#I don't know I've got some weird feels about it

[egophiliac]

I'm very new to joseimukes, what happens when they reach the conclusion of the main plot? Do they keep the game going with a main story - part 2 and events to wring out every cents out of the audience or do they close down the servers and that's the end of it?? I'm scared for my twst obsession's future

honestly, this is the first game of this kind that I've played that looks like it's actually going to reach the end of the story without getting cancelled midway through, so...I have no idea! :') my gut assumption is that there'll probably keep being events and reruns for a while, until it finally stops being profitable enough to justify itself and they end service. but I am also interested in the answer, if other people more familiar can give their experience!

[neeeooon]

How would Blue Lock guys react to their S/O having a stalker? And how would they "deal" with it? I want my protective boys

MY FIRST REQUEST TYSMMMM idk which guys so i used the wheel lol i hope you enjoy!! lmk if you want a part 2 for anyone i missed 🫶🤍

when you have a stalker ;

bf blue lock x gn!reader. some sections may be unsettling (still sfw)!

itoshi rin

-> rin has never been a fan of pda. he loves it when you play with his fingers and hold his hands when you’re together, but never in public. he never felt the need to be "protective" until recently

-> the two of you were at the beach when you suddenly noticed someone following you. usually, you wouldn't pay it much mind, but something about this guy irked you

-> you pulled gently on rin's arm to get his attention and subtly nodded your head in the guy's direction. "he's been following us since the shop. it's really freaking me out..." you were a bit embarrassed to admit it, but rin didn't blow you off or belittle you

-> to your surprise, rin shot the man a glare while tossing a lazy arm around your shoulder. you'd been expecting simple words of comfort, not pda

-> you tried not to enjoy the feeling of your boyfriend's arm around you since you could tell he wasn't comfortable. still, the fact that he was willing to do this for you made you smile at him lovingly

-> "is he gone?" rin asked after a minute, but kept you in his grasp even after you said yes. you smiled to yourself when he let you snuggle into his side without complaint

bachira meguru

-> he noticed something was off before you did, which he found slightly concerning

-> you'd been so distracted with work and school that you never realized the man constantly hanging out in your peripheral until bachira's grip tightened on your hand one day

-> "that's the same guy from the park, right?" you looked back at bachira's observation and frowned. "weird... he looks oddly familiar. i think i've seen him before."

-> that freaked him out (thankfully), and bachira made sure to stay close to you and go out of his way to make sure you weren't doing anything alone while you were in public

-> "aren't you being a bit overprotective?" "nope! you have a weirdo stalker, y/n. i'm gonna protect you!" "stalker? like raichi?" bachira just sighed.

-> he never had to physically intervene since the man never got too close, but his lingering presence was starting to weigh on you. finally, bachira had enough and gently pinched your cheek before approaching the man

-> you don't know what was said, but the man stumbled out of his seat and darted off after a few seconds of listening to bachira. "what did you say?" you asked when he returned. bachira feigned a look of innocence and shrugged. "funny. i can't remember!" but whatever he said worked, because you never saw the guy again

kunigami rensuke

-> you were paying for some skittles for your movie date with kunigami when a man at the register beside you quickly handed his card to your cashier. you blinked at the odd interaction and looked up to see him grinning at you rather awkwardly

-> “sorry, i should have asked if it was okay before just paying for you like that…” he seemed genuine enough, so you shook your hands out and grabbed your skittles. “no, that’s okay! thank you so much. you really didn’t have to, though!”

-> he introduced himself to you and started telling you a bit about himself. since he bought your skittles, you felt bad for ditching him, but your boyfriend was waiting on you and you could practically feel his gaze on your back

-> “hah, that’s so cool! look, i’m really sorry, but—“ “oh, no worries! i'll see you again, y/n." he was still smiling, but yours suddenly dropped. you never gave him your name

-> you immediately took a step back, and it was clear by the sudden shift in his expression that you had made a mistake

-> he threw a hand securely over your mouth and began pulling you to the exit, but before he could take you far, you heard your boyfriend yelling your name

-> the guy freaked out and dropped you, but security went after him as kunigami fell to your side. "what the hell?! i was.. are you hurt?"

-> you were a bit shaken up and had a little scratch on your cheek, but you were fine. you had to drag kunigami away with you when he saw the cut on your face and made him promise to drop it for your sake

karasu tabito

-> you'd been getting cryptic messages for weeks to the point where karasu was at your back every time your phone dinged. you'd tried to go to the police about it, but they said no actual harm had been done, so there was nothing they could do

-> you were out shopping with karasu when he stepped away to return something. as you were sifting through shirts, this random guy approached you and started talking as if you were friends

-> you awkwardly smiled to be polite, internally panicking when you realized the way he spoke reminded you of the creepy texts you were getting

-> when he asked if you wanted to leave with him, you stepped away and told him that your boyfriend was "right over there." you could tell that the guy was getting frustrated and even had the nerve to place a hand on your shoulder before he was suddenly pulled away

-> you couldn’t hear what was exchanged, but you saw how tense karasu’s shoulders were and how quickly the guy scampered off

-> "was that him?" he asked before taking your face in his hands and checking you for any damage. "are you okay?"

-> you nodded and forced yourself to stop shaking. "i think so. i'm okay, i just want to leave." you slowly pulled your phone from your bag, which had been recording the entire incident. "think this counts as enough evidence?"

-> he kept an arm securely around your waist and didn't let go until you were back in the safety of your home with your restraining order in hand

itoshi sae

-> he can ignore many things, but anything surrounding you or your well-being? absolutely not

-> he was in spain for work when you told him about the creepy feelings you were getting at your job. like someone was watching you during the last hour or so of your shift

-> since he couldn't be there with you for another few days, sae tried to think logically and keep you calm. meanwhile, he was texting your boss to make sure someone would walk you to your car every night

-> his flight home was originally scheduled for a saturday, but sae had this sinking feeling in his gut and was able to catch an earlier flight. the first thing he did when he landed was go straight to your workplace to see you

-> he hastily pulled into a parking spot when you didn't answer his call and asked your co-worker where you were. he found you out back, cornered by a large, creepy man. "i said no! i have a boyfriend, go away!"

-> sae stepped forward and grabbed the guy by the hair to pull his face out of your personal space. "the fuck? who are you?!" "the boyfriend." sae nodded his head to you, and you kicked the man as hard as you could between the legs

-> you immediately stepped over him and into your boyfriend's open arms. "you're home early!" "i had a bad feeling." though you were able to protect yourself, you were eternally grateful that sae was there by your side

shidou ryusei

-> he’s too confident to get jealous, but with that said, he can be a tad overly protective of you

-> shidou's with you all the time. always touching you, whispering things in your ear, playing with your hair, basically doing everything in his power to be near you when you're together

-> if anything, he made your stalker work extra hard to get you alone since he had to orchestrate a grand scheme just to get shidou away from you, even if it was only for a minute

-> it worked, though. you were enjoying a day at the mall together when you asked your boyfriend to hold your bag so you could run to the restroom. while he had his back turned, as if daring anyone to try and steal your bag from him, your stalker followed you

-> you nearly pissed yourself when someone grabbed you by the arm and tried to shove you into an 'employees only' closet. the guy got one good tug on your shirt sleeve before he was shoved off

-> you were reminded of how protective your boyfriend is when he straddled the guy and punched him until his knuckles bleed. you didn't stop him

-> when shidou was done "defending your honor" he wiped his hand on his pants before fixing your shirt and nudging your cheek with his finger. "you alright there, darling?" you nodded and hugged his arm. "i am now."

part 2

[lesbianherald]

so i know you're trying to process Coming Home being the top fic now but bestie are you aware that you hit 30k kudos?

ok. ok ok okok.

As a warning, I'm going to get really weird and personal here.

I got these this morning. Just like with the last one I have no idea what to do with this or how to appropriately deal with it lmao but to everyone who has been so nice - thank you. so much? this is a number so unfathomable to me that I've been trying to sit with it all day and simply cannot process it as real.

I don't want to care about numbers. I want to be super cool and chill and above that. but this is a really big one. and I think it also is really reflective of how big this community has grown. I've decided it would be odd not to acknowledge it.

This is one of the craziest, kindest, most lovely things that has ever happened to me. It feels so incredible and validating to know my work reached some people. That is quite literally all I want to do with my life. And now it feels like I might be able to with my own stuff. But its a lil deeper than that too. All the comments and support have genuinely been such an amazing balm during a really dark time in my life.

At the start, this fic was always a method of escapism for me. I've been under so much pressure in my real life. I'm in a really weird, really competitive transitional point. everything I write irl may make or break the rest of my career. It is a type of pressure I'm incredibly grateful and privileged to have, but still stressful nonetheless.

But then, as i was writing this fic, it became way more of a lifeline. Not to get too personal, and idk if people paid attention to my end notes, but if you did you'll note I fell victim to the ao3 curse last October in a really big way. I lost a dear friend of mine very suddenly.

Starting coming home was a way for me to write something just to write it, knowing that I could be myself and do whatever I want and just throw shit at the wall without worrying about anything. after my friend passed away, the escapism of it became that much more valuable. (btw I would not post about it were I not in a much better place with it so don't worry about me <3)

I feel like maybe it's important at this point to explain the meaning of all the support because I've genuinely been unable to express it in a way I find appropriate. every piece of art every sweet comment etc. etc. helped get me through this really weird, sad, shocking time. As "cringe" as it might seem... fandom and fanfic can be really meaningful, powerful, and connective.

All this being said. coming home was definitely released in the right time for this to happen. A multichapter released right before and during season 2 as well as in the months after? Like. It was primed for this a bit (not intentionally but still) So many fics that get posted now deserve the same amount of love and support.

I really hesitate with numbers. sharing them, abiding by them, gaining value from them. I also get nervous about how people will feel entitled to treat me because of them. But this is so insane it feels weird not to say a bigger thank you.

[macknshift]

sophia jean "junior" lawrence . . . cobra kai.

THERE ARE SEVERAL UNIVERSAL TRUTHS. ONE IS THAT JUNIOR LAWRENCE IS UNLUCKY.

if she was lucky, she wouldn’t be living her life stressed out of her tiny little mind. she would be living life like sam larusso. she would be happy and functional and normal. instead, her dad is trying to live out his karate dreams with this guy that she met at school, (that she may or may not have a crush on,) and she feels this unease about all of it. she knows she’s not a fighter, but her dad really, really wants her to be. she’s a runner, and she’s damn good at it. it’s almost like it’s her dad’s fault.

2 YEARS LATER . . . and she’s still running. she hasn't picked up a lick of courage in her two years training in karate, and now her dad’s weirdo old sensei is back, and she feels like she’s literally spinning every time she sees miguel diaz. she’s not cobra kai. she never was, even with the championship title, and now she doesn’t feel like an ‘eagle fang’ either. it leaves her with a pain in her gut knowing that she’s not what anyone around her wants. she knows what she is, and her dad won't like it. noone will.

cobra kai → eagle fang → miyagi do. born 02/04/02. 5 foot 9. high school senior. twin of robby keene, daughter of johnny lawrence. 2019 all-valley girls champ. aquarius, infp, 6w5. best friend of demetri alexopoulos, "rival" of sam larusso.

soundtrack of my life . . . orange juice , noah kahan. nobody's soldier , hozier. idfc , blackbear. honest , the neighbourhood. come back for me , jaymes young. i bet on losing dogs , mitski.

SOME HOUSEKEEPING!

⤿ johnny is not an alcoholic idc. he took one look at himself when he started to drink and knew he didn't want to be like that for me. so u know. he was at one point (around the time i was born) but he got his shit in check when he remembered he had a kid to feed.

⤿ shannon took robby & johnny took me in this weird, fucked-up little "well we have two kids so one of us gets one and one gets the other" agreement. robby & i are aware of the others' existence but don't know any actual details about each other (like name, where they live, etc.)

⤿ i have to be very aware when i say that i made this dr when i was 18. i still choose to shift to it now as a 21 year old bc i want to, and i know ppl might have strong opinions on that, esp bc i do have miguel as my love interest, but i've been watching the show since i was 17, almost wrote a fanfic before discovering shifting (i might still write that fanfic!!) but you are open to feel any way about this. so. yeah. rlly only writing this bc shifttok has had fits w me in the past but whatever.

⊹ ࣪ ˖₊˚⊹⋆ posting this today bc it is robby and i's 23rd (crazy work) birthday!!! this is one of like. 4 drs my birthday isn't 1/29 so. had to post this in honor 😁😁 i looove this dr so dearly (and miguel, he's been my man since 2021...xolo maridueña HMU!!!!!) even though it's lowkey the most . . . complicated of my drs (aka i deal with a lot of shit & happen to be lowkey v unhappy for a bit of it LMFAOOOO) but i made it at 18 and i was not in a good place but i'm too attached to change anything ab it lol 😭😭 also i am lowkey serving lizzie young but that's beside the point

[flightfoot]

About Lila's lies, perhaps i'm the only one that thinks this but i feel a lot of her lies aren't as bad as a lot of people claim. Like a majority of the class (especially Marinette) have a few outlandish achievements or facts that sound like massive lies themselves, so it makes sense that they wouldn't doubt Lila when she claimed the same.

Oh, AGREED. Here's a list of her bragging-type and I-need-help-type lies.

Lila: You know I actually happen to be very close friends with Ladybug.

I mean, it's not absurd that she might be Ladybug's friend. "Close friends" might be up for interpretation, but this really isn't crazy. Especially since it's actually true for Alya.

Rose: Can you believe Lila knows Prince Ali? She even flew in his private jet with him!

Rose knows Prince Ali. I don't know why she's even impressed by this. I wouldn't even find it weird if she flew with him on his private jet.

Chloé: Why did Jagged Stone write a song about Lila when he could've written it about me?

I mean he wrote a song about Marinette unknowingly, he even wrote a song rubbing it in Anarka's face that he was ditching her and the twins. I don't actually think it'd be that weird for him to write a song about Lila, if she impressed him.

Nino: Lila knows all of the Hollywood directors. She promised she'd mention me to Steven Basielberg himself!

Lila's story is that her mom's a diplomat, and that DOES appear to be the case for one of them. So I wouldn't be surprised if she ran into a bunch of hollywood directors at some fancy party or something, like Gabriel hosts.

Lila:(stopping him from grabbing the book) Of course she's in your book. She's one of the most important superheroes. More powerful and more celebrated than Ladybug. (Marinette is angered by the comment) Between you and me Ladybug doesn't even make the top ten. (Marinette bites down on the book) My grandma gave me this necklace.

Superheroes exist in this world, and have for a long time, so it's not that ridiculous. Though it WOULD be weird that Adrien had never heard of her if she was as celebrated as she claims. And it helps that the book confirms that there were a ton of superheroes around who Adrien never heard of before.

Lila: It's absolutely amazing! Prince Ali invited me and my parents to his gorgeous palace.

One of her moms is a diplomat, so this wouldn't be too out of place.

Lila: Oh, it's nothing much! During our world travels, my diplomat parents have helped me convince the leaders of several nations to agree to reduce world pollution. (Adrien shakes his head) And I'm very optimistic that the prince will jump on board.

Again, this really isn't that crazy. One of her moms DOES appear to be a diplomat, and this is the sort of thing diplomats do.

Lila: Yes, I suffer from tinnitus, a constant ringing in my left ear. I've had it ever since the sound of an airplane engine burst my eardrum on the runaway when I was saving Jagged Stone's lost kitten.

The class has interacted with Jagged Stone several times, so it's not that weird that Lila might have as well. Heck, Marinette is his go-to designer for his album covers. And Jagged IS the type to be this careless with a kitten.

Lila: Now it is, yes. But he had a kitten until he found out he was allergic to it.

This happens to a lot of people.

Lila: I'm sorry I can't carry my own tray. It's almost impossible with this sprained wrist.

Spraining wrists is typical, and it can be hard to carry weight when this happens, especially at certain angles.

Lila: (drops napkin) Uh, ow! Once when I was in India, I witnessed someone getting their eye gouged out by the corner of a napkin. If I hadn't caught it, this napkin could've injured Max. I didn't have a choice. Ow!

This is the only lie I've seen Lila tell that isn't really feasible. No way that someone's eye got gouged out this way. That being said, it could still cause some damage if it hit the eye and the eye wasn't protected by an eyelid or glasses. Which Max's eyes are, but it makes sense that she wouldn't have had time to think about that in the half a second she had to react.

Lila: Adrien, we'll have to figure when you're gonna help me catch up on all the schoolwork I missed. I also heard you play piano, my uncle's the great pianist Chuch Boroughchuck. He wanted to teach me when I was little, but I had to stop playing because of arthritis. But when my wrist gets better, I'd love for you to give me some lessons.

I knew someone with childhood arthritis, and her having an uncle who's a great pianist isn't any more absurd than Marinette having a great-uncle who's a world-famous chef.

Lila: Oh, I'd love to test your video game, Max, but I promised Prince Ali we'd go on a charity cruise over the Seine on his yacht this afternoon. Sorry.

This just falls under the same category as Lila's earlier lies about knowing Prince Ali and helping to promote charitable causes with him. Which Rose also does, she just doesn't travel with him. Makes sense that Lila might though, since one of her moms is a diplomat.

I'm having trouble thinking of other lies Lila told of this sort of type after this, since she was able to tell the truth mostly, what with being a model for Gabriel.

So yeah. Most of these lies are very plausible, and are way less weird than the Miracuclass's general experiences. The absurd thing is that they're impressed, not that they buy it.

[tribalauthor]

THE WISEWOMAN (roman reigns ff) <chapter 11>

word count: 2.7K

Sophia's POV:

It's a sweet Tuesday afternoon and I am in a cafè with my college best friends - Tina and Cleo.

We are drinking hot chocolates and eating cinnamon rolls. Tina invited us here today since she felt like having something sweet and who are we with Cleo to say no.

"Okay, girls. I can't hide this anymore. I'm pregnant." Tina announced and my mouth dropped.

Me and Cleo immediately exchanged shocked looks between each other.

"Oh my God. Congratulations." we both screamed and went to hug our best friend.

"When did you find out?" Cleo asked.

"Saturday. I've been feeling weird lately and decided to take couple of tests and they were all positive." she explained to us and looked excited as hell. Tina always had that nurturing nature, so I am certain she is gonna be a great mother.

"I'm gonna be an aunt." I squealed excitingly.

"We." Cleo fixed me. "How does Noah feel?"

"Oh, he is more than excited. We aren't too surprised though. Ever since we got married, we kinda haven't stopped." she hinted and me and Cleo gave her a smug look.

"With those wedding organisations, me and Jer don't even have the time." Cleo shook her head.

"We were like that too but trust me, when it's over, y'all are gonna catch up and who knows, you might get pregnant faster than you think." Tina giggled and the thought of both of them getting married almost in the same time and potentially giving birth almost together brought me a bittersweet feeling.

As of now, I am focused on different things. Yes, I hope I marry one day and give birth too but I don't know when it's gonna be.

It feels like the right time now to ask them what's been 'bothering' me these days.

"Soph, we are waiting to tell us what happened in Atlanta." Tina was all in ears.

"Well, y'all saw the show. Basically that happened." I shrugged.

"Don't lie to us, sneaky. Three days in a hotel with Roman Reigns. Something must have happened." Cleo invited me to spill the beans.

"Well Roman took me to his college and we kissed." I said and their jaws hit the floor.

"I thought you would kiss him on date 15 like you always tend to do. That's a shocker." Cleo commented. Although she exaggerated a bit, she is right that a guy has to wait to kiss me.

"And is he good?" Tina cocked her eyebrow with a big smirk. I just nodded my head trying not to grin.

"We are officially together." I announced quietly and their mouths dropped again.

"Oh my God." they put their hands on their lips.

"That fast? What happened to you?" Cleo looked at me as if I'm a stranger.

"I don't know what's the most shocking thing - being with an athlete and not some snobby smartass or letting him kiss you so fast." Tina started wondering.

Oh they have a big storm coming.

"I would say it's the fact that he made me finish twice." I finally spilled the bean and that's the moment I speared them mentally.

They looked at me with disbelief.

"Sophia Celibate Heyman. Am I hearing this right?" Cleo thought she is deaf for a second.

"I'm not celibate." I rolled my eyes.

"You look more glowy than ever actually." now Tina had a realization. "You better tell us the details."

"He wanted to book us some massage sessions but there were no masseurs available. I had some pain in the lower back and I don't know what he did, how he pressed me here and there and I just...finished. But I didn't know at the beginning. Then he...explored me down there with his fingers and for the record he didn't see me naked." I actually explained everything.

I don't think I have told them that much about my sex life but now I will need an advice.

"It's still the Sophia nuance, my goodness." Cleo seemed shocked yet still not surprised in a way.

"Not even two weeks after knowing him. That's not Sophia." Tina opposed to her.

"Well...the man really knows how to talk you through. That's what I'm gonna say." I put my arms up in defense. "He is actually smart. I'm not completely off-brand. While we were in Atlanta I thought I need advice."

"Sophia asking for advice. God, what's going on here? Is it Mercury retrograde or something?" the amount of shock I brought to my best friends today is insane.

"Y'all know that I'm not a highly sexual woman, so I don't know many tricks and stuff. What I mean is that when the time comes I wanna leave him speechless and not leave the impression that I am a tree in the bed." I spoke quietly.

"Just the fact that you are asking us this, means you are ready. The Tribal Chief unlocked Tigress Sophia." Tina said excitingly and I got confused.

"Soph, this isn't a rocket science. Trust me, if you really want him, everything is gonna come naturally." Cleo explained to me. "You just were with men that you actually didn't want and that's why you've been like this."

"Yeah and if you stop using your head for a little while. I think he can bring you even more heaven if you let him." Tina added. "This is the guy for you."

I bit my lips and got flashbacks how I told him he is the chosen one while he had his fingers in me.

"There is a match on Saturday right?" Cleo asked and I nodded my head.

"Think of a way you could return the favor - a post-match hand job for example." she said and I just looked with terror.

"A handjob?" I scratched my neck awkwardly.

"Mans got you amazing flowers with the best postcard ever, took you to an expensive place then took you in an expensive hotel where he payed for everything, gave you a massage, rubbed your kitty. I think he deserves a handjob yeah." she stated the facts and I sighed cause she is right.

"A blowjob too but let's be even." Tina added. "The Wise Women of the Wise Woman.

We all laughed at her comment.

"It just hit me. If you two are together, that means I have to add another person to the guest list. Jer is gonna be thrilled." Cleo realized.

"No need. You two wanted a private wedding."

"You think Jeremiah won't take the opportunity to get Roman Reigns at his wedding? Realistically speaking he would rather marry him than me." Cleo said in defense and I rolled my eyes.

"I am gonna tell him about this soon." I nodded my head. "But you will have another guest too. Tina's baby." I sang and we all got excited again.

Roman's POV:

Me and my cousins finished our workout. Big week is upon us. We have to prepare for the Rumble match.

"Aren't you gonna tell us what happened in Atlanta, uce?" Jey aske as he wiped his face with a towel. I did the same thing.

Frankly, I don't know if I wanna tell them because I know what's gonna happen. They are gonna rain on my parade once again.

On the other hand, they are my blood after all and they have to know what's going on.

"It was sweet." I replied with a mysterious smile. "Sophia is my girlfriend now."

The twins seemed shocked but Yoko not so much.

"You really don't waste any time." the youngest remarked.

"There is no time to waste." I agreed with him.

"Congratulations." Josh said calmly and I swear I saw a little smile on Jon's face.

"Alright, uce. You deserve credit for that one. Maybe you really impressed her and she likes you." the older twin concluded and I am delighted he finally uses the facts.

"I wonder how uncle and aunt are gonna react to all of this." Yoko chimed in.

"They have not so small age difference too, so I think they will understand. Also, I lived with the fact that they didn't like Michelle. I'm gonna be fine." I assured him.

"What about Paul? Do you think he is gonna be happy that you are banging his niece?" Josh chimed in and I gave him the dead look.

"Paul knows best how serious I am about everything, so I'm actually confident...kinda." I scratched my neck. It's really his niece we are talking about here. I don't know how he is going to react.

"Kinda." Jon repeated and shook his head. "Out of all women in this world who want you, you really chose the forbidden fruit."

"She is not a forbidden fruit." I raised my voice.

"You gotta think of trimming and dying that beard a bit cause when you two are on the screen, you lowkey look like her uncle." Josh advised me.

"I know. I have a barber appointment on Thursday." I replied.

My phone rang suddenly. It's Hunter.

"What's up?" I picked up.

"Roman, we just had a creative meeting with the crew and I want you to come to the company in Manhattan. With Sophia." my boss specified.

"We'll be there." I said and I hung up the phone.

Sophia's POV:

"We chose the date of our wedding to be March 31st." Cleo said.

"That's exactly a week before Wrestlemania." I remarked.

"Jer really wants to go but with all of the expenses for the wedding, he can't really afford it right now." Cleo said.

"Me and Joe are going to secure him a ticket for both nights...and for you, too. There you have our wedding present." I suddenly came up with the best idea. "But don't tell him anything yet."

"Oh my God. He will be so happy." Cleo looked at me with gratitude. "And if he is happy, I'm happy."

"Noah already bought us tickets but only for night two since he believes it's gonna be Roman vs Cody for the main event." Tina said.

"I don't know. There are still discussions coming up." I shrugged.

"We mustn't let our men close to you right now since they would want to know a lot of details." Cleo concluded and I laughed.

"I'm as mute as a fish. They won't get anything out of me." I declared and suddenly my phone rang.

I took it and its my boyfriend.

"Hey." I greeted him softly.

"Hi, Soph. What are you doing?" Joe asked me.

"Hanging out with my best friends. What about you?" I asked back.

"Just finished the daily workout and took a shower. Hunter called earlier and said he wants to see us in the company." he explained and I suddenly grew concerned.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. He probably just wants to talk about a creative direction the team just came up with." he reassured me and I calmed down. "So tell me where are you? I'm gonna pick you up and go to the company."

I told him the address and he said he will call me when he's here.

"The boss wants to see us." I told my friends.

While I waited for Roman we continued our girl chirping and he still hasn't called.

Since Tina was in front of the door, her eyes suddenly widened and slightly hit mine and Cleo's arms. I looked at the door and there was Joe.

Wearing dark blue jeans and black Nike hoodie. He looks so fresh and of course, his hair was tied.

"Hey." my boyfriend greeted us and I got up to hug him. "So you are the best friends?" he then turned to them.

"Nice to meet you, Roman." they told him and shook hands.

"Pleasure is all mine, girls." he replied to them.

"I know this may sound weird since we just met but Roman, I'd like to invite you to my wedding on March 31st. As my best friend's boyfriend." Cleo announced and Joe seemed visibly honored by this.

"Okay. We'll be there. Thanks for the invitation." he smiled.

"My fiancée is a huge fan." she added.

"Really? Then I will make sure to enhance his experience of becoming a newlywed." my boyfriend made a promise and his grin is still on his face.

"Here's the bill, ladies." the waiter came to leave it and Roman just took it from his hands. After that he took out his wallet from his jeans and took a banknote of 100$ and gave it to the waiter.

"There you go, young man." Joe patted the young man's back. "Let's go, Soph. Ladies, yall need a ride?

"No. My husband is gonna pick us up. Thank you, Roman." Tina thanked him.

We said goodbye and we left.

"So..." Joe spoke as we got in his car buckling oud seatbelts. "We are going to a wedding, huh?"

"Yup." I confirmed. "Jeremiah, Cleo's fiancée, is a huge fan of you. You are literally his favorite vut sadly, he won't be able to attend Wrestlemania because of the wedding expenses." I explained the situation.

"No problem. We are gonna gift him and Cleo tickets for both nights...front row." I am so glad he said exactly what I was thinking. "Easy."

"That sounds like an awesome idea!" I exclaimed.

"The reason I wanted to see you is first, Sophia's instant impact on the business. I met with the Social Team and they showed me impressive stats. Sophia, you brought a serious amount of new fans and not only male but also female. They really like the feminist motives behind your character." Hunter spoke and those words were music to my ears. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." I said quietly.

"Also, there is a lot of shipping going on between the Tribal Chief and The Wise Woman and the creative team saw a potential for a storyline between you two." he added and me and Roman exchanged horrified looks. "I called you here, so we can discuss face to face if you agree to this."

"What storyline exactly?" my boyfriend asked.

"A romantic one. The WWE universe has seen how dominant and strong the Tribal Chief is, devoted and loyal to his family but they have never seen him in love." the boss started to sound convincing and judging by Roman's look - his hand on his gray beard - he seems to approve this.

"You are right, yes. We could extend things to a whole new level." Roman spoke. "If Sophia is down, I am down too."

"I think it could be great. To showcase a new side of the character. Also, if people want this so much, why not?" I shrugged.

"But no crazy stuff." Joe set a condition to the current CEO.

"Of course. Do I look like my father in law?" Hunter asked rhetorically and I immediately got what my boyfriend meant.

He wouldn't want us to go fully explicit like that Edge and Lita segment, for example. Vince was a really sick man.

"So what do you have in mind or should me and Roman come up with the stuff?" I asked.

"As of now we were thinking of a kiss after the Rumble match." Hunter replied and me and Roman exchanged looks of considering.

"You know that I am a slow burn man when it comes to storytelling. I really want people to feel the tension between me and Sophia before we actually get in action." he may be a slow burn storyteller but not a slow burn lover.

"Okay but people expect you to make things slow-burn. Don't you think it would be more shocking that when it comes to love, you are not so slow-burn?" I asked him and judging by his smirk, he seemed impressed.

"Also, people already felt that tension. If I show you two the posts and the threads people make about you..." the boss shook his bald head.

That sounds intriguing. I have to lurk later.

I saw Roman was thinking, staring at one spot. I know this man doesn't play when it comes to work.

"Okay. Let's do it that way. A kiss at the Rumble." he nodded his head.

"I wonder how Paul is going to react." Hunter said nervously.

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

I am unabashedly requesting for rindou and Inui light-hearted cute funny HCs in a world where Bonten Rin has a huge crush on Inui (crushing on him since tenjiku times)

what are some of the things a secretly lovestruck Rin would do? He has to keep his feelings for an oblivious Inui at bay but he at the same time wants to see Inui as much as he possibly can

(if this req is too weirdly specific pls feel free to disregard this!!!!!! I love ur stuff as always mwah)

That sounds cute! Here's how I think bonten Rindou would act while crushing on Inui!

Honestly Rindou is pretty bad at hiding his crush, he blushes and get's flustered pretty easily. The only reason it hasn't been discovered by Inui yet is because Inui is so oblivious. 

Rindou keeps turning up at Inui and Drakens bike shop with 'problems' but they're like the smallest and silliest problems possible (he's actually just coming up with excuses to see Inui but he's not very good at it).

Brings Inui lunch often, normally with excuses like "they accidentally gave me extra" or "I packed too much today" Inui finds this a little odd but doesn't question it because free food.

Walks past the bike shop often, one time Inui waved at him and he almost walked into a street light in shock. 

Sometimes Rindou accidentally goes round there when Inui's not working and then he has very awkward interactions with Draken instead. 

One time Inui brings up how he wanted to beat Rindou and Ran up after he got out of juvie but then he immediately regrets mentioning it because he thinks it's probably weird to bring up now? Meanwhile Rindou is just thinking like "wow he knew I existed even all the way back then". 

Normally they talk about their weeks or random things while in the shop together, with Rindou browsing or waiting for Inui to finish whatever small problem he has now. Both of them enjoy these talks a lot. After awhile Rindou doesn't need the excuses anymore because it's accepted that he just takes his lunch breaks in the shop to hangout with Inui.

Rindou plans for ages on how to casually see Inui outside of the bike shop (his main plan is to invite him to see a movie together but he always get's too nervous). But then one day, when Rindou is mid rant about not having a good gym partner, Inui volunteers. Which really throws Rindou off for a sec but he quickly agrees and they become gym buddies. 

Rindou absolutely tries to show off his strength and flexibility to Inui.

During one lunch time hangout, Inui accidentally drinks from Rindou's bottle of water and Rindou stops functioning for a sec because indirect kiss!???

Rindou thinks he's being so secretive with this crush but literally everyone can tell aside from Inui. 

One time when they're walking past the shop together, Ran makes a comment to Rindou like "you sure do like going into that shop don't you?" and Rindou, who's panicking just goes "I've never been in there before" (this happens seconds after Inui waved at Rindou and Rindou waved back. 

Sometimes Rindou will leave anonymous gifts for Inui like a bouquet of his favourite flowers (he had to pay Koko for that information).

And finally, Rindou may not know it but he has already confessed to Inui. One time when they went drinking together, a drunken Rindou told Inui how much he loves him. Inui just smiled at him and said "you're drunk". Rindou may have forgotten that incident but Inui remembers it and wonders if he'll get to hear those words again from Rindou some day...

[novagon]

Quick rant yeah-

Edit: [ some people would most likely want to reblog this to debunk or correct my rant and opinion. I ask you to read the reblogs because I've already discussed this with another user and all my counterarguments are there. If you want to have a discussion/debate on that as well, feel free to do so. But please do so in a civil manner. I will not be responding to insults and rude behaviour. ]

I love (not) how kny's 3 most popular ships involve the men being very jealous and possessive of their love interests to a concerning level.

Yushiro, Zenitsu, and Obanai are so questionable. On one side we have this demon dude who'd probably murder you for doing the most normal actions anyone would do when having a conversation with someone else. Like— please calm down and stop smacking Tanjirō just because he looked at her wrong or something.

And then we got the 16-year-old teenager whose first reaction to seeing "the love of his life" for the first time is to MURDER HER BROTHER and scream the whole night, and throw tantrums about his feet hurting whenever his crush interacts with his own best friend.

We also have Iguro "I don't deserve to be with Mitsuri because I have dirty blood" Obanai threatening Tanjirō for having a good relationship with his crush.

Idc if these were supposed to be 'funny'. It's not (imo). It's just mad weird. It's great that some of them had character development towards the end, though Zenitsu's is kinda ambiguous. I reckon he didn't really change all that much, but who knows.

[lsunstreakerl]

darkbull

What I've learned about myself, from each ficlet you've posted is that while I love seeing Max being oblivious, the other POV's are so much more interesting to me, but purely because they all know the things that make Max oblivious. I loved this last ficlet of what punishment is for Max, it's hard to read because it should be! we are reading a man that has no autonomy and gets brainwashed easily.

In contrast, loved the Carlos ficlet. Maybe its because it came out right as I got off work and was a treat, or because it answered some of the more pressing questions I had of "how does Carlos enter the crime aspect of rb" and "how/when does Daniel join the dynamic?" Selfishly, can we get a Daniel POV at any point?

I think the fucked up nature of the series and how brainwashed everyone has to be in rb to be this into Max as a person but also a concept is incredible.

My current question is who is the fourth? are you planning on going RB Junior rising through the ranks ( already said it isn't Alex and I doubt its Pierre, though it'd be funny ) My thought right now based on where I feel everything is going, Liam, I think he's the most willing to be as unhinged as you need to be to become the fourth in a Max, Carlos, Daniel Sandwich but also because I don't think Redbull would truly allow an outsider to be the fourth long term.

As always, thank you thank you thank you I will comment again soon once at least 2 ficlets are posted and I have enough thoughts to make my spot in the ask box worth it what's the current count

it's so interesting seeing who likes what more. some people like the max pov's more, but I agree that they only hit so well because you get the necessary background from other characters.

max's pov for the punishment ficlet is an intentionally hard read- and without the carlos ficlet beforehand to explain, it would be difficult to understand what's happening, because max doesn't know.

glad you liked the carlos ficlet! I'll be writing more on daniel joining the three of them, and I've actually got a daniel pov about half finished at the moment (pre-kidnapping, but barely), so keep an eye out for that!

yesss the way the whole team is in on it- imagine being a new employee being onboarded and learning about max, and seeing the way he's handled and treated. maybe that first thought is "okay that's actually concerning and weird" but then seeing how max does so well, and being surrounded by people saying it's okay- that thought process becomes "well, if it works for him". and then getting to be part of the team, getting to be one of the people directing and guiding and taking care of max- at that point they've practically earned it, really. it's a seniority thing.

it's part of the culture of the team at this point.

consider... I'm taking a junior who wasn't previously part of the Redbull program, but who has Redbull ties. unhinged is good, but it's important to have someone steady and reassuring as well. so the goal is a kind of "subtle" unhinged- one that maybe doesn't get noticed right away, one that hides a bit deeper. still there, just better disguised.

glad you liked it!! writing this verse has been so interesting so there's definitely more of it in the works.

current count is 62! everyone putting multiple questions into one has really helped already :)

[kittendreaw]

Suppermasive Black Hole

02: Is she Weird

Werewolf Yuji x Vampire F! Reader

Words:1.6 k

Mainlist

Is she weird?

Is she weird, is she white?

Is she promised to the night?

And her head has no room.

"This is where the treaty with the vampires was signed, it was about a century ago so I was not yet alive but my grandfather was."

As you both walked Yuji had been giving you an unsolicited lesson in wolfish history, While it wasn't a topic you were interested in but Yuji was easy to listen to, you were never a lover of yappers but he wasn't too bad.

"He was the leader, there was no one like him." You could feel the pride in every word, his eyes were shining with Admiration and Passion, He was obviously proud of where he came from. "Until he had to fight with the bloodsucker leader and had no choice but to cede the northern part of his territory because the vampires were larger in number and he didn't want to cause trouble."

"They never fought and there were no bigger number of vampires than wolves."

"I didn't know that leeches don't tell the story well."

You rolled your eyes, You understood that for him that was the story he had grown up with but it was not the real one. "I was there when that happened, so I can say it."

His eyes widened slightly and he gave you a quick look up and down "There's no way. how old are you?"

"95, I was 15 when that happened 80 years ago not a century." You added just to emphasize that you did know about history and he didn't know shit.

"I said “like” i didn't claim that it was the true!"

Maybe he was funny, Maybe you smiled at him complaining.

"You seemed very confident."

"I'm a man with confidence in himself, who can say." He shrugged his shoulders as he smiled arrogantly but playfully.

"Conceited."

"More like a realist." You rolled your eyes but the smile didn't disappear from your lips, even if he was imitating your answer from a while ago, the reality is that he wasn't far from reality.

Yuji was popular, he was funny, and also confident, nice and a good friend.

He was also the type of guy that every girl would want to walk hand in hand with on the Campus, he was handsome, tall, athletic, affectionate, a gentleman. Such a Dream.

On the other hand you knew that people found you attractive, you knew that they talked about you, you could listen to them, but the few times that someone dared to approach you you completely ignored them so now the invitations to dates were null and you liked that it was like that, it's not that you thought you are Unreachable (you really are) it's simply that you didn't want to deal with that part of human life. Love, dates and boys They were too vain for you.

"And you... You were born, you know, like this or..." Yuji had no idea if there was a vampiric rule about not asking that or if it was disrespectful, maybe it was rude Or maybe there was a story you didn't want to tell. 

"Do you want to know how I became a vampire?"

"If I can."

"I was 15 years old and I guess there's no great story behind it, I was just attacked by a wild vampire."

"wild?"

"The kind of vampires who drink human blood and cause problems for my kind, are always wiped out by other vampires or locked up in insane asylums by humans who consider them lunatics."

"It also happens with some of the werewolves."

"Humans usually call anything that is different from them lunatics." He let out a small chuckle.

"I guess so, but, What happened? he just bite you or what?" He was curious, he had a lot of questions, he liked to talk and ask.

"Yeah, something like that. It was night and I had run away from home, I guess I hadn't realized how stupid and immature I was being. I remember feeling like someone was chasing me and I tried to ignore that feeling but My instinct was right, before I could react I was already on the ground with a vampire on me sucking my blood, it's the most painful thing I've ever felt, but I got help before he could kill me."

"Help from who?"

"Satoru, I guess he took pity on me and instead of also finishing me off he helped me and made me part of his clan."

"Oh."

He let out a small sigh, there were still many things he wanted to know about you and vampires (especially about you)

"oh." You imitated him.

Yuji frowned slightly and looked at you "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"That oh." Now he was the one who imitated you, You chuckled. "You know, I thought you'd be a lot more bitter."

"And I thought you'd be more annoying."

Yuji rolled his eyes but the smile on his lips only became more and more noticeable "You're so nice." He joked sarcastically.

"It's part of my natural charm."

"So you have Charm?" He sneered, he was just playing, of course you were lovely, maybe not in the conventional way but it was hard not to have his eyes on you.  "Maybe you have. You're scary but pretty and Mysterious."

"And you are a Stinky noisy dog but not so annoying."

Yuji was not offended at this point he had lived with you enough to know that you didn't hate him so much, now seeing how you tried so hard to insult him was funny.

"Fine Vampira."

You frowned "Dumb."

"Okay, Draculaura."

"You're so funny, Jacob Black."

He let out a loud laugh "I didn't think you were the kind of girl who liked to watch twilight."

"I don't like it, I just watched it."

"Oh come on." he pinch your side "Don't lie." You slapped his hand when he tried to pinch you again  "Don't pull out your fangs, pretty!" Maybe you liked that, but only a little.

"I'll if you keep it up." Agora it was you who pinched his side though much harder than he did.

Watching Yuji hunt was definitely a spectacle, He was not wild or violent He killed the prey as quickly as he could, he didn't want to hurt but he knew it was a necessary process. He did not look for the nearest prey he always chose the one that was farthest away, the one for which he would have to run. He was fast, he was agile, it was obvious how much he enjoyed being in his animal form.

After a deer and a few birds He came closer to you, still on four legs. You didn't want his furry ass near to you.

You stepped back and he kept coming closer.

"Don't even think about it." He advanced, you backed away and so on until you hit the trunk of a tree and you had no escape.

His head brushed against your hand, it was obvious what he was looking for, Although you made a disgusted face, he did not move away from you and continued to insiste. Maybe he was softer than you had thought, maybe you started to Pet him.

"Fine, This is not so bad." One then two and then you started scratching his tummy. He was like a big dog, that's for sure. It was hard to not see the smile on your lips and you had to stop because you were about to call him a good boy and giggle. "Enough, I think I'm going to go home now." You got up and picked up your things, but Yuji kept following you.

"Where are you going?" It's not that he was going to answer you but you thought he would take the hint and stop but he didn't. "If I come home smelling like a Stinky dog, it's going to be your fault."

"Why do you smell like shit right now?" It wasn't a surprise, you had already guessed that this would happen.

"Why do you always smell like shit, Toge?"

"Hey! That's definitely not true."

"She's just on the defensive because she doesn't want us to know about her new wolfie boyfriend."

"He's not even from being my boyfriend."

"Really? And what have you been doing with him in the forest?" You knew Maki wasn't trying to Argue with you, it was just that no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she cared about each of you, she was always like a big sister and even if you were bothered by her interrogations she's just trying to make sure you're going to be okay. "You guys seemed pretty close and today you arrive smelling just like him, it seems pretty weird to me."

You rolled your eyes, You tried not to get angry anymore but it was impossible. "Just don't start, Maki."

"Just stay away from him, he won't do you any good." You hated being told what to do, you hated that she believed she had any rights to you, she wasn't your sister, she was just a clanmate.

"Don't tell me what to do, I'm not stupid."

"Well, you're acting like one." For you that was enough, all you had done was try to get them food and here she was berating you and calling you stupid, You knew what you were doing, you were mature enough not to let anything happen to you.

"And you're not better Maki, stay in line, You can tell me what I have to do."

"Fine! But the day he does something to you, don't come crying to me."

"Oh, believe me, I won't."

[onesunofagun]

You know, I'm going to put a thought down because I'm thinking about this again because of the post earlier.

It might be a vent? I think it's more just me trying to describe a feeling so it's outside me and I can look at it.

I've seen a lotta discourse and a lot of theories and different takes out there. There's always gonna be some stuff that's frustrating because it's something Sus being widely normalised, but generally speaking, I think the varied perspective and ideas are always good thing in a fandom.

I've seen all sorts of ideas be explored-- in fics, in doujins and art, in roleplay, in lore essays-- over the years. I like to think I have a pretty good map on the fandoms I've been online and present in since the early 00s. I can usually remember context about how certain stuff came about, like what tropes or ideas got popular when and how, whether through shipping or fanon or mangas or general knowledge about the development process.

When you've been in a fandom a long time-- especially if you have made a lot of contributions to it, at any point-- sometimes you even have a part in shaping certain idea flows within it, yourself.

So I have had the chance to see and contribute to a lot of conversations that have happened over and over and over again, in a kind of generational way. I have seen certain discussions from old forums, translate to fics. I've seen them pop up on tumblr, then tumble to Reddit, then YouTube. I have watched the spread through the general sphere of things, get added to and turned over and re-examined.

For the record: I love watching that process, and I like being part of that process! Mentally tracking the grandfathered in fandom history has also become its own kinda hobby for me.

I've always found it interesting mapping where new fans come in, seeing how they orient themselves and what they pick up-- how and why and what they do with it, whether I appreciate it or not (I highlight biases that are related to harmful ideas when I see them to illuminate them).

Seeing certain concepts be repeatedly rediscovered and watching how certain waves of fans digest them is fascinating. Sometimes with surprising results, sometimes with disappointing results, but it's fascinating either way. That's kind of part of the appeal having been here so long and why I came back into (mild) activity-- I get to study and dissect the fandom behaviours as well.

But despite all of that, I've found I don't really appreciate a good number of the popular YouTubers who focus on Zelda as their channel topic.

I think I've developed a bit of a distaste for a few of them in particular, actually--the big number Zeldatuber channels. Mostly the ones that seem to be the theorycrafters that kinda followed on from a MatPat style format. All of my love to well researched videos analysing the themes and meta, and all the silly boundary breaks and speedruns, mind. But I found I got really disillusioned with the handful of channels that rose to prominence and how their content shifted with that growth.

With the potential to monetise their discussions and discords worth of people and patrons driving this kinda content, I do think a lot about things that have been discussed in the fandom in the past that get taken up and regurgitated as part of that grind. I have lost track of how many videos that have come out of a few big Zeldatubers of this vein gave me a really weird slimy feeling and I am trying to work out what it is.

I'm not super invested in watching much of Zeldatube at large, mostly because I've seen most popular subjects covered in many variations. I'm a lot more personally interested in analysis, rather than theorycraft, so take it with a grain of salt that I may have a bias too (The popular Zonai fixation really doesn't interest me at all, and Zeldatube burnt out on that hard).

A lot of the channels like this seem to present their stuff like it is brand new and never been seen before, and like it's a great achievement in sleuthing or that they've cracked a code-- but not in a fun feeling way. Not in an exciting personal discovery way, but in a way that feels like it's propping up an exclusivity around that channel, and its validity as a leading authority on Zeldadom. There's something vaguely newsfeed-like, or sensationalist about it to me, with tight knit associations to other big channels making the same type of content (and about the same types of subjects as far as I ever noticed, and widely overlapping perspectives).

I wonder if that's a cynical feeling that I have where I'm just being an old man yelling at clouds, but there's really something that rubs me wrong about the handful of top channels like this. Something about the way they generate and present, and potentially profit from, often long running fandom concepts and otherwise freely shared ideas that have had many contributions feels off.

Maybe it's also me struggling to understand the closed off nature of how a lot of people just absorb the series secondhand now, and how normal it is to have the most popular Zeldatube channels setting the tones and assumptions around lore for large swatches of the newer fans. And not because old guard gatekeeping, but because there's an obvious chasm there between new and old fans of the same media that now exists that's seemingly getting wider.

I do sometimes worry about the trend of recycled old fanon staples presented as brand new takes, because of that-- or worse, sold as the definitive take, especially when a lot of people do just accept them and then go off and start arguments because 'big Zeldatube said so' and they must know best.

Sometimes I wonder if the trend is actually adding to issues with consumption vs engagement, in terms of media literacy and fandom interaction. There's certainly some theories, because of these channels, widely taken as a kind of gospel from the 'zelda experts' like the discussion is already closed; mystery solved. I've legit seen smaller youtubers be accused of stealing or copying theories from the larger channels, when making detailed and well researched videos about canon lore. I have had multiple interactions with fans who just link to a popular video and be like 'here watch this, it'll explain it' like they can't even be bothered to have their own take, but they're also not interested in yours.

The way big Zeldatube presents itself and gets consumed at large, though, I guess I just don't recognise that as the same as seeing a new fan have a joyful discovery of something from their own interactions with the franchise and fandom. I realise that the channel runners are fans themselves, but I suppose I mean that the platform feels more like a degree of professional separation that's very closed. It's become 'Zelda is my job now' thing that's focused on interest trends and news.

Something something, decades of fandom interaction and discussion and archiving getting scraped and haphazardly slapped together again for the content grind because clout and profit??

That feels mean to say but--

"Like and subscribe and join my patreon for more content, often mined from various thoughts around the fandom to make up a new video to schedule" is how it often tastes to me and that's not a flavour I enjoy.

Again, by all means, not applicable to the whole of Zeldatube or many fans who do watch the big channels. But this kinda thing does feel like a pervasive and popular part of the theorycrafter channels. Commodification of theory, and exploitative platforms built off a community's back, leave a lot of the big Zeldatubers without my support or endearment. I feel incredibly conflicted about them.

Is that anything?

[disposal-blueeee]

VARGASTOBER - day 28 : fantasy

[andiv3r]

Having to block everyone who has "wincest dni" in their bio not because I ship wincest (because I have come to the conclusion that I actually don't) but because I do think it'd be fun to poke around at the very real weirdness of their relationship that I've noticed in the show so far. And I'm 99% sure that my poking around will get seen as shipping.

[spotaus]

Thinking about Orchid and her connection to my take on Gender (because this was meant to be about her and the Crew but it just devolved into a character analysis kinda??? More trauma-dumping maybe???) This is very much an oc/personal rant so feel free to ignore it 🫡

So, Orchid started off as a character I didn't really think much of (hear me out this is going to be relevant) because I wanted to add a 'girl' character but didn't know what to *do* with her, y'know? She was always going to be the strongest one there, she had the odds stacked in her favor with her parents. She was always going to be the gloomy side-character to match Reset's energy. But I think she's gone through every stage of Generic Woman I could possibly find.

At first she was angry and abrasive (think Fell!Sans) where every other word was a curse and she was likely to throw the first punch then laugh as she kicks her enemy while they're down. This was when Reset was a cartoonishly self-centered villain whose goal was simply to prove others wrong. Then Orchid became a sort of sisterly figure. This was short-lived, but she was the one comforting people who Reset would torment, but would ultimately follow his orders, because at this point he was actually a danger and sadistic. And then there was the phase where the story mellowed out and she became the token Goth Girl who, yes she was strong, but was heavy on the 'whatever' energy. Then there was her Era of deep self-loathing and anxiety about her worth that held her back and made her a much more timid and meek character who would only lash out on occasion.

Now, Orchid is the best of those iterations I've written yet. She's calm, level-headed, and a natural leader. Her father raised those traits into her. But she's very reactive, and can be silly, and when she's comfortable it's likely that air of importance transforms into something more comfortable and familiar. She laughs loudly and grins wide, she likes loud video-games but loves to read in the quiet. She's extremely disciplined, and normally no one can get through her tough exterior besides her best friend, Reset. She does what she does for her own enjoyment, sure, but she's thought of every angle and makes her choice to help Reset and control the others with her whole chest. She still worries she won't live up to her invisible expectations, and that and her loyalty are her two driving forces.

I know that Orchid is important to me because she's the longest-running female oc I've had. I have a rough relationship with womanhood/girlhood and I know looking back that Orchid recieved every ounce of my distaste for being a woman that I could shovel into her. That never made her less of a character, she was actually always one of my favorites, and rarely was she a 'punching bag oc'. I just... projected onto her a lot. And she's a good sign of how I've learned who I am. I've decided that my own femininity is something I could live without. I'd rather not associate myself with it, and I'd like to leave it in my past, focusing on a future where I'm not tied down with any gender roles or expectations. That won't happen, but I've come to terms with it myself. Orchid though? I figured out through her that I don't have to hate women characters. My own distaste for my circumstances doesn't mean I have to push it onto my characters (on God I've never expressed anything rude to actual people, that'd be rude as hell and uncalled for, but I have a bad habit of disliking fictional women in media). So, Orchid is a well-roubded character finally. She has motivations abd goals and a *lot* more depth than I ever expected her to. She's happy with being a woman, she's content. She's not treated differently for it in unfair ways by those she cares about, so she doesn't mind it. She likes to wear pretty outfits and lets Reset add bows to her ribbons. She doesn't let being a woman hold her back in the slightest.

So, yeah. Orchid is one of my babies. If I ever leave this Fandom behind for good, she's one that's coming with (Ichor, Orchid, and Pretender all have human designs I can use elsewhere lol-) but in the meantime I'll just rotate her around in my brain for a while longer.

If I'm right, she's been with me for nearly 5-6 years and I went through a *lot* with her as an outlet. So, she's kinda just like an old stuffed animal. A lil ripped, matted fur, maybe a stain or two, but there's a story there and that makes it important beyond belief.

[buttercup-art]

hey

[liquidchocolatecake]

currently captive audience to a knock down drag out fight in my brain between desire to respect the wishes of the creator and not look for anyone redistributing the comic and god i fucking miss wonderlab i miss wonderlab so much you have no idea i want wonderlab back so bad