#but I realized the panels didn't fit nicely together...

[icancdramahanfu]

Maomao's skirt

Since I have decided to torture myself and do a cosplay in just over a month, I figured I would start with the easier part - the skirt.

In my intro post, I mentioned that her skirt isn't Ming accurate being vaguely mamian-like but not really. For this I played with two main ideas, using one of my other skirt patterns that has pleats and would be mamian-like or go for the circle skirt.

The fabric I selected was around 2 1/3 yards - less than I'd like but it was the entire remaining bolt and the color was perfect - don't trust my indoor lighting here. With the limited amount of fabric I had to do a little tetris to decide what pattern pieces to use. I washed and dried the fabric before ironing it.

My first and preferred pattern was this one:

Simplicity #2710 - 1949

I have already made this skirt, it has thick pleats and falls nicely. I figured it might be a good selection and I'd get that extra Ming style with lazy pleating.

Circle skirt

Less complicated since all I had to do was determine my waist, put it as the circumference and make a 1/4 circle pattern with my pre-marked cutting board. The bolt was 46" from selvage to selvage meaning if I kept one strip I had more than enough for a waistband. I am currently assuming a 4" wide waistband and went with 42" for the skirt length.

Unfortunately for my original plan, the vintage Simplicity pattern was too wide with the pleating. I'd need 3 1/2 yards of fabric and my current pattern pieces were set for a length of around 36" as well to the hem.

Circle it is!

Made my pattern pieces, two so that I could see how to fit them. The fabric has a decent thickness and I didn't want to fold it over and cut, opting to instead chalk out each piece individually on the fabric.

And yes, that is wrapping paper as usual with the square grids on the backside. I love this type of wrapping paper so handy! I cut out my fabric and took it to the sewing machine.

Next, I went ahead and did a zigzag stitch along all the edges except for the selvage. This fabric was showing how it would fray immediately. I washed it in the machine and this is what the edges looked like after drying.

Somehow, I messed up on the waist portion of the skirt panels and I had to take them down by 2". Not sure how I messed that up since I had the radius calculated. I tested this by holding them up to my body and realizing it was off.

Recall, that I have a very limited amount of this fabric, fearing something odd, I went ahead and sewed the front pieces together selvage to selvage and then the back ones. When I held them up to my waist they were still slightly off. I put in the right side seam and made sure all my seams were pressed. Something about my top of the panel pattern is off by a smidge and I need to put in about 3" of a spacer. I decided to put it down for the day and I'll figure out how to put that piece in, since the hips are okay?

It will also allow for me to decide if I want to be lazy and put in a side zipper. I'll go back and put a pocket in the right seam for sure. The next day - I went ahead and made a triangle to wedge into the gap area before putting in the zipper. I held the skirt up to my waist and measured it with my measuring tape. I zigzag stitched it and put it in the spot.

I also pressed the seam well. Then I decided to put in an invisible zipper in the spot for a side zip. I had to unpick the seam a bit to fit the zipper in further and get it up around my hips. Whoops.

Due to adding in the wedge the zipper is at a bit of an angle as shown here. I estimated the zipper coming up higher on the waistband so, I but in a hook and eye on the top to pull it together.

It turned out fine, I'm so limited by the fabric I have to work with. I still have enough to put in pockets on the right side. However, with the skirt cranked out in less than 24 hours, I have it now hanging to even out the hem. It hangs the right way so I'll take it.

Always remember to let your garment hang before hemming. I'm likely going to put some bias tape on the bottom, since this fabric is very prone to fray and then fold that up as opposed to a double folded hem. It is in place and will hang out in the closet for a day or two!

That's all for now! I'll start working on the aoqun this week as a modified pattern from my previous ones.

[moonmeg]

!!TW for panel 3-5// Blood

Seeing him unharmed and alive in his crib was the greatest relief. He was crying but he was alive. With a soft shush she picked the babe from the crib and cradled him in her arms.

"It's alright, little sprout, it's all perfectly fine. Mama's here.", she tried to calm him with a small rocking motion. Her eyes were fully fixated on his little chubby face and the big round tears running down his pink cheeks. It was still a bit surreal to think this was her baby. Her baby that she had carried beneath her heart for almost nine months. Cat started walking around the room while continuing her attempt to calm him. By now she had figured out how to tell his cries apart. His current cry wasn't of hunger, nor did he have an unpleasant smell about him.

"Did you have a bad dream, my love?", she asked and gently wiped the tears off his face, "Me too...". Robyn wasn't a talker just yet, but he was a great listener. While Cat had many great advisors and comforters around her, whenever she started to speak with Robyn, she realized that sometimes all it needs is someone who simply listens. Of course, she knew he doesn't understand her and that he won't remember any of what she's telling him but the idea that he did was nice enough for her to continue talking to him. So she began fighting against Robyn's cries by retelling him her own dream.

"I dreamed about your Papa. He was here and he looked so proud and full of love as he looked at you. We were all together, just as intended. We were happy.", she smiled at the image in her head. How he was standing next to her before the self-made crib he had spent months on. His hand's firm grip on her upper arm as he pulled her closer to him. His warm brown eyes carrying the love he feels for her in just one look. His proud smile towards his son, his soft touch on her cheek and chin. It all felt so real. Cat couldn't help the tear she shed upon the repeating realization that this image will never be a reality. He was gone. No matter how much in denial she wanted to be or was about it.

Caleb was gone.

"Then he appeared.", she put emphasis on "he". Cathy didn't want to speak his name, nor did she want Robyn to ever hear that name. She would rather have that name and the person it was given to be forgotten. That was his biggest concern, wasn't it? He wanted to be remembered as great witch hunter and as savior to humanity. He wanted his name in history books and an everlasting legacy. She figured, she would not give him that.

She knows she can't shut away the story attached to that person. Sooner or later Robyn would ask what had happened to his father and she wasn't planning on lying to him. But if Robyn never hears the name, even if he retells the story of Caleb's fate to friends or perhaps even his own children some day, the name would never be mentioned and slowly be forgotten. It would be "the person" and not "Philip".

Cat paused, thinking of how to continue the telling. The images flashing her mind threw her right back to that terrible day. Right back to the horrifying sight of her beloved Caleb lying in a growing puddle of blood on the floor, clenching his side, coughing...

She had tried her best to push those memories back and instead replace them with happy memories of him. It was too painful a sight to revisit again and again but she wasn't able to push it away fully.

His blood-dyed shirt, the blood strains on his chin and his arm, the pain and sadness in his eyes, the last of his strength he put into a final kiss before he exhaled one last time and lost the life in his body... she was there. She held him through it all.

She feared those moments would now be her steady company in life. They would always return and reopen the wound and she couldn't escape it.

Catherine looked back to her little son, still very much crying, as she decided to not go into detail about what exactly her subconsciousness tortured her with. Both, because it wasn't fit to tell your month old baby and because she could hardly bear saying the required words.

"I'll spare us both of telling what he did. But he did something horrible. And then...he said something so cruel about you.", she brushed her index finger over Robyn's cheek as if he knew what cruelty was said and she wanted to comfort him.

Robyn's cries lost volume but they weren't gone. He noticed he was no longer alone in the crib but that he was held by someone and he noticed quickly it was his mother so close to him. He knew her scent and he recognized her voice. Sometimes that's all he needed to calm down again: mama.

Said mama stared at him in adoration. She loved her little sprout ever since the healers told her she was pregnant. He has grown so much in just eight months and he still was. She was in awe every time anew. That's her son. Her little boy, who surely would grow into a fine young man... much like his late father. Catherine saw the world in this little life and she was proud to call herself his mother.

"He's just so wrong about you. He said you were never supposed to exist...", her brows furrowed in confusion. If Robyn was never supposed to exist, clearly he wouldn't be here now and clearly, Caleb and her would've never been able to conceive him in the first place. If, by Philip's logic, this child was the aftermath of a so-called "sin", if not a "sin" himself, surely that almighty person Caleb and his brother believed in would've not allowed Robyn to exist. She barely understood any of that topic and yet still even regarding that human belief, everything speaks *for* her baby's existence, not against it.

Robyn made a noise, striking his fist in the air as if in protest of the statement. His cries having ceased under Cathy's rocking-while-walking.

"Yeah.", Cat chuckled and validated Robyn's reply, "He's absolutely wrong.".

She paused for a moment to take the blanket from the crib and wrap him up in it. He was calm now again and it wouldn't take long before he dozed off again. So she hoped at least. Once wrapped up, she adjusted him and placed him over her chest, his head in the crook of her neck, where she was shielding it with her hand.

"You're a gift. The most amazing, wonderful, beautiful gift. And we love you more than anything else. Your father and me.", Cat smiled and turned her head to kiss his crown. She kept her lips pressed to his forehead as the clear night sky caught her attention for a while.

"I wonder what traits of yours he picked up, sweetheart.", she pulled her head back to examine her baby's face once again. There wasn't much of Caleb in Robyn's face but that's to blame on Robyn being a baby still. Of course his facial features are to grow over the years and he wouldn't have a sharp angular jaw as infant but so far Robyn has picked up more from his mother than his father.

"Maybe his hair will stay this light? Maybe his eyes are a warm brown? Or maybe it's something completely different?"

She would welcome any resemblance to her lost love and she would lie if she denied the fact she wished he looked more like Caleb sometimes rather than her when Robyn's older. She'd have her beloved's face back. She'd have his blond locks back. She'd have his beautiful brown eyes back. She'd have him back at least somehow.

Then she noticed Robyn's pointy ears - a trait definitely from her - and further spun the thoughts.

Robyn could grow into her long face and pointy chin. His dirty blond could grow into the brown of her's over the years. He could have her piercing teal eyes. He could be the spitting image of her just as much as he could be of that of Caleb.

"Maybe he barely looks like you when he's older...", she frowned upon the conclusion.

Turning away from the window, she drew a circle in the air and the curtains closed. She got back into bed, holding her infant son tightly as she still lightly rocked him back and forth. She kissed his head again. Whichever traits he picked up from Caleb and whichever from her, in the end her baby was beautiful and perfect just the way he is. He was a gift. Caleb's most precious gift. One she will protect from harm with her life. Her little sprout. Her little Robyn.

[kaleido-write]

Leasebound: artsyle or art choices

I've seen the latest comment and wanted to add information and context my credentials on the matter are being a multidisciplinary art student , I've done pretty much any type of art you can think about going from glass painting to kabuki theater.

Leo here this absolute king was eloquent and very nice in his questions wich i absolutely love , he showed a level of respect rusty isn't capable of

And here is rusty reply

1.

We start terribly wrong here , clothing *is* about personality, it is about someone preferences , likes , dislikes ect . Its here to tell us about the characters

Such as , well any characters in media their fashion style is representation of who they are , and the same goes irl .

Let's use the howl house as an exemple because it's a really great dos and donts made by a women so hopefully rusty will swallow better the criticism ! Dana uses fashion to show the evolution of her character and their personality , reducing fashion as unnecessary is a tell that rusty doesn't know anything about character design nor how to make a story that matters and make sense

And what do i mean by matters ? Because it can sound harsh and mean I admit it , i mean something that tell us something, not just a place holder to say she is relevant nor good because she made a comic . Because you can do something for a long time and still be bad at it . Time isn't always an indicator of something value

2.

Color schemes are completely natural in artwork ??? What is she talking about ??

Color schemes are so so important to ensure the color coordination of your panels , to ensure everything fits together without being such different color it will give a headache , color schemes are there to tell stories to and her complete lack of acknowledgement towards it tells me everything i need to know about her as an artist

She doesnt know anything about the theories nor is her limited art knowledge truly worked on , she simply started drawing one day and never bothered to study anything art related

3.

Its actually quite simple to do , all that work you find monstrous rusty is actually the before work you do , its the work you do to get to know your own characters and how you will tell your story , and it's quite easy to do , you simply lack the imagination and understanding of the importance of forework

4.

No rusty nobody is insulting your skills , Leo was simply asking about your stylistic choices , yk what you claim is an art style? Because there's a difference between the 2 if you didn't knew wich i know you don't.

5.

Rusty , you made a comic on the basis that lesbians don't have enough representation. How can you in your right mind complain over people asking if you will represent them too , how stuck up do you have to be really .

Also many many 1 person comics have theses little details , details that are not concise , like Jaden tattoo !! But apparently that tattoo and shez tattoo aren't too annoying to draw uh ?

You can pick and chose what you want to represent but don't belittle people for asking why you're representation is a very selective way of portraying lesbians , representation that at its core is the lesbians you would be attracted to nobody is blind enough to not realize you do that , especially with how much every main character slowly start to look like each other .

6.

Actually rusty you did break art design rules and comic making rules to actually make the comic go better and faster . You just don't know them so obviously you can't know that you broke them because you're too ignorant to actually study art properly

In conclusion no one (again) discussed rusty actual artstyle wich involve the way she draws , that's the artstyle

The art choices are wich color to use , the design choices ect , so thank you for anyone to actually take the time to learn what an artstyle is and maybe yall will stop bitching and moaning about a fight that doesn't exist .

Also special shout out to Sarah 🫶 hope you doing good too

Unfortunately yet again rusty and her over inflated ego took over any sense she may have and decided to just be absolutely mean and awful once more

Sarah only showed to you that a color palette is used *everywhere* (i will use neutral pronouns but if Sarah wish for me to correct the text with the appropriate pronouns I will) they came forward to show her and she had the audacity to complain ??? They didn't latch onto it they simply wanted to help you improve

It is a mistake rusty , you're actively making art mistakes because you don't know shit about art . You keep having the sheer audacity when many people who actually study art tell you you're wrong and making mistakes .

Yikes since you can't insult him you decided to misgender him ? You're right rusty you're not stupid you're pathetic cruel and mean and can't differentiate hate from genuine comments for wich reason ? Oh wait I know ! Because everyone that came forward with good tips and advice you see it as hate , you have no distinction of it because if someone doesn't comfort you into your self idealized version of yourself you feel too challenged and the idea of growing to be better is terrifying to grown ass women like you .

You seem to be incredibly bitter over making your comic for free , and to think of the hatedom as genuine interest when no rusty, me personally I simply take great joy in dissecting your work and seeing every mistakes you make , because you're a terribly mean person that has no idea what respect is and can't be respectful to people if they're not your bootlicker , i pity your friends and fans , they must live in fear of saying the wrong thing and make you mad

Cola we all blocked you because you too have no idea what you're talking about you too can't even tell us what is an artstyle from art choices

A great exemple of representation and simplified artwork is "high class homo" on webtoon with the main lesbian princess having a prosthetic leg or again "the cursed princess club" wich is amazing and has a simplified artstyle

What we are critiquing are art choices , please you all should go take art classes and learn a fraction of what I know

But rusty , Leo was good faith , Sarah was good faith , we are all good faith you simply chose to see it as attacks because of your over inflated ego , please go to therapy you need it more than me , learn that other people have feelings ok ?

No , it is a hatedom rusty , I do not in the slightest enjoy your work riddled with mistakes and hatred for anyone that doesn't conform to your narrow definition of how people should be.

If you're losing money then..stop it ? Stop complaining about losing money , if you have health issues too you should put that all first instead of a comic .

[argumentalist]

I was looking through my backlog, trying to decide what to build next, and realized I'd never built this bootleg pink Shia Qan[T].

Unlike my last AliExpress bootleg kit - this one came in a box. But I'm not sure what that box art has to do with the kit itself...

The instructions are decent. A little small and hard to read, but definitely serviceable.

The kit comes with a sheet of foil stickers as well as some waterslide decals. I'll use the stickers, but I'm saving the waterslides for something nicer.

The fit and finish of this kit leaves quite a bit to be desired.

The molded surface details are decent... But the parts really don't want to go together nicely. Everything feels either too tight or too loose. I actually had to glue a couple bits because they kept falling off. And I needed to use pliers to apply enough pressure to get some other bits together.

I'm not sure what kind of plastic this is molded from but I don't like it. And, again, it seems inconsistent. The white and pink plastic feels almost oily. And the grey bits feel very stiff and brittle.

I tried to do some panel-lining, but gave up about halfway through. It just didn't want to stick. It was rubbing off just when I was handling the kit.

I've never built a Qan[T] - Shia or otherwise - so I'm not really sure how this build compares. I don't know what accessories should or shouldn't be included. But there's a neat sword, an open left hand, and an absolutely massive shield thing.

Right off the bat the kit feels very loose and squishy. The hips absolutely do not want to hold any kind of pose. The legs keep sliding apart, flopping the kit on the table.

Well, it certainly does look striking. The glossy, transparent blue definitely stands out against the pink. There's lots of molded surface detail that I'd love to panel-line, but the ink just isn't sticking.

The weakness of this kit continues to frustrate. That giant shoulder shield thing keeps popping off its support arm. And, again, the legs just don't want to hold anything up. I have to leave it standing almost straight. I can't do anything terribly dynamic.

I guess I'm not disappointed with this kit... I mean, I didn't spend more than $10 for it, so the bar is set pretty low. But it was certainly a little frustrating.

Ultimately I'm not sure that these bootleg kits are worth it. Maybe for something that's exceptionally rare and hard to find and expensive? But it really didn't give me the satisfying build experience that I'm looking for.

[rawmeknockout]

Hey hey can I get some tfprime Ratchet realizing he's in love with short human reader and in response the first thing he does when it's just them left at base is sweep her away to his berth? Please??

Ratchet had only told you it was urgent, that he needed you right away, and, although your feet still ached from standing around, although you were still dressed for a nice date that never happened, you wasted no time in rushing to the Autobot base. If Ratchet needed you it must be important; he's the only person you would forgo sleep for.

You didn't find him hunched over alien tech, or frantically scanning a map, or battling a scraplet outbreak. You found Ratchet pacing the bare-as-bones medical bay. His face is stressed, lines marking his faceplate, but you can't tell what in the world he needs. If it were as usual, you would just lay it on thick and tell him to pop his panels. Destressing was just a thing you did together, as casual as eating lunch with him, but the way his pedes wear tracks into the metal of the floor has you unconsciously tensing up.

When he finally notices you, Ratchet wastes no time scooping you up in his servos. You don't get to express any of your worry before his mouth is on yours, ill-fitting but familiar. You think this is supposed to mean something. As if the tension from before is broken, you visibly see Ratchet relax as he carries you hurriedly to his habsuite. It gives you whiplash the sudden change in demeanor. You complain as much as he carries you, but, instead of his usual grumpy, snarky responses, Ratchet responds with silence.

It gives you pause, enough so that your crossed arms relax from defensive. Are you supposed to know something? You feel ten steps behind his thought process.

Ratchet still delivers no explanation as he lays you down on his berth, servos gentle when they slide off your clothes. The sensuality in his optics, burning and pleading, feel like they are trying to convey things that you don't think you can believe. When his body slides over your own, you think you understand. You try to, anyway. He's reluctant to say it with words and you're too scared to form the question.

[stevethefishdotnet]

Argo Nauts 1:72 Y-Wing sofubi build update August 7th, 2024

I had posted a scan of this kit's box a few months ago. This is a sofubi (soft vinyl) kit with some brass, pewter, and resin pieces. The main body is vinyl, the disk ventrals at the tail ends of the nacelles are resin, the nacelle beams are brass, and the guns and landing gears are pewter (I think).

This picture above is a quick dry fit of what it looks like so far. I didn't tape the pieces together or anything, but just quickly assembled it for this picture. I later realized that I had hastily attached the nacelles upside-down. I just threw this quickly together to take a photo.

The kit does not come with any decals, so I gave it my own, unique paint scheme. This is a Blue Squadron Y-Wing and I am happy with the stripes I fashioned on my own with masking tape. I painted the vinyl parts with V-Color paints, which are made specifically for painting sofubi kits and toys. This paint is great because when applied properly to vinyl, you cannot scratch it off. It's extremely durable and flexible paint.

I first mixed Light Gray in with Black to make my own German Gray color which I used as an undercoat. I splotched Mr. Masking Neo in areas with a sponge for paint chipping, then went over it with Light Gray. I used Blue and Pastel Blue for the trim, and Orange Yellow to have one panel be a replacement. For the non-sofubi parts, I used Mr. Color 325 (JASDF Gray, IIRC) which is a good match for the V-Color Light Gray. The engine cans were painted a mixture of V-Color Gloss Black and Silver, resulting in a nice gunmetal color.

I later decided to not go with the pastel blue trim for the nacelle tips and re-masked and re-painted them with the matching medium blue I'd used on the cockpit fuselage, which you can see in the photo below. It was a bit tricky, but I also added a small ring of Flesh 1 color on the sensor domes. V-Color has its own clear Smoke color. I made sure to use the Smoke to stain the area around the proton torpedo launchers on the underside. After applying that and a clear gloss top coat, I applied a wash. You cannot use enamel paints on vinyl since they do not react well to each other. Instead I used some Turner Acryl Goache paints, some black with a bit of gray mixed in. Turner paints can be found at any stationery store here in Japan and elementary students use these paints for their classroom art projects. (The jibungous Tsutaya mega bookstore in Maebashi has a great hobby section that has a wide selection of these paints as well as artist oils, pastel chalks, and plenty of other hobby supplies.) I thinned it with Mr. Hobby's Weathering Paint Goache Solvent. (I don't know what "goache" means because I forget... Go look it up if you care.) This is made for making a wash out of acrylic paints. Simple water or acrylic thinner can cause the paint to dry in splotches, but this solvent is made to help the paint run into contours and stay still instead of spreading into splotches.

There is no flat clear V-Color paint, so I had to create my own with Clear and Flat Base and tested it out on some spare vinyl until it looked right. I think maybe it might be a bit too flat, but I'm alright. After this flat coat, the blue looks considerably subdued and blends in better with the light gray.

The photo above is just another sloppy dry fit. Thus, it doesn't look straight. So far I have only glued the nose cannons to the cockpit pod, the sensor array domes to the nacelle tips, the engine cans and the exhaust shrouds that cover them to the engine pods, and I have glued the disk vectrals to the support pylons at the ends of the nacelles. I have yet to secure these beams to the engine pods, which are also not glued to the engine pylons. Nor have I glued the fuselage, cockpit, canopy, and such.

To quote Han Solo, "Here's where the fun begins." While this kit provides brass rods for the support pylons, you have to provide your own wires for the piping and bend them all into shape. If I don't get this part right, the model won't look good. So, I am a bit nervous. I am using Wave's C-Line brass rods. Since I have seen some Y-Wing builds in which the pipes were painted a metallic color, I think I might just leave mine unpainted. A viewer on YouTube suggested to me to paint the wires a metallic color for scale, but I think it looks fine as it is. What do you think? They look a bit too shiny since the fluorescent light is shining directly onto them in this picture. I will apply a wash on the brass rods and I was thinking that I will hand-brush Mr. Metal Primer since it is clear and the enamel or whatever should stick to it better after that. Maybe I'll use that Games Workshop Nuln Oil as a wash over the pipes. The pipes should add the bonus value of acting like pins to keep the pieces together. 

So far, my only complaint is the cockpit canopy. It was difficult to cut out the windows and I think it really should have been molded in resin. The Astromech was painted V-Color Gloss Black and masked off. I will paint its trim with Mr. Hobby Aqueous Gloss White. I also need to paint the cockpit instrumentation with various colors too.

I'm really enjoying this build and as a result I'm getting back into the three Nadia sofubi kits by Tsukuda that have been languishing for years as shelf queens. I've made good progress with those and I will post an update on those soon. I've also begun working on a Deedlit sofubi kit by Kaiyodo.

[kreeture-19]

Here's part 2 of the process behind how I created my desktop Christmas tree! <3

1st panel -

How I made my… Desktop Christmas Tree

Part 2 - The Garland

2nd panel -

This is the part of the project that started the whole thing. I had some old bracelets that I wanted to repurpose because...well...I realized I hate wearing bracelets lmao. So, I decided to turn them into a garland for my little Christmas tree. (If anyone's curious, the bracelets came from Spirit Halloween.)

3rd panel -

I wanted to add some variety to the garland, and was inspired by my mom's crystal bead bracelets. Of course, I couldn't use hers, and I didn't want to spend a fortune buying new bracelets, so I took a trip to my new favorite store: Michaels. I went in at the perfect time too, because all their beads were on sale.

4th panel -

Hoo boy... stringing this garland together was quite the job. I bought a length of cord that I thought was thin enough, but it was still too thick to fit through the small black beads. After struggling for a while, I decided to borrow my mom's sewing thread. I cut off about 6 strands and proceeded onto the painstaking task of threading them through each bead.

5th panel -

When I was done, I tied the ends into knots as tightly as I could and secured them to some wire with a nice glob of super glue. It might not be the prettiest job, but at that point I didn't care. I just wanted it to hold together. (I had already dropped it once, not fun.) I learned my lesson with this one lmao.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[eruditegeek]

Oh, of course, Sierra, but be careful what you ask for~

*I pull you close and lay you in my lap. I start infodumping as I scratch your head and stroke your hair*

It came in six bags. The first bag was just the base and was pretty similar to the other diorama builds. Have you seen those? I really like the Dagobah one, but the trash compactor is also really cool. Well this one has a Qui-Gon quote on it that my childhood piggy bank said. It didn't store a lot of money though.

* At this point, I've started caressing your shoulders and tracing lines in your skin with my nails. You feel my touch all over and a tingle courses through you.*

Bag two was mostly just setting up the core of the rock wall in the back and doing some detail work on the ground. Behind the scenes stuff is nice, but it's usually pretty simple. Bag three was building out the wall and making it look rocky. That was fun to bring together. It was building a lot of separate panels and attaching them to the core. The canyon track was a composite of model practical effects, cgi rocks, and real-world shots from Tunisia. The course was built for the movie to fit a certain length. They added details and obstacles to make it interesting, but they also did time tests to see how many laps could be done in eight minutes at 900 km/h.

*You realize you can't get up. You can barely move. I'm not holding you down, but something is keeping you here. I am unaware or indifferent to your struggle. More focused on Star Wars.*

Bags four and five were Anakin and Sebulba's podracers. I enjoyed putting them together. They've got some nice detail for their scale and even had stickers. I'm not the best at putting them on straight, but I think they looked good. After the race, Qui-Gon sold Anakin's podracer, but I bet you didn't know that he sold it to Sebulba, who raced with it for a while. He eventually gave it to his son, who ended up racing it and crashing it against Anakin in an illegal race about halfway between Episode I and II.

*Are you still listening? Am I even still talking? It's almost as if you can feel the words just entering your mind. You're not sure where the lines between us are anymore. You've lost the desire to even struggle. Why fight how things have always been? It has always been like this, right?*

Bag six was building the rock arch on the left. It's offset and angled because it's on turntable pieces. That was fun. There was a time they would have frowned on that for being off "system" though now I see builds with interesting and slightly fucked up uses of pieces every once in a while. Cad Bane's ship The Justifier has a really funky engine detail where thin pieces are held between the circles of normal bricks.

*The image just manifests in your mind. Or is it my mind. Our mind? Flesh fused fascinatingly forever. I've finished talking about this set, but now I've sequed into another piece of Star Wars trivia. You relax and join the others within me. Maybe tomorrow I can get lost in you talking about something?*

Triumphant trans tummy tuesday y'all. Featuring my two newest LEGO babies. Built them on stream yesterday for way too long.

@catboybiologist @chloecat @dyke-pollinator @foucelhas1917 @glowingemberz @godless-of-the-hunt @lucyvaleheart @mallvisigoth2 @mellueminate @ne0ndawn @officiallordvetinari @phoenixgirlarsonist @quinn-sins @roman-noodlezz @sagasolejma @sylladextrous @virtualgirladvance @whalesharkcat

[electroplasm]

[astro-rain]

delicate; b.barnes

chapter four - mri’s & other modern commodities

delicate masterlist

word count: 1.8k

synopsis: bucky faces his first day of treatment, and discovers some new things along the way: some scary, some awesome, some maybe slightly embarassing.

pairings: bucky barnes x fem!reader

[A/N]: not my gif

When he woke up, he scanned his room, making sure everything was the same as how he left it the night before. Making sure no one came in while he was asleep and poisoned his brain. Making sure he was waking up in his living quarters in Wakanda and not a damp cell in some secret Hydra base. It was just something he did now.

Some may call it paranoia, others may call it adaptation. Either way, once he stepped outside and made sure he was alone, he allowed himself to take a breath.

Today was the day, the first day of official treatment. He had no idea what to expect; he was just hoping to high heavens that it would end up working. Freedom. That's all he wanted. Liberation from the chains Hydra had had around him since he fell from the train all those years ago.

He was apprehensive for sure, but he tried his best to keep himself optimistic. Bucky was sure that Shuri was smarter than any Hydra scientist he once came in contact with. So, if they can tear apart his mind, perhaps she can put it back together. Right?

Her in addition to (Y/N). That psychologist woman. He had spoken to her the day before at the lake. She was funny, and she seemed decently easy to talk to. That's a good sign, he guessed. She told him that she hadn't minded relocating to assist in his treatment, but he honestly couldn't make out her true feelings. She was rather hard to read. Perhaps it was a psychologist thing; he tried not to look too far into it.

He waited outside his door until two Wakandans came to escort him to Shuri. Bucky noticed they were armed. Guards. He wasn't surprised nor did he blame them. However, that didn't make it any easier to trust. He hadn't had that luxuy in a very long time. The former assassin fought against the voice in the back of his head telling him to analyze their every move in order to ensure that he wasn't in any danger. That any minute they weren't going to strap him down and rip his brain apart the way it had been so many times before. So many times. He gave the slightest wince at the thought. His brain suddenly felt prickly, painful memories creeping up on him.

Not now, don't think about it.

Sometimes, if he fixated on the thoughts for too long, he would drive himself to this panicked state of fear and constriction. He wasn't sure exactly what this thing was. All he knew was that these things - these episodes - were extremely unpleasant, and utterly unnecessary at the moment.

He shook his head (somehow hoping that this would rid him of the prickly memories like a dog shaking off water), strands of long brown hair swaying quickly in front of his eyes, and fixed his gaze to the floor.

Floor. Floor. Floor. Floor. Just the floor. The floor. The floor. The floor-

"Sergeant Barnes!" Shuri welcomed him happily.

Oh. He was in the lab now. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Let's do this.

"Good morning," he smiled, "and just Bucky's okay."

"Of course, of course. This is my lab! Best place in Wakanda in my humble opinion. Today's only the first day of treatment, so nothing too intensive. But, we will be working all the same!"

He glanced around the lab. The guards were at the doorway and they didn't look like they were leaving anytime soon. Again, he wasn't surprised. Moreover, sitting at a table a few feet from Shuri, was a familiar face. This familiar face soon met his gaze.

"Hi, Bucky" (Y/N) greeted, offering a polite smile. "See! I remembered this time."

Bucky grinned. "Are you still (Y/N), or is it Dr. (Y/L/N) since we're in the lab now?"

"I'm always (Y/N)."

"I don't know, if I went to school for as long as you did, I'd make everyone call me Doctor," Shuri added.

(Y/N) laughed. "Well, if you want to call me Doctor you're more than welcome, Shuri."

"That's the spirit, Doc," she declared before turning to Bucky. "Now, follow me and we'll get a quick MRI done."

"A what?" He quickly caught up to Shuri who already started walking away.

"An MRI. It stands for magnetic resonance imaging. Basically, scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body."*

Yes, very basic.

(Y/N) leaned over to Bucky, explaining softly, "It's used to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body."**

"Oh."

"You just lay down and it scans you. Y'don't even feel anything."

"Thats... not too bad, I guess."

"It's a bit of a tight fit though, so I hope you're aren't claustrophobic."

Bucky rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, after cryo, I doubt tight spaces will be too much of a bother for me."

"Right," said (Y/N), "but it's still decently in your personal space. Just so you know - so there's no surprises."

He nodded. They didn't say anything until Shuri stopped short in front of them. She stood a couple feet from a shiny metal table which was lined up in front of an equally shiny and metallic semi-cricle arch. It was long enough to fit - well, would you look at that - a body.

"Oh. I guess there is a surprise," (Y/N) blurted, turning to Shuri, confused. "That isn't like any MRI machine I've ever seen."

"That's because you're in Wakanda," Shuri flashed a proud smile. "Tech's a bit... advanced here."

(Y/N) turned to Bucky. He thought he saw something resembling self consciousness flow across her features, but he wasn't sure.

"Sorry, I guess I was wrong. But, honestly this is way better than a typical MRI set up. It's much more open... and wide. Regularly, it would be like a super narrow tube with hardly any space inside. This way, you'll even be able to see us and the rest of the room."

That's good. More space. More freedom. And he'll be able to see her- them, see them.

Shuri clapped. "Alright! Shall we get started then?"

He had no idea how any of this worked; he was way out of his element here. He just barely learned what a damn MRI was, and had to hide his shock when he found out. Medicine has changed dramatically since 1945. Although it is helpful, he is completely clueless. Great.

"Do I jus-just lay on the table?" He asked, unsure.

"Yep! Just lie there and be absolutely still, and I'll do the rest," Shuri replied, reassuringly as she walked around to a control panel next to the machine, preparing to start.

Bucky took his place on the thin metal table, and he thought he was seeing things. Was it was levitating? Honestly, from what he's seen so far he wouldn't even be surprised. He stared up at the ceiling, getting lost in thought. A string of various questions and uncertainties fluttered through his battered mind.

Would the metal arm interfere with the magnet- oh. Right. No arm. Just a scan, no need to worry. (Y/N) said it would be fine. Can I even trust her Then again, can I even trust anyone yet? She's the best I got right now. Damn it, I wish I wasn't so wary of everyone.

"Hey," a gentle voice pulled him out.

He looked over to the left of him, the side with no arm. (Y/N).

"I can practically hear your brain whirring around right now - which is justified - but do you need anything?"

'Do you need anything?' He hadn't heard that phrase in a while.

He adjusted his body on the table. "I'm alright, just... a bit out of my element here."

She nodded, knowingly. "Honestly, me too. This lab looks like somethin' out of a sci-fi movie for me, so I can't imagine what it must feel like to you."

She was looking down at him. He felt vulnerable, exposed. It seemed like she noticed.

"Here, I have an idea."

With that, she turned and grabbed something from a nearby table. Rotating around to face him again, she displayed what she had taken: a pair of headphones... but without a wire? What the hell?

"Are they broken?" he asked, feeling perpetually confused.

"No, they're wirelessly connected to my phone. It's called bluetooth."

The look on his face was almost laughable.

"Bluetooth? What kind of name is Bluetooth?"

"The kind of name that I didn't invent nor should I be blamed for," she chuckled. "Do you want to listen to music while you're in there? It might help to keep you down on Earth with us."

Music. The thought was almost surreal. He hadn't been privileged with such a pleasure in longer than he'd care to admit. It actually seemed... nice.

"Y-yeah," he said, pondering. "That'd actually be nice."

"Awesome."

She leaned over him to put the headphones on his ears, causing him a very conflicting series of emotions.

First of all, close. She was very close to his face. His face, his eyes, his nose, his lips. It almost seemed a tad bit intimate. And then he realized he hadn't been this close to a woman in forever. A real woman, not some fellow assassin he had to take out. He hoped the shy embarrassment he felt didn't show on his cheeks.

Second of all, she was wrapping something around his head, his brain. He tried not to, but he couldn't stop the muscle memory of what he'd been conditioned to feel. Hydra's machine would wrap around his head and rip his psyche apart. His mind expected pain, the worst pain, the dehumanizing, out of body, mind splitting pain. He hoped the way he flinched ever so slightly didn't offend (Y/N).

She didn't seem offended, and her voice was soft. "You're good. Just music and a scan. Then you're done."

He looked up at her face, reassuring and calm. He took a deep breath.

"Good?" she asked.

He nodded. "Think so."

"If it's too much at any point just let us know, and we'll pull you right out. It's your comfort level, your choice."

His choice. Choice. Control. The prospect gave him comfort.

She gave him one last look before stepping away and signaling Shuri to start the machine. The seemingly levitating table began a smooth descent into the machine when the music started playing. It almost startled him, but he then he was pleasantly surprised by what he heard.

There were loud drums, guitar riffs with attitude, and voices that had so much emotion they were almost screaming. It was like no music he had ever heard before, and he loved it. In fact, he was so into it that he didn't even notice when the MRI had finished. That is, until he felt a feather light hand on his shoulder. His eyes opened, and (Y/N) had the biggest grin on her face. While taking the headphones off of him, she looked very pleased with herself.

She looked at Shuri but declared to no one in particular, "Bucky likes Rock and Roll!"

- - -

* = from wikipedia

** = from wikipedia

[giorno-plays-piano]

Sense of normality

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warnings: yandere, obsession, allusion to kidnapping and nonconsensual drug use.

Words: 1588.

Summary: It wasn't safe out there for a woman like you, and it would never be.

____________

Bucky didn't get to feel like a hero often.

Of course, he had saved the world along with the Avengers and was still fighting together with Sam for the sake of humanity, but it just wasn't the same. It felt like he was repaying a debt he owed to the world.

He owed nothing to you, the girl who ran onto him on a street at night and pleaded to help. There was a man chasing you, Bucky saw him. Judging by the way he moved and the abnormal expression he wore, it was easy to guess he was under some drugs.

"Wait inside." Bucky said, pressing his intercom key to the panel and opening the door to the hallway.

You got there immediately, but looked at him with deep concern in your eyes. In your mind you were leaving some man you didn't even know to deal with an ax-crazy who was after you. You didn't know who Bucky was, what he was capable of. Were you worried about him? Maybe you were. Bucky thought it was odd.

It didn't take him long before the man was there, throwing punches at him and acting like an enraged bull. When among other things Bucky kicked him in the ass, it rang a bell - he had certainly done it before, though he couldn't remember when or where. It felt strangely satisfying.

Then he stopped, looking at the unconscious body laying on the ground near row of dirty trash bins. He was supposed to give a call to let someone know about it, and he did. 911 could handle this man from now on.

You couldn't see much from the angle the glass door could give you, but when you spotted Bucky coming back he saw relief washing over you. You were happy he returned. It was very, very odd.

"Are you okay?" You asked right away once he opened the door and stepped inside. "Did he hurt you?"

"No."

He watched how you trembled like a leaf. You probably had some nervous disease, but he didn't know much about that. Bucky didn't know much about any diseases at all since he could have none after Zola worked on him.  Did he had to call the ambulance? You didn't look good with your face puffy from tears, eyes all red.

"Thank you so, so much." You said, smiling through tears at him. "You just saved my life. Thank you. Thank you."

Although you were still crying, the way you looked at him made him feel better. There was so much appreciation written on your face. You kept saying lots of words of thanks, and Bucky suddenly felt like a savior. It wasn't like no one had thanked him before, but never like that. Never so sincere. Desperate, even.

He motioned you to come to his apartment because Bucky wanted you to keep looking at him like that. Besides, you were still trembling. Where would you go like that in the middle of the night? It wasn't wise, he thought.

"Oh no, I forgot my handbag there." You mumbled, pressing your hand to your forehead. "My phone, my wallet."

"Where?" Bucky cocked his head to the side.

"In that goddamn club where this guy and his friends were." It brought you to tears, and Bucky reached for the napkin box.

"I will call there."

There it was. That look on your face as if you saw a halo of light surrounding his figure. Bucky liked that. He liked that very much.

He took his phone out of his pocket and stared at the screen, trying to remeber what the pattern he had to use. Sam was telling him something about Google maps.

It turned out to be quite easy except the fact that his huge fingers didn't press the write buttons all the time. How did people get used to type so fast? Well, maybe he had to buy a different phone, a bigger one. His was too little.

"... yes. She think she might have forgotten it on the bar counter. There are her wallet, cellphone and set of keys."

You were lucky the security had found your belongings quickly. It seemed like nothing was stolen.

"Can she pick them up tomorrow? Yes. Thank you."

He saw the surprised look on your face. You thought you were going to go, but he didn't want you leaving his apartment just now. He wanted to feel like a hero a little bit more.

"You said his friends were still there. It's not safe to go now." He explained calmly and saw the realization hit you. Then you wiped the tears away again, saying you didn't even have the money to get a taxi to take you home. You didn't live close, and walking to the other side of the city at night seemed like a horrible option. You were hopeless.

Bucky took you to the kitchen and took out a box of tea Sam brought him a month ago - it was huge, a dozen of different tea bags inside. Going throw them, he took out a camomile one. He remembered his mother saying something about it calming people down. You seemed like you needed it.

"You can stay here for the night." He said, pushing a big white cup with hot tea closer to you. Then he filled his own, thinking you might feel odd drinking all by yourself. Having a little company was nice.

You gawked at him with your mouth open but took the cup, nonetheless. You just couldn't believe someone was so nice to you, he thought. People wasn't often nice to him either, so Bucky could understand your hesitation.

"It's not safe out there." He said, looking at the window hidden behind the curtains. "Those guys are probably looking for his friend. If they caught a glimpse of you in a taxi, they might remember its license plate and find out where you live. If you walk by yourself, it will be even worse."

It sounded logical to him. You thought so too, probably, as you started shaking again and he had to reach out to touch your hand.

"Don't worry. They don't know you're here."

You nodded, swallowing your tears and gulping down the tea.

"I'm so sorry for all the trouble. I don't want to impose, truly." You muttered, keeping your head low and staring into the cup. Bucky thought your hair looked pretty in the dim light of the room.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." He said and made a sip of his tea.

He didn't remember when was the last time someone had tea with him in the kitchen. Sometimes he went with Sam to some bars together to have a couple of beers, but it didn't feel the same. Having a woman in his apartment was just as odd. Wanda came to help him settle in for a few times, and once Natasha visited him, too, but no other woman had ever been here. No other woman looked at him like he was a hero to her.

"I will sleep on the couch." He said and pointed to the fridge. "You can have whatever is there."

"Thank you, but you're too kind." You shook your head. "I've already brought you enough trouble to make you uncomfortable in your own home."

Bucky remembered the way Sam behaved when he saw a woman he liked and curled his lips a little, his face lit up when he smiled at you. Apparently, it worked as you immediately relaxed.

"It's no trouble at all. I'm glad you asked for my help." It was true. "I don't like when something like this happens."

"I still can't believe one time I got to go to the club I was chased out by some psycho." You sighed, making one more sip of the tea you seemed to like. "Guess I'm never coming out of my apartment again."

He let out a chuckle, still thinking of the way Sam would handle this conversation. Actually, he silently agreed that you shouldn't be coming to places like that nightclub. Staying home sounded like a much better option.

For some reason an image of you living with him appeared in his mind. You were wearing a short blue robe and cooking something in the kitchen while laughing at something he said. He could feel the delicious smell of food you were making for dinner. The empty shelves in the room were filled with photos, books, porcelain figurines, and other things that you deemed important to keep there. While you were busy in the kitchen, he was setting up a new wardrobe for you because all your clothes couldn't fit in his old one. He could still hear your lovely laugh when he made another joke about Sam and his issues with women.

Bucky admitted it would be nice.

"It will get better." He said, unsure whether he was talking to you or rather himself. "You don't have to worry about anything.""I'm truly sorry for everything."

"Don't be. Sometimes stuff like that just happens. It's a shame, but that's the way things are"

You nodded at his words and finished your tea, smiling a little into your cup. Bucky felt his chest getting warm for no reason and then tried to remember where he stored anesthetics - you were so nervous you would have difficulty sleeping tonight. If he really was such a good man like you imagined him to be, he ought to help you, right?

___________

Tags: @finleyjayne @alexakeyloveloki @helenaeisenhower @villanellevi @hurricanerin @void-hoechlin @abyssaint

[jae-writes-fanfiction]

Paper Faces (on Parade)

Luke X Reader - 1580 Words - More Freaky Fics

Warnings: Alcohol use, Cigarette use, descriptions of violence and horror things including: rotting skin, blood, illnesses, a masked killer. Enjoy responsibly ❤️ (most of these things are only referenced, unlike later fics that will be fairly intense)

- - -

There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully survive... 1. You can never have sex- Sex always equals death, 2. Never drink or do drugs. The sin factor. It's an extension of number one. And 3. Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances, say 'I'll be right back.'

- Scream (1996), Dir. Wes Craven

The Villa overlooked LA and dwarfed the surrounding homes. You had done your best to dress for the venue including the lace mask that rested over your face. Yet nothing prepared you for this level of grandeur. Your hand clutched the cryptic invitation inviting you to a private and painstakingly exclusive party. The letter gave no clue to its composer but promised safety in numbers- something going out of style in the rest of the world. Stepping into the palatial courtyard you heard the large iron gates secure behind you. 

The doorman fastened multiple chains and locks, “ ‘s for your safety,” he reiterated, “wouldn’t want to let the riff-raff in with you decent folks. Who knows what kinda stuff they could spread.” His gruff and heavily accented voice reminded you of British detective movies and offered no actual assurance. His quick and uneasy movements sent a shiver down your spine as if he was locking you in instead of locking them out. 

The courtyard had seen better days yet the stately doors ahead beckoned with so much light you didn't notice the oppressive foreboding that set in under your skin, the instinctive warning you desperately needed but would never realize already came. The doors opened for you, the doorman slipping behind you to once again fasten the deadbolt and secure the locks. 

The room you had stepped into was swathed in blue decorations and lights that diffused about the room resulting in a softly colored experience. The Villa’s sprawl demanded the existence of many other rooms, you assumed it must be so as this one was empty. You were late. 

Your shoes clicked bodily against the floors as you sped through the next few rooms. The pink room held only two couples seated at a card table, the green room only an older man seated across from a perpetually empty seat with two place settings. Neither group looked up upon your intrusion and in your haste, you neglected to notice they couldn’t do so anyway. The locket and handkerchief clutched in the old man’s hand were splattered with blood, and the couples lay slumped together with matching exit wounds, the one’s face already covered in mottled blotches of puss ridden decay. 

Within the room, your enigmatic Host watched from a hidden corner as you ran past the recently deceased. Inconsiderate, Tardy, Rude. Their grotesque mask hid their disappointment at just another sinner to keep track of. They had no tolerance for filth in any form, the old man’s illness posed a threat to everyone. A mortal sin. They moved after you slowly and unseen as if they could glide through the air soundlessly.

The Villa’s hallways twisted and turned until you were sure there were no more rooms and you had simply missed the night’s festivities. A soft pool of golden light flashed from an archway as you rounded another corner and drew you into a dimly lit room filled with dancing people. he orange lights pulsed along with the music and made the entire room feel like a dream, like some impossibility that wasn’t really happening, no matter how much you wanted it to. 

The crowd put you at ease, everyone knew there was safety in numbers. Unfortunately with the masks, you couldn’t recognize anyone- a sea of paper faces swirled around you. The bar situated against the farthest wall of damask curtains offered comfort that the unknowable masses couldn’t. The bartender greeted you silently, a drink already in hand. Apparently, there would be no cocktail menu tonight. You thanked them and despite the full face mask you though they smiled. 

The liquid had no specific taste yet it felt so warm, so bright; that you almost tasted spices. Something in the drink sparked inside you and every cell in your body oozed with heat. Your throat ran dry, demanding you drink more which only worsened the heady feelings taking over you. As you were drinking a man sat next to you. 

He was tall, his hair fell around his face in a disheveled cascade of golden curls and behind the half mask, you could see bright eyes that betrayed an even brighter smile. When he spoke, his voice carried an accent and at the same time sounded like music. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stand not talking to you.” He spoke with a lazy yet instantly charming smile that made your heart skip a beat. 

You scoffed lightly, “nice line. You tell that to all the girls?”

“Only the ones in lace,” he said with a wink that sent a delicious shiver down your spine. 

You laughed openly. The lace mask itched your nose as you smiled.

“Well mystery man, care for a drink?” 

“Mystery man?” He laughed briefly, “ I’m Luke… I’d love a drink but only if you promise to dance with me after.”

You agreed and happily clinked glasses together. You were thankful to find a friend among the strangers, even if you’d only just met. The strange spark from the liquor made you feel like moving. You were quick to down the drink and pull Luke’s hand into your own. You had opted out of wearing formal gloves and the second your skin touched his for the first time that night you were thankful for that choice. It felt as if you’d already known exactly how it would feel as if you were puzzle pieces who still fit together. The feeling was intoxicating. 

Life moved in slow motion as the music started again. Luke’s hand found the small of your back but itched to dip lower and hold you tighter. You spun in well-drawn circles, weaving between the other dancers. You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol, or the feeling of Luke pressed against you that made your head spin in the most delicious way. In that moment you felt again like a flame, overstuffed with kindling. You had never burned as bright. 

The song ended and you stumbled back. Luke looked lost, and you knew he felt the same magnetic pull that bewildered you.

“Fuck, I need some air,” you said breathily. 

“Me too,” Luke said, frowning,” but I’m pretty sure they already locked the exits.”

Luke huffed and thought for a second before pulling you off the dance floor. You anxiously looked around the crowded room wondering if it would be best to stay with the group for now. You swallowed the thought, you just needed a little space to process. You’d be right back. He brushed aside one of the damask panels to reveal a darkened passageway. You didn’t think to question how he knew when the doors locked or that the passage was there. All you knew was that he felt like the antidote to whatever fire was ravaging your body. 

The corridor was little more than a servant’s passageway and demanded you walk pressed together, his hand rested securely on your hip urging you forward and downstairs that seemed to curl on forever before you reached another door that in turn moved another damask panel. Behind was another themed room that appeared as if someone had forgotten to turn on the lights. The only light filtered into the room through a gothic stained glass window. 

He walked past you into the room, pulling a cigarette from his pocket. The lighter cast odd shadows across his face and for the first time you felt fear. You had no idea who he was or where you were, you’d followed a stranger into the depths of an unknown Villa and for a brief moment you could’ve sore you heard screaming far off in the distance.

Yet you couldn’t stop thinking about his hand in yours, and what that electricity would feel like tracing over the rest of your body. As quickly as the uncertainty entered your mind, it left as Luke turned back to you. The low light made the hints of glitter on his mask shine, and the silk of his shirt gleam. He looked like an angel. 

You smiled softly and walked to his side, taking in the plush velvets and wrought iron embellishments around the room. The closeness felt right. 

He passed you the cigarette and you laughed.

“So much for fresh air.” 

You took a long drag off it and savored the bitter taste. Your fingers grazed Luke’s as you handed it back and you longed to kiss him. You inched closer placing a hand on his shoulder as the cigarette turned to ashes littered on the tile floor. With no regard for the home around you, Luke dropped the spent butt on the floor and crushed it under his heel, his hands immediately returned to you. He looped an arm around your waist, and your hand tightened around his bicep as you pressed together. You could feel the warmth of his breath on your face, your lips almost touching.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered reverently.

Your tongue darted out across your bottom lip, “am I?”

The moment lingered for only a second before you closed the space between you. The itching in your veins worsened and spread until you couldn't take your hands off him. The kisses deepened and the passionate passes of hands became desperate. Within the anonymous dark room eager hands tore at clothes and blissful groans drowned out the sounds of terror you had aptly recognized before. 

The Host had finally descended upon the stragglers left in the ballroom. They summoned everyone for a reason, those who followed the rules would thrive. Stragglers, rule-breakers, and sinners of all shades would pay the price. Even you, wrapped up in your one-time lover, would have to learn your actions have consequences.

[charlie-writes1]

Valentine

By: @charlie-writes1

Writing Masterlist

Fandom: My hero academia

Ship: KiriBaku

Warnings: Swearing, gay

Word count: 2,354

Posted: 27.4.21

a/n I got this idea from a comic I saw a long time ago (like a year or two), I don't know who created it and I only ever saw a few short panels. If someone knows the comic please please please tell me because I want to link it! As I said I only ever saw a few short panels so minus a very short scene that I tweaked to be my own the rest of the story is mine. (Characters belong to the respectful creator)

-Summary-

Today is the day! Kirishima was going to ask out his crush. That is... he was going to ask him out, but someone beat him to the punch and he didn't think he had any chances left.

"Yo! Baku wait up!" Kirishima yelled, running up behind his explosive friend.

"What do you want Shitty Hair?" Bakugo grumbled. He didn't even spare Kirishima a glance as the redhead swung an arm playfully around his shoulder, topical interaction for the two students.

"Well, I was wondering- uhh-" Kirishima stared as he fiddled with a small box in his pocket. He took a deep breath, about to speak again but was cut off.

"U-umm excuse m-me? B-Bakugo?" A timid voice came from behind the two. They turned to see one of the 1-C students. She had orange hair that had been shaved on one side of her head while the rest of it covered her left eye. She was shorter than the two boys so Bakugo was literally and figuratively looking down at her.

"Damn extra, what do you want?" Bakugo grumbled, not in the mood to have to talk with people he didn’t know or care about.

She looked at the ground and Kirishima noticed she was holding a nicely wrapped box with a small heart-shaped card on top. "I-I w-was wondering, w-well I mean I umm-"

"Just spit it out, I'm going to be late for class," Bakugo snapped.

"I would like you to accept my feelings and be my Valentine!" She bowed and held out the box for Bakugo. Kirishima stared at the small gift, it was similar to the one he was just about to give the blond moments ago before she cut him off.

"Tsk, and why would I do that? I don't even know you," Bakugo told her. “You’re just some extra.”

"B-but-" In reality, they had had a few classes together, sometimes their classes work together in different subjects, not often but it happens, especially when a teacher had to take the day off for hero work or a sick day.

"Besides, I'm trying to become a hero, I don't have time for stupid distractions like a girlfriend, though I guess you wouldn't know much about becoming a hero since you're in general studies.” Bakugo’s voice was cold as ice. Even Kirishima thought it was harsh, even for Bakugo.

"Bro, that's not nice..." Kirishima said quietly. He didn't know how to feel, Bakugo was rejecting her, therefore he still sort of had a chance, but the way he had said it... 'I don't have time for stupid distractions like a girlfriend' that probably went for boyfriends as well.

"Tsk whatever, come on Shitty Hair we're going to be late for class," Bakugo grumbled turning back around and walking towards their class. He didn’t even spare a glance back at the girl who just stood there staring at the ground, shoulders shaking ever so slightly as she tried to hold in her tears. Kirishima gave a sympathetic look to the girl who had just had her heartbroken, she looked like she was about to cry, and truthfully, Kirishima was right there with her, Bakugo had indirectly said he wouldn't date him.

"Yeah, I'm coming," Kirishima muttered, turning back around to follow Bakugo. He gripped the box in his pocket and shook his head trying to forget about it. There’s no point in giving it to him now, not now that he knew what the reaction would be.

Kirishima couldn't get his mind off the scene from that morning all class. "I don't have time for stupid distractions like a girlfriend." Was it a stupid distraction? Was dating someone really just a distraction when they were training to be heroes? Even if both had their minds set on the same goal?

"Kiri? You okay bro?" Kaminari asked as they stood in line for their lunch food. "You've been extremely spaced out all day, did something happen?" It wasn’t normal for Kirishima to not at least try and crack a few jokes, so when he had barely even spoken three sentences... his friend had gotten worried.

The redhead looked up to his friend, getting pulled out of his daze a little too quickly. "What? Yeah, I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" Kirishima asked, flashing one of his signature smiles, but it didn't quite reach his eyes like it usually did, and the blond could tell. Kaminari gave him a look that seemed to say, 'yeah right, you're not okay.' "Okay fine, maybe I'm not completely okay," Kirishima admitted, looking down at the floor.

“So what’s bothering you?” He asked, tilting his head to the side a little.

"Can we talk about it after we get our food?" Kirishima asked, he didn't need anyone else listening in on their conversation. If someone heard... it didn't matter if UA was generally really good when it came to queer kids, Kirishima didn’t know what he would do if it got out that he had the biggest crush on the most explosive person in the school.

Kaminari smiled a little, "sure thing." They got their food and Kirishima led his friend out of the cafeteria to talk. He made sure that they were far enough away that no one would hear them before turning a corner and sitting against the wall. "So what's got you all down in the dumps? Girl troubles?" Kaminari asked jokingly.

Kirishima stared at him for a moment. "It's not girl troubles, Kaminari, I'm gay," he told him. Had he not told Kaminari, one of his closest friends, that he was gay?

Kaminari's face went red with embarrassment, "man I got to stop assuming this stuff, first Mina and now you, totally cool with it though don't get me wrong," Kaminari started to ramble. "Anyways what was it?"

Kirishima took out the box from his pocket. "I was going to confess today," he muttered, handing the small box over to his friend.

Kaminari took the box and turned it over a couple times in his hand. It was wrapped in shiny orange and black wrapping paper, though there was about half a roll of tape trying to hold it together. 'Be my Valentine?' had been written across the top in sharpie. You could tell he was trying to keep it neat, though it didn't work. "So what happened?"

——

Bakugo had noticed that Kirishima had been acting strangely after that morning, though he couldn't figure out why. It was almost like the redhead was avoiding him. No nagging for him to hang out with the self-proclaimed “Bakusquad” no arm being randomly thrown over his shoulder, no “Bakubro!” Being yelled, while he tried to do his work. It was too quiet.

When he noticed Kirishima and Kaminari leaving the cafeteria instead of sitting with their friends like usual, Bakugo got even more suspicious. He couldn’t remember a day that the two didn’t sit with the others, so he went to investigate.

He left enough space between them so the two in front wouldn't notice they were being followed. When they turned the corner and sat against the wall, Bakugo waited just on the other side to listen in.

No, Bakugo was not one to usually eavesdrop, but he wanted to know what was going on. Though he may not say it, Kirishima was his best friend, and maybe even more than that to the blond. He wanted to make sure Kirishima was okay.

"So, what's got you all down in the dumps? Girl troubles?" Kaminari's voice came.

Bakugo couldn't imagine Kirishima having girl troubles, it just didn't make sense to him. He didn’t know if it was because the redhead had never shown much interest in any girls or if it was because Bakugo thought Kirishima was nearly perfect in every way, having girl troubles just didn’t fit with his character.

There was a small silence, "It's not girl troubles, Kaminari, I'm gay."

Bakugo was shocked to say that least, though that would explain why he never showed any interest in girls like Kaminari or some of the other boys in their class had. He would not have pegged Kirishima as gay. But he couldn't help but feel happy about that.

Kaminari began rambling about something before asking again what was happening.

"I was rejected," Kirishima said. He sounded hurt, he sounded broken, he sounded like it was going to take years to build him back up again.

"By who?" Kaminari asked with a bit of worry in his voice.

"Well, it wasn't direct, but he made it clear that he didn't have time for a relationship," Kirishima muttered almost too quiet for Bakugo to hear.

"Who was it?" Kaminari asked again. His answer was too quiet for Bakugo. But whatever he said shocked Kaminari. "What? Him? He’s so... How?"

"Oh shut up," Kirishima said. Bakugo imagined him rolling his eyes. "He's not that bad," he continued. "I just, can't get his words out of my head.”

"What'd he say?"

"Just that he didn't have time for relationships, and that he had to focus on school."

The words began to click in Bakugo's head. If he wasn't trying to stay hidden right now he would be cursing at himself for being so stupid and saying something like that in front of Kirishima. He realized the way he turned down that girl made him think there was no chance when in reality Bakugo had turned her down because he liked Kirishima in a way he's never liked, anyone. This explosive Pomeranian was gay as well for his best friend.

He had to find a way to make it up to him somehow, make sure he knows that he still had a chance... but how?

"Well, he's a dick for saying that," Kaminari said. "Well, he's a dick in general-

"Kami," Kirishima cut him off, not very amused. "I'm not in the mood for that right now," He muttered.

"Right, sorry," Kaminari said.

Bakugo had heard enough and went back to the cafeteria. "I'm so fucking stupid," he muttered under his breath.

——

When school ended, Kirishima was going to head straight home. All his friends had plans so there was no point in going anywhere else, that is until he was yanked aside by the explosive blond he had been avoiding all day.

"Bakugo what are you-"

"Shut up and follow me Shitty Hair," Bakugo grumbled, pulling at Kirishima's arm for him to follow.

Kirishima stayed quiet and followed Bakugo around to the side of the school. He wasn't sure what to expect but what happened next was not it.

Bakugo stopped and turned to Kirishima. Staring at the ground he started talking. "I fucking messed up and I feel like fucking shit for saying what I said so I..." he trailed off. Shoving his hand in his pocket he pulled out a slightly wrinkled card. "JUST FUCKING READ THIS," Bakugo said shoving the card in Kirishima's hand.

Kirishima was shocked and looked down at the card. It had originally said "to Shitty Hair" in Bakugo's handwriting but then it was crossed out and replaced with "to Kirishima Eijiro."

He looked up at the blond confused. "Just fucking read it," Bakugo grumbled, a small blush crossing his cheeks as he continued staring at the ground, his hands finding their way back in his pockets.

Opening the card Kirishima read out loud. "'I don't have time for a stupid girlfriend, but maybe I can make time for a stupid shitty-haired boyfriend?' Bakugo what is th-" he was cut off by Bakugo grabbing his shirt caller and pulling him into a rough kiss.

Kirishima was too shocked to do anything. The note he was holding fell to the ground and he wasn't sure where to put his hands.

"Just shut up, I heard you talking with sparky, I'm sorry you thought I didn't want a relationship," Bakugo muttered when he pulled away. "I'm gonna sound fucking cheese and you're not allowed to tell anyone I said this, but you're the only person I can imagine being with."

Kirishima was shocked, taking a long moment to process what he was being told before a huge grin formed across his lips. He let out a small laugh before pulling Bakugo back into a kiss.

"You're the only person I can imagine being with too, Bakugo," Kirishima said pulling away slightly and resting his forehead on Bakugo's. "Even if you are loud and explosive," he laughed.

"So? Will you be my Valentine?" He sounded so cheese saying that, but honestly, at that moment, he couldn't care less.

"Of course, Bakugo Katsuki, of course," Kirishima said smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot, I have this for you," he said pulling back and taking a small box out of his pocket.

Bakugo took the box, looking up at Kirishima a little confused. The redhead motioned for Bakugo to open the box and unwrapped it before sliding the top off. The blond found a pack of cinnamon candy hearts, pokey and... "dog tags?" Bakugo asked pulling out the long chain that had two of what looked like military dog tags dangling from it.

Kirishima looked a little flustered. "I knew you weren't big on jewellery, but I thought you'd like these so I got them custom ordered," he explained. "One has your name and the other has mine. I-it's fine if you don't like it, I just wanted to get you something special."

Without a word, Bakugo slipped it on over his head and tucked it into his shirt. "Stop rambling. It's cool," Bakugo said, a light shade of pink on his cheeks as his eyes drifted to the side. Kirishima smiled. "I feel bad I didn't get you anything," Bakugo muttered.

"W-well it's not necessary, I just wanted to do something and-"

"I know," Bakugo said cutting Kirishima off. "You're free tonight, right?" He asked. Somehow Bakugo seemed a lot calmer and somehow softer as well. "I'll take you to dinner."

Kirishima's cheeks burned. "Y-you don't have to," Kirishima said. "R-really."

"I want to," Bakugo said. "Come on Kiri, I'll walk you home so you can get changed."

Bakugo started walking off and it took Kirishima a moment to register what just happened and follow. "R-right!" He said running a little to catch up.

He was happy it all worked out.

[argumentalist]

My first time building a Gundam Artifact - #006, the Full Armor Gundam.

I was hearing a lot about "Gundam Artifact" a while back... But since I'm in a fairly small, rural town I've got limited access to gunpla. And all of the online stores seemed to sell out really, really fast. I was eventually able to order a full set of Series 2 from Bandai.

The Series 2 box contains five kits, numbered sequentially from 006 to 010. The boxes for the individual kits all look identical except for a label on the top. There doesn't seem to be any unique box art or anything.

I kind of expected another simple, chunky, gashapon-style thing in the box. That's absolutely not what I got. This is a full-on plastic model kit with three runners full of tiny, tiny little parts to snip and assemble.

I'm really kind of blown-away by the detail and complexity of this kit. The pictures really aren't doing it justice. This leg here is made from eight separate parts. It's absolutely covered in little surface details. And the whole thing is about the size of a quarter. I'm stunned that they managed such intricate molding at that scale.

Everything snaps together very nicely. Very tight, solid fit. No real issues getting anything assembled. The few times things didn't want to go together it was because I was doing something wrong.

I think I probably should've glued this thing together? I don't imagine I'm ever going to need to disassemble anything? And I think some plastic cement would help solidify everything nicely... But it was already half-built when I realized that, and I didn't want to try to disassemble what I'd already built. So that's just a note for next time.

Once you've got the component bits assembled it all just slots together into the torso. The assembly isn't tricky or complicated, it's all just very tiny. Tweezers are an absolute necessity. And cleaning up gate-marks is a genuine challenge - some of those nubs are bigger than the intentional surface details.

The arms can swing up and down, the head turns, and that shoulder cannon has a bit of movement... But I would absolutely not call this "articulated" or "posable". It kind of reminds me of building a Warhammer model - where you've got one or two options/poses to pick from. It's basically a static build. A tiny little statue. An artifact.

I really want to do something to bring out all those surface details... Panel-lining, or something... But they're so tiny and intricate and absolutely everywhere... Maybe a panel-wash? Hit it with a glaze? Some Nuln Oil?

I'm genuinely impressed with this tiny little kit. There's a lot more to it than I expected. I'm certainly looking forward to building the rest of this series... And I'm hoping to track down some more.

[jaroslavlewis]

Random DCMK Things: Episode 928

I know this is a bit late so, I'll get straight to the point and just say that I absolutely love how they animated the ShinRan kiss and the whole Kyoto Arc in general. Everything was perfect from the whole big picture itself down to every little detail that it is made up of. I absolutely love how they expressed the emotions of the characters not just by conveying through the dialogue but through the nuances of the characters itself. The close up shots showing their body language, the emotional delivery of the lines and the reactions of the people around them. I've also said this before with HeiKazu in an episode where Heiji attempted to confess. I'm glad that they did this with ShinRan's most special moment as well. Congrats to the whole Detective Team!

Everything was just connected and working in a smooth-flowing harmony, not a sore thumb in sight! The whole staff did a really great job with the art and the seiiyuus were so great with their portrayal of the characters!

Okay so as I was saying, I really like how they showed every little detail of ShinRan's body language. Like here, we see Shinichi awkwardly looking away from Ran when he was being all jealous about the whole Okita thing. I love how they did two angles of this! It's just effing cute! You can clearly tell that Shinichi's so uneasy and highkey arrogant to admit that he's jealous. 😂

And here, we see Ran tiptoe-ing to reach Shinichi! Like oh my god! Whoever thought to include this shot was amazing. This reminds me of when Heiji was all fidgety with his foot when he was confessing to Kazuha! Who would've thought that foot shots could actually make a big difference in conveying the characters' emotions and actions

Anyway, here we get a grasp of ShinRan's height difference. I never really thought about it that much because on most angles the height difference doesn't seem to be too evident but here we see that Shinichi is in fact taller than Ran and it's just feels so different for him because as Conan he's so much smaller than her. This further establishes what he meant on episode 927 when he said that he feels different standing next to Ran in his original body. That he too never realized that he was taller than her. Here it sinks in that Shinichi and Ran are always together as Conan and Ran and in their daily routine Ran does get to touch Conan, like hold his hand to school or whatever but it's definitely different when Shinichi is in his normal body. Here we get a glimpse of Ran being cute and small and precious and Shinichi's just happy that this time he can actually easily reach her unlike when he's Conan. IDK if I'm making sense but we often just get to see Ran being taller than him it's no big deal but to Shinichi it definitely does. We often see Ran being motherly to Conan, protecting Conan like he's such a fragile thing. Imagine what Shinichi must've felt. For this moment, he is taller than her. Tall enough to reach her, tall enough to pull her in his arms and maybe, tall enough to protect her. This time Ran's his fragile little person to hold... And while, Ran being all mature, independent and motherly is a sight I love to see, sometimes it's just nice to see her this way. It reminds us that sometimes she needs Shinichi to depend on too.

Here, we finally see THE KISS! (in different angles just like Gosho did in the manga!) I like how Ran cut off Shinichi's rambling. I totally love how Kappei Yamaguchi did this scene especially the little startled gasp he did when Ran pulled Shinichi's tie. And the icing on top of this all is when Mai Kuraki's song fades in and this scene becomes even more beautiful than it already was. It was smoothly transitioned in the scene and it just gives more feeling to it. It was totally romantic and magical!

And when they pull away, we get a shot of Shinichi all startled and touching his cheek, where Ran kissed him. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember seeing a panel of this in the manga so I liked what they did here. I love how Shinichi lingered at the moment of it all. That he seemed to take time to absorbed what happened and his emotions are all over the place. Ahhh and Ran's adorable smile totally made Shinichi forget that he was jealous. Lol. Shinichi's such a sucker for that smile.

Also, look at Ran tilting her head when she asked him if it was good enough. Sometimes, because they are childhood friends I tend to forget that Ran would feel insecure about doing skinships with Shinichi. But as a couple, this shows how new it must seem to her. Here we see that this kiss was definitely a big leap for Ran to do. Yet another act of bravery done by our amazing girl!

People tend to overlook Ran's bravery in the series because she cries a lot. (Don't get me started on this one.) But if y'all look deeper Ran was never portrayed as a damsel in distress in the first place–lot's of episodes prove that but point is... Ran's one of the best characters ever seen in a shonen anime. She breaks the common leading lady in a shonen stereotype. Here she shows us that there's nothing wrong about girls doing the first move. There's nothing wrong about kissing your man instead of waiting for him to kiss you but she also needed that affirmation from him. "Was it good enough?" like, Is this okay? Did you really want me to kiss you? Is it okay if I touch you? This is new to me but I hope this shows what I feel about you. Because it's all new to her and she knows it's all new to him too. It's a big step for both of them and they would have to do this whole couple thing, one step at a time right?

And Shinichi's response is...

God sexual tension here is soooo damn intense. You can feel it in his voice especially when Kappei Yamaguchi as Shinichi said, "Dame darou! "

It was so whiny and strained in such an adorable way. IDK how to further express it but it's one of the loveliest things here in this scene. It sounded very new as Shinichi but it was still a Shinichi thing to do.

IDK if I'm making clear sense. But we're so used to a calm Kudo Shinichi. Even in Desperate Revival Arc where he got to hug Ran in a play and was so close to kissing her, he was still in control. But here, sister Shinichi snapped! We get a full grasp that here he's just tired of waiting. He has wasted so many moments, so many opportunities to show her he loves her and he's more than ready to take that big leap. And though he didn't get that kiss, it still makes me happy that he did pull her for a kiss. Because Shinichi is ready to take that step. He's done playing around. He's not gonna take her for granted anymore.

Also, I remember @detectivegeekshin saying that his hands seem bigger in this arc/in the frame where he puts his hands on Ran's shoulders. It's so weird but I kind of like that they animated it like that too. It seems a bit inconsistent with the old art but tbh, the DC art has been changing ever so constantly through time. 😂 But yeah, I like the way Shinichi's hands make Ran look a bit smaller and precious. Like this time, he's more in control now and he can hold her and she fits perfectly in his arms. I can only imagine how it would be like once they get to hold hands and do other couple-y stuff. Shinichi would be startled doing skinship with Ran because it is so much different is his normal body than when he is Conan.

Also it makes Shinichi look more manly. It's kinda hot lol. (I have a weird hand fetish honestly. Hahaha. Don't judge me. ≥﹏≤)

Overall, I'm just gushing over how this love arc is going so well. I'm happy for ShinRan and I'm really hoping that they'd get all the happiness they deserve.

[senrinoa]

Soma x Erina in Chapter 279

I've been meaning to talk about this since I read the Japanese version, and I've found a few things that were slightly different from MS's translation. I'll be honest, I've never liked Mangastream, normally they get pretty close to what's going on in the manga but sometimes they can really bad that's why I decided to write this post.

First let me review the chapter a bit, this is a nice relaxing chapter. It's great to see the interaction between E10 members because I can see a glimpse of good old fun Shokugeki days. The author has always been great at comedy and character interaction and it's really refreshing to see Ryo and Takumi actually conversing with each other even if it's an angry glare down contest. Seeing more characters and less drawn out food battles is definitely a positive for me.

Maybe for some people it feels like a filler chapter, and by filler I mean not exciting plot-heavy stuff. Since Erina is taken hostage (I really wished Tsukuda didn't have to take the kidnapping route) and no one is reacting to her disappearance, it's safe to assume that the news didn't break through yet but I'm sure we will get back to that soon.

I might write something about Asahi someday but I won't discuss him in this post, I just want to make some things clear especially for my fellow SouEri shippers who might not aware that the author kinda hinted Soma's feeling in chapter 279.

Let's begin with this panel! 

We all know that Nikumi's been harboring secret crush to our MC for more than 200 chapters, it doesn't surprise me that she was the one who noticed Soma's behaviour which seemed a bit unusual that day. Because when we have a crush on someone we tend to always pay attention to them, right?

Nikumi: "You seem pretty cheesed today, Yukihira. Something happen?"

Not gonna lie, when I read that panel I had to google what does "cheesed" mean because it was the first time I heard the "cheesed" word. And the result was a bit surprising to me.

"Cheesed" is a Canadian slag, it's a cheesy way to say you are pissed.

I was confused, why did Nikumi get that impression? And why would Soma be upset? Based on the context, it doesn't seem to fit there. And when I read the Japanese version, I know that MS somehow messed the translation up again.

つーか幸平今日なんか浮かれてるよな" (Tsuka Kōhei kyō nanka uka re teru yo na)

N: "Yukihira? You sure seem happy today."

Viz version

Soma looks happy and carefree all the time, its his default emotion and I'm not gonna deny that. We rarely see him mad or sad or anything but troll or cocky. But that day was different, Nikumi felt an unusual excitement from him. She even asked "did something happen?" Hmm, I wonder what made Soma so happy, it's not like he just had a really incredible romantic moment with someone he likes the night before or something, right?

Then in the next page we saw a really unimportant guy who acts like the big shot only because his shop is doing well compared to E10's shop. I love how Soma encouraged the other members by reminding them about the past generations and got everyone back together. As Nikumi had pointed out Soma seems to be in a really good mood that day, he smiling brightly while saying that he can overcome any challenge with confidence.

Soma : "今までも散々乗り越えてきたからなっ" (Ima made mo sanzan norikoete kitakara na~tsu)

"I've overcome things like this before, as always."

And I've read something similiar from the previous chapter (Thank you @doromame for telling me <3)

Erina : "何でも乗り越えられる....今までみたいにね" (Nani demo norikoe rareru... Ima made mitai ni ne)

"You can overcome every obstacle put in front of you. You always have..."

I want to emphasize these words 今 ま で (ima made) and 乗 り 越 え (norikoe), which translated to English are 'always' and 'overcome'. In raw version those two panels with Soma and Erina are very similiar to each other which some SouEri fans in Japan have pointed out, I'm saddened that most non Japanese-speaker probably missed the SouEri hint in this chapter.

It's interesting to see Soma saying the exact same words that Erina told him the night before. I believe the author's decision for using the same words isn't merely a coincidence, the Nikumi panel is supposed to be a little tease on Soma's feeling. The author wouldn't write that scene without reason.

In chapter 279 Nikumi's pointed out that Soma's looked so happy, he's smiling widely and saying he can overcome every obstacle as always. But in the previous chapter Soma was a little doubtful whether he could pass the exam or not

And Erina assuring him that she trust him to overcome the exam because he's Soma, she believes that he will always find a way.

You don't need to be a genius to put two and two together, it's very clear where those scenes are going. Soma is one of those characters who are clueless about love, he's so dense when it comes to romance and he won't realize it unless it becomes undeniable, many shounen authors usually reserve that kind of development for the very end of the manga and I'm really glad the author seems to break that trope.

The realization that you're in love with someone usually takes some time. It's the little things that add up and mark this whole process as "falling in love". Things like Erina describing Soma as her ideal type of guy without realizing it, Soma taking notice of Erina's beauty, even Erina getting all nervous about the "Nakiri's mine" thing show that although they're still at the friendship stage, we're starting to see their growing feelings towards each other.

This Asahi plot might be not my ideal way I'd have preferred for a romance arc, but not gonna lie, I'm really enjoying every moment between Soma and Erina in these recent chapters and I'm looking forward to see how far the author will go with their feelings ^^