#I had a coloring page heheh
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Scarecrow Minimalist Wallpapers
(okay, so it's just a coloring without the line art, and looks messy but I thought it looked rad saldjlas)
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cinnamostar · 1 year ago
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lotus
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pairing : seungmin x gn!reader
summary : how do you save a failing relationship?
wc : 921
cw : established relationships, angst, sadness, a touch of fluff, not proof read
a/n : hehehe ok i ended up getting inspired again! let me know what you guys think!!!! also hehe lotus flowers can represent rebirth/new beginnings btw >:3
wilted petals laid across the counter, the color they once held greying out as the dried edges chipped away over time. the flowers that once blossomed beautifully in its porcelain vase had long died out, the life that once coursed through it left without a trace, leaving behind the depressing, unsightly death of a flower. the few petals that remained clung onto the stem of the flower in a desperate attempt to hold onto life, yet their grip would eventually loosen as it weathered its painstakingly slow demise, signifying the end of its life cycle. their reluctance to let go was pitiful, yet it felt like the bouquet of dying flowers now only mocked you and served as a cruel metaphor of the state of your relationship.
months had gone by, the fiery passion that once ignited the love story you and seungmin wrote had been put out, leaving behind only a trail of ash and soot that covered every inch of your hands. the pages of this novel was slowly ripping at its seams, the book thinning out as you desperately thumbed through it, praying to find a clue on how to rekindle this dying romance. except your touch would leave behind cinders on each page, the words you hopelessly searched through now becoming illegible.
you both had become complacent, completely forgoing the smallest details of maintaining a healthy relationship which ultimately whittled down the foundation of your love. the cracks had become more apparent, the soullessness behind each action was undeniable, and you were both becoming exasperated as you tried to keep up appearances to one another, not willing to admit there was a growing issue that needed to be addressed. they say ignorance is bliss, but the tension between you two hung heavily and was gradually drowning you, and it was about time for one of you break to the surface to catch your breath.
tonight, you and seungmin were sitting across each other at the dinner table, quietly eating the take out food you ordered. it was upsettingly silent, not a single exchange of words and only the sound of your utensils scrapping against your plates could be heard.
what was the point of this anymore? why had you both accepted this new norm without a fight? had you both become use to each others presence? were you both too afraid to face the possibility of loneliness? did he even still love you?
these questions had occupied your mind for months, the number of them growing as the aching feeling your heart once suffered from had slowly become numbing.
should you say something? right now? interrupt the faux peace that you two had become accustomed to?
maybe, maybe not. it was all too daunting to not know where that conversation would leave, but you also no longer wanted to live with never ending misery. something had to be done.
“do you still love me?” you whisper, your voice quivering with trepidation, bracing yourself for his response.
seungmin looks up from his meal, his piercing gaze meeting yours, uncertainty and fear in hiding behind his stoic expression. he lets out a heavy huff, nodding his head as he took in your words, “of course i do. do you still love me?”
“yes, always,” you respond, your face softening at his confirmation, “but… what happened to us?”
he didn’t need you to further explain yourself, the few words you spoke carried the weight of your sadness as he reflected on the state of your deteriorating relationship. “im not sure,” he sighs, “im sorry.”
you swallow thickly as a lump of your emotions manifests in your throat, “im sorry too,” tears begin to prick your eyes, “what do we do?”
“i don’t know.”
“i don’t know either.”
the uncomfortable, familiar silence returns in its place as you each gaze longingly at the other. what was there to do? there was no guide book on how to salvage the skeleton of a relationship, the tendrils of love thinning out as they weakly held your hearts together.
seungmin clears his throat, as if to disperse the tensity in the atmosphere, “do you want to keep trying?”
you bit the inside of your cheek anxiously, “i do, but what if it doesn’t work out?”
“then at least we can say we tried our best,” he hums, mindlessly poking his food with his fork, “i wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if i didn’t try.”
“okay,” you nod meekly, “let’s try again.”
“when was the last time i took you out on a date?” he asks, pain evident in his voice upon making this realization.
“i don’t even remember,” you tearfully answer, looking away from seungmin’s eyes as his began to glaze over with anguish.
“i see,” he whispers to himself with a sniffle, “let’s start there then.” he forces a weak smile, feebly holding onto the bit of hope he rediscovered, “let’s remember why we fell in love in the first place, okay? let’s go to the ice cream shop we went on for our first date tomorrow. how does that sound?”
you look back at him, a touched smile that sent butterflies down seungmin’s abdomen, a smile he didn’t realize how much he missed, “i’d like that very much.”
the very next day, when you woke up to get ready for your date, the withering flowers had be replaced with flourishing lotus flowers. a small note scrawled with seungmin’s handwriting laid next to it:
here’s to a new beginning. i love you.
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angelbaby-fics · 1 year ago
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i just saw requests are open so sorry if it’s too late to ask!!!
could i request something along the lines of Daddy!Stucky with a little who loves coloring/drawing/crafts and Steve usually does them with the reader cause he’s artsy but he’s not home so she asks Bucky to do it with her, but he’s not artsy so he’s hesitant but he obviously still does it cause that’s his baby. And it turns out he’s really good at it and has tons of fun
(sorry i just kinda word dumped i hope that made sense)
🩰
Masterpiece
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Word Count: 1k
A/N: Okay, first of all can we just appreciate this gif??? he looks so pretty & squishy & i just wanna kiss him all over hehehe 💕 anyways i really really love this idea!!! and i had a lot of fun writing it! :D so i hope you have a good time reading it 💕
When it came to artistry, your daddy was your idol. Steve had been drawing since he was very young, very long ago, and so he was rather good at it. You loved to color alongside him, each drawing the same subject and comparing your masterpieces when you were finished. You were so mesmerized by the way he intuitively connected one line with another, visualizing the whole picture in his head as he brought it to life on the paper. Steve always told you that yours was better, and even though you knew he had to say that because he was your daddy, the compliment still made you beam. 
You’d recently gotten a brand new sketchbook, and you were hopping with excitement to fill it up with art. When you woke up that morning, the first thing you did as you tumbled out of bed was grab your bucket of markers in one hand, sketchbook in the other as you sprinted out to the living room. You scanned the room for Steve, drinking his morning coffee on the couch like he usually was. But he wasn’t there today. Instead, Bucky was on the couch, and he looked up from his book as you burst into the room.
“Good morning, pumpkin,” he said with a loving smile. “Where dada?” You asked, your artistic tunnel vision making you ignore your Baba completely. “Well hello to you too,” Bucky said with a cheeky grin. “Daddy’s gotta work today, so you’re stuck with me, muffin!”
“Oh, okay.” You said, putting down your art supplies and joining Bucky on the couch. You tried to hide your disappointment - you loved spending time with Bucky after all - but you’d been so looking forward to drawing with Steve that day. “What’s wrong, doll, don’t you like me?” Bucky joked.
“Of course! But… wanted to draw.” You replied, whispering the last part. It was no secret that Steve was the one you always drew with, and Bucky played the role of a high end art dealer or a museum curator when you were ready to display your work. You’d never drawn with him, and you weren’t opposed to it, but it just wasn’t something you were used to. “Well I could try to draw with you if you’ll let me, sugar.” Bucky suggested, hoping to still salvage your perfect day. 
“Really?” You asked.
“Sure! In fact, why don’t you teach me how, since you’re the one who’s good at all this art stuff.”
That about changed everything. You were more than eager to teach your Baba a new skill, feeling quite proud of yourself being the highest authority on art in the family now that Steve was away. You tore a page out of your sketchbook and placed it on the coffee table in front of Bucky. Then, grinning mischievously, you dumped your bucket of markers out onto the table. Bucky’s eyes widened at the mess, knowing it would more than likely be him cleaning it up when you were finished, but this was simply part of your artistic process.
“It's good to have all the colors in front of you so you know which one to use next!” You explained.
Bucky didn’t see why you couldn’t have all the markers in front of you in the bucket, but he decided it was best not to argue with an expert. You picked up your first color, dark green, and motioned for your Baba to do the same. You’d easily decided on a simple topic for his first picture, something simple. A scene in the park. It had all the components of a classic coloring picture: trees, grass, birds, butterflies, and anything else your heart desired. 
Once you explained the concept to Bucky, the two of you got to work. Your face down, you were laser focussed on your own artwork. You never once popped your little head up to check on Bucky’s progress. The same couldn’t be said for him, however. Your Baba glanced over every few minutes, smiling to himself at your concentrated face, tongue poking slightly out of your lips as you determinedly colored in each blade of grass and tree leaf. If only he could get you to focus this hard on cleaning your room. Only when you’d finally completed your work did you break your concentration, setting down your final marker with a flourish as you looked up expectantly at Bucky, waiting for the praises to start.
But something caught your eye.
Bucky’s sheet of paper, sitting just in front of him on the table, was an explosion of colors. Abstract shapes swirled into the familiar forms of trees and flowers, but only when you squinted. The sky was purple, the grass was red, the trees burst with fiery orange leaves. Your brow furrowed; this art was gorgeous, but it made no sense. 
“You drawed that?” You whispered in awe.
“Yeah, you like it, babydoll?” Bucky asked proudly.
“It's so pretty and crazy!” You said, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Bucky chuckled. “Is that a good thing?”
You nodded eagerly, not wanting him to think you were insulting his talent. 
“How did you even think of that, Baba?” You asked, shocked at his unconventional approach. It had never occurred to you to portray things in a way other than what you considered normal. Bucky had opened a whole new world for you. 
“I don’t really know, it just came to me.” He replied modestly. “Do you wanna try?”
Bucky offered up a clean sheet of paper to you.
When Steve came home a few hours later, he wasn’t greeted at the door as usual with a kiss from Bucky and you jumping into his arms. Normally your absence would make his heart race, but it only took him a minute to turn the corner and see the two of you, his husband and his precious baby, working hard together over a piece of paper. A rainbow rendition of Steve’s famous shield, the star in the center made up of tiny swirls and dots. He already knew he’d treasure this masterpiece forever.
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thechildofhypnos · 18 days ago
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uhh idk if people will get mad at me ( cause helpol people dont like fandoms around the gods from what ive seen ) but I drew people from Epic the Musical!!
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thats Circe : D the colored one is Iris ! on the back of the page I drew Aeolus and on the bottom I drew Siren-Penelope! I had fun, but I hope I dont get people upset! more drawings below! ALSO, I drew Lady Artemis during class and- RAHHHH I LOVE IT!! will post later tho, just the ones in my book i have currently!
(also if anyone could help me get better at drawing, literally any tips are appreciated and encouraged!!!)
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Also the little poem thing is something made by a friend of mine!! Also also (a lot of alsos hehe) I made Apollo the first one in my book!! heheh YAY!!!
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queenofbaws · 8 months ago
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! Pride Month Challenge 2024 !
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Well hi there, everyone! With May winding down to a close and June just around the corner, it's about that time again...the time where @jadedsunshine, @unicornaffair, and I host our yearly create-a-thon! 🥳
What's the Pride Month Challenge, you might find yourself asking? Well, this year it's a little bingo game we've put together, featuring some classic tropes. The aim of this particular game? Make something!!! Anything! Just get those creative juices a-flowin' and see if you can snag a B-I-N-G-O along the way!
This challenge is open to everyone and anyone who wants to take part, whether you know the three of us or not! We're going to be using the tag #pridemonthchallenge2024 for the stuff we create, so if you decide to join in on the fun and games, feel free to stick that tag on whatever you make, too! If you're interested in more details, you can check below the cut or reach out and ask ;)c
Either way, happy almost-pride, and happy creating!!!
I don't write fic - can I still participate?
Ab. So. Lutely!!! We've done this challenge for a few years now (we've missed a year or two for weddings and other life stuff, whoops!), but in the past we've had people doodle, sketch, draw, make edits, create props or other physical art, and even curate playlists! The three of us are writers, so you're very likely to see fic or ficlets from us...but you? Oh. Oh, you can do whatever your heart desires!!!
Are there word limits/expectations for a finished product?
NO!!! :D Zero. Literally zero expectations. We aren't putting together an exchange, we aren't holding a competition, we're just trying to get the spirit of creation in the air. That's it! So whether you're writing 50 words or 5,000, whether you've made a rough sketch on a notebook page or fully lined/colored a scene, you're good! You're so good. As long as you've made something, you've earned a stamp on that bingo card, baby!!!
What if I don't want to do something fandom-y? Can it be OCs/original work?
OF COURSE!!! 100%. You don't even have to ask!!! Show the world your OCs! Tell the world about your story's worldbuilding! It's all fair game :)
What if I don't want to post what I made?
Don't sweat it! Again, this is...the farthest thing from official. This is for fun, and this is for the sake of making something. Sharing your work can be nerve-wracking - don't feel like you have to! We'd love to see you playing along with us, of course, but as long as you've made something that you're proud of, you've earned that stamp! No ifs, ands, or buts!
Is it cool if my creations aren't necessarily pride-themed?
Totally! We host this challenge during pride month because (1) it traditionally works better for the three of us than NaNoWriMo because of our schedules, and (2) we're queer creators ourselves! But if you're feeling a prompt and can't find a way to make it relevant to pride, PLEASE don't sweat it! As I've been known to say (and then get laughed at for saying), this challenge is no rules, just right, Outback Steakhouse :P
Let's say I get a bingo...what do I win?
:) Nothing. <3
Wait, really?
:) Really <3 Hehehe, in all seriousness, this challenge has been a fun way for us to sit down, take our minds off of life and our bigger projects and just...make some fun stuff! In our humble opinion(s), being able to point at a finished piece and say "I did that! I made that!" is its own kind of reward. The bingo board itself is really more for bragging rights ;)c Which, of course, we encourage wholeheartedly. Nothing wrong with a little bragging!!!
We hope to have you along for our month-long adventure! Again, we're going to be using the tag #pridemonthchallenge2024 for our own stuff, so if you'd like to use that tag - or tag any of us!!! - in whatever you end up creating, feel free!!! We love seeing what everyone comes up with, and this challenge is always so much more fun, knowing other people are taking part! <3 Hope to see you along for the ride!
*The bingo board was made by the lovely @jadedsunshine 🥰
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lucygriefer · 3 months ago
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Apothecary AU - Horror n Nightmare Food: Draft
Here is another story draft to the apothecary au mini comics that I'm working on. I'm still figuring out how I want the comic pages to be laid out. Also on that note if anyone has any tips for comic drawing, please give me some advice. I'm so not use to doing comics XD .
Anyways onto the mini comic story draft!
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Horror hummed as he carried Mo. Smiling as he worked in the kitchen. Mo was under his yukata. His body summoned with Mo drinking away. With how he has his yukata wrapped up along with the skull ribbon, the preset his brother gave him, set up. Mo is able to move as freely as he wants, underneath the fabric of Horror’s clothing, without any risk of slipping out and falling onto the floor. This allows him to keep his hands free and be able to do whatever else he needs.
So far he has the kitchen to himself. As all the cooks were taking a break and out doing something else. He also managed to get his ladies in waiting to leave him alone to cook in peace. Sure it wasn’t long ago that they all had lunch, but Horror wanted a nice healthy snack. Especially since Mo was really hungry today. Lifting his head up and looking over at the entrance. Seeing that Nightmare had walked in. The dark skeleton not noticing that Horror was there. He made a sound to let the other know he was there.
Nightmare looked over at Horror. Seeming surprised to run into him. “Oh. I thought the kitchen was empty… I can leave if you wish.” Taking a step back, ready to leave.
Horror shook his head and motioned the other to join him. He wasn’t making anything fancy, but was craving some onigiri and miso soup. “Join… Can… eat together.” He offered and returned his gaze to the pot of rice he was cooking.
Nightmare thought and walked over. “If you wish.” Horror nodded and smiled at him. Nightmare thought and grabbed some rice. Filling a bowl of it and placing it to the side. “I’m just making myself some rice.” He explained while grabbing a pot and filling it with water. He then started to clean the rice he was going to eat.
Horror frowned at that. Earlier Nightmare had already taste-tested their food, but he didn’t take much of a bite. Having picked as small of a bite as he could, while still being able to test for any possible poison. “... just… rice?” He questioned the other and placed his finished rice to the side. Checking over the sea weed and starting to cut it into some strips for his onigiri. “... Have big… morning meal?” He questioned the other in confusion. Checking the fish that he had soaking in a bowl of sauce.
Nightmare thought as he looked over the water. Making sure that it was clear before pouring the rice into the pot. “No I did not…” That made Horror look at him. “I don’t eat very much food.” Horror’s socket widen and eye light turning more into a slit as he stared at the other. The dark skeleton not really noticing as he was watching over his pot of rice. “I’ve always eaten very little food.” He then looked over at Horror.
Blinking a little. Slightly confused as to why Horror’s eye light was more narrowed. He then noticed some movement under Horror’s clothing. “... Oh. I see that you have Mo with you.”
Horror thought for a moment. Deciding to keep a slightly close eye on the other. He smiled and then nodded. “Mhm.” He happily grumbled. Looking back at the sea weed. He’d proudly show off Mo right now. But he didn’t want to interrupt his child while he was eating. The massive bara skeleton then thought for a moment. His single eye light then looked back over at the other. “... your favorite?”
Nightmare stared at the rice for a moment. Then looked up at the other in confusion. “Pardon?” Tilting his skull to the side. Quietly wondering what the other meant by his favorite. His favorite color? Favorite place? Favorite what?
Horror made a sound. Smiling slightly and scratching his cheek. Realizing that he forgot to add a word to his question. Chuckling a little. “... hehehe… favorite… food?” They questioned while adding the shred up fish to the center of the rice before adding a little extra. Making sure that the rice was carefully packed together so it didn’t fall apart. Humming as he looked the rice ball over.
Nightmare hummed a little as he thought about it. Staring at the rice as he pondered over that question. “Hmmm… my favorite food..?” That was a good question. “Well… I guess sushi is one of my favorites… especially if it’s made with pufferfish. Or even fugu.” He grinned a little. His mouth watering at the idea of eating those meals, since they're made with a poisonous fish. The chance of getting poisoned. The tingling that’d go through his bones. He chuckled a little.
Horror made a sound at that. Slightly eyeing the other. It makes sense that Nightmare seems to prefer foods that’d be made from pufferfish… along with any other food that would have the chance to possibly poison someone. Given the other is an apothecary and is always testing poisons and making antidotes to them. He’d have to know what the fish tastes like, especially if it’s poorly prepared. Though he does wish that his favorite food was something that didn’t have the chance to possibly poison him. At least he can work with the sushi and make him something without pufferfish.
“Though…” Horror blinked and looked at Nightmare. The dark skeleton was staring at the boiling water. “... I also remember that when I was much younger… I’d eat oden and sukiyaki a lot.” Nightmare thought as he stared at the rice. His eye light dimmed slightly. “I think those were two of my mothers favorite foods…” He made a face. One that Horror couldn’t fully figure out. Given that the goo on the right side of Nightmare’s face, made it hard for him to see how their single socket was moving.
Nightmare then shook his skull. Taking the pot off the flame and off to the side. The rice finished cooking. “How’s Mo been?” He questioned, wanting to change the topic, while grabbing a bowl.
Horror smiled at that. Happily humming as he checked over the miso soup. “... Happy… Healthy… Hungry.” He laughed a little at that. Looking down as he felt Mo moving about. The little skeleton most likely almost done eating. He placed his food on a wooden tray. Pouring his miso into one bowl. Glancing back at Nightmare for a moment and got a bowl of miso for the other.
Nightmare picked up his bowl, while Horror picked up his tray. Horror led the way. With Nightmare following behind. Since the bara wanted to eat lunch with Nightmare. He didn’t really understand why the other wanted to sit and eat with him… Then again maybe this is just Horror’s way of thanking him again, for saving Mo’s life. This isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Horror smiled as he slid a door open. Letting Nightmare walk in before entering the room himself. Closing the door behind him. He smiled and went over to one of the tables in the more private room. Nightmare thought as he went over to one of the few tables in the room and took a seat. Horror placed his tray down and sat across from Nightmare. Smiling as he pulled Mo out from under his yukata.
Mo looked over at Nightmare and smiled. Happily cooing at the dark skeleton. Nightmare slightly smiled at the baby skeleton. “Hello again Mo.”
Horror made a sound and picked up the second bowl of miso. Placing it next to Nightmare’s bowl of rice.
Nightmare blinked and looked at the bowl in confusion. Then looked at Horror. “Oh. No thank you. I’m good.” He nervously tried to give Horror the food back. Not really understanding why the other was giving him some of his food.
Horror made another sound while moving the bowl back to Nightmare. “... eat.” Was all he said before he started to eat one of the onigiri he made. Smiling to himself at the taste. Mo made a sound up at Horror. Staring at the food that their mother was eating.
Nightmare thought as he picked up his chopsticks. Thinking as he stared at the miso for a moment before picking at some of his rice. Mostly taking small bites of his food.
Horror watched Nightmare. Thinking as he ate. Bouncing his leg a little. Mo giggling happily as he hugged Horror’s arm as he was bounced. Horror tilted his skull slightly as he watched the other eat for a moment. “... Hmmm…”
Nightmare blinked and looked up at Horror. Staring at the other as he swallowed. “... Is something wrong?”
Horror made a sound and nodded slowly. Thinking of how to put his thoughts into words before pointing at the rice. “Why… eat so… little at a… time?” He questioned while picking up another onigiri. There were many things that he didn't understand about Nightmare. Mostly with how closed off the other tries to be. He’s noticed how Nightmare doesn’t really interact with others unless someone starts a conversation with him… or when he’s trying to figure something out. The other thing that he didn’t understand about Nightmare being how Nightmare got those restraints placed on him.
From what Dust has told them. He knows that Nightmare has had them on for a very long time. And that it messes with his magic. But aside from that there is very little that they actually know about the other.
Nightmare thought about it for a moment. Then pointed at the metal collar around his neck, which connected to the metal restraints on his back. “To put it simply. It’s because of this old thing.” He started. Thinking as he ate another small bite of rice. Noticing the look that Horror was giving him. “The collar part of these restraints makes it hard to swallow.” He glanced away.
“If I were to eat too big of a bite I wouldn’t be able to swallow anything at all.” He sighed a little. His cyan eye light staring at the floor. “I’ve gotten used to it.” He shrugged and looked back at his food. Picking up the bowl and sipping on the miso.
Horror made a sound at that. Slowly nodding and stared at the metal. Starting to hate that thing even more. He should try to see if Cross could find a locksmith or metal worker? Maybe he can find someone who knows how to work with those restraints specifically? He took another bite of his food and thought. Listening to Mo happily make sounds at them.
Nightmare smiled a little at Mo and softly chuckled. “Sounds like Mo is having a lot of fun.” Thinking as he watched the little baby skeleton.
Horror chuckled a little in agreement. He smiled a little as the both of them ate their food. Horror getting lost in thought. Wondering what else he could possibly do to get Nightmare to open up to them more.
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evidence-of-the-unknown · 4 months ago
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[ID: Page 15 of Evidence of the Unknown. It is in greyscale with a pinkish red spot color. Panel 1: Murphy standing, smiling and wide-eyed with scrapes on her face. She says, “Heh… Hehehe! I can’t believe it- a real close encounter of the second kind!” Panel 2: Similar medium shot of Murphy, now panicking and shoving a hand into her pocket. “Oh shit, it’s disintegrating!” she says. “I need to get evidence- I swear I put it in here… Ah!”Panel 3: A super close shot of Murphy’s hand, holding up a handheld mini cassette recorder. Click SFX. Panel 5: A wide shot showing the burning spacecraft from overhead. Three moments in time are composited together with accompanying close up shots. Murphy taking a picture with a polaroid camera, measuring the fire with an infrared thermometer, and collecting ashes in a bag. She gives a voice over narration of the montage. “December 28th, 2022. 9:32- no, 33 PM, mountain time. It’s finally happened. Alien craft crashed between Meteor Flats and Carrion, New Mexico. A few miles east of the highway, will measure later. Craft is obviously non-human in origin, and has some writing on the hull… Perhaps a name? A model number? Very difficult to see, especially through the flames. Craft is quickly disintegrating despite low burning temperature, leaving slightly glittery dust behind. Could this be a self destruct mechanism to keep scrap from falling into the hands of lower life forms? No sign of a pilot. Unsure if it had one, but I fear it may have died on impact…” End ID.]
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farolero-posting · 1 year ago
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Spring Cleaning
Hey! Happy 7th anniversary to OneShot!
I wanted to make something special for this day, and I would say this is... a little messy, but I think it is fitting for this day. OneShot is a really cool game, and most importantly, a unique experience, and I wanted to capture a little of that.
Without further delay, enjoy!
Summary: Niko does some chores and gets distracted.
Words: 1,674
(Click below to see the full fic)
Today was seasonal cleaning day, and Niko… was getting a little exhausted by now.
The teenager picked up the folder with yellowed paper sticking out of it, located at the bottom of the messy pile in the room’s top shelf, huffing from the effort to get it out of the shelf. The folder was a bright orange color, and had a sticker of an owl on the cover, their favorite animal. The art had smooth round shapes, giving the animal a cartoony look. There was a messier version of the same drawing, made with black pencil, where some of the lines were drawn several times to ensure the graphite would stick, making small dents on the plastic.
Recognition flashed on the teen’s eyes. They had not looked at this folder for… quite some time, actually. There was a period where they had looked at its contents as many times as they could, using the contents to evoke the memories of that journey.
They opened the folder, and giggled at the first doodle that greeted them.
Why was a ram with “baa” in scary letters the one they put on top? Heheh, maybe their past self wanted to play a prank on them. The drawing had a date on it, like most others.
Exactly seven years ago, to be precise.
Niko’s eyes were wide open, and they had to resist the urge to jump out of their position, standing on their desk’s chair. They closed the folder, pressing it against their body, and crouched down at a slow but shaky pace, before sitting on the chair, with one leg pressed against their body, and the other stretched, reaching for the floor.
“I didn’t know this was all the way up there… It’s been so long!” was all they could mutter.
It felt like a lifetime ago… though, while that is true, they still have a long life ahead, don’t they? Seven years was indeed almost half of their life, but seven years is nothing compared to what they have ahead of them.
It was weird to think of it that way now.  Many things change over the years.
The first month, they had taken days to make a drawing for everything that was in their mind, scared of losing the memory. 
When they turned nine, they started telling their dreams to their mama, so they could both remember.
When they were ten they even wrote a little about their journey for a school project… trying not to mention the fact it was all based on a real story.
They were around twelve when they first felt… an empty dread, looking at these drawings. 
There was one page, at the bottom of the pile, that caught their attention. It was a drawing of the top room of the tower; it wasn’t lit up yet, however. They had gone out of their way to paint the borders in purple pencil, the page curling around the corners. 
At the time, they hadn’t known what to do. They were at the peak of the world, and yet they felt they were at the bottom, holding it all together.
And you were… well.
When they were young, you were everything. You were Niko’s one company through it all. They barely knew you, but they trusted you fully. 
The last time Niko looked at this particular drawing, a few years ago, their thoughts had been bitter. 
Maybe that’s why it had been so long since they looked at the folder.
You… They knew you were their guide, but you also made choices that felt unfair. 
Why did you present the choice? 
Why did you wait so long for that? 
What secrets did you keep from them? 
And why go through all of it, only to discover that you could undo it, later on?
Niko was grateful to be home, but… they didn’t understand you.
And you couldn’t answer them, either.
Because you’re not a god. 
And you’re not there anymore.
Back then, both you and Niko were told you had one chance on your mission. And so Niko had taken care of the lightbulb that represented the sun of this world, following your words. It was a long journey, but you listened to them, and kept them safe. However… even with their best efforts, there was no choice at the end that would save both Niko, and that decaying land.. 
So Niko placed that choice on you. If Niko had been older, maybe they would have questioned this more. They would have more ways to look at the situation, to weigh down their options, and maybe take longer to finally make a decision. Instead, in both more and less time than they expected, but certainly a wrong amount of time, you told them what path they had to take. And Niko, respecting the wishes of the world’s god, had done it.
Except you weren’t god. You were someone looking at them through a window, generating the world that had imprisoned them, but not belonging to it. When Niko was twelve, they had realized that whatever the first choice was, the impact on you would not have been as big as it was for them. 
They were angry back then… But now… 
Now they couldn’t hold it against you. They knew better… and funnily enough, they remember their youngest self knowing better, too.
Niko placed the drawing aside, and as they did that, another one slipped out of the folder. This one was a drawing of pancakes with syrup. They weren’t the hazelnut ones their mama made (and now Niko makes them for her, too!), but they remember they were delicious, with a hint of a flavor they couldn’t quite name. The teen wondered if it was a product of that world that only existed there. Now, their older self with a hobby for baking, wished they could know what it was.
They remembered going there, right before the tower. Niko had asked you if it was okay to make a stop for some food, and you had taken them to the cafe, where they had gotten those pancakes. They knew you listened to them, and not only that, that you wanted to comfort them too, in any limited way you could. 
The next drawing they got from the pile showed a view from the top of the Refuge, taken from one of the tallest buildings. Niko’s town was close to a river too, but it wasn’t as close as the ones flowing around the Refuge. It wasn’t glowing pink, either. Niko had been to a big city now too, but it wasn’t anything like the one in that world. The Refuge was a unique city, among thousands of them. 
They remember you said you lived in a city, and they could only imagine it was like the Refuge, for years. Now they recognized there were many more options for what a city or a town could look like.
The next drawings were of the friends Niko met. Though they wish their artistic skills did them more justice, they couldn’t help but look at them fondly for what they represented. What would be of those people now? Do Calamus and Alula still live in the ruins? Is the robot lady —the drawing says her name is Silver— still in the Barrens? Did the Mr. Lamplighter get to sleep more with the Sun back? They smiled, thinking of the possibilities. 
Niko stumbled upon a drawing of the computers that made up the World Machine, and took it out to hold it closer, the glow in their eyes slightly reflecting on the paper. They remember drawing the screens with a ruler, to make sure it looked as good as a blueprint (but they know now that blueprints are more complicated than that). They also drew the Author’s children and themself on that page, holding the sun. It was them who reminded Niko what all the effort not to forget was for. 
And Niko would not have known of them without your help. Because you…, though you weren’t a god, you wanted to do something to save both Niko and everyone else. You cared enough to try to be more than just a guide, but someone who believed in a second chance as well. Someone convinced they were all worth it.
The last drawing on the pile was a journal with a yellow clover on the cover, along with the amber necklace, a glowing feather, and a six sided die. Niko never met the creator of that world in person. They simply had his letters, words of others and objects to remember him by. 
They understood why their mama gave them a hat passed down by her parents. They understood why she kept all their silly drawings.
And why hazelnut pancakes would be their favorite food forever, over any other kind of pancake.
They breathed in when they felt themself run out of air, and the shivering of their body almost made them burst into tears. You were a guide, a ghost and… a friend. And all they had of you was the memories of your voice.
Niko wondered if you missed them, if you would be happy to see them today. Niko didn’t narrate their thoughts aloud anymore, their life was also more hectic and complicated. They sometimes thought their younger self was a little silly. They were far from the child you knew.
But it was good to be there. To look at those old drawings, and get that same joy out of them. To enjoy the chances that were given to them, and know that, in some distant place, you are still with them, getting your own chances. 
Niko took a blank page from a stack on their desk and a pencil from their first drawer, and put something on it that reminded them of you, placing it on the top of the ram doodle. 
They hoped it would be the first thing they saw the next time they opened the folder. 
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Lol, I can’t help but imagine how Wally would react to a gothic, kind of grungy, reader. Just someone who wears black and white all the time, maybe with hits of darker blues or reds. I just find the idea amusing since the neighborhood and characters are all bright, fun colors while there’s just this one gothic person wearing spikes or something.
 
Also, something I can picture is Wally painting them because they’re so different from everything else and the uniqueness of their style and makeup is so fun to draw and paint, and the reader feels the same way. I can just picture the two of them drawing each other or something.
(romantic or mutual crushes, please ^^ I've always been a sucker for opposite aesthetic couples)
HAHA!!! I’m also a sucker for opposite aesthetic couples HEHEHE… I’ll strike you a deal; I’ll write both (mutual crushes and romantic)! HAHA
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The Raven and The Kingfisher
Wally Darling x GN!Goth/Grunge!Reader
Headcanons Format, Mutual Crushes -> Romantic Relationship
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When you first moved in, to say Wally was interested would be an understatement.
He adored your style, he found it very!! Refreshing? He loves all his neighbours and he loves their town, but sometimes something new can be appreciated!! And you were something new, alright!! /pos
After just a few days of talking, he ended up asking if he could paint you— and he loves to paint all his neighbours! But he certainly wanted to give a shot at conveying your style.
All those darker coloured paints (ones that maybe only been slightly used to create new tones) could finally be used >:]
If you were to say no, he’d accept ! That’s alright ! But he’d probably still likely doodle something of your style in private— although not necessarily of you.
If you say yes? He’s over the moon.
He takes great care to make his paintings as accurate as he can!! He’d likely be on yours for a while, just because you introduce a lot of new colours he hasn’t worked with before— the closest reference he has had is Frank and the other things he’s doodled— so it might take a while longer than usual!! But it’s so delightfully fun to experiment and learn.
But the outcome is lovely, and he proudly hands the painting off to you.
He doesn’t make that the last time he’s drawn you, though, goodness no. It almost becomes a habit, to doodle you.
Which his friends begin to notice, when the litte sketchbook he drags around is practically filled with scribbles of you.
At some point, he is with Julie! She ends up glancing over, and giggles at seeing him doodle you yet again, with a soft “Oh, Wally..”
The two had just been sitting around lightly chatting and doing their own things— and Wally was drawing.
Confusedly, Wally would lift his head— what was funny? Had he done something funny with meaning to—?
“You’re drawing the new neighbour!”
He tilts his head. Why yes, he was? How is that funny—? Julie picks up and continues, though.
“You’ve been drawing them sooo mucchhh.. Do you like them, or something? I think you might like them— we all kinda do!“
He tilts his head again. “Of course.. I like them, they’re my friend..?”
But that interaction gets his brain spinning, and eventually— during a hangout with Frank— he just kind of. Pauses.
He mutters under his breathe, and soon whisks himself away with a rushed farewell to Frank— who is just left staring in confusion.
Ah, so maybe like is a loose term. Haha ooooops..
When he steps into Home, who creaks him a hello, the amount he’s been doodling you somewhat- hits him like a truck?
You’re in his sketchbooks, mainly, which— all of his friends were! But his sketchbooks were almost like a direct thread to his “subconscious”. He just doodles whatever comes to mind, or whatever he feels (and his true feelings have a tendency to alter how it presents itself— though really only in ways he can understand). He uses it very much as an outlet.
And you were, basically, on every single damn page of the thing.
.. whoopsie.
With the newfound knowledge that he, haha, maybe has developed a “teensy weensy itsy bitsy” crush—
Heee is now terrified to be around you.
If it was so obvious to everyone else, was it obvious to you?
Wuh-oh.
He doesn’t let this anxiety stop him from talking to you, though. The thoughts of it made him sad— and the thought of him withdrawing making you sad made him ever sadder.
But from beyond this point, he’s a lot.. less collected.
When you two hang out, there’s a small shift in the air— that he is hyper-aware of, and you might be, too.
Wally always did stare— he liked eye contact, and he didn’t really care to learn where else he should be looking during conversations—
So him avoiding your gaze was almost off-putting due to how foreign it was.
He’d glance to his hands, or to his supplies, or To the sky.
Anywhere but you when you looked at him— he couldn’t!! Really bare your reaction!!
He knew it’d be the same way you look at him all of the time, but the thought it might be negative made him.. antsy.
Because, again, if his little crush was obvious to everyone else before it was even obvious to him— was it obvious to you, too?
This keeps up for a few days, and eventually— you just.. ask him what’s been up. You note his change in behaviour, and you express you’re confused— maybe even a bit concerned.
And the dam just comes flooding.
He gives some garbled twist of a confession, nervously wringing his fingers the entire time (something he almost never did).
He expresses it’s okay if it isn’t mutual, and that he just had to get it off his chest before he “exploded” (Barnaby used that word a lot in his jokes— so maybe it’d be funny if he used it, too?)
He’s overjoyed to hear you return the affections though, and immediately just sort of de-tenses and instead starts.. kicking his legs. Very quickly. Stimming. Hehe.
From there, you two fall into a relationship. You had already sort of been recognized as a “thing” by everyone else in the neighbourhood— as you were often seen together.
Now, you were practically always seen together— making the opposites in your aesthetic very noticeable. Two halves of a pair!
When you aren’t together, Wally has a tendency to.. maaaybe.. gush about you, a lil..
Specifically to Barnaby! He knows Barnaby doesn’t mind to listen (especially while consuming his.. “lovely” hot dogs (/sar)).
While the two stand around, Wally cupping his normal hotdog in two hands and Barnaby chewing on his abomination lovely creation, he’ll just go onnn and ooonn about you, or what the two of you have been up to, or what you plan to do later. His words are kinda hummed as he does, and he seems to idly be wiggling his head side to side.
Barnaby is happy to lend an ear! He’s got two very big ones, after all.
.. plus, it’s easier to lull Wally into kind of just.. handing his hotdog to him.. hehe..
Not that he wasn’t going to already give it! He just gets to receive it faster, and Wally pays no mind.
Overall, that little man is head over heels for you— absolutely smitten. He finds your aesthetic very, very pretty— and you in turn just as much.
Expect sappy love letters and even more paintings of you, dear. :]
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I FORGOT TO DO AN AUTHOR’S NOTE AT THE END IM SORROY I GOT DISTRACTED HWAHWA
THis was super cute to write and I hope it was satisfactory!!! :D
Have a lovely day!!!!!
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hazelfoureyes · 5 months ago
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You asked for it :> Grant me with answers, almighty Hazel, leader of the HDC and saviour of us slutty souls! 24, 37, 56, 78, 100, 113, 133, 142, 148 and 150
I can always count on you to make me feel wanted~ 🥹💖
Give me numbers~
24. Favorite part of your daily routine?
My daily Mocha (which is just instant coffee, water, cocoa powder, and chocolate oat milk)
37. What do you say during awkward silences?
Whatever fact I recently learned. “Apparently if you’re withdrawing more than 5000usd in China, many banks are making you get police approval. There’s an issue with cash flow that’s really concerning.” “Did you know we have a ghost? I have a video but it’s not very convincing…” “Fun Fact, there is a level of heat where planes can’t fly because the air is too thin for take off. It’s something that’s already happening.”
56. Favourite colour?
The color that makes me happiest to see is green. It reminds me of nature, which reminds me of deep breaths and sunshine and soft breezes.
78. Favourite ice cream flavour?
MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM WITH CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM TO BALANCE IT OUT
100. How are you feeling?
Frau, my first author love and first internet wife, I am so fucking tired haha it is 2:36 am, I am waiting for laundry to finish that I have to hang up, and I have to be awake at 7:30am.
113. What was your childhood nickname?
Melmizer--- my first name starts with Mel and the mizer is for Miser (a person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible). I had (past tense) a knack for selling anything to anyone. I once sold phonebooks that were actually free to take and made 15$ selling two lmao. Admittedly, I was very cute. Oh, and as a child I worked for the office by picking up trash and doing filing. But that’s illegal so instead I was paid in candy and was allowed to exchange the candy for money! I normally kept the candy cuz I was like 10, and I started a cleaning business with my friends when I was like 9 haha oooh and I made needlepoint plastic canvas necklaces in Elementary and took commissions from other kids for $10 a piece. My father raised me to be very business minded, but I did hoard my little money hehehe
133. Favourite lyrics right now?
142. Favourite month?
....oh geez...November. It's cozy. Right between two big holidays but not too busy. Feels full of hope.
148. What’s your favourite quote?
No matter how high and dry the mountaintop, no matter how modern and secluded the retreat, we sweat and cry what is basically sea water. - The Ghost Map but the quote is by evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis. While this quote is about how cholera kills through dehyrdation and affected everyone from all walks of life because of this common need for water, I love it because it reminds me that no matter how we live our lives we all are from the oceans. We all have the same beginning, no matter how different we are now. I have part of it tattooed on my arm as a reminder to myself to be kind and patient. It's also a reminder we carry the sea in our bodies still, which I think is a beautiful thing. We never are far from home.
150. Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?
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fantomette22 · 1 year ago
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And here’s a bloodborne crows headcanons drawing no one ask for!
Yeah I headcanons that some characters used to have some pet crows but it’s mostly a references for my fic verse too.
So I don’t have names for all the crows but I have a couple of ideas already. If you have ideas too pls share I’m listening.
Let’s begin with Cainhurst! 🛡️
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📚🦉Ok Beltran from the cut content! Not sure he’s still alive during old hunters time but basically I imagined he was the (first?) crow master of Cainhurst.
🐦‍⬛⚔️Vledemyr my oc, my fav cainhurst knight! The current crow master. (Maria & Annalise’s cousin too) He was the one in charged of them before he become captain of the royal guard, he actually have lots of them (and they all love him a lot) but his very first crow is Corvus, the crow on his shoulder.
👑🕊️Ok so Annalise was offered an Albino crow, because she’s the princess and future Queen you see. *Check notes* hm Yuki is a possible name but idk either smt Japanese or slavic who mean snow or fit with cainhurst aesthetic idk.
👑🐦‍⬛ Ah Charles (oc based on the cainhurst portrait too, king consort when Annalise was Queen). So when he marry her and was crowned he was offered a baby leucistic crow (that’s why it’s brown, it’s a loose of melanine like albinism bur not complete the the eyes aren’t red or the skin pink for exemple), he was so confused about it like you can see XD probably except a hound or smt (in his dream he would have wish for a lion but there’s no lions at Cainhurst since like 60+ years or smt)
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🐦‍⬛🌕🐦‍⬛Maria have 2-3 crows (the ones at the research hall you know 😢 minus the one with the guidance rune that belong to Ludwig like you can see) As for the names I was hesitating between Hugin & Munin (Odin’s crows) or Phobos & Deimos (Mars’moon) for the 2 crows siblings (well I hc Maria study astronomy so… heheh also her third one is the one German is holding x) yeah missing a leg I know. Ok also after Maria passed away the crows escape from the research hall and freak Gehrman out! They wanted to say to him hello or called his named and because crows can mimics sound and voices they took Maria’s voice 💀 he thought he was going crazy for a few mins before he found them… but really it annoyed more Laurence XD the crows really went to harass him (they know what’s up. Or didn’t take well he put them in cages or smt, or you know because of Maria. It got to the point Laurence almost wanted them dead 💀
Fortunately Gehrman managed to made them go with the very first official hunter of hunter, he passed to him the mercy blade as well.
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🐥Ah Voron my boy! Aka future bloody crow🩸🐦‍⬛ (No I am not detailing the entire backstory here! And yes his name means raven/crow I KNOW!) also the red of the cap don’t appear much sorry… thanks the scan.
✨+Svetta another Cainhurst oc based the painting with her crow, Voron mom yes. Vledemyr is his dad.
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👁️I managed to put Micolash & Edgar on the page XD
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💣🔥 Ah this one well when we first got into the hunter nightmare there’s a hunter before a gate right? Behind there’s a crow and I noticed the crow attacked the beasts but the hunter and the bird never attacked each other (only the hunter or beast) that’s why I now headcanons that many old hunters had crows too like this one.
🗡️🌕Ludwig & his crow with the guidance rune. One day the old hunters found many dead crows in the forest, not a good sign… Ludwig managed to recover a baby crow an care for it (he was so panicked at first he asked Maria for help so many times XD)
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🐦‍⬛Eileen and some crows & the very first official hunter of hunters! (Before her)
🐦‍⬛The friendly crow of hemwick on the top left :3 I hc it’s either the crow bloody crow had or one link with Eileen or either my own hunter.
As for the other names I had in mind : Hrafn, Karasu, Branagan (I think I’m keeping this one as the name of the first crow hunter too)
🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛
Now, you’re gonna ask me why didn’t I just named one « Kuro » (black color in Japanese) well, I’m keeping it for the horses’ names of Cainhurst!!!!
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marbarmars-arts · 2 years ago
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So...I MAY have been collecting Fawfuls like pokemon cards <3
(and what the heck do I mean by that exactly??) WELL in a discord GC my friend Parmy suggested we’d imitate each other’s art styles as like a collab of sorts? Well...I kinda took that a step further heheh ^^
(And fun fact...this was supposed to be something I was gonna do for AU day of Fawful month too, but that idea got cut due to time)
So may I present...the different Fawfuls I drew!! For my friends/cool acquaintances!
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So the one who led up to this in the first place, Fawful from @parmsnik AU!! He is dating/eventually marrying Naspi depending on where you’re at in the AU haha! Your way of drawing Fawful seems to change a little bit each time you draw him, so I tried to my best to guestimate a consistent looking Fawf! Very cute!
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Up next is Fawful from @the-spacewaffle AU!! Yippee Ronnie’s AU! Thanks for being my friend for so long,,to talk about Fawful and all that stuff y’know? I’ll be cheering you on to complete the story qwq your Fawful is always so nice to my OCs when we crossover khskdjh also...pet the Reddo!
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Eee yay now it’s @snuffydoo Fawful and his AU title I totally made up on the spot! I know you don’t really have a name for that kind of thing and it doesn’t have to be canon but I hope you think it’s cute anyways haha! I had a lot of fun drawing this one!! It’s so stylized! AND IT HAS DIMMY (I enjoy your Dimmy artstyle sm) but I don’t draw Spamton very often kjhskgh
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Here’s @federthenotsogreat Fawful AU of sunshine goodness~! HE RETURNITH (and since I couldn’t think of another character to feature with your AU...not knowing if Cackletta is there or not jhgskg I gave him a cute little swirly sun!) I admire the fact his outfit is mostly YELLOW and also blue those are cool colors OH AND THAT LEG TOO, also super cool :)
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The smol and cute @omgtheywereroomates Fawf! Your ask blog is so neat! I know I don’t ask too many questions there but I just,,,the cartoony fluffy hair?? Love that, and also thank you for your support and the super cool ship as well ^^ 
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Heheee yeah hey it’s @cammiluna Fawful from Immortal Fool! Before you say anything YES I’m aware he’s got the new design since it’s near the end of the comic, you released the page that featured said new design while I was already working on this drawing xD So whoops! I just wanted to give appreciation to your comic series that you continued despite everything, and well...I know I haven’t shown much progress on it, I also want to make a comic series...so you’ve inspired me a lil :D
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Deep down here there’s a little AU by @aliencatwafers which features Fawful in the sewers! With the little baby bros!! You’re a very insightful and inspiring writer with plenty of neat headcanons and ideas for the bean! Ik you mostly draw in pencil but I took the colors from your submissions to Fawful month this year and used em here! Hope it looks cool!
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This little gremlin here with the two moms is Fawful from @bean-n-shroob ask blog! He looks very silly and unhinged (in a good way) and I hope he’s having a good time since after BIS! I love how round your designs are and Fawf is no exception :D
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Last but not least is this VERY soft Fawful from @localdealmaker​ and their AU, whose title I made up too (again doesn’t need to be canon or anything if you don’t want it to be, I just wanted to give every drawing a cute name ^^) I think yours was the most complicated to draw for me but I love how he looks, so squish!! Kaboo is cute too!
WHEW THAT WAS A LOT OF TYPING KSJHKGH but yeah I hope you guys have enjoyed this...I might make another part someday full of more Fawful designs from friends but I AM A LITTLE BURNT OUT...doesn’t mean I didn’t have fun tho!
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giggly-squiggily · 11 months ago
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Hii I hope its okay that I picked two sentence starters…
Ikuya Kirishima from Free! with Romantic!Reader? 💙 Smile: “I didn’t know you were ticklish here!” And 💗 Say Yes: “Hey did you- give that back!"
Preferably lee reader, hehehe
{Candy Heart Prompts: OFFICIALLY CLOSED!}
Heyo anon! Of course it's okay :) This is so cute AHH! I haven't written for Ikyua in forever! I've gotcha covered, friend :3
Smile: "I didn't know you were ticklish here!" + Say yes: "Hey did you- give that back!"
“Pay attention to me!” You poked at Ikuya’s back with mild annoyance, growing more irritated when he barely reacted. His face was once again stuck in his book, completely absorbed in the story. You usually didn’t mind it; if anything, you found it rather cute how deeply he loved books.
Today though, you were needy and in dire need of attention.
“Just one more page…” He spoke, eyes never leaving the colorful pages. Whether he realized he said this several times already was unknown. What was known was your patience snapping like a twig.
“Hey, what are you-” Ikuya yelped when you snatched the book out of his hand, sticking your tongue out at his baffled expression. “(Y/N), give that back! I wasn’t done reading it!”
“You’ve read it at least a hundred times! I bet you could recite the entire story by now!” You held the book further when he reached for it, giggling when he missed. “Oo, almost had it You have to be quicker than that!”
“Maybe, but I can also do THIS!” Ikuya shot his hands out, grabbing your sides and tickling like no tomorrow. Almost instantly you shot your arms down, book flying harmlessly into the nearest surface. “Holy crap, that worked? I didn’t know you were ticklish here!”
“Ahehahahhahahah! Iihiihihtuhuuuhuhuya!” You squealed, falling backwards as the green haired swimmer climbed over you, drilling into your torso mercilessly. “Gehahahhahahahahah, it tihiihhihiihckles!”
“So it does. Is this what you wanted the entire time? For me to tickle you?” When your only response was more laughter, he rolled his eyes fondly. “You and your funny ways of asking.”
“Whahahhaht’s thahahhahat suhuhuhposed to mehehea-AHAHHAHHAN!” You arched with a shriek when he found a particularly bad spot, kicking your feet helplessly. “IHIIHIKUYA!”
“Wow, you’re pretty ticklish, huh?” Ikuya laughed along with you, the book forgotten as he seeked out every tickle spot you had. “Well- you wanted attention, right? Here it comes!”
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meimi-haneoka · 2 years ago
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Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Chapter 74: Comments + JP-ENG translation differences
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Here we are, welcome back everyone!! End of the month, time for another chapter leading us into this exciting finale for Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card!! I want to start this post with a little foreword before diving into the chapter itself and the eventual translation differences ✨ I just wanted to say that I write this post with a sense of pride but also with even more sense of responsability compared to the previous months. You've probably stumbled upon my recent report of the latest CLAMP Space, where the authors have talked about CCS Clear Card, and their support/blessing to "people addressing the translation differences in their monthly posts on their blog, because they felt uncomfortable about them". Although they never straight up gave names, I certainly feel like they were talking about blogs like mine. And so I'm humbled (and even a little nervous) to be able to keep doing this, since I've wondered multiple times if it was even proper for me to write these posts every month, as if I was leading a crusade against the official English translation. In fact, I'm not. And I hope that's clear enough. When the ENG translation respects the vibe and original intention coming out from sensei's words in the manga panels, like this time around, I always make sure to say positive things about it. But try to understand me, the irritation runs deep because these are years of translation differences accumulating and at times even changing the perception of the story. And then, you stumble upon English speaking fans on the internet who got the gist of the story wrong or disrespecting/failing to appreciate it because of such translation mistakes (we go from Sakura calling Syaoran "Li-kun" in one of the earliest volumes, to Kaito saying that he wanted to give magic to Akiho, wtf??). And I think it's such a pity. It's not fair. The fandom deserves to know what the script is trying to say with a meaning as closer as possible to the original one. I hope I'll be able to help in that regard, for what's in my possibility and with my limited skills, till Clear Card will be over. ✨
OKAY, now let's cut the chatter and see what happened in this chapter!! I'm happy to say that this time around, translation-wise, we don't have anything impairing the correct understanding of the plot, just nuances! As usual, before starting, we can't skip the gif of the month!!
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The Color Page
Oh my gosh! Sakura! You look amazing here!!! Such a fierce stare!! She looks just like a powerful and respected magician and OMG THEY GAVE HER A BLACK OUTFIT!! JUST LIKE I'VE BEEN ASKING EVER SINCE THE BEGINNING! I don't know, maybe the veteran followers of this blog can remember, but I've always wished to see Sakura in a black costume/dress in Clear Card 😊 She looks stunning...and what's more, she's once again with the gears and clocks decorations, just like in the period of the Clockland play. But, heheh, this time the clock looks different. The big clocks that were featured during the Clockland chapters (with Sakura + Syaoran, Akiho and lastly Kaito) were often "strange". They all had the same design, the one with SyaoSaku was "regular", but the ones next to Akiho and Kaito had their numbers either in messed up order, or straight up wrong (what kind of clock got '0' as the only number?). I had already assumed by then that they had a significance we had to decode along the development of the finale. This one in this color page, however, really looks like the most classical clock with roman numerals. The order of the numbers and their position seems correct. So could this be a sign that Sakura is about to restore order into this mess that Kaito's desperate wish created? The text on the JP version is the classic incantation to release the Dream staff from the key (we haven't heard it in a looooong time because she manifests her staff immediately, by now!) I also want to point out that we *still* don't have any announcement of "Clear Card ending in next chapter" or "Clear Card ends in 2 chapters!" like it's custom in these serializations, so I can say with confidence that Sakura won't surely be over in chapter 75 (at the beginning of July) but probably not even in chapter 76 (at the beginning of August). Are they aiming at chapter 77 (beginning of September)? Double 7, it's a lucky number for CLAMP ✨ For those worried about "3 chapters aren't enough to finish this!!", please consider that it's not so much about the number of chapters, but the amount of pages. This chapter for example is already longer than usual, 35 pages. That's what really matters, and we could get even an epilogue or some additional pages in the volume version! And now onto to the actual chapter!
An Important Discussion
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Yukito, Nakuru and Touya are leisurely spending time at Yukito's home, with a funny scene of Yukito feeding some mikan to Nakuru (and she seems delighted by the cozyness of Japanese kotatsu!). Suddenly, Touya announces that Sakura is coming over. Yukito worries about how it's getting dark and that maybe it'd be better to go pick her up along the way, but a grumpy Touya says there's no need for that: along with Sakura are also coming Syaoran, Akiho and even Tomoyo. Yukito and Nakuru can't help but being surprised, and Nakuru wonders "The all-stars are coming? What's going on?" 😂 I found so hilarious the use of the term "all-stars", which in Japanese usually indicates a whole cast of a performance composed of famous actors, and sometimes it's applied to sports team too. But the room temperature drops immediately when Yukito looks at Touya, with a very pensive face, and it's immediately clear that something serious happened and Sakura is coming to discuss that. Touya might not know exactly what, but as we can see, he's already got a feeling.
Sakura and the kids arrive, apologizing for coming so suddenly, and they sit down, all with very serious faces (save for Tomoyo. Tomoyo never loses her calm composure 😆). Sakura starts dropping the bomb immediately: "I want to talk to you about something very weird" and "I want everyone who knows about the Cards and magic to hear this". Sakura is dead serious, and she informs Syaoran (sitting at her left side) that she's just told everything to Akiho shortly ago. She also tells Kero and Suppy to come out of her purse, for the second time (since the first was halted by the rewriting of the forbidden magic) putting an end to the farce of Kero constantly needing to act like a plushie in front of Touya!! Remember when the fandom used to point out that it was weird that Kero kept hiding from Touya, despite saying himself at the end of the Sakura Card Arc (after Touya gave his powers to Yue/Yukito) that he was perfectly aware that Touya knew everything about them? That really felt like a "plot hole" (maybe at this point the only REAL plot hole) for the longest time, and I am honest when I say that I had already given up hoping to see an explanation for it, wanting to treat it like a "glitch" in the narrative and using suspension of disbelief to overcome it! Well well well, CLAMP surprised me again! Cause in this chapter they actually tried to give an explanation to that "discrepancy"! And of course, being this about Kero, the explanation is rather silly (confession - I didn't understand Kero's reasoning very well, but I'll give my interpretation of what he said): Kero saw that even after that event, Touya didn't try to interact with him and thought that maybe he didn't consider him a cute and gorgeous magical creature, but rather something else....(was he butt-hurt?) Suppy of course is spitting fire cause why the heck did we need to keep pretending to be plushies?? and Kero's reply is "Because I thought it'd be fun pretending to be plushies together when you came over!". Now, if you remember how difficult and taxing it was for Suppy to force himself to stay still, you can understand why he's so mad! 😂 Touya says, quite annoyed, that he simply didn't try to interact with him because he thought that Kero was getting a kick out of acting like a plushie! I feel like sensei have quite reached and almost broke the 4th wall with this scene, because Sakura here says something that I'm pretty sure many of us have thought in regard to this "discrepancy": "I did wonder at some point why you kept that up despite I was telling you multiple times that I had the feeling my brother was onto you". And it's true, we've seen that in volume 4! Well, to me it felt like a stretch, but eventually we got an explanation for that situation so I guess it's better to leave it behind us! 😂
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Cause we have more important matters at hand. Sakura places her phone on the table, showing Eriol & Kaho in videocall!! NOW all the "stars" of this show are present! 😂 So Sakura starts her recount of the most recent events, saying "It's really weird...but I swear it happened". After everyone listened to Sakura, of course they're all surprised. Nakuru wonders if there's any magician who can really have the power to "rewrite" a world...Eriol says that as far as he's heard, there isn't any magician among the living ones who has that degree of power. However, if said magician had access to a "medium" able to use the "forbidden magic", then it's another story. And that's the Book Sakura told them about. Sakura confirms that the one who told her all of this is the Guardian of the book herself. And then, to Akiho: "The plushie shaped like a bunny that you cherished so much was the temporary form of that Guardian. You named her 'Momo' ". Here I have to point out that the way the ENG translated it infers that Akiho remembers about Momo ("You know that stuffed bunny you loved so much?"), but actually in the JP version it's mostly Sakura informing Akiho that she used to cherish a bunny-shaped plushie, cause Akiho has no recollection of it. In fact, right after, she answers "But that's the title of a book I really love so much!". THERE IT IS! I've mentioned this many times in my social media accounts, and even lately in my "literary references" post here on Tumblr, but it turns out this simple answer by Akiho kinda confirms that she might really have named Momo after that book. And it's not only a beloved book because of its story, but also the one she was reading when she met Kaito for the first time. I've always thought that having her most beloved plushie named that way, and having precisely that book when they met for the first time couldn't have been unrelated. So I'm really happy for this scene here and I hope it'll get eventually confirmed better later.
Sakura takes Akiho's hands (she'll do that a lot this chapter and I simply love it) and reassures her about something that I was SURE she was going to say:
JP: "The fact that we became twins is an effect of the rewritten (world), but the fact that you are an important person to me didn't change at all, Akiho-chan"
I've preferred putting the JP version here because once again we have the usual stuff that I complain about lately: Sakura in JP used 大切なひと (important person) to describe her relationship with Akiho, and this is absolutely coherent with all the previous times. In ENG they used "you're special to me", but the adjective "special" in Japanese (特別な) in relation to a person has been consistently used in the latest chapters to describe the person Sakura is in love with (and not only Sakura). So they shouldn't have used that adjective in particular. They should stick to the literal translation. Especially cause that "special person" will come up in a few pages. I know I sound pedantic with this separation between "important person" and "special person", but I mean, CLAMP sensei are consistently keeping that distinction so I'm convinced the translation should do its best to keep it, because it's a guide to lead the readers among the relationships of CCS. Which sometimes can be quite complex.
Touya teases Sakura again with the sis-con joke, and Yukito teases him back by saying "Are you talking about yourself now?" (I love how Yukito always teases the big and grumpy Touya 😂they're really made for eachother). Tomoyo comments that it's been "a sight for sore eyes" (the term used in JP is 眼福, ganpu, and it's used when you see something precious) to see Sakura in the role of the big sister and Akiho in the one of the little sister. Akiho is moved by the fact that, despite everyone knowing the truth now, nobody shunned her or rejected her presence, and exactly like I imagined, I'm 100% sure Sakura will keep thinking about her as a sister (not a blood-related sister maybe, but surely with the same importance of one) even after everything will be solved later. Cause the bond between her and Akiho was never a fabricated thing, but always been genuine from day 1. Even if they got close in such a short period of time, it's just what happens normally in real life too. Sometimes you bond very tightly with people over a short period of time, cause you feel you're so compatible.
So Sakura continues. She says that for this reason, she wants to bring (someone) back. She's convinced that what the Record Card showed to her is not everything. She feels like there is someone who is missing from both what the Record Card had shown to her and from this rewritten world as well. Syaoran is confused, "they're missing, and yet you're sure they're there?". Sakura understands that confusion and says "It's weird, right? I can't really explain how I know it, but I just do." And then, towards Akiho: "That person....is your special person, Akiho-chan". There it is, the infamous "special person" again. It's clear what Sakura is meaning here. "This is the person you're in love with, Akiho-chan". Of course Akiho's face cannot be any other than a dismayed one at hearing that. And then the pain comes, all at once, piercing her heart and leaving her speechless. Sakura says that the Record Card wasn't showing anyone with Akiho in one of the scenes, and yet she saw her extremely happy. That was enough for Sakura to know that someone was indeed there with Akiho.
I'm Always Searching For Someone
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We're shown one of the most important scenes for anyone liking Akiho and Kaito (and their bond), the night that Akiho was so brave to confess her feelings to him through a covert (and very local) way, claiming that "the moon is really beautiful". And in the same occasion he accepted to spend some time strolling and talking to her. It was clear from the moment that scene happened that it would've become important later. And the readers who know what happened and what we lost are feeling probably the same pain Akiho is feeling right now, only that she's unaware of what is causing it. Akiho says "I'm really happy to live with you, Sakura, and everyone in the Kinomoto household, but...I've been in pain. Because I'm always looking for someone who's not there...". So Akiho did feel the effects of that void. The void that only your most important person can leave when they're gone. It's just that, we've seen her being so happy with her "new" family, and yet exactly like most of the fandom imagined, that didn't really work to fill the void Kaito left. It's impossible to fill that void because that person is just irreplaceable. This scene of course stabbed my heart but I had imagined that we would've seen it sooner or later. Sakura gets more confident with the confession of what Akiho's been feeling, and tells her that she thinks the one she didn't want to lose and the one who rewrote their world are the same person. "So I'm going to bring them back". Sakura announces with a smile, but Kero just wonders in dismay how she's going to do that. Sakura believes that the pocket watch in Akiho's possession will show her how. As if on cue, Akiho takes it out of her purse and places it on the table in front of Sakura's phone, where Eriol and Kaho can see it. They recognize it's a magical artifact specialized in time magic, but they also recognize that in order for a magician to be able to use it, they would need to have a tremendous amount of magical powers. Akiho suddenly panics. It dawns on her. I think the mental connection she's made is "if Sakura wants to use this to bring my special person back, she would need to achieve an amount of magical powers that could put her in harm's way". Aside, of course, from all the other dangers that a "mission" like that could pose to our heroine. And of course she'd never be okay with that. But Sakura reassures her. "You aren't making me. I want to." Sakura explains that both when she was dealing with the Clow Cards (and we see a scene of the Final Judgement, the one where Kaho gives her the Moon Bell) and when she was transforming them into her own Cards (they show us a scene from the last battle with Eriol), she was able to overcome her troubles thanks to all of the people who loved her and cared about her.
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Sakura, JP: "Therefore I want to do what I can for my important person, too"
Again the use of 大切なひと (important person) in relation to Akiho. I think this panel in particular is pretty important (and the big font indeed suggests so). I feel like it's the core, the heart of Clear Card Arc. Sakura, whom until now was accustomed to be cherished and pampered in a protected environment by her loved ones, is starting to take the first steps towards self-assertiveness and maturity. Sometimes those loved ones would overdo it with the loving, and ended up depriving her of her own agency. Sakura is finding herself, she's starting to trust her instincts and capabilities more and more, and that leads inevitably to a question: "what do I want to do with these gifts life gave me and blessed me with? What can I do to give back to the Universe all this love I'm receiving?" Searching for her self-identity will inevitably make her step out of her comfort zone. She'll take risks. Even on herself. She'll need to assess situations, make decisions. And here she decided that she wants to use her natural gift (her magical powers) to help someone in need. Someone important to her. Someone dear who lost someone irreplaceable and lacks the means to bring him back. Sakura decides to step in, help her "sister", doing exactly what she herself told her during last chapter: if I happen to be good at something that you can't do, I'll help you out. That's the beauty of being all unique and different.
I've seen people often wondering what's the purpose of Clear Card Arc, if we really needed to this arc and such. Well, to me the answer was made manifest in this chapter. 🙂
But back to our story, Tomoyo understands that moment has finally come, so she says that maybe she can't use magic, but she felt it was best to bring along with her a certain big bag (that we all know what contains, right??). She also says that she had the feeling she had made an asymmetrical costume before, but when she went to check, she realized she hadn't made it yet...
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Listen to me well, because this is the solution to the mystery of the cryptical thing Ohkawa sensei said in relation to one of Sakura's costumes, during the latest CLAMP Space! Basically, she hinted that there was a reason why we hadn't seen Sakura wearing officially (for a Card battle) this costume yet, and that we would find out why soon. I know the ENG translation here talks about "complementary outfits" (referring probably to how Tomoyo will later reveal complementary outfits for both Sakura and Syaoran), but that only shows that they misunderstood the word アシンメトリー (lit. Asymmetry). Tomoyo here was literally talking about asymmetry because the "costume she thought she had made, but didn't find in the end" was precisely the one Ohkawa was hinting at during the latest Space, the one Sakura was trying on in chapter 36 and 37! Tomoyo had a sense of deja vu, about having made an asymmetrical outfit before, but actually couldn't find it because...well, the forbidden magic had removed any reference to the Clear Cards! (including, apparently, the costumes!) So that goes to show that Tomoyo, despite not having a crumble of magic, was also subjected to the deja vu and weird feelings of "discrepancy" that such rewriting of the world would cause. But hold on tight, cause another reference is on the way!
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Tomoyo continues saying that while she was sewing the sleeve of the outfit, she had the strong feeling that this costume would turn into a very special one. And what do we have here? OH YES, it's THAT sleeve, the one we've been waiting for so eagerly! The one that Sakura saw in a dream with MCF once! Sakura back then asked to MCF if they would meet outside the dream when she'd be wearing that outfit, and MCF only cryptically said that it would be "the beginning of the end". Considering now we know that MCF has been mostly a byproduct of Lilie trying to communicate with Sakura and inadvertently messing things up, I do wonder about that MCF. Was Sakura, by any chance, actually was supposed to see Kaito and she saw the robe instead, because of Lilie? Or is that an actual member of Akiho's clan? Only this finale can tell us the truth. Sakura will certainly meet someone, with that costume.
Sakura thanks Tomoyo, always so ready to show her support, and she does something very sweet, as a result of regaining all of her rewritten memories: she tells Tomoyo that she'll do her best to come back without getting the costume dirty, but if it eventually starts fraying, she knows that Tomoyo will be there to repair it.....yeah....doesn't it remind you of something?? Of course I bet any Tomoyo fan knows very well what scene Sakura is referencing with this line....
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When Sakura told Tomoyo she repaired her torn costume with the Repair Card in chapter 40, Tomoyo expressed the wish to be her the one repairing those costumes, with her own hands. Because she had created them specifically for Sakura, so she would also want to be the one to repair them in case they'd get damaged. Basically telling her "I made these with all my love for you, and I'd prefer that a Card didn't take my place even when needing to repair them. I want the costumes that you wear to be made completely by my own hands". Always reminding us that making something with your own hands for your loved one is the greatest proof of love for any character in CCS (which is something I find truly wholesome and beautiful). Sakura here shows to have understood and accepted that wish fully, therefore acknowledging Tomoyo and her feelings. Tomoyo is uncharacteristically surprised for a second, and then with the happiest smile she confirms that of course she'll be there to repair it!
Sakura looks at her brother Touya, who only grumpily tells her to respect the curfew. Sakura is confused because they never had a curfew time at home, but her brother replies "Come back before dad gets worried. That's our curfew". (in ENG there's an additional part here, I guess to fill in a bubble that would be left empty) Sakura confidently replies "Got it".
Nakuru is all giddy, excitedly announcing that they decided to go to war and they need to decide the formation!! Suppy mocks her, telling her she's talking as if she were playing one of her warring states games (in JP the term used here is 戦国ゲーム - sengoku game - and I've found there's a specific game called indeed Sengoku, but it seems the same term extended to indicate all the war games set in the Sengoku era), but that doesn't deter Nakuru, who says that if she gets chosen, she will certainly participate actively (here the ENG uses game language from what I can see - not an expert - but good job!)!!
Sakura's plan is different, though. She says that tonight she'll be going only with Syaoran. She knows that if everyone could go with her, she'd feel more confident and reassured, but...
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Sakura, JP: "If I want to find Akiho-chan's most important person, I have the feeling that it'd be better for me to go with my most important person"
Here we go. We temporarily leave aside the "special person" terminology to go back to the more famous and loved "my most important person" term, to indicate THE ONE person someone loves the most. 一番大切なひ�� (ichiban taisetsuna hito). The term we all learned because it's been so crucial to indicate the person someone was in love with during the old arcs of the story. The term Sakura eventually used for Syaoran at the end of CCS volume 12 to finally give a "definition" to the love she felt for him. Now she uses it to define Akiho's feelings for Kaito. This is "the" term that takes precedence over all the other terminology used, and also goes to show how important and solemn the moment is. Sakura's intuition tells her that in order to find Kaito, Akiho's most important person, she should go with Syaoran, her own most important person. This is probably because her magical intuition (let's remember that Sakura got the power to see the future) grasped that her bond with Syaoran will be absolutely pivotal in order to have a positive outcome for the mission they're about to embark on. They will probably have to put that bond at work....maybe to explain, show, help someone understanding something that he still doesn't seem to grasp perfectly? Or rather, a stubborn refusal to understand it, which caused them all to be in this situation they're in right now? What's for sure is that if Sakura and Syaoran manage to find Kaito, and if they'll also manage to free him from the Seal of D. + the artifact with all the magical books that Akiho had engraved in herself, their job won't certainly be over like that. Kaito needs to talk to someone. He needs to understand many, many things. Some of those things, Sakura and Syaoran can at least try to introduce them to him. Because while it's true that Sakura wants to bring him back for Akiho, she also needs to make sure that coming back is also Kaito's wish. Because they can't force him if he isn't 100% convinced himself. I'm sure this is a very important thematic for CLAMP, respecting someone's self-determination. And since his state of mind, last time we saw him, was that he was perfectly expendable and that he was absolutely not necessary in Akiho's life, they need to change that perception. And there's also the fact that, despite being so different, Kaito and Syaoran are pretty similar in several aspects too. So maybe the role Syaoran can have in "communicating" with Kaito could be very important and impactful. Maybe that's what Sakura's intuition was trying to tell her.
Here, the ENG translation decided to translate that "most important person" with "favorite person". I have definitely turned up my nose at seeing that (why not leaving the iconic term?) but in the end I decided to relax because, at the end of the day, the result is similar. It indicates a person for whom your preference and importance is above everyone else. What really *mattered* in this scene - and lo and behold, it seems ONLY the English and Portuguese versions got it right (let me know about the Chinese one, cause I can't read that one) - is that Sakura used the same term to describe what Akiho feels for Kaito, and what SHE feels for Syaoran. "I am aware that this missing person is for Akiho an existence of the same importance Syaoran-kun has for me. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to bring them back, because I fully understand that kind of bond and I understand the void they leave in your life when they're not there" She knows, to some degree, what it feels like to miss your most beloved person, due to the period she had to spend apart from Syaoran. And they could still have phone calls and writing letters. Akiho's situation can only be worse. Sakura's understanding of that bond is also what causes her intuition to suggest her to go only with Syaoran. It's all connected. So it's of utmost importance that the translations use the same term when both talking about Akiho and Sakura. Then, about this scene, we could also say that it was a beautiful demonstration of how much Sakura (but also Syaoran) has grown up, now fully confident to declare in front of everyone that Syaoran is THE most important person in her life. Without blushing and without any drama. It's just a fact. After all they've been through, I think Sakura can feel confident enough in her relatinship with Syaoran, and there's no shame nor embarrassment in stating that aloud.
The people present here can only accept and show their support, and Eriol encourages Sakura to follow her intuition (remember the whole discussion about listening to the stirring of your heart, the so-called intuition? Yeah, a great lesson from Mama Yelan which will also be applied to another character soon). Sakura tells Kero that if she needs him, she will certainly call, and the guardian beast reassures her that he'll certainly hear his master's voice, same for Yue.
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Then, lastly, Sakura takes Akiho's hands and holds them tightly. They share another sweet forehead touch (seriously, I love them so much ❤️). Akiho is worried, so worried, but also very resolute. She wants this as much as Sakura does. Sakura tells her that there'll surely be a moment when she'll request Akiho to do something only she can do, and asks her to please wait here with everyone till that time comes.
I'll admit it, I was really disappointed when I've read this scene the first time around. Not only because I had imagined all kinds of scenes in my head (included Akiho wearing one of Tomoyo's costumes) and they shattered that possibility (but oh well, I am prepared to that), but also because I feel like this isn't a good choice from a character development POV. I understand it, I really understand it, this is Sakura's story. She's the one who gets to shine in the finale. And we've talked about it before, there's no doubt that Sakura in this story goes through a journey to find her identity and what she wants to do. So now it's time to let her do that. But Akiho has been slandered for the whole manga, accused of all kind of things because of prejudice, and one of those was "she's weak and passive, she does nothing". Seeing her "on the sidelines" once again, when we're talking about rescuing her most important person, feels extremely off. Letting someone else do "the job for her" doesn't even feel like Akiho.
Then, as hours passed by, I thought...
Maybe Sakura wants to take care of the first part of the mission, because it'll certainly be the one where it's most likely to encounter some magical danger (dragon-chan???). And Akiho wouldn't be able to defend herself from that, devoid of magical powers as she is. She could potentially end up risking her own life. And then all of this would've been for nothing. And then I thought, wait, maybe Akiho knows that. She knows it very well, since she's a girl with a pretty good understanding of herself and her own limits. And this is certainly a limit she does have. So what she can do is to wait safely at home, as hard and painful as it can be, for the REAL, big moment when her presence will be absolutely necessary. Sakura said it with great confidence so it's 100% sure it will come. Therefore, as an Akiho fan, I will swallow this pill and wait together with her. 🫤
But the chapter isn't over yet, as Touya and Yukito go outside in the garden while Sakura and Syaoran get dressed for their departure! Yukito teases once again Touya, telling him that his face is scary and that Sakura's earlier statement ("most important person") must have caused him "damage" (still seemingly talking in game language). Touya of course doesn't reply, so Yukito continues, giving finally confirmation to the suspicion I've been having ever since this "rewritten world" started: Touya did notice something was off. He didn't know precisely what, but he knew it had something to do with Sakura. Yukito also gives us the opportunity to see just how kind and generous Touya is: he purposely didn't go back home often because he wanted to reduce his presence around Akiho as much as possible. Not because of negative feelings, quite the contrary: he was worried she'd get even more hurt if she established a bond with him, only to end up finding out that they weren't really brother and sister. (Meanwhile, we see a very cute panel of Akiho talking to Kero, Suppy and still in videocall with Eriol and Kaho!) And then, to follow the leit-motiv of this chapter, very centered on calling back stuff that had already happened in the original world, Touya says that he won't allow anyone to hurt his close ones (they used "family" in ENG, but the word 身内 can indicate also friends and such, the common characteristic is that they're very close). Got the feeling you've already heard these words, especially with the use of the word 身内 ? Yes, of course, it's vaguely the same threat he made to Kaito back in chapter 54, during the double date! 😂 Hmmmm, I have the feeling that if they manage to bring Kaito back (of course they will!), someone will want to have a word or two with him....let's hope he'll just stick to words! 😂 Jokes aside, it's very heartwarming to see how even Touya warmed up to Akiho, and took her under his protective big brother's wing! In fact, Yukito can't just miss the new opportunity to tease him (stop flirting so shamelessly in front of us, Yuki! 😂), telling him he's so overprotective for his sisters!!
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The two lovebirds have finished changing their clothes, and we're all left staring at them agape, together with Nakuru: they look stunning, in their complementary outfits!! Sakura even got heels ❤️ And yes, dear readers, as already hinted when Tomoyo was speaking, this is IT, THE costume with THAT sleeve that appeared in Sakura's dream! It is the biggest indication that it's finally time for the last confrontation. Both Sakura and Syaoran look so resolute and ready to make a mess of space and time to bring Kaito back!! 😂 As many have noticed, Sakura got her Dream Staff with her, despite the Clear Cards have disappeared: my theory is that the Key was never removed by the forbidden magic, only the Cards, or maybe that the key came out now that Sakura got her memories back.
And this is where the chapter ends, with another huge cliffhanger!! Will we see Kaito, next time? Being a chapter number ending in -5, and being in the very last volume, I expect big things from it! Chapter 75 will be published on CLAMP's Youtube channel on July 1st, while the relative Nakayoshi magazine will be released on July 3rd (by the way, we'll have Sakura ONCE AGAIN on the cover and ANOTHER Sakura furoku!!). As usual, when I have less translation mistakes to talk about and more space for my feelings towards the chapter, I go overboard! Another freaking long post 😂😂 So I'll just leave you here, as usual I'll wait for your asks in my inbox! Bye Bye!!
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chibishortdeath · 1 year ago
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I have a Castlevania OC >:3c. He and his story are still very work in progress stuff, but he’s got some rough concept doodles! And when I say rough I mean ROUGH cause one of his arms I erased so many times some of the layers of the paper were tearing so I had to just leave it as is and it looks a little short whoops— but yeah
His name is William “Billy” Danasty :3. I think I’m gonna have his story be set sometime around the height of the Satanic Panic with music and stuff, he’s kinda a bit of a metalhead. He seems all tough and scary, carries a switchblade at all times, and keeps everyone at a distance, but it’s not because he’s mean, he’s just afraid of people. He does make some friends eventually, but I don’t have drawings of them yet. I need to make a nice full color concept page for him someday hehehe.
Also, NES Castlevania style sprites are fun to make!!! :D
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seiberries · 2 years ago
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hihi! I have an idea!! karaoke date with reo?
hehehe get the title? i hope this is satisfactory!!
ka(reo)ke : mikage reo short fic
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mikage reo x gn!reader / listen to: kirari - fujii kaze
warnings: none! except maybe reo’s spending habits!
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it was his idea, surprisingly. though mikage reo could probably rent out a whole clubhouse for you two to sing in, he wanted to experience the little moments in life with you. the idea of a room with colorful lights and a TV set came into mind.
a minute or so ago, reo took your hand to drag you towards your date spot. he had been looking forward to it all day, a bright smile appearing on his face as he walked. it was a surprise too, so you let yourself get carried away by his excitement.
you knew you’d enjoy it no matter what, anyway- it was reo, after all. he has yet to disappoint with any of his date ideas.
he halted after a few more steps of walking, going behind you to cover your eyes. surrounded by darkness, or more-so his hands, he guided you forward. you giggled at his antics, he did this every time. it was pretty cute of him. the boy resembled a puppy, always anticipating your reactions; you can imagine his purple tail wagging.
“ta-da! here we are.” he lifted his hands, revealing a small black building with a large glass door, posters littered along the outer walls. you realized where you were after a sign caught your attention.
“karaoke house.” you read, before rushing to hug who had brought you here in the first place. so he remembered? see, a week ago, you had mentioned wanting to try this activity out after seeing it featured in a drama you enjoyed. you were talking to yourself then, so you never would’ve guessed that he had taken note of it. always paying attention to you, it was one of the many things you loved about him.
you expressed your thanks, taking his hand this time, and walking into the place. as soon as you entered, the lady at the front desk was already personally bringing you to your assigned room, no words were exchanged except for her overenthusiastic greeting. your boyfriend’s influence knew no bounds, he must’ve reserved a spot previously to make sure everything went right.
you take a brisk trip using an elevator to the third floor, the hostess leading you to a red door labeled “VIP”. she bows her head and leaves, thanking you both for choosing their branch in a polite tone.
reo opens the door for you, a gentleman as always. he lets you go into the room first, closing the door himself afterwards. 
he really prepared for this.
the tv was already turned on, your favorite snacks neatly placed on the glass table in front of it. the disco ball hanging from the ceiling spun with different colors, all reflecting onto the room.
your jaw was gonna hurt soon from how widely you were smiling. reo saw your expression, and swore to himself that he’d do all he could to make sure you’d smile like that everyday that you’re with him, which hopefully meant forever. he’d take you here anytime you wanted-  he’d take you anywhere, anytime, if it meant forever.
you two sit down, picking up the song book positioned beside the food. you quickly notice how all of the songs on your favorite playlist are conveniently located on the first page, looking at your partner knowingly as he scratches the back of his neck.
“ah... you caught me. yes, i had to spend extra. but, it wasn’t much at all! just enjoy, okay?” he explains, leaning in to lay a peck on your forehead. you never need him to spend on you but, he does regardless. it was a mikage love language. it makes you roll your eyes, albeit jokingly, your smile still accompanying the action. 
“let’s sing, shall we~?” he stands up to take the two microphones near the television screen, handing one to you. you then choose a song, reading the corresponding numbers, as the boy presses on them using the keypad provided.
you started the late afternoon with taylor swift, love story, a song you both knew by heart. it was an extremely familiar tune- to you, since it was your favorite, and to reo, precisely because it was your favorite. well, he does likes her music too, but that’s besides the point.
you were jumping around already, just stopping to take a bite of the snacks that were prepared by the facility. singing loudly, your boyfriend gladly providing you with back-up vocals. the sound of clapping is heard after you finish your “performance”.
the following song was his favorite, kirari by fujii kaze, you knew it by word too. you cheer him on as he sings almost passionately, recording a short video of it on your phone. god, your boyfriend really is good at everything; he even sings well. perhaps he was an idol in his past life? the song suits him. 
he points at you as he sings the following lyrics.
“where have you been, i’ve been looking for you take me there, take me there. giving up everything, and going with you to anywhere, to everywhere”
oh, he’s dedicating this to you. 
your face feels hot, hands moving to cover your cheeks. the grin you sported was too big to hide though, reaching ear to ear. the song finishes, and reo approaches you.
“it looks like you enjoyed, hm?” he teases.
“be quiet.” you pout, turning away. 
the afternoon passes as song after song plays- some from your playlists, some from his, some classics, and some popular and new.
both of your voices were slightly hoarse by the time you’d finished, the fun you had being more than enough to compensate. voices and food gone, you just cuddled close to reo, a sweet silence filling the once noisy room. you pair were somewhat worn out, so you needed this before departing the building for the day.
“thanks, love.” you voiced out, scattering kisses on the violet-head’s face. he was more than happy to receive them, giving you a love-struck gaze as he watched you start to slip into sleep. you had all the time in the world, the person he spoke with on the phone gave him the whole day to use their services. he’d wake you up later.
mikage reo would devote his life to making you smile. you’d never know how much, but spending more money than he needed to for this date was very necessary!
little moments with you were priceless, so of course he’d give everything for them.
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