#But I should probably get back into the habit

[princessleprechaunnn]

Memory 1

click the thing that says click for the series masterlist warning: ummm typical yellowjackets things, cussing, drug use, lezzing out hopefully a series as long as i stay locked in

         You were walking back to the cabin, water in tow. As you set it down, you spot Natalie and Travis bickering. You try to walk past them, but your curiosity gets the best of you.

“What the fuck is the issue?” you say trying to sound annoyed, but the slight smirk on your face betrays you. 

Natalie scoffed before looking at you “This bitch is too good to go hunting with me, wanna come instead?”

You took a second before shifting on your feet and replying, “Umm, sure.”

At that, Nat slung the rifle over her shoulder and started trekking deeper into the woods.

Somehow, she leads you back to the crash site. Nat abruptly stops, and you shift nervously before calling out her name softly.

“Nat, why are we here? I thought we were going hunting?”

She turns around, meeting your gaze, and walks into the plane's cabin. “Hold on..”

You wait patiently when you finally see Nat’s head pop out again, grinning at you. You furrow your brows, confused, until you look down at her hand. A crumpled bag, as well as her lighter. Her face seems to beckon you closer, and before you know it, you are sitting on the plane floor with Natalie.

She fidgets softly with the lighter until she gets it to light and takes a blunt from the bag. She brings it to the flame and lights it. You watch as she breathes in, and soon slowly exhales the hot puff of smoke. She looks at you for a moment, looking as if she were contemplating something.

“You smoke?” she asks, a quizzical expression on her face.

“I mean, I’ve tried a cigarette once or twice at a party. But I haven’t made it a habit?” She chuckles softly before sitting up and leaning in a bit closer.

“Just open your mouth, breathe in like it's a straw. Hold it in for a second, then slowly let it go. Ok, you try.”

You take the blunt in your hand, gazing at it momentarily. “It’s not gonna bite, either hit it or pass it back,” Nat says, her gaze softening slightly.

“Shit, ok.” You try to do what Nat says, but it feels like your lungs are about to explode. You blow out the smoke and start to cough aggressively, which makes Nat start laughing loudly.

“Oh my god, easy there. You’re too aggressive. It's not going anywhere, ease up.” You try it again, and follow Nat’s instructions. To both of your surprise, you softly exhale the smoke.

“Better, now gimme.”

It’s been almost an hour of you smoking and talking with Natalie, and your conversations were frequently interrupted by fits of giggles. As she rambles on about something, you interrupt her.

“We should have hung out more in school, you are honestly the most decent person on this team.”

Her gaze on you softens momentarily, but then her wall is right back up. 

“Because you would wanna hang out with the school burnout, yeah, right.” She looks away from you, her eyes searching for anything to look at other than your face.

“I wouldn’t have minded, I don’t care about that shit too much. Plus, you are so fucking funny. And I could have kept you company whenever you skipped.” You said, looking at Nat softly. 

She gazes at your lips, and you gaze at hers. “You really would have hung out with me?” she whispers 

“Hell yeah,” you spurted out.

Your words caused a silence to fall over you both, until Nat spoke up. 

“We should probably go back, also, I need to find us all dinner on the way back.” You both stood up and straightened out your clothes. You began the longer walk back to the cabin, Natalie scoring two rabbits on the way. As you walk back into the cabin, you look at Natalie one more time as she speaks with Shauna. She met your gaze for a moment and smiled softly at you. Her lopsided grin brought butterflies to your stomach. 

Oh fuck…

notes: i caved to the demons (my impatience) ...also enjoy me trying to describe how to smoke a blunt despite having no knowledge on the subject!

[boredzum-671]

Fireworks

Hunter X OC!Robin Fanfic

word count 4.2k words

Warnings: thoughts of kissing, PTSD mentions, fluff? Crying, comfort, feelings like a lot. It’s my first fan fic that is so long 💀😭

Hunter POV

It's been about 4 weeks since the tsunami on Pabu. Most of the lower Pabu residents’ homes have been destroyed, but luckily, parts of the homes were built within 2 weeks with the strong bond of the community, and the docking bays and boats have been damaged from the impact. Most of the ships flew over the houses near the bay. But thankfully, nobody was hurt. The boys and I have been helping with the rebuilding as well. Wrecker and I helped with the heavy load while Tech worked on bringing power back to the houses. The residents were thankful for our help, and I was thankful we came on time so none of the people were hurt. Or worse...

The upper Pabu Residents let the lower ones stay with them temporarily in their homes. Speaking of temporary stay, we have one who Omega begged for us (mostly me) to stay for a little bit until we built their home. We met her when Shep invited us for dinner at his home; she was a friend of Phee, who was also a refugee hiding from the Empire. Robin.

The first time we met her, she was probably nervous to meet us when she stepped foot on Shep's patio. My senses were a bit fussy when I looked at her; this never happened when I first met a woman, so I was a bit cautious. Robin’s appearance was clean and neat, her hair was a perfect shade a brown with natural highlights you could see in the sun, and it seemed smooth if I was able to touch it. Her eyes are different, both of her eyes have a different color from the other, the one on her left was a brown-honey like color, like mine, while her right eye was light blue that if you looked in them, it was as if you were staring up at the sky. She was wearing a purple and white dress that wasn’t too formal, but something simple enough; her hair was down and had a butterfly-like style while her bangs were curtain-like.

Phee had told us about her past, but she didn’t give enough details about Robin since it was too sensitive to talk about it to anyone; Phee was the only one Robin could trust to keep her past a secret. When I learned of that, it made me suspicious of her, but when I started talking to her, she was caring, sweet, but one thing I couldn’t describe about her... could it be attraction...? No. Hunter, get yourself together. You just met her; it’s inappropriate to think that way.

She’s been with us for four weeks and already knows her way around the Marauder. I let her have my bunk to sleep in; I mostly sleep in one of the chairs. It became a bad habit ever since we had Omega, and it still is. Robin would teach Omega how to braid hair, learn new things, and the woman stuff I barely even know about, mostly. But I made sure not to interfere with their time. Omega was happy around Robin.

Like a daughter to a mother...

Sometimes when Omega is with her, it makes me think about everything. Should we keep on running from the past, still in the sights of the empire, and not let Omega have a simple life as a child? Or should we refuge here on Pabu, hang our armour and blasters on the wall, look towards the future, and make a life of our own with the little time we have...?

We clones never had the life of a child, our only home was the steel walls of a cloning facility, never born of a womb of a mother but rather a tube, making millions of the same faces. Our father was only a donor part of our creation; the only time we have seen him was on our faces when we look in the mirror. Our only purpose was to follow orders, fight in a war on a side we thought was meant for good, but ended up helping the start of an Empire, killing our most trusted allies by an order we could not oppose...

I want Omega to experience the life we could never have, to grow up normally, then the forced growth acceleration we had. And maybe... Robin...

Robin POV

I had just finished helping with decorating for the festival where the Archium is located, now I was heading towards the Marauder near the docks, the boys had to move the ship so it wouldn’t be in the way. Everyone was already heading up to Upper Pabu Square for the event. Hunter was the only one I had to bring up. Before I left the Marauder, I remember seeing him cleaning his armour and blaster in the cockpit, he’s probably already getting ready. I can’t help but worry for him, he looks tired every day. One night before I went to bed, I woke up in the middle of the night, and he was still up late working on the control panel. He has to look over his crew, looking after everyone’s well-being, but not his well-being. I tried to give him back his bunk to sleep at least once, but he said,

 “You need it more than I do.”

 I know he’s just showing hospitality for me, it’s really kind of him, but he’s just stubborn to not admit he’s tired...

I finally reached the Marauder and went up the open ramp of the ship to the inside of the ship. The main hull of the ship was a little messy, but it was neat in a way. I looked over to the cockpit door, and it was wide open. There, I saw Hunter quietly staring down at his blaster in his hand with a dirty rage in his other hand. He did look tired.

I made my way towards him, and it caught his attention. His honey-brown eyes met my brown and blue ones.

“The festival is already starting?”

I nod and step closer.

“Still cleaning? Wouldn’t this have been done an hour ago?”

He gave me a slight chuckle and a shrug.

“I was distracted, don’t worry, I can do it later.”

I notice he was holding something back, he must be thinking about something. The tiredness in his eyes showed he was lying, he’s trying to stay strong for his squad... his family. I would probably do the same as him, if I ever had one...

“Shall we go now?”

I snapped out of my thoughts now and realized I was staring at him for a moment while I was thinking. I tried to ignore the blushing embarrassment crawling up on my face and gave a slight nod.

“Y-yeah let’s go.”

Hunter POV

We soon made it to the top of Pabu, and everything was in full swing. The locals were having fun with the game stalls, the trinkets some people worked on that had the island’s shells to make a piece of jewellery or a holo-picture frame. I could smell multiple scents of different varieties of food from the stalls. But one thing I could tell was the scent of Mantell Mix. Wrecker and Omega must’ve done that. Phee probably got the ingredients.

But the light of the lanterns around us was soft and warm, and when I looked at Robin, she looked like she was glowing as she smiled. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her in this light. Did she ever look like this...? Was her smile always like that? Did she always smile like this when I’m around her...? Did she always look...

Hunter! Pull yourself together! You’re getting ahead of yourself, and you had just met her 4 weeks ago; she thinks of you as a friend. Nothing else... Besides, who would want a clone, made to be a soldier from birth, you could never give her the life she wanted. Just a clone, nothing more...

“Robin...”

When I stopped, my hand unconsciously took her hand, my gloved and calloused hand holding her bare and soft hand. In my eyes, she looked fragile and easy to break. My mind was screaming at me to pull away, while my heart told me not to let go. I didn’t know what to do. Why am I getting this attached to her when I’m scared to break her? She’s been in the life of war like me, she survived probably many things on her planet, but never talked about them. She must have PTSD from the war. My heart slightly ached; she never deserved that life. Could it be that she wanted to be far from the past and restart in a haven? Away from the new and unknown dangers? Find a home...?

Is she looking for something like I am?

Home...?

 “Yes...?”

When Robin called me out of my thoughts, I looked into her eyes. The way the lantern lights shine on them made my heart skip multiple beats. Her one light blue eye made it look like I was in the cockpit of the Marauder and traveling through hyperspace, while her one brown eye made it look like it had gold flakes in it. What is this effect she has put on me? It felt terrifying and exciting at the same time.

I let out a soft breath through my nostrils and gave a reassuring smile.

“Never mind, just my senses acting up again.”

From my response, she looked at me with concern. She’s worrying about me, again.

“We could go back if you want to, if it's bothering you too much, I’ll- “

“No-no, don’t worry, I don’t want to ruin everyone’s fun. I’ll stay.”

Robin started to look around while she thought. A small habit that grew with her when she thinks.

Cute...

She lets out a sigh before looking back up at me again.

“Are you sure...?”

I gave her a soft smile and a nod of reassurance. I didn’t want Omega’s first festival since we never had the time for one... I don’t want to ruin it for Robin, too...

Hunter POV

My head hurts so bad.

The number of things clanking and making noise is messing up my senses. It was hard to concentrate when I tried to win for Omega on one of the small games, maybe win one thing for Robin, but I always mess up. But I have to stay strong, I don’t want to ruin the day’s fun. They’re all happy, and it was something I couldn’t dare to end.

Omega was having a blast; she was having fun with her friend Layana and her friends. This place was a happy community. Wrecker was also having the time of his life, trying out some of the varieties of food that his taste buds hadn’t touched yet. Tech and Phee were just talking together with a few drinks, I could tell Phee had a thing for Tech. It was obvious when we met her back on Ord Mantell in Cid’s office.

Robin stayed next to me the entire night. I know she was looking out for me due to my enhanced sensitivity, but I should be the one looking out for her. She can’t protect herself, she’s fragile, and if I’m not there to protect her... I can’t imagine what will happen.

Robin POV

              Every time I watch Hunter, I always see him uncomfortable. He missed the easiest games which one of which is just throwing a ball at a few cans. Every time he loses, he’s just frustrated. I started to feel guilty for bringing him here. I was selfish for knowing and not thinking about his senses, and just thinking he would be alright. He’s suffering. Hunter is just trying to hold it back, he didn’t want to ruin this for everyone. He didn’t want to ruin this special moment for Omega.

              They barely experienced these kinds of moments, it was rare for them all. It probably felt abnormal for them after a year of running or so, always having to stay alert, having to sleep with a blaster under their pillow before they go to bed. Yes, I know of this. Wrecker’s blaster was showing from under his pillow one time when I was alone on the Marauder, just helping to clean up the place. I even checked Tech’s, which I’m thankful for since Tech never lets anyone touch his things on his bunk. I was safe that day.

              I was walking next to Hunter when I noticed how he was looking around, he was getting angsty, and I couldn’t take this anymore. I’m helping him whether he likes it or not.

“Hunter...?”

When I spoke aloud softly, he stopped and looked at me, letting out a hum to let me continue.

“Everything okay?”

I watched as Hunter took a deep breath before giving a tired smile.

“Everything’s okay, don’t worry about me, Robin.”

I gave him a frown and looked at his face, he’s trying to hide it again...

“Hunter, I know you’re trying to hide it.”

We both were in a long silence. he knew I wanted to help him, but he’s too stubborn to admit he needs help. I’m trying not to push him to admit it. But there was one thing we forgot about...

Our hands have been together for a while, we just haven’t even noticed yet.

              “Just... Let me help you...”

After staring at each other for a while, I was about to walk away. But all of a sudden, I felt a slight tug on my arm. I realized I was still holding hands with him. He noticed as well. We both pulled our hands away, looking away in embarrassment. I felt a little empty when we let go, the texture of his gloved-calloused hand, his hold was gentle and safe on mine that which made my heart full. What I didn’t know was that Hunter glanced at me for a moment before looking away. I finally spoke out loud after a while and turned to face him.

“I’m sor- “

“I’m sor- “

We both spoke at the same time unexpectedly, he was surprised as I was. I noticed the slight tint on his cheeks, but his facial tattoo on the left side of his face was darkening his blush. He kind of looks Handsome... I started to feel a slight flutter in my heart.

I realized what I was thinking and felt heat crawl up my face, a light tint of pink forming over my cheeks in embarrassment.

“Uh... I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was still holding your hand.”

He shook his head and raised a hand to rub the back of his head.

              “I should apologize too...”

I shook my head as well and frowned.

              “You don’t have to, Hunter.”

We stood in an awkward silence. Until it was broken by Omega.

              “Hunter!”

              We both looked towards Omega’s way and saw her running down the pavement with Layana, smiling brightly from the day’s events. When they got to us, Omega looked up at Hunter.

              “They’re going to have fireworks soon! Layana and her friends have a spot to watch it. Can I go, pleaseee?”

I watched the little girl smile up at Hunter for permission. He knew there wasn’t any danger here on Pabu, so he was probably okay with it.

              “Have fun.”

              Omega and Layana shared a triumphant yes and started returning to where they came from. I let out a soft chuckle as I watched Omega with her new friends. When I looked at Hunter, he was smiling as he watched Omega run off. I felt my heart flutter again with admiration and... tenderness. He still looked on edge, thinking what could happen anytime. I hope one day it will end for him, so it won’t consume him for the rest of his life.

              I noticed how the lantern light glistened in his eyes, the shape of his eyes, I could even see the lines on his face, to the dark circles under his eyes. The sharp line of his jaw with the faint stubble of his fading into the darkness of his half-skull tattoo on the left side of his face. His long hair blew softly in the wind, the red bandana wrapped around his head to hold up the hair so it wouldn’t be in the way. I didn’t realize I’ve been staring for about 2 minutes until he looked down at me. I felt my face flush again and looked away towards the stalls as if I was interested in any of them.

I feel so stupid.

Hunter POV

              When I looked down at her, I saw the flushed expression on her face before she looked away. Oh no. This isn’t good. Did I do something wrong? Was it from holding her hand? I should’ve known, but for some reason, it never came to my consciousness for a while. My gloved hand started to ache for her hand, I felt my heart skip a beat at the thought. Why am I getting ahead of myself when all we are is friends?

Could she ever think of me as “that” kind of friend...?

I need to make it up to her for that action of mine. What would make her feel better...?

I cleared my throat and looked around before speaking.

              “See anything interesting?”

She glanced for a moment and nodded at me.

              “Yep, there are a lot of things. And you?”

I shook my head softly before sighing.

              “Same.”

Okay, not what I was planning on, how about buying her something? Would that cheer her up?

              “Would you like to go look around and see more? If you do, I’ll get it for you.”

I tilt my head towards one of the stalls as I look down at her. Before answering, Robin looked up at my eyes and smiled with a nod.

              “Sure, if that’s okay with you.”

I gave a smile back before whispering down at her.

              “It will be, but don’t tell the guys. I won’t be able to hear the end of it.”

              My comment made a soft chuckle come out of her mouth, her eyes sparked a little at the half-hearted joke of mine. It was true that the boys would tease me down; they knew I was close to Robin, and if they found out about this, I would try to dig my grave on the spot.

              We did find one thing, Robin liked this one necklace that had a small silver design of a Plumeria flower with a small diamond set in the middle of the flower. I started to imagine Robin wearing this on the beach with her light blue and white hibiscus-patterned summer dress blowing in the wind, her hair down, and smiling in delight at me... This was perfect.

But she didn’t want to get it, she said she wanted to get it herself, rather than for me to buy for her.

              So, while she wasn’t looking, I had whispered to the Stallman and bought the necklace behind her back. I’ll plan on giving this to her soon. I smiled at the thought of her reaction, she’ll be a little mad, but at the same time happy. I want her to be happy...

As I tucked the necklace safely in one of the pockets of my vest, I realized the locals were all waiting for the fireworks to show.

              Now my senses are getting worse, fireworks are going to make me throw up if I stay any longer, I have to figure out a way to be far from it, but at the same time, not leave Robin and the others behind. But while I was thinking, I felt a tug on my arm and looked down to see Robin looking up at me. Her eyes looked up at mine once I did.

Before I could reply, she spoke.

              “Want to go? I think the fireworks would make your senses worse, right?”

I blinked in confusion for a moment. How did she-

Never mind, she probably remembered about my enhanced senses. I gave her a small smile and nod.

              “You’re right, but where should we go?”

She looked around for a moment before letting out a soft hum.

              “Let’s take a boat, we’ll use Shep’s. He wouldn’t mind.”

              When we finally made it down to the docks, we found Shep’s boat. I get on first before helping her down, taking her hand as she steps down, as my free hand subconsciously places itself on the small of her back, through the white dress she wore, I could feel her soft skin. I felt my heart skip a beat.

              Once she sat down, I sat myself near the control panel and started the motor on. The boat starts moving. It takes us about a few minutes to be a little far enough to get a pleasant view of the island, I stop the motor before setting the small platform on the side down. Once it was firm, I sat on the edge and looked back at her and smiled.

“It’s good now.”

              When she heard me, she gave back a smile. Before sitting next to me, she took her slippers off and placed them under the seat, then sat next to me. I noticed her scooting a bit closer before dipping her feet in the water.

              We were fully alone... Nothing but the distant sounds of laughter and shouts of exclamation on the island, the waves crashing softly against the boat, rocking it slowly. The soft breeze of wind on both of us as the moon shines down.

Just us.

 When I looked at her, I felt something, I always kept resisting it, and saying it was foolish. But for a moment I thought...

              She looks so beautiful...

              ��Is... this the first time seeing fireworks?”

When she broke the silence, I looked at her, then back at the Island. I let out a soft sigh before shaking my head.

              “Other than the sparks of designators? No, so yea, it’s my first time.”

She gave me a soft chuckle before looking back at the island. As she was kicking her feet in the water softly, she spoke.

              “Back at my home planet, we would have a 3-day event to celebrate the old king of Sparrin. The fireworks were amazing and would make stories out of them, It felt so real to me when I was little, and still is. But when the war came to my planet, I...”

              When she cut off her sentence, I realized Robin was on the verge of tears. It must have been hard to talk about this to anyone. But seeing her crying... It made my heart ache with sympathy. I place my hand softly on top of hers and frown.

              “You don’t have to talk anymore, it’s alright...”

I saw a tear fall on her lap, the single drop staining her dress slightly.

              I watched as she used her free hand to wipe her eyes from the tears. Her fingers brushed under her eyelid where the tears were forming. She lets out a soft breath before continuing.

              “Thank you. I’m alright now...”

              I knew she was holding back the tears but yet they kept falling. Without thinking, my hand reached up and lifted her chin, her teary eyes looking up at my own. Her cheeks flush from the crying and maybe my intimate gesture...

              “Are you sure you’re okay...?”

              I softly whisper as my hand moves from her chin to the softness of her cheek, my thumb running over her cheekbone where her tear stains are. I was silently thanking any force, god, that this was an excuse for me to hold her face. The ache to hold her cheek was filled and satisfied.

              I watched as she slowly closed her eyes when my thumb was close to her eye, the way her lashes fell in place together when her eyes closed. I could feel her heartbeat, the light pumping of it from my closeness, even my heart was pounding. We are so close, I feel her soft breathing from her nose to my lips.

              I started to lean a little closer, the urge to kiss her was unnoticeable. My mind was screaming in my head to stop before it’s too late, while my heart said just kiss her damn it. Her lips looked so welcoming. My heart was rapidly pounding as I got closer. Just one more inch closer than I could-

              Then the fireworks started, the loud boom in the distance exploding in the air with bright colors interrupted the moment, I immediately pulled away and let go of her cheek before she opened her eyes to look at the fireworks.

              “They look so pretty...”

              I look back at her as she watched them, a smile forms on her face as she watches them. I started to feel a bit angry at myself for doing that, she probably won’t talk to me for a while. I let out a nod and a soft exhale.

              “Yeah, they do...”

But that wasn’t the only thing that was pretty... As we sat in silence, we both forgot about our hands, still together as we watched the fireworks…

>>>Part 2 Taggie baddies>>>>

@crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf @orangez3st @precioustech @alor-ika @leenathegreengirl @eyecandyeoz @skellymom

[dhruvkumaar]

Does reading nonfiction help fiction writers?

It’s the question that’s been worrying me for some time. I mean, we all know reading other author’s fiction helps you a lot in writing your own story. But, if you write fiction, does reading nonfiction help too?

I recently began university around a year ago. And firstly, I just checked my grades and I’m not doing well. Secondly, I’ve been reading a lot because of it. Y’know, those political science, history, philosophy, cultural studies stuff. A lot of nonfiction. And, because of that, I’ve been reading less and less of fiction too.

Now, as an author myself, that kinda worried me. I’m not worried anymore because the semester’s over and I’m back to reading fiction again, lol, but it led to a question: they say writers should read a lot. They never mentioned what they should read. So, does all this random nonfiction that I’m reading counts? Or it doesn't? Why does it not count?

And so, guys, welcome to another one of my yapping sessions.

***

#01. Elements of Theme and Style

First, let me reiterate the main elements of storytelling here. Because, obviously, nonfiction can't help you with every part of storytelling, but still, there’s some stuff I feel it can actually help you more than fiction ever does.

Anyway, these are the main elements: theme, plotline, character, setting, and style. That’s it. That’s all. That’s everything your story is made up of.

Now, plotline, character, and setting are obviously unique to fiction. Actually, if you study nonfiction and style a little deeper, you’d understand that everything in language is plotline and character, but let’s not get into all those details, because it means we’re severely disrupting the sense of what these words conventionally mean to us right now.

So, what’s left with us are theme and style. Now, you might ask: what’s theme and style?

Theme is the underlying foundation of your story. It’s the issues your story is trying to tackle, or even the message it’s conveying. Honesty is the best policy, betrayal, good wins against evil, racial injustice—all that stuff. For example, Metamorphosis is absurdist, and stands on the themes of alienation, family dynamics, and stuff like that. Mainly alienation, though. Kafka is trying to give out a message too: you’re just as good as you’re earning and providing something to somebody. All relationships—at least in Gregor Samsa’s case—are transactional. Once you can't give that anymore, you turn into an insect.

Damn, that’s such a good reading of the novel, I realized. I’m so damn smart—y’know, I just thought of it! Lol, sorry.

Let’s come to the other element: style. It’s the way you write. As simple as that. Style includes your vocabulary, tone, but also some common habits, such as how detailed your scene-descriptions are. Style is basically how you tell the story. How you design those words on paper, y’know.

For example, look at this blog itself. I use the word lol a lot. Also, I use a lot of commas, em-dashes, colons, and a lot of unnecessary phrases in the middle. I joke around, but I still sound a little informative. That’s my style.

Every writer pens the same story differently, and that’s what makes it their own. After all, Shakespeare never wrote his own plotlines. Romeo and Juilet was inspired by earlier Italian tales, Hamlet is a retelling of the legend of Amleth—and I can see a lot more on Google right now, but I won’t list them all here because that’d be boring. But yeah, Shakespeare never came up with a story of his own.

Yet, he’s often regarded as the greatest author of the English language.

Why do you think people love him so much? His plotlines? No. It’s his style. His poetic grasp on the plays left his audiences baffled. His words were strong enough to hold people’s attention—and make them feel emotions. Simply through words.

Yeah, he was white. And he probably never existed. But let’s ignore all that, lol. Lemme make my point.

What I’m trying to say is: style is important for your story. Damn, I wrote a hundred-plus words just to explain this?!

***

#02. Nonfiction is storytelling

Most of nonfiction is storytelling too, in a way. You’d often find that in essays and articles, the authors often tell a little story connected to the message they’re giving. But even if there’s no apparent story as we know it, there’re still characters and a plotline—of events, of ideas, or simply of contexts.

I told you I won’t go deeper, but I think I need to. Look at this blog. There’s no story, except when I told you I’m failing university. (which is true, by the way—my GPA is three. three-point-zero. and im NOT happy…)

Anyway, look at this blog. It has characters. Both theme and style are characters of the sentence. All sentences need characters. In fact, in the last sentence, the word sentence acted as a character too, with the verb need being, well, the action that the character sentence does. Yeah, language is a lot complex than we initially think it is.

Anyway, we don't give a damn about that characters. As fiction authors, we talk about a living being when we talk of characters. And nonfiction might not have that all the time, but most nonfiction does.

Nonfiction is a form of storytelling—it just tells a different story. And in a different manner. So, the style is gonna be different, and, let’s say, less novel-like. But there are stories.

Language itself is storytelling. Like I said, all sentences need characters—the subject—and actions—the verb. And when a character acts, that’s plotline. Without it, there’s no language. There’s no thought, even.

Yeah, even political ideologies are characters. Every object is a character. Lol, everything is character.

Now I kinda sound like a mad scientist who’s going on a random monologue before the climax hits.

***

#03. Climax: The part where I console myself for reading less

So yeah, nonfiction has theme. And style. It shares both the elements with fiction.

Also, these elements appear the same in both forms. Like I told you about how the character changes with form, theme and style apparently doesn't.

In a nonfiction, look at how they use their words. Nonfiction evokes emotions too—notice how they do that. Notice how they appear interesting and keep you hooked. Observe their style.

Also, observe how they subtly try to tell you something—that’s theme. Understand theme. Understand characters and plotline, because even though the story is being told to you in a different manner that doesn't include action and thoughts, it’s still there. You might need this skill a little bit in fiction, too.

Prose is prose, guys. If somebody has written it, there’s definitely something you can learn from it—even if it’s bad enough to learn what not to do.

***

Conclusion

Stories are all around us these days, man. Everybody online is hyper-fixated on storytelling and how to use it to gain social-media traction, sell something, or simply just, y’know, entertain you. The corporate world has accepted it so much for a reason. Hate those corporate guys, though—I don't know why. I just hate a corporate lifestyle, but that’s just me, I guess.Anyway, just learn to notice the stories around you—in the events, newspapers, reels, YT videos, ads, essays, or anything else that you consume. And see how they make it work—or how they fail at it. That latter one helps too!

[dungeondevoured]

There was something about the kitchen that Bell liked. Something about the idea of a room whose only purpose was food. So, as he was sat down, he hummed a small, pleased noise - looking around at the kitchen - partly out of habit to see if any threats were hiding within it.

A habit he probably didn't need anymore, but... but what was the harm?

Almost immediately, however, he was distracted by Mikoto speaking,

"...Good." He responded, after a moment spent looking curiously at her. "Food is... important, you can't just - just poison it." He sighed quietly, fidgeting with the finger of his recently-healed arm. "I forgot food could be poisoned. Monsters don't really do that, and - and now I feel like I'm gonna worry every time I go to eat something..." Especially if it had not been made by him, or had been pre-made.

...Maybe he could go back to rationing his own food...? No, the others would riot.

Then Mikoto bowed - low. Very low. Low to the point that Bell found himself half-reaching to her from where he sat, unable to do much more than make a shocked noise. What? She was that sorry?

He supposed it made sense, none of them seemed to like doing what they'd done, but... still. Before he could get his brain to formulate a response though, Hogni spoke, Bell retracting his arm to once again feel up and down the length of the healed bone.

"...Do you know..." He began, finally - staring at his previously-broken arm. "...how scary it is, to wake up somewhere different than when you fell asleep? When you're used to waking up at every little noise?" Terrifying. Terrifying. He should have woken up and... hadn't. What had they even given him? "I was somewhere different and I didn't know what happened and I couldn't move..." He'd briefly been convinced he was in terrible danger. Danger enough that he'd contemplated using firebolt.

He let himself stop there, though, letting out a breath full of stress as he attempted to calm down from having woken somewhere that was not where he'd gone to sleep.

"... ...Hedin..." Bell muttered, once the man was brought up. Hedin and his long hair. Long and clean and straight and honestly quite pretty. "Master Hedin would know how to care for hair... Still muttered, staring now at the table, then to Hogni. Briefly glancing at Mikoto and hoping she'd risen by then. "I'm... I'm okay with long hair. I don't want sharp things near my neck - or any things - and long hair doesn't hurt anyone. If Master Hedin can be powerful and have long hair, then so can I, right? But. But next time, uhm... Could you just ask? Please...?"

The walk to the kitchen was silent, even with Mikoto walking a small distance in front of them. Through each window, the sky was painted a beautiful orange and yellow as the sun was setting--night would soon be upon them.

Even as they entered the kitchen, neither Mikoto or Hogni said a word, and Bell was gently placed upon a stool. After making sure he could sit up just fine on his own, Hogni quickly turned toward one of the windows.

The gesture of his arms suggested he was wiping his face with his cloak again.

"Sir Bell..." Mikoto spoke to get his attention. "We've already talked everything over before making this decision. From now on, whenever food is being made--specifically food intended for you, you're more than welcome to observe it being made. So you know...all of this was a...a one time thing..."

And now it was Mikoto's turn to let her guilt get the better of her. She quickly got on her knees in front of him and bowed deeply, which also caught Hogni's attention. His visible eye definitely had redness underneath.

"My sincerest apologies, Sir Bell!! We couldn't leave those fractures be for the rest of your life! I-it was...It was for your future benefit. We know we hurt you. We didn't want to..."

Hogni finally stood beside Bell again. "The arm...all the fractures. Should not have been left for so long. But, your hair..." he looked at him before wandering to the pantry to get himself something to eat. "We will leave it be. Until you are ready for a trim. Just..." a pause. "If you could let the girls continue helping you with it...Hedin has also expressed interest in caring for the quality. You have our word..."

[pigeonclaw]

I haven't felt very motivated to draw lately (what chronic fatigue does to a guy 😔) but I have cracked open my sketchbook a few times. Mostly to doodle TBC.

[commsroom]

from the way he tells the story in limbo, it's easy to get a reduced sense of scale, but those were years of eiffel's life!! if we go by gabriel urbina's non-canon official estimate that anne was about nine or ten by the end of the show, he might've been as young as 23 when she was born, and he and kate had already split up by that point. we don't know how long they were together (it's always felt like a fairly short-lived but emotionally intense/turbulent type of relationship, to me) but, no matter what, that's actually... the majority of his adult life, contained in the time frame of that story. eiffel describes the end of his relationship with kate as "things [getting] real sid & nancy" before they realized they were about to have a kid (which i think might provide some context for why kate reacted so strongly and uncompromisingly to eiffel relapsing, though even that is filtered through his biased perspective and retelling of events) and we can assume they mutually agreed to be at least somewhat civil and get it together for anne's sake, but they never got back together or lived together as far as we know.

what did that relationship look like, for the years where eiffel was still allowed to see her? what did the rest of his life look like? he clearly wasn't her primary caretaker at any point. where did he live, and did anne have a room at his place, or did he just visit her? did he drive her to and from daycare or school? ... did he even have a proper car seat for her? did they celebrate her birthdays together, or did anne get a second celebration on a different day to spend time with eiffel? other holidays are a whole other issue. what jobs did eiffel work in those years? did he date anyone else? i feel he must have; it's been years. we only know about kate because he has a daughter with her and it's relevant. did kate date anyone else? how did he feel about that; did he make that difficult for her because he feared being replaced as anne's father? and after he wasn't allowed to see anne, before and during and after the custody battle, what was he like? we can infer all kinds of things from eiffel saying he turned into "a bit of a good old fashioned monster" but we don't know.

[problematicsashawaybright]

Today on things I'm just now trying to learn because no one ever taught me: genuinely how do I form any kind of routine? I now have classes and work on roughly the same days every week and know my schedule ahead of time, but I never know how to do a routine. I don't have a morning routine or a night routine, or a plan for my days, which means things frequently don't get done. I don't eat at the same times every day, I never take my meds, I always do my shower and hygiene stuff at different times, I never have clean laundry or groceries, and I feel like consistency would really help, but I don't know where to even start...... It sounds easy in theory, but I have no idea what makes this so difficult for me.... How do I have routines and actually get stuff done .....?? Any advice helps please

[crystalkitty1220]

Man I wonder where the leader of the fear realm could've gone, it's alMOST LIKE NEVIN HAS AN

[clumsypuppy]

[unwritten-fanfiction]

I did a fanart

There's no path of trampled flowers around so I guess they all flew down while in whimsical laying position idk, just don't think about it lol

[mikalilys]

Unfortunately my brain can’t tell the difference between disagreeing with someone and killing their entire family.

[theneighborhoodwatch]

the only asks i could find that mention this explicitly are from 2020, so i don't know how much water they still hold, but i think a lot about how one of the inspirations for wally's character writing back when clown first picked welcome home back up was dr. habit from smile for me. obviously no telling for certain how that influence will manifest in future updates, but i think it's Very Interesting, given how both characters seem kinda Obsessed with fulfilling the image of some fictional archetype (i.e. habit trying his damnedest to embody the idea of a cartoon supervillain to subconsciously justify his own self-loathing and [at least in one ending] suicidal ideation VS wally being So devoted to his role as an audience surrogate that even now, nearly 50 years after the show has ended, he insists on being our guide as we try to unravel whatever the fuck happened here.

[showyoumyfavoriteobsession]

found out that my local theater is showing Fire Walk with Me in 35mm in two weeks so now i'm trying to resist finishing the show too fast so that i can see the movie for the first time on the big screen

[vault81]

Jack Cooke's Travel Log: ROBCO - 24/08/2277

(prev) (master) (next)

"Oh right, I've been so busy lately that I've forgotten to update you guys! God, where do I even start? I've gotten Brian all set up with Moira for the time being, He's going to be helping Moira around her shop 'til I can track down his aunt. Honestly wasn't entirely onboard with the idea of him working for her but Moira is right, better to keep his mind occupied with work than thinking about his dad."

"Speaking of his aunt, it turns out 'Rivet City' is some kinda settlement on the banks of the Potomac south of the ruins. It's also supposed to be built inside the wreck of an old aircraft carrier, so at least it'll be easy to spot! Getting there isn't going to be a walk in the park though, I've gotta wade my way through ferals, mutants and raiders first. Which means I have to stock up on supplies first"

"Of course, the wasteland being the wasteland that means I need caps first, and there is no easier way to get caps then help out Ol' Moira with her 'Wasteland Survival Guide'. She asked me to deliver this 'widget' (her words not mine) to an old ROBCO factory south-west of Megaton. It was supposed to bring the factory back online and reprogram the robots to work for you. Of course with it being the Wasteland and Moira, that's not what happened but that's spoilers for later!"

"Bit of a hike to get to the factory, took me over half a day to get over there! probably could've been faster if I went through Arlington, but I've heard some nasty rumors about that place so I 'ought to give it a wide berth for now.. did spot some point's of interest for later though, specifically an old Nuka Cola factory, I mean that's gotta have some good shit in it right?! I can imagine it now.. all that delicious Nuka Cola ripe for the takin'... uhm anyway, back to the matter at hand. On my way down I also spotted some kinda skyscraper in the distance! kinda odd it just sitting by itself there, I'll have to ask someone back in Megaton 'bout it!"

"When I got inside the factory I wasn't prepared for it to be so.. full of pests! It was full of mole rats and radroaches, you'd think a factory for a robotic's company would have decent security! but all of the protectrons were deactivated.. or dead.. actually isn't that the same thing to a robot? uhhm anyway, it explained the pest problem. The biggest problem I found was navigating the factory, a lot of the hallways were blocked by debris, so the entire factory turned into a maze of dusty, dilapidated hallyways!"

"Took me a while but I finally got to the factory control room, and installed Moira's 'widget' now, to be fair to her, it did work! the factory came back online and the robots reactivated! What Moira failed to mention is that when installing her 'widget' that a uh.. failsafe I think is the scientific word, would trip! making every robot, turret and I assume coffee machine believe that ROBCO was under communist attack! Which means I had to run for my life while being chased by 200 year old robots with lasers! I'm pretty sure there was a securitrion as well but I was too busy screaming and running for my life to look!"

"I was able to escape the facility as you can tell, with a few holes in my jumpsuit and singed hairs, and trust me I'll be having a few choice words with Moira when I get back...-"

[walterdecourceys]

printing my music and then it's BEDTIME goodnightttt

[autism-corner]

forgot.