#I put minimal effort into this and it shows lol

[stale-cornflakes]

original

[seunghyunjigglers]

mama, a stray kid behind YOU ★ @seunghyunjigglers

ot8 skz members as brainrot memes!

author's note: we even included links for some of the less chronically online divas out there (generous much?)! a lot of thought and effort went into this and we hope you love and appreciate our firstborn child. tw: dark humor. betas, do not interact!

chan ★ "i'm the leader, i'm the alpha, i'm the one to trust"

unironically watches bad edits of himself and goes "ayeee" to hype himself up about being edited

comments under them on his secret account

his fyp is now most definitely infiltrated by alpha chan edits

let's be real the whole trend was probably what inspired wolfgang to be released

bites his lip bc he thinks it makes him look sexy and he just looks like he's eating his bottom lip

tries to do that thing where guys put their necklace between their lips and take pics to be sexy but the necklace falls down his throat and he starts choking

would deliberately start doing aegyo followed by serving face to show his 'duality' since apparently the fandom love it (poor guy doesn't understand irony still)

LOVES when stays talk about his gyatt and starts using it bc he thinks its just another normal word for ass and seungmin and felix almost throw up laughing at him

minho ★ "queen never cry"

genuinely thought 'lock in' was something to be taken seriously and does NOT take it lightly when chan tells everyone to lock in

his kinky ass also probably thought it was some kind of jail roleplay (jisung had to explain it to him)

has mewing competitions with himself in the mirror

makes 'minho never CRY 💜' the note on his alarm in the morning

thinks it’s funny when he recommends the ki sisters manga (where the meme comes from) to people as his favorite series and the poor author has to actually go on a talk show cause he blew it up with the internet

checks his notifications EVERY day hoping someone will edit him with that baby

accidentally comments “queen NEVER cry” under a sentimental skz edit on the official account and wakes up with several calls from his managers.. let’s just say it didn’t go over well

changbin ★ "gadagadegadagadao" (omega nugget)

he stumbled across this meme on felix's fyp one evening and thought it would make the best vocal warmup for his raps, didn't realise it was a joke and actually uses it before recording tracks

when he discovers its a meme he thinks its hilarious and makes it his whole personality

stops mid convo with people and makes the face and thinks he's so funny (everyone is tired of it)

orders mcdonald's for everyone and takes the time to draw the face on EVERY chicken nugget and couldn't be prouder of himself

genuinely thinks the song is an actual banger and has it saved as a sample for a potential title track

hyunjin ★ "donatella VERSACE"

only types like THIS 💜 and felix and seungmin are the only ones who get it

chan finds out and secretly changes his name in a groupchat with their managers and staff to "hwang HYUNJIN 💜"

he is tired but donatella is not

his gag christmas present for secret santa is boxers with ms versace herself covering his chocolate starfish and he has a wardrobe malfunction while wearing them at a show and EVERYONE sees

is actually really embarrassed when he has to explain what it means to her and she just nods and tries to smile with all her botox

after this she comments it on all her posts and he accepts that he’s never escaping it

jisung ★ "jiafei 'in my head' remix" (floptropica)

this man is always singing his lungs out in every skz code and somewhere along the way he saw an edit of him with jiafei's vocals in the bg

was actually impressed by her vocal skills and tried to hunt down her ig page, ends up on some fake floptropican fanpage but he doesn't know this because he has minimal survival skills

dms some loser message like "wow your voice is sooooo nice haha...i also like to sing lol...so do you like korean boys haha..."

owner of the jiafei fan account is a stay and thinks this is hilarious and catfishes the hell out of him for WEEKS, sends vocal edits and jisung unironically eats them up, he def sends back vms of him doing vocal covers to impress her

felix hears him singing a jiafei remix one day and almost shits himself laughing, jisung gets angry and defensive until felix reveals that jiafei is literally a meme

realises he's been catfished

blocks the account and gets sulky whenever any floptropican edit pops up on his fyp, but still sings the jiafei remixes quietly to himself (some habits are hard to break)

felix ★ "oi oi oi...baka" (freaky larvae)

recreates it and everyone takes it seriously and he has to make a video telling everyone it was not in fact a thirst trap

breaks up serious arguments like "we need to calm down...you're all being a bunch of...heh...bakas..."

searches it up one day to see if there's any other lore and accidentally discovers a yagami yato audio and gets traumatised

seungmin gets fed up by felix constantly repeating it so he comes up with a master plan and during one of their japan concerts says "oh, felix has been practicing his japanese lately...what's that thing you keep saying?"

i feel like he'd perfect that freaky expression and everyone is sick of him and changbin for randomly using them

picks larva on his turn to choose something for movie night and everyone comically (see what i did there) groans and gets up while he’s just there cracking up

seungmin ★ "saddam hussein hiding spot"

this guy saw a 'saddam hussein hiding spot' comment under jeongin's post and fell down the rabbithole (or rather, the entrance covered in bricks and rubble)

thinks its HILARIOUS because it's a historically accurate meme (nerd!)

definitely whispers it every single time he sees someone or something laying down and everyone is so fed up with it, also gets felix to do the voice since he can imitate it perfectly

uses it as an excuse to randomly start lying down during dance practices and when everyone complains he just says "why am i lowkey serving saddama hussein hiding spot?"

he'd take this shi so seriously like he'd be doing the math to figure out how much time to spend on each app each day so he can make his daily screen time average look like saddam hussein JUST to make the reference

jeongin ★ "that feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow"

someone makes a comment about how they tore their acl and have to get knee surgery and he goes "that feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow" and starts laughing

it wasn't very funny to said someone

probably has to make one of those formal instagram apology posts because of it (he sets the music as the bg for the original post but his manager makes him delete it and post again)

fake falls at practice and when everyone crowds around him all worried he says he feels like he might need knee surgery tomorrow and gets kicked out of the room

pays an insane amount of money to get everyone matching knee surgery knee pads for practice and absolutely loses it every time someone actually needs to use it and has no other choice

posts a fake hospital pic with “do NOT get your knee surgery from shein !!” on his secret account

asks for permission to change his pfp to the grinch and considers outing jyp when he gets told no

[spiderlilyserendipity]

Useful 🔞🔞🔞 (Jimin x Reader)

Summary: You’ve stretched yourself thin lately and you know it, and so does your boyfriend Jimin. As Jimin always takes good care of you, you decide to give him a treat to thank him—and as always, Jimin gives you back your love tenfold. 

Tags: Dom!Jimin, Sub!Y/N, minimal plot, massages, kneeling, collars, Y/N calls Jimin sir, sub space, oral (m. and f. receiving), praise kink, breeding, cock drunk Y/N, multiple orgasms (f.), protective!jimin (🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵), aftercare!!!!!!

Warnings: Unprotected sex (don’t do that LOL)

W/C: 3055 (3k)

A/N: Guess who’s back on their bullshit? ME. Sorry I kind of disappeared again LOL being a functioning adult is the worst. Anyway, here's some massage-turned-unprotected-sex. <33

Sometimes, you get in moods like this. Moods where everything is irritating and stupid and simultaneously upsetting. You know yourself well enough to know it has to do with you stretching yourself too thin. Work? Of course you can do that task. Family? Absolutely you can attend that event. Friends? Yes, you’d love to go out tonight. 

Jimin also knows you well enough to know when you’re getting like this. You know he’s noticed, from the way he puts in a bit more effort lately to keep you happy. He buys your favourite takeout dinner and bath bombs and even a new matching scarf and gloves set to keep you warm. That’s the way Jimin is—a natural giver with a considerate, purposeful mind. He never so much as says a word to you about your little gifts, but you know he notices when you give him a few more kisses than usual to silently show your affection. 

But you’re getting to a point now where two things become obvious: you need a break before you burn out, and Jimin needs to be shown that you appreciate him before he starts to feel burned out himself. 

The solution comes in the form of an at-home spa kit you buy online. It’s not much, a little warmer and a bottle of lavender scented oil, along with some candles and little hand towels. But knowing Jimin—and knowing you—you don’t stop there. Instead, you hop in the shower as soon as you come home. You wash up and dress in only panties and one of Jimin’s oversized sweaters, light candles and then warm up the oil. 

As your shared bedroom is filled with romantic lighting and the sweet lavender smell, your mind wanders. You think of Jimin’s face when he sees you like this, how his eyes will darken and a smirk will spread on his lips. You think of taking care of him and thanking him for all he does for you with both words and your hands on his body. And naturally, you think of how Jimin will return the favour—with firm words and strong arms around you. A perfect balance of sweetness, teasing, and protectiveness: that’s Park Jimin. 

Your eyes flicker to the collar you set on the nightstand, a black leather collar with plush inner lining and a custom silver J embroidered on the front. You press your thighs together, waiting. 

“Baby?” Your heart leaps as you hear Jimin’s voice down the hallway. Your boyfriend emerges from the hall, curious eyes peeking into the dimly lit room. Then, he sees you, scantily dressed in front of the bed. Jimin smiles, but there’s that familiar edge. “Oh, what’s this?” He asks. 

You lick your lips as Jimin draws closer, loosening his tie. “A surprise.” You whisper. 

Jimin laughs, taking a seat on the bed. “I can see that.” He says, glancing at the massage oil. Your boyfriend brings you to stand between his spread legs with both hands on your wrists. You swallow as he looks up at you with darkness in his eyes. “What kind of surprise, exactly?”

“A massage.” You reply, pressing your thighs together again. Jimin notices, but he’s not strict with you today—he knows you’re too worked up to be teased today. Instead, the man leans in, pressing kisses against your belly over your sweater. You shiver—his lips are still cold from outside, even through the soft material.

“That will be fun.” Jimin says. “Thank you for doing this, baby.”

“No, thank you.” You say, and to anyone else, you would sound like strangers. But only you know the way Jimin’s simple words and touches make you want to obey him, show him how grateful you are, how well you can take care of him. Jimin knows it, too, which is why he lets go of your wrists and runs his hands—which are warm, likely from wearing mittens—up and down the backs of your thighs. “You’ve been so nice to me. I-I want to take care of you.”

Jimin hums, and it’s more beautiful than any melody you’ve ever heard. “Mmhm.” He says, and one hand brushes over your clothed core. You shiver. “Want to submit to me?” He asks, then begins kneading your ass. His touch is firm, reminding you of your place even as you tower over him. 

“Please.” You gasp. “Please, sir.”

“Go get your collar.” Jimin answers, letting go of you. He leans back on his hands as you scurry to the nightstand and back. You kneel on the plush rug by Jimin’s feet, then present your collar to him with both hands. The dom accepts it from you, and you elongate your neck for his ease of access. Jimin plants his elbows on his knees, bending over you to fix the collar in place. “What’s your colour, baby?” The dom asks even though you both know how desperate you are already.

“Green, sir.” 

“Good girl.” Jimin says, then stands up. You look up at him, face a few inches below his clothed cock. Jimin’s eyes darken. He knows what you want, and you both know he’s never denied it to you within limits. You wait patiently as the dom removes his pants, then his boxers and discards them on the floor. When Jimin sits down, you grab the warmed bottle of massage oil off the bed. 

“May I begin, sir?”

“Yes.” Jimin answers, and even he sounds slightly breathless now.

You begin on his right leg, massaging his thigh dutifully. You work away at the knots caused by long hours, then down to his calf. “You have a talent for this.” Jimin praises you, carding a hand through your hair. Your face burns as you sit between his legs and serve him, but you feel so good, so useful. And Jimin is nothing if not vocal about it. “Such a quick learner. My good, smart girl.”

“Thank you.” You whisper as you finish massaging the right leg, then move to his left leg. You repeat your motions, slow and dutiful. As you work at one particular knot in the back of Jimin’s left calf, he sighs in relief. You smile and Jimin catches it. 

“Feel good that you’re helping me?” He asks, and you look up at him. Jimin cups your face with one hand, looking down at you with love. It makes you want to cry in joy, but it also makes your vagina throb as you want to give yourself to him. But you tell yourself to be patient. You want to make Jimin feel good, and you know Jimin will return it tenfold to you in due time. “Massage my hips for me, baby. They’re a bit sore.”

You nod, putting a bit more oil on your hands. You place your hands on Jimin’s hips, running your thumbs along the groove of his V-line and pressing your fingers into his hips. You work at his hips until you end up down at his mons pubis and then lower, where a hard, heavy cock hangs between his legs. “C-Can I help you with that, too, sir?” You ask, and you surprise yourself with how whiny it comes out. 

Jimin laughs at your politeness. “Of course, beautiful.”

You lick your lips, running your slicked hands over Jimin’s cock. You run your hands up and down the shaft, collecting pre-come to lubricate him further. You take the tip in your mouth, swirling your tongue around. Jimin groans above you, spilling praise from his lips. “Oh, that’s right. Just like that. So good, so perfect for me.”

His praise urges you to take him deeper until your nose presses against his mons pubis. You use your hands to cup his balls, massaging them gently. You work your way up and down the shaft, with Jimin’s ever-louder sighs and curses egging you on. You can feel the tightness in Jimin’s abdomen, the way he wants to come in your mouth. And you’d let him, oh how you’d let him. 

But before he can come, Jimin pulls you off him. You look at him, confused. “Come here.” Jimin says, and you climb up into the bed. You eye his cock, but Jimin gives you a breathless chuckle. “You haven’t massaged my back yet, remember?” He reminds you. You blush, and Jimin beckons you closer with two fingers. You position yourself behind him, sitting with your thighs on either side of Jimin’s hips, and add more oil to your hands before massaging his shoulders. 

Jimin sighs as you work away the tension, and his hands find your calves, stroking small circles into your skin. You’re halfway down Jimin’s back when he wraps his arms around your calves and pulls. You gasp as you end up with your clothed vagina against his bare ass. Jimin chuckles, and you know he can feel how wet you are. Flushing in embarrassment, you try to shuffle back, but your boyfriend holds you in place. “I think that’s enough for my back. Why don’t you come over to the front?” Jimin purrs, glancing at you over his shoulder. You gasp as he presses himself back against your soaked panties.

“Y-Yes sir.” You say, and Jimin releases your calves. 

You crawl around Jimin, and the dom lays down. He folds his arms up behind his head, looking comfortable like he’s laying on a sunbed somewhere warm. “Get on my lap.” He says. “And take everything off.”

You remove the two articles you’re wearing in a heartbeat, then straddle your boyfriend’s hips. It’s a struggle to not push yourself down on the leaking cock tucked just behind your ass, since Jimin hasn’t given you permission to ride him yet. 

You run your oiled hands up and down Jimin’s abdomen, over the hard ridges of his ribs and the plushness of his belly. Jimin looks at you for a moment, then grins. “You know, I’m not a big fan of this oil. Can we try something else for wetness?” 

“L-Like?” You ask, but Jimin just holds his hands out to you. You flush, knowing what he wants.

You crawl closer, until you’re straddling Jimin’s face. “Oh, that’s much better.” He says, then breathes cool air onto your already throbbing clit. “Such a useful, useful girl I have.” Jimin says. Before you can thank him, he presses his tongue past the opening of your sopping wet hole. You whimper, almost collapsing but JImin holds you up with his strong grip. “So busy being useful you forgot you’re supposed to feel good, too, didn’t you?” He asks, looking up at you darkly. “But you’re always like that. Always thinking you have to do it all alone, even though I’m right here—” He says, then swirls his tongue around inside you. You cry out. 

“Sorry! I’m sorry, sir!” You beg.

Jimin licks a stripe from your hole up to your clit. Then, he sucks at the bud until you’re shaking above him. “Are you? Are you going to let me put you in your place?”

“Yes, yes, sir!” You chant.

Jimin releases one hand from your hips, sliding it down the curve of your ass until it finds your hole. He presses two digits inside you, and you accommodate them easily. “Good girl.” He praises you, and you’re almost crying by now. You cry out his title. “Count.” He orders.

“T-Ten…N-Nine…” You count, trembling from the force of not coming from Jimin’s skillful lips against your most sensitive lips. “Eight…s-seven, oh—” You moan as Jimin nips at your inner fold, then releases it. Then, Jimin begins pumping his fingers in and out of you faster. “S-Six, five, four—” You continue as Jimin eggs you on. 

“T-Three, oh, two, one—” You pant heavily.

“Now.” Jimin orders and tears fall from your eyes and you shake so hard from your orgasm that he has to hold you up. “Good girl. That’s my girl.” He praises you, turning you so you can lay down against the bed.

“Yours. Yours.” You repeat hazily as Jimin arranges himself above you. He plants his hands on either side of your waist, then kisses you long and deep. 

“Colour?” He checks. 

“Green, please, sir.” You say, guiding his hand up to your collar. “Yours, please, sir.” You all but babble. Jimin beams with pride. 

“That’s right. All mine.” Jimin says, kissing at your hardened nipples, then down to your belly. With one hand, he begins rubbing at your clit again. He works you back up until you’re whiny and grinding against him for another orgasm. “Would my good girl like my cock?” Jimin asks, even though he knows the answer.

“Yes!” You answer immediately. 

“Where?” Jimin teases. You reach down and spread your outer folds, not caring how messy you look right now. Jimin’s gaze darkens. “Right here? In your pretty hole?” He asks, sliding two fingers back into you. You whine as he wiggles the fingers inside you until the room is full of wet sounds. 

“Yes, please. W-Want your cock, sir.” You beg, clenching around his fingers.

Jimin withdraws his fingers, then lines himself up to your entrance. You both moan as he bottoms out within seconds from how soaked and loose you are. “Where do you feel that, baby?” Jimin asks, more for his pride than any other reason. 

You place a hand on your belly. “Right here.” You say. “All full.”

“Yeah?” Jimin says, gripping your thighs and pushing them further apart. He thrusts in and you have to fight not to come right then and there. 

“Yeah.” You whimper. “W-Want your come right there.”

“I know.” Jimin coos at you. “You need your hole nice and full, don’t you? Need to fill up your pretty belly with my seed so you remember who you belong to. So you can quit. Trying. To do. Everything. By yourself.” Jimin says, punctuating his words with long and deep strokes that have your back arching off the bed.

“P-Please sir.” You whine. “Your seed. Please.”

“Gonna come again already?” Jimin asks, knowing your body well. When you reply yes and plead him for permission, Jimin leans down and kisses your forehead. “Hold on a bit more, you can do it.”

“Y-Yes. Yes. Anything you say!” You say, feeling cock drunk. It doesn’t take more than that, only a few more pumps until Jimin’s hips are stuttering from the way you clench him desperately—even as he’s moving. 

“Rub your clit.” Jimin orders, and you reach down, rubbing hard and fast. Within seconds, Jimin is slamming into you one last time, filling you with his hot seed. You come hard around him a second time, but Jimin isn’t done there. He pulls you up, making you squeal. You whine as your positions reverse, with you on top and Jimin laying down. “You can come around me one more time, since you were such a good, good girl.” He praises, entangling a hand in your hair. His grip is firm but not painful. 

“Thank you, sir.” You reply gratefully, running your fingers over your clit. There’s something exhilarating about being stuffed full of come and getting to put yourself on display with it. You make a show of pushing yourself to a third orgasm around Jimin, his seed making both of your thighs sticky and gooey. 

“Show yourself to me again.” Jimin demands, and you spread your folds to him again. The dom growls. “Such a pretty cunt. Who owns that?”

“You, sir!”

“That’s right.” Jimin replies. “Gonna come again for me? My good girl, making a mess with my seed?”

“Yes, please!” You all but scream.

“What a pretty fucking girl. I want to give you my come again and again, until you can feel a baby growing where I put my seed. You would love that, wouldn’t you? Being shown off to everyone as the pretty, obedient girl I got to knock up and to take care of?”

“Yes, oh, please—” You’re crying again, almost insane with the thought of being protected and taken care of by Jimin. You’re so deep into your subspace by now all you can think of is how safe and good you feel right now. “Please, all yours—”

“Come.”

The single word sends you over the edge, and you tremble around him a third time. You lay down on top of Jimin with his cock still inside you. The dom wraps his arms around you, holding you close. “So sweet. My perfect baby.” He praises you, peppering kisses on your temple and forehead. 

“Thank you. Thank you sir.” You repeat over and over, and Jimin holds you tight. 

Once you’re ready, Jimin slides out of you. You roll onto the sheets, but Jimin doesn’t give you time to get lazy. “Come on, we need to shower.” He says, pulling you up into his arms bridal style. You squeal, tucking your chin over his shoulder. 

Jimin helps you shower, particularly gentle with your hips and legs as he knows they’re sore now. He helps you dress in your pyjamas. Then, he lifts you onto the counter, insisting on doing your skincare routine for you. You giggle but let him help you, knowing he likes to spoil you like this. Once you’re done, you hold your arms out to be carried back to bed. Jimin laughs, kissing you again. 

“Oh, you’re a real menace.” Jimin complains dramatically, setting you down in the armchair a few paces from the bed. You grin up at him, and Jimin strokes a hand down the side of your face lovingly. “I’ll be right back.” He says. 

You watch him leave the room, then return with two granola bars and a bottle of water. “I know you ate, but just in case.” Jimin says, watching you open the snacks. While you eat and drink water, your boyfriend changes the bedsheets and blows out the candles. Once he’s done with that, you join him in bed. Jimin envelopes you in his arms, kissing your forehead softly. 

“That wasn’t too much for you, was it?” He checks. 

“No, not at all.” You say, feeling shy when Jimin looks at you with that intense look—like he’d do anything to make sure you’re comfortable and safe. “Thank you.” You add.

Jimin smiles. “You’re welcome, my love.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, my baby.”

[skzcoffee]

skz and their love languages (giving)| maknae line

Genre: fluff lol

Pairing: skz x fem!reader

Warnings: none !

Word count: 448

Masterlist !

Jisung - Physical touch

Jisung is that type of boyfriend to hug and kiss you everywhere. Physical touch is definitely his love language. If you're walking together, he’s always holding your hand. If you're sitting somewhere by each other, his head is always on your shoulder or viceversa, and he loves it when you grab his bicep too. Did well on something? He showers you with kisses! He loves physical touch so so much but if you're not comfortable he won't pressure you to anything <3

Felix - Acts of service

Felix is that type of boyfriend to cook for you and bring you homemade food and snacks as his love language. He’s always baking something new for you and he’s always feeding you some new dessert he made. He always wants to me make sure you're comfortable and happy. Too many chores to do? He’ll do them for you. Too many schools assignments? He’ll help you with them. He’ll help you with anything he can, he'd do anything to see you calm and happy

Seungmin - Words of affirmation

Seungmin is that type of boyfriend to always compliment you and congratulate you on the most minimal achievement. He is constantly reminding you of how amazing and lovely you are, and he means it every single time. He knows you doubt yourself a lot and the fact that you’re insecure, so he makes sure you never feel unloved. Seungmin is that type to write you love letters in every occasion, even if it isn’t a big celebration, he just feels the need to express all of his love through writing. He loves telling you how pretty and smart you are, and he loves to see your eyes light up and the smile on your face everytime he says something cute to you :))

Jeongin - Gift giving

Jeongin is the type of boyfriend to always buy you something. If he’s shopping and he sees anything that reminds him of you, he will get it for you without hesitation. He will always decorate your gifts with a lot of love, to show you that he is willing to put effort into you just because he loves you so much. He’s the type to get your flowers “just because” and he always writes a love letter with it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tuesday school night, if he found something to gift you, he will. What about special occasions? He goes ALL out, his gift wrapping skills are really impressive, and it’s like your reaction to his gifts adds 100 more years to his life.

Author's note: it's been a year since i opened this account so i want to make a promise to post more often and i hope u enjoy this one!! 🫶

[bouncybongfairy]

Hello sweetness ❤️

Can you write a dom Oliver Quick x femme reader? Reader tries to embarrass Ollie in some way in front of friends (masking the fact that she’s into him) and Ollie punishes her for it later? “All you had to do was ask” somewhere in there lol. Hope this makes sense💋

Just Had To Ask

Oliver Quick x Fem Reader Smut

Summary: You embarrass Oliver while playing never have I ever. He shows you how to use your mouth properly after the game.

Word Count: 1.0k+

Ref Account: @kaionyx

TW: Face Fucking, Degradation, Oral Fixation, Masocism

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Everyone was gathered around the coffee table. Drunkenly laughing and making conversation. Trying desperately to tune out the crying of your responsibilities. Work, school, get fucked up, playing into the pointless social hierarchy, repeat. Oliver was sitting on the couch and you were on the floor between his legs. A red solo cup being held by your manicured fingertips Rubbing your other hand up and down his shin. Someone suggests a game of never have I ever, due to the fact that the game takes minimal effort: everybody joined it. At first the questions weren’t anything deep but as the game progressed so did the vulgarity of its content. 

“Never have I ever, let a man put me in my place,” you laughed and set your cup on the table. This caused a few snickers from the other men in the room. Oliver set his hand on your shoulder, you knew he was trying to rein you in. 

If you were being truthful, you should have chugged the rest of your cup. Honestly, you were constantly trying to test his limits. You loved the way he looked at you, silently communicating with his eyes. Letting you know what you were walking on thin ice. This gave you such a thrill it became a regular routine. Purposely dancing in the most provocative way you could, barking back at him whenever he tried to calm you down. Knowing you were his but because there was no title yet, it gave you more length on your leash.

“Never had I ever, let a someone fuck my mouth,” one of your friends asked while making direct eyecontact with her boyfriend and taking a sip. You let your head fall back into his lap, mouthing ‘you wish’ to him. Watching in amusement as he started grinding his teeth together. You could tell he was getting worked up; feeling his member began to harden.  

“Why isn’t Y/N drinking Ollie?” one of his friends snickered which made him roll his eyes; they knew you guys liked each other and had been talking for a while.

Fast forward an hour and everyone was in their own little world. Some couples lazily making out on the carpet, a few people passed out on the sofa and lounge chairs. Someone locked in the bathroom, hearing them throw up through the door. Ollie was asleep and you really needed to pee. The bathroom downstairs was taken so you stumbled upstairs and into the master bedroom. Pushing open the bathroom door and letting yourself fall onto the toilet. 

As you were finishing up when Oliver came in; taking you off guard. He locked the door behind himself and then turned back to you. His hair was wild, sticking out in all directions. The pupils of his eyes were completely dilated. It was extremely noticeable due to his once baby blue eyes now being black. He wasn’t even making eye contact but instead ripping you apart with his gaze. Mouth hung open and breathing like he just ran a mile. 

“You know, if you really wanted me to put you in place you could have just asked,” he explained, taking a step forward. You didn’t say anything and neither did you until being backed up against the sink; him only inches away, 

“It was so obvious how you were crying for my attention earlier. Flaunting yourself, waiting for me to shut you up. The way your face heats up everytime you look back at me, trying to see if I'm having a fit,” he said, pressing hips against yours. 

Running his finger tips down your arm and towards the hem of the dress. Dipping the digits underneath the material to feel the skin on your thigh. Laughing as you spread your thighs apart slightly. Using his other hand to grab your jaw, forcing your lips to separate. 

“I wish?” he growled, “are you really that conceited that you think i’d need to wish for these lips wrapped around me Like you wouldn’t be begging for it ?” he talks down to you, pushing you down by your face onto your knees.

 God he was squeezing your jaw so hard, the inside of your cheeks were pressed against your teeth. Your knees hit the ground hard, the cold tile only helping aid the ache slightly. He pushed his two fingers into your mouth, smashing your tongue down. Eyes beginning to water from trying not to gag. He uses his thumb and wipes them away after they fall down your cheeks. 

“If you’re waiting to start begging because I have my fingers down your needly little throat then we're gonna be here all night,” he laughed, wiggling his fingers a bit. 

You tried saying please but it was gurgled and made drool fall down your chin. Spilling out of the sides of your mouth, he was grinning from ear to ear. Delighted to finally have you under his thumb, knowing he had enough control to do whatever he wanted. In his eyes, you were a blank canvas waiting to be littered with his art. He takes his fingers out of your mouth and begins to unbuckle his belt. Grabbing his cock by the base with one hand and using the other to grab a fist full of hair. Anchoring his hand onto the marble of the sink, immobilizing your head. He began rubbing his tip against your bottom lip. Pulling away everytime you tried to take his length into your mouth. After he did this a few more times, you began getting irritated; glaring up, which only hummored him. 

“Awe what, you don’t like that?” he cooed down at you in the most patronizing tone he could come up with. 

You opened your mouth to respond but he took that opportunity to shove himself inside. Using both hands to hold your head in place as he began thrusting. Hands gripped his jeans, your nails ripping down the material. Trying to suck in breath whenever his length wasn’t blocking your airway. Gagging and sputtering; a mix of pre-cum and saliva dripping down your neck and onto your chest. You move your head to the side but there is no escape. His cock being pulled out of your throat and tucked into the pocket of your cheek. 

“Now keep that pretty mouth open so I don’t have to hurt you, yeah?” he growls, gripping onto your hair with more force. 

Fucking himself deep into your throat, groaning once his cock was once again blanketed by your warm mouth. He couldn’t hold his climax back for much longer. He looked down at you and almost came from the sight; your face was bright red, eyebrows furrowed and tears streaming down your cheeks. He presses himself into your mouth until your lips are around his base. Your head smashed between him and the sink. Cum starting to flood down your throat, some spilling out the sides of your mouth. Once he was finished, he pulled out and walked out; leaving you confused and blue balled.

[traceofexistence]

I finally got to read "blank" the novel

and I was really surprised how close (at least dialogue wise) the series were to it.

now there were some differences but overall, pretty close.

after having the full picture for both, I prefer the series over the book, especially when it comes to Khun Nueng but also because the book is in first person, and when it comes to other characters including Anueng, they are written from the point of view of Khun Nueng, which is fine, but I personally prefer stories that are 3rd person, and get to flesh out the characters from unbiased views. Khun Nueng being the narrator means that we only get her view on the others.

I'll get into some details under the cut

so spoilerinos ahoy

Khun Nueng, in the book, she speaks way more than in the show, and she has no filter whatsoever, which makes her a little bit more immature in the book than in the show. I prefer the way she was in the show, because she was better balanced, and Faye can just be mute in an entire scene and speak volumes with just her eyes (which is my preferred style of story telling. I, myself, write minimal dialogues, if at all, in my own stories). I like how Khun Nueng also dealt with situations in the series more than how she did in the book. For example when she caught Folk stalking, in the series she gave him an earful while in the book, she brushed his stalking off. When Fah asked her about the nature of her relationship with Anueng, in the book she went and spilled what they do in bed in full detail (no filter), which was unnecessary in my opinion and I preferred the more mild "we love each other, and we do things that women do when they love each other" approach in the series. Another thing that is very clear in the book, is that Khun Nueng only had sexual experiences with women in the past, never with men. She knew that girls in girl schools were messing around with each other, but when asked if she also did, she said that she didn't because it wasn't the appropriate age to do. It is safe to assume that she started having sex either during University or right after she graduated Uni, and of course behind her grandma's back LOL.

Anueng, since she's depicted from Khun Nueng's perspective in the book, we dont get the full picture of her, up until the end where the author wrote some chapters form Anueng's POV. Unlike the series, in the book, she remains immature in certain aspects, even when she's grown. In the series, she's not only the more mature, but she also goes through the biggest character growth of all. the series did an amazing job with her character, because they gave her so much more depth.

Folk, he's an absolute sweetheart in the series, and he becomes a good friend to Anueng, while he has no personality whatsoever in the book, he is just there.

Chet, he is bad in all versions, but he dare put his hands on Khun Nueng in the book, so I despise him even more. In the series at the very least, he made an effort in the end.

Yui, this poor girl!!! in the series she was given a chance to be Anueng's friend, while in the book, Anueng ends up ditching her and hating her because the poor girl fell for Khun Nueng's charms 😭

Piengfah, this is the character that I actually prefer in the book, over the one in the series. in the book, she actually understands her daughter, and why she fell for Khun Nueng. She doesn't lash out on Khun Nueng, and she's the only one who understands her. I was more sympathetic to her and her reasons, than the series one.

Dr. Wan Viva, ahhh pretty doctor😍. Million % prefer the series one, because not only her first scene is different than the book, but also she keeps coming back, and she's a great friend to Khun Nueng. (spoilers from the Affair novel) I didn't read that one myself but a friend did, and I asked them the details of their relationship. so pretty doctor, had gay thoughts and wanted to figure out if her gay thoughts were just for that one person or extended to other women. She first met Khun Nueng at a bar, and they had an one night stand. Apparently Khun Nueng was very good at fucking, and pretty doctor complimented her on her skills (LOL) but she realized that her gay thoughts are for her one and only. oh well.

Grandma 1, Khun Nueng's grandma in both the series and the book, gets the same amount of chara development and it's pretty much the same. I understand her role as a parental figure of a royal child, and the unbreakable exterior. I think the series picked an excellent actress, whose looks made her more sympathetic figure, especially at the end. (not gonna lie grandma was hot as hell too, in Khun Nueng's words, "of course all my family members are good looking" and that was one hot grandma right there😛)

Grandma 2, Anueng's grandma got little to no story in the book, since she was the character Khun Nueng interacted the least with. I prefer of course how she was depicted in the series, as they gave her substance and actual character. also both actresses who played her did a great job. The s1 actress was so fucking scary, the s2 actress was cuter and cuddly looking but her tongue was sharp 🔪 as fuck

One thing I absolutely LOVE about the series is that they added where it needed, and removed when it was too much.

One of the things the show added, was Khun Nueng taking care of Anueng in the hospital, in the book she was just visiting, but in the series she actually became a caretaker, she washed her, cut her nails, massaged her muscles, etc, and of course read her her fav novel "Blank" 😅

in the book Khun Nueng expressed in her thoughts how her royal title was not fitting the humility she was feeling (when she begged the parents to let her love Anueng, or when she dropped on her knees crying in front of everyone), but in the series, such thoughts were never expressed, but instead they showed how the ML Sippakorn had been humbled by nursing her loved one. I loved that about the series.

another thing the series changed was Khun Nueng's profession.

in the book, she was just drawing because she was good at it, and then she became a cook because she was good at it.

in the series, Art for Khun Nueng was precious, it was linked to her grandma giving her her first drawing equipment, it was linked to her pain when grandma told her that she shouldn't be an architect(by the way in the book she actually studied to be an architect, but in the series we never learn if she actually studied it or if she followed what her grandma demanded her to study.)

she made up with Anueng by drawing her picture, etc etc. and she ended up opening a gallery and do workshop.

the cooking on the other hand, was her love language. her grandma taught her how to cook, and she cooked for Anueng to show her love.

I loved that approach to her profession better. it was given reason, while in the book she didn't give a fuck really LOL

overall the book was an easy read, the use of some english words in the translate version unfortunate (I mean the word grooming, used with its innocent meaning. example: "my grandma groomed me to be a perfect") of course it doesnt take much for someone to make a bad faith argument and render the entire story as inappropriate. anyone with a brain can figure it out through context .

the smut was well written, just like with the series, in the book as well, there was a sense of consent given, Khun Nueng would ask all the time, what Anueng wanted. Consent is fucking sexy 🤷‍♂️

[kustas]

Sorry for the incoming long rant.

I just rediscovered your blog, and I always enjoyed your thoughts on WHA and wanted to rant a little bit. I found a post of yours talking about how WHA is getting less nuanced and I feel the same way. I feel like in an effort to make every character feel like a person, the manga treats everyone’s issues as if they’re on the same level. I’m not sure if that entirely makes sense, but it feels like the manga is trying to make you sympathize with everyone to some extent, even though that doesn’t really work. For example, there is a chapter that pissed me off so much that I had to put the manga on pause. It’s the chapter where Coco shows off a spell that can clean water, and the townspeople are uninterested because they don’t need it. And the moral of the chapter is that Coco should make her spell for everyone. No. No no no. These people need to learn some damn compassion and realize that they need to help end what suffering that they are able to. The moral of the chapter should’ve been that these people need to stop thinking of only themselves. Everything else was aimed at them, so Coco’s spell didn’t need to be for them. It shouldn’t have been for them. There is also the situation with the knights. You went into this already but who gives a shit if they are offended by a grieving husband taking out his anger in them when they are a part of the system that caused his grief. The manga wants you to sympathize with everyone, and while I don’t think these people should be one dimensional their issues should not be treated on the same level as others. Anyway, sorry for the weird long rant, it’s just everyone treats this manga like it is The Most Flawlessly Progressive Manga Ever and your one of the few I’ve found who acknowledges is flaws without devaluing its strengths

Thank you for your ask! I agree with what you're saying and think you worded it very well. It's a bit of a shame it's so rare to find people openly critiquing the series in the community, while it's nothing serious (and minimized by being a bit of a hermit, lol) I've seen some animosity for doing it, I assume because many assume critiquing art means you don't like it or are opposed to what it's trying to do! Which isn't true. Granted Witch Hat Atelier contains many an obvious fantasy metaphor for real life social issues it should be under more scrutiny than normal if you ask me, because those are serious topics that affect people's real lives. I do have faith in the author's serious handling of touchy topics, but in the execution there are things I'd do differently for sure...

The manga wants you to sympathize with everyone, and while I don’t think these people should be one dimensional their issues should not be treated on the same level as others.

WHA has in its writing strong expectations from the reader regarding how you think of its cast I find hard to read through a lot - the latest arc in particular, comparatively, has much of its character based moments revolve around if they're good or bad in a way that implies it'll change how you think of a character and it disturbs me. Qifrey and Sasaran are two early examples of characters that do *not* play into that - Qifrey's beginning arcs simultaneously show him as a shady manipulator and genuinely good teacher who betters the life of his students, and it participates so much to the dramatic tension. Sasaran is a villain of the week who while shown to be a huge cunt, has a backstory that implies his original motives were not nefarious ones, and his life was not easy.

Compare this to a character like Dean who, as much as I'm a fan of his concept, falls rather flat because he's, depending on the chapter, pushed as good/bad to the reader, regarding his moral alignment. Characters who are just meant to be despicable don't have the same level of attention placed to their writing which is a similar issue. It feels insecure, like if the story was saying: we have those important characters, their role is to bring up difficult situations, please don't hate them, like them, see, they're nice too! And giving them chosen positive traits. People don't work like that and it feels cheap. Fandom's obsession with villains should show well a character being despicable doesn't make them unlikeable, and I'd like WHA's characters to be less "good"/"likeable" myself to make them a bit more human. This would detonate a fandom nuke given I still regularly see passionate debates about how mean and terrible characters like Agott or Custas are but hey

As for priorities in the depicted suffering of characters in universe - yeah, it's true some scenes feel a bit off in that department...the water cleaning scene you mention did not rub me the wrong way too hard, because it's centered around Coco, who's our main character, the story bending to give her a central role makes sense, and her unique position in witch society and how it relates to helping others are, with the responsibilities of witches, very important to the story. The apprentice backstories are an earlier example I had trouble taking too seriously because while they're all terrible, tiny silly Riche and her brother's experience with physical child abuse felt drawn with the same intensity as Agott being pushed to mental disarray by her rich fancy perfectionist family. It's all hard to complain about and might sting less if the writing was a bit less dramatic and preachy, but that might just be a me issue, I've seen many fans praise WHA's writing wholeheartedly, so...

What I am hoping is that the latest arc will conclude and lead to the shorter previous structure and we'll get individual attention brought to character stories, one after the other, instead of the all at once formula going on right now... We'll see!

[fishyyuzi]

2024: A retrospect

Happy new year! 2024 drew to a close in the blink of an eye, and 2025 came marching in. I hope the new year finds everyone well, and wishing all of you a good health for this year too!

I usually don't really write very long blog posts due to being shy about my own writing skills, but I decided I want to do this anyway. I wanted to look back and re-organize my thoughts about 2024, as well as write down what I hope to do and achieve in 2025. If you don't like reading long posts then please feel free to skip over! Otherwise, brace yourselves because it is going to be a LONG one indeed, haha.

Now then, where do I start...2024 has been a wild ride for me. I actually never "officially" announced it on my socials, but in April of 2024, I actually went to Japan to study and find employment there! This has been one of my biggest life-long dreams, and I am fully aware that this is a BIG priviledge that could not have been realized without the help of my parents. I'm so SO thankful for them for everything they've done for me, I definitely will not let this oppurtunity go to waste, I will do my best to get a stable job, get a stable life and then repay them back (this is my own free will) for all the financial support they have given me.

Life in Japan

Life in Japan has been good. Of course, it's not all rainbows and sunshine all the time, and I have definitely faced my fair share of obstacles as well as having identity crisis multiple times, lol. But the things I have learned and experienced here far exceeded the negativites.

I came here with the determination of first improving my language skills, especially my verbal skills, and also to improve my social skills. Through my school, I ended up joining in the local community work of picking up trash in the morning and sharing a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. Although I originally inteded to join to practice interacting with the local people, I found myself enjoying this volunteer work so much that I eventually just started joining out of my own volition instead of through school. I also joined a lot of other programmes, such as a short homestay program and a longer homestay + cultural exchange program amongst other things. All in all, I really tried my best and I think I have somewhat succeeded in my goals! I could communicate with locals now without much issues, and I can listen to radio shows or watch TV shows with minimal to no subtitles now (and also understand most of what people in real life are saying of course!). Also, not to toot my own horn, but a lot of locals have also commented about how natural my accent sounds, and it makes me very happy to hear that because I worked really, really hard, so it felt like a validation of my efforts ;w;

As you all may have realized, in exchange for me putting in the time and effort in real life, 2024 was a very very barren year for me art-wise lol. I didn't draw much (didn't had the time and energy or the willpower) this year, but I somehow still managed to make some drawings as well as making a doujinshi with a friend this year and took part in Reitaisai Autumn 2024! I have always thought of participating in Reitaisai as a dream that would never come true in my life, but I'm glad that wasn't the case… thank you to my friend Opu for inviting me as well as shouldering most of the things from planning to printing and also the booth setup T_T!

Expressing Thanks

On that note, I would also like to take some time to express my gratitude to a plethora of people, as well as the smaller things in life that brought about so much more positivity in my life.

First of all, and as mentioned earlier, I would like to thank my parents for giving my this opportunity to come abroad and believe in my one last time for me to achieve my dreams. I actually didn't really have a very good relationship with my parents prior to this, and despite that they still cared for me enough to send me abroad and only wished the best for me…physical distance with them has opened my eyes to so many more other things, not just my feelings towards them, but also things that contributed to my personal growth. I've not only grown closer to them in the past year, I've also finally become "independent". It is hard for me to put it into words, but I truly felt myself finally becoming an adult this year, and I will get deeper into that later (want to tie it together with a small announcement).

Next off, are my friends in Japan who has helped me so much with adjusting to life here, as well as hanging out with me when we have time! I'm not sure if they are ccomfortable with me naming them, but I've also witnessed their very very major growth in their pursued field this year, and it just makes me so, so proud to be able to call them my friend! To see them achieve their own dreams and goals, it motivates ME a lot to work towards my own! Also!! They always hear me out when I have troubles of my own, and also gave me so much practial advice (particularly for when I was applying to part time jobs), I am forever so grateful for them and I would honestly gladly d*e for them lmao that is how extremely grateful I am towards my friends!! I don't know if they are reading this or not but if you are YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! いつもありがとうね！！This year is the year I will make you proud!!!!!

(ahem). Jokes aside, I would also like to thank my school, and my school teachers for making my Japanese improve so much lol. I really came here with ¼ of that bucket filled, and it is thanks to their teaching that I gradually filled it up, and now I think the bucket is probably like 70% filled…..learning is a never ending journey though, so I would like to continue improving my Japanese even after I graduate! If I continue to list more people I think this post is never going to end…but last one ok I would like to thank my co-workers at my part time job too for being some of the nicest people I've ever worked with!! And the customers who come to the shop! They always put a smile on my face!! Thank you so much!

Other things I'm grateful for!

Being able to eat what I want whenever I want!

Being able to go to Karaoke and release steam every Sunday morning!

The manga and drama "What Did You Eat Yesterday" for being my comfort media when I just came here and was filled with much anxiety! It was like having 2 more dads in my life, lol

Getting to know Hoshino Gen's works! His songs, especially "SUN", uplift me a lot! I listen to his songs almost daily now because it's a great energy booster…also, his literature works are very inspiring! I've since became obsessed with this guy to a kinda crazy level actually I'm so sorry lol but I HOPE I CAN GO TO HIS CONCERT THIS YEAR SCREAMS (prays for my ticket lottery)

Saizeriya for being cheap and delicious. I love you Saizeriya!!!

A final look back, as well as what's to come

This post has gotten way too long…sorry for that but if anyone's still sticking around, thank you for reading me yap so much!

2024 was really such a wild ride for me. I can safely say that my life has changed for the better ever since coming to Japan, and I'm excited to tackle 2025 and the challenges it has in store for me.

In regards to what would happen to my art/drawings, I have…so much I want to say, but because this post is long enough, I'll try to be brief.

Starting from 2025, I will no longer be taking personal art commissions. Commercial commissions would be heavily considered, but for the most part, I would like to take a step back from drawing for work.

It was not an easy decision to make, and reaching this point took a lot of energy on my part as well. I love drawing, I love to draw for others and see them be happy with the work I made for them. But I'm not cut out to be a freelance artist. The past 2 years was honestly, a very very lonely time for me. Sure I had more flexibility in time and scheduling, but I didn't have financial stability, and "making enough money" just ate away at me all the time to the point of destroying my mental health, and causing a rift between me and my family. Despite all this negativity though, I'm just glad I experienced it in my 20s when I'm still young and had the room to make mistakes like this. 

And of course, I am always thankful to those who have commissioned me, or bought my art at events! I will always remember your kindness and support. If it wasn't for all of you, I wouldn't be surviving till today. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

So where do I go from here?

I cannot 100% predict what the future holds for me, but my most important goal for now is to secure a proper job as a 正社員 in a company here, hopefully obtain a working visa and start planting my roots here in Japan!

In my free time, I would like to work on translating some of my favourite books from JP -> EN. I don't want to  bet on freelance work again a second time, especially not in a foreign country…but, it would be nice if one day I could ACTUALLY officially work to translate those favourite books of mine. And what better way to achieve that than to actually start putting in the work? I know it's going to be a tough road but I will work hard!

Art will take a backseat from now on, but that doesn't mean I will stop drawing! It's just that I will mostly be drawing for myself now.

Thank you to everyone who has looked at my drawings up until this point. For those who choose to stay and continue following me, thank you and I hope you will continue to watch over my journey.

Stay safe, and have a great 2025.

fishy魚子

[angst-is-love-angst-is-life]

☕️the most egregious problem The Flash has is that it literally NEVER ADDRESSES ANY of the trauma it consistently puts Barry and co through, like it has other problems but I think that's the worst lol

1000000% and I will die mad about it.

Since it’s (always) on my mind, let’s take season 2 for example shall we?

If I had a nickel for everytime Post-Zoom-trauma just disappeared at the drop of a hat, I’d have four nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s fucking INFURIATING THAT IT HAPPENED F O U R TIMES

The four (for lack of a better word) victims in question: Caitlin, Barry, Jesse, and Jay.

Caitlin: kidnapped and held against her will for (I believe) two weeks (that’s putting it simply but we’ve all seen the show so🤷‍♀️). The show gives her one single episode to deal with it, during which she shows very real symptoms of PTSD— solved and therefore ignored and glossed over entirely with a single pep talk. I would also like to add that she showed NO fear of him in the season finale which makes no fucking sense with what the show established only an episode earlier. But tbh, this is the best one because at least the show ACKNOWLEDGED that trauma; if only for one episode.

Barry: Back broken during first encounter (among other severe injuries), humiliated by being dragged around the city to show he wasn’t strong enough to stop Zoom, confidence shattered from the experience. Like Caitlin, we got one episode to deal with this trauma and in that episode, Barry also showed signs and symptoms of PTSD (the entire season is evidence tbh). But of course, one pep talk from his dad and everything’s magically ok :-D !!!!!! I’m going to eat glass (also I will definitely make a post on that fucking episode because I hate it). As mentioned; he continues to have PTSD symptoms throughout the season but it’s glossed over so much and attributed to generic-superhero-stuff™️ that it really doesn’t matter. Gods, I could go on all day about Barry’s post-Zoom AND post-Thawne trauma. (Oh, he was also kidnapped, threatened, and {borderline} tortured by Zoom in the Earth-2 episodes; but that’s all normal superhero stuff ofc so it doesn’t matter right :-D !!! gnawing at the bars of my enclosure)

Jesse: Good gods where do I even start. Kidnapped by a known serial killer, tortured by said serial killer, repeatedly and (probably) constantly threatened with death, and held captive for around 9-10 months. Mm also, she was clearly terrified of Zoom every time he showed up prior to her rescue. Sounds like an extremely traumatic experience with multiple opportunities and instances to develop PTSD right? WRONG! According to the lovely writers; people are completely fine after a traumatic experience is over! What’s PTSD??? chewing glass chewing glass chewing glass. They didn’t even TRY with her, at least with Barry and Caitlin they pretended to give a shit about what they went through but Jesse makes two things crystal clear. 1) The writers don’t care about your trauma unless you’re an MC. 2) The writers put minimal effort into trauma if any; MC or not. It’s like they said ‘Ooo, we should have Caitlin kidnapped by Zoom!’ ‘Won’t that have some sort of effect on her? Being kidnapped is a terrifying experience’ ‘Ah fuck you’re right… eh, we’ll give her one episode ig’ ‘What about Jesse?’ ‘Who?’

Jay: Fucking. Hell. I ordered this in what I consider best handled to worst. Jay is by far— handled worst. Let’s see here *checks notes* Ah yes. Kidnapped and taken to a completely different Earth, an attempted theft of his powers, imprisoned and put in a mask so he can’t speak, {not confirmed but very likely with Zoom’s track record and somewhat implied} tortured, had his identity stolen and {likely} mocked and tormented about the subject, and the ~delightful~ cherry on top— held captive in this situation for at least one year. Fuck I’m so tired. Anyways; there’s not much to say. He got rescued (off-screen ofc), was able to access his powers instantly with no problems, and left to go back to his Earth. Trauma? What trauma? *gestures wildly at said trauma posted above* That’s not traumatic at all! *screams* I don’t care how much experience you have as a superhero— that doesn’t just GO AWAY! PTSD, FLASH WRITERS. LOOK INTO IT P L E A S E fuck I just remembered the show is over now ALL YOUR MC’S HAVE IT! EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Sigh. In the end of *gestures at said trauma* all that, Jay was just used to cause Barry more greif from his father’s death. Obviously he gets roles in later seasons but (as far as I can remember) this whole thing was never brought up again. Sigh.

I COULD GO ON

I COULD GO ON FOR DAYS

but I won’t cause dear gods I’ve been typing forever now

[spotsupstuff]

Ooh, super interested in what happened to your Sun and why he went from lying to himself to becoming an apathetic brick wall lol

well! Suns was always an apathetic brick wall. because of a design flaw. Moon has already talked about this in one of the questions we've answered:

the Iterator design evolved by the process of eliminating "redundant" things, with only their capability of figuring out the Great Problem taking priority. quite literal case of putting the evolution points into a singular specialization because of outside guidance

Gen 1s are chunky and tall as they are because they physically (with their puppets) interacted with the Ancients often- either because check ups and fixing things was often required since they were the experimental Generation OR for the sake of things like school/educational trips (citizens of Gen 3s would have road trips to Gen 1s rather than visiting their own iterators). and we end up with the lanky spiky Gen 3 design thanks to this process of elimination

the official jump from Gen 1 to Gen 2 was a BIG thing. different Gen happens when a LOT of things are eliminated to the point that the base design is more cumbersome and therefore it gets revamp to fit the systems better. the jump to Gen 2 wasn't.... the smoothest one

on a physical level everything had gone absolutely swimmingly. but some dumbfuck from the big designer/engineer/programmer team fucked up n accidentally removed the One thing that ensured the Iterators could experience emotions as fully and broadly as a normal organic. and so early Gen 2s have the reputation of being incredibly dull concerning emotional matters (some were a bit spared of this when someone from the construction team on-site noticed the flaw)

this was resolved within the same Generation and pretty quickly by reverse engineering the parts of Gen 1s that made them so capable of this. NSH specifically was very influencial in this research because, for some reason nobody could ever figure out, he was more emotion capable than most of Gen 1s (this fact got boosted cuz the reverse engineering then turned into Enhancing so they could see how far they could possibly take this. NSH does the Iterator equivalent of crying when watching movies Every Time GUARANTEED)

i already have this on hand, so here's Fish (early Gen 2) and Euros (mid Gen 2) for comparison

poor bastard Seven Red Suns drew the shortest stick possible with this design flaw n has absolutely Minimal emotional understanding and capability

the Terrible thing about this is that they are Aware of this flaw of theirs and what little spark of emotion they can surrect within themselves they dedicate to either mourning or hating it. that's the subject of their depressive "pondering" in this pic

they are *trying* so hard to have emotions and feelings. they often force fake ones into their voice and it's painfully apparent cuz they always put their all into it, no subtlety about it

the pain there is faked. they know what sounding pained means to other people, so they force their voice into such form to show to Spears that they didn't mean to be so blind to its capabilities of being a feeling, comprehending creature

their ruse of charm was put in place to make themselves... well, maybe not Feel exactly but you know what i mean- to seem better, i guess. so the other Iterators would love them, so the children wouldn't be so scared of their apparent coldness, so they wouldn't hurt anyone around them because harming people will make them go away and Suns doesn't want to be lonely and Needs other people if he wants to solve the Great Problem. more heads more smarts. "look at me, i'm alright! i feel alright! i am Well! i am happy!" and if i say that to myself enough it will Have to become true

like all Gen 1 n Gen 2 Iterators could tell they were bullshitting, though. they appreciated the effort though so most of the group accepted Suns either way. Gen 3s did not recognize it so much- that's how Pebbles ended up as their mentee rather than Moon's (as he was honestly set up to be, which just made him Not Want To take Moon on as his mentor) or some other Gen 1's (Gen 3s often search for mentors cuz there's a lot of things to catch up on in the research at this point- they often go for Gen 1s cuz naturally they have the most knowledge at hand. Innocence, for example, is Nish's mentee!!! she's his shitty little student, he wants to bonk her So much for bein disrespectful to everyone and he loves her with his entire fuckin being. his lil fucklet...)

this ruse starts to slowly slip past Suns' fingers some years after the Ancients' mass ascension. the longer the searching for solution drags on the more Iterators start giving up, becoming desperate, negative, ...insane... Suns gets affected by both the time and everyone else around them. the ruse doesn't MATTER anymore, because everyone is damaged in SOME way at some point. everyone is a little or a lot broken, what is so bad about their flaws at This point- nobody gives a shit and they sure as fuck don't have the emotional power to give a singular fuck in the first place so why not... just let go of that if it isn't so required anymore...

and so they become an apathetic brick wall openly to the whole world, "shedding" their lies, prioritizing logic and goal chasing over others' feelings and importance of the present

that's how we got here in my take on RW

Suns is fucked up, man

[bonesandthebees]

CHAPTER 5 (3/3)

War games time let’s go.

SO right away it being immediately obvious this is a test for the heirs potentials and Q & Niki know that but Tommy is still being left in the dark about why he’s there. Probably because no one is still entirely sold on Tommy as an option and this exercise acts as a way to test him against the other heirs and see how he stacks up with no training and if it’s worth investing the effort into him.

I feel so bad for him in the scene though because the way I’m imagining him as looking like a lost puppy while the others understand exactly what’s going on </3

Quackity’s answer shows what values he has and also his lack of knowledge on war strategies; he has ties to Schlatt and they both put a lot of value on gold and deals but as they are in an era of peace and there is presumably no tensions on the horizon, war strategies while useful to have, are not a priority on his mind as he doesn’t have the mind for it and doesn’t see the urgency for learning them at the moment.

Niki’s option is the one I would see myself going for tbh. It showcases how cutthroat she is and how the others underestimated her, probably seeing her more as the sweet patient girl she often presents herself as but she holds the capacity for great violence if the situation calls for it. Her logic is the most sound I think out of all of them, even if she doesn’t prioritise minimising casualties like how Phil keeps emphasising.

Her resistance to Phil’s counters to her strategy and her refusal to bend to his suggestions shows why he is more leaning towards Tommy as a new possible option; he wants a puppet ruler more like Sam rather than someone stubborn like Niki. She is strong willed and while she and Wilbur are best friends and she would take his advice into account, if she thought she was right she wouldn’t be likely to bend to his words.

Meanwhile Tommy didn’t have a fucking clue what he was doing, the poor bastard. He was grasping at straws at what he could give for an answer and after Niki’s answer got a lot of pushback from Phil, he just gave the answer he most wanted to hear. Which gave Phil further confirmation about the benefits of investing in Tommy as an option, he can shape him however he wants and Tommy will lean on Wilbur as an authority figure with more training and education on these topics for advice, much like how Sam does with him.

Also this marks the start of a possible feud / grudge between Niki and Phil as he constantly pushes back on her and she resents him for it and possibly begins to resent Wilbur a bit as well since he will always obey his father. I know I have mentioned this in a previous ask but just reiterating it in this one so I have all of my chapter 5 thoughts in one place lol.

And this point is further hammered home by Wilbur folding and agreeing to go with Tommy to L’mannes because of course he does.

- 🦈

yeah poor tommy during the entire war games scene 😭 he definitely had a lost puppy face on trying to figure out wtf was going on and why he was in a room with the two potential heirs, the consil, and the king himself

exactly exactly, Arestes has been at peace for quite a while now so Quackity has never even seen the war room being used. the last time it was used was before he arrived at the castle so he really doesn't feel like war strategies are as pertinent as things like making deals and trades. he understands the power of coin, not the power of force.

if phil wasn't so focused on finding a ruler that can be a puppet he would've admitted that niki's idea was the best of all three. he was really just saying the minimize casualties thing because he was trying to come up with an excuse for why her strategy wasn't solid but it really was the most logically sound. and her refusal to bend to phil's criticisms only cements his mindset that she isn't who they should prop up for the crown. she's too certain of herself and her decision making abilities. not in a way that she's arrogant or overly confident, but she isn't able to be manipulated like someone else (someone younger, less sure of themself) would be.

phil and niki have such an interesting dynamic in this fic. it hasn't come through as much yet, but phil holds a lot of respect for niki. he recognizes her potential and that's the problem. he doesn't want someone capable on the throne, he wants someone wilbur can use.

tbh it's not like wilbur really had much of a choice in the first place 😭

[castlebyersafterdark]

I don't understand the hate about this outfit like he looks goofy but he was cute in this!!!

omg it's my time to shine hahah i love talking costumes! firstly, mike's shirt is described as orange here by the costume designer so its not part of the blue and yellow theory really, sorry y'all! but we dont need that as byler evidence cos theyre clearly in love anyway. will was definitely judging his ensemble and my fav part is the way it says 'SURF' splashed across the back in huge pastel letters. it's an all-round cringe shirt for mike wheeler whose personality does NOT suit surfer boy style let alone fake, ill-fitting surfer boy knock off style haha. so really what the costume designers were doing is not trying to make mike look objectively bad in terms of out of context outfit, but rather its so awkward for his character and delivers the awkward vibes in as little time as possible in order to set the tone of the scene. so we can add into this...

the camera angle showing him cluelessly looking around for them

the way he's wearing sunglasses indoors, a feat only julian casablancas can pull off. mike wasnt on the concourse, he was never exposed to sunlight since he got on the plane in indianapolis and perhaps not even then lmao, no need for shades!

his goofy wave and squeaky, performative voice 'oh! oh hi will! fancy seeing you here!'

and the biggest culprit of all: THAT HAT

I mean, what is that hat? its the way its sat on his head making his hair look like a wig. major worzel gummidge vibes tbh. that hat cannot be worn with hair down, it should be with a high ponytail which makes me think is this even a man's hat? subtle costume design.

and lastly, the clothes are ill-fitting (just like his hellfire shirt which hangs off him and washes him out, making him look pallid and weary in episode 1). the orange washes him out, making his skin look extra pale (compare to the warmth of the van scene and how golden his skin looks there). the purple shirt does the same, and the vest is far too big for him. finn described the whole outfit, but mainly the flip flops as 'gross' lol, but its made worse by the sheer contrast of mike to will and el and everyone. he's so not cool here, in every way. perfect costume design storytelling!

so yeah, these details are subjective really, but then again you could say all of art is subjective. they try to create a mood and make you feel certain things when watching, and some people just won't get it. thats not a bad thing, but i think recognising when your taste butts heads with the artistic intention is very interesting! i always found mike to be a babe but i cringed so hard when he rocked up in this ensemble lmao. and i think the duffers wanted me to! compare it to how much his brown hair and pale skin suits the forest greens of season 1 and 2. mike is an autumnal colour complexion, not spring/summer pastels :)

THANK YOU for this! I love costume and wardrobes but I don't really feel like my knowledge base is adequate to deep dive beyond surface level vibes and this was a cool read.

Also yes! to the minimizing 'color theory' a little - it's a nice element for these two but I think too much stock is placed in what's a minor detail when so much more is important about these characters. And agree, Will was totally judging - even if he's into Mike, it's so clear that he's doing something out of character and awkward and trying to put on a different image for his girlfriend. I don't necessarily think the outfit is ugly - simply not Mike. That's what I'm saying but oh man, so right on every point. It's a very good storytelling tool. Yes, it's ill-fitting and the coloring makes him look off, like everything about how he's presenting himself is wrong. Overcompensation. Desaturation. I find the mistaken effort endearing, which I think is the point as well. The cringe along with the oh, Mike. He tried so hard and it turned out so wrong. You feel for him!!

(Hides though 🫣 as I'd absolutely wear the hat, I love an ugly hat. Then again - I go out of my way to wear ugly fashion on purpose sometimes because it's fun and amuses me, but that's a pointed choice haha. Mike probably thought it all was cool. I am not trying to be cool ever.)

He is an autumn boy! Fall colors and fall in general! Loved your take, very good insights. Agree agree, there's a lot of meaningful layers here and reasons for what we saw in that scene.

[aquabuggy]

was wondering if the rising attention surrounding 'lost media' has impacted your documentary/archival efforts into something this niche? as someone with a similar interest it's definitely given me a more universal concept to compare my own work to, I'd also just be interested in hearing more about your process in general. Sorry if this worded too pretentiously lol

Oh it’s not pretentious at all, don’t worry.

I will say the rise in popularity surrounding lost media as well as the stressed importance of archival has done a lot to motivate me. I was interested in preserving toy history before lost media got popularized, but it did wonders to convince me just how many people can be fascinated by the simple stories of things they might not even be interested in usually. Of course media should be preserved regardless if you have an audience or not to see/care about it, but it doesn’t hurt to know people really are out there that do. More attention also is a great tool for more vigorously combing the internet for information that could’ve easily been missed, as people love a good mystery, especially one they themselves can possibly help solve. It’s definitely one of the big reasons I started this blog.

In around 3 years, the original Wonderful Waterfuls will turn 50 years old. 50 years. That’s half a century. The exact creator of Waterful Ringtoss still isn’t widely available information. I don’t know their name. They may not be around anymore. I hope they are, when I find them I have so much I’d like to ask them.

Back when Netflix put up the first batch of The Toys That Made Us, I was curious if an episode on Waterfuls would ever drop. But after all my time researching these things, I don’t know if one ever will. Because despite being in several generations of peoples childhoods in some form or fashion, there’s very, very minimal information about them. There is no comprehensive list just showing every game that was released. There’s next to nothing, almost all information you have to search for through secondhand listings and infer through context. The most popular line of these games there is, and we’re missing very basic details about them. That’s part of my duty, I feel. To fill in as many missing details as I’m able with the information I’ve gathered and intend to keep gathering.

And the longer I’m in this hobby, the more stories I infer from the things I find. Unspoken tales and series of events that honestly likely have never been recorded to any degree. What do I mean? I’ve been somewhat haunted lately by a series of water games made by a company trying to get in on the craze, and how they really truly tried to create something original, but their new ideas kept failing in the final products, to the point they eventually caved in to the typical design conventions of the time (Waterful-ification, if you will). I’m still collecting for that, I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

I don’t feel I’ll run out of content anytime soon.

[lightwise]

Ahsoka Episode 3 Spoilers/Thoughts

So I never actually got around to listing out my reactions to Episode 3. I laid out some of my thoughts on Sabine using the Force here, in two parts because I'm surprised it's taken me this long to transcend Tumblr's image limit on a post.

SPOILERS BELOW THE CUT!

My love for Huyang continues to know no bounds...obviously

Still annoyed that Sabine's injury is basically non existent at this point even if she does fiddle with her waistband like it still hurts. Girl you are moving fine, why are we pretending it wasn't a completely unnecessary plot point.

"You told her that??" "It's true." (Still loving the Tech/Huyang comparisons, which I laid out here.)

Oooh the training mask looks like the temple guard mask Kanan put on when he was blinded.

Those wooden training sticks are really beautiful. The props department did not forsake the details in this show.

"Anger and frustration are quick to give power, but they also unbalance you." I honestly really like Ahsoka's version of this more than Yoda's "they lead to the dark side." They can be helpful and sometimes useful tools, and they are innately human emotions. But letting them run rampart will leave you unbalanced and out of focus.

Mon my beloved! I realllly want to know more of why her leadership in the New Republic wasn't able to thwart the First Order (or I guess Thrawn coming back?) She's so capable and intelligent all through her efforts to fight the Empire and advocate for her people. I wonder if she kept her powers too minimal as an overcorrection from Palpatine that she was unable to influence senators like Xiono to do the right thing. Like give me a Dr. Pershing Mando season 3 level episode here on what's going on in the Senate, I beg you.

All of that said, in a vacuum I definitely understand the Senators' efforts to want to put resources toward their people and building up the new Republic, not further military operations. That's not a bad desire at all. Unfortunately it's just too early to let up on security yet (even though that is the same tactic Palpatine used to start squashing dissenters of the Empire in TBB).

Sometimes the dialogue in this show feels like it's not connected to the Rebels characters we know. Hera assuming that Thrawn had died in the first episode, now here she's saying he killed friends that were like family to her? Idk if these are Dave's attempts to give some context to new viewers, but they end up feeling like the characters don't remember what we know about them.

MEW is definitely nailing Hera's strength and emotion though.

Jacen!! And his hair is still green! I wonder what the Lego fakeout was for then. He's so Kanan's son. And Hera's face here!!

The whole conversation about the Force between Ahsoka and Sabine ahhhhhh

Lol the cup is so obviously on a track in the groove in the table

The entire conversation about Sabine between Ahsoka and Huyang AHHHHHHHH

DISASTER LINEAGE :D :D :D

Is it just me or if Hera and Sabine are going to be wearing heavy makeup, Ahsoka should have her darker purple lip color?

Sabine is everyone their first time playing a video game.

"I have several thoughts on everything else going on" LOL

I LOVE Ahsoka's ship. Homey and agile.

I was very worried that Huyang would get wiped with that power surge, but I guess after 25,000 years he's learned to have a backup databank or two.

Ahsoka in a space suit heck yeah. That's Anakin's padawan and Plo's adopted daughter right there. And I love that it's a continuous shot showing her getting back onto the wing/into the ship.

Marrok talking and flying a ship is so funny to me. Especially given ep 4.

Ahsoka and Sabine's dynamic feels much more dialed in now.

THE SPACE WHALES HAVE ARRIVED AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL

Huyang completely unphased at them almost dying multiple times. He knows what Jedi shenanigans are like.

Seatos is absolutely stunning. I can't get enough of the gray fog and the red trees

The visuals and the banter in this episode are 10/10

Intergalactic hyperspace lanes followed by the path of the Purgill!!!!

Man I need Baylon's backstory NOW.

[annislittleshopofhorrors]

I think out of all the bs DM dishes out on a daily basis, this comment about certain ppl not liking AB is probably the one accurate thing.

Not saying the engagement party stuff is accurate bc lol where did that even come from, but the overall “ppl don’t like her/vibe with her”.

I think there’s def some semblance of truth here.

Ppl always mention she supposedly continues to be around him, spending time with him, family, friends, and attending fashion shows, premieres, clout chasing influencer bday parties, yet continuously no one is checking for her.

This tells me that even from a fake, networking, superficial perspective, ppl don’t care about her.

If she was simply just shy, but nice once you got to know her, she’d still be able to make connections and keep them. But if she’s unable to even make superficial connections with ppl…what does that tell you?

If just her WN costars had posted on her bday, even if they weren’t close or BFFs, it’s still a nice PR thing to do to show support and also get fans excited, esp if the show may still have some sort of a future. This is the younger generation that puts much more stock into SM well wishes, so I think it’s more telling that they stayed silent over if she was from like a boomer or older millennial generation.

But if there wasn’t even a minimal effort to be fake on SM…? From costars, or even other acquaintances in the industry or wherever?

If one person doesn’t vibe with her, I would just say it’s a chemistry thing. But if the majority of ppl, in various circles, don’t vibe with her…well.

Sorry, I still try to catch up 🙈

Other anons:

[izzy-b-hands]

A one shot that was meant to be flash fiction (I tried, not very well, lmao) for Ferguson Friday! The end is also a mini sneak peek into the beginning of the Denise/Ferguson fic I've been working on the last few weeks (and hope to have done sooner rather than later!)

A snapshot of Ferguson prior to the meetup in the aforementioned longer fic, giving a look into what he's like outside of work/what worries him/how he lives. Also my chance to give him the backstory the original show wasn't able to lol, including a focus on his relationship with his aging mum and deceased father.

TW for mentions of coping via less than ideal habits with cigarettes and alcohol

There’s a particular creak of the floorboard at the center of his entryway.

He always manages to press directly on it; the toe of his slightly scuffed black dress shoes pressing down into the dip of the board. A sign of rot? Just a quirk of the flooring, older than him by more than a stretch?

He settles his woolen coat, then his suit coat, onto the coat rack in the corner of the entryway. A gif from his mum, when he’d first moved in. It’s been ages since she’s been out to visit, but with her emphysema, she doesn’t get out much at all anymore. Per the doctors, it’s safer for her, and he can always come to visit her.

But the work takes over his schedule, and she tells him to put himself first. She won’t be around forever, but she’s ‘not planning on going anywhere anytime soon.’ He doesn’t know that she’ll get as much choice in that as she wishes, and he misses the sight of her coat on the rack. Vintage fur in the winter, a tan lighter wool one for the spring and summer. Fall, she doesn’t leave the house, when the memory of his father’s death presses upon her.

His father wasn’t particularly impactful. Not much good, but did minimal harm, overall. Left the three of them with an addiction to cigarettes from the stress of getting on together, and a predilection for alcohol at the worst of times.

“What would he say about all of this?” Trevor asks aloud as he pours himself a dram of whiskey. “He didn’t teach you to act like that.”

He didn’t refute it either. That’s not an excuse, barely an explanation, and he desperately wants to call Denise.

It wouldn’t be appropriate, and why on earth would she want to hear from him now anyway? After the years of shouting at her, admittedly for things that were going to get her in trouble, might have even ruined her career-

He pulls off his tie and tosses it over the arm of the armchair before he drops into it with an exhausted sigh. His work now isn’t tiring because of the effort, but because of how fucking boring it gets. How repetitive. Everyone wants the accolades for doing something good or useful, but no one wants to actually do it, and it feels useless advising people that make more money than him about it.

The drink is good, and after he has a new cigarette lit (from the good pack, the better brand that he hides down the side pocket of the chair, only for his worst days), he can almost pretend he’s relaxing.

The phone is on the small end table near his chair. He’s kept it old school, with a corded phone that stretches nearly all over his flat so he can keep moving as he talks to people.

Not that anyone other than his mum and boss ever call, but. The option is nice to have.

He pulls the table closer now, so he can dial. But his fingers don’t move as they linger in the air over the buttons of the dial pad.

“She’ll tell me to fuck off, and she’d be right to do so,” Trevor mutters.

But he’s heard rumours. Just little things, but with massive implications for Denise if true.

And in his heart, he knows they likely are. She wanted the man caught, and she didn’t care how. He can’t blame her, but there’s next to nothing he can do to protect her.

He tosses back the rest of his drink, and dials his mum’s number instead.

“Hello?”

A voice, not unfamiliar, but not overly familiar either. The new nurse he’s hired to keep an eye on her in the afternoons and evenings. He’d forgotten she’d be in already. “Trevor?”

“Yeah, hi,” he stammers. “Is Mum in?”

“She is, but she’s gone down early tonight. She did ask that I wake her if you would call, do you want me-”

“No, don’t wake her,” he rushes through the words, regretting having called at all. She gets so tired, of course she’s not awake this late into the evening. “Thank you for answering, and for keeping watch on her. Is she doing alright? Do you need anything? I can pop down and bring anything you-”

“The pantry is still full of the snacks and things you bought last time you visited,” she cuts him off gently. “I’ll let you know when we start running out. She did okay today. We managed a walk down the lane which she really liked. Wished for a camera, so she could show you the birds we saw.”

He makes a mental note to find her a camera, something not antique, but that she won’t struggle to use either. “Thank you. I’m glad to hear, and I appreciate everything you’re doing for her. I know she can be-”

“She’s no worse than anyone else on my schedule,” the nurse laughs, and he’s in a panic trying to recall her name. Close to Denise’s, so he’d kept getting them confused-

“Trevor, maybe you should get to bed as well, hm?” Dena. That’s it. Dena, specified on her resume that it’s spelled with an ‘e’, not an ‘i’. “I’ll let her know you called in the morning, and she might reach out then after I go. You two can chat over breakfast.”

He’ll be out for the day, but she has his office number too. One of the few who does, along with Denise. “Sounds good. Thank you, Dena.”

She hangs up with a gentle chuckle, and there’s a flutter in his stomach again.

He could try. He could call her and apologise for all of it. Let her know that it’s not an excuse, barely an explanation, but he’ll do what he can to make up for it. Even if he can’t do much for her current troubles, if there’s anything at all-

His phone rings, and he nearly drops the receiver as he picks it up. “Hello?”

“Can you come over?”

Denise. Sounding like she’s on the edge of tears.

“Sorry?”

“Can you just come over?”

He panics, nearly dropping his cigarette as he sets it into the ashtray on the table. He’s got a bit of an envelope and a pen that works if it’s held at a very exact angle, and even if he can’t get the address of wherever Denise is down perfectly, he’ll wander until he finds her.

He interrupts her own panicking flurry of words. “Where are you?”