#a song for how the others think of them was hard but i think peregrine fits the best bc first of all its like hawk but not quite | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

panzershrike-pretz · 1 year ago

Text

Lanterns

Part 3

Disclaimer: i'm well aware that some of the characters mentioned (namely the peculiar bunch) are originally from another work, Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children. When I "made" them, I was only a child who didn't know how to do much besides very poorly made fanfic - but with time, I grew more attached to them and as I understood how to create characters, i just couldn't bring myself to abandon them; so I kept them. I changed a lot since then and they did too as mine. Please, do keep it in mind if you're familiar with the MPHFPC series - if I decided to put this as a disclaimer it's because I care. I won't stand being accused of stealing characters.

Summary: A Goddess who lost her faith, trying to get back to her senses so her family doesn't fall apart.

Warning: death threats and I think it's about it??

Taglist: @malarkgirlypop, @bucky32557038ww2, @xxluckystrike (if you want in or out, just tell me!)

-> Image below found here.

The chit chat tha filled Blithe was soothing. It was home, after all, with all it's peculiarity and strange inhabitants. The ship was old; when Athena first stole her, she was a decrept little thing, abandoned in a port somewhere along the Portuguese coast - and the Goddess made it her own.

She was the one who found every member of the crew. The one who kept them together in the beginning, before everyone truly got along - instead of wanting to kill each other.

The first members of her crew were Sirius, Hydra and Rodion. The three of them lived together in a small house; two siblings and their cousin. She didn't have a hard time convincing them to join - they eagerly wanted to leave their old lives behind. Just like that, Athena found herself with an extremely talented navigator, Sirius; a loyal boatswain, Rodion; and a good wanna-be doctor and potion expert, Hydra.

Somewhere along the line, she found Michael, a sweet Lycanthrope eager to be accepted somewhere, for once in his life. He wasn't able to turn down the position of cook.

After him, came Darty. They were a massive sight to behold; with long wavy hair and pretty eyes, a beautiful smile. They liked to sit around and play music, to keep spirits up during long days lost at sea, under the scorching sun. At night, the crew likes to sit around them, hearing their songs and dancing about, to pass time.

After that, Athena came across an interesting bunch; they called themselves Peculiars. She remembered how her crew was captured and schedule to meet the gallows - and then those kids came out of nowhere, causing a rockus that let them escape the hands (and guns) of the Royal Navy. She gadly took them in; cabin boys and girls that would bring Blithe even more life with their energy - it was different from how the Gods acted, they were mortal after all and wouldn't mind living each day to their fullest.

Hugh and Fiona where inseparable; the bee boy and flower girl. They were always together, like shadows; he was the only person with whom she'd speak, in german, and he'd gladly translate it out. Nothing could stand between them.

Then Emma, a withy, red-headed pyrocinetic girl, full of stupid courage and a big ego. She was a leader and it showed; the person who kept them together and pushed them forward during hard times.

Brownyn was like a mom. She had strenght - no, really, that was her whole thing. She prided herself in helping or protecting others and keeping her eyes on the two youngest: Claire and Olive.

Then Millard, the invisible boy, who initially followed Hydra's every step. He was a joke, really, being a walking Encyclopedia of knowledge. Sometimes, he could be found near Natasha, the light-eater, and Juni, who had an amazing hearing.

After then, came Seamus, Dean and Pangey (who dragged Peggy along, much for the dogs delight). They were somewhere in the army during World War 2 - but Athena couldn't care less for what they did.

The two last of that bunch where Horace and Enoch. Two boys who would not stop bitchin' about everything; especially cranky ol' En, who found himself adopting Olive as a younger sister and then being both adopted by Rodion as his children.

There was Wolfgang, a quiet man who ran away from prison and made his home in the middle of that strange bunch. The crew met him around the same tine they met Theodore, Archie and Toby - the trio almost never came along with the ship, but they were a part of Blithe all the same.

She only knew that when Sam stepped away from his Captain deal, he immediately found himself being the ship's Master Gunner - no one would be better suited to take care of Blithe's artillery anyway. Sometimes the crew fells like he's the one truly in charge.

Dean, Sam's own personal shadow, prided himself on his vision and precision; the man was a sniper and kept his own title when he became part of the crew. Athena felt like if the man had enough beers and guns, he could rip through basically everything - courage and dumbassery were two things he had too much of.

Last of the three, Pangey or Pangea. She kept to herself, most of the time, rarely comming out of her shell - but always there to help. When she came, Hydra wasn't all that happy to share her medical position, but the two quickly got along, like mother and daughter.

Finally, Jeremy. The Captain. The man that once tried to hang Athena was now the one who leaded her ship. She lived for the drama. Which was all she was about to get.

"ENOCH JAMES O'CONNOR, MAKE THAT THING PUT MY DOG DOWN, WILL YA?", Pangey snapped, making the First Mate look down from her crow's nest, curious, both wings open at her side; if things got out of hand, she could just sweep down and shove one of them into the icy water.

Peggy was hanging in the air, smilling and wagging her whole body, not smart enough to get that she was dangling just above the ocean. In the mouth of a monster, no less.

"Wha'? They're playin'! Look at 'er, she's lovin' it!"

"Don't you make me shove your face down a barrell of rum! Make your... thing... get off of her!" The woman was angry. Actually, it looked like it was the angrier she's ever been. And it amused Enoch. "Lis'en here, ye bri'ish shmuck, release my fucking dog or I'll gadly put a hole through your brain!"

"He doesn't have one!", Hugh laughed, getting a death glare from the boy. "What? Am I lying, Enoch?"

Enoch scoffed, trying to make it look like he wasn't offended. The thing Pangey was mad about was Pax, his not-so-little companion. It was a big monster, to be fair, whith dozens of tongues and sharp teeth, loads of eyes and a not really friendly face either - he resembled somewhat a two-headed calf. And, to make things worse, he was invisible to most people aboard Blithe, safe from Enoch himself and Athena.

It was typically a monster that'd gladly kill everyone on that ship, but Enoch was certain he had that thing under control; looking at it now, with Peggy dangling in the air, Pangey couldn't bring herself to believe him.

"Speak to it. Make it put my dog back on the ship."

"Whyyyy? He isn't hurting her!"

"ENOCH, I WILL HURT YOU!" And she was yelling again, fighting the thought of grabbing her pistol and ending him here and now. She usually hated using firearms, but carried one anyway for self-defense since the war. And she usually refrained from hirting people, but Enoch was getting on her nerves and playing with her precious baby. She was about to go ballistic.

"Enoch, listen to Pangea", Seamus said, standing against the main mast. "Don't you think you got enough threats by now, emo bitch?"

He looked over at the man, startled. He didn't think he was watching and, well, Enoch usually kept his annoyance to himself near the guy. Seamus frightened him. Finally, he decided to stop Pax's plan of maybe dumping Peggy in the ocean.

Stop. Down., was really all he needed to do for the beast to let go of Pegs, who looked very happy to be on her feet again. She looked behind her, to where she knew was her big and scary friend. Why am I back? Weren't we playing?

Pax growled, sitting and letting his tongues wander off again, messing with the dogs fur. She quickly got in a playfull stance and both of them ran off - obviously, every one of Pax's steps felt like the ship was gonna break in two.

Pangey crossed her arms, staring down at Enoch. "Don't you have anything to tell me?"

"Like what?", he shook his shoulders. "I'm not sorry for anything, it's not my fault they were playing!"

"Oh, really? Because I think that not doin' anything about my dog being held up above the icy ocean by a killing machine that only you can give instructions to is something you should be really sorry for!"

"Cut it, you two", Sam interveined again, putting himself between the two. "Enoch, fuck off, please?"

"Ugh... fine!", he stomped his way onto one of the lower decks, fumming as he went. Like a spoilled little brat.

"I can't stand him anymore", Pan let out, now focused on her friend. "We've been stuck together for too long."

"No one can stand him", corrected Sam, a little more playful. "Cheer up, it's almost Holiday season. Maybe we can light him on fire."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

---------------------------

It didn't take more than one or two days for Dean, sitting on watch, to yell about land. No one besides him could see it yet, but Sirius was happy to keep Blithe's course. She creaked as the waves hit her side, being compelled forward by the wind on her sails. She was a good ship - or, and everyone would die on this hill, the best one to ever set sail.

The bay in which she sled to was awfully familiar and as she anchored beside some small fishing boats, her crew made all the needed preparations to step on land and finally acess the damage on her side, which slowly but surely was letting enough water in that she was even more tilted to the side.

"Hmmm, this place smells so good!", Hydra was jumping up and down in place, looking at the town in front of her. It was a fishing village somewhere along the state of Amapá, just south of the French Guiana. Hydra was right about the smell; it came from the foodstands along the shore - and she was happily one of the first to make her way towards it when the gangplank was lowered.

"Alright, there's a hole on the bow and it'll need fixing. Rodion, you come with me so we can find some locals and get materials. Athena, you'll come too; we need a good enough translator", Jeremy was firm, eyeing her up so she wouldn't sneak away. "Sam, you're in charge. Get these guys working on gathering more food and water. Remember, no stealing this time; or the locals won't be of any help."

"Yes, sir!", Seamus was quick and went right to work as the three went in search of some help. He gathered the crew, assigning each of them with their tasks for the day - some would get food, others water, medicine, new blankets and cloth. He figured Fiona would be of use gathering fruits and vegetables, seeing as they were on land.

With everything sorted, he turned to supervising the deeds - apart from going up the mast to see if Brownyn was doing alright with the sails. He wasn't exactly fond of the altitude.

Lady Blithe was enormous in comparision to the other ships in the bay - and her black sails and pirate flag, with a crow's skull engraved on it, made a lot of heads turn her way, curious. That village was probably never visited by pirates, as they didn't sound any church bells to warn the people of incoming danger. Still, whatever authorities in the town where alert; it could be a trap, for all they knew.

Blithe and her crew didn't mind the stares. They were indeed strangers who didn't speak the native language, for Gods' sake. The stories told talk of bloodthirsty monsters firing cannonballs all over, burning whole cities to the ground in search of goods soon-to-be stolen. What the locals found was nothing like that.

Hydra couldn't help but notice the small little decorations here and there as she walked, not knowing anymore what was her original task. The houses had vases filled with red roses, orchids, horehounds, fire lilies and arum lilies. She smiled. Those were her flowers.

A few years ago she came to conclude that most people didn't really believe in her anymore - or on the other Gods, for that matter. They had newer, better ones. She spent so long drifting away on the sea that she was disconnected from the mortals; it was with it in mind that she made her way inside a little temple made for her.

Hydra hated her role when she was a kid. She always wanted to be normal, like her cousins - which child would like to have their career all planned out? She cursed Imbatwa, Ozymandias and all the Gods she could muster the name off. She didn't want to be know, to be important or to be some kind of role model.

What kind of Family Goddess she would be, if hers was a comically large mess? What kind of Marriage Goddess was she, if every one of her relationships ended badly? Her own child didn't really like her, so how could she be the symbol of motherhood and childbirth? It was only right for her to run away from all that and live amongst a crew of other people just as broken as her.

Some of them were also Gods who had rotten in their own minds. That was the thing that got them together in the first place. If the Goddess of Death and Feeedom, of all things, wasn't cursed to be forever chained to the ocean, nothing would be the same.

"Your Highness came to pay us a visit...? Give us your blessing...?", some old woman stood beside one of the back doors, wearing the garments of a priest. She didn't seem impressed in seeing the Goddess herself stand in the middle of her church.

She felt strange staring at the depiction of herself at the back of the temple. It was a scarlet ibis with open wings, to gladly take in those in need.

Some people would go all their lives without a single bit of recognition, while she had temples and statues and holidays made for her just because... she was born. It always felt wrong. The Godhood thing. Like it was a piece of clothing that didn't quite fit.

"Oh. I didn't see you there..." Hydra was saying, ready to go away, but she simply couldn't bring herself to.

"You are a troubled one, child"

Child? Granted that woman looked like she had some good 70 years, but Hydra was older. Why was she being called a child?

"I heard your steps and thought it was one of the villagers, not the One for whom this temple was built". She still stood there, curious as to what in the world was Hydra doing. "People usually come to me for help. What can I do for you, my Goddess?"

"Hydra. My name is Hydra. Please... please, use it."

"As you wish."

Both of them stared into each others eyes. Hydra felt compelled to start talking, but she didn't. Originally, when she was in a temple, it was to listen to others and not herself.

"We missed you, dear", the elder said as she got closer, leaning on a cane to help her stand. "We've been having a couple of rough years since you left".

Since I left to sea and started ignoring you, Hydra couldn't stop that train of thought, feeling some kind of guilt. She couldn't lie to anyone: she ran away so she didn't need to heed to her responsabilities.

"We won't blame you", the elder added, as if reading Hydra's mind. "Gods are trapped in their jobs, liking it or not. The ship in the harbor is what brings peace to you lot, isn't it?"

"Hum... yeah. She does."

"Then you shouldn't feel guilty for how us, mortals, handle ourselves."

"Are you giving me a life lesson?", Hydra inclined her head a bit.

"It depends. Do you need one?"

She didn't immediately answer, caught off guard by that priest. "How may I call you?"

"Maria de Lurdes", was the answer. "But I won't mind anything you desire to call me, my Godde- uh... Hydra."

Hydra made her way to the stained glass, depicting amazing stories that run wild. She could only make up Blithe's blurry sillouete from afar. "Why didn't you ring the bells?"

"You weren't gonna hurt us."

"How could you be so sure?" Hydra turned her head a bit, just enough to see the woman from the side of her eye. "We had sails full dressed and the flag blowing."

"Yes. The black flag, not a red one." Maria sat on one of the benches, tired. "The black Jolly Roger means lives will be spared if there's surrender... the red one, well..."

She was right. And both of them also knew that a ship so tilted it was almost rolling over was not exactly a good enough vessel to raid a village.

"Anyway, I just felt you wouldn't attack."

"What?"

"I could feel it. I'm a old woman, Miss Hydra, my gut doesn't lie." Maria smiled. "You aren't like normal pirates, are you? I can see it on your face. You guys are just like Robin Hood, right?"

Hydra liked the woman; she was quick to guess things and was almost always right. The Goddess nodded. "Yeah... just like Robin Hood... mostly."

"What will you be doing during your Holiday?"

Hydra stopped. It's been years since she last took part on any celebrations; her friends usually stayed alone partying while she took refuge anywhere quiet. This year she thought would be the same - yes, she celebrated with them the other Holidays, but her own? It was off her schedule.

Apart from her and Sirius' birthday, which she always took part - even if against her will, just for her brother -, the Night of Libero Sanctis was the only other Holiday in her name and she couldn't bring herself to participate. She had lied to herself just enough so she believed that it was a waste of her time. The New Year was better anyway and it was only some days later.

December 28th could be absolutely scrapped off of her calendar.

"I'll stay in bed. Probably reading, I don't have anything else to do", she finally said, the words hung heavy in her tongue.

"Pardon me, but that's bullshit."

"Excuse me?", Hydra turned to Maria, confused. "How so?"

"Not hoving anything else to do. That is bullshit."

The Goddess simply waited, perplexed. That woman had some guts, she had to admit. And, to be fair, Hydra really needed to be beaten with a dead cat 'till it started meowing, so she could come to her senses.

"What about your family?" Maria asked.

"I don't really think they appreciate me being alive, if I may be honest", she spoke carefully, still processing. "Actually, I believe they would be more than happy to receive a letter declaring my death on the 28th."

"Not your blood family, darling. The ship's one."

"Oh."

Hydra felt her wings become tense. Right. Maria was talking about Blithe. She felt so stupid.

"Won't you stay with them?", the elder asked. "My grandkids will come visit me. We'll have a whole celebration here in the temple... what about you?"

"Uh... I guess... it doesn't really matter...?"

"Matters, yes. It should, at the very least."

Hydra kept still as the old woman stood and very slowly made her way to the back of the temple, just to come back some time later holding something.

It was a lantern. One of those that floats when you light it on fire. It had little flame engravings on the side, along with a pretty depiction of a flower. Hydra felt a chill down her spine as she understood - Maria was giving that to her.

"My Goddess, would you be so kind as to light this lantern on your night..?", she asked, bowing her head. "If not for you, then maybe for us?"

Hydra was left speechless for a moment. Then accepted the gift.

"I'll think about it, miss Lurdes."

She turned to go, feeling like it was already late - and soon enough someone would be at her tail nagging her about not doing her assigned tasks. As she went, she heard the woman pray:

"May all the Gods stand by you."

Hydra smiled a little. They already stood - or at least the ones that really mattered to her did.

"Same for you, lady."

---------------------------

#meet Blithe's crew!#and Peggy getting herself into situations xD #oc #original story #🥨🪶

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m1ckeyb3rry · 1 month ago

Note

Your new song/header text thing (idk what that area is called lowk) was fr actually just me this past week or two

Pause this is not in our convo but EXCUSE ME KARASU SERIES??? I SEE THAT HEADER GAME TOO HELLO WHAF IS THAT I need to hear the inspiration behind that idea….

Omfg it’s not even near Halloween anymore ok but puss in boots Karasu would be so hot….losing my mind reading this is making me realize how long it’s been wtf glad you didn’t get piled with work on halloweekend though!! I guess on the flip side this means 2-3 weeks away from winter hibernation era LOL

Been so long I barely remember what happened in the episode but now that I think yes I do mad we didn’t get a full day before the match interaction compilation BUT ANALYST KARASU LOOKED SOOOOO GOOD barousagi rivalry on top though they’re dynamic is so much more uhh what’s the word enriching…? That’s not the one I was looking for but growth promoting I can’t find the synonym I need right now wait speaking of the itoshi brother beef being one sided is actually insane I’m ngl it makes rin seem so pathetic LMFAOOOO

LMAAOA it feels like it’s been a millennia since I’ve seen the acronym oaeu forced tumblr cleanse was not on my bucket list but omg that’s right can’t wait to see wingman chigiri too!!

LMAOA our chemical reaction actually cannot be topped Isagi get out of the way we’re the new egoists here (this lowk sounds kinda cringe but whatever)

OK BUT AT LEAST YOU FINISHED PI!! Like you let the quality work marinate and stew and then you cooked by finishing it ofc no hate to writers who cliffhanger stories because I’m sure they don’t mean to and things happen but you came back stronger than ever fr

But FRRRR the tags are always filled with those short blurb mass character things that we talked about ykw is actually hilarious though I was about to be like wait there’s some for nagi and peregrine came to mind and I was like lmao wait you wrote that nvm Kaiser and sae dominating the tags actually my villain origin story I still can’t believe people like sae that much considering we also don’t really see him THAT much like

The name inheritance has such aura omg wait the nature vs nurture idea for the fic is so cool though like having that as an underlying theme goes hard…also if Tullia got with Karasu id end up swerving still lowk but anyways current pursuit with Nagi >>>>>

FRRRR ITS ABOUT TO BE SIX KINDA SOON TOO?? Actually insane can’t imagine the past several months without our convos!!! LMAO THE VELOCITY EDIT COMPARISON so true though id rather have less things but with more substance

Ok merging into a mega post because I don’t want to scroll all the way again oops

Spontaneous late night hangouts are the best that’s where all the good convos happen LMAOO

Sadly have yet to locate the ds I definitely did not throw it but lowk might be buried within storage somewhere from my last big cleanup session so maybe that’s a winter clean out activity…

LAMAOAO ME the last resort option fr when there was nothing left honestly the concept of the platform was pretty good though it just got ruined by the recent paywalls/premium etc and then well. The people. LMAO

OMG YEAH wait i remember i read part of it but got distracted by pursuit and oaeu and bfb im pretty certain i got to the part where she runs across the ocean?? Definitely got past the point where her whole ct is explained and whatnot though that’s actually such a cool concept though another Mira big brain idea

Your brain is actually too big I fear wait also the whole innuendo of them wanting to fight each other for them being in love is actually genius like I need more words for the word genius I also love the way you did it so like eloquently in a way that it doesn’t feel weird or awkward too??? Like also considering (iirc) neither of us are really into the freaky (imagine this in the really bold real italic goofy ass font) side of things I think this was executed so well honestly maybe a writing side hustle is something you should consider LOL

Oaeu so canon at this point it’s hilarious we need an oaeu moment in additional time fr also YEAH USGHS I CANT believe they skipped over that and so many scenes generally no wonder I was like this third selection arc felt REALLY short yeah now we know why UGHHH CHIPMUNK KARASU YOU WILL MEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Wait speaking of your recent nagi drawing with that meme LMAO SO TRUE he also looks so cute i love his hair in your style but yeahhhh given how dubs also sound really stiff generally i figured the southern accent dubs weren’t much better….lmao……

Shidou Karasu dynamic so true I totally forgot to mention in pwc they have some interactions too and Shidous always like “Karasu chan!!” he really thinks Karasu is his bestie so I guess we know why they teamed up within PxG???

APSHDISS YEAH ok maybe it’s a specific demographic subsection of blue lock fans but yeahhh ok wait also the recent ep also did him even dirtier LMFAOA if ykwim that one panel/scene where his face is kinda fucked up SHSHSHSH

NOOO UGH where are the karasus and yukis of society surely fiction has to be based on some truth…right…..

I literally pull out that argument everytime I talk to a Kaiser fan (which granted is very very occasional) but literally like he got psychology books to read to learn to manipulate people wtaf….Kaiser fans have no rights slandering other favs like you like THE opp BFFR

TABIEITA EDIT MY LOVES also omg I remember when this song had a chokehold on everyone it’s giving me flashbacks

Also IVE SEEN THAT ARTIST BEFORE KARASU HAIR DOWN PSLSLSLSLSL SHIDOU COME SAVE US

Ok now more general catch up I guess LOL HOWVE YOU BEEN???? Hope your midterms all went well!!!

- Karasu anon

HELPPP LMAOAOA not me syncing up w you subconsciously…black out days (by phantogram) was fr the soundtrack of my 2021 fall life i listened to it sooo much i heard it the other day and was like forcibly thrown back to that period of my life KSDJHF i felt like it fit with the theme though…because like the background is black…so it’s like black out days…haha…also it’s just like an aesthetic title (?? i think that’s the official name for that particular bit of text ?? no idea though) and i didn’t feel like digging for another song so this is what it is for this theme HAHA

ISN’T THE HEADER FIREEEEE UGHHHHHH sighing dreamily i think that’s one of the prettiest headers i’ve made like ever…so visually pleasing…so thematically appropriate (not that crows really have anything to do with the story but yk. karasu) KSJHFS okay so ngl it’s the header for my vague thoughts about repurposing my megumi royal au (which i already took down jic) where he’s the royal guard but for karasu LMAOO i know we discussed yukimiya for it hence my post about karasu or yukimiya but a) i will always pick karasu and b) look at these lines from the very first version of the royal au (technically the version i took down was the second version because i attempted a rewrite but the first version is what people remember most fondly) and tell me megumi doesn’t give HEAVY karasu vibes in them…like he actually feels more like karasu than himself KSJDHFHK (also these are in no particular order in terms of chronology LMAOO i just took random screenshots…there’s way more karasu-esque moments but image limit + trying to give you less to read so i picked a few highlights that show why karasu is actually lowkey the perf option) unfortunately royal aus are hard for me to stay motivated for so i was like “okay i’ll be responsible and not do this to myself” however i AM rewatching reign rn (kind of…one episode a week pace sadly) so that might get me in the headspace to work on it?? idk

PUSS IN BOOTS KARASU SIGHHHH ugh he’s so handsome in literally everything but yeah him with the hat and the sword and everything LKDFJHW omg i need him…YES WE ARE APPROACHING THE END OF THE FALL SLUMP (hopefully) i am literally counting down the days i miss being motivated i literally haven’t posted any writing since the kaiser request i wrote a MONTH ago it’s disgusting

KARASU LOOKED SO GOOD LAST EP they’ve really been putting in the WORK to make him gorgeous they know what we the people want fr and we love them for it!! HELP i know what you mean the barousagi rivalry helps them grow and learn and whatnot ngl i don’t remember what the right word would be there either but it’s fine i got the concept FHKJSDLHK and yeah omg the itoshi bros continue to be unserious like i can definitely see why rin would be hurt in the moment because sae was admittedly very brutal but also like that’s the first time they’ve ever fought?? idk obviously you can’t expect a lot of emotional maturity out of kids but you’d think he’d at least think to himself “wow i wonder why my visibly unhealthy and traumatized looking brother is saying mean things to me after being alone in a foreign country for months” if not at that moment than at least later on since he’s constantly reflecting on that moment??? like again i acknowledge that sae was saying some CRAZY stuff and jokes aside i wouldn’t be THAT mean to my younger brother but at the same time rin had like 0 empathy for sae when he got back and my interpretation of sae in that moment is that rin basically kept poking at an obviously sore spot until sae snapped if that makes sense 🧐 but also blue lock insults are generally insane so idek if what sae was saying was actually that insane but anyways rin hanging onto it for years upon years and deciding he needs to crush and destroy sae is like next level hilarious to me BROOO it was not that deep ok but ngl this might be smth like how i don’t gaf abt the whole nagireo break up thing like i’ve said before the angst in bllk is just nonexistent to me except very select cases (cough snuffy cough) so i’m just like ok whatever about all of it

OAEUUU HELP I HAVEN’T THOUGHT ABT IT IN SO LONG i miss them…seeing aiku and niko on screen but never togehter is making my oaeu stan heart hurt #aikuniko(platonic)forever no because i always liked niko but oaeu has made me love him sm which is great because he’s really getting some moments in s2 and now i can rlly appreciate them

omg let’s replace all of the core four OPPS while we’re at it…no more itoshi bros + isagi + kaiser the only chemical reaction egoists we need are us two!!

LMAOAOA I DID FINISH!! i think part of it too was just me realizing i needed to give up on gege and accept that i had to come up with my own ending because honestly i finished around when shinjuku started becoming that weird repetitive cycle of fights and that gave me the courage to stop waiting for him to give me a satisfying ending and just become canon divergent…i can’t write a story if i don’t know the end beforehand which is why part 1 of pi was super quick for me — the “end” was planned in terms of the end of vol0 and her bringing yuta back to life!! but then i didn’t know where part 2 and everything with tullia that i set up was going to go until i had the vision of her dying to kill sukuna (also fun fact the way the title connects at the end with the blood like pomegranates was not in fact foreshadowed it just came to me as i was writing the epilogue…i don’t even remember where i got the idea for the title for atp but it was well before i even had the idea for the blood pact and all of that LMAOAO pi was one of those stories that genuinely wrote itself and came together perfectly as i went which made me seem like a foreshadowing genius but in fact it was just happy coincidence)

PLS omg i forget i wrote peregrine too sometimes so dw…i saw a screenshot on my camera roll of my peregrine era and i felt so nostalgic omg things were simpler back then i had like 300 followers or smth when i started it 😭 but yeah nagi really doesn’t have as much as you’d expect tbh!! and since this is such a long ask that likely no one will read i’ll admit that i think most people write him super ooc 😓 i can only stand MY version of nagi no one else has gotten that right balance of nagi vibes that make me like him in the first place so i end up lowkey annoyed because either he’s acting like an infant, a jackass, or a player and he really just is neither of those things…my complex is that i’m convinced no one understands my favs like i do but ESPECIALLY nagi like i think karasu is pretty well characterized for the most part?? people will make him more outgoing and flirty than i’d like but there’s some canon basis for it so i won’t complain but NAGIIII UGH nobody knows or loves him the way i know and love him #real #canon

INHERITANCE KINDA EATS RIGHT?? it gives a bit more horror movie vibes though (i think there’s actually a horror movie called inheritance maybe that’s why) but yeah tullia with karasu would’ve made me emo like wdym she gets my perfect handsome amazing man as a bf and i get shrek ninja 😭💔 okay wait speaking of tullia i was on tik tok earlier and i saw an edit of some anime idek the name but it’s like something something yamada level 9999 idfk (edit: my love story with yamada-lun at lv999…okay i was lowkey close) anyways i was like RIN AND TULLIA??????? it kinda opened my third eye because wait…not in pursuit but in another story why could i lowkey see it…

I MISS EDITS BEING MAJESTIC luckily i think people are starting to really put their souls into editing again which is really exciting OMG YES IT ALMOST IS SIX MONTHS THAT’S CRAZY we have had our ups and downs (aka grass touching and chronically online moments) in turn but truly there is no one i would yap more with and i do always miss you when one of us must vanish from the tumblr-verse briefly HAHA

SDKLJFHSD I’M SORRY THIS IS A VERY LONG RESPONSE TO YOUR ASK YOU WILL BE SCROLLING AND READING FOR SO LONG consider it like all of my thoughts for the past while that you were gone or smth idk I’M SORRY IN ADVANCE LMAOAO I’LL TRY NOT TO RAMBLE AS MUCH (we all know that’s like never happening though i am nothing if not a rambler)

i think my ds is in my armoire somewhere i’d have to look too HKSJFH but yes late night hangouts >>>

yeahhh ads and paywalls and monetization and whatnot really were the death of wattpad as well as the audience it inadvertently attracted 😩 being on wp is def a core memory but i will never go back (although i do miss the nice comments i used to get but it’s not worth it tbh)

I LOVE H / H READER’S TECHNIQUE i mean yk how it is in the miraverse with bird symbolism…h / h reader and karasu need to do a bird theme character meetup or smth (wait side note idk if you saw but apparently kaiser’s is supposed to be based on a tropical bird BRO STFU he doesn’t deserve the bird theme designation!!) HAHA but also YESSS THAT’S LIKE MY FAVORITE THING like the words i love you are never said in that story but it’s so so obvious because every single time they’re like “i want to kill you” “i want you to kill me” yeah…they’re obsessed!! and yeah you’re right i don’t really like writing smut or reading it that much nothing against people who do it’s just not my preferred genre!! but i LOVE writing metaphors for sex idk if that makes sense but like in hurricanes / hummingbirds with the whole dreams of fighting = sex dreams thing idk something about it feels so much more intimate than just outright saying she dreamt of getting railed especially given the dynamic between the two characters where it’s meant to be more figurative…like am i implying something more here or is she literally just dreaming of actually fighting him?? HAHAH something about writing romance in a non physical way will always do it for me when i was younger (think early high school) i read this random bit of writing advice that if your characters need to kiss to prove to the audience that they’re in love then you failed at writing two characters that are in love with each other and i INTERNALIZED that SKLFJHS like look at h / h there are 0 kiss scenes but they’re so clearly in love?? or even either version of bfb there’s one kiss in karasu’s version and i’m p sure none in otoya’s…same with the first part of fwtkac…and all of cherry tree/the sequel…as well as the kaiser request i just posted…also probably all of my work i just don’t really like writing love physically imo love in metaphors >>>>

actually fun fact i do want to be an author!! maybe some day LMAOOO rn i’m on my fanfic grind though but if i ever write a book or smth i’ll let you know

okay this is so unrelated but angry chipmunk karasu is just making me think and like…tabieitaken + alvin and the chipmunks trio costume LMAOOOOOO yuki is obviously simon otoya is theodore (because green) and ig karasu is alvin?? actually i think i’ve seen a fan art on here of karasu shidou and tokimitsu as alvin and the chipmunks with shidou as alvin karasu as simon and toki as theodore but i like the tabieitaken version better because idrc abt tokimitsu (although admittedly karasu in glasses is a beautiful sight)

HAHAHA OMG MY SILLY NAGI SKETCH one of my mutuals had posted one of yuta and was like “i encourage everyone to make shitty drawings of their favs” and i was like wait now i have to do one of nagi LMAOAOA also the way you phrased “your style” is cracking me up fsr it sounds like i’m an official fanartist with an actual style and shit…nagi’s hair is kinda annoying to draw ngl but it’s also fun at the same time?? he’s so silly i love him sm (if you couldn’t tell by now)

LMAOO I KNEW ITTTT shidou and karasu are real to ME and also IN CANON no because idk if you saw my post about them but i am so convinced that shidou thinks they are THE bestie duo of all time meanwhile karasu is like ugh this freak again but he secretly thinks shidou is kinda funny so he’s just like wtvr and lets the guy hang around with him 😭 rn i’m being overwhelmed by this intense love for nagi and rin as a duo actually like it’s genuinely driving me insane how perfectly they go together and NOBODY recognizes that somehow??? like first of all look at their visuals they’re literally gorgeous in a very opposite way but also let’s talk about how rin is very emotional whereas nagi is very detached. how rin exclusively likes horror and nagi likes lighthearted children’s cartoons and dramas and romcoms. rin who seems like he’ll be mean but is nice in his own rude little way and nagi who looks like a sweetheart but consistently says the most foul things with his expression like 🙂. rin who is SO LOVED by his family (specifically sae because we don’t know much abt his parents) but is furious over his perceived abandonment and nagi who was ACTUALLY abandoned but doesn’t even care and thinks it’s normal and that his parents do treat him well. the dark slimy destroyer aura that rin has and the shimmery mystical light death aura that nagi has. the way rin is called a monster and nagi is called a god. how rin is associated with saliva and blood and nagi is associated with bones and graves. how rin wants to be a genius and is always trying to live up to someone else’s expectations and how nagi never wanted to be a genius and is actively trying to escape everyone’s expectations. LKSDFHSLDKF JBSDLFKHBLDKJF LIKE SHUT UPPPPP WHY WOULD I CARE ABOUT NAGIREO AND RINSAGI WHEN THE MOST INSANE PARALLELS ARE STARING ME IN THE FACE???? not that i ship them or anything yk i don’t ship but I NEED a nagi + rin duo or something in the future or else i’m going to have to start another nagi series and make tullia end up with rin just so i can use it as an excuse to write about this further because i could literally go on about it for many more paragraphs and i see NO posts about it?? anyways this is like my fifth rant in this response omg this is going to take you so long to read i’m sorry 😩

bro idk what the animation team is cooking with aiku but honestly idrc about him so i’m happy LMAOOO like they’re doing karasu JUSTICE yukimiya JUSTICE barou JUSTICE nagi KIND OF JUSTICE (he looks better in the manga at this point but he’s also not had his best moments yet so i think we’ll be good also they’re making him rlly cute in the additional times so i can forgive the occasionally weird proportions)

WE WILL FIND THE IRL KARASUS AND YUKIS SOON #TRUST they definitely exist but (at least in my case) they’re not exactly the type of people you meet while wandering the streets at 2am on halloween ykwim 😭

okay but honestly i wouldn’t even mind them liking kaiser because okay go off problematic fav it’s whatever i liked mahito at one point so i get it but they are ALWAYS the ones with the weirdest most ridiculous morality police-type takes it’s CRAZY like bro your own favorite character would probably hate you!! also he is literally the epitome of everything you claim to hate in a character who doesn’t even have those characteristics?? like i can only speak to the nagi hate i see because i don’t really see karasu or barou hate (everyone loves them because they’re perfect) and idrc if people slander characters who aren’t my favs (otoya does get slander but it’s lowkey deserved and yuki gets slander from dude bros but they’re kinda right sometimes so i can’t be too mad like yeah yuki DID kinda fall off in the nel 😭) but it’s ALWAYS the kaiser fans having the most insane out of pocket literally incorrect takes and being proud of them and then being like “yeah kaiser is my fav” MICHAEL KAISER???? YOU HATE NAGI FOR BEING “MANIPULATIVE” AND SAE FOR BEING “UNEMOTIONAL” AND YOUR BLOG THEME IS MICHAEL KAISER??? actually idc abt sae slander that’s #funny but it’s the principle yk…enemy of my enemy is friend and whatnot…anyways it’s rough being a nagi stan nowadays sometimes it feels like i’m the only one 😩 i predict he’ll have a brief resurgence in fans depending on how well his goal is animated but it’ll be forgotten within like a week or two because then rin will score and THEN shidou will come on field and everyone will be talking about sae and shidou leaving nagi to only be relevant in my heart 💔

I WILL KEEP THIS SHORT GIVEN HOW MUCH I’VE BEEN CHATTING buttttt i’ve been pretty good!! just relaxing mostly HAHA my midterms went well thankfully!! i was sick when i took them and hardly studied but still slayed #nagicore now i have like a week and a half until thanksgiving break and then another week or two before my long ass winter break so i will be even more chronically online than i already am after the first week or two of december is over!! that’s about when i locked in with pi last year so maybe something will have a comeback or i’ll start something new or something who knows…hmm i feel like that’s about everything i’ve been up to OH actually i did drive to meet with one of my tumblr mutuals irl because they only live like an hour away from me?? that was fun we hung out for a bit and went out for food together it was kinda funny to meet them irl…we had been insta mutuals for a while as well so it wasn’t like we didn’t know each other whatsoever like they knew my govt name and what i looked like and vice versa before i pulled up so it wasn’t like a jump scare or anything but it was still like omg…you’re a real person…LMAOOOO but yeah other than that i’ve been spending my free time sleeping, occasionally watching tv or reading a book, and trying to write but failing miserably 😓 what about you??? besides the obvious tumblr struggles 😭

#answered asks

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empyreanwilliwaw · 5 months ago

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I dunno maybe all those liberal voters who care about ending the genocide CAN FUCKING VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE THAT WANTS TO END THE GENOCIDE??? If the majority of Americans able to vote are not in favor of ending the genocide than we’re in much worse shit than anything Project 2025 proposes.

You say it makes your blood boil, but what are you ACTUALLY going to do about it? Prioritize your own safety apparently. Because that’s what liberals always do. It’s never the “right time” for progress, because seeing Justice done might cost YOU too much.

How much time do you think the Palestinian people have? How long must they wait till you’re willing to help make it stop? Even the bombs and bullets aside, food is scarce and the water is laced with polio. They might not have 4 months much less 4 years.

Jasmine Sherman is on the ballot in 48 out of 50 states. That is massive for a 3rd party candidate, this is our best shot at not just ending the genocide but at breaking the stranglehold Republicans and Democrats have on the US. But of course, that would require enough liberals be willing to take a chance on a 3rd party even if it risks splitting the vote and getting Trump elected. It’s the Prisoner’s Dilemma. The only way to win is to not make the selfish choice and trust everyone else to do that same. But you won’t of course. Trump and Project 2025 is just too scary for YOU. So you’ll write the Palestinians off as damned either way, no matter how much it makes your heart ache which I’m sure is a great consolation to them.

But hey, why don’t you ask some Palestinians how they feel about the slower, smaller backhoe killing them and their families instead of the bigger one. Cause see, the things about differences is that they’re all relative. A peregrine falcon is a lot faster than a wolf, but if I’m a little bunny with a broken foot it doesn’t fucking matter which one is hunting me. My odds are zero either way. Similarly, when things reach a certain level of bad it’s hard for it to be meaningfully worse. It’s impossible for Trump or Kamala or whomever gets elected to make the Palestinian Genocide meaningfully worse. It is already a genocide. Every other day there’s the reveal of a new crime against humanity, another cruelty or injustice gleeful inflicted on starving children. This hole isn’t getting any deeper, and all Trump or Kamala are gonna do is maintain this course.

Look. Whatever happens you and I will be fine enough. Even under another Trump presidency we can probably get by ok. It won’t be nice, it’ll be a lot of hard work, but we can do it. We have before. Palestinians are being genocided right now, a genocide aided and abetted by our president. Everything they are is at risk. Every song, every painting, every recipe, every man, woman, and child. Nothing we might go through compares to that. Nothing. We need to be brave and do what’s right, even if it costs us our privilege and comfort. THIS IS NOT ABOUT US.

Congress gave Netanyahu a standing ovation this week. Democrats and Republicans both. Neither party is going to fix things because they financially benefit more from them being broken. A 3rd party president is the most direct and PEACEFUL resolution we have a genuine shot at, and can go a long way to nipping a lot of other serious problems in the bud. The world is a pressure cooker right now, and it’s fit to blow any second. Climate Collapse is ongoing, looming over us like the Sword of Damocles and in some parts of the world it’s already dropped. People are dying because of us. Humanity cannot afford another president who’s only interested in maintaining the American Empire and pleasing corporate interests no matter the human cost. You need to have solidarity with your fellow humans, both at home and abroad, it’s the only way any of us are getting out of this alive.

under harris and trump my cousin will continue to be preyed on by police. under harris and trump he will not be able to stay in his home state. under harris and trump the man i befriended at the airport after a six hour flight will continue to have to travel from the northern us border over the southern on a laundry worker's salary to see his family. under harris and trump palestinians will continue to have their slaughter go unquestioned by its sponsors. under harris and trump my other cousin will continue to hate being black.

i really don't care that us white queers will suffer more under trump. i think voting to save ourselves is enacting violence on our loved ones. i care to have a world where they can go about their lives with ease. i care to tell my government that their continued actions against that will never have my support. i don't care to save my own skin when it pushes that future away from my family and the virtual strangers i hold in my heart.

don't vote harris. for the love of god or the love of your friends. please. voting for sherman, or de la cruz if their standing is too risky, or abstaining entirely is a greater step toward progress than voting blue no matter who.

if no one ever took a step toward progress that risked their own wellbeing then we wouldn't have progress in the first place. why should we be the only ones not to suffer. why should i save my skin while cementing my friends further into danger.

#free Palestine

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midearthwritings · 4 years ago

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What is yours is mine to lose

The memories will never leave, but at least you're together.

Words Count : 988

Pairing : Pippin x Reader (Established)

Warning : Mentions of near death experience, PTSD

Author's Note : As requested by @iwazoomingouttahere . This really pulled me out of my comfort zone and it took me quite a while to write it down. But I finally managed! I hope you like it!

The world is spinning, unstable, and the air is filled with a deafening violence, clatters of weapons and screams. Above you, the sky is dancing unsteadily as if it was going to crash on your head. The pain in your body, so intense that you barely feel it. You collapse.

A caress. Fingers were rubbing tenderly against the sensitive skin of your wrist. But the pleasant sensation was being swallowed by the ache spreading into every inch of your body.

Beneath you, the cold hard ground you fell asleep on turned into something soft and mellow. And for a split second, you wondered if you had passed away, if you were now traveling in the afterlife riding a wild cloud. But the loud sniffling in your ear indicated that you were still alive.

"...and if you want to leave, well, you can. But I must admit, I am too selfish to let you go."

The words resonated in your brain like a cursed song, stuck in replay. Your tongue poked out of your mouth, wetting your dry lips.

"If I didn't know better" you croaked, your voice low from being unused. "I would say you are trying to get rid of me."

For a moment, everything is quiet.

Slowly, all sounds fade away and the only thing you're able to hear is your heavy breathing, mixing with a white buzzing. He is not in sight, and you're terrified. If it must end, you wish for him to be by your side. You desperately cry out his name. There is no answer.

There was a face burried in the crook of your neck. Hot tears were running down your skin to your shoulders. You could hear him utter inaudible words, silent prayers of how grateful he was.

You blinked your eyes open. They felt hot and dry, as if wind was blowing directly into them. Unconsciousness had kept you captive for days, yet you weren't feeling rested. You were fighting to keep your lids from falling.

His locks caressed your jawline as he pulled back. Your foreheads locked together and you saw a smile illuminating his face despite the wetness in his eyes.

You smiled, too, because the luck and love that filled your heart in this instant were grand. It was a miracle, if not a dream, to have you both here and alive.

Feet are rushing past you. They never stop. Nobody stops to help. It's like you're invisible. You cannot call for their help anymore, the words get stuck in your throat and you choke on them.

His lips were moving rapidly, but you were not listening. You felt too tired to listen to your beloved's nonsense. Because you knew that's what it was. Nonsense.

"Pippin, you are rambling."

He stopped, but he was not offended. He would never be offended. That was just how he was.

"That, I am." He admitted. "But I am so happy to see you've awakened."

Once again, your lips curved upwards.

"As am I. Now, bring me some water, will you?"

The way he stood up eagerly made you think about the day you swore to love each other forever. You remembered the excitement in his eyes when he had asked you to become his, and the smile on his lips during the party that had followed your union. You had danced, oh you had, all night long, celebrating the love and life you were about to share.

Content, you watched as he left the room.

You watch, your cheek flat against the ground. You watch the agressive red puddle spreading before your very eyes. The blood reflects the picture of the dark troubled sky above you. It's spreading fast. You're going to die there. Alone.

A cold cup was pressed to your lips and you parted them, allowing the liquid into your mouth. You felt it going down your throat, very refreshing. Weakly, you reached up to hold it yourself.

"How are the others?" You questioned, once you were done.

He took the cup away from your not so tight grip and put it away, somewhere, perhaps on a nightstand. He was so tender, unusually careful, as if you were about to break. And maybe you had been about to break, that day. But right here, right now, you were not.

"They are well."

Limbs grow cold and heavy. You can barely feel them anymore. It is becoming harder and harder to breathe, your lungs getting tired of it. There is a coppery taste in your mouth, and you guess it must be more blood. You close your eyes.

"Darling, are you here with me?"

His hand was waving lazily in front of your eyes, and you nodded. Physically, you were here. And part of your mind was too. As for the other part of it, it was lost, somewhere in the past. It would remain there until you were fully healed.

The bed you were lying in shifted as he sat down next to you. A warm hand snaked inside of yours, entwining your fingers.

"I thought I would have to spend the rest of my life without you."

Despite the ache, you found yourself laughing quietly. You brought your linked hands up to lay a gentle kiss on his knuckles.

"You will not get rid of me that easily, Peregrin Took." You said playfully. "No, you married me, now you are trapped."

"This is the only place I wish to be trapped in." He replied, a grin slowly spreading on his face.

The both of you leaned towards each other and you shut your eyes as he pressed his lips against your forehead.

Until you were healed, of the body and the heart, you would have to relive the fateful day when you had almost lost your life, and him, his love. But until then, he would be by your side to ease the pain.

#lotr reader insert #lotr #lord of the ring imagine #lord of the rings #pippin #pippin x reader #pippin x y/n #pippin x you #peregrin took

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differenceenginegirl · 5 years ago

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Everything seems a little dark and scary at the moment, so I have complied a list of links to cultural and/or educational things (and some just streams of cute animals, or just plain fun) that are available to watch or listen to or do for free (mostly) online. Some of these will only work for the duration of the current situation (marked with a *), but most are permanent (so far as I know) so can be kept around for a little bit of sunshine on a rainy day.

Feel free to add to this with your own links or ideas, and remember, we’ll get through this together (with the appropriate social distancing). Follow the advice that’s been given, wash your hands, and be kind to one another.

The majority of links were brought to my attention by @theyahwehdance, @elleflies, and @buckysleftarm (plus a bit of a deep dive through my drafts). Under a cut because hoo boy it got long...

(Some links in the linked lists may be broken, some may be region-locked, and some may be duplicated, I haven’t checked them all.)

Culture and Education!

The Metropolitan Opera, free nightly (19:30 EDT, 23:00 GMT) broadcasts of operas, available for 20 hours following the broadcast too. (Schedule for the first week)*

Berlin Philharmonic: 30 days free access to their virtual concert hall (redeem before 31st March 2020)*

Playbill have compiled a list of 15 professionally recorded musicals you can watch at home (Not all free) and are inviting people to join them in watching Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella Starring Lesley Ann Warren on 20th March at 20:00 ET! (video may be region locked)

12 highlighted virtual museum tours and a whole load of others from around the world!

Science Twitter, a series of Skype with a Scientist virtual lectures! (A sign up with an email is required through the link in the tweet, running from 12:00-14:00 EST, (16:00-18:00 GMT)

30 virtual field trips! Links to virtual tours and live cameras of many different places! (Aimed at kids)

Animals!

Cincinnati Zoo Facebook Live virtual safaris, every weekday at 15:00 EDT (19:00 GMT)* Completed safaris will be posted to their website shortly after the Live finishes, and also kept on their Facebook.

Live Monterey Bay Aquarium Cams: 10 different cams showing various tanks and enclosures, and the bay itself!

Live San Diego Zoo Cams: 9 different cams showing various creatures in their habitats!

Atlanta Zoo Panda Cam

Danish Sea Eagles Cam (this site in Danish, and may go dark, as the equipment is solar powered): A live feed of a Danish Sea Eagle nest!

Peregrines in Norwich and Bath!

Live Animal Cam, Ohio: A cam focused on a feeding station, with night vision so the feed continues even after the sun goes down! (This shows wild animals, so there is no guarantee that you’ll see creatures)

Shedd Aquarium let their penguins out to explore! (Under supervision) More exploration here!

Two Oceans Aquarium did too, and look at these little cuties on the stairs!

A livestream of adoptable kitties!

And here’s a thread with some of these cams, and more!

Music!

Various people (started by cellist Yo-Yo Ma) playing/sharing music that comforts them on Twitter.

Virtual High School Musicals! (Original Thread) (Wider Hashtag) Many High School kids are now finding themselves unable to perform the musicals they’ve been working so hard on, so Laura Benanti invited them to video themselves performing and share it with her, so they still get to perform for an appreciative audience! (Some of these are absolutely stunning!)

Never before heard Hamilton track demo!

A playlist of Quarantunes on Spotify, compiled by Rita Wilson (Tom Hanks’ wife)

A playlist of 101 Feel-Good songs on Spotify, compiled by @lanamlouise

This guy made a really cool instrument out of PVC pipes!

A group of engineers in Stockholm turned a set of stairs into a piano to encourage people to use them rather than the escalator!

Stories!

Josh Gad reads a bedtime story (Olivia goes to Venice) with voices!

Various celebrities reading kids stories, as part of a charity initiative to keep kids fed during school shutdowns.

A bunch of free short stories, essays, audio and video by the wonderful author @neil-gaiman (Plus two photos of him in an ancient hat!)

Find your local indie bookstore and support them while also getting a new book! (US only)

And of course, you can’t leave out the marvelous Archive Of Our Own for fanfiction and fanworks for almost every fandom you can think of! (Remember to make use of the tags and filters to narrow your search or avoid things you don’t want to see/read!)

Food!

A recipe for Norwegian Christmas Butter Squares! (Apparently like sugar cookies, but in bar form and better)

A fudgy brownie-in-a-mug recipe!

A really nice chocolate pudding (in the British sense, so like a cake) with spiced chocolate sauce! (I love the whole cookbook that this is from, and it’s especially good for Discworld fans. Available from various sellers, I have linked my favourite money-sink, the Discworld Emporium: Nanny Ogg’s Cookbook)

My favourite biscuits (cookies) to make! Honey and cinnamon, with a picture book (Honey Biscuits by Meredith Hooper) that you can read alongside to explain to kids where all the ingredients came from!

Creativity and learning new things!

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! (13:00 ET weekdays, videos remain post-stream) Aimed mostly at kids, but don’t let that stop you doodling with the Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence!

A little list of doll makers/dress-up sites!

How to take really good photos of the night sky with a phone! (Please continue to observe social distancing rules while taking your pretty pictures)

Fancy making a language? Here’s a site with resources to help you get going with that!

A long list of sources of inspiration, arty websites, and some that are just fun!

Make your very own Peaches the Mouse by @my-darling-boy!

Want to learn 3D modelling? Fusion360 is free (for hobbyists and students) and professionally used, with a good network of tutorials and an, imo, fairly intuitive interface! (I use this a lot)

Want to play with Photoshop but don’t have the money? Here’s a free, in browser version! (Has ads, but they’re unobtrusive)

Want to try your hand at creating a sim? The Sims 4 Character Creator Demo is free! (Limited options, but still fun to play with)

Whether you play D&D or not, this is a really cool custom miniature creator, with loads of options that are being constantly added to updated! (And if you have the money, you can get it in a printable format, or printed for you in a variety of materials!)

Fancy learning something new? Memrise has a load of free courses, ranging from real languages like French or Spanish for beginners to fictional languages like Quenya (one of the Elven languages from LotR) or Klingon, or trivia bits like Harry Potter Spells or Noble Houses in Game of Thrones, and many more! (Available in multiple languages, although not all courses may be available in all languages)

Ever fancied trying to build armour or cosplay props from foam? R31 Studios has you covered with free PDF templates for all sorts of bits!

Meditation and Calm!

60 second meditation tool! Put a worry into a star, and watch it float away with a calming soundtrack and

Meditation with Lizzo!

Customisable Rain Sounds!

Customisable Train Sounds!

And many more customisable noise generators!

Play with liquid/particles! (Warning: this one made me feel a bit motion-sick, but pretty!)

Interactive generative art!

Random bits I couldn’t catagorise!

Don’t want to dine alone? Have dinner with the Gaffigans!

A series of Mildly Interesting images from @catchymemes!

A group of stuntmen doing Super Mario!

Another list of Good Links (Really well organised!) by @secretladyspider!

@thelatestkate draws wonderfully reassuring cartoons! (On Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook too!)

World Record Egg Instagram! Lots of nice little positive cartoons.

Happy news from The Happy Broadcast on Instagram, The Happy News, and HuffPost Good News!

Here’s an ongoing list of good stuff by @pftones3482! (Check the notes for more good stuff, and the latest addition)

Some feel-good browser games!

And finally, a little frog here to give you some reassurance!

#positivity #feel good #happy things #reassurance #link list

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delldarling · 5 years ago

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flirting with danger | harper & peregrine pt. i

female faerie x gender/body neutral reader x male faerie 1.5k words sfw | a single nuzzle and a bit of hand touching

People do odd things when chasing adrenaline. Jumping out of planes, climbing mountains, hang-gliding or triathlons - but those are expected. The general populace might still think it’s crazy, but it makes sense. You’re chasing adventure! That involves big things and grand gestures. Photographic evidence and guides or trainers.

Walking the streets at night?

That’s never smart. That’s not chasing adventure, that’s asking for trouble. Flirting with danger.

It’s frustrating, hearing those words over and over. You’re not chasing danger or walking aimlessly through the streets after all. You’re looking for music.

The rhythm of car tires over a dip in the road. The breeze whistling through the trees in the park and whipping the power lines into a frenzy overhead. It sounds like- you can close your eyes and nearly see the music, caught in the air like a bit of floating thread.

You scrub your hands over your forehead, trying to keep from gritting your teeth. You just need to find it for real. That refrain, that tune. You can remember it so clearly, can hear the sweet notes- until you think about it too much. It flits just out of reach when you try too hard, like a child teasing a cat. You keep trying to hook just a single finger into it and yet-

It’s maddening. No matter how long you’ve searched, no matter how many times you’ve gone wandering, eager to find that song, it stays forever out of reach.

You've been walking for about a half hour tonight, not particularly hopeful, but still unwilling to give up the search. You kick at a pebble as you follow the beaten down sidewalk. It's cracked and corroded, weeds springing from the seams where it meets the road, spots shining iridescent in passing headlights. Oil spots, you note, and more that you likely can't see at first glance.

Up ahead is an overpass, covered with graffiti, looking dangerous and dank in the flickering streetlights. It's not though. Dangerous, that is. It never has been, or it hasn't ever been for you.

Sometimes new art is scrawled over the walls, but you've never seen anyone out here to paint it. They just appear, as magic as the half remembered tune in your head, endlessly on repeat, urging you to seek it out. You hope that's what brought the graffiti, that same urge sitting heavy in your chest, that someone finally found that spot to paint and everything fell into place for them. Easier than pie.

You stroke a hand over a particularly vivid looking butterfly, smiling when your hand comes away yellow with dust. Is it.. is it chalk? That would explain the frequent variety. As soon as you rub your fingers together though, smearing the glimmering yellow over all your fingertips, a soft noise catches your attention.

Sweet and poignant, familiar, but not… not exactly what you're looking for. The fiddle playing is still more than enough to capture your attention, to draw you away from the dizzying spiral of butterflies hidden in the shadows of the overpass.

You follow the music, trailing your hand along the diamonds of the wire fence stuck haphazardly into the shallow dirt between the overpass walls and the sidewalk. The fiddle becomes… friendlier, the closer you get. It's the only way you can describe it, as a sudden lightness fills your steps.

When you finally spot the fiddle player, busking in the overgrown dirty weeds on the side of the road, you can't quite make sense of what you're seeing.

She's straddling the great tear in the wire, one foot on the cracked, weeded sidewalk, and the other firmly in a patch of bramble looking branches behind the fence. You might have passed her by if she hadn't been playing, but it's not her music or the strange way she's standing that makes you stop.

It's her face.

Her hair hangs in messy ringlets framing her cheeks, tumbling down over her slight shoulders and back, and she's crowned with dandelions - and other weeds you don't think you can name. Her eyes are closed, all her focus on the music she's playing, but it's the small dark nose, the whiskers… the needle sharp cats teeth gleaming in her mouth, that make you stop and stare.

The longer you look, the more sure you are that she's hiding pointed, furred ears under that riot of hair, but she still hasn't noticed you. Or maybe she doesn't care that someone is watching. She's wearing a gauzy looking dress with overall clasps, thin arm weaving back and forth with her bow. You think she might be sporting prickling cats claws as well, and you dearly, desperately want to ask her what party she came from, to dress in a costume like this and then be abandoned on the side of the road to play for her supper.

The song comes to a close and you scrounge in your pockets, spying the open fiddle case at her feet. Yellow-green eyes flicker open and settle on your face, her arm lowering until her bow is hanging limply at her side, fiddle still resting underneath her chin. She doesn’t speak, doesn’t open her mouth until you set down the paltry few crumpled bills and coins you found in your pockets into her case.

“It wasn’t I that called you first,” she says, clearly confused by your presence. She doesn’t seem displeased by your company though, hasn’t moved to step away from the gap in the fence.

“I heard your playing, back by the overpass. It echoes down the road for a bit,” you explain, heart beginning to speed when you notice her strange narrowed pupils focused on your face. She looks.. Pleased. Hungry, almost. “It’s lovely,” you add, suddenly afraid that she might up and leave.

“I know,” she says simply, finally lifting her bow back up to her fiddle. “Tell me then, have you heard this one?” She starts playing again and singing, slow and haunting, and it feels like cotton is gathering in your brain. That’s… That’s the song. It’s the song you’ve been looking for, if you’d heard it from far off, from under water. You sway, and as soon as you take a step, she halts her playing, ceases using her sweet singing voice. She purses her cat lips and blows out a slow breath through her nose.

“How long has it been?” She asks, like she understands.

“I- years,” you finally say, staring at her in wonder. “How did you know? How did you- where did you learn that song?” You take another step closer, but she flicks her wrist and then her bow is just barely touching your chin. It’s a clear warning: Stay back.

“Did you ever meet Peregrine?” She asks, tilting her head to the side, the burnished gold of her hair tumbling over her shoulder. “Or did he play his song and leave you behind like a lost duckling?”

“Peregrine?” You answer, helplessly confused. “I’ve no idea-”

“Harper,” she says, sudden as a whip crack, bowing at the waist and flourishing both her fiddle and bow behind her. “Would you like that geas thrown off? Or do you enjoy the endless searching?” She asks, straightening back up. “Wait,” she says, when you open your mouth. You shut it promptly, amused when she rolls her eyes at herself. “When Peregrine last played these streets, he played a reel, laid a geas over the music to draw out-” She stops, and you can’t help raising your eyebrows when she licks her lower lip. Her tongue too, looks much like a cats, rough and pink. “Well, it drew out you. Got a bit lost on your way though, didn’t you?”

Harper packs away her fiddle, slinging the case over her shoulder with a strap that looks like it’s been woven of thick, golden flower stems. White blossoms twine strangely around the case, the breeze almost making it look as if they’re breathing. She offers you a hand, mindful of the curling claws and smiles when you hesitate.

“I’ll only scratch if asked nicely, and you’ll have to dance with me thrice before you can ask.” She wriggles her fingers, waiting, but impatient until you set your hand down in hers. “Now, off we go. The ear for it though,” she says, like she’s explaining everything, “that won’t leave you. Only the compulsion will fade when Peregrine stops his endless calling.” She purses her lips again though, glancing down at her feet, placed so carefully on either side of the fence. “But as you answered me too-” Harper makes a considering noise and then motions her head towards the foot she has in the brambles. “One foot on that side, yes?” She holds on tight, and you’ve no idea why you’re listening to her, why the strangeness of her face is so entrancing rather than unsettling. “Ready?”

“For what?” You can’t help asking, letting her take your other hand in hers when your feet have mirrored her as best you’re able.

“Like a lamb,” Harper teases, laughing and standing on tiptoe to press her dark nose to yours. “Ready to cross the bridge?”

#faerie x reader #female faerie x reader #male faerie x reader #monster lover #monster girlfriend #exophilia #d.darling writes

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metalgearkong · 5 years ago

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MediEvil 2019 - Review (PS4)

10/28/19

Developed by Other Ocean Emeryville / Sony Computer Entertainment, released October 2019

It has risen again! The original MediEvil from 1998 is one of my favorite games of all time, and one of the games I have completed the most. Like other games from the PS1 era, I discovered MediEvil on a demo disc and replayed it constantly. I loved the Nightmare Before Christmas aesthetics and music, and liked that it stared a cowardly bumbling skeleton. The late 90′s was a time of experimentation for 3D action/adventure games, and while some people hold Ocarina of Time or Super Mario 64 as their favorites of the genre, MediEvil has always been my personal favorite. MediEvil II released two years later, but lost a lot of its appeal for me because it took place in Victorian London instead of the graveyards and spooky locations of the original. MediEvil: Resurrection was made in 2005 for the PSP, but was more of a re-imagining of the original game, and not a true remake.

I had heard about MediEvil being remade yet again a couple years ago, but tried to have tempered expectations, and not buy into what could amount to be rumors. I imagined it would be akin to a big screen version of MediEvil: Resurrection, or at least the developers would butcher the original game. Last year was when I saw the trailer for this MediEvil remake, and I felt more confident in it. While most people were anticipating big triple-A or franchise games for 2019, my sights and hopes were dead set on this. Finally, after all this time of waiting, MediEvil 2019 has released exclusively for the PS4, and I couldn’t be happier with the final product. Other Ocean Emeryville has created a deeply loyal and extremely faithful remake of the original game I cherish so much, but I feel like only true fans will be able to truly appreciate it for the accomplishment it is.

Before I talk about the game proper, I have to elaborate on the unexpected odyssey it took to actually get the game going. Not only do I have to make a three hour round trip to the nearest Gamestop to get a copy, the game had to immediately download a day one patch: version 1.01. This update was a massive 16GB, and with my super slow mountainous wi-fi speed, my PS4 predicted it would take at least 50 hours. There was no option to begin the game without this update. I was floored. It put me in a state of blue-balled depression and denial. So I took my TV, PS4, and all the necessary cords, and physically hooked in my PS4 to my work’s ethernet cable in a public building, hoping no one would disturb it. The estimated time dropped to a meager four hours, and it made me feel a lot better. Ironically, my PS4 only realized I didn’t have enough storage space to download the update, and somewhere along the line it quit. Thankfully, it let me play after giving up.

Expectations mean a lot, and leading up to this MediEvil releasing, I intentionally did not do a lot of research on the game in order to discover it in person as I was playing. I didn’t realize this was a fully committed remake of the original. MediEvil: Resurrection disappointed me because it changed a bunch about the game and left out a lot of my favorite levels. 2019′s MediEvil recreates every inch of the original game with modern graphics. I was so thrilled I can’t even describe how cool it was to see one of my favorite games of all time with a new coat of skin, especially because I never thought THIS game would be chosen to be remade. Not only that, but the game uses the same exact audio for most of the dialog; each and every gargoyle head and character Dan meets plays the same audio as I’ve had engraved in my skull for over twenty years, only with new character models and more elaborate animations.

The developers even used the same music for each level, only re-recorded it with only small differences or flourishes. Even insignificant things like textures on a doorway or on the ground were recreated in 3D to look just like they did. I would have been perfectly okay with the developers simply using modern graphics and textures to remake certain pieces of architecture or focal points in this game, but no, every corner of Gallowmere represented the original locations, and I constantly had to pick my jaw off the floor (no offense Dan). Cinematics also play out exactly the same, with the same camera angles and movements. Part of me thinks about how maybe Other Ocean Emeryville could have taken these short cinematics sprinkled throughout the game and elaborated slightly on lore, but that would veer dangerously close to a “re-imagining” territory, and I’m just thankful everything is kept so faithful in the end.

The banished necromancer Zarok has raised an army of the dead to conquer the realm of Gallowmere. Unwittingly, Zarok also brought back to life Sir Daniel Fortesque, King Peregrine's captain of the militia, who perished embarrassingly years prior in an earlier battle against Zarok and his armies. After Fortesque’s death, fables, songs, and legends told of his false bravery and battlefield accomplishments, but now he has the opportunity to live up to his own mythical status as the hero of Gallowmere. I’ve always loved this story, wherein the bad guy accidentally raises the very hero who would thwart him. I’ve always loved Dan because he’s so unlike most knights and heroes. He has to live up to his own reputation, and prove those wrong who know what truly happened. We play as Dan and travel from the hum drum graveyards of Gallowmere all the way through more exotic levels such as a pumpkin gorge filled with demonic pumpkins, crystal caverns filled with Minotaur-like monsters, an enchanted forest containing a demonic prison, and much more.

The first advantage to the modernization of this game was being able to see the Hilltop Mausoleum (the 2nd level) from The Cemetery (the 1st level). It would make sense if you had an expansive cemetery, and the very next level, adjacent to that level, had a massive building on top of a hill, and you could see it from far away. As a PS1 game I’d never expect to see something like that, but with this remake, they had the care to include things such as this, which only helps the world feel that much more real and connected. The controls and mechanics are nearly the same as the original as well, only made slightly more convenient. Dan can still equip a one-handed weapon and a shield, and switch between weapons in a menu. He can block attacks, but only as long as the shield’s HP holds out, until you need to find a new one. Dan has all the same moves as the original, but the more free-form camera makes the game a bit more convenient to play by making platforming and seeing things easier.

As you slay enemies in each level, you fill a chalice, and bringing back a full chalice to the end of each respective level grants you a visit to the Hall of Heores before the next level begins; this world’s version of Valhalla, where the most accomplished heroes of history drink, feast, and arm wrestle for eternity. A side goal of this game is to collect the chalice from every level so Dan can also become a member of this ethereal warrior’s afterlife (twenty in all). This is something I struggled with as a kid, but in the past many years I’ve always gone out of my way to make sure Sir Fortesque gets into the Hall of Heroes where he rightfully deserves to be. Sometimes items can be found in a level which are to be used in entirely different levels, something the game only hints at. Case in point are the Ant Caves, which is a maze-like level hidden within a level that is completely optional to complete (but not if you want all twenty chalices).

Some of the original game’s drawbacks could be regarded as similar drawbacks for this remake. Criticisms like haphazard combat and imprecise platforming are somewhat the same case here, but I would argue that’s half the point playing as a gangling hero who hasn’t yet earned his stripes. I honestly can’t take an unbiased position on some of the game’s more objective problems, not only because I’m such a fanatic and have played the original so many times, but also because it’s impossible for me to have a fresh perspective on the game. I can’t tell you how hard the puzzles are or how tough the game is simply because I’ve played the original so many times, I’ve gotten used to any perceived problems and solved all the puzzles so long ago. Reviews for this game seem to be lukewarm, and it’s an opinion I can’t share because I’m so impressed by how faithful one of my all time obscure favorites has been recreated.

In fact the very few changes the developers did make I could count on one hand. Mostly these changes have been made to a few of the game’s boss fights. Most of the bosses have always been very easy, especially compared to today’s obsession where bosses are meant to be extremely punishing. I can honestly say the changes are for the better and improve on these boss fights. For example the fight with the captain of the ghost ship has been improved, allowing you to manual aim a canon before firing it at him, rather than running back and forth between two fixed canons, hoping one of your shots hit the captain as he paces back and forth. Another addition are the “Lost Souls” which are hidden collectibles, one in each level that can be found by Sir Dan. This basically makes you replay every level to find the Lost Souls, as they only appear once you’re already near the end of the game. I can’t say I was motivated to find them, at least not right now, since it appears to be a shallow fetch-quest.

Besides getting the game booted in the first place, I did a have a few technical problems while playing the game. These are probably because the version 1.01 patch never actually downloaded and installed, and I may have been experiencing what the developers were trying to fix. One example was a door not opening once I had defeated all the enemies in the room, effectively trapping me there forever, forcing me to restart the level. The problems were mainly things such as this, and I bet I’m the only person in the world who had to complete the game from beginning to end raw without the day one patch. Otherwise the game ran great, and looks good as Hell.

I’m so glad Other Ocean Emeryville didn’t try to subvert expectations or put a clever twist on certain things, leaving it as is. MediEvil 2019 constantly impressed me, and I don’t think I’ve felt this much fan service and satisfaction since the Shadow Moses chapter of Metal Gear Solid 4 from 2008. The music, dialog, weapons, level design, aesthetics, enemies and controls have been painstakingly remade, giving this cult classic an impressive new look. Its the restrictive nature of the developer’s design philosophy I appreciate the most; this is simply a game for the fans, and very obviously by the fans. MediEvil was my most anticipated game of 2019 and I am deeply satisfied and surprised about how well it turned out. Annoying day one patch download aside, I had an incredible time experiencing this remake. While some gameplay flaws might still exist, and those who don’t already love the original may not see it in the same level of reverence, this was a big payoff for me and I’m sure other dedicated fans feel the same. Thank you Other Ocean Emeryville, this has been a wonderful gift.

9/10

#otheroceanemeryville #other ocean emeryville #medievil #ps4exclusive #ps4 exclusive #1998 #2019 #cult classic #remake #sir daniel forestque #fortesque #sirdanielfortesque #excellent #brilliant #faithful

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thedistantstorm · 5 years ago

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Day 01: “It will be fun, trust me.”

Fandom: Destiny

Pairing: Suraya Hawthorne/Commander Zavala

Warnings: None (I know, I can’t believe it either!)

Zavala is apprehensive the moment they arrive. The clan rally is being held in a wide plaza that empties to cozy greenspace on one side, and an expanse of buildings that becomes the Peregrine District on the other. The music is loud, and the smell of roasting meat and steaming seasoned vegetables carries on the wind.

And there are a lot of people, Guardians and Civilians alike. Some are dancing near the fountain, others are parked on wide rugs and blankets, sharing food and drink, all of them carrying on. It’s clear someone’s rigged up fireworks - he can see the chutes propped up against the top of a nearby building. It looks like a fire hazard.

Fingers wrap around his wrist. “Come on. Food first. The good stuff doesn’t last long.” Hawthorne flashes him a grin and tugs him along.

Instead of looking around at the people and the games and the sense of community, he finds himself staring at the back of her head, at the peach head-scarf that’s translucent against her dark hair. Unlike most civilians and off-duty Guardians, she doesn’t wear the bright patterns that are in style. Her tunic is the same peachy-orange of her scarf, more solidly so, and her pants are a dark maroon. It’s bizarre to see her in something beside her poncho.

He’s brought back to reality with a skewer of meat waved in front of his face. “You still with me?” He blinks, and she hands him a skewer. Taking his distraction for discomfort, she adds, “This’ll be fun, trust me.”

“What?”

“They seem really overwhelming - and don’t get me wrong, if we stay too late the crazies will come out. But,” She waits for him to take a bite of the skewer she’s given him, nodding appreciatively at the flavor as it falls apart on his tongue, “These guys work really hard to keep each other and this part of the City afloat. Work hard, play hard, y’know?”

He does.

Not long after they arrive the sun sets. Instead of streetlights, the food stands and fountain, the trees in the park are strung up with golden lights. It’s surreal, lending to a festival atmosphere in this little corner of the City herself. The music turns to something a bit more trendy, fast beats and synthesized tones, most of the old and young, the less party-going crowd clearing out.

In the dim lighting, the glow of his irises are no more obvious than any other Awoken, and since no one is expecting him, everyone leaves him alone. Hawthorne is not as lucky, fielding well-wishers and drink offers, even the occasional Guardian asking her to dance. She laughs and lets them carry on, content to sit back and watch the evening unfold.

Until five of them come by, a combination of scouts and Guardians. He knows he’s seen the human contingent before, and the Guardians - he knows they’ve come by recently for bounties. “Come on,” They chorus, giddy and free. “You promised us that if we saw you at one of these things you’d dance.”

She looks to him as if he’s going to save her and he shrugs, not terribly concerned to see her go out onto the floor. To that frowns, dropping her scarf, knowing it’s only going to fall off in the tangle of bodies, or worse - get caught. She drops it over her chair neatly, a few stray strands of her fringe dipping to frame her face.

“Only if you convince him,” She says, and watches as the happily buzzed group tries to pull up the Vanguard Commander from his seat. “Come on,” She tells him, laughing hard, when one of them recognizes him, stops, and then trips over the rest of his buddies trying to get away. When they’re out of range, she reasons, “I think you can manage one song.”

“Hawthorne,” He warns.

She pushes, “I thought all Guardians knew how to dance?”

“Do you?” He deadpans.

Not to be outdone, she quips, “Why don’t you find out?”

He shakes his head, and Hawthorne smirks, knowing she has him. The drink at his elbow is nearly gone anyway, so he finishes it, a rueful smile curving his lips. “You’re going to regret this,” He tells her, getting to his feet.

Hawthorne laughs; It’s an earthy, rich sound that’s as warm as her hands reaching for both of his. When they’re eye-to-eye, she has the nerve to tell him, “I really, really won’t.”

“I have blisters on my feet. Next time I’m wearing my boots.” She carries them in one hand, dangling on the ends of her fingers.

He laughs as she reaches over his arm with her spare hand to grab at the drink they’re sharing, polishing it off with a loud slurp. The plaza is a mess, but that’s a problem for the sweeperbots ambling about and tomorrow’s cleaning crew.

“Did you eat all the chicken nuggets? If you did, you’re going to get more.”

“You’re the one who finished the root beer,” He counters.

“I told you to get two.” She leans her body weight into the shoulder pressed against his; They’re side by side, sitting on the edge of the fountain. “You insisted you wouldn’t like it.”

“It was all they had left.”

“It’s good, and you know it.”

He levies an eyebrow at her, but she only smiles wider. He won’t agree aloud, but she can see his lips resisting the urge to curl up to match. “I suppose it’s acceptable.”

“You’re ridiculous. Admit it: you had a good time, you ate greasy City food, danced the night away-”

“It’s not morning yet.”

“It will be by the time you walk me home.” She knows he will, too.

He must know it as well; He doesn’t bother to deny it. “I will say this was not nearly as dreadful as I expected.”

“You act like this whole thing was put on by Hunters.”

“I saw Marcus Ren setting off the fireworks.”

“Semantics. It wasn’t all Hunters.” Hawthorne rolls her eyes. “Okay. Real talk,” She begins, looking at him following a particularly loud pull of the melting dregs of ice left in their root beer. “Would you do this again?”

“Depends.” He offers her the last chicken nugget in the bag. She doesn’t think twice about seizing it, hardly chewing before she swallows it down. He’s certain they’ll be getting more if the way she’s checking the bag is any indication. “How many of these do you go to?”

“Couple here or there. Most of the time I leave way before last call, though.” She crumples up the empty bag into a compact ball and chucks it at a garbage can. It bounces off. A sweeper frame chirps and sidles up to it, sweeping it away before either of them can move to pick it up. “This was probably the most fun I’ve had.”

“I think I could be persuaded,” He supposes. “This certainly beats most Consensus functions.”

“Please. Anything beats those.”

“Anything?”

Their eyes meet. The mood changes with the subtlest lurch, her head dropping to his shoulder almost casually. “Yeah,” She sighs, eyes closing. “This is more my speed.”

“Is it?” He looks down at her through half lidded eyes.

Hers open at the question, dark gaze falling to his lips. She accidentally drops her shoes in the fountain, but that’s forgotten in the haze of her other hand being pressed to his chest by his with a small squeeze.

He lifts her chin.

Behind them, a frame emits a solitary purple blink.

#fictober 2019 #destiny fanfiction #commander zavala #suraya hawthorne #zavala x hawthorne #steelponcho

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clawabiding · 5 years ago

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J’ahza Nunh

Thunder, then silence. J’aya Nunh falls to his knees, dagger clutched in his duplicitous hand. The weapon’s edge glows with goldbile, fresh enough to smoke and sizzle as it drips from the blade. A coward’s tool, made worse by the four miqo’te toughs with similar instruments of deceit. Five villains, all laid low by one avenging spirit; among them, only J’aya remains conscious enough to keep his grasp on the cruel weapon.

J’ahza Tia, despite his deadly wounds, holds his repeater steady. Malboro poison racing through his veins, sweat and blood stinging his eyes, still he manages to keep the weapon pointed at J’aya’s rotten heart, daring him to make the next move.

But J’aya is the most dangerous when wounded and J’ahza has made the mistake of mercy. The bullet hole in his thigh means nothing to J’aya, Nunh of the Jackal tribe! He flicks his wrist and the blade sails through the air, but not at J’ahza -- at the fair J’avet Alazh who watches nearby!

J’avet sees the arc of the blade and screams in terror, knowing her time on this star has come to an end. But J’ahza has one last cartridge chambered, the one cartridge that could make him Nunh and halt J’aya’s reign of terror. His aethertransformer glows. The cartridge flares. He fires! But the shot isn’t aimed at the monstrous warlord. It’s a one-and-a-million shot toward the flying blade! Sparks fly. The blade is thrown off course! Silence once again settles across the scene.

“The Jackal tribe… is still loyal… to me,” says J’aya with a clenched jaw. Blood wells up between his teeth. He collapses in the sand, his own poisoned dagger jutting menacingly from his chest, its trajectory reversed by an expert ricochet. J’aya’s own cowardly poison quickened the end of its master.

“Jackals are loyal to jackals,” growls the bloodied J’ahza, catching the terror-stricken J’avet as she falls, weeping, into his arms, “Not corpses.”

“And that,” J’ahza exclaimed in his sing-song way, “Is how I became the numero-uno premium breeding stud of the Jackal tribe.”

Peregrin stared at her half-eaten meal of dry sprouts and saltcod, wondering if she had it in her to finish her food. With J’ahza repeating the oft-told tale of his ascension of Nunh, she had to decide if she was going to correct him or let these new exaggerations fester in the pit of her belly. Her appetite depended on it. Shishi, their new Doman intern was staring at the miqo’te in a kind of awe and Peregrin was worried she’d fallen for the tale. It made her stomach even more topsy-turvy. She had to say something.

“Have a big brood, do ya?” Peregrin heard herself asking, “Made a lotta fertile Seeker women round with yer little pups?”

Despite the ribald tale of heroism and skill J’ahza had just told, he blushed like a Midlander boy faced with his first harvest dance. “Well, uh...”

Peregrin felt bad, but not bad enough to stop teasing him. She was already turning toward the new recruit. “Shishi, ask the runt where he got a six-chamber repeater in Thanalan before the Ironworks had a branch out here.”

“Well, I made it” J’ahza began, “...and maybe it wasn’t, uh, six entire chambers. More than one, though.”

“Ask ‘im how he had a workin’ aethertransformer before Garlond hisself set a single foot inside Skysteel Manufactory.”

“D-did I say aethertransformer?” stammered J’ahza, “I meant--”

“Ask ‘im why ‘J’avet Alazh’ sounds summuch like Vavette Alazzier, the Elezen lass he was pinin’ for during that entire trip to Dragonhead.”

Both J’ahza Nunh and Shishi Saikasaki looked uncomfortable, though obviously for different reasons. The rest of the lunch break passed without anyone talking. Peregrin was just starting to feel she overdid it when the work whistle sung its two-note song. Relieved, the trio went back to their respective projects at the Ironworks’ garage.

Unfortunately, this put Peregrin and J’ahza on either side of the same firewall. Peregrin was content to work in silence for a few minutes, but the weight of workplace awkwardness caught up with her faster than she expected. Besides, she could hear the stringbean Seeker struggling not to sniffle and all she could see of him were his wilted ears over the top edge of the barrier. After a moment of that sorry sight, she set her spanner down.

“Hey-” they both began, each sheepishly waiting for the other to continue. It was Peregrin who spoke first.

“Look, I didn’t mean to humble ya quite so hard, just… I’ve heard that story a few too many times, I think,” she paused, “And ‘J’avet’? Thal’s balls, J’ahza, couldya be more obvious? Just walk it back a spell or two.”

Peregrin could see the miqo’te’s ears perk, then wilt all over again.

“I’m sorry, Perry, I just…” J’ahza exhaled, “...that version just makes so much more sense, y’know? And I thought it’d be cool if I filled out the cast a bit.”

Even distracted by the heart-to-heart, Peregrin could hear the miqo’te working on his half of the firewall. The scrape-twist-scrape of the spanner reminded her to pick hers up. Soon they were working in tandem, the well-oiled machine that was Garlond Ironworks. They didn’t speak while they worked, though Peregrin couldn’t hear any more muffled sniffling. By the time the last iron plate was adhered to the ceruleum breach-structure of the firewall, things were as they always were.

As abruptly as the work whistle had blown, the last whistle of the workday sounded. That meant spanners down. The pair were joined near the garage exit by several other employees of Garlond Ironworks, but Peregrin and J’ahza were among the first out the gate. They went their separate ways after that, she toward the Ironworks dorm, J’azha toward Ul’dah. Peregrin stopped before too much distance was put between them. She hesitated, then called out to the miqo’te: “By the way, I liked that version! Just get ya godsdamned manufacture dates right.”

J’ahza made a gesture he’d obviously learned from someone down in steelcutting. Peregrin wondered exactly how long he’d been waiting to use it. She returned it casually, earning a look of alarm from J’ahza, who obviously thought his relationship with steelcutting was special. Victory in hand, she turned back toward the path to the dorms and grinned. Her little miqo’te friend was going to be fine.

Thunder, then ringing. The most pervasive ringing he’s ever heard. Numbness from the thumb to the wrist. Suddenly, his arm feels too heavy. His fingers won’t stay clenched. Cordite burns his nose. Smoke burns his eyes. Something heavy hits the ground at his feet and he doesn’t see it or hear it, but he feels it. A few paces away someone crumples to the sand. Someone important. Despite smoke and tears, despite the darkness creeping in at the corners of his eyes, he sees the mortally wounded J’aya Nunh as clear as day. When J’aya falls J’ahza isn’t long behind. He’s on his hands and knees, weeping like a babe. The crudely made pistol lays where it fell, beneath him and spent of any danger.

“I’m suuuhhh… I’m... sorry,” wails J’ahza Tia-cum-Nunh, “J’aya, I’m s-so sorry, I didn’t...”

He can feel hot sand sticking to his wet cheeks, then he can feel nothing. The first mercy of the Sue thhot day is J’ahza’s inability to remain conscious.

#ffxiv mateus #ffxiv roleplay #miqote #jahza

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haloud · 5 years ago

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Fanfic Writer Asks

tagged by @chasingshhadows and @alexanderlightweight ^-^

Author Name:

haloud on ao3, but anyone who wants to can just call me hal :)

Fandoms You Write For:

Roswell, New Mexico right now! But in the past I’ve written for some anime (that i’ve all but completely lost interest in) and some video games (that I still love but don’t have much drive to fic for rn)

Where You Post:

Ao3 and Tumblr. I’m really bad at crossposting. I don’t crosspost E-rated fic to Tumblr (anymore) because I worry that properly tagging it could incur the wrath of the nsfw ban (even though it shouldnt but when has tumblr ever worked properly). Anything shorter than 1k doesn’t usually get posted to Ao3.

Most Popular Multi Chapter Story:

The 5+1 dancing fic, take a chance and don’t ever look back. With my only other multi chapter fic being a WIP and an AU, it’s not surprising!

Favorite Story You Wrote:

It’s honestly reeeeeally hard for me to pick a favorite. I think I’d have to say that I enjoy my own writing the most when I’m leaning into poetic prose, so my favorite fics would be a sky full of lights and none of them stars and peregrine, cormorant, starling

I also really love the mythology au heather, hawthorn, and steel, and I hope to continue it sometime but probably won’t commit to it until after Victorian AU is done.

My favorite non-RNM writing would probably be the things I wrote for Octopath Traveler, especially the olberic/erhardt one-shot the light of our armistice day

Story You Were Nervous to Post:

Honestly, I...don’t get nervous to post stories. I get anxious about whether or not they’ll get ignored...I worry that I’m annoying people by advertising my writing on my own blog or by posting too many stories too often...but I don’t think I’ve ever written anything where I was nervous that the reaction would be negative.

I still get a little self-conscious writing smut, though, haha. Though sorting my own stuff by kudos to find the most popular did show me that smut does numbers lololololol

How Do You Pick Your Titles:

I usually have a song lyric in mind for the title by the time the fic is done. Sometimes a non-lyric title comes to me by divine providence, and that’s always fun haha. Sometimes I have a particular model for a title and I find something that fits it--like with the original Victorian AU, i knew I wanted to model it off of titles of actual Victorian smut pamphlets, which is why it’s so long, haha. So that didn’t get a title until it was done, because it’s almost a summary in itself.

Yeah, titles don’t bother me. It’s summaries that kick my ass.

Do You Outline:

I do for longer stories--which I don’t write often, so it’s an underdeveloped skill. And I’m terrible at sticking to them. But even if, like me, you have a pretty freeform approach to writing, it’s always good to have benchmarks and an end goal in mind when you go into a story.

How Many of Your Stories are Complete:

Oh gosh, almost all of them. as the marigold to the sun’s eye is my only currently-publishing WIP.

In-Progress:

Also a lot!

Mylex (open up my eager eyes) is always in progress

marigold chapter 4

A new series about the childhoods of the main cast and the adults in their lives

that malex and echo epic fic I pitched a while back will hopefully be given life for NaNo this year!!!!!

a Michael and Rosa conversation piece that i’ve been working on for months .-.

an Alex character study in a similar vein to a sky full of lights that i’ve also been kicking around for a while

Im probably forgetting some stuff tbh haha

Coming Soon:

The first in the childhood series should be the next thing I post.

Do You Accept Prompts:

I do, but I reserve the right to veto if I feel like I’ve got too much on my plate.

Upcoming Story You’re the Most Excited For:

Very excited and nervous to start NaNo.

Tag Five Fanfic Authors to Answer These Questions

I don’t like tagging people, but I have so many great writers following me that should consider this as me tagging them if they want to do this!!

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m1ckeyb3rry · 4 months ago

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You’re fr doing us all a favor by writing about deconstructed popular tropes I LIVE for it!! I’m crying don’t remind me abt hollyhock Karasu or else I’m gonna start swerving again and I’m gonna forgot that otoya is the male lead

I loved the pi ending I feel like the balance of bittersweet was just right with all the tragedies that happened along the way plus Yuta losing his ce

You’re cooking too well with oaeu the ideas are genius but I’m DYING THE KARASU ONE??? LMFQOOOO HOW TO BECOME A HOMEWRECKER 101 “aiku is so experienced with that” is BRUTAL HAHAAH so true though I’m so excited!!!!

All hail irl tullia counterpart!!! Tell her Karasu nation (and bllk and jjk community too) owe her one for getting you to post your writing omg but I’m actually crying and laughing so fucking hard the epigraph is too good

I love chigiri bestie content….actually I love chigiri content in general too but he also just fits so well in a best friend role too!! I’m crying maybe the peregrine Nagi was the friends (reo) we made along the way LMAOO it’s ok what’s a good long Nagi fic without reo meddling in the storyline

DHDGSHS it’s ok…trust it’s coming soon!! Im pissing myself WHAT is that edit the first pic of Rin as Sukuna has me rofl wtf (yeah what’s sad is how his face card is giving more than wtvs going on in the current match smh) WHAT IN THE TARGETED AUDIENCE?!?! Bro I need more yotd on my fyp now that you’ve shown me this but omggggg also I’ve been Lowk kinda obsessed with the song they used something about the harmonies hits hard but that’s besides the point erm anyways. ok but like…….strike while the iron is hot yk…don’t wanna lost the motivation for these fire ideas…yk…..having inspiration and motivation while writing truly brings out the best flavors so I meaannnnnn whatever works yk! That’s true though I thought both of those slapped I wouldn’t have guessed that you weren’t working with any inspo for those at all

DISCORD KITTEN HAHAHAAH REAL new idea for the bllkverse is bllk gaming/streamer/youtube era I’ve seen fanart of people drawing the characters over some iconic meme YouTube videos and they’re so funny

SAMEEEE epinagi is actually serving us starving children because speaking of DID YOU SEE THE CH?? I love you epinagi thank you for the meal and delicious panels of the characters we don’t see in the main series

- Karasu anon

DECONSTRUCTING POPULAR TROPES IS SO MUCH FUNN!!! LMAOO omg that’s so real though like yes otoya is the male lead…but karasu…🥹😩😓

agreed i think it felt satisfying because it’s not like a disney-esque happily ever after ending where everyone is happy and alive it’s more of a “making the best with what we’ve got” type of deal where things aren’t perfect but at least they have each other and they can kind of rebuild a new life?? like there’s a hint of hopefulness even though they’ve lost sm

LMAOAOAO IT’S LITERALLY AIKU GIVING KARASU LESSONS ON HOW TO RUIN A RELATIONSHIP now ofc normally karasu would never be a homewrecker but like…is it homeWRECKING if the home is already in shambles 🤔

irl tullia counterpart is fr the goat we owe so much to her 🤩 THE OAEU EPIGRAPH IS SO GOOD definitely my best work…yk aiku has the most devious grin on his face while saying that meanwhile niko’s just like 😐

FJSNDJS considering the current point that we’re at in the story is reo trying to get reader to be his friend it really is just all abt reo rn 😭 but reo slays we love him it rlly isn’t a nagi story if he doesn’t play a massive role!! and at least i’m not making him all psycho or a freak or smth…chigiri content always slays truly he has no better role than as a bestie imo

OKAY WAIT QUESTION DOES TIK TOK SHOW YOU MY ACCT WHEN I SEND THIS VIDEOS TO YOU??? I JUST LEARNED IT DOES THAT SOMETIMES LMAOAAO DO YK MY FULL GOVERNMENT NAME AND EVERYTHING I’M CRYING this actually is freaking me out i turned the option off so nobody will get my acct suggested to them in the future but i’m terrified at how many people have already seen it…genuinely sickening to think about…i’m like actually so paranoid about people from irl finding me online and vice versa so this is stressing me out so much 😓 i don’t rlly mind if you know because we’re besties so i would literally give you my socials and not care but like random people on tumblr 😰 ick ick ICK

THE RIN AND SUKUNA EDIT HAD ME CRYING IT’S SO RANDOM 😭😭😭 but agreed his face card serves more in the edit than it has in the entire pxg vs bm match 😓 anyways AHHH YES YONA EDITS i have so many shinah edits saved i think i ended up rewatching them because i was searching for audios so my fyp remembered that i love yotd and put the edit on my fyp!! and agreed that song is rlly good the way their voices blend together is so nice (bruno mars is insanely talented but he drops songs once in a blue moon so people always forget that i feel)

EEK that’s my thing i don’t want to put the oaeu off for so long that i stop caring abt it 😓 so i think i might just start it and post and honestly it is what it is…people have waited this long they can wait a couple days more…i’ve posted a lot of request stuff recently i think so everyone will just have to be okay with me taking my time 😩

I LOVEE WHEN PEOPLE MAKE MODERN MEMES AS CHARACTERS FROM MEDIA it always slaps…it’s like smaus but actually done properly instead of butchering the characters beyond belief

I DIDDD I JUST READ IT AND OMG KIYORA CONTENT??? truly aligned w the miraverse there also the way karasu is all “we’ll fight meatheads with meatheads 🥱 so here’s the ball kiyora 😋” VILLAINOUS LMAOAOA also nagi looked extra majestic fsr…and zantetsu having literal train aura was so randomly funny to me because everyone else has cool animals and motifs and shit (chigiri + panther, barou + lion, kaiser + roses/thorns) meanwhile zantetsu is just a literal bullet train 😭 he’s so goofy i hope he has a moment in pxg vs bm i miss him

#answered asks

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wijopat · 7 years ago

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In search of Peregrine the tall, and Meriadoc the brave

Long ago there lived a pair of brothers, or brothers they seemed to me. Tall and strong, with all the vigor of youth in their smile and wisdom beyond their age in their eyes. I seem to have forgotten their names, my memory is of tree and root, not of muscle and sinew. I sent them south with my friend grey wise old Lord of Man and Elf. His name was something shorter, but in my memory he lives on in a glorious day, a time of battle and song, of wizards and kings and dark lords, of loss and victory... of promises made.

They were the kind of small men, or short ones. A name that is too short to describe what it was that made them who they were. They had minds of moss and flowers, of a warm home and a hearty meal, the minds of simple pleasure and hard work, of reward and forgiveness and purpose. They had faces that opened out on the world, like a doorway, a doorway that from within lay peace and rest and song. They had the earth hum of children, yet age in their voices like men. The day they left Angrenost I did not mourn the passing. It was not until the east wind blew and the sun passed into the land of shadow and the Dwarf-Elf company walked among my trees that my mind was again occupied with thought of lords and journeys. Journeys like the ones from long past when I last left the forest. I hear talk now of peace and safety, of kings men and strong roads, but the borders of my land are not what they once were, and this will be a long journey indeed. Hum hmm either way, off I must go. For I have hardly passed the mountain, and Fladrif has not answered my call, or the wind has blown it over the peaks, or a birds song has taken it off into the sea. Either way, I have not been hasty enough it would seem, for the sun has fallen on me too many times, and again I find the winter wind blowing around my feet and rousing my joints. I must walk among the trees if I am to find the Shire. “The Shire” I say to the trees I pass, but ever I walk, and ever they say “northward old Fangorn”. I have caught scent of men, and to avoid them I must walk around the mountain. Hum hmm I go, up over stone and hill. Snow would stop a lesser Ent, but I am the oldest left and strength yet resides in my roots, let no wind fell the tree that bends I say.

It has been a long walk indeed, the trees that dwell on the ever changing slopes grow short and die early, but they sang me onwards. “The Shire” I said, but of the talk of man they had not heard, and their reply was of warmth and of water, of sorrow, regret and of a land were life grew tall as I. Hum hmm I blow my call often now to keep the warmth in my trunk; my roots and branches turn and snap in the brittle cold and growth is slow this far from the Isen.

The mountain lost, and I won. Hah hmm if they were here to listen to my song of life breaking ice, of hands crushing stone and throwing off all that this world has left by way of death and anger, how they would shout. Not shout as I do, echoing off the trees and the sides of the mountains, nor call as a bird does, singing for himself, but shout. Shout as they do for each other, and call as if their world is in front of them calling back in tune. I have almost forgotten the joy of triumph, of victory. But down here, down on the side of the mountain I must rest, for walking can be hard with injury, and as strong as I am, the mountain still stands. I fear if I do not I will not find water like this from down the slopes for a while yet, and it will be no good to the ent-friends to arrive unseemly.

The “ent-friends” I now say to the trees as I pass, but there comes no answer. I lay on the slopes of the mountain for too long it seems, I felt the call of winter blow through my bones and the song of spring growth under my toes but for my life I slept, for warmth and strength I wondered a short distance, and forgot of my journey and purpose. Awakened by the cries of the trees around me, I heard tell of fire and men, hear the earth thrum of fleeing animals, and so moved on-wards knowing that I was unwelcome by all save the learners of the old lore who reside over the south range, far from where I walk. The king preserves Fangorn, but I am not in Fangorn no longer, funny as it may be to say; ho humm the Ent-friends would laugh at my sorts, the bandying of words and laughter was their sort, and though I had heard it often never had I learnt more of it than from my brothers.

What will I say to the ent friends of my journey ho hymm I think as I walk among forests, the trees here are younger than knowledge of me, and I find my going to be slow as I teach. But they will appreciate that ho hmm. Once I would have sat and told of our history for years, but these trees know of haste and speak of men in a pace that would make a Fangorn birch blush with new growth. The mountains grow tall in the north, perhaps the wind blows their edges and pushes them up. I ask the trees that grow here, but they only mourn, and justify their silence thusly. Walk as I might, it was hard to find a tree that was not mourning, though no fire did I see, nor smoke. Eventually I came upon an Oak, standing aside from the forest in a clearing. Down I sat beside him, and inquired as to his age. Cry did he not, and though it took for the sun to fall for him to answer, he spoke of the clearing as a plain, and of an age long beyond the years of the saplings around. Then his story did he tell. Long it was, a refreshment from my hot battles with mountains and cold tears from younger trees. He told of a time before the singers in the forest. When the shadow besieged his land, and the shadow of the shadow. He told of them settling in great fortresses, and falling before great enemies, and the bodies soaking into his roots as the elder shadow crept over the sky. He told of the city for which the trees wept. Ho humm the city of wisdom he called it, though not in so short a fashion. The city is empty of song, and now holds naught but dust and the dusting. So onward I walked, towards the city. There they may know of ent friends and, and... and their home, the place I wished to go. My destination. Hmm

Grand it was, set apart in a great valley, where the worries of the trees grew dim and the song of old could be heard dimly echoing from its peaks. I stood for a moment, and observed men enter and leave. They upheld it as a place of great honour it seemed, and enter it I intended, though fear I feared would ensue.

The laughter was what woke me, and about I looked from my glen. The water fell from, if I was not mistaken, the Bruinen in the distance, and it’s sound rocked me, tempting me into sleep once more. The sight of small ones walking about my legs took my attention before I could drift, and my attempts at moving were shaken by them running around my trunk. It would seem I did not go wholly unnoticed though, as my final shake of my branches sent them running from my sight, shouting in Westron too fast for me to quite hear what they had said. Just as my eyes adjusted, and I forgot what I had awoken for, I heard a beautiful voice, smooth and patient, speaking over the sound of the water. “See children? The trees shake with the wind, but bend not from the trunk in anger this far west of old Fangorn”. I did not need much longer to rouse myself from slumber at the sound of my name, but ho humm too long it seemed, as the man-wife and her company departed for their shelter. And so roused did I find myself alone, under stars I hummed to the trees news of Ent-friends, but none came. So I hummed of the ancient Oak, and back came the reply. He had aged it seemed, and lost his voice, but still none could grow beside him as his roots stretched long and far and still he grew. I took comfort in this, and hummed to him knowing that although his reply was distant, he could hear my call.

I had hummed not for a moment when the sun pierced the mountain and the sounds of man could be heard below. Horse clatter on stone came first, then laughter and voices. So stand I did, and wandering I went until upon a host of men in metal I came, and shrieking the man-wives and small ones ran, and as metal flashed in the morning sun and spears were pointed in my direction I hummed a man tune, speaking as I had not in an age. “I seek the Ent-friends”, pausing to see if I had the correct dialect I looked upon a familiar face, as though long ago had I met his likeness. “Ent, we have not had your kind since the time of the King Elessar, hail, I am Ent-friend, though I fear I am not of who you enquire”. And with that he sheathed his blade and knelt low, and accompanying him his company did, and emerging from the distance, at his beckoning, came the ones who fled. Hum I did, searching for words to questions fading from memory, “Not you man, I seek ent-friends, though if they are taller or shorter than your own kind I cannot recall, man they are not. Northward I go, seeking my friends, I would appreciate a guide, as the trees remember not my name, and the roads change with the wind”. Standing and thinking, the man turned aside and spoke to his entourage, but distant did the wind carry his words, and though all but two, one of the small ones and the largest of his company, with a silver breastplate and a great white tree printed on it, akin to the one on my speakers own tunic, did leave, he answered. “I will lead you, though ent-friends are not common among my people or any other left east of the sea. If northward you would go, I may lead you to the Beornings, who stand far taller than I and still hold the forest and its wonder in reverence, or north eastward take you to the people of Dale, who are short and simple and have love for the forests and rivers, though nothing else lays where you wonder save the ice and remnants of death”.

Considering his words carefully I thought to myself if either of these places were where I wished to go, and though he called to me long, I thought silently. When I had given it ample time, I disagreed and looked around. It seems autumn had settled, and around me lay the leaves that had fallen, evergreen I remained, the only one among the host of trees, my thoughts went to the Oak, and hum I did. His call came back cold, distant, and forgotten, many trees around him had grown and he was short in stature now, though shrunk he had not. I hummed around for a while longer, and pulled my roots from the stone. Strong had I grown in this vale, though even more distant now seemed the song of its inhabitants. I hummed loudly, in the tune that men may hear, searching for my man with the tree on his breast, and from the buildings came an answer, though of whom I could not tell. “I look for the man with whom I spoke earlier”, and a hurried reply of “just a moment dear Ent, I am an Ent-friend, and have been waiting for you, I shall send for my master”. And at that I rested back in my holds, and watched a rider hurry from the stable, though before I could rest he spoke to me again, and asked if we may speak at length, I was glad and agreed, and each time it seemed I was lost in thought he would inquire again, quite impatient he was, as though he feared me dozing off while we were speaking. Tired he grew, as mortals are want to, and before he retired he implored I not fall asleep before the morrow, as he wished to speak with me again. Humm himm I agreed, I desired his conversation as much as he mine, because though he was impatient, deep was his knowledge of the history of man as it had befallen. And so on we went for many days after that, before one evening I implored him as to the state of my request, assurances were made it would not be long, and jokes made that even I was becoming impatient. “My friends would have enjoyed your company too, laughter is rare among my kind”. But looking up I realised to bed he had gone, and to myself had I spoken once again. Ho humm, I suspect tomorrow will bring the rider to meet me, or I will be off to complete my quests on my own.

As the sun grew and the birds sang from my branches, I felt in the earth the thrum of horse and rider. I moved to intercept them, impatient I was to be off on this day. Three horses there were, followed by a great host, and upon the three horses sat three men, all in likeness enough to be family, though age sat on the brow of two of them, and youth was clear in the other. I spoke to the young one, as he seemed to be the man whom I had met long ago, “where is the guide I requested to take me to my Ent-friends?”, puzzled he looked back at the grey bearded two, and one of them answered me hastily, “it was I who you spoke with last, before you entered your great slumber”. I hummed then, thinking to myself what he could have meant, him. I had spoken to someone young and full of strength. And so it came to be that my hums turned to wails. Never before had I been so foolish, for the short lives of mortals were lent too to those of the Ent-friends. My deep booming echoed off the walls of the valley, and back came the hum of the entire forest around me. My roots I tore from the earth and the ground around me shivered in fear of my wrath, and briefly I paid heed to the fear on the faces of the men before grief overtook me and down came my fist like a hammer upon an anvil of stone. Troubled as I was, I regret my actions to this day, greater than any regret save one, for in my arms lay my friend, teller of lore and learner of the Ent way, his body lay limp and lifeless as the stone upon which I had meant to rend my fury.

Deep in the ground I lay him. Ent-friend I told the trees, and planted in above his head an acorn from the greatest of Oaks, that I may one day know him again. My guide, a king of Gondor I learnt, told me I had slept for over a century of man years, and long since would any Ent-friend save of the lines of old have passed. I was told that my poor Ent-friend had lived his life waiting for me to awaken, as had his father, and they had tended the gardens of Imladris and learnt of history and lore so that I could speak with someone to match my knowledge when I awoke. He told me that much of what we spoke of was recorded, and that whilst I rested and thought he slept, many candles burned for long hours detailing my history as it was told, and my language and culture, and secrets lost to the passage of time. Vast was my sorrow, but yet did I wish to pursue my quest, and so I, the oldest of living things left yet under these stars, and my guide, the oldest of men in halls of stone or wood, set out.

Eager he was to know of my name, and although forgotten it was to me, the Oak had remembered, and echoed the name Fangorn down through the trees. And so I told my guide, and he rejoiced, for he had delved deep in the lore of old and learnt of the exploits of Ents, little as they are, and so he told me that my friends must be the Hobbits of the Shire, and that though they had passed from sight, and their kind had dwindled and disappeared, their land was kept from human settlements as the first King Elessar had decreed. My sorrow and my regret aside, I asked of the brothers who had walked with me from Fangorn and taken Angrenost, and for the tale of their lives to be told to me in full.

For days we wondered, and I learned of Pippin the Tall and Merry the Brave. Of how Pippin went on to serve the stewards of Gondor as a warrior, and recalled with wonder how Merry came to be a squire of the king of Rohan who fought an evil sorcerer and cast him down, and that they each played their part in the salvation of their home. I wept for Merry, learning of his lame arm as he had carried it through his life, and laughed at the thought of my foolish friend Pippin becoming Thain of all of the Shire. So many names and memories had ever affected an Ent before this day, and my hum could be heard in the farthest trees of Mirkwood and Lorien, echoing the sadness and joy of the Hobbit-folk, and deep in my chest I felt that I owed them something I could not repay. And so in this way we came to the borders of the Shire, where the trees were glad and yet recalled the folk who dwelt here. My guide, the King, bid me farewell, and said that I would remembered forever as Hobbit-friend, a title as such I new I never deserved, and I sat on the outskirts of the Shire and watched him leave and wept, for never had a greater honour been bestowed upon one of my kind.

For long I sat there, weeping and laughing in equal measure, I felt the trees grow thick around me as they too learnt of my friends the hobbit, and Ent they did not call me, nor Fangorn, but Hobbit-friend. At last the trees grew so thick that they carried my hum far south, and west, and I realised that in this forest I was not the only power, for out of the west came a hum likewise, and on the south-wind came a song of joy, and in that song I found the strength to lift myself from slumber, and set out west. There I came upon a hill, where trees and flowers and mounds pocketed the earth, and hoping to find some remnants of Hobbit-folk I instead found a great tree, the like of which I had not seen for a period of time longer than I care to estimate, so long I scarcely remember remembering them, yet deep within me I felt her call, the Mallorn tree of Valinor. Silver was her bark, and golden her leaves, and I hummed to it of how it came to be there, but to my surprise it new only of Hobbits, and of Hobbit folk, nothing of the West, for Hobbiton was her true home. And it was as though the tree had been planted for the purpose of telling me of all I had missed. She remembered all of the line of Brandybuck and Took, as long as they stayed seperate, for the Brandybucks married into the Tooks, and the other did the same, and then the Took heir died without sons, and the Brandybucks were all that remained. She told me of how Pippin trained archers so that never again could the pale orc-men take their land and fell their trees, and how Merry treated with Kingsmen on the border, and how Merry married a young maid from the Northfarthing and sired many children, and how after their dearest friends Frodo and eventually Samwise left across the sea, the two of them would sit under her branches and smoke and laugh. She recalled the sound of their laughter so well, she could echo it among her branches, and as Fangorn the mighty sat in the Shire and wept, the leaves of the Mellon were swept in the wind, and the memory of the two of them and the power of their loss echoed throughout all middle earth.

Down in the south, through the old forest, an old power heard of the tears, and he wept also, for of the loss of time he knew much. And he rejoiced that one may yet recall those he would not either forget. And in the east the forest around Imladris that had grown strong heard his call, and remembered Ent-friend, and the acorn that was planted grew strong with the power of Ent tears, and the Oak heard the cries and hummed, for his friend would hear him and take comfort in his grief. And further east past Mirkwood and the lonely mountain where Elves yet hid among the trees they took shelter, for such sorrow had all but been forgotten by them. And down in Fangorn the trees swayed with the wails, and the Ents that were left uprooted and cried with their brethren, and it was so that all the trees of middle earth cried with their Shepard. And south, far south and far east, farther than Umbar and Harad, where trees are sparse and oases of life exist with flowers and water, the sorrow stirred life. The sorrow of an age stirred the compassion of an aging mind, and so northward went the Ent-wives, to soothe and comfort and re build.

#Middle Earth #Ents #Elves #Hobbits #Tolkien #LOTR #Lord of the Rings

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awfullyhorriblybadfantrolls · 6 years ago

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why do good artists make bad ocs

Name: Kuraii Iskuss wanna explain Gender: Male Age: 10 sweeps Blood: Neon Green HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Height: 5’10” Tital tital : Knight of Time Planet: Land of Volcanoes and Sundials Trollian Handle: compassionateContamination Typing Quirk: Begins with ’>°’ and ends with ‘°<’. Caps the first letter of each word. thanks but why Ex: >° What Are You Talking About? I Did Nothing Wrong! °< absolutely the fuck you did Strife Specibus Name: Scythekind & Swordkindx2 Name/Species of Lusus: Griffin (Mix between a Peregrine Falcon and a King Cheetah. With two set’s of wings. He calls it Kuro.) set’s Living Space/Hive: Small sized hive in the woods. Just big enough for him and his lusus to live comfortably together. set’s Powers: Psionics that greatly increase his speed. Quadrants: Matesprit♥: Hisana Kalain Moirail♦: – Open Kismesis♠: – (Reserved for REDACTED) Personality: A rather strange individual, he normally spends his time alone or with the few friends he does have. He doesn’t really smile all that much, really only ever smiling or laughing when he’s with his friends or those he cares about. He suffers from depression, which is rather easy to see if you look in his eyes, but he tries to hide this as he doesn’t want to bother other’s with this problems. Though he looks and sometimes acts cold, he’s rather kind and hates to see other’s get hurt for no reason. When alone he will sometimes hug a large stuffed animal or his lusus and cry into it. He act’s like he doesn’t mind being alone, and sometimes it doesn’t really bother him, but most of the time he hates it and just wishes he had someone to talk with or at least just know there is someone else there. He is extremely shy when it comes to talking to new faces, normally going mute and avoiding eye contact, and when he does speak it’s in a rather low tone that is barely audible. He mostly relies on his friends to do the talking for him, and will mostly just avoid others he doesn’t know if he’s alone. He’s got a pretty bad temper, and can easily snap around those he strongly dislikes, and will really try to restrain himself from just throwing random stuff at them, though if pushed too far then he can’t guarantee much restraint from doing that or just out right attacking them.

hmmmmmmmm i don’t like big blocks of text but i’m just gonna go out on a limb here and say i hate this Extra: - He has a purple bloods lifespan. why also how do you know this - He’s an artist and spends most of his time drawing. - He’s often been called ‘toxic waste’ cause of the colour of his blood, and the fact he’s a mutant. sounds about right - He’s smarter then he looks, he just learns better from doing then writing. - He really loves bacon. Get between him and his bacon, and he will most likely bite you. uh - He’s got ADHD, and has a real hard time sitting still, that he will actually rock back and forth or fiddle with his fingers if he sits still for too long. - He doesn’t take pain very well. - He’s a fast learner. - He likes to play the piano, but he only knows one part from one song, any other time he’s just pressing random keys that sound nice together. me - Others think him to have some kind of learning disorder, but he just learns differently and at his own pace. - He loves to play video games and read books. - He strongly dislikes loud noises and shouting. - Sometimes wishes he had wings of his own so he could fly. - He loves getting hugs just as much as he loves giving them. - He’s got his eerie creepy moments. uhh - His sanity has been questioned many times. uhhh - Tail is normally hidden good, though he does have his moments when he doesn’t bother to hide it. Quadrants: Matesprit♥: Kirios Flerix (Joel-Kingdom) Moirail♦: Hisana Kalain (D-Mau5) Kismesis♠: – Open

Rules Broken: honestly a well-crafted troll in terms of personality, except for the glaring neon blood and the whole “ooh questionable sanity” part, also the tail, why y’all gotta put tails on ya trolls

Fantroll Rating: my eyes hurt the fuck

#submission #awfully horribly bad troll #cull it now #dark past #insane #kind and caring #mutant #too much color #non canon blood color

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mortalgabby · 6 years ago

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Film Trailers & Production Logos

Here are some trailers that I took inspiration from/are similar to the trailer I plan to make for my own ‘film’.

Infinity War

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Venom

Teen Wolf

The House With the Clock In Its Walls

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The Darkest minds is a modern fantasy film that was released in 2018. The trailer I feel is a lot more satisfying and exciting to watch than the actual movie is, for several reasons. The way the montage of shots is arranged is non chronological (as many trailers are) but to the point where it is misleading - the ‘revolution’ that occurs is a scene at the end of the film. The actual revolution that appears to be the plot of the film based on the audio clips and footage used, but only starts right at the end (therefore would be the plot of the sequel). This made the film kind of disappointing in comparison to the way the trailer painted it.

I really like the song which is used, which rises in volume throughout the course of the trailer, making the film seem intense. The music gives off a motivational and uplifting vibe and suggests that the characters will triumph in the end- which inspired me to want to watch it. I think that this song was perfect as it does reflect the tone and genre of the movie really well.

The trailer also does a great job at showcasing the amazing CGI effects such as the telekinesis and the magic. The VFX is definitely a key selling point in this movie and enhanced the trailer a lot for me as it’s not only beautiful and believable, but also awesome.

The plot was not revealed too much in this trailer which I think is very important - just enough information was hinted at to intrigue the audience enough to want to watch, which sometimes isn’t the case as some trailers will end up summarising the film’s plot which ruins the experience for me.

The title cards are also fitting with the film as they somewhat resemble the eyes and ability of the protagonist - fire. The titles are in a gold serif font which looks very elegant, again reflecting the tone of the film.

I chose to analyse this trailer as I feel it’s similar to mine in that the characters both have some kind of superpower which they’re learning to deal with.

The Darkest Minds

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The Last Airbender

This trailer begins with establishing shots of the different landscapes in which the film will take place, showcasing the amount of detail that was put into the world-building and special effects. I think that this is very effective. As the characters first enter the trailer, everything is very quiet which helps to build suspense. The shots are very long and start to build up to the reveal of important things - such as the ice cracking - but the shots are cut off before we are able to see what’s happened. This makes the audience curious, causing us to want to watch the movie to find out what happens.

Later on throughout the trailer, there are a lot of shots that showcase the action in the film, but these too are cut off and followed by silence for dramatic effect which works really well in my opinion, for the same reason. This trailer also does a really good job at introducing the main characters, locations and themes without spoiling too much of the plot, and contains intense instrumental action music which really helps to establish the genre.

The special effects are also fantastic looking and add a lot of appeal to the film - I particularly like the close up shot of the main character’s eyes and forehead which glow - as well as the long shots that display the other characters’ powers. Like the previous film, this one is also related to my own work as they both explore the theme of humans having otherworldly powers.

I would say that this trailer does a really good job of accurately portraying the film, unlike some of the others.

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Sorcerer’s Apprentice

This trailer was very surprising to see (since I watched it after watching the film) as I don’t think it reflects the film well at all - it certainly doesn’t do it justice and instead paints it as something way too serious and dark. The music choice is interesting and, in my opinion is out of place in a film about magic, it sounds more fitting for a thriller or horror movie. I think they should’ve used a more upbeat song in this trailer to reflect all of the songs that are used in the movie as well as the general lighthearted nature of it.

Another thing which I don’t they pulled off particularly well was the title cards - which also looked like something out of a horror movie due to the dark and drab colours used in them. The title cards did fit the aesthetic of the movie but at the same time the actual titles sounded like they were trying to hard to be scary ‘It is not your imagination,’ However I do admire how they have engaged the audience’s interest through the vague pronoun ‘it’ - we are left wondering what is it is and are thus more likely to watch the film.

The dark title cards and ominous music didn’t really fit with the warm orange colour palette that both the trailer and film utilises, the two contrast so much that it seems like it wasn’t intentional which I don’t really like. The consistent colour palette does however make the trailer look quite stylised and aesthetic.

I do however really like how the Disney logo was edited to fit with the magic/electricity motif in the film.

Another thing I liked about this trailer was how the visuals matched with the beats in the music - the appearance of the eagle was matched with the music growing louder and more intense on the beat. I feel as though this not only emphasises the importance of said aspects in the film but generally gives a really cool effect.

I’m glad that this trailer, unlike some of the others, doesn’t spoil the plot at all - in fact it sheds extremely little light on the story they’re trying to tell - we know that Dave is Balthazar’s apprentice but little to nothing else. I feel as though without any information on the story of Morgana meant that, from the trailer, there isn’t really enough reason to watch it. They also could’ve showcased more of the magical SFX as these were one of my favourite parts of the film. The kind of magic used in this film is a similar kind to what i’m trying to achieve in my own video.

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The Shape Of Water

Like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, this film also has a custom production logo to fit the genre and theme of it. I really like this little detail they decided to include as it really makes me feel more involved in the world they’ve created.

This trailer starts off with a montage of the main character’s every day life, which is matched with some almost upbeat, instrumental music that is very iconic and, when paired with the visuals allude well to the time period in which the film is based. A lot of the things in this trailer are also matched to the beat of the music which is one of my favourite tropes as it looks really satisfying and just generally appeals to me.

The title cards of this film reflect the themes by being designed as if they are underwater, which I think looks really aesthetically pleasing. the serif font in which they are written alludes to the fantasy genre of the film. The font choice itself looks very elegant and calm. There are multiple music tracks in this film - two of which sound very whimsical but are also creepy, the other one a lot more dark and intense. I think that having both tracks in the trailer helps indicate the different themes and emotions that will be present in the film - on one hand it is sweet and romantic, but there is also a dangerous and threatening tone that is underlying.

I also really like how enigma codes are created through some of the lines of dialogue in the trailer - in particular the repeated line ‘Don’t do this!’ in a desperate tone. This piques the audience’s interest and make us more determined to watch the film so that we can find out exactly what is being referred to.

I like how the colour palette for this film is mostly blue and grey as it reflects the ocean motif present throughout.

In general I really like how the creature isn’t portrayed as a monster in the trailer - the humans are instead. This links in with my own film that includes fantastical creatures that don’t normally exist.

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Captain Marvel

The trailer for Captain Marvel starts right in the centre of the action which really makes you feel like you’re part of the world and is really exciting. The beginning of the trailer sets the scene and establishes the time period by showing the BlockBuster store. I think that this trailer is also really successful because of the actors who are in it - Samuel L Jackson and Brie Larson are both really popular therefore will attract a lot of attention to the movie even if you haven’t seen the other films in the franchise.

The music is easily one of the highlights of the trailer for me; it’s bold, inspirational and also sounds somewhat otherworldly (which is fitting as it’s an alien film). I think that this really reflects how powerful and impressive Carol Danvers is, and will hopefully reflect the tone of the film when it’s released. There is also a very clear colour palette of red, blue and gold throughout this trailer which adds to it’s aesthetic appeal and also matches the colours of her iconic suit. I think that this colour palette is really unique and special since it contradicts the dark and serious tones of many other superhero movies - instead looking bold and motivational. The visual effects in this movie and CGI are also extremely stunning and are presented really well through the wide variety of shot types - for example when Carol looks at the camera with magical glowing eyes (which is a similar effect to the style of thing I wanted in my own trailer)

The title cards are also in the same signature colour palette which makes them fit really well.

There are also a lot of shots that are timed to the beat, as well as many fade ins/outs from/to black which I think adds to the dramatic suspense and tension of the film as we are curious as to what we’re missing out on during these cuts. Another really unique part of this trailer I think is the shots which depict Carol at various ages doing the same thing - for example when she stands up but it’s multiple versions of herself one after another, like they’re united. I think that this creates a really gorgeous effect and i’m excited to see what the film will bring in the future.

The title and the way it’s animated from a blueprint/frame is also really impressive and alludes to the high production value of the film.

Production Logos

Marvel

Marvel’s logo is easily one of my favourite logos of all time due to the complexity and artistic nature of it. It combines the 3D title animation with the gorgeous painted portraits of all the most beloved characters, as well as even including live action footage from the movies. It is also extremely colourful and bold, and is full of such intricate detail that you need to watch it multiple times to really appreciate how much work was put into its creation. I also love how it starts off really complex and beautiful and eventually forms the iconic, simple red and white logo. The music that is usually paired with the logo also really brings everything together I think and is a work of art all by itself.

This logo is so complicated that I couldn’t begin to attempt it - it also differs from my own greatly since I had no idea how to do something like this but would love to in the future. The two do however share the similarity that they both have hand-drawn aspects to them (the wolf is drawn on mine and the character paintings in theirs)

Disney

Disney’s logo is also really pretty and visually appealing to me. I love how cinematic it looks - it could easily be a scene in a film. It has a really beautiful semi-realistic style as the landscape itself could easily be a photo, and yet the castle itself is designed in a way that really reflects Disney's signature style but is still believable. the composition of this logo is also really nice- the horizon is inkeeping with the rule of thirds and the castle is in the centre. I also especially love the colours and animation of this production logo- there is a wide variety of tones used, but the landscape is mostly dark which helps the illuminated castle really stand out among the dusk sunset. The logo itself is also very clever as it both stands out and blends into the water - it’s noticeable but also fits very naturally into the scene. Much like the marvel logo it’s quite different from mine but if I had the skills to make something like this in the future I would love to. The main difference is that this logo is 3D animated and coloured while mine is monochrome and 2D animated.

Summit Entertainment

I chose this logo because its simplicity reflects my own. The black background helps the bold serif font stand out very clearly and creates a very sophisticated and minimalist look. I like how, despite the lack of detail, you can very easily tell that the line above is a mountain peak - due to the name and the colouring which reminds me of a snow-covered mountain peak. The peak is also in the very centre of the logo which is very pleasing to me. I think that this logo really embodies the idea that it doesn’t have to be insanely complicated to be effective. It also shares some similarities with my own production logo - the light coloured font contrasting against the dark background, and the addition of a drawn image as part of the logo. While I prefer the more visually appealing logos such as the previous two, I can definitely see the appeal of this one, which makes me feel better about my own design.

Universal

The Universal logo is also very cinematic and has a lot of very eye-catching features such as the Earth, stars and galaxy. The space aesthetic that’s present in this trailer is really beautiful and definitely one of my favourite features about it. I like how it isn’t straining on your eyes - the stars and illuminated earth are still very ‘soft’, and while they are definitely noticeable they don’t make your eyes hurt. I also especially like the 3D sans serif lettering and the metallic texture that’s been applied to it - as well as how it’s coloured silver and not white.

Pixar

Pixar’s production logo is also fairly simple in comparison to most of the others. The letters are written in a very cartoonish serif font which is 3D. The logo itself has a lot of depth that’s created through the shadows which the letters cast, which I really like. I also like the creative animation in this logo, in which a lamp is personified to take the place of the ‘I’ in Pixar by jumping on it. The animation is really fluid and organic which is very much representative of Pixar’s style.

I think that this kind of 3D logo would have been very interesting and fun to make for my trailer. This logo is somewhat similar to mine due to the small animation and simple colour palettes used.

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