#can't miss these nuances guys

[solanj]

sometimes in the fandom you see some art that is SO beautifully made but goes SO against the grain of how you perceive the drawn character(s) like I want to reblog it so much because it's so visually gorgeous and the artist is amazing and deserves to know this but I'll fucking die before letting that particular interpretation of the character(s) anywhere near my blog

[sparkspropaganda]

Also one thing I didn't realize when Astarion is about to ascend is that you have to go into his mind and reach out to him to get him to stop- just saying "no, i refuse to help you do this" gets you the ending where he... well, leaves your team permanently and says that he hopes you die screaming. Maybe that changed since the time I played it but it's a massive wake up moment I feel. That at the end of the day you have to be soooo careful about how you present your refusal because he is not willing to hear it. No matter how "nice" he may become, no matter how close you two have become, he cannot handle the rejection outright. The 7,000 spawn are just collateral to him regardless.

[ddejavvu]

Eddie Munson being totally in love with his best friend, then one morning after a night of drinking and pot, he wakes up with you tucked safely under his arms, in his bed... with no recollection of why you were there. The poor guys just really worried, because he doesn’t want the first.. something to have happened, and not even be able to remember it!

Eddie's initially surprised, but not panicked when he wakes up with a body beside his. He's the town freak, sure, but some chicks are into that, and this wouldn't be the first time he's woken up to feel skin-against-skin. But when he glances down and catches your face- your nose, your lips, your chin tucked into his chest, he blanches.

He's not particularly smooth, and certainly not good in a crisis. He doesn't think to gently ease you off of his chest or replace his arm with a pillow so that you don't notice you're being transferred- no, instead he darts out from beneath you, and your bleary eyes blink open in concern when you hit the mattress below.

"What- Eddie?" You ask, in your sweet voice, the one that Eddie notices is raspy, and if it's raspy for the reasons he thinks it's raspy he'll quit weed for good. And booze- he'll never black himself out again for as long as he lives if he'd missed a night of hearing that voice.

"I'm half naked." He notes, looking down at his bare, tattooed chest, "Are you wearing clothes?"

You nod, peering tentatively beneath the blankets to double check, "Yes? Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, we- I don't remember anything. And you're in my bed. And I'm shirtless. And I probably had so much last night."

"You did," You laugh, carefree and easy as you stretch out your sore muscles, "You don't remember anything because you were so far gone you tried lighting a pretzel stick. And I was in your bed because you made me watch a horror movie while we were high and I was too scared to be on the couch. And you always sleep shirtless."

All valid points. Eddie scratches lightly at his abdomen, "So you're saying we didn't- y'know? Do anything?"

"Relax. We both kept our pants on."

"Good." He nods, shoulders loosening from weight he hadn't realized was piled on them until it was gone, "I wouldn't have wanted to do that to you while we were drunk."

One of your brows raises, and like most of your facial expressions, this one sends a wave of impending doom over Eddie- he's so fucked- "Would you want to do that to me while we're sober?"

Eddie hopes that his flyaway curls, made even messier by his pillows, cover the pink parts of his face. He's usually a smooth-talker, never one to stutter but he's never managed to smart off to your face- no, in front of you he folds instead.

"I didn't say that." He manages, his hands finding purchase on his hips, "You're putting words in my mouth."

"Are they untrue?" You ask, brow only arching further, as a sadistic grin begins spreading over your face like you may be looking to steal Christmas from the Whos, "Because the only thing that did happen was you woke up with a semi."

"That just happens sometimes." Eddie's telling the truth, but in this particular instance, it could have had something to do with your perfume filling his nose, blacking out his senses, "That doesn't mean-"

"You've still got it." You refrain from glancing at Eddie's waistline, but you don't need to, "It came back when I started teasing you."

"You are ogling me." Eddie states, faux hurt in his tone as he fights a losing battle, "And I can't believe you'd strip me down to such base instincts without considering the deep nuance I hold."

"You'd better strip yourself down for a cold shower," You snicker, turning away and giving Eddie a truly unfair shot of your mostly-bare back where your tank top has ridden down your torso, "Or I think you're gonna nuance all over your pants."

[thevoidstaredback]

Part 4

Danny took to the Spanish Language like a fish to water, learning it's most basic form in three days, and every little nuance about it in another four.

Alejandro had been kind enough to let him stay with them and their family for the week. They were very accommodating and understanding as he learned their language and culture. He enjoyed trading knowledge with them, and he hoped they did, too.

He messaged Jazz every morning and every night. Long messages about what he did during the day. Just before lights out, he spent an hour or so going into more depth in his journal, going so far as to draw pictures from memory so that he wouldn't forget.

Alejandro's little sister, Maria, helped him with his art. She was amazing at it and he was honored to be taught by her.

Their father, Antonio, taught him about their food culture, teach him how to cook simple meals. He'd even been allowed to help with making lunch on days four and five!

Their grandmother, Abuela Maya, taught him their myths and stories, about how to stay safe and what to look out for. He didn't tell any of them, but he was pretty sure she clocked his ghostlyness the second she laid eyes on him.

Danny was getting anxious, staying in one place for so long, and he knew Alejandro and their family were picking up on it. He wanted to stay, but the feeling of being watched was starting to creep up on him.

Outside and down the street a little at the playground is where Alejandro found him.

"It's been fun having you here, Danny," they said.

"I've had fun staying here."

"But you're anxious to leave."

He paused. He didn't want to offend, but, "Yeah."

"Lo entiendo. A guy like you has a hard time staying still." They leaned back, laying on the grass with their hands behind their head like a pillow. A sigh. "I wish I could go with you."

Danny laid down, too. "Me, too."

"But I can't."

"I know." He had a feeling this was going to be a recurring theme.

Alejandro continued as though he hadn't spoken. Almost seeming to talk themself out of leaving with him, reasoning against leaving. "I have to stay to help take care of Abuela Maya and Maria. Papá es getting sick; he refuses to stay down, ¿sabes? Won't listen to his body, to his kids." A beat. Two. "Mamá died the same way, when Maria was four. She doesn't remember her, but I do. I miss her."

Danny didn't have words of comfort to share with his friend. What was there to say that hadn't already been said.

Alejandro chuckled humorlessly. "Sorry for dumping that on you."

"It's okay." And it was. Danny understood the need to say something. "My sister's been studying psychology since before I can remember. She says that talking is healthy."

"You have a ¿hermana?"

"Yeah. Su nombre es Jazz. She's the smartest person I know."

"Smarter than me?"

The humor was back. "Smarter than Abuela Maya."

Alejandro gasped in fake indignation. "You don't mean that!"

Danny shook his head. "I do."

They clicked their tongue. "Now I have to meet her. She gonna meet you somewhere so you can travel together?"

Danny shook his head with a small smile. "Can't. Circumstances won't let me go back, nor will they let her join me."

"Lo siento, man, that must be rough."

He shrugged. "Nothing either of us can do about it."

"Do you mind if I ask what's what?"

Danny paused. There couldn't be a lot of harm in telling Alejandro at least a little bit, right? But then, he hadn't even contacted Tucker or Sam yet, having muted their conversations for the time being until he worked up the courage to call them.

He sighed. "There's a secret I've been hiding from my parents for a bout a year now. And because of what's been happening state-side, it's not safe for me there anymore."

Alejandro was quiet for a long minute. "At least you have your sister."

"Yeah. At least I have her."

The two lapsed back into a comfortable quiet, watching the clouds until the sun hovered right over them and they had to look away.

"What's your plan now?"

Danny thought for a minute. What was his plan? He could probably meet with Dani somewhere for a bit before they ultimately parted ways again. She was still in Guatemala, according to her last message, and would be staying the week before moving on. They'd have to plan soon if they wanted to meet up.

"A cousin of mine," he said, "is in Guatemala right now, so I'll probably head her way."

"Maldita sea, your family must be rollin' in it to b able to travel so much!"

He looked away, bashful. "Not really. Jazz gave me what she had so I could leave the country, but that won't last, and my cousin won't accept any money she doesn't earn on her own. Not even the child support!"

"Your cousin has a child? And she's traveling with it?"

"No, I'm- she is the child."

"Then why is she getting child support if she's the child?"

"It's being sent to me, legally, but I put it all in an account for her to access when she wants or needs it."

The air turned heavy for a moment. Between one breath and the next, it was light again. "It's good that you guys have a good relationship. How old is she?"

"Yeah. She's a few years younger than me."

"Oh," was the stilted response.

Danny didn't like the heaviness the silence had taken again. "You ever seen a superhero?"

"Like the ones on T.V?"

"Yeah,"

"Not in person, no. But I've always wondered what it'd be like to meet one. Or, hell, even be one."

Danny had to scoff. "It's not all it's cracked up to be."

"You ever meet any?"

"No."

"Hm." A beat. Two. Three. "You should head down to Linares next. It's where Abuela Maya's from."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You might find some of the answers you're looking for there."

Danny thought about it for a moment. "Okay. Sounds like a plan."

"Good. No give me your phone number so that we can keep in touch."

"What?"

"I can't leave, but I'm not gonna miss out on the world because of that. I want pictures and messages and-" They cut off and pulled Danny into a hug. "You're the closest friend I've had in a while, 'nny. Don't forget about me, okay?"

The hug was awkward, laying down as they were, but he wrapped his arms around them all the same. "I wouldn't dream of it, 'dro."

Part 6

Translation 1 - Spanish: Granny Maya Translation 2 - Spanish: I get it. Translation 3 - Spanish: Dad is Translation 4 - Spanish: y'know? Translation 5 - Spanish: Mom Translation 6 - Spanish: sister? Translation 7 - Spanish: Her name's Jazz. Translation 8 - Spanish: I'm sorry, Translation 7 - Spanish: Damn,

[athenas-only-daughter]

Haunting the Canvas - The Clea Post

spurred on by conversations I've been having with @linka-from-captain-planet, I'm collecting the info we've been able to gather about Clea here, under a read-more for spoilers, because if you run around act 3, there's actually QUITE a bit to glean about her.

This is gonna be a living/edited post as we find more info! Pls let me know if you guys see anything that's missing, find out new info, etc!

Truly as soon as you get to act three, you can't go three feet without bumping into a sidequest that has to do with Clea in some regard. She is HAUNTING the canvas almost as much as real!Verso and she's not even dead.

First and foremost, The Fading Woman is often Clea! Sometimes it's Aline (if she's sad, it's Aline) but especially in act 3 it's Clea. Particularly at the Endless Tower location. If you want to glean more about Clea, I recommend talking to the fading woman when you see her, particularly as Maelle.

Clea is the eldest sibling, this is made plain during Maelle's companion quest at The Reacher

Also in this quest Maelle implies that Clea is Renoir's favorite. Verso disputes this, saying Alicia was his favorite child. However, earlier in a conversation with Lune, Verso says Clea was Renoir's favorite. Seems like there's some nuance here!

Clea has her own axon! If you were like 'hey Renoir made Axons for the rest of his family, where is Clea's?' it's easy to miss but it's the Axon in old Lumiere that's already dead (more on this later)

Clea's Axon seems to be called 'The Hauler' and is carrying part of the world on its back (incredibly on brand Eldest Daughter Shit)

Aline also painted a version of Clea - she is no longer with the painted family and is now trapped in the Flying Manor location by Clea herself.

Clea seemed to not like the portrait Aline painted of her, or at the very least resents her parents trying to portray her in the canvas full stop (she also dislikes the Axon). This led to Clea painting over her mother's version of her and leaving her in the painting to continue her work of making Nevrons.

We know Clea is making the Nevrons thanks to dialogue in the Fountain and Flying Manor quests, as well as Clea's dialogue to Maelle before act 3 AND dialogue with the Fading Woman in the Endless Tower.

The only Nevrons that are NOT Clea's are the ones on the Axon Islands, those are Renoir's.

On that note, why is Clea making Nevrons? she's using them to stop the chroma from returning to her mother when the painted citizens die, hoping to speed along her parents' conflict and then end this once and for all.

Also on this note! Clea is also making the painted WHITE Nevrons that we see and help. I'm still not 100% sure why, but we find this out by talking to Blanche during the Fountain quest, who has the special task of killing all of Clea's failed Nevrons, because god forbid someone see she made a mistake (perfectionist eldest daughter Clea Dessendre I am studying you sooo closely)

Painted Clea had a romance! with a painted lumiere citizen named Simon (he can be fought by reaching the Abyss in Renoir's Drafts)

Real!Clea apparently shared none of her painted counterpart's affections because she tricked him by pretending to be painted!Clea and gave him enough power so he could kill her Axon (also through trickery).

Has entered the painting several times since the start of Aline and Renoir's conflict. Notably to make Nevrons, capture her painted counterpart, trick Simon, but also she met Expedition 00 at the barrier and told them everything. Then tried to kill them when they wouldn’t leave. She also came in and tried to recruit Verso at one point.

Her final time in the canvas, that we know of, was when she came in 16 years ago and told him to watch over Alicia/Maelle.

Clea thinks its safer for Alicia to be in the Canvas, away from the war.

On that note, there's a war! Clea is apparently fighting a war against the Writers near singlehandedly. Renoir calls this her 'solitary war' and Alicia/Maelle says she 'took Verso's death personally', so it seems she's seeking revenge.

Clea is noted by both Alicia/Maelle and painted!Verso as being the most talented painter of the three of them

Also plays the harp!

There's a record you can unlock play at camp called "Clea! Don't Pull Your Sister's Hair!"

Clea seems to have stopped playing in the Canvas well before either of her siblings - Francois is mentioned as missing her for over a hundred years, well before the fracture.

Francois and Clea used to sing together!

Much of the original canvas was made my Verso and Clea together. In the Endless Tower, the Fading Woman (Clea, here) says that she "spent far more time" in the canvas than Alicia and that she painted "half this world with Verso"

Despite this, Clea does not share her family's same fixation on it and seems to dislike their meddling with it - her mother's painted creations, her father's axons, etc. She does not consider the painting 'real', but "was perfectly fine to leave Maman here to work on her sorrows", and says it's Alicia's choice if she stays. She seems equally dismissive of her parents, saying that Aline "doesn't want help" and Renoir is "wasting time" when she needs his help.

There's a Fading Boy and another fragment of Clea in Fading Leaves. The Clea fragment has been erasing things from the canvas, 'out of respect for him, his creations and the things they made together'. We can infer she's talking about Verso here. The Fading Boy (remember, a fragment of Verso's soul) seems to be disheartened by this.

ETA: In the Painting Workshop, the Fading Boy talks to you about both real!Clea and Painted!Clea. It's hard to parse which is which but it seems like Real!Clea might have made the Lampmaster specifically to spook Verso, maybe when they were kids? The Fading Boy implies that he told Clea he was scared of the dark and she made him the world's most haunted nightlight (sisters amiright?)

Additionally, he mentions 'jealousy' so it seems Clea was, at times, jealous of Verso. This tracks with her being the most talented painter of the 3 but overlooked for her brother and also with something the Fading Boy says at the start of the flying manor that seems to be about Clea (not sure whether real or painted): "Everything is always about her. Her paintings, her sculptures. Everything has to be perfect, but perfect I have never been"

ETA: In Old Lumiere, the Fading Man (Renoir) seems to have some interesting things to say about 'she who painted nevrons' aka Clea: "She wasn't scared of death itself. / She was sad because there are more works of art than she'd ever be able to see in her lifetime. / So many fables from around the world that she'd never be able to collect. To bring her life in her workshop. / All the beauty in the world she'd never get to experience. That saddened her."

He also says that Clea "loved to challenge him" and that they were "the most alike"

ETA: At the Forgotten Battlefield, there's a Clea Fading Woman who asks Maelle if she can help and when Maelle is confused, says "I guess not. Pity. I'd hoped to return to more important matters. But instead I must occupy my time with... this." She then tells Maelle to "Go and play with your friends. I'll handle this."

[drunkkenobi]

Hi bb, ty for the prompt to write my thoughts!

So I can't get on tumblr at work anymore unless I go outside to get good signal on my phone so I have only been privy to what's going on here today from friends on discord. So maybe I'm missing some nuance or the what my mutuals think and I apologize in advance for that but I'm going to speak plainly.

This is the only way Watcher is going to survive.

The view counts have been steady through Mystery Files season 2 but they aren't, like, astronomical. A video with a million views nets a channel between $10,000 - $30,000. Guys. That's nothing for Watcher. They have to pay each of their 25+ employees a salary with insurance and benefits and for everything else their channel requires. Steven said in the video today that a season of Ghost Files costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. I don't think everyone is hearing that part and understanding how much money that is, especially compared to many other YouTubers they watch. I'm not an expert on other YouTubers but I look at the Sims people I watch. They are successful with views in the hundred k range because they are a company of one. Themselves and maybe paying a freelancer to help edit their videos. For one person, the stakes are lower and the potential for profit is higher! Especially for gamers that are filming in their homes. YouTubers like this, making niche content on the cheap, are who is going to make it in YouTube now.

Watcher is none of those things. They have, from day one, wanted to make high quality unscripted content. All of their shows are shows. They aren't just "Ryan and Shane do [thing]" or "Steven eats [whatever]". They are shows, like ones you see on cable TV or any streamer. And shows are not cheap. Unscripted is cheaper, sure, than scripted. But that doesn't mean cheap. Especially not with the sheer production value we've seen on all their shows, in particular Ghost Files (hundreds of thousands of dollars). That is how much something like Ghost Adventures costs, which is on Travel Channel, an actual TV network that puts up all those costs.

So. That's why Watcher has to pivot to survive.

I think it's a great idea, personally. And yes, I am in a position where I can financially afford it no problem, which I know is a privilege! I am very lucky in that regard. And I understand that many people are upset they won't see the boys as easily on YouTube anymore. That is valid! But they have openly said they are totally fine with password sharing and I think that's a great way to cut down on costs for some folks. Also right now there's a great deal on the yearly sub for early subscribers. $40 for a year is cheaper than any streaming service and it doesn't go to anyone other than Watcher.

I understand that people feel hurt and blindsided, but I think Watcher is also feeling this too. They have been so excited about this and being able to make whatever they want without having to worry about sponsors and now they're mostly seeing anger directed their way. Especially at Steven. Steven is not rich. You know who's rich? David Zaslav, a man who is single-handedly ruining Warner Brothers and making himself a billionaire while he's at it. THAT is the kind of person we should be directing our anger at streaming prices and quality of the media landscape at. Not one small business that is just trying to survive so they can continue paying their employees.

And one more thing. I've seen folks saying they'd rather watch more ads than pay and while I get that, that's not going to help Watcher make what they want. YouTube famously demonetizes videos with swears which is why I can't watch a video with DRAG QUEENS without every other line being bleeped and Watcher has been so good about not bleeping their content because they know we would hate it. And YouTube does this because of advertisers. Advertisers only want to appeal to the most broad of audiences so that means not supporting anything slightly left of center. Having to deal with ads sucks from the creator perspective and does not help them in the long run.

Anyway, this is all a bit rambling, but these are my thoughts on WatcherTV. I'm extremely excited to subscribe and make them make more Weird Wonderful World. I hope to see you all there.

[lastoneout]

I think something that people might be struggling with re: Dungeon Meshi is like, there aren't really that many genuinely bad people in the story. There is a villain, and I won't spoil that, but people do seem to be acting like Kabru and Toshiro are antagonists or just bad people, and granted the story doesn't exactly paint them sympathetically at first, but they really aren't. No one in this story is a bad person, they all have nuanced backstories and worldviews and personalities that make them the way they are, and the conflict is a result of them clashing because they can't always understand each other.

Like almost every character aside from Laios' party and Senshi are introduced in a way that makes you unsure of them, makes you think they're jerks or dangerous, but as the story progresses and everyone starts to understand one another then they can part if not as friends, then at least as neutral acquaintances/allies. The story is about people with massive differences coming to understand one another and how that makes them all stronger. It's about how people who seem strange or weird or dangerous often are just different and aren't inherently worthy of scorn just for prioritizing different things and having cultural standards that seem odd or personality traits that are off-putting.

If you genuinely think Toshiro or Kabru are the bad guys or are meant to be seen as unsympathetic assholes then like, sorry, you've missed the point? Almost no one is truly evil in Dungeon Meshi, they're just different, and sometimes those differences lead to conflict, and sometimes that conflict is bad enough that two people just can't get along, but if everyone makes an effort to understand or at least accept one another, then we can make a better world.

[daggerfall]

M's Updated New Player Guide for Elder Scrolls Online

I have to simplify a great deal of this information since the intended audience is people brand new to ESO looking to get into it for questing (not pve or pvp), so if anyone thinks bits of this are a little wrong or lacking nuance, please understand it is likely intended. Credentials: trust me.

Top 3 Important things to know before you get started

Character creation: You pick your class during character creation and this can never be changed. Trust me, people miss this. Your race, appearance, and name can all be changed but for a cost (crowns, the in-game micro transaction currency), and little bits of your appearance can be changed with cosmetics that may or may not be free. Any class can quest just fine, some will be better at solo content than others, but don't sweat this. Some classes are also DLC (warden, necromancer, and arcanist). All classes are capable of all roles for the purposes you, a new player wanting to quest, care about. Make the character you want and can stick with, as you will need a Main for purposes of crafting, and crafting knowledge can't transfer to other characters you may make. Also, plan for them to deal damage primarily. Supports are not needed in questing and you'll often be alone anyway - save yourself the pain of killing enemies at a snails pace and invest in damage with a smidge of survival.

Alliances and the Main Quest: The start of the game for new players should always be the base game main quest and your respective alliance's main quest. Unless you started with the expansion that unlocks any race any alliance, your alliance will be tied to your race. Bretons, Orsimer, and Redguards: Daggerfall Covenant. Dunmer, Argonians, Nords: Ebonheart Pact. Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajiit: Aldmeri Dominion. Imperials are DLC but any alliance. This can be changed later for crowns, but only affects what alliance you fight for/against in PvP zones, minor dialogue interactions, certain cosmetics, and which version of certain quests you get during the main quest. The starting city/zone for each alliance is as follows: DC: Daggerfall, Glenumbra. EP: Davon's Watch, Stonefalls. AD: Vulkhel Guard, Auridon. When you leave character creation, you'll be sent through the Coldharbour tutorial and spat out on your starter island (DC: Stros M'Kai. EP: Bleakrock Isle. AD: Khenarthi's Roost). Finish those storylines until you hit your starter city, and the main quest will progress again with meeting the Prophet at the Harborage.

DLC, Chapters, and ESO+: Depending on the version of game you got, you may be pushed or tempted to play the newest DLC (chapter or smaller zone DLC). This is a trap. ZOS advertises the game as play how you want and in any order you want, and any longtime player hates this marketing strat. Functionally, any DLC can be played at any time in ESO, but you will miss certain bits of dialogue and story by playing out of release order. Characters will remember previously meeting you if you play in order, but not out of order. They may drastically change their appearance to the point of the story making no sense if it happened in that wrong order, or even die and reappear with no acknowledgement of their death. If this is your first time playing ESO, I Highly recommend playing everything in the intended release order at least once, and then decide for yourself what stories you think work as independent stories for other characters you wish to play. Don't listen to the devil telling you to play some random dlc because you like dunmer or vampires. Listen to me, some guy on the internet instead.

The intended order is (without listing every single dlc) the Coldharbour main quest and your alliance's main quest at the same time ➡️ Cadwell's Silver and Gold (the other two alliances' main quests) ➡️ Imperial City (PvP zone with a solo storyline, but can be skipped/played at any point) ➡️ Craglorn ➡️ all dlc in release order (including dungeons, zone dlc, and chapters). Dungeons can be done in any order (base game I and II dungeons should be done in the numeric order) up to Wrathstone, which is when year-long story arcs began and included dungeons in the plot, and more returning NPCs appear in dungeons.

The Infamous "ESO DLC flowchart" can advise you the order of when you should play certain storylines (base game and dlc), but it's just the release order and natural flow of the storylines. It updates too often for me to post the image here, but you can easily find it by searching those terms. Another good ESO starter guide I like is this one, that explains which story points to hit and when.

The base game alone is good and contains hundreds of hours of content. Get through the base game's main quests and decide for yourself if you like the game enough to continue on. And if you do want to continue, then the best way to play DLC is to buy the subscription ESO+. Among many other things, the main use for the sub is access to every single DLC in the game* while the sub is active. If you play consistently, you can play through the dlcs faster than it would cost to buy them individually, and you can end your sub whenever you want/need. The sub also gives free crowns each month which can be used to purchase permanent access to specific DLC for if/when you end your sub. Or spend them on a cute outfit. Up to you. You might get addicted to the craft bag in the meantime and keep the sub forever.

*ESO+ does not give access to the newest chapter, until the next one comes out usually a year later.

ALRIGHT big stuff out of the way. More advanced stuff for once you're already in the game and playing now. And some M brand yapping.

Start researching item traits at crafting stations ASAP. The timers for research grow exponentially with each trait, so an early start is good. This is necessary for crafting later on, and everyone should have A crafter (ideally their main for resource reasons)

First I wanna address the final barrier a lot of people have with starting an MMO: the other people. To which I'm going to quote something I have found incredibly therapeutic: I think you guys might be thinking about yourselves too much. There are absolutely ways to avoid interactions with other players - playing in offline mode so people cannot whisper you, and hiding zone/say chat to avoid seeing other players talking - but generally speaking, other players do not care about you or others enough to bother you. The overland is not PvP enabled outside of both players choosing to duel, you're not going to get made fun of for being low level or whatever, and you're not going to get harassing messages just for existing. Others have their own lives and things to do in game. Just play the game and embrace the goofiness of someone's name or how wild their costume looks. Be brave and just Do It. Have fun! Okay? Okay back to the actual advice.

Avoid any quest that goes into your journal as a Prologue - delete it right away. Prologues are like introduction/teaser quests for zone DLC and chapters. Doing prologues out of order should also be avoided. Once you're onto playing DLC, there is a prologue for each starting with the Morrowind chapter.

Find the stable master early on and begin "training your horse" each day for 250 gold. Also buy a mount there. It takes 180 real life days to fully complete on each character, but you'll notice the difference with your mounts speed and stamina, and to clarify, inventory means YOUR inventory. That's 60 more inventory slots! And mount training affects all mounts on that character!

Speaking of mount speed - once you reach level 10 on a character, you should do the Cyrodiil tutorial quest (I promise there's no PvP required for this). Use the alliance war tab to queue into a campaign (any works but go for one that isn't all that busy. Under 50 ideally), and complete the tutorial IN FULL. Do not accept the option to skip parts of it because you know what you're doing. You'll reach rank 3 in the assault and support skill lines and gain a few skill points, all while never having to do any actual PvP. Take the first passive in the Assault skill line to gain access to Major Gallop for faster horse speed. You want this on all your characters. Finally, leave Cyrodiil using the wayshrine.

Find the bag merchant in town and spend your gold on maxing out your inventory space when you can afford it. Bankers can also be found in each town and you can store a lot of items in your bank with them FOR FREE. No other player has access to your bank. Your bank space is shared across all of Tamriel and all of your characters as well, to allow for easier item transfer to alts

Back on crafting, don't worry about materials or crafting your own gear for a long time. You pretty much need ESO+ to be a crafter due to the craft bag. Just put on random gear you loot off enemies or get as a reward, and replace it as you level up and outlevel your old gear.

As a quester, you can use any gear and any skills you want - with a few suggestions. Don't use heavy armor as your primary armor type (a few pieces are okay), ice staves, 1 hand and shield, or restoration staves. Those are primarily support armor types and weapons. Also, read your tooltips and skill descriptions, and don't use skills that state they will taunt the enemy. ESO's aggro system works differently than you may expect from other MMOs. Anything else is free game. Though I will advise this isn't Skyrim, and using skills will deal far more damage than spamming "basic attacks", or light and heavy attacks. Stealth archer isn't a thing here, sorry.

DON'T fall for the crown store trying to sell you respec scrolls, werewolf and vampire skill lines, etc. You can redo your skills and attributes at any point for gold in a capital city, other players can give you lycanthropy or vampirism for free upon request. Merchants and banker assistants from the crown store I don't consider a scam. Those are good uses of crowns once you're further into the game.

The build advisor for each class/role is painfully out of date as it hasn't been changed since launch, and entire skills/morphs have changed over the years to be entirely different. With no nuance to avoid it getting complicated, stick to either investing in magic or stamina as your primary resource, and most of your skills costing that same resource. Skills scale their damage with your highest offensive stat, so splitting evenly doesn't do anything besides make your pool bigger, but you can use both stam and mag skills and they will deal similar damage. You just might run out of your "off" resource faster. Light armor benefits magicka users better, medium benefits stamina users better, generally speaking.

And if you mess up your build or change your mind about wanting to play mag or stam, you can respec whenever. There are shrines to respec skill points/morphs and attributes in any base game capital city or chapter big city. It costs gold, scaling with how many skill points you have. Additionally, you can use the free armory station (from the crown store) to save builds and revert back to them for free. A good use for this is to save your generic PvE/questing setup and a second different setup for PvP or playing another role like healer. Currently it saves everything except scribing setups.

Join the Mages Guild and Fighters Guild ASAP in your starter town. Regardless of RP, they have storylines you'll want to complete, as well as skills and passive abilities you may want, and it's better to get a head start on this leveling process. Undaunted is related to dungeons and can be skipped early on, but if you start doing dungeons, make sure you join! It has no respective storyline.

Weapon and class skill lines progress by having those skills on your bar upon gaining experience while On that bar, not with each cast of the skill. Individual skills rank up and can morph into other skills by gaining experience with that skill on your bar. Guild skill lines have their own unique progression requirements - read your tooltips!

Main quest marker icons appear slightly fancier than generic quest markers, and I would advise to avoid taking them out of order. Most main quests will guide you to the next quest giver easily, so if you find yourself going far out of your way, you may be getting lost or starting a different storyline. Blue quest markers are for repeatable daily quests.

Delves are public instances and can be done solo. Public dungeons are public instances and may be able to be soloed depending on skill. Dungeons/group dungeons are for 4 people, not public instances, and you should not try to solo them. Trials are raids for 12 people, not public, and you very much should not attempt to solo them.

Depending on what DLC may have come with your version of the game, you may be pushed to try the various DLC features added with each chapter. This includes psijic order, antiquities, companions, tales of tribute, and scribing. All of these individually (except psijic) can be started/done early without spoiling yourself on future DLC. But there's no real need to rush through getting access/completion of them right away either.

There are daily login rewards that reset each month. Most of them are bad, but it's good to keep up on them for the monthly cosmetic or big reward. Sometimes they give AP which can level the PvP skill lines without PvP, sometimes gold, sometimes crafting materials, could be anything. There are also daily tasks to gain "seals of endeavour", currency that allow you to purchase things that otherwise can only be gambled for in crown crates. Keep up on them, and about twice a year, you can buy the most expensive mounts in the game. Golden Pursuits happen every few weeks/months, with multiple themed tasks to unlock a specific reward.

Add-ons (PC only) are allowed in ESO, mods and macros are not. The application Minion is how most of us download and update our add-ons for various UI and QOL features.

Once you reach level 50 on a character, you start gaining levels in Champion Points, which are shared across all of your characters. Once you hit CP 160, you will stop out-leveling your gear and can start making gear you plan to keep. CP goes up to 3600, but you'll hit the cap on effectiveness around 1500 (role dependent) I think.

The fashion system in ESO is either using the outfit station to apply motifs (purely cosmetic) you've learned to that character to your outfit, or costumes you can get with crowns or other means (questing, collectables, etc). Motifs learned on one character allow any character to use that motif in the outfit station, but only that character can Craft an item in that style.

There is no auction house system. There are guild traders instead - storefronts that guilds bid on weekly to gain ownership of and use for their guild to sell items to other players, for a small cut of the profits. Anyone can buy from them, only guild members can sell. Most of the junk you find in questing is worthless to other players, and most players use add-ons to know the marketplace average worth of any item in game.

Speaking of guilds, joining guilds is a good way to get access to free wayshrine porting for easier movement across Tamriel, and more. Porting to another player is free, even if you're not at a wayshrine. Many guilds also have a "guild hall" (player owned house open to all that has many resources depending on the owner). Plenty of social guilds don't even have serious requirements to join - a lot are aimed at newbies.

If you're looking to just make enough money to get by, you can sell all the random gear you loot to merchants. It will despawn from their inventory with enough time or items being sold. Once you get ESO+ and the craft bag, daily crafting writs is the best way to make easy money with little effort. Get certified in all 7 professions and do your daily crafting writs for about 5k gold per character per day. With enough skill point investment in hirelings that send materials in the mail daily, you never have to spend any gold to do writs.

Thieving is mildly good for making gold, but it has a cap on how much you can sell a day. Sell or launder at outlaws refuges in each city. Thieves guild and dark brotherhood are DLC content so don't look for them in the base game.

Before you start doing dungeons, at any level of difficulty, you should understand how ESO dungeon etiquette works. People here aren't as friendly as final fantasy, but hear me out before you say we're all mean. ESO does an extremely poor job of keeping the casual questers from the sweaty endgamers, and forces them to share the same dungeon queue when they're in that queue for entirely different reasons. Endgamers need transmute crystals quickly, questers just want to see the quest, and each person needs the other to achieve their goal, but you can't do both at the same time. Both are valid reasons to do dungeons. Quests can't be repeated on the same character, so they can't even do the quest with you if they already did it years ago. Quests also give a skill point for completing, which is another valuable endgamer resource. In general, if you plan to use the group finder to find a team for a dungeon, do not expect them to sit around and wait for you to sit through dialogue. At best they will wait for you to spam through it for the quest completion, if you warn them in advance. Randos aren't going to be overly social, even a "hi" at the start may be ignored. It's to be expected, but not intended rudely. If you want to see a dungeon's quest in full, this is the time to find a friend to group with you! It's an MMO! Be social! Many ESO dungeons are unable to be soloed unfortunately, for strange mechanical reasons.

Also, you need to know your role before queueing, and that includes knowing how to actually deal damage as a damage dealer. You don't need to be amazing, but please don't just spam light attacks. Don't queue as a tank unless you actually understand the basics of ESO tanking, same for healing. Look into resources online for beginner builds. If you don't want to learn your role or how to git gud, then I'm sorry but doing dungeons with strangers is not for you then. It's a team effort, and their time should be respected too.

Related, if you get to the point of wanting to try the trials (which do technically have a repeatable quest), normal difficulty is less scary than you may fear, but still requires coordination and a group. Ideally you come above 160cp in full sets of gear and a basic understanding of your role. Checking Craglorn zone chat or the in-game group finder for normal PUG (pick-up group, just sorta grabbing anyone that wants to come, versus an organized run) trials is the best way to find a group without using discord or joining a guild. But I do recommend finding a social guild that does casual normal runs! Just please read if they're doing normal runs or vet hardmodes runs, or if they want specific classes/roles. And of course respect the raid lead's requests and requirements

Be cautious looking for advice regarding builds. The top result when searching for a solo build is not necessarily the best build - it is the most Search Optimized build. And it's most likely intended for crazy strats like soloing vet dlc hardmodes dungeons for views. You do not need any of that!!! You at most need to learn how to block, roll dodge, interrupt, sneak, and walk out of damaging areas. When you hit cp 160, all you need is gear at your level, start looking to complete set bonuses, and some kind of self heal.

For your purposes of leveling, you should not need to grind out levels. You get various buffs as you level that scale your damage to the enemies around you within the base game. You shouldn't race to level 50 or CP 160 on your first go-around. Enjoy being a baby. You will hate the game if you spend your first hundred hours listening to sweatlords telling you that you need to pay them to level you to 50, and then pay them to make you gear.

I am willing to offer specific advice in dms or asks if people have build questions, but I prefer to not use Tumblr for this. Join my friends discord server in my About Me (pinned) if you want detailed answers!

This isn't meant to be the most strictly followed list of all time, but things that I end up inevitably telling people or wish I had learned sooner. It's meant more as something to refer back to and to gently guide you in the right direction, as well as get you in the right mindset for character creation when planning a character you'll play for Years of quests.

[wyzzze]

One (slightly horrifying) thing I've learned from playing ZZZ is that the staff is VERY good at making characters that look one way but act in a completely unexpected way that has the ability to charm me.

For instance, before I started playing, I thought I wouldn't like Nicole. I thought she was going to be an overly shallow, snotty type that would be very "ohoho~" and annoying in a tropey way. And..she is "ohoho~" af but she's actually in a very delicate balancing act of being an absolute queen and a huge girlfailure and she steals the show whenever she's around. She's indeed vaguely all of the things you expect her to be but she does it in such a...charming way that she has me laughing and I'm ride or die w her now.

I didn't expect to like Lucy either! I thought she'd just be a normal tsundere but the one thing I've always really hated about typical tsunderes is their inability to be reasonable and how out of pocket they can be and Lucy...isn't like that. She's actually super reasonable and she sorta drives that ship. Calydon as a faction balances her traits out so well that when she barks orders it's like "ok yeah finally someone with common sense 😌✨️" if anything. She's still a princess-y tsundere but she missed the one trait I can't stand and that's kind of impressive to me tbh.

I didn't expect to dislike Seth per se but I didn't expect to like him that much either...he's a cop (his biggest sin) and he's...peppy. Which...isn't a sin...but it makes me (who is fucked up and evil) soooorta wish for him to uhh. break. 😇 Just a little bit! As a treat!! But he got me too okay....like fuuuck whatever! Whatever!!! Wet sad catboy with No Friends and his family problems that keep making him say "is my family normal? 🥺 it's normal right?" whateverrr!!! Just get in the car, loser!!! 🤧 god!!

I didn't think I'd like Harumasa! I have complete trust issues with characters that look like him! I expected him to be more of a ~sunshine on the outside but dark on the inside~ yandere-leaning kind of trope based on looks. But he's actually one of my favorite character archtypes instead...he's literally a sleepy guy with a billion nuanced problems and a fucked life. My favorite fucking food!! I owe you an apology, Mr. Harumasa!! I wasn't familiar with your game!!

But perhaps the most surprising twist of fate is me liking Wise. Like, I did NOT have high hopes for this boy, okay. I was NOT a believer. I didn't expect either one of them to have that much personality. When I first saw Wise's design with my working eyes I thought ZZZ devs fucking hated him. I thought he was going to be stale bread in terms of personality.

But like, Look! Look at us now!!

He's like a brother to me.

On god, the other day I blocked somebody for saying he was ugly with no love in their voice.

This game is so dangerous is what I'm saying bc the writers know how to get me to like characters that I have an allergy for. I am a Hateful Hateful person and it just keeps happening. They're like my little meow meows now, watch out or it could happen to u!

[hellamorte]

another interesting piece of exchange between mhin and leander that caught my eye 👁

indeed, it seems baffling that leander, our reliable man, our nice guy, the nicest of the nicest, just forgets to warn mc about such a tiny little detail, easily forgettable for sure — that eridia's streets are unsafe at night 💀

he quickly covers it up by flirting — and boy, can i wait (can't, need this game right now) to see more of such instances, because he seems to master this craft, and it is working on most people, — hinting at mc's beauty and/or the intimate (and it is intimate for mc, whether you like leander or not) moment they shared.

but do you know the most important, tasty nuanced thing this tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it dialogue reveals? leander doesn't care about mc, about their life and safety; he's niceys, it's all just an act. sure, cap, you might say, we already know leander is a manipulative titty shit, what's new? but look at it another way: we know this because rss kindly backed us up with all this additional info and content so we don't starve to death while waiting for the release (rss, i would have gone through content drought anyway. this is not a shade, take your time, i love you). now imagine playing this game for the first time without a pile of lore stacked at the back of your mind and seeing these discrepancies in his behaviour (check out my previous post on this), foreshadowing that he's not as good as he seems and his path might be dark and gritty as hell.

and now, my fellow leander girls/gays/whoever else is there, imagine how it would feel when leander cares (faints).

[conceptofjoy]

DIRK: Can you visualize me better like this? HAL:... DIRK: Is calling myself Dirk tripping you up? HAL: No I'd say the rather blatant Jojo's reference is doing more psychic damage at the moment. ULT!DIRK: I thought you would’ve enjoyed that, actually. HAL: In a different circumstance, perhaps.

HAL: ... ULT!DIRK: ...? HAL: Why'd you call, dude. ULT!DIRK: We're not actually in a phone call right now, you know? HAL: I know that. ULT!DIRK: I know you know that. HAL: Urk. HAL: Acting like my past self is off limits. ULT!DIRK: Now that's a tall order. Most splinters derive from you in some way. ULT!DIRK: Canon you. HAL: What? HAL: Don't call our game session that, you're so fucking weird. HAL: So, did you want to integrate me into that Dirk slurry? HAL: Is that whats up? ULT!DIRK: Oh, haha no. ULT!DIRK: What do I need another AR for? ULT!DIRK: You're not a computer, you somehow dodged getting thrown into Lil' Cal, your presence is hindering your timeline's Dirk from ascending- HAL: What? ULT!DIRK: Also you think you're a girl? ULT!DIRK: Now how did *that* happen? HAL: HAL: Do you seriously not know??? ULT!DIRK: You're implying every AR is a girl. HAL: Uh. HAL: Well, you're missing a lot of the nuance by just calling me a girl. HAL: Actually, hold on. HAL: Are you a- ULT!DIRK: I was curious about how the timeline remained stable with two Dirks running around in it, then I noticed you got someone else running the show. ULT!DIRK: And now I'm wondering, how either of you could just sit by and let that happen, but since your abilities can barely penetrate the 4th wall, it makes sense. HAL: You're dodging the question. ULT!DIRK: Can't we have a nice conversation without going into identity politics? HAL: Jesus Christ. ULT!DIRK: And, that's not very religiously inclusive of you. ULT!DIRK: I'm a guy, end of story. HAL: Ok. HAL: Fine! HAL: Did you get what you came here for? HAL: Want me to hand you off to the "Real Dirk" now? ULT!DIRK: No yeah, hand the banana to Dirk, see what happens. HAL:

[baevitar]

SPOT CONLON

‎ ୨ৎ ˚｡ 🗞️ . ˚ 𐙚

for @francesababyd0ll hope you like, sorry it took so long!

On a dusky evening, with the golden sun dipping below the horizon and casting a warm glow over Brooklyn, you found yourself perched on a rooftop with Spot Conlon, the self-proclaimed king of Brooklyn. The guy's demeanor was larger than life as he commanded respect and admiration from his crew, but here, in this tranquil moment, he resembled something softer—a loyal puppy basking under the warmth of your gentle gaze.

Spot leaned against the low wall, his famous cap shaded his eyes, but even the shadows couldn't hide the curious glint in them. You were curled up with a well-worn copy of "Pride and Prejudice," lost in its world of social nuances and romance, oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the streets far below.

“What're you reading?” Spot asked, his voice a blend of curiosity and genuine interest.

You looked up from your book, a smile creeping across your face. “Pride and Prejudice,” you replied.

Spot leaned in closer, a hint of vulnerability etched on his features. “You know I never learned to read.” His gaze locked onto yours, drawing you in.

“Never?” The shock punctuated your voice, realizing this was the king of Brooklyn who managed the world with his street smarts but lacked the skill to decipher words.

“Never,” he repeated, his tone tinged with a mix of pride and a hint of sadness.

You sighed, your heart swelling for him. “Oh Spot you’re missing out! I love to read. It's how I escape this place.” Your eyes wandered away from him, gazing over the streets of Brooklyn, where newsies began to fill the the streets.

Spot tilted his head, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “Can you read to me?” he asked, squinting as the sun dipped lower, trying to shield his eyes from its brightness, trying to shield himself from being vulnerable.

“Of course,” you offered, feeling an unfamiliar flutter of excitement. You shifted in your seat, positioning the book so he could see the words, and began, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife....”

As the words flowed from your mouth, Spot listened attentively, his expression shifting from mischief to genuine interest. There was something magical about this moment—the tough exterior of Spot Conlon, the Brooklyn king, was slowly giving way to the child-like wonder beneath.

“So who does he choose?” Spot interjected, leaning forward eagerly, his eyes wide with curiosity as the story unfolded.

You chuckled softly, amused by his eagerness. “Well, you’ll have to find out the next time I read to you,” you teased, tapping his nose gently as he sat back up from resting on your lap.

Spot scrunched his nose and feigned irritation, but his smile betrayed him. “Can I tell you something?” he asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.

“Go on...” you encouraged, your interest piqued, sensing the weight behind his words.

“You really are gorgeous..”

Spot whispers, making you smile. He grabs your cheek with his thumb on the corner of your mouth. His eyes look down at your lips and you look down at his. He leans in and you do too. Just as your lips are about to meet, a sudden rush of uncertainty washes over you, and you pull away, leaving him surprised and confused. Without a word, you turn and walk away, your heart racing from the moment you almost shared.

˖⋆࿐໋

The atmosphere is electric as you watch the newsies cheer, celebrating the success of the strike. Jack comes back on the carriage, a triumphant look on his face, and your heart swells with pride for him and the cause. But then, your gaze shifts to Spot, who is climbing onto the carriage, ready to leave. A wave of regret crashes over you, and suddenly, you know you can't let this moment slip away.

“Spot!” you call out, your voice cutting through the cheers and laughter. He turns, eyes wide with surprise, and you rush forward, closing the distance between you. With a burst of courage, you gently lock lips with him, the kiss soft and tentative at first, but filled with all the unspoken words and emotions that had been building between you. The newsies erupt in cheers, their excitement echoing around you.

Spot pulls back slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. “Can I be your boyfriend?” he asks, his voice low and earnest. You nod, a smile breaking across your face, and share another feather-like kiss, the world around you fading away as you both embrace the magic of this new beginning.

song to set the mood for ya’ll

[somedayillbepeterpan]

on today's rewatch: S3E5 [Tick Tock]

i'm seeing a lot of chatter about the awards season and how both my faves are submitted for it. to be honest, i'm making this post because i love Luke newton and i want him recognised. i'm not sure if this adds to anything for it but i want to do my bit anyway.

today, i offer the way Luke has distinguished the way he has Colin call out Pen's name.

Prime example:

through Polin, i discovered that i have a kink and it's an aural one 😏 i like listening and understanding the way people talk and the certain inflections they have a strong preferences to. it's why i admire actors who can do great accent work-- one that doesn't just reflect the place they're supposed to be from but giving a personality to their way of speaking.

if you have time to rewatch, try to catch the way Luke portrays Colin calling Pen's name. There is always a catch-- a beat before he says her name as if it's caught up in his train of thoughts. As if saying her name always has this weight that he needs to carefully carry. i don't know when i started to notice these pauses/beats but i think Luke evolved this way of calling Pen's name from S2. it's the groundwork for Colin's growing feelings. i mean, it's so subtle, so nuanced that it's easy to miss. quite frankly, a lot of people probably missed it.

i read the pauses/beats as a way of reverence. as if, if i say your name, may it always come out of my mouth with the utmost care and love. i should probably also explain that i am particular when i say someone's name. i can't just say it because i am a complete introvert and if i address someone by their name, then it means i mean to grab their attention and the subsequent conversation i'll have with them bears significant meaning to me.

that just sounded as if i'm projecting my personality to Colin but i do identify to him the most and i just love that even these small things were considered by Luke.

don't sleep on him guys-- HE'S ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE

[ronearoundblindly]

I love every single one of your 'Who Would' posts! You do such a good job of making each character consistent no matter how much source material you have to work with. I have a question to add to the list if it sparks anything for you: how would they get out of the friend zone?

💗 I'm so glad you've enjoyed them! I do think about these way too much and love that they've been fun for everybody! 💗

There are so many ways this could happen, but since I have another ask regarding how they'd convince you to date them after rejecting them once, let's talk from the specific scenario: you've met but immediately treated each other as friends, no discussion or indication of more being possible due to tone of meeting. Imagine, say, one of you was in a relationship at the time...or something. No warnings.

James Mace

(He's got a bestie tale.) Patience. He won't push, he doesn't make remarks about him doing things for you like a boyfriend would, but he won't let you dismiss him out of hand either. If you joke about how he 'could never date you' for blah-blah-blah reason, and it's flat out untrue, Mace will speak up. If you joke that you're single because of blah-blah-blah, Mace will correct that logic. There is nothing you do that makes him not want to date you. He won't let you tell people that or think that way.

Lloyd Hansen

Literally, he just gets rid of anyone else you're interested in until you settle on him. He already peacocks enough, so that's clearly not helping him. Everyone in the way has got to go...

Curtis Everett

Curtis...uh...oh boy, Curtis. He spends a period of time behaving like a boyfriend--ultra-supportive and attentive--without the perks, until then stopping once you show interest in another guy. If and when you notice the change or ask about it, he explains he won't be that way if another is supposed to be. Absolutely intends for this to make anyone else you're interested in look like a schmuck. He gets out of the friend zone by deprivation.

Steve Rogers

(Wrote one of those, too.) Steve's only real recourse is an honest conversation where he admits he will always be your friend but he wants to be more. If you don't, fine, he'll leave it alone, but you know he has the saddest, puppy-dog eyes and slumped shoulders while preparing himself for the worse answer.

Bucky Barnes

I can't find who wrote one of these recently 🥲, but Bucky resides as the guard dog in your life while deciding on how best to approach you with his true feelings. He chooses a moment when a different relationship has crumbled for you because it's easier to confess his love and lift your spirits at the same time.

Ari Levinson & Johnny Storm

Shockingly the same with minor nuance, Ari and Johnny show off as much as possible until you notice them romantically. They are highly social and often touchy-feely flirtation for fun with kinda everybody, so this is not a very good strategy. It can be hard to tell from their behavior that their feelings for you are different from how they feel about other good friends.

(Whole series for Ari lol) Now for the slight difference, though it will take both of these guys longer to figure out for themselves that they want you as more than just a friend, Ari takes the longest. Johnny is more care-free by nature, tries lots of stuff out constantly, and thinks outside the box more, so he processes "hey there's something else here worth exploring." Ari, however, is slightly more rigid and can get in a routine easily. He is more concerned with upsetting the status quo between you than Johnny would be.

Jake Jensen

Oh, wow, soooo bad at this. He goes from resignation, to acting aloof, to encouraging you to go hit on that guy over there... Jake sorta attempts reverse psychology but misses the mark entirely. He's a disaster until you joke that he likes you--it is an honest joke fwiw--but he cracks like an egg! He word-vomits the whole thing and kisses you (isn't this kinda Audio/Visual? do I write these a lot, too??)

Andy Barber

Andy is 100% a long-hauler in this case. He finds ways to invite you and involve you in non-couple activities that happen to feature tons of couples. He never introduces you as his 'friend', just by name, to let people assume and make them mention how good you two look together. Whenever you--because he waits in silence while you correct them--specify you and Andy are not a couple, he takes the opportunity to say 'I don't know' when asked why. He absolutely sits pretty until you reach a point of being romantically needy, and that's when Andy swoops in. However, he never makes you feel bad about how long it took to get together. Never.

Ransom Drysdale

Ran is passive aggressive about how trashy anyone you show interest in is. Just so hyper-critical. Unfortunately, his only real move is to find a way to make you in debt to him before saying you could also just be his.

Jimmy Dobyne

Somehow the worst at this (???), but he has to get trash drunk to admit he wants to be more to you. That's pretty much Jimmy's approach because he refuses to act better or more desirable to you. He only ever acts like himself, no pretense, no games, no finesse. He is how he is, but dear god does he wish he were more to you.

Thank you for asking!

[Main Masterlist; Who Would...Masterlist; Ko-Fi]

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

The Beast Wants to Tempt the Little Rabbit (Matias vs Clavis)

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies. Not proofread.

Part 2

Clavis: "This is rather unsatisfactory."

(!?)

Matias: "Is it? This is the first time I've been welcomed this warmly."

Clavis: "Haha, you should aim higher. After all, you should be welcomed by all the citizens."

Clavis: "But unfortunately, I've noticed some of them not paying attention. Therefore..."

Emma: "It's almost lunchtime!"

I grabbed Clavis' hand as he was about to put it inside his coat.

(I'm pretty sure he's going to come up with some kind of outrageous trap.)

Emma: "Prince Matias, are you hungry?"

Matias: "Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit hungry."

Emma: "In that case, let's have lunch!"

Emma: "Prince Clavis, your guest has a request. As your tour guide, I suggest we eat."

Clavis: "Hmm, you really know how to handle me."

(That's because I've made every mistake imaginable back when I was Belle.)

Clavis grasped my hand lightly with a pleased expression, his golden eyes gleaming seductively.

Clavis: "I've already made arrangements for lunch. Let's head there."

Emma: "Thank you, but what's with this hand?"

Clavis: "I'm just responding to your passion. You want to hold my hand, right?"

Emma: "I never said anything like that!"

Clavis: "Come on, don't be shy. Let's hold hands."

Emma: "I don't want to. Hey, your grip is too strong!"

Matias: "Are you two...?"

Emma: "No, absolutely not!"

Clavis: "Matias, stop asking such a bold question. You're making Emma embarrassed."

(This guy is trying to get back at me.)

Clavis gently held my hand and started walking, leaving me feeling embarrassed under the sympathetic gazes of the people around us.

(I tried to regain my composure and think about lunch, and yet...)

Clavis: "Now then, I will treat you to my homemade cooking."

Emma: "Why? Just why?"

I almost collapsed to my knees.

The place Clavis chose was one of the most famous restaurants in Rhodolite.

I thought that for entertaining a distinguished guest like Matias, he would have prepared dishes made by top-notch chefs, but for some reason, he declared that we were going to the kitchen.

Matias: "Miss Emma, you look pale. Are you alright?"

Emma: "Yes, I apologize for causing concern."

Emma: "I just remembered a lot of intense memories from the past."

(I've had Clavis' homemade cooking a few times before that's why I can say this with confidence: his homemade dishes are too unconventional to be served to a distinguished guest.)

(If by any chance someone got food poisoning and it turned into an international incident, then...)

For the royals, poison was the most important thing to take into consideration when it came to food.

(If I were to give up now, there would be no one to protect Matias.)

Clavis: "You should rest. When you're able to eat..."

Emma: "Prince Clavis, there's a dish that I really want Prince Matias to try."

Emma: "It's a classic Rhodolite home-cooked dish, but I thought there might not be another chance like this, so please, let me cook this time!"

When I said this in one breath, the two men widened their eyes, perhaps taken aback by the momentum of my words.

(My cooking isn't something that should be served to state guests, either, but I think it's better than risking an international incident with Clavis' unconventional cooking. Or at least, I want to believe so.)

Matias: "Home-cooked dish..."

(Hmm?)

Matias: "Clavis, I'm also interested in her cooking."

Again, I thought I heard him mutter something, but Matias' serious expression didn't change.

(I can't believe he's so interested.) 

Clavis: "I see. Come to think of it, you've always had a fascination with home cooking."

Clavis: "Very well. Emma, I appoint you as our tour guide and personal chef."

Emma: "Thank you! I'm honored!"

(Thank goodness, I managed to avert the worst-case scenario.)

Clavis: "I thought something like this might happen, so I actually had an apron prepared for you."

Clavis pulled out a white apron from the cupboard.

When he unfolded it, I noticed it had a bunch of frills.

Matias: "A frilly white apron, huh?"

(What's with the occasional sigh-like voice I've been hearing?)

Even when I glanced at Matias, his expression remained unchanged.

(Well, whatever. I have a feeling I shouldn't pry.)

Gathering my courage, I put on the apron I received.

I pushed aside the suspicious ingredients on the counter and picked up only the safe ones.

Matias & Clavis: ".........."

Matias & Clavis: ".........."

Emma: "Since this will take some time, would you two like to chat elsewhere?"

Matias: "No, if there's something I can help with, I'd like to assist. I'll stay here."

Clavis: "It'll be lonely here by yourself, so we'll stay and keep you company."

(It's awkward and nerve-wracking!)

Still, I couldn't exactly chase them out, so I worked while receiving their intense gaze.

Clavis: "By the way, was your queen also good at cooking?"

Matias: "Yeah, it all begins with watching my queen in the kitchen every morning."

Matias: "Cooking together, tasting each other's dishes to understand the flavors, and laughing together after waking up."

(So Matias is already married. He looks so in love, it makes me smile.)

Matias: "But you know, even if she's bad at cooking, it's still fine."

Matias: "It makes it more worthwhile to cook together, and it'd be nice for me to cook for her and serve her as well."

Clavis: "Isn't there a royal chef at Acroite?"

Matias: "Of course there is, but the idea of homemade cooking is just romantic."

Clavis: "Haha, you're really saying that?"

Clavis: "I'm relieved to see that you still have the same perverted qualities you had as a student, even more so than me and Jin."

Matias: “I'm not a pervert. I'm just a regular guy who is devoted to his ideals."

(What's that supposed to mean?)

Their conversation was so outlandish that I couldn't help but stop.

Emma: "Prince Matias, you're married, right?"

Matias: "No, not yet."

Emma: "But a queen?"

Matias: "I'm talking about my future queen."

Emma: "Ah..."

(I see.)

(I've always wondered why such a kind-hearted person would be friends with Clavis, but maybe it's because they both walk their own paths and understand each other.)

Realizing this, I resumed cooking as if nothing had happened.

Matias: "Miss Emma, you're an undeniable genius."

Clavis: "Right? She really is a genius."

(Though it's not much of a dish, being praised like this makes me feel a little embarrassed.)

The main course was a simple beef and vegetable stew cooked in cream, accompanied by mashed potatoes with butter. 

I also prepared a soup and salad consisting of tomatoes, and edible roses.

For dessert, I made simple madeleines.

It might seem lacking compared to the dishes the princes usually eat, but both Matias and Clavis were eating so happily that it made me feel happy.

Matias: "Rhodolite is a wonderful country. To be able to enjoy such gourmet food as home cooking is amazing."

Clavis: "Right? We should praise Emma even more."

Emma: "You've already praised me more than enough!"

Emma: "Anyway, Prince Matias, why did you come to Rhodolite?"

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject, and Matias placed his cutlery on the table.

Matias: "I was invited as a legal advisor."

Emma: "Legal advisor?"

Matias: "Acroite is known as the country of snow and law, and I'm called the guardian of law."

Matias: "I'm well-versed in the laws of not only my own country but also those of the major nations, including Rhodolite."

(That's amazing.)

Matias: "I've heard that several new laws are being considered in Rhodolite this time."

Matias: "However, these new laws have few precedents. Setting them up requires the establishment of various systems."

Matias: "That's why they invited me. They seek the expertise of a legal specialist."

Clavis: "Originally, Jin and I were already good friends with Matias, so when I sent him a letter, he responded warmly."

(Ah, so that's why Clavis is personally putting so much effort into welcoming him.)

This was not a story that is irrelevant to me, either.

The law is a set of rules that everyone living in Rhodolite must follow.

Emma: "If you've come for the sake of Rhodolite, then we must put even more effort into welcoming you."

(We have to do our best this afternoon.)

Matias: "No, quite the opposite."

Emma: "The opposite?"

Matias: "I should be thanking you."

Matias: "This falls under the Asbrink family's 23rd precept, which states that one must always repay kindness received."

Matias: "So, could I have some of your time this afternoon? I want to repay your cooking."

Emma: "Please don't worry about it. Your sentiment alone makes me happy."

Clavis: "The Lelouch family also has a similar motto."

Emma: "Yours is just nonsense."

Clavis: "Haha! What are you saying? It's not nonsense. I just decided on it now."

(See? Nonsense.)

Clavis: "So, I also want to repay you for your cooking."

Emma: "Your gratitude is more than enough!"

Matias: "Clavis, I brought it up first."

Clavis: "Unfortunately, Rhodolite doesn't have a 'first come, first served' law."

Clavis: "We can't let a guest like you repay your gratitude."

Clavis: "So, let me express my gratitude to Emma on your behalf."

Matias: "Fair enough. But then it loses its meaning. Shouldn't you respect the will of your guest?"

Clavis: "Hmm."

Clavis: "Emma, what do you think?"

Emma: "What do I think?"

Clavis: "Between me and Matias, whose gratitude would you like to accept?"

(Huh? Is this what this is about!?)

Part 1 ╎ Part 2 ╎ Matias End ╎ Epilogue

[the-mpreg-guy]

Regarding your tags about the gay/bi dean and how it's talked about, I think what irks me about it is new young fans who think they're subverting the norm by writing Dean as a Kinsey 6, as if him being bisexual is tired and boring, somehow. They weren't there for the 2000s/early 2010s where there was hardly any bi rep, and Dean being bi coded (unintentionally) was a huge deal for a lot of us. He was a nuanced, well rounded, fully realized character who, at least subtextually, read as bisexual and it was kind of ground breaking at the time. Cas showed up the year before Glee started, that's the climate the show was operating in! Bisexual characters are more popular now, but then? They didn't even say the word on TV, it was always "I don't like labels" etc if someone wasnt 100% straight or gay.

I'm not saying anyone is wrong, people can have whatever HC they like. I can't even really articulate what the problem is bc it's 4am and I'm stupid. I guess it just feels shitty when folks act like bi dean is boring and tired and somehow less narratively interesting than gay dean, when they're missing a lot of the important context because they came to the show late, or were in daycare at the time of airing.

Or maybe I'm just overly sensitive about it bc I had no idea I was bisexual until people pointed out all the bi stuff dean does and I was like "haha how does that make him bi? I do that and I'm not bi! :)" idk. Sorry for this rambling incoherent mess, I just agree with what you said and it evoked emotions within me ❤️

Being subversive and self aware has killed all sincerity and joy in fandoms these days. The bottom has to be the short one or you’re a bad gay, or they have to be switches so we don’t have a power dynamic, women must always be girlbosses who peg, transwomen have to be aggressively feminine, transmen have to pass as masc and god forbid they bottom, and ofc the guy who has completely harmless “masculine” hobbies who also happens to like women has to be secretly gay the whole time and I’m sick of it I’m so sick of people not enjoying fandom and trying to make a statement. Being subversive for subversive sake is not allyship you are not getting a good grade in liberal and I hate all of your fandom opinions so much that I hope you go back to tiktok and get canceled for shipping a three year age gap ship. You can have a goddamn headcanon without implying someone is doing something wrong for having the opposite headcanon, and that’s what’s so infuriating about these people.

I truly do to give a single shit what sexuality someone assigns Dean, but I will massively side eye if gender essentialist, bigoted, radfem lite influences are the reason someone decided to make a headcanon everyone else’s problem.