#color is always a struggle sjsjj

[themoonatmingitaw]

Boy, what you gonna do with your life?

I associate this song to Wyll's situation a lot, things must have been so hard for him, with his sacrifices and unmet expectations. I wanted to hug him all the time.

[tacit-semantics]

hey, apologies if this is an unwanted question, but do you have any tips on finding resources for learning bobbin lace? I’ve started learning myself, but I’m struggling to expand beyond a torchon ground bookmark, and to understand clean color + pattern changes, if that makes sense. Love your comic panel piece btw!!

Oh hey, not unwanted at all! I love answering questions like these!! Anyways in a move that is sure to surprise everyone, I got excited and this got a little long so under the cut we go

Anyways first off- cannot recommend Jo edkins’ site enough. Fantastic instructions, info on different styles, grounds, stitches, etcetera, and there are these animated demonstrations of a lot of the stitches that really helped them click for me :) anyways this is where I did (and do!) the bulk of my learning, in no small part because it’s also free sjsjjs

Bookwise, my favorite is Lessons in Bobbin Lacemaking by Doris southard. Relatively easy to find, and there are a lot of patterns for strips/edgings in there that you can copy over. My version’s also printed on this really nice thick paper which is not immediately relevant but I DO consider it a plus

I’ve also used The Torchon Lace Workbook by Bridget M. Cook with some success, though I did find the process of copying the patterns over a little more difficult with this one. The patterns themselves are very nice though, and while I went into this one already knowing how to work Torchon, from the looks of it the introductory section is pretty solid, and there’s lots of fun color stuff going on in the patterns

Anyways you’ll probably notice that this is mostly torchon stuff- that would be because as of right now, I mostly make torchon stuff and it’s also a very very good starting point. Now, as for finding resources on your own: antique pattern library my beloved. Light of my life. Anyways, this is all public domain stuff which historically I find a little more difficult to use in terms of actually learning how to do things; the text tends to be very small and I struggle to parse the illustrations, but a)that might not hold true for you aksjsj and b) once you’ve got a general idea of how things work there’s a whole wealth of patterns right there!! All free!!!! Antique pattern library I love you. Anyways going to internet archive and searching bobbin lace is also always a very good bet, and similarly accessible. This is generally what I do when I want to find info on something either without spending money, or if I know there’s not going to be a lot of more modern books on it, like for filet lace

Now, back when I first started, I also used lynxlace a lot which was a site dedicated to the making of various kinds of lace- unfortunately it seems as though the site itself is no longer available, but it’s still accessible through the wayback machine. This site often references the owner’s book- I haven’t read that and I’m not sure if it’s still available, but if you find that the way the free lessons are presented works for you, then that might be worth looking into. This site also has a resources section linking to other sites/books- as a general rule that’s also a fantastic way to find more, well. Resources aksjsj. Honestly, I’d recommend checking if all of the books/websites that you like have a resources/works cited/other books section or something equivalent. Following any links will probably require liberal use of the wayback machine, but it really is worth it if you wanna build up a bigger resource base :)

Anyways, I hope this helps!! My more general advice is to just have fun with it which I suppose seems a little obvious?? But it can get very very easy to get caught up in the specifics, and especially with something as fiddly as lace. Dont be afraid to experiment!! Try what sounds interesting!! I wish you the best of luck with your projects, and also I’m very glad you liked the comic panel piece I loved making that sksjsj that was so much fun

[mymanskabu]

Can you write something for Kabu where his s/o is gonna introduce him to their family and he's a bit worried since he's on the coughcough older side and his s/o is in their late 20s/almost 30?

I was writing so much into this, I forgot what the request was hdjdjd I still wrote what you wanted but it's like at the hella end. I'm sorry sjsjjs

I wrote a whole back story, could have been fic or something lmao. 😭

I also feel like I need to apologize for being so cheesy, I can't. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it! My writings alright.

You were having dinner with your family since faraway members had come to visit. It was cold season so you were eating warm homemade food (I imagined some Tamales not gonna lie). You leaned into your big black jacket that you placed over your chair and drank from your cup of tea (or favorite drink).

"Do you have a boyfriend yet, (Name)?" A nosy family member asked. You shook your head as you stuffed food into your mouth to avoid talking about it.

"I thought you were seeing someone?" Another member asks. You couldn't avoid the question after you swallowed your food.

"It didn't work out."

"You're still young, you have plenty of time to find someone perfect for you. They're just old and jealous!" Someone defended you. You grinned appreciatively and ate much more comfortably. You snuck some food to your Ninetales as well, who laid elegantly under the table, completely inconspicuous.

You had other Pokemon but you and Ninetales went way back. It's been battling with you since its days before touching a Fire Stone, it practically grew up with you. After the dinner and minimal socializing you went home then straight to bed with your Pokemon curled up by your legs.

You liked to go out, get fresh air for both yourself and your Pokemon. Ninetales was always outside its Pokeball unless it really wanted to be in it. It liked walking and prancing around you happily, it was always energetic in the mornings. Something you couldn't relate to but you tried for Ninetales.

Galar got very cold during winter season, it was good weather for big jackets though and that's one thing you liked. Ninetales ran ahead, it knew you where you always went to sit down at the benches or grass but today you were doing something different and Ninetales didn't know.

"Wait! Ninetales!" You called for it before running to catch up with it. Someone with a jacket similar to yours turned a corner and you accidentally shoved them. A Sizzlipede fell from the top of their jacket, your eyes widened for moment.

"I'm very sorry," You crouched down and offered the palms of your hands to the small Pokemon. "I won't hurt you, I'll put you right back where you were. I promise."

The Sizzlipede glanced up at the person you shoved and so did you. Your gaze shifted back almost immediately after though when you felt the Pokemon crawl onto your palms. They took the Sizzlipede back and placed it on their shoulder, then on it's own, it made it's way into their jacket, around their neck.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, have a good evening!" You nodded at them and they nodded back as they watched you catch up to your Ninetales. You placed your hand on top of its head then slid your hand downwards to flatten its soft golden fur.

"We're actually going to a cafe today, sweetheart. They had treats that I wanted you to try," You explain to your Ninetales that had tilted its head to the side. Hearing the word "treats" had it hopping around excitedly again and it followed you to where you wanted to go.

Once you got to the cafe, you were greeted by a maid who guided you to an empty seat. She said she would be back to take your order in a bit then when she left, you started looking over the menu.

"I highly recommend the Spicy Liquid treats for your Ninetales," A vaguely familiar voice speaks from beside you. Your gaze moved upwards and you blinked owlishly at the person. You recalled their jacket that covered half their face straight away. They were the person with the Sizzlipede scarf.

"Thank you, would you like to sit down? I'd like to hear what else you recommend, if you don't mind of course."

"Yes, thank you." Their voice was starting to give you the impression that this was a male. They unzipped the part of their jacket that covered their face and you saw an older man with chisled features that trapped the attractiveness that he most likely had since his youth.

"I'm sorry about earlier," You comment, a nervous chuckle leaving your mouth. He shook his head dismissively while a reassuring smile pulled on his lips.

"It was an accident. What is your name?" You introduce yourself and Ninetales since it happened to be nearby. It stared curiously at the man sitting across from you then waved its tails from side to side before going back to socializing.

"I'm Kabu," He said. Your eyes squinted when you heard the name, it sounded like a name you should know. You placed a hand on your temple and gave a short sigh.

"I know who you are, you're the Gym Leader at Motostoke, right?" He acknowledged your question with a brief nod.

"I hope that doesn't change anything...?" You instantly shake your head.

"Not at all! It's a realization I had is all. You're still human aren't you?" He mimicked the smile on your face and the both of you made friendly conversation. You noticed how easy it was to talk to him, the conversation felt natural, almost as if you'd known him for a long time.

He shared with you that his Ninetales very much enjoyed Spicy Liquid treats and assumed yours would too. He asked about you, if you battled, what you do, and general questions about you. Getting to know you was definitely the highlight of his day and he was looking forward to meeting with you again.

You couldn't stop grinning on your way home as you thought about your conversation with Kabu. Perhaps you developed a small crush on him, and the erratic pounding of your heart when you so much as thought about him told you so. It was quite ridiculous, why in the world would he want to be with someone of your age? And if you considered his appearance, you had no chance at all.

That's what you had assumed anyway. He called for you to meet him with him again, same location. You were eager to see him again therefore the answer was an immediate yes. Kabu felt that same eagerness to speak to you again and that's why he had invited you out. He could not get you out of his head ever since you knocked off his Sizzlipede. It must have been fate that he found you again in that cafe he frequented.

He gradually became addicted to your presence as did you. It became very clear that you two were absolutely smitten with each other. He occupied the space in your head more often than not and at some point you realized you wanted him around you as much as possible.

"Kabu."

"Yes?" He glanced at you, taking his eyes of the snowy scenery. You struggled to get the words out of your mouth, you kept parting your lips then closing them again.

"(Name)?" He placed one hand in his jacket pocket while the other reached out to hold your hand. "Take your time, tell me what's on your mind."

"I... I... love... you?" He was speechless and concerned. Why did that sound like a question? He was stunned, this entire time he was thinking you couldn't feel that way about him but you do. His steps halted to face you properly and hold both of your hands.

"I love you too."

"Oh, you do?" Your eyes widened at the revelation, huffing in disbelief. This moment played in your head a million times and each time you practiced an apology and braced for rejection.

"Yes, I do."

The world around you was still, there was nothing but silence between the two of you and bubbling anticipation in your chest. Seconds of nothing turned into minutes until you pulled on his hand, causing him to trip forward. Your lips barely touched his in that short kiss.

"Let's just... take things slow." Your smile exposed the pink on your cheeks much more and his face copied the color.

"That would be ideal."

As the relationship developed, the physical contact became more frequent, the kisses became longer, and the attachment to each other grew stronger.

At times one of you would have a good day and smother the other with kisses. This one time it happened to be Kabu, you could barely get a word out.

"As much as I love—" He interrupts your mouth with his. "This is great and all but I can't make conversation like this."

"I think the noises you make when we kiss carry the conversation just fine." You hold his face away from yours, desiring nothing more than to get lost in his dark eyes.

"I love how I can just look at you and be happy, must be a new phenomenon," You said. Gently, you pressed your forehead against his and both found satisfaction with feeling the other right beside them.

"This is not a proposal, but would you want to get married at some point?" You considered his question carefully, you didn't know about anytime soon but...

"Only with you."

You'd been together for a long enough time to consider a lot of things in this relationship. Your family knew you were seeing someone, they were surprised it lasted so long. They were even more surprised to find out you were still with him as of now and they could actually meet him.

"Meet your family?" He questioned. He never once considered this, for some odd reason he had forgotten this was part of a relationship. "Are you happy? Truly, are you happy being with someone like me?"

"Someone like you? What in the world does that mean?" You took hold of his hand before continuing. "You know, they honestly thought I was going to just be alone for the rest of my life with Ninetales."

"Answer the question."

"Kabu... Of course I'm happy being with you. If it's the age gap you're worried about then stop stressing over it." You brought his hand up to your lips and kissed the back of it. "I knew exactly who I was confessing to when I did so, did you not?"

"I... I did, when I responded to your feelings as I did, I knew what I was doing." He ran a hand through his hair, reminding himself that it's clearly gray. "I'm not sure about meeting your family, (Name). They may not be pleased with you being with someone older, there could be someone better around—"

"There's no one else I would rather be with. If you leave me, I have nothing. Don't tell me I do because I don't," You cut his sentence off harshly. "My family may find it weird, sure, but it's my life, I can be with you whether they approve or not and no matter the outcome, I'm staying with you."

You were having dinner with your family and Kabu, who sat next to you wearing a white button up with the first two buttons loose. Mostly to your request, he looked really good in your opinion.

"Into older men now are you?" That same nosy family member from the last dinner a long time ago scoffed. "He could be with someone much more... mature."

"Yeah, he's with me," You answered sharply. "Thank goodness he's not with someone like you, am I right?" Kabu chuckled under his breath, he didn't know he could love someone even more than he already did.

"Watch it, brat—"

"Honestly woman, are you mental?" The family member that defended you before speaks up. "You can't mind your own business and be happy for someone! It's no wonder you're on your third marriage."

You and Kabu nearly spit your drinks at the newly acquired knowledge. That nosy member ate her food in silence after that. The one constantly defending you smiled at the both of you.

"I hope the both of you enjoy your relationship, if (Name) is well taken care of, we will approve of you two for as long as we live." Kabu nodded gratefully at this family member while he squeezed your hand under the table.

You said your goodbyes to the family, except the rude one, you pretended not to see her. You shut the door with a long and tired sigh before turning around then heading to Kabu who sat stiffly on your couch.

"You can relax now, you know?" His gaze flickers over to you, but he doesn't say anything. He merely stares at you as if he was contemplating something.

"Is there something I can do for you?" You let the short laughter out of your chest. He held your hands tightly. He appeared nervous, but you had no clue why.

"...marry me?"

"Pardon? Did you just— is that a proposal? Oh, wait!" His crestfallen appearance made you panic. "I would love to marry you! It was just so sudden! Yes, I want to marry you, I would love to!"

Surprisingly enough, he had a ring and everything. He had been planning the proposal for a while now but ultimately decided for a simple approach. After your family pretty much calmed his worries, he felt relieved because you complete him now.

"You were the biggest plot twist in my life, but I am grateful that it happened," He said, wrapping an arm around you with no plans of letting go.