#i am not deleting past bright posts.

[psychology-department]

IMPORTANT: MOVING MY BRIGHT POSTS

Due to external issues, harassment and my own mental issues, I just don't feel comfy with Bright stuff on this account any longer. I want to keep enjoying Bright as is and post stuff about him so I have decided to move all of it to @jack-of-amulets, my side blog. I've been considering doing this for a while, so I'm doing it.

That side blog does contain a little bit of kinposting, but otherwise it should be just facts about my iteration of the character and art of him too.

I have reblogged all my previous posts there and I really hope you understand my situation.

[physalian]

How to Make Your Writing Less Stiff Part 3

Crazy how one impulsive post has quickly outshined every other post I have made on this blog. Anyway here’s more to consider. Once again, I am recirculating tried-and-true writing advice that shouldn’t have to compromise your author voice and isn’t always applicable when the narrative demands otherwise.

Part 1

Part 2

1. Eliminating to-be verbs (passive voice)

Am/is/are/was/were are another type of filler that doesn’t add anything to your sentences.

There were fireworks in the sky tonight. /// Fireworks glittered in the sky tonight.

My cat was chirping at the lights on the ceiling. /// My cat chirped at the lights on the ceiling.

She was standing /// She stood

He was running /// He ran

Also applicable in present tense, of which I’ve been stuck writing lately.

There are two fish-net goals on either end of the improvised field. /// Two fish-net goals mark either end of the improvised field.

For once, it’s a cloudless night. /// For once, the stars shine clear.

Sometimes the sentence needs a little finagling to remove the bad verb and sometimes you can let a couple remain if it sounds better with the cadence or syntax. Generally, they’re not necessary and you won’t realize how strange it looks until you go back and delete them (it also helps shave off your word count).

Sometimes the to-be verb is necessary. You're writing in past-tense and must convey that.

He was running out of time does not have the same meaning as He ran out of time, and are not interchangeable. You'd have to change the entire sentence to something probably a lot wordier to escape the 'was'. To-be verbs are not the end of the world.

2. Putting character descriptors in the wrong place

I made a post already about motivated exposition, specifically about character descriptions and the mirror trope, saying character details in the wrong place can look odd and screw with the flow of the paragraph, especially if you throw in too many.

She ties her long, curly, brown tresses up in a messy bun. /// She ties her curls up in a messy brown bun. (bonus alliteration too)

Generally, I see this most often with hair, a terrible rule of threes. Eyes less so, but eyes have their own issue. Eye color gets repeated at an exhausting frequency. Whatever you have in your manuscript, you could probably delete 30-40% of the reminders that the love interest has baby blues and readers would be happy, especially if you use the same metaphor over and over again, like gemstones.

He rolled his bright, emerald eyes. /// He rolled his eyes, a vibrant green in the lamplight.

To me, one reads like you want to get the character description out as fast as possible, so the hand of the author comes in to wave and stop the story to give you the details. Fixing it, my way or another way, stands out less as exposition, which is what character descriptions boil down to—something the audience needs to know to appreciate and/or understand the story.

3. Lacking flow between sentences

Much like sentences that are all about the same length with little variety in syntax, sentences that follow each other like a grocery list or instruction manual instead of a proper narrative are difficult to find gripping.

Jack gets out a stock pot from the cupboard. He fills it with the tap and sets it on the stove. Then, he grabs russet potatoes and butter from the fridge. He leaves the butter out to soften, and sets the pot to boil. He then adds salt to the water.

From the cupboard, Jack drags a hefty stockpot. He fills it with the tap, adds salt to taste, and sets it on the stove.

Russet potatoes or yukon gold? Jack drums his fingers on the fridge door in thought. Russet—that’s what the recipe calls for. He tosses the bag on the counter and the butter beside it to soften.

This is just one version of a possible edit to the first paragraph, not the end-all, be-all perfect reconstruction. It’s not just about having transitions, like ‘then’, it’s about how one sentence flows into the next, and you can accomplish better flow in many different ways.

4. Getting too specific with movement.

I don’t see this super often, but when it happens, it tends to be pretty bad. I think it happens because writers feel the need to overcompensate and over-clarify on what’s happening. Remember: The more specific you get, the more your readers are going to wonder what’s so important about these details. This is fiction, so every detail matters.

A ridiculous example:

Jack walks over to his closet. He kneels down at the shoe rack and tugs his running shoes free. He walks back to his desk chair, sits down, and ties the laces.

Unless tying his shoes is a monumental achievement for this character, all readers would need is:

Jack shoves on his running shoes.

*quick note: Do not add "down" after the following: Kneels, stoops, crouches, squats. The "down" is already implied in the verb.

This also happens with multiple movements in succession.

Beth enters the room and steps on her shoelace, nearly causing her to trip. She kneels and ties her shoes. She stands upright and keeps moving.

Or

Beth walks in and nearly trips over her shoelace. She sighs, reties it, and keeps moving.

Even then, unless Beth is a chronically clumsy character or this near-trip is a side effect of her being late or tired (i.e. meaningful), tripping over a shoelace is kind of boring if it does nothing for her character. Miles Morales’ untied shoelaces are thematically part of his story.

Sometimes, over-describing a character’s movement is meant to show how nervous they are—overthinking everything they’re doing, second-guessing themselves ad nauseam. Or they’re autistic coded and this is how this character normally thinks as deeply methodical. Or, you’re trying to emphasize some mundanity about their life and doing it on purpose.

If you’re not writing something where the extra details service the character or the story at large, consider trimming it.

—

These are *suggestions* and writing is highly subjective. Hope this helps!

[chilschuck]

omg… thinking abt chil reconnecting w his ex wife and becoming platonic besties. imagine they talk about it finding love again (chil’s ex has a new gf)… chil realises he’s caught feelings for reader… his ex teasing him about it…

`✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ OMG ANON THIS HAD ME GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET, WAHHHH. SUCH A CUTE IDEA!!!! it’s currently 2 am but i had to get this out for you since you’ve been waiting a while!!! it was so much fun!! <33

— ALL BECAUSE OF YOU.

꒰ info: ꒱ chilchuck x gn!reader

꒰ warnings: ꒱ none, sfw!! some cussing ofc lol

꒰ wc: ꒱ 586

✦ tumblr deleted this before i could post it twice so let’s pray it posts this time, LOL. short but sweet, i hope you enjoy!!! <333

“So… Who are they?”

That simple question was enough to make him choke on his drink. Was he that easy to read? Catching his breath, the half-foot immediately sputtered.

“What are you talking about?” Yet, the knowing look on her face said it all. Even if they had been separated for this long, she could still figure out just what he was hiding. So much for trying to keep some things personal…

“You have this expression, this content smile I haven’t seen in years, Chilchuck. Someone’s making you happy.” Her tone was not condescending in the slightest, rather content with this new revelation. Her words caused his cheeks to flush, more than the ale in his cup could.

And she was right. He was coming to terms with his feelings; and even the thought of you was enough to make him whole again. The fact it was so obvious was rather embarrassing, and he could feel the tips of his ears burn.

“Yeah, yeah… I guess you figured it out before I got a chance to tell you.”

They were nothing like they used to be, having settled on staying close through friendship. Although this maybe would’ve been hard to do in the past, Chilchuck felt more peaceful than he thinks he has in years. There was something about you that lit fire to his senses in ways he had long forgotten, and he found himself seeking you out more than he’d like to admit.

“I’ve told you plenty about my new girlfriend, now it’s your turn to spill. What are they like? It’s a sight to see you this happy.”

It was something only someone who really knew him could see; the change in his demeanor, the light in his eyes, the smile that threatened to spill from the corners of his lips. And it was all because of you.

“You’re going to laugh when I tell you how I met them,” he began, licking the ale from his lips in thought. “Laios’ party. I really ended up eating my own words about inner party romance, huh?” The last sentence came out in a grumble, one that caused her to laugh.

“Wow, they made you go against your own rules? Must be a keeper.”

And you were. Warm, but not enough to burn. Bright, but not blindingly so. Sweet, but not sickening. Chilchuck found himself feeling like a teenager again when it came to you. He bit his tongue.

“So you’re going to confess to them, right?” She teased, prodding his shoulder. “Look at you, blushing like a schoolboy. Must be serious.”

He opened his mouth to retort, before closing it again. The words died before he could speak, the full gravity of his feelings for you hitting him like a freight train. Burying his head in his arms, he groaned. “Shit…”

Chilchuck was doomed. Yet even as his head spiraled from a mixture of the alcohol and his new found love, it always went back to you. You, and your smiles, and your laugh, and your touch. There weren’t enough curse words he could possibly growl out in this moment to make himself feel better.

His ex wife laughed again, patting him on the back and stirring him from his thoughts. “Jeez, you really are a schoolboy. Maybe you should give them a love letter while you’re at it. Might be smart, actually.”

That’s how the rest of their time together went; two close friends musing about the ability to find love again. All because of you.

— dividers by @/cafekitsune! <3

[vankaywie]

pairings : bigby wolf x gn!reader

tags : fluff , stinky bigby , uh I don't know

summary : helping bigby groom himself !!

an : SOMEONE REQUESTED I SHOULD MAKE A FLUFF OR A SMUT FIC OF BIGBY BUT I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED IT !!! also hiii, i am so sorry if I haven't been posting for so long, i had a writers block and basically lost motivation to do anything. i sincerely apologise😭 sorry if this is inaccurate bigby, i haven't played twau in a while and my memory sucks. also sorry if this isnt smut, i kinda wanted to do fluff... (theres an unfinished bigby smut in my notes) ANOTHER APOLOGY!! sorry if this sucks because i just wrote this and it's currently 4am..

you've noticed bigby has been itching his chin alot, he was probably getting uncomfortable on how long his messy stubble is. bigby has been incredibly busy these past few weeks so his hygiene was... a mess. so you took it upon yourself and decided to help him.

bigby comes home exhausted, immediately sitting on the couch to relax... he didn't even realise you were sitting next to him. "oh fuck—" he flinches slightly. "I didn't see you there, bub.."

a frown forms on your face. "bigby... you stink."

he raises a brow. "i am?" he sniffs himself.. good god that stench. "fuck—"

you forced bigby to take a bath, helping him wash his hair and his back, using your cherry blossom shampoo on him and your lovely soap so for once he'd smell nice. after that, you let bigby dry himself with a towel as you look for the razor.

"you're not going to shave all my stubble off, are you?" bigby chuckles, towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still soaking wet.

"oh, i will if you don't dry your hair and then get your ass on this chair." you threaten him.

he grumbles, drying his hair with a towel and sitting down on the chair infront of you. grabbing the cheap electric razor on the sink, turning it on. you gently hold bigby's chin, turning his head on an angle so you can start trimming his stubble. as you trim him, he looks at your face, admiring you.

your cheeks flushes as you feel his gaze. "don't stare..." you whisper, making him grin.

"and why shouldn't i?"

"it's distracting.."

finally, you were done. he checks himself on the mirror, satisfied at the results. "nice one, doll."

you smiled softly, putting the chair and the razor away. "thanks, bub. I've also washed some of your clothes, they're probably dry by now so you can wear 'em."

he placed a hand at the back of your head, slowly pulling you closer to place a kiss on your forehead. "you're the best."

bigby decided to have a drink at holly's bar, the trip trap bar. he was extremely stressed. but then grendell's ass started bitching at bigby, ranting about how much of an asshole bigby is... but then... "and that bitch [name] looking right pass me, then ushering me out the fuckin' door. who do they think they are to fuckin' kick me out?!" grendell groans.

the unbothered bigby suddenly whips his head to glare at the man, quickly standing up and walking towards grendell. "i wouldn't call them that." he growls, his hazel eyes turning bright yellow, hinting his transformation. "it's happened before and it doesn't end well."

a fight begun, both grendell and bigby transforming, beating the hell out of each others. bigby was clawing at grendell's back, and grendell was trying to shake him off. eventually, grendell threw bigby across the room, the wolf crashing down at the tables and chairs at the corner. "fuckin' pause!" grendell yells, panting.

bigby growls, sitting up from the floor and glared at the monster infront of him. "what?"

"why the fuck do you smell like flowers and shits?!—"

[k8023]

Anon that asked about my take on Joe & Ja'Marr here we go. Sorry I accidentally deleted the Ask as I tried to post this once and it messed up. 🙃

I do want to start by saying I'm not into college football like I am the NFL. I'm more of a casual college football watcher and some weekends may not watch it all. I knew who Joe was in 2019 but really didn't know much else about LSU. In Cincinnati, teams in the SEC aren't on people's radar like Ohio State & UC (when they are good). Most of my Joe/Ja'Marr observations have came from their professional careers and from interviews and stuff I went back and watched from LSU.

I think I see it as a big brother/little brother dynamic. They look out for each other and Ja'Marr looks up to Joe. Joe helped Ja'Marr learn how to watch and dissect film after games. Ja'Marr teases Joe and can get away with it where a lot of other teammates can't. Joe is the serious one who's all business most of the time and Ja'Marr can come in and lighten the mood and get Joe to relax a little. Joe does internalize a lot of things and takes responsibility for any bad game. I think Ja'Marr helps him get past that and not let Joe get too much in his own head. I also feel like they can be around each other and not say much and just being in each other's presence is enough and no words are needed.

It is kind of funny that after other NFL teams saw the success that Joe & Ja'Marr were having, their bright idea was..."hey, just go get a wide receiver our QB played with in college and we'll be like the Bengals!" It hasn't really worked out for the other teams like it has Cincinnati. The relationship between Joe & Ja'Marr wasn't forced, it was built organically and that it isn't something that can just be replicated by anyone.

I also think it's great how close their families are and it's kind of funny both their dads are named Jimmy. Before the Saints game in 2022, I saw a media member (I cant remember exactly who) say they showed Ja'Marr's mom a pic of Joe walking in the stadium wearing Ja'Marr's LSU jersey as she had no idea that was happening until they told her and showed her the pic. They said she immediately got tears in her eyes.🥹 I think anyone curious about Joe and Ja'Marr's relationship should go check out any interviews Jimmy B. & Jimmy C. have done together as they give some insight on their sons. There are several on YouTube.

This article was really good that came out right before the Super Bowl in 2022 (💔) about their friendship.

I also am attaching some visual aids I find fun. The Tiktok video is from the KC game in January when Joe didn't play and Ja'Marr was having words with KC's whole defense. Someone said something to Ja'Marr after the game when they were walking back to the locker room and Joe didn't seem to appreciate it. He looked like he wanted to try UFC moves on someone even with a bad wrist.

In closing, I feel like they are both fiercely loyal to each other and their friendship is really important to them. I do hope someday we get an interview with them together as it would be fascinating to actually see their dynamic. Maybe we'll see some of that on Hard Knocks this season.

[alwaysdeepkitten]

SPOILERS - Thoughts on tonight's episode of The Magnus Protocol (the case in the episode 23, to be precise). Copied from my youtube comment from the episode's comment section.

Did anyone else catch the date of the deleted post (#14)? It's more than 5 months prior to the post #1. But looks like it's describing something horrible after the 'transformation's' already happened, even though post #1 states the girl's only come round to going through with it.

And her name is Alesis Newman. New man. A meaningful name in this case. A self-assigned name.

I think what she's been going through is basically a cycle.

She feels really depressed, decides to go through with this transformation, is really excited about 'the new' her - clean of all mistakes, free of the past - and hopes she will be better. But something goes wrong. She realises it during her last moments: the new version is not magically better as a superior being would be but ultimately the new person or consciousness prone to any and all flaws like any other being. The moderators delete her concerned last post of the previous transformation updates and the clean-slate-her gets to live as the 'better new'. But only for a little more than 5 months since that is when she too gets crushed by the same feelings as her predecessor and seeks the transformation anew, not aware of there having already been past versions of her and her being the result of their attempts at this 'better new'.

The language seems to suggest this too - she sees herself, she's been with her desired new version all along, she hates there being people who want her to be better in spite of who she really is - the very wish her past self had for her, etc.

The whole transformation is ultimately flawed.

There is no 'better new you' (the nickname of the person who's locked the thread), there's only 'a new you' ( the actual title of the episode - the truth).

Or maybe it has been her deleting her previous posts herself: post #14 was published at 2:27 and deleted almost immediately at 2:28, deleting a post a minute after it's been published is a feat no ordinary moderator is capable of, especially when said post was made in the middle of the night at 2:27. But it would make sense if she started writing the post, was unable to finish her thought, seized to exist as her past consciousness and immediately went to delete it as a new version. Although this part might be attributed to some omnipresent magical moderators that are part of the forum as in wired and existing there, which seems to be one of the themes in TMP. I admit I am a bit shake in my theory with this specific part.

Also - the 'piece' being a piece of coral is crucial. I was asking myself why of all manner of things did it have to be a coral she needed to start the transformation. The answer is in the coral's nature - corals are clones of their previous selves, genetically identical, new polyps growing upon the exoskeletal remains of their predecessors. Thus she is identical to her previous self, she doesn't become a better version as she hopes, it's literally her but with a clean slate for a mind. She is doomed to go through the same cycle again and again much like a coral.

This would also explain her frequent mentions of the bright color of the new growing version of herself - dead or dying corals are white or 'bleached', it can actually indicate their response to the harsh and stressful environmental conditions. You know, the state of mind of Newman's previous version before the transformation. The fact that the doppelganger is all bright and full of vibrant color (=alive and thriving) comes from her own dying and 'bleached' state.

[internalscream1ng]

My thoughts after Chapter 7

Spoilers for Tokyo Debunker below please continue with caution:

WOWIE WAS CHAPTER 7 A GOOD ONE!!!

I can say that Mortkranken is a very interesting dorm. And I could be bias because it's a shade of a blue or blue/green I like, but it's coming my favorite.

I know I pick and push calling Jiro a slut but it was mostly based on looks alone. Now actually seeing his character in play I can finally form an opinion on these two characters.

Opinions on Yuri and Jiro :

Jiro - Looks alone he was the one who stood out to be the most, I have a type of liking either assholes or dark gloomy guys in series and seeing Jiro was the cake on top ~ I enjoy seeing him fight and work, learning about him and his illness too was a plus side and I hope to learn more about his character even if it's a side mini thing I hope he returns in the main story.

Yuri - Not gonna lie, I knew his character looks seemed familiar turns out a buddy of mine sent me a photo of him and I proceeded to call him a teal hair Azul Ashengrotto - I do not apologize. I honestly adore this man with my being. He is a bit of a gobber but he is very smart ( obviously he is a doctor). He makes me giggle a bunch so I will definitely be thinking of him.

My thoughts on chapter 7:

I was actually happy that I didn't have to wait long for the Chapter since from when I got into Tokyo Debunker for the first time. Jumping into a new chapter for the new dorm is always exciting even after all we learned in the game up till now. I knew the MC curse wouldn't be solved so easily since now there is a marking on her neck, but it was a good way to introduce Mortkranken into the story line and the characters along with it.

However with the mutated anomaly was a freaky thing itself. But it was perfect in its own way. But I wished they gave us a sprites for the zombies. After Chapter 2, the way they made one for Takeru's ghost the details and the way he moved was so chilling it made me snapped back to the thoughts this had some horror themes to it.

The anomalies in Chapter One weren't scary but they had their own sprites like the characters and they also moved too, if you look closely you can see them swaying, better view as it is looking at their hands. I kind of wished they revisited the idea of Takeru's ghost sprites / it moving to the zombies in Chapter 7. I feel like it would give the players more of an eye opener or give the player some sort of thrill chill.

I won't sit here and complain about that, we can't all have what we want to think, but I think it would have been a nice idea.

Details I liked in Chapter 7:

I will keep this one short and simple:

Finally learning the anomaly name of the one who cursed MC, Kyklos.

Zenji being Jiro's brother

Zenji name being Taro Kirisaki ( does Jiro even remember him? Someone please let me know)

How bright and colorful the lab in Mortkranken was.

Jiro <3

Jiro and Yuri's relationship <3

The tree Towa was caring for getting better but worse at the end ;-;

Towa SPEAKING AGAIN his voice is WAHHHHH✨

Also Gala is on board

ALSO WHATEVER TAIGA WAS WEARING HELLO?! SIR?!

If you read this far thank you so much!!! I'll make a separate post on my theories, I am just tired and mad that it got deleted mid-post.. I'll make a whole new post on it later it's past 3am and I wanna unwind for a bit after playing. If you wanna ask me things please direct them to my Ask/Submissions in my bio <3

[luvrsux]

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏

❝ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕 ❞

other chapters

➠┊word count: 5k

➠┊characters: trafalgar law, portgas d. ace, shachi, penguin, ikkaku, sabo {mentioned}

➠┊cw: ANGST, arguing, swearing, mentions use of smoking

➠┊modern au !!

𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒑

❛ you and law were dating for a while until aces party ends up ruining your relationship further down the line. after saying words you never meant, law ghosts you, leaving with you nothing but radio silence ❜

Law heard the annoyingly loud ringing of his vibrating phone to alarm him of the bright morning. He only gathered a couple hours of sleep, too little to be sustainable for the school day but that wasn't out of the ordinary. He flickered his loopy, steel eyes at what was disturbing him. With a groggy groan, he shut it off to give his ears some peace. He buried his head in his pillow to contemplate whether he should get ready to go to school or just continue rotting in bed. A slight flicker of your face passing down the public hallways flashed in his head to prevent him from getting ready even more. Law finally lived his head up before he could suffocate himself from his pillow.

“Damnit…”

If it weren’t for the sudden realization that Law had a Chemistry quiz today, he would’ve died in bed of his own thoughts. Now, he stood up straight from his bed and didn’t bother dressing up to impress. Usually, Law would take a good amount of time to get ready. Comb his hair, and put in any treatment in it to keep it in good condition. Spray on cologne and put on a fresh outfit he prepped the day before. All of that was completely turned on its own head, though. He just grabbed the nearest hoodie he could find and walked out with the jeans he slept with, too depressed to follow through with his daily routine.

On the way out to the cold outdoors, he finally scanned his eyes through any notifications he may have missed from his nighttime slumber. It was the usual; posts from Shachi, Penguin, and the rest of his group, useless notifications from apps he had, and scheduled reminders. Law exhaled and deleted all of them with a swipe. That is until he saw yours.

Your messages you’d sent that morning caught his eye. He stopped in his tracks and felt his heart sting while reading them, even before he read the actual text. Just your name on his glass screen alone was enough to make him recoil.

(F/N) - 5:55 AM

law can we please talk this out? i miss you

Law treated your messages like any other. One quick swipe and it was now eradicated from his notification list. He wasn’t proud nor alright with it. It pained him to do that movement with a single thumb, but he was still too ashamed to talk to you. The only way he was used to dealing with his emotions was by ignoring the problem. His past did quite the number on the way he perceives present relationships and friendships, but Law couldn’t find a way to fix it. Now was a crystal clear demonstration of his baggage.

You, on the other hand, sat in your car in front of the school gripping your phone with all your might. You’d never come to school this early, because who would? But you desperately wanted to see Law firsthand to finally talk to him after days of radio silence. You’d sent that text the moment you went out of your front door and yet you haven’t gotten an answer. It was apparent he was ignoring you, Law usually never took long to respond unless he was sleeping, studying, or playing. None of which were practical during this time.

You finally let go of the dry device and slouched in your driver’s seat. As time slowly crept, more cars began to pull into the driveway of the school’s premises. One of which was all too familiar. Your eyes caught a glimpse of its pull in dangerously next to you and you groaned.

“Ace, leave me alone”

The guy didn’t hesitate to lean against the top of your car to peek his smug little face into the window. As usual, he wore summer-like clothing in cold weather. The sight of it made you want to puke.

“Still nothing from your little boyfriend?” He asked, looking off to the side to see more people flood in.

“Nope… He’s definitely ignoring me” You let out a frustrated exhale, growing agitated then sad at his disappearance.

“Bummer…” Is all the jock could say. He could at least try to be sentimental, you thought. “Why are you here so early?” Continued, Ace.

“To catch that asshole since he’s pretending I don’t exist” You hissed, furrowing your eyebrows in annoyance. “I’ve been here for like an hour or two-“

“Now you’re being crazy”

Ace’s cut-off made you completely halt and slowly turn your fiery gaze towards him. You folded your arms and gave him the sassiest demeanor you ever could.

“Listen, me and Sabo-“

“Mostly Sabo…”

“…Said you should give him space until today to finally reach out again. You look insane” Ace gave you a glare at your interruption.

“It’s not my fault I love him, okay? He really does mean a lot to me…” You sigh, relaxing your angry, tensed-up body.

“I understand that… But don’t be surprised if he’s still ignoring you today. Give it time, idiot” Ace gave you a flick on the forehead, followed by a chuckle.

You rubbed the spot and restrained yourself from giving him a giggle to fuel his laughter. You just turned your body straight ahead.

“Please wear a jacket before you get cold”

“Seriously, is it really that cold out?”

・❥・

You finally set your gaze at Law in the middle of a transition in the halls. You couldn’t help but form an ecstatic grin from ear to ear by his presence. He hadn’t noticed you, as he was walking in a different direction. His direction was the total opposite of where you were destined to go, but you didn’t care. Your legs moved on their own and you immediately bolted to him. The backpacks and bodies of passing students couldn’t stop you from grabbing your hand on his arm, who then looked completely puzzled by you.

“Law, I’ve been looking for you everywhere I-“

You spoke with a beaming smile like this was the first time you’d reunited with him after years of absence. But those sorts of things end in him wrapping his arms around you, spinning you in circles, and blossoms of shared laughter to echo. This, though, ended in Law yanking his arm out of your grasp coldly and averting any sort of eye contact with you. You felt your smile collapse.

“Sorry, I’m gonna be late…” Is all you heard him say ever so deeply. He pushed passed you like you were just an ordinary student who had nothing to do with him. There you stood completely perplexed and ready to break down in front of the mass population of Grand Ocean.

Law felt pained the moment he separated your soft grasp, which he loved everything about, from his arm. He hated every moment of it, but showing his vulnerability was just as scary. He turned his head ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of you standing there like a lost puppy in the middle of an alleyway. He thought he’d break down right then and there at the sorrowful sight.

A ‘move it!’ was the very thing to continue on your path after you watched your boyfriend fade into the distance with watery eyes. You decided to do the very thing you never dared to do all year; skip class. The interaction made you lock yourself inside an empty bathroom and sob, tucking your legs to your chest while you sat on the germ-infested bathroom floor. You let out a few tears from your eyes, completely wallowing in utter defeat. Your hand felt the way Law snatched his sleeved arm away from you, and it broke your heart into a trillion pieces. Your light sobs echoed throughout the bathroom and you couldn’t be more relieved that the bathroom was isolated other than the presence of your own. Everything made you wonder about the future of your relationship. ‘Is he even my boyfriend anymore?’ ‘Is he going to break up with me?’ ‘Does he even love me?’ Everything cycled in your head like a whirlpool. All you could do was tuck your head into your arms and let out each tear left in your eyelids.

・❥・

The teacher's lecture was boring for each and every student in that classroom. No one ever really paid attention, aside from the small group of teacher's pets that had their obedient eyes glued on the projecting teacher. Law was certainly not one of them. He scribbled in his notebook while he had music blaring in his left ear, too depressed to focus on school. Occasionally, he’d tap the back end of his sculpted eraser on his notebook to the beat of his music and it could be clearly heard throughout the classroom but ever so faintly. Law’s soft, yet deep, humming could also be heard. The teacher didn’t hesitate to slam a wrinkled hand on his notebook. Law wasn’t phased, more so annoyed that his drawing time was disturbed by some underpaid grown adult. The classroom darted their eyes straight at him like birds of a feather.

“And why aren’t you paying attention, Trafalgar?”

Law had an itching peeve of people he wasn’t quite close with calling him anything other than Law. Considering this was a teacher and they had to be “professional”, it was inevitable. Though, it didn’t scratch away the entire mentality of it annoying him. He exhaled, dropping his drawing utensil on the desk to lay his back on his chair.

“Because your lesson is boring”

Law mumbled. Due to the sheer age of the teacher and the negative qualities coming with it, he raised an eyebrow with an angry expression. He pulled his ear towards the raven-haired boy, who wanted nothing but death upon everyone in the room.

“Say it louder for the class”

“Because your lesson is boring as hell!”

Law's loud, yet bold, statement made the students’ air out of their lungs squeeze out. Some even snickered and tried holding in fits of laughter. The teacher glared at Law with eyes that could kill, but he didn’t care. His dark circled eyes and unamused face said it all.

“Listen here, kid. Just because you have a high grade in my class doesn’t mean you can disrespect me”

He held a finger at Law’s face, who just eyed it up and down with the most disgusted face ever to be created. He pulled his head away from his finger. ‘I don’t know where that thing has been…’

“Yeah, whatever. Are you gonna kick me out now or what?”

Law couldn’t help but carve a cheap grin, and he swore he saw a vein pop out of his angry teacher's head. He pinched the bridge of his nose and was only capable of pointing to the door.

“Thanks… asshole”

Law slung his bag over his shoulder to waltz out of the classroom. Truth is, Law isn’t the type of person to disrespect or cause a scene in class. He thinks it’s embarrassing and completely unnecessary when teachers are only doing their jobs. You were the sole reason Law acted out of character. All his pent-up emotions were unfortunately dumped onto his teacher who had zero place in the entire tussle anyway. He felt his inked fingers grip the band of his backpack tighter now that all of his emotions came running back to him and nothing but guilt flowed through his veins. Law snatched his phone out of his pocket to message the two only people who could, unfortunately as he’d put it, make him feel better.

The Heart Band GC (law hates it here)

Law - 9:40 AM

yo whos available? shachi ik you’re there you do nothing in class

Penguin - 9:42 AM

present

Ikkaku - 9:42 AM

have a test, srry not srry :p

Law - 9:43 AM

ilyt ikkaku.

Shachi (Replying to: Law) - 9:43 AM

no need to expose me dick why what’s up

Law - 9:44 AM

I got kicked out of class, i need a breather ig

Penguin - 9:45 AM

is it bec of your gf?

Shachi - 9:45 AM

wow way to add salt to the wound

Law - 9:46 AM

yea ig so just meet me in the bathroom. no one around pls

Shachi - 9:47 AM

with pleasure

Penguin - 9:47 AM

roger

Law felt a bit relieved he finally got his comfort circle to be there for him. Law moved his legs toward the bathroom they had usually all gone to since the day they began high school.

・❥・

You were still tucked into the bathroom stall, more than 20 minutes “late” to class. You’d been completely dry of tears and have just been wallowing in the same spot to relax your breathing. Beside you, your phone vibrated enough times to grab your attention. You grumbled upon sliding your finger to answer the dumb jock that was quick to bother you.

“Ace, I’m bus-“

“Shut up, where are you?”

Ace’s cut-off made your voice hitch. You didn’t realize you could use his comfort until this very moment you were sulking on the grossly tiled bathroom floor. You choked back a few tears.

“I’m in the bathroom…”

Your voice was wobbly and far from discreet from the fact you’ve been pouring your eyes out. You heard Ace sigh.

“I knew there was something wrong”

“How?”

“Because you never skip class, duh”

You’d realize you had early morning gym with the guy himself and also realized he had an oddly good keen eye. The fact he was able to sense something was off about the fact you didn’t show up to class on time only surprised you for a few moments.

“Don’t tell me this is about Law”

The way he called you out felt like your eyes were ready to pour out freshly made tears. You swallowed a gulp in your mouth and blinked your eyelids to prevent anything from coming out.

“Yeah, sorta…”

“What happened? C’mon talk t’me”

Ace’s voice grew soft and quiet, oddly reassuring despite his failure to do it correctly. You sniffled before you could speak, but Ace was patient. He was there for you.

“I tried talking to him but he pushed me away… Like I’m just a stranger…”

Your voice was off-tone and distorted from your cries. Ace hummed.

“Dick move, I’ll be honest” Ace began. “But you have to remember he’s still probably hurt. Not justifying what he did at all, just saying he’s still in a vulnerable state”

“I know, I know… But still…”

You fondled your fingers with the strings of your jacket. You felt your lower lip fold in between your teeth to bite it, feeling a wave of tears coming down.

“What if we break up, Ace…?”

“Don’t be pessimistic…”

You paused.

“Law loves you. Dearly. Don’t even think about disagreeing with me or I will punch you. This is probably just a stump in the road” Ace’s words did help you calm down quite a bit, which was rather foreign.

“And… If the slim chance that does happen, I’m sure you’ll eventually be reunited after” Ace stating that possibility made a hand squeeze your gut.

“But I’ll be here for you every step of the way, (F/N). Promise” You heard Ace carve a smile through his voice.

“Where would I be without you, Ace”

“Probably dead”

You two share a small fit of laughter. That phone call you once dreaded became the very thing to place a smile on your face. You couldn’t have asked for a better brother-figure.

“Cheer up. And come to class, Newgate is yelling at me about you”

“Yeah, yeah… Be there in a sec’” You smiled. Ace hummed and disconnected the line between the two phones.

You exhaled and felt finally a tad bit better than before. The confidence to leave soon accompanied your relaxed state and you walked your body towards the gym where you were assigned to be.

・❥・

“C’mon guys, we’re in school and it’s only 10 AM”

Law swatted the earthy-scented smoke away from his face almost made him cough, which would be the sole reason for them getting caught. Shachi and Penguin shared one roll and averted their eyes to the black-haired boy who had his arms crossed.

“Didn’t… You say you needed a breather, though?” Penguin reminded, pointing the smoking roll towards his friend.

“Yeah, just to talk and calm down. If I wanted to smoke I would’ve just gone to my car, idiot” Law pinched his temple, only to receive a dumbfounded shrug by his brunette friend.

“What happened?” Shachi blew a puff of smoke upward, flooding around in the bathroom before it faded away unlike the scent. Law exhaled in annoyance.

“Th’teacher just annoyed the shit outta me, and (F/N) tried talking to be earlier” Law explained.

“So… What pissed you off more?” Shachi asked, receiving a nudge from the guy beside him.

“What do you think?” He hissed. Penguin just exhaled and turned his eyes from the redhead to Law.

“Did you talk to her?” He asked.

Law just paused for a moment before saying anything. He wanted to say yes because he wished he could hold you and speak to you again, but that was a fantasy he created in his brain. He just averted eye contact.

“No, I didn’t”

“Why?” Shachi coughed before covering his mouth with his arm to muffle it. Penguin quickly shushed him before they’d get in deep hell for smoking.

“Because… I’m just not ready” Law wasn’t entirely lying, more so leaving out major bits and pieces that he wasn’t quite comfortable in saying just yet.

“When do you think you’ll be ready?” Penguin asked an oddly great question while being intoxicated. Law felt stumped for a moment. While he thought about it for a few seconds, the two friends just puffed and passed.

“Not sure… I don’t even know what I wanna do with my relationship itself” Law tan his tan fingers through his hair from stress.

“Do you wanna break up with them?”

“No!”

Law snapped at Shachi which caused him to lightly flinch and be completely taken back. Law realized his small outburst.

“No… I don’t… But I’m still angry at them” Law exhaled.

“But it seems like they’re pretty determined to talk to you and fix everything. You can’t keep running away” Penguin handed whatever was left of the burning roll to Shachi to keep. He seemed to be pretty focused on this conversation.

“I know, I know but I feel like if I talk to them, I’ll just have an outburst. They’re the most stubborn person I know” Law grumbled, reminding himself of the many moments you were stubborn towards him.

“Takes one to know one, just sayin’” Shachi snickered.

“Get high and shut up” Penguin hissed. “Anyway, talk to them soon. How long has it been since you spoke to them”

Law averted eye contact out of embarrassment once again. He felt like an asshole for ghosting you for two days straight.

“Since the party-“

“Jesus-! Law, they’re gonna break up with you first before you even get the chance to think about it”

Penguin snapped at Law and all he could do was hide his face in his iconic hat out of embarrassment. Shachi watched with a snickering laugh, which eventually drew two menacing glares at his way.

“Talk to them after school. I’m sure they’ll understand your feelings” Penguin tried to give Law a reassuring smile, which he knew he secretly liked.

“Fine. I’ll try…”

“Good”

Shachi then burst out in a fit of hoarse coughing. The accumulated smoke eventually caught up to him and both of his friends tried to suffocate the loud noises. Law tried shushing him while Penguin shoved a hand over his mouth. Shachi began flailing his arm around to push Penguin off of him before he could suffocate him but to no avail. They tried everything and anything to prevent the redhead from giving away their “break”

“You done? You done dying?” Penguin asked. Shachi nodded vigorously with angry eyes. With that, Penguin chuckled while removing his hands. Shachi began hyperventilating dramatically.

“If my coughing didn’t kill me, you would’ve. Dick.”

“You two are idiots…”

・❥・

You sling your bag over your shoulder as you, rather quickly, walk outside of the school. You had quite the emotional day and you’ve never wished to be in bed so badly in your life. The brisk cold air made your nose and cheeks more vibrant. You felt your hair slightly shift its position when the wind hit it. You were dreading the blistering winters on coming.

As you walked to your car, you saw a figure leaning against it, facing away from you. You felt a fiery sense build up in your system thinking it was a total stranger, but that hat and those printed fingers were not foreign to you. After slowing down your tracks for a moment, you didn’t hesitate to make your way to your nonchalant boyfriend.

“Law?”

Is all you could say. He perked his head up to the grey sky above before landing his steel eyes back at you. They were still cold and empty, and it absolutely petrified you. He hummed before speaking.

“Let’s talk in my car. Yours is too open” Law demanded. You blinked.

“Are you-“

“Just c’mon, (F/N)-ya”

You felt Law grab your arm and yank your entire body away from your vehicle. His grip wasn’t tight, but enough to hold you down when you objected. The more you thought this would extend the time to arrive home, the more angry you got. Law finally talking to you was nice, but after he blatantly ignored you made you angry at him as time passed.

You angrily plopped in the passenger seat while Law sat right beside you behind the noir wheel. After the doors slammed in sync, you two stared off into the distance in silence. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. The only thing that was audible was the faint breathing coming from the both of you. Law adjusted his seat and placed a finger by his lips.

“You gonna say something or keep sitting there in silence” Law finally slashed straight through the menacing silence. You whipped your head at him with baffled eyes.

“Real funny coming from the guy that ghosted me for days” You folded your arms and leaned your back against the car door. Law rubbed his temple.

“Right, ‘cause I’m the bad guy for wanting space” He snapped back. Your brain could not comprehend the absolute sass and, as you’d say, bullshit he was spewing.

“Yes, absolutely, because you didn’t have the common courtesy to tell me you wanted space!”

“Why should I when you know what you did?”

Law had a sarcastic smile on his face which only fueled your anger towards him more. It was all giving you deja vu.

“Y’know what, fine. What do you want me to say?” You exhale.

“An apology”

“An apolog-? Are you serious, Trafalgar?”

Hearing his first name, which you’d never use, come out of your mouth made Law flinch. He wasn’t used to it and, given his sudden anger by your stubbornness, it made him angry.

“Deathly serious, (F/N). Absolutely deathly” Law said with, yet, another sarcastic smile.

“You don’t think I deserve an apology? You just acted like I was some background character in the hallway”

“Can you please just realize I’m the one hurt here?”

You lowered your guard when Law finally whipped at you with teary eyes. It was like he finally had enough and wanted you to see what you’ve been doing to him. The sight made your heart shatter, more than it already has.

“Law, I’m also hurt. I missed you so much-“

“Then you should’ve thought about that when you chose Ace over me”

“Wha-? I did not choose Ace over you, Law”

Your anger was quick to come back which only caused anger to birth from Law as well. It wasn’t long until the two of you were yelling at each other. So loud that the car couldn’t conceal the noise anymore. You realized why Law chose his secluded vehicle instead of your more explicit one. You knew once this was over, you and Law's voice would be tainted and worn out.

“Law, what’s even your problem!? I told you he’s just a brother to me, okay? I know what I did was off the rails but you ignored me for days on end and-… You don’t understand, I was worried sick!”

“You don’t understand!” Law pointed a finger at you, which was the instant thing that made you shut up. You heard his voice slightly break, him on the verge of tears once again. His angry, fiery demeanor seemed like it was doused in water. He was all out of anger and filled with sorrow.

“(F/N), I never wanted to be this close with someone again because the last time I loved someone this much he…” Law felt a tear trickle down his cheek, only causing yours to follow.

“He’s fucking dead. And I love you, so… So fucking much. This isn’t even about that idiot jock anymore, this is about the fact I can’t stand how much I love you”

Law grabbed your hand with his and held it tenderly. You couldn’t hold back the waterfall building up in your eyes any longer, and neither could Law. You were speechless.

“I can’t stand how even after you did that I still love you so much. I didn’t want to talk to you because I was scared of what you might think if I was vulnerable…”

You felt the grip on your hand grow tighter.

“I can’t, (F/N). I can’t. We’re yelling at each other like an angry married couple in my car because we’re too stubborn to admit defeat”

You felt the grip on your heart grow tighter.

“But believe me when I say I’m still angry at you. So. Fucking. Angry. And this is why…”

Law inhaled and stared at you deep in your red, sad eyes. Seeing them only made him more hurt and his entire heart fell in shambles.

“This is why I can’t be with you anymore. I just… Things will only get worse from here” He let go of your hand.

“What? No, no, no”

The words coming out from his lips felt unreal to you. You thought, based off of what Ace told you earlier, that you and Law would be happy again. Not back to strangers who now hate each other. You regretted anything and everything that caused those words to form out of his mouth. The moment you felt his tender grip loosen, you felt like you lost absolutely everything.

“We’re supposed to grow together, not apart. This is just a stump-“

“Yeah, well clearly it didn’t work out” Law stared straight forward while you did the opposite. You kept your sad gaze on him meanwhile Law seemed to be out of sorrow. His eyes were puffy but out of tears. He held a hand over his mouth and lightly rubbed it.

“Are you serious…?”

Law just shut his eyes and hummed all while nodding slowly. You stared in disbelief, hoping that this was just some sick nightmare. Something you could wake up and forget it was even real—but nothing. It was the harsh, cruel reality of laughing at you.

“It’s been fun”

“‘It’s been fun’? Is that all you can say to me after dumping me for some small issue? I can’t even believe you right now-“

“Then leave”

His words sent you straight back to the day this whole thing started. He even tried giving you the same cold, unloving look as well. You were suddenly slipped into Law’s shoes and you felt heartbroken. You felt your lip quiver and your eyes ready to dump yet another huge load of tears of the day. You snatched your bag with all your might.

“Fuck you, Law”

Law took those words more personally than he displayed. After he heard the harsh slam of the passenger door and watched you disappear, that’s when he finally finished sobbing out the rest of his tears.

Truth be told, Law only came off as rude as he did because he knew it was best. If he had stayed truthfully sentimental, he knew you would’ve tried to stay and talk it out. He didn’t want you to carry more baggage from him anymore. It soon made him realize Law was more insecure than he initially thought, only making him feel way worse. Bolting out of the car, grabbing your hand, and saying he took back every word was something Law could only fantasize about. Instead, he gripped the steering wheel while he soiled the middle of it with his sad tears. He never dreamed of letting you go, but here we are.

You, on the contrary, were angrier than ever by his reaction. You didn’t hesitate to zip out the school premises because if you hadn’t, someone was going to be decimated. Although, halfway down your trip, that anger slithered its way into sadness. You were surprised you made it home in one piece because of your altered vision. Instead of procrastinating in your car, as usual, you sobbed until your lungs gave out. This wasn’t planned out, you never planned for this to happen. It was just a minor overthinking possibility, but you never prepared for it to actually happen. You didn’t know a single thing to do moving forward besides cry out for him to come back.

And that’s exactly what you did for as long as you can remember.

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𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔

✎ ❝ it’s been a way too long since i’ve come out with a chapter but YAYAYAYAY ANGST (i was crying while writing) but most importantly… THANK YOU SO MUCH ON THE MOUNTAIN OF SUPPORT ON MY LUFFY X READER???? dude that fan fiction was rushed and just not my best which is why i procrastinated on coming out with it but THANK GOD YALL ENJOYED READING IT THATS ALL THAT MATTERS!!!! schools been kicking my ass so sorry for the absence but i love you guys so much! trying to come out with a fic every week or so!! STAY SWEET AND LUVABLEEEE ❞

All licensing and ownership belong to Eiichiro Oda

[pop-punklouis]

hi… how you holding up?! thank you for being so gracious with your grief and so open for others to find a safe space on your blog.

i’m gunna be honest and say that i was never a 1d fan… i’ve always been a solo louis fan (and even had a tumblr account but deleted it a few yrs ago until recent events had me crawling back). anyway, the past few days have been weird… weird in a sense where i was sad over the loss of life and the impact it would have on who he left behind (esp louis outside of his family/gf) but i wasn’t truly impacted. now while i was never a liam fan i always admired his honesty- even in his wrongdoings he’s always been conscious enough to admit them and try to be better. i’m sure if he was given more time, he would’ve not only healed but also taken accountability but unfortunately that wasn’t the case and now healing would be that much harder for everybody involved (those he left on good terms and those that weren’t as much). anyway, i say all this to say that today for the first time i grieved liam. i cried, i obsessively watched old 1d footage and his solo footage (something i’d never done before), i cried some more, i listened to his album (live fast, die young?!?), i read tweets, and tumblr posts. i’ve been so emotional. so distraught over how he’s left this world, what he’s left behind (all the potential he had, all the amends he could’ve made) and who he’s left behind. it’s impacted me more than i could ever admit because again the only thing i ever knew about him was how he was a friend to louis and that louis valued him so much and saw him for who he was. and yet here i am, up since 4am with tears running down my face and the harrowing thought that that crinkly smiley man who just wanted to be loved, accepted and seen is now gone. who was so open about needing so much help but wasn’t given any help or grace. another soul lost because people were so quick to give up on him… and the saddest part of it all was he saw it all… he saw the darkest sides of the internet target him for years now… almost as long as the band ended. and that’s how he left this world… a man who was once on top of the world but was left to hang and dry with nothing to hold onto. may he rest in peace, and may everyone he’s left behind find peace as well. liam payne- you shined bright earth side and now you will forever shine bright amongst the stars.

i also want to add that louis tweet “let me live a little before i make another album” from a week or so ago has devastated me. no one should ever go through as much intense loss as he has and now he has to do it all over again… may he once again find the light and joy he so graciously shares with us all.

take care, grey. hugging you so tightly. thank you for being vulnerable enough to share all of this with me. ❤️‍🩹🫂 there are so, so many things to grieve here.

[the-common-cowgirl]

The Blood of the Dragon

Ch. 3 - Alys

Pairings: Modern Aemond Targaryen x OFC (Alice Strong)

Chapter Summary: Alice goes out for a night on the town and ends up in a nastier predicament than she was originally in for.

Chapter Warnings: Canon Divergence - Modern Setting, Alcohol Consumption, Swearing, Abduction.

A/N: I am working to slowly repost an entire fic of mine from AO3. You can go to AO3 and read ahead or tune in twice a week for individual chapters. Sorry for the little gap, I had a pity party and deleted Tumblr off my phone and in doing so, messed up my scheduled posts!

Masterlist

“Okay mom, if you need anything call me please.” Alice looked to her mom who sat behind the counter, smiling gently. Alice had decided to work in the bakery in the morning and afternoon and leave only for the evening so if her mom grew tired, she could easily close up the bakery with little guilt of loosing precious open hours.

“Go have fun Alice. Don’t worry about me. I’ve helped your father run this business for thirty years. I know what I’m doing.” Her mother gestured to the door reassuringly but Alice wasn’t convinced.

A tight knot formed in her stomach at the thought of leaving her mother alone to run the bakery. She looked at the door, longingly with regret. “Mom, I-“

"Alice, go. You can’t spend your entire life worrying about me.” Her mother’s tone was more stern now.

Oh, but I have already, she thought. 

Her phone buzzed and Alice looked down. “We are meeting at the White Worm right?” Cat, her longtime best friend was one of her only friends still left in King’s Landing and had agreed to meet for a couple drinks at a local bar with Jaime, another longtime friend.

”Yeah, I’ll be leaving in just a sec.”

Alice took in a deep breath and looked to her mom, “Call me if anything-“

"Go!” Her mother smiled and pointed toward the door.

Alice chuckled, “okay, okay, I’m going.”

The walk to the White Worm wasn’t incredibly far since the White Worm resided in the heart of Flea Bottom but it was far enough that when Alice left the bakery, the sun had just begun to set and now, walking up the the Worm, it was already dark.

”Hey stranger!” Cat threw her arms around Alice’s neck and pulled her in for a deep hug, “I’ve missed you so much.”

Alice returned the embrace after settling into Cat’s hug. Cat’s signature sweet floral perfume made Alice remember just how much she missed her old friend, “me too Cat.”

Cat broke the embrace and turned behind her, smiling and gesturing to 'hurry-up' at an approaching Jaime. Jaime smirked awkwardly and opened his arms for a lose hug with Alice, “Hey Al, it’s been a while.”

Alice smiled as they broke the embrace, “Yeah, it has been, hasn’t it?”

"Too long! Now,” Cat drug Alice toward a booth in the quieter part of the bar, Jaime following behind quietly, “Tell us all the juicy details about running the bakery!”

Alice smiled at Cat’s little joke but it hurt a tiny bit, joking about Alice’s boring life but she wouldn’t let on to her best friend that Cat's words hurt Alice; besides, the joke wasn’t that serious. “It’s just been a lot,” Alice breathed out with an exasperated sigh.

"Oh I bet,” Jaime smiled across the table, “your Dad was always working when we came over. It’s like he never slept!”

Cat rolled her eyes, “Of course he slept, don’t you remember his snoring waking us up during the sleepovers? It was so loud it shook the apartment!” Cat laughed with the bright, bubbly aura she brought into everyone’s lives around her.

Alice chuckled at the memories of her father and began opening up about her life the past few months, things that happened in Pentos when she was away from college and the latest details of where her brother had been seen or heard from. It felt good for Alice, to be around friends without the stress of finances, an unwell mother or stupid developers looking overhead like a black cloud. Alice finally felt like she was herself again, gossiping with her friends about who got married, who got divorced and who’s in the black cells of King's Landing Pennintary. The friends drank together until the bar closed in the early morning hours of the next day. 

“Hey, Alice…it was good to see you again,” Jaime smiled at her and waved with staggering steps as he made his way across the street to his apartment building.

Alice chuckled, she wasn’t nearly as drunk as Jaime and Jaime hadn’t been nearly as inebriated as Cat but thankfully, Cat’s fiancé Brandon came and picked her up from the bar. 

So Alice began her lone journey home at 1:12 in the morning. She knew it was 1:12 because she had just checked her phone to see if her mom had texted her but the only text she got that night was when her mom updated her that she closed the shop around 8 and they had one customer.

Alice passed only a block from the White Worm before she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, she looked to the footsteps, expecting to see another bar patron stumbling their way home as well but she saw no one, the street was void of life and eerily silent save for a lone black cat's paw pads echoing into the dark alley in had disappeared into.

Alice turned and began her walk again, now a bit quicker. She had only made it another block before she heard more footsteps. Alice whipped her head around to find no one yet again. Fumbling in her pockets, Alice found her mace and clutching it tightly, on the ready, in her hand. She began her walk home again now at a very fast walk, almost jog, with her heart beating now just a bit quicker.

Alice heard the footsteps again after a short time but this time she didn’t look around, she just broke into a full sprint. Thankfully, she hadn’t worn heels to meet her friends, just a pair of worn sneakers so she was able to cover a great deal of ground quickly. That was, until a huge figure stepped out from the corner of a building she was almost passing and grabbed Alice.

”No! Let me go!” She screamed but a hand covered her mouth and another around her waist, pulling her flush against her attacker. Alice thought quickly and bit down hard on the flesh of the hand until the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth and she heard deep yelling in her ear. The hand removed itself from Alice’s mouth and the other one holding her waist fell away. Alice dropped to the ground, quickly jumping up and beginning away before another set of arms reached around her and pulled her to the ground.

“Hel-“ Alice began to scream before a wet rag was forced over her face. Alice couldn’t breath in anything except that rag’s sweet smell and soon, the world turned into a blur.

"The boss wants to speak with her,” a gruff man explained to another.

Alice was vaguely familiar of hitting the cold ground with her forehead before the world went black.

When she awoke again, Alice was laying down in a cold room. Her head hurt greatly and when she raised it to look around, the world continued to spin. Alice winced as she held up her head, trying to get her bearings. 

“Hello Alice.” Alice looked to the voice and found the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. She had long dark hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She wore a tight, black leather skirt and white billowing blouse. Her red lipstick accentuated her deep green eyes. She leaned against the side of her desk in the lowlight of the room, like a cat playing with it’s food. “It’s nice to finally meet you, been a long time coming I suppose. For you, anyway.”

Alice sat up, trying to stand, she found her balance, but barely, on wobbly legs. She got purchase on a nearby table and used it for support, “Who are you? Where am I?”

The woman smiled at Alice pitifully, then walked to a chair behind the desk and sunk down gracefully, gesturing toward a brown leather chair across from the desk. “Sit.” Her voice was dangerously sweet but Alice understood it was a demand nevertheless. 

Alice slowly walked to the chair, unsure if nearing the woman was a smart decision or not but something about the woman made Alice feel comfortable and it was unnatural.

Alice sunk down into the leather bound chair, chair squeaking with the movements Alice’s jeans made in the taut leather. The woman waited patiently as Alice situated herself then once silence surrounded the room for what felt like ten seconds, “My name is Alys, Alys Rivers.” She reached her manicured hand across the desk in an awaiting handshake.

Alice slowly crept her hand up and took Alys Rivers hand. As soon as she grasped the cold, clammy hand lightly, Alys grasped Alice’s hand tight, nails biting into flesh and shook firmly before letting her go. Alice noticed red marks in her palms and wrist where Alys had grasped her. “So, you want to know where you are correct?” Alys Rivers sat back in her chair, smirking, manicured hands folding into eachother.

"Yes.” Alice replied weakly. She had the strength to fight, perhaps if it were a man she was facing, she would fight her kidnapper. But now, sitting across from a beautiful woman who gave off a comforting yet dangerous aura, Alice was so utterly confused. As if Alys had Alice in a trance of some sort.

Alys tutted, “You’re in my office.”

"I gathered that but-“

"Maybe you should be asking why, not where.”

Alice took a deep breath in, stilling her stubborn pride, “Why am I in your office… against my will?” She gritted the question through her teeth, making Alys laugh.

"It’s a privilege to meet with me, Alice. I can make your wildest dreams and wishes come true.” She threw her hands up in the air dramatically, smiling sarcastically, “Just like I did for your father,” her smiled faded, “but now it’s time for payment.” Alys Rivers leaned in, her stare was glaring, “Pay up or I’ll take an equivalent to the price.”

A chill ran through Alice’s spine, “I-I uh- I’m not sure what the debt is but the bakery-“

"I’m not talking about the fucking bakery, Alice. Your father owed me a debt and now, in his death, you’ve assumed his debts correct?” There was no more warmth or joking in her voice, it was unnerving how serious she had become; like a switch had been flipped.

Alice swallowed her bubbling fear and bile, "Yes.” She was afraid to speak in the event she threw up right here on the mahogany desk.

"Then you have a week to pay. I’ll give you that.” Alys leaned back again, still not smiling or breaking eye contact.

"What’s the price?”

"That's for you to figure out. Until then,” Alys waved a gesture to someone behind Alice. Strong hands were on her again. The sweet smelling wet rag was in her face. The world started going blurry again. “Goodbye, Alice Strong.”

Please follow fics-by-the-common-cowgirl and turn on notifications for updates on my works!

[erzatz3117]

Ok, I really need to try my hand at this

YOU: With a bright green flash, the antediluvian servers of Automattic memorised your newest piece of miscellaneous Total Decay illustration.

TRIVIA [Trivial: Success]: "Dahn Sinkewicz and Total Decay" is the book you've been writing, with inconsistent success, for the past 7 months.

TORTURED ARTIST [Easy: Success]: Do you think he could just *forget* about his upcoming nearly-finished magical-realist, new-sincerity, Columbo-meets-Boris-goddamn-Yeltsin detective masterpiece?

DECONSTRUCTION [Medium: Success]: Will it become less derivative if you add more compound adjectives? Also, I don't think "magical-realist" should be hyphenated.

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: Time is dripping from the ceiling, it's drops making monotone clicking sounds. No living soul has observed your art yet. Or, at least, did not feel anything at all in the process.

1. "What am I doing wrong? I checked all the boxes!"

2. [Delete your Tumblr account immediately.]

YOU: [Delete your Tumblr account immediately.]

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: You will not leave this place. You have one too many *mutuals*.

1. "What am I doing wrong? I checked all the boxes!"

YOU: What am I doing wrong? I checked all the boxes!

BOX-FITTING [Easy: Success] You even posted it at the correct *time window*!

TRIVIA [Medium: Failure] Don't fret, towarisch, this lack of activity is easily explained by... Sorry, I'll sit this one out.

DECONSTRUCTION [Hard: Success]: Maybe we could look at it from an artistic perspective?

TORTURED ARTIST: What are you implying? It's awesome! Atleast, it is certainly better than some *creations* you see on here occasionally...

EMPATHY [Trivial: Success] SHUT UP, FOR REAL. Do I need to refer you to the sign?

+5 XP gained from thought "Never Be Mean"

NERD-JOCK TRANSUBSTANTIATION [Legendary: Success]: You're obviously just not cut for this liberal arts nonsense, bratan! You have gym practice this Wednesday, remember? Your only goal is *the grind*, so show them you don't care about online recognition!

1. [Attempt to throw a tantrum.]

1. [Attempt to throw a tantrum.]

NODE COORDINATION [Impossible: Failure]: The neural pathway previously used for rapid mental mobilisation has dissipated under pressure from punitive education practices and liberal consumption of inhibitory neurotransmitters. I am sorry.

NERD-JOCK TRANSUBSTANTIATION [Hard: Success] Is that yarn-head trying to say that you can't *get angry* anymore?

HOMEOSTASIS: I'm clicking all the right buttons, yet nothing is happening. So yes, our capability for strong emotions has largely atrophied.

NERD-JOCK TRANSUBSTANTIATION [Impossible: Failure]: Wow, that... sucks, bratan. We will have to work around this in the future, I guess...

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: The obsidian obelisk shudders, emitting a familiar glow: a new notification from Tumblr.

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: Let's see: your mutual liked your post...

TORTURED ARTIST [Easy: Success] Where did I put my corkscrew?

DECONSTRUCTION [Medium: Success] I wouldn't be so optimistic.

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: It's a... *funny-haha* post you reblogged an hour ago.

EMPATHY [Hard: Failure]: It seems as if we are the only unpopular person here.

TRIVIA [Trivial: Success]: That is a mathematical impossibility.

1. [Try again to come up with a reasonable explanation for why the notes under your art never exceed single digits.]

2. "You know, this just makes me more convinced that social networks are an instrument of isolation, not connection." [Send the art to that one guy on Discord who seems to like it.]

2. "You know, this just makes me more convinced that social networks are an instrument of isolation, not connection." [Send the art to that one guy on Discord who seems to like it.]

DIGITAL SPECTRE OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND: It takes the man you only know from a vestigial meme server a couple seconds to look at the image you've sent to him. He finally answers...

DIGITAL SPECTRE OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND: "Hey, that is pretty nice! I am always blown away by the depth of your worldbuilding!"

MORALE HEALED +1

EMPATHY [Medium: Success]: Okay, at least this guy likes us.

DECONSTRUCTION [Easy: Success] This veritably shows that our art is not *bad*, so something else must be going on here.

NERD-JOCK TRANSUBSTANTIATION [Medium: Success]: Hey, this bro is *real*!

NOISE SUPPRESSION [Easy: Success]: Everything inside you feels lighter, *validated*, somehow.

1. [Excitedly jump out of your bed.]

2. [Output a highly memetic sound of deep satisfaction.]

1. [Excitedly jump out of your bed.]

EXPLOSIVE POWER [Formidable: Failure]: Your brain sends out a clear signal, but your sore muscles don't move a millimeter.

HOMEOSTASIS: Sorry, boss, not happening. We should've had more that one meal today if we wanted to perform entrance-level acrobatic tricks like that.

2. [Output a highly memetic sound of deep satisfaction.]

2. [Output a highly memetic sound of deep satisfaction.]

NOMINALIZATION [Trivial: Success]: I know a couple good ones, *bestie*. Would look really *-core* on your *moodboard*, or whatever.

YOU: "Yipee!", you say, "Wahoo!", you whimper.

UNDIAGNOSED MENTAL ILLNESS (AKA "THE TUTORIAL"): This feedback cycle has officially concluded. You must create more art to feel satisfaction again.

HOMEOSTASIS [Trivial: Success]: Can we go to sleep now? Tomorrow is gonna be hell by all margins...

BLACK MIRROR OF PRE-APOCALYPTIC POST-TRUTH: Hey, you can't go! You'll miss so much stuff you won't care about!

1. "You're right, my beloved obelisk!" [Keep scrolling for 4 more hours, completely ruining your following week.]

2. "Sorry, *siliconstie*, but I really need to go." [Finally go to sleep.]

2. "Sorry, *siliconstie*, but I really need to go." [Finally go to sleep.]

Thought gained: The Ovine Enumerator

[clearwerewolfsong]

Thoughts on Discovery Series Finale.

I stand by my characterization of Commander Rayner. What I see with how Callum characterized Rayner's relationship with Michael is desire and maybe something more on his side. It's not his fault he was playing 3D chess and went off on his own, while the writers set up Michael and Book to be space Bridgerton versions of Penelope and Colin Bridgerton, with the whole nine yards of: love at first sight, insta love, and happily ever after. Discovery season 3 and on was pretty much the Star Trek 3 act plot of a Rom Com. We got the meet cute, the "no way", the turning point, the "rising stakes" (but were they really? we all know there weren't really any stakes in their relationship. They were endgame from the second Michael and Book met. This is the Star Trek Rom Com and that's the way the writers were going to play it.) The "Really No Way", The second turning point, The "dark night of the soul", and then the Happily Ever After. Et voila. There you have it. The stereotypical Space Rom Com a la Romancing Mr Bridgerton, The Duke and I, and The Viscount Who Loved Me. Was I hoping for George RR Martin level of complicated love stories with morally ambiguous and a COMPLICATED Male Love Interest? The cynical, jaded writer in me was hoping for yes. we get what we get and what the writers think is cool. Which is Discovery Season 5. The proginators tech was super cool. Commander Rayner tapping into his Daemon Targaryen alter ego really did wonderful things and was personally the only redeeming part of the whole season. I will always be thankful for Callum Keith Rennie for being out there playing 3D chess and bridge while everyone else is playing go fish.

My hats off to you sir. you deserve to be in a show like House of the Dragon and go full on with morally ambiguous, gray, love interests who are pretty much Daemon Targaryen in the flesh. Don't mind me, I am going to be out here copy pasting Commander Rayner's ENTIRE CHARACTER AND BACKSTORY and giving him the story he deserves. Full on unhinged Daemon Targaryen and all.

Had to repost this because @eastsideofthemoon was triggered by one post I deleted. She blocked me and then unblocked me and decided to come onto my blog and pick a fight with me? But bright side i posted this to threads and tagged Callum Keith Rennie and he liked my post!!!!! Me and him are the only two people who liked my review singing his praises and I am so proud of that!

[atkesariart]

heyhey!! im atkesari and this is some of my art !

im new to this sorry in advance

a bit about me:

I love character design and fan art!! Even if I don’t know the fandoms, fan art is easily a favorite of mine!

I prefer to stray away from realism! Silly little guys are where it’s at!!!

Pen work and monochrome art pieces are my faaave but I love a bright colorful art piece

I am 22 years old and a huge fnaf nerd

Some of my fave games EVER are stardew valley, fnaf, animal crossing new horizons, unpacking, toontown, monster prom, cult of the lamb, and turnip boy commits tax evasion

MUSIC IS ALSO SUPER IMPORTANT TO ME my favorite musicians are Will Wood, Stufy, Jhariah, the taxpayers, superheaven, and Elliott smith

Im also.. a writer !

Ive tried making art accounts in the past but often delete them .. uh whoops

maybe perhaps consider sharing my artwork or following me to support me in my creative process making MORE silly little guys and maybe I’ll feel less weird about posting my art the more people see it

Which piece is your fave?? :]

[asgardian--angels]

I love your blog title. I love that when DJenks made his announcement this month, I went into the tags all morose and accepting defeat, and I saw you there still ready to fight, not giving up, ready for a marathon. Truly, that means SO much to me. A little bit of hope is a powerful thing to have, and we need people who are determined to keep that flame burning bright. So happy to have you in this fandom. You really do make a difference. 💕

Aw, thank you! I really appreciate it. And yeah, I'd almost forgotten about my blog title, which I've had for over a decade, and how hope really does embody me and everything I do.

The streaming landscape is in upheaval, things are changing by the week - even since our turbo-cancellation was announced, two other shows (cancelled for much longer) were saved. Like others have been saying, we were all mentally prepared for a marathon and realistically I don't think anyone can just call everything off after just two months when so many shows have to fight for years before getting a movie deal. I respect David - he told us that news so that we'd know that there's nothing more we can accomplish right now by shouting at streamers, and that we did make a difference. There WERE interested parties, we proved we were lucrative. But that does not mean the fight is over, it just means we need to change tactics and pivot to keeping the fandom active and vocal in the long-term, and bide our time until shifts in the industry open new doors for revisiting OFMD (like David Zaslav leaving, or Max going under, or another merger). That might be six months, or it might be six years. What I am certain of is that there's so much love and passion for this show from the cast and crew that everyone would be down to get the gang back together for a season 3 years down the road.

Basically, I have no doubts the fandom will persist - this fandom is composed of very enthusiastic and artistically talented people who have an unending well of inspiration to draw from. What I do think needs to be done though, that I'm seeing wane a bit on Twitter, is to ensure we direct that noise; most people have stopped using OFMD hashtags, which means our posts won't get noticed. Something that has been great is just how vehemently the fandom has gone after Max on pretty much every single promotional post they've made in the past few weeks - check any of them out, and you'll see 95-100% of the comments are OFMD fans using #DontStreamonMax and #FireDavidZaslav , plus the great new tagline 'Sell The Show, Let Us Go'. That is something that I feel is critical we keep up, as I think one of the most powerful means of influence we have right now is to hold this industry responsible for the cancellation of queer content and just quality content overall. That's one direction we can really put our might towards - toppling the WBD empire faster. Other things we can shout for are a physical release, 'The Jenkins Cut' of s2ep8, deleted scenes/bloopers, merchandise, etc. Max is being absolutely idiotic right now in a way that shoots themselves in the foot, because they're holding onto this IP that could have been their lifeline for keeping subscribers and stock prices up, and not only did they cancel it but they're not even maximizing on the rights they refuse to sell by promoting it or making merch of it, anything that could continue to bring in revenue for what they KNOW without a doubt is one of the best performing shows they've ever had on their platform. Them trying to forget OFMD exists is the nail in their own coffin, because it's the only reason a whole lot of people ever did business with Max in the first place.

So, the long and short of it is, I'll never stop having hope for the return of our show! David said we got the attention of this industry, and we've proven our worth. It's just a really unstable landscape right now, so we need to be patient. It's annoying to see these streamers invest in less successful and more expensive shows, but I think they're all panicking to stay afloat even though they're not making decisions that could help them there. The dust needs to settle. If we can show that there's still a loud and passionate fanbase in a year, in three years, then they will revisit us. We need to keep calling out WBD and Max, we need to keep using hashtags to be heard, and just try to settle into a rhythm that we can maintain long-term. We still have a bunch of BTS to see from Samba, and we will have WJW with David at some point. I think it's important that we DON'T request any season 3 info from him, because that's what jeopardizes the possibility of that storyline then ever getting made. I'm seeing some people on Twitter start to burn out or fall into a state of sad acceptance and if you need to do that for your health, that's fine. But I don't want that mindset to spread throughout the fandom. Our outlook, our words, do have the power to become reality - if we sit back and wave the white flag, then that seriously hurts our chances of ever getting the show back. But if we can carry on like it's just a season hiatus, continuing to demand the question 'ok so WHEN *taps watch*' then our insistence can help make season 3 a reality.

[artemistorm]

Hi :)

I notice your comments and tags in posts and you always have a very unique point of view, which makes me happy. You are original with your thoughts, which often feels impossible. Yet you are you, and you are good. I want you to know that I see you and feel joy

I think I saw you mentioned something about ghirahim in tags of a post in the past? Anyways if you feel like, I would want to hear (any) of your ideas/theories on Dink's sword- your thoughts are interesting and bright to think about

Keep being you

Wowee thank you! That means a lot coming from you: you're the one who came outta nowhere and jumped on the LU stage with all these great ideas and awesome analysis posts. I always get excited when I see you've made another analysis post--you're so clever! And yet you like hearing my thoughts? So cool!

Everyone always says "You see the world in such a unique and interesting way!" But I'm puzzled because I think I just see everything ultra-logically (and am continually surprised when other people don't naturally see things the same way I do). (It's the autism I know.) I'm mostly just rambling into the void and people like what I say for some reason.

Uhh that now deleted comment about Dink's cursed blade possibly being Girahim was a half-baked headcanon that came to me when I was doing research for my Master Sword analysis post series. I figured if Fi is the Master Sword and the blessed blade, maybe Girahim is Dink's cursed blade. That would be a really cool LoZ origins callback and light-vs.-darkness contrast to have in LU. But I haven't finished Skyward Sword and I don't actually know what happens to Girahim during/after the final boss battle (he probably ends up destroyed or something but no spoilers please) so it's probably stupid and impossible.

[daisybellejpeg]

Hello, Daisy. I have a few questions. They are related to the Dr. Bright debacle, so feel free to delete this if that makes you uncomfortable.

First of all, are you okay with people making posts linking to your testimony? I've made some posts containing the Google Doc titled "Skeletons in the Amulet", and if this makes you uncomfortable, I will delete them.

Second of all, there are people with DID that have fictives (alternate personalities that take the form of a fictional character) of Doctor Jack Bright. Many of these people are not comfortable with the use of Elias Shaw, and some have outright stated that Shaw is triggering. What would you suggest for these people in this situation?

Honestly feel free to ask me about adminbright anytime. This goes for anyone who has questions about my testimony or the situation in general. The bastard has me blocked on Facebook but I still have the logs— that and I’ve figured out that being extremely detailed with receipts makes it harder for bright apologist squealers to cry “Political Corectness” or “Buzzkill” without looking like they’re backing up a nonce lol. I’m not a stranger to giving testimony on trauma in general and am more than happy to put on a brave face if it means others can stay safe and informed.

Now onto the two parter:

1. Fuck. Yes. Say no more. It puts AB on edge to hell and back. Actually, Mx. Peters has gone on two Facebook tyrades regarding my testimony before nuking their Facebook to private. They have other victims even irl that they’ve met at faires n cons, I still keep in touch with one actually.

The more this gets out alongside the aht message and Cimm’s video, the more impact it might have in fandom spaces they frequent. As of now they’re banned from two events due to the mountain of evidence that’s now levied against them. More awareness=less future victims. Use my doc as many times as your little heart desires.

2. Imma be real with you chief I am not a licensed shrink nor do I have full knowledge of DID aside from having three really good friends who have it. Actually it worries me quite a bit that there’s bright fictives given the whole possession fetish aspect of the character and how it enticed the sicko who created him. Only advice I can give is that you are in mostly full control to curate your personal experience online. Make use of the tag system here, mute words on Twitter, the works if you’re really that bothered by Shaw.

(Edit to add given that it’s been brought to my attention that this part can be confused for me still talking about people with DID, I’m talking about fully neurotypical people who use the character) I have several people who still use bright despite the trove of info on how that can be potentially dangerous blocked on here. It’s so weird to flex stanning some 40 year olds possession fetish character that they used (along with their position of power) to actively predate on minors and young adults but go off I guess?

If anyone gives me shit about Shaw tho? I bite back. I won’t tolerate being heckled about taking steps to minimize and prevent further damage from my groomer in this community in an attempt to heal from the shit I went through with Peters.

I was taken advantage of as a child when I was 9, once again when I was 16, and finally by bright when I was 20. The latter will be the last time I let it slide. I made a promise to myself that I will protect not only the past victims, some of whom I’m friends with, but also young impressionable fans from this lowlife coomer and their undeserved legacy. I will cyber bully (in Minecraft) anyone who tries to slam me for it. I will be the ultimate buzzkill for any indignant bright stan and call them out for indirectly sheltering the legacy of a predator. I’m not the only person tired of the character either. Many people on the wiki are and will side eye you at best if you complain about the overdue action being taken regarding bright the character.

I hope this answers your ask! Feel free to ask any additional questions if there’s anything I missed.