#Mirroring color pallets with Wars

[huh-1260]

So i decided to do Silent for nightfall

I think he looks pretty in these colors

[kookies2000]

Whenever I go into some Dreamworks Trolls fan art or fan fics, there's always one person who is surprised that Trolls has a fandom. Yes, we do have one. It's small but enough to feed us. And it's only getting bigger. Why is there a fandom? How is this fandom still going?

Least Problematic Fandom

"But we're not all the same........ Denying our differences is denying who we really are."

The 2nd film had a really deep message for a movie aimed at babies. Going against "we're all the same" message. And telling instead that differences do matter, our culture matters, our lives matter, the way we look matters and that's beautiful. When we accept that we're different and not forcing anything on each other, we can live in harmony. This lesson is what the fandom is built on.

The moment someone takes a look into this fandom, we welcome them with cupcakes, sweets, and warm hugs. The entire fandom is the least problematic one I've ever been in. Never been in a fight, always complimenting each other and just being at peace. We never had ship wars as far as I know. We're all just having fun by putting every character with every character on a ship. I've seen people who are Christians in the fandom have zero problems with the LGBT+ community. Yes, we exist, and we're in the Trolls fandom for some reason. 😂 No one ever fought on what color skin we made the Trolls when we humanized them. Mostly because if anyone drew the Funk Trolls as white, we just walked past them without giving them attention. Or just point out that they are black coded, and that's it.

It's just peaceful here in this fandom. This fandom really helped me out mentally and emotionally. Because a lot of people in the fandom also faced some form of abuse or depression. We saw the 1st film, and it just felt like a warm hug while someone sung a lullaby to calm us down.

In summery, the fandom is filled with people who understand pain and empathy. The franchise created a safe zone for us to heal and relax.

Artists

The moment an artist takes a look in here, they get hypnotized by all the color pallets they can use. You can be pastel like the Pop Trolls. Emo, goth, punk with the Rock Trolls. Play with lighting with the Tech Trolls. Ect. All the cutesy and marshmallow like characters they can create. Or turn into some darker AU. The anatomy is too cute to not try to mimic or create in your own style. The world building and the endless number of worlds that they can create. You can create your own kingdom based on your favorite type of music. You can create the way your troll/charaters will look like based on your music. If you want to practice on mirrors and reflective surfaces, you have the Funk Kingdom to draw. Want to do glitter? The desert is pure glitter for sand. The Country Trolls live in a town made of yarn. The pop trolls have a waterfall made of streamers. This is endless creativity for artists. I've seen artists come into our fandom and use the characters and world as practice before moving on to the next fandom. But they always come back for more practice or just to hang out.

Also, the thought of making a troll mixed in with different tribes is pretty cool. As in, what if a Rock Troll and Classical troll had a kid? Goth like angle? A little punk looking guy with angelic and glittery wings?

Writing

I can relate to this one. Again, the world building is endless. You can create your own kingdom based on your favorite music. You can create your own rules, your citizens' behavior, and how this kingdom works. The fun part is creating your own royal family.

But the AUs are where it's at. I created a lot of Fairytale AUs as a teen using the characters because they just worked well. My very first was a Tangled AU with Poppy as Rupunzel and Branch as Flynn. I made the nose joke work by making the kingdom mess up Branches colors. An inside joke with in the fandom. The franchise just gives off a lot of fairytale vibes.

When the 1st film came out, the characters each had their own story. Which was cool and gave writers ideas on what to write. And I loved to humanize them because I liked the thought of Fuzzbert being def or mute because he can't talk clearly as a troll.

Not to mention, I can create an AU where the Trolls or humanized versions of them live in a world where segregation is an issue. Which 100% fits the franchise because in the 2nd film, every tribe is supposed to be a different culture. In other words, a different race. And the Trolls would separate themselves out of fear that the Pop tribe would try to colonize them and take away their culture.

There are just a lot of concepts you can use in this fandom.

Music

Let's keep this short because this post is long enough. People have openly said they don't like the movies, but they still watch it for the music. Seriously, listen to the soundtracks. They have musical artists, new ones like K-pop bands, and legends like Mary Jane Blige. The songs have a deeper meaning when you watch the film, too. Baiscally, candy for the ears.

Aesthetic

Lastly, people just like it for eye candy. The 80s aesthetic I'm the 1st film appealed to a lot. And the 2nd movie introduced more by bringing in Rock Trolls and their darker and punk like aesthetic. People fell in love with the Tech Trolls for their designs and the fact they live in an underwater kingdom that glows. It's just pure eye candy and pleasing to look at.

So yeah!

These are the reasons why our fandom is a thing and still thriving. We're super excited for the 3rd film and can't wait for more world building and new characters.

[sheliesshattered]

Top third or so of the pleated panel is sewn down!

I tried out a couple of different methods for handsewing this to the shoulder and sleeve, but after a few inches of each, the 'stitch in the ditch' method was the clear winner. It's basically invisible, and lets the piping stand up as it ought to. I'm doing a stitch about every 1/8th inch, and keeping most of the distance on the top so that the stitches inside the sleeve are as small as possible, and won't get caught on things. I'm getting faster with the technique, so I'm hoping to buzz through the rest of this sleeve and the other one over the next few days.

But I'm also going to be interspersing this sewing with starting on my vest scratch build. I was able to find the pattern I made for my vest for The Moment way back in 2014 (it was exactly where I thought it would be, hurrah for keeping old patterns), and I spent some time staring at the existing vest in the mirror and pin-marking the changes I would like to make.

There are enough small changes that I'm going to just draft a new version of the pattern using the old one as a guide. But there are only the four main body pieces that really need re-drafting, and once it's something I can try on then I'll figure out how I'm doing the new collar (so it doesn't look so much like a motorcycle jacket), and I might just drape the new collar on me while I'm wearing the in-progress vest.

Over the weekend I also went though my stash looking for fabrics that have enough yardage (or at least big pieces) to cut out the body of the vest, and after comparing all those to the pieces I know I'll definitely be wearing as part of my Batuu Bound -- gray hooded wrap, brown leather belt/bag/gloves, and black leather-look leggings -- with Jack's help I decided on some lovely dark navy linen that I've had in my stash for years, left over from a dress project. It's on the heavier side for linens, but not quite as stiff as the canvas the Moment vest is made from, but I think it'll work nicely.

I'm going to stick with the basic lines from the Moment vest, including the diagonal cross-body closure. After noodling on this for a week or more, what I've decided to do is a shorter zipper that ends around underbust level or just slightly higher, and then a flap over that with either no visible closures, or some cool looking Star Wars-y buckles or something. I have a few ideas for that, but I won't make any decisions until I can try the new vest on. The separating zipper and the thread for this project have been ordered and should arrive before I'm anywhere close to needing them. Pics on this whole vest project as it develops.

Beyond that, I need to add a tiny dot of glue to a pendant that I made (in the upper left of the photo -- it looks a bit like Jyn Erso's kyber crystal necklace, but smaller with more of a blue tone to it) to make sure the wrappings stay attached. I still want to figure out something to cover the lacings of my big Doc Martens, either wraps over the whole boot or a suede panel that snaps onto the lacings or something of that sort. I've started to gather other accessories, and there are a couple of things I want to order (in particular my Captain's License, once I can settle on a name and spelling for my OC, lol).

I have a long sleeve shirt to go under the vest that works with my color pallet, and an idea (and fabric) for another shirt I could sew, but the weather has been so all over the place lately (80 degrees and sunny! no wait, 60 degrees and rainy!) that I don't want to put too much effort into the shirt until I've got a better idea of the weather we'll have 4 weeks from now. Finishing Jack's jacket and making my vest are definitely the priorities.

4 weeks to go! Hokay, I've got a pile of linen scraps to go iron.

[corvidmagicae]

still have a while before i can get properly active here again, but man, watching my wife play far cry new dawn, and the technicolor environment just wants me to sit down and flesh out kalos underlying fae shenanigans. just... play with what sorts of alternate entrances to otherworldly places are like, like the mirror caves or the lost forest. i like to imagine bri's forests, while clearly flood-prone swamp lands full of barren trees and abandoned tombstones from wars long past, where if you step wrong on the ground you just fall through into the bog never to be seen again. but also there's places where if you step through the wrong tree roots or rock formation, everything just slightly shifts off in color pallet and the mists become so thick you can barely see a foot infront of your face. entrances between the fae's realm and the human realm that are so subtle you don't realize it at first glance. 'cause the entrance to Bri's house is connected to the rest of route 14 and the forests around Laverre as a whole, and there's lots of little deer paths and mouseholes that can slip between the regular world and whatever tomfoolery is going on with alternate dimension locations. i want to play around with those more, as well as the more supernatural aspects of the pokemon world as a whole.

[a-tortured-poets-quill]

So, I heard you write for Laughing Jack… 👉🏻👈🏻

Anyways, if it’s not too much trouble, can you write something of Jack who’s partner is a depressed/anxious ( and dysphoric ) transmasc enby? Totally not self projecting ( ok, I am, I just need this ;w; ).

It’s no trouble at all! I hope this makes you feel better.

Content: depictions of depression; depictions of anxiety; depictions of dysphoria; I didn’t feel completely comfortable writing for a trans reader since I’m not, so it’s not really mentioned, I hope that’s okay; no pronouns are used for reader.

Rainy Days

You woke to the sound of distant thunder rumbling across the morning, bringing with it muted sunshine and a sky full of grey clouds, coating everything outside in a dull pallet. The sunrise any other morning would be hypnotizing, splashes of color transforming the world right before your eyes, but today is underwhelming. Rain was sure to follow the mixed hues of fluffy grey clouds, so you parted the curtains, snuggled back into your bed, and watched as the first drops began to stream down the glass.

The weather outside mirrors perfectly how you feel inside today. There are shades of dark and light in the sky, warring for prominence just as your desires do. You feel apathetic and exhausted, ready to waste your day doing nothing; but that wars with your need to do something, to be productive when you’re away from work, as if you’re a failure for not using your time as everyone else would. Both feelings leave you in a whirl of emotion, not settling on one or another aside from a slowly creeping chill of depression.

So you lie there, watching the gentle streams of rain turn into a downpour, battering the window and roof for long hours that seem to pass too slow and too fast simultaneously.

You change your position in bed only once, to turn away from staring out the window to facing the door. A small sliver of light filters into the dark room when Jack comes in, quietly closing the door behind him. Soft footsteps lead him to where you’re lying, and he takes a place on the part of the bed unused by your large cocoon of blankets.

“There you are,” he says softly, claws coming to gently stroke your hair. “I was worried, I haven’t seen you all day.”

You answer him with a soft hum, covering his crossed legs with a soft blanket and laying your head into his lap.

He pulls you up so that you’re against his chest, adjusting himself for your comfort until you’re both in a position to watch the pouring rain change the landscape outside.

“Is this okay?” he asks gently. Your heart warms at how considerate he always is, always making sure you’re comfortable and happy.

“Yeah, this is perfect, Jack,” you reply, a tiny smile gracing your lips for the first time today.

You can feel his eyes on you, his head tilted down to watch you. You don’t meet his gaze, instead letting your eyes close. You focus on the feeling of his long claws brushing your scalp, married to the sound of rainfall outside, and the symphony almost makes you feel calm.

Almost.

Long moments pass in the shared embrace, but instead of feeling comforted you start to feel worse, the old anxiety welling up in your stomach. You peek at the clock - 4PM - and groan, unable to push down your feelings that are rising to the surface.

You’ve wasted your whole damn day doing nothing, and now it’s almost over.

Thoughts begin to multiply themselves through your mind; depressive thoughts coming back up from where they had been pushed down earlier, the anxiety you’d been feeling, the discomfort you’ve been having in your own body.

You don’t feel comforted anymore. Instead you feel uncomfortable, and you tense up. You just want all these thoughts to go away, to be okay again, but you just can’t.

Jack must sense your sudden anxiety, because he shifts behind you, arms slightly tightening around you.

“What’s wrong?” he asks gently.

“I just…” You sigh. “For the last few days I just haven’t felt like myself. I’ve felt so sad, so anxious. I don’t feel comfortable in my own body. There’s just so much going on in my head, and I want to be better but I just can’t.”

At this point your sobbing, warm tears making tiny waterfalls down your cheeks. Jack readjusts you, turning you so that he can see your face more easily. He brushes the tears away, letting you cry, get everything out.

“Why didn’t you tell me when you first started feeling like this?”

“Because I didn’t want to be a bother. You shouldn’t have to deal with my problems, it’s my bullshit. I should be able to handle myself.”

He sighs, shaking his head. “You’re not a bother. I love you, and the things that bother you bother me as well. We’re a team, we handle things together, right?”

You nod, letting out a shaky breath. “I just feel like I’m not good enough.”

“But you are. You’re perfect to me. And don’t say that you aren’t, because to me you are. When I say I love you, I mean every fiber of your being. I love the rhythm of your heart, the threads of your veins, just the beauty of you. I love your joyful giggles, your tears of sorrow, your weary mind, and your heart that’s been bruised. I love your dumb questions, your thoughtful words, your gentle lips, and your radiant smile that lights up the world. I’ll always love you unconditionally and wholly, and if you ever doubt that I’ll spend all my time reminding you that it’s true.”

You reach up to him, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “What would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to worry about that.”

He presses his forehead against yours and just holds you, and it’s like you can feel all the unwavering love he has for you sinking into your very being. It’s warm, a soft heat that starts to melt the cold depression that had settled over your mind.

It chips away at the thoughts in your mind; the anxieties, fears, and depression all begin to fade into tiny pinpricks of light, still hiding there somewhere on the edges of your mind, but now small enough that you can see more than the dragging darkness that clung to them.

The rain has picked up again, battering against the window in a constant rhythm. You let yourself fall into the moment, relaxing completely against him and allowing your eyes to fall closed again. Jack gently threads the tips of his claws through your hair.

You knew that this was just a temporary setback and that the thoughts could come crawling back any time, but for right now, this was nice.

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[sunleaffe]

the whole guizhong reincarnation thing with ningguang really has me thinking and honestly it makes me lean towards the ningguang and zhongli pairing a lot. now im not the biggest fan of zhongli’s story (in terms of his current whereabouts and choices) BUT the idea of him leaving li yue in charge of his dead wife’s reincarnation scratches a particular itch in my brain.

theres a lot that kind of points to the theory of reincarnation with ningguang and some of the more notable ones that ive noticed are listed below. a spoiler warning is in effect so scroll at your own risk!

- she is extremely powerful for a geo user. a lot of geo character abilities revolve around construction (hence geo construction inc. being a meme), but this could fit in thematically of being a fallen god that is rebuilding what was lost to her. her shield (?) ability is different than other geo characters. zhongli literally creates a pillar, lumine/aether build...a more stout pillar, and albedo has a lotus elevator lol. but ningguangs is more functioning as a wall of protection while also not exactly being physical per say. it looks more like a transparent scroll when unrolled, sort of like transluscent magic at play.

- in the fight against osial, ningguang uses a lot of magic that does not look elemental based lol. it just looks like...pure magic. i wonder where she picked that up or if shes just naturally gifted in channeling magic like that. there were lots of symbols that did not look geo related in many of the cutscenes. but thats just my observation. 

- her ascension materials include glaze lillies which we all know zhongli will NOT shut up about. even if current glaze lillies aren’t the “real deal” as zhongli puts it, having them be her ascension materials is a big deal. im not entirely sure about the entire story revolving around them but i believe they carry a symbolic meaning of the wishes of people (i remember lumine had to sing to one to harvest it correctly or something). it seems to bear a lot of importance to zhongli and his past, and i may be remembering this incorrectly/it may be a fanmade fact but i believe rex lapis and guizhong led their people through fields of glaze lillies during the archon war. plus you can find all sorts of fanart of zhongli standing in a field of them lol.

- ningguang mentions having a dream where rex lapis came to her before she had to rally the qixing against osial in the last archon quest. idk if other archons do that or if zhongli regularly shows up in people’s dreams, but its a “hmm” moment considering zhongli did plan to leave the fight up to the adepti and the qixing. perhaps it was his way of passing on his duty to ningguang by visiting her in a dream to help her in her fight. not only that, he was close to guizhong. perhaps he is giving back what he feels was hers to begin with? part of li yue’s rule? who knows.

- a LOT of fanmade designs of guizhong mirror that of ningguang’s. this isnt like a “ahah its coming together” moment as much as the ones mentioned above but its a neat tidbit regardless

- ningguang started from nothing before becoming one of the richest if not richest person in li yue. her decision to sacrifice the jade chamber shows her selflessness and devotion to her people, qualities that guizhong most likely exhibited towards her own people before her tragic death. not only that, it fits thematically with the concept of archons, meaning that it was possible for humans themselves to ascend to celestia (though i think you have to be a vision bearer to be able to do that). assuming that all gods in ancient times started as nothing (such as venti being nothing but an elemental being) and had to earn their spot in celestia, then ningguangs path to success and rulership closely resembles it, albeit in more modern terms.

- zhongli definitely does know about ningguang and shows quite a lot of respect for her, even chiding people about not touching pieces of ningguang’s property after fragments of it fell from the sky after the fight against osial. okay, sorry, tangent time, but how does he know that stuff was part of her tea set? or is he just good at guessing everything lol? did he ever go to the jade chamber and have tea with ningguang? who knows.

and some of my personal reasons why i like the pairing:

- yes childe can be zhongli’s wallet but ningguang could be his vault 

- their color pallets match so well. its kind of like how chongyun and xingqiu’s match perfectly lol.

- they are both tall. you get a tall aunt and uncle. posh wine aunt and broke uncle vibes?

- the idea of them being intrigued by each other due to past lives and connections- im a sucker for that idea

- zhongli learning human connection while also still having a part of guizhong with him at all times?? exquisite

- its rare. im gonna be honest, some rarepairs just make me smile and i wish more people considered them. the only other one i can think of rn is scaramona (but mostly because their colors fit well together again).

wow this was long idk if anyone will read it but if you do, lmk your own thoughts on this reincarnation theory!! id love to hear them! and also please remember to be respectful! as with any fandom, i am aware that some are very steadfast in certain ships, but lets all let each other enjoy what we enjoy, thank you!

[chim-aera]

💫 hogwarts house as aesthetics 💫

(disclaimer, the aesthetics I portray may vary from how others perceive them because this is purely based on my view)

// slytherin //

⚙ steampunk ⚙

key words: mysterious, eccentric, rustic,

old broken clocks that chime at strange hours of the day

tall boots and wool fingerless gloves

old maps of ancient cities

updated mythology

trenchcoats or denim jackets

electric swing playing softly in the background

coffee in wine glasses / wine in coffee mugs

corsets with t-shirts and jeans

copper goggles

brass figures of deities or creatures

treasure planet and atlantis

caravan palace

scrapbooks

backpacks full of used books

childhood playthings kept or never forgotten

soiled satin and torn velvet

ink stained hands

starry eyes

unruly hair, eye bags, and lopsided grins

unsettling or useless knowledge

smudged eyeliner

looking like either a fallen god of beauty or a shabby homeless professor. no in between

bottles of odds and ends

broken mirrors

// hufflepuff //

🍄 goblincore 🍄

key words: whimsical, earthy, dark,

mushrooms in baskets

wilting daisy chains

belladonna blossoms

teeth, keys, and strange objects held in mason jars

frogs and salamanders

muddy aprons, dirt caked boots

old bones carved with runes

fairy circles

tiny cauldrons

dripping candles

leather bound grimoires

nude lipstick, dark brown eyeshadow,

earrings composed of keys or insect wings

copper dragons

moon phases

cosmo sheldrake

the dark crystal / owl house

black nail paint

tapestries of mythical beasts

rimless glasses

// ravenclaw //

👽 cryptidcore 👽

key words: bizarre, quirky, paranormal.

glow in the dark stars

emf detectors

white sheet ghosts

bloody knees

old battered flashlights

berry or glow-in-the-dark lipstick

neon green nail paint

bandaids

alien merch

enamel pins

ghost hunting books

scooby doo / gravity falls

buzzfeed unsolved and twilight zone binges late at night

moths

nessie and bigfoot

getting obsessed with a hobby and forgetting about everything outside of it

gel and fountain pens

messy space buns with glitter

sci fi novels

// gryffindor //

☀️ indie ☀️

key words: bold, fun, colorful,

putting popcorn and m and m's in your pockets

sunsets from high places

ferris wheels

bonfires

secret dares

long summers

melting chocolate

bright contrasting make-up palletes

wavy let down hair dyed at the tips

mcu, dc, and star wars

fandom puns

wandavision

graphic tees and ripped jeans

black lipstick

pillow forts

halsey and shepphard

drums

weird or disturbing antique collectables

telling puns through drive thru windows

laser tag

sour candies

road trips

inside jokes

mismatched socks

roller skates

[simplydm]

I don’t know as much about the egg arc as I thought. Punz fic tho here ya go.

Punz kept to himself most of the time now. He played Valorant, up in the gamer room in his tower. The red was almost completely faded from his eyes, save for right around his pupils. He didn’t look in mirrors much, so it didn’t matter either way. Here, alone, streaming for faceless crowds, he didn’t need to be anything except a guy playing games on a screen.

Sometimes he would look down at his arms as he played, expecting to see the red vines wrapped tightly around them, around his chair. There was nothing there anymore, of course, except for the burn marks that the red vines had left behind on his skin. Old memories, old ghosts.

--

Punz took off his headphones one day. He always had music playing, or the sounds of whatever game he was playing. There wasn’t really a need to take them off ever. But he took them off one day because of how clear the sky looked from the only window he didn’t have boarded up. The smoke and haze of the wars was finally dissipating, and god, how blue it looked. He knew beauty, but he’d always had a special place in his heart for the sky and it’s endless pallet of colors.

There was a high-pitched ringing noise as he set the headphones aside and looked out the window. It was quiet, so quiet that the ringing in his ears was all that there was to hear. He grit his teeth in annoyance at it, and drank in the view from his tower. A sunny day, with no movement beside the trees. His heart was sad through, remembering when the path was full of voices and movement. He itched to put the headphones back on, get rid of that endless ringing, or at least muffle it, and forget about the world outside his window. But the wind felt so nice and clean on his face, and his whole body suddenly ached to move and walk and run and fight. Behind him, he could see the loading screen of another game cued up.

--

His feet hitting the wood path sounded like gunshots. But no one came to see who was walking. Punz walked down the prime path, looking at the buildings still standing. A lot of them were becoming decrepit, evidence of creeper explosions and pickaxes all over. The targay was gone, messy tilled rows of dirt in its place. He went to Tommy’s house just for a moment, and looked at the dirt shack.

But there was no one. He’d heard of the fallout from the wars, from the strained relationships. Arguments he could hear out his window, and more and more buildings and houses becoming abandoned, owners heading for new parts of the world not yet tainted. But he had never realized just how empty the main dream smp land was now. What once was lively was now essentially a graveyard, with Punz the only person to mourn it.

“How long has it been since I’ve been out here?” Punz asked out loud, just so there was some human voice. His question echoed back at him, because he already knew the answer. He couldn’t remember much of it, except Bad supporting him down the path. Rushed conversations mouthed above him, but all Punz could hear was ringing. Ponk’s hands, one metal, one flesh, flying over his body, tracing the old burns in the shape of vines that wove around and around his appendages. Quackity had placed so much tnt.

His feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and Punz came back to the present with a splash, as his feet landed in the water of the spider spawner. Even here was quiet and still. It had been months since he’d been here. He slowly made his way down the short hallway, and at the end of it, there was his choice. He exhaled through his teeth, looking back at forth. On his right, the water elevator out. On the left, the boarded up entrance to the egg. Someone must have done a quick job of nailing some wood to the doorway, just to deter curious folks from going down after the banquet.

“The banquet.” Punz mumbled. He hadn’t heard a thing since the day the red banquet was supposed to happen. No one from the Eggpire had come back. They were alive, because Punz saw them every once in a while from his tower. But they had kept their distance, from him and each other. Something bad must have happened. Right?

Punz took down the boards covering the doorway to the egg with a couple swings of his axe. He had seen the entrance hallway twice before, with its elegant red staircase. He descended it, but very slowly and quietly. It was quiet here too, but the type of quiet that presses in on your ears. Punz wished the ringing would stop.

The egg room was vastly unchanged. The remains of decorations lay a bit more tattered and faded now, and there was stale soup in bowls on the big table. And the egg was just… there. In the far corner of the room, a dull red color. It was dead silent.

It was dead silent.

“No fucking way.” Punz felt for his ears. The ringing, that ever-present hell, was silent. He could hear his fingers brush at his hair, and the clang of his sword fall to the ground. Punz looked towards the egg.

“Punz.” As raspy as ever, yet slightly familiar, the egg spoke. The ringing was gone, replaced by the egg’s voice. “You’re back.”

Punz nodded, then remembered the egg didn’t have eyes. Or, at least, he was pretty sure it didn’t. “Yeah.” Almost without thinking, he began to walk slowly towards the egg.

“What do you desire, Punz? What is your deepest wish? Is it still power and money?”

“I-” Punz stopped dead in his tracks. “You’re supposed to be dead. You have no power here anymore… I think.”

There was a deep, painful-sounding sigh that echoed all around the room.

“I am weak, Punz. With no one to bring me gifts and offerings, I sit in wait. They tried to wound me, and when it failed, they tried to wound my people. Now you are all scattered to the wind, afraid to come back. You know fear, Punz. I saw them taking you out of here, covered in blood and screaming because you couldn’t hear. One of my finest soldiers, one of the best fighters in the world, taken down by those who envy my power.”

Punz rubbed a bit of his shirt between his fingers, glancing at the small hole in the wall behind the egg.

“You are scared, Punz, and I understand why. They hurt you. But I can take it away. You know this.”

“I know.” Punz whispered, reaching up again to touch his ear.

“Tell me what you desire, Punz. I can help you provide it to yourself.” The egg glowed bright for a second before going dark. It’s powers were close to exhaustion, and Punz felt that tiredness in his very soul. He shook his head, as if to clear it.

Punz left without another word. The egg said nothing, did nothing. He walked up the stairs, footsteps dully reverberating in his wake. He swam up the water elevator and began a brisk walk back towards his house. Sidestepping holes in the wood, waving aside smoke from wreckage, trying not to be so loud, even though he was the only thing disturbing what nature was staring to take back. He slowed to a stop, and did a slow circle where he stood, just looking at the land he called home. Dead. Just like the egg, just like he should be. A part of him ached so badly it hurt, to be held and laugh with friends, with family. He wiped away his tears angrily. The ringing was almost insufferable.

--

“I want the dream smp back.”

Punz strode into the egg room, kicking aside the tables and decorations as he went. He stood at the base of the egg and looked up.

“I want my community back. I want happiness and peace and just feeling like I belong.”

“I can do that.” The egg glowed bright for a second. “A world with the people you love, back and whole again. And you, Punz, the catalyst for that peace.”

Punz nodded, and tears were free-falling now. They fell to the ground, and from that spot, crimson sprouts began to grow. Delicate, precious things. Punz scooped them up and they wove their tiny vines around his fingers.

“You know what to do, Punz.”

--

Punz planted the sprouts, and they started growing at once. They memorialized his footsteps, and the vines growing on his hands and arms weaved themselves into a red crown. This was the new age of the Eggpire, with a new, stronger leader who wasn’t controlled by love for one person. Punz did love, yes, but it was a love for community. And the community, oh the community would finally come back, beckoned by the vines and the eggs voice. And then he could be happy. He just wish the ringing would stop.

[benjimirthursby]

The Book of Thursby: Scions if Numenor - “Shotguns and Canned Goods.”

“There is no peace without a threat of war.  There is no war without the promise of peace.  All else is tyranny.” 

- Aubreen T'Subaki, "Qalvanda"

In the pre-dawn hours the Andustar and her sister ships checked their speed and held station as the convoy proceeded on to the outer bay of Kugane.  As the last vessel picked up a harbor pilot and made their way up the channel cut to the harbor they turned themselves for the Thursby Company shipyard. 

Kugane featured a large port and anchorage.  It was the gateway for trade and commerce on Higoshi.  The city reflected the complexities of diplomatic and internal considerations of the time.  The lords of the archipelago outwardly kept a policy of neutrality.  Pirates, Grand Companies, the Alliance and the Garlean Empire surrounded Higoshi.  Within Higoshi there was but one port officially open for trade, Kugane. This served several purposes.  It contained foriegn trade to transiting a single destination.  This normally kept diplomatic, commerce and forigene influence near to the city where it could be contained and more efficiently influenced or taxed.  This aided in appeasing Garlean interests after the invasion of Othard.  The situation was conducive to monitoring any rhetorical or material danger to their disputed sovereignty in the region.  

Confederacy, pirates, local tribute demands made the flow of visiting ships sparse for years. This impacted the demand for shipwrights, refits and new builds.  The two yards in Kugane had ceased operating for all but rare work.  The arrival of the Thursby company six years prior went unnoticed to most for most of this time.  As T’Subaki built her fleet elsewhere from the purchase of surplus tonnage and took to securing the sea lanes, it was presumed to be Malestrom which was, for whatever reason, asserting itself in the Ruby Sea.  

Concurrently Bondermir effected orders from Benjimir to procure ownership of the dormant ship yards.  Gil greased wheels, and kept transactions out of sight and mind especially since little transpired in the yards at first.  Subsequent work at the yards were the assumed to be a function of Malestrom’s skirmishes and improving commerce.  

By the time any might have concluded a pitched effort to open trade to Higoshi was under way, any means to challenge it was neither possible nor desirable.  Tribute flowed was flowing from every direction to the lords of Hiboshi.  Merchants through Kugane thrived more richly than in an age and were the envy of the islands.  Even beyond the port city, Higoshi merchants found their wares in growing demand across Eorzea.  Even then, Thursby company interests were obscured by the alliance with Malestrom and the flow of independent merchant vessels making port in Kugane.  

The airships passed the western graving docks.  They were mirrors of three newer ones built in an annex east of Kugane’s main piers.  All were filled.  The nearest dock in view held an unremarkable merchant airship nearing completion.  The other two appeared unremarkable but to the experienced eye.  Underway for over a year the lines of these ships prompted little reason to question vague descriptions of the projects as merchantmen of large size.  Their owners were not known, save for rumors of rich Lalafells from Ul’Dah whose means to pay was unsecure and thus the lengthy construction process.  

For its part, the Garlean gunships and tactical combatants were being widely engaged and remained scattered.  Matters at sea were the interest of few in the Empire.  The Imperial fleet was occupied supporting its forces ashore with smoldering conflicts across its territories.  These conflicts fueled suffering which for some years the Scions of Numenor and Thursby Company had each, in their own way, been involving themselves in.

The convoy ships were debarking passengers into Kugane as the escort squadron tied-off.  Longshoremen manhandled goods from ships to waiting wagons.  The largest vessels boasted their own crains.  From these pallets of goods were lowered off the ships onto wagons.  Members of the Scions of Numenor sat at the reigns of some of the wagons.  Others awaited on all manner of mounts.  As the wagons filled they made their way to the service streets past the merchant district and onto their destinations.

Caravans under the Scions of Numenor banner or protection made their way deep into territory across the map.  Goods or occasionally simply food and medicinal needs flowed into shop and stalls amidst the conflicts across the map.  The Thursby Company fleet ensured those efforts were supplied and protected in ways that would not fit in the former's altruistic and honorable reputation.  

Increasingly in the past year caravans debarked company ships at Kugane and made for whereabouts unknown.  More so than the convoys at sea, the array of dangers on land was more varied and commonly encountered.  The sum and success of the caravans were closely monitored in Tondera Hall.  Beast and people encountered by caravans were categorized assessed continuously.  When beasts were at issue, the Scions would send teams to hut.  When the danger was people posing more persistent dangers the Thursby Company would engage but rarely to the knowledge of any but the Scions captain general.

Flooding the piers between the wagons, the crews on shore leave and passengers pressed their way around the organized chaos into the district beyond.  Merchants with carts and trinkets awaited passengers and crews as they made their way into the city.  Shop keeps had posted placards welcoming all and enticing them with specials and deals.  Street performers were strumming instruments and the smell of food wafted thick through the air.  Spa workers sought to draw customers with the newest treatments.  Other women and men solicited clients with more timeless offers.  To the crews enjoying shore leave it was an exciting visit to a favorite place.  To the uninitiated it was an overwhelming bombardment on the senses.  

A woman, dimly lit but imposing in a hooded cloak stood in front of a rickshaw outside the central path from the Harbor masters tower.  She locked her eyes on a confused looking woman whose pace was slowed as she seemed to stop every second step to occasionally ask a question to somebody which drew confused looks in response.  Or at least it could have been her comments the cloaked woman thought.  This person's mode of dress bordered on the absurd.  Garish colored couture cobbled together in an effort to assemble a coherent style, masking ill kept physical conditioning.  Worthy she thought of the lesser districts in Garlemead where new money strove with more refined old money expressions of fashion, and usually lost.  Just another lesser bastard of the Sulistian family she resolved. 

Advancing on the woman Tatania Uberbreaker drew enough attention to lock eyes with the woman and extending an arm from under her cloak she gestured to the rickshaw. 

“Mad’am Sulistian, welcome to Kugane.”  she said.

*******

[cursed-ice-queen]

Here she is! My HPHM OC Megan Parker! Profile template courtesy of @hogwartsmysterystory​.

          Identity

Name: Megan Sofía Parker

Gender: Female

Age: 15 (fifth year)

Birth Date: August 11th

Species: Human

Blood Status: Half-blood

Sexuality: Bi Disaster

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Ethnicity: White

Nationality: Irish

Residence: Cork, Ireland

Myer Briggs Personality Type: ESFJ-A

          The Mage

Wand: 11″ Hornbeam with Dragon Heartstring core, scale-like pattern on the handle

Animagus: Copper-colored cat with white blotch on the nose

Misc Magical Abilities: Legilimens

Boggart Form: Jacob as a Death Eater with motifs of fire and suffocation

Riddikulus Form: Scooby Doo and Shaggy unmasking the Death Eater as Merula and McGonagall scolding her

Amortentia: (What do they smell like?) Cookie dough, ocean spray

Amortentia: (What do they smell?) Gingerbread

Patronus: Can’t cast one but if she could it would be a fur seal

Patronus Memory: Jacob singing her to sleep after waking up to a thunderstorm

Mirror of Erised: Her and Jacob when they were little with their parents (mother and grandmother) or with their parents but grown up, Jacob in his seventh year and Parker about to start her first

Specialized/Favourite Spells: Bluebell Flames for light and navigation

          Appearance

Game Appearance:

Height: 5′6″

Weight: 135 lbs

Physique: “Apple” body type, strong legs, flat chest

Eye Colour: Green

Hair Colour: Copper red

Skin Tone: Pale

Inventory: (what do they carry on them?)

The key to Jacob’s room on a chain under her shirt

A family heirloom locket from her grandmother on the same chain, unfolds into four photos

Binder of organized notes of spells that Jacob typed up on his computer

Fashion: Tends to wear headbands; short-sleeved shirt with her uniform

          Allegiances

Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff

Ilvermorny House: Wampus

Affiliations/Organizations: Her Ballroom dance team; Hogwarts dance team (6th year)

Professions: Robe-tailor

          Hogwarts Information

Class Proficiencies:

Astronomy: Acceptable

Charms: Outstanding

DADA: Exceeds Expectation

Flying: Dreadful

Herbology: Outstanding

History of Magic: Exceeds Expectation

Potions: Exceeds Expectation

Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectation

Electives:

Arithmancy: Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds Expectation

Favourite Professors: Sprout, Flitwick, Rakepick, Rowan

Least Favourite Professors: Snape, Binns

          Relationships

Brother: Jacob Lovino Parker, very close, his disappearance hurt her deeply

Mother: “Momma” Alice Parker

Grandmother: “Nonna” Sofía Vitale

Love Interest: Jae, Diego, Talbott, Penny

Best Friends: Rowan, Penny, Jae

Enemy: Merula, Ismelda

Dormmates: (Who’s in your MC’s dorm with them?) Rowan, Penny, Chiara, Tonks

Closest Canon Friends: Rowan, Penny

          Background/History

Pre Hogwarts: Born very premature but survives against the odds; grows up living with Momma, Nonna, and Jacob; very close to her brother; Jacob teaches her the magic he learns at Hogwarts and foolishly gives her his wand to try Lumos only for her to accidentally light her stuffed bear on fire, he gives her a wooden kitchen spoon after that; Jacob disappeared when she was 8

1st Year: Bullied by Merula; befriends Rowan and Penny; dreams of cursed ice spreading around school; discovers cursed ice in icy office and finds coded message

2nd Year: Finds first notes from R for Ben; joins “Ghostly Book Club” with Penny and Chiara where they read books to lonely ghosts (Parker unknowingly reads to Duncan); finds Jacob’s binders and lists of spells and makes one for herself; opens Vault of Ice

3rd Year: Finds Jacob’s room in the burned corridor; discovers her Boggart; receives note from “A Friend”; becomes an Animagus; opens Vault of Fear; meets Rakepick for the first time

4th Year: Rakepick teaches her advanced spells; Nonna gives her locket heirloom; Celestial Ball; sleepwalks into Forbidden Forest with Jae and meets Torvus, has to temporarily five Torvus her heirloom to ensure a promise, she gets it back when she returns the jeweled arrowhead to him; opens Forest Vault; goes on first date with Talbott; Rakepick begins teaching her how to cast a Patronus

5th Year: Parker is made Prefect despite having detention in the Kitchens all year long; learns that Duncan is dead and meets him in the Prefects’ Bathroom; Rakepick reveals that Parker is a Legilimens; Patronus lessons continue; Parker must perform “Mayhem Masterpiece” to get Vault portrait from Peeves; opens Portrait Vault and saves Jacob; Jacob and Rakepick promptly disappear again after being run out of the castle by Aurors

6th Year: Not sure yet

7th Year: Not sure yet

2nd Wizarding War: Living in States with Jacob where the war never reaches

          Personality

Shy and cries easily when she is young, grows more and more outgoing and flirty as she grows older. Her confidence comes from people praising her as the Heroine of Hogwarts for breaking the curses

Loves mermaids and will talk your ear off about them like Charlie with dragons

She and Rowan are BFFs and are practically glued at the hip, especially in their earlier years

Admires Penny so much that in second and third year she braids her hair to be like Penny

          Misc

Hailed as the “Ice Queen” throughout her Hogwarts years due to stopping the cursed ice; a title she wears with pride

Has a stuffed cheetah toy that used to belong to Jacob

Pokémon team: Primarina, Tsareena, Loppuny, Illumise, Eevee, Dragonair

Christmas is her favorite holiday because it meant Jacob coming home and being able to spend time with her. They would decorate cookies, decorate the tree, and ice skate together

Purple is her favorite color, she also likes “sea-like” color pallets

Has purple braces

Really bad acne spread across her cheeks and forehead, also on her nose so it looks like a capital “I”

[alolanrain]

Prompt of the legendaries reactions to ash actual dying without coming back

;-;

—————————

The Gods rage. They rage and rage. Tornadoes and thunderstorms sweep through all Regions.

Except... for one town. Pallet Town is untouched, kinda, the clouds cover the sky but not like Unova where there’s blue lightning and flames of fire spilling out of the pitch black smoke. The perfect weather for a funeral in some opinions, and that the Gods wouldn’t dare touch their Chosens resting place like that.

The only ones there are the Oaks and Ash’s Mom. The rest couldn’t attend because their Gods just couldn’t handle the grief like their supposed to, like they have been the last time. But last time was different. Last time their Chosen and lifted himself up and dusted off his body before racing forward with his Pikachu in front, leading the charge like he always does.

Lugia cries as he pulls the waves high above the sea level. Deaf to the cries of the human people and Pokémon alike below him. His children; Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltress, do the same. Their beams of Ice, shots of electricity, and blowing flames scorch the earth untouched yet by Lugia's grieving waves. Striking everything underneath, but never each other. For they know. They know that their Chosen will never return to help calm their raging soul.

Ho-oh shrieks. Burning down buildings while crying flaming tears. Her cubs underneath reak havoc in their own way. Sucuine freezes forests and lakes to their bottoms and the poor Pokémon cry out in pain.

Raikou actively goes for the towns, hitting the ones that were untouched by his mother's blinding fury. Entei… Entei goes to where he had met the Chosen for the first time and he sits, sits and contemplates about how much Ash has had to give up just so they the Gods could be happy.

Giratina hides. They go back to the distortion world and hides away. Because they don’t want to hurt the humans like their siblings do. They don’t want their Chosen spirit to frown down on them from the heavens above. The other two hide as well, for they do not have the right to hurt what their Chosen has put so much effort into protecting. So they hide in the clouds, waiting for their third and their Father to join.

MewTwo… Mewtwo finds the other Mewtwo, the one Team Galactic and Ghetsis made, and they fly to Pallet Town. Waiting till nightfall where everyone has cried themselves to sleep before glaring down at the gravestone. Both equally enraged that they couldn’t do anything for the boy who risked his life over and over again, all to just see the both of them happy.

The Reggies stay where they are. They feel the passing and the anger, the betrayal, the sadness. And they stay. Because they have a job to do, and no matter how much they want to leave for just… five minutes, they can’t. For they have a job and their Chosen is looking down own them now instead of up at them. And there’s nothing they can do.

Rayquaza destroys several planets. Along with Deoxys. Several galaxies away because the two don’t have any connecting to the living beings on the pile of metal and dirt like they did back on Earth.

Latias cries, she cries and sobs, but never screams. Never rages like she wants to. Because that’s not what their Chosen would have wanted, and even though he didn’t come back like he promised he would, she understood. Because their Chosen could never have a God or a Mythical on his team no matter how much she wished and wished he could.

Kyoger wailed, it bounced off every underwater cavern surrounding Hoenn. Creating massive earthquakes that did not deter their sibling, Goudon, up above. Calling to the mountain and Lava that flows underneath, to come forward and recoat the crust with something new, to make something new.

Zecrom and Reshiram scream at each other, pointing and blasting at their opposition half in a battle of “it's your fault’s!” While Terrakion, Cobalion, and Virizion guard a weeping Keldeo that was shielded under Kyurem. For the oldest Unovian God knows what it feels like to lose a friend you thought would always be by your side, and that he can keep an eye out to his children and the three other weather gods.

Landorus, Tornadus, and Thunderus don’t do anything. For they never had a connection with the Chosen as much as the other Gods, and that their rage is worth being pressed to something more than a mortal life that has ended.

Kalos witness first hand of Xerneas’s rage. The deer God has never felt so much liquid hot anger slushing through their veins at that moment in time. Their lover, Yvelta, stays hidden in their cave. Far from where Xerneas’s anger will touch, and they will cry. Cry softly until their ever terrifying lover shall return from letting loose their own feelings for once in their life.

Zygarde finds Bonnie, finds Bonnie, Clemont, and the rest. Keeping them safe from Xerneas while also Consoling the little girl and her friends. For he can not lose his control on Kalos, he has to keep in control or Xerneas won’t stop until every last living being is floating in their own pile of cold blood.

Diancie sobs with her subjects, much like Yvelta, uncaring and unseeing the the wreckage going on above. Volcanion wherily sighs and continues to protect the Pokémon under his care until Arceus or another higher God finally steps in to control everyone. Because the Chosen is no longer here to do so himself.

Hoopa… Hoopa flys through its portals. It doesn’t want to be in a universe without the Chosen, because their Chosen is bright, friendly, and warm. But no other Universe has the right Chosen like theirs. Others are to cold and calculating, or to battle weary to hold any more warmth like the last Chosen. So Hoopa continues to search, ignoring the tears tracking down its face.

Celebi took one look, before going to the past. Desperately trying to find just how this had happened, just how the Gods just let their Chosen slip through their grasp so easily. They soon break down in the Past Chosen’s arms when they realized that he’ll never survive, that Celebi can’t help make things right this time.

Tapu Koko screams. His people cowering in their huts and homes as he races around his island. An island that no longer has its dearly beloved Champion and protector. That Tapu Koko has lost another child to the cruel fate that reminds every living being that it still exists, no matter how much Arceus tries to twist and pull it to another direction. Tapu Lele joins her older brother in a battle. Both attacks clash against the sea and their respective islands. A dance of death that will not come to a stand still until one body will lie floating in the water, soaking it with the deep rich color of Godly blood.

Tapu Bulu mournes. He grows a giant tree off to the side of one of Ula'ula beaches. One that the Chosen liked to visit a lot. He grows a tree full of every fruit that can be connected together, and he marks the bark with the Chosen’s name with a crown above it. Tapu Fini goes to her Kahuna, she goes in search of comfort. And is faced with a child that doesn’t know what to do, that is inexperienced in every way possible in dealing with a God. And Tapu Fini is reminder once more that their Chosen is one of a kind and his soul no longer exists on a plane that she can touch.

Solgaleo cries and roars at the altar on Poni Island. For they have lost the person who watched them grow and the person who walked through hell and back with skinned feet on hot blazing fires just so that Solgaleo and Necrozma could live a happy life. Lunala tried to comfort, tries to help Solgaleo with the loss. But they fail as they watch their matching half heave with fur streamed with falling tears. Lunala never felt so useless before.

Mew and Arceus-

“Please!” Ash sobbed. Hunched over on his knees, arms clutching at his shoulders as he rocked back and forth. “Please just let me rest!” The Chosen chokingly begged.

Arceus and Mew were stone faced in front of the Chosen-in front of the child they pushed to face wars and bloodshed.

“I just want to rest.” Ash could barely breathe through his tears and hiccups.

He smells like whiskey and smoke, blood dropped onto the tile-like-clouds from his wrists. Marks all the way up to his elbows and they were deep, matching ones mirrored on his open thighs.

How could the two let this happen? let this happen to their Chosen? How have they not noticed the way Ash begged for a few minutes before the sent him back down to earth? Not notice when Ash would cry and dry heave after every battle when he got back home or to the hotel where he was staying in?

Because they didn’t care, their shared thoughts growled. They should have cared.

Mew flew down. Resting their forehead against Ash, in an apology or as an answer. They don’t know. But Ash slumped against the feeling of Mews warm pink fur as Arceus rumbled above.

“Then we shall let you rest now, your time as the Chosen One is done. Ash Ketchum. Sleep now, for it’s all over.”

Ash sob of relief tore into their shared heart. And the young man-the Child soon began to disappear until Mew was no longer clutching the greasy black hair to its small chest.

The two Gods looked at each other. They had work to do and they needed to do it now, for they no longer have a Chosen and now it’s up to them to calm their children down.

So they set off, Mews gentle touch soothed their children’s anger and fear while Arceus broke rule after galactic rule just so that the humans didn’t suffer more than the holes that Ash Ketchum as physically and mentally left in everything he touched.

And after everything was done. When they forced all their children and grandchildren into sleep, they go to Pallet Town. The two haven’t walked in their human forms in a very long time, for they never found any use until now.

once the two Mewtwo’s leave they go to the grave. Placed under a large oak tree in the middle of an open field full of wildflowers.

Two accompanying graves sit right next to it.

Alfreda “Red” Ketchum-Oak and Green Ketchum-Oak reads the closest one. The other didn’t even have the first name, something must have weathered it off, but the last name of Ketchum is still there.

Arceus is the first one out of the pair to fall to his knees, the soft thumping sound was followed after a loud sob and he bent forward to Arceus could smash his fist into the soft dirt in front of Ash’s grave. It was filled with trinkets, flowers, and lit candles.

Mew followed soon after, much like how she always does when it comes to Arceus or Ash. Her sobs were quieted as she pushed her tear stained face into Arceus’s blazer, weeping just as much as her partner.

“I should have noticed!” Arceus yelled through his sobs. Body racking in shivers as a strong breeze rolled through the Kanto hills. “I should have fucking noticed!”

Mew doesn’t say anything, how could she, Arceus was right. They should have noticed, from how much they boast about being ‘all seeing’ they didn’t see the mountain high shit Ash was dealing with.

If he were here now, Ash would call them the biggest hypocrites in the world. Because he’s always been right.

Arceus and Mew were just like everything else in their world. Their not perfect and they’ll never be, no matter how hard they try.

Ash’s suicide will forever remind them of that.

[thebrotherswholoved]

wincest short: have pride

Dean sighs to himself when Sam begins fidgeting his legs against his thighs again—the fifth time he’s noticed the tick this morning—and he sets the tray of face paints aside next to Sam’s bare knee. The boy sits atop the off-white tile bathroom counter in front of Dean so his brother-turned-lover could have “space to work” and “better lighting,” the latter of which Sam had agreed with because, well, the second motel room of the month is no better than the one before it and the ones before that when it comes to amenities that really shouldn’t have to be considered amenities. The blond has a smudge of blue paint on the tip of his nose from when Sam couldn’t resist giving him a peck on the cheek while the first layer of blue and purple were still drying (which he feigned annoyance at while internally awing at how adorable his lover is) and a paintbrush in his hand, which he sets aside to put his paint-stained hand on his little brother’s knee.

“Sammy, are you okay?” The elder Winchester asks in a concerned voice. He could never ditch the parental instinct he has adopted since he was first left in charge of his stubby-legged, doe-eyed baby brother at the young age of six, but it’s not like it really matters.

Sam nibbles at his bottom lip and nods ever so slightly, still fumbling with his hands. “Yeah. Of course I am.”

“We don’t have to do this, y’know.” Dean pushes Sam’s hair back behind his ears and admires his…well, mediocre at best…job at painting his face. “I mean, this has never really been our scene, and—“

“No, no, I wanna go. I suggested it,” the brunet smiles, his left dimple becoming more prominent than his right like a little birthmark. “I’m so fuckin’ tired of hiding, De. I know this is lame, but it’s…I don’t know…”

“Symbolic?” Dean tries to fill in the blank. His grin widens when Sam snaps his fingers and smiles with a nod while repeating the word as if Dean had read his mind. “It’s not lame. Stonewall, right? I read the shit you sent me, don’t worry. I’m well-versed in the ‘lore’ this time.”

Sam laughs wholeheartedly and runs his tongue over his bottom lip. He doesn’t lean in for a kiss, though, as he knows exactly what Dean would say: wet paint, Sammy. Wet. Paint.

“You’re cute,” he remarks for the umpteenth time, but his smile fades to a grimace of anxiety. “I guess I’m just nervous. We’ve never done anything this…public before. What if somebody sees us?”

The blond traces his fingers over the hem of Sam’s short-ish denim shorts, humming all the while at how much they’ve changed and grown. In all the time they’ve grown up with one another, they’ve never known each other so intimately. Three years has done them good, comparatively speaking, Dean supposes. Sure, this public ‘out and proud’ stuff has never been Dean’s cup of gin-spiked tea, but hey, it’s better than living in a glass closet. It’s not like there’s a flag for “hey, I’m fucking my brother!” but, as Sam so wisely explained two weeks ago, it’s about setting the precedent…or, whatever.

“Let ‘em see.” He puts the dollar store paintbrush between his teeth again and straightens Sam’s head with his fingers guiding against his jawbone. With a signature Dean Winchester smirk, he begins painting the rest of the rainbow stripes across his lover’s cheeks and steps back when he’s finished to admire his work. “Voilà.”

With a childlike look of excitement, Sam turns around to look in the mirror and gasps at the array of colors coating his skin. For someone who failed art, Dean did a pretty decent job. He turns back to his brother and takes the paintbrush from his hand while smiling like he just saw heaven.

“Okay, let me do you now,” the boy beams as he picks out the colors magenta, violet, and navy from the pallet (what? they rarely if ever splurge!).

Dean, of course, smirks and stands still for Sam so he can get to work. “Switchin’ it up, huh? Dean likey.”

“I’m sure he does,” Sam muses while painting the first stripe of ‘war paint’ across Dean’s freckled cheek. “Now stand still and let me paint your face, jerk.”

“Bitch.” Dean feigns offense. “Hey, d’you think they’ll have IPAs in rainbow bottles? Y’know, ‘cause consumerism?”

Sam rolls his eyes but laughs anyway. “I think they might. We’re an untapped industry, I guess.”

“Untapped…for now.”

“Damnit, Dean, stop being dirty and just let me paint you!”

Have a great Pride Month, everyone!

[alloveroliver]

Amon x MC “In The Grand Scheme Of Things.”

Fluff; Amon Jabberwock

WC: 2,861

When Alice is found by Amon first, what role does she play within his ultimate goal?

Chapter 1

Ikemen Revolution Fanfic

Amon stared straight ahead as he purposefully past her workstation. He wasn't going to look at her but was doing his due diligence to keep an eye on her. “You did good, boss,” Alice called out to him as he walked past her. Amon jerked his head around, eyes wide. His jaw ticked when he stopped dead in his tracks to face her. Her special work zone was towards the outer wall of the large open room, away from the scholars that were sure to bore her. Her delicate hands pulled apart pieces of a broken magic crystal, still glowing while dipped in a sparkling blue essence. The liquid crystal proved to keep they stone alive long enough for someone with magic-canceling powers to pluck it apart. Separating the pieces on small disks, keeping them submerged for days at a time proved fruitful. This technique made new smaller crystals they could grow, helping immensely in multiplying their production. “You don’t have to praise me. I know what I’m capable of.” Amon straightened his spine, fixing his posture. His long silvery hair hung around his face in tendrils. Amon observed her minute movements as she carefully filled the circular disks with the fragments. A knowing smile curled the ends of her lips when she caught him staring out of the corner of her eye. “It’s not praise,” She glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. “I’m merely stating facts.” A sliver of light from above glinted in his natural topaz eyes, watching Alice continue her work. He was glad she was willing to help even after his men treated her like scum the first night. Amon saw the hope in her eyes and ran with it, becoming protective of her. The men that captured her weren’t allowed near hear, and the cell block they initially threw her in was avoided at all costs. Simple hospitality and a warm smile every once in a while made her quite an agreeable guest in his tower. After a few weeks with the girl, Amon finally trusted her enough to fulfill a job for him. The only job none of his other subjugates could do unless they held her special powers. He could kill two birds with one stone, testing her abilities while also using them to grow more crystals for their cause. Amon's goals were to have buckets full of new crystals to bring with him through the looking glass by the time the next full moon arrived. “Well,”  He cleared his throat after a long pause. “In that case, I suppose I will allow you to speak your mind as you wish.” 

She looked up at him through thick lashes, biting back a smile. “Amon, that’s awfully kind of you to say.” She giggled, and the sound warmed his chest. Moving his head a quarter to the right,  his hair blocked his face from exposing the deep blush that settled over his features. “It’s not kind. It’s self-serving, even the densest cupcake could see that.” “Are you comparing me to something sweet?” Her face lit up, white teeth sparkling at him. Amon looked away, wondering why she wasn’t even the least bit scared of him. Even though he was hospitable, he remained stern towards her to make sure she was kept in line. The audacity that she would flirt with him sent his heart throbbing in his ears. She enraptured him. His eyes wandered over her gorgeous features, noting the curve of her lips, the dimple on her cheek, and the way her silky hair framed her round face. Seeing her bite her lip, his eyes shot back to hers capturing him in a silent gaze. “Speaking of food,” Amon averted his curious eyes. “Dinner will be ready soon.” “What’s on the menu for tonight, boss?” “Roast beef, a charred vegetable salad, and layered shortcake piled high with strawberries.” His mouth watered as he listed the menu, empty stomach echoing. “That’s my favorite!” “I know- I mean good.” He turned away from her, heading back down the path he was leading before. “It’s enough energy to make sure you can finish your task before bed.” “Now that I think about it... that kind of sounds like your meal.” Alice looked quizzically at him for a long moment. He turned back after a few steps. Typically every one would eat out of the cafeteria, all the same, meal eaten whenever hunger would strike. It was never a fancy meal like Amon listed, and desert was rarely served. “It’s what we will be having if you will join me in my private dining hall.” Amon felt immediately awkward. He wanted to spend more time with her, endlessly curious of the inner workings of her mind. It was the curiosity any scientist would have of their test subject, was it not? Still, he couldn’t help the blush that dusted his cheeks when she gasped. “I will! Thank you for the invitation.” “Meet me in the dining room at 7.” He continued his exit, quicker this time. Poor girl, she was far too happy to be in a place like this. Amon was beginning to grow slightly concerned for her. Anyone could take advantage of her kindness, draining Alice’s giving heart until she was nothing but a shell of her former self. He knew her well enough to know Alice wasn’t the kind of person to let the needy starve. He reflected on the night he and his men found her, watching the young lady float from the sky as if she were a feather adrift in the wind. If he knew what kind of person she was from the start maybe he would have never allowed them to take her by force. Once he figured out how much easier it was to sway her with honied words and basic kindness, Amon had no need for threats. Maybe it changed him, going out of his way to make sure she wasn't scared or harmed. The kind gestures suddenly came to him easier the more he used them on her. This kindness made his men think of him as weak, however, all but stepping on their neck proved to put them back in their place. No one was to cross him, and his kindness towards her was soon understood to them as a rouse to keep the new Alice in line. He hoped that's all he was doing. There was no need for distractions when his goals were so clear to him. This world they lived in was corrupt. Amon was born into a war-torn country, one side dead set on absorbing the other. The anxiety’s from his childhood clouded his mind, forgetting anytime he spent playing outside with the other children, remembering only the spurts where he and his family had to hastily pack everything and evacuate due to a battle that had a chance to set their entire town on fire. Living on the outskirts of the cradle was their families only option due to his father's simple job as a goat farmer and his mother's joint help producing butter from their milk. Twice in his life, he remembered the armies decimating their miniature farm entirely with only a magical outburst, killing their goats and the small number of chickens they had for personal use. It was clear to Amon from a young age he would never be able to attend the prestigious schools like all the other kids. With his family having to start over from scratch countless times, money never stayed long in their pockets. However, he was determined to make it into a position of power any way he could, unlike his father. The armies ruined his family's lives but furthermore destroyed the Cradle itself. He didn’t know one person that wasn't touched the horrific realities of war. With an iron fist, the Cradle could flourish. No one else seemed to have the foresight he did when it came to the future of the Cradle. That left him, a simple man gifted with magic that was desperate for change, to make sure the future of everyone was safe. Concise boundaries and strong laws were the only way. Knowing the obvious consequences, everyone would stay in line making sure war would never break out again. The current armies were even more idiotic than their predecessors. He found it most helpful to keep any knowledge of the troops away from Alice to protect his vision. If she knew how incapable the armies were at sharing the Cradle, Alice might use her big heart to try to join them together to a singular goal. However, that wasn’ t Amons vision anymore. Decidedly, neither of the armies had a strong enough hand to rule the Cradle in the way it needed to be. With a long sigh, Amon prepared himself for dinner. He changed out of his usual attire into a button-down shirt and navy slacks. Rolling up the sleeves, he exposed the end of his intricate tattoo that snaked all the way up to his shoulder, covering his entire right arm. The swirling smoky design of the ink was littered with the symbolism of his life goal and his magical status in the tower. Being the most powerful person here came with many badges, all of them permanently inked into his skin. As he proceeded to leave his bedroom, cluttered with half-open books and dimming crystals, he spotted his reflection in the full-length mirror. His glistening copper eyes stood out against his pale hair. The deep iris’s held many dark secrets that, even to him, should always remain buried. Smooth skin stretched over high cheekbones, glowing iridescent under the large crystal lighting his room.  Amon tucked in his shirt, giving it a firm tug to smooth creases, then fixing the collar before finally leaving. To the footman that served him in the dining hall, he requested a complimentary wine to pair with dinner. Suggesting something on the sweeter side to make sure it would please Alice’s pallet. The room was tinged in blue due to the color of the chandelier, scattering twisted and curled shadows on the walls. He sat, waiting for her. Seven O’Clock came and went. The ticking of the clock on the wall grated on Amon's nerves. Every tick felt like a crack of the whip, and every tock was like a  hammer pounding his skull. She was late, but why? Of course, she didn’t want to be around him. He never treated her the way she deserved. His words were always curt and actions bland. He didn’t blame her really. There was no need for niceties when his goal was so close he could taste the ashes on his tongue. The timepiece ticked deafeningly loud, slicing through his nerve endings. Every second that past was a reminder of how unworthy he was of her affections. Many found him to be a despicable lowlife, useful to only the maggots that would eat his corpse one day, Alice would soon think the same. The echo of the bolt disengaging jolted him back to reality. His heart pounded louder than the clock while, as if in slow motion, Alice's face appeared behind the heavy door. All sounds disappeared when she moved into the dining hall. An apologetic smile framed her painted red lips. “The um,-” Her laugh filled the room and tousled curls swayed away from her face. “The halls are confusing out this way. I got lost. Sorry!” Words were caught in his throat as she came closer, her heels echoed in the chamber with a satisfying click. When her brows scrunched with concern due to the lack of response, he shut his agape jaw and cleared his throat. “It’s fine. I hadn’t noticed you were running late.” Adjusting his collar, he stood to pull the chair out next to him. He couldn’t keep his eyes from raking over her form, drinking in her unearthly beauty. The long silk dress accentuated Alice’s frame, flowing down her back and smoothing over the curves. He held the chair for a moment as she sat. His hands were so close to her he could feel the warmth radiation onto his fingertips. “Oh,” She exasperated. “I was worried you’d start eating without me.” Smiling while looking down at the empty table in front of her. He helped push her chair in, then took his seat by her side. Gulping down a large swig of wine, he spotted her eyeing his exposed forearm. Alice’s eyes followed the swirling designs of the ink wordlessly. “I will call for the footman to serve us at once.” He averted his eyes, feeling hot as he gulped down the last of his wine. Alice played with a piece of her hair while the footman filled their glasses again with the intoxicating liquid. “This wine is sweeter than I’m used to. It’s closer to a dessert wine.” The glass chimed when he hit his silverware with the stem by accident. Alice’s eyes sparked, taking a sip of the cooling liquid. The footman placed the first course in front of them silently. “Mm! The wine is divine!” She peered down at the entree. “ and this smells amazing!” “It does, feel free to being.” He tried to keep a smug smile off his face. It was hard not to feel a bit proud that he picked the perfect combination of items that Alice loved. Of course, he asked her in the weeks prior what she preferred, but hitting the nail on the head swelled his chest. “So, you must really like chess.” She asked, silverware tapping against the plate. “What gave you that impression?” He cocked a brow. “Well,” She finished chewing, wiping her face with the cloth napkin. “Your tower is littered with many different decorative game pieces. I figured you are a huge fan, that’s all.” He grinned, catching her in a hypnotic gaze. “It’s a game of wits, but also strategy. You have to look beyond your opponent's motives to predicted what they would do, instead of what they’re currently doing, to win the game. It’s intriguing. That’s all.” “Do you like playing, or watching more?” Alice asked quizzically as she broke the gaze to take a sip of the deep red wine. She sat down the glass, leaving an imprint of lipstick on the rim. Amon stared at the crystal glass, at the ghost of her lips. “I-” He pulled his collar, suddenly hot. Her legs uncrossed and crossed again. “I enjoy both. Why?” Alice rubbed the back of her calf with the toe of her heel slowly. “Just wondering. You seem to me like the kind of man that would oversee others as they played their games. Coaching many people during several games at once, perhaps.” “You see me as a leader?” “Of course, you lead all the people here. Do you not? It isn’t that far fetched of an idea.” She shrugged, taking another sip from the glass. “I suppose not.” Amon hid his grin behind his own wine glass. He watched her fidget in her chair as dinner went on as if something were on her mind. Her chest was rising and falling slower the more comfortable conversation became. Alice glanced at him several times, the fire in her gaze catching him off guard. She bit her lip when he didn’t look away, stirring the butterflies in his stomach. Alice was gorgeous, dazzling, beautiful, “Exquisite.” “What?” Her brows shot up, pink dusting her cheeks instantly. “I’m sorry.” Amon gulped. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” He used his cloth napkin to wipe his mouth, tossing onto his plate absently. At the sign of his plate being finished, the footman rushed over to take his dishware. “Are you done, Sir?” The footman plucked the plate from its spot at once. “Sure,” He fumbled with his wine glass, heat searing his cheeks and ears. “Would you like for me to bring the dessert out now?” The footman asked, picking up Alice’s plate as well. “Yes.” His voice echoed into the crystal cup.

The waiter's body blocked Alice from view as he took her plate. Once the young man moved out of the way, Amon and Alice were caught in another stare. She eyed him curiously. Silence stretched as the waiter left them alone in the dining hall. “Is this a date?” Her red lips parted, sitting up straighter. “No, no of course… not” He cursed himself inwardly. This evening had all the workings of a date. Amon wanted this to be a date more than he’d ever admit. “Oh,” Alice’s face fell, the sparkle in her eyes dimming. He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I mean, if you want it to be, then yes.” “I only want this to be a date if it’s consensual between both of us.” Her eyes cut to him poignantly. “I want it to be.” Amons stomach flopped. The space between them seemed to fill with static electricity. Finally, Alice's lips perked up again. Oh, how he missed that smile as if it had been gone for ages. “So do I,” Alice spoke softly.

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[Read Chapter 2- Cathartic] - Coming Soon

New Years resolution #1, write my first multi-chapter fan fic. I’m giving him a backstory and keeping him the villain! Honestly, this was just a simple request for Amon fluff that ran away from me sooo Thanks, Anon!

Chapter 2 will feature adult content. I will be released later this week!

ML // KOFI // AO3

𝔸𝕊ℍ - 𝔸𝕝𝕝𝕆𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕆𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖𝕣

[recentanimenews]

Isekai, Ranked

If Anime is escapism, there is no better way to escape than plunging Into Another World, where our niche skills and routine possessions may shake the fabric of reality! From MMO-inspired, to hard fantasy, there are many types of shows on this list but no movies nor series we haven’t seen recently. Bring all disagreements to the comments below!

1. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Re:Zero takes Isekai’s love for fish-out-of-water stories on step further: through brutal, expectation breaking blind sides, it makes the viewer a fish out of water too! Dripping with fantastic animation, Re:Zero true strength is the balance of its highly detailed world without over explaining its magic system, time loop mechanic and political systems. It also earns bonus points for  limiting the application of its protagonist’s powerful magic and technological advantages.

2. Sword Art Online (1st season)  In the narrowest of second places, SAO pairs top shelf animation with an approachable cast and easy to appreciate central conflict. Its lovingly constructed MMO setting aside, Kirito’s mistakes and occasional darkness elevate him above his potentially generic good-at-everything character type and Asuka plays the strongest heroine/love interest on the list.

3. Now and Then, Here and There Imagine if Digimon told a bleak about story sex trafficking child soldiers trapped on a waterless world with a maniac king? NTHT’s intense swerve from adorable into darkness is on par with Re:Zero and, much like Natsuki Subaru, HTHT’s Shu must rely on ‘durability’ and ‘heart’ to make it through. While some of it’s later tragic moments are predictable, this f’ed-up little anime scores major points for telling a complete story and having that story grow Shu from simpleton into a conflicted young adult.

4. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet While Red’s post-earth scifi origin may stretch the common definition of Isekai, being trapped in a primitive culture that treats him (and his AI-driven mech Chamber) like a hero of old does not. Beautifully, Gargantia flips the script and makes Red’s overwhelming power, and killing in general, at odds with the local people.

5. Yōjo Senki / The Saga of Tanya the Evil Give us World War I with magic, a gender swapped villain as our protagonist, and God as our antagonist, and you’ve given us something pretty damn original. Like Gargantia, this reborn in another world captures thinking differently about the world can be as powerful and terrifying as unworldly strength. Without question, Yojo Senki’s cast is the most uniquely imagined on this list.

6. No Game No Life Like Tanya, the Blank twins piss off god and are sent to another world as punishment. However, their punishment is much more stylish and… harem. Underneath NGNL’s acid-soaked panties, over the top protagonists and the psychedelic color pallet, lives a show featuring thoughtful puzzles and imaginative spins on classic gamble to win story telling. Sadly, its story ends unfinished…

7. KonoSuba One part jab at Isekai and one part love letter to the starting town of every fantasy MMO, KonoSuba is all parts ruthlessly funny!  While this reborn in another world (with a goddess!) show is not be as smartly written as NGNL, and it becomes repetitive after a time, the constant frenetic action more than makes up for it.

8. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Quiet, thoughtful, and full of sadness, this hard fantasy Isekai doesn’t care if its heroes are reborn in another world or trapped in a dungeon crawl afterlife. Building family bonds and connecting with people who would not normally be friends is all that matters… and it’s lovingly animated to boot!

9. ReCreators As a reverse Isekai, ReCreators distinguishes itself by bringing the other world to us. The experience is fantastically animated and packed with clever dialog that somehow breaths sincerity into a profoundly silly plot. The cast is quite diverse, both in design and personality, which keeps the action fresh, yet somehow cohesive throughout. It’s only major flaw is, the final act, which is way to drawn out.

10. The Devil is a Part Timer No I’m not kidding! This reverse Isekai’s premise that the Devil is trapped in our world and must work at McDonnald’s to get by is charming. While DiaPT’s humor isn’t particularly specific to the devil, the jokes are punchy, and the overall plot develops at a respectable pace. As an added treat, the opening gothic fantasy fight scenes are surprisingly well animated.

11. Log Horizon (1st season) Most exposition heavy, trapped in an MMO themed Isekai featuring ‘top ranked’ players crumble after a few episodes. More often than not, these shows try too hard to sell the coolness of their game worlds, user interfaces, and central characters. Miraculously, Log Horizon gets better mid season with a simple question: if former NPCs have personalities, can grow and learn, and even die, are they more human than the former players that dismiss them as background texture? Still, it takes Log Horizon six episodes to get going and good lord is it gray looking…

12. Overlord (3 Seasons) This transported into an MMO Isekai mirrors its main character: it is competent but not sure what it should be doing at any given moment. Sometimes the protagonists are villains and sometimes they are heroes. More often than not, characters are given lavish screen time to develop, only to be slaughtered whimsically. The resulting narrative is full of call backs and revealed foreshadowing… yet hasn’t gone very far in 3 seasons and hasn’t asked any interesting questions along the way.

13. El Hazard – The Magnificent World (OAV/TV) Predestined paradox, trans-dimensional time jumping high school students (and their drunk gym teacher) are trapped in an Arabian Nights’like land besieged by sentient bugs, a secret tribe of assassins from another dimension, and a death star like eye of god orbiting nearby. If you watched anime in the 1990s it will all be familiar but it still manages to feel original yet cohesive production. The character abilities are wonderful, the tragedy is nice, and plenty is left up to your own imagination to fill in the blanks. A bland, fault free, protagonist and a boy-crazy harem vibe are the only reasons it isn’t higher on the list.

14. Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri This invading the other world Isekai flips the script to deliver political intrigue, clash of culture, and commentary on Japanese society. It loses points for being a overly harem, relying on super dumb/super evil antagonists, and a dull protagonist but it’s fun enough to watch.

15. Drifters Stylishly violent, strikingly ugly, historical character filled and utterly bonkers, this reborn in another world Isekai’s uniqueness will hold your attention. Even if you do not want it to.

16. Rise of the Shield Hero (2 Seasons) On paper, this transported to an MMO world Isekai’s “treat the hero like crap,” “watch him accept the role of a slave-buying villain” and ultimately “rise to become the true hero” concept is great. Revealing that the world he’s saving may be less redeemable than the world the invaders are trying to save is also great. Too bad its padded and many of the arbitrary delays and narrative dead ends feel like cop outs.

17. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime While it lacks the initial hardcore’ness of Shield Hero, this reborn in another world Isekai is pleasantly animated and full of heart. The idea that naming monsters grants them power is a pretty neat mechanic too. It just sort bounces from idea to idea without a sense of purpose of resolution. One minute it’s a story of unlikely friendship, then magic destiny, then town builder, then harem, and onto magic school and isn’t about anything in particular until a hastily thrown together plot ties it up at the end. It scores points for making its hero a slime… although the reborn aspect never feels played with or justified.

18. Angel Beats! If the gun fetish, kids fighting a loli-angel instead of attending school in the afterlife plot weren’t so dumb and drawn out, this rebirth story’s touching moments would push it much higher. There’s a really good tale of life cut short, reunion after death, and again after rebirth here and it gets major bonus points for finishing the story it had to tell. Totally squandered.

19. Death March / Kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku Like Shield Hero, this reborn in an MMO Isekai is actually quite good looking. However, its Gary-Stue protagonist, harem and absurd narrative padding make it far less interesting.  OMG how many episodes are about making lunch?! That’s too bad because the concept of code-like “copy and paste” magic system is pretty neat.

20. Wiseman’s Grandson / Kenja no Mago Despite opening with a modern day man being killed, this reborn into a fantasy world Isekai is more Magic School than Isekai. The only thread that connects the protagonist’s lives is that he can look at magic with an eye for process instead of outcome. The result is harmless easy watching but harem elements, a slow pace and lack of getting anywhere narratively hold it back.

21. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord This summoned into an MMO Isekai starts off as charming, but ecchi-heavy, before abruptly turning dark at the end of the season. We’re talking ‘make a child watch as her best friend is slowly tortured to death’ and creepo ‘finger-bang a loli cat girl in order to give birth to the demon inside her’ level dark. While those elements elevate HNtSaDL above niche appeal of its harm and MMO content, they aren’t so interesting to earn my recommendation.

22. Problem Children are coming from Another World, Aren’t They? The non-ecchi poor man’s No Game no Life features a talking cat that only some characters can understand and dreadful music. TFW smooth jazz? There’s some cuteness to be had, and the solutions to gambling games can be clever, but the overall vibe is low energy. It loses drama points because its protagonist is as smart as a god and physically stronger.

23. Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? This poor man’s Konosuba is occasionally funny, satire of RPG conventions and family relationships. Mama’s skill that interrupts whatever her son is doing, no matter what it is or where he is in the game world, is particularly charming. Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding the creepo factor of sexualizing that family relationship.

24. Restaurant from Another World My mom is secretly from another world and my restaurant’s front door connects back to that world each day is certainly unique, but it’s structured more like a food-porn show than Isekai. While the linkages of each patron become clear over time, few characters are not aware of those connections themselves. The result never feels like it gets anywhere.

25. In Another World With My Smartphone Stories without risk are still watchable when they immerse us an interesting world, or delve into niche details like food or how magic works, or sleeze us with harems and sex appeal. Smartphone fails all of these things. Worse, it does nothing with it’s one idea: protagonist Touya is reborn in a fantasy world with smartphone. Except, GOD GIVES HIM GOD TIER MAGIC FROM THE GET-GO! Ironically, Re:Zero and No Game No Life both use of a cell phones in more interesting ways, and Tanya’s God isn’t even comparable. Unoriginal, unfunny, not dramatic, not sexy, not worth watching.

26. Maou-sama, Retry! This transported to an MMO Isekai’s trash production values, and bizarre characters are hard to take seriously. The results are sometimes so terrible they are funny, such as incompetent background music transitions and detailed horses hiding at the edges of the frame. Sadly, a bland harem and complete lack of narrative objective kill the mood.

27. Isekai Izakaya Imagine a low energy, public access style show, with a tourism theme, that featuring a modern Japanese restaurant that serves fantasy world patrons…

28. Isekai Cheat Magician A loveless summoned to a fantasy world Isekai who’s protagonists are the most powerful and purely good characters could deserve a niche rating. Not this one. The narrative sort of ‘skips the boring stuff’ and, in doing so, skips character development. Hilariously, what the narrative does show is poorly animated, always underwhelming magic battle scenes or people standing around talking.

29. Endride Without dialog, this stumbled into a magic world Isekai’s vibrant color and crisp art would be watchable. The fact that the world is somehow inside of Earth’s core and the sparse use of mythology are unique, but its dumb-as-bricks whiny teen protagonists have the maturity of a small children. There are many unintentionally funny moments like scientists using gigantic laptops or the king’s magic weapon looking like a safety pin. Ultimately, the cast is so unlikeable that the show itself is unwatchable.

By: oigakkosan

[aharrypotternerd]

Valentine’s Day Surprise, Part 8

I woke up Thursday morning exhausted; Harry didn’t leave till the early hours of the morning. I went into the bathroom to take a shower; I looked in the mirror and my lips are swollen from earlier. What am I suppose to do? I can’t go out there with swollen lips, people will get suspicious especially if Harry’s is too. I took a shower to see if it would help. When I got out, they aren’t as swollen as before but they aren’t back to normal either; the only way you can tell is if you’re really looking.

I quickly put on my clothes, grabbed my school bag, and headed out the door. I noticed a letter magically taped onto the outside of my door. I took it down and opened it.

Draco,

I’m going to tell you some things that no one or very few people know about me.

1.) My birthday is July 31st.

2.) My parents died when I was a baby and I never met my grandparents because they died before I was born.

3.) Everyone says I have my mothers eyes but i don’t. They are different colors.

4.) When my parents died I had to live with my uncle, aunt, and cousin. I’m on good terms with my cousin but not my aunt and uncle.

5.) I lived in a cubbard under the stairs till I came to Hogwarts. I wasn’t well taken care of. I’m scared of small spaces, it feels like I’m back in the cubbard and i get panic attacks.

6.) I have my own chocolate frog card.

7.) I have a flying motorbike.

8.) I can see thestrals.

9.) My wand is 11- inches made out of phoenix feather and holly.

10.) I want to be an auror; I got a job offer to be one but I’m going to wait till after i graduate Hogwarts. I already done my training over the two years we were out of school.

11.) I have a godson; his parent died in the war.

12.) I used to speak parsletongue.

13.) I died and came back to life the same day.

Love,

Anonymous

Some of this strangely sound like Harry; I think it is Harry. I’m not going to accuse him because i want to be sure it is him first. I don’t want to accuse him and it not be true.

I put the note in my school bag and headed down to breakfast. Harry is sitting by himself at the Slytherin table. I made my way over to him and sat down beside him.

Harry comments, “Since you asked me last night what it would be like to have me as a boyfriend, you got me curious about what it would be like to have you as a boyfriend. So what would it be like?”

“Well, I’d be extremely protective. I would trust you with anything. I don’t want secrets between us. There would be a lot of sarcasm but i figured you already figured that out.”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t be Draco without it.”

I smiled, “There would be sneaking around a lot. There would be late night broom rides. I’d probably give you unexpected gifts too. Studying by the lake.”

“Excellent place for distraction.” Harry smirked. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I rolled my eyes, “Hugs from behind, neck kisses, always playing with your hair, holding hands in public.” Harry moves his hand on top of mine in my lap, he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. I can feel my face heating up and i swallowed, “I would get extremely jealous of other people talking to you. We would have lazy Sundays, stolen kisses, secret kisses, and cuddles. You would be my lucky charm at quidditch matches and back rubs after long matches and practices.”

“Would there be bickering?”

“Yes, probably.”

“Would there be notes in class?”

“Yes.”

“Good because i like getting those. Would there be name calling? Would that change?”

“No, that will be name calling.”

“Good because I think I’d miss that loads.”

“M-me too.”

“When we cuddle can i sometimes be the big spoon?”

“Yes.” I swallowed, “We could have midnight dates if you’d like.”

“I would.”

“I’d probably ask you to wear my ring.”

“Really?”

“Yes, i mean when we’re together, i mean if we get together....” I can feel my cheeks redden.

“You’re cute when you blush.” If it were possible, i blushed darker. Harry asks, “Would you like to skip class today?”

“We can’t.”

“We can if we don’t get caught.”

“What would we do?”

“Anything you want.”

“I’m already in enough trouble as it is, I really shouldn’t.”

“Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

***

By lunch time, I regretted not ditching with Harry. I don’t know why but everybody seems in a foul mood which makes them take it out on me. Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if I don’t attend the rest of the day.

I ditched lunch to sit by myself in the library. I had my face buried into my potions book when someone sat down beside me with a sigh. I wish people would leave me alone, they’ve made their point today. I’ve already been laughed at, tripped, trampled, and spells have been thrown at me. I reluctantly looked up from my book and Harry is sitting there looking at me.

I swallowed, “How did you find me?”

“Well, when you didn’t show up for lunch i thought maybe you was in your room but you wasn’t. Then i thought the library; i thought i would find you here reading your potions book for the hundredth time.”

“Why are you here?”

“I wanted to make sure you are alright.” He came to check on me, how sweet.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I blurted, “Does the offer to ditch with you still stand?”

“Yes.” he smiles mischievously, “Would you like to ditch with me?”

I nodded,

He smiles, “I was thinking we could sneak out of the castle to diagon alley.”

“I don’t know, what if someone sees us and tells on us because with my luck that would happen.”

“Alright, what about us sneak up to the roof and hang out there till school is over?”

“Okay.” I agreed.

“We should head that way before lunch is over.”

We managed to get to the roof without anyone spotting us. It feels good out here; the fresh air and cool breeze is exactly what i needed. I looked out into the yard; it seems so peaceful out there but i know better. Although I know I deserve all this ridicule and torment, I wish it’d be over soon. Hopefully, one day it’ll end or at least get better.

I turned around to find part of the roof covered in blankets and pillows. Harry is standing beside the blankets with a picnic basket in his hand. I swallowed, “How...”

“I thought since we both missed lunch we could have a picnic. I put warming charms on the blankets and pillows to keep them warm. And to answer your question, i got Winky to arrange all this.” I couldn’t get my voice to work so i didn’t say anything. He sets down the picnic basket and walked over to me. He takes my hand and leads me over to the pallet. He sets out all the food; he set out meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and biscuits; it looks delicious. We also have chocolate pudding for dessert.

“When did you plan this?”

“Before I found you in the library.”

“How did you know i would agree to come up here with you?”

“I didn’t. I figured if you didn’t agree than i would’ve probably came up here myself.”

We ate in silence while we look out into the yard and watched people go to class. The bell rang to head back to class a couple minutes after we got onto the roof.

Once we finished our lunch, Harry waved all the dishes away and he lays down to look up at the sky. I lay down beside him. He reaches over intertwining our hands together. He scoots closer resting his head on my shoulder. I wrapped an arm around him. His hand rests on my stomach; his hand goes under my robe and moves south till he gets to the end of my t-shirt, his hand goes under my shirt, and rests on my stomach.

He whispers, “Has anyone ever told you, you have soft skin?”

“No.”

“Well, it is. I like touching it.” he stuttered, “Can I touch you in other places?”

I swallowed, “Where would you like to touch me?”

“Your stomach, chest, shoulders, arms, and back.”

I thought for a moment, “I guess that’ll be alright.”

“Can I take off your robe and shirt?”

I swallowed, “S-sure.” My voice was a little higher than i wanted. I can feel a blush forming on my cheeks.

He unbuttons my robe, pushes it off my shoulders, and places it behind him out of the way. He props up onto his elbow, leans in, and kisses me; this kiss is slow, sweet, and passionate. Is it bad that I wanted this all day? Actually I wanted it since he left this morning.

His hand slowly, gently unbuttons my shirt, untie my tie, and puts them behind him with my robe. He pulls back to look at my chest; his eyes started to look sad. I asked, “Harry?”

“I’m really sorry Draco. I didn’t know what that spell was when I used it. If I had known I wouldn’t’ve.”

I sat up and placed my finger onto his lips, “Shhhh.... it’s alright.”

“No, it’s not. You must hate me.”

“I don’t hate you.”he looks at me in disbelief, “At first i was upset but i’m not anymore.” I paused, “Do you think I would skip class to be up here with you if i hated you?”

“No, i guess not.”

I laid back down and he places his hands on me. He gently moves them up my stomach, abs, chest, to my shoulders, and with every touch he left tingling sensations in it’s wake. I love this feeling i hope he doesn’t stop soon.

He leans in and kisses my lips, he continues along my jawline to my earlobe. He kisses my sweet spot behind my ear and i couldn’t help myself from moaning ; i can feel him smiling against my skin. He kisses down my neck, he kisses my shoulders, chest, my nipples; he gently tugs and nibbles them, another moan escapes my mouth. He continues down my abs and stomach till he reaches my pants. He places his lips in the middle of my hips and rubs his lips up the center of my body until he reaches my lips again. He kisses my lips and my hands go to the back of his neck into his hair while i deepened the kiss.

We stayed like this for hours, i like being here like this with him. I don’t know if i love him. All i know is that I'm going to be sad with this all over. I’m going to miss him till I see him again.

Hello, everyone. I’m sorry it took so long with finishing this part up and posting it. I’ve been very busy with the holidays that passed and school. I don’t know when i will be able to post the next part but i will post it as soon as i can. I hope you enjoy this.

[emilyoneil2019-blog]

I chose to watch the movie Dreams (1990) by Akira Kurosawa. True to its title, this film has a definite dreamy quality. Much of this is thanks to Kurosawa’s use of color. Because this movie is made up of eight different parts, all rich with color, I will be focusing on the elements I found most intriguing instead of trying to cram everything into one small analysis.

To start with: the color red. Although sadly I could only find one acceptable picture that features red, it is prevalent throughout all eight parts of this film. As mentioned in Visual Communication (Lester, 2014), the color red “is noticed from farther away and stays inside a person’s eyes longer than any of the other visible colors” (p.17). This bold color can stand for many deep-running emotions and/or themes throughout a film. In the case of Dreams, a reoccurring connection to the color red is death.

Red in dark surroundings is more menacing, while read featured in lighter surroundings is much less negative. I first made this connection in the third installment titled The Tunnel. There is a red light shining down on a soldier, otherwise surrounded by darkness, who is stopped in his tracks by a dog drenched in red who is snarling at him. Then, many deceased soldiers appear wearing red pins. This installment of the film makes a statement of the great loss that comes with war, and I believe the effects of death on those who die, but also the ones that survive.

The color red is also featured in Mount Fuji in Red, in the picture above. The inactive volcano and the nuclear eruptions that are happening behind it are lit up against an otherwise dark sky. Another commentary on the evils of war and also the dangers of technology. The red fog in this installment causes cancer. Red is also featured in the last part, titled Village of the Watermills. This story ends with a funeral march in bright, cheery daylight celebrating the long and prosperous life of the featured elderly man’s past love interest. The on-foot funeral procession is made up of people wearing red garments. Death is not always a tragedy.

Another color I want to mention is yellow, featured in the other three pictures above. Much of the yellow is in the installment titled Crows. This storyline’s color pallet mirrors that of Vincent van Gogh’s painting Wheatfield with Crows, the last painting he created before his suicide. Yellow is often a happy color, but not so much in Dreams. It leaves you with a sense of nostalgia, as the main character walks through many familiar Vincent van Gogh paintings before reaching Vincent’s character in the very wheat field he painted. The color also leaves you with a sense of longing paired with the emptiness of the frame after Vincent van Gogh departs.

In the installment called The Weeping Demon, featuring the Monster Dandelions pictured above, the color yellow gives off an equally uneasy feeling just as it does in Mount Fuji in Red. The young girl’s hat is yellow, and as the scientist grimly admits that the yellow fog drifting toward them causes leukemia, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach that is not soothed as time goes on.

There are many more amazing instances of red, yellow, pink, blue, and purple in Dreams, but red and yellow stand out from the rest. I think they carry the most emotional and symbolic weight throughout the film and thus deserve the most recognition.