#I'm just incredibly indecisive about my presentation

[sunset-sunbun]

im changing my sona again right after I got artfight attacks for it I am so sorry-

[bird-inacage]

Only Friends: Sand's Reaction to Ray VS Boeing

I know some people will be annoyed that Sand wasn't more forceful in telling Boeing to leave him alone. In my opinion, this isn't really surprising. Sand's biggest strength and weakness is his kindness. He'll make concessions for people, even those who hurt him. Ray is a prime example. Why would his ex be any different?

Boeing's Dubious Intentions

It's glaringly obvious just how uncomfortable, stiff and exasperated Sand's body language is during their second exchange. This is someone he shared his ultimate dreams and passions with, which must have made the betrayal even more devastating. We still don't have the full context as to how this all went down, but I'm sure Sand hasn't forgotten that Boeing chose to leave him. Compared to their first re-encounter where Sand appears rattled and somewhat flustered, here he seems to display a more resolute lack of patience, possibly after reminding himself of Boeing's true colours.

This doesn't erase the fact that Sand had feelings for him once, cared about him once. Sand didn't choose to end the relationship, Boeing did. So there would have been unresolved feelings that Sand had to process alone in the aftermath. For Boeing to have the audacity to swan back in rightly warrants a less than lukewarm response.

Even so, Sand shows Boeing an incredible amount of grace when he certainly doesn't have to. He tries to calmly but firmly ward Boeing off. "State your business". "Just forget it. I don't think I'll go." "Just friendship. That I can give you." He makes it very clear that Boeing can find him at the bar but nowhere else. He's trying to establish a distinct boundary, which Boeing swiftly disregards.

Sand's Unease: Where Past & Present Collide

The way Sand is reacting says to me he desperately doesn't want Ray involved. He seems eager to keep him well away from Boeing. Sand could have chosen not to mention his ex's sudden reappearance, but decides to be upfront with Ray about it. I think Sand's turmoil is a sign of worry over what Boeing may do, rather than an indication of indecisiveness over his own feelings. The reason I say this is because Sand doesn't show any warmth, residual affection or happiness in seeing Boeing again. He looks mostly wary, unnerved even.

I can also see why Sand would try to refrain from openly displaying his feelings for Ray in Boeing's presence. If he exhibits just how much he cares about Ray, whose to say whether Boeing may pull another stunt like he did with Mew/Top and try to pursue Ray instead just to be messy. The way Sand looks at Boeing is laden with suspicion and uneasiness, particularly when Ray is around. This is really noticeable when Boeing first addresses Ray - Sand's whole demeanour gets much colder and standoffish.

We don't know precisely what Sand is afraid of - that Boeing may target any ill will at Ray? Or that Ray may be affected by his ex flaunting details about their history which could cause jealousy? Things are going really well between Ray and Sand right now but it's possible Boeing could try to stir up a misunderstanding or create conflict between them.

Ray's Protectiveness: "Deal with him or I'll do it."

Ray knows better than ever what Sand is like. He's all too aware of just how painfully kind and caring his boyfriend can be, often to his own detriment. Boeing is keen to exploit this very fact by trying to appear imploring towards Sand, "You never yell at me." Ray is also acutely familiar with how Sand struggles to say no to those he cares about.

Whilst Ray observes angrily, I like to think this comes from a place of being mad for Sand more than anything. If he's seen their entire interaction play out, he'll notice that Sand has not once initiated physical contact with Boeing. He doesn't shirk him off, but he certainly doesn't respond either. He keeps his arms firmly planted at his sides, and yet Boeing keeps trying his luck. Something about the way Boeing behaves with Sand feels like he treats him as a plaything - someone he used to have wrapped around his finger. Perhaps he thinks that the power he used to have over Sand still remains.

Sand's expressions also feel loaded with shame, as if he's repeatedly chiding himself for being foolish enough to love someone like Boeing, who so cruelly tossed him aside. That somehow he feels partly to blame. Maybe this is a Sand he doesn't want Ray to see. Yet here Ray is, on the side-lines, taking all this in.

From their very first interaction, Boeing is trying to undermine Ray. You can see Ray's growth as he doesn't confront or make a fuss, but chooses to respect Sand's wishes and instead stays quietly hidden to keep watch. He looks to Sand for confirmation he'll be okay on his own before leaving. Though he can detect something isn't right, he allows Sand the opportunity to handle this first.

As soon as he sees Boeing trying to cross a line, he steps in. He's not going to permit Boeing trying to drag Sand off somewhere alone, he'd rather keep the enemy directly under his nose.

What I'm hoping to see in Episode 12 is protective Ray to come out full force. I've said this before but the entire series has been Sand looking after Ray. Whereas this would be a great opportunity for Ray to look out for Sand, and to teach Boeing a lesson at the same time.

That eye contact in the last scene was so loaded. Ray's gaze is a silent threat- 'That's my man you're looking at, don't get used to it. If you're really stupid enough to try anything on my watch, I'll tear your neck out.' Don't ever underestimate Ray, he's small but feisty.

[wen-kexing-apologist]

If y'all don't stop tagging me in "list your favorite ________" challenges, I swear.....(kidding)

You know I'm indecisive and that the second I'm asked questions like this everything I have ever known or loved just falls right out of my head :'(

ANYWAY. I was tagged by @colourme-feral to name 9 favorite TV series. Nine? Not ten? Alright, whatever. Now presenting, in no particular order

wen-kexing-apologist's Top Nine Favorite TV Series

I think, much like last time where I listed my ten favorite characters AND THEN LEFT OUT PIKE MOTHERFUCKING DEXTER LIKE A GODDAMN NOOB I can't be certain I am forgetting one that I cherish greatly.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

I'm putting this first because A:TLA was a show I watched live in my youth and I remember running the hating Zuko to loving Zuko gauntlet in real time.

But seriously, you can't give me the single greatest redemption arc written in human history and not expect me to cradle this show close to my chest for the rest of my life.

There are so many shows we grow up with that we remember fondly and that in the grand scheme of things aren't that good, protected by young minds and nostalgia AND THIS ISN'T ONE OF THEM.

Seriously my poor mother has had to listen to hours worth of rambling about the incredibly strong adult themes, three dimensional characters, and conversations around war and the portrayal of no one society as inherently evil from both of her children.

This is my boy and I will love him until the end of time, I'm sorry that I hated you when we first met. In my defense the narrative compelled me to do so.

Sense8

Queer, sex positive, beautifully crafted, orgies as a symbol of human connection, the way the world is so small and that people from all over the world have skills that are valuable, that save lives, that are needed and necessary. Humanity and complexity given to people involved in the drug trade, humanity and complexity given to drug users, humanity and complexity given to gang members, humanity and complexity given to prisoners. Love, loss, tragedy, trauma, trans joy, throuple, couple and whatever the fuck Daniella is doing, one really good weed brownie curing transphobia.

The ending wasn't perfect but that isn't the Wachowski Sister's fault, it was Netflix's fault.

I Told Sunset About You/I Promised You The Moon

This show, especially I Told Sunset About You, may be the single most emotional a show has ever made me. I think I cried four times per episode for ITSAY, the only time I didn't cry four times was Episode 3, where foolishly I made it through 98% of the episode went "this edible ain't shit I don't know why everyone is so emo about Ep 3, it's been the most mild so far" AND THEN FUCKING BAM

Teh with the steel fucking chair!

When I tell you I spent hours, numb, staring up at the ceiling?? It's not an exaggeration.

When I tell you I thought about this scene for more than three and immediately burst into tears??? It's not an exaggeration.

This show altered my brain chemistry, this show altered my DNA, this show was so fucking good and ruined me so thoroughly that I wasn't even able to make my brain come up with things to analyze.

in this show, WHERE THERE IS SO MUCH THERE TO ANALYZE. I am making a friend watch it right now so I'm hoping I will have more to contemplate and talk about as I rewatch it now that the emotional impact has softened.

Moonlight Chicken

Look no further than my Gay Meta Masterpost pinned to my page to understand why I love this show so much. It is gorgeous, it handles the subject of disability well, it's the show that got me to start posting meta and as a result it is the show that got me all the friends I have on tumblr now.

This show is perfect, the acting is spectacular, the inherent queerness that runs through the narrative, THE LIGHTING. Aof knocked it out of the motherfucking park with this one.

The Eclipse

Folks let me tell you what happens when you go from Not Me to The Eclipse...

you fall desperately in love with First Kanaphan Puitrakul and his masterful acting ability. I love this show so much. P'Golf had things to say and she was not afraid to say it. The queer characters got to be complex and messy and wrong sometimes, none of the main characters were morally superior, they all contributed to maintaining the system, they all helped harm other queer people. This show was made with pocket change and a dream and it gave me two of my favorite kisses in BL, one of my favorite stories in BL, and my sweet summer child

my beloved Baby War Criminal who is my favorite character ever in BL. Look at him. He is under so much pressure. GOD I LOVE THIS SHOW. And I love Thua too.

Our Flag Means Death

Setting aside the problematic fans, I watched this show eleven times. It was one of the only shows I'd seen where every couple was queer, I love how gradually the writing team was able to move this show from comedy to something more serious, I love the way Stede returned home only to find that he had been forever changed, I love the way Blackbeard was on his way to grieving and healing with healthy coping mechanisms, and the commentary the show gave on how exposure to toxic masculinity and internalized/externalized homophobia (in the form of Izzy) can alter that course. I love that traditional roles and expectations are subverted in this show. That Pete and Lucius are in love, that Olu gets thrown around by Jim, that the show allows for an older queer person to both realize his sexuality and experience his first queer love.

And also

it introduced me to one of the first nonbinary characters I had seen on screen. Jim Jimenez you can murder me whenever you wish, it would be my absolute honor.

What We Do in The Shadows

For one, it's hilarious

For two, Jackie Daytona exists.

For three

It gave me Guillermo de la Cruz, the sexiest motherfucker alive.

The Owl House

Queer, neurodivergent representation????? In my TV show??????? A main plot point being around the all consuming nature of white supremacy and religious zeal. Hunter? Dear sweet, awkward, traumatized Hunter? RAINE MOTHERFUCKING WHISPERS?!

Listen, I'm a simple bitch, okay? You put an enby in my television and I will be forced to stan.

I mean look at them!

Word of Honor

*points to username*

If I didn't put WoH on here I would have to give up rights to my username.

This is the show that started me on the BL spiral and having read the novel, I have to say that I have never seen a show change a character and expand upon a story as well as Word of Honor has.

The sex appeal, the swagger, and the lowkey unsettling obsession The Scorpion King has in the TV show compared to the book?

Expert execution of fundamentally and fully changing source text. The costumes are gorgeous and the way I was driven to the brink of insanity by how gay this show was despite censorship is truly unmatched. I know censorship can dampen a queer story experience, but damned if i didn't go feral and say "I can't believe they got away with that" at every given opportunity.

And

It gave me my beloved Adult War Criminal, Wen Kexing, who as we all know, has never done anything wrong in his life, ever.

___

Bonus Round:

aka shows that I haven't or that haven't finished yet so I am contractually obligated not to put them on a list.

180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us

I have two episodes left, it is absolutely killer, and if it continues to be as strong as it is this will be a 10/10 show for me and join the ranks of my favorites. This show is driving me mad with both hands and barriers and I need everyone to know that.

La Pluie

There are three episodes left for this to go wrong which is the only reason why I haven't put it on the list. But similarly to 180 Degrees, if it continues the way it is going now this will be a 10/10 show for me and join the ranks of my favorites. I LOVE what they are doing to subvert the soulmate trope. It is a masterpiece so far and I need more people to be watching this.

Tagging:

@solitaryandwandering, @ranchthoughts, @wanderlust-in-my-soul, @so-much-yet-to-learn, and @neuroticbookworm

Your choice whether to participate or not and apologies if you have already been tagged.

[t-u-i-t-c]

Top 5 Toku dramas!

this is a tough one, i've seen over 40 toku series and it's pretty hard to compare things and narrow it down. i'm also aware that some things i am very into aren't everyone's cup of tea as we value different parts of toku. for example, i don't care that much about mecha, but i do care about characters and details. i care about it feeling like the people on the show care. that being said, let me give you 5 toku series that changed my brain chemistry in no particular order with some brief notes.

(these are not my top 5 overall bc i'm indecisive, just 5 that had an impact off the top of my head.)

put "top 5 (anything)" in my inbox and i'll give you an answer

ohsama sentai king-ohger

the third sentai i watched while airing, but only the second from beginning to end

it's one of my favorite sentai, if not my favorite

has one of my favorite characters of all time, racules husty, and jeramie brasieri is not far behind

interesting lore that is pretty consistent and fleshed out

interesting conversations about grief, loyalty, guilt, and power

bug-themed

fashion icons hymeno ran and yanma gast are present

satisfying conclusion and fun crossovers

gender neutral representation

kamen rider saber

gorgeous suit designs

kento and touma are present and are a perfect example of loyalty and devotion - so much love that you can feel it in the air

dad swordsman who loves his young son and his son is also doted on by the guild

interesting discussions about trauma, existentialism, guilt, betrayal, and love

mei, girl of all time, is present and is the backbone of the guild even though she's not a swordsman herself

storious is there, which is all he has to do for me - also megid ot3

guy who fused with his sword and who's very interested in comics and mundane things, and is quick to call other swordsmen out

whatever desast and ren had going on

touma is one of the riders ever, he cares so much and wants to save everyone he possibly can and grasps onto hope with every ounce of strength he has

touma's entire wardrobe is iconic

trio of deep sin = cinematic masterpiece

gosei sentai dairanger

i'll never be over it, i'll never forget the ending and i'll never not feel something when i think about it

incredible episode in which red takes in the enemy and nurses him back to health - he even tucks him in

the iconic duo of kazu and shoji who stare at each other longingly and have really sweet moments

guy who is a turtle

the music>>>>

heated drama between women

the team genuinely feels so bonded like no matter where they go they'll always end up back together

the ending? an experience in and of itself

talks about cycles of violence and hope and the balance of good and evil

note: it's quite dated and has moments that may make one uncomfortable - sexual harassment mainly

kishiryu sentai ryusoulger

(i can't not talk about this one as i have a particular fascination with it)

canalo is in it and he's one of my favorite guys of all time - just a very lovely guy

i'm actually very into the mecha in this series and how they are used to show souls being bonded

koh is one of my favorite reds, he never looks down on fellow ryusoulgers and insists that there's no leader amongst them

lots of interesting lore that i've been taking a lot of notes on, some is explained and some is not but it fascinates me

tyramigo - a kishiryu that koh shrinks and who learned to speak from watching tv

the ending dance is so fun and cute, every time i see someone from the cast doing it they look like they're having the time of their lives

wyzul <3

asuna has great physical strength for some reason, it seems to be an oddity, and while she's a bit embarrassed about it in the beginning (it's not explained why but one could think she feels out of place being the only one with this ability) she prides herself in being strong later when protecting children and that always stuck with me

i think that it does some interesting things with the bonds between the ryusoulgers and discussing trust, strength, resolve, and care

dinosaurs

kamen rider build

banjo and sento best match - so much trust and belief in one another

discussions of grief, guilt, compliance, sins of the past, forgiveness, and war

stunning suits

evolt is a character that i very much enjoy watching in any form

lots of twists and turns done well with the help of foreshadowing

banjo wears shirts that say things

sento is one of my favorite main riders, and i would explain why but i don't want to spoil anything here

banjo is my favorite secondary so far too

the movies are very good and i love them

bonus series: kamen rider geats & tensou sentai goseiger

are these all perfect? no, a few have some very obvious flaws and holes and others are just not everyone's cup of tea but they did have a great impact on me. i don't particularly recommend anything as tastes differ but i think value can be found in all of these in one way or another.

[kollapsar]

Tl;Dr discussion of rates, the art industry, personal thoughts etc.

For a long time there- a period of about 3 years when I started freelancing again- all I wanted was to work for companies like Wizards. I held the art made for them in such high esteem, I got a mentor to help me work in that direction and I've labored in blood to get my skill and style there. Stress straight up put me in the emergency room.

And gods I've grown, but the critical, negative, you're not ever going to get there in my head has grown so strong that the rift between what I see and what I make has grown even wider. I genuinely only see what I could have done better in my work most of the time these days. I struggle to share it because between Twitter's slow motion implosion and the industry being Like That and this aforementioned rift, I am torn between "it's not good enough" and "what's the point?"

When honestly, my style and work have thrived best under work for private clients and small entities. I'm starting to realize that maybe that's where it's at- and I'm closer to something I really wanted all along. I don't want to make something that is an asset, I want to make pieces that sing, or shriek, right into a heart. I want to make work that is a collaboration between my client's imagination and heart and my heart and my hand.

That's not to say that the private client atmosphere is always going to be conducive to artists living healthy lives or getting paying wages. The balance is hardly struck, through by god I love madly in my heart each client that will pay my high rates and help me set that example that my work is worth $30 an hour.

But I also haven't raised my rates for private clients in 2 years. I've painted maybe 300 complete paintings since, probably more, and that number hasn't changed, because the people I love working with most can't afford it.

But in turn, I've found out that the artists who work for people as big as fucking Wizards are over delivering masterpieces for wages that haven't changed in 20 years. Storm the Seedcore by Jason Rainville is a fucking piece of triumph that I have had as my wallpaper for years as an aspirational piece a fucking beauty of motion, composition and color that he delivered for $1200. (It's his spirit of transparency that he showed in discussing it that I hope to share in talking about this now).

$1200 to a megazillion corpo that indubitably made so much more off that incredible piece. Like, Jesus Christ. Sure he got the right to sell prints and he probably lives better than me but, what?

So until things get better, and who knows if they will, maybe it is best that I stay here struggling. And all I can do is try to take care of myself while working with the beautiful people that I do and making the art that I want. But god, finding that balance has been so difficult I have stretches of days paralyzed by indecision and depression.

It's been hard to think and I genuinely have made a resolution of 2024 to be more cognitively present instead of self medicating to keep working, because my art needs me, not just the skills I've cultivated over years to autopilot out a painting. And I have to be in one sane piece to deliver.

So I'll keep striving to share my work even if my critical self keeps seeing problems. I'll keep loving and trying to reward all the care and investment my followers and clients have given with more of this work. I'll probably keep bleeding a little into my paintings the way I have, though I'll try to take care of myself and feed myself too.

It's all just a storm of imbalance distracting from the heart of it all: we're trying to create something that will outlast us here. Something that sings.

It shouldn't be this hard, but hell, it always feels worst before a breakthrough, right?

[phoenixwatchesmovies]

What I'm Watching: February 2024

How we doing, folks? Didn't do much between Sailor Moon and Cowboy Bebop, but I made the most of it.

Perfect Blue

JDJWIXBEYSIFNEHXOABSUD I LOVE THIS MOVIE SO MUCH! Psychological horror is my favorite kind, and questions of self, sanity, and perception can be so juicy. This movie made me so fucking uncomfortable the first time I watched it that I didn't think I'd be able to sit through it again, and now I love it even more every time. Even outside of the story, it's just an incredible piece of filmmaking. The transitions in the opening scene alone, shifting between Mima's different personas so seamlessly in motion but so jarringly in presentation, could be a short film on their own. But then the rest of the movie is like that. Reality and illusion weave together so tightly that I still can't fully pin down what's what (I think the key is somewhere in the overexposed vs the saturated shots, but I keep forgetting to pay attention to that to make sure). The soundtrack lends itself brilliantly to the uneasiness and anxiety, and even divorced from the context of the movie, I can't bring myself to listen to "Virtual Mima" all the way through. It's too effective. On the other hand, I also can't comfortably listen to "Angel Of Love," thanks to context, but it's a fun pop song if you've never seen the elevator scene. It's impossible to overstate how much heavy lifting the soundtrack is doing. The story itself is simple enough, a young woman having an identity crisis in the spotlight while a stalker targets the people around her, but the way it unfolds is such a mindfuck, it warrants rewatching (and rewatching and rewatching, etc). I've already mentioned the transitions in the opening, and that expands later on into flashbacks, dreams, scenes that seem to be real life but are later revealed as part of the crime drama Mima is filming. It makes it hard to predict what is really going on, right up until the moment before a thing happens and that one tiny clue makes everything else click into place. This is the kind of writing I aspire to. As if that's not enough, the themes of celebrity worship, obsession, exploitation in the entertainment industry, and mental illness, and this movie stays relevant. For all that it takes place during the shift from analog to digital and the early days of the internet, it feels eerily timeless. It's my go-to in conversation about movies: have you seen Perfect Blue?

Labyrinth

If I'd been obsessed with *this* Jim Henson movie instead of The Dark Crystal when I was younger, who knows how it might have changed me as a person. Meh, probably not that much, tbh, since I've always loved stories like this. Which leads me to one of my favorite themes in fiction that I don't really see discussed in regards to this: the stories we tell ourselves. In Sarah's case, her indecisiveness (does she want to be the hero or the villain, and consequently, who does she want Jareth to be?) and unwillingness to lead the story is, ironically, what drives the story. The story she tells herself just happens to her, and she's not responsible for any of it, and it's not fair. A childish mindset, of course, and naturally her arc concerns taking responsibility for herself and learning to balance it with a healthy relationship to fantasy. When put that way, it's even more obvious how important it is that she refuse Jareth and his offer, "Let me rule you, and you can have everything." Stay in this dream world and everything you could ever want or desire is yours forever? A tempting offer for anyone, and Sarah's decision is a.) What finally, truly assigns her the role of the hero, and b.) Pretty wise, considering she's only a teenager. That's all Jareth has to offer, is a dream, and in her own words, "it's all junk." And speaking of Jareth... It's probably for the best I didn't grow up with fear me, love me, etc in my system, because it's done enough of a number on me as it is. What else to say? He's David fricken Bowie, what more do you need to say? This also applies to the music, just so we're clear (and that goes double for "Chilly Down"). And for the rest, it's Jim fricken Henson!

Mrs Brown's Boys

And that's basically the series so far in a nutshell. It kinda reminds me of The Carol Burnett Show, if there were episodic plot lines instead of sketch comedy and they'd been allowed to swear. I think that's mostly to do with the fourth wall and/or character breaks throughout, the former of which happens frequently enough to be a running gag but not so often it becomes a gimmick, and the latter is always fun no matter what you're watching.

Wolf Creek 2

So, if you start playing franchise bingo with slasher movies, you notice the villains themselves fall into two categories: they either don't talk and they're boring/only there to be indestructible killing machines, or they do talk and they're the absolute worst/will kill you for sure but will have so much fun doing it. (This excludes Terrifier, which is an outlier adn should not be counted.) And you can guess which category Mick Taylor falls into. I posted a few thoughts while watching this one, and I think overall, I dig it. The flashier action bits are to be expected, given that sequels tend to take the bigger-is-better approach, but other than that? Consistent as hell from the first one. Tense, graphic, and mean-spirited, with gorgeous cinematography, protagonists you can root for, and a villain who is both just fucking AWFUL and charismatic enough to make you question your judgement. And apparently there's a series???

[faytalepsy]

Hello darling Fay!

It’s me, your HEX gifter, and I can’t wait to get started on your present! I have a couple of questions for you:

What’s your favourite thing about Saul?

What do you think Farah’s favourite thing about Saul is?

Do you think he always liked her, or did they have An Incident that brought them closer or made them see each other in a new light?

FBJHPIEBUFJPAWEU HELLOOOOO!!! I'm so sorry it took me ages to respond....

My favorite thing about Saul:

I'm incredibly bad at putting my feelings about characters into words so I'm taking the easy route out and cope with humour.

The fact that he is incredibly protective when it comes to what is important to him.

the way he is PERFECT for glancing longingly at Farah sorry but-

he is the perfect DILF

TRAUMTIC PAST GALORE and the endless potential for whump/ hurt/comfort fics

avoiding character analysis at all cost

Farah's favorite thing about Saul:

Apart from his tongue the fact that he can make her laugh with something silly and drags her from her office when she doesn't stop working (that woman is such a workaholic) probably his steadfastness? They share such a deep, fundamental trust because of their past and I feel like one of the "deeper" things she loves about him is that he will confront her if he thinks her course of action is wrong, acting as a sort of extra conscience (even if it is debatable how skewed that is) but he will still be in her corner. She can rely on him having her back, literally (during the war and real fights) and figuratively. He won't judge her for her demons, just like she doesn't judge him for his.

Do you think he always liked her, or did they have An Incident that brought them closer or made them see each other in a new light?

That's a bit harder because I don't have that many headcanons about young Silrah (and generally focus more on the adults), cause their trauma has become such a big part of their personalities that it's hard to imagine them without it. But I feel like there was always that certain interest, maybe some extra attention paid because there was something special about the other person. I'm not sure if I like the "one incident that suddenly makes them go *OH* "-thing because personally, I see them just growing closer and closer due to training together and fighting together. And there is not a certain moment where they suddenly realize the other person has been hot all along.

I can see them having some prejudices towards each other before meeting maybe, but so much of that depends on which frame you shove them in because in my head each scenario is a little bit different. For example, if you set the age difference at 5+ years then Farah would've probably already graduated from Alfea when Saul started studying and she may have stayed there as part of the military and Rosalind's protegee (and part-time helping out training new soldiers? or just because she was in Rosalind's team and Rosalind was at Alfea). In that case, I feel like Saul would always have respected her and maybe kind of looked up to her, but also seen her primarily as part of Rosalind's "special team". Then when he shows promise/ joins the military/... they get to know each other more closer and more on the same level.

But if you set the time frame so that they are both students at the same time then I do see Farah as trying hard to please Rosalind and having a reputation at the school, which changes the way Saul would view her I think? Maybe he thought she was super pretentious and stuck up and then she attended one of the keggers and Bamm suddenly he saw her entirely differently. (or he was partnered up with her and that leads to that oh you're not like I thought you were...) there are literally hundreds of different scenarios and the answer to the question really varies from scenario to scenario (or I'm indecisive you can pick)

Trying to explain my train of thought led to a knot in my brain so I hope this made sense in any way.

But to answer the question: I'm leaning more toward the first option (although I do like them fighting together and suddenly he has a realization)

[saltedsolenoid]

cw for suicidal idealization in the lyrics and analysis + long post, probably.

(words in bold are song lyrics!!)

Well, I'm staring at unfamiliar ceilings and I should leave 'Cause everybody here is tripping some new drug Except for me (why?) 'Cause I don't have the money (For this verse, it's the opener. It basically establishes a sense of ''otherness'' from other people, plus, relating it to Nathan: he's a broke college student.)

And I have been thinking about letting my hair grow I have been thinking about cutting it short I have been thinking about dying it yellow (did you know that he was the one to dye Michelle's highlights? because he was :).) But I don't think I have the bone structure or wardrobe to support That type of look (This verse establishes a sense of indecision and hopefulness for the future as the singer contemplates how he'll present himself later on in the life that never comes. However, there's self-doubt littered in the final two lines, a contrast to how confident these lines are sung and the connotations of self-realization.)

(chorus) So I will tattoo my poems all over my body They won't know who I was before And I will cut off my fingers, no ID to find me When I am washed up on the New Jersey shore The New Jersey shore The New Jersey shore (This chorus introduces some incredibly risky and not-well thought out actions that the singer wishes to take, and these actions continue throughout the song, making these actions seem final, like there's no other fate for the singer to take- also echoed in the word of "when" he is washed up, dead. However, in the first two lines, the singer seems to have an artistic side or vision, as if they're trying to make light of this situation is. Along with this, the chorus brings up the singer's lack of own identity and how he wishes to be rid of himself.)

I talk to myself too much too often trying hard to figure out Why the feelings that line my stomach Are always pushing for my mouth So I will learn to sleep on my chest And I will learn to let things go And I will learn to come to terms with the things that I will never know I will never know I will never know (Once again, the singer doesn't know themself, but desperately wants to. This conveys a sense of hopefulness for the future, despite the fact that the singer is already planning to die. The singer also seems overwhelmed, based on all the things that they wish to do, but also how much they will never know.)

(chorus)

'Cause I will take what I can get, I'll take what I am given But we both know that I'll need more No, no, I'll take what I can get, I'll take what I am given But we both know that I'll need more No, no, I'll take what I can get, I'll take what I am given But we both know that I'll need more No, no, I'll take what I can get, I'll take what I am given But we both know that I'll need more So much more I'll need so much more (It's revealed that the singer has someone important to them, trying to reason with them, stop them from doing anything drastic. However, the singer gets the last word, and echoes the way that he'll die. The wording of these final lines implies that the singer sees himself as a drain, and too much for others to deal with.)

(chorus x2)

This honest-to-god reminds me of Nathan's conflicting emotions before he died. (i already said he died, right? well, i did now) He had hope for the future, but was overriden with guilt and wishing to rid himself of some... uh... drastic actions he had unwillingly taken. To put it in a vaguely spoiler-free manner. Michelle tried to get him out of the rut he placed himself in (see: the last verse) but Nathan couldn't listen, there was just too much else in his head.

god. "more than it hurts you" by the front bottoms is SUCH a nathan (my character) song. like. the constant swinging between hopefulness and absolute lack thereof, the upbeat rhythm, paired with the lyrics about how the singer will die, just. here let me get my computer I'm gonna do a play by play of how all of the lyrics relate to his life

[snow-and-saltea]

for the character asks vyn diluc lumine and kaeya!!

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE thank you for giving me the chance to talk about my blorbos!!!

vyn richter:

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

yeah i bolded the who? one don't worry about it!! /j anyways yeah i Like this man a normal amount its not like ive written sm threads on him already yeah. i'm completely normal

except i'm NOT

i started out thinking my fave would be artem cus vyn seemed too pretentious for me at first and i still have trauma from the last time i liked a white haired and golden eyed guy in otome cus that bitch disappointed me so much i literally can't even look at him without going >:T

he's such a cool character to me, i love how contradictory he is while being completely consistent characterization wise. by contradictory i don't mean that he doesn't say what he mean or doesn't mean what he says, but the way he views himself vs how he views rosa vs how he views other people (derogatory) is quite ironic. i love how he loves rosa because she's beautiful both inside and out, in the sense that she is straight laced, honest and not mired with existential or moral complexities that stop her from being kind, realistic and faithful to her values. (in fact, when facing those moral complexities, her true character shines more because of the way she isn't stagnated by indecision or analysis-paralysis. but that's another talk for another day i could literally go on and on about her)

i like it a lot because he's both a bit of rosa in him and a bit of the cynical jadedness he dislikes in other people. as a doctor, he wants to cure his patients, and he secretly harbours some hope, at the back of his mind, that people are better than he thinks they are, that when presented the opportunity for change and growth they'll choose it— which is why i think he "tests'" rosa in his stories so much. cus he wants to see a diff outcome come from her!! to him, i feel like there's a bit of him idealism projected onto her, smth like saying: "i tried and failed, but i want to see how you do it, and what new thing you'll show me with your way of doing things." in ideals and visions, he relates to rosa.

however, in many ssr stories, and even one sr (the iconic false tears story) he shows the pettiest and most spiteful parts of himself that he's tried to keep hidden from rosa, where he indulges his egocentric beliefs that makes him feel like the things he's doing are justified, as long as the end goal is a positive net of "justice" in the world. he also sometimes shows how incredibly judgemental and harsh he can be, because he always thinks he knows better and is more objective / morally superior than other people he dislikes. in practice and methodology, he relates to the people he dislikes. it's like a mirror that shows the ugliest parts of himself. if he dislikes them like any other normal person would dislike an asshole and then move on with their life, why would that be such a big psychological trigger for him? it clearly means more to him than he tries to hide, so he tries to make a clear line separating his own "cruelty" and other people's "cruelty" and how he's better than them cus he had the right intentions in mind.

(that's not how it works btw babygirl. but issokay ur kinda fucked up i'd like to put u under a microscope)

i like how he slowly comes to realise that contradiction, too. not verbally said, but i interpret his recent growth in stories as someone who knows he's "ugly" inside and filled contempt for everyone—although sometimes he dresses his actions in a more gentlemanly or "fair" so that it's still TECHNICALLY the right thing to do even if the way he did it was unethical. at first their relationship progression was "i want her to see the most impressive parts of me" > "i want her to rely on and be influenced by me" > "i want her to know my feelings but only the ones that are peer reviewed to be palatable" > "i want her to see me for who i am and accept me, even if i can't accept the entire truth of myself". and i think that fuckign ROCKS

concluding statement: if the road to hell was paved with good intentions vyn is building a freeway. but rosa is changing his lanes!!! she changed my lanes too if u know what i mean wink wink nudge nudge

anyways yeah im mentally sound and in perfect health about vynrosa why do you ask

diluc ragnvindr:

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

i like him!!! iirc he was my second 5* after jean? and then i used him as a dps for a while! i wish they gave him fluffier or longer hair. i think in game diluc doesn't really do enough justice to his characterization or lore bc i feel like he looks a bit "bland" in story execution compared to the other charas. oh well, virtues and vices of being an early game chara! i like him best when he's in big brother mode and i cannot thank fanartists enough who portray him being a good big bro to the kids like klee, diona, bennett, fischl and razor. i love it!!!

lumine:

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

she's so goddamn FUNNY and cute?????? i like the progression of her character and her growing into her own personality in the recent quests, i think they wrote it really well. have you listened to her voice lines where she talks w paimon? they show sm of her personality and she's just so... witty and dry and sarcastic but her voice is so soft that it makes u double-back and go, "sorry, run that by me again?" i love her sm. although, i don't really interact w the fandom a lot because they're very noisy in hating her for some reason. and it gets tiring to hear TwT i get my lumine food from anng rt'ing stuff on twt or on tumblr! consuming fandom the exact way it was intended: i only see what my friends will share w me!!!

kaeya alberich:

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

another case of sadly being an early game chara so his execution was a bit sloppy TwT his lore is so funkin cool and his personal story and how he got his vision was, imo, the coolest and most emotionally impactful out of everyone else? ofc he and shenhe shares similar patterns in their history and how they were treated, but i think it hits harder for me bc like. GOD. overridden by guilt for the death of diluc's dad, he confronts him and tells him the truth of who he is. and at the emotional height of his life where diluc turns to fight him, he's given a vision if only to protect himself and his heart so that he can still go on and fulfill whatever "destiny" his dad had marked out for him, if he chooses that as his right.

i still think its meaningful bc even in game diluc never shows any signs that he genuinely, truthfully, dislikes kaeya. so while they still have this unspoken history between them that neither of them seem willing to talk about, there's a nostalgic and sad feeling of people who drifted apart brushing by each other time and again, and silently forgiving the other but not making it known at all. i can't find it rn but there's sm diluc and kaeya comics where its all about sibling hurt / comfort and reconciliation and making it known that they care about each other verbally, instead of accepting it as is in actions, bc they're hesitant to break the ice. GOD

[honey-tea-and-cookies]

Hiii 🤍 I feel like I’ve been stuck lately and any kind of guidance or perspective would be appreciated ☺︎︎

Big 6: Sun in Scorpio - Moon in Gemini - Rising is Aquarius - Mercury in Scorpio - Venus in Sagittarius - Mars in Sagittarius

Fav anime character - favorites are hard for me (in anything) and I’m indecisive because I like too much 😅 a few though - Kisuke Urahara & Kenpachi Zuraki (Bleach), Luffy (One Piece), Juuzo (Tokyo Ghoul), Kakashi & Asuma (Naruto)

Fav birthday present - honestly a party my friend threw for me at their apartment in college and invited all of my favorite people 🖤

Thank youuuu🥳✨

Hi love! I'll help you as best I can <3

The anime character that matches you best is...

Gojo Satoru

From 'Jujutsu Kaisen'

OKAY NOW. I was thinking about you for a while, then I had an epiphany. Gojo. Personally I would take that as an insult, but I am here to say that you shouldn't because I didn't mean it in that way. I will explain why you give Gojo energy. Gojo is actually very serious. Like he's fun, he's charming, he's charismatic (I believe you are all of those things too, by the way). When it comes to jujutsu sorcery though, he's genuinely very serious and knows wtf he's on about. I think you are similar to this too. When it's time to buckle down, you will. You are also much smarter than people give you credit for. Also you both have tons of simps lmaooo go off. I think you're quite protective, in a way, of the people around you too. Perhaps, like Gojo, you don't like to let yourself get too close to you as love creates the worst 'curses' (or whatever the actual quote is. 'Curses' is in quotation marks because curses aren't real in our world but it still works as a metaphor you know?).

In terms of guidance or perspective, I don't know your situation so I don't know exactly how to help you. But I do know that you matter, you are loved, it's okay to be hurt/sad/angry, it's okay to cry, it's okay to forgive or not forgive (totally up to you), food/water and sleep are all incredibly important, you can get through this and you can get through anything.

I'm someone who's gone through a lot, and the one bit of advice that's gotten me through (I mean, literally kept me alive. I am not joking) is to take everything one moment at a time. Thinking about the future is really hard when you're in a bad state of mind because you lose the ability to think logically and understand that this will pass. You just feel like you'll be stuck there forever. So, don't think about the future! Just take everything in little tiny moments. Can I get through this second? Yes, I did it! Can I get through the next 10 seconds? Yes! What about a minute? 5 Minutes? You get the idea. I don't know if this is helpful for you at all, but it helps me get through absolutely everything. It also works very well with panic attacks too, if you have those. But that's just my advice, feel free to discard it if it doesn't feel right!

Thank you so much for participating in the game!! I hope it resonated, and I hope you feel better soon. My DM's are open if you need to talk. Sending lots and lots of love <33

[winterrose527]

planning sansa's birthday dinner together

Oh my god. Okay I've decided to answer these informally because they are too good not to address but I'm really struggling with writing.

Look, I'm sorry, but Robb is mostly along for the ride. He'll definitely be a reality check for her though. For instance, Myrcella will be like, well we really ought to invite... and Robb is like no, she does't like them and because we are planning it they can't blame her. Myrcella fully never would have thought of this and jots that down.

Myrcella is definitely a wake up in the middle of the night and think of something type of person, and Robb will wake up in the morning to voice notes from her saying everything from like mini lemon tarts to don't forget not to seat Theon and Jeyne next to each other. Robb is both worried about her & not looking forward to when the dinner is over and he won't wake up to them anymore.

Where Robb excels is decision making. He's not dreaming everything up, but when Myrcella presents him with two great options, he is very good at choosing the slightly better one. She's too in her own head wanting it to be perfect that she gets a little indecisive at that point.

Robb fully thinks Myrcella's planning is overkill (like she has a life & full time job and he has no idea where she finds the energy to care so much), but absolutely does not say no to her 'brainstorming' sessions, and is genuinely touched watching her create everyone's little place setting things because of how much care she puts into it for Sansa - who though wouldn't expect it, will notice it.

They are both incredibly good hosts. Making sure everyone is comfortable and happy & Sansa is so so grateful to them and feels incredibly celebrated and loved.

When it's time for Myrcella's birthday, Sansa plans a little party for her, too, and is at first a little surprised when Robb is as helpful as he is but when she stops to think about it isn't really all that surprised at all. Through planning the party for Sansa, he got a first hand look at what Myrcella really loves because she'd say things like: Oh this is so pretty, but no, nope, it's not what Sansa would want! I think there is something very very specific that is at her party, and Myrcella sort of considers for a moment that Sansa just knows her well enough to know even though they'd never talked about it, but then she remembers talking to Robb about it when they were planning Sansa's. She asks Sansa about it and she gives her a little smile and says, "Well, you know Robb. There are very few things he misses when it comes to the people he loves."

When it is Robb's birthday she and Sansa plan it and Robb shows up and it's just Myrcella at the restaurant and she's like I hope you're not disappointed and he's shaking his head like I couldn't ask for a better birthday and it is very much their first date and there are lots of confessions of feelings and they are walking hand in hand and she's like I'm sorry we didn't give you a real party and he's like you're all I need and she's like hmm yeah but it could've been fun... WHICH IS WHY WE THREW YOU ONE JUST IN CASE and then it's a huge party and Robb is thrilled as long as Myrcella doesn't go too far now that he's gotten her.

(And since I know you're wondering: For Jon's birthday it's dinner just the four of them like he wants)

[bookwyrminspiration]

One: I am also very happy with how you've drawn Fitz! The whole art piece is incredible but my eyes kept drifting back to him because he's stunning

two: i started rambling about the au so. under a cut!

Coming up with OC names is so hard for me I'm so indecisive. I've got this one character from an oc story whose gone through like three major name changes and at this point I'm just like. Girl. Please.

Murad was another situation kinda like that, but I picked one that had the closest meaning to what I was looking for and used that as a placeholder, but i used it as a placeholder long enough that that became his name to me and now. Murad.

Also I'm thrilled to know the dread came through, because I was full of dread (in a good way) when writing it! I've lost all sense of what the story is like from the outside so it's fascinating to hear how you saw it.

I didn't actually know what would happen to Fintan and Murad when I started writing the ending. I knew the kotlcrew would win, I knew it would have to do with accepting their monstrosity and how that wasn't a bad thing. But when they were infiltrating the facility I was writing like...where is this going to end? What's going to happen? And then it hit me and I was like oh WOW. that sure is something.

It was this interesting experience because I kept writing the kotlcrew and being like...why are they doing these things? What are they doing next this feels so strange? And I realized it's because I was thinking about it like the ending was focused on them, when it wasn't. Sure, there's a part of them that reclaimed what this place had done to them and was facing it, but their true arc was the first of the fic, the one where they went from hating their wings to loving them. That was their story, and this new part, this ending, was about Fintan and Murad and Olivia and all the half-elves in the world. It wasn't about the kotlcrew, so it wasn't up to them what happened.

And when I got to Murad's death I had this like. Conundrum. Because I questioned whether or not it was the best path. Like. He's done wrong. But he's been wronged, and is genuinely passionate about what he's doing and thinks he's genuinely fixing things, even if he's misguided. And I don't think anyone is ever beyond hope of becoming a better person, so I had a moment of "should he live so he can become better? Even as horrible as he is?"

But then it all came down to Olivia. The finale was really about her. And even if Murad could become a better person, he'd hurt her so badly and taken such advantage of her meaning so well that it was like...there are consequences. And the consequence for this is that even though he could be better, even though he's not beyond hope, it's all over. Because Olivia needed to be free. And it's like...is it a perfect solution? No. Because he didn't get his chance, and Olivia had to make a choice that she will forever think about. She didn't chose to kill him, but she didn't stop her monster.

And there isn't a perfect solution is the thing. It doesn't exist. There's no coming out of that situation on top of it. This ending is just the one they happened to get. And it's messy, and it has consequences, but it's what happened. Which I think is fascinating.

Once the story presented Fintan and Murad's endings it was like I was watching it happen, not making it happen. Just following these characters through to the end as they destroyed themselves on so many levels. I'm glad you enjoyed the Icarus comparison, I think Summer had been icarus-posting so it was on my mind :)

To wildly change the subject though, Olivia's name is so fitting! There really wasn't any other consideration in my mind, and I think I even had the idea when I called her Phoenix. I just wanted to wait to see if it would stick, and stick it did. I can't imagine her as anything but an Olivia. I questioned it at first because it didn't sound elven enough, but then realized that if she's the daughter of half-elves that rejected their elven halves, she didn't need an elven name!

This has all been very rambly because a lot of thought and time went into the wings au and I have shared so little of everything behind it all and now it is. Exploding out of my head. but I'm very glad you enjoyed the story and stuck around with it! many thoughts all of them wings au I could talk about it all day.

thanks for letting me infodump and also for reading <3

okay one I love your new pfp! so satisfying to look at the shape of the face, and two! wings au fun fact the little girl saying her name was Phoenix the first time was me going "oh shit what's her name. she has a name but she hasn't told me yet." so it was a placeholder so I could figure it out and then share it when I could

but then that accidentally turned into a symbolic thing for her embodying the name of these people who had consumed all she was, and in her final act of deviance before she let herself be saved and leave it all behind she shed their name and took her own back, no longer a part of them, her own person once more. anyway. just thought that was neat

one, thank you so much!!! I never draw Fitz the way I want to and this is the first time I've been really happy at my design for him.

two, so fair bestie. I actually think that's hilarious. I think the number one reason why I don't have ocs is because I cannot come up with names, so I totally get that!!

And that symbolism flowed so naturally with the story too, honestly an amazing turn of events if you ask me. That entire scene was just so powerful and raw, it honestly filled me with dread bc as soon as the monsters calmed down I had two thoughts simultaneously.

a. Echo!!!!!! (even though that's a constant thought in my head tbh)

b. this bitch (Murad) is about to get decimated by his own creations.

So as soon as the monsters were off, before they even started crawling towards him I was filled with this deep dread for what was going to happen next. He's a bad guy, sure. But no one deserves to be torn apart so ruthlessly.

Especially w/ Olivia (which is a very fitting name btw. Idk why but as soon as she said it i was like yep this is a perfect name for her.) watching it happen.

idk!!! The symbolistic ending of both Fintan and Murad dying from their own hubris---you even compared Fintan to Icarus at one point which I enjoyed---was something that was so deeply disturbing but also fitting somehow.

Anyway. I've kind of just been reflecting upon how the story's ended, but please know I have been thinking about that climax this whole time. I can't even go out and be normal. I saw a black cat when we were out and I just solemnly started thinking abt Echo.

[amydancepants-peralta]

Cliche prompts - 1, 27, 36 or 49 (i really wanted to narrow it down but this list is gold and i'm indecisive so i leave the choice to you :D )

Prompt time!  For this one I decided to combine two of my favourite options - 27 for ‘Help me I’m being hit on at a bar please be my fake boyfriend for a second’, and 16 for ‘I need a date for this wedding’. 

It’s a little longer than I’d intended for a one-shot, but I hope you enjoy!  It’s also on AO3 if you’d prefer to read longer fics there :D 

Kasia & Anon, I hope you enjoy! xx

Suddenly (I’m in love with a stranger) 

There was nothing about this particular Friday night that seemed to set it apart from all the others.  Jake had met Charles at their favourite bar, Shaw’s, and over the course of the night had managed to confirm his title as the Dartboard King of Brooklyn (Shaw’s Edition).  

He had been on his way to the bar, a spring in his step from his newfound title when a cloud of dark hair, brown eyes and curves had run up to him, throwing her hands around his neck and shouting “BABE!  I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE!”.

Arms wrapping around her as he absorbed the impact of her body crashing into his, Jake’s brows had furrowed in confusion as the Mystery Woman twisted her head towards his, whispering into his ear - “There’s a guy over there that won’t stop hitting on me and I told him you were my boyfriend, please please PLEASE go along with it!”   

Her breath had felt warm against his skin, and her body fit perfectly against his.  And without a second thought, Jake had tightened his grip around her, loudly answering, “Uhh .. hey babe, hey!  So glad you found me!”  In an instant, he can feel the tension leave her body.

She tucks her head into the base of his neck, giving the illusion of a tender kiss to his shoulder, and Jake turns his gaze to the bar in front of them.   A greasy skinned man with overlong hair is watching the two of them, lips curled in contempt as he stared.  Jake takes the opportunity to glare back, narrowing his eyes in a silent threat as he tightens his grip again, turning his head to whisper into the woman’s ear - “Just stay where you are - I’ll give you the all-clear when he’s gone.”

He feels her nod against his shoulder, and Jake pulls his eyes back to Mr Creep.  He’s shaking his head this time, the eye-roll obvious even through the crowded bar, and he skulks off in search for the next prey.

Jake’s hands move to the woman’s waist, pulling away slightly as he speaks, eyes still trained on the room.  “Okay, you’re good.  He’s moved on.”

A voice filled with gratitude cuts through the white noise of the bar, louder now that she isn’t tucked into his neck.  “Thank you so much, you’re a lifesaver.”  His eyes turn to the woman still in his arms, and in an instant, he feels his heart stop.  She was beautiful.  

When he was younger, Jake had picked up a book that once belonged to his mother, long since ‘borrowed’ by Gina. The cover had been adorned with a vivid illustration of a muscle-bound man clad in a ripped shirt, hovering next to a woman that, even years later, could only be described in his memory as a siren.  Dark flowing hair, soft supple lips, and eyes that pierced through the cover.  To the teenage minded Jake, this character had become the Ultimate Example of the perfect woman - the kind of beauty drawn only from the imagination of an author - never to be discovered in real life.

(The book’s contents, on the other hand, had made him gag with its overly sappy words.  How Gina read them, he would never understand.)

There had never been the expectation that one day Jake would meet such a woman.  But, hand on heart, he would swear on his life that such a woman had appeared in front of him tonight.

And he was definitely staring.  

She raises her brows, eyes beginning to turn wary, and he realises that his arms are still around her.  He can feel the heat begin to burn his skin as he flushes, pulling away with a start and running his hand across the back of his neck in embarrassment.  Part of him can still feel her tucked into his side, and he feels strangely empty now without her there.

“Uh, sorry … I just … ahh … are you okay?”  Why is talking suddenly outside of his grasp?

She smiles, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth, and Jake’s heart skips a beat.  “Yeah.  I’m fine.  Seriously, thank you.  I don’t normally do that, but he wouldn’t stop talking to me.  I could feel him watching me when I got up and I saw you and I just … “ her hands flail in the air, trying to find the words to describe her situation.  He nods, and her hands lower again.  

“Anyway.  I’m sorry if I startled you.  You were really good, though.  At playing the boyfriend.  I hope I haven’t disrupted your night too much.”

“Not at all.  I just hope your actual boyfriend won’t mind me walking in his shoes for a minute there.”

She shakes her head in a rapid motion.  “No, no boyfriend.  I’m not here with anyone tonight.”

Jake’s heart skips another beat.

“Wow.  I answered that really quickly, didn’t I?” she continues, pulling back her hair as her face begins to blush.  “I just meant that I was supposed to be meeting my friend Kylie here but I think she’s flaking on me, and I was watching this thing on Dateline the other day about how there are some men who seek out the single woman at the bar as their ultimate prize only the prize isn’t anything except the woman’s naked body being dumped in the woods somewhere so you’ve probably just saved my life for real and oh god I’m rambling aren’t I?”

He laughs, instantly terrified that he’s hurt her feelings, and visibly relaxes when she begins to laugh with him.  It was an amazing laugh, too.  The kind he could listen to forever.

(Wait …. when did FOREVER come into the picture, Peralta?  Who’s the creepy guy now?)

Clearing his throat, Jake runs a hand through his hair before speaking.  “Listen, you’re more than welcome to come and hang out with me and my buddy Charles for the night.  No strings, I promise -” he interjects as he watches the hesitation form in her eyes.  “We’re just two guys playing dartboard.  We’re both detectives for the 99th precinct, shooting off some steam from a case, and to the best of our knowledge we’ve never been put in the Creepy Guy Category.”

Her eyes light up, and it’s his new favourite thing to watch.  “You’re a detective?  I’ve just joined the academy.  I’d love to hear some pointers!”

He beams.  “Right this way, m’lady.”

* * *

The Mystery Woman, as it turned out, was called Amy.  (Amy.  How had he never noticed how beautiful the name AMY was before?!)  And she had just completely robbed him of his title of Dartboard King.  

And the thing is - she hadn’t just beat him at the game.  She’d annihilated him.  Completely kicked his ass.  And he’d be lying if he’d said that he didn’t find it incredibly sexy.

“Alright Jake, hand over the title!” Amy declared, hands raised in victory as she smiled over at him.

Slumping his shoulders, Jake hung his head briefly, trying to hide his smile as he reached towards the nearby booth.  Quickly grabbing something and hiding it behind his back, he returned to Amy, no longer attempting to conceal his joy.

“Wait a minute, I just beat you.  You shouldn’t be smiling.  Why are you smiling?  Charles, why is he smiling?”

“Your majesty,” Jake announced before Charles could interrupt, “I present to you … your crown.”  He releases his hands with a flourish, revealing a gaudy gold toy crown.

“Wait … what?  How?  You actually had a crown this whole time?”

“Nah.  Those guys over there are having a bucks night, and I managed to convince one of them to give me theirs.”

She looks over at him, eyes wide with wonder, and for a moment he forgets his own name.  “Still.  That was really sweet of you.”

Truth be told, he’d been hoping to wear it when he’d beat her at the game, to take a victory lap and remind her of the rightful King.  Turns out, it had belonged to the Queen this whole time.  He shrugs his shoulders, not ready to admit how happy it made him to see her so happy, holding out the crown with two hands as he places it onto her head.

Amy beams up at him, proud in all her splendour, and Jake never wants the night to end.  He never thought he’d be grateful for the presence of a creepy guy at a bar, and yet … here he was.  

It didn’t help that she had the kind of warm brown eyes that drew him in, regardless of the conversation.  It didn’t help, that her smile always seemed to settle in the surprise location of right beside his heart.  And it certainly didn’t help that within twenty minutes of them hanging out, Charles had leaned over to Jake and loudly whispered - “This is it, Jakey!  She’s the one!  Your dream girl!  I can tell!”

He’d shrugged his best friend off with a vehement shake of his head, because everything that he had said was completely insane (except that maybe it wasn’t).  She was beautiful, yes, and incredibly intelligent.  In the last hour she had repeated more NYPD codes than he and Charles, the actual cops, knew put together.  They talked and laughed and drank and danced as though they had known each other for years, not hours, and he found himself watching her lips as she spoke, wondering if they would feel as soft as they looked.  Or if her hands would curl perfectly against his own.

But still, he hesitated.  The whole reason they’d even met was so that she could escape being hit on by another guy.  Hitting on her now would be a total douche move.  

“This has turned into the BEST night, you guys.  Seriously, I can’t thank you enough.”  She smiled over at him, crown slightly askew as she takes another sip of her drink, and Jake looks at the tiny flowers that run along her blouse.  He would find a garden filled with the same, and pick them all for her, if it meant he’d see that smile again.  

She continues, unaware of Jake’s musings.  “You totally saved me from that dude.  If there’s anything I can ever do to return the favour, you name it and I’ll be there.”

He’s already in the process of shaking his head at Amy’s kind offer when Charles interjects, putting on a coy smile as he calmly states - “I have an idea.”  He turns his head sharply to his best friend, eyes wide with concern at what kind of hare-brained scheme was about to be unleashed.

“Wait … this isn’t going to be some weird dare situation, is it?  Because I swore to myself that I would never streak through the bar.  Not after last time.”

Jake’s head turns back towards Amy, picking up on what she’d just admitted, but before he can even begin the line of questions forming, Charles pipes up again, this time announcing “No, nothing like that.  Jake is going to a wedding next Thursday, and he doesn’t have a date.  You should do it.  You should be his date.”

Swinging his whole body back to Charles, Jake nearly ends up with whiplash as he stares his friend down.  “Charles.  Don’t be crazy.  Amy, you don’t have to do that.”

“But … I want to do it.”

He turns back towards Amy, starting to feel like a spectator in a tennis match, and sets his gaze solely on her.  “Seriously.  You don’t owe me anything.”

Her eyes widen, and the tips of her ears begin to turn read as she takes a step back.  “Unless you don’t want me there …”

“No.  Wait.  That’s not what I meant.”

“It’s okay, Jake.  I get it.  You’ve probably got someone …”

“He doesn’t!  He’s totally single.”

“Charles!”

His heart begins pounding, and tries not to take hope from the smile that has returned to her face.  Biting her lip, she shrugs.  “Jake, let me help you.  It’s just a wedding.  It kinda sounds like fun.  If all else fails, there’s always the open bar.”

He watches her intently, trying to determine if she was still offering only out of obligation.  Truth be told, the idea of spending another night with her, regardless of the circumstance, was incredibly appealing.  

“So, it’s decided!”  Charles interrupts, stepping between them and throwing one around each of their shoulders.  “Dianetti wedding, here we come!”  

“CHARLES!”

* * *

Amy pulls in another breath, wincing as her ribs groan in protest.  She honestly couldn’t remember another night where she had laughed as much as she had tonight.  And it was entirely Jake Peralta’s fault.

Okay, technically, it was probably hers.  She had been the one, after all, that had run all batshit crazy into his unsuspecting arms, babbling about creepy guys and fake boyfriends.  Without that, their paths probably wouldn’t have ever crossed.  But oh, how glad she was that they had. 

As they had left the bar she had been complaining about her shoes – still too new to be worn all night (a rookie error on her end) - and Jake’s offer of a piggyback ride home had been met with more laughter.  Until he had lifted her, and that feeling of safe and home washed over her again, and before she knew it she was being carried home in her very own chariot.  His hands never strayed from the back of her knees, ever the gentleman holding her tight as he walked down the street, and when he laughed the vibrations ran through his back and straight to her heart.

He had just been such a shiny beacon of hope in that seedy bar, and his arms had felt so warm around her.  So willing to help a stranger, and so welcoming afterwards.  He was handsome, with his distinctive profile, and had a smile that made her a little weak.  And for the past hour, she had been trying desperately not to think about what it would be like to kiss him.  They had talked all night, about everything and nothing, and Amy couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the start of something much bigger than themselves.  She wanted to get to know him, in any way that he would let her, and the sheer insanity of going to a wedding of two people she didn’t even know, just to spend another night with him, didn’t escape her.  

He’s nearing her apartment now and she leans down to him, cheek brushing against his as she moves.  A countless number of tingles run straight down her spine, and she takes a deep breath in, absorbing his cologne with a soft sigh.  She was starting to feel more than a little bit smitten with this stranger.  Mistaking her sigh as one of disapproval, he cranes his neck slightly to catch her from the corner of his eye.  “Oh, my cologne is probably a little too strong.  Sorry.” His hands lower slightly, releasing his grip as he squats down, letting her feet hit the pavement before straightening.

“No!  Don’t be.  It’s good.” She stammered, averting her eyes as she fights the urge to blush.  Again.  Really good, actually.  Amy rests her hand on his arm as she steadies herself, and as she turns back to him she can see him take in a deep breath.  In a moment of confidence, she keeps her hand there.  “I know I’ve said this already, but thank you for tonight.  You made it so much better than I could ever have planned.”  

He nods, smiling so softly that all the other thoughts she’d been trying to cloud her mind with disappeared.  She feels the mood shift, and finds herself shuffling closer to him.  It’s moments like these that make her grateful that telepathy isn’t a thing, because if it was, all he would be able to hear right now was kiss me kiss me kiss me … oh please, kiss me.

“Hey listen, you need to know - I didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t want you to come with me to the wedding back there.  I want you to be there.  If you do, that is.”

She nods, not trusting herself to speak, and he smiles down at her (she doesn’t even mind the height difference, she’s such a goner).  Amy cranes her neck upwards, mirroring his smile with her own.  Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me.   They draw closer.

A car carrying drunk guys (that sound suspiciously like the group of bucks they just left behind at the bar) drive past, honking the horn as two lean out the window, singing Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of their lungs.  Jake pulls back with a start, and just like that the moment is gone.

No!

The regret is obvious in his eyes, but still Jake takes another step away from her.  “Ah, I guess this is goodnight, Amy.  I’ll text you about the wedding, okay?”  Before she can even speak, he’s turned in the other direction, and she remains standing on the sidewalk with only her confusion for company.

What the hell just happened?

* * * 

It had been six days since that evening at the bar, and Amy sat at a well-decorated table at the wedding reception, hands fiddling with the handmade jewellery each guest had received as favours.  

She was fairly certain that she had just born witness to one of the most elaborate - and fabulous - weddings in history.  A perfect combination of sugar and spice, which appeared to be the best way to describe the newlyweds Gina and Rosa.  Jake had given her a quick rundown of their history as they had made their way to the ceremony earlier today, and Amy could tell from the pride on his face as he spoke that these two women were very important to him.  

Dropping the jewellery, her hands reached for her cellphone, swiping through to her photo album and stopping on the selfie that her and Jake had taken earlier that evening.  Her intention was to post it, adhering to the ‘Don’t Forget To Tag #dianetti In All Your Pics’ rule that had been posted at every table.  Instead, she found herself staring at the photo of the two of them, eyes raking over Jake’s smiling face.

Over the last few days, her phone had become filled with endless conversations between her and Jake.  She had been relieved, to say the least, that the ease between them had not been a result of alcohol.  Instead, they were fast becoming friends.  

The thing was … she didn’t want to just be friends.  Not with Jake.  His handsome face filled her thoughts whenever her day grew quiet, and when she closed her eyes, she could still remember the feeling of his warm arms around hers.  He made sense to her, which was completely insane.  He made her laugh.  But the craziest part, out of all of this, was how much she could feel herself falling for him already.

A now familiar voice breaks into her thoughts, calling out “Ames!” and she looks up with a bright smile.  Ames.  His nickname for her, born somewhere between day three and day five, and absolutely her new favourite way to hear her name.  

His face was flushed, fresh from giving each bride a turn on the dance floor.  His smile, as bright as hers, made her heart skip several beats, and she wondered if her infatuation was as obvious as it felt.    

“I’m going to grab a drinks for the both of us, and then you and I are going to tear apart that dance floor.  Sound like a plan?”

She nods quickly, praying that her makeup holds strong against the blush that was beginning to spread across her face, and throws him a steady smile.  Oh god, he was going to see her dance.  This was going to be over before it even begun.

Somehow, he reads her reaction, casting a dismissive hand towards the crowd.  “Don’t worry about them, Ames.  You and I are going to DANCE.”

Okay, yeah.  She was definitely falling for him.

* * *

Jake waits patiently at the bar, fingers tapping absentmindedly against the wood panelling as he waits for the bartender to fill his order.  He was beyond impatient to head back to Amy.  There hadn’t been any mention of another night after this (hell, he wasn’t even sure if this was a date or not), and he wanted to spend every possible moment with her.

Out of his peripheral, Jake watches Charles approach.  Work commitments had reduced their chances to speak to each other for the past week, and Jake knew that his friend had been dying to know the details of him and Amy.

“So?  Did you guys kiss, or what?”  Good old Charles, always known for his tact.

Already regretting his answer, Jake looks over at Charles before shaking his head.

“What!?  Jacob!”  he shouts, slapping a heavy hand against his chest bone.

“Ow!  What was that for?”

“You save a beautiful woman, a literal damsel in distress, flirt with each other all night then walk her home, and you DON’T end up kissing her?  You’re a lost cause, Jake.”  This time a punch to the shoulder.

“This feels a little uncalled for.  And for what it’s worth, Amy has never been a damsel in distress.”

“No way.  You’ve got something amazing in the palm of your hands, and you know it.  And I’m not going to stand by and watch you let it slip away.  Not a chance.”

Jake rolls his eyes, shaking his head as he turns his attention to the glasses the bartender had just placed on the bar in front of him.  He had no idea why he’d run away so quickly the other night.  He’d wanted to kiss her, more than anything.  Heck, it was almost a week later, and he was still dreaming about kissing her.  She was everything that he could hope for in a woman, and for some inexplicable reason she wanted to hang out with him.  

He turns, leaning his weight against the bar as he faces the reception hall, zeroing in on the woman in question.  Watching her walk towards him earlier today, in that little red dress of hers, had nearly given him a coronary.  She was literally the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he’d been so proud to walk into the wedding with her beside him.  His arms itched to hold her, and he’d daydreamed doing so several times already today.  He was definitely falling for her.  And it completely terrified him.

“The stakes are through the roof for me on this one, Boyle.”  It was the truth.  She made him feel things.  And not just sexually (although, those feelings were definitely there).  It was more than that.  She was kind, and brilliant, and made him feel like even his most baseless conversations were worth listening to.  He felt important with her - and even though she was still technically just a line above a stranger to him, he was finding it difficult to imagine a life without her in it.  It sounded insane, but he simply didn’t care.   

“It’s just … what if I screw this up?  This girl is amazing.  And if I end up doing something stupid …”

“Jake.  You have to stop assuming that everything is going to fail.  Sometimes, things just work out.  And you’re never going to find out, if you don’t give this thing a try.  She looks at you like you hung the moon.  Trust me.”

Jake nods, heart somewhere up near his throat as he takes in Boyle’s words.  Maybe he was right.  Maybe, this time it was his turn to find happiness.

* * * 

The lights are soft, and an inexplicable cloud of smoke begins to surround the two of them as they circle the dance floor.  Jake smiles as his eyes take in the scene - it wouldn’t be Gina Linetti’s wedding if there weren’t several smoke machines involved.

A hand shifts on his shoulder, and Jake turns back to the woman in front of him.  The woman whom (no offence to the two brides, but facts were facts) was easily the most beautiful woman in the room.  

Amy smiles at him, that soft shy smile he’d been greeted with the night they met.  His heart was beginning to feel like a hummingbird’s wings, and he had no interest in slowing it down anymore.  

“You know, standing here, dancing to all these songs … I can’t help but feel like I’m a character in every rom-com I’ve ever seen.”

“Ah.  Yes, that would be Rosa’s doing.  She has a not-so-secret love for all things Nancy Meyers.”

“Rosa, my love for you is sharper than my favourite knife, Rosa?”

He laughs as Amy quotes the woman’s vows verbatim.  “Yep, that’s her.”

She giggles, a sweet sound that he wants to hear forever, and it occurs to Jake that the risk of losing her was greater than any risk that came with taking a chance.  

His forehead drops to hers, both of their feet simply shuffling against the beat of the music as the act of dancing becomes second priority.  Her arms, now looped around his neck, tighten imperceptibly and he reciprocates by pulling her waist just that little bit closer to his.  She hums, taking in a deep breath, and whispers within their close proximity,  “I’m really glad I came tonight.”

“I’m really glad I came tonight, title of your sex tape.”

She laughs, tucking her head into his neck as her shoulders continue to shake.  “Oh, how you make me laugh, Jake.”

He rests his cheek against the side of her head, closing his eyes in contentment for a moment before breaking the silence.  “Hey, Ames?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really glad you came tonight, too.”

She raises her head, skin brushing against his as she refuses to widen the gap between them.  Her gaze looks onto his, eyes big and bright, and if it wasn’t for his steady breaths Jake would be certain that his heart had completely stopped beating.

Moving one hand from her waist, Jake cups her face in his palm, keeping the touch feather light as his thumb brushes along her jawline, tipping her mouth towards his.  Her breath hitches, and before he can scare himself away, he leans in to brush his lips against hers.

She sighs softly against him, breath warm against his lips, and when he begins to pull away she pushes her face towards him again, capturing him in a kiss that threw all doubts out the window.

This was The Kiss.  The kind of kiss that people wrote songs about, or wrote about in fairytales.  It was the kind of kiss that you held onto, for years to come, the memory of it never fading.  It was the kind of kiss that spelled out forever, and it was killing him that he could have had this six whole days ago, if he hadn’t been so damned chicken.  

Her fingers card into his hair, feeling as though they’ve belonged there the entire time, and he moans softly into her mouth as their tongues begin to tangle together, both still so shy but so very eager for more.  

His hands begin to roam, sliding up and down her back as he pulls her impossibly closer, breathing in her perfume as the feeling of Amy in his arms settles all the nerves that had been building inside.  This was it for him.  He can’t explain how he knew, but he knew.  

“I swear to God herself Jacob, if you upstage me at my own wedding with a porno on the dance floor, I will never forgive you.”  The unmistakeable voice of Gina Linetti pulls him from the trance of Amy’s kiss, and Jake pulls away reluctantly, rolling his eyes at his oldest friend as she glares over at him.  

“Not one for the dramatics are you, Gina?  Relax,” he continues as she stares him down.  “No porn on the dance floor.  Got it.”  His tone is dripping with sarcasm, one arm wrapped around the back of Amy’s neck as her face remains tucked into his shoulder, clearly mortified at being caught mid-makeout.  Gina throws him another withering stare, raising her eyebrows before being pulled away by her newly-wedded wife.  

“The coast is clear,” Jake whispers into Amy’s ear, fingers tangling into the curls at the base of her neck as she stays tucked into his side.

“Hmm, this feels a little bit like deja-vu,” she answers, leaning forward to land a soft kiss on his lips before pulling back with a smile.  Her arms drop from Jake’s neck, sliding against his jacket until her hands are resting on the lapels, toying with the button on one side.  She looks up at him with a coy smile, and if Jake wasn’t already in deep, it would have sunk him completely.  

“So, given the rules just laid out to us …”

“Wanna get out of here?”

She nods, a cascade of giggles bubbling out of her chest, and Jake leans in for another kiss.

“Absolutely.” 

[disneydreamlights]

Nicole (4, 6, 19, 20, 22, 24) Sky (2, 6, 10, 11, 16, 17) Annalee (3, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25) Marina, totally didn't only come to mind because i'm listening to marina and the diamonds. nnnnope. (3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 20) Landon (4, 5, 16, 10, 12, 24)

Nicole: 

4: their insecurities

Well for one let’s start with her ears, she’s super insecure about those and never really will be comfortable about them. Her overprotective tendencies can also be cause for her to believe she might be too overbearing to friends, especially since she can get extremely angry with them to a point that terrifies her a bit.

6: how they deal with grief

What’s dealing with grief well? Nicole literally shuts down. She blames herself, even if it seems like she’s shifted that blame to somebody else, and then she throws caution to the wind and becomes insanely violent for no reason other than to try to get herself hurt. Like she won’t break her moral code, but she’ll take incredibly stupid risks in hopes that she’ll get really hurt in some kind of revenge driven plot, which gets worse when there really is nobody to blame.

19: their reaction to betrayal

Distrust and anger, but beyond that I actually also think she’s one of my ocs that handles this stuff better. Of course she’s hurt and angry at the betrayer, or outright distrusting if they come back to the team, but unlike several of my other ocs she’ll also still try to manage the situation and try to focus on helping the people who were hurt by the betrayal more than she will on her own recovery, so outside of avoiding the person, she doesn’t actually go murder happy on the traitor so long as nobody was hurt.

20: their reaction to a mystery love letter

Immediate reaction is to try to find who wrote it, but the longer she goes the less interested she becomes. Nicole’s interest in romance is honestly not very high, and in any universe she can count the amount of crushes she’s had on one hand. Unless the person meant a lot to her, she probably would turn them down anyways after learning who wrote it, so after her initial “Holy shit love letter!?” reaction she just eventually stops caring.

22: what they're like on two hours of sleep

Nicole is dead on less than two hours of sleep, she doesn’t know how to function on so little sleep unfortunately. 

24: what motivates them

Her love for her friends, and her willingness to do anything for them. Even before presenting a positive icon for Faunus, her first and foremost stuff comes from being there to support the people she cares about.

Sky:

2: their smile

Sky has one of those nice truly happy big smiles you see on people, like it reaches her eyes and when she’s smiling you just know she’s actually and I just imagine Sky has a really nice smile. 

6: how they deal with grief

Flat out denial. If she can’t deny she at first feels kinda numb until the loss actually sets in and then she literally falls apart into a broken sobbing mess who can’t even really function on her own, so when she loses somebody she loves and there’s even a small chance they survived, she refuses to acknowledge it as even a possibility. It’d take seeing the body for herself to truly break down and lose it.

10: their fashion sense

Casual and comfortable. She doesn’t go out of her way for anything special, she just dresses in what’s easiest for her to fight in most days, and on the rare days where she has no missions and there are no Heartless popping up, she won’t wear anything more dressy than jeans and a t-shirt. It’d honestly take Sera’s wedding or something to make her do more than that.

11: their family life

Sky doesn’t visit home a lot due to the frequency of her missions and how long she spends training. That being said, Sera tends to come in to visit a lot, so she sees her sister a lot anyways. Despite never being home, her relationship with her family is pretty good. They love her, she loves them, and tries to keep in touch whenever possible.

16: their dreams

Sky dreams to be the greatest Keyblade Master and to protect the worlds at all costs. She knows it’s a difficult goal, but she wants to do the best she can for friends and family.

17: their ambitions

Her greatest ambition was to get through her training. After all the shit that happened to Landon she kinda struggled with believing that she’d be able to for a while, but her goals pulled through. Besides that, she just wants to keep the people she loves safe. Watching Sera go blind in one eye and struggle through the consequences was something she never wanted to do again.

Annalee

3: their greatest achievement

This is such a weird thing to say, but to Annalee her opinion of her greatest achievement was just making a friend. She’s painfully awkward and to find somebody who could tolerate her awkwardness and not even mind was one of the things that made her happiest.

15: how they react to a brainfreeze

She literally immediately puts her hand to the top of her head in hopes of getting it to stop hurting and her face scrunches up. Depending on how hungry she is, she might drop the ice cream almost immediately.

22: what they're like on two hours of sleep

Not a lot different from how she normally acts tbh, Annalee has her own way of replenishing her own energy that allows her to function when she’s got no sleep...and I hate that she has this.

23: how they act when they're sick

Oh my god she’s probably working so hard on not letting onto the fact that she’s sick even though she’s dying inside so Andrew and Emmett basically have to tie her to the bed so she’ll rest and get better from whatever she has. Like she could be running a 105 degree fever and the flu and she’d still be trying to beat up some Heartless.

24: what motivates them

She’s motivated by wanting to do her dad proud. She wants to prove that birth isn’t everything and that just because she’s not entirely human doesn’t mean she can’t fight for the light and do what she’s supposed to do.

25: why you enjoy them

Annalee was honestly part experiment, part theory, part Vaniqua trash, and the fact that she still managed to to be a surprisingly good oc in spite of that makes me love her, not to mention rping her interacting with Emmett is always a good time. XD

Marina:

3: their greatest achievement

You’d think it’d be being a Keyblade Master, but the truth is Marina has this one painting she did back when she was first learning to channel her anger into her art, and it’s a picture of her, Sky, and Landon and she’s so proud of the fact that she managed to keep them all still enough to draw a picture of the three of them without them being pains and moving a ton.

5: their shortcomings

We joke about Nicole having a hair trigger temper but honestly that’s Marina’s biggest short coming, she will literally fly off the handle for literally no good reason, like somebody could just breathe on her and she might blow up in their face.

8: what they like to eat

Lots of junk food, specifically salty stuff, while most of my ocs have sweet tooths, Marina would much rather have a bag of chips and munch on them for a few hours rather than a tub of ice cream.

10: their fashion sense

Marina is about as casual as Sky in terms of “You’ll never find her getting dressed up ever” but when hanging out with friends, she tends to dress down moreso than Sky does, and it’s common for her to head out in sweats or leggings or whatever comfortable things she can find floating around.

12: their romantic life

Absolutely awful. As in she’s only ever had one sided crushes and any crush that might’ve been returned has fallen for somebody else first. I think the one she’s most embarrassed about falling for somebody else is Sky, and that’s because Sky fell in love with Yuuya of all people in at least one verse, and well...as much as I love Yuuya I don’t think I need to elaborate. XD

20: their reaction to a mystery love letter

“Somebody actually likes me for once, what the fuck?” Marina is actually confused by this letter coming in because she’s never been a recipient, then she looks for the letter’s sender and hopes for the best.

Landon:

4: their insecurities

You know how he accidentally murdered his Keyblade Master when he lost control of his darkness one time??? Anything to do with that instance is an incredibly, incredibly sore spot after everything that happened.

5: their shortcomings

A lot of them come from fear. Fear of himself, fear of causing people’s death, fear in general. It causes him to hesitate in a lot of decisions, and of course when that hesitation causes things to get worse he blames himself. So basically self doubt and being indecisive are pretty good shortcomings.

10: their fashion sense

He’s the only one of my keybearers who actually bothers to try to be less casual than jeans and t-shirts when not training, and by that I mean he’s that asshole who’s always in a jacket and you can’t figure out how they’re not dying. When training or on a mission he’s always in more combat oriented gear so he can fight well.

12: their romantic life

Also unsuccessful, but it doesn’t help that at best he pushed away any and all childhood crushes and most friends for a good three or four years, and at worst he actually dies so I mean...

16: their dreams

He’d like to rid himself of his darkness and find some way to move on from it, and of course bring his Keyblade Master back from the dead, that’d be a really nice goal for him if he could have it. It’s not exactly likely, but that’s besides the point.

24: what motivates them

Landon is motivated by a desire to keep others safe from darkness and prevent what happened to him from happening ever again. He’s really good at trying to help out other Keybearers with darkness issues to the point that when they start to seem powerful he does whatever he can to help So I guess in a twisted way he’s motivated by his own darkness to not be what it wants, even if for a while it doesn’t work out.