#i think i got like 3 hours left (out of about 14 total)

[buck2eddie]

i am not one to watch video essays but for the past few days i've found myself watching the 2-part victorious video essays and i am so invested rn

[accio-victuuri]

July CPNs round-up ❤️💛💚

• xz as backing vocals for the song everything is lovely

• clowning about screen protectors

• both of their names together on hs for being posted by xinhua news agency

• same city in Beijing on 7/6 - there was some talk that xz’s flight out has been changed to the 12th, probably to spend more time with wyb who will leave on the 10th. which didn’t happen cause wyb left 7/8 but still got to to spend that time together. some were clowning about how his airport shirt had a crease on it & how that made it seem like it was folded like how xz does it so ya know, is it a sign? lol.

• 7/10 XZS paris vlog clowning: posting so close to yibo’s appearances and similar shots // the two bros focused in the video, paris olympics and torchbearer route.

• 7/12 XZS vlog - possibly texting wyb and little prince figures + snowy mountain ; jacques tati films bgm used

• 7/14 xzs vlog clues! more symbolism and that goose laugh

• walking in the streets of paris

• similarity between tao and yibo showing off a photo of their significant other

• continuing on with the off white with “painting” shirts that xz wears, which is already strike 3 && kind of proves the sdc 3 clowning. he wore this during his off work hours. ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

it follows the pattern 👀👀👀

• 7/15 xzs vlog clowning continues - same place different time / confirmation of the bystander lyrics connection and E142 cue

• NOT TOTALLY CPN BUT ME BEING EMOTIONAL. LOL. SEEING YIBO do that torch really in that simple outfit everyone was wearing. mostly bare faced and all eyes on him. that moment — and then you see him wearing that bome necklace makes me go somft. 🥹🥹🥹🥹 he will go to so many places and experience a lot of things but he will always have a piece of xz with him.

some are getting excited about them with silver jewelry necklace but xz’s is boucheron which he is endorsing. as much as i love jewelry cpns, i always get picky when it’s something they endorse, unless there is an additional clue. but i understand why people got 👀 when they saw that silver chain with GG. unfortunately, this is not the necklace we think it is.

another one is this “couple” / same style jacket they both wore when they went abroad. RBS already explained this and i totally agree with their stand on it. i guess what makes this cpn-y to me is the “style” it, showing how their preferences overlap in clothing. and that’s why we think they have a “shared closet”.

<< previous post

• On 7/19, the booting ceremony of XZ’s new film DeXian JinZhi, the cast was revealed and we learned that Yin Zheng is there. Yin Zheng is WYB’s very close friend, so we will definitely keep an eye out on how he will interact with XZ 😂😂😂😂 and oh, Peng Yucheng is also there! who is Bobo’s friend and someone he fake kissed HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! so many common friends!

• some minor cpns from xzs 7/20 vlog + something i forgot to add, same acne studios plain shirt. HAHAHAHAHA! twinning! 👯‍♀️

• xz vlogs appear to be countdowns 🤔🤔🤔

• BJYX related hs on them speaking goose language! HAHAHAHAHA! we shall remain relevant forever!

• what a nice magazine! our boys! side by side! and it’s like a fanfic cover for pairing wei ruolai and chunsheng!

• them posting for public welfare and in support of the olympics for CCTV ( here and here ) also with mengniu’s short film. i love seeing them supporting the same thing and hopefully they get to collab someday for a common cause 🌎 if there is any type of project they can work together, this may be it, cause fans can’t even be outwardly toxic especially if it’s a government project.

• 7/26/2024 xzs vlog candies

• 7/28 coco crush posts clowning

• 7/29 throwback video uploaded by rufeng

• 7/30 XZS vlog clowning time: dancing like wang laoshi, possible mv for bystander and wonderful world lyrics.

plus some more ⬇️⬇️⬇️

ohhhhh. a snowy mountain or is it? i mean who wouldn’t be taken by that and especially someone like xz. love how he took pictures of it and drew it too. in the post by xzs it’s in the c-position, probably cause it’s drawn by xz but also it’s photo #5/18 WYB.

p3 is also our colors! green (ish), red and yellow!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT MONTH!!!!!

<<< previous post

[cosmerelists]

Cosmere Characters: Would They Be Fun To Take A Road Trip With?

[Main spoiler is for Way of Kings! Oddly enough. Some spoilers for Stormlight as a whole.]

You're planning a road trip, and you want to bring a Cosmere character with you! You know, as one does. But would the following Cosmere characters actually be a good road trip buddy?

1. Dalinar: Yes

Dalinar's whole dang philosophy is that it's the journey that matters. He'd be stopping at interesting roadside attractions, enjoying good food, watching sunsets, and generally enjoying the trip. What a great person to have on your road trip with you!

2. Adolin: Yes

We saw road-trip-Adolin in Shadesmar--he's great! Organized, interested in making sure everyone is doing well, good conversationalist. You'll have a great time.

3. Kaladin: Depends

To be fair it was a stressful situation, but when Kaladin and Shallan "road tripped" through the chasms, he basically just marched off with his long Alethi legs and left her to scramble along behind him. I feel like that's equivalent to, like, being really particular about the radio or something. Plus, he totally thinks he knows the way and ain't asking for directions. On the other hand, if Kaladin has warmed up to you, then I think he'd be an okay travel buddy. He'll definitely pull you out of the flaming wreckage when the trip inevitably turns into some sort of dramatic life-or-death situation, at least!

4. Vasher: No

You're like, "Oh look! That town has the country's largest cow statue! Wanna stop and take a look?" and he's like, "No." It's the first time he's spoken in 45 minutes.

5. Tress: Yes

By the of her book, Tress is all about adventure and she's a literal delight to everyone on the ship. Plus, if your tire got flat or something, Tress would absolutely learn how to change a tire on the fly and get you back on the road.

6. Teft: No

Teft will fight to his dying breath to protect you, but I do not think he'd be fun to sit in the car with for eight hours a day. He'd be a grumbler, I think.

7. Kabsal: Yes

He'd bring amazing car snacks, potentially homemade ones. He seemed like a good conversationalist too. Now it's true, he might try to assassinate you or inconveniently fall in love with you--or both!--but, like, the rest of the road trip will be lots of fun.

8. Navani: Depends on the type of road trip

Navani would, I think, make for a very organized road trip buddy. If you're trying to get somewhere on a time table, Navani would be great. You WILL be up at 8:00am and you WILL get to your destination on time and in one piece. But if you're hoping to, like, chill out and enjoy the scenery casually, then maybe not so much.

9. Elend: No

Elend is great 'n' all, but has a plan of his ever worked out in his life? There's gonna be a huge traffic jam caused by, like, political sabotage or something. And all of his books on tape are about philosophy, too.

10. Mare: Yes

She's definitely a "cow! cow!" type person, I think.

11. Eshonai: Hell yeah

Eshonai loves to travel and is delighted to meet new people. She's going to get chatting with some fruit vendor and the next thing you know, you've both been invited to dinner and are about to have the absolute best homecooked meal of your life.

12. Raoden: Yes

I feel like Raoden is very likable and cares a lot about how the people around him are doing. He'd make sure you had a good time and would be very thoughtful.

13. Lirin: Depends on whether Hesina is coming too

I feel like on his own, Lirin would be a very...stressed road trip buddy. Concerned about the speed limit, about not being too unhealthy, about doing the road trip right. But if Hesina were there, I think he'd be able to chill out a lot more. Because Hesina would want the trip to be fun, and I think Lirin would let it be fun with her around.

14. Lezian: Hell no

The FIRST person who cuts him off in traffic is gonna spark so much road rage in Lezian. Now you're weaving erratically through traffic in pursuit of that truck he's mad at, and you're only like 30 minutes into the trip.

15. Raboniel: Well...

At first she was like, "I am the driver here. You will address me only as the Lady of Roads and will know your place" and you were like, "Wow. This is going to be the worst trip of my life." But by the end, the two of you are singing together and crying for some reason, and now you think she might be your soulmate.

So...50/50?

[zeestarfishalien]

My Graveyard Song Ch. 14

(Totally got distracted and forgot to post this to tumblr. It's been up on ao3 for a few days now)

[Masterpost]

Jason looked at the two empty bowls and one empty plate of food Danny had polished off and promptly decides to take him to Rosa Lee’s Diner. They always serve extra large portions of food that stands up to even Alfred’s high standards.

As he urges Spooky into one of the jackets left by his siblings, he shoots a text off to Cass.

[BCC plz 4 Spooky u wel 2 IOU 1 🏠🍝 ur chc]

By the time Cass gets there, Danny is starting on his third plate. Mind you, she got here in under half an hour and Danny is not in fact a speedster, but at the rate Danny is going, Bruce is certainly going to think someone fed a speedster.

Jason is really not sure where all this food is going. By all rights, his spooky friend should be on the verge of exploding from eating more than his body weight in food.

Even the waitstaff are watching this little meta-looking kid down pounds and pounds of food.

Cass passes Jason an unmarked black credit card and sits next to him in order to better watch Danny scarf down his waffles.

Five minutes later when their waiter swings by, Jason orders a platter of beignets and Danny orders Rosa Lee’s own personal special, a breakfast that comes with four slices of ham, a mountain of cheesy scrambled eggs, two pancakes, four breakfast sausage links, two biscuits, and an apple turnover.

At this point, the waiter doesn’t even blink, just asks if he’d like anything to add or substitute.

He asks for 3 extra pancakes.

By the time he's halfway through his stack of pancakes -the last thing left of his Rosa Lee Special- it dawns on Jason, that maybe Danny shouldn't be eating this much when he hasn't eaten regular human food in a long time.

But then again, what does he know? The world is a great big mysterious place and you cannot treat every humanoid looking being by the limitations of humans.

Danny is watching him now, an openly curious look on his face. There's a question in the air between them, even Cass picks up on it.

Carefully slow, Danny sets down his fork and finishes chewing the bite in his mouth.

"You're worried," he croaks, tapping his index finger on the table to emphasize his words.

He pauses, distracted, and looks down at his hand, repeating the motion of tapping his finger on the table while studying it closely. Jason almost breaks into laughter when Danny’s head tilts in an oddly animal like fashion.

If he needed any other proof that Spooky the dog is Danny the spirit sitting before him, this would do it.

His glowing eyes flick back up to Jason.

"Amused," he rasps out barely above a whisper. There's still that unspoken question in the air.

It finally clicks. The emotions Danny is naming are Jason’s. The question he wants to know is 'why'.

"I wasn't sure if you could get sick from overeating. Humans need to ease back into eating normal amounts but you're not human so I don't know what standard to hold you to."

Danny nods absently, his finger tap tap tapping away on the table.

"Hard to say," he says finally. His voice still sounds like gravel, not unlike Cass' own voice.

"Ecto fills in gaps. A temporary fix. Rebuilding with the right stuff now." He gestures vaguely to the empty plates stacked on their table. "Ecto is fast. I'm probably fine."

"Sorry," Jason half mumbles. "I just worry."

All movement from Danny freezes, like someone pressed pause on the TV. His eyes go wide in realization and alarm.

"Jazz..."

Jason blinks and then it hits him with the speed and force of a freight train.

"Oh shit! Jazz!" He scrambles for his phone. "Do you remember anything else about her that might help?!"

~•~

Bill would like everyone to know that he works very hard to be a good hench person.

He's not dumb. Now he may not be book smart like half the big baddies in Gotham, but he's not dumb.

He would have died long ago if that were the case. He's worked for the Red Hood for a couple years now —it's one of the best decisions he's ever made; the guy knows how to treat his hench people. What more can Bill say?— and he's avoided asking questions just like with all his hench jobs before this.

But he'd really like to ask one now that he's stuck watching years worth of security footage...

What even constitutes suspicious activity in a cemetery?

Now most people would automatically say, graverobbing, but Big Red is a Gotham native. In Gotham, no one is buried with their valuables, not unless your grave is in a super secret spot. Gothamites can smell money and anytime there's a possibility of it, people will dig up the grave in question.

Hell, the cops don't even stop for it anymore, they just keep on rollin' even if it's happening right before their eyes.

Point is, graverobbing can't be the suspicious behavior he's supposed to look for, but Bill really isn't sure what exactly does quantify as suspicious behavior to Big Red.

Everything here has been run of the mill, graverobbing, teen/young adult vandalism, or drug deals.

Yes, he considers goth teens/young adults having sex in a cemetery as vandalism too. Vandalism on his eyes, if nothing else.

He hits pause on a big white van and rubs his eyes tiredly. Perhaps it's time to call it a night. He's losing focus, getting caught up in his own thoughts.

His hand hovers over the mouse about to drag it over to close out of the program when his brain catches up to what his eyes are seeing.

The van, big, white, armored...

Now that IS unusual. Black or gray vans are the favored colors in Gotham and anyone, who knows anything about Gotham, knows that you NEVER armor up a suspicious color and type of vehicle. Not if you don't want the cops and vigilantes breaking down your door.

He can just make out two people in bright colors inside the van. They're grainy but not grainy enough for Bill to doubt the color of their outfits.

It's too bright for any regular gothamite. The only people in this city who dress like that are the big shot villains and their cronies.

The two disappear into the cemetery, out of sight of the camera with tools in hand. He scans forward a few hours (less time than he expected honestly) and slows back to normal speed just in time to watch them unload what seems to be some sort of coffin, except it's metal with glowing lines and patterns on it.

He pauses the video again and with elbows resting upon the desk he presses clasped hands against his mouth to muffle his sigh.

Well, if that doesn't constitute suspicious activity then Bill will hand in a letter of resignation and go flip burgers.

Well...time to let the boss know.

Yall thought I made up the part where Bill the Henchman comes in, but I definitely, absolutely had this planned from the beginning. [Lying]

Okay, gonna be honest, I may have had a plan for Bill, but it either was lost in the shuffle or there never actually was a plan for scenes with Bill. Considering I can only sometimes keep my dream memories from mixing with my awake memories, any hope of recovering any potential memories is nigh on impossible.

HOWEVER

I can always make new plans. AND I HAVE! So yes, we have Bill now and I'm going to pretend like this was planned all along.

Oh yeah! So Jason’s text at the beginning says: Black credit card please, for Spooky. You are welcome too. I owe you one homemade meal, your choice.

Also can you imagine being a vigilante? Bc you have at least 10 very important things you have to juggle on just an average Tuesday. This is not including sudden family disasters like a family member getting trapped in a burning building and having to go save them, plus more wild revelations about your funky supernatural roomie. So like, cut a guy some slack, I know I'd be floundering some days. Attempting to prioritize must really be a bitch some days. Just...oof...

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for cutting my friend off after I visited him?

I, 19X (I’m nonbinary), visited my friend, M21, in his home country not too long ago. I paid for my own plane ticket, I paid for American snacks for him and his friends, and when I arrived I paid for any food I ate, all of our outings (my expenses and his for the most part), and even helped cover the difference on the electric/water bill. He provided me lodging (I slept on his couch for 3 weeks) and created the itinerary as he’s naturally more familiar with the country than I am. In total, I spent around 3,000 USD, spent 24 hours on a plane, and had jet lag for 3 weeks. I also dealt with extreme mental health symptoms alone while there because of homesickness and general issues I have.

We had been friends for almost 7 years at that point - we met when I was 12 and he was 14. For that entire time, we were incredibly close and supported each other through high school and the beginning of university. All this to say, our history was extensive, and I was excited to visit him. He was my best friend, so it didn’t matter how hard it was for me. I wanted to see him. To emphasize how strong our bond was, he literally got a tattoo representing me.

A month or so after I arrived home from my trip, he sent me a message at 3 AM (he intentionally sent it at that time so I couldn’t respond to him). The message basically said that he no longer felt as close to me, that it wasn’t anything I did, but he was changing and his interests were elsewhere. It was a classic “it’s not you, it’s me” move. He did specify that he still wanted to be my friend and that he still loved and cared for me, but that he wouldn’t be putting in as much effort. After sending that message, he didn’t say anything more for about two days.

I was distraught over this and freaked the fuck out, to be candid. But then I got to thinking and my sadness and anxiety turned to rage. I’d spent so much money just on him, I’d turned my life upside down to see him, I was jet lagged for three whole weeks, I was working back to back 12 hour shifts to make up for the money I’d lost — and that was it? He just didn’t feel close to me anymore? Granted, it’s not like he can control his feelings, but I started to feel like all that effort I put in was wasted. I asked him how long he had felt that way (distant from me), and he said he’d felt that way for around a year but he’d just now realized.

That was the nail on the coffin for me. That, and the fact that he only ever talked to me if I was the one to reach out. I removed him from all of my socials and left any servers we had in common. I deleted a lot of his old artwork. The message he sent me helped me realize a long pattern - he didn’t put in as much effort as I did, and I was secondary. Granted, I don’t expect to be the most important person in his life, but he would tell me all the time about his other friends — he’d send me pictures of them, screenshots of their messages to him, all that. And they knew nothing about me. I was going to visit and meet them and they hadn’t even seen a picture of me before.

Some part of me feels like I’m overreacting, though. I just want other people’s feedback on this. Am I the asshole for cutting him out of my life?

What are these acronyms?

[prettygoododds]

20 Questions for fic writers

Thanks @wellbelesbian for tagging me. Such fun questions! Tags below the cut.

How many works do you have on AO3

68! Wow, I did not realize this.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

134,335

3. What fandoms do you write for?

The Carry On Series aka Simon Snow fandom aka Snobaz

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

When the Ink Dries

Can I Change My Mind (this one blows my mind, how it continues to stay at the top)

Namaste Away

Every Lover Has A Little Dagger In Their Hand

We're So Starving

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or Why not?

I try to, but I'm very bad at it. It's something I need to work on.

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

We Were Pity Sex, Nothing More and Nothing Less It doesn't even pretend to be kind.

Also, I'm Right Where You Left Me It's short, but cuts right to the bone.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Most of mine do have a happy ending (when I go sad, I go hard). If I had to choose a few, I suppose:

Where Did the Party Go?

Believe

Namaste Away

8. Do you get hate on fics?

No. Had a few recommendations on how to tag a few works, or to make it more user friendly but everyone has always been very kind with those suggestions. The Carry On fandom is a really good fandom.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I'm slowly dipping my toes in that water. I've posted a few works that have smut, but I'm still very tentative about it. I don't know what kind really. Regular?

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I do not

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Not to my knowledge

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

I have not, but I'm not opposed to it.

14. What's your all time favorite ship?

Snobaz, hands down. It's the one I come back to every time. My comfort ship.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I have 2 WIP currently and both of those will be finished. My other WIP not on AO3 are just sitting in my google docs, where no one can see them shivering in the corner, neglected.

16 What are your writing strengths?

Oof. I'd like to think I'm good at dialogue.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Descriptions and setting a scene. I'm working on it though, and that's the important bit I suppose *shrugs shoulders in Simon*

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Not something I've attempted. I won't say I never will, but I will probably not unless I absolutely have to

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Somewhere, in the depths of fanfic.net are my abandoned Twilight fics. And that is where they will stay until the death of the planet.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

I have a few and when I'm questioning why I think I should be doing this at all, I read them to remember I started because I wanted to write the stories I wanted to read.

When The Ink Dries - I started this fic waaaaay before I ever posted it and it was the reason I decided to participate in my first Carry On Big Bang. It's my fic first born.

I'm Not A Pitch - This fic popped my AO3 cherry. I posted it before I could second guess myself. It's full of errors, but I wouldn't change anything about it.

Vibe Check - I wrote this in a few hours when I was feeling silly and it is still one of my favorites

Who Wants Ramen? - My friend and I giggled endlessly when I plotted this one out.

You Can Call Me Babe for the Weekend - I spend a lot of time listening to music and plotting out the story that a 3-4 minutes song can tell. 'Tis the Damn Season was an immediate movie in my head and as soon as I could plot it out and put it on paper (so to speak) I did.

And last but not least Sugar, We're Going Down Swingin - This is pure self indulgence. I got into hockey, I wanted the boys to be hockey players...bam, here's a fic with almost no hockey in it, but sometimes they talk about it.

I'm don't know who's already been tagged, so sorry if I double up:

@facewithoutheart @imagineacoolusername @artsyunderstudy @shemakesmeforget @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ionlydrinkhotwater @rimeswithpurple @aristocratic-otter @cutestkilla @blackberrysummerblog @nausikaaa @supercutedinosaurs @nightimedreamersworld @valeffelees @iamamythologicalcreature @shrekgogurt @ileadacharmedlife @martsonmars @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[shootingstarpilot]

Fic Writer 20 Questions

Thanks for the tag, @merlyn-bane!

1.) How many works do you have on ao3?

Eight!

2.) What's your ao3 word count?

217,911

3.) What fandoms do you write for?

*sobbing* Star Wars, my beloved. The brainrot is real; I am consumed. When I was still on FF.net, though, I had stuff up in Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon.

4.) What are your top five fics by kudos?

back then, i was dauntless

how to bring him home

if i don't make it back (from where i've gone)

though some would harm you

like lightning changing hands

5.) Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I absolutely do! I feel bad because I know I've gotten some lovely comments on chapters that aren't the most recent one, and those tend to get lost in the inbox, but I promise I'm working on it- if you get a response from a comment you left a year and a half ago, don't hold it against me 😅

I do it because I want so badly to build community here! I love getting comments from people, responding to something with a wee hint of a tease because I'm AWFUL and then getting a keysmash of a response and then exchanging snippets in the comments, truly, it fills me with delight- and I've met some absolutely wonderful people who I got introduced to by responding to comments-

Anyway. Community. That.

6.) What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Oh. Hm. Hm.

I... guess it would have to be though some would harm you? Although I'm not sure if I feel confident in that designation, because it's very much part of a multi-work series. And I'm too much of a sucker for happy endings to write a stand-alone fic that doesn't have one, I think.

7.) What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Oh, neural plasticity, for sure! Short and sweet <3

8.) Do you get hate on fics?

A bit. I can brush off the "actually the Jedi were the real monsters" assholes easily enough, but honestly, the comments that hit the hardest are the ones that clearly come from people who think they're offering ✨constructive criticism.✨ Not only because I didn't ask for it, but also because saying my work is "fatiguing" or "I'm sure there's a decent story here, but it's being buried under what you're trying to do with it-" there's nothing constructive there.

Side note: the person who left that last comment deleted it about half an hour later, because when I went to reply, it had vanished from my inbox. I don't know if they did that because they didn't want me to be able to reply, or if they realized that what they said was unhelpful and mean, but if they ever happen to see this-

I still got the email, prick.

9.) Do you write smut? If so what kind?

Write? No, I haven't quite worked up the panache to try. Reading, on the other hand...

10.) Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I do have snippets of one crossover that I actually posted in an anonymous collection, ha- an old BBC Merlin/ Good Omens/ Supernatural fic that I dug out of my old documents. Other than that, no- unless you count the Prequels and the Clone Wars as different enough to qualify as a crossover.

11.) Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of!

12.) Have you ever had a fic translated?

Also not that I know of- very much open to it, though!

13.) Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

Since I don't think taking drabbles in tumblr chats to ridiculous lengths counts, I'd have to say no- I'd like to, though!

14.) What's your all time favorite ship?

Codywan. Fiercely, unwaveringly Codywan.

Just to reinforce this- 292 of my bookmarks consist of Cody/Obi-Wan. The next most common romantic pairing (Aziraphale/Crowley) has less than half that, at 121.

I'm a goner, and I can't even bring myself to regret it.

15.) What's a WIP you'd like to finish, but doubt you ever will?

OKAY SO I've written snippets of a modern AU focusing on Helix, Needle and Stitch, and I'm totally gonna take this opportunity to rage about it. I'm probably never gonna finish it, but it gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, so, hey- what else is fic for, really, if not for indulging yourself?

At first, it's just Needle and Stitch. It's just been the two of them, for as long as Stitch can remember. Needle's only a few years older than him, but he's raised him, kept him in school, kept a roof over their heads and food on the table-

Food on Stitch's plate, at least.

Then, one night, Needle does not come home.

A hit-and-run, the nurse tells him, although the words will not trickle through until much later. A coma.

He will not, they say patiently, come home for some time.

(There is so much that needs doing.)

Helix, meanwhile, is studying physical therapy at the local community college and working part-time at his brother Ace's bakery.

It's during one of these shifts that a skinny little twerp comes in and hands him a job application.

(Rent and bills and Needle Needle Needle-)

It doesn't take Helix long to realize something is... off.

Ace tells him not to push it, but-

The kid's a good worker. Great, as a matter of fact. He's never late. Stays past closing, too, if they've had a rush. He tells Helix about his brother and nothing else.

(His brother hasn't come to visit.)

Everything that's not sold at the end of the day gets packaged up and given out. They only toss in the dumpster what's really, truly inedible- stuff that got dropped in the kitchen, scraps left over from customers-

He thinks it's raccoons, at first, until he peers in and sees Stitch flatten himself against a heap of bags in the corner.

They package up leftovers for him, after that. A bit more than leftovers, maybe. Ace sets aside sandwiches. Helix buys him a thermos and tells him it's been in the lost and found for over a year. They make sure he eats.

(Needle's getting transferred out of the ICU.)

Stitch is trying. He's doing everything he can, and more besides. But Needle's life is too expensive and he's buckling under the weight.

(He hasn't even grieved. Not really. No room. No time.)

Eventually, something has to give.

He does.

(He hadn't expected someone to be there to catch him.)

Featuring:

Helix stumbling into adopting first one, then two idiot kids

Ace being a supportive brother

Needle finding his way home

Mace Windu as Needle's (unfairly attractive, Helix thinks) neurologist

Obi-Wan as a hospital social worker who gets assigned Needle's file

Cody as Obi-Wan's husband, Helix's cousin, and children's book author (Stitch's favorite)

(listen I am WEAK for author!Cody, truly)

(Helix was totally the one who got them together and he regrets it every day of his life.)

Sheev Palpatine as the epitome of the evil of the American healthcare system

The Melidaan crew running a long-term, non-profit care facility that offers both in-patient and out-patient rehab services

16.) What are your writing strengths?

(I'VE PUT TOO MUCH THOUGHT INTO THIS. SHIT.)

17.) What are your writing weaknesses?

I am, apparently, really good at writing breakdowns. >:3

18.) Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Dialogue does not come easily to me. I have to work a bit to hit my stride. But I think it turns out well enough!

Hm. Coming from a purely technical perspective here, I think the reader should be able to understand everything that's spoken in a fic. If a character says something in another language, then I think the best way to convey that is, "X muttered something Y didn't catch," or, if the listener recognizes that it's at least in another language, "X muttered something in French."

If the reader should understand it, then something along the lines of: "'I knew we shouldn't have trusted him,' X muttered in French."

If the POV character doesn't understand the language, it doesn't make sense to provide the reader with a perfect transliteration of what the other character is saying. The character wouldn't have that knowledge. It can really take me out of the fic when two characters suddenly start conversing in written-out sentences in another language, and I have to scroll all the way down to the footnotes for translations.

19.) First fandom you wrote for?

But then again, that's just my opinion- I'm sure others have their own thoughts on this!

20.) Favorite fic you've ever written?

Harry Potter.

Hell, I have to say like lightning changing hands, if only because whatever fic I'm writing at the moment is my favorite. It's the act of creation that does it for me!

(Also because it's such a good opportunity to explore so many relationship dynamics.)

No-pressure tags for @jedi-enthusiast, @themonopolyhat, @shadow-pixelle, and @foreverchangingfandomsao3!

[laserswordtraining]

20 Questions for fanfic writers (answered)

1. how many works do you have on ao3?

62! Including the few I have on anon

2. what's your total ao3 word count?

314,584 (nearly twice in just this year of what I’ve written before in the time before!)

3. what fandoms do you write for?

Harry Potter, and whatever fandoms I want to au into. (But also have technically done Star Wars and vampire diaries but we don’t talk about that, they just exist now)

4. top five fics by kudos:

1) Dream to Keep You(E) 2)Doubt it’s going to change what we are inside (E) 3) Two sugars no cream(E)

4)Thunder to break the silence(G) and 5) Bloody Gorgeous(T)

But I give it 2 weeks until the top five is all explicit works 😂

5. do you respond to comments?

Yes, and hardly immediately, I do it in clumps

6. what is the fic your wrote with the angstiest ending?

Divine Violation(e) !!!! You watch those tags, poor Harry’s life is in Voldemorts hands

7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Got Lost in it,feels impossible(t)

8. do you get hate on fics?

No and I don’t give it either 🙂

9. do you write smut?

Hell yes I do

10. craziest crossover?

Hehe tomarry 101 Dalmatians or Tomarry shrek @fanged-fate-fest hmmm or..(trips,falls, fics fall out of my pockets left and right all over)

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

Nope

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

Attempted so far, progress…. Though if you count the Korra/Makko fic from high school it’d be that

14. all time favorite ship?

Harrymort 😎 or…percabeth!!

15. what's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I have a handful I ditched at the end of last year-here’s one that’s still under 1k: Draco’s name meaning dragon could’ve inspired so many different paths for his life. But he’s in a dungeon, Potter is on the run, and Voldemort is living in his house.

16. what are your writing strengths?

I don’t fuck with writers block- I write something more or getting to read is a great solution for me! Breaks from stories are such a need too!

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

I am weak to include scenes and lines that I think are cute and funny, but then later I find them (adorably) cringey and wish I had gone through my plot more than editing…but that’s all a learning curve too

18. thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I like it! Translation at the bottom notes is best. Also more relevant to my own writing-if it’s parseltongue it should be in italics as well as quotes.

20. favorite fic you've written?

What an evil question!!! i literally looked at all my fics for an hour I can’t ever pick one, I have to fall back on the same goddamn one every time even though I’ve written better ones since it still rules my heart

Here- my first Harry Potter fic. Building my foundation in crack treated seriously, based on the plot of Cars(Disney,yes) Harry Kachow

Thanks @liquidluckandstuff for questions ✨

[eyra]

20 questions for Fic Writers

thank you to everyone who tagged me and I'm sorry it's taken me a month to do this.

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

25 plus a few that I've posted anonymously. bonus points if anyone ever finds them.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

348,031

3. What fandoms do you write for?

just HP/marauders these days

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

A Brief History of Dragons - people like this Remus I think.

Beneath a Big Blue Sky - my love letter to Yorkshire.

Statten Park - an old one but I do actually still like this, it's a lot of fun.

Sunshine on Leith - can we knock this out of the top five already please.

And a Hedgehog in a Pine Tree - I'm so surprised that this is here, it's such an inconsequential little thing. people like Christmas I suppose.

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

oh god I try I really do, every email that comes through with a new comment makes my day but I'm terrible for leaving them all unanswered in my inbox. I'm sorry to everyone who has ever left a comment that I haven't responded to.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

The Proctor House for sure. A Winter, Forever Ago is pretty bleak too.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

most of them! probably the most joyous is something like Beneath a Big Blue Sky because you've been on a decent journey to get there. that goose threatening everyone's happiness and all.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

not really. one comment I do get sometimes is that the way I write Remus/Sirius is OOC and yes I agree, it absolutely is. Remus in Beneath a Big Blue Sky has nothing to do with e.g. Remus in Ullswater. those men have never even met in a bathroom. James in A Brief History of Dragons is an arsehole compared to living legend James in Beneath a Big Blue Sky. Sirius in Statten Park is a complete stranger to Sirius in Heartstones. none of them, really, have much to do with their canon counterparts. just bits here and there but I haven't read the HP books in well over a decade and I don't really remember what these characters are actually like beyond the surface-level stuff, so a lot of what I write is fairly OOC. it's all done knowingly and intentionally and I'm not going to change that.

9. Do you write smut. If so, what kind?

oh gosh a little bit a little bit. please understand that I'm a repressed Englishwoman and I'm trying my hardest. Seventeen Hours and Statten Park are both fairly smutty. I'd like to write more but I'm awkward af.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

no not really my thing but I do like to take other stories and plonk marauders characters into similar worlds - Ullswater was very much inspired by If We Were Villains.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

no but people keep nabbing them to get them printed and then apparently sell them? so actually maybe yes. grow up.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

no because I'm a control freak and I don't allow my work to be replicated. sorry about it. I think people have done it for personal offline projects though and that's absolutely fine.

13. Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

back in the day I used to co-write with my then-partner but it was just bits and pieces, not full fics. again, I'm a control freak so I'd struggle with this. I need to get my own way always.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

right so I should say Remus/Sirius but honestly... Remus/James just reaches places other pairings simply cannot. so it's a toss up.

15. What's a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

oh god how long have you got. I think one of the reasons I dislike Sunshine on Leith so much is because I put that stupid note at the end promising a third part in a few weeks. that was in 2020 and I've still not done it. help.

16. What are your writing strengths?

description, particularly when it comes to: natural landscapes, buildings, food, weather. I think I'm alright at witty dialogue too.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

actually writing anything down. also action, can't do action to save my life.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I don't think I've done it but I'd give it a go.

19. First Fandom you wrote for?

I think it was LOTR and yes it probably still exists somewhere on an old desktop computer at my dad's house and yes that thought keeps me up at night.

20. Favorite fic you've ever written?

The Proctor House and Beneath a Big Blue Sky

[theyhaveacavetroll]

Tagged by @pazithigallifreya. Thanks, I love doing these!

Tagging @partiallypearl, @imfunnyandrude, and anyone else that wants to!

1 How many works do you have on AO3? 90 works

2. What’s your total AO3 word count? 585,148

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Cure for Sorrow

Cup of Their Deserving

As a Stranger Give it Welcome

Reclamation

To the Upper Air

Obligatory disclaimer: I'm only proud of three out of these five, but I'm glad that people are still getting something out of the other two. Cure for Sorrow and As a Stranger were written when I was a different person and well before the finale of Black Sails. 'Nough said.

4. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try to, yes. I sometimes run out of time and energy because I work a full-time job where I'm out of my apartment 12.5 hours a day during the week.

5. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

I don't write fics with angsty endings. Battle Raven comes the closest and even that isn't angst, it's just not sunshine and roses. If you want dark fic or real angst, I'm not your girl.

6. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

I think most of my fics have happy endings. If I had to pick a "and then they all lived happily ever after" fic it's probably most of the stuff in my Fate The Winx Saga works.

7. Do you write crossovers?

Yes, when the idea occurs to me! I'm particularly fond of You Steele Know My Name, which I WILL finish, I swear.

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Not hate. I've received weird comments and "when will you update" no other feedback given comments, but nothing truly mean.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yep! I've written kink and what I'd consider vanilla, or at least nothing to write home about. I've gotten better at it over the years.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I'm aware of and that is NOT a challenge.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Again, not that I'm aware of.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yep! I have quite a few co-written fics with various people.

13. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

In terms of what rewrote my DNA? Probably Flinthamilton but in terms of a ship that I always come back to where I have no negative fandom associations and endless, endless need to fix canon? Bagginshield.

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

And the Sea With Its Deepness, aka the Black Sails fic where I faked everyone out with the first chapter specifically to enjoy the screams of "wait, that's WHO that got nabbed?!!" I want to come back to it but... yeesh, the fandom. I left for a Reason, and then there's the fact that I just can't with writing a certain character anymore.

15. What are your writing strengths?

Plot and dialogue. I'm one of the best damn mimics of character voices you'll ever meet and that's just facts.

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Action scenes. Action scenes are the bane of my existence, and I have a tendency to end paragraphs on an em dash too often that I've been trying to curb. A few is fine but there is such a thing as excess.

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

I like to do it but only in short bursts and for languages I can be confident I'm getting right.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Probably Star Wars when I was very, very, VERY young indeed.

19. What’s a fandom/ship you haven’t written for yet but want to?

Does it count if I have an unpublished WIP already? If so, then Downton Abbey and The Hobbit. If not, then honestly I have no idea.

20. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

Ironically, arguably my favorite is one none of you have even seen and might not because I have no idea if I'll ever finish it. It's long, it's sprawling, and I've worked absurdly hard on it but it's just. so. much. As to finished fics, though - probably Reclamation. It's got Themes and everything.

[harrison-abbott]

Most of us were young and almost

All of them were loud. You were by

Far the quietest and thrown into this place

Of mayhem. With the steam and shouting

And the radio music, and the different

Accents whizzing about. The job was dull

But it was easy and there was never a non-

Eventful shift … You learned how other

People talk in a manic environment and

You learned to raise your voice a bit.

It was hard at first but you got there.

You met other people who were interested

In music and you got jamming with them.

You met girls and learned how to speak

To them and you’d always been super shy

Around that lot and so this was beneficial.

You learned how to stay stuff that was

Funny, and how to avoid saying things

Which were mean. You wrote songs on

The side in between this and university.

Almost every night you’d head out on

The town and drink the beers and you’d

Go home at 3 a.m. and the bakery was

Open with its yellow windows. And you’d

Be able to head into work again without

Being comatose. All of the colleagues

Were ace. There was loud bantering Dave,

And mischievous Steven, and foul-mouthed

Tracy, and big chubby friendly Calum,

And flirtatious Joe, and half-serious half-

Fantastic Pawel, and mentally ill Katia,

And stick-thin Lewis who played electric

Guitar and who joined me on stage; and

Irish Laura with the dyed hair who became

His girlfriend; and Katie with the ginger

Hair and baritone voice; and Scott who

Was totally useless with his job and

Never put any work in but everybody

Loved him because he was funny. That

Was all back in 2014. And I’m remembering

It now because it was ten years ago this

Summer. And the World Cup was on in

Brazil. And they gave all of the staff these

Little mini Brazil tops. Just cheap things.

That was the good thing about soccer.

It brought cultures together. And even

Though it was only a part time minimum

Wage job cleaning dishes it was fun and fine.

Was a real lively environment in which to work.

…………………………………………………

And the World Cup ended and then it slipped into

The autumn and things began to change. First thing

Was that Steven left the kitchen, and a lot of

The banter died with that. He was replaced with

Zoe, who was okay at first. But she got heavily

Overworked because a few other chefs left

Too, so she had to work about 70 hours a week.

She got ratty and she took it out on the colleagues.

And Joe left, and that took a lot of the humour

With him; and the manager friendly Calum

Was replaced with another manager who changed

A lot of the rules. And then the manager above

Him made us close an hour later at night, whilst

Also cutting our hours. So we had less money

And we had to work longer into the night.

And then loud bantering Dave left too.

And so it was just me, Zoe, and a handful

Of others in the kitchen. We had to put up

With Zoe’s wrath, whenever she felt like it.

Lewis and Laura were on the floor staff team.

Lewis got her pregnant. She went four months

Without knowing she was pregnant and then

They were shocked when they found out and

They didn’t feel they were equipped enough

To keep the baby so they decided to give it

Up for adoption. And many of that old 2014

Team left the city altogether. So they weren’t

Even around for pints in the evening. Those

That had replaced the old team weren’t into

Hanging out after the shifts. Lewis and Laura

Had the baby and then they passed it on for

Adoption, and then they left the city too.

And so it was pretty much me left in the joint.

That would have been in the autumn of 2015.

It’s crazy how much can change in a year.

Whereas I had been cheerful going into

Work the previous summer it was all but

Miserable now. I stayed on (miraculously,

Now that I think about it) for another couple

Of years, only because I needed the money

And because I was still studying. And there

Were a few colleagues who came in who

Were sound enough. On the floor team,

A few other cats who were nice folks.

It’s just that that ’14 period was never

Reincarnated. Lost forever. I miss it.

[bogarielfrogariel]

writer interview

tagged @bardic-inspo (*´▽`*) thank u my friend these are so fun

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

3 lol. eventually i'll post more. probably. maybe

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

100,989 (not counting the original "draft" of wicked turns because a lot of that got reused in the current version)

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

girl (gender neutral) i don't even have 5 fics total... top kudos though is wicked turns :')

4. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

yes!!!! comments are so nice and they let me know i am not posting into a void and that other people are actually interested in what i'm writing!!!! if you have ever left a comment on anything i wrote you have such a special place in my heart and you make me so happy!!!!!!!

5. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

haven't finished it yet but it's going to be drowning lessons :)

6. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

also have not finished it but everyone in how to win friends will come out SO happy and well-adjusted. it's at a good little stopping point for now and i might skip into act 2 for the next chapter/s... idk it doesn't really have a plot it's just me giving myself like. writer aftercare from the stuff in drowning lessons or wicked turns fjgdfjjfdgj

7. Do you write crossovers?

not anymore but if you know the ancient piri lore of when i did tumblr rp......... the harley quinn/norman bates "it started out as a joke and now we're really invested" ship still makes me go insane from time to time...... i have a type and it is unhinged men who fall for somehow even more unhinged women

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

nah

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

yes. the kind where i get wine drunk or have an edible and then scream into my hands after typing each word because i hate writing smut but damn if it ain't relevant to the storyline

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

no but i HAVE had my peebles art stolen/reposted on at least one site

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

nope

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

if you count tumblr rp as co-writing fic, then yes

13. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

ough. waugh. how can i choose between my beautiful children

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

yeah so i have. the loose outline of a peebs fic. and it has been rolling around in my brain for years and years and years. but in order to truly do it justice i feel like it would be a full-on multi-issue comic series and the last time i tried making a graphic novel-style work (shoutout to princess huntress, your worldbuilding lives on but i'll never finish you) i got maybe 8/100+ pages done and then spiraled into art burnout for like 4 years

15. What are your writing strengths?

i like to think i am good at writing horror and gore teehee <3

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

sex scenes...... i don't like writing it, i don't like publishing it, i am ehhhh about reading it, but again, damn if it ain't relevant to the storyline

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

don't trust google translate. just use <> or whatever if you don't know the language.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

batman (stares wistfully out the window for 10 hours)

19. What’s a fandom/ship you haven’t written for yet but want to?

i REALLY want to write a skyrim long-ish fic. i have so many thoughts on it. there would be two LDBs (amma and sigg). both of them are cursed by daedra but in wildly different directions

20. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

wicked turns :)

[charlesandmiranda]

Arrival!

Writing to you this morning from our hotel breakfast! Just wanted to fill in everyone about the rest of our trip before we start our first full day. I doubt we'll be able to post EVERY SINGLE DAY WE'RE HERE but we're definitely gonna try and keep it frequent enough to be interesting!

From our last post, we were heading from Baltimore to Toronto, which was a very quick hour and a half-ish flight. From Toronto, we headed straight to our gate to which started boarding shortly thereafter, so it was a pretty quick turn around. It was almost kind of a shame because airport was actually kinda pretty, and I wouldn't have hated a few extra minutes to look around at all the really lavishly decorated restaurants and stuff.

Then came the 14 hour flight. It IS a very long time, don't get me wrong, and by the end my back was VERY achy and my legs definitely craved stretching but also they keep the windows closed and the lights low for most of the trip so you honestly kind of lose track of how long you've been on there.

Charles and I both watched some movies on the flight; we started the first two episodes of Severance (which was also provided on the flight and I've been curious about for a while anyway -- anyone else here seen it?) and played games on our Switches. I also read a lot; I loaded my e-reader up before we left. In a weird way it was kind of nice to have such a long, uninterrupted time where there was nothing to do but leisure activities even if you're doing them in a mostly uncomfortable way --I think Charles and I (Charles especially) struggle with justifying how we spend our free time, always feeling like there has to be something else we can be working on or doing, but it's kind of a bad habit and terrible mental state to always be in, so we're working on it. Unfortunately, neither of us managed to get much sleep on the flight despite our best efforts, I think I managed maybe 20 minutes total?? So it wasn't super restful for sure.

Thankfully, our flight was kinda ahead of schedule, and we ended up landing around 5:00 PM / 17:00 which is like....3:00 AM for those of you in the Eastern US timezone! We're 12 hours ahead of y'all, so when I'm writing this, I'm writing to you from the future!!!

After getting through customs and immigration, baggage, etc. we were stopped by a news crew from a show called Why Did You Come To Japan? They seem to stop tourists at the airport pretty regularly, and we ended up talking to them for a while. Charles said that as someone who used to be a camera guy himself, he always tries to stop for folks filming stuff like that, because he knows how hard it can be to get people to talk to you and work with you. They were very interested in the fact it was our honeymoon, and that we got engaged here, and even more interested that we were really into Oishinbo, which is a food manga from the 80s/90s. It's not super popular in the US although personally I love & recommend it, and I kinda get the impression from the crew we spoke to that it's a classic but kinda old fashioned here. They said in all their years of doing these interviews, it was their first time having a foreigner mention it. They gave us a card and a slip of paper and asked us to contact them again, because they may be interested in meeting up with us again later in our trip to film more for the show (!?) so we'll see how that pans out I guess!

Speaking of, after we finally left the airport, we took the Skyliner train to Nippori, and then transferred to a JR Line train to get us to Shinjuku station. We've stayed in Shinjuku for at least part or all of our trips in the past, and it kind of feels like a home base for us now. We usually stay in or around the Kabukicho area, which is known as an entertainment district with lots of nightlife. If you want brilliantly lit signs and that crowded cyberpunk-y look, Kabukicho is a great place to be!

NOT THAT IT SUPER MATTERS, BUT the card in the photo, with Hello kitty and other Sanrio characters on it, is a Pasmo card, we each got one. Basically it's a little card that you can add money to, and you can use it to pay fare on most trains and buses, as well as lots of vending machines and stuff like that. You can top it off as you go as well.

We checked in to our hotel, the Shinjuku Gracery, and IMMEDIATELY needed to stretch out on the bed and shower the sweaty airport off of us, haha. The Gracery is built on top of a Toho Cinema movie theater, and the whole hotel has a very classy Godzilla theme to it. There's a to-scale Godzilla head built on top of part of the building, looking like he's about to demolish it, and he roars and blows steam out of his mouth, haha. To be honest, a night in the Gracery is one of our "we're on our honeymoon, we deserve this!" splurges -- it's one of the more expensive parts of our trip, given the rest of the time we'll be staying in smaller hotels and airbnbs and the like. We dished out a little extra cash to stay in what they call a Godzilla view room, where you can see the head of Godzilla that is mounted to the roof of the hotel from your room! Totally cool. I had to include specifically a picture of the shower, because I loooove these big hotel showers!

(sadly the filter for this exhibit not only doesn't fit my phone screen but also insanely reduced the image quality LOL)

We took a rest, then headed out to get a bite to eat. We hit up a ramen shop we'd been to in the past, and spent a while walking around the Kabukicho area, including the micro-bar district, Golden Gai. It was interesting to see what's changed and what hasn't since we were here last; for example, they were in the process of demolishing a VR arcade when we were last here, and now there's an ENORMOUS, lux-looking hotel in its place!

We ended up in the unfortunate position of feeling physically very tired but mentally pretty awake, and even though we spent time in our hotel room soaking in the bath, it was probably 1 AM our time before we actually fell asleep, meaning we were up for like....32 hours straight, I think?

Today, our plan is to check out a few shops in the area around Kabukicho, and a little later we'll be checking out and moving on to Akihabara, where our next hotel is. It's well known for being crammed with electronics and used and new like....nerd stuff, and is pretty close to a district jam packed with guitar shops, so we'll have a pretty full day! Stay tuned I suppose!!

Til next time!

[inwintersolitude]

- May 27th 2025 -

1 - Do you have a car? How long have you had it and how much did it cost? Yep. We bought the Jetta GLI in 2018 but I can't remember how much we paid for it. And we bought the Tiguan in 2020 for about $30,000.

2 - Who was the last person to send you a message on Facebook? I don't remember. I haven't used Facebook in ages.

3 - What did you have for breakfast this morning? Frosted Mini Wheats.

4 - Do you have any scented candles lit at the moment? Nope.

5 - When was the last time you left your house? When will be the next time you go out? Yesterday, to go to the Memorial Day parade in my hometown with my husband, parents, brother, SIL, and nephews. Then we all went back to my parent's house for a cookout and just hanging out. The next time I leave will probably be tomorrow, to get groceries.

6 - Does anyone in real life follow your survey blog? If so, does it make you think twice about some of your answers? If not, are you ever paranoid that someone will find your blog and read your answers? Nope, only some online friends know about it. I'm not that paranoid that someone I know in real life will find it, because survey blogs are such a niche part of Tumblr. The chances of someone I know randomly stumbling upon it are so slim.

7 - When was the last time someone stopped talking to you? Have you made up with that person since? I have no idea.

8 - Who as the last person you argued or bickered with? It was likely my husband, but I don't even know what we could have been bickering about. Neither of us are argumentative.

9 - Do you have anything planned for the rest of the day? If you’re about to go to bed, what are your plans for tomorrow? Just making dinner, playing some Splatoon, and talking to my husband once he's done with his last flight of the day. Tomorrow's plans… I don't even know yet. Other than potentially going grocery shopping, I don't have any plans.

10 - Did you have any e-mails in your inbox the last time you checked? I have like a billion emails sitting in my inbox, I'm not the type of person who's organized/anal enough to maintain a totally clear inbox lol. A few of them are unread but they're just order confirmations and my weekly Fitbit progress report, nothing important.

11 - What time did you wake up this morning? Did you have to set an alarm or did you wake up naturally? Around 10:30. My husband woke me up.

12 - When was the last time it snowed where you live? Sometime in April.

13 - Does it bother you if you’re wearing odd socks? Yeah. Because if they're mismatched, that means they're different styles and therefore fit differently, and that would aggravate my sensory issues.

14 - Is there anything small that bothers you way more than it should? Haha, speaking of clothing-related sensory issues… yes, there are a lot of little clothing-fit-related things that drive me nuts (honestly this is the only autism symptom that truly and consistently bothers me). I also find it super aggravating when people are unnecessarily loud. Loud talkers, driving loud vehicles, playing loud music in public, etc. It's so rude and inconsiderate.

15 - Would you rather read a book, watch a film or play a video game? Right now, either reading or gaming.

16 - Why did you last attend a doctors’ appointment? I had a follow-up appointment with my dermatologist to check on the patch of seborrheic dermatitis on my hairline.

17 - Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? My husband.

18 - How many different colours have you dyed your hair over the years? is your hair your natural colour at the moment? I've never dyed it.

19 - Do you prefer sweet or savoury snacks? Savory, usually.

20 - When was the last time you got up to use the bathroom? About 2 hours ago.

21 - Do you spend more money on shoes or clothes? I don't know. I don't keep track. I don't even like clothes/shoes shopping.

22 - Are you glad that Biden won the 2020 elections? I was.

23 - What kind of things do you do to try and save the planet? Well, I don't have kids, and even though my reasons for not wanting them don't include environmental reasons, it still is objectively the single most impactful action a person can take to reduce their carbon footprint. I also do more minor things, like using reusable shopping bags, recycling, using LED bulbs instead of incandescents, voting for politicians who support environtment-protecting policies, etc. I also plan on having my next car be electric.

24 - Are you, or have you ever been, vegetarian or vegan? Nope.

25 - What was the last thing you threw in the bin/garbage? A tissue.

26 - How many times a week do you exercise? Do you think that’s enough or should you really be doing more? It varies a lot, depending on how my heart/POTS symptoms are doing and what I can handle. Sometimes I get zero exercise, sometimes I have a few days per week where I go on walks or use the recumbent stationary bike. I don't worry about if it's enough/not enough. The concepts of "getting enough exercise" or "need to be doing more" aren't that applicable when you have a chronic illness that affects your heart rhythm and stamina to such a great degree.

27 - When was the last time you had to cancel or re-arrange plans you’d made? What was the reason behind it? I wasn't able to go to my nephew's soccer game a few weeks ago, because I laid awake tossing and turning for most of the night before and I wasn't able to fall asleep until 8 a.m. If I had gone, I would have had only 3 hours of sleep, and I would have been a miserable and barely-functional mess.

28 - Have you ever had to wear braces? Yes. And now I need them again (or Invisalign) because my childhood orthodontist didn't believe me when I told him that my retainer made me gag so much that I could barely wear it. Because of that, my teeth have shifted enough to give me an overbite, and I think that's a factor in why I developed TMJ disorder. My upper and lower teeth don't fit together like they should.

29 - What cut of jeans do you prefer? I'm not a big fan of jeans, unless they're made out of a thin/stretchy fabric instead of the usual denim. I like a high rise cut with straight legs.

30 - If you’re planning to spend the day at home, do you get properly dressed or just wear pyjamas? I change out of my pajamas, but into comfy clothes that are just for lounging around the house. I have separate clothes for wearing outside of the house, ones that are less frumpy lol.

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

Okay just had to go proofread two reviews but I'm back

Ooh 911 call :D

Oop o.o

That's not good

Is it is mom o.o

Presumably just somebody random but I'm sure it'll relate somehow lol

Okay, 16 minutes left 😭 I can do this

Well no because 27:56 and 43:03 (and credits of course)

14 maybe 15 :'DD!! I can do that!!

That's like half of what I've already watched :'DD!! I'm two thirds of the way through

I am enjoying it but my hands are tired and I'm emotionally wrung out /hj xD

I'mma be here till 4 am doing this lol

No it should be much quicker since there's less bucktommy now xD and even then 3 hours was pushing it sldkhfks

It only took me like an hour to watch those three minutes 😌 xD

Well- no yeah an hour bc of my break

Anyway!!

I may up till 4 am BUT IT SHALL NOT BE FOR THIS!! I DECREE IT

Oop okay

Okayy Elmer Caldwell

It's gotta relate somehow but I'm not sure how yet

Why did Ravi put his hands up after somebody yelled

Oh is my video off of the sound

It is yeah 💀💀 sldkfjds my bad Ravi didn't mean to do you like that xD one sec lol

While this is refreshing, thinking about how Ravi might have known they broke up and did that, and then it ended up like this and he was the cause of it xD insane work, Buck is probably not happy with him lol

But also he's probably more busy being not happy with himself and Tommy (separately) to worry about Ravi lol

Still wild Ravi xD

Hey at least I remember exactly where I was xD

Was gonna watch the happy bucktommy scene but also realized I needed to check (I just needed to know man 😭) the time of the scene and

IT WAS A TWO. MINUTE. SCENE. ??

LOGICALLY I KNEW IT WAS, IT WAS SHORT, HUT 😭😭 my gosh xdd

Two and a half minutes technically xdd?

Oh gosh xd guys I'm cooked lol

I know there won't be another scene like that but still lol xD

Gosh. They were actually insane for that one. In case you guys were wondering (watched The Scene again)

(I would just call it a sex scene but like it was a pre sex scene yk lol)

Gosh okay. Anyway xD

Okay cool locked in sound wise now lol

Hmmm

Hope he's okay :( 🥺😬

Darnn, poor Buck, he wanted to smash things lol

I'm assuming we don't get time for Buck to be like "dude what the f-" to Ravi but xD nah I support Ravi tho

Oop :o!!

Yayy you found him :D!!

Okayy

Uhh ohh o.o

Hmm I feel like he's right in some way but like

Idk

I know part of the reason Hen might not be here much is because Aisha was directing and it just makes me <333 🥰 to think about

Ope o.o

Hmmm

NOPE you're still not good o.o

I was right though not totally wrong! He knew it wasn't a heart attack lol

Okayy what is this?

Ayy nice

Yayy :D

Lol

OH MY GOSH HOLY CRAP WHAT THE HECK O.O

BRO BURIED HIS WIFE O.O

And probably would have gotten away with it too if they hadn't come o.o

Oh my

LOL THE WAY THEY'RE ALL FREAKING OUT

YEAH THANK YOU!!

Like they all reacting normally xD

Wild o.o

I think it might be obvious but yk we gotta question xdd

Ohh dang o.o not good

😬😬 poison?

Cyanide yep I was thinking that xD couldn't place exactly what it was but bitter yk

WILD o.o

Poor lady 😭😭

I mean at least he's not a serial killer he just got sick of her but xdd still awful 😭😭😭🥺

Oop o.o

Bobby seeing thaaat

Buck I'm sure is also getting something out of it because he's going through it lol but

Yep there it is xD

Not exactly the lesson you should be taking Buck slfjkd

OPE!!

Oh dang o.o

Okay go go go!!

Come onnn 😬😬

And she's still worried about him 🥺🥺

I know she's in shock and stuff but

Well I mean you don't have to try and get proof but o.o 😳🥺

Dang

I mean it was awful what he did to her and probably for longer but just sucks they lost him

For him bc death sucks but for them yk mentally

Awww I'm sorry honey :'(((

I know, it must be so rough though

Don't blame yourself

Yeeppp Bobby's hearing that 👀👀

I do think he should be more fair to her but also she has hurt him in a lot of ways

Gosh xd

OOP IT'S THE SCENE!!

Okay

This is the other scene I knew about (like bar a tiny bit, sleeping together, and this one lol), just a tiny bit

Let's do this y'all xd

New post not because this one is very long but because this next one will be lol

Maybe xD

And this is kinda long anyway so eh lol

Just nothing like that last post xD

Anyhoo

[orientedtimesfour]

Baldur's Gate 3 Lae'zel Cosplay Build - Let's go shopping! (1/x)

Hi everyone, trying to be more active on Tumblr since I don't exactly like using Facebook for a cosplay page (I use it more personal, IRL stuff), don't have enough dedicated cosplay images for an independent Instagram, and dislike the disorganized nature of Twitter (more suited for ponderings; also M*sk) so wanted to share my cosplay build here and process. I tried to enter it in the Anime Frontier 2024 contest for the build book, but didn't get selected. :(

Anyways, what a doozy of a costume! Took me about 2 months from July to September and cost me quite a bit of money, but I'm mostly happy with how it came out and sure learned a lot. I'll be posting my total $ spent as I go along along with what I really didn't need and could've saved money by not getting...which is great info for future builds and other crafters.

Been sleeping on BG3 for a while since I didn't think I liked turn based CRPGs, couldn't get into DoS or NWN, but > 900 hours later, I'm still playing the game! Amazing what great voice acting and writing can do for a game. I also platinum'd all 3 games and can't get enough of Faerun. It scratched the itch that was left in the decade long absence of Dragon Age. Anyways, onward to the supply list!

Shopping List

Shopping list prices will be in USD with taxes and shipping not included, rounded up to dollar. I got most stuff from Amazon unless stated otherwise. I didn't include anything that I didn't explicitly buy over the course of making the costume (sewing machine, shears, rulers, hobby knife, safety goggles, brushes, pins, clips, superglue)

Build pattern & guide (PretzlCosplay on Etsy) $24

Ears pattern (ElaynasShop on Etsy) $6

Silver sword of the Astral Plane (3DReplicaShop) $243

The Foamory Cosplay Foam Clay, 300g White (swirls) $18

The Foamory EVA Foam - 2mm 14" x 39" (armor detailing, ears) $15

MEARCOOH 2-Pack EVA Foam , Black 5mm , 35.5" x 59" (armor body, ears) $63

PlaidFX Metallic Flexible Acrylic Paint, 3 oz, Chainmail x 3 (armor body) $30

Plastidip Spray Black x 6 $72

Rust-Oleum 241526 Comfort Grip (my hands hurt) $12

Rustoleum metallic black spray paint $16

3M P100/OV Respirator 65021 $33

Dap 00271 Weldwood Contact Cement $16

Gorilla hot glue gun $28

BRIGHTFROM Condiment Squeeze Bottles 3 pack , 4 oz (contact cement) $7

Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener (for hobby knife) $7

CALZITALY opaque colour tights (S, Olive Green) x 2 $40

Fake acrylic toenails and finger nails $17

Mehron AQ Pro Paint 1.4 oz (Black) $13

Mehron AQ Pro Paint 1.4 oz (Olive) $14

Mehron spirit gum & remover$13

Epic Cosplay Scylla wig in light brown $68

Epic Cosplay 20" Light Brown Wavy Curly Ponytail Clipon $14

Vikings Hair Jewelry $14

Goiple lace front wig tool kit $10

Hair beader tool $6

Amazon essentials two strap buckle sandals $24

Black Paint Pens, 6 Pack 0.7mm $6

Coats and Clark all purpose brown thread $4

Schmetz stretch needles $8

Joanns solid interlock brown knit jersey fabric x 1 yard $18

Joanns brown faux leather fabric x 1 yard $32

Allstarco 24mm Flat Back Acrylic Square Gems - 14 Pieces (Crystal Clear A01) x 3 (for skirt details) $39

Allstarco Red Ruby Assortment - Small Pack, 3.2oz, $14

Allstarco 13mm Red Ruby H103 Round Cabochon - 50 Pieces $10

Allstarco 18mm Red Ruby H103 Round Cabochon - 30 Pieces $12

Allstarco 40x30mm Red Ruby H103 Oval - 4 Pieces (for sword & armor) x 2 $30

Allstarco 25x18mm Red Ruby H103 Oval - 20 Pieces $13

Harbor Freight wire, rotary tool, tack cloth $33

Velcro 24" x 3/4" Tape $4

CDY 1" x 90" brown leather straps x 3 $33

Ximerinf faux brown leather thigh garters $12

Total Cost: $1101

Didn't need :(

Another armor pattern that I just couldn't get to work: $18

Scotch office tape (wouldn't have needed if I didn't waste tape on above pattern $5

Brother Toner, TN660 (wouldn't have needed if I didn't waste ink on above pattern) $61

PlaidFX Metallic Flexible Acrylic Paint, 3 oz, Samurai Sword (not needed since didn't end up shading swirls) $7

Overseas White & Black Paint Pens Paint Markers - Permanent Acrylic Markers 2 Pack $7 (should've just bought the 6 pack from the start)

Cosplay Moldable Air Dry Foam Clay Craft 500g Black (for armor details but kind of cheap quality, flakes and doesn't sand well, vastly overestimated the amount I needed) $16

The Foamory EVA Foam, white 5mm, 14" x 39" , $23 (couldn't just used the mearcooh pack as this was nowhere enough)

Allstarco 5mm Red Ruby H103 Round Cabochon -200 Pieces $10 (didn't need, had some in assortment above)

Mehron Makeup Liquid Latex (30 ml) , $9 (misconstrued as same usage as spirit gum)

SKS foam dowels (didn't use) $37

Proxxon Thermocut 115/E Auto-CAD Hot Wire Cutter (can't get clean cuts vs just sharpening craft knife...) $129

Dritz Sewing gauge $4(lost it...)

Schmetz Leather needles $8 (didn't need)

Schmetz Topstitch needles $8 (didn't need)

Fiskars cutting mat $36 (didn't need, mines was servicable)

Dritz compression gloves (not helpful) $15

Heat gloves, Worbla black 2.0 jumbo sheet x 2 $184 (was gonna cover the foam but got lazy)

Clover Marbled Glass Head Pins (just bought bc pretty) $7

Pinwe brown faux leather body harness $22 (didn't use)

Krylon high gloss top coat, rivet tool, double cap rivets, new sewing gauge, slide buckles (didn't use) $42

Sewing machine replacement bobbin cover, clay tools, nonstick mat $30 (didn't use)

Sewing machine bag, feet, brown elastic $138 (didn't use)

Money I could've saved: $816