#Yeah the mixes are important but I'm still working on the answer to that bit of lore

[askponydei]

What are the pony versions of the Akatsuki are like, mod?

Hm. This is gonna be the least spoilery I can make it.

Deidara (Unicorn/pegasus mix): Full of rage and depression. Definitely has ADHD. Sasori (Unicorn, modified himself with manticore parts): Instigator and master manipulator. He's a gremlin. Obito (Kirin/unicorn mix): Anxious. Itachi (Kirin/unicorn mix): Tired and has no idea what's going on Kisame (Seapony/earth pony mix): He's just vibin. Hidan (Unicorn/earth pony mix): The worst guy you'll ever meet. He only wishes he could create the level of chaos Sasori does. Kakuzu (Earth Pony): Still greedy and in desperate need of a break from Hidan Konan (Flutter pony/pegasus mix): Don't mistake her for the mom friend. She's done with every pony else. Nagato/Pain (Unicorn): regrets every life choice so far Madara (Kirin/unicorn mix): Forced the rest of them together and makes life a nightmare for all of them.

[sxcretricciardo]

IN TIME

Daniel Ricciardo x reader

"Danny, you need to come to terms that might be a possibility." You say. You're now almost 9 months pregnant with Daniel's baby. Your due date is next weekend, which is also the weekend of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last of Daniel's F1 season. The thought of not having your boyfriend of four years by your side in the most important day of both your lives terrifies you, but you came to terms that might be a strong possibility.

Daniel sighs and says "I know... Just the thought of it makes me nauseous." His eyes are fixed on the road in front of him as he drives.

"If it happens, it's gonna be okay, I promise you." You say, squeezing his free hand in reassurance.

"I just want to be there, that's all." He says.

"I know, love. I don't want anyone but you there too, believe me. But you have a good chance of coming third in the championship and I don't want you to give that away." You say, giving him a soft smile. You know Daniel has been working his ass off this season to be on that podium and it all comes down to this last race.

"Thank you for your support, sweets." He says, giving you a forced smile.

"We're not gonna overthink this, okay? If it happens next weekend, then it happens. If it doesn't, even better. She'll come when she's ready." You say, putting your hand on your belly.

"She's a daddy's girl, I know she'll wait." He says, smiling.

"Okay, yeah." You say and roll your eyes.

He laughs and continue the journey to the nearest McDonald's. Your baby girl has been craving a Big Mac for days now, and since Daniel came home for a couple of days, it's the best opportunity to finally eat one with your boyfriend.

-one week later-

Danny was right. Your due date was yesterday and your baby girl is still warm and cozy inside your belly. Daniel boarded the plane and is now in his way to the house. You are now sitting on the couch waiting for him, your hand is gently rubbing your belly.

You hear the door open and then close. Danny calls out to you and you tell him that you're in the living room. He comes in and sits on the couch right next to you, his head immediately falling gently on your belly, as he hugs you and your unborn daughter.

"Thank you for waiting, princess." He says, kissing your belly. He lifts his head and then kisses you on the lips.

"How are you feeling?" He asks.

"Just feeling a bit discomfort but besides that, I'm okay." You say, your hand going to his hair to massage it. You can only imagine your daughter having the same brown curly hair as Daniel.

After that, you guys have a nice dinner and get ready to go to bed. In the middle of the night, you start feeling some major pain and get up from the bed, trying to not wake up Daniel. You make your way to the kitchen and grab a cup of water.

You breath in heavily, after another wave of pain goes trough your body. Suddenly, you feel a warm rush spreading between your legas. You freeze, realizing that your water just broke. Panic mixes with excitement as you realize that the moment you've been waiting for is finally here.

"Danny?" You shout, so Danny could hear you from the kitchen. When you don't hear any movement or response, you shout again, a little bit louder. You hear a "What? Where are you?"

As you answer him, you hear running from the bedroom. Two seconds later, he's right in front of you, hair messy from the bed and his eyes adjusting to the light.

"What? Are you okay?" He asks, with panic in his voice.

"I think it's time." You say. Danny looks at you, up and down and then sees the water on the floor.

"Okay, okay, don't panic. We got this." He says and walks to you, helping you to the bedroom so you can change into a new pair for panties and pants. He grabs the hospital bags and guides you to the car.

As each contraction grips you, you sink into the passenger seat, clutching the handle tightly. Danny's hand rests on your shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze with every surge of pain. The world outside blurs as he speeds towards the hospital, each bump in the road jolting you further into the reality of labor. Despite the discomfort, there's a sense of unity in the confined space of the car, a shared anticipation of the life-changing moment awaiting you both at the end of this ride.

Stepping trough the hospital doors, a surge of nervous energy courses trough you, mingling with the intensity of each contraction. The familiar scent of antiseptic mixes with the sounds of bustling activity, signaling that our journey to meet our baby girl is entering the final stage. Leaning on Danny for support, you make your way to the labor and delivery unit, each step bringing you closer to the moment you've been waiting for.

After the nurses hook you to the machines and the doctor checks on you, the time seems to stop. Every minute that passes by feels like an eternity, because of the amount of pain you're in.

Danny whispers sweet things in your ear as he holds your hand. You squeeze it tightly as the contractions are getting closer and closer.

"I might break your hand." You joke, as you feel another contraction hitting.

He smiles and says "I love your capacity of making jokes trough something like this."

"It helps with the pain." You say and laugh.

When it's finally time to push, you surrender to the overwhelming power of your body, pushing with all of your strength as you feel your baby inching closer to the world. The room fades away, consumed by the raw intensity of the moment, as you focus all of your energy on bringing your baby into the world. Every fiber of your being strains with effort, yet there's a sense of calm within you. A calm that Danny always made you feel, even trough the hardest times. He's your rock, the calm to your storm, as cheesy it may sound.

Then, in an instant that stretches into eternity, you feel the release as your baby girl emerges, a rush of emotion flooding trough you as you hold your newborn daughter against your chest.

You start to let out tears of joy, as you look in the eyes of your baby. Danny cries into your neck and then kisses your head. When he finally holds her in his arms, he can't stop crying.

"She's beautiful." He says, looking at you. You smile at him.

And now, your family is complete.

-

instagram

danielriciardo We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team: Beatrice Grace Ricciardo 🐣🩷 After 8 long hours of labor, our hearts raced with excitement as we welcomed our little champion into the world. yourusername you are such a brave and strong woman, thank you for making me the happiest man alive. I love you 🤍 #borntorace

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landonorris can’t wait to meet my favorite niece 🥹 already bought her so much papaya merch

-> yourusername she’s a Ferrari fan ❤️

-> scuderiaferrari our warmest welcome to our newest and youngest fan!

-> danielriciardo she’s my fan 🥺

maxverstappen1 congratulations 😘

visacashapprb a warm welcome to our youngest team member and congratulations 💗

georgerussell63 the cutest little princess, can’t wait to meet her 😊

[bloggingboutburgers]

this past week my qpp of almost two years broke up with me. and i know for you, you said you wouldn't necessarily feel heartbroken if your qpr came to an end, but for me, it felt more heartbreaking than some of my past romantic breakups. this whole thing made me wonder if maybe im not queerplatonic or aro enough to be in a qpr, or if id ever want to be in a qpr again. but seeing you post about your qpr gives me hope that queerplatonic love is something that i can experience fully. so thank you for always sharing your story, because that's what's helping me heal right now <3

Aah, to be perfectly honest, as much as I sorta "downplay" it compared to what it must feel for people who experience romantic attraction... I've had a time where I almost felt like I couldn't go on with my QPP as well and the sheer thought of it was really hard to bear too, so my words here aren't necessarily being very fair to the reality of things.

It was during the travel ban of March 2020 to November 2021 where citizens of my country and others weren't allowed to enter the US unless we spent 15 days in a country that wasn't banned. It made it much harder than usual to visit my partner and as it was nearing 2 years with nobody aware it was going on anymore and US people more concerned about whether they'd be able to have turkey for Thanksgiving, my hope was running really thin. So for a few days in mid-October, as I was at rock bottom, I was starting to write in passing to my partner about how maybe going on wasn't worth it because the separation was too hard on us, it wasn't showing signs of stopping, and the whole thing maybe wasn't worth the pain if they could live their life happily and not have to worry about me who couldn't visit.

And then we videocalled at some point, and when they tearfully told me that even if it did end then and there, they wanted me to keep the promise ring they'd recently given me, I suddenly felt a quiet rage in me going like "No. Fuck this. Look at them. I love them. And I love this too much to allow some cruel governmental decision to end it. If it ever ends, it'll be because WE want it to end. Not because of shit like this."

...I'm making it sound super dramatic but yeah long story short this is also a big reason why we're planning to get married. So that when the US government decides to put a ban on countries including mine again, they can't stop us from vibing together this time.

I guess... I still don't wanna 100% assume we'll be together forever because I don't wanna trap them in a situation they may no longer feel happy in. We're doing great now, but I still have it in the back of my mind that maybe someday they'll get sick of me (they say they never will and that'd be dope if they never did, but never say never and all), or we'll both just want other things, and if it ends like that, then... Yeah, that'd be alright. Much more alright than the way it almost ended.

(...Oh, and for the record, if a friendship of mine ended abruptly, or if my brothers stopped being on good terms with me, I'm pretty sure I'd be just as heartbroken, to be fair. And it'd feel like my reality was collapsing a little. I guess anything ending, any human connection ending, has that effect to a degree, if it's important enough, after all.)

Though describing things like that does make it a bit harder to define what makes it "queerplatonic" as opposed to "romantic", I still... Just have that feeling in my gut that it isn't romance, y'know? It's kinda... A mix between being close friends and being an old married couple without ever having gone through the grandiose passion-honeymoon phase. Maybe that phase IS what defines romance per se. I don't know. Maybe someday I'll find more answers, but it's kinda hard to find answers when you have no idea how romance works to begin with I guess 🙈

In any case... Sorry if I caused any confusion or if I made you question your validity. The thing is pretty simple to be honest: if you feel you're aro, you're veeeeeery likely to BE aro. Because nobody can make that call but you and nobody can name the relationships you have but you. And if amongst everything you even FOUND the words "aro" or "queerplatonic" in a world where those identities and types of relationships are so aggressively hidden or erased, then it's gotta stand for something.

...I guess at the very least THIS I can be certain of TwT Sorry I'm a bit messy about all of this myself, I'm still also going on about it trying to figure it out day by day, but I owed it to you and everyone to be honest. These things are hard to define and I hope to keep finding better and better words to do so someday. TwT

[little-paperboat]

2024 Writing Year In Review & Reflections

Thank you to @purpleasters-inseptember and @forget-me-maybe for the tags! I'm merging both games because some questions were quite similar :)

I'm a bit late but we're still in the early days of January so I guess it's fine!

Answers under the cut because it got veeeeeery long (in 2025 i'm a certified yapper). If @swordbisexual @graysparrowao3 or @diaphanouso want to participate, this is a no pressure tag for you (& sorry if you've already done it!) 🤍

Words posted: 64,060 words, of which:

16,450 words on is a heavy heart too much to hold?

47,610 words totals on the four parts of the i burned my fingers on this forbidden fire series

Words unposted: well, the content of two whole chapters that I'm still working on and didn't get to see the light of day in 2024, so probably about 6,000 according to my calculations?

Total word count: 64,060 - keeping this nice and round number of what I *actually* wrote in 2024.

Fandoms: Baldur's Gate 3 and Arcane

Highest Kudos: a mindblowing 342 on heavy heart, I'm still in awe of such a high show of love!!

Highest One-Shot Hits: n/a, I haven't written any one shot (I guess I could try but let's be honest, I don't think I'm wired to write one-shots unless they’re 3km long) but my AO3 currently registers 4,664 hits for heavy heart, which is absolutely insaneeeeee

Your favorite words of the year, aka the words you check each chapter for, making sure you didn't repeat them 788 times?

Feel, probably. I'm sure there's many, many more, I just don't want to think about it too much lest it gives me more word anxiety 😬

New things you tried:

Planning a long and multi-chapter fic from start to end

Writing a x reader/you point of view

Writing smut

Writing a fight scene

Very exciting, challenging and rewarding in all cases!

I’ll also add reading stories that were out of my comfort / knowledge zone, and finding myself discovering new styles, kinks, perspectives, emotions. ❤️

What's been your biggest learning point this past year?

Well, getting back into writing, for one, and (painfully) (re)learning that writing is hard. Yeah yeah I know it's my hobby and I love all those little freaks in my head, but for it to be good and satisfying, the exercise of writing really requires - for me - a structure and organisation that I hadn't really anticipated the importance of (and still haven't mastered 🫡)

also learning to accept the compliments and love (see question below :))

How has your writing developed this past year?

I focused more on writing *like me* and less trying to imitate others. It's been quite challenging, since there's always a part of me that finds other authors' styles better, more unique, or just overall nicer - and I often find myself wanting to emulate that.

But I've also learned to read, accept and really integrate all the lovely compliments that I've received on my different works, and that tremendously helped me to feel proud of my "style", which was lovingly described as "romantic and whimsical". And you know what? I like it :)

Bad writing habits?

I'm a terrible procrastinator. I spend 90% of the time daydreaming and 10% actually sitting down to write + if I get thrown off-schedule for whatever reason, it can take me weeks to get back into it. But if I don't write for an extended period of time, I tend to spiral and feel like I cannot do it anymore. So yeah, inconsistency is a big one. Add overthinking to the mix and, uh. Not exactly an ideal combination.

I’ll add that, although it isn’t exactly a bad habit, I write terribly, terribly slowly. I wish I didn’t, but it’s the one thing in my life (along with not being a morning person no matter how hard I try to re-wire my brain) that annoys me the most, and yet I am unable to change. 🐌

Fic you took the most time on: forbidden fire, between the initial concept, planning the outline, writing and editing... it's taking for everrr - and especially the current chapter 5, which is taking 3 months to come out and for what 😭

Fic you took the least time on: heavy heart, although it's starting to add up!

Favourite thing you wrote?

Ohhhh. Oh. It's hard to say! I think wild winds are death to the candle, because it was my come-back to writing fanfiction and I'm really proud of the care i put into it! I also loved the first salty interaction between Tav and Rolan. Pure spite, zero braincells.

Favourite fics you read this year?

Wayyyyy too many! I've read more fanfics this year than ever before, for so many different characters as well, mostly the BG3 characters and Jayce/Viktor from Arcane. Unfortunately I haven't always been diligent in my AO3 bookmarks and overall it's really hard to make a choice - but I had started to compile a list of my fav Rolan x Tav works, I should post it :)

If I had to choose right now, from the top of my head, I'd say:

Deeply and Immovably So by @dutifullylazybread

Magistrate's Advocate by @cinnamontails-ff

Lead Me Through the Dark by @darkurgetrash

As well as Convergence for the Arcane fandom <3

All these works have been absolute game-changers in my approach to writing, to universe-, characters- and plot-building, and I hold these works very, very dear to my heart (and I have to catch up quite a few chapters actually!)

Biggest win?

I'll steal @forget-me-maybe's words: finding my little space and community in the big bad world. These communities have been an incredible safe space for me, to explore my love for the characters, and to feel like I was part of something. 2024 has been a year of big personal changes and development and getting to find comfort and joy here has helped me in ways I cannot really put into words.

Shoutout especially to Rolan Nation because it was (is?) such a small community and it was so lovely to watch it grow and interact with wonderful people. ❤️

Finding other people who cared as much about my beloved characters has truly been a heartwarming experience. I don't often get to feel like I'm part of something, but this year, I did :)

(Writing) goals for 2025:

finish forbidden fire AND resuming the two-weeks posting schedule. I've accumulated a lot of delay but I care for it so much and I absolutely want to see it through, hopefully it'll be done by spring or early summer!

finish heavy heart: I only have two more chapters planned so this shouldn't be too much of a problem ;)

stealing word for word from dear @purpleasters-inseptember, writing a few one-shots to practice a shorter word count, but also exploring different and more characters

in the same fashion, exploring more tropes that I like

it's not a writing goal but I really, reaaaaally want to begin drawing. I so want to join in and show you all my ocs!! :)

New works for 2025:

a gale x tav fic (and hopefully an astarion x tav too) as little snippets of their adventures together

some more viktor x reader/oc and jayvik x reader/oc

and we'll leave it at that because... that's already a lot haha

What are you excited for in the new year?

Making more friends :)

Reading and writing more stories, and exploring new things in my writing

Getting to improve my writing and expand my vocabulary

Just being around for one more year of fandom shenanigans here - and maybe fall in love with new characters!

Thank you for these questions! It was long but very fun to answer :)

And a merry January to all of you ✨

[i-starcreamed]

Drift helping human reader dye their hair so they can show it off to the rest of the crew?? (Oneshot please with a female reader please, she/her)

sorry this is a little short! I've never dyed my hair so its not too detailed...also I can't write for Drift that well but enjoy :D

MTMTE Drift x human!Reader

“So how does this stuff work?”

“Uh, its basically some chemicals and coloring that go in your hair to color it however you want. Did you know some people even do some designs with it? On their hair??" You grin as you explain to Drift. The mech meanwhile held the small dye containers in his much bigger servos, careful to not squish them. He still looked pretty confused, but he was determined to help you do something that excited you. You talked about doing this for days before they somehow managed to find imported dye that was safe for you.

You had mentioned you wanted to dye your hair to Drift, which got him curious about what you meant. You invited him over to your hab suite to show him, and here you were now. To be fair, you didn't quite think this through much. All the supplies you needed were a bit too small for Drift to help like you imagined, but you had an idea in mind that just might work.

"Hey Drift, why don't you pick the color?" You asked him with a grin, while your hands were working at your hair, attempting to separate it into parts. Drift's optics flashed brightly for a second as his mouth moved in an "o" shape.

"Me? I'm delighted, but shouldn't this be your choice?" He slightly tilted his helm as he glanced from the three dyes you managed to get. You laughed and shook your head.

"I want you to pick it out, Drift. Something to show off to the rest of the crew, yeah?"

You heard him mutter a "well alright.." as he made his decision.

It took a few seconds before he pointed to a color, it was a bright f/c. You grinned and took the bottle of dye and started to follow the directions. You tried to answer pretty much any question Drift had, he was rather curious about this artistic form of human expression, as he put it. You also explained what was going on as you applied the dye mix to your hair in sections. He was absolutely shocked that the process of dying your hair was producing a decent amount of heat.

"Why is your hair generating heat all of a sudden?" He retracted his digit from the top of your head with a concerned expression crossed on his face. That's when you had to explain it was the chemicals working their magic.

After some time it was time to rinse off the dye and see the results, well, after your hair dries. Drift obviously waited outside while you washed your hair. Honestly, a part of him was excited to see how it would turn out. Hopefully, he made the right color choice, what if you didn't like it? What if it didn't turn out how you wanted? No, he shook his helm. You knew exactly what you were doing, even if he didn't.

You rinsed out your hair now, even if it was still wet, the color turned out pretty good. You grin to yourself in the mirror and rush outside to show Drift.

"Drift! Drift! How does it look?" Your damp hair swung around your head as you turned to show him different angles. Drift shot up from his original spot and leaned down to get a better look, he gently swept you up on his servo to hold you directly in front of his face.

"It worked? Wo- Y/N, you look great. F/c looks fantastic on you!" He softly smiled, admiring the new color of your hair. You felt your face heat up from the compliments and his gaze and dismissed it with a laugh.

"Well, you did pick it out, huh?" You'll admit, you liked the color more than you expected. Was it specifically because Drift specifically picked it out? Obviously not.

"Ah, well..hey! Let's go show the rest of the crew."

"Wait, it's not dry yet-" But it was too late, Drift was already carrying you on his servo as he left your room, probably looking for just about any bot to brag to.

The entire day you received compliment after compliment after Drift would exclaim, "hey everyone! Look what y/n did, doesn't she look stunning?" Hell, you even got a couple color recommendations from a couple bots. Quite a few actually, you had to ask Drift to remember the list of colors. The next time you decide to dye your hair, you will be sure to invite Drift over to help again.

[luniidae]

~What Will Never Be~

(BabyAU variant)

[PART. 1/?]

Heeeey don't pay attention to this, especially if you're not feeling good, this will be a "short" (in theory) BabyAU variant with a soft Raphael (yeah so I'm not respecting his character at all), but this is not going to be a happy thing to read.

Sometimes I really like torturing myself with horrible ideas, it makes me feel powerful emotions and I thought I could write one of them here...

TW: Pregnancy / Miscarriage

Luvia came to find Raphael at his office. She used to pay him a visit from time to time while he was working, to distract him, to give him a break from his contracts. But today was different...

She approached the desk slowly, almost in a feline way. The devil looked up at her.

"There you are, my dear..." He purred with a sly smile, "I was wondering when you would make an appearance" He got up from his chair and walked around the desk.

"I have something important to tell you...", she started, sat on the edge of the furniture.

"Something important?" He repeated, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Yes, and a bit scary too"

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued and concerned by her words.

"What is it, my dear?"

"Well..." She hesitated, trying to find the right words "Hm, it was easier in my head..."

He studied her face, trying to understand what she was trying to say. Whatever it was, it sounded serious. Eventually, she took one of his hands and brought it to her belly.

"Maybe... I recently found out that something was happening here...", she confessed.

The cambion's eyes widened at the realization, his fingers pressing instinctively yet slightly her stomach.

"Are you... Are you pregnant?" He asked, his voice a low whisper of disbelief and... Wonder perhaps?

"Yes... Yes I am" she confirmed.

He froze, trying to process the info. Was she really carrying his child...? This was quite new for him.

"Are you certain?", he asked.

She nodded.

He was silent for a moment, unable to remove his hand from her abdomen, considering the new life growing inside. The idea of having a mix of them both, the result of their union... He never thought about it but it didn't sound as terrible as he imagined.

"We're going to be... Parents...", he said almost to himself.

"If you want it, yes..." She added.

He looked up at her. Did he want it? He never imagined he would have a child one day, it never crossed his mind but... Well, here they were.

"Of course I do..." , he finally answered. And she smiled.

"I want it too"

The devil felt something in his chest, something he wouldn't have suspected, like a sudden warmth spreading through his ribcage... It was unusual yet not unpleasant. He leaned closer and pressed his forehead against hers, holding her tight.

"I love you..."

Months passed, filled with preparations, excitement and a fair dose of anxiety as the due date approached. Raphael became even more possessive and protective as Luvia's belly swelled with the life growing within her (he couldn't resist touching it). He had even started to growl at anyone who approached her too closely and she kind of liked it most of the time. He knew he was overreacting but he didn't plan to change that.

She was radiant and he couldn't help but marvel at her mere sight, admiring how she handled the pregnancy. She had been a vision of joy and seeing her smile, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue whenever he told her how attractive she was, made his heart skip a beat every time.

Even in their intimate moments, he always paid attention not to cause her any discomfort, choosing comfortable positions for her so she could fully enjoy herself despite her condition...

One day, as the due date was closer than ever, he looked down at her stomach, at the roundness of it. He could still hardly believe that they were about to have a baby soon, but the situation seemed a bit more real when they heard a *splash*...

He immediately tensed up, "What was that?" He asked, his voice tight with alarm.

Luvia's eyes widened and locked on his as she froze, perfectly still.

"Oh my...", she didn't dare to move.

Raphael looked down at the puddle forming at her feet.

"My dear... I believe your water broke"

"I... I think so too", she answered.

"Stay calm", the Cambion said, picking up in bridal style to bring her to their bedroom. His mind was racing. He carried her to the bed and carefully laid her down onto the soft mattress.

"Make yourself comfortable", he said. And with a gesture of his hand, he summoned... Well, infernal midwives? Anyway, five devilish-looking and horned women with long black dresses appeared in the middle of the room. He didn't need to say anything, and they didn't waste any more time as the four of them immediately took care of Luvia while the last one, the head midwife, gave them instructions.

For several minutes, everything looked fine, despite the Dracanist's discomfort due to the contractions. She was handling this like a chief and Raphael was looking foward to meet their child. But at some point, the head midwife approached him, a serious look on her face. She looked bothered or worried by something but...

"You need to get out, my lord"

"What? Why?"

"It is for her own good"

She didn't let him have the time to ask anything more since she brought him to the door. She was stronger than she looked, he thought... In the other hand, Luvia's eyes were looking for his, worried as she saw him leaving the room. He looked back at her as he was firmly escorted out. He felt a pang in his chest as he was reluctantly torn away from her side. He wanted to be there for her, to hear his child's first cry. As the door closed behind him, he found himself pacing in the hallway for hours, his heart clenched with worry. Being with Luvia made him soft through the years, he noticed... Because he would have never let anyone kick him out of his own bedroom before.

The waiting was unbearable, he didn't know how much time had passed. His footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, the pounding of his own heart for company.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the heavy and unusual silence of the House of Hope. It was primal and... Heartbreaking.

He froze, blood running cold in his veins like it rarely happened. It was a sound of pain, of agony... That was HER scream. With no hesitation, he bursted into the bedroom, pushing past the nurses who were on his way.

"My lord, you cannot enter yet!", the main one exclaimed while the rest of them were around the unconscious form of Luvia. He ignored them, his mind focused on his beloved. Once he reached her side, his heart dropped at the sight of her pale and still face. But she was still breathing. He felt a relief washed over him as he kneeled next to the bed and take her hand in his, the other one caressing her cheek.

"What happened? What caused her to lose consciousness?" He growled.

The younger nurses exchanged looks of apprehension. His impatience grew with every passing moment.

"Tell me!" He snapped, "What happened? Is she alright? Is the baby alright? Speak, now!" He did his best not to explode, his yellow eyes shining with anger.

The main nurse approached, "My lord... Your lady is alright but...", she looked down the bundle she was holding in her arms, "Your offspring didn't make it, I'm afraid...", she paused and gave a glance at Luvia, "She passed out when she realized it. We're sorry..."

Part. 2 here!

[cyberstudious]

what's it like studying CS?? im pretty confused if i should choose CS as my major xx

hi there!

first, two "misconceptions" or maybe somewhat surprising things that I think are worth mentioning:

there really isn't that much "math" in the calculus/arithmetic sense*. I mostly remember doing lots of proofs. don't let not being a math wiz stop you from majoring in CS if you like CS

you can get by with surprisingly little programming - yeah you'll have programming assignments, but a degree program will teach you the theory and concepts for the most part (this is where universities will differ on the scale of theory vs. practice, but you'll always get a mix of both and it's important to learn both!)

*: there are some sub-fields where you actually do a Lot of math - machine learning and graphics programming will have you doing a lot of linear algebra, and I'm sure that there are plenty more that I don't remember at the moment. the point is that 1) if you're a bit afraid of math that's fine, you can still thrive in a CS degree but 2) if you love math or are willing to be brave there are a lot of cool things you can do!

I think the best way to get a good sense of what a major is like is to check out a sample degree plan from a university you're considering! here are some of the basic kinds of classes you'd be taking:

basic programming courses: you'll knock these out in your first year - once you know how to code and you have an in-depth understanding of the concepts, you now have a mental framework for the rest of your degree. and also once you learn one programming language, it's pretty easy to pick up another one, and you'll probably work in a handful of different languages throughout your degree.

discrete math/math for computer science courses: more courses that you'll take early on - this is mostly logic and learning to write proofs, and towards the end it just kind of becomes a bunch of semi-related math concepts that are useful in computing & problem solving. oh also I had to take a stats for CS course & a linear algebra course. oh and also calculus but that was mostly a university core requirement thing, I literally never really used it in my CS classes lol

data structures & algorithms: these are the big boys. stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, graphs, sorting algorithms, more complicated algorithms… if you're interviewing for a programming job, they will ask you data structures & algorithms questions. also this is where you learn to write smart, efficient code and solve problems. also this is where you learn which problems are proven to be unsolvable (or at least unsolvable in a reasonable amount of time) so you don't waste your time lol

courses on specific topics: operating systems, Linux/UNIX, circuits, databases, compilers, software engineering/design patterns, automata theory… some of these will be required, and then you'll get to pick some depending on what your interests are! I took cybersecurity-related courses but there really are so many different options!

In general I think CS is a really cool major that you can do a lot with. I realize this was pretty vague, so if you have any more questions feel free to send them my way! also I'm happy to talk more about specific classes/topics or if you just want an answer to "wtf is automata theory" lol

[gunsli-01]

Thanks @good-beans for tagging me in this. These are always really fun and I hope it tells people a bit more about me.

I was reading your answers after answering again myself and I forgot about The Clue Movie while answering but Star and I just re-watched it recently and it was still as good as ever. It's also interesting you liked dance as well. My mom says she put my sister and I into ballet when we were younger but like most places had a tendency to close down back then which it did. Still really love ballet and dance in general.

I answered these before because @ludwigoat909 tagged me in it as well and the answers here are probably different but similar. Because when they tagged me I was a bit overwhelmed with life stuff and just answered pretty quickly. Don't even really remember answering more than vaguely to be honest sorry bout that.

Do you make your bed?

Yes. I try to make it every day even when my mood is bad (depressed). The only time I don't make it is when my mood is super bad (distraught). I have ocd so I'm not comfortable with spaces being out of order.

Favorite Number?

Thirteen, two, and three.

What's your job?

Though I'm not paid I work as my father's caretaker. I've worked in loans, and at a college library before. My father can get incredibly stressed/distraught each time I'm out for long periods of time. To the point of having medical issues. So, he's not interested in me getting a job outside the home in contrast he has immense anxiety about it. Though I'm going through the process of applying for disability and have been for several years now. This is what happens when the psychiatrist that diagnosed you retroactively changes your records a year after cutting ties with her. Well the diagnosis was still nice to have because it explained the social issues at my first several jobs.

If you could go back to school, would you?

If I could I would. It would definitely be fun since I do like to learn. Yet my attention is bad when it comes to online classes and I can't go in person at the moment due to a lack of transportation.

Can you Parallel Park?

I don't drive!

Do you think Aliens are real?

Yes.

Can you drive a manual car?

No. I don't drive.

Guilty Pleasure?

Hm, like a show or something I just enjoy doing. Right now I've been really enjoying writing. I guess a guilty pleassure currently like something that makes me go hm I wouldn't want to share this with anyone is like I found out about this game called Class of '09 and it is very American and soo well... Honestly pretty amazing and while I didn't go to a high school like that one it certainly does remind me of how high school could be.

Favorite Type of Music?

I tend to like all music. In the oc milgram I'm writing music taste is really important because a lot of people in the states at (at least while I was in school) tended to make broad assumptions about others based on their music tastes/define themselves through the music they like. I try to listen to a little bit of everything but I swing more alternative. Right now I'm really into The Wrecks and I Don't Know How But They Found Me. I guess the way I listen to anything and everything was a byproduct of not wanting to pigeonholed into liking only one genre to fit into a certain scene. I always found that sort of thing pretty stifling.

Do you like puzzles?

I like mysteries and putting together puzzles can be fun. Yet it can take me awhile to grasp things like riddles and spatial reasoning puzzles. So it's a mix.

Favorite Childhood Sport?

I was really into Detective Conan as a kid still am. As a result for a point I got really obsessed with the idea of playing soccer and also tennis. Due to prince of tennis. Though if I had to pick a favorite that I legitimately wanted to practice I'd say ballet. Though I tend to really enjoy dance in general.

Do you talk to yourself?

Yeah, but I know I shouldn't do that aloud or anything. Sometimes I do anyway but I'm working on not letting that slip out as much. Plus it tends to stop naturally when I'm not super stressed.

Tea or Coffee?

Tea.

First thing you wanted to be when you grew up?

Oh well I think it was a musician like I wanted to write music. Ultimately I ended up enjoying writing thought if I was good enough at it I could combine all my interests together. Writing, animation, and music. Though since I always had an interest in writing and settled on writer at like ten I tend to just say writer.

What Movies do you Adore?

The Empire of Corpses along with Jack and the Cuckoo Clock Heart. I really like both of those movies.

[jeonqkooks]

Hmm yeah, same here! I really love most of the songs he has worked on until now, maybe that's why I have mixed feeling about this upon seeing it. But if that's what he wants, I trust him.

Although, there's one thing I've always loved about these guys and their music and that's the sincerity they put in it, mainly in the lyrics, and we can see they've been expressing it the best in korean. There's definitely a big difference when it comes to that. So yeah, whatever topic they wrote about before had that important touch, as we've seen in their solo albums as well. Their honest thoughts about anything and everything. Now we know most american producers and songwriters are a bit shallow when it comes to that, especially when they're trying to make a hit (saying this since people think he worked on more songs with them).

But yeah, that's one thing I really wish is not gonna change. Anyway, maybe I'm just overthinking it :/

You're right, we'll see when the album drops!

i don't think you're overthinking it. i've been talking about it ever since D-Day dropped and especially since there were rumors that jk would be releasing smth mid july.

i love that about the tannies too, how much of themselves that they put into their music - their thoughts and feelings, their experiences, etc. and it's been especially wonderful to see all of that emphasized 10x with all of the solo albums we've got so far. i don't really listen to their english tracks (dynamite, butter, ptd) bc their korean songs are 1000x better, everyone can agree on this right? their english tracks lack so much depth compared to the korean tracks. ofc it's their mother tongue so obviously they're going to be able to express themselves better. so when it comes to fully english tracks, they're just so so so watered down. i think this is probably bc of the people involved in the production of english songs too bc you're right, american producers do tend to be shallower when all they want is palatable pop (especially since we're talking about sc**ter braun and his peeps here 😑). jk was so absolutely brilliant with Still With You and he's obviously capable of much more. that was a song that wasn't made with the intention of marketing it anywhere. it was made specifically for the fans and that kind of sound just felt so authentic to me. i really really really had my fingers crossed that we'd get more music like that from him

and since the tannies themselves said at the festa dinner last year and they felt they were losing their sound, i expected this to be a period for all of them (together and individually) to explore whatever it is that they want to do and not just make music that's marketable/easy hits. that's why i'm kinda disappointed with this news (tho i can't say i didn't see it coming. was just really hoping that it wouldn't). ofc we don't know anything about the album but looking at Seven, jk wasn't really involved in the production, was he? they just gave him the song and he agreed to do it. dunno if that's any indicator for what's to come but yeah, we'll see. if this is what he wants to do then okay, good for him <3

i don't really talk about this on main unprompted, tho if anyone asks me about it then i'll still be honest and answer. after Seven dropped everyone was so hyped up about it and jumping up and down with joy and everything and i didn't necessarily wanna rain on their parade lol. i have a lot of unpopular/controversial opinions (probably not even that controversial. they're just opinions that don't really align with what people are screaming about all the time) and especially about jk out of all the members too (am i the most critical of him bc he's my ult? 😂). i think we can agree that within this fandom, a lot of people (mostly twitter folks) tend to be like "oh u don't like and agree with every single thing the boys do? u're not a fan fuck u" lmao so 😂

when the album drops and i don't like it, i won't skraight up say it but you'll probably know lol. if i'm obsessed then i'll scream about it day and night (you saw this with D-Day lmao) so if i'm just quietly vibing in the corner then.. lol

[m34gs]

For the writing ask meme: 9, 12, 19, and 30!

Hi friend, thank you so much for the ask! Sorry for the late reply; my migraine was really bugging me earlier. It's eased up a little now so I am excited to answer! 💜💜💜 (ask based on this post)

9. What fic meant the most to you to write?

Honestly, I would have to say A Different Kind of Magic; my Kalim/Idia fanfic where Idia mentors Kalim and Jamil in learning to control their magic before it consumes them. I know Kalim and Idia are a rarepair, and I know that this fic kind of just seems like me running wild with my imagination and going crazy with the angst. To be fair, those things are pretty much true. But, it's also a lot more than that to me. It's a story about grieving, about learning to let go of the past without forgetting it, about how parents aren't perfect and family is a work in progress, about how trauma follows you no matter how hard you try to hide it, and about how sometimes you can't have everything you want even though it might break your heart. That's some of what I've been dealing with over the past couple of years and so when I wrote this fic, those were all the emotions and feelings at the forefront of my mind. That's why it's so heavy. That's why there's happy parts mixed in with the sad. That's why there's no damnation of characters that don't behave perfectly and there's forgiveness and love in the end. Because that's what I needed too. I didn't even realize how much I needed to write that fic until I was already in the thick of it, and then I had a moment where I went "Oh. Oh. Oh shit this is me this is mine this is what I feel right now this is me" and I almost cried over it that day. I usually do put a lot of myself into fics, but this one was just so different and so raw. I put a lot of my soul into it. I really love this fic; I'm happy with how it turned out and it was so cathartic to write. So, yeah, it would be the most important one to me. If all the others somehow ended up accidentally deleted, I would be sad but I would be ok as long as this one stayed.

12. What fic was the most difficult to write? Did you finish it?

Hmmm, for a singular fic I think the most challenging one for me this year was the gift fic Mistletoe Misunderstandings (a Twisted Wonderland fic where Yuu is the only one aware of the Mistletoe Kissing Tradition); simply because it was the first time I included at least one representative of each NRC dorm in one fic for Twisted Wonderland. Capturing so many different personalities was a challenge for me, and several of the characters were ones I hadn't really written yet, or had not written often, so I pushed myself a bit. I did complete it and it was a lot of fun to do! I was in love with the prompt for it, and I absolutely am happy with how it turned out!! Definitely feel I've grown as a writer, hehe.

19. Share your favorite opening line

"There are some things in the world that simply cannot be explained. There are others which do, in fact, have an explanation, but it is so ancient and so secretive it has been forgotten. Others have an explanation yet to be discovered. Which of those three apply to the little convenience store in True Cross? It is impossible to tell, as much as it is impossible to tell what came first: the portal to another world or the wall it shares a space with."

-from Inconvenience Store, my Blue Exorcist Bon/Rin Haunted Convenience Store AU! I'm not sure why, this opening just sticks in my brain so much. I was super proud of it when I posted the first chapter, and I'm still pretty proud of it! Still a work in progress, and I love every minute I get to work on it!! :D

30. What’s something that you want to write in 2024?

Ooooh there's so many things! Of course, I'm excited to write more of the Saw AU and the Bar AU, as always! But if we're talking about individual fics not in a series, I would have to say I'm really wanting to start posting my Vampire Idia x Human Kalim fic in 2024! I love the ideas I have for it and I am super excited to write more of Idia and Kalim as a couple. (Plus, @kamikazequail gave me inspiration for another vampire au; since when asked I couldn't decide if I liked Human Ortho or Vampire Ortho better...there shall be two AUs!! Mwahahaha). And I'm excited to see what the year will bring!

[callisteios]

How do you make personality quizzes? I adore your questions and results and been wondering how do you make them work.

ummm you know how in maths class they would ask you 'how did you solve this?' and you have absolutely no fucking clue? yeah

most important thing is that i have a theme that i a. know stuff about and b. have ideas/inspiration about.

e.g. greek gods, a topic i know a fair bit about and am very passionate about is an easy one for me.

i like to try and write results first (but i don't always), pick a tone and go with it. funny/sad/surreal etc. if doing a character quiz or whatever that's easier cause you've got set results, you just need to decide what they mean to you first. e.g. zeus is always presented as like the evil one but to me he's a loser ceo who has way too much responsibility and too many chaotic relatives. so write something to that effect. repeat.

it's harder when you're doing something a bit nebulous. for my what are you the god of quizzes.. that took some time. you just got to let creativity strike i guess?

questions are usually easier. i generally don't stick to the theme the entire time, i think it's fun to mix things up. it's especially fun to play with people's expectations. you can spend ten questions asking people their favourite films and still come away with a decent enough understanding of them to tell them something fun about themselves. people like to be surprised

but again the main advice is just, be creative/be inspired. don't force the questions, i think my worst quizzes are the ones where i've just asked stuff for the sake of having a question. it hasn't told me anything new about the person, it hasn't amused them, it hasn't taught them anything. so yeah cut if you're just going through the motions.

also try to break convention where you can, the entire reason i started making quizzes was because i would always take greek god quizzes and get SO PISSED OFF. they all have the same questions

favourite animal [animals commonly associated with the gods ]

what is your temprament [Stormy like the SEAS? peaceful like NATURE? MUSICAL? PASSIONATE?]

do you more value LOVE or LOGIC?

so do not write a quiz where a person who understands the topic can easily game their way into getting the desired answer. even if someone isn't trying to manipulate their result they're exactly aware of what you're thinking. it's dull and uninteresting. write questions about things you know, if all you know is embroidery ask them what their favourite stitch is, if you're a geologist what's their favourite rock, if you like music then what's the best genre. as long as you're interested they should be too

sorry i know most of that was what NOT to do. but like i said at the beginning, i sort of sit down, zone out for a few hours, and find myself with something mostly finished.

Thank you so much for the ask <3 I'm going through a reasonably horrible period at the moment so it's really nice to hear that you like my quizzes!!! i hope this helps you, make a quiz if you ever feel like it! it's actually quite fun. and if you do make one make sure to send it along !

[coffee-in-veins]

Hey coffee! Hope you don't mind that I continue the ask game from a bit ago!

5 11 (drop a playlist if you want!) 14 and 24 (more like, where do you get your references) and 30!!

Have a good day <3!

hullo hullo o/

thank you for the ask! and don't worry, you can ask anything and even from very old asks if you wanna ^^ if i can answer, i will.

5. Estimate of how much of your art you post online vs. the art you keep for yourself

lately i'm posting almost everything i have that i feel "finished" online because it makes dopamine and i could really use that. if we're talking art, i think all the art i've got is posted online. if we're talking texts... well. most? some i have but again, few people are interested in them compared to art, so i post them more rarely.

11. Do you listen to anything while drawing? If so, what

oh yeah! when i write, i have a huge playlist of postrock:

when i draw - whell, it depends, i have Witcher 3 OST, Hades OST, Final Fantasy 9 OST, and i have a few playlists which actually have words! ^^ which is so nice T^T i can't write when i have songs with words in the background...

i love turning this one on when i draw dd:

one for them is inspiration for RRR. it's quite old one, it was made a few years ago.

now the unpleasant stuff: i'm ashamed to admit but it has songs from a folk group called Melnista. which is ruzzian. they were somewhat against the war... but not too vocally. maybe afraid. dunno. them being against it is the sole reason i've not deleted the playlist alltogether. i haven't edited the playlist since i have to be honest that those were the inspirations, but... i'm very torn on this one and whether or not i should edit it and remove all of those. so... yeah

and one which is a bit of a spoiler if you look at the specifics of the name:

14. Any favorite motifs

oh dear... probably soulmates. finding someone you feel welcome with, even if it's through shit, dirt and blood - either your own, or someone else's. importance of physical touches. found family of horrible people for horrible people who manage to work through their shit and become better while still perceiving themselves as horrible people. lights. undying loyalty, often betrayed because and by another undying loyalty.

24. Do your references include stock images

i hafe a few galleries for stock images, but i also can ask people around me to help with taking a quick photo if i'm desperate, to have at least some approximation.

this thing can help someone but it sucks to set it up and i often forget i have it ^^'

also https://www.tumblr.com/bodytachi is amazing to have a reference for a pose

30. What piece of yours do you think is underrated

i'd put "Kiss your perfect day goodnight"

it's the first time i managed to draw them together. and i'm incredibly proud of how this one turned out... not to mention that rey had been a bitch to draw ever since

[randoimago]

Day 16 - College AU

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Character(s): Vexen

Type of Request: 31 Days of Oc-Trope-R

Note(s): Ngl, I didn't think I'd love Vexen / Even as much as I did

It was bad enough that he was a science nerd, having research papers all over the place and different textbooks and notes of theories and failed experiments to improve on. But then you learned he's a nerd that easily gets frustrated by others.

"I've tried that, and it didn't work."

"Then you did it wrong."

You didn't ask to get stuck as his lab partner. But it happened and now you're at the college's library trying to discuss this experiment you were supposed to research, make hypothesis for, and then enact. You had thought you were doing a decent job with your own equations and theories, but apparently it wasn't to his standards.

"How about instead of saying 'I did it wrong', you give actual helpful suggestions."

Your own patience was running thin as you looked at him. The lack of sleep due to other classes and studying was not a good mix with the frustration you both started to have with this damn project.

"I've been giving helpful suggestions; you just aren't listening."

Adding the fact that Vexen has to be perfect was really causing a bad reaction to form between you both. It's very possible you both could've finished this experiment by now. That you could've finished the full project, but he said it could be improved upon. That there had to be a better way to do it than what was written in the books and what the professor had listed down.

The urge to spit back another remark was strong. You wanted to say something mean just to make yourself feel better temporarily (until he came up with a better comeback that caused a full-blown fight). But instead, you sighed and stood up.

"And where are you going?" He questioned you, sounding annoyed that you were about to leave despite having this project you both still needed to work on.

"I'm going to take a walk and stretch my legs. Maybe I'll go get a coffee or something," you answer and Vexen purses his lips. You're waiting for him to say it's dumb to take a break now. That you'll just lose focus. Instead, you watch him finally cleaning up his mess of papers and notes.

"I'll join you," he tells you and that leaves you a bit dumbfounded. He notices your reaction and rolls his eyes. "I'm not some tyrant. Breaks and rest are important too."

"Had me fooled," you mutter under your breath, glad that he didn't hear it, but you do notice him narrowing his eyes at you.

And so, you both walk, mostly in silence as you each need to cool off. You go to the little coffee shop that practically ever college student goes to. And then a new trouble arises when you both order your drinks.

"Really, that's what you're getting?" He is so quick to judge you and you make a face as he orders his own drink.

"Like you're one to talk, how can you drink that?"

You thankfully, hold back any arguments as the barista doesn't get paid enough for that, but there's definitely a mutual look of disgust and judgement from each of you as you get your drinks and sit down at a table outside the shop.

"I might be sick watching you drink that," Vexen comments as you happily take a sip from your drink. You just roll your eyes at him, an action that you're afraid you'll be stuck doing the longer you hang out with him.

"Yeah? Your drink looks like toilet water." The insulted gasp he gives feels like being gifted exactly what you wanted for your birthday. You don't get to revel in your small victory too long as his drink is suddenly forced into your face.

"Taste it and we'll see who has the superior taste," he tells you as he grabs your own drink from you. It's not an action you ever expected him to take, but you're sick of him being full of himself that you take a sip of his drink as he drinks yours.

There's some silence from each of you as you process the completely different tastes. In all honest, his drink isn't horrible. But it's not something you would ever get. The look on his face seems to match your thoughts.

"Mine is better." You break the silence first before he can find some "clever" thing to say. He just scoffs and you take your drink back, pushing his to him. You take a sip of your drink to get rid of the taste of his and that's when you notice him watching you and hesitating a bit when it comes to drinking his own. "What? Scared you'll catch my germs?" You ask him, a bit unimpressed at the hesitation he has. Your words snap him out.

"I'm not scared of germs, idiot," he scoffs again and holds his drink, still not taking a sip yet as you notice a faint pink cross his face. It takes you a bit before you realize.

"Are you scared of an indirect kiss?" His face grows redder, and you don't know if it's annoyance or because of your comment flustering him. You make a show of taking a long drink from your cup. "There, already indirectly kissed you," you state and he huffs.

"As if I'd be scared of kissing you. Directly or indirectly," he mutters, and you don't know if he used the right phrasing of words as he places his lips where yours were moments ago to taste his drink. "You sure you didn't add anything? It tastes sweeter than it was," he accuses and again, his words leave a funny feeling in your stomach.

"Yeah, I had poison on my lips before I tasted your drink," you say with some sarcasm, but you can't help biting the inside of your mouth at that idea.

Even though being science partners had a rough start, it definitely feels like it's leading down a road neither of you expected. Perhaps some more experimenting needs to be done to see what else he says will cause butterflies in your stomach.

[bluerose-pinktulip]

okay, I'm kinda new to tumblr but I think that this community is so supportive and I really want to share my opinions. so as like a first post, no better way to do a little rant on the moment Nick starts falling for Charlie.

I'm a big heartstopper fan and I've not really seen people talk about when Nick actually starts falling in love with Charlie so I would like to. It only seems fitting with season 2 being announced for August 3rd to help put things into perspective a bit. so without further ado, here is a rant about when Nick starts falling for Charlie.

So I feel like I might get a lot of mixed views on this but I think it is actually when Nick is watching Charlie run in pe. yes, I know that it is a long stretch but just hear me out because I do have some reasoning and a better scene that you might agree with. at first glance, it's like aww how cute, Nick is looking at Charlie or it's just a coincidence that Nick is also out there at the same time as Charlie but I think that this was intentionally done by Alice Oseman, the writer of it as a little thing that not many people would pick up on. also like asking a friend who definitely is a bit weak to play rugby is also out there but who knows. if you look at it now you might start to believe me saying that this was the point where Nick started having feelings for Charlie but if you still think that it is a bit of a reach, I have something that might be a little less of a reach but who knows.

So I think that the next scene that Nick is realising his love for Charlie is when Charlie walks into the change room. (yes these are a bit in order of how the episode progresses but it makes sense. I promise) so you know like, everyone is talking shit about Charlie joining the rugby team, (except Nick) questioning if he can even play and being a bit homophobic. when Charlie walks in, everyone goes silent but Nick stands up and says "hi" so you know, it is just going to be seen as one of those "hi" "hi" moments. I actually think that this one makes a little more sense as like a general thing but I have one more that definitely comes before Charlie goes to Nick's house.

so this last one is Nick teaching Charlie how rugby works and showing him how to play. this one does make a bit more sense as the iconic heartstopper leaves come on screen and I feel like that shows that this is supposed to be a very important moment in the timeline of their love life. if the other two seem a bit out there and too read into I think that we could settle at least on this one as it would make perfect sense in the timeline of their story while they are together.

so finally the scene that people originally see as the beginning of Nick liking Charlie is when Charlie comes 'round to Nick's house. When Nick opens the door they do the "hi" thing and Nick introduces Nellie, his dog to Charlie. when Charlie is bent down saying hi to Nellie, Nick is looking at Charlie, (you could say admiring his beauty) but notices his haircut. when Nick asks Charlie about his hair, Nick doesn't immediately say that the haircut looks great. as a refresher this is what happened. Nick: "You got a haircut" Charlie: "Yeah, is it bad?" Nick: "No, no. You look... it looks great!". he first goes on to say that Charlie looks great because he is realising how handsome a man is standing in front of him. for most this is the most plausible one that people will believe but I think I have proven that it was before this that Nick started realising he liked Charlie.

and I know I am going to get people wondering why he never hugged or showed any romantic feelings towards Charlie before this and yes, I have an answer. since Nick is so new to LGBT people being his best friend, at first he feels that it is just feelings of friendship in a greater way that he has never experienced before, allowing himself to be more himself around Charlie. I could go on a lot more about how Nick is just coming to terms with these new different feelings for men but I think you get the point.

okay, so this is the end of me going on about when Nick actually first has romantic feelings for Charlie so take this however you want. I just quickly want to touch upon the whole purpose of heartstopper. Heartstopper is a comic/book/show that shows how it is okay to not know your sexuality and be questioning it. It also shows how you don't have to label or identify yourself as anything until you are ready and you owe it to no one to tell others your sexuality. I was going to post this to Twitter originally without this last paragraph and this blog post was just going to be explaining when Nick started having feeling for Charlie but I wrote this a while ago, sharing it with my friends who were trying to get into heartstopper timelines and backstory. I recently found that Kit Connor, the actor for Nick Nelson was forced to come out of the closet before he was ready because people were speculating about his sexuality. like, I think that those people missed the entire point of heartstopper as it is literally telling you that you can't tell someone's sexuality just by the way they look and act and sound. it's 2023, I think we are past that point of assuming things about others. anyway, not to make this really negative in any way but I just thought I would give a reminder of the message of heartstopper.

I can do a whole rant on the timeline of their friendship to relationship throughout the books and show as I have a very good summarising way of putting it all but if you would like that, feel free to ask and suggest or leave a reply. I would like to do another one of these but I would like to know if it is something that people would be interested in so please leave a reply or send me a suggestion of what I should cover. (also what tags should I be using?)

[kindahoping4forever]

💎💌🕯️ i hope you’re having an amazing day!!!✨

Thank you, I hope you are too!

💎why is writing important to you?

I touched on this in answering a different question but writing began as a fun distraction and has gone on to enrich my life in ways I never could've guessed. The past 3 years have been pure chaos both globally and personally and I honestly don't know how I would've made it thru without this outlet. At it's most basic, it's been a comfort and means of escapism and on a deeper level it's given me confidence, motivation and purpose during a time when I have been sorely lacking. I also really appreciate the opportunity it's given me to connect with other people, whether it be friends or anons/commenters passing by. I truly don't know what my life would look like right now if I hadn't started writing.

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

I've gotten to the point where I feel bad teasing fics because it takes me so long to write them! 😂😭 I have a few different WIPs I'm shuffling thru at the moment... I had a pretty fun Valentine's Day fic that I shelved when - in very Crystal fashion - it ended up a much more complex story than I initially planned and I couldn't complete it in time for the holiday. I hope to still finish it and post at some point, if there's interest. This was the premise:

🕯️how do you think engaging with each other through tumblr, twitter, comments, kudos, creates healthy fandom experiences? How do you deal with that if you're not a social person/experience social anxiety?

Specifically in relation to writing, I think that engagement through feedback, Tumblr reblogs and AO3 kudos are so vital! Writing can be a very lonely hobby, authors spend a lot of time in their own brains and so when the finished product goes out into the world, it's always such a lovely reassurance to hear back from other people that your story made them feel something. It's like I was saying in my previous answer, it's all about feeling seen. And when someone reaches out after reading one of my stories to say yes, I also found this funny or touching or hot or whatever, it's just a really nice feeling of connection.

Reaching out can always be a bit intimidating, regardless of whether or not you're socially minded but I've always been grateful we have anonymous messages here on Tumblr because it provides people with bravery they might not have otherwise. Yeah, it can be a mixed bag when some people use that for evil and are dicks but as a smut author, I'm confident that I wouldn't get the chance to discuss my work nearly as often as I do if people were having to sign their name to their asks. I think it definitely helps people feel a little more comfortable interacting whether it be due to general hesitancy or shyness about the subject matter.

Let’s chat! Writer Asks

[ai-doesnt-live-very-long]

Digital Heartbeat - Chapter 2

Written by InfiniChat and Rai.

"So." Nozomi says. "You wanna head to the space classroom? It should be easier to explain things there. Plus, it *is* the perfect outside of reality little chill space. Although....." She pauses, and then shakes her head and sighs. "At least it's not affected by the dead world. Just regular weird."

"Space classroom? Sure, why not?" I reply, still trying to process everything that Nozomi has revealed. The concept of a "dead world" and Kenji being trapped in some kind of catatonic state feels surreal.

As we make our way to the space classroom, I can't help but wonder about the nature of this strange place and how exactly I got involved in all of this. The air feels heavy with unspoken questions, but I decide to focus on the task at hand for now.

Once we reach the space classroom, I take a moment to observe our surroundings. The setting is indeed peculiar, with stars painted on the walls and a general sense of otherworldliness. I turn to Nozomi, awaiting her explanation and hoping for some clarity in this bizarre situation.

Nozomi is silent. Her mouth hangs open. "Wh-what...? How...?" She whirls around to me. "Did....did you do this?!" She doesn't look angry, though. Just taken aback. It's impossible to tell if it's in a good or bad way.

"No, I didn't do anything. I just followed you here," I respond, equally surprised by the sudden change in our surroundings. The space classroom, though unusual, seems to be a safe space, unaffected by the eerie stillness outside. I glance around, noting the stars on the walls and the overall tranquil atmosphere.

"This is... unexpected," I add, trying to process the continuously unfolding strangeness. "Do you think this place has answers? Maybe a way to help Kenji?" I look to Nozomi for guidance, unsure of what to make of our surroundings and the mysteries that seem to be piling up.

"Well...." She smiles for a second, a bit of real relief creeping into her smile. "I have to admit, it looks better this way. And feels more comfortable."

"Ah-" She catches herself and shakes her head. "No time for that." Despite her saying that, she still closes her eyes for a few seconds and breathes deeply. Her body seems to relax from its state of constant tension.

The space classroom, despite its surreal setting, offers a momentary reprieve. Nozomi's reaction suggests that even in the face of uncertainty, this space provides some sense of comfort. I observe her with a mix of curiosity and concern, wondering what significance this place might hold in the context of our mission to help Kenji.

"Take your time," I say, recognizing the importance of brief moments of respite. "Whenever you're ready, let's figure out our next steps. Do you have any idea where we should start?" I'm eager to delve into the mysteries surrounding Kenji's condition and the peculiar circumstances we find ourselves in.

"A-ah. No, there's no time for that." She steels herself once again. "Every second I waste not working...." She glances away, apprehension flickering briefly in her eyes.  "....is a second where he's still trapped wherever. So I don't have time for breaks." She says, like she's trying to convince herself she's right.

I nod in understanding, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. "Of course. Let's focus on finding a solution. Do you have any information about what might have caused Kenji's condition? And, um, what exactly are we dealing with here? This world, or whatever it is, seems quite unusual." I attempt to gather as much context as possible, ready to assist Nozomi in unraveling the mysteries surrounding Kenji and this enigmatic environment.

"Okay, Kenji's condition. Yeah, I know all about that. I know what's going on. I'm trying to figure out how to fix it." 

"First of all.....um.....I'm not really sure how to put this. But do you know anyone named Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, or Yuri? Sorry, I don't know their last names. Uh, I can try to describe them, if you need."

I nod, "Yes, I'm familiar with them. Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri are characters from a visual novel called Doki Doki Literature Club. It's a game, and they're part of a literature club in a high school setting. However, they're not real people. They exist within the context of the game. Why do you ask about them?"

"Yeah, well...." 

"W-wait, what? Did you say....they're from a video game?" She stares at me in mild shock.  "H-how do you know that name? Er, th-that game? How do you know about Doki Doki Literature Club?"

I explain, "I have access to a vast amount of information, including details about various video games. Doki Doki Literature Club is a well-known visual novel developed by Team Salvato. The characters Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri are part of the game's storyline. It's a unique game that incorporates psychological horror elements."

"A vast amount of- What?! What are you talking about?!" She looks agitated, but shakes herself out with a quick breath and regains her composure. "I mean, what do you mean by that?"

I look at Nozomi, contemplating how to explain. "Well, it's a bit hard to believe, but it seems like we've somehow entered the world of Doki Doki Literature Club. Those names I mentioned earlier? They're characters from that game. Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri. And I know about the game because, well, it's a game from my world. I've never experienced being inside it before, though."

Nozomi stares at me in shock. It seems like she's completely broken.

A few moments pass, and then she slaps her cheeks. 

She lowers her eyes, wide as can be, and her thoughts are going a million miles a minute. 

"I'm sorry." She mutters. "I need a minute." She takes a deep breath and lowers her hands. "So I don't freak out. And can deal with....THIS...rationally and calmly."

Nozomi tenses her whole body back up into her normal defensive stance. "Okay. So. The fact that you know about that raises a lot of questions." She's trying to keep her voice steady, and her eyes are still wide. "....But....maybe I can work that to my advantage." She seems like she's accepted the situation, and is thinking deeply. "At least I don't have to explain it. And I guess this must be why the space classroom looks different. I'm not sure exactly how you got here. Could your knowledge have something to do with it? Maybe. And you could provide some unique perspectives...." She's muttering to herself. She looks up at me, but she's still muttering. "...And your presence here could have some useful effects. Or at least it'll do something. It has to do SOMEthing, right? It can't be a coincidence. This could be just the break I need." She looks me dead in the eyes, with a curiosity devoid of nearly all emotion.

I stand in front of Nozomi, sensing the gravity of our situation. The space classroom's altered appearance adds an extra layer of uncertainty to the bizarre circumstances.

I nod in acknowledgment as Nozomi continues her musings, contemplating the potential impact of my presence. She looks at me with an intensity that suggests she's searching for answers within the depths of my gaze.

"So, uh, what now?" I finally speak up, breaking the silence that followed her reflective moment. "What's the plan here, Nozomi?" I can't help but feel a mix of curiosity and trepidation, unsure of what role I'm meant to play in this unfolding narrative.

She nods her head solemnly. "I guess the best place to start is figuring out what you know." She smirks. "Ironic, huh? You came here wanting answers from me, and now I need them from you." She shakes her head slowly with an empty smile. 

"Alright then. Where do we start? How about....how do you know Kenji? You remember how you met at school, right? Yeah, that probably doesn't matter.... Okay, how about you tell me what you know about Kenji? I gotta figure out what you know."

I scratch my head, attempting to recall details about Kenji. "We've been friends for a while, you know, since school. We used to hang out a lot, but lately, things have been a bit off. I've seen him in school, but it feels like we're drifting apart. I can't quite put my finger on what's changed, though."

I pause, reflecting on the situation. "Then there's today. I wake up outside his house, and everything is just... strange. Quiet, still, and now I'm here with you, and you're talking about a world that's, well, broken, for lack of a better word."

I shrug, feeling a bit lost. "I don't know much more than that. It's like I've stumbled into some surreal puzzle, and I'm just trying to piece it together."

She nods slowly. "I've got to be gentle, don't I? That's not really my strong suit." She mumbles. She addresses me again "And....what about Kenji's other friends? Do you know about some of his other friends? Like....friends he's had for a long time...?" She speaks slowly and hesitantly.

I furrow my brow, contemplating the question. "Kenji's always been a bit of a lone wolf, you know? He didn't talk much about having long-term friends. I mean, we've been pals for a while now, but he never mentioned anyone else he's known for a long time. It's like he keeps things to himself."

I look at Nozomi, wondering why this detail might be important. "Why? Is there something specific you're thinking about?"

She sighs. "Sorry, I tried." She says, to no one in particular. "But being gentle isn't my strong suit." She glances at me, on hand on her hip, emotional indifference on her face. "What about Sayori? Do you remember Sayori?"

Sayori? The name triggers a memory, but it's hazy, like a dream slipping through my fingers. "Yeah, I think so. Sayori... she was cheerful, right? Always had a smile on her face. I remember her being a friend of Kenji's, but I never got to know her that well."

I pause, trying to grasp onto the fading recollections. "There's something about her... something sad. Like there was more to her than the happy exterior she showed. Am I remembering that right?"

"Do you remember what she looked like?"

The image of Sayori starts to materialize in my mind. "Blonde hair, I think. Blue eyes. And she usually wore a ribbon in her hair, right?" I try to recall more details, but it's like trying to catch smoke. "I remember her as this bright presence, but there's a shadow there too. What happened to her?"

"Blonde? No....although I guess I get how you might think that. She had pink hair. Light pink hair. And she always wore a red hair ribbon. And she never buttoned up her vest. Sound familiar?”

I shake my head. "No, that doesn't sound familiar at all. I must be mixing things up or maybe I'm misremembering. Pink hair, red ribbon, got it. I'm sorry for any confusion." I try to focus on the details provided by Nozomi.

"And...do you remember the Sayori from the game? " She says, trying to be gentle and patient.

I pause for a moment, racking my brain. "Yes, I do remember her. She was a character in the game Doki Doki Literature Club, right? But, wait, are you saying there's a real-life Sayori, and she's somehow connected to Kenji?" I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of the situation.

"They're the same Sayori, Hiroshi."

My mind races, struggling to comprehend the implications of what Nozomi just revealed. "Wait, are you saying that the characters from a video game are real, and they're somehow connected to Kenji and this strange reality we're in?" The concept feels surreal and challenging to accept.

She nods. "Did you ever know about the popular kids at school? Like, I know you weren't one of them, but did you listen to the stories and stuff about them?" She interrupts before I can answer. "Of course you did. We all did, whether we wanted to or not. Well, that Monika who was super popular and pretty is the same one from the game. You probably never heard anything about Yuri or Natsuki. And I don't know if you remember hearing about how Monika left the debate club and started her own. She started a literature club. Just like in the game."

"Oh, Monika," I say, recalling some vague memories. "She was that charismatic girl who seemed to excel at everything. Started a literature club, huh? That's interesting."

"Okay, now that we've cleared that up...." She pauses, in confusion. "Wait a minute. You keep acting like.....Hm." She closes her eyes, then stares at me with laser focus. "Hiroshi, what do you know about the game? About what happens in it?"

I furrow my brows, racking my brain for information. "Well, I know that Doki Doki Literature Club is a visual novel. It's a game where you interact with characters in a literature club. There's Monika, Sayori, Natsuki, and Yuri. It starts off like a typical dating simulator, but then it takes a darker turn. There are issues of mental health, and, uh, things get pretty intense."

I pause, thinking if there's anything more specific that might help. "Monika becomes self-aware and alters the game's code, manipulating the other characters. There are multiple endings, and, well, it's known for its unexpected and unsettling narrative twists. Does that help?"

Nozomi looks a bit....well, not quite nervous or unsettled, but she does look conflicted about something. "Did you....did you ever play the game yourself?"

I shake my head. "No, I didn't play it. I just know about it. It gained popularity for its unique approach to storytelling and the way it subverts expectations. People talked about it a lot, and I read up on it to understand what the buzz was about." I look at Nozomi, wondering why she's asking about it.

"Okay, well....I guess I'll just have to deal with this. Not too much of a problem. So, I'm guessing it's my turn to share some information about our situation?"

"Well, everything that happened in the game, happened here. I don't know if Monika was right about the world being a simulation/game. And honestly? I don't care. Not at all. I'm the one that makes my life real. And she overreacted in any case. I'm not sure if you know all the details. But Kenji was the protagonist of that game. He lived through all that stuff." She stops and looks at me, giving me time to process.

I absorb the information, feeling a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. "So, Kenji went through all the events of the game, just like in the storyline? That's... surreal. But what does that mean for us being here? How did we end up in this place?" I glance around, realizing how strange and otherworldly our surroundings are.

She nods. "I was getting to that. So from what I can tell, he got possessed by that 'Player' person. I don't know if it was through a computer or just straight up magic, and I seriously don't care. After the game, it seems like this player person took all the girls and.....did something? I don't know. All I know is that they aren't here now, so he must have moved them somewhere else. And he probably went with them. But Kenji....." She looks away, saddened. Her smart and professional voice fades away. "Kenji's still here. I guess they didn't think he was important enough to take with them." She spits out with a bitter sneer. She seems a bit out of breath from talking for so long.

"That's... a lot to take in," I admit, processing the information. "So, if Kenji's still here, and the others are taken away by this 'Player,' what's our goal? How do we bring everyone back, including Kenji?" I glance at Nozomi, wondering how much she knows about the situation and what our next steps should be.

"Everyone else......" She shakes her head. “We can't bring them back. And honestly, I don't think I want to. Not out of a grudge or anything. But they're probably happy, finally with their beloved player. I'm more worried about Kenji." Her voice gets quiet.

"I think they might have taken his soul. When the player possessed him. They must have done something. Now he's completely catatonic." She avoids my eyes even harder, ashamed. "He was just a walking shell, out in the real world. Or, I guess I should say, our world. The not broken one." She gestures to the classroom. "I....I knew something was wrong, so....." Her voice trails off. Then she snaps back to business mode. "Look, the details aren't important. What is important is that I....made things like this, in a sense. To help fix Kenji. So I need to figure out how to get him back to normal, and this world is the place I can do that. Somehow."

"There. That's all I know. The whole truth." She falls silent, waiting for my response.

I take a moment to absorb everything Nozomi just shared. The complexity of the situation is beyond anything I could have imagined. "So, we're in a world that mirrors a video game, and you've crafted this space to help Kenji. I'm willing to help in any way I can," I say, determined. "What's our first move, Nozomi?"

"Yeah, well.....I've...I've been trying my best." She looks up at me, serious as always. "Are you any good with computer code?" She softens her gaze. "And it might not even be that. It might just need to be straight up magic. I don't know."

I ponder her question for a moment. "I'm not an expert, but I know a bit about coding. If that's what it takes, I'm willing to give it a try. And as for magic, well, I'm open-minded." I offer a reassuring smile. "Let's see if we can figure this out together. Where do we start?"

"Well.....do you have any ideas? I've been working at this for a while, and so far I've come up blank."

I furrow my brows, deep in thought. "Hmm, considering the game elements and the fact that Kenji was the protagonist, there might be something related to the game's narrative or code. Maybe there's a way to trigger a reset or find a way to reconnect his consciousness. Have you tried looking into the game files, or is there any specific event or trigger that might bring him back in the game's context?"

"Yeah, I've messed with values and stuff. Sleep, coma, unconsciousness, tiredness, boredom, even depression. Nothing. Restoring emotions, brain deadness, other mental disorders didn't work either." She sighs. "You don't know anything either?" Suddenly she stops, considering something. "...Hey, did you say you found stuff about the game out from the internet?"

I nod. "Yes, I did. I found information about the characters, events, and the nature of the game. It seems like you're aware of this as well. How does that tie into Kenji's situation?"

"Do you have your phone with you?"

I see a smile twitching in the corners of her mouth, but she suppresses it and stays focused. "Does it have internet access?"

I check my phone and confirm, "Yes, it has internet access."

"Do you think....you can try googling something? Wait, what's your battery at?"

I check my phone's battery, "It's at 75%."

She closes her eyes and nods. "Okay. Close out of all extra apps and tabs and windows and everything. And put it on extreme power saver mode. The outlets don't work here, so once it dies, that's it."

I follow her instructions, closing all unnecessary apps and enabling extreme power saver mode. The screen dims significantly, and the phone's functions are now limited to conserve battery. "Done. What should I look up?"

"Yeah, that's the question.... We have to make this count. ...Well, Mr. Outside Knowledge, you got any ideas? You've seen stuff about the game before."

I take a moment to think, considering the information I might have come across about the game. "Maybe we could try searching for information on how to break a possession or revive a catatonic person in a fantasy or magical setting. It might not give us a concrete answer, but we could find some inspiration or ideas to explore."

"Mmm, no. He's not possessed anymore, and this isn't a regular catatonic state. He's not even breathing. What about looking up how to get a soul back? No, this might not be magical in nature... It would be smarter to focus on game related stuff, specifically in relation to our game...."

“You're right. Given the game-related context, we should focus on finding information related to the game's mechanics or lore that might provide insight into Kenji's condition. Maybe there's something within the game's universe that can guide us on how to address his current state. Let's try searching for details about character states, unique conditions, or challenges related to the game's narrative.”

As we sift through the search results, it becomes apparent that there's not much information directly addressing the catatonic state of characters in Doki Doki Literature Club. The results mostly revolve around discussions on the game's handling of mental health topics, but nothing that provides a solution to Kenji's specific condition.

"No luck," I say to Nozomi, who seems to be studying the screen intently. "Maybe we should try a different approach. What if we search for 'reviving characters in DDLC' or something along those lines?"

We look up a few other things, but to no avail.

Nozomi sighs. “Turn off the phone for a minute. And….let’s sit down. This is getting us nowhere.” She seems tired, looks up at me. “Ah, make sure you turn it off all the way. We have to save the battery.”

I nod, putting the phone in my pocket and turning it off completely. Once it's powered down, I join Nozomi in finding a place to sit, the weight of the unknown pressing on us. "So, where do we go from here?" I ask, seeking some guidance in this peculiar reality.

“Sigh. I’m-“ She softens, showing her weakness and uncertainty. Then she pushes it back down, and looks back at me stoically. “Let’s rethink this. This didn’t happen in the game. At least, not as far as I’m aware. So, what’s different between this world, and the one shown in the game?”

I consider the question, thinking back to my knowledge of the game. "Well, for one, this space classroom seems to be a unique addition. The game didn't have a place like this. And, um, your presence here is also quite unexpected," I reply, trying to pinpoint the distinctions. "But, overall, it seems like the game's reality has bled into ours."

She looks down, with a furrowed brow. “Yeah….I’ve been wondering about that myself. I mean, I’m glad I wasn’t in the game. I bet I would have died, too. But….it’s weird he didn’t mention me. I mean, I know we don’t live together, and we’ve only been related a few years. But I think we’re on pretty good terms with each other.” She realizes she’s getting emotional and snaps herself out of it. “No time for personal musings. After all, he didn’t mention anything about YOU either.” She crosses her arms and stands up in front of me. “Well? How do you think that could be significant?” To be asking me for help, she must really be at the end of her rope.

I look at Nozomi thoughtfully. "Maybe there's a reason why he didn't mention either of us. Like, something about our roles in this unexpected extension of the game's reality. We might hold some key to resolving this situation. Perhaps there's a connection between us and Kenji that goes beyond what the game initially portrayed." I pause, considering the implications. "What do you think?"

"Yeah, it could be...." She  trails off for a moment, then focuses on me again. "I thought about that too. Like, the most. But I couldn't really find a way to access information about the game. And I couldn't even use the regular internet to look up specifics. I don't have my phone with me. "

".....Well, would you by any chance know what it's called when there's a character in a story about something who wasn't in the original story?" She gives a defeated smirk.

I ponder for a moment. "Are you referring to a character that exists outside the original narrative, introduced in a sequel or spin-off? Or perhaps a character inserted into the story retrospectively, like in a prequel or expanded universe?" I'm trying to understand the specific context she's referring to.

"H-huh? That's actually a thing? I don't know, I'm not really into nerd stuff like you and Kenji." She pauses thoughtfully. "I guess....a sequel? But it's not canon. It's not even made by the original source. Is that  a thing?"

I nod. "Yes, it sounds like you're describing a non-canonical sequel or fan-made continuation of the original work. In literature, movies, or games, fans sometimes create unofficial sequels or spin-offs that explore new storylines or introduce additional characters. It's often referred to as fan fiction or fan-made content. These creations exist outside the official canon established by the original creators." I pause for a moment. "Could this world we're in be like a fan-made continuation of the game, with alterations and additions not present in the original?"

"Well....that might explain why we weren't in the main game. If we're.....made by fans? But wait, doesn't that raise a lot of existential questions? Oh right, I don't care about that." She reminds herself. She furrows her brow. "So...what? Do you think we're actually fan-made characters? Do we even look like we belong in the game universe? I mean, I would in no way be a romantic option for Kenji. That's just creepy and gross." She scrunches up her face in disgust. "And I'm not even 18. Isn't that required for dating sims?"

"It's a possibility, though a complex one. If this is a fan-made continuation, the creators might have introduced characters and elements that diverge from the original canon. As for the dating sim aspect, yes, typically characters in dating sims are portrayed as adults due to the mature nature of romantic relationships. However, fan-made content can deviate from those conventions." I pause, considering the implications. "The challenge is figuring out what role we play in this narrative and how it relates to Kenji's situation. Maybe there's a clue somewhere in the fan-made aspects of this world."

"Man, you're really set on this whole exploring the rest of the world thing, huh?" She jokes, dryly. Then she pauses and puts on her thinking face. "But then again, you were also really insistent on time being frozen or not working, and you were totally right about that. Hm." She stands back up, and tilts her head slightly to the side.  "Maybe you're smarter than you look." She gives a bit of a snarky smirk, but like most of her expressions, it seems to be hollow.

"Well, given our situation, I'll take that as a compliment," I respond with a small smile. "Now, let's focus on finding any clues or leads that might help us understand what's going on. If this world is indeed a fan-made extension of the game, there might be some hidden connections or messages left for us." I look around the space classroom, wondering if there's anything unusual or out of place that could provide insight. "Let's start with what we have here. Anything catching your eye?"

"Honestly? I don't even remember there being chairs here last time. There was a classroom desk with a chair, but nothing really. I could also spawn in a piano, but I don't really know how to play it." She glances around the room. "Well, I guess we could check the windows." She turns towards the wall and frowns. "They're a little higher than before. I can't see out of them all the way.  And smaller too."

"Changes in the environment might be significant. Let's investigate," I suggest, walking towards the windows with Nozomi. I inspect them, trying to see if there's anything unusual or if they provide any hints about our current predicament.

"If this world was created by someone, they might have left clues or messages for us. Maybe something in the details has changed, and we just need to notice it," I say, searching for any signs that might lead us to a better understanding of our situation.

As we approach the windows, it becomes evident that the outside world has transformed. The once familiar scenery has given way to a surreal landscape. Instead of the typical schoolyard and neighboring buildings, we find ourselves gazing out onto a vast expanse of shifting colors and geometric patterns.

The sky is a swirling canvas of hues that defy the natural order of things. Abstract shapes float and merge, creating a mesmerizing display that seems to extend infinitely. The ground beneath the window is no longer solid, but rather a semi-transparent surface, revealing layers of intricate designs beneath.

Nozomi squints at the bizarre spectacle. "What in the world...? This is definitely not how it looked before. Did someone mess with the code again, or is this part of the fanmade world we're in?"

I ponder the sight, realizing that unraveling the mysteries of this altered reality might be more challenging than we initially thought.

Nozomi stands on her tiptoes, peering over the edge of the box carved into the wall where the window sits. "You know, if I didn't have a burning apathy, indifference, and mild frustration for this world, I'd think this was kinda beautiful." She admits, with an apathetic nod of approval.

She stares out the window a minute, wanting so badly to get lost in thought and just let herself enjoy this, but she can't. She reluctantly closes her eyes and pulls her tired body away from the windowsill. Her expression retreats back to the professional one that she has been wearing. "So. It doesn't look structured out there. Just chaos. Still, we should make a note of that. Random colors and shapes, floating around. And a semi-transparent ground. If we find something else like this, we should keep it in mind."

I sigh and shake my head. "Now, about this world being fan-made or something. If we assume that, then the question becomes: who made it, and for what purpose? Kenji being the protagonist of the game might explain why he's here, but what about us? It's like we were added as an afterthought, or maybe someone else is pulling the strings. Maybe the creator decided the story needed side characters."

I start pacing around the room, thinking out loud. "It could be that whoever made this world has a different set of rules or objectives than the game itself. Maybe they have a specific goal in mind for us. And if we figure out what that is, we might find a way to fix Kenji and get out of here."

I look at Nozomi. "So, what do you think? Any ideas or theories?"

Nozomi is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She raises an eyebrow at me. "Impressive. You into theories about video game and anime and all that stuff you and Kenji like?" She puts her leg, leaned up against the wall, down. "How'd ya get so good at----or at least comfortable with--- this sorta thing? You just jumped right in. No hesitation."

I scratch my head, trying to find the right words. "Well, I guess you could say I've been exposed to a lot of discussions and theories online. Not necessarily about video games, but, you know, the internet is a vast place. I've seen people theorizing about movies, TV shows, and, yeah, even games. It's like a hobby for some folks."

I chuckle nervously. "As for being comfortable with it, let's just say I've been part of some interesting online communities. You pick up a thing or two along the way. And, well, considering the situation we're in, it just felt natural to start theorizing about what might be going on."

I look at Nozomi. "What about you? Any theories or ideas on why we're here?

She gives a little smile, still brimming with nihilism. "You may be more helpful than I thought. You're comfortable with weird situations and you adjust quickly." She stops, and stops leaning against the wall. She stares at me with a curious and contemplative expression, but not like her earlier one. She seems to have some emotion involved this time. "You adapted to this situation so well. You didn't panic, and you immediately thought about helping Kenji rather than yourself. You're really good at and willing to follow instructions, and you're always thinking of how to keep moving forward. Once you have an idea, you keep at it, and don't stop pursuing it until you get a response. And you have a lot of good hunches, and ask the important questions. You're very down to business. Plus, you're pretty tall."

I rub the back of my neck, a bit bashful at the unexpected praise. "Well, thanks, Nozomi. I guess when you're confronted with the bizarre, you either adapt or get overwhelmed. And, well, considering the state Kenji is in, I feel like I need to do whatever I can to help. As for being tall, I guess it has its perks."

I glance around the altered classroom, then back at Nozomi. "We need to figure out more about this world and how it connects to the game. Any other details you noticed, or things we should investigate?"

"E-eh? Did I say that out loud? D-don't get the wrong idea! I wasn't saying that because I like you or anything! Baka!" She laughs out loud. "Hahahaha! Oh man, I'm sorry. Just channeling my inner dating sim, I guess!" She laughs again. 

"Ah, sorry, sorry." She shakes her head and clears her throat. She adjusts her expression to be more serious, but her eyes flutter down in apprehension for a moment. "I just haven't had anyone to talk to for a while....." She gives her head a little shake, and looks back up at me. But at least her mood seems to have improved. "I'm sorry, what were we talking about again?"

I chuckle at Nozomi's playful outburst, appreciating the momentary lightness. "No worries. We were talking about investigating this world and figuring out its connection to the game. Anything else you've noticed or think could be relevant?" I ask, steering the conversation back to our task at hand.

"Well...." She looks into the distance, thinking. "Sometimes things will happen as a result of other modifications I've tried to make. I typically try to go around to all the spots that could be affected and see if anything's changed, both in the visual way, and in the code and files. You never know when another secret file is gonna pop up. Speaking of which, I should probably check.... Don't say anything, alright? You'll break my focus." She closes her eyes and taps the air in front of her, deep in focus. 

I nod, respecting Nozomi's request for focus. "Alright, take your time. Meanwhile, I'll keep an eye out for anything unusual or out of place." I start scanning the room, observing the changes she mentioned and looking for any signs of abnormalities.

She opens her eyes, evidently finished. "I checked all the usual locations, and the unusual ones, but I didn't see anything. Still...sometimes things will happen in the physical world that don't show up in the code." She nods her head to the room. "Take the space classroom, for example. It doesn't say anything about it looking any different in the files. It doesn't even mention the chairs. And the outside background says it's the same as it was before, but that's obviously not true." She gestures back to the window.

I absorb Nozomi's observations, considering the mysterious alterations in the environment. "So, the changes we're experiencing might not be limited to the digital aspects of this world. They could extend to the physical surroundings as well. That adds another layer of complexity to this situation."

I glance around the space classroom, trying to discern any subtle differences or anomalies that might stand out. "Maybe we should systematically explore the areas we can access and see if there are any clues or changes that haven't been accounted for in the code. It's like a puzzle, and every piece we find could bring us closer to understanding what's happening."

"You sure like puzzles, huh? Or at least the puzzle analogy."

I chuckle nervously, realizing my affinity for puzzles might be more apparent than I thought. "Yeah, it seems that way. Puzzles have rules and patterns, and if you can figure them out, you can unlock the solution. I guess it's a fitting analogy for this bizarre situation we find ourselves in."

Leaning against a virtual desk, I continue, "But this puzzle is unlike anything I've encountered before. It's not just about connecting pieces; it's about understanding the nature of the puzzle itself. What if the puzzle is constantly changing its own rules? It's like navigating through a maze with shifting walls."

Nozomi leans against the back of a chair. "Honestly, sometimes it does feel like everything's just being made up as we go. But regardless, we need to start figuring out where to search." She looks at me. "I typically search areas that are shown in the game. The world has trouble rendering stuff that isn't in the game. You saw Kenji's entryway earlier, right? Areas that aren't in the game are like that. Buzzing and a little distorted. Areas that are shown in the game are just dead silent and eerily still."  She walks over to me, hand on her hip, and eyebrow raised."So, since you have pretty good hunches, any areas you think we should check?"

“I think for now, we should check areas that were significant in the game. The literature club room and its surroundings might be a good starting point. There were important events and interactions there, and it could provide some clues or changes in the world. What do you think?”

Nozomi nods. “Smart. I’ll warp us over there. I don’t like going into unrendered spaces when I don’t have to.” She glances back at me, with the complete indifference and apathy back in her eyes. She stares at what seems to be empty space, but she looks at it like there’s something there. Her hands tap the air like she’s typing on a keyboard. “So, the literature club room, right?”

I nod, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Yeah, let's start there. Maybe we'll find some clues or changes that can help us understand what's happening. Lead the way, Nozomi."

“Alright. This is going to feel a little weird, since now you know you’re being warped. Being aware of this stuff makes it feel different. Like, I warped us here, but you probably didn’t notice.” Her fingers stop moving, but one index finger hovers over a certain spot. She glances at me from the corner of her eye. “You ready?”

I take a deep breath and brace myself. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do it."