#but here we are :'))

[the-artificem]

i couldn't draw something from act 3 for days cos i keep getting emotional at the fact that ill never see them again

[hypnautic-cereal]

Oh mama, I’m just having fun on the stage in my heels~

🩷����🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜

🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜🩷💜

Originally this was gonna be just a half-baked sketch with just the purple-y rainbow brush I use and some color, but I really wanted to go the extra mile for this

This is pretty much close to how I imagine Pink Pony Club to go in my head, except usually it’s just Eddie as Delle Ivory in his normal purple dress

~~~

Progress shots here⬇️

[secondbeatsongs]

for anyone too young to know this: watching The Truman Show is a vastly different experience now, compared to how it was before youtube and social media influencers became normal

before it was like, "what a horrifying thing to do to a human being! to take away their autonomy and privacy, all for the sake of profits! to create fake scenarios for them to react to, just to retain viewership! to ruin their happiness just so some corporate entity could harvest money from their very humanity! how could anyone do something so evil?"

and now it's like, "ah, yeah. this is still deeply fucked up, but it's pretty much what every influencer has been doing to their kids for a decade now. probably bad that we've normalized this experience"

[the-oogly-boogler]

Honestly, I wouldn't buy something labeled "Established journeys and character arcs to be expected. With your nth "John Doe, the chosen hero"" either. What I will buy and read is something with a summary. And that's something that I can find for books that aren't marketed based on "Subversive bipoc cast with trans black lesbian main character".

The problem with a lot of books I see are that they don't have a summary blurb. Instead there's "Praise for An X of O's" followed by quotes from authors I've never heard of. "By the author of An O of Y's" the back of the book assures me, as if I surely know this great book. "Fascinating and breathtaking," Someone McSomeperson of Whatever Times states, probably truthfully, though not helpfully. "Like Fargleblargen meets Visheltonken!" a part reads, presuming I both know those books and am intrigued enough by something having the vibes of those two things to drop money on this.

Yeah, subversive isn't an inherently interesting word. It is to us what "dark deconstruction" was to the 2010's. But predictable is also not inherently appealing. You know what is? PLOT!

Tell me John is going to try and tame a dragon despite dragon tamers being an ancient myth in order to win a war against an evil empire and, yes, I see where we're going with this. But I have something to grasp onto. John and his childhood best friend Faye are going up that mountain and they're coming down with at least one dragon. There will be fantasy shenanigans, yeah, but I can put up with bog standard "the elves are snobby assholes and they hate dwarves and also the monarchy is great" for dragons and a good friendship.

Tell me Annalisa goes to tame a dragon but the one she finds is fleeing something else, something blue and darker than pitch black that dwells within the forest. And she goes to it, abandoning her old friends because the evil empire needs to be stopped and anything that can stop a dragon is a viable option. Tell me she finds a beautiful, otherworldly young woman in the darkness who half-possesses her and they share a body and dark magic as they seek the aid of neighboring nations in their quest. I don't care if you subvert the asshole elves who hate dwarves and also the monarchy. I don't care if you do all of that. But I need something to hold onto.

I need a character. I need a genre, a plot, a lead who sounds like they're doing something instead of being a static protagonist. Annalisa can be a black trans lesbian. Her being those things doesn't automatically invest me in her. Her being determined enough that she's going to chase after something dragons flee in fear of is. It tells me she loves her friends and family and freedom enough to do something. "Black trans lesbian" doesn't tell me who she is. What does she want? What is she willing to do? How much is she willing to swallow down her own fear and keep trying regardless of it?

The reason John's story sells more isn't because it's conventional, although it is. It's because John sounds like a nice guy who loves his friend and country and wants to help people. "Trans black lesbian" dehumanizes Annalisa down to gender ethnicity orientation. If you don't describe John that way but you do reduce Annalisa down to that, you're priming the potential readers to view him as a character and her as a list of boxes you've checked. You're doing the equivalent of "A great book!" - Author VonSomebody instead of a blurb.

I say this as a queer POC myself: I need something that indicates the author doesn't view Annalisa as a means to an end, that end usually being 'please see me as a socially conscious writer'. I need something to tell me Annalisa is being written as a person. Describe her with a personality - headstrong, terrified but determined, perpetually sunny but secretly deeply worried - and use a word to describe her decisions that sound like ways you'd describe a person. "It's subversive and about a trans black lesbian!" is not as interesting to me as "Despite her fear, her love for her community drives her to race into the dark across the frozen lake, seeking the blue darker than black, to risk everything for a chance at hope."

You can subvert whatever the hell you want to subvert later. Make the deal go wrong, let her fall in love with the spirit who possesses her and not the male sidekick, have her realize the elves are racist assholes working with the empire to uphold the status quo instead of being the cavalry who'll swoop in to save the day, have her die midquest and wake up healed by the spirit possessing her but physically changed enough she can't convince anyone she's the same person, yadda yadda.

But before you subvert anything you need me to feel like you're writing queer BIPOC as people. Anxious, trying-her-best, smiling outside screaming inside Annalisa is being written as a person. I can get invested in a person. That person sounds interesting. I want to know her story.

"Black trans lesbian" implies either that the personality of a black trans lesbian isn't important/worth describing or that the author thinks black trans lesbian is a personality. I have no desire to read that. That sounds shitty.

Which is more interesting, this:

or the words trans black lesbian?

I really hate it when people seem to play stupid as to why more "radically diverse" books aren't bought compared to the "cookie cutter" of the week novels.

Really? REALLY? You don't understand how genre staples that are basically cookie cutter established sets of paraemters? People know what they'll get. Established journeys and character arcs to be expected. With your nth "John Doe, the chosen hero"

Vs

(And this is a indirect quote) "Subversive bipoc cast with trans black lesbian main character."

You really don't get it? Really? Come the fuck on. You can be sad about people sticking to their old horses, and leaving the new ones by the roadside. You don't need play THIS stupid about this kinda bullshit.

Hint: Old habits die hard.

Hint hint: Fucking learn to market books better than just vague tagging.

(You're also not gonna get anyone to read your preferred books if you keep insulting their faves either. No you're not gonna get readers to read other books if you call the cookie cutter books boring and old. Bonus hint for that one: If you tell them that a different book is radically different, most people will be a lot more likely to unwilling to try. People like some familiar things.)

--

[kateroning]

I don’t support jk rowlings transphobic bullshit!

[grawkenn]

[arcaneinsect]

Yeah I spent too long on this one

[ochablooms]

do we know each other?

[nosnexus]

WE'RE SO BACK BABY

[meo-eiru]

He did a fantasy photoshoot

(With some fake elf ears)

[bipolargreen]

This screen capture made me cackle. Everyone’s “I’m traumatized by what I’m seeing” face is unique 🤣

[yakichoufd]

I just gotta say, I love the amount of pet names Scott uses for Nathan in your comics it's so wholesome 😊💕💕

I guess that's my one headcanon for them! Scott only uses pet names for his baby bean!

[rozer0ry]

A nice summer day.

[aizawaondrugs]

Okay, it's a really popular trope that Danny gets rid of Jason's pit madness by cleansing the nasty ecto in him BUT!

Neverborn babies are created by two ghosts mixing their ecto together. (or maybe this is just fanon? idk, it's a crossover anyway🙌)

So I raise y'all:

Jason isn't contaminated by the pits and his ecto isn't nasty because of them. He's just really fucking traumatized and the Pit Rage part of him is literally his fucked up emotional state marinating in his ecto. There's actually no Pit Rage, he's just super fucking emotional and super fucking traumatized and mentally unstable, though he's working on that.

Danny? Poor, Danny "I want to help!" Fenton? Should've taken him to Frostbite but managed to mix his ecto into Jason's to try and cleanse the "contamination" out of it instead. Like an idiot.

Jason? He's... ghost pregnant and weirdly okay with it. He likes kids, there are no actual pregnancy symptoms to fuck up his mood. He's actually much happier now that he has something to look forward to! Frostbite said that taking care of his mental and emotional health will take care of the Pit Rage so that's also covered. Danny is sleeping on his couch. He has his own place but Jason thinks he deserves to sleep on the couch and he can and will enforce it.

Danny? Total and utter panic. He's a dad! Again if Ellie counts! What the fuck he doesn't know anything about kids or normal people things! Will the kid be full ghost because he had unknowing ghost sex with the hot revenant? Or maybe a halfa because they're both at least half alive? Is there a precedent for this?! Clockwork? CLOCKWORK HELP HIM!

Jazz? Sooooooo angry at her stupid fucking little brother. Of all the irresponsible, dumb shit he could've done this wasn't something she ever imagined! He truly outdone himself. All he needed to do was take the revenant to the Far Frozen to be treated! And what did Danny do? HE KNOCKED HIM UP! For someone so smart her little brother truly is fucking stupid!

Ellie? She's very excited! Danny and her might've mutually agreed to be cousins/siblings but that didn't mean he wasn't a better father to her than Vlad. It never was a high bar to clear but still. Baby sibling!

The Fentons? Oblivious. But when they find out? Ancients help them all.

The rest of the batfam? Also oblivious but something just isn't right with Jason. They will find out what. And when they do? Complete and utter chaos. Alfred is mildly disappointed, Bruce shut down because grandbaby and the rest are menaces. Duke is offering his services as superpowered babysitter for the superpowered baby lol

Frostbite? Shaking his head. He knew the Great One was impulsive in his youth, never really having time to truly think through his actions in those early days but he thought Danny grew out of it. Apparently, he didn't. Volunteered to be Jason's primary doctor.

(Vlad? In ghost prison lol)

[matchingbatbites]

Happy Valentine's, all. <3

Eddie doesn't want to be making this call. Literally the last thing he wants to be doing is making this specific phone call, but he'll be damned if he lets his asshole of a roommate get away with this.

After a moment the ringing stops, and a voice says "Hello?"

"Uh, hi, is this Steve?"

"It is, who is this?"

"It's Eddie, Jake's roommate? I got your number from him." Well, from his phone when he'd left it unattended one day, but Steve doesn't need to know the details. "I really, really hate to be making this call, especially the day before Valentine's, but uh. Jake is cheating on you."

The line is silent for a moment before he hears a weak "What?"

Eddie's eyes squeeze shut at the heartbreak he can hear in that single word. He hates that he's doing this, but knows it needs to be done, for Steve's sake.

"I got home from work not too long ago, and heard him with some girl in his room. I took a video, if you want proof, but I just- I thought you deserved to know."

There's a bit of shuffling on Steve's end, along with a soft sniffle. "I, uh. I don't need the video. I believe you. I'm not all that surprised, if I'm honest."

He huffs a laugh, the sound so self-deprecating that it makes Eddie's stomach twist in empathy. "Guess that makes me three-for-three on my long-term partners cheating. I'm starting to wonder what the fuck is wrong with me."

That last part is softer, like Steve was speaking to himself, but Eddie hears it and frowns, because- because Steve is lovely. He can tell that Steve is beautiful inside and out, always kind with just enough sass to make him so fun to be around.

He's always makes sure to talk to Eddie every time he comes over, even if it's just a simple greeting or goodbye, and whenever he cooks at their apartment - because he's a great cook - he always makes enough for Eddie to have some as well.

It feels wrong to hear Steve talk like this, like there's something about him that needs to be fixed. Like his previous partners were right to abuse his love and trust, instead of treating them like the treasures Eddie knows they are.

Before Eddie can speak out to reassure him, the man continues. "Thank you for telling me Eddie. Spending Valentine's alone is gonna suck, but I guess that's better than spending it with someone who doesn't care about me."

"Spend it with me."

Eddie isn't sure where the request comes from, but as soon as it leaves his mouth, it's all he wants.

Steve gives a soft "Huh?" and Eddie repeats it, "Spend it with me. A boy as pretty as you shouldn't be cooped up inside on a day like Valentine's. Let me take you out, try to salvage it for you at least a little."

Steve goes quiet, and for a solid ten seconds, Eddie is sure that he's about to be rejected.

And then Steve says "Jake was supposed to pick me up at 6:30 tomorrow. I'll come by yours at six instead, so I can break up with him before we leave. Is that okay?"

A sigh of relief, and Eddie slumps into the wall behind him. "Sounds perfect, Stevie. Wear something nice, but casual, okay?"

"I can do that. I'll see you tomorrow, Eddie. And thanks again."

Jake comes across Eddie the next evening as he's packing the last of the food into a bag. He's spent the last hour or so getting it ready, making sure it's all perfect even though it's nothing too complicated.

A meat and cheese plate with some fancy crackers, a jar of the pickled asparagus he's recently become addicted to, a bowl of diced fruit and a box of fancy chocolates he'd splurged on.

He'd even dropped money on a bouquet of roses, and he already has a few comfy blankets and pillows packed into the back of the van. Everything perfect and ready to go. When Jake sees his preparations, he lets out a low whistle.

"Wow, Eddie. Trying to impress someone?"

Eddie shrugs, trying to be as nonchalant as possible. "Yep. It's our first date, so I want it to be special. Didn't wanna go the usual, boring, fancy restaurant route."

He's sure that's what Jake had planned for himself and Steve, and it's confirmed by the way his nose wrinkles. "There's nothing wrong with spending money on your date, Eddie. If you have the money to spend, that is."

Jesus Christ, Eddie can't wait to move out of this fucking place, and away from this fucking asswipe.

"Anyway, I've gotta go pick up Steve soon, and I'm planning on bringing him back here tonight, so maybe see if you can crash with your date, yeah?"

"Sure thing-" Eddie replies, though he's interrupted by the sound of a knock ringing through the apartment. He grins wide, knowing exactly who it is. "That must be my date. Can you grab that while I finish up here?"

Jake rolls his eyes but complies, and Eddie freezes in place, not daring to make a sound so he can hear whatever interaction is about to happen.

The door opens, and he hears Jake's confused "Steve? What are you doing here? I'm supposed to be-"

"Yeah, we're not doing anything anymore. Ever again, actually."

God, Steve sounds so bitchy, and Eddie fucking loves it. He grabs the bag of food and the bouquet of roses from the counter, glad that he got dressed beforehand, and makes his way to the entry.

"What are you saying, Steve?"

"I'm saying that we're over, Jake. Maybe you can call the girl you fucked last night and take her to dinner instead."

Eddie turns the corner in time to see Jake's stunned expression, clearly not expecting Steve to throw that at him. He takes a moment to bask in the fire burning behind hazel eyes, until they slide to him and that fire vanishes, replaced with something sparkling and delighted.

"Hi, Eddie," Steve says, his demeanor changing like the flip of a switch, and Eddie beams. He steps closer and offers the bouquet of roses, along with a "Happy Valentine's, Stevie."

The money Eddie spent on the flowers was worth it to see the blush that floods Steve's face as he reaches out to take them.

"Oh, thank you. That's really sweet of you."

"What the fuck is happening right now?"

Eddie and Steve both turn to look at a very petulant and confused Jake, and Steve just smiles. "Well, you just got dumped, and my Valentine is about to take me on a date."

It takes a moment, but something must finally click, because Jake's face goes red with rage. Eddie just grabs Steve's arm, guiding him out of the apartment before the man can actually do something.

"So what's the plan?" Steve asks as he takes Eddie's hand, lacing their fingers together as Eddie leads him to his van.

"Well, uh. The next town over still has a drive in theater, and they're showing some old romance movies tonight. The drive to get there is pretty nice, and we'll actually have some time to talk, and then- I have some blankets and pillows in the back of the van, and I brought food so we can do a picnic during the movies. I mean, if- if that sounds good to you."

Steve's eyes are sparkling again as Eddie rambles, and he squeezes their hands in delight. "That sounds perfect, Eds."

By the time Eddie gets home late that night, he's learned two things:

The first is that Steve had already been debating on breaking up with Jake before this whole fiasco, but the thing stopping him was that he actually likes being around Eddie, and he thought wanting to hang out with his ex-boyfriend's roommate would be too weird.

The second thing Eddie's learned is that Steve's smile tastes like dark chocolate and sunshine, and kissing him might just be Eddie's new favorite hobby.

(Eddie does eventually show the video to Steve, just to reassure him that he didn't break them up so Eddie could date him instead. The only comment Steve makes is "She's definitely faking, his dick game isn't that good.")