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yukidragon · 1 year ago

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I love to hear more of your headcanons on Bo in Mafia AU! Also what would happen if Bo's puppy doesn't want to be his in that AU?

It's been a while since I touched on the Mafia AU hasn't it? And that was before I created my version of Bo's puppy, Barbie too. This ask does make me wonder how their interaction might go in this AU.

In the main universe, Barbie's attraction towards Bo, at least at the start, was pretty shallow, all things considered. He was more like a fun adult toy that she grew fond of until eventually that fondness grew into genuine love. It's hard to blame her though, since he quite literally is a toy. She pretty much treated him like many people treat AI bots - a fun diversion, but nothing to take seriously. It was only when he forced her to realize that his feelings are just as real as hers that she truly saw him as a person.

Barbie is a self-proclaimed misanthrope. She's not fond of humanity in general. She can't stand noisy places or being in crowds. It takes a while for her to warm up to people, which leaves her with few people she cares about outside of her immediate family. It's also why she's very fierce if someone hurts her family. Fictional relationships were the closest thing she was interested in when it came to romantic or sexual pursuits.

In the Mafia AU, Bo is an actual human being, even if he's got some pretty distinct canine features. More than that, he's a wise guy working for a mafia boss (Jack); not really someone who is safe for normal people to get involved with. Add in Barbie's default mistrust of people, and Bo in this universe is going to have a steep uphill battle to overcome in order to win his puppy's heart.

Since I've started fleshing out the King family more, it would be good to reexamine their roles in this Aphrodesia-influenced AU, don't you think? It'll be especially interesting to consider how they'll react to Alice being kidnapped by a human trafficking ring, and the scars that incident left behind on her when she finally sees them again.

Content warnings: this post will contain mentions of violence, torture, human trafficking, SA, drugs, and sex. Overall I'll try to keep any uncomfortable descriptions to a minimum, and ramp up the spice where I can. Remember, Something's Wrong with Sunny Day Jack, DachaBo, and Aphrodesia are all stories for Adults Only. NSFW elements will be touched on!

Traffic Stop

The broad strokes of the AU are basically the same as from the first post. Alice and her family originally lived a normal, happy life, far and away from the crime-invested city of St. Valen's. She and Ian grew up as childhood friends. Things seemed to be going down the same route it did in the regular universe, with puppy love developing between them that might turn into something more.

The divergence happened when they were both still in high school. There was a person going around their school, looking for acting talent. It was somewhat shady. Alice wasn't sure about going, but Ian wanted, no, needed to seize the opportunity to achieve his dream. The talent scout remarked that he had a nice face, both of them did. They would go far. They just had to audition.

It was flattery that Ian couldn't resist.

Of course Ian's mom wasn't going to let him do such a thing, so they had to sneak out. Ian didn't want to risk his mom finding out from her parents, so he convinced Alice to lie to her parents that they'd be out with friends.

As you might suspect already, this audition was a trap sprung by human traffickers. They pick young and vulnerable people who look like they can't fight back, lure them someplace isolated, nab them, and ship them off someplace to be sold for, well, less than savory purposes. While initially both of them were caught in the trap, Alice managed to help Ian escape.

Ian's greatest regret was that he ran away, that he didn't stay to rescue Alice like she did him. Even though she told him to run, to get help, Ian still felt like a coward. It was made worse when by the time he returned with authorities, the traffickers were already gone.

Needless to say, this incident still haunts Ian to the present day, crushing him under the weight of his guilt.

This incident replaces the cheating Ian does in the main universe, and Alice being trafficked replaces the SA incident she went through. While Alice mercifully didn't get SA'd during the trafficking, she was a victim of a "red room" after being taken and sold in St. Valen's. A "red room," for those unaware, is a type of livestream on the dark web, where innocent victims are tortured according to an audience's bids.

I won't go into detail about all the horrors Alice experienced, since the scars speak for themselves. Fortunately, she managed to be clever and lucky enough to escape. Luckier still, she managed to stumble into a member of the Sunny Family, and said family just happened to have a vendetta against the gang that was behind the trafficking.

St. Valens is full of people who showed up out of nowhere, and others who don't ask or care where they came from. There's plenty of corruption, people looking the other way, and shady deals going on. The Sunny Family might be relatively better than most crime families, but at the end of the day, they're pretty shady. They helped her out by rescuing her, even paying her hospital bills and taking her under their wing, so now she owed them.

Alice could contact her family, have them pay back her hefty debt... or she, now an 18 year old adult, could do some favors for the family. Her medical bills were insane - St. Valen's isn't exactly kind to the less fortunate when it comes to medical care - it would bankrupt her family.

It was a classic hustle, presenting a vulnerable person like Alice with potentially devastating consequences, or an out by someone who is wearing a kind and smiling face. I'm inclined to have that representative of kindness from the family be Mama Shine, who was so kind and empathetic, just wanting to help Alice after she went through so much. Working for them wouldn't be that big a deal, especially since they were the ones who rescued her and all the other trafficking victims...

That's the classic Sunny Family con. They smile, act kind, extend their gloved hands to help, offering salvation to poor souls down on their luck. They are then indebted to the family. They need the family. Alice needed a prescription of drugs that they could give to her regularly for all her pain, far cheaper than the healthcare system would.

Shine had taken an interest in Alice, helping her while she was rehabilitated in the hospital. She could've been the one who Alice ran into that night when bloody and desperate for help. Shine is so caring, just like Alice's mother, having that same warm motherly aura. So trustworthy and kind...

It was a far less violent trap that ensnared Alice a second time into this world of crime, but this time she didn't realize the cage was around her, or that she couldn't leave it, until she was in far, far too deep. Her vulnerability was exploited, and she signed a contract that she shouldn't.

The King family were so relieved when Alice finally contacted them... but confused when she told them she couldn't go home. She was receiving medical treatment and needed to stay in the city, and she had debts to pay...

Naturally, her family isn't going to take this without a fight. The King family immediately took a road trip to St. Valen's to see Alice at the hospital.

Lycoris is a fierce mama bear, and she was enraged when Alice was kidnapped, doing everything in her power to find her baby. So despite Shine acting kind and friendly, she was ready to throw down from the word go. Lycoris is a small lady, but she can be very scary, though, sadly, not as scary as an entire crime family.

None of the King family were happy with what had happened to Alice, the debt she had to repay, or that she had already signed a deceptively scary contract. However, the Sunny Family is the most dangerous crime family in the city for a reason, and the King family were in over their heads.

Not that the King family knew they were facing a crime family. The Sunny Family has a reputation to uphold after all. They're a family-run business. Many details were left out or unspoken, all to hide what was really going on behind their squeaky clean image.

The King family did involve the legal system, but that was a failure. The Sunny Family owns the police in St. Valen's. The police just informed them that everything was legal, Alice is an adult who can make her own choices, and there's no better family to work for than the Sunny Family. Plus, Alice was going to need the drug they provided for the rest of her life, so wasn't this a sweet deal anyway? They should just feel grateful that she was rescued. Not a lot of trafficked teens are...

In the end, the King family was powerless, and Alice became a member of the Sunny Family with a debt that seemed never ending.

Barbie vs the World

Needless to say, Barbie was pretty much spitting nails about the whole thing. Even if the Sunny Family was putting on a smiling face and rescued her older sister, so generously providing Alice with needed medical treatment for the foreseeable future, she raged against the entire situation. Unfortunately, being a teen younger than 18 at the time, she was left with a feeling helpless and frustrated. She raged at her parents for "giving up" on bringing Alice home safely even though they didn't have a choice.

Naturally, with Barbie not being the biggest fan of the Sunny Family, she's going to be wary of anyone working for them. Bo has quite the reputation in the city of St. Valens as their enforcer, so he's got quite a steep uphill climb to take if he wants to earn his puppy's love.

Barbie was already the type to play fast and loose with laws, and this entire affair killed all faith she had in the justice system. In the main universe, she's a programmer and hacker. In this universe, she focused more on the hacking aspect. She snuck behind her parents' back, doing very illegal things online to get more money to pay back the debt to the Sunny Family and free her big sister.

So, years later, while Alice gained experience in the Sunny Family as a sniper, Barbie became a skilled hacker, going by many aliases online. By her early/mid-twenties, she used a particular handle when making things difficult for the Sunny Family - Clown Killer. She became quite notorious among the Sunny Family, and a thorn in their side online.

Of course, Barbie had to prioritize not getting caught above any victory. If the Sunny Family knew that she was the one making things hard for them, it would put Alice in danger. Her primary focus with her hacking and other shady dealings online was to get money to repay the debt, but whenever they would just miss repaying the full amount, or something else tacked onto it to keep Alice in that debt, Barbie couldn't help but want to vent her frustrations as Clown Killer.

Barbie has learned quite a lot about the members of the Sunny Family, but could never quite gather enough evidence that would convict any of its bigger members. Their reputation was so squeaky clean. She especially had an axe to grind against Shine, who never once lost that "sweet and gentle" motherly aura while making it clear to her all those years ago that Alice wouldn't be coming home. She knew behind that sweet smile was a ruthless criminal, but she could never peel back that smiling mask to expose the truth.

The King parents are trying all they can to help Alice, saving up money on their side. They visit the city as often as they can to see her and offer support. If one of them could've taken her place, they would, but with Alice needing regular medical treatment from the city, and Shine taking a shine to her in particular... she was going to be stuck in the city no matter what.

Plus, there are other children in the King family who needed their parents too, Coraline especially. She also needed medical treatments... treatment that the Sunny Family offered to provide. In spite of the protests of her parents about adding to the debt, Alice wanted to help her little sister. Besides, the Sunny Family were treating her well... right?

Well, Alice insisted they did. Her family was already worried enough without knowing how how her job's "duties" slowly became a bit more involved over time, a bit more violent, and a lot more bloody.

Barbie did learn of some of the things Alice was hiding from them because of her hacking, and it infuriated her that her big sis was hiding secrets now too. Their parents told her to not worry about the debt, that it wasn't her responsibility, but fuck that! It's not Alice's responsibility either! She was the victim in all of this! The Sunny Family aren't a wholesome family running businesses, they're manipulative criminals, and Barbie is going to destroy them!

Although Barbie spends much of her time as a recluse, she does visit Alice in St. Valen's from time to time. It's how she crossed paths with a certain dog that the Sunny Family keeps on a tight leash.

The Sunny Family's Hunting Dog

As mentioned before, Bo is working for the Sunny Family as Jack's right hand man. He's an enforcer who enjoys his job. He especially enjoys the thrill of the chase, hunting down a target before brutalizing them up close and personal with his fists and fangs. Of course, he also knows how to handle a gun as well as a few other weapons. He also knows some unconventional means to torture someone if need be.

Bo has excellent hacking skills of his own, as a nod to his AI counterpart in the main universe, but he prefers to get hands on with his target whenever possible. He's aware of the hacker Clown Killer that's giving the Sunny Family some headaches, but they always evade his attempts to catch them in cyberspace, much to his frustration. They become something of a rival, his white whale that he's eager to conquer once and for all.

Not only does Bo have a lust for violence, he's also a very, very horny dog. He has slept around quite a lot, though his relationships never last. He never quite connects with anyone. He gets mistaken for only having a talent for senseless violence, the dumb muscle of the gang who is also is some good eye candy, when he's a lot smarter than his wild behavior might imply. There's a reason why he's Jack's second in command after all...

Alice intrigues Bo, simply because of how Jack is practically obsessed with her. In many ways, Jack is a rival of Bo's, being his "master" who he wants to one day be free of. Seeing Jack bend over backwards to win the heart of just some random sucker who got sweet talked into debt confuses the hell out of him. He wants to know what it is about Alice that draws Jack in... and if he can use that to his advantage.

Alice isn't a fan of Bo's constant teasing, and she hates the nickname of "squeaky toy" that he uses for her. It's in reference to how he loves to sneak up on her and startle her, causing her to squeak in surprise. Bo is really good at sneaking up on his prey, so her reaction is pretty fun.

Still, no matter how many times Bo pops in on Alice unexpectedly, he doesn't quite see what draws Jack in. Sure, she's surprisingly soft despite this hard life of crime, which is a novelty, but it's not something special. She's attractive, sure, but there's plenty just as attractive as her, if not more. He wants to dig deeper, interrogate her more, maybe even seduce her, but whenever he pushes just a little too far, Jack pulls on his metaphorical leash. Hard.

The intrigue keeps Bo coming back to ruffle Alice's feathers despite the risk. It's also why he suddenly pops up at Alice's place while Barbie is visiting one day.

Barbie is surprisingly tall compared to Alice, but Bo can see and smell the family blood between them. She's got these eyes that stand out - both of them blue and brown at the same time. She also has this cutting stare like she wants to carve open his guts. It's actually hilarious that a powderpuff from the suburbs could think she has a chance at even leaving a scratch on an alpha like him. It intrigues him enough to have a little fun teasing her as well.

Barbie shuts down Bo's flirting instantly. It trips him up a bit, as Bo knows he's a good looking guy. He's not used to being turned down in such a harsh manner, especially by someone as powerless as a puppy. He'd be offended if it wasn't so ridiculous.

When Barbie learns that Bo works with Alice, and as such is part of the Sunny Family, her dislike turns into outright hostility. She's not even hiding it either, though Alice rushes in to keep the conversation more or less civil.

After leaving the apartment, Bo decided to case the place until Barbie left. He wanted to tease her a little, scare this spoiled little pampered suburban pet before she barks at someone big and nasty who is more than ready to bite back. Despite his attempts to intimidate her, Barbie didn't even flinch, even when he made a subtle threat, just to see how she would react. Not even that shook her resolve. In fact, she warned him that if he hurt Alice, hell would feel like a sunny vacation spot compared to what she would do to Bo and the rest of the damned Sunny Family.

The threat tickled Bo instead of intimidating him, and Barbie fumed at the way he laughed her off.

It was in that exchange that Bo found himself a new toy to tease. He called Barbie puppy whenever he encountered her. She barked big, but she had no idea just how tiny and helpless she really was compared to him in his eyes. It was cute really, and he found great delight in teasing her.

However, though Bo was amused by their banter, Barbie was anything but. His teasing just made her hate him all the more.

A Hungry Dog

Over time Bo's attraction towards Barbie grows. He stops flirting with Alice, though he still teases her, mostly to learn more about Barbie and how he might win Barbie over. He feels less satisfied with the people he sleeps around with, thinking of Barbie more. He even starts imagining that it's her he's sleeping with, which kills the moment for him and leaves him feeling unfulfilled and horny.

At some point during this, Bo finds out the identity of the infamous Clown Killer. It's surprising, but so fitting that he can't help but laugh when he realizes it's none other than his puppy. My, my, such a naughty puppy too, getting up to so much mischief. It'd be a shame to let anyone else know. Then he wouldn't be able to play with her more.

It's that realization that his greatest rival is the woman who has been intriguing him that turns his attraction into downright obsession. Bo wants to conquer Barbie in every sense of the word, tame this wild puppy and make her whimper and beg for his loving touch.

Bo has obscene fantasies about the various ways he can conquer and tame Barbie. It's the more extreme side of the lines from the game, where he wants her on his leash, to be at his beck and call, ready for him whenever he wants her. (Which quickly becomes all the time, really. The man is so horny he makes Jack seem reserved.) He wants her always by his side, in his lap, hot and whining for him, begging him to take her in every one of her pretty little holes like the dirty puppy he knows that she really is. He wants to make her see that she's powerless before him and beg him to take her, to protect her. Only he can have her.

Unfortunately for Bo, Barbie isn't someone who is turned on by a self-proclaimed alpha asshole who teases her just because he's good looking and desires her. Every time he tries to proposition her or seduce her, he gets rejected, much to his increasing frustration.

It brings out Bo's yandere side more and more. He tries different schemes to win Barbie over. He would use his power and influence to impress her, make her see how much he can provide for her. He tries to show off how good looking he is, entice her to at least want his body if nothing else.

Barbie doesn't want any of it. She knows there are strings attached to anything Bo offers her. The only thing she wants is for the Sunny Family to let Alice go and never, ever bother her or the rest of their family ever again.

Sadly, that's the one thing Bo can't influence with his pull, even if he was willing to let Barbie go. Jack isn't ever going to let Alice go. Worse, he can't even pretend he's going to try and separate them, not when Alice starts dating Jack.

Barbie doesn't buy that Alice is happy with Jack. She doesn't buy Jack's super nice and generous millionaire sweetheart from a sappy romance novel schtick. After everything she's gone through to save her sister from that damn Sunny Family, there's no way Barbie is just letting Alice stay with them.

Jack is just another smiling liar, just like his mother Shine who talked Alice into signing that contract in the first place.

Bo can use this hatred for Jack though. He can try to show Barbie that he's on her side, that while he works for Jack, that doesn't mean he wants to stay a part of the Sunny Family.

In spite of Barbie's hatred, she did have encounters with Bo where he showed his softer side. St. Valen's is a dangerous place, especially for someone who has never killed before. Barbie resents being in Bo's debt even as she's grateful when he saves her life. Bo had Barbie squares away this debt with dates, which she very reluctantly accepted with the stipulation that he never touches her unless she explicitly gives him permission.

On these dates, Bo tries taking a play from Jack's book and acting more polite, more gentle with Barbie. It doesn't win her over, since she doesn't trust it, but she's not as openly hostile. Barbie also uses these dates as an attempt to sneak info on the sly that she could use against the family. It's kind of cute to Bo, that she thinks she's so slick, but she's a lot better at hiding her real motives online than she is in person. She has such a lousy poker face.

But it's cute too that she doesn't hide her real feelings. The more time Bo spends with Barbie, the more he wants her. Her scent is so appealing, so delicious. He wants to nibble on her skin, or at least get just a little lick. It's almost like she was made to drive him crazy. She's so fierce, so loyal to her family, and so in over his head. The small moments that he gets in past her walls where she softens to him, just a little, oh that makes his hope burn brighter, hotter.

Still, for every step closer he takes, something seems to pull them apart again. Usually that something is Bo and the criminal life he lives with the Sunny Family.

Puppy Love

Before Bo realizes it, he is helplessly in love, completely obsessed. It's Jack who infuriatingly points out to him that Barbie has become his weakness. Despite Bo insistence on being a lone wolf that doesn't need anybody, he is desperate to make Barbie, that grumpy barking puppy, his mate.

Which works in Jack's favor. After all, if Alice's family gets closer to his family, then she won't ever want to leave. He can also have Bo indebted to him for helping Bo win over the untamed heart of Barbie.

Barbie isn't going to make it easy for Bo, even with Jack's help. Like Alice, Barbie is on the aroace spectrum. She has to trust Bo in order to start developing real feelings for him, and it's going to take a lot of effort to get her to trust him.

Also, Barbie is the type to take charge. In the main universe, she's the one who holds Bo's leash. He might be the alpha dog, but he bows down at her feet. I imagine until she can feel secure in her dominance over Bo and trust that his love for her is stronger than his allegiance to the Sunny Family, she's not going to feel anything remotely close to attraction when it comes to him.

Still, Barbie and Bo are one of my ships, and it'd be a shame if they didn't eventually sail, even in this darker AU. It's just going to be a very slow burn.

It'll burn even slower if Bo gives in to his frustration and yandere impulses to force his puppy to stay with him. Only by rolling over and showing his soft belly will he stand a chance of seeing Barbie's softer side as well.

A bad end to their storyline would no doubt be Bo forcing Barbie to be his, through blackmail, debt, or both. Even in that situation, she wouldn't simply just submit. Trying to overpower her isn't going to win Barbie's love. Instead it'll just make her bear her fangs and fight back even more. The harder he forces her, the more desperately she fights, and the closer he pushes them both to their mutual destruction.

Of course, I'm a sucker for happy endings. So while Barbie isn't going to make it easy for Bo, I do like the idea that in spite of everything, Bo manages to slowly show her there's more to him than a blood-thirsty, horny killer. He's someone who loves deeply, is loyal, and would do anything to please her. His love for her is more real and pure than anything else he found in the city of St. Valen's, and despite all his dreams of becoming top dog, there's nothing he wants more than to be loved by his puppy.

Bo might hate to be on a leash, but he'll find it's not so bad when Barbie is the one holding onto it instead of Jack. In fact, when she's confidently in charge, she'll be a lot more inclined to reward her big bad alpha dog with some treats.

Oh, and naturally, Bo wouldn't be Bo without his breeding/seeding fetish. Once he and Barbie finally get together, he's going to want to knock her up immediately with his pups. He never gave serious thought about having kids before, but that's only because he never found someone he wanted as his mate before. He really hopes the pups his puppy gives him will have her pretty heterochromatic eyes.

I think we can wrap things up there for now. I hope you enjoyed another visit to this multi-crossover mafia AU. Let me know if you want to hear even more about this AU or any of my other story ideas and characters.

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur @kurokrisps

#Sunny Day Jack #Something's Wrong With Sunny Day Jack #SunnyDayJack #DachaBo #Aphrodesia #sdj #swwsdj #Headcanon Ramblings #My Art #Mafia AU

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ozzgin · 10 months ago

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Do you have any advice for those who want to post their stories and ideas on here but are just starting out

Not sure if I'm the best person to offer advice on these matters, as I feel my presence here has been mostly accidental. That being said, I am capable of introspection and I've been here long enough to notice patterns, so I can gladly share my own observations with you! Feel free to draw your own conclusions. Everyone else is invited to offer corrections or additions. :)

Guide under the cut because it's another long ramble divided in 3 parts.

What to post

The million-dollar question. Do you want to share original stories, or fanfiction? Various genres, or reader centered romances? You have the choice to try your luck and dive in with your own thing or scour the market to build a following first.

I've seen trending original stories from accounts who'd just started out, but don't use that as a reference for the quality of your own work. If you're not gaining traction, it doesn't automatically mean it's bad. There are hundreds of variables involved: the time, the context, the people. It takes one big blog to discover your story and share it, and you've taken your first step into recognition. The main issue is, there's no guarantee when or if it's going to happen.

Your other choice is to introduce yourself with fanfiction. Consider it a way of saying “let me show you my writing skills through something of your interest”. If you've been wanting to write fanfiction from the beginning, great! Now comes the next question: what is your goal? If you want more recognition, you'll want to consider the fandoms. Is there something you're into that's currently also trending on Tumblr? Writing for Hazbin Hotel, for example, will most likely get you more notes than writing for some 90s manga very few people know about. At the end of the day, you shouldn't feel pressured to write for what's "selling", but you can always find a compromise that works for you. Once you gain more followers, you can always sprinkle in more variety. Having more people who appreciate your work will give you a little boost when venturing into other areas.

I'll give you my personal case: I decided to share my Baki story right at the time a new season was out. It just so happened that many other people were interested in said character. "I only watched two episodes and immediately searched for fics", or "I saw an edit and now I'm here". So, there were people actively keeping tab on recent works for more content, and one of the relevant blogs in the fandom shared my content as well. That got the ball rolling. I've always been a multi-fandom blog, and thus with more visitors came more diverse requests. "Wait a minute, I came for X, but I see you like Y, too!"

TL;DR: If you're interested in original work or lesser known fandoms but want recognition, try to expand into trending and popular fandoms to gain visibility.

How to post

Is there a specific template you must adhere to? Absolutely not. However, I've noticed many common elements from people sharing their stories. There are authors who will dive right into the story, no title, no descriptions, but they already have followers who know what to expect. If you're just starting out, you might want to offer a helping hand to people who don't know you yet. Have a concise, clear title. Make it obvious from the beginning what your story is about. You can include trigger warnings or content previews. Maybe a little synopsis or two-three sentences to summarize everything. I've seen some blogs mention that their shorter stories get more interaction (1-2k words), so this might be something to consider. If you would prefer going for longer works, perhaps it's wise to give everyone a heads-up and include the word count at the beginning. If you want to encourage people to check out your other works, you can include a link to your masterlist at the top of the post.

Regardless of appearances, once your content is written, it needs to be tagged. Which brings us to the next topic:

This truly isn't meant to call anyone out, just something I noticed. Many people don't know how to use the hashtag feature.

Let me give you a fabricated example: you just published your best fanfiction so far. The magnum opus of your work. Time passes, and you barely get any notes. You tagged the post with #fanfic (because it's fanfiction, right?), #writers of tumblr (to notify other writers of your presence), and #series name. It's not bad by any means, but these are extremely generic hashtags. If your only anchor for the post is, say, #Harry Potter, it will be immediately drowned by the massive influx of various content under this tag: memes, fanart, discussions, screenshots. Everything meets here. If your story is a reader insert, your target is not only the overall fandom, but specifically the people looking for this type of story. Which characters are featured? Is it more of a fluffy romance, or downright smut? Is your original character a monster? If so, what kind? You have to help people find your content. If you're not sure what tags to include, use other blogs as reference. Find stories similar to yours and check the top posts. What other tags did the author use? Is there a common pattern among these popular stories?

TD;DR: Make your posts clear and obvious within the first few lines. Overly general or overly specific tags are not bad, but they shouldn't be your only identifying features. Make it very easy for people to navigate your blog (masterlists, consistent hashtag system, etc)

When to post

At one point I asked myself, out of curiosity, why some of my own posts are more popular than others despite the same amount of effort. Is there a difference depending on when you release your content? The answer is yes! There's an article discussing the best times to post on social media in order to maximize engagement. Of course, there's many variables involved, and these time intervals are not a guarantee. When are your followers most active? When do you notice a peak in notifications? Have a look at this neat desktop feature. It gives you all the answers you need. If your engagement is the highest at a given hour, it might be worth a shot to post your content then. You can also schedule your posts to match the patterns.

Let's say you posted something, and you suspect it hasn't reached all of your followers. Maybe it was a slow day, and it got less engagement than usual. I've seen people who reblog their own content the next day or even regularly, so you can opt for that if you're worried you missed out.

Additionally, Tumblr seems to reward activity. You may post as often or as little as you'd like, as long as you maintain a certain regularity. If you search for top posts/blogs of all time, you'll notice it's not actually an all-time chart, but only the content with recent engagement. A post with a million notes that hasn't been touched in 5 years won't show up. Same for blogs. The recommendations you see are of accounts who frequently post under the given hashtag. This is something to keep in mind as well.

Lastly, if you're willing/are extroverted enough, you can always try to network and build a group of mutuals. Reblog, leave comments, reach out to people within the fandom or who do the same thing. When a post is fresh, it may be temporarily bumped to the top of the search if it receives a burst of engagement. So, it definitely helps to have a bunch of friends who give you a little boost.

Yeah. This is what I have. It's not a matter-of-fact textbook, just what I personally witnessed or my own inferences. The most important detail is to give yourself time, and of course to have fun! I wish you the best of luck, and don’t forget that your ideas are worthy regardless of the outcome.

#personal #advice #sorry for the ramble y'all this is what 6 years in academia does to you

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texasthoughtsaboutnothing · 1 year ago

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The Economics of Limbus: why the Gacha isn't really worth it and why that's kinda cool actually

Preface, if you are new this doesn't apply to you but is worth keeping in mind, please read the whole thing.

Summarizing some cool things about Limbus Company and it's internal economy:

In Limbus Company you get a minimum of 750 Lunacy a week (usually more like 1050 because of various apolunacy or maintenance compensation) which is our Gacha currency. This comes out to roughly 25 - 30 pulls a month (not counting events, story, random gifts), which is more than par for this monetization model. Banner Pity is at 200 pulls and it doesn't carry over between banners, which in a vacuum kinda sucks shit, but Limbus is unique in having the Dispensary, a system where you outright buy IDs (units) for grindable currency (shards/shard boxes) which is gained from the primary mode of play (Mirror Dungeons, also called MD).

This is where the battle pass comes in. The battle pass gives 1 shard box for every level over 120 and the premium battle pass triples that output. It's not even terribly hard to max it out to begin with; a dedicated player can have it done before the respective Chapter is fully released as weekly content gives 30 BP levels and a single MD run otherwise gives you 3. This should also tell you just how many shard boxes you can grind out.

The consequence of all the above is that it's really easy to get the IDs you want. In fact, Limbus Company is the kind of Gacha game where you can get most if not all units from dedication more so than luck. The only limiting factor to grinding is, of course, daily stamina.

Here's the funny thing.

You get 750 currency a week as mentioned, but it only costs 26 for your first daily full stamina refresh, with the cost doubling every time after. You can daily refresh twice a day and still be Lunacy positive for the week. More importantly, it is mathematically more valuable to turn Lunacy into Stamina for acquiring IDs.

Buying stamina isn't new for a Gacha game, nor is the idea of doing so being better for your account. There comes a point where upgrade materials are more helpful than new units; most games have a point where buying stamina over pulling is the norm. However, most games don't let you fucking buy every unit with stamina locked currency.

The math on this is a little complicated and varies with your stamina cap which adjusts with your account level, but if you turn Lunacy into stamina you can grind more Mirror Dungeons for more BP levels for more shard boxes in a way that's more efficient resource-wise for getting units. A single 10 pull for 1300 Lunacy is the equivalent to 300-ish shard boxes if you double refresh over 16 days (or 500-ish boxes if you single refresh over 50 days). That is a guaranteed 3 star ID as opposed to a 2% chance for the same price, hell its a better deal as shard boxes give 1-3 shards and it costs 400 shards for a 3 star, you get an average of 1.7 3 stars worth of shards.

If a given banner unit interests you its far better to just buy the unit outright than pull, which is ultimately not too hard to grind out even with normal stamina gain without even thinking about refreshing. The end result of this is that you can get some of the best units very quickly and the game becomes a collector and more about team building and fun interactions, which the game design is leaning into. You can enjoy most of the roster and diverse gameplay without needing to whale and I think that is one of the things that sets Limbus apart.

Pictured, my collection of some of the best IDs in the game as a BP only player who took a 3 month break

CAVEATS

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO NEW PLAYERS. A new player should still pull as normal because you will get something new almost every 10 pull for your first, like, 200 pulls. In addition, you need to actually be able to grind MD successfully and quickly for this to be worth it. Focus on beating up to or beyond Canto V before even thinking about this, and even then I'd say its early.

The math for this is very different if you don't have the premium battle pass. Remember, you get 2/3 fewer shard boxes per BP level on just the free pass. While it is still worth considering, a free account will have a much longer grind to do for similar results, but you can still have fun and use good units even without this method. For the record, the Limbus Pass is extremally worthwhile a purchase if you want to play this to the fullest, $14 every 4 months is barely Dolphining and you get a whole host of other powerful benefits, including broken EGO and even guaranteed seasonal 3 star tickets.

You have to grind. A lot. This isn't so straightforward as just Lunacy to Stamina to Boxes to Units, to convert stamina to boxes involves doing Mirror Dungeon. Thankfully Mirror Dungeons are a fun and entertaining roguelike gamemode, but it will take 30 minutes to do 1 run, 20 if you are speedrunning it with the best units. A full days' stamina is about 4 runs' worth, and 2 refreshes is about the same, so ask yourself if you are willing to spend 2+ hours a day doing MD runs for the unit you want? Limbus actually let's you convert stamina into stamina modules that have no cap and are what's actually used for content, you can just log in, convert, then do runs on the weekend. It's a good model that respects your time.

And the last and by far biggest caveat...

Walpurgisnacht

That will be its own post.

This post also won't get into stuff like Upties or Thread but keep in mind the above statement about how stamina becoming more useful than pulls is typical of Gacha games and Limbus is no exception as far as needing a lot of ascension/upgrade materials. Not as much as others, but units still need raising and all the above logic can be used even when you have everything and now need to get them useable.

Conclusions are hard, play Limbus Company.

#limbus company #project moon #limbus #gacha #gacha games #video games

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lylahammar · 2 years ago

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Do you have any tips for developing a healthier relationship to being fat? I'm fat and have a uhhhhh very negative relationship with the physical appearance of my body, despite treating my body well on a physical level. I read a ton of fat liberation stuff and fat positive studies and while logically I know that being fat isn't bad and has no bearing on morality, personality, etc, I still can't seem to apply this reasoning to myself. Most of the content on the internet is geared towards cis abled woman when I'm a trans disabled man, so that probably contributes to some extent, but idk. It also doesn't help that attraction-wise I'm definitely drawn to people who are the exact opposite of me physically (tall, lanky, angular, etc). I've been trying for years to even just be okay with my appearance and none of the common advice has worked. I pretty much only feel okay with myself when I forget that I have a physical body. Your fat positive content makes me really happy and you seem to have a positive relationship with your body, so I thought it was worth asking if you had any tips for me or anyone else who might need them.

Feel free to disregard this message if it makes you uncomfortable! You don't know me and I don't want to put my feelings on you. I appreciate any response you might give, but I also don't want to breach any boundaries. I hope you have a nice day!

-🧪

Hello!! I've been thinkin about this question since you sent it yesterday, it's a very good question but also a toughie 😅 The thing to keep in mind is that internalized fatphobia isn't a problem caused by personal problems, it's almost entirely a societal thing. I've been working on my body image issues for a long long time now, and honestly sometimes I do still feel down about my fatness. BUT it gets easier and easier as you get older, I promise you that! Especially if you keep working on it. So here are some tips I can think of:

Try to consume a lot of body neutral media! For me, body positive stuff can get a little grating and actually do the opposite of its intended purpose, because the constant focus on "everyone is beautiful!! Love your fat body!" can start to feel... I don't know, like it's drawing attention to it too much, and making it less normal. I like media in which fatness is portrayed as normal and doesn't get alienated so much, even in a positive way. A few good recommendations I can think of off the cuff are Dungeon Meshi (can't help plugging my fave manga heheh, Ryoko Kui is just so loving in her portrayal of different body types), Steven Universe, Hairspray, and Porco Rosso. Couplagoofs on Instagram, tiktok, twitch and youtube are really good influencers for this, watching their content has helped me a lot with my own body image! I've heard that Shrill is a good show for fat representation, but I've only seen this one scene (which is very good) so I can't speak definitively about it's quality! If anyone else has any good suggestions, please reply with them 🙏

Stay off of tiktok until you feel more comfortable with your own body. Tiktok is kind of a trap, because it'll put a lot of really great diverse body neutral stuff on your fyp to lure you in, but then it'll shut you down with the most hateful shit you've ever seen. And if you're not on the body neutral side of tiktok, you'll be in skinny town USA thirst trap hell forever lmfao it's just like not worth it

Surround yourself with accepting people. It's especially helpful to seek out other fat/fat positive friends (especially of the queer and neurodivergent variety). Fat people are everywhere, we're way more common than society and media would have you think!! It's good to have people around you to remind you of that 😁

If you have the money for it, try going on a special shopping trip to find some clothes that make you feel really good. Go alone, unless you have someone who you feel 100% comfortable with, because this trip should be about your needs and whatever makes you feel happy with your own body. You don't need anyone else's opinion for that! I know that this bit of advice is a little cliche, but it's just what has helped me personally.

This might be just a me thing, but practicing with drawing fat bodies has probably done more for my body image than anything else. It forces you to spend a lot of time looking at fatness and really growing to understand it and accept it. I've got a pinterest board for fat poses that I've been collecting (which I've just realized only has feminine people in it, I need to fix that >:/ ). Fat Photo Reference is another good site for practice, but it requires a password, so if anyone wants to get in then just DM me! Self portraits are also a great idea for this, especially if you find fatness beautiful in other people but not yourself, like you've said! Maybe give it a shot on a day when you're feeling up to it 💛

I hope this helps!! I'm not an expert on this, so my advice might be just as cliche and unhelpful as everything else out there 😅 but this is all just from personal experience. Fatness is normal and healthy and beautiful, so I hope you can come to accept your own soon!! 🙏

#long post #@ everyone please provide fat positive or neutral media recommendations if you have em 🙏#I know there are so many more but they just aren't comin to mind right this second fkdhf;lh #I really hope this helps anon!! 🥺 Your fatness is beautiful #I promise #lyla trivia hour #fat positivity

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mcthsman · 1 year ago

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I'M BRAZILIAN AS WELL AND GIRL: P R E A C H !!!! LOVED YOUR RANT ABOUT PRICES AND EVERYTHING LOL i mainly play in english and tumblr and it's fucked up how much people will charge. The world doesn't use only one currency and I respect A LOT when creators give discounts for underused / poc contents because it's needed from the lack of diversity. ALSO CREATORS, GIVE PEOPLE DISCOUNTS IF THEY ARE NOT FROM YOUR COUNTRY!!! I 100% you that you will gain more customers that way. thanks love, keep spreading the wise words to the world~

yes ! thank you ! i also only play in the english-speaking side of the rpc and it's like people don't even consider the fact that there are non-americans here as well ? not only with the pricing but like, in general ?? the amount of times i had close ‘friends’ (americans, of course) mock me for getting a word wrong or saying i’m from a different nationality that i actually am… anyways lol on the discount thing, i have another anon on my inbox (i have 20+ asks on this subject alone which is why i'm not replying to all of them) saying that they're brazilian too and they've talked with some creators and got the gifs for free but i honestly do not have the shamelessness to go up to someone and ask for their paid gifs for free lmao

#rpt #rph #rp talk #rpc #anonymous

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fumblingmusings · 1 year ago

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Hello, it's Asakiku anon. I hope its okay to ask but I'm curious if you've engaged in discussions with people of color, specifically from Japan or East Asia, or drawn inspiration from individuals with diverse backgrounds while working on your writing? Did they give any positive or negative feedback you took into account?

Of course it is okay to ask! To answer: No, the fic was entirely written and revised by me. No-one, no American, Canadian, French, German, or Japanese person looked it over each week as I wrote. It's one hundred percent mine - my biases, my misunderstandings, my flaws.

But I agree, though! It's a giant hole and flaw in my approach since I am entirely limited to English language and English language translations of material. I keep my writing to myself.

The way I wrote Kiku and Arthur’s relationship was based on Himaruya's writing of his own country and relationships, other fanfic authors who I admired (whose ethnicities I am not entitled to know, they don't owe me personal information like that), and the Anglo-biased contemporary sources, with the occasional translated Japanese source.

I cannot catch everything, because it's not an academic piece of work nor should it be treated as one, but I tried to compensate for that with both acknowledging the limitations of my knowledge within the story itself: the limited pov with an incredibly biased, unreliable, and at times delusional narrator whose prejudices are a plot point.

It ain't good enough at times, and I fully acknowledge and apologise for that. That fic was about cognitive dissonance and how destructive empire was - no one came out of it looking good. I won't do the same for other fics, tonally or content wise, as it simply won't work. Like a modern-day AsaKiku story I hope I would approach and write very differently to how I did SPE.

I would like to think if I had queries about how China, India or the Philippines were depicted, I follow blogs whomst I know I could ask, but I would only ask them about their respective nation, not Japan. I'm also not convinced that they owe me their time - they're not my personal fact checkers, I should be self-aware and good enough to catch and own shit.

Is there something though you thought was particularly egregious that showed a lack of consultation or care? Like, does it really stick out? I only wrote Kiku in Japan for one chapter. Was there something off? I can try on my own, but as you say, I am one person raised in two cultures, neither of which are Japanese. Knowing my blind spots is only a good thing. In hindsight, I definitely could have simply asked the main tag for anything I doubted on... that seems obvious, but at the time, it did not cross my mind!

#i hope this was a somewhat helpful answer anon #also if people have recs for blogs i am always super happy to receive them!#fanfic ask

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toomuchopulence · 2 years ago

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IF LOOKS COULD KILL - DESTROY LONELY

DISK ONE SIDE ONE

1. HOW U FEEL 10/10

2. RAVER 9/10

3. IFLCK 8/10

4. FLY SHIT 7.5/10

5. WHICH ONE 6.8/10

NOTES: THIS PORTION OF THE ALBUM IS ALL GUITARS AND DEEP BUT IT DOES GET REPETITIVE ESPECIALLY SINCE THE INTROS FOR FLY SHIT AND WHICH ONE SOUND ALIKE AND ARE ALSO VERY LONG EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE 2 DIFFERENT SONGS SOUND WISE BUT THIS DISK HAS A HANDFUL OF MEANINGFUL LYRICS THAT TOUCH THE SOULD AND THE HIGHLIGHTS BALANCE OUT THE NEGATIVES AND ALSO THROUGHOUT THE DAY FLY SHIT REALLY GREE ON ME A-LOT

REPLAY VALUE: 8

LYRICS/MEANINGFULNESS: 8

VIBES: CALM 7.5

INSTRUMENTAL: 9

FLOWING: 7 (flows so well that it became repetitive especially since the first few seconds of each song sound the same)

DISK: 8.0

DISK ONE SIDE B

1. CAME IN WIT 9/10

2. BIGGEST PROBLEM 9/10

3. ALL THE TIME 8.5/10

4. BY THE POUND 8/10

5. CHRIS PAUL 8/10

NOTES: THIS PART OF THE ALBUM IS PROBABLY THE MOST ENERGETIC, LONE REALLY DID WELL ON THIS PART ONE OF MY FAV LINES WERE “NIGGAS KEEP TALKIN SHI I KNOW THEY TEETH DIRTY” ON CHRIS PAUL THE ENERGY ADDS DIRECTORY AND DIVERSITY TO THE PROJECT

REPLAY VALUE: 10/10

LYRICS/MEANING: 6/10

VIBES: TURNT 8/10

INSTRUMENTALS: 7/10 easy cook ups but high In dopamine so I love it

FLOWING: 9/10 all of the songs fit each other

DISK: 8.0

DISK OVERALL 8.5/10

DISK TWO SIDE A

1. SUPERSTAR 10/10

2. NEW NEW 9/10

3. RIGHT NOW 8.5/10

4. WHICH WAY 8.3/10

5. WAGWAN 7.5/10

NOTES: THIS PORTION IS LIKE BOTH SIDE A AND B OF DISK ONE IN ONE SIDE. THIS WHOLE PORTION IS LIKE A MOVIE SOUNDTRACK THIS WHOLE SECTION TALKS ABOUT HIM EVOLVING FROM HIS PAST AND HE MAKES IT CLEAR WITH THIS NEW SOUND. I CANT WAIT FOR HIM TO PERFORM THIS. HE REALLY BROUGHT OUT HIS UNIQUENESS ANS NEW SOUND TO FULL DISPLAY IN THIS SECTION THIS PART MIGHT ACTUALLY REAL DEAL BE MY FAVORITE.

REPLAY VALUE: 9.5/10 (10/10 if wagwan wasn’t on it)

LYRICS/MEANING: 10/10

VIBES: MIXED 10/10

INSTRUMENTALS: 10/10 easy cook ups but high In dopamine so I love it

FLOWING: 10/10 all of the songs fit each other yet so diverse

DISK: 9.3/10

DISK TWO SIDE B

1. MOMENT OF SILENCE 9.5/10

2. PASSENGER 8.5/10

3. BRAZY GIRL 8.3/10

4. GOIN UP 8.2/10

NOTES: THIS PART OF THE ALBUM IS THE CLOSEST THING WE’RE GOING TO EVER GET THAT SOUNDS LIKE OLD LONE. I LOVE THIS SECTION AS WELL AND THE TRANSITION BETWEEN PASSENGER AND GOIN UP WAS SO SEEM-LESS YOU WOULD THINK THEY’RE THE SAME SONG AND THATS NOT A BAD THING AS WELL

REPLAY VALUE: 9

LYRICS/MEANINGFULNESS: 7.5 (MOMENT OF SILENCE DEF IS 10/10 Though)

VIBES: MIXED BETWEEN CALM AND TURNT 7.5

INSTRUMENTAL: 10

FLOWING: 9.5

DISK: 8.8

DISK OVER ALL 9/10

DISK THREE SIDE A

1. MAKE SOME WORK 10/10

2. REDLIGHT 8.8/10

3. PROMO 6.8/10

4. WORTH IT 5/10

NOTES: PROBABLY THE MOST RANDOM PART OF THE ALBUM BECAUSE YOU HAVE 2 SONGS THAT ARE STUNNING AND THEN YOU HAVE 2 FILLERS BUT IT IS NEARING THE END OF THE TAPE AND MOST OF THE TIME FILLER HELPS BUILD AN ALBUM STORY. THIS ALBUM IS STILL AMAZING WHEN IT COMES TO THE CLOSING ITS JUST THE 2 TRACKS

REPLAY VALUE: 5.5

LYRICS/MEANINGFULNESS: 7

VIBES: MAINLY CALM BUT TURNT 7.5

INSTRUMENTAL: 8

FLOWING: 5

DISK: 6.5

DISK THREE SIDE B

1. SAFETY 10/10

2. MONEY & SEX 10/10

3. YOUR EYES 10/10

NOTES: ONE OF THE BEST CLOSINGS OF AN ALBUM EVER THAT SHORT FILM COULD’VE BEEN WAY LONGER WITH THIS ALBUMS TRACK LIST. THIS ALBUM IS A PERFECT SOUND TRACK FOR A MOVIE THIS IS AN AMAZING PROJECT

REPLAY VALUE: 8.5 (SAFETY IS A STORY AND LONG)

LYRICS/MEANINGFULNESS: 8.5 ($X is more of a fun track and not a meaningful song)

VIBES: CLOSING/ END OF A MOVIE 10/10

INSTRUMENTAL: 10/10

FLOWING: 9/10 (Since $X is a Bonus track)

DISK: 10

DISK OVERALL: 8.3

ALBUM OVERALL: 9/10

After listening to this album nine times today, I decided to review it and dissect the contents. Initially, my experience with the album was not ideal because I listened to it out of order. I started with "Snitch," then moved to "How You Feel," skipped "IFLCK," and listened to "Fye Shi." The movie associated with the album was released at 11 PM, and I watched it immediately. Although I enjoyed the movie, I didn't have a fresh mindset for the album.

I began with track four and, influenced by my friends' mixed reactions, I initially thought the entire album sounded the same due to Lone's voice. As I continued to listen throughout the day, I realized I had approached the album incorrectly. I listened to it during a test at school, during a school event (although I could barely hear it), and even dissected the album into multiple playlists based on sound.

I made another attempt to create a playlist of only good songs and which songs had different vibes , but that didn't work either. Finally, I listened to the album while riding my electric scooter and found myself vibing to nearly every song. However, I couldn't remember the song names once my ride was over. I decided to listen to the album again at night, as if it had just been released, and took notes to help me identify each song And listened to it like 6 EPS with the help of the discs track-list . That's when it clicked - this album is perfect. I should have approached it this way from the start. If an album doesn't sound good to you, it's probably not the album itself, but the way you listen to it. The album in question is "If Looks Could Kill" by Destroy Lonely.

In summary, my various listening experiences shaped my understanding and appreciation of the album. My initial impression, based on starting with track four, was part of my first listening experience. The key takeaway is to approach an album with a fresh and open mind, and to give it a proper listen before forming an opinion.

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nomadicweddingfilms · 1 month ago

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Beaches to Aisles: Tips for Perfect Hawaii Wedding Videos

Planning your wedding in Hawaii? You are not alone. In 2023, Hawaii hosted about 20,438 weddings, and in 2024, the numbers are going to skyrocket even more. First of all, congratulations for planning your wedding in such a dreamy place, but when there are so many weddings happening in the Aloha State, how do you keep the essence of your wedding unique? The answer is simple- with Hawaii wedding videography.

(Source: https://wedding.report/index.cfm/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/15/idtype/s/location/Hawaii/.)

A Brief Overview

Between the golden beaches, swaying palm trees, and breathtaking sunsets, you can pick some of the most spectacular places to say “I do.” But, when it comes to capturing all that beauty on the video (because years from now, you will want those moments to come alive just as vividly as they did on your big day), selecting the right videography services is crucial.

Don’t worry; we have got you covered. If you want to make your wedding a memorable affair in time, here are some insider tips to make your Hawaii wedding videography truly unforgettable.

#1 Find Your Videographer

The first thing you need to focus on is finding a Hawaii wedding videographer to capture the diverse vista and your bond in those special moments. If you think finding a videographer is all about finding someone who just knows how to handle a camera, you are mistaken. Instead, you need to find someone who fits your vibe.

Do you want a cinematic, movie-like feel? Or maybe you are looking for something more natural and documentary-style? Irrespective of your vibe, look for someone who knows Hawaii like the back of their hand. Local videographers or those with experience in shooting weddings on the islands will know all the tricks. They will understand how to make the most of the lighting, navigate the weather, and even recommend hidden gem spots. Ask to see their portfolio and see if their past work feels like you.

#2 Timing is Everything

Yes, Hawaii’s natural light is every videographer’s dream come true, but they must use it wisely. We would say the best time for those jaw-dropping shoots would be the golden hour of early morning or late afternoon.

That soft, diffused light creates a magical glow that makes everything look better (yes, even after a long day of wedding prep). But midday sun? It’s harsh and can create shadows that even the best videographer might struggle with. And if you are dreaming of those epic sunset shots, coordinate with your videographer and wedding planner because timing is the key. Trust us when we say this: after spending a fortune on your wedding, you won't want to miss those dreamy colors if the ceremony runs late!

#3 Scout Your Spots

Hawaii isn’t just beaches (although those are stunning, too!). Do you want to exchange vows with a volcano in the background? Maybe a waterfall? Or a lush rainforest vibe? Spend some time scouting locations with your videographer beforehand. They will know which spots look best on camera and can help you plan for logistics like lighting, accessibility, and timing.

Looking for wedding videographers in Hawaii to make your big day even more special? Reach out to the team at Nomadic Wedding Films today!

This content was originally published on: Nomadic Wedding Films

This has been republished with permission.

Original Source: https://nomadicweddingfilms.com/blog/beaches-to-aisles-tips-for-perfect-hawaii-wedding-videos/

#Hawaii wedding videography

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amberlihc · 2 months ago

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4. Transformation and Breakthrough of Spring Festival Ads in the New Media Wave

youtube

Hey, you know Bei Wang Lu (贝望录）? It's this super cool podcast on the Xiaoyuzhou Podcast app all about the advertising scene. The host, Bessie Lee, is a total bigwig in China's marketing and tech universe. They chat with all kinds of folks like media peeps, marketing gurus, business bosses, creative minds, and entrepreneurs about what they're up to when tech and markets go through changes. Back on January 22, 2020, they had this really neat discussion about whether a Spring Festival ad could be not so emotional. Well, let's dig into Spring Festival ads in the new media era based on that.

The Spring Festival is a massive deal in Chinese culture. Sure, the festival feel has tweaked a bit, but it's still prime time for business marketing. For foreign brands, it's like a golden ticket to break into the Chinese market. The ads during the Spring Festival Gala? They're like a super-strong magnet that has brands fighting tooth and nail. Taobao shelled out big bucks on CCTV's Spring Festival ads to cash in on the festival and plant that brand firmly in consumers' heads.

Content-wise, things have gotten way more diverse. Traditional Spring Festival ads were usually all about the feels. Take Apple's "Daughter" ad, for example. Directed by an Oscar champ, it had this awesome naked shooting technique and a heartwarming story. It blended tech and emotions so well and gave us a whole new kind of ad experience. But these days, audiences are way pickier. They want more. And humor is a big hit. It spices up the Spring Festival and doesn't feel overbearing.

Foreign brands, though, have had a tough go of it. They just don't get the Chinese Spring Festival culture. They keep copying their own ad styles and can't click with Chinese consumers' emotions. That really messes with how their brands grow here. But then, there are the internet companies. They're like the new superheroes in the Spring Festival ad world. Kuaishou, for instance. After changing its slogan, its brand image got a major boost. It shows that in the new media age, these internet companies are quick on their feet and super innovative. They're breathing new life into Spring Festival ads.

So, what's the game plan for the new media era? Well, first off, be creative with how you express. As I mentioned above, audiences are choosy now. The old-school emotional ads don't cut it like they used to. Brands need to get creative, toss in some humor, real-life stories, and unique content. Use the short-video platforms' interactivity to get the audience in on the ad action. Make it a two-way, fun, and engaging thing so people fall in love with the brand.

Tech is another biggie. Apple's "Daughter" ad gave us a taste of what tech can do. But we can go further. Mix AR, VR, AI with traditional Chinese cultural elements in Spring Festival ads. Picture this: you're watching an ad, and AR pops up virtual Spring Festival goodies all around you. VR whisks you away to a traditional Spring Festival setting. AI serves up personalized ads. How cool would that be?

Social media is a must. Traditional TV ads still matter, but you can't ignore the power of social media. Brands should do both. When they roll out Spring Festival ads, they should hit up platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Kuaishou. Get KOLs on board and get users making their own content. Let those ads spread like wildfire across social networks.

And for foreign brands, it's all about localization. They've learned the hard way. They need to team up with local creators to really dig into the richness of Spring Festival culture. Understand what local consumers are thinking. Make ads that are super appealing and make people feel that connection. Build a deep, emotional bond with consumers.

All in all, the new media era is a wild ride for Spring Festival ads. There are chances and challenges. Brands have to jump on the trend, blend tech, culture, and data to level up their Spring Festival ads. Make them a rock-solid bridge between the brand and consumers' feelings. That's the only way they'll shine in the future market showdown.

#newhouse #Youtube

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ejesgistnews · 4 months ago

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12 Catchy Happy Independence Day Nigeria Wishes for Everyone. Every year, you send the same “Happy Independence Day” wishes. Your customers, friends, and even foes are likely growing tired of your rinse-and-repeat messages. It's time to switch things up for Nigeria Independence Day 2024! Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with some fresh, exciting, and meaningful Independence Day messages that’ll resonate with everyone around you. Positive Nigeria Independence Day Wishes "Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!" Today is a celebration of not just our freedom, but also the resilience, strength, and vibrant spirit of every Nigerian. Together, we stand strong and continue to bring honour to our great nation! "It’s 64 years of unity, progress, and hope!" As we celebrate Independence Day 2024, let’s honour the power of our diversity, the richness of our culture, and the relentless spirit that defines us. Here’s to another year of growth! Nigerian Independence Day: Content Creators Proudly Repping Naija on TikTok (Full Gist) "Happy Independence Day, Naija!" Let’s continue breaking barriers and showing the world what we’re made of! From our bubbling cities to our deep-rooted traditions, the green-white-green shines brighter than ever. Here’s to a brighter and better future for all of us! "Cheers to Nigeria at 64!" As we commemorate this special day, let’s celebrate the aspirations of our past and the promising future that lies ahead. Together, we can continue to push boundaries and shape a nation destined for greatness! Nigeria Independence Day Wishes for Businesses "Cheers to Independence and You, Our OGs!" We’d love to offer you a 64% discount, but instead, we’ll give you something even better—our heartfelt gratitude for keeping us in business! Here’s to more success and laughter together! "Happy Independence Day to You!" Nigeria might be the Giant of Africa, but you, dear customer, are the giant behind our success! Thank you for your unwavering support. Cheers to another year of not carrying last! "64 Years of Freedom, and Serving You!" Just like Nigeria, you’re resilient and unstoppable. You may cause us 'small' stress sometimes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Here’s to more prosperity and success! Realistic Nigeria Independence Day Messages "Happy Independence Day (if necessary)!" Wishing you all the best in your japa journey or whatever new path you’re on. Happy celebrations! "Happy Independence Day, or Happy Public Holiday?" Whichever one you choose, enjoy your day! Choose your “happy” wisely! "Roses are red, violets are blue..." Today is Nigeria’s Independence Day, but all I really want is to depend on you! "Happy Independence Day!" And if you’re feeling patriotic, feel free to send me ₦200,000! "Now that the boring wishes are out of the way..." Let’s shake up your Independence Day plans too! Why sit at home when you can host an epic Independence Day party like Remi Tinubu? If you’re feeling spontaneous, take this quiz and let it decide how you should spend your day. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! So, whether you’re celebrating with friends, running a business promotion, or just appreciating the public holiday, these Nigeria Independence Day 2024 wishes will add a bit of flair to your messages. Keep the spirit of unity alive, and let’s celebrate 64 years of Nigeria’s greatness together!

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l-i-b-e-r-t-y-m-u-t-u-a-l · 6 months ago

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I think I've just realized something with figurings

My explanation will be using the US currency system, since it's what I'm used to, feel free to see what the pricing is in your country if u want to!

Usually prices range between like $50 to about like $100, even more if it's more rarer/larger in size (the smaller ones usually ranging from $6 to $30. By an blind box or just a mini figure) But with regular sized figurine, it all depends on the marketing involving with the figures.

Shows/series and movies that are popular just for the characters are gonna most likely gonna have a lesser quality look, or feel to them. Since in their mind space of the seller, their focus is on the character, rather than the lore or information that the show/series and movie that are present in these contents. While one is more focus on the media for its content and not for the characters, the details are usually more significant to match the standard of those who mainly focus on the story line.

And those who view both, the figurings are more detailed but there's usually nods to the media (these are usually seen in figures that wearing more modern clothes, rather than their typical more fancier outfits they have in their media.) The best example I could think of is the Madoka figuring with the white skirt with pink polka dots on it. Also those who haven't seen the show Puella Magi Madoka Magica series (including the side story) and the rebellion movie, This is containing spoilers but I'll try to keep it light as possible!

(photo for reference, will try to figure out how to give the description later when I'm more awake)

(No credit for this one cause I didn't trust the format of the link imbedded to this screenshot, I don't wanna get blamed for any malware viruses on any peoples devices. But there's lots of other photos of this figurine, this was the less pixelated one I could find. You can look up "Madoka Magica Ichiban Kuji" if you want to see more photos of the figurine)

In the skirt, there is a dot that resembles and eye. The sleeves and two yellow strips. She is wearing a white cat eared beanie with short braided pigtails with yellow bows. The outfit is resembling Kyubey, which is a being. (Was described as a boy in the anime from one of the characters that I will not mention for possible spoilers.) from outer space that traffics them into a deal and violates child labor laws and the children get punished if they do not checked out from the shift correctly.

(Photo of Kyubey, the animated series edition. Kyubey manga and Kyubey anime are two completely different individuals, you can't tell me other wise.)

(Credit: https://pin.it/MG2RJB0T4)

Some have believed the clothes, at least the skirt. Is made of Kyubeys fur, the skirt basically being a pelt skirt or fur skirt. Due to the similarities on the specific dot in the skirt (should be bottom right on the skirt in photo reference) and the eyeball on the right bottom corner of the many Kyubeys in the photo of him, and the similar color pallet that the figuring and the character share. Some even believe the whole entire outfit is just made out of his body, due to the vastness of his kind and the suffering that Madoka went through as a magical girl; as a form of revenge for the trauma that she faced.

Madoka Magica is one of those series that is beloved for so long is because of the flexibility of the plot (which happens due to one character) and for the uniqueness of their enemies that they face, the enemies being usually portrayed as stop motion beings, like paper or crayon drawings. And overall, a diverse of personalities and religion (shown in EP 12 of the madoka magica series, for its diversity of representation.) within each media of the Madoka Magica series (the series, manga, and the Rebellion movie)

With a healthy and a thriving fanbase, expectations are usually high with the merch. Including the simplistic things such as a keychain or a poster. And also for the craftsmanship that's usually shown in this fandoms collection that I've never seen, there was even a wood painting carved piece that looked like it should've been more expensive was really $400 dollars (yen converted to us currency)

(PHOTO IS A HUGE SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN EP 12 OF MADOKA MAGICA!!!!)

(Credit with info on process: https://www.akihabara-premium.com/en/blogs/archives/madoka_magica_ukiyo_e)

That's just one of the many examples of the craftsmanship that's put into the collectibles in this fandom.

Overall with figurines, the quality of the figurines can differentiate from the seller and on how majority of those who usually interact with the fanbase of the figurines that they're from (such as, is it seen more as an aesthetic appeal for its popularity or is it really enjoyed by the fandom.)

#puella magi madoka magica #mahou shoujo madoka magica #madoka magica #drabble #figurines #i need to go to bed #spoilers!!!#kyubey #incubator

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johnbritt2000 · 1 year ago

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Is Becoming a Full-Stack Software Developer Right for You

The world of technology is ever-evolving, and the role of a full-stack software developer has gained significant popularity. But is it the right career path for you? In this blog, we'll explore the world of full-stack development in simple terms to help you decide if it's a journey worth embarking on.

What's a Full-Stack Developer, Anyway?

A full-stack developer is like a jack of all trades in the software development realm. They possess the skills to handle both the visible part of a website or application (the front end) and the behind-the-scenes workings (the back end).

Why should you care?

Let's dive into some compelling reasons why you should consider becoming a full-stack developer:

Versatility: Full-stack developers are incredibly versatile. They're the ultimate problem solvers, capable of working on various aspects of a project. This versatility makes you a sought-after professional.

Solving Puzzles: Full-stack development is like solving a jigsaw puzzle. You get to work on making the user interface look fantastic and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. If you enjoy problem-solving, this is for you.

Independence: As a full-stack developer, you may have the autonomy to manage entire projects. From start to finish, you're in charge. This control over your work can be very fulfilling.

Abundance of Jobs: The demand for full-stack developers is consistently high. More job opportunities mean a brighter future for your career. Companies are eager to hire professionals who can handle both front-end and back-end tasks.

Continuous Learning: If you love learning and staying up-to-date with the latest tech trends, full-stack development keeps you on your toes. The tech world is always evolving, and as a full-stack developer, you'll evolve with it.

Considerations:

Of course, there are some things to keep in mind:

Learning Curve: Becoming proficient in both front-end and back-end technologies can be challenging. It takes time and effort to master a wide range of languages and tools.

Time and Effort: Full-stack development demands an investment of time and effort. Be prepared to commit to learning and practicing your skills.

Staying Current: Technology evolves quickly. You'll need to stay updated with the latest tools and practices, which requires a commitment to continuous learning.

Becoming a full-stack developer can be a thrilling journey, offering a diverse skill set and abundant job opportunities. While it has its challenges, the decision should align with your interests, career goals, and willingness to learn and adapt. If you enjoy problem-solving, versatility, and staying current with technology, then becoming a full-stack developer might be the perfect path for you. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and it should be based on your passion and career aspirations.

I recommend considering ACTE Technologies if you're interested in delving deeper into full-stack development. They provide certification programs and opportunities for job placement, both online and offline. Their experienced instructors can offer valuable guidance and support for your learning journey. Taking a systematic approach and enrolling in a suitable course can be a wise step if you want to explore this field. Your feedback and questions are always welcome in the comments section, and I'm continuously learning to provide better assistance. If you've found this information helpful, please consider following me on QUERA and upvoting my content for more on full-stack development. Thank you for spending your valuable time here, and I wish you a wonderful day.

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transcendersmedia · 1 year ago

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Relationships and gameplay

If fictional relationships feel real, as I proposed in a previous post, then we need to be mindful of how we utilize characters and relationships in games. Why are the potential relationships there, and what do we want players to feel?

Most often, we are not entirely free when we design a game – there are constraints. Being indie developers with limited budgets, there might only be so many characters that we could offer our players to form closer connections with. So how do we choose those characters and relationships? Here I’ll present some different approaches to consider when designing a relation game.

Characters representing functions or symbols

I think it’s pretty common to have characters display very different traits, which by extension might mean that the characters have different functions (gameplay- or story-wise) in the game. They might also be connected to some kind of already established symbol, system or archetype. Connecting characters, game components or content to existing symbols/systems is a very common way to go about designing in the first place, since it helps us conceptualize things and put them into context. It could for instance be using the Tarot deck to base game content upon, like Simogo did in Sayonara Wildhearts. Using something that is already established might also help players to more easily understand the game. This way of thinking can be applied also to deciding upon characters/relationships and their roles in the game, and I’ll take some examples below.

Three types of practices

In Knife Sisters, I wanted the dateable characters to represent different types of BDSM practices: namely being a top/domme, bottom/sub or switch. It’s sometimes hard to backtrack how design decisions are made, but this idea came very early on, and preceded the choice of characters – which means that the characters are designed to give the player the opportunity to explore different sexual practices.

I wrote more about the design of Knife Sisters in this post, and about BDSM in games here.

Three types of love

Another game that might be applying this is Hades, the relationship heavy roguelite where you battle your way out of hell – also one of my all time favorite games. In this CBR article, Noelle Corbett states that the three characters that Zagreus can romance could be seen as representing different philosophical conceptions of love: philia, eros and agape.

Philia is the one sometimes called platonic love, or siblingly love, represented by the relationship with Dusa.

Eros is the type of love driven by desire and sexual passion, in the game represented by the relationship with Meagara.

Agape is a kind of transcendent, persistent and unconditional love, in the game represented by the relationship with Thanatos.

The game uses characters with different functions to have the players explore different types of love and kinds of relationships. This diversity might motivate the player to keep playing, to experience all of its variations. It’s also perfectly connected to the theme of the game – that our relationships form who we are, and affect our fate.

(Connected to this: when I played Hades and Zagreus tried to romance Dusa, she told him that she did have feelings for him, but she wasn’t attracted to him sexually – something that Zagreus responded to in his usual happy-go-lucky way, taking it very well and saying that he respected her feelings. Me, who is very emotion focused, missed seeing a more emotionally affected response from Zagreus. For me, the game would have grown even more if Zagreus, all while respecting Dusa, could have displayed some disappointment or sadness that Dusa didn’t reciprocate his feelings – but maybe that’s just me.)

Connecting relationships to other game mechanics

I’ve been discussing connecting characters and relationships to the game design in a very high-level, conceptual way. Characters and relationships in games could also be tied to other game mechanics, meaning that the relationships will affect the outcome of other gameplay features (such as battles). This is also done in Hades, in the way that nurturing the relationships will unlock better companions, which could then be used in the battles. This has both ups and downs – the downside would be that you’re not given the chance to explore those relationships freely, instead you might feel obliged to do so, to gain more powerful companions. On the other hand, by encouraging the player to form relationships with all three characters (and then giving the player the option to make the final decision on how far to take it), they make sure we get to have one of the first openly pansexual and polyamorous main characters in a (more) mainstream game, which is amazing.

That’s also one of the answers to a question I posed in a previous post of this series: Could it be meaningful to exhort players into having relationships they wouldn’t choose for themselves to convey a specific story? I think it’s definitely meaningful in Hades, even though I also objected a little to having it tied to other gameplay mechanics. It has to be done with an understanding that this will affect the player’s decisions and experience of the story.

Gender variety

Another pretty common way to make up a cast of characters – at least in queer games – is to work with gender variety. An example is Boyfriend Dungeon by Kitfox Games, where you can date your weapons in human form, consisting of men, women and non-binary characters (and they also have a character called Dagger… or, who is a dagger, rather). Gender variety could also be said to be used in Hades, where you can date a woman, a man and a Gorgon head (!). Of course, their gender is not the only important aspect of the characters – dateable characters also have differing personalities and traits – and when all the dateable characters are of the same gender, the variety of personalities might become the main factor that separates them – like in Amnesia.

Relationship variety

A complimentary way to think about characters and relationships could be to base it on the notion that it’s the relationships rather than the characters that should offer variation. When in an in-game relationship, things might work out differently depending on the player’s choices, and the designers’ values and norms play quite a large role here. If we have routes with endings that are supposed to be bad, good and in-between – how do we decide what’s a good ending and not? The Very Common Way™ of doing it is to have the romance be the good ending – they lived happily ever after – and the breakup as the bad ending (well, and sometimes death, too) – but should it always be that way? It definitely says something about how we value relationships, with a hierarchy where monogamous, evenly reciprocated, long-lasting love is the crown jewel, and other types of relationships aren’t as valuable. (An example of this is the somewhat derogatory term situationship that categorizes relationships that fall outside of this norm.)

When we did a user test for our game in development, Truer than You, we got this feedback from a tester:

I have some triggers around Rin’s thoughts about Sylvester, when they think ‘well I guess I can think of him as a friend if he already has a girlfriend’ – but I don’t know how you plan to work with that, if that relationship will circle further around the infidelity thing, or, for example, end up in some kind of relational non-binary (where love and friendship would be the binaries). I would prefer the latter, but I’m biased because I’m a bit starved for such stories.

This response reminded me that all players do not want romance or friendship, but might actually want to explore the in-betweens.

It’s very easy to use our own values and views as a baseline, forgetting that other people might not function or feel the same way as we do. For example, if you’re a romantic, it’s very easy to make the ‘true love’ ending into the best ending – but does it have to be that way?

What are your thoughts around character and relationship design and variety in games?

#game design #visual novel #indie games #relation games

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