#dude's out there living his best life he's just goth

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

best thing about batman is that he's a superficially grimdark character, gothic & brooding & angst ridden etc..........but then it turns out he has a million hobbies, regularly goes on adventures with his besties, and has a dozen adopted kids he's raising with his devoted foster dad. good for him

[evilminji]

"DO BETTER!" Says Now Televised Fanboy

He, Dash Baxter is a Phan-Stan!! It's kinda his thing. See, he's a fancy ass talk show host now. Married Paulie, moved out of Amity, actually DID something with his life. His parents? Did not approve. Long n short of it? He got kicked out.

Paulie's parents were PISSED.

Retaliated by giving him all the help he needed getting EVERY scholarship he qualified for. He went to a really nice college. Missed his girlfriend like mad. But she was off in Metropolis, terrifying weaker men. Conquering the fashion scene.

And SOMEHOW? Thanks to that long talk he had with Phantom (*incoherent fanboy gibbering noises* SO COOL!) he's worked to be... more of a LEADER, you know? Less of an asshole. Cause he's popular. People copy him. He can't be an asshole.

So, somehow, when he's punching out some try-hard that thinks he's hot shit for bullying a Nerd? He and the nerd get talking, right? Cause the guy got his glasses completely fucked up. And it's what Phantom would do.

But GET THIS? Guy's never HEARD of Phantom! Is super curious, cause he runs a small time Hero's show on the web. And, Dude? Is it your LUCKY DAY! Cause you just met THE number 1 fan of Phantom, hands down!! He makes his VERY spirited case, about why Phantom is THE best Hero to ever have lived. And this guy?

Entranced.

In AWE.

Just straight up BEGS him to join his show. Cause apparently? He was BORN for it. Which? Yeah. He HAS been giving speechs to the team for YEARS now. And Talking at fan meet ups. Leading fan meet ups. Hosting parties... actually, now that he thinks about it? He DOES do a lot of public speaking? Huh.

But still, he's about to say "no", when?

Dude mentions? He'll get to talk about Phantom.

SOLD!

It. Blows. Up. Absolutely EVERYONE is in love with his pretty face, hot bod, and STRONG opinions. But they ALSO have no idea who Phantom is! Paulie! This is CRIMINAL! Horrifying! What is going ON!?

Some bullshit information black out, apparently. At least according to her... friendly Nemesis? The Goth Dweeb. Who's engaged, apparently? So good for her. Unsurprisingly, it's too the OTHER Dweebs, but still. Bout time she started planning to drag them to a court house. She's the only one with any spine in that group! If she waited for THEM to propose?

Not even as Ghosts, man.

They'd get distracted by shiny nerd shit and whimp out.

Still... a world where NO ONE knows how Awesome, Phantom is? Not on HIS watch!

So he works it in. To every segment. It becomes "his thing". Oh? Super man saved a kitten from a tree? Cute. Well PHANTOM saved a bus full of Ghost Puppies from a shady, rouge, Goverment agency. Do BETTER, Superman!

The Flash, who is a cheap knock-off and stole his name, took down an Ice Villian? Adorable! PHANTOM stopped a Rouge WINTER SPIRIT with the help of YETI WARRIORS then assisted in giving FREE medical care for anyone who needed it! Here's a picture of him making GHOST ICE SNOWMEN for small children! Do BETTER, Knock-off!

What's THAT you say? Wonder Woman fought a GOD in down town paris?

Excellent work Wonder Woman. Flawless as always. But YOU, god-boy, are a disappointment! All that power! And WHAT do you use it for? Are you even supposed to BE here?? PHANTOM uses his power to HELP people! Is awesome and knows TONS of better gods! You're just salty you didn't make the cut!

DO BETTER!

And obviously? No one believes him. There's no record of this "Phantom" guy. The pictures look fantastical and vaguely glitchy/glowy. Not quite right. They GOTTA be photo shopped. Manipulated somehow. But? As a shtick? A fake "perfect Superhero" is kinda funny and unique.

And it's one hell of Fake Hero!

A Dead Champion? Who fights gods and monsters? Rouge agencies? Sassy and tragic? With a mysterious past? Pretty cool! There's even an Offical Comic from some guy that went to the same high-school as Baxter!

Of course, as Baxter get more and more popular? The "meme" hero, Phantom, get more well known? People get more interested in where Dash grew up. You know, just a bored Google. Maybe see if the hero was based off a local legend or something. But... huh...

The Town website?

Weirdly? Sanitized.

Like... like aggressively sanitized. All smooth edges and no details. Very "move along, citizen". Ha ha... it's part of the joke right? They get it! They'll just look up local restaurants or som-....

Wait...

Hey, guuuuys?

Are you finding ANYTHING?

And! Nothing. And I do mean NOTHING! Triggers the "oh? Secrets???" Instincts of a Hacker, like finding a hard blank wall of "KEEP OUT". Especially when it's somewhere it rightfully shouldn't BE.

All it would take? Is ONE person, of decent skills and an account on Certain Forums, getting bored enough to Google the Dude On The TV(TM)? For the GIW's lil walls to come crashing down. Because yeah, you can stop ONE hacker. Even two. Probably five or six.

But how about thousands?

Hundreds of thousands?

From every time zone. Competing. Just to see what you HAVE and don't want them to see. Maybe they do something with it, maybe they don't. But fuck it, you're being RUDE and now they're CURIOUS. And THEN? Oh. Oh holy shit.

Not a meme.

Very real.

Not a joke.

The walls come crumbling down, down, down. Ripped apart by hundreds of hands. Emails sent to every sort of agency. The JLU line inundated with emergency tips. Not a joke. Not A Joke. Holy Shit, IT WASN'T A JOKE!

Phantom is REAL!

And there, on TV, stands the Man. The signal FINALLY breaching containment. Fighting off the invading God of the week. Built like statue, hair like an aurora borealis of white fire held almost delicately in place by a CROWN of ice, a suit made of void and starlight. Inhuman. Beyond human.

Here to help.

A laugh that crackles like ice and the snap of winter, rolls through the air like coming storms, rich and somehow warm. A smile that bares teeth, yet turns so KIND when he looks upon humanity, as though we are precious and worth fighting for. A living star.

A... a once living star.

And in the center of it all? Wearing his BESPOKE, custome made, Number 1 Phan full body outfit? That's right. Dash Baxter. Ha! You fuckers doubted him! Behold his blorbo and WEEP, ya fuckin casuals! The BESTEST of boys! The FINEST of Heros! Superman? Could NEVER.

And now? The weather!

@babbling-babull @nerdpoe @the-witchhunter @ailithnight @hypewinter @hdgnj @mutable-manifestation

[rodanhoax]

Jaune: *Wielding the relic of destruction* It's over Pyrrha! Give me back my son!

Pyrrha: Don't you mean, "our" son?

Jaune: Pyrrha... y-you look so different.

Pyrrha: I did a little something with my hair. And my lips.

Jaune: Are those thigh highs?

Pyrrha: So you noticed those too?

Ironwood: Okay Jaune, take the shot.

Pyrrha: What do you think of them?

Jaune: I uh... um-

Ironwood: She's standing right there, Jaune. Take the shot.

Pyrrha: Do you like my open bust dress~?

Jaune: Oh god yeah.

Qrow: What the hell is wrong with you?!

Port: Blast this harpy!

Jaune: I'm sorry guys, b-but I cant.

Port: The shrew has been forged from brimstone.

Qrow: Translation?

Ironwood: He's saying she's an evil clone.

Jaune: I hear ya. Counterpoint:

Jaune: She's really hot.

Qrow: Damn it Arc!

Port: Reject women! Embrace huntsmanship!

Ironwood: Can't you see how evil she is?!

Pyrrha: I'm going for the goth girlfriend look.

Jaune: Okay guys, I know she's an evil clone... But, she is the mother of my child. To be honest, this situation is confusing as hell for me. I... I'm tapping out.

Qrow: Tapping out?

Ironwood: You're a huntsman, you can't tap out.

Jaune: Dude, I'm tapping out.

Port: What would Ozpin think of this treason?

Jaune: The professor?

-Flashback-

Ozpin: You're like a son to me Jaune, I trust you with my very life. I want you to know that I keep a gun in hidden inside my cane. It's always with me Jaune. I sleep with it. I dream of it. You can never be too careful around these students-

Jaune: It's not working, he... keeps talking about guns.

Ironwood: Guns?

Jaune: Yeah.

Qrow: That doesn't sound right.

Pyrrha: Are you sure this isn't his evil clone?

Jaune: He kind of hinted it was for... self defense?

Port: Guns are nothing before my axe!

Qrow: Isn't your axe also a gun?

Port: Silence!

Ironwood: You don't think the professor actually used it do you?

Jaune: Do I think the professor shot someone? No, of course not. That's like totally ridiculous. Besides, we would have heard about it.

Pyrrha: He could have just wiped your memories.

Jaune: What?

Pyrrha: He could have shot someone then wiped everyone's memories about the event. With his magic it would have been easy for him.

Jaune: This is a terrifying thought.

Ironwood: Don't listen to her Jaune!

Pyrrha: Join me Jaune. The Grimm Queen needs a king.

Jaune: Not gonna lie, Grimm Queen is kind of weird, but i'm in.

Port: Step away from her you fool!

Jaune: I'm kind of bricked up at the moment.

Qrow: Don't worry Arc, I know this ain't easy. That's why I offer myself... as a sacrifice. Do what you want to me Pyrrha, make me your freaky sex puppet for all I care. Just let Arc go!

Port: What a noble gesture!

Ironwood: He is truly the best of us.

Qrow: Tie me up. Slap me. Step on me! It's alright, my ego ain't that big. Just leave the kid out of this!

Jaune: I know what you're doing.

Qrow: You ain't gotta thank me Jaune. Y'know... I really shoulda said this sooner, but... but you're like a brother to me!

Jaune: You've always had a thing for her.

Qrow: Oz would've been proud of ya, kid. I know I sure as hell am.

Jaune: You can't just live out your sick fantasies with my fake goth girlfriend!

Port: Your words can no longer reach him... His heart is set.

Ironwood: We shall remember you, Qrow... We shall remember you.

Qrow: So Pyrrha... How ya wanna do this? Should I take off the cape now, or-

Pyrrha: Sorry, Qrow, but you're a little old for my taste. Not to mention a furry.

Qrow: Furries deserve love!

[tulipsforyourlips]

✧˖°. i found you ✧˖°. (3)

|| the sandman x dead boy detectives ||

SUMMARY: You run the dead boys detective agency along with your two best friends. And somehow two ghosts and a living girl make it work. Until you dream one night, of dream himself.

PAIRING: dream of the endless x fem!reader

WC: 3K+

WARNINGS: none i can think of

PART 3✧˖°.

"What the fuck." Your heart beat thunderously in your ribcage. "Are you stalking me?"

The goth guy paid no heed to your question. "I am Dream."

You just stared at him. "Oh okay and I am a nightmare?"

He only became more stern if that was even possible. He took a step forward.

"Don't. I'll call the police," you threatened.

He continued on without paying any heed to your threat. Who the fuck does he think he is?

"I am King of Dreams-"

"Dude-I told you not working."

"Stop talking.” His voice was low but the words were sharp.

But you weren't going to turn down your sass because of a man? Cmon.

"I am Dream-"

"I think I got that bit.”

An imperceptible flare of his nostrils made you zip your mouth. Wow you really got under his skin.

"I am Dream of the Endless and you mortal, have been chosen for a destiny greater than your cause.”

You gawked at him and broke into a chuckle, "o-okay Dream, Wait." You straightened. "Did you say the Endless? Like Death?"

You didn't know much about the Endless but you for sure knew Death was one. He did not answer your question but he did not deny your claim, so you assumed it an affirmative from him.

"How do I know?"

"Know what?"

"That you are infact one of the Endless and not a serial killer concocting stories to trap his victim."

He stepped closer and this time you let him. "Oh I do concoct stories.” He brought his hand to his mouth and blew...sand particles?

However you had no time to asses that for certain because the next second you were suspended in the cosmos, your body pulling in all directions, vivid images clashed in your mind, touring you through the entire world and all in a blip of a second. You grabbed the rim of your bedstand as your mind spiraled, reeling itself back to reality. 

"Woah," you breathed out.

Had you just disrespected an Endless? And called him a stalker? You cringed.

"We will meet again," Dream said as he swooped his cloak over his head.

"Wait." He halted his actions.

"Why me?"

A flicker of emotion fired in his eyes, so brief you labeled it as your imagination.

"Goodnight mortal.”

You woke up with a start. And clutched your head in your hands, stupid dream. You glanced at your alarm clock and then realized it was broken, that you broke it and instead looked at the digits glowing on your phone screen, 5:00 am. Sleep would not come to you now, you knew that much so you put on your slippers and made your way to the kitchen, padding softly so as to not make any sound. You put on the stove and boiled the milk for some coffee, allowing your thoughts till now kept at bay to flood your mind. Okay so that was a dream, explains some stuff. But then those blurs in your dream, and you were sure you had seen him at the corridor yesterday. Unless you had watched a movie starring him and now you saw the actor everywhere. Nah that wasn’t true. But what about your dream? Ever since you were seventeen, you had dreamed only of that place with the mountains and the river. Or maybe before, it wasn't like you remembered anything before that, before your life here, with Edwin and Charles. Is something burning? Oh no. The milk was overflowing, dripping down the slab onto the floor.

"Fuck," you cursed.

How the heck did this even happen? You were staring right into the pot. You grabbed for a cloth, dabbing the milk away. The vessel was tarred black with the burnt milk inside. You couldn't do one bloody job properly.

"Turn around!"

You did, hands up in the air, heart beating exponentially fast yet again. Edwin was in his pajamas, a quizzical look adorning his face. The ghosts didn’t really need sleep but they still liked to bide the time away by resting when there were no immediate cases in need of solving. 

"Hazel?" he furrowed his brows and then examined the mess you were standing in. "What are you doing? I thought you were a thief or a ghost hunter or something.”

"Ghost hunters exist?" You were genuinely surprised.

"Dunno," he shrugged. "It's 5 in the morning, how are you up?"

"A dream.”

"A nightmare?"

"Not exactly.”

"A different one?"

You nodded. Edwin was taken aback at that. He knew about your dream, and that it was the only thing you ever dreamed about. Hell he knew everything about you. Both of them did. They were your only family.

The sun was slowly starting to emerge from underneath the cover of the dark. Edwin approached you at your place on the couch, two coffee mugs in his hand, steam ascending from them. He handed you your mug and took his place beside you.

You took a sip of your coffee. "Mmm.”

"Passable eh?" He teased.

"Yeah." You threw your head backwards.

A comfortable silence enveloped you both, your shoulders touching and knees budging each other.

"You want to talk about it?"

It took you a second to realize the context, "No." You shook your head. "It's nothing.”

"Okay." He didn't probe further and you were thankful for that.

You felt someone watching you and you glanced at the window, only to find a crow? a raven? looking back.

"Bastards.”

You both turned your head to the source where a jealous Charles stood. "Are you having coffee without me?" He was acting like you both were cheating on him.

"Oi calm your horses, its not like your body requires coffee."

"And I care why? Everything is not about survival loser." He flicked your forehead.

"Ouch.” You sent him a glare.

"Okay I don't have the energy nor the patience to sit through this." Edwin got up. "You two, be ready in fifteen. Cases await us."

The moon was beginning to appear in the sky and the wind blew some mischievous strands of your hair across your face as you stapled the posters in your hands on the poles around you. A boy was missing, and your client was sure it had to do with some supernatural activity. It paid well so the agency didn't question it further. While the both of them were searching the location of his disappearance for clues, you were seeking more information about him. The wind knocked some papers out of your hand, and you bent down to pick them up. Your body jerked back when you straightened up.

Hand on your heart, you exclaimed, "Jeez!"

The goth guy from your dream stood before you.

"You seriously need to stop doing that," you gritted out.

And then suddenly your mind clicked and the words left you before you could stop them. "Wait you are real?"

Ever so slightly, Dream's face morphed into a question mark.

Okay so that definitely wasn't a dream, it was real. Very real apparently you realized as you assessed the man, no Endless standing before you.

"You need to come with me," he said oblivious to the raging commotion happening inside your mind.

You didn't reply, instead widened your eyes for an elaboration.

"To the Dreaming, my realm.”

"I can't, I am on a case.”

"Your friends can manage without you," he stated as a matter of fact.

You scoffed, "first of all that's rude, secondly-"

But before you could finish, sand, yeah sand for sure, began to swirl around you, gaining more motion until it enwrapped your entire body and when you next opened your eyes, you were in the Dreaming.

"Holy mother of god," you breathed as your eyes took in the throne room, the magnificence of it all, the colours shimmering in the glass pane, the cosmos swirling above you, the vastness of where you stood. You felt trivial, a bug in the path of a jogger.

"Lucienne I would like you to meet somebody," Dream's voice rasped and you revolved your head to face the woman his words were directed to.

A woman with skin like chocolate, sporting fashionable coattails and wearing spectacles that made her look infinitely wise or perhaps the glasses were just an addition to her preexistent wisdom met your eyes.

She bowed her head. “Greetings your lady."

You returned her gesture. "Hello Lucienne."

"Lucienne is my most trusted advisor and the sole librarian of this realm," the Endless spoke.

"Wow, I wonder what the library of the dreaming would look like.”

She peered at you in bafflement for a moment before quickly collecting herself.

"It would be my honour to show you sometime.”

"The honour would be all mine, Lucienne,” you smiled.

"Lord Morpheus," she called to the Endless.

Morpheus? Who the heck is Morpheus?

"Um who is Morpheus?" You decided to voice your curiosity.

A knowing glance passed between the two.

"It's another name I am called by.”

Oh.

"Lucienne go on,”

"There were further abruptions reported earlier around the house of mystery and..."

You were no longer paying attention to Lucienne's speech as your gaze travelled along the enormous cracks dividing the ground.

"Sorry to interrupt but is this part of the decor?" You asked the both of them.

"No," Morpheus sighed, "and that precisely is why you are here.”

"You don't have construction crew around here?"

Morpheus clenched his jaw, "We have Mervin, however this problem does not concern him. It runs deeper than you can comprehend.”

"Then help me comprehend," you said.

Morpheus eyes' pierced into yours, "All in time mortal."

Your legs dangled below you from where you sat in the library. As promised, Lucienne had shown you around and to say you were mesmerized beyond your wits would be a brutal understatement. You were in the dreaming, an entirely different realm, sitting in its library that towered even after you stretched your neck to its capacity, and were going through books that no mortal would have ever had the luxury of touching or even knowing that such pieces exist. Not to mention, having spoken with an Endless. An Endless? The king of Dreams himself. For a second you feared if you were dreaming again. But the old pinch sufficed to make you believe the opposite. But why? How? Your mind was a muddling mess. Guaranteed you had your fair share of weirdness working with the dead boy detectives but this was something entirely else. The librarian had introduced you to Mervin, who to your astonishment was actually a pumpkin head. You were after all in the realm of the dreams, if anything was possible, it was here. A sudden caw pulled you from your spiraling. A crow perched on your shoulders. No a raven? Was this…the raven from before? The one you had glanced in the living room's window?

"Hi kid, I am Matthew."

You weren't as taken aback as you thought you would be at the talking raven. You were slowly getting used to all the craziness.

"Hi Matthew, I am Hazel.”

"Pretty name.”

"Flattery doesn't work on me, just for your information," you stated, your gaze fixed on the words in the book propped open on your lap. "It might serve the goth guy you work for stalker.” You narrowed your eyes at the raven.

"Ooh, a feisty mortal, nice you and I would get along very well.”

And you both did. It would have been just minutes chatting away with Mathew but as your laughs erupted in the silence around you, you felt you had known the guy forever, the raven, oh the raven that had been a guy once.

"Matthew," Dream's cold tone quieted you both. “Leave us alone.”

"Yes boss," the raven obeyed.

"Accompany me,” Dream said as he turned away expecting you to follow behind.

Arrogant.

You fell in with him, a question on your lips when the gates to the palace opened. The question forgotten, your mouth parted in amazement as you stared at the vast expanse of gardens before you. You exited the palace steps, incredulity lingering on your face as you inhaled the sheer exquisiteness of the place you were in.

Dream ushered his head in a direction. "Come," and continued that way.

You jogged to match up his pace.

"What do you know about the Endless?" He asked.

"Very little," you admitted, "I mean I know there are seven of them, Death being one and now you apparently, but I'm afraid that's about all the knowledge I have."

"It is still more than what humans generally know about us."

"Well it's the courtesy of my friends.”

"Ah, your ghost friends," he disclosed.

You stopped in your tracks. "You know?"

"That they are ghosts?" He walked on.

"Yeah I just wondered- I figured you didn't know and that's why you didn't tell Death.”

"Oh Death knows," he revealed the information with a glint in his eye, as if he was enjoying your reaction.

"What?" You cried. Gathering yourself, you said, "Then why doesn't she..go after them? Bring them to the sunless lands and whatever?" You joined him.

"Death has her reasons. She is far kinder than you know.”

"I, I don't know what to say."

Morpheus did not try to continue the conversation. You both walked in silence for some time. Questions ran rampant inside your head, but never left your lips.

"Ask," he said not tearing his eyes away from the path.

You didn't even realize he had sensed your hesitation. Questions grappled with each other to be released first and in that brawl you muttered the stupidest of them all. "How many names do you have?"

If Morpheus was surprised at the choice of your question, he didn't show it. "Many.”

Wow okay that was one elaborate answer if you heard any. Did it pain him to speak?

Just as you had accepted that's all you would get from him, he spoke, "Dream, Morpheus, Oneiros and Sandman to name a few.”

"The Sandman? As in the fable Sandman?"

"Tell me mortal, do I look like a fable to you?"

"Fair point," you mused.

Taking the opportunity of his answering mood, you exploited your luck further. "Can the mortals visit the dreaming anytime? I mean how does this even work?"

"Yes, whenever a mortal sleeps, he enters my realm where I contain the unconscious of the entire world.”

"That sounds…tough.”

"Does this mean I am sleeping right now?" You queried further.

"Exceptionally, no. I brought you here. Your soul and your body are both intact at the present and there is no trace of you in the waking world."

Your mouth opened once more to ask him another question, when his raspy voice cut through the air. “You get one more.”

The ego of this man, fine you insolent arse.

"Do you ever get lonely?"

If you were paying rapt attention you would have noticed the falter in his steps but your eyes were trained on his face.

"No," he answered.

"Seriously? Not ever?"

"You have run out of your questions and your friends must be waiting for you." He turned his body towards you. 

But before he could procure his pouch of sand from his cloak, the ground gave a sudden croak beneath you. Followed by a deafening cracking as the very ground you stood upon began parting into two.

"What the-," you started.

Dream grabbed your elbow and pulled his cloak over you both. The universe itself seemed to wrap around you and in the next moment you were in the waking world. He released his hold on your elbow as if your touch had burned him. He would probably need to wash his hands after touching a mortal.

"Stay here," he ordered.

Before you could object, he had vanished. You waited in the clearing, the stack of posters on the ground and the moon bathing you in its light. You were gone for more than half a day but only a few hours had passed back here. Times moves differently here, Lucienne's words entered your mind. After waiting another 10 minutes, you got up from your position on the ground, collected the posters in your hand, and began to make your way back to the apartment. He wasn't coming back.

Just as you were out the woods, Morpheus' voice reached your ears. "I told you to stay there.”

You turned back. Moonlight filtering through the trees illuminated his pale skin to ghastly pale. He looked beautiful. What? Shut up brain.

"I thought you weren't coming back."

Morpheus didn't say anything to that. This guy really needed to work on his communication skills.

"What was back there?"

"The realm is collapsing, at the rate of the damage we have very little time."

"For what?"

"To prevent it from happening.”

"But-"

"Rest tonight mortal. We begin tomorrow." And with those obscure words he was gone in a blur.

You opened the door to the apartment and were immediately met with yelling. "Where the fuck were you?"

"You just totally vanished!"

"We searched for you everywhere!"

"Why weren't you answering your phone?"

"We were worried!"

Charles and Edwin's frenzied voices overlapped each other.

"Guys guys stop!"

They both fell silent.

"I am sorry I-I had to be somewhere on an urgent business and my phone died down."

"Next time the very least you can do is inform us beforehand," Edwin chided you.

"I swear the situation was out of my control, I promise it won't happen again."

Edwin's features softened and he asked, "Are you alright?"

You exhaled, "Yep I am aces."

"Get your own catchphrases," Charles muttered behind you and draped his arms around your neck from the back. "We are just glad you are back safe and in one piece.”

You leaned against his frame. "You can't even lie properly.”

"Hey sod off.” He broke apart the embrace.

You laughed at his tantrums.

"Anyways you wouldn't believe the adventure we had today. It was brills. Turns out the missing boy was actually..."

Yeah you wouldn't believe the adventure I had today either.  We begin tomorrow, the words scraped against the walls of your mind.

A/N: phew the stage is set. so lmk ur thoughts<3 i would love to hear em!! 

SERIES MASTERLIST ✧˖°.

[silmarillaure]

Finweans ranked by Aura

Feanor - So powerful he sucked the life force out of his mother, invented a ton of cool shit, had more children with his wife than any of the other Eldar, died in battle while his body combusted into flames because he was just that hot, & the King of the Valar who he hated cried over him.

Earendil - Cool as hell, has a wife who's cool as hell. Predestined to be a hero even though he comes from a basic vanilla bloodline (besides his great grandpa Fingolfin). Even though most of his ancestors were nobodies or flops, most of his descendants that came after him were cool as hell.

Maedhros - Might have been higher than his father & cousin if he didn't khs, Lowkey an Aura loss moment but he makes up for a lot with his gorgeous red hair, height, surviving Morgoth's torture, & sorta fulfilling his dad's dumb oath.

Fingolfin - The only good thing his bland vanilla mother did was give birth to him. He was a total badass I've got to admit even as a Feanorian stan. Him crossing the helcaraxë & his death were top Aura moments.

Elrond/Elros - They're twins so they can share a spot too. Both badass as hell.

Fingon - Called "the Valient", braids gold into his hair, saved his sexy redheaded cousin, & became King of the Noldor. Everything about him screams Aura.

Galadriel - Despite the fact she's a Feanor anti (Booooo!!!), she admittedly has a ton of Aura. She's smarter than possibly everyone else here given she survived when the rest of her generation either got themselves killed or spends all their time being a sad beach cryptid.

Gil-Galad - Cool as hell, managed to make an alliance Maedhros could only dream of.

Maglor - Has a couple Aura loss moments but in the end he LIVED which is an Aura gain. Also gets Aura points for having the best voice in Arda.

Celebrimbor - Pretty rad dude, love how he's more like Feanor than his father Curufinwe Jr is, unfortunately he died.

Finrod - His death is cool as fuck. Looses points for cockblocking his little brother & dying for that basic joe Beren though.

Caranthir - Goth Icon. Love how despite his raging anger issues he's also an awesome guy you'd want to be friends with.

Finwe - A massive flop in a ton of ways but definitely still has Aura. Looses Aura points for failing Feanor & choosing to marry an unsexy Vanya when he could've waited for his sexy talented silver haired Noldo wife to come back to life. Only good thing about him besides his awesome hair is that he's Feanor & Fingolfin's father.

Aredhel - Cool as hell but has terrible taste in men. Her whole white aesthetic & her wild personality gain her Aura points though.

Turgon - The only cool thing about him is that he built Gondolin which wins him some Aura points. Looses Aura points for getting played by his nephew & dying pathetically though.

Idril - She's cool I guess, the only thing of note that she did was give birth to the chad Earendil. Tuor is such a basic guy though, he's not the worst but she could do better.

Aegnor - Cool hair. Pulled a baddie. Fumbled the baddie.

Angrod - Not the most stand out Finwean but he seems to be a mama's boy & he didn't do anything wrong so I'll put him above the family flops.

Finduilas - She's a sweetie but she looses Aura points for falling out of love with a great guy like Gwindor & falling in love with Turin the walking L.

Celegorm - Stupid as hell for trying to use a powerful half-Angel as a political weapon against her father. Looses more Aura points for getting abandoned by his dog & dying at the hands of said half-Angel's 30 y/o mortal son while he's over 1000 y/o. Gains some Aura points for being able to talk to animals, his hair, & his hot bastard energy.

Curufin - Feanor with 99% less Aura. His only achievement is having Celebrimbor yet he still couldn't even succeed at being Feanor 2.0 and having 7 kids to continue the family line. Had the chance to kill Eol but didn't which led to his favorite cousin dying (that's a huge L).

Finarfin - Takes after his mother in the sense he's vanilla af. The tiny percent of Aura he has is from his Noldo side obviously and he used that to pull a baddie like Earwen. All his kids get their Aura from their mother's side.

Orodreth - I like the guy, but he's definitely a dumbass with no Aura. He inherited a kingdom but isn't particularly good at anything. His only accomplishment is possibly fathering Gil-Galad.

Maeglin - Orodreth might have no Aura but this guy has negative Aura. His childhood sucked but he's such a walking L that's he's somehow more of a loser than both Celegorm & Eol combined.

[isa-ghost]

Birds of a Feather AU

General Concept

Somehow someway, following the events of QSMP, hc!Phil and o!Phil cross paths while o!Phil is in a minor crisis. Surviving on his own while searching for his parents is going,,, not well. But luckily, this "old fuck" he's encountered has seemingly infinite wisdom about life and survival, which is-- whether he wants to admit it or not --exactly what he needs.

Little do either of them know, they have strangely similar yet distinctly unique traumas, and the longer they spend time together, the more they'll start to heal each other as a sort of Mentor And Apprentice dynamic develops.

hc!Phil

Is also SMPEarth!Phil, c!Phil, and q!Phil. All lore from those SMPs apply to him. All of my qPhil headcanons also apply to him.

Typical vaguely slutty /j fanon Phil outfit. Also has his Antarctic Empire outfit, and his Quesadilla Island "vacation" outfit (a beach coverup like his robe, a sunhat like his normal hat, and a green print Hawaiian shirt.) (Hopefully I'll eventually draw that)

Trust and attachments are complicated for him. He can't help but develop them, it's only natural, but with losing Chay & Lullah so recent in his mind, the wound is raw and he's once again gone back to keeping everyone he meets at arm's length or further away. He is NOT going to be happy stumbling across o!Phil, especially when they just,, kinda become stuck with each other.

o!Phil

Obviously the cameo from Rats SMP applies to him. I might also apply Phil's cameo in ASMP to o!Phil even though that wasn't o!Phil just because they were sorta similar in personality.

Goes by Crowfather. Phil has, in Crowfather's words: annoyingly, nicknamed him "Crowley"

Basically 1:1 with his skin but like. The hot brooding fanart versions people make. Basically looks like a bougie goth aristocrat but bird. Has more actual bird traits whereas Phil is more just,, a dude with wings and bird mannerisms (perching, collecting shiny things, etc)

Is this weird equilibrium between being cold as fuck and sociable. Is an entitled snot at the worst of times and a clearly clueless, golden spoon-fed tory who doesn't know a damn thing about the real world at best. He's been forced into this position by Circumstances (his parents being MIA) and is still working through figuring out how to be an independent and actually likeable person.

Phil is teaching him the above, at least the independence part. Unlike Crowley, Phil has lived for god knows how long and that's given him tons of life experience and wisdom to pass on.

Deep inside, he's just severely hurt and traumatized. Still not a good person outside as a result, but much of the outside would change if the inside healed.

Misc Plot & Lore Stuff

Vague Plot

Phil & Crowley's Dynamic

Crowley's Character Development

[rodolfoparras]

If I may add on Price with piercings ask (and admittedly this is little self-indulgent) but imagine his reaction to you also having piercings?? Going in for a kiss only to see that you have tongue piercing and him admiring your nipple piercings?? Loving the way your lip rings feel when he kisses you?? Him tracing your tattoos all over your body and making you shiver??

Going to body mod shop and getting a piercing or tattoo together 😭😩

I'm so normal about him I promise but as goth guy this concept just spoke to me so much

-🔮

Pls hear me out dear anon

Thinking about Price introducing his husband to the team and when he first mentions you they can’t help but imagine a cardboard copy of Price, basically an old army dude or something else in that vein

But when you show up you look the complete opposite to what they had expected covered in tattoos and decked out in piercings. Soap and Gaz have to do their best to cover up their surprised faces while Ghost is just thankful he’s wearing a mask.

When all of you sit down and get to talking 141 end up getting some intel on the life Price had lived before he met them, finding out the man had his fair share of tattoos under all that clothing and piercings holes that had closed up before he’d met any of them.

You’d been his tattoo artist back in the day, had met him when he stumbled into your shop drunk off his ass. At first you had rejected his wish of getting a tattoo, telling him to prove he’s not drunk by spelling out his name to you which had only resulted in you calling him a taxi to drive him back home while uttering the words “goodbye Jan”

He had woken up the next morning with a number written on the palm of his hand and the words “not a tattoo but call me if you actually want one” scribbled on his wrist.

He hadn’t thought of calling you at first, the embarrassment was too much to stomach but faith had other plans and he ends up meeting you again in some dimly bar close to base. He hadn’t recognized you when he first asked you on a date but you had happily accepted to see “Jan” again and joked that this might also be his chance to get the tattoo he wanted.

Years later and you two are sitting on the couch on base talking with 141, while wearing matching wedding bands and you couldn’t be any happier than you are right now.

[BONUS:

Although Price has mellowed down a lot since his younger years he’ll never give up the pleasure of blowing his husband while you’re behind the wheel.

It’s a complete contrast to the man he is on base, eager fingers pawing at your pants to undo your zipper, uncaring of any risks as he drags his tongue along the length of your dick, while a tattooed hand buries itself in the brown tufts of hair to control the pace as he eagerly suckles on your length, tears spilling down his cheeks and shining as bright as the barbells you’re wearing. ]

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, round 4 of bracket one

Propaganda:

For Yasha:

Big somft goth Viking barbarian lesbian who fights with a zweihander (and other big swords)

She's huge, she fights with a giant sword, looks intimidating but loves her friends and (eventual) gf so so much

For Zoro:

Literally training to be the greatest swordsman in the world. Has a special three swords technique (one blade in each hand plus one with the handle held in his teeth). I haven't read the manga or watched the anime but the live action adaptation gives me extremely gay vibes and based on the fandom things I've seen I'm not the only one

bro uses three swords. has one in his mouth. dont ask how the HELL he manages that. one day he will be the worlds greatest swordsman....after he beats the current greatest for both the titles of greatest swordsman and fruitiest swordsman. he's dramatic as FUUUCK like bro what the hell. has homoerotic fights with the local twink like everyday. directionally challenged, can and will get lost in a paper bag, doesnt know left from right...he probably cant read, too. hes too silly ngl

First of all, im in like episode 250 and so far he hasnt been shown attracted to any woman at all during the whole show so far, not even when one changed clothes in the same room as him and this is anime so you know there were other characters with bloody noses and shit. With that out of the way he wields three swords at once [two in his hands, one is his goddamn mouth dude. Its cool af trust me.] When he was little he made a promise to his best friend that he'd be the best swordsman in the world. Later she died in a tragic accident and left her sword which he still uses today. He also carries a cursed sword but he overpowers the curse with a combination of skill and sheer luck. He got stuck in a chimney. While his crewmates sail their ship he takes naps. He learned how to cut through metal by fighting a guy who could turn his body into metal blades. That's metal. He refuses to fight this liberal marine officer because she looks like his childhood best friend and its just understandably really awkward for him. He's autistic. He's a he/him bisexual lesbian. He's a gay man. He's ace/aro. He's whatever you want him to be babey!!

he has 3 swords, wields one in his mouth sometimes, his dream is to be the greatest swordsman in the world

three swords and big aroace-spec gay vibes

He not only has a sword he has *three* swords. He's absolutely gay there's no way to see this man as straight. Also one time he licked his sword for no reason and that was really funny to me so I had to mention it

Look, this man thinks about three things: Swords, His Captain, and Booze. He’s on a quest to be the worlds greatest swordsman. The Live action has a scene where he declares his undying, unwavering loyalty to his captain WHILE reaffirming his promise to be the worlds greatest swordsman. At this point His dream and his Captain are so intertwined it’s crazy. Man is so sword-y he’s got three of them. When one of his swords broke he carried its empty scabbard until he was able to give it a SWORD FUNERAL. He hears a sword is cursed and takes that as a challenge. He will literally tell his swords off for “bad behavior” when they “act up” due to being straight up cursed. He tests one by throwing it in the air and sticking his arm out to see if it is so blood thirsty and ill tempered that it will cut him. Even though he’s literally the first mate if you ask him what his role is he’s going to answer Swordsman.

He's dedicated his life to two things: becoming the greatest swordsman in the world and his captain, Luffy. 

He mastered the three sword style. Its his style. It would've been more swords but he could only fit one sword in each hand and one in his mouth. He wants to be the world's greatest swordsman, a deal he made with his childhood best frenemy (before she died falling down the stairs). He thought he was All That at the start and was almost completely decimated by the actual Worlds Greatest Swordsman. Now, after two years forced training with that guy, he's probably in the top tier no-doubt, and honestly could already be the best but we just don't know for sure yet. Also, did I mention: he's got the whole demon/devil imagery going on at times. And he has absolutely no sense of direction! plus is a total softie when it comes to Chopper and all the children who somehow gravitate towards him. And he loves naps!

One of the guy's main goals in life is to be the best sword fighter and he fights with three swords which I think is telling enough of his skill.

[moongothic]

There is something so interesting to me about the whole "Devil Fruits are manifestations of people's desires" concept... Mainly because, when you think about it, a lot of characters do end up having Devil Fruits that like, suit them, you know?

Althought people do tend speculate about it, we can't really say for sure that a "Devil Fruit chooses its user", like it's not canon yet. But if there was some funny thing of FATE that somehow leads specific people to certain powers that they, subconciously or not, desired and wished for... It would explain how so many characters end up with powers they're happy with, abilities that really suit them, even if/when they can't know for sure what powers they might end up with

Like we have Kaku and Kalifa who both seemed happy with the abilities they obtained despite having no idea what powers the mystery fruits the Government offered them would grant them. And that's just those two. Aokiji is a very Chill Dude so his Ice Fruit suits him, same could be said for Ace who was a bit of a hot head. The Wapol's ability to nom on literally anything goes well with his appetite, while Iva-chan and Bon-chan both obtained powers perfect for exploring their genders and identities. Luffy is a ridiculous ray of sunshine, while both Moria and Perona got the most goth-ass fruits available. Buggy's circus acts aside, Shanks did split his heart into pieces that have not come back together yet (though this did not kill the clown, just left him in pieces). Law's fruit was best suited in the hands of a doctor and not only was he was the son of doctor, but he specifically needed its power to not die. Kuma needed the hands of liberation to save not just himself but so many other slaves at God's Valley, and so many others later in life. All Robin wanted was to hold hands with her mom.

With that all in mind. How does Crocodile's ability... suit Crocodile..?

Like sure, on a pure surface level, it suits him in the sense that he was The Final Boss of the Sand Level. You go to a desert, you gonna find some sand. And of course, Alabasta was suffering from severe drought that Crocodile was manufacturing. The Drought Man taking the rain from a country makes sense.

And maybe there isn't anything more to it than that.

But also like, think about it with me for a second

The man who once dreamt of becoming fucking Pirate King ended up a Sand Logia. And I don't even mean that in the "lmao water is his weakness" kinda way (though it certainly doesn't help, all you need is one (1) battle in the middle of a storm and you're dead), I mean like. How doth one rule the seas when your power is to rule the earth instead. That Logia in particular is about as fitting for a Pirate King as a beach is a fitting place for a whale to live on. So if Devil Fruits are somehow drawn to people whom they might suit the most, then how did the Sand Logia end up with Crocodile? How was that the most suitable fruit for him? Was it just bad luck? Was it fate? Did Crocodile even really yearn for that throne to begin with, or was it just the idea of absolute power and fame instead?

Sidenote, but it is worth pointing out that we don't know when Crocodile ate his Devil Fruit. For all we know, it could've been years after he got his ass kicked by Whitebeard, when he had already given up on his dreams. If can't become the king of the oceans, then a Desert King is okay too

I do also want to point out... Was Crocodile drawn to this fruit because it's sand? Because nothing can really grow and blossom in nothing but dry sand, nothing can live in it. Because deserts and wastelands are lonely places. None of Crocodile's plans have ever turned out like he wanted them to, nothing has come to fruition from his ventures. And Crocodile if anyone knows a thing or two about solitude.

[dangermousie]

Wonderland of Love - done

It was a delightful drama - visually stunning, great chemistry. I am incredibly fond of Xu Kai, and it's proof of how much that I still remained fond of him after his recent string of shudder-inducing choices (Court Lady, Royal Feast, the gaming thing, that modern with YM, Snow Eagle Lord.) But what a pleasure to watch a Xu Kai drama I genuinely enjoy and not suffer through.

You can tell that censorship had FWSC hemmed tighter than that second in command was clutching his evil boss' urn - we all know if she had her druthers, the stupid emperor would have been taken out in a coup by Li Ni (who would have actually got to kill one of his brothers) and there would have been a lot more of ambition and murder (the secondary girl? would have so been murdered!) But on the upside, we also got a blissful OTP ending and a ML who is probably the sole drama ML this year that I actually would want to be married to in RL.

Anyway, this was so delicious for my not-so-inner angst junkie:

Yes, our ML has kept the corpse of his wife around, slept by it, changed it etc. However wholesome, this is still a FWSC tale. And now he's giving the corpse a sword and taking her coffin in battle. I...I...I...this is feeding me!!!

I enjoyed him plain text telling evil secondary girl he will never have another wife, whether CL is alive or not, and to leave or he will kill her. He cuts off her jewelry and I think the lady is lucky this wasn't made a decade ago, or she'd be shorter by a head.

Have you ever considered invading the palace with the coffin of your wife by your side? No? Then don't even talk to me! PEAK GOTH METAL!!!

Li Ni's reaction to this royal order is an arrow to the throat. God, how I wish the narrative let him go all GMP insane!

"Hi Dad, so I come to visit you with a giant sword and a dead body of my spouse in an elaborate coffin. How you doin'?" I wish wish wish they let him go all Lee Bang Won/Li Shimin but alas (someone pointed out this is a fantasy wholesoming/whitewashing of Li Shimin and I can't unsee!)

Sadly, he's there for the prime minister and evil jieshuo people. Why can't we have nice things? But the best part is that FL finally comes back to life, in the middle of the battle, and her first move is to leap out of the coffin with that sword he left her in hand and kill the bad dude in unison with her husband. Battle Couple indeed.

This whole sequence was unbearably lovely but this was my favorite bit:

You guys are incorrigible and I LOVE YOU MANIACS SOOOOO!!!

The ending with him becoming an emperor for ten years and then passing the throne to his cousin and peacing out to live on the border with her and their kids as he wanted was lovely (even if realistically, it's just causing trouble for next generation - you bet his children/grandchildren and the new emperor's kids will end up in some battle) but my favorite part was when he was still emperor of them with their newborn son.

Anyway, this was a lovely lovely lovely chemistry-filled delight and one of my faves of the year!

[soartfullydone]

Bastion, 14 and 15. Cobalt, 25. Yuffie, 6 and 20.

Bastion

14. Assign a fashion aesthetic to this character

Ashley has done so much of the work for me in the slutty goth department, but I have to stress that Bastion is not the studs and chains kind of slutty goth. He's the straps and capes kind, the leather daddy without the daddy part. He's heels and fingerless gloves and too many necklaces and rings. But he likes his flair, too. Huge feather boas, accents in silk, velvet, or lace, all keeping with the red, black, and crow/rogue aesthetic, of course. I think if it were easier to draw, he'd wear one of those see-through mesh shirts, not the cheap fishnet kind you'd find at a Party City but one of those expensive, surprisingly soft and not-itchy kind you'd get at a Macy's. Of course, the texture doesn't really matter. These are all glamours he stores in his torc.

What I'm very interested in seeing is what Bastion's aesthetic would be if he did have to play up the noble son persona in Alderode more. We see that briefly in chapter 7, but his color palette really makes him stick out in Soud territory. I wanna see how he makes himself noticeable in a sea of Jets, particularly since they're all so bitchy :)

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

Oh, Bastion/Lemuel by miles. It's so mean and salacious, fueled by hate and devoid of love. It's perfect.

Cobalt

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

One of the things I remember thinking was, "Why does this dude need three offices? Wtf?" And then he came strolling out into the arena in just his business clothes but with the sleeves rolled up, and I thought, "Oh, I see. This is an attack on me personally."

But now, yeah, I love that nasty little freak. I do wish Riven had had the opportunity to try to—fruitlessly—connect with him about living an immortal life. She was built for that, but he was not, and his drive to end it all, let alone take everyone with him, is a perspective that she has massive trouble understanding. What's so wrong with being young and hot for a really long time when the world is so full of promise? But that moment never came up organically before Szez, and when it did, she was super uninterested and preoccupied with getting everyone home alive.

Yuffie

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

It sounds like a knock, but we both definitely believe that we're more important than we truly are lmao. But it's in a good way. It means that neither of us is easily discouraged and we bounce back from setbacks fast. That said, we can be one-track minded about things, chasing a course of action that stops being feasible well before we realize it. Also, #RogueLife!

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

While it's tempting to say Riven or FFX-2's Rikku, they would be horrible enablers of Yuffie's worst habits and behaviors, which is fun but not ideal. She needs someone who keeps her a little more grounded, I think, but who's still fun for her to be around. Tifa would be great for that, and Yuffie would also help lift Tifa out of her melancholy moods and do wonders for her uncertainty/self-esteem issues. I also think Yuffie and Cissnei would make a hell of a team, particularly because Cissnei would prove a good mentor.

[ms-cartoon]

 Okay, I’m making this Corbin’s official design. Honestly, I’m kinda glad how this one turned out. Corbin is a bird, a crow specifically. I didn’t draw him with a beak at all the last time I drew his design, cuz the first time I did it, I kinda went about it wrong. For a while, I drew him like this; 

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/Corbin-Character-Sheet-950458278

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/Here-comes-the-Protective-Father-916937181

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/What-s-up-V-916530123

And before that, there was this;

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/Uh-hey-913534954

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/My-Best-Friend-913270288

And before that, there was this(the failed beak);

https://www.deviantart.com/soleilnelson/art/Trinity-s-New-Best-Friend-Corbin-New-HB-Oc-912754195

I couldn’t do it anymore..... So I had to get some references from some pictures of OCs just to draw him the way I wanted the first time, and I’m glad I did.

Though at the same time, I’m not totally sure about this design. I mean, I still like it and prefer it, but I feel like I could do something a bit more with it. He’s not just a normal bird, he’s part of the Goetia family (the son of Raum). And as someone who is special, I feel like I should do more with his appearance.

Also, I’m still deciding on what I should do about his character (like his personality, his story, and his background). He’s pretty dry when it comes to his personality. Doesn’t show much emotion on his face, not even in his voice. Almost like he’s just un-caring about everything and is very moody and mellow all the time. Basically, your typical goth dude. Though he is a cool young man once you get to know him. He’s also Octavia’s love interest, so there’s that too.

As I said, he’s the Son of Raum. Raum is the Great Earl of Hell and the 40th spirit of Ars Goetia. He rules the thirty legions of Demons. I guess he’s not as powerful as Stolas since Princes outrank Earls apparently. Though at this point, I’m convinced Stolas isn’t as strong as he’s made out to be. The only time he decides to be strong in the show is when Viv says so. But still, Raum is a very powerful and intelligent man.

Corbin is the oldest of 4 children and was personally trained by his father to be the next Earl. Though Corbin gradually does turn out to be strong, smart, and almost talented like his father by the age of 17, he doesn’t care at all to take his father’s place. He’d much prefer to live his life in hell and play music (this sounds cliche, but just bear with me, lol!) Raum argues one day with his son that if he won’t follow in his footsteps, then he shouldn’t live in the mansion anymore, and probably cut ties with the family. And that’s what Corbin did. 

He stayed with his first girlfriend for a while but broke up with her after she was found in her bed with another guy and left. He eventually met with Trixie (the imp clinging to his arm) and befriended her after a few days. One day, Trixie heard him singing and fell in love with his voice. He told her he had nowhere to live and she was quick to offer him an invite to live in her home as a roommate. The two now live as roommates.

That’s about the gist of it. I say I like what I did with his story. Still, I would love to hear some good critiques and see what you guys think. Do you think I can change some things about him? Anything I need to improve on perhaps? Is he fine the way he is? I don’t intend to change too much.

(To those of you wondering; just because I draw these OCs for HB, doesn't mean I like the show! While I did initially like the first time it came out, I gradually started to dislike and I still do. Nothing will change that. I draw these OCs purely for the fun of it and THAT IS ALL!)

[lovejustforaday]

2023 Year End List - #11

El Diablo En El Cuerpo - Álex Anwandter

Main Genres: Synth Pop, Dance Pop

A decent sampling of: Electro-Disco, Synth Funk, Electro Pop

Yet another entry on the list that I discovered this year while looking for records from outside the Anglosphere. And again, it's another artist from Latino-America.

I already said this in an old review, so I'm just gonna reiterate my stance briefly again - the 21st century 80s synth pop revivalism wave has been very hit or miss. And I'm mostly talking about the stuff that very clearly is actually paying homage to 80s music, not just any artist who happens to make bleeps and bloops.

But yeah, hit or miss. Some of it is frankly very dull and uninspired, and makes me wanna just put on some classic Depeche Mode or Strawberry Switchblade instead.

But when it hits, it hits hard, somehow managing to justify this ""trend"" that's been going on far too long to even be considered a trend anymore. Let's face it - the whole 80s synth pop / synth funk / sophistopop sound is here to stay forever, and I think that's for the best, even if occasionally I get a little exhausted from the over-saturation.

Anyways, moving on to the artist.

Álex Andwandter is a queer Chilean alternative pop artist and director based out of Santiago. He's collaborated with one of my own favourites, fellow Chilean indie/alt pop artist Javiera Mena (who makes a guest appearance on this record!). The dude has been active for over a decade now, so again, I'm a bit late to the party. Cut me some slack; I'm a gringo.

Álex himself sings in a bright, chipper, falsetto-y tenor full of sunshine and rainbows, sounding every bit as colourful as the classic synthesizer sounds that he incorporates into his music, though he also has a more dark and seductive register that he often injects into his steamier dance songs.

El Diablo En El Cuerpo ("The Devil in the Body"), his latest offering and my first introduction to his discography, is classic dancey, funky synth pop with a lot of sincerity and a few pinches of homoerotic mystique sprinkled in here and there. A very indulgent record for you to just lose yourself in the glitter and glam of it all. Basically, this is some utopian gay space shit (shout out to those who get the meme) and I am here for it.

Nothing could prepare me for the tantalizing and straight-up badass electro-disco thunderstorm that is "Qué piensas hacer sin mi amor?" ("What do you think you will do without my love?"). Anwandter channels Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, and Donna Summer all at once on this fierce juggernaut that's absolutely soaking with erotic tension. Puts me right in the middle of the dimmest, sweatiest fucking over-crowded dancefloor in some sleazy ass gay bar on a goth night at 1:00 am, and I'm too drunk to feel anything except the pounding pulse of the rhythm and the arousal of strangers rubbing up against me....ahem, is it hot in here? Anyways, eat your heart out Troye Sivan ("Rush" is great too, I'm mostly just memeing).

In contrast, the following track "Precipicio" ("Precipice") gives off a very 'classy' vibe - more cocktail dresses and glowing white LED dancefloors, less BDSM goth fetish gear and sweaty dankness. Some nice, sexy funky horns on this one that really brings the whole thing together. I also LIVE for Álex's sassy twink diva vibes all over this track; gets me almost as h-word as the previous track.

"Toda la noche" ("All Night") is anthemic synth funk that's giving a little bit of INXS. Groovy and life-affirming feel good shit that I would snort if I could. I want this to be the soundtrack of my own silly little 80s romance that's all about being young in the big city.

"Vamos de nuevo" ("Let's Go Again") is less of a nocturnal dancefloor number, and more something you might skip along to down the sidewalk on a sun shower summer's day with your hot pink Sony Walkman. Gorgeous upbeat vibraphone and detuned synth keys providing a backdrop for foolishly lovesick lyrics. My other favourite cut off the album, after the obvious one.

At the end of the day, the record is definitely a bit frontloaded, and it wears me out a little bit with its sixteen tracks in total. I understand this is probably meant to be the kind of record you play late at night when you're ready to get wasted and dance your heart out until you pass out; I just think it could be sequenced to have more of the outright bangers towards the end. But putting that aside, this was my second favourite dance record in a very stacked year for dance records, and it's certainly my favourite on the more disco/house/funky/electro-y end of the spectrum. El Diablo En El Cuerpo is simple, hot, memorable fun with a lot of exquisite taste. I can't imagine anyone in my own life that I couldn't successfully recommend this album to. So go on, embrace your inner gay synth pop twink.

8/10

Highlights: "Qué piensas hacer sin mi amor?", "Vamos de nuevo", "Precipicio", "Toda la noche", "Tienes una idea muy antigua del amor", "prediciendo la runa", "Unx de nosotrxs (feat. Javiera Mena)"

[changingplumbob]

New Goth Household: Chapter 2, Part 6

Part of what I love about rotational play is my sims being able to visit family that I'm not having to control. Keira is close with her family, Joey's sister Devin is one of his best friends and with Alexander's parents gone he has to make new family. Since I couldn't keep to my normal limit I decided to throw caution to the wind and let families catch up.

Keira: How was your shift

Marta: People always need coffee, how was class

Keira: So so. Are you ready for a challenge

Marta: What kind of challenge

Keira: Mum text me to come visit and I thought you might like to come

Marta: To meet your parents

Keira: Parents, siblings, sister-in-law

Marta: Why not

Sulani, the place where autumn and winter are relative.

Keira: Anyone home? I brought cookies

Carson: Cookies?

Reece: They smell good

Kayleigh: Are you going to introduce us to this wonderful lady you've brought with you

Marta: Gracias

Keira: Right well... Mum, dad, everyone... This is Marta, my girlfriend

Kayleigh: How long have you been seeing each other

Keira: I wasn't keeping her secret or anything, I've just been busy with university

Kayleigh: Remember, university is not the most important thing you can do in life

Keira: I know mum, I know

Marta: I asked her to be my girlfriend recently

Harvey: A woman who takes the initiative, we can always use more of those

Keira: But we actually met back when I started university, or close to that

Marta: Just before your first exams

Keira: So it's not as if we've just met

Reece: Why would we care if you just met

Keira: We're actually living together

Charlie: No kidding. Congratulations Marta, you landed a good one with my sister

Reece: Some sims have all the luck

Marta: You would not want a girl though, no

Reece: Not in a million years, gay as a maypole here

Marta: What is a maypole

Reece: I actually have no idea

Charlie: Some genius you are

Marta: I am lucky, Keira is romantic

Carson: Gross

Harvey: One day you may not think romance is gross

Carson: Never

Kaori: So what keeps you busy Marta

Marta: I'm a barista

Kaori: Serving coffee all day? Sounds like tough work. Customers can be such a pain

Reece: Plus memorising all those orders

Marta: You're not disappointed in my job

Kaori: I don't even have a job so you're already ahead of me

Harvey: We tried to teach our kids that there are many options in life

Kayleigh: University is just one path, not everybody travels it

Harvey: Finding things that make you happy, that's important

Charlie: How about your parents

Marta: They have both passed to the forever save

Kayleigh: You're so young for that loss, I'm sorry

Harvey: Please visit whenever you need substitute parent hugs or advice

Marta: Gracias

Keira is delighted at how well things go, no one hates the cookies either.

Before long however the sun is setting and it's time to head back home.

Harvey: Good to see you kiddo

Keira: And you dad

Harvey: That Marta is a keeper

Keira: She's pretty great

Harvey: Just remember you're only 21, it's fine to take your time with things

Keira: I know dad, I love you loads

Keira: I don't think that could have gone better

Marta: Si. Your family is so friendly

Keira: We're all very close. Thank you for coming with me

Marta: Sulani reminds me of the beaches back in Cuba

Keira: Really

Marta: We weren't there long but I have good memories. Now I get to make more with you

Joey has been working hard on his mobile app so his sister Devin wanted to treat him to dinner. Joey is also creeped out at Caleb vampire running to the table. Come on dude, humans cannot keep up. Joining them is Devin's wife Luna and both of Joey's parents, Calista and Aaron.

Aaron: Most of this looks pretty adventurous

Joey: Watcher can't be bothered sorting out another in game restaurant right now

Calista: Sure son

Luna: OMW they have pasta

Devin: Lu I make you pasta all the time

Luna: But this one comes with a boatload of sauce

Calista: You are eating for three

Devin: Hi, could I please have a simsmapolitan. Just water for my wife, she's pregnant

Luna: Like she couldn't tell from looking at me

Devin: And I'm paying for everyone so we'll just need the one cheque at the end

Joey: Are you sure?

Devin: You may dream of being a tech guru but you're not there yet

Joey: Any updates on the Goth case pa

Aaron: I really should keep that between me and my clients

Joey: You know whatever you tell Alexander he's just going to tell me anyway

Devin: He's right

Aaron: We got the footage of Milton walking unattended up the drive to the courts, but a judge has to review

Joey: Do you think they'll be able to get Milton back

Aaron: I think so, the finances will take longer

Joey: Sis did you hear Dina called Alexander a golddigger

Devin: OMW she did not! What a hypocrite

Joey: Right! She's so ridiculous

Devin: What about Alexander's half siblings

Joey: Yeah, they exist

Devin: But will- Oh! Our food

Aaron: How do you suppose I'm meant to eat this

Joey: With your mouth

Aaron: Well thank you Joey

Luna: I cannot wait to dig into this

Callista: It looks nice but Yorks do pasta best

Luna: I'll let you know when I'm finished

Callista: Fill up those bambinos

Luna: Yes Ma'am

Devin: Seriously, they're Alexanders half siblings though, he must have some opinion

Joey: He's pretty focused on Milton

Calista: They tie Dina into his family forever

Luna: Calling the boy after his dead father, ghoulish

Devin: Seems nice to me

Luna: Because you're a cheerful sim schatz

Luna: Eve is a nice enough name for the girl but- oh dear

Devin: You okay Lu

Luna: Just some nausea it'll pass

Calista: I told you, those bambinos prefer York pasta

Aaron: Italians do it better

Joey: I've been told that

Calista: *laughs*

Aaron: Watcher save us from bro humour

Joey: Sorry pa, I'll keep my manners

Devin: This food really isn't too bad

Joey: I'm guessing you don't have the refined palate quirk yet

Devin: Wait- no I do

Joey: So how can you eat normal quality food without being sick

Devin: You should see some of what is on offer on set, the vegetables barely remember they're vegetables

Joey: Glamour of acting

Devin: I'm not sure how much time I'll get on set when the boys arrive though, I want to support Luna

Luna: Aww *blows kiss*

Devin: *grins*

Aaron: Remember if you need help we're just a phone call away

Joey: And me. I'm almost finished my degree so I can lend a hand

Luna: You're welcome anytime Joey

Joey: I'll be the cool uncle

Devin: Seriously though. When you've finished studying, if you need a place we have a spare room

Joey: You sure

Luna: We know how hard it is to establish yourself in Del Sol Valley

Devin: If you want to move in, just ask

The meal ends and goodbyes begin.

Joey: Bye you two, don't beat each other up too much in there

Calista: Luna seems to be coping well

Devin: I know she feels like a beached whale

Calista: Your bambinos will be here before you know it

Devin: I'm still worried about juggling twins

Calista: Remember help is a phone call away

James: Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate

Alexander: Aw sweets. You don't have to read me poetry to impress me

James: I know love but it makes you smile, and I love to see you smile

Alexander: I can't believe the wedding is tomorrow, it feels like-

Alexander: -we've been waiting forever

James: I know I've waited my whole life for you

Alexander: Aww sweets-

James: I mean it. You're the high point of my life

Alexander: Promise you'll stick around

James: I'll dodge the reaper as long as I can love

Alexander: Until then, be with me

James: Every night

Previous Part ... Next Part

[valentinsylve]

Tagged by the beautiful and many-faceted @feudusang :)

favourite colour(s): I love blue, all the blue! Especially swimming pool or cobalt.

favourite flavour(s): strawberry, mango, coffee, pistachio.

favourite genre(s): I like blends, for example horror/mystery (ex: Death Is a Lonely Business by Ray Bradbury). I enjoy comedies that are smart/silly like What About Bob. I'm also into documentaries. I'll try a lot of stuff but will hit da bricks immediately if it sucks. I unironically enjoyed Dude Where's My Car but turned off Hot Tub Time Machine 5 minutes in.

 favourite music : Old School goth, funk, r&b, expansive choral music, auteurs like Joni Mitchell & Leonard Cohen, 60s and early 70s psychedelia, atmospheric noise, New wave, French pop music from the 20s on, gay dancey stuff, Grace Jones (who covers a lot of genres), Guided by Voices, Swans, Bongwater, also the song "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain whips ass. Some of my favorite live shows and albums have been by my IRL friends as well. I am a volunteer radio dj and music is a big deal in my life.

favourite movie(s): I love Fassbinder a lot. My next big DVD purchase will be his Berlin trilogy. My sister actually got me Berlin Alexanderplatz for Christmas one year because she is the best. It's hard to say a favorite movie of all time but Lola is up there. Non-Fassbinder, i just saw Fire of Love and it blew my ass away.

last song: "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

last movie: I just watched My Scientology Movie, and I found it interesting at first, but about halfway in I became pretty sure that I never want to be anywhere near Louis Theroux and that he would be useful against one's enemies.

currently reading: The Gods of the Greeks by Carl Kerenyi, and Labyrinths of Reason by William Poundstone. Slowly. Also a bunch of Hannibal fic because of course.

currently watching: Abbott Elementary and M*A*S*H*.

currently working on: aghhh my creative brain passed out for a month, but I have a couple fics in progress. I'll always be happy to talk about them.

Thank you for this!

Tagging @divinecruelty @bedeliainwonderland @celta-diabolica and anyone else who'd like to play :)

[lyrker]

1 n 3 n 19 n 31 n 50 for the oc asks !!!!

THIS GOT SO LONG IM SO SORRY HAVDJVS

1.First oc ever ?

I’m gonna have to pass this one to good ol’ Leader Decrose. I REFUSE to get into the backstory of how he came about, but in this old world I never dive in anymore, he’s like ? A refuge i suppose ? A set of four characters (including my self insert) were based on cards and his was the diamond.

3.Have you ever adopted a character or gotten a character from someone else ?

Odd situation but I GUESS ?? There’s a few but one I like is named Polaris and they’re like. a dying star. And their big brother figure is Cyrus, aka cc who thought the key to transitioning was dismembering yourself and using dark magic on a lifesize frakenstein doll he made.

They work in a fucked up lab but like, fucked up as in goofy as hell. They’re so silly (:

19.Introduce a character that means a lot to you and why

*SLAMS JACE IN FRONT OF YOU* I love him an insane amount.

Jace Luong was away when the apocalypse striked, lost his daughter thag he blames himself for (but he could never save her anyway), accidentally shot a guy and had to step down from his military position, more for his mental sake than anything, ended up using his best friend, and that last one sounds so bad. and it is. But it is for this Reason that makes me shake him like GRRRR I LOVE YOU. WHY DID YOU DO THAT oh yeah i’m the author loll !!

Because the point of Jace is that. He wants to help so fucking bad but he keeps Messing It Up. He is not evil and I cannot say that enough—he is very “the means justifies the ends” but that does Not mean he doesn’t feel bad for using Noah as a lab rat. When Noah came back to KILL HIM he cried because someone Came Back For Him, even if it was to kill him.

I don’t wanna take up too much space but it’s because he’s not evil just severely fucked up from losing his daughter and the life of being in a world filled with zombies that he’s trying to rush to make some sort of cure, so he can save people, so that people can live again instead of just survive, but he goes about it in a horrible way that, honestly, was probably inevitable.

He’s special to me because he’s a fuck up, but he’s genuinely really really trying. He is not a good person, though.

(also if he was a tma avatar he would be of The Lonely or Eye and that’s so silly)

31.Pick an oc and explain what their Tumblr blog would look like.

I’m going to go with RAYNE because he probably DOES use Tumblr, knowing him. His layout is green but also he’s probably using the Goth/Rave color pallet because he thinks the colors are nice and he’s a 3 am user so that dark mode comes in handy. His pfp is like, his favorite pokémon but with a ditto face.

He reblogs pokemon stuff—screenshots, fanart, memes, etc and he’s Definitely gotten into discourse abt the best game. Also he’s totally a Nightvale listener so throw in some Nightvale posts. I think he reblogs a lot of shitpost art but also just art in general.

And of course, the occasional cat photo and tumblr trademark textposts.

50.Give me the good ol’ oc talk.

I WAS GONNA TALK ABOUT NOAH & CO. BUT I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THEM so here’s the MoMOF crew, named after the lemon demon song “Mask of my Own Face”

It’s a classic high schoolers sci fi horror story, think stranger things except without mike bc i hate him (did not finish watching stranger things)

Basically, six kids, Rayn, Rowan, Alex, Ash, Zach and Winston are friends ! Yippee ! Average middle/high schoolers.

And one night, Rayn and Rowan (dating) are just hanging out. Rowan is conked the fuck out at Rayn is gaming on his DS, and then he gets a text from Alex saying “Dude, why tf are you outside it’s like 2 am ???” and Rayn is confused outta his mind.

“Wdym i’m literally at home rn.”

Alex attaches a photo, a shot looking thru the blinds of their window of what looks to be Rayn.

Rayn sends a selfie back of the Charmander he just leveled up and Rowan fast asleep.

And it Can’t be him if he just sent that photo, because the beanie he always wears was handmade by Asher himself—whos this guy ?!?

naturally, they text everyone, everyone’s yelling in a vc and was NOT asleep like they should be, and Rayn gets the FANTASTIC idea to go and see who the person is. Alex is yelling that they will personally stab Rayn if he does.

He does anyway.

and they’re too far away now for Alex to see, but they’re watching their phones and when Rayn finally approaches the other Rayn the camera flips and it is missing Half Of It’s Face and then Rayn hangs up.

And they Cannot Find Him.

So for weeks they are searching for Rayn and are scared out of their wits about Why there were Two and they told the police, but they don’t believe them all too much.

But Rowan finds him one night, at the edge of the forest. Half of his face looks tk have been torn away and his hat and coat is gone and he looks run ragged but oh. Oh no.

That’s the real Rayn.

And it turns out, the Rayn they’d been staying with recently was a clone.

And he’s babbling about something, saying they “Can’t trust Winston”

And at the same time, Rowan gets a call. And Zach sounds like he’s running for his life, because Winston cannot talk, let alone sing, and Zach heard them whispering the lyrics to a song he doesn’t know, and ran for it.

So, while they found Rayn, they now don’t know where the real Winston is. And it’s kinda all about not trusting each other but also wanting to stay together because What If Someone Else Gets Taken, and they can’t trust anyone at All because they won’t believe them, and they could be more clones.

Other stuff happens; Ash is going kinda insane, Alex, as the eldest, feels like they have to be the parent of the group because god they’re falling apart and they can’t stand to see it, Zach doesn’t know if the things he’s catching on camera are real or not, and there’s also an almost murder and also arson !! Both by the kids (:

It’s a fun world i like to play around with because the kids dynamics are all super fun <3