#i'll have like one third the number of students and i'm also in a better groove now i can move them along faster

[whentherewerebicycles]

Not to give unsolicited opinions, but don’t go back. Take your full leave. There are no regrets in that! 6 beautiful weeks with your beautiful baby and family. Having adventures. Walking your dogs. Reading. Sleeping in the big bed. No boss. No negatives only positives. You waited so long for this time and you deserve and need these last 6 weeks to have beautiful experiences.

you sent this a few days ago but thank you so much!! and to everyone else who helped me decide. i'm super nervous about actually emailing work to tell them, but i have everything else in place (signed up for a couple more tutoring kids, got permission to move his daycare start back, made holiday travel plans, etc.). so like. now i just have to do it haha.

[becausegoodheroesdeservekidneys]

Prynhawn da Elanor,

I'm a student in the US currently applying to universities for next year, and I have a couple of questions about Welsh universities if you have the time. I'm looking at both schools in the US and one in Wales (I managed to visit over the summer and it seemed great, loved the town and the university, and the degree that I'm interested in is very solid there), and the teaching style/expectations of students are an unknown factor. I've been taking college classes while still in highschool so I'm familiar with college-level instruction in the states, and it's not ideal for what I'm interested in studying. For example, at one of the schools I visited that is supposed to be a decent research university, the faculty were surprised that I had questions about research as an undergrad, and according to current students, the hardest part of their studies were quizzes on botanical taxonomy. So, I'm curious, what are the general academic expectations for students (especially in ecology or wildlife biology-related courses)? It seems like assessments are more practical or long-form and less quiz/multiple choice.

This got long-winded, so my apologies, and thank you for your time!

Shwmae! Happy to answer.

SO, I shall caveat this with saying that I don't really understand how higher education works in the US; it's a very different system to the UK in many ways. I'm therefore not entirely sure how to explain the exact differences. So, I'll just tell you about how it works over here rather than trying to do a comparison, if that makes sense? It means some of this will definitely feel like Water Is Wet stuff, but hopefully there'll be an exact answer in there that you can extract. Also, if you're comfortable doing so (and want to), I'm happy to talk over DM if you want slightly more specific advice involving you revealing details that otherwise might doxx you.

(Also second point, because I have danced this dance before and I know what Some Of You Lot are like when my posts start gaining traction beyond my circle of followers: in places where I do explain something that's different between the two systems, I am not saying one is better or worse than the other. Don't be a cunt about this. Work on your defensiveness and ego in your own time. I'm too busy and important for your feelings.)

Third point: I'm snipping this for length. On with the answer!

So, degrees over here are fairly fixed in terms of content and duration. Some offer a specific, set array of modules that make up the degree; others have essential core modules, and then you can choose from a small number of options until you get the required credits. But part of choosing the course for you over here is looking at the modules that make up the degree to make sure you're getting the exact focus you want; the one I teach on, for example, has a focus on practically applying environmental science, with the result that it has a very high post-graduation employment rate across a variety of environmental disciplines. Others might focus more on human geography, or environmental engineering, or climate science, or whatever else.

The reason for this is the quality assurance system in the UK. Courses have to be validated as being the right quality in terms of content, level of study, assessment practices, etc. Let's say you get a BSc from UWTSD in Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change; that comes with a quality assurance for a future employer that you have learned a specific set of skills, a specific knowledge bank, and are capable of using both in a specific way. There shouldn't be a risk, for example, that they hired someone from the same course the year before who had the same qualification as you, but turned out to not understand the dynamic processes behind sand dunes and couldn't write an official report to save their life, meaning you get passed over for the job the following year because they can't trust that your education actually means anything; if both of you have the same qualification, then the course should be meeting sufficient quality standards to ensure that you both therefore have the same knowledge and skillset.

So that's point one!

Where this works in your favour is point two: assessment. Assessment is also rigidly quality-checked, but it means you can ask a course director and immediately get an outline of what the assessment procedures are (not the precise assessment tasks, obviously; but, report vs exam vs lab practical etc will be known).

But also, yes, assessment in the UK is extremely rarely what I understand to be 'quizzes' in the US, and extremely rarely multiple choice. Rightly or wrongly, there is a definite perception in academic circles over here - even at high school level, much less university - that a multiple choice quiz is too easy to pass by guessing, and they're very looked down on as a method to assess learning.

What you'll have instead varies between modules and courses, but I can give you an idea with a couple of mine:

Level 4: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

No exams: two reports based on practical field/lab work, both worth 50% of the final mark

First: dissect owl pellets in the lab from two sites. Evaluate what the findings mean for the biodiversity on each site, and suggest some future site management prescriptions. 2000 words.

Second: fieldtrip to nearby woods to take allometric tree measurements and calculate carbon sequestration. Evaluate the ecosystem service provided by the woodland, and comment on site management and conservation. 2000 words.

Level 5: Coastal, Marine and Wildlife Conservation

One assignment, one exam, each worth 50% of the final mark

Assignment: Ramsey Island has far less biodiversity than neighbours like Skomer, Grassholm, etc. Research why, what was done to fix it, how well it's recovered, and suggest what should be done in the future to aid further recovery. 2500 words.

Exam: First half is a selection of short form questions to test baseline knowledge. Second half is a 50 mark essay question; choice of two topics to answer.

Level 6: Habitat Management and Building Resilience

No exams: two assignments, one before Christmas worth 30% of the mark, one in May worth 70%

First: choose a species reintroduction project of your choice, and find the habitat feasibility study carried out for it. Critique that habitat feasibility study. Put your findings into an academic poster and present it. 15 mins.

Second: using teachings from across the year, produce a habitat management plan for a site of your choosing. You need to actually visit and assess your site. 3500 words.

(L4, 5 and 6: first, second and final year of undergrad)

The idea in each case is not just to test knowledge; it's to test applied knowledge, and to teach real-world skills needed in the industry after you graduate. If you go into land management, for example, the ability to guess the right answers based on the multiple choice pattern is useless; the ability to assess a site and write up a management plan for it, on the other hand, is literally the job you're hired to do.

So, as far as research is concerned... if you mean carrying out your own research on a topic of your own choosing, the main place that happens is your dissertation in third year. But, you can start that earlier if you want. In our department, we also encourage and support any independent research a student may choose to do, even if they don't end up using it for their degree directly.

If you mean general research skills, though, those are vital to every assignment. If you only repeat back whatever papers or knowledge the lecturers have given you, and don't research independently, you will barely scrape a pass. We actively push you to learn those skills.

And then lastly, expectations for students! In higer ed, you are now an adult, and you are choosing to be here: this means that the expectation is that you're meeting the lecturers halfway, as it were. It's a mistake a lot of new students make, if they've come straight from high school - uni is just The Next Thing to do, but to them it's basically like school, so the teachers have to keep trying to teach them even if the student barely shows up or makes any effort.

But that is not so! They are no longer pupils, and I am not a teacher.

If I say to a class "Look up these papers and be familiar with the arguments before next session because we're going to have a seminar", and then someone doesn't bother because "Whoops I went out drinking and forgot to do my homework teehee", then they can get out. They are adults paying for a particular service. I have offered that service. If they think of it as homework and choose not to do it because they wanted to go out clubbing instead, then... okay. That's the choice they can make. But the consequence is, I'm not chasing after them, because I'm not a teacher, and that's not my job. Now they aren't having that session. This will have a knock-on effect for their understanding of the topic; but that's the choice they made.

(Again, before the Pissing On The Poor crowd arises: I am, very obviously, not talking about students who have other struggles that impact their academic performance. I am, very literally and clearly, talking about the 18-year-old school leavers who are still in the school mindset, and think of missing lectures as 'skiving', and on a lizard brain level think there won't be consequences to that because so far in their life, education systems have not been allowed to fail them for that behaviour.)

So, basically... you're expected to want to learn and improve, and to put the work in to do that. Not to just be there to get the degree, but to be there to learn. Adult education is collaborative between lecturer and student. We guide you, but it's your journey to take.

Anyway! I hope that is at all useful. Let me know if you want clarification on anything, or have any other questions!

[eveningspirit]

WIP Wednesday

tagged by @thewildballyntynesgrow, thank you!

Riiiiight. WIPs... When the muse is in the mood, WIPs thend to proliferate. Like bunnies... plot bunnies. So. (i'll be conscise)

Solid The Pitt WIPs:

Inconsistencies (Chapter 5 being written)

It’s Dana.  She looks worn out, like every single mitochondrion in her body got drained off energy. Her eyes, in pale face, are bloodshot and not from the same source as the burgundy bruise that starkly contrasts her white complexion. She has been crying.  Frank reaches to her as she approaches, and she takes his hand in hers and she tries to smile.  “How are you feeling?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.  “I’m good. Mel took care of everything; gonna be alright. How are you?”  “Oh, you know.” She averts her eyes under the pretense of looking for something to sit on. Reaches for a stool with her left hand, her right still in contact with his. She sits close, rests her elbows on the mattress right next to his shoulder. “I got scared when Mel told me and Robby that she treated you for AD. But she said you responded well and then Mateo kept us—and her—updated.” Dana reaches to his forehead and pushes a strand of hair from his eyes. “Good to see you’re awake.”

[untitled Post S1 (aka--I'm really fucking up Frank; treat it as an AU) not yet posted]

He gets out of the T on an empty, deserted station. From here, he’s got about ten-minutes-long walk home, that he’s already dreading. His back is in knots. He’s got one last chance to get his hands on some pills. It's not even a chance, really; he fully expects to be turned down. But still, he takes out his phone and dials Garcia’s number.  “What do you want Langdon?” She’s angry that he’s calling her. At this hour—it’s past 11:00—she’s probably getting ready to sleep. Or maybe she's mad about something else, but that he's not going to think about. “I need your help,” he croaks.  “No.”  “I—I didn’t even tell you what--”  “I don’t need you to tell me. I already know.”  “How--”  “I’m psychic! How do you think?” 

[untitled surprise fic (treat it as an AU) not yet posted]

Emergency Department Medical Education Fellow. It sounded so-- serious. Grown-up. At thirty-three years old, Michael Robinavitch didn’t feel grown-up at all. He still wanted to rage against the system and he still lacked confidence and faith in his skills, despite Dr. Adamson’s faith in him.  He got the position, though, and he couldn’t be happier. He was following in his mentor’s footsteps and he wouldn’t fail the faith bestowed in him.  All he needed now, was to find a worthy successor. Adamson, as he liked saying, had been adopted into this madness by Dr. Safar, same as Robby had been later taken in by Adamson. He was third generation legacy now. It was no joke. This shift new students and interns were coming. One of them better have the spark.

[untited Frank is bipolar fic (not yet posted)]

Abby stops it the hallway, like she sees something strange on his face. And maybe she does.  Frank bits his lips.  “Babe?” Abby asks. She’s careful, like he could be dangerous to her. He couldn’t!   Breath in, breath out, calm down Frank, everything is okay, she’s not coming after you, she loves you.  But it’s today, isn’t it? The Conversation.  “Are you sure you’re good to go to work?” she asks.  “Oh yeah,” Frank seethes, “because you know better?” He holds himself. No. Don’t argue. Calm down. “Sorry.”  “You haven’t slept all night.”  “I’m not tired!” He throws up his hands. Walks down the corridor to the door, turns around, walks back. “I feel fine. Better than fine! Abby, please don’t make that face, I’m not... I know what I’m doing, okay, babe. I am perfectly in control.” 

Original WIPs

Eh. Uh. If you're interested I also have original WIPs (seven of them), but here, have fragments from those I'm currently working on:

The Specters

Neve didn’t say anything out loud. Noel would only laugh it off, or frown, like he did anyway.  “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to upset you,” he spoke and winced, then tried again, “I don’t mean that like--” he had to pause and cough again. “Damn it, I wish I-- I could have a normal-- conversation with you.”  “You can use sign.” Neve watched him, helpless. “I already understand some of it.”  Noel smiled and nodded. And made a couple of signs.  “Maybe I should?” Neve asked. “You, should? Yeah.” She understood. “You definitely should.”  She stood up and went around the counter to stand in front of him. Touched his arm. “Are you okay?”  He made a gesture for “Fine,” then, “Only hurts breathe.” 

[untitled short story with characters based on The Pitt peoples ;) ]

[the story is in development, so this is half of the synopsis]

The Dimple is a factory where Sentiran fighter spacecrafts are being built. Lander is one of the engineers working under Mikah. On the day Lander is supposed to begin training new cadets he and Mikah get into a disagreement about stolen materials. The disagreement remains unresolved, as the regular day job begins, and they are both called to their duties.  One of the trainees is a bold woman, Sibeal who challenges Lander’s expertise and gets the support of Lander’s rival Nimrod. Lander focuses too much of his energy on trying to avoid being dragged into a petty squabble, while his argument from this morning continues to bother him. He enlists help of his friend who works security, LissaMin, to help with the later. Meanwhile the other trainee, Nysa Ashton who hasn’t had a lot of practice in zero-g, begins to get disoriented and soon develops acute space sickness. Lander has no choice but take him to the Rings, where artificial gravity should let the cadet reorient himself and get better. He leaves Sibeal under Nimrod’s supervision.  Once they are in the Rings Lander takes Ashton to the medical section, so specialists can determine whether he can return to zero-g at all. That's when a huge explosion shakes the entire station. Lander is convinced Sibeal is somehow responsible for it. 

And that's it. :) If you're curious, you may find more of my original stories (a lot of my OCs are disabled / chronically ill / neurodivergent; some are queer too) at @t-lane-writes . Feel free to give a follow, if you find any of my OG WIPs interesting. :)

tagging: @silverhandy , @doughnuts-5ever , @helleboretea (not sure you're writing something? but the Bipolar!Frank was your idea ;), @toofarovertherainbow , @whentheresidentsareevil, @kulliare (maybe some art wip?), @drfranklangdon (I think you are a writer? correct me if i've mistaken you for someone ;) ) and whoever else wants to do it!

So many of you have different nicks of tumblr and different on AO3 and my audhd brain only has so much capacity for remembering people. But I want to get to know more of yous!

ETA to tag @echo-bleu, @hithelleth and @lire-casander, but don't read the first part of this post. ;) I'm curious if you are working on anything fun these days.

Let me know if any of the not-yet-posted stories caught your attention. Such feedback really helps get those writing juices run quicker.

If you read to this point, congrats! <3

[sylviareviar]

Dear Yusei,

It's been about five days. The Survival Duels haven't stopped. Students have been approaching me for duels more frequently, and I keep turning them down.

I've gotten to know the girls in my dorm a little better, though. Asuka in particular seems to be a close friend of Judai's. So far, I've kept an eye on him, and Judai hasn't had the chance to wipe out like he did earlier. With the way these Bio-Bands suck the life out of you, I can't help thinking it's a conscious effort on someone's part.

That being said, things are only getting more and more tense. There have been zero classes. It's just nothing but duels. They apparently did this in West Academy, too. But how could anyone treat dueling like a boot camp?

Anyway... the number of students in the nurse's office seems to be increasing steadily. I worry, since there only seems to be one nurse on the entire island. What poor planning. There are no doctors here or anything, and frankly, with how isolated this place is, and how dangerous it's apparently been in the last two years according to both Judai and Asuka...

There should at least be a surgical team here. Bare minimum.

I've used the past few days to get to know Judai and his friends, as well as explore the actual island for a bit. Shou seems to have been friends with Judai since he first enrolled, same with Asuka, Manjoume, and a few others, though I don't remember their names, and haven't gotten the chance to meet them. Kenzan showed up last year, apparently, as a Ra Yellow student. But now Judai has just gathered a gaggle of classmates that just... hang out in the Slifer Red dorm.

Which, I should probably mention, is just a poorly managed motel. It doesn't even have a leading professor. Apparently, it used to, but he fucking died two years ago. Judai didn't elaborate any further on that, but I sense it was a deeply personal event that happened that year. He's a third-year now, so I can only assume this is his final year being at Duel Academy. Judai's a bit hard to read. I wonder if he's excited to leave this place after all the chaos he's been through. Or maybe he's sad, because he'll leave his friends behind. Maybe both. Probably both.

All this time has given me a little bit of breathing room. While during the day, I socialize with Judai and his friends, at night, I roam around on my Runner. Behind the school is a massive mountain. But once, I managed to get to the top, only to find it was actually an active volcano. At the very bottom, it had lava bubbling and boiling.

This entire island's a safety hazard, and they somehow decided to build a SCHOOL here.

Besides the volcano, I also discovered woods. Lots and lots, and LOTS of woods. It's dense forest almost all the way around, and driving without tangling my wheels up in sticks is almost impossible. But there are also ruins around, hidden within the woods. Not only that, but a whole extra dorm (that I'm pretty sure is haunted?), an abandoned power plant, and what looks like a few military bases.

Actually, I got a little bit curious. KaibaCorp owns this island, doesn't it? Why would a tech and gaming company have military bases? Well, as it turns out, KaibaCorp used to be a military company until it was bought out by the old CEO's adopted son, Seto Kaiba. I wonder if KaibaCorp owned this island before that time, and those military bases are the remnants of it? They looked like they could've been labs.

I didn't feel safe poking around too much. If Pandora is still somewhere on this island, biding her time, facing her on my own would be to my detriment, and everyone else's. I hate to do this, but I'm starting to think I might already need to tell Judai and Johan about my past.

I'll start with Johan. Judai's... a little too carefree, and Johan is my prime suspect to become her next target. I need to warn him before she gets her hands on Rainbow Dragon and destroys the city.

I just... need to figure out how exactly to do it.

[jtl-fics]

Fusion Dance:

FF in the zombie apocalypse

Fluent Freshman AU | Unusual Fic Asks

I need you to understand what this has done to me. 1. I didn't think anyone was going to ask about FF for some reason and 2. The concept of FF in the apocalypse is so funny to me because I write a lot of him based off of me and I have ALWAYS told anyone who asks that if an apocalypse happens I am not the plucky young lass doing whatever it takes to survive type. (Like I get word that One Piece is cancelled because Oda got eaten it's like 'ok I gotta go ask that man some QUESTIONS in the after life' and I'm OUT. I just don't have that drive in me!)

BUT FF is that kind of guy.

---

FF had been ready for the end of the world for ages. He'd felt the world quake and tear itself apart plenty of times. The first time had been after the car accident. The second time had been when he realized his mother wasn't going to stand up for him. The third was when she said "I do" to a man who hadn't made it a secret what he thought about FF.

The end of the world kept happening for him, so it was almost bizarre when finally everyone else agreed that it had happened.

He didn't really pay attention to the news, only to the increasing anxiety around campus as more and more infections occurred and there were talks about locking down the campus. His anxiety ramped higher and higher until he found himself in a state that he hated. A state where it was all so much that he lost the ability to feel anything at all.

The numbers kept climbing, the infections growing closer, and FF couldn't calm down enough to feel anything.

Then a Palmetto student was bitten and weirder it was someone he had known if only because they played on the same team.

He dodged out of the way of Jack's open mouth as he heard Sheena scream. His senses for an unexpected back attack had been heightened from years of dealing with his step brothers and further from the mindless bloodlust of Black Friday shoppers.

Jack lunged for him again.

"No cure - 100% fatal at biting stage" flashed on the TV in the lounge yesterday. "Self-Defense Recommended" the news anchor said numerous times.

He couldn't bring himself to do it though.

Aaron walked into the hallway and Jack's attention turned. He lunged mouth open and-

FF found the courage to swing down his Racquet.

Sheena just kept screaming as she ran out of the hallway.

Aaron looked shocked looking between FF and Jack on the ground.

"The infection has hit Palmetto." FF says with a deep breath trying not to feel sick, "I'm not staying on campus." he says wondering how many more students had broken quarantine like Jack.

"Where are you planning to go?" Aaron asks giving Jack's body a wide berth as he stepped around it.

"My grandma lives in Washington State. It's pretty rural. I'll go there." He says because she's stood by him through every other end of the world. If this is the one that takes then he wants to be sitting next to her.

"Sounds better than sitting here." Aaron says with a shrug and FF could see that he was shaking from what he'd just seen.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." FF says because he knows what Aaron had done to protect his brother. Aaron looks at him with wide eyes, "He was past the point where he might have been saved. We can't hesitate." he says because that's what the news anchor had said.

Aaron takes a long and shaking breath and nods.

FF nods back to him before turning and heading in the opposite direction of the exit that Sheena had run towards. He heard Aaron's footsteps following him, well this is embarrassing that they're going the same way.

"Where are you going now?" Aaron asks.

"CVS." FF answers.

"Smart, medical supplies." Aaron agrees.

Oh, that is also a good plan. FF was just planning on taking a shopping basket and knocking every last bottle of Pepto Bismol into it. "Yes." he says.

"I'll text Andrew." Aaron says and for the love of god FF did not know what he would be texting him. "Hey, thanks...for uh...saving me." he says.

They haven't decided how to charge people quite yet for the Infection self-defense cases.

"Don't mention it." he says and honestly wishes he could tell Sheena the same.

[linkemon]

Philia (Midoriya Izuku x Reader)

Friendly reminder that English is not my first language. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here. Consider supporting me on Ko-fi. You can also check out my commissions if you’re interested.

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴍɪᴅᴏʀɪʏᴀ ꜱᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ ʜɪꜱ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ ꜰᴏʀ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ. ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱ 1-ᴀ ᴛʀʏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ʜɪᴍ…

— Midoriya-kun, why don’t you want to see her? — Ochaco asked.

— Exactly! It's very rude to refuse elders! — Iida said angrily.

The boy had always been concerned about being president and this time was no different.

— She's only a year older than us — said the girl.

— Be-because I'm scared...— the boy stuttered quietly.

— Well, whatever. She found you. — She grinned.

Izuku turned around and to his horror saw [Reader] walking towards him. Everyone in the hallway was staring in her direction. The girl couldn't use her powers in the UA building outside of classes but everyone seemed to be affected by her aura anyway. She attracted attention wherever she went. However, she managed to get through the crowd of students hungry for her attention and reach the first years.

— Good morning! Can I borrow Midoriya-kouhai for a moment?

— Go ahead!

The girl grabbed his hand and led him to a less crowded part of the school. The boy felt like he was going to have a heart attack. He blushed and sweated, and that was not the state he wanted to be seen in by his senpai.

— Sorry I dragged you along for so long. I'll make this quick. I need your help.

— My help? — he echoed.

He had trouble processing this request.

— Well...— She nervously played with her fingers. — After the last sparring session, it turned out that my power didn't work on you. One day, it might turn out that it won't work on a villain either. And then what? I'd like to be prepared for anything. So please, help me train! — She bowed.

Izuku felt even more nervous. If anyone had to bow, it was him. After all, it was good manners.

So he did the only thing that came to mind and stooped even lower.

— Please, accept my help!

The girl laughed at the sight but the sound of the school bell drowned her out.

— I’ll see you tomorrow at five in the training hall. — She adjusted her backpack and ran to class.

Midoriya had finished his classes, so he headed towards his dorm. He happily sat down on the nearest bench in the school park. He processed the entire conversation in his head, cursing his behaviour.

That was why he wanted to avoid [Reader] at all costs. Senpai made him stutter and feel weird. On one hand, he was a little afraid of her but on the other, he admired her a lot. He met her almost at the very beginning of his high school adventure. It wasn't hard to hear about the popular second-year hero. He had devoted a lot of space in his notebook to her power since his first week at UA.

However, it was only during the sparring matches between the first and second grades that he had the opportunity to get to know her personality better. At first, he was afraid that she would treat him with contempt. However, it turned out that he was very wrong. She quickly became friends with him and his entire class. In addition, she was a fan of All Might. They often talked about him and exchanged knowledge. The keychain with the chibi hero that she had given him dangled happily from his backpack.

The boy opened the twenty-third notebook of Hero Analysis for the Future. It was [Reader] who had chosen the cover when they met at the stationery store. She said it was her favourite colour. He mechanically opened the one hundred and fifty-third page, which contained the last notes about senpai. The thought came to him that he shouldn't remember that number so precisely and he realized that he had been checking it more often than he would have liked.

[Reader] had a much bigger impact on his life than he would have thought at first. It was both terrifying and exciting.

He was glad that his fan notes would finally be useful to someone other than himself, so he read carefully, trying to come across something he might have missed last semester.

[Reader] — Pinky Girl — 2A in UA

Powers/Abilities/Limitations:

— reduction to the size of one's own hand — variable with age due to hand size, dependent on degree of fatigue

— creating an invisible but detectable aura that affects the surroundings, thereby gaining their interest/friendship — unknown conditions — m̶a̶y̶b̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶l̶e̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶o̶o̶l̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶s̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶c̶u̶t̶e̶?̶

— the aura directed at one person makes it possible to give them commands — the level of advancement of the commands is important, the condition is absolute eye contact, others unknown (it cannot be the only one because everyone reacts to a different degree)

— using knowledge of vital points in combat

— media recognition despite young age — especially liked by children and teenagers due to the image she build

Weaknesses:

— difficulty with opponents with large physical mass and speed at the same time — risk of being crushed

— aura detectability

— long-distance combat, opponents who can fight without the aid of their eyes — difficulty with maintaining eye contact or no eye contact at all...

Izuku studied everything carefully, page by page, for an hour. He sighed in defeat. He found nothing helpful.

He knew he had a long night ahead of him searching the forums about powers for answers. He would also have to look through older notebooks.

— [Reader]-senpai, why do you need all these... — he hesitated — costumes?

Izuku looked at the tiny doll-sized dresses with interest. Each one had a matching set of accessories. They were cute but he had no idea why the girl had brought so many clothes in her bag.

He wondered if she had liked playing with dolls when she was younger. She seemed very happy arranging her clothes by colour.

— When I ask people what they felt during the aura, they usually say they thought I was cute. So I thought maybe that was the problem.

— What does that m-mean?

— I just don’t seem cute enough for you! — She laughed. — For now — she added. — I didn’t have any other ideas. — She scratched her head. — So which outfit do you want to start with?

The boy was glad that she had her back turned to him at that moment. He was sure that if they made eye contact, he would have a heart attack.

— Do you think it would help if I tied my hair up differently? Or maybe it would be better if it was loose...

From her spacious bag she pulled out a brush and a cosmetic bag.

— I-I read on forums last night about powers similar to y-yours — he choked out, trying to change the subject.

Fortunately, this distracted the girl from further unpacking.

— Did you find something?

— Maybe your family could help somehow?

He felt his right foot twitch nervously but he was proud of himself — he didn't stutter.

[Reader] left her dresses and sat down on the bench, patting the spot next to her. Izuku took it hesitantly, keeping a good distance.

— I didn't inherit my power, if that's what you're asking. My mother could give simple commands to others and my father was unusually short. The combination came from that. Besides, no one in my family has ever reacted to aura, so I won't learn anything from them.

— So maybe you'll tell me everything you know?

— You mean everything that isn’t already in the notebook? — she asked, pointing to the notebook where Midoriya was automatically writing down the new information.

— I-I’m-I’m sorry! — He bowed.

— Don't worry, it was just a joke.

The girl had gotten used to her kouhai being shy. She always tried to somehow loosen him up. However, that didn't mean she didn't enjoy watching his funny reactions.

— My power came out in elementary school. I didn't have as much control over it as I do today. — She played with her fingers. — I was very withdrawn then. In class, we usually only exchanged greetings and when I had a group project, I always panicked. I couldn't even talk normally to boys. I was very shy but it didn't really bother me. I had two close friends. Ironically, I met them together. We went everywhere as a group but it didn't last.

— Can I ask you something? — [Reader] tightened her grip on the straps of her backpack.

She had been mentally preparing for this all weekend. She knew there would be no better time.

— Yes, but quickly, I'm hungry.

— Did I do something wrong? If so, I apologize.

The words were hard to come out of her throat but she was willing to say them if it could save anything.

— NO.

— So why don't you talk to me anymore?

She felt her body shaking and getting hot. She had no control over it but she knew she had to go through the stress to find the answer.

The interlocutor seemed embarrassed and cleverly averted her gaze towards her home.

— Everything is normal. You're just imagining things. Bye — she said in a dry tone and left.

[Reader] didn't look back as she ran up the stairs. She ran into her room as fast as she could. Tears blocked her vision. She felt guilty, though she didn't know why. She thought that today would be the day she would deal with this and she would be able to fix the mistake, whatever it was. She was wrong.

That was the moment when she finally realized that her old friends simply didn't want her anymore.

— One day they simply stopped talking to me. It all shook me up a lot. My power made itself known and made things worse, although I didn't know it at the time. I discovered it much later. Because of my lack of control, it pushed people away from me. I couldn't fit in anywhere because everyone already had their own friends. I was on the verge of depression.

Midoriya couldn't believe what he was hearing. [Reader] had always seemed so open, smiling and liked by everyone. He couldn't imagine that things could ever be any different.

Only now did he realize that even though he had so many notes about her, he actually knew very little about her.

— Luckily, Hideki-kun appeared on the horizon. Up until then, we hadn't talked much. We sat together in math but that was it. Until one day, he spoke directly. He was the only one in the class who asked what was going on. We were very different from each other but somehow we became friends. I think he was immune to my aura. He helped me get through the end of the year. Then I went to high school. I also started going to therapy so I could control my power better. And now I'm here...

— That must have been terrible.

His face expressed sincere sympathy.

— It's not easy to talk about it but looking back, I can see that it was a good thing. I was limited, I lacked self-confidence and I was very afraid of what others would think. Not to mention how closed I was.

— Is that why you said in interviews that you want to dedicate your career to all young people?

— Yes. We live in a time when powers contribute to many problems. People are treated unfairly because they don't have them, especially children.

The boy involuntarily thought of how Bakugo treated him when they were younger. Thousands of insults, shoves, destroyed notebooks and uniforms... And all because he was born without powers.

— We don't see our strengths. We often compare ourselves because we lack self-confidence. I think that if I had believed in myself more back then, the whole situation would have been easier. That's why I'm different now and I don't run away from people anymore. I intend to be a heroine to prove to others that you can change. I would like to pass on the good but for that I need publicity. Hence all these interviews and the fanpage. I'm heading towards a social campaign. Sensei Uwabami helped me a lot. If it goes well, I'll start before the end of high school.

Izuku didn't know that [Reader] was keeping so many secrets from him. That didn't mean she had lost any of her appeal in his eyes. On the contrary, he was very proud of her. She had shared something important with him and wanted to help people like him once did.

— If you ever need an extra pair of hands, let me know. — He tightened his grip on Hero Analysis for the Future.

— Sure. — She rubbed her cheek thoughtfully. — We’ve gotten a bit off-topic, haven’t we?

Midoriya tried to think of how the story could help solve the aura matter but nothing came to mind.

— Do you have any contact with Hideki-san?

— Not really... It's a bit awkward. On the last day of school he confessed his love. He was a good friend but nothing more. I rejected him and we never saw each other again...

The boy suddenly felt how everything fell into place. He couldn't test his theory but he felt that he had hit the nail on the head.

— I know! I'll-I'll tell you tomorrow at the park, [Reader]-senpai. Be there a-after school!

The thought that he might be right terrified him completely and made his heart beat faster.

The girl watched as he quickly disappeared behind the training hall doors. She sighed and began to gather her clothes into her bag. Curiosity was eating her up. It was going to be a sleepless night.

— You shouldn't have gone after him...— Todoroki stated once again.

He felt like a traitor. He couldn't have predicted that the rest of the class would overhear his conversation with Midoriya but he figured he should stop them. Trouble often followed 1A. He was afraid that this time would be no different.

— Repeat again what you told him — Mina asked.

— That it doesn't matter how he confesses his love to her because it's the feelings that count? — he finished uncertainly.

— And that's exactly why you don't have a girlfriend yet — Mina said. — The confession is very important. It has to be romantic and knowing Deku, he'll go in totally unprepared. What could he have come up with in one afternoon? People, let's get going! — She clapped her hands.

— Wait, I'm coming with you! — He took his jacket from the hanger.

— Great, you'll make a heart-shaped ice sculpture.

— What?

Izuku couldn't remember the last time he felt this nervous. Probably the first time he met All Might.

The sight of his classmates marching happily through the park towards him didn't help.

— Do we have any training here? — he asked, glancing at Kaminari and Kirishima, who were carrying something heavy.

— No! We came to help you confess your love to [Reader]-senpai — Toru explained excitedly.

— I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop them — Todoroki said contritely.

— See? I was right. Just a bouquet of flowers. Oh, Deku, you're lucky we're friends — Mina sighed.

— B-but, that's her favourite...— He scratched the back of his neck. — And besides, I think I'd rather do things my own way.

The girl showed the rest of the class where to hide. With difficulty, they hid the red heart-shaped balloons behind the building. They also hid a basket of roses and a large teddy bear there.

— Listen, [Reader]-senpai is the star of this school. She probably gets flowers like this every day. You have to stand out. Here's a romantic poem from Aoyama. — She handed him the note.

It was glittery but what else could he expect from the shining hero?

He glanced at the first line of text:

Ma chérie, your eyes shine like the brightest stars...

There was definitely no doubt who the author of the work was.

— Jiro will listen to everything and tell us how it went. When you're done reading, we'll pop out with presents. By the way, you owe us a lot of money. We spent every last yen of our allowance. — She smiled and ran for cover.

— Midoriya-kouhai!

At the sound of her voice, he hid the flowers behind his back.

— I'm really curious what you came up with. Honestly, I was thinking about you all night.

The boy knew she was talking about it in the context of power and yet he blushed.

He glanced at the note. Was that really what she wanted to hear? At the very beginning of their acquaintance, he would have said yes but now he had the impression that she didn't. He put the pink note in the pocket of his uniform.

He took a deep breath. He knew he had to say it quickly before the stress ate away at him or his friends took away his chance.

— Y-y-your power doesn't work on people who love you. That's why Hideki-san and your family are immune to it, and I-I am too. Y-you're a wonderful heroine and an even more wonderful person. Please go out on a date with me, [Reader]-senpai! — He bowed and held out the bouquet.

He didn't have the courage to look her in the eye. But he heard a quiet laugh from below. He lifted his head slightly to see the girl covering her mouth with her hand.

— I'm sorry. I was just afraid that in a moment you'd make a pathetic speech, pull out a huge basket of flowers and a giant teddy bear. I've been in that situation before. I hate things like that.

Izuku watched in horror as his friends struggled with the balloons in the wind. They struggled to get back behind the building.

— Does that mean I was wrong after all?

— W-what do you mean?

— I must seem cute to you after all! — She winked, accepting the flowers. — You weren't very subtle, you know? I was waiting for you to finally decide to confess. — She sighed. — But I'm very happy. I'd love to go out with you.

She kissed his cheek, watching his reaction. She wasn't disappointed. Her favourite kouhai blushed and covered his face in shame.

— We should probably use first names now. I'll miss being your senpai but it wouldn't be fair otherwise, would it, Izu...? What's that shot?

[Reader] turned around abruptly. The park lawn was covered in ice chips mixed with roses. A large teddy bear stood in the middle and almost all of 1A was around it, catching balloons. One of the large, red hearts lay limp on a tree branch.

She grabbed the boy by the hand and headed in that direction.

— Hello first graders, what kind of Valentine's Day are you having?

They grinned as if on cue.

— Friendship Day! — Sero exclaimed, struggling with the balloon.

— Today? I didn't know. Well, best of luck then but you better clean this up or the guard'll get pissed.

— Consider it done, ribbit — Tsuyu croaked.

Senpai glanced at Midoriya. He seemed shocked but the confession seemed to relieve him.

— Let's go get something to eat, Izuku. I saw a cool hero-themed cafe in town recently.

He smiled and nodded.

When [Reader] wasn’t looking, he gave a thumbs up to let his friends know it was a success. They nodded, high-fived and went back to work.

— They're such bad liars — [Reader] laughed quietly to herself.

— Did you say something, senp... [Reader]?

It felt strange saying her name. He knew it would take some getting used to. Especially since he had never had a girlfriend but he was willing to make any effort if it meant being with her.

— Nothing important. You'd better tell me how you understood the problem of my aura.

Her hand was pleasantly warm. It felt like it fit perfectly into his own.

He was happy.

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

OC interview

Thanks @mysticstarlightduck here!

Rules: answer the questions in the POV of an OC!

This time, I'm feeling Liam!

Are you named after anyone?

“Yes, I am. I made sure of it. Liam is an extremely common name, see, I've met a million of them. Liam could be referring to any number of Liams, and you would never know which one. Besides, now in certain situations I must be called Beaumont, which I just think sounds cool.”

When was the last time you cried?

“Pfft. I don't cry often. Sure, there's, like, a psychological reason for why doing it is healthy, but I just find myself in situations that don't call for it. When you need a good pathos, sure, being able to cry on the spot is an extremely good skill that I have. Crying isn't something I usually do when I'm upset. I try to stay focused on the facts to craft my argument. So the last time I cried was for my AV club. We were filming a commercial. It had puppies.”

Do you have kids?

“Oh, absolutely not. There are a million reasons, seemingly, why. First: I'm barely eighteen. Second: I'm not quite sure I want any of my own to begin with. Many different personal reasons I would much rather not get into right now. Third: not only the last two, but I'm going off to college next fall. Do you think I'm gonna have time to raise a kid? Nah. If it's to be, I'm going to wait until after graduation. Then I'll reassess where I am in life.”

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

“It depends on who I am talking to. I love sarcasm. Use it when I can. However, I've found that being blunt works better for others. Saying what you mean has a more effective, direct approach that clears up any potential misunderstanding. On the other hand, sarcasm is an effective tool to use as humor or to throw an opponent or challenger off-guard. It can be a gotcha moment. It can piss people off, ruffle some feathers, if you will. You understand my point, I assume. Sarcasm is a tool that must only be used when appropriate and should never go to waste.”

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

“... I notice everything about them. Their posture, where their eyes are, hands are, everything I can, I analyze. Why? It makes talking to them a lot easier. I bet Wade said 'general vibe', and I'd have to say that is a correct assessment of what there is to notice first. I need to know how to talk to people. How to approach this conversation.”

What’s your eye colour?

“Green. Objectively the best choice for myself. I have a very...eh, Sam would call it a 'naturalistic aesthetic.' What she means is that my color palette consists of colors associated with nature. Brown hair and green eyes help that, I presume. It fits with my 'vibe' so to speak. I would love to argue that assigning aesthetics is a little ridiculous, I do enjoy general color theory.”

Scary movies or happy endings?

“Who the hell decided these were opposites? Aliens is horror and it has a technically happy ending with four characters alive and well. I'm ignoring the next movie. This is absolutely ridiculous. I'm sorry, as a film student--or someone on track to be--this is stupid. Who wrote this question? Tragic endings or happy endings. Scary movies or feel-good movies. Technically, one could be both. Die Hard, for example, is pretty intense but gives the 'warm fuzzies' at the end. Nothing is binary except computer code. This is ridiculous. I consider myself to be a highly opinionated person, but I'm not sure I could debate either side of this. My opinion is this question is stupid, and I uncharacteristically refuse to answer.”

Any special talents?

“I can edit. Very well. Would like to edit YouTubers' vids. Generally good at cinematography and vision. Apparently I can also turn anything into an argument. Speaking of which, what defines a special talent? What makes you special? Everyone is 'special in different ways' but what is special? Some may consider my argumentative streak to be a special talent, but some may just think it's an annoying personality trait or psychological issue that I need to seek help to treat. Or is it actually healthy? I argue it's both. And what is a talent? Something we are natural at, or something that we became good at? A mix of both?”

Where were you born?

“Bit invasive. Earth. Narrowed it down to Alium or Ceteri. Which Earth? You decide.”

Do you have any pets?

“I have a cat named Beans and a dog named Macie.”

What sort of sports do you play?

“Unless arguing or debate is a sport, I do not play any. I say debate counts. It requires a good offense and a good defense. Strategy. Approach, follow through, anticipating movements. You get it.”

How tall are you?

“About 170 centimeters or 5'7. Some call me short but on Alium I'm neither short nor tall. Next to Sam I feel tiny but then I'm next to someone like Tyler and I feel much better about myself.”

What was your favourite subject in school?

“Uh, debate. I would debate you on that, but I think you get the point. Other than that, film classes and computer science are the best classes I have ever taken.”

What is your dream job?

“I want to be a filmmaker so bad. I want to direct and boss people around. I want to be a cinematographer or an editor. I want someone to use my movie as a good, ideal example in film school. I want to write my own script. See my film premiere on the red carpet. Cast all-stars, nepo babies, and fresh blood. I want it all. Call me ambitious, but I could rock this industry.”

Other Liam: questionnaire

Other interviews: Wade, Jazlyn, Gwen, Lexi, Carla, Carmen, Maddie

Tagging @somethingclevermahogony @badluck990 @theprissythumbelina @talesofsorrowandofruin @loopyhoopywrites

Blanks below the cut!

Are you named after anyone? When was the last time you cried? Do you have kids? Do you use sarcasm a lot? What’s the first thing you notice about people? What’s your eye colour? Scary movies or happy endings? Any special talents? Where were you born? Do you have any pets? What sort of sports do you play? How tall are you? What was your favourite subject in school? What is your dream job?

[tamtam-go92]

3rd Semester (Wednesday)

The third semester started with Dionne's wish to join the student's association. While there was one at CCU, she decided to apply for Nu Alpha Iota over at Caelestis University. She had been accepted at CU, so why not switch schools to join the coolest association around?

She got along especially well with Sage, who was giving her moon eyes all afternoon.

Lotus, Sage and Eunice soon were convinced, Dionne would be a great addition to their association!

With everything happening around them, it was had keeping up with their studies, but one sister did better than the other, so much I can tell.

One evening on campus, Dionne met a guy, who instantly caught her eye. Gerry Mander always ran around in that fancy suit, and Dionne couldn't help but compliment him on it.

Dionne: Man, I like it, when guys know who to dress. You don't find men in suits that often, these days. Gerry: Well, thank you! I can't tell you, why I'm wearing this suit, but the compliment is greatly appreciated.

Gerry was a very well-mannered young man, and him and Dionne soon lost all sense of time, standing in front of the university building, chatting and flirting the time away.

Dionne: I think there is a photo booth inside. We could use it to get some extra privacy Gerry: Wow, are you sure? Dionne: Never been surer than right now. Can you carry me over?

The building wasn't that crowded at that time, but their deed also didn't stay completely unnoticed...

Gerry: Wow, that was hot. Dionne: Hot? That was dazzling! But I really have to go now, see you around Gerry?

Of course, Dionne had to brag about her newest shenanigans in front of Phoebe. And she also didn't care that Luis, their dorm mate, was sitting between them.

Phoebe: What do you mean, you lost your virginity in a photo booth tonight? Dionne: Just as I said it! He was so sweet and caring, really worked hard, that I had my fun too. Phoebe: Who the heck is HE even? Do you even know his name? Will you see him again? Dionne: Of course I know his name, it's Gerry. And he left me his number in my bra. Not that I asked for it. I don't know if I'll see him again. He was nice to be around, but I'm not really looking for "nice" at the time.

Phoebe really didn't know what to say anymore. She only hoped her sister had used protection...

By the way, Dionne had been right about warning Phoebe to use the sports room in the midday heat…

Dionne: Hey, sis, you okay? Can you at least come out of that corner, so I can help you?

Dionne: *grumble* Okay, then from behind. Careful, Phoebe!

Phoebe: Wow, I feel so strong!

So, when Phoebe was in the mood for a workout again, the sisters visited the gym, that seemed to have better ventilation.

This time, Dionne realized too late, that she hadn't done enough for school this semester. But a late night studying session couldn't save her this time around, and she was put on academic probation. Phoebe's graded weren't that great either, but she managed to pass, and that all that matters, right?

[thessalian]

Thess vs AI

So, the SAG-AFTRA deal with Replica.

I posted a link about this yesterday, and reblogged several more, but it's something that's massively on my mind. Mostly because it frustrates the hell out of me on so many levels.

Like, this came up in one of the subreddits I follow, and there was this one guy there going on and on and on about how he wanted this exact thing - he wanted to buy voices like art assets because he couldn't afford to hire voice actors and wanted to "realise his dream". And obviously he didn't want to turn around to uni students who might do it for a portfolio reel, some pizza and a promise of a cut of the profits (if any, because seriously, like fuck is this dude's asset-flip bullshit going to sell to any massive degree); he wanted real actors ... except not, because you're not getting real acting out of a computer. (And I'll go back to that point in a minute.)

But ... I have stories that I'd love to turn into games. Thing is, though? If I can't afford actual actors to voice this shit, I will do without voices! A lot of games have done that and done pretty damn well, all things considered! Hell, Dredge has, like, two or three acknowledging noises and the entire rest of the thing is text only. Being able to work within your resource limits to create something wonderful is just ... how you do it, when you're being creative. Everything from movies to cookery demonstrate to us time and time again. So expecting to be able to buy someone's voice off a virtual shelf and plug it into your game just because you can't "realise your vision" without a voice actor voicing a thing? That's just cheap cop-out bullshit.

Going back to the point about real acting - it really grinds my gears that voice actors aren't actually considered actors by a depressing percentage of people. Like, again we have Reddit (sometimes I have to see what the non-Tumblr version of the internet looks like so I can cozy back up into my blanket fort and be glad I curate my online experience so well) going, "There are only just a very few voice actors, right?" when stating how this is fine because it's not going to affect that many people. Which ... dude. There are only a few famous ones that you know about. There are a surprising number of people who make their livings doing "additional voices" in video games and three lines of "shop clerk" or "third soldier from the left" in Western cartoons and anime dubs. It's the same problem actors have - so many people think that the only actors that exist are the really famous ones, not the ones who are doing whatever bit parts they can to pay rent and hopefully find a line on a better role at some point.

Also ... I guess it's a bit like how too many people don't consider actors who are predominantly in sci-fi, fantasy, horror, anything that isn't "serious cinema" as "real actors". When I personally respect those actors an awful lot. I'm sorry - you've got people expressing a mix of fear and defiant rage while staring at the fucking tennis ball standing in for the big-ass demon they won't see until the final cut of the movie. How can you not give that props? Similarly, voice actors are giving those performances to a blank wall. To use our most recent epic example, you've got Astarion giving those lines - everything from debonair malice to barely-controlled terror-pleading to pure trust and gratitude - to a wall. In a little soundproof room. He made up all that - everything he needed to - in his head, and he gave those lines, and it was epic.

A computer cannot do that. I've heard some of Replica's AI voices. Gods, they're awful. Maybe - maybe - you could get that shit for "reactive NPCs" (although I'd personally hate that; even if it was done right, it feels creepy ... and I get a kick out of wandering around a major city covered in blood and nobody appearing to notice, thanks), but it'd still be awful. And you couldn't do it with main characters. Or if you did (and you know some of these awful companies would try), it'd be just awful. We're a long way away from a nuanced performance from a computer.

I respect artists because of the work they put in. Hell, I'm one of them. I see the phrase "AI DM" (yes, one of D&D Beyond's things was talking about a VTT with the potential for an AI DM), and I shudder because ... have they met a D&D group? Ever? At all? How could an AI determine "rule of cool"? Just ... ugh. The idea of an AI scripting TV shows or writing novels ... as a writer, it makes me sick. And actors? They hardly get any respect as it is unless they're some of the big names who do Serious Cinema (or make a hell of a lot of money); this is just shitting all over them even worse. What happens to the next generation of voice actors if greedy-ass corporations give the little roles that most VAs cut their proverbial teeth on to a fucking computer?

I hate it. I keep saying - the whole thing about automation was that it was supposed to let machines do the grunt-work while humans created art, and now it's the other way around as art is considered "just another saleable commodity". So ... maybe it's not that video games stopped being considered art, as I was thinking awhile ago. Maybe it's just that art itself stopped being art, because the money-makers are chewing it up into one big spitball of off-grey blech and throwing it at a wall.

[opinions-about-tiaras]

The number of people in the notes here being objectively pro-fash is deeply appalling. I'm going to do this rant again, because I guess it's needed.

There are four ways to effect political change in a democracy.

The first is simple advocacy; winning the argument. "I think public policy should be X for Y reasons, and so should you!"

The second is direct organizational action aimed at putting pressure on the people who actually control the formal levers of power. This is less effective than it used to be for a variety of reasons but still necessary. It's one step up from winning the argument and takes many forms.

The third is by joining a political coalition and winning the intra-coalition fight over "who shall we organize behind and get to stand for office under our banner?"

The fourth is the direct use of the franchise; casting your ballot in the most effective and responsible way possible when the time comes to formally select who will control the aforementioned levers of power.

You don't like Joe Biden? Cool. He wasn't really my first pick either. But my wing of the political coalition lost that fight, and we lost it pretty legitimately; more people wanted Biden than wanted Warren/Inslee/Sanders/et. al. After losing that fight, it came down to "well, I can either leave the coalition and vote for Trump, or I can vote for our guy. Which is the most effective and responsible use of my ballot?"

That shouldn't be a hard choice.

There's theoretically a primary this year. Nobody is stopping anyone from running against Biden in it. You think you have a winning argument, go for it. There's a couple guys trying! But it seems likely that most Democrats (and if you're not a Democrat you don't get to complain about us not providing you with people you want to vote for, because you can join the party and then you get to decide who stands for election) like Biden well enough, or don't dislike him enough to dump him.

So it'll be Biden vs. Trump again. The question will again be "which is the most effective and responsible use of my ballot?"

That shouldn't be a hard choice. Again.

If you want to argue "Biden is as bad or worse than Trump, so your argument here doesn't work because he can't be said to be a more effective or responsible choice'" then you're a fool. Like just straight-up.

I'll be very blunt: if you've decided "I will not vote" then you'd better be engaged in political violence, like the actual sliding of bombs under peoples cars, which is the fifth option when you deem democracy to have failed so grotesquely that an armed uprising has become morally acceptable. Because otherwise "not gonna vote" is you declaring "I expect other people to do the hard work of presenting me with options I find acceptable, and until they do I'm gonna sit things out, thanks."

Also, that fucking original tweet is outrageously dumb. Roe vs. Wade was overturned because a Republican beat a Democrat; if 2016 goes a different way a five-four liberal Supreme Court Majority would have continued to defend it. Student loan forgiveness has happened for millions of people, and the only reason it didn't happen for more is because a Republican beat a Democrat in 2016. If you actually care about these things, elections, you know, matter.

"Lol what if Trump happened" you idiots. We saw what happened with Trump. There is no axes along which any generic Democrat, and Biden is about the most generic Democrat there is, is not light-years better than Trump. The people who said "lol do you think it matters if Clinton or Trump wins" in 2016 have been proven conclusively, disastrously wrong. Why should anyone listen to anyone selling the same snake oil in 2024?

If you're a leftist, you cannot point anywhere where Trump would be an improvement. Straight up.

[inolienkiki]

Yes, I think there are an incredible number of things that humans share, and that the things people have in common should be treasured, but stop claiming solidarity over experiences you don't have? Don't say "yea me too actually" if someone tells you their REAL identity or disability or marginalized characteristic (or, frankly, non-marginalized characteristic!), that you don't share?

[Examples below of how this feels terrible.]

Case in point: I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and several people I've encountered since- including my mom- respond to this information with the occasional "lol me too". I'll be spending time with someone and they forget to do something and will say "huh, maybe I also have ADHD!" in this half-joking, half-"i'm seriously considering this for the first time"-tone. And? no? None of these people struggle to maintain one task? None of these people can lose time working on something for 5 hours? None of these people hyperfixate on media? I'm so confused. If you're joking about potentially having ADHD over one pretty common neurotypical mistake- and then looking at me like I'm going to treat that as normal- what! If you actually think you have ADHD, you should go get tested, my diagnosis has helped me understand myself a lot better. OTHERWISE, DON'T JOKE ABOUT IT.

Second case in point: a lot of people think I'm smart*, and some of them take the opportunity to try to sympathize with me about "being surrounded by idiots", a feeling which I struggle to believe is either validated by or correlated with intelligence. no? I don't think that? you should probably start gaining more respect for the people around you, or, go to therapy... and if you think I'm going to entertain you bad-mouthing my friends, or classmates, or students, you should think about having more faith in me...

[*For reasons I will not outline here, many false, many relying on assumptions about educational prestige rather than personal experience, and it's a constructed concept anyway]

Third case in point: This one is a bit confusing because I really do not want to disclose the thing which my Student Org President was attempting to claim solidarity over. Said thing is an Alienating Characteristic which has caused a lot of problems for me throughout my life, especially when I was in undergrad. Including: social alienation (obviously), mockery, difficulty earning people's trust, repeated and basic disrespect, quasi-illegal denial of various awards and credentials, and actual exploitation which cost me maybe a thousand dollars and two years of my time. I will not explain Alienating Characteristic further because its memetic alienation ~powers~ can hit you from across the internet. No you don't get to know why you wouldn't like me. But Student Org President did! So, Student Org President decided to reveal my Alienating Characteristic publicly to a full room of EVERYONE ELSE IN THE ORG without asking me first, and I just sat there, with my head in my hands, while everyone stared at me, (immediately after I had just been assigned to peer mentor four people after asking to not have to do that, so I was already in a bad mood). Thanks Student Org President. A little later I got her out of the party she was putting on and sat her down to talk about Thanks, You Should Have Asked 101. To which she responded something to the effect of "yeah, I was so smart nobody liked me either, so I get how you feel", which, what a recovery? You obviously didn't understand the effect or you would not have started blabbing about my personal information to literally everyone. (And of course, it was only then she realized I was talking about Alienating Characteristic and not, uh, the fact that I was in grad school? Everyone knows I'm in grad school, buddy, I'm using a graduate college bag today. You know your friends can read, right?)

(I was reminded to post this because I just got an announcement that some of the events Student Org President is planning for the beginning of the new semester include, yet another of the endless romcom movie night because obviously everybody likes those, a board game night FINALLY that is also pajama dress code for some reason, very comfortable? and an event that I and about half the org are explicitly excluded from. Everyone thank Student Org President for her event planning skills.)

Sorry for my angry rant, guys. Sometimes it's angry rant hour. (I mean, angry rant hours for me, usually...)

[axvwriter]

Bobo twst bday jacket Planning draft

I meant to draw Bobo in Twisted Wonderland's Birthday Jacket card this year since I meant to last year, but it just isn't really happening. Lately I'm just not happy with how I draw humans and I'm not entirely sure what to do about that. I took one try at drawing humans more in a way that I draw my alien creatures and didn't like how it looked. I may want to try experimenting with that a bit more, or just experiment with the art style in general...

Or maybe taking an art class would help, but if I do take one I want to take one in person which I don't see as possible for me at least this year. I can try watching some online videos, but from some videos I've watched I get the feel that lately the art community on some sites may be a bit of a mess when it comes to tutorials?

I could draw it chibi style, but I don't want my twst fan cards in chibi style. I did do chibi style for my planning draft. Usually I do a sketch draft and then the final version, but I decided to do a rough planning draft to better visualize where things would go. As I didn't quite have that set up with my reference pictures and I didn't want to mess with those. So I guess for Bobo's birthday I'll just share this draft:

For those that don't mind, I would actually like to hear some thoughts on if I should include a club patch or not. I like to think Bobo would join the Mountain Lovers club if she could, but she's not officially apart of it. If anything I think since she's technically one student with Grim that would mean she's officially apart of the Gourmet club since in game records say Grim is apart of that. I'd like to think that she doesn't actually have to go to those and it's just Grim that has to go since I'm pretty certain he chose that club.

So, question is, should I have no club patch on her jacket, or should I have the club she wants to join, or the Gourmet club that she's likely registered as apart of? As far as I'm aware, there's no design shared for the Gourmet club's patch, so I might have to make one up...

The pose I have isn't for certain, it's more as a placeholder and to show how she'd wear the jacket. I'm not great with poses as for most of my life I've focused more on characters' looks and barely thought of poses... I'm thinking maybe I should have her holding up two fingers in some way since the birthday jacket is Twst's second-year round of birthday cards and I won't be drawing any anniversary cards like what Grim's card groovies have been. (Grim's groovies tend to be him holding paw-digits in accordance of what twst year anniversary he's celebrating alongside relevant characters. Like for the first year he held up one paw-digit along with first-year students holding up one finger.)

Since Bobo and Grim are counted as one student, I assume they have the same class number assignment, thus why I have A9 on her badge. I've also noticed that the amount of stars on the raven silhouette corresponds to the student year, like third years have three stars. I have a hammer crossed out as my first thought to what her logo patch may be would be her warhammer. I decided against it since I think in her original world her warhammer may be her trademark, besides being ruler, but that warhammer didn't come with her to Twisted Wonderland. In Twisted Wonderland I have her coffin icon as a chanterelle mushroom, so it makes a bit more sense to me that her logo be similar to that. Especially since that seems to be the pattern amongst the birthday jacket cards. Each boys logo appears to be a bit more detailed or similar look to their coffin icon.

So I'm thinking her logo will be a Chanterelle mushroom with a crown at the base of it, like it's growing through it, with a vague shape around it that may look similar to the silhouette of her warhammer head. Since that may be a neat way to still include her warhammer despite not having it in Twisted Wonderland. Plus her warhammer does somewhat represent her unusual physical strength.

I don't know for certain what I want the crown to look like. I would like it to be the same crown from her own world, but I haven't designed that crown. I say crown singular since my idea is that since the first ruler of the Mycelind Kingdom, the first crown made has been kept and passed down amongst the royal family as a relic. A relic since the tradition of royalty having to wear it was long thrown out yet they kept the first crown to remember the founder of the Mycelind Kingdom and for the very rare chances that it be demanded that they wear crowns. That way they can just create replicas for the current royalty to wear. (Any demands would likely be made from the sister kingdom which I still haven't bothered figuring out a name for.)

So having that crown on her logo would help remind that Bobo is royalty in another world. I don't have a crown in her coffin icon since her being royalty doesn't feel relevant with her being within Twisted Wonderland. Sure she could act like she has authority, but what authority could she possibly exercise in a completely different world? Bobo's not going to go around telling people she's royalty, especially as she questions that bringing that up may impact her chances of returning home peacefully in a negative manner.

I also decided with having the mushroom growing through the crown as I do want to draw something with a similar vibe to that which could possibly be body horror so I wont describe that here. I like how it looks with the crown at the base of the mushroom. I have a drawing of it at the middle of the mushroom stem as I wanted to see how that looks. I could put the crown atop the mushroom, but I like having it grow through it as I feel like it fits closer to my idea/vibe of her royalty status being a negative thing for her... I'm not sure how to describe it.

Basically like she's been choked by royal responsibilities. Which does impact how she behaves in Twisted Wonderland. Since she feels a dutiful need to return to her world, she lets some of her negative behaviors persist while she's in Twisted Wonderland. One example being not getting enough sleep since she doesn't want to risk changing her sleep schedule and thus making it harder to get back to her usual work flow when or if she returns home.

I have the jacket mostly closed since I see her as finding Sage's Island cold, or well most of Twisted Wonderland cold, compared to the muggy heat of her home kingdom. None of the official birthday jacket cards had it fully closed, but some had it mostly closed like that. I also figure it's cute to have the vest match Grim's ribbon. She'll also be wearing the hat that I think maybe all the boys get since at least a good amount had one on in the groovy art even when the original card art didn't have the hat. Plus I'm giving her lots of hats for Twisted Wonderland to help shield her eyes from the sun. Being from an underground kingdom, she's not very accustomed to all the bright sunlight.

I could give her shades, but I don't really want her vision to be darkened like that? I figure some shade from a hat brim works better?

[bazzybelle]

In These Violent Days, I'll Be Where You Are - 2K - Teen

For Dreamling Week - Day 1: Bar Fight

I'm Baaaaaack! I've been working on longer stories, both for the Sandman and Carry On Fandoms, BUT today is the first day of Dreamling Week. I have been working on some smaller fics, which I will be posting throughout the week. I will also be bombarding my feed with Dreamling posts from the INCREDIBLE writers, artists, and general chaos demons this amazing fandom has produced.

I hope you enjoy the beginning of my journey into writing Dreamling. I've been having so much fun in this fandom and I'm glad to share my joy with you all.

Thank you to the amazing mods and humans from the @mr-sadman server who have been so supportive and kind. You guys are amazing for putting together this awesome fest and for bringing us wild people together.

You can read the story below the line break or you can check out the story on AO3, by clicking the link!

Click here to read on AO3!

“Duck, that really wasn’t necessary.” Hob had been struggling with the lock to his flat above the New Inn. That is, until his overly protective and overly concerned boyfriend, fashioned another key from out of thin air and slid it into the lock with ease. Really, he was fretting over nothing. Sure Hob was nursing a black eye, and a few cuts and scrapes to his face, and come to think of it, he’s pretty sure his nose is also broken. But he can take care of himself. He’d been getting into barfights since he was a young’un, barely any meat on him. 

“I will not have you suffering any more for the remainder of the evening.” Dream slid an arm across the small of Hob’s back and carefully guided him inside the flat. Once inside, Hob kicked off the stupidly high stiletto heels he’d been wearing that night, and groaned at the sight of a dangerously purple bruise covering the better part of his left ankle. 

Right, add a sprained —possibly broken— ankle to the list of injuries he’d sustained tonight. 

Dream carefully manoeuvres the both of them into Hob’s bedroom, and it is at this moment where the adrenaline he’d been feeling for the last few hours decides to fade. Hob winces as he puts too much pressure on his fucked up ankle. 

“My point exactly,” says Dream, as he helps Hob settle onto the bed, before helping him out of his outfit (a skin-tight, sequined fiery red number, adorned with roses of varying sizes in black and shades of red). It’s probably dotted in bigot blood, but Hob doesn’t find he cares too much about spilling blood. He’s more upset that he’s ruined the outfit. He paid a pretty penny for it. Granted, it was well worth it, and he was helping one of the fashion design students at the university to showcase their work. But still, it is rather unfortunate that it had to get ruined. He would have liked to be able to use it again. 

“Love, I’m going to have to stand up again to get this off.” Hob attempts to get on his feet once more, but yelps as soon as his injury makes contact with the floor. 

Dream looks unimpressed. 

“Allow me to help you,” Dream says as he carefully undoes the zippers and clasps, removing the layers that allow Sherry Punch to show the world who she is. It takes a bit of time and a little elbow grease —or possibly, some dream magic— but they manage to get the outfit, and undergarments off. Dream carefully hangs the ensemble on Hob’s closet door, before grabbing a pair of his softest pyjamas. Hob, in the meantime, takes off the large, cherry-red wig adorning his head (styled in perfectly coiffed victory rolls, thank you very much) and hands it to Dream. 

“We still have all this to deal with,” he says gesturing to the mess of makeup, glue, and blood on his face. A corner of Dream’s lips quirks up, before he gently moves some of Hob’s hair away from his eyes. 

“I shall be back with your tools to remove your makeup, as well as your first-aid kit.”

“Third time this month I get to use it!” 

Dream’s not amused with the cheeky grin Hob gives him, but he chooses not to respond, exiting the room like a shadow. Once he’s gone, Hob sighs and leans back against the headboard. As much as he jests about fights in his pub, he had truly believed tonight would be different. 

The political atmosphere in London has been less than desirable— No, who is he kidding? It’s been absolute shit, is what it’s been. Protests in front of libraries, bloody wankers screaming at children and innocent drag queens who really have done nothing wrong. Politicians pandering to the absolute worst of society, by targeting the most vulnerable in his community. With each passing day, more and more safe spaces are removed due to threats and intimidation, and Hob for one was beyond fed up with it. 

The New Inn, from the moment of its birth, dedication, whatever you wish to call it, has been a place for marginalised people. From its poetry smash evenings, to its Fab in Drag nights, The New Inn welcomes any and all who wish to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, and especially those who wish to explore their gender and sexual identities (or lack thereof) in a judgement-free environment. Hob worked hard to ensure it would stay that way, with the turmoil of life outside its doors. 

But of course, bigotry knows no bounds, and a few months ago, the protests found their way to The New Inn. Tonight was not the first time Hob had been forced to manhandle someone who had gotten too close for comfort. Tonight though, tonight was the first time a few of them had made it inside the pub. The event was ticketed and supposedly heavily vetted (though clearly not enough). Hob had felt comfortable enough to perform tonight as Sherry Punch. Sherry had become an important part of his life since the early 2000s, and she’d come out to play whenever Hob was feeling especially confident. Lately, Sherry had been forced to take a mini retirement, so that Hob could make sure any other drag performers were not harassed, or hurt. 

Tonight was supposed to be secure. For the first time in almost a year, Sherry Punch was coming back to the stage, refreshed and ready to slay. She had barely had a chance to get through her set before the heckling and harassment started. It didn’t seem to be too big a deal at first, and Sherry was used to a bit of heckling. She’d dealt with worse in her hey-day, and was able to shame a few of them enough that they left the pub in a huff (escorted, of course, by some of the bartenders working tonight). 

One particular tosser, a big, burly, monster of a man had managed to get close enough to the stage. Close enough, that when Sherry reached out to the crowd, he’d jumped out at her, attempting to pull her down to the floor. The thing was, Sherry wasn’t the type of queen to allow herself to be dragged down like that. So Sherry fought back, yanking the man by his coat lapels and kneeing him in the groin. 

Things escalated from there, and Sherry had to make a hasty retreat and Hob had to come back, practically tossing the bastard through the window. It would have turned into an all out riot, had Dream not been there to influence the crowd to peacefully, and safely disperse. One of his bartenders did end up calling an officer who thankfully apprehended the man. But Hob would have to go and formally make a statement and press charges (not that it would do anything). 

But all that could wait for tomorrow. For now, Hob slowly eases into his pyjamas as Dream returns to the bedroom. He smiles fondly at him, noticing the full tray. Hob can make out his makeup remover wipes, some peroxide and bandages, as well as an ice pack and a glass of water. 

Gods above, but he does love this man. Being. Anthropomorphic personification of a concept. He loves Dream, is what he means.

“We should be doing the cleaning in the bathroom.” 

“It is unwise to move you. I would like to prevent further injury to your ankle.” Dream places the tray on the bed and grabs a few pillows to stuff behind Hob. And he does like to be taken care of every once in a while. But honestly he feels disgusting and bloody, and he really should have insisted they go into the bathroom instead. 

“You know,” Hob says, moving to the edge of the bed, “this isn’t even the worst of the injuries I’ve sustained in this month alone. Remember that protest in front of the library near the park?” He doesn’t get far, the throbbing pain in his ankle keeping him rooted to his spot. 

Dream doesn’t respond. He doesn’t need to. He simply rolls his eyes, while pushing Hob back against the headboards. 

“If you weren’t so strong I would— oh, fuck. Love that feels amazing,” Hob moans as Dream places the ice pack on his swollen ankle. Ice packs, definitely a top invention from the last hundred years. And they only got better as time went on. The ones he has in his flat, for example, can be frozen or heated up. There are days where Hob’s old war wounds make it near impossible to get out of bed. Those are the days he makes the most use out of the several packs he’s got laying around. 

A corner of Dream’s lip quirks. He gets to work, slowly removing the makeup from Hob’s face, careful not to agitate his swollen cheek and bruised nose. Hob closes his eyes and all but leans into the gentle touch. As long as he’s held a torch for the person taking care of him, Hob never really imagined this would be his reality. 

He definitely didn’t expect this to be his future when he was a scrawny, gangly little thing at twenty-two, fighting and killing to survive long enough to either find work in a field, or a war in which to be a soldier. 

Hob’s life, if he’s being completely honest with himself, has been painted by violence. Sure, he could justify some of his actions, especially in the beginning. Some of the murders were accidental, or a consequence of fighting to survive. You had no choice in the “good ol’ days”. Back then, a show of mercy could mean a knife in your back. Back then, it was kill or be killed. Hob could barely remember, after over 600 years, the faces of the men he’d killed. They’ve all blended together at this point, as a generic bloody-faced man that will haunt his dreams from time to time, reminding him of the red in his ledger. 

“Penny for your thoughts?” Dream applies some gentle solvent over the glue lingering on his face. 

Hob smiles ruefully. “Just admiring my brilliant boyfriend.” 

“Your flattery will earn you no favours, Hob Gadling.” 

“Oh come on. Not even a small one?”

“Hmm. Perhaps.” Dream leans closer into Hob’s space, slowly wiping a smudge of cherry-red lipstick off of his lips. He traces his fingers over their chapped, rough edges, lightly teasing them, before placing a soft kiss. 

“Will you share your thoughts with me, beloved?” He whispers, caressing the side of Hob’s head. He can feel the light fluttering of Dream’s breath upon his face. Forever the greedy, touch-hungry bastard he is, Hob is weak to every sweet intimate moment that Dream initiates between them. He’d give the world and more for a second of Dream brushing his fingers over his cheeks, or carding his fingers through his hair. 

“I was just thinking back to when I was first getting into bar fights. I never would have thought my life would end up like this.” Hob picks up one of the wipes and rubs it distractedly over one of his eyes. Dream places his hand over Hob’s, steadying and guiding it over the makeup still left on his face. 

“You have had the privilege of 600 years of experience. You are hardly the man I met in 1389.”

“Still just as charming though, right?”

Dream huffs a small laugh. “Always, agapi mou.” He reaches for the bottle of peroxide and starts to clean the scratches and minor cuts lingering. Immortal as he is, Hob still needs between a few hours and a few days to heal from injuries (depending on how severe they are) (he once spent nearly a week laying in a ditch somewhere in Ypres after a brutal battle in 1916). 

“My life has been an endless, pun unintended, streak of blood. It seems I cannot help but give into my violent nature. No matter how things change, or get better.” 

“Your penchant for violence cannot be denied.” Dream isn’t one to pull back any punches, and Hob is grateful for that. He doesn’t need empty platitudes, not from the person who knows him better than anyone else. 

Dream brushes a cotton pad over a small gash above Hob’s eyebrow. Hob’s eyes flutter shut, as he exhales deeply. 

So soft. 

So gentle. 

“But your reasons for engaging with the violent facet of your personality have changed, have they not?”

They have. They started changing in the 1500s with the smile of his beloved Eleanor. They changed further with the squalling cry of a precious babe in his arms. Hob had wanted to protect Robyn from any sort of violence, and as such neglected to teach him how to fight. To fight like you had nothing to your name and everything to live for. 

A mistake he carries with him to this day. Though it isn’t as heavy a burden as it was centuries ago. 

One of many mistakes, his brain helpfully supplies.

No, he doesn’t fight for selfish reasons anymore. Not since being scolded for participating in something as dark and disgusting as the slave trade. He will never make amends for the pain he was party to. And he doesn’t deserve to feel better about the mistakes he’s made. He just chooses to keep learning and doing better day by day. 

“I fight for those who can’t,” he says, looking into the sparkling blue eyes of the man he loves above all others. 

“You do,” he says, pressing a small kiss onto Hob’s eyelids. It never fails to bring shivers to his spine, all the while warming his heart right up. 

“It is something I love about you, amore mio. You do not hesitate to protect those you care about. Even if it means you wind up with a broken nose, and a sprained ankle.”

A small, but smug smile makes its way to Hob’s lips. “Can’t deny I looked good kicking a bigot’s arse.”

“I’ll admit, watching you fight is always exhilarating.” Dream leans over, whispering in Hob’s ear “However, after your impromptu performance, I felt the need to restrain myself.”

Hob reaches for one of Dream’s hands, intertwining their fingers. “Did you now? Maybe I should let Sherry Punch out to play more often then, I reckon?”

“She truly is, what you would call, a sexy bitch.”

“You did not just say that!” Hob cries out loud, arms wrapping around his stomach as laughter peels out of him. 600 years he’s known Dream and yet he keeps on surprising him. Dream. The Prince of Stories. Shaper of Forms and the Lord of Dreams and Nightmares. His Dream, just referred to Hob’s drag persona as a “sexy bitch”. 

And in that deep, sonorous voice that never fails to drive him mad. 

He loves him. So fucking much. 

“God’s wounds, duck, if I wasn’t in this much pain, I’d have you here and now.”

Dream waves a hand over the tray and its many contents, vanishing them away from Hob’s bed. His black cloak, grey shirt, and dark jeans change into a soft t-shirt and dark flannel pants. He helps Hob get settled into bed, before nestling behind him, wrapping his long arms around Hob’s waist. 

“Then sleep, and allow me to protect your dreams, as you protected your community tonight. My beloved knight.” 

Warmth spreads from Dream’s fingertips like sweet treacle, coating Hob’s veins and numbing any lingering pain he feels. A part of him still wants to think about the continuing presence of violence in his life. A part of him wants to vent and rage about the way the night was ruined for everyone involved. 

But those are worries for the morning. When he’s not comfortably nestled in the arms of the man he loves. They are worries for when he is able to make it out of bed without howling in pain. When Hob is healed and ready, he’ll pick up the fight once again. He always does. 

But for now, it’s enough to close his eyes, and follow Dream into his Realm for a night of peaceful sleep. 

[scarlettriot]

Arrangements

Pairing: Katsuki Bakugo x f!Reader

Warnings: SMUT. Minors DNI. TW: Cheating, Loveless Relationship, Verbal Abuse, Emotional Manipulation, Toxic Parents

Contains: Arrangement relationships, Dom/Sub dynamics, nicknames/pet names (Princess, Sir, Dummy -but in a loving way-), Oral (F Receiving), Begging, Rough-ish Sex, Some Spanks, Instructed Masturbation, Bakugo gets possessive...

Summary: Bakugo finds out your parents set you up in a quirk arrangement with Monoma of all people. Not long after, you and Bakugo enter a bit of an arrangement too, of the more fun variety. Things start up in your final year at UA but graduation doesn't put an end to things for you two.

WC: 4,837

A/N: This is basically smut with some plot to it. A vague sort of idea that I'm considering making into something more but I also could just let it end here. It's been in my head for quite some time and I needed it out lol. Characters start off at 18 and are 23 by the end of this piece.

The idea of dating and relationships never appealed to Katsuki Bakugo. Even in high school, he considered it all to be a distraction, something that took focus away from his main goal in life of being the number one hero. It was never that he couldn't date, it was simply he didn't want to.

And then there was you. Because you were different. Because he couldn't actually have you.

In the exact same classes for three years, sitting just a row away from him, you seemed like just another ordinary student, that's what he thought at least. You had a strong quirk that you had very good control over and were good with course work too. It wasn't until third year that his impression changed.

You'd become friends with Kirishima, close friends, to the point whispers started about the two of you being a thing. But, Bakugo was never one for rumors, he paid them no mind. What did piss him off was what he heard after class one fall afternoon.

"You're not better than me, never forget that, Y/N." It was Monoma, "Don't bother getting close with anyone in that damn class, not that rock for brains idiot especially. It'll be bad for our image." Bakugo stayed hidden but he heard the shuffling of fabric and you gasp. "You're mine, remember that."

Another shuffle before a single set of footsteps casually went off down the hall.

He shouldn't have care, he didn't really know why he did. But, you're mine, what did that even mean? Were you dating him? You acted like you despised Monoma just as much of the rest of the class did...

Then Bakugo heard it, just a single sob. Only one. He'd never heard you cry before, hadn't seen it either and you'd been through a lot, your entire class had.

He rounded the corner without thinking about it and you hadn't even noticed him. Head hung low, your shirt had come untucked from your skirt and the collar was rumbled.

It might have been a slow process but, Bakugo had grown a bit in the last three years. Enough that he offered you a hand, "Come on." You looked up at him with startled eyes, "Don't think you wanna have a break down in the hallway. So come on."

You took up your bag and grabbed his hand, letting him lead you into an empty classroom. "The fuck was that about?"

"N-no one at school knows... 'Sept Kiri does."

Bakugo was a little surprised the redhead was able to keep a secret like this, especially from him. "That you're dating that pretentious jack ass?"

"'S not that exactly."

"Then what is it exactly?"

Your hands strangled the strap of your bag, unable to make eye contact with him. The fuck was goin' on? You were usually so confident, lighthearted, this wasn't anything like you.

He grabbed your hands. "Talk, Y/N. If he's forcin' you into something I'll blow his ass to pieces-"

"No, you've got it sorta wrong. It's not Monoma. It-it's our families. We're in a quirk arrangement. We're supposed to be married, you know, all that stuff..."

"What are you, a damn princess?" A quirk marriage? Those were still a thing? How fucking archaic. Todoroki was the product of one but he didn't actually think people still used them.

"Very funny. Monoma, he just, he wants our image to be spotless. Completely perfect. And that means nothing can be assumed about either one of us being with anyone prior to our own time. We aren't expected to marry until we're 25, thankfully." You let out a bit of a chuckle. "If he found out I was in here alone with you though, ha, he'd have a fit! Our families probably would too."

"So, you're not supposed to be involved with anyone? Either of you?" He had to clarify and sure enough, you nodded your head. "Tsk, he probably shouldn't have been makin out with fuckin' horns then."

You choked. "A-Ashido?"

"Wha? Fuck no! And not shitty hair either! I mean the one in class B!"

He watched to color slowly drain from your face. "How do you know?"

"Saw 'em myself. Probably shouldn't try to fuck in the locker room if he wants to not be caught."

Damn. You looked like you were about to pass out. Maybe he should have told you when you had a chair to fall into. But, as quickly as it had come, it passed. You were, holy shit, you were hugging him!

"Thank you! Bakugo, you have no idea how great this is! Thank you! I might be able to get out of this now!"

There was no time for him to even react before you were pulling away and running out the door.

The noose around your neck, the same one that had been there since were ten years old, tightened ever more on the train ride back from your parents.

You begged them to listen. Begged them to take Monoma's actions more seriously but they didn't care. It wasn't you that messed up. It wasn't their daughter out sleeping around. You had to be loyal. You had to be perfect.

And you were so done with being perfect.

But you couldn't leave the arrangement either. They made it clear that if you did, they'd just simply promise your little sister off to Monoma's brother instead and there was no way in hell you were pushing this on your sweet baby sister.

It was after ten when you got back to the dorms. You knew he'd been in his room, maybe even asleep, but you didn't care. You were livid. And there was exactly one person you knew who could match your level of anger.

"Train with me." You insisted when Bakugo opened his door. He was in sweats and a tank top but he didn't look drowsy.

"No."

"Bakugo."

"Y/N."

You folded your arms over your chest. Not in the mood. "Fine, fuckin whatever. I'll go get Kiri then..."

You already started walked to the neighboring room but Bakugo leaned on his door frame. "Shitty hair's gonna make you talk about it."

"You're probably right."

"You don't look like you wanna talk."

"I don't want to talk. I wanna kick someone's ass!"

Bakugo stepped out of his room. "And you thought to ask me? You think you can kick my ass?"

"I've done it before."

It wasn't easy by any means to best Bakugo, but you weren't looking for an easy fight. You didn't want someone to coddle you or try to make you feel better right now. If you did, you would have gone straight for Kirishima.

He stood in front of you now, hands on his hips, looking down with piercing red eyes. "Fine. Training yard. Ten minutes. No quirks though. Beat me without yours."

Now that was going to be challenging but you accepted.

You hadn't wasted any time going out to the yard. Slipping by the rest of your classmates to avoid any questions. Bakugo was right on time, hands in his pockets look about as disinterested as he usually did.

"I'm only doin' this on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"If I pin you three times, you gotta tell me what happened when you ran off."

"What if I pin you three times? Then what?"

"Whatever you want."

Whatever you wanted? That was a lot of power but then you realized, he didn't think there was any way you would win.

"Fine. I wanna kiss you. No, no no. I wanna make out with you, yeah." You'd get even with Monoma. And with someone, he hated no less.

Bakugo shrugged as if it was no big deal, but it was obvious the slight widening of his pupils, you'd caught him off guard.

"Fine by me, Princess. Three pins for a win. No quirks."

"Deal."

You each took your stance, and you weren't waiting any longer. Temper boiled over and you charged at him but all he did was dodge out of the way. Dodge and then grab you by the back of the shirt before you could spin around. With a strong thrust, he had your back slammed into the ground.

Before you could even think about scrambling away, he had both your wrists pinned above your head and shins over both ankles.

"Fighting angry doesn't work for you, Princess. Gotta use that damn brain of yours."

You writhed and tried to thrust your hips into a bridge but his grip was too good. As soon as the eight-count was up, he returned to his starting spot without another word.

Letting him come for you was the easiest way to get Bakugo on the floor. Out-smarting him was another way to throw him off his game. You shook off the rage from your parents. Exhaled slowly, and dropped back into your stance.

This time, he came for you. Throwing two quick punches in succession and then a third landed against your rips. You recovered quickly by ducking slow and working his torso, aiming for the points you remembered Kirishima hitting him during training in class earlier that day. They had to still be sore.

It might have been a cheap way to play but it was effective. You landed three hits and a kick before he grabbed your ankle in mid-air, sneering for just a second and then flipping you back on the ground. But, you wouldn't be taken so easily this time.

Bakugo's shirt had ridden up and you could see the purplish bruise along his right side. Before he could trap your legs, you wound them around his middle, squeezing tightly, "Fuck." He bit out but didn't relent.

Tight your snared your legs and tighter he gripped your wrists. You were hurting him, you had to be but you wouldn't give in. You had payback to win and you were going to use Bakugo to get it. He gave out, tipping forward and you jerked your wrists hard using his sweat-slicked hands to your advantage and slipping free.

A knee to his lower back, you pulled his arm behind him and started the count while he chuckled. "That's more like it."

You worked his injuries to earn you another point. Tougher a second time since he picked on your weak leg where Sero had grabbed you earlier making you fall.

The fourth match went to him. Bakugo no longer playing around, he went right for the kill as if to remind you how easily you were to best. He sprinted forward and went for your thighs. Lifting you in the air and then taking you down to the ground in one swift motion. Counting down while you struggled, sweat dripping off his nose and mingling with your own.

You were two for two. The next match would decide it.

One more time, you stood apart from each other. You weren't ready to talk about it. You weren't ready to explain how your parents practically gave Monoma permission to do what and who he pleased while you had to be loyal and faithful for the rest of your damn life. No. You just wanted to win. And have Bakugo kiss you until you forgot about everything.

That was why you ran for him, sliding low at the last second between sturdy legs and kicked with everything you had. He went down to his knees and you tried tackling him forward but he reached behind him, finding a good hold, and hauled you over his shoulder.

The world spun and then slammed to a halt leaving you looking up at a sweaty, smirking Bakugo.

Cocky bastard.

You flipped your legs up hooking him in your hold and finally twisting until he was back down. "Got you now." You had him between your thighs while his hands helplessly pulled against you for the remaining countdown.

Your legs relaxed and Bakugo gasped, resting his head against the fat of your thigh while you both caught your breath.

"You fuckin' won."

"Damn right I did. Where's my prize, blasty pants?"

For a moment, you wondered if he was gonna back out. Scoff and walk off. You wouldn't have really blamed him because it wasn't like you were gonna force him into something he didn't want... you knew exactly what that was like and you wouldn't have wished that upon anyone.

He rolled off you, sat by your side. "That's really what you want?"

You nodded. "Don'tcha wanna ask someone else?"

"Nope. I'm askin' you."

"ButIhaven'tkissedanyonebefore."

"Excuse me? I think you might have sneezed."

Bakugo shoved your shoulder before repeating, "I've never kissed anyone. I'm sure I'd be good at it! Don't worry about that! But, if you wanted someone, you know, who knows..."

You broke out laughing. "I've only kissed Monoma. My expectations aren't exactly sky-high." Your fingers brushed against his in the dirt. Both of you looked a wreck but that didn't stop Bakugo from pressing his lips against yours with entirely too much force making your teeth clash when he landed on top of you.

"It's not a competition, Bakugo."

"Yeah, it is." He grumbled with his lips still on yours. "I gotta be better than him."

"Then you gotta relax." You placed a kiss on his cheek, and then his jaw, and a soft one against his lips, "See? Already better."

He was a fast learner. Actually listened to what you liked and applied it quickly. Bakugo grew bolder as the minutes passed, fingers warm on your skin when he ventured under your shirt and kisses wandering down your neck. He also learned he like you kissing the junction of his neck, the way you sucked at the skin there.

There were breathy little gasps he could get you to make and you sounded so soft for him.

You could have stayed there all night, the comfortable weight of him on top of you but any later and Iida was gonna send a search party.

You left the training yard with him, parted ways to shower, and then go off to your rooms as if nothing had happened. But, Bakugo laid atop his sheets unable to stop his mind from reeling. He pulled up your contact info on his phone and opened a new message.

You: If you need someone to take out your frustrations on, don't bother askin' shitty hair.

A response came in minutes later,

Y/N: I'll come to you first.

And you did. For the next five years...

Sneaking around was half the fun. Wigs, pretty dresses, and fancy suits. Hotel rooms booked under different names, in different cities. You and Bakugo grew together, we're closer than you and Monoma had ever been!

You'd fallen in love with a man you could never have but you didn't care.

Every time Monoma was caught with a new woman or tried belittling you, you remembered Bakugo. And tonight was no different.

You normally tried to plan meetups away from personal residences, it was easier that way but tonight had been especially bad.

You see, a man had asked for your number after you saved his daughter. He explained buying you a coffee was the very least he could do to show his gratitude. And you stupidly accepted his offer.

"That's why you became a hero, isn't it? Flirt and get guys to notice you because you need all that attention, don't you? You're never going to get it. Not from them. Not anyone. Not ever. Hell, I'm not even going to give it to you." His face inched closer, "Unless you beg me for it. Bet you wouldn't be so annoying if you were on your damn knees for me."

You closed your eyes while he spat his venom, let him rant until his words ran out and he left you outside the agency you worked for. Izuku asked if you were alright when you walked back in the office and you painted on your happy face, assuring him everything was fine before going to change into civilian clothes.

But, you didn't go home. You drove straight to Bakugo's place, his penthouse that he absolutely loved that overlooked the shining city lights.

You: I'm outside. I need you.

Blasty: You know the code.

He never gave you crap about coming over no matter how risky it was. He'd given you the code for the employee's entrance to his building and the service elevator. And, just like always, he was waiting for you the very moment you stepped off.

You sprung on him, leaving him to stumble backward with you in his arms until his back hit the wall. Fingers running up his front until you found the little silver zipper of his hoodie and pulled it down, reveling in the warmth of his skin, littered with scars of battles pasted underneath.

"Damn, Princess, what'd he do this time?"

He brushed your hair back meaning to kiss your neck but instead saw the wet streaks along your cheeks. "Seriously, Y/N, what'd he do?"

There was no use hiding it from him, Bakugo wouldn't let this go any further until you told him at least a hint of the truth. "Told me I'd never get attention from anyone, not unless I begged."

It'd become almost too easy to tell him the truth of things. He never pried but would talk if that's what you wanted. Usually, though, he was good at taking Monoma's shitty words and turning them into something so much better.

Rough thumbs cleared away your angry tears. "We'll see about that." He spun so you were pinned between his body and the wall. Bakugo's hand ghosted over your leg, dipping under your skirt to find the thin panties you wore.

"'M gonna make you wanna beg for me," A hard yank, and they were gone, Bakugo on his knees before you right in the entryway nudging your legs further and further apart to accommodate him, pressing wet kisses against soft flesh. "Beg for me to start," He shoved up your skirt and vanished under it, "Beg for more," Warm breath fanned out over you making your legs squeeze around his head, "Beg me until you just can't take it anymore."

"P-please." The pitiful plea fell from your lips. Because if it was Bakugo, you'd gladly beg. He put on a tough exterior, had many layers to break through, but he'd never leave you anything less than completely satisfied.

He nipped at your thigh, "Do better."

"Katsuki, please. I need it so bad. I need you. I wanna feel you, please, can I have you?"

"Good girl." You felt his words reverberate against your core just before his tongue rolled against your clit.

Five years gave the two of you a lot of time to get good at many things together, learning what the other likes, coming a long way from late-night, sloppy makeout sessions in the training yard.

Bakugo could have you coming undone in a matter of minutes now or he could drag it out of you for hours. And, judging by the slow, methodical licks he was giving you, this wasn't going to be a quick evening.

You whining when he resumed kissing your inner thighs, leaving you breathless and wanting so much more from him. "But why, Katsukiii, why'd you stop?"

"You stopped begging. Show me how needy you are and maybe I'll keep going."

There was no maybe about it. He didn't have all the power here. You grabbed the back of his head, a fist full of that light blonde hair, kept shorter now than in high school and pulled him from under your skirt so he'd look up at you. The right words were all Bakugo needed to lose control.

"Please, sir, I need you to make me cum. I need you to make me forget his name. I don't wanna remember it. Please, please, sir, fuck me until I can't remember Monoma, only you."

Slowly he stood until he was looking over you with a wicked snarl. "What's my fuckin' rule, Princess?"

You had to fight back a smile. One word. Just one name and he was all fired up. "I- I'm really sorry!"

You weren't, not at all.

"No one fuckin' says his name in my house. Damn, I really am gonna have to fuck you senseless, aren't I? Bed. Now."

Bakugo landed a smack right on your ass as you made a b-line right for his bedroom.

And, just as it did every single time you made your way into his private room, you gravitated to the floor to ceiling glass windows. Once you'd seen it, there was no doubt in your mind why Bakugo loved this place as much as he did. It took your breath away every single time.

You'd dreamed about him screwing you against the glass or sucking him off on the balcony beyond it but the risk of being caught had always been too great, even this high up.

"I said bed." His voice was low in your ear while he took your jacket off your shoulders. "Better listen."

He pulled your blouse up and over your head, removed your bra all before tugging his own pants down just enough to free his half-hardened cock.

Gods, you knew how it felt inside you, every vein and that upward tilt he had, it had you clenching at the very thought. "You want my cock? You know what to do."

He wanted a show and you'd give him one. One hand running down your body while the other stopped to tease your pebbled nipple. He sat in one of the highback chairs meant for TV watching after he spun it around. Legs stretched out while he gave himself slow, languid strokes.

Red eyes roamed your body. The way your fingers teased little circles before slipping one inside, a soft sigh going straight to his cock. Picking up the place, he watched the way you pinched and pulled at your nipples. You had every ounce of his attention.

"Remember his name?"

"Yes, sir."

"Add another finger then."

You did as you were told.

"Curl 'em up inside you. You can push them deeper than that."

Moans fell from your lips more freely, spurring him on further.

"That's it, princess. Still remember?"

"Yes, sir, I think I need your help, sir."

"I am helping. Add another. And don't stop messing with that pretty clit either."

Your third finger slid inside, pumping them in and out while your wetness gathered between your thighs. Your hips were rocking, abandoning your tits so your other hand could rub on your clit.

Higher you climbed, "Faster now," you couldn't even keep your eyes open to watch Bakugo stroke his fully erect cock anymore but damn did you wanna feel it.

"Please, sir, I need you!"

"'Course you do," The chair creaked and then you felt quirk-warmed hands on your legs, "Move. Both hands on your tits, now." Two of his own fingers filled you up just as much as three of yours had felt. Just longer, able to push in deeper, making your back arch up off the bed, head going fuzzy when his tongue found you again.

Harder you squeezed your chest, hips wiggling, desperate to reach your release. "Remember?" He grunted from between your legs.

A strangled, mhm, was all you could manage being so close. Crying when he added another thick digit with the others but it was exactly what you needed.

Wet fingers slid out just as you started to shake, both his hands slammed your thighs down on the bed, spread wide, while his tongue took you through your orgasm.

"And now?"

"Wha?"You mumbled still coming back down.

"Now we're getting somewhere."

Before you had a chance to fully calm down, Bakugo yanked you to the edge of the bed. Spinning you onto your stomach with ass perked up in the air. Smacking it just a little before taking his tip and running it against your still dripping folds.

You pushed back wanting more but he pulled himself away, "Ah-ah, what's his stupid fuckin name?"

"Um, Mon-"

Bakugo entered you with a single hard thrust, pulling out completely while you gasped. "But-But you asked!"

"Because I need to know-" Another thrust, "Just how hard-" Another, "I gotta go!"

His grip on your hips was bruising, bring your ass back, smacking against him each and every time until it was his name you were moaning. "Yeah, hah, that's it, princess. My fuckin' name. Not his."

He bent over top of you, hand against the back of your neck pinning you down. Bakugo picked up the pace, balls slapping against you with a steady rhythm.

"K-Kat Katsuki! Fuck, more, more, please. Yes, sir, please!"

He twitched inside and you kept begging. Anything to get more of him. His grip on your neck tightened and pulled you up, back against him while he fucked deeper. You were facing the windows, your reflection in the glass with tits bouncing and Bakugo's arm wrapped around your middle. His face buried in your neck.

"Want them to see you, don'tcha?" He knew exactly what you wanted, you'd talked about it enough, "Yeah, mmm, squeeze me tighter, naughty fuckin' woman!" You cam again at the thought of the cool glass on your tits, how it'd contrast with the very heat of him. "Fuck!"

He shoved you back down, relentless now, "Fucking hell, Kats, yes!" Tiny explosions released against your shoulders just seconds before he shot ropes inside of you.

Bakugo carefully laid you flat on your stomach, hips trusting lazily as he worked every last drop into you. He kissed between your shoulder blades and then each red mark he left on your shoulders. One at the center of your back, another just above your tailbone, and finally a playful smack of your ass before he pulled out.

"Remember?" He muttered, kissing below your ear.

"Nu-uh." Of course you did but Monoma was now in some very distant part of your mind. Completely overtaken by Bakugo.

"Good." He flipped you over and scooped you up into his arms, not giving a single damn about your combined releases currently leaking out of you and onto him.

He held you in his arms, while the bath water filled. Waiting for it to be warm enough to set you inside. When he finally did, you gave him a questioning look, why wasn't he joining you like he usually did and instead just using a washcloth.

"Dinner." He stated plainly.

"I haven't eaten yet."

"Yeah, I know. I heard your fuckin' stomach growling when I was eating you out." He tossed the soiled rag into the hamper.

"Well, that's embarrassing."

Bakugo placed a kiss on the crown of your head, "No, it's just you, you dummy. Now, sit here, fill it up with some bubbles or whatever and I'll come get ya when it's ready."

"Yes, sir!" You gave a mock salute but he cocked a slender blonde brow.

"Call me that again and dinner's gonna fuckin' wait."

You smiled, seriously considering it, but you did need food and Bakugo was the best cook you knew. "Maybe for dessert."

"Dummy..." He left with a laugh.

Bakugo had started food and changed the bedsheets while he heard you humming quietly to yourself in the bathroom. Ignoring the tug in his chest, reminding him how much he actually liked having you in his space no matter how much he tried denying it.

He returned to the food now sizzling in its pan when his phone rang.

"What's up, Shitty Hair?"

"Is Y/N with you! Been trying to call her but she's not answering me!"

Kirishima was the only person who knew yours and Bakugo's relationship was more than friends.

"Yeah. She's in the bath, why?"

"Put on the fuckin' news, now!"

"Fuckin' hell. What's so damn important! I'm tryin' to make some damn dinner..." He complained while he found the remote and flipped to one of the news stations.

"Just do it! And get Y/N too!"

He turned up the volume so he could hear what the reporter with yellow eyes was saying, "... It is official, legislation has just passed a law that quirk arrangements going forward that do not have both parties explicit consent will be void! Both parties must still be a minimum age of 25 to marry but now both must have verbal and written consent. If parents or guardians are found to be forcing their children into these relationships, forging documentation, and or tampering with the arrangement in any way, the penalty will be a minimum of 15 years jail time and..."

Bakugo dropped his phone with Kirishima still on the line.

You were free. They had nothing over you anymore. The one person he wanted that he was sure he could never fully have was free.

He sprinted for the bathroom calling your name.

[shapelytimber]

Hi there! I am obsessed with those TES tarot cards you made. The shapes, the lines, the colors . . . I think The Devil is my personal favorite.

If you don't mind, could you talk about your compositional choices for those? Like layout, structure, arrangement/placement, visual hierarchy, color decisions? Seven years of art school and no composition lessons . . . I'm taking things into my own hands.

Hello !

First of all, omfg thank you so much ?? I'm so glad you like my silly tarot cards :D

I'm really flattered you asked me this question, so I'll try my best to answer it (I'm no teacher and english is not my first language so I hope it will be comprehensible lggklflfifkf)

When you say your an art student who never had any real composition class, I feel you- I've been an applied art student for 4 years (7 if you count design), and apart from really basic and classic stuff like dividing by thirds, the different shots used in cinema, using a little window to help frame what you are trying to draw from life (witch are all very useful), I never really had many composition tips ?

So yeah idk what I'm doing, but that's art baybee

I'll share my process when it comes to designing my cards and hope it'll help lhgktlgofk

I begin by doing little thumbnails (3-4 cm long maximum) with a non erasable pen (or if I'm doing it digitaly, I dezoom a lot, use a big brush and don't erase what I'm doing)

It helps me coming up with big shapes and an interesting compisition (if your doing this on paper, never draw the borders first, it limits your creativity by "putting your drawing in jail" (wisdom from one of my best teachers))

And I personnaly don't use black lines when doing this, because the uglier the lines the less precious I am.

And because I associate dark lines with clean lineart, and this step is about being messy ! So the uglier colors the better :) (for me)

(I'll use two cards as exemples, one I did by doing thumbnails on paper, and the other on my art program)

(And sorry I could not use the devil as an exemple, it was one of the three cards I did in class and so I skipped the thumbnailing for time saving :/)

Next step is sketching, still using my ugly colors :)

But to talk a bit more about composition, for these I always have the important element of the card near the middle (sanguine's face and his lovers head, and miraak as a whole) (I know trick of the year glgjorlfifjl)

And to help with dynamism, I use a lot of diagonal elements (sanguine's shoulders and hips, his right arm and leg, his is leaning back slightly, and his lover is laid a bit to the left. For miraak he is also laying back, his shoulders are not straight, and his to dragons are going on two different diagonals)

Next comes the line ! For this project I chose to use a pretty simple-ish and stylised look (mainly for time saving since it began as a school project)

The colors are really simple, I just do a grey scale version then apply an overlay on top :)

And as a final touch before adding the title, I add a white frame, that I always put behind the foreground to try give them a bit of depth :))

So to sum up my design brief for these :

- clean and stylised lineart

- one color for the whole illustration (exept for the devil because it was the first one I did and I did not know what I was doing glg'goflf)

- a second very saturated color used to highlight important elements (in either yellow, blue, purple or red)

-always have black somewhere

-white frame behind the foreground

-the numbering alternate between the top right and top left (exept once angain for the devil gmgkfnfon I'll have to change that someday)

-the title is always in the middle on the bottom, on top of the white frame

Hope I answerd your question ^^'

thank you again for the very kind message :)

[twistedmusings]

A/N: Planning to post some finished requests tonight thankfully but I wanted to share something super self indulgent with you guys since I just recently got an Alexa! I'm still kind of in a funk (since classes are STILL not over with) so thank you everyone for your kind words in my inbox q wq For now I only have Riddle and Leona...but if everyone likes it I'll make an effort to finish! I kinda am working on Azul's as we speak >:3 Warnings: Boys missing you terribly, Riddle justifying the breaking of rules and Leona realizing that he is talking to an inanimate object.

The Ramshackle Prefect leaves to go to RSA for a month, following a lead that could get them back home. And while the dorm leaders do miss them terribly, it seems one of them is hiding something.

. .

“AZUL-SHI DO SOMETHING.”

The Octavinelle dorm leader barely listened to his friend's request as he also crowded over Idia’s phone, the other five dorm leaders looking down at the screen as a pair of familiar eyes stared back at them.

“Where is Idia? Can you please hand me back to him?”

Riddle blinked at the sprite on the screen before looking back at Idia with a frown.

“Explain yourself, Shroud.”

Idia whimpered as he hung his head low in shame.

“[Y/N]-san...I mean...the Prefect left to go to RSA for a whole month, right? Crowley said it was to help them find a way back home but apparently there was some trouble there too and...and he brought them to fix it...”

Malleus’s neutral expression changes into something a bit sadder while Kalim lets out what everybody was thinking.

“To take them away so suddenly...I didn’t even get a chance to give them a goodbye party!”

“They’re only away for a month, Kalim.” Vil’s eyes stay on Idia’s phone screen.

“But I’m sure a party would have let them know how much I would miss them!”

Riddle clears his throat, “That still doesn’t explain anything about what I am seeing. Why in the world do you have something that looks like...that looks so much like them on your phone!”

Idia was sure this was hell. Of all the people to catch him using his phone during a dorm leader meeting, why did it have to be Riddle? What was he even supposed to answer to that question! That he missed talking to [Y/N]-san about the new animes that were releasing this week that he had purposefully made an AI from data Ortho had collected on them and their mannerisms?

He would rather die!

“I--I was testing a new AI! Just...for schedules and stuff like that! And I didn’t have anything else to base it on so I just took [Y/N]-san’s information and made a prototype! It’s not just going to go out to the public like that! They can customize it however they like--!”

Azul hums as he taps the screen, the sprite giggling as he touches their cheek before looking up at all of them expectantly.

“...A prototype, huh.” he smiles and leans back while taking his phone out, “Everybody stop crowding around him, we might as well be breaking his arm slowly at this point.”

The rest of the dorm leader's move back with only some protest, Idia’s eyes shining as he looks up at his other friend.

“Azul-shi…”

The dorm leader of Octavinelle grins, “If it’s a prototype then that means it needs users, correct? More people to test it out?”

“Eh?”

Azul puts his phone in front of Idia and smiles at him like he was just about to close a rather important business transaction.

“Well then I want the prototype as well. Download it to my phone, will you?”

“Eh?!”

Idia presses his phone to his chest as if Azul was about to take it, looking around nervously as the other dorm leaders take their phones out and set it in front of him.

“If it’s an application for scheduling then I could use it to keep Heartslabyul’s matters in check. I’ll take one too.”

“Ruggie is gonna be busy during exams...this thing better work as an alarm.”

“Surely this would help me keep track of my schedule for both the Monstro Lounge and school. I’ll take one with a statistics program built in, Idia”

“Oh!! I want mine to be able to sing! And can I also get them in Scarabia’s dorm uniform? I want to see what [Y/N]-san would look like!’

“I’ll take that as well. I also want a photo re-touch feature as well as one hour updates as to what is going on in my Magicam account.”

Each phone was placed in front of him as Idia felt his head start to spin. He just wanted to keep this thing a secret only for himself! He wasn’t even planning to release it, it was all just a lie so they wouldn’t know his greatest shame!

A shadow was casted over him, Idia looking up slowly as Malleus smiled and placed his phone down.

“I am eager to see your finished product, Shroud.”

The tarts in front of him looked absolutely delicious.

Trey had really outdone himself this time. The strawberries were cut into perfectly neat shapes and the glaze over them made them so mouth wateringly shiny that he could practically taste the sweet treat without even having to taste it!

Which only made his want of one grow even more.

“And here comes the next batch.” Trey smiles as he puts down another plate in front of him, Riddle’s eyes now staring at that plate while his vice dorm leader cleans himself up.

“When did you say the Unbirthday party was going to be today?”

“A-At three o’clock sharp.”

Trey nods as he looks at the clock in the kitchen.

“Perfect. I promised to meet Jade to get some herbs he has been growing as well as letting him teach me how to make this one soup they had in the Monstro Lounge about a week ago.”

He grabs his phone and heads out, leaving Riddle with a quick goodbye and a promise that he would make it back as quick as possible.

Leaving him all alone with two plates filled with his favourite treat.

The dorm leader looks around once...then twice...checking if anybody was coming into the kitchen before going back to stare at the plates.

It wasn’t like he was going to grab one

The Unbirthday party today would be using pastries that Trey had made yesterday. It was the third of the month so the rules required a completely different pastry. The strawberry tarts were most likely for tomorrow.

So Riddle could wait. He was the Heartslabyul dorm leader after all so not only could he wait but he was required to wait! As the dorm leader he was to set an example and he couldn’t let himself be seduced so easily by just two plates of such yummy looking tarts--!

He quickly takes his phone out and looks down at the screen, face flushing as he tries to remember how Idia told him to open up the new app.

“[Y/N]-san…?”

A face peeks out from the corner of his phone, smiling as it recognizes his face and steps out while giving him a polite bow.

“Good morning, Riddle-san! What can I help you with?”

He can’t help a small rush of excitement at seeing the Prefect’s face after not seeing them for two weeks. Riddle would make an effort to stop and talk to them whenever they made their way to Heartslabyul that not seeing them for so long had almost thrown him off his schedule.

And...he missed the conversations he had with them.

As the dorm leader and a student in NRC he didn’t necessarily have time to go to any other events or take part in any of the shenanigans others would get up to, not that he necessarily wanted to, but it was entertaining when the Prefect talked about it with him.

It felt like they were letting him into their world.

So maybe this substitute would suffice...it was a scheduling app after all so it wasn’t like he was using it for pleasure only.

“Would you please repeat rule 56 of the Queen’s handbook?”

The AI clears their throat as a book animation appears before them.

“Rule number 56: On the third of April, black tea should be served along with pineapple tarts. Followed by a game of cards in which the loser must pour the Queen tea for the rest of the Unbirthday party.”

Riddle sighs as he looks back at the plate of tarts.

“...I guess I’ll wait until tomorrow…”

“Wait until what?”

He looks down at the AI, the sprite blinking in confusion as it waits for an answer. Idia had mentioned adding a conversational feature…

“There is no rule about what to eat tomorrow so I decided that we would have strawberry tarts.”

“Are those your favourite?”

Riddle nods and steps out of the kitchen, making his way to his room as he stared back at the open door.

“They are. Ever since I was little. I couldn’t have many because of--”

He decides to not go deep into the subject.

“I’m sure Trey’s pineapple tarts will be excellent. I will just have to wait until tomorrow to enjoy the strawberry ones.”

The AI hums before the book animation pops up again, looking down and flipping a couple of pages before speaking up.

“Riddle-san. While it does say that black tea should be served with pineapple tarts...it does state that it should be done for the Unbirthday party and the Unbirthday party only.”

He frowns, “Your point?”

“I am sure no rule would be broken if only the Queen has a tea party before the Unbirthday party. From what I am seeing here--”

They flip a couple more pages.

“There is no rule about a tea party of one enjoying a strawberry tart.”

Riddle blinks before looking down at his phone, the sprite smiling as they shut the small book and lets it disappear with a ‘poof.’

No rule would be broken...if it was only a tea part of one?

He looks down at the AI when he hears them giggle.

“Riddle-san looks really happy.”

A blush covers his face at being called out on how big his smile probably was.

“Did I help in any way?”

The dorm leader takes a deep breath before smiling as he looks down at the phone and presses his fingertip on top of their head, rubbing it back and forth as if they were petting them. Something he knew he could never really do with them in real life lest he was looking to get odd looks.

“More than enough. Would you like to accompany me during this tea party?”

“Yes please!”

Riddle nods before looking around once more and clearing his throat.

“And...would you refer to me as ‘dorm leader’ from now on?”

The sprite nods as they give him a polite bow.

“Yes, dorm leader!”

He would need to send his report of the app as quickly as possible, Idia had really outdone himself this time...maybe he could ask if he could get them dressed up in the Heartslabyul uniform?

Riddle still wished you would hurry back.

“Leona-san! Please wake up!”

The blankets on the bed wriggled a bit as the phone was tousled over from one side of the bed to the other, the sprite inside frowning as they tried again.

“Leona-san! Please wake up! Ruggie-san texted you!”

A hand comes out of the blankets before holding the phone up.

“Read the text out loud then.”

Sighing, the AI pulls the text up and reads out loud.

“Please be awake by the time I get there, Leona. I need to make sure I get your signature on these papers for the dorm budget. If you don’t I’ll hold your lunch captive!”

Leona’s face finally pops up from under the blanket, the man sitting up and running a hand through his hair as he speaks up again.

‘Oi. What time is it?”

“It is 3:14 in the afternoon, Leona-san.”

“And when did Ruggie send the text?”

“At 3:00 o'clock.”

He groans and lays back down, the pillows flying about as he holds the phone to his face and smiling when he sees the sprite looking down at him worriedly.

“You really do look like them…” Leona whispers before tapping the screen so that he is poking the sprite’s cheek, “What is that face for?”

“I’m just worried for you, Leona-san. Too much sleep is a symptom of some sicknesses so--”

“Hah? You think I would get sick so easily?” he yawns and stretches, “I’m different from humans. Beastmen need a lot more sleep than regular humans do so...I’m just doing what my body tells me.”

Green eyes watch a notepad appear before the AI as they write down the information, smiling as they close it up and watch it disappear.

“I’ll keep that information in mind so I can serve Leona-san better. Thank you so much.”

Leona blinks at the words before a lazy smile crosses his face.

“Serve me better, huh? Never thought I would hear you say that.”

Usually the herbivore would be frowning and telling him to get up and actually take charge of his dorm and how he didn’t act like any grown up they knew. The sprite, however, tilts their head in confusion before speaking up once again.

“I am yours, after all.”

“Damn right you are.”

He looked at the phone a bit more, the sprite smiling up at him as he poked their cheek or patted their head. A part of him wondered if you would react like that with him as well. You always seemed so annoyed with his antics yet you never failed to come back to talk to him, telling him how he needs to get his act together if he is ever planning to go back to the Afterglow.

Leona would bet money that if he patted your head out of nowhere you would be highly flustered. Getting praise from him was something that didn’t happen often, after all.

“What day is it?”

“The 12th day of April, Leona-san.”

Another two weeks of you being gone. He frowns and closes his eyes as he thinks about you meeting those other students. RSA was just full of idiots...like his brother--

“Dammit.”

He slams the phone down but blinks when he hears a small yelp, turning the phone back around to find the AI looking rather frazzled with their eyes closed and hair all over the place.

“Shit. Are you....okay?”

Great, he was asking an application if it was okay. He could understand why Idia would hide this, right now he felt like he was crazy.

“Y--Yes! It was just unexpected!”

The sprite fixed itself up quickly and smiled back at Leona.

“Are you okay though, Leona-san?”

The dorm leader chuckled and nodded as they set the phone down gently and laid down next to it. At least that part was very much like you, worrying about others before focusing on yourself.

“You’re not going to complain? I almost just threw you.”

Without missing a beat, the AI stands up and looks at him.

“Leona-san is still working hard despite his body telling him to sleep. My program tells me that it would be a natural emotion to feel frustrated if you are not allowed to do something you want. Normal actions of frustration speak of physical manifestations such as kicking, punching or throwing. I was simply calculating it for it to be the latter and for it to happen towards a pillow. I’ll make sure to fix my calculations next time.”

He shakes his head and sets the phone down gently.

“Weird thing. You shouldn’t forgive someone so easily after they wronged you.”

“But you didn’t wrong me, Leona-san. I didn’t feel any pain. I just want to make sure you are feeling your best! You are my number one priority!”

This machine is going to make him go insane, he knows you would never say that but the fact that Idia had gotten your voice down so well that it was almost as if you had just told him he was your number one---

He was already getting a headache.

“Set an alarm for an hour. Ruggie will take around that long anyway.” Leona lays down and wraps the blankets around him.

“Of course. Alarm set for one hour. Would you like to be woken up with a personalized message?”

Leona hummed before grinning.

“Wake me up by calling me ‘King’.”

The sprite fixes its settings before giving a polite bow.

“Yes, my King. Please enjoy your rest.”

After this he would send his report to Shroud and maybe ask for an outfit upgrade. He only needed to show him some Afterglow clothes and the nerd would probably be able to make the AI wear them, right?

Whatever, the moment you came back Leona would make sure that you gave him some headpats for making him wait so long.