#anyway all snippets shared in this are from the scripts and notes i made for my own game!

[ringsreforged]

Season 2, Episode 6 - Nat's Rambles

Okay – SO – Paulina is still on holiday, and I’m obviously DYING OVER HERE (Natalie, in case you hadn’t guessed) so TUMBLR. I HAVE RETURNED.

Truly though, I don’t think I’ve done this since S4 of The 100 which probably aired 100 years ago at this point…what has this show done to me…

ANYWAY. My immediate thoughts on Season 2, Episode 6: WHERE IS HE???????

Paulina Voice: All opinions herein have nothing to do with me, so only judge Natalie for them.

Important Note: I have only watched once, in a haze of stress and emotion, so I reserve the right to delete all of this later if I change my mind on any of it.

Arondir – Hello! Nice to see you! Glad you’re joining us for the battle!

I did like the detail of confirming that not all the orcs are on board with Adar’s war, but I was mostly laughing that ‘running through the trees’ is how the show has reminded us a character exists for two weeks in a row.

Rhun – I think this was the first episode where I was like GO AWAY, RHUN, NOT NOW. Though, I want to stress that I am super excited to see the conclusion of this, probably in episode 8. The Dark Wizard, the Gaudrim, the fate of the Stoors (honestly, I’m assuming they’re all going to be massacred tbh…which…the optics…but we’ll worry about that later…). In today’s episode, it just felt a bit like ‘hey, these characters still exist.’

I did love the little snippet of Tom and the Stranger, though I felt like it could have just been included in their previous scenes. He is 1000% Gandalf, and I stand by my opinion that this isn’t supposed to be a twist or a surprise. It’s just the narrative telling the story. Destiny or friend is super intriguing to me. It’s very Luke and Yoda from Empire, but I do wonder if his destiny IS to choose his friend…and in so doing, THAT is how he finds his staff…

Nori talking with the Gund was very sweet, and her willingness to give herself up to protect everyone was super in character. Poppy and Merimac were cute (I pray to all the gods that THIS was the kiss Morfydd teased but I doubt it very much…), and Poppy wanting to fight for the Stranger made me pretty emotional. However, I have some bad news…

Guys…I think I’m adding Poppy to DEATH WATCH. And I HATE IT. BUT I CAN’T UNTHINK IT.

Moving on…

Numenor – This continues to be the choppiest of storylines this season, but I do think the broad elements are super on point. And, actually, where we end up makes the Eagle sequence make more sense in retrospect. Pharazon didn’t have things locked down, Miriel is very much still a player on the board, and Mr. Eyebrows is THE BIGGEST HYPOCRIT.

Then again, if you told me I’d see Halbrand in the Palantir I’d probably touch it too…

Ahem. Loved that detail by the way! Part of the reason I felt like Halbrand would be his Numenor form was the small scene he shared with Pharazon back in S1, while Galadriel was taking out the guards. A connection was formed then – perhaps his eyes even bored a hole – and if Halbrand rocks up as an enemy of the elves, that’ll only make him more appealing.

Everything with Miriel and Elendil was absolutely stunning. He was willing to give his life for her, she was willing to give hers for his. WHAT ABOUT MY HEART. Honestly, from the way Owen and Cynthia talked about this season, I felt like they weren’t going to get anything at all romance coded. But I’m just starting to think people in TV only see active kissing as romance, because HELLO?? THAT’S THE SCRIPT????? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ROMANCE????

I’m very excited to watch the sequence with the sea worm again, and to really let it wash over me (heh), because I was starting to get time anxious at that point in the episode (my brain starts panicking ‘don’t end, don’t end.’ Honestly, my brain SUCKS). But it was incredible, the implications were wonderful, Elendil’s relief was beautiful, and so was Pharazon’s rage. Also, the whole sequence was UTTERLY STUNNING, WOW.

Note for the show overall, or maybe just for myself, though – PLEASE stop spoiling so much of the season through promotional material. My biggest gripe with this episode is that I felt like I’d already seen/put together 90% of it.

Anyway, I’ve left Earien until last because this was a MUCH better episode for her (though, not letting her have any reaction to Valandil’s death was CRIMINAL). To the point that I’m now reforging (heh) my thoughts on last week – who directed her to have such bratty energy last week? Weird.

Anyway, we saw much more of her conflict and fluidity in this episode. She isn’t Faithful, she believes the new order is the way to go, but she’s also struggling massively with it. Her desperate hug with her father broke my heart, I had instant tears in my eyes, but then I also cheered when she brought Miriel in! What a great surprise that was! I’m REALLY interested to see where she goes from here…I’m assuming in the finale? I was sure she was locked onto a super dark path, but she witnessed Miriel survive the Valar’s judgement…will that sway her back around?

I’m going to finish this section with something that’s maybe a bit controversial…Elendil sucks as Earien’s father!!! Now, I’m willing to put this on pacing/editing issues, because I don’t think the show really wants us to feel this way. But good god, man. HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DAUGHTER. I really enjoyed their cell scene, but sweet lord baby jesus, these two needed a deep conversation in episode 3. Watching him turn to go when Miriel walked in, and just forget Earien was even there hurt me man…even though I enjoy the Miriel aspect VERY much…

Like, I know you’re mad at her, but you’re all she’s got left…and your pride might mean she watches you die…can you be a little kinder to her???

Dwarves being dwarves, AKA perfect – Flawless. No notes.

The initial sequence with the Durin’s and Annatar was PERFECT. Annatar being rejected (that Balrog glimpse was SO EVIL), and Baby Durin’s flicker of hope. But then the reveal that Daddy Durin is deep in the shit because he’s really just being greedy. My gooooodnesssssss. The show has done SUCH A GOOD JOB setting this up, because we know Daddy Durin isn’t this way! We feel Baby Durin’s pain!

Then Daddy Durin has his IT’S MINE moment with the ring and swats his son away. Anguish. And the anguish only anguished harder when we cut to Durin and Disa. Disa talking about her love for her father-in-law, and her own father, and then DURIN’S TEARS. UGH. UGH. UGH. I was weeping, honestly.

I feel like Durin being suss of the rings this early on is a pretty big change (don’t quote me on this) but I’m for it. Watching Disa turn back Narvi and the others (poor Narvi) was beautiful and then that I LOVE YOU. UGH. UGH. UGH. PERFECT, I SAY.

I doubt Disa has anymore bats to summon, though, so IDK how the heck they stop what’s coming next. Is Durin going to get drawn away by his desire to help Elrond, leaving Disa alone and vulnerable?

I REFUSE TO PUT DISA ON DEATH WATCH, SHOW. I REFUSE. DON’T YOU DARE.

Adar and Galadriel – I wish we’d gotten more, especially because they released a clip yesterday that I obviously couldn’t resist watching, but what we got was JUICY.

I felt that Adar knew Halbrand was Sauron back in the premiere, or at least suspected it. Getting that confirmation paints their scene with the talk of the wine, the tears, and the kneeling in such a different light. TASTY.

I’ve seen people question this, because why did Adar not try and kill him there and then? To my mind, that’s pretty straightforward. He killed him once and it didn’t stick. And last time he had the element of surprise. He knows that Sauron is powerful enough to get out of his chains/to not get caught by orcs, which means he’s here for a reason. If Adar tries to kill him, best case scenario Sauron is off the board for another few centuries, but he’ll likely take down some orcs with him on the way out. And for what? For him to just come back again?

I think Adar decided to play the long game. I think talk of Eregion and Galadriel let him know that something more was going on, and he was biding his time to act.

So, Sauron promised Adar children. Honestly, the Adar/Sauron/Galadriel dynamic that played across this episode was the stuff of my dreams. Adar is holding his own relationship with the fella up against hers, and there’s so much subtext for both dynamics. Was there romance between both? Was it solely manipulation for both? Is Adar what Galadriel might become if she succumbs?

Galadriel definitely wasn’t being entirely truthful with Adar when she mentioned that Sauron promised an army, because that was more what she thought she could get out of Halbrand. And yes, sure, Sauron might have nudged her that way. But Sauron’s true offer came later on the raft, after the army had been delivered. Adar even acknowledges that she’s not being truthful, that she needs to let go of her pride. I feel like we’ll see that play out over the last two episodes for sure…

The line that really stuck with me from a Hal&Gal perspective was Galadriel finishing Adar’s line about the world with Sauron being full of colour, and without him it’s a dull grey. It fits with how Galadriel has come across to me this season. Since Elrond shut her out, she hadn’t had anybody to open up to, and she’s certainly not being fully honest with herself yet. That dull grey speaks to how she’s mostly been…quite contained? The only moments where she’s truly come alive were with Nenya, and when she was fighting.

Later in the episode, she DOES put aside her pride. She calls Adar Uruk!!! She opens up and sees the possibility of an alliance. And I think this goes back to Sauron too. She’s had a taste of darkness and the temptation of it, she knows she’s not secure from succumbing, and so her perspective of Adar – who was once an elf – has massively shifted. However, when he asks if he and his children will be able to return to their home…we all know the answer to that.

I actually never stopped to consider that Adar would be the one manipulating/tricking Galadriel, which is silly in retrospect. Because this much better explains how she ends up in a cage facing the elves (sorry guys, I don’t think she’s bait for Sauron…she’s facing the wrong way…). I’m looking forward to watching this bit again, as I feel it was a bit rushed on first watch. I would have liked to see these two chat for a good two scenes more, honestly.

Adar is falling into the trap, which is pretty devastating, and Galadriel is the one seeing through it. Honestly, I really don’t know how things roll out in the finale. I flip from it making no sense for it to be a S1 rehash, to being sure she’ll defiantly resist, to being sure the show is setting her up to not be able to. I JUST DON’T KNOW. I wish I’d never seen those stupid leak spoilers…the promo makes me think they are real, but then we MUST be missing full context.

Adar is still on DEATH WATCH but like…a little bit less than before, honestly? Mostly because I don’t see how we have time to get ALL the confrontations into the last two episodes. When Adar goes out – and he will – he deserves the biggest death.

Random aside: I am pondering sharing something of a Haladriel ramble/rant but I’m also like…IDK if I want the hassle, so we’ll see.

Celebrimbor and Annatar

Oh, Brimby. My heart aches. The sequence with him forgetting Mirdania’s name was so heartbreaking and watching Annatar isolate him so completely was chilling. First, by taking away the other smiths, then with the illusion.

I actually don’t think I have a lot to say on this section, because it’s been rumbling along all season and we’re just about to reach the climax. Sauron is Sauron’ing his hardest in this episode.

I am now quite convinced that Mirdania is not Celebrian (I already didn’t really believe it, but it’s firmer now) and I do think she’ll die. I think she’ll either be killed by Sauron himself, or she’ll be caught in the crossfire of the siege, and as she dies she’ll make eye contact with him and he’ll just coldly leave her. I feel like there has to be some sort of climax to the whole…you look like Galadriel thing, but I’m not really sure what that could be?? I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of time next episode, so maybe that really was a one and done so the viewer understood he’s thinking about her…

Celebrimbor trying to snap on Annatar, and that flash of true rage in Annatar’s face…oh god, next week is going to be soul destroying. I honestly can’t wait and dread it at the same time. Celebrimbor has fought so hard but then comes the illusion, then comes the lure – more talk of the Valar, of his work, of Feanor and the Silmarils. CELEBRIMBOR. GET OUT, PLEASE. GET OUT.

Sauron was then absolutely buzzing at the end there, as war came, and I wonder if there are more twists to come or if things play out fairly straightforward from here. We know the elves will charge the orcs. Does that happen straight away? Is there any communication? Because it’s complicated, isn’t it? On one hand, let Adar and the orcs try to take our Sauron…but then, you know innocents are being killed. You have to save them, surely?

And that’s that, I think? PHEW.

I must say, it’s harder to get through this season being in fandom because I KNOW SO MUCH MORE and I WANT SO MUCH MORE and people STRESS ME OUT. But, at the same time, it feels nice to love something this hard again?

Let’s get episode 7 and [redacted] out of the way fast, though, yeah?

[hitlikehammers]

💜✨🖤WIP Wednesday🖤✨💜

Tagged by @dreamwatch, a week or so ago (or possibly more), sorry it took a bit but I always love a tag game so: thank you!

It’s WIP Wednesday, time for a little accountability, sharing your work, and getting a kick in the pants.

Here’s how it works:

In a reblog of this post (so people can find you in the notes) or new thread (w/ rules attached) if you want to play on your own, post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to play!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can't share from (for example, an event or gift fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post.

If you’re reading this, you’re invited!

If you see someone posting a WIP Wednesday Game snippet, send them an ask! Make them write.

✨Filenames:

fuck google sideways with a toffee apple on a stick; pt 12

psychiatric greenhouse 

to sacrifice a human heart

siren song

feeling freezes

Snippet, snippet, snippet...okay, let's go #5:

“How’d you know?” They’re driving to the gate Eddie made, the one he came through to start with—close the loop, that’d had been the justification, when all Eddie wanted was to rip open the world from where the new trailer sat in hopes it’d budge, that it’d let him through and give him Steve when he landed, where Eddie could fall into him and save him and maybe save himself, too, the part inside his own chest that’s been throbbing like a wound, open and weeping since Eddie came through and Steve wasn’t here. But, he’s okay with sticking to the plan. Taking no unnecessary chances. Playing this close to the books, at least to until they go off-script and burn the fucker down. However. However, Eddie would like to lodge…not a compliant, per se. Not exactly a complaint. A complaint is very one-dimensional. He’d be more interested in, like…whatever the instantaneous-immediate version of a Strongly Worded Letter is. Because his words wouldn’t allbe complaining words, exactly, but they would all be very very strong. Because this is the fun fucking thing: they’d apparently driven Robin to the cabin in the goddamn squad-car. As in: the fuzz-mobile belonging to none other than one Chief Back-From-the-Dead, Eddie’s favorite law enforcement professional who’s definitely taken him for a spin in this here vehicle more than once, involving far more irritation and threat than anything else, including what was honestly a disappointingly low actual number of incidents involving handcuffs. “Robin does not drive, because Robin does not have a car. Steve,” El had explained as she’d climbed in and made no mistake that Eddie was to follow: “Steve helped her get her license, because he needed another driver,” and yeah, okay, right. Because, for a brief window that seemed much bigger, much longer, much more life-changing than its timeframe should have been capable of and yet: for a brief window? Eddie had been a fully-capable—if not always comfortable for the more sensitive types among his passengers—‘other driver’. And then Eddie’d been gone. Fuck.

As ever, some no-pressure tags (and ignore if you're not writing OR have already been tagged): @steddiely @vthx @penny00dreadful. @markcat @gutterflower77 and legitimately anyone who wants to participate, tag me so I can see your words, too! 🖤

[yourdeepestfathoms]

I have such chaos choir brainrot because of your blog, dude.

That being said do you have any silly little headcanons about the choir kids? Much appreciated if you do :)

-✨

i do!!

here’s…

Ride the Cyclone Kids Playing A D&D Game Based On Silent Hill

(based on my own Silent Hill-based dnd game, which i DM!)

(there’s gonna be A Lot of references to the Silent Hill franchise/lore and to the Call of Cthulhu module, so try to keep up!)

BASICALLY, it’s a completely original storyline and everything, but it uses the Call of Cthulhu module for rolls and stats

Penny is the DM!

And

Good Lord

This girl is RUTHLESS

Her mind? Oh my god. Some of the shit she’s come up with is fucking INSANE.

But we’ll get more into Penny’s mercilessness soon

Characters!

All the others were given simple instructions

Spin a wheel with a bunch of themes on it. They get three themes, and then they must build a character around them

(My players got to pick theirs, but Penny’s doing is differently)

(As in, I’m spinning a wheel to determine the themes for the kids so I can make them random characters)

Ocean’s themes were: Corruption; Identity; and Murder!

Noel’s themes were: Justice, Injustice, and Revenge; Body Image/Body Shaming; and The Meaning Of Happiness and Sorrow

Mischa’s themes were: Murder; Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and Bullying

Ricky’s themes were: Corruption; Rebirth; and Love and Hate

Constance’s themes were: Depression, Grief, and Mental Illness; The Human Condition; and Psychology

The characters were made!

They then did their stats and gave Penny their backstory and reason for being in Silent Hill

Penny, looking at Ricky’s 80 Luck: nice!

Penny, noticing his Sanity is 40: oh no

(Luck is used to negate damage and stuff like that. You can also do a Hail Mary aka Avoid Sudden Death if you have 30, which will allow you to survive an attack that would have killed you otherwise!)

(And then Sanity determines how a character will react to something traumatic or disturbing. You roll to see if your character will be able to tough it out, or if they’ll take Sanity damage. If they take a certain amount of Sanity damage in one session, they’ll suffer a Bout of Madness, which Penny has a WHOLE LIST of effects for. And if you lose ALL your Sanity, your character becomes an NPC and the DM can play them however they want.)

They play in Mischa’s basement, and Penny goes ALL OUT. She’s got props, costumes, the whole nine yards. She does character voices and everything! It’s INCREDIBLE

Finally, it was time to go into Silent Hill!

The plot is this: The party has woken up in a motel to find that the whole town of Silent Hill has become shrouded in fog. They can’t get out of the town, forcing them to traverse the place to find a way to escape. And to get out, they must enter five different Otherworlds designed after each of their character’s, which are made to torment them and put all their trauma and flaws on display. They even get their own customized bosses based on the PCs (player characters), which are HORRIFIC.

There’s also these creatures called the Dark Tormentors, which stalk the PCs and appear from time to time to psychologically torture them. They’re born from the darkest parts of the PCs, can speak, and cannot be killed.

Yeah, Penny went ALL OUT

But the game!!

First session is relatively chill for a horror game about everything that’s horrid in the world. The party starts in South Vale and ends up in Brookhaven Hospital after the Fog World starts to transition into the Otherworld.

Penny BLASTS foghorns for that part, it’s fuckin menacing

While in Brookhaven, the party must compete this puzzle. There’s a door made out of flesh that won’t open without four offerings: a finger, an eyeball, a tooth, and a tongue. These items can be found throughout the hospital, acting as rewards for their own puzzles (but Penny, being the menace she is, does attempt to get the characters to have their PCs maim themselves for the items)

In the kitchen of the hospital, there’s a cooked dog, and Penny deadass looks them in the eye and asks if they want a bite

(She has a whole prepared description of the taste if they say yes)

(None of them do)

(She’s a little bummed)

Penny, after the party enters a cramped room: Are any of you, by any chance, claustrophobic?

Ocean: Yes.

Penny: Interesting.

Noel: No.

Penny: Oh, you will be. You will be.

Noel, fearfully: Wh

Noel: What

Penny: :)

They end up fighting the Missionary from Silent Hill 3 and complete session one!

After that, the pure disturbing horror that Penny has prepared for them is ramped up to one hundred

I’m not gonna go into detail about each and every session they have because I would be here for awhile, and I’m already kinda worried this isn’t the most entertaining batch of headcanons, but I’ll give A TON of highlights!

At one point, the party goes to this market, which has a ton of supplies for them to find. However, there’s a Two-Back sleeping inside of the market, meaning that they have to roll Stealth every single time they want to go to a different stall

THIS is a Two-Back

What do you know, Ocean fails her VERY FIRST Stealth roll, and the whole party has to flee

Ricky, after the party comes to a locked gate: Can I roll Locksmith to try and open it?

Penny: Of course!

Ricky: *rolls Locksmith*

Ricky: *fails*

Penny: You’re a bit rusty on your lockpicking skills. So are your tools. They’re as weak as the branches of the trees all around you and snap with ease. You failed. But that isn’t a surprise, is it? All you do is fuck up. Maybe don’t volunteer unless you know for sure you won’t waste everyone’s time.

Ricky: 😥

Like I said, Penny as a DM is RUTHLESS

But her cruelty is mainly the narrator in the script she has for each session. She purposely wrote the narrator as bitchy and cruel toward the PCs whenever they fuck up.

She had to let everyone know that nothing of what she said was a personal attack, and she loves them all very much

Mischa: Can I try to bust this door down?

Penny: Sure!

Mischa: *rolls*

Mischa: *fails*

Penny: You try to bust the door open, but this is wrought iron you’re dealing with, and you’re basically the Christian version of one of those inflatable men outside car dealerships. You were never going to get it open. Maybe conceal your hubris next time before you embarrass yourself again.

Constance, who wanted to ask if she could pry the door open with a crowbar her character had found: *slowly puts her hand down*

There’s this part where the party encounters this hole in the floor, and Mischa has his character hop down. It ends up being this well, and he shouts up to the others to not come down. Penny asks the rest of the PCs to roll Listen to see if they can hear Mischa’s character tell them to not come down. They all fail. They all then jump down.

Penny, after the party can’t get through a gate around an area they want to explore and are beckoned to follow an unknown voice: Surprisingly, the force doesn’t seem very threatening, just eerie. Will you follow, or do you think you’ll be able to sprout wings and fly to the other side of the fence?

Noel: No.

Penny: Pussy.

Noel: >:O

Okay, so Penny came up with this REALLY COOL puzzle that damn near made Constance shit herself.

So one of the Otherworlds the party explores is in Toluca Prison. In the Interrogation Room, there’s an item that they need to progress sitting on a table. Noel’s character picks it up, which causes his arm to be ensnared by this bear trap-like contraption. To free him, someone must go into the actual interrogation space and lock themselves in these chains attached to the wall. Once they’re in the chains, they gotta make three successful Strength rolls, and doing so will release the trap on Noel’s character.

Here’s the rub: The door to the interrogation space will slam shut and lock the moment someone enters. The whole room is soundproof, and what they thought was a wall of glass is actually a one-way mirror. So the character inside can’t see out to their party, they can only see themselves.

So, Constance’s character is the one who steps into the interrogation space first, which forces her into the role of being Noel’s character’s savior.

She locks herself in the chains and starts the rolls.

First roll is a success! Yay! That’s good!

That’s when Penny pulls Constance out of the room to talk to her one-on-one.

And when she talks to her one-on-one, she describes something absolutely horrific that only Constance’s character can see.

Penny: You notice something in the mirror. There’s something against the wall directly behind you. At first, you think it’s just a trick of the light on the dirty white paint, but then you see it move. You realize that it’s a hand. And if there’s a hand, that must mean there’s a… A body. Something is pushing its way out of the wall. It has no face—instead, there is only a gaping hole. Its limbs are thin and disjointed, and it looks almost mutilated and disfigured. Even without eyes, you know it’s looking directly at you.

To make it even worse, she shows Constance a picture of exactly what she’s dealing with here

This is the creature! It’s called a Raw Shock!

Anyway, Constance’s character must now make three more Strength rolls, but this time with a penalty. And each time she rolls, the Raw Shock gets closer and closer and closer.

She fails.

Which leads her to getting THIS description.

Penny: You feel something snag on the back of your head and pull you backwards by the hair. The creature has caught you, and its touch is icy cold. The longer it has its hands on you, the more warmth you can feel draining from your being, as though this thing is sucking out your body heat to take for its own. The creature, surprisingly strong for its skeletal frame, begins to pull you to the wall it had come from. It seems to want to take you back with it. It also seems to have friends, as you start to notice other hands pushing out from the wall, reaching for you, beckoning for you. The bodies soon follow, and they’re all abstract beings of nightmares: bodies with exaggerated female forms, organs and bones and nipples exposed; bodies that are terribly bloated, bubbles and fungi consuming the pale flesh; bodies like disks, bearing a sliced appearance, as though a knife had been taken to their skin and slashed them to pieces. Whispers fill your ears. Whispers that call your name, that tell you that you’re home, that say it’s safe now, and the voices sound so warm, so genuine. Maybe this is home…

Constance is fucking HORRIFIED

Her character is fine, though! The trap releases Noel’s character, and they all get out!

But Penny has successfully scarred both Constance and her PC

Which is what she wants >:)

*The party is at a door that won’t open (because they need certain puzzle pieces for it)*

Ocean: Maybe you have to…say a magic word?

Ocean: Abra kadabra!

Nothing happens.

Ocean: I don’t know why I thought that would work.

The party takes this LONG ride in an elevator, and while they wait, Penny starts going around, asking everyone who they would eat first if they had to resort to cannibalism to stay alive 😭

Ocean: Can I drink some water?

Penny: Absolutely! Can you just roll me Spot Hidden real fast?

Ocean: Yeah.

Ocean: *rolls*

Ocean: *gets a Regular Success*

Penny: Cool, thanks!

Five minutes later, Penny stops roleplay to tell Ocean that her character has started to violently vomit her blood everywhere

Penny: Hasn’t your mommy ever told you not to drink random water bottles you find in alternate dimensions? Fucking idiot. If you haven’t noticed already, that wasn’t water you drank. It was actually water mixed with hydrochloric acid! You’re going to continue regurgitating your blood for an hour. Also you take 1d8 damage every time it happens. Good going. Stupid bitch.

Ocean was so sad

They go to YET ANOTHER market, and this time there’s no Two-Back there to screw them over

But there ARE a BUNCH of weird as hell stalls for them to explore

One in particular is called Caricature Cabin

Penny, doing the voice of the faceless person who runs the stall: “Hiya! Would you like to have your caricature done?”

Noel: No.

Penny: Then what the fuck are you even doing here?

Constance: I will have my caricature done! Please.

Penny: “Wonderful! Here, sit down! It won’t take very long!”

Penny: You sit down. The artist examines you with eyes that aren’t there, then gets to work. They sketch and color and paint diligently. Once they’re done, they show you, radiating great pride.

Penny: It… it isn’t a caricature. It’s just you drawn as a turtle wearing a wig.

The whole party was HOWLING with laughter

Penny made her own painting of this just for the session

There’s also a stall called “I Sell Weird Lemons”

Penny: The stall consists of a singular lemon sitting on a table. It has googly eyes glued to it. It’s being bidded on.

Penny: The highest bid is $500,000.

Ricky’s character bids on it

He puts $500,001

(He wins the bid)

(The lemon appears to him two sessions later)

The party encounters a pack of Wormheads. Mischa���s character accidentally alerts them and gets attacked by one.

Penny: The Wormhead’s head whips up. The maggots and grub making up its whole face shift around restlessly, emanating a wet sound. Then, suddenly, it’s lunging directly at you.

Penny: Surely it can’t bite with it’s head full of worms, you think to yourself as its head full of worms splits open horizontally to reveal a gaping, oozing maw of insects.

Penny: Oh.

The whole party: 😟

Noel was GAGGING

OH THE NEEDLE PIT!!!!!

I just remembered this trap from my own game

This one is GOOD

SO

The characters are all in this Otherworld for Ricky’s character, and one of the traps is in the Study Room

When they step into the Study Room, they’re all lashed up into those baby bungie harnesses and suspended above the floor

This talking parrot begins to tell them about a game called Truth or Dunk. The parrot will ask them the questions, and as long as the characters answer truthfully, they won’t be dunked into the FLOOR OF DOOM!!!

(It’s just the regular floor)

Ricky’s character is the first to lie, but the harness just lowers a little bit

Ocean’s character is the second to lie, and instead of just being lowered, she drops STRAIGHT through the floor

Because the “regular floor” was all a lie

It seemed to be an illusion of sorts

Underneath it is a giant pit full of needles

Which Ocean’s character is described to be plunged into in very graphic detail

Constance’s character is the third one to go into the pit because the character mentions God at one point, and she refers to him with “he/him” pronouns, when in Silent Hill lore, God uses “she/her”

So into the pit Constance’s character goes!

“YOU GOT DROPPED IN THE NEEDLES BECAUSE YOU MISGENDERED GOD???” -Ocean

One of the Dark Tormentors is named Ideal Daddy (the character it belongs to has daddy issues lol), and when the party meets it, it holds them hostage in a tea party (which Penny brings props and food for!)

But during it, Noel and Mischa’s characters get into this really heated argument over morality

And then others are just There

Ocean, while Noel and Mischa are verbally tearing out each other’s throats: I’m going to offer Daddy some more cake

The party wanted to enter a building Penny didn’t have any content for, so when Mischa’s character tried to kick the door down, she just made the entire building (minus the door) fall out of existence

So

There was this One Boss

A boss that fucked over EVERYONE

This boss belonged to Ocean’s character

It was called the Bloated Lamb, and it was this DISGUSTING fleshy sheep monster that had a very, how do I put this, phallic head

Everyone was groaning in disgust by just its DESCRIPTION

And then combat starts

First round

Two characters die INSTANTLY

Everyone had known about the possibility of death in the game, but they had managed to tough it out for several sessions. There was one close call where Ricky’s character got dropped all the way down to 4 HP (they all got to start with 100), but they used a healing item called an Ampoule on him (which Constance’s character kept in her cleavage lol), which would raise anyone all the back back to full HP

So yeah, they knew about the dangers of death in this game. But they didn’t think much of it because they had managed to get through so much!

They let their guard down.

Foolish mistake.

Penny had been waiting for this day, and it finally came true.

After surviving fights with a scorpion abomination with guns for pincers, a 300 foot long flesh mermaid, a horrifyingly uncanny sphinx monster, a walking skin sack with a giant drill for a hand, the embodiment of toxic masculinity itself, it took just one (1) attack from a big dick sheep to wipe nearly half the party out.

The blood that was spilled that day was delicious.

The victims were Noel and Mischa’s characters.

The Bloated Lamb reared up from the water the battlefield was set on (they were fighting on a ferry) and sprayed acid on them (you can probably get the euphemism here)

However, Mischa actually had enough Luck left to use his Hail Mary, which meant his character got to survive and be set back to full health

Noel’s character, however…

The party got an EXTREMELY detailed description of how their beloved party member looks as he is melted by the Bloated Lamb’s acid

Everyone is now terrified but also PISSED

They gotta get their heads in the game

…Perhaps that is taken a little too literally, though

Round two begins

Constance’s character is killed

The Bloated Lamb literally smashes her into an incredibly gory pulp with its head

And then Ricky’s character is fucking LAUNCHED across this underground lake they’re fighting in because the Bloated Lamb smacked him with its flesh hoof, and he DROWNS

By this point, Mischa and Ocean are STRESSING because they might get a TPK (total party kill)

The entire table is fucking RATTLED

Noel had to get up and walk around because he’s So Overcome, Constance has her head in her hands, Ricky is just in shock because oh my god did his character really DROWN, Ocean and Mischa are SWEATING

And then Penny looks absolutely sinister, feeding on their fear and stress

She Loves This

By some fucking miracle, Mischa and Ocean manage to kill the Bloated Lamb

Even still, the whole party is mourning the loss of their companions…

But then, they get revived! A monster they met before named Valtiel revives the three who died! (but if they die again, then they’re actually fully dead)

And so, the nightmare continues >:)

[cozyenigma]

Off The Record

(Okay I know I just posted something for this earlier but this idea would not leave me alone. Also not a reader insert this time)

Pairing- None   Wilford & Regret

Word Count- 787

Request- Nope!

Summary- After a long bout of testing and calibrating, Wilford is running out of patience and interns for this project. So, what is there left to do but to get to the bottom of this himself?

Tag List- @cookielover0001010 , @swag-droid

"Well, you're horrifying!"

Wilford eyed the animatronic sitting just across the table. True, the budget wasn't astronomically high but you'd think they'd give it a bit of polish at least. Once they got these things on stage though they could work out the kinks. Even Wilford had to admit aesthetics were low on the list.

"Alright then," Wilford pulled out a chair and sat down. His robot counterpart didn't budge. "You're not quite as handsome but let's see if you've got the stage presence, hmm?"

He was only in here himself because he was getting impatient. Three months of testing. Three months! He was beginning to run out of interns and they hadn't given him much to work with anyway. In the event they did survive there were still glitches with the automaton and emotional damages with the interviewees.

"Alright, we'll just breeze past the calibration bit, yada yada," Wilford waved a hand, "and get to the juicy details! The world has never seen a double Warfstache interview! Or at least I've never aired one yet. Anyways, begin!"

At his word, the lights came up. Somewhere behind them the theme song started up over an old speaker. Those were familiar. The way the automaton's eyes lit up weren't. Hmm, maybe he could get himself some contacts to do that. Then it started on the usual script.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and all other considerations of being, my name is Wilford Warfstache and my guest tonight is-"

Wilford hummed as it paused. Usually it just spat out some junk in place of a name.

"Ah, c'mon don't go wonky on me this soon," Wilford whined, leaning forward as if he could pick out the problem himself. And here he thought this might've been fun. Assuming the robot didn't try to turn him into a fine paste that is.

A faint click. "And my guest is William."

Wilford blinked. That was... He huffed and rolled his eyes. "They didn't even reset that from your last interview did they?"

The automaton continued like he didn't even speak. "We have a great show for you tonight. First question: how many people have you killed?"

"Oh, so sordid right out of the gate!" Wilford leaned back in his chair. "Well if you must know-"

"Good answer!"

Wilford scowled, making a mental note to iron that out later. What were those morons in R&D doing with their time, anyway?

"Second question," the robot didn't seem to notice the faux pas.

A beat passed and then another. Wilford glanced towards the speakers when he realized the same snippet of music was playing over and over again. Well that wouldn't do.

"Well that's not supposed to happen."

Then the lights failed. Wilford was plunged into absolute, pitch black darkness as everything whirled to a stop. The screech as Wilford pushed his chair out bounced off the walls.

"What do I even pay you yokels for?" He yelled at the ceiling.

Wilford had to shield his eyes as the automaton suddenly turned itself on again. Weird. He didn't remember it having its own power source.

"A man goes to a party... This man met an old friend..."

The words made his hair stand on end. Wilford didn't realize he'd took a step back until his leg hit the chair. This wasn't part of the script.

"The two friends shared some wine... The two friends played a game... The most dangerous game..."

When the lights came back on just for a moment Wilford jumped. It was just staring at him, this hunk of junk. The darkness was back just as fast but this time it pressed in further, close and suffocating all around him.

"I didn't know the gun was loaded... I didn't know... Was it my-"

Whatever the automaton was going to say next was lost under the bang of gun fire. Wilford shot once, twice, thrice. His robotic counterpart was spitting sparks from the holes in it's chest and face. The synthetic voice grinded slowly, haltingly silent. Wilford's own breaths were coming in pants. His hand was still outstretched, pointing the gun as if he expected the thing to turn on again.

Abruptly the lights came back on. Colorful and loud and the room was big enough again. The automaton had smoke pouring out of it. One of the bullets caught it in the eye, punching a hole through the side of its face. Wilford looked down at the pistol. It shined like it was still brand new.

He slapped it down onto the table and brushed back his hair. Adjusted his tie and suspenders.

"Well," he said cheerfully, "can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Or so I've been told anyway."

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Back at it again with my self-indulgent comic posts. This time! It’s Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #3, perhaps the most tonally-distinct entry yet, with shades of The Twilight Zone. 

Spoilers!

So, as mentioned, this issue is the most deliberate in terms of both its pacing and its tone, IMO.

What is that tone, you ask?

To quote Alex Danvers, from “Midvale”: Hello, darkness.

THE STORY:

Kara and Ruthye are still looking for Krem Clues in the alien town of Maypole.

(Which is actually just Small Town, USA, complete with vintage 50s aesthetics.)

But the locals are clearly hiding something! So Kara and Ruthye continue to investigate, and they eventually discover what it was that the residents of Maypole were so keen to keep hidden. 

Genocide, basically. 

As I said, this issue struck me as very Twilight Zone; a genre story involving the build-up to a dark twist, all set against the backdrop of an idyllic small town. (Think, like, “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” but instead of focusing on the Red Scare, it’s classism and racism.)

The wealthier blue aliens kicked all of the purple aliens out of town, and when space pirates showed up to pillage and plunder, the blue aliens made a deal with them: the lives of the purple aliens in exchange for their safety.  

Which is where the episodic story connects to the larger mission; it was Krem who suggested the trade, and then joined up with the Brigands (space pirates) when he was freed by the blue aliens.

The issue ends with no tidy resolution to the terrible things Kara and Ruthye discovered, but they do have a lead on where to find Krem, now, as well as Barbond’s Brigands.

KARA-CTERIZATION:

Ironically, it’s here, in the darkest chapter yet, that we get the closest to what might be considered ‘classic’ Kara. 

Which I think comes down to that aforementioned deliberate pace--this issue is a little slower, a little quieter. It gives the characters some room to breathe.

That’s not to say Crusty Kara is gone. Oh no. She is still very much Crusty. XD 

But anyways. A list! Of Kara moments I loved!

I mentioned a few of these in a prior post when the preview pages came out: I like the moment where Kara blows down the guy’s house of cards, and I like that the action is echoed later in the issue when she grabs the mayor’s desk and tosses it aside. A nice visual representation of the escalation of Kara being, like. Done with these creeps. (Creeps is an understatement but you get the idea.)

Another one from the preview pages: Kara explains to Ruthye that her super hearing won’t necessarily help her detect a lie, especially if she’s dealing with an alien species she’s not familiar with.

It not only reveals her level of competence and understanding of her super powers, it also shows that, you know. She’s a thinker. She’s smart. 

Amazing! Showing, rather than telling us, that Kara is smart! Without mentioning the science guild at all wow hey wow.

(Sorry, pointed criticism of the SG show fandom.)

Anyways.

I dig the PJs! 

And Kara catching the bullet! Not only are the poses and character acting great, it’s also a neat bit of panel composition:

We start with Ruthye’s POV, and then move to the wide shot of the room. The panel where Kara actually catches the bullet is down and to the side of the wide shot panel--we move our eyes the way her body/arm would have to move to intercept the bullet. Physicality in static, 2D images!

Also, like. It’s a very tense moment, life-or-death, but. Ruthye’s wide-eyed surprise at the bullet in Kara’s hand? Kind of adorable. 

I was pretty much prepared for the page of Kara shielding Ruthye from the gunfire to be the highlight--it was one of the first pages King shared and I was like, ‘yeah, YEAH.’ But, shockingly? The TRUE highlight of the issue?

Where do I BEGIN?!?!

EVERYTHING. About this moment. Is lovely.

From Kara holding Ruthye above the bench to explaining the concept of a piggyback ride, to telling her:

“I’m going to hold my hands here, and these hands can turn coal into diamonds, so they’re not going to let go. I’m going to keep you safe.”

HNNNNNNNNNNNG.

Ruthye’s narration--about how Kara had avoided flying as she was concerned it would freak Ruthye out--just adds a whole additional layer of YES, GOOD, YES, and her line on that splash page is great: “You see, all that time, she was worried about me.”

HNNNNNNNNNNNG. AGAIN.

To say nothing of the STELLAR ARTWORK.

And SPEAKING of that stellar artwork, Evely and Lopes continue to knock it out of the park. Each issue is distinct and beautifully crafted, a true joy to look at.

Before I jump into more of the art, a few final notes of character stuff in general.

Ruthye is the one most affected by the experience in Maypole, as she can’t comprehend how a society of people that look so nice and gentle and peaceful could have been party to such a horrible act.

One of the big criticisms of the book thus far is that Supergirl is not the main character, and I guess I can agree with that observation. Typically, in Western media, the main character is the one who goes through the most change in the story. 

And, yeah. That’s Ruthye.

As I was reading the end, where Ruthye sits on the curb and Kara hugs her, I was imagining how the scene would’ve played, had King stuck with the original idea for the series: Kara as the one learning to be tough/experiencing all of this for the first time, and while I think that could certainly work...

I continue to appreciate that King literally flipped the script; that Kara, especially in this issue, is like, ‘I’ve seen this, I know this,’ as opposed to being the one going through a loss of innocence.

*Marge Simpson voice* I just think it’s neat!

Because Kara’s been a teen in DC comics for so long--ever since she was reintroduced to the main DCU continuity, actually--so this is all brand new territory, here. Having an older Kara who’s SEEN SOME STUFF.

(Alsoooooo, since Bendis made the destruction of Krypton not just inaction and climate disaster, but rather, genocide, and the subtext of a Kryptonian diaspora text, the waitress’ derogatory comment regarding the the destruction of Kryton, as well as Kara picking up the bad vibes the entire time, suggests not just a broad commentary on discrimination in all its forms, but specifically allegorical anti-Semitism. The purple aliens being forced out of their homes and into substandard living conditions, then the blue aliens--their neighbors and once-fellow residents--essentially allowing the space pirates to kill them, making them literal scapegoats, Kara discovering the remains of the purple aliens, and Ruthye’s horror at the ‘banality of evil’...yes. A case could be made, I think.) 

(Which would probably require a post unto itself and a lot more in-depth discussion, nuance, and cited sources.)

(Should mention that King has brought up that both he and Orlando--the other Supergirl writer he talked to--are Jewish, and for him personally, that shaped his views on Kara’s origin story.)

I guess my point is that this issue is perhaps not as out-of-left-field as some might think, and just because there isn��t as obvious an arc for Kara, doesn’t mean there isn’t some sharp character work at play. 

(I could be WAY OFF, of course, and I’m not suggesting it’s a clear 1:1 comparison. I’d actually really love to hear King talk about this issue in particular.)

Anyways.

Here’s the final page, which I think works, because as I mentioned before, there is no easy answer/quick wrap-up to the story of Maypole:

THE ART:

I mean. How many times can I just shout ‘ART! AAAARRRRRRRRRRRTTTT!’ before it gets old?

I dunno, but I guess we’re gonna FIND OUT.

There are some panels in this issue that I just. Like ‘em! From a purely artistic standpoint! Because they’re so good!

Like, I just really love the way Kara is drawn in that top panel. Her troubled, confused expression, the colors of the fading light, the HAIR. 

Evely draws the best hair. I know I’ve said this before. I don’t care. I will continue to say it, because it continues to be true.

The issue I find myself running up against when I make these posts is that I really don’t want to post whole pages, as that’s generally frowned upon (re: pirating etc.) but with something like this, you just can’t appreciate it in panel-by-panel snippets.

(Guided View on digital reading platforms is a BANE and a POX I say!)

Anyways.

LOVE the implied movement of the cape settling as Kara speeds in and stops. 

And, obviously, Kara flicking the bullet away is just. A+. 

And the EYES, man. LOPES’ COLORS ON THE EYES???!?! BEAUTIFUL.

Also, should note the lettering! The more rounded letters for the ‘WOOSH’ of Kara’s speed (and, earlier, the super breath) work nicely, and contrast with the angular, violent BLAMS of the gunshots. 

And, I gotta say, the editor is doing a really great job of not cluttering up the artwork with all the caption boxes. Which is no small task.

(I assume the editor is placing them, as editors usually handle word balloon/caption box placement, but I suppose it could be Evely? Sometimes the artist handles it. Either way, whoever’s taking care of all the text, EXCELLENT WORK! BRAVO!)

Okay I think that’s everything.

Ah, nope, wait.

MISC.

Just a funny observation, more than anything else: Superman: Red and Blue dropped this week, and King had a story in there, “The Special” (which was very good, btw.) Both Lois and the waitress swear a lot so I’m beginning to think that this is just how King writes dialogue for any adult character who isn’t Clark. XD

This is absolutely a personal preference but when Kara was like, “And my name IS Supergirl,” I was like nooooo. I know King is trying to simplify all of the conflicting origin stories and lore but I LIKE KARA DANVERS, SIR. XD

It’s almost assuredly a cash-grab/an attempt for DC to get all the money it can out of a book they don’t have much confidence in, but I like the cardstock covers! Very classy, much Strange Adventures.

(OH my gosh, can you imagine that issue 1 cover with spot gloss???? Basically the only way you could possibly improve on it.) 

Okay NOW I’m done. For real. XD NEXT TIME: Kara and Ruthye go after Krem and the Brigands!

[9tzuyu]

the art of delicate hands – pt. i

[ wandanat. ]

College AU.

Multiple part series ;

↳ snippets of their relationship and how I perceive them.

sumary:

wanda doesn't like to talk very much, only to her brother (and sometimes her lovely redheaded girlfriend).

notes:

if anyone international is reading this, ASL is shortened for american sign language (language of the hands).

+

this is a revised and edited version from when i wrote it on ao3 in 2018.

The only person that knew was Pietro. It was her little secret, and she could only hope that no one now would find out. She knew she shouldn't be ashamed, it was nothing to be ashamed over. Unsurprisingly however, it became her biggest insecurity – years of relentless bullying ensued that.

Wanda was always anxious. When she was seven she began experiencing panic attacks. The metallic taste of blood in her mouth became familiar over time as her panic attacks worsened.

All because she was mute and didn't feel comfortable to speak to anyone, including her parents. The only person Wanda felt comfortable enough to talk to was her brother (you could say that's because they're twins).

A doctor in Sokovia mentioned to Wanda's parents that therapy may help, that it may get her to speak more than four words a week. So her parents moved her when she was 16 and hoped for the best.

Within a year and a half Wanda was able to develop a clear understanding of American Sign Language. Eight months into the move and Wanda's parents had given up on Wanda ever talking, something that she took personal. They didn't catch on to English as quick as the twins did, their native language stuck closer than expected. Pietro didn't mind learning English quickly as he wanted to fit in school, and he also didn't mind studying ASL to communicate with Wanda on a deeper level.

American high school wasn't much better than her hometown. People talked, whispered and gossiped about her in class, muttered hurtful things about her appearance and the way she carried herself; a shy, quiet, timid girl. The worst part of it was when they mocked her for using a language that was supposed to feel safe for her. Pietro always came to her rescue, shooing people away, reminding them that she's his sister. The silver haired boy had no problem fitting in, it was only when they were apart did people tease the younger brunette.

When their parents died, Wanda took the brunt of the emotional attack it had on the twins. She'd been sitting in the backseat of the car, earbuds in, with her music volume at maximum capacity. Her father had tried to tell her to turn down the music while her mother rest in the passenger seat, window down with her eyes closed. When Wanda didn't hear her father, he reached over, eyes off the road, and tapped her. The second she registered his touch a semi-truck hit her father's door. In a matter of minutes Wanda and Pietro both were left alone to fend for themselves.

Putting the blame on herself only caused her to shut down further. It took over a year for Wanda to speak to Pietro again.

But as per usual, the twins stuck together and finished high school. The only difference was that they lived in foster care, they belonged to the state, up for grabs if anyone wanted them. That came to an end six months into their stay. The foster family proposed the idea of adoption, they had no problem in taking care of the twins for the rest of the time being – or, if they wanted, every day after as well.

At twenty, Wanda and Pietro eventually both went to college and shared a house with a bundle of other people on campus. The younger sibling even found herself a girlfriend within the group, her name being Natasha Romanoff.

Natasha didn't mind at all how little Wanda talked. She was curious, of course, but even before their relationship Nat never pushed her girlfriend into anything uncomfortable. Natasha could tell Wanda always made effort though, that's what drove the brunette into allowing herself a relationship.

When the redhead would sleep, Wanda would continuously practice signing. She'd sign songs and poems, movie scripts and books, everything she possibly could to improve herself. It was a very personal, in touch form of language for her.

Wanda had been with her girlfriend a little over a year and Natasha still didn't know all the unpleasant factors that came about her life. Wanda only told her just enough to get by, and she felt immensely guilty for that. Truth was she desperately wanted to tell Natasha, she just didn't know how. She'd thought about just signing something to her and hoping she would catch on, but figured that would be too much. Anxiety spiked in her chest and in her bones, and she was tired of feeling like a liar.

With a sigh, Wanda plopped down on her bed and pulled her phone out from her back pocket. Unlocking it, she went to her text messages and scrolled to Pietro's contact. When she was sure no one else was in the house, she tapped the call button and listened to the phone ring until Pietro answered.

"You know I'm in the other room, right? You literally could've called my name." He greeted, accent heavy through the speaker.

Wanda giggled as she ran her fingers through her hair. You're safe. Speak, it's okay. She reminded herself.

"Yeah, but are you free?"

"Always."

"Can you come here? I need to ask you about something." Pietro gave out a loud, playful sigh but walked to her room, disconnecting the call on his way in. "What is it, my dear sister? What could possibly be troubling you here on this day? Is it that scruffy redhead?" He smirked arrogantly but sat down in the desk chair across from Wanda, not failing to notice how she rolled her eyes.

"She doesn't have scruffy hair and you know it. It's soft, gentle – and much less damaged than your shit show of an excuse for bleached hair."

"Whatever you say, little chaos."

Wanda groaned, "Why must you still call me that?"

"It suits you well."

There was a shared moment of silence between the two before Pietro spoke up. "What was it you wanted to ask me about?" A small frown was plastered on Wanda's face and Pietro found himself wanting to know even more now. Wanda waited another minute before finally answering. "Should I tell her? You know, about..."

A huge smile took over her brother's face. He was ecstatic that she wanted this for her girlfriend. "Of course you should! I really think she'd be interested to know more about you – y'know, since you don't ever tell her anything."

"I tell her things!" Pietro shook his head, "Does she even know your birthday?" Wanda nodded and turned herself away from him. "I just don't know how to do it. I mean it'd be kind of heavy just taking her out to dinner only to tell her my deepest, darkest secret afterwards. I'm scared she'll hate me, Pietro! And I've never even spoke. More than like, 12 sentences all at once with her!" He softened knowing how much trouble one past  had caused his little sister. "Write her a note?" He suggested, but she shook her head. "I want to tell her, not write her."

Right before he was about to speak again there was a knock at the door. The pair looked up to find Natasha standing in the doorway smiling down at the two. "Am I interrupting?"

Wanda froze while Pietro arrogantly raised his eyebrow and announced his answer. "No. We were just finished talking."

Confusion was written on Nat's face and she stood there until Wanda shook her head and muttered a small "No," giving her the signal that she could come in.

"I'll be in the other room if you need me." Pietro got up, despite Wanda's silent plea for him to stay. He gave her a thumbs up and left the room.

Natasha closed the door and laid next to Wanda, wrapping her arms around the younger woman. "You okay?" Wanda nodded in reply and Natasha knew not to push. For now she'd just keep an eye on her, reassuring her that she could talk to her if need be.

Over the next few days Wanda seemed to be doing better. She was supposed to go to a party with Nat, but opted out to study for classes instead.

"Be safe," she whispered and planted a small kiss on Natasha's lips.

Everyone else went to the same party, leaving the house to just Wanda. She sent out a group message telling everyone to text her or ring her (at the very most importance) if they needed a ride. Wanda didn't drink much anyways so she didn't mind being the designated driver of the bunch. And besides, she didn't mind having some time alone, it gave her the absence of the boys so she could study.

However, after over an hour or so of studying Wanda was beginning to feel stressed. Her nerves were building and she could feel her jaw clench.

She needed a break.

With a small sigh, she got up and connected her phone to her speaker. After scrolling and clicking on her song of choice, Wanda found herself signing the words to a Modest Mouse song.

Green eyes closed as her hands began to string along with the words of the song. It was rather fast paced, but Wanda was able to keep up fairly well thanks to years of practice. Lyrics flowed through her fingertips and in the palms of her hands, her stress levels immediately decreasing as she went on.

Unbeknownst to her, however, Natasha was standing in the doorway watching her every move. She was absolutely mesmerized by Wanda's hand motions. Her finger spelling was very fast, and Natasha was curious to know how long Wanda had known ASL.

When the song was over, Wanda stopped her music and moved herself so she could study again. She grabbed her pens, pencils and highlighters, along with her textbook while her back faced Natasha.

"I didn't know you could sign." Natasha commented. A mix of shock and uneasiness quickly took over the calm look on Wanda's face.

It wasn't until then when Tasha put two and two together. She quickly rushed over to her girlfriend, and carefully engulfed her into a hug.

"Hey, no, I think it's really cool. You don't have to worry now, your secret's safe with me." Wanda began to shake in her grasp, tears forming in her eyes. She backed out of the embrace and against the wall, pulling her knees to her chest.

"No, you're supposed to hate me, laugh at me. You're supposed to be anything but be cool with it." Natasha tilted her head, "Is that what they did to you?"

Wanda peaked out from underneath her arms, the confirmative nod sent Natasha's heart well beyond sinking. She’d never understand how people could willingly be so cruel.

"I'm here to listen, not judge." Her words softly echoed in Wanda's mind, and she watched Natasha carefully to see if she was lying. When she didn't make any remarks or snide comments, Wanda knew it was safe. Accent heavy, she began letting words slip from her mouth.

"I have really bad anxiety when it comes to talking, so I just don’t. Asl makes it easier to communicate, but growing up I was often teased for it. You’re really good at reading me without it, so I hid it from you. Guess their words still haunt me...” Wanda finished, giving Natasha a little more insight on her life.

Natasha moved closer to her girlfriend, bringing Wanda’s shaking body into her embrace. She then kissed the top of her forehead.

Wanda looked up to see Natasha thinking, her eyebrows scrunched together and she was chewing on her lip. She nudged her.

“I think it’s quite beautiful if you ask me.” Wanda cracked a smile and rest her head on Tasha’s shoulder. “Beauty comes from pain, I guess.”

But Natasha shook her head, “No, No, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Wanda nodded. She understood what Natasha was saying, she just didn’t believe it to be true when it came to herself. Nonetheless, she spoke the words, repeating the mantra so that maybe she could start to feel a belief in them.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

[lena-in-a-red-dress]

Is Lena in your nuclear winter au a version of her that got kidnapped by Rhea and never rescued? Wonder what she's been through and how she managed to become queen in spite of being Rhea's captive (if that's how she got there, of course)

Good morning, yes, it is. It’s a version of Lena who was still on the Daxamite ship with Mon-el when Kara killed Rhea in the Dakam’ur/detonated the lead dispersal device. I had an outline of what transpired before Kara and Lena meet up again, but ultimately I liked it better just keeping things between them. But I do have a snippet that gives a little peek into what happened after the fleet left orbit:

One night, when Lucy is deep asleep and Kara feels the room caving in, she seeks refuge from the unbearable pressure by escaping into the corridor. It squeezes her along its length, winding her around corners and along cut-throughs until she doesn’t know where she came from or where she’s going… until she looks up and finds herself in what can only be the royal wing. 

The metal bulkheads hang with rich tapestries, and the lights are warmer, softer. And it’s quiet. 

So, so quiet. 

She only identifies the queen’s chambers by virtue of the pair of guards flanking a broad portal decorated with lines of Daxamite script. Kara nearly retreats, not interested in whatever scuffle waits if she presses forward. But when the guards catch sight of her, they don’t warn her away. 

Instead they swipe their palms in unison over the activation sensors, parting the hatch to allow her access.

Faced with such an invitation, Kara can do nothing but follow her feet inside.

An empty receiving room greets when the door hisses shut behind her. Beyond that, a high-ceilinged study with a broad desk covered with correspondence, star charts and diagrams. Here, there are signs of life in a platter of half-eaten food and an empty goblet of Starhaven crystal. 

The throne room and every other that Kara has seen thus far follows the Daxam style of sharp edges and flat surfaces, hard and unyielding. But in this, the Queen’s private refuge, Earth abounds in the cushions that adorn every surface, and the soft shawl that hangs across the back of the desk chair. 

All it lacks is the Queen herself.

Kara finds her beyond an open hatch, half-hidden by a sheer curtain that fluttered in a false breeze. Kara steps out onto the small observation deck, and for a moment forgets that she’s on a ship hurtling through the utter nothing that exists between systems. Overhead shines a velvet sky pinpricked with stars, and aglow with the light of a silver moon.

It’s a long, long moment before Kara recognizes it as Earth’s moon.

For the second time in as many run-ins, Kara stops short, and the scuff of her boot against the deck pulls the Queen’s gaze to her sharply. 

“Change view,” she says sharply, and instantly the sky changes to some nightscape of two moons and purple auroras. A pale hand lifts to dry the glint of tears from her cheeks. “Supergirl--”

“Could you--?” Kara asks, giving into the longing in her heart. She moves to stand beside the queen, lifting her chin toward the false heavens. “It’s-- been a long time since I’ve seen it.”

The queen blinks at her-- at her request, her proximity, or both, Kara can’t say. But she clears her throat and turns forward without question. 

“Show home.”

The sky immediately returns to a deep velvet blue, peppered with a familiar expanse of glittering stardust. The moon and her pocked face outshines all, big and pale and beautiful. Kara stares up at tit in muted glory, until her awe shifts to a familiar ache. It reminds her of Earth, but more than that, it reminds her of Midvale, and nights spent on the roof with Alex, staring up at the stars from which Kara had come, once upon a time.

Now, here she was among them once more, bereft of a second world. Without Alex-- without James, Winn, Nia-- without a single human save the one she lost decades ago.

“As a rule, Daxam surveys the night skies of every world they visit,” the Queen says quietly, her voice thick. “I found Earth’s, almost a year in and I...” A damp cough scrapes from her throat. “Well, it’s the closest I’ll ever get to home.”

She wipes her cheeks again, and Kara watches the motion from the corner of her eye. A shawl similar to the one she’d seen in the study sits wrapped around the Queens shoulders, and just as Kara has grown at her own seams, in this moment the Queen looks smaller than she ever has before.

“I thought I’d given up hope of ever seeing it again,” she says quietly, ducking her chin. “Guess not.”

Kara remains silent, uncertain of what to say. Once upon a time, she’d been wracked by guilt for having been unable to save her friend before the Daxamite fleet fled. Since then others have joined her list of casualties, and Lena Luthor had gotten buried beneath everyone else, until only Lucy was left.

“Mon-el didn’t go on an expedition,” the Queen offers to the simulated night. “He just… left. About the same time I found this sky. He left a note, telling us not to retrieve him.”

“You did anyway?”

“We tried. I was terrified-- selfishly, of what it would mean for me. Everything was still so new, and without him...."

"They wouldn't have accepted you as queen."

"I was sure I’d be a prisoner again-- or worse. But I’d made a few friends by then. An advisor proposed the story of the expedition, and holding out hope for his return bought me enough time to earn the peoples’ faith in my own right."

Kara remembers stories Mon-el used to tell-- of phenomenal parties and days spent in happy hazes. She also remembers how those enthusiastic re-tellings had grown uncertain as time went on. How those memories had grown less drunken and more drugged, when he realized it was all he remembered-- not the names of those he drank with, their families, or the taste of the food they’d had served to them on countless silver platters.

She hasn’t seen that here. Hasn’t witnessed any of the reckless indulgence that so characterizes what she knows of Daxam. All she’s seen is evidence of the steward’s claims-- of pride and dedication and purpose. He’d said their new Queen had been the source of their happiness, and Kara believes him. She imagines it would have been difficult for a newcomer to navigate such a climate, and harder still to lead them out of it. But she has.

The Queen has gone silent, and Kara accepts it gratefully.

“You may not remember, but… we used to share a friend. Her name was Kara Danvers.”

The name punches her like a kick to the gut. It stays hidden beneath the layers of desensitized masks, disguised to nothing. But she feels it. Oh, she feels it.

“Was it--” The Queen’s voice cracks. “Did she…”

Whatever she means to ask, she diverts to something simpler.

“Was she happy?”

Simpler to ask. Not to answer. 

Kara hardly remembers the last time she was happy. Unbidden, a memory surges to the forefront of her mind’s eye-- she and Alex on a couch, she forgets whose, and they’re full of food and wine and it’s just-- it feels like the warmth of a yellow sun.

She hasn’t been that Kara for a very long time. Sister nights fell away long before the bombs did. So had Alex.

“We lost touch,” is all she can say.

Wrapped shoulders droop, relinquishing the last of her regal bearing.

Beside her, the queen deflates, head bowing with one final loss.When she looks up once more, her features glow with old, callused grief.

“I sometimes wondered if she ever got married-- had children, grandchildren. I hoped she was happy. And not just because I married her boyfriend.”

Kara glances at the Queen’s profile. A new memory flashes behind Kara’s eyes. One on a different couch, with a Lena Luthor who’d sat stone-faced and teary-eyed. She doesn’t remember what had put grief on her face then, but being the source of it now cuts another layer from her.

She steps away, and pointedly avoids the concern that follows her retreat.

“Thank you,” she says. “For the view.”

Expressive features open, lips parting even as Kara braces against the request to stay. Finally, she pauses, and schools her features into something gentle, but serene. A queen once more.

“Any time,” she says graciously, hugging her shawl just a little tighter.

Kara bows in the Daxam way, then departs without a word.

[myotomespace]

Ikerev Uni AU! inspired snippets:

WELL HEWWO AGAIN!! I certainly did NOT think i’ll be posting these here anytime soon but...yeah :) someone pls kill me...

Anyway, these are some little shitty ideas inspired by @emeraldtawny‘s University AU (which i love so very much zfnqllksf)

Characters : Sirius, Jonah, Luka, Fenrir, Kyle and Edgar.

note?: Fenrir’s and Kyle’s are basically me roasting them (probably?? i don’t do writing so maybe not...still got Tawny’s seal of approval for Kyle tho :3 yay!). Also i tried making Edgar’s as spicy as i could (which is probably not...*shrug*)

***Sirius***

You made your way towards the greenhouse hoping you find the one you’re looking for there. You needed a few plants for your research assignment and he was the only one who came to your mind when you thought about asking for help. Stepping inside, you were first greeted with the scent of nature. It never fails to make you stop for a moment and just breathe it in.

Hearing the faint sound of water, you return to your sense and glance around. There he is. Just like you thought. Sirius was watering the plants at the back. You walk slowly toward him, taking the time to observe him. He always looked calm and relaxed here, like he left all his problems behind and is simply a man enjoying the beauty of nature.

I love it when you’re like this. And you can’t stop staring…

But before your thoughts could get any more tainted, you call out to him.

“Sirius!”

“Hey there, little one.” Ugh, don’t call me that...You have no idea how it makes me feel...

“Could you perhaps help me getting samples of plants i need. You spend more time here than me so it’d be quicker.”

“Of course. What do you need?” While he puts the watering can down, you dig through your pocket “Here. I have a list.” You hand him the piece of paper, your hands brushing slightly and bringing a blush to your cheeks. You froze. Natural reaction. You love him after all.

“Hmm, most of those are over there. Come with me.” You don’t know if he noticed your reaction or not, but, you were grateful he didn’t ask.

You two spend a fair amount of time moving around and gathering plants. You were most certainly not focused on that though…Being close to him for extended periods made your mind drift to thoughts about him. His scent, his posture, his hands...GOD his hands...You love the feel of his hand in your hair. It’s soothing.

You shift slightly to take a closer look at the plant’s leafs, your shoulders brush together. At this almost non-existent distance, you become really aware of his presence, it starts driving you mad with all the things you’re thinking of.

I want you...so much...I wonder if i’ll manage to taste you later, after this. You’re a patient man, but i know how you look when you let go. It’s not the first time anyway...

***Jonah***

You've been stressing over this part you have to perform for the last week. Your friends tell you that you're doing fine, that you practiced well, yet it didn't ease your mind. 

And here you are now, in the class, murmuring your lines in the script -when you should be paying attention to the lecture- completely unaware of the glare your haughty classmate has been giving you for the past 30 minutes.

Just as you reach the part you are the least confident in, Jonah coughs loudly, unnecessarily so, and points his perfectly manicured finger at you, “Would you keep quiet, and pay attention. You're distracting us!“

Really? Look at him. The teacher's pet. And definitely the student you are least compatible with in situations like these. How is he your boyfriend, you'll never know.

I'm here stressing myself out and all the support you could think to give me is a lecture about attention during a lecture…“You think i give a damn about it? I have a performance tomorrow. If the teacher himself is not stopping me, than i don't care.“ you huff. He's frustrating, sometimes.

The rest of the day passes peacefully…probably not a good sign. With your courses over, you gather your stuff quickly, trying to flee the classroom before your intuition proves right, but…“Where do you think you're going?“ darn it, not fast enough.

“Home?“ you answer warily. Please, Jonah. I'm just anxious, don't make it worse.

“You're going nowhere…not till i apologize.“

“Huh?!“ Ok, this was not what you were expecting. Jonah puts his studies before anything else usually. Even if you ARE his girlfriend, this is your fault anyway and you know it. He was right.

So why is he apologizing.

“I'm your boyfriend, i should have known how you're feeling and helped you, but i didn't.“ Oh. It was bothering him.

The look in his eyes held so much worry and frustration. I'm sorry too, Jonah. You get closer to him, bringing your hands up to hold his cheeks, and just as he starts muttering your name, you kiss him, drinking the rest of the sound. Not enough… i want more. More of you.

Perhaps a deeper apology is needed.

***Luka***

“Is this good, Luka?“ you ask, placing it on your palm, you show him the small delicate sugar flower you were working on. He nods

The assignment you were given was about making a chocolate cake in pairs. Since you were about the only one Luka spent most of his time with in the class lately, you two got paired.

It was fun for the both of you. The most fun you ever had in the kitchen. Simply working, spending your time together, quietly, was enough to fill you with warmth and happiness. You can't fully explain why you feel so at ease with him yet, but you like it. And you hope he feels the same.

Shifting your concentration back to your task, you start working on the next flower, shaping it carefully, making sure it looks decent enough to be worthy as a decoration to one of Luka's delicious cakes.

He kept watching you…observing your expression. How it changes when you work on a detail, how you smile to yourself faintly when you do it right.

How your tongue sticks out slightly when you concentrate on the delicate shape…

His cheeks gain color, red and bright. What is this feeling? He feels like he's been acting strange lately...Ever since he started spending time with you.

He gets easily distracted with, simply, your presence, yet he can't focus on his work when your not there, next to him. It's like he can't bear staying without seeing you anymore, sitting there, beside him, sharing with him what was supposed to be his private, comfort bubble.

What is this feeling?

His burning cheeks heat even more, and he tears his gaze away from you, back to the cake in front of him, hoping his racing heart would calm soon.

“Luka? Is something wrong?“ your voice brings him back to reality. Apparently he's been staring at the cake for a good while.

You put the nearly finished sugary decoration on the tray, and step near him, worried.

Close!

His heart starts racing again, its beat so fast he can heart it, blush covering his cheeks and working its way up to his ears.

You're too close, and i feel this weird heat again. What is this?

He can't put a name on it yet. But it makes him happier than he's ever been.

***Fenrir***

“Fenrir...wake up!” you shake the sleeping idiot, but still no signs of him waking up.

“WAKE UP FENRIR,DAMMIT!” fed up, you smack his head with the book you were holding. He yelps, jumping from his seat. “Yo, What was that for?”

“The class is over. You slept the whole time.” him saying ‘Oh cool!’ Made you want to smack him again, but instead, you just sighed exasperatedly.

“Are we eating lunch or not? We don’t have much time left, come on.”

Walking together to your favorite place, you talk about all sorts of things. Fenrir mentions a party that he wants to take you to tomorrow. He was at a party YESTERDAY, and he's already going to another one?

The timing is not the best though when you think about it.

“Hey, Fenrir… have you finished the assignment due tomorrow?“

“Wait, we have one?! since when?!“ you felt about ready to slam your head on a table, and you thank the gods that there is none here.

“It was given last week!“

“Well, no sweatin’, ain't like i'll fail cause of it.“

“This one is important, and it'll definitely matter in that ‘fail or pass’ scenario.“

His studying habits constantly make you wonder how in the hells is he able to get decent grades. He sleeps in class, ALWAYS at a party somewhere, and plays around too much.

You remember the time you watched him train. how he looked so hot, it turned you on. How his playful teasing, made you want to let go and lose yourself in him more, want to--

You shake your head furiously hoping the blush coloring your cheeks would magically disappear.

“What are you going to do now? The tasks for those assignment do require a week to be done. And you only have a few hours.“ If you say you won't do them, i'll throw you down.

“Nah, i'll manage. I've always said that diamo--“

You cut him to finish his catch phrase for him, sighing all the while, “Diamonds are made under pressure. That's why you leave things to the last minute. I know…“ you give up… there is no way you can keep up with his method of sliding through trouble like nothing.

“Great! Now, are you going to the party with me?“ Fenrir gets closer to you, eyes shining with amusement and excitement, a look that suits him really well. But, when it's this close to your face, just a few inches apart, it does things to you. The only words you could find to describe him are ’Hot Damn!’.

And you can never resist your boyfriend being right here, next to you. You can't resist your need to feel him, kiss him,and…

You close that final distance between you two, your mouth moving to kiss his gorgeous lips, wanting to taste him, and drown in the feel of him. And it is your answer…All the answer he needs.

***Kyle***

“Kyle? Are you still alive?” You call before slowly opening the door and letting yourself in. Whoa...Is this really the right place?

Kyle’s room was absolutely drowning in haphazardly placed books and paper. There was barely space to properly walk. Moving carefully, you make your way toward the source of this mess. Your helpless boyfriend. More like son…

He's sitting on his desk, focused on his books, unaware of your presence. You raise your hand and grip his ear, yanking it. He yelps, finally noticing you. “Hey!“

His smile irritates you even more. “Don't ‘Hey!’ me. What's with your room, i just arranged it last week!“

“I'm just studying, i guess it happened.“ he admits sheepishly.

What the hell?

You look around the room again. The bed was the only organized place. It's like a hurricane passed by. Really, Kyle…How are you still alive?

Shifting your gaze back to him for another lecture, you see the clear bags under his eyes. He seems pale too.

“When was the last time you got out of here?“ you ask, worried for his health.

“This morning, i think?“ Huh, it's night now!

“You THINK?“ you stare at him. Should you ask more? What if it's worse?...

“Last time you ate?“

“3 days ago, when you gave me that salad.“

“Last time you slept?“

“I don't have time for sleep.“

……dear lord

You just stand there, still trying to process this disaster of a man, mouth opening and closing, yet no words coming out. I have so much i want to say i don't even know from where to start!

“Hey, are you okay?“ he puts his hand on your forehead, as if checking your temperature.

Okay? Me? Are you kidding me? Are YOU okay? How come a Health science student is THIS bad at caring for his own health? ARE YOU REALLY ALIVE?

This…this is hopeless. He is hopeless.

“You're coming with me.“ you grab his hand, dragging him.

“Careful! Those are important documents you're stepping on.“

“You think i give a damn? Just follow me.“

You force him to go with you to the small kitchen and make him sit down on the chair “Stay there. Don't move.“ you warn him, turning around and disappearing to cook some food for him.

Not long after you started, you feel arms wrapping around your waist. You sigh exasperatedly, “Didn't i tell you to stay there?“

“Mhm, i'd rather stay here if i'm not gonna do anything.“ you blush, shivering slightly as you feel his breath against the skin of your neck.

This disaster of a man…What will he do without you…What am i ever gonna do without you.

Smiling sheepishly, you continue cooking, so he could eat and then sleep for a while.

***Edgar***

You agreed to help him review his psychology course, and in turn you get to learn new things.

You should have known it would lead into this kind of situation…

Edgar had you sitting on his lap, facing him, with the excuse that he would be able to see your expressions better this up close.

His hands were all over you, curious and studious, teasing and unrelenting, turning you on to the point of madness, the pleasure they provided you too much and not enough at the same time.

You were addicted to his teasing… to him.

He broke the kiss, lips still touching yours. You whined. You want more of him. You want to get lost in him. You want...

“Hmm…That's an interesting expression. You look unsatisfied, like this is not enough. Are you that turned on already?“ he whispered, voice way too collected for your liking, when you’re breathless and head swimming with all sorts of indecent thoughts.

You turned your gaze away from him, his analytic eyes making you want to escape from them, before he catches on what you were thinking, “I'm n-not.“

“Now, now, don't lie to me. Your eyes went down to the right and you hesitated in your speech. Clear signs of lying. And I know you well enough to tell that even without resorting to psychology.“ you wish you were not this far gone already, because you would certainly like slapping that know-it-all smirk off his gorgeous, beautiful lips.

What were they doing not kissing you...not tasting you… not making you lose yourself in more of him…

[yaz-the-spaz]

Thoughts on scripted?

hey nonnie, so i’m so so sorry i kept you waiting for like four days for this but i just really needed some time to properly process and collect my thoughts (cause i have a lot on this) and take my time to get them down in a coherent way, i still feel like it’s a bit jumbled and unclear at times but i tried my best to explain my thoughts as best i could. i hope it’s sufficient...

My Thoughts on Scripted

so i wanna preface this by making it clear to everyone who may read this that this is strictly my own interpretation of things and my own opinion on what zayn’s trying to convey in this song. personally, i think this song is very much about public images, narratives, and stunting, and sticking it out through all of that, so that’s the direction/theme that a lot of my interpretations of the lyrics in this song are gonna lean towards. you don’t have to agree. in fact, if you disagree that’s fine and i welcome and any all rational and fair/polite discussion on different interpretations of the song and certain verses or lines within it. i’m in no way trying to convince anyone to see anything a certain way (and my own interpretations and thoughts/opinions on this may even evolve or change with time), but i was asked by this nonnie to share my thoughts (currently) on the song and so that’s what i’m doing, and if anyone has a problem with any of the opinions or interpretations stated here i just ask that you address me about it respectfully :)

ok now onto the song analysis:

Blurry TV screens

Fuzzy broken scenes

Finding words don't have flow

Blurry TV screens

Fuzzy broken scenes

Hold her close finding love

so this verse to me seems like it could be meant to have a double meaning, as in 1) the scenes or roles they [he and liam and/or the other boys] have to play out (i.e. stunts, fake dates, scripted interviews, etc. that they feel like they’re playing out like a scene in a movie/tv show - mgmt telling them hold her hand this way, hug/kiss at this angle so it looks more intimate, ok now let’s take this pic/video and then we’ll do another angle; making sure to only show pieces of the story like scenes and only the pieces and angles that fit the narrative they wanna sell, etc.) and/or 2) the time they get to themselves which often feels like only snapshots that go by too quickly and are like a blur/fuzzy in their minds (stolen moments together in between stunt outings and shows and things where they have to perform/are expected to put on and keep up their usual act for the cameras before they can go back to being themselves again/have some time alone together to just be again, etc.), and the “finding words don’t have flow” part could mean because he doesn’t know how to talk about it or express how he feels about it cause he just has so many conflicting feelings (or even just that he can’t talk about it cause he’s not allowed)

Hearts don't feel the same

And the names we like to say

Change with time and age

so this seems to clearly be referring to feelings changing - though not necessarily in a bad way, maybe just maturing and growing together and changing as people, as in the infatuation is gone and you love each other differently than you did when you first got together but there’s still so much unconditional love there it’s just a different (like a more serious or maybe even a deeper) kind of love, or could be referring to friendships (whether between him and the boys or other people from his personal life) and those friendships changing or even fading with time, or even feelings about a situation changing over time; it could also be taken a bit more literally too of course as well and have a negative meaning as in we don’t love each other anymore/don’t feel the same way about each other anymore/aren’t as close anymore (again whether between friends or a romantic partner, or even not feeling the same way about a situation anymore, etc.), it’s all up to interpretation i guess and how you choose to see it but i think it can be thought of in lots of different ways

for the names thing i think this can also have multiple meanings, like maybe it could be referring to names he and liam and/or the boys call each other (friendly nick names, pet names as a couple, etc.) and/or the names they’re made to mention/promo in interviews, like how some periods we would get a bunch of louis and zayn mentioning each other or niall and zayn mentioning each other lilo or niam mentioning each other, etc. and then other times they’d be promo-ing other random people (like liam mentioning charlie puth every 2 seconds for a while, etc.)

[fyi i’ll be skipping over any repeating refrains/verses since there’s no real need to re-hash things over again or take up unnecessary space with lines that have already been talked about]

So I

I don't wanna say what's scripted

Whether you are or aren't with it

I know what I need

'Cause I

I don't wanna say what's scripted

Whether you are or aren't with it

I know what I need

this part i think is pretty obvious (and i think a lot of people agree) that it’s most likely referring to having to say scripted lines in interviews and things of that sort and that’s why he avoids it so much, he doesn’t wanna be forced or used to sell the narratives they want him to sell and say the company lines they want him to say, he “knows what he needs” and that’s to stay away as much as he can from engaging in all the bs

but again i think it could also have a double meaning in that he maybe doesn’t wanna say or do generic things either and this can be in regards to life in general or more specifically with his romantic partner, like he doesn’t wanna say or do what he’s expected to say/do, he wants to be different and to do things differently/do things in his own unique way (in life in general, but also maybe in his relationship like finding other ways to say “i love you” or to show his love, finding other ways to be together that don’t necessarily follow “traditional” paths which also could be a nod them being in a [conventionally-speaking] “untraditional” relationship, which a lot of people would consider a same-sex interracial interfaith relationship between two huge self-proclaimed dorks lmao to be)

i think it’s important to note that he also includes a snippet of an interview shortly after this part in which he talks about sex not being as meaningful anymore with this generation and how that was a part of what he was trying to convey on ‘let me.’ which begs the question why? why draw attention to this specific interview (one that references ‘let me’) out of all the interviews he could’ve chosen? why draw attention back to such a romantic song (and to the idea of meaningful sex and meaningful relationships) in the middle of this dark part of the album that seems to (imo) mostly be about the negative sides of the industry? we’ll get back to my theory on that in a moment but in the meantime…

there’s also the fact that the melody of song is very somber through most of the song and i think that’s intentional because it kind of serves to evoke the pain and sadness he feels over his situation and i think he wants the listeners to feel and understand that as well and to understand why, to understand all the little things about his whole situation that make him so sad and the main thing seems to be that he has to “say what’s scripted” when he doesn’t want to and isn’t truly allowed to be himself or say or do what he wants as much as he would like. BUT—here’s where we get back to my theory on why he suddenly calls our attention back to such a romantic song and to the idea of meaningful relationships

not long after this point in the song (after the chorus repeats again) the melody suddenly changes, all of a sudden it feels less somber (at least to me), i would almost even characterize it as kind of tentatively hopeful/tentatively optimistic if i had to put a label on it, my theory is that he’s setting for the stage for what comes next, getting us ready for a change in tune (literally but also figuratively as in a change in theme) and then we get this

You'd still remember my eyes

Even if the Men In Black flashed

Their light into your eyes

For the second time this night

It feels right when it's, only you and I

so this seems to be a nod to a huge recurring theme on this album which is this idea of always remembering each other/always being fated to find each other (through space and time and making it together through all kinds of obstacles, etc.)—aka SOUL MATES—which so many songs on this album seem to reference over and over and over again…and which as an aside always reminds me of that moment in an interview (sorry i tried but i couldn’t find a link to it) where i think they’re talking about what would have happened in an alternative universe/timeline if they hadn’t gone on txf and weren’t famous or something like that and zayn says he’s not sure if he would’ve met liam cause “i don’t tend to do much in me own time” and liam’s like “but you might have” and zayn’s like “yeah but maybe” not and Liam Not Having Any of It Payne insists “but then again you might have”

but anyway all that to say that i think it’s clear by this recurring theme that zayn’s definitely since come around to the idea lol and has even adopted him for himself and decided to make into a running theme on the album and not only that but clearly he’s come to believe that the romantic partner (i.e. liam) he keeps alluding to in so many songs on the “icarus” side is his soulmate and they can make it through anything

[but again, as with a lot of the other lines in this song (and on this album in general) i think there’s a small chance this verse could also be have a double meaning as well, possibly as a reference to the fans and how mgmt/1dhq has repeatedly tried to basically do a madagasar penguins ‘you didn’t see anything’ move on us and act like the shit we know we saw never happened by panic-deleting videos and releasing bs articles and manipulating the boys’ twitters; it’s a rather flimsy theory i know, esp given that all the other lines surrounding it suggest that it’s more likely in reference to a personal relationship than a more general reference that could be applied to fans but it’s just something that’s been in the back of my mind ever since i first heard the song so just putting it out there]

Oh, you and I

Oh, you and I

Oh, you and I

Oh, you and I

do i even need to say anything about this?

he repeats it five times which…interesting number first off 😏 (and also separates out the other four from the first one which again - interesting)…but also makes it pretty evident that this is a line that’s being very much emphasized, that has serious meaning, that he wants you to pay attention to, that much is obvious not only in the repetition but the fact that it deviates from the composition of the rest of the song - the music changes/falls away to just a very simple (piano?) melody and beat, the focus is mostly on just his voice and it’s the ever enigmatic “you” that he’s singing to (that also seems to be a running theme on both albums, as he often—not necessarily always but often—seems to differentiate between this “you” and other people/pronouns/things referred to in his songs) in a slightly sped up but very similar style to the style of the harmonies in you & i, a song in which he had very notable harmonies with liam (that’s possibly regarded as the most unequivocal ziam song) that they often romantically and openly serenaded each other with (like specifically turned to each other just to sing to each other), that liam said was his favorite song off the midnight memories album, that liam got a line from (“i figured it out”) permanently tattooed on his arm right below the feather that was widely believed to be the missing feather from zayn’s then chest tattoo (and which many believed being with zayn was the “thing” he figured out), a song that liam cried during the first few times they performed it without zayn, and a song that’s about nothing be able to come between two soulmates people in love who are destined to be together and that clearly had a lot of special meaning to them both (and that the fandom knows and that i’m sure they also know is widely regarded as a ziam song because as liam said on many occasions they see what we say about them, they know what goes on and what we think about the stuff they do/say) - all of that leads me to believe that this was a calculated and very obvious/deliberate move by zayn to emphasize this part in the song so clearly, a [huge] red herring if you will, and i would argue that it has even more significance not only just because of all that’s mentioned above but also because of the fact that he chose to include these lines in a song on the “falls” side of the album, the side that’s supposed to be the more negative/dark side (and the side that i believe is largely representative of his feelings and experience with fame and the entertainment industry). which to me suggests that the overarching message that he’s trying to get across/convey with this song is basically that everything may be shit with how things are being run and the stuff he (and the other boys) are made to do and say but he’s always gonna go his own way and regardless of what gets thrown at them he and liam (and the rest of ot5) are gonna make it through together

[lifesizehysteria]

United We Stand | An AdamsFoster Fic

Prompt: (Day 30) “If you insist”

A/N: For day three of the #elitewritingchallenge. I decided to do the prompts in the order they inspire me rather than in numerical order since I’m not staying on schedule anyway. 

A/N: This is the haunted house story that precedes the flashback in The Night Before Christmas. It was cut from that fic because it didn’t feel necessary but I’d written it and wanted to share it. So I held onto it until I was able to tweak it into a full, standalone one-shot. This prompt seemed like the perfect opportunity to share it.

“Look, look!” Brandon pulled at Stef’s hand and pointed through the rows of white tents and food carts, toward a haunted house on the other side of Fall Fest. “Can we go? Please, please, please?” Brandon danced before his moms, his hands folded under his chin as he begged.

“Maybe not today, B,” Lena said.

Brandon’s face was already forming a pout. “Why not?”

Lena looked down at the two children who stood between her and her partner. She couldn’t see how this could possibly be a good idea. They’d only been fostering the twins for a few months but the alarm bells sounding in her head made her very wary about how either of them would handle a haunted house. A shared glance over their heads told Lena that she and Stef were on the same page.

Stef turned to Brandon. “I think maybe it’s a little too scary, bub.”

“I’m not scared!” their son declared and puffed out his chest.

“You’re not the only one here,” Stef reminded him. Brandon was still adjusting to having siblings and he wasn’t always good about considering their feelings.

“Well, if they’re scared, can’t you just take me by myself?” he complained with a scowl.

“Brandon,” Stef warned.

“I wanna go too! I’m not scared!” Jesús piped up, breaking from beside his sister to join Brandon.

Lena looked at Stef again, trying desperately to communicate through near imperceptible facial expressions and telepathy.

Finally, Stef shrugged. “I guess, if you both really want to go, I can take the two of you through the haunted house.” Lena cleared her throat and looked to the ground to stifle her shock. Clearly the telepathy had not worked. “Mariana and Mama can meet us at the end.” When Stef looked to Lena for agreement on the compromise, there was a No on the tip of her tongue but Mariana broke in first.

“If they’re going, I’m going, too,” her little voice chirped.

Lena touched the girl’s shoulder. “You don’t have to go, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

When Mariana looked up at her, determination flashed in her eyes. “I want to. I’m not scared.” With her chin jutting in the air, she marched over to take up rank next to Jesús.

The three stood in a line of protest — defiant and unmoving, demanding their right to be scared out of their minds.

Stef threw her arms out to the side in surrender. “Okay. If you insist.”

The boys whooped with delight while Mariana’s face paled.

“Last one there’s a rotten egg!” Brandon slugged Jesús on the arm to give himself a head start as the boys took off in the direction of the attraction.

“Hey, wait for me!” Mariana called and ran after them, her fear forgotten at the threat of being the rotten egg.

Stef looked helplessly at Lena.

“I guess we’re all going,” she said with far more amusement than Lena felt. When they looked back in the direction of the kids, they were already alarmingly far ahead. “Hey, hey! Slow down! No running!” Stef called out a warning as she followed them in a brisk jog, leaving Lena standing alone.

“I guess we are,” Lena said to herself before trudging in the direction of her family who were all barreling toward this terrible, terrible idea.

By the time Lena caught up to her brood, Stef had managed to wrangle the boys as much as one can contain a whirlwind. At least they were no more than a few feet in front with Mariana lagging behind them and Stef bringing up the rear. The boys were trying to one-up each other with the possible horrors that awaited them in the haunted house. They had quite the imaginations and as each new suggestion was more gory and detailed than the last, the distance between them and Mariana continued to grow.

“I can’t believe you agreed to this,” Lena hissed as she came up beside her partner. She walked with her arms crossed tight over her stomach.

“I’m sorry, love,” Stef whispered back. “How was I supposed to know she’d want to go?”

“She doesn’t want to go,” Lena scoffed, shaking her head, wondering how Stef couldn’t see that. “She just doesn’t want to be left out. And even if she did, I don’t think a haunted house is a good idea.”

“Okay, sure, maybe it’s not ideal but I don’t think it’ll be that bad. We went with Brandon last year.”

“Yeah, Stef, and he ended up sleeping in our bed for a week.”

“Sure but look at him now.” She gestured toward him as he pretended to projectile vomit while Jesús was doubled over in a full belly laugh. “It obviously didn’t traumatize him or he wouldn’t be dying to go this year.”

“Brandon has had a very different life than Mariana and Jesús have,” Lena stated, her tone bordering on condescension. They may not have been fostering the twins for very long but Lena already knew that Mariana, though courageous in the truest sense of the word, was a highly sensitive soul. She was such a clever girl with a keen imagination and some very deep-seated insecurities that her short yet troubled life had given her. That coupled with an environment meant to elicit fear was a recipe for disaster. And Lena wasn’t too eager for Jesús to go through, either.

“I am aware of that, Lena,” Stef replied, her words terse in defense.

Lena softened. “I just don’t want to put them through anything that’s…” She paused, searching for the right words. “They’ve finally started to feel safe with us and I don’t want to undo that.”

“Neither do I. But sweetheart, as much as we want to, we can’t protect them from the whole world and trying to is just going to end up hurting them more in the end. We have choose when to protect them and when to give them the space and the agency to make mistakes. If that means we deal with a week of nightmares, then we’ll deal with it.”

Lena exhaled and let her arms fall to her sides. She knew that if their roles had been reversed, she would have told Stef exactly the same thing.

“So you do listen to me sometimes,” she teased, moving closer to slide her hand into Stef’s, their fingers lacing together.

Stef gave a nonchalant shrug, a smug glint in her eye. “Sometimes.”

Lena shook her head, her face alight with laughter. “Do I sound that pretentious when I say things like that?”

“I plead the fifth.” Stef winked and nudged Lena with her shoulder.

The two women closed the distance between themselves and the kids as they approached the line for the attraction. The boys were still going with the graphic predictions as they queued up to wait their turn.

“Boys.” The single word was a stern warning from Stef.

Jesús dropped the conversation without question, hanging his head a little, but Brandon looked at her, affronted. “What, Mom?”

“That’s enough.” Noting her seriousness, he huffed but relented as he turned away.

“There are lots of other kids around and we don’t want to scare them,” Lena clarified. After the explanation, Jesús’ head perked up. He had a real tendency to lay blame on himself for any and all minor behavioral corrections. Since noticing, Lena had been making a conscious effort to offer more explanations along with corrections and so far she had noticed quite an improvement.

The line moved at a steady pace. Groups were being let in about three minutes apart. The three children were involved in a game of I Spy, which kept them occupied as they waited. Lena and Stef stood behind them, touching at the shoulders and sharing snippets of conversation between lengths of easy silence. As they neared the front of the line, the sounds from inside the house began to reach them. Squeals and shrieks drifted out of the makeshift building and with each one, Mariana looked more apprehensive. By the time the family before them entered, the little girl’s back was rigid and her hands were balled in tight fists by her sides.

Lena nudged Stef with her elbow, nodding her head in the direction of their foster daughter.

“You alright, sweet pea?” Stef asked. Mariana jumped at the question but turned her head over her shoulder and nodded, her black ponytail rippling down her back.

In the presence of Mariana’s trepidation, the family grew quiet during the rest of their wait. Lena chewed the inside of her lip. She wanted so badly to yank her out of the line for her own sake. As if she could read Lena’s mind, Stef’s hand slipped into hers, affording her strength with a gentle squeeze. If only that telepathy had been working earlier; they wouldn’t be here now.

“Okay, folks. You’re up.” The gentleman working the attraction beckoned them forward. He rattled off his script like a seasoned flight attendant. “Remember, keep your hands to yourselves; no touching, no running, and certainly no hitting. You’re here for thrills, they’re here for bills; the monsters are people, too. Have fun and happy screams.” He waved them toward the entrance and the two women held their breath, waiting for Mariana to move. She didn’t.

“C’mon, Mariana,” Brandon urged. He was inching closer to the entrance, impatient after waiting in line so long.

Mariana’s feet had taken root in the grass.

When the host looked expectantly from her to the two women, Lena offered an apologetic wave. “Sorry. Just give us a minute.”

“Can I let the next group go?”

“Of course. Thank you,” she said as she knelt down on one knee beside Mariana. “It’s okay if you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared.” Her quiet voice trembled, giving herself away.

“You know, I get scared too, sometimes. Especially when I don’t know what to expect.”

The girl’s brown eyes were bright with worry and curiosity as she looked at Lena. “You do?”

“Yeah. All the time.”

Mariana fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. “Are you scared now?”

Lena nodded. “A little bit.” Of course, it wasn’t the haunted house itself that scared her but she kept that detail to herself. “Are you?”

The girl’s eyes dropped to the ground and she hesitated before nodding her head.

Jesús took his sister’s hand before Lena had a chance to speak again.

“If you’re scared, we don’t have to go.” His disappointment was obvious when he looked with longing at the dark entrance in front of them but his jaw was set with certainty. Lena felt a tightness around her heart at the touching gesture. He was alway so willing to sacrifice for his sister.

“Yeah, it’s okay if you don’t wanna go.” Brandon stepped in front of them, facing Mariana with his hands on his hips. “It’s just a lame haunted house. It’s probably not even good.” Pride swelled in Lena’s chest at her son’s sudden change of heart and she shared a quick look with Stef who seemed just as surprised as Lena. Maybe he really was getting a hang of this big brother thing.

Mariana looked between Brandon and her brother, her mouth pursing as she considered his offer. Finally, she shook her head.

“I wanna go. I won’t be scared if you guys are with me,” she said and reached for Brandon’s hand. United, the three turned toward the haunted house, their hands linked while they waited for their turn. Lena shared a look of love and pride with Stef as she returned to her side. She took her hand and squeezed it gently, grateful despite herself that Stef had agreed to this terrible, wonderful idea.

[koalala1031]

So... How Do Bees Fly?

Part of #SGRSWeek – Day 7/Epilogue: 再生 (Saisei: Revival)

Rating: G

Word Count: 1.247

Genre: Crack

Summary: Exactly what you think it is.

Pairing(s): -

Warning: dank memes, bad jokes

Shinnosuke read the script over and over again. He still couldn’t believe that Higuchi-sensei actually suggested him to perform that cursed script. “Why...?” he whimpered in misery. “Why... why... why, why, why, why why why why—”

“Shin!” Konatsu shut him up as she switched from the newspaper she was reading. “What is wrong with you?!”

“Mommy, can I just perform Jugemu tomorrow, pwease? I don’t want that hellscript Sensei asked me to perform uwu uwu.”

“Don’t uwu uwu like that! You know how Higuchi-sensei really wants to see you performing modern rakugo.”

“Yeah but... why this?!”

“Why are you the one so whiny about it?! Seriously, I’ve read the whole script, it’s not that bad.”

“Technically yeah, it wasn’t, it’s just that—”

“Anyway, you should just practice for tomorrow. I need some beauty sleep, so I’m going to bed now. Cya~”

“Mommy, wait—”

Konatsu just straight up went to her room without bothering to listen what her son had to say. Shinnosuke, being left behind by his mama, continued crying in embarrassment and wondering what did he ever do wrong in his life to deserve this kind of treatment.

“KYAAAAAA, SHIN-CHAAAAN!!!”

“Be my Daddy!!”

“I’m gonna write a proposal to Yakumo the 9th so I can be his daughter-in-law!!”

“I LOVE YOOOUUUUUU!!!!”

Shinnosuke was still embarrassed, as he was waiting for his turn to perform behind the stage. But not because of all the fangirls’ cheering for him, since he’s already used to it ever since his debut. Heck, he never asked to be born beautiful, but God give him beauty anyways. It’s not his fault for having fabulous parents and grandparents, so why should protest? Better cherish God’s blessing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The real reason our dear young hero to be embarassed is because of that one hell of a cursed script Higuchi-sensei asked him to perform.

“Aye-aye, Big Bro!!!” Koyuki greeted him. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Despairing over my misery...” Shinnosuke answered with no happiness whatsoever on his face, only a mix of despair and shame.

“Eeeeeh? I thought you were waiting to perform!” the girl pouted.

“Yeah, that too, but mostly...... hhhhh...”

“What’s wrong???”

“You’ll see on the stage....”

“ ‘Kay then~”

As the shamisen started playing in the background, the curtain rose as everyone’s favorite ikemen was already on the stage.

“OMG SHIN-CHAAAAAAN!!!”

“KYAAAAAAAA!!!!”

“KIKUHIKO THE FIFTH!!!” some of the less crazy fans cheered as well.

“NDINGSFDMBNKGUIAHFGVBNIUJODHUYINTGUIGISDHNUYGAUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” one of the fangirls actually passed out with froth coming out of her mouth.

“WE WANT MORE!!! WE WANT MORE!!! WE WANT MORE!!!” one of Koyuki’s friends jumped onto the fangirl bandwagon.

“Uh, but he hasn’t even started yet...” Koyuki replied to her friend.

“I DON’T CARE! WE WANT MORE!!! WE WANT MORE!!!”

Shinnosuke’s parents were also there. “THAT’S MY SON!!!” Yotaro claimed as he points at his son, while Konatsu just stayed chill.

“Thank you, thank you,” Shinnosuke waved to the audience fawning over him.

Then he sat down, still holding the fan that was a memento from his dad. “Uh, good morning, everyone,” he nervously greeted them.

“MORNING~!!!” the Yurakutei Kikuhiko V Fanclub members answered him.

Shinnosuke was lowkey irritated by them, but he continued anyways. “Anyway, um, I wanna share a fun fact with everyone here. So, uh... according to all known laws of aviation,there is no way a bee should be able to fly.”

The audience remain silent.

Koyuki scrunched her forehead. “Isn’t this...?”

“Yep,” Konatsu responded.

“Is this why he’s been wondering about his life priorities?”

“Yep.”

“Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground,” Shinnosuke was still performing his rakugo. “The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.”

The audience was still silent.

“Wait...” Koyuki mumbled to herself. “If that’s the case, then how do bees fly?”

Out of curiosity, Koyuki snatched her phone and then googled “how do bees fly”.

“What’re ya doin’?” Yotarou asked her daughter.

“They said bees aren’t supposed to be able to fly, so I googled why they still do,” she answered as she clicked the search result on the top.

“Can I see it?”

“Sure.”

Koyuki then showed the website she opened on her phone to her dad. “So according to this website... Basically they just flap their wings faster.”

“...That’s it?” Yotarou was underwhelmed.

“What do you mean “that’s it”?”

“I was... kinda expecting magic or something.”

“Magic doesn’t exist, Dad.”

“Then how do you explain rainbow?”

“Diffraction of light through moisture in the atmosphere.”

“...It’s a sad world you live in, daughter.”

“A perfect report card, all B’s,” Shinnosuke said in his performance. The audience bursted out laughing.

“Very proud.”

“Ma! I got a thing going here.”

“You got lint on your fuzz.”

“Ow! That’s me!”

“Wave to us! We’ll be in row 118.000.”

“Bye!” Shinnosuke waved his right hand while still holding his fan. The audience then laughed again.

“Well, Adam, today we are men.”

“We are!”

“Bee-men.”

“Amen!”

“That girl was hot.”

“She’s my cousin.”

“She is?”

“Yeah, we’re all cousins.”

“Right. You’re right.”

“How should I start it?” Shinnosuke cleaned his throat. “ “You like jazz?” No, that's no good. Here she comes! Speak, you fool!”

“Hi.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re talking.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You’re talking!”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s OK. It’s fine. I know I’m dreaming... But I don’t recall going to bed.”

“Well, I’m sure this is very disconcerting.”

“Because you don't free bees. You keep bees. Not only that, it seems you thought a bear would be an appropriate image for a jar of honey. They're very lovable creatures. Yogi Bear, Fozzie Bear, Build-A-Bear.”

“You mean like this?” Shinnosuke made a creepy bear face as he smacked, threw, bit, and stepped on the cushion that’s supposed to be his seat. “Bears kill bees! How'd you like his head crashing through your living room?! Biting into your couch! Spitting out your throw pillows!”

Shinnosuke then fixed his cushion as he sat down on it. “OK, that's enough. Take him away.”

“So, Mr. Sting, thank you for being here. Your name intrigues me.”

“FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES!”

The audience then chanted along with him. Yotarou, Konatsu, Koyuki, his fangirls... well everyone. “FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES! FREE THE BEES!”

“The court finds in favor of the bees!”

“Vanessa, we won!”

“I knew you could do it! High-five!”

He clapped his hands, as if to pretend to high-five between two people. “Sorry.”

“I'm OK! You know what this means? All the honey will finally belong to the bees. Now we won't have to work so hard all the time.”

“This is an unholy perversion of the balance of nature, Benson. You'll regret this.”

“What happened here?”

“There was a DustBuster, a toupee, a life raft exploded. One's bald, one's in a boat, they're both unconscious!”

“Is that another bee joke?”

“No!”

“I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everyone. Can we stop here? I'm not making a major life decision during a production number!”

“All right. Take ten, everybody. Wrap it up, guys.”

“I had virtually no rehearsal for that.”

Shinnosuke then bowed down to the audience, as they laughed like they were totally having the time of their lives. However, while bowing down, Shinnosuke’s face was as pale as snow—the white thingy his little sister’s name was based on. “Help me...” he whispered to God knows who. “Remind me to kick Higuchi-sensei’s butt later...”

Author’s note:

What am I doing with my life Okay, so um... am I doing this right? I mean, the sub-themes for Day 7 are supposedly afterlife, Alternate Universe, and/or reincarnation, so... does this count as an AU? And given that the kids are grown up now, I guess this kinda counts as epilogue... I guess??? Also the last sentence for Day 7 prompt says, “This is your tribute to the series and there are no limits to the imagination.” So I just decided to... do whatever the heck I wanted lmao. I only added the snippets of the Bee Movie script instead of the entirety to keep the fic from getting too long.

Heck, maybe some of you reading this are wondering why I’m just posting this... thing, while everyone else post actual quality content. But anyway, I hope you enjoy this fic (if you didn’t, it’s not your fault and I’m the one who’s extremely sorry) and feel free to leave some comments ^^

[siliconwebx]

How to Use Text Expander to Drastically Speed Up Your Writing-Related Work

Business writing can become tedious and time-consuming. We often type the same words multiple times within an email, on social media, in presentations, articles, or within user’s guides. One way to help streamline the writing process is to use an app called Text Expander. This app allows you to create snippets of text and code and place them within your content using abbreviations.

In this article, I’ll walk through some of the features of Text Expander and see how easy it is to use. The app is available for Window, Mac, and iOS. I’m testing the demo version for Windows and running it on Windows 10.

Text Expander

Text Expander is a productivity improvement tool that can save hundreds of hours per year. It’s fast and accurate, saving you time without compromising quality. Improving efficiency helps reduce cost.

The app lets you add snippets as you type. You type a short abbreviation and Text Expander fills in the snippet. They can include strings of text, email addresses, signatures, code, images, form letters, styles, links, etc. You can add them with a shortcut or a custom abbreviation.

Snippets can be simple lines or complete paragraphs. You can style the snippet text and add links and images. It keeps you from having to type common phrases every time you want to use them. They can be added to any editor you’re typing in. Just type the abbreviation.

Create personal messages with fields for you to fill in. It includes multiple field types. The messages can be automated and personalized at the same time. You can search your snippets inline as you type. It also includes reminders as you type.

The snippets are stored in the cloud so they’re available on all of your devices. You can create it on one device and it’s automatically available on the others.

It integrates with your apps. It performs spell correction in multiple languages. Snippets can be nested within other snippets. It will import data from other apps, and you can import and export snippets.

Text Expander easily adds code snippets. It includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, shell scripts, etc. It can accent words and include symbols. This is great for code templates that don’t rely on specific code editors. It will also shorten long URLs.

Text Expander is great for anything where you’d write the same thing more than once. This includes note-taking, replying to customers’ sales questions, customer support, emails, and lots more.

Using Text Expander with your Team

Using Text Expander with teams requires the Teams subscription. You can share the snippets with your team so everyone within the company can use the same text. Using Text Expander with teams helps keep consistency.

Create forms with fields so team members can enter the specific information while keeping the document consistent.

You can appoint a team member to be an authorized editor, and everyone on the team automatically gets the updated snippets. Easily manage thousands of snippets with a team across the globe. This keeps everyone using the same phrases, spellings, words, images, etc.

Team includes statistics so you can know how much time your team has saved by using Text Expander. This helps you make decisions about how you and your team use it.

Using Text Expander

Here’s a look at Text Expander in action.

Setting up Snippets

Once you install the app and log in, you’ll see a window where you can add snippets.

Create a group for your snippets if you want to organize them. I clicked on the New Group button and added the name. You can also add notes, choose when to expand (by selecting what precedes the abbreviation), and create the prefix. You can create your snippets in any of the groups you want.

The groups automatically appear within your account at the Text Expander website. You can also manage them or create them from here.

To create a snippet, select the New Snippet icon in the upper left corner. Here, you’ll choose the type of snippet you want to create, add the content, and choose the label, abbreviation, and case sensitivity.

In the Content window, you can choose to create plain text, AppleScript, shell script, JavaScript, or formatted text and pictures.

I chose plain text and typed a few random sentences. I gave it a label of ‘text’, set the abbreviation as rt… well, when I typed the abbreviation in my Word document it was replaced with the sentence in the snippet. I hadn’t saved it or anything. It just automatically worked.

Anyway, I gave it an abbreviation that means random text and left the case sensitivity at the default (meaning it’s case sensitive). It can also ignore the case or adapt the case of the abbreviation. The abbreviations appear in the left column with the name of the snippet. If you forget the abbreviation you can do an inline search. The keys depend on which OS you have. They do have some tips on creating abbreviations.

For this one, I chose formatted text and pictures. It opens a text editor where you can format the text, add images, add bullets, links, dates, etc. I’ve changed the color of a line, added a small image, a date code, and a link. I added the label and set the abbreviation to pg and r. The label is the name of the snippet that will appear in your snippet list. If you don’t give it a label it uses the first sentence.

The date codes are selected from the drop-down links. You can add the current date or a future date without having to open a calendar. You can choose the format. It uses math so you can easily choose a future or past date.

Choose the keyboard action you want to use with the snippet.

For example, I chose to insert a snippet and it asked for an abbreviation.

The snippet was then added to this snippet, allowing me to embed snippets within snippets.

You can set the delimiter. In this example, I’ve added a couple of quotation marks, set the cursor within the quotes, and set the cursor to be placed at that location when the snippet is used. This gives the user the starting place so they can add the text.

The fill-ins give you extra fields. This is the multi-line field.

This is the popup menu. Add as many options as you want.

I added a fill area with the default value of 27 and a popup with 5 options (these are the default example options).

By typing my abbreviation I was given the popup with the default value that I added and a dropdown box with options. I made a selection and hit OK. This added the values (27 and option 3) to my text.

For this one, I created a snippet for CSS and added it to the Code Snippets group.

All of the snippets appear within your list in your Text Expander account.

Adding Snippets to Your Content

Adding your snippets to your documents is easy. Simply place your cursor where you want the snippet and enter the abbreviation in any editor. I want to create an email with a premade layout. For this, I’ll create the email, a project link, and an email signature.

The project link is formatted text and just provides the project name. It’s clickable. I added it to the My Snippets group.

I created an email signature (using the links I discussed in the article How to Write a Professional Email Signature that Converts), pasted the signature into a formatted text snippet, and added it to my Email Snippets group.

I also created the email template. It includes a location for the cursor, the date, and I’ve embedded the email signature snippet.

I went to my online email app and entered the abbreviation for the email template snippet. The cursor is automatically placed where I can enter the name. The email body and my signature are here.

I entered the person’s name and then added the abbreviation for the project. It appeared and included the link. I could have included it as an embedded snippet, but this lets me use any project I want.

Here’s the same snippet on Facebook.

Here’s the snippet in WordPress using the Classic editor.

As expected Gutenberg creates individual blocks, but it’s easy enough to work with. When using them with Gutenberg I would create them specifically for this editor.

Text Expander Documentation and Support

Documentation and training include a blog and a support page with videos, knowledge base, help for teams, public groups, tips, user’s guides, etc.

Text Expander Pricing

Text Expander is reasonably priced and it’s easy to see how it would pay for itself. There are two options to choose from:

Life Hacker – $39.96 per year, or $4.16 per month

Team – $95.52 per year per user, or $9.95 per month per user

The Life Hacker still lets you share groups of snippets with your circle. Team is great if you want your team to share the library of snippets and have control over how the snippets are managed.

Ending Thoughts

Text Expander is intuitive. I didn’t need the help files, but there are a lot of them and I’m sure I could find anything I needed. I just scratched the surface of what it can do, so I’m sure it can get more complex. I highly recommend watching the demonstration videos to see it in action. This is an easy app to recommend as it would be a great time-saver for businesses of any size.

We want to hear from you. Have you tried Text Expander? Let us know about your experience in the comments.

Featured Image via johavel / shutterstock.com

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