#i wanted to go for a liminal space kinda vibe...

[mexipoopy]

[wylanzahn]

New-ish post, kinda posting this on different platforms and getting a general vibe check for some ideas I have. But basically this Halloween I want to actually do something for the TTRPG and Actualplay world (oh yeah I’m into those kinds of things). I want to try and get both players, GMs, and casual viewers alike something fun to look forward to this especially spooky season. I’ll probably talk a little more when we get closer to the actual season of scare-giving but just know that if you’re interested I’m still looking for people to join in!!

As my team and I’d first debut we’re going to try and do a two to four session actual play, which will probably be released in the weeks leading up to Halloween. We’ve had a couple good friend way in on the matter of “setting” but now I come to you fine folk. Mind you this is a horror campaign/arc so if…

Isn’t your thing, keep on a moving.

But without further ado here are a couple of the possible settings for our players, and myself, this coming espookee season…

1.) Somewhere off the coast of Florida, 1926 end of the first major housing boom in the state, a small island which calls back to the Spanish Empire, is Isla Boñyela, a small port made tourist location during the boom of disposable wealth in 1920s America. A small group of friends from the northeast tag along down for the perfect paradise vacation. Only to discover the island is much much older than anyone could have ever assumed. Whilst dealing with upstart gangsters, unnerving US soldiers, and the terrified locals they find something older than even undead conquistadors.

While I don’t have a working title, this is an old project in the running which I’ve had a few attempts at revamping over time. Its previous title was “perfect paradise vacation,” and runs on the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition game. Anywho it’s a blast of fun with Caribbean lore, tone of anti-imperialism, and something dark lurking beneath the waves.

2.) 1950’s America, the nonexistent state of Mid-Atlantia (DMV coded) in a small suburban neighborhood where nothing goes wrong… it’s almost “All-Hallows-Eve” and little Johnny and Susie want nothing more than to trick or treat this year with all the big kids, Dad’s finally getting the big promotion at work, and Mom just got a new waffle iron! Sure everything is neat here in America. Heck you just got new neighbors! Newlyweds in fact from somewhere big and fancy, they sure aren’t like any of us in our simple town. But… and you can’t say exactly why but things are different. Or perhaps they’re all too the same? Everyday a repeat of ever other bland day that followed you over and over and over and over… and you could swear, while no one may listen to you there’s someone out there. Stalking you from outside your own home- or- perhaps, he’s just your friendly new neighbor welcoming you… to the end.

Ahhhhhh! I’ve also been working on this one for a sec and god writing it out does excite me. This is also a Call of Cthulhu game but modified/homebrewed to have a uniquely 1950s horror feel. This is definitely one of the more unique games I’ve written and am truly interested in seeing where it goes (even if we don’t choose it). This is for those who feel like isolation, fear of the unknown, fear from within, and liminal space horror comes best into play! So whadya say neighbor?

3.) The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend, or How I Learned to Love Strahd, okay so this one is a lot less horror-y and falls much more under the comedic spooky category, just so yall know. Deep in the middle of Barovia, the ancient kingdom of Vampires, meets a council of Count Strahd von Zarovich's greatest commanders and lieutenants to hunt down Strahd's greatest enemy Rudolph van Richten and his party of heroes known as "The Grape-Smashers." Strahd's lieutenants have been gifted powers greater than any mere mortals, but are these gifts enough to stop Van Richten, or even enough to stop the personal ambitions of each other? Come find out in "How I Learned to Love Strahd."

Okay, as much as this may seem like a joke suggestion it cracks me up and I feel like it would be ill-advised of me to not at least mention it. In an era where "The Curse of Strahd," is well-overdone at this point, it's worth a take from an all evil "revenge story." Obviously this will be in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, which, in my opinion, is really hard to use for horror, but this is a nice go-around. Come for the evil PCs, maybe a PvP battle or two, and a game of intrigue in the shadows of Barovia! All that and a buff Van Richten.

4.) Before Annapolis was ever called such it was known as Providence, a settlement of exiled Puritans in the Province of Maryland, but these early days were no easy set-up for the far-flung protestants... in the mid 1600s the English Civil War spilled out into their holdings across the waves as brother turned on brother, clan erasing clan, and something from the shores of the Old World would arrive in the New. When around every corner could be someone you've known your whole life, what's stopping them from hunting you in the depths of winter. All matters made worse when rumors of a witch begins circulating your small home.

Think "The VVitch" (2015) meets "A Field in England" (2013) meets Atun Shei's recent film "The Sudsbury Devil" (2023). It is the unexplored wilderness of early colonial Maryland, but the hateful warmongering that slowly builds that makes the horror and tension so clear. Unsure of what system we'll be using, but maybe the new Regency Cthulhu system.

5.) The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 destroyed some 140 Acres of Baltimore proper... and in it's rubble awakened something far worse. But you and your fellow survivors are just trying to get by in the aftermath of the fire... only for something to call out, whether some strange magicks or perhaps just a sickness... but sickness doesn't even linger like this... it doesn't call to you...

Some more local history, aspiring from the actual Fire of 1904 things quickly devolve from there as rumors of a cult begin to spread along the streets of Rosland Park... a mysterious illness leaving even more dead... and the death of an eclectic professor. Definitely using the Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition for this one.

Aaaaaaaand that's it! Let me know what y'all think!

[fairyarmour]

There’s something strange about that Fenton kid…

My main piece for Reality Trip: the Danny Phantom AU zine!!! I went for a comic book cover esque illustration for what I call my “Ghost Adjacent Jazz” AU—Basically the thought line of Jazz may not have a ghost form due to a lack of being in a life ending accident, but growing up above a lab with zero safety adherence filled with evil science jelly ectoplasm and, eventually, a dimensional rift into the realm of the dead is gonna affect you in some kinda way. (And Danny worries about his sister over it while she’s hellbent on keep scrutiny off of him. It's a grand ol' time.)

-

Reality Trip is a free digital zine filled with art and fic, so if you haven't checked it out (or the AO3 fic collection!!) go find out more @dpauzine!

Bonus: just the background, bc I worked damn hard on the perspective of all those desks and trees, and I'm not not showing that off. Wanted that overlapping worlds liminal-space vibe.

[obsessedwithstarwars]

Short Nocturn in Gotham prompt

I have an idea, and no brain space for it so here ya go. If anyone makes a story off this, please tag me!

This is a dp x dc crossover. And Anger Management because I’m obsessed with Jazz x Jason.

Jazz lives in Gotham, and works as a psychologist for Arkham. Things are going as normal as can be expected for Gotham and an Amity Parker. She’s only dealt with a few muggings and kept her head down because she’s Liminal! and doesn’t want to get the attention of a certain group of vigilantes.

What if Nocturn came to Gotham? (I don’t remember much of the episode so hopefully this tracks)

I would personally start it out trying to trick the reader. (Sorry, It’s fun!) A cute chapter or 2, where Jazz and Jason are together. So normal. Super accepting of each other. With so much fluff it hurts. But slowly, as the story goes on, more and more things seem off. Like déjà vu, like she’s done this before?? (Kind of similar to the vibe of that one Doctor Who episode where Donna Noble gets saved to the Library database. I can’t remember if it’s a 2 part episode? I think it’s called Silence in the Library??? I don’t know, and I’m not looking it up. If you see River Song’s first episode with David Tennant’s Doctor then you’ve got the right one. I think.) Jazz just slowly sees inconsistencies, and brushes them off at first. Hey, she deserves a chance to be happy, okay?! But as time goes on, there are just too many to ignore. She has a nagging feeling something’s not right and briefly wonders if it’s a ghost. But the only one that makes sense is Nocturn and he can’t be in Gotham right? Right??!

When she discovers Jason’s Red Hood, the revelation almost shocks her awake (total mistake on Nocturn’s part. He thought the vigilante thing would keep her asleep or deepen her sleep since it’s kinda normal for her with her brother). She does some quick thinking as she feels herself waking up, and yep, it’s definitely Nocturn, and decides she needs help stopping him. Makes a plan. Not a great one, but hey, it was last second. Literally.

Meanwhile Jason POV shows he’s struggling with believing it too. Thinks she’s too good to be true. (I don’t know anything about the DC universe. I’m going off of the fic Friendly Neighborhood Vigilante by @gilbirda Go check it out, it’s amazing!) And when she discovers he’s Red Hood, she does something ghostly (prolly eyes or strong stuff) and he’s like holy crap she’s a meta, and before he’s had a chance to process anything she says something like “Come find me when you wake up.” (gives me Edge of Tomorrow: Live. Die. Repeat. vibes which just feels fitting here) and shoots him in the chest right before shooting herself (non lethal bullets cause what if you can die in your dream?) and that shocks him awake.

She wakes up at her desk in Arkham to find out that all of Gotham is asleep. Thankfully this includes the villains. (But not for long!)

Does she call Danny or try to deal with it herself?

Is Danny the Ghost King?

Does Jason actually go or does Jazz have to find him?

She’s definitely questioning whether what she had with Jason was real. He does the same with her. Personally, I would keep Batman asleep for a lot of it but that’s because I know nothing about him aside from Wayne Family Adventures (which I’ve been told doesn’t count), the classic old show I watch when I’m sick, and a few episodes from Batman: The Brave and The Bold. Also Young Justice, but that was years ago. Before season 3.

If they have nightmares:

Would Jason’s nightmare be the Joker killing him?

Maybe Jazz’s nightmare is about Dan trying to kill her? Or coming back?

And that’s all I got. Maybe I’ll try to write something eventually, but right now my heart is heavy and my brain is fog. So if you have any ideas, go for it and tag me! I would love to know how you would change/finish it!

[fetusmeme]

What are your theories on TDAC?!?! it can be theory fodder or something. I just want to hear your thoughts!!!!

I don’t have much sooo far but I do have a theory that not even Caine knows what the hell is going on

I also wanna say since i’m super into liminal spaces and dreamcore I have this weird feeling it’s gonna have the same vibes as I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream (which i’m pretty sure is what Gooseworx has said before)

but with more in style of the backrooms and stanley parable!!….. kinda lets say roblox dreamcore map (which i love im addicted to dreamcore maps on roblox)

so far it’s giving I have no mouth and i LOVE IT

also have a suspicion they all did something to end up there, there’s no way they all aren’t connected in some way ya know?

[makerofmadness]

Say or think what you want about the game, this is the single best out-of-context screenshot I have

Just some vaguely liminal space-like area (or at least it kinda has the same vibes), some unseen tentacled creature apart from a giant eye holding up some red malewife with two party hats on his head by the fxcking scruff. The only word you are given for any idea of what is going on is "pancreases"

Game of the year

[eyeballtank]

Do most games look similar? Kinda

This image is clearly made to spark shit on /v/ but it does make me think a lot about videogame aesthetics and graphics.

Maybe one reason the games on the right look alike (Besides the cherrypicked screenshots because each has moments where they don't look alike) is because they chase "realism": Videogames may never be "truly realistic" and since the 8th gen, it feels like we hit a wall.

So if anything, these games are going for a rather "shared idea" of realism: That's how you think these games might as well have the same engine, same universe and same people behind.

Of course, you can still point out how stuff like lightning, fire, smoke etc isn't easy to do and even a cel-shaded game with 2D visuals may have some weird oddities in terms of visuals.

And then there's also the usual effects: Motion blur, chromatic aberration, bloom, lens flares, SSAO etc. Stuff tied to post-processing or something.

Is it inherit to games becoming 3D in general? Not sure.

But I believe it can't be because of "realism in general" because with 6th gen games, certain titles were always aiming for "realism" and still have a different "feel/vibe/whatever you call it" compared to 7th gen and beyond.

Maybe how Death Stranding or GTAV look and feel is something Kojima or Rockstar always wanted to achieve even during the PS1.

But it won't change the fact that how MGS2/3 or how GTA VC/SA "feel" may resonate more with people.

Remakes are another good example when you compare Resident Evil 4 to its remake.

Even Crysis, a game once praised for being graphically impressive, gets a remaster and I swear the differences barely mean shit.

I can see someone saying "is this why Zoomers think Half-Life 2 or GMod are creepy?" because of liminal space memes but it shows that even a "realistic enough" game can offer different moods not present in games with generic realism.

And people also associate boring realism with "boring colors" so you have 7th gen shooters being brown/gray and then you get a "counter trend" of Fortnite clones and "looter shooters" with overuse of purple vomit.

Another thing worth bringing up: Yellow paint, which is a result of "realism" where everything blends in visually, when good art direction of making stuff apart can work even in "realism".

Maybe why people disliked the "it knows it's a videogame" direction of Doom Eternal is because it was still a graphically advanced looking game but the yellow paint thing also gets worse because it's applied to remakes, as in, RE4 for example which never needed yellow paint before... but now it does?

It's a side effect of an issue with "realism" where stuff becomes harder to read, so developers come up with these goofy solutions that wouldn't be needed if they had a better art direction.

It also happens that "realistic" games are more likely to age compared to cel-shaded/stylized games like LOZ Wind Waker or Okami (And sometimes, some cel-shaded games get remasters that add bloom or weird color effects).

But one thing is realism, another is fiction or rather, influences/inspirations and certain trends in sci-fi and fantasy.

There's that one image of Everquest 3 I think, that shows a contrast between old and fantasy aesthetics.

One has an image that's essentially a fantasy painting with neat designs and a level of atmosphere/realism, the other shows that specific Warcraft adjacent art style you see more often.

That style people associate with Blizzard, League, Dota, Smite, DarkSiders and more.

Besides the style in itself being overused, I think people hate it because they associate it with being corporate and safe, which adds some irony to its history coming from Blizzard being into Warhammer: A series rather known for being "grim and epic" (But even WH itself would have stuff that's tame and boring).

The Demon Souls remake is a good example because you go from From Software being inspired by dark fantasy and Berserk to something with generic lightning/colors and an official reference for the Flame Lurker literally admitting using Diablo 3 as inspiration.

Even sci-fi in terms of aesthetics has its trends: Part of why Halo fans dislike the 343 art style.

(Mostly because of when tech is meant to be grounded and when it feels like "fantasy" to some degree).

(Oh and this also reminds me of that "magic tech" fantasy in stuff like Immortals Fenyx Rising which I wonder if it's inspired by the Disney Atlantis movie).

So if the fantasy side of things has WoW, Dota, LoL, etc then the sci-fi gets what: 343 Halo? Destiny? Anthem? Warframe? Gears of War?

Even then, these aesthetics could use some "studying" so one can why X feel this way and why Y doesn't etc.

The modern Doom games are at times criticized for having these trends (Specially because Doom is technically both sci-fi and fantasy).

One can at least say that even classic Doom wasn't the only thing in the 90's inspired by Aliens/HR Giger (See Metroid or Contra) and old DnD.

But I guess it also depends of why people like certain aesthetics and the mindsets behind them AND of course: Personal preferences.

A lot of iconic gaming franchises were born out of devs copying media from outside the medium, from Link being inspired by Peter Pan to MGS being a mix of movies, hence Kojima says "My body is 70% made of movies".

Gravity Rush is as unique as it is because Toyama and his team were influenced by Moebius, while the pointless movie will definitely be inspired by the MCU.

We can also bring up Signalis being inspired by Blame! but the aesthetic itself isn't trying to be an old Nihei manga.

Another id example: Hunter from Quake 3 being inspired by Simon Bisley's Full Cirkle.

I was wondering if it counts when certain artists or studios are involved in some games, like Ni No Kuni looking very Ghibli because Ghibli was sort of involved in the first game's cutscenes.

Maybe this is why some don't care that PalWorld may indeed copy Pokemon: Lot of games might as well copy each other already.

Whether it's in AAA or indie games (Even in indie, people will be aware of some trends but not others, like making fun of "quirky Earthbound clone about depression" label that probably applies to only one game but nobody mentions the amount of "boomer shooters" that exist... just saying).

And this isn't just videogames: Think of mediums like films where you see something with good setpieces and then you see something more recent with generic "ahh so pretty" special effects.

Like how people prefer older horror movies that make good use of practical effects or that one time a LOTR movie gave people headaches because of its visuals.

I just saw some images of a Wizard of Oz remake being made and how boring it looks compared to the 1930's one.

Like in general, ask yourself: At what point does this type of realism becomes part of someone's vision and not either a decision by the publisher/executive/etc or just guessing by what mass audiences supposedly like?

Pretty sure Hitchcock had a quote about realism and art: How art being too good at copying realism can make it boring because it's just reproducing nature.

Maybe a lot of amazing paintings from certain eras like the Renaissance are amazing, not because of how realistic they art, but because they're a rather "idealized" form of realism.

Edit: Might as well mention "Uncanny Valley" because of both realisitc games reaching it at times but also how a certain "idealized realism" is lik the opposite of Uncanny Valley.

And I guess how some people deslike stuff that is otherwise impressive to casual viewers like artists such as Sakimichan.

Edit 2: I could've also mentioned how some games do gore, scars, disfiguration etc and how some make it seem "plastic" looking. Look at Ghouls in like Fallout 3 and compared them to FO4, where they looked creepy in the former and look like someone in a rubber suit in the latter.

In general, I like to think there are ways to make a game more impressive nowadays.

Basically, make your game copy great illustrations instead of "realism" or live action movies.

Pay attention to how colors and brushes are used in some artworks.

Copy some designs if you have to, since you'd be less likely to end up with some designs you'd see in an ArtStation account (Even if you just mindlessly follow blogs that post old sci-fi art).

AI art may not work because you need to understand what makes some art good (And if anything, AI art is already used to mimick the more generic art styles out there).

You may not need that many polygons, maybe go for a 6th gen style at best.

Do a good job with colors, textures etc.

And while your game does a good enough job at copying Moebius, Druillet, Barlowe, Nihei etc, I guess you could also try neat tech shit like reflections or "portals", like the 2006 Prey game.

In general: Make your game look like a painting, not a movie.

And about my stuff?

My game looks ugly for a lot of reasons like its weird resolution, me focusing more on other stuff, the fact that it's my first game, etc.

But I do hope someday to not only get better art but also better at taking influences more seriously.

Lot of stuff in Nortubel already copies some things and I hope to be better at copying some things even if I can't do it alone.

Chances are that even in Nortubel itself, I'll end up with some trendy elements but I still wanna give an impression of some creativity and preferences.

In general, this blog post could've been an article or video done better by someone (So feel free to use this as a reference), because if I'm terrible at "critique" or "essays", I hope to be much better at making games and actual stuff.

This post should also be useful for anyone who wants to be a dev.

[extra-anchovyz]

Not too bad of a day

Decent amount of commission work done. Not pushing myself too hard cause i know that my energy level is lower than usual cause of healing shoulder pains

Happy about the progress i made on an artfight attack on a friend

His oc who's such a sweet man who likes gardening

Doug if you see this..no you didn't ..its not done..

///

Im looking forward to the weekend to play more fall out new vegas

I gotta go look through all the screens ive been taking. I was thinking of making a game journal to keep track of lore and plot and stuff and add in appropriate screens too

(Ive been enjoying Journaling more. I read my old LiveJournal entries sometimes and just kinda wish i wrote more in dept about my days even if it's mundane

It's nice to record stuff)

///

Feeling like wanting to draw like traditional ink wide shot environment piecss of grungy liminal spaces with like an oc for spacial ref

But i rarely get around to drawing all the inspired stuff i wanna do and then it passes

But im thinking about trying to draw these ideas anyways even if the vibe passes, it could still be something i enjoy and maybe enjoy more later on too

Maybe i could like try to write descriptive small pieces to like record the vibe im expericing and then use that as a starting point to draw later when i have time.

Just trying to think of ways to explore personal art even with limited time and busy work schedules

[maguro13-2]

Demons Unleashed ~ Origins of the Ink Demon Gaiden Pt. 16 ~

"Somewhere in Frederick County Maryland..."

Tamaki : Oi, Sister. I just discovered something amazing in the woods after my 9th birthday. There was this mysterious heart-shaped object that was lying at the shrine for almost a week or two. Heart-shaped meaning it's a sign from Denmark. What does Denmark have to do with Hearts?

Jenny : Oh you know. It's just no special reason you weirdly grew up in the body of a 17-year old girl, you sure that your body can handle this age-progression form can you?

Tamaki : Don't sweat it! I can take care of this. This is the only body that I needed for after I was sent here to the Real World in order to escape from the Time Eater's clutches. Man, Shinra would be alive after his resurrection from his 1000 years of death. This wasn't the last time I've known him being reborn after the universe we lived in was destroyed after defeating the creation of Demon Vibe, the Astral Puppet Evangelist. Don't know when, don't know why, don't care. Geez, this hadn't been for the creation of Shinra's world since the annihilation that I survived.

Jenny : Well, promise that you wont' do it again on the meantime, Tamaki. So be a good person and keep this one up. I hope we can get back to the place while were not along at the fields near the Maryland Woods.

Tamaki : Well, if you say so. Alright, coordinates set. So, Jenny, about that age-progession thing again in the 06, what was that--

*PHONE BEEPING*

Voice : Sorry, the person you have reached is not in service. Please enter a voicemail to "Jenny".

Tamaki : Piece of Junk! Okay then! This is why T-Mobile sucks! Good thing I have unlimited Data with Verizon. Now then... Time to find out what to look into...for my investigation.

[Revolution to the Origin Pt. 1 - Hideaki Kobayashi]

Tamaki : Geez! This place kinda gives me the creeps. Was this underneath of the school in Maryland? nobody would noticed that the state has a some kind of labyrinth or a dungeon. It's probably liminal spaces like whatever that built this place underneath the school. Just a friendly reminder that this was no ordinary set up to have something underneath the Maryland Woods. Probably something like since we gathered all the wine from Loudoun County, Virginia. Oscar, I finally hit the jackpot.

Oscar : You sure Tamaki? This place is definitely not right for us. We could get in serious trouble if the principal finds out that were investigating a mysterious place that is located underneath the woods of Maryland.

Tamaki : Trust me, this would be the last time that I ever seen a Pure Heart like this in a dungeon. This has got to be the right way. Nothing's to be afraid of, it's only just a dungeon, there's nothing like it's supernatural forces coming along. Don't patronize it Oscar, I think I find something clearly, that of being the finder of these rare objects called the Pure hearts, is an absolute genius who wanted to collect.

Oscar : You think?

Tamaki : Relax, I'm in total control what's the worst thing that could happened? Oscar, wait there. I'm gonna go take a closer look. Okay, Oscar? You got the picture ready?

Oscar : Ready! (starts filming)

Tamaki : Here it is, look what I just discovered underneath the campus in my hometown of Emmitsburg. You won't believe that I found a mystical item that was discovered by yours truly, Tamaki Kotatsu. Kinda age-gaped into a 17-year old despite being 9 years old, I dedicated this factor that I will reclaim this Red Pure Heart object as my prize possession. So what to do with this object that I am currently acquiring it, is that I'm going to show this to my friends. Now watch carefully as I replace this object...(swipes the Red Pure Heart with a box of chocolates) With a box of Chocolates! That was too easy! Piece. of. cake. (a Boo is heard laughing) Very funny, Oscar, could you please not play your video game so loudly?

Oscar : Uhh, I'm not doing anything. That's not me playing a game. I just left my Nintendo DS as the dorm. (hears another boo laughing)

Tamaki : (looks around curious to hear the Boos laughing) Yeah...On second thought, you are right. That wasn't you playing a video game, but I can hear the noise of a Ghost with yellow eyes that is looking at me. (right next to her is a Bomb Boo) Huh? Relax, it's only a Boo from the Super Mario World, it has a black color scheme, what's up with that? It's look cute and harmless.

Oscar : When you say "cute and harmless", despite the Boo calling it "black" and "friendly" I don't think that's not an appropriate name for that.

Tamaki : Then what do you mean?

Oscar : I heard this type of boo that has a weird fusion with a Bob-Omb. Aren't you going to realize that this kind of Boo has the ability to explode?

Tamaki : Wait sec. Are you saying that this Black Boo's...A BOMB?!

(Bomb Boo laughs)

Tamaki & Oscar : (screams in horror) HUWAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

Tamaki : It's a ticking time bomb!

Oscar : It's going to explode and might destroy the whole campus!

Tamaki : We gotta get out of here before we're toast! But let me grab this first! (grabs the box of chocolates)

[Denkou II - Hideaki Kobayashi]

Tamaki : Alright! time to bail! (the two starts running) *Panting* Come on, Oscar! We can do this! We need to find a way out of here! I can desperately know where the exit is! This way follow me!

Oscar : To where!?

Tamaki : To escape, that's what we are going! Now come along and keep up with the pace!

Oscar : It's "Pick up with the pace".

Tamaki : Good answer! This is just like Indiana Jones does! And it's What Indiana Jones does! Party on!

Oscar : Not gonna lie! But good job on swiping out the Indiana Jones scene. That was a good opportunity! Hey, you might wanna check your pocket mirror, Tamaki. We got a bad feeling about this!

Tamaki : Huh? (opens pocket mirror to show a horde of Bomb Boos) Oh, crud! You gotta be kidding me! There's too many of them! Better shake them off! This way, Oscar! This way!

Oscar : Hope you know what you're doing! Cause it'll might last these guys if we know how to shake them off!

Tamaki : Exactly! There it is! I see the exit! Now to pull off for my amazing trick on these Bombs. (opens up the box of chocolates)

Oscar : You sure that is good idea! I don't know what's for sure that how Chocolate can distract these fellas?

Tamaki : Trust me, I know how to deal with these guys. Save some for me next time. (closes the box) Hey, ghostly! You feeling hungry, here! Feed this! (throws box to the Black Bomb)

Bomb Boo : Ha! What a stupid move for a--(realizing) Oh poop. *DBZ SFX : Loud Explosion*

Tamaki & Oscar : (yelling) WOAAAAAAAAHHH!!! *THUD!*

Tamaki : Finally! Made it out alive! This heart here is rightfully mine. (this scenario ends with Tamaki holding the Red Pure Heart) And that's why the Red Pure Heart was a truly a discovery for Valentine's day. End of Story.

[everyone applauses]

Jenny : That's quite an amazing story, Tamaki, but when did you exactly finding out that you discovered a mysterious temple that is located underneath the campus?

Tamaki : I just don't wanna brag about it. Maybe it's just my tale of how did I discovered a mysterious object that is in my hand. So maybe I was the one who founded it in the first place when it comes to this Age-progressive form. Not to understand the details, but it's completely weird.

Jenny : Yeah, completely weird. So what if I did something cooler than before?

Tamaki : Well, I don't know. We could do this sometime in California, in St. Mary's County, southern tip of the State.

Jenny : Good for you. Well, Hey, Tammy. Now that you're story has quite a notch to the point of your early days of sunday services, I just got an important meeting with my boyfriend. He's sound sick when it comes to the younger-brother syndrome.

Tamaki : Tell him by that. He'll be lucky to be there. See ya around at campus.

Jenny : See ya. (walks off)

Tamaki : Haah. Another day to be a Nun to work this off, I mean I practiced sunday service every sunday after my parents abandoned me at the county at Age 4, so I literally spent my life at here being the only girl who I was literally nine years old. After eighth my birthday, I turned into this...A nine year old girl who transforms into the body of a 17-year old girl. This body should quite be capable of my learning skills if I'm willing to be in the terms to study science, history, geography, art, and everything else to bring knowledge to my head! That is simply the reason that I discovered this rare mysterious heart-shaped object called a Pure Heart that was located underneath the campus. But what's it doing here in a place like this? Sounds like a mystery to solve again. Ah, great. Here we go with the Saturday morning syndrome. (sighs in relief) I better get going before any trouble will be the death of my life.

Saber/Arthur : Shinra, I think we found our prey.

Shinra : (via radio) Excellent idea, Arthur Boyle. Everything is going according to plan. This will be the lifetime reunion for the greater goods. And I will have to prove them of what it means to be hero of the created world.

~ Stage 20 : The Rookie of the Past ~

[myminimes]

I dont think I've ever actually posted here before hah, but I wanted to make a note of this for us and wasn't sure where best, but I almost remember a bit of teenagerhood when we used to be on here lots, so idk felt comfy to me.

So I really like scrolling the 90s nostalgia tag on tiktok and the like backrooms/dreamscape/liminal spaces kinda ones, usually with that "aquatic ambience" sound cause it just... it feels more like home than my own memories do sometimes...

So much is blocked out for me, and so much just doesn't feel like me. But the vibe is there. And I want to be able to go back home. Back to when I wasn't stuck in a grown adult body with adult problems and responsibilities.

Although something else that I've realized... I felt safest in my childhood when I was alone.

I see the images of kids playing with other kids or just sitting watching the old Disney logo opening with other kids or at a playground with parents. And like... that was all well a fun, but it was in a kind of exhilarating and exciting way. In an unpredictable adrenaline rush way. Because I never felt safe. I never knew when the person I'm with might turn on me and the fun time turn into a nightmare. Whether they would suddenly hate me or I do something to make them change their mind or anything could happen making the whole thing change in a snap. Even when I was happy, I was scared. I was waiting.

I only ever felt safe when I was alone. Thats why my happiest memories are quiet, peaceful moments where it was just me. I was the only one I could trust or rely on.

-M

[solidwater05]

I uh. forgot to make this a post but!! I dreamed that my school had a series of hard to access unused rooms, it was kind of a maze because of how it was structured and there was never anyone there, so I really liked those rooms because of how quiet it was and also because hell yeah, liminal spaces

I don't remember the layout but I know that it was divided into three sections which I'll be calling the front, the back, and the middle. The middle was bigger than the front and the back, and the entrance was harder to find. Inside of the middle, the rooms were bigger and darker, and in general the vibes were very different, so whenever I wanted to hang out here I'd go to the middle

The middle can only be accessed from two points, one in the front and one in the back. You could be in rooms over the middle, but those would still count as the front or the back (I don't think the back had any rooms over the middle tho). It was impossible not to recognize the middle with how different the vibes were

The front was the first section you'd get to if you decided to enter the maze. It has an entrance to the middle, I think it was a thin space between two misaligned rooms. Said misaligned rooms were the main challenge when trying to navigate the front

The back tho? There were ramps and vents, and in general the architecture felt a lot more hostile. The border between the back and the front was roughly where the first drop appears. The back reminds me a bit of some rooms in the mansion from Death's Door

The entrance to the middle here was a vent that could be accessed with a small ladder

Now, in the dream, I wanted to go to the middle. I did so from the front because why would I go through the entire maze?? But when I got to the middle there was very loud music playing, and the room was full of party decorations. I don't remember what any of these decorations were, and I don't think they exist in real life

The rooms were completely dark, and there was only faint colored lights illuminating the decors, but it was impossible to see the ceiling and the walls were barely visible. The walls were very dark grey and kinda fuzzy, like big speakers. If you looked up, you'd only see black, there was nothing there. Each room was probably around 100 x 100 meters, with an infinite or at least much larger height.

There was no one in any of the rooms, but the lights were still all on. Not like they illuminated anything

Each room had its own color and unique decorations. The purple one had light lavender glowing tiles, and it makes me think of those big glitter circles

I feel like there was an orange one, and something there blocked my view for a bit. I also feel like there was a different orange room, more yellow than the other, that had a stage. Nobody was playing, but the light show was on

There was a silver one. It had an object covered in thin silver glitter

There was a lime one, I think. I don't remember any details

Apparently, the middle was redesigned because it was hazardous, and the school management didn't want anyone getting hurt. So it was made into a party, to be better for teens

I was not happy about this, so I decided to enter the middle from the back instead, because in my dreams I'm usually aware of the fact that the same room can change drastically based on which door I used to enter. Unfortunately it was still the same from the back

There were more things before and after this, but I don't remember them well enough to write about them

[whaleofatjme1920]

Soft hoodie hc maybe when you have time? I just love him and could do with some comfort.

Make sure you don't overwork yourself. Drink some water, grab a snack, take a nap if you need one. Love you lots

- 💜

Soft Hoodie/Brian Thomas Headcanons

Absolutely, I adore Hoodie and I adore you! Thank you for the concern too, think I might power down later today lmfao.

Brian is such a sunshiny guy. Like I have no other way of saying it, he's just absolute sunshine in human form.

I feel I should also note that as I write more of Brian/Hoodie (in general, not just here), I tend to differentiate them as different people.

His smile is so warm and inviting, and I swear he could melt all your fears away just by looking at you.

He's surprisingly gentle when it comes to other people, especially his team. Toby, Masky and Kate are all subjected to his care and he shows it often.

Sometimes, Brian brings out his guitar and just strums and sings quietly on the front porch when the sun is coming up or going down. Lots of quiet cowboy vibes ngl.

He's weirdly knowledgeable about insects? Like, moths and stuff - so he'll share moth facts with you.

And frog facts. Definitely frog facts.

Brian LOVES the summer and wants to spend every waking moment in the summer sun. He just loves the warmth and the feeling of heat on his skin.

He's the kind of guy to go out into a field, put his hands on his hips and just smile. Maybe say "doesn't get better than this" while looking at a beautiful view. Maybe that view is you.

He loves fireflies too! He will go outside when they're out, hold a whole bunch of them and just spend a while catching and releasing them! Also takes a flashlight and shines it back just to talk to them.

He's still into photography. Takes pictures of anything and everything, and if he likes you, he will send you pictures of things he thinks you'd like.

If you ever wanted to just get up in the middle of the night and go somewhere, Brian is 100% your man to do it. 24 hour IHOPs, Denny's, weird hole in the wall shops, Walmart parking lots, he's just good for exploring the world when it feels like a liminal space.

Brian will build you up like no one else can. Makes you feel like you're on top of the world.

He's honestly kind of a silly friend. Physically and verbally affectionate as well. Will give you hugs and kiss the side of your head.

I really do think Brian is like a dad friend. He's so open to hearing you out and talking about things.

He also strikes be as the kind of guy who would just pick up flowers for you just because, or buy something and randomly gift it to you because he thought you'd like it.

Platonic cuddles are absolutely a thing with Brian.

If you're cold or something he would not hesitate to give you his jackets, coats and hoodies.

He smells like autumn leaves and slight campfire. Maybe a hint of cedar wood.

On rainy days, he just likes to curl up and sleep. Take naps.

Y'know, I think Brian just likes naps period point blank. In the sunshine, rain, storms, snow, just naps. Kinda like a cat.

Brian is weirdly a magnet for animals.

He's still into art! Just give him some time.

He likes to just gaze out the window with a cup of coffee and go bird watching. He finds birds so fascinating.

I also think he and EJ would do this together.

Honestly he can be a little sarcastic/teasing, but he'll never take it too far. His EQ is really high and he understands your limits before you do.

Brian is also pretty protective of the people he holds dear. If you're ever uncomfortable, he will be the first person to step in and make sure you're safe.

Brian actually took up cooking! He's pretty good at it now and is constantly expanding his cooking abilities.

Brian lowkey likes journaling. Is his writing always that neat?? No, but it does have little doodles and messy cursive about cool things he saw and things he felt throughout the day.

He will refer to some animals solely by nicknames - like "trash pandas" for raccoons.

Has one of the sweetest voices with a slight Southern accent. Just mellow and sweet.

He likes going on runs early in the mornings. Just listening to the birds singing and letting the world wake up alongside him is really sweet.

Brian is still really funny. He will make you laugh, the type of laughter where you can't even breathe and just make the motions? That.

He likes campfires. That's all.

I get the feeling Brian likes to go to places by himself and just exist. Y'know? Like straight vibe. Rooftops, empty parking lots, abandoned water towers, just... yeah.

He likes the silence the world has to offer, and sometimes, that's all he needs.

[hiccanna-tidbits]

HICCANNA MONTH WEEK 3, DAY 7 - AU FREE SPACE MOTEL POOL MERMAID AU

Happy AU free day!!! I was inspired to expand on this post I made a while back, and here we are! I blame @ohlooksheswriting for taking me down with her in her magic realism spiral XD I’ve been thinking about road trips and mildly-spooky liminal spaces (i.e. backwater motels in the middle of nowhere/super isolated wilderness-y areas) a lot, and thus this AU kind of wrote itself XD

Art from the original post inspired the moodboard a lot, as you can see! I kinda like the red-and-green color scheme for them--red to go with Anna’s hair and vibrant personality, green to go with Hiccup’s eyes, sass (idk green is just the color of sass to me???), and general vibes.

As always, moodboard pic credits available upon request!

***

Anna was all too quick to agree to the impromptu family road trip, hoping being trapped in a car for several hours will finally get her ever-aloof sister to open up. Elsa is leaving for college come the end of the summer, after all--and if this is truly their last hurrah, Anna’s last chance to reach out to her sister, then she wants to make it count. They were going to bond so much on this drive--Anna just knows it.

They did not bond on the drive. The lack of a phone signal as they drove through miles and miles of pine forest meant that there was not a scrap of wifi or internet to be seen, and Anna couldn’t check social media or text her friends to occupy herself. She tried to get Elsa to play some classic road trip games to pass the time--I Spy, 20 Questions, Shout If You See An Animal, the works. The last one was what Anna was most looking forward to, and of course the one that yielded the poorest results.

Elsa was having none of any of them. She was perfectly content to bury her nose in some gothic novel (how on earth did she read in the car without getting nauseous, Anna wondered), and griped any time Anna interrupted her. She wasn’t even interested in discussing the plot when Anna asked, claiming it was the kind of deep, dark, and tragic story that her baby sister simply “wouldn’t understand.”

Restless and frustrated after a long, aggravating ride, Anna couldn’t be more glad when they finally pull up to the motel that night. It’s a lonely, decrepit little place, all retro-feeling flickering red neon signs and dilapidated infrastructure. The picture-perfect budget road trip motel.

Anna wonders if it’s haunted. She feels strangely eager at the thought--whether the hypothetical ghosts were friendly or not, they sure would spice things up, at least.

She gets a different kind of surprise when she decides to go for a night swim in the pool, hoping to get some of the excess energy and irritation out before she goes to bed. Before she can get lost in her thoughts (and concoct a new plan to get that stick out of Elsa’s ass), she keeps catching glimpses of a flickering movement out of the corner of her eye. When she finally tracks it to the bushes just outside the pool, her curiosity piques.

It’s hard to tell, with nothing but the glow of the red motel sign and the lamps in nearby windows for light, but it looks like there’s a long, shiny green tail somewhere among the leaves. Braving the cool night air in nothing but a bathing suit, Anna goes to investigate the rustling bush.

She sees something trying to squirm out the back, but whatever-it-is doesn’t get far. The bush-rustler now scooting rapidly toward another thicket--now in the full light of both the moon and the hotel signs--appears to be a naked teenage boy (well, that’s awkward)...that is, until she notices that this boy is not in possession of any legs.

Anna certainly didn’t have “find a merboy hiding in the bushes by a hotel pool” on her road trip bucket list, but she’s willing to make adjustments. In fact, this just might be more interesting than ghosts.

As often happens, Anna is reduced to stuttering and asking stupid questions when in shock. “You’re--you’re a--why aren’t you in the water?!”

The merboy pauses before answering--green tail lashing, matching eyes looking like they’re doing a calculus problem. “...because you were in it? And seeing me tends to get screams once people realize I’m not a really detailed floatie?”

When she just stares at him, trying to take all this in, he sighs and goes on. “Look, I’m not used to people actually using the pool. Usually folks just pass through--stay one night and then hit the road. The swimming pool’s kind of a deadzone.”

In a fortunate twist of fate, Anna doesn’t fall into this category. Her parents were deadset on seeing some obscure state park in the area, and this was the closest and most affordable place to stay.

She’s going to be here awhile.

“So no one else has ever noticed you in there? People swim so rarely that no one’s freaked out and reported you to the news? Do you have to hide every time someone comes swimming? How do you even get out in time? What do you do when the pool cleaners come? How did you get here in the first place? What do you eat? Do you have to eat the bushes? Or dig in the trash cans like a raccoon while everyone’s asleep?”

He only ends up answering a few of her questions. Hiccup, as it turns out his name is, once lived on the west coast--that was, until he ended up in the nets of a ruthless opportunist and got sold to a seedy traveling circus. He arrived at the hotel in a tank in the back of a semi-truck, and just barely managed to squirm out and off into the bushes while the circus workers unloaded. As a slow scootch through the woods at the mercy of bears and mountain lions didn’t seem ideal, he made a home in the motel pool after the circus left without him. He’s gotten by ever since by being hypervigilant and quick, getting out of sight as soon as someone comes to the pool or camouflaging as a bizarrely realistic decoration. His diet is berries from nearby thickets on a good day, and half-eaten muffins and burgers from the trash on a bad one.

He’s accepted his rather sad new life, but he misses his orca Toothless more than anything. He longs to return to the ocean, but a cross-country trek for a boy who need to be submerged in water at least once every 2 hours and has a flopping-along speed of about 0.25 miles an hour is hardly feasible.

And thus begins the most unexpected adventure of Anna’s life, introducing Hiccup to pillow mints (the really good kind with mint cream and dark chocolate), vending machines, funny ocean animal videos on her phone, and chocolate chip pancakes smuggled right out of the continental breakfast hall. Before she knows it, she’s half paying attention during family hikes, busy hatching a plan to steal a semi-truck and a water tank and take Hiccup home.

When Elsa inevitably discovers Anna’s secret new friend, Anna is prepared for the worst--only to somehow get her sister in on her plan after about 45 minutes of frantic rambling and pleading. In yet another pleasant twist of fate, it would seem rescuing a constantly-annoyed and very cynical merboy might finally be the thing that bring Anna and Elsa together. However, the sisters have to be prepared to be arrested, stalked by sketchy performers hunting down their missing main attraction, and/or make their parents very, very angry. One thing is for certain, though: this will be a trip--and a summer--that Anna will never forget.

[siarven]

Hey, you mentioned that you like all those queer hopepunk horror podcasts in some tags and I wanna know: which podcasts are you talking about? Ever since tma ended, I've been looking for a podcast that could fill its place

Hello!! :DDD

So (in true fashion of a Good Memory™) I suddenly forgot Everything, so I enlisted a friend's help! ( @followthatgoose, who has also listened to all of these, some multiple times. I'm still kind of working on them because I hit sudden No More Podcasts™ a while back sadly, and am currently back to audiobooks for the most part. But I'd trust Soren's podcasting taste with my life, sooo :D) So the proper premise-descriptions are mostly provided by them <3

- Hello from the Hallowoods (kind of like how I'd originally hoped Welcome to Night Vale would be! It's a radio broadcast-esque story about queer survivors at the end of the world, really nice mix of following the characters as they live and also their fight against the horrors of the hallowoods. It also has some of the Best Quotes and the narrator has a fantastic voice <3 fantastic vibes overall)

- The Sheridan Tapes (found footage horror (with very nice music and soundscaping), following a detective as he tries to piece together what happened to a missing horror writer. monster of the week type recordings mixed with what is happening 'real time' to characters. a lot of Very Good emotional moments. also very queer)

- The Mistholme Museum (monster of the week format combined with 'real time' moments too, an audio tour guide takes you on a tour of the mistholme museum's exhibits. there are canonically queer characters, though so far it is not as Queer™ as the others. set in australia)

- Kane and Feels (in the words of Soren, "can best be described as a Vibe that is really good to zone out to and just exist in (liminal space my beloved). it's done in a noir style (which is IMPECCABLE) and the main characters are an academic who studies the supernatural, and his ex cop friend who punches the supernatural when it is causing problems. other than having canonically stated queer characters there is also Very Nice queer subtext around the main characters (particularly kane). also the academic is named lucifer kane, i feel like that speaks for itself xD")

- The White Vault (this one isn't as queer sadly, (though it does have Two Gays later on) but it has the most fantastic creepy-horror vibes that kinda feel similar to tma's horror vibes, and it's fairly short and really cool! It's about a multi-national group (the cast being from those nationalities as well, it feels amazingly real in that sense <3) sent to an arctic outpost to repair a broken radio, and then a blizzard keeps them from returning and everything escalates in the most deliciously terrible way. I've binged it two or three times so far >:D It's currently on hiatus but we'll get a fifth (final?) season staring in October!)

- I can always and forever recommend Rusty Quill Gaming as a honorary mention, just because it's partially the same people and it's fantastic and even though it doesn't start out as horror, alex has been knew (that man just can't help himself from putting horror everywhere, it's GREAT). It's a very good time and has made me cry and there's a lot of content to listen to with familiar voices, and I love it a lot even though I'm usually not a ttrpg listener <3

Apart from these I've also heard that Old Gods of Appalachia is good (though I personally didn't like the vibes), I've listened to a big chunk of I Am In Eskew which had some extremely nice episodes and some I didn't vibe with quite as much (it also lacked the queer, if I remember right), and by the same people (and apparently very queer?) The Silt Verses, though I haven't listened to that yet. I think that one has a lot of body horror, from what I've seen, and an aro character, which makes me go very :hypereyes:, but yeah :)

I hope these help!

If anyone wants to add recs, please do!!

Also Soren / @followthatgoose wants to find other people to scream with about the sheridan tapes so if anyone following me has listened to that pls message them xD <3

[sunshinereversed]

Okay, the late 90s were creepy, and I’m not just talking about columbine. Do you also feel that? Idk how to explain it. Maybe it’s different for me because I didn’t live through it, but true crime from the mid to late 90s always fucks me up. Weird vibes is all I’m saying. People want to time travel back to the 90s, but I’m always like no it was a creepy decade. Like weird occult shit and moody music and early internet scapes... it would be cool to go back I guess, but something about that time period is unsettling.

your emotions are valid. a lot of past decades, especially ones you haven’t lived through, will seem like that. they’ll seem haunted, alien, and totally remote from our lives now because we can’t experience them except through second-hand sources. I sort of feel that way about the 60s/70s.

the 90s definitely had its own “weird vibe,” as you put it. i think it’s creepy in the same way that people find liminal spaces creepy. there’s something dreamy and nostalgic about it, but at the same time, something cursed and nightmarish. so, i think i get what your saying.

i can really only speak for the united states, but the anxieties pre 9/11 had a different feel. before ‘96ish, HIV/AIDS was one of the things i remember being scary. it was the topic of many tv show special episodes. there were racial issues, the LA riots. the lgbtq+ community wasn’t nearly as accepted back then compared to now.

social media wasn’t a thing yet, so it was kinda nice in that sense. AOL was a big deal. and fashion trends came and went. the fashion of the early, middle, and late 90s were very distinct, but some things carried over.

the true crime of the 90s is certainly disturbing. mass shootings/terrorism weren’t really an everyday thing yet, so it rattled the nation when it did start to happen. a bit of satanic panic from the 70s/80s survived through the 90s, creating fear surrounding goth/occult culture. an interesting documentary on youtube called “teens and the dark religion” is worth checking out to get a sense of the absurd intolerance.

the 90s suburban youth culture, while part of my experience, was sort of directionless, looking back. movies like “kids,” “mid-90s,” “the craft,” “bully,” “thirteen” sort of capture that unsettling, cautionary tale you’re getting at. 

[bondsmagii]

so way back in REALLY early 2020/mid-late 2019 there was this group of friends i hung out with. we originally started as a roleplay group but we soon migrated to doing other things as well, like original character creation, gaming, d&d, et cetera et cetera

and one thing we would do is stay up SUPER late on voice calls, just kinda chatting about nonsense. here’s where it gets wild. i had a friend who i’ll call a. she would talk sometimes about her hallucinations (the majority of us were neurodivergent and also had hallucinations, lucid dreams, sleep paralysis, and the like), which were mostly of shadow people and shadow figures in the corner of her eye. one day, a and one of her friends looked into binaural beats, because they thought they were interesting, and promptly hallucinated things like, uh, decapitated heads. speaking. and weird things happening in bathrooms.

anyways, now i have anxiety walking into a bathroom alone, not because i’m convinced another human will attack me, but because i really REALLY don’t want to look at the mirror and see one of those things with me. i have a fear of mirrors too, so that makes it slightly worse. lmao. good times.

bathrooms are cursed like I’m going to straight-up just come out and say that. so many of them are undeniably liminal spaces, even ones you’re familiar with. at certain times of the day? I’ve felt my normal-ass bathroom just vibe on a whole different level and I wouldn’t be surprised if some shit went down in a bathroom that’s not the usual kind.

funny, I too have a strange fear of bathrooms. I don’t even know if I would call it a fear as such; it’s more just a resignation that one day I’ll walk into one and see something horrific. this conviction began about... man, perhaps six or seven years ago, after being absent my whole life. it’s like part of my mind can already see what it’s going to be, and I sometimes have to take a moment to take a deep breath before opening bathroom doors, because I’m sure there’s It right on the other side of the door. I like to give It a chance to leave before I come in, but I know one day time will run out and I’ll have no choice but to finally see what it is (and if I was right).