#and even then repainting it isn't the end of the world

[sanctus-ingenium]

how do you do the alternate colorways??? are you using like layer modes or ?

nope i never touch layer modes for anything but tiny effects (like the ink stamps on the postmaster drawing) because they frighten and appall me but each of those drawings i used different Methods

first one i used the curves tool to manually shift around the colour curves, resulting in a more warm-toned final piece. that one was soooo close to being posted but because that piece was based off of a real sunset i'd seen i decided to use the unaltered version which was closest to the real sky

second one, not really an alternate colour way i just drew that one with black pencil brush on a white bg. then for the one i posted, i just changed the pencil layer to blue and the bg to pink. done

third one is actually the original painting, i did that in sai. the one i posted had a gradient map applied at a low opacity to turn it more purpley and also a bloom and noise effect on top for a blurry glowy look iirc

fourth one was a gradient map at 100% opacity, this one was the earliest of the four drawings and i hadn't really learned much about procreate and just jammed the colours on because the original was not wowing me. but what the original needed more than a totally different colour scheme was just a saturation and contrast bump to make it more vivid

bonus alt colour under the cut

here's a headwreck: this is sun eater when i was done painting it, in the colors i originally hand picked for the drawing. i finished this and then i was like hey this is Not good so i went back and changed the curves to make it all nice and actually legible. but yeah this is the original painting. sometimes i get it right first try with colours but this time i didn't. it's also an illustration of how screen brightness can mess up a drawing because if your ipad or tablet screen is too bright, you will select colours which are too dark without even knowing

to keep my colours good i often just take screenshots as i go and look at them on my phone (with vibrant colour mode turned off). the ipad screen is also especially bad at yellows to a noticeable degree

[vay99]

Hades x reader

Queen of hell

Anime/Manga: Shuumatsu no valkyrie

"The Queen of hell?" Hades raises an eyebrow, not quite getting what his nephew means by that.

"She was a Queen of a country that used to rule over most of asia and europe. Her army consisted mainly women and the wars she fought were legendary. But the winners write the stories so when she died in her last battle she got called a demon, a witch, the devil. Through out history she's known as The Queen of hell, and her empire is referred to as Hell is a place on earth. That's pretty much everything I know." Hermes concludes his history lecture.

"So she's a Queen of the underworld? Why isn't she fighting?"

"She denied the offer, she didn't give a reason." he shrugs his shoulders, watching Hades walk past him.

He was walking around the underground of the arena when he overhears an argument.

"You're just as worthless as the time you were the Queen of hell!" some guy yells while another slaps you across the face.

"You b***h, bow before us, we've killed you so you belong to us!"

"We've freed everyone from your hell!"

"Show us soms respect!" just as one of the kings is about to slap you again you block his arm, breaking his instead.

"I never liked men that force women into submissiveness. All you ever did was to drink, eat and grow fat as your countries crashed under the weight of inequality. You ruled your hell and now I'll rule mine." you spit back, walking past, noticing someone at the end of the hallway.

"You want to join them or what?"

"Well that's a way of greeting a god." Hades muses, enjoying what he saw of you so far. "The Queen of hell I believe?"

"y/n, just y/n."

"y/n... I like the sound of that. I'm Hades, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hades? As in God of the underworld?" you ask him. "You don't take requests by humans for any chance?"

"That depends." his curiosity kicks in, interested to hear your request.

"Could you show these fckers what hell looks like? You know, the usual 'cooking them in a hot bowl' kinda hell?"

"That's an interesting picture of hell you've got there." the God laughs. "If you'd let me borrow a bit of your time I'll make that possible."

"Deal!" you agree immediately, not questioning the fact that you kinda just made a pact with the devil.

For the next 2 days Ragnarok pauses, therefore Hades fully uses those to get to know you better. He even took you to hell with him... where you immediately befriended Cerberus.

"Can I adopt him please?"

And that's when he knew.

"You've been spending a lot of time with that human." Zeus comments, watching his brother take a seat next to him, watching the battle begin once again.

"I've always enjoyed humans, the way they can turn from good to bad by a finger snap or how some don't even give up their kindness as they live through hell." he answers calmly, he was never an enemy of humanity, rather the one to enjoy watching their development. "And if you hurt her by any means I'll make sure to show you how hell looks like."

Not waiting for a response Hades leaves, him and Zeus were never as close as he was with Poseidon. "You would've understood."

"Looks like the human is gonna loose." you comment, throwing another grape into you mouth. "Want one?"

"No thanks." Hades denies your offer, standing next to you at the highest point of the arena.

"Why didn't you watch with the other Gods?"

"We have our differences regarding this fight."

"Oh right, you believe humans deserve to live." you roll your eyes, eating the last grape.

"Why didn't you participate?" Hades asks the question that's been eating him up inside. Knowing you were in the panel, with great fighting skills, you denied, and he can't wrap his head around the reason.

"What is there left to fight for? A world full of people who believe I was a monster? Rather than trying to repaint a canvas you could just start it all over again."

"So you don't want to save humanity? Not guide them onto the right path?"

"How would I know what's the right path? I only know that mankind won't change. They despised me for being a women who fought better than them. Just because I ruled over the biggest kingdom in history men decided to throw me off the throne. And they haven't changed yet. Men still try to make empires crumble that women have build. The real hell was the one they have created to tear me down."

Taking a few minutes to let your words sink in Hades starts to laugh. Which you have haven't seen him do so far.

"Something funny?"

"Yeah." he chuckles, calming down again. "This is exactly why I love humanity. Those who learn from the mistakes in the past will create a stronger future and those who don't come to hell, where I take care of them. Lately your species has too many of those for me to take care of alone though."

"Wait, so you wants humans to win so you can torture those who don't evolve?" you sum up what he just said, staring up to him.

"Yes, exactly."

"You live my dream life, damn it."

"I mean, there's a spot open if you'd like it."

"Spot open? That sounds like a job offer." you laugh. "But I'll take it."

With that you actually made a pact, which made you half human half God. You became his right hand after the humans won Ragnarok and assisted him to take all those evolutionary failures off of earth.

*Just a smaaaall time skip*

"I can't believe it's been 100 years already." you chuckle. "And you never forget to prepare the best dinner."

"It's our anniversary y/n."

"Yeah, of being the God of Hell and his assistant." you fill up your wine glass and his.

"Sounds as if you're sick of that title." he raises a brow.

"Not sick as in hate it but as in... Am I just an assistant for you?" you rub your neck, staring at your plate.

"You've never been just an assistant for me, in fact, since day 2 I knew that one day or another I'd ask you."

"Ask me what?" you look up to him, not sure what to expect.

"How about I make you and actual ruler of Hell?" he forms you a crown, matching his eyepatch from the design and color.

"Is there some form of ritual? Or is it just the regular 'I do' we do on earth?" you joke, not believing that he's serious.

"You'd become my wife, Goddess of hell."

"Wait, hold up now, I'm gonna be the what of the what now?" you take a few sips from your wine. "Hades, we aren't even dating yet, how???"

"You've been trying to confess for me for quite some time now so I thought I could sped up the process. Didn't want to propose without knowing you're sure about your feelings."

"Wait you knew?"

"It was obvious darling." he sips on his glass, watching your face grow as red as the wine.

"I'm sorry okay! Every time I tried some idiot landed in hell and started whining, or your lovely brother dropped by."

"Or you got cold feet."

"Shut up! You're the only talking! You could've confessed first, you knew for 100 years! Who waits 100 years!?" you flip it around, making Hades search for excuses now.

"You know what, I don't care anymore."

"Why? About what?" Hades eyes grow bigger, anxious he might have upset you.

"I'll become you wife so we can skip this dating part and start a new chapter." you put the crown on your head. "Now you'll be mine forever."

"That was the idea behind it." he pulls you close, adjusting a few hair stands. "Plus, you're much better at ruling hell than I am and I can't help but loving the idea of your throne right next to mine."

Pulling you into a kiss he pulls you onto his lap.

"I'd rather sit on your throne with you but having my own throne sounds nice as well."

"Anything my Queen wants."

[hazel-of-sodor]

Day 18 A Grief

Day 18 A-Loss

Other Stories

Other Days

A Western Summer

Cassandra and her coaches were mechanically fine. The works found nothing more than scratches that would be easily buffed away. The branchline was another matter. As Sir Charles Hatt read out the damage, Samantha saw her engine draw in on herself as she realized just how badly the storm had ravaged her home.

“It's going to be more than a few weeks before I can return, isn't it?” The tank engine asked quietly. “It's going to be months.”

“Yes.” the Fat Controller said quietly, “we haven't tallied all the damage yet…but if you hadn't been  overhauled so recently, you would be receiving one.”

Cassandra sagged on her frames, looking for all the world like she’d received a physical blow.

Samatha placed a hand on her buffer, “how long before we know the full extent of the damage?” 

“It probably won't be till the end of the week,” Charles said solemnly. “Right now the focus is on making sure everyone is accounted for. Once that's done, then the buildings and rail lines can be inspected.”

“How many?” The tank engine asked hoarsely. “We don't know.” The controller took his hat off and worried the edge between his hands. “So far we have been incredibly lucky, but we only know about the cities. Those who lived in the country…we're trying to reach them now. As of the last report…the count is 26.”

The tank engine keened. The sound vibrating the human’s bones. She had been on her line for over 50 years, she knew everyone on the line. Most of them she had met when bringing them home from the hospital for the first time. It had become a tradition for babies to be introduced to Cassandra as one of the Valley’s elders before Samantha or Nicole had even been born. 

Samatha climbed up onto her bufferbeam and hugged her crying engine’s face, ignoring the hot tears soaking her uniform.

Charles walked up to her, clasping her buffer in his hand. “They've asked to hold a memorial before you leave for the Little Western, so that you can attend. Afterwards, I've arranged for you to be repainted, whatever colours you like.”

The engine nodded absently, tears still coating her runningboard.

Charles clambered up beside Samantha, pointedly ignoring the tears ruining his suit, “we’re here little sister.” He said softly, wiping away one of the tank engine's tears, “I promise you that. The North Western stands with you, and your line. I will allow nothing less.”

[hand-written-dreams]

CRIMSON SHADE

Chapter 06

Error 404 - File Not Found

I know how much it matters to you

I know that you got daddy issues.

- ( The song of the chapter is "Daddy Issues" by The Neighbourhood ft. Syd)

Khushi sits in front of her laptop screen, staring at the empty file that once held her escape. It feels as if the code of her life has been rewritten, lines of her plan deleted without warning.

She managed to recover some of the files from her formatted computer but the most important folder is, of course.

Empty.

Her encrypted freedom was hijacked by an unseen hacker, who tore down her firewall from the inside and rewrote her life's code with a single keystroke.

She feels the walls closing in, like the network is shrinking, suffocating. Every key she types echoes like the ticking of a countdown. Each attempt to trace the hacker, to recover even a shred of her stolen evidence, hits a dead-end. The once familiar language of numbers and commands, her shield, now betrays her, leaving her exposed in the dark web.

The trap is perfect.

She feels herself sinking into it.

The safety protocols failing one by one.

There's no backdoor, no way to break the code that now binds her, leaving her frozen in a system she thought she could outsmart.

The last few days were tough, frustration gnawing at her ever since that unexpected meeting with Mr. Raizada.

Damn it, Damn him.

She will be lying, if she says she isn't sacred of 'Mr. I-despise-you'.

Actually

He terrifies her.

The man is like an encrypted code filled with blank spaces, written in hidden algorithms that she had no idea how to decipher. So much information, so many answers encrypted within his layers. And she had no idea where to find the correct data sequence to decrypt his mysteries.

Sighing, she shakes her head, as if to remove Mr. Raizada out of her head. She leans back into her pillow, closing her eyes to escape the strain of too much screen time, replaying the events that happened last few days.

After ditching her bodyguards, again, she slipped into the city yesterday to meet one of her college professors, someone brilliant enough to maybe help her trace the hacker. After days of gruelling effort on her own, pushing her limits until her eyes stung and her hands ached, he was her last hope.

She explained the situation as vaguely as possible, hoping he'd see something she missed, some miracle solution that would break her free. But there was none. Just more dead ends.

Finally, after exhausting all options, Khushi decides to wait. Patience will have to be her strategy for now. She plans to rely on the network of resources she has meticulously planted throughout the house...hidden cameras, discreet microphones, and surveillance equipment. Each one is her carefully placed set of eyes and ears, her silent sentinels. All the while, she prays no one discovers them.

If she can't act yet, she can at least watch and listen, biding her time until the perfect moment to strike.

And meanwhile, she hopes for something significant to unfold, something she can use to her advantage, something she can leverage to turn the situation in her favour.

She hacks into the main circuits of the house's CCTV system, gaining full control. Now, every camera, every angle is at her command. She watches the feeds stream through her laptop, monitoring every movement in the house without anyone suspecting her. It's her own invisible web.

Through the CCTV feeds, Khushi scans the sprawling mansion her father built in Delhi after their move from Kolkata, a blend of traditional Indian designs and modern conveniences.

The mansion may look like a symbol of status and power from the outside, but through her feeds, she sees it for what it is.

'A gilded cage'

It is filled with secrets and shadows, a place designed to control both the outside world and the people trapped inside it.

Her father recently had the house repainted. No matter how many fresh coats are added, the crimson will always remain, splattered beneath the pristine white wall.

Unseen but never forgotten.

Nothing in the mansion screams opulence. The carefully curated simplicity is just another layer of control. The wealth is there, woven into the fabric of every room, hidden beneath a veil of restraint, much like her father's carefully maintained image.

Her father cannot openly flaunt his wealth, as any display can draw the scrutiny of the Income Tax Department or the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Though these departments are in his pocket, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

She observes the Entrance hall, with its polished marble floors gleaming under the soft lighting. Beyond the hall, a staircase rises, curving upwards like something out of an old-world palace, its handrails intricately carved from dark mahogany, leading to the upper levels of the house.

The mansion is filled with abstract artwork, some genuine, some likely smuggled. Large French windows overlook manicured lawns, but she knows every one of those windows is equipped with bulletproof glass.

Her father's study is discreetly tucked away behind a solid wooden door on the first floor. It's the heart of his operations.

It was always off-limits to her, a place of secrecy and constant mystery. Despite all her expertise, she can't infiltrate the walls with any of her surveillance tools.

No camera can penetrate those walls.

There's no CCTV as well.

It frustrates her endlessly, knowing that within those walls are the answers she sought. But she isn't entirely powerless. She has managed to plant a small microphone inside a flower vase during one of her rare visits, hoping it would give her some access to the world her father has kept hidden. Now, as she pulls up the feed, she wonders if it's still active.

Her fingers hover over the keyboard as the feed comes to life. It's still active!! Relief washes over her as she adjusts the volume. The faint crackle of static confirms the microphone is picking up sound. She connects her headphones swiftly.

Voices float in the background.

Pulse quickens.

Breathing ceases.

And she listens.

".....what should we do next, sir?" The gruff voice of Mr. Sharma filters through. He is the lifelong bodyguard/right-hand man of her father.

"I said it was a bad idea," her father snaps, his frustration palpable even through the static. "But he was so stubborn... and oh so impatient... he could wait a few days...I had it all planned."

"Mr.Jha picked someone so unprofessional for such a sensitive job," Mr.Sharma commented.

A pause....

A static....

"That lousy motherfucker Rocky botched the entire thing. Soon they will find out, we were behind it." Her father's voice drops lower, almost a growl.

"Why did Mr. Jha act without consulting us? We could have handled it on his behalf, " frustration creeps into Mr. Sharma's voice as well.

"He thought he was avenging his father," her father replies.

"If you don't mind, can I ask something, Sir?" Mr.Sharma asks. Her father might have given him the green signal because a minute later, he continues, "He said he was sure about who killed his father. But how could that be? The person he's talking about was just a boy back then...what, 14 or 15?"

A long, tense silence follows before her father responds, his voice now cold and measured. "We never truly know the monsters people carry inside them."

Mr. Sharma says cautiously, "But how does killing the Wolves' daughter fit into that revenge?"

Another pause. Her breath catches as her father's voice cuts through, sharp and suspicious. "Someone's been feeding him information. He believed he'd killed The Vulture's sister."

Her mouth hangs open, as her heartbeat picks up. Holy fucking shit!!

"But why would his sister be with The Wolves?"

"We had no idea where the girl went after her mother's death, but Mr. Rathore has a nasty habit of using daughters as bargaining chips, doesn't he?" her father's voice drops down.

There was a long pause as if her father was in deep thought. "It's entirely possible he handed the girl over to the wolves to hide her identity or.... worse.. exchanged her with a daughter of the wolves to gain leverage over someone in their family."

"Do you think she really was his sister?"

Khushi leans in closer, her heart racing as she strains to catch her father's reply.

"Let's hope she wasn't." her father responds, his voice steady yet a dark, bitter shadow overpowers his voice. "If she was, the hell will break loose."

"If we're lucky," he continues after a pause, "...no one will ever find out we're behind it. But the way it was handled... so sloppily...it's only a matter of time before the wolves figure it out. It's a direct slap to their face. And if she was indeed his sister, soon both the Eagles and the Wolves will be at our throats.. This is war. They'll demand retribution....You understand what that means, don't you?"

"Yeah," Mr.Sharma responds grimly. "We need to tighten our security. And with Mr. Jha's political campaign underway, we'll have to stay on high alert."

"I'm concerned about the Wolves' new security expert, Adam Marcus. He's a former American Navy SEAL, and people have already started calling him 'the hound dog.' They say he has a special talent for digging up dirt. Keep an eye on him."

"Sir?" Mr. Sharma asks after a brief pause, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence. "Should we alert your daughter?"

"There's no need," her father replies, his tone dismissive yet sharp. "It's not her safety I'm worried about, it's ours. And our reputation is what's at risk right now."

Yes, of course. What's new?

Her father's indifference no longer surprises or bothers her.

Then his father's faint voice crackles in the faint static as if he were talking to himself, "The Eagles won't hurt her..''

"Sorry, Sir, I didn’t quite catch that."

"It's nothing. Do as I say.....Tell..."

A sharp knock on her door jolts Khushi from her thoughts, sending her heart racing. Panic floods her as she hastily shoves her laptop beneath a pillow. She runs a hand through her hair, trying to smooth away her startled expression before standing up.

Mr. Jha's smiling face peeks through the ajar door,

"Khushi," he beams, his voice light, "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"..umm..Hello, Mr.Jha." Khushi just gives him a tight-lipped smile.

"Khushi, Khushi, Khushi," he says with an almost playful tone as he steps into her room, a package in his hand. He sinks into the chair at her desk. "You look more beautiful than the last time I saw you."

Light filters weakly through the curtains, casting elongated shadows across the floor that seem to shift with the tension. Her room, her sanctuary amidst the chaos of her life started to feel different all of a sudden, taut, like a wire ready to snap. It feels exposed.

So does she.

She's always kept her space simple-a bed neatly tucked in one corner, a sleek desk where she often loses herself in study and a leather couch facing the TV. If she listens closely, it feels like she can hear the silent screams of her furniture.

Her bookshelf in the corner, filled with books she escapes into, stands as a silent witness, but nothing in this space feels safe now. It's as if the walls themselves are holding their breath. Waiting

Just like her.

Khushi stares at Mr. Jha with a blank expression, realizing he's waiting for a response, evident from the expectant look on his face.

"Mr. Jha, you just saw me two days ago," she says dryly.

He smirks, eyes glinting. "You're a beauty I could never tire of praising..... and soon, my goddess, you'll be my wife. Drop this 'Mr. Jha' nonsense. I have a name. Call me Shyam."

Standing, he strides over to her, his fingers wrapping around her hand before she can pull it away. He places the package in her palm. "This is for you."

She resists the strong urge to yank her hand free and step back. But that would be disrespectful and her father would have her head for it. He made it perfectly clear to her.

"Thank you, Mr. Jha."

He sighs, frustration leaking into his eyes. "Come on, open it."

Reluctantly, she pulls apart the wrapping. Inside is a deep red saree with intricate borders, adorned with shimmering stones. She glances at him, confusion flickering across her face.

"We're going on a date tonight," he declares with smug satisfaction.

"Oh..." she falters, unsure of how to respond.

"We'll be joined by some of my party's politicians and their wives. They've been eager to meet you for a while."

She blinks, still processing. The last thing she feels like doing is entertaining those sleazy politicians.

"Wear the saree. You just look divine in red. " Mr.Jha's tone drops down an octave, "Red suits you, but having you all to myself suits you more." His hand lingers on her forearm, sliding up toward her shoulder, then her face. Her stomach tightens, and she bites her lip, wishing he would stop. Her throat tightened as if invisible hands were squeezing it. Every breath she took felt shallow, incomplete, like she was drowning in the very air around her. The urge to pull away, to run, to be anywhere but here, was overwhelming, yet she remained frozen, trapped in the politeness expected of her.

A sharp knock breaks the tension. Mr. Jha steps back, clearly irritated. It's Buaji.

"Mr. Jha, Mr. Gupta is waiting for you in his study."

Khushi exhales deeply, releasing a breath she doesn't realize she is holding as she grips the package with trembling hands. Mr.Jha flashes her a smile that promises this isn't over, before leaving the room with unsettling ease.

The moment the door clicks shut behind him, Khushi feels her entire body sag with relief, her shoulders falling as if unburdened by an invisible force.

The stillness that follows his departure is welcomed.

She savores the quiet.

It is all she has at this moment.

Author's note:

Hello-hi bye-bye, sweet readers ☺️

Thank you for reading! It's always exciting to share this story with you. Drop a comment if you enjoyed it, and don't forget to hit the star! Until the next chapter!

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@arshifiesta @featheredclover @phuljari @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @chutkiandchotte @shiyaravi @titaliya @arshiradio

[gerardway-is-my-babygirl]

Renfield Anniversary Week, day 3: Favourite Scene

I struggled a bit with deciding what to do for this prompt, since I love the glowup montage so much and what It represents, but I also have so many thoughts and feelings about the apartment scene and the gym scene.

Heres a little drabble about the last 2, since I can't pick between them.

Renfield had walked out of the apartment -- his apartment -- that morning with a new purpose, a new reason to live. He had repainted and redecorated It, repairing and undoing the damage done to himself In the process, finally freeing himself from the filth and darkness that Dracula had buried him In, finally living again. The bright walls and ugly furniture are the complete opposite of what Dracula likes, and so Renfield likes them. His apartment defies everything Dracula Is and opposes everything he had tried to surround Renfield with, a sensory overload to the vampire, while a home to Renfield. He finally had a home.

Then he walked back Into his apartment that evening with everything he had worked for ripped away from him In an Instant. His hopes and dreams, his purpose, his life, they were all torn to shreds right In front of him by the same creature who had done the same all those decades ago, back when he was In the asylum. The world around him was drained of colour, tarnished by the vampire Invading the only space he finally felt happy, destroying everything Renfield had put together with his own hands. He should have known better, he should have known not to bother trying to live again, but the Idea of It sounded so wonderful that he couldn't resist the apple handed to him, never considering the consequences and only savouring the taste.

That taste of freedom was the best thing he had felt In decades, and It had rotted In his mouth the second he saw the monster In his home. He had tried so hard to defuse the situation and calm Dracula, but he was only burned when he got too close, berated for his acts of heroism, punished for his betrayal and disobedience, mocked for his weakness to Dracula's temptation. The blame was thrown onto him as always, draining every ounce of confidence he had built up over the past day In an attempt to stand up to the vampire, leaving him weak and silent. He tried so hard to follow the advice Mark gave him, tried to fight back, tried to look to the book for guidance, but In the end he was shoved Into the corner once more and forced to cower before his God.

The apartment Isn't his anymore. It's crowded with cruel laughter and yelling that fills the air. The shadows hide the monster who he had tried to escape. Every single area Dracula touched Is ruined, forever marked with Invisible bootprints that force him back Into the corner. The Imaginary stains can't be scrubbed away, no matter how many times Renfield will try to claw at the rug with as many cleaning sprays as he can find. His life Is always going to be haunted by Dracula. His home Is Dracula's now, everything Is.

He raced to the gym to try and save the others from his destruction, to somehow protect them from being ripped from their lives by a monster who was never supposed to be there In the first place. None of them listened. None of them let him save them. Did he even try to save them at all?

He begged for Dracula to spare them, but all he did was watch when the Inevitable happened. He watched.

They all fell Into Dracula's trap, unable to move or run further than a few feet as Renfield was tossed to the side like a broken toy. At that moment he knew he was no longer necessary, and how nothing he can do will stop the vampire from Inflicting pain on anyone Renfield tries to seek help from. Dracula can't let him have anything but him, knowing that even when he destroys whatever Renfield tried to put his effort Into, that he'll still come crawling back to him.

Dracula's display of power and his unnecessary slaughtering of everyone Is nothing but a game to him, amusing him temporarily In his Immortal life as he mercilessly rips at the people Renfield finally opened up to. He thought he was a hero, but he's a monster just like Dracula, a part of his twisted game, fighting on his side no matter what he does. He can't look away from the destruction, with everyone screaming as claws and fangs tear them to bloody pieces, but he couldn't prevent It even If he tried.

He couldn't prevent Mark from bleeding out, staining his useless hands with his blood but doing nothing to stop It. He was made to destroy lives, not save them.

Mark stared Into his eyes In his final agonising moments of life, and Renfield could see his realisation that he was a murderer. It doesn't matter how hard he tries to be a hero, he can't stop killing people. It's In his nature.

He started that day truly believing that he would never spill a drop of blood again, but ended It with his hands stained red.

Even his jumper, the thing that he had worn with pride as he began to rediscover himself, was ruined. Dracula had complimented It when he entered the apartment, praising Renfield for his pathetic attempt at defying him. He had even touched It, marking the fabric with bloody hands and destroying the last shred of hope Renfield had left as Mark died In his arms.

The jumper was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance for him to redeem himself and live again, to be a person and be free. He's literally letting colour and light back Into his life again after being trapped In the darkness for so long and Dracula Is just dragging him down Into the shadows again. Whatever Renfield does, he always ends up back In the darkness, caged In by Dracula's claws and held on an Invisible leash by his rare moments of kindness.

Everything Is ruined.

[fandomfluffandfuck]

*giggling, kicking my feet, twirling my hair* You're back to requests‼️‼️ anything evanstan 🥺 I feel like it's been so long 👉🏻👈🏻 maybe even fluff?

I am!

It's been too long--I'm excited about it, but at the same time, I'm like, oh no, what if I've lost the ability? Let's be real, though, every idea I write ends up running away from me, so I'll be fine 💀💀

Maybe it's the fact that I spent a few hours washing my car after my final exam was done, maybe it's completely unrelated, who's to say, but earlier I was actually thinking about something softer and sweeter with Chris and Sebastian, so here you are!

I don't doubt Sebastian's ability to be a grown man and function for himself at all. However, I do have the sneaking suspicion that his life experience hasn't led to him being a stereotypical "handyman" with tasks around the house. Having moved around quite a bit and now living in NYC, he doesn't strike me as someone who would just pull out the tools and fix that leak in the faucet or kill a few hours on a Sunday sanding down and repainting his kitchen cabinets. It's completely possible that his Mom or his step-father taught him how to do those things, but even so, Sebastian doesn't strike me as the type of person who would enjoy those tasks.

However, you know who does strike me as that kind of person?

Chris.

All the way, absolutely, Chris gives off those casual repair, handyman, DIY vibes.

The first time Sebastian agrees to spend a few interrupted months with Chris in his house up in Boston, it's in the leaning months, spring to summer. The weather is warming, nature shaking off the frost and unfurling new soft, green leaves, gently budding into new beginnings. New York City is always changing and always exciting. Boston, the few glimpses he's had of it--which haven't been much - just a few long weekends that were mostly consumed by Chris, too busy to pay too much attention, alone and taking advantage of it, wrapped around each other--is much slower. Boston has more stillness, especially Chris' corner of the city. Sebastian understands why Chris couldn't leave--even if he himself needs times of rushing traffic and restless feet and always-illuminated neon, he gets it.

Contrary to all that stillness and peace, Sebastian is finding that the air between spring and summer is electric. Filled with change and anticipation. And Chris is, as well, moving and vibrating, ready to embrace the sunshine and humid, breathy wind.

In the hustle, Sebastian finds that the more time extends, the longer he's been at home with Chris, the more they can spend time apart. In regular routine, the first few days, they're attached at the hip and mostly, confessionally, naked. But, once they have their appetites wetted--not satisfied, never satisfied--and their bodies know the other isn't going to disappear back into the cloud of new work and new sets and new scripts and ever changing timezones apart... they can unfuze. A little bit.

Chris will read while Sebastian will scroll on his phone; Chris will scroll while Seb catches up on that TV show he's been meaning to start; Sebastian will figure out what they're going to eat tonight, consulting Dodger, who, of course, cannot talk back, while Chris hops in the shower real quick; Chris will stay up an extra hour to answer that email that's been gnawing at his brain all day aa Sebastian retires to bed. It's so good to be around each other for so long that they can relax.

Somewhere in the relaxation, not needing to be constantly in each other's presence, Chris starts leaving Sebastian to his own devices in the house while he goes outside. And here, here is where Sebastian discovers what a moving, exciting, living, breathing handyman Chris is. His own city. Bustling and busy, welcoming summer in, ushering spring [politely] out. Good manners for a good Boston boy. He knows what to expect. He's been here his whole life, and his heart beats in time with the rhythm of this sliver of the world.

He works around the house, making sure the sprinklers are good to go into the drier part of the season, coming inside for a kiss on the sun-warmed cheek, grass stains on his dirty jeans. He does a brief check over the pool and all the systems that go with it, more pipes and filters and everything. Sebastian rides shotgun because he has nothing better to do anyway, when Chris realizes he needs to go into town to get a few more bottles of algae clarifying chemicals to dump in the water before it's good to swim. From his place in the passenger seat, Sebastian keeps a hand on Chris' thigh, focusing on the way he feels under his palm. His blue jeans are thick, not torn, but soft from so much wear and work. Beneath the denim, Chris' muscles are ever-present, strong and thick, too, just like the clothes he slid into this morning, but it's especially prominent in Sebastian's mind now. That strength. Built for looks on the silver screen initially, gym-honed, but all the better for everyday, relaxed, domestic life. Chris doesn't bat an eye before throwing himself into labor. Muscles bulge and work and support him--he looks good no matter what he's doing. Digging through dirt, fucking with the sprinklers, hefting up bottles of cleaner, twisting off screws, and scrubbing down his car when they get back from the store. His forearms and biceps flex effortlessly as he articulates the sudsy sponge squeezed between his thick fingers--it looks strikingly small in his big, squared hands.

Chris washes his car with Dodger trailing him, right at his heel as if herding him. Later, Dodger spooks hilariously when the hose moves on its own--a snake!--Chris around the corner, tugging it to reach the back of his ride. Then, barking accusatorily yet wagging his fanned, fluffy tail, ready to play, when Chris sprays him with a jet of water. He growls in good fun when Chris stops, deciding that the only way to get his attention back is to try and bite and eat the stream of water coming from the hose, jumping in front of it while Chris belly-laughs, accusing him of being a goof.

Later, Chris finds a window screen with a rip in it, some stray cat--curious raccoon, or unfortunately placed tree branch in a windstorm--so he takes it out and replaces it with a new one.

Meanwhile, Sebastian shamelessly watches him work as he replaces that screen and all the other work he's done as the seasons change through the large, picture windows.

Embarrassingly enough, Sebastian actually ends up cleaning the inside of Chris' Boston home windows for him, just to make sure he has the best view possible of his boyfriend. No pesky smears to get in the way of the teasing slice of pale, freckled, hairy, and well-toned stomach. His tummy exposed between the band of his work jeans, cinched around his trim waist by that beloved, well-worn red belt, and the bottom hem of some old t-shirt, reaching up. (When he bends down, it's the same story, save for it being the small of his back and those indecent Venus Dimples being exposed to the warm light of day, framing his pretty flexing spine).

Sebastian can't take his eyes off of him.

Somehow, though, peering out at him makes Sebastian feel like a peeping Tom. A peeping Tom in reverse, perhaps? Staring out rather than in? Yet, he doesn't feel guilty enough to stop. Not by a long shot.

So, he is treated to an eyeful daily with how Chris keeps himself busy, compling odds and ends around the house. Not every day. He doesn't leave Sebastian lonely in his home by working outside and taking care of his home everyday, not that Seb could be lonely when he has a spectacular view to occupy him, but he does what he needs to do. It's responsible. It's domestic.

Sebastian hasn't really ever led this life, lounging within a suburban home, comfortable and air conditioned, while a man outside in torn-up, stained work clothes that stick to his sweaty skin takes care of business, keeping everything in tip-top shape, but he's rapidly acclimating to it. It's a bizarre feeling. It's almost laughable. He might laugh, just a little, shaking his head and chuckling to himself, when he's hit with an overwhelming wave of love, oddly, right as he rounds a corner at the front of Chris' house just in time to perfectly catch Chris framed through the window, kneeling in the driveway, adding air to his summer tires.

Sebastian is so in love.

He's in love with Chris when he's anxious and out-of-his-mind with stress in the middle of a press tour for a movie he isn't actually allowed to talk about, he's in love with Chris when he's lazy and pouting about being made to roll out of bed before 10:00 am, and he's in love with Chris when he's pleasantly busy, whistling to himself, his footsteps in and out of the house echoed by Dodg. He's so in love with him all the time. And that doesn't change, not for a moment, when Chris tweaks the wrench too far as he's attempting to remedy that troublesome kitchen sink drip and ends up sending water spraying like a fire hydrant into the ceiling. In fact, the look on his face right after? Sebastian might be more in love. If possible. That boyish, uh-oh, caught red-handed, expression is unfairly endearing. It makes his heart squeeze so tight that his chest starts to ache in a funny way.

God, Sebastian loves all of him.

I hope you enjoyed! Nice job on being the first person to hit me up with a request this year 😘

[generic-sonic-fan]

Complex Inquiries- an introduction post

EDIT: THIS FIC HAS BEEN POSTED! READ IT HERE!

Unit MS-1, colloquially known as “Metal Sonic”, has three truths that govern its existence-

Core directive: destroy Sonic the Hedgehog using superior speed and power. 

Core directive: Obey Dr. Ivo Robotnik above any and all else.

Core directive: maintain superiority over Sonic the Hedgehog.

 -until a catastrophic malfunction rips through its processor, and it is forced to confront questions it was never designed to answer. 

The world beyond awaits.

---

In other words, this is my Metal Sonic Redemption AU.

It all starts after yet another failure. Eggman has picked Unit MS-1 up from the battlefield, and this time he's particularly irate. He asks it to provide answers for its failure despite its insistence that it is superior. Unit MS-1 isn't able to give an answer, so Eggman retorts with something along the lines of "You're clearly not superior at all!"

. . . and this breaks everything. Because Unit MS-1's third core directive dictates that it is to maintain superiority. But its second core directive is that it must obey its creator above all else. This paradox causes both core directives to begin sending out reprimands for disobedience within its processor, but it can't obey. It can't obey. It can't obey!

It first sets out to find Eggman for repairs, but it's too late- he's already left the base, and its erratic behaviors have caused the other Badniks to flag it as rebellious, shutting it out of all communications. Unit MS-1 is forced to flee the base but finds that it can't track where Eggman could've gone from there. Its attempt to search all 22 bases worldwide is interrupted when the weight of error messages and reprimands causes its processor to crash, and the rest of it to crash into the ground below.

Unit MS-1 is too damaged to fly. In a matter of hours, its own code will tear itself apart. The location of Eggman is unknown and it can't contact him. But the next most capable programmer is located 68 miles away.

Miles "Tails" Prower.

. . . and everything unfolds from there.

---

This AU diverges from the canon timeline roughly before the events of Sonic Heroes, with the most major continuity change being the fact that Shadow's already been recovered and Team Dark has been established. This blatant contradiction is the only reason I label this an AU instead of a mere canon divergence, because otherwise it's fairly compliant.

The original prompt that spurred me to write this AU was the question of "is there anything that could possibly force Metal Sonic to turn to Tails for repairs?" The answer is "yes, but only if you really, really break it first". And even then, while Unit MS-1 does end up under the care of Tails, it certainly doesn't stay there for very long.

Fleeing from Tails, and more importantly, Sonic, it stumbles unprepared into the ordinary world it's overlooked for its entire existence. It finds itself tearing through stores, breaking into houses, desperate for supplies and a suitable power source all the while it tries to figure out how to continue its purpose of destroying Sonic with a malfunctioning processor. Moreover, during its travels, it collects complicated questions, complex inquiries if you will, that no mere calculations can solve:

Does it deserve to preserve itself, even in this malfunctioning state?

What is the value of sentient life?

And what if, maybe, just maybe, it could choose a purpose other than destroying Sonic?

The fic is organized into three arcs, one arc per question that Unit MS-1 finds itself having to grapple with. And over the course of trying to solve these questions, it meets strangers and familiar faces.

One of these strangers is an OC named Marlene, who is a prominent part of arc 2. She's a college art student who specializes in painting metal sculptures. Unit MS-1 seeks her talents to repaint its frame. . . and by "seeks her talents", I really mean "coerces her labor by threatening lethal force". But during its time with her, its stance begins to soften, and by witnessing her ordinary life, it's able to reflect, for the first time, on its own role and identity in the world.

---

And that's about all I've written so far! I have outlines for the third arc, which will focus heavily on Unit MS-1's consideration of returning to Tails to have its remaining core directives removed, but the details are little hazier and so I don't really want to share them just yet.

You might be asking yourself, why the funny name and the new pronouns? Great question, glad you asked. I've answered the pronouns question here. As for the name, I wanted something to set my version of Metal apart as a version that doesn't think of itself as Sonic, to the point of avoiding the comparison inherent in its name. There's some other differences between my version of Metal and canon Metal, most notably in the emphasis on OCD-like thought patterns I give Unit MS-1 in my writing. This whole fic is just a giant metaphor for my own mental health, of course, as any good fanfiction should be.

My estimated completion date for the fic is in a couple of months, perhaps around October or November.

Please feel free to ask questions about this AU! I'd be more than happy to talk your ear off about it. Additionally, the tag for this AU/fic is #complex inquiries on this blog, so that shouldn't be too hard to search if you want to find out more.

Thanks for reading!

[maguro13-2]

The Dark Picture REPAINT ~ Origins of the Ink Demon : Operation Drawcia Finale (8/14) ~

"During Kimial's time in Massachusetts..."

*sounds of creatures in the day are heard*

Mizune : (while walking) Hmmm...I wonder if there's a simple reason of why did a Lucky Rabbit created a monster that could put an end to this planet? Despite all of this, are we really fools the entire time?

(looks at her cellphone to look for any messages)

Mizune : That's odd. This message was only an hour ago. It could be a leading disaster on whether we're going to put a stop to the snake witch monster's ambitions of destroying...No, it's Oswald that wants to rule the world and cover it with darkness to make it what? Wrapped in Black? It's gonna be a long night before our world dies or perhaps that time traveler from six years is going to create a new era, a new era like this...never happens. What was that time traveler's name? Is it Homura Akemi...? (stops in front of Kamek) Eh? Who are you?

Kamek : Oh, sorry. I was in bit of a rush here.

Mizune : You are that Magikoopa, Kamek. Am I right?

Kamek : And you must be that daughter of a witch, the world's greatest treasure hunter. But you seemed to call yourself a mice witch. Wait a sec, I remember clearly. you're...

(a vision shows Mizune as a little girl)

Kamek : the daughter of that bomb-throwing maniac. (changes back to the present Mizune)

Mizune : Daughter of a witch, as the world's greatest treasure. Yeah, I'm the daughter all right. You knew who I was before...and I don't mind eating cheese as like a cartoon mouse...I throw bombs like a mobster.

Kamek : A mobster? I clearly remember. A witch that is a daugther of another mice...But if the Mizune Family isn't a family of yourself, then that means Mizune's real family...

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 13]

Mizune : That's right. I'm the daughter of 8-Bit Mobster, Mouser. I was raised by my biological mother and I was taken care of my grandpa, Daroach, the famous treasure hunter. I used to call Mouser "daddy" when I was part of the family of greatest treasures. Grandfather had been looking for some tasty treats that are within a treasure. But the only treasure they were looking for is a piece of their heart. According to my past, momma and papa had sealed away ancient evil known as Dark Nebula, the psuedo ruler of the underworld. He wanted to be the underworld's greatest ruler by covering the galaxy in darkness, making us corrupted with evil and fret with despair. However, thanks to the help of Daroach, Momma and Papa stopped the ancient evil for good and sealed him in a chest that is his imprisonment, where no one can ever open it, even if it means to open it into the wrong hands.

Kamek : So an ancient evil was sealed by a heroic witch. Your mother were the ones who sealed a cosmic entity that bents on galactic conquest as well. I must say that I am impressed.

Mizune : Yeah. So all of this villain stuff was all for nothing. Looks like that Lucky Rabbit was behind all of that. Kamek, he's the one manipulating everything to think that we were involve of destroying the Kusakabe Legacy, but I never felt this dumb. All because of a Legacy, all because of Shinra. Oswald wanted to destroy that legacy, because he couldn't stand the influence of the boy who gave everything and that's why he was jealous, he wanted to end the boy's legacy by creating a monster that would benefit humankind and witchkind with using a rite to perform black magic.

Kamek : I get it, that snake witch that enforces everyone was born from magic out of a rite that the lucky rabbit, he was using her for his revenge, she was the monster that wanted to seek revenge. But when the powers of darkness over came to her, she turned evil and became a heartless villain, betraying her own creator. That's the Medusa Gorgon Maka faced with in the Ohkuboverse, that's why she enforced you, Crona, and the others that wanted her sisters to overthrow the Kusakabe Legacy and destroy from the inside of the planet. But I got something a little secret to tell you.

Mizune : Okay...

Kamek : The Tanuki Witch that destined to be hero, I created them. I created them from using combining the DNA with a Tanuki Leaf and the cells of a witch. I created the Tanuki Witch...to be a mother-hugging hero. I made a terrible mistake for Kimial, the mother of the witch who is human, if she was really a copy to the original Tanuki Witch that I made in the past, that means she has the power to use blood magic.

Mizune : Blood Magic?

Kamek : Yes all true. Listen carefully and seek the truth.

(changes to a flashback of Kimial)

[Echoo Night - Beyond OST : Track 12]

Kimial : Hey, Jacqueline. I just discovered a secret Maka Albarn.

Jacqueline : What is it?

Kimial : I heard about everything from the explosion in Japan back in the past. That girl name Maka Albarn has now learned the traditional arts of Blood Magic. There is a warrior that have the potential to be a magician of Blood Magic. That's what caused the explosion in Japan around 10 years ago. The Inhabitants of the Mashimaverse discovered that Maka Albarn, a copy to the original from the 1930s, was created to carry out all of that destruction on the planet.

Jacqueline : What? Is it true? Maka has the potential to become a warrior of Blood Magic? She must've kept this in a secret, who knew a girl was using blood magic for personal cover ups? I thought she wanted to be the greatest hero in all of time.

Kimial : Witches thought that using Blood Magic, was seriously a dangerous thing to do, but I do remember that it's a no slope, on the chicken cope. But it's okay, as long as I have magic within I know any type of arts that are useful in the country. No wonder Shinra's son, Lord Death, wanted to get rid of all the evidence, no...It's Darkside Death that wanted us, witches, to take the blame for it. This is all his fault, no...it's our fault that we became too stubborn and not seeking the truth.

Jacqueline : You are lucky that I have no self esteem of being a weapon, but I'm not what they think who I am. I am a Phantom, I protect you from danger, the people of Vermont told me to look after you, so much of saving humanity from the school that we were supposed to intend...but not anymore. Hopefully, you'll be safe with me now.

Kimial : Jacqueline...I understand how much that you cherish me, If I wanted to be protected, then I suggest that we don't need the Ohkuboverse anymore, it's good for us to live in the real world. Magic is the power of everything.

Jacqueline : Okay. So now...it's war they wanted, the Death Weapon Meister Academy is no stranger to Shinra Kusakabe's influence on heroism and power, but for greed? I don't want to be under his influence, I want to be with you.

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 19]

Jacqueline : Please, Kimial. Stay with me for a little longer. You're the only one that I ever truly needed.

Kimial : Alright, if you say so.

(changes back to Mizune)

Mizune : After all this time, Blood Magic was a really thing all along. Our kind's researchers have discovered the amazing arts of Blood Magic, we've been doing this for so long and I'll be damned that I ever regret using it wisely, blood magic has been the most powerful type of art that humans and witches intended to study and learn the traditional arts of magic. So it's not just about hearts and souls, it's about the heart of a magician that believes in magic! Humanity has no rights to treat magicians that way, no...Rather it's the heartless that wants us to take the blame for it. Despite a villain's wicked ways, I am going to tell Oswald to stop that monster from...from destroying the "real" world. After that, there is no turning back on whoever is about to make humankind and witchkind get into prosperity together.

Kimial : Help! What are you doing!? You bald headed freak! Get away from me!

Kamek : That sounds trouble!

Kimial : No! Ox Ford! Stop! What kind of bald headed wanted to make you fall for me!? I'm not dating a geek!

Kamek : Ox and Ford? As in...Oxford the Magikoopa!? Oh no, Brother what have you become!?

[cues "Vergier vs. The Chevaliers" by Naofumi Hataya]

Mizune : Wait. Oxford? You know him?

Kamek : He's that no good brother of mine who has his sights on the Tanuki Witch that my brethren have been developing for all these years. But he always keeps getting in my darn way and tried to get his hands on the witch that I've been working on. So I forbid him and Bowser stripped him from his duties before he created a heartless to make him look like him!

Mizune : Damn, Koopas! Always trying to be stupid enough when it comes to making witches fall in love with turtles. [To Kamek] No offense by the way. Looks like that freak is gonna pay for being a perverted nerd. Come, follow me!

Kamek : R-Right!

(cuts Kimial being chased by Ox)

Kimial : (while running) *panting* Please, Ox! I'm not your type! I don't know why I was into you!

Ox : Come back, Kimial! Why can't you understand to me!?

Kimial : I don't even like nerds! Please! Get away from me! Help! Help!

(changes to Mizune and Kamek running after Ox and Kimial)

Kamek : I don't know why I was so clueless when my brother created a heartless disguising himself as a human.

Mizune : Because that inhabitant from the Ohkuboverse isn't a meister, it's actually a heartless that wanted Kimial's heart. No wonder why he was friends with Maka back before the Ohkuboverse was destroyed.

Kamek : It's because of that darn legacy Shinra left behind before he became a life form and his man-made son forced everyone to cherish it.

Mizune : Well, that's a relief. I won't let Shinra's foolishness get away with everything that they got! [To Ox] Come here, you perverted bastard! I am going to stop you myself!

Kamek : [To Ox] Heartless of Oxford the Magikoopa! I forbid you stop teasing with that girl! She's not the one you are interested!

Mizune : You thinking, what I'm thinking?

Kamek : Because, I'm paying dear respect for my brother's foolishness, and now...he'll be joining the same fate along with those that became heartless!

Mizune : Good! Cause I can use a mallet smash his skull til his head pops out and cracked wide open.

Kamek : [To Mizune] Umm, perhaps that too violent. Why don't we knock his head with a bar.

Mizune : [To Kamek] That's too violent as well!

Mizune : Well, we gotta do something.

*DING*

Mizune : (genuinely) That's it! We can't stop his perversion to make Kimial for him, we can stop his beating heart!

Kamek : [To Kamek] : That's it! You're a genius! We gotta stop my brother's heart before he reaches to that girl! It's all for nothing, daughter of Mouser!

Mizune : Same to you, brother of Oxford! Let's do this together...with style!

(changes to Kimial stopping at a Dead End)

Kimial : Damn it! I made it to a dead end!

Ox : There's no escape from me now, Kimial. Please, understand to me! Make me your boyfriend!

Kimial : Yamero! Hanase! Tatsukete Kudasai!

Ox : I'm not giving up, as I, first name Ox and Last Ford the meister, would make you understand that I will be yours and we can have ourselves a future together! How does that sound, Kimmy? Huh? How does that sound.

Mizune : I'd say, that sounds like a lot of romance crap to make school girls fall in love nerds.

Ox : What? (turns to see Mizune and Kamek) Wait a second, I know you guys. You're the daughter of that mobster, Mouser. And you...you are Oxford's brother and creator of the Tanuki Witch. I see...I clearly remember now...I was thought to be human all this time. But I realize something that I'm actually a heartless working for Shinra Kusakabe's son, Darkside Death. He told me that I knew you all along. I've waited years to make mincemeat out of the Yoshis and the Koops for a long time, but you never accepted your brother's appreciation.

Kamek : That's what I heard from a low-class heartless like you, punk.

Ox : Congratulations on finding out that I, First Ox and last name Ford the Meister, is really a heartless in disguise all along. I'm the heartless created by Kamek the Magikoopa's brother, the real Oxford!

[cues "Showdown" by Yutaka Minobe]

Kimial : You mean...I was stalked by a Magikoopa's sibling the entire time?

Mizune : So you wanted to throw your brother's life away, is that it? All this time, you were working for the heartless for personal covers ups and make Kimial to understand that you wanted her to fall in love with you? Well, guess what? She doesn't like boys because she heart broken by her previous boyfriend back in Tokyo!

Kimial : Yeah, it's true. That is the real reason I was not interested in boys all the time, my lover broke up with me when I was finding out that I was going to kiss another girl. I was into other girls all this time and that I realized that I have a soulmate that I had a sudden heartbeat. It wasn't a boy's heart, it was a girl's heart and that heart belongs to Jacqueline O'Lantern Dupre!

Ox : Oh, is that so. You and Jacqueline are in love? Same-Sex love?

Kimial : Yes, it's always been like that and it's time for me to come out of the closet, I'm not into boys, I'm into girls. And there's nothing that you can do about it! So leave me be and never want to show your face again!!

Ox : I see...If I can't make you mine, then I guess that I have been a heartless disguising myself as the human meister, first name Ox and last name Ford. But actually, it's Oxford, with a capital "O" and a "X".

Kimial : You're just showing true colors because you wouldn't make me fall in a love with a witch, do you? I'm already having a loving heart, because I've already chosen someone. I guess some friends were never meant to be that way. After all, there was no Ox nor a Ford, the meister First name Ox and Last Ford doesn't really exist. I never met him, and he was just the brother of that Magikoopa, the one who was stalking me on purpose!

Mizune : She's right, Ox Ford the meister isn't a meister, but a magikoopa who happens to be a perverted brother.

Ox : Yeah!? Well...Stay back! (holds Kimial hostage)

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 7]

Kimial : Hanase! Hanase! Oi, Hanase!

Ox : Stand back before she gets it! If she can't be mine, then I'll have to make her mine, but taking her heart out!

Kamek : You wouldn't dare kill a witch, would ya? She's the only relative of Inca the witch!

Mizune : You heartless monster! Let her go instant!

Kimial : Yamero...Yamero...(outbursts) YAMEROOOOOOO!!!

Ox : [To Kimial] Tell, Kamek's brother...That I put my "rod" in a tanuki's butt.

Kamek : Wait, what?

Kimial : O...Ox-san?

*DBZ SFX : Strong Hit*

Ox : *gags*

Kimial : Eh? (as Ox releases him) *coughs*

Mizune & Kimial : Huh?!

Ox : I...I have been stabbed...in the back.

*DBZ SFX : Collapses*

Jacqueline : Are you alright, my dear?

Kimial : Ummm...Y-Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for saving me...Jacqueline?

Jacqueline : You're safe with me...for now.

Harvey Eclair : And I never thought that Ox was really something that he isn't.

Ashley : Excellent deduction, Mr. Eclair. the name Ox the Meister, isn't Ox the Meister...But he's not from around these parts.

[Echo Night - Beyond OST : Track 11]

Ox : (moans) I don't feel so hot. (Gags)

(as he reverts into a heartless copy of a yellow Magikoopa : it's Kamek's brother Oxford)

*DBZ SFX : Surprise*

Mizune : Wh-What the-!? Ox Ford the Meister's...

Kamek : He looks just like my brother! Only heartless! So this is what the DWMA has been hiding, a heartless copy pretending to be a meister, all this time...My brother created a heartless copy of himself to make it look like he was human and a meister.

Harvey Eclair : That so-called meister was a fake. He was trying to get the witch's attention, to have her heart. But I knew the heart belongs to somebody else.

Jacqueline : And that's me...I'm Kimial Diehl's true lover, Jacqueline. (Comforts Kimial)

Ashley : Hmph.

Kimial : Oh, Jacqueline! I was worried about you! I thought OX would be a type of guy, but turns out he wasn't! I don't want to be with boys anymore! I'm sick of boys! I couldn't been more dumber than I look!

Jacqueline : There, there. Hopefully I understand a problem with loneliness in the past and I figured it out on what caused your loneliness. Ah yes, your previous lover caught you having love affairs with another girl, that explains why you ran away. Talk about problems with NTR. Is that the real reason you chose me?

(Kimial nods)

Jacqueline : Good. Nobody is taking Kimial away from me.

Kimial : So...No second chances...could you please...forgive me as well?

Jacqueline : Yes, I forgive you.

*later*

Kimial : So Ox Ford the Meister was really a magikoopa who and it's not Ox and Ford, it's "Oxford" as in "Oxford the Magikoopa"?

Kamek : Yes, Oxford's my brother, I wouldn't trust him if I was him, he's been harassing the Tanuki witches that I've been developing for the past years. It seems that the data within your blood samples confirmed that you are both human and witch.

Kimial : So I'm half-human and half-witch. Tanuki Witches were just experiments from the very start. The Tanuki Leaf power up was behind of everything, that's why I was wanted to attend the school, no...the school called Death Weapon Meister Academy is none other than a subsidiary of World Heroes Force Organization...But where do you think that the Organization is?

Kamek : Get a load of this note. I just sampled saying that about Maka's mother proclaiming that the planet would never fall into despair, but that's Sephiroth's thing to do.

Kimial : Really? What's it say? (looks at the letter, reads it) "Dear, everyone in the Ohkuboverse. I now realize that World Heroes Force organization remains in the real world as the Time Eater has begun to destroy this universe, along with us and my beloved iris after creating Soul World and my son, Death as well." He created Soul Eater just for the sake of his dying world, and the Time Eater annihilated everyone, including him, his beloved iris, and the entire Ohkuboverse as well.

Kamek : That's what he gets for making the inhabitants arrogant beings. His heroism was the influence of everything, Shinra Kusakabe and the burst was the beginning of everything! Now what the does last note of the letter say?

Kimial : (continues reading the note) "Following this after the destruction of the universe, only those who knows about World Heroes Force's main source to be founded in the real world, but then my own son has decided to give the organization a subsidiary as it's successor or predecessor, the subsidiary that will be known as Death Weapon Meister Academy". Oh shucks! Now I know where the parent organization of the DWMA is, and it's in Japan.

"The school known as Death Weapon Meister Academy we all know and love was only the subsidiary of World Heroes Force..."

"It's the name of the organization run by Shinra Kusakabe himself..."

"But Shinra's dead, and he came back as a life form who lost everything in the Ohkuboverse's past and future."

"Can't believe that we Meisters or Weapons have been under his influence the entire time, and for me...a witch who was enforced to be under his influence as well..."

"Does this mean that we have been pawns in Shinra's hand...?"

"That's why Drawcia wanted to get rid of the DWMA..."

"To make them disappear, never return, or even let them go away..."

Kimial : Drawcia gives the DWMA a suspension Decree. And for all intents and purposes, the school we all know and love...is finished!

Ashley : So now...it's up to Clear Heart Force to take care of the evil forces...with our help!

"DEATH WEAPON MEISTER ACADEMY IS FINISHED!"

~ Mission 38 : The Win for True Love ~

[sharklemonss]

Hello lmk fandom, i bring you food! A fanfic i spent the entirety of a month writing for your enjoyment (my collection of tears) at your disposal :3

It's spicynoodles and it's got mutual pining, angst, fluff, everything you could want in a oneshot!

The link:

And here's a little peek at the story itself!

The night starts with a phone call through blurry tears.

Needless to say, Mk was in pretty rough shape after the past year or so of horrible, near world-ending events, and that followed him in his sleep. They started out few and far between, just a change in tone of a normal dream, and he'd wake up and fall right back asleep after. Slowly but surely, though, the nightmares got worse, and sometimes he needed some support before getting back to sleep again.

Mei was his go to. She was always up at absurd hours of the night, and sometimes she'd even drag him into a phone call to soothe his nerves by distracting him. She was an awesome friend- a much better one than he was, at least. She always had his back, no matter what, even when things looked too difficult or when Mk made an odd choice that would probably lead to their failure. She trusted him with everything. So, in turn, Mk extended that unconditional trust to her as well, and when Mk says "no matter what", he means it.

And then Red Son joined their group and made things a little more complicated.

It was nice to have their duo turn into a trio- Mk was actually very happy to drag him along to their hangouts, especially after they'd gotten closer due to the whole Lady Bone Demon mess. Red Son was hesitant at first, but over time, the trio was basically inseparable, much to the dismay of the demon parents that kind of wanted Mk dead. After saving their respective lives multiple times, though, they let Mk and Mei slide and be friends with their son.

Thankfully. Mk really didn't want to fight the two of them anymore.

One night, however, on one of his and Mei's late night distraction calls, Mk says something he'll probably regret. The thing in question isn't the problem, no, Mei is just horrible at keeping secrets. Also for the fact that saying it out loud makes it real, and he's been trying to keep this thing in particular at the back of his mind with the rest of his troublesome emotions. He should really learn to hold his tongue, but Mei gives him these puppy eyes as she begs him to tell her, and he just can't say no.

"I think I like Red Son," Mk says, like it's his biggest secret in the world, but Mei doesn't really seem to get it.

Her head tilts to the side. She's got her camera on, and she's been carefully painting her nails (and repainting them, because she cannot decide on a colour for the life of her) for the past hour or so. "I mean, I would hope you like him? He is our friend," she says casually, and Mk does a mental facepalm.

"No, like," he groans, hating that he has to explain all these gross feelings and not just say it normally, "like him in a non -friend way."

Mei is silent for a moment. There are a few seconds where Mk thinks she understands, and then she goes, "I'm not following, Mk, you're gonna have to say it to me straight." Before he's even opened his mouth, Mei speaks again. " Don't make a gay joke, you know what I mean!" 

He laughs for a bit, and he knows she'd do the exact same thing if their positions were switched at all. "Okay, okay, fine," he takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the reaction he was bound to get, "like him in… a crush kind of way?" Silence follows his words, just as expected, but Mei's voice breaks it in a very level tone. 

"If my parents weren't asleep right now I would be screaming into my speaker," Mei responds in the calmest voice he has ever heard from her during talks like these. "Dude, when did this happen ? Like was there a certain moment, or, like, did you just go poof ! Feelings for the fire demon that insults me everyday! You gotta explain everything -"

She rants like this for at least thirty minutes before Mk is able to get another word in.

[marinerainbow]

How the Toon Patrol slowly warm up to Kitty.

Smartass

Ever since she repainted his arm he's more amicable to have her around. It's the one time he realises she's genuinely nice.

He also starts to appreciate the more firecracker side of her personality. He's elated to hear she punched a guy who was bothering her.

He'll retort something to Eddie who gave him an order to scope a place out with enough venom to put a cobra to shame but Kitty asks a question and gets a straight answer.

He'll...be on better behaviour when Roger is around. Roger is still terrified of him, he knows this and he relishes in it. Sneering and baring his teeth in an extra wide golden-toothed grin. But...he's friend's with the kid and he's already on probation so he'll begrudgingly comply.

He genuinely does admire how smart she is and how much she knows about toons like him. She'll bring up things he doesn't think about much or hasn't in years. He thought she was just some dumb bratty college kid who was way in over her head and naive about how the world works but now he sees she has real potential. He is of the opinion that she could be putting her hacking and breaking in skills to illegal better use but sure, solving kidnapping cases is just fine.

He'll let her sit in his rented office space if she asks. He likes to chat but he doesn't mind if they sit in comfortable silence.

Greasy

He was already kind of warmed up to her...in the way Greasy would warm up to a young woman he can push to see how long he makes her uncomfortable. But after seeing her save the boss...he starts seeing her in a different light.

Kitty's a real second-wave feminist so his grubby, grabby hands do not work on her. She can live with a petname but will give him an earful if he starts his shenanigans. Slowly but surely he goes from leering gazes to holding doors open.

He will occasionally try and do the kiss up the arm thing. She humours him but sets her boundaries.

He was drawn to have physical touch as his love language so intentional or not he'll end up leading her out of any room with a hand against her back (only because he has trouble reaching her shoulders.)

He is more likely to perform tasks or follow orders if he knows "the girl" will be watching. Just anything to generally impress her really.

He's actually delighted there is a human and a female human at that who sees the good side in him when he was drawn to be nothing but a sleazy henchman. It fills him with a lot of confusing emotions that he doesn't want to accept are primarily "touched" and "grateful."

Wheezy

It's just another job. Get the meddlin' kid. Hold her for a few hours. Deliver her to Valiant. Get extra hours shaved off their sentence. But not only was she faster than she looked but she was a fighter. He can respect that.

She coughs a lot when she's first around him. Toon smoke isn't like real tobacco but it's no less unpleasant. He's not going to stop of course, it's his thing but he supposes it won't kill him to blow it in the other direction.

Before he stood guard to make sure she didn't get away. Now he stands guard to make sure she safe.

He's acutely aware she doesn't do automatic weapons. He always puts in back in its case immediately after firing it. Unfortunately Eddie is on hand to insist there won't be much need for tommy guns in this case. He loves his gun but he has a soft spot for this girl too.

He's more of a listener than a talker. He'll listen in to any story Kitty tells about her studies, interests or life and then later he'll mention some small detail she brought up a day later, he's astute like that.

He really, really appreciates that she gives him space but brings him the occasional drink to quell his incessant coughing fits.

Psycho

He always loved a job capturing a human but there was something extra fun about this case. Kitty lost a shoe when she tried scaling a fence during their chase and he caught it like a trophy.

When he frees her from her bonds after Valiant catches up to them he starts to cough like a cat with a hairball and spits out the missing shoe at her feet.

When he gets scared he whines like a puppy. After she bends down to speak to him and coax him out of whatever's spooking him he starts to trust her more and more. She's got a soothing voice and she smells like faintly like polymer binder, a scent he recognises.

She is one of the only humans alive who is allowed to pick him up and not be lacerated.

He'll curl up near her lap and sleep while she works or studies or sketches. He kicks his leg when he dreams or when he's scratched behind the ear.

He likes to mimic voices. Hers is a little harder to get right but he tries to because he likes the things she says. They're often funny or excited or determined and anyone who talks like that has got to be interesting.

Stupid

Honestly he didn't have a problem with her when they first met. Aside from a small "look over there!" distraction technique she used on him when he was trying to capture her, (Why does he always fall for that?!)

She uses a lot of words and he only gets 50% of what she means by them but she sounds really sweet which is confusing since they usually go after some really intimidating or really frightened people - she's neither.

He will ask her any random question whether it has anything to do with what they're doing or not and she'll answer them. Or at least she won't yell at him to shut up. He loves this!

Since she makes a point to praise all of them when they've done a good job, this means she's one of the people Stupid is most loyal too. If he does something that no one is going to take credit for, he will hoping she will tell him he did good.

She ties his shoes for him, he'll share half his sandwich.

She thinks his namesake is unfair and tells him he isn't really stupid. He looks at her confused because...he is Stupid.

This is so pure and adorable I can't even-

I love all of this so much!! That last part in Stupid's made me laugh and cry for him XD my boy is just so confused. And I love how Psycho mimics her and his reasoning behind it! It sounds perfect for his character ^^

It's needless to say, Kitty will be the safest person in Toontown with these fellas on her side.

[dnpanimationstudioclone]

Sam's Bedroom Discussion🛌

Sam's old room was def really interesting and memorable. With the spider web bedframe, the Chinese Lamp and all the music stuff she had. Ngl alot of it felt pretty punk and alternative rock which isn't bad. It def gave off vibes of someone who's serious and into different, obscure and usually darker things. But for my Sam I wanted to push her more to tradtional goth and also give off a kinda lighter side in terms of personality.

This is my Sam🦇

Made her walls a lighter but still neutral shade of purple to contrast with the floor. Also I can imagine her parents only let her have the walls in a light shade as really dark rooms can end up absorbing heat and don't want her to accidentally overheat.

Added more green as it's a part of my Sam's palette more and because it's good with purple and red. It also shows her love for ghosts and nature more💚

I added a lot of antique Victorian furniture and decor I imagine Sam would've restored and/or repaint to fit her tastes more. Very gothic and also eco friendly to use and restore older things.

My Sam LOVES ghosts so I added more ghost things in her bedroom such as a the lights, the books on ghosts and other cryptid related stuff, Ghostbusters picture and Ouija board👻👻👻

Added plants and other nature themes things for our nature lover Sam. By her window there's a venus flytrap(OG Sam actually had a pet flytrap in her greenhouse) a cactus in a Día de los Muertos skull pot and a pearl plant in a cauldron pot, like a bubbling cauldron. Beside those are purple leaf plant, African violets and a succulent. I was def going for plants that'd fit with Sam's gothic aesthetic and personality.

Gave her a coffin shaped Shelf. At the bottom, added a variety of books to show her love for the dark and macabre such as ghosts, vampires cryptids, Jewish Mythology, Occult and Junji Ito. The book that says “Hidden Worlds”, was inspired by a suggestion @a-sterling-rose​ made in reference for the unknown realms. I added a Junji Ito manga as it's said OG Sam was into anime and I can imagine horror anime and manga such as Junji Ito's work would be right up her alley.

In the middle crystals(Onyx and Amethyst), a chest with a Tree Of Life symbol on it and a geode. Crystals and gems r often used for protection against dark forces. I can imagine in the chest perhaps more stuff for spirit protection related things or something. The Tree Of Life is a religious symbol used in many religions, including Judaism and can symbolize many things such as infinite knowledge and even the afterlife and connection between earth and Heaven

On the top, Tarot cards, a crystal ball, Ouija Board and the little statue on the top shelf’s a Golem, a being of Jewish folklore(She totally made it herself out of clay). @wsoupofpain​ helped show me what to put on its head, it means "death" in its dormant form. I also was pushing to show more of her Jewish heritage in her room✡️

And on top of the shelf a gargoyle.

Made her window frames black and theater style dark red curtains.

Added fleur de lis symbols on her bed frame. Also added webbing on her pillows and darker parts on her bed sheets. Also on her frame a spider plant in a spider themed pot. Some version she had a canopy but I didn't want it to block the other details and when I tried it, everything felt smaller to me.

Replaced the skull doll she had for a bat plushy I headcanon her Bubbe(Grandma) made for her🦇💖 My Sam's fav animals r def bats.

Added cute bat slippers which she also had in canon beside her bed.

Gave her a nightstand, with a Tiffany lamp. To show she's in a well off fam, perhaps something thatd been in the family for a bit and cause it reminded me of a tree.

Added a vanity with a little stool. Girl deserves a station to apply her gothic charm on. Added a candelabra, a jewelry case, a mortar and pestle(for DIY facial and other beauty treatments) and skull makeup brush. And beside the vanity a Bat Jewelry holder, for some of her necklaces and chokers. Some of them Jewish symbols such as a Star of David, a blue evil eye and a Hamsa Hand🧿✡️

Above her vanity I added framed vintage horror movie posters. Dracula, Ghostbusters and Friday The 13th. @mylifeisweirdok suggested the vintage idea!

Replaced her British Flag tapestry for a moon cycle tapestry. The night in general and the moon's very popular in gothic culture but also plays a special symbol in Judaism. The Jewish Calendar following Lunar months and even having a monthly minor-holiday celebrating the arrival of a new moon. Rosh Chodesh🌔 a minor-holiday which also is very special for Jewish woman, the holiday being a reward for the woman who refused to surrender their jewelry for the creation of the Golden Calf idol. The moon has also often been associated with feminine energy and cyclical change.

Gave her a Victorian style floral carpet.

Replaced her Chinese lamp with a Medeival Chandelier. The candles along with the ones by the vanity aren't real and in fact solar powered. To avoid fire danger🔥

Gave her glow in the dark ghost strung lights. Great for a scary ambience in the nighttime👻

Also I can imagine she has a little crafts closet full of art stuff and other stuff she's found like from junkyards, forests etc to make something out of it and perhaps somewhere stored a scythe .

Danny-WHERE DID YOU GET A SCYTHE!?

Sam-From the Farmers Market. It was surprisingly cheaper than the produce.

What do you think? What do u think of OG Sam's room? I'd love to know?

[the-enzyme]

Got myself a GDToys The Son Of The Tooth King - Dog Demon Swordman GD97005, 1:6 action figure. Also known as Sesshomaru in a more realistic stylization (cosplay, perhaps?). Lol! I have been tempted by GDToys figures in the past, but they seem to make mostly females, and I kind of don't actively look to collect female figures, unless I want to hybrid their heads on male bodies. I've also seen their paint apps to be extremely hit-or-miss, so I knew this Sesshomaru fig was going to probably not be as perfect as their prototype. However, in hand, he doesn't look as terrible as in my extreme close up of his face.

He's definitely not as perfect as the prototype, but I never expected him to be. I just thought this would be a good enough customizable figure, with great potential, based on one of my most favorite characters of all time (that isn't Sephiroth, but pretty close). I don't own that many figures based on him, because there are just not that many. The head sculpt in particular was what sold me to get this, I knew the paint apps weren't going to be anywhere near the prototype, but it's rare to see beautiful male anime-ish head sculpts in the 1:6 world. That are actually male, and not hybrid from dolls or females, etc. So, I had to have him, as a Christmas gift to myself (because I don't gift myself enough things all year round!). I also managed to get one with its own brown shipper! Yay!

I am still uncertain that I will be repainting him, but I knew that if he didn't look anything decent IRL, I could just attempt repainting him but still end up with all the other stuff to create my own Sessho custom figure. I did try a million years ago with a Noir De Rome Japanese fashion doll head sculpt, and a Volks Neo EB go body, but I never got far enough. I feel this one will be a close enough one for me. I'll definitely need to restyle the bangs, the hair is probably not the same as the prototype but it's certainly not as fluffy, and that's not just the styling. I'll take more "decent" than just flash photos of him, once I attempt restyling his bangs, to be closer to the prototype, because these are definitely not even an attempt on GDToy's part. DX

[insertsickusername13]

General concept: Brooke comforts Jake after the fire

Word count: 1969

Warnings: kind of alludes to suicide, but it's like... very implied and not at all said

Jake's apartment is probably more important to Brooke than it is to Jake. After November 1st, when she woke up to her parents shaking her awake at 8 am telling her something terrible's happened. Are you friends with Jake Dillinger? she's forced to function under the constant, ineffable, unavoidable assumption that no matter what she does—how kind she is, how happy she can be—something terrible is going to happen again, and this time there is going to be no boy to pick up from the hospital, no wheelchair to help him set up, no trips to the mall to buy countless flowers for Rich. Only black dresses and rainy skies and silent lunch tables. 

The apartment is proof he's alive. He's going to recover. He isn't being taken by social services and isn't moving in with his Aunt in Virginia. He's here. He's safe. She still has her best friend (aside from, of course, Chloe, but that's a different situation entirely).

Jake doesn't appreciate it as much. He's silent as his landlord hands him the key with a pitying 'good luck' smile, silent as they sit in the pre-furnished living room, Brooke on the overstuffed couch and Jake in his wheelchair. Brooke's planning out ways to make the place Jake's: posters on the walls, pictures on the shelves. Repaint a couple of walls and redo the beach-themed bathroom. Her voice is so loud it echoes through the apartment.

"The windows are nice, the curtains are definitely giving off unfulfilled middle age mother though, don't you think?"

She turns to Jake for approval, smiling brightly at her own joke, only to be met with a blank, red-eyed stare and delayed laugh.

She decides getting him out of the apartment is probably for the best. Maybe it's just too stuffy, or too fast. He just needs a distraction—some time to process everything. Nothing terrible is going to happen as long as she stays by his side.

She can just talk it away. She can do his nails, buy more flowers. She'll paint the walls yellow and waft away every cloud in the sky until the world is bright with sunshine. Just as long as nothing terrible happens. 

She takes him to the mall first, thinking perusing the isles of Ikea might excite him. Pretty furniture, pretty setups. 

"How do you feel about these 'yellow star twinkling' fairy lights? The LED strips look cheap, right? So these are definitely better. But the LEDs change color, so...?"

Brooke holds the two options up in front of her. There's an entire shelf of other lights behind her, but the rest are erring on the side of too feminine, and she has the feeling that even a Jake who no longer has Rich constantly chastising every decision that isn't 'manly' enough won't appreciate them.

Jake points silently to a box behind her, barely doing more than lifting a finger. Ecstatic to finally get a reaction out of him, Brooke spins wildly to see a box of butterfly-shaped lights. 

Oh. Maybe it wasn't too feminine, after all. She notes that for later. 

Eagerly, she picks up the box. "These?"

He nods. She tries not to look at him too long as she skips over to their cart. If she studies him for any more than a moment she'll be forced to confront the bags under his eyes and the glazed-over, empty look in his irises, either a result of the medications or the knowledge he'll never be able to run like he used to or see Rich the same way.

"Great! Are we gonna look at posters too? Personally, I never thought of you as a poster guy, but I might be wrong. Maybe polaroids? Or paintings! Paintings would be awesome."

She ends up buying post-it notes. She lost Jake somewhere between the desks and beds, and by the time they finally reach another section of the store with more bedroom decor, he's only responding with sharp, one-word answers meant to slice her away into submission and eventual surrender. The terror of something going wrong keeps her smile on her face and a pep in her step, and eventually she gets him to say he wants neon pink post-it notes. 

He doesn't. But it's an answer, and it's clear on his face he thinks that might be enough to get her to finally leave him alone. 

It isn't.

She sits crisscross on his bedroom floor once they get back to the apartment, squished in the far corner between his empty dresser and equally as empty desk.

"I bet we could paint it," Brooke offers as she sits next to the splintering wood of his dresser. Jake hums from his bed, having reverted back to nonverbal answers. He's laying on his back, hands clasped over his stomach, legs propped up on a pile of pillows Brooke had bought at Bed Bath & Beyond. She glances at him out of the corner of her eye, resisting the urge to flurry over and roll him over onto his side, because what if he takes too many pills? What if he overdoses? What if he does it on purpose? What if something terrible happens?

Her grip on her pen tightens as she writes you're amazing!! on one of the post-it notes and sticks it to the edge of the corner.

On the next, what do you call a tower of cats?? —a meow-tain!!

You're really brave!!

I love you

It'll get better

A cartoon sun. A flower. A llama. 

It's nothing. It's stupid. Even someone as naive and innocent as Brooke can identify just how little it will help someone in Jake's situation, but her hands shake as she writes you can do this!! and she realizes, blinking back tears, that this isn't for Jake at all. 

She takes a small, shaky breath. She's as quiet as she can be, not ashamed that she's about to cry but knowing she can't in front of Jake. He's the one who lost his house and best friend. It isn't her place to cry, to be scared. 

But she can still see her parents' faces as they told her he was in the hospital, can still hear her mother screaming as she sped through a stop light on the way there, vision so blurred the red light almost looked like the blinding sirens on an ambulance. She can't let anything terrible happen again.

A sob escapes her—short and scared. She immediately tries to muffle it with her hand but it must be too late. She hears rustling from the bed behind her and the sound of Jake's raspy voice saying, "...Brooke?"

She swallows another sob as she turns, a sunflower smile on her face. 

"Yeah?" she says, and it sounds so simple, so pure that she sees Jake doubt himself for a second. The flicker of confusion on his face at the distinctive difference in her smile and posture from the way it had been a second ago. She tries to smile wider—better he be confused than concerned. He already has too much on his mind, so much that it's spilling over the edges in the form of flashing nightmares and constricting lungs (she knows, even if he won't say it). 

"Are you okay?"

It might be the first full sentence he's said since the fire.

Brooke gets up from where she's sitting and needlessly wipes her hands on her jeans as if ridding her palms of the scary feelings creeping into the sunny spots of her soul. 

"Great! I'm a little hungry though, maybe we should head out and get some pinkberry? Or pancakes. I'm kind of in the mood for those. Maybe IHop?"

Just to avoid looking at him, she takes out her phone and opens google maps, scrolling through all the options for restaurants as if she isn't nauseated by the thought of not being able to take Jake anywhere too crowded because the noises might send him spiraling in a way it never would have before. 

She can take him for ice cream in the park if he refuses IHop. Make sure he eats at least something, even if it's unhealthy. He might like the cold of it, the complete opposite of the fire.

Jake nods and sits up a little straighter. He opens his mouth, intention clear in every movement. Brooke watches him carefully and braces for rejection. She can make something small here. Even if it's just a snack. She won't take the excuses, won't falter even though she knows it must be difficult for him to comprehend the idea of continuing on with life without Rich at his side.

But Jake says, "Can I have a hug?"

Brooke's not sure she wants him to feel just how uneven her breathing's becoming, but if it makes him feel safe, if it makes him happy, even if it's only for a moment, then she'll do what it takes. 

She sits on the edge of his bed and hovers, unsure if he really means this, especially because the burns (not nearly as bad as Rich's) on his forearms have yet to fully heal, but the second she's within reach he pulls her into his hold, arms circled around her waist and face burrowed into her hair. She can feel his lips trembling against the skin of her neck as he shifts so she's on his lap, as close to him as he can get her. 

He's shaking. His fingernails dig into the crook of her shoulder blades and she takes in a small, sharp breath suppressed by just how tightly he's holding on to her. With nothing left to do, she cradles his head against her chest and runs soothing hands through his unwashed hair. 

"It's okay," she whispers against his hair. She tries to kiss the top of his head but he's hanging on with such a grip she can't shift without disturbing him, so she kisses thin air and pretends he feels it. 

"I don't—" he chokes, and it takes Brooke squeezing him to get him to breathe again. "I dunno if I can come back from this one, Brooke."

Something terrible's going to happen. 

"What's that supposed mean?"

Her voice is trembling. She closes her eyes to try and stop the saltwater from burning. 

Jake nuzzles closer as he says, muffled by her shirt but not by sobs, "I could deal with my parents. Could—could handle living on my own. But he's—how could he—?"

How could he?

She knows Jake means it as a genuine question, but when the words wrap around her tongue she feels her stomach clench with an anger she's never come close to experiencing before. How could he do this?

"I don't know," she says aloud, "I really don't know, but it's gonna be okay. I promise."

"How?" 

And this time she can hear the tears in his voice, feel them on her shirt and in her hair, a stain against her skin she'd rather tattoo onto her than let forever reside alone on Jake's face. They're made of poison. His words are made of poison, and she wants them spat against her shoulder just to stop them from festering in his mouth.

"Well," she says. The lump in her throat tries to stop the words and fails. "We're going to decorate your apartment, and we're going to rehearse for the play, and we can buy Rich more flowers. And he's gonna wake up and explain why he did it, and you don't have to forgive him, but at least you'll hear him say he doesn't hate you, that there's some misunderstanding. And—and I don't know, but I promise— I promise you, I'm gonna make it okay."

He tries to pull away from her, but she has to hold him still for a moment longer to wipe the tears off her face before he has the chance to see them. When he does finally pull back to look at her, his face is puffy and swollen. 

"Really?"

"Really. Really, really, really. Nothing terrible's ever going to happen to you again."

---

i rlly told someone to draw richjake inspired by safe and sound by t swift then decided to fully take rich out of the picture and write brooke and jake instead. btw go listen to safe and sound i stared at the ceiling for like half an hour listening to it then sat up and wrote this. hope u enjoyed!! it's sad. I'm sad. Their relationship is great.

[frauleinandry]

just finished the repaint your heart dlc! i still had fun with it, but ultimately i enjoyed it a lot less than the main story. tbh, unless you're a huge - and i mean huge - princekechi and kasumi fan, or are really interested in guernica, i probably wouldn't bother with it. it's pretty short (i completed it in less than 5 hours doing all the content), and it was less enjoyable to play than the main game.

my full analysis is under the cut - note, it contains end-game spoilers!!

if you've read my main story tactica review, you'd know one of the reasons i loved it was because it wasn't just a persona Q game with a genre shift, and avoided all of the plot/story issues associated with that spinoff series. repaint your heart's narrative, on the other hand, has all the tropes that make persona Q bad, without having any of the things that make it good.

i know literally everyone and their mum has complained about this, but i am baffled on why atlas didn't set repaint your heart during the third semester. like... there is literally no point in hiding royal spoilers anymore. the game has been out for four years. the media restrictions have been dropped. literally No One who isn't already a persona 5 fan is going to play tactica, let alone buy its dlc.

setting repaint your heart during the third semester would have worked fine plot-wise too. have it so akechi's investigating guernica's work on a whim, and make it so jerri wants to break maruki's hold on reality and destroy the world because no human should have such power. there. problem solved.

admittedly, kasumi as a character isn't too bad. i obviously would have preferred sumire, who has a criminal lack of screen time where she's actually herself, but at least the dlc's story is personal for her either way because she intimately knows what it's like to lose a sister even when she's actualised.

akechi, on the other hand, suffers from being stuck in his prince mode a lot more, and with the exception of a couple of funny moments where he got dunked on, might as well have just been a piece of cardboard. he has no personal stakes in luca and guernica's story whatsoever. quite frankly, it would have been better if he was replaced by makoto, given her issues with sae (especially during that point in persona 5 canon, when their relationship is at its worst).

what makes akechi's overall non-importance exceptionally annoying is that if the dlc was set during the third semester, he actually would have some parallels with guernica/jerri!! like, he'd totally relate to wanting to ignite the world in fury so it burns itself down to the ground, but he'd also have the wisdom to know that that's a terrible idea. akechi could have been motivated by his desire to prevent guernica from turning into another him, but he wasn't, and that is such a missed opportunity.

the OCs and their storyline are probably the strongest part of repaint your heart's narrative. admittedly, it was nowhere near as impactful as toshiro's plot due to its short length, but luca's second death was pretty emotional, and the final boss fight was satisfying. i do find it funny though that tactica's main story and dlc both feature a cognition of a dead relative who dies in front of someone again in order to make them regain the memories of their original version's death. if i had a nickel, and all that jazz.

while i've mainly been bitching about the dlc's story so far, i've got some gripes with the gameplay too. while i did enjoy the increased difficulty (quite frankly, the main story's hard mode should have been on par with it), the painting mechanic makes the battles feel a lot less well-crafted. like, the main story missions feel like puzzles you need to solve, and just flow, for a lack of a better word. the painting effect though makes elements like positioning a lot less effective, so on the whole i felt like i was just brute forcing my way through the levels instead of taking advantage of my surroundings.

still, for all my complaints, repaint your heart definitely isn't all bad! the art direction is great, and guernica's character design in particular is fantastic. not to mention, there is one thing the dlc does substantially better than the main game...

... namely, the music. i absolutely loved royal's and striker's soundtracks, but in comparison, I found tactica's somewhat... underwhelming? not bad by any means, but there wasn't a single song that stood out. repaint your heart has some absolute bangers though - the night we stood is a fantastically catchy battle theme, and quiet storm is literally one of my favourite songs in the franchise. listening to it after the backstory reveal makes it hit so differently.

anyway, that's all from me - on the whole, i still think tactica's a great but overpriced game, though i really hope atlas learns from all the criticisms of the dlc, and makes akechi and sumire their actual selves next time they're included in a game.

[durofillseo]

Epoxy Epiphanies: Unexpected Uses That Will Blow Your Mind

Epoxy. The name conjures images of mending chipped mugs and gluing together broken heirlooms. But this trusty two-part wonder holds a treasure trove of surprises! Get ready to have your mind blown by the unexpected ways epoxy can transform your everyday life. Buckle up, crafters and DIY enthusiasts, because we're diving into the world of Epoxy Epiphanies epoxy for floors tiles

Beyond Repairs: Unveiling Epoxy's Hidden Talents

Sure, epoxy excels at fixing broken treasures, but its potential stretches far beyond simple restorations. It's a creative catalyst waiting to be unleashed:

Upcycled Masterpieces: Transform old furniture! Breathe new life into a dated coffee table by creating a stunning river table effect. Pour a layer of colored epoxy and embed pebbles or wood shavings for a truly unique centerpiece.

The Art of Faux Finishing: Craving a high-end, polished look without the hefty price tag? Epoxy can be your secret weapon! Create a faux marble countertop by using colored epoxy and paint to mimic the natural veining.

Light Up Your Life: Epoxy isn't afraid of a little electricity! Craft one-of-a-kind lamps by embedding LED strips within clear epoxy pours. This creates a mesmerizing, modern lighting feature that's sure to be a conversation starter.

The Ultimate Coasters: Tired of water rings ruining your furniture? Create custom coasters using epoxy and your favorite decorative elements. Think bottle caps, dried flowers, or even small figurines – all encased in a crystal-clear layer of epoxy.

DIY Jewelry Molds: Channel your inner jeweler! Craft unique molds using silicone and embed dried flowers, glitter, or even small charms within clear epoxy. The result? Bespoke, one-of-a-kind pendants that showcase your creativity.

The Fixer-Upper Hero: Everyday Hacks You Didn't Know You Needed

Epoxy isn't just for crafting; it's a household hero waiting to solve those pesky everyday problems:

Loose Tile Terminator: A wobbly tile in your bathroom or kitchen can be a safety hazard. But fear not! Epoxy can be used to securely reattach loose tiles, preventing further damage and ensuring a safe and level surface.

Cracked Countertop Conqueror: Has your countertop developed a minor crack? Before resorting to expensive replacements, consider using epoxy for a quick and effective repair. Choose an epoxy suitable for countertops and follow the instructions carefully for a long-lasting fix that restores functionality to your kitchen.

Leaky Pipe Savior: A small leak can turn into a major headache. Epoxy can be used as a temporary fix for minor pipe leaks until a permanent solution can be implemented. Just ensure the pipe material is compatible with the chosen epoxy.

Loose Button Buster: A loose button on your favorite shirt can be a minor annoyance. Epoxy can be used to securely reattach buttons, preventing them from falling off at the most inconvenient times.

Decorative Fill for Holes: Have you removed an old wall fixture and are left with an unsightly hole? Epoxy can be used to fill the hole, and once cured, can be sanded and painted to blend seamlessly with the wall. This saves you the trouble of patching and repainting the entire area, transforming a potential eyesore into a smooth and finished surface.

From Fixing to Flourishing: Why Epoxy is an Epiphany

Epoxy's versatility and user-friendliness make it an essential addition to any toolbox:

Strength and Durability: Epoxy forms a powerful chemical bond that can withstand daily wear and tear, ensuring your creations and repairs last for years to come.

Crystal Clarity: High-quality epoxy boasts exceptional clarity, allowing you to maintain the pristine aesthetic of your project, especially for pieces where a flawless, transparent finish is desired.

User-Friendly: Many epoxies are beginner-friendly, requiring minimal tools or expertise for application. This empowers you to tackle crafting projects and repairs with confidence, regardless of your experience level.

Cost-Effective: Compared to other crafting materials, glass bond epoxy is a cost-effective choice. A small investment can unlock a world of creative possibilities and repairs, saving you money in the long run.

Embrace the Epoxy Epiphany: Unleash Your Inner Creator

The world of epoxy is brimming with possibilities waiting to be explored. So, the next time you reach for that tube of epoxy, remember – it's not just a glue, it's an epiphany. It's a gateway to unleash your inner creator, a fixer-upper hero, and a cost-effective solution to everyday problems. With a little creativity and a dash of epoxy, the possibilities are endless Epoxy tile joint filler

[quantifynorthamerica]

Mastering the Color Canvas: A Guide to Home Interior Color Schemes

So, you’ve finally done it. You’ve taken the plunge, and you’re ready to repaint your home’s interior. But hold on a second; I see that look of indecision on your face. With a literal rainbow of colors at your fingertips, choosing the perfect shades for your walls, furniture, and accents can feel like a daunting task. It’s almost like picking your favorite dessert; they’re all so scrumptious, how do you choose just one?

Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you're a DIY maven or considering hiring interior painting services, this blog post is your ultimate guide to mastering the art of color selection for your home. We’ll go through the whole process, step by step, and by the end, you’ll be more confident than a peacock strutting its stuff. Let’s begin, shall we?

Understanding the Psychology of Color

Before we immerse ourselves in the vast ocean of shades and tints, let’s take a moment to think. Why do we even have favorite colors? Why does a sunny yellow make us think of laughter-filled summer days, while deep blues transport us to serene moonlit nights? Welcome to the magic world of color psychology.

Colors, believe it or not, are like silent actors on a stage. They play out scenes in our minds and evoke a range of emotions. Remember the calming greens often seen in hospitals? Or the energetic reds in fast-food logos? That's color psychology in action.

Imagine this scenario: A room painted in the warm golden hue of sunflowers, decorated with splashes of sky blue. Doesn't it instantly make you think of a sunny day with clear blue skies? Conversely, think about a room draped in soft lilacs and muted greys. It’s like an early spring morning, isn’t it?

This step isn't just about picking a color, it’s about setting a scene. So, when you’re pondering over the swatches, ask yourself, "What emotion or memory do I want this room to bring forth?"

Sun-kissed or Moonlit? Considering the Room's Natural Light

Sunlight. It’s the Instagram filter Mother Nature gave us. Ever noticed how the same space can feel different from dawn to dusk? That’s natural light working its magic. So, before you decide on a color, take a Sherlock-esque observation tour of your room. 

Start your day with a cup of coffee and see how the morning light bathes your space. Is it a soft, warm glow, or is it more of a bright, intense shine? Now, as you’re winding down in the evening, notice the play of the setting sun. Does the room take on a golden hue or is it kissed by twilight blues?

The north-facing rooms in your home might have a cooler, shadowy light while the south-facing ones bask in bright, warm light. A color that shimmers and sparkles in a sunlit room might look muted or even dreary in a room with little sunlight.

So, here's a little hack: Once you've selected a few color contenders, paint a poster board with your chosen hues. Move it around the room at different times to see how the light plays with it. This way, you're not committing to the wall just yet, but you'll get a pretty good idea of how the paint will behave throughout the day with https://quantifyna.com/.

It's Not Just About Walls: Factoring in Furniture and Decor

Now, let’s talk about the room's existing residents: your furniture and décor. They've been there for you, making your space cozy. It's only fair to consider them in your painting plans.

Think of your room as a grand stage. Your walls set the backdrop, but it's your furniture and décor that are the stars of the show. A mauve wall might battle for attention with a ruby-red sofa, while a sandy beige might let it shine.

Take stock of the main colors in your furniture. Do you lean towards rich mahoganies or modern metallics? Are your fabrics more jewel-toned or neutral? If your couch could talk, what would it say? Probably something like, “Pair me with a color that makes me pop!”

But, and this is a big one, make sure you don't let things clash. A tangerine wall might sound adventurous, but if you’ve got teal furniture, you might end up with a room that feels more chaotic than coordinated.

For an extra layer of fun, consider texture too. Velvety fabrics, for instance, pair beautifully with deep, rich wall colors, creating a luxurious feel.

Testing Before Investing

Picture this: You’ve chosen what you believe to be the perfect shade of aquamarine. You’ve daydreamed about it, told all your friends, and are ready to transform your living room into a coastal paradise. But when the paint goes up, it's not the dreamy ocean retreat you imagined. It's more... hospital hallway.

So, how do you avoid such mishaps? Simple: Test before you invest.

Think of it as a dress rehearsal before the big play. Grab sample pots of your shortlisted colors. These tiny cans are a blessing, offering a sneak peek into how a color might transform your space.

Paint sections of your wall or use a poster board if you’re wary of committing just yet. Check on them during different times of the day. Is it the mesmerizing marine during the day but a drab disaster at night? The beauty of a sample is that it's a low-risk way to visualize the bigger picture.

And hey, if your first choice doesn’t pan out, consider it a fun experiment. You’re one step closer to finding the shade that’s just right.

Not Just Color, It’s Character: The Importance of Finish

While color is the star of the show, the finish is the director, subtly orchestrating how the whole scene comes together. It might seem like a minor detail, but trust me, the finish can dramatically alter the story your walls are trying to tell.

Think of matte finishes as the sophisticated older sibling in the family. They exude elegance and class but can be a tad high maintenance. While they hide wall blemishes well, they don’t take kindly to scuffs and stains.

On the other hand, glossy finishes are the lively younger sibling. Bright, shiny, and full of energy. They can make colors dazzle and are easy to clean, but they're not the best at keeping secrets. Is it a dent or a scratch? Glossy will gleefully point it out.

Satin and eggshell are your middle ground, offering a delicate balance between matte's sophistication and gloss's vivacity.

So, when choosing a finish, think beyond aesthetics. Ask yourself how you live in a space. If you have kids who treat walls like canvases, a more durable finish might be your best bet. For quieter spaces, like a personal library or study, matte's charm might be just what you need.

Small Strokes Make Masterpieces: Accents and Details

Often, it’s the little things that leave the biggest impression. Just like that dash of spice that transforms a dish or the right necklace that elevates an outfit, accents, and details in your room can make all the difference.

You've got the primary color down, but what about the trims, doors, or that quaint little bookshelf in the corner? Using a contrasting or complementary color can add layers of depth and intrigue to your space.

Consider a deep, indigo wall. Now, pair it with crisp, white trims. The result? Each color makes the other pop, creating a harmonious dance of shades. Or take a soft, blush pink wall. Introducing gold or bronze accents could lend an air of luxury and opulence.

Experimenting with accents allows you to dip your toes into bolder colors without the commitment of painting an entire room. So play around, have fun, and let your creativity run wild! Sometimes, the smallest strokes create the most beautiful masterpieces.

Conclusion

Selecting the perfect color for your home interior doesn’t have to be a mind-boggling task. With a bit of planning, a dash of creativity, and maybe some expert help from interior painting services, you’ll be living in your dream space in no time. So, go ahead, unleash your inner artist, and paint the home that you’ll love living in, one perfect color at a time.

Read More:

Exterior Painting in Cold Weather: Mastering the Chill for a Brilliant Finish

Drywall Repairing: A Look at Techniques Used by Drywall Repair Services

The Art of Crafting Homes: Dive into Conventional Wood Framing