#It's sad seeing that not a lot of people heck even me never seen this kind of scam before but god damn... this isn't right and the person

[loser-brain]

Stumbling and falling on my face... I did block the users and did not take screenshot of our conversation because it just consisted of them begging me to commission them and how scared and afraid they were because they didn't know how to make money as an artist.

Hhheeeeeyyyyyy... so I'm just gonna jump right to it.

If you ever encounter a user that goes by the name

stais-world and their art looks kinda of weird. Like it's traced kind of weird. That's because it is.

They still use their old username when watermarking/leaving a signature.

The "sideblog" is older then the stais-world account. When I first encountered statis, I believe I encounter them with their old username but I do not remember, they message me begging me to commission them. I quickly shot them down telling them that you should not beg to be commission and that it's not right/not how to market yourself yada yada...

As I was looking at their art, at the time, I wanted to call them out and say that their work look trace. A big accusation mind you, but as someone who studies and obsess with art (and also have the powerful knowledge of the 10%vs80% under my belt). I could tell, right off the bat, that many of the work were trace. Granted I will not lie, there were some work that didn't look trace (then again I was tripped up with the style of tracing, believing that they're not a tracer but a beginner artist). However majority of them do look trace.

Continuing on, about a month or so went by they message me again begging me to commission them and that they were scared not being able to pay their bills. I did not say anything.

A week, I think went by, I got a message, "hi. How have you been?" I was going to tell them I have been good but they kept going, "My commissions are open... I am scared... I don't believe I can pay my bills... if you do not want to commission me I have paypal and accept tips... please."

I'm glad Tumblr finally added archive back to users without blogs. I could be wrong about their sideblog being not a sideblog but the evidence is that they both were made in February this year (2023) and that the sideblog had a post made/reblogged in Feb 23. While their Stais blog had a post made in Feb 28.

What's worse is when I look for their username (their old one) Tumblr didn't show me any post so I just thought for awhile that I was an ass accusing someone. Finally, Tumblr worked and I saw some posts confirming my suspensions.

Many of the users that called out Stais of being a scammer not only got a reply from them (idk, their reply was deleted and yes I unblocked them to double check again) but many of the replies wanted answers from Stais whether their work was legit or not.

Apparently, given some time from reading, Stais must have made a big red flag answer. And that they copied the image but not directly. Using their eyes and hand coordination they were able to copy it line for line like the image making them exactly the same.

So, it's not impossible for that happen. However, given their lineart ability and constant drastic style changes. It's not right to over charge someone $70 just so you can traces someone else's work.

Continuing on my mini research. Apparently they have more then just two blogs. But from what I saw in the doc about 30+ blogs (I went back and count he has about 26+) ... I didn't count but god damn... this user have been going into many different fandoms and begging people to commission them giving out the same sob story.

So to conclude, I'm sorry artist and writers, there are many people who are struggling to make ends meet I understand, but if someone is begging you to commission them and they give out a sob story to guilt trip you.

Report them as scam and block. Make a post to spread awareness. Because even when this user, who made the doc, told Tumblr that this person has been doing this to others with many... many blogs. Tumblr ignore them and allow this scammer to thrive.

It's absolutely sickening to see.

[simplepotatofarmer]

Hi, I enjoy the dsmp fandom output (fics, art, animatics) but I only really care about techno videos as far as actual dsmp canon goes. I do love c!Niki very much but I don't know much about her outside of her Syndicate arc. I'm wondering if you could tell me more about why she decided to get in on Doomsday? I'm very proud of her, of course, I just don't know why she was mad specifically.

Strongly empathizing with c!Techno and not knowing what the heck L'Mantree is and extremely ready to high five someone about it getting burned down.

i honestly believe c!niki was.... sad and resentful more than she was ever really mad. she had a lot of anger that she directed at different people throughout (c!tommy being a big one as well as c!wilbur) but so much of that came from never really being seen while she watches everything she stood for get warped and twisted.

it's been awhile since i really watched her streams, at least a year, but if i remember right, it was a sort of slow build up of people truly taking her for granted and her treatment at the hands of people like wilbur and some of the policies that went on in l'manberg.

but she did truly love l'manberg or at least what it was supposed to be! she just saw it twisted and changed to something that hurt her and others and knew it was no longer meant to be, as it were. she said it herself: it was beyond repair.

she even alludes to the fact it was l'manberg itself that was keeping them from truly being free in her speech and i think she must've felt like it was so full of negative feelings and memories that it was holding her back. she wasn't recognized for all the things she had done for it and its people and she wanted to be! she wanted people to see her.

[scraplette]

This is random but I noticed you mention you were a big Rung/Skids shipper and I'm curious about something. I wasn't active in the fandom where MTMTE/LL were coming out and I feel like I missed huge discourse or something, because I'm really confused about why I have always seen Rung/Fort Max and Rung/Whirl and MegaRung everywhere but nobody seems to ship Rung with the guy he was super close with from the beginning and committed suicide thinking about and coughed up crystals over? I know it's not because it's wrong for therapists and patients to date because all of those people were Rung's patients. Do you know why this is?

Hello there! Sorry for the late response, I wanted to do this on desktop and just hadn't found the time.

You've sent a really interesting question but, I'm sorry, I'm not sure I have an answer for you. Heck, even at the time the comics were coming out I was always surprised by the lack of content for the ship. There was some discourse about Rung dating paitents but, funnily enough, Skids was never really a part of it. He wasn't really considered by the fandom as one of Rung's paitents so it wasn't an issue. The storyarc we the readers found out that Rung was treating Skids, was also the same arc where Rung quit. You did have some folks producing some excellent content for it(@littlestowl is still hands down my fave writer for this pair and @herzspalter did some hecking good fanart!) but never to the same extent as other ships. Not gonna blame people for that, we all have our preferences! Live and let ship and all that! So, since I had no anwers of my own I decided to counsult THE COUNCI(my friends who like Transformers) for their opinions and they came up with the excellent points. We even gathered DATA(we looked at Ao3 XD) Nothing definitive, of course, because obviously we're just a group of robot fans and can't speak for every TF fan on the net. These are just our thoughts and general vibes. 1) Rung is just so darn shippable. He potentially works well with a lot of characters and was pulled in lots of diff directions. Speaking as the main Rung/Skids shipper of the group I sort of get this(stupid sexy Rung) but even with all the diff ships sailing Rung/Skids still seemed oddly small in comparsion. 2)Another friend brought up a good point, Rung/Skids are a lovely ship but they're very wholesome and nice. Now, there is nothing wrong with that but you can't deny that spicy ships oozing with, as they put it, DRAMA just get folks excited. Lots of the other ships had this in spades. 3) Another friend had a lovely thought to add to this and I agree with it 100%. I'm just going to quote them directly "Which is kinda a shame because they have other kinds of cool drama - Rung basically compromised his position for Skids! Skids revived Rung's memory! The non-goodbye! But not conflict -drama." 4)Perhaps the venn diagram of Skids fan and Rungs fans didn't neccisarily crossover. Looking at the DATA, we can see that the most popular ships for Skids(in order) were SkidsSwerve, SkidsGetaway, and SkidsRung. I'm not sure if the Getaway fics were written pre or post betrayl.

5) Not really important but something I thought was a cool detail. Rung/Skids was really popular in the Japanese side of the fandom. I even own a physical doujin anthology for the pair! I can't remember any names of the top of my head, it's been years, but there were lots of lovely pieces of Rung/Skids fanart on the JP art sites.

I'm always a little sad about Rung/Skids. I always thought here were always lots of hooks throughtout the story that could lead the pair to more. Lots of little quiet personal moments just for the two of them. Like, Skids defending Rung against Getaway's snide comments. Ratchet sending Skids to Rung because he things the little chap is lonely. That final weirdly tense exchange between them will always sit a bit oddly with me. I know at the time there was a theory that Skids might've been into Nuatica at the time but nothing seemed to come of it, so I geuss we'll never know. I think I remember reading that Alex Milne didn't realise that would be their last interaction together, otherise he would've done the panel differently* Thank you for your ask! It was lovely to look back on old fandom memories ^_^ I hope I gave you some insights. As for myself, I'm hoping to get back into fic writing so no doubt I'll be adding to my collection of Rung/Skids drabbles.

*IMPORTANT UPDATE EDIT THING! I couldn't drop the final goodbye between them and the Alex Milne thing(it was nearly a decade ago so I was worried I'd misremembered) so I hunted down the original tweet and I've misremembered!

Sigh, what a shame that the final on-page interaction of my fave ship is forever off key and weird because of Writer/Artist miscomunucation :<

[goodolddumbbanana]

I... I need Sun to get loose, man. I need Sun snap. I just can't take it anymore, seeing Sun just like that.

Right now, I hate Monty, Puppet and Foxy very much. Sun is right, who gave them the right to decide what they can do with moon?

Illusion of choice, they keep asking Sun but don't like the answer Sun gives.

Giving permission to my ass, like if Sun said no, bet they are still doing it.

So righteous, it feels sick. I hope Sun would never forgive them and cut ties with them. I hope Sun cuts ties with everyone else and starts a new beginning, even Moon.(earth and lunar have flaws, and they are really going in a thin ice right now, but still, they just think more for themselves and honestly, good for them...)

Because from the beginning until now, Sun was stuck, and kept being stuck.

Getting orders around by Moon, Monty, Puppet, Eclipse.... Forcing him making choices so obviously they still do it their ways, that Even Sun wants to save NM, no one would do that for him. And they only ask Sun, like just because what...? Suddenly they care for Sun's feelings? Heck no, they only do it so after that, Sun will stop crying and hating them because it is Sun's choice, it's Sun who decides to kill Moon, not Monty and Puppet.

To be honest, Sun and Eclipse are really alike, they are both getting trapped, if not the hand of others, so the hand of fate.

Sun getting pushed around like a joke, a trash can, by these people supposed to care about him.

And now some people, keep saying it is Ooc and Sun should forgive Moon and try more to change him?

Well I am sorry but I'd rather die than get back to my abuser, if they are not changing for the better. They are just like Moon, promise, promise, promise and then just do it worse, do the opposite.

And some people say New Moon is no longer abused like Old Moon, why did he get treated that way. Because back then, only Sun and Moon, and their co-dependents were never good, old Moon was not supposed to take everything on Sun, and Sun was not supposed to forgive Old Moon for every time Moon was doing something bad for him. Their relationship, was strained at best and toxic at the worst. Sun almost gets killed by Moon several times, and still keeps blaming himself, blaming everyone when it happens, because in Sun mind, it's not Moon fault, it's KC, it's Eclipse.

Sun is tired now. He is no longer trying to fix things himself, no longer letting people on his nerves anymore. (He tries his best okay)

And what does it connects to New Moon?

We have seen so many episodes recently, the way Sun keeps threatening people. Sun has threatened...? to kill Cat nap, Papyrus, creator, eclipse....? What does it mean?

It means Sun has gone tired, he finally learned that from Earth, because it turned out after Several therapy with Earth, Moon is not a good person and Sun was forced to be happy to keep Moon sane. And he shouldn't feel bad for thinking more for himself and some people would never change, not until they are seeing it themselves.

And it makes me sick in my stomach when people keep defending Moon, and say, think more for yourself is narcissistic behaviours, because you are supposed to forgive family no matter what they do. I am so angry at this mindset because as a person who grow out of it, it feels so hurt to be the one who tries to keep the relationship together while guess what... Nobody cares and just abused it. They never see it. For example my family, they never see how much their lashing out hurting me, just only about them, them, and them. And I always have to be the one to say it is not their fault, it's me, or someone else, again and again.

Growing up like that messes people up a lot. I have to numb myself, I don't even know what I feel anymore because I am not supposed to feel sad, I suppose to always be happy. Because I am happy making them happy.

And the breaking point happened when I went to college, when I get away from them. It hurts to think back, when I don't even have the nerve to think bad about them, not even in my thoughts.

I see Sun in me so much. Because of that, Tired of one person crap and then never take it from anyone anymore? Go girl!!!

Putting some boundaries for yourself is good, and if someone refuses to acknowledge it, well, good for them.

[feralwetcat]

I haven't been very sappy on main so *throws sad shit at you* (aka me thanking the fable community and cast again, cuz goddammit you guys are so neat and cool)

Fable smp was, and is probably one of my favorite things I've discovered, i clicked on one of heyhays vods one day on a whim and gods im so glad i did, the way Fable has shaped me as a person and helped me improve is honestly crazy, its how i got into doing art, how i improved, how i met most of my friends, its genuinely been an amazing journey.

For me as a person, my home has always been an odd environment, without getting into too much detail my family has lots of trauma circling around, my brother and dad especially, so the way Fable comforted me through bad days, or when my dad would burst out at me or my mum, its genuinely such a crazy thing that these little block guys have helped me through so fucking much, the way they've helped me discover who i am, to feel represented through so many characters, heck even just hyperfixating with others, its amazing

Its helped me become more confident in my own skin, able to accept my body and how fucked up it is, from the rep with disabilities to identities, seeing something like "hey i have that!" Or "i experience that!", even the small pieces, its so fuckin awesome to see such cool people that are honestly like me

To all the cast: thank you, if not for making Fable, but for representing people, for showing us how much of an outlet being creative can be, and everything in between, all of this is so crazy how cool and detailed it is, truly.

To the fandom: you all are so fuckin cool, the way i get so excited when you guys interact with my stuff, art, silly posts, or just jokes, it's just so cool to interact with y'all, I've made so many friends and i know I'll make more, especially with all the smps y'all promote, keep doin that, i love your stuff guys<3

(now for specifics that have made me feel seen ayo)

To Athena: thank you, genuinely, for making a space that i feel seen in, i feel welcome in, the rep with C!Athenas disability and still having a great time, having a fulfilling life, which I've been told so many times I can't have due to my disabilities, its so amazing, even if its sleepy stardew, lore, or anything in-between, your community and self is so inviting and comforting. Your voice has always been so comforting (like a chill pink mixed with a light coffee brown feel:]), and i genuinely can't thank you enough, if not for representing me, but for becoming a comfort streamer for me

To Ghosty: Caspian as a character was so cool to see, his story was like a good book really, one you could pull up and watch with some tea or hot coco and a blanket, one that was so interesting, I've experienced some of the issues he worked through and it felt so amazing to see, especially a trans character whos entire personality wasn't that he was trans, or a character who struggled with grief but was still happy and able to be *alright* sometimes, thank you.

To Sherb: the way you did lore, and continue to do lore, always excited me, got me feeling genuine emotions, which I've always struggled with, it made me get into storytelling, something I've always enjoyed, it made me get into telling my own stories, its been so enjoyable, and will continue to be ! Icarus as a character made me feel seen in the way that you can care for someone, trust them fully, but they can still be a good person, but the way they treat you makes you believe they're a good person, and thats really important to me. Thank you Sherbert

To Connor: gods your writing is so cool, your fics motivated me to start writing again, and Ulysses as a character as well is such an interesting character, his writing is so neat and his story again made me feel so seen in many ways, and your writing is so good

Finally, To Beck: Arisanna was and continues to be a character i resonate with, always working for someone, never for yourself, feeling alone at times even with many people, having to or feeling like you have to provide for your friends and family, i grew up feeling like i had to protect my older brother, make sure he was alright, and Ari made me feel seen in that way, thanks for that, really

Thank you everyone, for supporting me, through my art, pickup lines, or just dumb jokes

Signed, FeralWetCat (Kai)

[i3utterflyeffect]

a hundred epitaphs - Fic

no i wasn't expecting to write this either. this happened at like. midnight. anyway woe, gold and victim angst be upon ye. still not confirmed canon for king merc but if you want it to be then. shrug. im not your dad [ao3 link]

"You don't have to do this, you know."

The familiar voice emitted from the screen Victim kept monitoring the empty space of the void, and they tilted their head slightly to look at it, seeing the flash of Gold on the screen.

"...I didn't ask for your opinion, you know."

"Shut up. Besides, it's a fact, not an opinion."

"Do I look like I care?"

"I don't care that you don't care."

"Somehow, you remain a headache even after I've seen color." Victim looked back to the book they were studying.

"Good. I like annoying you." Gold sat down. "You're fun to annoy."

"What do you want anyway? I know this is opened up far from where you've ended up. It took a lot of walking to get to here, I'm sure."

"Heck yeah it did, and it sucked! But I needed to talk to you! It's important."

"Fine. What is it?"

"...It's about Dad."

They paused, finally turning their attention to Gold, closing their book. "...Yes?"

"I want you to let Dad leave. And... and for you to leave Purple and their friends alone too."

"...what do you mean?"

Gold was silent for a moment, before the question processed. "...What?" They asked. "You're joking, right? You know you're bad at that."

"I'm not. I'm genuinely asking."

"I just want him to be happy... And you're not letting him. Purple deserves to be happy, too."

"What? Aren't you angry?"

"Angry?"

"They replaced us; both of them. Your father with Purple, and my creator with every creation that followed me. It's unfair. Why would you want them to be happy after they replaced--"

"How dare you say that about my dad."

"...what?"

"You said that he replaced me," Gold growled. "And you're wrong. I know he has nightmares about me every night-- I feel it. And I have nightmares about it too! You just don't get it because your creator never cared!"

"Gold--" Victim said, their voice a warning.

"Not to mention that Purple wasn't any better off than yourself! Do you really think that they don't deserve to be happy just because I was there first?! They nearly died in the same way I did! They almost were just like me! You can't seriously think that we're any different1"

"Gold."

"No, shut up! I'm sick of this! Every time I tell you what you're doing is wrong, you just shrug it off and ignore me! It's like you just want to hurt people at this point! You're just as bad as your creator!"

"SHUT UP!" Victim lashed out, slamming their fist against the screen and causing it to emit a loud crack as it shattered.

The two were silent for a moment, but even so, the air was tense. Victim was breathing hard still as they pulled their arm away from the display, which was now disrupted by spatters of disrupted pixels, colorful lines sprouting from the area where it had cracked. "Never compare me to him." They hissed, voice sharp and trembling with rage.

Even through the busted display, Gold was still visible. They had flinched back, shying away from the screen as though they were afraid that Victim would break through.

They're afraid. Good. 

"...I'm sorry," They said, voice soft and trembling. "...Please, just don't leave me alone here."

Victim only scowled in reply, before turning off the screen.

They stamped out any guilt or sadness that Gold's reply might have incited easily; they were very talented at that. It was something they were proud of.

They were right, undoubtedly. Gold would come around. They had to.

Somewhere in the void, Gold was alone again.

Somewhere in the void, Gold began to cry.

[zara-renata]

i have thoughts about your most recent fic and tumblr’s comment character limit has brought me to your ask box again 🙈

omgggg it’s so good to know sylus’s POV during that wine night!! and i don’t know why and how, but sylus’s thoughts about mc here, esp how he feels about her selfless tendencies (to her detriment), makes me feel vulnerable and seen. when i read reader-insert fics, i tend to imagine a separate character for mc even though it’s technically supposed to be me in my head. perhaps the character i made up resembles me (but better lmao), but different enough that she’s like an individual on her own. but when i read this fic, it’s like sylus was talking about me, as in the real me, which made me emotional. it could be that the way mc handles herself poorly in here resonates with me due to some irl stuff, but honestly it’s primarily how good you write about a character’s emotions and thoughts. it’s like the words reached across my screen and tugged at my heart. you’re such a great writer when it comes to expressing a character’s innermost thoughts. it’s like i’ve been placed inside a character’s mind to bare witness their raw self.

again, i love how your sylus x mc dynamics, at least for this series, revolve around an mc oblivious to how much sylus cares about her. it seems she doesn’t even believe she’s deserving of such affection, nor is she fitting to be the object of such primal desires. in a way, she’s kind of self-sabotaging in the sense that she thinks she doesn’t deserve kindness, help, and affection. she’s genuinely fine with taking the brunt of the pain and suffering – and not even in the hero, martyr kind of way. it seems it’s how she’s always been, such behavioral tendencies of hers seem to be as normal as the sky is blue, which is sad and concerning because she deserves so much. i’m honestly excited to see sylus try to knock down her hardened walls and have her realize how deserving she is of so many things. i hope she realizes she can relax, rest, take it easy, and feel safe. especially with him.

i actually laughed out loud about how unhinged sylus can be about his sexual desires for her. like the man is blue-balled to heck, but he isn’t the kind to succumb to his base urges. he really respects and loves mc. i think i would even say he reveres her, given the fan theories around their past. it’s like his urges are just something that come with his intense adoration and care for mc, which is so so admirable and attractive.

maybe i’m just a tad sensitive today, but i completely zeroed in on the emotional aspects of this fic – quite a difference as to how i salivated over your previous fic in your ask box LMAO. coincidence is such a funny thing because i feel like i really needed to read this fic today. i feel much better and more ready to face the day. this has been such a good read, and i humbly offer my apologies for yapping at your ask box yet again 🧎‍♀️🫣

First off, you never have to apologize for sending me your thoughts. I'm so happy every time I receive an ask, it's always an unexpected surprise. And your asks are always really thoughtful and fun to read! I wasn't just patronizing you when I said last time that it was really fun to receive such a spicy ask about the NSFW aspects of Sylus's character and dynamic with mc in these stories. A huge part of his appeal is his physicality and how he shows his affection through actions. Hot, hot, actions.

To be honest, this message from you is really reassuring, because I've noticed that a lot of the fanfic that gets a lot of traction in (any) fandom is of the NSFW variety (which, duh, I totally understand and appreciate and consume happily), and I worry that because I'm not currently focusing purely on that aspect of Sylus that people will be less interested in reading what I'm sharing, especially the installments that are so mc POV heavy. So to hear that you also like being in this mc's head, and can relate to this mc, that how I have Sylus respond to this mc's issues and hangups and trauma brings you comfort, is amazing for me as a wannabe writer. Although I also want to give you a hug (with your consent of course) if you can really relate to this mc because no one should ever have to feel what you so accurately point out about what this mc feels: that whatever pain you're experiencing is normal, and expected, and you can hardly imagine that someone would be so dedicated to helping relieve it for and with you. Because everyone deserves to feel cherished and demand more than the bare minimum from the world and the people in their life. I'm hoping that I can keep writing this story as an exploration of Sylus teaching mc that, and that you continue to derive comfort from it. Because in the end, fanfic can serve many purposes. And just like it can be a vehicle for exploring incredibly dark and disturbing and cathartic themes using our favorite characters, I think it can also be the ultimate comfort food, and sometimes you should just be able to feel fucking good reading it. I'm so happy to hear that this part did that for you. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

[oscconfessions]

On a less controversial note..

THERE'S PEOPLE MISINTERPRETING OS CHARACTERS ON PURPOSE.

and I genuinely HATE IT!

Because I've seen, MANY TIMES, A LOT OF PEOPLE call bot a "PICK ME"

and it's not even only about them,

I'VE SEEN IT WITH PLENTY OTHER CHARACTERS TOO! Just that bot was always the most common one

The thing here is that it looks like you CAN'T have anymore people-related-trouble because then people call any character a "pick me". AMAZING.

LIKE, CHILL??

"Bot was made for an entirely different purpose and they question themselves what they actually REALLY want because they feel like a useless replacement for someone they don't and never knew, and they have support from their friends so they must be a pick me!!"

Or

"Balloon is a character that drowned in loneliness for years and years causing a significant impact on his social life that got him some sort of anxiety that he needed to overcome because he can't be always craving for that approval, so he must be a pick me!!" (I've actually seen people call balloon a pick me but what the actual heck.)

Not trying to be harmful but YES TRYING TO MAKE YOU REACT!! THAT'S NOT EVEN THE ONLY MISINTERPRETATIONS I SEE!

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.

This time I'm gonna make you guess.

"OMG THIS CHARACTER IS TRYING TO MAKE YOU THINK THAT SHE'S NICE BUT NO, SHE'S CLEARLY A NARCISSISTIC MANIPULATOR BITCH AND YOU SHOULD GO HATE HER BECAUSE SHE ONLY USES HER FRIENDS!!"

*Insert THE character who clearly has some sort of anger issues and attachment issues that wants to be seen as nice because of her fear of being left out by her friends which THEY ACTUALLY CAUSED by abandoning her for years, and she has almost no understanding about the bad she's doing but does it for both anger and sadness, not even knowing how to fully control her emotions*

BRO.

Please.

STOP

MISINTERPRETING

CHARACTERS!!

(Side note: it's okay if you did not know, but there's people that look like they genuinely do it on purpose and it's really fucking annoying. I don't intend any harm, but to make these people react.)

*clears throat*

Thanks.

-🌗🌗

.

[clottoncandiezz]

maybe i shouldn!t say this here but

long text time hoorrayy!!

and you!ll never guess why.

🍉🍉🍉 tumblr this is a fictional story of two people having an affair HaHa

so basically we all know about the palestinian genocide that has been going on for 75+ years but maybe all of the horrific crimes being committed by notreal are slowly becoming a part of everyday life. having to repost fundraisers and amplifying posts seems like a normal thing in my life

but it shouldn!t be. maybe if notreal didn!t start this genocide and even if z+onism (and also colonialism in general) wasn!t even founded in the first place then i wouldn!t have had seen these horrific atrocities happening in palestine, the drc, haiti, sudan, and in so. many. more. locations. maybe if we didn!t get to see all the horrible monsters (western leaders) do what they can to LITERALLY MURDER INNOCENT CIVILIANS then i would have lived my life normally.

i!m starting to feel like i!m not doing enough even if i!m just liking, sharing, commenting, etc. i spend most of my days on either my phone or my laptop. i am a screen addict. and that means that i watch a lot of videos. a lot of videos means some videos are related to the palestinian genocide, and even some videos DIRECTLY COMING from palestine itself.

i once saw a video of an unwra worker, lying on the floor with blood on his nose and mouth. notreal bombed the area where he was. they BOMBED IT. THEY USED BOMBS. LITERAL WAR WEAPONS. but this isn!t a war, this is a 75+ year long genocide that even celebrities are not speaking up about, except for macklemore, dua lipa and melanie martinez.

now, time for my personal thoughts.

maybe all these videos, telling me to donate at least a few dollars makes me feel guilty, because i am a minor and cannot spend my money yet. even if i do, my mom will think it!s a scam. instead, i just like, share, comment, copy the link, repost and share to at least 10 people. is that enough? yes it is. it is just as powerful as giving at least 5 dollars. but making a video? way more powerful, since it spreads awareness. but i can!t be making dozens of videos all the time, mainly because tiktok will think i!m spamming or "posting too much". do you think i am a bot? i am a human and that!s what counts. just let me post. also, if i tried to post at least one fundraiser every day, then i would be making posts for 2-5 families. but i do not have enough time and energy to think of creative ways to bypass the algorithm and make it seem like a normal post.

i also feel like i am doing something wrong, even though i am not. this leads me to being sad and depressed all the time, because of this and many other genocides and atrocities happening globally. i just need something to make me feel okay.

of course i will post about other things, but i am still not looking away from gaza, sudan, tigray, and many others. heck, there even are some massacres that even no one has seen or at least talked about before' i hate this world. maybe if people wouldn!t guilt trip me then i would post normally.

i am also a human being, so are the palestinians.

free palestine.🍉

[theragamuffininitiative]

3, 6, 16, 23 👀

3. favourite musical to listen to:

I'm suddenly regretting reblogging this ask, this is like choosing between children. However! I have the unfortunate theatre nerd honor of loving lots of versions of musicals that are not the OBC so choosing purely from albums....

I think I would have to say The Scarlet Pimpernel. It's one of my favorites in general but that soundtrack goes so stinking hard. Esepcially everything Douglas Sills does as Percy. When Percy thinks he can't trust his wife and resolves to continue anyway during "Prayer"??? 😭 and Marguerite's mirrored despair at losing the man she thought she knew in "When I Look At You" (AND THEIR DUET) The hilarity of "The Creation of Man" and and "The Scarlet Pimpernel and "They Seek Him Here"???? ("I said brief, not infinitesimal" and his book-perfect inane laugh my beloved) The sweeping epic opening of "Madame Guillotine?" !!!!! The amazing sibling love in "You Are My Home" and the exhilarating swashbuckling of "Into the Fire" and the PEAK villain ballad, "Falcon in the Dive" ksudfnlsdkjfsnldfkjsd. Frank Wildhorn musicals my forever beloved, and Nan Knighton's one and only absolutely perfect book and lyrics. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

6. favourite musical you've seen live

I have been blessed to see several touring productions of beloved shows as well as some really wonderful local productions. I'm going to cheat and say two bc the one doesn't exist anymore lol. I got to see the out-of-town tryout production of The Last Days of Summer starring Corey Cott and can I tell you that experience will stay with me for all my life. I think I wrote a massive post about it on here somewhere way back then. But the true answer should be Wicked. Wicked is the first professional (tour) production I ever saw, and a bonding point with many friends, and I got to see it on Broadway last year as my first bway show. 😊 This show is not overrated, it is literally perfection of stage craft from the top down and deserves every accolade and I hope the movie is good but it will never replace the show in my heart.

16. favourite musical that's underrated

(I love so many unknown/underrated musicals hhhhh)

Nobody now talks about The Secret Garden but it was certainly not underrated when it was on bway, people have just forgotten about it. 😭 Same with The Scarlet Pimpernel. So I have to say Bandstand, right? Absolutely, of course I do, and I'm gonna.

Corey Cott (him again) earned that (nonexistent) Tony nomination. I would be sad if he was nominated and lost, but I will eternally be Salty As Ever Living Heck that he wasn't even nominated. But the show in general is just so amazing, musically and storyline and visually and acting and lksjdnfsdkgjneiosfdk. This show is so so important to me, you don't even know. War widows and brotherhood and grief and survivor's guilt and finding love again and throwing off the glamor to expose the truth. Laura Osnes's #withtheband vlogs from backstage while they were in the show have taken up residence in a corner of my soul.

Wicked is only the first show I saw on bway because Bandstand closed after Dear Evan Hanson swept the awards, and I didn't have enough time to make the trip to see it.

BUT! I did get to see the tour! The fall before covid hit AND CLOSED IT TOO I got to see the national tour cast and I was very unconvinced that they would be able to do it justice when the OBC cast are some of my favorite humans in the whole wide world, but man oh man. When Zack Zaromatidis broke down as Donny telling Julia his awful dark secret, Zack bent at the waist like he had sucker-punched himself and from my seat a few rows from the stage I watched a single tear fall from his face and hit the stage floor and I'm telling you, I lost it. He did Donny and Corey right and proud. And my friend and I got to meet him and a bunch of the cast after!

I may or may not have access to the Bandstand proshot they made right before closing and I may or may not be willing to totally share so you can be obsessed too...

23. favourite lyric from a musical

I literally can't do this, you can't make me, I'm just gonna pull some of my absolute beloved lyrics from the aforementioned shows off the top of my head, ok go:

The Scarlet Pimpernel: Oh Lord, how could you let me love like this? / No one dies upon a kiss / and only fools believe in bliss... With time, I'll find a way to right this wrong / if it takes my whole life long / Lord, I'll fight my battles all alone / but make me / strong.

(Idk any of the lyrics from Last Days of Summer and it's a criiiimme)

Wicked: Let me say before we part / So much of me / is made of what I learned from you / and you'll be with me / like a handprint on my heart / Now whatever way our stories end / I know you have rewritten mine / by being my friend.

Bandstand: They'll say right this way / we've reserved this just for you / you've been waiting for this day / it's the least that we can do / you've arrived at last my friend / after fighting for far too long (it's a privilege sir may I say?) / "Right this way."

-deep breath- Ok, well, good to know my inner theatre nerd is still alive and well. XD

[sakuraharuno156]

Who do you think would win

This Naruto

Vs

Beginning of Shippuden Sakura

Both out for blood but Naruto's is less because if he was out for blood he would be like this:

It's not my typical post, but I thought it would be fun, so thank you for the question ❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First, a prefise:

1) I'll base it on manga abilities only because even tho databooks are fun for this type of power scaling, they are not canonically correct. If they were - Choji would have the most powerful technique in the world (where Rasenshuriken, Bijudama, etc. exists....) so... 🤷‍♀️

2) I'll take all abilities up to their next power up, so Sakura up to byakugou and Naruto till the end of the fight with Sasuke (spoiler alert: I don't think it's needed)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now that we are clear...

There is no way that Sakura is winning with that Naruto. Let's face it - untill byakugou, I don't think Sakura has any chance with any Naruto in Kurama form. No kurama form - sure, beginning of Shippuuden Sakura would smash any Naruto from OG, but.... with Kurama mode? HECK NO. I love her, she is great, but let's be honest here.

In real fight there are a few key abilities:

Speed,

Strength,

Durability,

Intelligence,

Additional skills (healing, genjutsu, summonigs, etc.)

I'll love to make this longer, but the short answer can be found in the first arc.

How fast is this Naruto? Fast af.

Haku was so fast, that Sasuke needed sharinngan to even SEE Haku moving. Haku was so fast, that he managed to jump in front of a chidori performed by an adult Kakashi (i'm adding "adult" because technically Rin did it to, but the distance was different and kid Kakashi was a lot slower than an adult one).

Naruto in Kurama mode did this:

In strength, as in straight-up punches- it may be Sakura, but.... HOW IS SHE SUPPOSED TO EVEN TOUCH HIM?

But let's say she did punch him WITH ALL HER STRENGTH....

I doubt that in the beginning of Shippuuden, she punches with so much strength that it has a bigger impact than THE WHOLE WEIGHT OF MANDA, that Naruto just... stopped.

She is good at dodging, so 1000 of Naruto's clones are not a problem, as we've seen here:

But in Kurama mode? Nah.

In durability, I don't think I have to explain a lot. Sakura needs to stop and touch the body part that she wants to heal, but Naruto, in Kurama mode...

Is literally healing himself at all times.

Intelligence is where Sakura has an important upperhand. She is smart af and her BIQ is also high af, so I think she may land a punch or 2 based solely on that.

Something like she did here:

Pretending to be already dead and then a strike. It may do SOME damage IF Naruto wouldn't just, you know... dodge it, but would it be enough to win? No.

And in additional skils... well... I don't think they are needed.

Sakura has no summon at that point (or at least we don't know about it) - Naruto has Gamabunta.

For Sakura to heal herself, it's an activity, Naruto does it subconsciously.

Sakura can get out of genjutsu (that Naruto doesn't use), but we have never seen her catch anyone into one.

So we don't even need to get to Naruto vs Sasuke fight to know that Sakura is out.

All we can count on is that she will somehow outsmart him or that Naruto out for blood is still Nauto so he will just stop himself or try talk no justsu, but in fight outside od emotions? NO WAY.

Don't get me wrong, she is strong, but Naruto is her worst opponent. She has more of a chance with people stronger than this Naruto, and some people weaker than her have more of a chance with him, but Narutos abilities are just canceling her out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope that it answered your question - Sakura would be dead.

It is sad, but unfortunately, true 🤷‍♀️

[yourlocalstranger123]

I've seen people running out of ideas so I'm here! :D

You can adjust some things

Also note: I am very into a sub character...sorry if you didn't like it, you can adjust it though!

Warning: smut, and as you can see, I pick favorites....sorry (as favorites I meant fandom, not characters since I cannot decide and it's worser since I like hot women and hot men. Well...i like men more although i still think womens are seriously hot)

Advance apologies; sorry if the ideas are actually similar to others. Since there is a lot and there's probably some out there that's similar

Genshin;

(Fluff angst) a bit of yandere Zhongli. Zhongli as in his younger ages, you being an unknown outlander (or maybe a God from another world 🤯) companying him. He enjoys your company until one day when his beloved friends, etc. Dies, you disappear. He cried and cried. He's different from the Zhongli we know....he's calm, collected, etc. but the only difference is that he's cold. No emotion until he felt your presence once again, he looked around wondering where you were. He saw you....he broke down in tears as you cup his head with your hands, soothing him. He accidentally went to his human dragon form. You didn't mind, you pat his head and kissed his forehead. He wagged his tail like a dog, as you try to let go his grip tightens and his tail wraps around you. He finally felt your warmth once again. He's not gonna let go now.

Smut; dottore (Dom reader) he is also at his young age, he found you. Although he thought you were gonna annoy him, your presence felt....nice. of course he's never gonna admit that just yet—....... later when he becomes a harbinger, he felt uncomfortable though 'what is this feeling?' He began being desperate for you, you were nowhere to be found. That made him go even more mad, he didn't even bother about his experiments! Until you sighed up to be an assistant for everyone that needs help, that even angered him more, you were supposed to be his! He began to hog you more but the other noticed and they took a liking to you they love you and became jealous that you give him more attention to them! ( this could be a whole series or something )

Sagau; shy reader! (Reader is also smart as heck-) You get isekai to genshin, you seem to be summoned since there was a summoning sign, etc. They felt so happy! They found out you were shy, they didn't mind. They thought it was cute! Some are definitely gonna tease you. You were also really smart, you helped tignari with his plants telling him what's wrong with it because the plant wouldn't grow. You told albedo/dottore the mistakes they made, you also made them really strong when you weren't isekai to genshin and they are very happy with it. This one time, you were so serious and hot when they saw you pin down someone that was sneak attacking you/them. Although they were suprised...maybe even turned on— I mean *cough* *cough* who wouldn't? the person being pinned is very flustered of how hot you are. Your people perhaps are jealous and want to be pinned down by you like that.

Diluc; being quite very shy around you and poor little you thought he didn't like you :( you began being frustrated so you pin him against the wall and asked him why is he avoiding you with a sad frown. Although...you felt something poking you (the rest for you to do 🥲)

Obey me;

(Oblivious dom reader) Lucifer is becoming impatient with you. You haven't even made a single move! You guys been dating for half a year by now! He sure he sent obvious signs like bending down infront of you to get his pen that he 'accidentally' dropped. His pride is about to break down because he thinks he isn't attractive enough to turn you on! When you went into the shared bed, he broke down on his knees. Begging you. Just what are you gonna do?

All; everyone was there. Even the angels and lucifer enemy! But anyways they found out you were a royal and everyone was oh so curious. The moment you were summoned you were still wearing a robe (inspired by my summoning gone wrong)

Of course these two are my main post since I haven't yet post any other stuff either has anyone asked me to post something else. Of course your welcomed to when my request are open :D

[ey-there-little-guy]

Made up fake fic title?

OH HECK YEAH I'LL GIVE YOU A FEW!!!!!!!! <3

Take me deeper than I've ever known

Put me together with staples and string

Never Ever

A Race to one's demise

Twisted Fates

DO WITH THESE WHAT YOU WILL!! DON'T HAVE TO DO EM ALL JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT!!! :3

OH THANK YOU :D these are great, so I definitely tried to think of something for all of these <3

They all turned into g/t or somewhat g/t bullet-point plots haha. Still tried to do summaries since that's usual for these tho

-

Take me deeper than I've ever known

Ranboo doesn't know what happened to him, just that one day he was tall enough to do all the stuff humans do, then the next day so small that a mouse could probably fistfight him and win. The even crazier thing is that he meets someone just as small, who apparently has been the one taking snacks from his stash, and not a ghost. Great, one question solved and a thousand more left unanswered. At least while they're stuck like this they won't have to be alone, Tommy may be strange but he isn't all that bad, besides the fact he'd probably ditch Ranboo if they revealed they're human. But while it lasts, he doesn't mind seeing more of Tommy's world.

magic, tiny fairy or fae, hmm

Ranboo gets shrunk and found by a tiny Tommy who decides 'gosh you suck at survival, i'll help you'

Tommy acts like he doesn't know Ranboo was shrunk, but he does

like 'don't interact with bigs, but they're not big anymore so…'

Ranboo doesn't know this but learns interacting with humans is a no-no so keeps their shrinking a secret

Ranboo learns more than they thought about the world at a smaller size

and they do want to be normal height again, someday (…maybe), but his life with Tommy is something they start to cherish, and the tiny really loves having them around

the twist is that Tommy is a fae of sorts that shrunk Ranboo, bc they were interesting and alone and and it seemed like something fun to do, but then feelings and friendship happened

Ranboo will have to find out eventually..

fae shenanigans and morals

Put me together with staples and string

What do you do when your reason for existing is to comfort and make smiles bloom, but you're built of dead things brought back, nightmarish and far too tall? For Ranboo, the answer is to enjoy what he can. Tubbo certainly makes this strange second-first life worth being a monster, at least.

second idea version:

Tubbo might not be real, full of stuffing and magic, but Tommy wants a friend, a best friend, and maybe Tubbo wants that too. So if Tommy thinks he's real enough to be that friend, despite how much smaller he is and inability to go places with Tommy without acting like a normal doll, then Tubbo is happy. Tommy may have done some questionable magic because he was lonely and desperate, but Tubbo is amazing, so he doesn't regret it. If only others could see it the same way.

Angst angst angst?

ended up with two ideas oops:

Ranboo is a minigiant frankenstein's monster kinda creature (created by Tubbo because Dude Is So Alone He Reanimated A Corpse For Company)

OR Tubbo is a life-like doll brought to life to be a friend (clingyduo and magic)

whichever idea, they have existential issues and put their worth into how useful they can be

both want to be able to go out into the world but don't, because they know if they're seen they'd terrify or unsettle people

Ranboo idea: sad times, fluff times, and sneaky outings with Tubbo

maybe at some point Ranboo's thoughts that he's a monster get real bad and he's convinced he'll hurt Tubbo and runs away to some woods

so then Tubbo has to go find him and bring him back before other people find him and think he's some monster come to terrorize them

who knows maybe Ranboo will even make some friends in a surprising twist?

Tubbo idea: lots of 'im not real' thoughts but also sweet friendship times

possible interference from other people coming back into Tommy's life since the magic to make Tubbo may or may not have been illegal

insisting that Tubbo isn't a real friend and this isn't healthy

Tubbo would normally agree, but seeing how much it hurts and upsets Tommy he might have some Choice Words instead

do these stories have happy endings? I wanna say yes, things work out, issues are eventually addressed, and there is lots of holding small friend in arms throughout.

Never Ever

The lives of borrowers are far from easy, even if they have family, but that doesn't mean it's terrible or always dangerous. A skilled or very sheltered borrower especially has very few worries, to the point that the universal rules of borrowers can be disregarded. But there are times when borrowers are reminded of why these rules are important, so that the worst never, ever happens.

after much thought, a 5+1 story

like '5 things a borrower should never ever forget and 1 thing they do' or something along those lines

5 are angst or close calls, etc. and 1 is good times, fluff

maybe tiny bedrock bros?

or five borrowers, one chapter each, with a borrower problem or angst, and the +1 is something nice with them all together

could be sbi+tubbo in that case

kinda slice-of-life regardless

+1 could also be angst instead of fluff, like they get caught, leaving story with an open end lol

A Race to one's demise

Slaying a giant is no easy task, especially one as infamous as The Lady Death—giants are already enough trouble without magic, thanks. Yet a few people head out for her territory anyway, not from any real drive to kill giants, simply because it was the only option given that lets them live a little longer. Their odds still aren't good, but really how much worse could a giant be from what they came from? (... No, yeah, probably worse.) Kristin and Phil find some truly exhausted kids on their doorstep and decide to invite them in, which they surprisingly agree to. The hard part is getting them to stop the halfhearted murder attempts and open up.

they know they're going to die. will they actually? nah

a handful of people are chosen for what's seen as a suicide mission

(probably benchtrio + wilbur and techno for these guys)

the mission/quest is to steal a magic item from a giant

they all upset the leaders of wherever they're from in some way, so this is those guys' way of either getting them to redeem themselves or get rid of them

both options seem like death though, if not immediate then eventually

they also specified that only one of them can come back victorious, so they're all doing their best to reach the giant's territory before each other, using sabotage or whatever they can, maybe even a little attempted murder or two at the start

near the end of their journey though there is talk of teaming up, because really None of them are capable of taking down a giant alone

The Lady Death is what they call her, a giantess that lives on the edge of a wasteland, who scoops up travelers that come too close never to be seen again

there is a lesser known story about the giantess that some of them know, saying she is more benevolent than she seems, with an angel on her shoulder

if you prove yourself to the angel she will listen and grant you passage into the wastes where, supposedly, there is a lush sanctuary somewhere (Philza's builds inspired?)

none of them actually think this version of the tale holds more truth, but it does stick with them, the tiniest idea that maybe they have a third option that's not 'death now' or 'death later'

Lots of build-up? since i want it to be g/t but the main giant only appears later. more focus on the stories they know and what they imagine they'll find

also run-ins with 'smaller' giants on the way

Obviously Kristin and Philza just gain a bunch of tired, scared kids from this

the story after that likely has found family as a main focus whereas it was more like a subplot when benchtrio+twinsduo were traveling

Twisted Fates

Being a crown prince sounds great unless you're actually a crown prince; Techno would much rather live far away from people, never having to deal with their problems, only whatever challenges come his way. Wilbur longs for a life where providing for himself isn't a constant struggle with danger wherever he looks, a life where he can relax or even meet people. Just watching and swiping the occasional thing from the royalty in this castle isn't enough to fulfill this dream. Until Techno wakes up to the disorienting sight of the castle far larger than he recalls and Wilbur is suddenly big and visible and sees an opportunity for both of them. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time might've just fixed both of their problems, or given them entirely new ones.

for this one I've settled on swapped sizes and royal au

twinsduo. Techno is (reluctantly) a crown prince and Wilbur is (enthusiastically) a borrower in the castle

Wilbur happened to be sneaking around the same room Techno is in when some magic mishap happens, swapping their sizes

princess and the pauper situation where they realize they look very similar and think the other's life sounds amazing so they swap places

I like giving borrowers tails so Wilbur has to either pass his off as the magic accident or hide it, same with his hair or he dyes it

and Techno still has bright pink hair he's unwilling to part with so he stands out a bit too much sometimes

but they seem to be having fun? at least for now. no care for fixing the situation yet

Philza is the king who loves his son very much but starts suspecting this might not be his son

angst and misunderstandings and reveals, by the end of this Phil has two sons

And that's all of them! Thank you again, I had fun brainstorming these. Also if anyone else likes these ideas feel free to use them or whatever :]

[wordstrings]

Understanding Harmony

Critical Role: Bell’s Hells. Ashton and Imogen take a watch after the events of episodes 33–38. Written for @feather-aesthetic for the Squealing Santa 2k22 fic exchange. Prompt: playful/bonding situations. Words: 1,500

—

“I just…” Imogen’s voice hitches with a tiny, incredulous laugh that lilts and wilts into something almost sad. “Just can’t believe she’s back.”

Ashton stares into the fire for another moment before dropping their eyes to the twig they’ve been fiddling with between their knees. 

“Crazy, huh?” they say, for lack of anything more intelligent to add. 

Imogen twists her fingers into a loose fold of her skirt. The fabric tightens across her hands, a smart pair to the tension still visibly lingering in her body. 

“It’s not supposed to happen. Bringin’ someone back from the dead. Though, I guess, for Laudna… maybe it’s not so strange. I don’t know.”

“No, it’s weird,” Ashton assures her. The nubby end of one toothpick-thin branch snaps under their thumb. They roll the broken bit between their fingers. The tiny splintered end is sharp. 

“I never… never would’ve thought I’d see somethin’ like that. That I’d be part of that. Y’know? Heck, I just thought I’d be spending the rest of my life staring at fields and feeling alone. It’s just… a lot,” she finishes quietly. 

“Being alone isn’t so bad.” Saying it is almost habit. It’s true enough. 

The firelight catches in the glance Imogen darts their way. “Feeling alone, though. It’s different when you don’t really have a choice.” 

Ashton shrugs. “Not much different, in my experience.”

There’s a gentle scoff in Imogen’s voice when she says, “Then why’re you stickin’ around with us, huh?”

“Because Letters needs people.” It’s just as quick to surface, just as habitual. 

“But you don’t.”

Ashton knows a jab, even in the dark. The retort is already in their throat, clambering on the back of their tongue. But they swallow it, because Imogen isn’t coming after them, not really. They don’t have a ready-made alternative response, though, so they focus on the splintered nub, trying to crush it between their fingertips. It’s too small and just digs in, a tiny hard granule of dead wood.

A soft glow leans toward their mind but doesn’t quite enter. Ashton braces internally anyway.

“They’re pretty important to you,” Imogen says aloud, instead.

Having someone important is dangerous. That’s how stupid decisions get made. Case in point: letting a complete stranger put them all under so they can go fight the spirit of a necromancer in order to yank a not-quite-living, not-quite-not woman out of a tree-shaped manifestation of her trauma, or some shit. 

But then Ashton is caught completely off-kilter when Imogen continues: “What the fuck is up with that?”

Ah, fuck them, but it works. They crack a laugh.

Imogen laughs quietly along, too. It’s something shared, and it evaporates the murk that’s been crowding Ashton’s throat. 

“Somebody’s gotta look out for ‘em,” they say with half a smile. “Otherwise Letters would end up trusting some pack of fools hell-bent on getting dead for each other out of some poorly-advised sense of integrity.”

“Out of all of us, I think FCG is the only one with integrity, sometimes.” Imogen’s grin has seemed to soften her, as well. “They take good care of us. So do you, y’know. You both make a good team.”

Ashton does their best to skirt the compliment, but there’s still some warmth that surges up unattributable to the campfire. Riposte. “Can’t talk about a ‘team’ without looking at you two.” They tip their chin toward the sleeping form that is Laudna, with an empty gap at her side for only as long as Imogen’s on watch. “Closest I’ve ever seen two folks who aren’t in each other’s pants.”

Imogen huffs softly. She rubs her forearm with one distracted hand. “Lotta people don’t get it. That’s fine, I guess. But she just… she saw me when nobody else really did. She knew what it was like. Keeping away from people, feeling like connections were impossible. Laudna was the first new person I got physically close enough to touch in… god, in years. That kinda messes you up after a while, doesn’t it?”

It’s said rhetorically, but her tone clearly expects agreement, and Ashton isn’t inclined to agree. Being messed up: sure. One hundred percent, all day every day. Being messed up because nobody’s holding your hand, or lying close while you sleep, or filling some sort of sappy hug quota: nah. 

They settle for responding with a noncommittal grunt. 

“It was the simplest thing,” Imogen continues, smiling wistfully down at her hands. “Just touching my elbow to draw my attention to a flower. Handing me an acorn cap or a dead worm or whatever she was decorating her next little doll with. Her hands were always a bit cold but it was still soothing when she’d hum to me, like this.”

Imogen side-leans in just a bit, and it’s a testament to how far Ashton has relaxed with this group – for good or for ill – that they don’t duck away from her approaching hand. Her fingers alight on the back of their neck, gentle as a songbird, as she begins to hum a folksy, unhurried tune.

The touch on their nape drifts back and forth with the cadence of the song. Ashton doesn’t recognize the melody, but it’s easy to imagine it tells a story of land remembered or beauty witnessed. Imogen’s fingertips are… fine. Ashton wouldn’t call them soothing. Wouldn’t really call them anything. Their skin doesn’t register much of anything duller than a slap, so the fire-heated warmth and pressure of her hand is barely notable. But, they suppose, it could be nice – for a person whose body is not constantly, quietly ringing with the ache of pain. It’s yet one more luxury that Ashton is not permitted to experience. It would feel unfair, if they weren’t just used to it.

Imogen’s humming trots up and down in scale as she reaches some chorus line. Her fingers shift, tapping nails in staccato on the back of Ashton’s neck with the time.

Ashton’s shoulders pull slightly inward. Okay, they can feel that a bit more than the softness of fingertips. Kind of itchy.

Doesn’t seem like Imogen is paying any close mind, though. She’s gazing into the campfire again, her head canted gently in unseeing reminiscence. The chorus ends and her fingers fall back into drifting touches with the next wordless verse.

This is so foreign. 

Not hanging out with a group, or even having a low conversation in the night; it’s this kind of interaction, this connection, with someone who’s sharing something beyond job-related banter or a clipped story. Apparently Ashton is going to be treated to a full song with tactile accompaniment for no reason except Imogen wanting to give it.

The second verse ends. The chorus picks up again.

Shit, that really does itch when she does that with her fingernails. But, like, a shivery itchiness. It makes Ashton’s belly clench up a little. Especially when the nail tips drag short little lines in a wave pattern up and down their nape. An involuntary shudder trembles through Ashton’s neck and shoulders, but what’s so remarkable is that they don’t want it to stop. 

Imogen must notice, because her humming bobs with a light chuckle. But she doesn’t stop the song. She carries into a third verse, this time keeping her nails gliding. 

Ashton would feel teased, except for that glow leaning against their mind again. It still doesn’t push in. Rather, it rests against the doorframe, watching kindly from just outside; a sentinel, careful and attentive. 

This is so, so foreign.

But fuck it feels… good. And that’s a revelation as much as everything else about this interplay. Ashton’s not thinking about the ever-present, spine-deep ache in their body. Not thinking about when the enjoyment might be soured. Just listening to a friend’s gentle music while fingernails dust sparks of static across their skin.

The hummed song dances off its by-now predictable path into a melodic bridge. Imogen’s nails skitter up and down with the notes, out in wider arcs and spirals, tapping and scraping along Ashton’s scarred, calloused skin, and it’s just– fucking hell, it tickles. 

Ashton can’t help the way they hunch even further at that realization. They’re fracturing into laughter before they have any hope of getting a grip on themself.

Imogen’s mental glow warms. It’s okay. It’s okay to sit here and snicker, to crane up one shoulder and then the other in conflicted attempts at protection, to grin and squint and squeeze their fists between their knees and just feel something good for once.

It’s okay.

The tune winds its way back to the notes Ashton now knows by heart, turning reflective and peaceful. Imogen’s humming slows, as do her fingers. She caresses long, gentle lines with the edges of her nails. Ashton’s eyes fall closed, though they still chuckle and shiver through their sighs. 

Maybe this is soothing, after all.

[destinygoldenstar]

I feel like Priya might quit instead of being eliminated.

I’m surprised she made it this far. I mean, considering she WON last season. You’d think everyone would be after her, but NOPE.

I can’t say I’m too mad about that though. She’s definitely one of the more interesting characters to me, and Im glad they actually explore that instead of ditching her. It’s just not talked about a lot from what I’ve seen because she’s linked to Caleb.

I actually don’t think this is a bad thing. Heck, I’d argue she has one of the most normal crushing habits of TD characters. Priya spent her whole life being a great player and reality TV, and parents have proved they won’t stop putting her in these things. She wants to make her own choices but lacks the self righteousness to, to the point where she can’t tolerate her feelings being insulted. AKA, the Millie incident in Season 1. (Though anyone would react the way she did, so fair)

This is why I think her romance with Caleb actually kinda works in the season. Aside from the aesthetic of the first boot and the first place of the first season. They grow as people from each other. They actually talk, they bond, they get to open up about stuff. It doesn’t feel rushed like it does with Ripper and Axel.

I also grew to actually like Caleb. I had no strong feelings for him in the first season. For obvious reasons. But I just love that they didn’t do a repeat.

I love that he isn’t a malicious person like Alejandro or Justin, or heck, even Julia. He’s not using his looks for malice. Yes he wants to ally with Priya to get ahead in the game, but he never planned to hurt her or get her booted or crush her spirit in any way. Was it wrong to use her? Yes. But considering what we’ve seen from the show, he could’ve been a whole lot worse.

He’s actually a nice guy who is just holding an image and wanting to get ahead in a competitive environment. Which makes the heartbreak in Episode 8 actually really sad?? In an environment like this, of course he’d use her at the start. It was an honest mistake. And he feels bad about it because he actually grew to like her back.

Considering I HIGHLY DOUBT Priya would be finale again, I can definitely see this at least changing Priya’s POV. Whether or not she and Caleb get together, I’d be fine with either, it’s clear this season has changed them both.

This is why I think Priya is going to quit the game. Because right now, no one’s really targeting her. (Which is odd, but whatever)

And I don’t think she’d walk away out of a depression. Rather, out of a self-righteous‘I’m standing up for myself’ moment.

Not at Caleb. At the game. The game made Caleb try to use her, and she might realize that. She does not need her parents or anyone to tell her what to do with her life, especially when she has friends, goals of her own, a (maybe) boyfriend, and dignity. She’s allowed to go to med school. She’s allowed to have a crush. She’s allowed to just be a teen darn it!

Caleb and Millie would definitely help her out. Caleb especially since Millie isn’t here anymore.

I honestly really hope Priya walks out of the game on her own accord, paying Chris with the million she won, and going off to live her own life where reality TV can not dictate it ever again.

LET THEM BE HAPPY

[little-legend-baby]

So glad to see demetri appreciation. I was so sad we never got to see more of his home life when he was a core character

A) I forgot the ask box was even a thing, hello!

B) this is like the first time I’ve had something that’s not hate in the ask box, double points for that!

C) I am legitimately the biggest Demetri simp since practically day 1, you can count on me to love the heck outta that lanky nerd boy🫡♥️

I’ve seen a lot of people talk about wanting to know about Eli and/or Demetri’s home life, and while I think it would be an interesting tidbit, I think that what happens outside of their home is more influential to their character in the show than whatever’s going on at home. Frankly, I’d love to believe that Demetri’s family is a respite from whatever torment he’s facing outside, whether from people like Kyler or later Hawk and the Cobras.

Personally I headcanon that he’s got one of those mothers that isn’t quite a helicopter mom, but is definitely a bit overprotective of her son. His father is probably similar to Demetri (he might even get his sarcasm and sass from him), more of a tech man than a watch-the-football-game father. They foster his interests in academics, coding, sciences, etc. And even if they don’t quite understand his fixations on his fandoms, they appreciate the dedication he has to it. A boy with that much heart in something will prove to be valuable in whatever he sets his mind to!

All this to say, I think he gets along pretty well with his parents, which does give him a fear of disappointing them, hence why he strives to be the best he can be in what he’s good at (which to him has always been academics)♥️🧠