#((because he isn't my first place favourite and doesn't fit in with any of the other categories. he doesn't end up making the list sadly))

[abyssembraced]

Fire Emblem?

Send me a fandom and I'll tell you my blorbos!

Blorbo: If you want me to stick to Awakening, since that's where Robin's from, then that'd be Lucina! I love her. My daughter <3 (because I married Chrom lmao). I made her absolutely busted in FE Heroes too, though I haven't actually played that in a while.

Though technically Lucina's my second favourite Fire Emblem character overall. First place actually goes to Edelgard! That's My Wife right there. My beloved. I like the other house leaders too, but,,, El <3

...But once again, as much as I love these girls, sadly I don't think I could write them well. But maybe. They're on the list of characters I would consider adding if I ever added another Fire Emblem muse here, just because I love them, but I'd definitely have to replay their respective games first.

Skrunkly: Uhhhhh. So the funny thing is, I usually really like the characters that tend to be described as "pure" or "cinnamon rolls", and just overall those who would fit into this category well, but for some reason with Fire Emblem, I just don't get as attached to them? So I dunno who I'd say for Awakening specifically, but at least for Three Houses I do like Ashe?

Scrimblo Bimblo: Could Henry count as underrated? Probably not, huh. I think he's pretty popular. But I do like him a lot! My funny murder crow guy. And Owain... Probably also doesn't count here, huh. Not sure how popular he is among the fandom, but like. With his appearances in Fates and Warriors, the games themselves sure give him a lot of love. But he's also really funny, and one of my other favourites from Awakening. So... I dunno!

Ashe could probably also fall in this category, since when it comes to the Blue Lions I think most people tend to focus on Dimitri, Felix, and Sylvain (and Ingrid and Dedue?) more than anyone else. But that would be reusing characters, so. hhhhhhh dgdhshf

Glup Shitto: So like. I thought this was gonna be a difficult question but then I remembered. Nobody fucking played Echoes. I feel like anyone from there is free game except for Alm and Celica ashshdfh. So! I remember liking Mae quite a bit, but I think my favourite from there was Conrad! I remember him being really sweet

Too bad I haven't played any of the Japan-exclusive games to have some really obscure favourites asdghsf. I do wanna play Genealogy someday though, if a fan translation exists

Poor Little Meow Meow: I don't like reusing characters for these but. C'mon. I don't think there's an FE character out there that's more controversial than Edelgard von Hresvelg lmao. I have absolutely zero interest in dealing with any of the Discourse, so all I will say is: we love Edelgard in this house. This is an Edelgard Appreciation Zone, or at the very least an Edelgard Tolerating Zone if you personally dislike her.

That said, I also wanna give a shoutout to Takumi from Fates, because I adore him too and still stand by him being one of the better things to come out of Fates. He's a bit of an ass to Corrin at the start, sure, but like. I feel like that's kinda justified?? He doesn't remember Corrin like Hinoka and Ryoma do, so from his perspective some random stranger from the country they are currently at war with has just waltzed in and is basically being treated like a god when they very well could be an enemy spy. And iirc, he does want to accept Corrin and get to know them? But he's smart, and remains wary until Corrin does choose his family's side.

...The Blame Takumi memes are still funny though, I won't lie dghdsf. I started with Conquest, so those memes are actually what led me to look into him more when I got around to playing Birthright

Horse Plinko: Y'know what. Lorenz. Is that unfair to say, given that I never did get around to playing the Golden Deer route? Yeah, kinda. Am I gonna say it anyway, because I'm not sure who else to say? Haha yea

I guess Takumi can get a little bit of bullying for being a grump, but only affectionately, because I still care him and he deserves a hug

Eeby Deeby: Validar and Thales are the easy options, yes, along with all the other villains, but like. Fuck em lmao

[white-wolf-buckaroo]

The last drop in The Last Drop🍺✨

Here is my self indulging fic set in the Arcane series because I miss Vander a lot and I need to cope with the ending somehow -> Basically a fic where I add an og character (a little girl named Luna) who becomes Vander's fifth adopted child (shoutout to the single dad of the year)

Disclaimer: I haven't played LOL and english isn't my first language, so yeah, and oh I've got daddy issues (reason for which I'm writing this lol)

Mi main Masterlist: here!

Pre-Act 1.1

It's alright, little one

Luna liked Vander's hands. They made her feel safe. He made her feel safe

She's got us now

The Last Drop was a loud place, and Vander's kids were also loud, but Luna slowly begins to fit in within the chaos with her new family

You're not by yourself anymore, Lu

Luna has nightmares, but Vander will always be there for her. She just has to learn that.

I like being close to you

Luna likes to hang out behind the counter because she likes being close to Vander.

It's nice to make new friends

Luna meets Ekko for the first time.

We're having a game night!

When Vander realizes Luna is scared of thunderstorms, he thinks of something to help distract her from the next storm.

To protect something precious one must be willing to do anything

As Luna keeps Vander company while he cleans up for the night, an unexpected visitor arrives: a man with a long coat, black hair, and a scarred eye.

And I'll keep choosing you, every single day

Vander had been called many things in his life, but no one had ever said 'Dad' to him. Until now.

You're my family. Every single one of you.

Mylo, Vi and Claggor get frustrated because they are grounded for a week, and they get angry because Vander doesn't seem to get as angry with Powder and Luna when they do wrong. It's time for him to remind them that he doesn't have any favourites (this one follows directly the one shot/chapter before "And I'll keep choosing you, every single day").

This is somethin' special, kid

On a rare sunny day in the Lanes, all the kids go outside to have fun and play, but not Luna. She stays in the basement all day working on a super secret project that she reveals at the end of the day to her family.

Takes one to know one

Luna makes a new friend, except he isn't from the Lanes, but from Piltover. A boy named Seb.

... more to come!

Drabbles pre Act 1.1.

Told you sprinkles are important!

Vander, Powder and Luna bake Vi a birthday cake.

'Guess the tooth fairy knows her stuff

About a tooth fairy named Claggor.

He's so going to kill us

Luna tags along Vi and Claggor to complete an assignment for Vander, however, she loses them and ends up alone (scaring the sh*t out of her siblings and dad).

... more to come!

Act 1.1

I’ll still fight every day. For them.

Vander wakes up after being taken by Singed for his experiments.

... more to come!

If you have any requests or want to see something happen let me know! I do have a few things mapped out, but as this is a very self indulging fic, I'll probably don't follow a concrete order posting (maybe one day I post a one shot set when they were all kids and the next day one set in season 2, idk depends on the mood ig)

Tell me if you want to be tagged!

[del-stars]

what’s some of your favourite black brothers hcs?

bless you for sending this and giving me the opportunity to yap

i wish i could remember who posted this hc but sirius got stuck in walburga's ribs in birth and regulus was born blue/not breathing

sirius constantly causing walburga pain during her pregnancy, burrowing as far inside of her as he could, only to be ripped from her into a reality that will constantly tear them apart vs regulus being doomed from the very beginning, dying so young because he shouldn't be alive in the first place MHM YUP

sirius was the favorite child. this led to regulus trying to copy sirius in absolutely everything he does when they were very little

sirius bore the brunt of physical punishment because of the expectations/attention constantly placed upon them. regulus, on the other hand, suffered from neglect

incredibly competitive household, everything they do is compared against each other. recipe for sibling failure

i could write an entire essay on how sirius internalises his failure to be a 'good heir' into thinking something is inherently wrong with him/how regulus' being born second gave him limitless rage at everything around him

even after sirius is sorted into gryffindor and, by his family's definition, becomes a major fuck-up, walburga wants and hopes that he will assume the demeanor and responsibilities of being heir. this is where regulus' resentment of sirius is born: regulus has always been good, has always kept his mouth shut and done what he should, and yet he's still not fit to be heir, even when sirius so obviously doesn't want it. walburga wants her eldest son to be 'perfect' again so badly that she can't see that regulus fits all of her requirements

and after regulus is sorted into slytherin, sirius begins to resent him. now that he can see that he isn't just a black sheep - the rest of the world is nothing at all like his family - he wants regulus to follow in his footsteps, and he won't. he sees regulus as weak for continuing to bend to their family's ways and strive to impress them

so, by age twelve or thirteen, they hate each other. that's the tragedy. they don't come back from this. regulus thinks sirius is ungrateful and out of control, and sirius thinks regulus is a coward and a bigot

regulus spiralssssss because of how much he hates sirius. it is pure, unbridled jealousy. he isolates himself, lets himself be driven by negativity, and tries desperately to mask his inherent sense of inferiority by positioning himself as superior due to his blood status. this makes him the perfect candidate for targeted radicalisation by the de's/bellatrix

sirius does not regret leaving and does not wish he could've taken regulus with him. regulus was fucking over the moon that sirius ran away, and was also part of the reason sirius needed to leave. i will die on this hill

i will always think their characterisations are more interesting/compelling when you make them hate each other. they are fundamentally so different that you can't just swap traits/storylines between them. regulus is SUCH an interesting villain and i wish people explored him in this light more rather than just giving him sirius' story

they are a product of their circumstance. in any other universe they probably could've bonded over their shared trauma (which is why i love my black brother modern aus), but in the one they're in they are destined to be torn apart.

and now, the mini moodboard:

[l-in-the-light]

Hey 👋👀😊, really nice your analysis of Law (he's my favorite character in OP❤️). Why do you think he has a poor self-steem? I mean he must have noticed that he's very good looking 😋. At least he seems to know that he's intelligent making all these plans.

Hi! He's also my favourite! (it used to be Shanks, but he got dethroned. We all know how good Law is at dethroning people haha. But Shanks is still on podium together with Ace <3) Excellent question! I don't think it's very obvious that Law has poor self-esteem, which is why many people believe him to be arrogant. But despite the fact he is smart, he never rubbed it into anyone's face before.

He did tease Kid and Luffy a bit about choosing the directions of their islands after Wano, but that was really just an older siblings type of teasing there. In fact, he usually goes out of his way just to make sure what he says sounds easier to understand. That's actually rather considerate, not arrogant behaviour. My favourite example of that is how he changed one term Luffy misunderstood as food to a simpler one in World Seeker haha.

The first moment I asked myself the question if Law actually has poor self-esteem, was this:

The contrast here is hilarious, but that's besides the point right now. Why would he be all blue in the face and asking quietly "why me...?" when he scored as second best, podium position? This reaction just didn't fit with the supposed "he's so confident" vibe. Then I also noticed he isn't big on knowing his own bounty. Is it because he truly doesn't care about it, or is it because it actually stresses him out a bit?

Let's look at Law's novel for a bit, because I think that provides an answer (warning for slight spoilers, but mostly only for the beginning of the novel):

It happens right after Corazon dies, Law is walking to the next town, he finally arrives there, trying to ask for help. At first it takes him a lot of courage to even enter, because he gets reminded of how he was treated in hospitals, and that thought freezes him in place. It takes a while for him to overcome it, but then this situation happens and what is Law's reaction here? To run away, *blaming himself* for it, thinking it's so pathetic, that he is so pathetic that he can't be stronger than his own trauma.

I would say he still reacts this way even when he's older, always expecting himself to be better, stronger, but his trauma always catches up to him and he doesn't blame anyone else but himself. He also doesn't allow himself any sort of understanding and acceptance, he thinks he should be able to trust again, so he ends up self-loathing whenever he fails. How do you think Law felt when Doflamingo grabbed him in their fight at the rooftop and Law's body just froze, not listening to him anymore because of traumatic trigger? How did he feel about himself after Doffy used it to his advantage and cut off his arm? Because I think Law blamed himself, calling himself pathetic and weak, filled with self-hate. It did help him overcome it and get back at Doflamingo eventually, but it doesn't change the fact he achieved that by literally beating himself up mentally over a weakness that isn't even his own fault, because he didn't choose to be sick.

He often tries to be strong for his friends, despite lacking self-confidence himself.

And again, it's always for others that he managed to overcome his own fear in the end. He puts a facade, pretends to be strong, so that they don't feel so anxious anymore. He wants to be strong for them.

Even when he receives a compliment, he can't really take it at face value. He questions whether he truly deserved to hear it, not considering himself worthy of it. He never forgets where he failed (interacting with patients) instead of focusing on what he did right.

In most stressful situations he actually struggles to keep his calm. And again, what makes him overcome it is the thought that if he doesn't, people will lose their lives. There's almost none of his own ego in his (very impressive tbh) quick decisions and steady hands and thinking.

And finally, despite having confidence in his battle skills, he still doubts himself. What finally gives him confidence is his steel resolve to not lose or his friends will be in danger then. He takes it very personally, not allowing himself to show any weakness, even going as far as to say "he has no right" to show it.

All things considered, it doesn't surprise he doesn't even accept credit for the good deeds he does. When he saved Bepo, Penguin, Shachi, Wolf, or even Luffy, he always claims it was just "a whim" and that's why he doesn't need to hear thanks. He never wants anything in return for it, because it would be uncool, he claims, but I think he just knows what's unconditional help actually is.

I know Law's novel isn't officially declared "canon", but the author did a very good job at portraying Law. It's very consistent, and even though there are a few things I consider to be a miss, Law's poor self-esteem definitely isn't one.

Logically speaking, why would his self-esteem not take a major blow after Flevance? He lost everything he possibly could, without being able to save anyone. Later Cora-san also sacrificed himself for him, so again, Law took a big blow to his self-esteem, the only person who cared for him after Flevance lost their life and he couldn't do anything about it.

And then there's his sickness, Amber Lead Syndrome. He feels like people are always staring at him and that makes him quesiton whether they can tell he's sick, whether they will scream for him to get out and not come closer, whether there will be judgemental stares and then flinching away from him, just in case it's contagious. Even after visible signs of Amber Lead are gone, Law is still afraid to go back to the town. I wouldn't be surprised if his fear went all the way into his adulthood. Whether Law is handsome or not has nothing to do with it, because as soon as there are white patches on his skin he knows he will be called disgusting, and that stays in your psyche whether you want it or not. Which means it doesn't even matter if he finds himself attractive or not (my bet is on "not really", Law seems like a humble type anyway, never bragging about anything, be it his smartness, looks or skills).

As for his smartness, let's recall his ransom talk with Doflamingo. At first Law sounds very confident, after all his plan was succeeding, but the second talk? All it took for Law to lose his confidence was Doflamingo's mocking tone. That boy might think he's smart, but he knows there are people smarter than him, he doesn't let it get to his head. And honestly, that's probably the sign of smartness as well.

Seems his confidence doesn't come from high self-esteem, but because of his wish to keep people he cares for safe. And perhaps now also because of his faith in a certain Strawhat Luffy. He's kinda the perfect example of "fake it till you make it", because if not for those subtle hints, I would have never doubted he lacks in self-esteem.

In Wano he's even wearing the disguise of a travelling monk. I know everyone makes fun of his "strawbucket", but that's an actual thing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komuso

"Monk of emptiness" or "nothingness" from my understanding relates to a larger context of buddhism and zen, in which you aim to reach enlightnment by giving up your ego and earthly desires. Well, if that doesn't fit very well with Law, knowing what we know about him, never taking credit for what he does, faking confidence to support his friends and refusing compliments.

If anyone can think of more examples when Law shows his poor self-esteem, please do share! I feel like I'm missing a lot about it, even if (I guess) I made my point more or less clear.

[tu-es-gegg]

I think I'm crazy but like my favourite part of slimeriana that I don't hear much of is their intense loyalty to each other

Like I feel some people underestimate how they are very close and always come as a pair because they both are obsessed with each other, they never want to choose anyone else that isn't the other misclicker

In that sense of, yknow when you hate someone so much they live rent free in your head, yeah it's that with them, and they will always seem to gravitate to each other in any circumstances

In the early days before the first death they only stayed together because of Juanaflippa, they both ceased any sort of conflict if it made Juana upset (in spite of their collective attention span, seriously)

and they could've moved apart after that and push each other away, but no

Funeral stream, they both were by each others side and grieved together. They were petty and jealous torgtehr, even without a reason to. Because it had to be them together

They always joked about divorcing and argued ofver miniscule things and in the end, they are each others safety spots, they like it better when they make each other crazy

And the absence of another half already had a toll on slime, nobody who could really understand him in his eyes like Mariana, it took him so long to find somewhat of a safety net, a safe place where he could be happy because his one safe thing, his family, was gone

Wedding stream, slime talking with foolish and he says nothing sets his heart ablaze anymore, no one is able to love the same way he does or spark the same intensity as Mariana did to him

So he had to have courage and find it in friends by himself, which already took fuckign forever and even then, he doesn't really have anyone as close to him that he can fully confide with or that he mentions OVER AND OVER as much as Mariana (compare that with how easy fit moved on from spreen, the pinnacle divorcees) slime could easily say 'i don't love him anymore' but no, he can't say that because love is in just simply being so obsessed

And Mariana is the same, no matter what he never considers anyone else to be his husband, he can complain over and over about slime and poke as many flirty jokes to others but at the end of the day, when he meets new people on the qsmp he says he is married with slime, and he is never ashamed of that fact, in fact he's the one actively trying NOT to let divorce happen when it gets brought up because he does want to stay with slime, he's just as head over heels obsessed

If the missclick divorce is ever actually real, you know that shits gone ABSOLUTELY wrong, cause really could that ever happen under normal circumstances

Cause are they a healthy couple? Fuck knows, they dorve each other crazy to the point they turn the clock around back to sane for each other that, if you pair them with anyone else they will just make it worse

Are they one of the strongest couples that never waivers in their loyalty to each other? No matter what it will always be those two even if apart? Yes

[ramblingautisticman]

So! Sesame Street! Everyone's favourite fun and educational kids show featuring the beloved muppets we all know and love.

As we all know (or should know), Jim Henson helped create Sesame Street's vibrant and lively streets when he suggested the use of muppets on the show, hence why the show is full of cute and hectic muppet characters.

And, much like The Muppets themselves, once their show got big they transitioned into movies.

In 1985, Sesame Street made its first feature-length film, and it was called "Follow That Bird".

I will preface this by saying, yes, I did have to buy it on Amazon for a whole £6, and yes, it was definitely the best £6 I've ever spent. I saw one clip on Tiktok and knew I need to watch it because, from what I saw, Big Bird does indeed get taken away by a Child Protective Services esque group.

The movie opens up with a group of birds called the Feathered Friends having (what I assume to be) a weekly meeting. They mention how they deal with cases of birds needing to be placed (an adoption agency of sorts) with new family's.

This weeks case just so happens to be Big Bird.

The group of birds are- for some unknown reason- extremley bigoted about birds being around any non birds. When they see that Big Bird lives alone and doesn't have any birds living nearby, the Feathered Freinds decide he should be placed with a family of birds. So one of these birds, named Miss Finch, takes it upon herself to go and find Big Bird to get him with a family of his 'own kind'.

Now, I will admit, I do agree that Big Bird just living on his own basically in the street is a concern considering he is 6 years old. At the same time, I assume these birds age differently? I mean, he has a grandma. If Big Bird HAD to live with a guardian, surely he would be with his grandma? And if he didn't like Sesame Street, he wouldn't be there.

And yeah, I know I'm looking way into this, but leave me alone. Let me autism about this.

Anyway, Miss Finch makes her way to Sesame Street and basically gaslights Big Bird into leaving Sesame Street. And jesus christ- the tears I had rushing down my cheeks as Big Bird said goodbye to Snuffalupagus? I could have filled a bath tub.

Big Bird clearly doesn't really want to leave, but he also wants to have a family. A mom, a dad, a sister and a brother. He wants to be with other birds. He wants to be around others that understand.

And so he gets on a plane, and heads to Illinois. Miss Finch places him with a family of Dodo's (I have no idea why they are Dodo birds), and so ensues his new happy life. Almost.

He sends a letter back to his friends that, in summary, tells them about how nice the family are but that he isn't happy, and questions if there is something wrong with him.

Like, he writes "I should be happy. What's wrong with me?" and it is the most heart breaking thing, but something that is still so relevant a feeling.

I think it's a feeling alot of kids could probably understand, and a feeling most teenagers, adults and anyone else can too. A feeling that is relevant for so many people, and they have it in a kids film?

I have watched ALOT of movies and TV shows, and honestly, this movie somehow portrayed the feeling of "not fitting in" so much better than anything else I've watched. Maybe it's because it's meant to be understanded by kids, or maybe it's because I want to protect big bird at all costs, but seriously- the do such a good job of it.

We then see Snuffalupagus listening to the letter being read, and this makes him decide that he is going to visit Big Bird, so writes his own letter back. Well, its a post card, but still.

When Big Bird gets it, naturally, he is thrilled. His best friend wants to come see him? Why wouldn't he be excited! But, very quickly, the Dodo's shut that idea down and came that Big Bird needs new bird best friends.

Now, Big Bird gets upset a this. Again, naturally, but instead of listening to his feelings- the Dodo's just decide they will go and look for worms instead- cause what else would Dodo birds be doing?

So Big Bird decides to run away, making his way back to Sesame Street.

This, for some reason, makes headline news and none other than Kermit the Frog himself tells the story. Everyone back in Sesame Street watch in horror as they see their friend has run away, and all quickly gather to start the hunt and find him because Miss Finch does, wanting Big Bird home and safe.

Which, I'm going to be open and honest, was the best thing that ever happen. The groups that go off to look are hilarious, and not only that, the cars?

The Count heads off in his car, which I now need, and so does Oscar, another car I now need. (Sadly, I won't let me put the photos, but go look at those cars. They are amazing.)

Cookie Monster, Gordon, Olivia and Linda (I believe that's their names) head off in someone's borrowd car, and I shit you not, every shot you see of it- Cookie Monster has eaten something off it. Seriously.

Burt and Ernie decide to help, and take to the sky's in an aeroplane (and, needed to mention this, spot Big Bird, ONLY TO STOP TO SING A SONG AND LOSE HIM), while Super Grover comes to help by flying the same way Gordon and his crew are going.

Look, Super Grover is doing his best. Yes, he thinks the yellow car is Big Bird and crashes into it, but he has spirit and hope and that's all we can ask.

Anyway, they all head off in search for Big Bird, while Miss Finch does the same.

Obviously, they all spot Big Bird but somehow still just miss him, and noone knows where he is until two young kids manage to ask Big Bird if he is okay, because he was literally kidnapped, and they managed to call Mr Hooper's to tell them his message.

Your thinking, "How was he kidnapped?", and I'll tell ya.

When the headline breaks that an 8 foot, 6 year old, bright yellow Bird has run away, two men that run a shitty fun fair decide they will capture him to use as an attraction.

Like everyone else, they somehow find him but can't get him, until Big Bird just wonders up to them and asks for help to hide from Miss Finch. He then WILLING walks into a cage, and watches them lock it, before only realizing he is in danger clearly several hours later.

They then dye Big Bird blue....for some reason... and make him sing the single most depressing song of the entire movie. He sings his sad heart out to 100 kids, and only 2 of them decide "Huh, somethings wrong, he seems sad.", even though he is crying? I mean, good these 2 kids noticed, but do none of the others even give a shit?

So, the 2 kids talk to Big Bird, and they manage to tell the others back at Sesame Street where he is.

Everyone hears, rushes to the fun fair THEY PASSED EARLIER, and so ensues the funniest shit I've ever watched.

So, they try to be all sneaky to break Big Bird out, but because they are all from Sesame Street, none of them can actually keep quiet.

Cookie Monster sees cookies and, obviously, goes insane over them and trys to steal them. Super Grover decides to try and break the bars of the cage and, obviously, fails. The Count, obviously, counts every single key they try to free Big Bird and, obviously, in the end they all end up waking the two brothers.

Now, instead of just- I don't know- stepping out of the now open cage, Big Bird just stays in there as the brothers start the car (that the cage is attached too) and then is more worried about the safety of the now ope door of the cage while on the road.

Then, when Gordon goes to safe him, he once again is more worried about safety. After like- 2 minutes- he finally jumps onto the other car and BOOM!

Big Bird is saved!

A few mentions of scenes that aren't related to the story but are 100% worth talking about.

There is a lettuce fight in a grouch restaurant, wich is hilarious. Big Bird just doesn't care about stranger danger and gets into a random dudes truck, in which he realizes the Bird is the missing one from the news, and just doesn't care? Instead sings a song about basically continuing on the road he is on. The last honorable mention is John Candy popping up at the end as a cop to arrest to 2 brothers, and for some reason, launches the kid the identifies them? I mean, go find the clip, cause its hilarious.

Now, I want to very quickly say that- for a film in the 80s? It is kind of progressive? They make a point of having this group of birds, and the birds that Big Bird gets placed with, be very bigoted towards non birds while having Big Bird obviously not caring who anyone is.

Which really is the main message. You should never judge someone because of who they are, what the look like, what they like, etc. It's about loving people because of who they are and how they treat you, not what they look like of it they are also a bird.

And, obviously, the discussion about adoption and found family are extremley prominent. It makes complete sense for a Sesame Street film to deal with found family and adoption- especially considering the different characters on the show.

Still though, and insane plot for a kids movie. Bird Protective Services? A lettuce fight? Road Safety?

So yeah. That's "Follow That Bird". The plot REALLY IS Big Bird getting taken by Child (Bird) Protective Services and proceeded to run away, walking all the way from Illinois to New York.

Seriously though, it's a good kids film. It has a really nice message and, honestly? Is really funny. Kids and adults can both enjoy it, and they should! Go watch it!

[carboardserpent]

Next gen headcanons? 🤔

Like, Jackson, Cruz, Tim, Danny, Chase, and Ryan?

Oh boy, that's a few characters. Alright, strap in then. Probably also gonna throw in Bubba because he's my favourite non-main next gen <3

(Humanised, as always)

(Quick disclaimer for this one, none of these are supposed to reflect on the irl racers that gave their names and voices to them - I'm treating these characters as though they're entirely fictional and not based on/inspired by real people. I make my HCs literally just based on Vibes (and RPs))

Jackson Storm:

6'1 and fit AF. Clearly spends a lot of time in the gym toning his body and muscles. He is male model levels of gorgeous. Physically flawless black man <3

Short black dreadlocks dyed blue at the ends.

Aromantic (female-leaning)bisexual.

Autistic.

Ray knew he was autistic before Jackson even knew himself, and is the reason he even got diagnosed in the first place.

One of his most common complaints is still about the reflections of the sun glinting in his eyes. The loud noise of the track still gets to him occasionally, but he has special earplugs to help him deal with it.

Can usually be seen drinking a can of IGNTR's flagship energy drink before a race. It helps him calm down and focus in. His sponsors love it, for obvious reasons.

Any time he's on camera, he acts calm and cool but internally he's freaking out. If they ask something he doesn't expect, he visibly tenses up and flounders for a second as he tries to figure out what to say, even if it was a simple question.

Doesn't do fan meets or signings unless he absolutely has to. Even then he tries everything he can to get out of them.

His physical attractiveness makes his already poor attitude even worse. Doesn't know how to talk to people, but gets all the praise and attention he could ever want online.

Yes, he posts photos of himself on various social media. He wasn't sure at first, but Ray convinced him to start shortly after his debut race, hoping that it would help reassure him and give him a bit of a confidence boost. Naturally, it went a little TOO well...

He's a gamer through and through. In any downtime he gets, he's still topping the leaderboards on just about every popular racing game you can play online. He also enjoys the occasional game of CoD and will verbally rip anyone to shreds if they try to come at him.

DUBSTEP. He loves it. If his skull isn't rattling from absolutely filthy, grimy bass, he's not interested.

So, of course, he has to have an incredible sound system that's probably worth more than the average person's car.

He doesn't watch anime. (Stop asking him if he does) Most of his entertainment comes from Twitch streams.

He streams himself playing Super Corsa 4 any chance he gets. Which isn't often with the packed NASCAR schedule, but he tries his best. His user is UrStormChasing

Still doesn't get along with Tim after their rivalry in training and isn't very good at pretending he does either. Their crew chiefs have to make deliberate efforts to stop them from running into each other before they get into their cars.

Cruz Ramirez:

5'5 with an athletic build. She is a Latina woman with visible abs and she deserves them gdi.

Side-parted brown hair a little shorter than jaw length, perpetually kinda wild looking.

Chaotic lesbian hours!

ADHD

Literally cannot sleep at night without a big, milky mug of coffee.

It's not normal to wake up and go for a run before even having breakfast?

She's teaching Lightning to use social media more regularly (for better or for worse). His homework is to send her a funny meme or video that he found that week.

The result of this can sometimes be catastrophic. She'll never be able to unhear him uncertainly attempting to use outdated slang.

Almost every race, there's someone complaining about how she doesn't weigh enough and it's unfair to the rest of them. So she forces them to watch as race officials put extra weights in her car.

Has cussed Danny out in Spanish across Pit Road and will do it again if he carries on-

Is probably the only person on Team Dinoco that is actually nice to Cal and doesn't try to tease him. They get along well.

Tim Treadless:

6'0 with a broad frame and light muscle tone.

Tanned skin and tousled brown hair.

Straight ally.

Just call him Mr. Charismatic, everyone loves him.

Everyone except Jackson, that is. Jackson is the only person who brings out his anger to the point of wanting to throw hands.

Has a wife and a baby, bc of course he does.

One of those guys some people hate for being irritatingly perfect. Usually people that don't actually know him.

Has type 1 diabetes and a bad nut allergy.

Was pulled out of a race at the last minute when he went into anaphylactic shock - the entire race was almost stopped when people started to whisper that it was foul play. The race went on, but the only reason for Treadless' absence was that he had to be pulled for "unforseen medical issues".

Some of the other racers still blame Jackson, who actually had nothing to do with it.

Danny Swervez:

5'10 and fairly slender. Not a lot of bulk to him.

Tanned skin (he's Latino) and short black hair.

Cishet male.

This man is FULL of himself. What an attitude.

Genuinely a good racer, but not many people like him.

He's not a good guy. He's given Cruz some trouble for being a woman, though after she embarrassed him by publicly cussing him out in Spanish, he's learned to keep his unpopular opinions on her to himself.

Isn't exactly what we would call "faithful".

But hey, at least he doesn't cheat on the track (smh)

Has just as little respect for the older racers as Jackson, but is less vocal about it.

Is very bitter about Jackson and Tim being more popular than him, yet still does nothing to change himself for the better.

Has at least attempted to physically fight with other drivers that messed with him on the track several times.

Chase Racelott:

5'9 with a build somewhere between Danny and Tim.

Pale skin and dirty-blonde hair.

Straight ally.

Generally a pretty likeable guy. Not as well-loved as Tim, but he has a good amount of pretty dedicated fans.

Makes jokes about being single/available.

Has pretty average performance on the track, not great, but not poor.

Fairly high energy, he gets along well with Cruz.

Probably one of the best with kids. Has a lot of younger fans because of how he interacts with them during meets and signings.

One of the few who will try not to leave until he's spoken to every fan who wanted to meet him, no matter how long it takes.

Often seen hanging around with Ryan - the two of them cause some pretty good natured trouble together, often involving pranks on the other racers.

Ryan "Inside" Laney:

5'11 with a broad build similar to Tim.

Mixed race (¾ Caucasian, ¼ African American), with short black hair.

Closeted bisexual.

Friendly, but not really a standout character as far as the fans are concerned.

Kind of cocky, but in a cool way.

Has a girlfriend who travels with him.

Agent of chaos when he spends too much time with Chase. Don't turn your back on him.

Bubba Wheelhouse

Absolutely massive 6'2 gentle giant

Another gorgeous black man (fight me), his skin tone isn't quite as dark as Jackson's

Closeted homosexual

Has a fake relationship with a lesbian woman who's actually just his best friend (the racing world is scary and the US South probably wouldn't love an openly gay driver)

Kids ADORE him. Him and Chase are the drivers with the most kid fans.

Throws a football around with fans over the catch fence during rain delays (this one is based on the real Bubba Wallace bc its wholesome af)

Gets asked all the weird gay questions by everyone in the friend group. (Ex. "Is it gay if...?" "What is X actually like?")

Legit just trying to mind his own business, he doesn't want any part of drama or rivalries.

Occasionally finds himself roped into girl talk if the guys have their S/Os around. They're very excited to include him. He's too polite to decline.

[johnslittlespoon]

ok okokk i may be pushing it but i just cant stop picturing barry circa 2012 with leaving!bucky. i just feel like theyd have the cutest dynamic ever. he gives art student vibes like maybe hes studying film or literature. theyre childhood bestfriends and maybe they were eachother's homoerotic-codependent-friendship canon event. UGHH theyd be so cute stfuu. and maybe bucky and gale are already established and curt is just yearning for a whileee like over a year of slow burn until the three of them are a throuple... idk i just miss curtbuckbucky. you dont have to change your canon for the long fic i just needed to share this idea lmfao

au post | NO ur not pushing it this is such fun world building teehee <33 genuinely this is gonna help me later for drafting! (FUCK MY LIFE HOW IS THIS 2K WORDS. i thought i only had a few thoughts... i was so wrong. my bad chief. enjoy/suffer ig)

ok so this is so funny because i've actually been thinking ab how sweet those two would be together, cute little nerdy besties, and how they'd meet because of course curt has to be in this fic!!

and the first thing my mind went to was the cliche homoerotic codependent friendship trope too LMAO. i'm feeling like maybe they meet on the first day of highschool; neither of them share their english class with any friends, and they end up sat next to each other, and john keeps side–eyeing him because curt looks... interesting. (ie: deep into his emo phase. the fringe. the smudged eyeshadow. chipped black nail polish, band shirts– all things john does not let him live down as they grow up.)

but his eyes settle on some pin on curt's jacket that has some character from his favourite movie or something, and the yap jumps out, john can't control it. blurts out a "you like ___ too?!" and curt's head snaps over and he nods nervously and john takes one look at those big sad charcoal–ringed blue puppy eyes and is like yup. this is the one. will protect with my life.

(tiny headcanon that rly won't have a big effect on plot or anything, but i feel like it just fits very well with john/his character in leaving– dude's got madddd undiagnosed adhd. he's written off as a loud mouth/troublemaker in his childhood, but he wants to be a good kid, his mind is just always going too fast and sitting still is torture and his parents get frustrated and don't look into the root of the problem, trying to discipline it out of him instead. i will heal my inner child by healing him alright)

they're attached at the hip from that moment on and it makes sense to no one because they seem like complete opposites, curt more inclined towards the arts and bookish things and his friends are all the same, whereas john is more inclined towards athletics and science and hangs around that type of crowd as well. but they both love video games and movies and music and they bond over never really feeling like they fit in anywhere particular and both groups of friends get along just fine when they all get together. <3

but yk time goes on, they learn things about themselves as they grow up, and curt and john are so close and spend so much time together that they're already a lot closer than regular friends– they just don't realize it. they think nothing of cuddling up on the couch watching movies together, or sharing a bed when john stays over at curt's place after he gets into a fight with his parents, or being much more interested in spending time together than pursuing girls.

and curt's pretty– john nearly mistakes him for a girl that first day they meet. the summer before their senior year, john practically spends the whole summer at curt's house, and curt's mom doesn't mind; she works long hours and is glad her son isn't spending the summer moping around indoors alone, and she loves john and gets the feeling that her home is a sanctuary for him. one day they're in the backyard lazing around, and they get onto the topic of first kisses, and neither of them have had a proper relationship outside of those classic week–long middleschool flings that don't actually mean anything, so there's not much to talk about.

but being dumb teenage boys, they start worrying about "what if we're really bad at kissing and no girls wanna go with us to senior prom this year" etc. and one of them pops the suggestion of practicing together, and thus begins a summer of sweet stolen kisses and hand holding and experimenting and dancing around calling it something. it ends when the summer does because they realize that they both work better as friends, but they're as close as ever and both definitely learn they aren't straight (and they probably make a cute pact– "if we aren't in love by the time we're thirty, we'll just marry each other.")

i don't see them really doing much together because they're young and shy and inexperienced, but it's enough for john to decide that yeah, he definitely likes guys too, but that's all that really amounts to (until he meets gale) because he's growing up in a small town in wisconsin and it's not the easiest/most accepting place to find other queers. john probably ends up dating a real sweet girl during his last year of highschool, but she's going away for college and john's going to a local one so it ends amicably at the end of summer, both of them staying close friends. (if we wanna get sickeningly wholesome, maybe she ends up pining for a girl while john's pining for gale and they share their little stories and give each other advice and facetime every week to catch up <3)

(++ curt ends up falling head over heels for ken, who he meets through john when curt and john's friend groups get together for movie nights or summer parties. john pretends to be annoyed at how lovesick they are when they first start crushing, but he ends up matchmaking and being the one to push them to confess their feelings after graduation because he loves his friends.)

BUT THEN, leaving this fic's 'canon' to elaborate on the throuple stuff you said! i miss curtbuckbucky too </3

in a separate universe, curt doesn't end up with ken, and as much as he loves his friendship with john and agrees that a relationship wouldn't have worked at that time in their lives, he spends that first year of college pining. when john starts talking about some guy named gale during their second year, he's a little sad, but mostly protective, because "what do you MEAN he's in his 30s??" and "he's a BIKER?"

but john eventually introduces him to gale after a few months of telling curt about him, probably once he and gale actually start seeing each other, and curt immediately gets it. and then he's in double–hell because not only is he a bit (a lot) in love with his best friend, but he's blushing every time said best friend's new bf talks to him, and they're gonna notice eventually if they haven't already and he feels so guilty.

more yearning ensues and john is dense and doesn't realize but gale picks up on it, maybe even notices john doing a bit of pining of his own that john's not fully aware of. and his heart twists because his mind goes to his own insecurities about how john should be seeing someone his own age, so he sits john down and opens up a conversation about it. john is adamant that he's very, very happy with gale, but he tells gale about his and curt's past and admits that he has always still had feelings for him, but insists that it's not something he'd ever pursue, that he values curt's friendship more.

gale throws him off by saying he wouldn't mind if john wanted to explore those feelings, and at first john gets anxious gale is calling things off with the two of them and this is his way of softening the blow, but gale reassures him that's not the case, that he's very happy with their relationship. he just encourages that if he wants to talk to curt and feel things out, he wouldn't be opposed to john and curt seeing each other as well– gale's often busy, after all, so it would be nice for john to have someone else, as long as curt's comfortable with that kind of arrangement and as long as john keeps gale in the loop.

they decide to kinda just feel it out as they go, but soon enough gale starts coming home from work every so often to find the two of them curled up on his couch together, sweet and innocent. curt's wary at first, always slightly detaching himself from john when gale's around, but gale is always friendly and doesn't change up his routine, settling on the couch at john's other side like it's not a big deal at all, wanting to show curt he's welcome there, not wanting john to feel guilty.

it's another scenario where lines just sorta start to blur over time, curt spending a lot of time over at gale's house, and gale sees the way curt looks at him, probably noticed it from the first time they met but chalked it up to nerves at the time. curt's an angel and he's grown quite fond of him, but he doesn't want to overstep, so he leaves it up to curt, thinking maybe the boy will mention it to john one day and john will in turn come to gale to talk about it.

and eventually that happens, just like gale thought it might. curt's just gone home and john's head is in his lap on the couch while they watch tv, and john asks "what do you think about curt?" and gale tells him that he's sweet and he loves how much john smiles when he's around him, the usual. "so you like him?" john pushes, and gale immediately has a feeling where this conversation is going, drags his eyes away from the tv to look down at john.

says "of course" easily, and lets john take his time forming his thoughts. john ends up telling him that he and curt were fooling around earlier while gale was at work (and god help gale for the images that puts in his head) and that he'd made some offhand comment about how curt better hurry up if he doesn't want gale to come home and catch him half naked on their couch. and john's all shy when he says "and curt, uh. y'know. that... did it for him" with a vague gesture LOL. gale never fails to find it amusing how certain things can fluster john to talk about after all they've done together.

"so, anyway. i asked him about it after, if it was a coincidence, and he was real shy about it, but he did admit after a whole lot of apologizing that he likes you." gale listens to him nervously get his words out, petting his hair encouragingly, waits for him to be done before he asks "how do you feel about that?" only to watch the flush return when john mumbles "it's hot."

this is getting sooo long i need to take away my own typing privileges, but basically that's how things would start between the three of them– john and gale agree that gale will let himself be a bit flirty with curt and see how curt takes it. obviously this goes a little too well when curt gets hot and bothered sat between john and gale during a movie night with john's hand on his knee and gale's arm resting on the couch behind him while he plays with curt's hair.

the movie is forgotten when gale's finger catches on a tangled curl and curt doesn't bite back the little whine that slips out in time and john's head snaps over and he mumbles a "fuck" when he realizes what's happened, and his lack of filter comes out to play when he turns to curt and asks "curt, can gale kiss you?" and curt turns to gale with big doll eyes and nods.

john ends up palming himself over his shorts as he watches gale coax curt into his lap, face hot and pupils blown as he gets to see both his guys make out in front of him, almost dizzy seeing curt get so shy and needy and pliant because when it's just the two of them, he and curt are both very balanced in their dynamic. they've been such close friends for so long that not much gets the other truly shy like that, and they're always quick to voice their wants and crack jokes while fooling around and all. so to see curt get so flustered in that way with gale has him lightheaded, and by the time they all collapse into gale's bed at the end of the night, john's convinced this is the best decision he's ever made.

there's a lot of pining on curt's end because for a while it's kinda just sex when it's the three of them, and he loves it but he also finds himself wanting more but feeling too scared to voice it because he feels like he's intruding. but eventually they all get their shit sorted out; curt fits into their relationship just right in a way gale and john never intended or expected, and gale falls for curt just as much as john has and curt does the same with gale.

gale's got two sweet things glued to his side now and man, do they ever give him a run for his money, and if he'd thought john had too much energy (and stamina) it's nothing compared to keeping up with both of them, but he wouldn't have it any other way. <3

throuple things won't be happening in the actual fic, but i do love the idea of exploring the dynamic the three of them might have in a spin–off of that au so this was rly fun thx :-) maybe i'll write a pwp oneshot set in that universe as an excuse to write more curtbuckbucky once the fic is done LOL we'll see!

[johaerys-writes]

hey its the anon who was asking about achilles’ characterisation in the iliad! thank you so much for your answer, it was super informative and helpful. i think i very much had the wrong interpretation because i had a classics teacher for a year before my school scrapped the subject and they basically rambled about how achilles was a rapist and awful and went against the gods etc. without really going into the nuance of everything or explaining the context of heroes. i was kind of curious about your mention of hubris though? i thought that was a Big Thing in ancient greece because placing yourself on a pedestal above the gods was a guaranteed way to get yourself smote. sorry for acting like a student bugging their favourite teacher for an answer but you really do explain things so well 😅

Hubris is a big thing in ancient greece, you're right; there are so many myths where someone does something stupid and gets their ass whooped by the gods (e.g. Perseus and Andromeda, among many others). But it isn't exclusive to Ancient Greece. In fact, the idea of hubris may have started there, but it changed throughout the years and took different forms in literary tradition. In ancient greek mythos, hubris is usually violent or dangerous behaviours, such as extreme boasting, that are ultimately punished by the gods. In that sense, hubris is external, that means the punishment comes from outside. As cultures changed and the focus shifted more on the individual, hubris started being used to denote a personality quality of excessive pride and arrogance, which are big no-no's in Christianity. So hubris gradually became more of an internal thing, a cautionary tale to make sure the faithful stay humble and are rewarded in the afterlife. In the context of stories, that often comes with personal development of some kind, such as the protagonist seeing the error of their ways and changing their behaviour, which isn't really an integral part of ancient greek mythos as a whole.

Ancient greek hubris and christian hubris often become confused, and because we are taught that hubris is SO important to greek mythos, people try all the time to fit the Homeric works into these neat little boxes. The thing is that Homer does not fit into that; Homer was strange even when the works were written. The Iliad doesn't follow the traditional formulae of stories and myths that were popular at the time, especially oral poetry: it includes emotional change but isn't a story about personal empowerment; there is complexity and nuance in all of the characters but the characters are not idealised; it is a meditation on complex social and human themes such as the connection between rage and grief; it puts mortality, not morality, at the center of the story.

It shows how vulnerable the characters are through their rage or their grief or their passions in general, but the story isn't at all about characters being punished for their hubris or wrong-doings. For example, Agamemnon technically commits hubris in the very first book of the Iliad, when he refuses to give Chryseis back to her father and Apollo gets pissed off about it. This could be considered dangerous behaviour by ancient greek standards, and the Achaeans are indeed punished for it with the plague that Apollo sends their way. However, at the end of the day Agamemnon himself does not get punished for his transgression in any way. He gets everything he wants: Achilles rejoins the fight eventually, Hector is killed, Troy is sacked, he returns to Argos a victor.

Achilles, too, could be said to have committed hubris through excessive violence, when he killed so many people he clogged up the river and then fought the god Scamander himself; and yet he isn't punished by the gods or by the narrative, he is one of the few characters (perhaps the only?) that gets a redemption arc of sorts, by returning Hector's body to Priam and treating the old man with respect, thus showing us his generosity, his integrity, and the nobility of his character once again. And that's where the Iliad ends for him. Not with his death or with him killing even more Trojans or whatever, but with a poignant and moving scene between two people on opposite sides of a war, who have lost everything and yet still find this point of connection between them.

So Homer, and especially the Iliad, breaks all of those norms when it comes to traditional storytelling, and that's why I think it's a work that still baffles and intrigues so many classicists. That's why in my previous answer I said that it's important to keep an open mind, and to try to avoid blindly applying literary criticism devices such as cause-and-effect analyses or importing modern moral judgement and anachronistic theories in works like Homer.

I hope this helped! I love talking about the Iliad so if you have any more questions I'd gladly answer them <3

P.S. WOW that professor really needs to get their facts straight lmao, I'm sorry your first contact with the Iliad and Achilles was through a lens like that. It always astounds me how little some people actually know about the subjects they're supposed to be experts in, like to talk about Achilles, a character from the ILIAD, and to refer to him as a "rapist", a thing that only appears in later Roman works which were basically ILIAD FANFIC LMAO, and BAD fanfic at that because it was essentially anti-Greek propaganda......... wow wow wow

P.S.2 unless the "rapist" thing refers to him sleeping with Briseis/a slave, which WOW once again extremely myopic take, very culturally and contextually tone deaf, I wish they actually do their research and stop spreading slander, that's slander, like come ON

[imogenleewriter]

Heyy, do you have any fic recommendations? I need something to read while I patiently wait for you to update :)

I do! Well, I'm really just going to give you a list of some of my favourites. A lot of them are quite well-known, but hopefully, there is something here you haven't read yet! I definitely have some strong trope preferences. But if you like my fic(s), I'm guessing you have similar preferences. (I've put some rambling notes at the end).

Take my hand (and my heart and soul) - by bananaandboots (@anylessreal) Ex-friends to lovers. Amnesia. Harry loses his memory and doesn't know why he doesn't talk to his best friend anymore.

Stranger Stars - by shaylea (@sunshineandhisrainbows) Strangers to lovers. A trip around Africa. Louis is a tour guide around Africa, and Harry is a songwriter going on a tour. The fact that it's in my top however many this is and doesn't fit into any of my top tropes, shows how good it is.

Mine Would Be You - by crinkle-eyed-boo (KimmieRocks) (@crinkle-eyed-boo) Exes to lovers. Artist/writer. Louis returns to NYC and gets pulled back into his ex's life.

Our Lives, Non-Fiction - by indiaalphawhiskey (@indiaalphawhiskey) Enemies to lovers. Authors. Louis and Harry are forced on a book tour together. Harry loves Louis' writing, and Louis insults fanfiction.

Given a Chance - Fabby (@fabby1d) Exes to lovers. Canon compliant. Harry and Louis run into each other in a small town in the US and... keep running into each other.

For As Long As I Can Remember (It's Been December) - by green_feelings (@greenfeelings) Exes to lovers. Amnesia. Harry moves to London after an accident that causes memory loss. He thinks it's love at first sight when he sees Louis for the first time... but it's not.

got the sunshine on my shoulders - by hattalove (@hattalove) Exes to lovers. Famous Harry/Non-Famous Louis. Loosely based on Sweet Home Alabama.

Wild and Unruly - by gloria_andrews (@gloriaandrews), 100percentsassy (@100percentsassy) , Enemies to lovers. Rural romance with baby cows. Louis is a paralegal who tries to convince Harry to sell his land.

Walk That Mile - by purpledaisy (@daisyharry) Enemies to lovers. Road trip. Louis needs transport along Route 66, and Niall happens to know someone going that way.

Flash Back To Me - by akatomlinson (@akatomlinson) Exes (kind of) to lovers. Amnesia. Louis has temporary memory loss and doesn't remember his boyfriend or have any idea why he would have dated him in the first place.

So I clearly have a very strong preference for enemies to lovers, exes to lovers, and amnesia fics (which isn't that surprising because The Vow is my favourite movie). I do have some other fics that I love, but I personally feel like they need really strong trigger warnings, and I don't want to do that to someone else fic in a public post, so you can message me if you want (although they're all fairly well-known).

Anyway, hopefully you haven't read them all and find something that you like!!

I spent two hours on this earlier today, and just before I posted it, Tumblr crashed, and I wanted to cry. I tried to find all the right Tumblr accounts but if I didn't please let me know!

Also, shout out to the writers for writing some of my favourite fics!!!

[fearandhatred]

thank u so much to my beloveds @crowleys-bentley-and-plants and @seven-stars-in-his-palm for tagging me, kissing u both for this omg <3 i'm doing two of each because i can

For as many as you want of your published works, pick your favourite line/paragraph and post it up here. Let yourself feel proud of your creations.

transitional heart taxidermy [5986 words, wip]

They fit so perfectly together, the both of them, always. Not side by side like pieces of a puzzle, no, but like molten lava over sand; one over the other, one mellowing the other, changing its chemistry into something different, stronger, useful. The kiss tastes of Aziraphale, of copper and saliva and something holy. It's a taste he'll come to get used to, bloodied and bruised, a taste he chases after as the angel pulls back.

and one from an unpublished chapter:

It's been a day, two, maybe three. His hands are stained with blood and phantom glass, reeking of alcohol and rot palpable enough to taste. Aziraphale doesn't come for him, and he feels relief but also a pain so deep it's paralysing. It's a revelation in itself.

blood in my eyes [1953 words]

This is the first time in years he has stepped foot back into this place. It's a spontaneous decision, driven by a mellow melancholy and a soft wistful night. Muriel isn't in, so the bookshop is dark, and the streetlights cast an eerie, lonely glow on the ancient hardbacks. The rearing statue that once held his glasses every other day is coated in a thin layer of dust; he leaves them on.

Crowley wipes away a tear from Aziraphale's cheek with his thumb. It leaves a bright red streak. After, hours pass by before Aziraphale washes the blood from his face, imprinted in the vague shape of Crowley's hand. In those hours, when he sits in the quiet of a bookshop once again burned to ash, the blood stays there as a reminder, maybe, or as punishment.

sub-consequence [11567 words, wip] — six of crows

He wants to say everything he could possibly say to persuade Kaz to change his mind, because if he says everything in the world, strings together every word in every possible combination, there has to be at least one thing that would convince him to stay.

Sometimes Inej thinks Kaz cares about himself less than he cares about getting what he wants. It feels sometimes as if he's completely detached from himself, his own person becoming just another means to an end. People would scream at her that this isn't selflessness. It's ruthlessness, or psychopathy, or numbness. That's how the name Dirtyhands came about, after all. The willingness to do anything no matter the cost. To get his hands dirty with blood, be it others' or his own. But what is selflessness, really? A lack of selfishness, or a loss of self?

to sleep, perchance to dream [662 words] — the sandman

God, Calliope. His heart, face of cloud fields and white lily springs, a hope so blinding in contrast to his shadowed being that he had known from the start the hands of The Fates would pull them apart to opposite poles.

His lifetime of constraint allowed him to face the knowledge that any selfish will to see her in the wake of remembering all he had forsaken, all that had been ripped from him, would seal the vestibules to acceptance and he would beg with no dignity to stay by her side. And his heart burned, scorched unpleasantly at her parting words, just as the skin she touched and had once touched long after she was twice gone.

tagging those whose words i'd love to see (no pressure!!): @actual-changeling @sentientsky @irispurpurea @springofviolets @demonsandpieohmy

[fallenclan]

Saw people sharing Clangen stories and thought I would contribute with my absolute FAVOURITE pair of cats from the first Clan I ever recorded

So I started with Two apprentices, Dustpaw and Needlepaw. They're the same age, both cute sprites, and Needlepaw is apprenticed to the leader Yarrowstar. Things are decent until they turn 10 moons and a dog breaks into camp, attempts to kill Dustpaw, and then is killed by Needlepaw. And Needlepaw, this absolute Chad, does not die!!! In the same moon, both he and Dustpaw get their warrior names, despite Dustpaw being almost 10 points behind Needlepaw in EXP the prev moon. (Also in this moon, the Deputy Tawnyfur has a fight with Needlepaw about his recklessness, and they got closer afterwards. Important to remember!)

So they get their Warrior names (Needlestrike and Dustwhisper-who is a lonesome personality, btw-, both. So so fitting) and Needlestrike has to stay in the med den for awhile because the dog completely totaled him and he ends up loosing half his face+his vision. But that's okay!! Because he has Dustwhisper with him and they're together!!! So Needlestrike gets better, it's all great!

And then Tawnyfur (Needlestrikes very good friend!!!!) and Dustwhispers former mentor Slatefire both drown in a river. And who gets appointed as Deputy? Needlestrike! So he's doing well, he helps raise the loner kits that the clan brings in, he's a great deputy, and Dustwhisper is getting even closer with him, wonderful! And then he goes and gets his leg caught in a twoleg trap, and THEN his vision stars getting worse. And the whole like 5 moons that he's confined to the medicine den Dustwhisper does not stop thinking about him ONCE. She is there all the time, sharing tongues with him, gathering herbs every Moon rollover, just being the number 1 supportive gf.

Once he's healed (with permenant blindness and a limp), he and Dustwhisper take on apprentices together, named Talonpaw and Snappaw. After a LONG apprentice period (interspersed with camp fires, disease burrows and like. A bunch of other stuff) the two of them finally get together <3 They have kits pretty much straight away, named Robinkit and Nettlekit, who look exactly like Needlestrike. It's adorable seriously.

And then Needlestrike dies eating poisoned prey (along with 6 other clanmates, including Dustwhispers former App Snapjaw) And who becomes deputy in his place? DUSTWHISPER. Who proceeds to get whitecough twice and miss the entirety of her children's apprenticeships because she's sick. And then as soon as she gets out, who's dead? Oh! Yarrowstar! So NOW Duststar is leader, having never wanted to be leader, having lost her husband and having barely any relationship with her children. AND NEEDLESTRIKE ISNT PART OF HER CEREMONY EITHER SHE DOESN'T EVEN SEE HIM IN DEATH.

Duststar makes Needlestrikes only apprentice, Talonbubble, her deputy. They get along relatively well, but Duststar spends her first ten moons as leader grieving, so all of the work is left to Talonbubble who is like. 20 moons. Then Duststar immediately gets redcough, which spreads through the clan and KILLS HER SON NETTLEBURST. For the next 20 odd moons she does not recover, loosing 2 lives to redcough and then yellowcough :'(

The fact that after Needlestrike dies, Duststar is never ever well for more than a few moons. It's like her grief is physically manifesting in her constant boughts of whitecough. (Which is total juxtaposition from Yarrowstar, who didn't mourn when any of his clanmates died, not even Needlestrike, and lost no lives before old age took him.)

I haven't played with this clan in like. Months and might never again but Duststar makes me so miserable I just had to share her. (Hopefully this anon tag isn't taken, using it purely so I can send another ask about Scorchstar the evil girlfalure at another time-🧶)

holy SHIT. head in hands. duststar you poor poor cat

[ch1-kasak0]

Oh hey look I'm done🔥🔥

Anyway uhm I don't have a lot uhhhhhh it's 4am nearly for me so I should probably sleep but I can't be assed what do I do🤕🙏

Whoo dee doo♪♬

✭Bendy

•his horns are bendable, even when he isn't actively liquifying, but not as much. For example when he’s normal you'll be able to at the very least bend the tips, but not much beyond that, same with the spiky things on the side of his face

•hay fever. (Fuck summer)

•gets colds easily (fuck winter)

•double jointed knees, freaky🔥

•secretly reads magazines, specifically like fashion and entertainment ones, he's embarrassed by it for some reason

•would probably be a Lana Del Rey listener, only like 3 songs though, maybe he'd like rock lobster, his sense of music is all over the place but loves swing the most

•thrives at dusk, loves sunsets, especially in remote/forested areas, GRGRGRGRGR!!!!!

•is slowly overtime starting to forget what the lake looks like, along with silly vision as a whole, he'll never forget the dancing lady though<3 (is that what it's called? HELP)

✭mugman

•doesn't really like sweets, I mean he likes them, just not as much as the maniac he calls a brother, prefers pies and pastries

•during cups 3 days when he first got the demon blood and died(?) mugs didn't sleep much if at all, he had to be sedated to get any sort of sleep because he was so worried

•Insomnia, exploding head syndrome, sleep paralysis, he's just as horrible at sleep as cup is.. 🤕 he also sleep walks..

•Would text like an elderly person or :), ><,(ʘᴗʘ✿), ˙˚ʚ(´◡`)ɞ˚˙. No in between

•allergic to red meat, little man got attacked by a tick when he was younger (I don't remember which one it was)

•was obsessed with Quadratus when he first met the thing, tried to swim in it but soon learned that was a bad idea (it was COLD❄❄)

✭Sheba

•Chappell Roan and lady Gaga, maybe a little bit of Evangelion or Kendrick Lamar, depends 🙏🔥

•prefers sweet popcorn over salty or sweet n salty, absolute psycho

•does NOT know how to cook, milkshakes she's amazing at, actually cooking is a bit of a struggle, it's edible but not the best🤕

•actually likes licorice fizz wizz

•had appendicitis at some point in her life

✭Marcus

•his favourite anime would be devilman crybaby and devilman ova, prove me otherwise

•when he first got his wings and the little face wings he ripped one of them off, literally out of his head, that shit was BLOODY, he thought it was funny. And he actually keeps it in a jar

•he occasionally fills that jar with watered down shampoo, then opens it and flicks some of it at king dice and pretends it's (.), dice loses his shit everytime, Marcus finds it fucking hilarious but also gets told off by the devil, it's worth it (I would too tbh)

•likes analog horror a lot, his favourite would probably be the painter(if that's right) and the Mandela catalogue

•has a really nice apartment, but like it's modern, VERY modern, you'd see it in 2024 and think it's from the same era

•prefers winter over any season, but prefers Halloween over any holiday

•also likes licorice fizz wizz, he likes all the flavours<333

•bi, maybe pan

•is WAY too sharp on corners, he'd wait until the last second to turn it's terrifying because he's always going over the speed limit, especially if the roads empty🤕 sometimes definitely been thrown out of a window before

✭Oswald

•his hair is about shoulder length (not fur, hair, there's a difference) and he isn't very good at taking care of it, just kinda put it up one day and doesn't take it down until his next shower

•during the time when Ortensias death was recent he would wear her Nightgowns to bed if he could fit in them, still does that sometimes

✭Finley (happy late birthday my little fennec<33)

•took WAY too long to learn how to tie laces, his parents tried to teach him, but it just never clicked for him until he was about a teen

•also has to deal with hay fever 🤕

•also hates winter because his ears get cold

•used to absolutely cherish anything anyone got him, even if it was cheap shit, he'd love it anyway

✭Charles Harris (“Lucky”)

•Prefers champagne over any other alcohol, maybe some gin and lemonade as well, yum

✭Other

•brownies aren't really popular for Grannys house, but Red and Cuphead like them a lot so really they're the only ones eating them other than granny herself

•Marcus and Metatron have met at least once. Even if only briefly.

[marieispink]

My Sara rant before season 3

Season 3 is coming, and with that hopefully Sara's redemption and I have to express my anger before that.

What drives me soo mad with Sara in season two is that she's aware of the wrong of her actions, but she refuses to acknowledge the worst of it (as I see it of course). She knows she's in the wrong, but all season she focuses on how Felice will be mad. Not Simon.

She's so desperate to integrate in the upper class that the first concern in her mind is not that Simon, her brother, will be upset at her for using the worst thing that ever happened to him for her advantage (because it all started with her blackmailing August for a place in Hillerska), but with Felice!

(Also Simon doesn't know that she blackmailed August, will it come up in season 3? Hope so)

And in the beginning I took it like she's mad at him it won't last, and then maybe she's supressing her concerns, maybe, like she claims, she doesn't get how damaging it was to Simon, the damage was done she says.

But it's almost worst?? In E5, after she left August waiting in the ball and fought Felice and then went back to August she says that she got freaked out when he said that he's wille's backup and makes him promise not to hurt her. So she knows.

She knows Simon's hurt, she knows there were consequences for being with someone of the royal family, and she knows Simon still loves Wille she said it herself. It drives me insane. Where's her empathy??? Girl you're so much better than this. And still all she talks about is Felice's anger. Not a mention to Simon. It's like he doesn't even cross her mind. The biggest victim here.

Remember in season 1 E2 when she left with Simon the second he stood up? E3 when she was teasing about his crush? Babygirl, come back, you're not this stupid. The damage was done? Be for real.

And I truly don't know if her diagnosis can explain any of her behavior. I'm not neurodivergent and don't know anyone who is, all I have is wikipedia. But this isn't like when she was missing the signals in the room with Felice's mother. It's just so egocentrical.

And that takes me to my biggest complain, to me, her feelings come partly from the fact that August is the ideal of upper class aka the life she wants. And she loses sight of what she is in that.

Far from me to condemn someone that wants to social climb, that was my favourite part about her in season 1. I was like yes girl I get you, I want pretty dresses too, their shit is so much better. But she gets lost in the dream, and that's why she loses everything by the end of the season.

I understand that her issues with bullying gave her this desperate desire to fit in, and in hillerska fitting in means different things, but the class division is never too far. Even when she's accepted into manor house, her social space is completly dependent on Felice, all of the girls turn on her the second Felice does, they don't even care to hear her side or keep the peace, like friends would. They're not her friends, but she ignores all that.

At this short moment between S2 E3 e E5, Sara has almost everything she wants, August, Her place in manor house, a friend group, and Rosseau's going to a good family. Does it last? No. Is it perfect? No, because it's fake. It's all fake. She's not one of them, she'll never be. It's all hanging on lies and the will of the upper class. No matter who she dates, where she lives, it's all fake.

But does she think of Simon? No! Or at least, if she does, we don't see it, until it blows on her face. My theory is denial, she knows she's in the wrong, so she won't even let herself think of him, but like, what an asshole.

And she goes and tells August that Simon's going to the police. As if he was ever going to confess, she's not stupid, she can't possibly honestly think he will. And if he did then what? How's that any better? She still hid it.

And it annoys me at that scene when she tells August he was supposed to confess, honey, did you insist for him to go to the police after you started kissing? You didn't want him to confess. Don't pass the blame, you're still accomplices.

That being said, I still hope for her redemption. I do miss the Eriksson siblings from S1, good times. At least she seems to be sorry now (Finally!). Can't help but think she's only sorry she was caught like August, but I guess we'll see it now on the 11th.

Please let it be good, I saw a theory she'd be in a car accident? If Simon forgives her just because she almost dies I'll be so upset. She needs to work for it. Simon deserves it.

We have no good information on Sara, she's probably going to spend the season with the Felice plotline that I won't care for. She's almost kissing August in the trailer, but I choose to give her the benefit of the doubt. If not I hope she's miserable with him S2. They can be together in unhappiness, maybe she can visit him in jail.

[lovelylotusf1]

director's cut commentary / star on the carcar hatesmut fic plzzzz. feel free to yap about any element

Thanks for asking about my most precious fic "Open mouth, on my knees (for you)" ! This is actually the only fic where I actively went into it with themes in my head that I wanted to convey. So I will GLADLY yap about it🧡

The main theme I wanted to go with is contrast. Contrast between Carlos and Oscar as fire and ice because I think that really fits their personalities. I tried to refer to Oscar's feelings as a variety of cold things and I think this is my favourite line representing this:

Oscar stands his ground, glaring at the Spaniard as if he only needed to will the icicles inside his lungs into existence and they would pierce right through Carlos’ neck. If he truly is the prey, then Oscar will bring Carlos down with him.

Then there's the contrast between Oscar and Carlos, the present, and Oscar and Lando, the fantasy. I tried to play with the aspect of Oscar getting a little too into his head and Carlos constantly ripping him out of it. After the lovely comments I got, this also really says something about Carlos, doesn't it? Fragile ego. Needs to be the centre of attention at all times and doesn't like it when Oscar's focus drifts off. But still, Carlos uses Oscar's fantasy to his advantage to remind him of his place. Longer snippet I really like:

Carlos’ low voice directly next to him interrupts his thoughts. “We're going slow, yes? Remember, we need to train you for Lando.”

Oscar doesn't want slow. He wants to be able to take anything Carlos can throw at him. He wants this to end so he can go back to Lando, his warmth gently melting the ice around Oscar instead of Carlos brutally burning a hole through it. He wants to turn this situation around, show Carlos who's in control.

Again, fire and ice and how incompatible Oscar and Carlos truly are. It also leads to the second theme: control and the loss of it. I really like the structure I came up with, where we can see both Oscar and Carlos lose control over time. At first, Oscar fights back with everything he has, refuses to do what Carlos says, tries to wrangle back control by surprising Carlos. But he slowly comes to accept that he isn't really in control, they both aren't, and they fuck nasty.

And lastly, I don't know where to put this but this is my all-time favourite line I wrote:

Once Oscar is in front of the bed, he stops. Takes a deep breath, stares at the pictures on his wall. One frame is a bit crooked, he notices. A small thing out of place, destroying the harmony of the image.

Oscar turns around.

Carlos is standing in the doorframe.

I know the comparison is very on the nose. "Ohhh, Carlos is the thing out of place in Oscar's home!" Yeah, well. Duh. But it sets the mood, the tone, the rancid vibes! I giggle and kick my feet every time I remember that I came up with that :D

Yeah. This got really long. Apologies but I love this fic very much <3

If you want to ask about any of my fics, send me what you want to know, or a star for dealer's choice!

[pink-strawberry-kissess]

It's up to you to answer this or not. As a new Valenfield stan, I'm wondering why our ship is not as popular as other ships.? Because Chris and Jill haven't had many games or movies together? I love your ship so much I'm disappointed 😕

i'm gonna preface this by saying THERE IS NOTHING MORALLY WRONG OF ME FOR NOT LIKING A SHIP LOL

i'm so sick and tired of the online discourse of people being like I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DON'T LIKE THIS THING I LIKE - THAT MEANS YOU'RE A HORRIBLE PERSON

anyways i will be honest

so i am not super interested in the jill or chris only games. leon was my first introduction into the re games all the way back in like 2004 or whatever and then 2012? when re6 came out. i was never really into 0 or 1 or any of the other games.

from what i understand, is that (valenfield) is a ship that's generally liked (but i agree it's a small group.) but also i feel like it's super strange(? as a ship) because capcom has never really implied that they are romantic (as opposed to aeon which has had several romantic implications.)

TO ME, i feel like valenfield are coworkers that COULD maybe become a thing but there's SO little in the lore that makes me feel like it would happen. i feel like NOT ONCE has there been an overt romantic action done between the two characters.

that doesn't mean i think it can't happen - but i think this is why the ship is unappealing to me

if i will be blunt, it's just a ship that's a hr violation imo. OR i guess a friends to lovers trope (which if you know me, you know that it is one of my least favourite tropes)

now i wouldn't necessarily say that i hate it or anything like that, it just does very little for me. and in terms of popularity, i really just think that there isn't a lot of a push for romantic content? (even from capcom's pov?) they're pushed as coworkers and friends a lot and it's always just kinda been implied by devs/directors that they're just friends.

there's still def lots of fan created content for them? but i do think that the ship for jill x carlos had grown more after re3r came out.

i feel like if they wanted to make the ship (valenfield) more of a thing, then in death island or something they should've had chris and jill interact more and have some sort of romantic implication put in place?

i dunno. also character x character ships are usually generally less popular as opposed to character x reader ships if you're talking about fics. but yeah. i dunno. i'll def read fics with valenfield in the background and i already have. but i don't really seek them out.

i also just don't find chris to be a very complex and interesting character (I'M NOT SAYING HE'S BAD OKAY)

on the other hand though, i do like jill, and i kinda enjoyed her plotline in death island but i wish they actually didn't do the whole avengers thing and have everyone else involved because death island should've honestly cut leon and (maybe claire) leon def should've been cut and have the film focused on jill

but he makes the big bucks or whatever so i get it

also

capcom has never been great with character writing

their most complex characters are women and are sidelined half the time or they have their plots reduced to just character tropes so they can fit the plot device that they need. it's exhausting sometimes to write for the characters because they can feel so bland and slate like. i have to figure out SO MUCH STUFF cause some of the characters are so empty personality wise.

gimme some complexity dude

but i get it i get it

capcom is writing for american audiences so they have to dumb down literally everything :|

okay anyways sorry lol