#i love museums so much honestly i'd like to go to as many as i can 😔

[psilactis]

just saw a post talking about how good libraries are and that they are like, the last free thing people have access to. I'm so so so glad to be brazilian. Truly a hellish experience sometimes but mostly it's so good

[copperbadge]

Hey Sam. If you're so inclined, could you recommend a few 'must eat' places in Downtown Chicago? My hotel will be near the Red Line (Grand station) and I'm fine walking a good 10 minutes for awesome food. I'm planning my trip and trying to put together a few food places for lunch and dinner and such. Pizza, burgers, bbq, donuts, steak, sushi..., I'm flexible!

You know, honestly, I don't eat out much anymore so I'm not sure where the best places to get a bite are. I'm going to make some recommendations but they're about to be a mixture of "If you come to Chicago this is somewhere everyone goes" and "This is somewhere Sam personally likes to eat but which you may not go for." :D

So, if you're at Grand, you are pretty much on top of the Weber Kettle Grill. Weber Kettle Grill does GREAT grill food and my parents always want to eat there when they come into town. If you ask to sit at the chef's table, you'll be seated at what looks like a bar, but it also looks all the way down the row of giant indoor grills the chefs use to cook the food. If you want something quieter and less busy they also have a fairly large dining room.

If you want a real Chicago experience, there's a Portillo's pretty close to you (that one's called "Portillo's & Barnelli's"); Portillo's is a local chain that does burgers, dogs, and crucially Italian Beef. Italian Beef is my go-to Chicago food for people who (like me) don't want to eat Deep Dish Pizza. It's a crusty roll filled with shredded braised beef; you can get it with sweet peppers, hot peppers, or no peppers (they might call it "giardinera" which is the local term for the pepper relish they use). If you get it "dipped", once the sandwich is made it's dunked in a flavorful jus before being wrapped up; if you don't like wet bread I'd skip this, but I love it. If you REALLY don't like wet bread, maybe get a Chicago Style hot dog instead. Portillo's is also famous for being The Place Where they make you a milkshake with an entire slice of chocolate cake in it. You can also just get a slice of cake, which is fantastic.

There's also an Al's Italian Beef near you if you want a more local experience. Locals absolutely can and will eat at Portillo's, the food's not better at Al's, it's just a bit more tourist-friendly than Al's tends to be.

If you want that true authentic Chicago deep dish experience (pie crust filled with cheese and then topped with sauce) Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due are very close by; they vie for the dubious honor of having invented the deep dish pizza. I can't recommend it, but if you want it, hit one of those.

If you're not from the midwest and would like to sample a decent approximation of Detroit style deep dish (thick bready crust topped with cheese and then sauce) Jet's Pizza likely delivers to your hotel. I can't recommend going to a Jet's, many of them don't have anywhere to sit and eat, and for a pizza joint they're a bit costly, but it's very good pizza. My Detroit friends say it's a perfectly acceptable pie by their standards.

Volare Ristorante is a nearby hidden gem if you're in the mood for upscale Italian; I really like their pasta, but they are on the pricier end. If you're walking east on Grand to get there, you do have to go under Michigan, and you will likely fear that you will be stabbed and left for dead in this weird underground cavern, but I promise you, it's smelly but safe.

Goddess And The Baker and Beatrix are both good places to pick up breakfast. If you wish to glimpse Hell, the Starbucks Roastery at Michigan and Erie is one of the largest buxes in the country (possibly the world?) and is a FUCKING NIGHTMARE to navigate, but it's certainly an experience.

If you're venturing into the Loop, Russian Tea Time is a fun place to have afternoon tea and the a la carte food is also quite good; they're very close to the Art Institute. There's not much to eat if you're going to the museum campus, and my favorite Greek place closed down, but Minghin Cuisine is a good Chinese place (I've eaten there) and AO Hawaiian Hideout is supposedly some of the best Chinese in the city (I have not eaten there).

If you are craving Chinese, you can also catch the Red Line directly to the Chinatown stop and browse, I've never had a bad meal in Chinatown. When you get off the train, if you go north to the station exit with only stairs, you can exit, look left, and see the "new" Chinatown that's basically an outdoor mall; if you go south to the escalator exit, once you leave turn right and you'll see the big pagoda entrance to "old" Chinatown, which is more shops than restaurants. New Chinatown has some excellent bakeries, and also a Korean fried chicken place, Bonchon, that's extremely good. Usually when I take friends we go to Joy Yee which has a huge menu and also bubble tea.

As a final plug I'll list The Berghoff, which is in the loop (off the Jackson Red Line stop); it's pretty hefty German cuisine, all excellent food, and also is a top notch place to take anyone with gluten issues -- the owners have a kid with a gluten intolerance and the restaurant has an exceptional gluten-free menu with unusually strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen.

And if you want to get a little baked first, you are pretty close to Sunnyside dispensary, which is a very nice dispensary with super friendly people. If you take the Red Line to Roosevelt or are in the area, Grasshopper Club is less expensive, just as friendly, and Black-owned, and they've been my go-to for a couple of months now. At either one you can walk-in to speak to a budtender about what you'd like, or you can preorder online, but be aware that there are limitations on what out-of-staters can purchase. Having sampled most of the gummies out there, I'd recommend Mindy's (any flavor is good but the black cherry is my preferred). Do bring ID, you will be carded.

I hope you enjoy Chicago! If you have more questions feel free to hit me up here or at copperbadge@gmail.com if you'd like to have more of like, a dialogue :) Have fun and eat well!

[rosearcanaeum]

(Ten) people I'd like to know better

Tagged by: @screechingfromthevoid <3

Last song: Far From Me by Chase Noseworthy is just on repeat. Sad boy Vax and perfect for my range!

Favorite color: it really depends on context honestly. But the most general is soft pink.

Last book: 😅 I've been struggling through Nein Eyes of Lucien for a while.... more honestly its Call of the Netherdeep and Explorers Guide to Wildemount. I truely read far more fanfic than anything else.

Last movie: I watched Night at the Museum for the first time this week. It was waaaaaay better than I ever imagined. I knew it was good and funny. It was also incredibly sincere and I can't get enough of that.

Last show: speaking of sincere, I'm about halfway through Frieren: beyond journey's end. And holy shit! I have never seen any media with a character who views and interacts with death the way i do. Its pretty heavy as shows go but its trustworthy. (I have a hard time with new stuff most of the time. Cr is one exception and this is too apparently)

Sweet/spicy/savory: no joke I've eaten salt before lol. But i prefer combos or all 3. Sweet spicy is underrated.

Relationship status: I live with my queer platonic partner. Its still just buckwild to me. As a kid i hated the idea of living with a partner cuz i didnt want so many aspects of what i was told that looked like. But hey guess what, y'all can decide what your relationships look like. We have separate rooms, are not sexually involved, rarely even touch tbh. And we love each other very much and want to grow old together in a house with cats.

They're touch averse and I'm sensory seeking. My fun Sunday night (out dancing) is their nightmare. But because we are who we are and how we understand and communicate in our relationship we rely on each other for only things that are available. I'll tell them all the dumb shit i see and do on Grindr and we'll sit on the couch and knit together.

Also my brain nearly explodes everytime I realize not only do we do couple stuff, we have couple friends we do couple stuff with. 18 year old me would have never believed you if you told them.

Last thing I looked up: I looked up the caffeine content of the thai tea concentrate I got my partner to see if i could try it. And shockingly i should be able to. Still gonna eat first and be careful though.

Current obsession: I'm pretty spread out rn, unusually. Ive got a sweater im excited about. And I'm on my 3rd attempt at a dorym water bottle sleeve I'm designing. This one should work now. Honestly dorym is probably no. 1 on my list. I shipped that back in exu, along with a bunch of stuff cuz I'm a delightful multishipper. So i feel particularly excited about dorym finally taking off. But also that while dorian was always looking to orym if anything else had come along he was there for the ride. I love robbie so so much. He is such a good character storyteller!

Looking forward to: today im hanging with 2 friends im usually in a larger group with so thats gonna be fun. Looking forward to baking off the beef wellingtons i made for my partner for xmas. And im looking forward to being able to work full time again in the new year. Ive been on part time for health reasons and stayed because i was spending hours on the phone fighting for insurance coverage. Now that both a done i can work more. I love my job and its a particular kind of boredom that i get when i cant work. Lol speaking of, im looking forward to the holidays being over. The office closures normally screw us but now im only working thurs fri for the next 2 weeks and I'll have try really hard to keep busy enough. At least my partner has 2 of the days off with me!

No pressure tags; not sure I can get to 10 and please dont feel obligated but I'd love to see yours (if you havent already. Ive been avoiding spoilers a lot recently so may not have seen it): @vigilante-apologist @standbyyourmantis @soedblackchaos @forestthechonkykitty @corrrvid @local-redhead-bookworm and luddles looks like you did already do this.

Thats all i got. If you see this and want to do it, consider yourself tagged!

[thatwasthenightthingschanged]

eras tour city guide: Munich

(Gelsenkirchen | Hamburg)

are you're traveling to see the eras tour in Munich and are looking for things to do in the city or just need advice for good food/drinks spots? Or are you looking for some insider information about the venue? I got you! here are some ideas for you (I will continuously update this post!):

THINGS TO DO

Englischer Garten: one of the most well-known nature spots in Munich (it's not my personal fave but the list would be missing something if it wasn't on there). huge park right in the middle of Munich. in it, there's also the famous Eisbachwelle where surfers surf on the Isar! however, it's always very packed in the summer

castle Nymphenburg: very pretty castle! it also has a huge park around it that is way less touristy so you have a chance to spend some time more by yourself!

Marienplatz & Karlsplatz/Stachus: if you're looking for shopping opportunities, this is the main place to be in Munich. extremely packed on the weekends however. at Marienplatz, you will also find the city hall whose chimes ring (including figurines coming out of the tower) each day at 11am, 12pm and 5pm!

Auer Mühlbach: nice spot for a walk along the Isar that is less crowded!

museums: many museums only demand an entrance fee of 1€ on Sundays! so if you're into museums I'd take advantage of that :) popular museums in Munich are the Pinakotheken or the Deutsches Museum.

lakes: you can reach many pretty lakes very easily and very quickly by train! (for example Starnberger See where the train tracks go right by the train so driving there has studio ghibli feels imo! Eibsee & Walchensee are also very nice but do require a car)

Glockenbachviertel: this is the area for queer history and the queer scene in Munich! Freddy Mercury for example used to frequent it! It's also right next to Viktualienmarkt (a place with many different food stands) and it's not as crowded as the Marienplatz/Stachus area. it also has very cute traffic lights!

take a walk by the Isar (for example the Flaucher)

FOOD & DRINKS

Gans Woanders: lovely little restaurant very close to the Isar! they built a little wooden house right in the middle of the city and it has a very cozy vibe. they sell home-made (vegetarian) pizza and fries! (I personally think their pizza is one of the best pizzas ever) and if you go there on a weekday at lunch time, they have even cheaper prices!

Katzentempel: located in the Univiertel! if you have ever wanted to get a coffee or some nice vegan food while petting very cute cats, this is the place to be for you! but: make sure to reserve a table because it tends to be fully booked especially on weekends!

Om Nom Nom: very tasty vegan food and they also sell a bunch of vegan snacks

Pure Burrito: on the note of non-expensive stuff, if you like burritos I can very much recommend this food chain! their small burrito is honestly so filling it's a whole lunch and it's only about 5-6€ for one!

Der verrückte Eismacher: ice cream parlour that sells experimental sorts of ice cream! it's probably one of Munich's most famous ice cream parlours. but: slightly more on the expensive side - you need to buy at least two scoops of ice cream and those cost ~3€. they also give you a free small spoon of an ice cream you want to try on top.

general advice: if you're looking for cheaper meals & drinks you should head to the Univiertel (subway stations "university"/"Giselastraße"/"Münchner Freiheit") - especially the food and drinks right in the city center are veeeery expensive (even the bakeries which is just insane to me but that's just Germany's most expensive city for you). it's also right next to the Englischer Garten!

GENERAL INFORMATION & ADVICE ABOUT THE VENUE

I will make a separate post about the eras tour concert dates at the venue once they will release information specifically about those two concerts, but for Harry Styles at least we were allowed to bring a 0.5l clear water bottle with us into the stadium!

bring a jacket! yes, even if it's 30 degrees celsius outside. it is always very windy in the stadium no matter the temperature outside!

there are tons of food stands in the area of the Olympiapark but also within the stadium (besides your usual drinks stands). at the last concert I went to there they sold Bratwurst in the pit lol

if you only have a ticket to one of the shows but are still/already in town for the other show, be sure to catch the concert from Olympiaberg! you can enjoy a nice sunset and do a picknick there and might (depending on where you find a spot) see the screen! but: I've been there for concerts a few times and the hill fills up fast, and I assume it will fill up even faster for Taylor! I would advise you to get there at 6pm at the latest if you want a (good) spot!

[thesecrethistori-an]

Omg hii I saw you answering a bunch of peoples uni questions and you were so nice at answering- so here's mine too!!

How do you improve your social life in college, in just socially anxious and like I know all the generic advice but it's still tough

Like I have friends but it isn't like glamorised fun you know, we hang out- I like them but it's not "crazy" like I don't go to parties with them, or go out with anyone that often? Like is that weird? I feel like I want to change that but I don't know how to?

Hii!! Thanks for your question!! I love this because it has really forced me to think about how I relate to others and how I've struggled to find my people

It's genuinely hard to socialise in a way that isn't just checking the boxes but that actually is fulfilling. It took me years and it was sometimes exhausting (ironically the pandemic helped me solidify my friend group)(then I moved to a different country and distanced myself a lot from my Spanish friends, which is something I haven't fully resolved yet).

I'll just throw in some ideas:

You genuinely need to be interesting: do not fake a personality but reflect about your offline identity. You befriend people that you find cool/funny/intelligent. People that can hold a conversation. You cannot expect your friends to be just an entertainment. Friendship is exchange ;)

If there are student clubs in your uni, join one. It doesn't need to be the thing that interests you the most, it could be something you're curious about. There, if people hang out after their meetings... Join! And if they don't? Honestly, choose two of your favourite people, propose a fun hangout that is simple (board games bar if you like that, drinks, coffee, visiting a museum) and pitch it to the rest of the group. Chances are everyone is looking for an excuse to socialise!

You can try different clubs: first year I joined a feminist association, a photography club and an mun club... I ended up only staying in the mun club and some of my best friends rn (even after I moved out of the country) I met there!

Related to this: it is irrelevant how cringe your classmates/other people/friends from outside think a club is. It's not the point, the point is having fun! I know mun is extremely cringe and I couldn't care less... I learned so much thanks to it and I met so many wonderful people (and a bunch of assholes ofc)

If there are no student clubs: test the waters. When I moved from Spain to Czech rep I was super frustrated because the student life dle internationals was very poor, especially if you didn't want the usual Erasmus activities (nothing wrong with them, but I was looking for stable connections, not just friends that will leave in 6 months). Then a weird "club" opened applications and I just applied... And got selected! Basically it wasn't even a club yet, just a group of 3 girls who were in the same situation and had the brilliant idea of creating a student club fulfilling what they felt was missing! It is now a huge success and our activities really have improved the experience of other international students. Sometimes it's about taking action;)

It takes a lot of alone time to find your people. I made "friends", similarly to you, when I first moved here and 6 months in it was obvious we were not really tight. It's okay, some friends are for grabbing a coffee and that is also important, but we all crave real connection. The more people you meet, the more you force yourself to approach people, propose plans, invite them for a coffee, for a study session, for a new activity, the easier it will be to find a group you like!

Don't indulge in loneliness for too long. My friends here took months to invite me to join their group chat because they just thought I genuinely was okay with meeting them very casually (they thought because I was pretty chill I must have a real friend group elsewhere — I didn't and if I'd been less shy I'd been surrounded by this wonderful group months earlier).

Don't limit yourself to people from your degree, even from your uni. I love "mixed" student clubs because they allow you to meet the wonderful people that study around you and who you would never meet otherwise!

Be politically active: I believe this is something all of us should do. The current political climate calls for action and joining social movements will help you be part of a bigger community of people that share your values. Test the waters before you fully join (I didn't stay in the first feminist group I joined because a few meetings in I started to see red flags)

Conclusion: it's very hard and takes time and effort but there's always hope. Start small and be at peace with temporary loneliness. It gets better 🩷

[spunsugarmusings]

Laura Bow In: The Dagger of Amon-Ra Sentence Starter Pack

Quotes taken from the game Laura Bow In: The Dagger of Amon-Ra, the wildly tonally different sequel to The Colonel's Bequest. TW for murder, death, infidelity and such. Change pronouns and tenses as needed, some entries have been edited for clarity, and please enjoy!

"There is still time to correct this most grievous misunderstanding."

"Don't let him shake you. He's tough on the outside, but inside, he's got a heart of stone."

"Don't touch it! You don't know where it's been!"

"That's what you think, you mallard rest buffoon!"

"It is a unicorn, left over from a King's Quest game."

"You're in a heck of a pickle now!"

"Death is a natural part of life, so when your time comes, it's best to accept it and go out gracefully."

"Your perky demeanor and thorough technique are making you a First Class Detective."

"Death from traumatic lead poisoning claims many lives every year."

"Stay out of my way, or I'll thrash you within an inch of your life!"

"We usually just hire men for this job. It's rough out there, and you're kind of…small."

"You mean there's ANOTHER [NAME]? No two sets of parents could be THAT cruel."

"He's got a chip on his shoulder the size of the Brooklyn Bridge. He'll try to cut you down. Just shake it off; that's what I had to do."

"Look, that was long ago and far away, okay? The room was dark and I was NOT married at the time."

"I don't know how you know about that, but I don't want to hear another word about it."

"Oh, lovely place if you like rats, thieves, and roughnecks."

"Don't bother Doctor Jazz while he's performing."

"Ya look so cute in that outfit, it makes me want to scream!"

"I find it distasteful to celebrate thievery in the name of science!"

"Amon-Ra will have his revenge!"

"Excuse me, SIR, but I see a turkey leg on the buffet table that requires my attention."

"I just happened to be standing here."

"I don't think my wife would ever have done it in a mummy case."

"Oh, I'm sure his body is crawling with maggots by now."

"If his spirit IS with you, let me know because I'd love to see it!"

"Very kind of you to say that, but there are many who misinterpret my actions."

"A delightful girl. I keep asking her if she'd like to be my second wife."

"It never hurts to have highly-placed friends on the police force, no?"

"He doesn't care a fig for what's right and what's wrong! His evil deeds will catch up to him though, just wait and see!"

"Our civilization has evolved over thousands of years, so our methods are quite well thought out and practical."

"I almost didn't recognize you with your clothes on."

"Even empty water glasses have their uses."

"Oh, wunderbar! Now we've got the AMATEURS involved."

"The food is free of bugs, if that's what you were worried about."

"That translates out to: "My Fish Dances in the Parking Lot"?!"

"The tablet says: "She who reads this cursed tablet is doomed to be eaten by a thousand voracious scarabs"."

"You might cut yourself, or you could put an eye out, or any number of other things could happen that your mother warned you about when you were little and everything in your life was dangerous."

"Your face has certainly changed to an attractive pale color, my dear."

"Remember our deal."

"You'll have to show me how sorry you are. Kiss me."

"Honestly, you men can be such crybabies."

"Because of you, a murderer is running around loose in this city, free to kill again!"

"I've got more tricks than you have braincells!"

"Nobody just happens to HIDE behind a museum tapestry!"

"The nerve, going around accusing people of stealing paintings!"

"Just be keeping in mind that I'd have to kill you if I ever found out you were sleeping with someone else."

"It's been a long time since I've been able to trust anyone as much as I trust you."

"We've got a perfectly good art burglary scheme going!"

"That's not blood, you got me all excited..."

"That man'd lie to his own MOTHER if someone paid him for it!"

"I lost a load of Egyptian cobras down there a few weeks ago, and I occasionally come across one of the little darlings."

"I need more proof before I subject him to the full force of my wrath."

"Why are you tied up on my desk?"

"If you see him, will you tell him [NAME] is dying on the desk in my office?"

"Ah, excuse me, I was looking for the women's lounge?"

"There is too much at stake here, too many important people are involved!"

"We can either test you or sacrifice you, it's your choice!"

"It's all that damned lousy reporter's fault!"

[vestaclinicpod]

Audio Drama Sunday - 5th May ✨

There’s something so so satisfying about HFTH being on ep 150, while TSV is on 40 and Travelling Light (TL, if you will) is on 20 . . . the brain is going brrrr.

Here’s what I listened to this week! Spoilers ahead!

���� @tellnotalespod (S2E9) oh what a beautiful episode 😭I’d like to bestow the highest accolade on Flo’s VA: hearing her voice and immediately casting her in an unwritten audio drama that will likely never be made. I have a theory about why Frank can’t just clear out the warehouse . . . but I really don’t want it to be true. 

🌲 @hellofromthehallowoods (150) You can also find me in Camp ‘Hate That Noise’!! Awful. I love this nautical storyline so much. It’s one thing to be told that Buck is now a renowned detective and another to see him in action. Sad that someone had to die but . . . I can’t wait to see the case unfold!! I’ve been trying to wrap my head around Shelby leaving the entire week. Yes, it makes perfect sense from a survival point of view but I don’t think I could have done it. 

🦀 @thesiltverses (40) what a good ep!! I’ve been so compromised by Carpenter this season. She sounds so very exhausted, even when she’s not being stalked by her god of death. I’m very concerned about ‘Verity’ who left the minute they arrived… did she recognise them?? Chuck Harm and Val are one of the most unexpected combinations of the year but I’m here for it. It is VERY interesting that Val is now suffering post-miracle. Is this a ‘gods need to feed’ situation or something else entirely. Working with God-killers worked so well for the government last time, so it’ll no doubt be over for her in no time . . .

🧳 Travelling Light @monstrousproductions (20) I can’t tell you how delightful it is that this show comes out on Friday and is exactly the length of my average cycle home!! It’s such a soothing way to start the weekend! There were so many banging lines in this ep, I love a spooky friend!

🏛 @the-mistholme-museum (CONCLUSIVE) You heard it on Mistholme first! People from Yorkshire (me) have the best voices. Like honey, chocolate and coffee all at once - so people say. I can’t believe this is the penultimate episode 😭

🖥️ The Magnus Protocol (14) snake friends! How delightful!! I feel a little guilty at how entertaining Alice’s jealousy is. I feel so bad for her, but the office drama is too hard to resist. 

🍎 @notquitedeadpod (XXXVII) my heart!! 💔 I had to laugh at Neige’s disdain for Alfie’s more intimate recordings right before expounding on his own experiences . . . including with their shared boyfriend! It’s a little petty. I love it. And, god, can we talk about this last line? ‘And when you call, I will come back to you because you have begun to feel like home.’ HELLO? Christ.

🌞 Small Victories by @wgc-productions (2.1) How many cosmic interventions will it take for Marisol not to make cosmically bad choices? I don’t know! I’m keeping a close eye on Summer . . . 

🧋 @hinaypod (3-4) Honestly, kind of kudos to Laura because if I went through what she did I would simply never touch an antique again… I really love Donner and Murphy’s rapport and how they recognise and respect Mari’s skills! 

Hope everyone has a lovely week! 🥰

I'd also like to highlight that the creators of one of my fave shows, Moonbase Theta, Out (@monkeymanproductions) , are crowdfunding for their next one! Throw some 💸 at these lovely creatives!!

[victoriaspriing]

2023 writing gif-making round up

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

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

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

fun statistics:

In total I made 61 gifsets in 2023

57 are heartstopper (not surprised)

3 are 911 lone star (mostly tarlos)

1 are dan and phil

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

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

6 of the gifsets are song lyrics edits

3 of the gifsets are heartstopper comic edits

31 of the gifsets are scenes from heartstopper

6 of the gifsets are heartstopper compilations from s1 and s2

top 5 gifsets from 2023 (in no particular order)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[adorerinn]

Hie thereee can I request a matchup if its still open of course! I go by she/them and would prefer to be paired with a guy. Traits I'd want in a partner is someone who would have the same/keep up with mines humour so they can laugh at the stupid tweet posts/meme I found, patient towards me, is a gentleman/caring person in general I'm more to a shy person at first, but if you get to know me I can be the loudest person in the room especially if its about my own interests. I make sure no one is left out whenever its in a group setting so we all can have a fun time together (My mbti is infj if it helps out btw!!!) Interests I have would be drawing, graphic design, video/animated mv editing! My love language (Giving) would be quality time and acts of service, (Receiving) would be words of affirmation, quality time, and acts of service. I don't know if I have a dream date honestly but I love those library or museum/art museum dates where you walk around and learn more about the objects. Aquarium dates are fun too as you just can relax with the other person without talking much thank youu and hope I didnt word vomit aohudoasa - ⭐️

I match you with Sugawara Koshi!

✧ Sugawara would definitely be able to match your humor and show you the most stupid memes he found online

✧ if you show him a meme you best believe he is going to be laughing or at least giggling (I feel like he is just laughs over anything)

✧ he is definitely very patient with you no matter what and will always wait up on you (keep in mind this man is a ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER in the time skip of course he is going to be a very patient person)

✧ obviously he is a gentleman

✧ always opens doors for you and thanks you for the tiniest things ever

✧ definitely loves your shy personality and tries to match the same energy but once he gets to really know you he is always causing chaos and ranting about random things with you especially if it's something you both like

✧ he ADORES that you always try to include everyone and make sure no one is left out. he just thinks it's the kindest thing ever and adores you for that

✧ has a folder to every drawing you've ever given him since he absolutely loves your art even if it's some random doodle he will keep it

✧ sometimes if he sees you editing or working on a graphic design he will just sit next to you and watch. you don't even have to be saying anything he is just so entertained watching you do what you like to do

✧ loves it when you spend time with him even if you're just sitting next to him while he looks through things he appreciates your presence

✧ if you were to do the smallest things for him like get him a snack or help him out with homework he will be the happiest man ever. he just loves it when you do small things for him to help him out or just show you appreciate him. he would also just be very pink in the face

✧ he would definitely compliment you a lot and just reminds you how much he loves and appreciates you

✧ always finds some way to spend time with you whether that be walking in the hallways together or going out together he will always try to make time for you

✧ I feel like he would find a bunch of random trinkets and give them to you just because they reminded him of you

✧ would love taking you out to museums

✧ he always tries to find museums that he thinks you would enjoy to go to

✧ definitely loves going to aquariums with you (I feel like he loves sea animals I don't know why but he specifically loves seahorses)

✧ overall I think you and Sugawara Koshi would have a very balanced and healthy relationship!

Hi anon!! I hope you enjoyed your match up. I instantly thought you would be perfect with Sugawara you both just give off the same vibes. I hope you like it and sorry if it's not super long I tried to think of as many headcannons as I could! don't be scared to request again!

[ceph-the-ghost-writer]

Heyy happy STS! If your characters were real, would you get along with them? Would you have stuff in common? Would you hang out? And if so, what activities would you guys do? (For any character(s) you want from any story!)

@orphanheirs Hiii hello! Thank you for the ask! (Do you do STS or any events, btw? I know you collect inspiration/aesthetic stuff for your writing, but didn't see any tag or ask posts.)

For Apophenia's characters...I'd get along with most of them, partly because many share fragments of personality or interest with me already.

Isaac and I would awkwardly make small talk until animals or supernatural stuff came up, then we'd lose track of time being gd nerds. We're both people who can enjoy just being around each other and doing our own thing, but also like to discuss ideas and do chill activities together (games, watch stuff, museums, etc.). We have some of the same flaws, but we'd encourage each other to do better because it's much easier for us to do that for others than it is for ourselves. All in all, I think we'd be close friends.

Renato has some of my more sociable/charming traits, just dialed up to 11. Honestly, he's too cool for me and would lose interest pretty quickly, especially because he's allergic to having genuine or introspective conversations. We don't have much in common beyond some general knowledge of ships and the ocean. If I had a party and invited him, all the other guests would forget about me and go follow him to a bar. (Then regret it after he, you know, drank all their blood or got them into a fight or something, but still.)

Another too-cool-for-me character is Elfy, but she's much easier to have a conversation with, and her charm and energy aren't weapons. We both love spooky stuff, and like Isaac I'd go with her to haunted sites. (Unlike Isaac, I'd enjoy myself.) All the stuff I could do with him I could do with her, plus if we did something more socially engaging I wouldn't have to worry about awkward lapses in interaction--Elfy would keep that ball rolling.

The best I could hope for with Kinslayer is that they adopt me like tarantulas will live with those frogs. We do both like books, poetry, and stories in general, and they're fond of Isaac, so I think I have a decent chance.

Breezy would be like the cool grandma or aunt I never really had. She's done a lot of traveling and had a lot of adventures, so she's full of stories and useful advice. These days she's content to run her hotel/bar in the middle of nowhere and stay slightly stoned at all times. I'd enjoy learning gardening tips from her and trying some of the, uh, special mushrooms she grows.

Friends aren't exactly Motley's thing, being a shapeshifting necromancer. I'd want to be friends with it, though, so, so, so bad. Maybe it would let me just hang out nearby as it sits in the desert and stares into the horizon, or wanders through abandoned places.

Oleander would be annoyed by me at first, but then again, she's that way with everyone so I wouldn't take it personally. She'd eventually warm up to me, I think. We could listen to Sisters of Mercy and practice throwing knives. I could probably convince her to try video games or DnD, which she'd enjoy once she got over how nerdy they are.

[datastate]

40!! also 16 25 and 34. asking for a friend [also that sequence of numbers is nice to look at]

40: WHO I WISH I COULD BE

hmmm... i wish i was capable of being more social, i suppose. i know a lot of people, and i'd really like to keep consistent contact with all of them so they know how much i think of them. but between many different disabilities affecting me + this transitory period of my life, it does get really difficult to maintain that sadly... i have been trying to work toward this though! and i'm sure once i'm in a more stable place, it'll be just a bit easier on me 🫶

16: I'LL LOVE YOU IF...

well <3 you wouldn't have to worry about that, but in a general sense...

honestly... what i value most in people comes down to authenticity, which often goes in hand with passion. with both friends and with romantic interests, what really draws me in is the impression that they are sincere and driven to accomplish admirable things. naturally, everyone has some pieces of themselves that they keep hidden, but as someone who is similar, i don't think that necessarily negates the genuineness of what they present nor affects its importance. as is always the case, actions speak louder than words; whatever their disposition may be (of cheer, apathy, so on), that awareness of who they are while they still take the time to balance their personal priorities and consideration of others (implicitly shown as part of those priorities, then) is something that will always strike my heart.

25: MY IDEA OF A PERFECT DATE

hrm... i don't usually linger on these sorts of thoughts. but i think for something special, i'd enjoy going to a nice restaurant for dinner so i would have an excuse to dress up all nice and feel pretty. i could eat most anything, even if i have a preference for dishes with rice and with a fair amount of spice, so i wouldn't mind any choice they offer. after eating, it'd be nice to either relax at a park or head back to either their/my place; doubly so if it was raining, because i always find that soothing, though of course that's not within anyone's control... and just converse or play a game or cuddle for the rest of the night i suppose :P

i probably would've also liked to do something earlier that day leading up to the 'date dinner' section, like going to a museum or art gallery or aquarium, but that can also be fairly costly, so i wouldn't mind leaving that for another time. realizing now though, that it is a little funny that even in my idea of a 'perfect date' there are still some things i'll be lenient on, but. i don't know aehaha... i'd feel a bit bad putting up expectations on the other person. i'd probably be content as long as i get to spend time with them.

34: WHAT I FIND ATTRACTIVE IN WOMEN

aesthetically, there is. very little that i'd consider unattractive in women, though i don't usually put much stock in it (i mean, gestures, online friends and all; we don't typically see each other's physical appearances. and this is the sort of attitude i usually carry in-person too.)

so, well... i'd have to refer back to my answer on 16. and this isn't the sort of thing i'd be able to tell on appearance alone; it usually takes repeated exposure, though there have been people who do speak and i instantly have that 'oh, how lucky i must be to have met you' realization, however briefly the interaction might be. i'm not always so confident as to reach out to every one of them, though as i said above as well, this is also something i've been trying to rectify.

beyond that though, i suppose i am usually endeared mostly when i see. either the way that they help me/other people, or what makes them laugh. i find both of these really sweet and indicative of their character on the whole, especially if it's an interesting contrast to the typical way they carry themselves (i am not immune to a tall emo girl offering to get a library book for me because they see i have a cane. that was very, very sweet...); i don't really know though... it really is rare that i experience attraction and not simply infatuation. i think the last time i really felt the former was several years ago now, though you'd know that.

[literally-just-there]

Oh! I'm sorry to hear your love is not feeling well. Very kind of you to be taking care of her, however. Sending my best regards of course.

Say, Informant, when you have a chance, I haven't quite gotten to know you as much as I'd like! Tell me a bit about yourself. Interests, hobbies, your deepest darkest secrets, just go off and speak freely, I'm all ears.

at ~ @princess-hope-selfships 💖

"Thank you, I'll pass your words on to Seeker. Her pain has subsided, and she slept for a good hour."

"But say, you want to know a lot about me, hmm ? I'm afraid my 'deepest darkest secrets' will have to remain out of your curious ears, my good Mister Nygma..."

"However, I have no reason to hide my hobbies from you. I do practice them publicly, even if they are sometimes an object of suspicion, quite ridiculously so, if you ask me..."

"What I enjoy most are puzzles, and as a whole, any game that challenges my mind. My favourite one is definitely chess, even if I tend to leave several sore losers in my wake."

*muffled from under the blankets* "Including me !"

"Seeker ! Go back to resting !"

"Hmph !"

"Anyway... I also enjoy more relaxing activities, mostly drawing and reading. Me and Seeker also go to the museum a lot, and we spend many nights stargazing. It is one of my most favourite activities to do with her. When I need to keep myself busy for a while, I ask Seeker to lend me her clothes, and I embroider small flowers on them. She always wears the result proudly and occasionally brags about having a husband who does this. Honestly, I don't blame her, it is not common among men to embroider for fun, for reasons that are, quite frankly, beyond me."

"But I digress. To finish on this topic, I appreciate cooking a lot. It's part of my routine with Seek, and I also bake cakes. I was stunned when she learned of this hobby of mine. She said that she would be glad to have a taste of whatever I would make... my sweet..."

[queen-mabs-revenge]

cw pet death

so my little freak of nature and i said goodbye last night which, as per other post about this, was silly and perfect in so many ways. from the death of one roman to another, and so it goes.

but yeah i just want to reflect on how i'm feeling to have it down because i'm devastated, yes, but i couldn't have asked for a better last day with her.

when we went with the steroid injections on wednesday, the vet was like 'in 48 hours you'll essentially see her at as best as she's going to be so you'll be able to decide then' and honestly by yesterday morning, she was very much the same except for the increased thirst drive and the slight increased interest in food (she licked a piece of chicken uau), so at that point making her linger would just see her decline from there.

yesterday was the first sunny day we've had in a good while -- sparkling sun and a high of 14. i rang into work and asked if there was anything urgent that needed doing, because i'd like to spend a last beautiful day with my cat. they were so gracious and covered for me, batting away a load of clients who decided they needed artwork on a friday before a long weekend lmao ok bye. spent a little time doing a last clutch of artwork with her sleeping on my belly in the sun.

got her into her harness and it was so clear that this was the right thing - she loves going outside, but hates that thing being put on her. i've modded it so that it has a clasp at the neck, but still clipping the torso bit always gets a hiss or two, but she just let me at it. got everything prepared including lining her backpack with a bin liner, a absorbent puppy pad, and then loads of fleece blankets and a couple of those instant heat pads.

out into the sunshine and onto our usual walk - she came out on my shoulder to have a look at the world, but for the most part stayed curled up in the bottom watching everything while lying down.

we got to the rag tree still cradling my gift pumpkins:

she got to walk on the branches:

the whole wooded area was prickling to life -- lots of leaf buds still tightly closed but getting ready, lots of tiny plant shoots making that first curve out of their seeds with their head still down in the shells

took the walk home through the park we always sit in behind the museum and watched the ducks on the shannon and listened to the river go by together

fed her for the last time on her window seat and then we cuddled some more while i rang my family so they could say goodbye to her on a video call

and then i experienced just pure love -- mo's been kind of a mascot for the branch - because of my apartment's location, i've been really lucky to serve as kind of a hub. i keep equipment and supplies for political stalls and protests, i host small meetings, etc. so her illness has been something the whole branch has known about and seen.

from the get-go i've had comrades offering help left and right, and during the last week, a few close comrades offered support in whatever way i needed it when her time came. i had to resist that depression tug to isolate, and just throughout the day as plans were taking shape, i kept in touch with them and i had a handful of my dearest come to the house before we made our way down to the vet. they left us have a few minutes alone in the house which... leaving that house with her for the last time was probably one of the hardest things. knowing she wouldn't be there when i got back. whew.

got to the office and got settled in and talked with the vet about postmortem plans. my first choice had always been to donate her body for study; i'd actually rang a few veterinary science schools, but i was told that their cadavers are procured through a closed system so that they can control for disease and whatnot for health and safety reasons. but the vet said that they'd would be honored to conduct a postmortem there and it would be really valuable for some newer vets in the practice, so that's what's going to happen. after, she'd still have been cremated, so i'm going to get her ashes in a scatter tube in a couple of weeks.

i had enough gabapentin to make sure mo was a bit stoned before going in, which was important for me because she usually has to be put into a feral cat crush cage to get any injections done because she's so fractious at the vets, but i was able to hold her while she got the primary sedative injection which meant so much.

she screamed like a hellcat and like....that's so her - herself to the very end! and i got the privilege of laughing about that with friends because they heard her from outside the door lol. they came in and gave her rubs and pets after she was sedated and i got to cuddle her loads after she got the cannula placed.

and my god that could have been so awful, but i had five dear friends who i love and who love me and who i fight and organize and struggle with who were there the whole time - they were out in reception chatting with each other and laughing and i could hear them in the room while i just held and and spoke to mo and stroked her fur, and that was so lovely instead of dead silence all alone.

vet came in and it was time; i held my baby as she pushed the euthanasia meds and felt her little breaths quicken and then slow before the vet checked her heartbeat. we laid her out on the table and i took pictures of all of her borlotti bean toes, we did pawprints, and i just got to pet her and stay with her for as long as i needed. she had a postmortem wee, and one of her wild postmortem reflexes was that her tail went full bottlebrush for about half a minute!

i took the blanket with me because it was hers, but wrapped her in a soft towel i had and just, yeah -- as the vet took her away she was talking to her just telling her that she did so well and she did. not just in that last moment, but just for 12 years she did so so well -- just the best old lady, my best friend in the whole world, the little beast that genuinely helped me survive lockdown, domestic upheaval, mental health struggles -- my walking buddy who's a minor local celebrity in her own right, and i was so so so lucky to have her.

and then we all went to our usual haunt which by perfect chance is right around the corner from the vet's office and toasted to her and just spent time together and just... if her last gift that she gave me was truly knowing that i have people who i can call on at any time, well then that's a hell of a gift.

going home was hard, but got to speak to my family and recount it all which helped and got so much love from them, too, and yeah look.

it was heartbreaking, but also heart mending.

truly the good death.

[batz-surveys]

10.

Does it irritate you when people are late for things, or do you not really care? Oh no, I hate when people are late. It's not that hard to be on time.

Are you nervous about anything? I really want to call out tomorrow. Honestly, I want to do it to spend the day with my husband. It's been a few weeks since I've been able to spend a day with him and it's killing me, haha. But also, with everything that went on last week with my dad, I could use a mental health day. Is your bed against more than one of your walls? No, the head of it is just against one wall.

When was the last time someone chased you with a hose? I don't think that's ever happened before.

Have you ever burned yourself while taking something out of the oven? Yes. It sucks. Do you think seeing a gay/lesbian couple in public is gross? Yikes, no way. I love seeing love, no matter what the couple looks like. Have you ever made out in your room? Last time? Yes. I don't know, probably a couple weeks ago. I'm honestly not that big on the making out. I'm kind of a "we know this is going to happen, so let's just get to the good part" kind of woman, haha. Don’t you just hate running into people you know? YES. It's like 90% of my anxiety when I go to somewhere that I know will be busy. I've known a lot of people in my younger years, and I'm a completely different person than I was then, so running into anyone from my past is such a worry of mine. Who is the last person that disappointed you? Myself, I'm sure. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Oh, I definitely have before. What are you going to have for dinner tonight? I had a peanut butter and pickle sandwich for dinner. Hey, don't knock it until you try it. Do you think the last person you kissed cares about you? I hope my husband cares about me! No, I'm kidding. I know he does. Have you ever sold your old clothes instead of donating them? Yeah, I used to have a Poshmark like...six, seven years ago. All my listings sold, and I made a little over $100.

Does your favorite mall have more than one floor? The department stores in it do. But not the mall itself. I mean, it barely has any stores left in it, haha. Do you have a crazy aunt? Nah. I think that's going to be me in the future though, haha. Do you like family get togethers? Sure. I don't dislike them as much as I used to. It depends on who is showing up, really. Have you ever been to an art museum? Yes.

Would you kiss the last guy/girl that texted you? Yes, I kiss him everyday. He's my hubby.

Have you ever injured yourself while you were under the influence of alcohol? Yes.

Will you talk to the person you love/like tonight? Yes, we live together.

Are you still with the person you fell hardest for? If not, do you ever miss them? Yes, I married him.

Do you think you’ll kiss someone tonight? My husband (sheesh, this is getting redundant) before we both turn over to go to sleep.

Have you ever kissed anyone with the last name Jones? Not to my knowledge.

Is it possible to be ‘in love’ with someone, if they don’t love you back? Absolutely.

How many times have you cried in the past week? Oh God, I can't even count how many times I lost it this past week. My dad was in the hospital, and I cried like every day until he came home. And then I cried tears of joy when I finally saw him outside of the hospital. If you can't tell, I really love my dad, haha.

If you could have one wish right now, what would it be? Honestly? That I was rich so I didn't have to work. I know that's completely selfish, but hey, it's my wish. If I could wish for more wishes, then I'd use them on the worldwide shitshow going on.

[gear-project]

Annon-Guy: What makes or breaks a Guest Character for you?

I know you focus on the main cast and all, but when a Guest does show up, how do you feel about them?

Feel free to use the Guests from Soul Calibur as an example. I know Link and Ezio are the most well received while Yoda, Dark Vader and Starkiller get shafted on.

Honestly, I haven't had much reason to complain about the guest characters I've been presented.

In Soul Calibur's case, we actually got VERY GOOD representation for a lot of guest characters (Bandai Namco and Project Soul were pretty skillful in that regard).

I'd argue that Spawn's presence in Soul Calibur is actually dwarfed by how he was presented in Mortal Kombat 11, to be honest.

If they managed to sneak Spawn in Guilty Gear, I'd go crazy... hahaha...

Samurai Shodown's Guest characters (i.e. Baiken/Warden/etc) were "simplified" to better suit the game's mechanics, and while that's something some people might complain about... in Samurai Shodown's case, "simpler is better" in a lot of ways. Even for Baiken in that game... she felt very solid in the game itself (well maybe not as versatile as she was in Accent Core or Xrd, but those are the peak of GG, and are hard to compare to).

I'd argue Soul Calibur IV's DLC wasn't the problem... the gameplay elements and mechanics were the larger issue.

Yoda is... well he's a mild amusement... Soul Calibur IV got mixed responses on a GOOD day... but people still loved Starkiller and Darth Vader regardless.

Yoda is the "Kliff Undersn" of Soul Calibur, if you can believe it... tiny character, awkward hitboxes, silly hits and combos... but DESPITE ALL THIS... he is very lore-accurate to the films that depicted Yoda in Combat in the Star Wars series (which is funnily ironic.)

I'd argue that they could've chose Boba Fett or the Mandalorian and got a stronger response, but that's Star Wars for you.

Honestly, I'm a huge fan of Jedi Survivor and Jedi Fallen Order, but that's a different story.

Soul Calibur IV itself suffered under its own mechanics and features, the Tower of Trials it had was some of the hardest content ever seen in an SC game, to be honest... not nearly as fun as Libra of Souls.

I'd say the character DLC wasn't the problem with that game... the mechanics of the weapons and the unlockables needed more to be improved upon.

In terms of visuals though, Soul Calibur IV is still one of the prettiest SC games (SC6 wasn't nearly as bright, but it also had a lot more stable features and played at a faster pace like SCII and SCIII are better known for being).

SCIV also didn't have an extensive museum/library like SC6 does, so that right there should tell you something.

Also SCIV had a ton of guest characters beyond the DLC and many of which looked nothing like standard Soul Calibur cast, some were straight out of an anime (Angol Fear), which was jarring to compare to at the time, since most SC characters look semi-realistic.

My standard for guests boils down to how well they fit in with everyone else in the roster... if they stand out like a sore thumb but can still scrap well in a fight, I guess that's fine for some people, but for me I don't necessarily want to be embarrassed by my friends when I decide to pick a character.

Angol Fear definitely stands out, however a character like Ashlotte was inspired.

It was Ito Ōgure who came up with her design, but as a result we got the Clockwork Doll character creation template later on in Soul Calibur 6... and many fans have appreciated it.

(By the way, Ashlotte is still one of my favorite SC designs as well.)

You could argue that 2B is the "next big step" in that aesthetic and genre, though in her case it's a bit more complex.

2B is also a guest character in Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising now, which is also nice to hear, I'd argue that Granblue is the 2D equivalent of Soul Calibur (and given the staff that created the game were former Project Soul Staff, that should be obvious).

Even if Harada once stated that Project Soul had to be disbanded in order to make a game like Tekken 8 possible, I still believe that everyone who was behind Soul Calibur as a series would love to work on something similar in the future... it was that great a concept.

Ultimately, when it comes to fighting games, you have certain themes you want to make present... and when including guests in to that theme, you want to make sure they mesh well overall.

Of course, that doesn't just apply to fighting games, but to every game that has that level of potential.

Despite the fact many might consider Soul Calibur dead and buried... MY SOUL STILL BURNS.

[practically-an-x-man]

Soooooooo....

Ahk and Kat...

Got any AU headcanons for if the both of them were the same age, either modern NYC or ancient Egypt?

oooh, interesting question! thank you!

Let's see... there is a bit later on in the story that can kinda be seen as what would happen if they met back in Ancient Egypt, but I can't say much more without it being super spoilery. But hey, just for funsies, here's some headcanons anyway:

Modern AU: Kat is still an art student at Pratt, and Ahk is studying Egyptology/archaeology at Cambridge. Let's say they really do have a partnership with the New York natural history museum, and so they run into each other at the museum one day: Katherine's drawing the exhibits for practice, and Ahk is wandering around killing time before he meets up with an instructor to look at the records. I'm envisioning Katherine in the Egypt exhibit, sitting on the floor and sketching (and thinking she's out of the way enough), and Ahk very nearly trips over her when he comes in. Cue rampant apologies and a tooth-rotting meet-cute.

And honestly... this might just be because I watched Love at First Sight recently and it's still turning around in my brain, but I'm thinking that they end up chatting but forget to exchange phone numbers before they have to split up. And Ahk doesn't use social media, so she can't track him down despite his rather distinct name. For a while, it seems like it's a lost cause, but then he comes sprinting up to her right as she's about to leave (or maybe this even happens a few days later, and he missed his flight to see her again). Adorable, heartwarming reunion, and they live happily ever after :)

Ancient Egypt AU: Ahk has just been crowned pharaoh, and he can't quite process it at first. Desperately needing a break from all the glamor and attention, he decides to slip out one day, dressed in ordinary clothes and giving away nothing that he's a pharaoh. He reasons that most of the people in the city haven't actually seen him up close, and wouldn't recognize his face. He doesn't think about the fact that rumors might be enough, and he's one of very few people in Kemet with blue eyes (I want to say the only one for ~narrative flair~ but chances are he wasn't given the gene evolved 6,000-10,000 years ago in Turkey and would likely have spread to Egypt by that time. Either way it would be rare.)

Anyway, he decides to walk around the markets for a little fresh air, and he runs into a young artist who's working hard to manage her stall in the market. She's younger than many of the other vendors, and a little overwhelmed by the flood of people. Ahk offers to help, and manages to keep the chaos to a minimum (and gets many of her pieces sold for her). It seems as though she doesn't recognize him, and it's a relief to be seen as an equal rather than an authority.

This is the part where it gets... tricky. Obviously I haven't quite decided where this might go since it's not an actual fic I'm writing, but I'm thinking he keeps coming back, "undercover", and helps her manage her stall until she gets her footing. After this? Who knows. All I know is that there would be a reveal that isn't actually a reveal (since Katherine recognized him from the moment they met, but chose not to spill anything), and eventually he'd court her and choose her as his bride even though his parents are pushing for a more diplomatic marriage. And of course, I'd write a way to get him away from Kahmunrah - maybe he's off helping Katherine when the assassination attempt is made, and instead of him being discreetly killed, they discover Kahmunrah as the intended murderer and put him away. Cue another happily-ever-after.