#i will have something of real substance to give later on. probably

[simstationdance]

HAPPY BIRTHIVERSARY part 1 - THE SIMS 2 IS 20???

FUN FACT: The Sims 2 (2004) was released 3 days before the date upon which I was released from my mother's womb, therefore making me younger than The Sims 2 by 3 days as of September 14th 2024, but objectively older by 6 years as of September 17th 2024. The march of time is inevitable and frightening! Let's celebrate!

Admittedly I didn't have very much to give when it came to sharing content for the Sims 2's anniversary because I've been battling the Chronic Exhaustion Demon, but then I realized I still haven't released those hair colors I showed a while back. And then I realized I could share EVEN MORE content by spreading it out across a few days instead of condensing it into one day. And it just so happens that, as stated above, there are two special occasions (for me at least... lol) close together on the calendar. SO. HERE'S SOME COOOONTEEEENT.

Today's bundle is mainly a resource for creators who use GIMP 2.x, and includes 11 UNNATURAL HAIR COLORS in the form of Curves that can be used on just about any texture you want, as long as you use it on a Volatile base These only come in Curve form, but if anyone would like to convert them into Photoshop actions, you're more than welcome to.

The colors are named, in order of appearance above: Sapphire, Tanzanite, Azurite, Alexandrite, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Ruby, Entropy, Blue Moon, and Lily. You can read more about them under the cut.

DOWNLOAD (sfs)

(btw I made the Gemstone colors and the Alien black and brown a year ago, and I made Ruby and Lily this year, which is why they're in separate folders in the .zip)

The Gemstone colors were inspired by, of course, gemstones. They were my first attempt at making a hair color palette of my own. Out of them all, Moonstone, Bloodstone, and Alexandrite are my favorites.

I wanted to go for something fantastical. I also wanted to push GIMP's Curve function to the limit and see how many shades I could put into one color without it looking like garbage.

I use Bloodstone, Moonstone, and Aquamarine as Red, Blond, and Grey respectively in my (still hypothetical) Alien hair color family.

Entropy - intended to be alien "black", a very desaturated indigo color. since Alien sims born in game typically have black hair genetics (unless using a pt mod that changes this), I wanted it to really stand out against both the Maxis mint green and any alternative Alien themed skin tones despite its overall 'plainness'.

Blue Moon - intended to be alien "brown", I wanted to go for a color that was strange and unsettling in comparison to human brown hair. I think I originally intended it to be more blue but it came out more desaturated teal instead. Attempts to change this made it too similar to Entropy for my liking, so I left it as it is.

These colors were originally created and named after the sims I specifically made them for, and I was going to use them only on a small handful of hairs. But I liked the shades so much that I decided to incorporate them into my personal palette. And so, with that in mind, it didn't feel right to keep them to myself.

'Lily' maintained its name as a color, but 'Ruby' was renamed to what it is now. In my game I bin them as Brown and Black respectively because they're meant to be considered 'dyes' in-universe and I wanted to be able to make their associated sims in CAS without having to make them go to the mirror in-game every time I put them in a new hood, but you can do whatever you want with them lol.

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC Multiverse Police (pt.3)

JL very soon finds out there's no reasoning or controlling this particular brand of crazy. Amity, as they like to call themselves - 'Because saying Interdimensional Law Enforcement every time is long and ILE is boring', Dani explains to them - do whatever they want and deem necessary, and no one can stop them.

They have bargained with the US government to let their whole town stay for a week in Illinois like one would ask to stay in a hotel room. They have all but swiped all the tech shops in the nearby area, and somehow, they had real, actual money to pay for it, despite not even originating from this dimension. They claimed it was due to the Ghost - or God, the opinions were mixed - of Time making it work. They visited a bunch of people. Heroes, that was.

One memorable visit was one they paid to Flashes. Vlad, the mayor of Amity Park and unofficial leader of ILE, and Tucker, a kid with an insane knowledge on all and every kind of tech, performed a whole lecture to Flash family as well as their friends and colleagues, on importance of safety while time-traveling, the best ways to fix the timelines and even on upgrades to their costumes.

The other important visit was the one they paid to Diana, although that one was not so climactic - Jazz just gave her a bunch of letters and a card with a summoning sigil on it. 'It's for Pandora, she enjoys having a cup of tea with Themyskirians,' the redhead claimed.

Now, it was Batman's turn, it seems.

Danny was standing - more like floating - in front of Red Hood. They were at the Watchtower since Batman did not like Amity coming to Gotham. In his opinion, that would be just calling for trouble, and both Valerie - head of ILE security - and the records of other Batmans said he was not wrong.

"Yeah, this one's fucked up," Danny says after almost three minutes of looking straight at Hood, and the man huffs:

"Thanks, I got that part," he throws back, but Danny just laughs softly.

"No, sorry, I didn't mean it as you personally. Just, like, compared to the other Red Hoods I've met. At least you're not fucked up beyond reason, I can still help you," the ghost boy says cheerfully and claps his hands, "Ready to get rid of the boiling rage in your veins?"

And, before either Hood or Batman can say anything, he reaches his hands inside Jason, and the man tenses up, holding his breath. Batman hovers close - he's read about the same kind of procedure being performed by Danny on other versions of Jason in the files, but reading about it and witnessing it is two entirely different things.

Danny's hands start turning green. The same thing he did with the portal before happens again: glowing, Lazarus green flows up his hands, like veins outside his skin. Only this time, it's not as bright as the portal was. It's murky and dull.

A few seconds later, Danny slowly takes his hands out of Red Hood's chest, and Bruce is really glad he was standing so close because Jason all but falls down to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. Batman holds him by the shoulder, keeping him up, but Danny shakes his head:

"No, he better sit down. He's probably gonna feel lightheaded for a few minutes. Oh, and catch," he throws something to Batman, which he catches on reflex. It's a weird, jello-like substance of dark, dirty green color, almost like a stress ball.

"What is it?" He asks, and Danny grins:

"A souvenir. That's his Pit Rage," he nods to Red Hood.

"My what?!" Jason snaps his head to the ball in Batman's hands.

"The parts that made it actual Rage. Think, like, an infection, or a parasite, or just- You know what, it's what you get when some crazy asshole bathes you in ghost sewers," Danny shrugs, completely disregarding the face expressions Batman and Red Hood are giving him. "Speaking of which, do you wanna come with us when we get rid of those Lazarus Pits of yours?"

There's a bit of silence, before Red Hood breathes out:

"Hell, yes."

-------------------------

I'll be writing another part with Amity getting rid of Ra's and Lazarus Pits, yeah. In the meantime, Sam is looking for Constantine to give him a slap on the hand because all the John Constantine's pieces of soul were like a massive jigsaw puzzle to her, considering there's more than one John Constantine and all of them can't stop selling their fucking souls even for a minute and Sam is so done.

Tucker and Tim are nerding out in WE with no sleep or food, Damian gets to play with Cujo, Kon is discussing clones' trials and tribulations with Dani, Jazz is giving Supes a long overdue lecture on how to treat clones, Dan is looking for someone to fight - so far he's found Captain Marvel but he knows he is just a kid so instead of actual fighting they are playing Mario Cart - Val is having fun with Arrows because sharp shooters gotta stick together, and Vlad had abandoned all of his responsibilities and is hiding in Lex Luthor's penthouse, discussing cat breeds and how annoying heroes can be.

Paulina made her way into Gotham without anyone noticing and befriended Harley and Sirens, so Batman may or may not find a particular clown dead when he comes back to his city. Dash is actually not up for trouble, so he is on duty in Amity Park, doing tours for all the curious people who got interested in ghost town and decided to visit. GIW agents are in the process of locating all the Pits, Maddie is elbow deep in a scientific discussion with Martian Manhunter, Jack is upgrading the Amity Ship with all the new tech he's got, and Cyborg is keeping watch on him.

Did I forget anyone? I most likely did.

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Tag list: @mae-mae-mae @okami-love @fantasticstoryteller @ultra-stormsaga

[hellyeahsickaf]

The way addicts and chronically ill people are dehumanized is so exhausting

The normalization of this shit in medical and casual settings is genuinely mind boggling. Addicts and disabled people go through so much bullshit. I've dealt with many fucked up doctors when I just needed help

I had a kidney infection, some months back. This is always extremely medically urgent, and I was likely only hours from sepsis. I went to the hospital reporting my pain to be a 9/10. 9 because my 10 was gallstones. I experienced severe malpractice at the hospital and the doctor reported exams that never occured and false information while making me wait with nothing more than tylenol to hold me over (didn't touch the pain) and bring my fever down but that's a whole other story

They did however, deny me the pain medication I needed until it was time to go home. I'm deathly allergic to NSAIDS, but that's something an addict might say so they witheld pain relief because they'd rather me suffer just in case I'm a different kind of sick. An entire night, maybe 6 hours in the ER and they couldn't give me anything, not a small dose of morphine or one norco even a few hours prior to take the edge off of the pain while I was curled up shaking and crying. Just in case I was an addict looking for my fix, and my suffering was just withdrawals and good acting. In that case maybe I deserved it and should be denied my humanity. God forbid in that case I'm so desperate to alleviate unbearable withdrawals that I spend all night in the ER crying. Not the first time I've experienced red tape just to get relief from excruciating pain

But whatever. As per protocol I was asked to follow up with my pcp. So a few days later I called to set an appointment, but I'd also run out of norco and desperate to relieve the pain I asked if I could be filled even enough for a few days, until the pain was bearable. I had difficulty walking, laying down, and I again, can't take most pain relievers. The receptionist was nice and understanding, actually got me in touch with the doctor because she wanted me to be able to get my refill. Probably heard the pain in my voice even. She believed me

She transfers me over to the doctor and I tell him I'd like a follow up and ask if he could fill my painkillers. I would've acceped a no from him, I just needed my follow up. He asked about my condition, I told him my diagnosis and how much pain I was in

And he laughed.

Got a real hoot out of it, like he had me all figured out. Like he caught me trying to cheat the system. I must be trying to get high or make some money with a few days worth of norco as i'm nearly in tears from the pain even while calling

He tells me through his laughter "I don't prescribe painkillers for 'kidney infections'" saying it with a mocking emphasis on those words, as if I'd said "stubbed toe". Follows with "Yeah haha, bye." and hangs up on me. No follow up like I called for. Needless to say I no longer have a pcp but truly if he thought I was an addict trying to take advantage of him he should have still treated me professionally. Maybe not cackled when I said my pain was excruciating for a start

I just don't understand why the hell so many doctors can be so apathetic to people's suffering. Addicts deserve better and so do disabled people- whether you think they're addicts or not. The assumption that we're lying, trying to trick them and are feigning pain to do it is disgusting, listening to your patients is so important. And if that were the case they could have some sympathy and ask themselves what it would take for someone to go those lengths, take such drastic measures and go through that trouble to obtain those substances.

Addiction is not a moral failing. Many disabled and chronically ill people unfortunately rely on medications that have addictive properties. About 80% of heroin addicts first misused prescription drugs. However only about 4-6% of those addicted to prescription drugs switch to things like heroin. And instead of help or compassion for people who just need help (addicts or not), they just figure we're one in the same and treat us like subhuman degenerates, leeches on society. And I think people need to change how they view addiction. Doctors need to change how they view addiction

[flo-zoinks]

How would the gang react if you reveal ur a time traveler

Okily dokily!!!!

HOW EACH RDR2 GNG MEMBER WOULD REACT TO YOU BEING A TIME-TRAVELER (MY OPINION)

This is VERY vague. So I'm going to imagine this scenario you're from 1920 USA with lots of inside info on the vld gang cuz theres more I can do w that lol, and a person similar to John in terms of age/likeness/physicality. Imagine this is aprx chap 2.

Arthur - probably not have many questions really, just ask you why you'd come to this time of all times (he thinks you're stupid)

Hosea - only asks if John finally left with his family, and if everything actually does fall to bits. Doesn't really care for asking how he dies himself - In fact he doesn't want you to tell him

Dutch - Immediately asks if he dies for an ideal, or if he becomes someone of great reverence post mortem. When he doesn't like the answer he says he can't be kept by the lines society has decided for him so will disobey and flee "like Cain was once he was shun"

Reverend - says you're either deep in substances or have demons in you. Insists you must be a satanic lunatic and leaves with his head up. Later drunk he reveals he worries you're real and asks if God ever gives him a chance

Pearson - "heh...lemme guess...I'm in the books..ain't I?" "Ok you're lying though"

Sadie - asks when she will die and see Jake, and (if before this) asks if she gets to avenge his death

Charles - questions only on the land, and if the colonists finally destroy all of it by then, and on behalf of the natives. Otherwise tells you he's not interested in what will be otherwise

Micah - knows he's in the history books, so just walks off trying to be nonchalant. "Then I guess you know who I am.." (hes really close and breathing quite loudly)

Abigail - forgets herself to bombard you with questions about Jack and John, if they ever move away, if Jack grows up proper and they live till old. She starts sobbing after

Jack (1907) - wants to know if he becomes a writer, then whilst embarrassed quietly asks if his Father stays for real this time. Later tells you about a book he read with a similar premise. Your answer makes him quiet and hee doesnt speak for a while

John - Can't even think of what to ask, so just says like "ok- do-" then says he'll get back to you when he has something good to ask. Later: "wait-wait I got a good one... (some stupid question about future inventions)"

Trelawny - "I am a magician, too! I suppose we are both similar as such.." however he gets too freaked out and goes back to his family for a while

Javier - IMMEDIATELY only wants to know about the Mexican Revolution; was it successful? Did his family live? Does he return to Mexico? He refuses to believe your answer about him in Mexico in 1911 working for the government, insisting he would never pick that over his own life. Refuses to believe John would be the one to kill him, too. Angrily storms off after threatening you if you spit lies like that again (even if you proved to him ur fr)

Bill - gets scared of you thinking you have some other powers too, but then tries to toughen up and look unafraid. Demands, asks to know if becomes respected and feared in the future. Air punches when he hears he runs his own gang, then just looks straight up HURT hearing John kills him (trying to mask it) "But why wouldn't we be friends?"

Uncle - "you should be well aware then...of when the Lumbago gets to me.. where in the history books is that?"

Molly - quietly asks if everyone grows to like her (very embarrassed). She gets silent after your answer and goes to sit far away in camp for a while. Dutch later says to you that "you better not have put her in some mood"

Karen - says shes too sober for this, promptly grabs a drink and tells you she doesn't have anything to ask, but wishes she did. Avoids you afterwards fearing she was too open with you then.

Tilly - asks if she has a run-in with the foreman boys again. Otherwise then that she asks what cool things have been invented since

Mary-Beth - fascinated by future books, and asks if you have a novel from the future you could show her. She doesn't believe she could ever be a writer so doesn't ask.

Grimshaw - thinks you're a freak for coming here, saying "we are doing just fine! She does inquire about her girls though, if they all do well. She grows very strict with Karen there on, but also nicer

Sean - "do I become the big dog of the camp? Replace ol' king Arthur? Hahaha" a string of random questions , giving you no time to answer each one. He actually walks off before you can answer them thinking of more questions

Lenny - starts thinking if its okay to know about the future before responding, if theres no consequences, or if we as people should be able to. Decides he's better safe then sorry, and asks camp to be responsible. Dutch and him debate this

Kieran - asks if they finally accept him, and if the O'Driscolls come back. Grows very anxious at your response and spends the day cleaning the horses whilst trying to gather his thoughts to act upon.

[quibbs126]

So I was attempting to practice the Cyberverse style Optimus and Megatron, though as you can see, I got a bit distracted at the bottom left, and sort of just had to put something else to fill up space

I actually started practicing yesterday at work, drawing on my cardboard sheets, so it meant I was a bit more practiced when I started here. Though annoyingly, since I elected to not go over my pencil sketches with pen, I could barely make out details in the drawings, and I could barely tell what I was doing on Megatron

It was also going to be more than just their heads, but not only was Optimus’ body taking up most of the canvas already, I wasn’t really sure how to draw it at the time. The stuff at the bottom right may have been for filling up space, but I also did need to try and at least practice their bodies

*sigh* the real struggle is making them 3D things. It’d be so much easier to figure out the shapes if I didn’t have to. But oh well, comes with the territory I suppose

But back to it, I think I did alright with the head sketches? They aren’t bad, but they feel slightly off, like I haven’t quite got them looking right

I probably need more practice, and to actually draw them full body. Also probably wouldn’t hurt to look at more Cyberverse fanart for more exposure to the style

I probably also need to start actually drawing characters more consistently, instead of drawing sketches of characters once and then never doing it again. It means I never fully get the hang of it and I keep not really making much of substance

But yeah, I feel like drawing them again at a later date, possibly even with lineless. I just don’t know what to draw them doing

But anyways, on to the bottom left

So I had finished the sketches, and my brain was like “well since we’re here, and we have helm designs right there, we could try making up fankid designs?” and eventually I gave in and decided to start sketching. I knew it’d end up on the final product anyways, but I had to give in to my impulses

Sorry, I’m sure people are sick of me bringing up this sort of stuff

Then with my first attempt, I ended up with something I actually quite liked. So I was like, might as well fully line and color

I still like the original sketch, so I’m gonna put it here, and also since I feel like the vibes are slightly different from the final

But then a problem arose after lining and going to colors. Namely that I had designed this on a whim and I had no deep thought as to what colors to use

After some tries I ended up with what you see here, but I’m not sure if I want to keep these colors. I’m not sure it fits the vibe the original sketch had

The blue middle piece I’m especially not sure on. I think it looks off, but I don’t know what to color it

Oh also, his purple isn’t exclusive to his helm, it’s his main color for the rest of his body too. At least that’s how it is in my head right now

Also as you may notice between the sketch and final, the eye shadow came later, mostly because I thought he didn’t have enough Megatron in his face. But also because of that, I hadn’t made the eyes and eyebrows with that in mind. So if I draw him again, those’ll get tweaked

I still in general don’t know if he looks enough like Megatron. I suppose I should be wondering more if he should look more like Optimus, since general shape wise he takes far more from Megs, but I’m also aware plenty of his colors stray more towards Optimus anyways

Oh yeah also, he has blue eyes here, but I really don’t know about that. I wanted to give him something other than blue or red, purple being my initial choice, but I was struggling with the colors in general and so right now he has blue. It works but I wonder if it looks too much like a fusion of their eyes

He needs more work, just like Overdrive I think. But he is here

No clue his name. I wasn’t even sure about his gender until drawing made me think “oh yeah that’s a guy”. I do have a name in my brain for a megop kid, that being Starcutter (which the two probably didn’t pick), but I don’t know if that works for him

I do think I’m going with that idea I posed yesterday (well not yesterday, but yesterday I said “what if I put it in Cyberverse?”) of him being the secret megop love child that no one but Megs knows about

I don’t know anything about him other than he’s probably on the Autobot half of Cybertron but was never really involved in the war much. To involve him in any plot, he probably comes over to Iacon after the war to try and make some name for himself

Also another idea is that he and Megatron met again during his multiverse adventures, in some universe where he was actually raised by Megatron, possibly where the Autobots and Decepticons never split because Optimus was able to properly reason with Megatron. They didn’t take him on their multiverse adventures, probably because Megatron knows he exists in his own universe and doesn’t know how to handle two versions, but also possibly because he died, I don’t know. But it was these encounters that led to Megatron attempting to search him out when he returned to his own universe. This also means Dead End and maybe Astrotrain knows about the kid’s existence, but they’re under the assumption they only exist in these wildly different universes, not their own. Which may lead to shenanigans

But yeah I haven’t solidified anything else really I don’t think. Should work on a name

And I think that’s about it for now? Yeah I should draw more Cyberverse I guess

[piratefishmama]

Vibe Check - Oneshot

Eddie would never claim to enjoy his job. It’d be far too strange for Eddie Munson to admit to enjoying a government based job but there was something fundamentally exciting about getting to see all the little gizmos and random shit that people tried to take onto aeroplanes with them.

Of course there was the usual, bottles of liquid over a certain amount, tiny scissors or nail clippers from grooming sets that they absolutely had no idea weren’t allowed on a plane. There were the fun days with the drugs, the weird days with bagged ashes for scattering purposes that looked like it could conceal drugs and thus had to be tested. Nothing like telling a family you had to test grandma for concealed cocaine cause the computer said no.

There were the shared looks between co-workers when they spotted a dipshit in line, be nice to your fellow flyers folks, the TSA might grab you for a full cavity check for funsies if you don’t!

But then, then, you’d have those people. The people who everyone would automatically judge by their cover because the cover was all they had. Eddie didn’t usually do that, he’d often stick with the vibes and let his co-workers base their hunches on looks, it worked for Eddie nine times out of ten but today..

Today he was off his game a little. The vibe check on this one guy was coming back ?????

Call a lawyer the guy looked like every suburban mothers' wet dream, the kind of guy who wore polo’s and sweater vests, and the type to have a yacht and actually go to the clubs for it on the regular, probably had a membership to his father’s golf club that he actually used. Maybe had a fancy corner office job in Indy, he looked like the corner office type. But the vibe check came back saying NAY, believing it on this particular occasion seemed like a stupid thing to do.

Like sure he was stunning, literally, just a beautiful specimen of a human being, which Eddie would quietly mourn never seeing again, but he looked so straight laced that even holding hands might be a stretch for him.

So Eddie was reduced to book cover judgements because the vibes were wonk. No big deal.

The guy was in his line, he didn’t look nervous or uncomfortable, taking his watch off, putting it into a tray, a ring not on his wedding ring finger went in, his members only jacket, his belt, and shoes, into a second went his phone and a small tablet plus their chargers. And into another went the carry on bag, he was prepared. He flew often enough to know about separating things into their own trays.

Probably some high-level business exec. He looked the type.

“Through here sir” his co-worker directed waving him through, the tray containing the guys carry-on was last, so he was through the detector clean as a whistle before Eddie had seen what was in his case.

Probably a good thing because Eddie nearly choked on his own saliva when that case rolled through.

Holy shit.

“Uhm” he squeaked. He. A grown man. Squeaked. He’d deny that later, even if his currently heated complexion was giving him away.

That... that was an entire carry on full of sex toys. What. The fuck. Was that a whip held together by handcuffs?

Maybe the vibes hadn’t let him down after all. His co-worker walked over, Mr Sex Pest in disguise cast them a raised brow.

“Holy shit...I’ll uhm ill just—”

“No the fuck you won’t” Eddie was up, scrambling around him after flagging the bag for checks. “I got this.” He had this. He was already in front of Sweater Vest before his partner could stop him from making the potentially career ending move of approaching the sneakiest sex loony ever with interest in mind. Sweater Vest could easily complain! Eddie had no real reason to flag it, they were all contained, no bottles, no concerning substances, just toys.

“Problem, sir?” Oh boy the airport was hot. Sweater Vest had moles, cute little moles, moving on.

“Just a few checks regarding the contents of your carry on.” Gloves on, he half expected the guy to try and stop him to save face, but no, he stood there with a raised brow and an amused little curl of a smile on his lips.

“Go ahead.” Zips open and holy shit. It was like Eddie had stepped into the back room of a sex shop. Floggers, a whip, plugs, vibes, clamps, shibari ropes, dildos, both fluffy and actually decent handcuffs, why have two pairs one shit and one not? They were all so neatly organised too, the man was tidy. Was that a sounding rod?!

Could be a creep, could be a creep, coooould be a creep.

“So...”

“So... sir?” Sweater vest seemed to be challenging him. Fine, he could play ball.

“Any liquids in here that I need to know about? Drinks? Lotion? Industrial sized bottle of lube?” At least Sweater Vest laughed. A surprised little giggle snort of laughter that sounded beautiful. Eddie couldn’t help but smile.

“Nope, that’d be in the checked case.” Oooh Sweater Vest had a sense of humour “sorry I know it looks a little whacky, I’m a panel runner at the BDSM convention in Illinois this weekend, i know i'm headed in early but panel runners have to get everything set up properly if they're there for the whole weekend.” Eddie’s eyes widened, holy shit the vibes WERE right, haha fuck you supervisor who called him arrogant when he claimed to just be able to tell with people. “These are for the demonstrations.”

“...Demonstrations, on...?” He had absolutely no right to ask these questions what so ever, his colleague was already probably planning on ratting him out, but while curiosity did indeed kill the cat, satisfaction brought it back!

“A friend, A willing member of the audience, a dummy, depends on the insurance the convention has, this one allows me to pick a very lucky member of the audience since my usual convention partner is in Hawaii on her honeymoon like a traitor.”

“So... you’re a uhm... a—” not okay not allowed big nope so very unprofessional he was so fired.

“Not a Dominant, no. I’m a Submissive, both professionally and personally” didn’t need to tell him the personally bit, didn’t need to tell him that at all but he did, it was there, Sweater vest seemed pretty happy about it being out there too “I co-own an adult shop in Indy, one of the best for this kind of stuff but I have plenty of recommendations if you're not interested in my shop, here,” Sweater Vest pulled a gods honest business card out of a small compartment in the case, which listed him as the managing director/owner of one of Eddie's favourite sex shops of all time, a shop he’d only ever ordered from online so he’d never seen the owners. They had an incredible BDSM range and also delivered discreetly, they were a privately owned small business run right out of Indianapolis, also on the card though, was an Only Fans account, holy shit. “That ok with you, sir?” Sweet Cheesus on toast, had his pants just shrunk?

Steve. Steve Harrington. God that was such a golf club guys name, Steve leaned forward onto his elbows at a slight bend, eyeing Eddie up like he wanted to eat him alive, any other situation, Eddie would have let him. He wanted to bend that little brat over his knee. He loved bratty subs.

“Illinois huh?” Eddie zipped the case right back up again, as if he’d actually checked anything. He hadn’t. “Was thinking of going to that one actually, more of a dominant myself though...” trying so hard to be nonchalant to the most beautiful and confident Submissive he’d ever seen in his life “this a beginners panel?”

Steve smiled, clearly not angered by this deeply unprofessional halt to his journey. “Beginner, intermediate, pro, it’s more new toy and prop range demonstrations and a Q&A mainly, a variety of folks usually attend so... no matter your experience level you should come, maybe I’ll even make you my lucky audience member.” Steve took that card back, just to make a show of slipping it into Eddies chest pocket, tapping it once for good luck. “Can I get to my gate now, sir? Or do I need to be detained? I’m sure a cavity search would be awfully entertaining for me...considering...”

He couldn’t not ask “Considering?” His throat felt so dry, where was a confiscated bottle of unopened soda when you needed it?

“There’s four plugs in there, I actually have five” he winked, he winked. “The fifth wouldn’t fit.”

“Fuck...” Eddie breathed, much to the man’s amusement. “You’re ah—you’re free to go” he couldn’t actually hold him there and his co-workers were already starting to glare at him.

Steve grinned broadly at him before moving to grab his things, calling out a cheery “see you this weekend!” before he was off, and Eddie was taking his break early to book the next flight out to Illinois.

[matchaxberries]

Hello :) May I please have megumi from jujutsu kaisen x gn!reader but with female parts? It's not super important to me how you go about the plot specifics, but something like hurt/comfort? A healthy mix of fluff and smut probably. Thank you bestie<3

His Bunny

Megumi Fushiguro x Gn!Reader

One-shot, Requested, NSFW (smut)

Summary: (Y/n) and Megumi are sent on a small mission to scout out an abandoned hospital. With the suspicion there would be no cursed spirits, or no danger, only they were sent. That turns around for them when they split up to two different hallways. Megumi makes up for it later on, to (y/n).

Warnings: Reader described with female anatomy, Established relationship, I am bad at smut, blood and slight gore descriptions (not extreme), injured reader, angst into fluff into smut, oral (reader receiving), slight degradation, praise, pet name “bunny”, slight edging, slight begging, unprotected sex, penetration, creampie? I think that’s all?

(A/N) I know who you are anon :3 It is my friend guys they love me. Megumi might be a bit ooc, I actually do not like him that much. But I will write my heart out for you. I’m trying to think about how to go about this, so pretend you and Megumi were on a mission alone to investigate an abandoned hospital, with the intentions of not finding any cursed spirits and only to do a quick browse.

A groan slips through (y/n)‘s lips, “I thought we would have the day off today, this sucks.” They make their way through a slightly crumbled door, the framing of it cracked, and debris from the top lays at the bottom of it for them to step over. Megumi keeps his hands in his pockets as he steps over the rock and debris. He’s usually quiet, and doesn’t say too much back. But, (y/n) knows that’s just how he is, and doesn’t mind leading the conversations for them both. “Make sure you pay close attention. Even if we think there’s no cursed spirits, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.” He comments, watching (y/n) walk around without much thought.

“I know to be careful, Megumi.” They pout at him, lightly kicking a small rock around. “It’s weirdly quiet, don’t you think?” They ask, looking up at him. He gives a small nod, placing his hand on top of their head, “we should go down opposite hallways to clear more ground, we will meet back up here in thirty if we don’t find anything.” He ruffles their hair lightly, turning and making his way down the hallway to their right. (Y/n) let’s out a hum, going to the left of them.

(Y/n) comes across quite a lot of rooms, glancing into a few briefly. “I don’t sense anything or see anything…” They mumble to themself, deciding to go into a random room that was oddly blocked in by rubble. They rest their hand over top of the pile, pulling themself over it swiftly, hitting the floor on the other side with a small click of their shoes. They look at the wall, as it’s covered in spray paint and graffiti. “Geez, way to disrespect property...” They trace the paint on the wall with their finger, as a sudden rumbling starts.

Their eyes quickly flick to the source of the sound, locking eyes with many spray painted eyes, that begin forming into real ones all over the wall. The wall begins popping out with disgusting noises, purple and bumpy skin like substances forming around the big eyes. Arms begin to take form, as it pulls itself from the wall. (Y/n) starts backing away in shock, eyes still locked into the spirit’s multiple ones. They bump against the pile of rocks and debris at the entrance, putting a hand on it to jump out of the room and run to Megumi for help, but they’re cut short as a large purple hand smacks above them, causing more rubble to fall and block in the area they were able to slip in through before. “Dammit.” They quickly curse to themselves, going to put their hands together to start their technique, but they went too slow, as the large purple hand comes down onto themself, crashing and rumbling the room around them.

Megumi glances around himself, feeling the sudden pressure of cursed energy. Along with the rumbling beneath his feet, he starts running back down where he came from, into the main area, the rumbling slightly getting louder, he stops for a quick moment putting his hands together, “Demon dogs!” His black shikigami forming at the shadow of his feet, snarling and running down the hall (y/n) had gone down. Megumi feels a pit form in his stomach, swallowing hard and following his dog down the hall.

Purple energy thickens the air as he comes to a stop at a door covered with rocks, and debris. His dog butting into it as it crumbles down, Megumi quickly rushes in seeing (y/n) grasped in the large spirit’s hand. Multiple eyes snap to Megumi, with an almost disgusting noise. It’s hand comes down to hit Megumi the same as it did (y/n), but his shikigami jumps up biting through its arm, “(Y/n!)” Megumi calls out, but he receives no response. The pit in his stomach getting heavier, as he desperately hopes you’re okay.

The cursed spirit is finally defeated after some time, Megumi panicking as (y/n) lays against the wall. He runs up closer to them, crouching down. He lightly grabs their face, lifting it up to inspect them. Blood dripping from their mouth, and eyes shut closed. Their limbs are completely limp, and their head is heavy in his hands. “Don’t die, don’t do that to me.” He mumbles to himself, lifting them up and going as quick as he can to get you somewhere to be patched up.

A groan sounds from (y/n)‘s lips. Their ears filled with sounds of birds chirping, and a light breathing near them. They sit up suddenly, but pain shoots to their head. “Fuck…” they let out, hands meeting their head, holding it tight. They blink a few times, looking around them. They recognize their own shared room with Megumi. They don’t recognize the bandages wrapped tightly around their mid-section, wrapped over their shoulder, and the few regular patches of bandaids on their face. They glance over to a sleeping Megumi, slumped over in a chair.

(Y/n) gives a small sigh, of relief and worry. They throw their legs over the bed facing the other direction, throat dry, and mouth feeling like cotton. As their feet meet the cold floor, they begin to fall forward, eyes wide. A pair of arms quickly wrap around their waist, pulling them back up, and to the bed. “Be careful, (y/n).” Megumi states, stoic expression as usual, but under his eyes there’s dark lines, and a bandage placed over his cheek. (Y/n) reaches their hand up to his face, lightly rubbing the cheek that isn’t bandaged up. “I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.” They say, throat croaking. “Don’t apologize to me, I was so worried, (y/n).” He begins, “you’ve been asleep for four days, I thought you weren’t going to wake up.” His hand shaking lightly, as he brings it up to meet theirs, which still rests against his cheek. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t get there in time. You still were hurt because of me, we shouldn’t of split up.” He starts ranting lightly, something he does when worried. “Megumi, shh… It’s okay, we’re both okay.” (Y/n) pets his hair, bringing him into their own chest.

Megumi let’s out a small satisfactory sigh, and he allows himself to be dragged into a laying position on the bed with them, wrapping his arms around their torso. He keeps his head stuffed in their chest, breathing in their scent that he missed. He didn’t want to lay by them, and accidentally hurt them, so he’s waited to do anything but hold their hand while they were resting. (Y/n) continues to pet his hair, thinking for a bit while doing so. “Megumi,” they start, “Yes?” He replies quickly, looking up at them from his position in their chest.

“I know how you can make up for getting me hurt…” They pout, with a small teasing frown. Megumi sits up in the bed, crossing his legs. He looks at them, with a tilt of his head. “What is it?” He questions, not realizing the teasing intent of their words. (Y/n) sits themself up slowly, leaning back against the headboard. They lightly grab Megumi by the hair, pulling him forward. He allows it and falls over top of them, keeping himself up by his arm at either side of them, his body in between their legs. He stares into their eyes, still waiting for an answer. (Y/n) continues to run their fingers through his black hair, “don’t make me spell it out for you, Megumi.” They pout. He takes a moment to consider their position, looking down at himself between their legs. A light blush spreads to his ears, “whatever you’d like, bunny.” He places a gentle kiss to their lips, not wanting to shake them too much. Today, he will be much gentler than usual. He owes them, of course.

Megumi slips his hands into their shirt, pulling it gently up over their head, making sure not to mess with any bandages. (Y/n) only lets out a small hum, feeling the cool air hit their body that’s now been exposed. Megumi makes his way to their chest, rubbing his thumb over their sensitive tip. He begins to lay kisses, and light bites down their neck, and down the shoulder that isn’t damaged. (Y/n) keeps their hands tangled in his hair, letting out deep breaths of air.

“Megumi-“ (y/n) starts, as he presses his knee against their still clothed heat. Grinding it lightly against it, he hums into their neck continuing to leave his marks and bites all over it.

Another few seconds later, he’s down in between their legs, stripping them of their first layer of clothes, the only layer left is thin, the only thing keeping him from dipping himself into their folds. He runs a finger along the fabric, right over their entrance. (Y/n) let’s out a small moan, biting their own lip to keep themselves from unfolding so quickly, to keep from begging Megumi to just use their throbbing cunt already. “You’re already this wet, bunny?” He questions them, feeling the wetness through their underwear. “Be still, I don’t want to hurt your head.” He sits up a bit more than he was, to move a pillow behind them so they aren’t making hard contact with the headboard behind them. He quickly makes his way back down though, placing his fingers right where they belong.

He continues to tease through the fabric, rubbing and even licking at it every so often. “Megumi, please…” (Y/n) pouts. “Hm? I can’t hear you.” He continues rubbing their sensitive bud with his fingers, amused at the wetness soaking their underwear. (Y/n)‘s desperate pleas and moans fill the air. Megumi let’s out a small chuckle against their cunt, sending vibrations straight to their core. (Y/n) grips his hair a bit harder, forcing his face down into their underwear. He continues to lick at the fabric, earning more tugs and whines at his locks. He uses his free finger to pull the underwear to the side, diving right into their warm entrance. He uses one finger at their clit, rubbing it in circular motions as his tongue does the rest inside of them. (Y/n) let’s out moans of his name, and tugs at his hair as he stays right in between their thighs. Pushing them against his head lightly, back arching slightly at the continuous pleasure.

Megumi feels himself throb from the way their walls clench around his tongue. His stomach heating up, sending heat straight to his length still tucked away in his pants. He stops eating at them for a moment, “So desperate to cum on my tongue, aren’t you?” He comments. He earns a whine from (y/n), from suddenly stopping the continuous pleasure. He undoes the button of his jeans, pulling the waist band down slightly, along with his boxers. His erection jumping out as he takes it in his own free hand, the other hand to hold (y/n)’s thigh down, he goes back to work with his tongue, pushing deep into them. He lightly pumps his fist against his own length, earning low grunts from himself into (y/n)’s core. They begin to beg for their release, letting out pants and whines as they press their legs even tighter around Megumi’s head.

As soon as they feel that deep heat rushing to their stomach, Megumi pulls away. “Megumi!” They whine out, “I was so close…” They continue to whine, trying to stuff his face back into their dripping hole. He chuckles, rubbing his own pre-cum down his shaft. He moves up over them, hands pinned to their sides. “Do you want to finish, (y/n)?” He questions, rubbing his tip against their sensitive heat.

(Y/n) frantically nods, “please Megumi, I want to finish. Let me finish for you-“ they blabber out, already pathetic from barely any stimulation. Megumi continues to rub against them, dick twitching slightly from the friction he is gaining. He presses himself into (y/n), “only because you’re being so good, and because I owe it to you.” He continues pressing his length into them. (Y/n)’s walls flex around him, as he lets out a groan. He gets himself all the way in, beginning to thrust in and out of them lightly. He listens to their moans filling the air along with the wet squishing of their bodies coming together.

“Megumi! Please, more. I need you!” (Y/n) begs wrapping their legs around Megumi’s waist, and wrapping their arms around his neck. He continues his thrusts, keeping his speed and pace at a constant. He brings his hand to play with their chest, another hand gripping tightly at their waist to keep them in place for his thrusts. He’s biting his lip, knitting his brow together as small beads of sweat form at his hairline. “You’re such a good bunny, (y/n). So tight around my cock…” He groans, feeling his dick twitch, stomach tightening.

“Megumi! I’m gonna-“ (Y/n) begins, shaking ever so slightly under his grip. Their core flutters, gripping tightly around Megumi still fucking into their entrance. His thrusts start to get sloppy, and he pushes himself as far as he can, his thighs meeting theirs as he finishes deep inside of them, their own release coming at the same time. Moans and grunts sounding all around the room, Megumi takes a deep breath in, waiting for a moment before pulling his length back out of (y/n). When he pulls out, some of their mixer fluids begin to gush out, but he makes no hesitation in using his fingers to push it up back inside. “We can’t have my cum spilling out of you, keep it in there.” He chuckles, lightly pumping his fingers in and out of them for only a moment. (Y/n) whines, body aching and sensitive from the small touch.

Megumi comes back to the room with a warm and damp cloth. Kneeling back onto the bed and spreading (y/n)’s legs back apart. He hums as he cleans up the mess of their thighs, and makes sure to clean off their entrance as well. Nothing else is leaking out, so he praises them quickly. They whine at the contact, and sudden praise. Megumi’s boxers are already pulled back up, and he seemed to of changed into comfier pajama pants. His shirt is gone, and his muscles in his arms flex slightly as he continues cleaning (y/n) up. They watch as he finishes cleaning them, he sits the rag to the side walking over to a drawer at their dresser. He gets out a clean pair of underwear for them, and one of his own shirts.

He slides their now dirty underwear off them, which was only still on one leg. He slides the new pair up, fresh fabric meeting (y/n), and they let out a content sigh. Megumi chuckles at them slightly, pulling his own shirt over their head. “In the morning, you’ll be sore. From your wounds, and that, I’ll change all your bandages tomorrow.” (Y/n) replies with a nod, as Megumi pulls their comforter over them, sliding in by their side. He wraps his strong arms around their waist, very gently pulling them into himself. He nuzzles his head into their hair, sniffing lightly.

“I love you, Megumi.” (Y/n) mumbled. “I love you, (y/n).” He replies, as they both close their eyes and get ready for a much needed rest together.

Word count: 2,604

Character count: 14,300

(A/N 2) This took me kinda of forever to write. I’m rusty with smut, forgive me. A friend requested this, and gave me a list of things I could include in it, that’s why there’s a lot of things not mentioned in the ask. :3

Masterlist

Request Rules

[thelovelydoggycatmadi]

A comprehensive thought dump by two idiots about MCD season 1 upon recent rewatch 9 years later.

Aphblr has lied to me.

for years I have been told that Jessica Bravura’s Minecraft diaries is the superior watch to her other main series Mystreet which is just simply untrue as of my rewatch of the series 9 years after watching it for the first time.

true to the art form and writing style popular at the time MCD is a jumbled mess of things just happening with no clear connection and in some cases direction.

so many wasted opportunities because we are put promptly into the perspective of Aphmau. A character with very little substance and is shaped by the characters around her rather than the characters own actions.

the most interesting characters and concepts remaining firmly in the background. Such as Dale and Molly’s struggle with their daughter being turned into a shadow knight.

Brian’s sudden and barely built up betrayal of his family.

Kiki’s daughter being Zane lets be so real that child is literally just Zianna 2.0 (oh but Madi she’s a werewolf! Idc Cope.)

to Logan and Donna’s love story.

Most characters in the for front don’t talk about there own trauma’s or really anything there feeling outside of there love feelings for or about Aphmau.

Even as the production value went up I find the most interesting arc is the pikoro arc. As it showed genuine comradely between our main characters and established a clear dynamic. Only for the Scaleswind war arc to completely ruin that by making Garroth lose all rational thinking and an extreme entitlement to Aphmau. Writing it as if Zane brainwashed it doesn’t make the uncomfortable and frustration go away.

Zane was a good villain, while motives are fairly unclear he had a genuine presence and had fairly smart well executed plans. (Ein is definitely not a better villain.)

Something that stuck out to me; was how much of the plot probably could’ve been solved with the poorly thought out magic system, specifically Kawaii-Chan.

Kawaii-Chan practices forbidden soul magic and is able to give inanimate objects a conscious. So Lion point out something interesting; couldn’t she just trap parts of the main characters soul in a doll and just, save them incase the worst happens? Imagine what she could do with relics.

Every time Lucinda is on screen I fear what comes out of her mouth. Because I’m just going to ask later “why can’t she just do this?”.

anyway here’s a list of our favorite characters in no particular order;

chicken shamen

Brendan

Logan

Yip

Donna

Katelyn

[shifterbee]

WARNING: LONG POST AHEAD

My Relationship With Reality Shifting

What I'm going to be talking about:

How I found out about shifting

My initial thoughts/ feelings about shifting

What led me to believe in shifting

Why I don't doubt that shifting is real

What doubts I do have (let's be honest, not everyone can be completely free of doubts)

My approach to shifting when I first started

My current approach to shifting

I didn't want this post to be too long so if you want/need me to explain anything further then let me know <3

Any trigger warnings will be in place wherever may be necessary <3

How it all started:

Like many people in this community, I first found out about shifting through TikTok in 2020. In my case, it was around mid-September when I was scrolling through my FYP and saw the video that changed my life forever.

OK, that was a bit dramatic, but you get the point. The video that I saw was this girl acting out something that she claimed happened in her DR. The scene went something like this (my memory is really blurry, so bear with me):

She had just shifted back to her DR, and It was during the battle at Hogwarts. there were a bunch of people coming up to her saying things like "Where did you go?" and "We missed you so much"(your typical 2020 misinformation). the battle was starting, and she looked at everyone and said, "I know what will help us. everyone close your eyes, trust me." IDK, I think she was trying to group shift everyone out of her DR???? either way it didn't work but when they opened their eyes the portals from Avengers Endgame(I think) started opening up and the Avengers stepped out of them. Her reaction to that was like "Well I guess that also works".

There might have been more to it, but that's all I can remember right now. Also PLEASE tell me if you also saw that video and/or remember who posted it. I wonder what they're doing now.

At first, I was a little confused, but then I looked at the tags and saw one that said: "reality shifting." at this time, my FYP was filled with a bunch of fanfic-related stuff, So I guess because of that, I just assumed that reality shifting was just a weird fanfic tope used in crossover fics. I was also sort of on DracoTok, so I wasn't really confused about why I would be seeing Harry Potter fanfic on my FYP.

I scrolled away from the video and didn't think much of it until a few days later when I looked up the tag and saw a bunch of videos with advice and methods on how to shift. at this point I was very confused and I was just thinking "Wait, are these people being fr". After scrolling through the tag for a bit I found a video explaining what it was.

I don't know who made that video. But one thing I do know is that I have never doubted the existence of shifting since.

Why I started believing:

I'm just going to use bullet points for this section. but if you want me to go into more detail about anything, let me know.

my prior knowledge/belief of out-of-body experiences (i.e. astral projection)

my belief that humans are always more powerful than what we usually think/believe.

Also, potential TW: brief mention of drugs

probably the biggest reason was a story I heard from a YouTuber about one of his friends who, after taking DMT, claimed to have lived in a forest with elves for 3 years and was able to give a detailed description of what happened in those 3 years. The story I'm talking about is about 10 minutes into this video I immediately thought of this story when I saw videos of people talking about their experiences in their DRs. And since this drug is something that can be naturally produced by the brain, it didn't seem like much of a stretch to suggest that you could trigger its production without taking any drugs.

I want to make it very clear that I am not promoting or encouraging the use of drugs/illegal substances in order to shift.

My approach to shifting then vs. now:

I have always treated shifting like a skill. At first, I thought that if I practiced the methods/techniques I learned from Shifttok enough, I would eventually have to shift.

Now, I treat shifting as something you allow yourself to do rather than force. It's kind of like sleeping. The more you try to force it, the less likely it's going to happen.

More recently, I have been focusing more on improving my confidence when it comes to my abilities. In my opinion, it is not enough to intend to do something you also have to have the confidence to be able to do it.

I think that is why most people aren't shifting. There are only so many times a person can fail at something and not lose their confidence.

End Notes:

I think that this is all I wanted to say. But, once again, if you want me to explain something, let me know what it is.

[holocene-sims]

next // previous

september 1, 2021 5:00 p.m. newcrest hospital

[five hours later]

[dr. winters] so, you’re an interesting case.

[grant] don’t i know it?

[dr. winters] fortunately, the excellent news here is that your physical exam is overall outstanding.

[dr. winters] all your blood work and vitals are great, your eyesight’s correctable to normal, and you have no other underlying disease besides the autoimmune stuff.

[dr. winters] disclaimer that you should lay off the cigarettes, but...

[dr. winters] still, based on these factors, i see no real reason to deny your medical on physical grounds. the MRI of your spine was very concerning, but i did read the letter from your rheumatologist clearing you for work again, and you passed all my exams just fine, so it’s not an issue in my eyes unless your disease and/or functioning significantly worsen.

[grant] well, that’s...good?

[dr. winters] not so fast. don't get too excited. as much as i'd like to send you out with your medical today, i can’t.

[grant] alright. fair enough.

[dr. winters] i'm not denying you, to be clear. i'm deferring your case to federal administration.

[dr. winters] this is the unfortunate part. because you suddenly admitted to having previous substance abuse issues, have brand new mental health diagnoses, and are on some medications that are neither approved nor banned, it’s out of my hands.

[dr. winters] you would need a special issuance medical, which is only something the administration can give out.

[dr. winters] if you’re granted one, it is a full first-class medical and will clear you to fly and hopefully approve your current medications with no issues, but it will tag you as having health conditions, and it’ll probably place restrictions on your medical, like more frequent medical exams and no flying if you’re having x, y, and z symptoms.

[grant] okay, sure. what should i do next?

[dr. winters] well, i'll forward all the paperwork from you to them along with my reports from today. at some point, the administration will send you a whole bunch more paperwork in the mail, and they’ll ask you to explain all your medications, your psychiatric history, and why the hell you were diagnosed with multiple psychiatric disorders all at once and so late in life.

[dr. winters] whatever you say, be as honest as possible. i will gently remind you that lying to them is a felony.

[dr. winters] you’ll mail all your responses back to them, and then they’ll tell you to submit to a neurocognitive screen and a psychiatric evaluation. i can go ahead and refer you to doctors who can offer you those screenings. they'll also want statements from any psychiatrists and therapists you've seen basically confirming they think you're stable enough for this kind of employment.

[dr. winters] and finally, after they review all the new materials plus your flight records, you’ll either get approved or denied.

[grant] there's some hope?

[dr. winters] yes. you have held a medical before. you'll just have to jump through more hoops this time to prove your capabilities. worst case scenario you lawyer up and sue until you get results. and no, i'm not joking. in complex cases like yours, i often recommend a lawyer.

[grant] i don’t want a lawyer.

[dr. winters] at least not yet. don't count the legal route out. the worst worst case scenario is that you're denied. if they deny you and you feel that's unfair, the law is the only solution you have left.

[grant] got it. well, um, thanks for all your help. i guess i'll wait for new paperwork from the administration then. how long should the whole process to take, assuming it all goes smoothly?

[dr. winters] oh, it won't go smoothly. your case will sit on someone’s desk until the file rots or the sun blows up, whichever comes first, unless you call incessantly. so, do that. call, call, and call again until someone does something with it.

[dr. winters] and maybe you’ll get a final decision in...

[dr. winters] six months? a year? hopefully not longer than that.

[anxiousgaypanicking]

At Long Last

Dukexiety (Remus x Virgil) Prompt: Hey mate so I'm a sucker for Virgil being rendered helpless and overstimulated so like could I put a request in for Virgil × Remus with Remus finally getting a hold of Virgil's voodoo doll?/Remus finally getting a hold of Virgil's voodoo doll? Warnings: voodoo, sex, felching A request from my Wattpad

"Ooo," Remus sings, as he stops midway through the hallway after spotting a discarded little toy. Very open on the floor was a little, pale doll, with cute, dark purple bangs. Of course Remus recognized the doll; he'd made it!

Back when he made his own little voodoo doll, he eventually got the motivation to make the others. And though this all started with Virgil using his doll, Remus never got the chance to return the favor!

So, he's quick to slip into the room and scoop the doll up, before skipping back out into the walkway. 

He pauses outside of a door, though, before he peeks his head into Virgil's room as he passes it, basically pushing his way in unannounced when he sees Virgil isn't currently preoccupied. Virgil jumps at the rather violent intrusion, as his door swings open and collides with the wall with a bang. 

"Virgil," Remus sings, "you're not busy right now, are you?"

Virgil looks at him curiously. "I might be, depending on what you say next."

Remus pouts at the sarcastic answer, but holds the doll firmly behind his back in order to not reveal why he's asking. He wants it to be an unexpected surprise! "Are you going to be busy later?"

Again, Virgil's eyes narrow as he looks Remus up and down, before eventually sighing and saying "no. I have no plans today. I might nap if my body lets me but honestly, who knows."

At this, Remus grins, and promptly walks out without another word. it's good to know he won't be interrupting anything... even though he probably would have fucked the doll all the same if Virgil told him he was going to be watching a movie or something of the sort. He's not known for his patience, after all, and since discovering the doll a few minutes ago, Remus has been fighting back the urge to just ruin the thing in the middle of the hallway.

He basically sprints to his own room, tossing the doll rather roughly onto his sticky sheets as he quickly shimmies out of his clothes. As he kicks his boxers off, he digs his hand into his drawer, searching desperately until he finally finds a small bag. He gives it a little shake, and is pleased to find it's still semi-full.

It was the "magic" powder that needed to be sprinkled on the doll in order to activate the voodoo aspect.

Remus is quick to open the bag and basically dump its contents onto the doll, delighted as he sees the sand-like substance meld with the doll and sink into its fabric, no doubt seeping into each stitch, and into the thin piece of Virgil's hair woven someplace inside the plush. Remus gives it a few seconds to let it properly soak up the dust, before he's hopping onto his bed, no longer having the patience to hold back to any degree. 

He's quick to peel the clothes off the doll and toss them away. Curiously, he dips his finger into the hole on the underside of the doll, and licks his lips when his fingers sink into a warm, moist area. 

Truthfully, he didn't fully understand how the dolls worked either, but nothing was real, so whatever. 

In his room, however, Virgil is startled as he feels two objects begin to push into him. They don't push very far, nor do they stretch him open wildly. But it's still enough of an intrusion to have him gasping, and his back arching off the bed. 

His face flushes as he wonders what the hell is happening. Of course, he's not an idiot. To some degree, he knows this has something to do with Remus - why would he have come to Virgil's door otherwise - but he can't place what exactly. After all, he only knew that Remus had created a doll of himself, not the other way around. 

Remus has never exactly been known for his patience, and it’s not fingering the doll is going to help Virgil out anyway. That’s the only reason he bothers with prep anyway, so why would he waste his time stretching open an inanimate object?

He pushes his fingers deeper into the doll, delighted at the way just two digits make the doll’s fabric stomach bulge, grinning afterwards at the innocent looking plush held in his hands.

Truly, it was rather admirable; he was very proud of his handiwork.

He then sucks on his fingers after he pulls them out, vividly picturing what Virgil’s reactions must be. He’s half tempted to rise into his room and watch him lose himself on a phantom cock, but decides to deprive himself of the visible, reasoning that he’ll go see Virgil afterwards, and see how exhausted he is.

Remus flips himself to lay on his back, and holds the Virgil doll against his cock, giving himself just a few moments to teasingly rub the toy against his shaft.

“Fuck… if you were really Virgil, you’d be squirming around, and insisting you hate when I tease you,” Remus grunts, as he ruts his cock over the doll’s front. “Unfortunately, you’re just a pocket pussy replica.”

He lifts the doll up, and lines up its hole with the tip of his cock, before pulling it rather swiftly down, groaning to himself at the rather attractive visual of the doll being extra stuffed. He knows from experience that his cock will feel much bigger to Virgil, which it in fact does.

Virgil barely has time to put his phone down between Remus pulling his fingers out and pushing his cock in, but when he feels it he cries out immediately, thighs shaking as his toes curl. His fingers dig into the sheets beneath him, trembling from the intensity of being so suddenly stretched open, with his stomach bulging from this invisible object.

While he still has his brain, and the ability to think, Virgil tries to come up with a reasonable explanation for what he’s feeling. However, he only comes to a conclusion seconds before Remus starts thrusting.

Gasping out “Re- Remus!” he tries to roll off his bed, perhaps thinking he could make it to Remus’s room, but only effectively manages to get onto his stomach before he feels the phantom cock inside of him begin to roughly fuck him hard.

Tears well up in his eyes as he moans loud, voice cracking as he pushes his chest into the bed and his ass up into the air. He holds to his mattress for support, body rocking as he’s quite literally used like a doll. Because Virgil realized that’s what Remus was doing. Using his doll.

The pure oversensitivity sets into his body fast. His face is pushed hard into one of his pillows, sobbing out cries of pleasure as he’s fucked. Remus’s cock feels so overwhelmingly large inside of him, to the point where he can feel his stomach bulging with its girth.

He moans Remus’s name, as if hoping Remus will show up and touch him properly, but muffles himself with his pillow shortly after, drool spilling into the pillowcase.

His arms tremble as he attempts to push himself up, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood as he unbuttons his jeans and shoves them down to his knees, while his shirt and jacket slide up, exposing his chest. Every time he moves though, he swears Remus’s cock drives deeper inside of him. It’s almost as though Remus is easily able to pick up on Virgil’s desperation, and wants him to be able to barely get himself upright. And it’s working.

As soon as Virgil’s clothes are removed enough, he gives up on getting them off completely, and falls back against the bed with a shuddering moan.

Remus isn’t slow in the slightest, grunting animalistically as he squeezes his hand around the doll, fucking up into it while dragging it down. He’s panting excitedly as he watches the doll repeatedly bulge with the size of his shaft, before he rolls onto his knees in order to thrust into the doll properly. He pictures Virgil beneath him, fucking him doggy style, and humps into the doll with more force.

His cock is enveloped in the fabric’s moist warmth, making Remus’s body feel hot as he pictures just how wrecked Virgil is.

And Virgil is wrecked.

Sweat drips down his face, slicking his bangs to his forehead. A mixture of tears and spit soak into his pillow, and he can feel his cock leaking pre beneath him. His prostate is slammed into almost immediately, causing a loud cry to be pulled from his throat. His eyes squeeze shut, and his knuckles turn white.

His thoroughly overwhelmed by the amount of sensations he’s feeling, loving the intense amount of physical pleasure he’s getting, but feeling as though it’s so fast. It’s too much at once, in the best way.

He should really be concerned that Remus has this much power over him. At any time, any day, no matter the circumstances, Remus could just interrupt Virgil’s routine - regardless of whether or not he’s around the others - and just stuff him full of giant cock. And while this should make him anxious, as soon as he realizes this, he’s fumbling to get his hand around his cock.

The idea is just so fucking hot, but Virgil’s already close. He resists the urge to stroke himself, and instead squeezes his hand around the base of his cock in hopes of prolonging his orgasm at least another minute or two.

A whine spills from his lips. The thought of Remus having full control over him…

He has no idea how close Remus is though, and so he knows that if he doesn’t at least try to last a little longer, he could end up so overstimulated that he’ll be unable to do anything for the rest of the day.

He clenches around nothing, soaking his pillow with fat tears as he cries loudly into his pillowcase. Every breath he takes is a gasp for air before he shakily moans again. His fingers squeeze harder around his cock, before he decides he can’t take it anymore. 

As his prostate is assaulted, Virgil strokes his cock quickly and sloppily, until finally allowing himself to be pushed over the edge, coming over his bedsheets as a mixture of tears and drool falls from his face just as messily. He can barely work his cock through his orgasm before he’s collapsing into his mess, falling on top of his hand and the puddle of come beneath him.

Briefly, he whines, dreading the fact he’ll have to clean it later, but for now he pulls his hand out from under him and twitches helplessly as he’s forced to accept the onslaught of pleasure still being exerted on his body.

He looks pathetic. If anyone were to see him, they’d easily see his hole stretching and clenching around nothing.

Partially, he feels as though he’s going to pass out from his oversensitive state, left with no indication of if or when Remus will be finished with him. He thinks he feels Remus’s thrusts getting less and less refined, but Remus was never one for rhythmic thrusts anyway. He much preferred to just use and abuse to his heart’s content, regardless of how overwhelming that mindset is for Virgil.

Thankfully though, it doesn’t take long for Remus to fully ruin the poor little plush. Pre fills the doll’s warm hole as Remus fucks into it hard and fast.

Repeatedly, his cock slams deep into the toy, Remus grunting and panting wildly as his body is overcome with warmth, sweat rolling down the bony crevices of his body and dripping onto both the doll and the bed. Unlike Virgil, Remus doesn’t try in the slightest to stifle his orgasm, and instead moans out loud and shamelessly as his brings himself to climax, fucking the toy through his orgasm before eventually keeping himself half pressed inside the doll, stroking himself the rest of the way. He grins as he watches the doll’s fabric body bulge with the amount it’s stuffed with. 

He lets his head fall back as he huffs, tongue lolled out of his mouth like a doll as he feels his own semen squeeze out of the doll and spill around his cock, but that cringe-inducing feeling is nothing compared to what Virgil is experiencing, letting out a trembling sob as he feels himself being filled with Remus’s load, his own cock working itself back up both due to being rubbed between Virgil’s body and the sheets, and because Remus thrusts into the doll a few more times after his orgasm is finished.

Ultimately, it leaves Virgil half-hard, but lacking the energy to get himself off again, and so he stays slumped against his mattress, messy with a variety of fluids.

That is, until, his ass is promptly slapped, making him yelp at the stinging sensation as he quickly rolls onto his side in order to look behind him, only to flush when he sees Remus grinning and nude standing at the side of his bed. He’s clutching Virgil’s ruined-looking voodoo doll, still dripping with the very semen Virgil can feel inside of him.

Remus holds the doll sideways, but tilted partially upward, in order to prevent any of his come from leaking out.

Virgil doesn’t have the energy to question why Remus isn’t being a messy little freak for once, too completely and utterly fucked out of his mind to say really anything, and so can only muster up the energy to grumble “a warning would have been nice,” even though he very much enjoyed the lack of such.

Remus doesn’t bother pretending to be sympathetic though, only able to fake a pout for a moment before cackling instead and pushing Virgil onto his back, crawling between his legs as he claims that he didn’t get a warning when Virgil did it to him. And Remus - disgusting as usual - doesn’t waste any time before holding the doll legs-spread above Virgil’s face, tauntingly musing “your little look-alike is all messy,” as a glob of semen falls from the fabric and onto Virgil’s cheek, making Virgil cringe.

Virgil’s face goes red, but he half-heartedly reaches up to push Remus’s wrist away, grumbling “don’t be weird.” But he’s tired and weak, and he can’t do much to stop Remus from making the doll pretend to kiss Virgil’s nose, before having the plush’s face bump against Virgil’s lips instead.

“You know, you should help clean up this mess,” Remus then says, which has Virgil’s eyes snapping towards Remus’s face.

“What?”

Lips stretching into a wide grin, Remus’s eyes gleam with mischievous delight. His free hand slowly rubs over Virgil’s nipple, which causes Virgil to let out a small moan, as he states “it’s your fault the doll got ruined in the first place. You’re irresistible, after all! It only makes sense that this doll of you is irresistible too.”

He runs his finger up Virgil’s chest, before using his pointer and his thumb to force Virgil’s lips apart.

“Now be a good boy, and keep your mouth open, unless you’d rather me make a mess of your face.”

His threat hangs loosely in the air as he lowers the doll to Virgil's mouth, pressing it's backside against him. Immediately, Virgil's tongue is assaulted by the bitter taste, and his ass is assaulted by the phantom feeling of him cleaning himself out. It's weird and hot simultaneously, making him moan against the doll's hole, dragging his tongue deeper into it and sucking the semen out. 

Remus, deciding to be nice, grinds his palm over Virgil's shaft, easily working him back up until he's shivering and leaking, eyes rolling back into his head as he eats himself out. 

Until finally, Remus squeezes the doll's midsection, rubbing his fingers against the wet muscle through the fabric and making Virgil suddenly jolt and cry out in pleasure, before Remus works him to another quick orgasm, making a bigger mess of his chest as Remus pulls the doll away. 

Grinning with satisfaction, Remus throws the doll onto the nearby nightstand, and lays atop Virgil's pudgy stomach, making Virgil groan at the feeling. 

"Feel good?" Remus asks, swiping his thumb along the corner of Virgil's lips in order to scoop up some leftover come, before pushing it into his own mouth. 

Virgil huffs. "I'd feel better if we showered." 

Remus sticks his tongue out, and squeezes his eyes shut, though he makes no move to get up and leave. "Gross. Count me out!" 

Despite this, they stay laying together, Virgil too blissed-out to move, and Remus basking in the mess. And they stay cuddled up like that for as long as possible, just nestled up against each other, sticky semen between them. 

[perkwunos]

It is the first morning of December, my final December in my ‘20s, and also the last December of what could be considered the early 2020s, insofar as this decade will be looked back on and thematized that way. We will soon be at the midpoint of the decade, and so now the pressure is on for any artists and writers to make their mark known, if they want to be remembered as “a figure of the ‘20s.” The covid-19 pandemic certainly gives this decade a meaningful and decisive start, so it’s reasonable to think that it will go down as an historically useful unit—something that will have its own chapter in the history books, that is--and, because of its start with plague, probably the name "the '20s" will be flavored by a certain pessimism or sense for the suffering of things.

As far as a first day of December goes, this one feels fitting. It is freezing cold, surprisingly cold after a very mild fall, and the entire day yesterday was spent below freezing. Some few pink clouds drifted upon the stark-clear blue when I woke up at dawn, and the sun has cut through and shines laterally onto the rooftops, and right into the windows of my third-floor room: small bits of light in danger of getting encased in icicles and glass.

Why do we commit to reasoning through the content presented to us? Why we do distinguish between that which is unintelligible (i.e., non-propositional content) and that which is intelligible, so that we may then usefully inquire after the latter, asking from whence it was derived or what derives from it, what makes it true or false? We engage in inquiry incessantly day-in and day-out as a matter of course, rarely thinking much of it. Eventually, however, this may intensify into genuinely scientific activity, and thus show in stark outlines what was presupposed all the time. Transcendental critique would show that this activity is motivated by, and thus presupposes, an Idea of ourselves as rational beings: it is an idea we act according to, by holding some hypothetical belief in, and that thus regulates our thinking, but which we never directly confront in the world. To be able to look upon ourselves, and those we engage with, as freely willing, judging, and desiring (insofar as such is the desiring after intelligible outcomes and not the mere impulses of the body): this is a kind of sine qua non, the rejection of which would only lead to performative contradiction, in the same manner in which one cannot articulately reject human language.

One could appeal to what Haskell Curry called the U language—the language within which we communicate to each other, which is thus presupposed by an artificial logical or mathematical language, and which serves as the ultimate metalanguage (i.e., that which no other language could be the metalanguage of). This must inevitably be considered not merely as the medium for scientific discourse, but also for the fueling of poetized content. More to the point, it can never be considered quite merely empirical, and thus always retains some reference to the Ideas, and a kind of orgiastic rite that remains unrecorded in any historical annals, but towards which we desire, and are thus made to speak about.

The mental energy to think and write comes with some difficulty, and only from time to time. In the winter one is inclined to stay indoors: it is a time that always threatens to feel claustrophobic and constrained. The internal universe thus becomes all the more real—but this internal universe is only our own reflection upon ourselves as agents, i.e., all Ideas are themselves the concepts of free action, not capable of any more real substance beyond our own movement.

[palesmokeisinthevoid]

Transfem Shrimpo Doodles and doodles for a…kind of self indulgent probably ooc au based on a Pokémon nuzlocke I’m doing.

Shrimpo and Toodles are siblings to me. Nothing will change this. Shrimpo will absolutely make fun of Toodles but if anyone else does she will throw her brick at them. She also lets Toodles paint her nails.

Poppy and Shrimpo <3. Honestly starting to sort of ship it but here it’s friendship. Poppy helped her figure things out. I’m imaging that when a few of the toons were first made they kind of came to the conclusion that they weren’t the gender that was originally intended for them, so that was fun script changing for Gardenview/j, Shrimpo was made real later on due to her…personality (I imagine the toons and Gardenview came before the cartoon, mainly to explain some headcanons, so some existed before the Cartoon such as the mains, the starters, etc. and others came from the cartoon such as Shrimpo), and didn’t realize a toon could be a different gender than what they were intended.

Shelly and Shrimpo friendship is everything to me you can pry it out of my cold dead hands. Ichor is pretty malleable so toons can change their appearance if they get a hold of some extra. Sprout didn’t have top to give surgery even before he realized he was trans but he gave himself the scars anyway because he thought it was neat…and now Shrimpo is in similar circumstances/j

Just Shrimpo and Teagan having tea. Nothing much to say here I just wanted to draw them

And now the weird au I have no name for

All these designs are based vaguely off of Pokémon and random ideas I had while doing a nuzlocke (specifically of a rom hack which is why the Pokémon are so mismatched) which is still ongoing.

Basically weird stuff happened, all the toons and twisteds got thrown into another dimension that keeps having other dimensions fuse with it to the point that this is just a regular October for them…anyway due to another substance in this dimension reacting a bit weird with ichor due to their similar properties it kind of started changing the most of the toons appearances and these are some of those designs

I got a Magikarp so of course I had to make Shrimpo the pathetic fish…and then the overpowered serpent. She started out with her canon design and then got the extra shrimp features…including arms. And also the marks from her skin, because I thought that would be fun.

Toodles ended up as a Togepi and the first move she pulled from metronome was FUCKING “Snipe shot”, so now she has a sniper rifle that no one can take from her because she can just summon it back to her. Not much changed much about her physically outside of her blush marks becoming triangles. The wings are just fakes because she got a new hoodie.

Rodger will one day be a graveler so four arms, not much to say. He is wearing alpha sleeper though since his suit got kind of…destroyed. By growing a second set of arms.

Razzle and Dazzle are a Galarian Yamask. They aren’t having a great time. They got knocked out at some point, Dandy found them and then got a terrible idea and enacted the first part of the idea on whichever one of them woke up first…unfortunately for Razzle, he’s an early riser. So uh, face shattered, Dazzle got lied to about the cause and then Dandy convinced him he could fix Razzle’s head if Dazzle just helped him with something. Razzle’s fucked up physically and mentally and Dazzle is just having a bad time.

CENTIVEE!!!! She got Venipede!!!! CENTIVEEEEEEEEEEE. I just like bug looking characters. She’s got a bunch of legs and three pairs of arms.

Shelly was the starter! Totodile! She’s got some croc stuff going on, nothing too distract she’s just a little reptile.

Cosmo probably would have come out normal looking outside having his caramel skins cheeks if he didn’t look a god straight in the eye. Now he’s gained their interest and if one gains a gods interest they can end up with some…new limbs or horns. In this case Cosmo got both since he ended up as Pidove and I wanted to incorporate the weird mask thing on Unfeasant so uh…Horn going straight through his eye! Fun!

Dandy is a Budew. Weird sleeve things aren’t sleeves, they are, in fact, a part of his arms. He’s got some twisted features too since…well, twisted dandy is dandy

Finn died in game. He was a Wooper, but he’ll be back eventually…the next time I get a fish Pokémon. Once that happens he’s never getting his legs back/j. Man is stuck as a mermaid…or Mayhaps a siren. Depends on what fish I get.

[cinnamontails-ff]

I love any opportunity to pick your brain! Please feel free to pick either one if you don’t have an answer for both ♥️

35. What is one essential thing to remember when writing a villain? 

75. What scene in MA took the longest to write? What was difficult about it? 

You are so very kind for sending those in, thank you ❤

What is one essential thing to remember when writing a villain? 

Villains are people. They might be the opposing force in your narrative, but that doesn't mean that their entire personality should be reduced to "I am evil and I do evil things". Do they all need a tragic backstory and/or redemption arc? No. But they need what I like to call substance. Quirks, insecurities, fears, dreams -- the more specific, the better. That's how they'll feel like a full-fledged person, even if you never give them their own POV.

In Accountant's Guide, for instance, Cazador is the big bad, but he's also a bit of a loser. His own accountant is conspiring with his spawn in his own house, and he never fucking notices (not until you-know-what haha). He's convinced he can woo Scarlett to his side, using the same tired old strategies he's relied on for centuries, never even imagining he might fail. There's a scene I'm particularly fond of where he hosts an elaborate tea party to impress her, and he just keeps dumping spoonfuls of sugar into his cup because he's been dead for so long, he forgot how tea works.

What scene in MA took the longest to write? What was difficult about it?

For me, it's always the painful scenes that are the most difficult and time-consuming to get right. In MA that would have probably been Astarion's POV in chapter 21. I believe that such scenes need to be handled with a lot of care, so they cause an emotional response in the reader without making them numb. The descriptions need to feel real and engaging, downright visceral in places. But the pacing also needs to be quick enough that it doesn't feel like "wallowing"; there needs to be a sense of progression throughout (even if the trajectory is downward). And lastly, I never write painful scenes without knowing exactly how I will use them for narrative payoff later. They're fuel for something that is yet to come, and I find that this is what makes these scenes so memorable, even months or years later.

In chapter 21, I was struggling to have Astarion really feel like Astarion in a way that is unique to his character and where he is in the story. I wanted to use what was happening to him as a way to fuel his character development, both short- and long-term, and while it took me quite a bit, I hope I did a good job with it.

[brotrustmeicanwrite]

Using Schrödinger’s Mary Sue In Creative Writing

Every once in a while, out of nowhere, the idea of something like a cool fight scene, a witty exchange between the villain and hero or a very dramatic finale just ✨pop✨ into a writer’s head; usually accompanied with a sudden burst of inspiration. When those scenes involve established characters and stories, more often than not the writer regains consciousness several hours later having fully thought through the most epic thing they’ve ever written, contemplating weather or not they should rewrite the entire story to be able to properly include that scene.

But sometimes those scenes are just about A hero, A villain, A couple, not about someone specific. When that happens we often get stumped in the creative process because we have to sit down and actively create characters or fledge out vague character ideas we’ve had on the back burner to have material to continue the train of thought. And that usually kills that burst of inspiration.

That’s where what I call “Schrödinger’s Mary/Gary Sue” comes into play.

A SM/GS is a character concept for a specific archetype of character who possesses only the characteristics that you tend to give these archetypes, as well as all of the abilities for them that you came up with but weren’t able to include but wanted to.

To give an example, this is how my own SM/GS for the MC/Part Time Hero looks like:

- personality and appearance -

Vaguely Male

Light Hair

Kind (optional, might have been beaten out of them)

Intelligent

- abilities/roles -

Teleportation

Ghost sight

Half human / half spirit

Fox spirit

Dragon shifter

Follower of / reaper for the god of death

Genius magician and high priest

A planet throwing heavenly knight who helps the gods of creation fight evil gods from other dimensions

A literal god

Etc. etc. bc yes there is much more

That list on its own looks pretty Mary Suey. What makes that character a Schrödinger’s Mary Sue however is how to use them: Once that character has been placed into a scene their abilities are limited to just one, or if compatible and not over the top a few of those abilities.

This setup gives us the opportunity to experiment with not only that scene that originally came to mind but also old ideas that we didn’t want to abandon but couldn’t make work at that time. Basically what we’re doing is instead of playing with air, we play with an unpainted, unclothed, wig-less doll. It’s not concrete enough to just be copies of pre-existing characters but gives us enough substance to develop the scene; and if all goes well that doll won’t stay in that state for too long and become its own fully fledged out character.

(I used to really struggle with losing that burst of inspiration but since I’ve started using the SM/GS approach my brain has probably become the fastest and most effective recycling machine on the planet.)

Also, I you end up trying this for yourself, keep in mind to keep the SM/GS’s personality and characteristics as vague and basic as possible before going into the scene, else you risk writing the same character over and over again. Once you start working you can add proper personality traits and make a real character from that base concept. And of course, don’t be afraid to change those basic characteristics if you feel like it or the story develops into a direction that calls for it.

Happy writing :D

[saurons-pr-department]

Hey anon, I have screen-shotted your ask because I am going to try stay out of tag/term searches here, which in an of itself probably answers your question XD

So! Thoughts as they occur to me!

I did give the whole first season a watch. Partly out of giving it a chance, partly out of morbid curiosity, like when you can't look away from something awful happening in front of you even when you really want to close your eyes.

What I think is interesting actually, is that my main issues with the show have somewhat changed since I initially watched it. While watching it my only thoughts were "wrong, wrong, that never happened, wrong, wrong, wrong, look how they massacred my boy (gn), wrong!" And while those thoughts themselves haven't changed my main issues have changed to focus more on how it's such a badly structured story (the timelines feel both stretched and compressed in a way that doesn't add anything to the stories being told) and how I don't think it knows yet what it wants to be (it's Tolkien, but it's its own thing, but it's a 'prequel' in the very modern franchise sense of the word to the PJ films, but it's also not those films).

For the structure, I personally wouldn't have put two major stories into one show. I don't think there's the time for that. Both the Akallabêth and the creation of the rings exist as very sketchy narratives that cover extremely long timeframes. Original content was always going to be needed to fill the gaps. But by putting both tales into the one show, I feel they've doubled the amount of gap filling needed while halving the amount of screentime they have for it because there's now twice the amount of canon to cover (tbf, they don't seem to want canon so maybe that's not an issue for them...). To force them to run simultanously and then add original content that isn't just filling the gaps but appears to be completely original, you end up with a story that is both too empty and too full. Nothing is getting the time it deserves. Big moments feel undeserved or rushed. It takes the wind out of its own sails. (and that's without mentioning that these stories running alongside eachother just throws timelines and motivations out of whack, but I refuse to get us all bogged down in the minutiae of my grumblings!)

It's a pity, the story of the fall of Númenor and the creation of the rings have such good parallels, but that would require them to focus on things like religion and politics etc and they seem to be more interested in mystery boxes, so... oh well?

In regards the show's identity crisis, to be fair to them, that's really not that unusual in first seasons. They're not special XD Let's face it, how often have we all been recommended something that came with the caveat 'you need to get through the first few episodes/first season before it gets good and finds its feet'? Especially fantasy and sci-fi that has to establish facts about the world as well as characters in a way a drama set in the real world doesn't. I wouldn't be shocked to learn that the show hits its stride a bit better in later seasons.

However, my current biggest gripe with the show is what I'm seeing in the writers' attitude to storytelling. I can't stand it. The actor for a certain someone whose name begins with H didn't know who his character really was until after shooting the first few episodes. There's the back and forth of is it H or the guy who fell from the sky who'll turn out to be the villain. Sky man even gets some stalkers whose only purpose was to add confusion to this situation and then be immediately killed, no further context. One of the writers (I don't remember who) when asked about deviations from canon said something to the effect of 'we don't want book fans to be episodes ahead'. It's the modern Marvel school of story-telling. It's mystery boxes and twists and fears of spoilers and people knowing what's coming next. That's not how you tell a story. You need more substance than that. Big moments are only interesting if you've earned them with a well crafted lead up. And what's the point of a big moment if it adds nothing to the story in the first place. They had one of fantasy's most iconic villains, why was there a secret? The Second Age is where he's cracking out his most rediculous long cons. The man's twirling his mustache while kicking up his feet and writing 'evil' into every date in his diary for at least a millenium, what does a secret identity add to this story really?

Don't worry, I will move swiftly on from the topic of my boy who is not really my boy before we get in too deep... No one needs to hear that... But do you get my point? Big reveal. No substance.

To add a note of positivity, I actually really like Sky man's music. It's genuinely a really nice piece of music. I also liked that they wanted to add one of the 'original' orcs, that's a cool concept!

Oh! And whoever okayed those American 'stage-Irish' accents needs to be fired into the sun :D