#I’ve been drawing too spicy to post here recently

[ryuusea]

what if he wanted more than a sniff

[uncreativeuser27]

Hello! I haven’t posted anything for…a while now lmao but I HAVE been drawing. So, allow me to dump all my art in this post so I can disappear off the face of the Earth again because composing a good post is too much effort for my pathetic brain to handle /hj

I’ll try to put them in order of when they were made, but I’ll also group them into categories. The date as well as my signature can be found on all of the drawings (if you care lol)

This is a drawing I did for a friend of mine. It’s his original character, Mad Snake. Normally, I don’t like taking requests, but I genuinely enjoyed drawing this guy, so I didn’t mind it. He was a step out of my comfort zone, and I liked how he turned out!

Now, the Jaiden pieces! The first one was my idea that Jaiden started performing for Las Casualonas (but, like, as a singer or stage personality. She never actually did anything spicy). I also thought she and Melissa could have a really funny dynamic. Like some sort of rivalry for the audience’s attention/love.

The second picture, as it obviously states, is what I headcannon Jaiden looks like working for the federation. I had fun with her scythe (and if you pay close attention, you can see a little something in the reflection:])

And the third one is of Jaiden stretching w/ her wings. It’s also the most recent of this entire batch. Basically, I finally came up with a way that I liked to draw wings and had a sketch in my sketchbook of that pose, so I drew Jaiden. Her shirt intentionally comes down low in the back to make space for the wings, and her hands are out of frame because I didn’t want to draw them. Also, that one only took me about 2 and a half hours, where most of the other took from 6-8 hours, so…lol

The next pieces are an original work from 8th grade an the redraw two years later. It was an assignment that we had to read a novel and then make a trailer for it. I asked to make a drawing instead, and thus, this creation was born.

I changed a little bit, like putting two of the characters in the trees instead of a fading color behind them. Overall, they both took me three days and I’m really happy about how the redraw turned out.

This is Imp. Yes, he looks like SomethingElseYT, but I don’t care. I love him, and I was already attatched when I realized. I made a whole spread in my sketchbook for him (I ran out of images, so I didn’t include it here. Maybe another day) Also he serves no purpose other than being something I can doodle on random things and places. He doesn’t even have hands

This next one is a self-portrait in an outfit that I really liked! The original had my full name, but I blurred it for the sake of not wanting my full name on the internet (I’ve probably screwed up somewhere, but at least I’m trying :’)

And this last one is meant to be part of a collection, but I only made for Kenny. I want to draw all of the main four in South Park as teens, but I haven’t been able to think of poses and stuff for the others. It willl happen one day, but for now have this I guess

So, yeah. That was all the art that I wanted to share but haven’t had the motivation to actually put together posts for all of them. Hope you enjoyed my little display lmao

You probably won’t see for the next, like, couple of months because I’m really bad at posting. So, take this as my going away gift :D

[bunnyshideawayy]

what baffles me the most is the 🌽 addiction accusation is it’s coming from, mainly, men who 100% consume 🌽ographic media daily via onlyfans and websites and have recently discovered women enjoy sex, too, but read about it instead. they are also the same men who bash SWers, who’s content they consume and pay for! OR pretentious male book readers who only read Plato and the only classics, funnily enough though they never take an issue with books like Game of Thrones, in which Grrm describes some of the most violent and graphic sex scenes i’ve personally ever read.

i’ll be the first to admit there is a 🌽 problem in this society, and that the industry is a horrible place that condones/advertises horrible things, things that mostly affect women/femme presenting people. but i think the important and conveniently unnoted difference between spicy books and 🌽 visuals like the videos posted on say, pornhub, is that 9/10 those books are not *JUST* porn. Acotar is probably a weak example but i’ll use it anyway, only a small fraction of those books are actual sex scenes, a good 90% of the story is actually plot, world building, character growth, emotional connection and relationships established for both reader/characters, there is an actual story being told- sex just happens to be in it, which i usually skim past anyway. however in videos you have none of that- it’s just sex. the videos with scripts usually have disturbing themes and dialogue, but again no actual plot.

another conveniently forgotten point is what is being promoted. obviously the issue is not black and white, for example Haunting/Hunting Adeline, that book, much like the actual 🌽 industry, promotes some pretty awful and weird shit like abuse, SA, and violence against women, but at the end of the day i will always side with Haunting Adeline because of the simple fact it’s about fictional, fake people. the same cannot be said about videos and media like it. those are real people, and yes they may be a of age, consenting, adult doing their job……or they may not be. even if they are the video is being posted as “barely legal teen, step daughter and mom” with them dressed up in school girl uniforms (btw that’s two of the most popular searches on pornhub). on the flip side there is some ethical porn media that can be consumed, and as long as you’re not feeing into the above mentioned (abuse, SA, incest, etc) websites like onlyfans gives SWers the chance to make money with their own boundaries and i’ve heard of i think at least one website that is women own and ran that makes 🌽 “for women” aka without all the weird fetishization and dehumanization.

i also understand some people work through past trauma via kinks like cnc, etc, so reading books about that or watching videos is something they do but i’m not qualified to speak on that so i won’t.

i guess i made this big ass post to say maybe consider the nuance behind this discussion before you run around calling women who read books that happen to also have sex in them 🌽 addicts. although i can’t completely say my opinion is unbiased, i have seen real life 🌽 addiction first hand through my ex boyfriend and how it literally ruined his life/our relationship, and i also enjoy a fairy smut book here and there, i dont support the 🌽 industry but i do support SWers. sex and erotica have been apart of written history and culture since we invented writing, hell ancient people were drawing people fucking and their dicks out before writing was invented. you cannot completely strip the sexuality out of humanity, we’ll all always be a little freaky. but it’s important to understand what you’re consuming and to be critical of it if you believe it promotes harmful things.

i also wanted to clarify i brought up fanfiction because i have read far more graphic things on ao3 than any published author would dare write, i could only imagine what those people would say when they saw the “porn without plot” tag. what names they’d call fanfic writers. 😭

genuinely curious what the “booktok girls are 🌽 addicts” puritans would think and say about fanfiction…

[yukidragon]

Will u make more of your take on aphrodesia!Sunny day jack? No pressure if u dont want to!

I’m so glad you want to see more of the Something’s Wrong With Sunny Day Jack and Aphrodesia crossover AU! I certainly want to do more with it, particularly writing some short fics and art in that setting. For the most part I’ve been taking a break with writing and drawing in general to recharge (which is why Sunshine in Hell hasn’t been updated in a while), but with the occasional writing blurb here and there for funsies. It’s kind of like the writer equivalent of doodling.

Since you were so kind to ask for more of this crossover AU, and in the spirit of celebrating the kickstarter getting successfully funded and reaching 300 followers on my twitter, I suppose I could post a little narrative doodle. I’m not sure if I’ll actually finish this little rough snippet, but I had fun making it. Maybe you’ll like it too.

If I do wind up finishing it, I’ll be sure to post the polished version in Sunshine in Another World. I hope you enjoy it!

Oh, and as a heads up, this flashfic is for Adults Only. These fandoms are for Adults over the age of 18 Only. Things are pretty explicit right from the outset, and it’s a bit kinkier than my usual spicy writing, so it’s going to be entirely hidden behind a cut.

I never thought I’d be writing a smut piece about cockwarming with a mafia boss, but here we are.

...

Alice had to learn to be patient about a lot of things ever since she was inducted into the Sunny Family. She had to learn how to sit still and focused for hours to be an effective sniper. Back when she was barely hanging onto the lowest rung of the family she had to be patient and ready to be summoned at a moment’s notice by her boss. Most of all, she had to be patient until her debt was paid off, and she could finally leave this bloody life behind her and return to her real family.

One thing Alice never thought she would have to be patient for was for Sunny Day Jack to just fuck her already.

Ever since the two of them got together officially as a couple, Jack never seemed to be able to keep his hands off Alice. Well, admittedly he had a hard time keeping his hands off her since the day they met, but he was nothing if not respectful of her boundaries. However, at some point their physical contact crossed from platonic hand holding to a heck of a lot more. It had been such a striking change in her life, going from never having sex to making love practically every day. They spent every single day together, and it was rare that they wouldn’t wind up naked and entwined together at some point.

Despite how active her sex life had become recently, Alice still had no idea how she wound up in the lap of the leader of the most powerful and respected crime families of St. Valens with his large dick buried deep inside her. What was even more inexplicable was how Jack expected her to just keep still while he filled her so completely to the brim. She was so acutely aware of every inch of him, especially the part of him that faintly throbbed inside her, hot, hard and more than ready to just finally rail her over the desk already.

How the hell did I get in this mess? Alice wondered, not for the first time since she got embroiled in the seedy criminal underbelly that infested the city of St. Valens. Sure, indulging in her boyfriend’s kinky request was a far cry from the worst thing she had ever done while here, but it was hard not to feel frustrated when her body throbbed with need.

Unfortunately, her boss ordered her not to move until he was finished with his paperwork. ‘Let’s play a little game,’ he said. ‘Won’t that be fun?’ he said.

Jack even sweetened the deal by offering Alice some sort of prize if she ‘won’ their little game, though he didn’t say what that would be. He also didn’t say what her ‘penalty’ would be if she ‘lost.’

That damn prize better be worth it, Alice thought bitterly as she watched the most dangerous crime boss in the city sign yet another paper while she struggled desperately not to start slamming her hips down on his dick - penalties be damned.

Jack pretended to take no notice of his assistant’s discomfort. He didn’t exactly ignore Alice, idly stroking her hair in an almost offhand manner as he used the other to thumb through his paperwork. Seeing her so impatient for him was intoxicating. He wanted the game to last for as long as possible. The flush of her pouty cheeks was so cute, and the exquisite velvety feeling of her pussy wrapped around him was heaven. She was so perfect, as though she was made for him. There was nothing in the world better than to be one with her like this.

Well, admittedly, it was a little taxing on his patience. Although Alice did well not to move, her occasional twitches around his dick sent small sparks of pleasure that was sweet torture. It was difficult for Jack to hold back and continue the game instead of bending her over the desk to pound himself into that deliciously hot and wet pussy of hers, but he was committed to seeing it through.

Besides, teasing Alice was pretty fun. Jack wondered just how long it would take for her to break down and beg him to make love to her. She was already so impatient, so needy for him.

This game was as good as won.

“You’re doing so good,” Jack murmured as he pressed a kiss to Alice’s forehead. She still flinched a little where his lips touched her scars, but not as much as she did at the beginning. It was enough to send another spark shooting through his dick as her spongy walls fluttered around him. His breathing caught for a moment, but he managed to keep a straight face despire the sweet torture the game put them both through. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Jack…,” Alice said, cringing at the needy whine in her voice. “How much longer?”

Jack chuckled, the corner of his mouth hooking into a smirk as he admired her flushed cheeks. “Just a little longer, sunshine.” He pressed another kiss into her cotton candy soft hair this time.  “Don’t worry, I’ll be done soon.”

Alice couldn’t stop her sigh of frustration. “You said that half an hour ago.”

“Yes,” Jack admitted almost a little too innocently. “I suppose that is true, but ‘soon’ is just a little sooner now than it was before.”

Alice huffed as she pressed her cheek into her boyfriend’s shoulder, taking solace in at least his warmth. She tried not to think about the burning in her core, but it was impossible not to ache for Jack to make love to her. He was so warm, his embrace so comforting, and he gently toyed with her hair or rubbed her arm in a gentle affirmation that she was precious to him.

 It was wonderful, but it wasn’t enough. Alice couldn’t ignore the way her pussy throbbed with need and begged to be pounded into until she lost all sense of reason.

There had to be a way to get Jack to end the game sooner without losing.

Another kiss to her cheek, along one of her most prominent scars. The action was so tender and loving that her insides fluttered despite her frustration. It wasn’t just her chest that constricted with emotion, and Alice caught the shuddering breath Jack let out, as well as the small noise that was suspiciously like a whimper. It was so cute.

It also gave Alice an idea.

Jack was in the middle of his signature, when a gentle squeeze around his dick sent a jolt of pleasure through him that caused him to scrape his pen across the page. He had to take a moment to compose himself, but another squeeze drew out a whimper that he failed to bite back.

“Sunshine,” Jack said in a slightly husky tone.

“Hmm?” Alice asked with an innocent smile painted on her lips.

“I told you to keep still,” Jack chided as he poked one of her pinked cheeks with a finger.

Alice just made her faux innocence even more obviously fake as she batted her eyelashes cutely at Jack. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said sweetly even as she squeezed around his dick again, her voice catching a little. It also sent a shudder through him and into her that felt absolutely delicious. “I haven’t moved my hips an inch, just like you told me to.”

Jack eyed his mischievous sunshine with a considering look, but found his train of thought interrupted by another jolt of pleasure as Alice tightened herself around him again. He moaned her name despite his composure, and he put both hands on her hips to stabilize himself, only for her to do it again, and again, wearing him down in the most wonderful of ways.

Maybe the game wouldn’t be so easy for Jack to win after all.

[veliseraptor]

☕️ American SFF

wow so how long ago did I do this meme? too long probably to be answer this ask now is probably the answer, but I found it in my drafts and felt like it, so sue me. and also I have fresh hot spicy opinions* on this now so *fingerguns* here goes

So I’ve been looking over “most anticipated” lists for 2022, and...I think I referenced a while ago the way that I’m feeling kind of detached/alienated from the state of much of the new SFF coming out right now (at least, that gets a lot of press/attention), and I’m still very much feeling that - it seems like what is “in” right now is just not what works for me.

To elaborate on that a little - I feel like some of it can be summed up by my reflexive grimace whenever I hear the word “hopepunk,” or the fact that as far as I’m concerned Becky Chambers has overstayed her welcome by several books, or the fact that I am very tired of reading book blurbs that talk about how sweet and tender and soft it is.

It seems as though (and this is anecdata and personal, please don’t take me as an authority) there’s an impulse in SFF lately to offer stories that serve as solace or comfort - that, if they’re not utopias, gesture toward the concept. I can understand that impulse, certainly - the world is a mess, things are scary and miserable and, per Tolkien, it is peoples’ right to want to escape that and find reassurance where they can. And some of it, too, is I think a correction/backlash against “grimdark” works. Which...yeah, grimdark was a Thing, and it was a thing that drove me nuts, but I also feel like the definition (as with so many things) gradually expanded to cover a lot of ground, and became sort of “dismissive way of categorizing a thing I don’t like” sometimes. Consequently, from my perspective it feels like an overcorrection. It feels...toothless. It feels like the book version of the sensation of trying to squeeze a very soft pillow.

Of course this doesn’t cover everything on the shelves, but when I turn the other way what I find is a lot of stuff that feels very...Single Dude Protagonist, if that makes sense as a shorthand. And that’s not what I want either! I just find that boring; generally speaking there’s not a lot there to draw me.

And the thing is that I feel like I can’t talk about this, because people are going to hear it as, like, me bitching about SFF becoming a more diverse publishing field, the uptick in books with queer characters and romances, more mind being paid to how things like race and gender are handled. That’s the association that I feel like gets made, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I think about that genre of Tumblr post that was like “why would you ever put homophobia in your fantasy world, that’s horrible.��� It’s this idea that writing darkness into a fictional world, writing pain and suffering and inequality, is somehow perpetuating the wrongs of the real world, as opposed to it being a way of examining those things, responding to those things. Not just I read this to cope or whatever but I read this because it gives me something to think with.

I feel like there was this brief window of time where there was this influx of writers and books that were doing some very interesting things with the genre, particularly thematically. I think of Broken Earth, and Imperial Radch, and The Traitor Baru Cormorant, and Machineries of Empire, and Divine Cities. Books that were grappling with heavy shit, that could hurt you, that offered a challenge of one kind or another. But now...I just feel like I don’t see those kinds of works popping up as much anymore.

This isn’t universal, obviously! The Poppy War and its sequels came out recently and certainly were not this; same with the Green Bone Saga. There are still books coming out that are wrestling with the kind of things that I want to read about, that feel like something I can sink my teeth into, and that sink their teeth into me. But I feel like they’re getting harder and harder for me to find.

*citation needed

[tact-and-impulse]

art bump!

Heard the live action movie was a disappointment on everything besides fight scenes, thus I’ve solidified my intent not to watch. Honestly, I’ve been subsisting on Pixiv fanart for the past few years anyway. They deliver on the emotional nuance, humor, and genuine affection. Here are some links, so if you’d like to be cheered up, give these artists appreciation and love!

KatouVanillia: Incredibly committed to regular posts, including a regular color picture at the beginning of each month, and is releasing a daily drawing for the month of June. The usual works are sweet, fluffy, and colorful as confectionaries. Some nudity here and there, but it’s done very tastefully.

うずシロコ: A short story about the night Kenji was born. Super comforting, tender, and full of joy. I really wish the artist did more.

L子: My fave from this artist is a manga for Kenshin’s birthday, and Kaoru’s also pregnant. I particularly like the detailed backgrounds this artist does, and they also hate the new movies too, for a plus.

明けの: This artist in particular really captures Kaoru, and she’s so adorable. This collection has twin-tails KenKao and them doting over the child they made. Also, a brief manga where somehow, Battousai’s ended up in Meiji 11 and Kenshin refers to him as ‘that child over there’, lmao.

一ノ瀬天水: Mostly on Twitter and their Pixiv hosts the spicy stuff, whew. The first time I saw their work, I was like “is this the second coming of Meijijyaya?!” Because the resemblance to canon is uncanny, just throw Watsuki into hell where he belongs, and replace with this artist.

酸味: One of the first doujin artists I came across. This one is a sweet hug, and Kenshin’s reaction in the omake is funny.

ヤギ: An obvious AU flashback in which Kenshin meets Kaoru in his hitokiri days, before returning to post-canon. Also...this artist is the reason why I got a Pixiv account, to see their other NSFW stuff lol.

なつ みかん: Currently cleaning and releasing some of their past works. This is my fave so far, because Kenshin delivers some truly iconic looks in this. His flopping down next to sleeping Kaoru, the stunned face he makes later on!

あじかず: Recently released a webprint with a cherry blossom filled family moment that I love so much (Kenji’s pudgy hand!). They also drew Koshijiro! I especially enjoy his expression in the middle left, because that is exactly how I imagine him when he’s saying ‘arm’s length’, along with Kaoru’s annoyed face.

sayo: Always a sucker for a couples moment in the kitchen. They also have a lot of works and they’ve demonstrated vast improvement over the years.

はる: Does a lot of big uploads, and I love them for that. And a ton of filthy KenKao shenanigans, if you’re interested. This has a taste of NSFW, but is mostly clean, and I love the pages where Kenshin accidentally calls Hiko his dad!

血マナコ: And there was only one bed at the Shirobeko! (Well, since there was some Sekihara twin meddling involved.) Also does quite a few colored pages, mainly canon stuff.

[danhoemei]

Tag game

I was tagged by @oddishblossom (but I’m writing from this blog instead of my tagged main @fismoll7secinv , because people rather know me here and maybe won’t be too baffled if I tag them xd)

Rules: tag nine people you want to get to know better.

Favorite color: green 💚💚💚 (which you could probably guess xd)

Currently reading: ghhhh nothing really because after I finished tyk, I’ve been dwelling on it too much to start anything else. I planned to move to other things or watch the drama after I finish my first fic, because I wanted to keep my impression from the book before it gets mixed up with the drama’s, but then I just got repeatedly flooded with more and more ideas for writing and I can’t let gooo. So yeah, I’m kinda into rereading tyk, so may do just that if I have any time to read. And after that I have so many new titles on the list to read, like other priest novels and so many more danmei novels I learnt about since I fully joined this fandom not long ago 💚 So excited about them

Last song: Astronaut by Sir Sly 💚 It's so far my song of 2021 and I even have a song radio with similar songs ajksfnjg

Last movie: I- honestly don’t remember when I last watched a movie and what it was?? I’m this meme

Last series: The Haunting of Hill House (rewatched with a friend) 💚 It’s such a great series, I could rewatch it again. It’s a horror but more focused on the psychology of the characters, their (broken) relationships and family issues running very deep. As the show goes you slowly learn more and more about this family and the story of each member, how they got to where they are now, what they struggle with, and who they were in the past. They are also one of the most complex, diverse, and well played characters I’ve seen. Everything is done in such a beautiful way, from storytelling to setting and even camera work, some scenes are still so vividly stuck in my head. And the music is gorgeous, especially this piece which became one of my fav piano pieces of all time. I freaking just made a post of my live experience because it pretty much says everything (without spoilers). This show took me through so many emotions, very anxious towards the end, but smoothed and untwisted them steadily, ending with a sense of completion and calmness. I felt literal catharsis and was left full of good emotions after experiencing a worthwhile story. I wholeheartedly recommend. But yeah, it’s still a horror with some scary scenes (but mostly in the beginnings, it gets chill towards the end because you learn what’s the deal and know the ‘monsters’). It didn’t scare me but my friend was more jumpy xd

Sweet, savory, or spicy: spicy my beloved. I can’t handle too much sweetness and savory is very much nope (vege go brrr)

Craving: I bet violet and green with a pinch of night sky on top and a smell of white-golden light would taste amazing

Tea or coffee: hard choice because I can’t live without coffee but I would lead an unhappy life without tea

Currently working on: oh boi so many things, so I’m toning it down to only danmei fandom stuff. So there is this fic that I’m slowly working on, I have the whole list of events and a general outline, plus a wip of the next chapter, and it’s gradually gaining more and more details to the point of already being a whole-ass au in my head. There is another fic (this time smut with some wenzhou-typical banters and shenanigans xd) which I had an idea for while still reading tyk, and I decided to commit to it and actually write it, so for now it’s a wip with some outline and a messy intro. Also I have ideas for 3 more drawings connected to this silly art of mine, because I need to meme and it’s gonna become a stupid compilation of a group of clowns lmfao

Tagging: aaa I don’t know many people here, I’ve only recently crawled out of my lurking cave. So feel free to ignore me or let me know if you want me to remove the mention 👉👉

@gaygothfarmer  @wrrinkl  @thaya-wamani  @contraltoviola  @lil-sestra  @nightjar-draws  @verycharismaticdragon  @marsipanart  @a-very-fond-farewell @carriewangxian

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Traveling with you - Kiro

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an event, 与你同游, which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

This is an event for Chinese New Year, where you get to visit a Spring Festival Temple Fair with the love interests :>

Players are able to select the order in which they visit various locations, so they aren’t meant to be in chronological order!

Prologue: here

More: Gavin l Lucien l Shaw l Victor

🌟 TEXT 🌟

MC: Ding dong--

MC: You’ve received a new invitation. Do you wish to open it immediately?

Kiro: Nope.

MC: Why can’t you cooperate with me?

Kiro: I’m waiting for Miss Chips to invite me personally, and not some automated system. 

Kiro: However, since Miss Chips has appeared, where are you inviting me out to?

MC: Will you be really busy these days?

MC: I just saw a pamphlet for this year’s Loveland Temple Fair, so I immediately wanted to ask if you wanted to go.

Kiro: A temple fair! What a lively place!

Kiro: Yes yes yes, we’ll go tomorrow.

MC: But you’re still quite eye-catching... will anyone notice you?

Kiro: The temple fair will be really crowded, so no one will pay me any mind.

Kiro: Also, I can put on a disguise. With a wig, hat, and spectacles, I can guarantee that no one will recognise me!

MC: Along with your excellent acting skills, mm... perfect!

MC: In that case, let’s rest early tonight, and rush there together tomorrow.

Kiro: Sure. Goodnight, Miss Chips. I’ll look for you in my dreams~

-

🌟 Location: Traditional Snacks Stall 🌟

MC: I notified Savin beforehand. Today, you’re allowed to have food that’s “not so healthy”.

Kiro: Yay, long live Miss Chips!

MC: Don’t celebrate too early. Next week, he’s going to supervise your workout sessions.

Kiro: Things belonging to next week shall be left to next week. Let’s hurry and see what delicious foods there are.

Standing next to the snacks stall, the both of us involuntarily glance at the same spot-

Golden-bright tornado potatoes are lined up neatly behind the glistening glass shelf. The strong scent of fried potatoes awaken the hungry bug in my belly.

Three minutes later, we carry three sticks of tornado potatoes, walking along the street of the temple fair.

Kiro: It’s horrible that there aren’t smaller versions of this. Otherwise, we’d be able to try all sixteen flavours!

MC: Exactly! If we weren’t leaving room for snacks later, we’d have definitely gotten them all!

We nibble on the carefully selected spicy river snail noodles, smoked salmon and honey flavoured tornado potatoes. Fragrance and crispiness mark the start of the Spring Festival’s delicacy journey.

-

🌟 Location: Game Stall 🌟

Kiro: Scissors, paper...

MC: Stone!

Kiro: I also did ‘paper’!

At a tie yet again, the level of chemistry we have is really pretty high.

MC: Why don’t we state the game we want to try at the same time? Three, two, one!

Kiro: Pitch-pot!

MC: Pitch-pot!

Kiro: Great minds think alike.

[Note] Pitch-pot is a traditional East Asian game that requires players to throw sticks, arrows, darts, etc. from a distance into a large canister!

Without another word, I quickly pull him over to the destination.

When we arrive at the pitch-pot stall, there aren’t many people there. A few participants even wear Hanfu while playing.

Kiro: So cool. Next time, we've got to dress like that too.

MC: It’s more practical for you to think about how to throw the arrows into the canister first.

Kiro: No problem. Leave it to me!

The so-called “leave it to me” is basically Kiro borrowing the flexibility from years of dancing experience, and leaning forward.

Instead of saying that he’s “throwing” the arrows, it’s more accurate to say that he’s “dropping” the arrows. But it’s actually really effective.

Fan A: Look at that guy over there. His profile resembles Kiro.

Fan B: Yes, yes, the way he stretched his arm out - doesn’t it look like the signature move from his recent title track?

Kiro stiffens. Hand trembling, the final arrow falls outside the canister.

Our eyes meet, and we hurriedly take the prize from the store owner, fleeing the scene quickly.

-

🌟 Location: Firecracker Stall 🌟

Kiro: “Tiny Magic Firecrackers”? Why does that sound like a secret weapon belonging to a superhero?

Kiro and I are squatting in front of a stall selling firecrackers, and he’s looking at the rope-like firecrackers in my hand.

MC: In that case, I’ll give you a proper look at the broad and profound world of firecrackers. Here. Hold this end, then light the other end.

Kiro follows what I say, and my words are drowned out amid the loud sounds of the firecrackers.

Even though it’s daytime, the flames from the tiny firecrackers remain spectacular.

The fireworks extinguish very quickly, and Kiro’s blue eyes sparkle.

Kiro: Turns out there are firecrackers I can hold in my hand! It reminds me of a French cartoon with a mystical dragon with the ability to produce fireworks! I wonder if I’d look dashing in pictures if I were to swing them around at night?

Despite my repeated reminders telling him to take care of his safety, he continues setting off a box of tiny firecrackers.

Seeing his face blackening from the smoke, I chuckle while buying him another stick.

-

🌟 Location: Auspicious Stall 🌟

Kiro: So? Can you see it?

MC: Mm... I think I see the word “Middle”.

This year’s Auspicious Stall involves pulling slips of paper which have been tied onto red strings at quite a height, and they aren’t easy to retrieve.

We’re currently looking through two binoculars that Kiro conjured out of nowhere, carefully inspecting the thin slips of paper to see if we can spot the words on them.

MC: I think I see one with the word “Great” - it’s over there.

Kiro quickly brings over a ladder and steps onto it. With my guidance, he selects a slip.

Unfolding it, the red “Small Blessings” rests on the paper quietly. At the bottom, there’s a random line written it: “Men of great wisdom often seem slow-witted”.

I can’t help but burst into laughter.

Kiro: Ooh, why do I feel as though the words are implying something about me?

MC: So why were you so determined to draw “Great Blessings”?

Kiro: It’s all because I want everything in life to go smoothly for you...

Kiro sighs, and it seems he’s genuinely upset about this. My heart grows warm.

MC: With Kiro by my side, I’m already lucky enough!

-

🌟 Location: New Year Handmade Items Stall 🌟

Next to the table, Kiro is facing the sample “ushering in wealth and prosperity” ideogram.

Kiro: You know that I’m not really good at drawing. This is far too difficult to write.

MC: But earlier, you very clearly promised that you’d write a word for me.

Kiro looks aggrieved.

Kiro: Could you pick an easier word? I can’t write it if it’s too difficult. If it looks ugly, the blessings won’t come true.

MC: I’ll lower the difficulty for you then. Just write the word “blessing”.

Kiro nods happily, copying the word incredibly earnestly.

Since he isn’t used to writing with a brush, every stroke is extremely meticulous.

Even after he’s done with the final stroke, Kiro’s brush doesn’t stop.

Kiro: In order to make up for the strokes I couldn’t write, I’ve specially drawn a few more...

Two teddy bears are leaning their heads against each other. The teddy bear on the right even has an adorable tiny flower on its head.

Kiro: This is a out-of-print, limited-edition Kiro calligraphy, and it’s given to the only Miss Chips in the world. Don’t worry, I’ll continue creating things for you wholeheartedly in the year ahead.

[foundthe8wing]

Okay, doing this over here because my main tumblr is usually a place for me to vibe and I don’t want all the bullshit tied to that account, but basically: I’m really angry and disappointed with the dndads cast for how they’ve put a lot of the minors in their fanbase in danger. Everything below is a repost from twitter (with permission from the OP, crypticjoy), and I’ll link the thread in a reblog. 

Under a cut because it’s long and potentially triggering (content warnings for grooming, sexualizing minors, and sexual assault)

[OP tagged the relevant cast accounts; I added slashes here bc I’m not sure if those same urls exist on tumblr and I don’t want to be randomly tagging people over here]

5:49 PM Sep 5, 2020

“I don’t usually do this, but: the way that the cast of @/dungeonsanddads engages with their audience is actively dangerous to minors, and they need to get it together. (cw for discussion of grooming, sexualizing minors, sexual assault)

First off, there are some iffy jokes and situations in the podcast itself. I’m not going to get into all of it right here, but have a google doc: [doc will also be linked in reblog]

Yes, the kids in #dndads are fictional, but that doesn’t mean this stuff doesn’t affect real kids listening. a. it normalizes talking/joking about kids in that way and b. There’s a lot of inconsistancy and confusion on the lines they draw--

Paeden saying “baby” is weird but Ron sitting in Terry Jr’s lap isn’t? I’m confused. You know who the fuck relies on that type of confusion and unclarity? Fucking predators

And I’m not saying every in-character decision has to be perfectly moral or acceptable, but the way the cast, out of character, discuss what’s weird and what’s not sends a lot of mixed messages. And that’s legitimately dangerous.

So then you take all of this, and you add a patron discord server that lets nsfw discussions run virtually unchecked--you create a fandom space that allows adults to discuss kinks, and porn searches, and just, all this other stuff, with teenagers...

... and it becomes a breeding ground for grooming and abuse.

The creators aren’t responsible for babysitting their fanbase or for how people engage with their content outside of their spaces (though, again, I’d urge them to be very careful about what kind of messages they’re sending)

But  they ARE responsible for taking basic steps to keep the spaces that THEY create and engage with safe.

“But the rules for the server say 18+!” The rules say you have to be 18 *or have parental permission.* They also say to keep things PG-13. That’s vastly different than establishing something as an adult-only/nsfw space.

“Minors shouldn’t be joining/listening anyway!” The cast can’t control who listens and neither can I, but there’s a difference between knowing teens are listening to you discuss sex with your adult friends vs facilitating conversations between teens and adults on those topics.

“If people are uncomfortable they can just leave.” First off, this situation isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s unSAFE. Second: fuck that. It’s not on minors to set and maintain boundaries about this stuff; a lot of them literally do not know how

Not because they’re stupid, but because they’re young and inexperienced. It’s the responsibility of adults to set and enforce healthy boundaries around sexual discussions, and this particular group of adults has done a fucking terrible job

(Maybe don’t encourage listeners to DM you about kinks! Maybe especially don’t do that when you’ve communicated, intentionally or not, that making and escalating sexual jokes is a really good way to get a reaction from you guys)

I get that they didn’t expect to have so many young listeners, but to be aware of that fact and make no adjustments whatsoever is irresponsible and it WILL lead to someone getting hurt. Does their “young, thirsty, female” audience only exist to them when they can laugh about it?

And let’s be absolutely 1000% clear: this isn’t an issue they’re unaware of. The stuff I’m talking about is an ongoing problem with how their server is run, but it came to a head with one specific situation very recently:

They released a bonus, patron-exclusive episode about the dads taking the bdsm test. Given the general state of the server, I was worried about where those discussions might lead, so before it dropped, I reached out to @/anthony_burch to express my concern

He told me he raised the issue with @/fwong and Ashley, meaning at least three members of the dndads team were aware of the situation, and decided it didn’t warrant any type of preemptive action on their part

(alternatively, it means Anthony lied, which would be a whole separate issue)

[Image ID: a discord DM conversation from Sep 1, 2020, between a crossed out username and reverendanthony. It reads: 

OP: heyyyyy have you guys considered that releasing an episode focused on the bdsm test is almost inevitably going to lead to a bunch of 15 year olds sharing their results in your server because you might want to get ahead of that before someone gets hurt

reverendanthony: oh holy shit, really good idea

OP: thanks, I know it's easy to veer into that territory just because of the nature of your show but I wanted to bring it to your attention because I figured you don't want to create a situation that's like, actively dangerous (and for the record I'm willing to discuss what I think would make it safer but I'm also not going to assume you want/need my input, obviously you can handle it however you see fit)

reverendanthony: No, thank you for bring it up, I really appreciate it -- I just raised the issue with Freddie and Ashley

OP: Good to know, thank you /End ID]

I’m not overreacting. I have seen this shit happen, to my friends and to myself, and watching the dndads cast take absolutely no meaningful action to prevent situations like that from occurring directly under their noses makes me fucking livid

I can guarantee that the #dungeonsanddaddies fanbase includes both predators and survivors of abuse, grooming, etc (including those currently living through it), and I need them to think very, very hard about which group they’re prioritizing.

And I need that choice to be evident through more than just their words, because it doesn’t fucking matter how much you “really appreciate” that I brought up my concerns if you do fuck-all to address them.

It doesn’t matter how many times you say the word “consent” if apparently everyone was okay that “Darryl gets sexually assaulted” was almost a plot point played for laughs.

(His dare from Scam  would have been rape, straight up. Just because no one said the word doesn’t mean it wasn’t coercive and gross).

I’d like to think the @/dungeonsanddads cast isn’t intentionally encouraging abuse, but they’re sure as hell enabling it, and they needed to get their shit together ages ago, because they’re not the ones their negligence hurts.”

Quote retweet by OP 6:51 PM Sep 7, 2020

“So, they updated the rules for the patron server, but I want to be really clear that from my perspective, it’s way too little, way too late. 

The new rules don’t adequately address the core issues and they certainly don’t absolve the cast of the harm they’ve already caused. 

[Tweet includes 2 screenshots: one of a bot asking people to click thumbs up to confirm they’re 18+ (or have a parent’s permission) and agree to the rules, and one that includes two of the rules. It reads: 

“This is an 18+ space. Them’s the rules: per Patreon’s policy, you must be 18+ or have parental permission.

Use language as if you’re at your parents dinner table. Don’t get people in trouble because of your SPICY POSTS. Keep conversation polite. NSFW content is not allowed!”]

(and before anyone says I should bring up my concerns privately, a quick refresher on how well that went last time I did it:) 

[links back to the “(alternatively, it means Anthony lied . . .)” tweet from the original thread]

So hey, @/fwong, some thoughts:

1.The rules are vague and unclear: what /exactly/ do you mean when you say “NSFW content is not allowed!” when the content of your show itself is so often nsfw? And how are you planning to enforce this?

Does it mean you’ll shut down the MBIC conversation that is literally just kink discussion? I need you to be clear on where the line is, because, again, predators rely on that confusion. Don’t give them a gray area to play in. 

For an example of a more clear policy, it’s pretty easy to say, “yep, ‘Henry gets pegged’ sure is a sentence we said on our show and you don’t have to pretend it’s not, but if you’d like to discuss it in any more detail at all, you need to move”

2. Remember how I said I needed to be clear on whether you’re prioritizing survivors or predators? While I doubt it was intentional, the language you’re using here is prioritizing predators.

It’s not “don’t get people in trouble,” it’s “don’t make people uncomfortable.” It’s “we all have a responsibility to make sure this space is safe for everyone, especially the younger members of the community.”

You’re setting people up to be afraid of expressing concerns for fear of “getting people in trouble” or “inciting unnecessary drama.” Even if it’s not what YOU meant, it’s very easy for those words to be manipulated, so +

You absolutely have to be explicitly clear that if someone expresses their discomfort, you’ve got their back. Being safe is more important than being polite. 

3. I need every cast member to take responsibility for their own actions. I’ve gotten no indication from any of you that you understand the ways in which the in-show things I brought up were harmful.

Acknowledging that harm is important not just because of the immediate effects of that content, but also because it implicitly sets an example for how similar complaints should be dealt with going forward.

When someone says “hey, I was uncomfortable that you seem fine with the Glennary ship, because she reads as very young to me,” I don’t need a dissertation on how the perception of characters can evolve due to your improvisational nature

I need to hear “oh, I interpreted her differently, but you’re right, we should have been more clear, and I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.” Because your responses to your own mistakes set the tone for any other situations like that going forward.

How comfortable is someone going to be with coming to you, or Ash, or any of the mods about someone making them uncomfortable if they’ve seen that when people call YOU out, they’re argued with and shut down?

Don’t tell people you’ve “made it clear that you won’t go there” when they tell you that you ARE there. Listen to them and do better. 

Set the expectation that people will be respected when they raise their concerns. “If you want to come at me you have to bring the heat” is not an appropriate response on a subject that made people genuinely uncomfortable. 

In essence: set people up to be supported and protected, not dismissed. 

[It’s like a matriosche of tweets over here. This one links to another thread, also by crypticjoy. That thread reads:

A non-comprehensive guide to keeping discord servers safe for minors:

1. Make designated channels for nsfw/18+ discussion. Generally speaking, this is a lot more effective than banning those discussions altogether, because it’s a lot easier to say “hey, can you move this conversation?” than “hey, I need you to stop”

In fandom spaces, it’s usually a good idea to have separate channels for talking about nsfw fiction vs discussing your personal sex lives.

2. Give everyone minor/adult roles; make sure your 18+ channels are locked to people who don’t have an adult role. It’s important that there’s more of a barrier there than just checking a box.

3. NSFW channels shouldn’t necessarily be a free-for-all; be aware of people’s boundaries and respect them (for example, r*pe jokes aren’t funny or okay, even if you’re not making them around kids)

4. Explicitly state in your rules that people should feel free to come to mods if anyone is making them uncomfortable. Actually listen to people and resolve the situation if they do approach you.

5. Make it clear that creepy behavior via DMs or other means is also not tolerated--you can’t control what people do outside your server, but you can make the choice to not allow people like that in your space

6. Make sure mods are on top of things BEFORE people have to say anything; sometimes being a mod means being willing to be the “asshole” who shuts things down before they get out of hand, even if they’re not asked.

Be generally aware of signals that people are uncomfortable or that things are escalating too far, and address those situations sooner rather than later.

*It should be noted that safety involves a lot of components beyond just containing nsfw discussions; this thread just happens to be focused on that one specific element.

oh also! It's a good idea to provide resources on grooming so people know what to look out for [links to some resources; again, this’ll be in the reblog]]

So, @/dungeonsanddads, if you’re interested in anything beyond just having a flimsy excuse you can point to to cover your own ass, I’m gonna need you to try again.

Sorry I can’t be nicer about it, but I’ve given so many benefits of the doubt I could be running a successful charity, and this isn’t an issue I’m willing to drop. 

10:02 PM

Thought I was done but actually I've got a few more questions: to what extent were @/HeyBethMay, @/WillBCampos, and @/mattLarnold included in conversations about this issue/the new rules? Is this something your whole team is involved in?

Have you discussed what you're doing on a team and individual basis to keep your fan interactions safe, and are you on the same page about how much it matters? Are you holding each other accountable? Is everyone okay with where this ended up?”

[shinjukuspiritcommittee]

Top 20 2021

My Favorites (updated)

Hello my readers, it’s been a while since I just posted something not related to a headcanon and I am doing one right now. I just wanted to take a bit of a break to just get SOMETHING on here on my days off work. Plus I’m just trying to find my groove when it comes to writing again so hopefully this helps me just get back into the mood of making a post more often lol. I wanted to revisit this topic for a while just because we’ve had a lot more events and a lot more alts in the game were added. And I know for a fact LifeWonders reads these posts in some capacity because I have meme’d an AR into the game with my top picks from the last list I did for Christmas 2019. No I didn’t. I’m just joking around and I know LifeWonders doesn’t read this.

Anyways rather than just make up a list on the spot like last year I decided to use the Housamo Sortmaker (Link: https://club.housamo.xyz/sortmaker/ ) to try and make a list that’s more revealing to what I was thinking at the time. Since I talked about 20 characters ish last time I’m just gonna read from my 20th place to my 1st place spots and try to justify whatever I was thinking at the time. Anyways-

20: Marchosias and Susan: This one was a surprise for me if I’m being honest but I’m just gonna blame the fact on Shukou’s recent involvement with LifeWonders in the form of Live A Hero and how Ryekie and Mokdai live in my headspace rent free whenever I think about the characters in that game. Maybe we can see about getting some LAH headcanons since that’s a LifeWonders property too). So out of all the characters Shukou drew for Housamo why did I pick Marchosias? Easy, it’s been 4 years and this poor man has yet to receive a proper alt or any kind of skin for that matter and I think that it’s a crime. Sure he’s not my favorite but he’s definitely grown on me because he’s just a gentle dad kind of character and his design has grown on me over the years. I just hope he doesn’t get left behind since he has a lot of really interesting and potential things to look forward to in the future given how the main story has unfolded.

19: Shiva/Algernon: The helmet heads are together because DAI XT quickly became my favorite artist for Fire Emblem Heroes and I really just like their designs. DAI XT just knows how to draw robots, armor and muscles well. Also Chapter 11 with Shiva you can read into some interesting perspectives. I don’t want to spoil any of the untranslated content for anyone who’s waiting for the official english translation. But if you are curious Roureem has a blogspot where he posts summaries of the newly released events.

Link: https://housamosummaries.blogspot.com/

18: Cthugha: I love this goober so much. He’d constantly try to act super sentai just trying say good morning everyday. He may not be very bright but that just adds to his charm and honestly I enjoy how he always tries to play the hero in a lot of scenarios because it’s refreshing when they implement him after a bunch of heavy hitting story stuff. I’m not gonna spoil too much about it but I will say he’s more than welcome after everything Chapter 10 and 11 put the reader through.

17: Mineaki: I’ve made a post about him being one of my least favorites way back when I first started this blog and let me just say how times have changed and I’ve learned the value of not judging a book by it’s cover. I still think there’s something a bit off about Kowmei’s style for his characters, but Mineaki has definitely grown on me. He’s a caring instructor who does watch out for his students even if it’s not always in the most direct way possible. Not to get into too many spoilers he’s got a lot of intrigue around him as well and I am curious to see his role get expanded down the line.

16: Ded: Housamo is the reason I really like christmas. The Christmas stories despite following a similar structure to each other do tend to be my favorite stories. Ded himself is also just another good dad character. He’s also two guys for the price of one, so I mean… you know… you’ve got the forever ask your other dad situation. There wasn’t much thought put into this choice I just like santa as a concept because I think the outfits are cute, it’s always nice to get something for people you care about on Christmas and Ded is the perfect embodiment of both sides to Christmas.

15: Shinya: Everyone we need to manifest buff Shinya for 2021, this is not a drill. This is legitimate. We must make Taromati’s and my wish come true. To be more serious again he’s just a sweet and gentle character. He’s also drawn by my favorite Housamo artist. Their characters always just look so naturally good. I’m just surprised he hasn’t gotten much of an alt given he’s perfect material for Valentine’s day. He’s just a soft boy and I would love for him to be in more things because I just enjoy seeing him.

14: Jacob: I have to be honest Jacob is on here because every time I look at him he just gets more handsome to me. I wasn’t all that impressed with his introduction and we don’t know much about his background but I’ve just been drawn to him more and more. Maybe it’s just because he’s drawn by GomTang? I just like looking at him and I can’t help it. To speak a bit less crass he’s another gentleman kind of guy and those are always nice.

13: Shennong: Yeah I like the doc a lot. Firstly, I’m a huge sucker for big bulls and Shennong fits the bill. The white fur really adds to his appeal visually and the purple horns give off a bit of an unnatural appearance. Shen feels like someone who’s been touch starved and alone for a long time given how he acts as a character and when we actually hug him I just lost it. He always has others well being on his mind so he’s not afraid to jump in and help, or give a much needed lecture about when you need to take better care of yourself. He just comes across as very well balanced overall.

12: Heracles: I won’t lie- at first he didn’t interest me much. He looked incredibly plain when among the rest of the cast and he seemed like the typical “bait” character since the banner had Echo, Barguest, Gyumao and Snow. But after reading the translation for Valentine Time Slip I was taken aback at how much of a gentle giant he turned out to be and I just really liked his interactions with the others in that event. And honestly his special quest from that year was one of the more unique ones given the slower pace and more romantic vibe it had. After the event warmed my heart I did a complete 180 and I just knew I really liked him.

11. Yasuyori: Before I start praising him I feel I have to justify why he didn’t quite make top 10 and it will have some mild Chapter 10 spoilers. To be as vague as possible his resolution just didn’t vibe with me at the end of Chapter 10. Like it wasn’t a bad resolution and it was the right choice to make but in my opinion there really wasn’t a moment I felt was clear where he made a choice for himself. Everything just sort of happened around him and it felt like he didn’t really do much to improve his situation. To an extent I kind of see that being the idea given his origins and the story he’s based on and there is some semblance of him coming to terms with himself alongside his isolation being portrayed pretty well, but I just wasn’t satisfied with it as much as I would like to be. With that out of the way, oh my god I just want this boy to never stop smiling and I just want to give him hugs constantly please he just deserves to be happy!!! Yasuyori is a character who’s got a lot of baggage and he’s just trying to find ways to properly cope with his trauma and not repeat past mistakes and I just really like that idea. His role in Xmas 2020 (sorry I just forgot the name of that event, but its when he gets his alt) was a much better representation for his character in my eyes. I’m not gonna spoil anything like I keep saying but he isn’t one to disappoint in future appearances and I just hope this lovable lug keeps getting the support he deserves.

10: Hephaestus: A spicy way to start the latter half of the list. I just want to give this lad a hug and tell him he is worthy of love. But at the same time he is a little shit… and I love that. I can’t fully explain why I grow a paternal instinct in me seeing this grown man sob about his mother but I just do. I want to keep him safe and give him all the affection he wants. Though I am aware a lot of Hephaestus’s interest in his parental figure is… questionable. I am just gonna say I would accept his love for what it is and he just wants approval.

9. Shuten: I’ll be honest I have no proper reason for why I like Shuten so much. He’s just a cool and reliable guy. He just seems like a go with the flow kind of person most of the time and he’s a bit more direct than most of the characters which I always appreciate. Plus I have an unspoken bias for naop guys in Housamo.

8. Durga: While not number 1 on this list, I still really like Durga. She’s quirky but not to an annoying degree, she’s determined and definitely very confident in her own abilities. Her growing to be more sociable throughout her events is something I enjoy seeing because it really creates this sense of growth.

7. Kyuma: I get a lot of people don’t like Kowmei’s art but I really think we should look past it because Kyuma is one of the sweeter picks. He’s someone who just wants to prove himself for his own worth and not what David can provide, but David is part of him and it just creates the potential for a good arc. Plus this boy is unintentionally smooth and will just take your heart when possible. I honestly want to see Kyuma more in events because he’s honestly the jock that carries 3 of the 4 brain cells. He’s also the last one without an alt so I’m just hoping he gets one in 2021 because he really deserves one in my opinion. (Also fan art makes him really cute).

6. Tomte: Tomte is relatively new but honestly his event in 2019 really endeared me to him. I’m trying to be spoiler free because the best way to enjoy these stories is for yourselves but let me just say his arc in the event was really endearing to me and much more than I was expecting. His fan service is also incredibly hammy and I love it. Visually Tomte is one of my favorites, I love his multi colored hair and starlit pupils cuz it makes his otherwise more generic look have some flare. I knew I liked him out the box and when I read about him in the summaries and can’t wait to read the official translation for him. I was just very endeared.

5. Tetsuya: Tetsuya fucks. Moving on…

Jokes aside this one’s a bit simple. I have no shame in admitting I think he’s attractive and his whole resistance towards wanting a relationship is cute in a weird roundabout way. When he says no I just want it MORE. I just really like duo haired tsunderes.

4. Kengo: Kengo 3rd alt 2021. Please LifeWonders I need my favorite Summoner. He’s a bro and that’s what counts. Kengo has got your back, not afraid to rely on you, a very fun and dynamic guy. Sure he’s not that bright when it comes to making plans or any book smart, but there are times where he’s the best at being able to read the room or just understand what someone needs to hear even if it isn’t always what someone wants to hear. His bullheaded nature is actually one of his redeeming qualities because it’s nice to just not overcomplicate things and just understand what’s actually going on. Yes the early story didn’t do many favors for him but to me the events, especially the later ones, do much more work for his character. To me, at least.

3. Ashigara: Ashigara is best bear, and I will defend that stance in 2021. The main thing that draws me to Ashigara is that I can see a bit of myself in him. He gets very emotional when he gets left alone, he’s very loud when with his friends, has a tendency of speaking his mind- just someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. I also appreciate that in spite of the negative he isn’t someone who backs down when the going gets tough and in a few instances he’s able to hold his ground physically at least.

2. Wakan Tanka: Love at first sight. This ray of sunshine still persists as the number 1 husband, but number 2 character. Firstly I am a huge fan of the partial beast aesthetic. The buffalo ears and the horns  are absolutely adorable. Secondly he’s a perfect body type; he’s not too muscular but not exactly flabby. Third he is just so positive and I love that. He’s someone I admire and wanna hug.

1. Taurus Mask: The more things change the more they stay the same. I’m still a big Taurus Mask fan for all the same reasons as last time. I just… relate to this boy. He is an incredibly shy boy who uses his public persona for confidence. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but it’s like we’re soul bros!

So yeah, my tastes haven’t changed in a year and a half.

[oyeedraw]

A Fanfic Writer Interview

tagged by: @mal-likes-biscuits​

Name: Oyee or oyeedraw, I also used Stroxx on one(1) forum

Fandoms: --- I'm throwing in my comics here too, because I only started fic writing recently. Longer comics were done for: Bionicle, Steven Universe, Diablo 3. Only written: Starcraft, Warcraft; for SC I mostly did rps and some individual one shots littered about tumblr, for Warcraft I have one or two oneshots and I started a long fic this year.

Two-shot: --- I haven't tried this format yet, but I might.

Most popular multichapter: --- I started a Steven Universe choose your own adventure comic, Free Fall, somewhere around in 2016 on Tumblr. It blew up my notifications over night, that was pretty rad. I never really finished it, got around to 4 "chapters" (if you consider posts to be chapters) but then summer was over, next uni year started, and I never got around to finish it. The comic was a victim of too much planning-too long story, but I wouldn't consider it abandoned. --- However my most commented on work was a Bionicle comic, Diaries of Destral. It had a small, but solid following, I still adore this comic to this day. I really want to finish that too someday, but I gotta adjust my scope for it.

Actual worst part of writing: --- As Noriya/Biscuits wrote it before me it's the input - output cycle. I love thinking in multichapter stories, and I find tracking references across multiple chapters very exciting, but I either write a 10-15K monster over several days of sleepless fervor, or I'm struggling at a snails pace. I don't mind it too much, but it frustrates me. By now I know how it works, I need about 2-8 weeks of "loading time" where I don't do much creating, only housework and stuff that doesn't take much think space, then the plotbunny bites me and I ride it out as long as I'm not running out of juice. This is usually a 3-5 week of compulsive drawing and writing. Rinse and repeat. What throws a wrench in it is my day job which also needs these bursts, but spread out for a longer period (3-4 months). --- Researching lore and figuring out what has been retconned, whether there is a side character that has a name or if I have to come up with a whole squad of them. I don't mind doing my own OCs, but then I find a cool side character that would have fit a scene and I feel a little bad about not including them. --- I get distracted very easily and I need to get into the zone for writing. --- Disjoint between thoughs and physical writing.

How you choose your titles: --- Make up about a dozen horse shit working titles in draft phase, narrow them down and find the most amusing or most fitting. Like the most recent ones: Fuck Amnesia Spells, Did We Time Travel?, Why Is It Winter Again?, Tyrael Yote, Angi Ari (Auriel), Laezel n Squiddad, oneshot 2020-05. Some of these are titles for comic pages or my actual D&D oneshot that is now a campaign. --- If I feel I need a more presentable title, I rinse and repeat the above and try to get in touch with my purple prose self until I get title I'm okay with. Sometimes I get a title in 5 minutes, sometimes I horse around for a week. It really depends on how finished the actual body of text or comic page is and how fast I want to post it when I get to the title phase. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's 'meh'.

Do you outline: --- Yes. It either looks like a shopping list, or a lazily described list of memes. Comic page plans also get miniscule stickmen and squares. --- If I really get into the zone this is when dialogue gets written too. Especially for comic pages. I'm a dialogues first gal.

Ideas I probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice?: 

Callouts @ me: --- Make a schedule and then stick to it. Don't over plan, baby steps. Please. --- Make more kissing and soft, happy scenes you Cowardly Bitch.

Best writing traits: --- In character banter and dialogue. If I have an ample example of how characters talk and intone I can check back on the dialogue whether it's in character or not. I can literally hear the VAs talking in my head. At least I think I'm good at it. Whether that’s the case I leave it up to the judgement of my readers. --- I like to go crazy on scenery descriptions. I love it when an environment is an actor too in some way and gets some characterisation. --- I've been told I have good timing and scene pacing too. This is my eternal curse too, because this makes me reread and make several edits to already written parts. In rough editing this either makes me cut whole paragraphs or add in new ones.

Spicy tangential opinion: --- Cancel culture and people going around telling others what they are allowed to write is really rubbing me the wrong way. I have a lot of feelings about it, but I already tried to write several paras three separate times, so I'm letting this go. Be free, be wild, you can find me setting Bobby Kotick's expensive shoes on fire.

Tags: I have no idea my dude, sorry, I’m drawing on a blank here. Please feel free to consider yourself to be tagged if you’d like to.

[lifeofkaze]

An Art of Balance #9

Orion Amari x MC

 A/N: I swear @kc-needs-coffee I’m almost done borrowing KC, I just enjoy her so much xD

Warning: use of alcohol

 Word Count: ~ 2.600

______________________________________________________________ 

Chapter 9: A Knight in Shining Armour

Tired and beaten down, the Hufflepuff team trudged back towards the castle. It hadn’t taken the Ravenclaw seeker much longer to capture the Golden Snitch after KC’s Bludger had hit Lizzie. None of them was in the mood for much talking. Losing this match was a heavy blow to them.  

When they neared their Common Room, they could already make out the loud music and sound of chatter behind the narrow passage leading up to the entrance. Upon entering, they found themselves in the middle of a full-fledged post-match party taking place inside the round room. Their peers had set it up while they had been trying to wash off the pain of the loss. To the people of their House it didn’t matter if their team won or lost. They always found a reason to celebrate anyway.

Before long, Lizzie found herself chatting away with Penny and Tonks. The butterbeer in her hand spread a comfortable warmth from her stomach into the rest of her body, numbing the pain still throbbing inside her bruised shoulder.

Her foot was lightly tapping to the rhythm of the music that was blasting out of the enchanted speakers Face Paint Kid had mounted above the huge fireplace. They obscured the huge portrait of Helga Hufflepuff, who had retreated to a picture of her friend Rowena Ravenclaw near the Astronomy Tower. She couldn’t stand this ‘modern nonsense people called music nowadays’.

Lizzie had just downed the rest of her drink, when Penny nudged her and nodded inconspicuously towards one of the ledges that were protruding from the walls of the Common Room.

Skye was seated there all on her own, as had been her habit for the last weeks. She was nursing an empty mug in her hands and seemed to be brooding on something, deeply lost in thought.

“Someone should go talk to her,” Penny proposed softly. Lizzie contemplated passing on the task, but eventually her conscience got the better of her. She lifted her glass towards Penny and Tonks.

“I was going to get a refill anyway.”

She left her friends standing and made her way through the thick crowd towards the refreshment table, grabbing two fresh butterbeers before heading over to where Skye was sitting. She noticed people were giving the gloomy looking girl a wide berth and braced herself for being snapped at. But when Lizzie sat down next to her, she just accepted the drink Lizzie offered with a thankful smile.

The two of them were as used to fighting with each other as they were to making up again. There was no needs for many words or apologies. Lizzie held her mug out to Skye in a silent offer of reconciliation and Skye simply clanked hers against it before both took a deep swallow of the sweet liquid inside.

“Seems like Orion was right after all.”

Lizzie wasn’t looking at Skye as she spoke, rather staring at the bubbles rising up from the bottom of her glass. She was slowly swivelling it, watching the light from the fireplace illuminate the golden drink.

“This stupid quarrel likely cost us the match today. We can’t win if we don’t work together. It made getting our hands on the Cup just that more difficult.”

Skye chuckled wryly. “I’m always in for a challenge. How about you?”

Lizzie grinned back at her. “You know me.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a while before Skye spoke up again. “Just wish I could have shown Rath the ropes. We’ve lost more times to Ravenclaw than I care to admit.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Lizzie sighed. “At least, KC and I can now talk to each other again like the civilised human beings we are.”  

Skye snorted. “Your choice of friends has always been questionable.” She was acting up this time, Lizzie could hear the teasing in her voice.

“That’s why I’m friends with you, I guess,” she shot back.

Both of them started giggling, all the tension that had built between them over the last weeks suddenly dissolving into fits of laughter. They were drawing wondrous glances from their peers.        

Calming down, Skye’s face suddenly grew serious again. “Sorry for what happened today. Shouldn’t have said all those things to Orion. Or you. Not a good move from me.”

“You should tell him that, not me.” Lizzie gave her a sideways glance. “I was a bit harsh to you as well. Sorry about that.”

Skye raised her mug. “Forgiven and forgotten. Glad we could solve this mess.”

Lizzie leaned closer to her. “Speaking of solving the mess…” She motioned to where Penny was standing with Tonks, watching them through the crowd. “You should go talk to her. You can’t hide from Penny forever; I’m sure you will find a way to work things out.”

Skye had suddenly gone pale, a pained expression showing on her face. “I don’t know, Jameson, you sure about this?”

Lizzie just shoved her off the ledge for an answer. Shooting another uncertain glance over her shoulder, Skye made her way towards Penny. With a relieved sigh, Lizzie leaned back against the cold stone wall, propping one foot up on the ledge before taking another sip. Finally things were starting to get normal again.

Her sitting alone didn’t go unnoticed, however. Within minutes she could spot Everett breaking from the crowd and heading towards her, fresh mugs of butterbeer in hand. Lizzie groaned inwardly. She wasn’t particularly keen on getting into a conversation with him. She didn’t mind her new teammate during practise, but Lizzie had started feeling uncomfortable with the way he had been looking at her recently.

Gulping down the remains of her drink, Lizzie tried to get up as fast as she could. But before she had a chance to escape into the mass of students, Everett had reached her and slid down onto the ledge next to her. He sat a little bit too close for Lizzie’s liking.

“What are you doing, sitting around as lonely? Fancy a drink?” He held the mug up for her to take.

Lizzie couldn’t think of a valid reason to refuse and gave in to her lot. “Sure, why not. Thanks.”

She awkwardly accepted the butterbeer, not quite knowing how to start a conversation with him. Her not being overly keen on it didn’t help either.

“You played well today,” she tried treading on safe ground. Nothing wrong with a little Quidditch talk.

“Not as good as you, though. You were fantastic!”

“Hmm,” Lizzie hummed in response. That was a flat out lie. Today had been one of the worst matches she had ever played. She had performed just as poorly as Skye and Orion had done, perhaps even worse.

Everett didn’t seem to sense her disagreement, however. “You were almost as good back when you played Beater. Crazy good aim. I could use a bit of improvement in that area.” He smiled mischievously at her. The uncomfortable feeling in Lizzie’s stomach increased.

“Maybe you could show me how, some time? So I can better protect you.”

Of course Lizzie knew he was referring to Quidditch, but somehow the way he was stressing ‘protect’, combined with her general discomfort around him, rubbed her the wrong way.

She bristled at him. “I don’t need any protection, let alone yours, thank you very much. I can perfectly handle myself,” she snapped indignantly.

Laughing, he raised his hands in defence. “Relax, kitty cat, no need to get all angry. Doesn’t suit your pretty face.”

“You want to be a better Beater? Here’s my tip for you: more practising, less flirting.” She set her drink down with a clank and got up. She had enough of his attitude for the evening.

But before she could make off, Everett had grabbed her wrist and pulled her down next to him again. Lizzie raised her eyebrows, her face anything but friendly.

Feeling the need to change tune with her, Everett ran his hand through his dark hair. “I’m sorry, don’t run away just yet,” he smiled apologetically.

Lizzie was still on edge, but her posture gradually softened again. She noticed he had pulled her down even closer to him than she had been before.

With a wink, Everett reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a silver flask. The light of the fire place was reflected in it as he was brandishing it in front of her face. “What do you say? Let’s have a drink on peace?”

Her eyes followed the blinking flask as he poured a shot into his mug. Lizzie wasn’t one to object to a little extra punch when it came to her drinks but she really wasn’t interested in talking to Everett anymore, let alone drinking with him.

She shook her head. “No, I’ll pass. I’ve had plenty already. I don’t want to end up doing anything stupid,” she added lightly.

Everett’s smile grew wicked. “Like this for example?”

He quickly leaned forward, putting his hand against the stone wall next to her face, effectively blocking her means of escape. To her horror, he started leaning in to kiss her. It was all she could do to duck under his arm supporting his weight to get away. Coming so close to him, a familiar scent reached her nose, fresh and spicy at the same time. It made her hesitate for a split second.

She knew the scent, but it thoroughly confused her to smell it on him of all people. It reminded her of the component of the Amortentia she had had problems placing.

Using her hesitation to his advantage, Everett got up as well, grabbing her arm before she could dart away. Anger flashing in her eyes, Lizzie tried to yank herself free.

“Is there a problem?”

Orion had suddenly appeared next to them. He looked calm and collected as ever, but his posture was tense, the tone in his voice firm. Lizzie sent a quick prayer to the heavens for sending him along just now.

Everett didn’t seem as happy. “Nothing to see here, Amari,” he snarled, but his territorial demeanour didn’t so much as make Orion flinch.

“That is fortunate, because I am aware that McNully’s Kneazle is up in our dormitory, chewing away on your Transfiguration essay. I believe, it is due on Monday?”

The aggressiveness visibly drained out of Everett as he turned pale. “It took me three weeks to finish that assignment! I’m going to make a hat out of this fleabag!” He raced towards the round door at the far end of the Common Room and vanished behind it.

Lizzie’s brown furrowed in concern. “He’s not going to do anything to Kneil, is he?”

“Don’t worry, Kneil is somewhere in the castle, probably hunting his dinner,” Orion smirked in response. “To be honest, McNully saw Everett hitting on you and sent me to your rescue.”

“How gallant,” Lizzie giggled.

Orion wasn’t even trying to hide his grin. Instead, he nodded towards her arm. “How is your shoulder feeling?”

Lizzie shrugged it off with a laugh. “Better than Everett’s ego, I image.”

Her eyes followed the path he had taken through the crowd. “I wonder what’s been going on lately; Everyone seems to be out of their minds,” she mused.

Including her, apparently. She could still smell the lovely scent lingering in the air, just as strongly as it had been before. She fought the urge to inhale deeply.

Orion laughed lowly. “That’s how it goes. I remember my fifth year vividly. Between O.W.L.s and people getting interested in dating each other, it was… “ A mysterious smile played about his lips for a moment, amusement sparking in his eyes. “Let’s say it was a singular experience.”

Lizzie remembered what Rowan had told her about Orion having a history when it came to dating. She felt self-conscious invading his privacy like that, but her curiosity and the fair share of butterbeer she’d drunk by now got the better of her.

“So, did you get to do some?” she asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone.

Orion took a sip from his drink. “Did I get to do what?”

Lizzie felt herself blush, glad the light emanating from the roaring fire hid the changing colour of her face. “Dating, I mean. Did you get to go on some?”

One corner of Orion’s mouth quirked up, the mischievous sparkle in his dark eyes intensifying. His lopsided smirk gave him a totally different presence than what Lizzie was used to seeing on him. Despite herself, she found herself staring at his oddly compelling smile, quickly shaking out of it as soon as she realised.

“A bit here and there.”

He knew his ominous answer only intensified Lizzie’s curiosity. So before she could ask, he added “Nothing serious, mind you. No real commitment from both sides.”

Not satisfied at all by this vague answer, Lizzie blinked at him, now even more curious than before. It felt completely out of place discussing this topic with her Quidditch captain, but she just couldn’t resist.

“You never mentioned seeing anyone. Why did you never tell us about any of them, or bring them to one of our matches?”

He slightly shook his head, his face changing to a more thoughtful expression. “Nothing worthwhile ever came of it. And I don’t know whether I would’ve been able to balance both things at the same time. Being the team captain and just me.”

Somehow, Lizzie was not entirely sure they were still talking about the same thing they had in the beginning of their conversation. She had noticed the tinge of frustration creeping into Orion’s voice, however.

Before she could reply though, a hand snaked around her waist and Rowan appeared at her side. Lizzie let out a small gasp of pain as she rested her head on Lizzie’s injured shoulder, a girlish giggle escaping her mouth.

Although Rowan didn’t exactly dismiss alcoholic drinks as a whole, Lizzie knew her to be rather restrained when it came to drinking at parties, especially since she had been appointed prefect. It made seeing Rowan as drunk as she obviously was even stranger.

“Lizzie, there you are! I have been looking for you all over the place,” she shouted into Lizzie’s ear a lot louder than she had to. Lizzie tilted her head away from her to protect her eardrums from bursting.

“Skye has been looking for you, you should go find her,” Rowan explained, her voice slurry. She tried to talk matter-of-factly but the slight swaying as she stopped leaning on Lizzie for support vastly undermined her effort to appear sober.

Scanning the crowd, Lizzie could see Skye joking around with Tonks and Penny. Apparently, they had been able to calm the waves. It did not appear to her as if Skye was searching for anyone though, let alone her.

She started telling Rowan, but was silenced by the pointed look her friend gave her. Her eyes flickered to Orion for a moment, who was watching them patiently. The penny finally dropped on her.

“I’d better go and see what she wants then.” She winked at Orion, her hand resting on his arm for a moment. ”Thanks for being my knight in shining armour.”

She left the two of them standing, while she made her way towards her friends, the spicy scent that had shaken her earlier still hanging in the air.

[kayliewrites]

Outlining Advice from a Plantser

If you don’t know the term, a “plantser” is a combination of a planner and pantser, names for writers from the NaNoWriMo community (also called gardeners and architects, discovery writers and outliners, etc.). Planners generally flesh out a lot of their story details before starting the actual writing process, while pantsers fly by the seat of their pants and hop in head first. 

Also, as a disclaimer, I recently was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, so this outlining method may not work for you. This has been my way of outlining only for the last few years and helps keep me interested/motivated. 

THE KAYLIE METHOD:

Start with an idea. Any idea. It could be a line of dialogue, or an interesting character, a plot from a movie that you want to try writing yourself, or a song that you really like that makes you think “hmmm, this could be a good story”. Literally anything can be magic, you funky little bagel. (I usually start with characters, because I prefer character-driven stories.) 

Then start experimenting. Write anything. As much or as little as you want, in any setting, genre, filter, theme, or style you like. Try that character in twelve different settings before deciding you like 1950′s Detroit better than neon-and-chrome underwater. Give them an Australian accent, a Southern American twang, a Brazilian lilt, a Martian slur. Have your character make out with 50 people before deciding that they’re actually asexual, but that they still like kissing. A lot. ****

Now you have a foundation. It’s a weird, beautiful, messy combination of what you do and don’t like, but it’s something useful. And you made it. Good job, you beautiful water buffalo. 

Write. Like, a lot. Here’s where our paths will likely diverge. In fanfiction, I usually write eight chapters (five in original writing) here of exploratory writing in the proper setting with the right romantic endgame (or lack thereof) in mind, just seeing where the story goes. Maybe the characters reveal that there’s an evil sibling, or a villain I didn’t know about, or some other useful plot information I can use later. 

Now write your outline. You’ve already finished a good chunk of your story, and now you should have an even better idea of where it’s headed. I like to write down a list of things I’d love to see happen, in no specific order, and then cram them messily into a chapter list. Sometimes I get a good feeling for when an event should happen in the story, so I put those things in first. 

Edit as necessary. Throughout, I always remind myself that the outline is flexible. Sometimes a plot point gets pushed out two chapters. That’s okay!!!! It happens!!! Writing is art, and sometimes you make artistic choices along the way. Remember too that having soft, sweet scenes will emphasize the dark, biting, cruel scenes even further and vice versa. If I’ve been writing too much fluff, then I throw some angst in to change it up; if things have been too spicy for too long, then I add in some light. 

I hope this helps, especially with NaNoWriMo around the corner! I’ve been seeing a lot of outlining posts floating around too. 

Kaylie

**** The experimenting phase may also include creating a Pinterest board, mixing a playlist, drawing settings/characters/scenes, making your characters as Sims, and creating outside of the writing sphere. Don’t be afraid to paint, draw, knit, sing, research, play video games, sculpt, read, and seek inspiration. ****

[cosmic-pheonix]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the inbox of the last 10 people who have reblogged something from you. Get to know your mutuals and followers, have fun!

So I got this ask a bit late from @makethatchange (sorry for the late reply btw!) because life and uni has gotten so busy for me over the last few weeks, so I’ve got more free time now that it’s summer break for me for the next couple of months, so take this as a apology! Or better yet get to know me better!

1.) I guess for starters I like to draw. I enjoy drawing for the most part if you’ve followed my art blog, but recently I’ve been taking an interest to practice and study on some animation, basic exercises for a start. I not only wanted to brush up on some drawing skills but to also get into wanting to do animation, just hoping to get in through the industry in general.

For recommendations, I highly recommend getting the book, The Animator’s Survival Kit (Expanded Edition), I got it off a discount off on TradeMe (basically NZ’s Amazon I guess).

It’s a great book to start using as a guide for beginners getting into animation, there’s also other books I also recommend that involves animation, specifically with timing and drawing cartoons in the style of Looney Tunes/Tom and Jerry or of that of the Animaniacs etc but this post will take too long, so I’ll update it here or in another post in the future.

Plus there’s online tutorials on getting started into animation or getting into the industry in general (Google and YouTube are your friends!), I’d say don’t look at just animation, there’s a whole sub categories of roles that fall into the career, research to what role you want to do, say you’re interested in story and character, look into storyboarding or are you passionate about world building or creating concept art of characters? The world’s your oyster!

2.) I love food, that’s one thing I love, particularly spicy food, just food in general.

3.) I enjoy listening to music when I tend to read, draw or work on my assignments. I’m pretty much open to listening to a variety of music that gets me in the mood, a couple of artists I listen to are Paramore, Michael Jackson, Snail’s House, some remix’s or mashup of the music I like, some OST’s of shows/cartoons/anime I watch, a couple of other indie artists I’ve been listening recently, heck I’ll share a Spotify playlist in the future cuz it’s a long list. Feel free to recommend me some music you guys listen to, I’m quite intrigued!

4.) I’m more of dog person but cats are cool too!

5.) I like to stay up a bit late when I’m vibin’, but that just depends on how I’m feeling though.

I guess that’s that! Pretty generic, but it’s the best you get to know me! ✨🌟⭐️

UPDATE: And now for the taggers! Have fun!

@hug-monster, @sorablu12, @spooner7308, @himbothy, @voydsent, @xiaobelle, @geminicblue , @amarynthian-fortress, @nottonyharrison, @ceiwiart

[iwillhaveamoonbase]

Replay ch. 4

Callum gulped as he sent the text to Rayla.  She was fully in her rights to reject a drawing session in the woods.  Not only that, but he was asking her to bring her own clothes because he didn’t know her exact measurements.  Was he asking too much?  He read the text again.  ‘If it’s not too much trouble, I was really imagining drawing you among the trees, like a faerie or an elf.  If you have any flowy clothes that you are alright with getting dirty, please wear those. I’ll send you the location if you’re comfortable.  If not, we can do the beach or my backyard.  I just can’t imagine drawing you in a confined space like my studio. I don’t think it would fit your spirit.’

Callum internally screamed. Did he really send that?  She was going to rescind her acceptance of his request to draw her, wasn’t she?  ‘Her spirit’? He had met her once!  What was wrong with him?  It was true, though.  That was something about her that, despite the suit and the situation that they met in, made him feel like she would be more at home running barefoot through the forest or relaxing by the sea.

Either way, now all he had to do was wait for her to reply back.  If she rejected the offer, well, he didn’t want to think about that, because that meant he probably was never going to see her again.  Meeting her once was enough to make her haunt his every thought for the past three days.  While he and his friends had finally ironed out how they were going to go full-time with YouTube, she had been right in the back of his mind.  

He had looked up her name and ran across a few things.  She really was the daughter of two bodyguards of the British royal family and her adoptive fathers ran a famous Celtic jewelry shop in Aberdeen, the designs being a mix of traditional shapes and styles and new materials.  She did dance for years as a way to channel her energy. There was even a video online of her at sixteen doing a ballet routine to a Kylie Minogue and Madonna compilation. She had inserted traditional Irish step dance in a way Callum never would have thought worked but it did. Maybe that was because of the sheer joy on her face as she moved.  That made her departure from dance all the stranger and it’s also where information about her basically stopped.  The most recent thing he found was that she worked for Patel and Associates Anti-Fraud Law Office.  

A lawyer…his faerie was a lawyer.  It certainly explained the suit but it was almost absurd.  Here he was imagining her running through the trees and she was surrounded by paperwork in her daily life.  Did she enjoy it?  Did she like spicy food?  What was her type?

Callum hit his head against his desk.  He needed to stop letting his mind drift to her and whether or not she could ever be interested in him.  There was no way someone like him was her type.  She couldn’t hide just how toned her long legs her in her suit.  She probably worked out often while he was a lazy twig that indulged in sleeping in too much.  Also, she was a lawyer.  A lawyer falling for a YouTuber/artist?  Yeah, right.

A stray chip hit his forehead.  Callum looked up to glare at Soren.  “What?”

“You thinking about that hot girl at the cheese shop again?”

“What?  No!”  Callum could feel the blush creepy up on his cheeks and all the way to his ears.

“It’s fine if you were. She was smoking hot.  I never thought I would find white hair hot, but DAMN.”

Claudia hummed in acknowledgement.  “I’m calling it now; she’s Bi or Pan.”

“What makes you say that?” Soren mumbled around a bunch of chips.

Claudia winked.  “Gaydar.”

“Wishful thinking?”

“Maybe some of that, too,” Claudia shrugged.  

“She’s got two dads,” Callum mumbled.

Soren, Claudia, and Ezran all turned to him.  “Does she now?” Claudia asked.

“Yeah.  She told me at the shop.  It was the painting of Aunt Amaya and Aunt Janai that made her accept my offer.  She was raised by her parents’ friends, hence, two dads.  They run Gael Jewelers in Aberdeen.”  

Claudia immediately pulled out her phone, probably to look them up.  Shortly after, she whistled.  “Wow. She comes from a really good-looking family.  Her mom is a totally MILF.”

Soren rolled his eyes. “Claudia, you can’t just-” Claudia shoved the picture in his face. “MILF alert.”

“Mm-hmm.”  Claudia scrolled through.  “Ethari and Runaan and are also incredibly attractive.  Damn.  What is in the water in Scotland?”

Callum rolled his eyes. “Guys.  Let’s focus.  Do we need a production manager?”

Claudia shrugged.  “My vote is you’re in charge of creative for group projects, we run our own channels, and we hire an editing assistant.”

“We also need a social media manager.  Ez can’t do it all on his own while he’s in school.”

Ezran nodded.  “It’s nice that you guys do your own channel stuff, but, sometimes, it would be nice to have some help.”

“Do we need a strong social media presence?  We have YouTube and Twitter.  Isn’t that enough?”

Ezran scratched the back of his neck.  “Maybe? Claudia’s got a large following on Tumblr ever since she came out during one of her make-up tutorials.  Her super casual ‘my ex-girlfriend taught me how to do this and this is the first time I’ve done this eyeliner look since we broke-up’ just made her blow-up and our channel gained thousands of followers over-night.”

Callum nodded.  “We gained a lot of followers after I did that art tutorial with Janai, too.  A lot of people just went gaga over her and I see a lot of requests for her to come back on the channel.”

“Which is where a social media manager could come in handy.  Maybe they could track requests so we don’t have to?”

Soren sighed, taking another handful of his chips.  “We also need someone to help us with events.  Getting us into them, working booths…being famous is hard work.”

“We aren’t famous, Soren.”

“Beg to differ.  I get stopped all the time.”  Soren flexed his arm.  “And it’s not just because of these guns.”  The other three in the room rolled their eyes.  

“Himbo,” Claudia coughed, no-so-subtly.  

“WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! Stop using words I don’t know!”

“Stop being a himbo.”

“CLAUDS!”  

Ezran and Callum shared a look, snorting at their childhood friends’ teasing.  Soren and Claudia couldn’t go five minutes without teasing each other or making a serious situation humorous.  “Can’t take them anywhere,” Callum whispered.

Ezran nodded.  “Bait is better behaved.”

Callum eyed the frog in the glass bowl Ezran took with him wherever he could.  “He’s glaring at me again.”

“Because you won’t stop thinking about that girl.”

“It’s not my fault she won’t leave my head.  You saw her, Ez.”

“Yeah, she’s beautiful, but she’s not running through my head like she is your’s.  Are you even ready for another relationship?  After Melissa-”

“Melissa was a nightmare. She constantly asked to be introduced in our videos.  I didn’t know at the time, but you were right, she approached me because she wanted to piggyback off our growing fame.”  Callum ran a hand through his hair.  “I was an idiot.”

Ezran put a hand on his shoulder.  “I wasn’t going to say that.  I was going to say that Melissa really hurt you and I want you to be careful.  You didn’t even like her that much, if I remember correctly.”

“She was nice, pretty, liked some of the same things I did.  But she didn’t really inspire me to be better or push my art.  She only encouraged the YouTube thing, not what I actually like.”

“She is why we got almost fifty thousand subscribers in one week, though.  That story broke and you had to give that little video and it really stuck with people.”

Callum remembered that video.  As a way to quiet down any questions, he had made a short video detailing how they had met (in a coffee shop), why they had never gone public (he had wanted to keep his private life and his YouTube life separate), that she had met his family but they kept it hush-hush (impossible not to meet Ezran after knowing Callum for a week), and that the break-up had not been mutual.  Callum had broken-up with her because he had felt that it wasn’t working because they wanted different things.  Melissa pushed the YouTube thing, and there was nothing wrong with that, but, if Callum was going to be known for social media and videos, he wanted to be proud of what he put out into the universe.  He loved his art more, and, if he could, that would be all he did.  Melissa had wanted to do sponsorships and Callum hadn’t.  They just had different values and desires and no one else was owed this knowledge, but Callum had been forced to do damage control because people would not stop asking.  “Yeah. I was really surprised that that happened.”

“People value honesty. I think it comes across in our videos and your art tutorials that you are not in this for the fame.  We’ve done meet and greets and you are just awkward as anything.  Melissa showed her true colors on her own with posts afterwards.”  Callum didn’t even want to think about how Melissa had tried to monetize their break-up.  It had been bizarre to see her sponsored by a make-up wipe company to tell her side of the story, which basically confirmed everything in Callum’s video, but with the caveat that she had wanted him to reach new heights and that YouTube and not his ‘lame art’, as she had put it, was the way to do that.  Their fans had not taken kindly to that and Melissa had lost thousands of followers she had gained overnight in even less time.

“Social media is weird, Ez. No matter what, we have got to stay away from the drama.  We do not want to be involved in any of that.”

“Yep.  That’s why I think a social media manager could help.  A good one.”

“I’m all for it if that’s what keeps our noses clean.”  Callum straightened when his phone alerted him to a text.  

He opened it to see it was from Rayla ‘The woods?  OK.  I’m still bringing my friend.  When’s good for you?  It would have to be on a weekend for me because of work.  Sorry about that.’

“Holy shit,” Callum whispered.

“What?” Ezran looked over his shoulder to read the text.  “That text sounds weird.  Callum-”

“I know, Ez, but she didn’t say ‘no’.  She didn’t reject me.”  Ezran raised a brow.  “You know what I mean.”

“You’ve got it bad.”

“I just need to draw her to get her out of my system.”

“Either that or she is your muse.  Poor Aunt Janai.  She was having so much fun being your muse.  So was Khessa.”  Callum chuckled.  Khessa, Janai’s older sister, did enjoy modeling for Callum.  His exhibit on women of color had been a smash hit in part because of her always accepting when he asked.  She had once modeled with a crown while sitting on a throne and that particular piece now hung in her house in her living room, showed off to everyone who came over.  Callum smiled as he remembered that exhibit.  His crowing achievement, to this day, was the portrait of his mother, eyes softened, and an easy, loving smile on her lips.  People thought of her as this rough former military general and tactician who once taught at military academies.  They didn’t know that she had a sweet tooth or that her relationship with Callum’s father had led her to leaving the military because she saw that the push for peace was more important.  

She was now known for her discussions on US-South Korean and US-Thai relations because both her parents were immigrants and her own history in South Korea.  Sarai and Amaya had both spent half their childhoods in South Korea in Korean schools, helping Sarai learn how the rest of the world saw the States. She and Amaya and joined the military because it helped pay for university, but both found they were really good at it. So good at it, they extended their contracts before finally leaving to focus on family and peaceful negotiations. Callum was proud of his mother’s work and was proud of the picture showing the softer side of her so many people didn’t see.  

He shook his head and sent a quick text to Rayla that next Saturday worked for him if it worked for her.  This Saturday was in a few days and, if things went how Ezran wanted, they were probably going to be doing interviews all weekend for a social media manager.  “Let’s get a social media manager, Ez.”

“YES!”

------------------------------------------

Rayla smiled at the text. The woods was a bit of a strange option, but she was excited.  She hadn’t had a chance to go running through the trees barefoot in years.  She was going to have to ask Corvus if he was willing to head out early so she could do so.  She mentally thought of her wardrobe and realized she didn’t have anything flowing that she was willing to get dirty.  She was going to have to go thrift store shopping.  

Was she really going to go buy a dress so a random artist that she had met one time could draw her surrounded by trees?  Yeah, she was and she was going to look so good she was going to haunt his mind like he haunted her’s.  His voice followed her and she had watched all of his videos in three days.  She barely slept because she wanted to hear him more or see him smile or laugh.  She felt like one of those stalkers who was convinced a famous person was in love with them, but she had met him in real life.  He had approached her, he had asked to draw her.  Either way, she wanted him to be tongue-tied when he saw her and, hopefully, she was going to quell some of the fire that refused to leave her belly since they had shaken hands.

[satanschild01]

No All Might? That’s Alright Prt3

Izuku Midoriya Fanfiction                                                          

A/N: In all honesty this took me way too long just to finish writing this chapter, but I pushed through so I guess it’s fine. I’ve created a AO3 account recently and I’ve posted all of my previous fanfictions there so if you want to check me out, you can find me as SatansChild

Hope you all stay safe and wear a mask if you can't physically distance.Hope to update soon!

Catch you on the flip side ~ Em

Photo used in this fic was referenced from original picture from anime, I did draw this photo jtlyk

Tags:

@random-fandom-girl-24

Tags for some wonderful feedback😘: @trashys-things @pink-imagines @marvelmymarvel @shikigami-the-paper-spirit @spaced-out-imagines​ @marvelmymarvelmain @writingfreakk

Trigger warning: Talk about death

Word Count: 2633

Part 1 Part 2  Part 3

After making sure all of the blood was no longer on his uniform, Closing his eyes, Izuku steeled himself to walk into the All Might shrine that was his room. Sure, he still wanted to be a hero, and he admired All Might’s strength, but he couldn’t stand to be surrounded by posters and figurines of a man who couldn’t offer any sort of encouragement to a child who clearly needed it. Izuku pulled some cardboard boxes out from his closet and started filling them with everything All Might. Oboro didn’t make a sound during the time he cleaned out his room, which he was grateful for. Even though he could just feel Oboro wanting to ask questions. 

“So what are you going to do about all this stuff?” Oboro asked as Izuku changed his All Might sheets with regular black ones “You seem like such a big fan...it just seems like a waste just to keep it all in boxes.”

Izuku shrugged his shoulders.”I’m not much of a fan anymore.” he lied to mostly himself rather than to Oboro, “I guess I’ll just donate the stuff later.” Once his walls were finally bare, Izuku stuffed the now full boxes to the back of his closet and flopped onto his bed. The room stayed silent for a moment until Izuku broke the ice, “I don’t want to intrude on your personal life…but can you tell me about yourself?” he asked

“Well for the fact that I witnessed and helped you with some pretty deep stuff, it sorta would be rude if I didn’t tell you something about my previous life,” Oboro said cheekily

“H-how long have you been...you know…” Izuku paused not really wanting to complete the question.

“...dead?” Izuku nodded “I was in my second year of high school when I died and I would be 29 by now so...close to 12 years I think?”  Izuku sat there on his bed frozen

‘12 years is a long time to be a ghost or spirit to not have passed on, that is if people actually pass onto another place once they die’ Izuku thought to himself

“I was patrolling around Tasomiya Ward with one of my best friends when there was a villain attack...I was working on saving some kids when debris fell on top of me...when I woke up I was like how I am now, I couldn’t find my body anywhere so I just...travelled around…” Oboro seemed to quiet down at mentioning that he never found his body to move onto another life, so Izuku thought of ways to change the current mood of the room.

“So you were a hero in training or something?” he asked, face full of wonder, Oboro hummed in affirmation “What school did you go to?”

“I went to U.A”

“Wait really?!” Izuku exclaimed excitedly, “that's so cool!”

They continued talking and asking questions back and forth, before falling into a comfortable silence. A few minutes past before Izuku took a deep breath

“I...I’m sorry,” Izuku said quietly, slowly curling into himself

"Why would you be sorry kid?" Oboro’s voice was full of confusion. But Izuku only curled in on himself further.

"If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be stuck here." As if anyone wanted to be bound to some stupid Deku...like him. And here he thought it was a whole coincidence that Oboro was with him. But instead, he just took whatever type of freedom he had to begin with.

"Hey, no! Stop that. Izuku that's not true! I'm here because I want to be!" The warmth spread all over him and he couldn't help but lean into it. “I said I'd make a hero out of you and I still plan on it."

Izuku looked up only to see the ceiling of his room, lifting his arm up to the sky and let it just float there (like what every kid does while laying on there bed contemplating on what to do next). "I wish I could see you again."

Oboro hummed. Seeming to think something through. "I don’t think there’s much out there since I was only a second-year when I died, but there could be some photos of me with friends or an article"

Izuku seemed to take that as a challenge as he went to his computer. "What did you choose to be your hero name?"

"Loud Cloud."

After scouring the web for a couple of minutes nothing showed up except for an old article from the Nikkei Shimbun newspaper, reporting the death of hero-in-training Loud Cloud. Izuku quickly exited that site choosing to search for something different. “What’s your full name Oboro?”

“Oh that’s right I didn’t tell you my full name, it is Oboro Shirakumo” Oboro replied

“Oboroshirikumo...oboroshirikumooo….here!” Izuku exclaimed pointing at the monitor’s screen. “This photo was tagged saying ‘Curry eating competition at U.A’s School Festival. Winner Hizashi Yamada from class 2-A!’ it also says the names of the people in the photo are; Shota Aizawa, Hizashi Yamada, and Oboro Shirakumo.” 

“Oh, I remember that!” Oboro cried out laughing “The curry was soo spicy I was freaking out because I couldn’t find anything to soothe my burning throat!”

“So that’s you in the back then?” Izuku asked pointing towards a teenager who seems to be freaking out.

Oboro chuckles “Yep, the other two were my best friends!”

“Yamada looks sorta familiar what’s his hero name?” Izukku asked, curious on why the 16-year-old looked so familiar to him

“Unless he changed it before becoming a pro, which he probably would not, his hero name is Present Mic.” 

Izuku sputtered “W-wait you were close friends with THE Present Mic?!” Oboro hummed in agreement while Izuku had his miny freak out “

“Oh my god that is socool!Ilistentohisradioshoweveryday,andhe’ssuchanamazinghero,likeevenifheisdeafduetohisquirkhedoesn’tletitbotherhiman-” He stopped hearing the sound of laughter coming around his room and his lamp flickering

"Aw jeez, that’s amazing Hizashi got to get that radio show he wanted." There was a quick blast of warmth flooding around his back and chest resembling a hug. "Well anyway, you should probably head to bed. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow and a long way to go before you can have a chance at being accepted into UA!"

"What are you going to do while I sleep?" Izuku asked, eyes slowly drooping.

"I'm going to see how far I can go without being next to you, and have a look around and exploring a bit. No need to worry. I'll make sure to be careful and be here in the morning." He seemed to pick up on his anxieties. Izuku felt warmth as Oboro slowly pet his hair back. "Goodnight, Izuku." 

The next morning Izuku woke up to warmth pulsing on his right cheek. "Hey kid it’s time to get up! You have training to do! Up and at ‘em!" Oboro’s voice was overly joyful and Izuku felt very unwilling to get out of bed.

"Mm...just a bit longeeeer." He groaned turning himself over facing away from where he guesses Oboro is standing (floating?).

"Fair warning Izuku my jokes are terrible, everyone at school would always runaway once I started and I haven’t been able to talk to actual people in so long! If spaghetti were to have it’s own action movie, what would it be called?.... Mission im-pasta-ble. What did the pot eat on it’s birthday?....pancakes. What do you call a camel in a drought?....A dry hu- "

Finally, Izuku jerked up, covering his ears. “Okay. Okay, I’m up! No need to finish that.” His face started to burn a light pink across his face, (knowing what the end of the joke was) as he started to kick the blankets off only to turn towards the window and see barely any light outside. "Wha- Oboro!! The sun isn’t even out yet!"

He turned glaring into thin air hoping to make contact with him.

"Yes, it is, Izu. It's just reeeally early in the morning. There is plenty of time for you to get ready and eat before we go out for a morning run!" He was being weirdly energetic about the whole ordeal, but Izuku knew he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Heading to the bathroom, Izuku ran a brush through his wild curly hair and brushed his teeth. Going back to his room, Obroro pipped up. "It's a bit cool outside so I suggest you wear some long sleeves."

The entire way to his closet Izuku muttered incoherent things. In the end, he opted to wear a plain black shorts and a long-sleeved shirt with written kanji saying 'tank-top' with his old dusty sneakers because his red sneakers were still on top of the roof.

Before heading out Izuku ate some toast and an orange. If he got hungry later on their run he could always eat more when they got back. As Izulu started to leave the apartment Izuku tripped over an unmarked box that was just left in front of the door.

"Ooo I wonder what it is!” Oboro seemed quite enthusiastic as Izuku went to open the box revealing his faded red shoes and yellow backpack.

"Wai-how-who found my stuff?" Izuku asked immediately putting the bag by the door and quickly changing between uncomfortable and comfortable shoes.

"I don’t know, when I got back from wandering around the package was just...there."

"Maybe someone found it and found out where I live from my contact info and address was written inside…?” Izuku wondered out loud.

“I guess so,” Oboro said looking to the bright sight of things.

‘But what if it was...All Might. Yeah, I’m glad that I don’t have to go back up there to collect my things but...I don’t want to have to depend on All Might to help me with my own problems.’

“Hey don’t think like that Izu! I know you’re not a huge fan of the guy, but you don’t have to beat yourself down like that. I know you’re better than that” Oboro spoke sternly trying to make a point, but that soon backfired as warmth spread through his body.

“Hold up- could you always hear my thoughts?” Izuku questioned as he started to jog away from the apartment.

“So far I can heat some things. Like your thoughts that way heavily on you emotionally. But it could possibly work to talk to me through your mind. So you don’t look like a freak talking to themselves.” Oboro quickly informs Izuku as to not worry him.

Sighed Izuku. That was true. Though he kept thinking about it as he jogged. As they passed Dagobah Municipal Beach, the sun had started to rise. Taking in a deep breath was the wrong reason as Izuku cringed from the awful smell of garbage. Despite the smell, Izuku took a break, taking a seat at the entrance.

"Oh gross. What is this place?" Oboro asked with a clear sound of disgust in his voice.

"Well," Izuku started."This is Dagobah Municipal Beach Park. It has accumulated trash coming from the sea for years, turning it from a beautiful beach spot into a trash heap for everyone's unwanted or broken belongings." It was really a shame. As a kid, Izuku recalled going to the beach. Lie under a beach umbrella, making sandcastles. But by the time he was tall enough into the water, it was already flooded with trash by then.

"That's terrible." Oboro seemed deeply upset about this actually. It made Izuku want to do something about it. But before Izuku could voice his thoughts Oboro spoke up.

“Hey Izu, could we make a quick visit to a convenience store?”

“Sure...what exactly do you want me to get?” Izuku asked, despite having an idea what Oboro was thinking.

“Well...you’re going to need to get some garbage bags and some gloves.”

Izuku then dashed towards the nearest convenience store with determination in his eyes. A frail-looking lady turned the key to open the doors as he walked by. Causing her to recoil in slight shock, Izuku realized that with his rapid approach he had frightened her. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'd just come to purchase some garbage bags and some gloves.

The older woman seemed to soften something about his face as she smiled and opened his door. "Sure thing, they’re both in the last aisle on your right."

Before she went inside, Izuku thanked her and smiled back. He quickly found what he was looking for and brought a box of trash bags and a pair of workers gloves onto the counter.

"What's the hurry, son? Why do you need trash bags this early in the morning? You aren't trying to cause trouble are you?" the old woman pointed to Izuku with an accusing finger, and he shook his head quickly.

"Oh no, ma'am! I thought that I could just try and clean the beach up! I passed it while I was on my morning run!" Izuku assured, voicing Oboro’s plan

At this, the elder woman gently smiles while scanning the items. “Wow, is that right?” she said astonished, “ You know how long that place has been a mess? What makes you believe you can do it all by yourself?"

Her words weren't really painful, she was just being realistic. He knew she was right. He certainly had no obligation to clean up the beach. He could have just ignored it and easily went about his day. But he knew if he wanted to be a hero then he would need to start off the roots of how heroes came to be. How they used to work. Heroes in the beginning didn’t do what they did for fame. No. They didn’t care for the recognition they would get. They did it because they just wanted to help.

“That’s the thing, ma’am. I thought that it wouldn’t hurt to try. It’s also a great way to work out, instead of having to buy workout equipment or get a gym membership!” Izuku brightly smiles towards the lady as he handed her the money to buy his items.

“Well, I wish you luck, kid. I’m guessing that you’ll need a place to put the trash you collect.” She stated, Izuku smiling sheepishly at her rubbing the back of his head she continued, “There are two dumpsters in the alley behind the store, they get taken every Monday.”

"Thank you, ma'am!" Izuku said genuinely as he headed for the door. He didn't think too much about how he would dispose of the garbage, so it was good to have one offered.

Oboro began to laugh as Izuku jogged back towards the beach. "Cheaper than having to buy workout equipment or get a gym membership! Man, how true that is nowadays!”

The first garbage bags were packed very quickly. broken bottles, cans of beer, old and rotting newspaper, all of it was poured into the trash bag. Plastic, paper, glass, etc. Izuku could take them to a recycling center! He was already pumped about this new project when Oboro spoke up.

“Hey, Izu, before you toss that into the bag” placing his hand on Izuku’s making him feel warmth blossom closest to the soda, can packaging he was holding in that hand. “make sure you cut each circle so if they end up in wildlife again then animals won’t get their heads stuck inside.”

Izuku's eyes lit up as he started to tear apart each loop before placing it in one of the bags used for recycling. Soon Izuku had used up a quarter of the box of trash bags gone and only had 6x5 feet rectangle cleared of the beach.