#and i'm going to make it everyone's problem

[bluegiragi]

I don't want to sound rude, you may have already answered this question (if so, I'm sorry, I didn't find that answer), but I'm wondering why you're so against AI bots specificly. Obviously, this is a personal matter for everyone, but I'm a little confused by such harshness. Of course, I'm not going to prove anything to anyone, but I just wanted to understand the roots of your position. I really like your work, but to be honest, your last answers have thrown me into a kind of stupor :(

i have an ideological opposition against AI as a whole to be fair. a lot of it comes down to it's environmental impact

Globally, AI-related infrastructure may soon consume six times more water than Denmark, a country of 6 million, according to one estimate. That is a problem when a quarter of humanity already lacks access to clean water and sanitation.  

but i also believe it's inherently anti-human.

In a time when global literacy rates are diving (did you know that half of american adults read at a 6th grade level or below?) , I think it's incredibly short-sighted to be essentially surrendering your ability to write your own emails/essays/messages to an AI, when doing it yourself, despite what online contrarians will say, does have value (emails teach you how to communicate professionally, messages improve your social skills, essays improve your critical thinking skills). In this political landscape, it also feels dangerous to have your ability to read critically by yourself get dampened by AIs which are, at the end of the day, owned by silicon valley billionaires many of whom attended trump's inauguration, which is a good indication of where they lie politically.

Generative AI when it comes to art is also killing culture, removing opportunities for existing artists who are the ones who can extend the ceiling for human creation and helping society devalue art even more even though it's the only thing keeping us all sane. How would you feel if all you had in your life was just school or work, leaving out music, movies, tv shows, books, art? Doesn't art bring enough value to your life that it's worth properly compensating the people responsible for it? Why should we ever encourage or normalise throwing art into a meat grinder and feeding on the approximated soulless sludge it generates?

For AI chat bots, my beef with it is that it's an inherently anti-social product. All it does is remove the need to ever communicate with another person, which is horrible for people's brains. Some people are "falling in love" with their ai chatbot, some people are using their ai chatbots as therapists. The desire for real human connection is getting lost. An AI chatbot also makes RP obsolete, which is a foundational part of fandom which, i always feel like i need to remind people, is based on community. The point is to connect with people! I just fear that the popularisation and normalisation of this technology is going to end up with people shut in their homes their entire life, lost to whatever toxic pipeline their anti-social behaviour inevitably leads them down.

i know people love to play with AI like it's a fad, and it's "not that deep bro" but i think it's shameful and embarrassing to act as if you don't have agency in your life. You can choose to abstain from technology, you can choose to find entertainment elsewhere, you can choose to be a person independent of technology. If all AI went away tomorrow, would you be able to still do your job? Write a story? Read a book and understand its meaning? AI is a product built on instant gratification and entitlement - not to get too deep on an ask about AI chatbots, but i think art, relationships, culture, all of it is worth the journey to get there.

[what-the-fuck-anyway]

"i didn't understand why trans women kept complaining until i read a paper and decided to uncritically apply the part about cis men to trans women! something which, historically, is much more convenient than listening to trans women when they tell me what the problem is completely unproblematic and likely to have good results*! c'mere, everybody and listen up; i figured it out! it's their male socialization!

...uh, i mean, yeah, i guess people do take advantage of the "plausible deniability" to misgender trans women.....

buuuuuut i think the male socialization is probably why they won't shut up about it, mostly. might as well stop engaging with them about it, they're not gonna listen anyway, even though everyone here is participating in good faith™"

be so fucking serious.

you acknowledge in your post that trans women are subjected to purposeful misgendering under the guise of "plausibily deniably" "ungendered" words and forms of address, and still think the main issue is that trans women are too unselfaware to recognize when people "aren't misgendering" us? even though your own argument would mean that cis men are, in fact, still misgendering us when they call us dude? you just gloss over that part in your eagerness to have a way for people who aren't trans women "amab" to be in the right, here?

"could it be that trans women accurately perceive the power dynamics at play and object to the double binds they're constantly placed in, socially, where objecting paints them as hysterical and accepting is used to erode their boundaries and self worth? ...no, it's the trannies 'amabs' who are wrong! they can't help acting like that, it's just what what you should expect from someone who grew up, you know, like they did."

"oh fuck wait people are gonna get angry if they realize my argument can be summed up as 'the problem is that trans women have male socialization' ...i know! i'll describe around that particular turn of phrase, without reflecting on if needing to avoid the words to make my argument is, perhaps, a sign that it's flawed! foolproof. so long as i don't use those words in that order, i don't need to actually change the content of what i'm saying! gosh, this sure is convenient, and surely can't go wrong in any way! everyone knows, needing to launder your arguments so that people don't immediately catch on to what you're saying is a sign of debating in good faith!"

fuck off.

*except for all those times... but it's probably okay this time.

So the "don't call trans women dude" discourse is back on my dash, and I just read something that might explain why it's such a frustrating argument for everyone involved.

TLDR: There's gender-cultural differences that explain why people are arguing about this- and a reason it hurts trans women more than you might think if you were raised on the other side of the cultural divide.

I'll admit, I used to be very much on team "I won't call you 'dude' if it feels like misgendering, but also I don't really grok why it feels like I'm misgendering you, especially if I'm not addressing you directly." But then I read an academic paper that really unpicked how people used the word 'dude' (it's Kiesling (2004) if you're curious) and I realized that the way I was taught to use the word was different from the way most trans women were taught.

... So the thing about the word 'dude' that's really interesting is that it's used differently a) by people of different genders and b) across gender lines. This study is, obviously, 20 years old, but a lot of the conclusions hold up. The gist is, there's ~5 different ways that people use the word "dude":

marking discourse structure- AKA separating thoughts. You can use the word 'dude' to signal that you're changing the subject or going on a different train of thought.

exclamation. You can use the word "dude" the way you'd use another interjection like "oh my god" or "god damn".

confrontational stance mitigation. When you're getting in an argument with someone, you can address them as 'dude' to de-escalate. If you're both the same gender, it's homosocial bonding. If you're different genders, it's an attempt to weaken the gender-related power dynamic.

marking affiliation and connection. Kiesling calls this 'cool solidarity'- the idea is, "I'm a dude, you're a dude. We're just guys being dudes." This is often a greeting or a form of address (aka directly calling someone dude).

signaling agreement. "Dude, you are soooo right", kind of deal.

Now, here's the important part.

When [cis] men use the word 'dude', they are overwhelmingly using it as a form of address to mark affiliation and connection- "hey, we're all bros here, dude"- to mitigate a confrontational stance, or to signal agreement.

When [cis] women use the word 'dude', they're often commiserating about something bad (and marking affiliation/connection), mitigating a confrontational stance, or giving someone a direct order. (Anecdotally, I'd guess cis women also use it as an exclamation - this is how I most often use it.)

Cis men use the word 'dude' to say 'we're all guys here'. It is a direct form of male bonding. If a cis man uses the word 'dude' in your presence, he is generally calling you one of the guys.

Cis women use the word 'dude' to say 'we're on the same level as you; we're peers'- especially to de-escalate an argument with a cis man. Between women, it's an expression of ~cool solidarity~; when a woman's addressing a man, it's a way to say 'I'm as good as you, knock it off'.

So you've got this cultural difference, depending on how you were raised and where you spent time in your formative years. If you were assigned female at birth, you're probably used to thinking of the word 'dude' as something that isn't a direct form of address- and, if you're addressing it to someone you see as a girl, you're probably thinking of it as 'cool solidarity'! You're not trying to tell the person you're talking to that they're a man- you're trying to convey that they're a cool person that you relate to as a peer.

Meanwhile, if you were assigned male at birth and spent your teens surrounded by cis guys, you're used to thinking of 'dude' as an expression of "we're all guys here", and specifically as homosocial male bonding. Someone using the word 'dude' extensively in your presence, even if they're not calling you 'dude' directly, feels like they're trying to put you in the Man Box, regardless of how they mean it.*

So what you get is this horrible, neverending argument, where everyone's lightly triggered and no one's happy.

The takeaway here: Obviously, don't call people things they don't want to be called, regardless of gender! But no one in this argument is coming to it in bad faith.

If you were raised as a cis woman and you're using the word the way a cis woman is, it is a gender-neutral term for you (with some subconscious gendered connotations you might not have realized). But if you were raised as a cis man and you're using the word the way a cis man uses it, the word dude is inherently gendered.

Don't pick this fight; it's as pointless as a French person and an American person arguing whether cheek kisses are an acceptable greeting. To one person, they might be. To another person, they aren't. Accept that your worldview is different, move on, and again, don't call people things they don't want to be called.

*(There is, of course, also the secret third thing, where someone who is trying to misgender a trans woman uses the word 'dude' to a trans woman the way they'd use it to a man. This absolutely happens. But I think the other dynamic is the reason we keep having this argument.)

[cheapshrimpysheep]

Dating in a Dream - Jamil Viper

SUMMARY: What would his dream be like, exactly the same as in the original story, but with the small detail that he is dreaming that you two are dating?

CHARACTERS: Jamil Viper x Reader 🐍🦐

TAGS: Fluff; a little angst; GN Reader; In a Relationship (kinda); Kiss

WARNING: Spoilers from Book 7 and Jamil’s dream (Eng Server)

WORD COUNT: 6.220 words

COMMENTS: This was written as a companion piece to the original dream story, so the parts that are the same as the game are just summarized.

I would also like to say: I kept the endings "sama" and "bocchan" because I thought they would make more sense, and since "sama", from what I researched, is gender neutral it could be used with Yuu. I don't know if Jamil's shawl has a specific name. And I'm not good with color names.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy 🐍

Dating in a Dream: Idia / Epel / Rook / Vil / Kalim / (Jamil) / ...

“Aether signal tracking successful.” Ortho announces. “We have arrived at the designated coordinates.”

Kalim seemed to have enjoyed the dream-to-dream journey, and even compared it to his carpet rides. But Vil didn't look or feel very well. It seemed like some kind of motion sickness specific to those dream travels. Everyone agrees that Vil should rest. Silver and Ortho stayed with him in the shade, while you, Grim, Sebek, Kalim and Idia, or rather his tablet, went for a walk to analyze the world of that dream a little more.

After walking around for a while, Sebek comments that it is as hot as in Kalim's dream. Which is explained by the fact that both dreams take place in Scalding Sands. Kalim recognizes the Camel Bazaar and suggests that you all should buy Vil some coconut juice, it's cold and refreshing and might help him feel better. Grim agrees, but Idia and Sebek fear that this could cause problems because they don't have the local currency. However, Kalim assures that everything will be fine.

Kalim orders, to everyone's surprise (or almost everyone's), TEN coconut juices. The vendor gives him a heap of whole coconuts with an opening at the top and a straw each. Kalim encourages you all to try a sip and you do so. It really felt good in that heat. Kalim prepares to leave with the coconuts when the vendor calls his attention.

“Excuse me, sir! You need to pay.”

“Pay? Sorry, I don't have any cash on me.” Kalim responds too naturally and tells the vendor that he can just bill his house like usual.

But the vendor didn't know what Kalim was talking about. When Kalim told him his name the vendor recognized the name, however...

“Al-Asim, huh? If that's true, that's even less reason to put anything on a tab. You think you can dine and dash at MY stall? You've got some nerve, kiddo!”

“This is going south fast...” You say. “There's no returning the juice now that we've drunk it...” You approach Kalim to talk to him about that situation and that's when the vendor finally sees you well.

“OH! (Y/N)-sama!” The vendor practically stutters your name and completely changes his attitude. “I-I didn't see you were in this group. Are they your friends? I am so deeply sorry for my bad manners. If you don't have money with you either, I can just bill the Viper's house if you'd like.”

“The Viper's house?” Kalim wonders. “Why Jamil's house?”

“Hey! (Y/N)!” Grim whispers loudly at your feet. “Just say yes and get us out of this!”

You accept the vendor's offer and he lets you go with all those coconuts and a smile on his face. But a slightly scared smile. Returning to Vil, Silver and Ortho, you all discuss what happened.

“So, (Y/N) seems to have more power here than Kalim.” Ortho observes. “And apparently they are also somehow connected to Jamil Viper's house.”

“But how?” Sebek wonders. “And why?”

“Well, by the way the vendor reacted when he saw (Y/N)...” Idia says. “I have an idea... but let's analyze this place better first.”

Vil and Ortho exchange glances with each other, probably thinking the same thing as Idia.

“We can start by checking my place.” Kalim suggests. “Jamil's place is on our grounds.”

Arriving at the place where Kalim's house would be, it was deserted... Literally.

“Wh... This can't be right... MY HOUSE IS GONE! The main building, the annexes, Jamil's home, they're all gone! Where'd everybody go?!”

A local resident who was passing by asked if you were tourists and told you that the Asim Palace had a change in ownership years back. The new owner had it relocated to high ground on the outskirts of town. He didn't know who the new owners were, but he know that the Asims had to give up their house after their business failed.

You go look for the palace.

You all go to where the palace was now and Kalim is shocked to discover that it was true that his house really did get relocated to higher ground. And not only that, but it looked like the exterior's been repainted too. The roofs have gone from teal to red, and the walls from white to black.

“Hey!” A Guard suddenly approaches. “What are you kids doing here? This is a private－ ah! (Y/N)-sama! It's you, and Kalim. My apologies, I hadn't recognized you from afar. Jamil-bocchan has been looking for you to go to school together.”

“Jamil?” Kalim steps forward. “Jamil is here?!”

“What kind of question is that? This is where Jamil-bocchan lives... Viper Palace!”

You discover that the one who bought up Kalim's home was Jamil's father, the head of the Viper family. He bought that manor from the Asims when they were in sore need of money, and know the Vipers were the richest family in Silk City.

After the guard's explanation, you hear music coming from somewhere and an elephant emerging through the front gates at the head of a whole parade. You see that the guy riding the elephant was none other than Jamil, wearing a uniform just like the one the fake Jamil wore in Kalim's dream, but this one was red and black instead of turquoise and white.You also see the dreamer's silver bird around his head.

“Make way! Coming through!” Another guard announced. “Make way for Jamil-sama!”

You all step aside.

“Why are YOU making way, Kalim?” The guard who was with you questioned him. “Take this parasol and join the procession!”

Since you were distracted looking at that guard and Kalim, you got startled when you suddenly felt something grabbing you by the waist and lifting you into the air. When that thing finally lets go of you, you are in Jamil's arms and you realize that that thing was the elephant's trunk.

“Where were you, my desert bloom? You are quite late.” Jamil asks you and then looks at your clothes. “Have you been shopping? Hm... no offense, but I've seen you in better clothes.” He smirks.

Jamil lands you on the elephant's back, but you can't stand on your own and cling to Jamil. He laughs.

“You haven't gotten used to it yet, have you? But let me just change those clothes real quick. You can't go to school without a uniform.” He uses his magic pen to turn your NRC uniform into a uniform similar to the black and red clothes with gold jewelry he was wearing. “Much better~” he says in a lower, slightly seductive tone. “Black already looks good on you, but red looks even better.” He grabs you firmly by the waist to hold you, before turning to the people in the procession behind you. “Get marching, and don't break formation!”

“Jamil looks like he's having a ton of fun!” You hear Kalim say right behind the elephant.

“You there, quiet down! Less talking, more walking!” Jamil orders him.

You look back and see two lines, in front of one of them is Sebek, followed by Vil and lastly Silver, in front of the other is Kalim, followed by Ortho and lastly Grim, who you imagine would be complaining.

“So...” You try to chat with Jamil. “How long is the path to school again?”

“Is it just me, or are you more spacey than usual?” He looks at you slightly suspicious. “Unless... Oh, you're asking because you're tired from shopping, aren't you? Well, Jahar Sahir College is on the other side of the city, but the path is straight so you'll see we'll get there in no time. Enjoy the parade.” His watchful gaze returns to the people behind the elephant. “You there － your parasol is drooping. Hold it properly!”

“Whoops, sorry! I'll fix that right away.” You hear Kalim apologize.

Jamil is very suspicious and attentive. If you take too many risks, he might realize that you are not one of the NPCs from his dream. And it’s not a good idea to take that risk more than 2.5 meters above the ground.

Suddenly, in the midst of the euphoria of the moment, Jamil pulls you to lie on his other arm, making you lose your balance and scaring you. Even if you shouted in fright, it was just another scream in the middle of the cheers. Jamil laughs before pulling you back to your feet and grabbing you to hold you steady. If you hug him or cling to him, he will like it even more.

“What was that?!” You ask, it really looked like you were going to fall off the elephant.

“Ha ha ha!” He laughs in a way you don't remember ever seeing. “I just felt like surprising you.” He smirks. “Or maybe it was a little punishment for disappearing on me and arriving so late to the parade.”

And as another surprise he kisses your lips quite lovingly, but only for a couple of seconds. When he breaks the kiss, he laughs at your surprised face.

“I know, I don't usually do this with so much attention on us. But no one will dare tell us anything.” his smile had a hint of menace.

“All right, we're here.” Jamil finally announces. “Parasols closed, elephants to the stables!”

Jamil leads your elephant to a special platform for you to get off, and he helps you, giving you his hand to support you. You look around and see a school just like the school in Kalim's dream, but once again red and black instead of teal and white. And the statue in the fountain was also different. It wasn't the Ruler of the Oasis's, but you recognized this one, it was a statue of the Sorcerer of the Sands, the same man from the Scarabia Dorm.

“We should go look for Kalim.” Jamil bends his arm to invite you to intertwine yours with his. You do so and he starts walking towards the fountain. “Kalim! Where are you?!” He shouts displeased.

“Oh, I'm right here!” Kalim waves with a big smile. “Hello!”

“Don't give me that!” Jamil retorts. “How can you loaf around without looking after your boss...? Wait. What's with that outfit? Did you botch your color-changing magic again?”

It was as if all that joy of his had disappeared as soon as he approached Kalim. It was a little sad to see, both from Kalim and Jamil's side.

“Huh? I didn't botch this.” Kalim explains. “It's supposed to look like the Ruler of the Oasis. Cool, right?”

“The Jahar Sahir College uniform uses traditional red and black colors like what the illustrious Sorcerer of the Sands wore. What were you thinking, bleaching them to your whims? The nerve.” Jamil takes his magic pen and changes the colors of Kalim's clothes to the same as his.

“Ooh, the colors changed! These are pretty nice too, actually. Thanks, Jamil!”

“I think you mean to say, 'Thank you very much, Jamil-sama, sir.’” Jamil corrects with an offended expression. “Honestly... You'll never let go of that pampered rich boy demeanor, will you? Look. The Asim family owes the Viper family more money than you could pay off with a lifetime's worth of work. So you should try to make yourself at least a LITTLE useful to me.”

“Jamil!” You say, as if asking him to moderate his words.

“I know, you don't like it when I'm like this to Kalim, but he needs to know his place.” He looks at you strangely, almost sulking. “You always had a soft spot for him that I never understood.” he addresses the group again. “By the way, who are you people? Jahar Sahir College isn't open for the general public to just waltz in.”

Silver explains that they are from Night Raven College and Vil says that the reason they came to Scalding Sands was a Film Research Club project, but that they had heard so much about Jahar Sahir College that they had to visit it. He said they were looking for the reception and it was shortly after that Kalim spotted them and approached them. Jamil seems suspicious at first, but after thinking about it for a while he supposes there is nothing strange about it.

“Considering their shabby attire and vapid expressions, I'm sure they're simply students.” Jamil murmurs.

“Hey, I heard that!” Grim informs.

“Oh dear, I beg your pardon.” Jamil says smugly. “I let my inner voice slip out there...”

“Wait a minute...” Grim notices the way Jamil talks to him. “You don't recognize me?”

“Recognize you?” Jamil repeats, confused. “My apologies, but I don't remember ever meeting a little beast like you.”

“WHAT?! You know (Y/N) but you don't know me?!”

“What does one thing have to do with the other?” Jamil turns to you. “Do you know this strange cat?”

As Grim complains that he's not a cat, you think about what to say. But what should you say? That you don't know him? That you met him once? But when? And how? The more time you let pass, the more suspicious Jamil would become.

“We crossed paths with (Y/N) before the parade.” Vil saves you. “I think Grim developed a special liking for them after meeting them.”

You see Grim look surprised at that excuse and then lower his ears a little sad, reluctantly accepting his new role in Jamil's dream.

“I can see why.” Jamil smirks. “I've never met anyone who wasn't enchanted by (Y/N). Which is ironic coming from someone who is not a mage. Allegedly.” He looks at you with that mischievous smile and raised eyebrow.

“Forgive my indiscretion if so.” Ortho says. “But would I be correct in concluding that you two are a couple?”

“Yes, you would.” Jamil answers casually.

“However, you said that they are not mages, but they are students of Jahar Sahir College?”

“An exception was made due to personal circumstances.” Jamil said defensively. “Nothing you need to... worry about.” He finished in a slightly threatening tone despite the smile. “Returning to the subject of your visit. As the student council president, I would be a far more fitting person to show you around campus than Kalim.”

“Oh, truly?” Vil smiles. “How fortunate for us to receive hospitality straight from the student council president himself.”

“I wouldn't want Kalim giving them the impression that our students are subpar.” He mutters.

Jamil says that, personally, he is interested in hearing about Night Raven College. He knows about the Dark Mirror and says that Scalding Sands also has long been a flourishing producer of magical artifacts.

“There's the Magic Flying Carpet, the Great Serpent Staff, the Hourglass of Clairvoyance...” He looks at you for a split second with a smile on the corner of his mouth, when talking about the hourglass. “And the Magic Lamp.”

Jamil says that the Sorcerer of the Sands himself employed such artifacts in his great deeds, and that to this day many people in Scalding Sands, including students from Jahar Sahir College and Jamil himself, are interested in them. He also brags about his family's treasure being bursting with artifacts collected from all over the world.

“I'd love to hear more about the ones housed at your school.”

“Ooh, wow! You liked (Y/N)? I had no idea!” Kalim says. “I'm so happy for you two. And you're the student council president? That's great, Jamil!”

“Why are you acting like this is the first you've heard of it? Not only do you GO to this school, but you and (Y/N) are friends. Now stop standing around and prepare a proper reception for our guests”

“Whoops! Right, I'm supposed to work for Jamil. Okay, a proper reception means a party, right? I got this!”

Kalim starts by asking someone to prepare a party, until Jamil reminds him that this was HIS job. Then Kalim says that a party needs drinks, but instead of going to the kitchen to get some, he uses his signature spell, Oasis Maker, to make it rain.

“You fool!” Jamil says to Kalim as he uses his own shawl to cover you and try to keep you from getting too wet. “Who goes around spraying water without any warning?!”

“We'll need food, too.” Kalim continues, oblivious to what Jamil was saying. “I'll go grab some food from the kitchen! Be right back!” The rain dissipates as he runs away towards the interior of the main building.

“What's gotten into him?” Jamil mutters again. “He's never been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's usually not THIS bad.”

“Maybe he's just too excited that we have guests from so far away?” You suggest.

“Trying to alleviate his incompetence as always.” he mutters to you, slightly disapprovingly, before turning back to the others. “Ahem... I'm sorry you all had to see that.”

“Please, don't worry about it at all.” Silves tells him.

“Here you are, Jamil - uh, I mean, Jamil-sama!” Kalim comes back. “I brought a bunch of your favorite foods. Look! I've got a whole pot of curry, some dates... Oh, and lots of silky melons! Where should I put them?”

“I had a bad feeling, but seriously... Who brings the food out before they even set out rugs and tables?! This is beyond bad. You're utterly useless!”

“Ah hah hah! Sorry about that! I've never done this sort of things before.” Kalim apologizes, good-humored as always. “Jamil-sama, could you hold the pot of curry? (Y/N), Grim, you hold the dates and melons.”

“Mrah! Don't plop a whole pile of melons on my head!” Grim appeals unsuccessfully. “Geez, this is heavy!”

“Okay, I'll get some rugs next!” Kalim announces excitedly and runs away again.

“Hey, wait! What kind of staff makes their bosses and guests do the work?!”

“I thought you hated dates.” You say, looking at the large basket full of them that Kalim passed into your hands.

“And I do.” Jamil confirms. “At least someone remembers. Ahem... I'm so sorry about this.” he apologizes to Grim too. “I'll keep the dishes levitated with magic. You don't have to hold them.”

“Ooh, it's all floatin' now.” Grim says relieved. “That's much better!”

“Ugh, that dimwit gets on my last nerve. Mom and Dad are far too lenient. And so are you.” Jamil tells you.

“I see you don't like that about me.” You concluded as the others spoke amongst themselves.

“It's not that I don't like that side of you and you know it. But there are people who don't deserve it.”

“Well, I think Kalim deserves it.” You defend him.

“How stubborn.” Jamil sighs. “But I'd be lying if I said I disliked it. Depending on the situation, it's quite attractive.” he smirks.

You didn't know, but while the two of you were talking about Kalim, the others were also talking among themselves about Jamil and you.

Grim wondered if Malleus's spell wasn't supposed to be giving people happy dreams, but Jamil was in a snit, he didn't seem all that happy to him. The Shroud brothers concluded that this dream followed the same pattern as Vil's dream. Kalim was a source of stress for him, just like Neige was to Vil. But Kalim exerts an outsized influence over Jamil's personality and capabilities in reality. Removing a figure that influential would make the dream more prone to major paradoxes. Unlike Grim, and maybe that's why Jamil didn't remember him.

“Nonetheless...” Ortho sees Jamil smiling at you, even after that silly little argument. “He seems pretty happy with (Y/N).”

“True, he seems more relaxed with them.” Silver agrees.

“We must not deviate from the main point!” Sebek reminds them. “We need to make Jamil realize this is a dream as quickly as possible!”

“Right.” Silver agrees. “Between this place and the bazaar, Jamil's definitely got a strong imagination. I don't think a simple shock would do the job. How do we approach this...?”

Kalim returns, saying he went to Zahab Market and got some nice pieces from the rug merchant. Vil comments that those "nice pieces" look like they'd cost an arm and a leg. Jamil finally seems satisfied with Kalim's work, taking the opportunity to boast again about his family being the richest and most influential in the city.

“Anyway, check this out! Doesn't this carpet take you back?” Kalim shows him a carpet almost identical to the flying carpet of his that you knew, but instead of red, this one was purple.

“Take me back? Why would it?”

It was a regular, unenchanted replica of the flying carpet. Kalim talks about a time when the two of them and his father went to a rug merchant, Kalim thought it was a real flying carpet, spread it out on the ground and walked right onto it. That got him a scolding.

“How could I forget? The look on that merchant's face when you stepped on a vintage silk carpet with your muddy shoes－HRK!” The dream world begins to distort. “Wait... I would never take someone as overeager as Kalim to a high-end store. Rgh... What's going on?! I suddenly feel dizzy...”

Seeing Jamil wavering, the others encourage Kalim to keep talking. Kalim remembers a time when they snuck out of the manor to visit the Camel Bazaar and drank coconut juice together, but Jamil says that Kalim was the one sneak out on his own and Jamil had to scramble after him. Then he remembers a time, just before they enrolled in Night Raven College, when Jamil used his signature spell to make the bad guys fight each other to get him and Kalim out of trouble. But this time Jamil insisted that he didn't know what he was talking about.

Kalim says that he was always the best and most dependable friend he could have, and that he trusted everything would work out just fine as long as he left it in Jamil's hands. But he was the only one of them who felt that way and now he know that Jamil hated it all along.

“That's why you used (Y/N), Grim, and the students in Scarabia to try and get me kicked out and sent home, right? Winter break sure threw me for a loop. I was super crushed when you betrayed me and told me you hated me.”

“Used (Y/N)?! How dare you... I would never... I... I did... What I did... That Winter break...? Betrayed? Augh! My... My head!”

The world distorts a little more.

Kalim says he doesn't know what Jamil is thinking, but he knows that the person he is right now isn't the person he really wanted do be. He wanted to be the best version of himself, but that isn't this.

“Remember who you truly are!” Kalim transforms his clothes into his Scarabia Housewarden uniform, which makes Jamil start to remember.

“What was that scene just now? It shouldn't be familiar to me, but... it is. The... The real me is...”

“JAMIL-SAMA!” You hear someone shout, and a second Kalim, wearing a Jahar Sahir College uniform, appears running.

“There are two Kalims!” Silver says. “That means...”

“Yes, it must be the darkness.” Vil completes.

“Jamil-sama, when I heard you went to school earlier than usual. I scrambled to catch up...” Fake Kalim says, worried. “Oh no, how could this be?! Please, hold on! I'll get you to a doctor! Guards! GUARDS!”

The ground was painted black and Jamil began to sink rapidly into darkness, surrounded by a dark fog that prevented him from seeing you all well. And guards of black goop formed to prevent you from approaching them.

“Kalim...?” Jamil says with some difficulty.

“Yes, that's right. I'm the real Kalim, your loyal retainer.”

“Huh? Jamil, look again! That's not me!” the real kalim tries to warn him.

“He's an assassin sent to end you.” the fake Kalim tries to convince him “Don't listen to a word he says.”

“Wait...” Jamil looks directly at you with heavy eyelids struggling to stay open. “(Y/N)... they...”

Black goop rises from the ground and forms a figure, a perfect copy of you, also wearing Jahar Sahir College's uniform.

“I'm right here, my love.” your copy tells him. “They had the nerve to impersonate your beloved as well. But I'm here now. The real me. The real (Y/N). Look in my eyes. As long as you stay here, you can be a ruler forever. Money, land, freedom, love... Everything is yours!”

“Yes... That's the truth...” Jamil gives in. “You're absolutely right, both of you...”

“Wait! Trust us, not them!” Kalim shouts again. “JAMIIIL!”

But none of that stopped the darkness from swallowing Jamil.

“Stop disturbing Jamil-sama's sweet dreams, you street rats!” The false Kalim commands you.

“As if we'd listen to you!” Sebek retorts. “Let's do this!”

You all change your clothes and fight the darkness. And after defeating it, Kalim jumps into the pool of black goop without hesitation behind Jamil, followed by all of you.

When you open your eyes again, you see that you’re in the Hallway of Scarabia Dorm. By the red light that dimly illuminated the place and the dark fog, you realized that it was the same scenario as when Jamil overbloated. Suddenly, you hear a creepy laugh you've heard before and you all go to the lounge.

“I did it... I finally got Kalim ousted from school and claimed the position of housewarden for myself!” Jamil is the center of attention in the room, wearing his drom uniform, and had that psychopathic smile on his face. “Bring on the food and drinks! This calls for a celebration. The foolish king is gone, and the true power behind the throne has risen in his place!”

While the Scarabia students follow his orders, you see Azul next to Jamil with that red glow in his eyes.

“Wait a minute, those eyes...”

“Hey, (Y/N). You put it together too, right?” Grim tells you in a whisper. “Looks like Azul ain't fakin' it like he did during winter break. He's really under Jamil's control.”

Most of the dorm's students, who were all actually the darkness in disguise, were gathered in the lounge. You were decidedly outnumbered. Idia says that the best thing would be to get into a more advantageous position and make a surprise attack, so you will quietly make your way behind the students and then launch a coordinated strike on cue. Silver says that Idia should give the signal and the others would carry out the attack.

“Ahh, I feel on top of the world. So this is freedom! How sweet it is.” Jamil keeps chattering. “The biggest thorn in my side, Kalim, is gone. Azul has fallen into my hands.” he looks to his right side to see Azul standing right there. “And (Y/N)...” He looks to his left side, but finds no one. “...is trying to escape again? *sigh* Bring them back to me!” he orders the Scarabia students.

Silver pulls you behind a pillar and you all hide.

“Mrah! What do we do now?!”

“Hand (Y/N) over.” Idia says to everyone's surprise.

“What?! Have you gone insane as well?” Sebek protests as quietly as he can. “What about the surprise attack?”

“Listen, if Jamil really likes (Y/N) he won't hurt them.” Idia explains. “And (Y/N) can help distract him and provide a more effective surprise attack.”

Sebek, Silver and Grim are reticent, but you are the one who takes the initiative and gives yourself to the Scarabia students while the others remain hidden. Two students hold you by the arms and take you to Jamil. And to your surprise, as soon as they let go of you the darkness forms shackles around both of your wrists.

“It pains me to see you reduce to this, (Y/N).” Jamil tells you and pulls you by the chains of the shackles to bring you closer to him. “But you insist on resisting me. Oh, and those clothes... Let's give you more suitable ones, shall we?” He uses his magic pen to turn your NRC uniform into a Scarabia Dorm uniform. He laughs with satisfaction. “A beautiful desert bloom such as yourself should be on the arm of the most powerful housewarden in Night Raven College. What do you say, my dear? Why refuse to be my new Vice Housewarden, and partner?”

“To be honest... I also have a crush on you, Jamil.” you admit and he smiles, too pleased. “But not this version of you. The real you. Or rather, the best version of you, that I know exists behind this senior psychopath.”

“The... real... Hrk!” his head hurts and the world distorts a little, but Jamil pushes you, making you stumble and fall to the ground.

“I'll teach you some respect... but until then...” he orders that the Scarabia students grab you by each arm and lift you up. “Let's just calm that rebelliousness of yours for a while.”

As the students hold you by the arms, he holds your chin to make you look at him. You knew what he wanted to do to you and struggled to keep him from using Snake Wisper on you. You are saved by Kalim, who attacked Jamil before the signal with a solid blow.

“Wh... Kalim?! What are you doing here?!”

Silver and Sebek attack the students who were holding you and free you from the shackles by breaking them.

“(Y/N), are you okay?” Silver asks you, holding you in his arms in case you need a little comfort.

“Huh? I don't understand...” Sebek says. “The students aren't attacking us...”

“YOU BIG DUMMY!” You hear Kalim say.

“D... Dummy?!” Jamil responds in disbelief.

“The biggest one there is!” Kalim punches him again. “How can you treat (Y/N) like that?! I may not have realized you liked them, but I know you would never do these things to them. You don't want to force them to like you. You want them to like you for who you are. That's why you started getting nervous whenever we met with (Y/N), right?

“Nervous? ... Hrk!”

The dream world begins to distort as he remembers the first time he felt good around you and then begins to worry if you secretly hated him for what he did to you and Grim on Winter break.

“You don't want to use them, you don't want to deceive them.” Kalim continues. “And the same applies to competing with others. What you wanted wasn't a prize earned through dirty trickery! And you know it! Wake up right this instant, Jamil!”

“What I wanted? ...Hrk!”

The world distorts again with another memory: Jamil telling Kalim to shut up! Telling him not to give him orders! That he was through following other's orders! That he was going to BE FREE!

“Argh, you keep trying to tell me my business...” Jamil says, annoyed. “What would someone as oblivious as you even know about me?!” he punches Kalim.

And the two of them begin to fight while insulting each other. Until the insults are reduced to one adjective at a time between punches. Cynic, Imbecile, Jerk, Airhead, Blockhead...

“Such childish bickering...” Sebek comments. “The other students and Azul are all pawns made from darkness, but they're just standing there staring.”

He suggests that you aid Kalim, but Silver stops him.

“Let them get it all out of their systems.” Silver says. “Sometimes a fist fueled by emotion is more effective than any words. ...It definitely was for me.” He gives a small smile.

After some time of fighting, Kalim starts laughing.

“Huh? What could you possibly have to laugh about right now?” Jamil questions.

“Y'know, Jamil... I think this is the first time in our 17 years together that we've ever fought like this!”

“What?! Well, obviously! If I beat you up in reality, it would spell disaster for... Ah?!” The world distorts again. “Gaaah! Augh! It hurts... My head! In reality...? Why did I say that? Rgh, augh...!”

“That's right. This is all just a dream! Please, Jamil, remember! Remember the real you!”

“Right... That day... What I did to you... What I did to... Ah, aaagh...” Jamil remembers what happened on winter break, the dream shatters and he wakes up. “Heh. Haha... Ahahaha... That's right. I failed to oust you that day.”

Kalim celebrates that you all managed to wake up Jamil, but after a little chit-chat the ground starts to shake and fissures began opening all over the place. The dream was starting to break down because Kalim wasn't supposed to exist in it.

Idia warns everyone to get out of the dream as quickly as possible, but then the floor started giving out beneath Kalim. Jamil dove in to save him and the darkness began to dragging him in. Kalim grabbed Jamil to try to get him out of there, but Jamil told him to leave him and punched him when Kalim refused to do so. If you had also tried to help Jamil, he would have just push you too. And Jamil was swallowed by darkness.

When you returned to the dream after the Shroud brothers informed you that it was safe, you landed in Jahar Sahir College. And when you see Jamil he is wearing his Scarabia uniform. Kalim ran to hug him but Jamil dodged successfully.

You and Silver say you're glad he made it back, and Jamil says that he owe all of you a great deal before asking if someone could please fill him in on what was going on.

After the Shrouds show him the explanatory video he says he gets the general gist, and admits that he wasn't entirely sure the rest of you weren't more illusions he subconsciously conjured up, but he never would have thought of the cheat tools idea that Idia came up with. And continued talking about the possibility that it was part of Malleus' spell but it didn't make sense to bring it up to him at all, if that were the case.

“So it's probably safe to accept that all of you aren't illusions created by me or Malleus.” Jamil finally concludes.

“Dude, you were questioning our whole premise...” Idia comments.

“Why wouldn't I, after having my mind, my memories, and my whole world rewritten? But... if you're all real that means...” Jamil looks at you and starts to get worried. “W-when exactly did you get here?”

“Some time before you appeared riding an elephant at the start of the parade.” Ortho answers.

“Yes, we were even part of it!” Kalim adds smilingly. “It was super fun!”

“S-s-so... those people at the parade...” Jamil stutters as the panic grows. “T-the person w-who was with m-me on top of the elephant...”

“Aaaall that until we lost you to that black goop after our fight.” Kalim adds, oblivious to the main point.

“So... that means... that (Y/N)... that whole time...”

“Jamil Viper, please breathe.” Ortho asks him. “I am detecting worrying imbalances in your aetheric structure.”

“Jamil looks like he's going to explode with embarrassment.” Idia says. “I don't even know if that's possible in a dream, but I'd rather not find out.”

You realize the best thing to do is to calm him down, he was unable to say a single word anymore. You take his hands, tell him everything is okay and ask him to breathe.

“I-I-I'm really sorry...!” He says still in panic and almost petrified. “I-I don't know why I did that... I-I didn't want to... I didn't...”

You hug him and feel how tense all the muscles in his body are.

“It's okay. I don't blame you.” You say in a whisper close to his ear. “We don't control our dreams. If you remember what happened, do you remember what I told you?”

“W-what did you tell me?”

You confess that you like him too and that you knew that wasn't the real him. Maybe you even say that you’re willing to forget all that and start over as it should be when you return to the real world.

You then feel Jamil’s muscles begin to slowly relax. Until he reciprocates your hug, is as gentle as it is strong.

“I'm sorry...” He apologizes in a whisper, probably the most sincere you have ever heard or will ever hear from him.

“Aww, GROUP HUG!” Kalim says excitedly.

“NOOO!” Everyone else grabs him and stops him from joining you.

“My goodness, Kalim!” Vil scolds him. “You really need to learn how to interpret social insights.”

When you break the hug, he still tries to look you in the eyes, but can't. You chuckle and cup his face to make him look at you.

“Ironic.” You say with a reassuring smile. “You being the one who doesn't want to look into another person's eyes.”

A small smile begins to form on his lips and he brings a hand to one of the ones you have on his face. He looks at your lips for a second and when he sees you smiling connivingly, he kisses you.

A kiss that lasts until Grim loudly clears his throat. As soon as Jamil breaks the kiss and looks at the others, remembering that they exist, he... isn't embarrassed. He smiles smugly at them, still holding you.

“Hey, last time I checked, it was still my dream.”

If you would like to read more from me, you can find it in my pinned post: INDEX

[factual-fantasy]

I've been thinking about adding Skywarp and Thundercracker to my AU for a while now. :0 I'm thinking the two of them and Screamer will be a set of triplets. Not clones or drones or whatever else they may be in other continuities. Any other "seekers" or "flight frames"...? Will not look identical to the trio.

(These are a little batch of test redesigns. I have a looot more passes to do before I'm satisfied! <XDD)

And then Jetfire... I've thought about adding him which is why I've drawn this scene for fun, buuuuuutt ultimately I don't think Jetfire has a place in my AU. It leaves too many plot holes and angst in its wake.

(A ramble on why Jetfire wont work is below! <XD)

The first reason why I don't think Jetfire (aka Skyfire) can exist in my AU, is because of this paragraph from his wiki:

"Millions of years ago on Cybertron, before the war, Skyfire and Starscream were good friends and fellow scientists. On a mission of exploration to prehistoric Earth, Skyfire was lost in a storm. Starscream searched, but there was no sign of his comrade. He returned home."

Now, Optimus does say that Earth and Cybertron have been intertwined for what seems like forever. But -unless there's something I don't know/remember- no living cybertronian ever set foot/made any contact with Earth in any way until AFTER the war began. So how and why did Starscream and Jetfire go to Earth before the war? It conflicts with canon.

The second reason is a simple one really. While it may have worked in G1, I cannot find a logical explanation as to HOW Jetfire was still alive and could be reactivated after crashing into the Arctic. It not like he was put into stasis on purpose and kept in a special pod in the warm desert, like Skyquake. He CRASHED into the ARCTIC. So not only was he wounded but there was literally a WHOLE EPISODE in Prime about how the cold has devastating effects on the cybertronian body. Within HOURS of being there, Optimus Prime and Arcee were literally about to die. There is just no way Jetfire logically survives in this continuity..

And lastly, there's where the story would go afterwards. And I don't like what I see. :(

You see, if I bring Jetfire into my AU, I want him to stay friends with Starscream and stay with him. But making that happen requires me to break at least something from canon.

Option 1: Jetfire stays with the Decepticons and supports their cause. Which wont work because his whole story arc is being an ex-con who doesn't agree with what their doing-

Option 2: Starscream has a redemption arc and joins the Autobots with Jetfire. This is a problem because I would want Thundercracker and Skywarp to go with them. And tbh I don't think any of the screamers can be redeemed. They're cons to their core. To make them switch sides would feel too forced. Plus I like the 3 idiots being cons and getting on Megs nerves XD

Option 3: The timeline is the same as G1. Jetfire splits from the cons and joins the Autobots, leaving the triplets behind. This is obviously sad and I don't want that. 🫸

So with that all laid out, I have Jetfire in the bleachers for now. If I can find a way to solve all 3 of these problems then I'll add him to my AU in a heart beat. And everyone is welcome to correct me on any of these if I got the facts wrong or if you have any ideas on how to bring him into my AU! :0 I want to add him I just don't see a satisfying way to do it yet.

Thank you for reading! :)))

[keirareidss]

father figure - a.h

♡ summary: reader has never had a good relationship with her father, so when hotch shows up for her, she's not quite sure what to do

pairing: father figure!aaron hotchner x fem!artist!reader (platonically!)

warnings: reader has a bad relationship with her family, crying, tooth rotting fluff, inspired by the episode in the office where Michael goes to Pam's art show

wc: 1.5k

You sat on the plane wringing your hands anxiously. The team had just finished a big case in Orlando. It wasn't as bad as usual, leaving the team tired but not traumatized. You were nervous for your art show coming up at the local exhibition hall. You wanted the team to come and see your art because you didn't have anyone else to show up for you. Your family never supported your art, your mom claiming that it just distracted you from your schoolwork and your dad saying that you'll never go anywhere in life. Just ask them. Just ask if they want to go. Just ask.

"Hey-" You cut yourself off, clearing your rough throat. "Uh, does anyone want to come see my art show this weekend?" You asked the team.

"I can appreciate good art." Rossi smiled, reliving some of the tightness in your chest.

"Ooh, I am definitely in." Penelope chimed in.

"I'll try to come." JJ said, glancing at you for a second before going back to typing on her phone.

"Great, I'll uh- I'll text you guys the time." You said, feeling a lot lighter than before. Your team would support you. They were like your family. Of course they'd say yes, they're all great people.

You couldn't wait for your art exhibit. You've been doing art since you were young, a way of coping with your... family problems. It was, as your therapist said, a way to process your emotions. You expelled what you felt onto the canvas and once you were done, being able to step back and look at the piece as a whole, it felt good. Relieving.

Once you got back home, you texted the BAU group chat the time and place of your exhibition. You could barely sleep that night, anxious for the weekend.

It was crowded. Crowds make you anxious. You couldn't help it. Maybe it stemmed from the time your parents left you at the mall and you waited in the crowds of people for them to come back. It took over an hour for them to realize you were even gone.

You looked around the art exhibit, hoping for any glimpse of your friends. After an hour had gone by, you were leaning against the wall, insecurely tugging at your dress. Were you too dressed up? Everyone else was wearing jeans. Was the hem of the dress too short? You were feeling entirely self conscious and it sucked. So far, only two people have come up to completely see your work. One, a sweet old woman who complimented you art and the second, a couple whose conversation you overheard when coming back from the bathroom.

"It just feels bland. Like, there's no emotion."

"Yeah, I get that. Like if you're not even going to try, then why make art in the first place."

"Honestly." He rolled his eyes and they walked away from your art. You crossed your arms over your body.

After nearly three hours and no other visitors, you decided to give up. You pushed off the wall, turning to take down your failed art exhibit when you heard a voice behind you.

"Am I late?" You turned to find Hotch, dressed more casually than at work but still made up nicely. "I'm sorry, Jack didn't want to go to bed." He gave you an apologetic smile. "Did everyone else already leave?" He asked when you didn't say anything.

"Um..." His gaze moved to the art pieces behind you.

"Wow. Are these yours?" He asks, stepping closer to look at your art.

"Yeah." You said dumbly.

"They're amazing. I bet Rossi liked this one, huh?" He chuckled, pointing to one of your pieces. You stayed silent. "These are really good. You're very talented." He said, turning to you with a soft smile.

"Thank you." You stammered out. His expression fell slightly.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, noticing your shifty demeanor.

"No. No, I'm fine." You said. Hotch looked around, noticing how empty the exhibit seemed, many of the guests having cleared out by now.

"Has it been this empty the whole time?"

"No, it was a lot busier earlier in the night."

"Did you get a lot of guests?" He asks, his head tilted slightly.

"Uh... a few." You lied. Hotch stared at you for a few seconds and you immediately knew he was profiling you. Before you could tell him to cut it out, he spoke.

"None of them showed up, did they?" He asked and you knew he was talking about the team.

"Um..." You trailed off and Hotch sighed.

"I'm sorry." He began to apologize and you shook your head.

"Oh, no, it's fine."

"They shouldn't have stood you up-"

"No, really, it's- it's fine." You said, crossing your arms as if to shield yourself from his pity. He says your name in that gentle way of his that always makes your eyes well up with tears. "I'm used to it."

"That makes it worse." Hotch said, his voice incredibly soft.

"I'm fine." You chuckle wetly, surprised at how quickly you started to get emotional. He steps closer, putting a gentle hand on your arm. "It's okay." You said, blinking quickly to push the tears back. You look down at your shoes, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh, honey." Aaron pulls you closer, wrapping his arms around you. Your arms circle his torso, burying your face in his chest.

"I'm sorry." You cried.

"Sweetheart, why are you sorry?"

"... I don't know."

"It's okay." Hotch holds you tight, letting you cry into his chest. Once your eyes were dry, you pulled away, wiping your cheeks and looking guiltily at the small stain on his shirt from your tears.

"Sorry." You mumbled.

"It's alright. I'm sorry no one showed up. They're missing out." You just waved him off but he continued. "Really. Your art is extraordinary."

"Thank you." You murmured. "But, um, I think I'm just going to go." You said, moving to take your art down.

"Let me help you." Hotch said. He was extremely careful when peeling your pieces off the wall. You packed them all up and carried your bags out, Hotch insisting to take some of them. He held the door for you like a gentleman and stood on the sidewalk with you. "Did you drive here?"

"Uh, no, but I'll get an Uber or something." You said, attempting to get your phone from your purse.

"No, let me give you a ride. Please."

"Oh, Hotch, no-"

"Please. It's the least I can do." He was already putting your bags into his backseat. You sighed and got into the passenger side. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Aaron spoke up again. "If I may... why didn't your family come?" He asks, wincing immediately as he realized how nosy he was being. "I'm sorry, that- you don't have to answer that, I shouldn't have-"

"No, no. It's fine. Um... my parents haven't always been very supportive of my art. They always said it would take me nowhere in life."

"I'm sorry."

"No, please, it doesn't matter. They were right." You stared out the window, avoiding his gaze. Hotch didn't know what to say. He'd had his fair share of family troubles, sure, but they were his. He could deal with them internally. He hasn't had much experience with comforting other people in this area. He'd always wanted to make sure that his own son, Jack, never felt that way towards him. He needed to be better than his own father.

"I'm sorry." He says your name reverently. "I'm sorry that you had to deal with that and I'm sorry you don't think you're good enough. You are. Your work is amazing. Excuse my language but, it was shitty of the team to not show up for you when you needed them."

"It's fine. They're probably just busy." Aaron shakes his head.

"You don't always have to brush everything off. I know you think that if you act like you don't care it won't matter but I also know that you still feel it. Deep down, you're still disappointed." Your eyes were welling up again. Hotch reached over the console to take your hand in his, squeezing it. You stayed silent until the car pulled up outside your place. You got out, grabbing your stuff from the backseat. Hotch got out as well, pulling you into a hug. "I'm proud of you." He murmurs into your hair. "I'm so proud."

[midnightshindig]

i hope that’s not too distressing of a scenario but i wanna know how would mark, cecil, donald, rex and allen react to accidentally making you cry during an argument! god knows they’re capable of doing that lmao

Allen, Cecil, Donald, Mark, and Rex x Reader: Making you Cry

ngl if a man ever made me cry during an argument i'd hit him with my car

hcs under the cut!

Allen

like legit the most gentle dude alive

He fucks up sometimes because he treats you like an equal, and forgets that not everyone can take a verbal lashing like he can

You probably get into an argument about his job, telling him that you don't like him almost dying all the time

"What? You think I should let thousands of people die for YOUR comfort?! You don't get how much bigger this is! This is more important than you!"

it sends you over the edge, tears spilling down your puffy cheeks

It hurts to have something true said so hurtfully

he immediately caves, apologizing profusely and putting an arm around your shoulder

"Heyyy.... heyyyyy shh shh shhhhhh, I'm sorry- I'm so sorry baby I shouldn't have said that-"

he hates seeing a pretty person cry <3

Cecil

lowkey a menace ngl

He doesn't like making you upset but he's RIGHT and he's not willing to lie for the sake of your feelings

Like Allen, you probably fight about his job

"Y/n, let me make it crystal clear, if it comes down between my job and my relationships, you're welcome to leave."

"So what? I'm not allowed to have problems without you disregarding them?! That's not a relationship, Cecil. I'm not convenient for you."

He groaned, leaning into his hands "God don't I know. Trust me, Y/n, you're the furthest thing FROM convenient with these tantrums."

his words stung, coming from the man who was usually so kind. Who was so good at balancing the demands of his life and the demands of his love

you bit back tears, welling up in your tear ducts but holding their place due to your unwillingness to conciet

buuuuuut he noticed nontheless, and softened momentarily

"Y/n..... I'm.... I shouldn't have said that." he reached out for your hand, but you snatched it back and turned on your heel

"Fuck off, Cecil. Go do your important work." and with that you left the room, storming off somewhere else to cool down

Donald

Type of dude who doesn't get heated often

He's literally js a chill guy

Probably pulls a Devil Wears Prada and yells at you out of stress

"Y/n- Fuck- do you have those papers copied? Cecil needs them now-"

"Oh, sorry honey I thought I told you, our printer is out of ink." You replied casually, leaning against the dining room table

This sent Donald into a stressed panic as he raced around the room

"You didn't think to TELL ME?!!" He cried out, more aggressive than he intended

You'd never heard him yell before

CERTAINLY not at you

and the waterworks began

You sniffled and wiped at the tears with the backs of your hands

But Donald was too busy to notice, let alone console you

Nontheless, once he resolved with Cecil, the first thing he did was call you from work

"Y/n, I am SO sorry for yelling at you this morning. It was out of line and I apologize."

he topped it off by making dinner for you from scratch as an apology

Mark

He's so nice but he's SOOOOO stupid

you're probably arguing about something hypothetical, like a comic book morality issue

and he takes it too far

"Aghhh Mark, it's totally fucked up for Superman to have that much unchecked power! What happens if he turns evil or something?"

"Y/n, the point of superman is that he's a good guy!! He fights the bad guys!"

"Okayyyy but we see sometimes his idea of whats right differs from the government, who gets to make that decision? The government? How do you govern the ungovernable when the ungovernable is the one who governs you? How do you checks and balances a god?"

"Oh my god- If you're good, you're good. You don't need checks and balances if you're a good person!!"

"But what if someone with that kind of power WASN'T good?!" your argument increasing in heat, you jokingly feeding into his very real anger "You NEED kryptonite to ensure Superman doesn't go off the deep end!"

Marks eye twitched "And who is someone like YOU to decide what a SUPERHERO should and shouldn't be able to do?!? HUH?!"

"Mark you're taking this too seriously-"

"GAh- NO! I'm serious, Y/n!. What business do regular people have telling me how to use my abilities? The government?! What a joke!"

You narrowed your eyes at him. "Mark, I love you, but you're starting to sound like your dad"

Marks eyes widened as he shot up from the bed, breathing heavy with anxiety at the accusation "SH- SHUT UP!!!"

The room shook a little, the bed shook harder, causing you to briefly lose your seating and rustling you a little more than you would've liked

You stared at him, wide eyed, afraid, and furious

tears silently streaming down your face

You quielty stood up and dusted yourself off, walking over to Mark, who had begun panicking when he realized what had happened

"You need to get it the fuck together. That was pathetic. I will not date the equivalent of a frat bro who punches walls when his girlfriend won't fuck him."

He reached out to wipe the tears from your cheeks, his eyes widening when you flinched

"Oh- Oh fuck- Y/n, I am so sorry that was so horrible oh shit oh shit- are you okay? babe I'm so sorry" he wrapped you up in a hug, levitating off the floor slightly as he did, pulling you to your tiptoes

Rex

honestly he's such a dick i'm not surprised

You probably catch him ogling your waitress or smth and tell him off

It escalates from there:

"You were totally eye fucking her, Rex! What the hell?" You hissed, trying not to cause a scene in this Olive Garden

He scoffed, eating an olive off YOUR martini skewer "Babe please, I'm appreciating her boobie-I mean beauty!" He grinned, hoping his hilarious mistake would make up for his bullshit

You grimaced in response, rolling your eyes "Rex you're being a jackass. If this is how you are no wonder Eve left your ass."

He responded by spitting back "At least Eve was hot."

It hit him how stupid he was the second it left his mouth, and regret filled his expression as you slowly started crying

It was a restrained sob, only louder as you attempted to choke it back

Only made worse by the realization people were staring at your ugly, puffy, crying face

and Rex had caused it

he reached across the table for your hand "Hey- I didn't mean that. You're SO hot, you're like- gorgeous. Way prettier than the waitress."

He didn't get it.

You stood up and grabbed your bag, walking to the restroom as Rex followed suite

"Rex, go away."

"No! I apologized, why are you still crying? hey-" He tried to calm you down, following after you and cooing at you

"GAh-" you spit out, turning to face him "You think I need you to remind me your ex is a hot superheroine I can't compete with? And that you fumbled HER. If she wasn't enough for you how could I POSSIBLY be?!"

Rex softened, pulling you into the family restroom for some privacy

"I've grown up a lot since that, and even though I fuck up-" he took both your hands, looking at you through his eyelashes "I would NEVER cheat on you. Nobody deserves that. Especially not my gorgeous, amazing, patient, skilled, precious, unfathomably hot and hilarious, and perfect partner. You're all I want. My eyes wander but my heart-"

he put your hands on his heart

"My hearts all yours, babes."

[illuminetic]

Some thoughts about Mel King, Kingdon, autism, and sexuality under the cut.

So I can't help but get a little peeved by this because it's personal for me — as an autistic woman who loves sex yet often gets infantilized by people who know me in real life because I'm supposedly so 'cute' and 'pure' — but GOD. I cannot stand when I see comments from people about Mel King being so 'sibling coded' with Langdon. And the thing is, I understand not everyone will ship them, and that's not a problem at all. I have a life outside of the internet so I don't really care in that deep a way lol. And I don't even entirely blame people who say they're like siblings, because Patrick Ball DID said he felt that way about Taylor and that was how he kind of conceptualized the Mel/Langdon relationship to begin with. But at the same time, I just feel like a lot of the 'omg they're so siblings!' chat is based in the belief that Mel can't be sexually desirable to a man who is traditionally handsome in the way Frank Langdon is. Or people are uncomfortable imagining Mel might have sexual desires or a sexual life at all, with Langdon involved or otherwise.

And then also there's this fine line too of some people saying they head-canon Mel as asexual and/or aromantic — and it's like. I'm not necessarily pissed at that or think it's a problem, because we all want representation and project our own traits onto characters to better understand ourselves or draw comfort. And again — I've heard that apparently Taylor Deardon said that's a valid interpretation of the character. And it is! But it's also like. Oh. So we're completely de-sexualizing the autistic girl. Cool. That makes sense — she's a little socially awkward and nerdy so of course she's not interested in sex! And even if she was interested in all that icky stuff her handsome coworker would never be into sex with her omg that would be so weird they're so siblings coded!!

Idk. This is nuanced — because again, if you're asexual I would never want to say it's wrong to conceive of Mel that way. We're all just playing barbies in our heads with our blorbos, I get it. I'm literally projecting my own sexuality onto Mel because I relate to her, so I guess I've actually just entirely talked myself out of being angry at all lol. So to any and all asexuals who headcanon Mel that way, keep doing you.

It's just a personal annoyance for me more than anything to see comments that imply Mel is a non-sexual being, as someone who sees myself in her a lot and also happens to really like sex. I feel like, because of the social cues I miss sometimes, and the way I am at work and in my personal life with friends and stuff — I am constantly fighting against the belief that I'm somehow 'innocent' or 'naive' when it's like. bud. I've literally had the kinkiest sex. I go to a sex club fairly regularly where I have sex with and/or in front of strangers. In fact, I'd argue part of the reason I like sex so much — and particularly kinky sex — is BECAUSE of the autism. I've noticed, from my time being in the community, that the kink world is filled with people on the spectrum lol. Makes sense — kink is all about rules and structure, controlled and safe (yet intense!) physical sensation. All things that attracted me to the lifestyle because I'm autistic, and the straightforwardness and clarity of communication about sex in the kink community felt like such a god-damned relief to me after struggling to have a sex-life out there in the neurotypical world.

Anyway. Long story short I'm just saying it's absolutely Frank who is the vanilla one in the Kingdon relationship. He's been married for years to someone I assume was probably his college girlfriend. 'Kinky' for him is breaking out the fuzzy hand-cuffs for anniversary sex or something, maybe some light spanking thrown in idk.

To end — I need someone to write a fic where the Pitt-crew plays never-have-I-ever during a night out, and Mel gets shit-faced and has to put down all her fingers before anyone else because there's so little she hasn't done. People keep throwing out more and more outrageous things, eyes going saucer-wide, and Mel's ears are burning but also she just keeps putting fingers down, throwing back shots, and raising a scornful eyebrow at anyone who dares to doubt her or make some comment like 'but Mel you don't seem like that type at all!!'

And Frank is. Sitting there quietly vibrating. Horny as hell. Having some thoughts and feelings about the fact that he knows Mel owns a strap now.

[knife-enby]

i wanted to reblog this post with prev's addition because i do think it's important to acknowledge and is actually very true

i don't want to pretend this problem isn't a capitalism thing -- it is. nobody feels like they can rest because capitalism is an absolute failure of an economic system that is harming every social facet of our lives

but that doesn't mean we're individually helpless!

social media is part of the whole aforementioned toxic capitalism society. it's DESIGNED to be a time-killing, brain-numbing, anger-fueling, advertisement-feeding machine. and a lot of people struggle with it, me included! it's especially the easier option when you're already burned out, can't focus on your hobbies, etc etc. you can directly track how well i'm doing with how often i'm on tumblr, 'cause the worse i feel, the more i'm here.

ok but then there's the inverse of that: the better i feel, the less i'm here.

it wont work for everyone and it wont fix the society we live in, but everyone deserves as much relief as they can get. so if you feel like you're constantly out of time and you're also regularly on social media, consider trying to replace some of your social media time with other activities

if you use social media time to rest/relax, i get that, and also consider it's usually not actually relaxing HAHA. it's just that you can kinda turn your brain off for it. heres some 'turn your brain off' activities ive been trying to do instead of social media:

lay in bed listening to music and holding something soft (stuffed animal, blanket, pillow, etc)

go stand outside and look at nature for a few minutes

do some light stretches

fill a piece of paper up with loose doodles. try not to care about what they look like, we're not making art here we're just getting our brains unstuck

paint your nails

ok in conclusion: capitalism as a whole needs to change Soon And In Major Ways but in the mean time, there are most likely ways to improve the way you currently feel. i believe in you :3

[yourmessagehasbeendenied]

ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ɴᴏɴᴇ

​🇲​​🇩​​🇳​​🇮​, ​🇹​​🇼​​🇸​⨾ ​🇮​​🇳​​🇫​​🇮​​🇩​​🇪​​🇱​​🇮​​🇹​​🇾​ (​🇫​​🇷​​🇴​​🇲​ ​🇵​​🇦​​🇷​​🇹​​🇳​​🇪​​🇷​), POTENTIONAL ​🇳​​🇸​​🇫​​🇼​.​ 🇩​​🇦​​🇩​​🇩​​🇾​ ​🇮​​🇸​​🇸​​🇺​​🇪​​🇸​ chubby!reader / plussize!reader (female), insecurity. This is my first story ever posted and I'm still working on things. Possible part two, there is supposed to be, but if this doesn't really reach as high as I want it to be, I doubt it.

Always making harsh decisions, no thoughts in mind. The feeling of loneliness can reduce a person to such desperation where they cannot decide if it really is love, or just the human taste for sex. When you two started dating, you were convinced you were in complete and absolute love with him. Why? There was no one else that listened the way he did, cared the way he did. At the time, it seemed like it, at last. You thought nothing of it. He started leaving more and more, he started going out and leaving you out of things, said it was "Just him, with his boys out, needing some space from always hanging out with his girlfriend." Everyone does, right? You started going off on your own. Hanging out more with your friends and friend group, and convincing yourself this is normal, the space was normal.

It wasn't. Days get dull when you are unemployed, still in-between jobs. You felt pathetic. You felt worthless. Especially since both your brothers have made themselves successful, your mother was proud of both of them. While you.. Turned out, to whatever you are, right now. When you found your current boyfriend, you had a route. kiss, fuck, get married, have kids, live a happy life and the end with a sad story and a bunch of flowers at your grave from your grandchildren. At least, that was what you expected. With your boyfriend leaving more often than not, you found yourself going outside and seeking friends more than ever, even going as far as to get out of your comfort zone and go places you would never go, with you being shy.

You did get occasional looks from people but you passed it off as people looking at you for being chubby, for having a belly or for being ugly. Your loneliness lead you to start drinking, developing an alcohol problem.

Your friends couldn't be around you every day, like old times. One night, it happened. You couldn't take it anymore. You were at a sort of bar, not really the type people go to hook up to, just to drink. You sat outside, downing your third shot of vodka, and suddenly.. The tears started coming. They stormed down your puffy cheeks as you held your head and sobbed. That's when he found you. His dark brown eyes stared like cold and warmth at the same time. Like watching a winter storm from the inside of your house, next to your fireplace, and his blonde hair flew in the midnight wind. He sat down, and didn't say anything as you sobbed. You thought, "Why is he here? Is he gonna do anything? Say anything?" But he didn't. He sat there, in the dark, in silence. No words were said that night, as you sobbed your heart out in front of a complete stranger. Just the sound of the wind, of your sobbing, and a silent confirmation of something deep within you. You aren't alone. ---- ---- ----

You kept coming back to that bar, every Saturday, it became a routine. You cried, he sat there and watched. People would think you two are great friends at least, or maybe a couple, but you were two complete strangers. 4 weeks after this little routine started, the big boom happened, the one that broke you badly enough that you didn't go out at all for one week. You found out your boyfriend has cheated on you and didn't talk to you because he felt guilty, because he didn't love you anymore. You didn't go out that week, not even on Saturday. The next week, you pulled yourself together, and went out. You thought he wouldn't show up again, because you didn't show up last time, but to your surprise, there he was, and he sat down. He looked at you in the eye, and for the first time ever, he spoke. "You didn't show last time." His voice was deep, raspy like he's been smoking since he was 6. But for some odd reason, it was calming. It was soothing, like how you wanted your father to speak to you. You swallowed and wiped your tears. You sobbed out. "My boyfriend cheated on-" but he cut you off. "No. No excuses. None of that here. I wasn't demanding an answer to why, I was making a statement. You come here when you need to unwind. I come here to not be alone." And for some odd reason, that supposedly rude answer, made you calm. You didn't owe anything to him. Not your name, not your age, not your number, not your body. And so, for the first time, he saw you wipe your tears fully. Your puffy eyes were bloodshot, and your now red lips slowly curled up into a smile. For the first time, he saw you smile, through the tears. And his heart beat a plus one in that moment, and then slowed down. Time slowed down. The surroundings faded. It was just you, and the big man in front of you. And for a second there, he felt you, and you felt him. He saw you, and you saw him. He heard you, and you heard him. And for some odd reason, Saturday suddenly became his favorite day.

[weaselandfriends]

youve probably already mused about this in the past but do you think cascade could work as the actual ending of homestuck? like is there a way in which homestuck could be read as a complete narrative with a somewhat satisfying ending if we were to consider cascade or its whereabouts the place where it ends? how much retooling would it need to work that way? is it even possible?

Oh now we're getting the REAL asks.

From a technical standpoint, I actually think it's totally doable to do a cut of Homestuck where Cascade is more-or-less the ending. Homestuck doesn't have nearly as many load-bearing elements as it seems to have at first glance. For instance, I think even the trolls can be cut from Homestuck altogether with minimal structural harm, as long as Vriska's game-breaking role is shifted to Rose. Hussie claimed his original vision for the story was for Cascade to be the climax, and Act 6 to be a relatively short denouement that would mostly involve cleaning up loose ends. That actually tracks with where he left the comic when Cascade ended. The unresolved stuff at the end of Cascade is:

The Scratch has created a new universe, which the players are all heading to. This fresh universe is where they will be able to complete the game.

Lord English!

Lingering mysteries about the kids in the new universe, who have been hinted at a few times throughout Act 5 (most notably regarding Liv Tyler the bunny, which shows up with a note from Jake, IIRC).

Bec Noir is still around, even if neutralized by PM.

I'm pretty sure this is it, not counting one-off lines like Rose playing the rain that are pretty structurally nonessential and could be excised easily or brushed off with some lampshading ("Wow isn't it funny we never played the rain!" -- I think Hussie actually does specific one anyway). There are also a few hints that HIC might have a role in the new universe, but I would likewise describe these as nonessential.

Looking at this list, it's easy to see both why Hussie thought he could end the story quickly and why he failed to do it. With the powers at the disposal of the main cast, going into the new universe and completing the game should be trivial. Hussie probably thought he'd quickly introduce Jake, Jane etc. in a nostalgic callback to the beginning of the story, then round up everyone for a final fight against Lord English/Bec Noir/HIC to put some fireworks on the ending. Cascade really had trimmed down the expansiveness and complexity of the story significantly, which made these few lingering plot elements seem so surmountable.

In actuality, though, Hussie quickly became mired in introducing the new characters. I think his problem was that he was struggling to reengineer the emotional stakes of the story. There's a desperate reek in the early parts of Act 6 where he is pleading for readers to care about the new kids. With the original kids, he took his time introducing them and let their personalities emerge organically over infrequent chatlogs while most of the action centered on John-as-reader-insert doing dumbassery. With the trolls, Hussie treated them like jokes and gave them over-the-top personalities with ridiculous, murderous drama, which fit the speedrunny way he introduced them. But the new kids are in this limbo where he wants to get them working (like Jar Jar) quickly, yet is giving them personalities that are at worst nondescript and at best Dave 2: Davier. (Roxy is the exception here.) They wind up having a lot of very cute, very cloying chatlogs that read super forced and I wonder if their failure to immediately get off the ground is why Hussie felt the need to spend more time with them, linger on them, until Jake winds up with one of the highest line counts of any character in the story despite saying exactly 0 things of value total.

Worse, though, is the villain situation, because it's directly tied to the story's stakes. Hussie has to make Lord English a more significant threat than Bec Noir, despite working at base with only a few references to him from Spades Slick and Doc Scratch. It's from this we get the laborious cherub stuff, the expansive dream bubble stuff (Lord English being able to double-kill ghosts is his major establishing moment of threat), and the general need to make this whole section of Homestuck feel as weighty and monumental as the first half.

The problem with Cascade is that, even though it doesn't resolve the plot, is resolves pretty much all of the emotional stakes and tension in the story. The idea of going quickly from Cascade to a final fight makes sense on paper but it doesn't make sense emotionally. That final fight would wind up as flaccid-feeling as Collide eventually did feel. Hussie's kudzu-plant expanding Act 6 reads to me as an attempt to rebuild to the level of tension that existed before Cascade, one that eventually failed because he got tired with the project and phoned in the climax anyway.

So, getting back to the original question, I think if we're to end Homestuck at Cascade then it really needs to END at Cascade, narratively as well as emotionally. Cascade does an admirable job cutting down Homestuck's plot threads from 100 to 4, but it really needs to cut them down from 100 to 0. This is a lot trickier than it seems because Cascade is, in the context of the narrative, not a moment of victory but a moment of... quitting. It's hitting the in-universe reset button. It's triumphantly hitting that button, but it cannot actually achieve total plot resolution without fundamentally changing what it actually is.

You can slim things down. Lord English can, believe it or not, be cut entirely. Prior to Act 6 he exists only in a handful of lines. Doc Scratch can be reframed as the ultimate evil himself, rather than simply its servant. He already is a pretty good villain in his own right.

Bec Noir is trickier because there's not really a good opportunity for the heroes to fight him. I wonder how necessary that is, though. It's not like Homestuck was ever a story where things got resolved by flashy cinematic fights. PM getting the ring is a satisfying, climactic moment in its own right; does she have to get locked into eternal stalemate with Bec Noir? Can she maybe just defeat him the moment she gets the ring? It's an unconventional ending, but one that makes sense in the concept of Homestuck. Given Collide, that's probably a superior way for the climax to go anyway.

That leaves the new universe kids. They can also probably be cut pretty easily. I'm fairly certain Liv Tyler is the only direct contribution they make to the pre-Cascade story. It'd take some changes to account for that, but not many. Alternatively, since we already can't get past the fact that Cascade is just a reset button press and not a resolution in and of itself, we could leave them in as characters who show up, briefly, in an epilogue of sorts, framed solely through the POV of the original kids. (i.e., forgo all the "Your name is JANE CROCKER etc.) Maybe don't even give them lines. Leave it to the fandom to come up with their personalities.

The way I'm envisioning this is that we end the story as quickly as possible after Cascade, and by that I mean literally 15-20 pages where we show everyone speedrun the new universe with their incredible god powers, maybe with a few cathartic final conversations between the surviving members of the cast. The longer you go on post-Cascade, the longer you're going to be tempted to go on, to make its new elements breathe in their own right, and when you do that it's only a matter of time before you get sucked into the Act 6 Vortex of bringing back meaningful stakes, which you have to do from Ground Zero.

I'm actually a big fan of Act 6, which is where I feel like Hussie gets a lot meaner, a lot more combative with the readership, with some fascinating results. Most of Act 6's failures stem from the failure of its ending, which is a separate issue caused by Hussie losing interest in the project after the Hiveswap debacle. But if you're doing Act 6, you gotta really DO Act 6. You can't just do it halfway. All or nothing.

[remember-the-fanfics]

You didn't know?

The long awaited 'Welcome to Heaven' with Genz!Overlord!Reader.

"Please don't try and fight Adam, (Y/n)."

"I will try not to but I can not promise that, you know that." Said (Y/n), with their arms crossed as they tried to look not guilty.

"That's all I can ask for." Said Charlie, packing her many bags. "So I have my warm weather clothes and my cold weather clothes. I have a light jacket, flak jacket and rain jacket- wait, does it rain in Heaven?"

"Take a jacket that does it all." Said (Y/n), with the only bag they have which was mostly snacks and a stun gun .

"Charlie, the two of you are only going to heaven for a few hours." Said Vaggie

"Vaggie, we are only going to heaven for a day. And I just want to be prepared! It's our last chance to convince heaven a soul can be redeemed." Said Charlie before motioning towards (Y/n). "(Y/n) will be an example for who wants to help with the hotel, who believes in what it could do."

"Well  I wish I could come, sweetie, but I have that…thing." Vaggie said earning confused looks from (Y/n) and Charlie."

"What thing?" They both questioned her.

"The thing with the.. thing uhm.. fuck, gah, I'm such a bad liar." Vaggie confessed and Charlie took Vaggie's hand.

"Vaggie, you're my partner, I need you there with me. Also because as much as I trust (Y/n)..." said Charlie looking at (Y/n), who was making sure they actually packed everything. "They aren't the greatest with people, mostly the people they perceived as a problem."

"That's true and I will make my opinion know to everyone up there if they-."

"Fine, mostly to make sure that they two of you make it back in one piece." Vaggie said interrupting (Y/n).

"Yes!!!" Said Charlie hugging Vaggie and kissing her on the cheek.cheeks.

"Then let's go to the lobby, love birds."

-

As the three entered the lobby, the wall exploded.

"Argh! What the fuck is with that wall?!" Yelled Angel Dust who was on the couch.

"Husk! You owe me five dollars!" Said (Y/n) leaning on behind the couch as a female sinner appeared from the smoke.

"What up, hoes!" She said while laughing.

"Holy shit! Cherri Bomb?! Long time no see, baby!" Said Angel Dust, excited to see his friend.

"Angie, ya bitch! You been texting me depressin' shit all day! Figured we could tear shit up like old times. It's been fucking forever!" Said Cherri Bomb seeing Charlie approaching from behind her. "Here, hold this." She said giving Charlie a lit Bomb to hold.

"Oh shit!" Said (Y/n) watching Charlie play hot potato with before Vaggie thrown it out of the newly broken wall, letting it explod safely from the hotel.

(Y/n) watched as Cherri Bomb convinced Angel Dust to go party then Charlie intervening in the conversation and then convinced Cherri Bomb with cash to take everyone with her. (Y/n) getting their five bucks from Husk when him and Niffty joined the group.

"Make sure they have fun. Anyway the portal of Heaven should be opening right about.." said Charlie before said portal appeared. "..now!" She grabbed Vaggie and (Y/n) and throws the two in the portal. "Bye!"

-

"You packed all those bags and left them." Said (Y/n), getting up from being thrown. "Luckily I have a backbag and it was on me when someone threw me."

"Sorry, I got really excited." Said Charlie helping Vaggie up before the three took in the view infront of them. "Look at this place! It's so clean, isn't that amazing?"

(Y/n) looked at the Pearly Gates that they remembered their grandparents told them about as kid.

"Eh." They said shrugging their shoulders. "I think it was anticlimactic with what I've heard."

"Yup, super cool. Heaven. Wow." Said Vaggie being sarcastic as the trio walked towards the desk and then man, well angel appeared from behind it.

"Hiya! Welcome to Heaven! Can I get your name, please?" He asked

"Oh uh, Charlie Morningstar." Said Charlie before the two had a debacle about whose name and why they are there.

"St. Peter. We can take it from here. Greetings, daughter of the Morningstar. I am Sera, the high seraphim of heaven." Said the taller of two angels coming from above, the shorter one squealed and laughed in excitement. "You are gifted to be here."

That last part rubbed (Y/n) wrong and put them on edge.

"Hi! I'm Emily, the other seraphim, though you can call me Em! Emmy, E, whatever you want, I go by whatever. *giggles* Welcome to Heaven!" Said the shorter one, seeing (Y/n) and somehow smiling more. "You must be (Y/n)! I've heard so much about you!" She said grabbing (Y/n)'s hands.

"What do you MEAN-"

-Welcome to Heaven with (Y/n) being dragged by Emily into flying with her.-

As Emily showed the trio around Heaven, passing many winner and angel, with a few noticing them.

"And i want to introduce, well reintroduce you to someone (Y/n)!" Said Emily, getting confused looks from (Y/n) and concerned look from Charlie and Vaggie.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Emily, There you are! What did you want to...-" said a man's voice, behind (Y/n). They knew that voice even if it sounded a bit more mature than the last time they seen him. (Y/n) turned around to confirm what they thought.

"Freddy?" They said looking at their younger brother, Frederick, in Heaven which means that he had died. (Y/n) took a cautious step closer to him. "Why are you her-." They didn't get to finish before Freddy lunged at them and pulled (Y/n) in a very tight hug.

"I've missed you." He said before pulling away and looked them up and down looking for injuries before meeting (Y/n)'s eyes knowing their questions. "I lived, I died from old age. You saved me." He told them seeming to tip their emotions over and (Y/n) started to sob.

"Oh thank God." Said (Y/n) pulling him into another hug. "I didn't know what happened after... you know."

"He got arrested, life in prison." Freddy told them. "I turned my life around, started a charity in your honor and I helped alot people who was just like me. Had a family and lived a life you should've had (Y/n)." He said comforting them.

"You know I would have done it again and again if it ment you were alive." Said (Y/n) pulling away looking at Charlie and Vaggie, "But I made alot of new friends and we've been trying to do something so much more."

Charlie who was teary eyed started to cry on Vaggie's shoulder. "It's so beautiful, Vaggie."

"I know, hun." Said Vaggie, patting Charlie on the back.

"Well then tell me all about it." Said Freddy.

-

Emily and Freddy promised to meet the group at the Zoo after they got to their rooms.

"Emily." Said Freddy getting the Angels attention as the two walked. "I am.. saying this not in.. questioning Heaven. But why isn't (Y/n) in Heaven? They were the most well behaved of the three of us, they died protecting me. So why did they go to hell?"

Emily thought about it. "I'm not sure, I'll ask Sera about it when I see her, I promise. Just enjoy the time you have with them until then."

"Okay."

-

(Y/n), Vaggie, and Charlie enter the hotel room they were given. Heaven somehow got the luggage that Charlie left and Vaggie sat all of it down.

"Okay, I love Heaven! Did you see the ice cream shop? They had sprinkles made of rainbows!" Said Charlie, sitting on the bed.

"Those are just rainbow sprinkles." Said Vaggie.

"Emily's going to take me and (Y/n) to a zoo where all the animals are actually soft! You coming?" Said Charlie, standing up not being able to stay still.

"Uh, I need a break. But hug a koala for me."

"O.M.G! Can you imagine an actual koala?" Said Charlie squealing in excitement.

"She will do that because I remember reading about koala on earth so no but I'll pet anything else in thought of you." Said (Y/n) leaving with Charlie.

"See you later." They both said before heading out the door.

Vaggie laid on the bed and sighed before someone knocked on the door, getting up and opening the door to see Adam, who just blocked the door.

"Hey there, Vag-asaurus!" He said entering with Lute behind him.

"Charlie will be back soon, you need to get out, now." Said Vaggie point at the door.

" I'm not looking the Blonde or even the kid, babe. I'm looking for you." Said Adam.

"Why?"

"Maybe 'cuz you left the band. You tried for a solo career, or I guess it's more of a... duet." Adam said

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Do you really think I wouldn't recognize one of my top girls just cuz you're out of uniform?" He said and Vaggie went pale. "You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie."

"Actually, it's pronounced Vaggie." Said Vaggie

"Hmmmmm- no. Anyway, you sure fucked up, didn't you?" Said Adam with flashback of Vaggie sparing a child and Lute taking her eye and wings with Charlie showing up afterwards with bandages.

"To think someone as worthless as you landed Lilith's little hottie. 'Grats on that I guess. You even got a kid along with the whole thing." Said Adam

"Their love is vile and blasphemous." Said Lute, "They are even trying to influence the young."

"Do you mean (Y/n)?" Asked Vaggie.

"Yes the kid, surprising that they've been in hell with vile creatures and still be enough to get into Heaven." Said Lute.

"But you relationship is hot as fuck though. But I wonder what your bitch would think if she found out you are actually one of us, hmmm? Or that her only good shot of even having someone go to Heaven, should have been there to begin with?" Said Adam.

"What do you want?" Said Vaggie knowing he wants something.

"Simple, you work for me again and at the hearing, you're gonna help me shut this kindergarten snowflake bullshit down for good."

"Never!"

"Oh yeah, you know, that's totally cool. I guess I'll just tell little miss butterflies and rainbows that she's been fucking someone who's killed-- thousands of her people. I'm sure your relationship will be fine. See you in court!" He said before Lute and him left the hotel room.

-

"What the hell do you mean I don't count as evidence?!" Said (Y/n), already done with this 'court' if you can even call it that. "I'm great evidence for the hotel!" They said, never thought they would say that.

"Well we have Angel Dust-."

"Oh yeah, the porn demon, definitely worth being redeemed." Said Adam, blowing a raspberry at Charlie.

"Do you even know what get people then if you so sure about this?" Said (Y/n) with Charlie agreeing with them.

"Uhmmm... well.. uhh." Adam was lost for words.

"Is everything ok, Adam?" Said Sera.

"Yeah, give me a fucking minute, okay?" He said before writing something down on a peice of paper before sending it to Charlie, (Y/n), and Vaggies table.

Vaggie picked it up and read. " 'Act selfless, don't steal, stick it to the man'. Are you fucking serious?"

"You don't have an actual fucking system for people to go though?" Said (Y/n), pissed that there is know system for the one thing that decided people place after death. "You just hope the book at the gate has someone's name? What if people have the same name? Or-." Charlie put her hand on their shoulder to calm them down. (Y/n) took a deep breath before looking at Charlie.

"Meaning humans souls have been putting their faith or trust in a faulty system if you could even count it as one." They said just to Charlie and Vaggie.

"Yeah, sure got me here didn't it? Right Sera?" Said Adam, looking up towards Sera.

"He was the first human soul in Heaven..." said Sera and (Y/n) remembering what he's done just in the Bible not count what he could've done not written or when he got into Heaven.

"Either with what (Y/n) said, I bet Angel Dust is doing all those things right now." Said Charlie.

"Then let's fucking see it bruh!" Said Adam, snapping his fingers and a orb appeared show what Angel Dust is doing.

" Your honor, may I present: exhibit A 2.0." Said Charlie

-

After seeing Angel Dust give in to Cherri Bomb pressure to drink and do drugs.

"Heavenly people, what more do you need to see? The porn star chose a night of debauchery. That's not a soul worthy of being in Heaven!" Said Adam

"Objection! Have you ever heard of peer-pressure?" Said (Y/n).

"And Are you really telling me you've never had a drink with friends at the end of a hard day?" Said Charlie.

"Uh, we don't have hard days? It's fucking Heaven, bitch. You seriously gonna sit there and pretend like this behavior is ok?" Adam said, ignoring (Y/n)'s question, Charlie growls at his response as Adam focused on Vaggie. "What do you think?"

"I have to go to the bathroom!" Said Vaggie before rushing out of the courtroom.

"What? Vaggie, can you hold it?!" Said Charlie watching Vaggie leave, groaning in frustration. "Angel will make good decisions, come on! We have to keep watching, Please?"

"Yeah! Please?" (Y/n) agreed.

"Yeah, I don't know." Sera said with a sigh.

"Let's give him a chance, Sera." Said Emily, convincing Sera.

"Very well, the court will allow it." Said Sera.

"Fuck yeah!" Said Charlie, earning shocked look from everyone. " I mean… heh… thank you."

"Well I'll mean it for you." Said (Y/n), holding their hand up for a fist bump which Charlie gave.

-

"See! He did everything on your checklist. He was selfless, he stopped Niffty from stealing and he stuck it to that moth man!" Said Charlie, with (Y/n) cheering in the background.

"Uhhh… well, uh… Then, then why isn't he here then? Hm?" Said Adam which sadly had a point.

"Yeah, why isn't he here?" Asked Emily.

"Wait... none of you actually know what gets someone into Heaven?" Said Charlie.

"This questioning stops now-." Sera began.

"No!" Said (Y/n), getting out of their seat and jumping over their table.

"(Y/n)." Charlie hissed at them but they didn't look at her, landing on the other side while clenching their fists.

"No, you don't get to decided when this end because you are uncomfortable with the questioning." They said staring straight at Sera.

"She's the judge, of course she can." Said Adam.

"Because it's not right thing to do!" They said, unknowingly that their wings coming out with a flar. "We are already backed into a corner before this has even started! Courtroom is suppose to have a impartial Judge and jury." (Y/n) said seeing Adam. "If your response is remotely close to 'its because we are in Heaven' I'm-."

"(Y/n)! No threatening!" Charlie interrupting and reminding them.

"Fine!" They said. "Number one, you obviously have no system to where souls go. Number two, from what I see you go off vibes only which is concerning without everything else. Number three-."

"That's quite enough, (Y/n) (L/n)." Said Sera sternly before softening her eyes on (Y/n). "We understand you have- misjudment of Heaven with who you've been around but that does not allow you to interrupt me, are we clear?"

"I only wanted you to know what someone whose from Earth in the recent-ish times.." said (Y/n) side eyeing Adam. "..opinion on this because it effects everyone I've known while I was alive or dead. But I am sorry for being rude to you, Seraphim." Said (Y/n) before scurrying back to the other side of the table.

They realized their wings being out had just folded them to their back, would have standed next to Charlie but had to sit since the table seems to be made for taller people and wanting to be atleast somewhat eye level with Charlie.

"You are forgiven since you just wanted to enlighten me, then this questioning stops now. We know when a soul arrives, we know when they pass divine judgment, it is our job to ensure these souls are safe." Said Sera

-the dramatic You didn't know, showing winners don't know about extinctions including Emily. (Y/n) be including with Charlie and Emily on the orb.-

Why hide the fact that you're an angel, Just like us?" Sang Adam and Charlie fell to her knees in disbelief with the orb showing Vaggies past as an Exorcist with (Y/n) trying to comfort her before getting pulled away by Lute.

"And don't think I forgot about your kid over here." Said Adam as Lute dragged (Y/n) towards him.

"(Y/n)..?" Said Charlie trying to look them in the eyes.

"I'm not a kid!" (Y/n) said response to Adam before looking at Charlie. "I have know idea what's happening, honestly."

"Come on did you ever really think that this 'sinner' is just to good to be true?" Said Adam pulling (Y/n) into a side hug before the orb showed everyone something that (Y/n) had wanted to be forgotten and no one else knew. "Did you ever think that this sinner would actually be a winner?"

A less worn (Y/n), defending a young Frederick from an unknown man with a gun, pushing Frederick back when it got violence. (Y/n) taking three shot, and bleeding out in Frederick's arm then dying.

A silhouette of them and another person at the pearly gate and (Y/n) being the one to fall into hell.

"Yeah so miscalculation on our part, not our fault that we picked the wrong (Y/n). How we were supposed to know?" Said Adam. "Don't worry tho, me and Lute took care of the problem."

"I'm sorry... but this court finds that there is no evidence souls in Hell can be redeemed." Said Sera.

"Oh, FUCK YES!! I WIN! Suck it bitches, You better save the date cunts, 'cause we're coming to your hotel FIRST." Bragged Adam still have a hold on (Y/n), who was grabbing something from their bag. He summoned a Portal that went back to Hell.

"What... No No! (Y/n)! You can't-"

"You.. motherfu-." Charlie and Vaggie Started and never finished before being sent back to Hell, (Y/n) taking the opportunity and who had their stun gun stab Adam with.

"Fuckin shit!" Yelled Adam letting (Y/n) got and they booked it towards the portal. "Didn't think you would do that, so I guess we'll be do this the hard way." He said.

They looked back at him and flipped him off. "I would say go to hell but that is where I going so stay here asshole." Said (Y/n) going though the Portal.

-

"Adam."

"Look when we go there and kill those fuckers, I'll drag them back up here whether they kick and scream, right Lute?"

"Of course, those Vile sinners and hellborn will never be able to influence them again afterwards."

-

"Emily trust me, that Winner isn't Fallen just misplaced we are trying to correct that, I promise.

"I understand, Sera."

-

(Y/n) looked at the state they enter the Hotel with Charlie crying on the ground and Vaggie keeping her distance but wanting to help her girlfriend.

"Oh fuck there's emotional issues in the air."

----

Got back into Hazbin Hotel, work on this all day. Love yall

[frangipani-wanderlust]

Have you ever actually been to Indonesia? IDK if you have, but you seem extremely American to me. And I say this because it's a weird example to pick when talking to me since I lived in Indonesia growing up. But I didn't live on rich-people Java. Or tourist Bali. I lived on the other side of the country in Papua, and I've been out to the actual, proper jungle. I've met people who were scared of me because I was white. And I know, through the skin because I lived it, that all cultures have good and bad points. And that you can't rewrite another culture's morality, and it'd be weird to try, but it's actually okay to say the bad points are bad so long as you are willing to recognize bad points in your own culture. I'm familiar with Asia's major religions and beliefs because I actually interacted with people who believed in them and actually, most Asians do in fact believe in souls. They just don't use the English word for it because that wouldn't make sense in non-English-speaking countries.

As it turns out, humans are humans wherever you go and Asians aren't really so different from Americans. We're all just people. I learned to be multi-cultural through the skin growing up and discovered that it's really just being a normal human and taking other people as they come.

I don't feel satisfied that you've really explained why or how you're making a distinction between faithful/not-faithful here, so I'm not going to address that part. I feel like we wouldn't even be talking about the same things on that score. Instead I will go back to addressing what you said and doing so via the original direct quote I picked out.

we often see christian authority as a purely human problem. it's not softened by the possibility that maybe scripture has it right. we don't see holding onto that faith as a virtue.

Regardless of whether you, standing where you are right now and being who you currently are in this moment and having all the changeable traits you currently do (immutable traits are not under discussion here) would personally like at this particular moment in time all the fallout of the Bible being true, that is precisely what you posit in these three sentences. The possibility that Scripture has it right.

If that is so, if the Bible really does have it right, the logical consequence is that God as He is described in the Bible is, in fact, the only source of good and joy in the universe. There isn't even a "second best" option, it's God or nothing. In such a scenario, there's no possible choice but two: give over to God or intentionally choose misery.

If you are in a situation where Scripture has it right, it isn't only virtuous to become a follower of God, it's also the only way to be happy because everything else becomes a lie on some level.

And maybe that's where these supposed critiques of Christianity break down and why they're boring, perhaps? Because when you say, "Okay, sure the Bible is true and God is real and Jesus died for your sins and the cross is the only way to Heaven" but then also turn around and say, "But also, all of that is miserable and Heaven is bad" you've reached a logical impossibility. If the Bible is true, it's impossible for that to be miserable. Yes, the consequence to you will be that you have to give up some aspects of your life now that will be very hard to surrender, but that's true for everyone. And no, it isn't more true or more singularly true for "queer" people than it is for anyone else. God always demands that we die to ourselves so that we can live for Him. That demand is made of every person who follows God and it's always costly and it always hurts. But, much the same way that exercise is temporarily painful but results in deeper and more lasting health and strength, following God is temporarily painful but results in deeper and more lasting peace and happiness. To start from the premise of "Okay the Bible is true" and then go "but I reject it anyway" is the same thing as saying, "okay germ theory is true" and then saying, "but I'm going to get a terminal disease on purpose." In that story, the character is just carrying the Idiot Ball around the whole time and that isn't very entertaining.

@imissthembutitwasntadisaster, what do you think for this as a possible underlying explanation for what makes this a boring trope?

Sometimes I'm not even mad at something cause it's blasphemous I'm mad cause it's boring

[hkthatgffan]

"End" of the Kiki-Kit Saga (For me at least)

Okay, I've been waiting for a while to make this post and quite frankly, it's one I really didn't expect to make. But, having started this topic in October, I felt it was important to also end it even if it's not a great end overall.

You may remember back in October 2024 that I made this post regarding the artist Kiki-Kit. She's pretty well known in the Gravity Falls fandom and worked on Lost Legends. Long story short, she'd been ghosting me and many other people for months regarding commissions we had gotten from her in January of that year. That first post goes into detail about it all and has the specifics but basically, after finding out there were people waiting years for her to respond to them, I felt compelled to make that post to call her out and hopefully get more eyes on this issue as Kiki had seemed to be getting away with this behavior for a while. Well, good news (sorta), for me at least, it's now over...

Kiki-Kit Refunded me!

I'd love to be happy about it but quite frankly, to even get this was a pain in the ass. As I said in the first post, Kiki never responded to DMs or even the email she had set up for commissions. So, as a last resort, I contacted a friend of hers that she had mentioned back in January during her commissions request period. I won't name them as they never were involved in this, but I got in touch with them via Bluesky and asked if they could let Kiki know I was trying to reach her but can't. And low and behold, the very next day she actually FINALLY DM's me for the first time in over a year!

I should say, this happened back on February 9th of this year (it'll make sense in a sec why it took me so long to make this). On one hand, it was nice that she did finally DM me but I can't lie, it felt very suspicious and off to me that it literally had to take me contacting someone she knows about it. Someone who never was involved in this and had no reason to be and that in turn was what finally got her to respond to me.

Kiki did explain herself and without sharing her PM, I will say I fully understand her position. As she stated back in June 2024, she's going through a pretty rough time and even her reasoning for doing these commissions were for financial reasons I am sympathetic to her for. I wanna make clear again, this was never a case of "artist is taking too long on my art and I am impatient!" I get it. Everyone like me in this situation gets it! Artists are humans like you and me and things can happen and they have every right to take breaks, be offline, etc.

But where the problem was, was that Kiki-Kit NEVER responded to any update request going back months. I tried every appropriate channel of communication I could to no avail. I'm understanding, but I also am a paying client and if nothing else, a simple update would suffice. She never gave me even that until now and the way I had to get it out of her was beyond what someone should have to do to get that.

She did admit to me she is aware of this problem of hers of not communicating properly and seeming to ignore clients. If nothing else, I was appreciative she admitted where she was wrong. I told her back she really needs to improve on that and also, given she gave me the choice, I asked for a refund. Even though she offered me assurance she will get these commissions done, I'm not dealing with her anymore and I wanted my money back.

And then guess what? Kiki-Kit GHOSTED ME AGAIN!!

This all happened on February 9th. Well, March 9th, one month after that first exchange rolls around and I still hadn't heard from her. I follow up, no response. She hadn't communicated at all since February! Finally, on March 25th, the day she refunded me, Kiki FINALLY gets back with some excuse about why it took so long and again apologizing. I'm not even gonna bore you with what she said this time around as it was another of the same excuses and "I'm sorry." At least this time I got my money back.

I was as nice back to her as I could be but holy fucking shit, I was beyond angry and disappointed in her. It really didn't seem to sound like she really even cared. I mean, the fact it took her over a month again to get back to me after apologizing and saying she was working to be better at communicating really left me running out of sympathy for her.

And again, I should stress, I'M NOT MAD AT KIKI-KIT FOR NOT DELIEVERING MY COMMISSION! IDC if I had to wait a year for it if she had been proper in her communication and transparency about why she was offline and not responding. This was always a communication issue, NOT an issue with it taking so long. Yes, she gave a reason in June, but then vanished for months yet again and still technically speaking, she hasn't officially posted anything since August 2024.

If you pay someone for a service and they then just vanish and not pick up your calls or respond to your texts or emails, you're gonna be suspicious. Excuses are a whole other story but even so, at least you are getting a response. I could've understood it if that was what she did. But a year without any response whatsoever, only one update in June 2024, multiple people coming out and saying they too have been waiting for months or even years for a response to no avail and finally me having to contact a 3rd party just to get her to fucking respond? Either Kiki-Kit is the worst at keeping track of her DM's, or she purposefully is banking on people not saying anything about her ghosting and just hopes they forget they ever bought something from her or give up after enough time with no response and accept they lost that money.

I mean, @foxieskullz was waiting since 2019 and similarly to me, it was her persistence and constant talking about it that probably was what finally made Kiki-Kit respond.

As of today, April 26th, it's been 1 month since Kiki refunded me. I told her once again when she did that she needs to contact all the other people she was paid to make art for and give them the same offer of a refund or promise to finish their art. Given it's been a month since that, I decided to reach out to some of those people to see if Kiki actually made good on that.

I contacted my friend Darkshade on Discord who also bought a commission from her that January about if she had heard back from Kiki and sure enough, she hasn't!

I also contacted @animepianistgirl2 who also has been waiting and similarly, no response from Kiki-Kit either. Hell, I was looking through my old posts about it and I saw even stephreynaart said she'd gotten a commission from her and still no response. That was back in June, so I haven't asked her yet about if she got a response or not since then, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a no too. When even a person as respected and popular in the fandom as Steph is probably in the same boat, then things really are looking bleak.

IDK what else to say. I'm disappointed beyond belief. Maybe this is my GF fandom version of "never meet your heroes," but I still am so upset that of all people, Kiki-Kit could be like this. She's a legend in this fandom and was respected and loved by fans long before I ever joined. Her fanart was some of the first I ever saw and I celebrated with the rest of the fandom in 2018 when she got her moment to shine as an illustrator in Lost Legends and even meeting Alex Hirsch in person at a book signing event for it.

She's been in so many fan projects. She's a name everyone on GF Tumblr probably knows and respects. So, yeah, to have to say all this about her is not easy even now. I am so grateful to all of you who heard me out in October when I made my post about this. I was afraid to post it given even with all the people who came out and said the same thing, I was worried people would side with her due to the notoriety she has and just the thought that someone like her would never do this. But the response was incredible (I even had long time GF fans and artists who were friends of Kiki-Kit agreeing that her actions here were not right) and if nothing else, I hope it maybe helped spread word about this and get people to be more aware.

Kiki-Kit, if you see this, know that I am upset. I really hope you are doing okay and that you can overcome the hardships in your life that maybe led you to being like this right now. I don't believe you meant to be like this with malicious intent but it's what happened and you now need to fix that. I appreciate that you refunded me, but I am still mad. You have not refunded anyone else or even spoken to them even after I told you that you should. You ignored everything I said, even after you admitted yourself that you have a problem with communicating.

I hope you seriously work on improving your communication. I really hope you offer everyone left waiting a chance to either get their art finished or refund them. My posts are not going away. If you ever try to open commissions again, I am making sure people see these and know what kind of person you are to those who pay you. I hate having to spread negative shit like this on my platform, but if it spares another fan from losing money to you, then so be it. I had to wait only a year. Foxie was waiting since 2019 (and you gave her a similar set of excuses and apologies and probably never read anything she told you like you did to me)! And don't forget Jolliejackdaw who you blocked on Twitter and has been waiting since 2020!

I don't want anyone else to be in this same boat. Either commit to better communicating with your clients, or don't bother asking people for commissions next time. This could've all been resolved privately if you just bothered to talk. But you didn't. And now this all had to be said.

So, all this to say, while I don't anymore have to deal with Kiki-Kit, others are still waiting. And I'll keep asking around to see what happens. But unless something else big transpires, this is it for me in regards to Kiki. I hate making posts like this but it had to be done and tbh, I hope if anything it serves as a lesson to both artists and clients. Communication is key. Without it, stuff like this can spiral out of control fast.

I hope Kiki-Kit can mend her name in this fandom. I'll always be a fan of her work, but I am never commissioning from her again. And quite frankly, until she seriously fixes her communication ability, neither should you.

[alexanderlightweight]

Happy Wednesday 💜

Was hoping you might feel up to continuing cat boy Alec, or something where despite the fact Alec is obviously competent he's still getting pulled around by Magnus games/whims....because he wants to be (aware of this want or not).... Let's be honest he wouldn't enjoy it or even put up with it for just anyone ...

Looking forward to reading anything you feel inspired to write.

it has been a bit but I am back and here we go! this is time skip to after alec has finished up with Magnus at pandemonium and gone back to the institute after the entire team of six nephilim clave hunters died and Magnus got his debt paid in full by Alec.

I hope you enjoy <3

lumine

-

maybe i'm the villain

Magnus is not expecting him.

That’s the delightful thing.

Oh he is expecting him, but not yet.  Not less than twelve hours since they last met and certainly not in a different way than the one Magnus engineered to happen.

But there Alexander is, leaning against his balcony railing.

“Hello kitten.” 

Magnus has been ready since his wards first pinged the familiar energy and he reaches for Alexander only to be ignored.

Oh Alexander greets him, he gets close enough to share Magnus warmth and for his tail to loop endearingly around Magnus’ wrist and Alexander practically purrs as he blatantly scent marks Magnus.

And then he’s gone.

Pulling back as if he has any business taking himself from Magnus' reach and instead Magnus finds himself holding shadowhunter weapons — of all things. And a rather heavy duffel that Magnus expects are simply more weapons.  It certainly seems feasible if the way Alexander just smiles coyly and steps past him is supposed to make any sense.

You don’t enter a dragon’s lair without surrendering all your weapons, no matter how fond that dragon is of you.

Magnus blinks, twice just to make sure the image of Alexander setting the two bags he did not hand Magnus down on the ground hasn’t gone anywhere.

“Alexander, are you certain you want what you’re getting yourself into?” Magnus asks to be fair.

Because he’s a dragon and he won’t be fair ever again and if Alexander needs a reminder then that is what Magnus will give. As the old oaths demand of any living being entering the protection of a primordial.

This one last time.

“I’m a full Commander and was nearly an Institute head.  I understand what surrendering myself and my weapons and willingly entering a dragon’s lair means.  I even have a suspicion of what it means when someone who the dragon is fond of does it.”

Magnus lets the balcony doors slide shut behind him and the wards to recenter because Alexander has made it clear he knows what is going on.

“I thought it would take you a bit longer to come back to me  .” Because Alexander was always going to return to Magnus. As nice of a surprise as this is, Alexander is still in for one of his own later. 

It amuses Magnus to think it will happen here, in his lair.

“Apparently not everyone who signed up for that mission knew and was okay with being fodder in a punishment for someone else. The people they left behind aren’t happy either. Which isn’t my problem but the pressure of the people pressuring me is now doubled.”

Magnus snaps away the bags and the weapons that Alexander has brought, they can be dealt with later. And the moment he sits on the couch he is delightfully surprised when Alexander sprawls out on it, pillowing his head on Magnus’ lap without any prompting or words.

He looks up and his eyes dilate longingly, similar to when Magnus’ own pupils dilate with want and Magnus runs sharp talons through his hair until a contented purr rumbles through Alexander down through Magnus thighs.

“What was the punishment for?” Because Magnus knows the Clave enough to see that they were attempting to play at several things.  They’d used the mission to try and remind Alexander that he was barely more than fodder, that he could be thrown away quite easily. The other was undoubtedly some new reason they either wanted Magnus’ attention or were hoping to shift some kind of blame upon him.

“Not getting married and having babies. They don’t like that I’m not already adding to my bloodline.”

Alexander says it so simply but Magnus can smell the agonized rage of the mere thought from Alexander and his fingers tighten, earning a purring nuzzle against his belly.

“I figured it was a play of time and chance. How many times would the Clave risk time and resources reminding me I am replaceable before I either really became replaceable? Or before I caved? Or before I became powerful enough to push back?”

Alexander sighs and he looks exhausted, eyes dark and haunted.

“The Clave can call you a ‘horned lizard putting on airs’ all they want.” 

Magnus snorts at that, because that was a clever bit on Catarina’s part.  More so in how unbelievable it is and yet how eager the Clave is to believe it.

“But I know better. I could actually get what I want with you. Because you’d give it to me. And I don’t have to worry about trying to survive the missions they’re going to keep throwing at me. You gave me a way to find you again, to find you lair. I didn’t take that lightly.” Alexander blushes a bit at that but not from shame, probably just from the memory of how thoroughly Magnus ruined him for any other on their first meeting.

In front of dozens.

Having Alexander bringing himself here, intending to stay put exactly as Magnus intends to keep him is a treat.

As fun as a chase can be, Magnus has already claimed Alexander. It makes sense to his instincts and his pride that Alexander understands that.

“So you’re sweetly surrendering yourself to me? You understand your place here?” Magnus isn’t surprised by Alexander accepting the first question with ease but hesitating on the wording of the latter.

“You’re a part of my hoard, Alexander. A beloved treasure that I was loath to see the back of you but well, the strongest of dragon magicks work best with the willing when living. I’ll keep you sated here, safe too. The Clave played hard and fast with your life today and we both know it, darling.”

In his own way, Alexander had been burning with the need to escape from his fate and Magnus' own flame of desire had fed off that passion.

-

AN:

i hope this conveys that Alec was going to end up going back to Magnus one way or another and Magnus knew it. it's just really enticing to him that Alec came not even half a day later and handed himself completely over to Magnus.

yes it might be survival of the fittest and Alec going with what's going to keep him alive but that also really appeals to a huge part of magnus' dragon instincts.

alec is also being a natural little shit and making himself at home because he's going to make himself comfortable right up until Magnus draws the line and then he'll dip his toes over it a few times to figure out just how solid that line is. in cat ways! he doesn't yet realize that the more he tries to find a line to step over the more Magnus is erasing any possible lines.

so Alec also doesn't really that he's just endearing himself more and more to Magnus (not that he'd mind if he did know) since

it's not mentioned but Magnus let Alec go back to the Institute after the six deaths and the vows/payment were complete. as hinted there is an extra vow/payment that Alec missed that Magnus also refers to in this chapter that Alec hasnt figured out yet.

alec also knows that if he missed any transactions with Magnus, the best thing to do is find out about them around Magnus. he's not stupid, he just doesn't have political clout or any family power backing him because of his parents sins and so he knows he's expendable. so his choices within the clave are extremely limited. Magnus is a path out and even if Alec owes him something, it can't be worse than what alec's already dealing with in his opinion.

[changingplumbob]

Day Seventeen - Luther Group 1/2

Waken up everyone! Time for another day in the villa. And not just any day, the final day as a group before we have the whole cast challenge, final dates, and the first commencement ceremony (elimination sounds harsh when I love them). As normal coins were flipped for if teeth were brushed and wheels were spun for which type of shower contestants would have.

Room orders were randomised as some are closer to the dining room than others, but after showers breakfast was served! After being instructed to eat full autonomy took control of our group members and Deanna. Room doors were locked (you know what sims are like with computers) and Deanna complimented each sim in the order they sat down to eat to prompt conversation.

Today Nephinae and Kay were the first to breakfast, happily greeting Deanna. Fate was not as kind to Abigail though who woke up under a heavy gloomy moodlet. Nephinae and Nathalie attempted to distract her though while Deanna gave her compliments. Kristina however? Well her erratic trait had her feeling VERY flirty today. Would she be able to make the most of it?

Eventually Nephinae and Kay's cheer worked, gaining a smile from Abby. Alaina was weirdly quiet at and around the table. Biding her time or getting in to a competition headspace? Anyone's guess. Kay did the dishes and Kristina flirted with Deanna in front of everyone. Luckily the jealousy settings seemed to hold and no one got upset by it.

Rather than leaving the villa the contestants head to the top floor where chairs have been set out in an odd configuration. Today Deanna and Devin are joined by their little sister Artemisia (Emisia to family, Emi to friends).

Devin: Since this show was brought to life around the idea of family having a say in challenges, we let Emisia choose one

Emi: *evil grin* Today you will be taking part in... a staring contest. First to blink loses. You will go in pairs, I will join the three winners for a semi final and then the last two standing will battle it out. Up for grabs, not that you should want it, is a solo date with Deanna. I say up for grabs because if I win overall no date for any of you! To bad? So sad. What are we waiting for?

Deanna: *sighs*

First match: Nephinae vs Abigail

Nephinae: Hold on *blinks rapidly* okay I'm ready

Abigail: A staring contest? That's going to be interesting, for sure

Winner: Abby

Second match: Nathalie vs Alaina

Nathalie: ... what? Artemisia certainly has... a sense of humor. Well, they do say staring into another's eyes builds intimacy, so this might be good for me?

Alaina: *pure disbelief flashes across face. Shakes head slides hand down face*

Winner: Alaina

Third match: Kristina vs Kay

Kristina: A staring challenge? Pfft, I've had enough those with my brothers to handle this no problem. Bring it on!

Kay: *quizzical look on her face* Well this is an odd one.

Winner: Kristina

Semi final time. Artemisia vs Abigail. Alaina vs Kristina. Artemisia lost to her dismay and Kristina triumphed over Alaina.

Final match, Abigail vs Kristina. Can Kristina bring home the win in honour of her fellow redheads? Or will Abby win another victory? Winner is… Kristina

Nathalie: Drat, I was so sure my soulful, beautiful eyes would carry me through!

Kay: *giggling* I definitely did not think staring competitions were what I was signing up for

Nephinae: I was this close to reading your mind I swear!

Kay: Oh, oh, what am I thinking now?

Nephinae: That I didn't win... but I looked good doing it!

Nathalie: How can you joke about this

Nephinae: Relax Nat, there will be other chances

Alaina: That was a stupid challenge

Artemisia: Excuse me

Alaina: That was a stupid challenge. No real skill involved

Artemisia: Sure there wasn't. Look my sister doesn't deserve sore losers so you should give up now

Alaina: Who are you again

Artemisia: *swears crudely in Italian*

Aaron (offscreen): Emisia!

Artemisia: I said what I said

Abigail: Staring was never my biggest forte, so not surprising *smiles*. I've already had a solo date this round, better Kristina gets a chance anyway

Kristina: Ha! Told you I could do it!

A still erratically flirty Kristina is ready for the date!

@bakersimmer, @berrysims-lp, @daedriyth, @hashimasims, @invisiblequeen, @lostinsixam

[lexicorp]

Istg

That comment just absolutely encapsulates this shit /so/ much.

And it really is just so trippy having Optimus seem to forgive Megatron just so simply with but a smack on the wrist. Altho I do at least appreciate in ES them showing the shadowed tension that is still present between them. I feel like with lore between Megs and OP can make sense why Optimus would want to just move on and not make delve into all those repercussions mainly due to them still needing help rebuilding, their past friendship in many continuities that could make Op just not want to lose anyone else (even if it's Megatron, at this point), and just a sense of thinking it's necessary to be virtuously forgiving just for the sake of preventing revenge driven perpetual violence. It's hard to say. And in ES, OP might have given that same treatment to Star (at least tried to tell Megs to not be rough with him), but like there's so much stuff in the background and Starscream likely denying that offer /because/ of OP seeming to favor Megatron so it's just like- ÆaAæ

They seemed to really try to note on Megatron being held accountable for what he did, but SO much of the focus was just on the terrans and human kids and shit, that I really don't feel it was shown as much as it was just said.

Then, the perpetual survival mode thing is just so, so real. Everything about trauma responses are about survival, to not just physical threats, leading to layers of defensive, guarded, and aggressive behavior.

And those slap in face comments are just so degrading like. Over here telling the victim that they need to be understanding of the nuances, while everyone around them just wants some flat, simplified answer fed to them (usually to the wrong person's detriment)

The funny thing is, my person that I've struggled with the most with layers of indirect negative (also unsure of saying abuser because of all the nuances), I very constantly find this level of disconnection in myself from it. A lot of my psych interest has come from trying to understand the people I've dealt with. But even if you know what they're going thru or have been through, and can understand the logical trait of events and behavior, doesn't always mean it'll help at all. Which is frustrating. And to just hear the constant: "be patient", "he's just in a mood cuz of x y z, don't take it personal", "/you/ did do x", "I don't remember that". Or just the fact of feeling indebted to them so there's no right to be hurt, or frustrated, because they've given you everything.

My problem now seems to be being the thing of: oh great, I'm open minded, now what?

It doesnt always help, and that statement shouldn't be used to shut down a conversation tryna address an actual problem.

Me, at the entirety of the transformers franchise: wow starscream may deserve a lot of things but not that