#I’m only tagging so much because I don’t have many one piece followers (yet) and I’m trying to make friends haha

[jamiewintons]

Okay, does anyone have any headcanons for Sanji in a relationship with a neurodivergent reader who has sensory issues with food? Because I’m autistic/ADHD and have trouble with "fancy" food (like the kind of stuff that Sanji would cook) and I just wonder how he’d react to someone like that 😆

[boltonbritreads]

🗣️Eddie Munson Fic Recs

This is gonna have a sappy start before I get into the fic rec portion: but I just wanted to say that at the end of May 2022, I was finishing up my first year of law school. It was rough, challenging, lonely, and basically everything you’d expect and I was in a bad place and the fandom I’d been in was slowing down just naturally. I truly wish I could remember how I even became aware of Eddie Munson because stranger things wasn’t really on my radar anymore and whoever I followed at the time that started to veer off into Eddie-mania, thank you. In the two years since then, I’ve graduated and become the worlds babiest lawyer and I genuinely owe a lot to this fandom and community on here for giving me a fun, usually safe, creative place to escape to when it got rough.

I’m just hoping to maybe remind people that there are already an incredible, incredible amount of existing stories to read and talk about that deserve your attention and love if you’re looking to read some Eddie stories. Some of these will be fics I’ve recommended before but I’m going to try my best to pull together writers and fics that I love and think everyone should read in the hopes that someone like me who still scrolls through eddie tags looking for my nightly bedtime story can find something new to them to read! ✨

Previous Fic Rec list here!! some overlap but there’s no such thing as too much hype for these writers

@munson-blurbs I hope it’s ok but I’m linking Bug’s full masterlist here because I have genuinely loved everything she has written. There are blurbs, series, and special events which are all incredible and worth a read! Bug is currently still writing the “Living after Midnight” series which is my current obsession and features rockstar!eddie x motelheiress!reader and it’s angst and lust galore

@corroded-hellfire also sharing the Eddie Masterlist here because there’s so many fics to read!! As You Wish, Big Brown Eyes, Where the Heart Is are all incredible but truly there’s so much here to enjoy

@upsidedownwithsteve SIMMER!! jk I’m actually linking the Eddie Masterlist here too because I love them all but “I Want You To Want Me” and “Simmer” are out of this world

@pinkrelish The Yes Policy I love it, you love it, we all love it and if you haven’t caught up yet oh my god I wish I was you and could read these chapters for the first time again

@ghost-proofbaby I’ve previously told people to go read 24 Hours, and you should, that’s an order; but Maroon is ongoing! and it’s actually infiltrating my every thought so go on over and get caught up bc I think it’s safe to say things are getting amped up

@trashmouth-richie I have also previously recommended Honey, I’m Home because it’s a work of art but Ziggy has a new mini series “Crash + Fall” that I’m completely obsessed with the concept for and I’ve loved every piece so far!

@tiannasfanfic I just reblogged Conviction again but I genuinely am not exaggerating when I say I think about this story and these two monthly and try and find this story all the time to re-read it endlessly. It’s a really lovely story of unplanned pregnancy and two characters not realizing they’ve been smitten for each other the whole time and I love it

@carolmunson I’m sharing another Eddie Masterlist here because I’d be making this post far too long but Carol’s stories are all incredible, complex, and honest. “Let’s go, don’t wait” just got updated and I had to read it like 3 times last night because it was too good to just read one and done

@rebelfell I just discovered Sarah’s blog after reading the most recent “Frenemy” fic and idk what I was doing wrong to not already follow her and not have already read her whole Masterlist but I’m linking the whole thing bc she’s so good!!

@the-au-thor I also only just discovered Elle’s blog and that’s criminal but thank god I found Babysitting Mun because I am a sucker for rockstar!eddie and this series has me on the edge of my seat rn

@storiesbyrhi I’m sharing the Masterlist folks because I have genuinely loved every single story and series and I have read them all now (some several times). So many of Rhi’s stories have a wonderful warm witchy vibe that I crave and I’ve read Siouxsie and the Soulmates, The Cabin in the Woods, Our Patron Saint of the Arts, Vintage Reeboks, and Burning Yarrow (insert screaming fan gif) multiple times now

@heart-eyed-love this fic is the epitome of a soft, cozy, domestic night with Eddie and if you need a hug read this 🥹

@eddieandbird I JUST got caught up on Eddie/Tour Manager series and I’m fully obsessed and desperate to know how they’re gonna navigate this - for folks new to the story, Eddie and his tour manager accidentally drunkenly get married- what could go wrong??

@eiightysixbaby the scream I scrumped when I finished reading Princess Leia, and Other Wishes - look bffs to lovers is already my absolute weakness on this earth but then you had to make it witty and funny and FLUFFY I just can do nothing but re-read and pine

@superblysubpar I’m still obsessed with this addition to The Boy is Mine writing challenge and oh god it’s so good 😩

…and while we’re talking about it - here’s the entire The Boy is Mine masterlist with an INSANE amount of incredible stories to read

@the-unforgivenn !!! tumblr hates me and deleted this bullet (so if you already saw this post, no you didn’t) but And I Need You to Know is a proper novel! I can’t imagine how much time, love, effort, planning, and work went into creating this insane and absolutely incredible world but everyone needs to read this!! and then follow up with She’s So Cold bc I love it and I am so reader

~~ this is not the end nor an exhaustive list! I just wanted to put something out there now that I plan to build on because I know I’m always scrolling and searching for new things to read or old things to revisit ♥️ ~~

[ladykailitha]

Ser Stephan of Harring’s Town Part 5

Tag limit is 20 (which we haven’t hit yet)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

This was fun because it is based a on actual one-shot I DM’ed. Yeah, the barbarian knew what was up in that one, too.

*

Eddie was having fun. He had devised the most heinous, hideous, horrifyingly good murder house. Essentially the party had been drugged at the local tavern and locked up inside this house where everything was trap that could (and if he was honest, probably would) kill them.

Everyone started off separately and finally got together to try to escape this house once and for all.

“The room you are in has three winged-back chairs, a side table filled with all sorts of liquor in various bottles and containers. There is a beautiful dwarfish rug on the hardwood floor. There is a small round table with two glasses one filled, the other empty. There are many paintings decorating the room, all of them of the same man in different stages of life. Some young, some of his handsome youth and distinguished middle age, but only one of him in his advancing years.”

“I step into the room,” Mike said.

“Do the rest of you follow?” Eddie asked.

Everyone nodded.

“Everybody make reflex saves!”

The party groaned but did as they were told. Thankfully they all passed. Erica and Steve by the skin of their teeth, but they passed.

“The door slammed shut behind you with a large gate dropping down in front of the door, sealing you in. A beautiful crystal hour glass with green sand slowly lowers from the ceiling. The sand barely beginning its decent to the bottom. A voice rings out: ‘You have one hour to escape this room and my mansion for good,’” Eddie said the last part with a rich, posh accent aged up and worn. “Roll spot checks!”

They all roll but only Will and Lucas succeeded. He pulled them aside (Steve hasn’t quite learned how to not meta game yet) and whispered to them. They walk back to the table.

“I tell the party–” Lucas began.

Eddie tutted. “Ah-ah-ah,” he said wagging his finger. “Role play it.”

Lucas sighed. “You don’t make Steve role play it.”

“That’s because we’re still teaching him the game mechanics,” Dustin defended. “We’ll make him role play next time.”

“Yeah,” Will agreed. “You’ve been playing long enough to be able to.”

Steve flashed Lucas a reassuring smile. “Plus, I’m supposed to be a fantasy version of me, doesn’t take much role playing that. Come on, you can do it.”

Lucas took a deep breath. “It’s not just the hour glass that’s filling with sand, if you look at the walls, you’ll see that they have sand pouring down them.”

Eddie grinned. “Everyone now can see that the ranger is indeed correct yellow sand is sliding down the walls and will fill the room in the hour allotted.”

“Can I blast our way out?” Will asked.

Eddie shrugged. “You could try, but a fireball in a small room like this, is more likely to kill the party.”

Will nodded.

“Well,” Dustin said. “Most of the traps have been puzzles, so there is probably a puzzle here we need to solve.”

Steve frowned. He didn’t want to ask his question out loud in case they made fun of him. So he pulled out a piece of paper from his bag and jotted down a note and handed it to Eddie.

Everyone else was talking over each other trying to find the puzzle.

Eddie looked up from the note and smiled softly. “Make a spot check, Steve.”

Mike whipped his head to face them. “What?”

Steve rolled the dice. “I got a seventeen.”

Eddie nodded and wrote something on the paper that Steve had handed him.

Steve read it and then folded it up. “I just had a question.”

“About what?” Erica asked.

“I don’t wanna say,” Steve said, ducking his head. “You’ll think it’s dumb.”

“You don’t have to tell them, Steve,” Eddie said. “You can keep what you learned to yourself.”

Steve shrugged. “The room just felt off.”

Mike rolled his eyes. “How can an imaginary room feel off?”

Steve blushed. “You don’t have three chairs in a sitting room,” he whispered.

“Are you serious right now?” Dustin said. “That has got to be the most bullshit thing I’ve ever heard.”

“That’s why I didn’t want to say,” Steve said.

Eddie eyed him for a moment. “Let’s take a break. Don’t worry, I’ll pause your time so that you don’t die.”

They grumbled and filed out to use the bathroom and stretch their legs.

“You okay, man?” he asked Steve once most of them had gone. “You usually snap back them when they get like this.”

Steve sighed. “I just don’t have the confidence with this game. I want to bitch back, but they have years of knowledge and experience of this shit and I know that Dustin or Mike is going to pull up some rule from Rangers Fifth Guide or whatever proving me wrong.”

Eddie nodded. “You’re right about Mike, but it will probably be Erica instead of Dustin. They’re what are colloquially referred to as rules lawyers. Players that have studied the every rule and every book front and back and can quote it back to you ad nauseum.”

“Great,” Steve muttered.

“Except that they know that with me,” Eddie said with a grin, “that I don’t follow the rules.”

Steve looked up. “You can do that?”

“It’s what’s called a homebrew game,” Eddie explained. “I set the rules and they are expected to follow them. Because here’s the thing, Steve. Will could blast his way out of the room and as long as the squishy ones are in the back, you’d probably all survive. But I told him no, because I wanted everyone to solve a puzzle and not use violence to get their way.”

Steve blinked. “Oh. So I don’t need to know all the rules to play?”

“Yup!” Eddie smiled. “So don’t let the little shits get to you, okay?”

Steve nodded and he straightened up.

They came back and started arguing about the puzzle again. And every time they suggested something Steve would shoot it down, only to be backed up by Eddie.

Finally Mike snapped when they only had nine minutes left. “If you’re so god damn clever, you figure it out.”

Steve smiled, smug. “The largest painting in the room is of the old man that locked us up in here. So I asked Eddie to describe the painting.”

Dustin frowned. “What’s so important about a damn painting?”

“It’s the only one of him as old and Eddie told me that it shows the whole room,” Steve explained.

“The whole room?” Lucas asked incredulous.

“Yup,” Steve said, popping the P.

“Everybody make spot checks,” Eddie said with a grin.

This time because they had information from Steve all but Mike’s paladin succeeded.

“The painting shows the old man sitting in a green winged-back chair with a glass of wine at his side on the round table,” he filled them in.

“Okay...” Will said, an idea brewing in his head. “You know what that means, don’t you, Sir Stephan?”

Steve grinned. “Match the room to the painting.”

Suddenly the room erupted in dissent.

“There’s no way it’s that simple!” Dustin protested.

“Five minutes, my intrepid heroes,” Eddie said, pointing at his watch.

Mike rolled his eyes. “What choice have we got?”

They remove the full glass from the table and fill the empty one with wine from the side table. The pull the yellow and red winged-back chairs off the side so they can put the green one in the middle.

One minute remaining.

“It didn’t work!” Erica screamed as the room was nearly at the top of the walls, within seconds it would fill the room killing them all.

Steve grinned. “I go over and sit on the chair.”

Eddie grinned back. “As soon as Sir Stephan sat down the hourglass stopped spilling into the bottom and the sand in the room vanished. The iron grate rose and the door opened.

“A voice rang out: It appears you have beaten me this time, but always keep a wary eye over your shoulder’,” Eddie said in the same voice from before. And then he stood up and bowed.

Everyone started cheering and jumping on Steve congratulating him. Steve looked over at Eddie who winked.

Part 6 Part 7

Tag List: @gregre369 @idea-less-author @xtkxkrzrizir @azure-and-gold @flanbott @garden-of-gay @tauntedperfume @marvelousforlife @itsfreakingbats

[elenatries2write]

𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 - 𝑮𝒆𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒙 𝑺𝒍𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏!𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 (𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 1)

George Weasley x Slytherin!Reader

Fluff/angst

request: yes/no

summary: After not having seen your ex-boyfriend in eight years, you reunite. It’s clear your feelings for him haven’t change, but have his?

tw: none really; uh, fluff/angst? Talk about past relationships

note: Reader uses she/her pronouns; based on Persuasion by Jane Austen; (Y/N/N) = nickname

The heart is a fragile aspect of one's life. You say or do the wrong thing and it can break — shattered to nothing but dust, waiting for either the person who broke it in the first place to heal it or for someone new to come and pick up the pieces. I have yet to reach either of these outcomes. 

Being born a pureblood Slytherin, I was never in control of my own life. My clothing, my interests, my future — the only element of my life I ever felt like I had free rein was with the man I chose to love: George Weasley. 

To me, George was my everything. He was my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, the first person to support me in any of my passions. I loved him, and I knew he loved me. The happiest moment of my life was probably the day he asked me to the Yule Ball — if not the day he first kissed me. He was the only person who ever truly saw and understood me for who I was and not for who I was forced to be.

“And then he said he ‘found someone else’. Can you believe that?” the women sitting across from me exasperated.

Mae Lark. For the first eleven years of my life, she was my governess. After I left for Hogwarts, my father let her go, but she remained consistent in my life. Rather than my governess, she became my close friend. She became a second mother to me; and in some ways, she became more of a mother to me than my own mother. She was the person I turned to whenever I needed advice or comfort. The only advice she gave me that I regretted ever listening to was involving the love of my life. 

I knew George’s family was considered traitorous to the other purebloods, and I also knew his family did not come from grand riches like my family. But that never mattered to me. I loved him for who he was, and I knew he was brilliant enough to accomplish exceptional things if he put his mind to it. Perhaps if Mae had not persuaded me to make such a decision, he would still be mine. 

“(Y/N). (Y/N)!” Her calls brought me back from my thoughts. 

“I’m sorry,” I mutter, embarrassment residing on my face. I must have zoned out again. “What were you saying?”

“I was just letting you know I met a bright young man the other day. He owns an estate not too far from here,” she informs, suggestively. However, encouraging me to broaden my interests only brings up the past, and it was unmistakably evident on my face. “Oh, please, dear. Don’t tell me you still think of him like that. It’s been seven years.”

“Eight, actually.”

After graduation, George and his twin brother, Fred, opened their joke shop in Diagon Alley. As far as I know, not much has changed there. Sure, the war caused some setbacks, but their store still stands bright and active. I have yet to actually walk inside, though I have thought about doing so many times.

“Why do you still hold on? Since you left him, he has made no advance to claim you back.”

“Because,” I begin. “I broke his heart.”

“You will find someone who’s meant for you and loves you enough to fight for you. Your friend called earlier,” Mae promptly diverges from the difficult subject — a wise decision, if you ask me. “That Parkinson girl, what was her name?” ���Pansy?”

“Ah, yes, Pansy Parkinson. She was asking for you, saying to let you know she’ll be in Diagon Alley if you wanted to join her. I think you should go. It might do you good.”

Shopping with Pansy felt routine at this point. I’d follow her into a jewelry store, and she’d tag along when I drift into a bookstore; I’d listen, and she’d talk about anything and everything. 

Currently, I was browsing the shelf of muggle fairytales while Pansy continues to gossip about some rumor about Draco and Astoria’s marriage. As I turn the corner, I suddenly bump into someone. It took me by surprise, causing me to stumble back and lose my balance. The stranger lightly grasps my forearm, but it was enough to help me not fall to the ground.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there! I… (Y/N)?” His voice was uncomfortably familiar. 

I look up to see the same red locks I was so used to. He hasn’t changed a bit — he was just as tall as the last time I saw him; though his hazel eyes now held subtle confusion, I can tell they still radiate that boyish humor he was so well-known for. Merlin, he’s still insanely attractive. The only prominent difference I could see was the laugh marks that circled his eyes. 

“George,” I greeted curtly. I avoided eye contact as best as I could.

“…Long time no see. Uh- y-you look well.”

“You, too. You look the same. Well, not the same- I- I mean, you still look handsome.”

“You- uh… you, too. Well- pretty. You look pretty.”

The air grows thick; an uncomfortable silence overcomes us. It was nearly unbearable. I avoid his meek stare as best as I can, opting to focus on the meaningless patterns of the wooden floor.

Thankfully, the awkward stillness was interrupted.

“(Y/N), are you listening?” Pansy reappears from behind the shelf and stands by my side.

“What was that?” I inquire, not having listened to her gossip in the last ten minutes.

“Oh, George!” she squeals gleefully. Despite her and most of the Slytherins’ past squabble with most Gryffindors and non-pureblood supremacists, there was an unspoken reconcile after the war. “It’s been forever! What have you been up to?”

“Oh, well, I-”

“I was just telling (Y/N) about the guy who works at the new shop down the alley. Uh… Ayers…?” She abruptly interrupts, struggling to remember the details. “Benjamin Ayer! He seems really nice and charming. He’s pretty handsome, too. It’s not every day you meet a pureblood as sweet as him. Anyway, what are you doing here?” Oh, Pansy — just as excitable as she always has been. 

“Uh, I was just-“ He reaches for a random book to his right. “Just getting this book, and then I saw (Y/N). It was nice seeing you both… really, it was,” he finishes, eyes lingering on my stiff figure just a little longer before continuing. “Fred, Lee, and Angelina are back at the shop. I’m sure they’d love to see you again.”

“Oh, well I’m spending the day with Pansy, and-“

“Don’t worry, (Y/N/N)! I don’t mind! It’d be great for you to catch up with them. Besides, I was planning on meeting Daphne later today anyways,” my ebony-haired friend cuts me off. 

“I guess I can come then,” I say, my tight-lipped smile hopefully masking the feeling of dread I now have. And with that, he leads me out of the store — not without purchasing the book he grabbed, of course. 

As I watched him ambling by my side, I can’t help but replay the painfully embarrassing reunion in my head. He and I used to be so in sync; others would hardly ever see us apart back at Hogwarts. Now, we are complete and utter strangers — worse than strangers, actually. We are exes.

As I enter the tall joke shop — the shop having an encapsulating aura of joy and warmth, I must add — I am immediately met with the welcoming sight of Fed Weasley smiling from ear to ear the moment he caught a glimpse of me. 

“(Y/N) (Y/L)!” he hollers from behind the cashier before running to tackle me in a colossal hug.

“What’s all the ruckus?” a familiar voice calls from the back. 

Once the two characters — Angelina and Lee — come to the front and see me, they both exclaim, “(Y/N)!” and run to join the bear hug. 

“…hi,” I manage to make out, the tight group hug seemingly halting my breathing.

“Merlin, let the poor girl breathe,” George chuckles from behind us.

“Right, sorry,” Fred apologizes as the three of them release their hold.

“It’s alright.”

“Merlin’s beard, we haven’t seen you in ases,” Lee exaggerates. 

“How’s it been?” Angelina politely inquired, contrasting Lee and Fred’s boisterous manners.

“It’s been… fine.” Salazar, as if my uncomfortable greeting with George wasn’t enough discomfort for one day.

We spent the majority of the afternoon catching up and reminiscing about our times together at Hogwarts. After a little while, the boys got back to work — seeing as there was still a shop to run with a sea of customers — and left me and Angelina to hang out in the back. Much to my dismay, the topic of conversation took a turn when she started talking about him — the man who’s heart I’m sure I had completely ruptured eight years ago.

“So, I suppose it’s been nice to see George again?”

I hesitate to answer. In all honesty, it has been. To see those eyes again, that smile after all these years — it’s refreshing, really. But there is also this rising guilt every time I look at him. 

“I suppose so,” I utter. 

“I mean,” she continues, “the way he looks at you — even now — it’s like nothing’s changed. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he still has feelings for you.”

I nearly chuckle at that. “Please, Angie, that’s ridiculous.”

“I’m serious, (Y/N)! I saw how he was with you today. That isn’t the look of someone who is just catching up with an old friend. What if I set you two up on a date?”

“What? Angeli-“

She cuts me off and continues spewing out hypothetical plans for a date that will never happen. There is absolutely no way he would ever agree to this. Truthfully, it is wishful thinking on her part. Knowing Angie, I know her heart is the right place, making sure that two of her friends are happy; but a date with George? That’s chasing a fantasy. 

“He’s single and I’m assuming you are, too. Sure it’s been years, but as they say, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ I mean, just think of it-“

This time she is interrupted by the boys returning from the front of the shop. 

“So we were just thinking…” George begins.

“That’s never a good sign with you three,” I tease, almost as if we were sixteen again. It felt so… familiar — for lack of better words — to joke like this. 

“Hey, hear us out,” Fred defends, both arms raised in surrender. 

Lee cuts in, noticeably far too excited to wait any longer. “We were all going to spend a week on holiday at the lake by Angelina’s house and thought that — if you are free, of course — wanted to join us.”

This appears to light a spark in Angelina’s eyes as she widens her already-consistent smile. “That’s a great idea! (Y/N), what do you think?”

“…Oh. This is very sudden.” I understand how close we were before and how seemingly effortless it was for all of us to reconcile after so long, but it’s been years. How did we go from catching up about our jobs and family life to going away on holiday together in just two hours?

“I mean,” George began, his voice unusually quiet for him. “If you can’t, that’s totally fine.”

“Oh, please, (Y/N)!” my enthusiastic friend persists. “You must come! Surely, you can make it!”

“I-i think I might be free,” I give in, hesitantly. As much as I dread the thought of spending so much time with the very man who’s heart I broke — who has clearly yet to forgive me, seeing how distant he has been since our reunion — something about revisiting the past — at least, the better memories of the past — just pulled me in. 

After getting settled into the lake house, the five of us head to the lake to relax. I avoid George as much as I could. There was still a lingering awkward atmosphere between the two of us that neither of us are willing to indulge in. 

I watch from the sidelines as Angelina and George laugh together near the lake’s bank. Despite her previous efforts in attempting to bring back the past and insinuating that we get back together, I would have to be naïve to not notice the way she looks at him — and maybe even the way he looks back at her. I know he is not mine to cherish as I used to, but the reality of it all still stings. 

Back in our shared room — the night sky glistening outside the window and nothing more than a flickering candle providing any bit of light in the room — Angelina and I continue to catch up about our years spent apart in hushed tones. It is evident in her voice that she feels differently than she’s claimed whenever we bring up George or a similar topic. 

I say this with all the love in my heart that I hold for both my childhood best friend and for the love of my life: I hope they have a happy life together, no matter how much it hurts me. 

It was now well into the night. Angelina has been dormant for, at least, an hour now; yet my body lies on my bed, my eyes fixated at the ceiling, while my mind runs a marathon. I know I am not going to get any sleep any time soon, so I quietly make my way out of the room — cautiously, to not wake anyone — and head for the lake. I take a seat just at the shore of the lake, pulling my knees to my chest because of the cold. 

“I didn’t realize you were you out here.”

The low voice startles me. I turn to see George standing right behind me. How long has he been there?

“Sorry,” he begins. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just couldn’t sleep.”

I turn my gaze back to the lake before answering, “Me neither.”

“…May I?” he timidly gestures to the spot next to me.

“Oh, yes.” 

He takes a seat at my consent before speaking again. “Look, love.”

It’s been a while since I’ve heard that coming from him. I detest how it still makes my stomach churn any time it’s him calling me “love”. 

He continues, “I know things haven’t exactly been… normal between us.”

“What gave you that idea?” The sarcasm ran thick like tar.

“(Y/N), come on. It doesn’t have to be like this. That was all in the past.”

“What are you saying, George?” Frustration lightly laces my voice. “We should just forget about it like it never happened?”

“That’s not- (Y/N)… what I’m saying is that we should make amends. Maybe this is the closure we both need.”

My eyes meet his; the same glistening brown eyes that seem to be holding the planets staring back at mine. 

“I’d like that,” I bashfully respond, my mouth reacting against my will. 

“Great!” he beams, enthusiastically. “This is really great. I’m so glad to still have you in my life after how long it’s been. Even though we’re not… you know�� together, you still mean the world to me.”

He pulls me into a tight hug — not the type of hug that would make you melt but the type that two close friends would share.

Before now, I could not possibly fathom that we could be anything worse than exes; however, being proven wrong by the universe appears to be a common occurrence in my life. Now we are no longer exes; we are friends.

[miradelletarot]

Part 4: Under the Moonlight - The Weave and the Vines

Summary: Sagora meets Gale outside of camp for a private moment under the stars.

ACT TWO SPOILERS Don't judge me, this was my very first foray into smut writing, and I adored this scene so much I used some of the lines from the game because they were just too good to replace. Sorry not sorry. I have made some edits/improvements though so hopefully it reads better than it used to. TAGS: Fluff, hurt/comfort, body worship, PIV, Fem!OC , very unexciting but productive use of mage hand. Words: 4,000 | AO3 MINORS DNI - SMUT UNDER THE CUT

“Good evening! I’m here on behalf of Gale of Waterdeep.  He wishes to extend you an invitation for a private conversation in a more suitable locale.”Sagora tilted her head, confused as to what Gale was up to. He said to come to his tent this evening, but she expected him, not a projection. Still, her curiosity was piqued so she followed the projection’s instructions, and traveled the path set before her. She arrived a little ways outside of camp to see Gale sitting in a lush, grassy field. Fireflies flitted nearby him as conjured sparks of the Weave surrounded him in a glittering aura. He heard her soft footsteps coming from behind, and turned to look at her. He smiled. “I love this time of night.” She smiled back, and quietly sat on the blanket next to him. He spoke so eloquently, so gently, about the peak of darkness, of eternity. Suddenly, she was snapped out of the daze his voice lulled her into.

“ –The timelessness of lovers. That most beautiful of fantasies.”   His eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky. She could drown in those eyes. They made her insides swirl, and her heart skip, but she noticed a shift in his gaze. A hollow feeling seated itself in the pit of her stomach. “This may be my last night alive. I wanted it to be under a canopy of beauty and wonder.” He turned his gaze from Sagora towards the iridescent night sky. Translucent waves of purples, blues, and greens blanketed the starry landscape he created.  He needed an escape from his inevitable reality.

“Gale, do you really think this is the right choice? To die for a goddess who so casually cast you aside like a piece of rubbish?”

“It’s Mystra’s will. If she thinks that this can turn the tide of our most unfortunate of circumstances then perhaps I should.” He hung his head. Saying the words out loud make sense enough, but the knots in his stomach tugged at him with hesitation and uncertainty.

“You’re quite brave to face this so…so calmly.”

Gale let out a faint chuckle. “Truth be told? I’m terrified. But, that doesn’t change anything about the task I’ve been given.” “You don’t have to do this, you know.  All of us - together - we can figure something out I’m sure of it.” Desperation washed over Sagora’s face. Was he truly willing to die for such a cause without considering other options?

“I appreciate the sentiment. Really.  My fate is inevitable, I'm afraid. Best to meet it on my own terms.”  His words sounded so confident, but the pained look in his eyes spoke otherwise. “This is ridiculous. Gale, you don’t have to die. There are so many possibilities that lay before us. You have all of us, for better or worse. Let’s figure it out together. No one needs to die…especially for the sake of an ungrateful goddess.” Sagora furrowed her brows at the mere thought of Mystra. Gale didn’t need her anger though. She wanted to comfort him as he did for her days before, though he could sense the rising fury within her that she tried to keep hidden. “ Sorry …I didn’t mean to – ” Her words trailed off as she cast her gaze to the ground. She didn’t know what to say, but she knew her anger would ruin a lovely evening if she continued. An awkward silence hung in the air. Gale understood that she was angry about his new mission. Yet, he couldn't imagine anyone caring so deeply for him. It only made him fall for her more. “One moment with you could sate me for a lifetime. I’m so very glad you came.” He turned to Sagora, and smiled softly. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” She returned his smile with one of her own, and placed her hand on his. His skin felt electric and warm, still charged with traces of the Weave. “I know this is unreal, but I created it for you.” He paused. He was unsure how she would react to his confession. “You must know that you’re...you’re very special to me.”  He wanted nothing more than to be back home, in Waterdeep, showing her all the wonders the City of Splendors had to offer. To do things properly. But, they were all on borrowed time. The luxuries of a proper courtship wouldn’t be possible. Say the words, Gale. It's now or never. “I’m in love with you.” Sagora saw trepidation, adoration, and anxiety flood his gaze all at once. His words echoed in her ears as the heat rose from her core, and pricked at her skin. Her body moved of its own accord as her lips caressed his. Her impulse was all the response he needed for his confession. Softer than the finest silk, he thought.  The sensation sent shivers through him. Such a delicate touch evoking the most fervent response. He didn’t need to hold back this time. Since Elminster stabilized the orb, Gale was free to feel as deeply as he wished. For now. Taking Sagora’s hand, they stood together. “I want it to be perfect.” He sincerely and excitedly shared his ideal evening with her. Within the Weave, bonding like the gods do. To intertwine their spirits in an ethereal landscape with no mortal limitations. “All of that sounds lovely, Gale. But –”

“But ?”

She sighed softly as she cupped his face in her hands. “I don’t need illusions. I want you. Just. You.”

He stepped back with a gentle smile. “If that is what you wish, so be it.” With a flourish of his hand he conjured a bed. It had been so long since Sagora lay in an actual bed. While it was still an illusion, it was real enough for her to dive into. It felt plush on her skin, and smelled of freshly washed linens. Truly, a delight to her senses after a long period of dirt, blood, and a flat bedroll.

She propped herself up on one side so she could look at him. Her eyes darkened with desire as she tapped seductively on the bed, and waved him over. He sauntered over to the edge of the bed, and grazed his hands up her body as he climbed up to meet her. Her pulse quickened as his hands explored her over her garments. She was suddenly overcome with a soft, whispered giggle. Gale paused. The deepening desire that was once on his face was now replaced with confusion, and concern. “Is everything ok?” He really wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction. She grinned wildly. “Yes . It’s just -”

“We can stop if you’re not comfortable.” “No! Gods no. I just - haven’t - it’s been a while.” Her cheeks flushed. “And - I’ve never been...romanced before. I quite like it.” She looked away, and bit her lip sheepishly. His gaze softened, and he smiled. He lowered himself down to whisper in her ear. “Then let me take care of you.” Her eyes flashed at his request. “Me? Why?” Their faces were so close their noses nearly touched. He planted a chaste kiss on her forehead before he sat up.

“Because you deserve it. You’ve done so much, Sagora. Let me show you how much I appreciate you.” His eyes darkened once again. “I told you. I want it to be perfect.” She was fairly certain she forgot to breathe. This was unlike anything she’d ever felt before, but she yearned to experience everything Gale wished to offer her. With a gentle smile and a nod, she gave her unspoken consent, allowing him to pleasure her as he wished.

He extended his hand to her, shifting enough so she could sit up. With his other hand, he slid his arm around her waist, and pulled her in closer to his chest. His fingers lingered at the hem of her tunic. “May I ?” He whispered. He dared not move an inch unless she gave her permission.

“Please.” She gazed at him as he gingerly pulled the garment over her head, and carelessly tossed it aside. He placed his hands on her shoulders, and began tracing his fingers down the length of her body. Her collarbone , her breasts , her stomach . His breath shuddered with every contact of her delicate, exposed skin. But, this moment was for her. He’ll tend to his own desires later.

Gale gently patted her thigh. “Roll over, and lie down.” She flashed a curious smirk at his gentle command, but was happy to acquiesce. When he straddled her thighs he noticed the moonlight had illuminated a multitude of old scars on her back and sides. Some were large gashes, and more smaller cuts. If there were others he hadn’t noticed them in the darkness. Sagora could sense his delay, and looked over her shoulder. She knew what gave him pause. “It was a long time ago…” Thankfully, her vague statement was enough to dissuade him from any questions.

As if his touch couldn’t be any softer, he delicately traced one of the larger scars that went up her back. Then another, and another. He lowered himself down to her, pressing his body gently against her curves. “You’re beautiful.” He whispered into her skin as he began to kiss each scar tenderly. He sat back up, and whispered an incantation, a thin layer of oil coating his hands. He rubbed them together for warmth before he slid them up her spine, and spread them out to her shoulders. A moan mixed with pleasure and comfort was forced out of her as he massaged her sore muscles. “Gale...” Her call to him was muffled by the blankets beneath her. “Yes?” Sagora tried to respond, but all that came out of her were breathy moans, and incoherent mumbles as the tension left her body. He smiled knowingly, continuing his soothing ministrations.  “Are you comfortable?” All she could do was nod, completely overcome by his warm touch. As the oil began to absorb into her skin, he leaned down to her once more, and nuzzled the side of her neck. She giggled softly as his beard tickled her sensitive skin. “How do you feel, darling?” “Amazing.” Her face was slack, and still muffled by the blankets. A contented sigh passed her lips, and she smiled. “I'm glad.” He whispered, and left a gentle kiss on the back of her head. He removed himself from the softness of her body, and asked her to turn again. Sagora took a moment, humming a satisfying moan with her stretch, and savoring the lack of tension in her muscles as she rolled over onto her back. Gale draped his legs around her once more only to find more scars - ones he neglected to notice earlier. The darkness did well to shroud them before, but the moon didn’t allow her to hide her past so easily this time. He knew better than to ask who or what caused her such pain, but he couldn’t help the heat that rose within him. It took all of his will to keep his rising anger from showing itself when his purpose in that moment was to make her feel comfort.

Still, it didn’t discourage him from repeating his adoration as he did before. He lovingly caressed and kissed every scar that painted her flesh. “I swear,” he muttered against her skin, “I’ll protect you so you’ll never have to endure this pain again. If you'll let me.”  

Sagora released a trembling sigh as Gale continued to explore more of her with his delicate lips. He then settled on the curve of her exposed neck, grazing her skin with passionate kisses to her jawline. He lingered by her ear, and playfully nibbled at her soft flesh. She hummed, delighting in the way he felt as his body pressed into her, his cock straining against his robes. He released a soft growl as he seductively tugged at her lobe once again, the vibration sending a chill down her body, her breath hitching at the sensation. She thought she might lose herself from the voracity of her sinful need.

“ Gale –” She huffed. “ Please –” She could hardly speak. “I need you.” 

A wicked grin flashed across his face. “Now, now, my love. Patience. You’ll have me. I promise .” His voice was low and rough as he caressed his cheek against hers. The want in her eyes was growing desperate, and he was enjoying watching her come undone by his touch alone. Slowly and deliberately, he slid his hand up the side of her body, and settled at her breast, filling his hand perfectly. He deftly flicked her nipple with his thumb, and an uncontrollable moan emanated from deep within her. He left a trail of soft kisses down from her neck to her other breast, and took her into his mouth while he continued to play with its mate. She arched her back, writhing under him as his tongue swirled and flicked at its peak. Her walls fluttered, clenching around nothing as she snaked her hands through his tousled hair, her arousal dripping between her legs the more he teased her. The vibration of his moan against her hardened peak forced a shuddering whimper from her lips, throwing her head back as she felt the urgency of his own pleasure begging her for more – begging to be released from its bondage.  Even Gale was growing impatient with the pace he set. Slowly, he grazed his bottom lip across her peak, his eyes meeting her gaze, and lips curling into a seductive smirk at the sight of her. Marking the abandoned spot with a kiss, he sat up and drew his hands down her stomach, finding the laces on her trousers. “Is this ok?” he asked as he played with the laces.

Sagora's eyes darkened with wanton hunger. “Not yet. I want something first.” As he reached for her outstretched hand, she hooked his fingers into hers, and pulled him back down onto her. Unsure as he was, Gale was not displeased with her intensity. She pressed her lips to his, the tip of her tongue teasing at the seam. He parted his lips, allowing her to slip past, their tongues now swirling together, one desperate for the other. Her hips bucked into him as she explored more of him, the fire of their embrace growing more passionate the more they tasted each other. Gods was he delicious. He tasted of honeyed wine, warm, spicy, and sweet. She brought her hands to his cheeks, pulling him away just enough so their noses touched. “I want to undress you…please.” She was breathless. Wanting. Needing. He smiled and pulled himself back, taking her hand as he did so. They stood at the edge of the bed, Sagora grazing her hands up Gale’s chest and down again. He watched her as she reached up slowly, she unclasping the small buckles that held his robes closed, doing so with tenderness like he was a gift meant to be carefully unwrapped. The fabric folded over itself begging to be removed completely, her fingers gently scratching through the small patch of hair on his bare chest. The scars left behind by the orb were now exposed by the vacant garments. She traced her fingers around it, following every wispy line, his breath hitching at her touch. She leaned into his chest, and blew a cool breath at the center of the orb before leaving behind a delicate kiss. He rolled his head back, and his eyes forced themselves shut, unable to stifle the shuddering, breathless moan that left his body. Sagora gripped onto the sides of his robes, and buried her face into his chest, kissing the now glowing orb, in an attempt stabilize her own trembling body. Gale put a finger to her jawline, tilting her head so she could look into his eyes. He moved his hands to hers, and guided her to his belt. She unfastened its buckle, allowing it to drop unceremoniously to the ground. His robes fell open as she slid her hands up to his shoulders, coaxing the garment to fall of its own accord. Once he was freed from his robes, he reached up to her hands and guided them down to the ties on his trousers. She smiled coquettishly as she bit her lip, reveling in the way he grasped her hands, and moved them to places they both desired. Before he let her go, she pulled his hand to the hem of her own trousers. They unwound each other’s laces, but Sagora stepped back against the edge of the bed as soon as he loosened her ties. She wanted to make a show of seductively – sinfully - lowering her trousers and her smalls to the ground. She wanted to put herself on display. Just for him to behold.

He swallowed hard. “Well – aren’t you a sight for these starving eyes.” He stepped closer to her, hooking an arm around her waist, the other cupping her cheek. “But I think I’ll require your assistance getting these off .” He knew by now that whispering in her ear made her shiver, but was equally happy to take advantage of the opportunity to press her naked body against him. She moaned into his chest as she slid her hands across the waistband of his loosened trousers. He placed his hands on hers, and together, pulled them down, along with his underclothes, discarding them with the rest of the abandoned garments at their feet, finally freeing Gale’s hardened cock.

Sagora looked at him with a devilish, playful smirk. “ Now, Mr. Gale of Waterdeep –” Every word she said was coyly enunciated. “What was it you wanted to do to me?” He moved in closer, forcing her to sit at the edge of the bed. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling his body into her. She whimpered, her slick cunt throbbing as his cock brushed against her inner thigh. "Whatever you desire." His deep brown eyes burned into her. She couldn't hold back any longer. “I’m yours.” Her eyes grew impossibly dark with want. “I need you.”

“You have me, Love.” He purred. “Lie down.” She followed his instruction, making herself comfortable. He climbed on top of her, pressing his leg between hers to spread her open before him. Heat rose from her center as he lowered himself down to her, the curves of her body perfectly entwined with his. She bit back a moan as the tip of his cock teased at her bundle of nerves. He grasped his cock, and teased at her swollen clit as he began sliding his tip gently through her folds, her slick arousal mingling with the bead of precum that leaked from his throbbing erection.

“Gale. Please,” she mewled. He guided himself to her entrance, watching as he sheathed himself inside of her, a shuddered moan breaking past his lips as her wetness surrounded him. She eagerly attempted to rock her hips into his, but her movements were halted. He grasped her hips, and held her in place so he could keep a slow rhythm. It was torture for both of them, but he wanted to savor her as much as possible. He pulled himself out almost entirely before sliding back in, his controlled movements forcing a curse from her lips as the pressure of his girth stretched her slick walls. After a moment, he settled into a steady, deliberate rhythm. She gripped his forearms, and dragged her nails into his flesh as another curse escaped her lips. “More. Gods…Please. More!” Her words were breathless and ardent. “The gods…can’t give you…what you desire, my love.” His own eloquence breathlessly began to falter at the mercy of his coiling pleasure. “Gale!” She pleaded, her eyes piercing into him hungrily. Hands still on her hips, he slid his hands under her ass and pulled her up, the new angle allowing him to bury his cock deeper into her core. She wrapped her legs around him forcing him to fold, and brace himself on top of her. Their movements grew faster and less coordinated while beads of sweat glittered on her skin in the moonlight. Gale’s breath hitched at the delectable sight before him.

“Sagora… ahh –” His mind betrayed him, no longer able to utter anything coherent. All that could be heard were the sounds of their gasps and moans, and the friction of their slick bodies against each other.  Harder. She bucked her hips into him, his cock plunging deep into her core.

Faster. Desperately, they chased each other's pleasure. With every thrust, Sagora moaned louder and louder, no longer caring if the camp or even of Faerûn heard her.

She arched her back, lifting her arms over her head, gripping the pillows beneath her, and crying out in toe-curling ecstasy as she found her sweet release. Gale’s thrusts intensified as her walls pulsed around him. A deep, guttural moan poured out of him as he spilled deep inside of her. His concentration broke as his cock throbbed, sending shockwaves through her overstimulated body. They gasped for air in a dizzying frenzy, trying to come down from their high, when suddenly…

POOF!

The bed vanished beneath them, and they collapsed with a thud on the ground. Stunned, they simply looked at each other for a moment before dissolving into a fit of laughter.

“Dear Gods! Are you all right?” His concern blended with a fit of laughter at their hilarious climax. Her reply was thankfully tangled up in her own laughter. “I’m fine. Promise! Are you?” Gale winced, rubbing one of his knees.

“Never better.” Despite the dull ache in his joints, he couldn’t help but smile. Sagora gazed at him with satisfaction, nibbling at her bottom lip with a playful grin, paying little regard to the untimely break in their illusion. “Well...that’s not exactly how I wanted that to end.” He sat up, still nestled between Sagora’s legs. “Perhaps not.” She smirked. “But...hmm. How many blankets did you bring by the way?”

Gale cocked an eyebrow, looking at her inquisitively. “Uh, three. Why do you ask?” Sagora sat herself up, legs still splayed open before him. Grasping his arms, she pulled herself into his chest, her breasts grazing his skin with each breath she took. She walked two of her fingers up his chest, and dragged her fingertips through the slick of sweat that caught in his chest hair. “I think…we should make our own camp here tonight – ” She kissed the center of the orb, the salty taste of his sweat on her lips. “ – under the stars.” She kissed the orb again. “ – our bodies tangled up to keep warm.” She looked up and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her, and they pressed their foreheads together.

“That sounds lovely …but first –” With a nonchalant wave of his hand, the evidence of their climax had vanished. He offered his hand to her, and helped her to her feet, walking over to the blanket he spread out earlier, and leaving their clothing behind in an abandoned heap. She worked her own magic to make the ground more plush beneath the blanket. Lush grass, and small wildflowers cropped up through the entire field creating a soft, pillowy surface for them to lay on.

They spread themselves out on the blanket, Sagora nuzzling her body into Gale’s. She draped one of her legs around his while he made use of mage hand to help him fan out the extra blankets on top of them. She let out a contented sigh as the warmth of the blankets caressed her skin. He kissed the top of her head, and pulled her in closer, fitting together like two pieces of an intricate puzzle. The comfort of their embrace was enough to lull them both into the edge of sleep. “Gale…” “Hmm?” “I love you, too.” Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

[glossysoap]

twenty questions for fic writers!

thank you so much for the tags @stellewriites and @kyletogaz and @stuffireadandenjoy <33

i’m converting everything from ao3 questions to tumblr questions because all of my work is on here LMAO but omg i’ve been so excited to answer this it looks so fun 😭🫶🏻

tagging anyone who wants to do this <33

1. how many works do you have posted on tumblr?

91 😁

2. what’s your total tumblr word count?

after combing through all of my works, I have written exactly 133,331 words. 😅

3. what fandoms do you write for?

COD, with hints of MCU (Winter Soldier, Frank Castle) in regards to crossovers with COD. I also have an idea for The Passenger with Eddie Wells.

4. top five fics by notes/likes?

- just wanna be yours; ghost with 3.4k+ notes

- thanks for the tip; poly 141 x hacker/camgirl reader prologue at 2.1k+ notes

- ring; price with 1.8k+ notes

- sharing is caring; price wife - sharing au collab w vgilantee with 1.7k+ notes

- poor lass; perv soap & somno with 1.6k+ notes

5. do you respond to comments?

If I see them, I try my best to respond 😁

6. what’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

99% of the works i’ve written are smut so not angsty lmao but the one angsty thing i’ve written is my ghoap x winter soldier reader series as a whole. it’s not finished yet ofc.

7. what’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

any other fic except for my winter soldier series listed above LMAO i haven’t written much angst yet

8. do you get hate on fics?

I have! particularly for my stalker concepts 😂 I got asks from little miss death threat (iykyk 👀) a long time ago because of them and since then i’ve cut off anyone who supports them because that behavior isn’t tolerated 🥰 no text fic is good enough to overlook that... ever.

I also got hated on everything I write from an ex friend (used to be an ex moot, the same ex moot who ended up being fatphobic) after I ended our friendship! Even though she wrote as “cringey” or even cringier shit when she used to be on here 😂

there was also a sub post about how “keegan wouldn’t break into your house and jerk off” referring to my stalker keegan piece LMAO i don’t write for him anymore and i’m giving that fic away (for personal reasons) but it’s so funny 😭

9. do you write smut?

what, no! 🫣

10. craziest crossover?

the only crossover I’ve done is a Call of Duty x MCU (Winter Soldier) fic, linked here.

11. ever had a fic stolen?

not that I know of lol 😬

12. ever had a fic translated?

no, not yet at least.

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

stares fondly at all of my threads with @/vgilantee 🥺🫶🏻

14. all time fav ship?

characters x readers, and then ofc in no particular order, I love any 141 pairings.

15. what’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

.. i’m determined to finish everything i do.

16. what are your writing strengths?

it changes every day 😅 i think smut might be my strong suit right now? who knows 😅

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

again, it changes every day 😅 fight scenes are the bane of my existence.

18. thoughts on dialogue in another language?

love it! i don’t mind writing or reading it. i use it a lot in the fic series mentioned in question 6. the way i go about it is i write the language in bolded italics and then i follow with a translation in non bolded italics.

19. first fandom you’ve written for?

hmmm i think it might have marvel? or ffxv? idk

20. fav fic you’ve written?

i can’t pick one, they all hold a special place in my heart 🫶🏻

[andlatitude]

Hey! I've been wanting to do this for awhile, but I could never figure out how to say what I wanted to. I've come to the conclusion that I probably never will, fully, so I'm gonna take a stab at it— it's long, please bear with me.

I don't usually follow blogs like yours; most of the art you post is of OCs or fandoms I'm not a part of and I generally find it hard to be invested in original non-concept art (I really enjoy world-building concepts, but individual characters are harder for me). OC art tends to be snippets, bits and pieces; the random points of a developing character which makes them difficult for me to connect with even when I like the concept or design because they are often smatterings on a page that maybe even the artist doesn't fully comprehend yet.

Your art always connects.

Something about your way with expressions and body movement weaves so much intent into your work; every character conveys so much emotion and personality that I'm immediately drawn in. I can't accurately describe with words how much your art moves me, I don't know how. It sounds so silly, but the best I've come up with is that your characters look really People. They look alive in a way that I haven't quite experienced in art since the 101 Dalmatians era of Disney sketch animation, where the linework always made it feel like the characters were moving even when they were standing still; like they could breathe.

I look at your artwork and I feel the characters in my chest. You did a piece not long ago of two of your OCs sharing a microphone and I felt the awe; that feeling of the world melting away except the other person onstage— that feeling like maybe they are singing the song just for you.

Your art captures the casual intimacy of people just being; scenes like painting nails and other normal, quiet moments that only show when someone feels safe, comfortable. Your work makes 'nothing' moments have weight; there is an artist I discovered recently, Francine Van Hove, who specializes in these types of scenes and some of your work reminds me of hers.

Of all your works though, my favorite is the truth-or-dare comic and it's sequel. The smug satisfaction of calling a bluff, the casual scoff of dismissal of the dare, the confusion then realization, the weight of anticipation— the build-up, the inevitable conclusion. Whenever I see you pop on my Dash I go look through your recent work then hunt through your OC tag for those comics. It doesn't matter how many times I see them, I get hit with the same level of emotion every time.

Whenever I see your work it speaks to me; it makes me think that this is what art is supposed to feel like. I felt like you should know.

God help me if you ever draw a character from one of my favorite shows.

Hopefully this gets through okay; I've been on Tumblr since like 2012 and I still don't really trust the Ask system not to toss messages into the void haha. I hope this message finds you well and that you have a great day.

-Milli :)

Hello!! I really hope it’s okay that I post this. I want to keep it. This means a lot to me, I think it’s way more praise than I feel like I deserve as someone who just draws silly self indulgent stuff for fun. However over the years, the most important thing to me with those drawings has always been conveying emotion. For me it all comes from a place of wanting to express myself and how I feel rather than wanting to “be good at art”.

A message like this telling me that everything I’ve been pouring into my stuff all these years has come across to someone I’ve never met is huge, and incredible, and I don’t even know what to say. I’m really passionate about having that “life” in what I draw, it is what drives me to keep creating, and doing so is such a huge part of who I am. Thank you so much for noticing and for telling me this and for caring about it.

I think those little human moments are the most beautiful, I’m glad I could begin to do a few of them justice. Stuff I make speaking to someone else in any way is the biggest compliment I can get.

Thank you again, I hope your day is wonderful!

[vintage-bentley]

ik they arent even in the trailer and their story is done but im kinda bummed out thatin the good omens tag basically nobody is ever talking about the them or the human characters anymore like they make up most of the book and half the show but always get the side lines in fandom content :/ like ive never seen an anathema focused piece of anything shes always like crowleys bestie or something nobody cares to explore a female character deeper than is shown in canon like raphael doesnt exist in canon and yet had more people explore his intricacies

I’m guilty of this too, and I think aside from regular fandom tendency to focus on a ship and let that be all that matters, A/C’s story is so interesting and unique that it outshines the others.

But I love Anathema! I really like her storyline of following something for her whole life because she was told she has to, and having to navigate not having that guide anymore—after choosing not to have it. I wish we got to see how she deals with going about life without knowing what comes next, I can see it being a great source of stress for her. And it would’ve been neat to see it paralleled with Aziraphale going through something very similar, now that he’s abandoned his trust in Heaven. I saw a post a while ago talking about how both human couples were mirrors of A/C—Newt asks questions of Anathema’s unwavering faith and helps her to leave it behind, just like Crowley does for Aziraphale. Shadwell ends up with somebody he’s supposed to believe is an embodiment of evil and sees he was wrong about her, just like Aziraphale does with Crowley. That was really interesting to see and I have a feeling that season 2 will do the same thing with Maggie and Nina (of course I hope they’re more than just mirrors of the male characters).

But as far as fandom goes, I have to admit that I understand wanting to focus on A/C since they’re the most interesting. It does annoy me though, that Anathema often falls victim to the typical fandom treatment of female characters, where they only exist to mother the male characters. In fan fiction she tends to be the voice of reason and the “smartest one in the room”, which seems great because yay a woman is smarter than the men…until you realise she’s only “the smartest one in the room” because people can’t imagine a woman being silly and fun, only responsible and maternal. I think so much more could be done to explore her whole conspiracy theory thing.

As far as the trend of her being Crowley’s bestie, I think it’s cute, but it feels like people reduce her to being a “goth bestie” and don’t really pay attention to her interests. I feel like she’d really get along with Aziraphale and they’d bond over interest in/knowledge of books of prophecy. I’m sure Aziraphale would be absolutely fascinated to hear from an actual descendant of Agnes Nutter, and despite having left the descendant lifestyle behind I’m sure Anathema would be eager to share her history with somebody who’s knowledgeable and interested. Like imagine you dedicate your whole life to following in the footsteps of a historical figure that not many people know about except prophecy enthusiasts. And then you meet the enthusiast of all time. That would be exciting!

And, y’know, I’m sure she’d be more fond of Aziraphale over Crowley, considering A’s the one who healed her and treated her kindly while C didn’t care that he’d hit her with his car and instead focused on un-denting said car…

That being said, I’ve found that a lot of content with her being friends with the husbands, especially Crowley, ends up treating her like set dressing. I’d make a feminist analysis of this, but tbh I notice it with all the human characters, so I don’t think it’s specific to Anathema because she’s female. It’s possible it happens to her more though because of it.

Anyways. I agree it’s sad that the other characters don’t get much attention! They’re great, especially Anathema and Pepper who are my favourites. But like I said, I get it, when they’re up against the competition that is ineffable husbands.

[hippolotamus]

Fanfic Origin Story

tagged by @blackandwhiteandrose @stereopticons @jesuisici33 Thank you, friends 🥰

What was your first fandom (reading and/or writing)?

For reading: Gilmore Girls. I was so WTF over the ending to A Year in the Life, I needed something. Schitt's Creek was the first fandom I wrote for.

What was the first story you ever wrote (even if it was never posted) and what made you decide to write it?

TBH I don't remember much of anything I wrote before AO3 and I'm not sure I want to??? So for this, I'll go with How will I know? This fic came about because I had this idea in my head that wouldn't leave me alone. It started out as looking at the lyrics of that song (how will i know?) from David's POV in regards to his relationships with Sebastien and Patrick. But then, as fics do, it took on a life of its own and became what was published.

What’s a piece of advice you would give to your younger fic-writing self?

You don't know it yet, but this is gonna be some of the best therapy you've ever experienced in your life. The things it's going to teach you - about yourself, about others - and the life experiences it's going to help you through, is going to blow your mind.

What’s an early fandom interaction that stuck with you (be it a nice comment, a friend you made, a fic that got a lot of feedback etc.)?

There are seriously soooo many moments that have made me go 'ahhhh! this is soooo cool!'. A few that stick out: 'I'm an admin for a small Discord server. I can send you an invite if that's something you're into.' / 'Let me know if you want to brainstorm. Maybe we can piece together some ideas to help both of us out?' / The first time someone took me up on my offer to come yell at me on Tumblr. It was for Warm Hellos and Our Last Goodnights and just made my day. But especially that time @patrckbrewer wrote a follow up to let the rain sing you a lullaby and made me cry.

Post a sentence or two from one of your older fics, and a sentence or two from a newer one (if you want).

I did more than 1-2 lines. Raise your hand if you're shocked.

Older Fic: He had spent the better part of three decades playing by the rules and sorting his life into neat little boxes. Only when he was willing to stop playing by his self-imposed rules did he discover everything in life that finally made sense to him. By dropping the pretenses of keeping up an image that no longer fit, he had gained everything.

Newer Fic: “I didn’t know how to put words to it – this feeling – to define what it is. I’m not sure I know any better now, either. The thing is,” Eddie continues, “when I’m with you, I’m safe. When we’re out with Chris, holding hands and just… being together, it’s ordinary in the best fucking way. The three of us being a family is easier than breathing. There’s nothing to think about, it makes sense. I don’t feel any different. I’m not any different. I’m still me and yet with my parents I’m… not me? Like I’m continually locking a piece of myself away for their benefit and holding my breath until they’re gone. Does that make sense?”

I'm behind on this, and I don't know who went, but I'm tagging @shortsighted-owl @alyxmastershipper @sarahlevys @vanillahigh00 @ajunerose @fatedbuck and anyone else who wants to play 💙

[genderisareligion]

“aun cuando en este momento existen suficientes datos para saber que el sexo también es una construcción y que trasciende el binario macho-hembra”

even though at the moment there is enough data to know that sex is also a construct and that it transcends the male-female binary

A relatively well known feminist in my area, a professor who teaches feminist theory at one of our best universities, said this. This woman is very anti terf or whatever, but usually I hear this kind of argument from people with the most insane takes so I was surprised hearing it from her. She didn’t cite any of the “data” and I know this is a tired argument, but where did these people even get the idea that sex is a construct to begin with? Like what is the data? I want to see it, genuinely, I want to read where it says that sex is a construct that transcends the male-female binary and why that is so. Is it in reference to intersex conditions? Because people have recognized intersex conditions for a long time and nobody was saying that sex is a construct before. And in any case, if it is in reference to intersex conditions, wouldn’t a statement like that only apply to intersex people instead of it being a testament to the legitimacy of trans identity (which is how I’ve seen it most commonly used)? Or is it something else? I’m asking for real lol I don’t know much about the trans stuff and I want to know where they’re getting the information.

Also, completely unrelated, but I know you’ve said you’re Latina. Which country? Lmao I hope this does not come across as creepy, you do NOT have to answer me if you don’t want to lol. I just like to keep track of all the Latina women I follow.

Man I miss @not-your-intersex-pawn. Used to immediately refer people to/defer to her blog since it's always better to hear this directly from one of them. But you're onto something with "wouldn't a statement like that only apply to intersex people?" "TERFs conflate sex and gender they can't tell the difference sex and gender are different!" but constantly TRAs tell everyone of the likelihood of intersex conditions in the population to legitimize their likely non intersex related gender identity. Who's conflating what now? Lol. not-your-intersex-pawn and her orbiters constantly complain(ed) about and sometimes (even though they didn't deserve it) tried to politely explain to dyadic trans people why pretending intersexism has anything to do with you when it doesn't and LARPing as a community member because "I'Ve NeVeR hAd My ChRoMoSoMeS lOoKeD aT yOu NeVeR kNoW" is disrespectful.

Found this piece the day I found her blog many years ago. Glad Medium hasn't given it the axe yet

I also defer to some of the intersex organizations she recommended since despite what devout genderists would have you believe they're divided on what constitutes an intersex condition and their criticism of gender since minority groups are not monoliths.

Main thing I wanna impress after years of reading her blog is that some intersex people find it offensive for you to call them a "third" or "other" or "nonbinary" category and would like everyone to still refer to them as male or female with a sex specific intersex condition. I tag posts I find/have of hers now she may have mentioned it in there

"Sex is a social construct" lol when will any of these genderists actually tell me who managed to invent that? Seriously. What white colonizer somewhere managed to change the construction of virtually every single member of the species across the globe so that 99% of us are sexually dimorphic? Wild as fuck that this is being preached in academia.

As far as where they're getting their information, usually a game of social media telephone and only reading interpretations of the data that line up with their religious beliefs because "intersex people can be TERFs too!"

I'm Mexican 🇲🇽 But currently stuck in USAmerica lol. As I've mentioned my Spanish is garbage because I'm from like a "white washed" family (don't love that terminology but like we were Bush conservatives and lived in a mostly white community). When my Spanish is better I plan on crossing "the border" (the one they stole lol)

[bleachbleachbleach]

2022/2023 Fandom Goals!

At the end of last year I set out to accomplish what then appeared to be achievable fandom goals for 2022. 

WERE THEY, THOUGH. WERE THEY. 

Let’s see:

2022 Goals (Review)

1. be more shameless on Tumblr - I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten at least a little better about this, though I guess it depends on the day. Posting things on the Internet causes me anguish, and I consider doing so an intentional conditioning process. All the same, I would still like to feel less anguish. But I also don’t want to be actively annoying or boring and simply be *unanguished* about it, LOL, and therein lies my hangup.

2. stop damning reblogs to Draft Purgatory - I have been very good about this this year! Browser tabs purgatory, on the other hand…

3. prioritize accessible joy - This one was about not abandoning Tumblr for months at a time, and I feel like I’ve actually improved here and merely abandoning Tumblr for 1-2 weeks at a time. One thing that was way more helpful than it had any business being was making a special "mini dash" that just has blogs that primarily post original Bleach content and/or mutuals who are friends, so that if I get overwhelmed I can jump ship and use that dash for a while instead, and still get to see a lot of my favorite things. I say this like my normal dash isn’t mostly Bleach and like I follow a zillion active blogs. I do not. That’s why it’s ridiculous that my mini dash is as great for me as it is. XD 

4. finish reading the Soul Society arc - I am on… Chapter 68 LOL, and Ichigo has not yet so much as entered Soul Society. Making progress on this re-read is challenging because there are a lot of ways to enjoy Bleach and this reread is the only one that’s not a moving target—the manga’s not going anywhere; I’m not going to 'fall behind' if I don’t read it—and I have a regrettably limited amount of Bleach time. But I think I’ve become more confident in my reading/ability to search stackexchange and read about grammar, so I am still enjoying this!

5. write my fanfic - I wish I had done more of this, but this was a Year—a huge number of moving pieces IRL. I think last year I had written like… 10k of this fanfic? And now I have probably 20-30k, and most of that original 10k got scrapped. This fic has done a lot of shape-taking this year, which is very good. I had these grand plans of finishing two full chapters (Akon and Matsumoto 5) by the end of the year, which I have modified to finishing one chapter. I have *one scene left* but I think it’s probably in the Top 5 of Scenes in This Fic That I Already Know Are Going to be Hard to Write, and I’ve already written and deleted it once. There were so many bugs in the deleted version, so many bugs for absolutely no reason. I don’t know what the scene will ultimately look like, but I can assure you you’d never guess what scene used to Have Bugs, because there is so little reason there should have been bugs.

2023 Goals

1. Write my fanfic! For the sake of SMART goals, let’s say at least 1 line per day, every single day. Come March I will have been writing this for two years and WHAT do I have to show for it.

2. No more tabs purgatory! I don’t know how obvious B3’s posting habits are to others—but for my part of the equation, I tend to be That Person who reblogs 15 long textposts and adds 90 tags to everything, all the span of the same 2-hour block. I don’t think this is actually a good way of using Tumblr and I’d prefer to… not do that. XP And to find ways of being more with the flow of the dash. 

This is mostly me needing to carve out better interstitial space for fun time, because I want this for my own pleasure and I also because I want the OP to know how VERY EXCITED I AM TO SEE IT and tabs purgatory feels like the opposite of being able to do that. SMART goal? Uhhh don’t let tabs languish for more than a week?

3. Make space for fandom, and for fandom things that give me most joy. Again, this is part of a broader life assessment that in a better world would boil down to "working less" but in this world is not accessible if I want to continue being employed. So I’ll settle for being extremely intentional about how I spend my free time, and by consciously thinking about ways to create the kinds of interactions I most enjoy. That sounds very cerebral but I promise I just mean things like "that meme where I asked people to send in random stuff they loved about their Bleach faves was super fun I should do that again sometime" and "try to make friends" and "talk about fanfic with people” and “make progress on that bleach reread occasionally.”

4. Be more shameless on Tumblr. YEAH I have no strategies here, but I’m gonna keep this one on the list.

[fated-addiction]

Wow! I recently found you again, I was there for the old LJ days!! You’re still fantastic, in fact even better!

Your tumblr followers are asking/thinking such interesting things! I hope you don’t mind if I “reply” to the one long anon?

I wanted to say that it’s interesting to think of Hhr being paralleled in some ways- I have never thought of that- cool to think about how that plays into their dynamic in an unspoken way? The attachment style thing is also new to me (older millennial ha). I looked it up and I would say Ron is “anxious” (fear of abandonment/needs reassurance)? Ginny is maybe a combination (can you even do combinations?) of “secure” + “anxious”? Harry is probably “avoidant”, while Hermione is “avoidant” + “secure”?

The part I’m not sure about is Harry having to choose between Hermione/the Weasleys but the more I think about it the more I agree maybe. I’d never really thought too hard about Hermione/Weasley family relationships but you are right that it’s different. Hmm.

Oh, hi! Lmao not the LJ days. It's really funny because one of my coworkers brought up msscribe and was dying because I've definitely been around that long.

I think the interesting thing about Harry/Hermione, outside their ability to parallel each other, is that they are two pieces of the puzzle that fit each other but can exist outside each other. There's a really interesting argument going around TikTok (and I wish I could tag her/remember her) about how Hermione is singularly the fully fledged female character. She brings up several solid points, but I disagree - instead of aging her, or even acknowledging the aging process, I think the Hermione of not quite 3D but enough so that she can fit the needs of where she stands at that moment. If that makes sense? I haven't had my second coffee yet lol.

Ooo okay. Ron. I don't think Ron is anxious but rather insecure af. I think his insecurities charge all of his decisions. I find him angry too. Angry that he's not the main character of the story in his head. Angry that Harry's attention goes to other things. Angry that Hermione does not fit the mold he wants. I think Ron is totally insecure about how he fits in the world, wears so many different hats, and then, when asked what he wants, can only answer/exist in generic forms.

Ginny is the quintessential "best friend's little sister that grows into something more" character but where as Ron, for me personally, is irredeemable, Ginny has much more of an opportunity to exist and be someone as herself. I wish we knew more about what happened to her at Hogwarts during Snape's Headmaster tenure. I want to know what her relationship with Neville was like. I also think that she can't stand her mother and strives to be a different kind of parent. I don't know. I think as I have grown and think differently, in a critical sense, the opportunities for Ginny's character grows in my mind.

I do think that Harry will always pick the Weasleys first. I think that with Sirius gone, he feels a sense of obligation to them - familial and otherwise. His conception of what the family unit is supposed to look like is the Weasley family, not the Dursleys and the contrast was so sharp and he was a child, so his viewpoint was probably hyperfixated on connecting at the Weasley level.

You guys! I love talking you so much. Thank you for all these comments.

[hmsharmony]

I was tagged in a first-lines-of-fic meme by my darling @moonatoms.

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten however many people you like. If you have written fewer than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway!

Tagging: @lissomelle (no this is not an attempt to get your juices flowing because you were brainstorming Shadow & Bone fic what are you taking about), @hondagirll, @seek--rest, @abc2411, and anyone else because it’s 1 am and my brain is no longer working.

1. someone out there who can bring me back to you (Spider-Man (MCU) Peter/MJ Adam Project AU)

“MJ, are you sure about this?”

MJ gestures to be quiet as she and Ned make their way through the silent facility. Ned’s already hacked into the system to shut off the security cameras and alarms, but the last thing they need is to alert any guards. She tightens her grip on her backpack.

2. scars are souvenirs we never lose (Spider-Man (MCU) Peter/MJ, Michelle-centric post-NWH fic)

Michelle is pretty sure she spent the first few hours of Saturday hanging out on Liberty Island with her best friend and a wizard.

Yes, she knows how that sounds. No, she doesn’t know why they were there. It gets particularly confusing when she remembers there was some kind of showdown between Spider-Man and a lizard and a sand storm, and maybe a guy on a hoverboard? Anyway, the point is, she and Ned spent their night hanging out at what she’s pretty sure is now a crime scene, and she has no idea how they ended up there.

3. Speak Aloud What Until Now I've Only Sung (Austin & Ally, Austin/Ally through the years)

They are 18 and prom is just around the corner. He wants to ask her to what is supposed to be the greatest night of their high school lives, but he takes just a bit too long working up the nerve, and when he finally approaches her and tries to nonchalantly suggest that they go together she already has a date.

With Dallas.

Of course.

Fate would decide to screw with him like that.

4. Make a Move (‘Cause I’m Ready) Austin & Ally, Austin/Ally post-Mix-Ups & Mistletoe

Early on the day after Christmas, Trish barges into Sonic Boom and demands, "So are you going to tell me about that almost kiss under the mistletoe or what?"

Ally is still exhausted from yesterday and is all but on autopilot, and before she can stop herself she replies, "Which one?"

5. Fragment of Light (Merlin; Arthur-Gwen 4x09 spec fic)

“They want your head, Guinevere.” Gwen remains silent, her gaze trained to the side. “What am I supposed to do now?” This catches her attention, and she finally looks at him. Disbelief flickers across her face.

6. There’s So Much More Than Me and You (Merlin; Arthur/Gwen 3x10 spec fic)

“Guinevere.”

Gwen glanced up from her place on the dungeon floor. “Arthur,” she breathed. She stared at him for a moment, just making out the outline of him through the bars of the prison door.

6. Burnt Chicken Never Won Fair Lady (Merlin; Arthur/Gwen slightly cracky modern au)

As a rule, Gwen avoided the habit of eavesdropping, preferring not to run the risk of hearing only bits and pieces of a conversation and either agonizing over what had actually been said or leaving the room with a completely false understanding of the discussion. Yet when Morgana started snickering uncontrollably, her magazine shaking up and down, Gwen couldn’t help but look up from her book and follow her friend’s gaze to the two young men standing on the other side of Morgana’s elegantly decorated living room.

7. A Handful of Sand (Merlin; Arthur/Gwen, arranged marriage s3 spec)

Camelot is falling apart.

As much as Gwen tried to quiet this thought, every day it seemed to grow stronger. The dragon attack months ago was only the first of many tragedies to befall the kingdom, and now the people were cursed with a king who, for all intents and purposes, had gone mad.

8. Multa Paucis (Merlin; Arthur/Gwen, Gwen-centric missing scenes from s2 finale)

“They’ve left, Gwen – both of them.”

“Oh.” It’s the only word that manages to escape her lips, the only word she trusts herself to utter without revealing that the world is turning on its head, that she is lost and unsure and …

Scared.

9. A Pirate’s Life (is not For Spoiled Princes) (Merlin; Arthur, Gwen, and Morgana in a pre-Merlin Camelot)

The morning before Gwen’s first day as a handmaiden her father had warned her that her lady’s word was law. “No matter what happens, obey the king’s ward,” her father had said before seeing her off. Gwen understood the logic behind this advice, but she wondered if her father would’ve instructed her otherwise had he been better acquainted with the Lady Morgana. Indeed, Gwen couldn’t imagine that he’d be particularly thrilled if he discovered how his daughter was currently aiding her lady in a pirate attack on the crown prince of Camelot.

10. We Are Just Breakable Girls and Boys (Merlin; Arthur/Gwen shortly after Morgana’s disappearance)

He finds her in Morgana’s chambers. Her back is to him – her face looking out the window – and her arms are wrapped around her body as if she’s protecting herself from the cold. He hasn’t said a word, but somehow she knows he’s there, for she soon says in a hoarse voice, “I didn’t believe him.”

[captainaikus]

Oh ew the OF accounts and sex bots are completely getting out of hand. I haven’t been notified of any new followers but I don’t trust tumblr to do so. I’m have to gonna check on that soon 🙄🙄.

And seriously for what reason are people flagging down your works for like 😭😭?? It literally makes no sense??? Some people are so rude and mean and spiteful for no reason like. Do better or screw off unintentionally quoting Ego here I’m sorry that this happened to you, it really sucks.

Ever since break started I’ve been in a kind of limbo. It feels so surreal not having any work to do. I mean I do have basic chores to do today like the laundry and vacuuming and stuff but besides that it’s a free day. I am. Very very very. Temped to start reading the blue lock manga. I know I said I’d wait for the anime to finish but like I need something to do 😭😭. I was starting my first TR reread since the last chapter but I only got in 3 chapters before I started sobbing and I haven’t even gotten to Akkuns first death or met Mikey and Draken for the first time again yet. I’m gonna have to chunk my way through it while sobbing and taking so many breaks because I will seriously never recover from this manga. OH AND I LOVE CHIFUYUS BIRTHDAY ART. Wakui continuing to attest that yes takefuyu are still canon in the reset timeline. It’s such a relief for me because those two are my comfort duo 😭😭😭. I also want to finish Chainsaw Man soon. I stopped at around volume 9 because I’m broke and was reading it at the bookstore and all I can say is that this series is definitely getting a reread cause I love analyzing strange works and concepts. THE MAITAKE COVER ASJKGFJKHFFGGG. The way I screeched when I first saw it like. I love how you worded it, they literally look like royalty together UGH. Suffice to say that yes maitake fans has a field day with the cover of volume 31 😌😌. I cant wait for the inside cover to be revealed. My prediction/demand is that it’s gonna be then as children childhood-friends-to-lovers. But I guess we’ll see.

Anyways. How are you Belle? Doing better I hope? How’s uni? Oh and when does your winter break start? How’s life? Im so happy tumblr is being cooperative now and letting you see my tagged posts 😭😭. Sorry for the constant tagging tho, there’s just so much I wanna share and I see something and I’m like “oh I wanna show this to Belle” you know? Oh and im so glad you liked that Oliver drabble 🥹🥹. I’ve got another one in mind for him but this time it might be a little more ✨spicy✨ so stay tuned 👀👀😌. I hope you have a great day and that the caramel frappuccino tasted great!!! *sending many virtual hugs*

- ✨ anon

Istg- i got followed by accounts from Czechia and Carolina this morning. Alright, I made my pinned post of Gojo's OF account but this is a writing blog; not even an OF promotion blog (╥﹏╥) unless... i draw some stuff

Tumblr decided to not let me post my rant- so here’s what I had to say

I revisited my childhood with watching DBZ... (i knew i said i would start one piece but the gym bro-ness got the better of me and i started watching it) someone please explain why does Goku's voice sound... i don't know how to describe it. i was so shocked about his voice, i was planning on watching the dub instead cause of it *crying* Honestly, Wakui did a really good job with the cover. Even when I was reading mangas online - I was so awed by the covers of the manga and when TR was on its peak here, i saw a lot of spoilers for bonten mikey. I never liked mikey... but this made me change my mind. And they (like every cover character i saw up until the Brahman arc looked like royalty. Even hanma-) I'm doing well! Contemplating to change the blog theme for some reason. It's not gonna be aiku ofc- he gets 0 screen time cause he hasn't come back from italy and i am mad at him with part 1 to ocean hues I'm on my winter break actually and omw back home. Fifa knocked the wind out of me. I feel sad cause Mbappé played really well (and he was sad too when they lost), i literally went to go keep my plate and he scored in 97 seconds of the first goal T.T . But i'm also really happy for Argentina cause its the first time in 36 years since Maradona that they have won the Wc and i cried cause they were crying on the field not to mention the fact that Messi played in their team as well - so it was bittersweet ending but also very well deserved! And yes i am a football head I can't see you in my activity still (maybe your visibility switch is off? i'm not sure) but i do get the number on my activity and that's how ik that you're there (⑅ •͈ᴗ•͈ ) I actually don't mind being tagged! and I enjoy the things you have to show me as well ૮⸝⸝> ̫ <⸝⸝ ა (i saw some stuff where you tagged me- i'll be answering those soon, promise i'm not ignoring you ૮(˶˃ᆺ˂˶)ა ) I. absolutely. loved. the Oliver drabble ˃̵ᴗ˂̵. I still read it btw, cause it is absolutely precious. the deer headrest and the fact he wants to be a good boy made me go (๑✪ᆺ✪๑) did you say spicy 💀 *here lies Isabelle Aiku; beloved wife of Oliver Aiku who is unaware that he is married to her- * Starry you're gonna make me combust from the heat *sending back bear hugs*

*my man is so handsome (>﹏<) and yours is too*

[ishida-kun121]

Going off-line, routine self-maintenance long overdue

I’ve been struggling a lot with social interactions lately, Can’t find my sense of self. So bad I don’t even know how to communicate with those who want to help. And those who I want to help see this jittering, unreliable-looking contraption, and they don’t feel safe using the ladder I’ve built. So I’m gonna step back from everyone. I’ll be fine, if I know you in person, and see you in person, then I’m willing to talk, go through the dance of just general hanging out. If you only know me online, I can’t figure out a good metaphor for that, but I guess maybe, imagine I’m at the holo-conference, and I need to just turn off my communicator for a while to put out my own fire to the point where I can understand how to actually help someone else. But I think I just need to go totally dark for a while. I’ll respond to any emergency alert you send me, if you’ve got me on an instant message platform, I’ll check when I’m able. But I won’t be getting any phone alerts from it.  I’ve forgotten the actual value of “alone time” so, if you’re someone whose time I keep interrupting, I’m backing off. I’ll come back when I understand better. Which will happen after I stop trying to look for messages every day. If you feel like I’m someone who is one of your last strong connections with, please don’t hesitate to ask for the kind of help where the fastest notice is a horse running to another kingdom.  The kind of message that sends the entire kingdom to help with what could seem like a very small problem to anyone involved after that amount of time. Basically, any alert is like that, but the magnitude scales. I’m in high alert mode from my own life. Soo everything coming in from the outside, with how my mind works, is automatically treated as a few magnitudes higher severity than what I’ve got going on. I’ll show up with *Everything* i have to help, but if the message was delayed, if the dire news is something that has a chance to change everything, then it’ll eventually reach the right ears. And an appropriately small investigative force will be sent after time. The small investigaive response can’t be interpreted as “There’s no way that’s enough” but rather “is this all that’s left?” Prompts you to send your own scout to do survey how able to help I actually am. People help people not as individuals, but piece of a larger puzzle. Someone who is totally alone can only help someone else feeling the same level of isolation. What if mental illnesses are more common these days, because people interact much more often.  Wars didn’t exist before power structures. I’m on a “trying to discover the meaning of life” type quest, I don’t know who is able to follow. But unfortunately, there’s many who try to tag along to sabotage such quests. In classic fiction, the bad guy is always someone with a connection to the main character in some way. It’s a chronicle. The way our ancestors talked

Before written language

Before there were records to check, before there were records that could be forged. The type of communication that only happens when all involved parties pass every single security check to reach the same stage. The ones that have to work together to solve the puzzle. It might be a dangerous journey, one that I might not be able to face alone. But I can’t ask anyone to help. This probably sounds absolutely bogus to a lot of people reading this. So I’m giving you the opportunity to send your smallest scouting party based on the severity of what you want my help with, if you need it. The most dangerous part of this journey is if someone I care about needed to reach out but felt that they couldn’t. That might be enough to throw me off course. If you need something that could throw me off course. Best be ready to steer my fleets yourself if you have to. I don’t even have total control over them yet, so maybe the help I need is someone willing to steer the ship if they have to go that far in order to point me to what they need help with. I won’t get it on the first try, or the third. I can only help someone who is willing to forgive my errors along the way I have to put out a lot of fires before I can improve those odds.  Lower my alert level to something that registers yours at the appropriate scale. Basically, the shorter term response needed, know that a bigger fleet will show up to look for survivors. That could crush a lifeboat if that’s the aid sent to investigate after so long. If that’s all that could be spared at the time. I wish anyone struggling with mental health issues a safe night. And if you need someone, just because I’m trying to go off and be a hermit, isn’t a reason to talk yourself out of asking for help. This is just a notice saying that the faster a message is sent, the higher level alert it will always be seen as. And a disproportionate response may be sent to help. Do not hesitate to ask me to tone it down right away to get on your level. I’m clumsy, but always willing to adjust to the right spot. I understand what it’’s like to have an uncomfortable existence in my own general way, and I acknowledge that I haven’t obtained the right information to understand better yet. Info that can’t be taught, you just have to hear it from an unknown source I can only help somoene willing to be just as patient as I am. And I thought I was patient, but I’m actually quite tolerant. There’s a difference. This is me saying I’m willing to drop down to the absolute minimum contact, a few liked or reblogged posts here and there. scaling up until the communication is restored. It’s natural to disconnect and then reconnect later. But some people get it wrong because they don’t trust their peers to know what they’re up to. If I already talk to you regularly, you’re in the loop enough to understand.

If you already have me on any thing with an instant message service,  including tumblr, your message is likely to be seen highest priority. For those who don’t, the best way is recommended to send a DM or an ask about my email address. I’ll wean myself off checking for messages here. Small notifications back and forth, like likes or reblogs  are still okay, they are a signal ping back and forth to establish connection patterns anew. I hope I haven’t damaged any connections by not understanding correctly. If I have done something to recently get marked as “enemy” in your brain, I’m willing to accept the accidental hits. Even if you don’t understand what the thing your brain reacted to is. Or if you don’t understand me well enough to explain what it was. Whatever factor, I’d like to take some time to reflect so that if an apology is needed, I can ask seriously if there’s anythig I’ve done to damage a connection And you’ll be able to tell, listen to your gut. If you want me to reach your level, as we climb, be prepared for a misinterpretation to what your level is. slow communication is important for building bridges between isolated groups. In the old times, people didn’t survive under kings and queens for ages in prosperity without more going on behind the scenes. Instant communication is so noisy to anyone who isn’t ready for that level.  If I’ve been too noisy with you, I apologize, I’ll turn off all the noise I can hear before I try to approach again. Slow and gentle, testing the waters in the future. I’ll come back But if you need me to not go alone, you can always ask. I’ll leave the simple communicators on. Just be ready for too big of an investigative response. I’m always willing to dial it back. Sometimes it just takes several tries to figure out what I’m adding up wrong. What is being an obstacle blocking me from coming closer.

Ishida out. I’ll return.

[theothin]

And I’d expect people who have followed my blog to understand my POV on art more since I talk about it quite regularly and yet here we are!

I don't think I've ever followed your blog. I remember interacting positively with you in the past, but I don't follow many people.

-I- don’t just replicate and vomit it back up. And I do art that is freakin derivative as HELL and can STILL explain all sorts of symbolism and choices made to create it the way it was created. assuming that’s “all” artist do that is not only disrespectful to artist but to art as a whole. If some artist do nothing but replicate…that’s on them, but with respect to the artist of that comic, if all they are bringing to their art is copying maybe they SHOULD be navel gazing about what they bring that an AI doesn’t. Mosy artist stop being replicate machines once they learn the technical skills and start using then to SAY something.

I didn't say anything about artists being replication machines who don't have distinct symbolism and choices they can explain. My point is that beneath those choices, there's so much more you're taking for granted. Can you name every piece of art that might have had the tiniest subconscious influence on your choices of symbolism, or on developing your understanding of art to think to use symbolism the way you do in the first place?

When I write a scene, my idea of what that scene might consist of is shaped by any number of my previous experiences with media, to teach me about elements a scene can have and how they can impact it. When I write a sentence - even one outside of a story, like this one - I come up with a concept for what the sentence is meant to accomplish, and rely on subconscious parts of my brain to fill in gaps as needed, extrapolating from its existing information to come up with words likely to meet the criteria. That is exactly the same as the process of prompting an AI.

Does your art not SAY something? Are you not DOING something with all those references and skills? Why do you think all art is summed up only by the technical skills used to create it?

In order: of course it does, of course I am, and I don't think any such thing. I'm not sure what prompted any of these questions, but they seem to be a response to a thing I didn't say.

UBI is great, AI is effecting my rent now. I’m not living in a perfected future, I’m living here and now. How does UBI fix the issue happening currently? would YOU like to call my mortgage company and explain I won’t be paying my bills because UBI is the most ethical system? i’ll DM you their number, I’m sure they’ll take philosophical possibilities for my rent payment.

My condolences.

Also, gimme a break about “taking it personal” when you’re talking about my profession AND passion. This isn’t theoretical, you are talking about ME when you talk about artist and AI art. i’m sorry your uncomfortable that you were talking down about a skill and profession and didn’t expect someone from that profession to react. But that’s what happens when you put out negative opinions publicly. The weird “Oh you’re getting too personal~” tactic isn’t going to work cause yeah ofc this is personal. I am very passionate about art and paying my bills.

If this topic stresses you out that much, I would not recommend reading my posts on the matter. Have you considered blacklisting relevant tags?

Everyone uses or is gonna use AI. It’s inevitable. It sucks. You won’t have much of a choice anyway. Much like fast fashion. But just admit you want the pretty pictures and don’t want to pay to commission them and/or work to learn how to make them yourself.

I want to use AI to more conveniently complete projects that I probably could not feasibly bring into reality any other way. I have no problem acknowledging this. But I was advocating for AI art well before I became interested in actually using it myself, not for that reason at all.

@sailor-kaiju if you're that interested in having this argument, fine, let's go.

You dismiss the comic I brought up and its subsequent discussion as meaningless insecurities, but they are nothing of the sort. The artist is absolutely correct - not just about his own art, but about how art works in general. Your art has just as much reason to be considered "stealing" from whatever you take inspiration from, as does my writing. Recognizing that fact is something all artists should do, and I see plenty who do so. Your lack of that self-awareness does not make you any better than those of us who have it.

Meanwhile, I'm surprised you see the idea of UBI as unrealistic Marxism. It's a lofty goal, but trying to put a stop to the use of an effective piece of technology is even less practical. I've been saying for years that it's the real answer to concerns around automation, as have many others - starting long before generative AI got as big as it is now.

If you're not convinced by those arguments, good news - I have plenty more of them! Multiple tags' worth, even. It's a common topic on this blog, one where I've said and shared all sorts of things I don't feel the need to reiterate. I'd expect people who've been following me for a while to be familiar with them by now, unless they're avoiding engaging with the topics entirely.

Whatever is the case, I would recommend against perceiving someone posting things on their own blog as them coming into your house and spitting in your face. Doesn't seem like a healthy perspective.