#and add extra depth not just to the world the characters live in:

[nikibogwater]

Actually while I'm thinking about it, I just wanna say that the more live-action remakes Disney shlups out like shoveled manure, the more amazed I am that Cinderella (2015) exists. It breaks literally every standard of Disney's LA remakes.

It's not a shot-for-shot remake of the original 1950 animated film, though it does include small references and homages to it, but only when such things can be incorporated organically into the story.

The creators understood and respected the cross-cultural significance of the Cinderella story. They didn't want to "fix" it, or add some wacky twist to it, they just wanted to make the best possible version of the Quintessential Cinderella that they could.

Everything that could be done practically was done practically. The carriage was a real, the horses pulling it were real, and all of the other animals (with the exception of the mice and lizards, since their performance was a lot more involved than the others') were real living animals, the lizard footman and goose carriage driver were wearing prosthetics instead of just having their animal features added in post, the Fairy Godmother's dress had little LED lights sewn into it so that it would actually glow for real, the ballroom set was built by hand and included real chandeliers with more than 2000 total candles that were all actually lit for the scene, and I could go on but you get the point.

There's a ton of attention paid to little details that make the world feel real and lived in. Ella's shoes are always a little scuffed and dirty. Her farm dress is faded and wrinkled. When she breaks down and runs away to the woods, she rides her horse bareback (which, once again, was a thing Lily James actually did, no stunt-double or editing in post), because not only is that something a country girl like her would know how to do, but it also makes sense that with as upset as she is, she wouldn't want to waste time with saddling the horse. When she's dancing with the prince, it's visually obvious that he is leading her and giving her cues because of course Ella wouldn't know the latest ballroom dances, and would need him to guide her through it.

Hey speaking of dancing, y'know what else this movie does that no other LA remake has been allowed to do (at least not to this extent)? ROMANCE. Land sakes alive, this is one of the most unabashedly and yet still tastefully romantic movies I've ever seen. Ella and Kit are just oozing romantic chemistry from the moment they lock eyes for the first time. It all comes down to the fact that these two characters both have the same core values of courage and kindness, which makes their admiration for each other feel grounded and believable. Richard Madden also really sells Kit's feelings for Ella with the way his eyes go all big and soft whenever he looks at her. And don't even get me started on Lily's performance as Ella. Her quiet awe that someone as powerful as the prince loves her. The timidity and fear that she's not really worthy of that. The selfless determination to protect him from her family's cruelty, even if it means she'll never see him again, I'm just-- *banging my fist against the table and screaming into a pillow*

Absolutely god-tier costume design. No notes, I think Sandy Powell's work speaks for itself. Btw, in case you were somehow still wondering, yes, Ella's ballgown is fully practical--those layers upon layers of dreamy silk skirts are real. CG was only used to brighten up the blue color to make her stand out from the crowd more.

Wicked stepmother was allowed to actually be wicked. The movie never tries to make you sympathize with Lady Tremaine, or shift the blame off to someone else. And her villainy is given an extra layer of depth with the reveal that she is a dark reflection of Ella. They've both lost people they loved, but where Ella refused to let her grief get in the way of kindness, Lady Tremaine became utterly consumed by it. She views the death of her first husband as a sort of twisted justification for pursuing all her worst impulses. She despises Ella for her ability to flourish even while enduring terrible suffering, for being everything Lady Tremaine was either unable or flat-out refused to be.

Also Cate Blanchet absolutely SLAYS in this role. Hands-down my favorite portrayal of the wicked stepmother character.

Anyways, TLDR: Cinderella (2015) is the only Disney live-action remake that can justify its own existence and that's because it actively defies everything the LA remakes are today.

[blakeswritingimagines]

Being Sidney Crosby's Controversially Young Girlfriend

"Controversial" isn't quite the word he likes to use to describe our age difference. It's significant, sure, but he's never felt that it's been a major factor in your relationship. Sure, some people might raise an eyebrow at the fact that he's older and you're younger, but it hasn't really come up much.

That being said, there are a few quirks that come with your age difference. For one thing, you're in different stages of life. You just finished college and is starting out in the professional world, whereas he's well-established in his career and is thinking about retirement.

Another difference is your social lives. You've got a circle of friends who are in their early twenties and just starting to explore the world, whereas he's been there and done that. He's got friends his own age who have families and careers and responsibilities. It can be a bit of a culture shock at times, but it also adds an interesting dynamic to your relationship.

There are also practical differences. He's got a lot more life experience than you do, which can sometimes lead to a bit of a generational gap. He might recommend a restaurant that was the coolest place in town when he was your age, only to find that it's been replaced by a new hotspot that he'd never heard of.

Similarly, he might make a reference to a movie or a book that he watched or read when he was your age, only to find that you've never seen or heard of it.

But despite the differences, he still finds himself drawn to you. He loves your youthful energy, your adventurous spirit, and the way you see the world. Your age difference doesn't define your relationship, but it does add an extra layer of complexity and excitement.

Of course, there are also some benefits to having an older boyfriend. For one thing, he's typically more mature and stable, which can be refreshing. He's more likely to have a solid career and financial situation than someone your own age. He also has more life experience, so he tends to be more confident and stable. Plus, he's had more time to figure out what he wants in life and in a partner, which can be reassuring for you.

One of the biggest challenges of your age difference is the inevitable scrutiny from the public and the media. As a celebrity athlete, he's used to being under a microscope, but the fact that you're so much younger has brought an extra level of attention to your relationship. People are always speculating about how you met, what you see in each other, and whether or not your relationship is "appropriate."

It can be tough dealing with that kind of scrutiny, especially when it feels like your relationship is being judged based on superficial factors like age.

Another challenge is that you might find yourself facing different societal expectations and biases. For example, people might assume that he's in a position of power and has a lot of control over you because he's older and more established. They might also assume that you're with him for his fame and fortune, rather than for his personality and character.

Dates are an interesting challenge. He's been around the block and has been on plenty of dates before. He knows all the classic dating moves like taking you to a fancy restaurant or a romantic movie. But sometimes he feels like he's a little out of his depth when it comes to planning dates that you'll enjoy.

You're younger and have different interests and tastes, so he has to be more creative and thoughtful in his planning. Sometimes he tries to research the latest trends and what's popular among people your age, but other times he just goes with his gut instinct.

Affection is an area where your age difference really comes into play. He's used to showing affection in a physical way, like hugs and kisses and cuddling. But he knows that you're at a different stage of your life, and he wants to be respectful of your boundaries. He doesn't want to come on too strong or make you feel uncomfortable, so he treads carefully.

He shows affection in less obvious ways. He'll take the time to listen to you and really hear what you're saying. He'll give you little gifts or leave you notes with sweet messages. He'll hold your hand or wrap his arm around you when you're walking together. He'll make a point of doing small things to make your day better, like bringing you coffee in the morning or fixing you a snack when you're hungry. And when you're together, he'll constantly be touching you in some way: holding your hand, running his fingers through your hair, kissing your forehead, etc.

He's a natural leader and tends to take charge in most situations, so he often shows casual dominance without even realizing it. He might make decisions for you without asking, or he might order for you at a restaurant if you can't decide what to get. He'll also often take the lead in physical situations, like pulling you closer to him when you're sitting next to each other or grabbing your hand to guide you through a crowded room.

He'll also often use his body language to show dominance. He'll stand close to you when you're talking, or he'll lean in to whisper something in your ear. He might also put his arm around you in a possessive way or rest his hand on your thigh.

One of his favorite expressions of casual dominance is telling you what to wear. He'll suggest outfits for you to wear on dates or to parties, and he'll make comments about your appearance when you're getting ready. He'll tell you how good you look in something or how he prefers you in certain types of clothes.

He doesn't see himself as a sugar daddy, per se, but he does enjoy treating you to nice things and spoiling you with gifts and experiences. He likes to feel like he can provide for you and make you happy, and he's not afraid to spend money to do so.

He'll often take you shopping and encourage you to buy whatever you want, even if it's something expensive or extravagant. He'll also bring you to nice restaurants and book you for activities like spa days or concerts. He'll even use his connections to get you access to exclusive events or experiences that you wouldn't be able to get otherwise.

In the end, though, he knows that age is just a number. What really matters is the connection you share, that bond that transcends age and experience and all the other things that could otherwise divide you. And that's worth more than any arbitrary age difference.

[antianakin]

I think one of the reasons Bail does not work for me in Andor is because the character of Bail Organa as he has been in pretty much everything else we have ever seen him in just doesn't WORK within the world of Andor for many of the same reasons that the Jedi and Sith characters don't fit within that world and its parameters.

Andor, far more so than even Rogue One, lives in an extremely morally gray world where your hero characters regularly do unconscionable things. Andor wanted to posit that many good people fighting for righteous causes will need to do some bad things in order to reach that goal, and it puts them up against characters like Syril and Dedra who are doing exactly the same thing but for a different cause and asks the audience to consider why one of them is still clearly a good guy and the other clearly a bad guy. This is something that's a LITTLE more difficult to do when you're dealing with the larger cosmic themes of the Skywalker saga and psychic space wizards where the sides are quite literally color coded for you. The Jedi and Sith exist in the world of the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy where the rebellion is undeniably full of good, heroic people and the Empire undeniably full of evil megalomaniacs or footsoldiers who tell themselves that they're "just following orders."

Andor isn't telling that story and it needed many of those kinds of characters to be removed from its story in order to tell it correctly without the waters getting muddied. This is why we never get to SEE characters like Palpatine or Anakin or the Ghost crew or Quinlan Vos or anyone else who's canonically wandering around at this time period. This is why Luthen was never going to be a Jedi of any kind, former or otherwise.

But the Jedi and Sith characters weren't the only ones who existed within that more black and white world. Bail Organa did, too.

Bail Organa has pretty regularly been represented as a paragon of justice and truth and bravery and strength and resilience and heroism. Bail Organa is a beacon of light and hope for the future. He is the one whose image you see when you join the rebellion, greeting you with a smile on his face and kind words on his lips. That's why Rogue One chose to play the literal FORCE THEME when he walks into frame for the first time. Jimmy Smits doesn't even have any lines for that entire scene, but he walks out of the shadows to those few notes from THAT THEME and it's like a hero of legend just showed up for a moment. THAT'S who Bail Organa is within the story of Star Wars. He's not morally gray, he's not someone who can truly exist within a story that wants to question how far the rebellion can go before it becomes the enemy it's trying to destroy. That's not the purpose of a character like Bail Organa, and to try to turn him INTO that kind of a character is to misunderstand how to utilize him.

Bail Organa never should've been in Andor. He can be MENTIONED, it's his rebellion after all, and Mon Mothma would know him and have spoken to him, obviously. But I think having Bail Organa in Andor as a larger presence was a mistake, and it's why many of the scenes with him in them just didn't quite hit right for me. The quick cameo where he's leaving Sculdun's party and says hello to Mon as she's coming in is fine, having him introduce Mon for her speech is fine, but all of the extra things he's in just seem to add more confusion to his character and to the story than any real depth and it took away from the opportunity to explore the characters who were more relevant to the story they WERE trying to tell (like Perrin, or Luthen, or Bix, or Cinta, or Vel). Those precious few minutes they had after condensing four seasons into one were misspent on a character who didn't fit within the story they were trying to tell. Forcing Bail into a position where he's morally gray just simply isn't the best use of the character or their time.

[spinchip]

Probably quite a silly question, but how did you go about worldbuilding the realm of madness? It felt so lived in and intriguing, if that's the right way to put it

thank you!

my world building is not quite so scientific, and i relied heavily on the idea that things dont really have to make perfectr sense since it is the realm of MADNESS, yknow? so i could cheat and cut corner a bit when writing.

I broke it down to what we know (The poison bog or whatever its called. the mountain of madness. the portal that acts as a place to crossover into ninjago inside the MoM) and what was needed for the story (a long journey where the ninja needed a guide. an obstacle to avoid, that they then fail to avoid (oasis). and other characters to add more depth to the story) and then constructed a more fleshed out world that met all the requirements and then some.

So I needed people there. and i needed Zane there. why would they be here..? well, i'd already decided Wu would banish zane from the Never Realm instead of killing him, so maybe that's what other people in other realms did too. What would a bunch of people stranded in an unfamiliar place, with no chance of ever going home, do? Create a community. Oasis was born.

WHats stopping the ninja from getting to the mountain of madness on their own, wirthout a guide? Well, they don't know where it is. But if the realm is all the poison bog, and the MoM is presumably noteworthy enough to earn a special name, wouldn't the ninja be able to find it on their own? Maybe from descriptions from wu? and if this place was only the poisoin bog, how would Zane and any other person sent here survive? Other biomes were born. WHy couldn't the ninja just ask birdy to draw them a map? the chaos of the realm makes maps impossible to follow. the evershift.

why did garmadon grow an extra set of arms in the RoM? the chaos of the realm effects people, too. Now we have mutations. Mutations that must be painful. Why would a bunch of villains choose to follow samira? She controls the supply of painkillers that make life a little bit less like agony.

It's all a series of questions i ask myself that I have to answer in a cohesive way.

of course, there are plenty of times where i invented something on the spot for plot reasons. or just to add more meat to the world.

[fruityroth]

Just something on why representation matters: even the smallest bit of seemingly the most miniscule part of someone's identity being shown will make someone out there happy. It can be the most minor thing in the world to you, but someone, somewhere, will be absolutely ecstatic to see a part of themselves in one of their favorite characters.

Example: I seriously love left-handed characters. As a lefty, this is super cool to me. Seeing someone who uses their left hand in media will always make me smile, and it makes me feel more connected to the characters. Some examples: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Sephiroth, and, of course, Link. Like, this is why I loved The Legend of Zelda so much as a kid. Link has historically been left-handed since the very first game. Seeing Link pick up the Master Sword in his left hand, being called the Left-Handed Hero, and generally just be awesome while also being a lefty, makes me giddy to this day. It's just such a positive representation of left-handedness, and that probably doesn't matter to *anyone* that didn't grow up as a southpaw, but it makes me happy.

That's also why it's a shame that he's no longer left-handed. Not only do I feel less connected to the character who was, for the longest time, my absolute favorite hero (a pot-smashing, grass-cutting role model, one could say), but it also feels like they cut out a core part of his identity with that small change.

I especially felt disconnected after reading about why they made the change. Apparently, according to an interview, they switched for wii motion controls, since people hold the wii remote in their right hand regardless of "hand preference" (those were the exact words used). I, uh...I don't! I have, and always will, hold a wiimote in my left hand. Learning that *this* was the reason for them cutting out such an enormous part of the identity of my childhood role model, the Paragon of what lefties could be, seriously pissed me off. And again, this probably doesn't matter in the least to anyone who isn't a lefty.

In short: diversity, inclusion, and representation don't have to be massive. It doesn't have to take up the core of a character's story arc. Even something as simple as the character's *dominant hand* can make people feel seen.

This is also why I don't like it when people say not to have representation for representation's sake. "Oh, it's just tokenism if you say that a character's gay and do nothing about it!" No. No, it's not. It increases diversity, it makes people feel closer to your characters and story, it gives positive representation of usually marginalized people (including lefties until recently, believe it or not!), and it adds an extra layer of depth to this collection of traits that you're passing off as a person.

Even if there's an argument to be made that a character is just the "token gay," or the "token PoC," or whatever, it also shows that people from those communities are capable of living normal lives in society, rather than conforming to whatever stereotypes apply to them. I would much rather a writer add an identity to a character and then not mention it much than they try to make a story arc around it that comes off as anything-phobic.

Again, in short: representation matters. Never say it doesn't.

[xoweathervane]

got nothing to do over my lunch period and i've been holding myself back from this for like a week so i finally present it to you. a short yet comprehensive essay on stephanie glass, the aspects of her character nobody ever touches on, and the fact that she was absolutely ROBBED of her depth. i hope you feel my passion in this i really do

before i dive into this there's the obligatory acknowledgement that there is not a whole lot to talk about with stephanie because there is not a whole lot with her in general. for an important character she sure was made just to be shoved off to the side which makes no sense because she actually has a pretty big impact on the story. i've said this many times and i will say it many more times: she technically, although indirectly, was involved in the colorbars incident. you'd think THAT would get more people acknowledging her but NOOOO if she's even mentioned at all its only as kennith's happy best friend. oh she's a sunny deaf airhead? BORING let's get into depth

i think the problem and the biggest felony committed against her is the fact that steph is capable of thinking and feeling a lot more than she's given credit for. nobody ever stops to consider the person she becomes after the broadcast, once she finally realizes that everyone is more evil than good and heavy optimism doesn't do shit but turn a blind eye to that. ghost offhandedly mentioned her feeling horrific despair and GUILT after the broadcast. focus on the GUILT part. she KNOWS that kennith probably would've lived and wouldn't have even went live with colorbars if it wasn't for her naivete and her words. she KNOWS she was one of the contributing factors to his death. she KNOWS that and she learned it the hard way

in addition to this, there's also a bit of a more jokey "what if" au where kennith and steph would've dated, and ghost mentioned that steph would've fallen into the same habits kennith had after his death. would that not make sense for canon? there's NO WAY she could've kept up that pollyanna optimist thing when her best friend died right in front of her and everyone she knew was STILL mocking and dragging him even after death like it wasn't enough to satisfy them. plus losing her only friend meant there'd be a huge hole left to fill, and it would actually make perfect sense if she filled that gap herself by falling harder and harder

which brings me to the topic of jenny laslett. oh my god WHY. i think it's absolute bullshit that steph goes through the most traumatizing event of her life just to go to college and get a girlfriend and live happily ever after like four months later. not only is jenny literally just a fan oc made canon but she's also chopped as hell i have NO idea what steph saw in her. that happy end bullshit makes no sense and feels a lot like a cop-out ghost pulled to avoid having to actually write out the grief and the loneliness and the depression and all those things steph would've picked up in place of the optimism that technically got her best friend killed

in conclusion, stephanie glass is actually a pretty smart character who got fucked over by ghost and the fans shoving her in a corner to give everything to kennith (whose entire character was ALSO fucked over by the way but that's an essay for when i have more time) and she absolutely deserved far more than the minimal things given to her. she's actually one of my favorite characters ever for these reasons that are actually more than me just loving optimists who have their spirit shattered by world changing shit

i cannot say anything else as i am running on limited time. feel free to reblog this and add points i mightve missed or add extra emphasis to really important stuff

[everrainrp]

𝚎⃨𝚟⃨𝚎⃨𝚛⃨ 𝚛⃨𝚊⃨𝚒⃨𝚗⃨

"The rain here is ceaseless, but it is essential for our way of life. For all of our lives."

"It's just an early coldsnap, it's nothing to worry over."

"I'm not worried about the coldsnap directly. The fish are becoming less and less numerous as this 'coldsnap' drags on. Our stores are running low, we haven't been able to catch enough to feed ourselves and still have some to preserve for leafbare!"

"Our stores can't be looking that dire... Are they?"

"I'll put it this way for you; our stores won't last us to the first snowfall at this rate."

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Welcome to Ever Rain, an upcoming discord based WC inspired roleplay server, where we follow the lives and legacies of five Clans that inhabit the uppermost temperate rainforests of North America.

Ever Rain is a partial sandbox roleplay, encouraging members to create their own plotlines that have effects on the world around them, while maintaining story arcs in the background that add depth and shape to the world of Ever Rain that players can interact with, fully being able to immerse themselves.

What Does Ever Rain Offer:

A welcoming and comfortable environment for all. Ever Rain is LGBTQ and Native run, and takes great measures to ensure the safety and comfort of its member base.

A partial open world setting that allows for primarily character and player driven plots to take the stage, complimented by an overarching story arc that will allow players to further interact with the world as it changes.

An 18+ (SFW) environment. There will likely be a two months grace period for those about to turn 18, however this will be monitored very closely to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved.

Flexible but realistic character creation with the option to fully utilize real cat genetics for kit litters.

Flexible and relaxed activity requirements.

Relaxed Application process that does not require you to have a fully realized character to join (sans HR Applications when they open), nor expects you to be perfect in your writing.

A literate server that requires at least five lines of writing per post.

QOTD both for you and your characters!

Daily and Weekly optional prompts that relate to any current story arc that can be the basis for threads, solo writing, or art.

Dynamic Clans with their own history, beliefs and cultures as they have grown to adapt to their environments.

Clan events and server wide events such as festivals that allow for more inter Clan interactions outside of Gatherings!

Generalized weather and Clan unique news that change at the start of each week.

And more!

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HOME | GUIDELINES | CHARACTER CREATION | EXTRAS | LORE | STAFF APPLICATIONS (CLOSED) | CHARACTER APPLICATIONS (THORNRUSH OPEN) | WEBSITE | PREFIX REGISTERY

[banner art by me!]

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

my Adaar replay is such a balancing act because like. some things i stumbled into on accident that run matter SOOOO much to me for her overall story arc yet are soooo hard to replicate exactly... like a major one being i accidentally triggered the Cassandra low approval scene. fairly early on in the game since as it was my second playthrough with alt choices, i kinda rushed to get to Skyhold/waited to do major exploring of regions until after then, and picked more of the aggressive options for the major quest resolutions--so didn't have a build up of approval from helping out random fetchquests etc. but GOD the low approval scenes in Inq hit soooo good actually...

like Cassandra has handed over the reins of this organization to someone capable of making decisions and moving forward, in a way she for some reason couldn't manage herself. she gives the inquisitor command and then... abruptly realizes this means they aren't going to just do things the way she would/she won't approve of them all. and she panics! she thinks oh god what if i've put a tyrant into power, and this will all be my fault. and you can play into that but personally i like to have this scene be a sort of come-to-jesusAndraste moment for Adaar too... like on her end, things have been spiraling ever since the conclave--friends dead, imprisoned, anchor in her flesh, and now an elder god is trying to destroy her and also the world. she's panicking. she's so laser-focused on stopping things she does in fact lose sight of what its gonna look like from the outside/anyone else. she's ruthless, but not unkind. and i think having that argument in the smithy where they both can shout at each other--Cassandra saying she goes too far, Ataashi saying maybe everyone else is losing the plot because actually it's frankly terrifying what's going on despite her collected mask--just is a really nice moment for the two of them to come to terms with how much both the world and their lives are gonna be changed forever.

anyway they do get over it eventually (aka, i finally got around to the fetch quests)--and i think there's even a later Cass dialogue where she acknowledges she misjudged you if you transition from low to high approval. and it was just really nice. i think its good to have at least 1 character per playthrough who my PC doesn't necessarily get along or see eye to eye with... it adds a lot of depth. like how if you have a low-approval relationship with Solas he actually tells you far more about his intentions. or Viv confronts you about how her support for the circles is in fact rooted in her fear of the witch-hunts that will come as non-mages act on their fears against mages outside the circles, and that her brethren will be killed. the writing is just really nice in these scenes and so few people on tumblr ever encounter them in game i think!!!

anyway yeah. now as i replay idk if i will manage to trigger the Cass thing naturally this round but i hope i can. i keep accidentally turning in quests and getting Cass Approval and havign to reload to save finishing them for later lol. i don't rememebr if i got Blackwalls or not the first round but i doubt i will this time with extra romance approval, tho who knows. im not actually playing an asshole character, just a very intent and decisive one. and i really do like the way the game lets you do that.

[gwynbleiddyn]

oc week 2025 shenanigans ahoy

inspired by the wonderful @sunshinemage's post (though i will be less artistic and far more cryptic)

it's been literal years since i've ventured into the waters of oc kiss week so this year i have decided to jump straight into the deep end for no good reason other than i crave the OC content

what does this mean

it means i am once again going to be tearing through written drabbles like a deepstalker on rocks or whatever they go cronch cronch on

i am predominantly focused on dragon age for this, and these drabbles will be (mostly) in response to the ockissweek prompts which are:

desperate

first

stolen

reunion

worship

forbidden

caught

how does this work

LAWLESSLY. my askbox is open for people to jump in with an OC of their choice, and select an OC of mine (they'll be listed down below!) but with a little twisty twist, so in step by step order:

pick your beloved oc that you wish to use for blood sport oc kisses

browse the shortlist or, if you're feeling brave, wade into the depths of my oc page where unknown horrors lie in wait, and select one of my ocs for tribute/sacrifice/kisses

browse the lovely little prompt list above and consider the vibes

when you have your oc, my oc, and a prompt you'd like to see filled, CONGRATS YOU'RE HALFWAY THERE

now, for my little twist, what i would LOVE you to do is:

pick a song that represents your chosen blorbo and send me the title/artist so i can also enjoy it while i write👀

(OPTIONAL) and also give me a word that you would love to see represented! it could be a colour, an emotion, an item -- literally anything. could be innocuous, could be meaningful. it's just extra ✨flavour ✨

a point (or two) of note:

none of these will necessarily be romantic unless i know the oc well and it's something we've talked about, however i am absolutely not against some Fruity Tension somewhere. feel free to add this into your request, otherwise, i will likely default to platonic kisses!

depending on how many requests i get, the drabble lengths will also vary. i am at the mercy of whatever my braincell wants to do, and i won't force a long drabble if i feel its detrimental to the vibe im going for. so pls just be aware that some drabbles may be longer than others, but be assured i put the same bit of care and mildly unhinged writer love into everything i do!

who is this for?

i dearly miss the Olden Days of Yore where dragon age ocs made up the resplendent tapestry of my dashboard from hither to yonder and i like to think i can recreate that old feeling, so i would absolutely love to reach as many people as possible!

you don't have to be a mutual or anything just some guy with an idea and an oc you want to subject to my roster of miscreants, which lies below the cut for ur viewing pleasure

aforementioned roster of miscreants

i'm gonna keep the shortlist, well, short, i guess. these are my mains, the ones i'm comfortable writing anyday anyhow any which way. you are also very welcome to look at my full character page to see if any of those take your fancy - just make sure you're in the Dragon Age section!

Rion Severan - Warden Inquisitor (DA:O / DA:I Protag) [he/him]

pushing 50, certified DILF, ego only dwarfed in size by his banged-up and bleeding heart, which he consequently keeps locked in a cage of his own poor design. unlock at your own risk.

likes: beaches, dogs, rivaini wine, sunsets, antivan wine, a nice sword, tevinter wine

dislikes: ferelden

Kerros Severan-Laidir - Rook (DA:Veilguard Protag) [he/him]

young son of a gun who unfortunately has his father's tendency to get involved in saving the world. an unrepentant Lord of Fortune, he lives for gold and glory, but if sheer love and willpower could keep him alive he'd outlive the world.

likes: good treasure, the ocean, the smell of gaatlok, doing things just because, swimming in various bodies of water, and big boats (and he cannot lie)

dislikes: the fade, magical exposition (please write him the sparknotes version), political bureaucracy

Beren Ingellvar - Veilguard Companion (DA:Veilguard) [they/them]

ancient. unknowable. literally torn apart and put back together through the unabating power of a mother's love. their hands have never touched a thing without reverence. there is nothing in their eyes but time. they would love to smoke a pipe with u tho :)

likes: magic. spirits. theoretical discussion. books on theoretical discussion. lectures. nevarran academia. silver jewellery.

dislikes: hot places, coconuts, bitter coffee, cities, books with narrow margins and unindented paragraphs

[ghostflowerdreams]

The S-Ranks That I Raised (내가 키운 S급들)

It is also known as My S-Class Hunters (Korean: 내가 키운 S급들; RR: Naega Kiun S-Geupdeul), is a South Korean manhwa adapted by seri from the original web novel written by Geunseo, with illustrations by biwan.

After the tragic death of their parents, Han Yoojin devoted his life to raising his younger brother, Han Yoohyun. But in a world resembling modern-day Korea, the sudden appearance of dungeons and monstrous invaders forces humanity to adapt—becoming Awakened Hunters to survive. When a dungeon appears near Yoohyun’s route to school, he awakens as an extraordinary S-rank Hunter. From that point on, the brothers are driven down separate paths. Yoohyun rises to power, eventually founding one of Korea’s most powerful guilds, Haeyeon, while Yoojin is left behind. Eight years later, Yoojin finally Awakens, but to his dismay, he is an unremarkable F-rank Hunter. During what should have been a routine D-rank dungeon raid, a freak appearance of a Tier 1 monster wipes out the entire party—leaving Yoojin the sole survivor. Trapped inside, unable to escape until the monster is defeated or everyone is dead, Yoojin watches helplessly as Yoohyun arrives to save him—only to die in his arms. Devastated, Yoojin manages to defeat the monster and as a reward is offered a single wish. Without hesitation, he chooses the one thing he wants most: to return to a time before his brother’s death. When he awakens in the past with all his memories intact, he is determined to reconcile with Yoohyun and live a quiet, peaceful life. But fate has other plans. His second Awakening grants him mysterious new abilities, and though he remains an F-rank on paper, Yoojin quickly finds himself surrounded by powerful allies and entangled in a dangerous plot that threatens the world itself.

This manhwa is fun and entertaining! At the heart of it is Yoojin, a kind and grounded protagonist surrounded by a cast that’s anything but ordinary. If I had to sum it up, he’s basically a Pokémon trainer—except instead of Pokémon, he’s collecting and caring for S-rank Hunters.

There’s his dangerously obsessed little brother with serious yandere vibes, a fiery tomboy who doesn’t back down from anything, a confident and capable woman, a sly blond who keeps everyone on edge, and a strict, by-the-book Hunter from the Association. That’s just scratching the surface because this story is packed with interesting, larger-than-life characters. To top it all off, there are even adorable baby beasts that add an extra layer of chaos and fun.

I also really appreciate the absence of romance. Rather than relying on romantic subplots, the story focuses on its characters—their depth, relationships, and personal growth. Each one gets the space to develop in a thoughtful way, and despite their big personalities, none of them feel overly exaggerated or annoying. In fact, every character has a distinct charisma that makes the cast genuinely fun to follow.

That said, some readers might not like Yoohyun. He only shows his good side to his big brother, while everyone else gets his cold, ruthless, and downright terrifying side. His obsessive devotion can be unsettling at times, especially when it borders on possessiveness, but it’s also what makes him so fascinating and unpredictable.

I find it amusing how Yoojin tells people his little brother is kind and caring, only for them to give him a “What the hell are you talking about?” look when they realize he’s talking about that Han Yoohyun. The disconnect between how Yoojin sees him and how everyone else experiences him is both hilarious and entertaining.

Then there’s Sung Hyunjae, whose obsession with Yoojin might be off-putting to some readers too, but he’s just as interesting. Though the public sees him as a gentlemanly, refined figure, those in the Hunter world know better. Among them, he’s considered chaotic and unpredictable—sometimes even called a madman. He acts on his own whims, regardless of whether it inconveniences or endangers others, and he pursues anything or anyone that catches his interest with an obsessive, almost predatory intensity.

All in all, this manhwa strikes a great balance between humor, action, and character-driven storytelling. It’s definitely worth checking out.

[trinketstar]

Sammymax ramble waaaah

Thinking a lot about season 3 and how genius it's design is compared to how arbitrary the first 2 games were set up. I mean i love them all but s3 is just leagues better gameplay wise. Max having magic powers gets rid of the tedium of backtracking, makes the jokes less predictable, let's the puzzles be more creative in a way that still has some logic to it, adds a REAL hint system, makes the gameplay more engaging overall, AND it directly causes all of the internal and external conflict of the story. Now it isn't "wacky things happen and Sam and Max are there", now THEY are the reason that the story is happening. And THATS the only way you can do a serious story in this series because like, Sam and Max dont value ANYTHING in the world except for each other. They barely care if their home gets destroyed or their other friends get exploded or the apocalypse is happening, as long as Sam's there to be the setup to Max's punchline.

AND THE WAY IT IMPACTS THEM TOO. it's such a good way to show their characters and analyze how they feel about a new serious turn in their lives, and I LOVE that they're not even subtle about it, with Sam actually talking about how it makes him feel, and Charlie psychoanalyzing Sam at the end of 304, playing up his insecurities to make him give up fighting. (It's amazing how characters in media rarely talk about their feelings in depth, unless it's an emotional cry-fest.)

Cuz despite Sam's fears, and even though Max is changing physically throughout the season, he's the only one who stays the same emotionally. Max just thinks the powers are fun! And he's here to help Sam out and have a good time like they've always done.

But Sam being the analytical one has to realize how much danger Max is in now, and how all these new characters wanna kidnap or hurt his little buddy, and the big conflict of this entire thing is Sam having to face his own vulnerability that he doesn't want to admit. Because his relationship with Max has always had a power imbalance, and it's one Sam is comfortable with. He likes being the leader. He always wins when they wrestle over the phone, he's the intimidating one when they encounter an enemy, and he's the one solving the puzzles. Even when Max is helping, he's mostly moral support and an extra gun hand. Not to say Max isn't as capable as Sam is, he's just taken the role of being the absentminded wildcard, and Sam likes to be the protector.

But the more powerful Max becomes, the more Sam feels that role being challenged. Now he has to follow Max around and give hints, while Max uses his power to solve the puzzles, culminating in Max being the only character who you can actually control and walk around at the end of 304.

And this doesn't manifest in jealousy or anger at all, that's not who Sam is, but it forces him to realize that he isn't Max's protector anymore, even though he still tries to be. Most telling when you read his mind and he says "Soon Max won't even need a partner..." As if being the big strong and smart one was the only reason Max wants to work with him.

Sam is a confident guy but still has his insecurities, and these are played up to a cruel extent in s3 with the constant fat jokes and puzzle solutions that are embarrassing for Sam, their home base, the office being off limits, and Max being taken away or in different forms constantly. It's telling that even though Max doesn't seem to be letting the power go to his head (besides his usual teasing), Sam worries that if Max doesn't NEED him around anymore that lessens his own worth. Even though Sam is the leader, he only really does this job because he loves to spend time with Max, and that's not something he fully realizes until he starts having to face the possibility of losing him. Ultimately admitting that if it really came down to it, he'd be able to go on living on his own, and could continue doing his job in his own noir detective style way, but he wouldn't be happy.

Max doesn't tend to talk about his feelings but we can still see how he feels through the Super Ego. The representation of the part of Max deep down that resents his lack of ambition. Though the superego takes the place of a villain of sorts he really is the part of Max that wants to be something greater than he is. To live up to his own potential, when he's just too scatterbrained to do anything about it. And the part of Max that seems to hate himself in a way. It's a good contrast to have with Sam I think. Neither of them resent the other for their roles in the team, but it's the source of their own insecurities. At the end of it all, they love each other so very much, but they're both very selfish too, and want to be more than what they are. It's only human! So to speak.. 

I wanna get back to Sam talking about going on without max, cuz I think that's the real tragic part of all of this. The cartoon is a whole different thing from the games but Sam had about the same reaction to Max being hurt. Without Max around he has no restraint and becomes violent. But whether or not he'd be able to move on, Sam would still be able to take care of himself.

But I think the cartoon is the only time we've gotten to see Max on his own, like after the “breakup” in the final ep or when he thought the guinea pigs killed Sam, HIS reaction was usually to cry, panic, and/or blame himself. In the case of the breakup he just completely gave up on everything. I don't think Max would be able to get along without Sam around. Sam kinda has a sense of purpose that keeps him going, with his sense of misguided justice and crime solving, but does Max have that? He’s just along for the ride. Thats why I think (besides the story needing to wrap up quickly), Max would be so drastic as to alter timelines just to get back to Sam. He has NOTHING else, the poor little guy.  

Man last thing is I wanna talk about the different endings to s3 too. I know they only exist because of creative differences in the writing staff but that makes it even BETTER. When Sam gets to recall the good times with Max he can either remember the crime fighting or the adventures. But the choice is really “What is Sam’s purpose? To do his job, or to have fun with Max?” If you choose crimefighting he says something along the lines of  “Of course I could keep fighting crime on my own, but I’d be depressed doing it by myself.” With adventures he emphasizes that he NEEDS Max by his side to discover the mysteries of the universe! It sums up the resulting endings very well. 

If you have him reminisce about the crime fighting, Sam puts his hat back on after his walk to the harbor, preparing to go back to his job like he’d been doing. It’ll never be the same, but crimes always need stopping after all. I imagine he’d just become Noir Sam forever. Brutally carrying out his missions while resenting the world that took his little buddy. 

If he remembers the adventures, after Sam walks to the harbor he takes off his hat and leaves it on the wall.  Max never cared about justice, he was always in it for the adventures. If Sam’s purpose is to have those adventures too, what’s the point without Max? What is he even going to do now? 

There’s a few tiny differences too, like how in adventures, Max gives a simple smile when Sam hugs him, but in crimefighting Max looks kinda confused? 

But the biggest thing of course is that, if you choose crimefighting, Sam and Max stay in Sam’s timeline and walk off into the sunset preparing for their next case. Sam gets rid of the time machine for good, and they keep things how they always were before like nothing happened. 

if you choose adventures, Sam decides to go back in the elevator to Max’s timeline. Abandoning his own and even nearly leaving his hat behind! They decide to aimlessly travel in the machine just to see what happens. It’s much more vague than the status quo of the other ending, suiting for the more “max themed” option.

It’s hard to decide which ending is sadder honestly. At their core they’re both the same. The version of Max we’ve known since episode 205 was doomed the second he found the first psychic toy. I’m assuming the Superego was lying and there was nothing to be done about the tumor. He’s just gone. 

So this new Max, with a new boatload of traumas that he’s NEVER going to acknowledge again, can go along with Sam and they can both pretend things are how they’ve always been. Sam can go back to crimefighting with past Max and they’ll figure it out from there. With their half destroyed office and their old friends and a replacement DeSoto later on. 

 OR, he can leave it all behind and go into the unknown with past Max. Man think about this ending from the side characters’ perspective!! They tell Sam there’s nothing they can do to bring Max back, they watch Sam silently walk to the harbor and then... they never find a trace of him again. geez

for THAT matter it’s implied a role reversed season 3 happened in max’s timeline with only minute differences. so everyone in max’s timeline will never see HIM again in the crimefighting ending. they’ve messed up the timestream but the equalizer is the timeline will either have both sam and max, or neither one. 

[novelnibbles]

Why Is Food So Underutilized in Fanfiction?

Fanfiction has the power to explore rich, immersive worlds, from sweeping adventures to intimate character studies. But one of the most overlooked tools in a writer’s arsenal is food. Despite being a universal part of life, meals, snacks, and culinary experiences are often relegated to background details or skipped entirely. Why does this happen, and what can writers gain by embracing food in their storytelling?

Food Feels Unimportant to the Plot

Many fanfiction writers focus on action, romance, or emotional drama, leaving food as an afterthought. If characters are running from danger or locked in a high-stakes argument, stopping for a meal might feel like a distraction. Even in slice-of-life stories, writers may not think about including food unless it serves an obvious purpose—like a romantic dinner or a character skipping meals due to stress.

But in reality, food is deeply tied to mood, culture, and relationships. A quiet scene of two characters sharing a home-cooked meal can reveal just as much about them as an argument or a love confession. A character’s choice of comfort food can hint at their background, their coping mechanisms, or the people they miss.

Lack of Sensory Detail

Fanfiction thrives on dialogue and internal monologue, sometimes at the expense of sensory description. Writers often focus on what characters say and feel but neglect what they taste and smell. Food is a fantastic way to engage the senses and make a scene feel more vivid, but it requires a little extra effort. Instead of saying, "They ate breakfast," describing the crunch of toast, the warmth of tea, or the scent of cinnamon can immediately make a scene feel richer.

The Fandom Effect

Some fandoms naturally lend themselves to rich food descriptions (think Lord of the Rings or Studio Ghibli), while others don’t. Sci-fi and dystopian settings often feature bland, functional food, so it’s easy for writers to gloss over it. In action-heavy fandoms, characters are too busy saving the world to sit down for a detailed meal.

Additionally, some fanfiction is set in universes where food culture isn’t well-developed in canon. If the original work never focuses on meals, writers may not feel the need to include them either. But adding food to these worlds—whether it’s a headcanon about space rations or a character’s favorite post-battle snack—can make fanfiction feel more lived-in and personal.

Writing Food Well Takes Effort

Describing food isn’t as simple as saying, “They had spaghetti for dinner.” To make it feel immersive, a writer has to consider texture, flavor, and even the emotions tied to it. A plate of spaghetti can be rushed and bland, or it can be a nostalgic dish that reminds a character of home.

Many writers also struggle with making food scenes feel dynamic. If a meal doesn’t advance the plot, it can feel like filler. The trick is to use food as a tool—conversations over dinner can reveal emotions, characters can bond over cooking disasters, and a well-loved recipe can carry history and meaning.

Missed Opportunities for Characterization

Food can be a powerful way to develop characters, but it’s often overlooked in favor of more obvious traits. What someone eats (or refuses to eat) says a lot about them. Are they picky or adventurous? Do they stress-bake, eat on the go, or insist on cooking from scratch? Does a certain dish remind them of someone they lost?

A simple choice—like a character always ordering the same thing at a café or hoarding their favorite snack—can make them feel more real. And yet, many writers don’t take advantage of these details, missing a chance to add depth without lengthy exposition.

Final Thoughts

Food is a storytelling tool that’s often ignored in fanfiction, but it can add so much to a story. It provides sensory richness, deepens worldbuilding, and offers subtle ways to explore characters’ emotions and histories. Next time you’re writing a fic, consider letting your characters share a meal, cook together, or even argue over their favorite snacks—you might be surprised by how much it adds to your story.

Do you have a favorite food-related moment in fanfiction? Or a fandom where food plays a big role? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

[ronaldanthony4]

I’ve created another digital artwork, and, as usual, it’s a fan art. This time, I’ve drawn a character who’s close to my heart—BJ, the lively yellow Protoceratops from Barney & Friends. Now, some people might not remember him as clearly as Barney himself, but to me, BJ is every bit as memorable. His unique character and vibrant appearance always stood out in the colourful world of Barney, and I thought he’d be the perfect addition to my fan art collection.

BJ is a seven-year-old dinosaur, full of energy and mischief. Every time I watched him on Barney & Friends, I felt like his spirit brought an extra spark to the show. His design is so distinct—he’s a bright yellow Protoceratops, which, as many of you know, is a dinosaur with a distinctive frill and beak. BJ’s frill is large and adorned with purple spots, which are scattered all over his body as well. I made sure to capture those spots in my artwork, dotting them around his arms, legs, and even his cheeks. They add such personality to his look, almost like a hint of freckles, and they make him feel even more real and alive.

Of course, no picture of BJ would be complete without his iconic red baseball cap. It’s such a classic part of his look—worn backwards, with a tuft of hair peeking out right in front. I like to think that hair tuft is BJ’s way of showing he’s just a little bit rebellious, a little bit cooler than your average seven-year-old dinosaur. His red cap, like his character, is bold and bright, a colour that stands out and draws attention. I made sure to add shading to his cap to give it depth and realism, and the little tuft of hair just beneath it is a personal touch I had fun drawing. It adds a softness to his otherwise sturdy, dinosaur look, and makes him appear even more endearing.

BJ’s red and white sneakers are another trademark part of his outfit, and I had a lot of fun illustrating those. They’re chunky, with oversized white laces that stand out against the bright red of the shoes. In the show, his shoes always gave him a sporty look, which makes sense since BJ is always on the move. Whether he’s playing a game, riding his scooter, or just running around, those sneakers are practically made for adventure. In my artwork, I paid extra attention to those details—adding little highlights and shadows to make the sneakers look realistic, as though you could almost reach out and touch them.

But BJ’s personality is what really brings the character to life. I tried to capture his playful expression—his eyes wide and full of curiosity, a friendly smile on his face. BJ has always had this slightly mischievous look about him, like he’s ready to jump into the next game or come up with a fun idea. Drawing his facial expression was one of the most enjoyable parts of the process. I wanted to show that spark, that hint of energy that he carries with him everywhere. His eyes are a warm shade of brown, with little highlights to make them look alive. It’s amazing how much character you can bring out with just a few details in the eyes and mouth.

There’s a lot more to BJ than just his appearance, though. He was named after Sheryl Leach’s father, Billy Joe “B.J.” Stamps, as a way of honouring him. From what I understand, B.J. Stamps was a significant influence on Sheryl Leach, and this naming choice was a heartfelt memorial to him after he passed away near the end of Barney & Friends’ first season. Originally, his name was spelled with periods as “B.J.”, but eventually, they simplified it to just BJ. This change helped avoid the inevitable questions from young fans about what the letters stood for. And now, in the latest series, "Barney’s World," they’ve gone even further and evolved his name to Billy. It’s a thoughtful progression, almost as if the character himself is growing up.

BJ is more than just a friend to Barney—he’s part of a little family of friends that makes the show so special. He’s the older brother of Baby Bop, a role he takes seriously in his own charming way. He calls her “Sissy” most of the time, which I think is adorable. It’s a sibling nickname that shows his affection, though on rare occasions, he’ll use her actual name. It’s these little details that make their relationship feel genuine and relatable. Even though they’re dinosaurs from the imagination of children, BJ and Baby Bop have this real sibling bond that makes them feel like part of our own families.

Then there’s his cousin, Riff, who’s also his best friend. The dynamic between BJ and Riff is a lot of fun—they share a lot of interests, especially when it comes to music. Riff, as you might know, is all about music and rhythm, and BJ loves the drums. BJ players drum in his rock band, BJ and the Rockets. BJ is often seen with his drumsticks, tapping out rhythms and adding his own beat to any situation. I imagine him as the kind of kid who can’t resist tapping on any surface he finds, always creating a beat, always adding a bit of music to life.

When I look back at BJ’s character in Barney & Friends, what really stands out is his boundless energy and his love for sports. BJ is the kind of dinosaur who’s always moving, always ready for the next game or adventure. Whether it’s baseball, basketball, or soccer, BJ throws himself into every sport with enthusiasm. He’s never met a sport he didn’t like, and I think that makes him relatable to a lot of kids watching the show. Sports are a way for BJ to express himself, to channel all that energy into something fun and constructive. In my artwork, I tried to capture that sense of movement, that readiness to leap into action at any moment.

One of my favourite aspects of BJ’s character is his superhero alter-ego, Captain Pickles. It’s a playful side of him that shows his imagination and his love for a good adventure. The name “Captain Pickles” is a nod to his favourite snack, pickles, which I think is such a quirky and charming detail. Every time BJ pretends to be Captain Pickles, he’s showing us the power of imagination, of transforming yourself into something brave and heroic. Drawing BJ made me think of how much fun he’d be having as Captain Pickles, zooming around and saving the day in his own playful way.

BJ’s enthusiasm and impulsive nature make him a bit of a handful sometimes, but that’s part of what makes him so loveable. He’s the type of character who doesn’t always think things through, who acts first and thinks later. But he’s also quick to apologise and make things right. He cares deeply about his friends and family and is always ready to help, even if he might get himself into a bit of trouble along the way. This combination of impulsiveness and kindness is something I wanted to reflect in his expression—he’s not perfect, but he’s genuine, and that’s what makes him such a beloved character.

Creating this fan art of BJ was more than just a drawing exercise; it was a chance to reconnect with a character who represents so many good memories. In every line and colour, I tried to bring out his personality, to show not just what he looks like but who he is. BJ might be a character from a children’s show, but he has layers, and there’s a lot to appreciate about him. His bravery, his curiosity, his love for fun and adventure—they’re all qualities that make him someone to look up to, even as a dinosaur in a child’s imagination.

As I finished the artwork, adding the final touches and shading, I felt a sense of satisfaction. BJ looked back at me from the screen, his bright yellow frill spotted with purple, his cap tilted just right, and that friendly, slightly mischievous smile on his face. It felt like he was ready to jump out of the picture and go on his next adventure. And maybe that’s the magic of BJ and characters like him—they make you feel like there’s always another game to play, another mystery to solve, another friend to help.

In the end, creating this piece reminded me of why I love drawing characters like BJ. They’re simple, but they’re also deeply meaningful. They bring out the best in us, reminding us of the joy of imagination and the importance of friendship. BJ is more than just a yellow dinosaur with a red cap and sneakers; he’s a symbol of everything fun and innocent about childhood. And as long as we have characters like him, there will always be a reason to celebrate imagination, kindness, and the magic of being a kid.

[narrativelysignificantturtleduck]

my general take on the "deserted the military" part of the piandao backstory is that i prefer a slight tweak where it's more of a "he didn't re-enlist when most people would" kind of thing, a "served his time and got out" sort of situation. a little odd, but technically above board. it fits better with him training zuko - i can't see allowing a traitor to train the prince, even if he's the unfavorite child - and doesn't conflict with jeong jeong and chey being the first deserters.

that said, i think people forget/don't know that after he left the military he "traveled the world for many years, studying under a variety of benders, warriors, and artisans." even if he did straight-up desert, that means the fire nation could've been searching the earth kingdom for years and only realized he was back in the fire nation when he started rising to prominence with his teaching business. i still prefer my tweak, bc it would make it easier for him to travel and study if he wasn't living on the run, but i think it's worth noting that piandao wasn't just able to stay in the fire nation as a traitor. jeong jeong wasn't stupid for fleeing into the woods. piandao had to flee the country too.

honestly in general i think people fixate too much on this part of piandao's backstory. imo the most interesting parts are the aforementioned traveling-the-world phase and that he was abandoned by his parents at an orphanage for being a nonbender. what does killing 100 soldiers actually mean for him as a character? we already know he's a badass, we saw him fight comet-powered firebenders and win. his parents abandoning him adds an extra depth to his relationship with sokka, because it reads as him trying to be the supportive parental figure that he didn't have at that age. that he's traveled the world explains his membership in the white lotus & his belief that the arts don't belong to one nation, plus it provides some fertile story ground. where did he go? what kind of people did he meet? how did his perspective on the war evolve?

like idk, the whole backstory is there on the wiki for everyone to read and i feel like the prominent part of it being that he killed a bunch of people speaks to an obsession with ruthless violence as cool that just fucking annoys me tbh

[loveyouenglish]

Top 10 Most Beautiful English Words

I think language is super cool because it's part of how people live and do stuff. Some words in each language are extra pretty, both in how they sound and what they mean. English has a bunch of beautiful words because it has a long history and lots of different things that have influenced it. I'm going to talk about the 10 prettiest English words in this blog post, and we'll look at what they mean, where they come from, and why we like them so much. Language beauty is different for everyone, depending on their experiences, culture, and how they see things. But there are some words that many people find beautiful. These words have been picked because they sound nice, have deep meanings, and are important in different cultures.

Serendipity

Our journey begins with "serendipity," a word that rolls off the tongue with a delightful cadence. Defined as the occurrence of events by chance in a beneficial way, serendipity encapsulates a sense of wonder and unexpected joy. The word has an intriguing origin, coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. He derived it from the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip," whose heroes were always making fortunate discoveries by accident. The tale's title refers to Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka. What makes "serendipity" beautiful is not just its pleasing sound, but the concept it represents. It speaks to the magical moments in life when things align perfectly without our conscious effort. The word evokes a sense of optimism and openness to life's surprises, encouraging us to appreciate the unexpected twists and turns of our journeys. In literature and popular culture, serendipity has become a beloved concept, often used to describe chance meetings that lead to love or pivotal moments that change the course of one's life. Its beauty lies in its ability to capture complex emotions and experiences in a single, melodious word.

Ethereal

Next on our list is "ethereal," a word that seems to float on air as it's spoken. Meaning extremely delicate, light, and seemingly too perfect for this world, ethereal conjures images of otherworldly beauty and transcendence. The word comes from the Latin "aether," which referred to the upper regions of space, and before that, from the Greek "aithein," meaning "to burn" or "to shine." This etymology adds layers of meaning to the word, connecting it to concepts of heavenly realms and celestial light. The beauty of "ethereal" lies in its ability to describe things that are almost beyond human comprehension or experience. It's often used to describe music that seems to transport the listener to another plane of existence, or natural phenomena like auroras that appear magical and otherworldly. In art and literature, ethereal is a favorite word for describing scenes of sublime beauty or characters with an almost supernatural grace.

Mellifluous

"Mellifluous" is a word that lives up to its own meaning. Defined as sweet or musical; pleasant to hear, it's a term that sounds as smooth and flowing as the qualities it describes. The word comes from the Latin "mellifluus," which literally means "flowing with honey." What makes "mellifluous" particularly beautiful is its versatility. While often used to describe voices or music, it can also be applied to writing styles, natural sounds like birdsong or flowing water, and even to personalities that exude a kind of verbal charm. The word has a certain richness to it, evoking sensory experiences beyond just sound. The association with honey brings to mind sweetness and golden hues, adding depth to its auditory pleasantness. In poetry and prose, "mellifluous" is often employed to create an atmosphere of harmony and grace, enhancing the lyrical quality of the writing.

Ephemeral

"Ephemeral" captures a complex concept in a word that sounds as fleeting as its meaning. Defined as lasting for a very short time, the word evokes a sense of transience and impermanence that is both beautiful and poignant. Derived from the Greek "ephemeros," meaning "lasting only one day," ephemeral has evolved to describe anything short-lived or temporary. Its beauty lies in its ability to encapsulate the bittersweet nature of fleeting moments and experiences. In art and literature, "ephemeral" is often used to describe natural phenomena like cherry blossoms or sunsets, emphasizing their transient beauty. It's also applied to human experiences and emotions, reminding us of the precious nature of life's fleeting moments. The concept of ephemerality has gained particular relevance in our digital age, where information and trends can be incredibly short-lived. This modern context adds another layer of meaning to an already rich and evocative word.

Luminous

"Luminous" is a word that seems to glow from within, much like the quality it describes. Meaning full of or shedding light; bright or shining, it's a word that immediately evokes images of radiance and clarity. The word comes from the Latin "luminosus," derived from "lumen," meaning light. This direct connection to light gives the word a sense of purity and brilliance that contributes to its beauty. What makes "luminous" particularly appealing is its versatility. While it can be used literally to describe sources of light or shining objects, it's often employed metaphorically to describe intellects, personalities, or artistic works that seem to radiate a special quality or insight. When spoken, "luminous" seems to linger in the air, much like the glow it describes. In literature and poetry, "luminous" is frequently used to create vivid imagery, describing everything from celestial bodies to enlightened thoughts. Its ability to bridge the physical and the metaphysical, describing both tangible light and abstract brilliance, makes it a particularly rich and beautiful word.

Cascade

"Cascade" is a word that seems to tumble off the tongue, mimicking the very action it describes. Defined as a small waterfall or a process whereby something, typically information or knowledge, is successively passed on, the word has a dynamic quality that makes it inherently beautiful. The word originates from the Italian "cascata," meaning waterfall, which in turn comes from the Latin "cascare," meaning to fall. This etymology gives the word a sense of motion and natural beauty that enhances its appeal. In literature and poetry, "cascade" is often used to create vivid imagery of natural scenes, but its versatility allows it to be applied to many contexts. It can describe the flow of ideas, the structure of data, or even the way light falls, always carrying with it a sense of graceful, continuous motion. The word also has positive connotations in many contexts, often associated with abundance and natural beauty. This makes it a favorite in descriptive writing, where it can evoke powerful and pleasing mental images. More words to learn: English Vocabulary: 40 Nature and Environment-Related Words English Vocabulary: 40 Art and Culture-Related Words How to Talk About Social Media and the Internet in English 40 Words Related to Safety & Emergencies with Meanings 75 Common English Words Used in Daily Life

Surreptitious

"Surreptitious" might not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of beauty, but its complexity and sound make it a worthy addition to our list. Meaning kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of; obtained or done by stealth, it's a word that intrigues and captivates. The word comes from the Latin "surrepticius," derived from "surripere," meaning to snatch secretly or to steal. This clandestine origin adds to the word's mystique and appeal. What makes "surreptitious" beautiful is its ability to pack so much meaning into a single word. It doesn't just mean secret or stealthy; it implies a whole narrative of concealment and perhaps even mischief or intrigue. In literature, "surreptitious" is often used to create an atmosphere of mystery or to describe actions and characters involved in covert activities. Its length and somewhat uncommon usage make it a word that draws attention, adding a layer of sophistication to any text in which it appears.

Eloquent

"Eloquent" is a word that lives up to its own meaning. Defined as fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing; clearly expressing or indicating something, it's a term that embodies the power and beauty of language itself. The word comes from the Latin "eloqui," meaning to speak out, which is derived from "ex" (out) and "loqui" (to speak). This etymology reflects the word's association with expressive and impactful communication. The beauty of "eloquent" lies in its ability to describe the pinnacle of verbal or written expression. It suggests not just clarity, but a certain grace and persuasiveness that elevates language to an art form. In literature and everyday use, "eloquent" is often employed as a high compliment, describing speakers, writers, or even moments that demonstrate exceptional expressive power. It's a word that celebrates the beauty and impact of well-crafted language, making it a fitting inclusion in a list of beautiful English words.

Effervescent

"Effervescent" is a word that seems to bubble with energy, much like its meaning. Defined as vivacious and enthusiastic; giving off bubbles; bubbling, it's a term that immediately evokes a sense of liveliness and joy. The word comes from the Latin "effervescere," meaning to boil up or to foam, which is derived from "ex" (out) and "fervere" (to boil). This origin gives the word a dynamic quality that contributes to its charm. What makes "effervescent" particularly beautiful is its ability to describe both physical and metaphorical bubbling. It can be used literally to describe carbonated drinks, but it's often applied to personalities or atmospheres that exude excitement and vivacity. This versatility allows the word to bridge the gap between the tangible and the abstract. In literature and everyday speech, "effervescent" is often used to create a mood of happiness and energy. It's a word that can lift the tone of a sentence or description, infusing it with a sense of sparkle and life. Its positive connotations make it a favorite for describing pleasant social atmospheres or charismatic individuals.

Quintessential

We conclude our list with "quintessential," a word that in many ways represents the essence of linguistic beauty. Defined as representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class, it's a term that speaks to the heart of what makes something characteristic or definitive. The word has a fascinating etymology, coming from the medieval Latin "quinta essentia," or "fifth essence." This refers to the ancient and medieval belief in a fifth element, beyond earth, air, fire, and water, that was thought to be the substance of the heavenly bodies and latent in all things. The beauty of "quintessential" lies in its ability to elevate the subject it describes. By labeling something as quintessential, we're not just saying it's typical, but that it embodies the very best or most representative qualities of its class. The word carries a sense of distillation, of capturing the absolute core of something. Phonetically, "quintessential" is complex and satisfying. In literature and critical writing, "quintessential" is often used to identify archetypal examples or to discuss the fundamental nature of things. Its scholarly tone adds a layer of sophistication to any text, while its meaning allows for precise and powerful description.

Conclusion

Language is not just about being useful, it's also about making us feel things, creating clear pictures in our minds, and explaining complicated ideas with just one word. The ten words we've learned about - serendipity, ethereal, mellifluous, ephemeral, luminous, cascade, surreptitious, eloquent, effervescent, and quintessential - all show how powerful language can be in their own special way. These words are not only beautiful because they sound nice, but also because they have deep meanings and make us imagine things. They show how diverse English is, with its origins in Latin, Greek, and other languages, and how it changes and grows over time. These words also remind us how fun language can be. In a world where we often use short forms and emojis to talk, taking the time to enjoy individual words can be a pleasant and rewarding experience. ____________________ Check out these awesome vocabulary books I recommend: 1500 VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS + ONLINE for GRE GMAT TOEFL SAT IELTS CAT 10 Minutes A Day Vocabulary, Ages 7-11 (Key Stage 2) English Vocabulary In Use: Pre - Intermediate And Intermediate With CD Word Power Made Easy By Norman Lewis  Oxford Pocket English Dictionary  Read the full article

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'A Real-Life Dawes' : Musings on Hell Bent, Witchcraft and the Sorcery of Cooking

There’s a line in Leigh Bardugo’s Hell Bent when the protagonist, Alex, realises that she’s been underestimating Pamela Dawes, her colleague and sort-of friend. Gathered after a particularly gruelling day - it’s a ‘saving the world before lunch’ sort of book - Alex looks at Pamela as she prepares and presents food for all the team and realises that she is, in fact, powerful. Surrounded by ghosts, curses, demons and prophesies Alex has never stopped to realise that there was a witch in her own house, all along: one quietly helping and healing through the sorcery of cooking. 

I love Pamela Dawes. It was one of the best days of my life when, at a Leigh Bardugo fan event in February 2023, the excited twenty-one year olds beside me in the queue quickly christened me “a real life Dawes.” “She’s even got snacks!” one cried as, concerned by the fact that none of them had remembered to eat lunch, I found granola bars in my bag and firmly offered them to the group. When I finally reached Bardugo’s signing table, I happily mentioned the comment and she was kind enough to see how much it had meant to me and continue the hype. 

“Oh my god, yes! You’ve got the hair!”

 It’s wasn’t just the hair, or the granola bars, or general lack of glossy femininity. Dawes is about my age, the same gap in years between her and the other characters in the book as there was between me and the twenty-one year olds in the queue. She complains about blood stains not coming out of clothes and rashly made plans which hinge too much on optimistic bravery and not enough on pragmatic strategy. And when the heroes limp home having heeded none of her sensible advice, she makes them hot chocolate. If it’s a particularly bad day she adds an extra marshmallow. 

It’s not surprising that Alex, the main character in the Ninth House series, takes a whole book and a half to realise that Dawes is magical. Dawes is quietly anxious; Dawes is quietly sad; Dawes is quietly lost. Dawes is, overall, quiet. A woman who has gotten lost inside the depths of academia and academic promise and wants to stay there, isolated and safe. To a brash, bold survivor like Alex, Dawes seems weak. Someone who hides, even from herself. But by the end of Hell Bent, there is the promise of more. Dawes is, finally, beginning to realise her potential.

I lived in London for seven years. For those seven years, I didn’t really cook.  There just wasn’t time, and besides, cooking just didn’t seem appealing when I was constantly on the edge of nausea. A mixture of travel sickness, tiredness and stress meant that I never felt well, my upset stomach such a constant that I stopped even noticing it. It was only when a colleague of mine described the symptoms of her chemotherapy treatment and I realised it was what I pretty much felt like all the time in my day to day life that the reality of the situation truly hit.

This isn’t working. 

I moved out of London soon after, but then: 2020. 

I tried to use all my free time in my family home to get back into cooking - I’d loved cooking as a teenager, surely it was possible to learn to love it once more - but the nausea remained. It’s not much fun coming up with new recipes when you have to lie in bed for two hours afterwards with debilitating IBS.

 September came and went. I moved into my new flat in Aberdeen; I started a Masters course, first in person and then online when the University gave up and moved the degree fully onto Zoom after Christmas break. 

First one person dropped out, then two. By the end of the Masters I was the only full-time student left. 

Still, I tried to cook. 

As someone with more food intolerances than would seem physiologically possible, my only chance of eating nice food is to make nice food. It felt like failure after failure. Pesto and pasta would work for a while; then it would make me ill. One week I’d be able to eat feta; the next it would give me acid reflux. Alone in my flat, lost in the depths of academia and hiding from even myself, I despaired at my situation. 

Someone who loved food, cursed to feel continually poisoned by it. 

Still, I tried to cook. 

A year went by, then two. 

I went to see a health specialist, who advised that along with the long, long list of foodstuffs I’d independently realised I couldn’t eat - “you’re the second most severe case I’ve seen in twelve years”- I also should avoid starch, and anything fermented. I stopped battling with tofu. I cut down on gherkins. (I refuse to not eat any gherkins. A woman needs reasons to get up in the morning.) Gradually, lopsidedly, in a very non-linear sort of way, trying to cook slowly turned into cooking. 

There are no guarantees with food. There is still the chance that a meal which worked fine yesterday will make me feel ill today. That bread is one day off? You tried to eat that cheese whilst upset about something? Forget about it. But as my life slowly levels, my ability to digest, to enjoy food seems to be slowly levelling with it. And, as it does, something else is slowly coming to the surface too.

To be a hedge witch is to be a witch alone. Classic descriptions of the witch type are ‘someone who practices rituals like tarot […] or has some physic ability […] a wise woman living on her own.’ The definition, as found on Mabon House’s website, expands to describe this woman ensuring the well being of those she loves though imbuing magical thoughts into everyday small tasks. Such as cooking. 

If someone was to ask me what sort of witch I aspired to be - not a topic of conversation which comes up very often, it has to be said - I would probably say hedge witch through sheer necessity. There’s not exactly a ready made, non-gender essentialist, queer-friendly coven knocking at my door ready to go, after all. But that’s not the only reason.

As this settling continues and I level out into my late twenties, as I finally have the space to sort through the baggage and trauma I’ve somehow acquired in the last ten years, it’s a relief to find truer versions of myself buried down deep under all the masks, personas and lies. 

The world wasn’t ready for me, aged 17. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t kind. 

So many things were lost in my desperate scrabble for survival. 

Cooking wasn’t the only thing to fall through the gaps. 

As I sit here writing this, however, I am a woman who is in the process of reclaiming herself. The reclaiming isn’t finished. I’m not sure if reclaiming can ever be finished. But as I look at the dried garden mint hanging from the wall, the incense smoke in the air, the flickering candle on the altar and the kettle on the boil I know that I, just like Dawes, am beginning to step into my potential.

If food is a hedge witch’s power, then I am becoming powerful indeed. Friends who come round to my house are full of home-made snacks and herbal tea by the time they leave. My parents might not eat the same meals as me - it’s just easier for me to eat solo when they have dinner at 6pm and I’m lucky if I’ve remembered about the concept of dinner by 8pm - but I often gift them little offerings, fresh from my own plate.  A roast potato each, eaten with much delight. An unexpected batch of stewed apples cooked with cinnamon and nutmeg, enough for all three of us. This year, for the first time, I’ve volunteered myself as the cook for Christmas Day lunch.

When Bardugo wrote the character of Pamela Dawes, she wrote a character for all of us who aren’t very good at remembering we’re the protagonists of our stories. Perhaps confidence, like mine, was forced out of us with blank looks and unkind jokes. Perhaps confidence wasn’t something we were very good at to begin with. It’s been a beautiful thing to see my own confidence grow this past year, every tray, pot and tin, every meal cooked, leading me back to my most magical self.

“You’re a real life Dawes!”

I’m beginning to think that those twenty-one year olds may have been right.