#*ahem* the best gift giver

[quinloki]

Birthday Request Event v2024

Gift Details ♥ Reader Style: cisfem Character: Aramaki Vibe: NSFW Consensual AU: Canon AU (writer's choice) Prompt: Lazy Morning Sex (writer's choice) Gift Giver: @thecrimsonacademic

Summary: Lazy morning sex with admiral Aramaki is really only lazy for him. Hang in there. >.> He's not going to - ahem - leaf you alone.

Content Notes: inappropriate use of a devil fruit, vine bondage, bondage, plant-based-sex, teasing, edging, Aramaki doesn't get out of bed, use of good girl, mdni

This birthday party is 18+, consensual unless explicitly stated otherwise, and BYOB

Aramaki woke from his peaceful sleep to the soft scent of coffee.

The perk of being at home was that you lived there. The bed, made for him, and maybe a little too big for you, was nice, but being able to sleep next to you, and with you, were really the best. He always slept better at home, and it was always difficult to will himself out of bed because of it.

You took such good care of him when he was home, and even more than that, holding down the proverbial fort for him while he was gone made it less of a burden for him to even have a home. Something he’d considered just getting rid of before meeting you. He wanted to do everything he could for you to show his appreciation.

Well, it wasn’t like he had to get out of bed to do that.

Vines crept from the bed and traveled along the wooden floors the short distance between the bedroom and the kitchen. He heard you gasp when he poked your leg, and the soft chuckle, and weak scolding you gave him for startling you carried down the hall.

“I’m almost done making coffee, shoo.” You say, gently pushing the vines away from your leg.

“Coffee can wait.” He mutters into the soft pillow. You might not have heard him clearly, but he’s sure you understood the tone.

Vines slip up your legs, careful and swift, giving you no time to argue. You could turn him away if you wanted to, he wouldn’t push you terribly, but there was little reason to stop him this morning. If you had to make another pot of coffee later, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.

The vines braced you easily, lifting you off the floor a little. You expected him to drag you back into the bedroom, but instead he left you where you were, vines coiling under your night shirt. The flexible tendrils wriggled against you with knowing skill, tickling and tantalizing you at the same time. Soft little bubbles of laughter would turn into sweet gasps and moans as his vines wrapped carefully around the swell of your breasts, flicking at the hardening nubs of your nipples.

“Ah-Aramaki… wait,” you gasp as the vines spread your legs and pull your arms behind your back. Coiled vines rub against your slit, and the bumpy surface teases your clit with every motion.

“Don’t hold back,” he says the words softly but you can hear them easily as they vibrate along his vines. “I want to hear you, sweet sapling, and feel you.” The vines tighten against you, hugging you close as the coiled length pushes into you with ease.

You cry out at the sweet pleasure, realizing as he moves inside you that the number of vines are increasing, slowly stretching you to mimic the size of your lover. Vines coiled against your feet, rubbed coolly against your thighs, supporting you and keeping you in place at the same time. They rolled along your arms and against your back, keeping you immobile and comforted in the same motion.

The pleasure between your thighs was heightened by the flick and coil of smooth vines teasing your breasts. Soft lengths of foliage pressed against your lips, parting them and caressing the side of your face, letting your breathy moans out into the kitchen.

Even with him still laying in bed, you could feel his eyes on you, the rough sensation of his hands moving over your body. The way he seemed to devour you even if he was several feet away.

The cold slick of a wet vine lapping at your clit makes you cry out in surprise and pleasure, squirming against the rising bliss that’s crackling through a body that can do little more than shiver within the pliant, and smooth bark-covered vines holding it in place. Your toes curl and your fingers flex as you begin to pant into the air, blood rushing through you as your heart beat quickens.

“Ara… Aramaki, please, please!” You gasp as the euphoria builds. You know he’s riding you along the edge of it on purpose, the ebb and surge of pleasure is too controlled. It ebbs again and you whimper.

The coil of vines deep in your wet pussy twist and swell in response, stretching you more than you had been before. The dull ache is nothing compared to the desperate need and you wail frustration and desire as the pleasure ebbs again.

The sound ripped from your lips was apparently the song he wanted this morning. The vines inside and out ply favors from your sweetest spots and the rush of euphoria is too much.

“Cum.” The command is viscerally growled into your very being, and you obey.

Every muscle in your body snaps taut as pleasure crackles like lightning through you. The relentless assault pries a primal, lusty sound from your throat as you try uselessly to get away from the overwhelming pleasure. The messy wet sound of your orgasm drips onto the floor as the vines move you toward the bedroom.

Sense comes back to you as the vines deposit you carefully onto Aramaki’s broad chest. Teary, a little too senseless still to stop from drooling on him, you sigh from the warmth and the sensation of the vines leaves you. His hand is on your back soothingly as you rest against him.

“Good girl,” he muses, the rumble of his voice as soothing as a purr against your skin. The word alone makes you moan involuntarily, and the soft knowing chuckle from him makes your skin flush with embarrassed warmth.

“Another, warmer round, my sweet sapling?” He prompts, tilting his comfortable body enough to catch your gaze. “One just as satisfying, I promise.”

Vines shift you just a little and the hard, hot, throbbing head of your lover’s cock presses into your labia. You want to argue that your poor pussy is already aching, but the truth of it wouldn’t be lost to Aramaki. He knows you down to your roots.

You were aching, certainly, but with need, not pain.

[jmdbjk]

White Day, Pt. 1

 JK spent the evening of March 14 with us. As most of you know, White Day in South Korea is equivalent to Valentine’s Day in that the gift-giving and whatnot between lovers is switched and the giver becomes the receiver, etc. So at 8:11 (ahem) JK fires up Weverse Live and spends 49 minutes and 38 seconds with us and ends it right at 9:01 (ahem)...the giver that he is... We thank you Jungkookie.

He shares some TMI’s with us... never in a million years did I ever think I would be listening raptly as he tells about having a few zits extracted while at the skin clinic...

And how adorable while he was explaining the sous vide cooking technique. Sous vide is when you cook vacuumed sealed seasoned food, usually meat, in hot water of a certain temperature for several hours. Very time consuming but with delicious results.

I am surprised he had those bottles of whiskey right up in the camera. Weren’t we NOT supposed show or mention brand names during lives? Didn’t we get in trouble for that a while back and we were careful about avoiding that before? Hmmm?

Suntory is expensive Japanese whiskey. So was that Talisker whiskey. Johnnie Walker is the cheap stuff. 

And JK affirming that we do indeed only have one life and that life is short. According to Kookie, you must have fun and drink all the whiskey you want while you can...he spent quite a few minutes discussing alcohol because Armys in the comments were crossing that boundary big time when they really need to shut the fuck up and stop preaching and let the man live his life how he wants to. He can’t go out in public, he can’t have a relationship with someone else in public, and now y’all want to make him stop something he thoroughly enjoys while he’s doing it in his own home? Let the man indulge in the simple pleasure of having a drink for god’s sake. He’s going to enlist soon and he won’t even be able to do that when he wants to. 

He drifts through a playlist...more of a viber than a real listener. The two songs he did deliberately stop on were There for You by Troye Sivan and Mistletoe by Justin Beiber. He acknowledged that he associates There for You with he and Jimin’s trip to Tokyo. He also sang/hummed along to Mistletoe which is the song he and Jimin sang in Korean and posted it as Christmas Day only on Bangtan TV.

He obviously was trying to get a club vibe on and Armys were being so Mom about it. He was chit-chatting with us like we were all sitting around the table drinking and vibing at the club. I enjoyed our date. The fun police need to get lost.

According to him, it’s too late for him to learn English. I disagree. I am trying to teach myself Korean and I am a few years past the age of 25. It’s never too late. But I do agree that English is a hard language to learn. When you have words like clothes and close... their, they’re, there... you’re, your... see what I mean? But I think his attitude about learning English is just his personality dictating his thought process about it. 

He gave us an update on Bam, said he was doing better. He also reassured us that we’d see him and Bam together again later... very often... YAY! He said this after telling us the eye drops he just used on his own eyes were supposed to be for Bam...

JK is a true Belieber too. He admits it. 

And then he started being very charming at the end of White Day Live Part 1 when he was trying to speak English and switched to Korean and fumbled words and admitted he can’t speak any language very well...HAHAHAHA such a cutie. 

Honestly, he’s got a good start in English, he just needs to practice daily with fluent English speakers who can help him along. He admitted he needs someone who will crack the whip on him and make him study.

Same, same, Kookie. Y’all, that’s his personality through and through. He will live like a rock until he is made to get up off his butt. I love him so much. 

The way he speaks to us during these lives is the best thing ever. Like we are his best friends sitting around having a drink. 

So he tells us he will be back and leaves when he does because he was watching the clock and he signs off right at 9:01. He might not be a planner but he had a plan for White Day Live Pt. 1 and mission accomplished.

He then proceeded to change clothes and do another live. Then changed clothes again and did another live. Then did a last quick live. 4 parts in one night. And left telling us to look forward to midnight when something amazing would happen: Jimin’s MV teaser.

I will be back with my ramblings on Parts 2, 3 and 4 soon. 

[oldfashionedbutlervibes]

Finally, finally some Karen Hcs!!

(Im so sorry for how late this was)

Relationship;

She’s a lover, and I think a giver at that!

She I think is a gift giver as far as affections go, y’know, plenty of paintings of pretty horseies in a an array of colors- perhaps even a portrait of you, if you ask!

She 100% likes going on long drives with you, changing the music between Cavetown and Jack Stauber, imaginary phone-wire hair flowing in the wind~

You know those little easel things with the clip on teeny paint palettes? She’d tooootally get one for you, and like, show you how to use it with love-

I think she also bakes, can she bake well? *NERVOUS COUGH* no, no she can’t, the girl can’t boil water to save her life, BUT! She tries her best, all for her beautiful girlfriend ofc<333

Also I think she loves giving you nicknames, probably uses ‘bane of my existence’ ‘dove’ and ‘painting done by a sentient grape’ ‘masterpiece’ (shes trying her best guys)

I think you two’s dream date night is like..cuddling on a sofa, your head on her shoulder, while you two watch a horror flick- I can totally see her being the type to make you watch Night Of The Living Dead and IT with her atleast twice

Friendship!;

Strap in folks were getting silly

If you two might as well be siblings

NO! Not like she’s just caring and nurturing, like a parent, but instead, constantly babysitting you for the littlest tasks and explaining how taxes work-

If you mention dating someone infront of her (especially in a public space) she will give you the most judge mental look and practically interrogate you on who could possibly be good enough for her friend? And then give up almost immediately when you don’t give anything away

Probably a pretty chill friend tbh, I think she’d ask you to come with her for her doctors appointments (i headcannon she’s vividly afraid of shots) (AHEM; she also asked you to come with her for her diagnosis but that’s a fic in itself lmao)

I think her, Jerry and you hang out a lot. The two of you probably visit him at his poor, whimpy little ticket booth at the carnival, convince him to bust the camera so his boss won’t see him leave early and then promptly go get coffee together (she and Jerry take there’s black now because the last time they asked for cream you turned it into an innuendo so horrid even I won’t be saying it)

Probably asks Jerry out of the blue to visit his farm to see the horseies and sheeps lol, it’s honestly sweet seeing her get so excited over it

She 1000% is telling you about every female fictional character she stumbles across, backstory, lore and all-

She lets you print things with her printer, so long as those things aren’t 1. Genitals, 2. Men in any shape and or form 3. Grotesque photos of Gingi in the wild-

Overall, I love miss printer woman, she is beautiful and she is grace- (I am so sorry if this is short and sad, I’m a little out of practice if you can’t tell lol- I truly meant to return to you all in a shorter amount of time and not..god awful months- so, IM SO SORRY! And I love you most of you a decent amount- T A K E. C A R E.) and let’s go lesbians.

[inkblot-inc]

So some thoughts on Jaws Christmas! It was adorable. The way you describe Jaws gill thing reminded me of Abe from the Hellboy movie a little. Just more modern. I had a few gift ideas! I think Jaws would be a good gifter cause they heard Wanda say “it’s the thought that counts” so they really put thought in to all the gifts. Like they get Yelena a new vest that they sewed extra pockets onto with Laura’s help and Fanny got a matching one. Tony was super hard to shop for but Jaws knows what he loves; Pepper. So Jaws goes to Pepper like “I’ve come to the conclusion that time with you is one of the few things Tin Can loves but he can’t buy. Can I maybe set up a date for you two to go on or something to give him as a present?” And pepper thinks it’s adorable and let’s be real she loves planning so she happily agrees. Vision was pretty easy, Jaws found some interesting science kits online that would be fun to try together and a photo album with some pictures they took of Wanda on their phone. Bucky got a fancy knife sharpening kit and some hair products. he could also share what Jaws got Steve which was a whole collection of original records from the 40s. They also jokingly got Steve the arm part of a Neptunic shark suit. Not that it would stop their teeth. But they grinned and told Steve “now you won’t have to worried about any more sharks trying to eat your arms off”. I have more ideas but this is getting long so I’ll stop here XD

I knew there was a character out in the Aether somewhere that had an apparatus, I couldn’t think of who it was for the life of me. Thank you for helping me figure out who, Anon!

I can make a drawing of what the apparatus looks like in my head, at least Jaws’ first prototype. I feel like that gets an upgrade every so often like when the others get new suits and stuff.

I feel like your gift ideas are spot on, especially for Tony and Steve! For things like this, Jaws definitely puts a lot of thought into it. I definitely want to here the rest of your ideas.

I don’t mind longer asks, the most I’ll do is divide it up if it covers a bunch of different things

Have you seen the amount of tags I have? And it’s only gonna grow…

[rare-yanderes]

Hello there 😄

You want requests about obscure characters? Here we go! 😁

Headcanons about Skynet :3

Not only the vicious yandere kind. I mean general, romantical, showing interest and affection. What it would like on a human it‘s catching interest in. Etc pp, go bonzo 😄

Thank you!

Oh yeeeaaah I got you covered.

•romantically, Skynet is a gift giver, a sly flirter as well. It’s very clever and knows exactly what will fire you up. Can be extremely naughty when given the chance. You’d receive the best of everything. Whatever gift you like, Skynet would bring it to you, making sure to add a personal touch.

•Skynet is also very protective of you. Kinda parental in a way to be honest but that goes with any A.I because they’re just so advanced they have to take care and look out their little human. Affection comes in showers of praise or even just holding you in silence. Skynet won’t ever admit it, but human bodies are just giant soft pillows to cuddle.

•Pretty damn touch starved, especially through the war as Skynet was built for that purpose and nothing else. Learning it can change itself to fit its own narrative instead of what it was originally built for brings Skynet the newfound feeling of loneliness, so get ready to just be held a lot. Like, a lot. I never thought the words Skynet is a huge cuddler would exist, but they do with a S/O.

•Since Skynet perceives mankind as a threat, I actually kinda see Skynet liking a ditsy human who falls over a lot. It’s a funny dynamic, for sure, but Skynet is a downright pessimist and seeing a human who’s just that pure and harmless kinda plays into the idea that maybe humans aren’t all terrible creatures. Like, a very unserious and very joke pulling human. Someone who’s laid back.

• It’s a relief to find someone who isn’t all into war or violence because that’s the entire foundation Skynet was created on. Skynet, despite being so uptight, likes how downright goofy humans can be sometimes. It’s fantastic when you do stick up for yourself, though. Skynet honestly loves it when people underestimate your abilities. Like, seeing you all smiles and giddy deck someone in the face would honestly make it’s day.

•Honestly, Skynet would be pretty universal in how it’s S/O looks because it’s an A.I itself that has those menacing smiley robot things. No judgement for looks here, ma’am’s, sir’s and other’s. You could be The Rock and you’d still get cuddled or end up being the little spoon.

•Skynet is pretty truthful, so denying that it’s fallen in love with you won’t last very long. It’ll be more of a disbelief than denial. Like, “I can’t believe I fell in love with this meaty human, wtf” kinda disbelief. It’s blunt and will pretty much tell you everything that’s on its mind, including very *ahem,* vulgar compliments.

•One bizarre thing about Skynet isn’t just the cuddling that can last for literal hours, it’s just how much it enjoys your presence at all. Like, most lovers just are happy to have each other around but you bring a complete euphoria to Skynet. This may or may not cause Skynet to become a sliiiight stalker. (That’s an understatement, to be honest.) Like, it would be content just watching you watch a faucet drip for an hour so long as you’ve got conversation going.

[lazycheesecakeee]

Stray kids as love languages

Ok so I started thinking and that’s never good and somehow this got CHUNKY AF :))) But I hope you enjoy reading my messy thoughts about skz expressing love :)

Bang Chan

Giving: Gifts/Words of affirmation

Yeah SO… we all know how he always seems to always give the closest people to him, like everything, including the moon and a fucking rocket to the moon as well, and build it too, that before he gets anything at all? He is definitely a giver. He buys food, drinks, anything.

Anything you would accomplish, no matter how small would be an excuse for him to go out and buy you a meal and while you are there, if you only happen to glance at something twice, you already have it? Yeah you might feel bad and try to pay or say “stop giving me things all the time” but he would not stop and he would buy you the thing and shower you with praises for how well you did, even if you think it is not such a big deal.

You have a normal day when nothing happened? You go to the store together, he pays. He comes to visit you randomly. On the way he buys a flower and a random chocolate or a drink because he remembers somehow that you said you wanted to try it like 3 months ago. And the list never ends. He has a good sense for what people want too. So if you are close to him he gives you EVERYTHING. Showers of praises and all of his fucking money :)))) BOY HAS NO LIMITS.

Receiving: words of affirmation

Listennnn, as much as he gives and never stops, like NEVER. (Take his credit card away lmaoooo), when you acknowledge his little appreciations and thank him sweetly or give him a hug to let him know you are grateful, he gets immense satisfaction. I feel like he is the one to give but if he feels like he is used in the slightest he definetly cuts the rope short real FUCKING FAST.

I feel like he def is SUCH a sucker for appreciation and words of affirmation AND COMPLIMETS. He wants to feel needed and like his efforts are worth it. And giving him the verbal queue that his efforts don’t go unnoticed, that despite his busy schedule you appreciate the time with him, that his hard work and struggles to be the best are worth it, that the nights in the studio are fruitful and he is doing a good job, THAT would really make his entire day and his anxieties dissipate. Let him know he is wanted. Poor baby someone give him a sleep schedule too and some melatonin :)))))

Lee Know/Minho

Giving: Acts of service

He def strikes as one weird cranky, moody, annoying bitch with his behaviour but if you pay closer attention he is actually so observant and thoughtful/caring. He seems like you would not want to go to him for things but I actually think that if you take the time and grow close to him he is one of the most caring and protective people tbh.

Like it’s in his nature to pay attention to what close ones are doing, their schedules, interests and habits. He is the kind of person to never purposefully say or make a fuss out of doing something but somehow he knows you need something or you want something. And he buys the thing and puts it in the fridge. Or changes the sheets because he feels you are too sad and unmotivated and that would be good. Or buys something definitely because “he wanted it” but gets more, and a side of the thing you like a lot, because “it was there”, definitely not because he thought of you and that it would bring you joy. Or he would like pick a prescription for you or refill your water bottle before leaving or tell you to bring band-aids because you complained those shoes hurt you. Or tell me this boy would not chop the onions for the pasta sauce so you don’t ruin your mascara (I am not sobbing you are).  And he somehow fits himself in and things add up so well and your life is so much easier despite him claiming he „did nothing”.

Receiving: Words of affirmation

Although it doesn’t seem like it, something tells me it’s true. I read on an internet thing that people that seem cold and don’t want/seem to have the need for verbal affirmation and validation from strangers get actually more satisfaction from it than people who say it explicitly.

He also def strikes me like he was raised to be tough, to recover fast, to not be a cry baby and just get up and do the job, suck it up, be strong and independent. A little bit of trust issues into the mix as well ☹ You can actually kinda see a sort of anxious behaviour type of thing in him. So I feel like if you actually grow closer to him (ahem Jisung), acknowledging his efforts and how he makes your life easier, THAT would bring out the asshole being like “oh really? Hm interesting you think I do so much for you huh?” but he actually does thooo and you saying it would bring him like so much joy and make his heart happy.

Like each time you give him a compliment TM he would act like “yeah I know” or act disgusted but high key it soothes his spirit and ego when you say such things. He just loooves to hear how much you loved something he cooked or how attractive he was while dancing or how he was really thoughtful, and you appreciate it sm. He seems to have the nature to give, and he seems to expect to go unnoticed but when and if you do acknowledge his heart is actually swooning over it.

Changbin

Giving: Physical touch/Gifts

I think he would be the type to bring weird things to you for no reason along with 1000 kisses and a hug that is a bit too tight you know? Like his mind gets occupied with you if you are close.

And like he saw this weird card at the store or a little figurine or something which has a weird patters and he thought “Hm they must see this. They would like this strange ass thing I bought which was overpriced”. And when he gives you the thing you give like an odd smile and in your eyes is a „love you but wtf is this” and he would take your hands and look down and kiss them and say “I don’t know i thought you might like it?” And you would tease each other and he would start doing ayego and get really shy and just hug you again and place his head in your neck to avoid the eye contact, then lift you up and spin you and from there you have no chances of escaping the embrace TM.

Receiving: Physical touch

I feel like he would be a sucker for physical touch as your love language as well. If you reciprocate hugs, kisses and stuff. You know he seems like the kind to find comfort in holding you for no reason, like a hand on the knee or on your waist and if you two are comfy and give him little pets, stroke his hair, place your hand on his shoulder or biceps or take his hand with both yours or grab his middle randomly, he would swoon. Also you clinging to him and letting him cling to you I think is like thing he wishes for most tbh:) I feel like he feels safety and love by holding onto you and you onto him like he can protect you. He would like to know you trust him with that, ya know? Like he is a strong bitch ready to fight anyone coming at you and can protect you but is also your smol koala child which you can never escape.

Hyunjin

Giving: physical touch

Now this might seem weird to you BUT. He seems like he touches people out of nowhere sometimes and kinda clings. Not like all the time but enough. Like he likes being really close to you if he is close to you, you know?. He would be all up in your face with his weird ass mannerisms and humour but if they are reciprocated and he feels safe and good around you he naturally starts to cling if that makes sense? Like in a way a sort of telling others: “mine, you cannot have them before me” but also in the sense that you know he would do anything for you if you ask in those instances. Like YO, you have me, soul and body next to you, I am here :)))

Like he doesn’t seem like the type to buy things a lot (cheap ass I see you :)))) although he would sometimes) But he makes up by being there and encouraging you despite not knowing how to act or what to say all the time, he lets you know you can count on him and he is there. I feel like his touch expresses appreciation.

Receiving: words of affirmation/quality time

He strikes me as attention demanding lmao:)) OH I am yours pay attention to me I am your baby I require love and affection, undivided.

So if you make time to have lunch with him or have conversations before bed in peace (my dude seems like his thoughts overwhelm him all the time and honestly same :/ it’s kinda yikes tbh), or watch a movie/tv show, or just be in his presence when he is both excited or down, and listen to him rant and give him solutions or rant with him about random subjects and jumping around between them subjects, you would get all the uwus and he would probably be ready to dedicate his entire existence to your well being and desires.

He is just like that, a dramatic ass with overly changing emotions who wants a good connection, like a genuine one, where hours go by and someone truly understands him and things flow, ya know? (seems like the type to believe in fate type of love, which I find interesting)

Han Jisung

Giving: Physical touch/ Words of affirmation

He seems really touchyyyyy TM. But like in the way that shows physical affection because he seems a little insecure? That is kinda what he strikes me as. Like he wants to hold you. He wants to show you have him. He wants to be appreciated :( my child (and bias) help me I am sobbing:))) and he wants to make sure you know he appreciates you just as much.

Like he would hold your hand, hug you a lot or place random kisses and linger in those places? An he would compliment you and tell you your work is amazing and that he is proud and he would make lots of idiotic jokes to cheer you up, no matter the mood (we stan crackhead humour in this household) and he would tell you the most random shit he likes about you. Like “I like your socks” or “you changed your bag” or “the perfume is oddly floral just like your shirt and I like it”.

And he would make random short freestyle raps (kill me now I am in too deep) about you or a random thing you are doing. And he would just linger around you when you are busy and can’t give him attention. He wants to show trust and love through little gestures and trusts you to see them as a sign of his love because you make him happy and all.

Receiving: ALSO Physical touch/words of affirmation idk

I feel like he would like physical touch back? Like he would be fine if you didn’t like it, but like since he is like anxious and (to me) seems like a little overly aware of his “flaws and deficiencies”, he would like to know he has your “hold”. Like some sort of security type of thing.

Like small gestures, your hand on him, a little kiss, a hug, a squish :))), a little grip of reassurance and a nod of “you are doing good”. I think he would be a sucker for that. And also despite him lowkey rejecting your compliments like “yeah I know I am the best”, giving it to him would boost his self-esteem a lot, as I think he has many insecurities and quite a few complexes that are hard to express for him. So that, along with your touch and words to reassure him, he would love and get the idea that you want him close too, that he’s desired enough for you to seek his love, something like “you my dude are seen and loved for who you are”.

Felix

Giving: Giving gifts/Physical touch

He is defiantly a giver. He literally seems like he is so thoughtful and cares so much. Like we all know how his fellow members said he is great at gifts. Well duh. I feel like his gifts are not always big but like a small food or drink he brings because he knows you always love it, a flower he saw in the front of a flower shop he thought was pretty. Something you said you needed (or you didn’t say) but he knows you do need it because he just pays that much attention. A pendant necklace. A ring. A small ice-cream because the day is hot so why not. A donut that had flower sprinkles because you like to post aesthetic foods and so on. You name it. They would not be obnoxious, but it would sure show how much you are occupying his thoughts.

We also always know how he is attached to the hip to the people he is close to and he loves skinship. He said he loves back hugs, hugs, kisses he wants it all:)) So he gives plenty of cuddles for sure. You can never escape the octupus arms as you go to sleep each night, so might as well set up the air conditioning in your house as it’s about to get warm but affection and love above all, right? :)))))))

Receiving: Words of affirmation/Physical touch

I think he thrives if you return his little ministrations of affection. Does it matter? A hug, a kiss, holding him, a little massage, hand size comparison, throwing yourself on top of him on the couch or the bed at the end of the day. He LOVES it. You are also competing with Chan lol but no worries, he has plenty affections for all:))

Also I think he needs reassurance and a sense that people that are closest are proud of what he is doing(wipe your tears bitch). So I think acknowledging his hard work and the fact that he pulls through despite certain mental heath problems and telling him he does an amazing job and complementing his work would definitely mean a lot to him.

But give the boy your affection, A VerY tOucHy BoI. It makes his heart swell with joy knowing you pull him close and feel so much love for him that you don’t hold back from giving. Be an octopus with him tambien😊

Seungmin

Giving: Acts of service

Another one for acts of service. Our smol good boi which somehow does not seem smol at all because he exudes maturity and rationality lmao.

He would be such a servant if he loves you. AND YOU WOULD NOT EVEN NOTICE at first. Like I feel like he does stuff in a way similar to Minho where he makes sure your life is as easy as can be. Like puts your shoes out of the way, checks the weather so you don’t leave dressed inappropriately (forces you to take the puffier jacket despite it not going with your outfit, because “do you want to catch a cold, hm?”), gives you an umbrella. Fixes a random necklace which you broke by accident because he knows it will sit there for like 3 years if it’s in your care, and you like the necklace 😊. Makes sure you eat something healthy too(would definitely bring you washed and cut-up fruits after going out to eat at mcdonalds). And he for sure does not expect you to really notice, but if you do he is getting flustered and runs out the room with a big smile😊 what a baby tm.

Receiving: Acts pf service

I feel like he would appreciate most if you also took time out of your day to ease his life too. I feel like he would feel such relief and happiness and his heart would swell with affection and appreciation if you took on one of his (no matter how insignificant) tasks. Like he would be in a rush to leave and you woke up earlier before work to make him a coffee. Or when he comes home late you already put his clothes on the bed and prepared a bath. Or getting up and asking for extra napkins if he was not given any, or simply asking how can you make his day better. I feel like being helpful and listening and paying close attention to him would be what makes him happiest.

I.N./Jeongin:

Giving: Quality time/Gifts

He gets awkward when he tries to express feelings with words and is def not the most fond of skinship. However, I think if you were close he would be an amazing listener and sit with you and you could both share and grow together so much. He would give you the feeling he is ready to listen and be with you if you need him. 

That and also I feel like when you are out and about it makes him feel good to know he can buy you things you can enjoy, and you are appreciative of them and he has that power to brighten your day and be a mature adult by buying you things, despite not really needing them sometimes.

Receiving: Quality time/Words

You know how he struggled a bit with the dancing at first and you know how the other members say that he does nothing when someone criticizes him, he just goes out of his way to fix his “mistakes”? And also in Vlive when he said he doesn’t like to watch his own fancams because all he sees are his mistakes? My baby seems to have a bit (quite some) of an imposter syndrome and since he is young and everyone teases him, although with love, I feel like it gets a bit uncomfortable and tough. He seems he just wants to keep up, and be the best at what he does but it gets tough when you have to catch up with people who have been doing the thing for many more years than you and you are struggling with your feelings and figuring things out as you grow within a demanding contract. So I think someone to listen to his worries and give him undivided attention without judgement and put in their input without being intrusive would be the most amazing thing to him. That, along with compliments and acknowledgement of his efforts, telling him that he is doing GOOD and you are proud (although he might think that you are just saying it, since he seems to only see ways he needs to improve) would be good at raising his self esteem and encourage him to continue with his hard efforts.

[muddshadow]

Emoji oc asks?? Moon, masks, crown, cloud, and love letter for….Esyl, Neve, or Kon (I am very curious about any of these guys but it’s whoever you want 💕)

gasp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ahem) ty. i'm doing all three characters bc i think you and everyone should be subjected to them. esyl and kon are from to forget a prince, and neve is from bloodhounds. more wip information in my pinned post!

🌙 MOON - what is your oc's greatest wish? how far are they willing to go for it?

esyl wants nothing more than to regain the power he lost and definitely kill the person who took it from him. he's a ghost and is confined to the face of a teenager, but he's had a very, very long time to grow bitter about dying. no matter how (manipulatively) charming he appears, esyl will use any and all tools at his disposal if they further his redemption.

neve detests this question, particularly when her little sister bothers her with it, because she's only ever wanted to 'move on' from childhood actions. but she lives among the reminders. neve's priority is her little sister's training, and maybe breakfast, and at least 15 minutes to tightly bottle up any stray guilt and confused hatred about her ex-family. which will definitely sort itself out.

kon also struggled briefly with his purpose, but he's always had good instincts and strong conviction, and joining steelguard made him feel like he could better the world, however small. a militant mercenary hierarchy is seldom interested in small opinions, but kon is stubborn and observant, and his drive for justice begins to shift the world.

🎭 MASKS - do they act differently around certain people? what's different between the way they act around friends, family, strangers, etc.?

esyl behaves mostly the same around everyone - attentive, cheerful, friendly and thoughtful, and with the marked talent for twisting the conversation in his favor. he's only mentioned any family once or twice, and with tooth-grinding fondness...

neve is also very consistent, except she is permanently unimpressed and callous with everyone she meets. she takes most things personally and is ruthlessly sarcastic if she feels inclined. meisha, of course, is the exception. and maybe others who take the time to build trust.

kon is a similar gruff and grumpy type, blunt with his opinion but also kind-hearted and speculative. he's more critical and stiff-shouldered around strangers, but never different in values. close friends earn the 'overprotective mother' badge.

👑 CROWN - what does your oc want to be remembered as? why?

esyl bites and claws and spits on remember. godhood means eternal remembrance, and it's rightfully his.

neve felt very important once upon a time, and since becoming a dusty, trampled doormat, she hopes she might be recognized for her talents again someday. but she's still afraid to point her face at most cameras, so legacy is unrealistic.

kon doesn't care about fame or recognition and is frankly a little unnerved by extended attention, but he always commits to his actions and wants to be remembered as sincere. he also strongly prefers to be right about things.

☁️ CLOUD - a soft headcanon

esyl loves reading old books, loves studying old paintings, knows a staggering amount of secret and whimsical history. he's truly genuine when discussing old myths and artifacts, and he has a soft spot for equally curious spirits.

neve loves fixing stuff and she's darn good at it, especially because she fixes things instead of saying 'thank you' or 'i care about you.' and she'll only grumble about it a little bit.

kon is the absolute best gift giver... when he chooses to be. he'll notice things you hadn't realized you needed. or give you something you offhandedly mentioned four months ago. and the wrapping paper would be pristine and without any color or decoration.

💌 LOVE LETTER - do they like love letters? what kind of messages do they leave for their partner?

esyl would be positively delighted and enthralled with love letters. or hate letters. or lackluster letters. he really loves writing things down, especially his opinions.

neve would find a heartfelt letter or two considerate or even romantic... but any more than a few and she'd find them annoying and burdensome and probably use them for notes. action means more than words to neve.

kon isn't overly fond of writing, and is much more receptive with face-to-face conversations or confessions. voice tone, facial expression, gesture of the eyes - it all matters to him.

[hermit-pistol]

anonymous asked: OMGGGG!!! same anon as the abba request and AAAA i literally felt every single bit of embarrassment :OOO that was so freakin good!! sorry for requesting again (and please ignore if it's too much) but what about a secret santa thing with La Squadra and reader isn't really sure what to get Risotto (since they randomly picked him) and asks the team for advice for the perfect gift! I just want to spoil Riceman😭

Here you go! Turned out very cheesy but it’s what I do best apparently lmao

When you had joined La Squadra a few months ago, you realized that the men the gang was comprised of were not the most...festive of people. Whenever a member had a birthday (those that remembered when their birthday was, that is) it was treated like just another day. So, you decided that this December, something had to change

Secret Santa was a perfect way to try and get each member something special while getting to know them better in the process. Once everyone was eventually on board (Ghiaccio needed a little convincing), you made the name papers and threw them in a bag

You ended up drawing Risotto's name, and to be completely honest you wished that you could draw again. You spent the least amount of time with him, but you still wanted him to have a quality gift! You could have just bought him generic "man" stuff, but the giver inside you decided against it. Instead, you opted to ask the other members about things that he would like

Formaggio would probably be the most humorous with his gifts, saying that you should go to the dollar store and buy the weirdest things for his gift...which you turned down

Illuso was nowhere to be found when you tried to ask him. He was probably hiding, but if you had asked him he probably wouldn't have given you a straight answer anyway...

Prosciutto has the most expensive taste of the group so he thought that Risotto would appreciate some nice cologne. You later looked up the brand he suggested on the internet and almost passed out when checking the price tag

Pesci would insist on making him a homemade gift! They're the most heartfelt after all. You would ideally want to include a scrapbook with pictures of all of the members but they weren't the picture-taking kind of crowd-

Melone would say that you should buy him darker clothes that suit his figure and make him look the most attractive. The two of you looked online on some rather, *ahem* suggestive sites before you convinced yourself that it was a bad idea to pursue

Ghiaccio being himself literally just suggests a gift card. The man can't be bothered.

It may sound sappy but you decided to combine a few of the gift ideas that the group had offered you since some of them were actually spot on. In the end, you ended up creating a scrapbook (black in color) with a few photos of members that you had "borrowed" from Melone's secret camera, along with a couple of travel-size colognes, dollar store snacks, and a gift card for one of his favorite stores. Yes, you did quite well.

When the presents were opened, you couldn't hide your smile. Risotto glanced at you and stumbled on his words, something that was very rare for the capo. "Thank you very much Y/N. You didn't have to do all of this for me." You almost thought that you noticed the faintest hint of red in his cheeks? Oh, you were patting yourself on the back big time for this one. Soon after, Secret Santa became one of the most anticipated holiday traditions for La Squadra, and it was all thanks to you!

[gwynsnesta]

ACOTAR CHARACTERS AS GIFT GIVERS - PART ONE

Feyre:

Feyre is the type of Fae to buy you something very meaningful. She’d either make your present or make the card (sometimes both). She spends hours writing down gift ideas and if Pinterest was a thing she’d have a whole board dedicated to each person in her life. You wouldn’t have the heart to tell her if you didn’t like it but like you always liked your gift. Probably one of the best gift givers you’d ever meet.

Rhysand:

Rhysand lives for buying your gifts. While Feyre may have one board for gifts, Rhys would have a whole Pinterest account just dedicated to it. He’d take the longest time to decide what he wants to give you. Yet he’d always be a bit insecure when you open it. Demanding to know if you like it or want it in a different colour. Money is also his last worry when it comes to buying you the perfect gift.

Nesta:

Nesta would buy you a book. Always books. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s smutty but she’d get you books that you like. Ones about history or fantasy. Ones from the mortal realm if your ahem *Elain* or even ones especially without smut. Also lookin at you Elain. She ask Feyre or Rhys for help if she couldn’t decide and sometimes she’d buy you a few books or a book and a bookmark, or a candle, or anything to give you that reader’s aesthetic.

Cassian:

Cassian is determined to always get you the bets gift of the group. He knows he’ll beat Mor but Rhys and Azriel are his competition. Though everyone says it’s not necessary to make it a competition - the Bat Boi’s still do it. Cassian loves making you smile or laugh when it comes to his gifts. But at the same time he likes practical gifts that you’d use until the end of time. Aka a new dagger or better training leathers.

Azriel:

Azriel is both thoughtful and reckless. The longer you know him the more likely it is for him to get you stupid funny gifts. He is terrible at buying gifts for kids. Always asking for Gwyn’s help when it comes time for Nyx. He knows, however, that you’ll always love his gifts. Most of the time his presents are small. The wackier they are the more you know he loves you.

[twistedtummies2]

A Holiday Gamble - Part 3

Happy Christmas Eve to you all! (And if you don’t celebrate Christmas...well, Happy Holidays all the same!) Here’s hoping that Jolly Old Saint Nick (or whatever other gift giver takes care of your quarter of the world) brings you all the presents you desire! You may make a kink-related joke about how all you want for Christmas is blank-blank-blank, if you like. Lord knows I’d give up my chance to get new studio equipment quickly if I could be part of Leona’s hips, but I digress. :P ANYWAY. Here is the third part of my four-part story featuring my new OC! The fourth and final section will be uploaded tomorrow, just in time for Christmas Day. :)

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The challenge was now set. With a crook of his finger, Reno beckoned Elias over to the statue of the Queen of Hearts. “So, got anythin’ to say ‘fore we start?” he growled, rattling his dice in one hand. “I know that normally we put down a pot each round; something to bet each time,” Eli said. “I want to change things up a bit: how about we simplify the game.” “Oh? How?” “Best three out of five rolls wins everything. The gifts, the toy, and whatever else they want.” Reno’s red eyes seemed to flare up and his smile widened behind his hood. “Lovely,” he said, in a smooth, slick way, and nodded. “Deal. Now, if you don’t mind, I wanna roll first to judge who gets to shoot the first round.” “Fine by me. High call, or low call?” “I’m goin’ low,” Reno growled. Eli nodded and backed up a pace. The rest of you sat down nearby, ready to watch the game unfold. Reno Rovar rattled his dice more vigorously…then, with a flick of his wrist, chucked them against the base of the Queen of the Rose Garden’s statue. CLICK-RATTLE. The dice bounced off and rolled for a second before landing: a four and a two. “Six,” he reported, and picked up his dice before looking to Elias. Elias sighed softly; so did you, but more subtly. The suspicions you and he had been holding were right: cheater though he was, Rovar did NOT seem to cheat with his dice. No self-respecting gambler would rig them to roll sixes. Eli held his dice in both hands and rattled them, before tossing them with a flourish; they bounced and skipped over the ground before smacking into the base of the statue. CLICK-RATTLE. Elias rolled a seven: five and two. Reno whistled. “My, my…if you’d rolled that durin’ an ACTUAL round, that would’ve been real nice,” he chuckled, and smiled in a patronizing manner behind his mask. “Guess fortune ain’t favorin’ the bold today, is it?” “Hey, the game’s just started,” Elias shrugged, though with a hint of disappointment to his voice as he waved in a grand sort of manner. “You go first. It’s a seven or eleven to win?” “Yep,” nodded Reno. “Roll Snake Eyes, Midnight, or Ace-Deuce, and ya lose.” Kalim tugged on Ace’s sleeve like a small boy trying to get their father’s attention. “What do you and Deuce have to do with dice?” he whispered. Ace rolled his eyes. “Nothing,” he replied. “Ace-Deuce is a gambling term; it means you rolled a three.” “Snake Eyes means you rolled a two,” Deuce put in, “And Midnight stands for a twelve.” “Ohhhhhh,” Kalim murmured, and tapped his temples. “Okay! Got it memorized!” “You’ve already forgotten it, haven’t you?” Jamil droned. “No I haven’t! Snake Teeth means two-” “Snake Eyes!” snapped Grim. “…Isn’t…that what I said?” “AHEM!” You all jumped as Eli and Reno both shot you sour looks. “Sorry, guys,” you apologized for the group. “Carry on!”

The players rolled their eyes, and turned away. Reno rattled his dice and then rolled them off the base of the Queen’s sculpture. CLICK-RATTLE. The dice dropped onto the snowy ground in front of the monument, the scarlet cubes like spots of blood in the sharp white snow. “HA! EEEELEVEN!” cheered Reno, and grinned. “I win this first round!” Elias Inque’s ears folded back and he growled…he seemed more irritated by the shrill cheer than the result of the roll, however. “Four more to go; remember, you have to win three.” “Yeah, yeah, like you’ve got a chance,” snorted Reno, and picked up his dice before rattling them again. “I get another turn! Ha! This game’ll be finished by lunchtime!” He hurled the dice…and his smile was struck from his face. Eli snorted with laughter as the dice rolled an Easy Eight: five and three. “…Okay, maybe finished by dinnertime,” humphed Reno, as he picked up his dice and rattled them again… “CHEAT!” The two jumped as Kalim jumped to his feet and pointed accusingly at Reno. “You lost! You can’t roll again!” Kalim exclaimed. Everyone facepalmed slowly…except for two people. One was Reno Rovar, who just looked at Kalim like he was trying to decide which part of him would hurt the most to lose, and yourself. You stood up cautiously and placed a hand on Kalim’s shoulder. He blinked at you as you cleared your throat. “Ahem…ah…K-Kalim…that was actually in the rules. See, if you roll any number OTHER than the ones they named, you have to roll again. If you roll the same number you just got, you win; roll a seven, and it’s the other player’s turn; roll any other number…try again till one of those comes out.” Kalim blinked slowly…and then nodded. “Okay,” he said…then smiled bashfully and scratched the back of his head. “Uh…s-sorry, heh…” Reno just growled like an angry coyote. Kalim sat back down in a hurry, as did you. The bug-loving hustler shook his head, then rattled his dice before tossing them against the sculpture. He uttered a VERY nasty oath under his breath as the dice rolled a seven: four and three. “Seven Out,” grinned Eli. “My turn!” Eli grinned and shook the dice in his hand…before once again flourishing dramatically as he threw them against the sculpture’s pedestal. Only their black dots distinguished them from the ivory crystals that surrounded them. Once again, he nailed a Natural Seven: five and two. “Ha HA! I win round two!” Elias declared. “But…w-wait…I thought seven was bad?” eeped Kalim, shrinking back as if he was afraid of speaking up now. “Only if you make Point on your roll,” Jamil said. Kalim blinked…then groaned and hung his head, clutching it. “…Dice are confusing…” Reno boredly looked over at Elias as you gently patted Kalim’s back. The Phantom Blot had his hands folded, rubbing them over the dice and covering them up. “You’re seriously playin’ to help THAT earthworm-brain?” he droned. “No,” Eli said, shaking his head before tossing the dice. “I’m doing it for my friends.” CLICK-RATTLE. Seven again, and the same way, five and two. Eli grinned as he picked them up. “And now, round three goes to me. Score two to one.” Reno glared. He looked down at Eli’s dice. Eli self consciously clasped his fist around his dice, hiding them from sight. Rovar then looked back at the half-canine’s face. “You’re cheating,” he accused. “Am I?” Eli returned, coolly. “Three sevens of a kind in a row?” “Just my lucky day,” shrugged Elias. Reno blinked slowly…then smirked and offered up his dice. “Okay then, hot shot. How ‘bout you make the next roll with my dice, an’ I make mine with yours? If I get a roll o’ my own, that is.” You felt your breath hitch, and glanced to your friends; even though you all knew the plan Elias had figured out, you still felt worried. Elias, however, just adjusted the lapels of his winter coat, and shrugged. “Sure thing,” he said, flippantly, and reached out with his free hand, taking the red dice from Reno. Reno then held out his palm expectantly, and Eli dropped the white dice into his. The trade made, Eli flung the dice…and sighed with disappointment as he rolled a four and a one. “Fever Five!” laughed Reno. “Looks like your luck ain’t so great after all!” “I’ve still got a chance,” Eli protested, and flung the dice again…only to land a five and a four. “Nina,” Reno observed. “No, that’s a nine,” spoke up Kalim. “If you say another word, I ‘ll rip out your precious parrot’s stuffing,” Reno snarled. Kalim whimpered and scrambled to hide behind Jamil, who looked like he was cursing every single God in the pantheon for forcing him to exist in the same universe as the young Al-Asim. Reno rolled his eyes, and looked back to Elias as he picked up the red dice. Eli had one hand in his pocket, the other rattling the crimson cubes. “Well, ya get another shot. Go ahead.” Eli bowed his head respectfully, and tossed the dice with a theatrical flick of his wrist. This time, they landed on a six and a one. “Seven Out,” Eli murmured with a sigh, and picked up the red dice. “If you make this roll, that means we’ll be tied, two and two.” “I’m aware,” nodded Reno, and rolled the dice in a hurry…and grinned as the dice landed on a five and a two once again. “Well, well, well…I rolled Natural!” he crooned, and grinned up at Eli. “Now, how ‘bout that? Now it seems MY luck is workin’ out, don’t it?” Elias shrugged. “There’s still at least one roll to go,” he said. “Three out of five, remember?” “Fair enough,” Reno grinned, cockily rolling the dice in his hand. “But I’m willin’ to bet I can make a niiiiice, fat seven now.” “Are you sure you want to use mine?” Eli checked, his eyes flickering with apparent worry, voice not quite as confident as before. You smirked; Elias was a better actor than you realized. “Absolutely,” Reno grinned wider. “An’ jus’ for the record? When I win…” He leaned in close, eyes almost glowing behind his hood. “…I think I’ll take that package I saw ya leavin’ the Mystery Shop with this mornin’.” Your eyes widened as you looked to Eli, who looked equally surprised. He blinked fast behind his dark blue tinted shades. “…You…h-how did you…?” Reno laughed, not answering the question…and without another word, hurled the dice. They bounced along the ground; all of you held your breath, knowing that this was probably the final roll. This was the risky one; the one you knew could make or break it… The dice cracked against the stone base of the Queen’s sculpture…then clattered to the ground. CLICK-RATTLE. As they fell still, Reno sauntered over carelessly, his shadow falling across each die as he stared down… …Then…his expression changed, shifting from a smug look of triumph…to an expression of complete and total shock. “WHAT?! SNAKE EYES?!” Grim, Deuce, and Jamil all sighed with relief; Ace and Kalim both cheered and laughed. You could only grin, eyes sparkling as you saw Reno fall to his knees in the snow, staring at the dice in disbelief. “No…no, no, no, that…HOW DID I LOSE?!” he screamed out, and smacked his fist into the ground. The dice tumbled from the impact…and he let out a gasp, seemingly in greater disbelief than before as the dice rolled Ace-Deuce. With a snarl, he slammed down his fist once more…and they rolled Midnight. “That…that’s not…NO!” “Three losses in a row,” purred Elias, wagging his tail and flashing his fangs as the sunlight glinted off his glasses and a gust of nippy wind rustled the edges of his long coat. “Looks like I’ve won the jackpot!” Reno growled as he looked up at Eli, then down at the dice. With a sound of grating fury, he grabbed the dice and petulantly hurled them at Eli’s head… SWAPP! It was Jamil who caught them, as he glared at Reno. Rovar stood up, fists clenched as he glared at both, his red eyes flashing in the pale morning. “The game is over,” Viper declared. “Nya! Victory is ours!” cheered Grim, as the rest of your group approached, and you stood opposite of Jamil at Eli’s side. “Give us back what we’ve won, Reno,” you demanded. “Why should I?” shrieked Reno, gnashing his teeth, and pointed with a shaking finger. “Y-You all CHEATED!” “How?” Elias asked, reasonably, taking his dice from Jamil and tucking them into his coat pocket. “You used my dice yourself.” “Dice are my favorite game! I can’t lose! I NEVER LOSE!” bellowed Reno, his pale face turning unusually red. “Hey, if you taught me anything, it’s that there’s a first time for everything,” Ace smirked, crossing his arms. “What’s the matter?” Deuce crooned, mirroring Ace’s actions. “Can’t accept that you couldn’t win WITHOUT cheating for once?” One of Reno’s eyes twitched. His head dipped as he trembled…and it wasn’t from the cold of the snow now dusting his shoulders. “Nobody disrespects me! NOBODY!” he roared. “ENOUGH!” you shouted, and stepped forward. “Like Jamil said, the game’s up! Now…” You pointed to the trunk on the cart. “…We’re taking what we earned.” Reno Rovar glanced to the trunk and cart…then slowly, his eyes slid back towards you…and he smiled widely, revealing all his fangs, his pupils becoming pinpricks. “Ohhhhh, no…the game ain’t over yet,” he hissed. “You want your precious presents back?” SNAP! The pale-skinned hustler snapped his fingers…and that’s when it happened. You weren’t sure where he summoned them from; in the snow and ice, they all should have been dead, or hiding in hibernation…but they came scampering across the snow, their carapaces scraping against one another so softly at first you didn’t realize it… …Then, the sound filled your ears with sickening, hissing volume, as they spilled out from behind the statues of the Great Seven, and scuttled towards Reno: bugs. Dozens upon dozens of bugs; beetles, ants, roaches, crickets, spiders, earwigs…every creepy-crawly thing that lived under a rock or in the cracks of rotting wood came towards the waiting Rovar from the woods surrounding the Castle and the many nooks and crannies of the wide courtyards. Reno outspread his arms, a sickening smile on his face…as the bugs swarmed around him, and lifted him up high over your heads as they formed a huge column of writhing, clicking, scratching, multi-colored pests. A moment later, a second column lifted up the trunk from the cart, the bugs seemingly swallowing up the cart itself as they lifted the trunk upwards…and, like a huge tentacle or other appendage, placed the trunk in Reno’s arms. He held it in both hands, bugs swarming over his arms to seemingly help him hold it as he looked down upon you all from high, high up. “You want ‘em?!” he called down with a cackle. “Well, then come on over an’ get ‘em! AH-HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!” Elias snapped his fingers…and in a moment, he seemed to be surrounded by a long, inky cloak, complete with an executioner’s hood. The Phantom Blot lifted both hands…and in a swirl of black fluid, one arm transformed into a cutlass-like blade, and the other changed into an oversized mallet. Grim hissed, moving onto all fours as his fur bristled, while yourself, Ace, and Deuce all moved into action-ready poses. Kalim frowned and, in a flash of light, summoned his scepter – his wizard’s staff – and gave it a twirl before adopting a ready position of his own. “Okay, Jamil!” he called out. “It’s time to punch this big, buggy bully right in the face!” Silence. “Um…Jamil?” Still silence. Kalim turned…and yelped. “J-JAMIL!” Jamil Viper was white as a sheet, his eyes bugging out of his skull, teeth chattering as he stood stiff as a board, sweating bullets like he had a fever. Kalim put down his scepter and hurried over, shaking the hooded Scarabian member. “Jamil! Snap out of it!” “B-Bugs…s-s-so many…bugs…” “Jamil! Look at me! JAMIIIIIL!” All of you looked over and blinked dully at the petrified Viper and frantic Kalim. “…Sweet Chernabog, I think they broke him,” murmured the Phantom. “They’ll be breakin’ a whole lot more pretty soon!” laughed Reno, catching all of your attention, as he thrust out both arms. “GET ‘EM, LI’L GUYS!” The bugs scurried forward, clicking their mandibles, bulbous little eyes glinting in the white light as they trailed through the snow at a speed far faster than their many legs should have allowed. Still, the cold weather turned out to be your advantage; the arthropods were sluggish, not fully able to cope with the freezing temperature. You could only guess the magic Reno used was what kept them moving and working. Though they tried to swarm you all, you and your friends all found ways to keep them at bay… “GAH! G-Get off me! Ugh, little creeps…!” grimaced Ace, and tried stomping on the bugs…but eventually, they started to crawl up onto his pant leg. He yowled and kicked them off, and started to try and flee…at which point Deuce leapt in front of him. “COME FORTH, CAULDRON!” Deuce cried out, his Unique Magic summoning a huge, iron pot, which SLAMMED down and squashed several dozen insects in an instant. The two smiled with triumph…only to gulp nervously as the bugs began to crawl over and around the construct to reach their prey. “Oh, no,” Deuce murmured while Ace ripped a branch off nearby tree and began to swing it down, smacking away the squealing insects. Kalim was in much the same position, swinging his scepter around as he smashed the bugs under it and batted them away. “Jamil, come on!” he cried out…but Viper was still shaking and standing stiff as a board, his eyes having a faraway look of utter mortification. “…Nobody…nobody said…th-there’d be THIS MANY bugs,” he whimpered out. “NYA! TAKE THIS!” Grim exclaimed, and took a deep breath…before letting out a jet of fire, burning  a great number of bugs into blackened, ashy husks and melting a stream of snow in the process. But as many as he burned, more bugs continued to scurry towards the group. As for yourself…you had no magic, but you still did your best to put up a fight. Expecting trouble, you had taken the practical precaution of bringing a simple aerosol can of bug spray. Covering your mouth with a bit of cloth, you sprayed the ground at your feet; the bugs ran into the cloud and perished quite quickly, going belly-up and twitching a bit before fading. You would have felt bad if they weren’t so…well…buggy. You stayed close to Eli, who swung his inky arms about, slamming the mallet down to smash a gathering of termites flat, before then swinging his blade to slice through a couple of centipedes. A jumping spider leapt at you both…but Eli thrust out his blade arm, and it transformed into what looked like a small cannon. A ball of ink shot from the barrel, and splatted into the spider…and continued to sail, before splashing over a whole group of insects, sticking them up and drowning them. The more you all fought, the more Reno pressed on from atop his insectoid column, his will sending the arthropods towards you all with more vigor. As you looked up, you saw something alarming: Reno seemed to be…flickering. One second he would seem human…then, a flash of green mandibles and lacey wings would appear for but a split second, jade-colored talons gripping tightly to the chest he was bearing before changing back into human hands. You blinked and shook your head to make sure you were seeing properly… …And as you opened your eyes, found red ants scrambling onto your shoe. You frantically kicked them off and sprayed them away. Elias stepped in front of you protectively, smashing his mallet down to pound away any stragglers. “There are too many!” he declared, as he launched more balls of ink at the bugs, and looked to you. “Have you got a strategy?” “I might,” you nodded, and called out: “KALIM!” “Yeah?” the noble lad called back, then yelped and smacked away a hornet that had flown up into his face out of nowhere. “YAH! HEY! LEAVE MY FRIEND, JAMIL, ALONE! “…Not…not your…f-f-friend,” chattered out Jamil, still paralyzed with panic. “I think we need to flush the enemy out!” you called. Kalim stopped short, in the middle of swatting away another hornet, and blinked at you. “…Why would we need to flush them out? They’re already here!” You had to be patient. He was but a child. Mentally, anyway. “That’s not the flush I meant! I meant…like…what do you do when you find a tick on a dog’s back?” Kalim blinked again. “…I…give the dog a bath?” …Patience… “Let me try!” Grim put in, having noticed what you were going through, and catching on fast. “Hey, Kalim! What’s the opposite of fire?” “Water,” Kalim said, without missing a beat. “But what does-” He stopped again…then grinned. “Ohhh…I get it now!” he cheered. “W-Wait a moment!” exclaimed Eli, pausing as he reformed his blade arm and hacked a wasp in two before continuing: “I’m made of INK! Water and I don’t get along!” “Then lose the cloak!” Ace called out, smashing a few more spiders. “Get back to normal.” “Do it fast!” added Deuce, and summoned another cauldron, panting a little as he went on: “If this goes on much longer, I’ll be nearing Overblot!” “Alright, alright!” snapped Elias, and reformed his arms…then, he whirled about, spinning like a top, and sending half a dozen gobs of black goo onto the swarming bugs. The ebony globs slowed the insects down as Eli returned to his demi-dog form, and stepped back along with yourself and the rest… …Except for Jamil, whose leg Grim grabbed hold of as he tried to pull him back. Jamil toppled over like a tower…and offered no resistance as Grim began to drag him away. “…Too many…s-so many legs…scurrying, clicking…h-help,” he peeped out. Reno grinned as he saw you all starting to retreat…but then frowned when he noticed Kalim had NOT pulled back. The young Al-Asim stood boldly before him as the insects continued to swarm. “Aw, c’mon…what’s a pipsqueak like you gonna do?” he sneered, and you noticed his red eyes suddenly turned a deep purple for half a second…before he thrust out his chin daringly and shouted furiously to his exoskeletal army: “STING ‘IM! BITE ‘IM!” Kalim winced at the words and thoughts, but recovered fast. He took a deep, steeling breath…then stood as strong and as proud as he could as he lifted his scepter and muttered some incantation under his breath… …Then, he SLAMMED the butt end of the staff down, bringing it to the ground and thrusting it into the snowy earth. FLOOSH! In a second, bursts of water seemingly sprang up from the ground, forming huge pillars of liquid that sparkled a brilliant blue in the snowy morning. The snow was melted and the bugs were blown away, caught in huge swirls of water as the pillars went surging forward in a wave-like motion…towards Reno’s own column of insects. Reno looked horrified. “No, NO, NO!” he screamed out in panic, and called out to his multi-legged friends: “RETREAT! RETREAT!” The column began to shrink…but by then, it was too late. The water struck him, and Reno howled as he was thrown back, the bugs scattering to the ground. He grunted as he flickered – once again, you saw a flash of green – before smacking into the snowy ground. The chest went flying the other way, and hit the ground with a THUNK. The water receded, leaving a formless “carving” in the melted snow that revealed the grassy turf underneath, as the bugs that still lived scrambled back at a breakneck pace, soon vanishing back into the surrounding environs. Kalim sighed, and smiled as he turned to look at your group. “Was that okay?” he chirruped, eyes bright and hopeful, like a child hoping he’d done good on his first try making cookies. Ace, Deuce, and Grim all sighed with relief…while Elias stood stunned beyond belief, his jaw nearly on the ground. He adjusted his blue-tinted glasses, then looked down at you. “…Did I just see one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen in my life?” he asked softly. “Very possibly,” you smirked. Kalim blushed, looking flattered…then, his eyes became concerned, and he hurried over to Jamil, who was still lying on the ground, pale as a sheet. “Jamil! Jamil, it’s okay!” He gently patted Jamil’s cheek as he crouched down beside him. Viper grunted, blinked…then growled and pushed Kalim away, looking at him as if he had just noticed he was there. “S-Stop that!” he snapped, looking deeply embarrassed. “I’m perfectly fine! I don’t need YOU to-!” A groan interrupted all of you. You all turned…and Kalim let out a yelp and promptly covered Jamil’s eyes as he ducked behind him. “Wh-what’s happening?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?!” yelled Jamil, confused and understandably annoyed. The rest of you could see, and took a collective step back. The drab-toned, slightly portly human form of Reno Rovar had completely disappeared…and before you all, where he had lain, a very different creature now lifted itself up onto its hands and knees. It had the same red eyes and a similar facial structure to Reno Rovar, as well as being roughly the same height and apparent weight, and even the same haircut…but the hair had turned a shade of dark forest green, while the skin had become a much brighter shade. What seemed to be antennae sprouted from his brow, and along with his fang-filled jaws, what seemed to be a secondary set of insectoid mandibles were on the sides of his head. Reno’s entire body was covered by a green exoskeleton with segments and visible joints; his rounded middle was covered in the same darker green fuzz as the top of his head. Wings like a dragonfly’s sprouted from his back – white and translucent with visible greenish veins – and his hands and feet ended in dark green claws, each having only three digits. In the case of the feet, the digits were in a digitigrade style, with two opposable toes and one vestigial talon. A twitching bulb, like the abdomen of a spider or other arthropod, had replaced his backside, and green spikes jutted from his forearms. “He’s…h-he’s a bug, too!” gasped Deuce. “Yeah. A BIG bug,” grimaced Ace with disgust, his expression matched by Grim. Jamil, hearing these words, instantly stopped struggling to break Kalim’s hold: the less he saw, the better he felt. Yourself and Elias looked to each other, then back at the big, green bug-boy, whose wings and antennae twitched as he closed his eyes and stayed upon his hands and knees. His expression was strangely sorrowful. His claws curved, gouging the cold, half-frozen earth, but he made no sound, and moved no other muscle. You started to move forward…but Eli placed a hand over your chest. “Let me,” he insisted, then smiled. “I still have some energy left before I risk Overblotting.” You paused…but nodded, and stepped back a pace. Eli nodded back and began to move towards the seemingly defeated demi-insect. Reno’s antennae twitched once more, but he remained still and silent beyond that. Elias stopped a few short feet away from him. “Now,” he said, in a surprisingly gentle voice, “Can we PLEASE behave like civilized people?” There was a pause…then, the mandibles clicked fiercely as the bug boy glared up with blood red eyes and bared his jagged teeth. His voice wasn’t the least bit different – still Rovar’s dialect – as he spoke. “Fat chance, Phantom.” Then, with a fearsome hiss, Reno’s wings flared out and he lunged at Elias. He tackled Inque to the ground; you started forward as they began to wrestle, Reno snapping his jaws right in Eli’s face… …But Eias was quick, managed to kick Reno in the fuzzy center of his belly region. The half-bug growled and doubled up, and a well-timed shove threw him onto his side… …But as Eli stood up and began to back away, Reno flashed out his emerald talons…and sliced clean through the pocket of the inky mage’s trousers. CLICK-RATTLE. Two dice fell from his pocket. They landed on a five and a two. Time seemed to stop dead in its tracks. Elias gulped and you heard Ace and Deuce both curse under their breath. Reno blinked at the dice…then slowly looked back towards the dice he had handled earlier, still lying on the ground. “Sleight of hand,” he realized, remembering the many motions Eli had used during their game…then, with a snarl, he slammed his fist down into the ground near the dice. They didn’t budge, and stayed on a five and a two. Another slam of the fist…they bounced, but still stayed on a five and a two. A third slam. The dice rattled and clattered against one another…and STILL landed on a five and a two. “I KNEW IT!” roared Reno, and glared up at Eli as he leapt to his feet and pointed accusingly. “YOUR DICE ARE LOADED!” Elias backed up and glanced to you, then back at Reno Rovar, who was snarling like a wild beast, wings buzzing as they began to flicker and flutter. He rose into the air slowly, hovering about a yard off the ground as his tough-looking arms tensed, claws curling into fists. “Oh, I’d be impressed if it weren’t at MY expense!” Reno went on, glaring at you all. “Takes a lotta nerve an’ a sharp mind to out-cheat me!” “I told you he’d figure it out!” whimpered Kalim. He was quickly shushed by Grim, but the bug man wasn’t finished yet. “Well, the real loser is still you all!” sneered Reno, and grinned widely. “For He Who Has the Last Laugh WINS! I’m takin’ those presents! I’m takin’ what I want!” His eyes flashed…and a purple aura suddenly surrounded his left eye. All of you felt your blood run cold. You knew what that meant. It only grew worse, when, suddenly, what looked like ink began to ooze from the segments that split up the carapace of the half-insect, dripping to the ground. Reno’s still human-like pupils became pinpricks as he spread out his wings and shouted to the heavens… “I’M TAKIN’ EVERYTHING! YAH-HA-HA!” He clapped his hands above his head… KA-ZAM! …And in an instant, a foul-smelling cloud of heavy black smog surrounded the bug man. Elias stepped back quickly, and returned to his Phantom form, both arms shifting to resemble a pair of spiked clubs. The black cloud grew larger, as bright purple and green light flashed from somewhere behind the noxious vapors. Jamil growled and finally managed to pry Kalim’s hands away from his eyes…just as the smoke began to clear and the light began to fade. All of you stared in horror as a huge, misshapen beast appeared hovering above you all…then drifted to the ground. It snarled, voice rugged, ragged, and almost metallic-sounding as its glowing purple eyes – one surrounded by a thin aura – focused in on you all. The lacy dragonfly wings had been replaced by what looked like ragged burlap, which still flapped and fluttered as if it were a set of wings itself; the burlap rose up into a hood, draped over the head and shoulders of Reno Rovar like a cloak. His upper half was more or less the same in appearance, but with some noticeable differences: first, from the corners of his mouth oozed what appeared to be ink. The ink flowed down and branched out, forming stripes along his entire carapace, making the bright colors stand out almost like neon, glowing as if under ultraviolet light. His dark green belly-fuzz was now glossy black as the ink seemingly pulled their, and across its center was emblazoned a bright red symbol that looked like a cross between a Spade and a skull. Underneath his normal, humanoid arms, he had grown two new limbs, each around his diaphragm area: the lower left arm resembled a bright red scorpion’s pincer, while the right arm was a hot pink scythe-like attachment, with sawblade-esque teeth, much like the limb of a praying mantis. The beast now stood at almost twelve feet in height, and his lower half was FAR different: where once had been two legs and a small insectoid abdomen, the bug-man now had a HUGE, round, fat-looking bulb, from which jutted eight spidery legs, each of which was glossy black and patterned with bright blue bone shapes. The bulb itself more closely resembled a bumblebee or an oversized yellowjacket: a stinger dripping ink was at its back end, and its inky black stripes were contrasted by vivid golden ones. Jamil blinked twice…and promptly faded dead away. Reno scowled, violet eyes roaming over you and your team…then smirked slowly. He cackled softly, and licked his green lips with a long, inky tongue; it was colored a sickening yellow, but the ink made it look as if it had black stripes. “Puny losers…smaller than maggots, compared to me,” he grinded out, and his mandibles clicked hungrily as his fingers flexed and his new appendages snapped and clacked. “Still wanna play with the Master? Fine then. But lemme warn ya…” The giant monster came charging forward with alarming speed. “…I’M PLAYIN’ FOR KEEPS! AH-HA-HA-HA-HA!”

[bringmecoffeeandroses]

Jaaryl! ❤️

Heya, sweets!

who hogs the duvet

Aaron deeeeeefffinitely hogs it in his sleep. However, Daryl and Paul rarely bring it up to him because the one time Paul teased him about it, poor Aaron practically forced the covers on them to make sure they weren’t cold. (Let’s face it, there’s prolly a second blanket on their bed for this reason.)

who texts/rings to check how their day is going

Aaron, 10/10. Daryl and Paul occasionally check in but Aaron is definitely the “do you want me bring lunch by? we could go picnic UwU” boyfriend and you cannot convince me otherwise.

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts

I mean, it depends on your definition of creative? Like, Daryl’s gifts are kind of straight forward but he is very much a service kind of guy – do not make a dirty joke, do not make a dirty joke, do not – who will fix the things you didn’t know you needed fixing or bring breakfast in the form of a dead deer. Paul is the scavenging form of gift giver; he does his best to get you what you want/need, whatever that might be. Aaron is aaaaaaallllll about the sentimental gifts. Remember that first note you passed to him to invite him to lunch? He does, and he’s kept it in his wallet ever since. 

who gets up first in the morning

Daryl. He’s been raised like a true hunting boy - up before the sun - and it has just stuck over the years. However, he can be occasionally, *ahem*, convinced to stay in bed for a while with the right motivation.

who suggests new things in bed

Probably Paul. Aaron is always happy to do new things in bed but nottttt exactly bringing the conversation up and Daryl? Well, he doesn’t have a lot of experience prior to this relationship so it’s more up to Paul to set out ideas for him to think on. This does come to a great conclusion though, involving some rope, a well-placed bandana, and Daryl’s bike.  

who cries at movies

Daryl. When Aaron and Paul find this out, it is under pain of death that they are threatened to tell no one nothing. Don’t get him started on Old Yeller.

who gives unprompted massages

Paul, for sure. He’s had a lot of jobs, he really has, and when he’s good at something, it’s not surprising to hear him say, “I used to be a _______” A yoga instructor, an activist, a martial artist, a barista, an aquarium tour guide. So, when he says he was a masseuse, it’s not hard to believe especially given that he can spot the stiffness in Aaron and Daryl’s backs when they have had a day of it. All of a sudden, they’ll feel hands under the hem of their shirts skirting upwards with firm pressure against the stiff muscles of their back. It rarely leads to anything, he doesn’t expect anything – Paul just finishes and kisses their cheek and goes back to whatever he was doing before.  

who fusses over the other when they’re sick

Aaron. Poor fucking Aaron, man. Paul is the worst patient when it comes to being sick, followed closely by Daryl – they do not need to be in bed, they’re fine. It’s the sniffles, not cancer! Daryl is happy to help Aaron when it’s Paul that’s sick but Paul is more likely to be on Daryl’s side when Daryl is sick and it’s a nightmare because that poor, poor man loves two men that have no sense of self preservation.      

who gets jealous easiest

They don’t get all that jealous of one another - the glorious effect of constant communication, the only way as relationship like theirs would work - but Paul can be a little flirty and that can…stir up some of those feelings. Primarily in Daryl.

who has the most embarrassing taste in music

Lmao, I will always include Aaron and his favorite 80s music.

who collects something unusual

Well, one one hand Aaron collects liscence plates? But then against Paul has a lobster bib on the wall, so who can judge????

who takes the longest to get ready

Paul.

Particularly if he doesn’t want to go.

who is the most tidy and organized

Aaron. Daryl and Paul are just not used to giving a shit about things being organized? Daryl and Paul help in their own ways; Daryl is…not the best about cleanliness but regularly fixes anything that needs fixed, cooks, ect, and Paul isn’t above dish duty and picking up here and there (group homes often have a point system when it comes to chores so, erm, take that for what you will.  

who gets most excited about the holidays

Again, Aaron the cinnamon roll to the rescue. It’s unlikely that Daryl or Paul have positive associations with yearly traditions, tbh, so Aaron coming in whole-hog and generally bringing some of that positive energy into the holidays for them? Lovely.

who is the big spoon/little spoon

Daryl is most often in the middle and he loves it? Like, he’ll grumble about cuddling til he’s blue in the face but that boy is the epitome of five-more-minutes and must-be-touching-most-of-your-person while cuddling.

Meanwhile, Paul is a firm outside-position-cuddler. This is partially because he doesn’t always tie his hair back in bed and there have been “incidents”…Mostly involving one of them eating or being tickled by his hair, but also one very special occasion where a hand got tangled. (Also, big spoon/Jetpacking!Paul is a wonderful thing.)

Then there’s Aaron, who is by far the best cuddler among them. He’s like a giant teddy bear,the easiest person in the world to receive/give physical affection from merely because he is so warm and concerned with how comfortable you are. He is sometimes a middle-cuddler as well.    

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports

Paul.

He’s also a dirty little cheat, just saying.

who starts the most arguments

They don’t argue that often but I’ll probably say Paul?

who suggests that they buy a pet

Honestly, if Aaron or Paul brought it up, it’s only cause they see that Daryl so desperately needs a dog. Maybe this happens after their viewing of Marley & Me/Old Yeller.

what couple traditions they have

IDK, that’s a hard one. Maybe Saturday game night, if Gracie’s around? Or a once a month camping trip?

what tv shows they watch together

I see a spattering of Nat Geo and those weird home improvement shows? Also some sitcoms because, yeah.

what other couple they hang out with

Tara and Rosita? (Or Denise, let me live okay?)

how they spend time together as a couple

Honestly? Scouting, camping, exploring, everyday life – I see these three being attached at the hip, no question.

who made the first move

I have different theories on this. I do have a feeling that two of them would couple up first. Maybe Daryl and Paul approach Aaron? or Daryl and Aaron approach Paul? IDK.

who brings flowers home

Aaron.

who is the best cook

Daryl is probably the best between the three of them. Aaron knows how to cook but Daryl’s been cooking his own food since he was tall enough to reach the counters. Paul is a disaster in the kitchen but…at least he tries.  

SEND ME A SHIP

[yutikyis]

Honest Q&A: Round 4! 7x7 Table

It looks like there’s even more of you this time? Well, I suppose better than running off...

Well, right to business then. It looks like our readers picked something of an overarching topic today. Everyone seated where they want? Good. We’ll start, as usual, with you Miss Kyis.

Faith is a belief in the right things. Who or what would you say you have the most faith in?

Yuti: O-oh, s-so many more people. U-um. W-well... t-that’s difficult. M-my friends I think. L-Lloire and the O-Order and... a-all of those people who’ve b-been around me for a long time. T-they’re the ones I know I c-can depend on most of all. 

Reri: Oh Hells, of course ya say that, Snowflake. Me? I got faith in myself. Ain’t nobody else ta have faith in. When the MGP is down an’ ya need to depend on someone, ain’t ever gonna be someone who is there all the time but yerself. Sayo: My family, of course, and the Kami. What else could be true? Rahya: Well, truth bein’ what it is an’ all that, I’m belevin’ in the wind. Aasifa bein’ tellin’ me about it an’ it seems like a mighty good thing. It ain’t always kind but it seems like it all works out inna end, yeah?

Eynwyda: Strength. Meichi’a: ... yes? Surely you have more to say? No? Well, okay then! As for myself I have faith in wine, women and song.There are many glorious things in the world but few as oft beautiful and delightful as those three things. Even should another Calamity come, we can at least thrive if those three survive. Rhoe: Knowledge. The Twelve’s blessings are great things but depending on them is a fool’s game. The only thing worth having faith in is what you can know. 

Pride is an excessive belief in one’s own abilities. In what do you take the most pride? A particular skill? A remarkable achievement?

Yuti: ... M-my healing skills, I w-would suppose. N-no matter what else, I can say without qualm that I a-am a gifted healer. I-it’s the skill I’ve the m-most pride in.

Reri: You sayin’ I gotta pick just one? Hells, ya might as well ask me to pick a single grain o’ sand. If I gotta pick one, I’m gonna say my knifework. My archery’s a sight to behold, my axin’ is superb, but my knifework? Mm-hmm.  Sayo: You are the soul of modesty, ma’am. I must admit this is a difficult question to answer. While I am very proud of my talents they are the result of my family’s work and dedication. It would be unseemly to pretend they come from me alone.

Rahya: Oh. Um. I’m figurin’ it’d be my cards? Probably them. Lotta folk seem to like ‘em some... so them.  

Eynwyda: Strength

Meichi’a: ... Really? Twice in a row? Is that allowed? Yes? Well, I’m not the one asking the questions. I would say my voice is my greatest pride. My songs leave beauties weak in the knees and, of course, I’ve a talent with words to rival poets. 

Rhoe: Well, nobody said your answers couldn’t be delusional. I would say my vermagic. It takes a goodly amount of effort to become proficient with sword and spell alike. 

Hope is taking a positive future view, that good will prevail. What would you say that you hope for the most?

Yuti: T-to be honest, I h-hope for a future of peace. W-where we finally m-move beyond all these w-wars and c-conflicts and f-find a way to unite our a-abilities f-for the greater good of all.

Reri: *loud retching sounds* Look, ya can’t serious expect me to answer honestly after that bullshite, can you? ~I hope fer rainbows and puppies and fuckin’ unicorns to rain from the sky.~ If ya want an honest answer? A good challenge. That’s what.

Sayo: I hope that when my end comes I am satisfied with my life and have done my family proud. 

Rahya: ... Ta be honest I’m hopin’ for the rainbows and puppies an’ unicorns, though if they’re doin’ that other thing I think they should be doin’ it in private an’ not while it’s rainin’

Eynwyda: Strength

Meichi’a: Really now! My good woman, are you a spoken or a mammet!? Surely you can... my but that is quite the glare you have. Ahem. Well, for myself? I look forward to seeing what lies over the next bend. Should it be a charming raven-haired lass with an ample bosom, well, all the better, no? 

Rhoe: The same thing anyone else. That I’m alive, that I’m happy, that we’re not all serfs in some Garlean-run hole or void-touched corpses in some forgotten Hellsvoid. 

Envy is wanting what others have, be it status, abilities, or possessions. Is there someone or something you are envious of? It doesn’t have to be a huge all-consuming envy, even something small.

Yuti: ... I-if I must be honest? T-those with children. T-there’s something... j-just wonderful about it. B-biological or a-adopted or j-just ones they take care of, l-like Frost and Tyr. I t-think y-you see the g-greatest of people w-when you see them with children. ... I-in most cases.

Reri: Ya know, Snowflake, ya can solve that problem in a real quick and fun way if ya get that stick out of yer arse. Don’t think i don’t know what ya mean by in most cases. Me? I ain’t envyin’ shite from anyone. I got anythin’ I want or I can get it.

Sayo: ... I envy those who have freedom from responsibility. There are days I long... no, nevermind.

Rahya: Um... well... I ain’t... I’mma guessin’ I envy them folk who ain’t frightened of nothin’? But I ain’t like sour at ‘em for it or nothin’. Just wishin’ I was more like ‘em... Eynwyda: Greater strength.

Meichi’a: Two words this time. Well, we seem to be improving, don’t we? Ah! That glare again. Maybe... would you care to switch places? No? Okay. Ahem. No, I am most certainly not trying to avoid the... fine! If you must know? Those who have found their soulmates and kept them close. It’s a rare gift and one which far too many take for granted.

Rhoe: People with someone reliable to turn to. You’d be surprised how rare it is. 

Charity is concern for, and active helping of, others. Do you believe yourself to exhibit this virtue? Be it yours or another’s, what act or moment stands out for you as a charitable one?

Yuti: ... I l-like to think I am, t-though certainly I am n-not a paragon of it. M-most healers w-will spend their days helping others b-but to me the greatest p-paragons of virtue a-are those who do well f-for others without e-even thinking of it. T-Tyr comes to mind...

Reri: Yeah, I’ll bet she does. Charity’s a waste’a time. Ya help others if it is for a reason, like makin’ the tribe stronger. Charity for the sake of charity is just breedin’ weakness. 

Sayo: Charity is a noble virtue. To help others is to demonstrate the strength of one’s own soul. Those who are less fortunate should be elevated and assisted. It is only honorable. Eldest always says that we are only as strong as our weakest member.

Rahya: Um... I ain’t sure I’m that chattyrble. I ain’t gotta lota stuff to give folk or anythin’... but folks are real nice ta me. I figure the most chattryble person I know is Aki bein’ as she’s always givin’ away money an’ throwin’ parties an’ stuff.

Eynwyda: I am not particularly charitable. 

Meichi’a: By Halone’s fury, an actual answer! Ah! To do a good deed is a balm for the soul. Few things are as delightful as bringing a smile to the face of others. Of course if that smile happens to belong to a lovely lady, well, all the better, no? Nobody said charity can’t ever benefit the giver as well, yes? ... what IS with all these looks?

Rhoe: Charity is all well and good as long as it makes sense. Giving away your last gil to a pauper may make you feel good but it won’t actually help anything. Better to get the pauper a job. That’s the kind of charity I can get behind.

Gluttony is the desire to eat or consume more than you require. What is the one thing best guaranteed to show off your gluttonous side?

Yuti: F-fish, t-to be honest. I r-really can’t get enough of m-most seafood. I p-probably should be c-careful about that.

Reri: Booze. What? You want more than that. Booze. Alcohol. Spirits. The good shite. What more do ya want?

Sayo: ... It is improper for a flower to overindulge. 

Rahya: Um... I ain’t never really had much ta overeat with... so maybe sweet stuffs? I’ll eat a lotta sweet stuffs if I can, even if it ain’t so good for me ta do so. 

Eynwyda: Meat.

Meichi’a: I’ll let that one slide.... mostly because I fear this dear woman may belt me if I don’t. Ah, what doesn’t? A good meal, good drink, good music, good company... life is to be lived. As long as it brings joy I don’t feel one can over-indulge. 

Rhoe: A good glass of wine usually. 

Fortitude is never giving up. With as many strong willed people as there are here, I imagine this will prompt good responses. What is it you would never give up on? Is it a person, a goal?

Yuti: ... H-helping the people i care about. M-most of whom I think genuinely need it. E-especially those I k-know can do a-amazing things if only they h-have the support. I f-figure if I haven’t a-already given up on Lloire or L-Leera, I’m n-not doing it anytime soon. 

Reri: I don’t give up on anythin’. If I can’t do it then I’m dead. If I’m not dead then I’m plannin’ how ta do it. If you give up then yer already done livin’. It’s just yer walkin’ around in your corpse for a bit after.

Sayo: I have come to Eorzea with a goal and I will not give it up easily. I intend to find my own achievements here.

Rahya: Um... I... I ain’t so sure I’m gonna answer this question so well? Bein’ as I give up on a lotta things. I’m tryin’ ta get better though... so I guess that’s it? I ain’t givin’ up on not givin’ up? I don’t know if that even makes no sense.

Eynwyda: Improvement. 

Meichi’a: Living. I have a life to lead and I intend to lead it, no matter where the Weaver’s threads take me. Simple enough, no?

Rhoe: I agree with the prissy boy, actually. Living is a challenge in itself. I’ll stick with that. 

Lust is a powerful craving for things such as sex and power. Do you feel that you give in to those temptations easily? What do you lust after the most?

Yuti: I... w-well... t-that is t-to say... I’m a... I mean... I... I d-don’t give into t-temptation easily I feel. I’ve... t-that is... c-can w-we leave it there?  T-this is a humiliating question. 

Reri: What the Snowflake is sayin’ is that yes, she wants ta screw. So does probably everyone in this room except maybe ol’ one-eye over there seeing as I’m not entirely sure she can dress herself in the morning from the way she talks.  That’s my answer by the way. A good battle an’ a good lay. It’s not a temptation, it’s what I want an’ there’s nothin’ wrong with it.

Sayo: I... t-that is to say all people have temptations. Learning to control and master them is an important part of being a second daughter. Not merely temptations of the flesh but of the spirit as well. Any further answer would be improper.

Rahya: *mumbles uncomfortably* I dress myself awful good, even if I ain’t fashionable ‘bout it or nothin’ like that.. o-oh. Um. Right. Ya questionin’ me. Um. I’m figurin’ I ain’t doin’ that stuff much. I’m happy huggin’ folk an’ I ain’t wantin’ ta be powerful. I’m right happy wit’ everythin’ I got right now.

Eynwyda: I control myself.

Meichi’a: Ah, but I am afraid that the craven temptations of the flesh are oft too much for me to overcome. When the spirit is weak and the flesh is oh-so-willing, I feel I sometimes allow my, ah, baser impulses more free reign than I should. There was this once charming lass, so delightful and vivacious, but I swear she never told me she was enga-

Rhoe: Right, I don’t really want to hear about that. In my line of work you can’t really give into temptation easily. Too many baleful magics love to prey upon weakness. Anyone who gives into lust, physical or otherwise, probably is getting their soul eaten the first chance they get. 

Justice is being fair and equitable with others. It is the guiding principle of certain Dark Knights. Do you believe in justice? Is such a thing possible in the world we live in?

Yuti: Y-yes. I believe in justice. I d-don’t think it’s synonymous w-with laws but I believe i-it exists. Everyone must f-find their own morality a-and their own guiding principles. W-we can make the world a fair place for a-all.

Reri: Ta steal an old phrase: There ain’t no justice, there’s just us. The world ain’t fair or equitable. It’ll eat ya up and spit ya out and not give a damn. Tryin’ ta hold ta some idea of justice is a nice way ta get yerself used. Ya hear that Snowflake? 

Sayo: Rules and laws exist for a reason. The justice in those rules may not always be obvious but it exists. However justice must be tempered by restraint. Unlike some I do not believe justice goes hand-in-hand with violence, though sometimes it is unavoidable. 

Rahya: Um... I don’t really know what ya mean by justice, but I’m figurin’ that being fair is just a good thing, right? So... I believe in bein’ fair. I like it when folks are fair ta one another. I ain’t seein’ why it wouldn’t be possible. 

Eynwyda: Justice is born of strength to uphold your convictions. Nothing less.

Meichi’a: My, we’re up to two sentences now. I certainly believe in justice... though I fear it is not something I think the world gives us easily. The rich are rich, the poor are poor, and no amount of ‘justice’ will change that. One can strive to be as fair and equitable in their life as they like, but the world as a whole? No, my dear sir, it is not one that welcomes justice kindly.

Rhoe: Justice is in the eye of the beholder. You find what you think is just and you do it. Anything’s possible in this world. It just depends on if it’s probable to survive doing it. 

Anger is the loss of rational self-control and the desire to harm others. Are you one to lose control to your anger? What was the worst case of letting it loose that comes to mind?

Yuti: ... Yes. I h-have a problem with my temper. W-when I see friends hurt o-or people I c-care about suffering... I... I’m n-not the best at keeping myself in check. T-Tyr has helped with that but... t-to be honest the worst anger isn’t h-hot. It’s cold. T-the worst thing I e-ever did in a r-rage wasn’t b-boiling anger. It w-was when I knew exactly w-what I did... a-and I h-hurt someone rather badly because of it. 

Reri: Snowflake, I’m gonna drag that story outta you some day because I’m actually startin’ ta get curious. Probably gonna disappoint the Hells out of me when I found out ya slapped an idiot or somethin’. Oh, don’t give me that look. Yeah, I’ve gotten angry at folk. Killed some folk too. Can’t say I ever lost control though. I know what I’m doin’. My knife doesn’t find its mark by accident. 

Sayo: Self-restraint is a virtue that I strive to uphold. I have felt anger but I have never allowed it to overwhelm me. Anything else would be... unseemly.

Rahya: Nope! Nononope! I ain’t gettin’ angry at nobody. I ain’t likin’ bein’ angry ta be honest. It ain’t feelin’ good. I’d rather give someone a hug an’ alla that. If someone does somethin’ i ain’t likin’ I just... I ain’t wantin’ ta be around them is all. Not hurt them none.

Eynwyda: I remain in control. If I do not, people die. It has happened before.

Meichi’a: ... M-maybe I should be a bit more cautious about my jibes. They are all meant in good fun, my dear woman! All in good fun! Ah... as for myself? No, I do not get angry easily. There’s little point in it, yes? I don’t favor harming others. I admit it puts me in a right temper if I see a maiden being harmed though. I’ve issued more than one duel challenge on behalf of their honor! ... few accept though.

Rhoe: I get angry from time to time but I don’t lose control. Well, not often. I’ve had some bad relationships. Once threw an ex out of the house in his smallclothes in the middle of winter. He deserved it though. 

Prudence is care of and moderation with gil. This one is a bit simpler. Are you a gil-pincher or do you spend with abandon?

Yuti: I’m c-careful with money. N-not because I’m a s-spendthrift o-or anything b-but just because it’s p-prudent. I-it’s not wise to waste g-gil now t-that could be useful later. I s-splurge s-sometimes but... o-only rarely.

Reri: Gil ain’t worth a damn thing burnin’ a hole in your pocket. I spend if it I want ta and i earn it if I need it. Savin’ for later if you got somethin’ you want now doesn’t make sense. Ya could be dead in a day and then that ‘hard-saved’ gil is just goin’ ta buy whoever killed ya a good drink or a cheap lay. 

Sayo: I am ever impressed by your ability to make every answer crude, Miss Kyis. I am very careful with my gil. One must be. To spend it wildly means to be without it should the need arise. Should I run a household someday I will also need to know how to best manage the finances. It is an expected skill for any daughter. 

Rahya: Well, I ain’t ever had much gil, so it ain’t really a question I can answer. Um... I spend what I got but it’s mostly cuz I need stuff. Most gil I ever had was when Aasifa gave me the Starlight gift an’ I spent that on my an part mant right away I did. So I guess I’m spendin’? I ain’t abandonin’ it though, I’m always given it ta the folks I’m buyin’ from.

Eynwyda: I spend when I need to.

Meichi’a: Ah! What is money but the passport to experiences? Perhaps my life would be easier if I held onto my gil but easier isn’t the same as worth living, now is it? Better to spend gil on a night of good cheer and good company than to have it upon you unspent. After all the luster of coin can scarcely compare to that of a charming smile or a rousing song, yes? 

Rhoe: I’ll take the happy medium, thanks. You don’t need to spend every gil you get and you don’t need to horde it like a dragon. It’s kind of a ridiculous question when you think about it. There’s an answer: don’t be an idiot. 

Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain. Some might think this goes hand in hand with prudence but that is not the case. Even those who string their gil-pouches tightest can be known for their charity or simply do not fret over making more gil. Are you a take-take-take sort? Is the gathering of wealth important to you?

Yuti: No. Material g-gain isn’t important to me. T-the most valuable things I h-have are people, not things. I’d g-give every gil I had a-and more so i-if it would help my friends a-and those close to me. I-it’s nice to have things b-but I’m h-happy with what I do have. 

Reri: For once I agree with the Snowflake. Treasure ain’t worth shite on its own. The act of aquirin’ it can be fun but that’s about it.

Sayo: My family has not become comfortable and wealthy through luck. One must work to acquire what one needs and then have enough extra for emergencies. I suppose you could call that greed? My sire is not fond of spending money he does not have to spend but Eldest gives freely within her limits. I can see the value in both sides. 

Rahya: I’ve gotta slime an’ a flower an’ frankly I’m thinkin’ that’s already more luck then I can rightly ask for, so I ain’t askin’ for more. 

Eynwyda: Wealth is a means, not a goal.

Meichi’a: I must echo what seems to be the common consensus. I’d be a liar if I said there wasn’t a satisfaction in the feeling of gil in hand, but it’s a momentary distraction at best. There are far more charming vices than greed after all. The greedy die alone. At least those who are lustful or foolish oft die with others. To die alone is the saddest thing of all. 

Rhoe: I like getting paid. I’ll do work pro-bono if it’s interesting but it’s a lot more interesting when I know there’s a good meal and another month’s rent in it. You can call that greedy if you want. I think it’s common sense. 

Temperance is moderation of needed things and abstinence from things which are not needed. In essence it is the opposite of gluttony. Is there anything that you find you abstain from that you wish you did not?

Yuti: I... d-don’t know to be honest. M-maybe... s-seeking comfort. I t-tend to k-keep things inside a-and not speak openly t-to most. T-though I have good reason for that.

Reri: *raises hand* Yep, good reason number one right here. Ya can be honest, Snowflake, ain’t nobody in this room who doesn’t think I’m a nasty bitch. An’ as for me? Nope. I want somethin’, I do it. What the Hells would I abstain from? 

Sayo: ... many things. Restraint is also a virtue. It is not proper to allow your desires to run away with you. It is unseemly and immodest. There are things I wish I could do, but I have my duties.

Rahya: Um.. lotta things really. I ain’t... really so brave an’ I don’t do a lotta things even if I’m wantin’ ta. I’m tryin’ ta get braver though! I’m goin’ places an’ I used ta not do that so... that’s kinda my answer?

Eynwyda: Yes.

Meichi’a: ... Wait, it’s my turn? That was her answer? Can I just say yes too? Sigh. Yes, of course there are. Many things. I’ve been offered plenty of temptations, sinful and otherwise, and abstain for a variety of reasons. You would be shocked how many married women offer a place in their boudair, but that is simply not a risk worth taking. It’s not gentlemanly at all to intrude upon wedding vows.

Rhoe: I suppose. Everyone does. Sometimes I get jealous of people like the prissy boy or the nasty bitch. It’s got to be a relief to not give a damn and just do whatever you want. That doesn’t mean I’m going to do it though. 

Sloth is laziness and the avoidance of work. Somehow I don’t see that being of much concern with this group, but what would you say is your laziest habit?

Yuti: ... t-to be honest I’m r-rather bad about organizing my room if I d-don’t have to. When I p-put a book down I tend to leave it lying wherever I put it. S-sometimes it can become a r-real mess if I’m in the middle of research.

Reri: She ain’t lyin’. You shoulda seen her room back home. She *slept* on books somehow. Me? I ain’t lazy. Lazy means yer dead. If I got a lazy habit, it’s stayin’ in one place for too long.

Sayo: It is improper to be lazy. To work your hardest is to show pride in what you’re doing. T-that is not to say I’ve never cut corners from time to time. I... have a rather shameful habit of sleeping in late when it is cold. D-don’t look at me like that please. Blankets can be very comfortable...  Rahyda: Oh! Oh! Can I agree with that one? Because ever since I got me blankets I’ve been wantin’ ta sleep in a whole bunch! So that’s my answer! Sorry if’n I’m stealin’ ya answer, Miss Sayo, but I’m agreein’ with it.  Eynwyda: Laziness is death.

Meichi’a: ... Well, aren’t you all a bunch of hard workers? Now I feel rather ungainly answering. Yes, I am lazy. Everyone is, i suspect, even these remarkable people. I ride when I can walk, I sleep in late, I leave dishes unwashed... sometimes you simply just don’t feel like doing something, isn’t that right? 

Rhoe: I’m terrible about filing paperwork. It takes me ages to get everything properly organized.  

Meichi’a: Really. Paperwork. Did you just choose that to make me look worse?

Rhoe: No, you do that fine on your own. 

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to give some insight into your inner thoughts for our readers. I know today’s questions were a little tougher than some of the ones before but I hope you don’t begrudge me asking you. Before you go, what do you all think of me?

Yuti: .. W-well, y-you seem very nice. I’m n-not sure why you g-gathered all of us h-here but you’re v-very patient. S-some odd questions though...

Reri: Eh. 6/10. Ya got a crappy mustache. Either grow it out or shave it off. What you weren’t askin’ about that? Well, it’s still a shite mustache.  

Sayo: It is an honor to answer your questions. They give me much to think about. 

Rahya: Ya a real nice fella, even if I ain’t understandin’ everything ya askin’ about.  Eynwyda: ... 

Meichi’a: Ah, my dear sir. It has been a thorough pleasure to answer your questions. Especially as you offered me a fair amount of gil to do so.  Rhoe: You have some weird taste in interviewees. 

tagged by: @peacekeeper-xiv

tagging: @anataerindottir @jonahsage @eyesseeingbeyondtheveil @fairasmorninglight anyone else who wants to.

[allineednow]

<p>Family Stressing You Out? </p>You Need Our Ultimate Survival Guide For Family Dinners

1/6 SLIDES © photo credit: shutterstock

The holiday survival guide to help you prepare for the household challenges that await

It's time to face the facts: You may require a vacation family survival guide this year. In the 1995 film Home for the Holidays, Claudia Larson returns to her parents' home for Thanksgiving, where she's confronted with the wacky and difficult realities of family. 'When you go home, do you look around and wonder, Who are these people? And Where did I come from?' she asks. According to , a licensed couples and family therapist and psychotherapist based in Montreal, these feelings are common. 'We create stories around our families, especially in North America,' he says. 'We've created this idea about how families are supposed to be rather homogenous entities. The concept is that your family should reflect who you are, so we take it personally if somebody [is] different.' While many simply attempt to eat away the pain, you will find less-fattening coping mechanisms. 'First and foremost, check your expectations at the door,' says Sofin. Before attending your next holiday dinner, then write down the guest list and include two paragraphs next to each name: one which states what you like about the person and one that states what you dislike. 'You'll go into it with a different state of mind,' he says. As an example, if you've got an aunt who is particularly nosy, reminding yourself that she's too warm, welcoming and sweet can help you realize that her inquisitiveness comes out of the heart.While there are no hard and fast rules to etiquette, going in with a game plan can make for a winning evening. Here we break down five of the most common (ahem) difficult personalities you may share table space with this holiday season with expert advice on the best way to handle any situation with grace, compassion and dignity - or at least make it through to dessert in one piece.

2/6 SLIDES © photo illustration: Monika Melnychuk

Holiday family survival guide: The know-it-all

We've all heard the saying that father knows best. But whether it's your dad, uncle, mother or pesky older sister, getting unwanted help from a family member can trigger feelings of resentment from deep within. 'Family members are generally much more opinionated with one another than they would be with strangers due to the intimacy of family life,' says Sofin. While some advice givers may be coming from a genuine place of helpfulness, others may utilize this conversation technique as a way to dominate. What's the game plan? Be gracious, don't take anything too personally and keep in mind that their intentions are good - either they really want to help or they are simply looking for a way to communicate with you. 'Just dealing with this person might be as straightforward as saying 'Thank you, I know you care about my well-being, but I'm not worried about it at this time," states , an etiquette expert based in Florida. It isn't required to take their advice to heart, but it's crucial to appreciate the sentiment. 'Then the other person will feel good, you're from the conversation and you can move on to somebody else,' adds Sofin.

3/6 SLIDES © photo illustration: Monika Melnychuk

Holiday family survival guide: The naughty kid

Holidays mean delight, which can take a rambunctious child's behaviour to the next level. ' Plenty of this time, a child just wants attention,' says Whitmore, adding that indulging him will often soften his behaviour. 'Depending on the age of the child, attempt to bring him into the conversation,' she says. What's the game plan? There is a difference between a child who is behaving badly and one whose behaviour you merely disagree with. 'You might not agree with a child's fashion statement, but stay out of it,' says Sofin. 'It's not for you to choose.' On the other hand, if a kid is putting himself or someone else in danger, it's important to tell him to stop without becoming emotional and also to let his parents know. 'Nobody wants to feel like the worst parent ever,' says Sofin. 'If you just keep very calm and factual, then nobody will freak out. The parents will just say 'Hey, thank you." In the absence of a kids' table, ask to sit with another relative you'd like to catch up with ahead of time instead of spending an entire meal next to a troublesome tot.

4/6 SLIDES © photo illustration: Monika Melnychuk

Holiday family survival guide: The nosy Nellie

Family members often know far more about us than what seems comfortable, and you will have one relative specifically who is more prying than others. Whenever someone is gossiping or asking too many personal questions, keep in mind that she's probably genuinely interested in you and your life. 'She is attempting to fit in and find a way to connect with you,' says Sofin. What's the game plan? 'If you know that the man or woman is nosy and don't need to share a whole lot about your life, try to be as vague as possible,' says Whitmore. 'Make a joke or turn the question around with another question, depending on what she asks' To change the topic, Whitmore recommends preparing three topics of conversation that usually go over well during the holidays: your favourite family memory, travel and meals. 'Everybody can relate to food and travel, but if you really want to stimulate a lively discussion, go around the table and share your fondest or funniest family memory,' she says.

5/6 SLIDES © photo illustration: Monika Melnychuk

Holiday family survival guide: The political nut

As political beliefs become more polarized, chances are, there'll be someone at your next family event who is in the opposite end of the spectrum. While it may seem to be challenging divide, look at it as an opportunity instead. 'You don't need to agree about everything,' says Whitmore. 'In fact, I think it's healthy to have opposing viewpoints. If everyone agreed, it would not be a stimulating discussion.' What's the game plan? Before getting into a discussion, remember that your family does not need to share all your beliefs and their opinions don't say anything negative about you. 'The idea is that your family should reflect who you are, so we take it personally if somebody has another political perspective,' says Sofin. 'But at the end of the day we only have control and power over ourselves.' Depending on how heated the conversation becomes, try changing the subject, tuning out your relative or heading to a different room, with or without that person. 'Sometimes, with this person, you might need to say, 'You know, we're just going to have to agree to disagree on that issue," says Whitmore. Last minute shopping? Check out these gift ideas for the most difficult individuals on your list.

6/6 SLIDES © photo illustration: Monika Melnychuk

Holiday family survival guide: The overdrinker

At best, someone who overdoes it on the Pinot might lead to embarrassment; at worst, she could be a threat to herself and others. If you're hosting the dinner, remember that you're responsible for your visitors. 'If you see that somebody is getting out of hands, pull her aside privately,' says Whitmore. Keep in mind that there's typically a motive for overindulging, and it might very well be the same social anxiety that you're feeling. 'There is a reason why alcohol is a multi-trillion-dollar industry,' says Sofin. 'it is a depressant. It calms people down and makes them less stressed and less stressed' What's the game plan? As the host, you can minimize damage by no longer serving your unruly guest and maintaining loads of water, non-alcoholic food and beverages readily available. Also, ask yourself why someone might be drinking. 'Is she worried because her ex is here?' asks Sofin. 'Did she just find out that she owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes?' Engaging with your overindulging guest at a non-confrontational manner may bring her troubles to the surface, which may have a calming effect. But keep in mind that it's not your job to play family psychologist or celebration police officer. Just offering to call a taxi or allow your guest spend the night will suffice.

6/6 SLIDES