#don't you all have bigger fish to fry how can you think of getting your nut when the world's ending

[novadreii]

netflix's the dragon prince: hey, we're here to ride the nostalgia wave from those of you who never emotionally recovered from avatar: the last airbender. we're gonna give you 7 seasons of a similar but insanely watered down formula depicting 4-5 different factions forced to work together for the fate of their world, while grappling with familiar moral quandaries such as:

growing up means not seeing things as black or white; they are actually shades of grey! every other theme in this show however, will contradict this. don't worry about it.

don't let the pain you endure turn you into a bitter old bitch. it's actually infinitely cooler of you to always, without fail, take the high road and be the Bigger Person.

since hatred and bitterness can't undo the wrongs committed against you, they are functionally useless emotions and you shouldn't have them. dummy.

we are all made up of Good and Bad, but only the actually Good Guys who tell the Bad parts of themselves to F off deserve to be happy.

retribution and revenge and violence are always Bad, and committed by Bad People only.

you can save everyone!

everyone is capable of change, they just gotta make the right Choices. Easy peezy.

everyone deserves to live, even killers.

also, there will be so many quips written into the dialogue that you'll risk breaking a tooth from cringing so hard. and lots of gay so we don't get shit from you all like the last time we had to bend over backwards to network TV LGBT restrictions. enjoy feeling good about being doormats, nerds!

[meruz]

hi!! im sure ppl have asked this b4, but i scoured your asks tag for an hour or so looking to see if you answered anything abt it and couldnt find anything, so i was just wondering if youve made any posts on your process for making n selling merch b4? and how you know which franchises you can make merch for w/o getting into trouble w copyright n trademark stuff (hopefully that makes sense, im not sure,,,)

hi! got a bunch of asks abt merch stuff lately im gonna put it under a cut.

preface: i don't know if i'm the best person to ask about all this stuff because I'm doing merch on a strictly hobby basis LOL. I have a fulltime job which takes care of the bulk of my finances, I don't really make big quantities of anything and my main priority at cons is to just make enough money to see my friends in different cities at minimal expense. i pretty much always get a refund when i file my con taxes because my profit after all the deductions is like fucking..nothing.. lmao. So if you ultimately lose money following my advice don't blame me. OK NOW lets get into it

my process for making merch: when I have an event scheduled that I want to make merch for I start by brainstorming a bunch of stuff I wanna make. for mgscon this is what I wrote down in my sketchbook lol

i made a legend to denote which ones are actually just reprints. it gets easier to plan out merch when you already have merch. out of the new merch ideas here i actually only made like 4 of them. and out of the reprints i only reprinted like three. i also came up with like 4-5 other merch ideas after writing out this list that i actually did do. LMAOO UM. my point here is that nothing rly goes as planned.

when i get a merch idea i start with thumbnails what i want it to look like (sometimes this is based off merch ive seen before so its very realized and sometimes its really vague bc im kind of pulling it out of my ass)

then BEFORE i go into making the final art I research how I'm going to make the merch. whether its printing/constructing it myself or looking for a manufacturer. There's a lot of different places that you can get custom merch made, i used to go shopping around at local printing shops but nowadays it's really common to do it all online. For both these jet tags and the washi tape I did some of my own research into manufacturers and also asked friends for their contacts/referrals/recommendations etc. most manufacturers either have their specs/template publicly available or will give them to you when you ask. so once I've locked into a manu and gotten the specs I'll start designing the final art.

then it's sending it off and waiting! easier said than done.

i will say this process is a lot lengthier for some types of merch than others LOL. for prints... I've been doing prints for like a million years and I plan out almost none of it. I draw everything at print resolution so a week before I have a con scheduled I'll simply go through all the files I've accumulated since my last con, squeeze whatever drawings I want into standard print sizes lol (ie. 8.5x11, 11x17, 4x6 etc), and print them at a local shop. takes like a couple hours max.

how you know which franchises you can make merch for w/o getting into trouble w copyright n trademark stuff?

I mean. honestly I don't know. selling fanart is the kind of thing that IP holders kind of just let slide as long as they don't think they're losing a substantial amt of money on it. there ARE a couple franchises people avoid because they've been known to send IP lawyers after fanartists... disney is the big one and they're known for being pretty petty abt it... that's why you don't really see people selling fanart of the disney princesses at cons. ive heard pokemon will also crack down if your project seems to be making a lot of money lol, part of why i think a lot of pokemon fanzines operate on a charity basis. I do feel like the pokemon company has bigger fish to fry than someones artist alley table though so i wouldn't sweat it too much.

it's also generally considered impolite/bad taste to sell fanart of small franchises. webcomics and indie games especially if they only have like 1-2 devs who rely on the income that game makes.

I'm not a lawyer so you shouldn't consider this legal advice BUT I will say... I don't think you should let IP law stop you from selling fanart lol. especially if it's low quantities/not mass produced and you're not making crazy amts of money I think you kind of have a leg to stand on. Besides, most cases it seems like the worst you'll get is a cease and desist.

you Will notice that when people start turning their artist alley endeavors into a real business they'll generally ease up on selling fanart (the case most prominent in my mind is omocat lol). but i love fanart and thats why i will never make money and thats a promise [snake saluting gif]

SORRY IDK IF ANY OF THIS WAS HELPFUL. I've been doing merch and cons for a long time (10+ years lmao, you can find record of this on this very blog) and i think im kind of old fashioned about it. i recognize the artist alley/merch scene is a lot more demanding now than it used to be but start small at local low-risk events, online sales etc and work your way up and remember to have fun and itll be ok i believe this wholeheartedly.

its literally just layers of acrylic like any other dinky charm. I'm sure pretty much any manu that does acrylic charms could do it but this specific charm/template i did order through a group order server. they're pretty well known! heres a link to their twitter

@wheatormeat sorry for taking a full month to answer this... anyways. This is tricky because I've actually been changing up my sticker manu everytime LOL IDK if I've found one I actually love.

these ones i ordered thru an alibaba manu because I was jumping on a friend's group order to save on shipping. it was ok. they arrived a liiiitle late and printed a lil dark but i think thats kind of my fault LOL I use dark colors i always need to lighten things before i get them printed and i think i just didnt lighten these enough. otherwise i rly love the quality!

i realized i never posted these online and also this is not a good picture (the lighting in my living room sucks rn) but i printed these tmnt stickers thru stickerninja they feel really solid but they needed kind of a lot of space for the cutline. but their customer service was very nice and helpful!

these ones i got printed at washimill and i was so impressed with how fine their cutline is... pricing and quality of the sticker itself is alright they feel a lil flimsy? idk. but i do like the printing. i kind of elected to go with them solely because i was already ordering washi tape. A LOT of my manufacturing decisions are made based on how much money i can save on shipping tbh.

and thats my sticker manu reviews dont forget to like comment subscribe idk if i have one im gonna stick with forever or anything im rly indecisive. ideally id like a manu based in the u.s...? because im based in the u.s. and international shipping is pricey. but idk if i keep ordering washi tape maybe ill keep using washimill. who knows...

[romchat]

I am loving the double but I can't help feel that the main couple's relationship is so transactional, all she does is ask him to do things for her and all he does is do them. I understand the drama is about her revenge but I thought when she said she didn't want to be a burden and that she's be his pawn too she'd actually help him with his schemes she doesn't have any power but she's very smart and could certainly contribute and help. They both have bigger fish to fry and his also involves loosing his parents but he spends so much time helping her because obviously he loves her I would've liked to see her do the same even occasionally.

Anon, have you seen Episode 28 yet? This scene made me squee:

Fangfei: I've been panicking trying to figure out how to pay you back so I tried to find an excuse. I used to think I would pay you back everything I owed you. Now that I've done the math, I don't think I can. Duke Su: Don't pay me back then. Fangfei: You'll suffer losses. Duke Su: I can afford it.

Their love language is digging up dead bodies and hosting exorcisms for each other.

The ledger might be more in her favor but they clearly match each other's freak.

Although your question makes me think what would happen if they were to get married.

A key theme of The Double has been Fangfei learning to express her desires and to step into the chessmaster role she was born to play. In her previous marriage, she shrank herself to make space for her husband's career and appease her in-laws. That self-sacrifice ultimately left her with nothing more than an open grave and a shovel to the head so with the Duke she uses transactionalism to make sure the scales of their complicated relationship never tip more in his favor than hers.

But in encouraging her autonomy and putting his trust in her, Duke Su has also given her room to bloom. It's a completely different relationship than with Shen Yurong, which opens a lot of narrative possibilities around how will Fangfei's story end, especially as she has always avenged those who have helped or sacrificed for her.

Will the big cathartic moment be from her avenging herself? Or will it be from avenging the Duke and his family because his grievances are now hers? Will she ultimately have to make a trade-off between her plans and his? Or will the tradeoff really be between revenge and her own healing?

As another man's wife or companion, will she truly feel equal and at peace?

I can't believe we only have like 10 more episodes to dive into any or all of that 😭

[wannaeatramyeon]

More Gun + Goo Shenanigans

Credit Card

The first message came through at 8am.

Accompanied with 'oops, forgot mine. using yours. hope you don't mind 🥺🫰 '

And usually Gun would mind. He would mind a whole fucking lot. But when you're in a junkyard moulding your masterpiece, having left most of your usual everyday carry at home. Well. You have bigger fish to fry. Or a smaller Daniel Park to cook.

Besides, it's probably just an energy drink anyway if the amount and the blonde's habits are anything to go buy. Gun can let it slide just for today, that for some reason Goo has desided to forgo any contactless payment and use Gun's card. Whatever.

And then the next messages from his bank continue to come through.

8:32am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

8:56am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

9:17am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

9:25am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

9:30am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

9:33am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

9:34am: Coffee shop - 8000 won

Ok. That's enough.

Gun angrily dials Goo. Seriously. "What the fu-"

"Sup man!" Goo sounds completely manic and shrill. Likely about to buzz out of his head.

"Did you just pound 7 coffees and an energy drink?"

"7 doubles and an energy drink," the voice on the other end corrects.

"I'm cancelling my card."

"No wait-"

Family friendly

"What you crying for kid? Never seen someone so handsome before?" Goo flashes his most winning smile. The one where it's all teeth and maybe a touch feral.

Understandably, the kid, probably no older than 8, wails even louder.

What. the. fuck.

That's what you get for trying to be family friend huh. Goo starts scowling at her, now inconsolable with fear.

Honestly. How dare she take one look at his face and burst out into tears.

Where the fuck are her parents.

Gun would have intervened; they have places to be, things to do. If only the whole situation wasn't so entertaining.

Especially as he now looks over and finds his partner in a bizarre stand-off where Goo's face darkens the more the kid cries, and the kid cries the more terrifying Goo's face becomes.

"This lil motherfucker-" Wait. A lightbulb goes off in Goo's head and he forces all the cheer he can into his voice. "Kid, come look at this!"

She looks up just in time to see Goo whipping the sunglasses from Gun.

Her daddy has warned her about this. The red scar. The eyes. Pitch black. DEMON.

She runs off screaming and flailing as Goo cackles.

Hospital

"Why is it when something happens, it's always you two."

"Just want to see your pretty face again, cutie!"

The elderly nurse sighs. She's experienced far too much, is too weather beaten, for Goo Kim's flowery words to have any effect on her.

Completing her last rounds before her shift finishes, she just wants to finish and then go. Have a bath. Lie in bed. Lo and behold, she has these two idiots appearing once more in the private wing.

Hmm. It had been a few weeks since she last saw them.

She rifles through the clipboard, checking the doctor's notes. "So what are you in for?"

"Fighting." Gun, on the next bed, answers.

"...And you both ended up with neck braces?"

"Yep! We got a little rough. You know how these things are," Goo chirps, light tone contrasting with his eyes angrily glaring at Gun.

"...It says pillow fight here."

"Yep!"

That doesn't sound right. " And what were the pillows filled with?"

A brief pause, where they exchange shifty glances before piping up together, "Rocks."

Outfits

"That looks great on you,"

"I know."

Gun ignores Crystal fawning over Goo. Completely ignores them and the vein throbbing on his temple.

He absolutely will not concern himself with such juvenile things.

Barely remembers the first time he wore the same outfit, picking Crystal up and accompanying her to J-High, she took one look at his outfit and held back a giggle.

He doesn't give a shit. He has more important things to think about.

Or when Goo raided his wardrobe, rifling through outfits, laughed at this monstrosity and then asked if he could have it, Gun just shrugged. He has no attachment to it.

And now Gun absolutely doesn't care that Goo is on the receiving end for his outfit.

Who gives a shit.

Gun Park is above this nonsense. So what if he is daydreaming about strangling the life out of Goo in that stupid shirt and stupid scarf.

It's no different than usual, he always fantasises about killing Goo.

It's fine.

And one I accidentally deleted: Spice Eating Contest

"...What's wrong with you two?" Kouji, face completely repulsed, watches his two hyungs scarfing down the ramen in front of him.

The store's spiciest, apparently. Renowned, Crystal had said. Three please, Kouji had asked. And when it arrived? Disappointment. Spicy? Not by a long shot. Barely even having any heat.

The same can't be said for Gun and Goo's palate, tears streaming down their sweaty beet red faces, snot flowing freely and ew. Likely mingling with everything else.

"It's not spicy at all!" Goo spits, mouth full of ramen and glowering at Gun.

"Who said it was spicy, idiot." Gun retaliates, eyes leaking even more as he shoves in another mouthful.

"Umm. Guys. You need to be careful-" Kouji tries, but to no avail. Both now too busy trying to swallow inbetween coughing fits.

Oh well.

He did try to warn them.

Guess they will just have to deal with the aftermath once the spice works its way through their digestive system and wrecks their body for a second time.

[snoopledrooplecheesedoodle]

Day 9: Festive Lights: Mikitaka

Hey this was made for @spaceyxcowboy, enjoy the gift bestie because I know how much you love Miki. I know we don't talk much but hey I appreciate you.

TW: Being held hostage, held down, Mikitaka is a bit creepy

Humming a Christmas tune that is by Cariah Merry you spin around merrily opening the dusty boxes from the storage closet. Yes, it's that time of year to celebrate the winter season once more. You needed to bring some cheer to the outpost you were cooped up in.

Yes, being a park ranger was your dream, but you would love to be able to see your loved ones around the holidays. Unfortunately, you were the youngest member of the squad so everyone else had more authority over their vacation days. With the Christmas season comes many forest fires due to some idiot trying to stay warm.

You tried not to let any resentment seep into your bones as you string the old colorful bulbs around the outpost and your temporary home. Moriocho National Park was beautiful during winter with the evergreens creating an emerald carpet for your bird's eye view.

You cheer as the lights you found shine dully with vibrant reds and greens. Maybe your holiday won't be so shitty after all, you think as you pour yourself another cup of instant coffee. Now to sit back and relax.

As you sit watching over the forest you start to feel a bit sleepy. This coffee really is crap because you find yourself dozing off warm and cozy in your tower. Oh well might as well catch some zs.

You are awoken with a start as a loud crash followed by tremors that shake you tower causing your lukewarm coffee to spill all over your uniform. Gross you'll probably never get that out, however there were bigger fish to fry. Outside your outpost north of where you were an eerie blue glow shone bright enough for you to see it from where you were.

You don your ranger jacket and grab your first aid kit, flashlight, and a hunting knife. You'd be back before nightfall, but you'd make sure to bring these things in case things go south. You climb down the tower and walk into the deciduous forest; this shouldn't be too bad probably some lost campers.

Approaching the spot of the glowing you hear a humming noise that sounded... out of this world. Just what was on the other side of this trees? Pushing forward you were shocked to see a ship? UFO? What on Earth was this aircraft? You jump when you hear a hissing noise and see the front door of the craft open to reveal...a blonde man?

The man in question was very human looking but at the same time not, he had long blond hair and green eyes but also had pointed ears and his eyes glowed unnaturally in the fading daylight. The man surveys the forest around him before. When he spots you, he smiles. "Greetings inhabitant, could you tell me what planet we are on?" Okay this is very weird. You look at the man and his ship and narrow your eyes out of suspicion.

"You're on Earth and you happened to have crash landed in Moriocho National Park." You feel for your knife in case things go south he may have a ray gun, but you still would try. The alien walks out of the ship and stares at the damage. "This damage to my ship will take some time to repair, does Earth have psychronium plates?" What? "No never heard of those, you'll have to find something else to substitute." The alien deflated a bit at your words causing you to soften. You were a park ranger and park rangers help people, even people from out of this world. You place a gentle hand on the blond man's arm.

"Hey, you can come to the watch tower, maybe I could find somethings that might help you." The alien man's phosphorescent eyes glowed even brighter as his long blond locks floated for a second. "Thank you, earthling, you are very kind. Please take me to this 'watch tower'." Oh boy you don't get paid enough for this.

"I'm (y/n) and you are...?" The blond floats over to you and smiles. "My people call me Nu Mikitakazo Nshi." Yeah, you weren't remembering that. "I'll call you Mikitaka, that okay with you?" Mikitaka looks away before looking back at you. "Of course."

You return to the inside of your rusty rundown tower (government really likes to pinch its pennies) sighing as you see the coffee stain and shattered coffee mug on the ground. While you see a list of things to do, Mikitaka is in awe of how simple yet unknown everything was for him. The faint glow of the barely functioning Christmas lights is dimmer compared to the bright shine of Miki's bright grin eyes.

"It's not much but you're free to look around." you sheepishly stare at your shoes, embarrassed to show such a sophisticated technologically advanced person your crappy temporary home. Mikitaka hums and nods as he searches through your things until he finds a picture frame.

"(y/n) who are these people surrounding you?" The blond man asks eyes shining with a desire of knowledge. You walk over a peer at the photo before giving a bittersweet smile. "Oh, those people are my family. My parents and our dog Iggy." You laugh thinking about how angry that dog was to have to wear that ugly sweater. Mikitaka tilts his head at your expression and response. "Do these people make you happy?"

Your eyes mist over with a solemn sense of loss, it just feels like you never talk to your parents anymore. You couldn't even get bars of reception to wish them a merry Christmas. "Yes, I love them a lot, I really wanted to see them." Mikitaka looked more confused as looks back at the photo of the happy family. "Are your loved ones deceased?" You wave your hands frantically. "No, NO, my job just prevents me from spending time with them at the moment." You think about Mikitaka's presence which was a much-wanted reprieve from the gnawing loneliness.

"Besides I have you to keep me company during Christmas and that's plenty." Mikitaka studies your face before nodding. "I do not know what this Christmas is, but I enjoy your company as well." You grin happy to make a new friend.

The familiar hiss of the portable kettle as your heated water was ready for the feast you have prepared. Two cups of (favorite flavor) instant ramen for you and your new intergalactic buddy. What better way to introduce an alien to Earth cuisine than instant noodles. Opening the ramen pouring the flavor packets and hot water stirring till you had two steaming adequate dinners.

"Here you go Miki, I give you one instant ramen, the highest of Earth cuisine." Handing him the styrofoam cup as you dig into yours with (chopsticks/fork). Mikitaka smiles before staring at the noodles. He then proceeds to take a bite of the styrofoam allows the very hot water to flow onto his hands. "It seems impractical to eat something like this." You stare in disbelief as he continues eating the entirety of what you gave him (including the styrofoam). The two of you eat in silence for a while before Mikitaka speaks up.

"(y/n) you called me Mikitaka and then you called me Miki, is that an Earth custom I'm unaware of?" You snort as Mikitaka looks confused at you. Do they not have nicknames on his planet? What a sad life they must live. "Oh well Miki is a nickname; humans like to use them with friends and loved ones." You explain patiently as the blond absorbs the information, unsettling green eyes never once leaving your form.

"I see you hold affection for me, and you shorten the name. May I call you (clumsy shortened version of your name)?" You burst out laughing causing a noodle to fly out of your nose, which only made you laugh harder. Mikitaka stays completely silent enjoying the joyous noise you were producing; he didn't know why you were doing this, but he wished he could do it again.

"You're not half bad Miki."

"You are the greatest human being I have ever known."

He proved to be very blunt with complementing you. You two chat and you laugh at how adorably clueless Mikitaka was, this holiday has proved to be better than you imagined. You let out a yawn feeling Hypnos call out to you. "Well Miki I'm going to hit the hay; would you like some blankets?" Miki tilts his head confused at your figure of speech. Perhaps it was a weird Earth tradition to do before sleep. Your form sparkles under the dull lights which made you the most interesting thing in the room.

His organ that pumps blood throughout his body began to beat much faster than regular. Oh my, was he experiencing illness his people never got sick! However, this feeling wasn't bad, in fact it was the best Mikitaka had felt in a while. When you left the room, the feeling went with you making Mikitaka reach out his hand. He wanted to still be around you, yet he stood in the middle of the room watching you fall asleep in your cot.

Two glowing green eyes watch you sleep every curve of your body interested the alien. He never thought he would have a mate of another species but the way you looked so peaceful made his heart palpitate again. Running a smooth hand over your arm he shivered at the softness of your exposed hand. You shiver as his hand makes contact with you.

Oh, his mate was cold, that wasn't good, he would provide you more warmth in order to prove his worth to you. Turning into the blue goo his simple form was he covered your body and began steadily radiating heat. You sigh with pleasure as you drift further to sleep. The alien felt bliss of covering your whole skin, his blue form shining under the dim Christmas lights. Which shifted to a weird bright aqua color.

Mikitaka knows he'll extend his stay for quite a while until he can find a way to convince you to come with him. After all you are the light of his world.

Hope everyone enjoys especially you @spaceyxcowboy

[ultfan]

HYPER-SEXUALITY AND THE TRAGEDY.

it's sinday and that means i finally can talk about one of my favorite headcanons about komaeda in the tragedy. strap in folks — and hold your judgement because i know it sounds really fucking funny at first (and it is) but i promise i have deep thoughts about this.

as i've mentioned before, i do believe that komaeda would be hyper-sexual. and i do mean hyper-sexual — not that he has a high sex drive — but rather the fact it is an issue that plagues him and inconveniences him. this, rather than being a proper addiction or even a trauma response, is instead due to his ftd. meaning that this isn't really something he can work on/fix with therapy or most typical ways of treatment. however, hyper-sexuality is one of the handful of ftd symptoms that can be dealt with via medication. and i do believe that komaeda is medicated for his health issues.

however... once the tragedy hits i do not believe that he would be able to keep getting his prescriptions. and even if he could, i don't know if he would. be it the ultimate despair mindset or simply because he has bigger fish to fry. and so, it becomes something at the forefront of his mind again.

now, i have often seen the fandom depict komaeda in the tragedy as a sexual deviant. depravity is welcome in the tragedy and thus he is able to fuck freely. thanks to the existence of the servant persona, some people even go the extra mile with that... (personally, i don't think that "servant" existed prior to udg — but that's another thing for another time). however, despite everything i've said: i think komaeda was the least sexually active member of ultimate despair during their time of operation.

lerf — i hear you cry — how can this be?! well, let's talk about how ultimate despair is:

often it is easy to forget that ultimate despair isn't extremely hedonistic in their actions. they too despair — they may revel in it, but they do cause pain to themselves as they cause pain onto others. they'll kill and torture, but they'll also destroy their own families and bodies. ultimate despair is not indiscriminate in spreading despair. there is suffering on the part of everyone involved. be it via mutilating themselves, starving themselves, or something else.

and so i bring you the thing i have been alluding to for fucking weeks (maybe months???) on this blog at this point: the cage(tm).

aka: the komaeda chastity cage era.

okay, okay, get the giggles out because this is serious business (yes it's also really funny conceptually but stick with me). komaeda's hyper-sexuality is something that is gonna unfortunately plague his mind with constant sexual thoughts and desires. he literally cannot help it. and to prevent him fro alleviating these desires someone (likely junko <3 thanks queen) could lock him up in a chastity cage. which would not only make it fucking worse, but also completely stop him from getting any real satisfaction/gratification even if he did have a sexual encounter. in essence: he is fucking suffering ladies, gentleman, and everything in between.

it is a special brand of torment just for him. it's not a kink thing or anything like that — it's not fun for him at all. it's distracting, it's annoying, it's stressful, and it is a constant source of frustration. and before you comment, yeah this is logistically sound — he can pee, and depending on the type he can probably clean it pretty well if need be. i did my fucking research (i'm committed you guys).

anyway if junko doesn't keep the key i do think the idea of ultimate despair fucking trading it around is super fucking funny. taunt him, bully him, whatever. this is me fighting against overly sexualized version of tragedy komaeda. what if he was sopping wet and pathetic guys? have we considered this? well, now you have.

[einsatzzz]

Hello ❤️ I have some meta asks for your ocs

Kana: What controversies/drama would your character incite in fandom?

And (yes she gets two because I am biased and looking for crumbs)

What is the quote between your character and their love interest/whoever they might be shipped with that their fans would latch onto?

Kurumi: What would be the ‘incorrect but wildly popular’ interpretation of your character in fandom?

Yui: If your character had a breakout show/film/comic, what would the plot be? Who would be in their supporting cast?

- 🍎

Hello 🍎Anon 🫶✨👀 Thank you for sending this over and enabling me to yap more about my blorbos 🥰🥰🥰 I only know what to talk about when I draw them, but for pure text posts I often blank out on what to say, so I love asks! I will try my best to give you Kana crumbs too!

🍎Kana: What controversies/drama would your character incite in fandom?

If Kana were a canon character, Kana and controversies/drama are like blood brothers, like soulmates. They are a set package. It wasn't there at the start or perhaps there will be initial discourse about her gender. But fandom will find out eventually that they have bigger fish to fry. As more and more layers of her character gets revealed, the more fandom discourse there is. She is certainly not a character for people who view things in a black or white manner or those with low reading comprehension 😭🤣😭🤣 *looks at those gear grindingly loud mfs on twi//ter*

On the surface, she would prob be reduced to either a some kind of siscon (memes included) or straight-up a cruel/heartless character with ulterior motives ("maybe her love for Kurumi is just a facade? and she has ulterior motives?"). If you peel off the first few layers, you will see that she really does genuinely love Kurumi and her family, for better or for worse. If you peel off more layer, you will see an asshole. If you peel even more layers, you will see an even bigger asshole banned from hell.

Also do you know that one meme where they keep putting Oi\\kawa (from Hai\\kyuu, a VOLLEYBALL series) in a line up of actual villains/war criminals?

Kana would be there, except she kinda deserves to be there. People who don't get the joke would complain about why Oi//kawa keeps getting included in these fuckass lists that includes Kana and other messed up characters lmao (truthfully i didn't get it at first when i saw it and was lowkey pissed since im an oi//kawa oshi lmaooo now it's just funny every time i see it. still crazy to see him lined up with characters like d//io or aiz//en or gri//ffith like damn wwwwww)

Did you know? My favorite character from Monster is Joh//ann Lieb//ert hahahaha nothing important, just wanna say it haha,,,hahaha,,,,, pls ignore if you don't know Monster sdkjfsdhvfsd

🍎Kana: What is the quote between your character and their love interest/whoever they might be shipped with that their fans would latch onto?

The least spoilery thing I can come up with on the spot on is Hibari telling her "You're so stupid (affectionate & relieved)" after she does (and says) something objectively very stupid that could even give YuiRumi&family a heart attack & a stroke simultaneously.

Short, simple, effective. ME, personally, I will lose my mind and latch onto it even on my deathbed.

If you want something that could potentially come from a Kana POV, I do have a quote like this saved:

🎀Kurumi: What would be the ‘incorrect but wildly popular’ interpretation of your character in fandom?

For Kurumi, I think modern fandom would focus too much on her gender? There would be a divide in the fandom based on how they interpret the "Gender: ?" in her profile lmao We can see a lot of people insisting that she's non-binary. That's fine and all, everyone is free to interpret characters as they like (except if the creator has reiterated clear rules and boundaries for it). The problem is that we can also see people say that you can't refer to her as anything else but non-binary sjdgbhjsdfvhjsbfd

🤖Yui: If your character had a breakout show/film/comic, what would the plot be? Who would be in their supporting cast?

My understanding of this question is that it's asking for a Yui spin-off where he's the MC! It would be in a light novel format under the romantic comedy genre (with some sci-fi, perhaps? because he loves making robots hahaha inb4 it becomes a mecha story). The story's main couple would be him and Hiyori, because that's what Yui would've wanted. He is delusional and down bad.

In terms of shipping, we actually have three main ships we've committed to. It's just that I often end up posting about the two CanonxOC pairs more sjkdfjskdf but the third one is an OCxOC pair between Yui and Hiyori (YuiHiyo). Sowwwwyyy Yui! uwu Hiyorin is holding me at syringe-point and telling me to shut the fuck up about it.

[autumn-foxfire]

Oooh, are these the episodes where Shinichi almost gets caught by Gin in the locker? I think they are! I'm excited, that moment has such great HC potential!

Shinichi the moment he gets a hint of the BO: All care for his cover goes out the window and he gets reckless.

I'd say it's interesting that in a situation where the BO are involved, he isn't worried that Ran has accompanied them, when he won't even tell her his secret due to fearing the BO killing her, but I guess Gosho didn't think about that. No, wait, as I was writing this, Shinichi thought about it but he's quickly put any worries to the back of his head.

You know, Shinichi, if Kogoro and Ran were aware of your situation, they would be able to help you get the disk so much easier. Ran could use Shinichi's name to get it for him, saying the man might be related to a case he's investigating so he needs to check it. Just spitballing some ideas here for you, Shinichi.

How... how does Kogoro in these moments not realise that he is not the one solving the crimes T-T I know he's dumb and prideful at times but come on, he is smart enough to be a detective.

Shinichi using the victims dying message as a way to get the file he needs without raising suspicious, he's resourceful at least. And then once again Ran, in a very weird position in this series, is the one who hinders Shinichi.

Okay, I say it a lot but it's because I mean it, I love when we get to see Shinichi be rash and reckless, I love his flaws. He had to mentally talk himself down because he's got what he wants and now he just needs to leave but he can't do so without wrapping up what he had started even though he wants nothing more than to get away and follow the scent he's found. It's in these moments we see him be a teenage boy who just wants to return to his normal life so badly.

Then stop waiting, Ran. Stop waiting for a man you don't know will return and finally live your life. And when Shinichi comes back into it eventually, then you decide what you want to do.

And stop lying to yourself, Shinichi. You have changed, you aren't the boy she remembers, not anymore. You can't go through what you have without changing. The way you lie to her is the biggest proof that you have.

"Your always crying." She is, because Gosho doesn't know how to write her beyond crying love interest whose life revolves around a man and we hate it. Ran deserves better and I'll say it until I am blue in the face. It might seem like I complain about her writing more often than most but that's because hers is probably one of the worst in this series.

Shinichi, you shouldn't be running with such an important disk in your hand.

Shinichi's lack of interest in girls is so amusing. He's very gay, gay, homosexual, gay.

Oh, this episode introduces the soccer belt. You will become one of Shinichi's most feared weapons.

Agasa is much more fearful than Shinichi is XD

The dreaded coin locker. I can't wait!

My dog is trying to liveblog as well T-T

It's Shinichi's luck that he gets picked up by jewel thieves though. He must hate his life sometimes.

Shinichi: Can I go one moment without being involved in a crime?!

Life: No <3

Yamamura should not be a police officer. He's bragging about how he misused his gun...

Shinichi to the criminals: I'm sorry, I have bigger fish to fry than you two.

Imagine being shaded like that by a boy who looks like he's in grade school. I'd never live it down.

Shinichi really did not think this through. He's down two of his main weapons and he's going to confront criminals that have bested him multiple times.

Gin has got such a cool voice...

Gin helping his partner, how kind of him.

0219. A number that Shinichi is sure to never forget.

I LOVE THIS MOMENT SO MUCH. It's such a small one but it's such a good one to explore Shinichi developing trauma from almost being caught and killed. I did a small drabble on tumblr which involved him developing claustrophobia due to this, associating the small and suffocating spaces with almost being killed.

It's so great too because Shinichi resents Conan, he hates how his body has been altered and he can no longer live his previous life, and yet it's due to Conan that he is able to investigate the BO as well as he can, it's saved his life more than once.

Annnnd he's hiding the truth from Haibara T-T I know he said he would protect her but protection is not leaving them in ignorance. In fact, especially for Haibara, it puts them more in danger.

[grecoisms]

title: a heap of broken images (2/3)

pairing: kim wexler x lalo salamanca

rating: M

summary: 

“The last time Kim threw up was on the way from Red Cloud to Lincoln, at age sixteen."

"And I will show you something different from either Your shadow at morning striding behind you Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you." t.s.eliot - the waste land

.

The last time Kim threw up was on the way from Red Cloud to Lincoln, at age sixteen. Her mum blamed it on her reading a book while on a bumpy road, but it turned out she had gotten the scarlet fever, immediately missing the first two weeks in her new high-school. Not that it mattered much: they moved to Fremont two months later, the book she had read on the road (Crime and Punishment) - along with most of her clothes - abandoned at that shabby Lincoln apartment. 

As she washes her face in the sink of the nearest bathroom, she doesn't remember whether she had even, had ever, finished that book. She remembers the heat in her cheeks and the sudden fever rash, spots all along her lanky body, the telltale sign of the illness, red like berries, red like blood.

Yes, Lalo Salamanca has those telltale sign of illness as well, red exclamation marks around him. He needn't even open his mouth, no, because he might be an illness himself, hollow and horrible - all hunger. He could see it in his grin, the delight when she noticed the blood stains on him. And even if her brain knows that secondary sources are to be taken with a pinch of salt, she still can easily imagine now what Pete said: Jorge De Guzmán sitting in the blood, with the calmest of faces, with the surest of hands. Those two, the ones who tried to kill him, never stood a chance. 

There is still bile in her throat as she stands before the mirror to smooth the folds on her skirt, her shirt, her face. No matter. She has to go back, has to see this through, because she cannot bear to think of the future yet, the one which seems to turn muddier by the seconds. 

Let's try to plan this by hour then, says her practical self. First MDC officials, then the persecution, if needed. And when Jimmy comes home, we will plan the rest together. Tackle each problem one by one.

Except.

When is Jimmy coming home, huh? says her other voice. Is he coming home around the time your father will? Haven't you learnt anything? 

But for Kim, this hypothetical loss is so unbearable that she shooes it right away. 

Okay then. Let's be practical, not ethical. How about giving Salamanca up? If you do it now, right today, he will rot in prison for the rest of his life and you and Jimmy can start anew. 

Except they can't. 

Because Jimmy has already agreed to help, has already helped: first Varga, then another man in the cartel, and finally Salamanca himself. Criminal activity, in the starkest sense. And you don't get witness protection if you help criminals. You get prison, or something that makes you feel like you're in one. 

Under the current circumstances, giving up Lalo means giving up Jimmy. Jimmy and what comes with him. A life of -

Let's look at it from a different angle then, the voice continues, what if there are no bigger fish to fry than this Salamanca? Who knows how important he is? After all, they did try to murder him this morning.

But, she counter-argues. That's probably quite normal in the drug-business. If not a shiv, then poison or a bullet in the back. 

Wondering would have to wait though. If her client lets anything slip in the future, she will be first to take a mental note of it and use it later, but right now, she has more pressing issues. No point in chasing alternatives while reality awaits. And ultimately she shouldn't get her hopes up, really: Salamanca doesn't look like a guy who lets anything "slip" either by fate or circumstance, unless he deliberately wanted someone to bite. 

And just for the record, she tries to remind herself while shooting one last look at her reflection in the mirror, the actual ethical choice would really be giving Salamanca up. 

.

"Miss Wexler" stutters Pete as he spots her in the shabby corridor, aiming for the door again. "I thought you have gone home."It's true that Kim left the room in such a hurry that the words she threw at Pete in passing couldn't have made too much sense. 

"Just got some water" Kim answers levelly and catches the guilty look on the guard's face. "What?"

The strained voices from the end of the corridor answer her question.

The end of the corridor - where the chipped door stands, slightly ajar. 

"So sor..." starts Pete, but Kim is already rushing past him, past the flyers, past the weathered door, her reluctance to return forgotten. 

Inside, there is a scene. 

Besides her client, there are three of them. And Kim heart sinks. Because in the bright-light of this cubicle room, she recognizes Gina Khalil, the assistant district attorney, almost instantly. She is the only one Kim knows, but doesn't bring any relief: the man he is talking to - a young man with glasses and a pasty complexion - seems like a lawyer. He must be the Center's representative. And worse still, just behind the accused there is another man, in a wrinkly suit, with graying hair. Most likely a cop. Ninety-eight percent. 

Just between the trio sits Salamanca, still handcuffed, the very image of curiosity and calm. He is very still.

Everything is working against Jimmy and her, but just a second after entering the room, Kim sees immediately she has one great advantage against these three.  Each of them want something different.

And they seemed to have just arrived at an impasse. 

"...clear that we need to write him up, then move him to PC before we face another scandal like this" says the spectacled man with the pasty smile. "It's clear that he is in danger here. God, if this gets out, we're in it. Remember that Florentine fella, Tim? The amount of asses we had to kiss after that..."

"Do you hear yourself, Simon?" cuts in Khalil, before Tim, the detective could answer. "He clearly needs to be moved to Los Lunas, as soon as, not protective custody."

"Excuse me" says Kim, one leg in the room, the other still outside. Hardly any air left between the five of them.

Heads turn. 

"Who are you?" asks Simon, the ninety-eight percent lawyer. 

"Kim!" exclaims Khalil. "We didn't expect you."

"Well, maybe you should have" Kim says - meets Khalil's eyes with a dare. "Since I'm representing Mr. de Guzmán in Saul Goodman's absence."

Khalil's jaw drops. So does Simon's. 

Behind them, the detective looks weary. Like he doesn't want to be here. 

And Kim, who is otherwise very wise in reading people's expressions, cannot pinpoint what Lalo Salamanca is thinking at the moment. He has a careful kind of mask on, almost humble. Emphasis on almost. 

She looks back to the corridor, where another guard steps near Pete, and starts to talk to him in a low voice.

Just perfect. 

"Well" says Kim, and decides to step in for good, close the door. All in, all rise, or something akin to it. "If we are going to discuss this case out in the open, without any previous, written arrangements, we might as well sit."

She cuts her way to the table, sits next to her client who still smells metallic, who now casts his eyes downward, the very image of civility. He has long, dark lashes: they cast zig-zag shadows under his eyes. 

It's a strange detail to notice here, in this moment. 

"We are simply talking possibilities, Miss Wexler." Simon points out. "Important distinction."

"No, Simon" argues Khalil. "We are talking about possible new evidence, under our very eyes."

While Simon starts a mundane monologue about protocols in PR within the center, and just while the cop moves to sit just in front of them, papers in his hands, questions scribbled on a notebook, Kim slightly turns to Lalo, voice just audible. 

"Did you say anything?"

Lalo shoots him a quick, and very ugly look, which she translates to "no".

"... care less about publicity" Khalil lashes back. "The Whalen-case is still in progress. And Mr. de Guzmán is facing, as the judge aptly summarized, severe charges."

"And he was warranted bail" points out Kim. "Because your witness was unreliable."

Gina Khalil's shrewd eyes narrow.

"Kim. Be reasonable. We are adults here. Do you think what happened last night..."

"This morning." Simon corrects her, uncaring both women shoot him a murderous look.

"What happened earlier" continues Khalil, voice icy. "cannot be a coincidence."

"Do you think Fred Whalen's family orchestrated an assassination as retaliation?" asks Kim in a bland voice. "Because that would be quite ridiculous, wouldn't you say?"

"Gina" says the cop suddenly, voice deep, soothing. "How about we all take a seat and explain ourselves a bit better. Simon, would you join us, too, please?"

After both the attorney and representative grudgingly sat down, the cop turns to Kim once again, palms open, face friendly.

"Ma'am, my name is Detective Tim Roberts. I'm sure you know Miss Khalil. And this is Simon Ellis, from the Center."

The detective sighs, gets a linen handkerchief from the pocket of his shirt, and dabs his face with it. Must be the lights, must be the humidity. 

He leans forward as he puts back the linen in his pocket. 

"The District Attorney's Bureau asked me this morning to inquire some more from your client, you know, to hear his side of the story. We're not sure what happened, and it would be a great help if we could, y'know, clear the air. Would do good for Mr. de Guzmán as well."

Oh, I'm sure it would, thinks Kim. Would get him a free pass straight to Los Lunas. 

She must tread cautiously. 

"We are ready to make a formal statement as of today" she says after a small pause. "A written, well-formed statement, without any external or unwanted pressure."

"Except a man was killed. Another injured." inserts Khalil, brows knitted together. "Do you see how that would overthrow regular bureaucratic procedures?"

Kim stands his ground.

"I do not, really. The men we are talking about tried to murder my client, so, Gina, do you see how putting the blame on him is unfair?"

"No one is blaming anyone." intervenes Roberts. "We are following a lead."

Kim turns to the fidgeting lawyer, changing strategy. 

"What is the Detention Center's answer again?" 

"Well, it's an offer, rather." says the young man, every inch self-important. "As you might know, one of the assailants survived, but has been unconscious. Until he wakes, we are prepared to offer Mr. de Guzmán his own cell in Wing C. It won't mean unnecessary inconveniences given the doctors predicted the assailant may wa-"

"Ellis!" the detective raises his voice. Seems the lawyer isn't fond of tact. 

"That's okay" says Khalil, eyeing Roberts, then turning to them. "Let this be a warning. Either Mr. de Guzmán talks or the assailant will. So why not turn this to your advantage and prevent libel if you have nothing to hide?"

"Interesting point." Kim reaches for the two papers next to Lalo's hands, jaw tight. Strange, but she dares not look at him. "But Mr. de Guzmán hasn't been incarcerated yet and has full rights to express his own wishes and complaints, if necessary."

"What complaints?" blurts out Ellis. 

"Let me see" says Kim, placing the papers in front of them. "First: despite being the one attacked, I do not think you provided my client with any kind of medical care. Second: he is still in the uniform he was attacked in - you didn't even let him wash his hands. And third, you have engaged with him without my or Mr. Goodman's presence. From where I'm standing, these all sound like violation of rights."

This takes Ellis by surprise. But not the detective, who looks at Jorge de Guzmán, blinking slowly. 

"Are you sure you don't want to talk to us now?" he motions to the handcuffs. "Last chance, probably."

And before Kim can say but a word, Lalo speaks.

He addresses Ellis, not the detective.

"Could my family visit me in Wing C?"

Kim tries to order her face in a way that doesn't scream of complete shock. 

The other party doesn't bother with trying.

"Wha... I mean... I'm sure that could be arranged." stutters Ellis, pasty face white under the strain of the last fifteen minutes.

"My children too?" asks Lalo, tilting his head. 

"Sure."

"And her?" he asks, gesturing to Kim. 

"Naturally."

"Good" nods Lalo, and leans back, seemingly done with the conversation. 

"Are we done?" asks Kim, echoing thought.

"Miss Wexler" starts Ellis with a special kind of condescension. "About the complaints..."

"We can discuss it at the forecoming meeting, I hope." she hands him both sheets, fleetingly checking if Lalo has filled them, which he did, probably when she was busy vomiting up bile in the bathroom. "Here you are. One of them has become redundant in light of my client accepting his new cell."

She stands up exactly when Lalo decides to stand up. 

It's strange how big he is, not just in the physical sense necessarily, but his allure. A new tenseness enters the room, Kim can see Roberts' eyes widening, almost an instinct, and Khalil lean back, suspicion turning to concern. Stupidest still is Ellis who is strangely unaware of this twist in the atmosphere. 

"Sure" he says, grudgingly, still seated. He checks the first paper, the request for an out-of-court hearing. "I will send an officer to move Mr. de Guzmán to his new cell."

Deep in thought, it only occurs to Kim when they are already packed and ready that she didn't finish talking with Lalo. 

"Actually, can I have a word with him alone before you take him? Preferably somewhere with coffee?"

Elliot, who stands closest to that shabby, weathered door shouts out to Pete to lead them to the small patio. 

"Ten minutes" he says airily, before hurrying out. 

Detective Roberts doesn't spare them a second glance or a goodbye.

Unlike Gina Khalil. 

"I'm going to call Ericsen tomorrow" her voice is stern, as if Kim was a schoolgirl caught sneaking out. "All of this is very unlike you, Kim."

And while her voice is hard, her eyes have pity in them. 

.

"That was a pretty load of bullshit you pulled" says Kim unceremoniously, sitting down, careful to show her back to Pete, who is on the other side of the glass doors surrounding the small garden. The sun, like a disappointed father, glared down on them with full force, shade nowhere. Kim has spotted a huge green lizard sunbathing on the sandstone mural just in front of the tired bench they occupy.

Could be worse. 

At least, the first round is over, and there is air outside, with the sweet-smelling wind occassionally tugging on Kim's slightly wrinkled, sweaty shirt. 

She has brought coffee, which Lalo declined with a wave of his hand. He would never say, but Kim sees that he enjoys the sunlight, the five minute freedom the small patio gives, however artificial. Tilts his head back, drinks it in, eyes closed legs stretched. His hands are still cuffed, the skin reddened and dry under the metal. Under this natural light, the red of the blood looks positively brown, as if Kim has poured down half a liter of coffee on him. Or more. 

"Ver la paja en el ojo ajeno, eh?" Lalo squints his eyes, amused. "Letter of complaint and the like. Tienes algunas pelotas..."

"You wanted results" retorts Kim calmly. "Here they are. First problem solved, second is incoming."

"You really thought of everything, huh." he stretches his arms, the tattoo dancing in the movement.

"I like to be prepared" says Kim, searching her bag for the de Guzmán file. "You got this story strong? How long will it hold?"

"It's not going to be a problem if Goodman arrives with the money."

"And if he..." Kim cannot finish the sentence, the thought, the scenario. Even now, life without Jimmy is like living without her shadow. She feels like a halfperson. 

Focus.

In this moment, in this garden Lalo is peering down at him, with a leering sort of anticipation. Does he get off on pain, Kim wonders. 

"Well, then you and I are going to have a problem." he says, voice kind, eyes cruel. 

"Okay, let's say he turns up in a week. Would that still work?"

"Sure" laughs Lalo. "Ay, cualquier cosa por la reina!"

She sighs. She might have to invest in a Spanish dictionary if they are to meet daily.

"Okay, they are going to try sweating you today. What is Jorge de Guzmán doing in Albuquerque?"

"Raising children with his lovely wife."

"Do you really have a family?"

Lalo makes a sound between a whistle and a sigh. 

"Doesn't everyone?" he raises his brows. "Don't you?"

"You know what I mean."

"Goodman got me a real nice gringo family. That's what your lot likes, no?"

"What, children, too?" Kim wonders who Jimmy paid and for how long. God. 

"Yes!" Lalo stretches the final 's', stringlike. "Family means a lot to me. Do you have children, Mrs. Goodman?"

"No." Kim wonders when did their harmless conversation turn dangerously personal. There is a boundary to set. "But my life won't interest the lawyers."

"Mah, but we are talking, no? Where's the fun in just formalities?" he puts his cuffed on his chest. Heart on sleeves. Most of his nails are bloody.

However focused she tries to be, a sickening suspicion suddenly arises in Kim's mind: Lalo Salamanca looks like he copied most of his movements from pictures, or old movies. He even exaggerates a bit, like in those black and whites, to make it more dramatic. Make it more human.

She supresses a shudder. 

"We don't have too much time. What about the debt story?"

Lalo mock-pouts, leans closer. This time, he smells of the sun, and something tart. It's far better than blood. 

"Let's say.... that my father used to work on a farm where they worked him hard, for little money. He asked the owner, who was... let's say a Chilean, he asked him one day for a great sum, for us, for his family. But he put interest on the loan over the years... y mi padre no pudo soportarlo, my dad couldn't take it. He died, so it was my task to pay the debt. And I did" something black glimmers in his eyes. "But that owner...well he never lets go."

"They will want to know the name of the Chilean."

"It's an old story" shrugs Lalo. "I'll say I have some mental problems."

Well, that's apparent. 

"Where was de Guzmán born?"

"Juárez, 1962."

"You couldn't forge a fake American ID?" asks Kim sarcastically. 

Lalo's face freezes at that, but only for a second. 

"Why, you know these parts better?" he asks, all low. 

"No, I wasn't born in New Mexico." it slips out easily, although there is a siren going off in her head. Trouble. 

Behind them, the door opens. 

A slice of Pete's face appears, a warning.

"Two minutes."

Kim waits until the door closes again. 

"Okay, so when did you get married to your lovely wife?"

"I dunno, three years ago." 

They are sitting very close now: Lalo's elbow touches hers. Under the brown blood, he has freckles and birthmarks, a constellation on the skin. 

"What's her name?" asks Kim. 

Lalo shrugs. 

"Will give her one while I'm eating my lunch." he cooes. "Come on, I need your number."

According to protocol, he isn't allowed to carry any paper with him inside the cell, so Kim writes her number on his outstretched palm, skin dry and warm. She thinks of the desert, and Jimmy, wandering with seven million bucks that will save Lalo, but damn him at the same time. And it will damn Jimmy too. Maybe that's why he is taking his time. 

The blood on Lalo's palms has dried a long time ago. 

When Kim presses the pen down, specks of residue fall on the bench, fall on her skirt. 

[minato-division01]

Meari's Thoughts on Obihiro Division

Hisoka Tetsumasu

"Hisoka Tetsumasu? The guy behind the illegal HypMics? Yeah, Doc told me about him, though much of what she said went over my head. I mean, can you blame me? The guy's a total chickenshit, hiding behind his ranch like it's some kind of goddamn fortress!"

"Sure, he's got his horses, and I'll give him that—horses are cool. My band and I used some in a music video once, and it was badass. But that's where my interest ends. His past with the black market and all that illegal HypMic stuff? It's a joke. He thinks he can just erase all that with a change of scenery? Please."

"I've got no time for cowards. If you're gonna do something, own up to it. Don't run away and pretend to be something you're fucking not. This guy's living proof that you can take the man out of the crime, but you can't take the crime out of the man. He's trying to play it safe now, but trust me: once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel. I'm not buying his little 'reformed' act. As far as I'm concerned, he can keep to his little ranch. I've got bigger stages to conquer."

Daiki Kamiyama

"This fucking kid! He's got his fucking head in the clouds, thinking he's some kind of damn superhero. It's all fun and games until reality hits you like a ton of fucking bricks. I'm all for self-reliance and carving your own path, but let's get real—playing vigilante isn't going to cut it. Kids his age need to wake the fuck up, face the music, and start pulling their own weight. Life's not a comic book, and the sooner he realizes that, the better."

"And if he sees me as some sort of 'supervillain,' well, that’s just fucking perfect. I'll embrace that role with open arms. It's about time someone showed him what real fucking power looks like, and I've got no problem being the one to do it! When we face off in the D.R.B., he'll see just how serious I am. I'm not here to play hero—I'm here to win, and if that makes me the bad guy in his little fantasy, so be it! Let the fucking games begin!"

Jack Verrill

"The butler, trailing after the kid like some kind of watchdog? It's almost fucking pitiful. The guy's got skills, I'll give him that, but babysitting a wannabe hero? That's a waste of talent if you ask me. If he's supposed to be in charge, he should be teaching the kid how to stand on his own damn feet, not fucking coddling him! He should be using his position to give the kid a fucking reality check, not enabling his little delusions."

"But hey, that's their dynamic, not mine. As long as it doesn't interfere with my business, they can do whatever the hell they want. I've got my own path to tread, and it doesn’t include playing nanny to some fucking rich kid."

Veiled Vanguard

"Let's be real, there are bigger fish to fry, and I'm not about to get distracted by fucking small fry like these guys. If they cross us, sure, I'll show them what it means to face off against Minato. Otherwise, some other team can have the pleasure of dealing with them. I've got my sights set on the top, and I don't plan on stopping until we fucking get there."

[moonstruckme]

Oh babe I read your post about graduation and life after. I FEEL YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! I’m graduating Friday and I pursued a film degree in a city with little to no opportunities for that industry. Don’t know why I did that. Sorry to my parents who sacrificed a lot to put me through school. Moving to a bigger city is not an option bc I can’t afford it. Might be moving back in with my parents might not be. Everyone is asking whats next for me. Girl idk. I’m stressed I’m anxious. I hate it here. The real world sucks and I just want to skip over all this character building stuff and get to the part of my life where I’m happy with a career and can actually afford groceries. Sometimes I wish my dreams weren’t as big.

Hi gorgeous! First of all, I'm so sorry you feel that way. I promise your degree has value whether you feel like you can get a job out of it right away or not, and I won't pretend to know how your parents feel but I doubt they would have sacrified anything if they didn't feel your education was worthwhile. Graduating from college is a big deal nonetheless ! We both know I'm struggling with this too but I have some pieces of advice that have been given to me and I've found helpful if you want them <3

Obviously, "almost no one works in something related to their degree" is a really disheartening thing to hear, and I bet you've been hearing it (like I have) a lot lately. But what I think the people who say that are trying to convey is that there is no shame in just doing a job that makes some money (and preferably also makes you happy), and sometimes that financial security can help you pursue your dreams with a bit more surety since you're no longer trying to find a way to eat at the same time.

A few months ago, I talked to my mom about how guilty I feel about potentially not being able to get a job relevant to my degree after she helped put me through college, and while I know not all parents feel the same way about this, I think she made some great points. She said that college is about learning how to think, and your education and the experiences you've had in college will always be valuable no matter what job you end up with. And did you have a good time? Did you like learning all those things you did about film? Did you meet some cool friends, or get to talk about your interests with people who get it? If so, none of it was wasted.

It's so, so easy to feel pressure from others when you're trying to figure out your life post-grad, but in my experience most of that pressure is really internal. People ask what's next for you because they're interested, not becuase they have any one specific path in mind, and the vast majority of the time if you seem happy, they're happy. If you're not happy, fuck it! Then your priority should probably be getting to a place where you are happy, and those conversations really don't matter when you've got bigger fish to fry.

Last thing, but as someone also struggling to re-orient herself in her life plan, I've been taking a lot of time to figure out my priorities. I kind of got stuck in this idea of what my life was going to be, and once that seemed less certain I started questioning what I wanted if I didn't have to do that. I'm making a pinterest board (always my first course of action haha), and it's helped me figure out that whatever I do, I want to be around nature and books, and to live in a mid-size city. Figuring out what I need to be happy has really put things into perspective for me, and I'm sorry I don't mean to assume we're in the exact same mental state but I just want to give you all the stuff that's been working for me in case any of it fits into your situation too.

You can still use your passion in film while working another job, or use that job to save to move to a larger city, or maybe even reflect and find that you're content keeping the film thing as a hobby and there's something else you enjoy doing for a career (I know how heartbreaking that can sound when you love something, but that's how writing has turned out for me so I just wanted to put it out there--feel free to reject it of course). For me, trying to open my mind to all the possibilities and re-evaluate what I want from the next few years has been super scary but also kind of exciting, and I hope that whatever happens for you you're able to find happiness in the big and little things. Wishing you all the best my love!

[annaphoenix1994]

Christmas Plans

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

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"What about these, Simon?" Kiera asked him, holding up a button-up shirt that was Baler's size as they took a trip into town to go Christmas shopping for the boy, toting Price, Alice, and Soap along with them as Kiera felt Simon needed time with his closest comrades. As for Gaz, Rudy, Alejandro, and Teeter, they were excited to stay behind and gather cattle with Bud, gladly taking Baler along to teach him what they learned. 

"I don't think he's very picky with clothes, love." 

"Well, he might want to wear something nice for when everything is official." She smiled, watching him mirror her expression before reaching towards the maroon-colored shirt on the rack behind her. 

"I think he'd like this color. The blue is nice, but I see him wearing a lot of darker colors like this." 

"I think so, too," She nodded, taking the shirt and ensuring it was Baler's size before removing the hanger from it and tossing it into the bin. "Alright, this is the last of the new shirts and pants I've gotten for him. He has plenty of shoes and a good pair of work boots," She began to babble, reaching into her purse to check her list. "Jacob and Evie's gifts are supposed to be delivered tomorrow... Oh! I need to get him a card. I'm going to put his new clothes into the same box. Don't you think he'd want a new video game or something?" 

Simon shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe, but with those two games he bought last month, he's been working more than he's been playing them." 

"Well, what do you think? I think he should have some time to himself. He's still a kid." 

"I agree, love," He sighed. "How about this? You know that extra bedroom at the house?" 

"Yes?..." 

"And how it doesn't have anything in it to be a room?" 

"...Yes?" 

He smirked, his hand coming down to grasp the side of the grocery cart, "How about we turn it into a bedroom? For him. So that he's not sleeping on the couch anymore. He can make it his own and have somewhere to be himself and enjoy his video games or whatever he wants." 

She smiled at Simon's change of heart. Knowing he wouldn't admit it; she knew that Baler had grown onto him as well as Simon taking pride in how he and Kiera managed to keep him on a promising path of life. Better than how my life was, he thought. I owe it all to her, though. She doesn't know it yet, but she can change anyone for the better...because we want to be better - for her. "I think that's a great idea, babe. So now, I need to go and find him stuff for his new bedroom." She giggled, taking her pen and scribbling down the basics: a bed frame, mattress, sheets, and possibly a nightstand if she couldn't wrangle anything her mom kept from Kiera's childhood. 

"Don't think too hard on that, love. I've got most of that covered." 

"What do you mean?" 

"I talked to your mum about it first," He shrugged. "Not because I didn't want to talk to you about it first, but I kind of asked her for advice about it after what we decided to do for him. She said there's a guest bedroom in the lodge that she's been begging your father to clean out for decades. She said we could have all of that stuff in there because she wants to turn it into some hobby room." 

"Really?" 

Simon nodded, "I told her I'd have Johnny and Kyle help me take it all out and bring it to the house and let you decorate it since you're better in that department." He chuckled. 

She couldn't help but smile brightly, loving how he always managed to make things work. "I figured you'd want to decorate it." She giggled. 

"Love, if I did, it would look like a direct copy and paste of the barracks. You've seen my flat - nothing but the basics. Barely even that." 

"You're probably right," She shook her head. "Now, we have bigger fish to fry. We lost Johnny and Price somewhere in here and I still have some shopping to do. Can you go find them while I'm getting everything?" 

"You should've known better to leave Johnny unattended anywhere," He scoffed. "He probably got stuck in the Lou for all we know." 

"Well, would you rather me go looking for him or you find him?" She arched a brow. 

"I'd prefer you not. Go smell all of those wax melts you're not going to buy, and I'll know where to find you." He poked, knowing that she always made her way to the candle and home decor aisles to satisfy her desires of smelling every wax melt on display. 

"You just aim to make me mad, don't you?" She giggled. 

"I'm always pleased to push your buttons, love. Besides, I've learned a thing or two from your father. Why do you think he hates grocery shopping with your mum?" 

"Why?" 

"Because she does the exact same thing you do," He chuckled. "Takes forever when she can't just get what's on her list and leave. He said he makes her frustrated and stays in the truck because when she's mad, she gets everything on her list and leaves versus if he doesn't, he knows he'll be here for three hours." 

"Sounds like him," Kiera scoffed. "Then why do you still come with me?"��

He sighed, "Well, knowing you, I'm uncapable of leaving you alone." 

His reply made her brow arch - a hateful glare - and he couldn't help but laugh, "As much as I hate coming into heavily populated places like this, I'd gladly walk around with you to smell every bloody candle because it makes you happy. That's all I care about." 

"You saved yourself real quick with that one, babe." She giggled. 

He knew that she understood his words as truthful, but he couldn't help but continue to poke at her even more - something he always loved to do. "I know. Couldn't risk sleeping outside with it being cold right now. Although sleeping on the couch wouldn't be so bad, either." 

"Shut up, Simon!" She laughed, playfully smacking his bicep. "Go find Johnny and leave me to smell my candles in peace. I want to get home to my babies." 

"You and me both, love. Makes me jealous that they're being spoiled by your mum and wrapped in a warm blanket in front of their fireplace." 

"I know," She sighed. "My mom spoiled the shit out of me when I was growing up." 

"I can tell." 

Another hateful, yet playful glare. He couldn't help but smile, "Go. Find. Johnny." 

"Okay," He chuckled, leaning towards her to press a kiss to her lips. He didn't care if anyone saw him kiss her - he'd do it again if it meant they left them alone. "I'll know where to find you." 

"Don't be so sure about that." She smirked, watching him walk away to purposely go towards the pet department, feeling like Kimber and Church deserved more treats and toys for Christmas as she saw her pets as children of her own. I finally have a family of my own, she smiled to herself, vowing everything she had been through was "worth it" as if she didn't accept to join Alejandro on his search for Hassan, she would have never met Simon. 

With his first area of searching for Johnny and Price being towards the back of the store, he nearly stopped in his tracks when the Scot's prominent facial features caused him to look to the right, seeing his brother in arms leaning against a glass case of diamond rings. "Shite, I'm glad Kiera and I didn't bet on where you'd be," Simon began to taunt. "I would've lost some money." 

"What're you talking about?" 

"She thought you'd be close to the ladies department and I thought you'd be stuck in the Lou. She was close to winning a hundred dollars." 

Johnny shook his head, sincerely enjoying how Simon could poke at him out of negative thoughts as he looked at the more affordable rings they had on display. He wanted to make it special, but he suddenly regretted blowing through a lot of his money in his younger years as well as spending a lot of his savings to be able to move from a different country just because he was in love. Steamin' Jesus, Johnny, can't even afford a decent ring that she deserves. Why even try? The Seargent scolded himself. He felt Simon's presence close in on him, not wanting to be poked and pried any longer, but a part of him felt that their brotherly bickering would be enough to hoist him out of his negative thoughts. "Well, you should tell her I was in the bathroom, then you would've won a hundred bucks. Must be nice." He frowned. 

"Hey, what's eating at you?" 

"It's stupid." 

"Probably, but it's worth talking about." 

He knew Simon wasn't serious. Just a part of that cold bloke's personality, he thought. He shook his head, fighting the bravery that came with admitting his problems. Why is it fucking easier to say I accidently blew up the wrong compound instead of saying I can't afford a nice ring for my girl? "I'm trying to find a ring for Teeter."

Simon shrugged, furrowing his brows, "I thought you already found one?" 

"Yeah, I did, but I couldn't afford it, so I have to look somewhere else. I was really wanting to propose before the New Year and make it special for her, but I'm afraid I'll have to plan it out better because if I don't have a good ring, she won't think it's special." 

"That's where you're wrong, mate." 

"Easy for you to say," Soap arched his brow. "Spending fourteen-thousand on a diamond ring and proposing the way you did? I would've said yes if I was in Kiera's shoes." Fuck, that came out wrong. I know he's gonna mention it...

Simon was taken aback, "First of all, I think after I found out that you accidentally railed a man at a bar in Mexico and how I teased you for being in love with me, I think you just admitted it. But, since it's almost Christmas, I'm not going to beat your brains in." (Author's Note: Refer to the Across the Pond chapter for context!)

"You know what I meant, Simon."  

"I'm going to attempt at knowing what you mean," He scoffed. "And unlike you, I didn't have the time or the energy to go out and spend my money when I was younger. Until Kiera came along, the only expensive thing I bought for myself was my car because I wanted something to enjoy-"

"Yeah, and that car is at least seventy grand that you had laying around to spend on," Johnny arched a brow. This is gonna be hard to admit. Fuck it, he thought before continuing his sentence. "I envy you, Simon. You have a nice car, a good woman, two kids of your own - about to be a third. I want what you have. I just hate I wasn't smart with my money when I was younger and using most of my bloody savings to move over here when I should've waited-" 

"Hold on, Johnny," Simon cut him off. "The only thing I have with my money is my car. I didn't have to buy Kiera a ring just to keep her. You know something?"

"Hm?" 

"She didn't even look at the ring until after I put it on her finger. She loved me for me, not because of what I could give or how much money I had. Teeter is the same way - she won't give a shit if you proposed with a ring from here or nothing at all. She loves you and I'm sure you could start a family with her when you two are ready. Kiera and I weren't ready to start a family when she got pregnant, but we didn't give up on it either. Do I think I should've been more careful in the beginning? Yeah, but I don't regret it." 

"You know, for a man with a cold heart you sure have wise words to give to a friend." 

Simon shrugged, "Don't get used to it, Johnny. I give out advice when I think I should." 

"Well, since you're giving out advice, what ring do you think she'd like?" 

"Well, I don't know Teeter that much and I'm not a woman, so I don't know." 

"That advice went straight to shit..." 

"You're telling me. I told you not to get used to it." Simon shrugged. "What ring did you have in mind?" 

"I was thinking this one, but I think it's too big for something she'd want to wear." He sighed. 

"I ask again: what ring did you have in mind?" 

"I really wanted the one Kiera helped me pick out at that store, but I can't afford it. That ring was like five grand and I only have about two grand that I've saved up to pay towards it without going under. It's the only green light I've given myself recently." 

"Well, remind me to make a stop on the way back to the ranch." Simon replied, patting Johnny's shoulder. 

"Wait, wha-?" He cocked his head, watching Simon begin to take steps towards where he knew he could find Price - in the alcohol section. 

"No more green lights, Johnny. Go meet Kiera where the candles are, and I'll regroup." 

The Scot huffed, knowing arguing with Simon was always a lost battle. Has he always been up to this? How does Kiera even deal with it? Fuck, I don't know.

Once Johnny found where Simon assumed Kiera would be, he furrowed his brows as the only person he saw was a man pressing his nose against a wax melt, the men awkwardly making eye contact as if the man were saying: "You didn't see this." 

Pulling out his phone, he tried calling her, only to get no answer. Huffing, he then called Simon's phone, hearing it ring three times before he answered: 

"Get lost already?" Simon answered. 

"No... I can't find her." 

"Are you fucking kidding me?" 

"No. I even tried calling her." 

"Great idea, because I figured you would've yelled across the store for her." Simon retorted, rolling his eyes at his own sarcasm. 

"I didn't think of that!" Soap gasped before pulling his phone away from his face. "KIERA!" 

Simon shook his head, hanging up the phone as he heard Johnny's voice exclaim across the store when he met with Price, stuffing his phone back into his pocket and vowing that he'd swear he didn't know the Scot if they got questioned about it. 

"That's one way of searching for someone." Price commented, tucking the bottle of wine under his arm and joining Simon as they began walking towards the front of the store. 

"You know, I sincerely wonder how the fuck he climbed to his rank." 

Price chuckled, "I wonder that too, but he's good at it." 

"Yeah, and good about running that sarcastic geezer of his." 

"You know you love him." He chuckled, patting his shoulder as they walked side-by-side. 

"Well, his version of love and my version of love are two different things, old man."

[wormbloggign]

taylor stop lifting techniques and tactics from others challenge (impossible)

yeah.. you're a cloud of various insects, people arent looking to get in your way

taylor its not innate cmon you need to notice the swarm covering you isnt a comforting prescence for anyone but you

(also, if someone fights grue and wins, his darkness would dissipate. if they fight skitter and win, they have to deal with the many insects who are VERY pissed, and VERY unpredictable. it's simply a more extreme implicit threat than what grue has)

is she.. emulating coils convo tactics?

(TAYLOR STOP LIFTING OTHERS TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS CHALLENGE (IMPOSSIBLE))

to taylor the bugs are just her little guys, doing their best with what they got

to everyone else the bugs are spiders, flies, and wasps; vectors for poison, infection, and pain all organised by their thousands under a single cunning mind

its a very funny bit of dramatic irony (not the right term)

honestly surprised it took her this long to tell that to the PRT, taylors favourite pasttime is outing bad actors in their system

the funniest way to get immediately excecuted, ballsy move taylor

notably in those records she was telling the truth consistently, miss military seems to buy a little too much into armsmustards narratives

BY SUPPLYING RELEVANT CONTEXT TO THE SITUATION, DO YOU THINK STARVING PEOPLE WHO STEAL BREAD DESERVE JAILTIME FOR THEFT?????

(miss minutia seems very dogmatic in her beliefs of justice and criminality, kinda cringe ngl)

skitter im sorry to say but im pretty sure theyve known for a while now

they havent gone after your civillian identity yet because you havent really been findable as taylor herbert and in the rare cases you've gone out as taylor, they've had much bigger fish to fry

oh

that mustve taken a lot miss militia, i can respect that

2 ways to take this, either tattletales doing some mind games with how skitter is perceived or she wanted to get a better look at taylors butt

knowing lisa, probably both

oh yeah that too maybe

the bug pass over she does on people is very funny bc people almost definitely read it as a weapons check or an intimidation tactic but no, she just wants to know what the person she's talking to looks like

her face and eyes were covered in blood no wonder were more tense than normal "ooh why are people so unnerved around me" you look like a monster from a horror movie, you're walking around like you dont even need sight to know everything around you (she couldnt see regardless but they didnt know that)

oh theres no way they don't know her identity now

it takes one person with probably low to medium security access to hear that and go "gee, let me run a check to see if anyone with Skitters brown hair and skin colour (they wouldve seen at least that on the skitter clones, even outside how disfigured they were) matches with anyone who is blind or has been recently blinded" and then bam you find taylor with her school's recorded connection with Sophia/Shadow Stalker, her locker incident (possibly a trigger event?) her absences from school which start a couple days after skitters first appearance, line up with skitters activity AND escalate to 0% attendance once Skitter starts doing things like participating in the Endbringer event and soon after claims territory (a full time occupation seemingly), if you keep digging it seems she has moved out of her dad's house around the same time to an undisclosed house on the edge of town (no actual address given, possibly a misdirection), her father and all of his work friends survived (with minimal injuries) the Shatterbird announcement at the begining of the Slaughterhouse 9's occupation and they stayed alive for its entirety, And as a cherry on top, Taylors last 2 documented interactions with the public is Asssaulting a minor which was handled and doccumented by Shadow Stalker and COILS BOMBING where she was one of the survivors but was BLINDED, shortly after MYSTERIOUSLY DISSAPEARED with no release or transfer papers signed (or if they were, it'd be signed by Lisa W or an unknown third party)

OR

they could just ask dragon

...

that was kind of long sorry

back to the livebloggign!

(insert funny masking joke here)

sometimes i wonder if taylor has a death wish (hint: yes)

i sincerely doubt that. our girls tolerance for abuse is ridiculously high by now

the writer is fucking with me. the day we get a proper breakdown of anyones costume is the day hell freezes over

are we just gonna pretend that isnt deeply disturbing and violating?

eh, alright

taylor may know the kind of thing he saw but its very clear from how he's behaving, whatever he experienced has a lot harsher of a grasp on his psyche, probably because his trigger event and the context around it happened at such a vulnerable and young age

anyway hows that search for a villains therapist going? i really think they should invest in one

TATTLETALE YOURE GOING TO GET THE SECRET ASSASSIN SQUAD AFTER YOU PLEASE

lisa either never fucks around or never stops fucking around and i cant tell anymore

[breaking-binary-system]

Hey to all the systems out there....can we quit this bullshit fighting that's going on between everyone? The one where if you express being a system the "wrong" way (in-sys relationships, at least finding the positives in being a system, whatever the case is) then it automatically means your faking The one where if you claim to be a system online then your thought to be a teenager faking and if your an adult your seen as a sad pathetic person There are bigger fish to fry when it comes to ACTUAL problems. It shouldn't matter who's got what kind of alter and "oh my god how many of them aren't introjects how many are" and bullshit like that. We have more important problems. I mean honestly, this shit is why a fucking psychology textbook has to put that DID is alleged. That really there's no backing to it. It's why there are legitimate therapists, psychologists and psychiatrics that don't believe DID is real and that it's "just an overactive imagination". How about for 5 seconds we stop trying to tear each other down on what's "real" for a system. Yes, this is a covert disorder. Yes, it's rare. DID is diagnosed in 1.5% (according to an article last year by the National Institute of Health) of the population, a really small number compared to other things. However a lot of other things are only in 1.5% of the population.

1-2% of the population has red hair, it's within the same range as DID. You don't see people trying to fake claim red hair. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this is the population percentages for three disorders

Schizophrenia: <1%

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.2%

Borderline Personality Disorder: 1.4%

All 3 rarer than DID and yet there is not as much fakeclaiming going on (even with OCD though there is, of course, for the people who also claim to have it because they like things neat and that's it). Does this mean everyone who claims to be a system online is? No. Hell it doesn't even mean everyone who's diagnosed is. Professionals get shit wrong and it's okay to be diagnosed with or say you have the wrong thing. It happens, it doesn't mean someone's trying to be attention seeking or lying to take advantage. For some people who self-diagnose wrong (or hell even it's happened for professional), they could be in a delusion. They could honestly just have coped in ways that make them think they have DID/OSDD. (This isn't saying everyone does I'm using very general terms)

Really this is just to say (Because I've seen it on EVERY side of the debate), let's quit the fucking system fighting for 5 minutes. Try to focus on important shit, not "oh this person says they have it and claim to only be 15" and instead "hey we're being considered faking it by a fair amount of professionals maybe we should try and quit making it easier for them to assume so".

[iguessyouregonnamissthepantyraid]

can we....can we hear a little bit more about Sig? 👀

CAN you! absolutely!

first of all, it has to be said, i was not thinking about the fact that loki's mythological wife's name is sigyn when i named this guy sig, i just did what i did for all of my asgardian OCs and looked through a list of norse names until i spotted one that felt like it fit. also my childhood crush on sig from the jak and daxter games may have had something to do with it shh

ANYWAY. sig is my obligatory "regular asgardian citizen" viewpoint that we don't really get if we're always focusing on thor, loki, val, or heimdall. any of the asgardians are many times stronger than the average human, but he doesn't have magic like thor and loki do, and he doesn't have centuries of training like val does. he DOES have centuries of smithing behind him, so like, he's not a twig, but until ragnarok he'd never really seen any serious battles, and he'd certainly never killed anyone - that marauder he killed with loki's sword was the first. he's gonna get through that with minimal angst though, because asgardians have different perspectives when it comes to killing in battle, and also because he's got his daughter to worry about, so there's bigger fish to fry. like, this man will try to 1-v-1 against the collector if given the opportunity and if his daughter's in danger. asgardians are brave idiots and he is no exception, and also, after ragnarok, runa is literally all he has left

so like, sig is a dad above all else. he's a nurturing kind of person, he's really good at talking to people and kind of coaxing them out of their shells (hence his first interaction with bruce) and he's sort of taken it upon himself to look after runa's friends, since their parents didn't make it through ragnarok. he's not the only person caring for runa's friends, since asgard has sort of by necessity become more of a communal situation where there's a lot of childless parents and parentless children, but he's always keeping an eye out for them (when he's not light-years away being dragged on an adventure to save his daughter from an infinity stone and a bunch of bounty hunters and a superpowerful megalomaniac, anyway)

as far as his relationship with the revengers: he sort of implicitly trusts thor, because that's asgard's golden boy and everyone is sort of in agreement that they'd all be dead if thor hadn't shown up in a blaze of lightning and fought hela off while they escaped. he VERY implicitly trusts heimdall, and honestly no one on that ship doesn't after he kept them all safe during hela's attacks. he's a little starstruck about val but manages to be cool about it, and he loves that there's an honest-to-god valkyrie on the ship with them, because it certainly makes their precarious situation feel a bit safer. bruce, he's immediately bonded with and now considers a friend. and loki... okay so it helps if you know that my headcanon is that all the asgardians knew or at least suspected that it was loki posing as odin that entire time, they just didn't care because there were no wars going on and he wasn't actually doing a bad job as odin, so they just sort of... let him get away with it?

so, you're sig. your planet's been destroyed, you're grieving your wife and your home and the rest of your family, you're trying to keep your daughter safe, but now she's been possessed(?) by an infinity stone and the only person who can probably help her is the guy you'd only heard stories about before, who was impersonating the king for a few years and also might have committed some treason at some point, you don't really know the details. but now he's teleporting you and your daughter across the cosmos, and he's definitely saved you and your daughter more than a few times even if he's being kind of standoffish about it, and also he might be suffering from a little infinity stone possession of his own, but shit, you don't know how any of this works, he's the magic guy, but also it's a little concerning that the guy who's supposed to be helping you with your daughter's infinity stone problem also kind of looks like he's got a foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, and his eyes and his veins keep glowing blue which, i mean, that can't be a good sign, can it?

fast forward way past the events of the revengers to avoid spoilers, but i like to imagine that eventually, the little mini-oneshot i posted on tumblr happens (you'll find it under my "revengers: the show" tag if you haven't already seen it) where runa seeks out loki years later and demands to learn magic because the whole infinity stone situation sparked an interest in it, and she wants to know how to do all that stuff he does, and THAT would be the "meticulously crafted 100K of slow burning build up" that i was referring to earlier, where loki's teaching her magic and sig's, like, VERY reluctantly allowing this to happen. because like, yeah, he and loki are cool now, but he's seen how out-of-control magic can get, he's seen how reckless loki in particular can be, and this is his daughter. loki is on thin ice forever as long as runa's involved.

but yeah, that's sig. and you may have seen me mention this before, but i've fancasted him as dev patel from the beginning. it just feels right, and that's who i'm picturing when i'm writing his scenes :)

[cd-covington]

Linguistics worldbuilding question for you!

I'm planning a webcomic set in an embassy where various magical races meet up to do business. The races I've planned so far are humans, fae, dwarves, goblins, sea-people, dragon-people, and gryphons.

Do you have any thoughts on ways to distinguish the speech patterns of the different races so they don't all end up sounding alike, especially the non-humanoid ones like the gryphons? I think some of them have nonverbal elements to their languages as well, which the visual webcomic format will help with.

By the way, there's going to be a translation spell either on the building itself or on some sort of amulet that everyone carries with them, so they can communicate with reasonable ease (and yes, I know about some of the problems with the universal translator trope).

Hello enchantress-emily!

This sounds like a fun idea for a webcomic 🙂 Speech patterns can be interesting to play with, and I think you can utilize the magic universal translator to help you with that.

The first thing you can do is figure out what types of metaphors and proverbs and idioms each of these species would have. What’s important in their culture? What would common touch-points be for the sea-people – what would their equivalent proverb be for, say, “we have bigger fish to fry” (there are bigger problems)? (Because frying doesn’t work well under water, right??)

Another thing you can think about is sentence structure. For example, German sentence structure is different from English, and nearly half of German sentences don’t start with the verb. German also allows you to construct massively long nested sentences that REALLY don’t work in English unless you separate them into 2 or more sentences. So maybe one of the species will have more complex sentence structure (even translated) because that’s how their language works, and maybe one of them will be more like English. (Not all languages in the world allow you to have dependent clauses (your which or who ones)! You can’t say I saw the man who lives next door at the supermarket; you have to break it down into I saw the man at the supermarket. He lives next door to me. (Or just I saw my neighbor, of course.))

There’s also formality. Maybe the fae have Court Language that’s more formal, and this formality gets carried over in translation. (But how? You decide if you want them all to sound like Jane Austen characters or like Aragorn son of Arathorn or whatever 😉)

Since you’re using magical translation, you can have the sea-people’s idiom for “we have bigger problems” come out as a literal translation of whatever they actually say. Think about The Little Mermaid a second – Sebastian sings to Ariel, “The seaweed is always greener in somebody else’s lake.” This is obviously a nod to “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,” but grass doesn’t exist under the sea, and lawns and fences don’t either. So they use seaweed (like grass but in the sea) and lake.

You could do fun things like have the translation spell get hung up on a nested sentence (maybe the fae like to go on like the Germans), then everything comes screeching to a halt and the speaker has to start over but speak straightforwardly.

Speaking of straightforwardly… how does the spell handle lies, falsehoods, half-truths, white lies, and other forms of obfuscation? Is it impossible to lie because of some part of the magic that detects speaker’s intent? Are some species better at lying than others because they can say (for example) “I didn’t hate it” (a true statement, but omits “but I didn’t like it either”)? This would be a TON of fun to play around with, especially for people who like writing twisty political stories.

You mentioned body language and other nonverbal communication, so I want to touch on that briefly. Nonverbal communication varies around the real world, and you can have different species with different NVC (and maybe it gets mis-read! Maybe a normal gesture in one culture is offensive in another! Maybe the magic doesn’t cover NVC!) There are so many things you can play with here. Good luck with your project! It sounds fun.

If you think this is interesting, consider backing my Kickstarter, where I’ll be writing a book about how to use linguistics in your worldbuilding process. Or if tumblr ever sorts out tipping for my account, leave me a tip.