#and i'm a better version of myself and i'm like. you know what

[stardust-in-my-mind-blog]

on the cusp of my inner child walking into the sunset to give my inner teenager a quick hive five and wave her into the matrix I will say that this used to be the song that I had looping in my head all the time today at the bunny store the owner was frustrated and I was hyperfocused on that energy whenever she was in the room like I expected her to tell me to get out or accuse me of something and then I heard the hum of my heart who wanted to give her something to be frustrated about and let me tell you I really do understand now why someone says proudly when their caretakers were mostly dysfunctional and lost "I raised myself" I raised my daughter and myself like I wished I had been raised like she and my soul were twins in a way so alike but also completely separate people now I recognize in my son where I may have misunderstood him especially with my autism and ADHD I did the best with what I knew but learning about how I process information and how I used to shut him down for things he couldn't help that I am now experiencing I'm only glad that I have time to be better I have time to bridge the distance that I know I feel and have created by not understanding and now that I understand I can do so much better my son and I are so alike and he has my eyes there's this gentle spirit to him he's so calm and quiet most of the time and even I project weird things that happen in my head onto him and he looks at me with such confusion when I do and I apologize profusely because I hate when that happens to me and I hate that I accidently do it to him a look that says "what the fuck? do you even know me?!" there's this furious spirit that shows up when anyone pushes him too far and buddy that spirit is going to win the last thing he wants is to be held when he's overstimulated and when he says he needs space alone he means it and when he's calmed himself he'll show up again and we'll talk when I fucked up and apologize I know he truly forgives me and I'm not used to being forgiven sometimes it felt like I was never forgiven but he trusts me and I know he knows I'm doing the best that I can but I'll still prove it to him that he's worth understanding and knowing not just being guessed at anyways, he's the better version of me he hasn't had to survive like me but he has had to endure the chronic misunderstanding and dissmissal of a way of experiencing and communicating to this world in a sensitive and interesting way he's teaching me what middle schoolers actually worry about when they aren't playing mortal hide and seek with dysfunctional family and it's help me understand myself a lot and where I've gone wrong sometimes but I'll fix it I'll fix it now it's time for me to meet who I was in high school and she doesn't want peace she wants justice and I need to learn how to blend all this together and keep some compromises and actually say what's on my heart even if someone tells me it's not real because I don't think I'm taking hostages anymore you're on the ship or you're walking the plank hope you can swim but here's a quick life preserver while you're in the water waiting for someone to float by her first idea would have been to burn the entire ship so like I said compromise I'm so tired lmao

can’t emphasize enough how when you grew up in a toxic environment, being in the room with someone who’s angry or frustrated - even if it has nothing to do with you - is absolutely terrifying cuz you’ve been 1000% conditioned to assume frustration = all hell is going to break lose and be aimed directly at you

[casteliacityramen]

[Previous] [PART 2 OF 2]

“I flew around a bit." 

"I overheard some talks about an open gala in Sinnoh and I decided to attend it. I’ll tell you the whole story about what happened later, but...

... Even when I was trying to relax, I couldn't feel comfortable with myself. Like… like wearing clothes that didn’t fit. The longer the night went on, nothing felt right. And I’m not just talking about the disguise.”

“You felt like a caricature of who you used to be.”

“Yeah. I knew I was going to feel awful when the Continental War was done and over with. I knew we were going to be reprimanded, or worse, but…” Rio frowns deeply, trying to gather her tangled thoughts together.

“I didn't think it'd mess me up as bad as this. I didn’t recognize who I was by the end of the night. I’m worried there’s no going back to who I used to be. I miss the version of myself who could go to a gala and not be miserable in the corner. It feels like that part of me died--that optimistic part of me."

“Do you get what I’m talking about?”

Rio waits with bated breath, only for Ray to curtly answer:

"Yes. And no?"

Rio feels her temper quickly flare up as she lets out a frustrated huff, "Whaddya mean by that?"

Ray raises his palms towards her, slowly.

"It's not that I don't understand what you're saying,” Ray turns to her and gives her a faint smile, "I like to think my experiences are changing me for the better. That’s where you and I differ."

“What, that you’re becoming less of who you used to be and more of… whatever this is?”

"A sub-par noodle penchant?" Ray laughed, throwing Rio's words right back at her from earlier that day.

"You know what I mean, Ray," Rio feels her face get hot. "It's as if..."

"... It's as if you're undoing yourself to make up for what you've done," Rio whispers out loud. The sudden conclusion steals her breath. "Ray, you're not doing all this to punish yourself, are you?"

"..."

"Please say no.”

"It may have started out that way, but that's not the case now."

“Ray…” Rio whispered in disbelief, out loud. 

“You may see this as me continuing a dead man’s legacy. But it’s more than that. This place was a gifted to me and came with a wish. I intend to honor that gesture.

Even though we can’t do any of our usual duties, that’s no excuse to stop acting like a shepherd.”

“If your version of helping the commonwealth is to further seat yourself into guilt, I can’t let you follow through with this.”

“You’re still not getting it, It’s not like that."

"Are you sure about that? Because it's all starting to sound like you're doing this as some sort of messed up way of repenting for your sins."

"I'm telling you, it's not like that."

“Ray, there's a moment when memorialization for someone else turns into hurting yourself." 

"Like how you visited your own gravestone in Johto? Do you really see all of your soldiers offering gifts in your memory and call that self harm? Didn't you just say that you're grieving over someone who you used to be? Is it really that wrong? To cling to what's left!?"

"For me, it is."

"We aren't mortal, Ray. This entire conversation we're having? This argument? All of it? This is what happens when we can't move on. We drag everything with us for hundreds, maybe thousands of years whether we like it or not. This is only going to bring you pain in the long run.

I’m sorry I blew up at you earlier today, but I still stand by what I said. You have no right to continue Tai Ishikawa's legacy, even if all of this was a gift.

All of this? Hanging around Ingram's descendants, Ayumi and Jack? Working an ungodly amount of hours for a tiny bit of yen? The past guilt alone will eat you alive."

"I'm aware of what happens to me if I stew in it. I've been here five years longer than you have,” Ray mutters. “Besides, do you think that I don't know how to live with all the pain I've gathered? Do you really think that guilt alone has made me stick it out this far?”

Of course not. But... she can't simply admit that.

She’s seen him on good days, bad days, and worse days. She's seen him scraping by with little money to his name but continuing to honestly run the business with a straight back and taut shoulders.

She shakes her head, unsure of herself. After all, she's borrowing words that Ray used to tell her in the past. She's not used to being on this side of the argument, which begs the question: are they destined to swap places again somewhere, sometime down the future?

"I've seen what guilt does to you, Ray. I sure as shit know what it's doing to me," Rio shakes her head, sighing. "I don't think this is only guilt... But there's more of it than I want to see. I don't need any more reasons to lose sleep at night if I can keep you from hurting yourself."

“Then…

... Are you willing to stop me? Stop all of this if I fly past that line?"

"You're already dangerously close. Some would say that you're already past the line of hurting yourself."

"I'm not."

Rio was hoping for any sense of weakness, any stumble over words, fumble in his convictions, but Ray continued to stare at her. Rio was the first to look away.

"All of this… It helped you?”

"It has. I’d love to have you here."

"Okay."

--

The two sit in comfortable silence. As the sun fades, so too, does the tension between them. With no further words to be exchanged, the rest of the decanter behind the counter is emptied out.

Ray makes a disgusted face with every sip. One of the unfortunate effects of their blessings is the rapid processing of whatever toxins enter their body, like alcohol. If they wanted to get remotely buzzed, they had to drink the stuff that was barely safe for consumption.

Which reminds her...

“I thought I’d get you this as a peace offering.”

“What is this?”

“Got it from the gala I talked about earlier. Wine from out of this dimension. Just like the guests."

“What?”

“Later. But guess what? I actually got drunk.”

“Bullshit. Why'd you make me drink the rest of that decanter? Pour me some.”

“You’re the one with the hands, you pour us some.”

Before Ray could reach behind the counter to grab the glasses once more, they are interrupted by the sound of a squeaky stool and a pained, muffled grunt at the end of the stand.

Jack sits in the seat farthest from them, his eyes never meeting theirs. His mouth opens, but it takes a long time for him to slowly form the words. He shrinks as he whispers:

“I don’t know where else to go.”

It's about time they get ready to open back up, anyway.

[Pinned Post]

[sanjoongie]

𝔄𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔩𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔇𝔢𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔰

😈Pairing: Demon! Kim Hongjoong x Piercer! Reader (f)

😈Au: supernatural au, demon au, piercer parlor au, fallen angel au

😈Trope: s2l, your lover's ex to lovers (?)

😈Genre: smut

😈Rating: 18+, MDNI

😈Word Count: 2,902

😈Warnings: heaving flirting from hongjoong's end, descriptions of performing a penis piercing, oral (f), use of demon powers such as teleportation, mind-fucking (influencing), Hongjoong calls you dollface, seonghwa calls you flower

😈Summary: you have an unexpected visitor to your tattoo parlor and it isn't your typical fallen angel clientele. When the demon utters Seonghwa's name, you begin to think that this is more than just a dick piercing visit

😈Beta’s: @downtoamagicalland & @mejuii thank you so much for helping me with this, you make everything better 💞

😈Author’s Note: this is a spinoff of my fallen angel Hwa series. Hongjoong weaseled his way into this au, and I posted fallen angel Hwa for his birthday, so why not give the jealous, possessive man in my life his way and write this for his birthday.

😈To the man that encourages us to dream big: you're the reason I challenged myself this year to enhance my life and become something more in my work life. You're the man that I lean on and look up to, even though you're 10 years younger than me. Please never give up so I can continue pursuing my intellectual and creative goals as well. No regrets moving you back to your rightful position after our agreement 🤣 happy birthday, my birthday twin.

Pt 1- Wonderlust | Pt 2- Burning and Yearning {Seonghwa’s birthday smut}

"Is this the right place?" A red-haired man walks in like he owns the place. The casual way his hands are tucked into his front pockets and the wrinkle of his nose says it all: he's used to the world bending for him.

You folded your arms under your breasts. “Did you read the sign outside? It says piercings,” You quipped.

His eyes narrowed down on you and you gasped. He had no whites, only black sclera. His irises, however, were light yellow. He pushed back his hood 

He smirked. “Yeah but I heard this place doesn't discriminate against the Others.”

You laughed nervously. “Ah. Yes. I service all angels and demons.”

The demon’s eyes flit across your piercing salon, not looking at you at all. “Service, huh?”

You swallowed. “Is there anything you're looking to do today?” You pushed forward your catalogue.

He waved away your offer. “I know what I want.”

With that, the demon put one hand on your halfway door, jumped over it and sat in one of your piercing chairs.

“Wait a minute, I have appointments!” You protested.

The demon folded his arms behind his head. “I know. That's why I'm here.”

“Who are you?!” You demanded.

The demon laughed melodically. “Hongjoong.”

You slapped a hand on the chair Hongjoong was leaning back on and leaned in menacingly. “What do you want?”

“A Prince Albert, please,” Hongjoong had the audacity to say in a sweet voice, showing his teeth. “The curved barbell version.”

You hoped the look on your face shows that you're unimpressed. “You are aware that dick piercings are probably one of the most painful procedures?”

“Yeah.” Hongjoong's grin grew wider. “That's kind of the point.”

You threw your hands up in the air, your sign that you were giving up. “What is with you Others coming in here with a pain kink?!”

“Are you having fun with Seonghwa?” 

You froze as you had been reaching for the proper items to wash and clean Hongjoong for his piercing. “...what did you just say?”

“You haven't pierced his dick yet, have you? I hope I'm not too late,” Hongjoong said in a mocking tone.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about,” You said breezily. 

“Maybe a dick piercing is too ugly for the freshly fallen. He probably got something pretty like a belly button piercing,” Hongjoong guessed.

No, but not for the lack of trying, you thought to yourself.

“He did get something pierced here, though, right?” Hongjoong pushed. “Otherwise, why does he keep coming back here?”

You let go of your nitrile gloves with a snap. “I don’t talk about what I do with other clients.”

“Oh, I bet he has all kinds of fun with you,” Hongjoong teased.

“You do realize I have the right to refuse service, right?”

Hongjoong pushed an exaggerated pout. “But you’re one of the good guys. I’m just a demon trying to get a hot dick piercing. You won’t turn me away just because I’m a demon, would you? Imagine the backlash.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I just want what I want, dollface. A dick piercing and for you to ride my face.”

All your tools clattered to the floor. 

“Just kidding. You only provide that kind of service to Seonghwa, I’m guessing. Wheedled his way into your heart did he? He’s good at that.” That last part almost came out softly. 

It was clear this demon knew Seonghwa. Before Seonghwa fell. 

You sat down on a stool and lifted an eyebrow at the demon in your chair. “Do you really want a dick piercing or did you come here to inquire about Seonghwa?”

“Both,” Hongjoong answered cheekily.

You sighed. You had no idea why you thought dealing with a demon would be any different than dealing with a fallen angel.

“Seonghwa is…” You pursed your lips to the side in thought.

How did you describe how Seonghwa was? He seemed… happy? His goals to sin and sin some more were exhausting but you felt the fallen angel had a purpose and you couldn't turn him away with that. You had heard that some fallen angels have a hard time adapting to the human world because they couldn't figure out what exactly to do with the time they had no longer dictated by the big man upstairs. 

“Satisfied?” Hongjoong smirked in response.

You sighed. “Be assured, he’s well taken care of,” You settled for.

“Will you take good care of me?” Hongjoong asked. He folded his arms behind his head, flashing a tattoo. Clearly he was no newbie to pain, unlike Seonghwa.

“I know you Others heal quickly, but please, abstain from all sexual activity until this is healed. If you get infected then my reputation as a piercer will go down,” You cited your warnings as you grabbed new, sterile tools, sweeping the ones from the floor to be cleaned later.

“Surely not all activity,” Hongjoong ribbed you. “I’m not just a taker. I’m a great giver.”

“Not something I needed to know,” You mumbled to yourself. 

You jerked your head at him. “If we’re really doing this, it’s best if you…” The words you had meant to say fell off your tongue as Hongjoong easily removed his black jeans.

Hongjoong was thick and his mushroom head brought out your oral fixation. You quickly removed your gaze and turned around to grab the table that all your tools were on. Ogling your clients before you performed on them was not a professional act. And you were still a professional, despite Seonghwa’s corruption of your practice. 

“It’s not necessary to be erect, you know,” You informed the demon in your piercing chair. “We take that into consideration when we perform this.”

“Why not take the guessing out of the game, hmmm?” Hongjoong practically purred at you. 

You cleaned Hongjoong as detachedly as you could. Then after the solution dried, you marked the spot where you wanted the piercing to come out at the bottom of Hongjoong’s cockhead. “Does that look good to you?”

“I think I just got a glove kink from you handling me,” Hongjoong offered instead.

“Mister Demon Sir, this coming onto me has got to stop. I don’t know what else you heard about this place but Seonghwa was a one-time thing and--”

You froze when Hongjoong gripped your cheeks roughly. “I love a good cat and mouse game as much as the next demon, but dollface, you’re starting to make me think I’m rusty.”

Hongjoong let out a chuckle when your brow furrowed in confusion. “Fuck, you’re cute. I think I know why he picked you.” He let you go with a groan. “I came here for Seonghwa. If you could pierce me, to pay you back, I’ll tell you about Seonghwa before he fell.”

“I’ll pierce you but I don’t need to hear about Seonghwa,” you grumbled.

What the fuck was wrong with you? The way Hongjoong was flirting with you, the way he grabbed your face and growled at you, had made you extremely wet. You were used to being in charge with Seonghwa, but Hongjoong was bringing out your other side. Were you going to become a place that offered side services to your Others clients? Maybe you had to rethink your business strategy.

“Interesting,” Hongjoong mused out loud. “Then how shall I pay you for your services?”

You replace your gloves again, lubing up the receiving tube next. “Money works great. The normal way.”

Hongjoong chuckled at your sarcasm. “You’re not the least bit curious about his past?”

Your lips become a firm line of distaste. “If I need to know, Seonghwa will tell me.” 

You’ve become a little protective of your fallen angel. You weren’t trying to discriminate against Hongjoong, but you felt like he was trying to stir up shit just by coming here.

Hongjoong watched with rapt attention as you inserted the receiver tube into his urethra. 

“I need you to breathe in and then I’m going to pierce you,” You said tightly.

“Bring on the sweet pain,” Hongjoong said with a big grin. 

You nodded tersely, pushing the needle through the marked entry point. Hongjoong giggled at the feeling and you pulled out the receiver tube. It unnerved you for a moment before you lubed up the barbell jewelry. Once you push the barbell in, effectively pushing the needle out, you grab the ball end and screw that on.

“Et voila,” You said with low gusto. 

Hongjoong cocked his head. “Is it pretty?”

You rolled your eyes. You weren’t going to give him that win. You weren’t entirely sure what Hongjoong was looking to get from you, but you were very stubborn in giving him any satisfaction.

Instead, you grab some gauzes and wipe away any of the blood coming up. It’s a dark, viscous fluid, much darker than human blood.

You waved your hand towards the front of your shop. “Now, will you get out of here so I can meet with the rest of my clients that actually bothered to make appointments?”

Hongjoong snapped his fingers with a devil-may-care grin. “It looks like you’re suddenly free.”

You deadpan at him and get up to your laptop. All your appointments are cleared for the rest of the day. You turned and glowered at him. “That’s money you just stole from me. Who the fuck do you think you are?!”

Hongjoong shrugged and snapped his fingers again. “You did require payment, so you can consider this that and then a tip for the rescheduled appointments.”

You opened another tab and checked your bank account and your mouth fell open. “Seriously, who the fuck are you?”

Hongjoong snapped his fingers again. Where once you were standing at your counter, now you were straddling Hongjoong’s face on your piercer chair. “Why, I’m a demon, of course, dollface.”

“Fucking Others,” You growled. 

Hongjoong snapped his fingers and your pants were gone. Hongjoong had a front row view to see your wet spot on your underwear. He chuckled deeply. “You don’t have to beg, you know, I’d be happy to deliver on my end.”

Your body is covered with goosebumps and your nipples harden. If you were being honest with yourself, the way that Hongjoong was coming onto you, despite your deterrents, was turning you on. Your ability to say no was melting away; all you wanted to do right now was grind down on Hongjoong’s pretty nose.

Hongjoong caught his tongue between his teeth teasingly. “Is it time to put my mouth where my money is?” He switched up the saying but you knew exactly what he was getting at.

Throwing all caution to the wind, you decide to hell with it. You didn’t win against Seonghwa and you didn’t think you’d win against Hongjoong. “Do it, Hongjoong.”

The demon took no time in pulling aside your underwear. He blew against the wet flesh and you shivered. “What a pretty pussy.”

You swallowed loudly. “Thank you?”

“I’m surprised you don’t have anything pierced here, however.” Hongjoong’s dark eyes met yours from below you.

“This is as far south as I’m going.”

You lifted your t-shirt to show off your belly button piercing. From it hung a sole dark wing and Hongjoong growled. 

“Not me,” Hongjoong giggled and then wrapped two arms around your legs, pulling you down to his face.

Hongjoong played with your clit, flicking the tip of his tongue against the swollen nerve, making your hips jump at the sensation. He chuckled deeply as your body moved up his face. He held you more firmly and then began a combination of sucking and licking your clit. 

All arguments flew from your head as your lower half grinded down on Hongjoong’s face. You had to brace yourself, hand on the head of the chair, whining and gasping with all the sensations you were getting. 

Thoughts of a cute little clit hood piercing danced in your mind's eye, tinkling as Hongjoong enthusiastically ate you out. You shook your head. This demon was getting in your head.

“You're so beautiful, writhing above me, taking your pleasure from my face,” Hongjoong murmured, sitting back to watch you for a moment.

Was it because he was a demon that you didn't worry about getting dirty with him? Or was it the devilish smile, flashing those perfect pearly whites while under you, that got you dropping your defenses?

 Hongjoong’s ringed hands slithered up your torso enticingly. “I'm going to make you feel so good.”

A finger absentmindedly played with your nipple as Hongjoong flattened his tongue and shook his head back and forth aggressively. 

You cried out as pleasure shot through your nerves once again. All you wanted was to cover Hongjoong’s tongue and face with your slickness. Imagining him grinning with your desire all over his face was too much.

“Hongjoong,” You said his name in a whine.

The demon's eyes seemed to glimmer and say Come for me. You whined his name one more time and did exactly that. You cried out as you came, pussy walls convulsing and Hongjoong stuck his tongue into your hole just to feel you squeeze the wet appendage. You whimpered, not exactly opposed to the feeling but well aware it was in the overstimulation grey area.

Hongjoong snapped his fingers and suddenly he was fully dressed, his newly pierced dick packed away. He had a wet face cloth and almost adoringly cleaned you up. Once that act of service was complete, you found your magically poofed-away pants and put them back on.

“That was…” You really didn't know what to say.

“Just a taste of what hell might be like,” Hongjoong teased.

You cocked your head. “Why are you here and not there?”

Hongjoong ducked his head for the first time tonight, not meeting your eyes. “So Seonghwa gets a free pass for speaking of his past but I don't?”

“Well, I don't know you like I know Seonghwa,” You sputtered in protest.

“That could be arranged.” Hongjoong grinned, and you were starting to find that that devilish smile that you were falling for happened to be a mask of his as well, to cover up what he didn’t want to be looked into. 

“Hongjoong?!”

Your head snapped up as you found Seonghwa hanging around the front of the store. “S-s-eonghwa!” You stuttered.

“Hello, Seonghwa,” Hongjoong said, licking his lips lewdly. “Fancy seeing you here.”

You shot a dirty look towards the demon. “You said you were here for Seonghwa.”

Hongjoong’s lips pressed into the stereotypical kitty-kat smile. “I also said I was here for a dick piercing and for you to sit on my face. Seems like I got everything I wanted after all.”

Seonghwa’s eyes widened. “You gave him a dick piercing?”

“He paid for it,” You mumbled. “I didn’t do it for free.”

“Amongst other things,” Hongjoong smirked.

Seonghwa only had eyes for you, however. “How come you gave him one and wouldn’t let me have one?”

You rubbed your eyebrow tiredly. “Seonghwa, we talked about this. Your libido is so high, you would have me bouncing on your--” Your mouth closed immediately, remembering that Hongjoong was still in the room. “Now that Seonghwa is here, you two can have a nice chat--”

Seonghwa's face was a storm cloud of anger. “We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, Seonghwa, don't be like that,” Hongjoong lamented. “We've shared a human together now. Surely things are diff--”

“You should leave.”

“...Seonghwa?” You had never seen the fallen angel angry.

He pursed his lips, eyes snapping to you and then softening when he saw your face full of apprehension. “Flower, I…”

A brittle laugh came from Hongjoong. “Is this how you are with her? Who is this soft version of one of the angels of revenge?”

Seonghwa’s eyes could have cut with how sharp the look he sent Hongjoong. “I'm not that someone any longer, Hongjoong. And you haven't been that someone in a very, very long time. So drop it.”

Hongjoong’s eyes flashed with his own anger. “Are you exclusive with Seonghwa?”

You giggled nervously. You had a feeling you were about to be caught between a rock and a hard place. “Of course not, Seonghwa doesn't pay my bills.”

Hongjoong licked his lips. “That's not what I meant, sweetheart.”

Your stomach dropped out of your ass at the pet name. The words felt like a betrayal in your mind but you were compelled to speak the truth. “No. We've had no such talk.”

Seonghwa furrowed his eyebrows, unable to follow the conversation. “What are you two talking about?”

Hongjoong grinned like he had just won. “Then I'll be back when my dick piercing is all healed up.”

“Hongjoong…” you raised your hand to halt the demon from walking out of your parlor. “I don't think that's a good idea.”

“Believe me. I'm doing you a favor. If you become attached to him not understanding where you two stand, it'll break your soul apart. I know from experience,” Hongjoong told you quietly, out of Seonghwa's hearing.

The sorrow that poured from Hongjoong’s eyes was devastating. Then, like a mask snapping in place, Hongjoong was grinning once again. “Same time, same place.”

And in a poof of purple color smoke, the snap of Hongjoong’s fingers echoing, the demon was gone. 

The demon had left you to explain everything. Fucking angels AND fucking demons!!!

[lovetheorem]

...

[sysig]

You're still standing off to the side. Somehow, center stage has shifted from under your feet without you realizing, and you're standing in the wings, performing to no one.

Starring Role (Patreon)

[azaracyy]

today, cupimon prays for your happiness too.

[taegularities]

some men are textbook villains fr

[gonzodangerfeels]

Me: no really if you missed even one birth control pill you better double check you aren't pregnant.

[pa-pa-plasma]

fucking hate fighting with people's who's main strategy is straight up lying & screaming & crying until you give up trying to even attempt communicating. just coming up with the most batshit, insane lies they can think of to slander you & they literally just don't fucking stop, like persistence predator shit except they're just doing it to avoid having to take responsibility. what the fuck is going on in that kind of person's brain

[aparticularbandit]

remind me to talk about how i write junko in ttlt and how her analysis ability functions in terms of my concepts of God and predestination vs. free will and also how she is absolutely not a fallen messianic figure and the remnants are not her disciples but also junko maybe definitely did start a cult that may have seen her as a messianic figure.

[gideonisms]

sometimes I like to think that maybe there is an older version of me who has different problems and understands why I was the way I was and is able to have pity for this version and maybe would come back and sit next to me if she could. I'd like for there to be a sexy 40 year old version with silver streaks in her hair and glasses. I'll probably be obsessed with myself if I get that old. I've always wanted to look like the one random lady general from the first 30 minutes of any star wa rs movie

[troublcmakcrs]

//if i had a sp multi, it would consist entirely of characters nobody gives a shit about, like ned, thomas (le petit tourette), and GOD HIMSELF.

[iraprince]

gonna show u guys a little opalescent highlight hack i threw together today

rainbow gradient above your main figure (i usually have all my main figure folders/layers in one big folder, so i can clip gradient maps + adjustments to it!). liquify tool to push the colors around a bit. STAY WITH ME I KNOW IT LOOKS STUPID RN I'M GOING SOMEWHERE WITH THIS

THEN: set it to add/glow (or the equivalent in ur drawing program), lower the opacity a bit, and apply a layer mask. then u can edit the mask with whatever tools you like to create rainbow highlights!!

in this case i'm mostly using the lasso fill tool to chip out little facets, but i've also done some soft airbrushing to bring in larger rainbow swirls in some areas. it's pretty subtle here, but you can see it better when i remove the gradient map that's above everything, since below i'm working in greyscale:

more granular rambling beneath the cut!

u could also just do this with a brush that has color jitter, but what i like about using layer masks for highlight/shading layers is how simple and reversible it makes everything. i can use whatever brushes i want, and erasing/redoing things is super low stakes, which is great when i often approach this stuff with a super trial-and-error approach.

example: have u ever thrown a gradient w multiple colors over an entire piece, set it to multiply etc, and then tried to erase it away to carve out shadows/highlights? it's super frustrating, bc it looks really good, but if u erase something and then change ur mind later, u basically would have to like. recreate the gradient in the area u want to cover up again. that's how i used to do things before figuring out layer masks!! but masking basically creates a version of this with INFINITE undo bc u can erase/re-place the base layer whenever u want.

anyway, back to rambling about this specific method:

i actually have TWO of these layers on this piece (one with the liquified swirls shown above, and another that's just a normal concentric circle gradient with much broader stripes) so i can vary the highlights easily as needed.

since i've basically hidden the rainbow pattern from myself, the colors in each brushstroke i make will kind of be a surprise, which isn't always great -- but easily fixable! for example, if i carve out a highlight and it turns out the rainbow pattern in that area is way too stripey, i can just switch from editing the mask to editing the main layer and blur that spot a bit.

also, this isn't a full explanation of the overall transparency effect in these screencaps! there's other layer stuff happening below the rainbow highlights, but the short version is i have all this character's body parts in different folders, each with their own lineart and background fill, and then the fill opacity is lowered and there's multiply layers clipped to that -- blah blah it's a whole thing. maybe i'll have a whole rundown on this on patreon later. uhhh i think that's it tho! i hope u get something useful out of this extremely specific thing i did lmao

[ktempestbradford]

I have been on a Willy Wonkified journey today and I need y'all to come with me

It started so innocently. Scrolling Google News I come across this article on Ars Technica:

At first glance I thought what happened was parents saw AI-generated images of an event their kids were at and became concerned, then realized it was fake. The reality? Oh so much better.

On Saturday, event organizers shut down a Glasgow-based "Willy's Chocolate Experience" after customers complained that the unofficial Wonka-inspired event, which took place in a sparsely decorated venue, did not match the lush AI-generated images listed on its official website.... According to Sky News, police were called to the event, and "advice was given."

Thing is, the people who paid to go were obviously not expecting exactly this:

But I can see how they'd be a bit pissed upon arriving to this:

It gets worse.

"Tempest, how could it possibly--"

source of this video that also includes this charming description:

Made up a villain called The Unknown — 'an evil chocolate maker who lives in the walls'

There is already a meme.

Oh yes, the Wish.com Oompa Loompa:

Who has already done an interview!

As bad (and hilarious) as this all is, I got curious about the company that put on this event. Did they somehow overreach? Did the actors they hired back out at the last minute? (Or after they saw the script...) Oddly enough, it doesn't seem so!

Given what I found when poking around I'm legit surprised there was an event at all. Cuz this outfit seems to be 100% a scam.

The website for this specific event is here and it has many AI generated images on it, as stated. I don't think anyone who bought tickets looked very closely at these images, otherwise they might have been concerned about how much Catgacating their children would be exposed to.

Yes, Catgacating. You know, CATgacating!

I personally don't think anyone should serve exarserdray flavored lollipops in public spaces given how many people are allergic to it. And the sweet teats might not have been age appropriate.

Though the Twilight Tunnel looks pretty cool:

I'm not sure that Dim Tight Twdrding is safe. I've also been warned that Vivue Sounds are in that weird frequency range that makes you poop your pants upon hearing them.

Yes, Virginia, these folks used an AI image generator for everything on the website and used Chat GPT for some of the text! From the FAQ:

Q: I cannot go on the available days. Will you have more dates in the future? A: Should there be capacity when you arrive, then you will be able to enter without any problems. In the event that this is not the case, we may ask you to wait a bit.

Fear not, for this question is asked again a few lines down and the answer makes more sense.

Curious about the events company behind this disaster, I took myself over to the homepage of House of Illuminati and I was not disappointed.

I would 100% trust these people to plan my wedding.

This abomination of a website is a badly edited WordPress blog filled with AI art and just enough blog posts to make the casual viewer think that it's a legit business for about 0.0004 seconds.

Their attention to detail is stunning, from how they left up the default first post every WP blog gets to how they didn't bother changing the name on several images, thus revealing where they came from. Like this one:

With the lovely and compact filename "DALL·E-2024-01-30-09.50.54-Imagine-a-scene-where-fantasy-and-reality-merge-seamlessly.-In-the-foreground-a-grand-interactive-gala-is-taking-place-filled-with-elegant-guests-i.png"

"Concept.png" came from the same AI generator that gets text almost, but not quiiiiiite right:

There are a suspicious number of .webp images in the uploads, which makes me think they either stole them from other sites where AI "art" was uploaded or they didn't want to pay for the hi-res versions of some and just grabbed the preview image.

The real fun came when I noticed this filename: Before-and-After-Eventologists-Transformation-Edgbaston-Cricket-Ground-1024x1024-1.jpg and decided to do a Google image search. Friends, you will be shocked to hear that the image in question, found on this post touting how they can transform a boring warehouse into a fun event space, was stolen from this actual event planner.

Even better, this weirdly grainy image?

From a post that claims to be about the preparations for a "Willy Wonka" experience (we'll get to this in a minute), is not only NOT an actual image of anyone preparing anything for Illuminati's event, it is stolen from a YouTube thumbnail that's been chopped to remove the name of the company that actually made this. Here's the video.

If you actually read the blog posts they're all copypasta or some AI generated crap. To the point where this seems like not a real business at all. There's very specific business information at the bottom, but nothing else seems real.

As I said, I'm kinda surprised they put on an event at all. This has, "And then they ran off with all our money!" written all over it. I'm perplexed.

And also wondering when the copyright lawyers are gonna start calling, because...

This post explicitly says they're putting together a "Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Experience" complete with golden tickets.

Somewhere along the line someone must have wised up, because the actual event was called "Willys Chocolate Experience" (note the lack of apostrophe) and the script they handed to the actors about 10 minutes before they were supposed to "perform" was about a "Willy McDuff" and his chocolate factory.

As I was going through this madness with friends in a chat, one pointed out that it took very little prompting to get the free Chat GPT to spit out an event description and such very similar to all this while avoiding copyrighted phrases. But he couldn't figure out where the McDuff came from since it wasn't the type of thing GPT would usually spit out...

Until he altered the prompt to include it would be happening in Glasgow, Scotland.

You cannot make this stuff up.

But truly, honestly, I do not even understand why they didn't take the money and run. Clearly this was all set up to be a scam. A lazy, AI generated scam.

Everything from the website to the event images to the copy to the "script" to the names of things was either stolen or AI generated (aka stolen). Hell, I'd be looking for some poor Japanese visitor wandering the streets of Glasgow, confused, after being jacked for his mascot costume.

HE LIVES IN THE WALLS, Y'ALL.

[iceunhie]

voicelines about you: as their lover ! (part 2)

featuring: sunday, aventurine, blade (+ black swan, acheron) [ part 1: dan heng, jing yuan, gepard, kafka, jingliu. ]

notes: well. the long awaited part 2 is here! (i took absolutely wayyy too long to finish this but a lovely anon requested the penacony cast so i just waited until now haha) stay tuned for either a future aventurine fic or a sunday fic tho; reblogs are appreciated! main masterlist.

Sunday

About [Name]: Ah, you speak of my beloved. [Name] has managed to strike your interest as well? Heh, I'm joking. You aren't that type of person, no? ….But yes, my lover truly is quite stellar, if not incomparable. I doubt I'd find anyone in the universe as lovely as I do them.

About [Name]: Smitten Robin often jokes about how my eyes change whenever I see them. ‘Softens like the smitten man you are,’ she says. Well, my sister is hardly wrong about matters of the heart, and to be fair, her words are indeed correct. While I cannot be with them every second of the day, despite my only wish to do so…. I suppose this much is fine. At the very least, this bewitched version of myself shall ward any that dare take [Name] away from me.

About [Name]: Preparation. …My mansion has everything [Name] shall ever desire. As for I, what I only desire is them alone, and for them to be right by my side. When the time is right, what's mine shall also be theirs, and none shall ever separate the two of us again. Should anyone attempt it, well, there's a reason my mansion is built the way it is.

Aventurine

About [Name]: [Name], [Name], [Name].... I see that you too have an eye for priceless treasures. Unfortunately for you, this particular one is already mine to behold. Mm, I wonder how my lover must be faring right now…. Missing them is truly, horribly debilitating.

About [Name]: Unworthy Whenever I think of [Name] being with me, of all people… Sometimes, the thought is unbearable. To think they would care for someone like me…. How truly lucky I am. Or maybe it's the other way around? Hehe, take a guess.

About Topaz: Contradictory Topaz and [Name] get along fairly well, despite her rather obvious dislike for me. Nonetheless, I suppose I can understand why. My lover is irresistibly charming~ Now, does this make me jealous, I wonder…. How about we bet on that?

Blade

About [Name]: Though this sword may be battered and broken, if you harbor any intention of harm towards them, I will not hesitate to brandish this blade.

About [Name]: Mara Infliction When afflicted with mara, the senses are ravaged ceaselessly, muddying the mind—being unable to distinguish ally from foe. This is my path. And yet their face is clear, pure amidst the carnage, alleviating the haze for but a moment. My mind may be overridden with hatred, but I will never forget that feeling of salvation.

(BONUS: Kafka’s Voiceline about [Name] !) About [Name]: Truly A Shame Bladie’s little darling, hm? Definitely a wonder, that one, taming him so easily. Those two are definitely an interesting case, that's for sure. Scary, marastruck Blade and them…. truly a shame. Even I know just how the ending of that particular script will end.

Acheron

About [Name]: …They are my lover, yes. Hm? Tell you more about them? Heh, I think you'd have better luck asking [Name] instead of me. I probably wouldn't even know where to begin.

About [Name]: Keeping Memories Despite the fact of my memories being in less than the best condition, [Name] always tells me about all the exciting things they've come across, whether it be delicious food from various planets, or even the most mundane things like the sound of the rushing water, the sight of fireflies in the night. They truly make everything worth remembering.

(BONUS: Black Swan’s Voiceline about [Name] !) About [Name]: Eye Of The Storm Ah, you speak of that Galaxy Ranger's companion…. The abyss that is her consciousness seems to only become calm in the face of them, akin to the eye of the storm. A shining light in the middle of nothingness—that is something that even she cannot let go of. No wonder Miss Acheron is quite taken with them.

Black Swan

About [Name]: The memories of Memokeepers are sorted into various categories by their importance. As my lover, my memories of them hold the greatest value of all. Such memories…. even if the Remembrance wishes for me to hand them over, I doubt I will ever allow it.

About [Name]: Dancing My proficiency in the act of dancing is all thanks to my continued practice with [Name] on our shared time together. Fufu, ‘dates,’ if you will. Every moment I spend in their arms, swaying to the beat of the music at every turn… those are the memories I wish to forever retain.

About Acheron: Indebted One time, Miss Acheron managed to get lost in the middle of the Reverie Hotel’s halls... as usual. [Name] came across her then, and proceeded to have a lovely chat with her. I owe her a debt for keeping my lover company as I was preoccupied with some matters the Garden of Recollection entrusted to me to relay to the family. Next time, perhaps I should invite her over for some dinner with [Name]....

end notes thanks for sticking around the part 2 (for the ogs who read pt 1) and do look forward to more HSR content in the future! also did i say i love aventurine

© 𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐇𝐈𝐄 : do not repost, copy, or plagiarize my work.

[autisticrosewilson]

De-aging fic where Jason and Dick are both suddenly 18 again. In the height of their angry angst eras, at the same time. And Jason is like "yeah, more or less what I remember" but Dick is like "What the FUCK happened to you I will kill Bruce with my bare hands. I've planted landmines around every inch of amusement mile. Put Talia on the phone immediately"

Bruce is genuinely fighting off assassination attempts left and right from his son's and honestly the only reason he hasn't succumbed is because of Cass and Alfred.

Tim knew of Dick's dirtbag era but he didn't REALLY know the version of Dick that the rest of the kids got was so much tamer they're all perpetually in shock.

Obviously they're all curious about what happened to Jason in the years before he came back but they absolutely are NOT ready for him to actually tell them.

"Yeah, so I planned on killing him but Talia said that I have to have better training first and I think she only said that to distract me but I've stopped trying to argue with her about it. What the fuck are you talking about the Lazarus pit didn't bring shit back I crawled out MYSELF thank you. It did get rid of the catanoia though. Yeah for like three years I was just walking around, literal zombie with less cannibalism. Don't worry the whole thing passed by in like a week for me. Was really weird being 18 suddenly though, y'know one second I'm choking on smoke under the debris 'nd the next I'm clawing out of the ground, I blink and suddenly I'm being dragged out of a Lazarus pit."