#and also i want a halloween costume and something for ren faires now that i have time to do such things again

[ghost-toe]

might actually liveblog a craft project again over the coming months... stay tuned

[hellsingmongrel]

This was why, when I was i college and beginning to realize that I really REALLY wanted to focus on 3d art, I wanted to focus on costumes! I loved the idea of having some huge, elaborate costumes and just wearing them in public for no other reason than to do it! Because I loved the idea of random people who were having to go about their day-to-day lives, enduring the soul-sucking grind and deal with the stress and fruatration of modern life, coming across something magical in the middle of their day that broke them out of that headspace for just a little bit.

If I could make just one person's day even just a little bit less horrible, then I felt like I would be giving something good to the world. I haven't had the time, money, or resources to do too much with those desires now that I'm not in college, but I do ren faires, and it's always a delight when I'm having to stop to get gas or food before and after the faire, and people see me in my garb and are SO DELIGHTED! And when me and my wife wore our matching gothic lolita dresses in public to and from the courthouse for our Halloween wedding, so many people stopped us and loved what we were wearing and were just so happy! Those are the things I love! Knowing that me being unabashadly myself and dressing in over the top outfits also brings a little light to other peoples' days is the best feeling ever! 🥹

something ive noticed after being a hobby cosplayer for years is that in a lot of places the general consensus seems to be that wearing costumes in public is weird and/or socially unacceptable, but whenever I'm in costume in public while on the train to the con venue or having a photoshoot on location or something, people by and large fucking love my costume. they think it's so cool. kids think my costume rocks. their parents are impressed that I made it myself. random grandmas tell me my armor kicks ass. I was at a japanese garden once and barely got around to doing the photoshoot me and my homies came there to do because swathes of visitors who had never heard the word cosplay before were lining up to take a picture with me.

it's the same thing with adjacent hobbies like larp or reenactment or fursuiting, the general image of the hobby is that you're weird nerds (and probably also sex perverts) for playing dressup despite not being a child but when you're actually in costume the response from random normies is categorically positive. I inevitably get weird looks from the kind of people who think having a tattoo is an affront to god but they give me that look for just existing with blue hair and pronouns too and the people who actually talk to me always do because they wanted to tell me they love my costume. and the response that always gets me the most is when they say it looks fun but they would never dare to do the same. it's such a shame. why did wearing a silly little costume have to become an act of bravery.

[dax-rei]

Getting Closer!

Wow. It really has been a while since I posted anything here. But it's also been a while since I had something definitive done about this costume.

(I am resisting the urge to put the music video for "It's Been Awhile" in here. Be proud of my restraint!)

Going to DragonCon sometimes makes me think about how much I put into a costume, especially when it's an OG character. Pirogoeth did get one request for a picture, which made me realize that details and accessories are important! Which is why I'm taking my time with Dax. I'm trying to figure out those little details.

One of them is what kind of fabric to use for each piece. The top is a fairly simple stretch pleather. I wanted to make another layer between that and the cloak that was black. I was using black fabric and black pleather I already had with Simplicity 2517 as the pattern. I was just leaving off the sleeves, collar, and cape.

But it wasn't working. The pleather was much thicker than the rest of the fabric and didn't lay the way I was hoping it would. Also, I feel like it's too simple. The cloak is going to be a dark purple, because hiding in shadows is easier when you're not in all black. (I don't know if Dax's world has the Discworld series, but she's definitely influenced by Vetinari's approach to stealth.)

So I went looking online to see if I could find a black fabric with a pattern that I both liked and thought would be believable on a D&D character. Specifically a wizard. Let's face it, paisley isn't an option.

I found what I was looking for. It's a Halloween fabric from Jo-Ann's that is dark greys and black and adds visual texture to the garment. I also got some of Yaya Han's 4-way stretch pleather to use as the panel under the arms, again, to add interest. I bought it all on Thursday and got most of it sewn together today. I'm waiting on some trim I ordered so I can finish it up.

I'm working on it now because I decided I wanted to go as Dax to the Ren Faire on Saturday. I don't have the cloak yet. But I figured this way I can see if there's anything that'll work as the base at the faire while wearing everything else. If I don't, it's still a fun outfit to wear.

I'll have pics of that after we get back. This is going to be fun!

[nickgerlich]

Forks And Napkins And Burritos

Eleven of the twelve months have some notable day, either a federally observed holiday, or a socially recognized day worth noting, and as is often the case, celebrating. August is the only month with nothing; sometimes April joins August if Easter comes early, but it typically falls in that month.

Mothers Day and Fathers Day are in May and June, respectively. St. Patrick’s Day is a rite of Spring, even if we aren’t really all that Irish. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day fill the winter months, Valentine’s Day causes couples to get all amorous in February, then we honor our war dead in May, laborers in September, and independence in July.

That leaves October, and it can only mean one thing: Halloween. While the day is technically All Hallows’ Eve, and tied to the Christian observance of All Hallows’ Day on the 1st of November, somewhere along the line it was twisted into ghosts, goblins, tricking, treating, and silly costumes. And we love it, to the tune of $12.2 billion in Halloween-related sales last year. About 73% of Americans participate in the shenanigans, and I am betting few if any are concerned with the religious aspect once the calendar page is flipped.

So large is the business of Halloween that seasonal retailer Spirit Halloween has come to dominate sales. The chain, which is owned by Spencer Gifts, typically rents vacant storefronts in malls and strip centers for a few months each year, usually starting in August. It is so ubiquitous that it has even become the butt of jokes.

But it is also highly respected, which explains why Chipotle partnered with them to sell several bodysuit costumes promoting the burrito chain. As if wrapping burritos in foil weren’t enough, now fans can wrap themselves in skin-tight polyester outfits designed to spoof the Chipotle napkin, fork, water cup, burrito and to-go bag.

As much as I was scratching my head on this one, I am also high-fiving the marketing genius. When you can get people to pay good money to promote your brand, you know you have hit a high point. The costumes sell for $40 online via Spirit Halloween.

The academic in me wants to dive a little deeper, though, into the consumer psyche. What is it about Halloween that so captivates people to want to decorate, splurge on candy to give away, and dress up as someone they aren’t? If anything, it’s the intersection of creativity and fantasy. Maybe you manufacture your own costume, like those crazy head-turning ones that look like two persons but with only one person inside. Or perhaps you go as a celebrity, the opposite gender, a star athlete. The sky’s the limit.

And maybe that’s just it. You would never do that any other time of the year, but you can do—and be—whatever and whomever you want to be at Halloween. It’s ok. It’s socially acceptable. Forget about all those social norms you read about in text books that regulate what we can and can’t do, at least without raising the eyebrows of the general public. Furthermore, what many years ago was something primarily done by children, it now seems the adults have as much or more fun dressing up as their kids.

To be fair, we do that a little in March, wearing green and sporting shamrocks to honor a dead saint with a dubious story. But that’s about it when it comes to cosplay and all that, unless we are attending Comicon, a Civil War re-enactment, or a Ren Faire.

The level of participation in this seasonal distraction (some might call it an indiscretion as well) comes out to about $50.60 per person for the 73% of us participating. That should cover the Chipotle costume and a couple of bags of candy to hand out to the little ones. Not bad for a “holiday” most of us know little about, or even care to learn.

Maybe I’ll go as a fork.

Dr “Burritoful Idea” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[shewhospeakswiththunder]

Perhaps you’re feeling bored at home or, if considered an “essential” worker like me, you need a little fun and stress relief. Here is my masterpost of fic recs from my two years of reading so far. Maybe you’ll find something new, or reconnect with an old favorite. Either way--

Enjoy! 😷💕

Reylo Fics that Deserve All the Love

Near Kinsman by englishable

Englishable is just one of the best writers I’ve encountered in fandom. This historical western mail order bride AU is top notch quality.

The Masochism of Self-Defence by greyorchids

The Reylo dynamic in this Boston PD AU is steamy, but also heartfelt. 

So Much Thin Glass by walkingsaladshooter

Never knew I loved modern day Gothic AUs until I ran across this one.

Heaven Forbid by DarkKnightDarkSide

I was stunned by the author’s creativity in this Priestlo fic. So smutty. So... inventive 😉🔥

Sonder by deathbyhumidity

Two strangers passing each other by on the train. Soft, dreamlike, somber, poignant. Modern AU.

And Still I Would Remember by Inmyownidiom

A Victorian era AU of two souls that parted and come crashing back together.

So, You've Decided to Glamour a Human Girl. by selunchen

Faeries AU! Ben, a fae, and Rey, a human. Shenanigans ensue.

Live Long, and Prosper by SaintHeretical

For the Reylo Trekkies. Hell, even if you don't do Star Trek, read this. PHENOMENAL.

Mr. Solo & Miss Wellfound by LinearA

“Regency/Victorian AU, Ben sees Rey's stockinged ankle by accident.”

Diyari by Nervoustouch

Modern archeologists AU. Snarky banter with dashes of Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Sahara vibes.

Drawn to the light of your burning sorrows by Kyriadamorte

The Mothlo AU you didn’t know you needed. Both gritty and soft.

Crown Glass by RebelRebel

Fantasy AU, with lots of beautiful imagery and engaging character dynamics.

Kohelet 3:16 (Call Me A Cab) by LinearA

NYC Jewish Leia and Ben. Skillfully layered plot, nuanced characterization. Smut is HOT.

By the Shores of Varykino Lake by hipgrab (merrymegtargaryen)

Unhealthy dynamics, definitely read the tags. “There’s a lot of fucked-up-ness”, in the author’s own words. But it’s good writing. Fair warning.

Let Me Put My Darkness In You by ArdeaJestin

Canonverse. Hux is an insufferable, pompous ass and Kylo Ren writes terrible, melodramatic poetry.

Wintertide by Zabeta

Whimsical and primitive in turn, this lives up to the style of a true fairytale AU.

The Forty Thieves by PoetHrotsvitha

Peaky Blinders/Gangsters AU. Rey starts as Ben’s bartender and ends up as so much more.

I Said to My Soul, Be Still by LinearA

Dark!Rey takes her man. 🥵🔥💕

Hux's Rousing Pep Talks by Riels_shorts

This fic is hysterical. It’s not Reylo, and I don’t care. My list, my rules.

It's All I Can Do To Leave You Alone by TazWren

Office AU. Silly, spunky, with a bashful Ben. 

Sip the Honey Sweet by dietplainlite

Anne of Green Gables-esque/Edwardian era AU, the title really says it all.

The Pull to the Light by HarpiaHarpyja

Entrancingly macabre. This modern/fantasy/monsters AU catches your attention from the get-go, and never lets you off the hook.

lay then the axe to the root by sciosophia

All the Bronte goodness, plus smut.

The Golden Age by TourmalineGreen

Golden Age of Hollywood AU in which Ben is a jaded actor in serious need of an image fix, in the form of fresh-faced actress Rey.

Never Be Your Curse by Kate_Reid 

Kylo Ren is a go-go dancer in this AU. That was enough to get my attention 😘

Gallows God by Killtheselights

Bursting with deliciously grim imagery, an intelligent take on Norse mythology.

Thunderstorms, Clouds, Snow, and a Slight Drizzle by aNerdObsessed

Who doesn’t love an ugly sweater Christmas party? Ben Solo, that’s who. All the nostalgic wintertime feels in this modern AU.

Though My Soul Has Set in Darkness by englishable

It’s not long, but it’s good. A lyrical dive into the mindspace of child Ben Solo. A true gem. Also not technically Reylo. Still don’t care.

I Dare You by tinylittlebrain

Daredevil Kylo has pissed off ER doc Rey Kenobi for the last time. Spicy!

stuck in colder weather by redbelles

Professor Ren stops grad student Rey from biking home in a snow storm. And takes her to his home. You can guess where this goes 😉

Between Sky and Sea by nessalk

Serious Indiana Jones vibes with a Caribbean flair. Painstakingly researched, and moments of true beauty and joy.

But Before Tomorrow by Kate_Reid

Such good writing. Canonverse.

The Sword of Prince Hector by englishable

Exploration of what redemption might feel like for Ben, canonverse. 

if compassion be the breath of life, breathe on me by Victoryindeath2

All the angst and unknowns that we were left with in the wake of TLJ are soothed in this canonverse piece.

build a ladder to the stars by redbelles

An exploration of events post-Crait. Fantastic, beautifully written.

nor are we forgiven (which brings us back) by TolkienGirl

Both Kylo and Rey get to see what life would have been like if they both got exactly what they thought they wanted after TLJ. Fascinating read. 

Forsworn by Erulisse17

This Mando/ST crossover has everything you could want--action, witty banter, space romance! So much fun!

Reylo Favorites & Classics

One Shots

59 Minutes by delia-pavorum (literaryminded)

For Science by KyloTrashForever, ohwise1ne

He Made It Through the Wilderness (somehow he made it through) by LovesBitca8

light carries on endlessly by lachesisgrimm (olga_theodora)

Grey by ocjones

The Idiot's Guide to Flirting by Violetwilson

High School/College AU

I Caught Fire by KyloTrashForever

Mountain Springs High School by animal

Epithumia by pontmercy44

Soul Searching by OptimisticBeth

Office/Workplace AU

Sensual Storytime by andabatae

The Food of Love by LovesBitca8

Historical/Dystopia AU

Hiraeth by Ferasha

a manner of virtue by neonheartbeat

The lamb's thirst by animal

Wanted by Inmyownidiom

She Who Would be Queen by sasstasticmad

go i know not whither and fetch i know not what by voicedimplosives

ABO

Knot My First Time by KyloTrashForever

Canonverse/Canon-divergent

variations on a theme of you by diasterisms (Reydar)

i will be the wolf by diasterisms

Sky Marked Souls by AnonymousMink

The Death of Kylo Ren by nymja

World In My Eyes by sasstasticmad

i'm always in this twilight (in the shadow of your heart) by diasterisms

Catch Me I’m Falling by violethoure666

Sword of the Jedi by diasterisms

You'll Be the One to Turn by postedbygaslight

Dark Crown by Violetwilson

Harry Potter AU

Nocturnal Studies And Other Peculiar Magic by WaterlilyRose

Otherwise Modern AU

Pretense by Celia_and

Insta-heart by slipgoingunder

Serotonin and Dopamine by pontmercy44

The Elusive Mating Dance of the Porgus Adorabilis by andabatae

Hanging by a Moment by crossingwinter

WAR DOGS by fulcrumstardust

miles from where you are by Mooncactus

Charcoal by luvkurai

Stay by jeeno2

coarse and rough and irritating by frak-all (or_ryn)

Blades Crossed by the-reylo-void (Anysia)

Embers by sciosophia

Mitan, Midi by animal

Janus by englishable

Say My Name by Graendoll

Thank You for The Music by hipgrab (merrymegtargaryen)

darling, so it goes by akosmia

This is the Sign You've Been Looking For by RebelRebel

Broken Things by midnightbluefox

One-Night Stand by delia-pavorum (literaryminded)

The Rebel Side of Heaven by jeeno2

On The Bumpy Road (To Love) by violethoure666

we could plant a house, we could build a tree by Like_A_Dove

I’d Like My Obituary to Hint at a Sequel by Violetwilson

Only If You Want To by Violetwilson

Not Reylo, Still Awesome

Gingerflower/Gingerrose, Armitage Hux/Rose Tico 

Between Sand and Sea by Brit Hux-Tico (birchwoods01)

If Ever I Would Leave You by Weddersins

Her Yellow Rainboots by Weddersins

Merrical, Cal Kestis/Merrin (Jedi: Fallen Order)

The Stars Alight by FlyingMachine

Heavy Ice by FlyingMachine

Caltrilla, Cal Kestis/Trilla Suduri (Jedi: Fallen Order)

No One Else by xanderwilde

call it what you want by xanderwilde

tear you to pieces by xanderwilde

Dramione, Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter Universe)

Now Is A Gift by SenLinYu

Sex and Occlumency by Graendoll

Zutara, Katara/Zuko (Avatar: the Last Airbender)

oracle bones by an orphaned account

Fics by Me

Virtue Ethics

Reylo College AU (completed)

Dr. Ben Solo, adjunct philosophy professor and part-time martial arts instructor, discovers a young woman in his Intro to Philosophy course whom he thinks may not actually be enrolled at the University.

Chiasmus

Reylo Role-reversal canonverse AU (WIP)

Scourge of the galaxy, Kira Ren, is tasked by the First Order to eliminate the last of the Jedi. When she captures hotshot podracer Ben Solo to extract Luke Skywalker’s location from him, things do not go according to plan. 

This Dance of Light, This Sacred Blessing

Snapshots of a modern Reylo AU. Smutty, prosey one-shot.

Listen Up, Kid

Canonverse Reylo Post TLJ one-shot

The ghosts of Supreme Leader Kylo Ren's past are back to haunt him with a vengeance. A well-meaning, familial kind of vengeance. Or, A Star Wars Carol.

Ben’s Body

Reylo Modern AU (completed)

Rey is an up and coming sculptor specialising in human shape and form. Her new next door neighbour has a body to die for and she's determined to preserve it in marble forever. Now she just has to convince dashing and reclusive Ben to model for her. Preferably naked.

Growin’ Up

Reylo High School AU (completed)

Ben Solo was supposed to only be ruining his own life with his bad decisions. Rey Niima was just trying to pay attention in class. Both get stuck in detention.

Seven Texts, 2 AM

Reylo Modern AU, smutty one-shot

Ben has good reasons not to have sex with his neighbor, Rey. She has other ideas.

Song of the Forest

Reylo Fantasy/BatB/Fairytale AU (completed)

Once upon a time, a girl with an unknown past appeared on the doorsteps of a lord’s manor, and now the forest at the edge of the lord’s property is calling to her.

A Season of Frost & Warmth

Modern Reylo P&P AU (completed)

When Ben shows up to a Halloween party with no costume, it only confirms Rey’s certainty that he is the world’s biggest jerk. Until it comes to light that maybe... he isn’t. 

Follow Me Home

Modern Werewolf Reylo AU (completed)

Rey gets stone drunk and brings home a big cute husky she found in an alley. The next morning, she finds a naked man built like a fridge sleeping on her living room floor, and no dog in sight.

The Gentleness That Comes

Reylo Modern AU one-shot

Underground boxer!Ben is resigned to his life of violence, until he meets a pretty new bartender one night.

Unlikely, Unbidden, Unbound

Gingerflower canonverse AU (WIP)

General Hux is imprisoned by the Resistance when the First Order falls. He had known his death was coming, it was simply a matter of course. He’s disappointed to learn the Resistance has other plans, and an unwavering policy of giving people second chances.

@thereylowritingden @reylofic @nancylovesreylo @grlie-girl @lilia-ula @greyforceuser @tazwren @mhcalamas

[silenceofthecookies]

Come in

So, it’s Halloween month, and I wanted to write some Halloween inspired scenarios this month! Here is the first, enjoy!

Pairing: Jinguji Ren x female reader Word count: 1183 Warnings: mentions of alcohol

Adjusting your costume once more, you left the staff-only area and returned to your place behind the bar. You kind of regretted your choice of costume, a fancy but itchy demon costume. It was a little uncomfortable and the skirt was a tad bit too short, but at least you looked great. Next year, you were definitely going for comfort though.

It was Halloween night, and the bar you worked at was throwing a party. You didn’t have anything planned, so you figured you might as well work through the night, earning some extra money. Your co-workers even believed they owed you for it, which made it all the better.

Looking at the clock, you realized there was only one hour left to go before the bar would close. Releasing a sigh of relief, you focused on the next patron. Even though you were doing this voluntarily, you were getting very tired and you couldn’t wait until you could go home, take off this costume and crawl into bed. Looking your next customer in the eye, you were a little surprised to see a familiar face, looking paler than usual with little fangs on the corners of his smile.

“Ren? What are you doing here?” “Well my dear, it’s a party, isn’t it? Of course I’d be here.” “Just you? Or did your colleagues come too?” “Just me, the others went to a more… let’s say, tame party.” “So you drove all the way out here and now you’re drinking?” “No dear, I took the bus. I know I shouldn’t drink and drive, I drink responsibly.” “Then how are you going home?” “The bus?” “Ren, it’s 2 am. There are no more busses here at this hour.”

Watching his face go from relaxed to shocked was rather amusing, but you also felt bad for him. You and Ren had been friends for a few years now, though you didn’t see each other that often, certainly not ever since he had joined Shining Entertainment and became part of the idol group Starish, you still saw him as a good friend. You couldn’t just leave him to his own devices tonight, now could you?

“You know what? I’ll be off in about an hour. Hang around here until then, and then you can drive home with me and crash on the couch. Then you can take the bus back when you’re awake.” “Y/N, you’re an angel.” “Actually, I’m a demon,” you gestured at the little horns on your head, “but thank you.” “No my dear, thank you.”

You exchanged smiles before you handed him his drink and continued serving other patrons. Ren went to the side of the party, relaxing a bit, and mostly waiting for your shift to be done. The hour flew by with how busy it was, and soon you sat behind the wheel of your car with Ren sitting next to you.

“Whoa, Ren! I didn’t notice inside because of how dim the lights were, but your costume looks amazing! You almost look like a real vampire!” “Thank you, my dear. I did put some effort into my appearance for the night.” “And it shows! Damn, if I didn’t know you already, I’d say I needed to watch my back! Or, well, neck.” You laughed at your own stupid joke, and Ren laughed with you.

After a short drive, you arrived at your house. You parked your car in the driveway as usual, and went inside. Noticing you didn’t hear the door close behind you, you looked back to see Ren still standing outside.

“Ren? Are you ok?” “Yes I am, my dear, but you should know vampires always need to be invited in.” Ren winked, and started laughing. “Well then, my fanged friend, you may enter.”

Ren smiled and entered your house as you both laughed about the stupidity of the joke. You brought him to the living room and went to get a spare blanket and pillow. Before going to bed, the two of you shared one more drink on the couch while catching up a little, it had been a long time, after all.

To be fair, you were a little excited. You had ben crushing on Ren for a long time now, but you knew he wasn’t allowed to have a relationship as long as he was part of Shining Entertainment. Over time, you had gotten the idea that Ren felt the same way about you, but of course you couldn’t be sure until either of you spoke up. Relationship or not, having him stay over for the night made our heart skip a beat. The thought of being able to see him first thing in the morning made you look forward to waking up. After finishing up your drinks the two of you wished each other good night and you both went to sleep.

---

You heard footsteps in your room. Thinking it was a burglar, you snapped your eyes open to see Ren standing next to your bed. “Ren? What are you doing in my room? Is something wrong?” You were about to get up when you felt Ren’s hand on your shoulder. “No, Y/N. Nothing is wrong, I’m sorry for waking you.” “Then why are you in my room?” “I woke up from a scream. I thought it was you but… I guess it was just in my dream.” “Nope, I didn’t scream. Guess all the Halloween stuff got to you, huh?” “Yes, I guess it did. Sorry for waking you, Y/N. I’ll let you go back to sleep now. Good night.” “Sweet dreams, Ren.”

As you turned around in your bed and almost immediately slipped back to sleep. Just before you lost consciousness, you heard Ren say one more thing.

“Thank you, Y/N. But actually, vampires don’t dream.”

You felt a pressure on your neck, which turned into a sharp pain, and then-

---

You jolted awake. What a dream, you guessed Halloween got to you, not to Ren. Your neck was stiff and sore. Guessing you had lied in a wrong position, you stretched your neck a bit before going to the living room to see if Ren was already awake.

You were surprised to find the room empty. The blanket and pillow you gave him the night before laid neatly folded on the couch. Checking around the house once more, you couldn’t find Ren anywhere. There was no note either, and you didn’t see any messages on your phone either. You tried to call Ren, but you only got voicemail.

Figuring he had to leave urgently for idol business or something, you started to get ready for the day. Apparently that dream hadn’t been the only one you had, you felt as if you had been hit by a truck. Weak, sluggish, still very tired,… not to mention that pain in your neck. After breakfast, you headed up to the bathroom to brush your teeth. Looking in the mirror above your sink, you finally saw the cause of your pain.

There were two tiny holes in the side of your neck.

[crypticalwitch]

A Halloween night! Bloody Code Au (Part 1)

Ok, this is crossposted (i really hope im using it right) to my wattpad, but there its a songfic to Victorious by Panic! at the Disco, but i removed that here, because i liked it alot. also this is a cliff hanger that i will update to add the link to the second one later. Also some bad language, booze and blood and vomit. not graphic or anything, just wanted to mention! 

Part 1/ Part 2

Grian smiled. Halloween was always one of his favorite holidays, since it was excuse to cause trouble, and a halloween party at a night club was definitely going to be fun. The costume He and Scar chose was also very fun. While most might have just bought something, they had two advantages over everyone else, 1) Demise ment they had the best ghost costumes, with little to no make up, only using it to bright colour to scar tissue, which is why the pair were grayscale while walking down the road, and 2)Vex and Fairy, enough said.

And so Grian and Scar walked down the road toward the club. Grian had brought his vex mask, while Scar had made sure to have small stash of regen potions incase someone over did it on the drinks.

“SCAR GRIAN!” Rens familiar voice called out from down the road. Grian began to run closer, Scar on his heels. 

“HI REN!” Grian yelled. Ren was dressed up a stereotypical wolf man, though he only had the wolf ears,tail and clawed gloves. 

“Ready Scar?” Ren asked, jumping up and down slightly.

“You know it!” Scar smiled, “Cub already inside right?”

“Yup!” Ren cocked his head to the side. “What are you guys dressed up as?”

Grian smirked.

“Were Dead!” Scar giggled

“OH!” ren seemed to notice the grey skin, the X-ed out eyes, and the scars. The outline of grains skeleton was highlighted, and scars lips and hands were a pale yellow-green.

“Well, lets go!” grian said, his impatience beginning to show.

“Yeah!” Ren smiled and began to pull the pair to the entrance.

The club was bright, loud, and chaotic, in a very different way than Hermitcraft, and Scar wasn’t sure how to feel about it. Grian seemed to enjoy the loud music and immediately went off to the dance floor after seeing Iskall, who was dressed up as a mad scientist. 

Scar met up with cub, who was dressed up as a vampire, and got a comfortable seat close enough to the bar and the dancefloor, but wasn’t two crazy.

Things were fine at first. None of the group really drank too hard, and Scar even went out to dance with grian for a while. And then the coughing started.

It was only a small cough at first, occasional and something he could ignore. And then he coughed something up. A very familiar taste, the taste that ended his Demise run. He grabbed a napkin and spit it out, the pale yellow color staining the paper.

Grian was in a similar boat. The scars from the blast always itched slightly, even when he was alive, but at some point in the night, the scars began to inch and ache like crazy. It wasn’t until he rubbed one of the markings and his hand came away bloody that he realise something might be wrong.

Scar ended up in the bathroom, Grian at his side, Coughing and retching up poison and blood while Grian slowly dripped blood from his arms and legs.

“Feeling better?” Grian asked, rubbing his boyfriends back.

“A little.” Scar smiled, pulling back from the toilet “has the bleeding slowed any?”

“Yeah, its done I think.” Grian giggled, “Could you imagine if someone saw us?”

“In the same bathroom stall? Or coughing up blood and poison?”

“Yes.”

“Grian that makes no sense!” Scar laughed, 

“Ready to head back out?” Grian smiled, wiping the blood from his hands off on toilet paper.

“Yeah,” Scar smiled. “I think so!”

Grian and Scar slid out of the stall, right into a very confused Ren standing in the doorway.

“REN!” Grian blushed

“Uuhhh how long have you been standing there?” Scar asked, blushing under the grey.

“Long enough to know you two were in the same stall, but not long enough to know why!” Ren said, followed by an awkward laugh.  

“Really nothings happening.” grian began to spitball. “Its all fine. Nothings happening. Everything's FINE.” Scar facepalmed.

“We’ll explain later.” Scar smiled, “But not right now.”

“I guess thats fair my dudes.” ren smiled.

“Im just gonna,leave.” Grian carefully moved past ren, and entered back onto the dance floor.

Grian almost didn't notice the man dressed up as the grim reaper among the sea of costumes, but the reaper certainly noticed him. When grian got a drink, the man watched from a corner of the dance floor. When grian joined up with iskall on the Dancefloor, the man watched from the corner of grian’s eye.

“YOU!” he shouted, his voice gravely, as if he had been decomposing.

“Me?” Grian felt his face go warm.

The man stepped closer, and drew a scythe from his long tattered cloak. He growled, “You…”

Grian was finally able to get a good look at him. 

“Grimdog?” grains stomach flip flopped over and over again.

“Hehe” He nervously chuckled as the reaper apoached, flipping the sythe expertly around, so that the point was up, and placed it to Grian’s neck. “No hard feelings, remember ol’ buddy?”

The reaper growled.

Grimdog removed the point from Grian throat, before giving it a hefty swing into grian’s torso area. Grian lept back, the bone blade only landing a light scratch across Grian’s chest.

“Ok, got it, hard feelings.” grian joked, before pulling his mask off its chain. “If its a fight you want Grimdog,” Grian smiled, placing the mask on his face. “Then its a fight you’ll get.” Grian shouted voice took on an echoy quality,like many hims speaking at once.

Across the club, Scar, Cub, Iskall and Ren hear this, though only one recognised Grian’s voice.

“Oh no…” Scar murmured into his drink, non alcoholic as usual.

“Has someone already started a fight?” Iskall swirled his glass while he leaned back in his chair.

“Sounds like it.” cub smiled, slightly buzzed, “Wonder whats it over.”

“Somthin dumb probably.” Ren said. “Scar are you ok? You look nervous.”

 “IIIIIII, recognise that voice…” Scar said, nervously drawing out his words. “And if im right….”

“...WE should probably leave the building.”

“What?” Iskall sat up in his seat properly. “Why?”

“Cause if he’s any sort of involved with a fight…” Scar blushed as Grian-vex cackled along with the clang of bone and metal. People began to rush towards the exits “Shits about to hit the fan.”

The table stared for a moment, suddenly serious. 

“Welp.” Cub stood up,  putting on his cheep vampire cape, “Scar swore, The sky is Green, Grass is blue, and i'm getting the hell out of dodge.”

“Ditto.”

“Right behind ya.”

The four only got a few blocks down the road when the sound of bricks exploding echoed through the streets.

“SCATTER!” Scar screamed, Cub and Iskall began running down alleys as Ren and Scar continued running the main streets.

“OH COME ON GRIM!” the voice laughed. “I thought you’d be better at using that thing!”

“really?” scar muttered, “taunt the reaper huh?”

“Is this guy really brave or really stupid?”

Scar rolled his eyes. “Both.”

“Oof”

The fight had made it to the pair, and scar pulled ren into an alleyway. Giving ren the first view of this mysterious man.

The man’s skin was a pale grey-blue color. His dark hair had many curls were supernaturally sharp, a look that didn't sit right with Ren. His eyes and mouth didn't help. Both were glowing white-blue, his eyes eerily pupiless and his mouth filled with sharp teeth, pulled into a frustrated and menacing smile. Behind him, a pair of white wings glowed, and in his hand, a loosely held an axe.

The Reaper, if he even was human, was worse though. His eyes were pitch black, and everything about was salow and decayed, like he had just risen from the grave. He was covered with a swirling cloak, and carried a large scythe that appeared to be the jaw bone of some large animal.

Ren looked up at Scar. Scar watched the battle with an nervous air. The pair were stuck. Ren didn’t know who to hope for. The Reaper with the Scythe or the Spirit with an Axe.

“I-swear-if-i-die-dressed-as-the-world-most-effort-put-into-bad-halloween-costume-i'm-going-to-haunt-someone.” he whispered, semi-serious.

The reaper and Spirt help up their weapons and charged at each other.

[mostweakhamlets]

Renaissance Faire AU

This was really fun and I’ve been to one ren faire so I’m sorry for any inaccuracies

Aziraphale works there during the summers when he’s not in school. He kinda hates it. Nothing is historically accurate. It’s hot. The guests are rude. He has to push local history books in “ye olde bookshoppe.”

Crowley is an enthusiastic cosplayer. He goes with his friends (the hell gang) even though they’re not really good friends. But Crowley likes dressing up as Tauriel despite everyone telling him the Hobbit movies were shit. 

At one point, Crowley splits from the group. He wanders off for a cool place because he’s so unbearably hot in his outfit. He finds the bookshop and looks around, half-heartedly. 

Aziraphale watches him. A lot of people don’t put in that much effort into their costumes. He’s seen half-hearted attempts at various DND races (that he’s only aware of because the 11-year-old he tutors insists on trying to distract him with his DND manuals). He’s seen Game of Thrones characters that he can’t quite name. He’s seen people with cheap, Halloween capes. Most of that isn’t even the same time period. If he’s stuck in his Renaissance ruff, the guests should make the same effort. 

But Crowley has beautiful latex ears (you can’t even see the seam), his hair (which is… real?) is plaited perfectly, and he has a well-put-together outfit and a bow. He has a prop.  

He’s also being respectful and quiet. Aziraphale respects that a lot. 

Until his friends join. Suddenly, books tumble to the floor as Crowley gets berated for not being any fun. Books are placed in the wrong spot, some are left open. Aziraphale watches in dismay as the group leaves (sans Crowley) and a pile of pamphlets fly to the floor off the stand that stood next to the door. 

“I’m sorry about them,” Crowley says as Aziraphale picks up the pamphlets. 

Crowley is trying to fix the books. 

“It’s alright. I’ve dealt with worse.”

“Still not okay.”

Crowley makes his way to the front with a book on the history of the local coffin factory that shut down 30 years ago. 

“Are you actually buying this?” Aziraphale asks. The book looks older than the both of them. 

“Might as well give you some business. Besides, it’s something to do. Can I read in here?”

“Sure. But why don’t you want to go back out?”

Crowley has a small satchel tied to his waist. He pulls out a debit card. 

“Too hot out there.”

Aziraphale can see his cheeks are flushed. He passes the debit card back to Crowley with a receipt.

“Do you want water?”

There’s a mini-fridge underneath the counter, full of bottled water for the employees. He figures one missing won’t hurt anyone. Besides, how would it look if a guest collapsed of heat exhaustion in the shop? 

“Sure.”

Aziraphale hands him a bottle. Instead of drinking it, Crowley immediately puts it on his forehead. Aziraphale tries not to smile. 

“Do you like The Hobbit?” he asks. And it’s a dumb question. Of course, he does. 

“Yeah! I liked the book better than the movies, but I like Tauriel and there’s not a lot of long-haired, red-headed characters to cosplay.”

“I thought the movies were a bit fun. Tauriel was a good addition.”

“They were! As long as you’re not overly critical. The movies and the book can serve different purposes.”

“Yes!”

And they spend an hour talking before Crowley leaves for the day, but he promises to come back the next day. And he does, in “civilian” clothing because his costume was too sweaty and smelly to wear again. But Aziraphale think he looks even more alluring in his dark outfit and his hair (now curly) piled onto the top of his head in a bun. 

[lightandwinged]

Alright, it’s review time, and it’s going to be spoilery and rambly because I’m still parsing my thoughts on everything SO. 

Sans spoilers: a solid and fitting conclusion, if a bit faster paced than I would’ve liked, but it adhered to the overarching themes of the Skywalker saga probably better than anything in the new trilogy has before, and I don’t know how, considering everything (namely that Space Mom is gone), they could have or would have done things differently. Not my absolute favorite (that will forever be RotJ), but still very good.

Spoilers below, be ye warned.

I found it utterly hilarious that the plot started with Kyle Ron finding the Macguffin and chillin out with Papa Palpatine while the Good Guys had to go on this entire huge quest to FIND the Macguffin to begin with, and the only reason he didn’t just fuck off and finish some dastardly plan while they were scurrying about and trying to find the Pyramid Of Doom was because he’s got a lot to work out in his feelings about Rey. Like shit, no wonder Papa Palpatine decided to just stick with his own bloodline for galactic domination, Skywalkers are useless.

(except Leia, who is awesome)

The inclusion of Carrie Fisher in this film was VERY well done, but it also hurt a lot because you could tell that her scenes were cobbled together from old material and not made of anything new. It was good and necessary, but it also just hurt, like a constant reminder that she’s gone and nobody could replace her ever. And I’ll get more to that in a minute.

The Macguffin questing honestly felt a lot like the first half of RotJ, where we have to go rescue Han right quick because Harrison Ford was pretty sure he didn’t want to Star Wars anymore, so here’s a sidequest for half the movie, with the only difference here being that the questline had to do with the actual Plot. I’ve been following the Star Wars leaks subreddit for a while (don’t read the comments, it’s a wretched hive of scum and villainy and bitterness), and I know that at one point, it was supposed to be this race between Team Dark Side and Team Light Side to get the Pyramid of Destiny and then they’d find out that oh shit, Sheev’s here, but that was scrapped... and I kind of wish it hadn’t been? It would’ve made the first half of frolicking through this planet... no this planet... no, no, it’s on this planet... feel a lot less distracting. 

The dynamic between Finn, Poe, and Rey was fantastic, because those three actors just have amazing chemistry on so many levels. They immediately fell into the dynamic of “we’re a polyamorous triad who’ve been living together for a while, and we really love each other, but we’re also a LITTLE BIT STRESSED RIGHT NOW OK” and that’s fair. I was glad to see all of it, and I just wish that we’d had more of it in both TFA and TLJ. It reminded me a LOT of how the best parts of the OT were always when Luke, Han, and Leia were together. 

And now I’m going to take a sulk break to think about what we could’ve had with that amazing dynamic.

I’m back. 

The new characters were some of the weaker parts of the film, I felt, save for Lando (because Billy Deeeeeeee). Dominic Monaghan, whom I love, could’ve had his role taken entirely by Rose, or Billie Lourde, and nobody would’ve noticed. And I don’t mind the addition of extra women to the cast, but Zorii and Jannah felt like they were just there to be like “Poe fucks women! Finn might too!” And... yanno, cool? But the OT3 stands. 

And then General Pryde, aptly named, should’ve been a bigger part in all three films because it was like... here’s this yahoo out of nowhere who’s apparently a really big Sheev fan and just... like... what? I mean, I’m a huge Sheev fan, too, but I wish he’d been more of a Piett, where we could’ve seen him worming his way up the ranks, which would’ve made his downfall more satisfying. Instead, it was just kind of like... eh? Cool, I guess? With Piett, you felt like “yeah, we’ve seen this guy fucking things up for our heroes for two entire movies now, and here he is, getting destroyed because of his pride, hahaha!” but with Pryde, it was like “wait, who are you? Oh you’re dead now? Okay, cool, I guess?”

And in conjunction with THAT, Hux was just wasted in this film. I fully accept the idea that he rose through the ranks because of nepotism or something, and I also fully accept that he’s an absolutely useless twink who can’t do anything without having Phasma top him weekly (she used to top both him and Ren, which is why they’re such disasters in this movie), but man, couldn’t we have like... taken him with us? Imagine the comedy potential as he’s brought back as a prisoner and Domhnall Gleeson gets even more screen time with Oscar Isaac. I don’t mind that he died a worthless death because he was basically a useless wretch, but I do feel like if the movie had given itself more breathing room, he could’ve been a lot of fun.

RELATED, the pacing. So in the beginning of the movie, the idea of a light skip (basically, just sort of using the hyperdrive without planning or anything) is brought up, and everyone involved in this action bounces from world to world to world in rapid fire fashion to get rid of a bunch of TIE fighters following them, and that’s roughly the pace of this film. There are a few moments of quiet and contemplation, but they’re so rare that they seem to last a lot longer than they actually do, and I think it’s mostly because this movie really feels like a Lord of the Rings style epic packed into a MCU time frame. And I’m not complaining about the time, because by the time the credits rolled, I had to pee so fucking badly, but I feel like also if we’d trimmed out a couple of things (like maybe we can get rid of Kijimi, I think it is? The snow planet? or just merge Kijimi and Pasaana?), we’d have had more time to breathe and that would’ve helped the pacing a lot. 

The slow moments in the film belonged almost exclusively to Rey and Kyle Ron, and honestly, Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver both deserve some sort of award recognition for their acting, the latter particularly. Without going into wild details about the plot, Kyle Ron does change his mind and go back to being Ben Solo, and god bless you so much Adam Driver because the change is instantaneous and delightful. If we’d seen significantly more Ben Solo than Kyle Ron, I’d totally be on board with the r.3y.10.z because this child omg. As it stands, the kiiiiissssss made me do like

in real life. It felt... mm, unearned, we’ll say. Maybe as a moment of “oh fuck that was intense and now we’re both alive” I could’ve bought it, but it wasn’t that, it was supposed to be this “my looooove” moment and just... sorry, but no. 

BUT that said, while I think his death was the only way this series could’ve ended for him because a redemption arc would’ve required a LOT more time and energy, and that just... wasn’t going to happen. The time to have him make the turn if we were going to see a redemption arc was during TLJ, and since he didn’t make that change, we don’t get a Zuko arc. And that’s FINE because that’s a lot of work for a three movie series. And I don’t want a TV series devoted to Ben Solo learning to not be a dick to people. That’s exhausting. 

But I do wish we’d gotten more time with him. The brief time we had, the bit of Han Solo snark that came out (”ow”), that was all delightful and made me understand what people see in the character (who I hate because he’s a great character to hate). 

(omg while I was writing this, someone was saying that they were in a theater with someone talking about how the movie should’ve ended with Kyle Ron giving Rey a Force baby, and Y’ALL THERE IS NOT ENOUGH NOPE IN THE WORLD)

Anyway, bullets now, for the times I cried:

Literally everything with Leia, but especially that her last word was “Ben” and her using every last bit of her energy to save her son because I GET THAT FEEL, and honestly, the only reason she wasn’t there raining death and destruction on Sheev by herself for grooming her baby was because Carrie Fisher died. But anyway, from the moment she dropped her headset on, I was a blubbering mess.

And then Han, just a memory, but looking more at peace than he ever has. He convinces his son to come home, and Ben now says, “Dad?” and Han just says, “I know,” and FUFUUFUFALSKJDLAKSJDF: SOBBING

And then CHEWIE reacting to Leia’s death just... UGH. I am destroyed utterly, still. 

Luke finally managing to Force lift the X-Wing out of the water made me cry as well, weirdly enough. 

And then whatever emotion I felt when Rey heard all the Jedi, and it was LITERALLY EVERYONE WHO HAS PLAYED A JEDI EVER COMING IN AND SAYING A LINE like not just the familiar ones but the ones you wouldn’t know unless you’d watched all the TV series and extra material... it was so much more than tears. I couldn’t cry because it wouldn’t have been enough to encompass everything that made me feel. Very sincerely well done. 

All-in-all, yeah, it was really good. I don’t get what everyone is so fussed over with it... it ties up the themes of the entire nine-movie arc pretty neatly and does basically the best it can with what it has. 

But a bigger point in its favor, for me, was seeing Sam’s reaction to it: jumping up and down in his seat, gasping, grabbing my hand, whispering, “Mommy, they’re going to be okay, right?” and then cheering at the end. Star Wars, as a thing, isn’t for just one person or one group of people, but I consider how people who were kids when the PT came out say without a hint of irony that it’s not that bad, because to them, that’s what Star Wars is and always has been. The joy of it isn’t just the OT but those three movies that were “meh” to those of us who cut our teeth on the OT only. And in a similar vein, the ST is full of that joy for kids now. Like holy moley, Sam and his best friend geeking out over seeing each other in Star Wars costumes at Halloween was just worth everything.

So in the end, like I concluded at the end of TLJ, the message here is that it’s for them. And also that there’s always hope, that ultimately, even when it seems the odds are against light, there’s more of us than there are of them. 

[pbandjesse]

Today was a weird day off. I felt sort of foggy and off all day. Which was not fun. But I tried my best to hold it together. I wish my moods would even out. I dont like these grey days. 

It was nice to have some time off though. And spend some time with James. I slept okay last night but my allergies were real bad by the time I was getting ready for bed. And I ended up not sleeping very well. I wasnt getting enough oxygen. And that was a theme of the day. Andrew is stressing out sweetP and sweetP being stressed upsets me. Which also upsets my allergies. So its not fun. But we continue to slowly introduce Andrew to his new home upstairs and work on getting him comfortable with Kia. Hopefully everyone can be calm soon. 

I was in a weird mood all day though. But I got up and dressed. James heated up some scones for us. I had half an orange. And I told him I would like to go to the thrift store. So off we went. 

It is the last day of the month and me and Jess decided not to spend any money in february. So it was like a last hurrah for shopping. I got a couple things I needed online. Made sure that I have a plan for paying things that need to be paid. And Im going to cancel things like Netflix. But because my family uses it I am giving them a warning so they can make their own. I am trying to pay off my credit card in the next 3 months so that is a big goal with this. Not adding to my balance. Because I am finally paying interest. Ugh. That was a good run. Thankfully its not a lot but its still very annoying. 

I also have to get all my W2's and tax stuff together this week. Which makes me so stupidly stressed. But I will get it done.

I had a nice time at the thrift store. But James was hovering once he was done looking and so I felt weird and had to be like. You are standing in front of me while Im looking. Stop that. But we both got some stuff to try on and I was excited for that. 

James got two pairs of jeans. And I got a very cute t shirt dress and a linen button dress that is a little tight in the boobs but is such a pretty green and I love it. I just spent like a half hour sewing the bottom buttons so it will stay closed, but I may need to do so more alterations. 

But the best find I got was a hand made corset. Like ren fair reenactment level hand made. It has clear hand stitching on the lining. And it was only $6. Like guys. Its incredible. I am so so so excited to make a new renfair costume. I would love to do some photo stuff with that this year. Maybe with Jess. Definitely with James. I am so pumped for this costume piece. And such a lovely color. 

And a bunch of the stuff was on sale. So that was a really nice surprise. It was a little more then half the cost I thought it would be. Awesome. 

But as soon as we left I felt very low. Just all my energy was sucked out. James asked if I wanted to go anywhere else but I was just sad. So it was decided we would take a nice drive home. Stop at the grocery store for a couple things. And head back to the apartment to make baked ziti. 

We got back and I spent some time taking the tags off everything we got. James put things away and put pasta on the stove for me. And I got to work relacing the corset because it was messed up. I was so pleased with this purchase and relacing it took a while but once I got it on for real I was so happy I could have cried. Something I really would love to wear with it is the black peasent top I used to have for my other corset. But it is MIA. I am hoping mom (who is reading this right now! hi mom!) knows where it is. Maybe in the halloween costumes? I dont think I have it here. But I hope it shows up. 

I may try to put together a costume tomorrow for fun. But just wearing it today made me feel so special.

I got the pasta in the over and had to wait forever for it to be done. But I had a nice time playing animal crossing and chilling in bed. James was stretching in the living room. And eventually my food was done and was excellent. I packed it up in small containers for meals. And went back to bed to chill. 

Eventually James had to leave for work. And I laid down for a while. 

I took a long and very needed nap. I felt weird post nap, but that normal post nap weird. I had a muffin and perked up. 

I spent the rest of the day working on making outfits for the week. Enjoying videos. Having dinner. Feeding the animals. I even started picking outfits for me and James's valentines day/birthday weekend adventure. I am still stupidly excited to use my new suitcase. 

I also had to do a little more sewing of my dress. And chilling with the cats. Trying to calm Andrew down so he'll stop torturing sweetP. Now I am just looking forward to my James being home. I have work at the science center tomorrow night but thats alright. It will be fun. And I will enjoy the day by myself since James will be at work all day. I hope he has fun. 

And I hope you all have fun too. Send me those good vibes so I can sleep better. Goodnight everyone!

[onewhoturns]

six sentence sunday 9/1

(I lied, it’s not six sentences, it’s my excuse to post the beginning of the bartender au so FUCK IT HERE WE GO)

It’s half past 1 on a Saturday night. Technically, Alex should still be on shift at The Island. Instead, she’s waiting outside a dive called the Kanaloa, phone in hand, combat-booted foot propped against the brick wall behind her. Somehow she gets away with not wearing heels to work. The waitresses have to wear them, but Alex is behind the bar and, therefore, no one sees her feet. Ergo, no heels required.

(Or so she argued to her employers, and they accepted because no one really wants to face repercussions for a sexist dress code, and technically there may have also been some legal issues around appropriate footwear for dealing with breakable glass. Either way, she won.) 

“Alex!” 

Blue hair is blown out of her face with a little puff as she slips her cell into her pocket, grinning at the approaching duo before Ren already has his arms around her. 

“Thought you were gonna go pink?” Her oldest friend tugs at a loose strand of hair, sharing her grin. 

“Thought you were gonna go vegan?” She smirks, smacking him upside the head. 

“Ow! And yeah, I did. Briefly.”

Alex laughs and hugs his companion. “Hey, Nona.”

“Hey Alex.”

“So, Miss Night Owl finally managed to make some time for us, huh?” Ren is giving her a hard time again. Par for the course. She doesn’t mind it. 

“Look, when you guys are only free on the weekend and I’m working 8-4… Or if I’m picking up an extra half-day? I mean, no offense, but I’m not gonna wake up at 11 just so we can grab brunch,” she scoffs. 

“Oh, like you’re so much better than brunch.” 

“Keep your avocado toast, hipster. If I ever get roped into brunching, it’ll only be for bottomless Bloody Marys.” 

“Or mimosas,” Nona pipes up, helpfully. 

“Yes, exactly Nona. Mimosas will also do, thank you.” Alex gestures to Ren’s girlfriend, giving him a see, I told you, kind of look. He just snorts. 

“So, why aren’t we meeting at your place?” Ren is actually holding the door for her. Obviously, Nona has gradually trained him into manners. Good for her. Only took, what, eight, ten years of on-again off-again highschool sweetheartdom to get him there?

Nona goes in first, and as Alex passes she makes a gesture at Ren, mouthing ‘whipped.’ It’s good for him, though. Nona’s the calm anchor to his frenetic hyperactivity. And beneath all her jibes and smirking, she’s really happy for him. They finally seem to be taking things seriously. Years of starting and stopping for school, of phone calls at 2am because there’s a guy on her Instagram, are they dating? Is she dating someone? (You’re not actually together right now, Ren. YEAH but I LOVE her!, etc) -- finally, they’re living in the same city again. And have actually moved in together. Or-- well, that was actually probably a year ago, now. They’d settled in Seattle and she… had yet to make the trip. Whoops. But luckily they came here!

“It’s called the Kanaloa! Like the thing on Edwards Island, right? A throwback to Camena! Besides, I wanted to spare you the herpes,” she tosses the comment over her shoulder, overtaking Nona to lead the way to a booth in the corner. The place is a classic dive: dart boards, pool tables, smoke somehow always hanging in the air even though no one has smoked in a bar in… years. An actual honest-to-god jukebox. It’s a shame the place is kinda dying out. Ah well, shit happens. Gotta keep with the times. 

Nona snorts a laugh (ah yes, the training has gone both ways), and Ren smirks. “What a way to talk about your workplace, Al-”

“Oh shut up,” she punches him in the arm. “I meant this.” She gestures to the glitter clinging to her skin -- her shoulders, her cheeks, her cleavage (because of course there’s cleavage, she’s a bartender at a club for god’s sake, how else would she get tips? People like some skin and being given just enough of a hard time. She’s not gonna deny them that if it pays her rent). “It’s go-go night for the month, and they just love the stuff.” She’d have it in her hair for at least three more days. 

There’s half a second’s pause before she turns narrowed eyes on Ren again. “Wait, are you saying you think I wear this on a regular basis?” Admittedly, yes, the shirt is one of her favorites, but the pink and white PVC skirt? Yeah no. Never. It is reserved specifically for go-go night and only go-go night. She bought it as a joke at a thrift store and ended up using it in a Slutty Power Rangers Halloween costume (college, don’t ask) and it sat in her closet for months before the Island became a gig, and go-go night became a thing, and… Well. The rest is history?

“I never see you,” Ren whines. “And all your photos are of, like, cocktails and puns. How am I supposed to know?”

Alex rolls her eyes but - fair. “Well. You’re here now. So let’s have a drink and catch up, mkay? I’m technically supposed to be back on shift in like an hour, but Mick said she’d cover me and-- well, if you want, I can probably sneak you guys in if you wanna crash some poor fuck’s party on the floor. There’s enough noise and flashing lights that you can just commando right in there.” She already knows the answer. Ren, of course, is intrigued because he might have had that phase in college of going to raves and taking too much Molly and… yikes. Nona - ever reasonable - is already grimacing at the idea of a club at 2am. 

Ren turns his bright-eyed hopeful look to Nona, then smiles ruefully. “We’re probably gonna pass.”

“Should you be drinking mid-shift?”

Alex scoffs. “I drink on shift. I’m running at like BAC .02 most of the night,” she jokes. 

Nona looks troubled, and Alex quickly walks it back. “Kidding. I don’t drink much outside of work, okay? It’s not-- I’m not just spending all day drinking. It’s just part of the job.” And daytime is for sleeping, anyway. And laundry. And running Postmates. And checking Craigslist. You do things to make ends meet, right?

She doesn’t like the look Ren and Nona are exchanging. It’s that we need to talk about Alex look. She got that a lot at the end of senior year, when she was spending more time tagging along with anyone else than talking with her own family. She got that the first time she dropped out (for like one semester! One measly semester! She made up for it in a summer term, God, calm down). It makes her mouth sour, and she immediately tries to smooth it over. 

“Look, I’m sorry you guys came all the way down here just for a couple hours. We can…” She grits her teeth and tries not to grimace. “We can get together tomorrow before my shift.” 

“For…” Ren has cast aside the worried look in favor of one more amused, watching her jaw tic.

“For…” It takes everything in her not to scoff. “...brunch,” she grumbles. As soon as it’s out of her, Ren is laughing out loud and she sticks out her tongue like it’s covered in something disgusting. “Ugh, God, can’t I just get you guys some drinks instead?”

Nona shoots another look at Ren, and it’s another one she’s seen too often. The do you make enough to be treating us, two full-time Adult Employed People, to drinks? look. 

She huffs out a laugh. “Oh my God, calm down. I got this.”

-

(Oh hey look, here’s an aesthetic board for this that gives some more story) (And look at that, we’re posting it on AO3)

[maidenariana]

On to the Renaissance Faire! What does Star Trek have to do with the Victorian Age you ask? Well it was steampunk themed weekend at the faire, and I basically took some liberty with the time travel aspect of the theme for the weekend. Some people mix star wars and steampunk and I had this costume from Halloween so.. there you go. (I know it is a fringe steampunk thing at best). I can’t afford a steampunk outfit at the moment, okay!

Let’s walk the faire!

It was not long before I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a blue police box just sitting in the corner. I almost missed it.. You know it is not everyone that actually would notice something like that..

Alas.. there was no one with a key nearby to see what it was all about ;)

So.. we moved on. 

Later, a young man was calling to me to get my attention, but my communicator was buzzing me. It was my friend Megan whom we were trying to meet up with. So, I had to take it. The guy acted all hurt. It turns out he was one of the performers and wanted to show me something.. he had a communicator too...

He was very tall! I was wearing my standard Starfleet issue boots of course so I was an inch taller than normal!

We met up with my other friends and had a grand old time. They talked me into joining the costume contest, but I knew I would not win as I was barely in the steampunk genre. 

Still, I got lots of compliments from passersby. I had to return the Vulcan salutation, “Live Long and Prosper” on multiple occasions. I was told, “great dress,” “you nailed your cosplay,” etc. I was asked, “Hey, science officer! How is it you found yourself here?” To which, I answered, “..the captain went too fast around the sun!” Also, two different people told me the same joke.. “good work on leaving the red shirt at home”. One performer came up to me and said, “Let me guess.. you are on the holo-deck and you are the only one here that is real!” 

The people at Ren Faire are great. I also just got many smiles and nods as we walked around. Wives were smacking their husbands and pointing out my costume. It was a little disconcerting having all that attention, but I am getting a little better about being okay with it. In fact, I was interviewed along with two of my friends and we are on the Ren Faire Facebook page right now: https://www.facebook.com/bristol.faire/

If you scroll down to Posts and look for one with a caption “Steampunk gathering at the Bristol Renaissance Faire!“ you can find us. I was a little nervous with the camera in my face and I think it showed. But, who cares! It was fun!

We watched several shows and of course the jousting event. It was overall very nice weather, but still a bit hot in costume.

I hope you all have had a lovely day. I may stream some gaming tonight while still in my Science Officer uniform if I don’t pass out on the sofa. I am tired from lots of sun and walking and not enough liquids. After I recharge a bit I may post an announcement for the stream.

Love you tumblr!

-Ari

—————————————————————–

My website for Transgender Advocacy and My Transition Timeline and Pictorial: http://arianadanielle.com

My Gaming Channel on Twitch, come visit the channel and help me make affiliate by following and watching if you can when I am online! Trans representation matters and there is a growing community of trans gamers on Twitch. As stated earlier, I do plan to do more than gaming on this platform (referring to positive transgender representation). http://twitch.tv/maidenariana

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariana_T_G

My articles on HuffPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/ari-104

[nitewrighter]

Your HCs on Genji and Mercy's battle outfits collection in their lives? If they do own multiple sets or armour, what's Rei like when she realizes her father has a Sentai armour?

“Combat Medic Ziegler” is canon for Uprising, but I believe it was also her go-to outfit before they further developed the Valkyrie suit to include the biofeed ‘Halo’ which tells her the health status of her teammates. I like to imagine the ‘Cobalt’ skin was the first version of the Valkyrie suit because it’s close to the original Overwatch Blue, before Mercy opted for more white in the outfit for the same reason planes are painted white—to reflect light and keep the valkyrie suit from overheating while in flight, and making dirt and damages and other things that would add drag more visible and thus easier to clean and repair. I headcanon her main outfit as being ‘Classic’ but I imagine she has color swatches for softer areas of the Valkyrie suit that see more wear and tear. “Witch” Mercy is canonically her halloween costume. “Sigrún” and “Valkyrie” I headcanon as Fantasy AU Mercy, but if they were ever to make an appearance in my fic continuity, it would probably be her Ren-Faire costume or something like that. 

I headcanon her ‘Devil’ and ‘Imp’ skins as well… for the most part, not canon. Like until I see them in an Overwatch comic or cinematic, I don’t see Mercy ever actually wearing the Imp or Devil skins when in action. If they’re ever in my fic continuity, I imagine them only appearing in vivid hallucinations of other characters, taking this kind person you normally trust very much and twisting her into this evil being because you’re in some kind of fever dream state and are questioning your very reality. Like the only call-outs I’ve done for the Imp and Devil skins in my continuity is the statement that Mercy had an ‘edgy’ phase at some point (definitely before she joined Overwatch) where she first dyed her hair black, then went Pastel Goth and dyed her hair lavender. Reaper and Genji are the only ones who know about Mercy’s ‘Edgy’ phase so they’re most likely to hallucinate those skins. I can see Reaper kind of hallucinating “Heroes never die…For a price” when he’s in the midst of becoming the nanite/biotic horror he is now and is only semi-conscious and heavily sedated. Genji I see as a lot less likely to hallucinate those skins… like maybe when he’s in Nepal and is going through a Zuko-style character development fever dream, but other than that yeah I don’t see ‘Devil’ or ‘Imp’ Mercy as anything beyond a hallucination or an AU.

Genji’s skins tend to be more straightforward and more story-telling than Mercy’s. “Young Genji” and “Sparrow” are obviously Genji before Hanzo ‘killed’ him, but ‘Sparrow’ is specifically the outfit he would wear when on assassination assignments for the Shimada clan. ‘Blackwatch’ is the earliest prototype for his prosthetics, and it shows. At some point during the days of the old Overwatch, Genji was able to transition over to his ‘Classic’ skin, which were much more advanced prosthetics that were lighter and had more shock absorption as well as heat sinks. I like to believe “Oni” was an outfit Genji wore specifically while targeting the Shimada clan. He liked the idea of embodying a spirit of vengeance and Gabe obliged him. The Oni mask doesn’t have the catches that his ‘classic’ skin does on the helmet, and making it easier to remove. Often the last thing a Shimada clan elder would see before they died would be the face of the long-thought-dead Genji. “Bedouin” and “Nomad” are, of course, from the years he spent wandering the world after leaving Overwatch.

‘Sentai’ is part cosplay, part actually functioning armor. Basically post-Recall, Brigitte was messing around with this super futuristic 3D Printer used to develop Genji’s armor, and she had to make a sort of ‘dummy’ set of armor to make sure it would work before actually building something that would later become Genji’s ‘Carbon Fiber’ Armor, and they wanted to test the limits of it, so Genji jokingly (but secretly not-so-jokingly) suggested Sentai armor and Brigitte was like, “Yeah the bright colors mean we’ll be able to point out potential flaws with the printer” so they made it and now Genji has the sickest Midori Rider cosplay in the world. Like it’s definitely not as strong as Genji’s ‘classic’ and ‘carbon fiber’ and ‘chrome’ armors, but it’s stronger than you think.

Rei tried to act like the ‘Sentai’ costume wasn’t a big deal but the truth is she’s stolen the ‘Sentai’ helmet multiple times.

[thegloober]

13 of the absolute coolest family Halloween costume ideas right now from Moana to Guardians to Avocado Toast.

I’m so excited to look for cool family Halloween costumes this year! We’ve moved past the babywearing costumes stage now that my son is old enough to trick-or-treat, but he’s young enough to accept pretty much whatever costume I dress him, and there is a very short window during which that will be the case!

And OMG, have I found some truly amazing family Halloween costumes ideas out there. From a flight of frappuccinos to all the necessary elements of very 2010s avocado toast, to someone of my most favorite ensemble movie and TV casts like Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, even Bob’s Burger.

Whether you’ve got one or two kids or a whole big brood, I hope these group costume ideas inspire. Because family that trick-or-treats together…has way better odds of getting more Reese’s cups . Let’s be real.

Top: Avocado toast group Halloween costume DIY via Hello, Wonderful

Related: 14 empowering girl Halloween costumes inspired by real life heroes. 

Starbucks family Halloween costume via Costume Works

If you’re an extra-caffeinated family, I love this frappuccino trio family Halloween costume, including Grande, Venti, and Tall (well, not that tall.) Extra props to this dad for really committing to this role with color-coordinated tights and a tulle puff of latte foam on his head.

Coco family Halloween costume photo via David Ngo / @DTJAAAM on Instagram 

I’m only un poco loco for this Coco-inspired Day of the Dead costume set from brilliant cosplayers Sam LeStrange/@deceptology, Carmen V Estrada/@carmenvalentina, and @alittleandroid who show us the most amazing Hector, Miguel and Frida, shot by cosplayer and photographer David Ngo. If the statement you want to make with your costume, is Remember Me, take a cue from their perfect makeup (you can get a closer look at it here), authentic props, and wonderful details like those skeleton arm gloves.

PS The three of them joined up to make one heck of a group Hocus Pocus costume this year, in time for the film’s 25th anniversary. Check all of their feeds for tons of inspiration, including Disney characters galore.

Guardians of the Galaxy family Halloween costume at Sugar Bee Crafts

If this Guardians of the Galaxy group costume for a big family doesn’t make you want to blast the Guardians of the Galaxy mixtape and dance, I don’t know what will. I especially love that a Gamora costume is so simple for a busy mom — it’s mostly about the green face, hair color, and leather jacket. Check out some simple tips for pulling this together on her site.

Fair warning though: you will be giving you children even more license to run around the house screaming, “I am Groot!”

Star Wars The Force Awakens family Halloween costume at Popsugar

I love how Pop Sugar shows how simple it can be to recreate The Force Awakens characters with a combo of DIY and store-bought supplies. And you don’t have to stay true to any particular episode by the way — want to mix Lando, Darth Maul, Po, Luke Skywalker, and Rose Tico (#TeamKellyMarieTran!) then go for it. Though we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve got a kid who insists on being Kylo Ren. There’s one in every family, ha.

Alice in Wonderland family Halloween costume idea at Coolest Homemade Costumes

How perfect is this miniature Alice in Wonderland? If you want to turn it into a family Halloween costume affair, go Tim Burton style with a dark Mad Hatter and a Cheshire Cat who’s all about the face paint. Try saving time by using a store bought Alice costume, then raiding your local thrift store for the perfect Wonderland accessories.

Related: From Lisa Frank to Mother of Dragons: 13 cool, easy last-minute Halloween costumes for moms

Bob’s Burgers family Halloween costume via Imgur

If you have young kids, there’s a good chance your kids have no idea what Bob’s Burgers even is. But has that ever stopped an ambitious cosplaying family? No! Look closely at the details and you’ll realize this is a surprisingly accessible idea — Tina and Linda are mostly about the glasses and the hair, Bob gets the short-order cook treatment and dig up those bunny ears from Easter for Louise and you’re set! .

Game of Thrones family Halloween costume at Barefoot Blonde 

We’ve still got to wait until 2019 for the next season, but that won’t stop die-hard fans for keeping the fantasy alive with a family Game of Thrones costume. I think it’s brilliant that Amber’s family used store-bought (and frankly terrifying) dragon costumes for the kids, and put their energy into their own Daenerys and Drago getups.  (And can someone please tell me where Daenerys is getting her hair extensions these days?!)

But if you want to be a little more Season 7, that Drago could always be a Jon Snow or a Grey Worm — especially if Dad doesn’t have the arms and abs that David does here. Whoa.

Avocado toast group Halloween costume at Hello, Wonderful

For my fellow millennial parents, I present: the reason we don’t own homes, *cough*. I mean…this super cute avocado toast family Halloween costume, from Hello Wonderful, where we always find so many of our favorite DIY ideas of all kinds. She even offers individual DIY posts for making all of the components, including that adorable (and protein-packed!) egg.  I think this also makes a great pregnancy costume for a mom-to-be who wants to showcase her bump as the avocado pit. So clever.

Moana family Halloween costume (We haven’t found the source for this picture, but please let us know if you do so we can credit you!)

If your family’s the type to voyage far behind the reef in search of good candy, a Moana family costume is a great choice this year. Especially if you’ve got a kid in the right age range to play couldn’t-be-cuter toddler Moana. Or if you have kids of different ages, they can play her in all her stages, from baby to self-saving princess.

Stranger Things group Halloween costume at Homemade Mimi

What really makes this Stranger Things family costume is the role reversal here, with Dad playing Season 1 Eleven, and the kids playing her favorite snack.(Although we’re all glad El ate a slightly more balanced diet in season 2.) Check her site for a two-minute video on how she put this all together, because the results are bitchin’.

80s rock band family Halloween costume at Design Improvised 

I’m so thankful for this last-minute-friendly idea from Design Improvised, which comes together with a few 80s homage pieces — or perhaps actual 80s-era clothes for some of us — and a couple of props. In fact she pulled the whole look together for all four of them for under $75, and we bet the girls will wear those pieces again. May I suggest getting dressed while listening to The Bangles for extra inspiration?

DIY space family group Halloween costume at Tell Love and Party

Sometimes, a winning family Halloween costume is less about something no one’s ever done before, and more about doing it in a totally remarkable, Instagram-ready way. I’m so blown away by the attention to detail in this space family costume set, from the space boots to the metallic lipstick. Even her makeup is super cool, and the site has tons of pictures and really detailed instructions to help you out. Get your silver spray cans ready though — she used four of them, total!

Picasso family Halloween costume at The House that Lars Built 

Last year I was toting an infant around on Halloween, so I had to include at least one babywearing costume that caters to mama — or dads — and their babe. The House that Lars Built is mindblowingly creative with costume ideas every year, and this Picasso is no exception, with the baby in a simple Picasso get-up, and mom as the cubist artwork. Just know you need to be good at face painting for this one! I am worried that my own skills might unintentionally turn out more like Munch’s “The Scream” — but hey, that’s what’s cool about babies. You can be like, “oh hey, now you’re Edvard Munch instead of Picasso!” and they’d be like, “no worries!”

Source: https://bloghyped.com/13-of-the-absolute-coolest-family-halloween-costume-ideas-right-now-from-moana-to-guardians-to-avocado-toast/