#and I've always liked spooky/creepy stuff

[thisapplepielife]

Written for @steddie-week.

Seen Nothing, Heard Nothing

Day #4 - Prompt: Trade | Word Count: 833 | Rating: T | CW: Steve's S3 Injuries, Spooky Vibes, Language | POV: Eddie | Tags: Canon Divergent S3, What If Eddie Crossed Paths With Steve and The Upside Down Sooner?, What If Steve and Robin's Run-In With The Russians Happened Just Bit Differently?

"Hello?"

Eddie freezes. Utterly fucking freezes. The stilted male voice that has come from somewhere around him sounds ethereal, floating. Like it's an echo. Bouncing through the trees. Like it might be right next to him, but also far, far away.

Ignore it. 

That's what his grandma always taught him. You've seen nothing, you've heard nothing. 

Mind your own business.

"Hello? Is somebody there?"

The voice is familiar, less creepy this time, but he can't place it. The familiarity doesn't mean safety, though. Mimicking known voices isn't at all unusual in the realm of weird, and it's best to not engage. Rule one: Do not invite anything of that world into your own world.

So, Eddie ignores it and keeps gathering up his stuff, acting like he's not in a hurry, even if his heart is hammering behind his ribs.

"I need some help."

Then he hears the rustling through the trees along the well-worn path, and his heart drops. It sounds like something is tromping towards him, getting loud and louder with every step. 

He slings his backpack over his shoulder, and takes three big steps away from the picnic table, away from whatever that thing is, without running. Not that he has anywhere to go. Not really.

That's the way out, and unless he wants to just stumble through the thick woods, getting lost, he's kind of trapped.

He's never felt scared here before, and he hates it.

So, he decides he'll just forge past whatever it is. Without acting like he's heard a damn thing.

He really hopes it's invisible. He can ignore noises, voices. But if he has to see something? He's gonna freak the fuck out and get himself disemboweled, for sure. He'll scream like a little bitch and freeze.

Then he'll run.

He just knows that about himself.

You've seen nothing, you've heard nothing. 

You've seen nothing, you've heard nothing. 

You've seen nothing, you've heard nothing. 

He keeps telling himself that as he walks up the path, trying desperately not to run. Hawkins is weird, but it's never been this kind of weird, as far as he's seen.

But this has scared the shit out of him.

"Eddie? Eddie Munson?" 

Eddie stills. That voice is closer, and crystal clear.

And definitely Steve Harrington. 

"Thank god. Dude, are you deaf, or what? I've been asking for your help for ten minutes. Goddamn."

Okay, not a monster.

Just a dumb jock.

Eddie wheels around, snarking, "What's the matter, Harrington. The big bad wolf take a bite out of ya?"

And the next words, the next bit of sarcasm, dies in his throat. 

Steve's face is wrecked. His body, too, Eddie suspects by the way he's limping along. Eye nearly swollen shut, covered in a dark purple bruise. He's missing a shoe.

And he's in a sailor suit. Like the ones from the ice cream shop in the mall. Does Harrington work there? Surely not.

Eddie drops his bag, and bounds towards him, "What happened to you? Who did this? Or what?"

Steve looks at him from his one good eye, and sways. 

"Robbin'," Steve says, and Eddie grips his shoulders, forcing him to back up until he can sit down on the bench of the old picnic table.

"Robbing? You were robbed?" Eddie asks, and Steve's mouth is swollen, too. Blood staining his front teeth, dried on his face where it came from his broken nose.

"No. Robin," Steve repeats.

"Who's Robin?" Eddie questions.

"Robin. Buckley."

"From band? Robin Buckley from band did this to you?"

Steve looks exasperated, and like he wants to cry at the same time.

"No. No. The Russians. She made a trade. I said no, I did, but she was scared, and I was…this," Steve says. "We have to go back. I just need help. They drugged me."

"The Russians?" Eddie asks, his eyebrows shooting up. 

Steve nods, "Under the mall."

"How'd you end up out here in the woods?" Eddie asks. Because he's a long way from the mall, even if what he's saying is true. That's on the other side of town.

"They dumped me," Steve says. "I think they thought I was dead."

"Well, you look it," Eddie says, and then regrets it. 

"We need to find Nancy Wheeler. She'll know what to do."

"Steve, are you sure this is really something that happened? And not just in your head after whatever accident you've clearly had?"

Steve sighs and holds his head in his hands. He's missing a fingernail, like it had been plucked right off. Like he was tortured.

Shit. Okay.

"Okay, okay. We'll go back. We'll find Robin."

Eddie isn't at all sure what he's agreeing to, but Steve can't do anything by himself. Not in this condition. They'll find Nancy Wheeler, and Eddie isn't sure what a little priss like her is gonna do, but whatever Steve wants, they'll try.

"Thank you," Steve breathes, and as sure as Eddie is that he'll regret this, he's in it now.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddie-week and follow along with the fun!

[yoyomomiko]

[ONE] — Ghosts = $$$

☆ `` SPECTRAL SCAMMERS ``

☆ — summary: when cartman comes up with yet another 'get rich quick' scheme, he forces his friends, and you, into starting a ghost hunting service. armed with a mix of makeshift equipment, a questionable van and no actual skills, you begin taking jobs to "exorcise" haunted houses.

warnings: strong language, cartman being cartman.

(a/n): first chapter is out and honestly I don't really know where this is going!! also, I'm extremely sorry for the short length of this chapter :< --- usually, first chapters are always shorter! i'll try my best to make the other chapters longer :)

wc: 1932

★ m.list

★ series m.list

[NEXT] ->

The cafeteria was a chaotic mess as always. Muffled chatter, students fighting, and the occasional shout from the lunch staff scolding some kid for trying to sneak an extra carton of milk. You sat at the usual table in the far corner, picking at your food. Across from you, Stan and Kyle were arguing about some documentary they watched in History, while Clyde was halfway through his second slice of pizza.

"Alright, assholes, listen up!" Cartman's voice cut through the arguing boys. He slammed his tray onto the table for everyone's attention, the loud sound making Tweek flinch so hard he almost spilled his coffee.

"Oh, great, what now?" Stan groaned, leaning back in his chair.

"You're gonna thank me later, Stan." Cartman cleared his throat, glancing at everyone sitting at the table. "Because I just came up with the best idea of my life. No, of your lives, too, because you're all gonna be a part of it."

Kyle raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Let me guess, some new way to scam people out of their money?"

"Yeah, Kyle, because having ambition is such a crime." Cartman shot back, rolling his eyes dramatically. "But no, this isn't just a scam. It's a business opportunity. A gold mine. And all you losers have to do is stop being such whiny little bitches and listen to me for five seconds."

"Dude, just get to the point." Stan muttered, his hands resting on top of the table as his brows furrowed together.

Cartman smirked, leaning forward on the table as if he was about to deliver a secret. "Ghost hunting."

There was a moment of silence, broken only by the distant crash of a tray hitting the floor somewhere across the cafeteria.

"Ghost hunting?" Clyde repeated with a mouthful of pizza.

"Yes, Clyde, try to keep up." Cartman snapped. "Think about it. Those dumbass ghost hunting shows on TV. People eat that crap up! We can charge idiots in this town hundreds of dollars to 'investigate' their haunted houses and get rid of their spooky little Casper problems!"

Kyle shook his head with a sigh. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Even for you, Cartman."

"It's not stupid!" Cartman shot back, slamming his fist on the table hard enough to make Tweek jump again.

"People are stupid, Kyle. They'll pay us to run around their creepy old houses with flashlights, pretending to find ghosts! And if there's no ghost? We'll just make one! Bang on some walls, throw some stuff around... Boom, paranormal activity."

"That's literally fraud." You pointed out, resting your chin on your hand. "You realize that, right?"

Cartman waved you off as if you mentioned something as unimportant as the weather. "Pfft, no one's gonna care. We'll make them sign waivers. Legal waivers make everything legit!"

Stan exchanged a doubtful look with you, then glanced back at Cartman. "This sounds like the kind of thing that gets us arrested. Or worse, sued."

"Oh my God, you guys are so dramatic." Cartman groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "Look, do you want to spend the rest of high school broke and boring, or do you wanna be rich and badass?"

"Rich and badass does sound kinda nice..." Clyde admitted, earning a glare from Kyle.

"Clyde, seriously?"

"What? I need the money! My dad cut my allowance because I spent it all on skins in Fortnite."

"I can't believe I'm surrounded by morons." Kyle buried his face in his hands.

"Ghosts aren't even real!" Tweek blurted, his hands shaking as he gripped his cup. "What if we mess with something we don't understand? What if we summon a demon or-"

"Tweek, for the love of God." Craig interrupted, his voice flat and bored. "You're not summoning anything. It's fake."

Tweek's eyes darted to Craig, then back to Cartman. "B-But even if it's fake, what if- what if people find out?! What if we get exposed or something?!"

"Tweek, no one cares about your paranoia." Cartman rolled his eyes. "Besides, it's not like we're actually gonna run into any ghosts. We're just taking money from idiots who think their houses are haunted because their furniture makes weird noise."

"I dunno, dude." Kenny finally spoke up, voice muffled by his hood. "What's the cut? Like, how much are we each getting?"

"Ah! The voice of reason! Don't worry Kenny. We'll split it... Fairly."

"Fairly?" Kyle immediately narrowed his eyes. "That means you're going to take the biggest cut, doesn't it?"

"Uh, duh, because it's my idea." Cartman shot back. "But you'll still get plenty. Enough to buy whatever poor people stuff you need, Kenny."

"Works for me, I'm in." Kenny shrugged.

"Dude!" Kyle exclaimed, looking betrayed.

"What? I need money!"

You sighed, glancing around the table. "So let me get this straight." You started, mentally preparing yourself. "You want us to break into random people's houses, pretend to find ghosts, and charge them a fortune for it? Do you even have a plan for how this is supposed to work?"

"Of course I have a plan!" Cartman replied, puffing out his chest. "Step one, we make a website and some fake business cards. Step two, we spread the word around town. Step three, profit."

"That's not a plan." Stan muttered, leaning back in his chair again.

"It's a great plan." Cartman's brows furrowed together. "And you know what? If you don't want in, fine. But when I'm rolling in cash and you're stuck eating this nasty ass lunch food, don't come crying to me."

Stan groaned, rubbing his temples. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but fine. I'm in. Only to make sure you don't burn someone's house down."

Kyle threw his hands up with a groan and a roll of his eyes. "Oh my God. You're all insane."

"Come on, Kyle." You smirked, nudging him with your elbow. "It could be... Interesting."

Kyle stared at you as if you just suggested jumping off a bridge. But after a moment, he sighed heavily. "Fine. But if this ends in a disaster, I'm blaming all of you."

"Perfect!" Cartman grinned, looking around at his newly recruited 'team'.

"Welcome to the South Park Paranormal Crew, bitches. First job is tomorrow night. Bring flashlights and maybe some fake blood."

Craig glared at Cartman. "Tweek and I never said we were joining."

"I don't care about you losers, go sit on a dick or something." Cartman shot back.

Craig's eyes narrowed, his piercing gaze burning holes through Cartman. "You know what? I'm in, fatass." He spoke through gritted teeth, to which Cartman smirked.

"I-I guess I'm in too." Tweek stammered, his hands shaking uncontrollably.

"Amazing! What do you guys say we have a meeting at my house this night to prepare for tomorrow?" Cartman held a smug and confident look.

"Do we have a choice?" You sighed, already tired of this.

"No. Eight o'clock sharp!" He declared. "Don't forget that, fuckers!"

.

.

.

.

Later that night, the group crowded into Cartman's basement. The space was a mess, an old couch shoved against one wall, half empty soda cans all over a coffee table, and a mysterious stain on the carpet that no one wanted to investigate. You sat quietly between Kyle and Craig, who were both visibly annoyed.

Cartman stood at the front, a whiteboard behind him covered in messy scrambles of ideas that looked more like the ramblings of a lunatic than a business plan. He held a marker in his hands, which he twirled dramatically before slamming it against the board.

"Alright, assholes." He began, pacing in front of the group. "Step one of becoming the greatest ghost hunters South Park has ever seen: branding. We need a website, a killer name and a look that screams 'these guys are legit'."

Stan rolled his eyes from his spot on the couch. "It's hard to scream 'legit' when you're using your mom's basement as headquarters."

"Shut up, Stan!" Cartman snapped. "Do you have a basement we can use? No? Then sit your ass down and let the professionals handle this."

Craig crossed his arms, leaning a bit closer to you, his knee brushing yours. "You don't even know how to make a website, do you?"

"Of course I do!" Cartman lied, puffing out his chest. "It's easy. You just... Click some buttons and stuff. Besides, we have Kyle for that."

Kyle straightened, glaring at Cartman. "Excuse me? Since when did I agree to be your tech support?"

"Since you're the only one here who isn't a complete moron when it comes to computers!" Cartman replied, his tone annoyingly smug.

"Watch it fatass!" Stan snapped as Craig snickered.

Kyle opened his mouth to argue but stopped when you nudged him gently. "You might as well just do it." You whispered. "The sooner we get this over with, the better."

Kyle sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, but I'm not doing this for free."

"Whatever, Jew." Cartman turned back to the whiteboard. "Now, let's talk names. We need something catchy. Something cool."

"How about we call ourselves 'Paranormal Posers'?" Craig deadpanned, earning a laugh from Kenny.

"I've got it!" Clyde exclaimed, clearly excited. "What about 'The Phantom Chasers'?"

"Lame." Cartman dismissed immediately, crossing it off the list. "We need something badass like 'South Park Paranormal Commandos'."

"Or we could just call it what it is." Stan muttered. "'Cartman's Latest Scam'."

"Do you want to get sued, Stan?" Cartman shot back. "No one's putting my name on this thing."

After another twenty minutes of ridiculous suggestions, and several rounds of arguing, you all finally settled on a name. Specter Squad.

"Simple, memorable, and cool as hell." Cartman declared, underlining it three times on the board.

.

.

While Cartman and the others brainstormed more ways to make themselves seem legit, Kyle sat at Cartman's ancient desktop computer, typing at it furiously.

The homepage was basic but effective.

A bold header reading "SPECTER SQUAD: South Park's Premier Ghost Hunting Team" in glowing green text, complete with a stock image of a haunted house in the background.

"This looks so fake." Kyle muttered to himself, shaking his head as he uploaded a photo of the group. It was a hurriedly taken selfie from earlier that night, with Cartman front and center, beaming like an idiot, while everyone else looked irritated.

"Fake is fine." Cartman said, leaning over Kyle's shoulder. "People don't care about professional. They care about scary. Make it spooky."

"Spooky costs extra." Kyle shot back.

The rest of the group gathered around as Kyle added more details to the site.

Services

- Full Paranormal Investigation

- Ghost Removal

- Cleansing Rituals

Reviews

Janet H. - "Specter Squad saved my family from a scary ghost! Worth every penny!"

Sal F. - "I thought my apartment was haunted and they proved me right. Highly recommend!"

"Who t-the hell is 'Janet H.'?" Tweek asked, pointing to one of the reviews.

"Some lady I made up." Cartman replied, completely unfazed.

.

.

With the website finished, you all moved on to advertising. Clyde and Kenny volunteered to print out flyers, which they plastered all over the school the next day. On lockers, bulletin boards, and even the bathroom stalls.

Cartman, meanwhile, moved to social media, creating an Instagram page and spamming hashtags like #HauntedSouthPark and #GhostBeware.

"You think anyone's actually going to believe this?" Craig asked as everyone watched Cartman upload a blurry photos of an attic claiming it was 'evidence' from a recent investigation.

"Of course they will." Cartman replied confidently. "People are dumb. Trust me, by this time tomorrow we'll have our first client."

★yoyomiko ★miko

[bitterkarella]

Midnight Pals: Magic Man

Kiersten White: Submitted for the approval of the midnight society, i call this the tale of the creepy kids show Stephen King: oh excellent! a creepy pasta! King: my boy joe told me all about those King: like that scary cartoon sponge man! Joe Hill: it was squidward, dad King: right right of course joe

White: this isn't a creepypasta White: it's about a weird show that everyone vaguely remember watching but can't remember any details of White: and also the time slot and channel mysteriously seem to shift Kris Straub: ah! candle cove! White: no White: no this is different

King: haha remember in candle cove when the boat is all King: "you have to go inside" Straub: yeah i remember Poe: spooky stuff! Koontz: ha ha! "you have to go inside" White: White: it's not candle cove

Barker: you're all saying it wrong Barker: it's all like Barker: "you have to go.... INSIDE" Barker: see, you gotta get the inflection right King: you said it exactly the same Barker: no it was way scarier when i said it King: "you have to go... inside" Barker: hmm no not quite right King: i don't see the difference Barker: kris who said it right Kris Straub: clive Barker: see??? King: i really don't think i said it any different White: ANYWAY

White: this is about a creepy kids show called Mister Magic White: these kids are forced to live on a set away from their parents White: until one kids dad tries to take her away White: but try to understand dad White: try to understand White: try try try to understand White: he's a magic man

White: now it's 30 years later and she's going to a show reunion White: and she's all "hey what happened 30 years ago? i forgot" White: and everyone's all "lol not telling!" White: gotta preserve the mystery White: at least til the final reel

White: see, these Mormons found an eldritch god in the desert White: and they thought White: you know what would be good to do with this? White: make a kids show about how you should always be polite King: uhhh Poe: no actually that kinda scans

White: the now grown up kids from the show have to reunite White: and defeat mister magic through the power of um... King: understanding? White: Yeah! it can totally be like understanding or forgiveness or something White: they overcome all their fears White: and they turn out totally fine

King: i didn't know candle cove was really just lessons about being polite! White: IT'S NOT CANDLE COVE King: "you have to go... INSIDE!!" Straub: there Straub: there it is Straub: you got it that time

King: creepypastas are so much fun, why don't we have more of them around here? Mr Creepypasta: now I've heard a guy tell a story hundreds of times. saying perfectly ordinary words. just mouth sounds. perfectly ordinary. nothing weird about them. very normal. nothing to worry about Chillz: here's the TOP tennnn VIDEooooos PROvinGGGG THAT the dracullllaaaa is real King: oh yeah now i remember

Eric Knudsen: i have a story about the terrible secret of space HP Lovecraft: what Lovecraft: what is the terrible secret of space? Lovecraft: is it a color? Lovecraft: cuz i already know that one

[irradiatedsnakes]

btw in the tmagp launch celebratory stream alice's voice actor said her favorite scene that'd been recorded by that point was "alice and sam go to a place". so i suppose we'll be getting that next week :]

other notes. this statement (hey! actually a statement this time! what the fuck) was SOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

the cursed dice angle is so good, the way the statement giver took on that role (roll), played the part, UGH it's so fun. the theme of choice that was brought up is also so good- just. ONE more roll for old time's sake :) especially given that this is a TMI statement and how HUGE IMPORTANT of a theme choice and free will were in tma, felt very fitting. fantastic, loved that.

continuing on my stuff about the entities in tmagp- once again some things here feel very on the nose, particularly the statement giver literally calling himself a mysterious stranger. this feels like a fun little red herring to me, for people a bit hung up on the entities stuff. that's how i interpreted it, anyways. i wanna know more about this world so fucking bad, dude.

also, the institute's in manchester in tmagp, not chelsea/london. which means no milbank prison, no panopticon. interesting. (though soemthing that was known from the arg already- i really need to deep dive on that. tomorrow, maybe.) statement taking and artifact storage are still a thing, evidently, but noting that there's no mention of an archivist or anything like that. and the subject/agent/catalyst stuff, that's Very interesting.

once again, chester bringing up a magnus-related statement, here in obvious reply to what sam was talking about- just when he was considering to celia about dropping his investigations- clearly (imo) to goad him into not leaving it behind. excellent. and fun given the first TMI-related incident with redcanary had the obvious conclusion of THE MAGNUS INSTITUTE IS WEIRD AND DANGEROUS while also having enough mystery to draw sam in further. sam's seen the canary die in the coalmine and has made the decision to keep digging and that's fantastic.

now! characters! sam's paperwork :) VERY intriguing that he's getting all this stuff and celia's got none of it- he said it was due to that box about the response department, but i've got my doubts about that being the reason he's being saddled with all this weird stuff. also the questions on the thing made me laugh, very good. sam and celia have such good interactions, i love how they bounce off each other. also, with regards to the paperwork- i think there's a connection to be made about the statement giver's continued rolling of the dice (it always felt like my choice.) and sam filling out all this creepy, utterly pointless paperwork to "refuse to give it the satisfaction of giving up".

GWEN AND LENA. nigel dickerson, you know, from tv? possibly. i don't watch television. i do hope we'll be seeing exactly what gwen is being told to do next episode.. delivering something, keeping calm, recording the detailed reactions to what's being delivered. maybe we'll get a bit more of a clue as to what the oair is actually for. i do like that gwen's not become one bit less indignant, skeptical, and disrespectful towards lena now that she's got this job. i'm very excited to see her on her fist job she's gonna suck at it i think

i'll admit i was a little surprised to see teddy again. i was worried for a sec he might be going in the direction of getting dragged back to the oair, but nah. not yet, at least :) and ALICE. ALIIIIICE auaaaaagh!!! i don't know if i have much to say baout this part that isn't just (shaking a plushie in my mouth like a dog). very neat that she has agreed to help sam investigate this and actually go to the institute when she's been so staunchly don't get caught up in the creepy stuff! leave the magnus institute stuff ALONE you don't want to get into this spooky shit! like.. she does not want to get involved with spooky shit and she doesn't want sam to get involved with spooky shit but she cares about him and their friendship a lot and this is obviously important to him. so. (plus, the thing about alice's brother having been at the institute alongside sam and gerry..) i like them both so much. i am so excited for next weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek

[scaryfangirl2001]

Big Bad Ghosts (fanfic, 364 WC)

@flufftober

The gang stands in front of the infamous "Haunted Mansion" of Auradon, a sprawling estate that's rumored to be home to all manner of ghosts, ghouls, and supernatural entities. But the group isn't here to be scared - they're here to have a good time. Ben good-naturely rolls his eyes as he pushes open the creaking front door.

"Welcome to my parents' annual Halloween party," he says, gesturing for the others to enter. "They do this every year, and it's always the same old thing."

Mal grins mischievously as she steps inside. "I love it," she remarks, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's so kitschy."

Evie laughs and links her arm through Mal's. "I know, right? It's like they're trying to be spooky, but it's just so... Auradon."

As they make their way deeper into the mansion, the group encounters all manner of spooky decorations - cobwebs, skeletons, and ghostly apparitions. But none of them seem to faze the teenagers, who have all grown up in the shadow of their villainous parents' exploits.

Jay snorts in derision as they pass by a particularly cheesy ghostly projection. "This is the best they've got?" he asks, shaking his head. "I've seen scarier stuff in the marketplace back in Agrabah."

Uma nudges him playfully. "Oh, come on, Jay. It's all in good fun."

But as they turn a corner, Harry suddenly speaks up. "This is spooky," he says in wonder, his voice low and serious.

Gil looks at him incredulously. "Really?"

"Hey, I'm just saying. This place is creepy."

Gil smiles and slings an arm over Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry, babe. I'll protect you from the big bad ghosts."

The group continues, laughing and joking as they make their way through the haunted mansion. They encounter all manner of spooky surprises - jumping skeletons, creepy clowns, and even a giant spider or two. But none of them faze the teenagers.

When they reach the end of the tour, Ben turns to the group with a grin. "Well, that was fun. Who's up for some apple cider and donuts?"

The group cheers and Mal suggests they return to the mansion later to show Auradon how to really get their scare on.

[spellcaster-dude]

The spellcaster dude's stats

+12 wisdom

+8 intelligence

+4 dexterity

+6 constitution

+5 strength

+8 charisma

HP: 30692/30692

Crown Mass: 100%

"Spellcaster speaks like this"

"Or like this when ANGY"

"And like this when controlled by nothing but his rage."

<The crimson crown speaks like this>

Alludo communicates like this

{Mod speaks like this}

(Actions action like this)

[Other things other like this]

Conditions:

None!

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

KNOWN KNOWLEDGE

Name: Furor Corvus Exponentia, God of Rage

Pronouns:

Spellcaster: He/him

Crown: Any

Alludo: They them

Lore drop 1

Owns many magic items

Mage armor description:

[Until either 16 asks have passed, they have donned armor, or 8 hours have passed in-universe, the target will be protected from most nonmagical damage, as it takes the form of whatever armor is most efficient for the situation. (i.e. a slash would form chainmail, a stab would form plate armor, and casual situations would form a light blue version of their normal clothing.)]

Wild Spinner post (Links to a tumblr post)

-Wild Blade: A sword with a spinner on its guard. The wheel spins as the blade cuts and/or stabs through the air, generating wild magic energy. Upon attacking, it spins the wild magic table from the wild spinner (may change in the future). The magic favors the wielder if they hit, and the victim if they fail. (I.e. a boost to spell damage will apply to the wielder if they beat the target's ac, or the victim if they fail.) Acts like a longsword otherwise. Attached to the Blades of Anarchy. (Tumblr post linked.)

Bloodflame Blade post

Run by @kenidur1561

My favorite spell is Summon Anvils.

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

RELATIONS

@flashbang-guy "He's neat, tried to kamikaze me, but so long as he doesn't hurt any more children, we're cool."

<A crownless god... Interesting...>

@kali-lamb "She revived me twice and made me a whole new body. I owe my life to her three times over."

<I gotta meet the pink crown. I always love meeting alternate versions of my family!>

@disciplesofthelamb "Briar and dotty are pretty neat! Silas is an asshole though."

<I've yet to meet them.>

@askdennycotl "My friend. We help each other out with mental health, and I'm teaching her magic!"

<If I let her die, him disowning me would be the best case scenario. I don't wanna know of the others.>

@scannys-back "Protect. I will defend him with my life."

<Seems neat. I guess I'll help protect him so spellcaster doesn't kill me.>

@nox-the-cat "My friend, I'm glad she was able to be free of her mod."

<The fuck is an olive garden?>

@pbam0ney "My friend, he tries to help me with tally and the such, and made me a new house! He also revived me when tally made all my blood vessels burst."

<He seems like a cool guy.>

Tally: "HATE."

<I do NOT want to meet him.>

Oblivion: "He seems neat, and guests are always nice!"

<I still don't understand why Furor called me off that one time.>

@temporal-mayhem "That place is creepy. And I still only know one of the 10 websites."

<Eugh... Spooky...>

@ask-follower-jade "Another student of mine, and I'm glad that they and denny are happy together."

[No comment provided]

@ask-the-red-serpant

<Heh, she's jealous that I get to be a bear :)>

@askthe-littlepoet "What happened to you?"

<Something is off about that tie, but I can't quite tell what.>

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

TONED DOWN (for silly non-canon stuff)

+3 in all stats

536/536 HP

Rage: Double HP and stat buffs

Does not have self-awareness

Can't make quite as powerful magic items.

(The rest is up to mod's discretion)

ALSO THE STUFF THAT HAPPENS WITH THIS FORM IS NOT CANON

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

Gallery:

[autistic-crypt1d]

X-Files Live Blogging:

Season 1

Ok so I'm like 90% sure I've tried to watch the first episode before and bailed but I'm gonna try again. I see so much stuff about this show on here and I wanna be a part of it so you're gonna join me in experiencing it for the first time!

Updates:

- ok so far this is not at all what I remembered so high hopes

- Scully!!

- I've seen these two in so many drawingssss

- man this show is old old

- they're both so pretty

- why is bro so mad, if he's so confident he didn't miss anything why is he mad they're taking a second look? Not a good look my guy

- OOP

- oh wowie that is grossss

- ok this is cool I like this show

- why is it always POURING in old ass shows. Like it's dumping BUCKETS.

- ah man not a damn shower scene

- oh ok, valid reason

- THEY'RE SO CUTE

- THE HUG

- ooooo backstory timeeee

- this is getting good oh wow

- yikes, Scully don't call people vegetables

- I really hope this show doesn't have tooo much yikes stuff. I know it's old but still some shows are a bajillion times worse than others.

- holy shit that subconscious movement towards her???? AHHHHH

- the produce section???? Good fucking god people

- if he knew it was Billy why wouldn't he cuff him to the bed or have him in a secure room or some shit???

- wtf just happened

- alright wtf is up with tall lanky man he's weirding me out

- yoooo they have more of those implant things!!

- ok I still don't understand some things about the case. Why were all the other kids killed when Billy brought them to the woods but not the last girl? Why was she spared and both her and Billy's marks removed?

- Deep Throat, hate that title omfg

- pffft those MIP outfits look ridiculous, and so are their momements omfg

- long ass intro geez

- pffft the way Mulder just drags her out of the car

- that little smile!!!

- it's so weird seeing seatbelts attached to car doors

- is that Colonel Makepeace from Stargate???

- Mulderrrr don't go without Scully you dumb dumb!!

- please don't step on a landmine

- oh shit alien ship

- see this is why you need Scully, who's gonna verify what you saw now

- ah yes, run along the road where the cars can follow you, definitely not back into the grass where it would be difficult to follow

- Scully is gonna kick your asses for kidnapping him

- OH SHIT

- GET HIS ASS SCULLY

- HERE SHE COMES, PREPARE TO BE WHOOPED

- aw Mulder :(

- she's trying so hard to protect him

- damn I really like this show

- Squeeze

- oh wow hate that, creepy eyeballs in a sewer

- I recognize that business guy, he's been in another show I've watched, Psych maybe?

- not the ketchup blood XD

- sorry I gotta skip the into, that shit is so long

- that's where the "spooky? Do you think I'm spooky?" audio came from?????

- boy howdy vent guy is creepy

- the necklace grab??? HELLO????

- YEEESH those damn eyes dude

- oh boy he stretchin

- YOU TELL HIM DANA

- woah they just mentioned 2023 as the distant future that's wild to hear in 2024 haha

- that brown pantsuit Scully is wearing??? WOW

- hey now, don't be grabbing Scully you slithery fuck

- Colton you suck

- DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT SLITHERY BASTARD

- LEAVE THE HOUSE SCULLY WHAT'RE YOU DOING

- nice work team

- aww the retired guy finally got closure 😭

- THE SOFT ARM TOUCH

- uhhhhh idk that that cell is good enough y'all

- I don't like that grin he's got, he's gonna escape isn't he

- Conduit

- sleeping outside with no tent??? Girl what about snakes and ants and things???

- she put her children out there while she slept in there camper??? Wtf???

- THE LEAN INNNN

- man that lake is gorgeous

- did the sherriff really just scratch his damn chin with evidence

- intense Mulder, oof!

- wooooaaaah that code page thing of Ruby is so cool

- ahhhh I love Mulder lore

- that tackleeee, nice moves Mulder

- why is she doing CPR if she's just unconscious??

- AHHHH dude the way Mulder gently directs Scully with a soft touch, BRO

- I can't get over the fact that his first name is Fox

- Dana has looked fantastic in literally every outfit so far, she's so cool

- geez y'all the tape is so sad wtf

- "I want to believe" OW OW OW OW OW

- Jersey Devil

- oh wow I haven't heard Bingo in a long ass time

- is that Bill Lee from Stargate??

- oop, Bill Lee hath been taken

- y'all, the way these two look at eachother??? And how close they get?? CONSTANTLY?? BRUH

- aha! She thinks he's cute!

- oh hey it's that asshole scientist from Eureka

- I recognize the guy who plays the homeless man helping Mulder but idk where from

- Mulder. Mulder please why do you always do these things alone

- I'm sorry I cannot take you seriously handing that guy that goofy ass drawing

- good god dude it's a first date why are you talking about her meeting your kids

- not the bigfoot with tits picture 😂

- ya know, I really appreciate the ranger being on their side in this

- ah it's those damn MIP guys again

- Anthropologist dude rules for not selling them out

- damn he really just leapt out that window

- oh she did too damn!

- run!!

- OOP

- so they're just cannibals? Nothing supernatural?

- THE GRAB AS SHE LAYS HIM BACK OMFG

- oh boy it's gettin wild now!

- that poor actress having to climb all over rocks while naked

- aw man :(

- I would've expected long nails considering she's been clawing into people

- the red plaid suit??? Hello??? GORGEOUS

- why would that Rob dude ask her to get her friend's kid to go hang out with him and his kid???? Bro is weird

- uhhhh that's the dude from the beginning, didn't his leg get chewed off my the male?? I'm confused because that was most definitely the guy from the beginning.

- Shadows

- the woman packing up the office looks really familiar too

- ooo, ghost??

- there's no ads on this episode, weird

- eew I do noooooot like the twitching

- why tf are they all blank facing them

- the way he leans in to speak to her heeeeeellllpppp

- ok so the woman who got attacked is alive

- AHHHHHHH CREEPY CREEPY CREEPY

- hell yeah ghost, stop that creepy perv!!

- did Mulder just look at her ass when she sat down?? He did a whole ass lean and everything!

- awww Mulder wanting to go to the liberty bell with Scully 😭

- Ghost in the Machine

- Brad dude is from Eureka!! Funnily enough the company is called Eurisko, really close

- Mulder. Buddy. You did not just call and elevator politically correct for being accessible to the visually impaired. That's just accessibility, nothing political about that (or at least there shouldn't be).

- Lamana, you suck

- yeah Mulder you tell him!!

- noooo don't back down :(

- is that Harrison Well's house from The Flash???? Am I imagining this??

- oh my god no I just googled images of it, that's the same house!!!

- uh oh, he's gonna die isn't he

- ah crap Mulder thinks Brian did it doesn't he

- he doesn't!!! Phew

- GEKDJDJS I THOUGHT THAT WAS GONNA BE SO MUCH WORSE OMFG

- secret agents Scully and Mulder let's goooo

- uh oh

- why tf is there debris in the vent system. Whose receipts are those???

- OH NO

- MULDER DO SOMETHING

- BRUH

- LET'S GO SCULLY

- biiiiiiiitch nooooooooo

- Ice

- why does bro have 2 identical boob cuts, 1 on each. They also look very unrealistic.

- what in the fresh hell is happening

- the duo is goin to Alaska!

- there's some funky virus in the ice isn't there. Reminds me of that one Eureka episode

- GET HIM SCULLY

- he is so not gonna be ok

- EEW

- oh yeah he dead

- nooooo sports guy 😭

- man I hate Scully and Mulder being on opposing sides :(

- AHHHHH NOOOOOO

- this isn't gonna be the end of it is it

- this show really doesn't do closure closure does it, every episode is just like, welp it could 1000% come back

- Space

- ooooo spaceeeee

- I recognize the ex astronaut security guy from something

- MAYBOURNE??? YUCK. Hopefully he's not a jackass in this show

- again with the damn buckets of water on the windshield

- wtf was that????

- aaaaand it's magically not raining anymore. It's not even wet!!!!

- yeeesh him looking in the mirror like that was so creepy

- oh what in the fresh hell is happening to his face

- y'all this is intense!!!

- HELL YEAH

- I don't really understand why the space thing wanted to kill the astronauts

- Fallen Angel

- Mulder in a leather jacket???

- Mulder hiding under a truck and sneaking around a military base like a secret agent while wearing a leather jacket???

- see this is what happens when you go investigating without Scully

- I'm sorry I cannot take Mulder seriously as mr tough guy, he's just so baby

- ah here comes Scully to rescue his ass

- uhhhh is that an invisibility thing

- ow I hate those flashing lights

- ok immune to laser fence thing

- "it won't get away" already did my guy

- or maybe it didn't?

- the face that soldier Jackson is making is rage inducing, please stop

- welp, the entity made my wish come true I guess

- Mulder is so sweet 😭

- y'all the lenses they're using as the pov for the entity is making me sick

- Scully is so sick of this shit XD

- wtf is it doing to him??

- seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to take one human, I wonder why they're doing it

- I wish we got more insight into Scully's thoughts through all this. She's been seeing a loooot of stuff since she got paired with Mulder and given her skepticism, I'd just really like to know what's going through her head in all this.

- Eve

- ooooo, vampire??

- CLONES???

- well, I'm a little confused as to why they're killing them by draining their blood still

- ah ok so the little girls DID do it

- why tf would she try again knowing what the other Eves were like. Why are people obsessed with making perfect humans, what's the point of life if not to learn and grow?

- man they are playing them like a damn fiddle!!

- uh oh

- WHY WOULD YOU LICK IT

- hey now, that better not be who I think it is

- god damn it, it is

- yeesh what an episode

- this show is nothing but cliff hangers wtf!!!

- Fire

- OH

- who tf is that and why is she smooching Mulder

- yes she does hate you, your smooching her weirdo

- where tf do I know her from?

- is that Crowley????

- I couldn't tell with the facial hair before I thought he just looked similar, but without it yeah!

- ahhhhhh I don't like these zoom inssss

- ah yes smoke a cigarette when you have a cough, that'll help

- interesting

- you tell him Michael!!!

- seriously? They can't drive themselves even once??

- I REMEMBER WHERE I KNOW HER FROM. She played the woman that chief Vick set Henry Spencer up with in Psych!!

- BRUH, DO NOT HOOK UP WITH HER

- Scully came anyway 😭

- maybe if y'all weren't MAKING OUT AT WORK, you would've noticed!!!

- you got this Mulder come on

- come on Mulder!!!!

- damn it dude

- so she's been hitting on Mulder the entire time while having an affair with the husband???

- man this guy really gets typecasted huh, first this pyrokinetic serial killer, then the king of hell!

- yes Mulder!! Face your fears!!!

- welp, looks like his cockiness killed him. Do we finally get an actual ending???

- nope he's alive, great

- a hyperbaric chamber?? You mean the thing filled with a fuck ton of oxygen??? So smart, definitely not INCREDIBLY FLAMMABLE.

- Beyond the Sea

- GENERAL HAMMOND????

- Scully's dad is General fuckin Hammond????

- he died :(

- THE FACE TOUCH

- oh shit, is the death of her father gonna be the thing that gets her to believe?

- "he was your father" that really does not answer her question

- I feel like I recognize Boggs from somewhere

- how tf is a prisoner allowed to have earrings. Also, he only had 1 in the first couple shots but now he has 2.

- now he has 1 again? Maybe they just had that one shot flipped so it looked like the other ear

- OOOO MULDER YOU SLY DOG

- OH FUCK

- Scully please don't go in there alooooone what is with these two!!!

- OH FUUUUCK

- dude the guy playing Boggs can fucking ACT like DAMN

- BERNIE, the dude that plays Boggs also played Bernie in Psych!!!

- HELL YEAH SCULLY

- it's so compelling to see what Mulders limits are in his belief, that he can blind himself to things he would ordinarily fight for others to see because of his history with the person

- she didn't go??

- he's trying to convince her to believe now? He's been denying it the whole episode!!!

- weird episode

- Genderbender

- uhhh I'm a bit scared of what this is gonna be about by that title, fingers crossed it's not transphobic shit and just a shapeshifter 🤞

- ok so yes a shapeshifter, and like, a succubus?

- uh oh

- so I'm guessing these people adopted this way of life to prevent hurting people? And this other one that's killing people has gone rogue?

- ah yes Mulder, crumple the map up instead of trying to find a land mark and reorient yourself

- what in the fresh hell

- AHHHHH I HATE THE GOOPY STUFF

- NO NO NO YOU LEAVE SCULLY ALONE

- YOU BASTARD HOW COULD YOU SHE WAS NICE TO YOU

- ok so they each have a male and female form?

- hope that damn farm boy perishes painfully for trying to do that shit

- ah yep, there's the transphobic comment ok.

- SHOOT HIS ASS

- damn it

- rapist aliens, hate it. I'll be skipping this one if I rewatch the series in the future

- Lazarus

- yeesh, I wonder if Scully will end up believing that the guy who came back isn't him anymore

- man they really fell into that pink blood trap from old shows didn't they

- idk how she could deny that that isn't him after this

- damn, that was dark

- Mulder not lushing her to believe either way ahhhhh ouchyyy

- Young at Heart

- uhhhh, what is a prisoner doing roaming around

- UHHHHH WTF

- y'all, Scully is so little 😭 I know Mulder is like super tall but even compared to other women she's little, much less when standing in a room of Mulder height people XD

- oof more Mulder lore, man cannot catch a break

- damn, seeing old fashioned hand writing analysis be done is so cool, even in NCIS, a fairly old crime show, they still use tech for it. Hearing her talk about the markers and indicators is so so neat

- BITCH YOU BETTER NOT HURT SCULLY

- I recognize Dr. Ridley from something...

- it's the time loop guy from Stargate SG-1!!!

- the way young Barnette speaks is rage inducing

- E.B.E.

- oh wow that's quite a ship

- what's with the blue light thing?

- "Mulder you're the only one I trust" BROOOOOOO

- oh hey it's the woman who plays the tech on the Daedalus in Stargate who works with Hermiod!!

- HIS CODENAME IS DEEP THROAT????

- LET HIM LOOK ANYWAYYYY

- of course it's gone

- Miracle Man

- ah man a religious episode

- who tf subjects a child to that

- ughhhhhh

- yeah that's not creepy at all!!!

- gross gross gross I hate it

- the burned guy is the problem right? He's like channeling the boy and taking the lives of those that die? And maybe he's super against the autopsies because "desecrating" the body will undo it or something? Idk I'm guessing here cuz I'm confused

- oh shit Scully is doing the autopsy? Intense, aw man and Mulder is trying his best to be there

- oh ok so that's not what's happening

- uh oh

- ok it was the burned guy I was right!! He just wasn't doing it supernaturally

- oh wow

- Shapes

- oooo cryptid??

- ok so if you get scratched you get infected. It went from Joe to Lyle

- I wonder what triggers a new one once it's killed, cuz there was a distance between the killings in the past

- oh, so it's dormant until a night after the person gets too blood lusty?

- damn it, why is Scully always being left alone with the monsters or bad guys and Mulder is always chasing them alone

- how is she not hearing the loud ass growling sounds

- also, why is there a random ass cougar in a cage

- "something" jumped you?? Really Scully?? There was only one thing in that bathroom

- Darkness Falls

- wow those woods are gorgeous

- I'm very intrigued

- wtf was that shit

- oh my god Scully in that neon coat 😭 she's pretty in everything!!!

- I recognize the sherriff from somewhere

- Castle! He's in Castle

- oh boy, that creepy

- I recognize the Doug guy too

- holy crap it's THAT guy! Man he's like big time now

- ah so they got themselves killed by chopping down an ancient tree, karma

- Steve is the worst, hope he gets taken by bugs

- oh yeah he's done for

- OH HELL

- Tooms

- not the lizard bitch again

- AUGH THE EYESSSS

- who tf left his slot open!! Fools!!!

- Colonel Caldwell?!?!?

- do not release this mf

- Mulder, I hate to say it but that was never gonna fly

- welp, someone is gonna die now

- THAT MUCH SLURPING AND LICKING WAS SO UNNECESSARY AHHHHH

- nice work sheriff, nice work

- OH HELL NO

- bro is not about to come out of a toilet come on

- ok he didn't but he is disgusting anyway

- "Mulder, I wouldn't put myself on the line for anyone but you" BROOOOO "if there's an ice tea in that bag, could be love" "must be fate, Mulder. Root beer" THEY'RE SO IN LOVE OMFG

- black car, red interior, so cool

- Mulder's turn to be attacked by lizard guy

- wtf is he doing

- oh

- YEESH

- OH

- oh that is gross, but hey he's finally dead

- Born Again

- psychic kid?

- ok so dead guy is involved? Girl is a medium then? Like ghost whisperer?

- I recognize the Tony guy from something

- oh shit they murdered that dude

- I looked him up, he's been in a lot of stuff I've seen apparently, NCIS, Supernatural, Psych, SG-1, and I haven't seen Law and Order really but I think I recognize him from trailers and stuff

- maybe the girl witnessed the first dude's murder or was nearby? And she could see his spirit or something? Or maybe he just latched onto her?

- oh reincarnation, that makes more sense

- bro really helped murder his partner and then got with his wife

- wtf is that

- honestly this episode is really uninteresting to me

- interesting we got a report by Mulder instead of Scully at the end though

- Roland

- well fuck you ableist scientist dude

- he killed the not mean one :(

- I recognize Roland from something, probably Stargate

- alright well the era is showing here. They're talking about Autistic people like they're inherently stupid, that savants are human calculators who can't even understand what they're doing. I hope everyone who reads this and has or plans to watch this show understands that that is severely false. Autism is a spectrum and being autistic doesn't make you stupid, "unusual" speech and movement aren't indicative of intelligence. And having high support needs isn't indicative of intelligence either!

- poor guy, he doesn't wanna hurt anyone :(

- good riddance Arthur, some brother, taking him over and making him murder people

- He gave her his stars 😭 guysssss

- Erlenmeyer Flask

- wow that is quite a title

- the chase scene and the dude being semi invisible reminds me so much of the Replicator on Earth episode from SGA

- some sort of superhuman project maybe?

- god DAMN Mulder leapt that fence like it was nothing!!

- oooooo Scully is reaching the point of belief!!!!

- yeah a sort of superhuman project! Alien human hybrids

- oh shit they killed the doctor who helped them :(

- ah yes Mulder, go into the darm attic without a flashlight

- OOP

- oh god his face, poor Mulder 😭

- help him Scullyyyyy

- CONFIDENCE SCULLY, CONFIDENCE

- Dana, responsible, rule following, FBI agent Scully breaking a billion laws all for Fox Spooky Mulder

- how tf did she sneak that out of there

- are they gonna shoot him

- YEP

- Scully is never gonna be the same after this, at least she got Mulder back though

- you can't seperate the duo!!!! No!!!

Holy crap Season one was amazing, I'm gonna start season 2 immediately and I'll link it here once it's posted!

Season 2

[amnevitahwritesstuff]

2024 Fic Writer End of Year Roundup

Answer and then tag three or more creators to keep the game going!

Alright, I have only a few more hours of 2024 left to do this so it's now or never I guess. Thanks for the tag @starfall-spirit. 🫶

1. How many words did you publish on AO3 in 2024?

86,418 (but the real number is 56,156 since one of those fics is a collab between multiple writers).

2. How many fics did you complete this year?

Ten. Though all of those were one-shots or three-shots.

3. How many in progress or ongoing fics did you start this year?

Six that have been posted. Another eight in development and in various stages of being ready enough to be posted.

4. What was your favorite thing you wrote?

I had a lot of fun writing Come Away O Human Child. I've always loved dark fics but had never really written one myself before that point. It was a whirlwind experience to write. I think I wrote the first 5-8k words of it on a single Saturday afternoon. I'd never really understood when other writers said they 'wrote like they were possessed' until that moment.

5. What piece was your most experimental or different from your usual style?

To everyone's surprise—including my own—Take Care of Business for Me. I had never really written a proper modern AU before, and certainly not a RomCom. I tend to stick to AUs, Canon AUs, and darker stuff. So I kind of shocked myself by writing not only a Modern AU RomCom, but one with Daddy Kink in it...which I had never done before and—up until very recently—didn't even like.

(And yes, I know how funny it is that the one now primarily known for writing Soft Dom/Daddy Kink fics used to hate it. I contain hidden depths ok? 🫠)

6. Did any fics surprise you - either while writing or their reception?

Again, I'll have to point to Take Care of Business for Me, as well as Stuffed. The reception to the latter took me completely by surprise because it was just a silly little piece of self-indulgent smut I wrote to practice writing sex scenes. Clearly that exercise was far more successful than I could've ever envisioned because it's now only a couple hundred hits away from being my most popular fic of all time. 🥲

7. Do you have a fic you wrote and loved that went under the radar? (This is your sign to reblog/repost it!)

Probably The Hungry House, my creepy little haunted house fic that I thought had some pretty fun and spooky imagery. Though it's also a tragedy which I know isn't everyone's cup of tea and probably why it flew under the radar.

I'd also like to shout out The Horrors of Writer's Block, my silly little self-indulgent self-insert fic where a fanfic writer gets stuck inside her own fic with disastrous results. The latter was really me getting back to my roots writing self-insert/isekai fics which were some of my very first fics I ever posted on this site (and which are now hidden because they're so embarrassingly bad). It was a lot of fun and I hope to get back to it at some point, even if I'm only writing it for my own amusement.

8. Who is an artist that inspired you?

Loputyn. Not a fandom artist, but she has exactly the kind of creepy but sexy vibe I love.

9. Who is an author that inspired you?

@whatishowedyouinthedark was the reason I felt comfortable and brave enough to write some of my most popular fics (Take Care of Business for Me and Come Away O Human Child respectively) in this fandom. She's a fantastic cheerleader, especially when you want to write the darker, sexier, or more problematic stuff, so I can't thank her enough for her unending support and being such an icon in this fandom. Without her those fics wouldn't exist so everyone go say 'Thank You SVDG'.

10. Who is a new author you discovered?

@pouroverpaloma! I was dragged into the Gale brainrot in the beginning of 2024 and her Gale fics were some of the first I found and loved in the Baldur's Gate fandom.

11. Did you do any collaborations? How did it start?

Yes! My first one ever in fact! I'm a part of the @feysand-hivemind timeloop project! I contributed a chapter and have another to come in the future.

From what I remember, @gaeleria said something to the effect of 'wouldn't a feysand time loop fic be fun?' and everyone was like 'wait, that's actually a great idea!' and before we knew it a bunch of us were throwing ideas around in a google doc and the rest is history.

12. What accomplishments are you proudest of?

That I finally finished a multi-chaptered fic! Now, to be fair, it was only three chapters but that still counts! I had never finished a multi-chaptered fic before so I was extremely proud of myself.

(I am, of course, talking about Come Away O Human Child.)

13. What did you learn about writing or creating this year?

That I can actually finish things! And that I am absolutely capable of pushing myself to write and I don't need to just wait around for days or weeks or months on end before 'inspiration' hits and forces me to write 2-4k words in one go. I learned that any progress is good progress. 100 words. 200 words. 500 words. If I managed to put words on the page then it was progress and something I should feel proud of. That mentality helped me write more in the last year than I have in the last ten, and helped improve my writing abilities by leaps and bounds.

14. Any advice you’d like to share with new or aspiring writers?

Everything above. Don't give up. Write something. Anything. It doesn't have to be good. It doesn't have to even make sense. Just get it out. Write a little each day. Even if it isn't a lot. Some words are better than no words. You get better by doing.

I also think you should write what you want. Is your idea too problematic and weird? Write it anyway. Is it too derivative and has been done a million times before? Write it anyway. I wrote so many things this year that I was so sure that nobody but me was going to like or even read and I was honestly flabbergasted at the reach and enthusiastic reception some of those same fics ended up having. You won't know until you try. 💜

15. What are your creative goals for 2025?

Definitely to finish some of my ongoing fics, even if it's just one or two of them. I also have a ton of new projects I can't wait to share with everyone next year! 🎉

Only a couple hours left of 2024 here so if anyone can squeeze themselves in before then, feel free to tag yourself in!

[sailingshellsgames]

Feeling a little burnt out but proud. Enter: something spooky 🎃

I'm really pleased with having finally tacked chapter 9 in a real way. Like, out-in-the-world as a released alpha, instead of a draft on my hard drive that could still change drastically. I'm also semi exhausted lol.

When that happens it helps to write something different - like exercising different brain muscles and giving the 'Leas' ones a break. I heard the term "summerween" recently and that describes my mood haha. I don't go in for many holidays, but I've always loved Halloween.

I'm going to enter Mara's Halloween Jam again this year. I've been working on an unreleased low-fantasy game for about... two years? I think? It's only got an outline and two unfinished chapters (Leas is my priority, yah know how it is), but I think what I've got could be shaped up into something great for that jam.

The vibe is rural creepy 🦇 with a dash of supernatural stuff that feels a little like the Fey of Leas' world.

I hope you have fun with it in October, if you choose to play! (As usual for jams, the whole mini-game will be free :D )

[plushee-cant-draw]

As I've started doing for. every update now, here are all of the new quotes for the update beta, "Terror Below" :3

I. am very normal about it so far.

(Spoilers under the cut, of course. Also it is incredibly long.)

Firstly, though, I'm kinda sad that the ancient fuelweaver doesn't react at all to the portal being repaired. I tried summoning him after getting it fixed, but nothing changes, and I checked his quotes to be sure, but nothing new was added. Hopefully Kiel will give him something to say TwT.

Secondly, I'd go check the update out first if possible or see if a guide for the new things added is out, as even after playing it for a little bit...

I still haven't seen everything new added and don't know what some of the new quotes added are even for.

Anyways

Wilson:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "That drop looks like it goes on forever.", SHADOW_FORGE = "What dark designs will it bring to life?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "It would be unscientific of me not to at least do some experiments.", FUSED_SHADELING = "I liked you better when you were smaller, and bothering someone else.", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Bombastic!", VOIDCLOTH = "Those shadows are all cut from the same cloth.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "It makes me feel dark and mysterious.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Oh drat, there's a tear across the front!", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "I always hate when my hair gets melted by acid.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "It makes harvesting so easy, it's scary!", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "Hands off!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "It looks hungry for a fight.", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "The wings seem to be just for show.", CHARLIE_NPC = "Wait, is that...?", CHARLIE_HAND = "It wants something dreadful.", NITRE_FORMATION = "It's definitely some kind of rock.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "It's coming from deep down in those chasms...", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Someone else out there likes to scrapbook.", }, ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Something sinister's on the horizon.", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I already have all these.",

Willow:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Nope. Not going near that.", SHADOW_FORGE = "Alright, let's get weird!", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "I have to put it together myself?", FUSED_SHADELING = "Eww, it's so creepy!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "They sure go out with a bang.", VOIDCLOTH = "Finders keepers!", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "You never know who might really be hiding under that hood.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "I think I look good in red.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "At least it keeps the rain off.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Farming just got a bit less boring.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "What has two hands and no feet? Whatever that thing is.", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Go snack on somebody else!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "You don't scare me! Okay, maybe a little.", CHARLIE_NPC = "Have I seen her before...?", CHARLIE_HAND = "You want something from me?", NITRE_FORMATION = "I don't know how anything could grow in that weird rain.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "It's growing from way down below.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Another page for the emergency kindling supply- I mean scrapbook.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Did anyone else see that weird glow?", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Looks like stuff I already know.",

Wolfgang:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Wolfgang will be very careful not to fall into that.", SHADOW_FORGE = "Creepy hands make things for Wolfgang.", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Is almost done!", FUSED_SHADELING = "Is creepy and crawly!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Boom bug!", VOIDCLOTH = "Scary little rags.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Eep! Is too dark in there!", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Creepy shirt is happy to be worn by Wolfgang.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "Wolfgang would like less spooky umbrella, please.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Wolfgang will cut with one mighty swipe!", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "Creepy shadow wants to arm wrestle?", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Eep! Wolfgang's muscles are too tough for chewing!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Scary flapper!", CHARLIE_NPC = "Wolfgang has seen that face in the dark...", CHARLIE_HAND = "Is needing something, yes?", NITRE_FORMATION = "It grew from burny rain?", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Scary rock comes from scary place...", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Is page of funny scribbles.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Maybe is best to not go toward creepy light, yes?", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Wolfgang's scrapbook will fit no more!",

Wendy:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Endless, swirling nothingness... how serene.", SHADOW_FORGE = "What terrible things will I create?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "I suppose if I tried I could piece it together.", FUSED_SHADELING = "It knows nothing but pain and hunger.", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "They lead such short, explosive lives.", VOIDCLOTH = "Tattered remains.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "I can disappear into the darkness within.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "This ragged cloak will either protect me, or be my shroud.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "I will stay under its shadow.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "One swift motion, and the work is done.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "Another nightmare to torment me.", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Will the darkness consume me at last?", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "There is no face beneath that hood.", CHARLIE_NPC = "Are you the true face of the darkness?", CHARLIE_HAND = "Do I dare approach?", NITRE_FORMATION = "It thrives while the rest of us burn.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Do I dare imagine what kind of darkness it grew from?", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "A lost and lonely page.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "That glow... does it lead to my doom?", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Nothing more will fit in my scrapbook.",

WX-78:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "PLANAR ANOMALY DETECTED", SHADOW_FORGE = "IT DOES MY BIDDING", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "ASSEMBLY REQUIRED", FUSED_SHADELING = "HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF EVIL DETECTED", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "WARNING: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE", VOIDCLOTH = "ALL THAT IS LEFT OF MY ENEMIES", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO HIDE MY PERFECT MECHANICAL FACE", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "THE IRON CHAINS ARE A NICE TOUCH", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "MY NEW FAVORITE MOISTURE BARRIER", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "LET'S CUT DOWN SOME ORGANICS", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "SUBMIT TO MY AUTHORITY!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "YOUR EFFORTS ARE ILLOGICAL, I HOLD NO NUTRITIONAL VALUE", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "COME CLOSER SO I CAN PUNCH YOU", CHARLIE_NPC = "ALL THAT POWER AND SHE STILL CLINGS TO THAT ORGANIC FORM", CHARLIE_HAND = "OFFERING REQUIRED", NITRE_FORMATION = "IT GREW, BUT NOT IN A GROSS ORGANIC WAY", DREADSTONE_STACK = "IF I COULD JUST GET TO THE SOURCE!", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "I WILL ADD THIS INFORMATION TO MY PAPER DATA RECEPTACLE", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "SOMETHING EVIL IS HAPPENING WITHOUT ME!", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "PAPER DATA RECEPTACLE STATUS: 100% COMPLETE",

Wickerbottom:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Intriguing and deeply worrying in equal measures.", SHADOW_FORGE = "I do not care for this type of magic.", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "It cannot be utilized until its been assembled.", FUSED_SHADELING = "It is reminiscent of the parasitic shadows we encountered before.", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Its body is highly volatile.", VOIDCLOTH = "This unusual fabric may be quite useful.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Prolonged use will surely have detrimental effects on the mind.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Armor against metaphysical damage.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "It provides a useful barrier against acid droplets.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "A common harvesting implement, with an admittedly unsettling appearance.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "I would advise against challenging it in hand-to-hand combat.", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "A ravenous shadow beast.", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Its wings seem to be utilized for propulsion, not to remain airborne.", CHARLIE_NPC = "I'd like to give that young lady a stern talking to!", CHARLIE_HAND = "It requires materials.", NITRE_FORMATION = "The acidic rain seems to have caused a chemical reaction, producing these formations.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Its source must lie even deeper underground.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "What a hideous sight! A page torn from its book!", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "As nonsensical as it sounds, there is something dark about that \"light\"...", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "My scrapbook has already been completed.",

Woodie:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Watch where ya step.", SHADOW_FORGE = "Was this really a good idea?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "It won't do much good sitting there like that.", FUSED_SHADELING = "Yeesh, this place is overrun with shadow critters!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "That can't be good...", VOIDCLOTH = "It ain't flannel, but I can work with it.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "A dark hood, full of secrets.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Quite the getup, eh?", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "As long as it works, I won't complain aboot how it looks.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Luce says she doesn't like him.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "You'd better keep yer hands clear of my axe!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Better not get too close to that big fella.", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "You're not some kinda bird hiding under that hood, are ya?", CHARLIE_NPC = "Her face looks familiar, I think I've seen it in my nightmares.", CHARLIE_HAND = "Not exactly a helping hand, eh?", NITRE_FORMATION = "Guess that rain wasn't all bad, eh?", DREADSTONE_STACK = "I don't like where this is going, and I really don't like where it's comin' from.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Huh. Wonder where it came from?", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "I don't like the look of that light.", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Looks like stuff I already know aboot.",

Wes:

Maxwell:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Mind the gap.", SHADOW_FORGE = "What shall I fashion from the shadows?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "There is work to be done.", FUSED_SHADELING = "They grow up so fast.", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "That is one persistent tail.", VOIDCLOTH = "It would be a shame to let this material go to waste.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Darkness is an often underrated accessory.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "The fabric really breathes.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "It's just my style.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "If menial tasks must be done, they should be done in style.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "You think you're the master of sleight of hand?", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "I'll leave a bitter taste in your mouth, pal.", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "You think you can look down on me?", CHARLIE_NPC = "Charlie...", CHARLIE_HAND = "I'll... see to it.", NITRE_FORMATION = "A large growth of nitre.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "It comes from the depths below.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Curious. It may yield some useful information.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Something's stirring...", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I know all I need to already.",

Wigfrid:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "A chasm to Hel itself.", SHADOW_FORGE = "It doth conjure powerful, accursed things...", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Dare I toy with such a thing?", FUSED_SHADELING = "'Tis naught but a pest to be crushed beneath my boot!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "'Tis small, but lively!", VOIDCLOTH = "Remnants of a fallen foe.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "I despise the thought of hiding one's face in combat.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "This garb invites madness...", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "A shield against the elements.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "A formidable weapon against non-meats.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "To arms, fiend!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "All thou shall taste is the bite of my spear!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Thou art swift, but not swift enough!", CHARLIE_NPC = "At last, you reveal yourself!", CHARLIE_HAND = "It seeks an offering.", NITRE_FORMATION = "A boon from the burning rain.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "It hails from a place deeper and darker than even here.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "From whence hath you come, mysterious page?", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Hark! 'Tis a most unnatural light!", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I hath already completed my tome.",

Webber:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "W-we don't think we want to look down there...", SHADOW_FORGE = "We'd rather do crafts with paper and glue...", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Where should we put it?", FUSED_SHADELING = "Ouchie! It bites!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "You're not one of our spider friends!", VOIDCLOTH = "It's definitely not spider silk.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "It makes us look pretty spooky.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "It makes it look like our tummy's smiling!", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "It keeps us dry, and gives us lots of shade!", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "He never used anything like this back on the farm.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "We wonder if they get dizzy walking like that...", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "We don't want to get gobbled up again!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Aww, no fair, we wish we had wings!", CHARLIE_NPC = "Are you the lady from the dark?", CHARLIE_HAND = "We think it wants something!", NITRE_FORMATION = "It's a big stack of rock stuff!", DREADSTONE_STACK = "More of that scary rock...", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Oooh, we found a page!", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "What was that creepy light?", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "We already filled up our scrapbook.",

Winona:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "This place is falling apart at the seams.", SHADOW_FORGE = "Might as well put the shadows to work.", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Just needs a bit of elbow grease.", FUSED_SHADELING = "I don't like the look of those chompers.", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Watch out, it's gonna blow!", VOIDCLOTH = "I can work with any material.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Some folks think it's safer to be kept in the dark.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Looks pretty tattered, will it really protect me from anything?", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "It sure provides plenty of shade.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "It gives me the creeps, but it sure works like a charm.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "What? Mad I left ya hanging?", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "It's gonna chew me up and spit me back out! Literally!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Must be one of the higher-ups. Ha...", CHARLIE_NPC = "Charlie, wait!!", CHARLIE_HAND = "You want something, huh?", NITRE_FORMATION = "Oh, I've got big plans for that!", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Must be a lot of the stuff growing down there.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Let's see if there's anything interesting written on it.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "I've got a bad feelin'...", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I can't squeeze any more pages in my scrapbook.",

Warly:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "The ground is crumbling!", SHADOW_FORGE = "A place for dark concoctions.", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "I'll just put these pieces together, and voila!", FUSED_SHADELING = "It does not look friendly!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "It's about to pop!", VOIDCLOTH = "Leftovers from those nightmares.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "To protect my head while unraveling my mind.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Will it really keep me safe?", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "I fear it will bring bad luck whether it's opened indoors or not.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Did I just see it twitch?", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "I don't want to end up in its clutches.", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Oh my, it looks hungry... and I'm probably delicious!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "My fears have taken flight!", CHARLIE_NPC = "Mon dieu... Is that the face I've seen peering from the shadows?", CHARLIE_HAND = "It needs an important ingredient.", NITRE_FORMATION = "Adding a dash of acid to the mix created these formations.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "More of that curious stone.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Ah! Someone has left a page here.", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "What was that eerie glow?", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "My scrapbook is already filled to the brim.",

Wortox:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Hyuyu, watch your step!", SHADOW_FORGE = "Those idle hands should be put to work, hyuyu!", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "All work and no play makes for an irritable imp.", FUSED_SHADELING = "The stuff of nightmares!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Keep away, I don't want to play!", VOIDCLOTH = "Bits of tattered reality. And it comes in my color!", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "A hood of night, that blocks out all light.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "It broke the chains of its previous plane.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "The rain of pain falls mainly on this plane.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Alas, it reaps no souls, just grass.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "This one's all topsy-turvy, hyuyu!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "You wouldn't want to eat a sweet little imp like me!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "A fright, taken flight!", CHARLIE_NPC = "The Shadow Queen is finally seen!", CHARLIE_HAND = "It seeks a stone of dread.", NITRE_FORMATION = "After a while it formed a pile.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Who knows where it grows from?", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Where is it from? Not knowing is half the fun!", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Calling that \"light\" wouldn't be quite right.", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I already know everything there is to know, hyuyu!",

Wormwood:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Anybody down there?", SHADOW_FORGE = "Scary hands helping?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Not done yet", FUSED_SHADELING = "Scary Biter!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Look out!", VOIDCLOTH = "Leaves? No...", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Dark inside", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Smiling?", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "Burny Rain Taker", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "No... wants to hurt friends!", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "Not friend...", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Big Biter!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Scary Flier", CHARLIE_NPC = "Hello lady!", CHARLIE_HAND = "Want something?", NITRE_FORMATION = "Bunch of Pow Rocks", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Growing up, up, up!", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Book leaf?", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Glowy!", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Book filled up!",

Wurt:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "Glorp! Ground broken!", SHADOW_FORGE = "Make me things! Now!", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "It not ready yet.", FUSED_SHADELING = "Something stuck to its tail?", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "It gonna 'splode!", VOIDCLOTH = "All torn up.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "It dark inside!", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "Scary shirt...", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "Huh? Th-there a storm in it!", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Swish swish, bye-bye plants! Hee-hee!", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "G-go away!!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "Hey! No eating!!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "N-not scared of you, florp!", CHARLIE_NPC = "It the scary night lady!!", CHARLIE_HAND = "What you want, florp?", NITRE_FORMATION = "Big bunch of funny rocks.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "Oooh, big shiny rock!", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Found page for scrappy book!", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "N-not scared of weird light, florp!", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "No more room in scrappy book.",

Walter:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "I wish I could get a better look inside...", SHADOW_FORGE = "It's really handy! Get it? Because it has hands?", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "Don't worry, I'm great at setting things up!", FUSED_SHADELING = "Woby, look! It has a ball on its tail!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "Woah! The ball's alive!", VOIDCLOTH = "All that's left of that poor shadow monster.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Woby doesn't like it when I wear that.", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "It almost looks like it has a face, doesn't it?", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "An umbrella that comes with its own lightning!", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "I think it just blinked!", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "They seem fun!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "I bet they're friendly!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Oooh, neat! That one can fly!", CHARLIE_NPC = "Excuse me, ma'am! It's dangerous here, do you need any assistance?", CHARLIE_HAND = "We should give it a hand! Heh. Good one, Walter.", NITRE_FORMATION = "Huh. Looks like a big clump of rocks.", DREADSTONE_STACK = "I bet there's more buried deep underground!", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "I should add it to my scrapbook!", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "What was that weird light? We should check it out, Woby!", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "I've already filled out my scrapbook.",

Wonkey:

Wanda:

-- Rifts 2 SHADOWRIFT_PORTAL = "This isn't good...", SHADOW_FORGE = "Quite a nice change of pace to have shadows working for me.", SHADOW_FORGE_KIT = "I'll have it up and running in just a tick.", FUSED_SHADELING = "You stay away from me!", FUSED_SHADELING_BOMB = "What a nasty little thing!", VOIDCLOTH = "Tatters of spacetime.", VOIDCLOTHHAT = "Oooh, it makes one look rather mysterious, doesn't it?", ARMOR_VOIDCLOTH = "I prefer chains that have a pocket watch at the end of them.", VOIDCLOTH_UMBRELLA = "At least it will keep me dry.", VOIDCLOTH_SCYTHE = "Did I just hear a whisper? No, I must have imagined it.", SHADOWTHRALL_HANDS = "Try all you might, you'll never catch me!", SHADOWTHRALL_HORNS = "I will not be your dinner!", SHADOWTHRALL_WINGS = "Shoo! Shoo!!", CHARLIE_NPC = "She looks happy... that doesn't bode well.", CHARLIE_HAND = "Me? Help YOU?!", NITRE_FORMATION = "How exciting, more rocks!", DREADSTONE_STACK = "It's coming from deep below the surface.", SCRAPBOOK_PAGE = "Did I leave this here?", },

ANNOUNCE_SHADOW_RIFT_MAX = "Something has shifted...", ANNOUNCE_SCRAPBOOK_FULL = "Didn't I already fill out my scrapbook?",

annnddd that's all of them. have fun with them

[echthr0s]

I am pretty sure I've never actually met a high-affective-empathy person -- everyone I know who has claimed this has turned out to be high-anxiety, and since popular understanding of empathy is... lacking, this always goes unexamined >_> -- but I thought about it and I think I could imagine what an actual high-empathy person would be like. and the answer is... spooky.

they'd be spooky. if this was the olden days, people would call them a witch. hell, people might still do it. they'd seem to have an uncanny intuition. their party trick would be to look at you, take a sip of their drink, take a deep breath, and then tell you something about yourself that would immediately piss you the fuck off and you'd never speak to them again. because they're wrong! they tried to psychoanalyse you like a fucking Crane brother and they were so blatantly wrong! ...a few years and 100 therapy sessions later, you think back and you're like "oh my god. how the fuck did they know."

my blueprint for what an actual high-empathy person is like: Heather Havrilesky ("Ask Polly"). I've been reading her for years and she has told stories like the above -- stories of alienating people with her weirdly invasive commentary, which she offered freely and with great enthusiasm, not always realising how hidden or suppressed the stuff she was revealing actually was. people generally Do Not Like having their inner worlds put on display like that, especially at large-scale social functions, and they found it suspicious and manipulative besides. to Heather, this was just her way of connection-seeking, of saying, "I see you!" fortunately, she figured out how to use this power for good -- she writes an advice column. and she always seems to get to what the Letter Writer is actually saying, which I always thought was... well, spooky.

I also think that most high-empathy people probably aren't announcing it. they've either suppressed it entirely out of social pressure to be less weird and invasive and creepy, or they are grappling with like 5 mental illnesses (due to either people's mistreatment or just the constant overstimulation). I wonder what the combination of high affective and low cognitive empathy is like; I can only imagine the inverse, because that's me, and frankly I think that's the best combination of these traits~ ;)

[lamuradex]

Friday Kiss Tag (And Writing Share) 💋

Let's get romantic. Thanks to @the-golden-comet for the tag.

But first, the rules.

Rules: From your story/WIP, share a kiss. It can be any kiss, from familial pecks on the cheek, forehead kisses, platonic smooches, to full-blown makeouts.

And, as always, if you don’t have a kiss available you can always use this post as a writing share!

Rules: Share a snippet of your story/wip

Now, I've already said that October was gonna be the month for Stitches of the Mind, but the only kissing in that is... not exactly romantic. It's a horror novel after all.

But it is Spooky Month, so I'm going with it.

Here's a creepy kiss, where a woman who has mostly lost her mind is kissing a doll made in the image of a serial killer she's in love with. Enjoy!

Rhianne rested contentedly on the floor of her back room, her arms coated in faint scratches. Pretty Penny lay beside her, the doll’s delicate claws resting in two bowls. A pretty little manicure for a pretty little thing. The bowls were filled with water and antiseptic. Rhianne knew what she wanted, and that did not include infections. She held a cloth, dipped the end in the cleansing fluid, and grasped one of the doll’s limbs. She pressed the rag into its grasp, and with her help, Pretty Penny spread the anti-bacterial on her scratches. The disinfectant burned sharply, but the loving touch behind it made it worthwhile. Rhianne leant over and kissed her companion on the cheek. Right on the tip of her scar. Her eyes moved to its chest, and the only strange mark on the fabric form. A long set of stitches like a surgical scar between hypothetical ribs. They weren’t part of the original design. A new addition, one might say.

Alright, a creepy kiss. I need to work out more spooky stuff to post.

Anyway, here are my usual tags:

@wintherlywords @stephtuckerauthor @fayeiswriting @mikathewriter @agirlandherquill

By the way, if anyone doesn't want to be tagged, or alternatively would love to be tagged, feel free to let me know. Currently I'm just tagging Writeblr mutuals, as best as I can work out.

[sorcharavenlock]

42. A man of mystery.

I call Nea and Kitty the next day. As always, they are up for a new adventure!

Nea drives while Loki casts the spell Frigga taught him to divine the whereabouts of this magic quill.

After a few hours, we arrive in a strange little town called "Forgotten Hollow".

Nea parks the cars and Loki weaves his magic.

"Please let it not be in that creepy mansion over there," I say to Nea.

"It's in that creepy mansion over there!" Loki yells cheerfully over his shoulder.

"I should have brought Dean," Kitty grumbles. "This place is giving me the creeps."

"I kind of like it," Nea shrugs. "It's awesome in a spooky sort of way!"

It is early September, but snowflakes are already drifting down from the sky above. I shiver. This whole place is weird!

"Are you sure it's there?" I ask Loki.

"Do you not trust my magic?" He replies archly.

"Just cast the spell again please, just to make sure."

"Well, that answers that question," Nea grins.

Loki makes his way to the door.

"It's open," he says as he steps inside.

"Loki! You can't just walk into someone's home unannounced!" I follow him with a sigh.

"Why not? it gives us the element of surprise!"

The home owner sure seems surprised!

"Nea, isnt' that the guy we met in the club?" Kitty asks.

"What do you think you are doing just barging into my home?"

"My name is Loki, son of Odin, formerly prince of Asgard, god of Mischief." loki introduces himself politely.

"We are looking for a powerful atrifact and my scrying spell led me to your home."

"My name is Valentin," V says. "And whther you are a prince or a god doesnt' matter, you can't just come barging into my home!"

"My sincere apologies, we weren't certain what to expect," Loki apologises smoothly.

Valentin invites us to take a seat.

He seems rather taken with Nea.

"We are looking for Hela's Quill," Kitty explains. "Wwe are hoping we could borrow it so we can bring Loki back to life."

"Hela's Quill? I have it here, yes. It is not something I particularly care for, I have to admit. You are free to take it. Follow me."

We follow him down the stairs into the basement where we find an underground hedge maze.

"Well, this place just keeps getting weirder," Nea comments.

Valentin just smiles. "You should see the rest of the house. perhaps i'll show you around some other time."

"This is Hela's Quill. You are free to take it, but i'm afraid it won't do you any good."

"We have a capable author amongts us," Loki explains.

"That is not the problem. The problem is that the author has to write down the subject's life story before said subject dies. It wont' work posthumously, I'm afraid.

But feel free to take it. I'd rather be rid of it, if I am to be honest."

Loki takes the quill, not showing his dissapointment.

"Come, let's go," I say. "let's give Valentin and Nea a chance to talk!"

We walk out of the door just as Valentin sits himself down at his pie organ.

"See, he gets to have an organ," Loki grumbles.

"This is quite the place you've got here," Nea says.

"It belonged to my Father's family. They were strange people."

"And your mother?"

Valentin glaces at the door Loki just left through. "They are even stranger," he smiles.

"Yeah, that isn't mysterious at all," Nea mutters to herself. "You aren't going to tell me more about yourself, are you?"

"No, not right now," Valentin grins. "perhaps the next time."

"You said that the last time," Nea points out.

Valentin stands up and takes her hands into his.

"I promised you we'd meet again, and so we did."

"You couldn't possibly have known we'd walk into your house today," Nea points out.

"Couldn't I?"

"Well, I suppose I've seen a lot weirder stuff recently," Nea admits.

"Good. Because having me in your life means you'd better get use to the strange and unexplainable."

"Does that mean I'll see you more often?"

"Oh yes. I am certain we are destined to meet again," Valentin says with a smile that makes her go weak at the knees, not that Nea would ever admit to that!

"But you should go now, your friends are waiting for you."

"Farewell, my beautiful Nea. Until we meet again."

[practically-an-x-man]

Genuine ask: What is it that's appealing about Horror? I've never really been into it (Except for reading some Stephen King). Have I just not been exposed to *good* horror?

Long ramble ahead, I'm very passionate about this stuff

Well it's definitely a polarizing genre, there are some people who love it and some people who really can't get into it no matter how much they try. I'm the former, so is my dad, my mother is the latter. She does not enjoy horror and never will, and that's fine.

I find a few things really fun about horror. The first is that I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so the fear and tension in a good horror movie is a similar effect to riding a roller coaster or going skydiving. Some people find it a thrill, others find it terrifying. I find it a thrill.

There's also a psychological phenomenon linked to it, called excitation transfer. Basically, the more intense a scary situation is, the more pleasant the relief feels when it's over. I actually did a whole research project on this! Horror movies present a safe space for experiencing these emotions, since you know you can't really get hurt, and excitation transfer means that even when the fear and anxiety during the movie may be unpleasant, the relief feels really good afterwards. Again, same principle as thrill rides at theme parks - terrifying in the moment, but fun when it's over. Granted, I like roller coasters in the moment too since I actually really like the feeling of flight or falling, but... same principle.

And even outside the thrill perspective of it: horror movies can have some of the best or most interesting practical effects, and I'm an SFX artist myself so I have to appreciate those. And because of how many complicated, intense emotions it presents, it can often involve some of the best acting on top of it. Horror usually presents a greater variety in themes and plot than other genres, since they aren't afraid to go to uncomfortable places. I mean, you watch a romcom and pretty much always expect that the guy gets the girl, you watch an action movie and expect the heroes to come out on top, but with horror it's a lot harder to really guess how something could end, or if it'll be a win for the "good guys" at all. Sometimes the dark ending is just what's right for the story, and horror is more likely to keep that ending while other genres may shy away from it.

And horror can also present as a bit of escapism - you can see yourself as the final girl, or the killer exacting well-deserved vengeance, or whoever else. Everyone has dark fantasies sometimes, and there's almost always a movie to reflect that in a safe space. You daydream about killing your boss at work? Mayhem (2017). Belko Experiment (2016). You want to see spoiled rich brats getting their comeuppance? Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). The Menu (2021). You like zombies? Vampires? Robots? Demons? Slashers? Mind control? Mundane settings turned terrifying? It's such a versatile genre, there's something for just about anyone as long as they like scary things.

From an academic perspective, too: horror reflects the societal fears of its time period. In the 60s we got Invasion of the Body Snatchers and the Manchurian Candidate because it was the Cold War and people's biggest fear was foreign spies. In the 80s it was a lot of demons and Satanic themes, because the Satanic panic was what had people scared. Lately we've been getting a lot of tech-based horror like Countdown and Host, since technology is usually at the forefront of people's fears. It's neat (to me at least) to see how society's trends reflect themselves in horror.

Plus, I just really like spooky things. Vampires and zombies and creepy mutated creatures and whatever else are my jam! I can get all academic on why horror is a great genre and why people enjoy it, but this stuff also just calls to me. I love it.

[marthawrites]

Late again, BUT here's my October reads! General spoiler free thoughts below the cut ♥

From Below: Diving into this book I really wasn't sure what to expect aside from the obvious! The premise was pretty simple: a diving team goes under to examine a shipwreck that mysteriously happened in the 1920s. So, lots of dark, creepy, unsettling vibes in the deep dark ocean. AHHH I hate deep dark water so when I saw this book I knew I had to check it out. Overall this was a very tense, suspenseful, and claustrophobic read. For me, personally, the pacing felt a little weird. But it was an enjoyable story nonetheless with tons of creepyness going on. I think it would make a really interesting movie!!

Diavola: This was a "haunted house" style book that I was really interested in checking out! Honestly one of my favorite horror tropes is "the house is sick and so are we" (thanks AHS murder house!!). This story definitely had ghosts and psychological horror vibes and it was overall a spooky, entertaining, and weird read. The family in it was borderline insufferable though LOL and I think that was the whole point!! The ghost dilemma was nearly (if not totally) overshadowed by how horrible the family was! Which, again, I think was the point - the author did a fantastic job writing believable shitty characters (and I say this with respect)!

Salt and Broom: This was a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre. It fit perfectly into the October vibe and the writing was a refreshing change for me - a very sweet, secretive, somewhat dark, clean read. A lot of books I read are intended for a mature audience, and this was a nice change of pace. I would 100% feel good recommending this to a pre-teen to check out! It had a happy ending too and I am always a sucker for a happy ending!

A Friend In the Dark: Oh man this one was crazy!! It goes to show how you can never be too careful around people you meet online - ahhh! Very wild. If you enjoy face paced thrillers I definitely recommend checking this out!

Black River Orchard: Okay this was by far my favorite read of the month. I really don't want to give too much away because it's GOOD and when the things start adding up it's a big "OOOOH!!". Overall this is, imo, an incredibly well done, original, take on vampires. There's lots of different characters in this book, and they all have POV chapters, so at first it seems (to me anyway) overwhelming to keep track of everyone. Speaking of the characters, I absolutely loved how the author wrote all of them. They all had their own distinct voice and it was soso well done. HIGHLY recommend looking at this book!

The Haunting of Ashburn House: My last spooky read for the month! Haunted house stories are always fun for me, and this one didn't disappoint. Overall an entertaining read that also had a cast of well written characters

Shadow and Storms: The final book in the "Blood and Steel series"! This whole series was a nice break between the horror, thrillers, and weird books I've been reading. The ending did feel a little rushed, all the big build up to the big bad guy villain and war, for it all to be over relatively quickly. But, I'm not totally complaining. It DID end with a happily ever after and I'm always a fan of those

Bonded by Thorns: A "beauty and the beast" retelling. WHEW defs not kid appropriate though! This was very "spicy" while also staying relatively true to the original story. A great read if you want to check out of real life for a bit!

Never Lie: My first Fredia McFadden book! I now understand why people call her books "popcorn thrillers". It seems like people either love her stuff or hate it. I enjoyed this one for sure! Very twisty, fast paced, and quick! I'm glad I started with this one because I feel like it's one of her more popular ones. I will be checking out more of her stuff!

This was the most books I've ever read in a single month - wowowow!

[quilteddreamz]

Hiya, I'm your secret skeleton!

Saw your message in the discord about refs and I'm wondering if you could perhaps give me a detailed description of what you specifically had in mind visually, it'll be greatly appreciated!^^

Also best of luck with your own secret skeleton gift!(⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ✧⁠*⁠。

Hello my spooky little friend! Such an honour to have you here!

I'm so excited to get to work on my own, but first I made this for you!

I did everything in bullet points so it’s easier to comb through :3

Also I've included some mentions of how the character interacts with the reader, but if adding a reader/insert isn’t your style, feel free to ignore it.

KingOfHearts!Eclipse:

Colour scheme is Red, white, and black.

He wears an expensive, but not crazy-looking suit. He has a minimalistic vibe to him.

His rays are sharp, with smaller ones in between. Red that tapers off into bold white at the ends.

The crescent part is red. The shadowed part of his face is still shadowed though it holds a navy hue— or dark red if that looks better (if it is art. Colour theory is my enemy lol)

He has white eyeliner under his eye to make it pop. He has white littered around his design to make him stand out so he’s not just red and black.

He has hearts littered around his design (I don’t have placement ideas yet)

Personality wise he’s very full of himself. Thinks he’s above everyone else— and to a degree, he is. Ready to behead someone for glancing at him.

Everyone fears him and his dark grin.

He loves his tarts. So much so he won’t let anyone else eat them

He enjoys the reader, though he refuses to call them anything but Alice— which the reader isn’t a fan of. He will flatter the reader in the midst of screaming at a guard for sneezing. The reader can do nothing but distract him so he doesn’t behead any poor fool.

MadHatter!Sun:

Colour scheme is yellow, red, and green. 

Everything about him is uneven from his lopsided smile to his bent hat. Any holes in his clothing were sewn up by cloth patches that clearly don’t match the original material.

He has a big bow tie and large hat! 

For the rest of his design, I’ve included the mad hatter picture for the Alice in wonderland live-action movie! I think it suits him decently

He more or less looks like Sun but in mad hatter cosplay lol.

He is goofy, and according to the King!Eclipse, an idiot.

But he is far from stupid. He loves playing tricks and asking riddles. He enjoys baking and is quite the inventor of new foods for his parties.

He is delighted to have the reader join him for tea! So much so he doesn’t want them to leave!

He is definitely off the wall.

Cheshire!Moon:

Colour scheme is purple, blue, and silver.

Sometimes he’s just eyes and a sharp-toothed grin. Other times he’s a robot, somehow lounging in a tree that shouldn’t support his weight.

His grin is too wide, stretching just past his cheeks. Due to this, his mouth can unhinge.

His pupils are cat-like, full of mischievousness.

He has ears and a tail. Striped to match the Cheshire cat. His ears poke out of holes in his hat.

He lacks his shirt but has goofy, fluffy pyjama pants.

His face is mostly the same outside of the cat stuff. The colour is all the same, save for more purple shades and purple accents.

I found a picture that encapsulated the creepiness of the characters! You may also use it as a colour ref if it's helpful!

He is a trickster like his brother, but more of a mean one. He loves temping people down the wrong path in the woods, making jokes and comments that make ones skin crawl— or thats the spider he dropped on you.

He loves to play, and always takes it too far.

He visits both of his brothers— when Eclipse will let him. And enjoys company.

He has made it his sole purpose in life to taunt and bother the reader while secretly keeping them from the dangers of wonderland.

Original/Normal!DCA

If any of the descriptions/personalities above don’t work for you, I would love to see your take on the DCA during this festive season! Have fun with it! All I ask is they're doing something spooky :3

I have monster designs too if you're interested in those. This is just everything I got done before lunch.

I'll put this on Discord so you can easily find it. Let me know if you need anything else!

Helpful images below! (Though I will warn you, the Cheshire image is spooky. Honestly, It's like a jumpscare lol.)

For Moon ^^

An Idea for Eclipse' suit!

For Sun ^^