#((on one hand. i'm not a huge fan of them *not* having 112% in their 'file' (...or. 108% (no pantheons) for their dream no more verse) ))

[abyssembraced]

Perhaps surprisingly, Ghost is actually quite merciful in a fight!

In general, they're a lot more reactive than they are proactive.

They do always give it their all in battle, and I suppose in that sense they could be considered rather ruthless. They'll never "go easy" on an opponent, since they don't actually know how to. They've never been in a situation before where doing such a thing would be relevant or useful. Everything they've fought during their life has either been Infected, a lesser creature that they're hunting for SOUL, or a highly skilled warrior that warrants them using their full capabilities. If someone asked Ghost to go easy on them in a spar, they'd probably just be confused about what that even meant?

The closest thing they've experienced to "going easy" on someone is simply not wasting unnecessary resources on a weak opponent. For example, if a lone, regular Vengefly has decided to harass them, Ghost isn't going to bother expending their gathered SOUL and Void with a spell when it'll fall in one hit from their nail.

Though, they are also cautious about how Void affects non-Void beings when they're around someone they care about not killing. Hornet has probably drilled it into them enough that the substance their body is made of is extremely dangerous to regular bugs dgshshfs. Plus they've seen examples of what Void can do to a bug from sources other than themself. Fortunately though, their Void infused spells (Abyss Shriek, Shade Soul, Descending Dark) are generally still safe enough to use in spars!

But, whether they fight and how long the fight lasts actually depends entirely on the other person. Ghost doesn't typically make the first strike or initiate a battle, and in cases where they do (such as the Mantis Lords fight), they make their intentions very clear with a challenge first. They aren't one for sneak attacks.

If someone attacks them, then they will fight back with all their might. But, if their opponent stops fighting, then they will too.

Against Infected foes, this usually means a fight to the death anyway, since due to the Radiance's influence, the enemy will not stop trying to kill Ghost until they either succeed or die trying. But against uninfected opponents like Hornet and the Mantis Lords, they can surrender, retreat, or even talk to Ghost safely without Ghost trying to go in for the kill. Even if that opponent was intending to kill Ghost themself. And for Infected and uninfected opponents alike, if they stagger, then Ghost will stop and wait for them, just to see if the fight is done or not.

If their opponent insists on fighting, though, then Ghost will never retreat themself, no matter how badly they get hurt. They'll keep fighting until their mask breaks, and even beyond that once they have Void Heart and can survive without it. Even in simple sparring matches. Self-preservation... Is not their strong suit dhdhshf.

This also means that my Ghost would not have killed the non-aggressive Infected enemies under most circumstances. In particular, they definitely never killed the other maggots (False Knight's siblings). Not only were those guys non-aggressive; they were sapient, terrified of Ghost, did not want to fight and very clearly showed this by actively running away. Ghost did not kill them. There was no reason to. Hell, I always feel really bad killing them for the Hunter's Journal entries lmao.

Regarding the Hunter's Journal entries, actually, for the enemies that they wouldn't have killed many of (if any at all), and perhaps even just in general, I'm inclined to say that Ghost still has the entries written down, but did so after just observing the specimens rather than killing them? Plus maybe also by inspecting the bodies of already dead creatures, like how you get the Garpede entry.

At least the initial entries anyway, which I like to think were actually written by Ghost. They probably don't have any of the "second tier" entries physically in the journal, considering that some of them (e.g. The direct quotes from the Warrior Dreams) make no sense for Ghost to know. But for the ones written specifically by the Hunter, maybe Ghost would pop by to show him their journal from time to time, and that's when he'd give them his input on Hallownest's creatures?

[naumin]

november updates

ok so i know november ended yesterday, i did think about titling this post december updates but i know december will be a whole different beast for me... just let me have this... it's been a really long time since i sat down and talked about all my recent projects and goings on!!!! so in case you missed what i've been up to, read on... :)

the free Laios/Marcille fanthology I organised is OUT!!! no tall towers to climb (https://naumin.itch.io/laimar) came out November 10th, and erm only 5 days later than scheduled... it's a big boy at 112 pages with contributions from 14 fans !! I had so much fun organising this and was really touched by the love and care ppl put into their works... fans are so powerful... it's free to download and read digitally or even print and bind your own copy (I am really excited to see your printed and bound copies if you have made them please dont hesitate to @ me...) I love books.. i love making books...

I don't have plans to organise a Volume II however I did start writing a post of my process to maybe help and encourage anyone else who'd like to start a project like this one. It got really lengthy though and I wasn't sure if it was helpful to anyone lol so when I have a minute I really gotta go and edit that thing down

also nobody asked me but the title is based on a poem by 12thc warrior poet Xin Qiji. i guess the tower reminded me of their dungeon misadventures hehe.

also did i mention it's FREE! !!!!!!!

7 months of subscribestar I've officially been making new posts on substar every single week since May ! It's been really fun tbh and I don't have plans of slowing down yet :) I really appreciate everyone who's visited and it makes a huge difference even just subscribing for 1 month or 2, just having that little extra to help out on months where I can't take as many commissions or I'm sick or away from home etc! You may have noticed I've added a tip jar tier ($2.5) for those who can't manage the $6 sketchbook tier... on principle I wanna make it lower but after fees it'd be zilch and I am kind of like if you have $2... maybe hold onto that. lol. maybe use that somewhere else. you can always make 1-time donations through substar or ko-fi (yeah, I have one...) my next projects...

Ballet Yuri Year One, the compilation book of one year of works on Ilze & Evangeline, whos 1st birthday was in September and I haven't had time to look at the files since October but I will look at them again soon-- last spot I left it, it was at least 30 pages... I think it will definitely be double that and could possibly be triple that (omg).

NERD SEX VOLUME III my annual NSFW sketchbook which traditionally comes out around January/February! I'm delusional that this one will be the simplest to put together and so it might be the next thing you see from me. It will be available for all subscribers as soon as it's ready. I also gotta remember to upload Nerd Sex I & II at the same time. for those who dont wanna subscribe, you can get 50% off Nerd Sex I & II in the meantime now :) also i forsee about 300% more lesbians in Nerd Sex III. It's the year of the dyke.

A collaborative NSFW anthology coming next year. This one has a longer production period to give everyone time to work and give me time to get organised lol. Hopefully you'll hear more about this one in the new year! It's for the boys and the ppl who love boys <3

the issues oh my god I've been having technical issues with my ipad the last month. I keep getting random lines and marks while drawing in procreate ! A lot of people said it could be my sweater or hand or case touching the screen while I draw but I don't think that is it, plus it's only started recently. It's not my pen and it's not my settings. it apparently COULD be a technical issue with my ipad model which would suck cuz I got this refurbished (from Apple still) so do i have like..... warranty? will they repair it for me :S? idk. I'll have to look into it though sooner or later cuz it's driving me bananas and slowing my output! AGH! I pray she heals on her own overnight. amen.

commissions I am NOT taking any new commissions in December (unless you are a $10 subscriber) but I am still doing the KISS YCH which also has a very cute wintery version up for this month only lol. same price! check it out if you wanna see your pookies under the mistletoe <3 would make a great present to you or someone u know...

alright that's all. thanks for reading my updates post. did anyone read this whole post besides me? thanks for being there for a while whilst i talked to myself before you presumably left and did something more fun and enriching. i love you.

[haybalesblog]

Okay, I'm doing my big one today, introducing to you PopSewing brand. This brand caught my attention through TikTok, where I came across numerous videos of creators sewing their own bags, a trend that followed the viral #wirkin movement. I love that PopSewing offers so many bag options, including a dedicated section for inspired designs—my favorite being their Hermès collection. They offer a range of colors, including Etoupe, Dark Green, Peacock Blue, Khaki, Cream White, and Brown.

What I find particularly interesting about PopSewing is the DIY aspect. Creating your own bag cleverly navigates copyright laws while encouraging user creativity. However, if sewing isn't your thing, you can also purchase pre-sewn bags, though these are understandably priced slightly higher.

Another interesting aspect of this brand is its dual presence: they have a comprehensive website as well as an Amazon storefront. So if you feel more comfortable shopping through a large retailed like amazon, you have that option with this brand.

I haven't personally used PopSewing products yet, but I'm planning to sew a bag for my best friend, who's a huge handbag enthusiast, for her upcoming birthday. The prices are very appealing, ranging from $112 USD for a top-grain leather Birkin-inspired design to $92 USD for a mini Kelly. I've also noticed they offer a wider range of colors than I originally mentioned, depending on the specific listing. I'm particularly drawn to the black mini Kelly, which appears to be made from box leather. If I could change one thing, it would be to offer more hardware customization; I'm a big fan of gold hardware.

For secure online shopping, I always recommend using trusted third-party payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. It's best to avoid entering your card information directly on websites, as even trusted sites can be vulnerable to security breaches.

Now onto the reviews:

^^^A lovely review I found from 2 years ago, showing that this brand has been inspiring people for a while now.

^^^ This review caught my eye, showing the outcome of purchasing a pre-sewn bag from the brand PopSewing. As stated in the video, it is hand-sewn and sturdy.

Last but not least^^^, a review from a woman who chose to sew a Mini Kelly inspired bag from PopSewing. This review not only gives us a first-hand look into the process of making a bag with them, but it also shows us the quality of the Mini Kelly.

I've included links above to their pre-sewn inspired bags, which I know many of you will appreciate, as well as a link to their DIY bag kits. I'm incredibly excited to try PopSewing, and I hope you'll join me! If you've already tried this brand, please share your experience in the comments. And if you decide to purchase a kit, I'd love to hear about your DIY bag journey! As always, feel free to ask any questions—I'm happy to help.

Love ya,

Haybales

[helloandwelcometomariasblog]

Review #112: Hyena (Ep 2-4)

The story is so bad. I'm so sad, because I really wanted to like this drama. The first episode was so good and got me invested in the characters. However, the actual story - the legal battles - are so bad.

The legal battles are surface-level and feel like child's play. The drama gives off serious, adult-like vibes, but the legal battles are so predictable, shallow and boring.

Geumja is painted as this superheroine who is good at absolutely everything; some kind of genius lawyer who is incredibly badass and can emotionally manipulate just about anyone. It's boring. It's unrealistic. I'm sick of seeing unrealistically perfect characters who feel like characters and not real people. Heejae, on the other hand, feel much more human than Geumja. He's extremely capable and intelligent, but we also very frequently see his imperfect sides. There are things he can't do and things he's bad at. He doesn't succeed just because he's been written as a character who has this genius intuition. There are believable reasons behind his wins.

For example, he's able to win Go Iman's heart and convince him to withdraw because it's been believably built up from the start of the drama that he's a very big fan. On the other hand, Geumja finds out about Go Iman's sexuality just from a simple phone call and because she claims to have heard some kind of "strangely sexual music". This was probably the most disappointing and weird episode. Go Iman hangs up on Geumja, and Geumja has her unconvincing genius moment again. She asks her assistant if she heard the music too, and the assistant catches on almost immediately. I'm sitting there wondering what in the world they've just discovered, while the two of them are sharing their genius moment about the reason behind Go Iman not being allowed to date. Okay, so you heard sensual music. What exactly is that supposed to reveal about Go Iman being restricted from dating?

Then it's revealed in the next scene as Heejae finds Go Iman at a bar. A gay bar. I think that's when the drama kind of lost me. It was as though the writer had never ever interacted with an actual gay man before. I couldn't believe they had painted Go Iman as an overly sensitive, almost babyish character who cannot make his own decisions, is walked all over by his mother constantly, only to reveal (through some random sensual music?) that he's gay? That's absolutely idiotic. Does the writer think gay bars have some kind of specially different music compared to heterosexual bars? And how is Geumja supposed to know that anyway? And her assistant? Where's the scene where Geumja and her assistant are gay bar experts to the point where they know someone's at a gay bar just from listening to the music?

Also. This drama is set in Korea, where being gay is still not socially accepted, even more so if you're a celebrity. Go Iman in the drama is supposed to be this huge, huge musician in Korea and around the world. Korean celebrities take care of their image immensely, to the point where they don't even reveal whether they're dating or not. And Go Iman is just sitting at a gay bar where anyone and everyone can see his face? I thought his mother had put that 'no dating' rule in his contract to protect his image and make sure he doesn't get involved in any scandals. But here is Go Iman, very openly drinking at a gay bar, and happily taking his mask off when Heejae says he's a fan. I don't get it. There's no logic in this scene.

Throughout the episodes, I just keep getting the thought that the writer is half-assing the legal side of the story. It's one or the other: the writer just sucks at writing legal stories, or the writer had no time and had to rush all the episodes. I've just been disappointed with every single legal story so far.

Even the drug addict Ha Chanho story was cringe. I don't know why I found it so cringe. It again felt childish. I think if a drama is going to add those kinds of socially and morally dangerous elements into the story, they have to make it feel actually dangerous and dark. You can't explore those things and keep it PG. It feels childish and fake. The Ha Chanho actor was good, but it was as though he was acting for a child audience. It was honestly cringe. Watching him acting like a tantrum-throwing manchild was cringe. The storyline about him being insanely in love with that girl was unconvincing and cringe too. The drama is supposed to convince us that the girl has something special about her that keeps that crazy man Ha Chanho at bay. But all the audience sees is an average girl who looks like one of the hundred other pretty Korean girls who walk the Seoul streets. What's special about her? Her personality seems quite bland too. And we as the audience are supposed to believe that Ha Chanho is batshit crazy about that girl? Suuuure.

Every single legal story is also way too simply and easily solved. There's no suspense. I'm sure Geumja will win with her pro manipulation skills or her unexplainable spidey sense. All she has to do is act all badass and not be intimidated by anyone whatsoever and cross professional boundaries.

I started off liking Geumja, but I don't really like her anymore. I don't like her as a character, and I don't think I'd like her if she were a real person either. I'm also sick of every character acting so much like a damn character. I want characters to feel real and I want to be able to be immersed in the story world. Right now, I'm just seeing characters acting so damn comically, overdoing their actions and dialogues.

And now Geumja has been asked to join Song&Kim. Sure. As if that's believable. As if the drama has been setting that up. I'm just not convinced. The drama has shown us the kind of people who are running Song&Kim. You're telling me that those people are dying to have Geumja in their team? Aren't they supposed to be one of the top legal companies? They don't have lawyers who are more capable than Geumja? I know this is the whole underdog story and all, but CONVINCE ME. I'm just not convinced. How is Geumja so good at everything, such a genius, with some kind of magical intuition and unbreakable courage and survival skills? It's as though we've been brainwashed to be in awe of this Geumja character, but something the drama has been missing is that the audience should be rooting for her as well. At the moment, she doesn't really have much to root for.

This is what I predict. Geumja will have character development by developing some heart and she will probably start genuinely caring about people (Heejae, especially). Heejae is already quite a multi-dimensional character, but he will learn some more humility (this is already in the making). I also predict that the legal stories will continue to suck.

[shealwaysreads]

I posted 2,193 times in 2022

43 posts created (2%)

2,150 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sitp-recs

@fraddit

@the-starryknight

@hale-of-stiles-heart

@bluebutter-art

I tagged 2,184 of my posts in 2022

#hp - 707 posts

#drarry - 540 posts

#things to read - 282 posts

#art - 242 posts

#drarry fanart - 239 posts

#drarry fic rec - 164 posts

#gorgeous - 122 posts

#captive prince - 83 posts

#poetry and prose - 83 posts

#the writing life - 78 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#the softness this has? the moment of connection and the way they’re resting against each other (trusting and touching!!!!) my heart cant ta

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Righteous

Harry was the one who decided the law wasn’t for him. Not enforcing it and not following it either. 

Draco didn’t mind. Liked it in fact: the wildness, the risk. He liked the waiting and the planning, and he liked the aftermath. Adrenaline-fuelled and animal close. Fierce and blood-stained. Together.

Inspired by @drarrymicrofic’s prompt ‘criminal’

Read all of my microfics here

for @the-starryknight for being so wonderful ✨

112 notes - Posted August 3, 2022

#4

This is a thought that popped up while I was waxing lyrical in tags, but I didn’t want to lose it so here it is again.

Sometimes it strikes me how incredible fic recs are, and what a wonderful insight they give us into the person recommending the story (or list of stories) whether it’s someone reblogging a creator’s post with tags or commentary, or if it’s a special post they’ve made to rec a fic.

There are people I’ve never met whose recs give me this wonderful way of knowing them; of finding out what makes their heart clench, their eyes tear up, their smile to grow.

Recs are an amazing way of finding new things to read, but they are also a remarkable way of getting to know people in such an intimate way through the stories they hold close ❤️

182 notes - Posted January 18, 2022

#3

Helping hands

Sometimes Harry can’t get out of bed. Can’t brush his teeth. Can’t quite bear the weight still pressing down—interminable—on his shoulders.

The world is heavy.

Those days Draco casts gentle cleansing charms. Rests warm hands on Harry’s neck. He ties Harry’s shoelaces for him.

It’s a tender service—unexpected—not-light, but buoyant.

Inspired by @drarrymicrofic’s prompt ‘shoelaces’

Read all of my microfics here

251 notes - Posted August 12, 2022

#2

This is gonna be really random but I am so delighted that you have 30s in your bio. I'm 23 and at that point in my life where I'm entering adulthood and I've thought of my involvement in fandom and how that would change as I journeyed further into adulthood. And most of the time, especially on new platforms like tiktok, it's mostly younger people who are making fan content so it's amazing to see people actively enjoy fandom content as they become full adults. It's very freeing 💜

This was such a lovely ask to receive, I’m so touched and so glad that you reached out! You’ve tapped into a subject I have a Lot of Feelings about, so forgive the incoming ramble ❤️

I have had friends of all ages in fandom over the years, and those friendships have been more important than perhaps I gave them credit for at the time. I’ve been fandom-ing since I was about 14 and its been a hobby that’s brought me huge joy and allowed me to get to know so many lovely humans. They’ve modelled ways of living that I didn’t know about, have generously shared their time and knowledge and expertise and experience, and have been examples of preserving one’s joy amidst the reality of growing up and of living in an adult landscape that can become barren if you don’t intentionally enshrine what’s important to you. (The actual you, the one that lives in your heart.)

The narrative of ‘you’ll grow out of this’ or of setting aside your pleasures as you become an Adult™️ is incredibly pervasive and incredibly damaging. There is even more pressure on young women in particular, and I’ve seen so many instances of ‘oh my god you’re 30 why are you reading fanfic, shouldn’t you be married/mothering/doing your taxes?’ 

It’s easy to get tricked into believing these social strictures are rules that really mean something, but reducing yourself to something prescribed by….who, exactly? (The people and structures that are interested in keeping us small, and bored, and tired, and empty-hearted, and too worn out to argue when they want to take more of our money and eat into more of our precious time here on this precious planet with all of these precious people) It’s a losing game! How much do you think you would need to give up to please the anonymous Life Police who are apparently out to make sure we’re all living the most stripped-back life we can?

If something makes you happy, if it gives you pleasure or comfort or inspiration, then it has a meaningful place in your life. This isn’t hedonism, it is a fundamental basis for a life worth living. 

Fandom is fundamentally about fun—it’s a small word for a big phenomenon, full of community, and friendship, and connection. It’s a folk-space where there is room for everyone, where you can explore the subversive and the comforting all in one blog. It’s where all of us can contribute—making art of all kinds, celebrating each other, inspiring each other, debating each other, stepping out of our daily lives to indulge in the essential, essential, work of imagination and creativity and enjoyment.

Play doesn’t stop being important when you stop being a child, or a teen. We’re human: telling tales and making marks, and sitting together around the fire enjoying it all is in our DNA. Fandom is just another circle of humans joining together to listen to stories and be together.

So. Enjoy being 23, but don’t fear 33, or 53, or 73!

You’ll be yourself; wiser and older, and more well-lived, but you’ll still be yourself. You’ll still laugh, with love, at your childhood and teenage embarrassing moments.

You’ll still remember when that actor did that movie, in that outfit.

You’ll have playlists full of music that brings back summers and parties and heartbreaks, and you’ll still know every lyric of all of those songs.

You’ll have new hobbies, and you’ll have your old hobbies, and maybe you’ll leave them for years at a time but you’ll come back to them unexpectedly and joyfully.

You don’t have to give anything up, not if it still makes you happy!

❤️

260 notes - Posted July 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Flushed

Draco used to be pale.

Before summer’s heat cracked them all open next to the lake.

Before angry words then quiet ones.

Before firewhiskey-loose tongues.

Before laughter, unbelievable laughter.

Before banked embers and heat low in the belly.

Before flushed cheeks, sun-wrought freckles, lips kissed pink, mouth-shaped bruises.

Before Harry.

Inspired by @drarrymicrofic’s prompt ‘pale’

Read all of my microfics here

To @sweet-s0rr0w @the-starryknight @tackytigerfic @maesterchill you all have my entire heart for reminding me I’m still a writer ❤️

303 notes - Posted July 26, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[katmaeart]

Week 5 Post

'Skin Shows'

I was excited about this reading, and made a lot fo good connections to myself, the media I consume, and my art practice. I am a huge fan of The Twilight Saga, and saw lots of connections to that in this reading.

'Pleasure disables others' (Halberstam 71). When it's too good, it's hard to stop. That can apply to a lot of things, and touches issues on consent. Relating that to Twilight, I thought about at the end of the movie, when Bella was bit by James in her ballet studio and Edward had to decide if he was going to save her, he had to suck the venom out of her blood. Edward has described Bella as his own brand of heroin, always wondering what it would be like to drink her blood. And now he finally gets to, but it could be overpowering. Too much. Too yummy. he had to push down that desire and pleasure of the taste of her blood in order to save her. Tasting her blood was like no other, disabling his intuition and sense of realism.

'Until an original site of trauma reveals itself in therapy, it remains foreign to body and mind but active in both' (Halberstam 72). This one hit home. I have gone through a lot of trauma in my time (wow Katrina who hasn't). Something I've always been worried about is it coming back up, being triggered. This trauma is living in my shell, undetected, repressed, until something brings it out. Connecting to Newton's First Law- an object at rest will stay at rest until acted upon. This trauma will stay undetected, hiding, until it's brought to life. The traumas I'm referring to (I won't name them), never got sprung on in my everyday life, thank god, so now that I'm in therapy, they're bubbling up, and I'm having to deal with them.

>>>>>>

'Monster Metaphors: Notes on Michael Jackson's Thriller'

Again, thinking of Twilight. I looked up queer-ness in Twilight, and found this scholarly article; Triangulated desire in Meyer's Twilight: A Queer Dynamic, from the Journal of Dracula Studies. I am TEAM EDWARD, and don't think he's gay.

Anyways, getting back to the reading. This reading speaks to me as a queer person. How long I stayed in the closet, how I feel like I have to be in the closet when I'm home (I live at home). What I choose to be, and let others see. Not letting others know what we do in the shadows.

'Act of vampirism- happens at night, alone, in the bedroom stereotypically' (Mercer 112). When we're queer, we can't really show it in public. When I hold my girlfriend's hand in public, we get dirty looks, and I glare right back. I wish I could just be. Apologizing, I'm going to be making ANOTHER connection to Twilight. In Twilight, Edward and Bella share moments in this specific location called the meadow. In the meadow, Edward shows Bella his glistening skin 'this is the skin of a killer Bella'. They share intimate moments. Just laying down in the field, full of flowers. Curling up next to one another. In this meadow, they can just be. They don't have to hide their emotions, their attraction, desire. It's a safe space for them, maybe even a brave space. Last year I made a painting called The Meadow, representing this location for my girlfriend and I. I'm wanting a place for her and I to just me. We don't have to be seen as freaks for our abnormalities. We can just be. Just exist and love one another.