#also it's easier to believe that they'd all hang out

[lotus-duckies]

i kind of like that a lot of the major contributing characters in the legend of nezha are kiddos , i think it really adds to the story

since a good chunk of said story focuses on how these children function independently of adults while still under the jurisdiction of the adults in their lives. it is supposed to be, in one part, Investiture of the Gods but from Nezha's perspective, in my opinion

They get distracted, they act selfishly and petty, they don't understand some of the things the adults tell them and come to their own conclusions, they're still dependent on others, they have a lot of Big Feelings and don't know what to do with them, adults don't listen to them and tell them what to do, and it's this childish nature they display that also charts their growth and simultaneously reminds us that they're just kids in a war that's much bigger than them.

[keeps-ache]

why's all the colorful stuff always in the kids' options oTL

[discofama]

I love how comfortable Adam and Lute are around each other.

I mean, look at this

So they're casually together during the extermination, much like how friends gravitate towards each other when in an event even if they're not talking or doing anything, just because it feels easier than being alone. Or perhaps Lute flew closer because she saw the huge war machine approaching Adam and got a little worried.

Charlie and Vaggie are going to attack them, and look at what they do:

Despite being Adam the one closer to Vaggie, he doesn't move an inch. They don't say anything (besides the shit talk) and Adam doesn't even look at her, he expects Lute will take care of Vaggie with no order from him, even if he's closer.

Obviously Adam is confident and doesn't think Vaggie can hurt him at all, but he clearly trusts Lute to get her out of the way. He probably knows how bloodthirsty Lute is for Vaggie and lets her have her without a word, and Lute complies, again, without a word, leaving him to handle the strongest of the enemies at that moment (Charlie).

So in this second, Adam and Lute communicated in silence. Adam didn't move and trusted her to cut in even if it was him the one under attack, and finally Lute trusted him to handle Charlie so she could fight Vaggie, as she didn't seem worried at all of the possibility of Charlie coming to protect her girlfriend.

They're in harmony. They're just natural together.

He lets her grab him like this and is willing to listen to her. It's clear he respects her and deep down appreciates that she'll keep him from doing something stupid, even if he whines.

She also climbs him? Lol. (Look at how she holds onto his arm 🥹 she's super comfortable with touching him!)

They're always hyping each other up, like in their songs:

(Look at Lute's smug face here 👇, she's sooo satisfied with what Adam's saying)

I honestly believe that they kinda make each other worse, that neither of them would be SO mean all the time if they didn't have the other: a companion who is always backing them up, who agrees on any crap that comes out of their mouth (Lute lets him talk shit about random women and nods, Adam goes along with Lute's homophobia despite seeming to not care that much about homosexuals).

Many portray Lute being a lot smarter than Adam, but I think they're both dumbasses. I mean, we laugh at Adam for saying he never made a mistake in his fucking life, but it was Lute who first stated angels don't make mistakes, somehow keeping a serious face. I think Lute seems smart because she's more quiet and cares about the rules, but she doesn't do logic very well either and can be impulsive too, as shown in the end of ep. 1.

They're probably each other's best/only friend, because they're just so unlikeable. And it makes sense they'd deeply care for one another. They care about that person that stands them and agrees with them and actually enjoys being with them. They're always seen together, hanging out even off duty. They clearly have a lot of fun.

I'll be honest. I ship GuitarSpear, I love it, but I don't know if I want it to be canon for 2 reasons:

1. Lute might be a lesbian.

She is so repulsed by homosexuals that it feels personal. Talking about how disgusting and blasphemous Charlie and Vaggie's love is, or how many cocks were in Angel's mouth and calling him a whore. She cares too much about it for it to not be personal, and I think it makes sense that she'd be a closet lesbian with a shit ton of internalized homophobia. She probably knew about Vaggie's sexuality and held a lot of resentment towards her before tearing off her wings. Maybe she was even attracted to her and was so repulsed about it that she redirected her self-hatred to Vaggie.

2. I think it could be better for Adam's character.

Let's just think about it. This character has a very distorted view of women, he has a fixation on them and hypersexualizes them. So the idea of this horny man, who always sees women with sex colored glasses, being good friends with a hot female below him in the hierarchy with no sexual or romantic interest whatsoever is nice to me. It'd work as sort of a redeeming quality in regards of his relationship with women, and I personally think this man is very redeemable. Let's hope he gets a second chance!

Still! All of this trust and comfort and team feelings can be read as romantic and I certainly wouldn't mind if it becomes canon! They could be the best villain couple!

Summarizing, these two are soulmates, end of the story. They're worse together, but also probably provide the other of a very needed company.

I have no clue if Adam will actually come back, but if he doesn't, I'll feel very bad for Lute. Yeah, yeah, she's an evil bitch, I don't care.

[hedwig123]

The counselors (plus Laura and Max) in a Saw trap (individually). Who would survive and who wouldn't?

OK I had to sit and think on this

(My knowledge of the Saw movies is pretty limited, but I know a few of the traps and the killer's basic premise behind setting them.)

Laura survives. She has to fix her own eye after it gets slashed by Maxwolf, with like... a roll of bandages and half a bottle of unspecified drugs. Nothing phases her (at least, not enough to stop her).

Ryan, I'm also gonna say guaranteed survival. He faces multiple Saw-trap-ish choices in game; cut off Dylan's hand, accept the bite of a werewolf or die, shoot your not-dad or die... sure, he can choose not to do all of those things (and die) but I believe in him.

Kaitlyn? Kaitlyn??? She's not just surviving the trap, she's killing Jigsaw, everyone else go home. Sure she doesn't come as close to Saw-trap-esque scenarios in game as the rest of the Final Four, but... Kaitlyn.

DYLAN? Mr. "Ryan cut Nick's leg off before the infection spreads"? Mr. "RYAN CUT MY HAND OFF CUT MY HAND OFF NOW"? He was born to survive a Saw trap, I am more confident in him than I am anyone.

Emma survives, thrives, and joins Kaitlyn in beating up Jigsaw... as long as she's got her brain turned on and realizes immediately that she's in a Saw trap. Otherwise, she might make one of those "Goodbye cruel world, the final curtain is calling," open a werewolf-hiding trapdoor in your underwear type mistakes. But if her brain's turned on she's a BEAST, JIGSAW IS SCREWED.

Jacob would... tryyyyyyyy? He would try so hard. If it was one of the easier, straightforward ones, like "cut off this body part if you want to live," he's got a decent chance. If it's one that requires more strategy, or luck... he would try so hard.

Abi and Nick I will answer together because I think they have very similar survival instincts. Left alone, they'll defend themselves, sure, and they'd probably both end up with the opposite outcome to Jacob- if it's one you have to think out, not one that just demands "cut off your arm!" then they'd both be fine. The luck-based ones... they'd also have trouble with those.

Max, uh. Max is smart. He's very smart. And athletic! He does push-ups in his cell! I love Max. We all love Max. But, um. Based on. Based on, you know, luck, and stuff- sorry, while I was typing this part a blonde pirate started pointing a gun at me, hang on-

[miokki]

# CHOCOLATES

✰ synopsis: valentine’s day with your secret high school sweetheart

✰ character(s): scaramouche x gn!reader, tartaglia

✰ content warnings: nothing

✰ note: happy late valantine’s day! (i forgot to post it yesterday) also if it seems a little rushed it is bc it is. school!au btw.

if there was anything scaramouche hated more than sweet things, it was the day that seem to be filled with them. valentine’s day always repeats itself for the boy, at least since he started high school that is.

this year appeared to be no different, he could already see the first waiting for him at his locker with a box of chocolates. in past years, scaramouche would’ve tried to refuse gifts but after weighing up his options, he’s found that it’s easier to just accept people's gifts rather than outright refuse. the tactic has been working well as he now has fewer problems and the people appear to be okay after the initial rejection.

even after three valentine's days of countless confessions and an overload of flower petals he still has no clue what to do with all the chocolates. he’s figured out what to do with all the teddy bears and he just keeps flowers at home. yet there’s nothing that comes to mind when he needs to get rid of the leftover chocolate his mother won’t even eat. and as much as he hates chocolate or any kind of sweets for that matter, he hates to see food go to waste.

as of right now, scaramouche is eating by himself while working on something in his homeroom. it’s one of the only places he can find escapism at this moment in time due to his popularity amongst the girls. scara doesn’t get it. he doesn’t get why most of the girls at the high fawn over him, he isn’t anything out of the norm. but what do they know? all they see is some boy that always trails behind that group at school. coincidentally, childe doesn’t get it either, he is just as aloof as any other of the loners at this school. the only difference is that he's conventionally attractive.

“how many do you have so far?” childe asks as he barges into the room

scara lifts his gaze to see the redhead gleaming at him from across the room while walking up to his desk.

“23 girls and one boy,” the boy answered as he looked childe up and down.

“a boy too? damn, i'm jealous, i've only managed four and not a single boy in sight,” the tall one whined as he leaned himself against the desk beside scaramouche’s.

“i can see why there hasn't. you act more interested in mr zhongli than any of your classwork.”

“don't start getting cocky with me. i am the sole reason you can eat in peace.”

scaramouche chuckles, “so what did you end up doing?”

childe watches as scara takes another bite into his sandwich before relaxing back into his chair. he hasn’t been in this good of a mood since his mother came back from her trip with her girlfriend. even before, scara has never been this friendly towards him, not that he minds it of course. he's enjoying the conversation they're sharing. childe just wishes that he could see this side of him more often.

“ah. i didn't do much, i just told your fangirls that you were hanging around the fountain on the south side of the school. i have no idea why you'd hang there but they believed it.”

scara sighs, “i told you before, they're not my fangirls,” the dark-blue-haired boy glared.

“but it's true!” the tall boy exclaimed.

“they squeal when you walk past and when i told them you were near the fountain they fucking ran. i swear if you started selling posters of your face they'd sell them out in an instant. it’s like you’re whole of one direction to them. i wouldn't blame (name) if they ever got jealous.”

despite the last sentence being mumbled, scaramouche heard just enough to freeze. he’s sure he didn’t slip up, well not in any area he is aware of. perhaps you told childe, but you rarely even talk to scara himself during the school day so that isn't an option.

“what? you look like you've seen a ghost. you aren't that hard to figure out scara. your eyes drag when they're close by, you never give anyone that time of day,” the redhead explains.

“anyway,” childe sighs as he gets up from the desk, “hey you wouldn't mind if I take a few boxes from your stash, i wanna give something to tonia, teucer and anthon.”

“all yours.”

“thanks, buddy,” the orange-headed boy smiled as he ruffled scaramouche’s hair.

scaramouche waved him off as he exited the room, which left him in this lone classroom. the boy sighed as he started to settle back down into what he was originally doing. picking back up his pen to start writing until he was interrupted once again.

knock, knock.

looking over for the second time to see you poking your head through the doorway. “childe told me you here by the way.” you beam as you let yourself in. it makes his heart flutter; your smile. it’s sweet, the genuine kind, as opposed to chocolate which needs sugar to mask its bitterness. to him you’re like dark chocolate. the kind that isn’t overly sweet. and though still bitter, that's the part he enjoys most.

“do you want some?” scara offered as he waved the assorted box of chocolates in front of you. “i got them on the way here,” the boy clarified just in case. “sure,” you shortly responded before snatching the box from his grasp. “so you told childe?” you asked as you started to tear the plastic wrapping around the box. “i didn't tell him anything,” he begins as you inspect the packaging of the chocolate. turning over the box you notice the price sticker is still on.

“wait, 10,000 mora?” the boy pauses his explanation to look at you, “kuni, your fangirls are treating you so well. you should go thank them,” you teased as you placed one of them in your mouth. “mmh, I will say, they’re are worth at least half of all that mora, the texture is lovely.”

the upturned corners of scara’s lips are now apparent as he watches you devour most of the chocolate. he’s glad you enjoyed them otherwise he wouldn’t know who else to turn to. in all honesty, scaramouche feels strange, this year valentines aren’t like all those years before. he still is bombarded with tens and tens of gifts however he has someone to go to after school rather than home alone this year. and though he is at peace, he still has one more thing on his mind.

“do my uh— fan.. girls bother you?” the boy blurts out.

you almost spit out your chocolates yet you end up choking on them instead. after calming down you decide to speak, “is that what's been on your mind the entire time? don't tell me. did childe say something that made you think that?”

“n-no.”

quickly, you get up from your seat to wrap your arms around your boyfriend's slim figure, “aw my poor baby, there's no need to worry.” you pout, your body hanging over his shoulders.

“i wasn't worried,” scara denies.

“aww, my prince was worried. there's no nothing to be ashamed of, i'll have you know i have my own set of fangirls, so if you were to be worried i’d hope it would be that instead.” scara only shakes his head in shame before taking the last chocolate from the box. notably faster than you did. “I thought you said you didn't like sweet things.” you questioned, raising him a brow as you waited for a response.

“i don't but this one's dark chocolate.”

do not copy of repost any of my works

@ miokki 2023

[crushedsweets]

WWHAT WUD THE CREEPS DO 4 HALLOWEEN I MUST KNOW

anon... yes i like this. general disclaimer this is tailored to my au !! stuff under cut

toby likes it, thinks its fun and stuff. he's not the type to dress up beyond like, maybe a jacket and a mask or whatever, but he'll go and buy(steal) stupid ass halloween decorations from spirit or the dollar store. there r several mini skeletons sitting around his cabin. he treats it like elf on the shelf, but. . . skeletons... def will sit around and watch scary movies with a bag of halloween candy . totally carves pumpkins with whoever will do it with him

tim wouldnt really want to do much cuz he's just tired, but he probably would put out a small little pumpkin and bowl of candy outside his door. he's in an apartment so he doesnt really get trick or treaters. will prob buy some candy after halloween so its on sale

brians so annoying omfg(lovingly) he'd buy a fake arm, blood, and wig and stick it in his trunk so it looks like an arm is sticking out. yall know what im talking about. him and tim share an apartment so he'd prob try to actually put something simple around it, like some plastic pumpkins, but nothing really big. he is also a grown man with no kids, so he doesnt find himself going all out for these things

natalie. ok i recently made it where she's either already a tattoo artist, or learning to be a tattoo artist or whatever, but i could see her and some coworkers setting up the shop all halloweeny. she's so fucking tall that they'd just call her over for all the spider web stuff. she thinks its fun and she likes halloween a lot so it's cool. she'd get a huge kick out of doing halloween tattoos during october too. goes and hangs out with toby/nina for it

nina goes to parties . she HAS to get a whole new costume for every party. its super wasteful but she doesnt care all that matters is shes sexy. every year without fail she is a sexy gothic vampire for one of the parties. she works at hot topic, BUT she'd absofuckinglutely get a second job at spirit halloween for october. she's a creepy galll... def sets her apartment up super cutely, brings toby and nat over so they can carve pumpkins with her, tries to dress them up, etc. tons of halloween posts on her social medias too LOL shes so cute

jeff would prob also go to more like... weirder ( ?) parties with creeps and scary people roaming around just doing crazy shit. warehouse shit. prob finds someone to bring home and kill. he thinks its fun, its easier to just go about his days looking the way he does, he loves scaring the fucking shit out of people. doesnt decorate or wear costumes though, says its cringe LMFAO. hates how hyped nina is about it

jane and mary would totally decorate, but in a much more.. ? elegant ? way. like those tall skinny candles, swap out their doormat for something halloween themed, really nicely done pumpkins for some reason. jane would want to host a cute little halloween dinner for uni friends. probably just gets simple costumes, like she'd put on a witch hat and black dress and thats all, but its cute. takes sally (and ben, if sally asks him to come) trick or treating.

sally draws tons of drawings, loves disney halloween marathons, paints on pumpkins(doesnt like the smell of gutting them), etc. she'd decorate with jane cuz she lives w her. she loves it so much but she still gets scared of the animatronic things at stores and stuff LOL. begs ben to trick or treat w her. really embarrassing for ben

ben wouldnt do much besides like. he'd get worse w his internet trolling (scaring the fucking shit out of teens on the internet), start doing more actual hauntings bc nobody will believe his victims during october which means slender wont find out he's doing it. he would not want to go trick or treating..but he'd go with sally with a pillow case and he'd try to awkwardly stand further back but the ppl at the door would always b like 'aw dont be shy come here!' LOL

jack doesnt celebrate it, his family didnt really celebrate it much when he was human so he doesnt do it now. he does get kinda sad during holiday season though, cuz of obvious reasons, but halloween isnt the strongest Pain for him

liu is so fucking miserable theres no way. jk he'd set out like, some pumpkins and maybe get one of those lights that project ghosts onto his garage, but he wouldnt want to go all out or do anything to the inside of his house. jeff really liked halloween when he was younger so its kinda like ouch but he's getting overit. i guess. . .

kate doesnt..celebrate anything........ but when she does occasionally visit the cabin, maybe for food or a shower, and she sees toby decorated, she'd be happy to see it. she's kinda unsettling to be around, but she'd sit down and watch a movie with him in silence. then bring a massive bag of candy to the mine w her w/o telling toby. he just had to cope

ann and lulu dont do anything in the hospital. they dont really have any concept of time........... or the resources to decorate... and they dont get any trick or treaters... cuz theyre...stuck in an abandoned hospital in the woods . . . yeah..

ty for ask anoni like this one. very simple but very sweet

[da3dm]

I Can Hear You

Got late night thoughts about how my cats always bother me at night and wondered what a good version of that with Irzayn would be...enjoy!

tw: language (Irza is verrrry unhappy)

Then again, when is he ever happy anyways? Also, Vara's sister makes an appearance for the first time!

Word Count: 1022 (so short lol)

ONESHOT

It was the middle of the night. Two borrowers darted away from a hole they'd hidden behind the typically unused toaster. They were silent as they rushed across the smooth marble countertop and began on their mission--food. The human would be asleep at this time, giving them the perfect opportunity to snatch what they need and be out of there. Well…that would be a lot easier if they were quiet. It didn't take long for the one to dash away from the other, recklessly going in one of the cupboards. Of course, this made the other one upset. “Eva! Get back down here!” He was whisper-yelling at his sister.

And she proceeded to ignore him. She wormed her way through it all, aiming for the sugary sweets that had been newly bought by the human today. “Chill, I'm just gonna take a little bit! You overreact too much.” She tended to push the boundaries of safety fairly often…this also meant her brother had once needed to drag her away from a rat. For some reason she was intent on riding it. This made her brother fully believe she lacked any desire for even the most basic of survival. This was also aggravating.

He shot her a glare with no hesitation. “You do this every night! You're going to wake the human!” She wasn't even trying to hide her voice tonight. He growled in frustration and got his hook out, unable to simply scale items to reach the cupboard like his younger sister.

It was while he was attempting to throw the hook that she reappeared, sidestepping his hook and staring at him. “What’re you worried about? That moody guy has never once noticed us, or maybe he just doesn't care.” She kicked the hook off when he managed to get it latched, sticking her tongue out at him. “And like hell I'm letting you reach me before I finish.” Her smirk taunted him as she vanished back into the cupboard.

He was beyond done with this girl as his hook clattered back down beside him. “Get down. That is enough, get down!” He took a few steps back and looked for a better place to throw his hook, only for a warning shout to echo down to him. Just barely, he managed to scramble away before a package slammed onto the counter, right where he'd just been standing. His heart leapt out of his chest and his eyes shot right up to his sister.

She was peeking down at him, then innocently raised her hands in a shrug while avoiding his eyes. “Oops?”

He shot to his feet. “What are you doing?! Why would you drop the entire package?! We can't get it back up there! You've gone too far this time, get down here!” His glare burned into her while she attempted to scale back down, hanging her head once she was on the counter. She didn't say a word, but did start to rub her arm. He sighed at her and stepped closer to her, raising a hand to set it on her head. “You know better. Leave everything how it is and he might think it just fell out. Let’s go, Eva.” Except when he turned, a chill shot through his body. The human was standing  there as simply a dark, heavy shadow, its sinister eyes gleaming from the lowlight of the darkened kitchen.

0_0

It was the middle of the night. So why did he keep hearing voices?? He just wanted to sleep! Every night, it was like clockwork. He'd go to his room for the night, and hardly ten minutes later, these two annoying voices argued in his house. At first he felt he was imagining it all. It didn't really make sense otherwise, how would there be two people in his home every night with no sign of forced entry? Also, they always spoke with a forced tone, as if they were trying to be quiet but shouting. What shout would be so quiet? So it wasn't like he had any real reason to suspect the voices. He was probably just going insane, which made sense.

Until tonight. A loud bang startled him to be sitting upright and he immediately got out of bed. Alright, enough of this. His mind falling apart can't make things fall over in the other room. His patience only went so far. Therefore, he got to his feet, keeping his steps quiet as he made his way to the door. He stopped to listen. More shouting. “What…why would…get…here!” He muttered under his breath before he finally stepped out and stalk over to the kitchen, stopping in the entrance to scan the room.

Right there. He stared silently at the apparent tiny people on his counter, standing next to his cookies. His expression hardened into a glare…right as they turned to see him standing there. Using their sudden attention, he scowled and began to speak with a forced tone, “I can hear you…EVERY DAMN NIGHT! WOULD YOU JUST GO TO SLEEP AND LEAVE ME ALONE?! I AM BURNING THIS HOUSE DOWN THE NEXT TIME I FALL ASLEEP IN CLASS FROM YOUR IDIOCY!” He truthfully didn't care if he was too loud or too aggressive…he was already tormented enough while awake, he didn't need to get gum in his hair again.

He stomped closer, ignoring how they both cowered away from him even as the shorter one hid the other. Reaching past them, he grabbed the package and waved it in the air at them. “And of all things to take, this? If you're going to steal food, why not get creative and take some of the steaks in the fridge if you can move something like this. Oh yeah, and, leave my cookies alone.” His voice dropped to a growl before he turned away and took the package with him, grumbling, “Why the new strawberry ones, take the chocolate ones, or even the sugar ones, why the expensive strawberry…keeping me awake all night…” He slammed the door shut behind him, hid his cookies, and went to sleep in his now silent house.

The end

--

Taglist: @brick-a-doodle-do @i-am-beckyu @awkwardgtace @nobodywritingao3 @local-squishmallow @safety-writes-noms @justarandomsloth @kayla-crazy-stuffs @munchkin1156

If you want to be on the taglist, you gotta ask

P.S. He didn't even care they were small or in his house, he just cared they were taking his strawberry cookies and keeping him up lol

[fbfh]

I have no idea if you do cross overs but I am on my knees begging for Tedros x Demigod reader of Aphrodite (the reader just has a natural glow to them they just love being pretty but they also love beating anyone who thinks their weak just because their an Aphrodite kid like they get super competitive essentially when hanging around their siblings and their also a really good fighter and super good with their powers and weapons)

If this is to much I understand but I just think the Aphrodite cabin was so underestimated of the power they hold

List. First of all I love you for this anon. Second you are so so right. The thing with Tedros is that as cliche or pick me as it sounds, he's sick of girls scheming to get his attention then acting like they won some prize. He's sick of people looking at him as nothing more than his looks and title, and after what he watched his father go through, he's even more wary of anyone hypnotically beautiful, especially someone as hypnotically beautiful as you. I am a firm believer that if you treat Tedros like a person and don't hide your personality from him for the sake of conforming yourself to what you think he wants you to be, he'll fall hard for you. If you like sword fighting he'll propose to you within the month, and if you're good at sword fighting he won't be able to wait longer than a week. This is barely hyperbole. You love being at the school for good, you love the groom room and the classes and the books (especially with the spell professor Sader taught you to help you read easier if you're dyslexic) but after a while you wanted something else. It wasn't until you saw the ever boys fighting during a break that it hit you how much you missed sword fighting. Borrowing Tristan's training sword, you challenge Tedros to a fight.

"You want to sword fight me?" He clarifies with a smile. He should be wary of you, of how blindingly beautiful you are. All you would have to do is wink at someone and they'd stop the world turning for you. But he's never seen you do anything sneaky, never seen you whisper with your friends and size him up like a buck you're hunting. He's never seen you do anything less than sincere. Genuine. It puts his mind at ease, and he can't fight how intrigued he is by you as you test the weight and balance of your sword.

"Unless you're scared to lose..." a few boys drop their swords, more flustered and enamored with you than they've been with anyone. Tedros smiles and lets out a soft chuckle before striking, one you easily block. You continue until you're in a full blown sword fight, jumping onto rocks and dodging behind trees, eventually ending with you straddling Tedros in your poofy skirts, glittering pink in the sunshine, your sword at his throat.

"I win." You say playfully. You changed his brain chemistry that day, and for the first time in a very, very long time, he's found someone he not only wants to pursue, but can't stay away from.

[that-tall-queer-bassist]

Empires s2 characters and what horse they'd have

Hi. Brainrot about empires and a longstanding fixation on horses led to this. Enjoy <3

(it's a long post btw)

Let's start with the obvious. Sheriff Jimmy Solidarity.

Now obviously he has Bullseye and Arrow, however! I would like to debate their breeds for a bit. I think that while Bullseye has a pattern similar to that of a snowflake leopard appaloosa, I believe he's a full Quarter Horse (normally known as an American Quarter Horse) Fast, turns on a dime, and have a good head on their shoulders. Often used on ranches and such because they're good all rounders while being sturdy and dependable.

(Below has correct coloring)

(Below has correct breed/conformation)

Arrow would be a Quarter Horse/Arabian Cross, for the speed and coordination of the Quarter, and the endurance and heat tolerance of the Arabian.

Now lets talk about the other person with a horse like companion. Princess Katherine.

She has a Unicorn (half skeleton horse??), that is all white. I think she would have a cremello Saddlebred. They're a gaited breed (fancy walk, showy gait) and very flashy. Cremello is a hard color to get, therefore about as valuable as a unicorn /j

Princess Gem

I love Apollo as much as anyone, however if he were a horse, he would absolutely be a Belgian Draft (specifically a bay). They are big, strong, and were first horses of war (factcheck) then adapted to plow horses. With Dawn's canonical beginnings, I believe a draft would have been a great help in the fields.

Great Witch Shelby

She lives in the swamp, which is not great for horses. However, a pony could fit through the many hanging vines and manuever easier through narrow pathways. I think she would have a Kerry Bog Pony. They're surefooted, hardy, and sound ponies that have a long rich history, but the most important part is that they're used to navigating softer ground because of their origins/home of Kerry (Ireland)

Joel, God of Lore

Show off, big, strong, bull headed. Normally, I would never let someone who's (supposedly) 11 feet tall ride any horse, because the weight would be harmful to them. However, I would assign him a Clydesdale. Flashy, easy to remember, and definitely the kind of horse you would get attention for. They're also usually patient enough to put up with any inconsistencies or surprises from their riders.

Fwhip

Shetland Pony. Small, used to pull carts in mines, and feisty as all get out. No further explanation needed XD

Pixlriffs

I would assign him a mule, as stereotypical as it is. Theyre a very dependable creature, used for packing and riding, and are very sure footed even on mountainous terrain. Overall steady, even if they are stubborn.

Mayor Lizzie

Halflingers are ponies only by breed, not by size (14 hands or under is considered a pony, however there are certain exceptions). They're all palominos, and all sturdy and stout. They have a variety of personalities, but are usually a favored mount by shorter riders. I think theyre overall steadiness and stubbornness would be good to balance out any uh. feline traits from Lizzie, but they would still match her in fierceness.

Scott

Now he would have a blanket Appaloosa. Hands down. Do I need to explain? (specifically a chestnut blanket appaloosa <3)

Oli

He would have an old, run of the mill, done with life, tolerant to the point of apathy, POA (Pony of America. ...its a mutt horse that is short.) Probably one that Fwhip sold to him for an extended debt. I think it would probably be a Chestnut, with a supressed sass to it.

False

She's so nervous all the time, I think I would give her a retired ranch horse (thus, likely a quarter horse) that could take care of her and lead her back home from wherever they were. It would have seen everything, and probably been used for hunting at least once, therefore any (totally random) blood would be no problem! /hj I think she would probably have an unassuming bay, with a lighter brown coloration to it's body.

Pirate Joe

Seahorse /j.

In all seriousness, I think I would give him a Paint Chincoteague (shink-o-teeg) Pony. They cross the ocean every year for the round up, and I can absolutely picture Pirate Joe finding a pony on an island and claiming it was the treasure he was meant to find (sea pony!! never been seen before! /j). They can eat seaweed, and iirc they frequently do. Firecrackers they are. Fiesty things with a good heart.

Sausage

I think he would have a Grey Andalusian (grey as in the specific horse color, not the actual color grey). The Andalusian is an elegant horse that was originally a war horse, but has since evolved into a beloved riding horse. They're all rounders, and very majestic looking. Tall, strong, and beautiful, I think that they would be a good fit for the story that Mythical J. Sausage has going on in season 2.

And that's all of them! Of course, giving them all horses would be unreasonable given current story lines, but I thought that it was fun, and a very enjoyable project ^-^

[drarrily-we-row-along]

I got SUPER sick right after school ended for break and then there was the usual family drama at holidays so I didn't get to posting any of the little Christmas ficlets I'd been working on.

Draco loved being a dad.

Truly. There were few things that he got more fulfillment and joy out of than being a father to a wild, rambunctious, precocious, sweet little almost three year old. He worked hard at being a good father, at not making the same mistakes his own father had; he worked hard regulating his own emotions so he could help his child.

But there was always more to be done and Draco felt like he could never quite keep up with work and Scorpius at the same time, and then when he threw in dating Harry Potter seven months ago, well. Things had gotten busier, but also somehow easier.

In his teen years, he'd often mocked Harry by calling him Saint Potter, but honestly, his gentleness and selflessness was working out pretty well for Draco and Scorpius.

So well, in fact, that Draco sometimes felt a little guilty for all of the ways that Harry spoiled them. He was always doting on Scorpius and hanging on his every word like he was always the most important person in the room. As for Draco, he helped with all sorts of mundane tasks (dishes, tidying, cleaning up), he was always a second adult when Draco needed a hand with his child, he was always gentle and encouraging. The way he loved Draco was unthinkable, honestly, and he wouldn't believe it if he didn't experience the constancy of his love every single day.

Draco decided that Harry deserved a perfect, quiet evening. They deserved a perfect, quiet evening. Everything was so busy in December, and Scorpius had been sick for pretty much the entirety of the month one thing after another, that they'd hardly had any alone time together.

Pansy was watching Scorpius over night, which pretty much guaranteed that he would come home in a sugar coma, cranky from having too much fun and too little sleep, but it was a price Draco was happy to pay for one night of quiet time.

She'd picked Scorpius up at 4:00 and Draco had spent the last two hours cleaning his house and making dinner. Well, he'd spent the last two hours attempting those things.

It wasn't going well.

His son's toys seemed to multiply every step that he took, the list of rooms and spaces in need of cleaning only seemed to grow as he cleaned and found more and more neglected corners, he ended up burning the meat and overcooking the pasta, and the cheesecake that he'd made hadn't really come together; it was still just a runny mess inside the spring-form pan.

The entire kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off and Draco had food and mess all over him when the doorbell rang.

Glancing at the clock, he took a shuddering breath and headed to the door, vanishing everything with one flick of his wrist in spite of the way it made his heart twist uncomfortably in his chest.

When he opened the door, Harry grinned brightly at him, holding out a lovely winter bouquet, "Hey, love," he said warmly.

And Draco couldn't breathe quite properly, his chest a little too tight, as his eyes stung. It wasn't fair that Harry was always so charmingly perfect and he was such a fucking mess.

"Hey," Harry whispered, moving into the house and taking Draco in his arms.

He inhaled the cold, crisp scent of the snow off Harry's coat; and the warm cinnamon, spice, spruce scent of Harry's body wash and cologne beneath. "Sorry," he said softly. "Everything's still a mess, and I completely ruined dinner, and I'm probably covering your coat in food, and-"

"Hey," Harry said again, pressing him back so that he was caging him against the wall, "Can I kiss you for a minute?" he asked, looking in his eyes, desire and love plain as day.

Draco nodded and Harry leaned in and kissed him, slow and tender and gentle. His toes curled against the carpet and he pressed up into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck and letting the rest of the world fall away for a minute.

"I love you," Harry murmured into his mouth. "You don't have to do anything to make me love you."

"I know," he groaned, stomping his foot because he'd done it one day with Scorpius to let out some frustration and it did actually make him feel better.

Harry grinned and kissed his cheek.

"I just wanted to give you nice things."

His smile turned a little sharper as his hands strayed down Draco's back, "You're a very nice thing," he said, nipping Draco's chin. "Give me you and I'll take great care of you."

He laughed, he couldn't help it, it was such a terrible line (even though it was true). Harry smiled at him like that had been the point all along. "Take of your coat, come inside. Let me try dinner again," he sighed.

"Or," Harry said as he took a step back and stripped out of his coat, "I could just order us dinner and you could change into comfy clothes."

He looked down at his outfit, he'd picked the trousers because the accentuated his arse, and the blue button up because it complimented his skin, and the waistcoat because it made his waist look narrow and his shoulder look broad. Draco had imagined that Harry was going to like this outfit. And sure it did have several spills on it at this point, but it was nothing that a couple of quick cleaning charms wouldn't take care of.

"You look very handsome," Harry said, as if he was reading Draco's mind. He caught Draco's hand in his, "so handsome," he repeated. "I just thought maybe you'd like to be more comfortable? I don't want you to feel like you have to dress up for me, or clean for me, or cook for me," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just thinking it would be nice to just relax with you."

Draco nodded, feeling disappointed and like he very much wasn't enough. "I'll go change," he said, not quite able to meet Harry's eyes.

"Draco-"

"It's fine," he said quickly, "I'll be right back."

"Draco-"

He shook his head, "I need a minute," he said because it was the truth. "It's not you," he added quickly, still fleeing toward the bedroom, "I just need a minute to process. I'll be fine," he assured as he closed his bedroom door.

He sat on the bed for a minute just breathing in and out. Harry didn't think he was failing, Harry didn't think that Draco didn't love him because he made a mess; he slowly reminded himself of the things Harry had said and stopped the cycle of degrading things his 'mean voice' was saying to him.

It would be nice to spend time together, Draco didn't actually want to try making dinner again, and he would rather be wearing sweatpants and a Christmas jumper like Harry had been. Taking another slow breath and pushing aside all of the pressure to be perfect, Draco changed out of his dirty clothes and into his comfy ones before meeting Harry in the living room.

Harry looked up from where he was perched on the edge of the sofa, scrolling through food options. "Hey, baby," he said, standing as soon as he saw him and wrapping him in his arms again, "I'm sorry," he said softly. "Thank you for working hard to do all of these nice things for me and to make the evening special. I didn't mean to trivialize your efforts," he added.

Draco sighed and leaned into his hug, "It just feels like you are so much better at loving me than I am at loving you. You're always doing nice things for me and taking care of us, and-"

"But Acts of Service is your love language," Harry said. "Well, Words of Affirmation a little too," he added with a little shrug.

He frowned, "So you just do things to help me because it's my love language?"

He nodded, "In part, because it's your love language and the easiest way for me to tell you that I love you in a way that's easiest for you to receive. It's also because I love you and I love Scorp, and I am genuinely happy to help you. I'm happy to make things a little easier."

"What's your love language?"

Harry laughed and rubbed his hands over Draco's back, "Physical touch," he said softly. "Followed closely by quality time."

"So," Draco said, "A night cuddling on the couch, eating a take away pizza, is just as satisfying as coming into a space that's been tidied for you with a meal that was made for you?"

"I mean, I appreciate the effort," he replied, "but honestly, I would have been just as content to snuggle on the sofa and eat pizza straight out of the box." He pressed a kiss to Draco's forehead, "Especially if it could have saved you the frustration of this afternoon. I never want to be something that adds more to your already too full plate."

"You're allowed to have needs, too," he protested, and perhaps this was more the heart of the problem for Draco than anything else.

Harry blinked at him, "I have needs," he said.

"Well, I'm not sure who's meeting them because I am clearly failing spectacularly at everything!" he threw his arms up in the air and pulled away from Harry, "I'm stressed and exhausted, and you're always having to help me and support me and-" he shook his head, "What are you even getting out of this relationship?"

"What?" he asked incredulously.

"Because, I swear to Merlin, Harry, if this is just your martyr complex, or-"

"Shut up," he said, voice sharper than it had been with Draco for a long time.

Inwardly Draco recoiled a bit, taking another step back from him and trying to catch his breath.

"Sorry," Harry said immediately, running his hand through his curls and mussing them. He rubbed a hand over his mouth next, not quite looking at Draco. "Sorry," he repeated, "I shouldn't have spoken to you that way. I didn't mean to snap at you." He looked over at Draco then, eyes burning, "That's a really specific trigger for me," he said, "but I shouldn't have snapped. I'm sorry," he said again.

Draco nodded once, not quite willing to say it was okay, but understanding why he'd spoken so harshly to him.

"I have worked really hard not to live my life for everyone else. I love you and I choose the things that I do out of that love. It's not out of a sense of guilt or obligation, or the need to serve. I give what I have, not what I don't. And," he continued, "I don't harbor any secret frustration or resentment. I help because I love you and I want to. Okay?"

"Sorry," he whispered, arm wrapping around his stomach. Why did he always have to push? Why was he always shoving people he loved away?

Harry took a step toward him, "Draco," he said softly. "It's okay to ask me when you feel like things are imbalanced. It's okay for you to feel worried, or whatever else you're feeling. I am happy to tell you all of the love and fulfillment that I get out of this relationship. I'm not going anywhere."

He blinked up at him through his tears, "I'm a mess."

“You’ve got a lot on your plate,” he said reasonably. “You’re so used to managing everything,” he added with a little laugh, “but you don’t have to manage me, love. I just,” he shrugged, “you making time for me when you have a thousand things on your plate means more to me than anything else. You holding my hand, or touching my shoulder when you walk past me, or brushing my hair off my forehead,” he shook his head, “you tell me you love me all the time.”

He reached out for Harry’s hand, “thank you.” He shook his head, “sorry my anxiety-brain gets the best of me.”

Harry took his hand and tugged him over to the couch, wrapping him up under his arm and pressing a kiss to his head, “you don’t have to be sorry. Just talk to me,” he added, “I’m glad to reassure you. I love you,” he said again.

“I love you too,” he replied, turning his head to kiss Harry’s hand on his shoulder. “Let’s order dinner.”

“What do you think of Thai tonight?”

He hummed but before he could politely say yes, Harry continued.

“Alright, that’s a no. What about Italian?”

He nodded, “I was really in the mood for pasta.”

“Perfect,” Harry said. He put in his order, then handed his mobile over to Draco. “I’m going to get us a bottle of wine,” he said.

Draco sat up to let Harry out and put in his order as Harry came back with two wine glasses, filled a bit fuller than was strictly polite. “Thank you.”

“Mmhmm,” Harry replied, handing him one and settling back in beside him on the sofa, pulling a blanket over their laps.

They chatted quietly, about work and Scorpius, about their friends and all of the busy-ness of the season and they laughed together.

And Draco realized that Harry was all but glowing, he watched the way his smile stretched almost too wide for his mouth, the way his eye crinkled at the corners, and his dimples appeared. His green eyes were so bright that Draco couldn’t stop himself from leaning up to kiss him softly, right on the corner of his mouth.

“Hi,” Harry murmured, grinning at him as he leaned in to return the peck.

“Hi,” he replied. “I see it now,” he said softly.

“Hmm?” Harry asked, tracing the curve of Draco’s jaw with his index finger.

He leaned his forehead against Harry’s, “how this is you love language.”

Harry hummed happily and let his forehead rest against Draco’s, “you make me really happy.”

“The feeling is quite mutual.”

“Would you-” he started before the doorbell rang and interrupted him.

Draco started to stand but Harry waved him off.

“I’ve got it,” he said, standing and making his way toward the door.

He looked over at the Christmas tree and laughed at a clump of ornaments all clustered together in the corner. Scorpius had been determined to fit as many on as possible and he’d hidden little pockets of clustered ornaments all around the tree. It was one more thing that Draco would have been trying to fix an hour ago if he’d noticed, but that he had no desire to fix whatsoever anymore.

Harry returned with their food and summoned plates and silverware from the kitchen.

As he was dipping, Draco said, “what were you going to ask?”

Harry glanced up and shook his head, “it’s silly.” He looked back at the food. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Hey,” he said, reaching over and stilling Harry’s hands, “look at me.” When Harry looked up he said, “there’s nothing too silly to ask me. I want to know.”

Harry searched his face for a long moment, “I know your last marriage was one of your parents’ choosing and left a sort of bad taste in your mouth,” he rushed out all at once. “But would you ever consider maybe getting married again?”

He sat there, floored, completely speechless, mouth opening and closing without any words coming out because that sounded unbearably like a proposal.

“It’s fine,” Harry assured quickly. “This is great. You’re amazing. I love you. We don’t need to change a thing-”

Draco closed the space between them and made Harry stop talking, stop saying all of the ridiculous words in his head, by kissing him.

Harry melted into the kiss, one of his palms cupped Draco’s cheek.

“Yes,” he said when he pulled back. “Salazar, yes, Harry.”

“Really?” he asked, “are you sure? We don’t have to-”

He shook his head, “I love you.”

“Shit,” he said, patting down his pockets, “I don’t-” he broke off. “Hold on,” he said, kissing him giddily, “don’t move.”

He disapparated and then reappeared a moment later with a little blue velvet box, “this was for someday. I hadn’t imagined it would be so soon.” He laughed and knelt in front of Draco, “you have my whole entire heart. I promise to love and care for you and Scorpius, to cherish you, and to make you feel seen. Will you marry me?”

He nodded, eyes flooding with tears. “Harry,” he whispered as the other man slid the ring over his finger. “I love you too.” His heart was fuller than he could ever remember it being and for the first time in years, Draco wasn’t worried about what the future might hold.

Nothing that evening had gone according to plan, but everything was impossibly right.

This story is set in the same universe as Against An Endless Tide because I loved that story and I love that Harry and Draco. If you enjoyed their characterization here, you might enjoy that fic too (it's a personal fav of mine).

[mercless]

what is talon's relationship with gragas in high noon ? what was their first impression vs. their current impression ?

Funnily, Talon can't seem to pinpoint the first time they entered through the doors of the Crossroad Saloon. Chalking it up to a fault in their expansive memory (and maybe the amount they drunk to celebrate being at such a welcoming establishment), it just feels like the Saloon as been around... forever. Talon doesnt pay it much mind, beyond adding it to their suspicions on how the barkeep runs things. If they had a poker chip for every suspicion they had on Ol' Caskbreaker, they'd have a mighty fine haul.

But that's all they have on him after all this time; theories and hunches. What Talon wants to know is why. But he plays his cards close, and offers a fine array of beverages Talon would otherwise have difficulty acquiring. So they don't know what they first thought of him, but they think Gragas is a mysterious player in the game of life who has far more at stake then he'll ever let on. If you're not hellspawn or an angel, there's few things with a name left for you to be.

So they plays nice and to the rules in his domain, letting down their minor disguises and hanging their old duster by the door and enjoying the atmosphere quietly, if occasionally having their fun with a little, harmless tormenting of the other patrons. They don't mind not getting to intermingle with the departed souls, though. They prefer it this way then the situation on the Sulfur Rail. Although they don't remember their first time, Talon recalls the first few questions they had asked, because they'll never forget the fiery glare of a warning given back to them from the other side of the bar. But it hasn't stopped their curiosity; it's just made them more careful. Because even not giving an answer, gives Talon a lot to ponder over during the long stretches on the road later. They've tried all different kinds of angles to see how much or what Gragas knows; locations of angel hiding spots, ways to cure their affliction, and most recently, questions around the Harbingers. But with little give, all they've decided on is that he knows a little something about the old prophecy, because there ain't no way he's not believing in the legend forming before all their very eyes. They've even tried to converse with his devilish co-owner of the saloon, but it didn't take long to realise that that was a road they did not want to walk down. They try to keep a respectable distance from Evelynn.

For now, Talon has settled with their role as an inquisitive patron; becoming a slow drinker to not only whine to their paid audience (I doubt Gragas gives much mind to anything they say while sitting at the bar, anyway) to attempting to find a new question they haven't asked yet, that also won't get them kicked out - or worse. Although, there is the occasional push in a direction, or a hint to a clue to a theoretical answer given up. Just enough to keep Talon's interest, and to keep them following the path they need to wander down for everything to work out.

Also, It's not much but, Talon notices they're able to breathe just that little bit easier whenever they inhale that warm, alcoholic air too. Keeps the bile down, and the feathers from molting everywhere. (that doesn't stop there being down and ash being scattered about once they've left their seat though.)

[batsarebetterthanpeople]

you've talked about a lot of people your age are risk-averse homebodies; do you put that down to just helicopter parenting, or is everyone being broke also a factor?

Oh jeez is that post going around again.

Listen. Helicopter parenting is one of many factors. And I think that Helicopter parenting is only as common as it is because of Reagan era moral panics still having hold on society because of complex factors that have a lot to do with American exceptionalism and the cold war and American hyper individualism.

I don't think that being broke has much to do with it actually, I'm not saying it isn't part of it but it's kind of negligible in the specific problem of people refusing to touch grass. Like people are much poorer than their parents generally and it's a huge problem but it is possible and even easy to go out and hang out with people when you have no money. Literally go out and fuck around in the woods with your friends. Do it. It is easy and free and people have been doing it since the beginning of time.

No the issue is that the third space is being completely removed and part of that is manufacturing consent for it. For example community centers, if they haven't closed down altogether, have a lot fewer things for adults. You used to be able to go take a pottery class or some shit like that at a community center and it might cost you some money but those sorts of things were always intentionally affordable. Now everything is ages 5-12 if it exists at all. And as for spaces that aren't meant to be third spaces but which people use that way, loitering is being prosecuted way more now, especially in racially marginalized communities, but not just in marginalized communities. Like think about shopping malls for instance. In the 90s and 00s there used to be roving gangs of teenagers in those things now they're ghost towns. A lot of those stores will ask you to leave if you're not there to buy something. Those two things are directly connected. Bathrooms in coffee shops didn't used to be for customers only. When I was a kid I could walk into a coffee shop and sit down with a book and no one would tell me to buy something or leave as long as I was unobstructive, it's not like that anymore. Obviously COVID is a factor but that was happening before COVID.

Also people are wayyyy less religious than they used to be, which I think is good, but one side effect of it is that another third space disappeared. You used to go to church or temple or whatever once a week and Idk what non church places are like but usually you would sit for an hour and listen to some guy talk about God and you'd sing some songs and then you would go into the church basement and have coffee and food and talk to the other people who were there getting coffee and food. And the churches would have food drives and things of that nature on days other than Sunday. That stuff still happens if course but young people aren't there because we don't believe in that shit. Which yeah the church is a pretty bigoted institution and I think organized religion gives too much power to the leadership. If you connect god with some human guy that human guy can take advantage of your faith it happens all the time. But we have to replace that ritual of gathering somewhere and getting coffee and food with people once a week or we're gonna have a poorly socialized populace. And you can't really replace it with coffee shop because you have to buy your food there and you're not really encouraged to talk to other people you don't know that well the way you are at a church.

And yeah there's the financial aspect of it but it used to be easier to jump the fence and get into a concert, the bar didn't always have that cover charge, there used to be a public bathroom there, there used to be a public water fountain, there used to be a 30$ craft class, that used to be a public park and they'd do block parties and Shakespeare in the park there and now it's a parking lot, and so on and so forth.

Frankly one thing I find shocking is that even places that are expensive are getting less friendly to adults seeking activities. My town has 4 dance studios and not a single one of them offers beginner level dance classes for adults. And I'm not just talking about ballet either, they don't teach any classes to adults. I'm a drag queen that's a thing id be interested in paying for with my tip money so I can get more tips in the future. They don't have it.

Idk it just feels like "I'm broke :/" ok well being broke didn't used to mean that you had to stay in your apartment all day.

[nerves-nebula]

I remember one time you referred to yourself as optimistic and I was amused / didn't believe you. I think it was because I am very used to people always calling suicidal people negative. Seeing you dismiss the idea of suicide just because some internet guy was still alive made me realize that you really are an optimistic person.

I find it hard to even want to see things through a better lense. I feel bad all the time for no reason (nothing but mental illness). I think it would be easier if I just got worse. If it helps you understand my perspective better, I'm the same anon that said they'd chose to die soon after you. I'm pretty sure I'm doing something wrong.

well if it helps im pretty sure im doing something wrong too. im also pretty sure im crazy sometimes and my perception of reality gets a bit too doom-spiral to be accurate.

I ALSO would like to get worse. but I try not to let myself implode in a billion beautiful ribbons, because it would be really rude to make someone clean up that mess. and i've always tried to value the happiness of ppl i love above mine. soooo no killing myself.

and yea idk i think people think optimism means you're happy all the time. but to me it just means i'm forcing myself to hang on because i chose to live for the promise of a better future when i was like, 12. so killing myself now would kind of make all that suffering pointless. PLUS my life IS way better. even if i'm suicidal sometimes.

i didn't JUST decide not to kms cuz i hate matpat. my ex wife let me put on a hand puppet show for her cuz i was sad but didn't wanna talk about my feelings and honestly that was mostly the thing that helped.

the matpat thing was mostly a joke to signify i was less suicidal, though the sentiment that I can't kill myself cuz ppl i hate are still walking around is VERY real. plus what kind of precedent would i be setting??? if I killed myself when my life is generally pretty good all things considered, what's that gonna say to all the queers and transsexuals and abused kids out there who's lives are wayyy worse??? nah. i'll hold on i think.

i am frequently bitterly optimistic like that. in like a sort of "god i wanna kms but what if it DOES get better tho" way. kind of using my neurosis about missing out for the greater good haha.

[thessalian]

Thess vs MCM Comic Con, Day 3

So before I start with the rundown of today, I will say this:

It was worth it.

I may not entirely believe that now, when everything fucking hurts and the stress and frustration of that level of people and noise and exertion and pain is still pretty much flattening me? But I know it was. The memory of how worth it this was will stay fresh long, long after the pain of the actual doing of it is gone.

So. Anyway. Day 3. Starting from after I made sandwiches and prepped to get an exchange on my d20-less gold sparkly dice.

We managed to get there in good time for the Critical Role panel. Now, obviously not in good time to get a seat in the main stage area where they were actually doing the panel, but giving it some thought, we didn't really want to be there anyway. We'd already been up close and personal with the Critical Role crew; we didn't need more than that. Plus the noise would have been way, way too much. So instead, we went over to one of the stages that was streaming the panel on their big screen. Which was better because the camera crew zoomed in when a question was directed at a particular person so we actually got to see them. And the panel was really good. It was so endearing when an audience member asked how they managed the whole thing with being business partners and friends and they talked about how Matt insists that they all hang out just as friends outside of the game space and the business space, and how Travis is this really supportive protective Big Poppa Bear of a CEO, and how it's easier with a group of friends than it is with a two-person partnership or trio because you've got people who can step in and mediate when tempers run a bit high ... and most of all when Ashley said she literally didn't know what she'd do without them (and then had to hand off the mic because she was about to start crying) and Sam said how he really just wanted them to be doing this - being the friends and family they'd become - for the rest of their lives ... and to wear a T-shirt with Matt's face on it at Matt's funeral. I honestly have zero worries about Critical Role LLC and its potential effects on their friendship. Seems like they're doing just fine.

There were no problems with taking my dice back. Thankfully, I got the same guy who sold them to me in the first place, though given the ambient noise and low light levels in the area, it was a bit of a struggle to get him to understand the problem. When he finally understood, he did go the extra mile finding me a replacement set. I repaid that kindness by stopping him when he went to put the dice set I was returning back into the box of merchandise for display / sale. Didn't want him to go through that again, y'know?

(Side note: turns out that the little golden shinies in my Alisaie-themed dice set are, in fact, small golden capital As. That's serendipity on a ridiculous level, right there.)

After that ... I admit it all caught up to me and on top of the body aches, spasms, and migraine, I remembered just how difficult it is to wander a convention hall with someone whose interests in terms of art and entertainment kind of vary from yours. So I suggested to Marion that we split up for an hour and a half, and meet up somewhere to devour lunch and see where we were going from there. I browsed a bit, but mostly I just found a place to sit down and watch the cosplay go by. I mean, I did make an attempt to go outside, partly for a smoke but mostly for someplace where I could be more than two feet away from any human being ... but it had started to rain and so I still ended up crammed under the awnings with my fellows who also wanted fresh air and/or nicotine.

By the time I met up with Marion again, I was getting to that "I am struggling to form coherent sentences" level of migraine, holding it at bay with some co-codamol that I took with the first can of A&W root beer I've had in years, and it was just what I needed, thank you. So we scarfed down lunch. I was honestly ready to leave right then, but Marion wanted one last turn-around to look for a couple of things she hadn't spotted in her first trip. I couldn't really deny her that no matter how much I wanted to go home, so we agreed to meet up in about an hour at the "Reset Room" (they had a room especially designed for people who just needed to decompress; probably the most useful thing they actually did in terms of accommodations, I have to say).

In that time, I caved and bought a copy of Flavours of the Multiverse - a D&D themed cookbook. It wasn't my only purchase of the day, mind you. I also got three pin-badges - one "That's How I Roll" one, one "Shiny Math Rocks" one ... and one that just reads "They/She". That and a "They/Them" nonbinary flag-coloured lanyard. At least there, I could wear those things without being too afraid. Anyway, after my few purchases and another trip outside (where, thankfully, it had stopped raining), I read my new cookbook until Marion rejoined me and we headed home. Unfortunately, on top of all the stairs at London Bridge and Elephant and Castle stations, there were a surprising number of people cramming themselves on the 363 at 5pm on a Sunday. So my Time of Squishening unfortunately got a little bit extended. Still, I am now home and have had coffee and more painkillers and I feel a bit better.

That was probably my last MCM Comic Con. It's definitely the last one I go to for all three days. The accommodations were insufficient (though in all fairness, that's entirely down to the organisers - the stewards were so nice and tried so hard to make things work when it was clear that the original organisational scheme was a shit-show), and the attendees ... well, most of them were really nice but I cannot count how many people I had to nearly throw myself at a wall to avoid because they were walking through a crowded convention hall while looking at their phones. Or just anywhere but straight in front of themselves. And public transport ... well, some of that "step-free access" is only on a technicality, put it that way, and it's actually easier to just struggle with the stairs if you can. I think the worst part of this has been that it's basically opened a window on another part of how hard my life is going to be now.

But never mind. I'm going to decompress a bit. I am going to make breakfast-for-dinner in the form of French toast and bacon, I am going to sit Marion down through the rest of Arcane, and I am going to enjoy my last evening with my houseguest. And at some point I am going to look into the work of the Hire A Bard guy I saw at the convention, who will set your character and/or campaign to music for a fee. This might be worth considering as a Christmas gift (however delayed) for the Cupcake Coterie.

Anyway. Yeah. I hurt. I am very much not at my best. But it was worth it.

[outeremissary]

🍳 🔮 🔎 for Kasander?

Thanks for the ask! This was fun for shaping some floating ideas into something more solid, hehe.

[prompt list]

🍳 — cooking

Kasander is a terrible cook. They have no experience whatsoever preparing food, they're easily distracted, and they have no sense of restraint at all. The concept of "flavors that don't go together" is still a work in progress and Kas has a pretty high threshold for food that sucks on top of that. They're perfectly fine at making food that they find edible and decently tasty (even if they wouldn't consider it as good as what someone else makes) that is probably safe for consumption and not raw, but they cannot be trusted to cook for anyone else. They mean well. They really do. They believe strongly in their ability to help others out by doing the cooking, or making something to cheer someone else up, or just helping Gale out, but they can't be allowed to do this. For everyone's sake. Getting Kas a task so they feel useful enough to stop hanging around the campfire trying to contribute is necessary for every meal.

🔮 — magic

Kas has a somewhat weird relationship to magic- they've never been formally taught, they don't find magic any easier to learn than it was before, and it's not something they're interested in for its own sake. But as a paladin they are able to channel magic, and for a paladin they're also really good at it. The fervent, feverish belief that powers this ability is something that Kas never questions, and for them magic isn't so much a thing that they're doing as a thing that happens when they badly need something to happen. The gap between thinking "I need to help" or "I need to hit harder" or "I need to understand" or "I need it to hurt" and something happening is so small that it hardly feels like they're doing anything at all. They wouldn't be able to explain their magic, and they don't tend to think of it in terms of discrete spells, abilities, and effects so much as desires, associated actions, and ranges of results. It's pure instinct and they'd say as much. For them, there's not a lot of reason to think much more about it. It works and they're grateful it does. That's enough.

🔎 — investigating

Investigating is kind of a tossup for Kas- they have very sharp senses and can notice a lot of things that other people can't, but they don't always know how to parse that information to determine what's unusual and what isn't. It's easy for them to discard information as irrelevant that they'd benefit from following up on. And when it comes to anything involving people, they're dead in the water. That 8 Wis really drags them down. They tend to take other people at their word and aren't very good at picking up on tells in social interactions. Overall Kas is a lot better at helping someone who's better at organizing and prioritizing information investigate- they can contribute a lot with someone to ask them questions about what they're picking up on and guide them through what to do. Once that information has been vocalized it's easier for another investigator or Kasander to stitch it together into something useful.

[the-trans-advice-blog]

Hello. I just found your blog, and am happy to see asks open because I really need some advice, if that's okay, on coming out to my family.

I'm a trans guy who's been out to friends in college for several months now, after years of being closested and suppressing. My friends and classmates use my preferred pronouns and name, and have consistently respected and defended my identity, so all's great. This just means I've grown more comfortable with myself, and have now no reason to not try and come out to my family, which I haven't done.

My parents are open minded people, but with this sort of stuff they've definitely voiced some sort of disdain towards, for example, gay or trans people in movies. I know their views, but still can't imagine how they'd react if I told them. Coming out to them feels unimaginable; and from someone like me, it would be very unexpected to them. When I'm at home, I'm just enjoying being with them since I don't go home very often for school, so it's also been an issue of mine to even imagine speaking up at like dinner or when we're hanging out.

Despite that, I really want to start medically transitioning, but not behind my parents back. I want to change my goddamn legal name asap, start hrt and get top surgery; I just want to feel like me. I will start working out of state in the next year, so I wouldn't want to start transitioning later when my family can't see me as often where any changes will be very noticable and huge to them. I want to ease us all through the transition, and not make it feel like I'm unrecognizable, like a completely different person, like they've lost their "daughter."

I'm genuinely asking out of a form of desperation, how do you come out, because from the bottom of my heart, I cannot fathom how to do it or where to start. How do you get yourself in such a vulnerable mindset and position to admit something so personal and unexpected? How do I explain to my parents something they most likely don't understand? How do I prepare myself if they don't believe me and reject what I've told them?

Any advice is much appreciated.

The first piece of advice I have for you is that as much as you love your family you need to remember this is about you. You’re not responsible for their emotions and you don’t have to coddle them through your transition. If they are people who unconditionally love you then they do not have to understand you to support you.

My second piece of advice, because it’s very clear to me that you really want them to understand which I think most people do, make it clear that you’re open to any and all questions. A lot of people are afraid of being offensive but it’s important they ask ANY questions they have in order to learn.

I know a lot of people will write down things they want to say to make it easier for them so that might be something to consider! Even just bullet points if you plan on doing this in person.

If you’re really anxious there’s no shame in adding everyone to a group chat and doing it over text.

At the end of the day you need to remember to put yourself first. People will try to tell you they’re grieving or can’t process or blah blah blah blah but your journey is about you and you alone. This is a great time of joy and fear and realizing yourself. The people who truly care about you won’t mind being put behind you.

If there’s anything else I can do to help my asks are always open, friend! Coming out is difficult but there’s not really a guidebook, just do what feels right for you.