#had a lot of of fun coloring and sharpening these so i do like how they turned out 😊

[t-u-i-t-c]

Kamen Rider Chaser

[datcravat]

HI HELLO I love your art So much,,, do you have any tutorials on how you render your stuff? For example, the colors you use & how you pick them, how you get that pink tone around the Lineart (I think) (it's just rly cool). I would love to see stuff like that, cuz your art is Such visual candy (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

Hey! Thank you so much, I'm glad you like my art, I worked hard to make it what it is!! Means a lot you appreciate it!!!!!!

I've had no professional art training, I seriously don't know what I'm doing and struggle making tutorials. But will try here!!

For me the colour work is really situational on the drawing! I find myself experimentally attempting to weaponize colour theory and there's a lot of instinct involved that I can't figure out how to verbalise yet. Here's an example of some thought process I have:

My main advice is to play with sliders a lot and really experiment (that's what I do for every drawing)!

To get the pink glow around your lineart, copy your lineart layer, fill the copy in with a pink of your choice (sometimes I do a gradient), blur the layer (experiment with how much blur you'd like), put it directly below the lineart layer, and set the layer to multiply (or any mode you think looks pretty)!

You may want to adjust your piece's brightness/colours after applying it and sharpen the image after exporting.

A lot of colour gradients are involved and on their own they can eventually compromise the gritty/punchy style, especially the ones that are between extreme and subtle. A good way to combat this is with screentones/haftones!! You can use them to diversify colours and imply shading/texture.

I recommend going nuts and having a lot of fun with it to find what works for you!

I often add a lot of small lens flares as they satisfyingly cut through the piece, imply flash photography (which goes well with the strong black shading), add visual noise to areas you don't want to be your main point of focus, are a great way to show speculars, and idk man sparkles are just pretty haha.

Go nuts with them and have fun!! When you get them to look good, think to yourself why that is.

I made a tutorial ~1 year ago on how I shade with black. This simple trick will really help it look good, 3D and rendered - it just requires a lot of knowledge about shadows to start with. I have a lot of experience rendering "normally" which helped me learn how to use black in an experimental way.

Minor correction that the shadows labelled "ambient occlusion" in the tutorial are actually just normal shadows, ambient occlusion is total lack of light.

I hope this is useful to you!! You have a knack for art, your work is very inspired. Please keep drawing!! I am still learning too, let's keep going baby.

-Cravat x

[myokk]

I filmed a timelapse of my process for this quick one💓

Honestly not really happy with how this turned out & I’ll probably redo it😆 but I always love making process videos!!

I REALLY HAVE TO TRUST MY PROCESS🙏🙏🙏 these paintings always look AWFUL😳 until the very end but luckily I’ve painted enough of them to keep pushing through and not give up in tears bahahahahahah

1) I start out just painting the base colors. I have a dirty paint palette I NEVER clean😤 but tbh I like it bc every color I want is basically already mixed from a previous painting, and I like having all of the colors kind of blend together. If I need a different color though I’ve never had problems mixing to get exactly what I’m looking for💓

2) WAIT FOR IT TO DRY (I didn’t…you can see at one point I check the back of the page to make sure I didn’t destroy it completely). This paint dries SUPER fast…I am just impatient bc the next step is when it all starts to come together🥰:

3) COLORED PENCIL ON TOP!! I always make sure the paint covers almost all of the page except the parts I want to keep really white, because the colored pencil looks awful if it isn’t drawn on top of paint. I just sharpen them and go in with the small details, but I also love going crazy with the colors and using them to shade, add highlights, add extra pops of color etc. For example, on Bea’s shirt I used gold, dark blue, dark brown, normal brown, mauve, tan, olive green…I just like to experiment and have fun choosing the colors (esp ones that I think SHOULDN’T work but they DO🥰)

Sometimes I switch between the paint and the colored pencil bc the paint can be used to kind of “erase” any mistakes, but I can’t go too crazy or add a lot of water to it because I use the cheapest paper known to man and it gets destroyed SO EASILY 😫 all of the fanart I’ve drawn is in €1 notebooks

[namazunomegami]

emperor!sukuna x imperial concubine!reader

a/n: part 2 of my self-indulging mess. I had a lot of fun writing him and his drabble got finished way before I developed the whole plotline for Geto lol. I'll try to complete Gojo today or tomorrow and Toji is in the works yaaay!!

Also, I'm so surprised my Geto drabble got so many notes in such a short time!! I wouldn't expected people to be remotely interested in my writing but now I'm getting confident.

And finally, I can guarantee that this reader is gender neutral.

Likes and reblogs are appreciated <33

wc: 674, I know, I know, Geto got the princess treatment from me but sometimes less is more <333

cw: historical AU, scheming, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of sudden infant death syndrome, betrayal, accusations of abortion, execution, nudity, mentions of poisoning, suggestive

credits: i used a colored manga panel instead of a fanart but I have no idea who did the coloring so feel free to help me credit their work. And again, my precious @notveryrussian did the proofread, luv ya mwah <33

MDNI PLEASE! I'm gonna find you and kick you in the butt if you do. If you’re not comfortable with dark content or anything mentioned in the warnings just scroll, there's nothing wrong with that.

His mandate of heaven is very different from Gojo and Geto. Sukuna is a ruthless tyrant, he enjoys crushing any nation he deems either threatening or undeserving to even exist next to his borders. His palace is a snake pit, full of betrayal and backstabbing. Executions are frequent and he needs no valid reason to sentence someone to death, he enjoys the bloodshed and the sight of lifeless bodies. You can’t survive that place acting kind and humble. Sukuna specifically torments his concubines physically and mentally for the sheer enjoyment of it.

His court is probably the most competitive. You need to be as ruthless as he is, you need to become a schemer. One of his high-ranking consorts takes you under her wing. She lets you spend leisure time with her, and somehow, she ends up telling you way more sensitive information than she should. She once managed to give him a child, but the infant sadly died days after they were born. She complained about how hard that pregnancy was and that she’s afraid of going through it again, even though she’s attached to him. And not long after this conversation, she fell ill. Retching out everything she ate, her stomach burned and ached. She was so weak her cycle was two weeks late. She trusted you enough to have you fetch her a specific herbal tea to ease her pain and grant her some dreamless sleep.

And that’s the moment you decide you’ll use everything you know about her to cast her down and take her place.

You accuse her that she’s pregnant but wants to abort her baby. Your story is so intricately constructed from all the details you knew that his officials are on your side without hesitation. She watches you horrified, desperately telling him that nothing could be so far from the truth. Sukuna decides to believe in your words and orders for the consort to be executed. Finding pure joy in how she wails and begs for forgiveness. At the execution, he studies your face, every little detail and reaction and you were aware of that. It’s time to impress him. Your face is still, you don’t even flinch when her head is severed by the neck. The eunuchs come for you at night.

He loves and loathes this tradition at the same time. The servants want to protect him, so they deliver you stark naked to ensure you won’t carry any weapons. Fools, as if a weak and trembling creature like you could ever hurt him with a mere dagger or a sharpened hairpin. Yet it makes you look like an offering. A sacrificial lamb. Maybe because you are.

Some primal instinct tells you to balance your inner strength and innate fear of him. Pull back your shoulders, straighten your back, don’t even think to conceal your private parts. Let your fingers quiver and the sheer dread in your eyes seep through. He mocks you. Almost laughs at you while sitting comfortably on the intricately carved shelf bed, wearing a loose bright yellow robe, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. There’s no reason for him to not do this though, he’s a god, the son of heaven, therefore, everything about him is perfect.

The first thing he asks you is if you’re satisfied with your pathetic attempt to improve your position. You don’t dare to tell him that you feel the guilt rotting your insides. He confesses that he was poisoning her meals, he wanted to watch her wither away slowly and enjoy her suffering, but you ruined his plans. He might spare you, you’re a stupid little thing, you couldn’t have known. He warns you that you need to do so much more if you want to be on his good side. You need to be absolutely despicable to earn his praise. Though you feel content having reached your goal and getting to spend a night with him, somewhere deep down you hope you can leave his chamber in one piece or, at least, alive.

[arcandoria]

Virtual Photography Process

I got an ask that I posted by accident before being ready, so I'm going to make this a post I suppose fmdlksg Anon was asking about my Reshade Preset for Cyberpunk and what my VP process is, so here it is!

Anon, I don't quite have a VP process. Not in a trademark way anyway. My VP varies wildly across the years and generally speaking I just go with the vibe I feel at the moment!

I've had phases where I would barely do any post-processing at all and only rely on heavy Reshade, I had phases where I'd do some minor color tweaking and add a lot of effects like dust and sparks, and my current one where I do pretty much all my color tweaking in post-process and only really use light Reshade to sharpen the image and make colors pop a bit.

My current Reshade is a tweaked version of a friend's preset. I have an average rig, don't have any Fancytracing, so Reshade is mostly there to sharpen the image, deepen the colors and try to compensate for my GPU's limitations. I forgot to use Otis DOF for this example, but nowadays I don't use any Reshade DOF, and rely only on Otis'. I also only use Otis lights because I can control what each light does a little better than AMM lights, but I used AMM lights a lot when I first was VPing.

It's when the game's closed that I have my fun with colors!

I do my coloring on RawTherapee, which is a free Lightroom. Mostly I make use of the Film Simulation, sometimes layering multiple, sometimes using only one.

I then move to Photoshop which is my last stop and my "correction" phase. I have a huge library of actions and gradient maps I paw around for any last coloring (specially making shadows more matte and less defined), tweak contrast/brightness, and add some blurring and noise (beloved).

I probably have actions/gradient posts reblogged on my repository blog (@halkuonn), I can't point you to a single place because I've been dragging these around for over a decade and across at least 3 computers...

Honestly, don't get too attached to a single workflow with your VP. VP is art and art is meant to be a creative outlet, if you start putting too many rules and step by steps on your personal workflow, you'll probably get frustrated fast.

My current workflow is way lengthier than how I took some of my older VP, but that's because I feel like doing it. I don't necessarily feel like it's better or worse, it's just a different way I've been doing stuff and having fun with VP.

This is from 2022 - I wasn't using Otis Freecam, relied on AMM Lights, and did some mild/low post-processing - things like making the shadows a little bit more purple with Color Balance, and adding A LOT of blur manually because I didn't know how to use any of the DOF shaders. I was using Pinky's Preset back then.

This is from 2023 - the fuck it we ball era. This has like... 0 post-processing. I wasn't using Otis DOF (I don't think it existed yet), but I was already using Otis Lights learned to use the DOF shaders. The only thing I was doing for post-processing is add Noise and slap my signature (which this one doesn't even have lmao). I already had a new Reshade preset from my friend, but didn't really tweak any of it.

From this year! I still wasn't using RawTherapee a lot, but it was the start of my "I'm going to do everything in post-processing" era, with shadows not as dark/contrasted and everything a bit hazy.

So yeah! Don't stress about having a single workflow, or the best workflow, or even the most appropriate Reshade. For me the less I try to be biblical about my VP process, the more I enjoy taking it, and in turn the more satisfied I am with the results.

If you want more of a tutorial, I can try?? doing one?? but really the only thing I have been consistently doing with my VP all these years is slapping some extra blur and adding Noise on PS.

Hope this helps or at least provides some software recommendations / process ideas though!

[whizpurr]

I was wondering if you had any recommendations for good png making apps/sites, the ones I find always decrease the images quality or give bad edges and I don’t really know how to fix that? 😰

ε(´｡•᎑•`)っ I use the handycloset free photolayers app!

I have a Samsung so I'm not sure if it is any different on Apple.

I used to use their bare bones background eraser

but like you mentioned I realized it would reduce the quality/size of the image where with the photolayers app it preserves it, sometimes I even have to go make the image a little smaller myself because it is too big for tumblr! (They white background it 😭) Plus the photolayers app does everything bg eraser does and more like it has image editing tools so you can sharpen/blur/edit the color etc. It's all pretty simple to use to. I had tried a lot of apps before after I got a new phone and lost the one built into my phone (which if you look in my oldest archives it actually stunk! So it was good I lost it lol!) but photolayers won and is the only one I use now. I feel like I may as well delete background eraser! This ask made me realize I still have both on my phone. Photolayers is fun for collages and editing and making memes too! I really love it and there are only ads when you go to save which you can always just close out of.

I made this pepe edit last night. 🤣 and it reminded me of the one I did using photolayers last pregnancy that I had to go find in my saves

The only thing I will say as a downside, but it's also a plus if you are doing a big image edit is if you edit a lot of layers it will autosave every edit in a "photolayers history" folder so they can stack up quick if youre doing a big edit like I did above, but its easy to just delete the folder if it's got too much in it! And I think maybe you can turn that feature off but I actually use it and don't mind deleting that folder once in a while. Happy editing! ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ,<)~✩‧₊

[cosmiischillin]

Twilight Town: Polyphemus

The groups chaos bringer is Iris. Which I learned the name is from the part of the eye that shows the color, a flower, and the Greek Goddess of rainbows (though knowing the show, it’s probably just from the eye fact but Iris’s eye is purple like the flower so I’ll take it).

Iris is the wild card of the group. They are always active and can barely sit still. I don’t know why but I didn’t like Iris as a kid but I enjoy the design process of her for the AU. So talking about their designing will be fun!

The Insane about of Research

So fun fact. In middle school I had the biggest fixation on Greek mythology. So much so that I’d skip PE to read the mythology graphic novels in the library (I apologize to my gym teachers). While I prefer the goddesses with Artemis being my all time favorite, I had some interest in the monsters of mythology.

I wasn’t really into Cyclops but researching them and assigning the details to Iris definitely made me interested. I didn’t want Iris to be a basic cyclops from popular media (aka Leela from Futurama or even Nifty and Cherri Bomb from Hazbin Hotel) since I applied classical and folklore representation for pretty much everyone with one small exception. I learned about the classical cyclops and they were divided into two types: Polyphemus (the big barbarian muscle kinds) and Arges (the magical psychic kinds). With how reckless and adventurous Iris would be, I decided on Polyphemus.

The Polyphemus Cyclops are the most heavily seen but are more “flanderized” versions of the original from The Odyssey where Polyphemus wasn’t just a hulking beast of a man. I decided that the cyclops in Twilight Town show a lot of pride for their brute strength and durability which is why they take up jobs in which they shine best.

Designing

So I dunno what happened in the design process but when using Iris in the original source material as a basis, her design was lacking a bit. She wore near identical clothes to Ruby and even had a red color motif like her. So I decided that Iris would change from red to pink as it wasn’t used with any of the characters (probably because of the whole goth thing but alt aesthetics certainly got some pink). Her kid self looks similar but I gave her tennis shoes instead of Mary Jane’s.

I used Cherri Bomb and Nifty as references to know how I would portray expressions for a character who only had one eye. Later on Cherri ended up being one of Iris’s inspos with their punk rebel like look which fitted more to Iris being the carefree and chaotic one.

I picked on more brute fantasy art with Iris too! They have orcish ear, her sclera is more yellowish , and sharpen teeth. Her skin was inspired by Greek statues and gargoyles which is why she has all those freckles and scars.

Background and Origins

Iris was born outside of Twilight Town from a clan of cyclops. They were considered a runt due to their smaller stature compared to naturally born Cyclops. However this didn’t seem to affect her drastically. Iris found her way to the mansion due to a freak accident that blasted her there as a kid. She was too far to get back home on feet and simply settled there since they already bonded with Ruby.

She usually is the one that caused the most chaos intentionally (Misery just has uncontrollable forces for the chaos), but they always mean the best. They do alot for their friends even if it means getting into trouble. Outside of her multiple gigs, Iris does local stunts with her worm/moth type monster pet Squig.

[victoriaspriing]

2023 writing gif-making round up

Rules (adapted for fic, gifs, art, etc.): Share what you made this year! It can be works you posted to Ao3, Wattpad, Tumblr, or anywhere else! You can share everything you made or just the projects you're most excited about.

I was tagged by @swearphil! thank you sm renee <33

Hii!! so 2024 is right around the corner, happy new year yayay. Actually, if I think too much about it I think I'll start crying cause like what do you mean we're less than 42 hours from staring a new year?!! 2023 doesn't feel real tbh time in general doesn't feel real but yeah anyways I'll save that convo for another time. I'm here today to reflect on all the gifsets I've made throughout this year, which let me add, has been A LOT. I'm going to start by sharing some fun stats (yes renee I'm copying you <33), and then I'll do a fun top 5 of my fave gifsets, and to finish it off I'd also like to use this to shout out some of my fave people and creators on this hellsite cause you all made my 2023 so much better and I love you all for that <333

fun statistics:

In total I made 61 gifsets in 2023

57 are heartstopper (not surprised)

3 are 911 lone star (mostly tarlos)

1 are dan and phil

In august I made 20 gifsets, which are the most gifsets I've made in a month this year

In may I made 1 gifset, which is the month I made less gifsets this year

6 of the gifsets are song lyrics edits

3 of the gifsets are heartstopper comic edits

31 of the gifsets are scenes from heartstopper

6 of the gifsets are heartstopper compilations from s1 and s2

top 5 gifsets from 2023 (in no particular order)

that one dnp gifset: I think most people know that I was and still am a big dan and phil fan, and that I spent most of my teenage years obsessing over them and giffing them and only them. Well, they went on hiatus and they stopped having a big impact on my life util they decided to come back and ruin my life again (in a good way). This gifset was the first time I giffed them since like idk 2019/2020, and it does mean a lot to me :') it's not really about the concept and the coloring, I chose this one to be apart of my top 5 for sentimental reasons, and I think that's valid.

give your friendships the magic you would give a romance: once again, sentimental reasons. when I read this quote on loveless it just spoke to me in so many levels. One of the things I love the most about heartstopper is the importance they give to friendship and I just had to make something that highlighted that and I think it turned out super good.

I think nellie loves him: well, now I think I snapped with this one akdhjahak I just love it so much. the coloring.. the heartstopper tv scenes with the heartstopper comic scenes, like chef's kiss, just perfect. of course this is not an original idea so I'd love to thank @rose-nobles for inspiring this gifset <33

mr. ajayi loves museum dates with his grumpy bf: and just like that we are back to sentimental reasons ahdhkas. well, this was one of the first gifsets I made when season two came out and it blew up. I've never had that many notes on a gifset, and honestly I think it's well deserved cause the coloring is good and I had finally just figured out how to sharpen gifs, so yeah love that for me.

I'm bi actually: I had so much fun making this one. the amount of bi coded elements and colors I included on this, I WAS ON A MISSION. the fact I made the font wobbly hsjgdjaka, I love love this gifset.

a little shout out to my faves (I hope you all have an amazing 2024)

@swearphil ☆ @barrowsteeth ☆ @narliee ☆ @cafecdramin ☆ @heroeddiemunson ☆ @nelsonnicholas ☆ @curlyhairedprince ☆ @wylanvannecks ☆ @aimeegbbs ☆ @indimlights ☆ @jelloandsugar ☆ @perrieedwards ☆ @imogen-heaney ☆ @thatwasthenightthingschanged ☆ @klinejack ☆ @birthdaysentiment ☆ @seeleybooth ☆ @sonseulsoleil ☆ @taraolssons ☆ @immortals-malec ☆ @parissquads ☆ @rose-nobles ☆ @itwasmagic ☆ @perccyjackson ☆ @naomismcpherson ☆ @neverfindmegone ☆ @charlieisverybored

Okay I think that's it, I'm so sorry if I missed someone. I'm also tagging everyone that wants to do this, just say I tagged you in it <33

[burnwater13]

Boba Fett and Fennec Shand leading the Mods down the streets of Mos Espa. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1. Calendar from DateWorks.

Grogu had questions. Lots of questions. His first question was where did you get a cool speeder bike like the ones the Mods were cruising around Mos Espa on? His second question was do they come in purple? He had always liked the color purple and he thought that if he could convince his dad to get him a cool speeder/scooter like the ones they had, he definitely wanted it to be purple. 

Like Master Windu’s lightsaber. Which had also been cool. Of course he wouldn’t be telling Daimyo Fett anything about that. He understood that the two of them had some history and Grogu didn’t want to bring any bad memories back. That wouldn’t win him any support in the get dad to get him something fun and cool and pretty. 

“Hey, kid, does your dad know what you’re up to?”

Grogu sighed. Fennec always showed up at the worst possible moment. He quickly shut down his datapad and turned a very fake smile on the Daimyo’s right hand person. 

“Well, you’re not going to get it if you don’t collect allies while you can.”

She turned to walk away and Grogu ran over to her and hugged her boot.

“That’s more like it. Listen kid, I don’t care if you get a speeder/scooter and ride it from her to Pika Oasis everyday. Just don’t bring any fish back and give the gorgs directly to the cook. But you and I both know that your dad doesn’t want you to have one. He doesn’t have a good record with speeder bikes and he knows that you are twice as reckless as he is. He thinks you’re going to get hurt. Now…”

Fennec paused and it seemed to last forever. Grogu held her boot even tighter. 

“You know that your dad listens to the Daimyo. He respects him because he understands the Mandalorian experience and he understands what it takes to be a bounty hunter. Your dad is supposed to be training you to be a bounty hunter, right? You are his apprentice. That means you should be showing the Daimyo just how responsible you are. How much of a hard worker you are. How you can fit in small spaces and retrieve things for him that no one else can.”

Ahhh… so that was what Fennec was up to! She needed Grogu’s help. It was such a rare occurrence and as much as he wanted to gloat and do a little dance, he knew that he needed to strike while the lures were hot!

He tapped her boot and then signed his question to her.

“What and where? You’re pretty smart kid. You worked that out faster than the Majordomo did the last time I made him an offer. Okay, enough of that. Turns out that bacta tank that the Daimyo uses has a filter cartridge that requires periodic maintenance. The droid that does the maintenance was cleaning it when the Gamorreans entered its work room to have their axes sharpened. Being a bit on the clumsy side they knocked the filter off the bench and it rolled behind a built cabinet that even the Gamorreans can’t budge. Turns out, no one needs to move it. We just need someone with a small hand and the ability to use the Force to get the thing. That’s where you come in. Can you get that Jedi friend of yours to stop by? He could fetch it for us in no time.”

Well. Fine. Be. That. Way! 

Grogu pouted at he looked up her. He knew that she knew that he could do that without breaking a sweat, which meant he could be on his new speeder scooter faster than a bantha could lick your face. She was just teasing him because he’d spent ‘a day too long at that Jedi Sleep Away Camp’. 

“Oh, come on. I’m just teasing you. Your friend can’t get here anything like soon enough. I need that filter back today. Let’s go.”

Fennec offered to carry him, which was a first. He jumped into her arms and then let her settle him on her shoulder. He preferred the view from there. 

Before he knew it they had left the kitchen, where he’d been eating a snack and looking at speeder/scooters on his datapad, and were suddenly in the basement workrooms. He still had no idea how Fennec managed to move so fast, even while he was sitting on her shoulder watching her. It just seemed like walking to him but she always got where she was going so quickly compared to the amount of time it would have taken his dad or even the Daimyo. Huh.

When they reached the correct workroom, there were only thirteen of them filled with various tools and equipment, Grogu hopped down from her shoulder and made his way to the cabinet that the two Gamorreans were still standing next to. At attention. With their axes at the ready. 

Grogu chirped at them and they stepped carefully to the side, giving him a clear path to the interior of the cabinet.

He coo’d at Fennec and found himself holding a flashlight. He appreciated how quickly she got that for him. 

“It rolled through that small cut out in the back. Yes, right there. Now do your thing kid.”

Grogu almost laughed or giggled or chortled, he didn’t know what the sound was that he smothered but it was definitely based on how desperate she was and the view he had of the problem. He put the flashlight down, being careful to make sure that the beam of light still lit up the small opening  and then raised his left land and walked slowly, very slowly toward the opening. 

Before Fennec could ask him how it was going, the flashlight clicked off and he was plunged into darkness. He felt a breeze blow by him and as it did, he whirled around and grabbed for the tail of the breeze and … caught it! As quickly as that he was on some critter’s back and riding it like a blurgg. 

It tried to toss him and turn and buck and plunge and do whatever it took to get Grogu off it’s back, but that critter had no idea how much Grogu wanted that speeder/scooter and he was not about to let go of any critter holding the filter piece in it’s jaws. 

“Dank Farrik! Fennec, what the heck is going on down here?”

Uh oh! It was his dad. No time for messing around. Grogu focused on the task at hand and yanked the filter out of the critters mouth and then did a beautiful backflip off it’s hairy hide.

He trotted out of the cabinet and held the cartridge out to Fennec, who handed it to the droid who thanked her in a toneless voice. 

“Hey, Mando, just doing a little maintenance. Your kid’s been a big help, as usual.”

Grogu smiled at the grin on Fennec’s face. She wasn’t wrong. He had been a big help.

“Good. Glad to hear that. Come on Grogu. The Daimyo wants to take you shopping in Mos Eisley. He said new speeder/scooters arrived and he said you’ve earned one with all the helpful things you do around here. He just said no purple ones. He can’t abide that color for some reason. Come on. Let’s go.”

Grogu finally understood the attraction of the Darkside of the Force. One day he would get even with Fennec Shand. One day.

NOTE: If you know which episode this photo is from please comment. I checked them all (too quickly) and didn't find it. Thanks.

[bloodydeanwinchester]

hi jenna gif questions for u 💜 what's your favorite part of making gifs? what's the most valuable thing/tip/trick you've learned? what's some of your favorite gif sets you've made?

hi ida!!!! sorry i took a couple days to answer this i wanted to wait until i had some time to think about it before i answer! i loooove these questions tho so thank you so much for sending them 💜💜

my favorite part about making gifs is probably coloring and like...that moment when i get the gif to look exactly how i want it to. i like to play around with coloring and try a lot of different things with it and that can be so fun! i think over the last like 6-8 months my coloring has really improved a lot and i've been having a lot of fun learning new ways to do things! but i actually had a really hard time coming up with an answer for this question because i mostly enjoy the entire process! the only part that i don't really enjoy is picking out the frames for each gif. i always start with way too many and then i have to cut stuff out and i hate that part. also it's reaaally hard sometimes to not end up with like 20 gifs cause there's so much i want to include!!!

okay im gonna cheat on this one and give a few things i've learned since i started that have been sooooo valuable to me. first is the importance of having a good quality download to start with. i think my gifs got significantly better when i finally downloaded all of the episodes in 1080p instead of using the screen recording on netflix like i had been before. second sharpening is so important! i did not do any sharpening on my first gifs i made! sharpening makes the gifs loook sooo sharp and crisp and pretty. third and kind of similar to sharpening was learning/figuring out how to use the camera raw filter. there's sooooo much you can do with camera raw filter (coloring sharpening lightening). and finally one thing i learned that i think made my coloring look significantly better was to try not to lighten the gif too much and/or to figure out ways to lighten darker gifs without it messing up the background too much (sometimes when they're lightened too much it will like pixelate the background and it looks awful)

and finally (in order of when they were made from oldest to newest) here are links to some of my favorite gifsets:

Bloody Dean Throughout the Seasons Set - this one actually came out really good considering the fact that it was made only a month after i first started making gifs! if i remember correctly it's the first set that i ever used sharpening on.

6x20 F+TM King Set - this one is a favorite mostly just because i love the song so much and tmwwbk is one of my favorite episodes. i think some of my favorite sets to make are the ones that i add lyrics to.

2022 Nov 5th Set - i was really happy with how this one came out! it's so hard to get gifs from episodes over different seasons to look the same! and this one had gifs from 12 different seasons! also i think this was the first set i ever made that got over 1000 notes which i remember being really excited about!

Laughing Dean Set - this one is a favorite purely based on the content of the set. it feels like injecting serotonin every time i look at it<3

1x12 Faith Set - another one based on the content of the set. i just love this episode so much.

Season 9 Dean Set - i LOVE the coloring in this set! and season 9 dean is so beloved to me. he is just so beautiful and bloody and sad.

2023 Cas Day Set - another f+tm lyric set! i love the space overlay that i added and the blue-pink of the coloring so much!

4x18 Destiel Every Episode Set - i loooove this scene so much! this gif series has by far been more popular than any of the other gifs that i post and this set is definitely the most popular in the series. no other set has ever even come close to getting 4k notes like this one did. also i really like the purple coloring a lot<3

[batbux]

no choice but to love you pt. 9

FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | FOURTH | FIFTH | SIXTH | SEVENTH | EIGHTH

The hour that Bruce wiggled into his otherwise busy schedule seemed to fly by. He talked with Janet and Tim off and on and managed to hammer out some joint expectations for Tim’s future – private schools, not boarding schools and agreeing to let Tim continue to work with his tutors.

Personally, Bruce thought a five year old was a little young for private tutors, but Tim seemed generally positive about them and he could read and write very well for his age.

Just as Janet had predicted, Tim warmed up to Bruce after he selected a picture of a brontosaurus to color. To Janet’s surprise, he sat on the floor beside the table, uncaring of how it might ruin the lines of his suit. She didn’t partake but she did hand them both juice boxes when they took a short break to get to the really important topics, like favorite colors and favorite insects.

(Red and the Black Swallowtail, for future reference.)

(Seeing his subtle confusion over such an incredibly specific insect, especially after Tim hit him with a full infodump, Janet explained that Tim had only recently found out that New Jersey had a state butterfly. He took it to heart and repped it just as any Gothamite repped the Gotham Gaslamps. Otherwise, his favorite was the taxi cab beetle.)

It was hard not to be ridiculously charmed, Bruce found. Tim shared well, but as Bruce noted before, he was a very particular child. Polite, of course, but particular.

His crayons had to go back into the box just so, but anyone could use them as long as they didn’t break them or put them away. Tim explained that he could sharpen the crayons, so Bruce had to give them back if he wanted them sharpened. He had a system and that was understandable. Jason also had a system when it came to his books and his reading pile.

“Talia has dinner plans tonight,” Bruce mentioned as Janet gathered the coloring books back up and Tim slid the last of his crayons back into their box. He knew that he was rushing things a little bit here, but he’d honestly had fun and didn’t want this little delightful boy to leave.

If Lucius wouldn’t skin him for it, Bruce would have told his assistant to cancel the rest of his meetings for the day.

“Usually I would just throw some sandwiches together for Jason and I – Alfred has Wednesday evenings off – but maybe we can arrange something so the boys can meet,” he finished. Dick wouldn’t be visiting until the weekend, but he did speak with his first son this morning about Tim.

Bruce hadn’t appreciated the derisive laughter, but after all the safe sex talks he’d given Dick, he couldn’t really defend himself. He should have insisted on a condom although at the moment he would say otherwise.

Janet straightened, pulling the tote bag back over her shoulder. She looked surprised.

“Tonight?” she asked. “That’s pretty soon, but… Well, I guess there’s no use putting things off, I suppose. Do you have a place in mind?”

“Jason won’t go for anything fancy. There’s a diner on West 84th that he really likes. I could send you the directions?” he offered. He intentionally didn’t mention the threat of gossip rag reporters hanging around the higher end dining establishments of Gotham. He knew that this wasn’t Janet’s first rodeo, even if there was a baby on board this time.

And besides, Louie’s Diner was a great place to take kids.

“As long as they have chicken tenders or chicken nuggets,” Janet said. “Or fries. Tim isn’t usually picky, but sometimes…”

“It’ll be a lot going on for one day,” Bruce finished, correctly assuming the path of her thoughts. It was disheartening, but… “We don’t have to.”

“No, no,” she said thoughtfully, raising her arm to let Tim slide in under it. He plastered himself to her side and she looked down at him consideringly. “He’s in good spirits today. We can try for a nap at home and it’ll be fine. Will you nap for Mommy, Tim?”

Tim nodded against her hip and turned to bury his face against her. She pat his head consolingly.

“I’m not sleepy, but I’ll try,” Tim mumbled. “I want to meet Jason. And I want chicken nuggets.”

“They have chicken tenders,” Bruce said when Janet glanced at him in askance.

“Do they have honey mustard? It has to be the honey kind,” he dictated, peeking out a bit.

“I know they have mustard, but I don’t know if it’s the honey kind. Jason likes their barbecue sauce,” he offered. Tim’s face screwed up a little.

“That’ll do, I guess.”

Bruce mentally resolved to call ahead and ask. If they didn’t have honey mustard, he’d just text Janet and find out what Tim preferred and bring it himself.

Janet pursed her lips. It was a toss up whether she wanted to laugh or continue worrying. “We’ll plan on meeting tonight and I’ll let you know if anything changes, okay?”

“Sounds great,” Bruce agreed and reluctantly showed them out. Emma stopped the mother and son to ply Tim with more little candies. Feeling very normal, Bruce watched them as they departed.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

✧ ── 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐍.

Tagged By: @mxlevolence and @bells-of-black-sunday (thank you !! ♥

what made you pick up the current muse(s) you have? ━━ Robin is actually an extremely small side character in a story I've been writing and planning yada yada not important ━ But! He was just underdeveloped enough that I was spurred to challenge myself into making something new and unique to other characters. Robin's lore and his story with grief also helped me go through a rather rough time, not so much because I felt our grief was comparable, but because I had to learn and read and educate myself about what was ailing me. Creating Robin and expanding off of his very brief mention and interaction in the story was a lot of fun. I really enjoy characters that let you know what they're all about with just a few moments of dialogue, and I immediately knew what made Robin tick and what I wanted to explore with him. It was a very fun project!

is there anything you don’t like to write? ━━ I'm not particularly a big fan of writing like - in depth torture or anything like that, despite what I say I really cannot observe or write anything that's suffering, it just makes me sad. I don't really dislike writing anything besides that but smut is something that isn't my go to. I do write it but I definitely have to be in a specific mood to write it; it doesn't come as easily to me. Most of the time mine ends up being very poetic because the thought of describing all of that (especially on dash) make's me want to curl in my shell and scream. It's the catholic guilt for me man I can't escape it -

is there anything you really enjoy writing? ━━ In case Robin's personality didn't make it glaringly obvious: I'm a huge fan of psychological horror. I love seeing what can break characters and how they react to trauma - so I guess angst falls into that too! I just really enjoy exploring the human traits that characters have and that - even someone like Robin - is just a person. I enjoy Slice of Life quite a bit too - but only if it has a purpose.

how do you come up with headcanons? ━━ Oh I don't come up with anything my brain just throws ideas at me and I keep the ones that I can refine and sharpen. Robin was extremely underdeveloped when I first began writing him so I had a lot of freedom to bend him whichever way I wanted.

do you write in silence or do you play music?  ━━ I mean ... kinda? It really depends on what I'm writing. I do listen to music when writing fast paced scenes or scenes that are heavily fueled by emotion - but the emotion that envelopes a character entirely so they're not thinking. Most of the time when characters are interacting I play ambiance of whatever environment; even if its literally just liminal empty space with a little bit of wind. It helps me immerse my brain into the characters current experience.

do you plan your replies or wing them? ━━ I don't plan it in the case of sitting down with a pen and paper and crafting an outline; but throughout my day if I'm bored I tend to just wander to writing and think through different scenarios and which I think fit best. I extend it a little in my mind space and then I write it out. After that I refine it and then I read for spelling errors that inevitably makes me add more to it etc etc

do you enjoy shipping?  ━━ Yes! However I am extremely picky when it comes to shipping with Robin and it is also extremely difficult to enter into any sort of meaningful relationship with him wherein he actually cares about his partner in a genuine way. Robin is also a very manipulative individual and this makes any sort of relationship with him a growth off of something inherently wrong. I do not ship often with Robin, but when I do its always fun to see how this new emotion affects him.

what’s your alias/name?  ━━ Egg!

age? ━━ 26

birthday? ━━ May 19th

favorite color? ━━ Jade

favorite song? ━━ I have never once been able to answer this and I still cannot; so instead you'll be getting a few! Both entire albums of Darkside of the Moon and The Wall - I don't care they're one 2 hour long song idk. I have a lot of sentimental value attached to Pink Floyd and although I don't mention them often they sit highhh up there. The other bands I obsess over include: Sleep Token, Ghost, Epica, and Nightwish.

last movie you watched? ━━ Repo! The Genetic Opera ⊂◉‿◉つ

last show you watched? ━━ MLP! I'm watching it with @bells-of-black-sunday

last song you listened to? ━━ All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

favorite food? ━━ To be honest; I don't have one! I'm not picky at all and I love exploring new dishes. Buttt if I had to pick one of my favorite categories of food then definitely seafood, and especially butterfish! I used to fish for them with my grandmother in the backwoods near my childhood home.

favorite season? ━━ Summer - I love being able to lay out in the fields by my house and plant native wildflowers throughout my area during this time ٩(｡•́‿•̀｡)۶

do you have a Tumblr best friend? ━━ Two! @bells-of-black-sunday (mwah! ♥) and @agonizedembrace (kya - )

Tagging: @agonizedembrace, @deathfxnds, @pitgritted, @steel-and-fire, @dethdvncer, @valhiir, @seekslight, @nameaprice, @manufactoredxbyxdesign, @johnnysslaughter, @burntscars, @fluxjumped, @noctumsilenced, @aquatic-hybrid, @songofsilentechoes, @thegoldentigress, @piltover-sharpshooter, @hook-and-chains, @hemoplagued, @reliving-elegy, @asktheevilstarchild

[kfkr1ze]

Vividly Colored Imagination - Chapter 10

Characters — ✈︎ Akuta, Kiroku, Nanaki, Muneuji, Ushio

Location: HAMA House 3F Balcony

Nanaki: I want you to listen to it. It’s a song I made with Kiroku and your friends’ image in mind.

Kiroku: …………!

(It sounds completely different to the song I heard before… But, it touches my heart just as much… No, even more…) 

This is how… I’m like… in Nanamegi’s mind……

Nanaki: Yeah. Your world is filled with so many sounds, so vivid it feels like it’ll overflow at any moment.

That’s what your world sounds like to me.

Kiroku: Nanamegi…

(I had no idea he understood, expanded, and accepted my personality… in this way…)

(But…)

…………

Nanaki: Ah, um, does it not… sound that good?

Kiroku: N-No, that’s not it…! I love it… a lot. Serious…ly.

It’s… something… else.

Nanaki: …Aah, you were going to remake the designs for the exhibit, right?

Kiroku: Mm……

Nanaki: Akuta and the others told me. I loved those designs too, though.

Kiroku: Nanamegi… How do you… let other people… listen to your songs? It seems… so easy…

Nanaki: Eh?

Kiroku: I can’t stop thinking that… I can’t do this. Even if Nanamegi and the others… told me that they liked it… The moment that… Producer-san reject…ed… it… My mind… went completely… blank.

If 999 people… told me that they liked… my art… but just one person… rejected it… it feels like… it’d hurt so much.

I can’t show… my work to other… people. It’s… scary.

Nanaki: …………

Nanaki: Ha… Hahaha.

Kiroku: Why… are you… laughing…?

Nanaki: Ah no, sorry. I was just thinking that, even though you look so quiet, you’re actually a really greedy person.

Kiroku: Gre…edy…?

Nanaki: ‘Cuz, it’s impossible for every single person in the world to accept you.

Kiroku: That’s… true, but…

Nanaki: I heard that Producer told you that you make your work with only your own enjoyment in mind. Do you think he was correct?

Kiroku: Y-Yeah…

Nanaki: Why?

Kiroku: Because… He’s someone with a lot more experience than me… He knows a lot, so I feel like… he has to be correct…

Nanaki: I dunno. Personally, I don’t expect people to enjoy something I didn’t enjoy creating.

Kiroku: ………!

Nanaki: The reason that your okiagari doll resonated with me so much is because you put your heart into it, Kiroku.

(Interpretation, respect, and desires were put into it, too.)

That would be my answer to that question. I can make music because it’s something I enjoy.

I think that any work created that way will definitely reach someone out there.

Kiroku: But it’s… creepy…

Nanaki: I didn’t think it was creepy though? Did Producer tell you that?

Kiroku: N-No… He said that… he liked it but…

Nanaki: Then you should just accept that, right? I was also happy when you said that you loved my song.

Kiroku: ………

Nanaki: I think you should make something that you enjoy making, but also make it something that aligns with Producer’s demands.

Kiroku: That’s too… difficult…

Nanaki: It’s difficult, yeah, but I’m sure you can do it. Because… Kiroku has a talent that no one else can imitate.

Kiroku: (Nanamegi… That’s how you… feel about me…?)

Nanaki: If you’re still feeling doubtful or feel like you’re lost, you can talk to me like this again.

That way we can call them all idiots that can’t understand anything in front of them, and continue to create things with anger and sadness in our hearts…

Wouldn’t that be fun, too?

Kiroku: Being angry… and sad… could be fun…?

(I thought being angry and sad were just… things that would paint the inside of my heart and drag the important feelings down with them…)

(I wonder if… mixing those feelings with my own impurities… is something that… could be fun.)

I… guess so…

(I guess it could be.)

(If I’m with Nanamegi and everyone else…)

(Together… with my friends too.)

Nanaki: Yeah, it can. ‘Cuz, we’re both geniuses. …Right?

Kiroku: Nanamegi…

Could you send… this song to me… as soon as possible?

Location: HAMA House Toguro Room

Kiroku: My pencils… I need to… sharpen them…

Akuta: Okay, master! I can get a dozen of them sharpened right away! I’m also keeping Nanaki-sensei’s demo song on an infinite ∞ loop for maximum output!

Nanaki: Kiroku, do you wanna eat dinner? You must be hungry by now…

Muneuji: Natsuyaki-san gave me some advice a bit ago. When you’re hyper focused like this, you can put a packet of nutritional jelly close to your mouth…

Akuta: A technique taught directly by Tao-san: The No Looking & No breathing drinking technique!!

Ushio: Wait, is everything here a rough draft…?

Kiroku: I’m not… done yet. I’m like… 80% there… but I have to finish all of these… otherwise, everything won’t be conveyed properly…

Muneuji: The sheer amount of work is impressive in itself.

Akuta: So, how many rough drafts are you planning on drawing?

Kiroku: …100.

Akuta: ONE HUNDRED!?

Kiroku: …I’m trying to keep…the things I like to draw… mixed with what’s in my DNA… by arranging my pieces… and slowly adjusting as I go.

I’m trying to see… to what extent… I can show my individuality.

Just 3 rough designs… wasn’t enough. That’s what it was. I’m sure of it.

Ushio: So you’re shutting them up with numbers. That’s pretty aggressive, Buddha Statue.

Nanaki: Kiroku… As I thought, you’re amazing.

(I’m jealous… No, I’m sure I am. As a fellow artist.)

I’m also going to brush up on my songs a bit more…!

Kiroku: (I’ll enjoy drawing these 100 pictures. For my own sake.)

I’ll draw… my world… that Nanamegi saw. I listened to it, I’ll take it, and pass it to someone else…

(Even if I’m rejected… Even if no one understands it this time…)

…This is enough, for now.

Previous — ✈︎ Masterlist — ✈︎ Next

[sanvirtheobserver]

Taking Flight, An SMG4 Fanfic: Volume 4

Another volume in the bag, along with some announcements.

While the main flick will still be called Taking Flight, I have officially decided to give this AU an actual name: Nexus. A bit basic, I know, but also surprisingly fitting considering all the different characters from different shows I'm cramming into this. There's also a "lore reason" but....... we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'd also like to thank those who actually take the time out of their day to read my stuff. It really means a lot to me.

Anywho, enjoy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 16: Dirty Jobs

The cool midnight air lies still, and the sky is alight with the Full Moon. The perfect night for a hunt. We see Ragatha and Saturday dashing through the trees below while Tari flies up top. The shrieks are getting louder with every meter they cover.

Saturday: So how do you expect this "friend" of yours to be of any help?

Ragatha: It wouldn't hurt to have a little support. She'll be fine so long as she sticks with us.

Saturday: And you trust her to actually do something useful?

Ragatha: Depends, can I trust you to NOT try and kill her?

Saturday: I make no promises.

Another gutteral shriek echoes through the forest. The trio stop in a nearby clearing. The source of the shrieking lurks behind the trees, getting closer by the second. Tari is horrified by what's making its way into the clearing.

Tari: What.......is that thing?

Ragatha: That would be an Abstraction.

Standing in the moonlight is a shifting black mass dotted with fractalescent spines, creeping along on six prismatic spindly legs sprouting from its back. A pair of whip-like tails thrash around behind it, splitting tree trunks as if they were Styrofoam.

She draws her cleavers as Saturday readies her lance.

Ragatha: Stay close, and follow my lead.

Saturday: Watch and learn, little bird.

Saturday charges forward, drawing the beast's attention. It lashes out with its front legs, but Saturday expertly maneuvers over the sweeping claws and lands several jabs on its head with her lance. Ragatha flanks from the sides and riddles the beast's legs with sewing needles. One of its tails swipes at her and she swiftly slices it to bits with her cleavers. Once all the legs have been riddled with needles, she takes a few steps back and gives a mighty yank. Transparent threads tangle the beast's legs, immobilizing it.

Ragatha: Tari, now!

That's when tari swoops in, summoning a barrier before ramming into the beast and toppling it onto its back. Ragatha hops up and severs the beast's legs. Saturday hurls a fan of sharpened candy canes into the beast's underside, and with a snap of her fingers they shatter and further perforate their target. The beast writhes in pain, it's furious roars echoing through the forest before falling still. The color fades from its eyes as the body withers away, leaving a black oily stain upon the grass. Tari lands next to Ragatha as she offers a high five to Saturday, who callously declines as she walks up to Tari.

Tari: So........ are we cool now? I mean, you did a good job with thaAAAAH!

Saturday sweeps Tari's leg and sends her tumbling to the ground, raising her lance to Tari's chest.

Saturday: If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead before you even saw me. Remember that the next time you decide to go on a midnight flight.

She stays her weapon and takes her leave. Ragatha helps Tari back onto her feet.

Clench: Well....... she sure seems fun.

Tari is quiet as she and Ragatha enter the Guest House. Looks like the others have all retired to their rooms for the night..... except for Aybel who was waiting in the lounge.

Aybel: Miss Ragatha. It's good to see you and Miss Tari back home safe and sound.

Ragatha: It's good to see you too, Aybel.

Aybel: I heard you had quite the adventure.

Tari: Yep..... just prancing about on a midnight stroll.....and.....nothing else, heh.

Can you tell that Tari isn't that good at lying?

Ragatha: The Showgrounds are secure, sir. Me and Saturday took care of the Abstraction, with a little help.

She glances at Tari with a smile.

Aybel: Is that so?

He hovers over to Tari and places a hand on her shoulder.

Aybel: Thank you for the assistance, Miss Tari.

Tari: Oh, um...... you're welcome. A good hostess always helps their guests.

Aybel: You should get some rest, Miss Ragatha. My brother will be arriving tomorrow, and I'm certain he'll have a new adventure planned.

She nods and heads upstairs, leaving Tari and Aybel alone in the lounge.

Aybel: So........

He ushers Tari to take a seat.

Aybel: You have some questions, I'm sure.

Tari nods.

Aybel: Well, first I must ask if you've told anyone else about what happened tonight.

Tari: No sir.

Aybel: Good. Ragatha prefers to keep that a private manner. She doesn't want the others to get involved. She has always been "protective" of this little troop of ours and doesn't want to put them at risk.

Tari: Does this have to do witn the monster we saw in the woods?

Aybel: Abstractions. Tragic things. They were once lost souls like us.

Tari: Then....... what happened to turn them into...... that?

Aybel: It has to do with resonance, the soul's ability to form connections with just about anything, whether it be an item, a person, a place, or a memory. Since the line between mind and body doesn't apply to us, we must rely on this resonance to maintain our form. Resonance is what anchors our mind and body. So, when a lost soul loses that resonance, they lose what makes us who we are. As a result, they abstract. They become husks of their former selves, shapeless, mindless amalgamations of chaos and despair. They hunt other souls to consume them, draining them of their resonance to try and replace theirs.

Tari: Wow.........that's..........that's terrible.

Aybel: Indeed. There was....... an incident involving an Abstraction at one of our facilities a month ago. The troop you see here are some of the survivors. Ragatha and her team were able to contain the threat...........

Though he didn't have any physical eyes, Tari could still sense a deep sadness within his soul.

Aybel:.........but not without losing one of their own.

Tari is taken aback by all this. She didn't expect all their new guests to have suffered so much.

Tari: Is...... is there any way to help them?To bring them back?

Aybel: I've tried, Miss Tari. We all have. But once you've passed a certain threshold...... there will be nothing left to save. The only way we can feasibly help them is to....... set their souls free.

Tari takes a moment to process all this. The idea of your friends turning into a monster is bad enough, but to be forced to put them down for their sake and the sake of others.......... she's only really seen it once before.......... and it crushed her. It crushed everyone. And to think that Ragatha has likely gone through this so many times before........

Tari: I......... I can't imagine.......

Aybel: This Circus has become like a family to us. That's why I've taken it upon myself to ensure that these Abstractions, and any other threats to the Circus, are held at bay by any means necessary. It's by no means an easy job......... but it's a job that must be done regardless.

Tari: You know..........

She can't help but think back to the incident with One Shot Wren. How he tortured Meggy, how he turned all her friends to puppets......... and how she did everything in her power to save them and set them free.

Tari: The Crew is everything to me. They've always been there for me, to help me when I couldn't help myself........ and I want to return that favor. And if that means I can protect others as well.........

She places a hand on Aybel's shoulder.

Tari: Then I have no regrets.

Aybel is taken back by Tari's resolve, the glow of passion and determination burned bright in those lilac eyes. He remembered seeing that same kind of resolve in his brave little doll........ and smiled.

Aybel: You truly are a brave little bird, aren't you?

Chapter 17: SHOWTIME!

It's a beautiful morning out in the skies as Ragatha chills out in the Crow's Nest of SMG3's ship. Apparently Aybel's brother, the "ringleader" of the Circus, has enlisted SMG3's help with the adventure planned for today.

Tari: Me and Saturday just finished scouting the area.

Ragatha: So, everything good?

Tari: Yep. Me and Saturday have covered the designated area and set up a perimeter. Stable terrain, minimal hazards, plenty of hiding spots, and ZERO Abstractions. How about you?

Ragatha: Going well so far. We're all set up for the adventure.

They both look down and see the rest of the Troop gathered aboard the top deck. Aybel is currently giving them the standard safety guidelines, jesturing to the circle of woodlands. Several beams of light are visible from the ship.

Aybel: The area within this circle of beacons is our designated "adventure zone" in which there are minimal hazards. To ensure your safety, you are to remain within this perimeter for the duration of the adventure. Is that clear?

Everyone nods in agreement.

Aybel: Very well..... We're ready, brother!

From the helm emerges SMG3 and a figure similar to Aybel, except he's in a red coat with various golden embroidery and wears a silk lined cape held with a polkadotted bowtie. His head is a floating orb much like his brother, but with only a pair of eyes. His hat is much larger, with little white "teeth" hanging around the rim. In his hands he holds his own little scepter baton thingie.

SMG3: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and that colorful rainbow in between, allow me to introduce the ringleader of the Circus.....CAINE!

Caine: Oh it is GOOD to be back! Thank you very much, SMG3. I trust that you are all DYING to go on today's adventure?

Kinger: I miss my wife.

Caine: That's the spirit! Now where is...... AHA!

He flies up to the Crow's Nest at a breakneck pace.

Caine: RAGATHA! Good to see you being aggressively protective as always.

Ragatha: You know it.

Caine: And YOU must be SMG4's friend from the Showgrounds! Tari, was it?

Tari: Yep, that's me. Heheh.

Caine aggressively shakes Tari's hand, nearly dislocating her shoulder as he introduces himself.

Caine: Pleasure to meet you! My name is Caine, and I am glad to have you here on today's SPINE TINGLING, HEART STOPPING, MIND TWISTING ADVENTURE.

Clench: Jesus. Kinger wasn't kidding about the eccentric part, was he?

Tari checks her arm to make sure nothing is broken.

Tari: Um, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Mister Caine.

Ragatha: Be easy on her, she's kinda new to this.

Ragatha hops down to the lower deck. Tari flies down and joins SMG3 as Caine flies over to the top of the bridge.

Caine: Now, I know it's been a while since we've had a good adventure, considering some........unfortunate circumstances......... SO, we are gonna start off with something simple to get us back into the flow of things. My good friend (and todays sponsor) SMG3 shall lay down the premise for today's adventure, FIND THE FISHY!

SMG3: Thank you Caine. You see, my friend Fishy Boopkins is currently hiding somewhere in this circle of woodland, and YOU have to find him!

Tari: Wait.......You just dumped him in the middle of the woods?

SMG3: Relax. I had him microchipped beforehand.

He pulls out a PDA with a map of the area. A little green dot shows Boopkins' real time location.

SMG3: He'll be fine. He just needs to hide until sundown or somebody finds him.

Caine: And since this is a sponsored adventure, the first to find him gets 10 coupons for free coffee at 3's Coffee & Bombs, as well as their own limited edition 3's Coffee & Bombs hoodie!

What? You think Three would pass up the chance to sponsor his business? Anyways, SMG3 goes over to one of the Grav Cannons and expands the barrels as much as possible.

SMG3: Who's first?

First one up is Jax who cheers and does some summersaults, Zooble is next as they try to keep themselves together, Gangle and Pomni both scream and hold each other as they're flying, and Kinger silently flies forward like a torpedo. Ragatha gives a wink at Tari before hopping off the ship and down into the forest below.

Caine: Good luck!

Aybel: And may the odds be ever in your favor.

Tari then spreads her wings and flies off in the direction of the others. Switching over to Pomni and Gangle, they managed to make a relatively safe landing in a nearby pond with quite the splash. Gangle floats up and out of the water. Pomni breaches the surface and coughs up a hermit crab.

Pomni: Ugh...... Why is it always a cannon?

In another spot in the forest we see Jax landing in a bush next to Zooble, who has just finish piecing themselves back together.

Jax: WOO! Haha.........Howdy.

In another different spot we see Kinger having landed on a beaver's dam, much to the current residents' dismay. Tari swoops in to help Kinger back to his feet.

Kinger: What are we doing again?

Tari: You're supposed to be looking for Boopkins.

Kinger: Oh, right! Of course.

Ragatha arrives on the scene.

Ragatha: You alright, Kinger?

Kinger: ........... GAH! Oh, hi Ragatha.

Tari: I think he hit his head on the way down.

Ragatha: Nah, he's always like that.

Kinger: You guys didn't happen to see a gameshow around here, have you?

A few meters out we see Boopkins still looking for a hiding spot as the Troop begins their search.

Boopkins: Maybe I can hide in a pond? No, I'm a fish so they'd likely check the water first. Oh, Maybe I can hide in the trees! They'd never expect a fish to climb trees!

And for good reason. Try as he might, Boopkins can't even get an inch off the ground before falling on his ass.

Boopkins: Oh man......... Oh!

That's when he spots a nearby cave. He carefully peeks around the corner before waddling inside.

Boopkins: This looks like a good spot! Surely they would never expect me to hide in such a deep, dark, quiet............... lonely.......... scary........... depressing cave..........

He rigorously shakes his head as he presses forward.

Boopkins: FOCUS! You're a brave boy. You've faced purging teletubbies, bloodthirsty pirates, and even eldrich monsters! Besides, you only have to be here until sundown. All you have to do is stay calm and-

A random spider lands on his face, looking him dead in the eyes.

Spider: Hello there.

Aaaaand there he goes, screaming like a little girl as he runs deeper and deeper into the cave. Suddenly, he drops into what appears to be some kind of chamber. His screams can be heard all the way at the cave's entrance, where Gangle and Pomni have just arrived.

Boopkins: distant I WANT MY DAAAAAAAD!!!!!

Gangle: He really isn't good with this whole "hiding" thing is he.

They enter the cave and make their way to the chamber, where they see Boopkins running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Gangle manages to hold him still with her prehensile ribbons.

Boopkins: GET IT OFF! GET IT OF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF ! GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!

Pomni manages to smack the Spider off of Boopkins' face. It takes a moment for him to calm down.

Pomni: You good?

Boopkins: Yeah....... Where are we?

Pomni snaps her fingers, summoning a glowing prism of light that illuminates the chamber. It definitely doesn't look like a natural cave formation, given the ancient architecture and dome-like shape. At the center of the room is a large orrery hanging from the ceiling.

Pomni: I think this is some kind of observatory.

Gangle: But why would you have an observatory that's underground?

Pomni carefully surveys the room, finding an opening in the floor. The trio gather around and see some stairs that lead deeper into the darkness.

Pomni: I guess there's only one way to find out.

Chapter 18: Hidden Wonders

It's almost pitch black in the depths of the ruins. Pomni leads the way, lighting their path with a glowing prism as Gangle and Boopkins follow close behind. A mural decorates the walls of the spiral staircase they are descending, with various depictions of planetary systems and constellations. Gangle and Boopkins are both nervous as the trio descends the stairs.

Gangle: I don't thing we should be here, guys.

Boopkins: Yeah. There could be monsters and stuff.

Pomni: If there were any monsters here, Ragatha would've dealt with them before we even came here. Besides, I don't think anything has touched this place since the ten commandments were a rough draft.

They reach the bottom of the stairs and find a hub room with a single pillar at the center. Gangle and Boopkins take a look around while Pomni examines the pillar, wiping away centuries of dust from the crystaline surface. She can see faint lights inside.

Pomni: Hm.........

She taps the surface, and suddenly the pillar lights up with a vibrant tapestry of glyphs and symbols as the entire room begins to glow. Back on the surface we see Kinger, Ragatha, and Tari walking through the woods when Tari suddenly feels something. She is stopped in her tracks, and Ragatha takes notice.

Ragatha: Hey, are you alright?

Tari looks down at her arm to see that it too is reacting to something. Whatever it is, she can feel it emanating from somewhere. Back in the ruins, the trio are awestruck by the vibrant lights that now flood the room.

Pomni: This must be some kind of control console.

She fiddles with the pillar some more and manages to open a door on the far side of the room. They take a look inside and find rows upon rows of shelves holding various tools and devices. There's also some skeletal remains laying on the ground.

Gangle: I don't like this.

Back on the surface, we see Zooble and Jax scouring the area looking for Boopkins and the others. Or at least Zooble is. Jax is just strolling around and yelling Boopkins' name. Zooble shifts their arms into blades to slice through the dense shrubs.

Jax: COME ON OUT LITTLE GREEN, IT'S PAST YOUR BEDTIME.

Zooble: Y'know, this would go by a lot faster if you actually helped.

Jax: What? I'm keeping an ear out. If I hear the little squirt, you'll be the first to know.

Zooble just sighs as they continue to search the area, hacking through the foliage until they end up hitting something solid.

Zooble: What the......?

They clear away the foliage to reveal something made of metal that resembles a large leg. They hack through the surrounding foliage to reveal a torso, followed by a head.

Zooble: Uh...... Jax?

Jax: You found em?

Zooble: I found.......something.

The two are dumbfounded by the sight of a nine foot construct laying in the brush. Intricate imprintations of feather-like patterns and flowing water decorated an aerodynamic frame covering a ball jointed skeleton. Both its arms and legs were tipped with tarnished metal claws, and a sterling crest adorned its helmet and chest.

Jax: Wow.......... Boopkins really gained some weight.

Zooble directs an unamused glare at Jax. They get the joke. They just don't find it funny.

Jax: What?

A few meters away, Tari arrives at the mouth of the cave with Kinger and Ragatha in tow?

Ragatha: So, why this place?

Tari could feel it, a familiar energy hanging in the air.

Tari: Call it a hunch.

In the ruins, Pomni is finicking with the pillar again. She wants to see if there's anything more to this place, but the interface isn't cooperating anymore. It's like she's locked out. Tari's group discovers the observatory and make their way inside, seeing the inner dome now alight with a simulated night sky. She investigates the Orrery as Ragatha hops down. Kinger waits outside while the girls investigate the observatory.

Tari: These ruins......... I've seen ruins like these before.

Ragatha: I'm surprised we didn't find this on our sweep. Wanna come down, Kinger?

Kinger does come down....... flat on his face. Don't worry, he's fine. Near the orrery, Tari finds something on the ground. It's a set of sheaths. Tari goes down to touch it, but the moment she lays a finger on it, a flash of light engulfs the room. Pomni's group notices the flash upstairs. They go op to investigate and see Tari who now has three swords floating in front of her. She waves her hand and the three blades dance around in the air before disappearing. Tari looks down at her hand before noticing Pomni's group.

Boopkins: Woah......

Tari: Boopkins!

She goes over and hugs him as Pomni goes to hug Ragatha.

Ragatha: So this is where you've been hiding out, huh?

Tari: How did you even find this place?

Boopkins: I found it while I was looking for a hiding spot. We think it's some kind of observatory.

Kinger looks up at the simulated night sky above them.

Kinger: Why build one underground, though?

Their chat is interrupted by the sound of explosions from the surface.

Gangles: Uh....... has anybody seen Jax and Zooble?

Yeah. Remember that big robot Jax and Zooble found in the shrubs? It's awake now, and it clearly isn't happy as we see it's now trying to kill the two. Zooble is holding their ground the best they can while Jax just leans on a nearby tree and gives emotional support.

Jax: You're doing great, Zuzu! Give em' what for!

Zooble: OH GEE, THANKS! THAT'S..... REALLY HELPING RIGHT NOW!

Jax: Hey, what are friends for?

Zooble: OH JUST HIT IT YOU MOTHERF-

Just then, Zooble takes an uppercut straight to the jaw and is sent flying. She is caught by Tari who arrives on the scene with Ragatha.

Tari: You okay?

Zooble: Yeah, I'm good. But this thing is built like a tank.

Ragatha: Then ignore the shell and focus on the joints.

The others are watching at a safe distance from the bushes. The robot fires a lazer from its eyes and Tari deflects with a well timed barrier.

Kinger: Whats that guy's problem?

Gangle: It looks like a robot soldier.

Kinger:...............AAA-

Ragatha comes in with a well placed kick to the robot's head before readying her cleavers. Zooble morphs her body into a more durable armored form, creating a mace and a shield from her arms.

Ragatha: Jax!

Jax: On it. Hey Tin Man!

Jax proceeds to inflate his body, his muscles expanding up to three times their size. He then proceeds to shoulder check the robot into Zooble, who follows up with a series of mace strikes.

Zooble: About time!

Tari is up next. She hops off of Zooble's shield and draws her glaive. Right as the robot brings down his arm on her, she plunges the glaive into its elbow and fires off a shot. The robot staggers back as it's arm is blown clean off. Ragatha charges in, slashing at its ankles and severing its other arm. The robot turns to her and readies another lazer blast, but Jax grabs its head and pulls it back. The beam fires into the sky, which can be seen across the forest. Tari comes in and thrusts the tip of her glaive into the robot's neck. She fires off another blast, severing the machine's head clean from its shoulders. The light from its eyes fade as its hulking frame collapses to the ground. Jax deflates and Zooble assumes her original form.

Zooble: YEAH! F*** YOU, YOU PIECE OF JUNK!

Pomni, Kinger, Gangle, and Boopkins rush over to the rest of the group.

Pomni: Are you guys okay?

Jax: A little winded, but I'm alright.

Zooble: Oh f*** off.

Ragatha rolls her eyes while Tari examines the destroyed machine's remains. She recognizes the patterns on the armor as the same ones on her glaive.

Clench: Well would you look at that. Might wanna keep a tab on this place.

Boopkins: Tari, is it safe now.

She looks over to Boopkins with a reassuring smile.

Tari: Yes Boopkins, it's safe.

Back on the ship, we see Caine and Aybel watching the situation on Caine's wacky watch.

Caine: Now THAT was quite the wallop if I've ever seen one!

Aybel: Indeed. Though, I think it's best if I pick the location next time.

Caine: Though I am rather curious about those ruins. I mean, what kind of idiot would build an observatory UNDERGROUND?

Aybel focuses in on Tari, who's still analyzing the robot.

Aybel: Yes........ curious.

Chapter 19: As The Day Goes By

Things have been busy in the Showgrounds as of late. Meggy is getting back into her exercise routine now that she's recovered, SMG4 is back to making memes on the computer, and the Anti Crew is tending to the ship while SMG3 tends to the Café. Tari has also been practicing on some dummies with her new swords, of which I have officially christened "blink blades" for reasons you will see in a moment.

Tari: Alright, second verse same as the first.

With a blade in each hand, she charges towards the first dummy and lands a double cross slice combo. She then throws both blades at another dummy, followed by a third blade in the dummy's head. With a flick of her wrist, the blink blades come flying back and levitate around her wrist as she eyes a third dummy. She sends out all three blades and positions them around her target.

Tari: Now for the money shot.

With a snap of her fingers, she blinks to each of the blades so fast........ that she doesn't have time to actually strike the dummy. She instead stumbles out of the last blink and falls flat on her ass, her head spinning as if she had just stepped off a Tilt-A-Whirl. Yeah, you can see why she still needs to practice.

Tari: Ugh.....

She shakes out of her daze to see Pomni rolling by with a wheelbarrow full of miscellaneous sacks and other items. On its side is a sign saying "Pomni's Products."

Tari: Oh, hi Pomni!

Pomni: Hey Tari. What's up?

Tari: Oh, I'm just getting some practice in. I'm still breaking in the new gear.

She flicks her wrist and the blink blades disappear.

Tari: What you got there?

Pomni: Oh, just some things I picked up during adventures. Bob said he was getting a marketplace set up, so I figured I'd take a look and see if I could set up shop.

Tari: A marketplace?

In the next scene we see Bob setting up a bunch of empty stands, one of which being labeled "Bob's Bargains." The area looks like a farmer's market as Pomni soon arrives with a curious Tari in tow.

Bob: Oh hey guys!

Tari: Hey, um....... what exactly are you doing with.........all this?

Bob: I'm glad you asked! Ever since we opened up that guest house, we've been getting more visitors. We are secure in neutral territory, so the law can't get us. It's nice and private, completely off the radar. So, SMG3 and I have a plan that could set us for life if we play our cards right. I'm setting up a marketplace to attract some merchants to do business and get a good economy, which we can also cash in our treasures. You see, when you're the seller, you conrol the supply. You control the supply, you can make the demands. And so long as we got treasure, we got trade. It's a whole ecosystem of perfectly legal commerce at your fingertips.

TLDR, him and SMG3 are now business partner, putting their business knowledge, bargaining skills, and lack of morals to good use in what basically equates to a semi-legally neutral farmer's market.

Bob: So let's see what kind of demands they're making. What are your demands, Pomni?

Pomni: let's talk supply first. See what catches your fancy.

Pomni goes off to set up shop as Tari is still processing all that dubious business crap. She does NOT know how to respond to all of that.

Clench: Economics is weird.

Over in Bricktown we see Kaizo, X , and Melony waiting by the front desk in the MKPD building. FM and Hal Monitor meet up with them to share any info they've gleaned.

FM: They saw him hitting a few spots last night, mostly pawn shops and antique stores.

Melony: Any word from the shop owners on what was stolen?

Hal: They all describe him only taking specific artifacts, all of which sharing the same characteristics you listed earlier.

Kaizo: What's so special about a bunch of antiques anyways?

X: We know it has to do with that Xelor you encountered on that Ketch. He's specifically looking for these kinds of artifacts, which are the same kind Wario and Waluigi tried to steal last week while powered up by those Xelor signets.

Melony: These artifacts are tied to whatever that Xelor has planned.

Hal: I'm not sure what you have planned, but you better handle this LEGALLY.

Melony: We'll do it as legally as possible, Mr. Monitor.

FM: I'll let you know if I find anything else.

The trio walk out of the building where an anxious Wario is waiting.

Wario: My brother....... is he.......?

X: They ran into him last night several times, but they were unable to apprehend him. He's still at large.

He's relieved to hear that Waluigi is at least still alive. That means there's still a chance of getting his brother back. Wario has been searching for Waluigi ever since last week's incident. Melony places a hand on Wario's shoulder, trying to comfort him with a reassuring smile. She can't help but feel bad for Wario, even if he is an asshole. The Wario Bros may be con artists, but they're still.......bros.

Melony: We'll get him back Wario. I promise.

He releases an exhausted "WAA" before pulling out a gun.

Wario: Alright. I'm-a gonna go steal something.

Over in Omnia we see SMG1 and SMG2 having a discussion with Saiko and Aybel about Tari's orb.

Aybel: It can control Meta, you say?

SMG1: We've done the tests. This artifact can take Meme energy and refine it into its purest form.

Saiko: I thought only you "guardian" guys could do stuff with Memes.

SMG1: We harness and control RAW Meme energy. Meta energy is more refined.

SMG2: Since this universe is made up of Meme energy, it's basically everywhere, and there are actually various methods of accessing ambient meme energy from the world around around us.

Aybel: You can utilize this ambient energy if you draw it from the environment, a donor of higher power, or your own spirit by concentrating it into Meta via Conduction, Divination, and Meditation respectively.

SMG1: You're surprisingly knowledgeable on this.

Aybel: My line of work requires me to know how the world around you works, whether it be the mundane or the fantastical.

SMG1: You said she "sensed" some more ruins, correct?

Saiko: Yeah. It was some kind of observatory.

SMG2: And this is also where she found her new weapons?

Saiko nods. The two SMGs look at each other for a moment.

Saiko: So...... what does this have to do with Tari?

SMG1: Well....... her connection with the Ancient Metarunners is apparent. Me and two will need to examine these ruins for ourselves. In the meantime.......

He picks up the orb and hands it to Saiko.

SMG1: I feel like she'll need this more than we will.

The sun is setting as Saiko and Aybel arrive at the Showgrounds. Pomni has just set up her shop over at the Marketplace, and Tari is retiring to the Castle. She heads over to the game room and plops down on the couch beside Meggy, who already has a six pack of soda at the ready.

Meggy: Busy day?

Tari: Of sorts, yeah.

Meggy tosses her a can.

Tari: So, you're finally back on your routine, huh?

Meggy: Yep! I'm still on the One-Ups, but the doctors finally gave me the all clear. How about you? You still being a good host over at the Guest House?

Tari: Yeah! A lot more......"exciting" than I thought, but things are going great.

Meggy: Good to hear. Have you been practicing? I know I haven't been here much with all the doctor's appointments.

Tari: It's coming along nicely, actually. Ragatha makes for a great sparring partner.

Meggy: Oh really?

Tari: Yeah! We've been.....um....... that's more of a private matter, actually.

Meggy: Is that so......

She smirks and gives Tari the bombastic side eye.

Tari: Not THAT kind of private! It's just........ she has this hobby of hers that she'd rather keep private.........

Clench: TLDR, it's not drugs and it's not sex.

Tari: Right. Either way, it's not my place to talk about what others do in their free time without their permission.

Meggy: Hmmmm.......

Oh look, Saiko just came in! And she has the orb.

Saiko: Meggy, don't pester her. If it's private, it's private.

Meggy: Alright, alright. So, what did One and Two have to say?

Saiko: Well, they're pretty much done with this thing.

She tosses the orb to Tari.

Saiko: They're gonna go check out those ruins you found the other day, see if they can find anything there.

Tari stares at the orb. The patterns were alight with opalescent energy. Taking a look outside, we see a bus drive up on the road in front of the Showgrounds. Off the bus steps a teenager wearing a black skull hoodie, cargo pants, and beanie. She has pale skin, purple hair and lilac eyes. She pops in her headphones and plays "As Above, So Below" on her phone, hauling her dufflebag over her shoulder.

Driver: Stay safe.

???: Bite me.

Taking Flight: Chapter 20: One Step At A Time

It's about 9pm as Tari lies awake on a couch in Saiko's apartment, examining the orb they had found on that fateful day in the woods.

Saiko: Hey there.......

Saiko chimes in from the bedroom.

Saiko: You good?

Tari doesn't respond right away. She just kept staring at the orb. Saiko can tell there's a lot on Tari's mind. She comes over and takes a seat next to her.

Saiko: More dreams?

Tari: No, just........thinking.

Saiko: About what?

Tari sits up. She looks like she just came back from the dead.

Tari: Do you remember the party? The one where Mario tried to take over the world in the name of Pizza. On that day I thought it was just the same random mayhem we're used to. Then I ended up plowing Pizzaface through the rafters and.......

She pauses, looking down at the scars crawling up her arm and chest.

Tari: It's so weird to think that's when it all started. The day I finally decided to stand on my own. And now here I am, soaring through the sky, fighting bad guys and slaying monsters just like the rest of you......... but now there's just so much happening, so many things that remind me just how little control I have. Even with all this power I'm still not........ good enough.

Saiko scoots over and places her arm around Tari.

Saiko: Tari, we still still need to know our flaws and limits to rectify them and better make use of our strengths. That's what makes us human. It also takes a lot of strength to acknowledge those weaknesses.

Tari: Really?

Saiko: Yeah! Even when you were afraid, you always went out of your way to show kindness and empathize with others. You shouldn't have to be a doormat, and it pays to toughen up when you need to, but that doesn't make your kindness a weakness. You just neec to do right by yourself as much as you do right by others. That sounds "good enough" to me.

Tari looks up to Saiko and smiles. She rests her head on her shoulder as they put on the TV.

Over on SMG3's ship, we see Melony practicing her swordsmanship on the top deck. She lays to waste a mannequin that's wrapped in bandages and wearing a clockwork mask. Kaizo watches as she brings out an identical mannequin - the fifth one judging by the bits scattered everywhere - and resumes her onslaught. Memories flash back to the Ketch, when they first encountered that Xelor. With every mannequin she fells, she hears those exact same words......

Rhode: Well done, my puppet.

Melony's eyes turn black, and the seeds on her cheels turn into red markings. With a mighty yell she unleashes a powered sword strike, reducing another mannequin to smoldering pieces. She goes over to the detached head and crushes it under her foot, panting like a beast as she goes for another mannequin. That's when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She aggressively turns and holds her blade up to Kaizo's throat, but he is unfazed. She lowers her blade, her eyes and marks reverting back to normal.

Melony: Sorry. I'm just....... I got carried away and.......

Kaizo: I know. I wanna see that Clocksucker's head on a pike too. Just take it easy until then, alright.

Melony: Alright........ I didn't hurt you, did I?

Kaizo: Well, one more inch and you would've taken my head off but...... I'm alright.

Their conversation is interrupted by some odd sounds coming from the fields. They both scan the area and notice someone else on the grounds doing some practicing of their own. They both come over to see Pomni standing in front of several targets. She summons a slender prismatic spike, lines up a shot, and hurls the spike into the first target. She then creates three more spikes and launches them into the second target one after another, each one landing within the central circle. Lastly, she conjures a large spike and hurls it like a javelin into the last target, splitting it in half.

Melony: Woah.

Kaizo: Not bad.

Pomni: GAH!

Kaizo's compliment catches Pomni by surprise.

Pomni: Uh...... hi.

Melony: That was SO COOL!

Kaizo: I gotta say, jester. I didn't know you had that kind of fight in you.

Pomni: Oh, well, I wouldn't really say I'm a fighter, but it does pay to be prepared.

Melony: Oh! We should set up a sparring session. We can have Tari and Ragatha join us too! It'll be great!

Pomni: Yeah, I don't think Ragatha would approve of me getting into fighting just yet.

Melony: Why not?

Pomni: Well....... She receives special training from Aybel. I don't know what that entails or what it's for, but she's always been insistent that we don't need that kind of training. She's always been a bit "overprotective" of us.......... even before we lost Kaufmo.

Kaizo: Kaufmo?

Pomni: Yeah. I've only been in the Circus for about a year or two, so I didn't know him TOO well, but he was a great guy. He actually helped me discover my prism powers. Then about a month ago there was an incident and........

She pauses. Melony can see a potent sadness in her eyes.

Pomni: he didn't make it.

Melony: Oh....... I'm sorry to hear that.

Pomni: Yeah...... now Ragatha is insistent on us leaving the more dangerous stuff to her and Saturday. And now every time I ask if I can help her take down whatever "boss" Caine has lined up for us, she just plops me down on the sidelines........

She clenches her fist and takes a deep breath.

Pomni: .......But the Circus is my home too, and the other Carnies are my family. I wanna be able to defend them too. You get what I'm saying, right?

Melony kneels down and places a hand on Pomni's shoulder.

Melony: I understand perfectly. We lost an old friend of ours too about three years ago. It was that loss that drove me to master my powers so I could better protect my own friends and live the life I wanted to live.

Kaizo: You're tougher tan you look, kid. There's no need to hide it.

Melony: Maybe Ragatha will change her mind if she sees how capable you are. You could start practicing with me and Meggy.

Pomni: You'd really help me with that?

Melony: Yeah! I think it's worth a shot.

Pomni gives a warm smile.

Pomni: sigh....... Alright. I guess we can give it a shot.

Melony: YAAAAAY!!!!! We'll start first thing in the morning!

A few meters out we find the mysterious teen has set up a spot in one of the tents. Y'know, the ones that were used as decoration for the Showgrounds. One of them is Red and Blue, and the other is Purple and Yellow. You'd think the crew would at least take them down, but nope! They're just there. Anyways, she has a pretty generic "angsty teen" setup with a mattress, some BIONICLE figures, posters for Cryoshell and Demon Hunter, and an old X-Box One hooked up to a TV. She lays down on her bed, occasionally looking over at a stool with an old monkey wrench sitting on top. She can almost hear her father's parting words before she left.

????: It's a bit of a "good luck charm" of mine and I want to pass some of that luck onto you. Because black magic or not, you are still my daughter. I'll keep your room nice and tidy for whenever you come back from this whole "self imposed exile" of yours.

She smiles. Even after everything she did, everything that's wrong with her, she still had that idiot of a dad that cared for her.

Uzi: I love you, dad......

The smile slowly fades from her lips as she roles over and goes to turn off the light.

Uzi: .....But I can't go back.

[error501blog]

Possession is Overrated

There. I said it. I can guarantee that I’m now in a hit list. It’s not my least favorite season, but of the few seasons I’ve seen I ranked right above Legacy of the Green Ninja and below Rise of the Snakes. (It’s 4th place)

First I’d like to list some positives:

Loved the music and the ghostbusters remix.

Ronin was a gem. Not many main characters at this point in time had his hat or hair color. His introduction was a little clunky. However I did enjoy watching him bargain with Kai. The introduction did tell us what was necessary to know about him, his allegiance to money. As we see more of him we see him change sides. I loved his relationship with Nya. Their dynamic was so fun. I like the idea of Ronin helping out with Nyas growth. Whenever he showed up you never quite knew what his intentions were. I would describe as this wild card. I like the idea of him being either an ally or friend depending on the season or-in Possession’s case-the episode.

Cole being a ghost genuinely shocked me and my sibling. Crying was involved. I liked how he was worried about being useless to the team. While it did come out of nowhere, I enjoyed/hated the scenes when he was being hugged and he’d get phased through. My little sister was in tears. He couldn’t eat cake. The tragedy. I don’t have much to say, but it was nice to have a ghost Cole.

Kai’s role in this season is good placement. The previous we see Kai struggle with wanting to be the green ninja. The season goes back full circle to his line in season 1 “All of my training to become the best ninja wasn't in preparation to become the Green Ninja. It was… to protect him.” That’s why Kai didn’t have any internal conflict, he didn’t need it. This season was just a nice culmination for his arc of the previous seasons.

I don’t have much to say about Jay and Zane. The season didn’t do much with them. Zane’s voice gag I found hilarious and Jay just has some great lines and scenes. Like when he was skiing or touched the scary picture. It was also great when Cyrus Borg showed up and just gave Kai a headband.

I’m not a Lloyd stan, so I was glad he took a backseat.

Most of the episodes were really fun or had a nice tone. The first one had a great tone. Lloyd’s scream, the color scheme, how powerful Morro is, just everything is a bit unnerving. The ghost aesthetic was very welcomed.

The villains felt strong and intimidating (except Ghoultar) Morro was so clearly much better than any of them. He’s been one step ahead the whole time. All of his friends had unique powers. Soul Archer and Bansha were long range fighters, a contrast to Morro. (Sorta) The villains were meh, but they did their job.

The Haunted House episode, the one where they climb the mountain, when they visit Stiix, the tomb episode. I just had so much fun watching the Ninja in interesting situations. When they were in the Temple of Airjitzu being a highlight. I laughed at the antics of the ninja. How scared they were, it was pure gold. We need a Ninjago compilation every time they say sharpen. The best thing about the episode was how it created tension by putting our characters on a clock. This season did a lot of that and it gave the season a sense of progression. At least to me.

Overall this was a good season. However I must give some nitpicks.

In the long run I’m glad Nya became the water ninja. It makes getting her into the story easier. I’m glad she’s upgraded from a side character to a main. The not being samurai x turmoil is a Hands of Time critique, not a Possession one. Here’s the problem, Nya doesn’t have many flaws. The show says she cares too much, so that’s why she doesn’t try things that are hard for her. Nya caring too much is fine, but Nya has no issue doing hard things. So she quits. Here’s the thing, Nya’s stubborn. (She’s related to Kai) Nya wouldn’t quit easily. The solution to this problem not caring. WTF! What would’ve been better is maybe her over idealizing ninja training, and it’s not what she thought it was. But that seems wrong too because Nya has grown to accept the fact she won’t be a ninja. Maybe something external? Nya has trouble fighting like a ninja and keeps fighting like a samurai? Maybe she needs to accept her more feminine qualities? But Wu should not be the person to teach her that. Idk. Nya suffers due to her lack of character flaws.

I like the idea of a Sky Kingdom with floating temples filled monks and scholars. The aesthetic of Cloud kingdom is nice. I don’t like how it is aesthetically next to the ghost one. That’s just a nitpick. Everyone has complained about how they don’t like the fact that some scrolls and a few monks can control what happens. I don’t want to do that. I would like to say an alternative. Maybe they’re scholars who chronicle the past. They want to document everything. So some evil guy made the Sword of Sanctuary to document shit before it happens. Somehow the monks steal the sword and now it’s hidden in their tallest building or something. Critique number two is why would Fenwick side with Morro?

Does anyone remember Nimbus? What the hell is that? There was many screams by the TV room when ever he was shown. His room also clashed aesthetically with Cloud Kingdom. I don’t know, just everything Nimbus related bugs me.

Why does the Preeminent look that way? It genuinely makes my skin crawl.

I didn’t enjoy the finale too much. Nya’s scene felt hollow. I like how Stiix just got swallowed. That scene with Garmadon happened. (Why isn’t he a ghost???? Dragoni DNA????) He’s already had a death scene before and I preferred the first one but it was fine. Whenever the Ninja get mechs or cars I’m not that excited. It makes action scenes feel less interesting. I liked the idea of Lloyd and Morro fighting with the sword and falling through realms. But it became a weird tackle fight. Not that interesting to me, especially since neither were using their powers much or giving interesting hand to hand combat. I wasn’t shocked by anything that happened in the finale, it just had things happening. Not anything emotional.

This is transcribed from my review of Possesion. I would like to preface this with there’s no hate to Morro fans. I’m one of like 3 people in the fandom who’re not blown away by Morro. (Pun unintended) As a concept he is cool. a failed student of Master Wu coming back to antagonize the Ninja

Morro doesn’t talk to anyone. He doesn’t have meaningful conversations with the characters. Except that last scene with Wu. We never have a conversation between him and Lloyd that’s meaningful. Think about it? We never have much interaction beyond Morro going “I’m a bad guy and I’m gonna hurt you and your friends” The biggest missed opportunity is between him and Kai. The show never explored what the two share and differ. I’ve seen people say that Morro is what Kai would’ve become if he never accepted the fact he wasn’t the green ninja. The only interaction is banter. We don’t ever acknowledge their similarities. Why doesn’t Kai say anything about their similarities. I would’ve been happier if we were given a line or something. Morro has all of this personal baggage and potential that we don’t explore. There’s also a few questions I have for Morro. Why are you working for the Preeminent? What do you want? To be the Green Ninja? Why would you want to be the green ninja? Morro doesn’t get the destiny or the powers. Why do you wish destruction on Stiix? What did the Preeminent promise you? Lastly, WHY ARE YOU IN THE CURSED REALM?

I think Morro bugs me because I see him in so much fan content. There’s so many fics where he’s the main focus. it just annoys me. I mean no shame to Morro fans though, but I’m just tired from seeing the same character. (I do love movie aus of him)

So that’s why I possession is not my favorite. I’d be happy to argue with anyone. Just don’t hurt me. I want to have a discussion about the season, not one post made because I have issues.

[chanrizard]

GIF REMAKE CHALLENGE! ✨

📩 remake someone's else coloring, sharpening, slowing, and resizing. do your best to get close to the original and share how you did. make a new gif to challenge those you tag to recreate. share the source video if possible! try not to tell those you tagged anything to help them: see what they can figure out and how close they get on their own! if you're tagged in several, you can do one or all, whatever you like! if they have a giffing tutorial, shared actions, etc., you can use that to aid your recreation!

@changbeens​ bee my beeloved 💗

i had so much fun trying to recreate your pretty gif but i think i coined a plethora of new curse words in the process adhjsda i couldn’t figure out how to add that pink hue to the gif and i had to remake the psd twice

then when i thought i was finally done and i was reasy to export the gif i noticed the speed didn’t match at all, i was ready to rip my hair out one by one lmao

now your bin has a... well maybe not a twin but a close cousin i hope :]

@minzbins​ mel mel mel... your seungmin made me despair quite a lot, i think it’s the gif that took me the longest? and there’s still something a little off with the reds, this was so hard 🫠 started making it had a breakdown bon appetit this is the final result i hope i did your beautiful gif justice <3

@chalamst​ ahhh thank you for choosing a shot of squishy lino!! those stage lights were a nightmare to color and your gifs looks so so nice, surprisingly enough it’s the one i finished the quickest, maybe because it’s the closest to my own style of coloring <3

im tagging @yang-innie @woodziecup @yonglixx @bangzchan @leenope @babycatlix and @cheekyquokka ​ no pressure of course! my challenge for you is this stage, 00:03:22