#I was slightly slightly disappointed with the anime version

[marlynnofmany]

If anyone here wasn't on Tumblr in 2017 (shocking, I know), it's a reference to this post from relatively early in the "humans are weird / humans are space orcs" era. Lots of fun.

The book is "We're the Weird Aliens," which just came back for a second printing!

*confetti*

*momentarily distracted by thinking about alien reactions to confetti*

*off to find the post about that, because I swear there was one*

Hey guess what’s in a real book now

It lives!

[bg-brainrot]

To Be Known (Astarion x GN!Tav)

Featuring: Astarion x Rogue!Tav

Series: Fits into Love at First Knife, AO3 link here

Summary: Astarion reads a book and wonders what it means to be known.

Tags: Astarion's POV, POV Second Person, Gender-Neutral Pronouns, Fluff, Comfort, Vampire Spawn Astarion, set in Act 3 but pre-Cazador, Astarion is Bad at Feelings,

A/N: Disclaimer up top: I'm not abandoning any of my other fic! Promise! Just trying to get over a tough month and get back into the swing of things :'D

Also, based on the quote: “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is like being loved by God.” (disclaimer: I’m not religious, and I know this quote comes in a few different forms, but google told me about this version so I stuck to it.)

Word count: ~2.1k

“To be fully known and truly loved is as if you are loved by the gods,” Astarion reads aloud, to no one in particular.

A silence follows, wherein his mind repeats the words he’s just read, absorbing none of them. To be fully known and truly loved… The words don’t seem to stick. 

Finally deciding that the sentence isn’t worth his effort, he tosses the book onto his bedroll with a groan. “What rubbish.”

Outside of this author's haughty approach to prose, Astarion doesn’t particularly care to think too deeply about what it means to be loved– especially by any godsforsaken deities. 

He has only just come around to the idea of love, not that he’s said the word ‘love’ to you just yet. It felt too much, too heavy a word to carry considering all of the other burdens the two of you bore between you. But the idea of it? Well, he was warming up to it. And with every moment shared between you, he believes he may be warming up all the more.

But what does being known have to do with love? No, that concept has him pulling his brows together, getting up from his bedroll and putting distance between himself and the drivel that Gale had recommended to him.

That’s what I get for listening to the damned wizard’s tastes, he thinks, shaking his head slightly. Some philosophical prattle, just as verbose as he is.

But even as he stands, brushes himself off, shoves the book away to the furthest corner of his tent before he makes to leave, the question of being known never escapes him.

What does it even mean to be known? he wonders, now lost in thought as he emerges from his tent. How could anyone know me, after all I’ve been through… do I even know who I am anymore?

The idea hangs over him, trails him like a storm cloud as he begins stalking about the camp you’ve all set up in the outskirts of Rivington. He’s not sure where his feet are leading him other than away– away from the distasteful book, away from away from your knowing gaze, which would only pry his thoughts out of him.

Much to Astarion’s disappointment, the trail he takes doesn’t stop the winding path his thoughts have taken.

Have I ever been known? he wonders, vaguely registering the breeze in his hair and the distant sounds of running water as he travels further and further from camp.

Perhaps I was once upon a time, but I could hardly be expected to remember now, could I? The thought is bitter and unwelcome, though likely true. He brusquely swats a branch out of his way and continues into a bramble unrepentantly. Gods, how can he bring himself to care about something as trifling as nature when he’s quite busily lost in thought right now, thank-you-very-much.

Astarion releases a sigh as he finally fights his way into a copse of trees. Secluded, finally. 

Alone. 

With his thoughts.

Which won’t seem to quiet despite the soft chittering of small animals, nor the sickly sweet smell of flowers in the air.

Why are some pitiful poet’s ‘words of wisdom’ even bothering me? he thinks as he lowers himself onto the trunk of a fallen tree. What’s even the use in being known?

Astarion crosses his legs in front of him, watching with narrowed eyes as his boots press into the soft grass, crushing it easily. There is no use to being known, he decides as he presses harder with one foot and the grass is further flattened. To wish that is…

His foot twists down even more firmly.

Pathetic, Astarion thinks, lifting his boot back up to see his handiwork. The grass lies flat, thoroughly smashed by him. This world is simply about being the one who tramples, and not the one being trampled.

That thought oddly comforts him. He knows the push and pull of power well enough– this dynamic is second nature to him. Like an old, threadbare blanket, it wraps around his shoulders, providing no warmth, but plenty of familiar reassurance.

It’s moments later that the blanket is wrenched from him and he’s laid bare once more, under the startling sunlight of your attention.

“Astarion?”

Your voice pierces through his thoughts, and his instinctual answering emotions are new to him. Surprise. Elation. Relief.

The vampire had been utterly unprepared to hear your voice, convinced he’d found a spot away from you all. Convinced that you wouldn’t be here with your thoughtful gaze– not now, while he’s still busy sorting through a myriad of questions. But he still can’t deny the way he welcomes your presence. 

He suspects that your perceptive gaze can easily catch that, despite the way his shoulder’s tense and the way his head turns away, his ears still tilt back toward you, ready for your next words.

“Astarion, there you are,” you say. He hears the same emotions he feels in your voice. How odd it feels to be mirrored by you. He can’t deny enjoying that either. “What’s the matter? When I couldn’t find you around camp, I thought the worst might have happened."

The man scoffs, trying his best to sound unaffected by your sudden arrival, refusing to meet your inquiring gaze. “And what, pray tell, did you assume could have happened?”

“We’re practically at the Gate, Astarion. Anything could have happened. Need I remind you what happened to Dribbles?” you respond, voice tight with worry. 

Ah yes. The dead clown. “It will take more than a shapeshifter to take me out, darling,” he retorts, still refusing to turn toward you, now dutifully inspecting his nails.

You let out a small huff of disapproval. “And what about Cazador?”

“I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” Astarion replies, though the thought of being caught unawares by Cazador bristles at him. If he did get caught, it would be entirely Gale’s fault for lending him that book… He shakes his head of white curls and continues, “Besides, I barely got more than a few dozen yards away before you came chasing after me. I could hardly be in any real danger.”

When you sigh, he finally turns to face you. The expression you give him then isn’t frustration, nor anger– it’s an unusual mixture of worry and… joy? “I couldn’t help but chase. Would it be pathetic to say that I miss you when you’re gone for too long?” you respond.

He’s not sure he has an answer to that.

Especially when he feels pathetic for how light his undead heart feels at the statement.

Astarion drops his head, avoiding your gaze, and hoping you don’t catch the startled happiness on his face.

When it’s clear he doesn’t have a response for you, you change the subject as you close the distance between you, “So, what brought you out here?”

“Nothing,” he replies, too easily. You know it’s a lie. He knows that you know it.

“Nothing, eh?” you ask, finding a seat next to him on the fallen tree. “What about that nothing has you running into the woods?”

“I was not running,” he defends, with a click of his tongue. “I was taking a brisk stroll.”

“Fine then,” you relent, elbowing his arm gently. “What about it led to a ‘brisk stroll’?”

There’s no use hiding from them, is there? he thinks, leaning back on the trunk. “I’ll tell you,” he begins, staring out into a bush. “But only if you answer a question for me.”

“Anything,” you say, and he can feel your shrug on his arm.

“Who am I, really?”

You still. Astarion had expected no less. After all, it’s not an easy question to answer– even for him. He’s putting quite a lot of undue pressure onto you with the question, it’s selfish really… but he can’t help but want to be selfish around you.

So he lets the question settle into the silence.

When you finally speak, your voice is crisp in the muted sounds of the clearing. “Promise you won’t care for me any less after I answer you?”

Astarion snaps his head back at you, his mouth turning down in a frown. “Well that depends, my dear. What are you planning to say?”

“Promise?” you press.

As if he could care any less for you– he would have done so already if he could. “I promise,” he murmurs reluctantly. “Now, please, the suspense is really too much.”

“You are Astarion,” you start, reaching out for his hand. He cautiously places his in yours, unable to hide the twitch of a smile as your warm fingers lock with his. “You’re a beautiful, elven vampire, with silver hair, and red eyes. You’re talented, witty, and…”

Your voice trails off, and Astarion can’t help but wonder why you’d been so hesitant to answer. So far, he is loving this answer.

“And you’re an absolute arse at times.”

“Excuse me?” he gasps, moving to pull his hand out of yours.

You don’t release it, but you do continue, “You laugh at the misfortune of others, you steal, you lie, you cheat at games, you can be incredibly selfish.”

“Darling, are we certain you care about me after all this?” he grumbles, giving up on fighting your grip on him as your words wash over him. He knows all of this, of course, has been entirely unashamed of it all before… but it feels different when you say it. When you lay it out plainly before him.

“Yes,” you answer quickly, tugging on his hand gently. “Because all of that makes you you. And, personally, I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

He blinks at you, confused on how you arrived at this conclusion.

“You are so unabashedly you, love. And I adore that. I know it might not feel like it after all you’ve been through… but you are still yourself. No one has been able to take that from you.”

Now Astarion stares at your intertwined hands, wondering if he deserves such impassioned, absurd words said in his defense. His voice comes quietly when he asks his next questions, “And how do I know that’s who I have always been? Who I was meant to be?”

You bring his hand up to your lips, pressing a soft, warm kiss before you continue, “Astarion, I don’t know what might have bothered you, but I want you to know that, no matter what it was, you’re amazing as the man you are. Whoever you were, whoever you think you were meant to be, you should be proud of who you are now. And… once we deal with Cazador, I hope you have the chance to rediscover that man.”

Astarion hadn’t meant this to be some kind of journey of self-discovery– really, he’d only been irked by the needless philosophy of the book Gale had lent him. But, hearing you say those words, it feels as if some weight has been lifted from his shoulders.

Worry, he realizes. Of losing who he was, of course, but also of being utterly, desolately unknown. Naturally he needn’t have worried because here you are, ready and willing to understand him. To accept and care for him, even while knowing him, flaws and all.

Maybe being known wasn’t such a burden. Not if it were by you.

“Yes, well,” he begins, suddenly unsure what to say to your earnest words. “Thank you for that, I think. Though, really, I could have done without all of the barbs. It feels like I've been struck by psychic damage.” Astarion gives a dramatic head loll, averting his flustered face.

You laugh and squeeze his hand. “Well, it’s a good thing I have no clue how to deal psychic damage, but I’ll be sure to get Gale right over if you need a good jostle to the brain.”

Gale’s done enough of that, Astarion thinks. But he doesn’t say so to you. Instead, the man simply shakes his head. “I’m quite alright. Speaking of the rest of those fools, they’ve likely begun to burn the camp down without us. Shall we head back?”

While the trek to the clearing had been filled with spiraling thoughts and matters of the self, Astarion finds that the journey back is filled with far more soft touches and kisses– Not that he minds.

In fact, he thinks with a smile, as you both walk together, practically falling into each others’ arms. Maybe this was who I was meant to be all along.

That night, once he’s settled back into his tent for bed, Astarion reads the passage once more, “To be fully known and truly loved is as if you are loved by the gods.”

Astarion is certainly no closer to believing in the gods’ willingness or ability to love him, but he could hardly care. No, he suspects that he knows what a god’s love is– after all, if you truly love him, fangs, scars, and all… well, that may very well be divine.

[flowerbxuquet]

Shauna nsfw drabble bcuz i haven’t uploaded in a long time :3

WARNINGS: Nsfw (duh), brief mentions of violence, not really consensual at first??? feral shauna

A/N: ended up way longer than i expected.

Shauna’s so angry lately..no one can really blame her with the death of her baby and the death of Jackie. Shauna’s lost a lot in a couple months and it’s really been draining her.

You’re the only one who doesn’t look at her like she’s some feral animal though..you comfort her, you hug her and tell her that you don’t necessarily understand what she’s going through but you’re there.

Shauna adores you, you’re the one thing in the wilderness that makes her feel so warm other than the cold and feral version of her that craves to feast on flesh.

She’s so mad, she’s filled with anger and hatred — especially towards Lottie. The way the girl acts so calm and spiritual, ‘brainwashing’ the others into what Shauna believes is delusions.

Shauna throws the first punch at Lottie, she can feel the soreness and pain in her knuckles at how harsh the hit is. She’s ready to keep going until she feels a hand tug at her jacket.

Shauna whips around, looking ready to kill until her eyes fall on you. Sometimes when she looks at you all she can see is Jackie and that sight..calms her slightly.

“Shauna, don’t.” You beg, the last thing everyone needs is another dead body and Shauna looks like she was about to murder Lottie. Lottie looks like she’s ready to protest but before she can you’re dragging Shauna off her.

Because you’re the only one who can tame the feral beast in Shauna’s body.

…

You bring Shauna up to the attic - attending to the wounds on her bloodied knuckles with the limited supplies you all have.

“I don’t need you to protect me.” Shauna huffs, a bit irritated as the anger in her body just seems to build the more she can’t find a stress relief.

You sigh, looking up at Shauna with an almost disappointed gaze.

“I know, honestly I think I was protecting Lottie more than you. You looked ready to kill her.” You sigh and set the cloth you had back into the water bucket you used to disinfect Shauna’s hands.

Shauna rolls her eyes at your comment and looks down at her knuckles that you had patched up for her — the action makes her heart flutter a bit.

“I wouldn’t have actually killed her.” Shauna protests, “Just..I don’t know what I was thinking..”

You give her a sympathetic smile and walk over to sit beside her, draping an arm around her waist as you give her a hug. Shauna slightly stiffens before melting into the contact, her breathing getting heavier as she takes in your embrace.

You’re so warm, she can hear your heartbeat against hers, she feels absolutely feral and all she wants to do right now is devour you whole.

Shauna feels like she’s blacking out, nearly dissociated from her body and she doesn’t even realize that she’s smashing her lips against yours hungrily.

Your eyes widen and you stiffen up, gasping in surprise but Shauna takes that initiative to push her tongue into your mouth as she squeezes your waist to pull you into her lap.

You’re on top of Shauna now — eventually you melt into the kiss and are kissing her back just as hungrily. It’s been months since the both of you have had some real connection with another human being and you two are practically starving.

Shauna pulls back for a second, desire in her eyes as her lips are bruised from the rough kissing. “I need you so fucking bad right now,” Shauna growls, attaching her lips to your neck.

She grabs your hips and flips the two of you over, pressing you against the harsh wood flooring but you’re too lost in the sensation of Shauna’s lips on your neck to care.

“Shauna.” You mewl softly, laying your head back to give her more room to kiss and bite.

Shauna’s hungry and she eagerly tugs your shorts down, giving you no time to process as she slips her hand into your panties.

Your hips jolt in surprise as Shauna starts to rub harsh circles on your clit, she’s never really pleasured another woman before but she’s touched herself plenty of times to be familiar enough.

Your breathing gets heavier as Shauna’s fingers rub your bundle of nerves while her lips continue to suck and kiss on your neck.

“You’re so fucking sweet the way you always try to protect me.” Shauna pants as she starts to rock against your thigh, “All mine..no one else can touch you because you belong to me.”

Shauna growls, sloppily pushing two fingers into your cunt which causes you to cry out at the sudden stretch. You move up to cover your mouth since the girls are just downstairs but Shauna grasps at your wrists and slams them above your head onto the wood floor.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Shauna moans, her hips snapping against your thigh, “Let them hear you, let them all hear how good i’m making you feel.”

Shauna’s nails are slightly digging into your wrists from the pleasure coursing through her body and she continues to roughly pump her fingers into your weeping pussy.

Your moans fill the room, unable to even hold them back as Shauna fingers you with an absolutely feral pace. That knot in your stomach is starting to get tighter and you writhe against Shauna while she pins you down.

“A-Aah! S—Shauna, please..i’m gonna cum..” You pant inbetween gasps, her fingers curl and rub against your walls without mercy.

Shauna grits her teeth together as her rocking against your thigh gets harsher, the way you announce your pleasure to her makes her clit throb and she can feel her orgasm approaching as well.

“Do it. Fucking cum all over my fingers.” Shauna spits at you with an aggressive tone, taking out all her anger with the harsh pounding of her fingers inside your wet pussy.

Your mouth falls agape and nearly your body rises up off the ground, shouting Shauna’s name with pleasure as you gush all over her fingers.

Shauna’s eyes squeeze shut while her mouth falls open, letting out harsh pants of breathe as she rides your thigh with reckless abandon.

Shauna doesn’t care that the girls downstairs can hear you crying out her name, it honestly just makes her body even hotter and her panties get even wetter. She wants everyone to know that she’s making you feel absolute bliss because you belong to her.

“Tell me you love me.” Shauna gasps out, her thighs squeezing against your leg as she rides you desperately, “Please.”

She needs to hear it, needs to hear that atleast someone does, that she’s not completely alone out here without Jackie.

“I love you, Shauna..” Your breathless voice comes out as your hands fall on her waist to stabilize her.

The coil inside Shauna’s stomach snaps and she lets out a loud cry as her orgasm wracks through her body, her thighs slightly twitching.

Shauna collapses against you, cuddling you close as she pants heavily to attempt to catch her breath that was stolen from the intense pleasure through her body.

You wrap your arms around her and kiss the side of her head, happy that Shauna got the stress relief she needs as she falls asleep with a small smile on her face for the first time in weeks.

[wizardinggirl]

The Snake & The Raven

Summary: You and Severus head to Hogsmeade for a few drinks before school starts tomorrow. By the time the night is over, you might’ve confessed a little more than you intended.

Warnings: drinking

Go to the beginning here -> Prologue (1/2)

Last: Part 1

Part 2: I’ve Missed You

Word Count: 1.7k

The trip to Hogsmeade was fun—perhaps too much fun. The two of you had made it to The Three Broomsticks for some Butterbeers; you’d convinced Severus that he should enjoy his last day before school started again tomorrow and worry about the rest of his papers later. You succeeded in getting him to have two tankards, but failed to get him to take Fire Whiskey shots with you. It had been a long time since the two of you had been able to sit down and let loose like this. He had been so distant over the past year.

“Remember that time in our fifth year when Black, Potter, Pettigrew, and Lupin couldn’t stop making animal sounds during one of Dumbledore’s speeches in the Great Hall?” you asked, nursing your third Butterbeer with a devious smirk as you glanced over at Severus. His eyes widened.

“Did—was that you?” You raised your brows and shrugged.

“Maybe.”

“Why would you do that? You were with Black at that time, were you not?”

“Yeah,” you paused and took another sip, your face falling slightly. “But they were really hard on you at that time. The bullying was bordering on torture, and I couldn’t just stand by anymore, even though you had been a right git to me and still hadn’t apologized.” Another sip. “I had been working on something in Potions and needed to try it out.” You looked at him with a smirk. “They were the perfect guinea pigs.” He was looking at you with a newfound admiration. That hadn't been long after he’d been a complete ass to you, yet you still defended him. He hadn’t realized he had been staring at your face until you leaned closer and smiled up at him.

“What are you thinking about?” His eyes snapped to yours, then his face relaxed.

“That you’ve had too much to drink, and I should get you back.” He stood up from his stool at the bar, taking some galleons from his pocket and paying the tab. You pouted up at him.

“But I’m having so much fun with you.” He didn’t know what to make of the way he felt when those big puppy dog eyes looked up at him. He felt his face warming up and averted his gaze, lightly grabbing your arm to help you off your seat.

“Aww, fine.” You chugged the last of your Butterbeer and set the tankard down at the bar. “Let’s go, then.” You wrapped your arms around one of his as he led you back to Hogwarts. “But I don’t want to go to bed yet.” You pouted, crossing your arms and sticking your nose up in defiance.

“Now I know you’ve had too much to drink.” He reached around you to open the door to your quarters. He was exhausted; you had been far too difficult to get back to Hogwarts after drinking one too many shots of Fire Whiskey. “Y/N, unlock your door.”

“No.” You defied him again, speaking to his chest this time. So close. You closed your eyes to savor the smell of him—the same one from your Amortentia potion back in school. He gave you a disappointed grunt and took out his wand.

“Alohomora.” The door clicked open behind you, and you started to fall back. Your eyes shot open, but you couldn’t catch your balance.

“Whoa!” Severus was quicker than the gravity trying to pull you down. He grabbed your arms, pulled you forward, and you flew against his chest. “Oof!” You let out a laugh. You heard him mumble something about being hard-headed, then he turned you around so your back was to his chest and walked you into your quarters, closing the door behind him. He had a firm grip on your shoulders as he guided you through the main area of the room. A desk sat in the middle of the floor with a tall-backed chair behind it and a squattier version sitting in front of the desk, a built-in bookshelf to the right, and a beautiful stained glass window in the back with a raven showing its wings proudly. He steered you to the left, pulled back a curtain, and attempted to get you up the three steps to the small room. It sounded simple enough, but going up those few steps was far more difficult with you practically boneless, giggling all the way.

“Y/N, please. Stand up straight.” You were on the top step, leaning back against him at an awkward angle, your head on his shoulder. As you laughed, your breath fanned over his neck. He tensed and cleared his throat, looking straight ahead. Realizing that asking nicely wasn’t going to work and wanting to get back to his own bed quickly with an odd feeling in his stomach, he grabbed your waist with a firm grip and lifted. You let out a shriek and put your hands on his shoulders to steady yourself. He only had to walk a few steps before he set you down next to your bed.

“Go on, then,” he said, letting go of your waist and letting his hands hang stiffly by his sides. Now wearing a serious expression, you slid one hand to rest on his chest and the other up his neck to cup his jaw. He was trying to look anywhere but at you. You ran your finger over his jaw and just looked at him—just looked. You scanned over his jaw, his chin, lips, nose, and finally his eyes…which were now on you, unsure.

“I’ve missed you, Severus,” you whispered. Bringing your hand to his hair, you ran your fingers through his jet-black locks. You shifted your eyes to his hair before speaking again. “I wish I knew why you stopped writing regularly.” You let your hand fall back to his shoulder, then down his arm to hold his hand, your eyes following. “Perhaps I was reading too far into things,” you mumbled to yourself. After a long pause and nothing from him, you let go of his hand and took your other from his chest, moving to unclip your cloak and letting it fall to the ground. You didn’t dare look at him. Even in your haze, you knew you didn’t want to see how he was looking at you. He probably thought you were pathetic. “I think I’ll go to bed now.” Turning away from him, you pulled up your covers and crawled into bed.

“You still have your shoes on,” he said quietly. You didn’t care. Your inebriated heart was hurting, and you weren’t worried about dirt in the bed. You heard a shuffle, and then he was pulling your feet to the edge of the bed, silently taking off your shoes before tucking your feet back under the covers. With a wave of his wand, the lights went out. Then the door clicked, and he was gone.

“Ugh.” You groaned as the light peeked through the window and straight into your eyes. You tried to open your eyes enough to read the clock, but all you could manage was a squint. You still had time before your first class started, so you decided to take a shower. After grabbing your towel and a change of clothes, you walked down the steps towards the sitting area. As you were rubbing the sleep from your eyes and hopefully the headache you felt coming on, you noticed something on your desk. There was a glass vial with an amber-looking liquid swirling around in it, along with a note.

This will help.

—Severus

As soon as you read the note, it all came rushing back to you. You’d completely embarrassed yourself.

“Oh, Merlin!” You leaned against your desk and ran your hand over your face. You felt like such a fool, and you were a very touchy drunk. “I have to apologize.” You’d probably made him so uncomfortable. He wasn’t exactly a huge fan of physical touch, so you’d always been aware of not doing too much around him. You looked back over at the note. You must not have made him too mad since he went out of his way to make you a hangover potion. You popped off the top and downed it. It started to kick in almost immediately, and you thanked Merlin for that.

After your shower, you got dressed, pulling on your robes that you specifically picked out to represent your Ravenclaw pride—a glistening blue cloak over darker blue attire. You applied light makeup and used a charm to dry and style your hair. Glancing at the clock, you realized it was time to head to your classroom. The students would be arriving soon, and you didn’t want to be late for the class you'd be teaching.

Leaving your quarters, you locked the door behind you and made your way through the corridor, passing the courtyard. As you turned the last corner, you suddenly ran straight into a familiar chest, bracing yourself with your hands. Instinctively, he grabbed your wrists. When your eyes met, a blush crept up your neck—you weren’t ready to talk to him yet. You hadn’t prepared what to say. Noticing some students eyeing you and whispering behind their hands, the two of you quickly stepped away from each other, your hands falling to your sides.

“Good morning,” you said, avoiding his gaze.

“Good morning. How are you feeling?”

“Better than I would’ve... thanks for that, by the way.” He hummed in response. After a long pause he tried to speak again.

“Y/n I-” you didn’t let him finish.

“I should get to class.” You hurried past him and ducked into your classroom. You felt bad for cutting him off, but you did not have the brain capacity to properly talk to him right now or take the rejection that he was surely going to give you. For now, you would focus on your class. You hadn’t had much time to give it your own personal flare, but you’d get to that eventually. There was a long dueling table in the middle and desks to the right and left; your desk sat at the front with a rolling blackboard behind it. Stepping up onto the raised platform that your desk sat on, you sat down in your chair and scratched out some rough notes on a piece of parchment. That’s when the first students started coming in.

After getting over the first day jitters, you actually enjoyed teaching far more than you thought you would. You let the kids show off some basic spell casting on the dueling table and could already tell the class was going to be a hit.

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to be added to the tag list for the next chapter please let me know!

Next: Part 3: Death Eater

[lilyrachelcassidy]

'Amity' (Felix Catton x Reader)

A/N: Hiya, y'all. Welcome back after this what-seems-like-forever hiatus. Coming back with a fully-fluffy fluff, so if you are feeling mushy today, go for it.

Warnings: As much as I love exploiting TGs, today is not the day.

Summary: Some fluffy encounter with Felix.

Word Count: 0.6k

"Y/N, yeah?" asked a voice behind you.

You turned around, clearly startled to see no other than Felix Catton right in front of you. It was unforeseen, seeing as he had never engaged in nothing beyond a quick gaze exchange with you. You always wondered who would be the one to give in and finally initiate a conversation, should that ever happen in the first place.

"What's up?" you asked, innocently, bestowing him with a friendly grin on your part. Instinctively, he reciprocated the gesture.

"Uhm.. yeah. So I have seen you around the campus. Plenty of time, actually. We never really had a chance to talk... And I... you know..." He began toying with his fingers, momentarily losing your gaze.

Was he stressed? It seemed so... A bizarre sight it was, seeing a flustered man of two meters stumbling upon his words and blushing like a girl. Upon his downcast smile, your grin ever so widened at the cuteness of this scene.

But gosh, was he bewitching. These doe brown eyes and slightly too-long-hair played the tricks on your mind as he stood there, dwarfing over your figure with his lofty posture.

"You know, if you want to ask me out..." A taunting smirk pained on your lips. "I would be more than pleased to say 'yes.'"

He instantaneously, somehow with too much animation, looked at you from the ground. His eyes held a state of avidity and relief in them. After ogling you for a few seconds, frozen, he probably realized that he was gaping and so he smiled at you keenly with his gaze momentarily dropping to your lips. It was a hasty action, almost imperceptible if you weren't scrutinizing his face. But you noticed.

"Really?" he more sighed than asked. Even so, your eyes lit up and you nodded, trying to pull off the most composed version of yourself, yet failing miserably. "So that's cool."

You both laughed at that. You studied each other's expressions for longer than necessary, the two of you somehow locked in the moment and not able to draw away. Somewhere in the background, someone called out your name and it finally clicked that you should probably get going at this point.

"Listen, as much as I love talking to you... I have to go," you said with a pout which was actually genuine. You detested the fact that you couldn't stay out any longer, delve into the chat with Felix; but your teacher probably had already begun the lecture and it didn't deem ideal for you to lose another one of disquisitions after a day of a hangover break. Or a series of such breaks.

Felix pursed his lips, disappointment imparting on his features. With a mere nod of acknowledgment, he forced on a smile, making some nugatory movement with his arms as if suddenly not knowing what to do with them. "So see you after classes, yeah?"

"Mhm..." you hummed, casually smiling at him in response. Once he started to walk away, his long legs taking the strides that quickly carried him away from you, you determined to ask him one last question before departing: "Don't you want my phone number or something?"

He only twisted his head over his shoulder to get a better view of you. Then he beamed at you. "Already got it."

And he winked. A cocky, playful wink that made your insides flip.

A minute or two later, your phone screen lit up with the unknown number sending over a text: "So a picnic, next weekend?"

xoxoxooxooxoxoox

A/N: I feel like everyone at some point of their lives has to have a crush on Jacob Elordi. Imo the best version of him is the one in Saltburn, like *a girly scream of thirst.* As always, constructive criticism and whatever feedback highly appreciated.

[dystopianam]

[DOWNLOAD] 4T2 GP7 STRANGERVILLE BIZARRE PLANTS SETS (GLOWING PLANTS!) - PART 1

EDIT: YES I wrote "bizarre" wrong, I apologize, English is not my language 💀 In italian it's "bizzarro", so I had a bit of confusion...

WARNING: I'm remaking this set from scratch because I discovered new things. This set works but I mistakenly used the fairy statue as the base thinking it was Base Game, when in fact it's from Mansion & Garden, so if you don't have M&G you won't see these cc in your game. It's NOT your fault, it's my fault because I remembered wrong. In the new version I'm working on, in addition to solving the compatibility problem (I'm using a BG base, the plants could be decorations OR lights that you can turn on and off, with the addition of many other swatches! I'm still deciding whether to make one thing or another.

(It depends if I can make cc lights, I'm still a beginner) also...I want to include Sixam plants from Get To Work in a part 2 or 3 👀

SO: You can continue to download and use these sets if you have M&G. I also checked the files and the error in the name is present only in the .rar, in the folder and in the file names, but in game the names are correct (I mistakenly wrote Bizzare instead of Bizarre, but in game the cc is called Bizarre) so if it bothers you just rename the packages! (How you would rename any file and folder)

In the meantime I will work on the updated version!

I always had the headcanon that Vidcund was one of the scientists who studied the mother plant, and because of that I always wanted to have a bit of Strangerville in my game but I never found the converted plants!

Some have already been converted (like the vines) but I wanted to have a complete set (also because I made my own edits!) I couldn't find the other plants anywhere for YEARS! (I'm very sure that after this post I'll see a post from someone who converted them like yesterday...but never mind!)

Since I couldn't put the intermittent light effect, I decided to create some glowing versions!

The difference between Glow 1 and Glow 2 is that Glow 1 uses a white light, while Glow 2 uses a purplish light which makes the plant slightly more saturated!

I only made one glowing version of the Unhealthy Bizarre Plant because...well, it's the dead version of the plant! It wouldn't make sense if it lit up! (Since it is absent in Glow 2 and 3, if you decide to use these sets you could use Unhealthy Bizarre Plant from the other two sets)

They all cost 0 Simoleons (Well... I had no idea what price to put!) and you can find them in decorations > indoor plants!

They have no animations! They are static decorations unfortunately!

I hope it's clear because I would hate to disappoint anyone, but as I have already explained, they do not light up intermittently. They aren't lights. The no glow version doesn't turn on, the glow version is permanently on. If I can, in the future, if someone wants I can try to create a version that works as a light that can be turned on and off! Remember that I'm a beginner, I do what I can ^^"

I thought too late that it would have made more sense to categorize them as outdoor plants 💀 If it bothers you, you can change the category on simPe (Open the packages on simPe > Go in Object Data, in this page you can put the plants where you want them!) or wait until I'll fix the category with a future update!

Only use one set! (You can choose plants from each set individually, but don't use different version of the same plant, it has the same guid!)

I changed some textures from 1024 to 512, and compressed everything! Let me know if there are any problems!

DOWNLOAD (SFS)

[lightshiningforth]

Tessa Quinn Character Analysis

Just for fun, because Sleepless Domain is amazing. Spoilers, of course.

Tessa is a self-centered character. When I say this, I am by no means saying that she is a bad person or doesn't care about her friends. But she elevates her own importance again, and again, and again.

Look at her bedroom. Yes, she has her whole team represented up top. But the rest of her décor is her own merch. Nine Alchemical Aether figurines. A costume. A fan. A lunchbox. A trading card. A button. Another bag with Aether's sigil as the clasp. Aether-themed jewelry. Possibly more, if the abstracted pink and yellow posters represent Aether as well.

Compare this to Undine's room. Very little Magical Girl merchandise! Like Tessa, she has Team Alchemical represented in doll form. Unlike Tessa, she doesn't have herself as one standalone, let alone several. (Fascinatingly, we see an Alchemical Air poster - did Sylvia, in her self-promotional way, give this to Undine? Or did Undine purchase the poster because she knows that Sylvia's Magical Girl earnings make up her family's income?)

Undine also has her friends represented in pre-Magical Girl form, in the photo on her mirror.

Now, let's look at Kokoro's room. Heartful Punch, like Alchemical Aether, is a super-powerful, popular, pink Magical Girl. You wouldn't know it from her bedroom, though. We've got some heart-shaped iconography, in the lamp. A Magical Girl poster for Team Forte - not Kokoro's team, but another team/band. The pink poster with the fist could easily be Heartful Punch merch, but it seems to be the only piece of self-promotional material, and a subtle example at that (semi-abstracted, without her face or name on it).

Undine and Kokoro's rooms are more about their interests than their Magical Girl identities. Kokoro has exercise equipment, cat things for Kicks, hair styling supplies. Undine has animal plushies, lots of books, her fish. Meanwhile, Tessa's room centers primarily around Alchemical Aether merch. She surrounds herself with her own image, and specifically with the Magical Girl version of her own image.

We know that, when Team Alchemical is alive, Tessa fixates on her status as their leader.

And, when Undine first gets her powers, Sylvia, Sally, and Gwen rush towards her with excitement for her -

 - while Tessa hangs back, a slightly crestfallen look on her face. I don't think it's a reach to believe that she is disappointed that she isn't the one who got powers. Interestingly, Undine herself seems a bit surprised that she gets powers before Tessa.

Undine's assumption that Gwen or Tessa would become a Magical Girl before herself suggests that there is a dynamic among the friends, even before they are a Magical Girl team, in which some of the girls assume more significance within the group. Tessa is one of them. Further, while interstitial guest comics may not be canon, Undine finds her dream self standing on a very interesting mural.

Alchemical Aether dominates this scene. The other four girls are represented by their faces, enclosed in pink circles. Aether's full body looms serenely over them, hands clasped. Her sigil surrounds the whole tableau. In Undine's subconscious, Tessa has a literally outsized presence in relation to the rest of the team. Of course, this comes from Undine's mind, and not Tessa's. But we have reason to believe that Tessa sees herself this way as well…

Tessa's Dream, or, as Goops calls it, "a memory that should have been [Tessa's] all along." Is Goops an unbiased source? Absolutely not. But I believe that this sequence is indeed Tessa's Dream, up until the point that her hair and speech turn a Goops shade of purple and Goops crows, "Now you're starting to incorporate my memories." If you accept that this is indeed Tessa's Dream as it happened, these panels are chock full of things to unpack about her self-image. First, we find her in a palanquin, carried by her faceless friends. She wears royal adornment - a robe, a crown, a scepter.

Now, Tessa is surprised and alarmed to find herself in this position in relation to her friends. She shakes off the robe, she tells them that they don't have to carry her.

And they listen. When Undine turns to face Tessa, she is Alchemical Water. She thanks Tessa, and then all of the girls drop the palanquin and run off as Magical Girls. Tessa's crown falls off.

She calls for them to wait, but they do not. The curtain closes and she is alone.

In Tessa's subconscious, she finds herself above her friends, both literally as they lift her and figuratively as she wears the trappings of royalty while they wear plain white. Undine thanks Tessa before she lets go, suggesting that Tessa granted her permission. Critically, it is when the girls become magical that they leave her. There is a before, in which Tessa is the center of their friendship, and an after, in which they become new people, drop her, stop listening to her and leave her… she has been robbed of her crown, her status, because now they have something in common that she does not.

 While Tessa is embarrassed by the display and tries to put a stop to it - she would never actually dress as a queen and ask her friends to carry her on their backs - the fact that her Dream manifests this scenario suggests that in Tessa's subconscious, she believes herself to be the center of their pre-Magical Girl friendship, and to have no place within their Magical Girl one without powers of her own. Again, I don't believe Tessa is a bad person. I believe she is sincere when she tells the Woman in White that she wants to use her own powers to help her friends.

That said, she presumes that her friends need her to help them. That presumption leads all the way up to that fateful, fatal night, when she holds back from patrol with the belief that the other girls will struggle without her and appreciate her more as their leader.

(They die without her, of course. But they die because Goops murders them, not in the course of a normal patrol. Aether obliterates the monster when she arrives, but only can because she arrives afterwards… that fall would have killed her, too.)

Tessa would hate to see herself as the queen of her friends. Yet, she has no trouble asserting that she is their leader, believes herself indispensable to them, and cannot handle them having something she does not.

Even her assertion to Undine and the way she takes the blame stems from the fact that she believes herself to be responsible for all of them.

That's why she's so vulnerable to Goops. She can easily be convinced that the situation is all about her.

Ironically, Tessa's self-absorption does not indicate high self-esteem. Quite the opposite - Tessa is deeply insecure. She feels upset when her friends get powers before her not only out of jealousy, but also out of fear that they will leave her behind. She believes that she has no value to them without powers. Thus, she pins everything on being magical, powerful, the leader. Being Aether. Goops perceives this, and tries to tempt her with the promise of more power…

And taunts her with the loss of her identity as Aether.

But by this point, Tessa has given up. Her self-absorption has devolved into self-loathing. She goes out to Goops with the intention of being killed.

The text in gray, the vestiges of Tessa's self-worth, are weaker than her self-blame. Tessa is overwhelmed by what she perceives as her failure - to save Undine, to be friends with Rue, to be a good daughter. "No one needs you anymore," she thinks. And if she cannot be needed, then what's the point of living at all?

And then there's TessaGoops. Is Tessa her puppet, or are they truly fused into one person? I'm still not sure. I suppose time will tell.

At the very least, I believe Aether's powers are still present, somehow, at least slightly. Why else would the spot where her sigil was glow when Undine approached?

I suspect it will matter, at some point, that Alchemical Water has a little bit of Alchemical Aether inside her.

We shall see!

[originalartblog]

have you seen season 5's last episode? what were your opinions on it?

I was pretty disappointed with how the mersault arc ended tbh. it just removed all the stakes and all of the moments where Dazai showed genuine emotion especially in regards to Chuuya just ended up being fake which really annoys me.

Well this is my art blog so this will be my only non-art post about it, but yes I did see it! I spent the entire day yesterday screaming about it on my main @originalaccountname

A few things about your concerns:

This was the anime adaptation. While the manga will surely end up at the same spot, the path to get there may look different.

BSD is a monthly release, and in the last+ year those releases were very short, which means we had a LOT of time to discuss and speculate and make up scenarios. If someone picked up the story with the arc concluded, they would not have the same experience we did. The disappointment is justified, but also half self-inflicted.

At no point did they say Dazai knew the entire time; in fact, they implied the opposite. It is much more likely he caught on halfway through the prison break and adapted to this turn of events.

There are still a few things the anime wasn't able to explain with this twist, but refer to point 1 and hold on for now.

If you want my opinion on how I now look back to the prison break arc, you can find my answer to a similar ask from yesterday. The tl;dr version is that yeah, I can easily make the twist work while keeping the initial distress real. So far, this isn't a "ugh it was all acting all along" situation. You can also refer to Ito's own reading of the arc now that we know the trick, which is similar but shifts the realization moment to slightly earlier.

I encourage you to re-read the prison arc with this twist in mind, and notice the shifts in tone and illustration choices. Some things can be interpreted differently, both for foreshadowing and comedy purposes. And then, wait for the manga version to come out so we know the entire truth!

We may have hoped for full skk drama, but turns out the point was that skk cannot be turned against each other and can overcome anything. You are allowed to be disappointed or not like how it was handled. So first, wait, but also this is exactly where fanfic and other derivative works come into play.

(oh, and, this story isn't over yet!)

[hazbinsillynight]

Radiostatic week 2024

Day 5: seven years gap

Seven years gap: It's been seven years. Seven year since Alastor left his side. Seven year since he left Vox. Seven years without being able to hold each other.

The first time Alastor saw Vox after his long departure of seven years, the TV Overlord was animating a show. He changed a lot from what the radio demon could see. The last time he saw him he was a new Overlord, searching to create a team of powerful demons so they could dominate Hell together. He clearly had the strength to be one of the strongest Overlords but Vox wanted to not only be strong thanks to his demonic powers, he wanted to be essential for all Pride districts. 

The media demon changed so much since that famous day when Alastor left him seven years ago. His TV head had been replaced by a more recent model, allowing Alastor to look at these intense red eyes until his heart's content. They were so hypnotic, way more captivating than their last version in black and white. He didn’t know the other demon could change the parts of his body. When they were still hanging around together Vox always complained about how outdated his TV was, it looked like he found a solution to his problem.

The media Overlord looked way more confident too, having a team helped him in the end. Even if he didn’t need it if you asked the radio demon.  Next to his nemesis were two other Overlords. One he knew for being Angel Dust’s boss, Valentino, and the other Niftie told him about, Velvet. 

Vox looked satisfied with his life as if he had forgotten everything about him. Alastor chuckled, trying to resist the urge to go to his rival to tease him a little. He wouldn’t say it even under torture but he kinda missed having the TV demon in his life. Things couldn't get boring when he was around and even if Alastor was busy with the hotel he could use a distraction or two. 

Behind him his shadow was overjoyed, the little rascal always loved teasing his rival. Alastor scratched the neck of the shadow being, amused by its chirpings. It was pointing at the TV, looking impatient just like a child in front of a toy.

“I know you want to play with him, but wouldn’t it be better if he came by himself? I bet he’ll be crazy about it.” The radio demon chuckled once again, imagining the face of the media demon meeting him in the street on pure hazard. 

Yes, seeing Vox after all these years was clearly something he wanted to do. The demon changed so much but would his old Vox be still there under all these new modifications? Would Alastor still see his lovely smile when the other thought he wasn’t looking? Would his ridiculous yet endearing mimic when he got the attention he desperately wanted, still be there? Would his charming silver tongue still be an exquisite temptation for the radio demon? So many questions whose answers will have to wait. Let’s hope it will be worth it. 

“I’m counting on you, Vox. Don’t disappoint me” the radio demon said before disappearing into the shadow, not wanting to drag the attention of his nemesis. 

********

The first time Alastor came back into Vox’s life the Overlord thought he was going crazy. He was simply animating a new broadcast with Velvet and Valentino which was pretty rare since they were both always so busy. Everything was normal, Val had his usual alluring and decadent attitude when Velvet was smiling with stars in her eyes when she talked about her new collection. 

Vox was glad everything was going as he planned, the audience was so high with the three of them reunited. The show was almost over when he heard it. Alastor's voice. He was so shocked he almost dropped his mug of coffee which Velvet noticed if he based himself on her curious and slightly worried gaze upon him. 

This wasn’t possible. This wasn’t possible! Alastor left! He disappeared and no matter how hard Vox looked after him he couldn’t be found!

The TV Overlord could hear some muffled noise coming around him, the cameras were off and the show was over. He didn’t notice it. All he could do was hear Alastor’s voice again and again. Velvet and Valentino were in front of him, clearly talking but he couldn’t distinguish their words. His eyes were fixing nothing as he was lost in his thoughts.

Alastor couldn’t be back, right? Or could he? After all these years he finally would have appeared again? The memory of the deer demon wrapping his arms around him came to his mind, their numerous battles, their meeting around a coffee, their dinners together, their games… Everything was so vivid…

It wasn’t fair! He tried so hard to forget, to simply forget these moments. It wasn’t too much asking right? He just wanted to take everything off of his mind. Of his heart…

“Voxy!!” Valentino screamed, his hands around his partner’s screen. He looked so worried, just like Velvet.

Val. Right, he was at the studio. With Valentino and Velvet. No Alastor. The demon disappeared seven years ago, this was stupid. He was either gone or got killed during one of the exterminations. He clearly preferred the first option, the only thought about Alastor getting killed was unbearable. 

“Sorry I…I just need to check something. I’ll be quick.” Vox said before zapping away at the screens around him.

“Vox wait don’t!” Both of his partners exclaimed, in vain.

He needed to check. He needed to be sure, to know if the demon who broke his heart was really back. Alastor… Just why did he leave? What did Vox do wrong that caused his best friend and forbidden love to disappear like that on him? It’s been seven years!! 

The sonar signal he got from one of his screens came from a street near Cannibal Town. It made sense, if Alastor was back he would normally go to a place where he could feed. Finally! Here he was the screen where he heard his old rival. 

But there was nothing, not even a trace of the red Overlord. Did he just lose it? Did he finally lose his mind just like a lot of sinners down here? Frustration tears started pounding in his eyes. He was so stupid! It’s been seven years! He had gotten over it so why were his feelings coming over like that?!

The screens exploded behind him, leaving him alone on the quiet street. He just should go back. Val and Velvet were probably waiting for him to come home, worried as fuck by his strange behavior. 

Just when he was going to walk back home a familiar chirping resonated around him. The street was clearly empty with no one in sight but he knew that sound too well. It wasn’t something created by any living demon down there. As if he wanted to prove his thoughts, the lurking shadow suddenly appeared in front of him with the most deranged smile possible on its face.

“You!” Vox exclaimed, not sure if it was real or if he was just crazier than he first thought.

The shadow thrilled once again, looking overjoyed to see him. Suddenly Vox found himself wrapped into the dark shape’s arms while it was nuzzling its head against his neck. It was real. It was real!! Alastor was back or at least his shadow was!

The media Overlord didn’t know if he was furious, happy, or desperate. All his emotions and thoughts were actually a mess right now. It was going everywhere and nowhere at the same time. But when he hugged the shadow back it was as if all his problems were going away, as if nothing had changed in these past seven years. 

“So he can get one of your embraces but I can’t?” A specific and familiar radio voice exclaimed with a teasing tone. 

Here he was. The radio demon, exactly the same as he was seven years ago. The same demon Vox learned to love unconditionally. The same demon he hated for all these past years. The same demon his heart was longing for. 

“Alastor…” He was afraid that saying his name would make him disappear again. 

He could feel the tears holding up and burning his eyes as if it used to do when he was human again. His throat was knotted and it was difficult for him to talk. Then the radio demon opened his arms with a smile and a sorry look. Words weren’t necessary when it came to the two of them. Now in the warm embrace of the deer demon Vox listened to his heartbeat until his heart's content. Alastor was alive, he was back and he was with him.

It took him some time to calm down. They stayed in that position momentarily, saying nothing, simply enjoying each other’s presence.

Alastor smiled when he looked at the other demon in his arms. He’ll never let him go again. He’ll never live like that again, deal or not. 

“I missed you too stupid TV.” He finally said, gently petting the edge of Vox’s screen.

“It’s been seven years asshole!” Vox exclaimed, blushing and both furious and embarrassed at the same time

[twistedtummies2]

Top 10 Appearances of Disney's Evil Queen

Not so long ago, Disney released the teaser trailer for an upcoming live-action remake of its first great animated feature, “Snow White,” scheduled for release in Spring of 2025. When I saw the teaser, two thoughts immediately sprung to mind. The first was, “May God have mercy on their souls for this stupidity.” The second was…while the trailer largely did not impress me, I was genuinely intrigued by the first looks at Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Ever since her casting was announced, she was the one part I was genuinely interested in seeing, and for all the problems the trailer presented, I remain hopeful that she, at least, will turn in a worthy performance. This got me thinking of all the past times the Evil Queen has shown up in Disney properties since her debut in their premiere animated motion picture. I’ve done similar lists in the past for two other Disney Villains - Maleficent and Scar - and I decided it would be fun, in light of this news, to give the Queen a look-see, too. Now, a few key rules must be established: first of all, I’m only talking about DISNEY’S Evil Queen. Other versions of the fairy-tale icon aren’t counted here at all; I made a separate list of my favorite versions of the character in general a while back. Second, and slightly tied to that, I am NOT including the characters of Regina from “Once Upon a Time” and Queen Ravenna from “Snow White and the Huntsman.” This is because I feel, while each certainly has been influenced by the Queen from the original Disney movie, they really stand as their own versions of the character. I’m only talking about the original Disney Queen and her reappearances. Third and finally, I can obviously only count appearances I’m actually fairly familiar with; for example, there’s a somewhat famous Disney comic series called ‘The Return of Snow White” which I’ve heard is very, VERY good…but I sadly haven’t read it yet, so I don’t think it’s right to include it here. With that said…“dip the apple in the brew, let the sleeping death seep through!” These are My Top 10 Appearances of Disney’s Evil Queen!

10. Kingdom Hearts.

“Kingdom Hearts” is one of my favorite video game series of all time, and a big part of why is the appearances of the Disney Villains. From Maleficent to Hades, from Pete to Ursula, it’s great to see all of these famous baddies show up, and - when the chance arises - to battle them in delightfully crazed combat. HOWEVER, not every villain is a knockout antagonist. I think partially because, as time has gone on, the series has focused more and more on its own original lore and characters than on mingling the Disney worlds INTO that lore, the villains seem to be taking a step back with every other installment. Case in point: the Evil Queen. While by no means the worst of the Disney Villains in this universe, I’ve personally always felt slightly disappointed with the Queen’s appearances in KH. She’s kept perfectly in character, and her times onscreen do lead to some great moments, but she has very little to do with the overarching plot of games like “Birth By Sleep” and it feels like there was more that could have been done with the character than ultimately was. However, it was great to see her, and her presence did lead to possibly my favorite boss fight (at least for the Disney characters) in all of KH history. End of the day, I’d be remiss to leave this off the running entirely. I really just wish we'd gotten more of her.

9. Villains Tonight!

This now-retired spooky spoof was a tongue-in-cheek musical farce originally performed on Disney Cruise Lines. The main character of the show is Hades, who - at the start of the play - is trying to reform…not because he actually desires redemption or feels genuinely repentant, but simply because he is so sick and tired of being foiled time and time again by Hercules, he’s had enough. However, things change when the Fates inform Hades that he needs an upgrade in evil-ness, otherwise he’ll lose control of the Underworld (and, really, that’s all Hades has left). So, the God of the Dead decides to summon some of his fellow villains to his lair, hoping their collective wickedness can help him out. While most of the villains in the show are essentially cameo appearances - showing up for a single "spotlight moment" musical number, and then departing till the end of the show, a-la “CATS” - the Evil Queen actually plays a fairly sizeable role in the story. Hades sends out Pain and Panic with physical invitations for both the Queen and Maleficent. It’s revealed that the two arch-villainesses are not only rivals, but also old flames (har har) of the Lord of the Underworld. Their competitive spirit nearly gets the better of them, but later in the show, they put their differences aside to spoil the day (they’re certainly not SAVING it), and help Hades get back into the evil groove. This is by far the silliest of all the Queen’s appearances on this list, but it’s a lot of fun; the back and forth between herself and Maleficent is so delightfully catty, and it’s cool seeing these two end up being the…ah…“heroes” that help Hades in the end.

8. Disney’s Villains’ Revenge.

I only recently rediscovered this PC game from my youth. While not everything in it still holds up in my adult years, I’d generally say it’s still a pretty interesting title! Made as a sort of promotional method to advertise some of Disney’s older films (which were being either released or re-released to video en masse at the time), this game features four of Disney’s resident rogues: Captain Hook, the Queen of Hearts, the Ringmaster from Dumbo (...okay, that’s the odd one out…), and - of course - the Evil Queen. The plot begins when Jiminy Cricket (in an uncharacteristic show of abject stupidity) decides to meddle with a magical storybook, tearing out the last page from four of the tales contained within (you can guess which ones). Because of this, the villains are able to rewrite their stories the way they want to, twisting things around and coming up with the “unhappy endings” they want most. With help from the Blue Fairy, Jiminy and the Player thus travel into each story to set things right again. In the Snow White section of the game, the Evil Queen has written the Prince out of existence. She tricks Snow White into eating a poisoned apple, and then - just for good measure - she begins to force each of the Seven Dwarfs to take an apple as well, putting them to sleep one by one. Jiminy and the Player need to work fast to find a way to bring the Prince back from the proverbial void before all of the Dwarfs are knocked out. Later, at the climax of the game, the Queen joins in the final battle with the other villains. Instead of being killed, her punishment for her evil deeds is to be forced to remain in her hideous old crone form for the rest of her life. Serves her right, I’d say!

7. Fantasmic!

This nighttime spectacular - an extravaganza of stunts, dance routines, and special effects, all tied together by a loose plot - is generally considered one of the greatest shows ever put on at the Disney Parks. While the exact size of the Queen’s role in the story has changed a couple times through different evolutions and interpretations, she has always been an integral figure in the proceedings. The story - what little there is - begins with Mickey Mouse taking the audience on a tour through his own dreamworld, “where beauty and love will always survive.” The Queen’s arrival is a major turning point: she’s having none of this happiness and harmony rubbish, thank you very much! So, with the help of the Magic Mirror, the Queen summons some of the other Disney Villains to help her “turn that little mouse’s dream into a Nightmare Fantasmic!” (Hence the title.) Although Maleficent is ultimately the final obstacle Mickey must overcome to save his dreamland, it’s the Evil Queen who spearheads the conflict and is the true leader of the villains in the show. Through every change and iteration of Fantasmic, this has remained fairly constant; whatever alterations the nightly spectacle goes through, it’s a fair bet she won’t be leaving Mickey’s dreams alone anytime soon.

6. Kingdom Keepers.

It took me a bit of time to warm up to the Evil Queen in this book series, but once I did, I found she was more than worthy of praise. The “Kingdom Keepers” series is a sort of “Night at the Museum”-esque series of novels, with the premise being that, every night, all of the rides and attractions at the Disney Parks come to life…and so do a great many Disney characters. Not all of these characters are good guys, of course, and a number of them - mostly Villains, naturally - have banded together to form an organization called “The Overtakers.” You can guess what their evil scheme is based on that name alone. While the main leaders of the Overtakers are Chernabog and Maleficent, the Queen plays a notable role in the latter half of the initial series of novels: first, she takes charge as the main antagonist of the fourth book, “Power Play,” leading the Overtakers in a scheme to release the imprisoned Dark Fairy and Black God. The Queen remains a prominent character for the next couple books, and once again takes command in the final novel of the series, “The Insider,” after the main protagonist of the series - Finn Whitman - succeeds in slaying Maleficent. While I personally feel that, in “Power Play,” the character felt like a sort of “Diet Maleficent” - the two characters just have a lot in common in general - the Queen really came into her own as the series progressed, and we saw her interact with other characters more and more. Part of the fun throughout the books was her interactions with her main henchperson: Cruella DeVil. The Queen and Cruella made for a truly odd couple of baddies, since, while Maleficent and the Queen have a lot in common, Cruella and Her Majesty are almost polar opposites. I haven’t read the sequel series to the original seven books, but I can only hope the self-proclaimed Fairest in the Land is just as good (bad?) there.

5. Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

As far as the Parks go, I would argue this ride…USED to be the Queen’s magnum opus. Originally simply called “Snow White’s Adventures” in past iterations, the ride was later more appropriately titled in light of the fact it REALLY leaned on the darker, more macabre elements of the story, with the Queen - seen primarily in her Witch form - basically being the star of the show. Throughout the ride she menaces the riders, tempting them with her Poisoned Apple and cackling with glee, popping up at unexpected intervals as the guests navigate their way through her dungeons and the spooky woods beyond. It was widely regarded as one of the best of Disney’s film-themed dark rides, and when I visited Disneyland (a whole twelve years ago, jeeze I feel old…), it was probably my second favorite after “Peter Pan’s Flight.” UNFORTUNATELY, this ride basically doesn’t exist anymore, at least not at the American Parks: at Walt Disney World, it was replaced with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, and the Witch has almost nothing to do for that one. (Though her one brief appearance near the end IS done with a VERY impressive animatronic.) As for Disneyland, the ride was recently refurbished as “Snow White’s Enchanted Wish,” which effectively neutered the original ride and, in my opinion, lacks the emotional impact the original, much darker attraction had. It’s truly sad how some of the best things must always remain in the past.

4. Mirror, Mirror.

This was the sixth of the “Twisted Tales” series of books released by Disney, and it is the first one I ever got to read. The series, created by author Liz Braswell, works off a very simple formula: take a random “What If?” question about a Disney movie, and then create either an alternate universe or a sequel or even a prequel out of that concept. While Braswell spearheaded the series and wrote the vast majority of the books, she was not the only author involved; a few other creators also joined in to handle various subjects and stories. Enter Jen Calonita, whose first entry into the books was this one. As the byline on the book’s cover indicates, the concept is based on the idea that, instead of using the Poisoned Apple to kill Snow White right off the bat, the Queen instead tricks the Prince. However, there’s a bit more to the story than that: while the Queen is still utterly despicable, the book gives her a sympathetic leaning, with a backstory that explains more of her wicked actions, while still keeping it clear that her deeds are reprehensible. The twist to the plot also allows Snow White herself to take a more proactive role in the story, as she goes from a humble and sweethearted young lady like in the film to the one who has to face the Queen to save the kingdom. It’s an interesting turnaround that takes the classic fairy-tale and turns into a more complex and action-oriented story, and while I don’t think it’s the best book of the Twisted Tales series, it’s nevertheless a personal favorite.

3. Snow White Live!

Nowadays, we take Disney’s stage musicals somewhat for granted. From Beauty and the Beast, to The Lion King, to Mary Poppins, and more, it’s almost more surprising when an especially popular Disney movie DOESN’T have some kind of staged version out there, be it Broadway or some other avenue. (I mean, by God, they have a stage version of “The Aristocats,” for crying out loud!) However, this was not always the case: the very first attempt at doing a full-length stage musical treatment of a Disney film came in the late 70s/early 80s, as part of a plan to save the prestigious Radio City Music Hall. And what better movie was there to choose than “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”: the first animated feature film Disney made would also be their first foray onto the New York stage scene. This production has gone by several titles, some longer than others, but I’ve always known it by the colloquial name “Snow White Live!” in reference to NBC’s fairly recent live TV musicals. This production was, in fact, recorded and aired on TV and in video release at its height of popularity…but since it has never been re-staged, to my knowledge, and has never received a DVD or Blu-ray release, it’s largely fallen into obscurity. This is a shame, because it’s really a very good production! Part of its appeal, of course, comes from the villain: the Evil Queen is played by two different actors in the show. In her radiant, Queenly form, she is played by Anne Francine; most well-known onstage for her work in the musicals “Mame” and “Anything Goes,” and recognizable to film audiences for her appearance in the movie “Crocodile Dundee.” As the Witch, the character was played by a male actor, Charles Hall, who also voiced the Magic Mirror. Hall would go on to be a constant presence at Radio City, playing the role of Santa Claus for many years in a row during their famous Christmas Spectacular. Both do a great job putting their own spin on the character’s dual identities, and I love them almost as much as the original Queen from the movie! If you haven’t seen this show before, you can easily find it on YouTube; definitely go and check it out.

2. Vil Schoenheit, from Twisted Wonderland.

Well, if you know me, you should have known this guy was coming. In case you haven’t been paying attention to or just didn’t know about my frankly unhealthy addiction to this mobile game, let me give you the basic summation: “Twisted Wonderland” is a gacha-style game, wherein the player gets transported to a parallel universe, and begins life staying at a School of Dark Magic. This school has apparently been inspired by “The Great Seven” - seven of the most infamous Disney Villains - and throughout the game’s story you encounter different figures based on the Great Seven, as well as other Disney characters (mostly villains). The Evil Queen is one of the Great Seven, and while she, herself, has virtually no bearing on the game at all, the analogous character to her is this lad: Vil Schoenheit. Vil is the resident celebrity of Night Raven College, the school in question: he is a professional actor, dancer, singer, and model, who also dabbles in directing, costume design, photography, and even commercial fashion. He is vain, domineering, and carries himself with an icy, sometimes deadpan authority, and is highly persnickety about personal appearances. His Unique Magic allows him to place a poisonous curse on anything he touches, and he is, in fact, a very skilled potion maker and poisons expert: it was this knowledge that allowed him to become the leader of Pomefiore, the house inspired by the Queen. Admittedly, when the game was first released, Vil was actually one of the characters I was LEAST interested in…but as time has gone on, and we’ve seen more of him and learned more about him, he’s become more and more of a favorite of mine. He wouldn’t likely be in too many other people’s top three, but he’s certainly in mine.

1. Fairest of All.

As much as I love Vil, you really can’t beat the original Evil Queen. And as far as other works beyond the film go, I don’t think anything has ever beaten this story. This was the first - and, in my opinion, the best - of Serena Valentino’s book series collectively entitled “Villains.” The series explores the origins of different famous Disney antagonists, and shows their own side of the story for their respective films. As the series went on, it began to build its own lore and a broader universe, which I’ve always had mixed feelings about. “Fairest of All,” however, as the first book, doesn’t have any of the issues this budding lore presents in other novels of the series: it stays with its subject, not really deviating from it, presenting simply the story of how the Evil Queen became so evil. Even more than the later “Mirror, Mirror,” this book makes you sympathize with the Queen, and explains her origins and motives in a way that is both tragic and disturbing. At the start of the story, she actually tries hard to be a good mother to dear Snow White, and a worthy bride to her husband, the King. However, as time goes on, personal insecurities and the pressure of her power begin to twist her heart and mind, ultimately transforming her into the villainess we all recognize. There have been many sympathetic takes on the Evil Queen, both by Disney and by others, but this may very well be my favorite take: it inspired me a lot when I was working on my own twist to the plot…but that’s another story (literally). Bottom line, for somehow being both beautifully simple and wonderfully complex, “Fairest of All” is, in my opinion, the best appearance of Disney’s Evil Queen.

HONORABLE MENTIONS INCLUDE…

House of Mouse.

The Queen had multiple small appearances throughout this show, but nothing super substantial. Still, it was fun to see her pop up and all the shenanigans she’d get up to. I think my favorite was the time she sold Pete a poisoned apple like a used car saleswoman. XD

Once Upon a Halloween.

A Halloween special in tribute to the Disney Villains, where the Evil Queen consults not the Magic Mirror, but rather the Black Cauldron, in a plan to - what else? - take over the world. At the end of the special, the power of the Cauldron overwhelms the Queen…though thankfully, her end is much less horrifying than the Horned King’s.

Snow White: An Enchanting Musical.

This was a stage show at Disneyland that was a reimagining of the original Disney film, with some minor changes to the plot and new dialogue. It featured a pre-recorded Patrick Stewart as the Magic Mirror. Fun show, but I find the other appearances more noteworthy of interest.

Disney’s Golden Anniversary of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.

An EXTREMELY weird (and very, VERY cheesy) 1987 TV special made in tribute to the film’s 50th anniversary. Jane Curtin played the Queen, seeking revenge on the Seven Dwarfs, with the help of…uh…Sherman Hemsley. (pauses) Weird choice for the face of the Magic Mirror, that one…

[seaweedoverlord]

The Monk and the Monkey

''What are you?'' The monk asks the animal- no, the creature before him. It stands on its hind legs without any trouble nor struggle. It does not hunch, it does not move. He watches it warily, and his eyes struggle to maintain eye contact, and not to stare at the way he has been carried away from. Where the carcass of the enormous tiger that stands fallen, in a pool of blood and the heavy smell of the metallic blood that he no longer can see or smell. 

But to get distracted in the human’s case, would be a mistake if not the being was quite happy yet best not to risk it. 

One second, it stares and the next, it stands before him with a bright grin and a tilted head. He startles, dropping his staff as it opens its dangerous jaw to answer his question.

''I am many things,'' It starts speaking, and the Monk thinks it can see the silhouette of a monster behind, watching, in smokes and another thing, another thing that smiles, amused while the human starts to sweat, his palms getting colder and colder.

‘’A wicked demon,’’ It states, grinning with a mouth far too wide, and a grin far too sharp, while the monk gulps with tense shoulders.

‘’A celestial being,’’ It states, as it smiles with gratitude, and a smile full of joy, and the monk relaxes, without being aware, for its genuine smile resembles that of a child a bit too much, tricking him into a false sense of security. 

A false sense of security it is,

For a shark may be content, but it still has a mouth full of sharp teeth and a hunger for blood when you cut open your heart and lay it bare. 

‘’But moreover, I am human.’’ It says, shrugging and standing back while the monk stares. He continues to stare as it stares up at him, with its tail lazily swaying behind it. He is well aware that he should probably try to find a way to leave, instead of interacting with it, but he blurts out without thinking before his mind can catch up with him.

‘’H-human? Y-you don’t look human!’’ He exclaims, and rightfully so as well, for the being standing before him is a tad bit too hairy, with hands instead of feet and of course, not to mention, the tail it has! 

‘’...’’ It stares at him in silence, and it looks up and down while he nervously shuffles. 

‘’Your close minded view, as much as it amazes me, is also disappointing.’’ It finally states after an awkward amount of silence and the monk can only drape his bamboo hat over his face, halfway to avoid eye contact since it unnerves him and says nothing to refute its claims more so because he is too meek to argue with a creature who can topple over a demon four times its size.

‘’Tell me what is a god, and what is a demon?’’ It asks, and the monk has no answer which seems to frustrate the creature before him as it invades his personal space once again, forcing him to stare right into its bloody eyes with the moon in them.

The monk stutters as it sighs, snapping its fingers and the human sees magic come to life before his eyes.

‘’A god represents the ‘kind’ side of humanity, while a demon represents the ‘foul’,’’ It says with a crescent smile but a condescending tone, and the monk steps back as his eyes jump back and forth between the mirrored version of the creature.

‘’Here’s a riddle for you,’’ It doesn't look at him as it becomes one, but he thinks it might see inside him anyway.

‘’If I am both, then what am I?’’ 

The silence scratches on, as tiny crickets pass, and the forest quiets down as if to listen to his answer. 

It's a lot of pressure, he thinks when he sees it watching him like a hawk, like the rest of the world that holds its breath.

The human thinks as he lowers his head and thinks. He eventually comes to an answer as opens his mouth as the being before him stares at him nonchalantly, yet with a slightly wagging tail, clearly full of expectations about his answer.

‘’A monkey?’’

The monk, obviously, plays it safe for he feels like this is a trap.

The monkey’s nose scrunches up, and his eyes squint. 

‘’Hmph,’’ It- He almost sneers at the human. His eyebrow twitch, irritated, and his tail thumps the ground once, twice and stops still. The monk, for a second, thinks he almost might see a pout.

‘’Typical mortals.’’

He says with distaste and the Monk, Tang Sanzang,can only stare at the tiny murder monkey and think: 

What are the chances that if I beg, he’ll leave me alone?’

But the monk can only weep for it will be a long fourteen years.

[agoraphobic-artist]

Kuro-Shit Mini Post

Yesterday, shortly after I posted my last haul on tumblr, these little guys showed up in a package!

These are the full set of 9 Public School Arc rubber mascot keychains, created by Bandai as capsule prizes.

As expected, the potential options include the main characters Sebastian and Ciel, as well as the four Prefects of Weston School. This second wave of released merchandise seems to have introduced Soma to the roster as well. (Undertaker makes an appearance as we approach wave 3)

Side Rant- Personally, I would have liked to see some Drudge representation but hopefully that will come at some point in the future perhaps as a 4th wave? Alternatively, maybe if and when they get around to animating the "Blue Cult Arc"...??

I have decided to show each keychain in closer detail and in order of my least to most favourite:

#9 SEBASTIAN "B-version"

This is the slightly more demonic design for Master Michaelis, appearing without his glasses so that you can better see his red eyes; It would have been a nice touch if his pupils had been shaped more into slits in my opinion.

Unfortunately, his gummy toothless grin does little for me.

#8 LAWRENCE BLUEWER

Bluewer is simply stood elegantly and reading his book.

Honestly, there is nothing wrong or particularly off-putting about his design, I just prefer other characters and poses to his.

#7 EDGAR REDMOND

I was a little disappointed with this keychain, as Redmond is a favourite character of mine.

Rather than looking sultry as I think was intended, he just looks a little sleep deprived. Also, I can't completely put my finger on why he looks out of place with the others... perhaps his face is too wide..?

That being said, I adore his sassy pose.

#6 SOMA ASMAN KADAR

I have found in the past, that merchandise of the prince is always very inconsistent and the pictures I saw online of this item I felt didn't look great. I was very pleasantly surprised however when I saw Soma's design in person.

My only gripe is the eyes lack the sclera, instead being filled with the same shade as his skin; This is true of all of the keychains but as the other characters have paler skin than him I feel that it is less noticeable overall.

#5 SEBASTIAN AND CIEL

Based on a particular moment in the series, this is adorable! Especially Ciel!

It would be higher on the list but something about Sebastian feels off again, but only slightly. Maybe the expression with the open mouth? or his abnormally small hand? Not sure but something about him is a little odd to me.

#4 SEBASTIAN A-Version

Finally, a Sebastian that I can fully get behind.

His tea coloured eyes behind his little tutoring glasses, his smug smirk and his formal pose as house master of the Sapphire Owls.

How could I not love the design of our demon in his human suit.

#3 GREGORY VIOLET

Adorable, Mopey, and ready to head back to Wolf houses dormitory immediately.

What else can I say, its Violet... but small.

#2 HERMAN GREENHILL

Stoically posed with his cricket bat as per usual.

I don't have alot to say about him.

I know that I am being biased putting him at #2 as someone else rating them might prefer Bluewer and hate Greenhill, but he is my favourite of the Prefects so this is where he stays.

... and last but not least...

#1 CIEL PHANTOMHIVE

I fell in love the second I saw him.

The attitude filled pose... the moodiest of expressions on his face.... the little books with the hat on top. Perfection.

Instant Favourite <3

[theplatypusblue]

I caved and watched the s2pt2 leaks. Ummm compilation of (spoilery!!) thoughts below

I have lots of thoughts but also I’m sleepy (I’ve been awake since 5am 😏) (it’s currently 1am at time of writing 😏😏😏)

In general this one feels a lot more polished(?) than past dr season parts. I think it’s a combination of the animation being better and also the writing having a better flow(?) in my opinion(???). Idk what it is exactly, but it just feels… right.

I clicked with it basically immediately which is weird cuz usually dr has this kind of. Awkwardness?? In the writing which takes a rewatch or two to get over, but with this one it just?? Isn’t there for me??? It just works lol. Maybe I’m sleep deprived lol.

Maybe I’m being hormonal or something but also wasn’t part 2 kinda…. Cute? There was just a lot of cute moments and just a general feeling of light-heartedness throughout the whole thing despite everything that happened. Oddly enough it reminds me of older seasons. Idk again maybe I’m just tired or smthn

They managed to sell me on wyldfyre and roby. They are disgusting!! <333

I am very endeared to roby. A little bit. Charming and Funny Little Guy. 👍

I also really liked Arins friend!! Snake guy whose name I can’t remember rn!!! Might be one of my favorites of the new characters we’ve met so far!!!!

I’m gonna be honest I saw mixed reviews of the jay stuff and I will say as a bit of a Jay Hater™️ I didn’t really mind any of it. Pretty good-ish y’know? Not mind blowingly good or bad in either direction. I am more interested in where he will go from here…. I could honestly see him staying a villain/anti-hero for most of the shows run, or just returning to the team as a slightly sassier version of himself. It’s whatever.

Omg Cole!!!! Lily!! Cole being able to use the earth mech despite not having powers is a total cop out but I don’t care don’t talk to me!!!!!! Agghhh!!!!

Everything with Arin also….. all those detective scenes w his parents had me pacing the room and crawling around my floor and biting the walls and such. Ohhh my sweet boy Arin. Ohhhhhhh my sweet boy I’m gonna die.

Whenever he started expressing disappointment/disillusionment with Lloyd and his mentorship I was like “yesss >:)” but also “noooo D:” but also “yesssssssss >:DDD”

ALSO ALSO all the stuff w him and Ras. When Ras said all that stuff about good n bad and goodness within badness and vice versa or whatever….. can we perhaps see stuff abt oni Lloyd?? The “bad” within the “good” maybe? Pretty please bats my eyelashes sweetly

There’s also all this nitty gritty lore stuff abt dragons and dragon ivory and dragon scales and how that all connects to elemental powers…. It reminded me of faiths sword thing that she got from firstbourne back in season 9, and how it could attract/redirect powers. Oouuuh things almost making sense in ninjago. A rare treat.

There’s probably a whole lot more I’m forgetting but like I said. 1am. Sleepy. Goodnight 😴

[argumentalist]

The kit that reignited my plamo hobby a couple years back was a HGAC Deathscythe that my Wife gave me - so it was only a matter of time before I built the MG Gundam Deathscythe.

I think I've mentioned a few times now that I wasn't a huge fan of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing - but I really think that Endless Waltz kind of retroactively improves the whole series. And I think I prefer these EW designs over the original TV versions.

This is an older kit and it definitely shows. It's still a fun design and a fantastic build... But the engineering isn't quite up to par with modern kits.

The nub-marks, for example, are kind of terrible. There's some surprisingly chonky gates in really awkward places on this kit. Nub-mark clean-up was really a pain. And there's still some visible on my finished kit.

This kit came with a sheet of dry-rub transfers which I'm not going to use. I know some people prefer them over waterslides... But I've not used them much. And the few times I have used them didn't go well.

I also opted not to use the included foil stickers. It's just a few shiny bits for eyes and cameras which were very easy to paint. I used my DSPIAE markers as well as some no-name fluorescent green marker that I got off AliExpress. The fluorescent green went on the eyes to try to make them pop more... And they're definitely brighter... But I don't have an actual blacklight so they're not doing anything amazing.

I'm again kind of feeling like maybe I made a mistake by starting with Char's Zaku II 2.0 as my first Master Grade kit... Because I've been slightly disappointed with most of the other MGs I've built. The inner-frame, specifically, feels like a bit of a let-down. It's mostly just there to hang the external armor on. There's not much detail or gimmickry going on.

While it's clearly anime/manga-accurate, this kit does feel a little light on accessories. There's the shield/claw and the scythe, plus a bunch of swappable hand/finger options... But that's it. I can't help feeling like there should be a rifle or bazooka or something. Having said that - the beam effects are absolutely fantastic in this kit.

I grabbed some cheap waterslide decals from AliExpress for this build. I'm not even sure what brand they are - maybe something like Flaming Snow?

The decals were fine. Nice and crisp. They came off the paper very quickly and stuck well with a little Mr. Mark Setter. It seems like there were a lot of extra decals though... You can see I've got something like half the sheet left-over.

I hit this thing with the Vallejo matte Mecha Color varnish through that cheap cordless "airbrush" again... And I think it turned out pretty well. I'm definitely getting better with the airbrush. And I think that varnish is working pretty good. I definitely like not having to deal with all the fumes and fuss from the rattlecans.

I'm honestly a little torn on the design...

Wing's designs, in general, feel more super-robo than I generally like. And that's definitely true for the "death" robot.

But, at the same time, they're undeniably cool. They just drip '90s edginess. Especially this kit with it's gratuitously spikey legs. I mean - look at those feet! Those toe spikes are downright ridiculous!

And the beam effects in this kit are absolutely fantastic. There's a nice bit of surface texture that really catches the light. They look like they're absolutely crackling with energy.

Of course this means I'm going to have to build more Master Grade Wing kits. The rest of the main quintet at the very least.

[the-willow-that-weeps]

So, I’ve been a fan of the httyd books for as long as I could read and I’ve always been slightly (hugely) disappointed that there hasn’t been a faithful adaptation. Am I the only one ?

Anyway so I started brainstorming ideas of if there was an adaptation what it would look like, - feel free to add on more this is just what I have so far.

- Becoming a Hero the Hard Way -

Ideas:

- Sketchy art-style with lots of moving lines and colours - think spider-verse, PIB the last wish, arcane

- Could use 3D models with an overlay of sketch lines and lineart

- Use audiobook dialogue as audio, probably just the talking scenes, for everything else will be drawn at least for now while it’s still quite small

- Keep character versions as close to the books as possible, might have to make them more realistic looking depending on the final animation style

- Characters who are more ‘stable’ have more fps, whereas characters like Alvin who are more unstable have fewer fps and are more janky and unsettlingly animated

- Maybe use slight colour filters on certain scenes to symbolise relevance to books/dragon time prophecy eg book 5 - orange, book 2 - navy

- Use sound for symbolism or themes for dragon time prophecy anytime it is mentioned/ foreshadowed

- Either make movies or seasons/series ? - if series maybe join two books together until like 10 ?

- Could have 4 trilogies/sagas 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, 10-11-12 ? Be named different things , could play on word for the prophecy ?

- 1st - training your dragon / httyd?

- 2nd - the quest

- 3rd - the prophecy

- 4th - the dragon jewel

- Or have two 6 part seasons ?

This is all quite rough right now but I just wanted to put it out there in case anyone else is interested ?

I would like to seperate it a but from the movies so I was thinking of the name Becoming a Hero the Hard Way as that’s quite relevant throughout the books.

And I thought a more 2D animation style would work, I said above maybe something like spider verse or even just hand drawn, I’m not completely sure, I’ll have to do more research.

So yeah please tell me what you think !

[yourhighness6]

A Yue Stan's Thoughts on Yue's Character in NATLA

As much as I appreciated what NATLA was trying to do and think it is worth a rewatch, can I just say as an unapolagetic Yue stan that they completely ruined her, and Yukka by extension.

And say whatever you want about her scenes leading up to the sacrifice (which did make me cry, I'll admit, her speech about living was actually a nice addition), but it was actually this line that left me absolutely seething and in my opinion proves that the writers completely misunderstood what made the sacrifice so powerful:

I actually had to pause the television and collect myself after this one because holy fuck is this the stupidest thing I've ever heard. The entire point in the animated show was that she didn't get to make her own choices before this point. She didn't get to choose who to marry, she didn't get to choose her role in society, she didn't get to choose basically anything about her life besides maybe how to style her hair or something. Yue was a character who was extremely dutiful, but also extremely boxed in by her duty. It was both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness, a parody of itself, just as her mere existence was a parody: while she was saved by the moon spirit as a child and allowed to live on, it was that very reason that she eventually gave up her life. And the very fact that she was given these choices in the first place in the LA seriously undermined the idea of her sacrifice. Yue was told her entire life what to do, and although she did manage to find a bit of freedom through her brief romance with Sokka, ultimately, she still didn't get to publicly be with him or reject Hahn or anything similar. Her sacrifice was what she saw as her duty, yes, but her sacrifice for her people was also a way of standing up for herself and finally resolving to make her own choices. In that moment, she not only saved her people, but she finally made a decision for herself instead of doing something someone else told her to, even going against Sokka's wishes to do what she thought was necessary. So in the LA, with her having a place of influence in her community, with her being able to call off her engagement, with her being told that she could one day be chief, to that stupid fucking line implying that she was in no way ever repressed and free to make her own decisions the entire time, removing all of her character growth and any character significance to her actions, it was all basically pointless. It made Yue into a plot device for Sokka to bond with and to move the Aang-and-Kuruk plotline forward. In the animated series, Yue was not a plot device, and she was extremely well written, whereas in NATLA, her character fell completely flat. She talks about responsibility and pressure in her first scene with Sokka, but other than that, she has no depth. In other words, she has no depth besides her relationship to him.

Anyway, I hope we can all agree that her characterization and a lot of the decisions made in the last two episodes of NATLA were nothing but a pile of bulshit. From Iroh killing Zhao to Yukka having zero chemistry to Katara just magically becoming a master to Zuko being shelved to the plotline about Aang not feeling like he belonged having absolutely no buildup beyond a throwaway line in the second episode to everything about Yue I spelled out above, I would go as far to call it just plain bad. Again, I'm glad it got renewed, and I'll be the first to say a lot of other episodes get unnecessary hate, as well as that we are working with slightly different characters (especially Azula) in this version than the first, but I was really disappointed with seeing Yue in LA for a second time.