#I wish he was given more moments to shine in a lot of cases it feels like he's treated as a joke

[harlowes-home]

Minecraft Story Mode my most beloved I adore your so so so much I would kill and die for you, but I will never forgive how done dirty Axel and Oliver were oh my GOD.

[marvelfilth]

Wisdom teeth

Pairing: Wednesday Addams x f!reader

Warnings: ooc! Wednesday, mention of blood

Summary: "I've been successful at keeping this piece of information to myself for the past two months and twelve days, but now it seems that I can't hold back the words from escaping my treacherous mouth. It's almost as if I have no control of what is going through my brain at the moment. I feel like an adolescent cliché."

Masterlist

She doesn't say anything when you help her to the passenger seat of your car, her eyes stay rooted on the spot above your shoulder, dark and unblinking. She sits dutifully and doesn't complain when you bend to fasten her seatbelt, your warm fingers barely grazing her clothed thigh on accident. You think you heard a slightest hitch of her throat, but that might have been your wishful thinking.

Ever since the brooding brunette first stepped foot on Nevermore grounds you were irrevocably pulled in her orbit, always close enough to be seen by her, but never close enough to reach out and touch, not that you'll ever try, you do need all of your fingers intact. Her menacing aura and Machiavellian tendencies never stopped you from trying to reach out and form some sort of connection, even if it was just making eye contact in dark hallways or receiving nearly unperceivable eye rolls whenever Enid dragged you to their room. Not even once in the months you've known her did she grace you with more than a few words and barely noticeable nods, opting to focus on her novel or, in extreme cases, leaving the room to continue her endless investigations.

So when Enid cornered you in the morning and practically begged you to take Wednesday to the dentist's office, you were torn between crushing Enid in a hug and fleeing to the woods to hide out.

In the end, you couldn't miss the chance to get to know the gothic girl a little bit better.

Wednesday pointedly clears her throat and you jump up, bumping your head against the roof of your car, close the door and make your way to the driver's seat.

You suppose her impatience to get back to school makes sense with how overstuffed her mouth seems at the moment, and once you're finally behind the wheel you reach over the console to gently swab away droplets of blood on her lips.

She stops breathing altogether.

"Are you alright, Wednesday?" You can't help, but ask, your hand awkwardly hovering over the console.

She takes a moment to think and you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming when you practically see gears turning in her head as she struggles to formulate a response, her brows crinkled and lips slightly pursed.

"Your archive. Are we going there now?" She asks.

And there's that.

She refused anesthesia, looking eager to go through all the pain, her eyes shining brighter than you've ever seen. The doctor blanched, stuttering while he tried to reason with her, mentioning how agonizing the pain will be and how he'll probably get fired if he agreed to do it.

It made your skin crawl.

You pulled her away before she could threaten the poor man, promising her anything she wanted if listened to the doctor and agreed to anesthesia.

Her eyes flickered to your hand on her shoulder before she looked back at the sweating man, her eyes narrowing slightly.

You held your breath, looking at her with wide eyes, already regretting your offer, but all she asked for was unlimited access to your family archive.

You suppose her request made sense, given your family's history and her unwavering interest in all things unknown, but it still made your heart clench with an unbidden feeling you'd never name out loud.

"No, we're going back to school. I told you I'll take you there over summer, remember?" You patiently reply, subtly eyeing the grumpy brunette.

She huffs, wincing when it causes her pain and turns to look out the window, her eyes slightly hazy.

You take a deep breath and finally pull out from the parking lot, driving in silence and keeping your eyes firmly on the road until you can no longer pretend like you don't feel her heavy gaze on you.

"What is it, Wednesday?"

"Your face."

You blanch, offended. "What about it?"

You don't think you'll be able to withstand her making fun of your looks. She doesn't seem like the type to do that, but you can't be too sure - she is acting rather out of character.

"It's distracting. Turn around." She demands, furrowing her brows.

Your jaw falls open. "Wednesday, I'm driving."

She huffs and crosses her arms. After a minute of contemplation she starts rummaging through your glove compartment.

"Don't," you groan. You won't let her tear you apart for the mess she'll undoubtedly find there, so you reach for your phone. "Why don't you play a game? Or, I don't know, find something to blackmail me with?" You unlock it and toss it on her lap, your hand falling back on the wheel, clutching it in a tight grip.

Your phone lays untouched for a long moment and you have to restrain yourself from looking over at the ravenette. It's the longest you've spent in her company and she most certainly said more words in the past ten minutes than she did in all the time you've known her, and Enid didn't prepare you for conversations.

Your palms start to sweat a little.

She looks down at her lap and picks up your phone with two fingers only to throw it on the backseat. "I'm allergic to technology," she deadpans.

She stays silent for the next few minutes and you relax, thanking every divine being for making this trip somewhat easy for you.

And that's when she turns to look back at you, her expression sour and displeased, like you just said something really dumb. You decide to ignore her for as long as you can, checking your blind spots and fiddling with the radio to seem busy.

She pointedly clears her throat, pulling your attention. You sigh and look at her.

"What now?"

She frowns. "I feel compelled to reveal something you might find… unwelcome." Her mumble comes out distorted and she winces slightly, her hand coming up to cradle her swollen cheek and you swiftly slap it away, sheepishly looking away at her affronted look.

"Don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Usually, slapping ones hand causes them pain," she retorts, fully turning in her seat to face you. "You slapped my hand. That hurt. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I prefer to inflict pain, not receive it."

You snort, shaking your head at the smaller girl and she pouts. Wednesday Addams, the girl who'd rather jump off a cliff in a river full of piranhas than show an ounce of human emotion, pouts.

But maybe it's not so strange, considering the circumstances.

You adjust in your seat, your right hand landing on your thigh to subtly fiddle with the rough fabric of your jeans. They're light blue, with flowers all over their back pockets and Wednesday absolutely hates them, which is why, you guess, she's currently staring down at your legs like they're her mortal enemies.

The tips of her ears turn red.

"Must you do that?" She hisses, gesturing to your hand on your thigh.

You blink and place it back on the wheel, noting the way her eyes snap up to glare at the road.

"Are you feeling okay?" You ask, because she's starting to look restless. Her fingers clench and unclench on her lap and she keeps glancing at your hand every couple of seconds.

"No." Her eyes snap up to look at the roof of your car, her face a picture of impatience. "Hold my hand."

You gulp, breath catching in your throat and turn to look at the smaller girl just in time to catch her boring holes into your hand and probe lightly at her cheeks. Your mouth opens to stutter a response, but her scathing look makes you shut up.

"This gauze in my mouth feels terrible, I can't possibly endure it a moment longer. Holding your hand will make the feeling bearable." She looks at you expectantly, turning over her hand on her lap, waiting.

You hesitantly reach out and take her hand. She laces your fingers, letting out a quiet sigh as she sags against the weathered leather, turning to look out the window.

You can't believe this is happening.

This Wednesday is not something you're equipped to deal with. Hell, you can barely manage her regular self, which still comes hard at times, especially when you intrude on her writing time. It's not like you mean to do that, but a certain blonde always chooses that exact hour to invite you over, always wearing a mischievous smirk when Wednesday tenses up upon your arrival.

This feels like walking on thin ice at gunpoint with a ticking bomb in your hands.

"How-"

Her nails dig into your skin hard enough to make you yelp, but you don't pull away, eyeing the stewing girl. She's breathing heavily, her lips opening and closing as she seemingly tries to keep herself from blurting something out.

It's so bizarre you have an urge to pinch yourself, but you don't need that with her nails still digging into your skin.

You focus on the road, afraid to stir the dragon.

Her next words make you jolt so hard the car wavers on the road.

"Every time my eyes land on you my heart skips a beat," she says, like she's complaining about a mystery she couldn't solve.

You grip the steering wheel tighter. "What?"

"One does not typically pay attention to such mundane thing, but I do. Whenever you're in my vicinity I can't help, but be aware of each skipped beat of my heart. The feeling is revolting, and I've had the urge to confess this ever since I woke up." She frowns, and it's quiet for a few minutes as she seemingly gathers her thoughts.

The moment you had in your art shed suddenly comes to mind. You went there after a long day of studying in the library, ready to decompress and finish your latest painting. You didn't expect anyone to be there, which is why you shrieked like a maniac when you flicked the lights on, basking Wednesday's rigid form in warm yellow glow. She stood over your painting, her features stony and unreadable as her fingers traced the outline of a shipwreck on the canvas, the still wet paint smudging her fingers and messing up your precise strokes.

It made the painting even more beautiful.

You dug around your backpack, looking for tissues, taking a step closer when you finally found some. With great hesitance, you reached for her hand, your fingers closing around her delicate wrist. Her lips parted as she inhaled, her pulse erratic under your thumb. She took one look at you, turned on her heel and left, her perfume lingering in the air.

You gulp, when her grip on your hand turns painful. "I've been successful at keeping this piece of information to myself for the past two months and twelve days, but now it seems that I can't hold back the words from escaping my treacherous mouth. It's almost as if I have no control of what is going through my brain at the moment. I feel like an adolescent cliché," she complains through gritted teeth, irritated.

Your face burns the same shade as the red light you've come to stop at. You don't know if you should feel ecstatic or fear for your life, because no matter what happens next, you're sure Wednesday will have your head for witnessing a rare moment of weakness. But your heart always had more power than your head, so you're left with trembling hands and sweaty palms, choking on your breath as you struggle to think of something to say.

"Wednesday, I'm going to have a heart attack," you mumble.

"You're not showing any signs of an impending heart attack, if anything, your symptoms correlate with something Enid usually calls having a crush." She's back to staring intently at you, catching every twitch of the muscles on your face as you try your best to keep your blush at bay. Her hand slides up, enclosing your wrist.

Your heart burns in your chest and you feel the need to correct her, to tell her that what you feel for her is more than some stupid crush. You need to tell her about the way your dark wings tingle when she brushes past you, begging to be released from the confinement of your spine. You need to tell her about the way your heart beats out a special rhythm, hammering against your ribs like a caged animal, desperately leading its owner to the girl who successfully stole it.

You need to tell her how easy it was to fall for her and how hard it got when you realized the extent of your feelings.

You need to tell her something, anything.

You need to tell her everything.

A loud honk jostles you and you look back at the road to keep driving, trying your best to hide your face when a car passes by you, the driver giving you a finger.

"Imbecile," Wednesday mumbles.

"Yeah, what an asshole."

"I meant you. The gesture was entirely appropriate seeing as you failed to pay attention to your surroundings."

"Huh?" You gape. "You're insulting me now?"

"Your observation skills never cease to amaze me," she frowns in thought, "just like your remarkable ability to make my existence less bothersome." The haze in her eyes is gone, replaced by reserve and a hint of fondness.

Your brain short circuits.

You pull over and let your forehead fall against the wheel, still holding it in a death grip.

You would never admit it to anyone, not even on your deathbed, but you swear you feel butterflies erupt in your stomach at her quiet confession.

Your smile is so wide it hurts your cheeks, but you don't care as long as Wednesday keeps looking at you like that, like she's trying her best at keeping away the warmth in her eyes. They flicker to your lips when you lick them, and this time she can't keep her emotions in check, her eyes alight with fiery passion.

You can't help voicing your concern. "I thought you didn't like me that much. I mean, you barely speak to me when Enid drags me to your dorm."

She looks at you for a long moment. Her thumb circles your knuckle. "Enid has a surprisingly perceptive eye. She noticed a certain change in my behavior long before I did and decided to act on it. I simply wasn't prepared."

"Are you prepared now?" You breathe out.

"Are you?"

You let out a relieved laugh, and pull her hand up to your lips, placing a soft kiss on her ice cold knuckle. "Wednesday, I've been pining over you since the day we met."

She lets out a barely noticeable breath and you suddenly realize she's been nervous all this time too, you just failed to pay attention in your anxiety riddled state.

"Good." The corners of her mouth fly up.

Your eyes widen. She has dimples.

She turns away nonchalantly and places your intertwined hands on her lap, looking like she just solved the biggest mystery known to mankind.

[trippygalaxy]

Out In The Woods

(Originally posted in two parts on @linksignited but I was given permission to post it here too!)

Time x gn!reader

Warning: silghtly suggestive at the end? Kinda?, Also swearing!!

Somehow the group had ran out of fire wood. You’re honestly surprised considering how many forests have been destroyed in your party’s wake. But nether the less, Time had put the duty on himself to go and gather some fuel for tonight’s fire. With an axe in one hand and his pack in another, he began to make his way towards the surrounding forest but not before you call out.

You decided to join him on his quest saying that he could use an extra set of hands for carrying the bundles of wood! Both you and Time know that he could easily bring back whatever he gathered but at least this gives you two an excuse to enjoy each others company.

It was clear to everyone that laid eyes on the two of you that you had feels for one another. (And tension but shhhhhh) So the fact of you two going alone together didn’t go unnoticed, or unspoken. As you both left the small clearing the group had set camp in, the boys teasing echoed across and met your darkened ears. Time chuckles to himself after you’ve made it to the tree line and you swear it vibrates in your chest.

—

The walk is peaceful. Bits of sunlight shine down through the trees and dance across the forest floor. As you walk, you keep an eye out for any fallen branches or dead trees—something easy to bring back to the group. While casing your surroundings, Time hums a somewhat familiar toon, one you’ve heard once or twice before. You’re more than aware of Time’s musical habit, but when he’s around the others he seems to quiet or just cease his songs. So it makes your heart flutter when your hear that low rumble from his chest, its slurred but smooth tone brings you in like a sailor falling for a sirens trap.

Daydreaming tends to end poorly while walking—especially when you’re walking in a dense forested area. And as if the goddesses wishes to prove that point, your foot catches on a uproot tree root causing you to trip and let out a startled yelp.

You brace yourself for the uneven and unforgiving ground but after a moment, it doesn’t come. Eyes still clamped shut you hear a familiar chuckle. Oh that bastard—

“Falling for me already? Haven’t even taken you on a date yet!” Time’s voice is light with teasing but you can still hear the smirk in his voice.

This…was gonna be more difficult than you thought…

---

What felt like an eternity has past—in reality it was half an hour—and Time has gotten a lot more…chatty. Since being “saved” by the old man, he has made it a point to keep you on guard. And apparently to him that meant constant teasing. Every time you’ve tried to make space between you two he’s quick to close that gap. Following you like a moth to a flame.

Being so close meant he could lean down ever so slightly and whisper into your ear. He said it was to keep from drawing attention to your area—and he doubted yelling in your ear would be pleasurable. And though your keen to believe him, its easy to notice a flicker of a smirk on his face while he spoke so lowly. That damned voice of his! His warm breath that fanned across your neck, the shiver that quickly followed and that damn husk that never left his voice!! UNFAIR YOU SAY!

Did he realize how hard it was to concentrate while he stood so close, you can feel his presence?! He had too! Oh he’s so lucky you enjoy that face of his or you’d—

Suddenly a hand is placed firmly onto your shoulder, causing you to flinch. Time had stopped you two in front of a withered tree—at first you thought you had been close to walking straight into it and Time has stopped you from doing so. A warmth spread across your face at the thought. You really did need to stop daydreaming.

“Hmm, it seems to be dead..” Time thought out loud. And at that moment, you too take a closer look at the looming tree. Time seemed to be correct, the more you inspected it the more you realize that the withered look to the bark told of its husk nature.

Your eyes light up at the thought of finding fuel for the fire! It was getting darker, the air beginning to chill and the group might start getting antsy the longer you two take. (Goddesses forbid they think you’re doing something inappropriate!)

“So we can chop it down and bring some back to camp!” It was meant to sound more of a suggestion but your excitement of potentially chopping a tree was clear. You’ve never seen—or even chopped down a tree yourself! Maybe it was silly but whatever!

You turned to face your companion only to be faced (or graced?) with the view of Time stripping off his upper body armor, breast plate and all. Stunned was a good word for how you felt at the moment—it wasn’t like you’ve haven’t seen Time in his black undershirt and tunic before! But to watch him meticulously unlace and unhook every strap of his armor…it certainly was a sight to behold. You could see how his back muscles rippled as he removes his shoulder plates, the way his waist twists as he reaches over for the harder to reach straps. You had to swallow your spit to keep yourself from drooling.

It takes you a long minute to speak up, afraid that if you make a noise you’d ruin this moment.

“Uh…Wha-Why are you undressing..?” It was barely above a whisper and you don’t intend it to come out so slurred, but damn it you were distracted by this man.

Time kept his back to you but called over his shoulder as he removed the last piece of armour. “It’s less than optimal to be wearing such heavy armour while cutting down a tree, whether it’s dead or not-“ He stops and looks over his shoulder, his good eye half lidded and peering into you. “Is that a problem?”

Not trusting your voice, you quickly shake your head. Perhaps too quickly considering the mischievous smirk that grew onto Time’s face.

The axe sat besides his newly disposed armour. You’re not sure where the party got such an item but at this point, you’re guessing theft. Nether the less, Time lifts the axe and rests it onto his broad shoulder—you think it would be best for yourself to find somewhere to sit while he works—making his way toward the tree.

So there you sat on a nearby boulder. You watched as Time chopped into the dying tree, you could hear him exhale every time he struck the trunk. It honestly surprised you how easy such a task seemed to the man—yes you are well aware of Time’s strength but you couldn’t help but find his power impressive in this (and many other) moment.

Time stops for a moment, resting the axe on the ground as he takes a step back from the damaged trunk. Concerned, your about to call out and see what’s wrong when suddenly Time removes the off white tunic he wore. And now all he wore was that tight fitting black shirt and his lower armour.

His long shirt was tight…you could see every damn detail of him. The way his chest heaved with every breath, how it clung to his stomach from sweat. His arms where fucking huge and looked as if they were to rip the fabric if flexed.

Fuck..

And he wasn’t done with the tree yet. A few hearty swings would send it toppling over, but who knows how long that would take.

This man is going to kill you…or make you do something stupid. (That something might be him)

(Apologies for any typos or weird grammar!)

[sebastianmichaelisslander]

my good friend i'm curious. because i am Very Normal about characters and i know you are also Very Normal about characters i would like to know. is there any kuro character you love enough/have enough thoughts about to write an essay on them? and why? because i know we have many characters we both love and some we disagree on i'd love to hear a bit of in-depth stuff about your faves!!

I am so, so, very glad I received this ask 😭🙏🏼💐 you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for something like this!!!

Alright, I’m going to talk about one of my comfort characters: Mey-Rin.

And as this blog is for (semi-jokingly) slandering Sebastian, let me begin by saying that Seabass absolutely does not deserve this girl:

I mean, just look at her. 😭🙏🏼

Where do I begin?

First off, I feel like she’d be sharper and more perceptive than she gets credit for. I don’t buy that she doesn’t suspect a thing about Sebastian. She’d know something is very, very off about him from the start, even if he does show her kindness she’s seldom experienced before. I also think that’s the reason she wouldn’t have acted upon the crush she had on him - not just because she isn’t sure of his own feeling towards her, but also because something tells her it wouldn’t end well.

These observational skills are also partly why she’s more emotionally intelligent than she thinks. She truly is the mum friend - very helpful, very protective, and always someone you can come to with your problems. If you’ve noticed, she’s fretting over Finny, Bard, Ciel and Seb at several points in the manga. I also see her as the sort who worries more than she should, especially about those she cares for. This would also make her quite the overthinker - the sort to worry about stuff after it happens as she’s often in situations where she needs to act in the moment.

Although she’s primarily a long-range fighter, I do think she’d know her stuff when it comes to hand-to-hand combat - enough to help her in sticky situations. She’s lived on the streets for a lot of her formative years, so she would know how to remain aware of her surroundings and have a mean right hook. I also write her as more assertive than in canon. Partly because I wish we got to see her shine more, and partly because I think it would be a given if you look at her backstory and what all she’s had to survive.

I also enjoy portraying her as the sort who lowkey has a sassy side, but only once she gets comfortable enough with the person for them to know it’s all in jest coming from her. She’d make a wisecrack and then apologise for roasting them. 😂😭

Now, going back to her and Sebastian because I still have more to say: I’m also not a Sebamey shipper as I don’t like how quite a few fics shipping her with Sebastian portray her as his doormat or some damsel in distress 😭 but even if that’s not the case, just the fact that it’s a canon possibility he’d use her just as he used Beast lowkey puts me off. I’ll still read fics in which he’s a good partner to her, though - they’re fun.

I also like to think that while she is infatuated with Sebastian at first, it eventually turns into an “I admire him and aspire to be as good at my job” sort of thing. I think she developed a crush on him because he was one of the few men who showed her genuine kindness - even if it’s part of his act. I think most of the men she’s come across were the opposite - and that she’d also had some genuinely scary experiences with them (which I have implied in my works with her). I also don’t think she’d trust them in a hurry, even if she appears unbothered by men she meets at first.

About her life after she starts working at the manor: much like any other woman, all she wants is to feel desirable, especially when she gets to dress and live as one properly.

I also think that she’s a romantic at heart who loves the idea of finding someone who loves her for who she is, although she probably feels it’s all but a pipe dream. I think she’s probably had an experience or two before - probably fleeting ones. Living out most of her life pretending to be a man meant she didn’t have many opportunities at all for this sort of thing, even on the down low. So she hasn’t had any proper experiences with romance. I’m remembering the panel in which she’s extremely flustered after Ronald flirts with her, saying that’s the first time she’s been hit on. I like to interpret that as her feeling like this is the first time someone has made genuine romantic advances towards her.

As for her hobbies and any other interests outside of her job… I don’t know why, but I see her as the artsy kind with humanities girl energy. She seems like the sort who’d be a great artist and surprisingly good at painting. I also like to think she’d try to read more after Sebastian teaches her how to, often using a small part of her wages to buy novels (she loves both the macabre ones and the sappy romantic ones, lol). She’d underline any word she doesn’t know, probably asking Sebastian what it means later on.

I’d like to know more about her pastimes, likes, dislikes, and her as a character overall in canon as well. There’s still potential to expand upon a great deal.

That’s it for now on her! I’m going to do Othello next 😂 and then Ludger, mayhaps - or William and Grelle. My brain isn’t working today, so apologies for any vagueness or if I didn’t explain myself too clearly dhfjdkdb 😭

[aliceinclockland]

Cardcaptor Magicians and their Ceremonial Clothings

Welcome to Episode one of my random Cardcaptor Blabberings (or blabblecaptor— it's a working tag title), a "series" where I talk about random Cardcaptor things without doing that much deep diving because I hate too much research.

Since I'm notorious for starting things and not being consistent to the point of not even continuing what I started, let's see how this one goes. 😆 I'm also bad at words so wish me luck.

I'd like to start this off by saying 2 things:

this all started because I saw Sakura's pointy hat and got reminded by Kaito's ceremonial robe... then got reminded of Eriol's robe right after.

this isn't a serious analyzation of their outfits, given the reason i wanted to blabber about this is their pointy hats. also I'm more of a Nadeshiko when it comes to fashion: so far from the word 💀

Lastly, take this as a silly post while I try to learn how Tumblr works. I don't want people to use this as a source (or anything similar) because at the end of the day, this is all just silly typings of someone who excels in associating the most random stuff with each other without being able to explain why.

With all of that out of the way, Let's get started!

lold what i said earlier, the moment i saw Sakura's color page in Chapter 74 my mind went straight into Kaito's robe, and when my brain went to remind me of Kaito's ceremonial robe colored page, it immediately went to Eriol, and then started to compare the three, asking myself about their similarities aside from the initial idea of this entire post, the pointy hats.

starting off with the robes, all 3 of them have their attires in the color black. idk why it's like that, but it makes the gold in their clothing shine more i guess 😆

the patterns the clothings have also are (mostly. just in case if there's a part where it's not) symmetrical, visibly seen within the designs on the torso parts (in this case, Eriol & Sakura's chest (?) part, and Yuna D. Kaito's back). I could say it's the magicians' insignia but just in case it's not I'll just say symmetrical symbols 😅

but, surely that's not the only similarities, right?

well, aside from the pointy hats™ and the color scheme & patterns their robes have, I also realized that they're also all powerful magicians~

Eriol is Clow's reincarnation, and according to various Cardcaptor characters, he (Clow) was the most powerful magician to ever exist (but also the most fucked up one as well, i guess.)

Given that Clow's reincarnation were 2 people (he thought he could divide his magical abilities between them), Eriol still (unfortunately) got all of the magic, and most of Clow's memories, literally passing down his title of being the most powerful magician onto Eriol.

This manchild can do lots of things, and his memory of his past life helps him excel in some of everyday skills a "normal child" would struggle with (ie. baking, drawing, sewing, speaking a language, etc). But, no one knows that— not even Sakura until he told her that himself.

also I'd like to point out the fact that despite a lot of his robe's designs were in gold (color, who knows if it's really gold? I don't.), the lining of his outfit is in red.

not sure if Clow's robe is similar (if not the same) or anything but if it is, has his robe been passed down from generations before him? and if so, which side of Clow's family was the robe from?

Yuna D. Kaito is also a powerful magician— in fact, one of (if not the) highest ranks in the Magical Association. (that's the D. in his name— it wasn't his middle name and in fact, Yuna D. Kaito probably isn't his real name) He can do lots of things, but he specializes in Time Magic... which is considered a taboo since you'll get a fucked up alternative world when YOU fucked up using that kind of magic... and also a shorter life-span but let's not delve much into that so this post won't go to the depressing direction 😁

And in regards of his robe, one can argue that the robe isn't really exclusively HIS, since you can see in the picture I've used that there are other people with him wearing the same clothing (assuming it's his clan's) so i suggest burning their headquarters down to ashes to make it YDK's own robe 😆😆

note: a kind friend in the comments pointed out my mistake of associating Yuna D. Kaito and Lilie Shinomoto's clans as one: their clans differ from each other. Yuna D. Kaito's in particular are a congregation of magicians that aren't blood-related and are officially referred to as "Magic Association".

i have no idea what to call his or Lilie's clans yet, but for now I'll refer to those as their respective clans 😅

Now onto the main Protagonist of the series: Sakura Kinomoto. In Tomoyo's words, "The only Cardcaptor in the world"

Started as a girl that had little magic that managed to grew stronger and stronger, then now having one of the abilities Clow had— creating cards (or new magic) on her own.

Though one can argue that she won't be able to do that if Yuna D. Kaito wasn't pulling the strings in the background, keep in mind that Momo said she saw right past Eriol's magic protection [to contain Sakura's magic]. Plus, in the Sakura Arc (where she technically created new cards but under a "template"), Eriol was pulling the strings as well and yet her powers still managed to grow, probably beyond people's expectations.

Her ever-growing power might be hard to control for her, but she's doing her best to utilize it in protecting the ones she cherishes the most.

Now the upcoming argument about Sakura's"ceremonial attire"... well, technically Sakura doesn't have one, and you can't really call that outfit a robe, but most of the details in a ceremonial robe (at least CLAMP's robes) present: the neutral color, the symmetrical design, and the gold lining/design.

I like to consider it her own ceremonial robe— made in a very fitting and unique image of Sakura, that only she will wear.

speaking of different, there are other powerful magicians that doesn't follow the same "ceremonial outfit" pattern so I thought I'd show them too!

here we have the Shinomoto Ceremonial Outfit, worn by the beautiful Akiho Shinomoto in this color page!

sorry about the picture if it's not clean... i tried so hard to find a textless one (same as yuna d. kaito) but unfortunately I couldn't.

now about the details aside from the pointy hat: the neutral color + gold lining & symmetrical detail scheme is there, but the difference with the 1st three and their robe is that the neutral color used with the Shinomotos' were white, as opposed to the first three who used black.

i know you've seen this already but since I'm talking about Lilie here in specifics I'd like to put this here are well: a kind friend in the comments pointed out my mistake of associating Yuna D. Kaito and Lilie Shinomoto's clans as one: their clans differ from each other, and that Lilie's (though only officially referred to as "most ancient magician clan in Europe") clan is blood-related, as opposed to Yuna D. Kaito's.

again, no idea what I'll call their respective clans separately yet, so I'll probably refer to them as their respective clans for now— though i have a few ideas xd

another difference is that the hat may be a bit pointy, but it's not as pointy as the three, and that the hat has three pointy things instead of just one.... okay, maybe not that pointy, but, still pointy 😅

okay that's too many pointy, let's get back on track 😁

the difference is blatantly obvious about this one, and I really can't cross Lilie Shinomoto out from one of the most powerful magicians CCS has ever introduced, since she had strong premonition powers and she was also considered a very powerful magician that's feared within Yuna D. Kaito's Clan. I mean it would take lots of powerful magic to be even able to cross time and dreams for that long just to tell Sakura about the truth in their (now fabricated) timeline?

but i wonder why is their robe different than the others?

we'll get back to that later, if i remember it. 😆

speaking of pointy hats™, you know a magician who doesn't have a pointy hat?

He's none other than Li Clan's next leader and Sakura's most important person, Syaoran Li!

one can never talk about ceremonial outfits without remembering Syaoran's iconic ceremonial outfits! with S because he has two— 1st one (in the pictures) being the original clothing he has, and the 2nd one Tomoyo made for him that was inspired by the one he used to have.

our little wolf is special~ from being Sakura's rival in the Clow Card Arc to being Sakura's most important person? He has learned so much and grew stronger along the way.

now about the details: his clothing doesn't really follow the usual attire pattern: the dominant color of his robe is green, the designs are indeed symmetrical, but the linings are both orange and yellow instead of the usual neutral pallete... his hat also doesn't have a pointy thing on it and instead has a hanging detail on the back.

"what about the attire Tomoyo made for him? it has 2 pointy things!" yeah well you're right, and as much as I gave the effort to add his Clear Card arc ceremonial outfit, I'm realizing now that it's not really an official robe now, is it...

about the clear card ceremonial attire, one can argue the same thing as they thought about Sakura while reading this blabber (if anyone has gotten though this far), "That isn't even a ceremonial ROBE". and you're right, it isn't... since it was Tomoyo's work, inspired from the original one. 😅

so think of it the same way as Sakura— made in the fitting and unique image of Syaoran, that only he could wear.

I guess the main couple of the series have that one as a similarity in regards to this random topic I've thought about. 💚

sooooooo what does this mean? why is his so different than the others?

is he not as powerful as the ones listed?

well. probably.

but he's not entirely powerless— his entire bloodline is directly related to Clow, and in addition, his mother Yelan Li is also a powerful sorceress. So they're powerful.

I mean would the Li Clan even let someone not as powerful as Yelan to be the next in line to lead? Of course not, since being able to have magic and to be able to properly control it are probably some basic requirements to be even considered as a candidate.

But in CCS at the moment, his magic wasn't enough to turn all of the Sakura Cards into those little orbs he kept on his compass. He's even having a hard time converting just one. And if I remember this correctly, he was aided by her mother (by casting the magic he needed in the bears) when he snatched the Sakura Cards from their master.

I'd say he's not as powerful NOW probably because everything happened too fast, and that he didn't have much time to make his magic stronger to get at least within Sakura's power level. Besides, he has lots of potential, and we all know he's a strong one so it's about just a matter of time until he reach his full power.

Now this entire post got me thinking about things as I was typing it.

Mostly they're questions I had to ask, like "okay, now what?" "Why did I do this?" especially because the original plan i had was to only have Eriol, Yuna D. Kaito & Sakura here but I thought I'd be unfair to the Lilie & Akiho, and Syaoran since they both have their own as well...

I really didn't think that one through when I started typing, but the more I think of things to type, the more I asked myself, is the ceremonial clothing an indicator of how powerful you are?

and it's probably a "duh." moment, since the ones who have robes are part of clans AND are also powerful.

(note that Clow was from a union of a European Magician AND an Asian Magician so imo- technically he's still part of BOTH clans, if each of his parents were part of one)

it's probably more of "if you're in an association with lots of other magicians", considering the fact that some of the ceremonial clothings were passed down to the living blood-relative of the family— hence why Sakura doesn't have one and the rest has.

though eriol with that ceremonial outfit can be a bit questionable since he's a reincarnation n stuff, and so far I don't remember ERIOL (capitalized bc I've been linking him to Clow, but I'm talking abt him as JUST him) being part of a clan since he worked independently (as far as I can remember), from what I can recall it was mentioned in the anime that the ceremonial clothing resembled Clow's... correct me if I'm wrong, though.

with the additional input i got from Cinzia (the friend who also pointed out the difference between Akiho's & Yuna D. Kaito's clans),

I also now wonder if the colors used in their robes reflect their intentions? or, since Lilie & Akiho's clan has been around for ages, how long their bloodline has existed?

because if it's the former, then it really won't make sense for Sakura & Eriol (though Eriol is once again, questionable... since his previous body as Clow isn't particularly... good nor he is also evil— at least from my perspective), and the latter makes more sense in general.

another one question i have is the explanation for Meiling's ceremonial clothing? like do they give different styles of ceremonial clothes in the Li Clan based on your gender? your magical abilities? or how closely-related you are to whoever leads the clan? i mean, i know she's an anime-exclusive character but I still want to know because I'm curious...

lastly, i wonder if Nadeshiko has one... since she is also a powerful person (she really doesn't do much sorcery stuff as far as i can remember), though the extent of her magic is unclear like Lilie, it's clear that she's also powerful because she can still do lots of things even after life.

IF you're one of the few people who finished reading this i just want to say thank you, and i hope everything made sense since i am very bad at explaining my thoughts 😭.

I think that's it, my brain is tired now and i want to go back to sleep again so good day to everyone and until next time, if there will ever be a next time 😆

and, cut! 🎬

[ask-healthy-light]

With the box of the boardgame disguised as a book in his claws, Spike quickly flew over to a nearby table to make room, as he wanted to make sure that not a single figurine got damaged or lost, while also delicately depositing the dusty Diamond Dog; and after he spent some time sorting and ordering the pieces and cards on the table, at the bottom of the book, he found the tattered language guide.

Carefully yet hastily flipping through the pages of the booklet did not yield any results, so Spike sat down next to a small desk lamp to read through the list of portmanteaus that were used far more frequently than most others, which included the Stoarders and Gobbers Shining mentioned; but who or whatever the Detonature was, it was not on the list, so he read through the Lord's Lectern of Laws.

Admittedly, 'Lectern' was somewhat of an exaggeration, as the few rules the game did have would all fit on just a couple of sheets of paper, and the majority of these were only meant for the being in charge of guiding the company through adventures of their own creation; but some of the advice that was given to every player was to think broadly, and not to focus on smaller details far in advance.

Not only would the unfolding story grow more dynamically by the hooves and claws of the players, it gave the Lord, the one most involved in the creation of quests that players had to set out on, more space and freedom to make things up on the fly; and some of the knowledge that the booklet gave for any being who wished to pick up the game was how to learn Porkish, the game's constructed language.

So few and such simple rules that granted endless amusement and creativity, apart from this moment, as the gears in Spike's tired mind were all turning to figure out the word that Shining had created seemingly out of nowhere; but unfortunately, his fatigue and increasing frustration towards himself and the word made him get up and walk around, to let everything he read to sink in, far more often.

Eventually, though, just as he gazed out of the window, a thought popped into his mind, and he flew out of the Upper Hall, past the Royal Archives, and headed back to his and Eclipse's room to find a quill and ink; and he made sure to not wake up Eclipse, as they could hear twice as well as others, except for when they were deeply focused on reading, as neither of their heads would hear anything.

To his relief, he swiftly found what he sought, whereafter he softly closed the door, and flew back upstairs, where he sat down at the table, and started writing down the names of every being he knew was with Shining; for he suddenly had a feeling that the warning he gave had to be about one of the others in his company, but written in secrecy once again, just in case someone tried to read along.

But as he wrote down the names, a chill briefly ran down his spine when he realised that he spent a lot of time with most of these beings, save for a few, and he tried not to think about the warning, as he feared what could have happened somebody he cared about, or himself, if the warning was true; and he took a deep breath to calm his mind, before he went down the list to see if he found a link.

However, many of the beings on the list were also the ones he doubted the warnings were about most, such as Ember, since he had personally known her for a long time already, but also Nox, Daughter of Princess Luna, and Light, her close friend; and Captain Inferno, the Dragoness who had joined them, was clearly honourable and respectable, so much so that Nox and Luna trusted her to accompany them.

Although this still left half of the list, Spike crossed off Shining's name right away, as he could not figure out why he would write a warning about himself, and the little Pup, who was no threat to anyone but himself; but he still felt stuck between Summer Typhoon, another Kirin, but who was able to control wind, and not fire, and Boom, with whom he spent a lot of time back in Ponyville Palace.

Only when Spike read the names next to the code did he put his claw to his face, and whisper:

"Oh no… How did I not see this before…?"

(Thanks for reading! And if you enjoyed, please reblog! Thanks in advance!)

Send an ask or request! | Start at the beginning! | Next part!

[owmylasagna-blog]

You know, despite Nazz being the most bland and forgettable of the kids, I also think she's (ironically) the most versatile at the same time. She might be both a tomboy and a girly girl, she fits in two trios (sometimes she's hanging out with Kevin and Rolf, sometimes she's hanging out with Sarah and Jimmy- something that hardly applies to the other characters), she has a fair share of interests (sports, studying law, fashion, music, math according to her report card) and actually a good jokes and gags (she eats A LOT, she's poor in music, and according to ''Mission-Ed Possible'' she's also bad in cooking). There so much directions they could took with her... and she's the only nice girl on the show.

I guess since most of the writers were men, they preferred or were more comfortable writing for male characters most of time (or they just assumed most of the target public/audience were boys, like usually happened in that time).

Yeah I actually like Nazz as a character and of all the kids on the show she is absolutely the most pleasant one to be around! Unfortunately given the high octane slapstick, exaggerated personalities, and overall humor of the show she sort of gets lost. Nazz functions to fit some role in service of the plot rather than plots being driven by some key aspect of her personality or interests. Which as a side character makes some sense but I feel like each of the side characters get their moments to shine! When we get a Nazz focused episode it’s really more about how all the boys feel about her. Nazz’s desires, motives, history, and perspective aren’t super fleshed out which is my main critique.

For a show about the awkwardness of puberty she is astoundingly well adjusted. I always assumed she was slightly older than the Eds so maybe 13-14? She’s inexplicably very mature. I kind of wish we got a sense of why that was the case! Like, we know Edd is the responsible one in his respective trio because he has to an extremely independent kid at home (and has mad anxiety). I don’t know what drives Nazz to be thoughtful, kind, and relatively more mature. Does anyone else? In the series bible she is described as “most mature of the kids, or so she thinks” and man do I want to know more what that means! Like maybe she should have been shown being more self conscious about wanting to seem older/ more mature than her age. It doesn’t get explored really!

And then there is just the reality of being a middle schooler! Scott Underwood posted a drawing of Nazz where she has leg hair and I’m kind of mad nothing like that got incorporated in the show!! That sort of character design choice gets relegated to the Kanker sisters (obsessed with that photo of Lee shaving her legs in the fucking kitchen sink, what an icon).

It’s why I find the interface of the Kankers and Nazz so interesting - I risk sounding like a broken record but I’ve been saying the same shit for like 10 years now. And while the Kankers aren’t necessarily the most well rounded either they ARE much more interesting to me because the crew wasn’t afraid to make them unlikable or gross or tackle their pubescent growing pains or their messed up love/hate relationship to men.

Idk this is just my take! I could be missing some things, so I’m curious how other folks feel about Nazz!

[dailycass-cain]

With one more issue to go, Batgirls #18 continues with its current plot while the issue really sinking in that it's building to a finale. So what did I think about it?

Well...

I'll start with I loved the throwbacks this issue had. It was throwback city, with nods to all three Batgirl runs here (though Steph gets two nods).  Course, I'm going to go into the Cass throwback as it was well played into the story itself.

Namely, the bank robber sequence in the issue being a nice throwback to the Andersen Gabrych run for Cass.

It's weird to see a lot of homages going on to this run. I don't mind it, but I'm glad writers are taking the best parts of the run to play with (this and Spirit World playing with the time Cass died).

But on the Steph side, you do get this "finality" more but then again out of the three, I get why the writers chose hers.

Because well, even if it was abrupt Steph's still has the best ending beating Cass/Babs by a country mile.

That's the one thing now obviously creeping up this issue. There is a finality we're getting here. I'm kind of glad at the very least the creators are given to end the book at least on their own terms as best they can.

Compared to say either final issues of Babs which just didn't feel like final issues at all. More just one chapter closing and another opening. Here it feels like something is ending. Even if well...

We know all three are continuing on in other places. Be it Babs still in Nightwing (and Tec). Cass in Spirit World (and also Tec), and Steph maybe Joker? But at the very least the interactions with their supporting characters and the story feels like a good wrap-up.

For the full story itself? I'm glad that the story isn't mincing on who the sniper could possibly be or the fact that this issue reveals there are two out there.

With one issue left and no full reveal, I'm curious how Michael Conrad/Becky Cloonan will wrap up this sniper subplot by revealing WHY they want the Batgirls out of the picture. Will it be by weird motive (Gun Bunny) or by characterization (Assisi)?

Regardless, I think we'll get a good ending whatever we get for Babs, Cass, and Steph. Which is a shame given how better in quality this book increased after the arc that did the comic in.

I'd say other than the throwbacks the little characterization between both Cass/Steph is what makes the issue and an actual reason for Babs to be Batgirl in the field.

Overall, the issue was solid.  The characterization of all three Batgirls (along with their supporting cast) is what makes the issue good for me.

Artist Robbi Rodriguez's art is better here than in the prior arc for me. It's not on the level of Jorge Corona or Jonathan Case (even Neil Googe managed to be a perfect bridge). But it'll do and he deserves it after the um lackluster ending he had to draw in the last Batgirl ongoing.

I am sad that the series is ending, but I treated each issue like it was a gift. Because it was for me. Being a Cass fan after so many debacles involving the character. I'd never thought we'd ever see Cass be in an ongoing Batgirls comic again.

Was it superior to her's or Steph's? No. But I think that was never the point of the writers to "reinvent" the wheel. They were just doing a series that was fun and for that I'll enjoy the interactions we got.  Save for one story (#14) and they had a fantastic artist to tell it.

For this issue we get all three Batgirls shining nicely (with a bit more on the Cass/Steph side). I also did enjoy the moment both had with Bruce. Something I wish we got in the mainline Batman book (which is now all about them boyz).

I just hope Cass/Steph isn't lost in the shuffle again and that this comic does get relaunched (with a new creative team then so be it).

The characters truly deserve it.

[quetzalpapalotl]

Tf eu #5 rambles under the cut

Obviously, the most important thing is that MY WIFE IS HEEEERE YEAAAAAH. Love how they lettered her name here omg

She's wonderful!!!! Her bait and switch intro was funny (but please don't actually corner The Girl One into a love interest) and her stunt saving Carly was so cool, I'm glad we're establishing her right. I wish she didn't look so much Like That, but at least DWJ is as willing to deform her for action as anyone else. Her buccal fat removal look makes her look like a skull, which would be cool if it were on puporse, but it's not so. I like the shade they picked for her, is more of a lilac but it looks pink with the rest of the color palette and meshes well with the setting.

This series is really good at the appel to the inner child thing, because I'm like genuinely excited to see the Autobots have the advantage for once!! But ofc, they can't really because the arc ends next issue and they're not gonna have a decisive win until that.

Tho, Optimus and Cliffjumper are carrying the Autobots in regards to being the heroes we root for. I mean, Arcee and Jazz are very cool and that has their appeal, but I do wish once things have settled and they can interact in more situations that aren't just life and death, because so far I feel like we only get a good grasp of who Optimus and Cliffjumper are as individuals, their personalities. I want to see what makes each Autobot unique.

Speaking of, still absolutely eating the Carly and CJ dynamic. She is great and when she said that what does if matter if she's at risk when her family is dead and Spike is in a coma, that reallly got to me. It's unwise, but Cliffjumper relating to her and bringing her to give her a sense of closure it's really good. I think that this kind of bringing the kid character into danger would be because Carly sneaked her way, or because Cliffjumper would disregard orders for the hell of it. But like this feeeling of "I know how she feels and I would want come in her place too" works really well.

Also, I care about Sparky now, lol. Not that at hated him before. I'm not a fan of the first page, as cool at it look, because comparing OP to the US military like the later are the good guy is mmmm... but I'm loving his rapport with Optimus. And also there's how he looks when he's told the generator will give them a decade of power. It's not like "amazing tech woaaah!" It's softer like... this isn't an affluent town, these are people who are used to struggle and they just lost their power source. Ten years of power like that is a godsend that he can hardly believe that will do the whole town a lot of good and he cares about that. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but you know.

And ooooh dear, I was already unwell over Optimus getting his Megatron's canon arm grafted, but I understimated what seein him actually shoot the canon would do to me. I need... several moments.... the fight scenes are pretty gone but this one was particulary brutal. Optimus is really fearsome. And given how he has been so carefully characterized as this bleeding heart figure, seeing him decimating his enemies so efficient is quite something. And by something I mean gap moe. We love to see it.

RIP Reflector, your camera jokes will be missed, but that sequence was amazing lmao

Love seeing Optimus hit Starscream where it hurts. But OP saying that last time Starscream was cowering from Megatron's canon brings a lot of questions about the sequence of events in the Ark (which we'll get to see in teh special it seems). And I've been wondering if Starscream had something to do with Megatron falling or dissapearing or whatever, this does make it seem more like it and well, if that's the case I wonder how the rest of the Cons will react.

Man, the Autobots really shined this time and I already forgot what I was thinking about the Decepticons!! But hey!!! Thundercracker is here!!!!!!!! My guy!!! Given that his characterization as per toy bio is the guy that's not so sure about the cause, I wonder how he'll take it when he find out what really happened to Skywarp.

Also, are the Constructicons newly made??

Anyway, good stuff.

[altaniadventures]

Prompt #1: Steer

Submit your entry here: https://forms.gle/jDWjFKfmeaGnH3PL9

Rules & Info || Prompt List || #FFxivWrite2024 || kofi

SLIGHT Dawntrail spoilers. It probably wouldn't be obvious if you haven't played but putting under a cut just in case.

-----------

Prompt #1: Steer

She missed the sea sometimes. It was the first home she'd ever found in Eorzea. The life of a privateer was in many ways uncomplicated. You got on the boat. You followed the captain's orders. You captured cargo from Garleans (and other people, if we were being truthful). After that, you got paid, went to port, partied, and then got back on the boat to do it all again.

As she stared at the arid landscape of cactuars and brush, she wondered what she was doing here. A herd of wild rroneek lazily walked past.

"I would have thought you'd go back to Tuliyollal with the others."

Erenville sat down next to her in the dry grass. She'd not heard him come up behind her. Perhaps her hunting skills were getting soft, or maybe he truly was that good.

Altani frowned at his question. Everyone else was going back to celebrate. They'd won, after all. She told the rest of the Scions that she'd meet them back at the city, but she'd taken a detour at the drilling town.

"I don't like being told what to do," she replied.

"How fortuitous that saving the world seems to be your favorite pastime rather than a task given by others," he said.

A corner of her mouth twitched up. She liked Erenville. He was no warrior, but he certainly had the mouth of one. Dry and serious, just like this desert. She probably wouldn't have enjoyed him so much in those sea-faring days, back when she laughed more and liked to drink herself silly whenever she had a free moment.

Free moments were hard to come by, nowadays.

They sat in silence together and watched the herd. The wind smelled like ceruleum and dried out clay, but still felt cool on their faces. It was the beginnings of twilight.

"My path often seems to be driven towards one direction, but I like to take detours," she finally said. "Where I grew up, there are no roads. I miss being able to go anywhere and take my time." She looked over at him. "I wish we could have travelled together longer."

Erenville tilted his head. "Did we not travel the length of Tural together?"

She shrugged. "Doesn't count if I have to save the world. I liked riding the rroneek and kicking that gang's ass. Should have let me destroy them all. Would have saved a lot of time, and we could have done more camping."

He smiled faintly. "My apologies for preventing the wanton slaughter of criminals."

She playfully huffed and bumped his shoulder with her own. "Damn straight."

The sun slowly began to dip between clouds. They sat and watched it together. As the stars started to shine, Altani slowly began to gather her things. Erenville looked at her, thinking.

"There is a rare sub-species of horned lizard I have yet to gather scales of," he suddenly said. "It might take a day or two."

She looked at him and smiled. "I'll set up camp."

[pyropsychiccollector]

If I remember correctly you said that your favorite Naruto pairings are with Ino and Anko. Unless I remember it wrong (which I might have) what makes you like pairing them with Naruto? Especially more than some like Hinata and Sakura?

Hmm. How to put this. I can appreciate the appeal of NaruHina, given what a nice girl Hinata is, always watching Naruto from afar and cheering him on. I'm not opposed to that dynamic, nor NaruSaku if Sakura improves as a character...

However, I'm one of those people that if a ship doesn't hit me in the feels, like with NagiKae (Assassination Classroom), or Naezono, I tend to gravitate towards... crackships. Why? 'Cause I like those female characters, whether it be their abilities or their personalities. In the case of Ino and Anko, it's both. Ino can use Mind Transfer Jutsu, which is unique, and she matures as the series progresses. Anko prefers a mix of traditional stealthy ninja arts and snakes, and she's a loveable sadistic psycho lady. What's not to love about the psycho? (❋•‿•❋) Ino and Anko both get forced to the background as the series progresses, and it's really just a shame. Of course you have central characters to any story, but I think it's possible for any garden variety fan to take a step back from the series and admit that as Shippuden progressed, Naruto and Sasuke were focused on way too much. Again, I appreciate they're important... But you can have important characters and still give moments for the others to shine. Shippuden just had less and less of those. Many, many side characters were sacrificed for "plot".

In terms of Hinata and Sakura... Well. I'll be as frank yet delicate as I can. Hinata's a lovely character, but I think one weakness of how they portray her is that she's hung up on Naruto. She cares for others, especially her team, but so much of her interest and focus is on... Naruto. And again, it's fine to have a most important person in your life, I'm not critiquing that. I only wish we were shown... more of her. Shown her grow out of this mindset where her father ruled much of her life, and she gains a sense of.. self. I dunno, feel free to disagree, that's just why I'm not over the moon for Hinata. She's cute, strong, cares a lot... It's just that with Naruto and Sasuke being a focus for much of Shippuden, Hinata doesn't get fleshed out like many characters deserve to be.

... And Sakura. Ugh... I'll restrain myself from a SakuSasu rant monologue, but seriously. Ships like SasuSaku and Jerza are a pain in the ass to watch and read. That's just me. Sakura had... potential, I suppose. Someone from a civilian family amongst a class of clan heirs. But... she endeavored to be a ninja, and then got caught up in a bratty rivalry with Ino as kids. Honestly? That was alright. That wasn't the worst possible thing. They were kids, and they wound up reconciling during the Chunin Exams. Unfortunately... On Sakura's side, her hatred of Ino and the reason for the rivalry was just so... shallow. Yes, they both swooned and fell hard for a boy, but at least Ino worked in her family's flower shop. At least Ino took training to be a ninja seriously. Sakura...? She was the one more obsessed with becoming a housewife and being strong for "Sasuke-kun". Her obsession with Sasuke drove her to treat Naruto and other rivals for Sasuke's heart like dirt, and it didn't feel like she made too much of an effort in reparations towards Naruto or Ino. They all just... sort of moved on, stayed friends, what have you. Even though Naruto wound up holding himself to a promise of dragging Sasuke back to Konoha, and Sakura really only cared about Sasuke coming back (and later she had a phase of, "I must kill Sasuke before he goes too dark!" and backpedaled on that). I get that she's a medic and she is strong in having Tsunade-level strength, it's just Sakura doesn't get many moments to shine, and much like Hinata her affection towards Sasuke regardless of what he does feels so... one-dimensional. At least to me. I want to be a passionate NaruSaku shipper. It's helluva lot healthier than SasuSaku, at least in how I've seen it portrayed. But man... it's hard to get behind NaruSaku when you sit through canon and stew over Sakura focusing on Sasuke so much. You can argue Naruto makes a good effort to convey his feelings for her through his actions, but from Sakura's side it's shallow or feels it needs to be cooked more. They're teammates, the dynamic should be there... But it just feels like Naruto's the third wheel along for the ride on Team 7. It sucks. XD

I'll end this long-winded rant by stressing that I don't hate NaruHina or NaruSaku. I'm aware of the rivalry between those two shipping fandoms, and I'm one of those fans that concedes the possible merits of both ships. ... But I do enjoy other female characters over them, hence it's more fun for me to dabble in NaruIno, NaruAnko, NaruTayuya, NaruKurotsuchi, NaruSamui, NaruShizune, NaruAyame... Hell, I'm open to NaruGuren and NaruMikoto. I've read some good NaruMikoto time travel fics, and I have ways of enjoying these ships with older girls that keep these ships from edging into pedophile territory. In the case of these crackships, I'm not basing them off of any canon hints of romance. I create the connections myself and let the imagination fly~ That's just who I am. (❋•‿•❋)

Credit to @shinobisage09 for the card! :3

[chippdhearts]

(hi I'm the sofia anon) thank you for the detailed answer! 💖 unfortunately I had to take a break in early s9 because everyone was leaving and/or depressed and that made me too sad :/

it's a shame sofia won't be back tho, she was one of my favs despite the little screen time she had, she had so much potential and certainly the actress had the acting chops to pull off a great storyline :/ somehow there's always some bts bullshit that affects my favourite (especially female!) characters on my favourite shows

I guess I will just rewatch the first 8 seasons instead of the later ones lol

omg heyyyy! you came back 🥰 you're welcome! I love to info dump about characters I love, hehe.

honestly season 9-11 are probably my least favourite. IF you'd feel up to skipping them season 12 might be my personal favourite season of the whole show (aside from one thing. again doing a below the cut with more detail bc idk how much spoilers you want) we get some GREAT new characters (two new women who I think are both really fun) and they have some FUN cases in that season! season 13 is also pretty solid. 14 and 15 have moments that I like and dislike.

Who are your other faves? I totally agree, I think if they wrote better storylines for her then Sofia would have been an incredible asset. I wish they let her shine more. Her actress, Louise, is super underrated (I've been watching a bunch of her stuff recently) I think she's a really great character actress and she's sadly never been given the break/role that I think she deserves.

Okay this is my under the cut about season 12 in more detail. We lose my ultimate fave character, (possibly of all time) Catherine, in this season so it's sad in that regard. BUT they give her an incredible exit (and she comes back to guest star twice, and is back for the reboot.)

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE. We get Russell, Morgan AND Finn this season. Morgan is babey and I love her very dearly (I'm upset that her and Sofia never got to meet bc Sofia would 1000% have been big sis to her and I think it would have been so cute. Russell (Ted Danson) is amaaaazing (one of the only men I will ever love, he is very dad to the team and I love that a lot for them). AND FINN... she's low key chaos maker but I respect her a lot. Also her and russell, one of my FAVE dynamics on the whole show. anyway they all deserved better, esp Finn. But that's a whole other issue.

[enarmor]

“ It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry. I hope this isn't awkward or anything, but I was thinking of how you helped me all the way back then, and I really wanted to do something to make it up to you, ”  Pelleas explains to Sain after approaching him the day of the Winter Festival.  “ I hope you'll accept this then. I understand if you don't though. That's fine. ”

The gift the shaman presents the cavalier, once unwrapped, turns out to be a book of sorts with pockets dedicated to be filled with something— a something soon explained by its gifter.

“ Since you seemed as invested in flowers as I am, I thought you might like a do-it-yourself encyclopedia for them. The idea behind it is that all those slots are designed to let you preserve pressed flowers into them, and it's spelled to protect them and the book from most kinds of damage it might take so you can bring the tome with you anywhere. I thought it sounded a bit fun if you're the type to go a lot of places and can find rare flowers... and you can even write in the space next to them where you found it or any flower meanings and things like that. I almost nearly bought one for myself too, actually...

“ Oh, but I'm rambling right now, aren't I? Sorry. I know I do that a lot. I just can't help getting excited over a shared interest like this. Anyway, I'll leave you be for today, but I do wish you a happy Winter Festival in any case. ”

"Hm?"

Sain hears the ring of a familiar tolling-bell. Its hoarseness melds into the early morning light petering into the greenhouse, masking what uncertainty it carries with the prospect of a new day. When he turns around, Pelleas is almost shining. He retains that dream-like quality of their first meeting.

The Lance grins. He believes it amusing that the other would be so apologetic and apprehensive about giving a gift. Sain should be thanking him, not trying to shoo him away. And yet he seems to have prepared for the worst. This prompts him into nodding and earnestly listening to his explanation of the gift.

He accepts it into his hands, leafing through its pages whenever Pelleas' explanation gives him the cue.

And once finished, he claps it shut with one hand. The other moves to rustle his friend's hair.

"If I asked you to stop saying sorry, I think you'd only apologize for being a bother." He laughs a little, even if his words are weighted with genuine intent. "So thank you, Pelleas. The care you put into this is more meticulous than a master craftsman! If more people worried about as many details as you, I'd bet the roads we ride on would all be works of art."

He then turns away from the heir, eyes darting around the room. As he walks in a small line he brushes the petals of every plant he can. It's like he's perusing the wares of a general store. A short moment later, and he lands on a pair of pink, star-shaped flowers. "Mm, these'll do," he mutters to himself.

"Pelleas, get a good look at these. They're Pink Lucks--symbols of enthusiasm." After pressing one into the first slot of his scrapbook, he hands the other off to the Daein, as well as the remainder of his holiday bonus--kept in a small pouch.

"I want you to go back and buy a book for yourself. Press this Pink Luck into the same spot as mine, and we'll be lifelong partners! Maybe in a few years we can compare notes, maybe see whose flower dictionary is more romantic."

To perhaps appear more agreeable, he tilts his head to one side and allows his eyelids to flutter shut. With a wave, they see each other off.

"Happy Winter Festival, and don't forget the 'enthusiasm' I've given you!"

[astrxlfinale]

❛ you're completely out of your element here, aren't you? ❜ another from guinaifen !

Just hearing that mention was enough to make his mouth pucker, pursed in a way that visibly shows all the signs, yet, a prideful sort who doesn't want to immediately admit that fact. Caelus was very much finding himself in a daunting matter that was being approached with surprising diligence.

Planning. Different in the usual frameworks of being within the eye of the storm.

He decided to join her upon another excursion today, to bolster a more unknown, underestimated place of the Luofu and give them that apt opportunity to glimmer for their efforts. If only it could've been some legendary meal that just bolstered him to defeat some wayward mech. (It was just a damn good chicken bowl. Nearly brought him to tears!) Instead, the current pursuit was a lot more intimate in nature, a matter he wished to truly take to heart once involved in these ventures as her camera man.

How does one exactly become that eye that exposes the hidden glamors within a location? Strange as it is to say, experiencing firsthand and then following it with meticulous studies made to be shared felt like a matter of a David on one end, and a Goliath on the other. That notebook carried alongside a pen serving as tokens of his diligence. The muse was not just Guinaifen herself, it was the building, the workers and their shining skillsets, how does someone amplify that aesthetic taste and make it all meld?

The pages were littered with gained ideas, scraped ones, and a growing understanding after shifting through a touch of council with his companion time and time again. The way she seamlessly managed it was feeling increasingly otherworldly. To have a vivid picture of how she plans her approaches, to seamlessly make the mundane bombastic wasn't a skill he saw the full light of until these recent times. He feels compelled to pay homage to that effort.

Yet if there was one thing Caelus was not, it was a quitter. In a way this was a way to truly get a taste of how Guinaifen perceives the world as well. That was the kindle for this current flame, a motivator that was simply fulfilling above anything else. "No damn clue what'cha talking about." He stubbornly relents, shooting a glance towards her, before using the eraser end of that pen to give her a gentle bop upon the forehead. (That was definitely for that amused look she was sporting.)

"I talked my game and I intend to see it through. S'kinda like we're sharing an eye here, 'cept I need to get all the blurriness outta the way first. Mind you, I've been piling on my ideas." He mentions, hefting up his trust notebook in such a case as it's flipped open

The pages were enriched with ideas and interest all about this particular eatery. Things to highlight, angles to draw briefly over in the interchangeable moments for filming, exactly where she'd have more of a welcoming shine when it comes to her own positioning. Given his means to normally situate in places most would struggle, even the idea of overhead views were thrust into the mix.

The homey little eatery sandwiched between some behemoth buildings felt like a classic underdog story. Maybe that was another reason; that innate urge to cheer for the runner up in such scenarios.

So that's why they remained here, squatting upon their target building's rooftop as the fine details were reviewed.

"As partners we gotta align 'enough' when it comes to the 'eye to eye', yeah? That means I gotta get involved with how ya see the world."

@avaere

[staringdownabarrel]

I've just finished A Crown Imperiled by Raymond E. Feist. Given this is the second-to-last book in this series, you should know the drill by now.

Martin continues being the best part of this trilogy, just by virtue of having the most swashbuckly plotline. The kinds of things he does in this book, mostly centred around the defense of Ylith, are the kinds of things I wish had been done much more extensively in previous books. Yes, there have been city sieges in previous books, but there hasn't been a solid one of these in the series since King of Foxes, and only occasionally before then.

Still, the other characters do get their moments to shine. The one thing that really stuck out to me about this book was one scene towards the end, where Magnus starts becoming dubious about the morality of all Pug's scheming.

This was the kind of scene that I really wish had been a part of one of the earlier books. For the most part, it's been taken as a given that whatever Pug does is a net benefit just due to it being him doing it. I'm not really sure this ever should have been the case, both because there's never really been any effective accountability for him and also because he effectively is one of the most powerful people in this setting.

Despite how these books often assert that Miranda is the temperamental one in the Pug-Miranda marriage, that's often a very informed flaw. While Miranda can let her anger out when it comes to her personal relationships, when it comes to the big stuff that would have big impacts on Midkemia, her actions are often very deliberate.

This isn't the case as much with Pug. He tends to be measured in his personal relationships, but sometimes his anger does come out in force. The obvious example of this is that in Magician, he destroys a stadium, killing hundreds, before considering if this is necessarily the best way to go about causing the societal change he wants to bring about.

That's something that conversation between Pug and Magnus explicitly touches upon. This has been an ongoing thing with Pug, though. Much later on, he has a similar, though less destructive, show of anger against Patrick in Krondor at the end of Shards of a Broken Crown. In later books, it's admitted that Patrick had calmed down a lot as he got older.

I think this was one of the best character development scenes in the entire series. While the series does openly admit that Pug starts doing questionable things for the cause as things go on, it never really questions the necessity of them until now. Especially given that he's one of the main focuses of the Darkwar and Demonwar series, it would have made sense to have this be a part of his character arc then.

Beyond this though, I feel like A Crown Imperiled has a lot of middle book syndrome. The other two major plotlines are clearly mostly just building up the tension until the next, final book. Hopefully the final book isn't a shit show.

[lifeisallaboutescapades]

Hmm....so it's my birthday tomorrow.

And here I am to sum up my latest spin around the sun.This year was all about adapting to certain revelations of life that dropped on me like war bombs.

First being Death.My Grandpa (mums dad) died on the 5th day of the year.It was first time for me to experience someone's death so closely.It was all to surreal for me.Like the person that was so fit and fine doing every normal human chore actively days ago was lying lifeless in front of me.Closed eyes and no breathing.Everyone lamenting. I saw the remnants of his burnt bones after the funeral (which I was not allowed to attend).And just like that he was gone-mixed with the elements of the earth.In a swift move, he just disappeared, leaving the footprints of his memories in our minds.

Detachment from something I was too attached to.I left my place- My home sweet home where I lived all my life.I never thought it would be so difficult to move houses because it's just not that but also to untie the bond and attachment I had with the home that witnessed all my moments and memories.Not only I lived in it but it lived in me too.

Thirdly I got a taste failure.No I did not fail my exams but I did not score the grades I expected.Being an ace student, I was always looked up with expecting eyes .Until covid hit the earth and I started to lag, literally procrastinating all the time.And I saw the end of me when offline exams were announced.Still I tried to, cried out of load and frustrations.But I couldn't reach the set goal.For the very first time, I couldn't do something so achievable in my potential.I could already imagine the disappointed faces of my parents and mentors.

Experience of chronic fatigue. I slept more with the excuse to clear my mind up.I felt numb most of the time.Maybe I was too tired of everything.Just laid on the bed all day with untouched books surrounding me.The books were there right in front of me but I couldn't touch them least read them.It was some induced fear or hopelessness that had let me to see my downfall.I had knowingly given up.

World of escape.In those depressing days of my life, I met the 7 men in the shining armour.I met bts.My lips were stretched into a tiny smile when I saw them through the screen. And just simple as that they made my day.I started watching their videos.Reading their fanfictions.Everyday.Like they were some kind of painkiller I desperately needed to take to fill the void-the emptiness inside me.They made me happy.I was completely in gulped in the distraction of Bts.They are my escape.

Climber of insecurities.Hah, so after everything when my results finally came out I had scored good-average in that case without doing any real studying.But what dropped the bomb was my bestfriend (who was an average student) got more percentage than me.And everyone was quite shocked at that.I was really happy for her of course.But the utmost disappointment I felt towards myself had soaked all my good emotions and after that I cried my eyes out.Even crying had become hard.I had so much to pent up emotions inside but tears wont come as if my eyes had dried out just like the drought of my soul.

I became more silent and less interactive.Undercomfident and very insecure.The biggest of it all being Self doubt. Whether I will be able to do what I ever wished to.I changed a lot.

Losing trust.Somewhere in this all growing up phase, I couldn't understand what were peoples' intention in their mind and implications in their actions.It seemed fake.They all turned bad or maybe I just got to know who they really were afterall.

Humility, I strongly believe in it.In the society where all people are busy showing off, bragging and boasting about nonexisting things, I stay silent,become an observer than an entertainer.

Writing..I have created this small bubble around me now.I live in it and think in it and sometimes my overflooded thoughts spills on the paper in form of words.And just like that I have developed this carthartic way of coping up with this repressive world.Through writing,I have found the littlest passion inside me bloom again.And so I have found this platform to create blogs- pieces of creation.

Whatever I faced this year was maybe quite depressing but I have come out of it now more rigid and ready.I have climped up many stairs of new (hapazard) experiences this year.And I'm ready to climb another good set of them.

So A Happy Birthday to me!!!