#artist and writer

[r4inyclouds]

You can take Steve Rogers out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of Steve Rogers.

I heavily recommend putting ya glasses on for this ride of a rant. A... practically an essay on how Steve was out of character in Endgame:

Look, I still wholeheartedly believe that Sam deserves the title of Captain America, but even before that Steve dropped that shield, that title in the Civil War movie, for Bucky, in respect for Tony. Captain America wasn't even his label for years after that. Surprising how many didn't realise Steve in the endgame movie was Nomad, not Captain America.

But, he still fought, didn't he?

So people who say "Steve will always be THE Captain America!!" can go cry about it for all I care. Sam is the hero that he deserves to be. Yet, I suppose we're all entitled to our own opinions.

I don't even think the producers at the time even read the comics they were basing their large franchise on. That Steve in Infinity War wasn't Steve.

He was born a stubborn fighter, he was meant to end as that stubborn fighter we knew from 'The First Avenger'. It's in his nature how he was meant to be articulated as a person. It's in the comics, that hell- I haven't even exactly read most nor possess many of them! It's a joke, a jest; it's funny but not funny 'haha hilarious', but funny, odd, peculiar and perplexing. But from what I've seen from the fans on this side of the debate who have read the comics thoroughly, they all explicitly state that Steve would never do this or abandon anyone. I could, respectively, not care that the MCU was never, and never will be, canon to the comics, but they couldn't even keep one thing, an aspect that's similar or alike in any particular way to the comics, and that's the whole nature and personality of one of their most main focused characters, diverging from the whole point, centre, heart of Steve.

Steve never needed a label that told him he was a hero even when he was some twink before the serum, his whole arch, his whole goal was to become someone who helped, it wasn't from the start to settle down with a woman he was at a high school situation ship with, maybe, just maybe it could've worked if they attempted to even build and develop their relationship for it to make that little sense. Steven Grant Rogers admitted to being that stubborn little thing, and in a sense, he was like that, someone who determined to not be a coward and went against his non-spoken word.

And no, this has nothing to do with the fact I'm a HUGE Stucky shipper, I exclusively tried to avoid talking about Bucky in this half of the rant for a reason. I love Peggy, she's in my top 5, and I love domestic Steggy. It's just it was never right for Steve.

Steve will never, ever be able to run away from what he is. He is THE fight, with or without a useless hero label.

Now since I'm a bucky glazer, and he's my favourite character (I'm putting him in a jar once I get my first-ever Funko pop) I will go on to talk about Steve and Bucky, now, I'd understand if someone would not want to read this part because I'm 'just a wild Stucky shipper!' Who's own priority is trying to keep the ship afloat (I'm also occasionally a Sam x Steve x Bucky shipper but that's besides the point) But in this segment, I will be talking about them in an otherwise platonic sense; it doesn't even need to be romantic for me to say this. And, honestly, if the character of Bucky never existed in this universe, I would've still had this rant on my Tumblr about why Steve leaving is just... odd.

Okay, Steve spent THREE, THREE, I REPEAT THREE, HIS WHOLE DAMN TRILOGY, having at least one huge plot point just purely based on Bucky in each of his movies.

1. He went against whole military orders to get Bucky back, had a whole depression episode thinking he was dead, and then had another depression episode when he died, and then kind of just offed himself after that (Now, am I saying he offed himself for no reason for other than his friend?... yeah, so, there's a deleted scene where Rhodey asks Steve about how he practically died, and why he didn't just jump out into the water before he crashed, I'm tellin' you if you search it up it's there, now, people suspected that the reason it's a deleted scene is that it, well, opens a plot hole, and it just kind of seems like... he killed himself because bucky's dead? Like, ya know, there's no other reason to why he did this. But I might just be reaching there) God. So that point just says a lot about how the producers didn't even think for one second about him going back in time.

2. Nearly got killed by him, but when he figured out it was Bucky he went a berserk kind of insanity and risked his life as he put his trust in a man who was about to knock the shit out of him. Then, like- went for months on end to get Bucky back just because he left him on the side of the beach to not let him drown. Yeah, okay, sir. Also, does everyone just... Like, all silently agree not to talk about how they casually just drop platonic wedding vows to each other in every movie? Like, what do you exactly mean by "I'm with you 'till the end of the line", every time I hear that quote I go "WRITE THIS DOWN, WRITE THIS DOWN!" (not like I'll be getting married though)

3. How am I meant to summarise this with detail without just saying the few words in my mind that would just tell you the whole plot? [Squints eyes, checks notes]... Guess I gotta. 'Bro split Avenger for bro, Avenger no longer, Captain America? No longer for bro, bro picks bro up, bro says wedding vow, bro sad Wakanda.'

Then, now, I apologise sincerely for using this analogy, but he kinda, just, ya know, abruptly left to get the milk. He dropped everything once he got the chance to go back and left poor Bucky wide-eyed like some traumatised puppy with attachment issues they newly developed after shown that much devotion and affection from an owner who'd treat them right, and then was suddenly dropped into a random field of an environment, unfamiliar, they don't recognise it, as they then watch the rustic car they were once rescued from becoming a blur, speeding off into a distance he couldn't possibly ever trace back to. What in the holy fuck was that waste of three movies then.

(DEEP FUCKING BREATHS, RAIN, HOLY SHIT DEEP FUCKING BREATHS)

I hope people can't tell I'm a fanfic writer; this is the shittiest thing I've ever written, I swear my fanfics are more descriptive and crap, but I'm foaming from the mouth right now; I think I permanently disrupted my breathing pattern, well done me.

Sigh, okay, well.

He's a defender for his friends; his bonds double-tied with the strength that could be held within the core of the earth, yet that somehow immediately loosened, cracking the surface, crevice by crevice of that earth with one scene, one moment. His mantle of the goal, his word that he once held dear to his child heart, became not even an earth-shattering break.

Now, here we are.

So, I shall, if you don't mind, end this with my small conclusion of how it's was out of character for Steve to leave.

You can take Steve Rogers out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of Steve Rogers.

[evilmortimerirl]

You could've been something more, Morty.

[gigimarvels]

The Comfort of the Night PT.2

*part 1 is here*

-Thyme-

The warm summer breeze tickled Thyme's skin as he walked the back garden courtyard of Jade's estate. it's been a few days since his wounds had fully healed and now his body welcomed 3 new scars from where the hobgoblin clipped his side while protecting Topaz. 'women do tend to enjoy scars...' the thought lingered in his mind though it was a melancholic thought. Thyme was never truly a man of vanity, his left leg and missing left hand is proof of that, but his use of his prosthetic automata hand and leg brace was evidence that he did deep down miss when his body wasn't so.... broken.

His cane tapped along the cobblestone walkway as he enjoyed the evening noise of crickets, and the splashing of the waterways lining the gardens pathway. he was admiring the scenery but deep down he was hoping to catch another glimpse of maybe another sleepless soul, like he did the other night when he caught her talking to the moon. The Garden way aligned with beautiful bushes of lavender coloured roses, Thyme mused to himself as he walked on 'Amber always said she loved the colour of my eyes, guess she took it literally when landscaping' that's when his eyes fell upon a sight, a long piece of yellow ribbon drifting on the ground with the breeze. Thyme chuckled as he used his foot to stop the runaway ribbon, it took him all his strength not to curse under his breath as he bent down and back up, picking up the ribbon due to his leg's past injury. he smiled though knowing this was proof his night walking princess was out and about, wrapping the ribbon around his left arms wrist he then proceeded to pluck the most in bloom rose. a gentle smile crawled across his lips "guess i can walk for a little bit longer tonight".

-Topaz-

Lost in thought as she walked Topaz didn't notice till it was too late one of her ribbons had come loose as went astray 'oh bullocks' she thought to herself as her brow furrowed in worry. her ribbons though a show of status of where she came from was more so a comforting piece to her. having them always helped put her mind at ease, so loosing one especially to something so silly as a breeze vexed her. She turned around from the way to was walking to follow the summer breeze to hopefully her poor lost ribbon.

As she walked she admired the scenery; the moon and stars as beautiful today as they were yesterday, the pillars and rose bushes and vines that created a natural awning. They were beautiful and such a lovely shade of purple, reminding Topaz of a certain outlaw Pixies eyes.

Her face felt hot thinking of Thyme, since their last meeting she hasn't fully been able to get him off her mind. Though she hasn't seen him in a few moons due to his recovery. Pixies healed so much faster than fairies but she still worried, and deep down she missed him. It must have been an instinct but next thing Topaz knew she had plucked herself one of the roses off one of the many bushes and was holding it dear to her chest, that didn't help the already flushed face she was already exhibiting, good thing no one was around to see her like this. She took a moment to recollect herself and continue her walk back retracing her steps for her missing ribbon, but it didn't take long till she her tapping and footsteps approaching. she stopped in her tracks as the figure emerged into the moonlight, but she could tell who it was before he even was revealed, his glowing purple eyes were a very easy tell. "Good evening princess, another night of wandering?" Thyme's face lifted up to the sky "Talking to the moon again?" He looked tired, he must be exhausted still, but there was something gentle and warm with the smile on his face with the mix of tired in his eyes. there was a long pause of silence between the two of them. Topaz didn't know how to respond back to Thyme she was just overjoyed to see him up and walking without the bandages so thyme continued clearing his throat "I found this while walking, seems they wanted to make an escape" he raised his left arm showing the runaway ribbon wrapped around his amputated hand. "O-Oh, there it is" Topaz finally mustered her voice "I was just trying to retrace my steps to find it, before.... before heading to bed" her face flushed pink again, being in his presence was making her body hot, she finally locked her gaze upon him "thank you" she then trailed off into almost a whisper "Thyme". She sheepishly walked her way over to him, she didn't want him to walk to her. she knew his left leg could only take him so far if it wasn't braced, and he looked overworked. Before she could make it fully to him, he stops her with handing her his rose. The surprise made her jump, inducing a chuckle out of Thyme "I see you already have a rose for yourself, but i have no need for one for myself so take it.... besides.... purple looks good with yellow" and there it was, his cocky grin crawled across his face. Topaz blushed thinking of what those words might have implemented but quickly pushed the thought aside, she was more his annoyance, his pain in the ass than anything else. nonetheless she reached for the rose in his hand, her fingers touching his, they lingered there for a moment before he bought his hand back to his left side to grab the ribbon from his wrist. "You should keep this fastened better" his hand gently reached for the side of Topaz's hair touching her ear to her ribbon fastener at the nap of her neck, eyes locked to hers as he refastened the ribbon back "Don't want to go retracing your steps again? might not meet me next time in the dark" he mused, as his hand glided to the tip of Topaz's chin, holding it there staring at her, lingering before finally he placed his hand back onto his cane, his eyes unlocked from hers staring off into the distance, his ears twitching to a nose he must have picked up on "Let's head back" his eyes returned to hers "I'll keep you safe" he grinned again. "Alright" Topaz moved closer to his side as they pressed towards the house "thank you, and.... i didn't say it earlier but" Topaz looked down to their feet then back up to Thymes face "I'm happy you're ok, I'm happy you're back" she smiled, her smile was always cheery, warm and sweet and when she finally opened her eyes from smiling she noticed Thyme's face looking surprised to hear that as his face flushed a pale yellow. he cleared his throat as they continued their walk back "T-thank you" he then with his left arm pulled her in closer to him tightly, almost to secure something he lost. Topaz couldn't help but to lean further into him and smile. The warm summer breeze tickling both of their skin.

[silverhyenaart]

Okay, so first here's a sketch of one of the scenes from Into the Shadows on the left. Neo teaches Sally how to use her Bow... failing to take the ragdoll's rather unique anatomy into consideration. On the right... I just seriously ship those two love birds! Jack and Sally are the ultimate undead power couple and you cannot change my mind.

* * *

Sally winced at that statement. How could the Ambassador be so casual about that? Frog's Breath had a strong odor, strong enough to cover the scent of Deadly Nightshade! She couldn't imagine how miserable getting a direct face-full of it would be.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Neo," Sally confessed, emerging from her hiding place, "I just, well I found it fascinating. What you were doing, I mean."

"Oh? Do you like archery as well?"

Neo returned to her stance, taking another arrow out of the quiver at her side. With practiced ease, she drew it back and fired, adding another to the growing collection piercing her target.

"I've never tried it," Sally admitted, stroking the stitches on her wrists.

"Would you like to?" Questioned Neo, offering her bow to Sally, "You've shown me so much of your realm, Sally. Allow me the honor of showing you something of mine. I could teach you how."

Immediately, Sally's already large eyes widened a little. She'd never really held a weapon before. Well, save for a knife, but that was only while she was cooking. Okay, and the Dragon's Claw, but she'd hoped that would only be used to scare a potential threat away. (And perhaps it made a nice gardening tool as well.)

Tentatively, the ragdoll's dainty hand hovered over the elegant weapon. Up close, she could see that the bow string was held in place by two dragon heads carved into either end of the bow. When she picked it up, it was much lighter than she'd been anticipating.

"Heart Seeker is crafted from the wood of the Dragonblood Trees, which only grow in the Crimson Woods. Where I'm from," Neo explained, as she showed her friend how to hold the bow, "it's very light, extremely durable, easy to enchant, and will not burn."

"Sounds like it must be special to you, Neo," Sally mentioned, watching Neo demonstrate a stance.

The Konderi angled her body to the side, firmly planting her feet in the ground, "If this bow could tell stories..." she sighed, wistfully, "are you ready?"

She drew an arrow from her quiver, handing it to the ragdoll. The tip of the projectile was incredibly sharp; potentially deadly in the right hands. The steel of the arrowhead had the same, ethereal shimmer as the blade at her side. Carefully, Sally knocked the arrow, running her small hand over the fletching.

"Then I just pull it back?"

"Hold onto the arrow with these two fingers," instructed Neo, as she gently guided Sally's fingers into the correct positioning, "when you draw back, you'll feel it in your arm and shoulder."

Upon drawing back to fire, Sally could already feel the strain against her stitches pulling. Her arm began to shake a little, unused to such a sensation.

"Don't tense up, allow your body to relax," Neo stated, moving Sally's elbow up, "now, let it loose."

With a whistle, the arrow went flying through the air; right past the target and landing somewhere in the brambles. Sally had a look of alarm on her features as she lowered the bow. However, Neo took it all in good stride.

"Go ahead and take a mulligan," she said, waving her hand and conjuring the arrow safely in her fingers, "Sally, you've got to learn to relax. It's okay if you're not good at it right away. This is your first time. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

"Sorry about that, I... Well ummm..."

Sally pulled back her next arrow, still unsteady.

"Just breathe. Don't even think about the arrow. Breathe in... breathe out. Relax your body. Think of the bow as merely an extension of yourself," Neo whispered, calmly, "now, release."

The ragdoll let Neo's words sink in; Jack often told her the same thing. (Well, perhaps not in those exact words, but close enough.) She let herself relax, a smile curling up on her stitched ruby lips as she released the arrow.

This time, the projectile pierced through the pumpkin. Far away from the group Neo had made previously, but at least she actually struck the target.

"I hit it this time!" Sally exclaimed, turning to her teacher with a wide, excited smile.

"See?" Neo questioned, looking up to the ragdoll as her tail wagged, "I knew you had it in you this whole time. Here," she handed Sally a third arrow, "try aiming where you did last time. We'll work on moving any groups later."

This time, Sally was much less hesitant as she knocked the arrow and drew it back. However, before she could release on her own accord, there was a loud 'snap' and 'riiiiiiiip' as the stitches holding the ragdoll's arm to her body abruptly tore, violently severing the limb. The force of the bow string sent the severed limb flying across the pumpkin patch while the arrow was lost to the nine winds. Sally let out a surprised gasp while Neo's skin suddenly went extremely pale beneath her chocolate colored fur.

"Oh by the Gods, Sally!" Neo yelped, rushing to the much taller woman's side.

The Konderi was fully prepared to go into full field medic mode, her paw-like hand glowing with celestial blue energy. But something was oddly missing. There were no screams of agony, she hadn't collapsed from shock... come to think of it, there was no blood. Wait-no blood?!

"I-I'm okay, Neo. It's just a bit... startling," explained the blue ragdoll, as she stifled an embarrassed laugh, "it doesn't even hurt."

Still no blood, instead, dried autumn leaves fluttered and spilled from the... (wound?!)-while Sally's severed limb dragged itself along the ground, seeking it's mistress.

"How... ummm... how do you, well...?" stammered Neo, as the blue glow around her hand faded.

Putting any words together in a coherent sentence suddenly became very difficult.

"Don't worry, I always come prepared."

Sally gave Neo a reassuring smile, then took a long, sharp needle from behind her ear and produced a spool of thread from her dress pocket.

"Well, I must say that even the great Jack Skellington might have some competition in the shock and awe department there," Neo commented, gathering as many of the loose leaves as she could.

In that moment, Sally felt herself swell with just a little bit of pride. She had actually... scared someone? Perhaps not intentionally. However the fact remained that she had. But, Sally never considered herself scary at all! Sometimes the ragdoll wasn't entirely certain that she fit in with the rest of the town. But here was Neo, giving her some much needed confidence.

Gently, the Konderi picked up the severed arm, taking great care to place the leaves back in place before holding the limb steady for Sally to stitch back into place. From the first moment Sally pierced her blue, cloth-like skin with the needle, Neo winced, pinning her ears against her skull.

"And that-!?"

"Doesn't hurt a bit," Sally reaffirmed, continuing to stitch herself back together.

Neo helped out where she could, mostly sewing the areas Sally always had trouble reaching on her own.

"Thanks, usually Jack would help me with those," the ragdoll paused, lowering her eyes and suddenly remembering the reason she had come to find the Konderi in the first place, "Neo, I-I am very sorry about what happened to you in town earlier. Jack and I have been trying to set those three on the right path, but..."

"They're still loyal to their old patron," Neo finished, "I've heard the hushed whispers in town. Plus, Jack let me in on a few things. They once served a terrible fiend. Yet neither you nor Jack have given up on them. I saw the way he looked at Lock, Shock, and Barrel as they fled. Like a disappointed father."

Mostly, Neo was upset about losing the broken mirror. That was a gift from the King of Halloween himself; at this time, it was probably smothered in sticky candy wrappers or carelessly tossed in some dark nameless corner. She dared not think of how the regal and respected dragon and sun sigil on her leather satchel was being desecrated this very moment.

"Jack's a good man, perhaps even too good of a man," Neo sighed, tightening the stitches on the back of Sally's arm, "and he's lucky to have you by his side, Sally."

At once, the ragdoll felt her cheeks warm from those words, turning a dark pink against the blue, "I've... always been there for Jack, through good times and bad," Sally let out a soft sigh, "and he for me. Did I ever tell you that Jack has actually... rescued me before?"

Neo's curiosity peaked, "No, you didn't. But that explains quite a bit. Although if I didn't know any better, I'd have guessed that you rescued him."

Perhaps Neo knew more than she let on. Or she overheard things in town. That or just a lucky guess!

"Well, I guess in a way, you're right. I mean, well... I did tell him about my vision but... he wasn't exactly listening to me."

At that little tidbit, Neo perked up, "I knew it!"

"Huh, knew-knew what, exactly?" Sally questioned, her eyes becoming wide.

"I could sense it within you, Sally. Your inner fire, as my people call it," Neo elaborated, "you're gifted with The Sight, aren't you?"

Sally gave a shy smile and nodded. That was one word for it, "I can't control what I see or when I see it, but it happens every now and again."

"Let me guess, you foresaw a disaster and nobody listened," Neo sighed, shaking her head with an amused smile, "that's usually how it goes."

The ragdoll nodded, "Jack's always been so kind, caring, and honorable. Selfless and intelligent. But... well, sometimes he's in need of guidance when he gets... carried away."

Sally smiled nervously, gritting her teeth a little as her mind flooded with some memories of the past. The "incident" as it was referred to by the townsfolk.

"You're there to bring Jack back to reality when his head is in the clouds," Neo commented, her tail swishing back and fourth as she handed the needle and thread back to Sally.

"Hmmm... literally, you might say," the ragdoll muttered quietly, watching the way Neo's ears flicked and twitched.

"What?" The Konderi asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Oh nothing! Y-you are absolutely right, Neo," Sally answered, much too quickly, "But a while back, he... ummmm... well, Jack lost his passion for Halloween. He'd put on a convincing skeleton grin and beared it for his people, but I could tell it was tearing him apart inside."

If Sally hadn't said anything, Neo never would have guessed as such. She'd caught no sign of deceit or melancholy; Jack was genuinely happy and excited to share his town and the holiday he reigned over with her.

"He was missing something in his life, or death, rather," Neo mentioned, before she smiled brightly, "and I take it that it took some trial and error before it pounded into that skull of his that what he was missing was right in front of him the whole dang time."

Vaguely, Neo wondered if those skeletal reindeer she'd seen at Dr. Finkelstein's tower laboratory had anything to do with this. However, she never brought it up.

Sally nodded, finishing up the last of her stitches, taking the very familiar knife out of her dress pocket to cut the thread.

"That's... ummm one way of putting it, Neo," she said, placing her hand over her chest while closing her eyes, "I wasn't sure at first, until... well, what I mean is..." Sally stumbled over words, unsure of how to put it, "for the longest time, I thought we were just friends. But it was a lot of the little things that stood out. Like how Jack remembers my favorite flowers, black roses and thistles, my favorite animal, cats, especially black ones."

She had such a fond, dreamy look in her eyes as she poured her heart out. How Jack always knew how to make her laugh. His beautiful singing voice. Or how he'd always try to discover her favorite food by preparing many different dishes, even those of other worlds, despite Sally's insistence that she couldn't possibly pick just one to call her favorite. By now, Neo had forgotten about just what they had been doing prior. The Konderi was just content listening to her friend talk about the man she loves. As for Sally, well, she'd never really had another girl to talk too about such things. Most of the other women in town usually kept things curt and short with her, occasionally flashing Sally the stink eye for "daring" to steal the Pumpkin King's heart.

It was only then did the ragdoll remember the snacks she bought with her, offering the basket to Neo.

"If I may be so bold," Neo commented, with a sly smile while taking a bite of a chocolate covered scorpion, "the fact that Jack's a devilishly handsome blade can't hurt."

The ragdoll had to put a hand over her ruby lips to stifle a girlish laugh, but she quickly nodded in agreement.

"Oh, Jack is such a gentleman and romantic! He enjoys cooking for me, even after a long day at work. He'll even insist on cleaning up."

Neo perked up, her eyes widened in disbelief, "So this man has saved your life before, practically hands you the sun and stars on a silver platter, AND he does the dishes?!"

The Konderi took Sally's cloth hands in her own paw-like hands, squeezing gently while looking the ragdoll directly in the eyes, "NEVER let him get away! Dare I say that you hit-"

"The 'Jack'-pot?" Sally finished, with a giggle.

Neo laughed alongside her friend, her tail involuntarily swishing from side to side.

* * *

This is from chapter 4 of Into the Shadows. After being assaulted and robbed by Oogie's Boys, Neo lets off some steam and is found by Sally. What I loved about writing this scene was just... it doesn't seem like there's anyone she can really have girl-talk with.

I mean, I'd imagine that the witches can't really stand her, (their Jack fangirling days are kind of at an end after all and I have a feeling they'd resent Sally heavily for it.)

[usagichay]

When the machine learns what love is—🤖

[seraphimroundup]

I try not to make unrelated posts but personally, I fucking hate any AI that does art and writing. If it was just a different media that was being done by people I wouldn’t be bothered but I'm not going to sit here and watch art and writing be reduced to repetitive bullshit done by a computer with no real emotion in it. I love most technological advances but I can't stand AI generators like this. I hope their lawsuit goes well and I stand with the people on the writers' strike :)

[transcendragon]

August’s Bloody Acorn - I did a piece based on my current novel WIP!

My novel WIP is currently called “August Out of Time”, and it’s an urban fantasy mystery set in a version of Los Angeles much like our own. August, the main character, uses his abilities to shift his mind back in time and relive the same events to work as a part-time private investigator. But he can only re-live the same time period over and, on a fateful Tuesday when a group of masked men come to his office to kill him, he has to use his time shifting powers on a much more personal case. Who is trying to kill him? Why? Can he solve this mystery and survive re-living the coming weeks? The roots of this case go deeper than August could imagine…

My original art made in Procreate, description in alt text

[flowersandbirdsflyingfree]

The Writer and His Artist Aesthetic Moodboard for @shinmiyovvi

(Center photo drawn by mrs-spengler)

[evilmortimerirl]

I'm feeling shitty today.

[ad-wills]

[monsoon-of-art]

[jellymellydraws]

[ren-is-real]

You know when

[sp1rit-realm]

both r me

[ur-daily-inspiration]