#if you come at it with that approach

[foldingfittedsheets]

I feel the need to share since my lube post is going around that my life is just like that since I worked at the sex shop. Sex Ed is a very standard topic. People just immediately pick up a vibe from me and even in situations where someone doesn’t know I used to sling dildos for a living they’ll just start confiding sex stuff to me.

Not in a creeper way. But like this weight had been lifted and they can finally talk freely about sexual topics. The energy I put off is just so blasé and accepting that people tell me about their sex lives, usually very quickly after meeting me. They usually then have a moment of panic or regret and apologize but I always reassure them that I used to work in a shop and that I see nothing odd about talking about it.

My go-to line is, “I’m a creature devoid of judgement.” They always laugh. Then the questions get more specific or people start asking for brand recommendations. It’s always been funny to me.

My beloved has always been a little confused by it. “People don’t just start talking to me about sex! I know you don’t bring it up. It just always seems to go there when people talk to you.”

“It’s just my energy.”

The first time I was meeting their mom she was coming to stay with us. We picked her up from the airport and brought her home. My beloved went upstairs to use the bathroom. When they came back down their mom was asking me questions about vibrators and their jaw hit the floor.

In our room later they said, “She doesn’t even talk to me about that stuff! She’s so embarrassed about sex topics, I cannot believe she was asking you about that!”

“What can I say,” I shrugged, “I’m a creature devoid of judgement.”

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

I want it back / I drag its dead weight forward.

[tuttle-did-it]

I can feel the rumbling... we all know what's coming... are you ready?

🖖🏼

[trashcatsnark]

Rejecting Lae'zel: yeah sorry not interested in you tasting my flesh lol- yeah you can go fuck astarion instead i don't care Rejecting Astarion: Say please.... ha, yeah, it's still a no, but that was funny, anyway... Rejecting Shadowheart: *didn't even realize i did it* Rejecting Gale, Wyll, or Karlach: Oh god, oh god, oh no I'm so so so so so so sorry, I, I really hope I didn't like lead you on- please don't look at me with those eyes, please, oh no, I'm so sorry I'm just doing a different romance right now, I still care about you so so so so so so so much, I'm sorry I'm just a terrible person, I'll be flaying myself alive tonight in penance, I'm so sorry-

[epicthemusicalstuff]

Perimedes

“Look at how he’s smiling- it’s the first real one in weeks!”

[canisalbus]

Hey, I’m new to Tumblr, but I’ve seen your characters around the internet and I love them so much!! Everyone has so much love for Machete and Vasco and your art is so cool to see! Do you have any tips for an aspiring artist and creative writer?

Hi! Welcome to tumblr! I'm glad to hear you like my dogs :]

I'm not really a writer, and I also completely lose my confidence when I'm trying to explain my art processes. So this is probably an obvious, unhelpful platitude at best, but one thing I've realized is that you should allow yourself to be self-indulgent. If you're the primary target audience of your own work, it generates passion and keeps you inspired and motivated. I like to believe that people who see your creations are more likely to respond to them positively if they can sense that you're putting your heart and soul to them.

[taralen]

I had too much fun with this. These are my concept art notes to determine how his facial anatomy works for my LoveLetter AU. He is semi-organic and rife with body horror.

[therealjasonx]

Absolutely no one:

Me:

[crimeronan]

people being like "hunter needs structure and stability" respectfully hunter DOES need stability - in that he needs an environment where he's no longer afraid of the people around him & is confident that he'll always have a safe place to stay n safe people to call - but the kid absolutely DOES NOT need structure. if anything hunter needs LESS structure. this is mister "teens are probably into the same things as me, like authority and rules" please be nice to him.

my absolute favorite hunter darius dynamic is one with like, hunter asking to stay out late on a school night or whatever bc luz has some cool-as-shit event happening in the human world that he wants to attend & darius is just like "you can do whatever you want forever" & hunter's like "aren't you...??? going to....??? give me a curfew????"

darius: why would you need a curfew?

hunter: because i-! what if i'm TIRED before SCHOOL

darius: then you can skip a day.

hunter: [HORRIFIED GASP]

darius: kid. look. you already extensively weighed the risks and benefits of going to this thing on a school night. right?

hunter: ......i did make three charts.

darius: and you determined that the benefits outweigh the risks. with your three charts

hunter: .....yes

darius: ok.

hunter:

darius: so.

hunter:

darius: in conclusion. you can do whatever you want forever.

[ryssbelle]

Poppy for N2 au, it took me so long to make her design cuz I didn't really know what I wanted to do only because I feel like her design is pretty perfect.

But then I just thought about fun outfits to give her or outfits that I would find comfortable if I was wearing them and it all came together.

Poppy here is pretty much the same as here movie counterpart, as nothing really changes on her end of things other than having more insight on Branch through his brothers, and through Lief. Shes also a bit more understanding a bit earlier on because of it but it doesnt do much to change her own character arc I would say.

Bonus

Part of Poppys design was based off a design I had made for previous rulers of Troll Village/Tree

Namely Queen Protea who I designed as Poppys grandmother

Named after the Protea flower which part of her design is based off :D

In the context of this Au Protea was the one who conceptualized the tunnels while her son, King Peppy, was the one to follow through after her death

[zarnzarn]

(check the tags for more and also the tag for other fics in the story!)

athena, scowling as she gets bullied into marrying the people she pined over for the last 1000 years, suddenly realising something: wait a minute

odysseus: what?

athena, frozen: wait a damn minute you know what this gives me rights to do

penelope, also realising: oh fuck yes

odysseus: I don't like the sound of whatever's happening here what are you two fucking talking about?

athena, grabbing the marriage wine and tossing it back, then kissing her new wife and husband and handing penelope a spear as she picks up a mace: we'll be back shortly, you can start celebrations without us.

penelope: do u have anything that can start a fire

athena, pulling out an old contract and scanning it before throwing it over her shoulder: yes. are you scared of heights or can we fly.

penelope: fucking bring it I've waited years for this moment

zeus: where are they going

hermes, picking up the contract: they're going to... Ogygia? Oh fucking shit they're going to fucking kill Calypso- hey, hello, WAIT-

[become-a-robot]

Every criticism against TMBG is valid, except for "All their music sounds the same". A more untrue sentence has never been spoken. They are hook & melodies georg.

[foundfamilywhump]

see like the thing with 'carewhumpers' as a concept to me is it just like... i know this is prrrrobably not really how it's meant but something skeeves me out about the idea that kindness or caretaking mixed in with hurting someone can somehow meaningfully complicate or dilute the harm done to the point of making that character no longer a 'whumper' whereas someone doing the same 'bad' things but not ever being gentle or caring for them would just be a straight-out whumper. when like... that's how 90% of irl abuse dynamics work? so i just... don't really get the point, i guess. like to me it implies something about the 'care' provided somehow mitigating or combating the harm done that. i just do not personally appreciate or enjoy.

[old-desert]

Isat beach episode

[utilitycaster]

if a ship has under 10 fics and someone's read every single one they are valid. If it has under 50 fics and someone's read every single one it's a little intense but also pretty valid. when people are like "THIS SHIP HAS 2000 FICS AND I'VE READ EVERY SINGLE ONE" you KNOW you are dealing with someone with zero standards and whose comprehension of the characters is mostly a vague amalgam/projection of the ghosts of blorbos past. Which is like, a valid way to engage if that's what makes you happy, but you do not want to read their meta.

[caesarflickermans]

Throughout the trilogy, Effie is a personification of what the average Capitol citizen is. It is Effie who Katniss thinks of when Gale mimics the Capitol accent (THG, 1). With little contact, Effie has come to be what 12's citizen envision when they think of the Capitol.

As readers, we receive an early glimpse into what the Capitol is like through her fashion style and persona during the reaping ceremony. Effie is bright, bubbly, has pinkish hair, and a spring green suit (THG, 2). When Katniss arrives in the Capitol, its citizens are eager to see the tributes. The Capitol's colours are artificial, "the pinks too deep, the greens too bright, the yellows painful to the eyes" (THG, 4).

As Effie views her previous tributes as "savages" (THG, 3), so does the Capitol commentary reflect a similar view when they refer to District 12 as "a bit backward but that local customs [the three-finger salute] can be charming" (THG, 3).

District 12 is an underdog whose chances to win the Games are marginal and who rarely receive sponsors (THG, 4). This unpopularity within the Capitol is represented by Effie's exclaim that she might be promoted to a "decent district next year!" which leaves Katniss uncertain whether Effie is "overcome with either the emotional parting or the possible improvement of her fortunes" (THG, 10).

Effie's emotions pertaining to the tributes are akin the feelings the Capitol citizens have of their tributes. The crowd "screams assent" (THG, 10) on the prospect of more information on the star-crossed lovers. The tributes are pawns in their entertainment system, and the prospect of an interesting storyline is emotional and exciting. There was no uproar to question the Games, no saving these two kids—this fascination relied on their inherent doom. Thus, while emotions alike Effie's might be at play here, they are not enough to question the legitimacy of the Games just yet.

Once victors, Katniss and Peeta are placed in a different rank to the Capitol society as the Capitol engages in a voyeuristic enjoyment in their lives (CF, 3). While much of this can be read in a sensational manner, and that is no false interpretation, the Capitol citizens are interested in the lives of their victors and receive Katniss' and Peeta's fresh love with interest—Katniss and Peeta are celebrities who they have built a relationship with, such as being emotionally involved in their wedding (CF, 12).

Effie's care for the victors can be understood as a symbolic interpretation here, too. She has come to care for Katniss and Peeta, and it is expressed by gestures such as offering Katniss sleeping pills (CF, 5). No more tributes associated with barbarianism, she, much like the Capitol, has uplifted Katniss and Peeta to a new status; now caring for them, because she assumes they are guaranteed a long life.

On the 3rd Quarter Quell reaping day, Effie gifts Peeta and Haymitch golden jewellery and wears golden hair. She is upset at Cecilia being reaped and has come to view the victors with a loving care despite their flaws, such as when expressing Chaff could not stay out of a fight. Overall, Effie cares for the victors and seems to be in visible distress at the Quarter Quell's prospect (CF, 14).

In much the same way, Peeta states that the people in the Capitol citizens are unhappy that the victors must return to the Games. In his words, the Capitol citizens got "attached to their champions" (CF, 14).

When the victors are being interviewed on Caesar's stage, their statements consist of appeals targeted at the audience, such as the victors' deep bonds created with the Capitol people. Once Katniss enters the stage, "the audience is an absolute wreck" and "the sight of me in my white silk bridal gown practically causes a riot" (CF, 17).

However, it is Peeta's statement that causes this riot. "As the bomb explodes, it sends accusations of injustice and barbarism and cruelty flying out in every direction. Even the most Capitol-loving, Games-hungry, bloodthirsty person out there can't ignore, at least for a moment, how horrific the whole thing is" (CF, 15).

The word "barbarism" is the Capitol's citizens journey—and by definition Effie's journey—they have had throughout the past year. From perceiving the tributes in such a manner to seeing the 75th Games for what they are, the reaping of the Capitol's champions, these who they have began to care for, is reason for great upset.

The implications for Effie have no villain-hero morality attached to them—she is marked by her representation—and is a morally grey character whose indoctrination is slowly shedding away. Her status as an oppressor are bound to her Capitol citizen status, as the Capitol reaps the fruits of the District's labour.

Like Effie, the Capitol citizen's had been indoctrinated and their beliefs around the Districts were shaped in their own understanding of being the peak of civilization, as their language expressed—"savages" (THG, 3) and charming local customs (THG, 4).

Their awakening, that of Effie and the Capitol, occurs simultaneously. Effie, remaining Katniss' frequent Capitol contact, is an expression and mirror of the Capitol society. Yet, her focus, similar to the audience's focus, on the victors alone remains a vital aspect to understanding her character. They system itself is not questioned. Instead, there is upset for having wronged the Capitol's "champions" (CF, 14). Their tears and upset do not evoke questioning the broader system. In that, the Capitol citizen and Effie herself are rendered in an ignorance about their own participation.

She is neither villain nor hero. Like her fellow citizens in the audience, she is a part of the system by being born into it. While her role as an escort has granted her a larger part in the Capitol's complicity, she remains a character whose upset is ultimately powerless and whose fear of the Capitol remains always present (CF, 17).