#and it's cliche too orz

[marvus-xoloto]

just typing to get some pressure out of my head. too many ideas but too small brain.

It looks like I won't be able to get the AP/Marv fic done for my birthday :o( the part of my brain that comes up with outlines and plots is mush right now. Hey, though, if I hit a good piece of inspo, it might happen?? Not counting on it anymore though.

That being said.... I have the next chap of itty bitty like 1/3 done (it's shorter than the previous two). I've been posting on the 14th for every chapter (which was coincidental, but I like the consistency), so I will probably get this out around March 14th. Which means, if I keep on track, I can get to my favorite date (in theory) in time for april, so that might be my gift to myself instead. Who cares if it's cliche, I've been looking forward to writing this particular date since chapter 1!! That being said, chapter 3 with the aqurium is still my fave of the written ones. Kind of nervous for the next chapter; writing angst is still super new to me, and I'm struggling with the pacing in this one. Oooh but!! We get to see an old fantroll of mine >:o) Most of my fantrolls are women or women adjacent; this one's a guy. How's that for variety?? I guess Blafis was a guy, too, but he's dead now :o(

I've said this a million times but I'll say it again: I'm so happy with and excited for the ideas I've come up with for my fics this year. I'm super organized lmao so I do plan out which fic gets worked on to be done in time for specific months. Like, the nosferatu AU will be my halloween fic obv; it's also the one I'm most excited for. Itty bitty is going until May, unless I add the bonus smut chapter? It depends on how I write chapter 6 I guess... I have a cutesy little karako / wanshi fic planned for june, though, that I'm excited for. Aaaand I'll try to get some rq's done for the months after that lol.... I'm so sorry orz I have like 20+ rq's just sitting in my inbox. Oh I'm also thinking about doing a kinktober thing this year, too, for all my faves.

We'll see what happens. I have a feeling act 3 will come out this year, and it would be great to have a few more ppl in the fandom! But if it doesn't, I predict that the few of us still around might dwindle by 2024. I don't want that, though; on a personal level, this hyperfixation doesn't seem to be going anywhere, and I can't seem to latch on to anything else.

[beroidae]

honestly not too sure about the hair for baby thang .... i got sold on the frosted tips bc it does look very cute + pkmn doesn't have realistic hair genetics anyway but at the same time it feels a little too cliche orz

[tepperz]

i didnt think about it before now either xD

i know lol 20,000+ is too much, i keep getting distracted XDD I'm also always saving morrrrrrreeeeeeeee. Pixiv in particular is sooo bad for that -- if you have a subscription to it, it just keeps recommending you good art after good art. and it's like! aaaaa! I can't keep up with how many amazing works there are! (screaming)

"The example and your analysis of it are really interesting! You’re right about the unique highlights and warm color drawing attention there. I hadn’t noticed until you pointed them out! Even just the one “simple” artwork had a lot of valuable details."

You get it you totally get it!!!!!! Yeah, exactly!!! Like I get its easy to gloss over as a picture but it actually has soooo much unique value! I really like that kind of thing!! I'm a super nerd when it comes to seeing the unique value of artworks ><. I feel like most artwork has its own appeal. Not to sound weird or anything, but besides saving sooo many artworks, I sometimes also go through the manga I own too and try to write down what I think the mangaka has done super well with paneling/screentones/ect, and what I think they could improve on. It's super useful for reference, as someone who's trying to make comics! Even manga I don't like have good points that are worth learning from!

So how would you categorize something like that?? @@ I get how just one doesn’t encompass all that now!

I think i'd put that picture into "portrait - no background" and also save a copy of it into my "texture" folder? hmmmmm. dang, i should have sorted it while I was looking at it earlier!!!!!! i forgor LOL

I’d love to see how these details are translated into your own works.

I legitimately thought of drawing something new with that pic as inspiration, but im in an art block right now so I can't u_u; But! I will go find a work that I had inspiration for!

so in this one I was trying to give the atmosphere of someone with low contrast dark blue, sort of a creepy mood. The unnaturally still pose in the photo with the low contrast of the anime picture. I don't think it worked out this time, but it is an example of me pulling from other works.

oh! heres another one

that was last year so im trying to remember what aspects I pulled from. the chibis are my character references, the photo is his eye color... and from top to bottom... I think the top white drawing is his face shape? And below that is his hair color. Below that, the low saturation is inspiration, and the bottom reference is... i have no idea. Vibe? lmao. But yeah, my point is not all my references are masterpieces but I try to cobble them together like some goblin quilt lol

(asldfdsaklj I see you show your art with references later on bless you~)

heehee. I like seeing yours too ^^

Oh yeah, all the poses and expressions even in those portraits do have something that makes them stand out! Even art without backgrounds has to have good balance and use of negative space.

yeah! Exactly! Since organizing and seeing similar pieces together Im really starting to understand some patterns. It's good to learn.

A Clothing folder is sooo useful for cool details or cuts, but also the fabric types and specific folds. I struggle a lot with designing outfits so any help is lifesaving orz

8U I should do that. Have you tried pintrest? I have a lot of cool clothes saved on pinterest. I know it's kinda cliche to turn to pinterest for ideas but it always gets my mind twirling when I see the different types of aesthetics. I know you didn't ask and feel free not to bother clicking it, but if you want inspiration with clothes, heres a link to a pinterest board I use specifically for super interesting clothes: xxx

It’s been so many years since I started this organization system now… I think my Pictures folder just got too disorganized so I separated poses, and then just kept separating as the need arose. Haha letting the folder decide must speed things up a lot though! No worrying about which reference has been waiting for years to be used, just following the mood~

Wish... i wish i'd done that xD You realized the benefits of organizing a lot sooner then me. I watched a video lately about how people who are really good at drawing know what references to use in any particular situation (I think it was this one: xxx) and it sort of hit me how I was holding myself back by not being able to sort what I liked and why. It's really cool to see what pictures you chose and how they work together (with the middle distance and long distance backgrounds folders). I can definitely see the impact it has on your work already!! In my opinion I think you're very good at middle distance shots, so I can see how you'd be inspired by those works! And the interesting angles in your references and big shapes translates into your art as well, I believe ^^

I’m down for trading tutorials for sure! o// Anything to do with light or clothes would be treasured forever~ Are there specific tutorials you’d like? (And ones you’d recommend?)

Ohhh yeah let me get together a bundle for you! Here! I hope this helps! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yGCOUpPunk038by_ztRgELAWLRgmxEVK?usp=share_link ^^

as for me, if you find any tutorials on backgrounds or gesture, I'd love it if you threw them my way! no pressure thuogh.

Man, it’s so cool seeing the references near your art. They all came together and made something with the feeling but new. Loving the moodboard lol!! xD Once they’re on your canvas, then you don’t have to go digging through folders any more, I see I see! :3c

heehee, thank you! I'm glad that comes through!! Exactly, I feel like digging through files gets me out of the flow so I just throw them all on my canvas. i dont mean to make moodboards but it does end up working for me!

Watercolor has a distinctive transparent look so it’s easy for me to tell apart at least! Gouache is a bit harder because it can look like acrylic but they can be used the same way so it’s okay if some get mixed in… (I honestly can’t tell the difference between mediums like oil and acrylics though!! I don’t use them so their nuances are mysteries~) 

ohhhhhh. i guess thats true, watercolor really does have a texture. Gouache I just recently got some this week for the first time. Did you know that they're basically watercolors??? It's wild. But when I see good gouache it reminds me a lot of hard shading, like in anime. Oil I feel like also has a texture, kind of... thick? I have literally no idea about acrylics though. All I know is I like to watch people on youtube use them to relax.

And sometimes I’ll find inspiration in an unexpected folder– It’s tiny but the pic on the bottom right was the biggest influence on this piece! I loved the strong shadows and greenish tint!

i know this is the last thing in this huge bleeping wall of text but its literally so cool to see your inspiration and the final piece. I can totally see where you're coming from with the blues and greens and it's really interesting to see the correlation. Thats why I wanted to put some of my finished works and references in this post too. I love seeing those kinds of things. If you want to share more, I wouldn't mind.

Anyway, thanks for chatting with me!

How did you learn to draw so well? Like was it from classes or a book on fundamentals or just trial and error?

//// thanks for the kind question!

I guarantee you I would have improved faster if I’d taken a class, but I hope some of the materials I’ve used over the years can be of use to you too:

Andrew Loomis’ books - I never made it past the first chapters, but those had some great advice.

Youtube - Proko’s bean method. Figure drawing references will greatly improve anatomy and “drawing what you see”. It’s boring imo, so doing just 5-10 minutes a day can keep one from burning out while still seeing improvement. Speed painting videos are a nice way to relax and study.

Will Terrell’s People Drawing series - He’s a humble man with personal advice for artists. I watch his videos when I feel discouraged or lost.

Art, art, art - Whenever I see an artwork that I like, I figure out exactly what pleases me: line thickness, nose shape, finger positions, composition, the way the hair bends in the wind, etc. Then I try to incorporate that specific characteristic into my own art.

I have growing folders of (I’m a bit embarrassed) almost 8,000 pictures, organized by characteristics, for the sole purpose of studying their prettiness. Sometimes we don’t need a tutorial to spell everything out, just an example can help us envision our own works’ potential. Also, staring at pictures is a relaxing way to study too!

And of course, trial and error~ I don’t post my sad, failed paintings or all the weird sketches I make, but they exist and teach a lot!

[harunodesu-a]

( @strxtegicalshxdows​ )

        a frustrated sigh left the pinkette’s lips. this turned out to be much harder than she expected. not that she had any hopes of actually beating him in shogi, in the first place. that would be silly. but she at least hoped it would take longer, that she would actually become a real oponent & give him some trouble, make him sweat to find a way to win. but, surprising absolutely no one, shikamaru ----- the genious of strategy & tatics ----- managed to capture her king before she could even pose his a real threat. what a drag indeed. 

        “in my defense, you must play this everyday.” there was no need to mention, of course, how difficult it was to remember the right moves for each piece. remembering each & every name of the bones in a human’s body? easy work for sakura, but remembering the rules of movements for the silver general? not so much. next time she’d challenge him for a taijutsu session, now in that she was confident.

[digitalgate02]

FrontierFest [17/20]

👀 oh man, shall I reply this one?

Day 17 • Any (romantic) ships?

I WILL CHEAT HERE. Since I do not have much Frontier/Frontier ships hehe orz

I do think it might count crossover ships so uh I uhhhhh... Where should I start...?

Okay, before going a bit wilder, I will say I appreciate the potential romantic tension between Takuya and Kouji. Yes, that one. But also Takuya/Kouichi would be interesting I think...

But I also like How the twins and Takuya interact with Izumi as well. Like, Kouji handing his jacket to her when she was freezing on their way to Akiba Market? Or when Izumi simply encouraged Kouichi to talk with Kouji? Or even that dream/Illusion Takuya had where he was lying his head on her lap? Yeah, pretty much those three and her are favorites too.

Now, now... If you had noticed it before... I’m a walking AU machine. I make AUs for many characters and my favorite victim is Daisuke. So, I do have imagined a ton of scenarios and being fueled by friends before...

I do like Takuya/Daisuke as ship. Yes, those two idiots. I like to imagine them having a very healthy rivalry-friendship in which they enable each other. I see the potential in their relationship to the most, and yeah I’d like them to smooch.

And, a very obscure and old ship I had in mind for years is... Kouichi/Hikari -- In the cliche sense of “Light and Darkness” yeah. I do like this trope so much... The Darkness Warrior and the Bearer of Light. I think they would at least be good friends.

A friend made me see potential on Ken/Kouichi too, and I loved reading some of their fanfics about this ship.

Anyway, here’re my choices.

[satorisa]

To celebrate over 100 notes on my Ignea oneshot, have another one-shot that takes place during the beginning of Chapter 7. Mostly follows Noctis, Prompto and Ignis, but I do hope you still enjoy it nonetheless!

Ignis loved feeling the breeze tousle his hair so long as he wasn’t relegated to the back seat of the Regalia. In those situations, it felt like a maelstrom buffeting his styled hair out of its firm yet flexible shape, an omen heralding his impending death.

And on that particular day, exacerbated by the absence of his back-seat neighbor either snoozing away or reading, he was sure that he was, in fact, going to die.

Oof.

His seatbelt knocked the wind out of him as Noctis, infamous for his sharp turns that came without warning, took a left onto a particularly gravelly road.

“Sorry, Ignis.”

“No need to apologize,” the older man grumbled. “I’m glad that you’ve taken an interest in using the road less traveled; however, I do advise that you slow down before all this bouncing knocks my glasses off.”

Prompto snickered from the shotgun before positioning his camera, taking bursts of snapshots as they whizzed by. The calming hum of the engine and distant ebb and flow of the water by the shore gave way to the topic—abandoned earlier because of Noctis’ god awful driving—at hand of obtaining the mythril and dealing with Gladio’s sudden departure, only to be forgotten once more with another outburst from Prompto demanding to take a picture by the Vesperpool.

“Can it wait for Gladio?” Ignis mused.

“And miss a shot like this? No way! It’s the big guy’s fault he went AWOL.”

Noctis easily pulled into an open space, half-enclosed by moss covered rocks, by the out of place Chocobo meter. The men filed out before following a worn path between two of the rocks, with Noctic silently taking the lead, Prompto oohing and aahing behind his lens, the main purpose of their mission immediately lost to him, while Ignis rounded out the back, avoiding the patches of wet ground.

They made it to the shore, polishing off a herd of Sahagin to clear out the area before Prompto set up the camera. Compared to when they had first left the capital, the young man had certainly become more efficient at setting up and taking down the trifold since the whole ordeal took less that fifteen minutes including Prompto fussing over the batch of photos until he found the perfect shot. (The first time they had done this, out in the sandy and rocky expanse of Leide, the tripod had toppled precariously before falling several times. Luckily, the camera survived, but they wasted so much daylight for one picture. And don’t get Ignis started on the incident in Duscae. How the camera survived that was beyond them. Really, Duscae’s lush greenery was a sight to behold indeed, but there was far too much water for him to warrant returning if he were on vacation.)

And now that they had gotten the sight-seeing out of the way, Noctis called the Chocobos, and they strode around to find the mythril. Ignis hoped, feeling the breeze blow through his hair, that this was an easy retrieval mission because, honestly, it would at least give him some semblance of control.

When he saw that familiar car parked in front of the entrance to some kind of ruin, Ignis had half a mind to trample over it with his Chocobo because my god, of course this situation couldn’t get any worse. But he stayed his ground, merely looking at the rather cute, vintage car with derision.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Noctis remarked.

“Does this guy have anything better to do with his time than, like, talk us in the middle of Mosquito-ville?” Prompto smacked his arm and groaned. “Of COURSE he’s here! He’s practically mayor of these bloodsuckers!”

“Didn’t I tell you to put on bug spray before we left earlier?” Ignis asked, playing into the light-hearted conversation.

“But that stuff stinks! I can’t live with myself smelling like it!”

“Plug up your nose, then,” Noctis suggested with a sly grin. Prompto groaned yet again before smacking his other arm, marring his slightly tanned skin with a splotch of red. “Well then, Ignis, what now?”

“We approach cautiously,” he answered, getting off his trusty steed. Ignis rubbed the head of his Chocobo before shooing it off, and it disappeared into the wilderness as a streak of yellow.

“Do we gotta leave them?” Prompto pouted.

“Would you rather they get into harm’s way?”

The young man, ever full of discontent, dismounted his own Chocobo before reluctantly sending it off. Noctis had done the same, albeit not so disinclined, and the group walked through the arch nearby and into the swampy waters.

“It’s getting into my boots!”

“Prompto!” Ignis hissed. “Silence is a virtue and, as of right now, a necessity!”

The water was getting into his shoes as well, squishing in between his toes and the soles of his feet. With each step, the mud pulled him in, and the murky water had seeped through the hem of his pants, crawling upward until it had gotten before his knee. Any longer in this state and even Ignis, paradigm of composure, would lose it.

And so, in a begrudging silence, they trudged on with Noctis, ever-present at the front, struggling to get through the terrain with his limp leg. Prompto had forgotten about his discomfort by coming to his best friend’s aid, helping the slightly disabled young man whenever he had gotten stuck. And Ignis, as always, rounded out the back, directing his attention to their surroundings to get his mind off his soiled shoes and protect the other two in case Ardyn decided to strike when they were at their most vulnerable.

“You…”

Hearing Noctis’ voice, Ignis snapped his head forward to see Ardyn off in the distance with that disgusting smile on his face. What the hell did that smarmy bastard have in store now?”

He had never expected, under any circumstances, to come face to face yet again with the woman that nearly killed him back at the Niflheim base. And because of Ardyn’s insistence, using Gladiolus’ absence as an incentive, the group had no choice but to listen to his demands and allow Aranea to accompany them to retrieve the mythril.

Honestly, Ignis would’ve rather succumbed to the swamp than have to deal with the flurry of emotions just the sight of her brought.

“The sun’s setting soon, so we can just stay here until the ruins open,” she suggested, leaning against the nearby column.

“No.”

Ignis raised his eyebrow, wondering what triggered Noctis’ snappy attitude.

“I want to camp out, eat something good, dry out my clothes, put some ointment on my mosquito bites, and sleep.”

He sounded just like a fussy child, and Aranea’s two underlings laughed, briefly relaxing their stiff posture. She shot them a sharp look, effectively silencing them, before she pushed herself off the column and marched in front of Noctis.

“I don’t like this situation any more than you do, but I certainly don’t want to extend it any longer than it has to be, so just suck it up and move it.”

“Come ooooon, Aranea,” Prompto chimed in. “Can we pleeeaaaaase rest?”

“We have had a long day,” Ignis seconded. “It would be wise to rest and prepare for what we may possibly meet in there.”

“Fine. Suit yourself.” Shaking her head, she ordered her men to fall out before she started walking off. “I’m not getting paid enough to babysit a royal and his whipped consorts…”

“Um, Aranea, the haven is that way.”

She shot a glare at Prompto, who ducked behind Ignis, before marching off in the right direction.

“Noctis,” Prompto started, “if anything goes wrong because she’s with us, I’m blaming you!”

[kirishwima]

For the Valentines day thing, could you do Yaomomo and Iida?

aaa i fell asleep orz, but if you don't mind this being a little late then ofc! honestly im having fun writing these so i don't mind continuing for today too ^o^

Momo:

* She's so EXCITED!

* She has little experience, so she bases a lot of her plans around things she's seen in movies-big bouquets of red roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, a teddy bear taller and bigger than you-she follows all the cliches, a blush on her face as she wonders what kind of expression you'll have when you receive these gifts

* If you tell her you'd rather do something different though, she'll absoloutely be down for that! She just wants to spend the day with the one she loves-you, grand gestures be damned.

* Even if you end up doing nothing but watch a movie at her place (which granted, is not that different than going to the cinema lol) and ordering takeout, she'll still deem it as the greatest date she's ever been on, because it's with you. She can be herself around you, no expectations, no requirements, and that, to her, is the greatest gift you could ever give her.

Iida:

* I mean, you know how this man is; he'd have every meticulous detail of your day planned out WEEKS before valentine's-

* He has done research, has found an attraction he knows you'll love based on your interests, be it a zoo or ice skating or anything else you'd adore, he's booked the tickets, he's made dinner reservations, he's even picked out what to wear down to the shoes and accessories.

* He might be going overboard-yes he's always punctual and calculative, but this means something to him-he needs the day to be perfect, needs to show you that he enjoys the time you two spend together, that he hopes you do too.

* So if anything doesn't go according to scedhule-if it rains and you can't go to the attraction he had planned or you're stuck in traffic or anything of the sort-he'll panic. He'll clench his teeth, look down at his fists and take in shaky breaths, blaming himself-he should've forseen all this, should've checked the weather forecast, the traffic report-

* You'll have to step in then, remind him that it's okay to just live in the moment rather than anticipate the next one and the one after it.

* Take his hands, intertwine them with yours. Tell him you can go to that cafe you both love instead, can hold hands while you drink foamy lattes and laugh as foam sticks to his upper lip and he keeps talking animatedly, completely oblivious to it. Remind him to just be, here, with you. After all, that's one of the many qualities you have that made him fall in love with you.

-send me your favorite character and i'll write some valentine's day headcanons for them!-

[iwillbefinewith-god]

Skip and Loafer chapter 31:

Shima excitedly holds out his hands for chocolate from Mitsumi as she stares into the chocolate bag to specifically give him a ♡ shaped one. Shima thinks of it as mere obligatory chocolate "for sure" and seems to be slightly bothered/disappointed with a twisted face he makes all while with blushy cheeks.. more signs that point to love...!

I really loved this chapter! (Even though I can't understand most of it and have to infer from the images and google translate's rough translations)

Also, for those that remember in chapter 28 when Shima gets Mitsumi a present for Christmas as thanks for all she's done to help him the past year, he is notably kind of disappointed in a similar way after giving her the gift when she didn't react as the guys made it seem she would. He starts to question a little bit his intentions in giving it to her if only for his self-satisfaction.

And so based on that, I think this last little frame in chapter 31 subtly shows how Shima is noticing his feelings towards her more. Mitsumi has already come to terms with her realization of her love for him but deciding maybe it's not necessary to act on it for now as she's happy with just being able to sit next to him and be friends (and also since she'sso focused on her goals and school while being a little bit of a late bloomer/naive. Also how refreshing is that?? In how many shojo manga (I know this one isnt a shojo but same romcom feel) is the heroine so focused on love we forget they're in school and we start to wonder when are they studying?? Pretty sure that was a gag in gsnk once too. Ok tangent over.)

Anyway, for the upcoming chapters I think we are going to see clear signs of Shima's growing affections in a romantic way for Mistumi although he hasn't fully realized it. This last bit of panels and short inner dialogue with how excited he was for the chocolate even though it wasn't homemade like all her friends had brought in (I love that the author knows when to keep her in character, she easily could have made this generic and had her put in some crazy effort even though she is shown not to be ready for that step, and made this out of character just to provoke something but didnt), he still wanted one.

(Also just love how yet again she sees him as her family dog. I love that the author referenced that point again)

Overall, I'm excited to see where the mangaka takes it as she's done a remarkable job not falling into any cliches with this very sincere and earnest story. (Even if I'm focusing on and excited for points that seem generic for sure, I assure you this is just me being obsessed with how precious all the characters are after reading for so long and now I'm being self indulgent in their super healthy friendship/relationship bc I'm drowning in work and school and need a distraction orz)

[yakocchi]

(I’m the only one who knows Akihiko in this way...)

first i was like ...well i have 100+ tickets saved from that reading promotion so i was like might as well do the sebas route bc i’ve done everyone else’s but now i feel compelled to try rly hard on the election 😔 but the kiss avatars aren’t as cute as the hug ones from last year imo

i did one run on the first day in a hurry to get them all spent before the story fever was done (before i realized all the story fevers will be x3 whoops) so looking back through that rush... this route is not so bad esp. versus the others on the second half (dazai and count) 

further rambling behind the cut bc woops i realized i started typing a whole lot omg tried to keep the spoilers (for sebas’ route) as pretty vague but in terms of spoilers for dazai, count, etc. it’s all over

sorry if you don’t like reading run-on sentence hell, but that’s how my stream of consciousness works orz

but i couldn’t help feel like this route was kind of trying its best in getting the reader interested in faust. isn’t as bad as it was in dazai’s route where i feel like some ppl end up just sitting there going “i’d much rather be with charles wtf” lul to me it was like they’re trying to invest some interest in him but are delicate in trying to make him not seem too irrational in his motivations and antagonistic or else they get into a Will situation in which nobody likes him... and then when the route finally comes out ppl are too mad to change their mind lol.

i just feel kinda bothered with the second half routes bc at times they feel like parts of them only serve to introduce the new characters. which is fine, but like... it takes time away from the actual love interest and it’s like “beh this didn’t happen with a good bit of the other characters” u know. i actually think sebas’ route is the best in finding that balance. i mean with the count it’s justifiable that vlad consumes a lot of “space” bc he is a convenient vehicle (a childhood friend) to further understanding why the count is the way he is. charles essentially appears out of nowhere and takes a pretty active role as a rival, which is new for a ikevam route... but as mentioned before has the unfortunate effect of readers perhaps siding with charles instead of dazai. whoops

well thinking about it there’s probably people who read the count’s route and went “well i think vlad might have an actual case here” in terms of the terrible future he foresaw or w/e .......but the writers probably caught on to that and that’s why they threw in the part where he throws the mc through the door where she could’ve died a terrible death. WELL people still choose to stan. somehow. I MEAN with charles he essentially tried to “axe” dazai by trying to “help” him so mc will be all alone for charles to love or w/e but at least that wasn’t violence. honestly i thought charles was going to go apeshit given how the route took a good chunk having charles toil about his past as a killer (as he was an executioner) and how he’s worried that mc will judge and dislike him if she ever finds out about that

ok well with faust and sebas, faust takes up more of a “devil in plain sight” role where you know he’s gonna do something sketchy as shit and either sebas and mc will fall for it. and it’s sebas who really falls for it first but it was for loooooove man. it was very dramatic (given how sebas has that dumb cliched backstory but i like that dumb cliche) but i mean the man’s gotta have a plot somewhere

i’m surprised that vlad doesn’t actually have a proactive role in this route, granted that his route is the very next one in the schedule. i guess writers knew people would be interested in him regardless so they essentially left him out. which is good, more time for faust. 

but what really put surprised me is that they threw in another leo and count gay dads moment like the older routes have where the two of them are used to keep the plot moving so the main charas can go ichaicha try to take care of shit in the bg. i thought this one for this route was esp...... a choice. it makes me realize that their bond is something that’s really beyond a simple friendship? probably bc they’re both old purebloods, but even with that... the very few times the readers get to see the friendship between vlad and the count imo it’s always... strange. like i can’t really tell that they’re that close of friends? like yea clearly they were close somehow given that they built the magicke door together but still, it always gave me the “crazy friend but you stick with him bc he’s known you forever” vibe. 

like that scene (in the sebas route) where the count finally comes back and leo is the first and only one to greet him at that time... it was very heartwarming in that “old bros” way. you can tell that they really have each other’s back, like that time in the count’s route where the count embarks on vlad’s castle and leo is like “(i’m not going to stop you but) if you don’t come back by dawn... i’m going to go get you. because i, too, cannot die” whew powerful. it’s a nice contrast from when the count was very down after an event in the past and vlad doesn’t really comfort him and actually is more like “you’re weak because of things like this” (not the actual quote but it’s the same gist) lol. like i know why he didn’t support him emotionally because at that point the count was totally not down for vlad’s plans but yeesh

another vague thing from the route... i like how while the count is unavailable, leo more or less takes the helm as the caretaker of the mansion residents. like it’s only a minor part in the grand scheme of things in the route but it’s clear that leo does have great compassion in his heart. in the dazai route too, he’s like the only chara that tries to set dazai straight (albeit for a single scene). 

ok thats all i really wanted to say before this becomes some dumb leo woaw we love him essay thanks for reading this garbage lol

[skycanvas-and-swayingmoon]

It's near, the day He Tian leave is near. Even though I've had such a feeling, I'm still somewhat taken aback.

The puppy's "killing" was meant to teach the young He Tian not to grow deep affection/have strong ties with anyone, yet it cannot stop him from having feelings for Guanshan. Just for the reason that he's grown attached to Guanshan - the ache would be aggravating once their separation happens.

It's the old cliche underworld drama plot again ahaha... As expected, in He Tian's eyes, the father wants his sons to take on his jobs and walk on the dark route. Does the father have even a bit of compassion for their sons, or does he only consider them tools for his goals?

He did successfully shape He Cheng into that kind of person. Nevertheless, this elder brother still holds on to the hope that he would protect his brother at all cost, and minimize his father's control on him. If he's truly good, I would say he doesn't wish for He Tian to fall into the same destiny as him, as he watches his young brother's struggle.

He Tian, I adore him for the moments when he shows his naïve / childish side - as he jad been robbed of it in the past. Seeing his smile makes my heart flutter.

He grows aggressive when he protect his loved ones, even though his situation is no better - too young, too powerless against his father's grasp. Imagine how this boy feels when he knows his day of parting is always around the corner. Yet he struggles on...

Enough rambling, I just want to wish He Tian to stand firm with his feelings, hold on to his beliefs that he won't become "that" kind of person, and that his loved ones will be safe under his wings - once he grows stronger. And He Cheng, he has done a great job as an elder brother. The regret he bears wouldn't subside, but he has protected his brother's integrity, that's something deserving an applause.

Maybe I'm too young to understand He Cheng's words. Does it mean that, their father's training is meant to create a sturdy defense to navigate the dark side? Like the way the parents would be strict towards their child, saying they would understand their teachings once they become adults? Maybe. Yet it cannot be denied how there exists a discrepancy between the mindset of these siblings.

Anyway, it seems that both siblings look awfully weary and sleep-deprived. He Cheng looks as if he's 40 already orz.

The puppy and the young He Tian of that day finally reunite... :( I can't say more, this is heart-wrenching.

The puppy has grown old, and would pass away soon. But He Tian's important ties is not limited to this puppy only, but also his friends, especially the boy he holds special feelings for.

Until he grows stronger, he would need to rely on He Cheng's abilities. Just like how this dog has stayed in He Cheng's care when He Tian helplessly obeyed his father's order.

I suppose He Tian's request would either be "to let him stay for a few more days/let him say his last goodbye to Guanshan tonight", or "to protect his special people at all cost". He would always be by the 19 days boys' sides and protect them, even if he is not there anymore.

It's a heavy scene, seeing how He Cheng is biting his lips and his eyes full of sympathy (I guess), and He Tian muttering like a child.

The posture is well-drawn, especially in the last frame. He Tian curling up reminds me of the day where the little Guanshan hid in the storage to hide from the "bad people". He is, after all, only 15, and he needs more time to form a defense for himself.

He Cheng gives off a sturdy - yet solitary aura.

Really heart-breaking chapter ah.

[todorokih]

4 - 8 and 48 for the ask meme~

thanks for sending tere!

4. A set that flopped but deserved better this acca opening gifset or this kid gifset, but hey i dont even know whether their fandoms are active or not (especially acca).

5. What is your favorite movie/TV show to gif haikyuu because i think i rarely got grains!! bless. ghibli is fun too. oh and bnha too!

6. What is your least favorite movie/TV show to gif i generally dont like coloring shows that have some kind of yellowish/bright vibe (?) or gradients (i hate them with a passion). recently my eyes hated coloring fugou keiji.

7. Who are your top 3 gif makers hMMmMMm how to pick 3!!! this is such a cliche answer but i truly think many of my mutuals are amazing gif makers :’)

8. What gif trend do you hate i dont think i have any, you do you fellas im just minding my own business with ps here....

48. How would you describe your giffing style i think my coloring often falls more on the ‘soft’ side? honestly i havent got that consistent style yet because i change my coloring with every gifset orz

questions for gif-makers.

[jyushimatsu-falls-in-love]

Kimi ni mune kyun! (KYUN!!)

This has to be the most cliched, overdone thing I thought up ever and I apologize greatly for it orz Judge me as you so wish. But hey, it’s cute, right? And that’s what matters? XD;; orz

(Also I wasn’t able to fit them in, but I imagine Dekapan and Dayon would be in it too. Hooray for the couple of old men with an ambiguously romantic/sexual relationship :P)

[hms-fireemblem]

Thea and Bruno!!!! nwn

Bouquuueeeettt 😭😭😭 You’re allowed to ask for your ships too!! AAAAAAAAA but thanks for indulging me on this day *sniffle*

who hogs the duvet: Thea. But then Bruno will hug the teeny burrito blanket next to him for warmth

who texts/rings to check how their day is going: Hmmm tbh no one? They both both just prefer to let the days go and then catch up when they meet personally.

who’s the most creative when it comes to gifts. Both have abyssmal tastes, but Thea is a bit better XD

who gets up first in the morning: Bruno. He’s not a night owl o3o

who suggests new things in bed: ...T...Thea... I’m a bit horny I’m sorry asdfghjklasdbh

who cries at movies: Neither bc sappy romance/tearjerkers are not our thing?

who gives unprompted massages: Theaaaaaaaaaaa! (IRL I love giving massages! If only someone would give me some too ;v;)

who fusses over the other when they’re sick: Bruno haha. I headcanon he has a mother hen mode after watching over the Askran siblings, and now looking after Veronica.

who gets jealous easiest: I’d like to think Bruno ^^; Thea doesnt get jealous easily, but he might if he sees Summoner Thea get cozy with her heroes

who has the most embarrassing taste in music: hmmmmm but what’s considered embarrassing music taste tho?? I like every kind of music genre, and I dont think Bruno would be the type to care. 

who collects something unusual: Bruno probably. He travels a lot and goes to many places unknown to us all

who takes the longest to get ready: Bruno. Look at all his armor and wing accessories! THIGH-HIGH ARMORED BOOTS HELLO?!? 

who is the most tidy and organised: Theaaaaa

who gets most excited about the holidays: Thea! Getting to celebrate with so many different heroes is exciting and always fun. GIMME THE NEW ALTS

who is the big spoon/little spoon: Cliche to say, but Thea is little spoon ;v; I like to be the one coddled ;v;

who gets most competitive when playing games and/or sports: Bruno. Enough so that he rips his shirt like a Dragon Ball character in his competitiveness

who starts the most arguments: Thea. Because gosh darn Bruno keeps wanting to leave because he’s afraid to hurt the people around him!!

who suggests that they buy a pet: Thea :D

what couple traditions they have: Uhhhhhhhhhh stargazing maybe?? I havent thought about this

what tv shows they watch together: Well if they were in the modern world, ...anime... O3O;;

what other couple they hang out with: Any Kiralfonse couple!! Let’s have a double date :D And Sharena/Peony

how they spend time together as a couple: mostly cuddling and lots of piggyback rides. And lots of quiet-together time, like stargazing, reading books, and napping

who made the first move: Thea because we all know Bruno is afraid to get closer bc of his curse orz

who brings flowers home: Bruno :D He’s a bit of a romantic in that way. If he sees a nice flower, and wants to give it to Thea, he will. Also imagine a big, burly guy bringing home flowers. It’s cute :3c

who is the best cook: Bruno >w> He lives by himself; he needs to know how to survive out in the wild

[hanasaku-shijin]

what should u do when the person you’re dating is having a tough day?? be positive, or is that too annoying? let them vent of course, but should you praise them for their perseverance, or again is that too cliche/fake? relate with your own experience, or is that just making it ‘all about you’?

i did my best orz i hope she feels better soon...

[vaporwavemilk]

um so hi

announcements and i guess. explanation below, i know i was gone for. eight months? nine months?

hey everyone, first of all, if u followed me in my absence, im very flattered ! thank u and welcome!

second, i did not intend to be so absent for so long. to keep it rather like, cliche and brief, life catapulted at me ? and it did so without mercy,, i finally feel like im in a place mentally and physically stable enough to come back. theres also been some other things holding me back from returning,

guilt that more time kept elapsing since i last posted? idk, i feel guilt really easily and often for no reason, but i was afraid of returning for so long because i was afraid of confronting disappointment in my being absent? and if u are disappointed, im sorry.

for those waiting on a comm (which i think rn is max at two?) i will be looking at my email tonight after so long, and to which i deeply apologize. i just have not been in a good or healthy headspace to communicate, and for those interested in comms, i likely wont respond until i finish for the ones who have been waiting. ill try to compensate in any way i can. again,, this really wasnt intentional. 

depression and other illnesses ive been fighting have taken a strong grip of me as well, affecting my very well being and ability to meet even my most basic needs and i reached some pits where i would stop drawing for weeks, or draw only once a week ,, which for me is extremely irregular. my condition got a little extreme but im now in group therapy and have just started antidepressants. i intend to post again for those who have missed my art. i missed all of you and your support

currently i am doing healthier, a lot of things are going great now and i am physically in much better health than i was in my relapse. 

now i know a lot of you follow me for my stardew art, which is very flattering and makes me very happy, so ill be happy to tell you ill still be posting some stardew from time to time, but ill also be posting other things i like, which im kind of scared to do as im mostly if not only known for drawing stardew valley things,, i know since this is my art blog i should post what i personally like, but i do like making you guys happy too. expect a lot of nintendo stuff;; im a big nintendo fan and have been my whole life, but dont worry, youll see plenty of stardew too. just wanted to let you know theres just lots of things i like to draw

even some original content and concept art? we will see *insert eyes emoji*

thats pretty much it. oh, and now im 23. my birthday just passed in january and blink 182 is right,, nobody likes u when youre 23 orz

thank you all for your support, i love u guys very much <3

[kirishwima]

1,33,34,50 for the writing ask

1. What made you start writing?mmm honestly, im not too sure? I think i was a really really imaginative kid, and my mom had both me and my sister learn to read and write earlier than normal, so as a kid id try and write my own fairytales and princess stories lol; then in middle school i had a little ‘buisness’ of sorts were i’d doodle some characters and write down stories for them then ‘sell them’ to people (aka give them the doodles and writings in exchnge for like, cool stickers or something lmao)

33. Which themes do you like to write about the most?hmmm, i love writing about skinny love-the idea of two people wanting to be together so much but being terrified of rejection and bottling up their emotions until they tear at the seams? sign me tf up lol

i also really like writing like, abstract stuff? i like to just, imagine what could be happening in a character’s head, from colours to emotions they might still be trying to get a grasp of and i love trying to write that out i guess ^^

34. What is the best advice you have for a beginning writer?

Honestly it’s a cliche, but it’s only a cliche because it works so, PRACTICE. For writing, that doesn’t only mean keep writing as often as you can-which you should definitely do, but it also means reading, breaking down the reasons WHY you like or dislike what you read, how you can incorporate things you’ve seen and liked into your writing. 

It also means studying a little (honestly most I’ve learnt came from English Lit classes-our teacher was amazing and laid out the foundation I needed to be able to pick up styles and analyse them on my own later on), but honestly, when it’s something you love, it rarely feels like a chore. So yeah, practice practice practice! And good luck

50. What’s your favorite thing about your WIP?

I’ve got both an original story WIP, and a Kiribaku series WIP lmao, ummmm, i love world-building in general though, so setting up the premise of each story is my favorite thing to do! 

(Especially about my original story, I’ve got the characters figured out more or less, but I’ve been diving so deep in world-building that I’ve ended up filling up pages upon pages describing the place, history and every little detail about the world that the characters are just....there somewhere....in the background.....i should work on them more orz)

-Writing asks~