#((but now the person is stuck with the equivalent of an irritated cat

[ampaint]

There's been several occasions where people didn't realize Amanda was her own separate entity, or just didn't believe Isla since the two often act similarly.

This misconception is cleared up once Isla leaves the room.

[ctrlbass]

03.01.2025

piano routine

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡played A major and C major with a metronome on 120. non-legato and staccato

other things I did today

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡played the whole piece up to the end. then I realised that I'm stuck in my practice so I tried some sight reading exercises. my routine was interrupted, though... someone I don't know texted me in telegram and it felt incredibly eerie for me.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏I fell asleep while writing all of this down, so I'm finishing it in the morning.

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡did daily tasks in life makeover

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡played layers of fear. my review for now: turn on the lights I can't see anything!! I know horror games are usually supposed to be set on poorly lit locations, but it doesn't make me more scared, only irritated. I'd want to create some horror media that'll be too sunny or bright instead.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏our neighbour in town is back to it again. she did work in our yard without asking us to "help" us. grandma also saw that she has my mom's photo in her part of the house... me and mom asked grandma to take my photos from the fridge so she doesn't take them too. black cat was found buried in our yard... we're sure it's her doing some black magic. even if it doesn't exist, I'd rather be safe than sorry... stepdad told mom ti cut her off and reply back to that neighbour to stop doing it and that it doesn't work because they're praying, and I agree that she should do this, I hate that we're on such 'kind' terms with her, idk... but mom was worried because grandma had to interact with her today, so she deleted that message.

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡went to our local lviv croissants with mom. she gave me a card to order and I couldn't interact like a human. I was so overwhelmed by everything around me... the waiter tells me "welcome", and I reply "welcome" back to him.. he tells me "takeout or [at our place]" (no equivalent in english I think), and I respond "at our place" like I'm pat of the staff. . just repeating what he's saying, because I couldn't come up with anything so fast myself. I just subconsciously tried mimicking him, he probably thought I was a weirdo...

while I was drinking cocoa, everything stopped being real to me suddenly. I thought... this can't be it. it's not real, I'm actually in my past right now, fantasizing of what my future could be. there's no way I'm living here now. also, why am I drinking cocoa here? I'll go home and grandpa will make me one just like this. oh wait...

and I was staring in space like that for so long, that my mom started telling me to get back to reality and touching my face so that I snap out of It.

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡we went for a walk before the theatre performance started. my mom was reading some sign and I was like omg HOW do you see that far?? and mom asked is your eyesight really that bad... well, I hope not, because two years ago we were fixing it with some eye drops and it worked, but I couldn't do anything for two weeks...

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡we went to the theatre but there was an air alert... we didn't go to the refuge because there were probably a lot of people, but even in the theatre foyer there was a crowd. everything was so loud... and I wanted to sleep...

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡our seats weren't very good... and a person in front of us sat in a way that closed the view for us... but the little kid who was with them was very polite and... cultured? idk how to call it, but although he commented sometimes, it didn't seem annoying, it seemed like he's geniunely interested in the show. sometimes he shouted "bravo" very funnily 😭 and when the performance has ended, he said that everyone needs to stand up and he did, although his parents didn't... me and mom were also confused with why almost no adults stood up in the end.

the show was good btw, it's a ballet, but honestly I don't know the plot of nutcracker so I didn't understand it. the technique is amazing, there were both adults and kids performing. and all I could think about was nit the performance in the moment, but how they practiced for it and imagining their hard work.

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡we met my aunt lucya during the intermission. it's the only relative from my dad's family either whom we're still vaguely in touch. she asked me whether I remember her, and I was... eh... no, sorry... I get so embarrassed when people ask me that, because I have trouble with face recognition. and I WAS THREE when I last saw you... and it all has started. "you looked like such a lady in the photos... and you're actually so little in real life!" and the "eat more"s from both her and my mom. also, aunt lucya's sister said that I look just like my dad... my family says that I look more like my mom now from being so much with her, but for some reason it was nice knowing that I inherited something from him too. I also get excited when mom compares to me to my dad in some ways, like our personalities or just certain quirks that we both do. ALSO, MY ANOTHER GRANDPA IS ALIVE?! but unfortunately, he's ill from something,had an operation... well, it's not like we would contact him, he has another family.

ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡went to supermarket with mom.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏in the evening, I was telling something and everyone started talking right while I did as if they didn't even hear me. for some reason while someone is talking, it's considered okay to start talking or complaining about the food when the person still haven't finished. so I start talking LOUDER. and mom was like why are yoy so outraged about [what I was talking], chill. I tell them that I am not outraged... everyone always interrupts me, so I start talking louder and lower. it sounds like I'm angry, although I'm just trying to make people hear me. and stepdad was like "yeah, I interrupted everyone today, I was being bad". nevermind the self insult, I thought omg, that's some progress?? and everyone listened to what I had to say. FINALLY. also stepdad was extra kind to me today, always agreeing with me and avoiding arguing... makes me suspicious. trying to make me like him more?

[paulbunyanstatue]

“You are being ridiculous. Just give it up.”

“I will not,” Damian growled fiercely, glowering up at Jason with a look that could rival that of a madman. He was still clad in his Robin suit save only the cape, which he detached and dropped to the cave entrance as soon as he stepped out of the Batmobile. Despite a disappointed tisk from Bruce, the black cape remained in a crumpled heap by the passenger door, where it would stay for the few remaining hours of the night. Patrol with his father was boring that particular evening, giving Damian ample energy to waste arguing with Jason now in the cave.

“You are not stronger than me.” It was obvious Jason was trying not to laugh at the absurdity, which only infuriated Damian further.

“I am.” Damian snarled. “My training greatly surpasses yours. No offense, Father,” he added softly and Bruce rolled his eyes from his chair at the computer to the side. He still wore his suit, but his cowl was pushed back to reveal tired eyes scanning the files on the screen before him. “I was trained by my mother, my grandfather, and now my father, in case you have managed to forget. Therefore, I am far superior than you in every aspect. Including physical strength.”

“Funny you should mention your mom, kid-"

“Jason!” Bruce snapped and turned in his chair to glare warning daggers at his second child.

“I was just going to say, I was also trained by his mother,” Jason hissed back, but he couldn’t hide his obvious amusement. “And you, for that matter.”

“Your time with the League was more considered babysitting, Todd, since your brain was equivalent to a scrambled egg.”

“Damian,” Bruce sighed, rubbing at his temples with his pointed fingers and turning back to the computer screen.

“You’re insane,” Jason chuckled passively, and he thought Damian was going to screech like a pterodactyl at the dismissal.

Tim entered the cave from the main staircase digging the palm of his hand into his eyelid and chewing loudly on the tip of an empty plastic Go-Gurt tube. Bruce looked him up and down, taking in his pajama shirt and boxers with a frown. His hair stuck up in several directions, like his head had met a pillow for a short time before he got up again.

“What are you doing down here, ziskayt? Shouldn’t you be in bed?” Bruce asked, voice low with a specific kindness he reserved just for his family.

Tim should have been in bed. He and Bruce made an agreement that Tim would stay in bed tonight and sleep before they worked intently together on a fast-approaching case the following day and evening.

Tim perked up with sudden intensity and approached Bruce with fast footfalls while ripping the yogurt tube from his teeth. His cheeks were only slightly pinkened at the endearment Bruce called him, as it was one his grandmother used when he was very young. “Well, hang on a sec, B. I actually had to come down here and inform you of a break through I found in our case. Check this...” he unfolded the stapled packet of papers previously tucked securely under one arm, and he smoothed it out over the table in front of Bruce. The man listened silently while Tim quickly explained his findings, leaning over the table and occasionally pushing the bangs back from his heavy eyes. Tim’s hair was longer now than it had been when he first became Robin at thirteen, to the point that he sometimes pulled it up into a runt of a ponytail just to keep it from cutting irritatingly into his eyes.

“Very impressive,” Bruce murmured after the presentation, picking up the packet for himself and flipping through the discoveries. Tim beamed and hopped up onto the computer desk, sitting down next to the monitor and facing Bruce. He returned the plastic to his mouth and chewed aimlessly, watching Bruce for his next instructions and kicking his legs lightly. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Jason speak next.

“I bet you can’t even lift Tim,” Jason planted his hands on his hips and smirked, knowing exactly how this challenge was going to end.

Tim wrinkled his nose and furrowed his eyebrows. From his perch on Bruce’s desk, he quickly intervened before this developed further.  “No, no. Absolutely not. I am not getting involved in-“

“Too easy. Drake maintains atrocious self-care habits,” Damian interrupted with an eye roll directed toward Jason, acting as though he didn’t hear Tim at all.

Tim frowned at the blatant insult to his person, and lifted his arms up with irritation. “Hey, wait a sec-"

“He’s far thinner than he should be. That’s way too easy. Pick something harder,” Damian demanded, pointing an aggressive finger at Jason and nearly growling.

Tim scoffed and muttered, chewing furiously on the plastic, “Bruce, your kid is out of control. You should consider muzzling the mashuganas whelp.”

“Timothy Jackson-“ Bruce reprimanded and reached up to yank the Go-gurt tube from Tim’s mouth. The plastic ripped from his lips with a pop and left behind a surprised O-shaped mouth in its wake. Bruce crumbled the garbage and tossed it into the trash can tucked beneath the desk.

“He started it, didn’t you hear what he said about me?” Tim asked in bewilderment, still spinning after receiving the dreaded middle name.

“I did hear him. And shouldn’t you be in bed now?” Bruce repeated his earlier question with an eyebrow ticked in curiosity.

Tim wrinkled his nose. “I will. But I was hungry and also I had to tell you about this case first, and-" Bruce leveled a warning look at him and Tim rolled his eyes, crossing his arms across his chest. “Point stands, he is being a mashuganas whelp.”

“Drake, you should learn to keep your opinions to yourself and save us all the wasted time of listening to you speak,” Damian snapped in defense, fists clutches firmly at his sides.

Tim laughed loud and harsh at that, a sound that felt grating in Bruce’s ears with the onset of a headache. “I should keep my opinions to myself? Have you even heard-“

“Boys, that’s enough,” Bruce demanded, voice low and holding up a hand to cease all arguing. The only sounds resonating in the dimly lit cave were the quiet snickers of Jason, muffled by his own hand pressed firmly to his mouth. “I am going upstairs now.” He faced Damian with a serious eyebrow raised and stated factually. “You have school in the morning. And you,” he faced Tim, who was silently chewing on the inside of his cheek in the absence of his Go-gurt tube, “will be staying home from school tomorrow because you obviously have several hours of sleep to catch up on yourself." When Bruce found out that Tim had dropped out of school during his unfortunate leave of absence, it took him nearly an entire month of near-begging and vague threatening to get Tim to go back. Once Alfred got involved and asked Tim in the kindest, softest voice if he would please consider finishing high school, Tim was unable to refuse. "I expect to hear both of you upstairs and walking into your rooms within the next fifteen minutes.” He stood up from his chair and walked toward the cave entrance with long strides. “You do not want me to come back down here and collect you, trust me.” And without another word or a look back at the stunned faces left in his wake, he strode into the locker room to change, and then reappeared just to walk up the stairs.

But Jason wasn’t quite finished yet. “I can pick up Tim, Damian. Prove to me that you can and I’ll admit that your training was ‘far superior.’” He crossed his arms with a smirk, and Damian could no longer deny the thrilling desire to annihilate his brother in this argument.

“And that I am stronger than you,” Damian demanded and Jason agreed. “Fine then!” He threw his arms up and spun toward Tim, who scowled deeply and shook his head in response. “Oh come on, Drake. This will only take a minute. Might as well make your time down in the cave useful, for once.”

Tim scoffed and slid off the counter. He flipped his middle finger up in an insult directed toward Damian and stalked off toward the cave exit, following Bruce’s path to the main part of the house. Before he reached the stairs, Jason appeared next to him, grinning hugely like a villainous cartoon cat and wrapping a halting hand around Tim’s wrist.

“No, Jay. Stop it!” Tim hissed and tried to pull away, but Jason ducked down and scooped him up, holding him tightly in a bridal hold. “He can’t carry me, this is a waste of time.”

“Lies!” Damian protested.

Jason ignored Tim and approached the youngest. “You have to hold him for thirty whole seconds. Count starts as soon as I let go. Ready?”

Damian straightened and raised his chin, nodding with confirmation and reaching his arms out in preparation.

“Jason.” The last-second plea fell on deaf ears as Jason bent forward and delivered him into Damian’s arms. The transfer was shaky and Tim grasped at the collar of Damian’s robin suit, wishing to drag the brat down to the floor with him when he would inevitably end up there.

Jason stepped back and waited, smirking.

Tim realized with an eye roll just how annoyingly close to the ground he was in the arms of the child, but his grip didn’t loosen based on principle. Damian was huffing quietly, redness tinted his cheeks.

“See, Todd?” He hissed through teeth clenched tight with effort. “Easy.”

“Sure, bud,” Jason snickered. “You make this look so easy. Twenty seconds left.”

“This is a bad idea,” Tim muttered as he felt Damian’s legs shake beneath his carrier.

“Fifteen,” Jason announced, watching with raised eyebrows that Damian misread as surprise, when instead he was waiting for the expected result. “Ten.”

Tim grimaced, bracing himself for a hard landing. At Jason’s announcement of five seconds, and right on his expected schedule, Damian’s legs buckled and he fell forward, dropping Tim to the ground and landing with his sharp knees digging ruthlessly into his brother’s side.

Tim huffed and slapped his palms to the cold ground beneath him. “Shocker,” he murmured sarcastically and stood up, pushing Damian off of him in the process.

“That landing was pathetic, Drake. No wonder Grayson chose me,” the kid growled, wiping at the suit covering his knees.

Tim’s mouth fell open in response, a hurt crease created between his furrowed brows. But before he could respond, Jason reached out and lightly smacked the back of Damian’s head, sending him a furious warning look.

“The brat is only joking, Tim,” Jason confirmed quickly. “He’s just lashing out because he’s angry that he is the weakest person in the room.”

“The room? Absolutely not, I demand a do-over! I know I’m stronger than Drake.”

Half an hour after Bruce’s departure from the cave, he groaned dramatically under his covers. He never heard his children walk past his door and retreat to their own bedrooms. So now, due to his thin-veiled threat, he had to go get them. He threw the covers aside and heaved himself from the mattress with a grumble. Upon walking down the cold steps to the cave, he heard loud shouts that he was unable to decipher. His feet quickened on the tile until he reached the bottom, where he froze and watched with an irritated, and slightly amused, frown.

“Damian, lift more!” Tim shouted, his arms tucked under Jason’s armpits, and straining to lift his top half to Tim’s bellybutton. Damian held Jason’s calves on his shoulders and was groaning near-constant.

“Focus on your own side!” Damian cried out, more desperate than Bruce has heard from him. Damian pushed his palms up against Jason’s calves but they hardly lifted.

“Ha!” Jason crooned, sounding comically relaxed compared to his struggling brothers. “Told ya you two couldn’t lift me above your heads. My weak, baby brothers.”

Damian growled at the taunt and Tim laughed, his shaking arms dropping Jason’s top half an inch closer toward the ground before he recovered again.

“Boys!” Bruce snapped and looked at their frozen forms with narrowed eyes. “I told you to go to bed. Come up here right now before I carry all three of you up.”

They gracelessly released Jason to the floor, who landed with an “oof” that brought a chuckle to Damian’s throat and a twitch to the corner of Bruce’s mouth.

Tim and Damian fell in line to follow Bruce up the stairs when Damian asked, “Father, can you really carry all three of us at once?”

He did.

:) From my fic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/32502511/chapters/80612944#workskin

[husky-twst-and-obeyme]

The Brothers reacting to MC if they would of turned into an Animal(Bunny Edition)

(I personally think MC would of been a bunny for lust sake or a Ram because of the icons XD I might do a ram version too since MC would act differently) (I looked up Bunny behavior to help give me ideas ) Warning: Slight NSFW and suggestive 

Story: After you guys try to settle things , after when Mammon and Satan broke the Antidote, you felt strange. It was a mix of dizzy and small bit of arousal (not as much as Asmo but enough to be noticeable if you pay attention). Suddenly a fog blew up around you and you’ve turned into an animal! More specifically a bunny, I guess the potion just took longer for humans? Then you realized that you were surrounded mainly by carnivores who weren’t mainly hungry but “thirsty”  “I am so screwed-” Lucifer

-As much as he can control his animal instincts, his lust and love for you are harder -He tends to keep his arms around you and make glares at anyone who comes close -He tends to growl if any of the brother’s touch you and barks to show his dominance -He loves to nuzzle into your neck because of how fluffy you’ve gotten -he’s a little touchy but won’t go too far if you’re uncomfortable -sometimes you huddle of to him because of how warm he is  -You would stomp your foot around him and he’d just be confused as well as when you hopped -When Lucifer is busy for whatever reason at this time, you nip at him , you loved the attention he gave you -he’d be slightly irritated but he would pet your head to calm you down but it makes him have his urges again -the night is when things get more interesting -When you walk through through the halls and to Lucifer’s room to check on him ,all you see are dark glowing eyes within the dark and the moonlight hits part of him perfectly -Not knowing what you should do, all you did was froze -He got up slowly approaching you like a wolf ready to pounce on his prey -”Tonight , you’ll be mine and only mine..~”

Mammon

-When he was that you were a bunny, he lowkey wanted you in a bunny suit but he didn’t want the others to see that  -He would purr against you and slightly beg for your pets especially on his ears -you thought it was adorable and you rubbed yourself onto to him so that he has your “scent”  -He finds you rubbing on him weird since he has no idea what it means but she cuddles after , so he won’t complain too much -Sometimes he has to hold back on himself because his animal instinct make him want to bite her mixed along with his “other “ form of biting -he lunges at you playfully when you least expect it  -you finds the most comfortable place on him is his lap -he feels way too many emotions but he just puts his head on your back so no one sees him look like a tomato  -When night dawns, you say goodnight but he grabs your hand  -you were surprised but looking to his eyes, they were sharp and filled with lust -”wouldn’t want you to be alone tonight...why don’t you come to my room..?~”

Levi -He’s so happy he’s not he only herbivore -He’s also excited to see you wear cute animal ears and tail, touching your fluffy bunny tail was so tempting but he figures it might be the equivalent of you sexually, which he what he lowkey wants to do -He tries to lay his head on your head and have you secure, he doesn’t trust his brothers and he sure as hell doesn’t want them near you  -you two have urges to eat some lettuce and leaves  -”I want some carrots” “hmm..well you could have my carrot...”not thinking what he said  “what?” “NOTHING-”  You actually did hear what he said , so you start circling yourself around him without saying anything (This is how bunnies says “I wanna bang”) -he’s confused but is bashful with your touch -At night, He stuck around with you and he didn’t take his arms off of you -”would it be alright if we sleep together..?”

Satan

-He was quite excited to see you join them , as well as his new cat toy  -at first, he playfully scratches at you to see your reaction -Sometimes chases you especially since you have a puffy tail that looks like a puff cat ball -He’d love to cuddle you and would hiss slightly if anyone tries to interrupt him , You’re his after all -you would nuzzle your face onto him and he would purr very loudly , sometimes adding a “meow” -His favorite place to lay on you is your lap , loves to snuggle into your thighs because he knows you get flustered by it  -You don’t admit it but you just love Satan being a cat, it’s too perfect for him especially since he loves cats -At times, you get a feather toy and watch him as he helpless chase it , not with his free will  -He’ll pick up on your bunny behavior since he has studided human world animals before and well aware of your “signals “to him -at night , you wonder where Satan walked off , you checked his room but as soon as you entered. The door closed -you turn seeing a very lustful satan  -”you’ve fallen under my trap~ Let’s see you try to escape this one~”

Asmo

-let’s be real, animal or not, he was already turned on by you anyways- -He loves to play with your soft bunny ears and cuddle you all day  -any time you try to escape, you’ll all caught in his bear hugs  -as much as his cuddle can be “slightly” painful now , you boop your nose on him, to distract him slightly so he’ll let go, but that just makes him squeeze you more , rip MC Bunny  -He wants to take selfies of you two with #cutieanimals , he took around 80 photos -He wants you to try out many cloths that would be fitting for you in your bunny look, *cough*as well as some lingere*cough* *cough* -He still takes baths with you but he’s a little more touchy, aware that your tail and ears are a little sensitive -You actually enjoy what he’s doing to you but it’s a little embarrassing to admit it  -as night comes, Asmo texts you to come to his room -you already know what’s gonna happen , he’s the avatar of lust, what do you expect?  -As you enter, you’re not surprised he’s slightly naked but has honey as well which highly made you question what he would do -” come dear~ I see how you’d taste with this~” he giggled

Beel

-He the sight of you as a bunny , not because you look tasty but because of how cute you look  -he tried eating some of the raw meats they had at the house so he wouldn’t try to eat you  -what he really wanted was your attention -he was purr himself against you so that you would pet him, you do so everytime since he’s so cute ! -He got to feel your ears and they’re super soft that he didn’t even believe it  -He’d try to offer some food to you, which was mainly meat but you had to decline since- well you’re a rabbit- he might as well say “eat yourself” -If you were bored, you’d scratch his ears or play with his tail ,he seems to really enjoy you doing that  --He doesn’t get jealous a lot but doesn’t like when you give his brothers more attention or pets  -You always cuddle him to reassure him  -at night, you were already in his room with him , he’s not the most sexual but he does get a little intimate with you  “so..what do you want to do..?”

Belphie

-When he saw you turn into a bunny, he imdately prounced onto you and took of with you  -He doesn’t like you being around his brothers before but now as a fox, he’s more territorial of you now -he’s just as sleepy as before but he keeps his tail wrapped around you to stay in place  -He’d lighly make a fox noise(i dunno how to describe it-) and you found it so adorable! He’d be embarrassed immensely  -If any of the brothers come up to the attic, where you two are are , he try to claw at them kinda protecting you  -he would touch your tail because the soft touch pleases him  Sometimes, you would get huffy if he wouldn’t stop touching your animal parts , so you’d nip at him , which he lowkey liked so he kept touching -when it was closer to nighttime, he was more active at night , so you knew he’s be mischievous -As expected, he was over top of you with a smirk -”so, how about a game of Fox and Rabbit..?~”

(Hope you enjoyed! Leave some suggestioneds!)

[purplesurveys]

1057

survey by lets-make-surveys

1 - When was the last time you had a roast dinner? What kind of meat or vegetarian option did you have with it? That’s not really a thing we do here, but for our noche buena dinner we did have roast chicken with rosemary as one of our dishes. It was surrounded with bangus (milkfish), lumpia with cheese, callos, baked macaroni with cheese, and mashed potatoes with gravy. My family has never been traditional when it comes to Christmas food and I’ve never tried hamon or queso de bola.

2 - When was the last time you drove or travelled for over an hour? Where did you go? It is for sure going to be today because we’ll be driving to Laguna to visit my dad’s family wearing our face masks, face shields, equipped with alcohol and hand sanitizer, and ready to follow social distancing.

3 - What’s your favourite kind of coffee to order (eg. cappuccino, latte etc.)? I’ve been ordering caramel macchiato in the last...6–7 years. If a coffee shop doesn’t serve it, the next thing I go for is whatever sounds like the sweetest drink on their menu, like a chocolate chip truffle frappe or something like that.

4 - When you get old, are you going to let your hair go grey or dye it instead? I will probably dye it for a bit, like what my grandma used to do. But I guess it’ll also depend; I might end up liking grey hair and not feel the need to change how it looks.

5 - What genre was the last book you read? Was it any good? I can’t remember which one it was but it was definitely a wrestler’s memoir; I must’ve read around four this year. The best ones I read are always of Chris Jericho since he has fantastic stories but he also knows how to write well. A lot of wrestlers have great stories, but are so-so in writing.

6 - Did you ever wear braces on your teeth? Yeah, briefly from the end of middle school to freshman year of high school. I need to get braces again, though.

7 - When was the last time you were relieved about something? What caused you to feel that way? Continued from earlier today. We brought both dogs to my dad’s family’s place today and I was glad that they were fast asleep on our drive back home and that neither felt bad and puked.

8 - Where was the last place you went that required you to wear a mask? Are you used to having to wear one now? Everyone is required to wear masks as long as they find themselves outdoors, period. I wear one even if I’m just walking one of my dogs in our backyard. I’m definitely more used to it now, compared to months ago when I had just started going out again and would be forgetful when it came to masks.

9 - How often do you receive calls from unknown numbers? Do you ever answer them? I get them a lot more often now that I’m working and have to coordinate with third-party people...I get unknown numbers once or twice a week. As much as it irritates me, I have no choice but to answer all of them now.

10 - What’s your favourite condiment to have with sausages or hot dogs (or the vegetarian equivalent)? Whenever I have a sausage/hotdog in a bun, I’d be glad to simply have mayonnaise on it.

11 - Which fictional character can you relate to the most? Is this a character from film, TV or a book? Monica Geller from Friends.

12 - Do you groom your eyebrows? If so, how? Nah, haven’t in a long time. It’s just not something I’ve ever particularly cared about. Whenever I have to, I just shave them. I also haven’t had a trichotillomania episode with my eyebrows, which is a relieving thing to realize.

13 - Did you get “told off” for anything the last time you went to the dentist or was everything okay? My last trip went smoothly. I just had a tooth extracted and there wasn’t really anything to reprimand me for since the tooth was already damaged.

14 - Would you rather get a starter or dessert? Have always been more of a savory girl than sweet, so I’ll go with the starter.

15 - Have you ever been involved with the police? Did you find them to be helpful? I mean...I guess? Kind of? I wasn’t arrested by any means, but I was a journalism student, so *shrug* pretty self-explanatory lol. There was one time in one class where we were all required to write a story covering the police beat, so I had to stay at a police station in Manila and wait for any tips or leads to come in. I was in freshman year and was absolutely scared, but I did have a classmate/friend with me ‘cause we were in the same class and she needed a lead as well.

16 - Are you tired at the moment? Is there a specific reason you feel that way? I am extremely tired and would pass out in a second if I let myself. But I had been out all day and didn’t have the chance to do anything I wanted to do whether it was doing embroidery, watching 2 Days 1 Night, or taking a survey, so I’m making up for all the lost time and powering through this survey.

17 - Are you big on colour coordination? Does that just apply to your outfits or to the rest of your life as well? It rarely comes to mind. It’s not something I feel the need to maintain, precisely because I’m very inconsistent with maintenance. Even though I know I possess the necessary effort and patience to organize a group of items by color, I also know it would be disorganized in less than a week.

18 - What shoes did you last wear? How long have you had them? Puma sneakers. Yep, I’ve had them for the past two years.

19 - When was the last time you wore make-up? What kind of make-up was it? September, for my first job interview. My items were simple; just an eyeliner pencil and some lip gloss.

20 - Have you ever slipped or skidded on the ice? Did you end up getting hurt? Continued from last night because I’ve been so sloppy at taking surveys lately, loooool. I’ve slipped a few times on ice skating rinks before. I don’t know if it’s the same experience, but whenever it happened to me I usually felt more embarrassed than hurt. It only hurt quite a bit when the cause of my fall was crashing into someone on the rink.

21 - Do you wear glasses or contacts? I wear glasses, but I already need to change mine since my eyesight has gotten worse and the lens that are on my current pair aren’t for me anymore.

22 - Do you own any photo albums? Are they dedicated to special occasions or just a random selection of photos? My mom made several photo albums for her kids from our childhood days so each of us have lots of photos from age 0 to about 7 or 8. I haven’t made a photo album just for myself, though I really should. Making memories with a film camera and having them developed still sounds very appealing to me.

23 - What was the last reason for you using a spoon? I was mixing my coffee to make sure all the granules are mixed into the water.

24 - Did your state/region go into lockdown or similar back when Covid hit in March? What did you do to pass the time while you were stuck at home? Of course. I would be more surprised to hear of a city or region anywhere in the world that did not go into lockdown. March was a livelier, more optimistic time, so I tried out lots of new things while the lockdown was still fresh and no one had any clue for how long it would actually pan out, and continue to pan out until the literal end of the year. I played the Switch for longer hours, tried making dalgona coffee, watched Descendants of the Sun, pulled more all-nighters, revisited computer games from my childhood, and did my thesis chapter by chapter with Andi.

25 - What’s your favourite meal of the day - breakfast, lunch or dinner? In my family, lunch and dinner are very identical so I’d go with either of them.

26 - Who was the last person you texted? How do you know that person? I have not touched my phone in a while, believe it or not...I haven’t needed it much during the holiday break. I think it was my cousin? He’s a relative, so I’ve known him since birth.

27 - What was the last thing you put in a sandwich? A hotdog.

28 - What was the reason behind the last time you shouted or raised your voice? I was at my dad’s family’s last night and I had ordered four boxes of empanadas from their business, and I was trying to hand over the P500 bill to my aunt (the total was like P300, but I gave them bonus to serve as my treat and my gift). I kept trying to give it and she kept rejecting it and putting it back in my pocket hahaha, so it became like a game for me to see which tiny space in the house I can squeeze the bill in so she can stop retorting. It turned into a funny cat and mouse situation and I ended up raising my voice a few times.

29 - Are you a citizen of more than one country? Would you ever use that advantage to move abroad? No.

30 - Do you know how to change a tyre? Could you do it without help? HAH, no. I am fucked if it ever happens and when it does, I really hope luck would be on my side that day and have a kind stranger that knows how to change tyres walk or drive by.

[thelunarbond]

OC Questions with Phoenix

Questions taken from this post! Sorry if there are any typos, this was super long and I’m tired lmao

1) Their age? 

19

2) Their sexuality/sexual preference?

He struggled with it for a while, but now he’s openly pansexual. Anyone who’s nice to him for a while he’ll become attracted to 

3) Any siblings?

Phoenix has a little brother called Baxter! Baxter is 12 years old. They have a great sibling relationship; they trust each other and always look out for one another

4) Their favourite season?

Autumn/Winter. He hates being too hot and sweating, and he loves wearing sweaters cuz he’s insecure about his arms 

5) Who were/are their parents/guardians?

His parents were an artist and a musician, but they both died when he was 8-9 years old. His foster parents do not get along with him at all and they have arguments on the daily. Since joining the Lunar Bond, Phoenix lives with the other members and doesn’t visit them at all; he only sees his brother outside of the house

6) Their gender?

Cis male 

7) Their date of birth?

3rd September! (side note; I always do a drawing for his birthday, I’ll be sure to post it here this year!)

8) What clothing style?

He prioritises being comfy over everything else. He always wears a pair of ripped black skinny jeans and old, beaten up sneakers. He’ll often wear a long sleeved t-shirt or an oversized hoodie/sweater; the biggest one he owns goes down to his knees! He’ll also sometimes wear earrings (he has a cartilage piercing and both lobes pierced). He’ll never wear anything in public that shows off his arms or legs 

9) What is their favourite food after a break up?

No food. He doesn’t eat. He might drink some water if he gets a headache from thirst. And he’ll spend the rest of the time crying or sleeping. He’s melodramatic help him

10) Their favourite thing to do after a break up?

As mentioned earlier, crying and sleeping. Also listening to sad music. Help him please I’m begging

11) What happens in “the honeymoon phase” for this character?

He’s constantly buying gifts. And wants to see them every day. He becomes incredibly clingy and can sometimes get jealous. He’ll basically do anything for his S/O. He’ll turn up unannounced on their doorstep with flowers. Nobody in the Lunar Bond expects him to be like this at all, as his initial personality is so cold. However he is the most romantic person in the Lunar Bond by a long shot

12) How many serious relationships have they been in?

Three; one when he was 14-16, one from when he was 16-17 and one from recently to present day  👀 

13) What is their nationality?

The Lunar Bond universe is set in a world different from our own, so I’ll just write the equivalent nationality. He’s white British 

14) What languages do they speak?

He really wants to learn a language, however at the moment he only speaks English

15) What is their profession/education?

He’s currently a NEET. He dropped out of school due to anxiety and doesn’t have a job because he recently moved to the city and is too afraid to apply. In school, he did exceptionally well; he’s incredibly clever and always got straight A’s in all his classes. Perhaps when he comes out of his shell a little he’ll get a job doing something he loves

16) Their favourite comfort food?

Soup. Especially chicken noodle soup, as his mother used to make it for him. He’ll always have a bowl of soup if he’s feeling down

17) What is a food they hate?

Not a food, but he can’t stand coffee. He absolutely hates the bitter taste and can’t drink it because the caffeine makes him jittery

18) Their music taste?

Anything. His phone has all kinds of music, from contemporary pop to rock to classical to jazz. His father being a musician really helped him open his eyes to a broad range of music. The only kind of music he won’t listen to is screamo, as it’s too “noisy”. He has a preference towards calm songs as they help him feel relaxed, but he’ll listen to anything

19) Is there a story behind their name/meaning?

(For this question, I’ll write about the process of naming Phoenix!)

Originally, Phoenix’s name came from a name generator. I was struggling to find a name suitable for my main character that wasn’t too safe but also wasn’t too wacky and wild to the point where it wasn’t realistic, and it also had to suit the character. Once I saw the name Phoenix I just knew it fit him perfectly. At the start of the Lunar Bond story, he feels like he doesn’t suit his name; a Phoenix is fiery and always comes back after death and he feels that he is none of those things. However as the story progresses, Phoenix always rises back up after being knocked down. And as he opens up to his new friends, he becomes passionate and fiery about keeping them safe and close to him. He grows in the story to suit his name; he rises back up after every failure, and has the fire in his heart to protect those close to him 

20) Something they do that seems childish to others?

He frequently gets lost in make believe worlds in his head. These mostly come from books he’s been reading, as he loves adventure and fantasy books. He’ll zone out for 30-90 minutes and daydream about being a part of a fantasy world; some people around him think that it’s childish as he’s not grounded in reality

21) What is their all time favourite TV show? 

He doesn’t watch TV. At all. He didn’t really watch TV when he was younger either. He plays video games occasionally, but he mainly reads books or watches films

22) What is their all time favourite movie?

(I’ll write the real-world equivalent of Phoenix’s favourite films here!)

It changes depending on his mood. Hes indecisive and can’t choose a favourite. If he wants to relax, he likes animated films like Kiki’s Delivery Service. He also likes superhero movies like The Avengers. He also likes classics like The Shining. 

23) How big is their family?

Incredibly small. His only blood relative he has left is his brother Baxter. Both his parents were only children, so he doesn’t have any aunts, uncles or cousins. Both his sets of grandparents died when he was very young

24) Are they close to anyone specific in their family?

As his only remaining blood relative, Phoenix is very close to Baxter. They tell each other everything and not a day goes by where they don’t talk to each other, at least on the phone or through texts. For the majority of his life, Baxter saw Phoenix as more of a parent figure as oppose to a brother as Phoenix would always look after him. Baxter also doesn’t remember his parents so relies on Phoenix to tell him about them and what they were like

25) Have they got any allergies?

Not in terms of food, but his skin is incredibly sensitive. He can’t use products that are too scented or he’ll get a rash. He also can’t use aftershave for the same reason, so he’s stuck using the same soaps that he knows for a fact won’t irritate his skin

26) Are they an emotional person?

Yes. He’s incredibly emotional. However, he won’t let it show in front of other people. To people who don’t know him well, Phoenix is cold, stoic and sharp tongued, and pushes away those who try and get close to him. He’s terrified of getting hurt, so he doesn’t allow people near him. On the inside, Phoenix is lonely and begging for someone to support him. When he’s alone, he lets out all of his emotions. He’ll punch a pillow if he’s angry, he’ll cry himself to sleep if he’s sad, he’ll giggle like a schoolboy if he’s happy. There’s only one person who can see straight through him... 👀

27) Do they get angry/lose their temper quickly?

He doesn’t get angry easily, but he’s easily irritated. He will never yell at someone or start an argument unless they’ve really touched a nerve. He will never start a physical fight with someone either. His anxiety makes him easily irritable, so he might tell someone sternly to leave him alone but that’s about as far as it goes the majority of the time

28) What are some of their guilty pleasures?

Animated films, and when he was a kid he was secretly into musical films aimed predominately at young girls (e.g. High School Musical). He still knows all the words to the songs to this day

29) Do they have pets? Do they want pets?

Phoenix hasn’t had a pet since he had a hamster when he was 5. When he moves into his own house he’d absolutely love to have a cat. Or 2. Or 5. He loves cats! He can’t have one right now though because Chase is allergic 

30) Do they like kids? Do they want kids/have kids?

He doesn’t mind children. He doesn’t love them or hate them. He’s very good at looking after children/babysitting because he looked after Baxter for so long. However he doesn’t want his own children because he would worry about them all the time

31) Who’s cuddle buddy are they?

Spoilers 🤐 🤐 🤐

32) Do they have any tattoos?

No. He’s terrified of needles so he’s never getting a tattoo

33) Do they have any piercings?

Only the ear piercings I mentioned earlier!

34) What is their hair colour? Is this their natural colour?

Phoenix’s hair is a light-ish brown colour, which is his natural colour. Minami is desperate to dye his hair but he always says no

35) Do they like musicals?

Other than the teen musicals he watched in secret as a kid? Sure! He has to be in the right mood to watch a musical though. He only watches musicals that are made into films; he’d be way too intimidated to go and watch one on stage

36) Do they like marmite?

He tolerates it. He doesn’t love it or hate it. He’ll eat it if it’s there but he won’t go and buy a jar of it

37) Do they like glitter?

Not really. He thinks it’s too messy and he likes to keep stuff tidy. He’s let Minami put glitter on his face before though

38) Do they believe in the supernatural?

Phoenix is the kind of person to be totally sceptical of supernatural stuff, but then the minute something vaguely spooky happens he’ll freak out and run away

39) Have they ever seen a dead body?

Yes. Wont go into details because spoilers  🤐 🤐 🤐

40) Have they ever had a near death experience?

Being a member of the Lunar Bond is a constant near death experience 

41) Have they ever broken a bone?

Yes. As a kid he broke his leg while climbing a tree in the forest. The worst part was that because he was alone and didn’t have a phone, he was found 2 and a half hours later by his mother as she was wondering where he was

42) What are they like when they’re drunk/what kind of drunk are they?

An overly emotional drunk. All his feelings come spilling out everywhere and he’ll be crying or laughing hysterically or yelling. If he has an S/O he’ll become even more clingy than he is usually

43) Did they ever get drunk while underage?

Yes. He got drunk with his ex-boyfriend when he was 15. Nothing too bad happened; he just ended up spending 3 hours telling said ex-boyfriend how much he loves him. Technically in some countries he’s still underage (however the drinking age where he lives is 18 so it’s all good!) 

44) What is the first thing they do when they wake up?

He checks the time on his phone so he knows what day it is and what time it is, as he’s been known to spend a long time sleeping. He’ll then make himself some tea

45) Do they consider themselves to be popular?

Absolutely not. Phoenix spends a lot of time worrying that his new friends in the Lunar Bond don’t actually like him, and that they’re being nice because they feel like they have to be nice to their teammate. Among the members of the Lunar Bond, he’s actually fairly popular and thought of highly; but he’ll never believe them if they say that to his face

46) How do they like their tea/coffee?

Tea: Depends on the type. He’ll drink loose leaf teas slightly weaker as they have a stronger flavour, so brewing time is lessened. He drinks green tea fairly strong. Some teas such as vanilla rooibos he’ll drink black, but other teas such as Lady Grey he’ll add some milk. Some teas such as Lapsang Souchong he’ll drink weaker with a little sugar

Coffee: In the trash. Where it belongs. At least in his opinion

47) What do they smell like?

Lemon and tea tree body wash, as that’s the only one he likes that doesn’t irritate his skin. Also second hand books

48) Are they a virgin?

No, but don’t tell him I told you that

49) Do they wear glasses/contacts?

He needs reading glasses as he’s slightly long sighted, but it’s not so bad that he has to wear them all the time. He wears them fairly often as he’s nearly always reading, and he just forgets to take them off 

50) Are they good at remembering significant dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries?

Yes. He doesn’t even need to write them down. He remembers dates from weird things, such as when he got his new glasses or when he got his ears pierced. He never forgets a birthday or anniversary and always buys gifts far ahead of time

[broke-bitch-diaries-blog]

Here’s some backstory, I guess...

The making of this blog is long overdue. I got the idea for it before I even started uni. Of course, back then, it was nothing but a thought: I didn’t have a name for it, I didn’t know what I would write about (hell, I wasn’t sure I would have anything to write about), I didn’t know which platform I would choose for it. I have to admit it -I didn’t even see the blog as a good idea. It was simply a whim.

As soon as my journey began, from the second I loaded my suitcase into the trunk of my bus to the airport, I was overwhelmed with new responsibilities. I was starting a new chapter of my life and, let me tell you, it wasn’t as pleasant as it sounds. First trip alone, first flight in my life, leaving home so far behind -I was absolutely terrified. And yet, in the back of my mind, there was a tiny whisper that kept pushing me forward -it was my own persistence. I knew I could do it, no matter how many challenges life threw my way. I’m not going to bullshit and say that I worked on my fears and I’m doing great now. Life’s still kicking me in the arse and I still fall on my face every time -I just came to terms with it and accepted it as my reality. 

I spent the first month in a different city, living with my aunt. Sure, it was a headstart -I had a place to stay until I found my own and I wasn’t instantly left on my own (looking back at it, I kind of wish I had been). It was hellish. I was stuck in a studio apartment with an over-sharer and her cat, sleeping on a blow-up mattress next to the balcony, I had no place to go and no real human interaction outside of face-timing my family and friends on the daily. You would think this would have saved me loads of money, right? Wrong.

My aunt convinced me that it was a good plan for us to share the responsibility of buying groceries by me paying for them every other week. She asked for fifty quid just for the groceries. The first time, it seemed reasonable as I was just getting to know the country and figuring out the cost of everything. Later on, I realised it was just empty spending (now I spend no more than a tenner a week, sometimes it’s even less than a fiver, no matter what my financial situation is that week). I’m not the one to waste money on random shit, but I can’t deny that I like to treat myself to a pack of custard creams or a can of Rockstar. But that amount of money on food for two people? Absolutely bonkers.

I was stuck in that damn flat. My aunt worked four days a week. She would leave early in the morning and come back around 7 pm. While that gave me some alone time, I was desperate to do something other than go for a stroll in the park or play with the cat. The days were going by dreadfully slowly. I couldn’t find a day-to-day job, I was only beginning to freelance, and I had a lot of university expenses. My mental health hit a new low. I spent my days on the couch, watching Netflix, walking around in the local park or taking a bus to the city just to escape the house. I had nothing to do and it was killing me. It’s not hard to guess what happened next, is it? I became irritable and more anxious than ever, my depression was at its lowest and the intrusive thoughts were echoing in my head every waking minute of the day. My aunt and I already had personalities that clashed pretty badly, but I was trying my best to be civil, polite and not make a scene out of anything -she was providing me with a roof over my head, so I had to live by her rules, right? That was until she pushed me past my breaking point and towards a breakdown on the bathroom floor with her convincing me to get out and talk like adults (yeah, as if her making me feel like my worth was equal to zero just because I couldn’t find a job was a reasonably adult thing to do). I wanted to drop everything and fly back home: I was missing my parents, I was missing my friends -I was missing every single thing about home and I couldn’t do anything about it. Thankfully, I had moral support from the people whom I love the most, of which I will forever be thankful. It helped me push through that absolutely dreadful month and gave me hope that everything would get better.

Not to spoil it all, but everything did get better. Well, slightly. I moved to the city my university is located in, I got my own room and had the opportunity to decorate it however I want, turn my own little space into a home. In a way, the move here was a whole new chapter as I can’t push myself to bond it with my first month in the UK. 

I made it to the international week that my university had organized for students and met my first friends. At first, I thought I’d be alone. I thought my anxiety and crippling fear of social gatherings would be the end of me. As soon as I got to the celebratory dinner, I realised that everyone there was just as lost and alone as I was. In all honesty, it was also the only time I was happy for ice-breaking activities. 

Not too long after that, I met my course-mates. Over a hundred and fifty soon-to-be Forensic Scientist. It was insane. In less than a week, I picked out the ones I liked and the ones I hated and I based all of that solely on their behaviour in the introductory lectures and practicals. Before I even knew it, I was already having lunch with my closest friends (I don’t even remember how we came to be this close, but I’m sure it must’ve been just me asking for directions when I was lost or something along those lines). Not too long after that, I tried out for fencing and met a girl I now call my little sister -one of the sweetest, most caring people I’ve ever met. Fencing turned out to be quite boring, so I ended up in the student choir, which was equivalent to finding a family away from home. An amazing bunch of people mixed with my love to sing -what else could I have asked for? As it turns out, uni wasn’t as bad and scary as it seemed.

Of course, let’s not go too soft and happy -this girl is still struggling. I’m constantly financially unstable, my irregular schedule is stopping me from getting a regular job and my freelancing is just not a thing anymore. My mental health is slightly better, but it definitely has its ups and downs (mostly downs, but let’s not focus on the negative here). I’m still unbelievably homesick, even after coming back for a couple of weeks. I’m stressed to the max on the daily and I barely sleep, but that’s just normal for everyone that’s trying to get a science degree (to some extent).

That’s all I have to say for now. I truly didn’t expect the introductory post to be this massive, but I believe that everyone who may come across my blog needs a little backstory. No case study starts without a short briefing. In conclusion: university life is hard, I’m constantly broke, but hey, it’s not all bad.

-D.

[fuzzballsheltiepants]

Name Games

Inspired by this amazing post by @andrews-nothing.  Neil’s cat is sick, so he brings her to the vet.  A meet-sort-of-cute ensues.  Read on AO3 if you prefer. 

The waiting room was a cacophony of nonverbal vocalization, barks and plaintive meows and the insistent screaming of some sort of parrot.  Neil sat in the corner where he could see the whole room, working to keep his hands still in his lap.  People in scrubs bustled in and out, sometimes taking a pet, sometimes delivering one, or guiding a human-and-animal through the door that led to the exam rooms.  He had long given up on concentrating on his phone with all the noise and movement.

Only one other person was as still as he was, a short blond man with a blank face and sharp eyes that watched everything.  There was something about his body language that had shoved him immediately into the threat category, though Neil had not heard him say a word.  He didn’t even know why he was there; he had been there when Neil had appeared a half hour ago and handed King off in her carrier to one of the technicians along with answers to a long list of questions.  As far as he could tell, the man hadn’t moved once aside from an occasional blink and the slow rise and fall of his chest.

There was a brief burst of excitement in the form of the parrot in its cage being carried toward the treatment screaming “Help!  Help!  I’m innocent!” while its mortified family followed.  The blond man’s face didn’t change as he stared after them.

A bouncing golden retriever on a flexi-lead zoomed over to the blond man and dropped his bedraggled stuffed toy into his lap then waited, wagging excitedly.  The dog’s family began apologizing profusely and reeled the struggling dog in, scolding him.  As soon as they turned their backs the dog bounded back to his toy.  Neil watched through his eyelashes as the man glanced around, then handed the toy back with a quick ear rub before going back to his impassive facade.  The dog sighed and rested his drooly chin on the man’s knee, and Neil bit back his grin.

The door swung open and a dozen pairs of eyes looked towards it in unison as an irritated tall man in scrubs entered.  “Will the owner of, um,” he looked down at his empty hands as if he expected the information to be there, then back up at the expectant room, “the cat with the stupid name please come with me?  Your cat just mauled the doctor.”

Neil sighed and got to his feet.  King was usually a sweetheart, but she hated having her feet touched.  He probably should have warned them but he hadn’t thought about it.  It was with some surprise he realized the blond man had joined him in front of the vet assistant.  The assistant, Kevin according to his name tag, looked between them.  “Okay, come with me.”  

They were shown into an exam room and then Kevin the surly assistant left.  There was only one chair and the blond guy took it, which was fine.

“What’s your cat’s name?” Neil asked after several minutes of silence.

He didn’t expect to get an answer, not with the look of disdain he received, but after a long pause an unexpectedly pleasant voice answered, “Sir Fat Cat McCatterson.”

Neil laughed.  “Okay, I know why you think it’s your cat, then.”  He waited but got no response.  “Mine is King Fluffkins,” he offered.  It only seemed fair to share.

“I don’t care.”

“She was peeing blood in my sink.”  Nothing.  “I’ve only had her for a month.”  Still nothing.  Neil didn’t usually talk much to strangers; he didn’t know why he felt the urge to keep talking.  Maybe it was the secret kindness this man had shown the dog out in the waiting room.  Or maybe it was the way the hazel eyes stayed locked on his face, but not on his scars.  “My friend gave her to me, he said I shouldn’t be alone so much.  He named her, too.”  He smiled a little at the memory of Nicky appearing at his door with a screaming cat in a carrier and a mountain of supplies.

“I’ve lived with people for years and not learned this much about them.”

Neil’s retort was cut off by the entrance of a large snarling gray-and-white ball of fury being held by a heavy-glove-wearing Kevin.  The cat was deposited unceremoniously on the examining table and whirled, lightning quick, to swat out, claws snagging in Kevin’s gloves for a second before Kevin yanked free.  The cat hissed and Kevin drew himself up, looming over the table.  The two glared at each other, unblinking, until the door opened again.

A woman with short dark curly hair and fresh bandages on her arms entered, a strained smile on her face.  “Mr. Minyard?” she asked, looking between the two of them.  The blond man stood up and she held her hand out towards him, carefully out of reach of the enormous cat who had crouched down on the table and was emitting ominous growls.  “I’m Dr. Wilds.”  The man didn’t shake her hand but nodded again.  “Well, we got the piece of bone out of his mouth, he should be much more comfortable now.”  Another nod.  “He was fine while I removed the bone, but attacked me afterwards.  I guess he took exception to me touching his tail.  Is he current on his rabies vaccine?”

The man—Minyard—just said, “Yes,” with no apology or hint of guilt.  The assistant bristled at him but Dr. Wilds just went on.

“And he needs to go on a diet, he’s at risk for diabetes right now.  I’ve written down a feeding program for him to help.”

Minyard took the paper she was holding out and barely glanced at it.  The doctor continued to review some things that Minyard gave no indication he was listening to, and concluded with a small laugh, “and don’t feed him bones.”

Minyard gave another slight nod.  The vet gave a small, involuntary shrug and turned towards the door.  “Wait,” Neil said, “do you have an update on my cat?”

Confusion flickered across her face.  “You’re not with Mr. Minyard?”  Neil shook his head.  “Then why are you in here?”

“Your assistant said the cat with the stupid name,” Neil shrugged.  “Mine qualified.”

Dr. Wilds glared at Kevin who didn’t seem to care.  “What is your cat’s name?”

“King Fluffkins.”  

Kevin rolled his eyes and muttered, “Idiots” under his breath, earning himself another glare.

“Oh, yes, what a sweetheart.  I’m running a urine test on her right now, I should have the results soon.”  

The vet left with her assistant, and Sir Fat Cat McCatterson stopped growling like a switch had been shut off.   He gave Neil a suspicious glare but appeared to decide he wasn’t a threat, turning to face Minyard and rising up on his hind legs to bop his human on the chin with his head.  “You worthless piece of shit,” Minyard murmured, but his hand came up to stroke the cat’s cheeks gently, eliciting a frenzy of purring nearly as loud as the growling had been previously.

“He attacked the wrong person,” Neil said with a grin.  “He should’ve gone after the assistant instead of the vet.”

There was a glimmer in the man’s hazel eyes that might have been amusement.  He shifted to rubbing under the cat’s chin, and Sir Fat Cat closed his eyes in bliss.

Neil wasn’t sure why Minyard was still there, since his cat had been returned.  “What do we do now?”

“We wait.”  Neil’s confusion must have been evident, because Minyard gave a long-suffering sigh.  “I am not taking him out of here without his carrier, and presumably you want to learn why your cat is peeing in your sink.”

“Right.”  Neil started looking at the various posters that were on the walls about assorted different diseases.  The one behind his head was a Body Condition Chart, with silhouettes of cats ranging from a skeleton with skin at 1 to one that looked like a bowling ball with ears at 9.  Neil glanced back at Sir Fat Cat.  “I think he’s about an eight.”

Minyard glared at him.  “He used to be a nine.  I’ve had him on a diet since I got him.”

Dr. Wilds entered again.  Her forehead furrowed as she looked at Minyard.  “Is there something you need?”

“My carrier would be nice.”

“True.”  She stuck her head through the door and said something to someone in the hall, then turned to Neil.  “Well, Mr. Josten, it looks like King Fluffkins has a urinary tract infection.  I’m going to dispense ten days of antibiotics, she’ll need to take one pill a day, and I want you to put her on an all canned diet if she’ll eat it.  A high moisture diet makes them less likely to have bladder problems.”

“Oh.  Okay.”

“And we need to see her back in two weeks to check another urine sample, we need to make sure she clears the infection.”  She talked for a moment more, until a thumping sound against the door made her pause.  Kevin entered with two carriers and Dr. Wilds excused herself.  

King’s carrier was shoved into Neil’s arms and he turned it so she faced him.  “I’m sorry, baby,” he cooed at her, sticking his fingers through the door so she could rub on them.  “We’re going to make you better.”  

He looked up and saw the other two men staring at him.  “What?”

Kevin shook his head while Minyard plopped the carrier in front of his cat and opened the door.  Sir Fat Cat looked into the opening, then back at Minyard.  “You want to stay here with these assholes or go home and watch TV?”  Lashing his tail, Sir Fat Cat marched into the carrier and Minyard shut the door behind him.

Neil thanked Kevin, who responded with, “Why did you name her King?  She’s a tortoiseshell, she’s obviously female, she should be Queen Fluffkins.”

“Why do you think the cat subscribes to human gender constructs?” Neil asked, setting the carrier down and crossing his arms.

Kevin rolled his eyes.  “Whatever.”

“It’s a valid question,” Minyard said, a razor’s edge to his voice.  “Why should they conform to your notions of gender?”

“We don’t even know if King identifies as female,” Neil said.  “We may be insulting King by using the wrong pronoun and not even know it.”

“Not to mention, ‘queen’ is the generic term for a female cat.  Perhaps they would resent the idea of being named the cat equivalent of ‘bitch’.”  There was a small twitch at the corner of Minyard’s mouth as he finished that Neil would have sworn was a smile.

“Oh my god, forget I ever said anything,” Kevin said, gesturing the two of them out into the hall.  “Follow me, I’ll check you out.”  He tapped a few things into the computer and then frowned at the screen.  He looked up at them, then back at the screen and clicked the mouse.  “Uh…Okay.  Mr. Minyard.”  He read out his total and accepted the card he was handed.  After Minyard had signed, he picked up his carrier and turned to Neil with a sarcastic two-finger salute before disappearing through the door.

Kevin turned to Neil and gave him his total, still looking baffled.  “What?” Neil asked as he handed him his card.  

“You guys have separate accounts.”

“No shit,” Neil said; evidently it was his turn to be confused.  

Kevin took in his expression and shook his head.  “Never mind.”  

Neil signed and took his card back, snagged one of the business cards sitting next to the checkout and jotted something down on it, then gathered up his paperwork and his carrier and shoved his way outside.  The parking lot was full of cars but devoid of people, except for Minyard, who was standing next to Neil’s car smoking.  He stepped aside so Neil could put King in the passenger seat.  When Neil turned to go around to the driver’s side, he found himself blocked by Minyard’s back.  “Why are you still here?”

“I’m not going to expose the cat to second hand smoke he can’t get away from,” Minyard said over his shoulder, as if it was obvious.  Neil was sort of trapped, and he leaned against his car and waited.

“That was kind of fun,” he said after a minute.

Minyard ground out his cigarette and turned to face him.  “You need help if that’s your definition of fun.”

Neil shrugged.  “I don’t know, I kind of enjoyed ragging on that assistant.”

“Like I said.”

“Is that some sort of invitation?” Neil challenged.

Minyard stepped closer.  “No.”  He waited just a breath too long then got into his fancy car and started it.  Neil grinned at him, returning his two-fingered salute as he backed out of the space.  

Neil’s phone dinged as he pulled into his parking spot.  how tf did u get that card in my pocket

I’ve got skills

ur an idiot

what’s your name

andrew

Neil

thats what the card said

There were three dots indicated another text was coming.  Neil got out of his car and fished a mournful King out.  He had just reached the stairs when the next text came through.  wanna get a drink

I don’t really drink

a coffee then

Sure

A time and the address of a coffee shop followed; it was only a couple of blocks away.  Neil gave King her first pill with only a moderate amount of difficulty, then petted her until she was purring and kneading on his lap.  He smiled a little as he looked down at her, then around the apartment, sparse except for the cat tower, scratching posts, beds, and toys.  Maybe Nicky was right about the benefits of cat ownership after all.

[fantisci]

A “Story of Seasons” gripe to break the silence...

I don’t generally look for my Story of Seasons (formerly Harvest Moon) games to be feminist breakthroughs, but for some reason the most recent Trio of Towns is really getting on my nerves in regard to stereotypes and sexism.

The HM/SoS games have always had some outdated ideas, from the good old “any woman over the age of 25 who is unmarried has been left on the shelf, will forever be alone and has generally Failed at Life” being one, the much more disturbing (and weirdly prevalent) “if you smile at / look at / talk to a man like that, he’ll get the wrong idea” (thanks, Harvest Moon, just what I needed in my farming simulation games: the oblique threat of sexual assault along with victim blaming. Great). However, a lot can be neutralised by the fact that you’re pretty much free to project a personality onto your character, even though your potential responses are so limited that they’ll generally be A Good Guy / A Nice Girl unless you want to see your relationship values plummet. 

So why is Trio so determined to make my character - a young woman who defied her family in order to go it alone, restoring a long-abandoned farm and turning it into a successful business venture - lose absolutely all of her competence, maturity and common sense in some of the love events?

Rest under the cut for spoiler, grumbling and dashboard-protecting purposes...

EDIT: Added a bit more to this on the heels of a really good message from a kind Anon. 

Let’s have a look at the three Love Events that you can do for the main bachelors - the ones you can see before having to “confess” and therefore commit to their relationship path:

Ludus: 

Ludus is the worst offender for this. I know it plays into his “big brother of the town” thing, but  it’s hugely annoying when your farmer’s IQ nosedives every time a love event is triggered. Before I played the game, he was the candidate I thought I’d start out with...but who wants to be lectured by a romantic partner every minute of the day?

Event 1: Oh no! My door won’t open! Months of building and farmwork did not prepare me to fix a broken hinge! Manly Ludus will have to fix it for me! (Note: you are actually given the option to kick the door or try to fix it, only to be told that you are too weak or too incompetent to do it yourself. And remember that Ludus requires you assistance every time something substantial is built on the farm).

Event 2: Oh no! Kitty is stuck on a cliff! I must rescue it...but lookie, I’m too cute and clumsy to avoid falling off the ledge! Manly Ludus will have to rescue me, and then lecture me about doing stupid stuff like this. And of course, the cat was fine all along, so now I look like an idiot.

Event 3: I’m watching Ludus build a chair, and it ends with me being given the aforementioned “you’re going to lead me astray when you say things like that!” speech.

EDIT: Out of curiosity, I loaded my old save (pre-commitment with any bachelor) and had a look at Ludus’ confession, where he admits that he was out of line in Event 3 and apologises. Which is  nice, but doesn’t eliminate the weird bossy-older-sibling vibe.

Ford:

Event 1: Oh no! Doctor Ford hasn’t eaten! I must fulfil my feminine duty and make him something immediately, because it’s too hard for him to walk the ten metres to the restaurant he always eats at! (This is harmless in itself, since everybody feeds everybody else in this game, but Ford’s “I’m too weak to walk to the restaurant three doors down from me in this tiny town” is pretty ridiculous, and it certainly adds to the pattern of stereotypically “feminine” roles).

Event 2: Oh no! I’ve passed out from exhaustion and get lectured on taking care of myself! Then I need to hold the doctor’s hand in order to fall asleep. (I quite liked how this one tied in with the stamina mechanic, but was really irritated that it triggered as I was heading to the restaurant!)

Event 3: Don’t drink the coffee. Other than that, nothing to see here!

Hinata:

Event 1: Oh no! Hinata warned me that ghost story night could be scary and that I better go home, but silly li’l me just had stay and listen! Now I’m too frightened to go home alone, and big, manly Hinata has to comfort me and escort me back to the farm!

This is the only event of Hinata’s that annoyed me, but it was the event that drew my attention to the fact that my player character was being given uber-”feminine” weaknesses. Look, everyone has their weaknesses, but if you maintain that the character is a blank slate, at least let the player assign that weakness to them instead of assuming “woman=scared of ghosts” and railroad me into it. Notably, there isn’t any player choice in this event - it’s one big cutscene. And Hinata looks like he’s twelve years old, so I don’t think he’ll be much use if Freddy Krueger pops up. Who would you back in a fight - the baby-face merchant/actor, or the farmer who does manual labour for a living?

EDIT: As Anon mentioned, Hinata, like Wayne, has a “GASP! FARMING IS TOO TOUGH FOR SUCH A CUTE GIRL!” thing at the start.

Wayne:

Wayne’s events are actually pretty nice - he respects your character’s job as a farmer, plays pranks with the kids in his town while reminding them not to take it too far, and goes stargazing with you. Once you’re an item, he fetches a loudhailer to announce how much he loves you to the world - including his fangirls, who he gently warns to back off. A nice change of pace after your character’s “I’m jealous because you’re a flirt” reaction in Raeger’s Flower Events in the game before. I ended up choosing Wayne in my first save file because he didn’t seem hell-bent on making my character look like she had the common sense and ability of a toddler.

EDIT: As pointed out to me by an Anon, Wayne’s lines BEFORE building a relationship with you aren’t exactly hallmarks of equal opportunity. Wayne “respects” women in an old-fashioned, chivalrous way...which isn’t really respect at all, as it focuses on calling them pretty, “protecting” them from the realities of the world, and being charming and gracious while making no promises. Initially, his attitude is one of “what do you mean, a pretty li’l thing like you doers a tough job like farmwork?” His flower events see him improve in this respect - the first one is when he visits you at your farm and comments on how happy and skilled you are at your work. Even if you don’t romance him, his green flower line is that he never thought men and women could be friends, but you’ve made him reconsider. Nonetheless, his initial views definitely reflect a certain stay-in-your-ivory-tower mindset. I’d forgotten this rather salient fact since it’s been a while since I started the game.

Yuzuki:

Like Wayne, Yuzuki’s pretty sweet - there’s a silly “GASP! A LADY’S STOMACH CANNOT POSSIBLY BE HEARD TO RUMBLE WITH HUNGER!” reaction in his first event, and there’s another event that makes it clear that you player character is ridiculously superstitious (again - fairly stereotypical “girly” trait), but you help him out with his job and fetch help when he’s in trouble, so there’s more give-and-take in your relationship with him, which makes you main character look competent instead of needing to be constantly protected from her own clumsiness.

Honorary mention: Woofio

Another game, another bizarre romance choice for the female PC while the male equivalent gets yet-another pretty girl.

All of this would be totally understandable if the male PC was equally dorky and awkward. If he tripped over his own feet, or needed to be rescued from falling into rivers and ponds, or generally had some traits that gave him canon weaknesses, all of the above would be more or less acceptable. But nope - his love events involve bailing out the bachelorettes whenever they screw up, or helping them with the jobs they’ve been doing for years, or generally working through their issues with them - in short, being the competent party. There are a couple of incidents in Siluka and Kasumi’s events where you’re suspected of doing something questionable, but the bachelorette always sticks up for you and you are vindicated. Also: shout out to Komari, whose dad, Ginjiro, demands that she be more “ladylike” and scolds her for being too “boyish” with the customers, all while Ginjiro himself acts as the most histrionic and melodramatic person in the town.

Whew! And now that I’ve vented, I feel better. I love the HM/SoS games, and there’s a lot to like in Trio - a single mother who has explicitly broken up with her partner (rather than the usual approach of “he’s dead or we never mention him”), marriages where the couple clearly adore each other (including one highly successful arranged marriage) and the broad variety of personalities. It’s just that it really struck me that my character was constantly getting so-called “girly” behaviours foisted on her, and as the player I wasn’t getting a say in how she expressed herself.