#I started a new job and haven’t had much energy to draw for myself but I missed drawing her

[dizzychao]

Quick Amy doodles while I wait for food to cook lol

[cogneato-inc]

Arthur Morgan x TransMasc!Reader Headcanons

Recently made some Discoveries about myself and in entirely unrelated news found that there is a Severe Lack of Boy Kisser Arthur Morgan

I am now dedicating my life to fixing this issue-

NSFT near the end !

The way he finds out is probably some kind of life or death situation (because of course it is)-

You two are away from camp, on what was supposed to be an easy job - some stagecoach with lackluster security, and apparently quite a bit of cash on board

But of course you weren’t the only ones with your eye on it; a gunfight ensues and long story short you’re injured- bad enough that Arthur notices almost immediately

It’s just your luck that you were hit in the side, you’ll have to take your shirt off to treat it- and as much as you try to protest, begging Arthur to let you handle it alone, he’s insistent that No, you Cannot take a bullet out of your own side, you Goddamn Fool (he’s exaggerating a little, it just grazed you - but he’s so so scared of losing you, why are you being so stubborn ???)

And of course you’re absolutely terrified of how he’s going to react, what’s going to happen to you, will you have to run away ?

But y’all he barely pauses-

You’re a good man, one of his best friends and a hell of a shot - he’s not letting you bleed out just because he’s a little surprised

(+ he’s been all over the place and met all sorts of folks, it’s probably not even his first time knowing someone who’s trans-)

He doesn’t mention it in the moment - doesn’t want to put any more stress on you, or say the wrong thing

But he’s sure not to treat you any different while he’s patching you up, and doesn’t hesitate about your pronouns or name when he talks to you about the injury

Helps you hide anything you need to while you’re healing - if you don’t have a tent he’s offering his own, and snapping at anyone who questions it

When he does eventually approach you to talk about it, he makes sure you know that he doesn’t see you any differently, and that nothing’s changed now that he knows

(Okay he says nothing’s changed but he Absolutely starts calling you ‘boy’ a lot more often-)

‘Atta boy-‘ ‘Good eye, boy.’ ‘Nice shootin’ boy!’

He‘ll stop if you ask, he just wants to make it clear that he doesn’t see you as any less of a man-

If he notices you haven’t had a chance to take off your bindings in a while he’ll tell everyone you’re going hunting together and take you into town to get a bath and hotel room for the night so you can take a break. (He’s a total mother hen when it comes to making sure you’re taking care of yourself)

Arthur didn’t have the best childhood but he’s got a lot of good memories of going fishing with Dutch and Hosea, and he definitely got into all sorts of mischief when he was younger. Roughhousing with John, learning how to shoot, swimming in the creek, etc, etc- as soon as he realizes you probably didn’t get a chance to make memories like that he is On It

He’s always telling you stories about his childhood, and he definitely encourages you to try out whatever you may have missed

If you don’t know how to fish he’s teaching you, End Of

(He pushes you into the water and you end up wrestling him in with you- you both go back to camp soaked to the bone and grinning. Definitely got scolded about all of the mud on your clothes)

Him teaching you how to shave ??? The Proximity,, o ugh

Once you’re together he takes every opportunity to call you His Man <3 <3 <3

On the nsfw side of things,,,

This man has been thinking of you every night for Months and this changes Absolutely None Of That

Of course before he knew you were trans his fantasies were a little different,, anatomy wise-

But he’s still Fucking his Fist thinking of you every night (when he has the energy </3), For Sure

Draws you Naked (whether you’ve been together or not - he has a Great Imagination) and Prays to God you never go through his journal-

Definitely Ogles you while you do chores around camp - Cannot keep his eyes off you

He pretends to be busy with something else so he can watch you chop wood, his eyes drift to your ass every time you bend over to grab anything

He has to physically Look Away anytime you hook your thumbs into your pockets, or stretch, or rest your hands on your belt, or aim a rifle, or haul bales of hay around- it’s torture, replaying in his head on nights when he doesn’t pass out as soon as he lays down.

When you finally get together and find the time to get down and dirty, Absolutely expect some ‘Good Boy’s thrown out -

For one this man has a Massive Praise Kink, giving and receiving - we all know this

But he also wants to give some extra reassurance in the moment, that even fully exposed you’re still a man in his eyes

Him eating you out on his knees in an alley ???

Your back against the wall and one hand in his hair while the other covers your mouth because damn he is GOOD at this but you have to keep quiet-

(Your taste gets him so worked up, he’s absolutely touching himself while he does it - spills on the ground when you cum, his other hand gripping your hip to help you stay upright)

[siriuslysatorusimping]

*old draft* I Want Forever (Another Level extra)

I'm angry. And I'm just gonna fucking post this as a reminder for myself.

-

This is an extra for Another Level, which can be found on AO3.

NSFW below the cut.

“Get your ass back here.”

Rinko crossed her arms petulantly at his tone, sticking her tongue out as she glared at him.

He didn’t get to order her around like that.

“No.”

Gojo raised his eyebrows at her as she clenched her jaw.

“Baby-”

“Fuck you.”

He was exasperated now, a small smile on his face as she continued to glare at him.

“Rinko.” His voice held a warning now, and she scowled. “Come here.”

“Make me.”

She’d said it unintentionally, her irritation making her speak before she could think that she was serious about wanting to do something other than have sex the entire time they were there.

His growl was low as he pounced, yanking her back towards the bed and pinning her beneath him.

“Wait!” she snapped, fighting as he held her hands beside her head, raising his eyebrows. “I’m serious, I want to see something other than the fucking ceiling of this damn room-”

“We can move to the other room if you’d like,” he teased, pressing his lips to her neck. At her quiet whimper, he ground his hips down into hers. “Or you could be on top, you know I like it when you-”

“We’ve been here three days, and I haven’t even gotten to see-”

“Didn’t hear you complaining earlier,” he said smugly, already sliding back inside her. “So good, you’re so fucking perfect. And you’re mine.”

She rolled her eyes, unable to fight the amusement at how wrecked he looked as he intertwined their fingers, feeling the ring on his own hand.

“How are you still this horny?” she asked, her back arching when he scraped her gspot. “Shit, fuck-”

Her eyes rolled back when he rolled his hips harder to hit the spot insistently.

“Can’t help it, baby,” he said, moaning as he watched her face. “You look so perfect like this. Can’t get enough.”

“You’ve had plenty,” she insisted, whimpering again when he started moving. “And I don’t know how much more I can take.”

“Is that a challenge, sweetheart?” he teased, grinning when she shook her head. “Sounds like one.”

“Gojo-”

“Satoru,” he said, watching her roll her eyes. “Don’t forget baby, I know it’s new and all, but you’re a Gojo now, too.”

His movement faltered a bit when she clenched around him, and he laughed.

“Like that?” he asked, pressing his lips to hers as he sped up. “Gojo Rinko? I’ll admit it doesn’t flow quite as well as Kurisaki, but goddamn baby, does it sound really fucking good.”

She couldn’t say anything in response, her throat closing around a loud cry as she came, clenching down and drawing a long groan from his throat.

“Fuckin-” Gojo moaned, her tremors triggering his own release and he stilled, his body shuddering. “Fuck, I wanna spend forever like this.”

“Why did we even bother traveling if this is all-?”

“If you have enough energy to this bratty after an orgasm I’m fuckin doing my job wrong,” he muttered, shifting his hips slightly.

“I did say it’s always the cocky ones who can’t-”

His hands moved to her sides, fingers digging into her ribs as he trapped her beneath him, tickling her relentlessly.

“Wait!” she squealed, giggling against him as he pressed his lips to hers. “Wait-!”

He rolled his hips, his cock already hard again and she moaned against him, her giggles mixing with it and he groaned again.

“Fucking-” he moaned against her. “The fucking sounds you make baby. Dunno how you expect me not to keep you here like this forever. Fucking addicted to you, baby.”

“You’re such a greedy piece of shit,” she said, snorting as she laughed. “Really, what else could you possibly want?”

“Forever,” he stated simply, meeting her eyes with a grin. “I want forever with you.”

[anonymousblackmale]

A Very Specific Need

Work has been crazy. I started this new job a few months ago, and it’s been hectic at the office. I really do like my job and all my coworkers, but there was so much turnover in my department prior to my coming on board that no one really knew how bad it was. I’m constantly finding new issues that are actually old problems that were never addressed, or things that the previous administration either swept under the rug or genuinely never got around to; and here I am, the new guy, trying to navigate everything all at once. Everything’s genuinely a priority, but they’re all competing with each other and it feels like I’m just constantly putting out fires vs preventing them from happening in the first place.

I’m approaching 6 months here, and now that I’ve acclimated, I’ve lowkey

fallen into a pattern of waking up, going to work, coming home, working from home and going to sleep, just to get right back up do it all again. The days are starting to bleed into each other & it’s turning into a situation where I feel myself starting to go on autopilot.

Separately, I’ve been frustrated.

I haven’t had a whole lot going on in my personal life. Work has monopolized so much of my time; I couldn’t even tell you the last time I had a chance to truly decompress. The weekends have been relegated to being a short respite from work, but it’s not any real opportunity to recharge. It’s basically just long enough to get the edge off. And that’s not even addressing the sexual frustration.

On the one hand I feel almost completely drained, but on the other hand I have all of this pent-up sexual energy that’s had nowhere to go. I’ll be sitting at my desk and my mind will wonder off to some of the many places I’d rather be; but before I can even consider the thought, my phone will ring or there’ll be a knock at my door or some random outlook calendar reminder will go off. I don’t even have the luxury of being distracted during the day, and you already know what happens when I get home. I have no outlet. The only option I have at this point is to try and figure out some way to make the little bit of free time I have count, and lately I’ve been at a loss.

But that’s where you come in.

That’s where you shine through to break up the monotony of this never-ending cycle. That’s where you put on your cape and save me from the monotony of my day-to-day life. That’s where I get the chance to disconnect from everything that has tied me down these last few months and finally release. That’s where I need you. I need you to let me put in work. To give me a chance to see exactly what I’ve been missing, what I’ve been needing and what I’ve been craving. To let me finally play out the things I have in my mind that I haven’t even been able to think about; and believe me when I say there’s a lot.

I’ve been thinking about the things I want to do to you. With you. Things that turn you on & make you crave more. Things that give you the type of attention I’ve been needing. Things that’ll have you weak in the knees and leaving wet spots in your panties. Things that will cause you to make all the sounds that feed my soul, which is exactly what I’ve been needing; and the reality is, I need to hear you.

I need to hear you when you feel my lips against your skin. To tell me how it feels when I find that spot on your neck that makes you melt. How you like when I use my teeth as I work my way down to your collarbone. The anticipation you feel in the instant before I play with your nipples. Pinching and pulling on one while I use my tongue to draw circles on the other.  Tell me how my kisses feel as travel down your body, or the things on your mind when I get comfortable and position myself between your legs. I want to know how soft my lips feel when they’re pressed against yours. I want you to tell me that I’ve been teasing you and you’re ready for more. I need to hear the desperation in your voice before my tongue makes a reappearance. I need to hear it wasn’t fair to keep you waiting when I bring you to the edge of the bed right before I dive in. I need to hear your moans to stoke the fire that were basically down to an ember. Tell me when your close so I can hold you in place. Beg me not to stop so you can get across the finish line. Let it all out for me. Say my name when you cum. Share it all with me because I’ve worked hard for it. 

[shiny-miltank]

A leche hobbies update:

Update on knitting adventures: almost done with a scarf I started 🤔 dropped stitches everywhere but it really helps with my adhd to have something in my hands to play with while feeling like I’m working towards something! Don’t think I’ll show it off though LMAO, it’s ugly as a scarf but I like it as a “baby’s first scarf” to look back on when I get better. And it’s warm :)!

Other thing: picked up a sewing machine from the good will and still in really great shape and working! Its old and has character and I love it HAH. I’m learning from my abuelita on her own machine. It’d be great to combine this and knitting to make essentials and to repair clothes that really need it.

Drawing/not really a hobby it’s my “Jobby”: sorry for being a lil slow on updates! I got a little bit of burnout and I really want to finish summers commissions so I can clear my schedule more. I’m just about done so I’m no longer chipping on three projects at a time between my full time job oof-but do know they are being worked on. I’ve got adoptables on the way and sketching the next ask-n update! I’ve also been keeping an eye on other places to post like insta and bluesky but I feel like I need to like…observe? Some more? Before committing and learning whole new platforms and posting schedules bleh.

I got other projects in the pipeline, one including a pmd thing, more Paldea headcanons and what not and some certain purple psychic cat things returning. But all in due time! Can’t overwhelm myself : 0

And a little bit of a rant or ramble about perhaps dropping a longtime hobby I’ve had and feeling sad about it beneath the cut ;( but if you’ve read this far thanks! Love ya’ll for supporting me!

I think a handful of you? Know I roleplay on this platform and have for a good seven? Eight? Years. It’s fun, a lot of my ideas and headcanons and art I’m known for were actually jump started by some random thread or idea from between my rp partners and what not. The Mewtwo blog, ask-n, scarlet turo and etc etc were old muses or ideas that turned into their own thing. It’s always been so easy to write and collaborate your ideas with the rp community you’re in and it becomes it’s whole big thing!

But I know it hasn’t always been the healthiest hobby for me after awhile but esp when I want to focus on content creation as a job that I’m really into. I no longer have the time to maintain plots and characters despite being so determined to stick to it. It’s becoming more of a distraction of just scrolling down the rp dashboard out of FOMO more then anything and heck I can’t even see most of it as a lot of events and verses and etc I blacklist to attempt to curb anxiety and distractions which haven’t been working lately 🤔 I still get lots of anxiety.

That and the community’s changed really. I know every old rper has typed their piece on “back in the good old days-“, leaves their blog and doesn’t give any useful advice or attempt to change the narrative lol. I don’t want to do that.

And it’s not the communities fault either. It’s natural for spaces to change to help new ideas and new people come in. It just means maybe it’s no longer meant for me and that’s okay. If anything it’s more how my friends I’ve been with for all my time there have left or are leaving. There’s a disconnect I can’t seem to get over no matter what new muse or idea I promote esp when I’m no longer comfortable in the space I enjoyed for so long. I never had to block so many things before and again not the communities fault and none of the things I’m blocking are unsavory, it’s more like my tastes and likes and dislikes and what I have spoons for have just become different over so long. It’s totally a me thing.

It’s in my mind that maybe it’s okay to let it go since I’m getting so hyped for my newer hobbies and the ideas I have for my art/comics. I don’t have the time anymore to dedicate so much energy on it like I use to esp when even over all my work Im still figuring out my adhd after getting diagnosed officially, new meds, the other mental diagnosis that makes the mental soup in my head alongside other life stuff.

I owe rp in general for helping me get that creative spark and through a lot of tough, long dark times. It’s provided me with the escapism and outlet since like, forever. I started rping in ye old Neopet neomail days and haven’t stopped since besides the occasional period that didn’t last long. Who knows maybe this is just a rut and I’ll feel better tomorrow or next week or something. Could be the change of seasons where my seasonal depression kicks in but I’m not quitting yet but it’s somewhere in the funky mind palace as I navigate this weird patch.

Thanks if you’ve read my ramblings this far! I wish there was a way to reward peeps who read through my long jargon? It just feels good to know I can scream into the void and sometimes I’ll have one or two people nod at me in understanding. Idk, I’ll think of something—

[enforcerrinzler]

What’s the lie your character says most often?

How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

What’s a hobby they used to have that they miss?

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

When do they fake a smile? How often?

What’s the lie your character says most often?

That he’s fine, not injured or not in pain. Rinzler is at minimum one of these things at all times. My Rinz basically got all the old uprising scars back + new ones when Clu captured him for the last time.

Basically Clu looked at what Dyson did last time but went ‘I can do better’, threw some psychological stuff into the mix and added a few of his own touches. So Rinz is always in pain, because now not only do the scars never fully heal, they never close at all.

Thus keeping them wholly dependent on Clu, he basically needs highly concentrated energy or else his body will start derezzing. Regular energy helps for awhile but not for nearly as long. Basically Uprising but Rinz is dying at a much more accelerated rate than Tron was.

How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

Currently Rinzler doesn’t have anyone they would call a ‘friend’. The closest thing would likely be with Klax, Nord, and Reeve (the security team he worked with in Uprising). Rinzler isn’t sure why but they work together better than the other programs Clu has him work with. And even though they may be annoying little glitches sometimes he almost enjoys the banter between them.

They are still only fellow soldiers though. That’s what Rinzler tells themself every time he feels a bit of disappointment when the team he’s assigned doesn’t have them on it.

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

Mainly just the audience, though I write Yori, Clu, and a few others as knowing how to read him well. Rinzler usually shows his emotions via body language and purrs (Unironically, and they hate it, it’s something he very much has to consciously control. Which they do get better with over time).

What’s a hobby they used to have that they miss?

Free will. Painting/drawing, I think Tron was very artistic (mainly inspired by Yori :3). When Clu had Rinzler on less of a tight leash he would let Rinzler have more ‘free time’. But somehow muscle memory and subconscious memory are stubborn as hell and they kept drawing/painting his friends bad programs and the ENCOM grid weird places so Clu quickly stopped that.

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Restraining myself from going on a multi page rant of Rinzler and Clu’s relationship.

If we are going off the last time Rinzler said I love you, it was after Yori’s death (kneeling over a pile of voxels and screaming).

They haven’t said it since, so very strict no usage, at least verbally.

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

Tough love definitely. You know how a parent shakes their kid after they decided to play hide and seek in a giant mall for three hours? Rinzler constantly has to do that with Klax, Nord, and Reeve.

They don’t ever seem to stay out of trouble for more than two clicks but they are good at their jobs and though Rinzler wants to punch them sometimes they don’t make him want to throw himself back in the Sea of Simulation like 99% of the rest of the Occupation does.

When it comes to receiving, Rinzler due to various past and current circumstances, would prefer neither. But they are most familiar with tough love, so that’s what they would ‘prefer’. He has absolutely no idea what constitutes genuine tough love vs physical abuse when it comes to Clu or those that have power over him.

For Rinz love intrinsically equals pain, because Clu ‘loves’ him enough to rip out the awful ‘virus’ that constantly regrows in his system from his dip in the Sea of Simulation.

When do they fake a smile? How often?

Rinzler’s face under his mask is 90% of the time deadpan thousand yard stare of a wet exhausted gremlin who is done with everything and everyone. 9% of the time snarling or baring his teeth like a rabid dog, and 1% of the time genuinely smiling because he just pushed Dyson down the stairs.

If im being serious, probably only when Clu lets him take off his helmet. Which is not very often. Even then they are very conscious to keep their face controlled depending on what he thinks Clu wants to see. (This is not the case when his helmet is busted after Legacy. Rinz is so used to having his helmet cover his face that he just doesn’t really know how to control his face?? They were only really conscious of it when Clu was around because of the conditioned response he instilled.)

[undrgrnd-nft]

THE MOTION ART JOURNAL: ULTRARUIDOSO'S RESTLESS IMAGES

by David Koblesky

ORIGINALLY POSTED 12/22/22 ON UNDRGRND.IO

Imagine you are a traditional illustrator, and you are creating something new and are facing a blank sheet of paper.  But what if that paper enabled you to create something that moved?  Since almost all images we now look at are on a screen backed by a computer, this is possible.  The image that the illustrator will create, which used to be necessarily static because of the nature of paper, can now move because of the dynamic nature of the screen. Both are flat surfaces presenting an image.  But the one backed by a computer can easily move.

Argentine artist Ultraruidoso is like this:  Essentially an illustrator since all of the images are ‘static’ in that they are in one position and do not perform any real narrative ‘action.’  Despite being ‘static,’ they move in the most dynamic and exciting ways, made possible because of the computer behind the screen.  His images burst with life and energy even though they remain in one position.  XCOPY is an artist who works in this style, but Ultraruidoso also uses sound, which he discusses below.

Ultraruidoso was generous enough to answer some questions about his art.

______________________________________________________________

Do you have a day job?

No, I’m an independent artist, a crypto artist, and I live from my digital art sales. So far, I haven’t had many sales, and my income is low, but I’m confident in what I do. I never had much money, so I know how to get through periods where I don't sell, but I hope this situation improves. The most important thing is doing what I feel I’ve got to do. My art is my passion, and I enjoy creating with image and sound. 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Buenos Aires, in a small urban area. As a child, I drew monsters, aliens and space travellers. I dreamed of going to the stars in a spaceship, but I already lived in a galaxy far, far away, thanks to Star Wars. I liked and still like Horror, Fantasy and Sci-Fi movies, but I want to watch everything! I liked skateboarding and looking for “haunted houses” with my neighborhood friends. I love music, and since I was a baby, I listened to Pink Floyd, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Beatles, Queen, Kiss, Giorgio Moroder and Kraftwerk on my dad's vinyl records! Yeah, this beautiful mix made me listen to The Ramones, Nirvana, Daft Punk, The Chemical Brothers, Snoop Dogg, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Spinetta, Charly García and Soda Stereo at the same time over the years, to name a few.

Did you have art training?

I’ve always been self-taught, and also decided to study academically, which helped me interact with people and also confirm that I can’t follow others’ rules and that it is better for me to find my own way. I studied Image and Sound Design. I learned about visual, musical and cinematographic language and how to write stories and create with images and sounds. I studied animation in a very experimental school workshop where I animated all the time using different techniques. And experimentation has led me to learn skills in creating oscillators, piezoelectric microphones, homemade instruments, bio-interfaces and even to draw sound on film strips!

How did you start making motion art? How do you feel about motion work vs. static work? Because essentially your work is static, but in motion, if that makes sense? 

I experimented with still images, motion and sound, looking for my own style, a way of creating with which I feel is me, with which I can flow, have fun, have catharsis and be happy. I discovered that the best way to express myself is through animation, drawing and creating something alive, bringing out everything I’ve inside. I wanted to do it in a particular way; I wanted my art to be seen as losing the perception of time. I wanted to create a living image that you can always find new details in, details that you haven’t seen before. With static art, I couldn't achieve this, but I like the power of still images. I like it because you can enjoy simply looking at them or looking at them for meaning. When I created still images, I tried to create dynamism with my strokes, colors or adding sound to give them temporality, but still images are frozen in time. I wanted to create restless and live images, providing space for contemplation and reflection. Yeah, my art is motion, and at the same time, it’s static! I create animated lines, dots and shapes that form a figure that, if you abstract yourself, you can see as a whole static thing even though the parts that compose it are moving in an infinite loop, so this thing it’s alive. I create illustrations that are alive! But I also profoundly need to play with sound, make noises and music because, with these, I also express myself. 

What role do you think sound plays in your work?

Sound is the soul, the essence of my visual art because I create from my internal sounds and sound experimentation. I’m always creating with sound. Rhythm is in all my animations, even if they’re silent. But if my art has sound, it’s always to create meaning, say something, and give a sensation because sound creates a whole artwork with the image.

What tools/processes do you use to create your work?

I draw my animations and create sound with an iPad Pro. I like my Pencil and interact with multi-touch interfaces. Sometimes I have an idea or concept before starting to animate or make sounds, and other times it’s a catharsis of feelings or thoughts that take me on unknown and unexpected paths. I like to experiment, improvise, I want to play. I create my figures by drawing animated loops. Each one has different timing and all animations are a whole. They aren’t created to be viewed separately. My animations are short, usually one second long, and they’re designed to be looping endlessly. So GIF is the best format for me. Sometimes I animate from my sound experiments that I listen to while I’m drawing. Other times I let myself fly away with my mind and heart sounds, my inner rhythm. My state of mind influences the character and motion of each stroke I draw or each noise or sound I create.

How long have you been in the NFT scene? How has it gone so far?

I started showing my art as NFTs in March 2021. I consider myself a crypto artist. People are getting to know me, and my art has received positive feedback. I’m so happy about that because it motivates me to create more and more! I didn't use Twitter before, and it took me a long time to learn how to interact with people on this social network. But now I’m more comfortable and even create Spaces where I improvise with my sound, sometimes something musical comes up, sometimes it's a noisy madness, it's so fun!

What artists do you like and follow? 

XCOPY, A. L. Crego, Mirai Mizue, Jan Švankmajer. I would like to mention Norman McLaren and John Cage because I really like their work. 

Do you think that Motion Art is a new Art form as I lay out in my initial piece?

Motion Art has been around for many years, using all kinds of techniques and media. But not long ago, artists began to create art using the GIF format, whose main characteristic is the ability to repeat itself continuously. The repetition may or may not be noticeable, but when it isn’t, when you don’t know when a motion begins or ends, I think that art transports you to a timeless space. You can contemplate the artwork differently than a static illustration or an animation that starts and ends forever. I chose this way of creating with motion because I intend my art to seem alive, that you can look at it for as long as you want without being able to find the beginning or end of the motion of each element that I animate, that you can see it in constant motion, without noticing cuts, and that you can be surprised with a detail that you haven’t seen before. Because this way of creating art is becoming more and more popular, I agree with your thoughts about Motion Art. I'm not sure about the name because many people would argue that there’s a lot of motion art which may be created in other ways or follow different rules. Nor do I care about categories, but I think it's good that there are people like you who analyze art. I’ll be happy if you look at my art and feel the energy with which I created it, the motion that immortalizes my thoughts or feelings in an infinite loop. And thank you so much for your interest in what I do.

[hannahhasafact]

Gonna treat my tumblr like a journal and ramble some thoughts, feel free to read if you want:

Little by little, my apartment is becoming a place that doesn’t feel… embarrassing? Like being an adult woman, many of my friends and family my age have living situations that are nice. In some ways, I feel like my apartment still looks like one a college kid lives in, and it’s just embarrassing. I’ve never really had people hang out at my apartment because 1. There’s no space for people and 2. It’s just not a nice hang out space. But I feel like I’m getting better at making it a nicer space I think.

Related by why the fuck is my house constantly dusty I am ALWAYS DUSTING

I know there’s still probably a month until we find out about k-con artist alley but god the waiting is killing me. Like it would be incredible and awesome to get in yes but more than anything it’s the not knowing that is killing me oh my god. Probably won’t find out until the end of June and I’m dying (though I totally get why! I’m just so impatient)

I’m in this weird moment in my life where technically I probably have some sort of undiagnosed anxiety disorder but at the same time it feels weird to say that? Like what I mean is literally multiple people around me will be like “yeahhhhh there might be something up” and I’ve had physical reactions to stress in such a way, but it feels weird to say I have a thing without being like… actually diagnosed with a thing? Feels like I’m making excuses for myself.

In the same vein, I’ve been thinking about “Huh. Why am I having such a visceral response to anxiety compared to how I used to be.” And ngl I think it’s because I’m basically doing no physical activity? I’ve been a pretty physical person all my life and in the last few months it has dropped to like… zero movement. After getting covid, I allowed myself to not be physical mainly because holy shit it wipes you the fuck out. And then… I kind of just stopped moving. And it’s so hard to get moving again. Especially because I’m so tired all the time, but I know that physical activity helps with that drained energy! And I know it would help with my brain! And with so much! And I just… haven’t.

Every time I talk to my mom all she asks is if I have any job interviews. Which like… I get why she’s asking, but god it really sucks to have to deal with that on every fucking call with her. It feels like a check in that I’m failing at.

I know I need to be applying for more jobs but I also need to start working out and I need to be drawing more and oh maybe I should look into practicing trumpet again but I would have to go to a place to practice because I can’t do that in my apartment and I need to donate some clothes but first I have to wash them but also I should work on putting myself out there because I’m not going to get a date sitting in my house and I don’t need a person in my life but it might be nice because fuck man life is so goddamn hard on your own but also-

That’s where my brain is at most of the time and instead of doing anything I mute my thoughts with assorted media. So yeah that’s the vibe.

I’m trying to drink less because 1. It’s not good for me and 2. Pretty sure it’s making my anxious-ness worse but holy hell rewatching Ted Lasso really made me want rose or a pint of cider

This three day weekend has not been enough days, but at least I cleaned my apartment today

Bijou is doing alright. It’s strange because she has noticeably less energy, but like she’s okay. I’m still feeling sad feelings, but I’ve gotten to a more accepting vibe. Also it’s been weird how so many older people I know have been like “you should get another cat immediately” 1. She’s not even dead yet and 2. I’ve kind of gotten used to the idea of not having a cat after she’s gone. That might change, but right now it’s like 1. The emotional strain this has taken on me I can’t deal with immediately again 2. I’ve already been hemorrhaging money this year, a new cat would be a financial decision that i don’t think is smart and 3. Any living creature is a lot of time commitment, and I think it might be good for me to not constantly be worried about an animal at home and if they’re doing okay. Like I said: Bijou is still here, but I’ve obviously been having to think about this stuff a lot.

Tumblr this shit is so annoying please stop doing this:

I know how tags work on this fucking website

Anyways, those are just my rambly thoughts.

[ghostadventuresstuff]

Zak Bagans (Vampire) x Reader

Y/N

You never did have the best track record when it came to being safe, it was as if danger and near-death followed you everywhere you went but your boyfriend Zak was mysteriously always there to save you. He'd make you drink some homemade medicine which would have you feeling brand new in a day or two. It cut down on hospital bills.

You and Zak were returning back from a date when your car was smashed into by a large truck, running you off the road and with enough force you're ejected from the car. You can hear Zak shouting your name as your vision starts to blur, he sounds fine but that's impossible because the two of you had just been in a car crash.

Sleep overcomes you and closing your eyes seems like a good idea, however before the darkness takes over you feel something wet on your lips. It was probably blood from a head injury but something inside you told you to part your lips slightly and swallow. It was as if you could hear Zak's voice in your head. Then the darkness overcame you.

*2 DAYS LATER*

You slowly start to open your eyes, you remember very little from the accident but you were adamant your injuries should have killed you. You sit up in bed, yours and Zak's bed to be precise and notice there's no sign of injury on your body.

On the bedside table is a glass of Zak's homemade medicine, you drink it without hesitation as you always did. Though this time you taste something metallic, you bring the glass up to your nose and sniff. Blood, that's what you can smell. But why would there be blood in the juice you just drank?

You needed to find Zak and get some answers because you were seriously starting to freak out. Carefully you climb out of bed only then noticing that Zak had put you in one of his shirts which reached your knees. What exactly happened after the crash? Zak should have been injured just like you.

Walking down the staircase you get to the bottom step where a patch of sunlight seeps through the front door window. The second the sun makes contact with your skin your foot starts to hiss and you jump back as you feel the skin on your foot blister. What was wrong with you? sunlight didn't normally burn people like that.

'Zak,' you call out.

You get no reply. Carefully you edge your way around the patch of sunlight on the stairs and edge your way into the living room. The curtains are wide open and sunlight floods the room, you instinctively cover your eyes with your hand which is odd because you're never normally sensitive to light like this. A stray beam hits your hand and you hiss in pain before jumping back into a patch of shadow by the bookcase.

You started to freak out, what was going on with your body? You'd never felt this weak before, back in bed you felt fine because the curtains were closed but now you felt the energy leaving your body. You begin to sob silently and sink to the floor clutching your hands over your knees. Maybe Zak can offer an explanation.

*EVENING*

Zak hadn't returned home all day leaving you trapped in the small shadow in the living room. You were unable to reach your phone, by now you had cried all the tears out of your body and had begun shaking uncontrollably. Then suddenly you hear the front door open and Zak casually drops his keys into the pot, he was whistling.

'y/n are you up?'

You try to stand up but your body is weak and you collapse back to the floor. You manage to knock over a book which causes Zak to run into the living room, his eyes scan the room frantically before they latch onto you. His face drops as he darts beside you in a second.

'What are you doing down here?' he speaks frantically.

You gasp, fighting for breath 'I woke up and you were gone. I came downstairs but the sunlight hurt me, I've been trapped here all day because the sun kept coming through the windows. Why did the sun hurt me?'

Zak glances over at the open curtains and curses under his breath. He examines your hand and foot which still has slight burn marks on them.

'I'll explain everything to you, babe, after you drink this.'

Next thing you know his eyes have turned black and his canines have extended and he's biting into his wrist. Your eyes bulge at the sight of blood trickling from the wound. You believed in the supernatural world, but Zak couldn't possibly be a vampire as he showed no signs. He was obsessed with Dracula but you simply thought it was a quirk.

'I never should have left you, I thought you'd take more time to heal. Come on drink up, it will make you stronger,' he says with urgency in his voice.

He brings his wrist up to your mouth and as much as you find the idea of drinking his blood repulsive, something inside you stirs and suddenly you're craving the crimson liquid.

You pull away after a minute or so and already you feel strength returning to your body. Zak stands up and brushes the dust off his trousers before bending down and scooping you up bridal style. You should have been more scared by the monster holding you in his arms, but he still looked and acted like the man you fell in love with.

'Let's get you back upstairs love,' he speaks softly.

Before you know it you're back in the bedroom and Zak is placing you back in bed, however, he doesn't leave this time. Instead, he climbs onto the bed next to you and rests your head on his chest as he starts to play with your hair.

'If you haven't already guessed it by now y/n I'm a vampire.'

You nod in understanding, 'yeah I kind of conned onto the whole black eyes, extended canines and blood. How old are you? And why did you lie to me? Oh yeah, and what the hell happened last night?'

Zak chuckles, 'I'm 150 give or take a few years, after a while vampires stop counting birthdays. Now the reason I lied to you is that I didn't want to lose you. That night when we met in the club I was at one of my lowest points where I craved blood and would kill anything with a pulse. I saw you sitting at the bar and as much as I wanted to drink your blood, I couldn't bring myself to physically harm you. When that creep was hitting on you I was jealous and protective, I did kill him by the way. But once I got to know you I knew I'd found the reason to switch my humanity back on.'

He sounded genuine, and it made you feel warm inside that he was jealous of another guy hitting on you.

'I'd just lost my job that day and was looking for a little adventure. Then you came along and I got to have my adventure, give or take a few times you talked me out of things for fear of my own safety,' you joke.

Zak sighs, 'It takes a lot to kill a vampire y/n, whereas humans are easy to break.'

It was your turn to chuckle, it felt like you were having a normal conversation with your boyfriend who just happened to be a 150-year-old vampire, 'we were in a pretty bad crash last night. What happened? Because my mind is drawing blanks after I passed out.'

'We were hit by an oil tanker, the driver was over the limit and unfortunately didn't die but chose to do a runner. You were thrown from the car and I fed you my blood to heal you, however, if a human dies with vampire blood in his system then they start the transition into becoming a vampire.'

That explained the weakness to sunlight and the weak body, Zak had turned you into a vampire because he didn't want to watch you die. However, you were curious about the transition and what happened to the driver.

'What happens during the transition?' You ask, genuinely interested and a little scared.

'You have to drink blood from a human. That glass I left you earlier which you drank contained the blood of the driver. He had no regard for your life and chose to run instead of calling an ambulance so I took his life to save yours.'

Okay so that explained what happened to the driver, his blood was in your system and that was turning you into a vampire. But you had so many more questions. Zak seemed relatively calm and willing to answer, after all, he had made you immortal without your consent.

'How can you walk in sunlight whereas it burned me?' you question.

Zak shifts himself from under you and pulls something out of his jacket pocket. It's a small black box, 'vampires can only walk in sunlight if they have a ring made by a witch, luckily I know a friendly witch who made mine. Here give me your hand y/n.'

You lazily lift your hand up while Zak pops open the little black box, inside is the prettiest ring you've ever seen. You can tell it was handcrafted and looks like it's been through the ages.

'Zak the ring is gorgeous,' you gasp.

Zak smirks and slips the ring out of the box, 'this was crafted by my father 170 years ago, he gave it to my mother and then my mum handed it to me and told me to only put it on the finger of the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my days with. I had the witch spell it so you'll be able to walk in sunlight, will you do the honours of marrying me y/n?'

Your mouth drops open, those were the last words you expected to come out of his mouth. Was this why he was out all day? You should have been flattered that he'd waited 150 years to find the right person, and you couldn't believe that person was you.

Ever since you were a little girl you'd always planned how you were going to get married. Maybe to a vampire wasn't the initial plan but things change, you were both vampires and that meant he'd be stuck with you for a very long time.

'Yes, Zak I will marry you.'

You've never seen a bigger smile on Zak's face than right now, he slides the ring onto your finger before pulling you in for a kiss. You smirk against his lips and pull away slightly.

'You do know you're now stuck with me, Zak.'

He chuckles, 'I think I can handle you y/n.'

[teamxdark]

He’s Not Here

More masquerade content but what’s this at the end???

In the grand castle ballroom, surrounded by soft golden light and the countless nobles clad in shimmering fabric, King Arthur was so bored he could cry.

This wasn’t what this night should have been; it was a masquerade party, an opportunity to hide away his identity and mingle among the people 一 okay, the nobility, but he would take what he could get 一 like he was a person instead of a king. Finally he had a chance to dance around until his legs ached, to eat food without worrying about the repercussions to his image should he dare speak with his mouth full or use the wrong spoon, to hold conversations that weren’t about politics or finances or how he was doing the best-or-worst job looking after an entire kingdom with a myriad of people with different needs and opinions. 

So how was it that, out of everyone in that room, he was stuck listening to some dull-voiced stag drone on and on about the rising price of grain?

“This is why pricing is tricky, you have to account for the pests before you ship it out and…”

Arthur fought the urge to dash away, but the instant he tried, he knew he would give himself away. His speed was renowned throughout the land, alongside his golden armor and brilliant blue spines. Those, at least, he had taken care of; Merlina had spent the better part of an hour adjusting his coloring to a warm orange and growing out his spines to disguise him beyond the limits of a simple mask. She had tried so hard to give him a chance to have a night off without people instantly worrying for his favor or trying to get something from him… only for him to be trapped all over again.

Arthur would have happily made an excuse to leave, if the stag would only let him get a single word in. His conversation “partner” seemed not to need to breathe, droning on and on in an endless monotone, offset by the cheerful music and bright lights and flashy costumes.

I’ll never be free of this.

“And now that the price is rising, it leaves me in a strange spot, you see. On the one hand, I sympathize with the people who cannot afford my wares, but on the other hand, it means more profit for myself and my own family.”

Chaos above, Arthur wished he hadn’t bumped into this man. His fingers tapped restlessly against his leg, mildly quelling the urge he had to just flee, to drop everything and everyone he had ever known and flee into the night and into the unknown.

“Not to mention, the cost of labor--”

“Mind if I cut in?”

Arthur’s head snapped over to the new voice, endlessly relieved at the interruption, though the stag continued to drone on, the odious voice still grating his ears even as the king faced the bold newcomer.

It was a tiger clad in elegant black clothing with silver accents, extending a hand out to him, and even though Arthur was eager to take it and be whisked away from this living nightmare, something about him made him take pause. His eyes took in the white fur streaked with blue, the slowly flicking tail that reminded him of Sir Percival 一 was it common among all cats? 一 and the eyes looking gently back at him.

He trusted those eyes. It was the look that they held, a look that reminded him of… 

Arthur mentally slapped himself. He’s not here, he reminded himself as he finally took the hand offered to him.

“Yes, please.”

The tiger seemed to brighten just a fraction at his approval, and he led him away from the trappings of boring conversation to the dancefloor, and Arthur had to try hard not to think about how this felt like being rescued by a knight. Especially not…

He’s not here.

The king was jostled from his thoughts as his new partner started to fit him into a hold, and a brand new anxiety washed down upon him as he tried to remember how to reciprocate the hold. Dancing lessons had never been high on the list of priorities when it came to running a kingdom, and yet somehow Arthur was expected to be able to social dance like a pro when his days were filled from dawn to dusk with meetings and drafting decrees and submitting notices of approval until he passed out on his bed. Arthur swallowed, trying to remind himself that stumbling during a dance was still preferable to listening to that one-sided conversation…

...but his partner didn’t dance like a professional. Well… he did, there was no denying his grace and timing, but he didn’t dance like he expected Arthur to be one as well. The steps were simple, the turns basic, and Arthur’s mind swam in relief as he realized that, somehow, this stranger was leading him through steps that he had managed to pick up on through trial and error.

This chance encounter was proving to be everything he needed.

The stranger led him carefully around the floor, maneuvering slowly around other people rather than weaving expertly between them like so many other couples did. If Arthur closed his eyes, he could easily pretend that he was practicing his basic steps with his brother, or his friends, or his--

He’s not here.

And yet…

Yet it was so easy to picture it, even as the peals of laughter surrounded him and washed into his subconsciousness like a spark of delight for him to enjoy. The strong hold, the careful footwork, the calculated rhythm…

Lancelot…

Arthur’s eyes opened, and though he saw stripes they were the wrong ones, and the bittersweet feeling of missing someone dear to him almost caused him to heave a sigh.

He had it bad, and he knew it. His greatest knight and closest ally and dear friend… Sir Lancelot was beyond compare. From questing as youths to his coronation, and in every disaster thereafter, Lancelot had been there, his pillar of strength in a tumultuous world, always standing nearby to passionately defend him or to spare him a quiet gesture of support. Lancelot had protected him from danger, defended his honor, strived to keep his spirits up for years and years…

Arthur had never considered himself one for romance, but as years went by, Lancelot had claimed more and more of his thoughts, attention and affection until the knight unknowingly held the king’s heart firmly in his hands. Too many times to count had Arthur been struck by the urge to grasp his hands, to sing out the words in his heart to him, to draw him close and see if he could make such a powerful knight’s knees buckle below him with a kiss alone…

One song changed into the next, and Arthur, too swept up in his fantasy, didn’t let go of the stranger, didn’t notice the slight lull in their dance, and so the dream kept going.

Lancelot wasn’t there, but Arthur could lean into this stranger’s hold on him, follow his dance, focus on his attire, concentrate on the energy he exuded, energy that reminded him so strongly of his Lancelot, and Arthur’s mind could so easily turn his dream into something more substantial. An illusion for him to drown in, just like this masquerade offered.

The music kept swelling, the sweet notes tickling his ears and driving him even deeper into his dream like he was in a trance. He kept dancing with the man that reminded him so much of his beloved that a second dance turned into a third, and Arthur clung on to his dream, not even registering that it might seem strange until--

“I mean no offense, but surely there are others who would want to dance with you?”

Arthur blinked, and the dream shattered as the man in his arms shifted back into a stranger. The king’s feet stilled, his gaze dropping to his feet. Arthur had to fight back waves of embarrassment and disgust at himself before he could answer.

“Forgive me, but the way you dance…”

HE’S NOT HERE!

“...it reminds me of someone dear to me.”

“O-Oh.”

His companion seemed at a loss, and Arthur held back another sigh, counting the beats in his head before pulling him along for the next dance, leading him in a very basic, repetitive step around the floor.

“I apologize,” Arthur murmured, knowing that there wasn’t much he could do to salvage the situation. At this point, he could only offer his apologies and an explanation. “I know it’s not fair on you, to imagine you are someone else, but…”

A look of hurt passed over his dance partner’s face, and goodness, even that reminded him painfully of Lancelot.

“...but you remind me so much of him.”

Arthur’s eyes swept over his partner, taking in the paradoxical way that he looked completely unfamiliar and yet he still somehow managed to feel so much like his dear knight. Perhaps the dream hadn’t fled from him quite yet, because now Arthur’s yearning mind was searching for any and every chance to convince himself that this was, somehow, Lancelot whom he was dancing with.

“You dance like he does,” Arthur thought aloud, as his partner remained silent. “Careful and precise.”

Your movements… I know them like I know my own.

“Pardon my asking,” the stranger returned, “but why do you not dance with him tonight?”

Like a weight to his soul that would never truly leave, Arthur’s melancholy came back to embrace him. “Ah… he isn’t here.”

He’s not here he’s not here he’s not here--

“Or at least…”

Arthur looked into the stranger’s eyes, his desperation to go back to his dream nearly choking him with emotion as the tiger’s eyes widened at the sudden look directed at him.

“...I haven’t recognized him, yet.”

Arthur knew it was terrible to put such a fantasy on a stranger at a party, but he wanted so badly to believe that this man was Lancelot. Arthur wanted to believe the ludicrous ideas his mind was supplying him with, that somehow this was Lancelot in front of him, disguised beyond all normal means. The tiger in front of him appeared to fluster, his mouth parting as though wishing to speak, though no words came forth.

“You have stripes like he does, too,” Arthur murmured softly, thoughtfully, and yes, he truly was reaching for every last detail in his pathetic attempt to turn what he had in front of him into what he wanted to see.

“If it pleases you,” the tiger finally said as the third song changed into a fourth one, “I… am not opposed to you pretending that I am he.”

Arthur smiled at that, feeling suddenly hesitant at the idea, now that the stranger, as kind and helpful as he had been, had given him his consent to mentally transform him into someone else, to be a player in this dream of his. It was sad, and unfair, but Arthur knew sadness and injustice. He tried to battle it every day, slowly changing and updating laws as they became outdated, but everything went so slowly and people only kept crying out in pain and Arthur wanted just one day, just one, to take ahold of something that he wanted and to cherish it.

“Thank you,” Arthur whispered as he stepped further into the stranger’s hold, feeling warmth overtake him as he confessed his truth. “I have loved him for a great long time and… perhaps this is the closest I shall get to what I dream of.”

Because that was all this would ever be: a dream.

He’s not here.

Arthur’s eyes closed as his head dipped down to rest on the tiger’s shoulder, a soft smile spreading over his muzzle as he noticed that he was of a similar height to Lancelot, and the dream came back in full swing. Arthur’s arms wrapped around his partner, blocking out any consideration to the lack of spines on his back, and the king focused on his heartbeat as it hammered in and out of sync with the other’s.

“I understand the sentiment,” his partner whispered in response, and Arthur had to hold back what was either a laugh or a sob, morphing it into a hum on its way out.

You speak like him, too.

And so the king held his partner as tightly and tenderly as he would a lover, humming along to the song as the masquerade around him faded into nothing. There was nothing, nothing in his dream, but himself and his Lancelot as they spun around slowly.

He’s here. He’s here, I can feel it.

Arthur’s dream permeated his mind, overtaking his consciousness, and as the fourth song faded into oblivion, he finally let out the sigh he had been carrying all night.

“Lancelot…”

Two pairs of feet stilled as both parties realized what had just been said, and one final word jolted the king from his dream.

“A… Arthur?”

He was here all along.

[sturchling]

Hey I have a question can you do a reveal. You know the scene where Spiderman saves a train without his mask and the people help him from falling which in turns reveals his identity to the people on the train. Can you do that but with Ladybug instead please and thank you.

Sorry I have been away for so long guys. I haven't been doing to well lately and needed to take some time to myself. I'm sorta feeling better now though, not 100%, but I am going to try to write more now. Anyway, sorry for the wait, hope you enjoy the story.

To say things had gone very wrong with this akuma is a bit of an understatement. A woman, Cherise, who had just finished training to be an electrician had been demeaned and told she wouldn't be hired because she was a woman. Obviously, this was infuriating and insulting, which made her a perfect target for Hawkmoth. All that rage and hurt had made Elektra one of the most powerful akumas to date, with the ability to manipulate electricity and all electronics.

Elektra was trying to track down the man who had insulted her to make him pay. But Ladybug kept getting in her way! Elektra needed her out of the way for a bit, so she could get her revenge. Then she would get Hawkmoth what he wanted. So, when she saw one of those new electric trains the mayor had recently commissioned, she saw the perfect opportunity. Elektra used her abilities to sabotage the train, sending it careening down the tracks, with no way of stopping. To make matters worse, she also used her powers to switch the tracks, so the train was now racing down an uncompleted stretch of track, instead of its normal path. Ladybug would have to stop and help them now!

Ladybug was already having a tough time with this akuma. Chat had told her earlier in the week that he had a prior engagement in his personal life that he couldn't get out of with out drawing suspicion. Ladybug had thought she would be fine on her own for a few days, as Hawkmoth had just sent a major akuma attack recently and there was typically a pause after such a large scale attack. But this time, he sent Elektra much sooner than normal. And now Ladybug was struggling to handle this on her own. And with Elektra causing as much damage as she is, Ladybug hadn't had time to go get miraculous from Master Fu to gather her temporary heroes. Ladybug was truly on her own for this one.

Ladybug was just catching up to Elektra again, when she saw the run away train she had caused. As much as Ladybug didn't want to lose her and let her hurt more people, she couldn't stand idly by and let this train crash somewhere down the line. Ladybug raced to the front of the train and tried to thing of something. She tried jumping down to the track and digging her heels in, but that didn't do anything but hurt her leg. Marinette had already called her lucky charm earlier, so that was no help, and now the time on her transformation was running out. And now, she could see in the distance the end of the uncompleted track, which ended abruptly above a construction site. She didn't have much longer.

Suddenly, she had an idea. She used her yoyo to grab onto the buildings on the side of the track, hoping that would help slow the train. Her first attempt didn't work at all, and the building she had latched onto caved under the force of the train. She tried again, and this time she had much more success, but still, the building eventually broke. She could feel her energy draining from her body and could hear the now near constant beeping from her earrings, and knew she only had moments before she detransformed. She tried one more time in a desperate attempt to stop the train. She threw her yoyo and latched onto a very solid looking building, wrapping the yoyo string around both the entire train and the entire building. She held on for dear life, hoping that the building held.

The train began to slow, the yoyo seemingly working. As they approached the very literal end of the line, the train tipped over the edge slightly, before settling back on the track. Ladybug heard all the passengers let out a sigh of relief. She let out one herself, before it became to much, and she was enveloped by the darkness.

The passengers on the train, including a few students from Dupont were all thankful that they survived. Alya was thrilled to have caught such an amazing save by Ladybug on video for the Ladyblog. She also hoped that maybe she could ask LB some questions before she left, but knew there was slim chance of that. As some of the passengers turned to thank Ladybug, they saw a flash of pink light and then a young girl's body was left standing at the front of the train. The girl wavered for a moment, before tipping and almost falling off the track. But the passengers quickly grabbed her and gently pulled her inside, unsure if she was injured.

They brought her further back into the train car, and laid her on the ground. Everyone was shocked at how young she was, barely a teenager. But those that knew her were shocked to see that Ladybug, the girl who had been protecting them for over a year now, was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Alya was completely shocked. Marinette was Ladybug? Marinette started to come around, waking to see the crowd of passengers staring at her. She looked around her and noticed that she was detransformed. Just as Marinette started to panic, Alya stepped towards her. She may be confused on how Marinette is Ladybug, but that won't stop her from helping her friend. "It's ok girl. None of us will say a word about this." Marinette was shocked.

As Marinette watched, Alya deleted the footage of the rescue, which had also caught this accidental reveal. No cool video was worth risking her friend and hero's safety. Marinette looked around at the crowd of passengers, who were all smiling and nodding at her. Alya spotted Tikki laying on the ground at the end of the train, trying to get to Marinette. Alya went and scooped her up, and brought her over to Marinette. Marinette absentmindedly gave Tikki a cookie to recharge, still in shock that everyone on this train knew her identity and was willing to protect it. After Tikki had recharged, Alya said to Marinette, "Go on. Go be the hero. I'll stay here and help get everyone off the train. Don't worry, we will be ok." With one last look at everyone here, Marinette called out, "Tikki, spots on!" Another flash of pink blinded the passengers, and there Ladybug was in front of them again. With one last nod to Alya, Ladybug left the train and went to find Elektra again.

Ladybug finally was able to beat Elektra, and return her to normal. Cherise apologized for everything and felt horrible for what had happened while she was akumatized. Ladybug told her it was ok, and even promised to help her find a job somewhere else as soon as she could. Things returned to quiet normalcy for a while after that, and Marinette was surprised to find that all of those people on the train had really managed to keep her secret. And they all went to great lengths to minimize the chance they would get akumatized and be forced to reveal it. Marinette would sometimes pass them on the street and they would nod or smile at her. A few would buy her ice cream or a small treat after an akuma attack. But they never shared the secret, and they would protect it for the rest of their lives.

[duskholland]

Lingerie | Tom Holland Smut

summary ↠ your co-star Tom offers to photograph you in your new lingerie, and it only escalates from there.

word count ↠ 3.9k

warnings ↠ this is pretty much just pwp I won’t lie. we’ve got some dirty talk, a lingerie-filled photoshoot, a lil bit of thigh riding, oral (fem receiving) and then MxF sex

a/n ↠ quarantine is doing ~stuff~ to me and I couldn’t stop thinking about the concept of Tom being your photographer and getting more and more riled up so....here ya go. enjoy! this is the first time I’ve posted nsfw stuff in a very very long time, so any feedback would be appreciated :) also a huge thank you to @rhapsodyparker for being my fave hype man - love you mate !

18+ !!!! this contains NSFW material, so do not read if you are a minor.

Spending a few weeks in London with your new co-star Tom and his brothers had been the brilliant idea of your manager. When your schedule had presented you with a some valuable weeks off between projects, she’d suggested that bunking down with him in his London house would be the perfect way to get to know the man before you spend the next months acting out your latest project. You’d seen him around at a few awards shows, and he hadn’t been opposed to hosting you, so with a few heavy suitcases and an open mind, you’d moved into the house he shares with his brother Harry and his best friend Harrison.

It’s been three weeks since you first rolled up, and things are going well. You’ve been enjoying getting to know the guys and the city they love so much, and it seems like every day you grow more and more comfortable around Tom - which is only a good thing, given that your upcoming project requires you to tangle with him in a few risqué scenes. But you’d be lying if you said that your feelings for the brown eyed star are merely platonic, and over the last couple of days especially, you’ve found your thoughts wandering. You catch yourself stiffening as you watch him throw back a pint of beer, his sturdy fingers wrapped carefully around the glass. And something in the pit of your stomach stirs every time he sits by you, his thigh pressing flushed to yours. You’ve even caught him staring at you from across the room a few times, his eyes trailing over your figure, and you haven’t been able to stop yourself from imagining his curly brown hair rubbing at your inner thighs.

It’s a game. A dangerous, heated game, and with every passing day, his eyes seem hungrier as they meet with yours, and he seems to inch closer to you. Neither of you have acted on the sizzling tension that ripples between you, but you know it’s just a matter of time before one of you moves a little too close, or touches the other for a little too long, and it all explodes.

“What have you got there, Y/N?”

You’re pulled from your dirty thoughts by a question coming from the man you’re daydreaming about. Tom walks into the kitchen, raising a hand in greeting as he peers down at the package you’re holding. His deep brown eyes meet with yours as you smile at him in greeting.

“Just some clothes. I’m doing a brand deal and they want me to take some pictures and post them on my Instagram,” you explain. You put the package down on the kitchen table and carefully begin to cut along the seam.

“Getting that money, eh?” You laugh as Tom slips into a chair beside you, watching you curiously with his chin resting in his hands.

“A girl’s gotta make a living,” you reply. “Hey, do you think Harry would take some shots for me? It’s always hard to get the angles right.”

Tom hums beneath his breath. “Yeah, I’m sure he’d be down for that. He and Harrison are out at the moment, though, so you’ll need to wait-“ He falls silent as you tip the contents of the package onto the table, your cheeks warming immediately as you take in the garments you’ve been sent.

Lingerie. Several different pairs of matching bras and panty sets, in a scattering of different colours and designs. You feel your heart beat faster in your chest as Tom stares down at the pieces, his own face blushing a deep red.

“I think Harry might die if I make him take photos of me whilst I’m wearing this,” you admit, picking up a red lacy bralette. Tom’s younger brother has always been nice to you, but he radiates the sort of nervous energy that can sometimes put you on edge, and you immediately know you can’t ask him to photograph you. “Guess I’ll just have to struggle through this by myself,” you mutter dejectedly.

Tom’s eyebrows raise as he looks between you and the lace in your fingers, realisation replacing his shock. He sits up straight, stretching out his arms and his biceps flex as he meets your gaze. “I can always help you,” he offers shyly. You meet his eyes and his tongue slips out to wet his lower lip.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“I’m not as good as Harry, but I like to think I’ve picked up a few of his tricks.” Tom reaches out, fingers connecting with the tops of your arms, and your breath hitches as he grins cheekily. “Besides, I’m sure I could help you with some of your angles. If you want, of course.”

The question hangs in the air. As his fingers gently trace over your upper arm, you know this is the opportunity to back out. He’s looking at you through heated, brown eyes, but you know he’ll leave it alone if you decide to draw the line here and maintain the professional distance you’ve been slowly narrowing. But you don’t want to, and suddenly, you’re overwhelmed by a longing for him to keep touching you, and the idea of him photographing you as you lounge around in this new, sexy lingerie sets your heart racing.

“I’d love that, Tom. Are you free just now?”

He nods quickly, the tips of his curly brown hair wafting in the air. “Definitely.”

[-----]

It takes you about twenty minutes to get ready for the shoot. You’ve been around in Hollywood for long enough to know how best to do your makeup and tie your hair, and much to your relief, the lingerie clings to you perfectly. The contract you’d signed states you only have to post photos in one of the sets, so you pick one with a nice, deep burgundy hue and then walk out into your bedroom where Tom’s waiting for you. His wide eyes fall on you and suddenly you get a little self-conscious, reaching up to cross your arms over your chest as his gaze slides up and down your figure, drifting over every inch of exposed skin. When he drags his eyes back to your face and gives you a bit of a smirk, a shiver rolls down your spine.

“You look stunning,” Tom says, voice hoarse. He clears his throat quickly, averting his eyes as his cheeks gain a healthy colour. “Really, Y/N… You look amazing.”

His compliments bring a smile to your face, and you carefully put your hands back to your sides. You feel tentative and shy, but you approach him anyway and pass him your phone. “Thanks, Tom,” you mumble, meeting his eyes quickly. “Um, I was thinking you can just get a few of me the window, and then after that, maybe a couple on the bed.”

“Sounds great.”

You hesitate for a moment, looking at him carefully. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Tom runs a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face as he chuckles lowly. “I don’t mind at all, Y/N. There are worse things to do than take photos of a pretty girl like you.” You bite your lower lip as you smile bashfully at him. 

“Okay,” you say. You move over to the window before adding a quick, “I will pay you back, Tom.” You punctuate your promise with a wink, and then turn around and try out a few positions against the window.

Tom gives you a few pointers as he starts to capture your shots. You know what you’re doing, but his advice helps you twist and angle yourself in the most flattering ways. The main focus has to be on the sponsored lace clinging to your chest, and as time goes by and he gradually moves nearer and nearer to you, your thoughts grow darker. You’d be lying if you said the seductive smiles and soft angles you’re throwing out are just for Instagram. It makes your heart race and a heat build between your legs to have him watching you so intently, occasionally chewing on his lower lip as he works. When you turn around and face the window directly, you arch your back purposefully and you can feel his stare hot on the curve of your ass, and as you throw your head back over your shoulder to meet his flushed face, you know you’ve caught him right in the act of checking you out.

“How are the photos?” You ask, breaking the charged silence after a few moments of sustained, intense eye contact. You relax your position as Tom steps nearer and passes back your phone, but he lingers by your side before draping a hand over your back. His hand rests on your naked hip, his touch gentle but it causes you to push into him greedily. He’s warm and he smells like pine trees and man, and your body is thrumming with so much sexual energy that you can feel your lace panties dampening.

“You look unreal,” he says, watching over your shoulder as you flick through the photos. “I’m not even sure they do justice to how incredible you look right now.”

You smile gratefully, favouriting a few of the shots. “You know, I think we’ve got as many as we need, actually. You did a really good job, Tom. Thank you.” You put your phone on the windowsill and turn to look at him properly. When his hand goes to slip from your waist, you reach down and grab at it, pushing it back into place firmly. His eyes meet yours, a curious questioning mixing with the dark lust, and you give him a smirk. “I know you liked watching me.” Your gaze briefly dips down to his crotch, and the way you can see the outline of his cock straining against his jeans. Emboldened, you lean up and brush your lips by his ear, “If you want me, you can just tell me.”

You keep your lips by his ear. When he reaches up and wraps his other hand around your waist and pulls you closer, you let your mouth drag down his neck, pressing soft, light kisses to his pale skin. You keep going until he whines, and then you suck against his sweet spot and nibble at the skin, teasing him gently until he wraps his fingers beneath your chin and tilts your face up to look at him.

“You’re such a tease, you know that, love?” He speaks, voice dropping an octave. His eyes are on your lips and the deep red lipstick you’ve coated them with, a burning fire dancing in his eyes. “Walking in here with all that lingerie, kissing my neck like that.” His fingers move from your chin and up to cup your cheek. “I want you,” he whispers, mouth brushing yours ever so slightly. The confirmation makes you wrap your arms around his neck, and you place a kiss just beside his mouth, grinning softly.

“Then have me.”

His mouth captures yours in a heated collision of lips and teeth, and you moan into his mouth as his hand slips back into your hair and tugs at your strands. His hot tongue slips into your mouth as you kiss him back passionately, your body burning from all the pent-up frustration you’ve been pushing back for weeks. The hand on your waist slips up to your back, holding you flush against him as his groans, his face flushed and his forehead sweaty, and your core throbs as you hold him close to you.

Tom breaks the kiss after a few mind-numbing minutes, and you know you’ve got lipstick smudged over your face, but you don’t care as he leads you over to the bed. You straddle his waist as he sits up against the headboard, his hungry hands trailing over every part of your exposed skin as your heart rate spikes. His thighs are firm and you can’t help but grind down against one of them as he pulls your mouths together again. The friction you get through your wet panties from his tough black jeans makes you whimper into his mouth, and he pulls back with a lazy smirk on his face, his pupils blown wide with lust.

“You’re so bloody hot,” he murmurs, hand brushing over your arm. “Can’t believe you’re here right now, looking like this. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He leaves a few soft kisses to your shoulder, gazing up at you softly, his brown curls strewn messily across his forehead. Your heart skips a beat. 

You run a fond hand through his curls before pulling at the hem of his t-shirt. “I think you’re wearing too many clothes.” Tom laughs but holds up his arms as you pull it up and over his head, and then you roll from his lap as he wiggles out of his tight jeans and throws him aside. He pulls you back to his lap, this time positioning you so your centre rests over his black Calvin Kleins, and you rock down to feel his length pressing up against the fabric. “Shit, Tom,” you curse, the pressure sending rolls of pleasure through your clit. Your forehead falls to his as his hands move your hips, helping you grind against him as both of you feel a little relief. “I want you so bad.”

Tom moves quickly, flipping the position until you’re the one on your back, your head nestled in the soft pillows, and he’s pressed over you, caging you in with a strong arm either side of your head. He catches your lips in another kiss, and when he pulls back, he lets his teeth tug at your lower lip, catching your moan in his open mouth.

“Can I take these off?” He asks, pulling at the waistband of your red panties. You nod quickly and raise your hips as he tugs them down your body, his large hands pressing your thighs up and apart as he settles between your legs, his eyes drifting down your slippy slit. “Fuck, sweetheart. You’re absolutely soaked for me.” He drags a light finger through your folds, applying a very light, very teasing pressure to your clit, and it makes you grind down against him. “So fucking needy,” he coos, finally rubbing your tender bud with a little more pressure. As you gasp and fist your fingers in his hair, he moves his face nearer your core. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen a cunt this wet and hot for me. Mind if I have a taste, darling?”

His filthy words make your body shake, and the moment you’ve nodded your head, your back arches from the mattress as his soft, warm tongue slips out and wraps around your bud. One of his hands anchors your hips to the bed as the other accompanies his mouth on your core, and you moan loudly as he slips two sturdy fingers into your wet, aching entrance. It feels unbelievable to have Tom pressed between your legs, his fingers curling and pounding into your heat in a way that makes you cry out loudly. And his mouth - oh, god, his mouth - is unbelievable. You can tell he’s enjoying it by the way he works his tongue so smoothly, teasing lightly through your wet folds before circling back to your bud, kissing it and lapping over it and sucking it until you’re a sweaty, delirious mess above him.

Your fingers ache from the hold you’ve got on his hair, and you suck in a breath as you feel your edge approaching. “God, Tom, you’re so fucking good at that. I’m gonna cum if you keep it up.”

For a wonderful moment, you think he’s gonna keep going. He’s got his fingers pressed flush against your sweet spot and it feels so amazing that you’re about to melt, but then he smacks his lips and pulls back, leaving you high and dry and panting desperately on the sheets.

“Oh, what was that? You were gonna cum?”

You blink desperately down at him, surprised to see him looking up at you so confidently, with that teasing smirk dancing over his face. “Tom, I swear to god, you’re such a dick-”

“Shh.” He reaches up and drags his messy fingers over your mouth, and you part your lips to let them in. You swirl your tongue over his digits, humming lightly as you suck off your tangy juices, his eyes watching you darkly. It feels so dirty, but it sends a thrill down your spine, and your core continues to throb as you pull at his shoulders and bring him back up to you. “I think it’s only fair that we cum at the same time, princess? Don’t you?” He whispers. 

You release his fingers with a pop, sighing frustratedly as you trail your hands down his toned front. His muscles pull taut and tense, and as you grab a peek at the lines of his abs, you find yourself wondering how you ended up like this with him. He’s so handsome it makes you ache, and it’s as if he can hear your thoughts as he presses a few kisses to your jaw.

“And you call me a tease,” you respond, eyelids fluttering shut as he drags his mouth over your neck. “Stop messing around and fuck me, Tom.”

“Mm, so demanding.”

You grab at his hair and tug his face away from your collarbones and up to your mouth, kissing him hard. “I need you,” you whisper hurriedly against his lips. “I’m going to explode if you don’t fuck me.”

His lips pull into a warm smile. “Well, we can’t be having that, can we?” He replies. “Condom?” You point at the bedside table and he disappears for a few moments, leaving your body cold and empty. Once he’s procured a shiny silver packet, you watch with wide, hungry eyes as he pulls off his boxers, pumps his length a few times, and then rolls this plastic over his tip before you even get a chance to touch him. He notices your pout and bites his lower lip as he moves back over you. “You can touch me next time,” he promises. “Right now, I just want to be with you.”

“Next time?” You mumble, your lips going to his ear as he pushes your thighs apart. You kiss his lobe softly, dragging your teeth over his skin until he whines. 

“If you want there to be a next time, of course,” he adds. You make brief eye contact as your heart pangs in your chest, but then you find yourself distracted as his cock rubs through your aching slit and you curse, gripping his shoulder hard.

“I definitely want there to be a next time,” you promise. His tip prods at your entrance and it takes everything in you to keep back a whine. “Now, please, Tom, let me feel you.”

He presses a small kiss to your lips, and then follows through with your request. Your fingers dig into his arms as his length fills you completely and deeply, your jaw falling slack as you moan loudly.

“You’re so wet for me, love. Feels so good around me-” Tom’s voice breaks into a groan as his hips meet yours, finally in as far as possible. “Fuck, wish I could stay like this forever.”

You scatter a series of hot, breathy kisses to his forehead as you adjust to him, before running a hand over his shoulder and nodding certainly. “You can move now,” you say.

He rocks into you gently, exploring your hot heat with care as his hands move all over you. One moment he’s gripping at the lace on your boobs, the next he’s got his fingers slipping over your hard nipples, and after that he’s pulling on your hair. All whilst his cock pushes into you, gradually growing more fervent, your soaking pussy welcoming him in easily. Your groans mix with his as you cling to him, your entire body shaking from the tension building in your body as he fucks you hard and fast.

“I love your pussy,” he rasps, teeth digging into your skin as his sweaty forehead rests on your shoulder. With every thrust, he adjusts the angle, only settling into a proper pace as he hits your special spot and you moan loudly, raking your fingers down his back. “So fucking perfect, baby.” His mouth drops praises all over you and it just makes you feel even more into it as you push your hips down to meet his thrusts.

“You fuck me so well, Tom,” you groan into his hair. The muscles in his back ripple beneath your touch as he fucks you roughly. “God, you’re gonna make me cum.”

He manages to keep himself supported on one arm as the other slips down, his hand roaming between your bodies to find your pulsing bud. As he rubs over your trembling clit, you feel your orgasm build quickly in the pit of your stomach, everywhere feeling alert and hot and needy as you pull him closer.

“Mmm, you gonna cum for me, Y/N? Let me feel you clenching around me as you scream my name?” His voice is dirty and dark and the way his lips curl around your name makes you clench tightly. “C’mon, let go. I’ve got you.”

And he rolls his hips against you just as his fingers rub your clit, and it’s so deliciously hot that your head rolls back and your orgasm peaks. Your chest heaves, the lace wrapped around your breasts pushing up against Tom’s hot chest as you cum noisily, your body tingling as a pulsing warmth spreads out from your centre. Tom grunts and screws his eyes shut as you clench and squirm beneath him, and a few moments later you feel his rhythm falter as he reaches his peak too. You rock together as your highs mix and build, your hair sticking to your face as your moans turn to whimpers and your grip on his arm relaxes, and when he pulls out, you’re left feeling empty but satisfied. You breathe deeply as Tom collapses beside you on his side, his hand grabbing at yours as his eyes find yours, searching your face carefully.

“Wow,” is all you manage to say. You shiver from the pleasurable aftershocks, your body feeling light and tingly and completely fucked out, and when Tom pulls you nearer, you let him hold you in a hug against his hot chest, feeling happily settled in his embrace. “Anyone ever told you that you’re really good at that?”

Tom laughs gently, his hand pushing your hair from your face which allows him to kiss you again. It’s softer now, not burning quite as fiercely as it had before, but it’s still unbelievably nice to have him this close to you, loving on you so tenderly. “You really are something else, love,” he compliments. His eyes sparkle brightly as he squeezes your hand. “And I wasn’t lying earlier, I really would be down to do this again.”

He looks vulnerable and nervous for a second, but you quickly smooth away his nerves as you kiss him softly, gripping at the back of his neck. Your lips fit perfectly together, and it’s as if everything has finally slotted into place as you admit, “I would be more than happy to do this again, Tom. Maybe you can even take me on a date.”

His entire face seems to light up, and he leaves a quick kiss on your cheek as he grins. “I would love that, darling.”

[------]

A few hours later…

[@yourusername has posted a new photo]

| image |

@yourusername: good things come to those who wait...

Comments:

@tomholland2013: 🔥🔥🔥

@fan1: omg do u guys think they’re dating

@fan2: why has she tagged tom on her chest like that

@fan3: omg i ship it

[------]

any feedback? I would love to hear any thoughts you have on this!

masterlist

taglist ↠ see this post to be added :D

[barbariccia]

it’s time to talk about Hydaelyn.

i’ve been sat on this theory for a long time - i’m pretty sure i didn’t come up with the original idea myself, but the more i think about it the more it makes sense to me. i’m not sure HOW it’ll come into play in the story, necessarily, but the new year’s eve poem posted last night has me rubbing my chin even more. so:

Hydaelyn exists under Silvertear Lake and i won’t hear no for an answer.

(please note there'll be spoilers for 5.0.)

we have known since 1.0 that there’s Something Under Silvertear. admittedly, in 1.0 it was likely just Midgardsormr, because the times have been a-changing and while the dev team has done a truly admirable job at building on what lore remained from the 1.X days, they couldn’t and didn’t keep everything intact. i do not at any point consider this a downside, just something worth noting!

the Garleans, headed by Gaius van Baelsar (acting under solus-selch’s orders), after the invasion and successful annexing of Ala Mhigo, pushed into Mor Dhona as the next part of their “invade Eorzea” project as a central location that would make continued pushes into the land easy. not only that, but Mor Dhona is noted as being (and has been since 1.X) the center of aetherial connections in Eorzea, if not the whole world, though Eorzea is particularly topped up with aether compared to other landmasses. Cid Garlond in his 1.X iteration suggests that Mor Dhona is where aether returns to rejoin the Lifestream. Quote:

Cid nan Garlond: All aether would - should pass through Silvertear Lake upon returning to the Land, but it now appears that something is bending the energy's course - drawing it away.

in 1.X, Nael van Darnus was originally drawing Dalamud down to fall on this area, where Castrum Novum (now Castrum Centri in ARR and beyond) was built, until adventurers put a stop to that and the transmitter was relocated to Coerthas, where the Rivenroad was ripped from. I’ll accept it as a happy coincidence - the castra was built in this area, it makes sense for plot events to happen there - but it does strike me as interesting, especially where the parallel between the Garlean’s Meteor Project and the original Meteor from FFVII is concerned. Sephiroth wasn’t just calling down a giant slab of asteroid for shiggles; he was doing it specifically to create a wound in the Planet that would require an immense amount of energy to heal that he could siphon off of and become a god. If XIV’s Meteor had hit (and not hatched like an egg), a similar thing might have happened.

And there’s no better place to call a lot of aether to the fore than somewhere entirely rich in it. Almost like there’s a great being in that area dependent on aether that directs the Lifestream through itself to preserve not only itself, but all life on the planet.

The second the Garleans got too close to the lake, Middy burst out with a whole host of Dravanians and the Battle of Silvertear Skies began (and ended with Dravanian victory at great cost). This sequence from 1.X is notable as being one of those things that has to have been changed from ARR onwards considering what we now know about primal summoning (they weren’t just ‘let loose’ into the world, they’ve been actively taught to certain peoples (though why only ‘now’ and not ‘before, too’ is still up in the air)) - not to mention we know that the Echo started manifesting after the battle, too, almost as though something felt like it was in danger and needed thralls (1) to protect itself - but Middy came out to protect something. He’d been known as the great protector of Silvertear Lake for a very long time, since he first appeared to the source. Quote The Rising Chorus, from patch 2.5:

Minfilia: [...] an unlikely ally came to Eorzea's aid that day─Midgardsormr, legendary guardian of Silvertear Falls, burst forth from beneath the waters of the lake and led a host of dragons against the Garlean airships overhead.

Minfilia:  Midgardsormr was once worshipped as the guardian deity of Silvertear Falls [...]

Minfilia: One of the ancient myths regarding Silvertear Falls states that when the waters came into existence, so too did the great wyrm. Althyk and Nymeia, Brother Time and Sister Fate, decreed that Midgardsormr ever watch over the source, from which all water─and magic─was said to flow.   I wonder... What if this was the covenant of which he spoke, and 'twas not the gods with whom he treated, but Hydaelyn Herself? 

minfy and ourselves can only guess as to the nature of the covenant forged between hydaelyn and midgardsormr. Following the Omega questline, we know that Midgardsormr fled the Dragonstar with his seven eggs to get away from Omega, crossing the vast expanse of space at great cost to his own personal strength. We don’t know at what time Midgardsormr appeared to the Source - whether it was before, during, or after the time of the 13th Reflection being turned into the Void as we know it - but it would have been post-Sundering of the Ancient world, considering he was able to make a pact with Hydaelyn at all (2) (not to mention there’s no dragons on the First; if there were dragons everywhere we’d know they were reflections of the First Brood! i’m still angy there’s no Azdaja and Vrtra. fucking PLEASE squenix i’m DYING for info on them).

(1) this is a good a place as any to mention that in 1.X, Minfilia - then known as Ascilia - witnessed the Battle of Silvertear Falls with her father Warburton and her Echo awoke a few years later. interesting to think that the primal that tempered Ascilia in potential desperation would later scour her clean and use her for its own purposes, though i know this wasn’t intentional from the devs at all as a plot-point.

(2) the nature of Hydaelyn and Zodiark’s battle makes me doubt that there was much time between Her summoning and the Sundering of the world

There’s an interview from 2014/15 with Koji Fox where he notes, quote,"There's a presence [at Silvertear]. It wasn't just Midgardsormr there, it was more of a force[...]". There’s definitely something there that isn’t just the dragons. Something big. It’s Hydaelyn!!! It has to be. (highlights in the excerpt mine.)

My interpretation of this event is that Midgardsormr agreed to protect the physical ‘body’ of Hydaelyn in exchange for the safety of his eggs - the First Brood - which is what he’s been doing for potentially upwards of 10,000 years. The battle at Silvertear is pretty explosive otherwise for what’s effectively a non-event. There might not have been dragons in Gyr Abania, or in Ilsabard, or Othard or anywhere else they’ve been pushing into - but there’s never been any indication of the dragons being particularly territorial. The Dravanians shared their space with proto-Ishgardians back in the day, and their issues with the elezen of the Source was due to some choice eye-vorage, not encroaching on lands like the sahagin and kobolds.

As for Hydaelyn’s physical form - well, it’s known that Zodiark has a physical form which was sealed directly into the moon. The true moon, known to us colloquially as Menphina (3) (is there another name for it? i haven’t seen anything). It stands to reason that Hydaelyn has a physical form as well, then, hidden away somewhere safe, because as we known, primals can be defeated and their essences scattered to return back to the Lifesteam.

(3) Hey, it’s worth noting here that Menphina, the Lover (whose divine stone is parked right where Haurchefant’s grave is) is said to be the younger sister of Azeyma, the Warden! and boy, while we’re thinking about the misremembered names of the Convocation coming back as names of gods in modern day, what significance does that have?

The Antitower: In all of creation, what greater mystery could there be than the fate of this very star? To sound the deepest depths, to study the aetherial sea itself─for these purposes and more was the Antitower built. Abandoned by her Sharlayan caretakers following the exodus, it has since been overrun by the magical guardians they left behind. Yet were one blessed with Her gift to brave these dangers and descend to the furthest reaches─to hear, feel, and think at the heart of this world─what would they find?

(emphasis mine.)

in the cutscenes following the Antitower, we meet Hydaelyn in the aetherial sea, and Her mouthpiece, the Word of the Mother. and by using the Antitower, something specifically Sharlayan-built, no less. I’d be very interested to know if you can reach the aetherial sea from only the Forelands, where that dungeon is, or from anywhere. I’m gonna make a stab at anywhere.

It’s been brought to my attention that in the cutscenes post-Antitower, Hydaelyn mentions in the quest The Word of the Mother (patch 3.2), and Ardbert echoes later in Shadows of the First (patch 3.4) that “across ten and three were [we] then divided, reflections of the source, each possessed of a shard”, which seems to imply that not only the people of the world and Zodiark, but also Hydaelyn Herself was sundered and became weaker in so doing. which is FANTASTICALLY interesting, all things considered! maybe She wasn’t just becoming weak (and finding it harder to take mouthpieces and the like) because of the land’s aether being drained by primals (and other sources).

The just-released (as of time of writing) New Year’s Eve poem makes me think that the “last chapter of this story” might relate back to this in some way.

[EN]

Our progeny may never know Wherefore we look unto the sky Nor why we dig for truth below; We bear their scorn or watch them die.

[FR]

With our mouths closed, we pile stone upon stone, To form a staircase leading to the lands of knowledge, As well as another pointing to the heavens of existence. Our children will remember it, no matter how angry they are.

[GR]

Committed to our silent office We seek wisdom in the deep earth. Put tomorrow in starry hands, Sung by children's lamentations.

[JP]

By staying silent and saying naught, we will not accumulate the crystals(?) (4) To gain knowledge, we climb into the earth, To survive, we climb to into the heavens. Even if our progeny resent us, it is all for their sake.

(4) 石 meaning stone rather than ‘crystals’, 水晶 meaning ‘crystal’ (and used in the JP title of the Crystal Exarch).

*** translations from THIS reddit post and THIS tweet for the EU and JP translations of the poem, respectively.

something something 6.0 is looking more likely to be Sharlayan than anywhere else, something something big tower something something learn stuff from within the earth. c’moooon, i wanna go beat some answers out of crystal mom. walk freeeee indeed.

Getting away from the poems again and back to Stuff On The Source, we can take a look at the First, a much more pristine reflection of the Source due to having no Calamities happen to it ever. The Source (not to be confused with the Source), the equivalent of Silvertear, is being presided over by none other than... Bismarck, a member of the fae (and BOY i’d like to know more about whaleboi in this world!!!!), in exactly the same position Midgardsormr is, presumably protecting something of equal importance. Having said that, I don’t know if by splitting the world, Hydaelyn also split Herself.

Having said that, there’s an environmental anomaly in that area. Fly out to Bismarck’s (5) nose, and then dive under the waves. There’s a crystal formation coming out of the ground that can’t be found anywhere else on the First - there is nothing else similar to this formation - that has patches of light emitting from bits of it. A friend of mine noted that the way it seems to be coming through in only this location is almost cancerous in origin - that is to say, uncontained and Wrong in some manner, more complex than we have words or knowledge of. The only way you can interact with these crystals is in the level 78 mining levequest Crystal Meds, which notes that you can yank salt crystals out of that formation... but it seems a little too suspect to leave as ‘just salt’.

(5) Speaking of Bismarck, from that earlier interview with Koji Fox, he also has this to say, which... what else have you been hiding in plain sight... (highlights again mine.)

Or the Crystarium’s just going around seasoning their meals with primal mama, who knows.

Eep, this post got away from me. Anyway, i’m not really sure what to DO with any of this information. as many of my friends know i’ve been harping on about this for years at this point, and i’m not the best at speculation and guessing accurately where stories end up going - but it feels more right than ever to talk about it now after that poem was release.

hells, maybe they’ll give us another tower. say... a tower of bab-il, to take us to the moon? 6.0 FFIV expansion pretty please??

[archaeopter-ace]

Writing Progress

For the longest time, I did a pretty good job at ‘only have one serious WIP at a time,’ and I knew a lot of other authors spawned new AUs all the time but I couldn’t see myself being one of them, I was much more determined to shove new ideas onto the backburner until they fizzled into nothing, never to see the light of day.

And now the shoe is on the other foot, and though I’m not sure how I got here, I can’t say I regret it ;P

So, without further ado:

Don’t Listen to Kafka: This is still a Work in Progress, I SWEAR. First chapter of the next installment is about 70% done, but I’m gonna need a lot more buffer before I’m ready to post, and I also still have to decide whether a ‘Get Enrique out the Darklands’ plot should be worked in here, or saved for later. Quite the conundrum, given how many other events and complicated plot threads are predicated on it, and it’s honestly really daunting to try to figure out how to deal with Gunmar once and for all. On the flipside, given that rescuing Enrique drives so much of the plot once Bular is killed, it feels like leaving the story unfinished to leave him in the Darklands. Of course, if my paralyzing indecision and writer’s block prevents me from finishing the story, then the story is still unfinished but in a much more literal way...

North Salem Possibilities: I had some ideas for what happns next, but haven’t fleshed much out. Truthfully, I’ve sort of fallen out of the phandom once again, but if the past (*checks calendar*) 13 years of falling in and out of this fandom is any indication, I will definitely come back around someday

Through Myself and Back Again: The next chapter is half done! Or possiby it’s 90% done because I am considering splitting it in two. I haven’t touched it since December, though (see above) and what I have got done needs a rewrite, since I realized I was making it more complicated for myself than it needed to be. Looking forward to writing Sam’s POV, and, later, introducing Jazz’s daemon. Possibly some of my ideas will just be written up as meta rather than fic chapters, like dealing with Vlad’s whole deal.

I Was a Teenage Troll: I’ve got bits and pieces written, but don’t expect an update anytime soon. This one is very much on the backburner, and whenever I do get a surge of ToA inspiration, I try to direct that towards DLtK, so yeah. Still really love this AU!

In Loco Parentis: So I haven’t even starting posting this one yet, but if you’re wondering where all my current energies are being invested, this is it. This is the thing that is The Most Exciting Thing to my brain right now, a crossover between Forever and Daredevil that began with two unrelated thoughts: 1. What if Henry Morgan adopted more kids than just Abe? At least as often as Bruce Wayne, spread out over decades - he’d probably be a grandfather several times over, can you imagine the family reunions? and 2. Forever is a police procedural and like all procedurals they take a very loose approach to due process and fourth amendment rights, including treating ‘lawyering up’ as a confession of guilt/worst possible roadblock to an investigation, instead of, you know, a constitutional right and good idea all-around. Gosh I’d love to drop a competent defense attorney like Matt Murdock on their heads and take them down a peg.

I am so deep down this rabbit hole that I swore I wasn’t going to go down, lol. There’s so many parallels to draw - but also points of delicious conflict. Like Henry and Matt are both stubborn men who hold strongly to their moral codes, and are willing to lay down their lives to help complete strangers, but where Henry holds to his oaths to First Do No Harm as much as he possibly can, the line Matt is unwilling to cross is Thou Shalt Not Kill, leaving a lot of grievous bodily harm still on the table. Also they were both at one point locked in the back of a New York taxi that was driven into the river in order to drown them in a plot orchestrated by their nemesis, which is a weirdly specific coincidence.

[airi-p4]

From above the stars - Chapter 9

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | ...... 

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So um... hi!  Does anyone remember this story...? It's been so long ^^; I don't have as much time and energy as I used to write or draw, but I'm still working on my stories in my mind ;v; Since chapter 10 is almost done, I can finally post this one, that has been finished for ages but never posted. This chapter sets the mood for Chapter 10, which is VERY LONG.

Enjoy?

Chapter summary:

Luka and Marinette catch up and make a promise.

TW: Check the tags!!

AO3

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CHAPTER 9 - Caring

The next time they met, a few days later, Luka looked exhausted. He told Marinette he had to spend days cleaning his house (did he mention he used to live on a ship?) and hiding and throwing away any possible cutting or harming items he could think of: knives, scissors… in case his mother attempted anything crazy again. He told her how he also got rid of bottles of alcohol, too, since his mother had been relying on it to cope with her daughters’ passing, and he also explained how he hid the medicines and chemical products like bleach under lock and key. He had mentioned money struggles, too. How he had to sell old musical instruments and antique old stuff no one used and had been stored there for years, and how he had started a new part-time night job to combine with the one he already had to earn more money. He never mentioned what he did for a living, but Marinette assumed it was related to music, since he mentioned needing his guitar.

Marinette had given him space, but she had missed him deeply after a few days without seeing each other. She gave him a hug and soon pulled apart to analyze his tired face.

"Luka. Are you taking care of yourself?"

Her question surprised him. When was the last time he worried about his own condition? He couldn't even remember. He smiled weakly in regret as she scolded him.

"You have to take care of yourself, Luka. Keep being healthy, drink water, exercise… You look so pale…" she touched his face and he closed his eyes, tilting his head to press his skin to the palm of her hand. ‘Just how lonely must he be feeling…?’ Her heart ached for him. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself. Please… If anything were to happen to you… I don't know what I would do…"

He pulled back for a moment to stare at her teary eyes, and was immediately moved by her concern. He shouldn't be making her feel even more remorseful after all she had been through, he thought.

"You're right, Marinette. I have a few friends checking on me, but I promise I'll take care of myself more. For my mother, for my friends… and for you" he showed her an apologetic expression that made her heart throb. "Thank you, Marinette"

"Anytime…" She offered him a comforting smile that made his heart feel lighter. "How is your mother doing?" she asked, somewhat scared.

He was obviously uncomfortable with her question, but he still gave her an honest answer.

"She's better thanks to her medicines... but she's still not herself. And with my sisters’ birthdays coming soon…” he sighed. “She keeps asking for them and saying we need to buy them cake and presents and throw a party… I don’t have the heart to tell her they’re gone every time she mentions them… she's in denial even if I tell her...” he looked exhausted. “But overall, her condition is improving. I think deep down she knows. She just needs time to assimilate. Thanks for asking, Marinette”

Marinette shook her head in a 'no need to thank me' way and smiled a little relieved.

"What about you, Marinette? How are things going? You told me you got a new job?" He asked and she looked back at him. "I'm sorry I haven't asked earlier. How is it? Do you enjoy it?"

"No, no! Don't apologize! It's ok. What you're going through is more important than any story I could tell you…"

"I enjoy hearing your stories, though" he smiled, and she blushed.

"You do?" He nodded. "Thank you, Luka"

"What kind of job is it?"

"Gabriel Agreste asked me to be a fashion designer for his brand. I probably just got the job because I was his son's… you know. But it's my dream job and-" she fidgeted with her fingers. "I'm in the training process, but he said he expects big things from me. Which is reassuring but also scary… Because- what if I fail or my designs aren't good enough? Or if I mess up creating them! Or if-"

"Marinette," he called to stop her rambling, and she looked up at him. "You'll do amazing. That's an amazing job you got. I bet someone like Gabriel Agreste wouldn't leave his company to anyone who isn't worth it. Have more faith in your skills. I've seen some of your designs and they are amazing. Your rock collection was impressive. I believe in you"

"You don't think I just got the job because of who I was…?"

"Absolutely not. It's for who you are and for your talent. I have no doubts"

"Thank you… It's not as easy as before to find inspiration but I'm enjoying designing again…" she showed him a smile under her pink cheeks.

"That's good. I'm glad" he smiled softly, warming her heart.

"Wait- Did I show you my designs? When…?" She tried to recall. "Wait-! You saw my rock style collection!? That's embarrassing!" She covered her face with her hands. "I got scolded for going off-topic with those… But I was quite fond of them…" 'because you were my inspiration' she kept to herself.

"Really? I think they looked amazing. It's a pity... But I guess it makes sense. Gabriel Agreste doesn't seem the type to rock that style" his smile widened.

"I think so too!" Marinette grinned. He looked at her with loving eyes- or at least she hoped they were.

"Say Marinette…” he spoke again, picking her attention. “When are you free? I still owe you an outing"

Marinette flustered hopefully. "I can anytime! Except Friday. My job is flexible, so I can adapt" she explained. "Are you sure you want to go…? What about your mother?"

"I want to go. I'll ask her nurse to look after her for a few hours. It won't be long, probably, but we can go somewhere relaxing. You deserve a break"

"You too!" She protested. "Probably more than I do. You deserve a break and to relax and to be happy! If I can help, I'll be more than glad to!"

"Thank you, Marinette. What about a picnic, then? We order some sandwiches and juice and relax at some park nearby."

"Sounds good... but only with one condition" Luka looked at her with curiosity. "No buying, I'll take care of the food" her closed hand pressed against her chest with confidence.

"Do I have a chance to change your mind?" Luka chuckled.

"You don't! I'm pretty stubborn, you know?" She confidently grinned.

"I thought so" he chuckled, and she giggled in return.

"I'll text you to set the date, the time and the place of our meeting later tonight" he said, noticing it was almost his curfew to go.

"It’s a date!" She exclaimed, but immediately covered her face with her hands. She was supposed to keep that to herself but it escaped her without thinking. “Ah-”

Luka chuckled and couldn’t deny anything to her happy face. She was too cute.

"I mean- I can’t wait to finally meet you outside the cemetery!" She added, thankful for how Luka never made fun of her when she embarrassed herself.

"You really are funny, Marinette. You won’t believe I’m not a ghost just yet, will you?" Luka's smile widened, amused, his head tilted to one side.

"That's not it, geez!" She pouted, with redness on her cheeks. And soon both shared comfortable laughs.

Being with Luka was so easy, comfortable, and beautiful, that Marinette sometimes wondered if Luka was a treasure the stars sent her to compensate for her ultimate bad luck. Her feelings for him kept growing, and her heart felt about to burst out whenever she was with him. And despite knowing she was failing her mother and the Agreste's family, she couldn't restrain herself. Luka had become someone indispensable in her life- the reason for it. To the point she practically forgot who she was before they met.

Meanwhile, Luka's thoughts were slightly different. He longed for her, but he knew he shouldn't be getting closer to Marinette. He was well aware love between them was forbidden, for multiple reasons, but he also knew he was too attached to her to keep his distance. She was his secret garden: where he could live in a happy dream, take a break and temporarily forget about his tragic real life.

Their growing feelings were both a blessing and a curse.

[bushido-jack]

Hello everyone! It’s been, uh, a while! Much longer than I initially said my hiatus would be! My god, SO much longer. A LOT of stuff has happened in the 9 months I’ve been away, and a few have been potentially life changing. Content warning, this post will talk about COVID and mention a death in the family. Don’t read if this is content that upsets you.

TLDR; I’ve had quite a few significant life complications that have taken precedence and prevented me from engaging in my hobbies, and maintaining this blog, and while I can’t promise consistent activity from now on, I am determined to break the hiatus and get back on here to write! After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! (Of course, Jack could never be the dull one around here but Sharkie very much was. I know this joke isn’t funny just let me get it out) I’ve even commissioned a promo along with some fresh new icons that will be coming soon to kickstart my break from hiatus and into some semi-regular activity!

So first off, right around the time I made my last few posts, I got COVID a second time, and this time it really messed me up. It has left me even more disabled physically AND mentally, and my stamina in both is nothing short of abysmal. I got severe long COVID that I’m still battling with, and it made functioning in any way a monumental task. I’m almost positive I have some minor brain damage. My already bad lungs and chronic pain got worse, my mental health dipped extremely badly (I developed some new OCD rituals that have made typing a nightmare unfortunately) and I was trying to survive all of this while keeping a job that was extremely physically demanding. I’d already had to quit a previous one due to my disability and a lack of understanding that pushed me much too hard, and I really wanted to keep this one because I actually had training and a certificate in that line of work. Unfortunately I was forced to quit my second as well due to my stamina being severely reduced by COVID making it so that I could no longer handle a day of work without at least two days of recovery, as well as long term damage to my body from work itself that I was not comfortable with continuing to sacrifice for my paycheck. (most significant and the ones that have affected my return to writing have been significant tinnitus, carpal tunnel and tendinitis, lung damage, and even more brain fog, this time due to fatigue and constant sensory overload). Not long after I recovered from COVID the second time, my Uncle also got COVID and unfortunately passed away. It was sudden and traumatic and for a good while all of my emotional energy was spent with my family and trying to help my aunt who suffered a severe emotional break from the event. And during all of this, ever since the day I made my hiatus post, I have been struggling with some severe burnout in pretty much every category imaginable. I have been dealing with severe autistic burnout which has affected me since December and made recovery that much more difficult, as well as creative burnout that has prevented me from drawing or writing much since even before last December. That burnout plus the overwhelming exhaustion from overwork and physical and mental health issues has made it so I have barely drawn anything in over a year, and I haven’t written consistently for around a year. Along with those challenges, I haven’t had much time to engage in my hobbies as I’ve been working towards independent living, which as a disabled person is a nightmare of an obstacle coarse. In some ways this effort has necessitated my hiatus as well as the overwork I’ve done to myself in order to have enough credit and money to become independent legally. I’ve gotten pretty far, but until I’ve got everything in order I may still be struggling on finding a consistent and healthy work and hobby balance. But that’s where something came to help refresh my creativity a little bit. I got a new muse, funnily enough connected to Samurai Jack! I started checking out Lupin the Third while I was going down the rabbit hole of influences and references that appeared in the Samurai Jack show (and also trying to research the existence of the Japanese dub for Samurai Jack) and got hooked on the treasure trove of an animation history foundation block it is. As someone interested in pursuing a career in animation and loves old cartoons (shocking.) I was drawn into the old 60-70s originated show like a moth to a flame. Soon after watching a bit I found a great muse to help me recover from burnout without abandoning Jack, and in fact supporting him due to the fact that there are clear inspirations and references within Samurai Jack to Goemon Ishikawa XIII. While I allowed Jack’s muse to rest so as not to push him to the point where I didn’t enjoy it anymore, I decided to switch over to him for a while. By now I have reached a point where I’m in a place to bring back Jack and rp them both, and I may even do crossovers with them! Thankfully not everything personal has been gloomy: in a purely positive update, I dyed my hair pastel lavender like I’ve wanted to do since I was in middle school! This is something that’s helped lift my spirits a lot so I thought I’d share. If I ever do a mun day I may share, my entire face not included.