#Smooth Dragon Cosplay

[chaoticspeedrun]

Hi, may I request?

How would my favorite purple boy be dating his first girlfriend? I personally headcanon him as bi, but just having never dated anyone(if that makes sense?). Like a really pretty girl(reader) befriends the turtles and starts asking about his work? I saw your Leo headcanons and fell in love <3

Rise! Donnie BF headcanons

AN: Let's celebrate that my posts are finally visible in the tags with some sweet Donnie headcanons! It makes a lot of sense anon, and I feel like it fits Donnie just right.

Pairing: Rise! Donnie x Fem! Reader

Type: Headcanons

Summary: How Donnie would be with his first girlfriend

Warnings: None.

MASTERLIST

•Donnie knew his preferences, men and women were both hot, he wasn't about to deny that.

•But ever since he got a crush on Atomic Lass he knew he had a type.

•Cute and mean.

•Considering the bad boy persona he liked to put on it simply made sense. Despite this he had never found himself in a situation where he wanted to date a person he knew in real life, yet.

•You were trying to get back at Kendra for messing with one of your friends, it had been so bad you wanted revenge.

•So you, in all your protective anger were about to hit one of the cameras to their hideout with a baton when you crossed eyes with a turtle trying to sneak into the hideout.

•Once you got over the shock and realized he wanted something from the dragons (And he had rendered the cameras useless) you decided helping him would be a sweeter revenge.

•Once that was done, Donnie tried to convince you that he was just cosplaying, but you weren't listening, you had leaned in closer to see his tech, specially his wrist band and he froze as your grin grew and you started asking questions.

•You were so impressed with his tech he got excited explaining the little details of it and all he had worked on, happy at realizing you were genuinely interested and preening at your praise.

•You kept talking for a while and ended up exchanging contact information.

•He was honest with himself a few days after you both started messaging constantly: Mean, cute and extremely pretty to boot, you were just his type.

•His brothers happily befriended you, but the more he brought you over to the lair the more they teased him about it, even April, the traitor.

•But she also convinced him to act on these feelings.

•Which is why he ended up reeling in happiness and relief after you said yes to going on a date with him.

•Few steps back, let's remember that Donnie had never dated anyone until you, you were his first relationship.

•So he acts all smooth and tries to impress you as much as possible at the beginning of this relationship.

•But inside he is panicking, he doesn't know what to do, what he's doing, how to read you, is he boring you? Would you tell him? He made a 12 step routine for your relationship based on what he researched were signs of a healthy relationship including times for cuddling, holding hands, listening to each other, asking about your mental state--

•You had to stop him from his strict routine, so you use the time on his schedule for honest talk to explain that you don't need the routine and a relationship is trial and error.

•You tell him you like who he is, that there will be ups and downs but as long as you communicate with each other you don't need a strict schedule of how long to hug each other for, just you both being comfortable and explaining what you like and dislike or what you would want.

•It takes a bit of you explaining the situation in what would be understood to him as a more efficient method than what he created, but you manage and he relaxes, his guard down for a bit as he asks if you want to just work on your own things in the same room.

•A lot of dating Donnie is you both being sarcastic and enjoying each other's company, often teasing and sometimes caring to make sure the other has a healthy routine.

•Specially you forcing him to go rest instead of sticking to whatever hyperfixation he has at the moment.

•Whenever he finishes a project he goes to you first, enchanted at your excitement over what he's been working on and flustered most of the time, though he won't admit it.

•He is not usually touchy, but most of the time as long as you warn him before hand he will happily enjoy your hugs and your hand holding or running your fingers over his marks.

•He flaunts, a lot, once the embarrassment of a crush has been replaced with you being his actual girlfriend he is shoving it on his brother's faces whenever possible.

•You know how he showed off his purple jacket? Yeah, that times 4 is how he talks about you.

•"Sweetums, have you seen S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N.?" co-parenting S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N. is a thing, the little AI will often ignore Donnie to play games with you, Donnie says you should stop spoiling him.

•All in all he loves you, and he is extremely proud of being able to call you his.

[bluehairlaunch]

7 Best Yamcha Looks & The Absolute Worst

Honorable mention, OGDB Yamcha.

The kanji on his shirt means 'Comfort', btw, because even early Yamcha knew he was a himbo

23rd World Martial Arts Tournament

It's probably non-controversial to say that I prefer my Yamcha scarred and with long hair. And that ponytail? That ponytail right there is why you're not seeing Yamcha being exploded by a Saibaman, because he looks the same in both arcs, but I stan boys with ponytails I can grab onto. He looks so good like this that I can overlook the orange pajamas + blue sweatbands

Trunks Saga

Hey everyone it's now the 90s. My dude is sporting a baggy scoop neck long sleeved top tucked into high-waisted, pleated pants, and his short fuckboy hair that I think only Bulma seems to like, because whenever they're on the outs he grows it back out again. I generally don't care for short hair Yamcha, but the scars help differentiate him from your standard twink, and the overall outfit looks like something you'd see Sailor Uranus pull off far better. It's dope

Whether or not you like this look tho, Tien definitely approves

GT Yamcha

And now it's the late 90s. I don't know why he's still wearing his Buu Saga banana suit 15 years later, but it and his messy cropped hair would've made the cut if not for this tight ponytail. It looks so silky smooth, like he finally realized he can have long hair AND condition it

Baseball Yamcha

So I don't really care for baseball, but my city has the best stadium and one of the worst teams, so tickets are next to nothing. I also crushed on some of the varsity baseball players in high school, so I have a soft spot for this stupid outfit.

Also imagine how good his ass probably looks in baseball pants

Super Yamcha

Dragon Ball Super sucks ok, but when you're right you're right, and Yamcha in a white tang suit and grey pants was clearly a correct decision

Training for the 21st World Tournament

Look at this babyfaced boy and his first beard. The blue gi works much better for him than Roshi's orange and I adore his shaggy bangs

The Worst: Yamcha's Vegeta Cosplay

I'm sorry, but it really really really REALLY wasn't about your looks. You guys tried it for 10+ years and your personalities just don't mesh. Sometimes people aren't right for one another and that's OK.

The Rarest Yamcha

Blink and you'll miss Yamcha at his absolute finest. After he's done training for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament, he changes into this black and white number, and meets up with Bulma and Puar in West City. Bulma doesn't recognize him at first and immediately gets his hair chopped off, although she seemed really enamored by this look, so idk why she bothered. He was perfect here

[rlainarin]

/BURSTS THROUGH YOUR WALL LIKE THE KOOL AID MAN/ SIR I GOT QUESTIONS 1, 3, 13 for Angharad and Zevvo my beloveds

9 and 18 for Dianthe and Fenris please and thank! Also biting you

AUGH am bitten

ANGHARAD AND ZEVVO

Who first brought up the option of marriage? Was it an easy topic?

ok ok brought up is a funny one here because they do a really good job getting engaged without actually explicitly saying it. Zev does his whole earring song and dance, Angharad counters with a gift of a bracer which is very dwarf-engagement-coded

and so the first person who actually brings up that they're getting married is Oghren. taking the shit out of the whole idea of marriage and oh oopsydoodle guess we need to actually communicate now. damn it and Leli just let us out of the "TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS" cupboard

Show us their engagement and/or wedding rings!

AUGH ok so. I had a ring that I was going to use with my cosplay for The Earring but it broke. just snapped in two. thankfully the boyf does jewelry so it can and will be fixed but at this exact moment it's not in a photographable state. ANYWAY it's a wreath of embossed gold roses.

the engagement bracer is made by Wade and it's embossed dragon leather with embroidery patterns copying the Dalish Gloves. and it has a hidden knife pocket of COURSE.

Show us their outfits!

ok ok I may come in later and add drawings but I wanna make sure I don't forget this ask and leave it languishing

so they get married with about twelve hours of notice right after the Battle of Denerim at the big party, which makes the outfits kind of thrown together. Leli does her best with giving the grooms flower crowns but fundamentally I think both of them have borrowed a nice coat off a short, butch human noblewoman and otherwise they're just wearing what's clear and intact.

And there's finally a proper occasion for Zevran to wear his nice Antivan leather boots. :)

DIANTHE AND FENRIS

Show us a mood/stimboard of their wedding’s general aesthetic.

Oh I've got better than a moodboard, I've got a whole video clip of their wedding aesthetic!

Did anyone oppose the marriage? Did they speak then, or did they just forever hold their peace?

Running w/ main canon where Dianthe is an Amell (Not That Onetm)and not a Hawke, yeah her family was pretty against it! She was supposed to marry wealthy, someone who would support the family and protect her as an apostate.

But when they flee Kirkwall, Fenris leaves a note that they should take over the old mansion by way of a dowry, and that goes a long way towards smoothing it over.

[sheliesshattered]

Yesterday I spent some time trying to figure out the technique for sewing the narrow black and gold trim onto the seam lines of the RRD cosplay overdress. I tried a couple of different things, picked it out, tried again, and eventually decided that sewing both edges down with a separate length of thread results in the best look.

And after a couple of hours of effort, I had a whole 2" finished.

I haven't measured it out, but I have something like 15 or 16 yards of trim to attach -- nine of the ten vertical seams of the dress, and around the wrist edge of the sleeves as well. That's a lot of handsewing, and possibly more days than I have left until Dragon Con (12 weeks exactly) if I can't manage to speed up that rate of progress.

But I knew the first few inches would be the slowest, and the first seam would be where I would figure out all the tricks of doing it both fast and well. I started with one of the side back seams, under the arm, so that any wonkiness early on wouldn't be literally front and center on the dress.

I was able to devote another few hours to it today and added ~19", for a total of about 21" of trim attached. The panels under the armscyes are the shortest (the other 8 panels extend up to the shoulder line), so that 21" takes me down past the waistline and into the skirt.

I'm definitely getting faster and more confident with it as I go, but I think I'm going to attach the trim to all four of these short seams on the side of the dress before I move on to the bigger and more visible seams, and end with center front. That way my best work will be the most visible, and this early stuff tucked out of the way and much less visible.

But that said, I am pretty happy with how this first stretch is looking. It's not quite as straight and smooth as it could be, but that already seems to be getting better as I go. And you have to look really close to see those tiny wiggles, so really I'll be the only one who notices it anyway.

I've held the trim up to the dress before, but I hadn't realized just how much depth and texture the trim adds until I was able to take a step back and look at a foot or more of it sewn down. I'm really looking forward to seeing the whole thing come together over the next however many days.

And on that note, if anyone has recommendations for things to listen to, like maybe true crime podcasts or something, send me your suggestions. My current listening hyperfixation is coming to an end, and I've got a lot of handsewing still ahead of me, lol.

[vapehk1]

Exploring the Rick and Morty 9000 Vape

Ah, the Rick and Morty 9000. Imagine if your vape attended a cosplay event dressed as your favorite mad scientist duo—well, you're halfway there! This isn't just any vape; it's a pocket-sized portal to flavor town with a geeky twist. Perfect for those who like their puffs packed with pop culture. Let's break down what makes this interdimensional gadget a must-have for the discerning vaper who also happens to love animated genius. Rick and Morty 9000 Specifications If you're the type of person who measures time in vape puffs rather than minutes, the Rick and Morty 9000 is your new best friend. This isn't just any run-of-the-mill vape; it's like the Swiss Army knife of the vaping world. You can practically go on a vaping marathon, thanks to its massive juice capacity and the stamina of its battery. Whether you're lounging at home, stuck in traffic, or escaping from a tedious meeting, this vape keeps the clouds coming longer than a marathon session of your favorite interdimensional cable TV shows. Now, let's talk about the heart of this beast—the 0.8ohm mesh coil. This little miracle worker is the secret sauce behind the exceptionally smooth and flavorful vapor that the Rick and Morty 9000 delivers. Every inhale is as smooth as jazz, ensuring that each flavor note sings in harmony, from the deepest bass of blueberry to the high notes of pink lemonade. And because it's engineered to handle up to 9000 puffs, you can rest assured that your vaping experience is not only top-notch but also enduring. So, gear up for some serious vaping action that's as epic as an episode of "Rick and Morty" itself! Design and Build Quality of Rick and Morty 9000 Truly, the Rick and Morty 9000 vape is a fusion of function and fanfare. Decked out with illustrations of the chaotic yet beloved duo, Rick and Morty, this device is an eye-catcher. Whether you're showing it off at a fan meetup or just enjoying a solo session, it feels like a little piece of the show right in your pocket. The design isn't just for looks; it’s crafted to endure the rigors of space-time adventures, or at least the occasional drop from your pocket as you scramble out of your car. The ergonomic design of the vape ensures that it's more than just a novelty item. The comfortable grip makes it easy to hold for extended sessions, and its sturdy build is reliable enough for daily use, whatever dimension you find yourself in. The practical features mesh seamlessly with its playful appearance, making it a standout device that's as functional as it is fun. It's the perfect gadget for anyone looking to add a little zest to their vaping experience, while broadcasting their love for one of the most inventive shows on television. Rick and Morty 9000 Flavors Brace yourself for the flavorverse explosion! Whether you're craving something sweet, tangy, or a bit of both, there’s a dimension of taste for every palate: - Blueberry Raspberry: It's like a berry supernova in your mouth! - Mr. Blue: Cool, mysterious, and as enigmatic as Mr. Meeseeks' existence. - Strawberry Watermelon: This one's a summer fling on your taste buds. - Orange Soda: Fizzier than Rick’s personality and twice as sweet. - Watermelon Bubble Gum: Chew on this, without the jaw workout. - Rainbow Candy: A party of sweet treats, no pinata needed. - Pink Lemonade: Pucker up, sunshine! - Peachy Mango Pineapple: A tropical getaway in every puff. - Strawberry Banana: Smoothie lovers, this one’s for you. - Lush Ice: A cool breeze on a hot day in the form of a vape. - Black Dragon Ice: Dragons in your lungs? Yes, but the cool kind. - Aloe Grape: As soothing as watching "Interdimensional Cable." Pros and Cons of Rick and Morty 9000 Pros: One of the most notable pros is its incredible puff count—up to 9000 puffs per device means you can enjoy extended vaping without frequent replacements, making it both convenient and cost-effective. Additionally, the variety of flavors available ensures that every vaper can find their perfect match, whether they prefer fruity, sweet, or icy tastes. The high-capacity battery is another significant plus, allowing for long vaping sessions without the need for constant recharging. Moreover, for fans of the show, the unique Rick and Morty-themed design adds a fun, collectible twist to their vaping experience. Cons: The Rick and Morty 9000's high nicotine content of 5% might not appeal to everyone, particularly those who are sensitive to nicotine or prefer a lighter vape. This could limit its appeal to a broader audience who might otherwise be interested in trying it based on its design and flavor offerings. Additionally, the thematic nature of the vape might make it less accessible in some markets, potentially leading to higher prices due to its niche appeal. Lastly, the elaborate design, while appealing to fans, might not resonate with vapers looking for something more understated or professional in appearance. Conclusion So, you're thinking about joining the legions of vapers wielding the Rick and Morty 9000, huh? Well, strap in! This isn't your average vape; it's more like a little piece of the multiverse that fits right in your pocket. With its monster capacity of 18ml for vape juice and a battery that lasts longer than some celebrity marriages, you’re in for some serious vaping marathon sessions. It's as robust as it is riotous, covered in graphics that scream "I’m a fan!" Plus, with flavors ranging from the fruitilicious to the refreshingly icy, your taste buds will be on a roller coaster of delight. But, like every hero’s tale, there’s a twist: its high nicotine level might be too intense for the light-hearted, and its fan-centric design could either tickle your fancy or not. Whether it’s for puffing through your daily routine or just flaunting your fandom, the Rick and Morty 9000 is here to make a statement in the world of vape. If you want to know more, please refer to this article: https://keystonevape.com/best-vape/the-best-disposable-vapes-2024-you-cant-miss/ Read the full article

[creaturemoment]

I don't really know what the hell's going on with my gender but it kinda slaps

Cute t-shirt, pink pleated skirt, chunky leg warmers, sneakers, marbled black/white tail, white fursuit paws with black toes (fingers? whatever they're called) and see-through blue claws. Blue hour. Dragons and fairytales. The concept of Ice/Fairy pokemon. People doing a double take questioning if I'm human.

My old teal hoodie, brown pants w/ cuffs rolled up, sneakers, grim determination. Nightcore Angel with a Shotgun. Final girl vibes? Idk I haven’t watched horror movies.

Tumblr sexyman. Suit vest, slutty waist, smooth voice. Not necessarily a man or a woman, just edgy theatrics and endless confidence and cosplay Tiktoks. Just a charming bastard. I know the word "Tumblrsexygender" sounds a little ridiculous but I genuinely resonate with it lmao

[spaceselkie]

Sooo, I've started a new project. I apologize for those who followed so long ago for RF5 Ludmila, the open hoop skirt defeated me (I think, eventually, there may still be hope for her - but I need to let that cosplay hibernate for now).

Long-winded explanation omitted, last month I started working on a genderbend dancer Dimitri from Fire Emblem: Three Houses, post-timeskip, with some color variations on the normal design (more on that later). A lot of that work has been gathering materials, and preparing, but I've also been working on embroidery.

This is the first thing I actually did and finished - as well as my first goldwork embroidery project, ever. I went to a workshop for it at Dragon Con this year (because I have wanted to try it out for some time), and pretty much as soon as I decided Dimitri, I decided I wanted to incorporate an interpretation of the blue mark on his chest armor. Goldwork seemed like the right vibe for a heavily embellished costume like the dancer outfits.

Preliminary planning, WIP pictures, etc. below the read more.

Firstly, apologizes for the most crunchy pictures ever. This game is hard to get decent images from, as per the first two pictures found online.

So, re: the color variation - Dimitri has a dancer outfit (above left), and it has a female version equivalent (above right, on Ingrid). It's fine, it's a decent outfit - but I personally don't like the female version as much with all that white.

I'm switching all the white fabric (the top of the dress, most of the back skirt, and the flounce) to black instead, to better match Dimitri's timeskip design. I think it suits the character better, and it feels more custom than every Blue Lion wearing the same outfit (that's an exaggeration, but 5 out of 8 of them all do have that same outfit, in m or f version). This is relevant as my wife is doing genderbent timeskip Felix to match, so we both opted to do color-variant designs that matched the characters a bit better.

I've got a black bridal poly satin for that, but for the blues, I'm going a bit fancier.

I have never made a costume with silk before, but Dimitri is my special blorbo, my babygirl, and I've longingly browsed Silk Baron's dupioni collection for ages now. This felt like the time. Mallorca (a lighter blue shot with cobalt) is for the upper tabard and the edges of the arm drapes, nightfall (a lighter navy) will be at the bottom of the back skirt and lower tabard, and canterbury- which is, perhaps, the most beautiful, intensely cobalt blue I have ever seen- will be for the bulk of the lower tabard, and the arm drapes. This keeps with the original layout of colors on the dancer outfit, but pulls in Dimitri's colors from his design (the cobalt in particular). I have all the aforementioned fabric already, to be sewn soon. We'll both be using indigo jinjo's FE3H dancer pattern, which I was delighted to find out was just updated to include size 24 UK- so I don't have to fuzt around with pattern resizing.

So, the goldwork! The base fabric is a black cotton twill I got as a remnant from the fabric store, because I really don't want to mess with silk organza if I don't have to (I tend to be messy on the back of my embroidery). I used metallic purl, smooth purl, folded silk purl, and a few colors of bright check in my chipping to create a "purl soup" effect, and I used darker blue towards the edges for a gradient effect. The outer edge is pearl purl in a dark blue. I used a 100% wool felt from the craft store as my padding, silk thread for stitching, and all the goldwork metals are from The Designers Stop on Etsy. The back was treated with pva glue to secure everything, and I'll stitch it onto the upper bodice once constructed.

You'll notice the upper tip of this is shorter than the one on Dimitri's armor (which I think is actually the same length as the bottom, as it's probably supposed to mimic his crest shape). I shortened this intentionally because on the female dancer outfit, the pauldron is on the same side as Dimitri's chest mark. I wanted to reduce risk of rubbing, and making it suit the space better.

There's a lot left to do, but I'm feeling very motivated. These cosplays are, for us, a love letter to this game and these characters that matter so much to us. We started playing Houses the day we got married, on our honeymoon, while we were trapped in a cottage because I threw my back out and there was a hurricane outside, and it wasstill a wonderful experience. I think FE3H will always be special for us, and these cosplays, I hope, will be representative of that.

[anotherdayforchaosfay]

Which berry is the best type of berry?

What are your opinions on crepes?

Does a farmers market sound like a fun place to go or a nightmarish punishment?

Would you rather have a pet pigeon or a pet bunny?

Were you born in oregon?

Whats cooler in sewing, (good quality assumed) metallic highlighted or glow in the dark prints?

What non sewing arts, if any, do you enjoy?

Who if anyone did you have as your goofy middle school crush (seemed like the girls at my school were thirsty for legolas)

What superpower would you have? What would your weakness to balance it out be?

I just have fun asking people questions, feel free to ignore

Strawberry, though technically not a berry, so banana. Yes, bananas are berries.

Never had a crepe.

I enjoy our local farmers market. The mask keeps odors from overwhelming me and earplugs for especially noisy days.

Neither? I'm allergic to feathers and rabbits.

Nope, born elsewhere.

Metallic when on high quality fabric. Glow in the dark has a rough texture whereas goo quality metallic is also very smooth

Watercolor painting (I have no paint anymore because mine is gone), building D&D terrain and sets (all but three buildings in the gaming room were built) by me), and writing. The link to my AO3 is on my profile. Much Dragon Age fanfiction, and a good chunk is smutty filth.

Silly crush would be...hmmm, been over 20 years. I can't remember the name, bit it was a Gundam pilot from Gundam wing. His weapon was a scythe.

Superpower would be...I'm drawing a blank. I usually have one I always choose, but right now? Ha! I can't remember. Fo that reason, I choose shape-shifting. I take on the abilities of whatever creature I change to, so I can fly as a bird and breathe water as a fish. But before I can do that, I must physically touch them. When I shape-shift, I keep personal characteristics. My eyes are always grey, and thr fur/hair/feathers/scales always have an auburn tinge to them and in a sort of layout similar to my haircut. I can become as small as a flea and as large as a whale, but for no more than 12 hours, after which I start to return to my default form. I can also keep characterists I remember, so for something like a daenei cosplay I could have the horns and hooves of a goat. I cannot shape-shift as different people, plants, or fungi, and less like a human the more difficult it is to shift as them. A squid is more difficult than an elephant.

[onepiecemerchstore]

LUFFY COSPLAY With a bounty of 1.5 billion Berries, possessor of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, captain of the Straw Hat pirates and captain of the Straw Hat Grand fleet, Straw Hat Luffy has risen far sufficient within the marine world to say the title of Yonko : the fifth emperor of the ocean. He's the son of Revolutionary chief Monkey D. Dragon and grandson of the Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp. His lifelong dream is to develop into the Pirate King by discovering the legendary treasure left behind by the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Dive into the One Piece universe with Luffy’s signature outfit. The distinctiveness of this cosplay merchandise together with its extremely correct consideration to element will make you the fixed centre of consideration all over the place you go! Materials: The costume was created with the best grade and high quality of Polyester, a sturdy and resistant type of plastic immune to shrinking, stretching, wrinkling, and abrasions. It's also fast to dry and stain resistant. Light-weight: Smooth and light-weight, this cosplay merchandise is the right approach to share your fashion with the world. Merchandise Sort: High + Pants Picture depicts Luffy's outfit The cosplay merchandise is of an especially top quality with a really cheap worth. FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Consideration: Hat & Sandals not supplied however accessible on our website. Consult with the dimensions information under. 1 measurement above is a assure of safety. N.B : these are the measurements of the merchandise not yours ! ➡️ View different cool Cosplay

[lovely-hikari-cosplay]

Seriously though, the pictures of Skully that are coming back look so much better than I thought they would

•

📸: @madz_cosplay on Instagram

@mckeltie.photography on Instagram and Facebook

@victoriahudspeth on Instagram

[owlsinathens]

HotD Episode 2 or TOW Ramsay Bolton in his famous Legolas cosplay is holding a very big egg

(Srsly, I might be having hallucinations, but even Daemon's voice at times sounds like Iwan's Ramsay voice. And he looks a bit like him too, only washed out and a lot less good-looking*)

Oh and speaking of voices, is it me with my screwed perception or is Mysaria's accent similar to Shae's? Only in Mysaria it sounds like she's copying Shae's accent and isn't entirely successful. I should stop comparing everything to GoT. Yeah I won't.

Alright, now that I got the Daemon-bashing off my chest... I have to confess they totally got me with the new intro because a) it's a nice addition to/adaptation of the GoT intro which I will never not love, b) I dig all the thick fake blood, gives me Sweeney Todd vibes, and c) did I mention I'm basic af and easy to delight, so yeah I like it.

The choosing a kingsguard scene is really interesting. Mostly because it has given me minimum 2 more Greysnow ficlet ideas, which I may or may not write for Greysnow week in February. Not sure what to think of Criston Cole yet, he seems too smooth. Good-looking bugger tho.

Can I say, urgh at Viserys going for Alicent but THANK FUCK he's not going for Laena. I mean, I knew he's going to marry Alicent bc Otto is a scheming scarecrow and Viserys is lonely and sad and not immune to her charms and because I read the Wiki of Ice and Fire stuff etc etc, but I was STILL relieved af to see that this Viserys has more scruple than his gilded namesake descendant. And god that kid reciting the lines trained into her by her parent(s? Rhaenys I'm narrowing my eyes at you a lot) is heartbreaking. Ugh. UGH.

The ship. The SHIP. The Rhaenyra/Alicent friends to lovers to enemies thing in the making is intriguing, to say the least. And oh poor badass Rhaenyra (she was SO cool when confronting Legoramsay) - her face when Viserys announces he means to marry Alicent, oh oh oh 🥺 (Btw as much as I'm looking forward to Emma D'arcy's more mature Rhaenyra, I do have a soft spot for Milly Alcock, I think she's doing a wonderful job!)

That fucking egg tho. Not that I'm complaining, it gave me some more sick dragon action. Dragons dragons dragons 🥰🥰🥰 And it's Dreamfyre's egg? I wonder/hope we get to see her too.

Honourable mention of House Mallister being mentioned, three cheers for Patrek's ancestors!

Also I know it's pathetic but I almost fell off the couch in my absolute enthusiasm for having the Iron Islands mentioned. Reaving and reaping, as always *tsk* Now where is Dalton Greyjoy? A Sea Snake might be all well and good, but I wanna see The Red Kraken!

Anyway, that's it for this episode. Sorry for subjecting you to my thoughts, but I fear that'll be a weekly staple as long as the show is running. Still casually liking it.

*This of course is highly subjective. Shit-talking Daemon might be my new favourite thing. I like it more than whiskers on kittens. Don't @ me everyone needs a hobby 🙈 but I promise it's all in good fun, I'm miles away yet from taking this show too seriously.

[theriu]

A Meager Attempt At A Cool Rocks Post

So I have been inspired by @reddpenn​'s superb Cool Rock Posts. I too have a love for cool rocks, but it pales in comparison to the breadth and depth of both collection size and rock knowledge Redd has. Alas, my love of rocks remains uneducated and amateur, which is kind of ironic since I took three geology classes in college for my science credits. (Turns out I just like pretty things, actually remembering their formation and hardness and stuff doesn’t factor in.)

Nonetheless! I wish to share my small but still lovely collection of rocks and what little I know about them!

I have made this little display for our purposes. Obviously there are a few stand-ins so that my collection does not look too lonely, but if there is one thing I do excel at collecting, it is cool-looking Stuff to scatter around my house. Pay no mind to the Trex, he was a recent purchase from the home decoration store because he LOOKS like rock, which I think we can all agree is a good aesthetic for him. So far he has been a very good chap.

We shall start with the Small Boys:

These are the rocks I've had the longest, and in truth pay little mind to. As anyone who has frequented a gift shop with a rock section will recognize, these are the kind of assorted rocks one finds in a box, pays for by weight or bag limit, and takes home in a charming felt pouch. I don't even know what kind of rocks they are. Perhaps variations of the same kind? Someone with greater rock knowledge than I may know.

But you should know that, when it comes to rocks, I have a secret:

I really, really, REALLYREALLYREALLY like rocks you can SEE INTO

There's something so beautiful and magical, even mysterious, about translucent stone. Be it a glass ball full of swirled colors or a rough chunk of rock revealing deeply embedded inclusions, the depth and glow of a transparent or translucent rock fills me with delight. Perhaps it puts me in mind of bodies of water, and all the life swimming about in them. It makes you want to believe there is more to this simple stone, to imagine cool fantasy stories around their hidden abilities. This is why this seemingly boring Gray found a home - look how he lights up! Even Green has a bit of glow! (Blue does not, sadly, but he is blue. I like blue. :D)

My fondness for orange rocks is also going to become highly apparent as we continue:

Left: A GORGEOUS carnelian palm stone I found at a steampunk convention last year. I think I paid $30 for it. Now, I am not one to dole out large amounts of money for rocks willy-nilly - I have to be REALLY CERTAIN I love a rock enough to spend the asking price (i.e. How Likely Am I To Hold And Stare At This Rock For Long Periods?). But just look at this BEAUTY! It's like I'm holding a small chunk out of the rings of Saturn in my hand. It is also just about the right shape to pass for a dragon egg. And, I mean, look at it in the light:

Tell me that doesn’t look like a yolk. XD

I waffle between imagining this as a dragon egg, or plotting to incorporate it into my orange-and-yellow mandalorian cosplay as a chunk of stone from an old Jedi temple that my mando has hooked up to an arm device that uses it to detect force-users in the vicinity. Like I said, rocks are awesome for creating cool stories. :D

(Also: while I do not ascribe to the new age-y uses of palm stones, I will say that there is something decidedly pleasant about just holding a gorgeous, smooth, cool rock that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand!)

Back to the first picture, because Tumblr has an obnoxious 10 pic limit on posts...

Right: This is my newest rock, purchased just this week at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Sometimes a particular rock just jumps out at you, and that is what happened with this very reasonably-priced $5 piece of orange calcite I brought home. 

It looks like a huge chunk of candy. I almost want to eat it. But where it lacks the superior factor of rock candy that is deliciousness, this citrine has the estimable advantage of not turning sticky no matter how long I touch it.

And once again, when held up to the light...

Look at that gorgeous glow! She turns almost yellow in the light! I tell you, I looked at most of the orange citrine in the box, but this one that initially grabbed my attention just really stuck with me. Sometimes rock collecting is just the simple joy of finding that rare rock that really leaps out at you ahead of all the other pretty rocks which give you your fill for a few seconds before being left peacefully on their shelf.

(In other words, find the rocks that you want to stare at while spinning in your palm for unreasonable amounts of time like a crow adoring its shinies.)

Now, this little slice of a geode (I THINK??? Experts please advise) isn't very exotic. But for the paltry sum I paid for it at a rummage tent, and the GORGEOUS swirls this picture does not do justice, I think my reasons for claiming it are clear:

Someone more knowledgeable than me, please feel free to point out what qualities make this piece so lovely. It is amazing, like the frozen visage of a swirly space storm frosted with ice. I want to make it into jewelry or attach it to something, and I never wear jewelry. Why is the carrying around of pretty stones just to look at fondly in bored moments not more socially acceptable, I ask you?! (Not that this has stopped me, at times.)

Alas, I'm probably getting a bit long-winded, but we are nearing the end of the collection! And I'm sure someone out there is interested in the contents of this fun little box:

This was actually a prize I won for completing the scavenger hunt games in first place at a Steampunk convention several years ago! And I LOVE IT! A perfect little custom exhibit box, complete with labels! It looks so cool on my shelf. And all the pieces are authentic!

First, the ever-familiar purple amethyst. I must confess, I am a slight hipster in regards to liking things a bit more if they are less well-known, and perhaps that is why I don't have much opinion about amethyst. It is undeniably lovely in color and translucency, but it's just EVERYWHERE - I feel sometimes like it is the unofficial mascot of Cool Rocks In Gift Shops. So this rock isn't high on my favorites list, but it still feels right to have a piece.

The trilobite is my real favorite of the group. Look how big he is! Look how complete! I'd never held such a big one before this, much less owned it! And he's still a little guy compared to some out there! So cool!!! And he is indeed a rock, because fossils :D

And the last one isn’t a rock at all, but come on, ACTUAL VIKING AGE METAL. That's just cool.

But what's this? A mere decorative addition? An imposter?!

Sure, sand and glass are both made of silicates, but they don't really count as Cool Rocks, or even gems. But what's that there, tucked away in the shell...?

My genuine pink pearl from Hawaii! Now, granted, pearls are not your typical rock. But they ARE considered gems, just made by a living creature, so I felt it deserved a mention. I got this two years ago on a family vacation to Maui, at the Dole Plantation. While pearls have never been a favorite of mine, this one is special to me because my mother, sister, and cousin also did the "open an oyster and get the pearl inside" touristy thing that places like this offer. We almost all got different colors, and it was just really cool. There is a hole drilled in one side in case I ever want it mounted in a ring or something, but truthfully, I wish I had left it pristine. It now resides as a secret treasure in my other, glassier souvenir from that cool trip.

Alas, these are all the rocks and near-rocks I have to share. If you like cool rocks and want to learn actual cool science about LOTS of cool rocks, definitely check out @reddpenn​'s blog, where you will find MANY COOL ROCK POSTS SERIOUSLY REDD YOU HAVE SO MANY COOL ROCKS!!! 

And if you wish to share YOUR cool rocks, I highly encourage you to do so! Let me be your forerunner in sharing cool rocks without actually knowing all the sciency stuff behind them, because sometimes you just like things because they are pretty and tickle your imagination.

~River

[ladynightmare913]

Ink Bloom

Greetings and welcome to Chapter 1 of Ink Bloom!

This is an original story inspired by Asian lore, Jellyfish and so many more things I couldn't possibly begin to list! Since it's Mermay, I wanted to write something about mermaids, but I just didn’t have a clue as to what to do until it hit me like a tidal wave and I knew I had to bring this to life in writing! I would like to say a special thank you to my best friend Olivia (@asunshinepuff ) for joining me in writing this spectacular world onto paper!

For the readers who enjoy Red Rose, Blood Moon, don’t worry I will still be writing chapters and I hope you will enjoy this story as well!

This story only has original characters created by Olivia and myself. For those who want to be tagged, feel free to send an ask to me or Olivia on her blog. If you have any questions, theories, or curiosities about any of our characters or how the story will progress, send them to the ask box!

Chapter 1: Is That Cosplay?

Welcome to Poseidon’s Aquarium, as a reminder to all visitors, please keep sight of your children at all times.

“Alright everyone, stay close to your chaperons! Now, does everyone have a buddy!” A woman with medium-length dirty blonde hair, sun kissed skin, red lips and bright green eyes spoke to the group in front of her. She was dressed in a light khaki jacket with a white blouse, black slacks paired with black flats, and wore light brown rounded frame glasses.

“Yes Ms. Baker!” A group of fourth graders responded.

Ms. Baker nodded approvingly at her students, she looked over to one of her students who was in front of the group.

“Darcy, you must be so excited to be here. Maybe we’ll even see your dad and he will give us a tour!” The woman smiled.

A nine year old girl with long smooth brown hair, sea blue eyes, pale skin, rosy cheeks, and soft pink lips simply nodded at her teacher. She was wearing her school’s uniform, a light grey jumper dress with a long sleeve button up blouse underneath, a matching light grey blazer with deep blue accents along the collar, and her school’s name emblem of a horse with a fishtail over the left pocket in the same shade of blue, white stockings, black converse, and a simple deep blue bow on the side of her head.

Ms. Baker was undeterred by her student’s subdued response, turning her attention back to the rest of the class she smiled wider. “Let’s go!”

The fourth grade teacher walked straight ahead to the Northern Pacific exhibit. Darcy followed along silently, her buddy, a boy called Henry with short strawberry blonde hair and green eyes with freckles and blue rimmed glasses gently pulls her along with the class.

The children stare in awe and whisper among themselves as they go from exhibit to exhibit. Other students from different schools all played with the sea lions, and waddled like the penguins, and cooed at the otters. Darcy's father hadn’t made an appearance.

Next, they entered the underwater tunnel. The children gasped at the sight of the sharks, manta rays, and vibrant colors of the fish. One little boy gasped then pointed near the top of the huge tank.

“Look! A Mermaid!” He exclaimed.

“Where?!”

All the children rushed to where the mermaid dived down to them, she had black hair, and her tail was a shimmering yellow. When she finally reached the children’s eye level, she smiled and waved. Henry watched in wonder, his jaw agape. Darcy simply stared. She did not smile, she did not gasp in excitement.

“Is that a real mermaid?!” One little girl asked. Darcy looked at the girl who had asked Ms. Baker. The fourth grade teacher smiled as she shook her head.

“No Alisa, mermaids are not real, but she’s the closest thing to a real mermaid.”

The child, Alisa, pouted at the teacher, “Well I believe mermaids are real!”

Ms. Baker simply chuckled, and the children returned to watching the show. Darcy silently watched. The mermaid blew bubbles kisses to the children, doing a few tricks and swirls. They watched for a while before Ms. Baker spoke.

“Alright class, let’s move on, we have many other places to see!” She smiled as she urged the groaning and pouting children on. Henry followed until he noticed his shoelaces were untied. Quickly he bent down and tied his shoes. Looking back up, he noticed his class was already far ahead.

“Hey wait up!” He called after them, running to catch up. Unknowingly leaving behind his buddy, Darcy.

The nine year old girl continued to watch the mermaid, and when the mermaid left once everyone else had gone, and still, Darcy remained motionless.

“Do you believe?”

Darcy startled, breaking her reverie. Darcy turned to look at who spoke to her. It was an Asian woman. A very beautiful woman. Dressed in a long traditional pink dress with a darker shade of pink that looked like jellyfish, a dark indigo outer robe, and dark indigo flats. Darcy’s head tilted as she took in the woman’s clothes. She had pale skin, long ink blue hair that looked so soft to touch, bright indigo eyes. Darcy continued to stare at the strange woman.

“Is this not the right tongue?” The woman frowned gently as she looked over the small child.

Darcy shakes her head. She must have been quiet for a long time if the woman thought Darcy didn’t understand her. “Sorry, do I believe in what?

“Do you believe in maidens of the sea?” The woman in strange clothes elaborated. Giving Darcy a gentle smile.

“Do you mean mermaids?”

The woman silently repeated the word, mouthing out mermaid slowly before a nod to Darcy. Darcy looked down to her feet before turning to look back at the swimming fish.

“I used to. But they’re not real.”

“Well, not this one.” The woman looked at the swimming fish. Who seemed rather keen to stay a safe distance away. “And who says mermaids are not real?” She huffs.

Darcy frowns at the woman. “My teacher says they're not real.”

The woman scoffed. “What does she know about mermaids, she didn’t notice one of her disciples is missing”

Darcy blinks curiously at the woman’s words. Although she did have a point, Darcy wasn’t convinced. “My daddy says mermaids aren’t real.”

“Well, he’s wrong because mermaids are real.” The woman smirked at the little girl.

Darcy frowned. “My daddy is a scientist, he studies the ocean. Believe me, he’s looked.”

“Not hard enough, they are elusive creatures.” The woman shrugs her shoulders as she gives Darcy a smile. “And even the most enlightened scholars can be wrong.”

Darcy stared at the woman in bewilderment. There is no such thing as mermaids, everyone knows that. Did this adult really believe in mermaids?

“Are you teasing me?” Darcy asked the woman dubiously.

“No, I am being sincere, I promise.” The woman chuckled.

There was nothing Darcy could do if this woman was adamant about mermaids being real. This wouldn’t be the first time Darcy knew someone who truly believed mermaids existed. Darcy sighed, looking back to the exhibit.

“So if you do not believe in mermaids, which one is your favorite?” The woman leaned forward a bit, tilting her head as she looked at Darcy.

Darcy was silent for a long time, but the woman never urged her for an answer. At long last, Darcy spoke.

“Sea horses.”

The woman smiled, Darcy couldn���t help but smile back.

“Show me.”

And so she did. Taking the woman’s hand, Darcy led her to her favorite place in the entire aquarium. Taking her back near the entrance, passing the main Tropical Reef exhibit, and into a hidden darkened room. All the other visitors had already moved on and the room was near silent. It was how Darcy preferred it.

Still holding the woman’s hand, they wordlessly walked right up to a small exhibit. There, in the blue water, were the golden sea horses that Darcy loved. Softly floating from one rock to the next.

The woman ran her fingertips over the plaque, mouthing out the words. “Leafy Sea Dragons?” The woman looked to Darcy.

“They were my mom’s favorite,” Darcy whispered, her gaze never leaving the sea horses.

The woman said nothing as she gazed gently at Darcy. The little girl’s longing gaze yet gentle smile was enough for the woman to understand. Silently, she returned to look back at them as well, leaving Darcy in peace to reminisce. And there they stayed in silence, simply basking in the beautiful creature’s presence.

With a deep breath, Darcy took the woman’s hand and led them to the cafeteria, where Darcy learned that the woman didn’t have money, nor did she seem to know what money even was. Darcy paid for both of their meals.

“What’s your name?” Darcy asked as she swallowed her ham and cheese sandwich.

“My my, we just met and you’re already asking me such forward questions.” The woman smirked, her eyes seemed to sparkle in mischief. “You don’t even introduce yourself and yet you wish to know my name?”

Darcy couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m Darcy.”

“Darcy,” The woman repeated the name carefully, “It suits you well.”

“Thanks, my mom picked it. My dad wanted to name me Sarah.” Darcy finished as she took another bite of her sandwich.

“Well Darcy, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Mingzhu.”

“Mingzhu? Is that your real name or your cosplay?”

The woman frowned. “Cos-play? What is cosplay?”

Darcy shrugged, “I don’t really know, but my cousin does it sometimes. He dresses up as characters and pretends to be them.”

“Ah, no. No, it is my real name. I do not… Cosplay. I really look like this.” Mingzhu said, “Well when I am in this form anyway.”

Darcy shook her head with a smile. “Are you from Japan? My cousin wants to go to Japan.”

“I’m not surprised, Japan is beautiful. Especially in the spring.” Mingzhu commented. “But no, I am not from Japan.”

“Have you been to Japan?” Darcy stared curiously at her.

“I have. Although I am sure many things have changed by now, it’s been years since I’ve traveled there.”

Darcy pondered on that for a while, “What made you want to come here then?”

“I was drawn here by the water and food, I came here last night actually.” She answered simply.

“No, I mean, why did you come to California?” Darcy clarified.

At that, a smirk crossed Mingzhu’s lips. “Curious little thing aren’t you? Very well, I will tell you if you tell me why you wandered off from your pod.”

“My pod? Oh you mean my class.” Darcy thought it over before she nodded. “Okay. I didn’t mean to, sometimes it just happens.”

“What happens?” Mingzhu pressed.

Darcy shrugged as she looked at her hands. “Sometimes things just make me feel… lost? I don’t know.” Darcy admitted.

Mingzhu hummed thoughtfully, “I understand. I feel that way too sometimes.”

Darcy looked back to the woman, “So… why are you here?”

Mingzhu’s smirk returned, she leaned forward. “I am here to repay a kind act a man showed onto me three years ago.”

“Why did you wait three years?” Darcy asked.

“I was wounded, I had to heal, and then I had to learn where exactly California was.” Mingzhu huffed as she leaned back in her chair, a pout on her lips as she huffed.

“So where are you from?” The little girl asked as she sipped her milk carton.

“From far away.” The woman stabbed her fork into her salad. Darcy mused that she wasn’t used to eating without chopsticks.

“But where?” Darcy pressed.

“A cave.” Mingzhu finally managed to get the food onto the fork.

“A cave?” Darcy asked skeptically.

“A very nice cave. Full of sea glass, pearls, and jewels.”

Darcy shook her head, her shoulders shaking as she laughed. “That sounds like a dragon.”

Mingzhu tilted her head, “Really. How so?”

Darcy shrugged her shoulders, “My cousin plays stuff about dragons, fairies, and stuff with his friends. Dragons are bad, mean, and greedy. They keep treasure in caves.”

Mingzhu grew more horrified the longer she heard Darcy speak of dragons.

“ I saw a movie where a boy found a dragon and they were best friends,” Darcy commented. “That dragon couldn’t talk though.”

Mingzhu shook her head gently as she chuckled. “Well, where I come from. Dragons are benevolent creatures, not evil. Well, most are not.”

“What’s ben-voilent?”

“Ben-eh-voh-lent. It means kind and good. They could fly, and talk to creatures.”

Darcy made an ‘oh’ shape with her lips before looking down to the remainder of her sandwich. “I wish I had a best friend. Maybe then, I wouldn’t feel so lonely.”

Mingzhu’s heart clenched. How could a child already have such a grave look in her eyes? As if the reality of the world was snuffing out the last fragments of magic and wonder in her.

“Darcy, I-”

“DARCY!” Yelled the voice of Ms. Baker who stood at the entrance of the cafeteria. Turning the heads of many visitors who stopped to stare.

Darcy gasped, she quickly gathered her things, speaking hurriedly. “I gotta go, I forgot I had to go back to school,” she grabbed her sandwich, looking to Mingzhu. “It was nice meeting you Mingzhu! I had a good time. I hope to see you soon!” Darcy called out as she ran to rejoin her class, waving goodbye.

Mingzhu smiled softly as she waved goodbye to the child. Her tender gaze never left Darcy until she was gone from her sight.

Ms. Baker was not pleased that Darcy had strayed away from the group. Darcy pleaded with Ms. Baker not to tell her dad, and Ms. Baker only relented since Darcy knew the aquarium. On the way back to Sea Colt Academy, Darcy looked out of the school bus window, thinking about the stranger woman she had met and their conversation.

As she watched the ocean from her window, she saw something large swimming in the water. It sparkled against the blue water and under the sunlight, and when it dived down, a large pink frilly tail splashed against the water, but in a blink of an eye, it was gone. Darcy deemed that she was simply imagining it. She would probably never see it again. Just like she would probably never see Mingzhu again.

Until the very next day, when Darcy looked out of the classroom’s window, there Mingzhu was. Laying on a tree branch, in the same strange clothes, with the same dazzling smile, and giving Darcy a wave hello.

Darcy dropped her pencil.

Tag's List: Let me know if you wish to be added!

@waltzintherain

[idk-mlb-is-reals-cute44]

Mirror

(AO3 Link)

Mirror. A reflective surface, often framed and decorated, in which your own appearance may be seen.

The first time Kagami snuck out was in the middle of July. She was supposed to be studying next year’s coursework, and she had gotten as far as cracking open the brand-new pre-calc textbook before she was suddenly standing, full of energy and not sure what to do with it. She fiddled with the choker Ladybug had finally entrusted her with that winter, and before she even made the decision to, she found herself on the roof, wrapped in an armor of spandex and magic. That first night was full of a dread that made her movements sloppy, her jumps often stumbled and her heart over-fast. Her mother had trusted her to study, to stay in her room and do as she was told. Slipping back through her bedroom window to find her treachery undiscovered filled her with a heady rush. A secret. She had a secret.

From then it became a habit. About once a week, often more, when she was supposed to be studying, she climbed out her window and took to the rooftops. She hadn’t realized how little of Paris she had seen until then. She visited kitschy sandwich shops and outdoor farmer’s markets. One particularly tepid August day, the week before school started, she stumbled upon a dance battle outside a small hip hop studio (she didn’t win, not by a long shot, but something about the feeling of being a part of a crowd, of a moment, thrilled her). After years of magical ladybugs and rampaging akumas and mayor’s daughters becoming superheroes, it was practically mundane to have a girl dressed in a dragon-y onesie visit your grocery store. She’d been complimented on her “cosplay” at least three times. She didn’t tell the other superheroes. She didn’t quite know why. It wasn’t against the rules or anything. Rena Rouge regularly picked up pizza before team hangouts, and Chat Noir had been spotted frequenting a flower shop once or twice. It was nice, though. To have something that was just hers. That wasn’t for anybody else. That she did just because she wanted to.

The first time she got a B on a homework assignment was an equal-parts mixture of confusingly exhilarating and nerve wracking. At first she was sure she would burn it. Shred it or rip it up and hide it in a dumpster where no one could find it. But instead she smoothed it out from where her tight grip had crumpled the paper, and slipped it in her backpack. She taped it to the back of her locker, and every now and then she would look at it and smile. She didn’t have any friends at school to ask her why. Even if she had, she wasn��t sure what she would say. Something about the curved letter, splashed in bright red across the top right corner of her history paper, made her feel like she was tethered. One large, egregious stomp of a footprint where before she had tiptoed, barely indenting the sand.

She was friends with the girl who butchered fish at the deli. Kagami wasn’t sure it was a deli, to be clear. It sold sandwich meats and cheese, but also fresh fish and honey cakes when the owner’s elderly mother made a batch, and a collection of awful romance novels on a shelf in the back that the owner collected and nobody bought. But the sign out front said “Alberts’ Deli,” so, Kagami was friends with the girl who butchered fish at the deli. Or, more specifically, Ryuko was. But Ryuko was more Kagami than Kagami was Kagami, most days. The girl was blonde and overwhelmingly foul mooded. She was rarely spotted without pink bubblegum scrunched between her teeth, and she was pessimistic in a way that made Kagami feel positively bubbly in comparison. When Kagami ordered fish, the girl went out of her way to find interesting newspapers to wrap it in, a sort of inside joke between the two of them. Kagami had never properly had an inside joke with someone before. Kagami didn’t know what to do with the fish that she bought. The money wasn’t a problem, she had a weekly allowance and nowhere to spend it barring the few times a month she and Adrien got together, but she hated wasting the fish, and it wasn’t like she could just leave it in her refrigerator. Her mom still didn’t know she’d been sneaking out, and mystery fish wasn’t easy to brush off. So far she’d been leaving it on Marinette’s balcony, because she seemed like the type of person who knew what to do with spare fish. But this weekend her mother was out of town until Sunday afternoon, and Kagami had an idea. Kagami didn’t know how to cook. Maybe she should have spent more time contemplating that, but she pulled up a recipe and googled how to use the stove. She burned herself three times, twice on her pinkie finger and once across her palm, but she ended up with an arguably passable cooked fish. It was a little burnt and a little under seasoned, but she ate the whole thing, and hand washed her plates and the pan, returning them exactly where they had been. It felt like a victory.

“I’m gay,” she said to an old man as she helped him cross the street. He looked a little confused, due to her being a complete stranger, but shrugged and said, “Whatever floats your boat, Missy.” “I’m gay,” she said to the girl who worked at the deli. “Am I supposed to act surprised?” Adelaide returned in a bored voice, scrounging up a copy of the funnies that she’d saved at the bottom of the newspaper pile in the case that Kagami stopped by. Kagami smiled. “I’m gay,” Kagami tells Ladybug, on accident when the two of them are partnered up on patrol. She hadn’t meant to. She’d wanted to keep her life and Her Life separate. But it was out there now. “Oh,” Ladybug said, looking a little shocked. “Oh, okay.” “Is that okay?” Kagami asked, hesitating before her next jump and fumbling the landing. “Yes,” Ladybug said, and Kagami knew that she would say yes, she did know it, but something in her breathed a sigh of relief anyway, “Yes of course it’s okay.”

Kagami joined a hip hop class. Not Ryuko-Kagami. Kagami-Kagami. Kagami, face bare of any mask and hands exposed to the open air, asked her mother if she could sign up for a dance class at the studio where the dance battle had been. She didn’t tell her mother about the dance battle. Her mother had been confused, at first. But she’d agreed. Reluctantly, but she’d agreed. Kagami’s first class went poorly. It was November, so everyone else was leagues ahead of her, and she kept messing up the moves. Her arms felt jerky and awkward and her feet were never quite in the right place it seemed. She didn’t know if she’d ever been that happy in her life.

The B on her homework didn’t become a common recurrence. She kept the history paper taped to her locked, and it was joined by one pre-calc assignment and a lab write up, but overall she kept her grades up. She knew her place in the hip-hop class was more or less dependent on her school and fencing performance remaining unchanged. She’d made one friend though. “What’s that about?” George asked the first time they walked together to their lockers, hers and then his, in order of closeness to their final class, “You do know that you get the top grades in, like, the whole year, right? You don’t have to torture yourself with the few average grades you get. Anyone would be jealous to just have 3 Bs.” “No,” she said, “It’s not about that.” He seemed to want to ask what it was about, then, but she shrugged. They walked in silence to his locker, and she leaned against the wall as he stuffed back-breaking textbooks into his backpack. “My name means mirror,” she said finally, and he looked up, curious, “Sometimes it’s nice to… remind myself I’m not just the things people want to see in me. I guess.” “That’s… poetic,” George said, but not like he was mocking her. Kagami felt half her mouth lift in an awkward smile. “Thanks.”

She ends up not being very well suited to hip hop. Which isn’t to say that she quitted, just that she discovered her “worst in the class” phase wasn’t much of a phase at all. The gap became smaller, though. Penelope, a girl not much younger than Kagami, asked Kagami to help her with the footwork she forgot. The teacher corrected her less and less. She stopped feeling like a fish out of water and more like an average fish in a school of particularly exceptional fish… or something. They had a dance battle again. The studio puts them on once every three months, and participation isn’t mandatory but there’s no shortage of friendly peer-pressure. Kagami finds out that it’s scarier to dance in front of a crowd when you know them and they know you. When you’re not just a stranger in a mask. She didn’t anticipate how much sweeter the failure feels when, upon hopping off the makeshift outdoor stage, you’re surrounded by friends (and they are her friends, she has so many more friends than she could have ever imagined) whom holler and yell about how “AMAZING you were, Kagami, oh my god you killed it!” Penelope shyly asked if Kagami could show her how to do the jump Kagami had made up. It was a weird jump, kind of stumble-y and very awkward. Kagami shows her anyway. (She was still the worst in the class. She really didn’t mind.)

“You seem different,” Adrien said off-handedly one evening. The two of them were eating ice cream in the park, watching the newly sprung-up grass sway in the breeze. There was still some snow on the ground, leftover from the last big storm of winter. “I know,” Kagami said, “I feel different.” “You seem happier,” he added, getting chocolate all over his face. She smiled, and handed him a napkin, and stared up at the sky. “I spent so much time trying to be what other people wanted me to be,” she said, taking a contemplative lick of her strawberry ice cream, “And then I decided to figure out who I was when I wasn’t.” Adrien was quiet for a moment. “I’m not sure who I am all the time,” he confessed. Kagami giggled. “Me neither.”

[siriusbunbryist]

In defence of Abed x Annie.

Thanks to the magic of Netflix, I’ve rewatched Community at age 24, and still found Abed and Annie to have hit the heartstrings as much as I did when I was in high school watching the show for the first time.

But watching the series in its entirety just reinforces my thought that Abed and Annie had so much potential that was wasted, and it’s a shame that the writers planted all these seeds to only decide that perhaps this direction was not worth it / too risky / unfavoured by the audience. But I mean, Alison Brie herself (and I’m assuming Danny Pudi as well) endorsed them! Find here and here.

This was a pairing that with all the crumbs scattered throughout the show (I think we are all aware of these crumbs I speak of), could’ve easily played the “oh we’ve been secretly dating this whole time” trope during the last episode and it would’ve still made sense.

Naturally I did some scoping, and of course unsurprisingly the J.eff x Annie pairing takes the cake, while not a lot of love for Abed x Annie. So here are common points of contentions I see surrounding Abed and Annie, and my rationale on them.

Before I start, a note - I fully respect the J.eff x Annie ship and I don’t intend on starting a ship w.ar/debate. I understand where their support comes from! I just needed to vent because no one else in my social circle watches this show. No hate please.

1. Abed doesn’t see Annie romantically

I think on the contrary it’s been set up rather long ago that Abed at the very least is attracted to Annie.

Exhibit A: “What are you making” in Beginner Pottery

Exhibit B: “Flat B.utt and the one Abed wants to nail” in The Art of Discourse

This video basically explains it! The summary: Annie is Pierce’s favourite, Pierce constantly insults Britta, therefore Britta is flat b.utt.

Exhibit C: Not even trying to hide it in Accounting for Lawyers

But, a romantic interest has to be further built upon finding someone attractive right? There has to be intrigue to their character, such as

Exhibit D: “I can only connect to people through... movies” in English as a Second Language

It is pretty obvious here that Annie is a rare someone who has successfully broken the impartial screen that Abed filters everything through. Jeff saw it too which is why he said Annie was the ark of the covenant before Abed fell for her disney face. I can only imagine Abed to be quite struck with Annie’s infiltration.

A romantic interest should also share common interests, such as

Exhibit E: “Which makes Annie is my third favourite show” in Paranormal Parentage

I’ve said before that for Abed, a guy who lives life and communicates through comparing it with television and movies, it’s not unthinkable for him to be attracted to someone who genuinely watches his favourite shows and commits to roles during cosplay. And who, besides Troy, would fit this profile? Annie. 

And finally, the biggest indicator of it all, we also see how Abed views the Jeff and Annie pairing in everyone’s favourite episode Remedial Chaos Theory. Keeping in mind that the timelines are rendered by Abed, out of all the timelines, J.eff and Annie only kis.sed when Abed left the room for pizza. As well, as conjured in Abed’s head, Evil Jeff and Evil Annie only existed as a couple in the Darkest Timeline. To me at least, it’s arguable that this alludes to Abed’s omniscient “director” standpoint that he may be the obstacle in the Jeff and Annie relationship - pointing towards him perhaps harbouring feelings for Annie.

2. Annie doesn’t see Abed romantically The general consensus on this point is that Annie is only attracted to Abed when he’s playing a character. I rather think that being attracted to someone, and being attracted to someone during role play, aren’t mutually exclusive. Let’s take a look at the different characters that Abed played.

Don Draper: serious, sophisticated, and smooth.

Han Solo: immature, flirty and a smarta.ss.

Batman: mysterious, complex, and brave.

Three different personas, yet Annie responded to all of them. Since the common denominator to all three is that they are played by Abed, I would like to offer a counterpoint that perhaps the attraction to Abed has always been there, it’s just emphasized when Abed plays a character. Who knows, role playing might even be Annie’s ki.nk. After all, during For a Few Paintballs More, it is shown that Annie is disappointed when Abed dropped the Han Solo persona after the battle ended.

Annie also loves big romantic gestures. Who’s better than doing that than Abed? Since the beginning, Abed has already been doing big romantic gestures of varying degrees for Annie. With this, it’s not ridiculous for Annie to see Abed as a romantic potential.

Exhibit F: Staying in a room for 26 hours in Social Psychology

Annie: You sat in a room for twenty-six straight hours. Didn’t that bother you?  Abed: Yeah I was livid.  Annie: Then why didn’t you leave?  Abed: Because you asked me to stay and you said we were friends.

Exhibit G: Rescuing her from “captivity” and inviting her to move in in Remedial Chaos Theory and Studies in Modern Movement (even Troy was surprised at Abed’s invitation)

Exhibit H: Tearing down the Dreamatorium in Studies in Modern Movement

Annie: What about the Dreamatorium? Abed: Oh it's staying. The Dreamatorium is more important than any of us. But you're more important than our bedroom so we put the bunk bed in the blanket fort.

Bonus: Confirmed by Alison Brie

3. The show was about Jeff and Annie

Dan Harmon said that Community’s approach is that anything and any pairing is possible. We see this is as the series started with the classic “player vs smart snarky girl” trope with setting up Jeff and Britta as the main pairing. We also see Troy and Annie as the potential B couple in the show. The writers also threw Pierce and Shirley, Annie and Britta, Dean and Jeff, and even Chang and Britta in for a laugh.

And then the show subverted this all by introducing Jeff and Annie, and made Troy and Britta a couple, showing us that Community is a show that intends on breaking these classic sitcom stereotypes by experimenting with different pairings. Abed and Annie was no exception to this, as the writers often pair them up in different shenanigans and hint at possible grounds to explore*.

A few examples: Han and Leia in For a Few Paintballs More, Hector the Well Endowed and the Elf Maiden in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, spy partners in Modern Espionage.

No doubt that the show dabbled in and out of Jeff and Annie throughout the series. However, to say that Jeff and Annie was the primary pairing in the series would mean overlooking Jeff and Britta. Especially when Jeff and Britta have the whole love-hate dynamic, three(?) marriage close-calls, and emotional snippets such as helping Jeff reunite with his father in Cooperative Escapism in Familial Relations.

Anyway, not to discredit Jeff and Annie, but knowing that the show explores the possibility of different pairings**, why write off Abed and Annie?

* Not to mention that the cop pairing in The Science of Illusion was originally written with Abed and Annie in mind! ** We also see a stray Abed and Britta during Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps.

4. Annie is in love with Jeff To keep this short and shipper-goggle free, Annie has said on numerous occasions that she’s in love with the idea of Jeff, not Jeff himself. Specifically this scene in Virtual Systems Analysis:

Abed as Annie: "…We love Jeff…" Annie: "No we don’t, we’re just in love with the idea of being loved. And if we can teach a guy like Jeff to do it, we’ll never be unloved, so we keep running the same scenario over and over hoping for a different result."

And this scene in Conventions of Space and Time:

Annie: All right, I may have been play-acting that we were married, and then the staff thought you were cheating, and I had to save face. Jeff: Do I have to worry about this? Annie: No, I was just daydreaming. I mean, I've married you at least a half a dozen times. And Troy. And Zac Efron.

Not to mention that their conversation in the finale says it all.

Jeff: I don't wanna be fine. I wanna be 25 and heading out into the world. I wanna fall asleep on a beach and be able to walk the next day, or stay up all night on accident. I wanna wear a white t-shirt without looking like I forgot to get dressed.* I want to be terrified of AIDS, I want to have an opinion about those, boring a.ss Marvel movies. And I want those opinions to be of any concern to the people making them. Annie: Well I want to live in the same home for more than a year, order wine without feeling nervous, have a resume full of crazy mistakes instead of crazy lies. I want stories and wisdom, perspective. I wanna have so much behind me I'm not a sl.ave to what's in front of me, especially those flavourless unremarkable Marvel movies.

*Shipper-goggle on: Part of me thinks this is a reference to Abed, whose iconic style almost exclusively comprises T-shirts. What Jeff is saying is that he wishes he is 25 again with his future open before him, someone who compatible with Annie, but here he acknowledges that he isn’t, and lets her go in the end.

5. Abed and Annie wouldn’t work as a couple Another point I see is that Abed and Annie are strictly platonic and are more like brother and sister. On the basis that they have made out a couple times and are attracted to each other, I would disagree with the sibling statement.  

Troy, in contrast to Abed, I think actually resembles a more sibling-like relationship with Annie. Although Troy and Annie have the strong friendship of Abed and Annie, when disregarding the high school crush stage of season 1, their storylines never dwelled further down an attraction path, nor was there any specific episode that was dedicated to a deep dive of vulnerabilities and confrontation between them. As a comparison, Troy and Britta had opportunities to explore these setups (Troy admitted to lying about his b.utt stuff story and Troy helped Britta face Blade) - an indication that Troy and Britta were heading into non-platonic territory. Jeff and Britta too, had several opportunities to confront their feelings (up till the very last season), a clear indication of a non-platonic relationship.

For Abed and Annie, what I think pulls their friendship towards actual love interest potential is best pinpointed to Virtual Systems Analysis. Annie’s participation in the Dreamatorium prompted her to not only fully submerge into the way Abed thinks and comprehends his surroundings, but she also got to understand and address Abed’s stubbornness and flaws in a vulnerable way, confronting some of her own flaws as well.

Abed as Shirley: Your hospital school, young lady, is a simulation being run through a filter of other people's needs. Abed's been filtered out because nobody needs him. Annie: I need him!

And to point out this little tidbit in VCR Maintenance and Educational Publishing,

Annie: That's why Abed is like a brother to me. You guys are so alike. Abed: I can't accept that based on one time machine story.

This whole episode, instead of establishing Abed is like Annie’s brother, I would argue is rather doing the opposite. Abed and Annie’s hyper antics in the episode were basically matched by Anthony and Rachel’s blatant indifference and confusion. For lots of Abed and Annie supporters, this episode was a major setback. But I think it instead highlights how in-sync they are with each other, which is a good thing.

Another point, despite Annie trying to prove otherwise, Abed and Anthony had different vibes, and each shared different dynamics with Annie. And as Anthony pointed out in the end, who were Abed and Annie trying to replace in the apartment? Troy. The person who they are trying to fill is Troy - their roommate, their brother, their best friend. Troy was the brother role that neither Abed and Annie can fill for each other.

In Basic Sandwich, we get this exchange:

Abed: The point is, this show, Annie, it isn't just their show. This is our show, and it's not over. And the sooner we find that treasure, the faster the Jeff-Britta pilot falls apart. Annie: Got it. Thank you, Abed. Abed: You're welcome. I have a girlfriend. Annie: What? Abed: You were about to start a kiss lean. Annie: I was not.

Not only did Abed saw right through Annie’s anxiety and comforted her in his own uniquely Abed way, but he also felt the need to remind her of his girlfriend. The fact that he broke the fourth wall here is likely the writers’ way to be meta, but simply acknowledging the tension and bond there says a lot in between the lines. If tension does not exist, there would be no need for this line.

Besides, instead of thinking that they’re strictly platonic (which of course is also okay), they would rather work great as a couple. In terms of opposites attract, Annie grounds Abed with just the right amount, while Abed clearly encourages Annie to be her true self and be immature. Such as this scene in Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism,

Annie: I’m following him.  Troy: You moving in here was supposed to tone us down!

Annie also doesn’t just tolerate Abed’s idiosyncrasies, she actually likes them and fully participates as multiple paintball games and cosplays would tell us. Special shoutout to the missing lovers footage in Wedding Videography, which through Britta, actually shows us that Annie is the only one who would go along with Abed’s projects - while Britta found the project extremely weird and unhealthy, Annie thought it was fun and commits well to her role.

And while others may tiptoe around Abed, Annie isn’t afraid to call Abed out when he’s out of line and makes a point to teach him about empathy in Virtual Systems Analysis. Remember that Britta tried teaching him this but it didn’t work as well.

I am Abed Nadir... And I don't know a lot of things everyone else knows. I wander the universe with my friend, Troy, doing whatever I want. Sometimes accidentally hurting innocent unremarkables. This week, however, Troy went to lunch and I adapted. I now have the ability to enter the minds of others using an elusive new technique known as "empathy".

As well as in the entire episode of Cooperative Polygraphy.

They also know each other best. Abed knew her cushion preferences, was the one who spelled out her true pas.sion for forensics, and after living together, Annie knew how to navigate Abed’s peculiarities and to soothe him whenever he had a nervous breakdown. 

Annie also knows him so well that she can predict his reaction.

They are also each other’s exception. Annie was always the one who manages to pull Abed out of a trance and back to reality, usually with touch.

Abed is also very forgiving with her. An example is when Annie seemingly lost all common sense because she broke Abed’s special edition dvd in Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism.

Annie: Well, Batman, on behalf of all of us that aren't perfect, can I just say I'm sorry I broke your DVD? Abed: Apology accepted. But I wouldn't mention it to Abed. That guy's pretty ruthless. And that's coming from Batman.

And in Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas, Annie was the only claymation doll that didn’t have a weird form (except Troy as toy soldier of course). Annie was a ballerina because Abed sees her as a creature of grace. Abed was also the first one who got her “brighter tomorrow” diorama and responded with enthusiasm.

They are also in the same stage in life. As Dan Harmon explains the choice of Abed and Annie being the ones who leave the group, with Troy gone, Abed and Annie symbolize the many possibilities of the future - a possibility that makes them viable. I like to think Annie transfers to the LA FBI office after her internship and they reunite.

And as the Spice Girls said, “if you wanna be my love.r, you gotta get with my friends”. In Paleyfest, Dan Harmon says this about whoever Troy and Abed ends up dating, “I mean a woman that comes into either of their lives is either going to drive them apart or she's going to have to be really accepting of a very special relationship”.

Britta tolerated their friendship but to a point of asking Annie to distract Abed for alone time with Troy, Troy dumped the librarian as she called Abed weird, Robin disappeared, Rachel we never got to see much of, but was pretty quiet and separated from the group. From this, logically speaking, Annie would actually be the perfect match for Abed, as we all know they’re the ultimate trio within the study group and a transition from friends to more will be natural. 

Oh, and, Abed is wrong. They’re not Chandler and Phoebe with little storylines together, they’re Chandler and Monica. 

Anyway, that’s it for my super long rant/analysis. Community the series is done and over, so there isn’t a need for any ship war. All I want to say is, if #andamovie happens, hopefully, the writers will actually take a leap.