#but people who take art and repost it have no excuse

[resuri-art]

I just witnessed a new type of bullshit. Art being reposted without permission (the usual) with credit (doesn't change the repost but at least there is that) but credit to another reporter and not the real artist (gjkglskglslfmmglsl)

[moonspirit]

Not to be a party pooper by saying this lol, but I keep seeing a lot of blogs (aot and otherwise) that repost artists' fanart without permission. Some others repost them and give credits to the OG artist but that doesn't mean much when the OG artist has never given permission for their art to be reposted outside of where they originally shared it themselves. These blogs can easily be identified with a quick check. If they are artists themselves, it'll be obvious. If they aren't, and all the fanart on their blog is of varying art-styles, and they never have permission stated on those posts, you can be sure they stole that artwork from somewhere and then posted it on Tumblr for the engagement.

Especially if you see "idk who drew this but it's awesome!!!" that is stolen artwork lol.

[sayingyournames]

not to be an asshole, but like i’m so tired of being nice - y’all are not entitled to fanfiction or fan art. writers and artists have every fuckin’ right to take our work down whenever we want and for whatever reason we want, and we don’t owe anyone an explanation about that.

reposting art without permission is a shitty thing to do. yes, even if you give “credit” and no, “all credit to the artist : )” doesn’t count.

reposting fic without permission is a shitty thing to do, period, no excuses.

fan fiction belongs to the person or people who wrote it, i don’t care how “popular” it is. none of the writers you claim to love are fuckin’ celebrities they’re regular people just like you and all they want is the basic decency for readers to respect their boundaries and y’all can’t even do that.

it’s embarrassing, and i can’t stand y’all.

[kurishiri]

14 . . . main story

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or may contain creative liberties. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost or claim these as your own!

— cw: obsessive, stalkerish, kind of controlling behavior.

The art dealer from the ‘Bernard Company’ arrived at Lord Elbert’s manor the next day.

Of course, the people here did not hold a shred of doubt that the person they welcomed in the manor was simply ‘Lord Elbert’s work partner.’

(To be honest, facing him directly now that I understood that he was a member of the ‘Bernard Company’...)

(...is really painful.)

Acting as Lord Elbert’s assistant, I was to accompany him in this deal.

When I thought of how he was a member of the organization that had tried to kill Daisy, my chest became more heavy every time I gave a superficial smile.

Lord Elbert was indifferently talking with the art dealer...

(But Lord Elbert is probably also hurting as we speak.)

The memories we had shared together the day Daisy had passed only more strongly confirmed this.

(He looks as he does any other day, but... perhaps, the reason why is because he had become too accustomed to the pain.)

Art dealer: All of the pieces before you are rare goods of top-class quality. You probably won’t be able to get them anywhere but here.

The art pieces and jewelry the dealer brought with him were lined up in a row, and clearly in high spirits, he questioned Lord Elbert.

Art dealer: Well, might there be pieces befitting that of a count?

Elbert: ......All of them.

Art dealer: Excuse me?

Elbert: Leave them all here, please.

With just a short glance at the pieces lined up before us, Lord Elbert had made his decision.

Art dealer: ...I see. I did have an inkling you’d say so based on the party and also some rumors I’d heard in passing, but goodness gracious.

The art dealer seemed to be scheming something, and his eyes narrowed like a razor beneath his silk hat.

Art dealer: It appears you are quite obsessed with beauty too, no?

Elbert: ...‘Too’?

Art dealer: Well, seeing that I do consider you a true collector, I would like to make a proposition.

The art dealer adjusted his seating and lowered his voice, almost as though he were divulging a secret.

Art dealer: Next time, the top of the Company, Gabriel Bernard,

Art dealer: will invite honored guests from outside the country to hold an auction.

(...!)

(When he says ‘top’——he must mean the head of this criminal organization.)

Art dealer: The special showcase is a rare blue diamond of over 60 carats, regarded as the most beautiful in this world and beyond.

Art dealer: And I would like to extend an invitation to you to attend that auction. How about it? Is it to your fancy?

(...Which means, he’s been accepted as someone ‘invited to their domain.’)

Accepting the invitation would unmistakably be a crucial development to the mission given by Her Majesty.)

Elbert: ......Alright, I accept.

Art dealer: Ahh, I’m glad! I will send the invitation to you at a later date.

Art dealer: Well then, please sign here for the payment.

When the negotiations were finished, Jeffrey, who had been waiting next to us, approached and led the art dealer out of the lobby.

The moment he was out of the room, suddenly, I casually looked toward him.

Jeffrey: ...

Our eyes met for a mere moment, I felt something lingering.

(He probably doesn’t take to me well. In fact, it’s natural for him to think that way...)

This morning, I visited Lord Elbert early.

I didn’t want him to go through what he did yesterday while changing clothes.

(At the very least, while I’m here, I don’t want Lord Elbert to go through things that caused him pain.)

If it was for that, I didn’t mind being the object of someone’s hate.

Elbert: The world’s most beautiful jewel, he said...

E: ...What is that, I wonder.

Those few words seemed to spill out in a murmur, drawing my attention back to Lord Elbert.

Kate: I... can’t help but be curious about it, too. But it’s surely something very pretty, I would think.

Elbert: ...If you say so, then it might be the case.

His golden locks of hair covered the edge of his eyes, which themselves seemed like jewels, as he looked up, as if imagining what such a gem could look like.

(Something like a 60-carat diamond... is beyond my imagination.)

It could be something so beautiful that it would make everything I ever laid my eyes upon so far seem like a blurry haze.

(If Lord Elbert saw something like that... he might end up not wanting me anymore.)

He might think that his thoughts of me being beautiful, of wanting me, might have been a misunderstanding.

(But, if it would help relieve Lord Elbert’s pain, then maybe that would be for the best...)

(...but, still, I would be lonely, if it really turned out that way.)

I shook my head at the words whispering from the back of my mind.

(What am I thinking?)

(I want Lord Elbert to feel that ‘it’s okay to not have to collect beautiful things anymore.’)

Elbert: ...Kate.

Kate: ! Yes!?

Elbert: ... [surprised]

My voice had come out more loud than I intended, and Lord Elbert widened his eyes in surprise.

Elbert: You had gone quiet, shaking your head, and I thought you might feel unwell...

E: ...Is something the matter?

Even after he had said that he ‘wanted to have me,’ as if I were some object in his eyes,

he had extended that consideration I always knew he had within him to me, as if it were the most normal thing to do... and it hurt my heart.

Kate: Thank you for your concern. I was just thinking about some things.

Elbert: Is that so... then that’s good.

E: ...

E: ...Were you thinking of something, other than me?

Kate: Eh!? Umm... it... does have something with you, too, Lord Elbert.

Elbert: ......I see.

Lord Elbert seemed to accept my answer as it was, and his expression softened a little.

Elbert: We have no more business here in the manor... so let’s return to the castle today.

(I see... it must be because he had grasped the chance to infiltrate into the Bernard Company.)

(So, there is no reason to be here in the manor.)

Kate: Okay, I’ll start preparing then!

If it meant we could get out of here sooner, I had no complaints.

(If it’s Crown Castle, then Lord Elbert will be safe there, and... we probably won’t be together, just the two of us, as often.)

(If so, then I’ll have more time to think a little more calmly about a way to end this cycle of atonement.)

Kate: Well then, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll meet you in a bit.

Elbert: Alright.

Alfons: ......

—— Neutral POV ——

When the door closed behind Kate’s retreating figure, and the sound of her footsteps grew more distant,

Alfons, who had posed as a spectator during the negotiation, opened his mouth to speak.

Alfons: ...What a sore miscalculation on my part.

Elbert: ...What do you mean?

Alfons: I’ve told you time and time again that Kate is not beautiful.

A: So, why did you say something like you wanted to have her again?

Alfons asked out of simple curiosity, and in response, Elbert turned toward the door from which Kate had left.

Elbert: ...I don’t know.

E: Just that... I thought she was, beautiful—

E: —so, I must have her.

Those eyes become clouded over by a dark, heavy obsession.

Alfons: ...Is that so.

Alfons, as if having given up on something, let out a resigned sigh.

Alfons: Well then, shall I prepare something like a glass casket for you?

As if he were looking on at a play while knowing its ending, his chin rested on his hand, his elbow on the armrest of his chair.

—— Kate’s POV ——

We departed from the manor before twilight, and we returned to Crown Castle the next morning.

Victor: My dear Elbert, Alfons, and Kate! How are you enjoying your first breakfast at the castle in a loooong time?

V: Hm... oh? What’s this I see now?

(Ahh... I feel like I know where this is going...)

V: If my eyes do not deceive me, it seems Elbert has become completely smitten with Kate.

Harrison: I’m not sure I’d call that ‘smitten’... It’s more like...

Alfons: Why, of course, Lord Elbie is trying to win her heart over.

(Um, I mean you’re not wrong, but you’re not right either...!)

While retorting in my mind, I glanced beside me.

(This morning, when I finished my routine and left my room, Lord Elbert was there waiting for me,)

(and he invited me to breakfast, together with him...)

And so now, I was sitting next to him, with his eyes on me, as I ate breakfast.

Elbert: ......

(It’s not like this is the first time I’ve felt Lord Elbert’s eyes on me...)

(but it’s the first time he’s looked at me for such a long time... maybe...)

Kate: Um... do I... have a bed head or something...?

Elbert: No... you don’t. You look very pretty.

Kate: T-thank you. Then, can I ask why you are, um...

‘looking right at me,’ is what I wanted to ask, but my words got stuck.

Elbert: ...Because, I want you to think about me as much as possible.

E: ...So that you can’t think about anyone else.

Kate: Ah, uh... I, see...

Elbert: Mn...

All of a sudden, the flavor of the food seemed to dull.

(I know that everything he does is to ‘have me’. I know that...)

(...but, if someone I liked told me this...)

(I would be so happy... I wouldn’t need to hear any reason...)

Trying to hide my reddening cheeks, I cast my eyes down, pretending to be absorbed in cutting the asparagus, but...

Alfons: That’s the spirit, Lord Elbert. The countdown before Kate breaks down is starting.

Kate: !? Alfons...?

He seemed to be egging on Lord Elbert with those words, and I couldn’t help but look up at him.

Where in the world did the Alfons who warned me to stay away from Lord Elbert go?

He was sitting across from Lord Elbert, and he smiled at me as if seeing through me feeling shaken.

Alfons: Unfortunately, it appears you are already beyond the point of no return...

A: So I thought, why not have you entertain me, then, as a spectator, now that it’s come to this?

(...I see, so it’s like that.)

(He means that he won’t warn me, nor will he try to stop Lord Elbert anymore...)

(I ended up ignoring his warnings, even after three times, so I can’t blame him for turning the other way, but this was such a sudden change of attitude that I couldn’t help but feel baffled.)

Elbert: ...Kate. Look here.

Kate: Uh...?

I could hardly say anything before Lord Elbert cupped my cheeks with both his hands, turning my face toward him.

Elbert: ...You, looked at Al longer than you have at me.

Kate: ...That’s not it...

Elbert: It is...

(Um...)

I couldn’t take the power his peerless beauty had on me in close proximity, and so I closed my eyes shut.

Elbert: Why are you closing your eyes... open them, please.

Kate: I-if you step away from me, I will...

Elbert: ...You won’t look at Al?

Kate: I won’t, I won’t anymore, so...

I felt his hands withdraw from my cheek, and I opened my eyes again.

I tried to calm my very quick heartbeat, and when I looked back at those blue eyes,

Elbert: ......

A satisfied smile played on Lord Elbert’s lips, and I thought my breath was going to stop.

(To think I could have time to calmly think if we weren’t together... how naïve that was of me.)

Being sought after like this by Lord Elbert... there was no way I could be calm.

Victor: I have to say, I’m kiiinda getting a little jealous of them. Don’t you agree, Harrison!

Harrison: Hey, don’t grab onto my shoulders. I’m trying to eat here.

The playful exchange from beside me brought me back to my senses.

(The subject... let’s change the subject...!)

Kate: C-come to think of it, are you not going to eat, Lord Elbert?

Elbert: ...? Eat what?

Alfons: That is a bit of a tasteless answer, Elbie. Of course, whatever else could she be referring to but herself?

Kate: No, I meant breakfast.

Elbert: ...Now that you mention it... I had forgotten.

After looking at the breakfast before him for a while,

he pierced an apple slice with his fork, and brought it up to his lips in a graceful motion.

(An apple...)

Kate: Lord Elbert, do the apples today taste good too?

I remembered the day we went out to eat lunch together, and I asked him before I could think.

Elbert: ...Yes. ...It’s delicious.

(‘Delicious’...)

With just that word alone, all of my nervousness and unease disappeared like the waves pulling back to the waters,

leaving my heart filled only with a warm happiness.

(It’s not as though I understand what’s in his heart from those words alone...)

Like that day, he had said the apple was delicious, and I was so happy that a broad smile formed on my lips.

Kate: ...I’m glad.

Elbert: ...

(I got so distracted by him seeking me out, that I almost lost sight of what was important.)

(I... wanted Lord Elbert to smile.)

I reminded myself to not get distracted, and continued eating. When I did, Lord Elbert started to eat as well, little by little, next to me.

Kate: This asparagus is really good. It’s really sweet.

Elbert: ...Mn.

And then, around the time breakfast was going to end peacefully, Victor spoke to me.

Victor: Oh, yes, Kate. Once you’re done eating, could I borrow a bit of your time?

Kate: ...? Yes, sure.

Elbert: ......

—— Time skip ——

Kate: A ‘midterm report’...?

Victor: Yes, that’s right. It seems you’ve been writing a lot of memos as the Fairytale Keeper, so I thought it was about time, you see.

Kate: Alright then. I’ll turn in a formal report.

(...Hm? Wait a minute. The things I can report on...)

After I said yes, I realized that the only topic I could really report on was Lord Elbert.

Kate: Um... actually, I’m sorry, but I don’t really know anyone else aside from Lord Elbert that well...

K: I barely know Alfons as things stand now...

Victor: Yes, that’s fine. You can just write about Lord Elbert then.

V: Also, there is no need to rush, so take things at your own pace. Anyway, that’s all I had to say. Sorry for calling you in so suddenly.

(As Fairytale Keeper, my job to record the ‘sins of the Cursed as was determined by their fates’...)

(...That was the condition for me to return to my normal life.)

‘The Cursed are fated to meet a tragic end’——

I remember hearing that before.

(And, if I remember right, Alfons had said Lord Elbert’s Curse was...)

(‘The Greedy Queen.’)

With a bow, I was about to leave the room, but then I turned back toward Victor.

Victor: What is it?

Kate: ...I’m, a little curious.

Kate: About what Lord Elbert’s tragic fate is, based on the Curse of the Greedy Queen.

Jet black eyes had me apprehended.

For a moment, as if being covered by a veil of night, the room grew silent.

Victor: ‘Never feeling satisfied or fulfilled, he will end up with nothing.’ That is his Cursed fate.

(Never feeling satisfied or fulfilled... he will, end up with nothing...)

Kate: Thank you... for that.

As if swallowing a stone down, my heart grew heavier.

His Cursed fate was like a verdict, that I could do nothing to bring Lord Elbert out of his deep, dark sadness.

Elbert: ...Kate.

When I left the lounge, Lord Elbert was waiting for me, leaning against the windowsill.

Kate: Lord Elbert...! What’s wrong?

Elbert: I was waiting for you. ...Because, I want to spend as much time with you, as possible.

It was as though that was the most natural response in the world, and I felt my heart throb sweetly again.

(This is, to steal my heart... in order to have me.)

(That’s... how it should be... and yet...)

The love I had tried to keep a secret in my heart whispered in my ear, and I couldn’t help but to feel there was more meaning to his words than that.

Elbert: What were you talking about? With Victor.

Kate: About my job as Fairytale Keeper. He wants me to turn in a midterm report.

Elbert: I see......

Kate: What about you, Lord Elbert? What are your plans for today?

Elbert: Nothing, in particular. ...Until the auction, like you, I have a little bit of paperwork to do.

(If I said ‘then let us do our jobs,’ then I would be able to get some time to think alone.)

(We had just returned from the mansion, so I... don’t want to leave Lord Elbert on his own.)

Kate: Then, let’s relax together today. Is there anywhere you’d like to go?

Elbert: ...If I can be with you, then I’d be happy going anywhere.

E: But, it would be nice if we could go... to a place where no other person can come between us.

Lord Elbert stared intently at the lounge door.

(...Is he, seriously worried about me being called by Victor...?)

I could feel something similar to envy in his gaze, and I felt a little excited.

(How nice it would be, if this was a simple jealousy though...)

I put a lid over such thoughts, and instead I thought about what I was going to do from here.

Kate: So, maybe we shouldn’t go out in the city.

K: If possible, I’d like you to be able to have fun, but...

K: ...what do you enjoy doing, Lord Elbert?

Elbert: ...Enjoy...?

He made a face as though he had never even thought about it, and seeing that hurt my heart.

His own happiness, and his own enjoyment——just how much had this person before me deprived himself of those things?

(I would like to spend time somewhere warm, and bright...)

(...to the point there was no room for sadness to slip through the cracks.)

Kate: ...How about, a picnic? I know of a wonderful flower field with very few people.

Elbert: ...A flower field... with very few people...

E: I feel that would make me... want to carry you away, and have you to myself...

E: But, if that’s alright with you, then——let’s go.

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[jetsteelyourheart]

My top 5 Crackships

Inspired by my top 5 8 characters thing going around, I want you all to vote on your favorite of my Top 5 Questionable Rare pairs

I will be providing excuses reasoning excuses below the poll, so if you feel like roasting me properly seeing my justifications, do that - or don't!

And remember, they're fictional characters, so it costs nothing to be normal about this and have fun

*Not all of these are controversial, but those that are? watch out!

Excuses:

Zuki:

If you follow me then you know I'm an OG Zutara fan, but on the rare occasions I'm feeling Cannon Compliant, Zuki is my go too ship. This has all to do with the comics, where basically Zuko's only confidant is Suki and you get wild panels of them looking at each other like this:

I was devistated when Korra came out and it seemed like Sokka and Suki didn't last, but if the above is why, then I'll take it.

Stobin:

I am going to get so much flack for this one I think. BUT. Consider: The cannon ships in the show are generally not well written. I like Hopper/Joyce, I like Max/Lucas, but Nancy/Jonathan and especially Mike/Eleven do literally nothing for me, they are so bland. I do see the irony that one of the things that makes Stobin well written is because its one sided on Steve's part because Robin is gay. But their interactions are literally the reason to watch the show if you ask me. Pushing past these excuses though, I just kinda dig the ship. In my head its an open poly situation for certain, but sexuality is so wild and fluid and weird, and Gold Star status is gatekeepy at best anyway, so like, why the fuck not. I had a great aunt who had an open marriage with a gay man, (big beard behavior) and they had kids and did everything together. Its like... Platonic soulmates + if you will. And that's what I want for Stobin. Platonic soulmates + and a big ole polycule surrounding them. Or maybe its just my incoherent bisexual ass talking

(If I could put fan-art with the polycule in it I would but I wouldn't repost someones art like that... so I'm stuck with cannon images)

Zacknei:

No one has played this game. When people think Zack, they either ship Cloud or Aerith, and honestly I ship both those as well (though ClAerTi will always be my top for them). But I love Cissnei. She has big Sydney Sage energy for me, and all of Zack's emotional beats in the second half of the game surround her (...or cloud) not Aerith (just for the record). Also if you join all the fanclubs and work hard you get invited to your own fanclub and I'm pretty sure there's evidence that Cissnei is the president which is hilarious. I just love their interactions and was DEVASTATED at the end. Analytical Girl & PuppyDogHimbo is a beautiful ship dynamic. Also Rick Gomez will always be my Zack Fair VA. I hate the new guy so much (and its not his fault!! Sorry man!)

Aquarella:

So the section is really short. But my god. Cinderella and Aqua have the most chemistry of any character in that game series bar none. I'm including Riku and Sora in this. I'm including Roxas and Axel. Ok, not really this is not the hill I want to die on. BUT. At least in Birth By Sleep, this is the emotional high-point. Aqua taking her hand like a gentleman at a ball? The way Aqua saves Cinderella from getting run over by her demonic carriage??? The way she lovingly protects Cindy's body with hers? Did you see Prince whats his face doing any of that ? NO. And then. If Aqua were a guy everyone would've seen it when this game came out (but I guess gay people weren't invented until 2015 or whatever.

look how devastated Aqua is when Cinderella goes to Charming at the end. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEM.

Sorayla:

I really do like Raylum, but this is a poll on my hot take rare-pairs, not cannon compliance. Let me start off by saying, no, I haven't seen this season yet, it only came out twelve hours ago whats wrong with you? This pair grew on me starting in Season 4 after the time skip. I think it goes along side my preoccupation with tough smart girls and their dumbass golden retriever himbos. They have a nice trajectory, and with Callum going a lil dark and edgy on us recently, I like their banter a lot. Especially in Season 4 I was surprised by them and I crave more adventures with the two of them alone. I don't think it will ever happen, but I like it none the less. They bring a certain... Sokka & Suki vibe to the party that I'm here for.

Anyway, I tag @ebbilayart @retiredficwriter & anyone who decides to do it!

And if no one feels like setting themselves up as a target, that's good too!

[kitconnor]

to sum up what i’m going to say in short: stop gif reposting because oh my god you cannot justify it, excuse it or whatever you’ll try to say to shake it off. 

in the past MONTH ALONE i have encountered THREE REPOSTERS. until this year, i hadn’t encountered ONE.  now as much you thirst over notes and want to popular or whatever, you are damaging a rather integral part of this site !! i don’t know about other creators but i’m personally feeling a little bit disheartened about creating atm bc not even watermarks are stopping reposters anymore. you just act like a bitch whenever you’re confronted.

so, without further adieu, let’s look at who’s trying to destroy gifing right now !

CONSTANTLY-TRAGIC

reposted wednesday gifs of multiple users 

as well as reposting miscellaneous gifs in personal posts.

BLUMENCIA (og callout here)

reposted addams family gifs

reposted wednesday gifs

reposted gifs WITH A WATERMARK

as well as reposting miscellaneous gifs as ‘aesthetics’. this user claims that as long as the gifs are on the internet, the gifs are supposedly “everyone’s”. COMPLETELY missing the point that gifmakers individually create, colour, crop and make their OWN GIFS. 

THAT-BI-MULTIFANDOM-MESS

reposted marvel gifs

reposted x-men gifs

reposted marvel gifs

i’m actually only linking three examples, because that shit goes ON AND ON. that entire blog is a collection of stolen gifs from so many people.

i really don’t care if i sound like a fed-up, annoying gif maker rn because this shit shouldn’t even have to be said. gifmaking is NOT a hard thing to learn ! you don’t HAVE to have photoshop - there’s free alternatives !  if you want to make gifs, cool, fine !! that’s encouraged !! find your resources, ask your local gifmaker and they’ll help you get started !! but this whole business of right-click-save followed by upload-post-claim-i-made-these and then having the AUDACITY to get mad when a gifmaker responds with justified anger is so fucking LOW like we KNOW they aren’t yours !! stop trying to pretend they are !!

so, that’s that. there’s really nothing more to say. just. don’t repost. don’t steal shit. don’t steal art, or edits and especially not gifs. everyone who creates visual content of any kind owns that shit. you don’t have the rights to walk in and take it from them now or ever !!

don’t !! steal !! gifs !!

[pxayopina-unilsiyu]

Credit art when you use it. It isn't hard.

Since some of you on Tumblr, especially in the Avatar fandom, are unfamiliar with art usage etiquette, allow me, an artist, to direct you on what is considered ethical and legal usage of artwork you didn't make.

Credit. Shit. When. You. Use. It.

You do not have an excuse for not doing this, it's incredibly simple. Find the original artist (which you don't need to do if you're taking straight from the source) and credit them either immediately below the artwork or at the end of your post. No hiding credit in the tags.

"Credit to artist" IS NOT CREDIT.

Nor is any variation of it such as "not created by me" or "credit to [random pinterest account]. Credit is specific and direct. You do not see "credit to visual effects artists" in the end credits of a film. You see names. Online, you should always credit someone's social media handle.

But I can't find credit!

Then do not use it. It's literally that simple. Don't know who made it? Either make an effort to find out or leave it alone.

If an artist says not to use something in a certain way, DO NOT USE IT THAT WAY.

Always check people's bios, watermarks, etc. to see if they list their terms of use for the art. If you're unsure, message them directly. "Do not repost" means DO NOT REPOST. "Do not use" means DO NOT USE, FOR ANYTHING.

People pay money for art, you know.

The art you carelessly download and use for your fics or roleplays could very well have costed upwards of hundreds of dollars. Ask yourself how fair it is for you to take it and use it willy nilly without paying, whereas the commissioner paid their hard-earned money to have it created. It isn't fair at all.

Other people's original characters are not yours.

Not everyone is okay with their original characters' likenesses being adopted for your own. Original characters can be extremely special and personal, it can be insulting and heartbreaking for their likenesses to be stolen and assigned to completely different characters. Ask yourself how that shit would make you feel. I can tell you first-hand it doesn't feel great.

But Pinterest--

Pinterest and other repost sites are plagues to artists, just don't use them for sourcing art.

Who cares? If they posted it online then it's free to use!

The law cares, and no, that isn't true. Art created by human hands has automatic copyright given to it. It is against copyright law to use artwork made by others in a way they have not permitted. Yes, fair use exists, but fair use is not a get-out-of-jail free card to use whatever material you find online. To be protected by fair use, your use of copyrighted material has to be transformative for the purposes of commentary, demonstration, or parody. Grabbing art off the internet to use for fics or roleplay is none of those things. It does not apply.

Are artists gonna sue you for using our art? Probably not, because we're all broke ass bitches who can't afford lawyers, but this is like, common decency, yo. Also, we can file DMCA takedowns against your posts / accounts for using our art without authorization, and guess what happens if you rack up enough of those?

Just ask!

If you really want to use a piece of art, consider just... reaching out and asking the artist who made it if it's okay to use noncommercially and with credit. A lot of the time, the act of reaching out and getting permission puts you in our good favor. A lot of the time, the answer will be yes. Just ask. We won't bite your head off. Just be willing to take "no" for an answer.

Thanks and have a sexy day

[three-maddys-in-a-trenchcoat]

mannnn.... don't be taking commissions for fanart/doujinshi translations. that's unethical as hell. it's just art reposting except you're also getting paid for it. i've seen artists be demoralized by seeing this behavior. you're not invisible to them. they will see it eventually and your excuses about "helping them" will be worthless. if they wanted your help, they would have asked for it.

please treat the artists as people who you can talk with and build trust and friendly relationships with because i can guarantee you that that's the case! clearly you have the language skill, so no excuses! if i can do it, you can too.

"but they don't have DMs/replies open!" that's a shame but that means leave them and their stuff alone. it's not your place to say. you're not entitled to it.

i think people have become so piracy-pilled that they forget that they're not dealing with a faceless corporation, but instead an individual who is often selling at a loss because they're using art to express their love of a series. and that loss isn't even including the labor costs. as one artist said, "i don't think people realize that drawing a doujinshi is like donating part of your soul."

this isn't an anti-piracy post, it's a pro-"treat other people online as individuals with feelings that you should consider" post. i'm a data hoarder and digital preservationist to my core, but there are still ethics involved in how you conduct yourself. i think that you should always ask permission even if you're doing it for free, but if you're accepting money to repost without permission, then you're violating even the moral standards of pirates.

also, jfyi, a lot of people doing this stuff use DeepL or something similar and often insert false translations just for laughs. you can't trust these people. they don't care about the original artist, why would they care about you?

[petite-madame]

I love that you are so kind to people. And your art is amazing! I enjoy it so much. Thank you for making my days better! ❤️

Hi anon ^^

Thank you so much for your very kind message and for taking the time to contact me. 💕

And your art is amazing! Thank you for making my days better!

Please! Thank YOU so much for enjoying my art and making my days better with a message like this one. ❤

Speaking of "art", I'm not working on anything "serious" at the moment. I'm just doing speed paintings/color studies with a lot of "John Watson in the means of transportation" (which doesn't really make sense because you don't see him a lot in the train/tube in the show. The characters use London cabs most of the time). Honestly, it's just an excuse to practice lights and texture. It seems "finished" but in reality, except for the face that I worked in detail, the rest is a speed painting done with texturized brushes (you also have a texture on the window to create droplets on the glass, but that's about it)

I'm also drawing Lestrade in a phone booth at night, don't ask.

Otherwise, all the WIPs in this post are pretty much done. Some of them will be posted with ficlets like the Spideypool art I posted about two days ago. Everything is in betaing. However, the next artwork won't have a ficlet, it's the "Johnlock kiss in the crowded bus" (I also posted a vid about it here).

I love that you are so kind to people.

I'm trying. It's not always easy particularly these days. Artists have to fight (stubborn) reposters, people who sell our works without permission, NFT platforms, AI generated art, etc. It's exhausting but hey, we have to stay hopeful, I guess 😅

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season. Have a great day. 💖

[scarygirlsteakhouse]

A lot of people in the td fandom are really obsessed with people they don't know I'm just gonna say that's like, really unhealthy lol. Don't make it a core part of the community.

Like, woah, someone had a bad take, okay. Why do you have to keep talking about EVERY bad take or poorly made art you see. Just ignore it, even call it out where you see it. I have no idea why reposting stuff has become such a community trend. To me, it feels like some excuse for people to feel that they're 'better' than someone else for the way they like total drama or something. A lot of community talk has shifted to less talk of the actual SHOW to simply just being upset over a post they saw somewhere. Like I understand, there's limited canon content but, reaaalllyyy?

And as much as I find the 'takes' accounts amusing myself, I can't help but think that they're perpetuators of this kind of behavior. But also I guess the reposting of old stuff, but to me that feels a lil' less serious.

Sorry for the ramble, but it's my genuine feelings. I want to see more about the show and fun fanon content, not some gossip slop over who was the worst opinion or whatever. I'm always very anti-gossip. I guess that makes me a lil' boring, but I think my opinion is substantiated.

[multiversemusings]

Be Yourself

Rating: PG-13 Warnings: Mentions of childhood trauma. Surpressed emotions. Mentions of mental manipulation. Language. Pairing: Stephen Strange x MReader Summary: You always have a mask on when you are out at gatherings, and you have always hated it. But the person you are was never accepted by anyone in your family and you were taught that you had to be a specific way in public. You've perfected the art of keeping your true self under wraps: Or so you thought. When a handsome stranger shows up to your friend's wedding, you start to think that someone may finally see who you are, not what you've presented. Song Inspiration: Waves That Roll You Under by Young Summer Part 1/5

A/N: Christine and Stephen were never together at any given point; she was his most trusted friend since childhood and colleague. He got the job for her after becoming a surgeon. He had a lover and so did reader, but who they were won't come to light in this part.

All writings belong to @multiversemusings. Do not steal, repost as your own or take credit for my work. If you have a request, please put it in my inbox!

Well, this is just fantastic, he thought to himself. I'm supposed to be here to support my friend on their big day and I've somehow gotten dragged into a conversation about stocks again.

He'd been invited to Christine's wedding after working with her for the last five years in the ER and introducing her to Charlie from accounting since they'd been friends since high school. They had been honored by the invitation, thrilled to be the best man for their childhood friend and remain a part of his life as he started the next chapter in his own. He knew Christine would be good for Charlie after they had discussed fundamentals of relationships a little the year prior to meeting the lovely ER nurse. So, when they had asked him to be a part of their big day, of course there was no way he was going to say no. Even still, life had a way of reminding him exactly what he was. As the reception party started, a couple of their partners had approached him and began to start talking about the funds going in and out of the hospital and what the board was going to be doing with it. When he was growing up, his father had told him that if he couldn't handle business, he would never amount to anything in the material world and would be a disgrace to their lineage. So, when numbers came into the conversation, he was quick to fall into calculations and suggestions about what the best way to distribute the funds. He also made suggestions of how to make sure things remained fair enough that people and staff could get equal care and benefits. His mother told him that the award-winning smile he had was one of the things that would benefit the business world, just like his father, so he had always made sure to smile when he knew the situation dictated it even if he didn't want to. For all pretense and purposes, he was the perfect business gentleman who knew how to work the crowd and reassure everyone around him that he knew exactly what was going on and he was always in the know. What he actually was, would be tired. He had been at this conversation for a little over an hour but wouldn't excuse himself for any reason unless it was urgent. Which given the situation of the day, it wasn't likely that he would be getting out of it any time soon. His fingers itched to tap the neck of his champagne flute anxiously, his foot begged to be tapped in agitation because he knew that there were things that he could be doing for the couple to make sure their day was the best it could be. Yet he stood there, patiently and calmly, ignoring his body's wants in favor of keeping the conversation flowing easily.

"Hopefully Braxton sees things the way you do, Stormy," the woman said in a worried manner. This woman was one of the few people you trusted with your personal nickname that had been given to you years ago by someone you loved and lost. "I just want to know that we're giving the employees and the best we can offer while still being able to pacify the insurance companies."

"I assure you; we're doing all we can," he told her, his smile still present. Just as he was about to speak again, he became very aware that there was a strange sensation on the back of his neck that prickled like electricity. It reminded him of the way that he would feel when he encountered a spirit in the hallways of the hospital. His sixth sense suddenly became very alert of the fact that he was being watched from somewhere. Still, he didn't acknowledge it in favor of continuing his thoughts. "The prices on the bonds will be going up within the next couple of months as the flu season starts coming into play and we'll see a huge pay off. The employees will be able to get a raise from the influx we get from our partners, and we can still offer care to patients even if they don't have insurance. In an ideal world, the government would drop rates as well, but we both know that's not likely to happen."

"Indeed not," the woman replied. She took a sip of her wine before a man off to the side of the room called her name, so she lowered her glass and smiled at him. "Thank you for your insight, dear. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thank you, Mrs. Grey." He kept his smile as he watched her walk away before turning to head for the bar as he finally allowed his face to relax, and he exhaled. He set his glass down and the bartender walked over to him. When he went to refill it with champagne, a deep voice as smooth as black silk spoke to his left.

"Make it a Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, bar keep," the man said with a smile as he stepped up next to him, setting his own glass down. "And a refill for myself, please. Thank you."

He stared impressed at the man's taste in wine before looking at him and was immediately struck by the icy blue of his eyes and the warmth in his smile. There was something familiar about that smile, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, exactly. His sixth sense, however, did inform him that this was the person who had been watching him from across the room earlier. When his glass was set down and the flute moved as well as the man's martini being refilled, he smiled at him.

"You have great taste, sir," he replied with a smile.

"My treat, for you keeping up with Harriet for so long," he replied, implying by the first name that he knew the woman. "She lost my interest back when she started talking about Bill Lauren taking over the third seat on the board. The fact that not only did you keep your smile, but you kept the conversation flowing without conflict or difference of opinion was worthy of a Nobel Peace prize."

"You seem to know a lot of people associated with my work," he replied as he eyed the man with genuine curiosity and interest. This was the first time tonight that he was actually enjoying himself and engaging in conversation because he wanted to, not because he felt like it was what he was supposed to do. "And you seem oddly familiar. Have we met before at Mercy General?"

"I don't believe we have met officially, no, but I used to work there," he offered with a smile warm like a summer sun. He offered his hand to him as his blue eyes kept a lock on the other's. "Doctor Stephen Strange."

His eyes widened and he smiled brightly as he breathed out a laugh and he took his hand, giving it a slightly firm shake. "You're Stephen Strange?" he asked as they lowered their hands and reached for their glasses in sync. "I knew your eyes looked familiar, but you're a lot different from the picture of you they have hanging on the wall."

"Ew, they still have that old thing hanging up there? God, I hated that picture," he mumbled as he picked up his glass finally. "They got my bad side. It's not fair that you know my name and I don't know yours. How about we fix that?"

He couldn't help but laugh at the man's words and the sour look on his face, but his laughter seemed to make it go away and he smiled once more, which he thought that he liked to see a lot more. He raised his glass to the man.

"You can call me Y/N and it's a pleasure to meet Christine's childhood friend finally, after hearing so many stories. As for the picture, I'll try to get them to take it down for you," he said with a smile. "Or at least put a better one up. To good taste and better pictures."

Stephen huffed an amused noise and tapped his glass gently to the other man's, both of them taking a sip after they had but their eyes stayed on the other's. It wasn't hard for him to see that the charismatic, ex-surgeon had something on his mind as they stood there together. When they lowered their glasses, Stephen wrinkled up his nose and grunted as if the martini had smelt like something foul and he couldn't help but smile in amusement as he did.

"I do have one question for you," he said thoughtfully and when he hummed in question, acknowledging his words, the blue-eyed man looked at him with a serious expression. "Why do you hide who you truly are?"

[triforce-of-mischief]

hi! Just saw your post about no reblogs to communities

Now while you are not normally in my feed (I don’t really check my feed though so idk 😂) I do want to ask because I don’t wanna accidentally cross a boundary:

are we allowed to reblog your works (fics, art, etc) normally? Like click the reblog button and reblog it to our profiles? Or is that also something you wouldn’t prefer?

I hope this doesn’t come off rude I just really want to know so I don’t make a mistake!

yes, absolutely! reblogs are my preferred form of interaction with my works. nearly all of my works have the note of "please reblog to show your support! likes do nothing."

on tumblr, reblogs and reposts mean two very different things. to reblog is to increase the artist's reach, easily show your friends the cool thing you found, have the option to add a comment, and keep a direct connection to the artist's profile and activity. to repost is to post the work as if it is your own, redirect credit to the wrong person, and leave the artist completely in the dark to how their work is perceived.

as they are now, community reblogs are functionally reposts. the artist does not receive the community notes in their own activity, and if they are not a member of the community then they are unable to join the conversation at all. in my opinion, this is not a good move by tumblr especially with the way that artists and authors in this fandom are already often denied respect. that's why i also don't want people to repost my fics to rec them; i have posted them all here and they can easily be reblogged to start that discussion.

as an author, i really want to know what my readers think of my fics! that's why i'm sad when people are too shy to speak to me because i may never know how much they love them. i have multiple spaces to discuss my fics (this very askbox, @fics-and-fables, @overcome-series, and my overcome discord server) so there is no excuse for anyone to go out of their way to discuss my fics while excluding me from the conversation.

until/unless tumblr improves the community reblog function, i do not consent to any participation with them. i will always be extra grateful for my readers who support me by talking to me and taking the extra few seconds to reblog my works.

[lawtistic]

i need to talk about the death note jdrama SO BAD. and ive been reposting and replying to stuff but it isnt enough to satisfy me so here I am.

I said in a repost that i like to see the jdrama as it's own independent work of art. it works and its good. it's another death note adaptation at it's core, but i like to see it as more than that.

spoilers ahead

i'd like to get the things i dont like about it out of the way first, so i can brainrot about the rest without hesitation afterward.

i didn't like the whole mello being some haunted possessive doll that had a split personality with near. it was random, odd, and i overall didn't like it very much.

misa's annoying, but she's bearable, i guess.

now, onto the things i like.

the characters are not tied to their originals. they're their own independent characters with different dynamics and it makes the characters easier to connect with. in the original, you weren't supposed to connect with the characters, you're just meant to watch them and immerse yourself, and in the jdrama, you can do both.

light has a backstory this time, and it works. in the original, he didn't have a tragic backstory, and that worked as well, and i did like that, i still do, but i also enjoy what the jdrama did with him. light wanted to be a police officer as a kid, but when his mother was murdered and his father was too focused on catching her killer rather than being there for his kids and being present at her death, light lost all hope in that. he wanted to be better than that. because of this, he becomes emotionally distant from his father and their interactions are awkward. (this also sets up a great scene later but ill get to that in a minute shhhshhhshhh) he's a lot more empathetic and genuinely caring than he was in the original, when he only cared when it was convenient. he has friends, he has hobbies, and it still doesnt take away from him being kira, just because the jdrama sets it up differently.

L is a lot more genuinely rude and abrasive. he's a neat freak and while he doesn't keep all of his original quirks, he develops his own unique ones. he's constantly drinking some plastic pouched liquid that not even the characters know the name of (but for my sanity im assuming its those applesauce pouches) and, semi-similarly to the original, lways has to have his feet up on something. when something gets on his shirt, he has watari change it immediately, into a newly ironed duplicate of what he was just wearing, and he does this in front of people in professional situations without caring whatsoever what that could mean for him. he's less socially inept and a lot more snarky and close with the characters, even jumping in the school showers with light on campus at one point to tell him he thinks he's kira. he's also actively maintaining a close relationship with near and mello nd contacting them regularly.

the scenes still hold up, and so does the plot, and yotsuba arc is much shorter and more captivating. it brought the mystery back to it after back to back rewatches of the original, because i had zero clue who was supposed to be higuchi this time. light comes up with his own independent plans entirely different from the original and misa actually has plot relevance.

speaking of misa, she's okay. she's a lot more ditsy and annoying but her overall absence made up for it. she's a jpop idol this time in a band named ichigo berry (i think) and one of her concerts serves as the location for a major plot point and her relationships with different characters makes for some stellar comedic moments.

one of my favorite scenes is the scene between light and soichiro at the beginning of yotsuba arc. soichiro genuinely thought light was kira and he did miss the development and repercussions original soichiro had from that, but this could be excused by the distance between them. regardless, their distance pays off. light, with no memory of the notebook, begs for his life at his fathers hand (misa isnt present but shes also under surveillance, capable of killing, and aware of the situation and honestly thank god because her presence in the scene would have made it so much less impactful) when it's revealed he isn't kira, light breaks down. soichiro tells him everything, and light apologizes to him, melancholic because of the distance, and what he feels like he's put his father through. he vows to take down kira, vows to eliminate his and pay his father back from the turmoil he was surely feeling. soichiro kneels down and hugs his son, tears streaming down light's face. the music is beautiful and the credits roll, panning out to a view of them hugging on the dirty ground in the distance. it was a great impactful scene that greatly setup their relationship to come.

Now, the question everyone's been waiting for. is the jdrama just as homoerotic, despite the dynamic and character changes?

yes.

yes it is.

and here's a list of all the times that got me to say this

for some reason, light's actor could not keep his eyes on L's face and there was a constant of him just looking L up and down very slowly

when they first meet, not only does he look up and down, (something L visually notices and follows his gaze) he just stares at him. he barely utters a word to him. for a good few minutes and just spends a very long time looking at him very intensely, i could hear careless whispers playing. there is a girl standing kind of in between then and she's just looking back and forth at them and it's very funny

in the same scene L whispers something in his ear and light just slowly fixes his gaze on him yet refuses to turn around

they look at each other, just, a lot. whether they're sneaking glances at one another or full on smiling when their eyes meet, theyre just always looking

the shower scene. light also looks him up and down in this scene. that says enough in it of itself

at the concert scene L not only pulls the "you're my only friend" crap and light just looks completely in awe, but also, at the end, L gets dangerously close to his face, turns around and walks away, smirking, and light collapses to his knees. (im aware theres context but i dont care)

the tennis scene isnt special by any means but it just reeks gay energy somehow and i dont know how to explain it

light takes a bullet for L (however this happens in yotsuba arc) and helps him off the ground after its revealed that theyre both fine

the handcuff scene. i dont care if lights on the verge of tears and desperate that scene was fucking gay okay

THE BLUE SCENE. after L takes down the cameras he sits there and practically begs light to confess, and it feels all too genuine. light seems tempted to give in, to tell him everything, and he appears almost reluctant as he tells him he isn't kira, and L just stares. he tells him "...and then i met you, and for the first time, i became interested in a person." they have a conversation where L reveals how he's going to catch light and light is helpless to stop it, and then they start saying this:

L: from my perspective, you're just a hopeless, stupid murderer. light: L... L: ...and you were my only friend. i wish we could have met some other way.

L then slowly walks past him and then if youve watched the jdrama you know what happens after that

you could say L was annoyed with misa because she was annoying but i see it as jealousy he was jealous guys listen to me im telling the truth

after L's death (im aware hes acting but shhhshhh) light runs over and desperately holds his body close to him, screaming, saying it was all his fault, and holds him close enough to where... yeah

yeah.

anyway this is all i have to say, thank you for coming im sorry this was all over the place, i dont have a coherent thought process

[therealestidealist]

idk dude I'm NT too and something I've learned is that sometimes you don't have to understand something to respect it. so you don't get why commercial art is ok to repost even though it's been explained to you (and frankly you are making bad faith arguments, imo), but it's still been said over and over so clearly it's something people feel is important. I think you ought to consider why instead of acting like a martyr when no one has told you to kys.

(I don't necessarily think the arguments made abt sharing some types of art were all that eloquent but I don't really think you'll listen so I'm not going to try to clarify)

sorry some people were rude to you but you came out the gate very rude and entitled in the original message when they were being polite. being called buddy is neutral, it's not some sort of hatecrime. maybe you had a shitty day or something and were in a bad mood, and this only made that worse, but the way you lashed out was inappropriate. being NT is not an excuse. we are not stupid. we can learn when we fuck up and how to react appropriately despite how ugly our initial reactions to criticism can be. just cause your brain tells you "everyone hates you cause you fucked up" does not make that true. I've learned this the hard way and you probably will too.

i think at this point you are really just being willfully ignorant and standing your ground bc you don't want to admit wrongdoing. I get it but I think it's time to let it go.

and again, some people were rude and you lashed out, but others were polite and you just call them considering. there's no winning and no opportunity for growth or improvement with that attitude. learn to take criticism instead of trying to guilt anyone who has something negative to say about something you did by telling them you're going to kill yourself and that everyone wants you dead. (people are criticizing something you DID, not YOU as a person. there's a difference.)

you're the one suicide baiting. please do better cause I know from experience that behavior won't do you any good.

I hope you can put this behind you because it really was not a big deal until you lashed out. You'll move on and it'll be okay. Just learn what you can from this.

This is exactly what I'm talking about with being talked down to and gaslighting. I didn't fuck up. What I did wasn't art theft. I did a lot of googling about what is and isn't considered stealing art over the past day. I was talked to as if being sat down in time out, picked apart by the public and ridiculed over something that many people don't find egregious at all. My wife is an artist and encouraged me to share the art in the first place. I myself am a sex worker, I've had my work reposted before, sometimes with credit and sometimes without. This isn't to say this particular artist's wishes shouldn't be respected, I took down the post per the artist's request. It's just to say that the way I was treated like I was being taught a lesson over something for which there is no official guidebook or any clear consensus over was very mob-like. I was defensive in my original DMs because I was accused of theft. I don't think what I did was theft because there were credits. Then I was accused of "not trying hard enough to contact the artist". The artist's Tumblr is not connected to their twitter, and they don't even have the same handle. So even if I knew to contact them, to act like it would have been easy to find their Tumblr is simply disingenuous. The person who informed me about this artist's preferences likely just recognized the artist from here already.

No, I'm not arguing in bad faith. You and others in notes are insistent that I just need to listen to and accept what people are accusing me of without question. Don't I get to state my case? The way I was treated was inhuman. That's why I feel as though everyone hated me. I did not "fuck up" and you won't make me believe I fucked up. I am not an idiot. I am not going to just accept being scolded and belittled over something that frankly isn't even a real problem (posting art with credits). The whole distinction over being paid vs not being paid and the accusation that my credits weren't "proper" remain vague. These are not satisfactory explanations to me. No one has tried to clarify to me why it is considered etiquette to do something that so many artists dont even care about. One artist has a message about not sharing their art that I didn't see before sharing it and now I'm an art thief for crediting them? You can see why I am defensive? You can see why this doesn't register as a "fuck up" to me?

This whole thing could have been avoided if I had been linked to the artist's post in the opening message instead of being accused of stealing - which I must emphasize - I DID NOT STEAL. I poured over discussions about art reposting over the past day and have come to the conclusion that I was falsely accused and the intent was to smear me from the start. The way you see the original DM as reasonable honestly sickens me. They were only after some Internet clout and they got it. If you talk like this to your friends and family I feel sorry for them.

You need to step down and reflect on your priorities. Stop siding with manipulators. Stop policing small personal blogs who just want to be left alone. Stop lying about norms/etiquette/courtesies that are far from unanimously agreed upon. You will be remembered as a hateful bully if you continue on acting sanctimoniously and talking down to people instead of engaging with them honestly and thoughtfully, with compassion and a willingness to listen.

[ae-cow]

My Queen 👑

#1 of the 1818 series, Jeno of NCT, NCT DREAM

Warning: NOT AN ACTUAL STORY, THIS IS JUST A IDEA OF MINE. This is a work of fiction with nothing to do with the idol's actual life. I do like some feedback. If you ever feel like "Hey this is very offensive." do tell me.

Pariring: Jeno of NCT, NCT Dream x fem! Oc

Summary: Princess Kiyeon is forced to marry Jeno, a Duke. Being an heir to the throne was already stressful enough but to be Queen she has to marry. She hates the idea of marrying without knowing a man.

Word Count: 1.8k

A/N: Hi hi everyone. I got inspiration from Bridgerton. These were ideas I had since 2022 and I would like someone to write a story based on this lol.

Written: 6 May 2023

1818 Series Masterlist Here

Masterlist © ae-cow. Do not claim, steal or repost. All rights reserved

The opulent palace, with its sprawling gardens and gilded halls, was both Princess Kiyeon’s home and her stage. Her days were filled with a blend of duty and grace, adhering to the strict protocols and elegant traditions.

Her mornings began with a rigorous regimen of lessons and etiquette training. Under the watchful eyes of esteemed tutors, she studied literature, languages, and the arts, ensuring that she was well-prepared for her future role. Her education was a cornerstone of her preparation to one day govern and represent her family’s legacy.

"Kiyeon, let's have tea later, privately," Her mother, the queen said

The princess nodded

-

“Kiyeon,” the Queen began, her voice calm and measured, “I have been considering the recent developments and your upcoming responsibilities, Now that you have completed your three years of rigorous military training, it is time for us to discuss the next steps.”

Princess Kiyeon, her posture attentive and respectful, set her teacup down gently. “Of course, what is it, mother?”

“I want you to marry,” the Queen stated firmly.

“Excuse me, what?” Princess Kiyeon exclaimed, her voice rising in shock.

The Queen’s expression remained resolute as she set her teacup down. “I need you to marry.”

Kiyeon was baffled. “Pfft, why?”

The Queen leaned forward slightly, her tone serious. “For starters, as the eldest daughter of the royal family, you are the next heir to the throne, It is essential for the continuation of our line, I need you to marry someone to ensure that our lineage is preserved and that the throne remains secure and not diminished.”

"By who?" Kiyeon questioned her mother

“By multiple people and our government! Look, Kiyeon, I know you want to marry for love, but you are now 23 years old. Is there anyone you’ve grown a liking for?” the Queen asked, taking a delicate sip of her tea.

“No…”

The Queen set her cup down and continued, “I have someone respectable and fertile in mind, Meet him today at the pavilion.”

Kiyeon’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Fertile?”

-

“That’s Duke Jeno. He is the Duke of Opal,” Kiyeon’s maid, Dohwa, explained.

Kiyeon, fanning herself with a delicate hand, peered at the Duke from behind a discreet vantage point. “What do you know about him?”

The Duke was in his shooting stance, and the first two buttons of his white shirt began to come off as he gripped his bow firmly.

Kiyeon’s eyes widened as she watched him. “Oh my,” she murmured, her gaze fixed on him as he drew and released an arrow with impressive skill.

“He is quite a breathtaking man,” Dohwa commented.

Kiyeon, still observing, nodded slowly. “Yes, he is.” She says as he shoots an arrow at the archery range

“Your Highness,” Dohwa said with a knowing smile, “I think you’ve become quite a fan of the Duke.”

“A fan?” Kiyeon asked, slightly puzzled. “Like the thing to keep you cool?”

Dohwa shook her head, "No Princess, a Fan has another meaning, it means you like them so much to the point you want to support them and give them your love," Dohwa said

“Well then, I must have a lot of fans,” Kiyeon laughed softly.

“He, too, has many admirers,” Dohwa said, gesturing toward the commotion.

Kiyeon turned her attention to where she heard enthusiastic cheering and clapping. “Oh, I see,” she remarked, observing the scene.

“Urgh, Your Grace!” the other ladies exclaimed in adoration.

The Duke, still engaged in his archery, was the centre of attention

-

“Your Highness,” Duke Jeno said with a respectful bow.

Kiyeon regarded him with a measured look, her gaze briefly noting the partially unbuttoned shirt from earlier but choosing not to comment. “So… you’re the Duke my mother wants me to marry?”

“Yes,” Jeno replied, meeting her gaze steadily

Kiyeon’s expression remained sceptical. “I do not like the idea of marrying someone without love.”

“I understand,” Jeno said calmly. “Your mother is indeed rushing things, but perhaps we can take a different approach, We could try being friends privately while the public believes we are in love.”

“Rushing?” Kiyeon questioned, her brow furrowing.

“The King and Queen would like us to marry within a week,” Jeno explained.

“A week?!” Kiyeon exclaimed in shock.

“Yes,” Duke Jeno confirmed.

“But… but it usually takes months for wedding planning. A royal wedding could take a year, and—” The Princess stuttered, overwhelmed

“They’ve already planned everything—the dress, the venue, all of it,” Jeno said calmly

“W-What?!” Kiyeon’s voice rose in disbelief

“There’s also the coronation, for both of us,” Jeno added

Kiyeon let out a heavy sigh, trying to process the news. “Excuse me?”

“Yeah, it turns out the King and Queen want to step down and make you Queen,” Jeno explained. “You’ve completed your training—you’ve been through classes on ruling, military training, the Navy, and the Marines. You’re fully competent.”

“Wow, uh—” Kiyeon’s vision blurred, and she fainted.

“Your Highness!” Jeno exclaimed, rushing to her side.

-

“So they told you all of that but never cared to mention it to me?!” Kiyeon exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration as she regained her composure.

Duke Jeno looked slightly taken aback but quickly composed himself. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, I only learned about the details recently myself, I understand this must be overwhelming.”

Kiyeon took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “It certainly is. This is a lot to take in all at once.”

“So why did you agree to marry me?” Kiyeon asked, stepping closer, her tone a mix of curiosity and scepticism. “Was it for money or status?”

Jeno looked at her with a hint of surprise. “No, not at all. I’m a Duke. I already have status and wealth, My decision wasn’t about that.”

Kiyeon raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Then why?”

Jeno met her gaze steadily. “I agreed because it’s a duty that aligns with my values. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind marrying a pretty princess.”

-

Coronation

Jeno searched everywhere for his wife until he finally found her in the observatory, sitting on the floor and hugging her knees.

“Kiyeon,” he said softly as he knelt beside her.

“I feel so lost,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I’ve always been ready to take the throne; it’s what I was born to do, I don’t want to mess things up.”

“What if, on my first day as Queen, I find our country is at war because of something I caused? What if—”

Before she could finish, Jeno gently pressed his lips to hers, silencing her worries.

“What if?” he asked, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. “You have been training to be queen since you were born. You are more than qualified to be the ruler of this country, my queen and with me by your side, we will lead with strength and a united heart.”

He took her hand in his and placed a delicate kiss on it, his gaze steady and reassuring. “We will face whatever comes together, and we will overcome it.”

-

Kiyeon and Jeno stood together in the softly lit chamber, the quiet of the evening settling around them. The gentle flicker of candlelight cast warm shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of intimacy.

Kiyeon turned to Jeno, her expression a mix of determination and vulnerability. “Jeno, we must do this. It’s important for the future of the kingdom. We need to create an heir.”

Jeno’s gaze softened as he met her eyes. “I understand, Your Majesty, I’m ready when you are.”

With a nod, Kiyeon approached the bed, her movements deliberate yet graceful. Jeno followed, his demeanour respectful and caring. As they drew closer, the tension of duty began to dissolve, replaced by a quiet, shared understanding.

Kiyeon, feeling a mix of anticipation and trust, looked at Jeno with a tender gaze. Without a word, she began to unfasten the intricate laces of her corset. The act was deliberate and gentle, a gesture of trust and openness in their private world.

Jeno, observing her with a mixture of reverence and affection, reached out to help. His touch was gentle as he assisted in loosening the corset, his movements reflecting the deep respect he had for her.

As the corset came free, Kiyeon’s posture relaxed, and Jeno’s eyes met hers with a newfound tenderness.

“Must be hard wearing that all day, huh?” Jeno murmured, placing a gentle kiss on her neck.

Kiyeon tilted her head slightly, a soft smile playing on her lips as she responded, “Yeah, but then again, wearing a crown is harder.”

“I never imagined,” Jeno said softly, “how deeply I’d come to admire the woman behind the crown.”

“Tonight, I see you not just as my queen, but as my partner in all things.”

Kiyeon’s heart fluttered at his words, and she responded with a tender smile. “And I never imagined how comforting it would be to share this with you.”

-

BTW: Kiyeon is born royal so that's why she is Queen. While Jeno wasn't born a royal, he was married to one. Making him a Prince.

The door to the observatory suddenly burst open, revealing a worried Dohwa. She quickly bowed after the abrupt entrance.

“Her Majesty needs you, Prince Jeno,” She said urgently

As Jeno began to move, the Prince’s equerry stepped forward, blocking the way. “You can’t go in there.”

"But the Queen needs her husband!" Dohwa said

"What we need is to have the man of the family to make a decision," He said

"What decision?" Jeno asked

"She is the queen, the ONE WHO SITS ON THE THRONE, his choice does not matter, we need to save both the mother and the child, NOW!" Dohwa stands by what she said

"If you think otherwise, it's the Queen and the future heir's life who we need to save now Jeno come inside!" She said

-

“My apologies, Your Highness, I didn't mean to call you out by your name,” Dohwa apologizes

“It is alright, a minor mistake,” He said

"Dohwa, I don't understand," Jeno asked as they waited for the Queen to relax after the long birth

"What do you not understand?"

"Why does the royal court need my decision?" He asked

"Stigma, people think the man of the house should choose who lives the mother or the child, so many families do that, I do not understand why they would do that, especially while the queen is at birth but her life is just as important as the baby's," Dohwa said

Dohwa frowned, frustration evident in her voice. “We have the most qualified doctors from all over the world. Can’t they save both lives?”

"I am glad both are alright though, let's go see Queen Kiyeon, I'm sure she needs to see her husband after such an experience," Dohwa said

[marta-bee]

There’s a reposted tweet making the rounds, of how a world where humans do the hard workthrough low-paid jobs while robots make art and literature wasn’t the future they imagined, and it’s getting under my skin. I really don’t think it’s meant the way I’m reading it. There’s probably a bit of tonedeafness excused by being in pain from the people sharing it, or me imposing my own thoughts on it. Probably a bit of both. Still, it’s bothering me, and better out than in I think.

See, there are quite a lot of working class people, white men in particular, who’ve found a lot of purpose and dignity in doing physically hard jobs; and suffered from the loss of that purpose and dignity when those jobs were mechanized. Manual labor like mining and lumbering trees, factory jobs, even menial jobs at big box stores.

Subjective dignity, I mean: they felt dignified by doing good honest work that required strength, or, more recently, persevering through whatever the boss-man threw at you. At being able to provide for their families, or the illusion of that as the actual wages made it harder and harder to do just that. I don’t think it’s particularly good dignity, and I wish the found that purpose in building communities and actually loving and raising their kids and supporting their friends and what-not. (Not that working-class people don’t do that, too.) I personally think any job that can be done by a robot should, so long as we find a way to share society’s resources so those not needed to do mechanizable labor can still live a good life. (And that’s the tricky bit, isn’t it?) But the fact I disagree with where they found that dignity doesn’t change the fact that they’re experiencing a loss through mechanization and automation. Loss of purpose, of power and control over their lives, of pride at accomplishing something hard and being able to make life easier for the people they love.

What I hear in things like that tweet is people saying that hard word those people took such pride and purpose from is garbage work, fit only for machines, whereas art is the proper work of humans. Which feels dismissive toward the pain of people not like them, who never assumed art could be a career, or a full-time endeavor. Mostly they were too tired to do much of it at all. It seems classist if I was going to put an -ist label on it. And that stings, because I remember being a doctoral student in a program with people who grew up with a lot more money than I had, who had this sort of confidence that sitting around and thinking about theory was their assumed and rightful place. I had to scrounge to fund my education, and most of my family and friends and neighbors were much more likely to work their asses off in factories or at Walmart than they were to be disappointed they had to work as baristas while they waited on their art or writing or music to make them enough money they didn’t have to do that anymore.

As I said, I really don’t think this kind of talk was meant this way. I feel silly even putting it into words, and I certainly don’t mean to be flippant toward folks who do create art professionally or hope to. But seeing the work a lot of people around me found purpose in as the kind of job fit only for machines? That’s hit a bit close to home.

The meaning I’m taking from the whole AI shitstorm is that people need something meaningful to work for, and ideally they need to find it in a place that’s actually worthy of giving them meaning, something authentically dignifying; and that being told, no, this thing you thought let you be worthy of respect and dignity is actually easily done by machines and people only care about the output and not what you put into it? Well, that hurts, no matter who you are. Unity and mutual support between blue-collars and creative-types, and maybe (dare we dream) finding a way to put bread on all our plates so we’re free to invest in the stuff that matters. Not making yourself feel better because really you’re better than those people who are rightly replaceable by robots, no matter what the boss tries to do.

I don’t know. Probably I’m reading too much into this attitude; or writing over it with my own insecurities that really don’t have anything to do with what’s being said. Still: it’s pressing a nerve, and that nerve’s aching quite badly, no doubt about it.