#also i am aware i should finish book 2 and this is like book 3 territory but brain go brrrrr

[gingersnaptaff]

Doing more on @gwalch-mei 's Christmas present (which I keep referring to as Gwyn and Gwalch's Gossip Corner (feat. An Appearance From Everybody's Favourite Scamp, Llacheu) and thought u might all like this bit about Gwalchmai talking about Medrawd. (Also, dw for anybody interested - I.e. @dullyn just said 'Pryderi has fun uncle status' that WILL be the case in this!)

[ixiot-ghostrebel]

Sagau touched starved reader but you know got trauma so not comfortable with being touched. Like staring like a cat for affection but terrified of being hugged back or things like that

You got it, Anon! Though, I will warn you a little: I'm not going to go too deep into detail with the trauma stuff. It'll be very brief.

Touch Starved! Reader Wanting Hugs From Zhongli, Diluc, and Al-Haitham...With A Twist.

Zhongli

The moment he realizes that you are touched-starved, this old man isn't exactly sure what to do. After all, you got some extreme PTSD going on after the whole "imposter-creator" fiasco.

He does try to approach it as a topic, but since you're weary of (quite literally) everyone and find suspicion in every action, you kind of catch on to his intentions. And Zhongli notices this, but he's still going to take it slow.

"I assure you, Your Grace, I will not push your boundaries lest you are uncomfortable." He's sincere and means every word. To him, this is like signing a contract. He's the God of Contracts, so this is especially important to him. What he says is solid as stone—his dedication to prove that is clear as day.

This man is also very keen—he sees how you look like a touch-starved cat when you want affection, but are too scared to approach and ask. It kind of breaks him, but he doesn't show it because he wants to prove that he's not helping out of pity, but understanding.

In the end, Zhongli will probably be able to be near you, and get in a few (with consent) head peats that you are very well aware of. It's going to take time for you to warm up to him before this guy gets to hug you.

Diluc

This guy probably understands your intense cat-staring the most. He sometimes feels like that after his father passed. He's very unsure and awkward of what to do, if I'm being honest.

After a little while, of course, Diluc feels like he should place the offer out. He feels too awkward and guilty for just noticing you like this and not doing anything about it.

"Your Grace...I hope I'm not crossing any boundaries, but please know that I am willing to offer you any assistance you need." It's only later does he realize you wanted hugs and were too scared to ask for it.

Yeah...he's not exactly that open with his emotions either, so it will definitely be awkward, but he is willing to give it a few tries. Diluc will also be the first to pull back and apologize if he realizes you are in any discomfort.

To say it took a while is only putting it in the simplest form.

Alhaitham

Oho...if you though Diluc was awkward, consider this man. He's more "thinking machine that feels" than like his roommate ("feeling machine that thinks"), so he definitely does not understand the "social cue" that is your cat-stare.

He has done research (aka read books way back in the days and remembered the contents) and understands the mental turmoil you've gone through, so he has gone through the steps of trying to get out of your way, and also try and link you to a therapist. This, of course, kind of fails.

"Your Grace...please get some therapy. It's beneficial for your mental health." Quite literally might drag Tighnari or someone else into this if he can't convince you. This is quite literally out of his expertise.

The entire "I want a hug" cue flies completely over his head, and had it not been for Kaveh (and/or Nahida), he probably wouldn't have realized his mistake.

...Yes, it took what felt like 3 eternities just for him to try and give you affection. Must I say anything else?

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: AND HERE WE ARE! Anon, I am so sorry for taking 30 years to do this, but I have finished it! Boy, I was so tired and stressed these days, but I'm kinda glad I finished this!

For anyone waiting for The Lost Shining God of Celestia Pt. 2, please have some patience—I currently do not have much motivation to work on that series. Instead, feel free to dump requests in my mailbox!

Also—feel free to dump any HSR requests into my mailbox! I want to give them a try :)

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

[csuitebitches]

Rebranding Yourself Online using ChatGPT

Summary from “Brand Aid: Taking control of your reputation before everyone else does” by Larry G Linne and Patrick Sitkins. This book is from the early 2010s so some things are outdated and not exactly applicable. It’s also a more corporate/ business focused book. I took away what i felt were the major lessons and were more applicable to young adults/ teens/ people on social media today (because social media in 2013 vs today is very different).

I also wanted to add my own input to the summary. I’ve added prompts for ChatGPT that you can use to help figure your personal brand out better.

When rebranding yourself online, I would highly recommend:

1. Archive all your personal Instagram account’s posts (if you have an online business, create a separate page and show very little of yourself). Remove all your stories and highlights. Deactivate your account for at least 8 months.

2. Spend the next 8 months building your social media strategy, your personal brand and reinventing yourself in any way and form you want to (mental, physical, spiritual, etc).

3. Use Pinterest and figure out a theme that defines you the best. Take a look at @mafeanzures

————————-

* A brand is what people think of you.

Questions to ask yourself:

1. What do you think other people think of you?

2. What personal attributes would you benefit from the most if those items were well known to everyone?

Question 1 and 2 in the next few prompts refers to these 2 questions.

ChatGPT prompts after you finish writing down the above answers:

“I want to develop my personal brand on instagram (or any one social media site at a time). Currently I’m seen as a (2 of the most negative qualities and 2 of the most positive qualities from question 1). I want to be seen as (4 of the most positive qualities from question 2). What should I do to be seen as that?”

This will give you a STRATEGY that you can further modify.

Now, ask the same question again but with one change:

“I want to develop my personal brand on instagram (or any one social media site at a time). Currently I’m seen as a (2 of the most negative qualities and 2 of the most positive qualities from question 1). I want to be seen as (4 of the most positive qualities from question 2). What should I post online to be seen as that?”

This will give you CONTENT that you should consider posting.

**

* It is very likely that if you are to meet someone new and you’re aware you’re going to meet them, you’ll check their social media out. Whether its LinkedIn, facebook, twitter, instagram… keep your online presence clean.

* Before you post ANYTHING online, ask yourself: “how will this affect my brand?” If you post a story about a nasty break up/ a friendship falling apart/ a negative restaurant review… how do you think other people will see you? Be extremely mindful of your brand and what you post online.

* Rather than the age old advice “just be yourself”, look at “just be your best self.”

**

7 steps to a great brand:

1. Write down what you think people think of you: both positive and negative

2. Determine your goals in life (career, family, etc). What brand items do you need to get there? For example, the brand item “intelligent” to move up the corporate ladder. What will you need in order to be perceived as intelligent?

3. Gap analysis: the difference between point 1 (current situation) and point 2 (desired situation).

4. Develop action items. For example, if you want to be seen as innovative at work, start bringing ideas to meetings.

5. Influences on your brand: your dress, style, voice tone and quality, health, recreation, the car you drive, social environments, where you live, the language you speak, the subjects of your conversations, social media postings all impact your brand.

6. List what you must do to protect your brand. For example: not drinking in public; dressing a certain way; etc.

7. Review every 6 months.

Ask ChatGPT: “I am (ethnicity) (gender), (age) years old based in (City, country). Currently I’m seen as a (2 of the most negative qualities and 2 of the most positive qualities from question 1). My viewers would mostly be people from (conservative/liberal/ rural/ urban/ define audience. In case there are two audience types, ask one at a time) backgrounds. I want to be seen as (4 of the most positive qualities from question 2). What behaviours should I not engage in?”

**

Using the power of “always”: 5 specific things you pride on yourself for doing regularly.

“I always take the time to be updated in my field of work.”

“I always volunteer every Sunday.”

**

Things to keep in mind:

A. Are you easy to find online?

B. Is your content consistent?

C. Do your pictures, videos convey your personal brand?

D. What will enhance your brand?

E. What will damage your brand?

Ask ChatGPT: “I want to develop my personal brand on instagram (or any one social media site at a time). Currently I’m seen as a (2 of the most negative qualities and 2 of the most positive qualities from question 1). I want to be seen as (4 of the most positive qualities from question 2). What can potentially damage my brand if I’m not careful?”

**

If you are willing to see what you are doing and saying on the front page of a newspaper tomorrow, proceed with it. If you wouldn’t want it on the front page of the newspaper, STOP immediately.

**

More things to keep in mind:

1. The internet amplifies everything

2. Context matters

3. Consistency is everything

4. Your “at home” brand is as important as “outside of home” brand

[fireflysummers]

Final Thoughts on GO S2

I'm probably gonna pull back on discussing S2, at least publicly, after this. I did actually like a lot of the season, but it's triggering some of my religious trauma and also the fandom is already stressing me out. So here, let's have some final thoughts.

First and foremost: I am not a Gaiman simp. I've read a decent amount of his work: comics, short stories, essays, and novels. Aside from Good Omens, I've liked Coraline and The Graveyard Book the best by far, whereas American Gods just. Did Not Connect with me, even though it's should have, given the stuff I tend to enjoy.

However. Regardless of whether I like a given work (or even like how he adapted it, a la parts of The Sandman TV series), he is a veteran writer who has proven that he does, actually, know how to write a story with consistent characters.

Beyond that, I do actually believe that he's trying to do right by Pratchett, and loves and respects the story and characters they created together. He's generally shown up as an ally to a variety of social causes, and directly and respectfully responds to fans on Tumblr. While no saint, I feel that there is cause to give the benefit of the doubt that things will resolve satisfyingly in S3, and that there is Intention about some of the things in S2.

This, of course, does not absolve it of being "bad," but even here I think we need to articulate better the different types of "bad" that people are reacting to. There seems to roughly be three camps here: 1) People who thought it was "bad" because of how it ended, with the breakup and a lot of unresolved plot threads; 2) People who thought it was "bad" because it struggled on a technical level with its set, lighting, directorial choices, editing, etc; 3) People who thought it was "bad" because they felt the characterization was significantly off and that the internal logic of the series had been violated.

With regards to Point One, the only solution is to Wait and See. Judgement should be reserved until the story is properly finished--easier said than done, especially considering the current media landscape, and the number of series or franchises that fail to live up to their promises.

Point Two isn't something I understand well enough to contribute meaningfully, except that I suspect the pandemic affected this aspect the most and am willing to give it a bit more mercy. That aside, I for the most part I don't find it bad so much as not as good as S1. Except for the parts with epilepsy warnings, surely there could've been a better way to do that.

Point Three... that's the stumbling block for me, and I find it interesting that most of the folks who struggle with this point in particular are long time fans of the book.

I trust that instinct.

There are two different directions to go from here. The first is the assumption that these problems are a result of ego, carelessness, or lack of skill from the showrunners/writers/director. It's cynical but not unjustified. The second is the belief that the breaks in lore or characterization were intentional, building towards a much grander conspiracy. Of course, even in this case I don't think it forgives the lack of signposting that would indicate that this is a choice rather than an accident. It just makes it feel clumsy and poorly constructed, a major risk on a show that hasn't had its third season confirmed.*

However, regardless, it still feels salvageable. I've enjoyed reading a lot of meta on all this, and I've pulled some things from others (particularly That Theory by @ariaste), but I don't really want to put forth a single, defined theory myself. Instead, here's some questions I've got, why those questions are important (to me, at least). Actual theorizing comes after, and anybody who snidely mentions Sherlock in the comments or tags is going to get auto-blocked. Like seriously, I'm aware that some stuff is a stretch, but it's fun??? To theorize????? And I'm here for me and my peace of mind rather than trying to argue a point.

*I have some suspicions here, particularly with Gaiman stating that the decision from Amazon would come much faster than The Sandman's second season (which was four months). I don't know enough though to say if that's actually significant.

Questions

Who the fuck is telling this story?

This is the most important piece, in my opinion. There's this assumption when reading books (or research papers, newspapers, etc...) that the narrator who is writing the words is a non-presence, Neutral and objective. That's not the case, and an important part of literature critique is figuring out who the narrator is, and what their goals are. Oftentimes, the narrator and the author are the same person, but with Pratchett's work, particularly on Good Omens and Discworld, the Narrator was its own unique character.

This is why people struggle adapting Discworld to live action--that medium requires a Reason for having a Narrator, and especially in the age of method acting that's often considered immersion-breaking. Good Omens worked so well because they not only kept the Narrator, but they made Her God.

This added some really interesting new dimensions, such as the scene where Crowley speaks to God about his fall and the destruction of humanity. He doesn't receive an answer, but we're watching from God's perspective, so we as the audience know that She's listening.

Another advantage of making God the Narrator is that it justifies all the goofy little asides we get into the lives of minor characters (i.e. Leslie the Mailman), without losing focus. It helps the world feel like it’s full of people, rather than characters and plot contrivances, and the theme that individual people and their choices are important. The Narrator is such a central character of Good Omens that without it, the story struggles to stay focused.

It also highlights a key difference in the writing styles of the two authors. Pratchett’s work tends to introduce four or five totally unique plot threads that feel completely disjointed until the last act (if not even later), when it turns into a Chekhov’s Firing Squad. Plot twists around secret identities and backstabbing and schemes are relatively rare, as the omniscient Narrator doesn’t lie about the intentions of people or their actions.

Gaiman’s writing is typically not like that, to my knowledge. He buries characters in misdirection and hints, and you never know the true identity or motives until all the chips are down. It’s a perfectly valid way to approach storytelling, but it makes it jarring to see it in S2. The lack of a Narrator is a huge reason why S2 doesn’t feel like Good Omens to some folks.

My gut feeling is that the decision to shift from the original Narrator was highly intentional. It helps to obscure the thoughts and intentions of people, and it also muddles the insights that we’re supposed to take away. (I would have loved hearing God monologue about what’s going on in Jim’s head. I think it’d do a lot to make him seem less.... obnoxiously stupid.)

More than that, it brings up a reasonable potential plot point of: Where did God go? Why isn’t She present in the story? Even in her early appearance in the Job flashback, she doesn’t sound like the narrator for last season. After the first part of her speech (which Gabriel later quotes), her tone turns casual and condescending, which might line up with her being a bit of an asshole, it doesn’t line up with the whole “dealer of a mysterious card game who is always smiling”).

Also, I don’t think it’s safe to assume that nobody is telling the story either. Just because they’re not making their presence known doesn’t mean they aren’t there, and in a story like Good Omens, that’s concerning.

Wait, where's Satan?

Another person I saw while scrolling the tags pointed out that Satan is nowhere to be seen this season. He's really only mentioned in reference to a bet God made in Job, but then Crowley is the one on the ground causing mischief. There's no Hail Satan among demons (like Hastur and Ligur did at the start of S1).

That's might be because the writers didn't want us to think it was important (a la Hastur), but that feels off. Given that Satan speaks directly through the radio to Crowley in S1, complimenting him on his work, it's safe to say that he was at least aware of and involved in the goings-on in Hell. The fact that he wasn't even an worry for Beelzebub in abandoning their post? Feels weird.

(Also if you know where that post is, I'll happy credit + link)

What is Maggie?

Look, I love cute lesbians in love as much as the next queer, but I don't like Maggie. I don’t think she’s a person. Contextually, she’s a plot device, but I agree with That Essay that she might be an actual Plot Device.

Her characterization is simple and relatively shallow—a bit of an airhead, ray of sunshine that’s supposed to remind you of Aziraphale. When she describes her past to Nina, it’s almost robotic (also, her story implies it was Mr. Fell who first rented to her ancestor, not Mr. Fell’s great-grandfather like Nina implied). Her emotions are over-dramatic and seem to be turned on and off at random (scenes with her crying to Aziraphale about her woes had my “manipulator” senses going off for some reason).

When asked about a song, she not only IDs the song, its singer, and its year, but how and on what it was distributed. (Honestly thought this would’ve been something interesting, because she’s been pretty ditzy so far, it’d be interesting if she had like... an insane memory for music history.) And then she’s the one that sets Aziraphale on his little investigation by giving him the transformed records, while also planting the seed about her love troubles with Nina. Later, her advice to Crowley is... not awful, but feels insincere and a bit too forward, given her own self-proclaimed lack of relationship experience.

I don’t know what she is (a demon, hastur with amnesia in disguise, a literal plot device inserted by the current storyteller, etc...), but there’s something not right with her.

(Also the joke of “who listens to records anymore, it’s so old fashioned” just doesn’t land, lots of people buy records, and I’m saying this as somebody who has worked at a record store before.)

What's going on with Aziraphale?

There’s something Off about Aziraphale, and it’s not his choices at the end of the season. That makes total sense if you read him as somebody with severe religious trauma getting dragged back into the abusive system because other people need him and he’s been promised the ability to change things.

But I do think something is happening to his memory. Nearly all the flashbacks are from Aziraphale’s point of view and retelling, which means that they’re less reliable than God’s version of events in the previous season. Many of them don’t make logistical sense (post-church scene in 1941), depict Crowley as meaner or more sinister than we know he is, or frame events... weirdly. The scene with him trying food for the first time feels Really Bad, especially when the series has previously established that he’s a) prim and proper and b) his interest in food is one of the beautiful things that connect him to humanity, not some kind of gluttonous sin. Also he turns down alcohol.

Their meet-cute at the  start of the universe also doesn’t line up with their reactions to each other in Eden, or the fact that knowing each other Before has never come up or been hinted at anywhere ever. I don’t know what’s causing this to happen, only that Aziraphale repeatedly looks pensive when coming out of flashbacks, and Crowley is never there afterwards to corroborate said memories.

His actions also seem pretty inconsistent with what we know of him—i.e. I refuse to believe he would ever mistreat his books, even if they’re just old encyclopedias. Also, he feels a bit too...forceful in trying to get Nina and Maggie to fall in love? I mean, he didn’t exert that much direct influence on even Warlock, when he was actively hoping that the boy would turn out angelic rather than neutral.

I don’t think this removes his agency in that last decision, so much as explains how he was in such a vulnerable place at all. He still needs to apologize and fix things, because he messed up, and even if he hadn’t he still seriously hurt Crowley.

What's going on with Crowley?

There’s something Off about Crowley. The most obvious thing, of course, is his memories. At multiple points in the present day, characters state that they remember him or have met him before, only to be met with confusion. This is especially concerning given that he has a nigh photographic memory for faces (something mentioned in the book when he immediately IDs Mary Loquacious, 11 years after a 30 second conversation).

Overall, he seems to be better known by other supernatural entities this season, in ways that often tie him back to his angelic identity (i.e. saying they fought together in the war, Aziraphale stating he knew the angel he used to be, etc...). This doesn’t feel right, because S1 we see that Hell is largely apathetic towards his schemes, and definitely does not defer to him at any point in any capacity.

Then there’s the issue of his power level. It’s always been speculated that Crowley was a powerful angel prior to falling, when he mentions in S1 his involvement with star making, his seemingly unique ability to freeze time, and creating a pocket universe for Adam before the confrontation with Satan. He also has a tendency of breathing life into inanimate objects, like his plants or car. He also has the regular demonic skillset: miracles that can adjust physical appearance; the ability to change inanimate objects (like paintball guns into real guns); the ability to manifest clothing and similar items; and summon hellfire to his fingertips. This, plus the way he monologues to God with a degree of familiarity rather than reverence seems to indicate that he was Somebody Powerful and Important Before.

But in S2, his skills are significantly expanded upon. The miracle he and Aziraphale summon sets off alarms in heaven and hell, and it’s powerful enough to mask Gabriel from the Archangels. He summons a miniature sun to rain fire on Job, which is way bigger and flashier than anything we’ve seen him summon in S1. (If he needs fire, he alters the course of a dropping bomb, without creating one himself.)

Yet he’s able to cloak his presence so well he goes wholly unnoticed in heaven, or in front of heavenly agents on earth (i.e. the Job flashback). Muriel can’t clock him as a demon, or even as another supernatural being, despite their auras usually being pretty significant, such Aziraphale immediately sensing the archangels when they arrive.  He’s able to interfere with files that Muriel claimed required clearance (although I feel like that might just be a snark about Obeying Without Thinking? I would really need a Narrator to know.)

I might be misremembering, but I don’t think we’ve seen angels or demons transmogrify living beings before either. In the book, Crowley brings Aziraphale’s dove back to life after the failed magic show, and occasionally sinks ducks, but he doesn’t alter them? Not even Adam demonstrates that skill in S1. But he has no trouble turning Job’s children into lizards, however temporarily. Boy that would’ve been convenient during the flood. Or when the guard stopped then from getting to the air strip.

I might be misremembering, but I don’t think we’ve seen angels or demons transmogrify living beings before either. In the book, Crowley brings Aziraphale’s dove back to life after the failed magic show, and occasionally sinks ducks, but he doesn’t alter them? Not even Adam demonstrates that skill in S1. But he has no trouble turning Job’s children into lizards, however temporarily. Boy that would’ve been convenient during the flood. Or when the guard stopped then from getting to the air strip.

I don’t have any real issues with his characterization in the present day parts of S2, but there’s something weird happening with Crowley.

Where's all the people?

I really like a lot of the new characters, but how were there only like, 2.5 new humans named in the present day? Flashbacks don’t count bc the humans are all dead and can’t affect the story.

As much as I like Nina, she and Maggie don’t drive the story beyond being an occasional and awkwardly inserted plot contrivance? Both are actively robbed of their agency at several points, forced into situations that they could not have avoided or escaped. I’m not really sure what growth they’re expected to experience other than deciding not to date each other after everything. I literally can’t tell you anything about Nina other than that she remembers her regular’s orders, runs a coffee shop, and has a textbook abusive partner we never see. The only meaningful interactions they have are between those two, or in conversation with Aziraphale and Crowley.

Compare that to S1, where Anathema gets hit by Aziraphale and Crowley, but her primary relationships are with Newt, Adam, and Agnes Nutter (I think that counts as a relationship). We know that she’s got a wealthy family back in Puerto Rico, and that she was literally raised to save the world, and that she isn’t happy under all that pressure. Newt on the other hand is connected to not just Anathema, but Shadwell and Madame Tracy. He never even directly interacts with Aziraphale and Crowley. We know about his hobbies, his struggle to hold down a job, and his almost supernatural ability to destroy any electronics he touches. I don’t necessarily like how their relationship came together, but they were both very, very well fleshed out characters with unique backstories and goals. They weren’t just... waiting around to give Aziraphale and Crowley a new questline.

And while there’s no requirement to include a large cast of human characters that are exerting influence over the story, the lack of it is another aspect that makes this season feel not like Good Omens.

Also, it's just. Really weird to me that the events of S1 aren't really referenced at all? Like, Adam isn't mentioned, nor is Warlock. I don't expect them to keep track of the humans they met on the airfield for 20 minutes, but none of it is ever specifically referenced as far as I can tell, beyond Crowley threatening Gabriel. Like, I get that it's been a few years, but the pair caused a big enough disturbance that you'd expect some kind of ripples in their supernatural communities.

Promised by the Narrative (Obvious Chekhov's guns that I will be legitimately upset over if they do not go off)

A sincere apology from Aziraphale to Crowley that doesn't come with the expectation that Crowley will come back to him, but because he deserves an apology, even if the choices Aziraphale made were done with good intentions. Aziraphale does not expect forgiveness, and is shocked when Crowley grants it without hesitation.

A clear declaration of love from Aziraphale, which can't be rationalized away by either of them.

An "I'm Sorry" dance between Aziraphale and Crowley, but with greater sincerity and gravity. The most important piece is that they end up dancing together, which signifies a mutual apology and dedication to come together.

Since kissing is on the table, I expect an actual joyful, mutual kiss between these two assholes.

A shared cottage in South Downs.

Predictions/Theories (just some fun thoughts I've had)

When Adam declared that Satan was not his father, he didn't make himself not the antichrist, but accidentally crowned his human dad the King of Hell. Nobody knows this, because Adam doesn't have a good measure for "normal" supernatural situations, and Mr. Young because he's so "normal" that he explains away all the magical bullshit that's started going down.

When Adam declared that Satan was not his father, he erased Satan altogether. However, this left a vacuum in both power and reality. The defection of both Gabriel and Beelzebub only widens that crack. In an attempt to Fix things, reality is warping the story. Crowley has become leagues more powerful between S1 and S2, as the narrative is trying to force him into the role of his previous boss. Aziraphale is unknowingly being pulled into a similar version on the Other Side, perhaps to replace Gabriel or perhaps to replace God herself, who has been fairly absent in all this. The alterations to their memories or past have come about to keep the narrative running smoothly.

When the Metatron asks Nina whether anybody has ever asked for death, he was actually referring to Death, the sole remaining rider of the apocalypse.

If Maggie is indeed a Plot Device, it would be a fascinating exploration of Free Will to see her become aware of this (cue existential crisis), and then fall in love with Nina on her own terms, rather than because she was written that way.

Hastur will be back. Somehow.

The reason why S2 focuses so much on the supernatural characters is because S3 will be about how the events in S1 have changed the political landscape of heaven and hell. Angels are questioning their roles, demons are yearning for something more. It's scaring upper administration, and then the two most reliable folks in employment run away to alpha centauri. Recruiting Aziraphale and getting him back in line prevents him from becoming a martyr, control the range of his influence. The series reasserts its theme of choice and agency by highlighting that Aziraphale and Crowley aren't that special, they've just had the chance to live and grow, and that the others have free will too, if they want it.

The reason why they wanted to separate Aziraphale and Crowley, is not to get Aziraphale on his own, but to get Crowley on his own. He literally stopped time and made a pocket universe in front of Satan last season. He's powerful and dangerous and somebody wants to see that reigned in.

Wishlist (stuff I desperately want to see)

Crowley getting an audience with God and an opportunity to ask his questions, only to refuse to do so because he's found his own Answers and he no longer needs hers

Aziraphale and Crowley growing more into their book incarnations. Aziraphale becomes confident in his sense of morality, which he developed the hard way through millennia on earth besides humanity. He slowly learns what it means to be loved, unconditionally, but also is better at asserting and maintaining his boundaries. Crowley, still anxious and unwinding, works through his fear of abandonment, providing him opportunities to be kind and gentle and nurturing--all traits that he's aggressively hid since being a demon.

Hand holding. I know that Gaiman was referring to Ineffable Bureaucracy, but I still feel like we'd benefit from meaningful hand holding, especially since that got cut from the adaptation of the book.

Shifted focus away from the supernatural shenanigans, and back onto the humans that actually drive the story.

Cameos from S1 characters (if not a more substantial appearance).

The Four Other Riders of the Apocalypse.

Cursed Thoughts (why I shouldn't be allowed a social platform)

Ineffable Bureaucracy turns up in season 3 because Beelzebub got Gabriel pregnant somehow.

[hardtofindeggs]

Cease and Desist Pt.1

❀ pairing: professor!levi ackerman x chancellor!f!reader

❀ genre: enemies(ish) to lovers, slow burn

❀ cw: light swearing, high tension situations (???), alcohol consumption, slight angst, fluff, jealousy, mutual pining (but levi is hopeless)

❀ summary: levi ackerman has been a professor at acadia hills university™ for almost 6 years now. levi ackerman has also had his eyes on you - the chancellor of this university - for 6 years now. he hasn't allowed himself to get too close to you, despite it being hard since your social circles are nearly identical. what'll happen now that he can't avoid you as much as he'd like? now that he's too close to you?

❀ parts: pt.1 -> pt.2 -> pt.3 -> pt.4 -> pt.5

"We create our own thorns, and never stop to count the cost. All we can do is suffer the pain, and tell ourselves it was well worth it. Belief doesn't rest on proof or existence... it rests on faith... without faith there is nothing," Levi slams the book shut, observing as the students in his classroom scribble down notes and take pictures of the large boards behind him (most twirl their stationery between their fingers), before he takes in a shallow breath then resumes speaking: "Alright, ladies and gentlemen. Over the course of your long awaited weekend, I want you all to revise the past 2 chapters thoroughly. I expect no less than an A on all of your papers next week."

He shoots a warning glare in the direction of two of his more troublesome pupils: Connie Springer and Sasha Braus. "Am I understood?" he watches as his classroom scrambles to snap their attention back to their strict teacher.

"Yes, professor," his students drawl out. Levi gives his classroom one last once over before giving them a satisfactory nod. "Good. Now, have a great weekend, the lot of you."

Small whoops and relaxed sighs are heard among the chatter of friends arranging outings, study groups and figuring out dinner plans. Levi smiles to himself shortly before he continues to watch them all leave, nodding goodbye to the kind freshmen that wish their professor a good weekend.

As the last of his students leave the lecture hall, Levi takes a seat behind his desk and starts grading the last four homework assignments he has. The time is 5:37 pm. By the time he finishes, the time is 6:56 pm. Taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose, Levi breathes out a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding. Bad habit. Levi gets up, pushes his chair back and stretches, twisting to the left and then the right - cracking his back.

Levi starts piling supplies into his worn pencil case, listing all the things he should have as he goes along: both pens, correction tape. His train of thought is rudely cut off by the sound of rapid knocking on his door. He's all too familiar with this routine.

"Hange. Leave. Me. Alone," he says in a stern and loud voice. Loud enough for the eccentric Dean of Science to hear. Ignoring him, she bursts in with arms wide, already attempting to get into Levi's good graces.

"Oh come onnn, Leviiiii!", she drawls out while smiling cheesily, an arm slung around him while she pokes incessantly at Levi's cheek, already making the man roll his eyes dramatically. He pushes Hange's hand away and begins to lead her out of the door.

"No, Hange," he refuses to hear her out.

"Jeez, I haven't even spoken yet!" she turns to face him, "21 Bounce Street. That's the bar we're headed to if, God forbid, you change your stubborn old mind." Her sarcasm was the thin rope that kept their friendship together. Mind, it was a rope that continued to wear.

Unfazed, Levi retorts, "Hilarious. But I have better things to do with my time." He checks his watch in a conspicuous gesture of irritation.

"Like what? Practise being sad and lonely?" Hange continues to taunt him. Levi decided silence is the best medicine for a case of Hange. Eventually, she sighs and swats him away. "Whatever, princess. We'll be there if you change your mind."

Levi walks down the halls and turns left to exit the building. The slightly open door to the Chancellor's office catches his eye, and he subconsciously slows down. What was he doing? Surely it would be absurd to knock? To disturb you and your work would be absurd, right? What did he even want anyway? Truly, nothing came to mind. You two barely talk, for goodness' sake! He doesn't even know why he's debating this right now. This is stupid. He should just walk away and get into his car. He has no reason to -

"Excuse me, Chancellor Y/L/N. May I come in?" Levi waits outside the door for your reply. What am I doing? "Yes, you may," your voice calls out from inside. Levi continues to stand outside for a short few seconds before he steps foot into your office. Clean, ebony desk. Folders stored away in numerous cabinets behind you. This was certainly your office.

"Ah, Professor Ackerman! I thought it was going to be you. I still struggle to recognise voices through that unnecessarily thick door," you attempt to joke, a polite smile spread on your face, yet all Levi can manage to give back is a curt nod, if that. He stares at you, a neutral expression on his face as he awaits your permission to continue speaking. You clear your throat and begin organising papers, throwing them into your drawer and ask, "Excuse me. Tell me, how may I be of assistance, Professor?" You look up from the papers in your hands to lock eyes with the stoic man before you.

"I, just - nothing. Sorry, your door was open a touch and I was curious to know whether or not you were in or simply forgetful. As per, of course," his eyes flit around the room before meeting yours. You can't tell if he's being snide or sincere.

"You forget yourself, Professor Ackerman," you scoff before continuing, "I didn't plan on staying too long, which is why I kept the door open. A reminder to leave, if you will," you hint at your desire for him to leave, jerking no reaction from the professor.

"The time is 7:31 pm, Chancellor," he comments.

"And?" you quirk your brow, amused at his arrogance.

"I heard your friends would be at the bar is all. Thought you'd be entertained by simple activities as such." You searched his face, but nothing. Not a single clue to what he was feeling.

"Professor, if there is nothing more I can answer for you, ..." you pointed your open palm towards the door.

"I asked if you will be at the bar, Chancellor."

"For your information, you didn't. You made some incoherent statements about my friends' plans and expected me to give a response. Why are you even here, Professor Ackerman?"

He stands dumbfounded, pondering the question as he stares at the frame on your desk: an old photograph of you and Hange, arms slung around one another, cracking up laughing. Of course, Levi knows this photograph. An exact copy sits in the living room of your eccentric friend's house, with all the other pictures she's gathered over the years. Finally breaking the silence, Levi speaks, "You ought to close your door, Chancellor. Somebody could steal that frame of yours," he adjusts the strap on his bag and takes out his car keys before he turns around to walk out of your creaked door.

A soft exhale exits your nose as you shake your head, "Goodnight, Professor. Do close the door on your way out. I wouldn't want to get ransacked, now, would I?" you comment sarcastically.

Out of the door, he turns to face the side of it. He swiftly wipes his finger along its edge, collecting dust. Much to your disbelief, he pulls out a white handkerchief and cleans a small patch. "Certainly, Chancellor," the click of your closing door echoes throughout the hall. You listen to the paced sound of his frustrated footsteps getting further and further away. He was gone for tonight.

[zahri-melitor]

For the writer ask, because I don't think I've ever picked your brain on this one: Morrison?

Oh this is an interesting one, in that now I have to actually admit to what Morrison runs I have read.

8. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne: This is the most impenetrable Morrisony nonsense. You read it and it immediately leaks out of your brain. I could say literally anything happened in this plot and 90% of the people who've actually read it would nod and say "I can't remember that exactly, but sounds legit".

7. Final Crisis: I swear I read this event through my eyes blurring and going "really, Morrison? REALLY?" Never going to forgive you for what you did to Mary Marvel, just for starters.

6. Batman Incorporated 2012: Morrison determined to finish their plot, by hook or by crook. Unnecessary, and a demonstration of Morrison's worst tendencies of ignoring what was going on in literally any other title.

5. Batman Incorporated 2010: Slightly better in that unlike the 2012 title this is actually focused on the concept of Batman Inc rather than a back door route to kill off Damian. Still don't like this concept. Should have left the Club of Heroes back in the 1960s where it originated.

4. Batman & Robin 2011 #1-16: Sigh. Look, this has an interesting concept, heavily let down in terms of plot and execution. If only Morrison actually cared about Dick as a character not a concept he's slotting into a dynamic. If only Morrison wrote better villains in this.

3. Batman #655-683: Okay. Look. I want to fist fight like HALF of this run, but also have a soft spot for Beryl Hutchinson that is overriding my good sense.

2. Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #6-10: What Batman Gothic has going for it is that it was written under proper editorial control, and that it's the sort of side story that has a lot of fun with the dark side of Batman while not being expected to be the main plot directing the Bat Books.

1. DC One Million: I can't believe this, but I actually do have a massive soft spot for DC One Million and prefer it over every other Morrison run I've read. It's nonsensical if you only run across it as tie-ins, but it works if you read it as an event (and follow a reading list from someone who's spent a lot of time thinking about how to arrange the tie-ins).

Honourable mentions: I simply haven't read any Animal Man or enough issues of JLA 1998 to fit them in here, but I am fully aware they would probably jump to the top 3 of this list if I sat down and read them, given how Morrison handles the JLA in DC One Million.

[calliopechild]

Your turn! >:D 3, 16, 25

Thank goodness I've been tracking my reading this year, or I'd be sunk, lol

3. What were your top five books of the year?

Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan *The introvert book for me. The author details her efforts to try new things to push herself out of the introvert comfort zone, from going on friend dates to stand-up comedy, the latter of which I am wildly impressed by and would never do even at gunpoint. The writing is hilarious, and it really nudged at me in an elbow-in-the-side kind of way to try and try some more spontaneous or intimidating things in my own life.

Atomic Habits by James Clear *One thing about me is that I love "life hacks," especially with habits because I am just...garbage at picking up good habits on my own. This is a neat look at how habits can help (or hurt) in your life, a bit on the psychology of how and why our brains encode things as habit or instinct, and how starting incredibly small on a habit you're trying to add can give you something to build on. For example, one of his suggestions is the two-minute version of any habit. So if you want to start working out regularly, the two-minute version of that is literally just putting on workout clothes. That's it, that's your daily habit. Then once that's become second nature, you put on the clothes and lay out your yoga mat, or walk down the sidewalk, and so on. Makes it seem very approachable and less of a "you should be embarrassed you can't handle just Doing The Whole Thing" attitude and more of a "you're training yourself to show up, and building from there."

Book Lovers by Emily Henry *I read this one mainly because my sister really enjoyed it and aggressively recommended it so she'd have someone to talk about it with. It's not one I would have picked on my own--because 1. it's a rom-com, and 2. it's in first person--but I seriously enjoyed it. Basic premise is that the main character is a literary agent who is well aware she is the Uptight Businesswoman who gets dumped for the Down-to-Earth Local Lady in every Hallmark movie (and in fact, the book literally opens that way). Her sister drags her along on a sibling bonding trip, with a checklist of basically every wholesome small-town activity, in hopes of giving her her own Hallmark movie experience, complete with whirlwind romance--which does happen, but not quite as you'd expect.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is how self-aware it is. It's not quite like staring into the camera on The Office, but the main character thinks in tropes and talks like an editor and there's this very well-done sly wink-nudge kind of undertone, not quite a fourth wall break but almost like the author is tapping on it throughout going 'we all know where this is going, right?' It's not overdone or heavy-handed, but it's kind of...I don't even know how to describe it. Matryoshka doll-ass story; a literary agent unable to stop seeing the tropes in her own life, in a book about rom-com tropes vs real life. It's a fun read, and one of the few books I've read lately that made me want to buy it, which I never do with books unless I know I'll reread them. (I also saw a hell of a lot of myself in the main character, in a very 'I came out here to have a good time and I'm feeling so attacked right now,' so that was a bit of a trip, lol.)

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith *This one has one of the most interesting premises I've come across in a while, which is that there is a library in Hell of all the manuscripts that writers have started and never finished (I know, I'm wondering how many books would be in there from me too, lol). But the character in one book escapes, and the librarian has to go to the real world to chase him down.

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree *Very entertaining D&D-esque novel. Found family vibes, some skullduggery, and building a new life through spite, friendship, and a bit of magic; it's a fun read.

16. What is the most over-hyped book you read this year?

I think it'd have to be The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, with the caveat that the only "hype" I had for it was the review blurbs I read on the back cover, lol. As an introvert and someone who does not like leaving my comfort zone/routine where I know exactly what to do/expect, I was hoping to enjoy this one like I did Sorry I'm Late, but I just didn't. I didn't vibe with the writing style at all, to the point that it probably should have been a DNF because now that I think about it, I can't remember any specific takeaways. Still going to try and apply the general concept this coming year of saying yes to more opportunities, but yeah, it wasn't quite the 'tour de force, etc etc' I was expecting from the reviews.

25. What reading goals do you have for next year?

Read more, lol. I know it's simple, but I've really fallen out of reading the past couple years thanks to various causes (depression nerfing my focus, work making me not want to brain at all in my free time) so I'm trying to get back to that. I read a total of 18* this year, so next year's goal is bare minimum of 20, ideally 24 for a nice two books a month. Oh, and to work through some of my bought-to-read-but-they're-still-unread stack, because I've hauled some of those through two moves and still haven't read them, and I'm getting annoyed with myself about it.

(*this number could still go up because I'm flying to my parents' for Christmas, so you know, airport reading time.)

[hellativity]

here's what I think. I just kinda binge watched Lockwood and Co and hopped into the fandom at that time. The first book came out when I was finishing high school and not looking for that level of novel (and not reading much). But like seeing the posts on tumblr and goodreads I can tell that for many people it hits the level of beloved that like harry potter & percy jackson reached for my generation. Maybe not the popularity (I assume not but I honestly have no idea) but Found Family Paranormal Teen novel has all the right stuff.

And netflix decided to pay to adapt it and find a really stellar cast and a really solid aesthetic. And then before it even had a chance to reach people like me - people who are into the genre and would love the show but weren't aware of the books - they canceled it...

idk man there are many more great injustices in the world and I'm not gonna campaign to save every single canceled show. But it just pisses me off how many properties streaming services buy and then throw away. Such a waste. I'm thinking of like warrior nun and shadow and bone. Stuff that has the fandom and has the potential to be a really enjoyable and successful 3-5 season show but because it was just a little too cult and hadn't quite found its footing (or bc they botched season 2 idk I won't name names) netflix is just like. nvm.

We could've had so much funnnn with the Lockwood and Co gang. I wanted to meet Holly!! I wanted to see Kipps in his silly little goggles!! I wanted at least 2 more seasons of awkward teen pining between Lucy and Lockwood!! Also the soundtrack was so banger. But noooo if a show does not instantly attain the commercial success of Stranger Things, we must move onto the next project immediately.

Anyway the fact that I am a grown adult and I randomly watched this show a year ago but I'm still interested in the books and wishing for more show should speak to the marketability of more seasons. Whatever.

Luckily I can yell into the void about media on this website. Thank god.

[redey3core]

Moe Headcanons

Because I am mentally ill for him and everyone should see my headcanons as well <3 If I remember any more I'll add them hehe

25 years old.

Vietnamese with Chinese ancestry; his grandma is half-Chinese.

Speaks Vietnamese, and tends to slip back into it when he's mad or upset.

Only opened his shop relatively recently (within the last 2 years).

Raised by his mum and grandma. He doesn't know who his dad is and doesn't really care to find out.

He's very friendly, but has awful social awareness. Most people are happy to chat with him in the store, but his actual friend group is very small.

Best friends with Liezel. He's also very good friends with Rollie.

Autistic, with a special interest in comic books. Alongside his social issues, he's also hypersensitive to noise & bright lights.

Tends to stim by pulling on his sleeves.

REALLY does not like Roy. They have a mutual dislike for each other, and only put up with one another for Joy's sake.

An excellent cook. He learnt to cook from his grandmother.

Has a pet Pomeranian named Mai (or Mai-Mai). She is his pride and joy.

Has very poor eyesight. His glasses prescription is like an inch thick.

Very orderly, to the point where he'll get stressed and anxious if things aren't in the exact perfect order.

Despite being a geek, he's horrible at video games. Either he gets distracted and never finishes a game, or he gets overwhelmed and has to stop.

Filled with the most weird and gruesome facts you can come across. Where does he find this information? Who knows.

Physically incapable of wearing shorts. He will melt down if he wears shorts. This man does not like summer.

The Dynamoe's no. 1 fanboy. He gets very offended if people say they don't take the Dynamoe seriously.

The Dynamoe

Began acting as the Dynamoe when he was 23.

His villain origin story is very anticlimactic- he saw Ninjoy on the TV once and he KNEW he had to become her archnemesis no matter what.

Robberies and vandalisms are his main crimes, but he is not a stranger to violent assault and arson.

Takes advantage of his identity to personally target people who have wronged him or Joy.

The only person who currently knows his identity is Roy, who found out through some weird shenanigans. Moe HATES this and hasn't done anything to him only because Joy refuses to believe Roy's word. The moment Joy believes her brother, it's over for Roy.

Wears contacts. He hates them.

Very playful. He relishes in being a comic supervillain, and thinks Ninjoy needs to loosen up and appreciate being a vigilante.

Really doesn't like Ninjoy. He thinks she's stuck up and narrow-minded when it comes to going after criminals.

A horrible fighter, but makes up for it with gadgets and tools.

His lair is under his apartment/store building.

[gwenllian-in-the-abbey]

I was tagged by @emilykaldwen! Thank you for this!

How many works do you have on AO3?

19 Works!

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

426,366

3. What fandoms do you write for?

asoiaf/fire & blood/HotD & Realm of the Elderlings (a book series by Robin Hobb)

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

All Kings Are Beautiful (HotD) (the winner by a huge margin); Inside a Chrysalis, Writhing (HotD); Sunlight and Air (ROTE); Unbound and Infinite (ROTE); Drown the Stage with Tears (ROTE)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes, I do! Interaction is one of the main reasons I take time out of my original projects to write fic and you only get as well as you give!

6. What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably My Lady Deserves Better, especially if you know what happens in Fool's Assassin (the first book in the final Realm of the Elderlings trilogy by Robin Hobb).

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

As of now? Sunlight and Air

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Only once, recently. Some people apparently can read a fic full of more conventional smut but draw the line when a dude gets pegged by women!

9. Do you write smut? If so what kind?

I can and have (see above), but usually the smut is not the main course.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Nope

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I don't think so

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not that I'm aware of!

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Our Fathers Clad in Red is written with @aifsaath and I also share custody of an AU with @alloysius-g

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

Regal Farseer x Gary Golden, Aegon II x Baela Targaryen,

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

A sequel to Sunlight and Air. I think my ROTE fics will be one-shots mostly from now on unless I'm working on the modern AU.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I've been told that I'm good at creating engaging characters and that my stories have a strong sense of interiority. My prose flows pretty well and I can turn a nice phrase. I also think that I'm pretty good at writing absurd and slightly satirical humor.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Some of my favorite writers have very lush descriptive language, and I've been trying to improve on that end because sometimes I feel like my characters are a bit too much in their own heads. In my original fiction my weakness is definitely meandering too much in my plotting.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I generally don't, instead I indicate in the narrative when characters are speaking another langauge.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Realm of the Elderlings

20. Favourite fic you’ve ever written?

Lay off that whiskey (and let that cocaine be), a ROTE modern AU crack fic. Look, this fic is incredibly niche and extremely ridiculous but if you like Robin Hobb's books you really should read it (and @alloysius-g's contributions to the verse) because it's hilarious and I'm quite proud of it. I also think that the fic I am co-writing with @aifsaath , Our Fathers Clad in Red, is quite good. Tagging: @whatevsbla, @tragediegh, @lairn, @theothermaidoftarth, @mellowthorn, @aifsaath

[leofrith]

[20 Question Fic Writer Tag]

Tagged by @aeide and @ainulindaelynn 💖 I did this one a few months ago but a few answers have changed since then so I'll update those. 😊

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Six now! Four one-shots, a short-ish multi-chapter which was supposed to be a one-shot that got away from me, and my longfic which at this point I should have just waited to post but am definitely still chipping away at.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

33,030 which is almost double my count from a few months ago. Woaaaaaaaaahhhh

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Still Assassin's Creed, now dipping into Baldur's Gate 3 as well.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Still the same five fics in the same order but with slightly different numbers:

Hideaway - 149

Bright Skies - 139

Press On, Move Along - 94

Out of the Cold - 43

Honor Bound - 29

5. Do you respond to comments?

Yes! Always.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Still Press On, Move Along.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Still Hideaway.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Still hate-free, for now.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Sure do 💀 and I've posted some of it since the last time I did this. I think the only way I can really describe it is emotionally-charged, because if I'm going to horny jail it will at the very least be in service of some kind of character development. 😭

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Still occasionally poke away at the AC x Star Wars AU, but I'm not super invested in it right now. But I'm sure that will change as soon as a new Star Wars thing comes out. Since I last did this I also went digging through the depths of my writing folder and found a Walking Dead x MCU crossover that I must have started when I was like 14 years old. Absolute fucking horror show that I am so very thankful I never wrote enough to post. 🤡

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Still no, as far as I'm aware.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, except for yelling back and forth about ideas with friends. I would probably be open to it but also maybe not because I know I am extremely unreliable.

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Saying "all-time" favourite feels a bit much, but as far as mental real estate and also just sheer number of words written, Leovor far surpasses any other ship I've been into. 🧍🏻‍♀️

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Since I did that ask game a few weeks ago, the Inquisitor Ahsoka/Rex starting a clone rebellion/post TCW AU has been on my mind. But I know that, realistically speaking, I'm unlikely to ever be invested enough to actually sit down and write it.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I'm trying to make a point to read more fiction and while it's possible that the few books I've read thus far lately just haven't been particularly good, it's certainly made me way more confident in my ability to write dialogue that feels like it would be spoken by real live humans and not aliens pretending to be humans. Similar deal with internal monologues. I'm convinced that none of these authors read their work aloud.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Still generally the same—overthinking comma usage, editing while I write and therefore being very slow, going back and forth between being stuck because I didn't plan enough and feeling stifled because I planned too much. Etc etc.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I try to avoid it as much as possible, with the exception being words or phrases that are used a lot in canon.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Still Marvel :(

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

Honor Bound is still my baby, but I didn't expect to actually like A Different Kind of Solace as much as I do, mostly because I didn't really go into writing it expecting to hit the emotional notes that it does. Also still Out of the Cold. There are some banger lines there.

Not tagging anyone because this one has gone around a few times recently but if you want to do it, you're welcome to pretend I tagged you. 😌

[realfernmayo]

10 Characters • 10 Fandoms • 10 Tags

Thank you so much for the tag @bellaxgiornata !!!!

These are in no particular order and I am about to absolutely GUSH about my little meow meows (some of them committed crimes so the fuck what) so, putting this under a cut.

1: Elektra Natchios

Alright, so I know most of the Daredevil fandom doesn't see eye to eye with me on this one, but HEAR ME OUT. Until I started reading the comics, I too thought she was just Matt's mean ex girlfriend that came to town to wreck shop, but she is so much more than that. She's an orphan. She's not seen as a human being, but a weapon. All she knows is to kill or be killed. She's a survivor, and she's incredibly self aware. One of my favorite arcs is when she becomes Daredevil in the Zdarsky run and she takes another orphan under her wing as a sort of apprentice, but the girl ends up running away, and Elektra thinks "maybe it's better this way because I'm poison". I didn't think I could cry at comic books, but Elektra just makes me feel all the feelings. Also, Elodie Yung is MY Elektra. I don't even recognize Jennifer Garner as Elektra.

2: Matt Murdock

My DARLING disaster Catholic lawyer vigilante. Oh, he's got a savior complex deeper than the Mariana Trench, but I just wanna cuddle him and stitch up his wounds and tell him it's gonna be okay.

3: Shiv Roy

SHIV DID NOTHING WRONG. She was never going to be given a seat at the table so she had to take it by force. She's just trying to play the game in the world her daddy created. Yeah she's a tough boss bitch on the outside, but she is deeply flawed and she feels just as deeply. I SOBBED at the scene when she reverted back to being a scared little girl when talking on the phone to her dying father. Give Sarah Snook all the Emmys.

4: Gwen Stacy

My blog handle isn't "theradioactivespidergwen" for nothing. Honestly, the Earth-65 Spider Gwen comics are my favorite. I love Gwen so much. She's a drummer, she's a superhero, she's a daddy's girl, she's deeply misunderstood, she's EVERYTHING. I could honestly talk about my dear "Gwenzelle" all day, but I shall refrain.

5: Kate Bishop

Y'all should have heard the SCREAM I scrumpt when I heard that they were bringing my girl Kate into the Hawkeye series! The Avengers' best annoying little sister. I hope to see more of her and I hope that she takes up the Hawkeye mantle from Clint in the MCU.

6: Amy Santiago

Yeah, ACAB and all that, but I have never been so seen in my life in a character. Just, the awkward nerdiness, the need to prove herself to the boys, and the absolute mega type A personality. I like to think I'm Rosa Diaz, but I'm actually Amy Santiago.

7: April Ludgate

"I only like dogs and sleeping late."

Same girl, SAME.

8: Tina Belcher

How can you not love Tina?! I will not hear any Tina slander, NONE.

9: Frank Castle

Another disaster vigilante. He's driven by revenge, but he's still got a soft side. He's a protector at heart, and he loves animals.

10: Lestat de Lioncourt

So, I fell in love with the 1994 movie adaptation, and I attempted to read the books at one point, but life happened. I recently finished the IWTV series on AMC, and Sam Reid's take is just SUPERB. I love that this version delved into the hurt he's endured over his long lifetime, and that there is a reason for his madness. There usually is, but this is nice to see.

No pressure tags and apologies if you have been tagged already: @acrossthesestars @withahappyrefrain @moongirldreamer @spiderispunk @virginiaisforvampires @chvoswxtch @castlesnchurches @peterman-spideyparker @magpie-to-the-morning

[daisydoctor13]

Thank you @pers-books for tagging me in this!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

23

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

181,794

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Holby city mostly, and then a few of other Jemma Regrave characters - I've written a Frankie fic, and a couple of Doctor Who ones with Kate Stewart

4. What are your top five fics by kudos?

The Wrong Side of Fifty Something Old, Something New What lasts forever can't be rushed Hey, Soul Sister Fragments of Eternity

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I did, but haven't in so long but I'm about to reply to them all now. I always thought if someone was taking the time to comment on my fic I should say thank you, but I've felt bad about not writing so haven't gone on to AO3 to comment in like 2 years. But I still get email notifications whenever someone comments and I read the comment and they make me smile

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I genuinely don't think I am capable of writing angsty endings hahaha. I've definitely written angsty fics but they've always ended with some sort of happy note or at least hopeful? I think there's a couple of very short fics in the Fragments of Eternity work that are a bit angtsy but no plot just each of the characters thoughts that aren't the happiest

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Right I'm very much discovering I don't have any memory of what I've written, I think of the ones I've finished the happiest at the end with like a proper conclusion is Wrong Side of Fifty

8. Do you get hate on fic?

I did once get a very long comment on fanfic.net about how completely unrealistic one of my fics was which at the time annoyed me because I'd put a lot of time into researching things but had to rely on a *BIT* of suspension of disbelief from the reader because i KNEW it wasn't completely right (and had said so in the notes, but I wanted to tell the story anyway). But otherwise no, but i think the berena fandom are just all so lovely and supportive and my fics don't particularly break containment and i don't think they're that controversial

9. Do you write smut?

Heavily hinted at smut. None of my fics are more than M rated, because it all starts to get a bit too...anatomical when I try to write more explicit stuff. I leave the smut writing to the experts and thoroughly enjoy reading it instead haha

10. Do you write crossovers?

I haven't really, but I've written a Berena AU set in another TV show (Hustle) where the characters are all from Holby but the setting and the plots are adapted from Hustle episodes (I still think about it a lot and have a few unposted chapters written and I REALLY want to finish it)

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Again, not that I'm aware of

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I haven't, although I have bounced ideas off people so it feels like they've written parts haha

14. What’s your all-time favourite ship?

Do I need to answer this one? Berena of course

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but probably won’t?

All of them haha. I don't have any works that I haven't posted anything at all, but I have a few unfininshed ones on AO3. Something Old Something New i know exactly where it would go and what happens but I know I just absolutely will not write it. Another Roll of the Dice has a few unposted chapters, and I might one day actually finish it for my own satisfaction even if noone reads it

16. What are your writing strengths?

I'd like to think that I can get characters voices in the dialogue. Also making the medical parts accurate :P

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I can be too wordy, and I can't write good poetic metaphors or similes. I'd like to be able to write those sorts of sentences that just punch people in the feels

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I have done it briefly and sort of explained in the prose rather than directly translating. I am not fluent enough to be confident writing in another language and got a little help from friends to make sure it sounded colloquial and was grammatically correct. I wouldn't do large amounts of dialogue though

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Berena, I'd been reading a lot before that though

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

This is so hard! I think Hey Soul Sister because it's a bit cringey but makes me laugh a lot to read it and I just love Dom stirring things

[dougiejack]

Talk Hockey To Me

(tag game). I was tagged by @ghostgeno and @stereax thanks besties ♥️♥️♥️

Tell me about:

1. The thing that got you hooked on hockey

Complicated? But also dumb? Okay so I come from a sports loving family and they made sports fandom so miserable that I swore off of it forever. But also I'm from New Jersey and I got unreasonably mad when they took the Nets to Brooklyn so I always said "Well if I was gonna like a sport it would be hockey for the Devils because NJ deserves ONE (1) nice thing that New York can't fucking take from us" (I have issues, yes).

AND THEN I read the first book of omgcheckplease when it was new but forgot to keep checking for updates lmao.

AND THEN in 2019 my former boss was like "TEAM BONDING I'm taking all the managers to a hockey game!" and we were like "Sir. It is a Wednesday and you, being our boss, are aware that we work at 6AM, why are you doing this to us?" but my friend was like "come! I love hockey! I'll explain the rules to you!" so I went and she did and I do not remember who we played but I had fun and was like "yeah I could get into this I guess."

AND THEN I forgot about it again lmao.

Then pandemic happened and I needed something to focus on so I was like "hey did that hockey comic ever finish?" and it DID so I re-read it/read it all the way for the first time and got real into THAT fandom, then Sid and Geno kept popping up in fics until I couldn't ignore them anymore AND the AVs were on their stanley cup run so I watched those games and over the summer made this blog and learned how hockey works. Last season was my first season as a dedicated hockey fan.

2. Your first ever fandom friend Uh...Rocky @timbitshockey if they count but we were friends in a couple other fandoms first. If that doesn't count then either @toffoliravioli or @stereax

3. The jersey you would most like to own I usually just buy the jerseys I want. I should not be allowed to have disposable income tbqh

4. YOUR player (you only get ONE so choose wisely) Douglas J Hamilton. He was the first player that caught my eye for reasons other than "no one can stop saying his name for three seconds" (noah fence to sid, geno, and jacky)

5. A pairing that deserves more fic ANY Devils pairing besides NicoJack. Like I get it they're weird around each other, you're not wrong, but also WHOMST did they spend their summers with? Not each other, that's for sure! WHOMST do they live with? Not each other, that's for sure! There are so many options with such great content and I am a rarepair shipper at my very core.

6. Your favourite on-ice moment

I genuinely can't decide between Ryan Strome realizes he has to fight Brady Tkachuk and Mo Seider won't fight Alex DeBrincat. I watch hockey for the comedy, idk what everyone else is here for.

THEN

Val wrote 1371 fic for me and everyone should read it!

AND

I also wrote 1371 fic and you could also read that!

tagging: @hischiersdraisaitl @hewasamoth @timbitshockey @austronauts

[queenharumiura]

Alias/name: Neo

Birthday: March 5th

Zodiac: Pisces, and a Monkey. I'm a SEA MONKEY!

Height: Between 5'2" and 5'3" the thing was broken at the doctor's so they told me I could choose between 5'2" and 5'2.5" and I ofc chose the 2.5" but then another doctor said 5"3" and so I'm left not exactly sure how tall I am.

Hobbies: I like to doodle from time to time. I like to sing, and I enjoy writing and reading manga/manhwa/manhua. Collecting art from artists I like by commissioning them. I also like origami!

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite Book: I don't really do favorites, but I feel like 'Anne of Green Gables' left an impression on me. I remember liking it a lot.

Last Song: LOLOL '2 Hour long piano music for studying, concentrating, and focusing' by Study Music Project. I trained myself back in highschool to focus to study music things so when I need to FOCUS and write, I turn on the playlist.

Recent Read: //stares at her long list of manga/manhwa/manhuas that she's following. As for novels, 'The King's Avatar' is the last thing I read. There is no official English publication as far as i'm aware, so I had to read the web version of the novel that was fan-translated.

Last movie/show: Oh... this is awkward... it's still 'The Legend of Hei' when I watched together with @dyingresolve (hey Tenka!) That was a while back. I uh... don't watch movies often and I don't watch many shows anymore. I just read things.

Inspiration: I let my brain just randomly go: 'Hey, what if???' My brain is always running around with thoughts and I can inspired by all sorts of things around me, so-- yeah.

Story behind url: Haru Miura is my Queen, my LIFE, my EVERYTHING. Therefore the world should know first off how important she is to me. Therefore, Queen (of my life) Haru Miura.

Fun Fact: I had a can of an energy drink this morning at 7:30am and it had like 160mg of caffeine or something and I was JAZZED. My hand kept twitching and everything. I am able to function fine with just 4 hours of sleep and without caffeine. I am fine with surviving a week with a single bottle of soda. That's the extent of my caffeine intake. I made mistake finishing off the can like I did. It was tasty-- and free (lol). Mistakes were made and I'm very regret. Hopefully I can sleep soon--

Took from : @whiskeysmulti

Tagging : I don't tag

[theriu]

wip ask game! 1 and 2

1. Do you have an outline for your WIP, or are you making it up as you go?

I am largely a pantser, although I do try and have an idea in my head of where things will go. Notes are important - even though I don’t usually go back theough my really detailed notes, writing out ideas and worldbuilding helps me cement them in my head (and talking them out to people is even more helpful!) But I do often sort of dive in and just start writing without a firm idea of who says what, and then I see where it goes.

This can be rather frustrating if I’m not really sure what IS going to happen in part of the story (glaring at you, Entire Middle Of Book 3), BUT it can also help me - I have found that if I am TOO aware of how a scene should go, or have to wait too long to reach a scene I want to write, my brain can become bored and impatient because some part of my psyche feels like if I know what’s happening then it should ALREADY BE WRITTEN, right?! So why do we have to do the WORK of writing it AGAIN? Or overthinking a scene can make me anxious I won’t do it justice. Can you tell my biggest struggle rn is procrastinating hard stuff.

Tl,dr: I am a majority pantser with a broad idea of how things will go and some notes to help me keep track of everything. I’m not saying it always works out for me (I have gotten stuck for AGES on parts because I don’t know how to progress), but that’s where I am right now.

2. Do you set mini-deadlines or goals for yourself along the way?

I HAVE found this can help! It’s how I finished Book 1, which at the time was Part 1 before Part 2 got so long that I finally broke down and made it into two books. But I finished Part 1’s original draft specifically because I had promised my cousin’s daughter who wanted to read the rest that I would have it for her by a certain date. So I have found that outside motivators like that can be really helpful!

When those are absent, though, I find that trying to hit a word count goal or just finish a scene/chapter can give me a goal to drive towards. Especially with big projects, it’s important to have milestones; I can definitely get overwhelmed with feeling like I have barely made any progress, especially for a multibook series!