#I try not to bring negativity on Tumblr but heaven knows I often fail

[small-witch-big-hat]

Hi, I’m sure you didn’t mean any harm but I wanted to let you know that it was really sad and upsetting to see your comments about longing to be smaller under art celebrating fat bodies. I don’t want you to be unhappy but also it sucks that you felt the need to derail a piece of fat positivity with your negative emotions.

I hope this doesn’t seem mean, more than that, I hope - more than you know - that you learn to find peace with your body as it is now. Whether or not you ever lose weight (or gain weight, or fluctuate for the rest of your life) you deserve to be happy in the flesh you inhabit, right now. Today. Not when you’re skinny. Not when you look right. Immediately, and with no conditions, you deserve to be happy. No weight loss will ever feel as good as happiness that isn’t tied to external expectations of your body.

If that isn’t possible for you yet (which is fine), then I at least hope that you be a little more considerate about when and where you share your negativity, and that you choose not to broadcast them in a way that undermines the work of those people who don’t share your current views towards their fleshbags.

I don't recall which post I responded to that spurred this ask, but I am sorry that I caused someone else pain here. I try not to vent on other people's posts, and I broke my own rule.

A lot of the fat positivity stuff I see around here makes me feel really uncomfortable. It reminds me of my own body, with which I am not really on speaking terms. It reminds me of the frustration that being heavy causes me, of the health problems it's exacerbating, of how much trouble I have managing my eating in a healthy way. It reminds me of the things I want to do that my weight prevents.

It's also complicated by my gender dysphoria, which only makes me feel even MORE trapped in a body that fits wrong.

It makes me feel like trying to change is futile, that I'm doomed here. I don't WANT to "find peace" with my body as it is now. To be honest, having you wish me that makes me feel sick and angry, and I'm not entirely sure why. It feels like you're asking me to ignore things about myself.

[shenanigans-and-imagines]

NSFW Alphabet: Crosshair

A/N: Not officially a request, but I thought I’d better cover the whole Bad Batch while I’m at it. And as a reminder, remember to REBLOG AND COMMENT IF YOU LIKE THIS!!! The tumblr tags are fickle at best and it’s the only real way to support creators on this hellsite.

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

He’s always stuck between wanting to keep your body against him, but at the same time not wanting to come across as needy. He’ll probably start kissing your shoulders and neck, before nipping at the skin and telling you to go take a shower. Once you do, he’ll try to play it cool like, “you can stick around if you want, not that I care either way”. But, he does. He does care.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

He likes your waist. Odd, but true. It’s the natural place to put his hands when he pulls you close to him. He likes the way you shiver when he runs his fingers along your skin. Not to mention it’s the perfect place to grip you as his fucks you senseless.

For himself, he likes his legs. Yeah, they’re not as thick or muscular compared to regs, but they’re distinctly his. Plus even if he’s not any taller, it helps with the illusion that he is.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

His favorite place to cum is all over your chest and stomach. Seeing you a sweating, blissed out mess with his cum sticking to your skin is the single hottest image his mind can come up with. Second only to you hazily swiping his cum onto you finger and sucking with a moan.

You better be prepared if you do that because you won’t be able to walk the next day.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

He has an impressive collection of dirty holos you’ve sent to him while away on missions.  He’s kept every single one.  It’s gotten to the point where he just picks a random holo and that’s the fantasy he indulges in to get himself off until he can see you again.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Like the rest of the batch, he’s had a pretty healthy string of one night stands since leaving Kamino. He actually has the most notches on his bed post which he is not ashamed to bring up whenever Wrecker is getting just a little too cocky. So, he’s pretty experienced all things considered.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Taking you from behind and against a wall. That’s the popular image of him in the fandom and I’m ain’t here to dispute it.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

Not funny, but he’s definitely a smug asshole who can’t help but comment on every sound you make.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

He keeps it pretty well groomed down there, almost complete shaven.  Also, dark hair down below, if you’re curious. 

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

It’s very rare for Crosshair to be emotional in bed.  He uses sex more as a way to get rid of tension or get a solid hit of dopamine.  Actually being open with someone is not something he’s comfortable with.

The most intimate he gets is when he feels he might lose you, either in the field or to another man.  Then, he uses it as a way to assure himself you’re with him and his. In that case, it can get pretty intense.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

He jacks off often, before and after meeting you.  He’s got a higher sex drive than his brothers and needs someway to work off the tension after a mission.  He prefers doing it in the shower when he has the time, but he’ll honestly whip it out anyplace where he can get some privacy for fifteen minutes.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Let it be recorded that Crosshair is not only a Dom, but the only true Dom in entire Grand Army of the Republic. (With the exception of Commander Wolffe.)

Seriously, the man likes nothing more than pinning you down and using your body as his personally fuck toy.  His ultimate fantasy is keeping you tied up in various positions, your body spread open and willing for him to use whenever the mood strikes him.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

Anywhere with a relatively flat surface. I cannot emphasize how much he does not care where he does it: bedroom, shower, locker room, bar bathroom, sparring room, between a couple of boulders out of view of the rest of the Bad Batch. He does not care.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

His ego...let me explain.

There are two ways to really get him going, but they both come down to how they effect his ego.

Number one, praise.  If you compliment him on a shot, confirm that he did, in fact, beat Wrecker at something, or rasp a dirty promise in his ear that he’s the only man who has ever made you cum that hard; that’ll get him going more than anything.

Number two, jealously.  If he sees another man actively flirting with you, he’ll all but sling you over his shoulder and carry you to the closest abandoned alley he can find to fuck you senseless.  He doesn’t care if you were interested in the guy flirting with you or not, you’re his and he needs to remind himself and you of that.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Humiliation for him is a no go. There’s the more obvious stuff, like the idea of you putting him on a leash or something equally degrading just gets him frustrated, and not in a sexy way.  But, more specifically verbal humiliation. He genuinely gets upset if you’re the one to say he’s not good enough for you in some capacity or compare him negatively to somebody else. That’ll kill the mood in seconds.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Much prefers receiving to giving.  Seeing you on your knees with his cock in your mouth his heaven.  And being able to cum all over your face and chest when he’s done? He’s in heaven.

That being said, he’s not bad at giving, he just ends up mostly using his fingers while he runs his mouth.  He can’t help it.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Fast and rough, like all the time.  He basically has no other mode.  Now, whether it’s more intense with pent up emotions or a fun stress reliever depends on his mood.  Either way, if you’re not a sweating, panting mess by the end of it he feels like he’s failed in some way.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Yes.  He’s going to say yes to quickies.  Where ever and whenever is good for him.  But, don’t think it’s really over when it’s over.  He only considers it a preview of what he’s going to do to you once you actually get some time and a little more privacy.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

He’s certainly willing to try different positions and kinks, but he’s not big on getting more toys in the mix.  He’s more than happy to tie you up and spank you, but he’s not so keen on adding a paddle or something like that, if that makes any kind of sense.  It’s about his body and what he can do to you.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Just as good as every other clone, with a fantastic recovery time. A solid average of three rounds per night lasting as long as either of you can stand it.

That all being said, he’s in constant competition with himself on how long he can last and for how many rounds.

Current record for time is two hours before he came once with you cumming a total of five times. Current round total is him cumming five times in one night while you lost count of yours.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Surprisingly not his thing. He’s got some cuffs he uses on occasion with you, but not much else. Like I said, he’s in competition with himself, not him and a toy.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

He doesn’t tease often, but when he does, he’s an asshole.  He’ll keep you pinned down, lazily rubbing the tip of his cock against your opening, never fully going in until you’re squirming and begging him to just fuck you already.  Sometimes he will and sometimes, he’ll leave you hanging there.  It all depends on his mood.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Not especially. In the beginning he keeps it almost conversational, as he talks dirty into your ear. But, it all changes when he comes to the end. It’s like whatever control he had over his vocal cords gets shut off. He curses a lot combined with grunts and borederline feral growls as he rams his cock harder and deeper into you.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Crosshair has a real jealously streak, especially when it comes to regs. 

While he’s confident in his abilities, he’s aware more than Wrecker or even Tech that they’re basically a bunch of freaks the Republic likes to keep under wraps.  A funny little lab experiment.  While regs were made just as much as he was, they actually have a chance at being...well, normal after all is said and done.  He’s not sure he’ll ever be normal.  So, the fear of you realizing you’re dating an actual freak of nature weighs on him constantly.

He needs to remind himself that you’re with him, that you chose him and you’re not going to walk away.  It drives him crazy that you make him feel that way, but it’s the truth.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Just as long as his clone brothers (a solid 8-inches), but not as thick.  Not that he need that extra edge.  His talent is precision after all.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

I’d say he has the highest of the batch, actually getting agitated if he hasn’t had a good fuck in more than a few days.  His hand can only do so much for him before he gets down right hostile.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

I’d say it takes him a solid half-hour to finally fall asleep after sex. He’d never tell you, but he likes the feeling of you asleep in his arms. He’ll savor it for as long as he can.

[blushingcolor]

Zodiac Quiz

Here’s a “zodiac quiz” that I found floating around Tumblr :)

**original source unknown**

Listed below are (depressingly accurate) traits from each sign of the zodiac. mark off the ones that apply to you, and see which one you are most like. Use X if you completely agree and / if you somewhat agree.

ARIES. (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

[ ] you have a tendency to not finish things you start.

[ ] you are very conscious of what people think of you, and you let it impact you deeply.

[ ] you’re impulsive and spontaneous.

[x] you are very headstrong and hard to sway.

[ ] you are more likely to take your own approach to something rather than go by conventional methods.

[x] you’re not afraid to say what you think, but sometimes you forget how what you think might make other people feel.

[x] you are young at heart.

[/] you love to experience new things, even though you bore of them quickly.

[ ] you can be very jealous.

[x] you know how to make the best out of any situation.

4.5/10

TAURUS. (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

[x] you are very possession-oriented, and have a hard time sharing your belongings.

[/] you are extremely affectionate.

[x] you have great tolerance, and it takes you a lot to reach a breaking point.

[ ] but when you do, it’s disastrous.

[x] you like to take things slow and know what you’re getting into.

[ ] you have never been one for change.

[ ] you can’t stand to be challenged.

[ ] you have a firmly set comfort zone, and it irritates you when people tamper with it.

[x] you are especially reliable, and you are always there for people who need you.

[/] you always keep your promises without fail.

5/10

GEMINI. (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

[ ] your dominant trait is absolutely your love of communication.

[ ] you are naturally a very curious person, but since you flutter from one thing to another so often, you aren’t one to appreciate the deeper aspects of an experience.

[x] you are all about logic. things need to make sense to you.

[ ] you are very restless and active, in both body and mind.

[x] you tend to be two faced.

[x] you are a very critical person.

[ ] you are a cynic.

[ ] you thrive on change and hate being in the same environment for an extended period of time.

[x] once someone betrays you, you have difficulty trusting them again.

[ ] you are very unpredictable.

4/10

CANCER. (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

[ ] who you are as a person is deeply affected by your childhood.

[ ] you are very in touch with emotions, to the point where you can almost instantly tell how someone else is genuinely feeling.

[x] you need a place you can call your own, which is why you value ‘home’

[x] you love kids.

[ ] you are very affected by other people’s problems, and have a knack for putting yourself in the shoes of other people.

[x] you dislike confrontation.

[ ] you have always valued your heart over your mind.

[ ] you hate being told what to do.

[/] your moods are very fluid, as you are very sensitive.

[ ] if you like someone, you accept them into your heart just the way they are.

3.5/10

LEO. (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)

[ ] you would move heaven and earth for the people you care about.

[ ] you would never consider yourself petty.

[x] you are naturally a very generous person.

[ ] for you, there is nothing worse than losing.

[ ] in arguments, you come across as stubborn and hot headed, but you just want to justify your actions and explain why you believe you’re right.

[/] you set very high, occasionally unreasonable expectations.

[ ] your ego is the size of a small planet.

[x] unlike Gemini, you dislike change, and would much rather have stability in your life.

[ ] one of your talents is making people feel special.

[ ] you love being in the limelight, and it roots from a need to be appreciated.

2.5/10

VIRGO. (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22)

[ ] you like to dream and fantasize, but in the grand scheme of things, you are realistic and won’t waste time on the impossible.

[ ] you know exactly what you want, you just don’t know how to get it.

[ ] education is very important to you.

[ ] all you really want is to feel useful.

[x] you never lose your cool.

[x] you second guess yourself a lot, and majority of the time, you don’t think you’re good enough.

[ ] you don’t mind going the extra mile, even for people you don’t really know.

[/] you are not overly emotional, and you sometimes perceive them as messy, embarrassing or even a weakness.

[x] you are deep and reflective.

[x] you would rather be lonely than settle for less.

4.5/10

LIBRA. (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22)

[x] you are very laid back and you don’t mind a lot of things.

[x] you are fascinated with people, and you love to understand others.

[x] you dread hurting other people’s feelings.

[x] you are very charming.

[x] you would rather look at life through rose-tinted glasses than acknowledge the negatives.

[ ] you are very focused on balance. if someone pushes you, you will push them right back.

[x] you are indecisive.

[x] you wish more people would give peace a chance.

[ ] you become annoyed when you spot unoriginality in others.

[x] you will never forget to let the people you love know how much you care about them.

8/10

SCORPIO. (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21)

[ ] if someone tries too hard to control you, nothing will hold you back from rebelling.

[ ] you are vindictive.

[x] you prefer to keep your feelings to yourself.

[ ] you can see right through people when they lie to you.

[x] you can always be trusted with secrets. always.

[x] you are horrified of being made vulnerable.

[x] you have complete control over your emotions. people only see what you let them see, and you prefer it this way.

[ ] you do not desire approval from anyone; you’re content to do your own thing.

[x] you can be pretty blunt.

[x] people often say you’re a mystery.

6/10

SAGITTARIUS. (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21)

[ ] you’re a risk-taker. you’ve never been afraid to act on a hunch.

[x] you love to learn and gain knowledge. wisdom in general is something you find very, very respectable.

[ ] freedom means the world to you.

[/] you’re not a dishonest person, and very rarely will you take advantage of someone to get what you want.

[x] a lot of people think you have a great sense of humour.

[ ] you are very carefree by nature, but occasionally you tend to be careless.

[/] you don’t freely hand out compliments, but when you do give them, you mean them.

[ ] you love a challenge. if something comes too easily, your interest in it will disappear.

[x] you are very enthusiastic about life.

[x] you are generally upbeat and happy-go-lucky.

5/10

CAPRICORN. (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19)

[x] you are very reliable, but you have a hard time relying on other people.

[x] you don’t know how to ask for help.

[x] you finish everything you start.

[x] you hate making mistakes, no matter how small.

[x] you don’t like talking about your deeper emotions, and you get really irritated when people try to make you.

[ ] you are far more complicated than people believe you to be.

[x] you may come across as harmless, but you are tough as a keg of nails.

[x] you like to be in charge of everything in your life.

[ ] you always stand your ground.

[ ] a trait you hate to see in someone is vulnerability, and you might find yourself taking advantage of someone who tends to play the ‘victim’ role.

7/10

AQUARIUS. (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18)

[x] emotions can be scary for you.

[x] you are a walking contradiction. you want freedom, yet you want protection. you want to be alone, yet you want the laughter and adventures that only other people can bring you.

[x] you are not the jealous type.

[ ] you are an inventor. you live in today’s world, but think in tomorrow’s world.

[ ] you rebel for the sake of rebelling. you love to shock.

[ ] you won’t change for anyone. someone must either take you as you are, or stay out of your path.

[ ] you like to listen to other people’s opinions and views, even if you disagree. you aren’t at all unreasonable.

[x] no matter how close you get to someone, there will always be a part of you reserved for yourself.

[ ] much like leo, you expect less than practical things of people.

[x] you’re more interested in being a friend than making more friends.

5/10

PISCES. (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20)

[ ] you are very artistic, to the point where you can’t keep it in. art is your life.

[ ] you have no emotional boundaries. you feel practically everything.

[ ] you are very, very open minded. you would never put anyone down because of their beliefs.

[x] you have your head in the clouds maybe too often.

[x] you want a fairytale romance.

[ ] sometimes you tend to see things less as what actually happened, and more as what you wished happened instead.

[/] if you’re excited about something, you become a dog with a bone. you could talk about it all day.

[x] you are capable of surprisingly biting sarcasm.

[/] you have a hard time accepting criticism.

[ ] you hold onto people who are bad for you.

4/10

My Result: Libra

My Actual Sign: Libra

This was fun, so feel free to try it!!

[sephinova]

Fall Into The Sky

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Summary: Jenova’s purpose in life was to cause suffering and destruction, that’s all she had ever known. But as her fondness for Sephiroth grows stronger with each passing day a new purpose is born.

Prequel To: ‘What Is Love?’

Pairing: Sephiroth/Jenova

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Somewhat incestuous pairing, fluff.

Word Count: 1981

Notes: This could be one of the last fanfictions that I post online because of that horrible EU Article 13 legislation that might fully pass next year unless it miraculously gets rejected and if it passes it’ll be illegal for me to post my fanfics and possibly do any sort of fandom related stuff online... I’ll have no choice but to leave Tumblr, AO3, etc. But on a happier note, I’ve decided that this characterization of Jenova is separate from my main headcanons of her though they do share some things in common. I hope to write a sequel to this fanfic before the end of the year if my brain decides to cooperate, though I’m nervous about writing it as I’ve NEVER written anything like it before. O////O       

You can also read this on AO3.

The moon shined brightly in the night sky surrounded by countless twinkling stars illuminating Jenova and the surrounding grassy field in its gentle glow.

It has been too long since I last sailed this vast ocean of stars.

The Calamity stared at the limitless sky walking towards the moon as though it were beckoning her.

Long, long ago she journeyed the cosmos from planet to planet bringing fear, suffering and death to all manner of life that dwelled on them and once she corrupted those planets Lifestream she would use them to travel to the next and repeat the cycle.

She stopped, using her shapeshifting abilities she adjusted her tentacles and disfigured wings so she could comfortably lie down. When they were adapted enough to her liking she lied down on the silky grass.

With nothing obstructing her view she was filled with the sensation she was about to fall into the starry abyss. She grabbed the grass as if to stop herself from falling, how thrilling it would be to fall and leave this planet behind, but...

I want to stay a while longer.

Ever since Sephiroth and herself had returned from the Lifestream her son wanted to postpone their objective of corrupting the planet. At first, Jenova wasn't pleased about the suspension but as time passed, she grew to like it. She got to know Sephiroth better and her fondness for him grew stronger with each passing day. She never would have thought she would become attached to a human infused with her cells but he was different, he was her son and so much more she couldn't put into words, the mere thought of never seeing him again was unbearable. Her chest began to ache.

Why do I feel this way?

''Mother.''

The deep yet gentle tone of Sephiroth's voice that he reserved only for Jenova broke her train of thoughts, her aching replaced by flutterings in her belly. She had become so caught up in her own little world she hadn't picked up on his presence. Footsteps softened by the grass came closer and closer to The Calamity until he came into her sight. She greeted him with a smile.

''It's been nearly six hours since you left, I was starting to worry.'' Sephiroth spoke as he knelt beside his mother.

Six hours... has it been that long?

''My apologies, I had not realised I had been away for that long.'' Jenova apologised.

''It's alright, Mother. As long as you're safe I don't mind.''

''You need not worry, I can take care of myself.''

Sephiroth nodded. ''I know.''

Jenova couldn't help but mentally chuckle to herself, he often worried about her safety considering she was one of the most powerful entities on the planet more than capable of defending herself and yet she had done the same for him before now. But why would she have to? He was strong enough to take care of himself.

Illogical.

The One-Winged Angel sat down beside Jenova. ''Magnificent. I can see why you enjoy star-gazing so much.'' Sephiroth said in awe.

''Indeed. I travelled among these stars for aeons.'' Jenova agreed.

''And someday you will again, with me by your side.''

For several minutes they watched the stars, in a blink of an eye, a shooting star flew across the night sky. Jenova sensed a noticeable change in Sephiroth's mood.

Negativity.

''I'm sorry, Mother... I have failed you...''

The Calamity narrowed her eyes at his words.

Failed?

''...If it weren't for my failings we would be on our way to a new planet.'' Sephiroth admitted lowering his head and clenching his fists. If he was nothing more than a puppet she would have been disappointed and disposed of him of his repeated incompetence without a second thought, but strangely, she wasn't displeased with him.

''Do not be hard on yourself, Sephiroth, for I have too, failed.'' Jenova confessed sitting upright.

Surprised by her confession he turned his head in her direction.

''I failed when I first arrived on this planet and many other times before. What matters is that we do not surrender to defeat and eventually we will succeed.''

Admitting her failures and expressing genuine encouragement? Never had The Calamity done such a thing until now. She was once too proud to admit her defeats to anyone and the only times she showed encouragement was to her puppets to carry out her will as a means to manipulate them.

''You're not displeased with me?''

''No.'' She answered shaking her head.

Sephiroth sighed in relief, a smile tugging at his lips, unclenching his fists. ''You're too kind to me, Mother.''

Jenova smiled, pleased to have eased her son's negativity. She gazed down at the grass where Sephiroth's bare hand rested, it wasn't often she saw his hands gloveless. Curious, she touched the back of his hand. His skin was smooth and warm to the touch, she could feel the pleasant resonance of his cells against her hand calling out to her. He presented his palm to her, she caressed it, his hand was large and fingers long and slender.

Why is this so pleasant?

The One-Winged Angel put his hand over her's, softly stroking her hand in return. They continued caressing each other until they were palm to palm, fingers entwining. Their eyes met, Sephiroth shifted closer to Jenova, her heart began to race.

Why does he have this effect on me?

Unsure of what to do Jenova turned her head away to the heavens.

''Am I making you feel uncomfortable?'' Sephiroth asked concern evident in his voice.

''No. Being with you like this feels very good, I just do not know what to do.'' Returning her gaze to him.

''We can continue star-gazing if that's what you want?'' Sephiroth suggested.

''Yes, I would like that.'' Jenova agreed nodding slightly.

An idea came to mind at the mention of one of her favourite pastimes she remembered that thrilling sensation before her son arrived.

''Lie down.'' The Calamity softly instructed.

Still holding his mother's hand Sephiroth did as he was told and she did the same beside him.

''Keep your eyes to the sky and do not look away. Do you experience the sensation as though you are about to fall?''

Sephiroth narrowed his eyes in concentration. ''I can't say that I do.''

''Try to imagine that you can and listen to my voice. With your free hand hold onto the grass...''

They both grasped a tuft of grass.

''...Gravity has reversed and all that is keeping us from falling is holding onto the grass, if we let go we can leave this planet behind and start anew, we will be free to go wherever we please, explore the countless stars and planets...''

Jenova glanced at Sephiroth, his expression peaceful. It pleased her that he liked her little fantasy.

''...Sephiroth, will you fall into the sky with me?''

''Yes, Mother, let's leave this world behind.''

''Then let go.''

Letting go of the grass Jenova could almost feel herself being pulled into the sky, she felt her son squeezing her hand slightly as though to keep her from separating away from him, she squeezed his hand in return.

Falling.

''We are falling faster and faster...''

Jenova couldn't help but grin at the quiet laugh that escaped Sephiroth.

''...We have broken through the planet's atmosphere, we are free.'' She announced a soft giggle escaping her.

Abruptly, Sephiroth stood up, his wing burst from his back, black feathers scattering into the air.

''Mother, let's fall into the sky!'' The One-Winged Angel exclaimed offering his hand to her.

Jenova gladly took his hand helping her up on her feet. She readjusted her wings in preparation to take flight.

''Yes, let's.'' And with that, they ascended.

They soared higher and higher into the sparkling heavens, the cool wind howled in their ears and rushed through their long silver manes. Though it wasn't the same as falling The Calamity appreciated her son's thoughtfulness and it certainly was far more thrilling than laying on the ground daydreaming.

We should stop within the next ten seconds She heard him say telepathically. As much as she wanted to keep going she knew they couldn't, counting down the seconds she savoured what little time they had left.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

They came to a sudden halt in midair. Jenova took in her surroundings. Her eyes roamed the world below covered in darkness except for the sea shimmering with the moon's distorted reflection and a far-off town's faint glowing lights made it almost feel as though they were in outer space.

Her gaze locked on Sephiroth who was admiring the glorious view, he radiated positivity that she had never seen or felt from him before, it delighted her knowing that she was the one responsible for his elation and he too was the cause of her's.

Is this what they call happiness?

No one or anything made The Calamity feel the way he did, her feelings incredibly powerful they consumed her and unrecognisable they were alien. As far back as she could remember the only purpose she had in life was to infect and destroy, as long she possessed the power to do so and was able to her life was complete or so she thought. But Sephiroth gave her a new kind of fulfilment and purpose to her life, she wanted to protect him and make him smile, a far cry from her original purpose.

Sephiroth's Mako slitted eyes met Jenova's pink. Captivated by his warm gaze, she moved closer to him until she almost closed the gap between them. She settled her hands on his broad shoulders not once tearing her gaze away from him. The One-Winged Angel brought his hand to her face, his fingers affectionately stroking her cheek. Ever so slowly he leaned his head towards her's his eyes half-lidded, she closed her eyes in waiting. His warm and soft lips met her's in the gentlest of kisses.

Jenova's blood instantly rushed to her face, her heart pounding in her breast and her stomach fluttering uncontrollably so delightful these sensations were she felt as though she was about to burst. How was it possible for such a simple act of physical contact to give such strong reactions?

How wonderful.

Sephiroth broke away from the kiss, Jenova reopened her eyes. His face flushing red from shame.

''Mother... I-I-'' He stuttered, realising what he had done.

Just as The One-Winged Angel was about to pull away from his mother she cupped his face with her hands and smiled at him, her eyes filled with reassurance and affection. Relieved, he smiled back, all traces of shame vanished. She tenderly kissed him in return, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck and her tentacles around his waist. Sephiroth melted into the kiss, embracing her the gap between them finally closed. Gradually they descended back down to the Planet.

Jenova couldn't comprehend why she was drawn to him, fond of him and longed to hold and kiss him, these feelings and actions were illogical and inconvenient to her original purpose, obstacles that needed to be overcome... but she didn't want to overcome them, she didn't want these wonderful feelings to disappear and revert back to before she met her dear son.

Breaking away from their kiss, The Calamity rested her head on Sephiroth's shoulder.

''I'm sorry that I suspended corrupting the planet, I promise that someday we will sail the cosmos to a new planet and start anew but I need some time until then. I hope you understand, Mother.'' Sephiroth promised.

Jenova thought his reasoning for why he delayed their goal to be nonsensical, however, she no longer minded.

''There is no need to rush, we have all the time in the world...''

...because all I desire is just to be with you.

[longlivefeedback]

“Why Can’t I Say This?” Context, Concrit, and Commitment

The current (unwritten) rule for commenting is the golden rule:

Gif of Thumper from Bambi saying if you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all.

Commenting (on AO3) is a public experience and we at LLF have openly supported this stance, urging people to praise in public and criticize in private.

Still, what about those writers who explicitly state at the end of their fic that they are open to concrit? Is that permission to take their fic apart, line by line and give them what is could very easily become the equivalent of a public flogging?

The answer, as with all things that involve more than one person, is that it depends. If you are reviewing a work and find yourself wanting to say more than just praise, here are a few questions to ask yourself that can help you determine if your feedback and criticism is actually constructive. 

1. Which party are you at?

First, let’s establish where you’re giving concrit - is it as a beta in a GoogleDoc on a first draft, is it in the public spheres of tumblr/AO3, or are you in a writing group or writing class where today’s assignment is to practice giving critique? Depending on the situation, how much and what type of concrit you give would vary.

Let’s say that instead of fic writing, we’re all chefs (or people who make food) here. We each make a dish and now we want to share it with the world. Do you (A) take it to your friend’s house where they are holding a potluck celebration; (B) set up a stall at the state fair; or (C) enter it into a cooking/baking competition ala Chopped where 5 star judges and food critics will sample your food? Depending on where you take you food, you would expect very different reactions. Generally speaking, you would probably want your friends at the potluck to thank you for bringing something and compliment you for how delicious your dish is. If you were still fine tuning your recipe, you could let them know and maybe they would be able to say one or two things they liked or didn’t like about it which you would file away for the evening, to be looked at for the next time you made something. However, if you were at a state fair, even getting your dish looked at by the crowds of people milling around would be an achievement. If someone bought some of your food, that would be fantastic! If they bought it, took a bite, and then told you how tasty it was, even better! Those people that bought your food, went away, and then came back to tell you how much they enjoyed it or came back to buy some more and brought all their friends with them are heaven sent angels. You probably wouldn’t expect anyone to say anything negative about your food because even if you were still fine tuning the recipe, a state fair is neither the time nor place where any sort of meaningful culinary discussion can really take place on a consistent basis. The situation would be different if you were at a cooking competition. There, you would expect these food experts to pick apart your food. Maybe not steamroll and chew you out à la Gordon Ramsey, unless that’s what you were expecting and the kind of feedback you respond best to (in which case, you should sign up for a competition where he is judging). Perhaps you don’t want to just be yelled at, but would actually like to be coached, then maybe enter a competition with more of a mentoring element versus cutthroat competition.

Being aware of which and what kind of party you’re at helps establish expectations and prevents you from breaking the dress code and expected rules of conduct - something that often leaves you and the host standing around in embarrassment at best and on toxic hostile terms at worst.

We’ve all heard stories about people leaving concrit on works and might have started out as a gesture of good intentions, devolves into a dumpster fire of abuse and personal attacks. If we give each party the benefit of the doubt, this kind of scenario often stems from a mismatch of expectations.

In my opinion, posting to ao3 is closest to the state fair, and is why the “positive feedback only” default is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged. If this stance annoys you, this might be an indication that there is some disconnect between what you really want as a commenter/author and where you’re going in order to get it. I think that we can all agree that going to the state fair and expecting Gordon Ramsey to show up and tell you why your dish sucks is just… not going to happen. Even more, it’s something that shouldn’t happen on the reg. What if you were at the state fair to raise money for charity? No well-meaning person there is going to tell you that your food sucks and that you should do better - and if they do, they don’t mean you well.

So how do determine which party you’re at and what sort of criticism, if any, to expect? Well, when in doubt, ask.

2. Who are you and who is your audience?

When it comes to feedback, take a step back and question your assumptions. Who is the author whose work you are commenting on? Is this an old time friend who you know has nerves of steel and likes every single typo pointed out or is this an unfamiliar username whose work you’ve just stumbled across? Or are you a regular reader who has followed this author’s works, had regular conversations about them with their story, and to whom they’ve expressed their struggles with pacing/plot/characterization?

Are you at Janet’s party, where everyone is expected to pat each other on the back and say something nice to each other, or are you at Bob’s party, where everyone has known everyone for years, has eaten every variation of Dinah’s herring pie, and knows that she’s still looking for the perfect complement to it?

Establishing your audience and writing for them is one of the fundamental rules of effective writing. Whether it’s business emails, academic essays, or love letters, the better you know the person on the other side who will be reading your words, the better you will be able to deliver your message to them.

Be conscious of the fact that people write for different reasons, and that while some may be okay with great advice being shouted at them, it is a nightmare for others. Don’t be a Gordon Ramsey walking around at the charity fair of home baked goods giving tips to the local families trying to raise funds to repair their schools. Be kind and don’t show up at the wrong party.

3. What does the author consider ‘concrit’ and how do I get them to listen to me?

Concrit is, by definition, constructive. It should help an author as well as encourage them to keep improving and to keep writing. If the author comes away feeling discouraged and like giving up on writing, you have failed in your goal of giving concrit.

It doesn’t matter if you have the best cake ever. If you package it in a moldy and dirt encrusted box, I won’t eat it. Likewise, it doesn’t matter if your criticism is pure objective truth (unlikely, since the rules of writing get broken all the time), if you give it in a way that the author is not receptive to, they will not listen.

Giving and receiving criticism is hard, even when you think you’re ready for it. Please also keep in mind that context matters. Anyone who has been a beta will tell you that giving criticism is not easy, especially when we do not have the benefit of verbal and visual cues to help us express what we really mean. How you say things is often just as important as what you say. Tone and nuance is difficult to get right in writing, particularly when two people are essentially strangers on the internet. Cases of misunderstandings and miscommunications abound (they are the villains in so many fics) and sometimes, things just get written the wrong way, or read the wrong way.

Everyone has their own personal biases, and to assume that criticism that you would find helpful and valuable would be similarly received by the author is fallacious and a dangerous assumption. What works for you may be hurtful to others, which is another reason as to why we support the “positive feedback in comments only” default. It’s harder to ruin someone’s day with only positive statements, especially when you don’t have the time or platform to really explain yourself and have a meaningful conversation with the author.

Even in the cases where the author has explicitly asked for concrit, giving it is hard. The best forms of concrit are specific, targeted, and provide a roadmap to the author on why this isn’t working and how to improve. It is not as easy as listing out all the flaws you see and letting the author figure out the rest. If you are serious about giving concrit, make sure that you’re prepared to commit to answering questions and having conversations about why you think something works or does not work. If someone asks you for your opinion on the pie filling, be clear that you think that it has too much salt and only if they ask for it do you tell them about the burnt crust since it could be the case that they are well aware that it is burnt and is why they only asked about the filling in the first place. When critiquing, make sure to establish expectations and who your audience is and commit to having those conversations.

In conclusion...

Consider the fact that feedback doesn’t have to be negative in order to be helpful. If you are able to point out the flaws — and I mean really point them out as writing flaws and not stylistic differences because you are able to pinpoint and explain why something generally does not work — then you should be able to point out the good as well. It is rare when a work has absolutely no redeeming qualities. Maybe you will have to look harder to pick out the unpolished gems, but being able to see the potential and conveying that to the author can more constructive than a hyperfocus on tearing their work apart.

In summary, when you’re tempted to leave constructive criticism:

Remember your audience;

Check your expectations;

Show up at the right party; and

Bear in mind that knowing how to say things is just as important as knowing what to say.

~ mod dragonling

[denebola42-blog]

I get the feeling that some gangs, likely affiliated with some gang before that i wanted nothing to do with who kept trying to force me in and even after a TBI in jail, an O13 guy seemed to want me to join against my will. Once you say no, they all seem to want a piece of you as i found out. So it seems trashy people too, since they're often jailbirds, want me to fail and hackers too since i had a bit of a falling out with the BBS hackers i know since the 90s. But do i use the anger to feed my ego for fuel to succeed? The human body is built that way. I can't let these people deter me. When I was at paag some ex drug dealer and ex cons sang don't go chasing waterfalls to me when they asked what i wanted to do now and i said college.. Finish my quest for at least a bachelor's degree. The streets are actively targeting students including gifted students. Maybe especially. These fuckers have been trying hard for decades, pretty much all my life, to bring me down. So like in Fiddler on the roof, bless them and pray that God keeps them far away from you. I get the impression that original gangster refers to the war in heaven when Lucifer was cast out. Yes, the O.G. is Satan. That explains a lot, right? Explains everything. By their works ye shall judge (discern) them. Faith without works is dead. Tattoos of Christian symbols means nothing without works. Murals are the same. Read your Bibles. They might be, though, indigenous fighting manifest destiny. Yes, the USA is still doing that so it's ignorance. Why? Our ancestors weren't great examples of being Christian at all. Ignorance meaning lack of knowledge. I don't mean it in a negative way. Not knowing isn't a crime. Hard to believe us if we're acting like heretics ourselves. But it doesn't help but current world situation. Neither side is helping to varying degrees. But i have to survive and thrive so I'll just avoid certain types of people. #teampixel #googlepixel4a5g #pixelportrait #pixel4a5g #utahphotographer #citizenoftheworld (at North Ogden, Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRErGZoB8Y_/?utm_medium=tumblr