#aside from the challenges of finding people to rp with

[solitaireships]

My biggest piece of advice to people is to put down the ai chatbots and start writing. Does it take more time and effort to do that? Yes, but it’s 100% worth it. It helps you build a skill and it’s something that you can do entirely for yourself instead of having to depend on someone else. You can write in whatever style you prefer (entirely dialogue, more heavy on description, etc). Please just try writing more

[lovelytayforce]

since you're doing hcs

HCs for the 13 primes in 200 words or less so it's challenging 🫢

Bro thinks Imma FOLLOW THE RULES WHEN RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN Anyways, ladies and non binaries; let's get this show started!

I've actually written very small vignettes for the 13 for a RP for the people who are out of the loop, no they aren't published but maybe one day I can post em if someone asks nicely 😘 I'd have to explain the context of it all but basically I made this whole sim area based off of Elysia realm; that game mode left a lasting impact on me and it made sense for the Prime's to enter their wisdom as data that embody who they are when they are updated for wisdom is not given, it's earned through mistakes and strife in life. Anyways let's start from the top with my favorite of the Primes: Onyx Prime He doesn't get a lot of screentime which sucks cause he's like THE SHEPARD of the group: He should be guiding Optimus more than Alpha Trion does come on writers THATS HIS WHOLE THING LEADING! (IDW was Shockwave so that doesn't count) I need more of his friendly and kind hearted personality to shine in the main series so BADLY and like again I'm the Predacon addict; let him be my token PREDACON 😭 Anyways onto HCs - with his Triptych Mask; I often give him the aesthetic of opening doors to many places across the universe since he's so spiritually connected to nature and life as it is, he basically has a "Tunnel of light" that can not only guide him but the souls of dearly departed or maybe a lost living soul looking for a reason to keep going forward. - He wanted to live peacefully on Cybertron for a very long time but alas Cybertron wasn't the best place for predacons and maximals with their connection with nature and as transformers I feel he would gladly take the call to transform, adapt and evolve for the betterment of their people - Also, he smelt that functionism bs a mile away and decided to cut his losses while he could. His kids come first! - Can be considered the most motherly and emotionally aware of the group, he's got a good head on him which is why he's so well liked 💙 - He's best friends with predaking in all continuities idc they always find each other - Despite being apart of the Well of Allsparks, he has a physical form but it takes a lot of energy to stabilize so don't expect long talks at night. Onto my second favorite- Quintus Prime! Can I just mention how beautiful this design is? He's so pretty I love him 💙

I never really agreed with him being unimaginative considering he created life but I understood the perfectionist plights he held as for idealism, where his concepts really that unrealistic? I loved questioning that because despite his good intentions he made probably one of the worst species alive but it brings about a funny thing about life; you can't mold individuals with free will to your vision. One way or another this would have unfolded considering many would do anything to reach their god much less creator to understand their purpose in life. okay no more philosophy, lets move on to those hcs~ - After many of his failed attempts at making allies for Cybertronians he withheld himself in the land of his daydreams casting aside his perfectionist habits, he paints. He creates for the joy of it, for within a dream nothing can escape his control. It gives him time to think things out and truly understand how life exists and the beauty of nature that once puzzled him that his brother Onyx knew so well. It's a slow process but it opens this scientist's horizons beyond anything even primus could anticipate! You already know whose my next favorite is if you know me and my love for Transformers Cybertron and Armada those shows were my CHILDHOOD BRO Let's set the timer for Vector Prime! ⏰ YOU'LL ALWAYS BE ICONIC QUEEN THE FIRST PRIME I EVER STANNED OPTIMUS PRIME WHO /jk

I subscribe to the majority of his Ask Vector Prime answers which as follows: He's a fan of the dinobots He used to "boogie down" with a disco ball. Despite having traveled far and wide, he could not see why kids loved Cinnamon Toast Crunch. If he had to choose a beast mode, it would be a large sea mammal. Everyone he ever cares about will grow old and die in what, to him, is just the pulse of a spark. Sometimes, he feels alone even when he's in a crowd. His favorite human movie was Back to the Future, due to the performance of lead actor Eric Stoltz. He revealed himself as a Point One Percenter (after the Shroud).

Please read what this man talks about on tfwiki, he's a national treasure who brings me joy during my great depression. Anyways onto my own hcs 🥰

He's a stickler for being on time! Don't you dare be late! You're wasting his precious time!Vector Prime - The clock that always strikes on time!He's the first POP (Point One Percenter) and was the mold for many POP's in the future such as Skywarp As a being held by the constraints of time, even though he wants to save as many universes as he can, he simply cannot; he's stuck between a physical form and a form distorted by the whims of time and space what little control he has is simply a delicacy that must be treasured with the utmost care. He keeps small trinkets from his favorite universes and planets and leaves clocks around for the sole purpose of helping those looking for his helping hand. Also, I just think it'd be neat to find a giant clock and if you strike right for midnight he'll appear!!

The rest are in the reblogs. 👏🏽

[my-silly-little-guys]

HIDDEN BENEATH!

(You may know me from @snickerzanddoodlez or @crown-of-roses-thsc!)

Hidden Beneath is a book series- being written and posted on Wattpad and Toyhou.se by yours truly- following Felix Rubik, a disgraced geneticist who finds himself far past the apocalypse, in a world that was so destroyed it became something new….and full of magic, through a twist of fate that Felix himself may have something to do with.

Hidden Beneath as a series is about challenging myself to write new things, subvert clichés, and explore some of the trauma that isn’t always explored in-depth in different tropes (for example, the isekai trope)! I’m a self-taught artist and writer and earn nothing from my work (aside from the occasional donation or commission on Ko-fi!) so everything is a passion project!

INFO AND BOUNDARIES

Hidden Beneath is a semi-open universe. Though there is a canon storyline that the books follow, creative interpretations, AUs, OCs, and fan-content are greatly encouraged! Heck, with permission, headcanons and OCs could very well become canon within the books!

1. RPs within this series are absolutely okay (and, if permitted, I'D LOVE TO JOIN OR HEAR ABOUT IT)! Break canon, create your own stuff, have fun!

2. The series and aspects if its worldbuilding deal with sensitive topics, some head-on and some through allegories. If you would like a more specific list of trigger warnings, please ask!

3. My rules and boundaries are few- just keep in mind that I am 16!

4. I value passion and creativity, not accuracy or realism! Create that Mary Sue! Be the next Ebony Darkness Dimentia Raven Way! I encourage it! Go crazy with your own worldbuilding details! Heck, make your own Realm! With your permission, I may even make it canon!

5. Do not spread hate. I do not want anything to do with people who advocate for zoophilia, racism, pedophilia, etc.

6. I truly do not mind which characters you ship. I do not give my characters sexualities, as I do not like others gatekeeping ships based on that info, but please respect creators’ wishes and please do not bring pro-shipping into this community. If further clarification is wanted on my reasoning or qualifications, please ask! I don't bite!

7. I ask that current events are discussed elsewhere, as for me and many others, these are places to escape reality! As well as this, please do not message me or send me asks pertaining to charities and seeking donations- though I wish those who truly need it help and support, this just isn’t a place for it.

8. I am perfectly okay with people monetizing content pertaining to this universe or its characters, so long as it is their own work!

9. Please send me asks! Please! I need! Social interaction! And to talk about! My OCs! PLEASE TAG ME. IF YOU’RE DEBATING WHETHER YOU SHOULD OR SHOULDN’T, THAT MEANS YOU SHOULD. <3

Have more questions? You can check out my overly-detailed boundaries! (Nothing you actually NEED to know- I don’t really do DNIs- this is just here if anyone is curious! Don’t worry, I’ll still answer asks about things even if they’re here!)

CHARACTERS

See the full cast here!

[foundationhq]

ACCESS GRANTED TO SITE-φ.

Hello, 𝐶𝐿𝑂𝑊. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚎 is pleased to anoint you for the role of [𝑆𝑀𝑂𝑂𝑇𝐻 𝑂𝑃𝐸𝑅𝐴𝑇𝑂𝑅].

So, where do I start except that I love you? We've always been great collaborators, but I knew this task was a daunting challenge and called on you for so, so much. I wanted my return adminning a game for the rpc to be thoughtful, passionate, and always, sincere. These are epitomes of what I always find in you. And truth be told, I did not expect this little what-if exercise we invoked during our chat would grow and develop into what we have now. Probably the reason why I didn't expect it was because I didn't account for you wanting to be my side through it all. But you did, and I couldn't be any more humbled by your breadth of knowledge for the world we've chosen to inhabit these muses, your careful considerations of what this world means to us and everyone we want to invite in, and of course, your exceptional writing, emotive and so, so moving. I made this world for Gael. It's the same selfish reason I have for everyone I accept in the game (oh, to showcase their talents! to tell the world, "please, I need you to acknowledge what I see, because it's just beautiful.") I feel in exponentially when it comes to you. I'm sorry! Please allow me to be this self-serving, just this once! (Sorry I'm so cringe, I don't care! I love caring!) I have no fandoms anymore except this singular man with so much on his shoulders!! How charismatic his sad big brown eyes are!!! Jesting (not jesting) aside, I know you’ve given incredible amount of thought and care to him, just as you do for everyone else, and I cannot wait for others to see the heart that enlivens your creative works. Thank you for giving it your all with making the arcane lore as accessible as you could. That meant hours of poring through countless pages to summate thousands of peoples' vastly different ideas, policies, and viewpoints. Thank you for shining the skeletons, polishing Gray's and my drafts 'til they gleamed with Foundation Approval™️. Thank you for staying up late with me, in both of our timezones, helping me through the highs and lows of an rp launch. Being in my corner as I had childish little tantrums about 'Dobe locking me out of PS because they're a greedy yucky corp, or when I was so heartbroken about our not one, but two shadowbans. Mind you, this is a lot to handle for someone who is adminning for the first time ever. (Please everyone reading this, please give Clow his flowers, he deserves a big bouquet.) Thank you so, so much. I know I would not have made it this far, or even have started, without you and Gael. You're my companion wherever we go; I hope this adventure will be one that will be fulfilling for you as it has been for me. So where do I finish except that I love you, haha. — π

From taking on the daunting task of leading this wild team to your max-level lore mastery, you've been the strong and steady right hand to sculpt Pi's vision into this project we're all about to enjoy! It's been a joy to while away these odd hours tag-teaming replies and powering through to bring Foundationhq together. You're a true architect, and I can't wait to see what you and Gael build on the dash. —gray

Please refer to our checklist for onboarding, and have your account ready in 24 hours. The flight to Site-φ leaves on the dot. And 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛 doesn't like to be kept waiting.

[healbellls]

Want new-and-exciting plots for your character? Long to reach out to more of your followers, but don’t know where to start? Fear not! Fill out this form and give your RP partners both present and future all the of juicy jumping off points they need to help you get your characters acquainted. Be sure to tag the players whose characters YOU want more cues to interact with, and repost, don’t reblog! Feel free to add or remove sections as you see fit. Template here.

Mun name: Vani OOC Contact: Asks, IM, Discord is meant only for my mutuals.

Who the heck is my muse anyway:

// This is a multimuse blog, in order to spare me from making this post way too big, I won't be talking about each and every muse I got here.

My muses are separated into three tiers:

Primary muses: My main ones. The ones I'm sure, I have a better grasp on and have far more consistency with than others. (Morty, Juan, Barry and Drake).

Secondary muses: Muses that were basically NPCs, turned into muses. They can be fickle at times, since they aren't exactly my priority. It only means I prefer reserving these guys, for far more plotted oriented stuff. Rather than just blindly tossing them around. (Prof. Rowan and Brendan)

Tertiary muses: AKA - friends only or long time partners muses. I only use these characters with a select few people, it is nothing personal. I'm merely managing my RPs, furthermore I have my own reasons for only wanting to use them with a select few people. I'll be the one approaching people about these muses. (Lance)

I feel like I got a pretty neat variety in type of muses, to offer folks. But at the same time, some may be a tad obscure to some folks. Which is all A-OK for me. I'm still deciding whether or not, I'll bring back some other old muses I had.

Points of interest:

// My muses aren't set in stone. Sure, there are somethings about them I can't and won't change, because they are integral to my portrayal. Aside from it, I'd say they can be adjusted to fit in with a lot of the newer things that are being brought to the franchise.

I know it may be intimidating/daunting, because of my preference for the older things. But that's way more a matter of preferring, to stick with what I grew up with and I'm familiar with, more than anything else.

What they’ve been up to recently:

// Timeline wise. I like using B2W2's setting as the "present time", for most of my muses. So here's a quick run down for it:

Juan and Morty: PWT, they can either be in Unova or they've returned from the event.

Drake stayed back in Hoenn, alongside Brendan. Who's 18 years old by then, and he is finally taking on the duties of being the region's champion.

Barry has been travelling around the world, visiting each and every region. In this moment, he should be in Unova, taking on the League challenge and checking out the PWT.

Prof. Rowan is still working on his researches in Sinnoh.

Where to find them:

// I kinda of answered this above LMAO. But, if we aren't speaking of a B2W2's setting then things change a lot:

HGSS's events - Johto region, Ecruteak city, Morty.

Pt events - Sinnoh region. Barry is traveling around the region, never really stopping somewhere for long. Rowan is also going around the region, his research has picked up a lot of steam.

Emerald's events - Hoenn region. Juan is in Sootopolis city, recently returned to his gym leader duties, and gets caught up with the weather disaster caused by Groudon and Kyogre. Brendan is specifically Emerald's protagonist, he doesn't stay in a place for long.

ORAS's events - Hoenn region. Drake is technically speaking, a mixed bag of Emerald and ORAS's takes on Hoenn. But due to being in possession of a mega Salamence, that makes him a lot more ORAS oriented. He is within the region, and arrives in Ever grand city just in time to be challenged by Brendan.

Current plans:

// I'm genuinely trying to stay active around here, and this isn't anyone's fault but my own! I'm adjusting myself to my new IRL schedule. Despite that, I'm definetely interested in getting the ball rolling around here.

I'm looking to start new plots and interactions, with both new and former partners.

Desired interactions:

// pspsppspspspspsps fellow league comrades pspspspsps come get ur shit co-workers.

Honestly? I just want to give a shot at these really old muses I got.

Offered interactions:

// I'm down to pretty much anything, I'm really willing to give a shot at! Just beware, some of my muses may touch on some subjects that could make others uncomfortable. And I trust you guys will do the wise option, and not engage with the ones you feel like will be too much for you.

It's all fine by me.

Current open post/s:

// None atm. I don't do opens, sorry.

I tend to reblog prompts, which I highly encourage to be sent! They help tons to break the ice between us!

Anything else?:

// I'm just happy to say I've finally got a place, for these guys. I missed them tons <3 As well as seeing so many familiar faces still around!

Repost, don't reblog it! Feel free to steal it, and say I tagged you!

[handsomethrowrug]

4, 10, 12

Questions for the Mun! ( @musemelodies )

-

10. what genre do you most enjoy, whether in roleplay, or fiction as a whole? (fantasy, period, superhero, etc.)

In RP, I've mainly written in a somewhat ordinary slice-of-life with a hint of fantasty/sci-fi in recent times. The main fandom I've been in aside from here isn't overly active, so there wasn't huge potential for me personally to work on stuff (also being busy never helped). I do enjoy fantasy settings, like royal AUs... But in a slightly ironic sense, I'm not actually interested in things like D.nD.

I think I like it because it opens up the possibility of virtually anything. Truthfully, I have tried making AU verses to interact with others, especially on other blogs... Let's just say that I put a lot of thinking effort in for writing partners who actually didn't care because they got their "aw yeah I got someone into this" boost before jumping to something else entirely and never actually... doing anything? I used to know some very impulsive people. (thankfully, I stopped writing with those people a long time ago and cut ties with them completely for other reasons)

-

12. what roleplay trends do you remember from the year you started tumblr rp? how did you feel about those trends?

Yeesh, that's going pretty far back. When I started, private group rps on t.umblr were on the go, and they ran pretty well. The main one I was in stuck together for a good four or five years, and even though none of us write together anymore nowadays, we've still got our little d.iscord group where we sometimes chat. It's really nice. But the big difference was that even though there were still ads and the "we want these characters!" posts... People in the groups were reblogging the ads to try and promote it too. It wasn't just a constant onslaught in certain tags.

On a less nostalgic note.... Finding art/ a gif set of your character and either responding IC or roleplaying in the reblogs. That used to be more common and I'm mortified that I took part once (that I remember).

-

4. which muse of yours is your all time favorite? if you stopped writing them: why?

Okay. Anyone who has known me for a long time knows I'm a notoriously picky mun. If I take on a muse, I'm taking them on for a long time. They're getting overthought headcanons! They're getting a whole-ass backstory. I spent a YEAR writing out a backstory for one of my muses in two parts. I swear I am not exaggerating when I say it was over 30 pages on g.oogle d.ocs.

This is because I'm personally not a fan of "I watched/played this thing, therefore I must take on this character that I liked". It doesn't work for me when it comes to writing inspiration. I prefer to go with what I call a 'three day rule'. If the urge to write the character lasts for at least three days (up to a week), I take the plunge. The last fully brand new character I took on was... End of April, 2023. Once they're on my roster, they're usually there for good Even if my inspiration moves, the potential is nearly always there. I mean, look at this blog! It was set up in 2017 and I disappeared for a few years!

However, I will be honest and say that Scar isn't my favourite character to write. Don't get me wrong, I love him and I'm hoping to push myself more with him, but there are others that are more in my 'comfort zone', so to speak, and that I've written longer/more consistently. Scar is still a challenge for me, at times.

-

I'm flip-flopping between a few, but I think the honour has to goes to Y.ancy.

He's from 'A H.eist with M.arkiplier', and one of the only characters I broke my own golden rule for. I wanted to take him on as a muse the day the production came out back in 2019 (all available for free on Y.outube :D ), and I would have if I hadn't been out of town to visit a friend that same day.

... oh my god I'm writing him five years at the end of the month.

For those who don't know, I suppose the easiest comparison of his personality is sorta, but not really, along a similar track of a certain C.entipede, even down to the accent (except my guy isn't actually from the area). Y.ancy is a tough greaser, and a convicted murderer (oh yeah, he's an incarcerated person), but he's also a loyal friend. He's got a small group of trusted friends, and he's absolutely no longer the man he was when he committed his crimes. He's hesitant to apply for parole because he's been chewed up and spat out by the real world. He needs to see the changes that have happened out there. (Though I do have a post-parole setting where he's adjusting to the normal world)

Oh. And you are literally introduced to him by a musical number. That's not a joke.

Admittedly, I've wanted to do some sort of crossover setting with him, but it's a fandom that was slightly taboo for the longest time (he's a fictional character but it's juuuust to the side of Y.outube R.PF). I did find an animated FC for him but... I wasn't sure, you know?

I'm already going on a ramble so I'll cut it off here. Y.ancy's a lot of fun because he's the ideal target for being the normal guy in a weird scenario.

Honourable mentions go to W.ilford W.arfstache (cartoonish at times, yet can do a 180 and hit with feels) and J.ack S.kellington (my actual longest muse, tbh. I took a break for other reasons and never really got back into the swing of things over there.) I'm literally restricting myself here because I will list off every muse that is either active or dormant.

[wexarethewalkingxdead]

WHAT - 7. What’s the first thing we’d see in your fridge? 10. What does your everyday, average day look like? WHY - 12. Do you like having many friends, just a handful, one, or none? Why? 13. If you could live in a movie or movie franchise, which would it be? Why? 14. Think about one of the things you would really like to do, try or learn. Do you plan to do it eventually? Why haven’t you done it? 16. Do you find communication easy or difficult? Why? 20. Why are you really RPing? WHO - 29. Who are your favourite characters? WHEN - 32. When do you usually go to bed? Do you fall asleep immediately? 33. When is the right time to say no? (Choose your topic) WHERE - 42. Where would you go for a holiday if it was your last chance to on this earth? 48. If you could time travel, where and when would you go? HOW - 54. Aside from writing, how do you spend your free time? 55. Is there someone in your life you feel you should be spending more time with? How much time are you spending with them now? 56. How important is getting to know a mun when writing with them? 58. How important is writing to you?

MUNDAY RP MEMES 

WHAT

7. What’s the first thing we’d see in your fridge?

Currently, a large order of cheese dip and salsa from our favorite Mexican restaurant in town.

10. What does your everyday, average day look like?

It's pretty quiet. I get up and eat something and help my Mom with my great-niece whom we babysit while her parents work. When she goes home, I make sure that my husband's coffee is ready for when he gets up to go to work. Then we watch television and take care of our dogs before I get online for the evening. There are other little things here and there but that's the gist of my day.

WHY

12. Do you like having many friends, just a handful, one, or none? Why?

I like having a handful because I'd rather be closer to a few than have a lot of not close relationships with a lot of people.

13. If you could live in a movie or movie franchise, which would it be? Why?

It's not a movie franchise but a television franchise. It would be H2O: Just Add Water because I really feel like I was a mermaid in another life. I absolutely love the idea of being a secret mermaid and living in Australia's sunshine and beautiful country.

14. Think about one of the things you would really like to do, try or learn. Do you plan to do it eventually? Why haven’t you done it?

I've been considering learning how to crochet. Every time I have the opportunity to buy the supplies to start, I talk myself out of it because I have Psoriatic Arthritis and my fingers give me so much trouble because they are permanently crippled. So while I'd really love to try, I don't want to make myself hurt worse than they do on their own with just typing and the things that I have to do.

16. Do you find communication easy or difficult? Why?

It really depends on the person. Sometimes personalities make it harder to communicate than it does with others. But I do try as hard as I can to make it work all the way around for both parties. It doesn't always work though.

20. Why are you really RPing?

Because I love collaborating with others and seeing how they play their muses. It's more challenging than solo writing.

WHO

29. Who are your favourite characters?

Fox Mulder (The X-Files), Carol Peletier/Rick Grimes (The Walking Dead, and Marcus Kane (The 100).

WHEN

32. When do you usually go to bed? Do you fall asleep immediately?

I usually lay down around one or two, but it takes me a bit to fall asleep. And I have to have a television going to stay asleep because my brain won't shut off.

33. When is the right time to say no? (Choose your topic)

The moment that it doesn't feel right or good.

WHERE

42. Where would you go for a holiday if it was your last chance to on this earth?

Disney World. With my entire family.

48. If you could time travel, where and when would you go? 

I would go back to April 26, 2005. I would tell my Dad everything that something was telling me to tell him that night before I went to bed. The next day it was too late, and I never got to tell him that I loved him and that I was grateful for everything that he had ever done for me and my son.

49. Where is your least favourite place and why?

The dentist's office. Because it causes me a lot of anxiety.

HOW

54. Aside from writing, how do you spend your free time?

With my family. I also dabble in making jewelry and playing video games.

55. Is there someone in your life you feel you should be spending more time with? How much time are you spending with them now?

My son. I wish we had more in common and could go and do things like when he was little.

56. How important is getting to know a mun when writing with them? 

Honestly, you're not going to be best buddies with everyone that you write with. So being able to reach out when you need to communicate about the plot/thread/etc is always a plus. But there will always be some that you are closer to than others. And that's totally okay.

58. How important is writing to you?

I've always been a writer of sorts. I wrote short stories about horses as a kid and poetry as an angsty teen and twenty-year-old. It is important to me because it helps me to get out of my creativity that is all up in my head. Even if it doesn't always come out the way I planned it.

[countlessrealities]

⌘ : How much importance do you place real experience into the things you write/rp? ♥ : What kinds of characters are the most fun for you to write for? ♚ : What’s something you just can’t stand and will unfollow someone over?

Monday Malarkey || Accepting !

⌘ : How much importance do you place real experience into the things you write/rp?

It really depends on what "things" we are considering. On this blog I write muses who live in worlds that have at least one element that sets them aside from the reality we know, and most of them follow what's called "cartoon / comic logic", so it's hard to apply IRL experiences to the letter to them. However, there are some topics / situations I try to make as realistic as possible (without making them seem out of place in the characters' universe). The main subjects on this list are mental illness, trauma and his consequences, relationship dynamics and addictions. I consider them very serious subjects and they must be written respectfully, even when you're using fictional characters to address them.

♥ : What kinds of characters are the most fun for you to write for?

Anyone who has written with me knows that I have a preference for muses with gray morals and complicated / traumatic pasts. I find it extremely fun to explore how their moral compass can spin depending on the situation and the choices they are presented with. Also, I have a personal (and academic) interest in psychology, so anything that deviates the norm in this field usually captures my aspect. Not just mental illness, but also the inner conflicts, moral dilemmas, situations that force your hand, and so on. The human mind and all its convoluted twists are fascinating for me. So the more a character allows me to explore this sort of subjects, the more fun I have writing them. I also enjoy writing psychopaths and sociopaths because they represent extremes type of characters and they can be challenging, since their mindset isn't an easy one to get into. And it's a great chance for me to apply what I learnt from the books of criminal psychology I've read xD

♚ : What’s something you just can’t stand and will unfollow someone over?

Oh damn, this is one kinda long list right there xD Kidding...sort of. I have a few pet peeves that are an instant reason to soft block (or even hard block) and I'm open about them, so if people don't know about them it means that haven't read my rules. Lately, among those, what has been irking me the most has been having people not even trying to match my energy or even just reaching out. I've softblocked two people over it recently and I think that I'll do it more often in the future, because I'm just tired of being treated like a house plant you forget to water most of the times.

[hotcupoteckla]

I also immediately thought of Whitewolf games when reading the bold text.

However, there is No True Role-playing, aside from "Playing Pretend with Friends as a recreational pastime. "

No matter how you try to define what role playing constitutes, you're going to run into people who have more precise and extreme definitions than you.

The best way to deal with this is to find a group that agrees with you on the level that you desire to play pretend.

Some people will need rules to define the level of success or failure and will refuse to count role-playing as a substitute for a roll.(ugh)

Some people will incorporate rp and rolls elegantly to keep their players focused on story & rp-ing while still involving the chance for risks and challenges.(My fave style)

Some people will need to completely dress up in fully accurate gear and use foam weapons and sign waivers that yes, injuries happen.

Some people will want, nay need, to immerse themselves fully into the cosplay and politik of a fictional setting.

Some people only do the immersion thing from the safety of their computer screens.

All of the above are roleplayers.

I hope you find the group that suits you best.

look, I get what you're saying, but have you considered that dungeon-crawling is not an activity that befits a true roleplayer and only something that would attract stupid dumb babies who are stupid and can't roleplay, and that any moment you're in combat would be better spent writing an elaborate backstory for your cool elf, and that me saying this is not reflective of any elitism?

[lazyliars]

The Quackity Meta: Justice without the Blindfold

[Anonymous asks: (DSMP) Somebody talk to me about Quackity and Eret’s character. I wanna talk about what Quackity’s views on power are with what he’s planning to do with Sam along with whatever he saw in the egg. I wanna talk about why Eret thinks reviving Wilbur is the best option for the sever to lead and their views on what a leader should be with them being the king of the Dream SMP. I wanna talk about Quackity planning to create a casino for the server to rise to the top. What does it mean to be king?]

[/rp. All mentions of dream smp members should be assumed as referencing the character, not the cc, unless specifically stated otherwise.]

At the heart of every conflict, if you look closely enough, you will find a similarity. Two contrasting ideals will reveal their own likeness, in the stage they play out their war – they both fight for the same result; to be known and followed and asserted, and in this they are the same. There would be no conflict if both sides shared nothing in common.

Lets talk about Quackity.

We'll gloss over a good deal of Quackity's history to get to the meat of this discussion, which involves Technoblade. But there are a a few lesser known facts about Quackity's early days on the server that are relevant to the discussion, like  that Quackity joined the server because of Tommy.

Namely, he joined for The Cartel, a short-lived organization comprised of him, Tommy, Tubbo and Jack Manifold, and their aims of obtaining power over the entire server by getting a monopoly on one object, the Phantom Membrane.

(Trivia: This is why Technoblade had to strike a deal with Tommy for the membranes – Phantoms are turned off on the Dream SMP now, so their monopoly actually ended up working. (Un)fortunately, Tommy traded nearly his whole supply for the priceless act of... making Techno scream really loud and talk in a funny voice. Worth it.)

However, Tommy's interest in the Cartel waned almost immediately, to Quackity's frustration. Tommy was constantly busy with his Vice Presidential duties in L'manberg. Quackity wasn't entirely left out, and he helped Tommy on multiple occaisions, but this was back in Wilbur's L'manberg, where non-europeans were strictly banned.

Quackity would slowly come to resent Tommy for this over time. He joined the server to be with him, took his side in nearly every conflict, including the ones that were L'manberg-oriented, and yet he wasn't allowed to be a citizen of his friend's own nation.

The resentment would reach a boiling point when Quackity discovered Wilbur's bid to consolidate power by running a sham election – with a one party system. Quackity challenged him, formed Swag 2020, and the rest is history...

The takeaway here is that from the start, Quackity has been shunted aside by people in power – Tommy, Wilbur, and then later, Schlatt. This wouldn't prevent him from executing his own immoral power grabs, but that trait – the distaste for people with power holding it over him, is one that would stick around, and become even more prominent later... Quackity has more reason than most to hate tyranny.

But “Tyranny” Is a word thrown around on the SMP often enough, that it's probably up there with “betrayal” and “pop-off” in total wordcount. But few use it more commonly, or more persuasively, than Quackity and Technoblade.

This begs the question: what is Tyranny in a M/inec/raft role play, and why do Quackity and Technoblade both detest it so much while still hating each other?

Well, after a moderate amount of research, I have discovered the following:

Tyranny is complicated.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

...No, but really. Tyranny is very old concept. The words originates in, you guessed it, Ancient Greece, but conceptually, the idea goes waaaay back.

Now, that last thing I wanna do is give anyone a history lesson. I'd suck at it and I haven't done that much research. But the takeaway here is that “Tyranny” has come to be defined in fairly vague terms. We'll look at a few different ones in reference to the SMP.

Oxford dictionary defines a Tyrant as: A cruel and oppressive ruler. / a person exercising power or control in a cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary way. / (especially in ancient Greece) a ruler who seized power without legal right.

Lets look at the first and last definitions:  A cruel and oppressive ruler; (especially in ancient Greece) a ruler who seized power without legal right.

By these definitions, one could call Quackity tyrannical during his term as Tubbo's VP. He exercises the power granted to him as a government official to spearhead an operation to execute a man without trial. He violently invades the home of a citizen and then puts said man on house arrest, and to subdue the target of this operation he threatens a pet (-a vague but ostensibly severe criminal act in the terms of m/inec/raft specifically-) and then reveals to Techno that the reason he's doing this actually has nothing to do with the crime Techno was accused of, and it is instead a ploy to consolidate power.

Quackity is leveraging his position in the government to amass power, and using that power to harm individuals (Philza and Techno,) in process. As an added bonus, his position in that government came from usurping Schlatt, a legitimately elected official. Thus, Quackity is a Tyrant.

But there, in Schlatt's government is where things get complicated.

Quackity had some power in Schlatt's government. Not the same kind as he did in New L'manberg, but arguably a more unrestrained form – Quackity could basically do whatever he wanted, as long as it pleased Schlatt. In New L'manberg, Quackity needed to convince not only Tubbo, but the rest of the cabinet whenever he wanted to initiate a new project. New L'manberg, while still maintaining a ruling class, had a far more equal distribution of power than Manberg did. It was still democratic.

And while we're on the topic of Quackity as Schlatt's VP, Quackity had almost instant regret the day of the election. He was undermining Schlatt from the start, questioning him, trying to stop Tubbo from breaking the signs that read “if you break this sign, you hate your viewers” and freeing Niki when Schlatt trapped her in Jack Manifold's house and then whispering at her to run.

Quackity only fell into step with Schlatt in the aftermath of Election day, when he saw a major desire fulfilled; the tearing down of L'manberg's walls. These walls were a symbol of L'manberg's isolationist roots that prevented Quackity from joining in the first place. It was one of his biggest promises whilst campaigning.

From this point on, up until the festival, Quackity would be in support of Schlatt. The things he did try to push back on would be downplayed and ignored, if not scorned. This period of time is difficult to pick apart where Quackity's personal morals and ideals begin, and Schlatt's influence ends. The steadily worsening abusive dynamic between them doesn't help this vagueness, either.

I point this out because I've seen people conflate Quackity's abuse at the hands of Schlatt, and his willingness to participate in Schlatt's rule as being of the same root; implying that Quackity only followed Schlatt because he was in an abusive relationship with him, when the reality is far more complicated. Yes, their relationship was a major factor in Quackity's actions, but downplaying his ambition and willingness to accept Schlatt's Tyranny when it helped him realize his own goals does a disservice to the nuance of Manberg-era Quackity.

What all of this points to is an individual who has a strong, some might say defining sense of Justice, yet also a susceptibility to Temptation. Quackity’s experiences with disenfranchisement by Wilbur and Tommy, coupled with his Dark horse victory in the election paints him in a sympathetic, even heroic light. But the way he slowly relinquished more and more power to Schlatt, and ended up indulging in the fruits of tyrannical gains when they proved they could get him what he wanted.

...

So, back to the question... Is Quackity a tyrant?

The answer to that question is a solid “mmmmaaaybe??”

It comes back to what you consider Tyranny. Quackity has never held complete power – he has always, always been scrapping and struggling and fighting to get a foothold in the machinations of the truly powerful, like Dream and Wilbur. He's very much an underdog story.

On the other hand, the times that Quackity has held positions of power, he's done some questionable shit. People like to forget that, while he was deeply disturbed by it, he wasn't exactly against Tubbo's execution at the festival. Putting Phil on house arrest and executing Techno without trial also count against him.

Like most things on the SMP, it's just complicated. Quackity's motivations run deep and aren't always obvious. He doesn't seem to want to hurt people just for the sake of hurting them, or use his power in arbitrary ways, but when he can personally justify it, the sacrifice of his moral integrity gets severe sometimes.

What it looks like is that more than anything else, Quackity wants control, and to never, ever lose his own autonomy. That is also why he despises Technoblade.

...And here we are at the Technoblade part of this meta, AKA the MASSIVE BULK OF THIS ANALYSIS. Which you can read HERE, because it’s too long to fit in just this one post.

[wolfstar-in-color]

June Creator Spotlight: BigBlackDog

Hello, colorful cuties, and welcome to our first creator spotlight!!

Each month, we will highlight a different creator in our lovely fandom who features diverse characterizations. We will invite you to get to know them better through questions and answers, Fandom Discourse(tm), and a featured prompt created by our guest!!!

For our first spotlight, we are more than pleased to highlight the incredible work of bigblackdog!!! See a little snippet of this wonderful interview below, along with bigblackdog’s prompt! Look below the cut for our complete interview. Don’t forget to share and interact with this post, and if you have anyone you’d like to recommend for a spotlight, shoot us an ask! You can find our first guest’s Tumblr here.

“I've experienced ups and downs in the wolfstar fandom. It often feels like the wolfstar fandom is willing to engage in discussion about every political issue but race. And the few people who are trying to talk about race consistently encounter this silence.”

bigblackdog’s prompt: I want to see more latino characters who are not impoverished or criminalized. Give me a joyful latino/e remus!

Hello, I'm bigblackdog! I'm almost 30, and I've been active in fandom on various platforms for about seven years now. I'm latina/e and live in the u.s. with a small white dog.

Q: How did you start creating in the fandom? What did you wish to bring into the fandom? 

A: Like a lot of fans I started with self insert fic as a middle schooler. Sometimes the practice of self-insert gets ragged on in fandom, as if you're not doing real character work, but I think it's really cool. And if you're an under represented identity in the traditional western canon of literature, self insert is a radical practice. Making space for yourself in a story that refuses or ignores your identities is a radical act. And that's what i want to bring to fandom-- disruption and self care.

Q: What things about s/r as characters or in their relationship inspire you to create around them? 

A: Wolfstar was the first queer ship I was introduced to. I wasn't someone who arrived in fandom with my own robust queer reading skills, I needed other queers to hold my hand and introduce me to queer ships and how to find them and build them. My interest in r/s was simply a clinging to queerness I wasn't finding in other places. I really think it could have been any characters, as long as they were queer.

Q: What things would you like to highlight about the Wolfstar fandom and your experience in it? 

A: I've experienced ups and downs in the wolfstar fandom. It often feels like the wolfstar fandom is willing to engage in discussion about every political issue but race. And the few people who are trying to talk about race consistently encounter this silence. It's hard not to feel bitter. But i've also met some amazing people and overall feel that fans really are trying their best to be welcoming and inclusive.

Q: What type of content do you wish you saw more in the fandom? 

A: I want to see more discourse that aims at amplifying underrepresented voices like wolfstar-in-color. I want to see more fans of color joyfully and irreverently writing themselves into the magical world!

Q: What is your favourite wolfstar fancontent (fic/fanart/gifset/etc) and how does it inspire you? 

A: I love dontthinkonithermione's rp. Not only does she do an amazing nerdy know it all Hermione, she envisions Black characters in every corner of the hp world. Have you seen her Hogwarts p.e. professor rps? i love the space she creates for herself, and the joy she does it with.

Q: Which of your own identities inform your creative processes? How has that process been for you? 

A: I started out in fandom really trying to feel out the nooks and crannies of being queer. As i've spent more time in fandom and become more confident in my queerness I've started looking closer at some of my other identities-- Latina, mixed, adhd-- and how i can squeeze them into the hp world. For a long time it was hard, especially with being Latine and mixed, to envision how that identity could belong in a 90s British boarding school in the Scottish wilderness. I also really struggled with the feeling that i would get "diversity" wrong. I’ve also struggled with feeling like I have to write diversity because i'm an underrepresented voice. Brown people are often pressured to do the work of educating white people about racism and in fandom spaces that often means pressure to write the reality of racism instead of the fantasy that white writers get to play with. And sometimes i just want to write a pwp without worrying about the revolution, you know? But i really love fandom for its refusal to play by the rules of capitalism and canon, eventually i started to feel like putting more of myself into my writing was another rule i could break.

Q: What advice do you have for other content creators with diverse backgrounds in the fandom? What would you say to people that might feel they don’t have the “right” history/experience/characteristics to participate in the creation of content related to Wolfstar? 

First, there's a lot of content on tumblr that aims to silence your voice, learn how to recognize the difference between cancel culture and encouragement. Sometimes content that seems well meaning still presents writing diversity as a list of black and white rules (and virtue signaling) instead of encouragement for underrepresented voices to share their own messy experience. Set those rules gently aside. Second, fandom is built on the idea that the author isn't the only person who gets to play. we all get to play. It doesn't always feel like we were invited, but the great thing about fandom is there is no barrier to entry, no prior experience or publishing hoops to jump through. This is our playground too. If canon is dead then why can't our stories be brown and queer and neurodivergent? Third, find your people. i've found that having just one other person to talk about race with has made the whole space feel more welcoming.

Q: How could we build a more diverse fandom? 

A: We have to stop prioritizing white and cis male voices. We recognize that policing irl is a problem inextricable from whiteness and maleness, but we don't see that fandom policing online is also a problem deeply embedded in whiteness and maleness. White and cis male people frequently use their discomfort with difficult topics to change the subject from a critical discussion to one that prioritizes their white and/or male feelings. The same thing happens online when personal discomfort is used to cancel or undermine content that's challenging to a white or male voice. White and cis male voices are used to having their needs met above others. And we still cater to that in fandom spaces when we privilege 'fetishization' discourse over racial discourse. When we lift up bipoc and women/trans/nb voices and the issues they're concerned with we'll make fandom a more welcoming place for underrepresented voices.

Q: What’s your favourite thing to modify in Sirius’s or Remus’s characterizations to bring new perspectives to them? 

A: It really depends on the story i'm writing and what issue i'm trying to figure out. Sometimes i need Sirius to be Adhd to come to terms with my brain, sometimes i need two brown boys to fall in love and be happy against all odds.

Q: What does diversity mean to you? What does that encompass in fannish spaces? 

A: This is a hard question! I tend to think of diversity as those voices that are disenfranchised or pushed to the margins. And fannish spaces have all the same hierarchies and blind spots as other spaces. In fannish spaces there's the idea that you can curate your experience to some extent, but for marginalized voices, at least in my experience, no matter how much you curate the marginalization is still there.

Q: What are your ideas about the notions of culture and ethnicity? How do you relate to those notions? 

A: There was a time in my life where relating to my ethnicity was largely a process of recognizing larger systems of oppression and how they worked against my various identities. And for a while it was a really helpful way to frame my experiences. Now I feel a little less attached to ethnicity as like, a monolithic concept threaded through my whole life and more attached to the small things that I enjoy about my ethnicity and culture-- making a really good pot of beans, for example.

Q: Leave us with a quote or work of art that always inspires you. 

A: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." Audre Lorde

[myimaginarywonderland]

Okay, so this post will talk about Lance but I will also give my opinion on the Lando situation since I think it is important.

First off, I think it says a lot about Lando that he made an apology. Now, be it because of the backlash he faced, because he actually saw the harm he was causing or because he genuinely regrets it, that is something I don't know. What I do know is that by apologising for it, he acknowledges that his behaviour was wrong and that is really important because it shows that he reflected on himself.

While I do still feel irked by something about the message, be it that he isn't naming Lance or Lewis who he both targeted with his actions in different ways and apologise to them directly which he might have done in person, so I am not able to judge it or be it the weird sorry at the end, I can put aside my feelings and say that this was the right thing to do and is also setting an example for his fans who were one of my main issues with all of this. They then know that saying that was not right and might learn from it themselves.

But this post isn't about Lando. This post is about Lance.

As most of you might have heard, Lance was really affected by what happened on track. He can clearly see that he is anxious and uncomfortable in his post race interview and what happened afterwards tells the story (I don't really want to talk about it because this is something private that he did not share and it is like with the story on Twitter something that was shared by other people who he didn't give the right to share it too so I don't want to spread it any further.)

This is who Lance is.

Someone who is sensitive and takes a lot of things personally.

You want to know why? Because he has, as a person, always been blamed for his dad's wealth. As if he choose to grow up with a billionaire dad. As if he is somehow responsible for it.

And he has always been painted out as someone undeserving, someone that doesn't have talent and totally owns his position to the money of his dad.

Now, let me just give you some data because I want to totally discredit this made up stuff with no roots.

In 2015, he won the Toyota Racing Series. He won by a bit over 100 points. The second finisher was his teammate. You might now some of the other drivers who competed in this series for example one Callum Iliot or Artjom Markelow.

Or in 2016,his first season in Formula 3, he finished fifth. The winner of that year was Felix Rosenquvist (a great driver) who was also Lance teammate and had only one DNF in comparison to Lance 5 and a DSQ. Now, there are two other drivers, one that was the runner up in Antonio Giovinazzi and a fourth who was Charles Leclerc. Pretty competitive field if you ask me and to finish 5th as a rookie,is impressive.

Now, fast forward a year to when he won the F3 championship. He won over his teammate by a margin of over 150 points which is so impressive, even with the two more DNFs his teammate, Maximilian Günther (another great driver) had that is quiet a lot.

Now, if you really want to use the argument that he skipped F2 against him, there is another driver you should be discrediting just as much. You guessed it, M*x V*rstappen. He also went straight into F1 which was a definite mistake but nobody ever likes to say that. I would also like you to remember that Lance did not drive for F1 as a regular driver immediately after he won the championship, no in 2016 he was a test driver, so he could slowly get used to F1. (This is not official but I would guess it's the thought process behind him being a test driver.)

Now, in 2017, his first F1 season, he was teammates of Felipe Massa. Might have heard of him, lost his championship to Lewis by one point, was teammate of Micheal Schumacher and a generally way more experienced driver. Yeah, you wanna know what the difference between him and Lance was in Lance first season? 3 points. And Lance had 2 more DNFs. You know what else he got in his first season? His first podium. In his first season, he became one of the youngest people to ever achieve a podium. With just 7 rounds into his first F1 season, in an okay midfield car with a way more experienced and older driver he was up against, he achieved a podium. And during the entire course of the season, that would remain the only podium for the Williams team that year.

Now, onto 2018. Williams was not as bad as in 2019 but they were still nowhere in terms of pace and he still didn't finish last in the championship (but I don't think we can count this season.)

In 2019, Checo became his teammate. And Checo in my opinion is one of the best midfield drivers, so there was already a lot he had to go up against and he was still so young and had less experience. There is a 30 point difference between them. Make of that what you want but for me, sure it was not Lance greatest season but now you have to think if Racing Point where really that good go be the fifth best car or if maybe, Checo just got more out of the car with his experience and talent. And than, you have to consider that he was still young and only had one season where he was truly competitive (that 2018 Williams was not something you could truly challenge anyone with.) And to then be up to one of the best midfield drivers who is widely appreciated and adored by the paddock, is a lot. Maybe for some of you it was too big of a gap which is alright.

However, don't dismiss his talent. He has had a good junior career and was up to some of the drivers you love and call talented, he even beat some of your faves. Maybe you don't see him as the next great driver but he is not a bad one and truly deserves a seat if you consider his achievements. Maybe he could have proven himself more if he had a season in F2 which is fair but that doesn't take away from anything he has achieved.

And even if you don't see him as talented, that gives you no right to bully him online. He can't change who his dad is.

Now,onto the money. I see a lot of people saying that he is only in F1 because of the money (which I hope you have by now realized is not the case.) But really, let's talk about the money.

Money is something that sadly plays a big role in F1. F1 is above all still a business. And businesses want money. So, why not take someone who has money and talent like Lance? Where are you all saying Michael only got his seat because of money (he is a pay-driver after all or at least he was one when he came to F1.) And now let's talk about his move to Racing Point. Can you truly blame Lawrence for wanting to make his sons dream come true? Wouldn't any father if they had the resources do this? Wouldn't any father want to fufill his son's dream, even if it might be seen as unethical by some or criticized? Would you really care if you saw how happy your kid was? Would you really care if you saw the glow you kid had? I don't think so.

I already said it but he was at Williams before he was at RP. His dad doesn't own that team or have any chairs in it.

Let's forget his profession for a second. Let's say you don't find him talented as a driver or just don't like him, fine. You are entitled to your opinion and sometimes we just don't like people, it happens.

What else would you have against him?

He doesn't post on social media often because people already bully him enough for his family. There is basically nothing you can dislike about him there.

And as a person? He is quiet and basically does nothing to anger people. He is literally just a normal dude. He goes on trips with his friends, he does sports to stay in shape and watches sports. He is not even posting personal stuff because he doesn't want to give people more room to bully him.

If you saw him on the street, would you think he is from a rich family? He does not look like it at all, he looks like that guy from your local sport who is literally just a college student trying to get through life.

And not only was he discredited for all his accomplishments because of something he had no control over but he also saw another driver proudly display a symbol that has been used by people who killed people who belonged to his religion. He saw a driver weat that symbol in cooperation with a company whose boos seems to be a Neo Nazi.

Lance has had to go through to so much shit just because his dad was rich (which Nicky's and Lando's also are, yes I know it's less but it's still more than any of us will probably ever have.)

This boy does nothing wrong.

Did he make a mistake with the maneuvers on Lando? Yes. But he is still so young and also new to F1, he can still learn and is growing as a person and driver. He is expected to perform more just so he proves his worth which he already has because people discredit him for having a rich dad.

Have you seen what he has done this season? He would be in the top 5 had it not been for the last races where none of the DNFs where his fault. Neither was getting Covid or being ill but people literally made fun of him for being in pain, saying stuff like "Did Daddies boy have a little stomach ache?" Yeah, because F1 drivers aren't trainex to perform no matter what, aren't putting their health last when it comes to these things and might have to be really bad if they can't drive and are not even going out of their room.

He has improved so much, he is not blaming other drivers even if they clearly hit him (see Charles) and he stays calm. Because he can't afford to be to emotional since some people would hate him for rightfully calling out others mistakes and just maybe saying that their faves are not flawless and make mistakes (like Charles.)

He has to act a certain way or be a certain way because what would happen if he just showed more of his personality? You call him dull, boring but you don't even try to get to know him. You don't even look up videos where he is more open and comfortable.

He is awkward infront of the press because he has to fear to be discredited or to be questioned about his worth every second.

And all of this pressure, this mask and this pretend eventhough he is just as human as the rest of us. And you see how hard it is, how much he questions himself, how his self-doubt increases and ultimately what happened has happened.

Because while it is just an easy insult for you that you can post anonymously online, it is one of thousands for him.

And you know, he didn't grew up in Europe. Sure he competed with some of the European drivers later one but he didn't have any of them when he started racing and he might already have been an outcast because people would already have seen him as different since his family didn't need to make sacrifices to get him to wear he is now. At least not financially ones. And then, when he came to Europe there were these already formed friend groups and it wasn't easy to get into them. The only friend he had was Esteban and I am so glad. This seems like such an unlikely friendship because they are from totally different backgrounds but that might have been what connected them in the first place. So, with basically only Esteban who liked him from the competitive times, it must have been pretty bad (not to say that the others hated him but I don't think they really cared for him.) I am so glad to see that he now also has Checo and that they get along and I hope that stays this way eventhough all of what has happened (which is also not his fault and I am sure that if he had any say in it, it would have been done differently.) Maybe we can even see their friendship when Checo stays on the grid. And with the potential of Seb next year, that might be the only other friendship or friendly connection he might form.

He is so strong for having to endure the dislike of so many people and he is still so kind and so sweet.

This has been a long post but one that I have wanted to make for a long time. If you got this far, I applaude you.

[thecursedhellblazer-arc]

romantic headcanons.

name: John Constantine alias: Hellblazer, ConJob, The Laughing Magician, The World’s Greatest Con Man, El Diablo, The Constant One gender: male sexual orientation: pansexual romantic orientation: demiromantic

preferred pet names: John pretty much plays along with whatever nickname his partner(s) decide to use for him, from “classic” ones to whatever thing the people he’s seeing might have come up with. This means that even insults can become pet names, when used by his current partner, no matter how bad they can get. relationship status: single / verse dependant (I currently have a verse in which he’s building a poly relationship, another in which he’s (un)officially dating but it might get more than official at some point, and one in which he has a proper stable boyfriend)

opinion on true love:  John believes that a kind of love that comes close to be defined as such exists. He has experience a similar feeling in person a few times (with Nick and Zatanna, with Kit). However, because of his past experiences, he isn’t very confident on the fact that he’ll ever manage to find a way to keep that sort of relationship going. The closer someone gets to him, the worse fate awaits ahead of them or the deeper he disappoints them. opinion on love at first sight: John believes in “attraction at first sight”, but not in love at first sight. That’s in part because getting attached is often not an option for him. When it comes to sex and romance, he prefers going for something casual, with few string attached. It’s it’s safer and less complicated, and it hurts less with things inevitably fall apart. So, he isn’t one to fall fast for people. He wouldn’t be able to even if he tried (with a few exceptions). how ‘romantic’ are they?: John can be a romantic, especially if it’s something that his partner(s) enjoy. Personally, he likes doing some traditional couple stuff, like going out for dinner, going to concerts, having a picnic or even just having an aimless stroll around holding hands. He likes trying to play the cook and cooking homemade meals...even if the results aren’t always stellar. So, when he really cares for someone (or he is in love) John is…a lot of things. He tries to be charming, confident, playful and appealing, and he wines and dines his partner(s) as much as they allow him to. However, he can also be a huge, sometimes sappy dork. He’d go to hell and back, literally too, to try and make his partner(s) happy (and that’s part of his idea of romance too).

ideal physical traits: John’s tastes when it comes to his partners’ physical appearances are, to say the least, variegated. Considering that he finds attractive beings from very different species, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly draws him to someone, physically speaking. He has a certain preference for inhuman traits, especially if they could be somehow harmful for him (he finds the thrill of danger is too appealing for his sake). Another thing that he likes, in humans and non-humans alike, is physical strength. He likes someone who can crush him and hold him down, or who can put up a fight when he does that. ideal personality traits: John enjoys someone who can match his wits, who is cunning and can challenge him, keep him on his toes. He’s also attracted to people who can be too straightforward and who are strong-willed and determined, bold and not easily deterred, perhaps because those are all qualities someone needs to have to manage to stay around him for a prolonged amount of time. He’s also drawn to people who are fierce and passionate or have strong emotions, but can also keep an open mind. He can appreciate if his partner(s) have a kind, softer, perhaps even nurturing side, because, whether he wants to admit it or not, he tends to cling and find solace in such affections.

unattractive physical traits: Again, it’s just as hard to pinpoint what John might not like as it is to find specific physical traits that he found more attractive (I mean, at some point he had sex with a bunch of sentients organs, for the gods!). He’s open to give everyone and everything a try (as long as it’s consensual), though not all the experiences turn out to be pleasant. Those, he tends to avoid the second time. unattractive personality traits: Dullness, excessive ignorance or lack of smartness. Hypocrisy, because John might be a liar, but that kind of behaviour irks him to no end. People who are too pretentious, who have a too high idea of themselves without having a good reason to justify it. People who force themselves on others, in any way. Someone who’s too obsessive (because of bad past experiences) or too self-absorbed to spare the effort every relationship needs to work out.

do they have a type?: Yes and no. He has a preference for whoever checks most of the boxes when it comes to what he generally likes in a partner, but every case turns out to be different. It’s also true that most of his lovers, though, held some sort of power over him, be it because they are strong (physically or mentally or “magically) or because they for some reason have the upper hand in the relationship. Strong-willedness and ability to call him out on his bullshit are other recurrent traits. opinion of public affection: When he’s fond of someone, John can get very touchy-feely, if not straight out handsy, around them, no matter if they are alone or in public. He is very much open to PDA, but he restrains himself if his partner prefers avoid them. The same can’t be said for when they are in private, because then any excuse (and even the lack of one) is good to gets his hands on whoever he’s seeing.

favourite canon ship: Uuuh, I’m going to say Nick / John / Zatanna. We don’t see much of it in canon, aside from their tragic falling out, but I like to think that they had a good run before everything fell apart. John was obviously so very in love with them both, and the three of them balanced each other well and were a positive influence in each other’s life, even if at the same times they also tended to bring out the worst in each other. For all those reasons and more, I love the verse I’ve been building with @adventurepunks​​ because it allows me to explore all the shades of their complicated relationship. I liked, even if not as much, John’s relationship with Kit. Though, I must say that I’m glad (for her) that it didn’t work out, because that wonderful woman deserves so much better than him (just as Zatanna). favourite non-canon ship: I have three main non-canon relationships. John / Demon John (which I write in my verse with @thedemonconstantine ) and that’s a pairing I also ship in general (meaning outside RPs). Then we have John / Oliver Queen, with @thegreenxrcher​​​ (and with her too I have a whole verse). Last but not least, John / Nick Sethson ( Devil OC written by @paradiseturnedhell​​​). Each of this ships has its own peculiar appeal to me and I could write an essay for each of them, but I’ll spare you all x’D However, I want to make some special mentions too. I have build a wonderful friendships (with occasional benefits) with @obsessionsarenotforheroes​​​ and her Jessica. I’m developing a ship (or should I say shipS? xD How does it even work with Marc xD) with @fistofhnsw​​​. John & @laughter-in-white​​‘s croptop J because their friends-with-benefits relationship is hilarious. And, finally, John and Koriand’r ( @blizzardmuses​​​...‘cause they kissed twice “for science” so it counts...right???)

*

tagged by: @laughter-in-white & @paradiseturnedhell tagging: @thegreenxrcher (one of the demons?) @fistofhnsw @adventurepunks @blizzardmuses​ @elisethetraveller​ @goldentemplariumcrow​ @seekthedarknesswithin​ - & whoever wants to steal this !

[thatfilthyanimal]

Writing Megamind

This post made me think of something I hadn’t realized I was consciously deciding to include for years, so I figure I’d share! When I write Megamind, either via fic or RP, his outfit gets mentioned a lot. It’s almost silly because he’s mostly in his main villain outfit by default and can often be assumed to be wearing just that, but there IS a reason I bring it up!

Full villain outfit + spikes/collar - He’s either feeling prickly and wants people to distance from him, or he’s in his manic state of embracing supervillainy and is playing his part. Both are pretty standard and the rest of his actions and body language decide which one it is to the reader.

When you take him out of this typical movie setting, and pull his walls down, that changes!

Megamind in the villain outfit minus the spikey parts - Not prickly right now. The spikes are off, and he’s vulnerable and knows it. He is either a) not planning to leave the lair, b) is around someone he very much wants to trust not to hurt him, or c) feeling very comfortable with whatever situation he’s in.

Casual wear / Showing skin - He’s aware that he looks very alien and that people generally aren’t okay with that, so showing skin gets difficult for him. Especially if you adhere to the headcanon of him hating that he’s alien and deeply wishing to be “normal”. He usually won’t go this route when it comes to dress, and especially not publicly. Casual wear like button-up shirts are not common and typically a sign of something bigger going on. Either he’s planning to be holed up in the lair for a long while, or whomever he’s with is someone he’s putting a lot of trust into. Again, without the spikes and leather he is extremely vulnerable, and him putting these things aside for being around someone else casually is typically a big deal.

NSFW headcanons, which I will leave very vague/brief here-- villain outfit being left on in some fashion implies needing to have some level control in his situation, and lack of clothing is submission and willingness to give up the reigns of control to someone. Honestly, probably the biggest show of trust he can give. (Probably also why he's commonly written as being submissive with Roxanne?)

I really lean hard into the “show, don’t tell” side of writing and I have no idea if it works-- I don’t exactly try to follow guidelines of how to write “correctly” or anything. But in complicated and complex characters like Megamind, it’s important to consider his comfort level in situations with just about everything. Ignoring his comfort can lead to situations where he is easier to freak out and panic, and that may not be what you’re going for in your story. Or worse, it may just make him seem out of character and make your fic less pleasant to read for folks like moi who put a lot of emphasis on this part of him. If you find him hard to write, keep his comfort level in mind, it’ll make things a lot easier! His moods are often unstable and considering his comfort will help direct him where he needs to be for a scene (though this isn’t foolproof, I do have a hard time getting him into certain situations I’d love him to be in, because it just won’t work for him in whatever state he’s in).

(And on that note, if you are struggling to get him into a situation in a way that still feels in character, congrats! You’re paying attention! If you feel resistance writing him in a situation because it doesn’t feel “right”, that is a good sign. Find another way to get him into the situation you’re going for.)

Personally I prefer things like moods being explained via expression/posture over being told what emotion a character is feeling. This is probably a BPD thing in my case, because I spend a lot of time reading people by their outward moods and expressions. This is also probably why I love the character so much-- the animators did a superb job with showing vs. telling, and Megamind is clearly an expressive and complicated character. I can tell what he’s feeling in any scene he’s in, and that’s some damn quality art if I say so myself!

While I’m here, let’s bring up the villain persona. In my headcanon, it’s a face. It’s a safety net he falls into regularly. It’s not all he knows, but sometimes it’s all he wants to know. So you get situations where, he feels uncomfortable, and he slips into the villain face and talks darker, gets showier, grins and cackles and postures more, and sends out threats. He also may slip into naming people formally from his career, like calling Roxanne “Miss Ritchi” despite their romantic status not needing it, or calling Wayne “Metro Man / Metro Mahn”. He may also mispronounce things more-- either intentionally or unintentionally.

If anyone ever needs characterization advice for him, I’m happy to help, so never be afraid to ask! I spent a lot of time trying to wrap my head around him for the sake of the old tumblr RP, and I’m happy to share any advice that might help others write him more effectively. :D I’ve been told I write him very well, so I promise I’m not trying to be smug here, lol! I really do enjoy writing him. He’s a challenge and it’s very fun!

[sachigram]

I know Halloween has long passed (*sob*) but what do you think of Izaya as a Witch? 🤔 (maybe with a side order of Shizuo being his beastly but also angry familiar? 😂😂😂)

((Okay so I went rogue on this one. It’s funny because @lateniteslacker and I have an rp going where Izaya is a witch right now so I wanted this one to be darker and wanted Shizuo to be a beast for real.))

The thing about humans is, they really do have more in common with wild animals than they'd like to believe. Izaya has always studied human behavior extensively, obsessively, and he's always excited when a completely civilized person gives into their instincts, usually in a moment of complete desperation. The four f's really are a universal truth, and while Izaya is captivated by humanity as a whole, he can't deny he feels a certain...thrill in knowing society could topple at any moment, with only the slightest push, and then people would show their true colors and what lengths they would go to in order to survive.

Thinking this over, Izaya lifts his eyes to the beast pacing around his apartment. It's late at night, obscenely early morning, actually, but neither of the occupants in the apartment have slept yet. It's close to sunrise, Izaya realizes, and Shizuo has still yet to kill him.

“You're letting me live again? How generous of you, Shizu-chan,” Izaya says, and when Shizuo growls at him in answer, Izaya's lips curl into a small smile. Shizuo can't reply at length, of course. No werewolf in existence can speak when they're transformed.

Shizuo's body could be considered grotesque, but Izaya's never been squeamish, and he doesn't mind watching the huge monster walk in circles, his features lit only by the city lights streaming into the windows. His skin is dark and leathery, only some of it covered in thick, wiry fur. Shizuo's mouth is gaping and filled with sharp, jagged teeth, so many that it seems to be hard for Shizuo properly close it, thus making him leave drops of saliva in his wake. His eyes are the same color as normal, so dark they're practically a mirror for anyone who looks into them, but they're filled with bloodlust and hunger, instincts Shizuo would be acting on if not for Izaya's potion keeping him in his own mind.

“You could sleep, you know,” Izaya continues, watching with glee as Shizuo's ears perk towards Izaya, hearing him whether Shizuo wants to or not. “I'm not going to do anything to you. We seem to be in a truce, don't we? Unwilling companions.”

Shizuo snarls openly at that and makes his way over to the desk, looming over it and salivating onto Izaya's papers. Izaya merely looks up at him pleasantly, knowing Shizuo won't actually kill him. Shizuo is too afraid of being left alone to do so.

“Is it some kind of atonement? You think keeping yourself sleep deprived will help you feel better about what you are? It's actually only making it worse.” Izaya listens to Shizuo's deep, rumbling growl, and hears it for the question it really is. “I'm not awake because I want to be, Shizu-chan! It's not the same. You know I have insomnia. At the very least, I'm grateful for your company.”

Shizuo huffs and turns away from him then, going back to pacing. Izaya knows how cruel it is of him to act as if Shizuo has any choice to be here, but it hardly matters to Izaya why Shizuo is here. He's here. That's all Izaya needs.

It was months ago, another full moon. Izaya was fed up with Shizuo, wanted him gone for good. Shizuo wasn't rising to Izaya's challenges anymore, would actually ignore Izaya if they crossed paths on the street. More and more of Shizuo's time was spent with that woman, that doe-eyed assassin, and Izaya decided he was done playing around. He hired some men, some higher-ups in the Yakuza, actually, and Shizuo fought as he always does, but he couldn't avoid the sharp teeth when they broke his skin and infected him with something that could never be cured.

It took two weeks for Shizuo to come to Izaya. Shizuo was pale, haggard, looked as if he hadn't slept in days. He stormed into Izaya's apartment and demanded to know what was wrong with him, why he wanted to bite and tear, why his dreams were filled with blood and viscera— “guts” is what Shizuo actually said, but that's besides the point.

“Why did you come to me?” Izaya had asked. “What makes you think I know?”

The answer was more than Shizuo could put into words. All monsters make their way to Izaya sooner or later, all of them knowing Izaya can help if he chooses to. It's why Shinichi made contact with him, why the more beastly members of the Yakuza put up with him. Izaya is stronger than he looks, smarter than is good for him, and filled with a constant boredom that makes him dangerous. To top it all off, he's one of the only witches in Japan, and an incredibly powerful one at that.

Izaya explained that Shizuo was bitten by a werewolf, and he would succumb to his desires during the next full moon unless he relented to trusting Izaya to help, and at first, Shizuo stormed out, cursing, threatening to bash Izaya's head in. A week later, one week before the next full moon, Shizuo was back, looking worse than before, and he had a tired sort of acceptance about him that let Izaya know the monster had already worked through all the other stages of grief.

Now, they can be around each other for extended periods of time, but never without underlying malice and contempt in their words and actions. Shizuo refuses to take the potion home and be alone in this, and Izaya hardly minds being subjected to Shizuo's transformation, despite the fact that Shizuo keeps promising to kill him before sunrise. They're at an impasse, and like all shaky alliances, they're waiting for the other one to break it first.

The next time Izaya looks up from his computer, Shizuo is back to normal, curled into a ball in the floor, panting at the strain of his return to humanity. Izaya stands and goes to his side, offering him a blanket to cover his trembling, naked body, and Shizuo swats him away, sending Izaya toppling to the floor. Izaya only laughs, pleased Shizuo still has some fight in him. It's so much more fun this way.

“Fuck,” Shizuo hisses, lifting his head to glare openly at Izaya. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” Izaya asks earnestly.

“Like you love this.”

Izaya opens his mouth to respond, but he decides Shizuo has suffered enough for one night. He stands and goes back to his desk, leaving Shizuo to his own devices. Normally Shizuo will dress and leave immediately, but he lingers this time, hovering almost uncertainly by Izaya.

“Your mind is a mess,” Izaya says, hating that he can hear the majority of Shizuo's thoughts. Izaya tries not to read minds very often, feels like it's an unfair advantage in his line of work, and he so loves an actual challenge. But Shizuo's mind is different; it's loud and demanding, wanting more than anything to be heard.

“Why are you helping me?” Shizuo asks.

“I help many members of this world and the next, Shizu-chan,” Izaya replies without looking up. “It's part of my job.”

“Why wouldn't you want me to lose my mind and kill someone? Everyone would know then, wouldn't they? That I'm a monster. Isn't that what you want?”

Izaya looks up at him at last, a bored expression on his face. “It's enough that I know it.”

“Bullshit,” Shizuo snaps. “I keep waiting for you to sell me out, to tell everyone what I am. Why the fuck haven't you? I wouldn't help you if the tables were turned.”

“I know that,” Izaya says, shrugging. “I guess you could say I've been touched by how pitiful you are. How helpless.” Izaya's smile stretches into a leer, and he can see the way it makes Shizuo's skin crawl. “You need me.”

“I could find someone else,” Shizuo says. “Celty could know another...magic person.”

“By all means, go find them,” Izaya says. “Go explore the country and beyond on your measly second rate bodyguard salary. Better yet, go to Kasuka and tell him what you are and beg him for help in finding someone else to give you the same potion I give you for free every month.”

Shizuo flinches at that. He's obviously terrified of Kasuka finding out, which is hilarious in itself, as Kasuka is dating Ruri, another of Izaya's clients. It's true she doesn't have much vampire blood in her veins, but she has enough to feel the bloodlust. Izaya hasn't told Shizuo any of that, though. If nothing else, Izaya is loyal to his clients until they give him reason not to be, even if those reasons are nothing more than being more interesting once they find out Izaya betrayed them.

“You could go to Celty, see if Shinra and his crazy father can help you look for a cure. You could do a lot of things, but you come to me every month.” Izaya rests his chin on his hand and watches Shizuo carefully. “Is it because you already hate me, so you don't mind me seeing you at your lowest?”

“Fuck you,” Shizuo says, and he marches towards the door. Izaya rolls his eyes and goes back to typing, but he looks up again when he realizes Shizuo hasn't left yet.

“Say whatever the hell you have to and then leave me alone,” Izaya huffs. He needs to finish this assignment soon, and he'd like to do it within the next few hours so he can sleep afterwards.

“I know how rare it is. What you are,” Shizuo says, his back still to Izaya. “Celty told me.”

“I'm surprised you spoke to her about any of it.”

“I didn't tell her what I am. I know she wouldn't judge me for it, but still, I just...” Shizuo trails off, and he turns to face Izaya. “But she knows what you are, and she told me. That's why I came to you.”

“And what did she say about me?” Izaya asks, amused. He knows the courier despises him, but he doesn't care much for her either aside what she can do for him.

“She said there's a reason witches are so rare, and it's because most of them have been killed off.” Shizuo moves closer. “She said the majority of them abused their powers, the same way you do, and that's why they're targeted so often.”

“She neglected to mention the part where it was everyone else who came to us first,” Izaya says sharply, remembering the first time he saw members of the other world. Ghosts, demons, monsters of every kind flocking to him, asking for help. He was a child then, a neglected one at that. He was on his own with no one to help him, and that was when he realized how unfair the world could really be. “You're always barking about how you can't control your strength, well I can't control this. I didn't ask for this either.”

“You did this to me,” Shizuo accuses. It's not the first time he's said it, but Izaya has never admitted to it.

“And if I did?” Izaya asks, annoyed by this entire exchange. “What are you going to do about it?”

Shizuo roars with rage and lurches towards Izaya, lifting him up and slamming him against the wall. He breathes into Izaya's face, his sharp teeth bared.

“Why can't you just leave me the fuck alone?!” Shizuo shouts, and suddenly it seems as if he's being deflated, like all the strength is leaving him. He drops Izaya's feet to the floor, but he doesn't step away from Izaya's space. “Why can't you leave me alone?” he asks again, defeated.

“Because you're interesting,” Izaya says, and when he lifts his fingers to Shizuo's face, Shizuo only flinches slightly at the touch. “Because you're right, I'm alone in this, and you were alone, too. You were surrounded by people, but you were alone. No one knows better than me how that feels.”

“You ruined my life,” Shizuo says, no ire to it.

“You ruined mine first,” Izaya says, not bothering to elaborate. Shizuo doesn't seem confused, just tired, and when Izaya tucks his face into Shizuo's neck, the beast only growls softly before allowing it.

The thing about wolves is, they always protect their necks. It's one of their most vulnerable areas. Shizuo is allowing this, and that speaks volumes in itself. Izaya smiles and wraps his arms around Shizuo, clenching his fingers in the fabric of Shizuo's shirt.

“It'd be easier for you, wouldn't it? If you actually hated me,” Izaya murmurs. He presses his lips to Shizuo's neck, and he can feel the tremble of Shizuo's body before Shizuo's arms wrap around him in return.

“You won't die, right? You can't,” Shizuo says, his voice muffled in Izaya's hair.

“Wouldn't it be better for you if I did?” Izaya asks.

“Yes. No. Fuck.” Shizuo kisses the top of Izaya's head, and he makes a disgruntled noise when Izaya pulls away, growling until he realizes what it is Izaya wants. Their lips brush together gently, a complete contrast to all their harsh words and usual actions. “Izaya,” Shizuo breathes, clinging tight enough to Izaya to hurt.

“You won't be alone, Shizu-chan,” Izaya says, sighing sweetly when Shizuo kisses him again. They wind up on Izaya's couch, their clothes scattered around them as they give into their basic instincts, showing each other just how beastly they can be.

[baidar-oroq]

Of self indulgent AUs

Rambling about my writing under the cut.

So, as I said a bit ago, I simply needed so much to process my feelings and emotions over Venat that I was going to require an AU to do it. I've never really felt the need to come up with an AU for Baidar, simply because he's been a happy boy with Y'shtola and Darya and others in his polycule and his story has largely aligned with events in game to the point that it would take something drastic to cause one to happen.

Elpis and Venat were, indeed, drastic enough.

As I played through Elpis, I came to realize something about Baidar, something that was clearly going to cause a world of hurt where his story was concerned: he was falling in love with Venat. Pretty much from the moment she challenged him to a fight just to impress her dog, actually. (I posted a fic called 'Sing' a bit ago that showed her challenge to him, and when he thought "I could learn to fall in love with you" is the point, looking back, where I realized how deep he had gotten.) However, I couldn't really do much about it because, all other considerations aside, Baidar openly loving Venat back in the past felt like he was cheating on his partners, especially Y'shtola, who had spent three years on the First without doing something similar. I wrote a few, hesitant things trying to square this circle without changing the storyline of the game, and they were nice, but they weren't working.

Hence, the AU.

My initial concept for the AU was simple: this would be a Baidar without partners, without the RP storylines he's been involved in...and one where Baidar and Y'shtola did not overcome her three year absence from him. I also did one more, simple thing: I allowed the fact that time travel meant Baidar could arrive at the moment he left to let him spend more time in Elpis with Venat. One of my inspirations came from Dan Simmons' Hyperion novels, where a character used time travel to spend nearly two years with another character before going off to eventually die in the series' storyline. Rather than going to his death, though, Baidar was unknowingly going to Venat's. Beyond that, the story remained unchanged, and actually had a decent shot of being a bad ending where Baidar died while killing Zenos before fate intervened.

It was in looking at other AUs that I realized that since I was already not paying attention to Endwalker's story that I could, if I could figure it out, find a way to keep the story intact-because good god I did not want to change a note of the MSQ-and also give Baidar and Venat a happy ending. And, well, I found a way. I'm not sure how good a way it is, but it's my self indulgent fluffy fanfic and I'm who I am writing it for. (It involves a timeskip, among other things. I argued massively on Reddit against Endwalker having a timeskip, so the fact that I had one in my AU is ironic as hell.) Moreover, I managed to tie it into a massive future FFXIV fic I've been seeding notions for through my writing, and I felt witty and clever and I was going to start writing it and get the happy ending and then set up the space and time traveling epic that came next...

And promptly proceeded, instead, to write three small scale, intimate stories where two deeply scarred, emotionally hurting people began healing each other by loving and supporting each other.

And I'm not disappointed in the least, even if I wanted to write something huge and self-indulgent and ridiculous in scale. Let that come later. Right now I'm getting far more satisfaction writing this, and that's what self indulgent AUs are for!