#Either way it would also be good for me to actually do something

[wemlygust]

Re. the tags, I'm not sure they were so hard to manage, or ever our worst enemies, tbh? I mean, today, wolves don't go after people. They go after livestock, and that creates conflict with people, but they go after the livestock because humanity has taken over everywhere and killed off huge swathes of wildlife, so... the livestock is kinda all they have available. I'm pretty sure they go after wildlife, which isn't vigorously defended by angry humans and sheepdogs, first/instead, when they have any choice. Just like they try to go after the weakest individuals in a herd, when they hunt. But when wolves were domesticated, they would have been genuinely free range and mostly free from human interference - no highways criss-crossing the land, no guns to get poached with, etc. Humans weren't yet everywhere, nor even very many places at all, I think. And I'd suggest wolves might have also had some religious or cultural significance, as animals often do in aboriginal cultures who live or lived much closer to nature than we do, which would again likely make humans less likely to attack them than now. Thus, fewer attacks by humans on wolves, and the humans had much less deadly/easy means of attack (which would again mean fewer attacks). So, maybe, they could collaborate with humans---or maybe humans would just feed them because cute or religiously important, who knows---while likely not nearly so easily feeling trapped or threatened by us. Also, humans originated in Africa (last I heard anyway), whereas wolves originated in Eurasia. If we didn't evolve side-by-side, then at some point, humans met wolves, wolves met humans, and there was no pre-existing animosity, nor media-driven stereotypes of what a wolf should be. Or for the wolves, of what a human should be. When humans traveled to islands they'd never been to before, they'd find abundant wildlife that had no fear of them at all. RIP the dodo and the passenger pigeon, because the prey animals didn't know what humans were, or how to react to them. Possibly also RIP the mammoth.

Wolves also would not have know what humans were or how to react to them. Humans could be food... Or they could be danger... Or... Surprise 3rd option! friends! :D I'd like to imagine it went like that. Though, obviously wolves still exist, and humans aren't getting along with them too good. So I'd say probably the humans acquired some cubs (either by rescuing the cubs or by killing the parents) and discovered the cubs could learn commands and be super helpful, and so on. That doesn't erase the collaboration/friendship aspect, but still; there's no way humans met a new species and there was just no conflict. Multiple potential factors involved in this. We're never gonna be 100% certain how it went. And I'm just over here making up stories, so I'm probably very wrong about at least some of it if not all of it. I'm sure you can find really in depth research articles or books about this very question. Anyway... If we met wolves for the first time, and were like "we're friends now!", I guess we could sell that as being an example of us being trustworthy and making friends, so clearly the aliens we'd just met should find us trustworthy and be friends with us too? Or something. I feel like what I just typed makes me sound accidentally duplicitous actually, but an alien likely wouldn't have preconceived notions of what humans sound like when they're lying, so that's probably fine?

Pretty much every other species of domesticated animal is easy to explain, such as cows and sheep being livestock, horses being a mode of transport and cats scaring away pests, but if aliens aver visited, I wonder how we'd explain to them that the reason we have dogs is because we competed with wolves for resources due to filling the same niche of large, pack hunting persistence predator, but then we decided to be hunting partners instead, even though wolves were large, dangerous and hard to manage.

[sc3ptre]

Hii, I was wondering if I can request a Drew Starkey fic, were the reader and Drew Starkey do Truth or Drink interview together, like how Madelyn Cline and Madison Bailey did, and they’re baicly flirting the whole time and the chemistry is just so good, and yeah. I hope you have a great day!!!

Y/n Y/l/n and Drew Starkey play Truth or Drink

Pairing: Drew Starkey x fem!reader.

Masterlist | Who am i? | REQUESTS ARE OPEN!

A/n: Changed the blog's name a few days ago! Hope you guys stick around 🙂

Genre: suggestive fluff

Warnings: suggestive comments, flirting

Word count: 0.7k

The rules were simple: ask your partner an uncomfortable question. They either answer it… or take a shot.

You were seated across from Drew with a tiny table between you both, cluttered with cards, shot glasses and just enough alcohol to make bad decisions feel fun.

“Alright,” the interviewer smiled off-camera. “First up, just for the people at home, who are you two and how do you know each other?”

Drew leaned forward, his smile already smug. “I’m Drew… Y/L/N.”

You rolled your eyes, grinning. “And I’m Y/N… Starkey, I guess.”

The crew laughed. Drew looked over at you, eyes gleaming with that familiar mischief. “Y/N, care to answer the question?”

You turned to the camera with a grin. “Before we played enemies on Outer Banks, I actually crashed into his car on the way to the audition.”

“No way,” the interviewer said. “I thought that was a fan-made rumor.”

You both shook your heads. “I wish it was,” you laughed. “But hey…great icebreaker. Also, great way to get someone’s number. Highly recommend.”

“Don’t say that,” Drew groaned, laughing. “Car crash statistics are gonna spike next week.”

You giggled as he reached for the first card. “Alright, Y/N,” he said, holding it up like a threat. “Might wanna fill that glass.”

You groaned, pouring your shot. ���Here we go…”

Drew smirked. “What’s something I do that annoys you?”

You paused. “We’ve lived together.”

He added quickly, “With other castmates too.”

Your eyes met his, thankful for the quick assist. “Yeah, during the pandemic. So I know his darkest secrets, like, blackmail worth material,” you teased, looking toward the crew. “Is this PG-13 or…?”

“As clean as you can keep it,” the producer said.

“Right.” You took the shot. The crew erupted with laughter.

“That bad?” Drew asked, amused with his eyes a little wide.

It was a mix of things, really. He used to narrate his scenes in his sleep which was terrifying but quickly became comforting and he also had a habit of singing off-key very early in the morning which made you want to smother him with a pillow but now, it was your favorite kind of concert before breakfast, even better when it was a duet. Then, when you became a couple, it was the moaning while eating food you cooked, the walking around half naked when your A/C broke and the dirty talk he didn’t realize he was doing, muttering “Fuck, you look hot” even when doing mundane things, all things making you horny 24/7.

You gave a coy shrug. “I’ve grown to love it, I swear but some stuff just isn’t for the internet. I’m protecting your legacy, Starkey… even if I do love seeing you in the mornings.”

He smirked. “You love seeing me all the time, admit it.”

“I plead the fifth.” You reached for a card. “Okay. Who would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?”

Drew didn’t hesitate. “I’d say Chase… but we’d be dead in a day and a half, he doesn’t like to cuddle and he’s mean when he’s hungry.”

You snorted. “He refuses to cuddle?”

“He does, so I’m picking you.”

“Of course.” You grinned. “You ever seen The Blue Lagoon?”

His eyes darkened slightly and he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “That one shot got to your head quick.”

“About time for a remake, don't you think?” you teased. “It’s a classic. Sand, sun, morally confusing tension…”

“Sounds familiar,” he mumbled, eyes locked on yours.

“Yes, it does…let’s see,” You looked away, cheeks hot and grabbed another card but Drew beat you to it. 

“If someone wanted to date me, what would you warn them about?”

You turned toward the camera. “Well… he’s a big guy…he eats a lot.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Eats a lot?”

You smirked. “Like… a starved man, especially certain… things.”

The crew howled with laughter. Drew leaned back in his chair, grinning wide. “What kind of things, Y/n?” he asked innocently.

You made a show of thinking. “Mmmm…tacos?”

More laughter erupted while Drew filled your shot glass and his. “Good save but for that one we’ll drink together.”

“Cheers to tacos,” you said, clinking glasses, both knocking them back in unison.

When the round wrapped up, the producer leaned in. “Final thoughts, what was it like playing Truth or Drink together?”

“Great for me,” Drew said, shooting you a look. “Y/n?”

You giggled, cheeks flushed and eyes warm. “I think we need a ride home but I had a really good time,” you added, looking at Drew with a smile that didn’t need translating.

He smiled back. “Yeah. Me too…in the mood for some tacos?”

[angels-hideaway]

𝔅𝔩𝔬𝔬𝔡𝔩𝔲𝔰𝔱 IV

Chapter I ;; Chapter II ;; Chapter III

C/w: smut. Fingering (r! receiving) oral (r! receiving) scissoring/grinding. Descriptions of blood and gore.

a/n: This chapter hurt to write bro💔

Summary: everything’s perfect. Too perfect.

playlist list: When The Devil Falls in Love- Hakdo, Ghost Waltz- Abel Korzeniowski, Menuet- Toshifumi Hinata, Eau De Vie (from Shiki great anime btw) by Bird of Pray, Dectrum- Yuki Kajiura, Requiem Agnus- Saint Saens

It was autumn now. The spring where your parents abandoned you felt far away now. The crisp October air brought a chill to the castle. Caitlyn didn’t notice at first, but she began to give you blankets and keep the fireplace ablaze when she did. “I can’t have you catch a cold, or worse a fever.” She said after buying you the most lavish blanket you’ve ever seen. You two had grown closer. Everything was perfect. There was nothing you would change about your life now.

“Don’t step on my feet!” Caitlyn giggled, holding you close as you danced in her study by the fireplace. “I’m trying! I’m not good at dancing with princesses I suppose.” Caitlyn shook her head and continued to stare at you lovingly. “You’ve gotten better though.” She motioned to your form. “I’ve been meaning to ask…have you gotten any more strange visions from the past?” She asked in reference to the incident in the ballroom. “When I think about it, no.” You hadn’t had strange supernatural experiences recently. 

“You know, I’ve been thinking about something.” Caitlyn’s tone was lighthearted. She walked you to her loveseat and sat down with you on her lap. Her arms wrapped around your waist to pull you flush against her. She settled her chin on your shoulder. “I was thinking one of these nights, we should go out. Not anywhere dangerous, but just an outing between lovers.”

“Really? Where would we go?” Caitlyn paused to think. “Hmm, there’s many places we could go. A stroll in the woods, maybe the next village over since no one recognizes me there, or even the lake…” Her hands gently felt your waist, and she placed a light kiss on your shoulder. Somehow, planning an outing with Caitlyn turned into straddling her lap, while kissing with your hands in each others hair. Caitlyn’s hand pushed up your dress to stroke your thigh, and she squeezed it gently. When you finally pull away, Caitlyn chuckles. “I wish things could be like this forever. Just me and you.” 

“Why can’t they be?” You responded. Caitlyn looks a little worried, but doesn’t answer. Her hands crawl up your back and she smiles. “Enough of my negativity. So, where do you want to go?”

“The lake.” You replied. “Then that’s where we’ll go.” Caitlyn moved you off of her lap and placed you next to her on the loveseat. She stood up and stretched before heading to the door. “We’ll go tomorrow night. Think of it as a date. A date between lovers.” She left with a happy smile on her face. Someone’s excited.

The next night, you’re feeling a little nervous for your first date with Caitlyn. You picked out a a gown that you think would match the scenario, found some pearls to decorate your neck with, and a beautiful hairpin that was just lying on the ground. You found it in the area of the castle Caitlyn told you not to go to. Hopefully she wouldn’t be able to tell. After using some makeup Caitlyn gifted you, and an exotic fragrance she also got for you from a traveling traders caravan, you were ready to go. Caitlyn loved to spoil you with lavish gifts, so you put them to good use. 

This was your first actual date with her. It felt silly to be nervous, after all, you felt like your relationship was established. Either way, you wanted to impress her. After fussing with your hair some more, you finally felt like you were ready. Some doubts did creep in though. What if you did too much? Maybe you weren’t dressed nice enough, but you could also be underdressed. Snapping yourself out of it, you finally stood up. You did one more spin in front of your mirror before checking the time.

Caitlyn asked you to meet her at the front door at eight o’clock. It was currently seven fifty, so you made your way there. You found Caitlyn waiting for you in a nice dress of her own. When she noticed you, her eyes widened a bit, before softening. “You look beautiful. Using my gifts I see.” She took your hand and kisses it. “Thank you… You look beautiful too.” There was a small silence between the two of you, who were both relatively new to being truly in love. Caitlyn breaks the tension by opening the door. “Well, let’s go.”

“The walk to the lake isn’t that far. If I remember correctly, theres a rowboat we can use too.” She led you out of the castle, and you began to walk. The sounds of the forest at night provided a nice ambiance. You’d never get used to the way Caitlyn’s eyes glowed in the dark. The soft blue light didn’t help your vision though. Despite her own sight being okay, Caitlyn brought a lantern for you. “Are you scared?” Caitlyn asked. “The dark tends to be a common phobia.” 

“Not right now. I might have been if I was alone.” You smiled at her, and continued to walk by her side. Caitlyn offered you her arm, which you took.

“It’s not much further.” She reassured you. When you and Caitlyn reached the lake, you gasped. It’s a lot prettier than you thought it would be. There were fireflies all around you, and water lilies danced on the surface. “Caitlyn…wow.” She looked to you and smiled. “It’s beautiful isn’t it? I thought you’d like it here. She led you to a modest sized rowboat, and helped you in. She set the lantern down in the center, and began to row. 

“I underestimated you earlier. You look stunning.” Caitlyn smiled softly. “Spending time with you like this almost makes everything we’ve been through worth it.” You giggled in response, and smiled at her in return. “Thank you, that’s really sweet.”

“I will say, I found it quite unusual that you’re still unmarried. Not that I’m complaining of course.” Caitlyn commented. “Really? I’m not any special bachelorette.” Caitlyn shook her head as if the mere idea offended her. “Don’t say that! I’ve never met a woman like you in my life. If I were a peasant man from Crows-Wood, I’d have swept you off of your feet by now. You’re a catch. Don’t underestimate your value.” 

“Thank you.” Was all you said in response to such an earnest answer.

Caitlyn sighed, and admired the nature around you both. “When I was a little girl, I used to come here all of the time. This lake looks glorious in the daylight. It’s a shame I’ll never see it shimmer in the sun again.” She brushed one hand along the waters surface. “You know, the other night I started crying.” She told you out of nowhere.

“Oh, are you okay? Did something happen?” She laughed softly. “No that’s not why I told you. I’m not supposed to be able to cry. I told you because it was all because of you. You moved me to tears, and yet, that’s not physically possible for a vampire.” She looked at you strangely then. Like she was curious about the affect you had on her. You on the other hand, were putting the pieces together. “Could that mean, there’s a way to break your curse?” Caitlyn froze. “I don’t know… I hope so. If anybody were to free me of this, I’d want it to be you.” Your heart fluttered at that. “I wonder if it’s really possible. You’ve been this way for quite some time.” Caitlyn agreed. “Yes, I’ve been around for a long time.”

“Can I ask you a strange question?” You said. Caitlyn tilted her head slightly, but nodded. “Of course, my love.”

“How old were you when you were turned?” Caitlyn paused to think. “Hmm, it’s been a long time since then. I suppose my body is physically twenty seven years old.” You took another glance at her again.

“You look younger.” Caitlyn laughed. “Thank you, dear. I would hope I don’t look one hundred and forty.” 

“You’ve really been around for that long?” You were stunned. She nodded. “Yes. I’ve watched the world change and move on without me. It’s sort of a sad, lonely existence. That was until I met you.” Caitlyn continued to row as you looked around the scenery with awe. It truly was beautiful. You even spotted a frog on a lily pad.

“I suppose this is a nice time to talk.” Caitlyn said once the boat reached the center of the lake. “About what?” You inquired. “Well, I’ve been thinking about letting you leave.”

“What?”

“Letting you go. Something tells me that things will only get much worse for me. I don’t want to involve you anymore than you already are. It’s my fault there’s blood on your hands.”

“But Caitlyn, I love being with you!” You leaned forward, causing the boat to rock. “I do too. I love you more than anything I ever have in this world.” She took your hands in her own, and continued speaking while rubbing firm circles with her thumbs assuringly. “Sometimes, loving someone means doing the right thing for them. Even if it causes you despair.” Caitlyn was being serious. You wished she wasn’t. She squeezed your hands, and looked down at her lap. “Caitlyn…” Even though you were upset, her sentiment touched you. “I’m not saying you have to leave immediately, but I just know Crows-Wood isn’t finished with me.” As much as it pained you, you said “I understand.” 

“Maybe it wasn’t the right time to talk… The mood’s kind of ruined now isn’t it?” Caitlyn laughed awkwardly. “No, it’s alright. I just wasn’t expecting that.” You tried to hide the tremble in your voice. Caitlyn grazed one of your cheeks with her cold hand, and brought you in for a long kiss right there in the center of the lake. The way the boat rocked gently made you hold onto her tighter. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” Caitlyn whispered in your ear.

When you And Caitlyn decided to go home for the night, the walk was quiet. The tense atmosphere from that conversation lingered, but so did the undeniable attraction between you two. As soon as you got through the doors of the castle, Caitlyn’s lips were on yours. “You look so beautiful tonight…I can’t help myself. Sorry.” Without much warning, she lifted you from the ground, and carried you all the way up to her bedroom. When she let you down, you sat down on the edge of her bed, and looked up at her expectantly. Caitlyn climbed on top of you, and just stayed there, observing everything about you up close. You were trying not to stare too hard at her chest, which was right in front of you. The dress she was wearing was rather low cut. 

“You’re okay with this?” Caitlyn asked, tilting your head up with her fingers. When you nodded, she leaned in and kissed you. Her cold hands caressed your cheeks as she poured her entire soul into the kiss. It felt right, but there was an underlying sadness in it. It’s like Caitlyn knew that one day, she’d have to say goodbye. 

Her hands moved from your cheeks to your shoulders, to your breasts, and finally moved you to the center of her bed. You stayed beneath her as she removed your dress, and eventually her own. “You’re so pretty…everything about you is.” She whispered. You already had some marks from Caitlyn, but things had never gone as far as you thought they were about to now. Your face felt hot. Caitlyn noticed and smiled at you. “Just relax, trust me.”

Caitlyn gently took your hand and placed it on her breast. “You can touch.” She assured you. Caitlyn settled on top of you, kissing you over and over again like she couldn’t stop. Once she finally sat up, she parted your legs with a smile. “Please don’t be afraid to speak up. I don’t know if I trust myself to make this pleasant for you. I have a history of prioritizing myself…” She looked a little nervous. 

Caitlyn started to slowly rub your clit, watching your body for any kind of reaction. “You’re beautiful here too…” She cooed, before slipping a finger inside your soaked entrance. The coolness of her skin felt strange at first inside you, but once she started to move her finger, you were in bliss. Needy moans and whimpers spilt from your lips, pleasing Caitlyn greatly. “You sound so adorable…I love it when you make noises like this.” Caitlyn whispered, lying down next to you with her finger still inside. She added another one and pumped them in and out faster. “Cait..” you gasped. She looked like she’s in as much pleasure as you. “Yes? Does that feel nice?” You don’t even question when she put her head on your chest. You already knew why she was doing it. “Your heart is beating so fast. Maybe this is what I should’ve done the whole time.” She nuzzled your chest.

“Caitlyn!…oh..” you grabbed onto her shoulders to steady yourself. When you were  moments from finishing, Caitlyn suddenly bit you. You were startled, but the mix of her powerful venom and the pleasure you were already feeling was just too much. Your nails were digging into her skin as you came. Caitlyn moaned into your neck, enjoying the taste of your post orgasm blood. She stopped feeding from you and slipped her fingers out, bringing them to her lips to suck the remnants of your release. 

“I think that’s the best you’ve ever tasted…Did you enjoy that? Darling?” Her hands held your face as she brought you into a kiss. Your body felt so heavy. Caitlyn lifted you so your body is sat up on her pillows. She kissed your forehead before moving between your legs, lifting one over each shoulder. Because of Caitlyn’s venom, every touch felt like sparks against your skin. When her long tongue passed over your slit, you were already quivering. “The venom heightens your senses… This probably feels really good right now.” Caitlyn whispered, before licking you again. “Caitlyn, please..” you whined. Obliging, Caitlyn spread you open with her fingers and inserted her tongue. Vampire tongues are longer than human tongues. You remembered seeing their severed heads in the village. Tongues winding and hissing. Your fingers were wrapped in her hair, and you couldn’t help but move you hips against her face. Caitlyn merely smiled, and kept going. She was acutely aware of her supernatural anatomy. Her fingers pinched and teased your clit while her tongue moved around inside you. Your body tensed with another orgasm, and Caitlyn hummed in delight. 

She pulled her tongue out, making you mewl, and kissed you deeply, intertwining her tongue with yours. You could taste yourself on her. She pulls away from you and lifts one of your legs straight up by the thigh. “Who would’ve thought I’d have found myself here with the girl who became my unwilling companion?” She mused as she sat herself on your other leg, and allowed for the one she lifted to rest on her shoulder. You stifled a gasp when her clit bumped against yours. Caitlyn only repeated that motion, moving her hips at a moderate pace to grind herself against you. Caitlyn’s other hand reached down to run vertically down your stomach. “Caitlyn!” You gasped each time your cores met. 

“You’re beautiful… ” Caitlyn’s voice was breathy, and the thigh she was sitting on was wet. Caitlyn looked like she was trying to keep herself composed for your sake, but the pleasure on her face is evident. She was holding onto your lifted leg tighter, using it as leverage to grind herself against you at a faster pace. “Heavens…” Caitlyn rasped. She looked entranced by you. In awe of your pleasure, and face. “Tell me you love me.” She said suddenly, taking you out of the moment a tad. “What?” Your head was spinning. You could barely think beyond the sex. 

“Just say it!” She sounded desperate. Caitlyn’s grip on your thigh was starting to hurt a little. “Please…” She whined. “I love you, Caitlyn.” You said. It seemed that’s all she needed to push herself over the edge. Her elegant, calm demeanor is nowhere to be seen as she reached her climax with you. After catching her breath, she just flopped on top of you, legs still intertwined. She simply held you close with a content sigh. “Was I too much?” She questioned after some silence. “No, not at all. I’ve just never seen you so…unrefined?” You weren’t sure how to say it. “I love you.” She whispered. You felt her tongue pass over where she bit you. “Caitlyn? Are you really going to make me leave?” You felt her tense against you. 

“I…don’t know anymore. I still think it’s what’s safest for you, but the selfish woman in me wishes for you to stay forever.” She breathed in the sent of your hair, and continued. “I know you want to stay. I’ll consider it. In the end, I just want you to be safe. I hate involving you in my mess.” You yawned, feeling the wave of exhaustion hit you. Caitlyn noticed. She always did. “Sleep, darling. We can talk about this matter some more another time.” She brushed her hand over your face to close your eyelids. You spent the night in her arms.

One night, you were in your bedroom reading The Kiramman Vampire to see if there was anything about breaking Caitlyn’s curse. There weren’t many more pages left. It was sadly unlikely you’d receive an answer. 

I’ve looked into many methods to free our family from this ailment, but so far,

That’s where it stopped. Incomplete. You were on your own now. You closed the book, and silently thanked Cassandra. You wondered if you would’ve liked her. If she would’ve approved of your love for her daughter. Just then, Caitlyn opened the door. “Love? Are you awake?” She looked around before her eyes settled on you. “I just finished your mothers book.” Caitlyn hummed, and came to sit next to you. “It’s not much of an ending. She died before she could really finish it. I wonder what else she had to say.” She leaned on your shoulder, sighing deeply. You placed your hand on top of hers and squeezed gently. “I just came to see you.” She admitted. 

“Anything else?” You asked, knowing she wanted something else. “I just wanted to dance with you again.” Not what you expected. “Oh. Yes that’s fine.” You sat up, and stood to dance with her. 

The waltz was slow, intimate, and quiet. Caitlyn stared straight into your eyes, and held your waist so gently, as if you would break if she squeezed too hard. “Is there a reason you like this so much? We dance almost every night.” You asked her. Caitlyn’s gaze softened as she thought. “I think I just enjoy holding you like this. The silence, the intimacy…” she trailed off, leaning down to grace your lips with a soft kiss.

“You treat me like a princess.” You giggled. “You’re more princess like than I ever was.” She stopped the dance, and kissed the back of your hand. Caitlyn led you to your bed and sat you down, peeling your nightgown off of your shoulders to suck a hickey into the skin of your neck. She wanted to bite you. You could tell because she wouldn’t stop marking you up. You were fine with it though, and allowed her to continue the slow worship of your body. “Is it bad?” You asked in reference to her urges. “Mhm.” Caitlyn answered, nibbling around your breast gently. Her oral fixation was kind of cute when she became clingy like this. It happened more often than actual biting did now. “You just taste so good…” She murmured. “I wish I could bite you.” She hugged you close, and nibbled on your cheek. 

“Is all of this some sort of compliment?” You giggled at the strange display of affection. “Yes, it could be received as a compliment. You could say I find you very desirable.” Her hands moved to cup and squeeze your chest. “And quite appetizing.” She snuck in. You looked over at her, and just admired her for a moment. Caitlyn seemed surprised by your sudden tender gaze. Her eyes looked all around the room nervously, then she looked away. “Hey,” you gently took her face in your hands and turned it back to you. 

It was warm. 

Was she blushing? “Caitlyn, you’re…” She noticed too. Her eyes are slightly widened in shock, and her lips are parted. Her cheeks were a soft peachy color. Neither of you could speak from just how surprised you both were. Suddenly, Caitlyn engulfed you in a hug, making you both fall back onto your bed. “Thank you…” she whispered. “For reminding me of how life is meant to feel.” She was crying. That’s two things she shouldn’t be able to do. “Caitlyn, do you think that your curse is reversing?”

“Reversing? I’m not sure… But I feel so strange.”

“Hm…do you think it’s possible to turn you back?”

“Perhaps…I don’t care right now. Let me lie with you.”

You settled into her grasp, and cuddled her back. Soon enough, you were sleep in her arms. Waking up the next day, you watched yourself in the mirror as you got dressed. You’d be lying if you said that seeing the evidence of Caitlyn’s desire for you all over your body wasn’t arousing. Even after you put your gown on, your shoulders and neck were exposed, leaving much of Caitlyn’s markings exposed.   

You thought back to the strange phenomenon of Caitlyn’s warm cheeks last night. “You know, the other night I started crying.” That’s what she said during your date at the lake. Caitlyn’s been experiencing human functions again, but why? As much as you wanted the reason to be your reciprocated love, it just seemed too cliche to be true. You were a rational girl after all. Unfortunately, not everything was saved with “true loves kiss.” If only Cassandra had finished her book. Maybe it would put you more at ease. 

 As the day dragged on into afternoon, you had a strange, feeling in your stomach. It felt vaguely nostalgic, like something was about to change. Deciding to listen, you went to Caitlyn’s rose garden to look at it again. It truly was beautiful. It was clear she cared for her flowers very much. You can even see where she cut them for another bouquet for you. 

The day felt strange. You walked around the whole castle just to take it in for what felt like the last time. You’d spent a lot of time here. In truth, it had only been around six months. It felt like this was exactly where you were meant to be. You watched the sun set as your feeling of dread increased. You didn’t know what was wrong, but something felt off.

“Are you alright?” Caitlyn appeared behind you once the moon was up. “I don’t know…” You admitted, leaning on the balcony. “What do you mean?” Caitlyn tilted her head, trying to understand. “I just feel like something is about to happen. Something that’s going to change everything.” Caitlyn hummed. “I see… Perhaps you’re catching a cold. Let me take you to bed.” Caitlyn scooped you up bridal style, and took you to bed. After changing you, and tucking you in, she kissed your nose affectionately. “Please do not be worried. I’m sure everything will be just fine.” She spent some more time with you until you fell asleep.

It began with the sound of banging. The faint “heave, ho!” coming from the castle entrance woke you. Caitlyn was no longer in bed with you. You stood up slowly and rushed to the window. When you checked outside into the dark night, it looked as if the entirety of Crows-Wood was outside the castle. Pitchforks and torches glowed in the moonlight. The sight instantly shot a pang of adrenaline through you, and you instantly went searching for Caitlyn. They were here to put her down for good. Their numbers told you that much. They were trying to break down the door, and it was beginning to give in. With every hit from the log they were using, the door creaked and weakened.

You were downstairs when the door finally gave way, and burst open suddenly. People flooded inside. The sound of cheering and screaming filled your ears as the mob rushed around you. You were trying to stay out of their sights when you locked eyes with an all too familiar man. “My daughter!” Your father ran towards you in a desperate attempt to reunite, but you ran away, deeper into the castle. You didn’t want to go back. Not after everything. What would they do to Caitlyn? 

You ran as fast as you could through the castle, looking for Caitlyn everywhere. “Wait! Why are you running!?” Your father yelled as he caught up, grabbing your wrist. “Wait!” He pleaded as you tried to escape his grasp. “I have to find Caitlyn! You don’t understand, they’ll kill her!”

“Let them. She’s the reason our family has been torn apart.” He muttered. “No! She’s treated me with more kindness than any of you ever have! I’m not going back to that cursed town! Ever!” You pulled harder. “She’s hypnotized you! None of it’s real! She’s manipulating you!” Your father was shouting now. You pulled your wrist from his grasp, and stumbled backwards. “I don’t know what could be more manipulative and cowardly than drugging your daughter and hauling her away to save your own skin!” You shouted. The rage in your voice was startling, even to you. 

“How am I meant to come back to a family that saw me as mere cannon fodder for your own mistakes!? I’m never coming back! Not when I’ve found someone who would never turn her back on me!” And with that, you turned and ran. You didn’t care if she had you hypnotized. You loved her. She could be manipulating you, but you didn’t care anymore. You heard your father scream in frustration “LIGHT IT UP!”, but he was gone when you looked back. 

That’s when you smelled it. Smoke. You had to hurry. Everything was going too well for you and Caitlyn. Of course something wrong like this had to happen. Soon enough, the flames were everywhere. You hadn’t found Caitlyn, and no sign of Whisper either. You hid from the mob as they ransacked Caitlyn’s slowly burning castle. Your hand absentmindedly floated to your neck, and you sighed in relief when you realized Caitlyn’s family crest necklace was still adorning your neck. You’d have to leave Cassandra’s book behind though. There’s no way it was safe to go and get it.

The heat was becoming unbearable. You stumbled through the halls, coughing and calling out for Whisper and Caitlyn. “Whisper? Caitlyn! Please, we have to get out! I’m not leaving without you!” The cat soon appeared, but there was no Caitlyn. Holding Whisper against your chest, you desperately continued your search. The smoke was nearly blinding, but you wouldn’t, couldn’t, leave without her. “Caitlyn! Caitlyn where are you!” The sound of the flames was so loud, you couldn’t even hear your own screams.  That’s when you spotted the trail of bodies. Blood was everywhere, and so were limbs. A faint trail of bloody footsteps was all that was left.

Caitlyn.

She was definitely behind this. She must have had an encounter with a group, and killed then all. Every now and then, you were reminded of how much harm she’s capable of. As you follow the trail of blood and bodies, a heavy realization sets in. You recognized all of them. Every single one of them were villagers you knew. The grouchy old woman who sold those eggs to you that fateful day. She was now permanently screaming, clutching a wooden cross. The farmer’s hand, your fathers best friend, and even a friend you grew up with all lay dead in front of you. All victims of Caitlyn. You were crying now. Why did all of this have to happen? Why couldn’t they just leave you and Caitlyn alone forever? Why did people have to die, and get hurt when all Caitlyn wanted was solitude? When you finally made your way to the ballroom, she was standing there in the center, looking up at the chandelier.

“Get out of here. You’ll die if you stay.” She said quietly like she knew you were behind her. The fire hadn’t quite reached the ballroom completely, but it’s like she was waiting for it to. “What? I’m not leaving without you!” You followed her inside and pulled her arm. She wouldn’t budge. “Please! You can’t stay, Caitlyn please!” You pulled her arm with all of your might, but she wouldn’t move. “What’s the point? When the sun rises, I’ll be… This place was all I had.” She sounds utterly broken.

“We’ll find somewhere to hide! I promise! Please Caitlyn!” She looked down at your tear stained face, and stroked your cheek before petting the cat. “Leave. I don’t want anymore death on my hands. I’m tired of this. Of living.” You only cried more. “You can’t leave me! Please Caitlyn. I love you.” Caitlyn looks shocked. “You saw what I did to all of those people! I’ve done such horrible, irreparable things! Why? Why try and save me?” You wiped your tears and sniffled. “I don’t know! Let’s just get out of here, please!” Caitlyn looked at you like you were the only thing existing in her world. For a moment, the fire was gone. Caitlyn nodded slowly, and lifted you into her arms. She’s faster than you, so you let her get you out. ��Smoke isn’t good for humans.” is all she said. 

“Over here!”

“Did she get away?”

“Where’s the girl?” 

The shouting of the mob was getting closer once you and Caitlyn found your way outside. You were coughing, and Caitlyn was weakened by her own grief. You both stumbled into the woods, to hide and catch your breath. You watched as the surviving villagers threw torches on the castle, whooping and hollering. Caitlyn was watching it all, devastated. You couldn’t help but be sad too. You had such fond times in there. There were still so many secrets you didn’t understand about the castle. Along with Cassandra’s book, which was sadly left inside. 

“See? We got out just fine. Everything’s going to be all right. I’ll find a way out of this.” You said to Caitlyn, but she was just staring at her home engulfed in flames. “Caitlyn…” you placed a hand on her shoulder. “Why do you insist on staying with me?” She said dryly. She didn’t sound upset or mad at all. “You should go home. All these people came to save you from my clutches.”

“I’m not trying to escape you. How evil can people be? Burning down your home in the middle of the night like this?” Even as you defended her, Caitlyn looked from the castle to you with tears in her eyes.

“Why are you sad for me? Who do you think is truly evil here? The bloodsucker who’s been slowly killing this village for who knows how long? The demon that stole someone’s daughter for her own pleasure? The one who killed all those people seconds ago? Or the people who try to kill her almost every night, because they’re scared of her? They have every right to be. Every right…” Caitlyn’s eyes are filled with tears. “I don’t know why you insist on staying. I’m a danger to you, even if I claim to love you. A beast…” 

“Caitlyn, please! Don’t say-”

“I don’t deserve your sympathy, or even you for that matter. I’m a monster. I’m a demon who deserves everything she’s getting. And come sunrise, I’ll get the final punishment I deserve.” She hugged you tightly, and kissed your forehead. “Thank you for everything. You’re the most wonderful girl I’ve ever met. I realize now that I never deserved happiness with you. Live a happy life, and forget me.” She squeezed you tighter, while you desperately grabbed at her dress. “Please Caitlyn! Don’t go they’ll kill you!” She sighed. “Maybe that’s for the best. I’m tired of fighting.” 

“We don’t have to fight! We can run away, hide somewhere safe, and just live-” Just as it looked like Caitlyn was considering your idea, a sudden shout ruined the moment. “There!” It came from behind you. You looked arrive you, but it was too late. The mob had you surrounded. One woman charged, hollering “Vampire! Vampire!” And the rest descended in a flurry of pitchforks and torches. You couldn’t even comprehend what was happening because it was all going so fast. You saw Caitlyn being forced onto the ground, head hung low in shame. Before you could do anything, an ear ringing pain bloomed from the back of your head, and your world went black.

taglist: @starryeyes-7 @caitlynsbathwater @halle5s @riotstemple29 @mxchi-mxxn @thinkviolets @commanderraccoon @madalinee @gwscloq @seisei18 @paigeilicous @cottagegirlworld-blog @cenizajskp @kittymrtnezz69 @jiryelle @vivienneswhispers @all-things-lilac @marve1stranger @trulysapphic @b7ue8erry @poeticrenaissance @whatthefuckisthisapppppp @girlsatourbest @st0nerlesb0 @butchpuppyy @yearningandstillnotlearning @eyehatesex @sunsetzzzzzzz @kaylovesmatcha @venuswarmlight @mellowdreamlandpost-blog @ggutpunch @detergentclog @sillypuppy77 @abbyandcaitlover @sevikas-whore @rainfalls77 @dvrkhcld @missaerys @goiabadasia @ispendwaytolongonhere

[yannaryartside]

Using confessions as ammo

There is something so sinister about Claire making jokes about "aren't you afraid of refrigerators?" and "isn't that gonna set you on fire?"

Because she said, "I wish you would let me in the noise more."

And then she purposely uses the things that he is afraid of or insecure about to make snarky comments. You can see Carmy reacting negatively towards it. Check this meta by @marianasue20 about it (images above by them), also, this meta by @whenmemorydies describes Syd and Pete bringing grace instead of shame.

It really just reads that she is offended by his emotional turmoil. In the under-the-table scene, she was basically telling him, "I'm your peace." All this reads to me as if she were mad at him for not getting over himself already. It is not that she is hurt for hurting him, or mostly sad that he is hurting in the first place, she is mainly offended that she is not enough to be quiet for him. And, even if we don't go with the theory of her being a benign narcissist, that type of mentality is already so damaging and childish. Your ex-boyfriend needs therapy, Claire. No love is gonna be enough to suppress destructive thoughts. And I would be forever offended by the show just for implying it.

Sydney, being his actual peace, is actually healthy. For me, this truly conveys Carmy's trust in Sydney and his belief in her goodness, beyond just having feelings for her; it's not some magical effect. With all that love and trust, there were still obstacles for them to overcome, which is realistic.

I could understand Claire's motivations, being frustrated and rejected, but there's a line between that and using your partner's confessions as ammunition. Who could actually trust a person like that? You'll have a bad day or make a mistake, apologize, and then worry that your partner will use it against you at some point?

For all the praise Claire gets while doing this toxic behavior, Sydney never came close to doing this. She even said she didn't want the Sydney's donut to be called "after Carmy destroyed like a little bitch" because Carmy already expressed that he would feel bad for it for the rest of his life, but for Syd, there was no need for that; accountability and change had already happened.

There is no way Claire is saying these things without knowing they are hurtful, or trying to minimize them; either way, it's awful. Maybe she believes she gets to hurt him a little because he hurt her, again, awful.

When Sydney tells Carmy things that bother her, she is forthright about it. There is a big difference between asking for accountability and mocking your partner's issues to make a point.

[galactic-rhea]

my favorite part of the prequel trilogy is how Padme couldve just gone back to Tattooine and bough Shmi at literally any point between the phantom menace and attack of the clones

That's great, Anon! Do you want me to pat you on the back and congratulate you? Here here kitten, come closer!

On a more serious note, in case you aren't being intentionally mean spirited, while yes, Padmé could have, technically, done more; but she was also fourteen, inexperienced and she had to stick close to regulations and politics to her planet and the republic, and Naboo went through a crisis, she's going through a lot on her own. There's also the chance that she expected the jedi order to do something about it, considering they took in Anakin.

Overall I do think it adds to the tragedy if you see it as a kind of parallel to Anakin's life, in that she's actually trapped to play by the rules of a system. In theory she could be able to do more, but didn't and not because she really didn't care or because she's bad but because she's actually trapped into a role that seems like she has lot of power but there's actually very little control to do any meaningful change that isn't killed by a slow due process of bureaucracy and corruption, similar to how Anakin, in theory, could have sneaked out of the jedi order earlier but he didn't because he feels tied by his role; despite of being a jedi he's just a single person that feels under the pressure of what a jedi can and can't do withotu permission.

I also like that it adds another whole layer of guilt for Padmé herself, she isn't directly responsible but she carries the guilt either way, especially when Anakin returns to her life. Padmé isn't flawless, she isn't a girlboss and her role as a queen may be privileged but she was still naive (and also she was palpatine's political apprentice), she isn't always right, she does have privileges and moments of dubious morality, and you bet that she probably had to work with senators she disliked and were shady in order to pass some important bill for the greater good; she IS a politician and politicians main skills are being fricking sneaky; add to this that she was stupidly young.

AOTC starts with Cordé's death, and she feels directly responsible by it, but she isn't able to express much of it at all, so this is a theme for Padmé's character. This is probably why she insisted on going along with Anakin to return to Tatooine, this probably played a part on her being so sympathetic to Anakin after he explained what he did to the sand people, this also plays a part on her deciding she isn't going to sit by and pushes Anakin into ignoring the council's orders and going to help Obi-Wan.

I also think is very wrong to consider TPM! Padmé as exactly the same as AOTC! Padmé and ROTS! Padmé, in the sense that her character went through an evolution, much more subtle, but i think is important because it parallels both Anakin's evolution and the Republic's evolution into a fascism state. What Padmé during the clone wars or during ROTS could've done, is not necesarily what Pre-AOTC! Padmé would have done because before AOTC there was relative peace and she probably had more faith in the politics, in the sense that Pre-AOTC Padmé probably would abide by the rules much closely and hesitate to do something outside her jurisdiction, and is in fact this why I believe Padmé during TCW is so ready to throw hands and do things by herself.

And ultimately it adds to Padmé feeling betrayed when Anakin killed so many people to keep her alive; because so far all of Padmé's arc has been about surviving but having to watch others die or suffer; sit by in a privileged role, making speeches and bills after bills to try and save a Republic that was already rotten and her tragedy is that she played a part in that Republic, and now Anakin doubled down on that and it finally breaks her.

So yes, is actually an interesting thing to discuss about Padmé! And I actually think it adds to the tragedy that Anakin seemed to be the only person that remained distressed and concerned about Shmi's situation. But the people that use it usually come off as very annoying for thinking they have a "gotcha!" moment to hold against ppl who like Padmé, lol Alas, peace and love anon

[sickly]

Writing this at 2:17 AM after listening to messy by lola young. I decidedly try not to be personal online, particularly with emotions.

I'm someone who figured out they were autistic later in life but everything clicked when I did figure it out. I've always been quiet, and always had a monotone voice. It never fluctuates even when I'm pretty happy unless it's for pretty heavy hyperfixations. When I'm not masking, that's what it is.

I've always had a difficult time making meaningful connections. Most interactions I've gotten to have are people who want something from me, or want me to forward them in some way. Or at the worst, make fun of me for being neurodivergent. I'm abrasive, defensive for my own livelihood.

That "worst" part, being made fun of? Yeah, that's been a constant. The bullying - it was relentless. It wasn't just the overt stuff either; it was the insidious, quiet kind of exclusion that really digs in. It teaches you that being different is a target. It teaches you to put up walls, to brace for impact. You learn to expect the jab, the sneer, the whisper behind your back. And it definitely amplified that defensiveness I mentioned. It's hard not to be when your whole life has been spent feeling like you're constantly on trial for just existing.

And that's why art has always been really good for me as an outlet. I can let it speak for me. You interpret. It’s where I can scream without making a sound, where I can finally let my voice fluctuate, even if it’s only through color or line. All that frustration, all that isolation, it gets channeled into something. Sometimes it’s raw and angry, sometimes it’s a quiet yearn for something. Art doesn't judge. It just… is. And it accepts me, exactly as I am.

Funny how that experience with bullying also made me want to do the opposite for others. I've poured so much into building large communities online, trying to create spaces where people feel genuinely welcome and safe. Where they don't have to experience that gut-wrenching feeling of being an outsider. I've seen firsthand how powerful a sense of belonging can be, especially for those who, like me, have always felt a bit out of sync with the world.

But here's the kicker, something you learn pretty damn early on: you can't make everyone happy. No matter how much effort you put in, how many safeguards you build, there will always be someone who's dissatisfied, someone who wants to tear things down. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's a reality check. You do your best, you create the space, and you learn to accept that some things are just out of your control.

And that's another thing, the weight of expectation. Not just from others, but from myself. After pouring so much into creating those communities, into being that safe space for people, you start to feel this immense pressure to *always* be that person. The one who has it together, who can mediate every conflict, who can always offer the *perfect* advice. It's exhausting, honestly.

But here’s the truth: we're all just varying levels of weird. Every single one of us has our quirks, our unique ways of seeing the world, our own personal brand of strange. And that's okay. More than okay, it's what makes us interesting. It's what makes life vibrant. Imagine how dull everything would be if we were all perfectly carbon-copied versions of "normal."

We have to talk to each other. We can't spend our lives hiding behind our perceived differences or letting our anxieties build walls between us. Communication, even when it's messy or uncomfortable, is the only way to bridge those gaps, to challenge those initial judgments, and to actually see each other for who we are beyond the surface. It's how we find our people, build our communities, and ultimately, make sense of our world.

Ultimately, it's a continuous process of learning, adapting, and sometimes, just taking a deep breath and reminding yourself that it's okay to be exactly who you are. The art keeps speaking, the communities keep striving, and the conversations, however imperfect, keep happening. And that, I guess, is pretty good for the 2:17 AM version of me.

[goldenclover-16]

TPOT19 SPOILERS

Alright full analysis and opinions on the emotional gut punch that was TPOT 19.

Getting into action right off the bat it seems, One is clearly not happy and oh god the crack is going insane hang in there Black Hole.

This is not as surprising as I thought it would be, I mean Four had to be sending contestants to Two's elimination place somehow. The fact they are so depressed they're just lying these is sad to watch tho.

Oh they can just absorb the power like that? Okay makes sense I guess.

Look at everyone working together this is kinda cute and will definitely last (foreshadowing)

More post splitters? Alright I wont complain. Poor souls are so confused they have no idea. Look at X tho they know something the way they tried to scurry off, either that or they're worried about Four.

MORE FIREY AND 8 BALL YES. He's so worried about his wife. Honestly wish I had more to say about these two but the scene is pretty short.

Confirmed location of another E.X.I.T member, Braclety ended up in Roboty's waterfall I think? Unless he can TP to other locations. That also brings up how she got there and also what the hell is even happening. Roboty seems almost concerned by the frantic beeping, perhaps they became friends between episodes?

Snowball and TV are eliminated.

Wow eliminations going exactly as I predicted is a first. Sad to see Grassy lose the one person who stuck by him, that elimination struck harder then I expected. Snowball repeating the NOOO was some good comedy relief, god knows we need it.

NOW ONTO THE CHALLANGE, his ass knew exactly what he was doing when proposing a battle royal. Maybe not exactly but you get my drift. He wanted conflict. Honestly expected DPYA to have a slight stronger reaction to a challenge based on killing everyone else but I guess they all had bigger priorities.

Liy going on a psychotic murder spree was not on my bingo card of people I expected to go insane this episode. I ended up going back to re watch her elimination and it didn't seem all that bad, or is that just me? I'm putting it on the years in the E.X.I.T letting emotions fester and distort and shit. Poor Price Tag tho.

Pencil's murder spree was a lot more expected, kook at that face she is so mad with power. It makes sense, after being powerless in the E.X.I.T for so long she's scraping for any bit of power she can hold over the situation and the other contestants. I guess Pen's talk did jack shit no redemption arc here. Also I feel the need to point out Pencil's overwhelming beef with Fanny, the abuse she puts Fanny through was something to say the least. Now if I had a nickel you get the joke right? This is the second time Black Hole's gravity has been used to rip apart a teammate in this way.

YES MORE OF PURPLE FACE THE QUEEN. He's so full of whimsy I love him every moment he's on screen. Since when was the door to E.X.I.T classroom re locked though? Also Bell being so distraught like 'OH GOD THERES MORE PLEASE NO'. Can't blame her at all. So that was definitely Three in the jail cell I mean we already knew but now we got it confirmed in an episode. Love this group (do we have a confirmed name for these guys btw or are they just kidnapped by One gang cause I have not seen a name given to the group)

That face of 'oh god fuck shit no not again god please' Donut makes as he realises what's happening is priceless. He does not want to deal with this again.

OH GOD THEY WERE ACTUALLY ERASED FROM THE TIMELINE.

I'd heard the theory that Gatey had been erased but hadn't fully believed it until now. This hit me right in the feels. All that to get the small smidgen of Two's power Donut had, yeah One isn't getting redeemed that much is for certain.

ALSO LEAFY MENTION. She definitely whooped One's ass or something did you see the way she said 'that annoying Leaf'. Good on her for not signing, does make me wonder what exactly she was offered.

ALRIGHT DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A BLACK HOLE / ONE INTERACTION? FAR TO LONG THIS SCENE HAD ME FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. His ass was so pissed learning One was the one behind the crack that has caused him so much stress and anxiety.

Also can I talk about this for a moment like look at the imagery and sound in this scene. Like I deadass though he was about to be hypnotised or brainwashed or something for a hot minute. You cannot tell me it wouldn't fit like the swirl with the slow, slightly distorted music? Please tell me I'm not the only one who sees this.

But no he was just banished to One's room, at least he's kinda okay for now.

Now this final scene, Pencils crash out here I find to be pretty justified here. She's been trapped and tortured within Four for years and lost pretty much everything. She's had this building anger and fear of him since joining TPOT and now has the power over him for once and is able to just let her emotions loose without fear of consequence. She also doesn't know One is present yet so I'm letting her off the hook for not listening to Four since she'd probably think he was trying to justify what he did or something.

Also I found it really emotional that in his final moments before being poofed, completely powerless he call out to X. His best buddy he trusts completely to save him and there is just a certain amount of fear in his voice that can be easily missed I wanted to point out.

Now the final chat between One and Pencil I think serves as a good reminder to just how good of a manipulator One is. She knows how desperate Pencil is for her old friends and Freesmart back and uses that to her advantage. She sympathises with Pencil, using her own experience being trapped by Four to relate. She gains trust by telling Pencil they are one in the same, both victims of a similar circumstance by the same person.

And it works.

Pencil, lonely, desperate and in a deteriorated mental state accepts. And once sending her to the redone timeline One immediately goes insane, switching between childlike whimsy and malevolent psychopath destroying everything around her.

Really gotta feel for Grassy here, alone and afraid with nobody around to comfort him. Gotta admit this made me start crying. And the transition into the voting screen. Brutal.

THEY REUNITED oh god we needed some good news after all the shit that just happened OH THEY LOOK SO HAPPY TO SEE EACHOTHER!!!!

Overall, amazing episode 10/10 I was sobbing by the end. I don't want to have to wait for another episode I am creating time travel just to see more.

Also did you know there was a picture limit on posts? Cause I didn't until now. Had to re screenshot multiple pics together to fit them all.

[goose-duck]

Cooking Catastrophe

Ronin Beaufort x Reader

Plot: boiling hot oil incident [injury comfort]

Warning: burns (Reader + Ronin affected)

Words: 1.6k

I was forced to work on my day off bc my schedule got abruptly changed, so I apologize if this is kinda not great, I'm extremely tired, but felt vaguely inspired lol

○●○●○●○●

Ronin was in the kitchen cooking up something that smelled delicious. You hadn't heard him get up, not from your place in the bedroom, snuggled up in his ash-scented blankets, long since stained into them from him smoking. He'd been on the couch watching TV, likely some report about him he thought was funny by the sounds of his earlier laughter, near cackling.

Ronin's always been an amazing cook. He keeps you fed with all your favourite foods, handmade by the devil himself. Gifted directly to his little writer darling. By the smell you figure he's working on something with fish, the smell is too distinct to be easily ignored.

Despite being able to make a very solid guess on what ingredients hes using, you evidentally don't know what hes making with said ingredients. So you push yourself up out of bed, and make your way put to the kitchen.

You walk right in, quietly, him noting you're there, but not where you're headed. He hums a soft hello to you, and you greet back with a similar noise. You make your way around the island in the kitchen, wanging to hug him from behind like he often does to you. However, when you get close he suddenly turns around and bumps right into you with the sizzling pan of food in his hand.

He's startled, jumping back slightly. You scream at the fast spreading buring sensation now felt down your chest, and over one arm. His arm is also not well eqainted with hot oil, but he puts his focus on you immediately. He sets the pan down, practically slamming it down on the counter, food be damned, turns the stove off, and goes straight to you to assess the damage.

You're shaking, tearing up, trying to apologize, and he just hushes you, “Baby- hey! No no. No apologizing. Fuck. How bad is it? Can you feel it? Does it hurt?”

You've never seen him like this before, panicked. Its strange. You would have expected him to try and joke, yet still help you, but all you're seeing in his eyes is fear, and guilt. Guilt. Something you weren't sure he could feel after all of his killing.

“Darlin’. Look at me.” He tilts your face up to look at him, “Tell me how bad it is. Talk to me.”

You get the words out through pitiful sobs, telling him it burns, its down your chest, on your arm, tell him his arm is burnt too as if he doesn't already know that. You try to focus on his arm, and he quickly puts the focus back on you.

“I'm gonna take your shirt off, okay, baby? Arms up f'me.” He tells you, knowing he needs to get those clothes off you before they mottle into your skin.

You comply, not fully understanding what's going on anymore, just in pain, the world a blurry mess of fire, and the man you trust most giving you instructions in an uncharacteristically panicked tone.

He quickly lifts your shirt, and any other upper body garments you may have on off of you. He throws the clothes on the counter, not caring if they actually make it there, or find a new home on the floor.

He immediately goes to your chest checking the damage, giving you a quick look before begging to poke around, asking you what hurts the most. You can't really tell him. Its everything pretty much. So he backs off, and grabs a hand towel. He puts lukewarm water on it, pressing it against your wounds, hoping it'll help. He can't even remember the proper temperature to use on burns.

He's not felt this way in years–like he might actually lose someone. Its been so long, the feeling is one he doesn't know what to do with. The burns, they hurt, so they can't be third degree, but they arent good either. Your skin isn't just red, but molting. Its a horrible sight.

Ronin can't even be bothered with his own arm. Its fine. Hes done worse to himself. Hes not letting you get hurt like that though. For how much fun he has poking fun at you, and threatening you, he doesn't actually want you hurt. Especially not because of him. Not without your permission of course.

He can feel tears welling in his eyes as he sees you stating to get dizzy from it all. This only shoots more panic through his veins, adrenaline pumping fast. He grabs you as gently as he can, setting you on the counter near where your oil covered clothes lay. He shoves the clothes off the counter.

“Baby- please stay. Please- im- fuck I'm sorry, baby.” He holds your face, looking you in your eyes and pleading as your vision blurs, “I'll fix it, darling. I'll fix it.” He kisses your nose, and rushes off to find the first aid kit.

Eventually he gets you all patched up, getting some painkiller, and water in you. He lifts you gently off the counter, and into his protective arms. Hushing you, and kissing you softly, taking you back into the bedroom, apologies, ones he'd never give to his victims, falling from his lips for you.

His heart is aching with guilt as he lays you down on the bed, almost hesitant to join you before you give him a soft smile, and assure him its okay. He sighs, sitting down beside you, and leaning over you. He looks down at your bandages, chest, arm, hand, then back at your face.

“I love you, baby. Don't scare me like that again.” He teases slightly, trying ro being back his usual devil character.

You snicker in return, tugging on his sleeve, and inquiring into his arm's well-being. He just give you a smirk, proclaiming hes the devil, and can handle a little heat. You glare at him, and he sighs, conceding he should go take care of his wounds. He doesn't want to leave you alone though, so you kick him, and tell him you won't die while hes gone.

He gives you a playful glare, sticking his tongue out, piercing glinting in the sunlight coming in through the curtains, before leaving to handle his burns, yelling one last thing, ���Better not die on me, darlin'! Its my job to kill ya the right way!”

You snicker to yourself, trying to get comfortable on the bed. Every light touch to the burns sends a shock of pain through your body, you almost think you should go to the hospital, but Ronin seemed hesitant on the idea, so you decided against it.

Your brain is still a bit foggy, and lost, but you're starting to get your sense of what's going on back. You can feel the burning the whole way through your chest despite it being surface layer. You can feel in in your throat, in the way you breath, the way your heart beats. Its a miserable feeling, even as the painkiller start to kick in you can still feel the tightness.

You look at your hand, and the attached arm. Bandaged up all nicely too. Ronin put so much care into every step of the process, you're sure its from the guilt of having personally done it. Its not his fault, not yours either, but you know he'll hold onto it anyway. He always does.

He always makes up for it too, even when its not necessary. You already know the next few days he'll be babying the hell out of you. Last time something like this happened that's what he'd done. You couldn't even pull out his usual sardonic behaviour, he was just so focused in on you being hurt at his hands, with no good reason for it.

He finally returns, his arms bandaged sloppily. You give him a disappointed look, but he ignores it. You try to tell him to wrap his burns better, but he tells you he fine, like he always does. Always claims its not taht serious even when you can see the pain burning behind his eyes.

Ronin lays on the bed with you, not quite touching you, but close. You look over at him, sticking your tongue out like he had earlier, hoping to bring back his playful aditude. You, however, are met with a soft sigh, and a sad smile. Not quite pity, more so concern.

“Rest for me, baby? Please? The butcher will be here to protect ya… even from himself.” He whispers softly, pressing his mouth against your cheek, kissing you softly.

You relax, accepting this will be your fate for the next few days. A softer Ronin, trying to care for you. You won't tell him to go back to acting like himself, but admittedly, once he gets back to his usual behaviour, while still taking care of you, that's when you really feel safe with him. When you have all of him.

All those esoteric words, those criminally bad jokes, his teasing, yet still sweetend with his care? That's him. That's Ronin. Your sweet serial killer. And you feel at home with him. Even when hes deliberately trying to unsettled you to get a rise out of you.

You agree to rest, as long as he agrees to join you. He obliges easily, moving just a bit closer, but hesitating to touch you with such wide spread burns.

You initiate the contact this time, grabbing his hand, holding it gently in your own. Squeezing lightly, and mumbling ‘i love you’ half into the pillows. He squeezes your hand back, returning the soft words, then pressing another quick kiss to your face, then demanding you actually rest now. You giggle, but close your eyes, happy to have him here with you.

[chaifootsteps]

thing is Viv did the exact same thing with the Diregentleman (as they were called then) and their videos. she made a vaguepost swiping at their 'two professional writers' series (just like with Meppity, implying they couldn't possibly be qualified to critique her work) and then admitted in a later post she hadn't actually watched their critiques because it would take up too much of her time.

maybe it's just me but I think if you're going to vaguepost about someone but not vaguely enough so it's obvious to everyone who it is, that's just an encouragement for her notoriously defensive fanbase to go harass them by giving them a lie that's easy to repeat. they haven't made a video about Helluva since, and it's possible it' s just because there's nothing left to say about it (though I would've loved to see their great analysis turned to ripping apart Apology Tour or Sinsmas) but they did remark that they know people who are afraid to even talk about Hellaverse critically because of the stans

at this point Viv has done an impressive showing of illogical arguments why no one can criticize her / they're all wrong, while claiming their attacks are bad faith. just off the top of my head:

the diregentleman one - writers can't be critics at the same time because how would anyone in the industry work with each other? (answer: by not being thin skinned about their work, Viv)

lying that the people criticizing her are just random know nothings (Diregentlemen and Meppity)

they're just parroting each other's arguments, so it's not valid unless they get new material (even though she hasn't watched half of them and having a common critique doesn't make it wrong; and if someone had a unique critique it's not like she'd engage with it)

people want Millie to have an angsty backstory and she's not that kind of character (even though that's not the problem people have with how she's written)

Millie's not underwritten, she'll get more if you guys just be patient (amidst a second season where she gets one episode if you're being realistic, two if you're being generous and neither are good)

both Stolas and Blitzo are in the wrong, you guys! now please stop talking about it (a transparent lie right after full moon because she saw how hard the critical fans and even some probably now former fans reacted to the ending gaslighting everyone that Blitzo made it all about sex, etc. and knew full well apology tour was about to double down on it)

which she then followed with liking tweets going 'especially Blitzo' and liking all the ones defending Stolas - including the frankly disgusting 'Blitzo could have negotiated his way out of having to have sex with Stolas' one

the swearing is funny and you just don't get it if you don't think so (again, not the problem. multiple critics have pointed out the issue isn't the swear; it's the swear alone being used as a punchline)

Stol1tz isn't a coercion storyline because that's not what we're doing it; again falsely claiming the show isn't portraying either Stolas or Blitzo to be in the right when that's blatantly not true (while also ignoring she's admitted in the past Stolas was supposed to be the bad guy and her asking Brandon to do more dramatic work with Stolas pretty obviously happened after production already started and they'd committed to the full moon deal plotline that loomed over 3/4 of season 1)

also telling someone who thinks it's coercion that it's not the story's fault they can't empathize with Stolas (as if that's what matters here and yes, it is a sign the story has failed if someone hates Stolas when they're not supposed to - which a lot of viewers do, Viv - he's one of the top reasons tons of people quit at s2, including me) and then saying it's a bad faith just because it's not the reading Viv wanted them to have

implying the only SA survivors that count are the ones who like her writing

to reiterate something I've seen others say: not everyone is good at dealing with criticism. a lot of people aren't and it's naturally to get defensive, especially with the volume of critique a big fandom will expose them to.

but that's a reason to log off or just not engage. instead Viv does things halfway where she never watches the criticism that bothers her so much, while also vagueposting about it to sic her fandom on them and lying about their professional credentials. and when she's not doing that it's long threads presenting obviously flawed logic about how all her critics are wrong while simultaneously trying to claim she's trying to learn and she's not bad at taking criticism. it's so counterproductive: it's not persuasive to anyone outside of the people who accept her framing that any criticism is bad faith already and it does nothing to dissuade people that she can't take criticism when she seems to feel the need to respond to anything that gets too much attention

and to just put the cherry on the cake, everything people criticized Zoophobia for is stuff they still apply to Hellaverse. the only criticism I've seen her take on board is trying to vary her color palette from just being red all the time! but anything related to character designs or her writing? nothing. idk if it's just an insecurity thing or what, but I imagine having HB decline in money so much they needed Amazon (and I'd put money that is 100% what happened; the signs were there) and having TADC completely bury HB in popularity probably isn't helping. it's hard to keep telling yourself that the critics are wrong when the fanbase is deserting in droves

Viv's been running the same playbook ever since she was a teenager on DA, which is siccing her fanbase on critics and attempting to drag down anyone who has anything even slightly negative to say about her work. Doesn't matter if it makes her look worse, or causes everyone to hate her...it's all she knows how to do.

[croquettish]

This is the person who asked about the medieval wooluhs, thank you very much !! It wasn’t too much at all and I greatly appreciate all your yapping and resources provided :)

Now this could be me having brain rot from being raised catholic but I’ve been thinking about Hans’ relationship to Mary. Now of course he could’ve just have had a natural affinity towards her but I think that in many ways his upbringing could’ve very much influenced it. Being a lonely child, with no positive material figures (there seems to be no servants, wet nurses, nannies etc that stuck around long enough for a lasting impression,) let alone a nurturing one. As an example a figure like Martin where he was definitely could at least be comforting and give a “good job son” pat on the shoulder. Now I picture little Hans dealing with the aftermath of loosing his mother (either being abandoned by her or her death) and just being so utterly alone. Children were seen not heard. Hanush definitely wouldn’t have stepped in support and guidance, if not give the opposite. And considering the demon story no one else was paying him much attention at all. I think he would’ve been so desperate to fill this whole that the only motherering he could find was from the spiritual one. God was cold and impersonal, Jesus an ideal and foundation but not a confidant both wrapped up in priestly red tape. But Mary was kind and compassionate, gentle and nurturing. I definitely see him having big feelings seeing her love for her son Jesus. When he had no else to comfort and and confide to, he could at least pray to Mary. Ask for intercession when she is the gentler option. Getting older and studying Latin passages featuring her when he just wanted to quietly deal with that aching need. Praying the rosary (which is like 95% Hail Marys,) contemplating the holy mysteries which very often feature her. Mary is like the number one woman in his life. Which is really sad to me. I mean he seeks out the passing affections of the bathhouse girls but that doesn’t replace the fact that he has no positive relationships with women for the most part. By the time he’s an adult he genuinely has no fucking ideal what to do with them besides have a vapid transactional relationships. This is of course fueled by misogyny of the time ofc. Even in the fictional stories he loves so much don’t really feature women (at least in a positive or non antagonist light).

Sorry if I missed the mark here or my word vomit isn’t super comprehensible. This has been eating at my brain for several days now.

My friend, you are a genius. I don't think you missed the mark at all! Nor do I think that any of this was incomprehensible, I promise! Honestly, just thinking about this made me tremendously emotional for Hans. Because you are right that Mary might have well been the most important woman in his life, and deeply symbolic for him in terms of being a caring, maternal figure. Either his mother died or effectively abandoned him, so having that aspect of religion to turn to would have no doubt been a comfort.

I'd also add that Mary's role as sort of being helpful in hopeless cases would be important here. Because in many ways Mary is like the defense attorney to all Catholics. You pray to Mary who then delivers your message to the higher ups, so you've at least got an intermediary there to help you plead your case. In that regard I do think it would make sense for him to have wished that he had had something of a protector in his life, an advocate for him that could talk to his uncle and plead his case.

It also makes sense that he'd go to Henry and tell him how he prayed to her for his protection:

Because of course he did! The one thing he wants more than anything else is to be able to protect Henry. Why wouldn't he feel a tremendous bond with Mary, the one person that can help him protect the person he loves most?

The thing about the stories that he loves so much is that they do actually portray women and portray them quite well and competently within the bounds of their roles! It's during and after the 12th century in particular that we started getting heterosexual romances in earnest, which meant that we did start getting female character representation in stories.

And in that light, I do think it's interesting that Hans latches onto a story that features a very prominent heterosexual couple (Lancelot and Guinevere) and instead pays attention to the friendship between Lancelot and Galehaut that features, arguably, serious pining and yearning on Galehaut's part, but no real suggestion of returned romantic feelings from Lancelot. If you headcanon Hans as bi I encourage you to keep doing so, but to me this feels very telling, including the part where he identifies with Galehaut, and views Henry as his black knight who could well go off and romance a fine lady.

[doodler16]

So I have mentioned this to a couple of friends but the main difference I haven't seen brought up with Pilot and Series Loona is the fact Pilot Loona is written like an adult woman, like she's the shitty coworker in a lot of sitcoms or irl. In the series though she is written like a teenage girl like ALL her storylines are stuff you see for teenage girl characters. Especially Blitzo being the overprotective dad.

Like Loona has lived with Blitzo for 5 years roughly yet it feels that despite that Loona seems freshly adopted. Like I'm not saying they'll fix their issues completely you need them to have family drama for basic story construction. But like if Loona hates Blitzo that much by the beginning like she can leave. And especially like Loona didn't get much opportunity realistically to see Blitzo as a dad before turning 18. And the show also doesn't address Blitzo being only like 10-15 years older than Loona nor do they explore adult child and parent relationships. And I think the biggest thing that also makes Loona come off as a teen is she's only interacting with Blitzo who the show attempts to potray his fatherlyness to her as him infantilizing her but when Loona doesn't interact with anyone else... Then the fact she somehow doesn't have friends since she got adopted. Like did Blitzo push them away or stalk her? WE DON'T KNOW.

And this is partially why I think pilot Loona is better written. Like she interacts with other characters not named Blitzo and how no one likes her. But it seems set up that Loona would be the shitty coworker who keeps her job/gets away with everything because her dad is the boss but she's also kinda awful to him but Blitzo is too stupid/desperate to realize. It's crazy to me when you realize Loona is supposed to be the receptionist but NEVER DOES HER JOB IN THE SHOW! It's always Blitzo doing that and for the first episode I'm forgiving for that cause you need to show the main character before the rest unless your doing something like how Warriors introduced Tigerclaw first to trick you into doubting he could be the villain despite what Ravenpaw says later.

But like Loona not doing her job disconnects her from the cast and narrative especially as she gets barely any screentime. So they try making her the brute except being the brute is half of Millie's character. They make her the default book user except we never see her do any spells besides the go home one and there's several characters that use magic and not a lot differentiation between them in terms of limits or skills. And Blitzo has the crystal so Loona's role of teleporter fails. Needing to explore Blitzo's complicated views of wanting to not be alone.... SEVERAL characters already do that. Like Loona in the series quite literally serves no functional purpose.

Now that you mentioned it Anon, Loona in the pilot does feel like co worker Moxxie and Millie are forced to tolerate while she gets special treatment from Blitzø. While, Loona in the series feels and acts like teenager but is actually a grown woman. Bonus points: Blitzø gives Loona special treatment and coddles her even more. Either way, I still don’t like both of them.

Loona would definitely be on the streets if she left Blitzø in the beginning of the show 🤣. Even worse, she didn’t have any connection or friends to bunk with at the time so she would have to go full survival mode. Now Stolas is doing her receptionist job.

“But like Loona not doing her job disconnects her from the cast and narrative especially as she gets barely any screentime.” Oh yeah, definitely and not in the good way. The biggest thing about her that made Loona unique was her access to the grimoire and being able to transform into a human, which is now useless because Blitzø has the Ozzie crystal like you mentioned Anon.

I do hope Loona has a bigger role in season 3 because she’s been completely nonexistent in most of season 2. All she is at the moment is merch farming 💀.

[towasdandelion]

Hi!! So, I was just wondering if I could request something? The prompt ahead is a bit angsty, so if you don’t wanna do it, you don’t have to!

———————————————————————————

Basically, how would the ghouls react if MC wanted to break up with them? Also, what be her reason to do so? I had some fluffy ideas, but then for some reason I wanted angst more :p Again, you don’t have to do it if you don’t wanna! But if you do, could you add Lucas, Kaito, Zenji, Towa, Haru, and Haku? I don’t know if you do specific character requests and that might be a bit much, so you can just choose a few from that list! Okay, bye now!!!

Hii! Sorry it takes a while for me to get the requests done recently (⁠^⁠～⁠^⁠;⁠)⁠ゞ Angst you say? This is pretty sad (⁠´⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠.̫⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠`⁠) Also yeah I do specific characters, and six is usually the limit! Anyways I hope you'll like it!

A few things:

I think breaking up over text is rather tactless but since I'm doing smaus let's just say the MC had trouble reaching them lately and not wanting to hide her feelings from them any longer, decides to first inform them through a text.

The reasons might not seem like much, but I feel like when things like that build up over time without being resolved (which MC tried, you wouldn't break up with them just like that would you (⁠´⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠.̫⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠`⁠) ) they can feel really heavy.

Also this kinda turned out longer than expected oops.

‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎

‧˚₊•┈┈┈┈୨୧┈┈┈┈•‧₊˚⊹

Featuring: Lucas, Kaito, Towa, Haru, Haku, Zenji

Lucas is doting. Always making sure you're alright, that you're safe and sound. At first, you appreciated someone checking on you like that. You could feel loved and cared for. But as the time went by, it started to feel a bit.. overbearing. You were doing everything in your power to live your life to the fullest even with the curse, but Luca worried. Always worried. When you can't take it anymore, he's a bit taken aback. He needs a moment to process your words and sadly, he has to admit there's something in it. He didn't even notice when things started to look this way. His intention was never to smother you with his care after all. As much as he'd want to, he won't try pressuring you into staying, instead giving you some time to consider everything once again. All he wishes for is a conversation in person. Of course he's sad and heartbroken. But you always come first...

Kaito is just a little insecure, right? Some complaints and whines here and there, comparing himself to others. With time, you found yourself feeling drained by his constant need of reassurance... You loved him, of course. But at this point, being by his side felt like someone was slowly sucking out the positive energy out of you. You probably already guessed, but he's not going to take the news very well. What do you mean too much? Eveyrone needs some reassurance from time to time, right? His realization comes with time. For now, he finds it hard to understand. He supports you and you support him. Why do you want to ruin that? Might actually beg you not to leave him. Sit him down and have a calm talk with him. It will help.

Towa's clingy way of being was something you always found cute about him. He always wanted to be next to you! And whenever he was, he was either holding you hand, clinging to your arm or just straight up tackle you with his hugs. It really was endearing, but his whiny side whenever you had to leave was starting to get to you, ultimately becoming your reason to break up with him. Like Kaito, he's not going to understand. And worse, he won't let go of you easily. Don't you like to feel loved, Dandelion? Why do you suddenly not want his closeness? And most importantly, why would you want break up just because of it? It will take a good while and a lot of conversations with Haru for him to understand properly. But even then, he still can't stand the situation he found himself in.

Haru is a busy man. His organization and hard work were admirable. You also found it cute how he would sometimes rope you into work when he didn't have time for a proper date. Unfortunately though, the situation started to repeat very often, with him calling you over mostly to help him with his workload... which led to your break up in the end. What's the point of being with someone if they don't even make time for you? Haru realizes his mistake the moment you point it out. He lost himself in his work so much that he ended up treating you like just another pair of helping hands, and he hates himself for it. As much as it hurts he won't hold a grudge against you, even if his actions were unintentional. He will leave you alone for the time being, taking this time to reflect on his actions before even asking you to meet you.

Haku always found a way to tease and rile you up. He relished in the feeling of being the one making you squirm under his gaze alone. But somewhere along the way, you started to doubt his intentions.. His teasing was relentless at times, not giving up until he gets the reaction he wanted, forgetting about how you feel in the process. With heavy heart, you decided to end this. Haku is caught off guard. Break up, really? Just because he loves teasing you? Something is not right. It's not until you explain it to him properly that he finally understands what went wrong. He made you feel like this relationship was just a game, and he can't help but feel disappointed with himself. He took it too far and now he needs to face it. Might try to get you to talk it out first, but then decides to simply give you some time. Maybe you'll change your mind? Maybe all you need is a conversation heart to heart.

Being with Zenji meant being on a lookout for inspiration more often than not, and getting used to his somewhat cryptic way of speaking that sometimes happened. You always enjoyed helping him, or even being the source of inspiration itself. But as time passed, you couldn't help but feel the pressure whenever he fretted over lack of ideas for the next part of his story. It's like he got stuck on one thing, and refused to do anything else until he found the perfect words. As much as you loved him, you couldn't stand it anymore. Zenji wasn't expecting this, but it successfully snaps him out of this weird trance. He's almost crushed by this wave of sadness. How could he lose himself like this? Writing and playing are things he loves the most, but none of this matters if you aren't by his side. He won't try to change your mind forcibly if that's what you really want, but at least let him talk to you in person.

[thranduel]

i keep seeing a lot of those shippers (not all of them, but a LOT) call byler shippers “delusional freaks”. and not to think about it too deeply, but after the insane amount of nastiness, hatred and homophobia i’ve seen from them and now calling us “freaks” (literally what the bullies in the show call the outcasts), it just feels so wrong to me. like i can’t believe there is so much fighting and anger and hatred towards a queer ship (and anyone who supports it) in a show that was made for minorities and outcasts

even if people have a different ship preference, i cannot comprehend how you can HATE a ship where both people in the relationship are best friends who understand each other more than anything and have been by each other’s sides the longest, or why you have such a problem with people shipping it. and the comments about will as an individual person? the absolute hatred they have towards him?? it’s disgusting

if that ship is endgame, they’ll always be able to brag, laugh at and attack people for shipping a queer ship, even after the show is over, which makes me feel a bit sick. it feels even more insulting and like a slap in the face from the writers especially after they made will in love with mike, put him through hell and used him as a PLOT DEVICE for the straight ship. how could you possibly leave things like that and have your show remembered this way? (and no, giving will a last minute boyfriend doesn’t make any of this okay. in fact, it makes it even MORE insulting and the writing choices will look ridiculous)

and like we’ve said a billion times, byler shippers are not delusional for shipping something that’s always been semi-canon. people act like byler shippers made up byler for no reason when “neither of them like each other” which isn’t true. will has always loved mike and there’s been many things to suggest mike could also love will. how on earth does seeing that make someone a “delusional freak” just because they didn’t explicitly make out or scream it in each other’s faces like a straight couple? you do realise gay people aren’t actually able to do that easily because they don’t feel safe like straight people, ESPECIALLY in the 80s? it can’t be “extremely obvious” to the audience, because even for the characters, it’s hard and it’s a long journey that takes a long time

but all those “little things” that so many people miss, that everyone calls us “delusional” over, are actually the biggest and most important things for mike and will. their heart-to-heart conversations, the way they understand each other better than anyone else, the way they comfort each other and give each other strength… all those things are so much more important than shallow making out and doing the stereotypical “romantic” things couples do especially when you’re stuck in a relationship where you feel inferior to your partner and can’t even be yourself around them

if will was a girl, people would see it. and that frustrates me in ways i can’t explain, because why is a ship only worthy of being taken seriously if it’s straight?

it’s not “delusional” to ship a ship that’s good for the characters. we’re not “freaks” for finding comfort in something that means a lot to us either. throwing these words around and acting tough and being nasty towards queer people makes you no better than the bullies in the show that the main characters fight against

how could you watch a show like stranger things and actually be like this towards others?

[tales-of-wocdes]

Hello, can we expect the next chapter anytime soon

Long post incoming: Skip to the end for TLDR

I am using this ask to provide a twofold answer:

Part 1:

Hmm... hmmm.... maybe :D I honestly don't know. I would hope so during this month at least. I am on "vacation" i.e my travel from some weeks back is "ongoing", though I am staying in one place. And I have acquired a laptop so I can write, even if I don't enjoy it as much as on a desktop :D

I have been doing typo editing i.e just copying stuff to word and getting rid of typos (red stuff, blue stuff can remain for now).... and it is sucking the soul out of me. I hit replace all of a few typos for the whole IF, hope I did not cause problems :D I will need to consider a better way to do this at some point, it is a lot of work, and I am not doing it very optimally. I feel that is partially on twine+sugarcube... i think I mentioned at some point it is apparently not very good for big projects.

Next, I need to actually read and play C3.... Honestly, I am considering if I should just post the chapter either publicly or in kofi, and just have the people test it out.... but usually I add flavor text while actually reading it...

We will see how I manage :D

-----------------

Part 2:

Update: This has been in the queue who knows how long... And I have come to a decision. While I am still traveling, I have been using my time on the demo too.

After some thought, I have decided to treat the demo the same way as the tales from the past. Sort of. 

I still need to do the reading and testing. However, as things stand C3 (73.5 k words) and the following interlude (11 k words) are... maybe a bit rough but there. I am not sure how long testing and editing etc. will take me.  I think this put the total wordcount to ~ 189 k words.  But edits may change that somewhat. 

However, I have added early access to the demon KoFi. After I am happy with the testing and possible edits, I will update the public demo too.  Not sure when, but it should not take longer than a few weeks. I hope.

I have also done a google form for bugs etc: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnzYNhSsAzsaIc2JwXSv0R4rnIReIflus2IHk3t0dc9C_dtA/viewform?usp=dialog

Why: The demo is a lot of work. I am putting something on kofi to justify the massive amounts of time I am sinking into doing the not so fun stuff, namely proofreading, editing etc.

But no worries, the public demo will be updated at some point in the not so distant future too!

TLDR: Early access to demo C3 available on KoFI while I proofread and edit.

KoFi:

Tales To the Past- Havard part 3 should be coming within ~ 2 weeks after the update of the public demo too, or so I plan. 

[casscainmainly]

Thoughts on Asian David Cain and New 52/Rebirth Cass

Nothing prompted this I just wanted to spew out my thoughts on the New 52 decision to make David Cain Chinese instead of White. And what else changed - suddenly David was not the main actor in Cass' life, but was a subordinate to Mother (a White woman). On the one hand I think they did this to make him not purely evil (I do see the effort, since they make David sacrifice himself for Cass at the end of B&R Eternal), but it's still worth noting that making him Asian correlated to kneecapping his agency.

Obviously I prefer David as a White man because I read Cass' story as about model minoritisation and the ways White people project onto/manipulate Asian people, but to be fair New 52 David and Cass is still fundamentally a story about a White person abusing and manipulating their Asian children. It's just that the Asian child now includes David, since he was manipulated by Mother alongside Cass. New 52 David is a Cass parallel, which wasn't as much of a thing in pre-52.

And this is actually (in a vacuum) interesting!! An AU with an Asian David who also suffered from racism could be really neat (and how it would complicate Cass' feelings even MORE than they are in canon). But obviously Asian David didn't work for several reasons. One, HE DIED. White!David got to live forever but the moment he becomes non-White he's wiped out :(. My hottest Cass take is potentially that I enjoy Cass taking David's name after his death 😭 Orphan is a silly name but this is something I think Cass WOULD do given David had just sacrificed himself for her. I read Orphan as a punitive identity Cass wore out of shame/guilt (the opposite of Batgirl), and ideally she would've let go of Orphan as she overcomes her guilt over the murder of Harper's mother and David's death. But Tynion never brings up David again so this is all nonexistent 😭😭

(Speaking of Harper Row - I don't hate the set-up of Cass having murdered someone she later meets the child of, but it puts an emphasis on Harper rather than Cass herself. Now her redemption is somewhat contingent on a White girl's forgiveness, another lessening of Cass' agency in her own healing).

Two, Asian!David contributes to the weird set-up where Bruce no longer parallels David, he instead is the opposite of him. The great thing about original Bruce-David were that they're both White men who use Cass, and Puckett (and Horrocks) never let you forget that Bruce is flawed in strikingly similar ways to David. But New 52 unfortunately veers into White saviour territory - with Bruce no longer paralleling David, he's unequivocally the 'White knight' to David's evil Asianness. Though as I stated above they try to offset this by having Mother be the big bad, N52 still definitively positions Bruce as Cass' saviour in a way the og run did not.

AND it gets worse with evil Shiva. New 52 is a bizarro world where David is written more sympathetically than Shiva, like David gets to sacrifice himself dramatically for Cass and say "you deserved better than me" while Shiva gets beaten up by Cass and then shot by Ra's!!! I find the Cass-Shiva fight in #957 a little gratuitous tbh particularly in the violence against Shiva. Again there's an attempt - like with David - to make Shiva not fully evil by giving her motivations against Ra's, but it's evil Asians all the way down this time. And Shiva is portrayed to be the Bad Murderess to Batman's Good Upstanding Morals. The contrast between this and og Shiva is startling - BG 2000 Shiva helps Cass overcome her death wish, while New 52 Shiva is an obstacle Cass must punch in the face before she can accept herself.

Kind of strayed from the point but anyway Shiva dies too, and although she obviously gets resurrected it's just strange. New 52/Rebirth Cass has both parents (both ASIAN parents) die in front of her at the end of their arcs. It prevents either David or Shiva from reappearing in her narrative (at least, for Shiva, until later), which leaves the rest of 'Tec having Cass interacting with White people only basically (she doesn't even talk that much to Luke). It's not like BG 2000 was perfect - Cass rarely interacts with Asians (rip Tai'Darshan) and is also very much enclosed in Whiteness. But there is some great stuff in BG 2000 about being a model minority, being misunderstood as a woman of colour by White parental figures, finding solidarity and freedom with other POC etc etc. All that is missing from the New 52, in favour of a racist portrayal of David and a racist + misogynistic combo for Shiva.

So I'm really glad David is White again (never thought I'd say those words 😭) and that Shiva isn't like. as bad as she once was (though she could still be way better). Tbh their relationships to Cass were already ruined pre-52 - Shiva by the end of Batgirl (2000) and David by Batgirl (2008), so it's not like N52 was the main culprit here. But N52 really did erase a lot of the nuances in Cass' original story and somehow ended up way less progressive (at least in a racial lens) than her original inception.

But ANYWAY! Asian David does not work at all in canon, but an Asian David AU has tons of possibilities. Really exploring how he was victimised at the hands of Mother, and how him being a parallel to Cass would fundamentally change their relationship (but also how him being Asian does not erase the misogyny he directs towards Cass) could be sooo good. I think there are elements to the N52 origin that could work if the racial ramifications of their choices were actually delved into, but oh well. Definitely not in canon because Cass being biracial is imo important to her character and informed the way she was written in her solo run. ALL THAT TO SAY if anyone is curious why N52 origin is bad beyond the name 'Orphan' and it being different from the original, to me the way they handled Cass' Asian heritage + David and Shiva was the worst part.

[blackxgold]

a silly ship chart I wanted to make + mandatory this is just my opinion yada yada yada + honorary OCs of @code1r15 and @mothmarc who are by default in my heart always

my yapping explanation for each one under here

NO Tier *STOLE BLOOD

my simple explanation for that tier is that stealing Adam's blood disqualifies you from kissing privileges so it's nothing against the dynamics but rather the insane medicial malpractice, I could scream about Adam/Megan for days they keep me awake at night (negative) then there's Sarif who is disqualified for the above reason but also I just see him more in a familial perspective than romantic, I can respect the old man for trying to mend stuff in MD but he's still on thin ice

S Tier

Eliza/Adam - Is it too much to want a metaphysical gf for Adam, goddamn I miss Eliza, anyways, the obvious parallels of being prototypes to each other, being the one to be there for the final decision in panchaea, even moreso when Megan was suppose to escort Adam through that last mission according to the wiki, she reaches out for him and calls his name, he immediately meets her eyes when he realises its her, Adam what the fuck did you mean by "oh so you want us to run together and have a night life" what is that freudin slip, entity learning to live meets human who is relearning how to live, I think about them a lot

Francis/Adam - toxic yaoi [lite] I think Francis's the most guy with visible screentime with Adam (HR + Black Light + System Rift) a tale as old as time, the classical duo, how can I help you FRANCIS (slur) writing your fanchild and releasing it to the wild, what the hell, sure. I like characters with history and assholes characters who have a soft spot for each other (esp with Francis considerably softening up by MD), love the echoes to each other in between the two games, "I would follow him to hell I just wish he could stop going there" also ship approved by Deus Ex/Adam's VA so that's something

A Tier

Farida/Adam - MY BABY oh my god Farida, the difference between her and Eliza in the tierlist is just about 0.0001 cm honestly, spy boy and fly girl my beloveds, they have a cute dynamic of jock4jock, even if I think the HR comics don't exist it implies a level of disclosing personal stuff to each other, and in MD Farida either broke into his house or knew the number to give him that cute little toy, the way he misses her in Black Light and wishes it was her coming out of the VTOL instead, Farida's willingness to sacrifice her life for him, my god, I will never get over not getting anything else for her and we can't even ask about her

Václav/Adam - oh boy we love the completely guy straight art of wanting to put your hand inside of another guy so much, the stuff Václav says can be so unhinged and feels like straight up innuendos, but also there are a lot of hints of him respecting Adam's autonomy (unlike SOMEBODY) and him being actually sad for the stuff he had to go through despite being a freak himself, if you don't force yourself into his business he gets boinked, what the hell little guy, Adam's favourite czech guy probably in prauge, the crush is most likely canon on Václav's end, I also think even if not romantic, Václav would be a part of Adam's inner circle

B Tier

Kat/Adam - I cannot in good faith put her last despite my qualms with the comics and the dynamic they had in said comics, I will not judge a lady doomed by the writers and the narrative, she isn't even referenced at any point despite being important to Adam, Kat deserved better therefore I'm doing a rewrite

Miller/Adam - one-sided old men yaoi, Adam and Miller are foils to each other in regards of questioning authority and wanting to do the right thing, the artbook mentions Miller being a paternal figure and thats what they probably tried to do in the Orchid scene but I'm gonna be honest here he's a father to his children but to TF29??? nah for me, the Orchid scene ended up being gay instead because of that with the first name basis and all, if Adam deserves an old man I'm picking Miller, yes there is baggage attached to the loser divorced dad but I trust Adam with his "I can fix them" syndrome

C Tier

Vega/Adam - another foils to each other, but this time it's a younger version of Adam with himself, she is Adam's pilot but also she accompanies him personally in a lot of parts (hello Black Light + Hard Line), I feel she sort of grounds him when Adam enters nihilism mode and he also grounds her in some way too, I see them more as platonic but I can see the potential, she's meant to fill in Farida's shoes (both the pilot and a confidant) but serves a bigger role, wished we could have seen more of them, or Vega in general, even fandom wise there isn't much content of her

Mac/Adam - toxic yaoi and not the lite version, they make me laugh "shooting better isn't going to make me like you / you're breaking my heart" the "we're both tools that will be forced to retire when are aren't any more of use anymore" is interesting, I feel they work if they were the last people on the earth, possible but unlikely, Mac was supposed to be Francis's counterpart but with the game cut he's just the asshole part so you get discount Francis instead so you gotta fill in the gaps yourself, I see them in a very specific dynamic that I more or less trust content of three authors only about them

D Tier

Aria/Adam - like Václav, I feel like her crush is canonical, but I feel that on Adam's side, he treats her more in a sisterly manner, I can see the potential of them being the only augmented people in the office and they obviously look out for each other considering "aug is here" on Adam's desk, she calls him worried that he going shanked by the harvester, it's sweet, wish there was more though even if it wasn't romantic, similar to Mac, fill in the gaps if you want something