#i can't y'all these writers were ON something when they cooked this

[mynonclicheblog]

you're leaving in two months, huh? guess that's kinda my notice, too. at least we have the rest of the summer.

[thecountesstribe]

HOTD Ep 2x7 Spoilers and review.

So this was one of my favorite episodes this season and also one of the coolest imo.

Seasmoke being protective of Addam and looking proud he terrorized Addam into being his rider was too funny. I love that dragon 😂. Come through Addam the Loyal, all Rhaenyra had to say was she's queen and he immediately acknowledged her and bent the knee, I loved that. He's really about to become my other favorite boy.

Corlys being shook and acting like he doesn't know Addam, like sir if you don't tell the truth already. He's never gonna beat the deadbeat allegations. Although when he told him “Well done” I did whoop a little. I would've kicked his ass had I been Addam though.

Oscar Tully! That's it. That's the fuckin post. He gagged Daemon and stood on business. I love to see young kids bullying arrogant adults, he reminded me of the OG lil boss Lyanna Mormont. That's my lil nephew now.

Daemon didn't take the crown. We saw him hallucinating again, this time with the sick version of Viserys and Viserys holding the crown which he didn't take. I mean anybody with a brain could summarize that he never wanted the crown, we didn't need to spend so much time in his delusions in Harrenhal to tell us that. We certainly didn't need a scene of him feasting on his mom to tell us that, yuck. For all his faults he really was about his family. He went about it the wrong way but that's Daemon for you. His stupid self destructive ass.

We had an unnecessary scene of Alicent running about the woods after leaving King's Landing. Chile anyways. Larys is totally protecting Aegon now and he's essentially crippled atp. I fear for Baela's storyline.

Rhaena is looking for Sheepstealer. Her and Jeyne are still tussling but they waited until the final 2 episodes to give her something, Baela had no lines besides looking pretty and staring at Jace. I fuckin hate it here. Could we bully HBO AND THE WRITERS SOME MORE. WTF!!

Vermithor and SilverWing looked so cool. What did that old bum feed Vermithor though? He's big asf. SilverWing just might be the coolest looking dragon. I can't rank them anymore cause I like them all 😭. Literally my favorite thing about the episode. Like the directors cooked. The dragons are funny asf 😂😭😭😭. There were a lot of parentage reveals, I don't believe for a second Saera sired that ugly man but anyways. RhaeRhae led those people to their deaths. Rhaenyra deadass gave this big ass pep talk, she reminded me of Erwin before he led the scouts out on what would be their suicide mission except she didn't stay to see the outcome or participate in it. Vermithor saw an opportunity for a buffet and took it, Hugh claimed him. Fuckin cinema. Still gonna hate his bitchass but I can't lie that was badass. SilverWing was bullying Ulf. Why do people I hate always win sometimes?! Ulf literally failed upwards. Can't be mad at it. I mean if I was a dragon I would've done the same shit. How dare mediocre specimens come before me who is essentially the next best thing after the Gods!

We got Rhaenyra speaking High Valyrian. She had her dragon squad quit on her though and gave her a warning (foreshadowing). Her also being able to calm Vermithor, that's the Dragon Queen of her era y'all. We saw a little movement with her and her protective spoiled cat Syrax too 😍.

Not people hating on Jace now. Listen that argument has been brewing since season 1. He just finally let it out of his brooding body. I don't think many people understand the implications that argument meant. He sounded classist and maybe he was, highly doubt he is but he's being realistic and in the future he was proven right (unless they scrap the book canon). Rhaenyra paralleled Viserys in that entire scene. She really is her father's child in some ways. She did to Jace what Viserys essentially did to her. The one thing that could've upheld his ascension to the throne was him having a dragon and she essentially gave a free pass to anybody to do the same, the same thing was done to Rhaenyra when Viserys decided to marry Alicent and sire more children when he knew damn well that if he had a son, her claim to the throne would've been compromised. Jace knows he's a “bastard”, a legitimate one but a “bastard” ntl (I'm not calling him a bastard in a derogatory sense either, he isn't. Laenor claimed them as his sons and that's the end of it to me) , it shouldn't matter considering the throne is not passing from his father's side but his mother's. Sure his last name would've changed the minute he was named heir and ascended as stated by Viserys but what weight does that hold now? They briefly touched on it when he spoke to Baela about his fathers but he had always been insecure about his parentage. No he didn't call his mother a whore, he's been fighting that battle all his life, she just made it worse. In the dire situation they're in, the sacrifice had to be made but I could understand why he's angry and hurt over it again. She literally just made him illegitimate in the eyes of the realm. His anger is valid. Was his tone harsh yes, try dealing with the whispers and the jeers and everything else for the past 16 years of your entire life and seeing the same proof of what everybody else sees everyday and tell me that you wouldn't hold some kind of resentment towards it. I liked how Rhaenyra was patient with him though, just wished it wasn't as rushed as the scene felt.

The last shot of the episode was fuckin brilliant. Aemond turning his bitchass around knowing he can't handle that kinda pressure. Also Vhagar and Aemond's bond may not be as strong as it should be. She clearly does not listen to him sometimes. He's still responsible for Lucerys death IDC what y'all got to say. The episode got a 4/5 stars from me just for the dragons. I'm here for Jace, Baela, Addam and the Dragons!

Until next week guys for the finale. We're going to see Tessarion and Sheepstealer next week. I'm so excited.

[realcube]

YOU GOT: HAJIME IWAIZUMI

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ matchup for @4unnyr0se

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ if you would like a matchup, read this!

'her love language is gift giving and physical touch'

𓆩♡𓆪 iwaizumi is very much a physical touch + acts of service typa guy

𓆩♡𓆪 but he does appreciate receiving gifts because he doesn't get them often

𓆩♡𓆪 and he finds it impressive and endearing how well you know him / how much you care

𓆩♡𓆪 like if he mentions his favourite hoodie has a whole in it and you get him a new one.. he is just like.. dumbfounded

𓆩♡𓆪 so confused as to why you would do that for him but so silently appreciative at the same time

𓆩♡𓆪 although he does (playfully yet sternly) tell you off for spending money

𓆩♡𓆪 he's not extremely traditional or anything like that but he does think he should be the one spending you

𓆩♡𓆪 (but inside his cold , frozen heart starts to melt whenever you buy him literally anything)

𓆩♡𓆪 (and i mean ANYTHING. it could literally be one of those cheap ass chocolates that you get from the convenience store and he'll secretly cherish it)

𓆩♡𓆪 (metaphorical tears streaming down his face as he eats it)

𓆩♡𓆪 he's just a big ol softy sap in disguise tbh

𓆩♡𓆪 oh and whenever you get him something he NEEDS to outdo you by a tenfold

𓆩♡𓆪 like if you buy him a cheap little chocolate bar, next time you see him he will have got you one of those luxury chocolate selection boxes

𓆩♡𓆪 y'know the kind made for rich ppl birthdays

𓆩♡𓆪 LITERALLY THIS LMAOOO

𓆩♡𓆪 he's too much

𓆩♡𓆪 so yeah his love lanaguage isn't gift giving but he will BECOME gift giver in response to you

𓆩♡𓆪 as for gifts that don't cost anything (like a spiky rock you found that reminded him of you) he will pretend to be non chalant about it like 'thanks' then put it in his hoodie pocket

𓆩♡𓆪 but secretly whenever he is bored at work, he'll take it out of his pocket and jyst start admiring it

𓆩♡𓆪 or when he's on the train home

𓆩♡𓆪 SO cheesy but he can't help it 😓

𓆩♡𓆪 he likes physical touch too, that somewhat comes naturally to him

𓆩♡𓆪 he's not a 'hold your hand as you walk down the street' typa guy

𓆩♡𓆪 but rather a 'wrap his arms around your waist from behind while you are doing your makeup in the mirror/cooking' typa guy

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

'her ideal first date would probably be ordering takeout and watching a movie or two in pajamas'

𓆩♡𓆪 iwaizumi in pyjama bottoms 😫

𓆩♡𓆪 he would so enjoy this though

𓆩♡𓆪 even for an athletic trainer i think he'd enjoy the occasional takeout

𓆩♡𓆪 just him with him arm around your shoulder the whole night

𓆩♡𓆪 THE CUDDLING AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR FOOD HSFGSFU

𓆩♡𓆪 but omg this next hc also relates to the thing you said about 'but don’t piss her off or else she’ll make you wish you were never born'

𓆩♡𓆪 bc imagine if like there was a mix-up with your takeout order ; like either they sent you the wrong thing, or you guys didn't receive your order at all

𓆩♡𓆪 omg y'all would be the most unhinged duo about it 🤭

𓆩♡𓆪 since iwa is known to have a bit of an attitude and temper on him too, y'all perfectly match each other's energy when you call up this poor takeaway trying to start beef

𓆩♡𓆪 well okay they might initially call being very mild and calm to the best of their ability like 'hi, we are just calling to check on our order and what's happened with it bc it hasn't arrived yet?' nothing crazy YET bc vesper and iwa know it might be an innocent mistake or maybe the takeaway is just hella busy

𓆩♡𓆪 who knows!

𓆩♡𓆪 BUT god forbid the person on the phone takes an attitude with y'all or is generally unhelpful

𓆩♡𓆪 the savagery that would commence after that is unreal bc y'all do not play about your food lmao

𓆩♡𓆪 you and iwaizumi will storm down to that takeaway yourselves and throw hands !

𓆩♡𓆪 (couple bonding excersises lol)

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

'she’s a writer, an artist, and she loves to cook'

𓆩♡𓆪 okay iwaizumi does not know the first thing about art or literature so you're gonna have to teach him a lil smth if you want him to understand lol

𓆩♡𓆪 BUT i do hc that he'd be a decent cook

𓆩♡𓆪 so y'all could cook together , all sorts of meals

𓆩♡𓆪 and try new recipes !!

𓆩♡𓆪 some more rage inducing than others haha

𓆩♡𓆪 but i could imagine iwa getting invited to some potluc style event (probably with smth to do with oikawa or his other work clients)

𓆩♡𓆪 where everyone needs to bring their own dish (and ofc you're his plus one duh)

𓆩♡𓆪 and even if it's not a competition, he will MAKE IT ONE

𓆩♡𓆪 he has gordon ramsay type energy in that kitchen the way he is bossing you around

𓆩♡𓆪 'the meat is still RAW and flavourless!!!'

𓆩♡𓆪 but vesper doesn't take any of his shit and screams at him right back lol

𓆩♡𓆪 'don't come for me when your coleslaw tastes like ASS'

𓆩♡𓆪 but overall it's all in good fun and ofc they end up bringing the tastiest dish to the function, what else?

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

for @4unnyr0se: i thought maybeee tsukishima but i think the ideal date fits iwa more. also ik i fluctuate between 2nd n 3rd person 😣 pls excuse that

[marvelandponder]

15Qs and 15As!

Thanks for the tag, Marvel, this sounds fun! Tagging: @smallcrystals, @digikate813, @eddiescorner, and @bevinbrand if she feels like it :) Don't dox yourself on the 'where were you born' question tho, y'all. We're better than that. Are you named after anyone? Two people! My Uncle Stephen and my Nana (maternal grandmother). My brother was named after my dad's high school best friends

When was the last time you cried? I think the last time was a couple weeks ago watching anime. I love a good cry, I've embraced that that's how I express a lot of emotions

Do you have kids? Nope! I'd like to someday, but all in due time.

What sports do you play/have you played? I'm not a team sports kind of girl anymore, but I played soccer as a kid and really enjoyed that.

Do you use sarcasm? Usually only obvious sarcasm. Bevin and I will often use excessively obvious sarcasm with each other to express love. A little linguistic game we play with each other. We never enjoy spending hours and hours on the phone together. So unlike us! Where would you get that idea?

What is the first thing you notice about people? First thing? I feel like my anxiety is charge of that: looking out for how friendly they seem, what they laugh at (if they do), how approachable they might be. I had pretty bad social anxiety disorder from like 14 - 22ish and human beings tend to do the social thing once or twice.

What is your eye color? Hazel! Looks brown but up close you can see there's a lot of green around my pupils, too.

Scary movies or happy endings? My media diet is heavily skewed towards happy endings but every now and then, nothing satisfies like a good tragedy.

Any talents? People know I like the writing thing! I'm also learning to draw now and picking up guitar again for the first time since before uni!

Where were you born? A hospital about... 30 - 40 minutes away from me? I don't live in that city anymore, and haven't since I was 3, but we stayed in the same general province!

Don't dox yourself, folks!

What are your hobbies? Writing, drawing, guitar, going for bike rides or walks. Geeking out by myself or with friends! I'm also starting to learn some German and pick up a few more cooking skills.

Do you have any pets? Nah, wish I did. My living situation doesn't allow for it. But my dad has a dog who I love so much and get to visit! And my sister has two cats who used to live with us that are excellent cuddlers.

How tall are you? Uhhhhh I think 5'11? To use ancient Tumblr Lingo: Tol, not smol

Favorite subject in school? In Elementary - Middle School, it was English, because reading and writing. In high school, Psychology, Legal Studies, Guitars, History, or Writer's Craft

Dream job? Cool question, I'mma over-complicate it! For my career, it's either one of two things: Creative and/or helping people. Add another axis onto that: Stability vs. freedom. I like stability. It helps me feel happy and builds self-esteem to build stuff up. So since most of the creative jobs I'd be down to try have a lack of stability (and often crappy working conditions), I decided to start with stability and helping people! My current job is actually the goal I set for myself to get into in 5 - 10 years. So. Whoops! Got in early! I can't stay beyond this year (covering a mat leave) but wow has it been good experience. And it's cool shit that I like to think supports people in building something good for themselves.

Not a ton of creativity though, and so what's cool about life is that the time horizon isn't just right now, forever. The job I'm in now is a dream job of mine based on the criteria I set out (stable, treats me right, and helps people), but I have other dream jobs I'd like to also try out!

For example: I'd like to become a published author! And I'd also like to learn storyboarding to maybe try being a storyboards artist someday, or some job in animation.

What I like about the job I have now, too, is that I still have enough energy in and around my job to have a life outside of it. So I can build the creative skills that'll lead to cool stuff and opportunities down the line.

Having multiple dream jobs I think is realistic. And just kinda fun to not only achieve one thing, but look forward to what else I can do!

[catrasredemption-moved]

Fanfic Etiquette Sunday

Oh man okay, let's rock and roll y'all.

So my friend got... well, this ask, and answered it honestly.

tl;dr the question: Just say you don't want unsolicited criticism, you're asking for it if you post in a public forum tl;dr the answer: lol that's not how this works tl;dr the replies: Your viewpoint is toxic and you need a thicker skin and to grow up and just accept it, you're driving readers away

Okay. Okay. Let's start with

"just say you don't want unsolicited criticism, you're asking for it if you post in an open forum"-

No, posting in an open forum does not automatically mean I want criticism. This isn't a Creative Writing class, it's the Internet, where we share things with each other because we want to, not because we have to. Do you also criticize every meme? Every cute animal pictures? Do I need to start putting a disclaimer on my shitposts that I don't want feedback on whether or not they're cracky enough?

Fanfiction. Is. A. Hobby. People aren't out here sharing their work for free just to hear about all the ways you don't like it. If I think something I've written needs criticism, I'm going to ask the people close to me, who I trust to be honest with their opinions, how I can fix it. I am not going to trust randomusername69420 who thinks I've written the entire story wrong and presents their own version of it and says I should write that instead. And yes, I've gotten that before. I've had readers "challenge" me to write something I have no interest in. News flash, y'all aren't my writing teachers. I'm here to write, not to be graded on my work.

If you're someone who likes unsolicited crit? Cool, go crazy, you do you, boo. But I promise there are more creators out there who don't want it than those who do. Especially first time writers who are still trying to find their style. It's demoralizing. Which leads into the next point:

"You need a thicker skin"

I personally am made of stone. I actively participated in the Tumblr Superwholock saga. I've been to k**l myself for daring to enjoy something someone else doesn't. There's (almost) nothing you can say that would actively piss me off or offend me.

However. Being made of stone doesn't mean I can't recognize and acknowledge when someone is being rude. And you know what? It's valid for people to be upset when they work hard on something only to hear: "Well, here are eight things you could have done better."

I've been told before that I've "missed opportunities" in my stories. To me, that's vaguely annoying at best. I wrote the story I wanted to write. There's no such thing as "missed opportunities" - that's an idea you can take and write it.

But a new writer hearing something like that? It could be absolutely devastating. Here are they are trying to share something the world, only to be told they could have done it better. That can absolutely kill creativity. Which leads into the next point...

you're driving readers away

And you're driving writers away. I know people who just straight up abandoned their stories because of unsolicited criticism. They don't want it, they didn't need it, and they shouldn't have to say "Hey maybe don't crap all over this thing I've spent days or weeks working on."

Imagine if you spent all day cooking a big family meal, and when everyone tried it all they said was, "Well the chicken was dry, the potatoes weren't mashed enough, the green beans were kind of limp and soggy." Did you ask for that criticism by presenting your meal to an open forum (the family table)? Should you have said, "Hey maybe be nice and don't insult every little thing you see wrong with this"? You're not a professional chef, you already know that, and so does your family. Are you going to cook for them again knowing that's their attitude toward you? Personally, I wouldn't. They can make their own damn meals if they're so good at it. I'll just keep cooking for me.

And finally...

"Your viewpoint is toxic."

No, it's setting boundaries. It's saying, "I put a lot of energy into this thing I've written (or maybe I wrote it in five minutes, who knows), and I kind of just want people to be nice to me because validation is cool." And validation is cool! Everybody needs it. Everybody thrives on it. There's nothing wrong with that. Imagine going through your entire life without anyone ever saying one good thing about you, just pointing out all the things you did wrong. Your chicken is too dry, your parallel parking is a bit crooked, your line art is shaky, you missed a spot when you were cleaning the kitchen counter, you missed an opportunity while writing your story. That's exhausting. Nobody wants to live like that. Maybe instead of assuming criticism is the default response, you should look at the person and go "I don't know their life, maybe they just need some kindness."

And if you really don't like something someone's written? Go write it yourself. Fanfiction is a free market, there's absolutely nothing stopping you from writing and sharing your own stories. You're not helping anything by offering criticism to someone who doesn't want it and could potentially be put off by it.

[stormyoceans]

To the previous ask about jimmy and sea characters from the mv:

There should be a reason why jimmy's chars stays at home most the time and the reason is Trauma ofc vcthnkb maybe he had a big fight with his parents and since than he lives alone. Maybe his past lovers were unkind to him (i imagine it like he doesn't know what love is but he dated different people just to not be alone (maybe his previous roommates? He moved from place to place himself for a while until he found this house from mv. Maybe he always said yes when people asked him because he's so alone. Puenification of Jimmy's mv character jdndndjd)) and at the end they always figured out that he doesn't love them romantically and there always were scandals. He was so done with relationship he made pact with himself to not date roommates in this house and boom Sea appears. But before he realises he wants to date him: i imagine jimmy's character as straightforward and honest (not the type of person who would pine, he would just confess) and in a lot of cases people think he's rude when he doesn't have intentions to be rude (do you understand what I mean?). (Sea likes it) But this is only in cases when he KNOWS JFBFJJH he just doesn't know he's in love for some time. And Sea well... He has his fair share of bad dating experience. Maybe he's overtaker! And his different partners all said to him (in one form or another)that he takes too much space in their lives and cares too much. He decided to just stay by jimmy's side because he thought the intensity of his feelings would scare him. They will help each other to change?

I think jimmy's character doesn't like to do house chores and cook (even though he stays at home most of the times). He can do it but he doesn't like it. He can cook only simple dishes just to eat something. Sea at the other hand is hardworking and he's from a family when he needed to take care of himself from the young age and he learned to like it, especially to cook. So when he has time he makes Jimmu different delicious dishes and their joint lunches and dinners are a whole interesting ritual for both of them (this is the only case when jimmy likes to do chores).

Once Sea returns home and sees his bestie laying on the floor, legs shown back against the wall, a pen in his mouth and a sketch of a person with his face lies nearby. He sighs and smiles and asks about it and Jimmy answers that he's his inspiration and this is for new book and demands to take him on a journey this weekend, when Sea's free, because he needs to write beach scene but he can't.

Once Sea takes him to the shop too and Jimmy helps here and finds that he like to take care of plants (and doesn't particularly likes to talk to clients). And this is how they are, always find to spend time with each other and to do something interesting together.

100k, friends to lovers, cohabitation, hurt/comfort and more pink cotton, plants and water (I firstly wanted to add benefits in the mix but i think I'll die bxrchjnk)

Y'ALL CANNOT DO THIS TO ME IM ALREADY ONE POST AWAY FROM GETTING INVOLUNTARY COMMITED ON A DAILY BASIS I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO START GOING RABID OVER THE CHARACTERS OF A 5 MINUTES MUSIC VIDEO THAT WE'RE NEVER GONNA SEE AGAIN THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM CURRENTLY IN MY ROOM SAYS IT'S NOT GOOD FOR ME

...........BUT ALSO GRUMPY RECLUSIVE WRITER JIMMY WITH A TOO BIG OF AN IMAGINATION AND DOWN TO EARTH SUNSHINE FLORIST SEA IS MAKING ME FROTH AT THE MOUTH CLAW AT THE WALLS BITE MY OWN ARM OFF IT'S SO DELICIOUS!!!!!! IS IT PERHAPS A BIT TOO CLICHÉ???? MAYBE. DO I CARE?????? NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!

LIKE HEAR ME OUT. i love the idea of jimmy's character having had a big fight with his family and that being the reason why he lives alone: maybe his parents are both prestigious doctors and since jimmy is an only child they wanted him to follow in their footsteps and become a doctor too (see what i did here??? okay, that's not funny), but jimmy always wanted to be a writer and during one of their many fights his dad ended up destroying or deleting the draft of the very first novel jimmy was writing, which ended in jimmy running away from home and never coming back. after that he went from place to place, from job to job, from relationship to relationship, but they were all just temporary things, he knew they wouldn't lasts forever, until finally he managed to publish his first novel and it immediately became a huge success, and with the money he made he decided to settle down somewhere. after looking at many places, he saw the house in the mv and for some reason it spoke to him and decided that he had to live there, but to buy the house he ends up spending all the money he has and now he has to find a housemate to share the expenses with, at least until he's gonna write his next book

after a series of terrible housemates - some of which were just lousy, others that he ended up hooking up with but all ended badly like you said - he meets sea's character, and as i mentioned in the previous post it takes them a while to get closer, but then they quickly become best friends. i LOVE the idea of jimmy being very blunt and direct, saying everything he thinks, and sea being the first person to not take offense but actually liking how straightforward jimmy is, just like i love jimmy not being a great cook and never particularly caring about eating well or doing chores until sea came along and suddenly jimmy's looking forward to sharing meals with him and washing the dishes together afterwards

DON'T EVEN LET ME START ON SEA SUDDENLY BECOMING JIMMY'S INSPIRATION FOR HIS BOOK BECAUSE IT MAKES ME WANT TO GO DROWN INTO THE NEAREST RIVER. jimmy having these big scenarios coming to life in his head as he writes and the main character slowly morphing into sea, which sometimes can be dangerous because he ends up daydreaming so much that fantasy sea would be doing something while the real sea is just looking at him like 'you with me?' and it brings jimmy back to reality. another thing jimmy ends up incorporating into his book because of sea is the language of flowers: the day sea brings him along to the flower shop, sea spend the entire time teaching him how to repot and take care of all the different plants and telling him about their meaning (speaking of which, i wish i could recognize the small flowers jimmy smells in the mv)

and since at this point it’s tradition to have namtan in all jimmysea series, let’s say the flower shop belongs to her and that as soon as she sees them together she knows what’s going on: she immediately understands that sea is in love with jimmy, but she knows that because he’s only ever had a couple of serious relationships that ended with him being dumped for ‘taking it too seriously’, he has a hard time actually trusting someone with his feelings again, and jimmy clearly likes sea back but he doesn’t seem to have realize it yet

also the first time jimmy and sea fight is because jimmy finds out that sea’s dream is to become a film director, but that he wasn’t able to pursue it because of his family, and jimmy thinks it was a situation similar to his own, when the truth is that sea’s mom is pretty ill and can barely work, so as soon as he finished high school he started working to help her out and give his little sister the opportunities he couldn’t have. jimmy of course doesn’t know all of this at first, so he ends up saying some hurtful things that make sea lash back at him, but in the end they can’t stay angry at each other for long: they apologize and talk and idk where im going with this exactly, but maybe in the end jimmy is gonna teach sea that it’s okay to put yourself first and dream a little bigger, and sea is gonna teach jimmy that there’s beauty to be found in the real world too

NOW IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME I NEED TO GO KILL MYSELF FR

[hanrinz]

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌

⚘ includes — dabi, hawks & shigaraki (the holy trinity lmao)

⚘ content warning — fluff and more fluff

notes: writer's block is such a bitch and i'm trying to write a fic but the words aren't just wording itself so i settled for this :') this is very short lol. not proofread

₊˚✩ 𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐈

oh you think he's good at getting groceries?well, you're wrong. he is that type of guy that would buy groceries and get all the types of brand, because he doesn't remember which kind you like, yeah he's that guy. please accompany him while going to the mall :((

maybe he does remember some of the things you buy for yourself, chocolate of your favorite brand? he bought at least 5 of those. oh, you ran out of chips you like so much? yeah, he bought a stock that could last months — not because he cares or anything, he just remembers, definitely.

yeah, right. remembers what kind of pads you use and remembers which kind of drink you like to drink. mhm, he just sort of remembers. had a fight with one of the costumers once or maybe twice for trying to steal from him the last product on the shelf. how dare that person get the last brand of food you like? (yeah! how dare they) mf had the audacity to act like a tsundere, when he loves you so much ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡

you scolded him for buying so much, well atleast he got the meat the right kind, but the next time you buy groceries with him you had to teach him which ones were the brands you use.

₊˚✩ 𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊𝐒

the first time you tasked him to buy groceries was a disaster, but no worries. it doesn't affect his card for a little bit and besides you didn't really specify in the list which kind of groceries you like. probably bought a lot of things y'all didn't need.

he bought a matching apron once because he thinks it was cute and he really likes cooking with you<33 (even if all he does is stir the pot and cut vegetables), but please wear the matching apron.

probably got so immersed in shopping and took him hours there, he just wants to buy you everything that reminds him of you, it's not like he was lost in their or anything. it's just that his fans were surrounding him and asking for pictures and autographs — he loves them really, but sometimes he wishes that he could just go out like any normal person.

please join him in shopping for groceries and hug him, kiss him, be by his side just to show people that this time he was yours and he can't be bothered with his alone time with his s/o

so, the next one you accompany him he was looking at all the products you buy. taking note of how you always get the milk at the back instead of the front. telling him that it would last longer than the ones in the front. also how you would avoid the ones who are not on sale, mans is loaded please use the money /hj

y'all got complimented by the cashier of how much of a cute couple you are, the lady speaks the truth. the both of you decided that grocery errands are for the weekends, taking the time of the day to just do these menial tasks. but, hey at least he got to spend time with you !

₊˚✩ 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐊𝐈

never have gone to groceries with you, if you beg enough and maybe bribe him, he would. he's beside you all the time, in his hoodie, hands inside the pockets. would wander on his own sometimes if he sees something he likes.

would glare at people who look at your way too long, suddenly he's glad he came with you. if you were being ogled at the mall this frequently he will be coming to the store with you as much as he can.

(he can't have a random npc looking at his beautiful s/o, like they think they can actually have you?)

oh, the store has an eraserhead merch? oh no, you don't see him getting it. who do you think he is? some fanboy? please-

you saw the eraserhead keychain hanging on his gaming computer.

he didn't actually buy it, kurogiri did.

you would buy groceries for the league too, can't have your dear villain boyfriend and his villain friends die because of hunger, that would be embarrassing. but anyways after y'all buy groceries you would stop by the game store, browsing for a new game to play with. would kiss your cheeks as a thank you<33

[minilpark]

Hi! Do you have any hcs for Hangman's backstory?

now..i've been waiting for this question for a hot minute! i have lots of thoughts on how my version of the pilots were brought up and if anyone has read some of my other hcs, you can see them there, but not in full depth- anyways here are some thoughts i have for jake!

i fully believe this man is from texas and his family lives on a small ranch (where in texas specifically is up to y'all because idk texas like that)

i also believe that his family was lower middle class to middle class so they had some money to spare at times, but most of the times it was a bit rough

unlike some other top gun maverick writers, i believe jake's father was a naval aviator and someone jake did look up to. however, there were many times his father was not present both physically and emotionally for him. and yet, i don't think this hindered jake's amazement with who he is as a person and everything about his father's experiences in the navy

despite this, he is still definitely a momma's boy. being the oldest son, he felt the need to step up and help his mother around the house/ranch more and with taking care of his other siblings.

speaking of siblings, i like to think he has an older sister (37), then he's the second oldest (32), a younger sister (20), and a younger brother (18).

anyways going back to his role in the household, he and his older sister definitely picked up the chores when their mom was busy at work, tired, etc. which is how he learned how to cook, clean, do laundry, sew, the basics

and he's damn good at it

being in a family with multiple siblings, and especially that of a military family, there are expectations to be set and at times it can feel like a competition to receive love and affection from either parent. this is why i think. jake behaves the way he does now. he sets high expectations for himself and strives to be the best so his family is proud of him. this is why he has such a big ego and is not that much of a team player- because he can't rely on others to do their work up to his level (am i projecting a bit on to jake's character? maybe but it feels fitting)

concerning school, i think he excelled in most subjects and if he had to pick a favourite, he'd choose science

he was definitely one of the popular kids, but he wasn't an asshole unlike a lot of them

i also imagine he was a school athlete, he probably did wrestling and baseball

when the time came for him to decide what he wanted to do after graduation, he thought of going to college and being the first male in his family to do so, but that dream was lowkey squashed at how expensive schooling was and especially because his mom was already trying to help his older sister get through college herself

and when he heard that he could get free education from the naval recruiters visiting his school, he figured that was a good route to go

if his dad can do it, he definitely had the genes right?

and so he signed up

when he was finally able to use his navy benefits (while on active duty), he decided to get a bachelors in political science

he eventually became a naval aviator because he was attracted to the thought of flying, it seemed so freeing (which is something he definitely needed after spending most of his life "tied down" in a way) and he remembered the stories his dad used to tell that intrigued him so much and the rest is history

if you'd like to know more niche thoughts i have about jake, then let me know, but this is an outline of what i think jake's backstory is generally!

[garrettandoscargirlsblog]

Baking With Triple Frontier Mothers

Summary: For my @writer-wednesday entry wanted to do a heartwarming story. Featuring the boys’ moms.Getting together ,and have fun. Laughing, drinking,and chatting about their sons. This time the daughters join the party. Hope Yall enjoy!!

Diane Miller in the kitchen getting ready to do something she loves to do. Baking. Not alone. Baking with the other mothers on the Delta force. All of them met during basic training ceremonies. Forged a bond that won't break. They chat all a lot through the years. Until a few months ago when Frankie's mom moved to the same town as Santiago's mom. Which is closer to Diane's farm. Thought it would be fun for them to hang out.  Try out new recipes.  Talk about stuff. Mostly about their sons. Even daughters. 

Andie Garcia comes inside her mom's home. Heard some singing in Spanish.  Typical Maria. Always on the go. Never sit down.  Tell her kids when you get older. If you sit down long enough.  You die earlier than you are supposed to. Andie cleared her throat, " See you are happy this morning.  Baking flour? Oats? Hmmm.. are you going to see diane? Don't mind if I tag along. I know I know it's for mothers only.  Thought it would be nice to be around you all." Maria looks into her baby's eyes. Looks like her brother when he is sad. She has been going through a nasty relationship.  I Don't want to be alone . Maria hugs her tightly, " Sure I know the others won't mind. More the merrier I say." 

Grace Morales pulls up to the dirt road of the farmhouse.  Looking around to see how peaceful it looks. Thinking about how lucky to live in the country versus the city. Her thoughts were interrupted  by the sounds of a young woman's voice. Benny's twin sister Cindy Grace.  Goes over to help to unload the car," let me help with those. Can't wait to taste what yall gonna make." Looking at the young woman as she goes up the porch stairs," since when we allow young people to the party? Is there something I don't know about? " Cindy smiles," thought it would be nice to be around y'all today. Since Andie is going through some stuff.  In her case.  I don't want to be alone either." 

Maria enters the kitchen to see it's already a mess. Flour and other stuff on the counters. Mixers and other products as well. Diane offers her friend some sun tea," I know you might need this . Before we hit the wine.  Also other drink options for the daughters.  " Taking her drink. Sitting on the stool," Woman after my own heart. So.. anymore young women coming? " Diane chuckles, " That's all. I think?" Until the youngest Morales child comes in," Surprise mama! " Danny , the baby of the group arrived with stuff she knows her mom needs. 

Lastly, the Garcia women show up.  Lots of stuff for baking. Followed by food for after. Andie sighs thinking about how much she needs to hear Benny's voice right now. Her knight in shining armor.  Saved her from her ordeal. Sadly today no men are around.  So.. she calls him . Telling him she arrived safely. He knew that she was still scared. That they will meet up later on. Cindy sess her friend.  Goes over to her," come on honey. Time to get our hands into some dough,and then we can eat." 

House was full of laughter and music. Also smells of herbs and cheeses fill the air. While the bread was baking. All of the women head over to the living room with photos of their boys. Laughing about a story about William and Benny being hit with flour . Cindy spits up her drink," Ma! We were making some bread for a cooking class for school.  Benny wasn't paying attention.  Like always. Will just happened to walk into the room at the wrong time.  " Diane laughs," Right! Till yall have to clean up the mess. Reason why all of them can't be in my kitchen.  That's my domain." Maria laughs about her memory of her son doing that too. Andie beats her mom to the punch," Santiago loved to bake. His brothers still don't know that.  Other than Frankie.  He would visit from time to time.  One day. Tango wanted to try a new bread recipe.  Something out of his league. Frankie came in unannounced of course.  Taps him on the shoulder.  Caused him to hit his friend with the bread batter! Which resulted in a fight. Which I witnessed. Helped them clean up before mama came home." Laughter filled the air till Danny smiles at a memory she has in her head. Till the time goes off. Saved by the bell. The mothers got up to check on their bread. More where that comes from.  

The young ladies had time to chat. More importantly to help Andie through her ordeal.She reveals that she might be falling for Benny.  Afraid to tell her brother about that. Each of them tells her to go with her gut. 

Meanwhile the mothers look at the scene in the living room.  Made them smile. Thinking this arrangement should include them too. Good bonding for them. Next time bring stuff to go with the bread. 

Smell of the bread draws the daughters to the kitchen.  Reached for different things for the bread from apple butter to pepper jelly. More tales were shared till they heard the sounds of male voices. Loud ,and deep. One in particular made Andie smile. Benny. She goes over to him. Holding him tightly.  Santiago sees this exchange. Thinking nothing about it since she has been through so much. Boys eagerly reached for the bread. Not before their mothers smacked  their hands. Telling them to wash their hands.  

After the get together slowly comes to an end. Mothers hugging one another.  Not before looking at the site of their children . Thinking about how lucky they are . Old saying goes.  Food brings families and friends together.

[thedashingcaptainweird]

OC Interview: Orion Augustus

Thank you @dumbassentity for the tag!

(I’m not sure I’m doing this right—- I just used the same questions you used?)

(Everyone should try this with their Captain or other OC!)

Introduction

Can you introduce yourself?

Captain Orion Augustus of the Unreliable, at your service

What is your gender identity, orientation and relationship status?

I’m a pan-romantic demi-sexual man, emphasis on the romantic… I get crushes all the time.

In terms of relationships: I’m proudly attached at the hip to Max DeSoto, and wanna shout it from the rooftops.

Where and when were you born?

April 11, 2244, on Earth

What is your weapon of choice and fighting style?

None. And… none? I prefer to convince my opponent that they aren’t particularly interested in fighting me at all. And if that fails? I’m one hell of a jogger.

Lastly, are you happy?

You’d think that was a simple question, haha. Let’s say yes. At the moment.

Family and Friends

What’s your family like? What is your relationship with them?

My mother left when I was young. I never really tried to find her. It doesn’t matter now, she’s long dead. Unless people somehow started living far past 100 years on Earth. Who knows. I was close with my father before he died. It was complicated I guess. He wasn’t… I don’t know. We were close I suppose. Anyway that's boring. Let's hit the next one, shall we?

Have you ever run away from home?

As a kid? No. I got into trouble in plenty of other ways.

I guess boarding the Hope could be counted as running away from home as an adult. But Earth didn’t really feel like my home anymore anyway.

Would you consider marriage or having children?

No to children. Not really interested in that at all, but if some kid who was really into tossball and anarchy maybe needed to join a crew to like, I dunno, get away from a dead end job moving boxes on a space station? Hypothetically? That’s another story.

As for marriage… I may be a romantic at heart, but I don’t need anything that traditional. Some kind of celebration with, you know, flowers and music and twinkle lights and all our friends… that would be nice. Doesn’t have to be called marriage.

Do you secretly hate one of your friends?

My friends? No.

But I do make some assholes believe that I’m their friend before I take them for all they’re worth. Don’t worry about it unless you’re filthy rich and treat people “below you” like garbage.

Which friend knows everything about you?

Max probably knows as much as I do. But that’s not saying much. Half the time I’m confused about the inner workings of my own stupid brain. I tell Max more than I tell anyone else.

Asked by Fans

Are you literate? Have you been to school?

Finished high school. Didn’t see much point in paying for anything beyond that. I read a lot, mostly romance paperbacks, and I’m writing my own. I'm a pretty good writer, if I do say so myself. And I do. Say so myself.

The eeriest prediction you made that later came true?

I dunno about eerie. I’ll brag, be honest, and say that I can read people pretty well and give you odds on what they’ll do next. I'm usually right.

What is something you were embarrassingly late to realize?

That I was in love with the preacher.

Do you have mental health or physical issues?

I mean I’m a mess, my friend. There’s the obvious: I’m blind in one eye. Other than that. Mental health? Yeah. Again. A mess.

What is your current main goal?

I don’t really have one. Give love, receive love? Is that too corny? Too bad.

Choices

Drink or food?

Food. Gimme a bag of those cystybits and I'm good. Also, I am an amazing cook. I can work miracles with the weird shit y'all have to eat in this starsystem.

Cats or dogs?

Cats. I’m fucking terrified of dogs. I didn’t used to be. I guess I’m scared of what passes for a dog around here.

Optimist or pessimist?

A joyful pessimist.

Sassy or sarcastic?

Sassy. And it's a damn shame I can't think of a cuter way to say that.

Have You Ever

Been caught sneaking out?

Nope! I don’t get caught.

Broken a bone?

Well, I didn’t break them. Someone broke them for me without my permission.

Received flowers?

Yes! I’ve had some lovers who share my sense of romance. Max surprised me with some the other day. I have a feeling Parvati suggested it, but it was sweet just the same.

Ghosted someone?

No

Pretended to laugh at a joke you didn’t get?

I kinda feel like I'm doing that right now, ha ha

[ghost-chance]

Snippet: When your characters say everything while saying nothing

When you're a young writer, you tend to think you have equal skill in all scenes. Action, fluff, humor, introspection, filler, you name it, you either rock it or suck at it depending on your confidence level. When you've spent time honing your craft, however, you start to realize your strengths and weaknesses.

I...absolutely suck at writing action scenes. Smut scenes, I feel, are hit-or-miss, and sometimes scenes with a lot of dialogue from several people and little action leave me near tears with frustration. As far as I can see, my strengths lie in scenes of romantic pining, scenes of comedic absurdity, and scenes like this one...that is, scenes with lots of introspection, nonverbal language, and revealing behavior. In hopes of finding a comparable scene from my early writing for comparison, I've gone back through my "DAMN that's old" folder. ...no, seriously, I have a folder entitled "DAMN that's old" where I stash all the horribly embarrassing crap I wrote when I was a teenager. It's traumatizing. I didn't find a single 'introspective conversation' scene that didn't involve a pairing enduring a 'traumatizing misunderstanding,' and that says something but I'd rather not share what.

Anywho. Because I'm so frickin' happy with how this scene turned out, I wanted to share it with y'all. It's not perfect - they never are - and I know there are people who write better than I do, but it makes me happy to have reached this level. ...especially when I started from the level of "Chi-Chi is a villain, Goku is a perfect hero, Piccolo is actually a real charmer, and no one is ever allowed to disagree with characters I like or they get smushed." (...teenagers. Y'all think I'm jokin'? I ain't jokin.')

Without further yammering, I give you a scene from The Demon King and the Half-Breed Hermit, "Is This Living, or Just Existence?" Herein, Chi-Chi lets her hair down and says lots of helpful stuff, Aubergine is perplexed by spices and behaves like a pouty cat, and they both talk around the Namekian elephant (not) in the room.

________________________________________

The walk to Chi-Chi's home passed in a silence midway between comfortable and awkward, and before they knew it, the matron was stowing her groceries in their places. Aubergine sat slumped in her chair, brooding and fiddling with a small shaker jar from the revolving rack in the middle of the table. Recognizing the speckled contents, she pried the lid open, sniffed at the contents, and sneezed; her eyes and sinuses burned in protest as she jammed it closed and shoved it back on the rack. Yes, she identified it correctly.

"So how's Piccolo settling in?" At the resulting silence, Chi-Chi turned to find Aubergine scowling like she just chewed five lemons in a row, rind and all, without even stopping to breathe. "That good, huh?" Chi-Chi teased.

Aubergine shot Chi-Chi a deadpan glower then exchanged the speckled powder for a jar full of tiny oblong seeds. As if it explained everything, she grunted, "he's not dead yet." These seeds didn't burn her nose like the sneeze-powder; instead, they had a rather unpleasant smell akin to rank body odor and sweaty cunt. Nose scrunching at the stink, Aubrey shoved the jar to the other side of the table and snatched up a tall shaker full of tiny white crystals with a much sweeter scent. Over by the table, Chi-Chi gave a knowing smile as the half-breed examined her spices like they were from an alien planet. ...then again, they probably were alien to Saiyans. "How one person can require so many of these...things?" Aubergine muttered as she surveyed the multitude of tiny jars and shakers on the Lazy-Susan. "What's the point?"

"Spices?" Chi-Chi asked, and upon receiving a blank stare, added, "they make food taste good. As for the number, different dishes require different spices—you can't cook everything with the same ingredients." Aubrey stilled, eyes wide and locked on the three jars she investigated before. That...was a concerning reaction. "What brought you here anyway?" If Chi-Chi didn't know any better, she would say the half-breed was embarrassed.

"He quit complaining," Aubrey mumbled. "He used to whine I was poisoning him...now he just…" She glared down at the jar of sweaty-cunt-seeds and poked it a little further away from her as if she could smell it through the glass. "I thought…" She fell silent, cleared her throat, then collected the other two bottles and shoved them toward the other jar. "Fish. Worse than usual."

Chi-Chi was used to getting only half the picture from her half-Saiyan sister-in-law, but this had to set a record. Those three spices were never used in the same dish; then again, this was Aubergine, and Aubergine was quite possibly the worst cook in all the realms. "Correct me if I'm wrong," Chi-Chi asked, "but are you saying you cooked fish…with black pepper, cumin, and sugar…?" The half-breed glanced at the jars, read the fading labels, and gave a wary nod; Chi-Chi felt her breakfast threaten reappearance. "No wonder, then," she tutted around bile. "Cumin and pepper can be used on fish but generally not together, and you never use sugar on seafood."

"This is stupid." …and so began Aubrey's usual response to statements regarding food as anything beyond life-preserving sustenance. After so many years of hearing the same thing over and over again, Chi-Chi easily tuned out the increasingly loud rant and gathered a few more appropriate seasonings for fish. "Food don't have to taste good!" Aubergine spat without regard as Chi-chi carefully measured out portions into a jar, capped it, then shook it to mix the contents. "Food's only here so we don't starve to death, anything more is—" Finally, she went silent. Of course, taking Chi-Chi's frying pan to the skull would shut anyone up.

"There's more to life than just existing," Chi-Chi scolded as Aubergine rubbed the already swelling lump on her skull and growled under her breath. "There's more to life than just survival. We were put on this Earth to thrive, not just not die."

"We were put on this Earth because dumbass wouldn't let me kill that rotten blue midget from the start." ...Aubrey tried to kill Pilaf when Goku was a child? That was new information. This time Aubrey ducked the frying pan.

"Missing the point as always," Chi-Chi huffed. "I swear, you're so much like my Goku. Aubergine, when your life is over, you'll have an eternity to look back on what you did. If all you have to look back on is not dying, then what was the point?" Aubergine went silent, glaring at the wall beside her as if she blamed it for everything that ever went wrong in her life. It didn't escape Chi-Chi that said wall stood between her kitchen and the clearing where Goku grew up on Old Earth. Not for the first time, Chi-Chi wondered what Aubergine's life was like in those early years to have molded the half-breed into the distant, bristly woman she was now.

"Life...was enough..." The admission was quiet—half-muffled in Aubrey's mostly flat chest and aimed into the polished tabletop and the arms crossed atop it—but to the human matron, it had the same impact as a battle cry. "Stay out of danger," the half-Saiyan muttered as though reciting some sort of task list. "Find and maintain shelter, locate reliable sustenance, protect Kakarot…"

...wait for me to come for you. I promise I will come for you!

Bardock may have been a visionary, but an honest Saiyan, he was not. He never came for them… Fulfilling her mission was enough…until said brother ran off with a blue-haired witch to seek adventure and left Aubergine behind. Sure, she caught up after a while and tagged along for a few misadventures—living alone in the wilds got boring, after all—but at the end of the day, she failed to accomplish the most important of these tasks. She could not protect Goku. One hand strayed up to brush her bangs out of her dead eye. She couldn't even protect herself. "What changed?"

"Perhaps...it never really was enough." Chi-Chi's smile held no judgment, and her voice, no censure. "Perhaps you're only just realizing it now." Perhaps… Aubergine turned again to the window, her eyes trained on the distant misty peak of Mt. Paozu. After so many years of feeling stuck in place, maybe it was time to change. "I've offered before and the offer stands: I'll help you if you'll let me." For the first time, the offer was answered with a long silence instead of a grunt, growl, bitter retort, or evasive remark; this alone was proof in Chi-Chi's mind that the other woman was finally considering accepting her help.

"A year ago, none of this…" Aubergine fell silent; again, she was driven to brush her fringe away from her blind eye though it wasn't impairing her sight. That nervous tic would be the death of her someday. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Nothing mattered. It still shouldn't."

Chi-Chi faltered. She recognized where this topic was leading, as clearly as she knew how Aubergine must have reacted to Piccolo's unanticipated resurrection. Chi-Chi smoothed the skirt of her long dress and seated herself at the table. The rest of the groceries could wait a bit longer.

"The first time I...lost Goku…" I lost Goku. Even after so many times of saying those words, her throat still caught around them; even after how many times Goku died before he called it quits, the very mention still triggered an emotional echo of the day Krillin brought her the news. Her son, taken – her husband, dead – her husband's savage sister, in league with the demon who kidnapped Gohan – and perhaps worst of all, more alien assailants were on their way. "Well, I was a mess," Chi-Chi finished mildly.

The past is in the past—let it lie there in peace.

"Every time I lost Goku, I felt sure it was my fault for not being strong enough to keep him. Every time he came back, I tried harder than before to make him stay…and every time, I lost him again anyway…the last time, for good. He refused to be revived." Even now, the words made her eyes burn and her throat clench, so it was a comfort when Aubergine broke the tense silence.

"He was an idiot like that." Aubergine’s dry remark earned a weak chuckle. "But how does staying dead solve anything when there's no threat?" It was an abnormally long sentence from a normally brief speaker. "People still needed him—they depend on him, and he turned his back on them!" Chi-Chi hazarded a glance at her company; Aubergine was off in another world, her pained eyes (or eye?) trained somewhere far beyond the grain of the wooden tabletop. "Didn't he know? Didn't it matter?" Chi-Chi's wrinkle-framed lips tilted into a sly smile.

"He knew there were such people, I'm sure," she answered. "I have a feeling he didn't understand what it would put you through." Aubergine gave a faint nod, eyes distant and distracted, then startled as she realized the subject change. Both women knew they were no longer talking about Goku; neither was ready to admit it, either. The half-Saiyan's cheeks darkened in embarrassment, but the effect was lessened by the venomous glare aimed out the window. "You never told him, did you?" Chi-Chi pressed.

"Why bother?" Aubergine muttered. "He knew what he was doing. He had to know I'd—" She fell short, vividly remembering the crippling pain in her chest from the day the Earth was destroyed—the fracturing of a heart timed to the shattering of a planet. From the first wince to the final shuddering heartbeat, she felt Piccolo die, and it was a feeling she would never forget…or forgive. Her instincts were wrong; she should never have marked him. She should never have let her homesickness and memories of her father's bite-scarred neck sway her without knowing what would happen.

A soft hand lit on Aubergine's work-roughened knuckles without warning. "People can be foolish when they are in love." Chi-Chi never acknowledged Aubergine's cringe or nervous shifting; it was funny how lack of childhood socialization gave Goku no respect for personal boundaries and his sister, need for excessive personal space. "Goku's choice came from a desire to protect us from those determined to harm him. When he made that decision I swore I would never forgive him for it." She released Aubergine's hand with a calming pat; all the while, she visualized the half-breed as an agitated cat whose shaggy fur slowly flattened when the threat retreated. "I swore I hated him and I'd be happier without having to worry about him."

It took a little longer than expected but Aubergine took the bait. "And…do you?"

Chi-Chi gave a cryptic smile. "What do you think?" Aubergine took a moment to study her – from the gray in her otherwise neat hair to the fine lines creasing her skin – then turned away with a snort.

"I think you need a hobby." ...and they were back to sarcasm. Strangers might believe they could experience the entirety of Aubergine's range of emotion in three turns – anger, sarcasm, and brooding – but Chi-Chi was well-versed in the intricacies of Saiyan behavior by now. Aubergine was half-Saiyan; it was only natural for her to be uncomfortable when others saw her in vulnerable moments. Then again, there was another side to her that was in constant conflict with her Saiyan side.

"You're so much like my Goku," Chi-Chi said again, but this time, she spoke softly and wore a slightly pitying smile. "...and yet...you're so very different. One half of you struggles with emotion and believes that bonds make you weak...the other half cannot accept it and won't stand idly when others are in peril...even people who have been less than kind to you."

Aubergine didn't have to think about who Chi-Chi was referring to. She would never forget how Vegeta choked her to a blackout after she healed a nasty concussion or the terrified look on the bald monk's face anytime she came near him. Those people didn't really matter, though. The people who mattered...well, one of them never gave up trying to make amends, and even now, Aubergine heard the apology in her voice. "Don't matter." Even as she denied it, she remembered all the hateful accusations Chi-Chi repeatedly slung before the Cell Games claimed her husband. Chi-Chi went from treating her like a plague and a villain to defeated and pleading, and so quickly, the half-Saiyan's head spun.

The past is in the past—let it lie there in peace.

"It does matter," Chi-Chi insisted, "it means you have a choice in how to live your life, and that's more than many of us get!" Aubergine's eyes—or was it eye, Chi-Chi wondered yet again?—snapped to Chi-Chi's in an open warning, and the tip of an over-long fang peeked out under a snarling lip. Chi-Chi wasn't intimidated anymore; if the hermit meant her harm, she would have let the wildcat eat Chi-Chi instead of fighting it off. "You can keep following your Saiyan side." Chi-Chi crossed her arms. "You can let your anger and hurt push Piccolo away and keep being miserable. Or—" She uncrossed her arms, and settled one hand on her hip and held the other up as if estimating the weight of a melon at market, or trying to make a child see sense. "—you can give your other half a chance for once. You could protect him the way you always protected my Goku and rebuild the bridges you both burned! You have a choice!"

Aubergine spent so long glaring out the window in silence that Chi-Chi began to wonder if she pushed too hard. Then… "I…" Chi-Chi held her breath. Aubergine wilted in the old wooden chair like a fern in the desert sun. "I don't know jack about bridges…I just know how to take a beating." If the widow didn't know any better, she would say Aubergine was whining.

"You also know how to heal." Aubergine shot Chi-Chi a wary side-eye glance. "Healing a relationship isn't unlike healing a wound but it takes time…it has to be done gradually, carefully. You can't just wave your chi around and expect things to be right again." Chi-Chi paused, waiting for any sort of response from the other woman – a woman she now considered almost a sister – but none came. Then, Aubergine's volatile expression softened, her eyes turned back to the window, and her shoulders lowered. Chi-Chi thought it over for a moment then came to the decision the risk was worth it.

"I'll help you if you'll let me." Aubergine's eyes – yes, Chi-Chi was going to stick with the plural despite the hermit's half-blindness – darted back to hers from the window. They held no threat, just discomfort. "It's the least I could do," Chi-Chi added to encourage her, "after how many years I spent trying to keep you away from Goku, and him from you. You deserved to be a part of his family and his life," she added with a sigh. "It's not your fault I saw you as a threat."

Any other sister might have been waiting for years to get such an apology from her brother's wife...but Aubergine was nothing if not unusual. "It's…" Aubergine fell silent, then seemed to work herself up to another uncharacteristically long sentence. "If Kak—Son—wanted to see me, he knew where I was; if I wanted to see him, I knew where he was. You were never really a threat."

"Then why…?" Chi-Chi couldn't wrap her head around it.

Aubergine cringed and even harder than her usual cringes. "I…" She fell short, licked her dry lips, and gave a strange sort of shrug. "I don't like...people…" She spat the word like an obscenity. "I was supposed to enjoy Son's company because we're related?" The confused grimace on Aubergine's face was even better than her lemon-sucking scowl earlier. "He was loud...and annoying...and stupid." She shook her head, defeated. "Pretending I hated his guts kept him out of my hair. Was easier." It was far from the whole truth, but it was enough.

That was Chi-Chi's husband the hermit was badmouthing, but Chi-Chi knew Goku's flaws enough to chuckle about them; from the day they met to his final death Goku was loud and annoying, and Gohan definitely got his brains from Chi-Chi. Wrinkle-lined lips pulled into a smile, she shook her head. "Now it makes sense."

A look passed between the two women, unacknowledged but no less true...the look of a widow mourning her lost husband and a sister missing her lost brother, commiserating in silence.

____________________________________________

Oh, by the way? Aubergine is what happened when I told myself I needed to start writing characters "who could communicate clearly and effectively like grown-ass adults." Yep. I wrote an emotionally constipated ball of feelings who hates talking and averages five words per sentence when she's not bitching. Success, I should say...not. Sigh. Better luck next time.

[lavenderhazelover]

Quarantine

POV: the world is experiencing its first pandemic in your lifetime, even your parents and grandparents lifetime. Your country is now taking the necessary precautions. Social distancing is in full force. You decide to be quarantined with your favorite boy. (sorry y'all, I had to do it) 

Jake:

- Jake is very supportive during this whole time of uncertainty. he takes the time to watch videos with you, discuss all your worries, and educate yourselves on what is actually happening. 

- he helps you manage your work from home and doesn’t complain when you use this time to reorganize the house and is willing to help in any way.

-during down time you find yourself staring at him as he does what loves most, play music. 

-”would you like me to teach you?” he offers and your face lights up. “of course Jake, but no promises on how good of a student I'll be.” 

-Jake is the most patient teacher and being able to learn from him about something he is so passionate about is an honor. 

- at the end of the lesson, you take his hand and kiss his fingers, “I am so lucky to have you as a teacher.” Jake smirks and says “just promise not to take my spot in the band.”

- you let out a laugh that echos through the house and say “I am no where near as talented or good looking.”

Josh:

- Josh runs into the bedroom, slightly sweaty, and spits out “where are the suitcases?” so quickly it sounds as if he there's no space in between the words. “guest room closet.... and uh why?” you question him. “the country is closing and we are going to the cabin!” he says with a smile on his face spread from ear to ear

- “I'm not saying I'm not interested, because I am, but is this our smartest choice?” you ask. 

- “you and your worries! y/n, we are more of a help to society by isolating ourselves in the woods for a few weeks. your classes are online and your job is off for the seeable future. let’s just go. we’ll stop by the store on the way.” he gives you a reassuring shoulder rub as he says this. 

- you had never been more thankful for Josh’s small but fierce stature as he navigated the war zone that was the grocery store

- then it was windows down, John Denver up, and an open road. 2 hours later you pulled into your home away from home

-the days were spent mostly outside, whether it was hiking, laying in a hammock, or just exploring

-when you weren't outside, you spent time reading or working on puzzles while Josh was writing. 

-each day as the sun reflected off his brown eyes, you were left in awe of how this beautiful human being continued to choose you every day. 

Danny:

- in preparation, his first thought is to help others. He volunteers to buy groceries and necessities for the elderly couple next door to you. 

- he then plans a trip to the store to make sure you both have what you need for the next two+ weeks, within in reason of course. 

- after coming home and unpacking, Danny decides it’s best to have a schedule for the days to come. He says “it will keep some sense of normality if we have a schedule and make sure we don’t go stir crazy.”

- the schedule is full of walks around the block, puzzles, jam sessions (for him, you just watch in awe), FaceTime dates with Sam, cooking meals together, movie time, a homemade putt-putt course in the backyard, and watching game shows together. you can't help but swoon when seeing the pride on Danny’s face when he answers the jeopardy questions correctly

- your favorite part of Danny is the way he honors your alone time. He knows it’s healthy for each of you to have some “me time” even while under the same roof. 

- “y/n, I think we make a great quaran-team” Danny states. you turn around to see the biggest grin on his face and bust out with laughter. “you are so cheesy, but I agree. I could stay here with you forever.” 

-”then stay.” he says so matter of factly. 

Sam:

- in true Samuel fashion, he is treating this as one extended slumber party. He has purchased your favorite snacks, face masks, rom-coms, and alcohol.  

- “sam, is this just a girls stay-cation or what?” you say as you pull the face masks out of the bag. “y/n, men need a good skin care routine too.” he says. “plus, our stay-cation is saving lives” he adds with a wink. 

- games are also a must. from board games to video games, you and Sam love a lil competition. the look of pure satisfaction on Sam’s face when he wins in Mario Kart makes up for your loss. 

- most of the days are spent laughing, being goofy, and sending Danny the funniest “quarantine updates” videos that usually result in an eye roll from him. 

- the only time you and sam quarrel is when it comes to what songs to choose for the living room dance party, disco ball and all. 

-he even includes “date night” and has you dress up. when you walk into the dining room there are candles on the table, a home cooked meal, and Sam wearing a suit. 

-”even during a worldwide pandemic you know how to make a girl feel special” you say. “y/n, I was hoping you would wear that dress so I can get you out of it later” Sam says with that undeniable charm. 

creators note: LMAO I AM WILDIN. once again, I am an illiterate fool. I tried my best to proofread, but we all know that does not go well for me. I tried my best here and thought it would be a fun distraction for us all. but for the record, it has to be said again, I am not a writer nor do I claim to be. this is just something fun for me. 

[woo-sustainability]

I'm FROM the United States and you are absolutely right.

Several months ago, I did an entire rant into my phone about how the sustainability movement at large seems to direct its efforts to middle- and upper-middle class people. I found it infuriating that people in lower-income brackets were ignored completely. Nobody I have ever known replaced their wardrobe every season. Maybe you bought a new fashionable item, but so many of the people in my life have been trying to make ends meet just to buy food.

The rant was started because of a magazine I had purchased that was supposed to be about sustainability. The minute I opened it, I saw so. Many. Red flags and it made me so upset that I had to throw it away without finishing it. (I usually keep my magazines for... no discernable reason, I realize now.) The writer was a White, married, stay-at-home mom living in Hawaii, who made her money writing travel pieces. So all her "advice" about saving money and resources by canning, repairing your clothes, line-drying your laundry, making your own *jelly* - These are all things I have done, because my mom is on disability and learned how to do all this as a kid, and I've helped. It is time consuming. You need certain equipment just to start, not to mention the know-how.

The assumption that people have the time, money, and know-how to do a lot of the stuff that I see people recommending is mind-boggling, and an argument could be made to call it classist and/or ableist. (Not an argument I'm going to make atm, because it's not something I feel well-equipped to do.) Like - y'all are out here assuming people are buying wash rags? Most of the rags in my house were bought by my grandmother before I was even born. Assuming they can even FIND bamboo products, let alone buy them, or go on a picnic in the first place? I live in a pretty well-off area for my neck of the woods, and I seldom see ANYTHING made of bamboo. I haven't been on a picnic since elementary school, and you couldn't pay half my classmates to spend time outside. You're sending your kids to school with water bottles? In my high school, most people didn't have ANYTHING to drink most of the day, and getting people to drink water was like proposing they shove needles in their feet. And I already addressed "replacing your wardrobe" - I knew so many people wearing hand-me-downs, stuff from Goodwill, or the only thing new or expensive on them was their shoes. (Still a culture thing I don't understand - I would never buy 200 dollar shoes no matter who's name was on them. It's a shoe. It keeps your feet dry. But I digress.)

In order to line-dry your clothes, you either need a.) a backyard where you can do that, and a climate suitable for that more often than not, b.) a balcony or fire escape on an apartment, or c.) a set-up inside your apartment. Even if it's just a strong line tacked onto the wall. That is time, that is energy, that is money. When using a clothes dryer is included in a utilities bill, or a few quarters in a laundromat. You throw it in, you go about your business. In order to can your own food, you either need a.) A pressure cooker, or b.) A very large pot on the stove. Not to mention a cook book, a crap ton of jars, lids, and bands, the difference between a water bath and a pressure bath, storage space, what you can can versus what you can't, the time to do it, and the ability to stand over that hot stove while you're doing it. (My mom uses a water bath, I have no idea what a pressure bath would look like.) There's a reason why canned goods are sold and no longer made at home, and it's not just for capitalist reasons. I'm willing to bet the Women's Liberation movement played a part, but I'm not certain. Reusable water bottles need to be cleaned pretty often. Repairing your clothes, you either need a.) A sewing machine, or b.) A needle and thread, and more! Knowing how to thread the needle, different stitches, a decent pair of scissors - hell, I know the basics and I STILL mess up a lot!

So often sustainability advice is given with no regard for anybody who doesn't look like the person giving that advice. Grow your own food? Lucky you, living in a nice climate with the space to grow something. Lucky you, living in a place where you can see anything green that isn't zoysia grass. Lucky you, being food secure enough that if your crop goes bad, you won't starve. It sets my teeth on edge.

I could go on all day, and have, but I think I've already taken up enough space on your dash.

Is it just me or are a lot of eco friendly alternatives I see especially from usamericans online things some of us have been doing since… always?

„You can reuse old shirts as cleaning rags!“ yeah??? We have an entire drawer full of them??

„Instead of paper plates, use reusable plastic/bamboo plates for picnics!“ you use PAPER plates?? For a picnic???

„Give your kids reusable bottles for their lunch to school“ that seems so obvious to me my entire class had reusable ones??

„Stop replacing your wardrobe every season!“ I‘ve literally never done this. I still wear clothes from when I was in high school bc they still fit and look fine.

[rndyounghowze]

Triple Threat Workshop Goes Down Home with Bright Star at the Landis Theatre in Vineland, NJ

By Ricky and Dana Young-Howze

Very rarely do I see a show that's as crisp as a summer apple and as cool as clear spring water but I got it last night with Bright Star at the Landis Theatre. This musical with music, book and story by banjo legend Steve Martin and Edie Brickell was directed by John T. Stephan and Caitlin Geisser and really is a must see.

Follow a country ballad based on heartbreak and woe as you hear the story of April Lindley, a magazine editor in the 40's who is serious and makes writers shake in their boots. But then one day a new writer comes across her desk and she just can't place why he intrigues her. What follows is her journey through the past to weave a story of love, loss, betrayal, and reunion. Bring your tissues because if you haven't had a good cry in a while you're about due for an appointment with this tear jerker.

So when the lights come up you see a bare stage with actors surrounding the stage adorned with a desolate set and props. You can even see the bare walls of the stage in the back. The desolate staging is just as desolate as the play. I don't know how to say it better but it looks like a dramatic grenade went off in the beginning and everyone on there is just human shrapnel.

Now they say too many cooks spoil the soup but direction by Caitlin Geisser and John T. Stephen seem to have a synergy going with this one. They also say that a director that casts themself in a play has just been cast by an idiot director but I actually enjoyed Geisser's performance. Stephan's choreography is always on pointe but I feel like the ambitious staging got in the way of the choreography with scenes getting too crowded to make the picture "print" in my head. Dana was begging for just one moment of emptiness on stage and I agree that a the loss of about six ensemble members in emotionally gripping scenes would not have been horrible.

We're only being tougher on them because we love them and they always give a polished and professional performance. They are always so close to perfect it kills me. All in all they crafted a show together that really...what's the word...soothed me. I've seen too many shows with big orchestras, huge special effects, and the works. This was like a glass of cool water.

Okay a few notes from this show that only a Southern boy from TN can give. Please imagine me saying this in my former southern accent. Thank you for not including a live orchestra. I'm a banjo snob and would have been critiquing clawhammer technique more than the show. The cast made a valiant attempt at a southern accent and while it did "drop" me into the setting of the show I would have forgiven them for dropping it sometimes in order to sing clearly. Also I've been all over North Carolina and never met a snazzier group of people or cleaner set. It needs more dirt and soot to make it authentic. Y'all wuz purtier den the purtiest peach that ever wuz grown.

Okay there were so many good actors in this show I had to add an extra to each of my categories!

April Lindley (played by Alice Murphy) had the hardest job. She had to carry the plot in two different time periods and be effectively two different people in each time period while still letting the audience know they were the same person.

It was hard to find anything to say about Jimmy Ray Dobbs (played by Andrew Jarema) because I've seen him many times before and he always delivers a solid performance. I was desperately trying not to say something like "he's good but that's Andrew for you" but we'll there I said it. A great performance from a great actor and he does look a little bit like Rich Curcio's son so now I'll never be able to get that out of my head.

Billy Cane (played by Dakota Mullins) seemed a bit stiff at first and I didn't know if it was opening night energy or a character choice. By the time he had gotten to the Southern Journal he had loosened up a bit and I could really get into his performance.

I have one thing to say about Margo Crawford (played by Alexa St. Clair) and that is more stage time please! She was so funny and clean in her performance. I couldn't ask for more from a Broadway Starlet!

Like I said I had three supporting standouts. There were just so many to choose from.

Darryl Ames (played by Dylan Glick) made me guffaw so much! I never saw a character more happy to be the bearer of bad news and Glick delivers it in style.

Dana had to actually point out that the dry speaking buttoned up assistant to the mayor was actually one of our favorites Jason Smith. I honestly couldn't recognize him and his acting was so good I still swear it wasn't him. Kudos Jason for blending in so well...if it was really you.

Shannon Sheridan who played Momma Murphy was really a favorite of Dana's. She had such a quick and smooth delivery and I could tell that she had some serious acting chops.

And of course here are my background shoutouts.

Whenever I'm watching a play in Cumberland County I kinda just look around and see what John Rattacasa is doing. He's kind of like a lucky charm in actor form. And then there's nothing like catching him belting in the moment. He really brings the noise!

A big shout-out to my favorite twins Amanda Ellis and Julianna Giordano! Glad to see them cutting a rug in style!

I have to give a nod to music direction by Shannon Sheridan for getting our cast to deliver one rip snorter of a time. Makes me wish I had my banjo or a set of spoons handy to scrub one off with them like we were on Grandpa's back porch.

Also costume design by Sheridan was right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. I could have wished for a little dirt or fatiguing on stuff that was supposed to be dirty but that's just me being picky.

I swear that set design by Martin Geisser recreated the skeletal clapboard ruins you see all over the trainline from DC to Winston-Salem. I was a little worried when I saw the main rolling set piece wobble as it was moved. It may not look good sometimes but extra bracing for the safety of the actors can never be skimped on. Otherwise this was one of the greater sets I've seen.

There was a lot of intricate sound in this show so sound design by Stephen Seserko was really appreciated. The best sound design is the one you notice without noticing and I think he hovered really closely to that mark. Good job!

Well I'm kinda tired of saying that John Rattacasa is the best wig and makeup man in New Jersey. I'm tired of saying it but it doesn't look like he's going to stop anytime soon. So I still have to. If there's a set of Rattacasa locks on those heads they're the best in South Jersey.

All in all this little show was a delight to my old southern ears. And what I love about a Cumberland County show is that they keep everything just as down home as this play. When I get here there's always someone to hug me and Dana's neck and if they held an ice cream social out back after every show I wouldn't be surprised. When Dana and I are in Cumberland we feel like we're amongst family but that family is giving you a killer professional show that rivals Philly or the rest of Jersey. That's just the Cumberland way. This show runs twice more. Get on out there and meet your new family!