#cautious origin

[thenikwell]

Other Cautious creatures

[meamiki]

(You gently drop the flower in their open palm, and act like nothing out of the ordinary happened.)

(Loop does, too.)

[anghraine]

I know it's well-understood at this point that Kirk/Spock is much more of a nerd4nerd ship than a nerd/jock thing, but it's just been kind of percolating around my mind that both of them aren't just space nerds but space nerds who were personally bullied.

Like, 18-year-old Kirk was targeted by an older bully who combines "total asshole" with "the most grating man in existence":

MCCOY: Well, yeah, I'm beginning to feel a little bit picked-on, if that's what you mean. KIRK: I know the feeling very well. I had it at the Academy. An upperclassman there. One practical joke after another, and always on me. My own personal devil. A guy by the name of Finnegan. MCCOY: And you being the very serious young— KIRK: Serious? I'll make a confession, Bones. I was absolutely grim, which delighted Finnegan no end.

This was five years after Kirk survived a genocide, btw, and likely well before his stint as an Academy instructor known to be strict and demanding (which is the period the "stack of books with legs" description of him comes from). By the time he's 33, fifteen years after all this, it turns out one of his deepest fantasies is just beating the shit out of his bully, but only if he can do it According To The Rules (the replica of Finnegan sneers, "Always fight fair, don't you? True officer and gentleman, you").

Spock, meanwhile, is viciously targeted by his Vulcan peers for being biracial from at least age 5; he's described as being tormented by other boys by that age, and "at home nowhere except Starfleet." I think he'd have been 18 or 19 when he left for Starfleet and it's... the least bad of his options, but he seems to have spent his entire career among humans and being persistently subjected to raw racism and profound disrespect for his culture at every turn.

Like, their histories of being metaphorically shoved into lockers are not identical or anything, but I think it's interesting that they both have them.

[kanguin]

Apropos of nothing, here's my top 15 anime and whether the story would be improved if you made the main character a trans girl:

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - You can't transition Rimuru in a way that matters, but honestly if Rimuru did start to ID as a woman over time, that would be cool. Unlikely though considering his human form is the body of Shizu, so a fully fem form would feel pervy to Rimuru.

2. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Well it'd certainly make the title funny if you made Edward into Edwina. And it'd make Ed/Winry into yuri. But honestly it'd change very little imho. Though it would be interesting to explore transition in a world where alchemy exists, but just in a different story. Might make for a fascinating post-canon fanfic?

3. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation - Oh god would it. The story is already focused on exploring identity and already has dysphoria when a god he talks to forces him into his pre-reincarnation body on the astral plane. Making Rudy into a polyamorous trans lesbian would literally be peak and elevate the story so much.

4. Kaguya-sama: Love is War - You know what? Yeah. I can vibe with making Miyuki Shirogane trans. It would add another layer of intrigue to the story AND make it gay. It could even be funny if Kaguya or Chica found out before Shirogane did. Wait. No. It would be hilarious if YU ISHIGAMI found out first, and just, assumed Miyuki was closeted, and not just, clueless. Yes this could add so much entertainment value.

5. Dungeon Meshi - Lord almighty get this autistic furry a choker and some estrogen, stat. I make it no secret how I feel about the Trans Touden Sisters interpretation.

6. Dandadan - Make Okarun and Jiji trans girls and make the main cast a messy polycule and sign me the FUCK up please! It would be so funny and so much fun. I NEED this version of Dandadan. It'd be even funnier considering how much is focused around Ken's junk and him being partially possessed by an old lady.

7. Overlord - NGL I'm not even sure anything would change if you made Momonga into a trans woman. She'd act the exact same, and so would everyone else. Interesting for sure, but fruitless, ultimately.

8. My Dressup Darling - Crack? Crack cocaine? Do you realize how amazing it would be to make this into a story about a gyaru girl pulling a closeted trans girl excitably out of the closet?! This would make this so much cuter than it already is, I think I'd EXPLODE.

9. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom - It wouldn't change much narratively, but the world could always use more stories with polyamorous trans lesbians as the protagonist.

10. The Faraway Paladin - Wouldn't change much honestly, but it would be cool. Tbh Season 2 Will looks like a stealth/closeted trans girly already.

11. Mob Psycho 100 - Again wouldn't change much but would be fun. Put Mob on estrogen and watch her transform from anxiety autism failboy to anxiety autism failgirl. And then still be the kindest person in any room.

... Okay though, on second thought, getting to see her go ???% on a transphobe would be cool as shit.

12. One Punch Man - another no change case. One Punch Woman. She has boobs now. She probably transitioned in like a day somehow.

13. My Hero Academia - I think putting Midoriya on estrogen would fix the show actually. Maybe also put the writer on estrogen just to be sure. (joke)

14. Kill la Kill - Making Ryuko Matoi a trans girl would actually be really cool, especially with her challenging establishment, with the themes of clothes being a restrictive aspect of society, and with her gay romance with Mako. I've seen so many trans girls on Tumblr with Ryuko's exact shameless, confident personality, I just know it'd be epic.

15. Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious - It would change little about how Seiya acts, but realizing she's trans would definitely give Ristarte's bisexual ass a nosebleed. Though Seiya would probably be ultra mega hyper closeted behind numerous mystic barriers, so that'd be fun to explore.

[disasterhimbo]

I’m not sure if anyone’s noticed, but if you’re wondering why I often go days without posting anything recently, it’s the long covid. Sometimes I’m too tired to even use my phone in bed.

Wear a respirator (KN95 or better, N95s tend to seal better but it depends on your face shape).

There’s a 10% chance of long covid every time you get infected, 59% of transmission is asymptomatic, you can get it outside (I did), and this shit sucks ass. Also, there’s gonna be a bird flu pandemic soon too if there isn’t already.

[sleevebuscemii]

it’s giving camp rock shane gray before he got sent away for having an attitude problem

[zannolin]

father christmas' gifts to peter being described as being "just the right size for peter to use" when peter is young and presumably still too small to handle a full-sized sword and shield makes me wonder if he stopped using them when he got older, or if they were enchanted like susan's and lucy's gifts and always stayed just right for him. there's a kind of grief in the first one, but also the second feels more consistent with the gifts as father christmas was bestowing them ykwim

[marikodraws]

Watch your hands (and paws)! ⚠️✋💥

[leopardsealz]

gull besties

please reblog my art!

[i-may-be-paranoid]

I know that pulling away from everyone I know and retreating into fantasy is unhealthy but like. it feels really good

[aquaticfox32]

can Narra give Fern some chocolate??

You may, but Narrator is wary of gifts given to her. You might have to convince him before she is allowed to take it.

[friendshapedplant]

Selling a couple respirators!

Yea hi I'm a mask freak with a couple masks to get rid of:

White M/L Dentec Comfort-Air (gently used, comes with used N95 filters)

Small Black 3M SecureClick (new, comes with new P100 cartridges)

16-pack Dentec Comfort-Air N95 filters

Details can be found on my Mercari listings for them :0 Only shipping in the US unfortunately!

[ID: Photo of a couple of respirators—a 3M SecureClick and a white Dentec Comfort-Air—in bags, and a box of Dentec Comfort-Air filter pads. /End ID.]

[cuddlytogas]

oh! by the by, for folks not aware of my weekly breakdowns on twitter, I've been compiling a Comprehensive OFMD Soundtrack as we go through s2 (here; and my s1 playlist is here)

it's all about trying to be able to basically listen along with the show, and contextualising all the classical music a bit more. except I don't actually have a good memory for repertoire, so y'know, it's a bit cobbled together from other people's insights and copious Shazam-ing, and there are still a few notable gaps.

still!! it's allowed me to make some cool connections and notice some fun themes! I'm currently tracking the use of the La Follia theme in s2, and let me tell you, it's a fuckin doozy so far!

please let me know if you have any additions or insights to make!! I love soundtracks and classical music a lot, despite my shitty memory, and I think it can provide such an interesting window into the show! <3

[claire-de-lune-poetry]

Identifying the python-

Reoccurring images stir me wide awake

The deep illuminated fear of this ginormous snake

Pythons are unique a select set of skills

Patient kind of hunters will have you in chills

Often remaining motionless for the unexpected strike

Not the type of creature you'll find on a hike

Not a poisonous bite but constricting in suffocation

Becareful for your waking life a plan might be in placement

Watch those around you, for they watch you too

A cold-blooded killer found a warm-blooded prey

Or am I entirely wrong in my interpretation display

Could I be rebirthed the symbolism misconstrued

Brought to my attention to usher in the new

I hope I can decipher the image in my mind

For on this back and fourth debate I seem to loose the time

Maybe it is both a warning and remind

For with either answer to not be so blind.

[gina103]

Girl From The Belly Ch 3

It's time for the ball! It's also time for Lina and Cassian's first encounter!

Ch 3 - word count: 3052 Previous - Next

Cassian was already exhausted, and the ball had only just begun.

It had been a day full of last-minute fittings, editing of the guest list, and seating chart changes. The staff were all hands-on deck. Every room was filled with servants and other members of staff either cleaning or directing others.

The chaos of preparation had certainly paid off. The ball was a glorious spectacle. Inside the grand ballroom, hundreds of beautiful flower bouquets decorated each table and lined the perimeter of the room. The side tables were stacked high with decadent desserts, cakes, and finger foods. Footmen with rigid posture patrolled the outer edges of the dance floor with more drinks and sweets adorning their trays, offering refreshment to anyone who had just finished a dance. The guests swirled about the room. High-ranking politicians, lords, ladies, minor royals from the neighboring countries, all dressed extravagantly and promenading about the room like dolphins circling a school of fish. Everyone was here to make moves, whether it was subtly arranging marriages between their eligible children, or building rapport with an advantageous figure, or simply catching up with acquaintances.

Cassian had his work cut out for him. He’d been mostly separated from his fiancé throughout the entire process of their engagement besides their introduction to each other. The duchess of Avila was a woman, elegant as they all were, polished, she knew exactly how to converse with someone to extract the precise information needed. It wasn’t hard to see why, she was tall, slender, with long raven black hair, icy blue eyes, and a countenance which thoroughly pulled you in. Cassian found himself in a strange mood every time she was around him. He’d always had trouble trusting other people, and this case wasn’t much different. He was awkward, reserved, and slightly cold to her. At least she had figured out that the best way to handle it was to simply leave him alone.

After his first dance with her was done, Cassian immediately wormed through the crowd and almost ran towards the refreshment table. His job was not done yet though. After the dance, they both had to be introduced to dozens of political officials and important people by King Edmund, which was tedious of course. The entire time, Cassian daydreamed of the ball’s conclusion, of finally going up to his study and being alone. Finally, there were no more people whom Cassian was required to speak to.

However, on his way back to his seat, he bumped into an old schoolfellow of his, Lord Babbledon.

“Ah! Your highness!” He called out, he was already drunk, “been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Lord Babbledon,” Cassian acknowledged, “nice to see you.”

The man held a glass of champagne in one hand. It was a real shame he had turned out this way. They had lots of fun adventures when they were schoolboys, but now, Lord Babbledon was well known for frequenting the gambling dens, and his local brothel more than his own home.

“If I must speak, I will say your fiancé has mighty fine eyes!” He said slightly slurring his words.

“I shall be sure to inform her,” Cassian said shortly before turning on his heel and walking to his seat.

Once he sat down, he closed his eyes, leaned his head back, and took a deep breath. It’s almost over.

He took one more deep breath before opening his eyes and taking in the scene around him. When he wasn’t in the midst of things, he could step back and appreciate the work that went into the ball. Staring up at the ceiling at the large and extravagant chandelier which twinkled brightly amidst the candle-lights, he listened to the chatter of the guests combined with the waltz music that was played. His eyes rested back on the room. It was quite lovely, actually. Once he could have a moment to breathe, Cassian found himself not minding everything as much as before. His eyes once again flitted up towards the ceilings, admiring the crown molding that adorned all sides of the walls, it must have taken months to sculpt it. Cassian’s eyes halted abruptly on something on the wall, it looked as if something was poking out of it. Upon further observation, was that a head?

From his seat, Cassian could see an almost microscopic head continuously poking in and out of the wall. He could spot hair, long auburn hair draping down from the head, an arm reaching out to sweep it out of the way slightly, revealing a face. Although he couldn’t make out the face and what it looked like exactly, he knew he had to be staring at a person. It must be, but whatever this person was, they had to be small, very small. Cassian’s heart was pounding, just what the hell was he looking at? Could anyone else see this? Was he hallucinating? He looked around at the people around him, nobody else was looking up at the ceiling. His heart nearly stopped when he looked up again, whoever the little person was, they were staring right at him.

It was definitely a woman that he was staring at, and she was completely still, frozen, like she’d been caught. Cassian was fascinated, even from far away he could see her tiny chest expanding and contracting with her quickened breathing. She was frightened. Could Cassian be intimidating? Yes, but he’d never imagined himself as a scary individual. The way the little woman was looking at him, made him feel a bit weird, what was there to be so frightened of?

Cassian’s pondering was put to a halt when he saw the woman realize she was leaning way too far out the window. She was going to fall.

And she did.

His heart dropped into his stomach as he watched the woman try frantically to get her body back through the window, but it was too late. She plummeted down headfirst, landing in a large chocolate cake below.

Cassian jumped up from his seat, heart pounding as he moved briskly through the crowd towards the dessert table, but there was a new obstacle in the way.

Someone else had reached her first.

-

Lina was having the time of her life.

Even though getting up into the secret spot above the ballroom was exhausting, having to climb unnumerable amounts of stairs covered in cobwebs, their only light being a small lantern from home. The view was one thousand percent worth it.

Through the small window, Lina could see the entire ballroom. It was a spectacular scene; gasps of awe and glee were the only noises from the trio that could be heard in their secret spot. Mrs. Acorn and Mary were just as excited as Lina of course. Mrs. Acorn pointed out all the most important people in the room to the girls, describing in detail their rank, their eligibility, their children and future children, absolutely everything. The beautiful waltz music lofted its way up to them, prompting Mary to grab Lina excitedly.

“Shall we dance?” she asked.

Lina nodded giggling as the two attempted to replicate the dancing couples below. Mrs. Acorn watched the girls fondly; she swayed along with the music. It was a very happy scene, and Lina was sure that if her mother or Eunice could see her now, they’d be very angry with her. But luckily, they were both at home asleep in their beds, along with the rest of her family.

After a long time of dancing, admiring, and gossiping, Mrs. Acorn announced that they should be getting back to The Belly. She and her daughter proceeded towards the door, simultaneously noticing that Lina hadn’t moved.

“C’mon then, Lina,” Mrs. Acorn said beckoning her along.

“I think I’ll stay for a little bit longer,” Lina replied looking out the window again, “You guys go ahead.”

“Are you sure you can find your way back?”

“I’m sure.”

“Well ok then, have a good night!”

Mary and Mrs. Acorn left, waving goodbye as they went, leaving Lina all by herself in the dusty little room.

Turning her attention back to the ball, Lina leaned further out the window and began to search the room for the only person she wanted to keep track of, the prince. She found him almost instantly, he was sitting down after dancing with his fiancé. He looked so dashing in royal blue. Compared with all the other men in the room, he certainly looked the most handsome in Lina’s mind, his dark hair contrasting with his deep blue attire, giving him an almost ethereal air. He looked as if he belonged to the night sky. She wished she were able to see his gorgeous blue eyes from up here, surely, they were stunning as usual. Lina did one last sweep of the room with her eyes, intending to gaze upon the prince one more time before leaving. However, there was a problem. When Lina rested her gaze on the prince once more, she was absolutely frozen in place.

He was looking right at her.

There was no mistaking it, he saw her.

Those gorgeous blue eyes of his were wide with wonder, unable to move from her own gaze. They were caught in an extremely dangerous staring contest, with neither of them daring to look away. It was in this staring contest where Lina felt herself leaning way too far out the window, too busy caught in the prince’s gaze. Panic set in as she realized that she was going to fall if she didn’t correct herself. Frantically, Lina attempted to lean back up into the little dusty room, but it was too late, her weight was too off-balance.

All she could do was let out a tiny gasp of fear before she tipped all the way forward, tumbling headfirst out the window.

It happened so fast, the air rushing around her, the ballroom whooshing past.

SPLAT.

Lina couldn’t breathe, she was laid face down in something sticky, something thick, something sweet? What had she landed in? Lina tasted the substance on her face. It tasted like chocolate. Had she landed on a giant chocolate cake?

There was no time to waste, Lina tried her best to not let pure panic take over, but it was extremely hard. She wrenched herself up off the chocolate frosting, attempting to wipe the substance out of her eyes. How on earth would she get home from here without being seen? Before she could so much as formulate a plan, her heart stopped.

An enormous pair of brown eyes were locked onto her miniscule form.

Before Lina could so much as scream, an equally gigantic grubby hand shot out and wrapped its vice-like grip around her, yanking her out of the cake and almost stuffing her chocolate-covered body into a dark, cramped, fabric-lined space. Lina realized with horror that she’d been stuffed into a pocket. Whoever this person was, there was no escape from whatever terrifying fate that awaited her.

Nausea kicked in as she felt her captor’s body weave in between the crowd, swaying her fabric prison. Lina’s eyes welled up with tears, would she ever see her family again? She should’ve just gone home with Mrs. Acorn, then none of this would ever have happened. Lina would die from her own stupidity.

A door was heard opening and slamming shut, her captor let out a gleeful giggle as he reached into his pocket and clumsily fished the chocolate-covered Lina out. Her captor’s eyes drank in her form, almost drooling at the sight of her. Lina finally had a chance to take in the appearance of her captor. Sandy blonde hair, brown eyes which were framed by dark circles, a wide smile which revealed rows of stained teeth. Lina had never been more afraid in her life, she felt more like prey than ever before.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing?” her captor mused. A thing, that’s what she was in this moment.

She watched in horror as he brought his pointer towards her face, wiping some of the frosting off before sticking his finger into his mouth, tasting it.

“Delicious.” He whispered almost seductively, his hot alcoholic breath wafted over her, sending terrified shivers down Lina’s spine.

Slowly, he brought the same finger he’d just taken out of his mouth towards her again. She attempted to flinch away from him, but what could she do? He literally held her in the palm of his hand, he had absolute power over her. Right as his saliva-covered finger was about to touch Lina’s cheek, the sound of a door slamming was heard.

“Lord Babbledon!” A masculine, assertive voice was heard, “what are you doing in here?”

The hand she was held in quickly coiled around her to hide her from view, constricting her limbs and preventing her from breathing fully, or seeing who had entered the room.

She heard whoever it was come closer.

“Y-your highness! I promise you I meant no harm,” Her captor stuttered pathetically.

Lina’s heart leaped. It couldn’t possibly be who she thought it was, right?

“What’s in your hand?” The voice asked authoritatively.

“N-nothing,” Her captor replied nervously, “I swear to you that I would never – AH!”

Lina felt dizzy as her fleshy prison twisted and flipped upside down. Whoever this mystery person was, they’d grabbed her captor’s arm and twisted it behind his back. Lina felt her captor loosening his sweaty grip on her body, she found herself being maneuvered into a different pair of hands.

“Leave,” The masculine voice growled at her captor, or Lord Babbledon as he’d been called.

Hurried footsteps were heard before the final slamming of the door echoed around the room.

The hands of her rescuer unraveled, finally revealing their owner’s appearance. Lina’s body froze as she took in the hypnotizingly handsome face of prince Cassian, his watery blue eyes locked completely onto her miniscule form and to her surprise, were filled with concern and kindness.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly.

Lina found herself unable to reply, everything was too much. From falling into the cake, being immediately kidnapped, and now rescued by the prince, it was too much to bear at once. Lina’s mouth opened as if to reply, then closed as she realized she could barely breathe.

“I-I c-can’t,” she attempted to say flapping her hands, tears now streaming down her face, mixing with the now dried chocolate frosting still on her face. She choked on a sob, feeling utterly pathetic.

“Shhh, it’s alright. You’re safe now,” the prince said gently, he took out a handkerchief with his free hand and began delicately wiping away her tears and the chocolate residue.

“See? All better,” he said once he finished wiping her face.

Lina could not believe this was happening to her, the prince was actually comforting her. However it was incredibly embarrassing, their first ever interaction and Lina was crying and covered in chocolate. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t help her heart fluttering in her chest. Slowly, she calmed her breathing. She never expected the prince to be acting so kind towards her. She raised her head, meeting his warm gaze.

“Thank you,” she said attempting to give him a grateful smile.

“You’re very welcome,” he smiled back at her, sending flutters through Lina’s stomach, his brows furrowed, “you aren’t hurt anywhere, are you?”

If Lina was honest, she would have said that her body ached like hell. She simply felt sore all over due to her captor’s grip, but she didn’t feel it necessary to talk about.

“I’m not hurt. But I’m sure that man certainly is,” she said, her voice taking a more playful tone.

The prince chuckled a bit at her statement, “I believe Lord Babbledon will have quite the sore arm.”

“That was his name? Lord Babbledon?”

“Yes, you’ll find his name suits him quite well.”

Lina giggled.

“Your laugh suits you much better than your tears,” the prince added kindly, causing Lina to go pink.

“I’m glad you think so, but I think I’ve spent much too long away from home,” Lina said looking around to see where exactly she was in the palace. Being kidnapped and now sitting in the palms of a prince could sure give one tunnel vision.

She realized that they were in the white drawing room on the first floor. Thankfully, there was an entrance into the walls in the room which she knew of. It was underneath the grandfather clock in the corner of the room.

“Ah, of course. I’m sure you wish to get as far away as possible,” the prince said.

“Well, I should have been home a long time ago, but changes in plans happen,” Lina replied, a smile creeping onto her face, “Will I be let go?”

“If you wish, I have no reason to keep you. However, you must promise me something,” he leaned in closer, “you must promise to come see me again.”

Lina felt a thrill rush through her, “will I be compensated for this second visit, your highness?”

“You require compensation? If I had known this, then I would not have asked.”

“I’m only teasing, your highness. Will you please let me down by the grandfather clock over there?” Lina asked, pointing to it.

He obliged, cupping her slightly in his palms to keep her from falling out. Slowly, he bent down and opened his hand for her to get down. After jumping down from his hands, Lina turned to look up at the prince who, kneeling down, loomed over her like a building.

“I’m sorry I disrupted your ball, I’m sure you are eager to rejoin the festivities,” she said.

“I would not be sorry if I missed the entire affair,” the prince replied matter-of-factly before adding, “may I ask your name?”

Lina placed a hand on her chest dramatically, “your highness, we have not been introduced! It would be entirely inappropriate.”

“You are now concerned about propriety? You tease me.”

“Be patient, prince Cassian, I must keep up my appearance of mystery.”

“You use my name, yet I’m not allowed to learn yours?” he leaned down further, “You are a mystery indeed.”

“And I intend to keep it so,” Lina said almost mischievously, “Good night, your highness.”

“Good night, mystery.”

Lina disappeared under the grandfather clock. Once she made it back inside, she collapsed against the wall, clutching her chest in an attempt to slow her racing heart. she couldn’t decide whether this had been the best or the worst night of her life.

It was certainly the most thrilling she’d ever had.

[thechaoticpoetrysociety]

Capture the little falcon, before he burns the book,

Fracture the the future captain, before he gets hooked.

By the waywards and agitators,

By the lions and snakes.

They'll tempt and they'll sneak until rightness is something to forsake.

So feed poison until you've weeded them out,

Call in fear in the name of safety for the town.

So they'll chant capture the little falcon,

Before he goes exploring,

Fracture the future captain,

Before he goes roaring,

To the young, the poets and the future,

To our sons, the ferocious and the newer.

Burn down their forests,

Lock the gates until they grow up,

We all know the chorus,

There's no need to disrupt,

What's perfect, familiar and right.

There's nothing we need to to rewrite.

So capture the little falcons,

Before they go paving,

Fracture the future captains,

Before they start creating.