#i definitely look forward to doing this myself :3c

[goodsmellerart]

GOODSMELLER'S PONYTOBER BINGO CHALLENGE 🎊🎃✨

25 prompts for the month of October! complete them in any order, as many as you want- just post your marked bingo card when you're done!!!

this is an art challenge with the intention to be lighthearted and low obligation! all ranges of art and commitment are welcome :)

the official tag is #ponytoberbingo2024 (i'd love to see everyone's contributions!!!) but feel free to post in other tags too

[captainsophiestark]

My Hero

Steve Rogers x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Fandom: Marvel

Summary: Steve's next door neighbor needs a hand moving in a bunch of science equipment, so he offers to help. But he's in for a surprise when he realizes that the neighbor in question has absolutely no idea who he is.

Word Count: 2,456

Category: Fluff

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

"Uh, excuse me? Do you need help with that?"

My arms were full carrying test tubes and other scientific equipment, so I couldn't see who'd spoken. I'd just bought a new apartment in Washington DC, and when it was time to move all my furniture in I drafted a bunch of strong friends to help me. All my delicate, expensive machines and glass test tubes, on the other hand, I didn't trust anyone else to move, so I'd decided to do it all by myself.

That was proving to be more of a challenge than I'd initially anticipated.

I managed to carry my last load to the elevator of my building without help, but with my hands this full I had no way to push the 'up' button.

"Uh..." I said, pausing to consider just for a second before admitting defeat. I sighed. "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind just pushing the up button for me. And then... maybe my floor number after that."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw whoever'd offered their help move around me to push the button on the elevator. I had my stuff piled up so high that I couldn't see them, but after they'd pushed the button, they hovered nervously next to me.

"Are... are you sure you don't want a hand with the rest of that?"

"Nope, I'm good," I said, raising my voice just a little to make sure I was heard over the stack in my arms. "Thanks, though."

"Sure thing."

The elevator dinged, and I headed in, trusting the person who I assumed was a neighbor in the building to stay out of my way. I caught a glimpse of him as I walked into the elevator, since he'd stepped forward to make sure the door didn't close on me. I shot him a smile, although I doubt he'd actually been able to see it.

"Which floor?"

"Three, please."

"Hey, that's mine too."

I smiled again. "Well then, it's nice to meet you neighbor. Unless we've already met before. Sorry, I can't see a whole lot around this stuff in my arms."

The guy chuckled. "No, I don't think we've met before. But it's nice to meet you, too."

The elevator dinged again as we reached our floor and the doors slid open. I stepped out first, my new friend following behind me.

"Is there anything else I can do to help...?" he asked, and I could feel him hovering around me. I paused, weighing my options. I stopped in the hallway and made a point of leaning around the stack in my arms to look at the man who'd been helping me. He was tall, blond, and clearly very strong. He looked nice enough, but that obviously didn't mean much. Still, he'd been very helpful and respectful so far, and he hadn't tried to push his "help" on me by taking anything out of my arms, either. Besides, if I hadn't been able to hit an elevator buton, a doorknob was definitely going to defeat me.

"Well... if you wouldn't mind getting my apartment door for me? It's 3C, just down on the left. It's unlocked."

"Sure thing. I'm 3F, right across from you."

"Wow. I can't believe I've never run into you before."

"Yeah, well... part of my job is keeping weird hours."

I frowned as we reached my door. I was able to walk through, no problem, thanks to my neighbor's help, and I turned all my focus to the stack in my arms as I set it gently, carefully down on the counter. I sighed once it was officially safe and sound, then turned back to my neighbor.

"What's your job?"

He frowned, but it did absolutely nothing to diminish just how incredibly handsome he was. Especially now that I wasn't distracted, and I could see my neighbor without obstruction, including his gorgeous blue eyes and how strong he looked.

"You're asking... what my job is?" he asked, as if to clarify. I nodded.

"Yeah. Should I not be?"

He blinked at me for another moment, then shook his head quickly.

"No, no, it's great. Uh, I do some work for SHIELD."

"Oh, yeah! You know, I applied there, but I ended up going with a job at Stark Industries instead. Most of their stuff's in New York, but I managed to snag this D.C. post. I'm hoping to move up to New York soon, though."

"You work for Stark Industries?"

"Heck yeah I do! Biochemistry research and development. And I guess you probably can't tell me what you do at SHIELD."

The corner of his mouth pulled up.

"Probably."

"Fair enough. Well, look, I don't usually invite strange men into my apartment, but since I'm not sure I could've made it back up here without your help, do you want something to drink? A lemonade or a coffee or something?"

The guy had a slightly bemused look on his face, but he nodded all the same.

"That'd be great. Thanks."

"Sure thing." I moved towards the kitchen, motioning for him to follow me and shut the door behind him. "By the way, I don't think I ever officially got your name."

He smiled like I'd just given him the best news of his life.

"I'm Steve. It's nice to officially meet you."

****************

Inviting Steve in for a drink turned out to be one of my best decisions since moving to DC. He was an absolute sweetheart, kind and funny, and after our first meeting we started regularly spending time together. Those casual hangouts had gradually turned more date-like, and not long after that first meeting, we'd started officially dating.

Steve had become a constant presence in my life. He'd be there to make me coffee just the way I liked when I got so buried in my at-home experimenting that I lost all concept of self-care, and I'd be there with my special extra-strength version of icy hot that Steve swore by when he came home from long shifts at SHIELD. He'd pretty quickly become an integral part of my life, and one that I didn't want to let go of any time soon.

So, when my phone rang mid-experiment and I saw the caller ID was a bad picture of Steve I'd taken last week, I actually smiled instead of scowling like I would've at an interruption from anyone else.

"Hi," I said, picking up the phone and moving it to rest between my shoulder and ear as I got back to work. "What's up?"

"Hi. I have a friend with me who I'd like you to meet. Would it be alright if we came over? Say... in an hour?"

I paused, eyeballing the bubbling beakers and test tubes still laid out on the table in front of me.

"That depends. Do you care that I'll have some of my work set up and running on the kitchen table? And can you promise your friend won't knock anything over or otherwise ruin what I'm working on?"

I could hear the smile in Steve's voice as he responded.

"No, I don't mind, and yes, I'm sure he won't ruin your experiment."

"Then sure, come on over!"

"Great. We'll see you in an hour."

"See you then!"

I paused long enough to put the phone back on the table, then went right back to my work. I got so absorbed in it, the next hour absolutely flew by. I'd just managed to get things to a stable point, where I could leave it alone until tonight or tomorrow with no problems, when a knock came at the door.

"One second!" I called, standing and grabbing my phone before doing a quick scan of my apartment to make sure I hadn't left out anything embarrassing. Thankfully, it was clean enough. I went to do the door and opened it with a smile on my face, expecting to see Steve with a friend.

Steve was there, as expected. But behind him, standing just over his shoulder with a friendly smile on his face, was Dr. Bruce Banner.

"Oh my god," I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth. Steve and Dr. Banner both looked surprised, but I couldn't even begin to process that. After a moment's stunned silence, I managed to drag my eyes from Dr. Banner himself back to my boyfriend. "Steve... is this... is this the friend you were talking about?"

"I- yeah. Yeah, this is Bruce."

I let out a squeal that I was not proud of. I quickly cleared my throat, trying to cover it, then stepped back and opened my door wider for the both of them.

"Sorry, sorry. Please, come in. It's just... Steve, why didn't you tell me you were friends with the Dr. Bruce Banner?"

Steve looked absolutely shocked. "You... recognize him?"

"What? Of course I do! Dr. Banner's the entire reason I decided to take the job with Stark Industries, instead of with SHIELD!" I took a deep breath, then shook my head and turned to Dr. Banner. "I'm sorry. I'm being incredibly rude. It's an absolute honor to meet you, seriously. Your biochemical PhD thesis is... at least half the reason I decided to go into the field in the first place."

Dr. Banner looked a bit stunned, but he had a faint smile on his face, which grew as I spoke to him. He held out his hand for a shake, which I happily accepted.

"I'm... happy it had such a positive impact. It's nice to meet you too. And please, call me Bruce."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak in response to that. Steve was still looking at me like I was an extra-difficult rubik's cube, and I silently raised my eyebrows at him in question. Before he could answer, Bruce aparently caught sight of my setup on the table.

"Wow. Is this yours?"

"Yeah!" I said, turning excitedly to watch as he moved to look over my experiment. "I've been spending my freetime outside of SI working on it."

"It's impressive!"

I swear I almost blacked out.

I was about to head over to the table to keep engaging with Bruce about my experiments, but before I could, Steve caught my arm. I turned around to face him again with raised eyebrows.

"Hey. Sorry, I didn't mean to totally cold shoulder you. It's just... this is like a dream right now."

"I can't believe you know who he is," he said, sounding a little strange, although I couldn't put my finger on why. I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"...Do you really not know who I am?"

Steve seemed seriously suspicious of something, and I was starting to think he'd accidentally sniffed one of Bruce's experiments in a SHIELD lab that he shouldn't have.

"Steve, what are you talking about? Of course I know who you are. You're my boyfriend, an absolute sweetheart, and one of the only people I've ever met who got to watch Star Wars without already knowing about the 'I am your father' reveal. Why would you think I don't know you? Did you get exposed to a biohazard? Let me get my kit-"

I started to head off towards the bedroom, but he pulled me back. He looked calmer now, more himself, but deadly serious as he spoke.

"I'm Captain America. Steve Rogers, Captain America. That's how I know Bruce. I was going to find a better time to tell you, but... I didn't expect you to know who Bruce was, either. Feels like I should probably address it now."

I just stared blankly at him for a few moments, trying to decide if he was serious. Steve looked braced for whatever my reaction might be, shock or disbelief or anger or whatever else, but I just pulled out my phone. A quick internet search confirmed that, yes, Steve Rogers my boyfriend was the same Steve Rogers from the 1940s, also known as Captain America. I stared at the screen for another few moments, my mind updating with this new information, then I looked back at Steve.

"...Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

He sighed. "I should've. I'm sorry. It was just... nice. To have somebody look at me for once and see me, not the shield or the legend or whatever. It was selfish, and I should've fixed the mistake a long time ago."

I thought about it for another moment, then finally, I shrugged.

"It's okay."

"...Really? Just like that?"

"Yeah. Honestly, Steve, it doesn't really change anything for me, other than now I know why you like my version of icy hot better than anything else out there when it's literally too strong for anyone else to stand. But... thank you for telling me."

Steve stared at me for a second in disbelief, then grinned.

"You're serious?"

"Yeah. Now, with all the love in the world, let's hug it out later. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to get feedback on my experiment from Bruce Banner himself."

Steve just laughed as I turned around to join Bruce at the dining table. He was perfect, as usual, as I talked to Bruce for over an hour about the project I'd been working on. Thankfully, this was one occasion when "never meet your heroes" didn't prove to be true. Bruce was kind and wonderful and helpful at every turn, and after a while, we moved on from science to chat about other things, looping Steve back into our conversation. Neither of them could believe I'd recognized Bruce and not Captain America, but they both seemed pleasantly surprised by it.

Bruce ended up staying for dinner, and by the end of the night, he actually felt like a friend instead of the larger-than-life scientist who'd been my inspiration for so long. Steve and I stood in the doorway of my apartment waving as he headed out for the night, then stepped back inside with matching smiles on our faces.

"That was one of the best days of my life," I said. Steve just laughed.

"I'm glad I could help facilitate it. And I think Bruce had a great time, too. You're... sure you don't care about the Captain America thing?"

I grinned. "I'm sure. Sorry, Cap, but I've never really cared about the jock superheroes."

Steve laughed again, pulling me into his side as he did.

"Honestly, I'm glad to hear it. You wanna put on a movie?"

"Sounds like a perfect end to the day to me. You pick one out, I'll get us some drinks and popcorn."

Steve smiled, then pulled me in for a quick kiss before haeding towards the tv in the living room. I headed towards the kitchen, a ridiculous smile on my face. I'd met my idol today, but the wonderful man in the living room was what really made things perfect. No matter who or what else he might be to the world, he'd always be my Steve. He never needed to be anything else.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury @kmc1989 @space-helen @misshale21

Marvel Taglist: @valkyriepirate @infinetlyforgotten @sagesmelts @gaychaosgremlin

[dearmahiru-archive]

waaaa thank you so much for this question that i definitely didn't take three months to answer. i totally didn't overcomplicate this very simple question for myself and ending up with completely different songs each list! no siree!! (and i totally didn't lose the og ask </3)

sarcasm aside—even though the question didn't specify these would be official covers i went into the list with that mindset, so i narrow it down to strictly vocaloid songs (no utaite or general jpn songs!), the song must be consistent with the prisoner's style (kotoko wouldn't sing a sappy love ballad, yuno isn't doing a screamo), and no producer doubles!

alts are songs that don't fit these rules / aren't my first pick but i still wanted to mention :3c

01. Haruka ─ First Train and Kafka

Though I’ve nothing but things I want to say, I��m sorry that nothing comes out I’ve become a poisonous bug, it isn’t that interesting though

Since my frightened family isn’t even here, I look down upon the calm of the city alone That hair of yours that swayed in the first summer’s wind came to mind

Alt: I Was Human

02. Yuno ─ Goodbye, Ms. Flower Thief

I've been dreaming a dream within a dream, within a dream Seaside, on the seaside, a kitten's sweet demise...

While I smoke a cigarette Until morning comes, hold me, hold me...

Alt: I Think I'm Falling Inlove With My Teacher

03. Fuuta ─ Idola No Circus

Come, let’s dance all night in our naked bodies We know, we know your true nature Again putting on a fake face You’re just like a pierrot

Come on up to the stage! You knew, didn't you? You’re also an accomplice

Alt: Rinne

04. Mu ─ Ikanaide

"It's nothing," I kept to myself. Truth is, I wanted to stop those footsteps for a moment, But you're gliding forward with such quick steps And I'm simply watching

You fade out of sight, far, far away, leaving me behind. Completely. Once again, the night blurs itself out, Don't cry, just don't cry

Alt: FAILURE GIRL

05. Shidou ─ Shoujo Fuzei

Again, she told a lie and felt relieved with perfectly trimmed bangs, she said, "Come here, and accompany me to hell."

Chop it up, this body doesn’t feel anything like pain Unfortunately, delusion is something that everyone harbors

06. Mahiru ─ Love of Love By Love For Love

A spider lily struggling to live, A heart writhing with maggots With your voice and your smile My pulse began beating anew

That day, I fell in love with love With time, I killed that love, killed it, killed it

Alt: Hurry To The Night

07. Kazui ─ Cutlery

The cutlery is rusted, as if it has been used often. I want you to end it in the worst case...

Before I get sick of you, I’ll act selfishly without hesitating even if I’ll end up losing you.

Alt: Charles / Delusion Girl / Quiet Room

08. Amane ─ Milk Crown On Sonnetica

Can't do it, such a talent isn't sold in any store Even God, who art in Heaven, reduces such a junk to a heirloom?

You ask "Wait, why is it that you beg for forgiveness in such a miserable manner?" This was surprisingly silly - so much that I just stood still and cried

09. Mikoto ─ Bitter Choco Decoration

I try not to forget to add in a few light-hearted jokes and a touch of lip service I try to smile and show off my charisma whenever I can

I try not to pointlessly expose myself, Not to talk about myself, not to understand myself But I try not to be a bit too silent, To be laughed at rather than to make people laugh

010. Kotoko ─ Shama

A femme fatale prisoner dressed in stripes Gulps down the juice squeezed from the crowd Every night, drunkenly, she plays with fire, and hangs herself When the wax figure of a little girl melts

If you affirm your shallowness Then where’s my ground to stand on? "An annoying glass and foundation Hang your tongue out, just like a dog."

[agoobersretreat]

Alrighty, let's answer some personal asks in a big blowout post! Maybe even a two-parter, let's see...?

Oh, yeah. Definitely a two-parter! Here's the first part, actually personal stuff about me!

So, if you can believe this, I followed an artist that I looked up to on dA (deviantART(Long before it went to super-shit)) and migrated over here to see what it was like. I mostly made a blog to follow them closely and look around at other things, too.

Looked for my favorite home fandom of Pokémon and found the entire budding days of the PokéRPC and hopped right in. Of course, I didn't have a Pokémon OC to use...at the time. I did have one, but I thought this was a new beginning and I thought I could use a new OC to make and use and be unique in the community, so why not?

And from there...it only got better. Sure, lots of bumps along and I'm pretty sure I weirded out that artist cuz I was a little too AuDHD and they didn't know how to react to me being me, but yeeeeaaah. Glad it turned out as well as it did, for what it was.

13+ slutty and vorny years. Been here through many of the old Tumblr events and posts when they actually happened, ya know? Scary thinking about that actually, hrrrm. But yeah. ,':3c

Do you all? Cuz he could use some more birthday company. I kid, I kid!

Miq's/my birthday is easy. It's August 13th, so that was pretty recent~! And, as someone I like a lot and look up to says, "30's are now in-demand~!"

So, I was coming back to Tumblr after deciding I was going to be done. Didn't last...even a few months, I think? Poor coping mechanisms or other healthy vents dried up, I believe.

I was ready to come back and Taylor was really one of the only people who knew for sure, back then. Probably for the better. Wasn't sure what to do for my new url and nickname, though.

Went to go see a movie with friends, while I was thinking about it in the back of my mind. Went to get my favorite theater candy, looking down at the box. 'Goobers.' And then it clicked.

'I'm a Goofy Goober... I'm a Goober...Goober!'

And there we go. I did my best to change all my old stuff to Goober and then go forward from there. Didn't plan to RP again, honestly. Just post and follow my friends and people I was interested in and sometimes send in asks for fun as an anon or just myself.

And then the RP bug bit me hard again. If I had known, I wouldn't have made my personal blog the main blog again like last time. I never learn lol.

But yeah, now ya know! More or less.

[authortobenamedlater]

wip ask: For Better or Worse :3c

Send me WIP asks.

This got long once again and once again I am sorry/not sorry.

I think I’ve found my Fransher, send help.

It’s not really a “whole universe” more of a “whole alternate universe” in which Chyler doesn’t die at the end of Forward Unto Dawn. I really liked her and thought she was a good opposite for Lasky, and wanted to take a peek at what things might look like for them 30+ years down the road. It’s fluffy and flirty and some of the dialogue makes me facepalm at myself. See below:

“Who also looks quite edible in his dress whites.”

“Edible?”

“You were wearing your dress whites the first time I saw you again.”

Tom thought for a moment. “I don’t remember what you were wearing.”

“I was also wearing my dress whites,” Chyler said. “Everyone at Twilight’s Last Gleaming’s christening was in dress whites.”

“Oh.” Tom nodded to himself as the memory pieced together. “Yeah.”

“Do you really not remember?”

“I remember the christening. And I remember seeing you.”

“You saw me but not what I was wearing?”

“I don’t know when you’re going to figure out that men really are every bit as clueless as we’re rumored to be, Chy.”

“Even when I looked the same as everyone else?” Chyler asked through an incredulous laugh.

Tom smiled at her. “You definitely did not look the same as everyone else.”

Chyler regarded him like a judge deciding his fate. “Good recovery,” She said after a second.

I call this the Faramir Timeline in my head, because of Tolkien’s line that “[Faramir] wandered in, I don’t know where he came from, I didn’t want him, but I like him.” This AU popped in my head and just wouldn’t let go. I didn’t really want it, since domestic fluff isn’t my usual fare and I have enough AUs already. But, as I write it, I’m finding I do like it while it embarrasses me greatly because it’s cheesier than a stadium full of Green Bay Packers fans.

Lasky has serious Faramir energy too, probably why I love him seeing as Faramir WAS my first literary crush.

It was supposed to be a one-shot, now it’s a two-shot at least. I typically don’t get super invested in ships, but Halo seems to bring out my wild side for some reason. Repeat, send help.

I may put this idea in my B5Haloverse as it would mean one fewer character to invent and also solve the Where In The World Is Infinity’s XO problem, but that universe isn’t solid enough yet to say if these two would fit there.

Why did this low-budget webseries decide to take up permanent residence in my brain. SEND. HELP.

[starleska]

Ah, what a wonderful world that'd be LOL. I'm sure Gargamel wouldn't mind that too terribly..<3 I haven't actually been able to watch The Lost Village unfortunately, but he looks wonderfully squishy in the screenshots!!! I had no idea he was voiced by Rainn Wilson until now, what a crossover!

For real 😭 And I wouldn't have it any other way! Oh, strange? I wonder why they'd write that, maybe a misintepretation somehow- A peculiar little collector, then!!

OH my god, you've described it perfectly😳😳😳 He's got such a wonderfully unique and flustering sound! I know, ohh, I've been making do with silly joke fics (not to bash them, of course!, but there's so much potential to explore the more serious side of things). I would be totally on board if you wanted to?! I'm not much of a writer myself, but I do plenty of daydreaming, so if you needed any ideas...😉

I'm so glad to hear that! That's what selfshipping is all about really, gathering a group of characters that bring you joy :) Whaaat, I can definitely see that, she got it down! It defintiely makes a lot of sense putting it that way, they're just like the perfect mix to grab our attentions like that.

Yes, you too! I hope your day goes super smoothly, and you indulge in something that makes you happy!!

ohhh that's the perfect word, he is so squishy!!! honestly he's just a little angel, i can't be afraid of him, he's too cute 😂💖

yes yes yes!!!! i don't know about you, but i have this terrible curse of fixating on characters with distinctive voices/ways of speaking and just getting their voices stuck in my head, generating their own words 😳😳 incredibly useful when writing fic, but not so much when i'm trying to focus on work!! and absolutely, please do send in whatever you like - my favourite thing in the world is seeing what kind of ideas get other folks flustered about fictional characters, and i'd love to write some headcanons for Gargamel 😉 tell me all about your daydreams!!

ahhh, you're so right 💖💖 dfgfdf it was mortifying at the time, but very validating - apparently lots of people from all walks of life do this in one way or another. i don't think there's anything wrong with just loving whatever characters make you smile - let's keep doing it :3c

d'aww, thank you so much sweetie!! right back at you - looking forward to hearing from you again 🔥🔥

[teshadraws]

OK wanna say I think funny enough thanks to Fen I have more of a appreciation of Leafeon, we've only seen a lil of them but I think I've already got a good impression of them of being a calming presence but being extremely curious and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them. Also funny enough I joked to myself before legends were revealed that I'll get Violet cuz it's a colour the Ace Flag has XD and welp I love Miraidon a lot so it is the one I am getting.

My secret Fen Agenda is to make everyone love leafeon as much as I do. >:3c Seriously though, that makes me super happy! Fen is definitely a soothing presence, but they’re also desperately reigning in their curiosity like 90% of the time. They want to know everything, but they’re too kind and peaceful to let go of their morals and go full mad scientist.

And that’s actually a big point in Violet’s favor for me, too!!! 😂 I was like, “Well, I like Scarlet because of Nia and Tobias’ team name, but violet has ace colors.” I think I’ll just wait to see which version my brother wants and then get the opposite so we can trade the exclusive ‘mons.

[oldjane]

Trick or Treat! >:3c

The thing is, Joe has been looking forward to the artists’ retreat for months. And while he was really looking forward to meeting new people – new creative, artistic, open-minded, free-spirited people – he hadn’t planned on actually sharing a room with them. But, Joe is usually quite adaptable, and he’s out-going and exuberant, so it’s not like he would have minded bunking for a few nights with a fellow creative soul.

However, there are limits.

And sharing a room with the accountant of the foundation is definitely crossing them.

Quynh, a talented make-up artist who definitely is more artist than make-up, and the president of the foundation, apologizes profoundly.

“I’m sorry, Joe, it’s all a bit last minute. We really wanted Nicky to come, it’d be so good for him to meet new people, and he’s a great cook so we won’t have to worry at all about going hungry when we’re in the zone of creating, but he only gave in to Andy and mine’s pleas last minute, and we had all the other rooms divided yet… You’re the only one in a two-person room without a roommate. And Nicky is really nice, I promise! He’s a bit quiet, but you’ll give him a chance, won’t you?”

Well. When put like that, it’s not like Joe has much of a choice, does he?

He swallows down his protests, and lugs his duffel bag to the room he’ll be sharing with this Nicky, quiet accountant, good at cooking. Probably the mousy type, Joe thinks. Shouldn’t be too hard to handle.

He pulls open the door of room number 9, and nearly drops his bag.

He’s staring right at a delectable ass, perched atop thick thighs and strong legs, spread just enough for a man to step between. The owner of the ass is bent over the bed, but Joe can make out a small waist, perfect to hold onto while losing oneself between those cheeks.

And then the man stands up, and showcases some shoulders for days, and Joe’s mental image switches to hooking his legs over those shoulders.

His sharp intake of breath must be audible in the silent room, because the man startles and turns around.

Joe stares right at a beaky nose, and then he notices luscious lips, a mole on the man’s chin, and deep-set eyes that shine with an intensity that fascinates him.

“Hi,” he says in his most flirtatious tone, his winning grin on his face. “I think I got the wrong room, but let me introduce myself anyway. Yusuf al-Kaysani. Very pleased to meet you.”

He almost purrs the last sentence, his hand outstretched towards the man. He watches with interest and pleasure how the other man flushes a becoming pink, and then shakes Joe’s hand.

“Ah, uh, my name is Nicolò. I cannot help you to find your room, I’m afraid, you’ll need Quynh or Nile for that. I was told my roommate was called Joe, and that’s all I know.”

Joe is almost too busy cataloguing the way Nicolò’s large hand fits around his, and trying to imagine how those pale fingers would look on his tanned skin, when he catches on to the man’s words.

“Wait, Joe, you said?”

Nicolò nods, and the puzzle pieces fall together.

“You don’t happen to go by Nicky, do you?”

“Uhm, yes, I do,” Nicky replies, confused. “How did you know?”

“Ah. I go by Joe, most often, and I was told I’d be rooming with a Nicky. So I do have the right room, after all.”

Joe beams at Nicky. And quickly forgets everything he might have thought barely a minute ago.

This man does not look like a mouse at all. If all accountants are like this, Joe might be tempted to become suddenly very interested in filing his taxes. He should send Quynh a gift basket. Getting to know this man in close quarters will be no hardship at all. Sleeping near this man will be a pleasure, although it’s unlikely it will be very inducive to a good night’s sleep to know this man is mere meters away. And speaking of sleeping –

Joe looks around, trying to locate his bed, when Nicky scrapes his throat nervously.

“I, uh, I think there’s a mistake, either way. I, uh –” he gestures to the bed. A big, king-size bed, and very much the only one in the room. “I thought maybe it was twins, but it doesn’t seem so.”

Joe looks at the bed, and then around the room. There’s no couch, not even an armchair one might spend an uncomfortable night in.

“I’ll, uh, I’ll just go find Nile and ask her to sort things out, shall I?”

Nicky is looking adorably flustered. There is a pretty blush high on his cheeks, and Joe wants to lick it off. Or follow it with his brush, sketch it life-size on vellum paper. He wonders if he has the right shade for Nicky’s eyes.

Joe is not known for thinking things through. If he sees an opportunity, he jumps, head first. It’s never led him astray so far, so why change now?

“Actually,” he says, “Quynh said there was no other option. All other rooms are spoken for, and by now probably everybody’s settled in. It would cause a lot of hassle to ask her to rework the whole situation, and move a bunch of people around.”

“Oh!” Nicky blinks. “Of course, I hadn’t thought about that – it would be rather bothersome for people to change rooms at this stage. Well, I’ll just go find some extra blankets then. The floor is carpeted, I can sleep there. No problem.”

“Are you crazy? That bed is huge, it’ll fit both of us easily!”

Nicky’s blush becomes a nice cherry red. Joe thinks Nicky might not be wholly averse to the idea.

“Uhm, yeah, I suppose,” he stammers, “if – if you don’t mind, I mean –”

“Do you mind, Nicolò?” Joe takes a deliberate step forward, stopping right in front of Nicky. “I’ll understand if you rather not share the bed with a man.”

“No, no, that’s not – No.” Nicky seems even more flustered. Gay, Joe decides, and he’ll bet his right hand – the one he sketches with – on the fact that Nicky is attracted to him.

“Great,” he says, “That’s settled then. I hope we will become… close friends, Nicky.”

Nicky opens his mouth, but no sound comes out.

Joe grins. He lowers his voice conspiratorially.

“So, Nicky, did you check out the bathroom yet? Because I’m not at all against sharing the shower, too, you know.”

For one moment, he thinks he’s done it – caused Nicky to have a heart attack right in front of him. But then the other man steps away from Joe.

“Wait, Nicky, I’m sorry, I didn’t – I’ll back off –”

He turns just in time to see Nicky turn the lock on the bedroom door.

“We can find out, I suppose,” he says, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, taking a few strides in the direction of the bathroom. “And if it isn’t big enough, you’re welcome to watch, too.”

Joe splutters, but follows meekly.

He wonders if he’ll create much art, this retreat. But he also knows it can take different forms. The giggle escaping Nicky when Joe pinches his ass, for example, is art. And the way the water droplets glide over his naked shoulders. And the way his lips taste, later, in the king-size bed. And though most accountants might think going on an artists’ retreat and not returning with a few pieces to sell is a bad way to spend money, Nicky doesn’t seem to be one of them.

[cottonfeltgembira]

(oc anon!) don’t worry about the speed of which you’re replying! i know it takes time to write characters, especially their relationships to others (when theres so many factors to consider) so pls!! take ur time!! i’m more than willing to wait ^w^ mayhaps while ur one it, i’ll be working on my own ocs >:33

and so true!! u either go big or go home with this guy, bc he knows what he wants in his life!! and that’s a healthy relationship that he can depend on for life baby!! in all seriousness though… his view of romance kinda reminds of jack, both of them taking it extremely seriously and daring someone = lovers for life. at least,, that’s how i’m understanding it

ok the fact that jade cater AND ace are all down bad? hilarious. love that for them >:3 especially the latter two since cater is the one of the few ppl to fall for ppl and express their crush to them (cater to vil comes to mind) whereas ace would rather die with his feeling buried deep. sharp contrast if i do say so myself! >:33

MALLOSYNE ENDGAME LETS GOO!!! i’m a big fan of “yuu” ships (or whats akin to a yuu sorta in ur ur verse) so seeing them be end game makes me extremely happy!! and slowburn to top it off!! can u get any more of a perfect combination? i can’t wait to see the development of their relationship of acquaintances to friends to lovers bc that transition is always the best :3

and since malleus is Old(tm) and has been lonely for practically over a millennia, i think he’d be the closest in seeing the “real” mnemosyne, wouldnt he? at least i hope. if not him then mnemosyne’s friends in general, bc he deserves ppl where we can let his guard down and truly be who he is without hiding any part of himself

SNIFFLES FANK YEWW ANON FIR YOUR PATIENCE ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡ cithee greatly appreciated it :3c!!

HEHEHEHHE Jack and Mnemosyne definitely bond well together (also like.buff duo???? They are jacked :0c)

Having those 3 specifically is definitely an interesting combo by itself cause GOD theyre all extremely different with how the whole having feelings thing (also I do not think they handle it well 💔 rip boys it was nice knowing you all)

MALLOSYNE THATS SO GOOD HOLD ONNNNN like like my name for them is timespinner cause for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to their names together but hehehehehe coining your term anon fank yew (*´∀｀*)

Mnemosyne is like Semi Yuu??? But that's just his story role his overall an MC (Yuna on the other fulfills more of the Yuu requirements)

makes me all soft to think of Malleus genuinely enjoying Mnem's company and looking forward to always meeting again. That slow little build to a very normal day where he looks at him and realized oh. He's given something so so special to him, a bond and trust and companionship and he asks for nothing in return but that Malleus simply gives his own time to be with him (;_;)

Mnemosyne don't get crushes, love doesn't work that way for him but he accepts Malleus' want to add a romantic angle to their relationship. Having someone who can look at him and his burdens, his sins, his fears, and still accept him? Still see him for the loving person he is? It's a bliss only few could ever bless him with. To see under the surface and decide the atrocious thing you saw was still worth loving because it's the thing that makes the other person them. Those two deserve a happily ever after even if it by all means isn't exactly a conventional or traditional one

[sunflowerhoney]

1-20 heheheh

Thank you for asking!!! ☺️

1.) are you single or are you in a relationship? if you’re in a relationship, how long have you been together?

I am in a relationship with my love @strawbabie-honey 🥰 we’ve been together since 7/9/21 so a little over 4 months! 🥰🥰

2.) what’s your idea of a perfect date?

Ah I have so many different date ideas that I want to do that I don’t know that I have one specific perfect one, I love the idea of a picnic and also anything related to the beach, right now I’m just looking forward to my girlfriend and I’s trip, we’re planning to go explore a city together on our trip (WHICH IS LITERALLY TOMORROW WHATTTTT 🥰) so for right now I’ll say that’s my perfect date! :)

3.) do you prefer to identify as butch, femme, or neither?

This is something I’d honestly been putting a lot of thought into recently, I’m still learning a lot about myself and my identity but after a lot of reading/thinking I feel that identifying as femme makes me feel most comfortable/happy! ☺️

4.) do you have a crush on anyone? if so, and if you want to, go ahead and describe your crush :3c

I very much have a crush on someone hehe (@strawbabie-honey 🥰)they are so gentle and caring, they’re patient, smart, hilariously funny, so fun to hang out with, easy to talk to, calming, supportive, they have beautiful blue eyes and a gorgeous smile, they’re a hard worker and the best partner I could ever ask for! 💕

5.) would you consider having a long distance relationship with someone?

Considering I’m already in one…yes 🙈 hehe

6.) do you have a “type” you usually fall for? if so, what is it?

I honestly don’t think I really do 😅

7.) what is your favorite love trope/cliché to read, view, or write about?

I’m not sure what the technical name of it would be but I loooooove when characters that have had a hard life or have been hurt a lot are able to find love and find someone who helps/understands them (which I think explains my Mildolyn obsession lol), I just love getting to see a character grow and develop and learn to love their partner/themselves.

8.) do you like stuff like cottage core or farm core or do you prefer fantasies involving busy city life?

I think I like a little of both, I do enjoy cottagecore aesthetics, I find them super comforting and cozy, but as someone who spent most of their life until recently in a more rural area and just moved to a city it’s nice to think about/fantasize about city life/aesthetics too!

9.) red or pink?

Pink! 💓

10.) do you like soft pastel aesthetics or darker, punker aesthetics?

Soft pastel aesthetics

11.) are you the type of wlw with a great fashion sense, or are you more of a fashion disaster? or are you somewhere in the middle?

I think I’m somewhere in the middle 😅 I really want to express myself more with what I wear, I’m just very insecure and tend to wear the same stuff I feel comfy in, It’s something I’m really hoping to work on though!

12.) favorite emoji(s) to use when talking about girls?

🥺🥰🙈😍 (or those are the ones I think I use most with my gf hehe)

13.) when did you realize you were wlw?

I think vaguely around 6th grade, I definitely did not understand what I was thinking/feeling at the time though lol but I remember there was a girl in my science class wearing the same shirt as me and I kept thinking she looked cute and kept questioning myself if I liked her and kept trying to convince myself that I didn’t 😅

14.) have you come out, or are you still closeted? (either is 110% valid)

I have come out to some of my close friends and to my mom and I’m slowly working on coming out to more people, I’m still closested with most of my family though :( (most of which didn’t even know I thought I was bi before I realized I was gay rip)

15.) have you been to pride? if so, how many times?

I haven’t yet but I reeeally hope to in the future! ☺️

16.) have you ever gotten a crush on one of your friends?

Yeah happened a few times in high school 😅

17.) do you have a pride flag? do you wear things like pride pins, shirts, and/or jewlery in public?

I don’t have a pride flag but I would love to get one!! :) I would love to get any pride stuff in general, I don’t currently have anything that I can think of atm

18.) kissing or holding hands? snuggling or playing with your s/o’s hair (or having them play with your hair)?

Why do I just want to be like ALL OF THE ABOVE PLS lmao but if I HAD to choose I would say kissing and snuggling 🥰🥰

19.) since it’s october: what is your favorite “monster”? (ex. vampires, werewolves, ghosts)

Even though it’s not October because I take 73839394 years to answer stuff I’m still gonna say vampires lol

20.) tell me some things you love about girls 💞💞

When girls give random compliments to each other, it honestly makes me so happy, one time a random girl told me I was pretty while I was crossing the street and I cried because I thought it was so nice that they said that haha

[mythvoiced]

11, 14, 15, 26 and 38 :3c

@theimpalpable | be honest meme

---

11. What do you know now about rp that you wish you knew when you first started?

SO MANY THINGS. Okay, first, how to set up a proper rules/guidelines page that actually expresses what I’d like to express. The truth about krp and anything like it. How to properly approach people for plotting and/or writing without dying over it. To follow, unfollow, soft-block as  I feel most comfortable, to simply interact or not interact with people as I feel is best for me. How to write proper about pages and biographies in general. I’m someone who would love to know, whenever starting something new and especially if it involves other people (who could witness me fai-), everything I need to know from the get-go. I’ve been working on my philosophy here and accept that I will make mistakes, even if I’ve been doing something for a long time, and that it’s okay even if people see it, but I really just wish I could do it Right from the first moment on.

14. Do you think rp has had a positive or a negative effect on your life or you as a person?

Most likely both. It used to take up a bit too much of my time when I first started out, I remember that as a tween I would hyperfocus on it and everything I could do on Tumblr in general and lost sight of other things (in my defense, I was fking up a lot back then, which doesn’t work as a defense), so that was definitely negative. I’ve had some weird situations that affected me negatively, some folks I met that I didn’t handle well or who weren’t Top Notch, but I feel, it’s also given me lots of opportunities to grow? And explore things and meet people I adore (-holds up a mirror to you-) and work on myself as a writer and story-teller and YOU KNOW! I guess, like with plenty of things, it’s a mixture of both~

15. How has rp changed you personally?

Answered! :3 But to summarise, it has allowed me to grow as a person in plenty of senses of the word, in self-respect and in being in tune with myself and as a writer and fan of anything that can be considered storytelling, I feel more open-minded, down-to-earth, I feel more eloquent and less likely to let someone else walk all over me, I feel... more mature, in a way. Thanks to experiences I was allowed to make via rping.

26. How do you feel about vague posting?

I don’t agree with it. Passive-aggression is one of the things I can confidently say I truly despise, if you have something to say, no matter whether you or whomever is in the right or wrong, then please just say it and say it to them. It is your situation, not anybody else’s. Do you feel as though you need help? Reach out, please. Vague posting is useless and the only thing it does is create beef and negavitity, you never achieve anything by vague posting, other than making things worse, hurting feelings (your own included) and creating painful situations. Please just...? Talk things out. With them. Or don’t, and leave the situation. I know it may sound like I’m making things easier than they actually are I just don’t think that vague posting is the solution. Not to mention, you risk a lot more backlash from a lot more people than the one person you might actually be having trouble with.

38. What advice would you give to someone new to rp?

Be mindful of others and explore the stories you want to explore. Allow yourself to start out small and don’t feel as though you have to chase after others or agree to things just so someone will write with you. People will want to write with you, never neglect yourself to achieve that, it will happen. You wil grow as a writer because every word you write is a new experience and knowledge and skill will come with time, so keep going at it. Use as many adverbs as you like, throw commas where you want to throw them, paint the pictures you’d like to see. Be mindful of triggers and how hard your blog might be on the eyes. Do not ever compromise your character for someone who is making it clear that they won’t want them unless they meet their expectations. If you change something, do it because you felt like it. Do it in an au. Unless you hurt someone, no one is allowed to tell you to change anything. And don’t care about graphics, fuck about as you wish. Your stories matter, your characters matter, you matter, no one gets to treat you as if you don’t and I’m looking forward to writing with you. Remember, also, that if you want to rp online, here on this hellsite, have a support system, have people who will help you figure things out, who will help you avoid situations that will harm you, have friends. And don’t join too young. There is time and I respect you, your age doesn’t make you less anything, but it is dangerous, you might not know things yet, or you might make people who will want to take advantage of you. Be careful, have a support system you trust (in or outside) and run if something makes you uncomfortable. You can always leave. 

[lunarsaga]

EPISODE 3: ABOUT ALICE

Y'all, I am SO CLOSE TO catching up to myself with these chapters! I can't wait for y'all to see the next chapter, it's gonna be all kinds of heartbreak~ >:3c

ENJOY~!

REMINDER: [Dialogue like this is English!]

The farther northeast they traveled, the more Luna missed the absolute shit out of her clunky old gas guzzler of a pickup truck.

Now she wasn’t ever one to complain—she knew better than that—but holy fuck did her feet hurt. She’d had these shoes for god only knows how long, and it was a good thing they were practically made of mithril, because if they hadn’t been mythically indestructible, they definitely would’ve been worn out by now. She had to bear it—they all did. Sore feet were mostly likely only gonna be a minor pain compared to what they were gonna face once they caught up to this Naraku guy (or so she’d heard). So complaining would only make things more irritating.

And she was already irritated enough, thanks to Inuyasha.

“We would’ve caught Naraku by now if all of you weren't demanding we stop and rest every five minutes!”

“Inuyasha, you have to understand that we don’t have your superhuman strength.” Miroku, always the diplomat.

Luna, not so much. She gave her sister a look that all but read she was about to snap, and spoke to her in English: “[If he says one more thing about us having to stop and rest, I’m throwing my shoe at him.]”

Kagome sighed. “[Luna, please don’t do that.]” Their friends looked, confused, between the both of them.

“What’re you guys saying?” Shippo asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Luna chuckled, starting to dig through her backpack. “Damn, I need to be careful about how much I fire my gun, I don’t have as much ammo as I thought…”

Kagome furrowed her eyebrows. “I thought you brought everything?”

Luna glanced up, still rifling through her pack. “I brought everything I could, but I had to leave some ammo and one of my weapons at Kaede’s place, along with my guitar. Traveling this much, especially walking? I had to pack more food and survival shit than ammo, so I gotta conserve what I have if this is gonna take much longer—especially if we’re getting this far away from the Well.”

Inuyasha snorted, and Luna felt her blood pressure spike. “Wouldn’t be taking so long if you all weren’t so damn weak…”

Luna looked at her sister again, and completely disregarded the warning look she got back. In less than a second, she had one of her boots off and chucked it full force at the half-demon’s head. The ensuing chaos was definitely worth the satisfaction.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!”

“For being an absolute prick about us needing to rest!”

“Luna, can you please not?!”

“He’s the one being a little bitch about it!”

“WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!”

“Stop it, you two!”

“I called you a little bitch! Clean out those fuzzy ears!”

“OH THAT IS IT!”

“BRING IT, DOG BOY!”

The imminent fight (which Sango, Shippo, and Miroku were watching like a Tennis match) stopped before it actually got started. Kagome grabbed her sister by the ear and pulled back, causing the older girl to yell out in pain, before pointing at Inuyasha and shouting:

“INUYASHA, SIT!”

The aforementioned half-demon slammed face-first into the ground, and the situation diffused.

“I am sick of you two fighting!” Kagome said, ignoring her sister’s little mutters of “ow, ow, ow” until she finally let go of her ear. “Can’t you guys just try to get along?! We’re supposed to be a team here; how are we supposed to fight Naraku if you two won’t stop fighting each other?!”

Ego bruised (and her ear too, just as likely), Luna tried not to pout as she got up to retrieve her boot. “Can’t promise it won’t happen again.”

“Yeah, me either…” Inuyasha’s voice cracked as he was finally able to lift his head and glare at the elder Higurashi.

“What we’re doing is a little more serious than petty conflicts,” Miroku said, “It might take an adjustment period for all of us, as Luna is new to our group, but we still need to focus on our actual goal.” And of course, as he gave this incredibly insightful bit of wisdom, his hand was drifting.

Sango flinched, then turned to slap his cheek, pinching the skin on his hand to keep it away from her butt. “And what part of that goal is this?” She growled.

The monk chuckled nervously, “N-nothing?”

Luna rolled her eyes, a small smile on her lips as she sat back down to re-tie her shoe. “Never a dull moment, huh?” She sighed as she knotted it, finally glancing over at Inuyasha. “Alright. I’m sorry, okay? But you gotta not complain like that. Gets on my nerves.”

“I’ll complain if I wanna complain…” Inuyasha mumbled. He quickly corrected himself, as the harrowingly angry look Kagome gave him struck fear into his heart. “F-fine. Whatever. Sorry.”

Luna chuckled. “There then, that’s put to rest. And, speaking of!” Instead of a second half of that sentence, she stretched her arms out and fell back to relax back on the grassy hill they’d chosen as their rest stop. She sighed, enjoying the quiet and the sun for a few minutes. She could swear she was about to drift off to sleep, when she heard the softest little “mew!” just beside her. She opened one eye to find Kilala blinking big red eyes at her.

“Adjustment or not, Kilala seems to like you,” Sango said with a light smile.

“She sure is cute,” Luna mumbled happily, sitting up and giving the kitty little scratches on the head.

Sango chuckled. “Thank you. Kilala is my very best friend—she has taken care of my family and my clan for generations.”

“Yeah?” Luna tilted her head, quizzical. “Does she always stay in cat form?

“What do you mean?”

Kilala paid the conversation no mind, she just decided that this person petting her was the lap she wanted to lay on for the moment. Luna chuckled as the nekomata curled up with her head on her thigh. “Well… funny enough, my best friend is a cat demon too? She’s even done the same—watching over our family for generations.”

“Really?” Surprised, Sango looked to Kagome, who nodded.

“I thought you said there weren’t any demons in your time, Kagome?” Shippo piped up.

“It’s not that there aren’t any,” Kagome said. “They’re just… not all over anymore, like they are here.”

“Japan is one of the only places I know of that have actually kept their supernatural m—” Luna cleared her throat, “uh—inhabitants?—in check. The country where I live? Not so much.”

“But you mentioned the cat demon you know has a human form?” Sango asked. “I’ve never seen Kilala take on any form than this one or her full demon form.”

“Maybe… it’s because Alice is a Bakeneko? Rather than a Nekomata?” Kagome mused.

Luna nodded. “Could be, yeah. She’s got a cat form like this—and like Kilala’s full demon form too—but a lot of the time she stays in her, ah….” Luna started snapping her fingers at Kagome, trying to think of the word in Japanese. “[Humanoid form?]”

Kagome shrugged, “Most of the time, Alice just looks like a human.”

“600 years old and looks 25,” Luna rolled her eyes. “ ‘I choose to look this cute~!’, that’s what she always says.”

“She’s also watched over the Higurashi Family for generations. Heck of a coincidence, huh?”

~ ~ ~

Everything hurt.

From the tip of her nose to the end of her tail, every inch of Airisu’s tiny, feline body hurt. Her black fur was matted with blood and dirt, one of her eyes wouldn’t open all the way, and she struggled to draw in breath. Not only all that, but she was running low on her own demonic power as well—if she tried to use any to heal herself, she might not make it through the night. As it was… she feared she might not make it through the night anyway, but she had to keep going. Her family would have wanted her to.

It had been an incredibly rough night for the little cat demon. Her family was the last of the Bakeneko clan this far south; all the others of their kind had moved to the northern mountains a hundred years ago. And it wasn’t until now that Airisu saw why: down here, they were plagued by other demons. Their family over the years was slowly picked off, until it was only her, her parents, and her brother and sister. Until now, she’d done her best to try and protect them… but tonight… she’d failed.

Mama… Papa… everyone… I’m sorry… If she could shed tears in this form, she might have been. But all she could do right now was limp forward. At least I’ve lost the pig…

Or so she thought.

A rustling in the bushes caught her off-guard. Hackles raised (despite the sting), she hissed as the figure of the same ugly boar demon that murdered her family lumbered out of the woods. The boar’s crude scythe weapon was still coated in her family’s blood—and she could see a stain or two on its tusks, as well.

The thing’s laugh was a little more than a snort. “Thought you could get away, eh?! I’ll eat you, just like the rest of your little family!”

Grief twisted in her gut like a cold steel blade. This was it. She had just a little power left, and if this was going to be her last stand, then she was gonna use it to avenge her family. This boar was going to pay for the lives he’d taken. She summoned up her last nerve, and grew to her full size; flame erupted from her paws to ignite the transformation, her front fangs elongated past her chin, and her body grew to the size of a panther. She wouldn’t have long in this form, so she would have to strike quickly.

She leapt at the boar, one last war cry roaring from her maw. She aimed for its throat, but the boar wasn’t as exhausted as she was. He swung his weapon faster, catching her in the chest. She landed, chest heaving, and attempted to swipe at him with her claws, but she was too off-balance. As she fell, she shrank again, the last of her demonic power used up.

At least I went out fighting, everyone… she thought as she crumpled into the dirt, prepared for death.

It didn’t come. Instead, there was another voice; a human one. Airisu could only keep one eye open, straining to see what was happening:

It was a human woman, strangely dressed but boldly blocking the boar from finishing off the half-dead feline. She held an odd weapon—a rifle? But it looked so different from the ones Airisu had seen before… When the woman fired it, it looked like it spat fire, and the boar demon reeled back, squealing. No rifle Airisu had ever seen had that kind of effect on a demon: his flesh seemed to be sizzling as he tried to get away into the forest.

“Ugly-ass PIG,” The human girl shouted as she cocked the rifle again, “You leave that poor kitty alone!” She fired it again, and the boar demon fizzled into nothing.

Does this woman think I am a mere cat…? Airisu wanted to laugh, but she didn’t have the energy. She was fading fast. Either way… she saved me… even if it was in vain...

~~~

“Thought you said you had to save your ‘am-hoe’, and you got and blow some of it on some weak-ass boar demon?”

“Inuyasha, please don’t say it like that—”

“No, let him, it’s hilarious.”

“He does have a bit of a point,” Sango cut in, before either Inuyasha or Luna could spark another fight. “You did say you had to save your ‘shells’, right? It seems a little wasteful if you used some on that boar demon—why did you?”

Luna nodded down at the little bundle in her arms—it was the little cat that the boar demon had been after the night before. She was asleep; Luna had bandaged her injuries and kept her warm and safe all night. As the little cat slept, her breathing had evened out, and Luna figured (what with the demon markings and all) that she would be alright soon.

“This little cat was trying to fight him,” She said softly. “I saved her.”

“Well ya ain’t keeping it—”

“Inuyasha!” Kagome chastised.

“Quit yelling at me!” Inuaysha snapped back, “It ain’t like it’s a house pet! She’s a demon cat like Kilala. She’s alive, so we should leave her be and keep going. She’ll heal by herself.”

“Who died and made you King of the Rock?” Luna grumbled at him.

“Guys, look!” Shippo, sat beside Luna, stretched up to peek at the little bundle. “She’s waking up!”

Quickly but gently, so as not to alarm her, Luna set the cat down and backed away a little. The demon cat’s eyes blinked open, blurred and confused. Luna smiled at her.

“Hey there, kitty,” she said softly. “You’re gonna be okay now…”

She sat up a little, pulling out something wrapped in paper and tied with a string—a handful of little fish from the river. She let the cat sniff it before setting it down in front of her. Cautious, the cat stared at her for a long time before she began to munch on the offering.

“[‘Atta girl,]” Luna chuckled, “You feeling better now?”

The cat paused in eating, blinked, and then disappeared into a cloud of smoke. A little startled, a couple of the group jumped back, but Luna stood where she was.

In the place of the little cat now sat a girl. Short waves of black hair fell around a pair of sleek feline ears and kissed her cheeks. The pupils of her eyes were catlike as well, sitting among irises that resembled a sunset. She wore a short, tattered pink kimono, and had a bit of black fur tucked around her collar. She had the same magenta markings that the cat had; on her cheeks and forehead, as well as the same bushy black tail.

The girl plucked the little cloth she’d been wrapped in as a cat off of her head, smiling brightly as she held it out to Luna.

“Much better!”

There was a beat of confused silence, before the others began to clamor in confusion.

“She had a human form this whole time?!” Inuyasha shouted.

“She was probably weak from fighting, Inuyasha, that could be why she stayed in her smaller form—” Miroku tried to reason with him.

“She did look a little like Kilala does—but she has only one tail.” Sango uttered.

“Then she’s a Bakeneko!” Shippo proclaimed, “They’re not common around here, my dad used to tell me they all went up North!”

Kagome looked suspiciously at her sister, who wasn’t shocked at all by the new information. Luna just stood there, watching her friends start to freak out with a sly little smile on her face. When she caught Kagome’s eye, she quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing as she turned back to the Bakeneko sitting before her. Like she knows something… Kagome mused to herself.

“My name is Airisu,” the Bakeneko said, bowing her head in greeting, “I want to thank you, Miss. That boar demon took the lives of the rest of my family last night, and would have taken mine as well if you hadn’t intervened.”

Luna shrugged. “I was only doing what I thought was right.”

“Well, for that, I owe you my life,” Airisu bowed her head once again, placing her hand over her heart. “I doubt I could ever fully repay you, but to show my gratitude, I will do the same for you. I will follow where you go, and protect you as you have protected me.”

Luna opened her mouth to respond, but her friends were once again surprised:

“That seems rather extreme…” Miroku said.

“You’d think so!” Shippo commented, “but some Bakeneko are really loyal like that! Especially since she saved her life!”

“Really?” Sango wondered.

“Still though…” Kagome chuckled awkwardly.

“Luna doesn’t need her protection,” Inuyasha scoffed, “she’s got that crazy weapon—and if she did need someone else to protect her, she has us!”

“Guys,” Luna waved her hand at her friends, laughing, “Don’t worry about it. I got this.” She extended her hand to the Bakeneko. “Alice, I accept.”

The cat demon pouted. “It’s Airisu!”

“Right, right. Sorry—Airisu,” Luna corrected herself. “Welcome to the team.”

“Hold on, Luna,” Kagome grabbed her sister’s arm, pulling her aside. “Shouldn’t we all talk about this first? I mean… you only just met her?”

“No I didn’t,” Luna said, with that knowing little smile on her face again. “You kidding? I’ve known her all my life. And so have you, Kags.”

It took a second for Kagome to put the pieces together. She glanced back over at the Bakeneko, who had started formally introducing herself to the rest of their friends. The bubbly smile, the black hair, the vibrant orange eyes—it finally clicked. “Wait… you don’t mean that’s—”

“The very same,” Luna smiled fondly as she watched the realization cross her sister’s face. “She’d be pretty young for a demon by now—only 40 or 50 years old—but that’s Alice alright. And I’d trust that cat with my life.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t recognize her at first,” Kagome said softly.

“Well, it’s also been a few years since you’ve seen her, too,” Luna nudged her sister. “But look, we can’t tell her that we know her in the future. Gotta Marty McFly this, okay?”

“You can’t go two seconds without some pop culture reference, can you?”

“Absolutely not.” Luna laughed.

[charmspoint]

Author Interview

Saw this on @prince-liest and did it cuz i needed a pick me up today, they said to tag them so there ya go I hope it’s interesting <3

Fandoms: Very much mostly BNHA, though I’m getting back in Bungou Stray Dogs and already have fics I wanna write there too. Other fandoms I dabbled in: Promised Neverland, Promare n Forest of Drizzling rain

Where I post: on AO3 at CharmPoint! ….don’t be…don’t be fooled by my tumblr name I’m just sacrificing a brand for a bad joke

Most popular one shot: The crown goes to Far too young, I think this one was just in the right time and place while Promised Neverland high was at it’s peak. It’s the only one shot I have that broke 100 kudos so I’m p proud of it.

Most popular multichapter fic: ….it’s…it’s Ignite me, god I wish it wasn’t but it is. I’m not gonna link it cuz I honestly don’t want ppl to read more of it. Like there’s nothing especially bad about it….aside from the writing. The writing is just down right awful, I wrote this two years ago with a coauthor (hi Tati) and it went on a hiatus and then I went to reread it to remind myself how to continue and aaaaa I couldn’t get through chapter 3 it was SO BAD. The reason is that we adapted it from a rp and…we did so pretty badly. I really don’t like it but I don’t wanna delete it cuz 1. It’s not only mine 2. A lot of people seemed to really really like it…somehow, they are so strong. My ultimate mission is to one day rewrite this fic and make a good Ignite me, one day…

Favorite story written so far: That would definitely be Call of the Wild (at least of ones posted rn, Red String of Death just might overtake it). I think this was the first time I reread one of my own fics and felt genuine pride. Like complete unabashed pride. I kept going :0 I did that, her mind!! Especially the first chapter, which is one I use for all my zine apps lmao. I think I got the atmosphere just right, I think I got the foreshadowing just right, I really like what I did with silence vs dialog through the story. I’m just so proud of it. I’ll probably never write anything for Kiribaku again but if I gave them one fic, I’m glad it was Call of the Wild.

Fic I was nervous to post: That would be The suffocating quality of your dying breaths (And the effect they had on me). I really liked this fic, I really vibed with it and I had a lot of fun writing it but I was afraid that what I was trying to say wouldn’t come across right. It’s a fic about suicidal tendencies not from the perspective of the person having them but the person closest to their side…that kinda hates their guts. I’m not sure how well I managed to get it across the 3 chapters it has, but it’s supposed to be about realizing your boundaries and that sometimes you just aren’t a person for the job and that sometimes you really shouldn’t torture yourself over what you can’t do and just do what you can instead. Some things require professional help and you shouldn’t beat yourself up for not being able to offer that kind of help. I was just afraid that ‘you have limits to what you can do to help’ would be misinterpreted as ‘so you think you should just not help suicidal people huh??’ I received a positive reception for it so if nothing else it went over well with some people!

Do you outline?: I just learned to properly outline this year ;;; I used to just go with the flow and that…ended up pretty bad. But now I found an outlining style that suits me and it helped a lot to make my writing better!!

Complete: 15! Most of them oneshots and staggering 9 from this year alone. I had a very bad creative drought for such a long time but now I’m back n yall there’s no stopping me

In progress: If we go by what’s not posted yet rn I’m working on 7 fics in various stages of done. I also have two more fics in WIP folder but they are waiting till I have time n motivation to write them. Also my notes are overflowing with future story ideas hbjbhj there’s a LOT.

Coming soon: Drumroll, three big bang fics (DabiHawks, ShinKami n TodoBaku) , one secret santa fic (it’s a surprise ;3c) and eventually three zine fics (>;3c) . Ya girl is head deep in events rn jjknjk HELP (jk I actually have them all under control believe it or not). These events played a large part in getting my motivation ball rolling again so I’m pumped to be a part of them, though also looking forward to more none event works after this.

Do I accept prompts?: Sure, if I’m vibing with the idea n have the free time (which I don’t ever;;;)

Upcoming works I’m most excited for: Red String of Death, my upcoming DabiHawks big bang fic! Honestly I’ve had a wild ride with this one, a real roller-coaster. I was really excited by the idea, then I was afraid it was boring actually, then I got a great beta who encouraged me a lot and provided a lot of valuable feedback and now im PUMPED again, I think it’s p good if I do say so myself and I’m super excited to see how people feel about it. It’s not the happiest story I’d say, it follows in the footsteps of Call of the Wild by having a sorta bittersweet ending and in being like a fic that’s about a commonly used sort of magic trope (werewolves vs reincarnation n soulmates) being given a little twist that makes it oh so painful. Anyway if it’s spiritual successor to Call of the Wild then you know my hype is real, I just hope others like it as much!

Tagging: Uhhh do it if you want to its late and im lazy to tag!!!

[gayoperatorgunclub]

“How many times do I have to explain that mirrors aren’t made with silver anymore. Vampires reflections show up now. Sheesh.” With Vampire Thatcher and Angelic Doc? :3c love ya 💚

i GOT you, homie!!! hopefully this meets your expectations!!!! 💝💝💝

“Can you explain to me again why we need to get all dressed up for eating dinner in our house?” 

Gustave turned to look at him. 

“Because, Mike. Some people like to dress a bit more formally than usual and have a nice dinner without the anxiety of actually going out. Now put on your suit.” 

Mike gave the suit in question his best death stare, then turned back to Gustave and pulled him into his arms. 

“Angel, you’re not a person. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in something casual?” 

Gustave pouted up at him, then rolled his eyes and asked, “What would this so-called casual attire entail?” 

Mike’s grin was downright predatory. “Well, I was thinking a hoodie and sweats for me,” a leer, “and nothing for you.” 

Gustave gasped dramatically and playfully smacked Mike’s chest. 

“Well, I guess the rumours about vampires always being cold aren’t true; here I thought you enjoyed my space-heater tendencies, but it turns out you’re perfectly capable of warming yourself!” 

Mike sighed heavily and pulled him closer, silencing his protests against his collarbone. 

“No, I love you and your heat-radiating tendencies. Is a man not allowed to want to ogle his angel boyfriend’s divine physique?” Suddenly, a hand was smacking over his eyes. 

“You want to ogle my divine physique? Fine. I’ll give you something to ogle.” 

Mike sensed the flash of light that his eyes were shielded from, and immediately knew he should’ve said “divine human physique” because of what happened last time he mentioned the divine to Gustave. 

The hand seemed to disappear from existence, and he took a moment to prepare himself for what he was about to see. Then, he opened them. 

Rings. 

Rings made of eyes. 

And other such facial orifices. 

All together, the rings form an almost-spherical shape which contains a light so pure that if Mike were to look at it without the shields of Gustave’s personal take on the rings of Saturn, he’s sure he would simply cease to be. Or disintegrate. He’s not sure which is worse. 

“Gustave.” 

The eye-rings seem to be trying their hardest not to look at him. Real mature, Gus. 

“Gustave.” 

Okay, the mouth rings are definitely pouting. This is getting ridiculous. 

“Israfil Rafael Kateb.” 

Of course that gets his attention. Typical angel, so stubborn. 

The floating orb of divinity turns to look at him. 

“Michaelangelo.” 

Oh, this little bitch!

“Listen, if you change back into your human form, I’ll let you wear an apron while you cook, and-” He’s interrupted by an earth-shattering roar. The orb expands and contracts rhythmically, as if regulating its breathing to calm down. 

“YOU’LL LET ME??????” It roars, the light now tinted red. “YOU’LL LET ME WEAR AN APRON WHILE I COOK??????” 

And yeah, Mike shouldn’t have said that. He’s clearly crossed a line with this one, and he knows Gustave struggles with authority since, you know. Disciple of Allah and all that. Mike has taken this too far. He’s already planning to get Gustave’s favorite onesie and blankets and toss them in the dryer so they’ll be warm and fuzzy for when he’s calmed down a little, when he notices that the light was no longer shining red. In fact, there was no light at all. He realizes that Gustave (in human form, no less) is standing before him, still half-dressed, looking sheepish. 

“Mike, I’m-” He starts, but Mike holds up a hand for him to stop. 

“No, I should be the one apologizing. I’ll put on the suit, and I’ll go set the table. I know you’ve been looking forward to tonight for a while, and it was selfish of me to be so stubborn about what we wear.” 

Gustave was walking over to him, faceplanting into his chest and wrapping his arms around Mike. He mumbled something unintelligible. 

“What was that, love?” Mike asked fondly, ruffling his hair. 

Gustave turned his face to the side so he wasn’t so muffled. “I wanted to apologize for losing control of myself. Honestly, the only reason I wanted to get dressed up was because I got a new suit and wanted to show it to you.” He blushed cutely, and Mike had to resist the urge to smash their lips together. “I also have a surprise underneath all the layers, and it wouldn’t have the same effect if I was just wearing sweatpants, or, as you so eloquently put it, nothing.” 

Mike wasn’t flustered. He. Was Not. Flustered. 

(He was excited) 

(And flustered) 

“Well! I see no need to keep dallying now that you’ve revealed your true nefarious motives to me! You finish putting on your new suit, which, with the way you’ve played this up, I expect will have an excellent view of your ass, yes? Good. I’ll put on my own formal attire, maybe with your help? We both know I can’t tie a tie, angel. I don’t know how you expect me to learn how to dress when I can’t even see myself in mirrors, love.” 

A poof of feathers arose from the closet where Gustave was getting changed, meaning his wings had been released. Meaning his wings were a part of the suit. Holy shit Mike’s gonna nut right now oh God. 

“I don’t know how many times I have to explain this to you,” Gustave said, exiting the closet and running his perfect hands through his perfect hair before stretching out his wings so he could start preening them, “mirrors aren’t made with silver anymore, you can see yourself in them. I can see you in them, Mike. We’re staring at eachother in a mirror right now.” 

“That’s just you and your holy miracles at work.” 

Gustave sighed and turned to him. 

“If you ever want a taste of holy blood ever again you will put your suit on and go set the table for our dinner. Okay?” 

Mike was already out the door, muttering something about divine influence and how unethical this was. He didn’t have his tie. 

Gustave giggled quietly, before turning back to the vanity and opening a secret compartment. He took out a small velvet box, and tucked it into a hidden compartment of his suit. Checking his appearance in the mirror, he flashed himself a dazzling grin before joining Mike in the kitchen. 

[my-whumpy-little-heart]

🍰☕🍼 :3c

Thank you so much for the ask Allen! I may have spent multiple hours writing all of this, but they were a very very happy few hours and I’m just happy you enabled that.

🍰- strawberry or vanilla?

Oooohhhhh this question. This. Question. Everyone always asks vanilla or chocolate and that’s so easy for me because I easily prefer vanilla more! But vanilla versus strawberry? That’s such a difficult debate!

On one hand, vanilla is the plainer of the two. That’s easy to dock it for, but it’s so classic! You can’t get vanilla flavoring wrong unless you really try to. I can go anywhere and ask for a vanilla milkshake, and I can be sure that sucker’s gonna taste like good ol’ vanilla.

But then, thinking about strawberry, it’s so much more flavorful! It’s distinct and fruity and sweet and even when toned down by being included in something such as ice cream or cake it’s still a lovely flavor. But then again, when you bake with strawberries they can make things really funky and not be all that great. The fault of that in store bought items is mostly them being artificial so the strawberry flavor can’t be properly replicated... but sometimes it’s super good!

If I were to make a definite decision, I’d have to go with strawberry and blame it solely on the fact that I’m thinking of some really tasty strawberry ice cream that this one place around us has. It’s got little frozen strawberries in it which provide an exquisite texture and pop of flavor in the duller flavor of the ice cream itself. It’s a lovely experience, especially paired with a scoop of cookies and cream (cookies and cream is the best ice cream flavor and you can’t fight me on that because I’m feeling too soft to threaten people right now)

☕- coffee or tea?

Ahaa, so sorry to report that I’ve gotta go with neither. The smell of coffee repulses me, and tea has never really struck my fancy. 

Since I couldn’t provide a very good answer for that, I will instead that I’ve been listening to This Is Home by Cavetown and TrusT by half·alive repeating while answering these asks and am just now switching to Stranded Lullaby by Miracle Musical. If you need calming tunes, they’re all certified Chill~~ songs as dictated by the playlist I put them in.

🍼- what is your favorite memory?

buckle up. you opened the floodgates of I’m Really Feeling About This so soft puddle boa ahead, I’ve melted all over the floor and it may be slippery. crossing my fingers that i haven’t already mentioned this on here and forgotten about it because this is just one of my favorite memories ever and I’m going to get lost in it and gush about it.

OKAY. SO. LISTEN UP. I got very VERY happy about this coming segment. By that, I mean there nearly 3000 words ahead. So. Fair warning, It’s all super fun positive stuff and if you need a pick me up I hope I can do it for you but I’m gonna try and use a read more cut here. Really hoping Tumblr works with me on that.

This is a memory from last summer, just over a year ago now. A whole group of my extended family and us got together and we all took a vacation to Southeastern USA. One of the days down there we spent in Savannah, Georgia. First of all, it’s a beautiful city. Temperatures there are Very High, especially in the middle of summer, but it’s so scenic and I loved the whole aesthetic of the parts we walked around in as well as the history we learned about it. 

During the day we took a walking food and drink tour (’drink’ for those of the proper age, not for me lol) and then spent a little while wandering on our own. We found through a newspaper that there was this cool little donut shop that had just opened its doors a few days prior and went to check it out. And it was the coolest little place! They’re called 8-Bit Donuts so look that up and scroll a little in google images if you wanna get a visual of their store, but it’s this cute, geeky little donut place! It was a fun discovery and we sat in there to have a few donuts before heading off to meet up with the rest of the family for what we’d scheduled for that evening.

We headed over to the Savannah Theater which, if I’m not mistaken, is one of the oldest still operating theaters in the country. It looked pretty unassuming from the outside, and even still when we stepped in. It had those nice old theater vibes but I still wasn’t completely informed on what we were doing there. My parents said something about a ‘variety show’ and this being something my great aunt was really looking forward to doing, so I was chill with it. 

When we stepped in to the theater space itself, that’s when I was starting to go ‘oh, oh yeah okay i can vibe with this.’ It had so many cool old timey vibes and I just felt like I’d stepped into a different time period than my own. We had seats all across the back rows because I think it was more of a last minute decision and we wanted to sit our large group as close together as possible. So I got an aisle seat (aisle seat best seat and I stand by that) and chilled there for a bit while we waited for the show.

I feel inclined to preface this with, yes, I was in the height of my theatre phase that summer. And I was excited to see some live performance because I had been living on bootlegs for months. As I think about this I really want to talk about something else that I greatly admire and have lovely memories of, but I can’t get very in detail because unfortunately this is something closer to where I live. I’ll see if I can expand on it once i finish this explanation because I thought about it and I’m remembering some lovely things I’d forgotten,,,

Alrighty! did all that for an hour so now I am Back to talk about this. So, right, sitting in an aisle seat. So the show started and immediately I was entranced. They made an announcement beforehand encouraging audience participation and excitement. So I was like oh, this isn’t gonna be a very traditional theatre performance huh. And it wasn’t! Variety show basically meant they performed songs from a ‘variety’ of different shows and time periods, and some more from pop culture through the years too! 

I think this was really mostly aimed at older folks, but oh my gosh let me tell you; I had the Time Of My LIFE that night.

I was so into everything they did, even when I didn’t know the songs because the theater was buzzing with their energy and enthusiasm and I just can’t describe to you the feeling of euphoria I got from watching that show. I never would have chosen it, yet here I was completely over the moon and throwing my hands in the air to the tune of Shout by The Isley Brothers (oh my gosh even now I just turned on and aaah if you need to ever lift your spirits please turn this on i’m dancing around in my chair i forgot how much i loooove this song aaaaaaah!!!!!!). Listen I know it sounds really stupid but I promise I was just having so much fun not worrying about what I was doing or how I was coming off but just being so joyously immersed in the show.

And right during that song, the performers had actually come off the stage and into the aisles. Walking down them, singing, dancing, all that. And one of them came down our aisle too. So let me back up and say that they all looked super Fancy and Cool and I was over here like starry eyed because dancing around with a three piece suit on is life goals okay I just think formalwear is awesome! That’s not an important detail but you needed it for the Imagery that you probably won’t get any more of because I’ve been typing this for literally three hours and I’m becoming incoherent. Not that that’s a bad thing because I am having Genuine, Unadulterated Fun.

Yes. So. Guy comes down our aisle, the slow part of the song comes on, and he extends his hand. Towards The Me. And I’m here like 👀??? Looking around and pointing to myself like “me??” and he nods and I’m like !!!!!!! because listen crowd participation is just the coolest shit. Whenever people are picked out of an audience for something during things like this I’m over here like “oooooh i wanna do that thing!” So!! For him to probably have recognized me in the back row just having a whole time and a half with their show and gone back like ‘okay, I recognize your enthusiasm and I think that’s great and invite you to join me in having fun’ 

I was just !!!!!! So I took his hand and keep in mind that I Cannot Dance. He led and Knew What He Was Doing which was good because I’m a fool but it was cool!!! I nearly fell over when I twirled!! I laughed and smiled and I could not care less about looking dumb and I really aspire to be that version of myself more often. I think those seconds are some of the Purest Glee I’ve ever felt and I’m so grateful to all those actors, but especially that man, for making my night something I’ll remember fondly for years to come!

The rest of the show was great after that little adrenaline rush and we came out after it and I was still just a little bundle of Excitement. The rest of my family around us commented on it and my parents had apparently managed to get their phones out quickly enough to catch footage and pictures of that hilarity that I still have saved on my own phone. But yeah there was another half of my family that had ended up on the far side of the theater from us. And it was then, after everything, that I learned they had also! seen me dancing! And I was like oh wait, hold up, you what??

So yeah, I had not realized at the time that there was a bit of a spotlight on us and the Whole Entire Theater had seen us dance. There was a little embarrassment mixed in there, but honestly I was far too happy to care at that point.

After that we went out to get some ice cream and it was just a really nice cooldown after what I can easily say was one of the best days of my life.

OKay okay dammit I’m writing it now and putting it at the end of the ask. Hello, future reader, this is directly continued off of the paragraph where I talked vaguely about something else I was thinking of. So, detailed explanation undetailed, there’s this beautiful, scenic place near me. There’s this old mansion that I’ve toured and aaaaaaahhh it’s really a beautifully preserved place. Old architecture like that is. Ohhh I could stare at it for days on end. 

And there’s a lovely, what, ‘reserve’ I guess of nature around it? I’d describe it as walking through an enchanted forest. It’s just natural and sometimes if you’re close enough to the mansion you can catch glimpses of it through the treetops, and it’s genuinely one the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. I. Just. AAAAAH and that’s not even my whole point!! 

Because right in the middle of this incredible greenery there’s a stage. And no, not the kind of stage you’re imagining. It’s like a little set of its own, a wooden ground stage and there’s a climbable second level with doors and all that. An all purpose sort of structure where they put on Shakespeare plays. They put on Shakespeare plays on that beautiful stage in the middle of the enchanted woods and I just want to cRY THINKING ABOUT IT I CAN’T GET TO MY POINT HERE.

So. SO. In order to tell this story. I. Need to go on Another side tangent and dearest Lord if you’re still with me I commend you, and I love you because this has been so stupidly self indulgent and rambly up until this point. I don’t know if I’ll even be able to make a cut work. Hm. This is off topic. It’s off the off topic from the off topic and was there even a topic to all this in the first place? I swear I’m completely sober and have never been Not Sober I’m just. Like This I guess.

Right. Other side tangent. So, this happened the summer after my freshman year of high school specifically. Why is that important? In my English class, we had done a class reading of Romeo and Juliet. And by class reading, I mean Class Impromptu Performance. I looked forward to that class So So Much because. Every day we would read through a scene or so of the story, and we had assigned roles that rotated every act. The combination of people in the class made for one of my favorite class dynamics I’ve ever had. Along with my teacher, everyone in there was so fun and silly but also knew when and how to stop so we could get work done. Far and away one of my favorite overall high school experiences. but yeah!

In the first act of Romeo and Juliet, I was assigned to be Mercutio. And, well, I was looking ahead a bit on our second day of reading because I hadn’t popped up yet. And, ah, if you know anything about Mercutio’s role in act one, you’ll know he’s got a Long Ass Monologue. And as I flipped ahead in our English book I found that and. My first thought was. “Oh woah, that’s a big ol block of text I wonder who reads th-” and my second thought, after reading the character name, was “oh shit.” 

Sooooo I went over and asked my teacher like, “Hey, uh, Mrs. L. Am I. Am I reading that?” and she was like “yeah.” and I’m sitting there like “ah, alright, coooool.” and on the inside I really couldn’t figure out if I was excited to try my hand at it or Very Very Terrified. But I think my teacher that year knew me far better than I knew myself, because when it came to that Thursday and we’d made it to act 4, I fell in love with Mercutio’s character. He’s so overdramatic and expressive while also tossing a little snark in there, and he’s not afraid to be seen as a little insane. I had fun reading off the monologue, especially after reading it a few times beforehand to myself so I’d at least know what it said. 

I think it was a few days later when I was talking to my teacher about that, and she said that every year she picks the roles very specifically according to her students. And with the Mercutio one, especially the first act, she said she just kinda Knows the students that role would resonate with. And, well, it resonated alright. 

And. And ohhhhhh yeah you know where this is going. I read ahead at home on no fear Shakespeare because without the help to understand everything that we got in class it would have been very difficult for me to read that and get all the jokes and plot points myself. So yeah, when I got to act three I was suitably Very Upset to find out that Mercutio died. Since I had that English class for the last period of our day, I may or may not have stayed after the day after I read his death scene at home and grieved with my teacher over it. It was a fun conversation but yes I may or may not have been Quite Distraught that my favorite character died in the middle of the play. I could continue that answer, but yes that’s what you need to know. Mercutio was my favorite character by a long shot.

SOOOO fast forward to that summer where this Outdoor Shakespeare thing I was rambling about announced that the tragedy they put on that summer would be none other than Romeo and Juliet. And immediately I was super excited, because I knew the plot to that! I’d just experienced it in English class and it was absolutely too perfect to pass up. 

So one summer evening, we took the trip out there to see this theater company’s production. It was such a lovely night. We brought takeout dinner and a picnic blanket to eat out on the grass before the show, then got in our seats to wait for it. And so something I hadn’t known about this before is that they do something called a ‘Green Show.’ It’s a crowd-pleaser sort of thing, an appetizer before the main show for the evening, and a warm up for the actors as well. 

I don’t have clear memories of exactly what they did, but everyone was in this very simple folk-clothing if you catch my drift and it was very casual, like I was in some old town and watching some group of people sit on a corner and just have fun making music together. It was energizing and just made me feel so warm inside. It was familiar and homely, even though I’d never experienced it before. But during that show, I picked out this one guy apart from the rest who seemed especially enthusiastic. His energy was enthralling and he had a really beautiful voice. And I was just wondering, ah, I wonder what character he’s playing.

Yes, I know you can see where this is going. Let me have my fun with the dramatic reveal that past Boa got to experience.

Through the beginning of the show, I hadn’t seen that guy yet. Or I didn’t think I had, I’ve known to be very unperceptive. But finally at that fourth scene where he appears, I saw the Romeo and Benvolio actors walking up through our little aisle of chairs and behind them was Mercutio. And I was already excited because aaH! the monologue! the monologue i did in class but now i got to see it performed live! by a professional!! And then I got a good look at him and i was like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT’S THE COOL GUY FROM THE GREEN SHOW!!! aND I was just. Aaaaaahh!!!! I was so excited and it probably sounds really dumb but I. Just. Yeahhhhh that was awesome.

And what do you know, he was incredible in the role! From monologue to death scene, I thoroughly enjoyed his performance as Mercutio and the rest of my family probably knew that all too well from how excited I was at intermission. I just!!! I saw Mercutio and I Latched right on to his character so seeing him come to life in just the way I imagined and right before my eyes I. It was freaking incredible I don’t know man that actor just. Worked magic.

And after the show, all the actors kinda lined up by the exit and said farewell as we headed out. And I really wanted to say a word or two to the Mercutio actor but I nearly didn’t ask my parents to stop because I was kinda scared about it. Either I worked up the courage to ask my parents, or one of them asked if I wanted to go up and say hi, but yeah I did. I don’t remember my words exactly, but I was just stammering and nervous but got my point across of “hey i read the play this year and love your character and you played him super well and i just think that’s super cool and i’m lowkey idolizing you right now!’

So I went home with those warm butterflies in my heart that night. And it was such a wonderful experience that I just dug back out of my brain tonight so I’m really really happy I got to remember and record all that,,,

[rpgmgames]

September’s Featured Game: Turovero: The Celestial Tower

DEVELOPER(S): Queenie ENGINE: RPG Maker VX Ace GENRE: RPG, Adventure, Psychological, Dark Fantasy WARNINGS: Violence, Light Horror Elements, Sensitive Themes SUMMARY: Turovero: The Celestial Tower is a freeware, dark fantasy role-playing game created with RPG Maker VX Ace. Players take on the role of four young adventurers - Sigurd, a brave and kind-hearted knight, Leilia, a gentle and motherly cleric, Edric, a gifted yet sharp-tongued mage, and Ruby, a cheeky, fun-loving thief - who have no recollection of their lives prior to meeting one another. Determined to free their world from the influence of an ancient evil, the Dark One, the group sets forth on their most perilous journey yet as they climb the mysterious divine tower, Turovero. However, as the heroes ascend the Celestial Tower, they begin to realize that not everything is as it seems. Just what is the Dark One that plagues their world so, and what truly happened to the Four Gods of legend? The answers to these questions lie in wait for them at the top of the tower… but do they truly want to discover them?

Play the game here! Our Interview With The Dev Team Below The Cut!

Introduce yourself! I'm Queenie and this is my second game that I've developed, written, and composed for (my first game was Prom Dreams: A High School Love Story, a horror / dating sim game available whever you can download Turovero from). I've been making games in earnest for about 4 years now, but I did use to muck around in the old bootleg version of RPG Maker 2000 when I was a kid I guess. Because one of the main complaints about my first game was the artwork, and because I, er, can't draw very well, I also enlisted the help of @genkaiko, @caffeineandcarpaltunnel, @pleasedrawmore, and @meakersneakers to draw the character artwork, title and ending artwork, enemy artwork, and cutscene artwork respectively. Check them out too if you've got the chance!

What is your project about? What inspired you to create this game initially? *Queenie: I've always enjoyed horror games and games that started out normal / cute / cliched but slowly turned into something darker as they went on. I also really love RPGs and adventure games. So, naturally, I figured I'd combine the two at some point, and thus the initial concept for Turovero was born!

How long have you been working on your project? *Queenie: Total development time was around 2.5 years.

Did any other games or media influence aspects of your project? *Queenie: Considering every games I've made so far is essentially cobbling together various ideas from games and anime I love, you bet your ass it did LOL. Gameplay involves a mix of classic Final Fantasy-esque battles and Zelda-style field puzzles, whereas the story and atmosphere takes inspiration from other RPG Horror games and anime such as Madoka Magica and Higurashi. Essentially, dark psychological drama wrapped up in a nice little JRPG shell. Or something like that.

Have you come across any challenges during development? How have you overcome or worked around them? *Queenie: Besides my complete and utter lack of art skills (which I thankfully had my team to help me with!), I also really struggled with the field skills due to RPG Maker's admittedly shoddy collision detection. I was eventually able to make the mechanic work around 90% of the time (and if it doesn't, protip: push up against the object before activating the field skill), so it's thankfully playable, but it sure was a pain to work with :T

Have any aspects of your project changed over time? How does your current project differ from your initial concept? *Queenie: I actually try to fully create a solid outline of my games and then stick to it, for the most part, so that I don't lose track during development. So, to be honest, not a whole lot changed besides some minor details, such as names, battle skills, and combat balance adjustments. Although, I did originally envision the theme and look of the final "dungeon" a bit differently (which I obviously won't go into details about), and only went with the current design because I couldn't get the sprites to cooperate with me and I was like "well, eh, this is the next best thing I guess". :P

What was your team like at the beginning? How did people join the team? If you don’t have a team, do you wish you had one or do you prefer working alone? *Queenie: I did about 80% of the game myself, but I did have an interview/portfolio submission process for artists. I knew many of them previously, and the title artist I'd already had a working relationship and internet friendship with, so that made things easier as well. It also helped that I could share my ideas (and memes. lots of memes.) during the development process so I didn't have to keep the game 100% secret, haha.

What is the best part of developing a game? *Queenie: The music!! I freakin' love composing okay. I also love writing emotional or comedic scenes, then see other people's reactions to them as they play. Speaking of which, my jar of Player Tears seems to be running a little empty lately... :3c

Do you find yourself playing other RPG Maker games to see what you can do with the engine, or do you prefer to do your own thing? *Queenie: I usually just go with the kind of gameplay my story needs and that my developer's skills will allow; sometimes I see another game and go "oh, that's possible?", and might keep that knowledge in handy, but I don't actively seek out gameplay inspiration or anything.

Which character in your game do you relate to the most and why? (Alternatively: Who is your favorite character and why?) *Queenie: My boy Edric and his grumpy yet adorable tsundere ways LOL. I have a thing for characters with love problems okay ;;

Looking back now, is there anything that regret/wish you had done differently? *Queenie: I do kind of wish the game had a way to do something like unison attacks from the Tales series, since it'd be thematically consistent with the game's ideas of friendship and unity, but at the time I wasn't willing to fudge around with the battle engine too much, so I shelved the idea.

Do you plan to explore the game’s universe and characters further in subsequent projects, or leave it as-is? *Queenie: I have ideas for some prequel stories (in an e-book or even a visual novel format) that expand upon the characters and world a bit, but I'm waiting to gauge interest in them.

What do you most look forward to upon/after the release of a project? *Queenie: Player reactions and Let's Plays, definitely. I feed off of player reactions. I crave them like a zombie craves brains. If you play my games please tell me how much you suffered - er, enjoyed it, it really makes my day!

Is there something you’re afraid of concerning the development or the release of your game? *Queenie: Honestly, only that it'd attract the wrong kind of fan - you know, the ones who harass people over fictional characters and over a work not being 100% to their particular standards. Thankfully that hasn't seemed to happen yet, and most people who've played my games are super chill and awesome.

Do you have any advice for upcoming devs? *Queenie: Use outlines and try not to shovel features into your game just because you can! Figure out what kind of game you want and then focus your energy on making it the best version of that image that you can. Sure, my games may not take advantage of everything RPG Maker can do, but I don't think they need to - I only needs the elements that will help me tell my story the way I want to.

Question from last month's featured dev @Teal Crown: If you're working on a team, how do you manage to keep organized? (Otherwise: If you could meet your favourite dev, the one that inspires you the most, what would you ask them?) *Queenie: My artists and I kept up via Tumblr messenger and Discord mostly. I also made a beta testing server when the game reached the testing phase, which was very helpful and also loads of fun. :)

We mods would like to thank Queenie for agreeing to our interview! We believe that featuring the developer and their creative process is just as important as featuring the final product. Hopefully this Q&A segment has been an entertaining and insightful experience for everyone involved!

Remember to check out Turovero: The Celestial Tower if you haven’t already! See you next month! 

- Mods Gold & Platinum