to use a weapon on a living being.

The training center is huge, with all sorts of different stations arranged around the facility. Senku beelines to the fire-starting station with Taiju on his heels.

The careers from Districts 2 and 3 are here, along with the tributes from 10. Nobody else seems to have shown up yet—Senku figures Brody wanted them to have a head start. When the boy from Two sees Taiju sticking so close to Senku, he lets out a snort of laughter.

“Can’t go anywhere without your little girlfriend, Eleven?”

Taiju winces, and Senku rolls his eyes as the instructor starts explaining the key points of finding good kindling.

As the morning goes on, the rest of the tributes show up, and Senku and Taiju start making their way around the stations, working on first aid, water filtering, and shelter making. Taiju takes a long time figuring out how to make a waterproof roof for the shelter, so Senku decides to try out the knot tying station while he’s waiting.

When he gets there, Yuzuriha Ogawa is the only other person there. Her hair is tied back much like his is, though Senku realizes suddenly that she’s still wearing the same headband she had on in the reaping video. Probably her token, then.

She gives him a nod of acknowledgement as he steps up to the station, and he returns it. After the instructor has demonstrated a knot a few times, she has them try their hand at it.

Yuzuriha looks at the rope for a second and then seemingly in an instant has a perfectly tied knot in her hands. After watching Senku grunt in frustration for several minutes, she suddenly reaches over and undoes the tangled mess he’s made with a single pull.

”You won’t get anywhere doing that,” she says, undoing her own rope. “Look, like this.”

“Oh.” After copying her hand movements, it seems easy. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Yuzuriha smiles at Senku, but there’s something off about it. “Now in exchange, you can teach me something you know.”

Ah. “Fair enough. How good are you with identifying plants?”

“Pretty good, as long as they’re used for textiles,” she says. “Not many of those are edible though.”

They go over to the edible plants station and Senku shows Yuzuriha how to forage for and eat some of the most nutritious and easy to find ones, as well as tell them apart from their more toxic counterparts. 

“Makes sense that someone from Eleven would be familiar with edible plants,” Yuzuriha remarks. “Though, these aren’t really the type you’d grow for food, huh?”

Senku pauses. “No. But when over ninety percent of the district is starving, you learn to get what you can from the environment.” 

Yuzuriha doesn’t flinch, only hums in response as she examines a picture of a kudzu root. 

“Hey,” she says suddenly. “You and your district partner seem pretty close, huh?”

Senku frowns. “Who’s asking?”

Yuzuriha sets the kudzu card down and picks up the dandelion card. “I watched your reaping. Everyone was talking about how you saved the girl whose name was pulled, but no one seemed to notice that the moment you volunteered…was right after the boy was called.”

Senku stares at her. “And what of it?”

Yuzuriha sets down the dandelion card and picks up the stinging nettle card. “It could make for an interesting story,” she says casually. “Wanting to be with the person you care about so much you’d follow them into death.”

She glances up at Senku with an innocent, sweet smile. “They love stories like that.”

Senku raises an eyebrow as she walks away.

—————

For the rest of training, Senku focuses on improving his stamina and strength, while Taiju works on the more technical skills like knots and fishing. Senku’s tempted to ask for tips from the tributes from District 4, since they’re clearly skilled with making fish hooks, but neither of them seem to be very friendly to their fellow competitors. It makes sense. They’re all going to be killing each other later.

Which is why Yuzuriha Ogawa’s comment to him earlier stands out in Senku’s mind every waking moment. What does she have to gain from this? Is it an attempt at blackmail, warning him that she’ll tell the public the real reason he volunteered to undermine his chances for support unless he helps her somehow?

Senku tries to keep tabs on Yuzuriha, but she’s almost always at a station on the other side of the room from him—it’s hard to tell whether she’s deliberately doing it or if it’s just bad luck. He does notice that she seems to be completely avoiding the camouflage station for some reason, despite the fact that almost every other tribute has spent at least a little bit of time there, himself and Taiju included. 

When it’s time for the assessment with the Gamemakers, he’s more or less got a plan in mind and is sitting calmly in the waiting room, while Taiju is nervously fidgeting with his token, a locket containing photos of his grandparents and deceased parents.

They’re going in order from one to twelve, girl then boy. Or boy then boy for District 11, Senku muses, not that anyone but Taiju and the folks back home know that. Though now that he thinks about it, he has no idea if any of the other tributes are like him, registered as one gender but being a different one off record.

Senku’s name is called and he sees Taiju squeeze his locket so tight he might bend the thing. With everyone watching, Senku doesn’t feel like he should hold Taiju’s hand, so instead he just says, “Be right back,” and Taiju nods.

Senku enters the room and stands in front of the Gamemakers with a cool, level expression. These are the people who have designed the arena in which his best friend will have to watch him die. They are only a part of the giant machine he and the other tributes are being fed to, but for a moment it feels like he’s looking at demons in the shape of humans, and he can barely hide his disgust.

They give him the signal to begin his presentation, and Senku quickly heads over to the plant identification station, where within thirty seconds he’s pulled out all the ones that have medicinal applications. Without a word, he moves onto the shelter station, where he constructs a simple lean-to and then goes to the fire station and starts up a small blaze before picking up a throwing knife and striking precisely at a target shaped like a rabbit.

He pauses for a moment to glance at the Gamemakers. Their expressions haven’t moved one inch. He tells them he’s done, and they dismiss him.

That should be enough for a solid 5 or 6, Senku thinks. Too high and people would think about approaching him to see why such a skinny “girl” would warrant a good score. Too low and he’d be considered easy pickings. 

Taiju then takes his turn, and when he comes back he’s sweating a little from nerves, not exertion.

“I did exactly what you said, Senku,” he says. “I picked up the biggest weight and threw it as far as I could, then ran to the axe station and threw it as hard as possible into the target. It, um. The target broke in two, is that okay?”

“Should be fine, they’ve got enough cash to replace it,” Senku says. That show of strength should produce a score that’ll intimidate all the others into leaving the two of them alone for a while in the arena. Hopefully.

Later when they broadcast the scores, Senku pays close attention to each and every one—information is always your most valuable ally in a battle.

The first few careers get lower scores than he anticipated, none of them higher than a 9. Homura Momiji of District 3 however gets a 10, and her partner Hyoga Akatsuki gets an 11. 

Okay, so they’re definitely avoiding those guys. What did Homura do to get a 10, though? Senku wracks his memories of training, but can only recall seeing Homura at the edible plants and camouflage stations. A skill for stealth, maybe? But would that alone warrant a 10?

Kohaku comes right after them, she’s gotten a 9. Given her aggressive personality, Senku can totally see it.

He finds himself leaning forward as soon as the District 7 boy shows up. Yuzuriha’s next.

She’s gotten an 8. Very impressive for someone who doesn’t seem very physically strong. Her partner got a 4, yeesh, good luck buddy. 

District 10 concludes and Senku’s face appears. 7. A little higher than he expected, but middling enough. He’s satisfied with that.

Taiju gets an 8. Lower than Senku wanted, but he seems relieved to get anything above 5. Brody says it’s a decent showing, that the higher scorers will likely come to blows before they think about the two of them. Senku’s inclined to agree.

They’re so busy discussing it that they almost miss that Mirai Shishio got a 2.

They all stare at the screen.

“That…oh my god,” Taiju murmurs. 

“Two…” Gen says quietly, hand over his mouth.

“She could get some sympathetic sponsors,” Senku points out. Mirai is small, cute. Perfect underdog material. 

“You think sympathy could save her? Senku, you aren’t that stupid,” Brody mutters. “That kid’s dead meat the moment she steps onto the field.”

Later that night Senku finds Taiju sitting at the foot of his hotel bed, a lost look in his eyes.

“That girl’s only twelve, Senku,” he says quietly. “If we…if we’re going to win together…what will happen to her?”

Senku runs to him and grabs the locket, pressing it into his hands. “Don’t think about that. Don’t think about the other tributes. You have people waiting for you, Taiju.”

Taiju looks down at the pictures of his family and sniffles.

“I don’t like it here,” he says helplessly. “I want to go home.” 

“I know, and I promise you will,” Senku says. “Just think about your grandma and grandpa, think about Byakuya, about your baseball team, about all the things you’ll say to them when you go home.”

Taiju nods. “Okay. Okay.”

“You’re going to see them again, Taiju,” Senku says. “You’re going to live.”

“You have to live.” 

[lgcsoji]

yo ☁️ thank you for allowing me to take up space. the name’s 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 (he/him), and meet, 𝑩𝑨𝑬 𝑺𝑶𝑱𝑰𝑵. a soft-spoken yet outgoing; mysterious yet calculated jock. being an extroverted-introvert he makes friends quickly, but also looks forward to his alone time. he's a perfect mix of vanity and humility. this character will be interesting and fun to see grow here. read more about him read more about him down below, & like this post to start a conversation!

® extra pages: wanted connections, pinterest, discord (mssg).

𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑻𝒀

as the youngest of three boys, sojin's upbringing was characterized by the constant struggle for his parent's attention and affection. this fueled his self-confidence and made him a headstrong and determined individual from an early age.

by ten, he became a savant of a kid with more than one unique thing about him, but still, nothing to indicate the substantial pull of infamy he would soon command.

beneath his confident exterior, sojin has a gentle and compassionate nature that is often overlooked. despite being soft-spoken, sojin is outgoing and draws people towards him.

it's well-remembered how his eyes shone bright with childlike mischief amongst his brothers, how his grin was cheeky, exposing his dimples in its roguishness as he took charge of his friend group.

he is a good listener and often offers insightful advice to those who seek his guidance. sojin's creative side is expressed through various art forms such as music, writing, or painting.

as a pisces ☀️, sojin is a bit of a dreamer and often gets lost in his thoughts. he values his close relationships and is fiercely loyal to his loved ones, always willing to go the extra mile to help them. however, sojin can be sensitive at times and is easily affected by the emotions of others.

he enjoys flirting and keeping his romantic options plenty open. so, honestly, he has no interest in pursuing anything serious or committed. change his mind?

in his free time, sojin enjoys listening to the music closest to his heart, as well as spending time in nature and finding peace in quiet and secluded places. he loves to explore new places, has a keen sense of adventure, and is willing to try new things.

despite his aloof and sometimes emotionless exterior, sojin is a deeply caring and complex individual constantly evolving and growing.

𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑹𝒀 & 𝑭𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑺

sojin's parents prioritized material possessions over emotional support and guidance. being the youngest, he received the most abundance of spoils, which resulted in him growing up without direction but with a tenacity to constantly chase highs.

while sojin wanted for nothing, he longed for a slither of connection with someone else. during school, sojin's attractive features and shiny hair were always a big talking point with the girls; his guy friends followed his every move, and they filled that void.

wealth, popularity, and desire, he was set for life, or so he thought. he lived the ‘Life of Riley’ on the beaches of australia. his father blames his cocky attitude on crashing everything he worked for.

a foolish, drunken night, landed him in a hospital bed with a cast around his leg. before the panic could fully set in, he was determined to find a way to alter the course of events and set things right… 

he was sent to a private academy in seoul, and to live with his grandparents during the designated break.

the academy was filled with friendly yet fiercely competitive kids from affluent families. sojin enjoyed the challenge of competing with them and the camaraderie that developed.

but being sent away to live in dorms during the school year was a double-edged sword. it provided him with excellent educational opportunities, but it also didn’t help him learn from his mistakes.

sojin thrived off subtle cockiness, charismatic ways, and judgey jabs with his peers. and to repay him, they indulged him in a few of their secrets. intertwined in their mischief, keeping a twisted threading between them.

he graduated with a focus on dramatic arts and went on to audition for various acting gigs straight after high school instead of waiting for university level.

he did a few background character gigs until he landed an opportunity that would propel him into stardom.

his first role at 18 was for a BL drama. his character was a fun-loving, cocky, popular senior design student who falls for a junior student completely opposite of him; his love interest is stoic and self-righteous.

despite the success of the drama, he faced a difficult situation upon returning home as he found himself treading murky waters. his mother's reaction was not positive, while his father was supportive. although hye-soo did try to cut ties with him, the communication became restricted to how sojin felt that day.

he ends up with legacy because of their impressive rosters, and on the off-chance, he can pursue the type of dramas he's used to.

𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑻 𝑰𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑺

did your muse have an elite academic experience? did they compromise their morals to stay on top? you may be eligible for emotional reparations.

sojin needs to exercise his jock brain; come play soccer, basketball, football/rugby, swim, and/or jog with him.

he has an AMG G 63😉

he's attending university, maybe they attend the same one?

exes! he was often on netizen posts regarding his girlfriends, and the occasional boyfriend (all were strictly professional), but he had relationships secretly.

don't feed him. he's like a bear, will show up randomly for more.

sojin's that guy who needs off-guard 'boyfriend material' pics taken of him. he's shameless and will ask for them.

he has bad habits, and tempter/drinking is one of them. get him out of trouble?

the rich boy comes out of him when he least expects it and he may have been a dick (pardon the french) to your muse once and now there's beef.

more plot ideas: ʜᴇʀᴇ

[slcwshow]

reading your daily horoscope. making up constellations. going where the wind takes you. life on the road. lazy summer afternoons. a ring on every finger. silver necklaces and patterned shirts. a collage of posters and concert tickets. the alleged van. an impulsive tattoo, given by a friend. talking late into the night. a smoky laugh. the mysteries of the universe. dying your own hair. hands covered in clay. befriending the neighbourhood cats.

statistics.

full name:  felix tagana-aguirre nickname(s): fe (fee) name meaning:  happy, fortunate age:  twenty-six date of birth:  june 29th star sign:  cancer place of birth:  castle village, galdoran current location:  wherever the road takes them (but, like, pelican town) gender:  non-binary pronouns:  he/they sexual orientation:  pansexual occupation:  travelling merchant family:  nicanor “nic” tagana-aguirre (father), sara tagana-aguirre (mother), carmen tagana-aguirre (older sister) education level:  high school graduate (barely) living arrangements:  lives in his van (which is also his shop) loved gifts:  coconut, spicy eel, clay hated gifts:  mayonnaise, coleslaw, raisins

biography.

Felix was born in Castle Village, a distant town known for its community of adventurers.

His mother and father, Sara and Nic, perhaps aren’t the sort of people you’d immediately associate with heroics and monster slaying. They’re both bermuda-shorts-wearing, fanny-pack-owning, glasses-on-a-string-around-the-neck types, aggressively pleasant and unfailingly kind. Their interest is less in killing monsters as it is in researching them, and they established the local tourist trap museum as a means of displaying all they've discovered.

Always an aimless kind of kid, Danny imagined they’d spend most of their life working the desk at his parents' museum, because it was easy and didn't require any major planning on their part. Their mom and dad are very supportive of their youngest child, to the point where it might've actually been hindering their ability to grow as adult, so Felix never felt any great pressure to get their life started.

Ultimately his impetus to leave Castle Village came on the back of the breakup of his first major relationship (they decided to just be friends, which is chill). Felix finally got around to fixing up the old van that'd sat on his parents' drive for the last eight years, and set off on his travels.

They’ve been roaming around the Ferngill Republic for the better part of a year now, collecting things from all over the continent and selling them to the residents of the small towns he passes through. It's a pretty sweet existence, all things considered, and he wonders if he'll ever feel inclined to settle in one place again.

other things.

Felix tunes into Welwick’s Oracle on the radio every day, and always checks his horoscope in the newspaper (even if he doesn’t intend to buy it).

Their van is a complete jalopy, but the exterior is painted with a mural of the night sky, done by their own hand.

He’s a pretty good potter, but would probably be a great potter if he spent more time practising… or if he had somewhere to fire the ceramics he makes.

A not-insignificant portion of the van's interior storage is taken up by tapes. Felix keeps telling themselves they’ll upgrade their music system to a CD player one of these days, but they never quite get around to it.

Even though he's only in town a couple of days a week, Felix is some kind of videogame savant, and currently holds the high score on the Journey to the Prairie King arcade machine at the Stardrop Saloon.

Sincerely believes in all things supernatural, and is very knowledgeable on the topic thanks to his parents.

They’ve played bass since they were a kid, and used to be in a band with their high school friends (they weren’t very good).

[neighawolf]

Wolqotd: Inspiration

Each of my characters starts with a personality trait and a theme/focus

R'Aurora: Shy+Autistic Savant/Mechanical and technical genius Sera: dumb but big hearted, protector/ Group Mom, Food lore Saoirse: Bit dainty, kind of snooty/ Incredibly smart and a librarian Rornir: Energetic and happy/ Far Eastern, noble, deeply cultural Alexandria: Cold exterior but warm interior/ Valkyrie, Death, Charon Sorn'daer: Old, experienced, scholar/ Void and forbidden magic Mizuki: Gremlin energy/Dragon lore Bastian: Reclusive and social grump/ Wild Heart

[jacobgdavis-blog]

BACK TO SCHOOL

Josie’s 3rd grade teacher at Chisholm Elementary requested that each parent write an email to the teacher “in a million words or less” about their kid. I wrote about Josie Belle.

—————————

Mrs. Whaley,

Thanks for asking for some personal thoughts on the kiddos. I think that is a great idea and will be a good reference if you ever need it. I’m happy to write a bit about Josie.

Jacob Davis

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August 22, 2024

Josephine Belle Davis (“Josie”) is a wonderful/easy child. She was the first child of my wife (Penny) and me after having been married 11 years. She has a younger sister named Juniper (“Junie”) who is 6yo and in Mrs. Brown’s 1st grade class here at Chisholm. I like to jokingly say (to adults) that they’re my “pride and joy, respectively.” Josie is brilliant with a curiosity and an appetite for knowledge that outpaces any kid I know while Junie is a social butterfly and always the “life of the party.” Of course, Josie brings us a ton of joy too. It’s just something descriptive I say about them occasionally.

Josie is not without her quirks. We’ve learned that she has a tendency to feel overstimulated by loud sounds and big crowds (example: at a loud concert). Her first time at Chisholm’s Friday Charge-Up resulted in her fainting! She handles Charge-Up better now, but she may carry some noise-cancelling headphones in her backpack that she used to wear in earlier grades and may have with her “just in case.” When she’s overstimulated, she gets quiet and may not even answer direct questions such as “what’s wrong, Josie?” Other times, she can be very good at identifying potential anxiety-inducing situations before they happen and communicating her feelings. But don’t be too surprised/alarmed if she goes quiet on you. She’s okay, but may need some quiet time away from whatever chaos is going on. We still push her, when appropriate, to brave-it-out thru these situations when they’re unavoidable (or just not that big a deal).

Academically:

Academically, she’s a whiz. She knew her multiplication tables in Kindergarten (with some help at home and thanks Netflix’s “Numberblocks” show), she can identify obscure countries on a globe and flags of countries like a savant (the Olympic Opening Ceremonies are her “national flag-identifying Super Bowl” 😂), she likes trivia, and she has an interest in some current events and history. Right now, before bed, we read a little bit about a historical American President. This week, for example, we read about JFK and Teddy Roosevelt. Don’t be surprised if she tells you something about the Cold War. 😂 She loves to read on her own too. She is halfway thru Harry Potter 4 right now. I can’t even keep up with her.

Temperamentally/socially:

Josie has a big heart and is sensitive. She keeps a tighter/closer circle of friends than her younger, social butterfly sister does. Josie is more like her introverted mom in this regard, and Junie is more like extroverted me. Surprisingly, Josie doesn’t show a ton of affection. She’s not a very touchy-feely person outwardly despite being a warm and sensitive soul inwardly. We’re working on helping her speak up because sometimes, she speaks so softly. But when she finds something she likes or is interested in, she gets very chatty. She communicates exceptionally well verbally and in writing. She’s not interested in boys/romance yet. Not sure if and when that will happen. 🤷🏻‍♂️ She’s confident in who she is despite a quiet exterior.

Interests/Extra-curricular:

Josie plays piano, does aerial gymnastics, and plays basketball. She used to play soccer. She’s in the beginning stages of being able to ride a horse by herself thanks to her Grammy. She absolutely loves animals, especially her 1.5yo weenie dog, Jasper. She doesn’t get grossed out by touching snakes and bugs (we live out in Jones). She teaches herself things. She’s extremely physically flexible and practices yoga in her room along with some kids’ yoga tutorial videos on the iPad. She is an artist and shocks us by what she can draw and create. She is in GATE and loves it. She also just joined the Girl Scouts. Her interests are endless. We have to sometime pick-and-choose what to formally get her involved in because otherwise, it would take all of our time and money. 😂 She is obsessed with Taylor Swift and knows all of her lyrics (including knowing which songs have bad words and not saying them 😉). She has watched TSwift’s 3-hour Eras Tour concert on Disney+ more times than I can count. She also likes Michael Jackson, Weird Al, and OKGO music videos. She knows music. Ask her the lead singer of Queen or Coldplay. 😉

Josie actually cried after the last day of school in 2nd grade because she loved school so much. She had a special connection with Mrs. Jungers (1st) and a strong one with Miss Foxx (Kindergarten). I suspect she’ll come to have a strong connection with you too.

Every parent thinks their kid hung the moon. We are no different, but we are not afraid to hear rough news if she’s struggling or is misbehaving. We know she’s not perfect. She’s a gem though. Thanks so much for being a teacher that is so interested in her students.

Sincerely,

Jacob and Penny Davis

P.S. Josie found out the truth about “Santa” but won’t spoil it for other kids. We haven’t had the “sex talk” yet, but I suspect that will happen this year. Pray for us. 😉🙏

[ronaldanthony4]

I've always found a unique joy in bringing beloved characters to life through my digital art. This time, I found myself inspired again, creating another piece with a special place in my heart. The artwork is a fan art dedicated to one of my favourite cartoons, "Phineas and Ferb." It captures a character that has resonated with many fans, including myself: Isabella Garcia-Shapiro. As I worked on this piece, I felt a deep connection to the character, perhaps because she embodies the mix of hope, love, and the quiet longing that many of us have experienced at some point in our lives.

This particular artwork features Isabella in her early teenage years. She’s dressed in a stunning magenta ballgown, a colour that perfectly complements her vibrant personality and the emotions she often hides behind her cheerful exterior. Her hair, always impeccably styled, is tied up elegantly, with a few delicate strands falling perfectly in place. The rose corset on her left wrist adds a touch of youthful romance to her appearance, almost as if she's holding onto a piece of her heart, waiting for the right moment to give it away.

Isabella's straight black hair, with its thin blue highlights, cascades down her back, framing her face in a way that accentuates her delicate features. Her curtain-like bangs fall gently over her forehead, and her round bottom navy blue eyes sparkle with the dreams and hopes of a young girl in love. Her eyebrows, perfectly arched, add a subtle touch of determination to her otherwise gentle expression. She is a vision of youthful innocence and beauty.

In this artwork, Isabella appears to be in the middle of a romantic daydream. Her gaze is soft, almost distant, as if she's lost in thoughts of the one she loves. Her lips are slightly parted, perhaps whispering the words of her birthday wish—she wants to be alone with her "triangular savant," her secret crush, Phineas Flynn. The very thought of him brings a blush to her cheeks, and in that moment, she’s a girl deeply in love, yearning for the attention of the boy who holds her heart.

Isabella has always been in love with Phineas. From the moment they met, she felt a connection with him that she couldn’t quite explain. Over the years, that connection grew stronger, blossoming into a crush that she keeps hidden from everyone, especially Phineas. She believes that one day, he’ll notice her feelings and reciprocate them, but for now, she keeps those feelings to herself, expressing them only in subtle ways—a smile here, a lingering glance there, and of course, her trademark catchphrase, which she often says in the hope that Phineas will notice her.

Despite her outward cheerfulness, there’s a hint of sadness in Isabella’s eyes. It’s the sadness of unrequited love, of wanting something so badly but being unable to reach it. She’s flirted with Phineas in her way, but he never seems to notice. To him, she’s just a good friend, someone he can rely on, but never someone he sees in a romantic light. And that breaks her heart a little more each day. She knows she deserves better, but can't seem to let go.

Isabella’s feelings for Phineas are deep and sincere, but she’s never found the courage to tell him how she feels. It’s not that she’s afraid of rejection; rather, she’s afraid of ruining the friendship they have. She treasures their bond, and the thought of losing that connection because of her feelings is too much for her to bear. So, she keeps her love locked away, hidden behind her bright smiles and cheerful demeanour. She knows that revealing her true feelings could change everything between them.

In her daydreams, though, Isabella allows herself to imagine a different future—a future where Phineas finally sees her for who she truly is and falls in love with her. She imagines the two of them together, sharing their lives and creating new memories. It’s a future she desperately wants, but one she’s too scared to hope for. Because hoping means there’s a chance she could be disappointed, and that’s a risk she’s not sure she’s willing to take. She's been hurt before, and she's not sure if she can handle it again.

As the years pass, Isabella’s feelings for Phineas don’t fade; if anything, they grow stronger. She continues to support him in everything he does, always by his side, always there when he needs her. She’s his biggest cheerleader, and though he doesn’t know it, his greatest admirer. She watches as he comes up with new ideas, marvels at his creativity, and silently wishes that one day, he’ll turn that brilliant mind towards her and realise that she’s been there all along, waiting for him to see her.

In this artwork, the way she holds her hands, almost in prayer, is a reflection of her deepest wish—to be with Phineas, to have him notice her, to be more than just a friend in his eyes. The soft glow around her adds to the dreamlike quality of the piece as if she’s on the verge of stepping into a world where her dreams come true. The intricate details in the background, such as the swirling colours and ethereal shapes, suggest a sense of magic and possibility surrounding their relationship. I had captured a moment of longing and hope in this piece, leaving viewers to wonder if her wish would ever be granted.

Eventually, the day comes when Phineas finally realises how much Isabella means to him. It’s not a sudden revelation, but rather a gradual understanding that builds over time. As they grow older and move from middle school to high school, Phineas begins to notice the little things Isabella does for him—the way she always knows what he needs, even before he does; the way she’s always there to support him, no matter how crazy his ideas might be; the way her eyes light up when she sees him.

It takes time, but eventually, Phineas comes to realise that the feelings he has for Isabella go beyond friendship. He starts to see her in a new light, appreciating the depth of her character and the strength of her love. By the time they get to college, they’ve become inseparable, and it’s only natural that they start dating. For Isabella, it’s a dream come true, and all the years of waiting and hoping are finally worth it. Their relationship blossoms into something beautiful and they both feel grateful for finding each other. Isabella's unwavering support and Phineas' newfound appreciation for her make their love story even more special.

Isabella Garcia-Shapiro is more than just Phineas’s crush; she’s a character with her own story, her dreams, and her struggles. She’s the across-the-street neighbour who’s always been there for him, the girl who’s always ready to help with his Big Ideas, even when they seem impossible. As the leader of Fireside Girls Troop 46231, she’s responsible, resourceful, and always up for a challenge. But behind her leadership and her cheerful personality, there’s a girl who just wants to be loved.

Isabella was born to a Mexican mother, Vivian Garcia-Shapiro, and an unnamed father, and grew up in a Jewish faith. From a young age, she was full of life and curiosity, traits that only grew stronger as she got older. At some point in her life, she met Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher, two boys who lived across the street from her. The three quickly became friends, with Isabella developing a special bond with Phineas. Over time, that bond turned into a crush, one that Isabella never outgrew.

Isabella is cheerful and optimistic, fearless and quick-thinking, but when it comes to love, she’s cautious and hesitant. She’s creative and full of ideas, but when it comes to expressing her feelings for Phineas, she struggles to find the right words. Isabella always finds a way to support Phineas and Ferb in their wild adventures. Her loyalty and determination make her an invaluable member of the group, even if her feelings for Phineas remain unspoken. Isabella's unwavering dedication to her friends often leads her to put their needs before her own, showcasing her selfless nature.

Creating this artwork was a journey in itself, one that allowed me to explore Isabella Garcia-Shapiro’s character in depth. Through my art, I wanted to capture the essence of who she is—a girl full of love, hope, and quiet determination. As I brought her to life on the digital canvas, I found myself connecting with her story, her struggles, and her dreams. Isabella's unwavering dedication to her friends shines through in every episode, showcasing her selflessness and bravery. Despite facing her internal struggles, she always puts the needs of others before her own, embodying the true meaning of friendship.

In many ways, Isabella’s story is a universal one. It’s the story of holding onto hope even when things seem impossible, and of finding the courage to keep going, even when the odds are against you. It’s a story that resonates with all of us because, at some point in our lives, we’ve all been like Isabella—waiting, hoping, and dreaming of the day when the person we love will finally see us for who we are. And in the end, that’s what makes her such a beloved character—she’s real, she’s relatable, and she reminds us that love, no matter how difficult, is always worth fighting for.

[ao3feed-destiel-02]

Don't Ever Change

Don't Ever Change https://ift.tt/Na8MFZi by Mydestielbabies_67 Despite his unconventional demeanor, Castiel possessed a quiet intensity that drew people in. His piercing blue eyes seemed to hold secrets of their own, hinting at depths of knowledge and understanding far beyond his years. Some whispered that he was touched by magic, while others simply called him a savant of the strange and mysterious. Yet, beneath his enigmatic exterior, Castiel harbored a warmth and kindness that endeared him to those who dared to look beyond the surface. He was the first to offer help to a neighbor in need, whether it was fixing a leaky roof or rescuing a stranded kitten from a tree. His empathy was as boundless as his curiosity, a rare combination that made him both an enigma and a beloved fixture in the community. That must have been what drew Dean in. Words: 1294, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 23 of My Pride Postings 2024 Fandoms: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Castiel (Supernatural), Dean Winchester Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Human, Eccentric Castiel, Thrill Seeker Dean Winchester, Dean and Castiel Friendship, Friends to Lovers, Date Night via AO3 works tagged 'Castiel/Dean Winchester' https://ift.tt/erXAT8k June 29, 2024 at 05:09AM

[ear-worthy]

"Yeah, I F*cked That Up" Podcast Premieres With Kelly Rowland & Steven Van Zandt

Podcasting is in love with highlighting success. Hundreds of podcasts offer narratives about financial wizards, artistic geniuses, and science savants. But interwoven with success is failure and making mistakes. In effect, f*cking up.

Consider what Albert Einstein once said about mistakes: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

People mess up all the time. We all do. That's why I'm excited about a new podcast about screwing up royally.

 Interval Presents, Warner Music Group’s (WMG) in-house podcast network, has just released its new series, Yeah, I F*cked That Up.

The series, produced by Silver Sound, challenges the stigma of failure as the podcast highlights stories of defeat from prominent figures in the entertainment industry. 

The interview series premiered July 11 with featured guests Kelly Rowland and Steven Van Zandt.

I listened to these first two episodes and with no need for a spoiler alert, I can tell you that both episodes are so fresh and elegant in their narrative about "what I've would have different."

In Rowland's case, she is frank about her regret of not speaking up more as the group, Destiny's Child, went through personnel changes. Van Zandt reflects on leaving the E Street Band too early in his career.  Both episodes illustrate the need for greater reflection in our culture of past missteps.

The maestro here is the podcast's host is Grammy-nominated hitmaker Billy Mann, who has produced and written songs for some of the world’s most well-known musicians over the course of his 25+ year career. 

Mann dazzles as he carefully guides his guests through their journey of self-reflection. When you're a podcast host, and you're interviewing a guest about how they became a billionaire, you just ask a few perfunctory questions and enjoy the ride.

When you're talking to a guest about mistakes, screw-ups, or decisions they'd take back, the journey can get bumpy. Thankfully, Mann is a pilot who navigates the show even in the most intense storms.

Inspired by his personal experiences, host Mann delves into the humanity behind success in Yeah, I F*cked That Up, stripping away the polished exterior to explore stories of failure, redemption, and personal growth. In the episodes, Mann engages with a diverse lineup of famous guests who have weathered their fair share of struggles and professional setbacks during their careers. 

The full guest lineup includes Kelly Rowland, Steven Van Zandt, Renée Elise Goldsberry, L.A. Reid, Liz Gillies, Aly & AJ, Hari Kondabolu, Evan Handler, Jill Kargman, Peter Asher, and Chely Wright. According to Warner Music, "Yeah, I F*cked That Up aims to inspire, enlighten and entertain listeners with candid and revealing conversations as they learn from the brightest stars’ best—and worst—experiences building endurance on the way to the top." 

“In a small screen world of autotuning faces and voices where we tend to only post our highlights, my goal in creating this show is to remind listeners that it’s actually the scary, vulnerable moments of self-doubt and failure that often turn out to be the best breeding ground for growth and success,” expressed Billy Mann, host of the Yeah, I F*cked That Up series. “I’m so excited to partner with Interval Presents to share these inspiring --and sometimes surprising) -- anecdotes from so many favorite names in entertainment with an audience that is surely navigating its own unique paths and obstacles.” 

Listen to Yeah, I F*cked That Up here. New episodes will be released weekly on Tuesdays following the launch. 

[aion-rsa]

The Suicide Squad: Who Lives and Who Dies

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

This article contains major The Suicide Squad spoilers. We have a spoiler free review here.

Five years ago, Will Smith uttered the instantly meme-able line, “So that’s it, huh, we’re the patsies, we’re some kind of Suicide Squad.” Yet by the end of that 2016 film, barely anyone in that squad was put six feet under. How times have changed.

For the entire rollout of his pseudo-sequel/reboot, writer-director James Gunn has insisted he had carte blanche to kill off any character in his The Suicide Squad roster. While we may remain skeptical if Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and a few others were really that expendable to Warner Bros., Gunn’s finished film speaks to just how much freedom he was allotted in slaughtering potentially valuable DC IP. Major characters from the first film, and a slew of new ones Gunn personally introduced, were pushing up daisies before the movie’s opening title card. And the bodycount only grew from there.

So if you had trouble keeping up with who died, and in what gnarly and grotesque fashion, we’re here to offer a handy dandy list of which members of the Suicide Squad walked away from Corto Maltese, and which were carried away in bags.

Blackguard

Dies

You can’t help but wonder if Gunn intentionally cast Pete Davidson as the first Squad member to get put down. With the exception of a fakeout (more on that in a bit), the mildly divisive SNL alumni goes out in gruesome fashion when he reveals on a Corto Maltese beachhead that he somehow communicated with the local military that a U.S. operation would be landing there. He thinks this will get him in good with the new government. Instead it gets him obliterated by a hail of bullets. All that time in prison and Blackguard never learned what happens to snitches…

Javelin

Dies

Flula Borg’s Javelin cut an amusing figure, as if he wandered in from some low-rent 1970s superhero television series. Even his accent was absurdly disarming, as Harley quickly noticed. Alas, it was not meant to be since Javelin was blasted fast on the beach, barely having a moment to entrust Dr. Quinzel with his trusty weapon.

Mongal

Dies

Let it not go unsaid that Mayling Ng’s Mongal made an epic introduction and exit when she took down several choppers all by herself. Unfortunately, she didn’t really think about a personal strategy as she rode one helicopter all the way down into its fiery ‘splosion.

Captain Boomerang

Dies

The first really major death of the film came when Captain Boomerang, Jai Courtney’s holdover from the 2016 movie, also bit the big one from the same fiery blast that took Mongal. At least he and Harley got to share a few laughs beforehand. We guess this puts an end to any chance of him  showing up in The Flash movie!

T.D.K.

Dies

Okay, as soon as you realized the secret superpower of Nathan Fillion’s character was something as lame as “detachable” limbs, you also knew he was dead meat, right? This character is so lame that Gunn doesn’t even show the Corto Maltese military putting him out of his misery. They just snicker as he writhes in pain, feeling how his detached arms have been shot to ribbons. Bad day to be a Browncoat.

Savant

Dies

Michael Rooker is the actor James Gunn casts when he wants to give a character an epic death scene. It took two movies for that to prove true in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but Rooker’s Savant doesn’t even make it to the end of the opening credits here… well not all of him. The blood and brain splatter created by the bomb Amanda Waller detonated in this coward’s skull spells a lovely “The Suicide Squad” lettering across the waves. And hey, at least Rooker got to rock those epic blonde locks!

The Thinker

Dies

Once you heard that Peter Capaldi was playing an evil supervillain who was also in league with the Suicide Squad’s enemies, you knew there was no way Thinker was walking away from this movie, right? Nonetheless, Gunn goes hard with the doc’s death scene when a liberated Starro the Conqueror gets revenge for 30 years of captivity by ripping his captor’s arms off and then turning him into a red smear across glass. Ouch.

Col. Rick Flag

Dies

This one hurt. Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag was one of the better and even underrated elements from 2016’s Suicide Squad, and he got a chance to shine a lot brighter here. From small things like his total war buddies vibe with Harley to showing a backbone when he realizes Waller’s nefarious cover-up game, Flag came out as a real leader this time up to bat. Sadly, he then got Cena’d to death.

Polka-Dot Man

Dies

You did it, Polka-Dot Man, you proved your simultaneously dippy and creepy superpowers could make you a real superhero! Even your Norma Bates-like mama would be proud. Too bad Starro then stepped on you immediately afterward. Yay?

Starro

Dies

The big guy had his giant eye poked out by Harley and then an army of rats swarm into the hole that made and chew up his insides. Honestly, you feel bad for the kaiju in the end. Like King Kong, he didn’t ask to be brought here. Who knew we could get the sniffles for a rampaging monster with mind-control powers?

Harley Quinn

Lives

Come on, did you think they’d kill off Harley? Pfft, Robbie’s performance is way too good for that.

Bloodsport

Lives

Given his world-weary stoicism, I thought going in that Idris Elba’s Bloodsport was too noble for Gunn’s twisted vision. How nice it is to be proven wrong. Elba’s supervillain marksman reveals there’s a heart of gold beneath that gruff exterior, and it’s still beating when the credits come around.

Ratcatcher II

Lives

James Gunn once told us that Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher was the heart of the movie with a presence “like somebody from the French New Wave.” And he wasn’t blowing smoke about the actor or the character. Despite being introduced as an easygoing millennial, Ratcatcher turns out to be the most sympathetic Squad member and proves her generation gets the job done by unleashing an armada of rats on Starro.

King Shark

Lives

Thank God. Nobody better hurt our precious man-eating Nanaue. Go ahead, King, have another nom-nom. You earned it!

Sol Soria

Lives

Sol Soria gets to be el presidente in Corto Maltese now. I guess that’s a fair enough trade with the knowledge that the people who put her there also fed her buddies head first to a land shark.

Amanda Waller

Lives

Some characters are too evil to die. Amanda Waller is still stewing back in D.C. by the end of The Suicide Squad, and she’s likely scheming of a way to murder all of her current underlings too.

Weasel

Lives

The first fakeout of the movie is the fate of Weasel. Despite seemingly being the first character to seemingly die off—in a really hilarious fashion when Waller and company realize they didn’t check to see if Weasel could swim—it turns out he didn’t drown. There’s another reason right there for why Savant deserved to have his head go boom. Pity the children of Corto Maltese.

Peacemaker

Lives

Even though Peacemaker got an epic death scene where Bloodsport won a quickdraw showdown, some actors are just too big of a deal to kill. Thus the end credits scene reveals that Peacemaker survived his bullet wound to the neck and is still breathing on a hospital ventilator. Nonetheless, Bloodsport taught him a valuable lesson: It’s not the size of your bullets but how you use them.

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The post The Suicide Squad: Who Lives and Who Dies appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/37odQFK

[mountphoenixrp]

We have a new citizen in Mount Phoenix:

                      Melody Park, who is known by no other name,                                   a 34 year old daughter of Horus.                She is a professor and freelance private investigator.

FC NAME/GROUP: Park Minyoung | Actress CHARACTER NAME: Melody Park | Park Minyoung AGE/DATE OF BIRTH: 34 | March 4, 1986 PLACE OF BIRTH: Buffalo, New York, USA | Quantico, VA, USA OCCUPATION: Professor of Criminology & Freelance Private Investigator HEIGHT: 5’5 | 167cm WEIGHT: 140lbs | 63kg

DEFINING FEATURES:  Melody looks slim and unassuming but, underneath her poised and perfect exterior she is incredibly strong with defined muscles. She has miscellaneous scars littered along her body from her work in the FBI. The most prominent being a clean but long scar along the length of her abdomen from her sternum to just before her hips from a surgery she received when she was 25. Her only tattoo is on her left collarbone, written in perfect calligraphy is one word; Fighter. When using her powers her left eye becomes a dark grey and her right eye a deep amber gold color.

PERSONALITY: Melody spent the entirety of her twenties as an FBI Agent and university student. With an IQ of 186, the ability to read up to 25,000 words per minute, and savant tendencies, she was a perfect recruit. This left her cold, distant, calculated, and bureaucratic on the outside. However, the one thing the grueling work as a government agent never took from her was her caring and loving nature. Her moral compass is strong and she fights for what she believes in, even if that means she puts herself in danger. Melody is very passionate and kind to those closest to her, once she gets close with others she opens up very quickly and shows her goofy and silly side. That is once she knows she can trust you. She has always exuded leadership qualities and people tended to look up to her a lot growing up so, she’s grown comfortable with being a sister/maternal figure for others. Her younger brother’s especially follow her every word and cling to every single one of her actions. This has lead her to quickly offer familial support and a place in her family to those who lack the love of a sister, aunt, or mother.

HISTORY: Park Minyoung, also known as Melody Park, was born in Buffalo, New York to Park Hejin or Virginia Park. A young girl in law school, doing her best with what life handed her. In this case it was a child - the child of a god no less. Virginia went on to finish law school with the help of her parents watching Melody whenever they could and her friends babysitting her while her mother was in class. Her mother passed the bar one month after Melody’s fifth birthday. Virginia was a good lawyer and an amazing mother, never failing at the perfect work/life balance. She worked hard as a single mother to give Melody the best life they could have. Virginia was apprehensive at first about allowing Horus time with Melody, always protective of her darling daughter. She was heartbroken in her own way but, she still knew it would good for them both for Horus to be in her life somehow.

Melody was I incredibly smart and well liked as a child, being labeled a prodigy at age six due to her advanced intelligence. Despite being pushed into an advanced level and being years younger than her peers constantly, they still gravitated towards her and followed her. She always ended up having an army of older kids that were very protective of her. After Horus taught her how to use her powers, it was a struggle not to use them all the time. What kid doesn’t dream of soaring through the sky, flying with birds and feeling the wind in their hair? Add on top of that he constant need of approval from the older kids she was always surrounded with, it was hard for her not to show off to gain some points with those who didn’t automatically like her. She mastered the art of flying pretty quickly, nothing felt better to her than the rush of wind through her hair and cold air on her skin.

Life was pretty easy for Melody growing up outside of school and the expectations of her teachers. Her mother didn’t date so, it was just the two of them in their cozy home in Buffalo. Melody ran track, was captain of the swim team, and even tried her hand at soccer. If she hand’t been so young in high school, she’d have been the one all the other kids wanted to be. She wasn’t popular by any means, especially in high school. Teachers used to use her as ��motivation” for the other kids, constantly comparing 16 and 17 year olds to a 12 year old can have it’s negative effects on her social circle. She compensated for their quiet disdain of her by being the kindest, sweetest, and nicest person at school. She gained even more favor from teachers and less from peers as she made a point to volunteer whenever she could. The work she did was usually for younger, under privileged kids that had much harder lives than her. Being stuck as the youngest in every group thanks to her advanced schooling lead her wanting younger siblings more than anything, so she worked as a big sister when she could.

After graduating high school at 13 years old, she was quickly offered scholarships all over the country, to every prestigious school and Ivy League university. Melody eventually settled on Columbia as it was closest to home and she could live with her aunt while she attended. It was around this time after she left for university that her mother met and fell in love with a man named Jordan Masters. He worked as a defense attorney who also worked in Buffalo, he was known for representing those wrongly convicted and kids being tried as adults. Melody was unsure of him at first, quickly becoming protective of her mother as this was the first time she’d dated anyone since she was born. It didn’t take long though, for Melody to warm up to the man, they became fast friends. Jordan never tried to replace Horus but, he did his best to support Melody and support her and love her as his own.

This friendship between herself and her stepfather helped her discover what she wanted to do at university. Her first year she’d just been working on core classes and flying through the basic program. She knew there was no way she was putting herself through he struggle of law school like her mother so, she settled on Criminology and Psychology. Choosing to work towards a career in catching the right perpetrators and keeping innocent people out of prison. With her advanced intelligence she graduated with a PHD in both fields by the age of 22 almost 23 years old. What she didn’t know is that for her last two years before graduating, she was being watching by some of the top government agencies in the United States.

When Melody was 17, her mother gave birth to twin boys! Suddenly her one wish came true, she had younger brothers and she couldn’t have been more excited. Those little boys are her world and she loves them more than anything.

At the time of her graduation, Melody had been thinking of applying to the FBI academy and she didn’t have to think about it very long before a recruiter was at her door offering her a place in the training program. Her mother and step father were worried about Melody going into a potentially dangerous field of work but, Melody knew she was perfectly capable. She was told she was one of the youngest recruits in years but, she didn’t let it go to her head. That had been her title among peers since she started school, always the youngest to do this and the youngest to do that. Melody could not lie, the academy was hard but, it toughened her up and she learned that it was easy for people to underestimate her due to her appearance and intelligence. She didn’t look threatening or intimidating but, she could take down someone triple her size in less than 20 seconds.

She flew through her training and was instated as a probationary agent after only two years at the academy. Melody was recognized as a star recruit and was quickly placed where her quick thinking and easily underestimated appearance could be used to her advantage.

From the age of 25 to 34 years old, Melody worked for a team that specialized in undercover and international cases. She was worried about it at first but she was surprisingly good at it. Annoyingly good at it actually. In fact, she was almost too good at being under deep cover for long periods of time. Her team was investigating two large, private security firms that worked with the secret service, suspected of disorderly conduct as well as drug and human trafficking. Melody worked undercover at one of the firms for almost a year investigating them from the inside but, this is when things got messy.

Love is already complicated enough if you don’t add on top of it the threat of national security. It was cliché and she knew it, an undercover agent falling in love with someone they were charged with investigating. There was just something about her that made her forget everything she was taught and every order she was ever given. She fell head over heels for her and she also fell for Melody. Sadly, love can make you blind and foolish… Melody falling for her suspect was against every regulation in the book and it was made worse by the fact that it was discovered she was the one running the entire operation she was meant to be investigating and bringing to justice.

When her lover discovered she was a federal agent, she was out for vengeance and blood. Seeing Melody’s cover and emotional connection to her as the ultimate betrayal of their love. She ordered Melody to be killed but, the agency pulled her from the investigation before the murder attempt could be carried out. If her team members hadn’t rescued her when they hey did, she may have had to expose her divine powers to the organization as well, using her wings to escape. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that however, Melody is now in hiding from the woman she loves… Loved.

The agency wanted to put her in witness protection, to keep her and her family safe. She made sure her mother’s family was safe before she reached out to Horus for help, she didn’t want to be moved all over the US to hide from her mistakes. Horus told her of a place only demigods and gods could go to, an island off the coast of Korea. Her life of crime fighting had ground to a halt all because she fell for the wrong woman. Melody left her family in the protection of her team and the agency she was loyal to for almost a decade, knowing they couldn’t be touched as no one outside of her team knew her family.

Thus begins the new story of Melody Park, running for her life to a city where she will hopefully be untouched by her past mistakes.

PANTHEON: Egyptian CHILD OF: Horus POWERS: Natural leaders; air manipulation, falcon wing manifestation and flight (only for short periods of time, flight drains their energy quickly). STRENGTHS: Brave, Driven, Humble, Intelligent, Poised WEAKNESSES: Stubborn, Cynical, Over-Critical, Stoic, Perfectionist

[madokamagicasecrets]

Please tell me candeloro is less disappointing than she looks at face value,,, like the only reference to mami's life that i can see is the familiars,,, nothing about how she fell into despair,,, nothing about how she made her wish,,, i haven't played any of the games so im just hoping she's more than she seems

Alright, so here’s what I’ve gathered.

First and foremost, a lot of Mami’s characterization comes from the spinoff material. Madoka Magica was too short to give a lot of characters the time that was needed to explain their behavior, so it seems the Magica Quartet focused on spinoffs to build up who these girls are. A lot of characterization and lore that’s important to understanding Candeloro is in the PSP game, Madoka portable. 

From what I understand, Mami was in a car crash and wished to live, becoming the only survivor. Her parents died, hence why she lives alone right now. There’s nothing I’ve seen that confirms this, but I imagine Mami’s parents were wealthy. That could explain her very graceful and high-class taste in outfit and combat style, as well as her extremely nice apartment despite seeming to have no job. I’m willing to bet she has an inheritance. 

Mami had to learn how to fight and use her ribbons to build weapons. It’s not explained very well in the anime, but her magic isn’t guns: it’s ribbons. The Magica Quartet explained that her magic is built on having a connection to life, based on her wish to live. What she has trained herself to do is to build different objects out of her ribbons, namely she can extend and style her hair using them, and she can also build muskets. She apparently studied the mechanics in modern guns, but her magic restricts her to muskets. At least she managed to make a really big one, which became Tiro Finale though!

Mami trained a long time to fight, and her skill is build on the foundation of hard work. This does a lot to solidify the idea that magical girls aren’t naturally talented, which also lends some credibility to the theory that Madoka could be an autistic savant, having immense skill as a magical girl with no previous training. 

So here’s where Mami succumbs to despair. In the PSP game, Mami succumbs after an extremely long and arduous battle with a witch, trying to protect a child. She fails, and starts wallowing in guilt over it, eventually becoming a witch. Not even Madoka and Homura can help her prevent this. 

Candeloro’s familiars are very interesting and are built on PSP game lore. Someone who isn’t familiar with the game may wonder why her familiars are designed after Madoka and Kyoko. After all, in the anime she mentors Madoka and Sayaka. However, the PSP game establishes that Mami is a bit of a hopeless romantic, perhaps because she’s so lonely. Namely she develops a crush on both Kyoko and Madoka. She’s too shy to admit her feelings, though, and ends up keeping her feelings inside. Interestingly, in an alternate timeline version of these events Mami gets closer to Sayaka than Madoka, and her familiars are red and blue instead of red and pink. 

A few other notes I discovered on the PMMM wiki:

Candeloro’s witch barrier reads “happy birthday”, perhaps because she died and was reborn when she became a magical girl

Candeloro’s full name is “ Candeloro du Polignac “, and is most likely a reference to  Yolande Martine Gabrielle de Polastron, Duchesse de Polignac, a duchess in Marie Antoinette’s court who was famed for her beauty. Interestingly, Marie Antoinette was executed by beheading and is associated with religious symbolism, something that becomes more important when considering Holy Mami. 

Candeloro is an Italian name, which makes sense given how much of a weeb for Italy Mami is. However, Candeloro is actually a male name, with Candelora being appropriate for a woman. It’s not clear if this was an error on the part of Shaft, or something intentional. If it is intentional, however, it could be a play on a pagan holiday by the same name that was a foundation for Christmas, with a house lit with Christmas decor and trees actually appearing in her labyrinth. If this is intentional, then the failure to bring down all the trees from the house signals the death of all those attending. 

There’s 3 major pieces of imagery used in Candeloro’s labyrinth: rainbows, apple trees and teacups. Teacups are obvious given Mami’s character, however they can also represent healing and immortality. Apple trees also represent immortality. And the rainbow could represent a bridge between the mortal world and heaven, which fits nicely into the rest of the symbolism discussed so far. The clouds in her labyrinth are black, a symbol of inevitability and death. The waters are red, which could be a nod toward blood, a symbol of life force. Interestingly, this rainbow motif reappears in Homulilly’s design, witha  rainbow appearing when the incubation barrier is destroyed, and also when Madokami descends-the bridge to heaven. 

Candeloro’s design in general could be a cynical and snide look at Mami’s design and personality. Candeloro is designed like a dress-up doll, even being called the dress-up witch. She still has a tag on her, in fact. 

A human design for Candeloro does exist, and is seen in a vision Mami had. Interestingly, like Homulilly, she’s dressed in simple black-and-white clothing, but Mami has some notable differences. She’s flat-chested, and her pigtails aren’t curled into drills. Given she has a large chest because of her wanted role as a mother figure (hence the pun on mommy in her name), she could be cynical of her want for that role. Also, since she has pigtails that aren’t curled in drills, something Rebellion established as being created by magic, that could be a comment on her focus on appearance? She puts on a graceful and beautiful exterior, but she’s actually very fragile inside. 

That’s all I could find, if anyone has any more observations on her design, I would appreciate it. 

[totalxclarity]

What Colour is Your Soulmark?

Repost; don’t reblog.

Tagged by: @ladylunafreyaoftenebrae, thank you :D Tagging: @dawnryse @gunsandpuppies @dawnturnstodusk (Aranea) @lunafreya-ncx-fleuret-archive @lucianprincess @valkyriesrose @wxyfxring @terragirl @lunabxlla @savants-nine-and-twelve @xenospacebabe & YOU ;D

The color you fit most is White!

Also known as the kinder soulcolor, people with white soulmarks are seen as innocent, childlike, and pure. Most people before they enter adolescence will glow white when around a soulmate, but they will grow out of it in their teen years. It’s the rarest color to have as an adult.

Many people who glow white are treated like children, so they present themselves in an adult like way. They are structured, focus on maturity, and distance themselves from things that bring them joy. They are least likely to share their interests around people they don’t know and are afraid of being patronized.

This type is highly intelligent and appears to prefer being single than in a relationship. They are often alone, preferring not to bog themselves with unnecessary drama, and have no patience for those who criticize them or their work.

Despite their tough exterior, these people are gentle souls. They often express their interests to a select few they trust, and they spend their time theorizing about or analyzing things they enjoy. They are studios and curious, especially when it comes to what makes things work, and have a childlike wonder to them despite being so adamant to present as a mature individual.

[wanderingmoonsword]

Tenebrous Creature

Although the word itself means “obscure” or “dark”, tenebrous creatures seem to take more of their inspiration from the darkling beetles of family Tenebrionidae. I say that because of the description – compound eyes and mandibles alongside the jaw bring arthropods to mind. With bristles along the head that leave a paralytic poison and an acidic bite, tenebrous creatures are well-armed, dangerous creatures in close combat. The enormously gain in natural armor seems to represent a beetle’s toughness, as does the increased Constitution. Overall, tenebrous creatures aren’t highly similar to the base creature but marked by the power of the planes, like celestial or fiendish creatures, but strange manipulations or alterations of material forms toward some twisted, insectile ideal.

Hoping to skirt a blizzard worse than any in a century, adventurers leading a troop of soldiers on a desperate mission to reinforce the city of Nemrath have gambled that they can escape its effects by stepping past the Midnight Veil into the Plane of Shadows. Leading their warriors in the endless twilight, it seems things might pass peacefully when a grotesque, worm-like figure draped in shadows darker than night erupts from the earth, caustic fluids drippling off massive mandibles and an alien hunger in its gem-like eyes.

When the first great vault beneath the earth was discovered by delvers exploring the great crack in the earth known as the Titan’s Cleave, the scale of the place inspired awe and terror. The truth terrified even more. As the world casts shadows, so too can great changes in the Shadow of the world twist reality, a brilliant reflection of a dark truth. These are the ancient creations of four-armed giants in the depths of the Shadow World, mandible-lined jaws atop their heads and jewel-like, insectile eyes, terrible bristles across the outer edge of their twin “chins” marking an eager appetite for mortal flesh. Stronger and tougher, tenebrous gugs are even more savage than their lesser kin, stunted and diminished, who dwell beneath the Prime’s stony exterior, and legends say that the greatest tenebrous savants can twist stone with a touch and spit a line of the caustic acid that drips from their jaws, bubbling where it touches the earth.

Fascinated by the idea of creating an entirely society of perfect, insectile subservience, an ancient kytoon demigod experimented with the matter of shadow and flesh, warping them into more insectile forms. Although the victims underwent great suffering, the changes bred true, and the results still survive in dark reaches of the Shadow Plane today, far outliving their creator’s retreat from influence over mortal affairs.

- Tome of Horrors Complete 738

If you’re looking for a more conventional take on shadow creatures, the Bestiary 5 and Advanced Race Guide have the shadow template, and one archetype for fetchlings actually applies it on summoning by default.

[mataglap]

For the fanfic ask meme: M, T and U.

Maximum Transmission Unit! *ahem*

M: Got any premises on the back burner that you’d care to share?

Pretty sure I mentioned it before, but there’s a merman-Hanzo AU that @coinin convinced me to write at some point. There’s a lot of teeth, gnawed bones, and almost-a-meal-McCree. There’s also a pirate AU where captains Shimada and McCree have diametrally different views on how to secure the loyalty of their crews.

Of newer things, I started a little Halloween thing featuring the castle of Adlersbrunn, monster hunter McCree, and a very shady archer. I’m desperately trying to find motivation to finish it at the moment.

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

Any and all of the artificial-angst and shortcut-to-relationship ones, e.g. hanahaki or soulmates (especially the ridiculous ones with marks and strings and whatnot). As for this particular fandom, I can’t stand AUs where Hanzo and/or McCree’s characterization is so off that the only aspect left of the original character is the name.

U: A pairing you might like to write for, but haven’t tried yet.

I don’t really have one, but if I were to write a different pairing, it might be Brigitte/Junkrat. (Blame @robo-cryptid for that one.) Brigitte is the kind of woman who takes zero shit from anyone, while at the same time being kind-hearted enough to be willing to look past Junkrat’s batshit crazy exterior. They could bond over Junkrat being an engineering savant.