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childofsquidward · 2 months ago

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Books I Read In 2022 (and by read I mean actually liked)

Strobe Edge, Vol. 4 by Io Sakisaka

We can find the answer together. That's what being together means, right?

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.5 STARS)

Oh WOW, I forgot how heavily this volume focused on SayurixDaiki! I genuinely adore their relationship and this was the first time they were given a chance to not only shine as a couple, but as individuals. I think their relationship is so underrated and re-reading the series has really made me see Daiki in a different light. I actually think I've only ever read this particular volume twice as opposed to some of the others that I have done multiple re-reads of, so this was kind of refreshing for me, weirdly enough. Daiki and Sayuri love each other so much and it's not the kind of high school romance that I would find myself rolling my eyes at because their relationship is one where they are open and willing to work through their issues with effective communication, which when compared to RenxMayuka is so bizarre because they're supposed to be this mature couple, but they don't how to communicate properly with one another. I also like how Daiki, who is so loud and goofy, was making the hard choices and trying to be practical whereas Sayuri, who is seen as the wisest and most sensible of them all, is all in and all she wants is to be with Daiki no matter what and wow, are SayurixDaiki my favourite couple? Damn, they just might be. (Shout out to Ninako for being the true MVP and quite literally knocking some sense into her dumb best-friend. I really wish we got more of Ninako and Daiki's friendship.) Also, I completely forgot this was the beginning of the Tsukasa/Manabu shenanigans, I love the little details that are so significant, and yet they're shown in this very 'blink and you'll miss it' sort of way. Manabu's heart is in the right place, but be a little patient and let Ren figure it out before you start plotting to get them together (I hate agreeing with Yū, but alas). Ninako and Ren are that couple that shares the exact same brain cell and you can't tell me otherwise. They're so in sync, like, Ninako's known Ren for a few months and she can tell something's wrong even if his friends can't. Also, Mayuka, sweetie, even DAIKI can see that Ren is probably one of the least mature people in this series, I don't care what the rest of you say.

(Can I just say that the pages of their "kiss" were absolutely gorgeous?! The hands? The leaves? The eyes??? Sheer perfection!)

Certain details that I wanted to point out...

I love how Ninako just lost it and straight-up demanded that Ren stay in bed. Him mentioning his shift was literally the angriest I've seen her!

These girls have no chill, Tsukasa did not hesitate to say that she would never be into Daiki and Sayuri took that personally. Ugh, just let us have an anime for more friendship scenes, that's all I want.

Wow, I'm old, I thought the scarf scene was in volume 5 or 6, my bad.

Kyo looking at their school work was so funny to me, like, same dude, SAME.

#except i re-read it shh #it's a manga but idc #manga #strobe edge #2022 reading list #the 52 bookclub april 2022 challenge #i need to learn to shut the fuck up #moodboard #aesthetic #childofsquidward #i am once again asking for an anime so side plots like sayuri and daiki's story can get a little more breathing room

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whumpty-dumpty-doo · 7 months ago

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Experiencing that happy feeling when you get into the groove and start to feel like the thing youʻre writing is beginning to work out and fall into place

#itʻs nice to be writing WRT again!#Iʻm incapable of making any of these prompt entries not fullly fleshed out #Deedoo try not to overly explain exactly whatʻs going on in a snippet of a story thatʻs not even canon yet challenge 2024 #impossible #but Iʻm having fun and I hope people like it #Iʻm so gosh darned behind on this challenge and I chose the worst month for me personally to do it but OH WELL LMAO #deedoo thoughts #deedoo original #new WRT entry coming soon #text post #writing #seriously itʻs a curse that I canʻt just do anything casually apparently but it is what it is #and yes I am still going to finish the april challenge. Those things are in the process of being written but I took a break

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simlit · 2 years ago

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Chosen of the Sun | | portal // eighty-one

| @sani-sims

POLL RESULTS | With a 62% majority, Kyrie wins the poll and becomes Eve’s date to the theater.

next / previous / beginning

EVE: Your Grace, a word? KYRIE: Oh, Eve, did you receive the message I sent for you? EVE: Yes, actually, that’s what I wanted to speak with you about. KYRIE: Have you selected someone to accompany you, then? EVE: Mm… I wondered if… you might be interested in attending with me? KYRIE: I hope you don’t feel so inclined to ask me due to a certain… arrangement? EVE: O-Oh, n-no! I mean… well, it’s sort of a silly thing. I suppose there’s no keeping secrets from a seer. KYRIE: Not entirely. EVE: To be frank, I didn’t really want to join in, but if I’m to spend the night at the theater, I’d like to go with someone I really admire. Perhaps it’s forward, but I’ve had, you could say, poor luck with unfavorable pairings as of late. KYRIE: laughing Even at your most honest, you’re nothing short of polite. I was only teasing you, of course. I’d be more than happy to attend the dances with you. EVE: You would? KYRIE: It’s no wheat field, but I suppose it’ll do. EVE: Alright, I’ll see you tonight then? KYRIE: Indeed, you will.

#ts4 #ts4 screenshots #ts4 story #sims story #ts4 bachelor challenge #chosen of the sun #oc: kyrie loren #cc: eve ravenclaw-silvermoon #yes yes I know #a surprise to absolutely no one #but good on Eve for being the first one to actually A S K #in other news CotS is going on another (potentially) long hiatus #catch y'all on the flipside (hopefully April)

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mutifandomlover · 2 years ago

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30 DAYS WRITING CHALLENGE.

Day 17:Write about a car ride.

From@creativepromptsforwriting.

Title:Fun Drive.

Ezekiel sat in the driver's seat, and Marie sat in the front with him. They stopped by Kazuma and Meriu's house. Meiru got in the middle while Kazuma got in the back. They then went to Geo and Shade's house.

"Hey guys."

"Hey, get in."

"Where are we going?"

"It doesn't matter. We're just going to have fun."

They got into the car. Shade got in the middle, and Geo got into the back with Kazuma. They drove around the city for a bit. As they were driving around, Kazuma put his arm around Geo, and he flinched.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, you just startled me."

"Sorry, I didn't mean too."

"You're fine."

They stopped at a store and bought themselves some snacks and drinks and then got back in the car. Shade kept glancing back and forth at Geo and Kazuma.

"What are you doing?"

Meiru looked at him confused.

"They're totally gonna do it at some point."

"Do what at some point?"

"Shh, they might hear you."

Shade whispered it into Meiru's ear.

"*gasp* Really, you think so?"

"Yeah, last night, I heard them talking in his bedroom, and then they went somewhere."

"And when they came back, I peeked through the door, and I saw Kaz kissing Geo on the cheek."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to see if they'll do it again."

Geo against Kazuma's shoulder and Kazuma looked at him.

"You tired?"

"No, I just I want to lean my head down somewhere."

"Sure you do."

"Hey, um, thanks again for showing me that last night."

"Your welcome."

"I still can't believe that you kissed me."

"You want me to do it again?"

Geo glanced at Shade, who looked at him and quickly turned around.

"Sure."

Kazuma kissed Geo on his lips and began rubbing his back. They pulled back after a few minutes. Geo was blushing a little bit, and Kazuma smirked at him.

"You really like doing that, don't you?"

"Yes, your reaction is priceless."

"Of course you think that."

Ezekiel glanced back and gave Kazuma a smirk. Kazuma looked at him, annoyed.

"So they made you sit back here on purpose, hmm?"

"Yes."

"I figured, my brother won't stop looking back at us."

Kazuma smiled at Geo.

"You wanna do it again?"

"Just to let them sink it in."

"You know what?"

Geo pushed Kazuma down onto the seat.

"Sure, let's do it."

They kissed again, and Geo dugged his elbow into Kazuma's stomach. The two of them did this for a while before finally stopping. Geo got off of Kazuma, and Kazuma was breathing heavily.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, your elbow was pushing into my stomach."

"Sorry about that."

"It's alright."

Geo leaned against Kazuma and nearly fell asleep. Kazuma rubbed his shoulder for a bit.

They finally finished their drive around the city. Kazuma had to wake Geo up since he fell asleep, and they had arrived at his home. He got up and went inside. Shade followed him inside.

"So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you like him?"

"Huh?!"

"How much do you like Kazuma?"

"Uh well, I guess a um... 10?"

"I knew it."

"Knew what?"

Marie switched places with Kazuma and sat next to Meiru.

"So, you do like each other."

"What?!"

"Don't lie to me, I saw what you two were doing back there."

"S-shut up!"

Kazuma stammered and looked out the window. Ezekiel chuckled slightly. They dropped Kazuma and Meiru off before heading home.

#dropkickwritersblock #writing challenge #short story #writing #megaman #megaman star force 4 #Kazler #reblogs are appreciated #april challenge

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mardereads19 · 2 years ago

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Blue Candle

Day 2 - April writing challenge

It was Teresa’s favorite.

Her daughters brought her new ones, aromatic ones. Those that you put flames to and the room would smell like a sunny day at the beach. Teresa’s catholic beliefs ensured she had various other candles dedicated to different saints. Some she preferred to others, but the blue candle was Teresa’s favorite above those saints anyways.

She never put a flame to it, though. No, the blue candle was not for burning.

It sat still by the TV stand. Observant.

It watched as Teresa rocked herself in the chair, staring blankly at the screen. Her trembling fingers pressed on the keys of the remote, changing the channels on the TV behind the blue candle.

Whenever someone asked, Teresa simply shook her head. “No. No.”

“But mama,” Simone would insist, “are you really never turning that one on? Why do you keep it then?” If it could, the candle would bristle loudly.

Instead, it kept silent to hear the old woman’s response: “It means the world to me.” At that, the candle would fill with pride. It was important. And knowing that gave the candle something to be happy for. It was much too plain, you see? It was nothing more than wax and a wick inside a crystal vase. No design or scent made it stand out from the others. Except, perhaps, that it was blue. It was bluer in some places than others, where it was bordering white. But it was important to Teresa and that meant enough.

The other candles didn’t have much of a personality. In fact, they did nothing but burn and smoke. Which meant the blue candle got bored when Teresa wasn’t in the house. Seeing her uplifted the candle’s mood greatly.

The old woman stood now. “Come, Sara,” she said, picking the candle up. “Let’s go take a nap.”

Thats right. The candle had a name. At least, that’s what Teresa always called it when she addressed it.

The candle pleasantly accompanied the woman as she took her slow and shaky steps down the hall. She used her free hand against the wall for support. Dark winkled skin against cream-colored walls.

“Soon I won’t be able to walk anymore,” the lady said with laughter in her voice. “I don’t remember where I left my glasses.” She stopped in the hall and turned back. But she didn’t move. Her thin hair moved with the breeze coming in through the living room’s window. “I’ll look for them later,” she concluded, taking up walking to her room again.

It was a good five minutes before the woman reached her bedroom door. She was very gentle in placing down the candle in the table next to her bed.

“You know, Ignacio passed away the other day.” The bed groaned as the woman sat down first, with every intention of lying down completely. “He had always been so good to us.” The candle had no idea who Ignacio was, but if he was good to Teresa, then it liked him. “What a good husband he would have been to you.”

Sometimes Teresa said things like that. Spoke to herself in the second person. The candle was used to it.

By the corner of a room, a young girl leaned against the wall and smiled. The candle didn’t know her name, but she was a regular. She accompanied Teresa on her shores some days, and some times she wiped the candle clean. She didn’t speak at all, so the candle assumed she was mute. But her face was very expressive, showing pearly teeth when happy, and a scowl when sad or hurt.

“He came to me a few years ago,” continued the woman, her head falling on the pillow, “said he had been married and had four kids. Nine grandkids.” Teresa looked at the candle. “One of his daughters has your name, Sara.”

The candle preened.

“We all go when our time arrives.” She frowned. “I’m so tired lately. Always forgetting things.” She shook her head. “It’s such a bother, being old.”

The candle understood. Lately, any speck of dirt angered it more than when it was young and bright. In fact, the blue in its wax was much less vibrant now than it originally was.

“I wish I were still a kid. Still twelve and running around the house. Picking up worms to scare mama.” She laughed. Then she coughed, shaking whole-bodily. “You remember that, don’t you?”

The girl had come closer to the bed, eyes shining with secret laughter, and a mischievous smile on her face. The candle wished it could join in. Laugh with them.

“I’m tired now to play such pranks.” The woman closed her eyes. “I’m too tired lately…”

Both girl and candle stayed there in the room while the woman slept. Her belly rose and fell and rose and fell and rose and fell and…

It was dark outside by the time her belly stopped rising, and the girl, who the candle had never seen past sundown, had begun to glow. She regarded Teresa with anticipation, eyes scanning her belly and then her face.

Now that the candle was really looking at her, she looked familiar. It recognized some of the factions in the girl’s face. She couldn’t be more than seventeen. Well, what did a candle know of age? Perhaps she was twelve. Perhaps she was thirty. But the candle leaned to think she was seventeen. Eighteen at most.

Its attention was drawn back to Teresa, because a light had begun to emanate from her.

Teresa sat in bed, hands raised for her own inspection.

But wait. She was glowing completely, too. But her body was still asleep on the mattress. The one that did not glow. That looked normal.

The candle did not understand such things.

The glowing Teresa looked up and froze. Her eyes began to shine with tears. The girl was beaming, watery roads already paved down her cheeks.

Sara, Teresa’s lips mouthed. For some reason the candle did not hear them.

The girl nodded.

Tears leaked down the old woman’s glowing form, snaking down her wrinkles like tiny rivers. I kept it, she mouthed. The candle, I kept it. When you died, I kept it. It was sacred to me.

I know, the girl said. I know.

The candle understood then. It had heard conversations about a sister. Young when a vehicle accident had taken her life. Teresa was younger still, but already collecting candles.

“That one’s special, because her sister handmade it for and gifted her it the day before the tragedy,” Teresa’s older daughter Jennifer had told Simone once.

The candle had not known she had been talking about it. It assumed it was something or someone else. Or, quite frankly, the candle barely paid attention unless it was Teresa speaking.

Let’s go, Tery, the girl said, extending her hand for Teresa to take. And the woman did, shaking. And, though the candle was just a candle, it could tell the shaking was not brought on by Teresa’s age and strength. As soon as she stood before the girl, she sobbed, throwing herself on the girl. The girl cried, too, a brilliant grin on her face.

They were both speaking, but the candle could not see their lips as well with their new position.

It stared as they finally pulled away and wiped at each other’s tears. Then, grabbing hands with beautiful smiles on their lips, the pair walked across the room to the door.

Neither of them looked back.

And, with the candle’s unlit wick, the room went dark when the door closed behind them.

#writing #theplottery #writing prompt #short story #oneshot #april writing challenge #writer #my writing #my post #day 2

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suckaysuamigos200 · 2 years ago

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para el día 9 de Aprilstories el día de hoy le toca a conejo

y aquí se me ocurrió dibujar a uno de mis conejos favoritos juan Carlos bodoque junto a otros de mis conejos favoritos robbie juntos para repartir los huevos de pascual

es deseo una feliz Pascua 2023, a todos 🐇🐰.

★彡[🅴🅰🆂🆃🅴🆁]彡★★彡[🅴🅰🆂🆃🅴🆁]彡★★彡[🅴🅰🆂🆃🅴🆁]彡★

for the 9th of Aprilstories today it's rabbit's turn

And here it occurred to me to draw one of my favorite rabbits, Juan Carlos Bodoque, along with other of my favorite rabbits, Robbie, together to distribute Easter eggs.

I wish you a happy Easter 2023, everyone 🐇🐰..

#31 minutos #artwork #bodoque #bunny #crossovers #easter #pascua #pecola #rabbit #robbie #juan carlos bodoque #bunny form #aprilstories #easter 2023 #storybook frame #aprilstories challenge #holiday #April stories #april stories challenge

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catabasis · 10 months ago

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“You don't get bored of stories. None of us, as human beings, we just—we never get bored of stories. And I get to tell stories. And each story is new and different, so it's a continuously renewing thing. And hopefully you are constantly getting better at your corner of the storytelling process, and you can—with each new challenge, you sort of have to find a new sort of corner of yourself. And it keeps being difficult, and it keeps being challenging, and it keeps being exciting. And fun as well, if I'm absolutely honest.” — DAVID TENNANT (born April 18, 1971)

#happy birthday to this extraordinarily talented and beautiful and lovely man!#david tennant #dtedit #dtennantedit #davidtennantedit #campbell bain #crowley #alec hardy #tenth doctor #fourteenth doctor #richard ii #scrooge mcduck #phileas fogg #mygifs #mygifs:davidtennant

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woniedarlin · 2 months ago

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Sick Days and Sweet Gestures

pairing: Academic rival! Jungwon x reader

synopsis: Jungwon never thought he’d care about you, his rival. But when you miss class with a cold, he ends up at your door because apparently, even rivals need checking on.

author's note: Hello, my precious darlings! It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I recently caught a nasty cold from the stress of academics, but while I was lying in bed, I suddenly had an idea and thought, why not write this out? So here we are! This is also a little celebration of my first-ever academic rivals story that I posted back in April. Happy reading!

warning: This story contains cursing and some strong language.

ccaution: Proceed cautiously if you’re not a fan of rival-to-possible-lovers dynamics. Read at your own risk of falling for a rival.

permanent taglist: @sol3chu @chlorinecake @13tter @jung1w0n

The classroom felt unusually quiet without you.

Jungwon sat at his usual desk, glancing toward the empty seat across the room where you were always found: chin up, pencil poised, ready to challenge him at every turn. His brow furrowed as the professor started the lesson.

You had never missed a day of class. Not once.

The two of you have been competing for the top spot for years. Every test, every presentation, and every debate turned into a competition. He has always respected your determination, even if you made his blood boil with your smug little grins whenever you beat him.

But today was different. There was no sharp retort to his answers, no quiet hum of agreement when he got something right, no shared glares across the room—just silence.

And it didn’t sit right with him.

Jungwon glanced up from his notes, eyes fixating on your empty seat again. Your desk was unusually bare, with no notebooks or pencils in sight. He couldn't help but wonder where you were

Usually, he'd be relishing in the advantage your absence put him at, but today... he wasn't so sure.

The professor's voice drifted in the background as his gaze flicked back and forth between his notes and your empty seat. He chewed the inside of his cheek, contemplating.

By the time class ended, Jungwon was restless. His bag slung over his shoulder, he lingered near the door as other students filtered out. He overheard a whisper:

“She’s sick, apparently. Someone said they saw her at the nurse’s office yesterday…”

Sick? You? Impossible. You were never sick, always attending classes and excelling at everything. But if you were ill enough to be at the nurse's office... maybe it was severe. He frowned at the thought of it.

...He shouldn't care.

Before he could think it through, his feet were already moving, carrying him toward the nurse’s office. But it was empty. After some hesitant questions and a little persistence, he found out you had gone home early the day before.

And now, here he was.

Standing in front of your house, Jungwon felt uncharacteristically awkward. His hand hovered over the doorbell for a moment before he pressed it.

The sound of footsteps approached, and then the door opened to reveal a frazzled-looking version of you. Your cheeks were flushed, your hair a little messy, and you wore an oversized hoodie. You looked like you hadn’t left bed in hours.

“Jungwon?” you croaked, your voice hoarse. “What are you doing here?”

"Oh, uh... I just..." He shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling ridiculous for worrying about you. Since when was he concerned about your wellbeing? This was weird. Very weird.

He blinked, suddenly realizing how odd this must look. “You didn’t come to class,” he said, as if that explained everything.

“Obviously?” you raised an eyebrow. Despite your state, you couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic tone. “Why are you here?’’ you asked again. Surprised, you never expect to see him out of all people.

He let out a huff, already feeling annoyed by your usual behavior. Typical. Even while you were sick, you still dared to be sarcastic.

He decided to cut to the chase. “You look terrible.”

You scoffed, ‘’Real nice, asshole.’’

“I call it as I see it,” he retorted, his gaze softened almost imperceptibly as he took in your state.

“You don’t usually miss school, and it’s weird as hell, okay? You’re always there. It’s not normal for you to miss.”

Your expression softened slightly, the tension easing from your shoulders. “I just caught a cold,” you said, stepping back to let him in. “Nothing dramatic. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

His eyes narrowed at your dismissal of his concern. He definitely did not let himself feel relieved that it was just a cold. Definitely not.

Jungwon entered your space and felt a bit out of place. Your books piled up messily on the desk by the window showed that you had been working hard, even while sick.

“You shouldn’t push yourself,” he said, his tone gentler than intended. “Rest properly.”

You sat on the couch, looking at him with a faint smile. “Is that concern I hear, Jungwon? I thought you’d celebrate having one less competitor for a day.”

“I think your brain’s overheating from that fever.” He leaned against the arm of the couch, ignoring the jab at his competitive nature. “Just take it easy. Don’t come to school if you’re not feeling better by tomorrow.”

He scoffed, though his lips twitched into a small smile. “Please. If I wanted to win by default, I’d have given up years ago. It’s more fun when you’re there to annoy me.”

You laughed softly, the sound a little raspy but warm nonetheless. “Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Yeah, don’t get used to it,” he quipped, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight smirk. “This is a one-time thing. You don’t want your ego getting bigger.”

Jungwon watched you for a moment, your eyes dimmed by exhaustion. He shifted awkwardly, then reached into his bag. “Here,” he said, pulling out a thermos. “I, uh… stopped by the tea shop. It’s ginger tea. Good for your throat.”

Your eyes widened, surprise flickering across your face. “You… got this for me?”

“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” he muttered, cheeks tinged pink. “Just drink the damn tea. You sound like you swallowed sandpaper.”

You took the thermos, your fingers brushing his for a brief moment. “Thanks, Jungwon,” you said softly, your voice sincere.

He nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Get better soon, okay? The classroom’s too quiet without you.”

Your smile widened, and for a moment, the rivalry melted away, leaving behind something much softer. “I will. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Someone had to,” he retorted, though his heart felt strangely light.

This whole situation felt surreal. He was in your living room as if he was allowed to be here and care. And he did care, he realized. A lot.

He glanced at the messy desk, papers, and books scattered haphazardly, a far cry from your usual neatness. “Your room is an ungodly mess.”

‘’I tried to study, but I am too sick.’’ You admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Why am I not surprised?” he said, his tone dry. He leaned over, picking up a textbook from your desk. “You’re such a workaholic.”

He picked up a stack of papers, organizing them into a neater pile. Despite his words, his actions betrayed his care.

He tidied up the desk, his eyes scanning the different equations and notes.

“How are you smart enough to solve equations when you can’t even manage your health?” He quipped, the words lacking their usual bite. “You don’t have to push yourself every time.’’

‘“I’m already proud of you,” he said, slipping the words out unexpectedly.

Your eyes widened, ‘’Oh..’’

His eyes widened as well when he realized what he had just said.

He froze, the papers in his hands forgotten. Had he just admitted, out loud, that he was proud of you? Shit.

He quickly turned away, busying himself with more organizing to avoid meeting your gaze. His mind was racing. He couldn’t believe what he’d accidentally let slip. That’s not the kind of thing rivals say to each other.

He could practically hear the gears in your head whirring, probably plotting some witty comeback about his unexpected admission-

‘’Thank you.’’

He looked back in surprise, expecting to see mockery or a smirk, but instead, he found sincere gratitude in your eyes.

That wasn’t the response he was expecting. A lump formed in his throat, making it hard to swallow.

He gave a stern nod, trying to act nonchalant. Damn, his heart for hammering like this. “Well, I should go. Don’t want you spreading your germs.”

“Sure,” you teased, your voice lighter now. “Wouldn’t want to infect my biggest competition.”

He smirked at that, the tension from his confession easing slightly. This was familiar, this banter. This, he could do.

“Keep telling yourself that,” he quipped, picking up his bag.

He paused at the door, turning to look at you again. “Drink the tea and rest, okay? I’m not cleaning up your mess again if you get worse.”

He rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him. “Get well soon, rival.”

And as he left, you couldn’t help but smile at yourself; he isn’t that bad after all.

🍯

The following day, you walked into class feeling refreshed and ready, though a little wary of the questions you would face after your unexpected absence.

Jungwon’s reaction, however, wasn’t one you’d prepared for.

When you sat down, he turned to you, his brows furrowed as if he were still trying to process something. “You’re here,” he said flatly, like he didn’t quite believe it.

You raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You were sick,” he said, leaning slightly closer. “People don’t just bounce back like that. You’re sure you’re not pushing it?”

His concern caught you off guard, and your usual witty retort faltered. “I’m fine, Jungwon. Thanks for checking, though.”

He didn’t seem entirely convinced but nodded anyway, returning to his notebook. Yet, throughout the class, you caught him sneaking glances your way.

When the bell rang for lunch, Jungwon lingered by your desk, hands tucked casually in his pockets. You glanced up, puzzled. “What? Did I leave my notes uncovered or something?”

He rolled his eyes, though there was no real bite in it. “No. Actually… Are you free after class today?”

You blinked, caught off guard. “Why?”

Jungwon hesitated as if choosing his words carefully. “You know… as a favor.”

“A favor?” You repeated skeptically.

“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat. “You were sick, and I’ve got this… thing. It’s at the café down the street. I figured you could use the fresh air. Maybe a coffee. Or tea. You like tea, right?”

It took you a moment to realize what he was doing—this wasn’t just any “favor.” Your heart skipped a beat. “So… you need me to go to a café with you? For fresh air?”

He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant but failing miserably. “Something like that. Plus, I heard their pastries are decent.”

A smile tugged at your lips, but you played along. “Alright. But only because you seem like you need help picking out pastries.”

His lips quirked up into a small smile, “Deal. Meet me at the gates after class.” Then, he walked away…

Is he asking you out? Maybe.

Will you be interested in dating him? Let’s just say you’re already picking out which pastry to call “yours and his.”

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crackerberries · 2 years ago

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No Darkness - Feeding the Flock 23

No darkness. No fear. Know God? I am cheating a little for today’s post. I’m using an older post from a previous challenge. With light there is no darkness. It fits right into the resilience of our current challenge. How does God’s word keep you resilient in your daily activities? Be blessed, Today we have some very naughty sourdough bread in Crackerberries Kitchen.

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#A2Z #atozchallenge #A-Z Blogging Challenge #April Poetry Month #blogging #Christianity #communication #Crackerberries #darkness #Feeding the Flock 23 #God #light #poetry #six word story

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reasonsforhope · 1 year ago

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Story from the Washington Post here, non-paywall version here.

Washington Post stop blocking linksharing and shit challenge.

"The young woman was catatonic, stuck at the nurses’ station — unmoving, unblinking and unknowing of where or who she was.

Her name was April Burrell.

Before she became a patient, April had been an outgoing, straight-A student majoring in accounting at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. But after a traumatic event when she was 21, April suddenly developed psychosis and became lost in a constant state of visual and auditory hallucinations. The former high school valedictorian could no longer communicate, bathe or take care of herself.

April was diagnosed with a severe form of schizophrenia, an often devastating mental illness that affects approximately 1 percent of the global population and can drastically impair how patients behave and perceive reality.

“She was the first person I ever saw as a patient,” said Sander Markx, director of precision psychiatry at Columbia University, who was still a medical student in 2000 when he first encountered April. “She is, to this day, the sickest patient I’ve ever seen.” ...

It would be nearly two decades before their paths crossed again. But in 2018, another chance encounter led to several medical discoveries...

Markx and his colleagues discovered that although April’s illness was clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia, she also had lupus, an underlying and treatable autoimmune condition that was attacking her brain.

After months of targeted treatments [for lupus] — and more than two decades trapped in her mind — April woke up.

The awakening of April — and the successful treatment of other people with similar conditions — now stand to transform care for some of psychiatry’s sickest patients, many of whom are languishing in mental institutions.

Researchers working with the New York state mental health-care system have identified about 200 patients with autoimmune diseases, some institutionalized for years, who may be helped by the discovery.

And scientists around the world, including Germany and Britain, are conducting similar research, finding that underlying autoimmune and inflammatory processes may be more common in patients with a variety of psychiatric syndromes than previously believed.

Although the current research probably will help only a small subset of patients, the impact of the work is already beginning to reshape the practice of psychiatry and the way many cases of mental illness are diagnosed and treated.

“These are the forgotten souls,” said Markx. “We’re not just improving the lives of these people, but we’re bringing them back from a place that I didn’t think they could come back from.” ...

Waking up after two decades

The medical team set to work counteracting April’s rampaging immune system and started April on an intensive immunotherapy treatment for neuropsychiatric lupus...

The regimen is grueling, requiring a month-long break between each of the six rounds to allow the immune system to recover. But April started showing signs of improvement almost immediately...

A joyful reunion

“I’ve always wanted my sister to get back to who she was,” Guy Burrell said.

In 2020, April was deemed mentally competent to discharge herself from the psychiatric hospital where she had lived for nearly two decades, and she moved to a rehabilitation center...

Because of visiting restrictions related to covid, the family’s face-to-face reunion with April was delayed until last year. April’s brother, sister-in-law and their kids were finally able to visit her at a rehabilitation center, and the occasion was tearful and joyous.

“When she came in there, you would’ve thought she was a brand-new person,” Guy Burrell said. “She knew all of us, remembered different stuff from back when she was a child.” ...

The family felt as if they’d witnessed a miracle.

“She was hugging me, she was holding my hand,” Guy Burrell said. “You might as well have thrown a parade because we were so happy, because we hadn’t seen her like that in, like, forever.”

“It was like she came home,” Markx said. “We never thought that was possible.”

...After April’s unexpected recovery, the medical team put out an alert to the hospital system to identify any patients with antibody markers for autoimmune disease. A few months later, Anca Askanase, a rheumatologist and director of the Columbia Lupus Center,who had been on April’s treatment team, approached Markx. “I think we found our girl,” she said.

Bringing back Devine

When Devine Cruz was 9, she began to hear voices. At first, the voices fought with one another. But as she grew older, the voices would talk about her, [and over the years, things got worse].

For more than a decade, the young woman moved in and out of hospitals for treatment. Her symptoms included visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as delusions that prevented her from living a normal life.

Devine was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which can result in symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She also was diagnosed with intellectual disability.

She was on a laundry list of drugs — two antipsychotic medications, lithium, clonazepam, Ativan and benztropine — that came with a litany of side effects but didn’t resolve all her symptoms...

She also had lupus, which she had been diagnosed with when she was about 14, although doctors had never made a connection between the disease and her mental health...

Last August, the medical team prescribed monthly immunosuppressive infusions of corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs, a regime similar to what April had been given a few years prior. By October, there were already dramatic signs of improvement.

“She was like ‘Yeah, I gotta go,’” Markx said. “‘Like, I’ve been missing out.’”

After several treatments, Devine began developing awareness that the voices in her head were different from real voices, a sign that she was reconnecting with reality. She finished her sixth and final round of infusions in January.

In March, she was well enough to meet with a reporter. “I feel like I’m already better,” Devine said during a conversation in Markx’s office at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, where she was treated. “I feel myself being a person that I was supposed to be my whole entire life.” ...

Her recovery is remarkable for several reasons, her doctors said. The voices and visions have stopped. And she no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for either schizoaffective disorder or intellectual disability, Markx said...

Today, Devine lives with her mother and is leading a more active and engaged life. She helps her mother cook, goes to the grocery store and navigates public transportation to keep her appointments. She is even babysitting her siblings’ young children — listening to music, taking them to the park or watching “Frozen 2” — responsibilities her family never would have entrusted her with before her recovery.

Expanding the search for more patients

While it is likely that only a subset of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders have an underlying autoimmune condition, Markx and other doctors believe there are probably many more patients whose psychiatric conditions are caused or exacerbated by autoimmune issues...

The cases of April and Devine also helped inspire the development of the SNF Center for Precision Psychiatry and Mental Health at Columbia, which was named for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which awarded it a $75 million grant in April. The goal of the center is to develop new treatments based on specific genetic and autoimmune causes of psychiatric illness, said Joseph Gogos, co-director of the SNF Center.

Markx said he has begun care and treatment on about 40 patients since the SNF Center opened. The SNF Center is working with the New York State Office of Mental Health, which oversees one of the largest public mental health systems in America, to conduct whole genome sequencing and autoimmunity screening on inpatients at long-term facilities.

For “the most disabled, the sickest of the sick, even if we can help just a small fraction of them, by doing these detailed analyses, that’s worth something,” said Thomas Smith, chief medical officer for the New York State Office of Mental Health. “You’re helping save someone’s life, get them out of the hospital, have them live in the community, go home.”

Discussions are underway to extend the search to the 20,000 outpatients in the New York state system as well. Serious psychiatric disorders, like schizophrenia, are more likely to be undertreated in underprivileged groups. And autoimmune disorders like lupus disproportionately affect women and people of color with more severity.

Changing psychiatric care

How many people ultimately will be helped by the research remains a subject of debate in the scientific community. But the research has spurred excitement about the potential to better understand what is going on in the brain during serious mental illness...

Emerging research has implicated inflammation and immunological dysfunction as potential players in a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, depression and autism.

“It opens new treatment possibilities to patients that used to be treated very differently,” said Ludger Tebartz van Elst, a professor of psychiatry and psychotherapy at University Medical Clinic Freiburg in Germany.

In one study, published last year in Molecular Psychiatry, Tebartz van Elst and his colleagues identified 91 psychiatric patients with suspected autoimmune diseases, and reported that immunotherapies benefited the majority of them.

Belinda Lennox, head of the psychiatry department at the University of Oxford, is enrolling patients in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of immunotherapy for autoimmune psychosis patients.

As a result of the research, screenings for immunological markers in psychotic patients are already routine in Germany, where psychiatrists regularly collect samples from cerebrospinal fluid.

Markx is also doing similar screening with his patients. He believes highly sensitive and inexpensive blood tests to detect different antibodies should become part of the standard screening protocol for psychosis.

Also on the horizon: more targeted immunotherapy rather than current “sledgehammer approaches” that suppress the immune system on a broad level, said George Yancopoulos, the co-founder and president of the pharmaceutical company Regeneron.

“I think we’re at the dawn of a new era. This is just the beginning,” said Yancopoulos."

-via The Washington Post, June 1, 2023

#mental illness #schizophrenia #schizoaffective #psychotic disorders #psychology #neurology #autoimmune #autoimmine disease #neuroscience #medical news #medical research #catatonia #immunotherapy #immune system #clinical trials #good news #hope

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aprilisthecruelestmonth · 7 days ago

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April is the Cruelest Month Whump Event 2025!

Here we are again! The second year of AitCM!

It's a good month to whump our favorite characters!

In AitCM, to complete, you only have to write 15 days, and the other fifteen days you read & rec a fic that fits one the prompts for the day. (Feel free to create and promote art pieces as well!)

This not only makes it easier to fit into a busy schedule, but it helps promote your favorite writers!

You are more than welcome, of course, to write all thirty days or rec all thirty days—or both—but that is not necessary to complete the challenge.

Join us in filling the world with spectacular whump stories!

Tag us in your stories, recs, and art!

Choose one or more of the prompts daily (or use an alt prompt) and get to work!

The minimum requirement is 100 words. It's not terribly strict. If 100 words seems too daunting, try to get as close as you can. There is no maximum word count, though.

Post your stories to our Ao3 collection:

Do your best and get to whumping!

Special thanks to Lynn(justanotherinterneruser) for helping put this together. <3

#writing prompt #whump writing #whump prompt #writing #whump #whump tropes #whump community #whumpblr #Aprilisthecruelestmonth #aitcm2025

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raven-at-the-writing-desk · 3 months ago

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🎉 Thank You for 10k+ Followers!! 🎉

A big thank you goes out to @cozymochi for this beautiful celebratory commissioned artwork for this major milestone ✨ It really captures the scope of all the content that had been put out in the last 4+ years—both in terms of official Twst materials and on this blog! I think it’s very fitting that we hit this milestone in the month of Halloween too (I just held off on posting this til the month after); it’s Twst’s biggest holiday of the year, so it’s twice the cause for celebration!!

A lot has happened over the course of my time in this fandom. I’ve written many things of course, but I’ve also had many other exciting opportunities! I’ve been interviewed for a paper, met many cool people from all over the world, attended Twst meetups + events, collaborated with other talented creators, received kind gifts, contributed to various fandom projects, and finished telling the origins of my Twst OC. This blog has been with me through a lot of major changes and difficult hurdles in my life too—it’s really been an anchor for me, a comforting and safe space for me to be creative or analytical whenever I want to be.

When I first started this blog as a very casual hobby in summer of 2020, I never even considered that it would balloon to this extent. It still doesn’t feel totally real to me 😭 I don’t usually fixate on numbers (they make me anxious), but looking back on it, 10k is a LOT, and 4 years is a long time. To put that in perspective, if we were in Twisted Wonderland for 4 years then all of the students we’ve come to know and love would have graduated by now. That’s crazy to me. We’ve come so far as a group.

I feel that a large part of fandom is the community that comes with it. I would have found it so challenging to stick with Twst had I not had so many great people keeping me engaged with it. I’d now like to take a moment to thank those folks. Keeping in line with the idea of “4 years”, think of these as little messages scrawled in a yearbook. I also have a blog event planned to celebrate! More on that later.

Please note that I’ve used pseudonyms for most of the following people, as I’d like to respect their privacy (I’m very private myself) + not all of them are comfortable with being explicitly named or tagged to a large crowd. You’ll know who you are if you see yourself on here.

Without further ado:

MSS — Thank you for being the first Twst space I felt truly a part of. It’s still the place I consider my fandom “home” beyond this blog.

April — Thank you for making MSS as a place for us to share! We’re tsunderes in solidarity.

Drinking Knight — The banners wouldn’t exist without your help. Thanks for getting the ball rolling on those; I’d like to think that I’m a little more confident in designing new ones myself now, but you were the start of it all. Your endless enthusiasm for the most insane otome boys, drinks, and bullying (positive) others is truly an inspiration.

Q. Opinionated — Can’t count the number of times you ran tech support for me 💀 Thanks so much for being patient and willing to laugh at a stupid situation. I WILL grip you (escape is not an option) 🤲

Dad with his Printer — Why are you so cheeky My unofficial proofreader and fact checker. Still treasure the teeny J word and coffin magnets you sent, and, even more valuable than those, the bad dad jokes/puns advice and wisdom you give. Wishing you luck on your art adventure.

A. Cider — An unexpected friend I met very late into the fandom and happened to run into irl by total coincidence. Funny how life works. Your shitposts are great, and I appreciate having a like-minded person to talk with about the J words and story critiques. I’d also like to thank you for the many little doodles you’ve made; I know you’re very busy and have a wife to tend to at home but I appreciate that you still make time for friends.

Hana — Extroverted pink-haired magical girl representation. Your bubbly love for Disney, Diasomnia, singing, and (yes) angst lights up the entire room. Maybe you’re not too confident with yourself are right now, but I know you’ll find your way.

Swan — For being quick on the uptake and giving me the heads up about various things! We may not talk much one-on-one, but I’m thinking of you and enjoy seeing you pitch into the conversation. You’re still banned for L*ona posting though/j

Ly — My secret French twin/j Thanks for being my cultural + equine advisor and a voice of (salty) reason. Never shut up about your hyperfixations! You’re a real one.

Oys — Enabler + encourager of my Yan!Sil delusions. Sorry for making your blood pressure spike every time we talk about our food takes. But hey, at least we get a good laugh out of it :))

Mac and Bean — For being my inspirations. Bean, you have such atmospheric writing. I hope my writing style can be just as magical as yours. Mac, it was your blog that first got me into starting my own Twst writing. You never stop being so, so funny also I blame you 120% for the L*ona rot.

Peaches and Cream — To my local Twst friends, thanks for keeping me company even through the hard times. Peaches, happy to be your local Twst dealer anytime. Cream, thanks for hooking me up with new books.

Salt and Flora — I don’t know where you vanished to, but the sea brought you back to me on its tides. I’m so happy we could meet again. Salt, you’re so talented at crochet and design work; get your coin 😂 Flora, you’re the sweetest person ever. Literally cottagecore personified, even in your art.

Piano — We don’t always see eye to eye, but thank you for being my serial debater and showing me new perspectives. Your open-minded theories and analyses are such fun. And, of course, it’s always hilarious to think about how we accidentally (?) swapped oshis 🤡 You’re a star.

The Anklebiter — For having the most unhinged jokes and ideas. Seriously, THE most unhinged. I never do any of the crazy things you suggest but I’m always really entertained from just hearing them.

Te, Mi, and Ro — Thanks for organizing local events and giving me an excuse to touch grass. It’s a lot of hard work and you guys manage to pull it off every time! Mi, I was flattered to have you reach out to me to help a little with the Tweel cupsleeve event. Happy to help anytime! Te, I remember you were cosplaying as Kalim when we first met and I kept thinking about how perfectly suited you are for the role. You were very friendly and made such an effort to include everyone in the event even when I was Idia-ing in the corner. To this day, you continue to spontaneously introduce me to new people 😂 Thanks for getting me put of my comfort zone. Ro, I didn’t think we’d meet again like this. Small world! You’re learning and improving the big events. Here’s hoping to many more!

Vic — For being Ace Trappola when very few others would. It’s refreshing to have someone tell it like it is. I wish I could be as bold and as honest as you are sometimes. You have such a big heart when it comes to the characters you love; it makes me want to adore them like you do too 🫶

Kana — For being so sweet and patient. You helped me through so many rough patches and have also contributed a lot to the look of the blog. It’s so fun gushing with you about magical girls and pretty boys, sharing our favorite shows and movies… I feel as though I’ve made a lifelong friend.

Zari — Thank you for charms and art book, big fan of your stuff 😭 So honored to have worked with you on projects too. I hope to see a lot more of your Yuu and other OCs around, I love following them ^^

Lala — You understand, encourage, and validate my weird tastes in fictional men 💕 Really admire your sense of fashion and stylish nails too. Whenever I have my shrimp apron on, I think of you.

Arisu — No longer in the Twst fandom but integral in the earliest days. Wherever you are now, I wish you nothing but happiness.

P-san — You’re a lifesaver!! Thank you so much for helping me find cute little outfits and accessories for my plushies… They are forever grateful to be properly clothed.

V, Fa, Fe, Ray, Rea, Sonny, Glimmer Group, and Incognito Crew — Thanks for being so supportive of my hyperfixation on Disney villain anime boys, even if you guys have NO clue what I’m rambling about half of the time. To V specifically 🫵 I am NOT a cat boy kisser

Mango — I didn’t know I wanted you in my life until you showed up uninvited one day and chewed your way into my heart.

Azul Ashengrotto — For being the character that first convinced me into giving this game a shot. The Little Mermaid was something I always held so dear to me, so it almost seems like destiny that you’d be the one to drag me down into Twst. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart for that, even if my feelings have changed since then.

Rook Hunt — For being there when I needed to laugh a little. It’s scary to glance over my shoulder sometimes, but you make it easier to smile as I look back.

Rollo Flamme — For letting me know that having negative feelings is normal and human, even if we don’t always cope with them in the healthiest of ways. Let’s reflect and be better together!

Leona Kingscholar — For showing me that change and personal growth is, in fact, possible. Th-This doesn’t mean I like you or anything though, so get off your high horse—

Jade Leech — For taking my hand and guiding me back on the path when I got lost in the dark. Whatever crimes you may commit in your free time, I forgive you/j

Miss Raven Crowley — The little black bird who could, the blog muse. I made you on a whim and look at where you are now… You went from a background character to the main character of your own story. So proud of you, my child 😭

Asset compilers, fan artists, fanfic writers, fan translators, cosplayers, merch makers, editors, plushie pic takers, video essayists, theorizers, etc. — You’re all so important to keeping the fandom alive, especially during periods of official content drought. It wouldn’t be feasible for me to list out all of the content creators I enjoy (chjsbsksks and it honestly might be awkward since I haven’t directly interacted with most of them), but I hope that this message still reaches you and finds you well. Keep doing your thing; I love seeing the work you put out ^^

Anyone and everyone that I’ve ever commissioned and/or received fan works from — I appreciate that you took time and energy out of your day to create something for me. There’s so much talent in the Twst fandom and I’m honored that you would dedicate some of that to a silly little birb.

You, the Readers — For supporting this blog and and what I do here! You’re an important part of my journey too.

Thank you!! Here’s to a future unknown and a page unwritten.

- The Writing Raven

#twisted wonderland #twst #disney twisted wonderland #disney twst #notes from the writing raven #milestone #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #Raven Crowley #not my work #Leona Kingscholar #Jade Leech #commissioned art #Azul Ashengrotto #Rook Hunt

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