#in a perfect world me doing art would encourage everyone to do more art because it's fun and feels good

[celaenaeiln]

Dick Grayson's talent for manipulation literally brings the world to its knees.

Part 1 post

My absolute favorite trait about Dick aside from his craziness is his ability to control every single person in existence. The best part is, he's so clever in the way that he does it that people almost never notice.

Bart Allen

"Oh! Ahh..you're trying to get my DNA sample. You need my spit! Ha! That's such a Dick Grayson thing to do."

Bart knows!! Dick's brilliantly sly okay. Honey catches more flies that vinegar? He takes it so far that breaks he the ceiling with it because by the time he's done, people don't even know they've been manipulated. And if they do, then what can they do about it? He always wins.

With friends and family he does it to make them feel better without being so overt and discomforting them.

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis

Jon came to him when he was feeling lost and upset and Dick set up the perfect conditions to encourage him and pick him up. He's just so good at doing what he's doing but he does it for all the right reasons.

But the extent Dick can go trick and manipulate someone is off the charts. A virtuoso.

In a Titans comic, Dick literally spent MONTHS acting depressed and weak after Donna, Wally, and Garth were kidnapped to another dimension by a villain just so he could trick the villain into thinking that his career was over and bring him into the same dimension so Dick could take him down.

He fooled everyone.

Teen Titans: The Silver Age TBP 2 Part #1

"Batman taught me how to be a totally convincing actor! So if the only way you could send me here with your ring was if I filled my brain with evil thoughts, I just faked it! My facial expression was pure evil-but my mind remained pure good." MONTHS.

He planned, pretended, and calculated every single fiber of his own mind and body until the whole world was fooled by his acting. He tricked an interdimensional being who had psychic access. That means he was so extraordinarily manipulative, he can control his own thoughts inside his head to trick someone else. Voldemort's legilimens has nothing on Dick's talent.

Like Bart, sometimes his allies are aware of this like with Selina-

Gotham City Sirens Issue #23

Selina's literally having a mental breakdown trying not to fall for Dick's manipulation and tricks.

But even if they know he's manipulating them, they still are forced to fall for it anyway.

Gotham City Sirens Issue #23

"Damn it."

Like a goldilocks mad scientist - he does it just right.

His acting is just so on point that he outschemes the schemer.

When the Crime Syndicate (Superwoman, Ultraman, Owlman, Power ring, etc) arrive on Earth to take it over when Dick is Batman, Dick needs to do something fast. But to make things worse, there's a being that's so powerful, that both the Crime Syndicate and Justice League combined have a snowball's chance in hell of defeating him.

So what does Dick do? He runs the game.

Justice League of America (2006) Issue #52

Justice League of America (2006) Issue #52

"Of course he had a plan the whole time. He's Batman. He always has a plan."

Justice League of America (2006) Issue #52

He tricks everyone.

Justice League of America (2006) Issue #52

And in the end, the Justice League wins and Dick saves the world.

Justice League of America (2006) Issue #52

I love how they characterized Owlman as a snake because that would make Dick a mongoose since mongoose eats snakes. And do you know what Mongoose represent in folklore? Action, adventure, boldness, fearlessness, impulsiveness, independence, optimism, rebellion, resistance, resourcefulness, speed, adaptation, agility, quickness, intelligence and wit. All characteristics that define him.

He plays the world like a chessboard, always five steps ahead.

He always has an ace hidden up his sleeve.

His thoughts are always masked behind a disarming smile.

He has mastered the art of manipulation.

And that's while he's outright fighting. His subtlety is just so seductive.

Take a look at the way he smoothly evades answering in this panel -

Grayson Issue #9

He's so smooth. She's constantly on the watch but she instantly fell head over heels for his charms in a half a heartbeat, that's just how good he is.

Grayson Issue #10

He's a master manipulator who knows exactly what to say and how to act to always end up winning.

It's seriously such a shame that one of his greatest skills and talents isn't talked about more because this man?! Flawless.

He's the spy everyone on TV wishes they could be. He's the type of spy people read about in history books and marvel at the ease, grace, and legendary story he leaves behind. He's the spy that everyone knows and dreams of in their fantasies.

Nightwing (2016)

And oh how they so are.

He can just get people to do whatever he wants.

There's a reason why Batman's only contingency plan against Nightwing is "Let's hope he fucks up." Because with his intelligence, skill, power, charisma, and raw talent - he's goddamn unstoppable.

[doodle-pops]

House of Feanor | A Maia Reader is Interested in Them (Pre-Darkening)

Request: Hey Mina! If you’re ok with it, could you write your headcanons for the house of Feanor having a Maiar interested in them romantically? Pre or Post darkening is fine, whichever is most interesting to you. I know canonically it’s basically unheard of for a Maia to marry an Elf but I think about it frequently because the Ainur fascinate me 💀 - Anon

A/N: I wanted to do post-darkening, but then I realised how angsty I would have made that, so I bailed, plus I was in the mood for fluff. Enjoy!!

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Feanor

Feanor being the ever so passionate and intriguing figure is more interested in you than you are in him. Furthermore, it wasn’t shocking for him when he discovered that a Maia was interested in him.

He’s literally spending all his time in Aule’s forges, what else to expect? His presence would have you hooked from the very start. The charm, the charisma, his voice, features, everything about him.

The only thing you and he would clash on numerous occasions for, is your love and appreciation towards the Valar, considering them beings who can do no wrong, and his pride and impulsiveness.

Apart from that, you and Feanor spend hours engaging in deep, philosophical discussions about the nature of the world and the secrets of creation. You would even extend your knowledge in creating towards his crafting.

The one thing you would constantly have to put up with (just like Nerdanel) is his fiery temper and hatred towards the rest of his family and Indis. You will forever have to temper his harshness and vocalisation, but also prepare yourself for being shown off and rubbed in his brothers’ faces.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Maedhros

When the both of you are together, walking about and basking in the joys of each other’s presence, no one can tell the difference between who is elf and Maia. You both appear as two Maiar due to the ethereal beauty and grace you exert.

He does find solace in your calm and serene presence, given his elder brother’s duties being too much at times and dwelling in a noisy household. With you, he is able to drop his guard and be himself without the need to be on edge.

Most of the time, you spend moments getting to know each other better and explore the realms of emotion and touch since it may be uncommon for you. Maedhros finds joy in teach you how to hold hands or fingers and express your elation, the same way you teach him.

At the same time, you would offer him knowledge, support, and guidance on taking the role of being a leader and role model to his younger brothers. Though, it would take a copious amount of time before you ever get introduced to his family.

He finds your ethereal and otherworldly presence not worth being among his family yet, wants to be a bit selfish and have you to himself for the great part of learning you. Plus, he knows it will be a huge talk around Valinor and his father would talk everyone’s ear off.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Maglor

It would only be fair that you and Maglor became interested in one another due to your common love for the arts, your poetry or storytelling and the music. The perfect duo, matchmade in heaven Valinor.

You have been interested in hearing his voice up close and in person which triggered a plethora of emotions, urging you to pursue the minstrel. And now, you both spend your time singing tales and writing stories in your free time, teaching him how to incorporate more magic into his songs.

Being around him means being his inspiration in his art and encouraging him to express his deepest emotions. His household has never known peace since the day you met him and became a frequent visitor.

Maglor holds a deep respect for you as his muse and person of interest, though, he can be partially nervous around you because of your differences and the breath-taking voice you emit which surpasses him. You got a little grumbly Maglor sulking in a corner.

At the same time, he is proud to call you his and dies on the inside with you call him yours. Due to your interactions with him, you are quickly able to navigate emotional and physical intimacy with him, smoothly transitioning into your relationship.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Celegorm

He’s loud and hollering that a Maia is interested in him. “Like have you not seen me? I’m the hottest thing since the light of the two trees. Of course they’d fall for someone with irresistible charm like me.”

Seriously, Tyelko is smug at the realisation that he managed to not only be an apprentice of a Vala and have a Maia as an animal companion, but also managed to impress one to have them like him.

It’s hard for him to shut up about how ecstatic he is about you liking him and wanting to be with him. Most of the time you and Tyelko would be alone, which means Huan would also depart, so he can impress you with his charm and knowledge while he takes you on hunts.

This doesn’t mean that he’s going ignore the fact that you are more intelligent than him. Tyelko will drink up every word that pours from your lips like sweet nectar. He will value all the lessons you give him and all the magic you teach him.

At the same time, be prepared to hear him complain about you and Huan always spending time together and ignoring him because he forgets that Huan and you are similar.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Caranthir

Initially, he is aloof before he slowly opens up to your patient and understands the nature of wanting to get to know him better. Moryo is stunned that you managed to notice him among the crowd of six other brothers, thus it makes him more appreciative.

With his desire for peace and tranquillity, he would easily find himself in your presence more often than he expected as time graduates. It’s quite an adorable sight to witness you and Moryo navigating with expressing your emotions.

He is grateful your for peaceful presence being about stability due to his love for quiet support. Most of your time spent will be away from his home and more among nature where he can observe you in your element, likewise the same with him.

With his love for fabrics, he would love when you show your interest by accompanying him to shop or gathering unique patterned clothes for him to work with, even expressing an interest to learn.

The most you would have to deal with are his quick outbursts when displeasure kicks in. As a Maia, you would have seen the Valar distraught before, but witnessing it with someone you were interested in brought new waves of emotions. At least you were gentle to guide him to relief.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Curufin

You’re probably a Maia of crafts or one that surrounds the elements of this world capable of being moulding into tangible objects. Hence your fascination with Curufin the moment you laid eyes on him.

Like his father, he too is fascinated by the nature of you and your knowledge of lore and craft, seeing a potential ally in his pursuits. Your presence would be of great assistance when it comes to offering insights that would enhance his skills.

Many occasions you two can be found working together on projects as you continue to learn more about each other. And you would come to realise that when engrossed in his craft, you can barely squeeze a response out of him.

He too, has his cold temperament that you would come face to face with on numerous occasions, as well as his ruthless ambitions, which would require you to guide him towards a more balanced goal.

One thing to note is his pride when it comes towards your interest in him; he takes it seriously and prays that what you two have develops into something more. It’s not often he opens up to people, so you coming along like the sunshine in his life is something he would cherish, silently.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Amrod and Amras

Let’s say you’re a Maia of adventure, one whose spirit is wild and yearns for tales of far-off places. Amrod and Amras are going to love your presence more than ever, each tailing behind you with eyes and hearts yearning for more.

Together, you and Amrod or Amras would embark on adventures across Valinor into the deep woods and over the mountains, under the hills and around the river bends, telling tales as you go, and teaching them magic tricks (which makes their pranks all the more daring).

Whichever of the twins you are dating, you still get the opportunity to teach them about independence and being their individual, helping them find their identity and take a stand against those who only view them as the same.

There will be lots of fun and playful moments shared between the two of you, while they teach you how to be mischievous so you can play pranks on your fellow Maiar when you return to your sanctuary.

All your time spent around Amrod or Amras will be filled with experiences and endless days of learning new forms of fun. Your relationship will be as though you are two peas in a pod.

˖ ࣪ . ࿐♡˚. Celebrimbor

Like his father and grandfather (because let’s pretend that another Maia wasn’t also interested in him) Tyelpe would be profoundly grateful to learn that a Maia was interested in him and his craftsmanship, wanting to teach and learn alongside him.

You both would spend hours and even days locked up in the forge tinkering to create new majestic pieces of art (please don’t go making the Silmarils 2.0 or the rings, enough people died for those). Plus, you would have the opportunity to bless the objects.

He is deeply grateful that such a divine entity like you would find great interest in him and is willing to openly spend time with him, apart from crafting, to get to know him better. He probably died and was reborn in that moment.

You will be a massive foundation in his life, driving him to pursues his passions and dreams, providing support and respect. Though, as much as you’re a rock in his life, he would probably hide you from his father, wanting to silently be with you.

During those moment, your vast knowledge would be shared and generously absorbed like a sponge because Tyelpe isn’t missing the free opportunity to learn about the world before and around him.

Masterlist

Taglist: @lilmelily @ranhanabi777 @rain-on-my-umbrella @mysticmoomin @asianbutnotjapanese @batsyforyou @aconstructofamind @involuntaryspasms @stormchaser819 @addaigio @ladyenchanted @hermaeuswhora @mcwentfandomtraveling @elficially-done-with-life @lamemaster @eunoiaastralwings

If you would like to be tagged, click the taglist link to join!

[starg0ld]

Fragmenta Vitae (Prologue)

art creds: drosaxx on twt

❝ After albedo inevitably loses control, he pays the highest price by killing the person dearest to him. ❞

Albedo x Lumine (new note: originally meant to be an Albedo x reader, I've decided to turn this fic into an Albedo x Lumine. sorry for the short notice but as I was working on the next chapters I thought it fitted better this way. honestly I believe that a Lumine centered narrative can also be somehow neutral for self immersion. I'm trying to apply changes but tumblr doesn't work as I'd wish, tough I do not want to post it again. so, I'm sorry if the writing feels strange somewhere. if you want to check the other, better, versions, look at my AO3 and Fanfiction.Net account (also @/starg0ld).!! ))

Cw: death, murder, blood, slight gore, angst

words count: 2438

n/a: I had a lot of fun writing this first chapter!!! Which, more than a first chapter, is actually a sort of introduction to the story. The plot is based on the lore of one of my Genshin OCs, but I adapted it to make it more accessible for everyone. It's inspired by an old roleplay and one of my favorite movies, Poor Things (which I warmly recommend). Also, to me, Albedo's corruption happens just like in this fancomic. I highly encourage you all to read it because it explains exactly what happens to corrupted Albedo in my fic, and most especially because it's just so good and well-written to not be read.

"The universe, the sable essence of the starry void."

"Earth, the accumulative memory of time and being."

Many times throughout his long life, Albedo had imagined the moment when the precarious control he held over himself would shatter. He wondered what it would feel like, whether anyone would be able to stop him before he brought ruin upon everything, even Mondstadt, the city he had come to grow fond of. Each time he tried to envision that terrible eventuality, the scenario would shift, always different, yet eerily similar. There were unknowns, variables beyond even his rapid and analytical mind. No matter how far his thoughts could reach, there were things that even a brilliant alchemist like him could not predict.

"Soil, the origin of alchemy, the basis of all life."

Rhinedottir, his creator, also known as the infamous alchemist Gold, had always been forthright about his nature. She had never sought to conceal the potential faults in his very being, the price of crafting the perfect human, a prototype of divinity itself, a being who, in theory, could make the heavens tremble with his arcane essence. Yet Albedo had always dismissed such concerns, considering them distant and improbable, a possibility that almost didn't even concern him. That was until he had tasted the forbidden thrill of Khemia.

"The universe is the dark essence of the true starry sky, and the earth is the accumulated memories of time and lives. The chalk: that is you. The earth is where alchemy gets its name, and is the basis of all life. And this..." She demonstrated her technique before him as a huge life form burst from its culture tank in a shower of shattered fragments.

"...This is new birth."

Only then Albedo realized how fragile his understanding of the world truly was. There were far fewer certainties than he had once believed, but one truth remained absolute: meddling with the natural order always came at a cost.

"...Chalk, the substance from which primal life is molded."

The scene of him losing control had played out exactly as he had expected in his most tormented nights. It had happened countless times before, in the depths of his mind, each instance no less harrowing than the last. And yet, this time, something was different. This time, the nightmare had taken a turn he never dared to foreseen.

After meeting his dearest friend, Lumine, Albedo began to hope. Perhaps this mysterious girl from another world could be the key, a catalyst capable of neutralizing his transgression before catastrophe struck. Not that he didn’t trust his fellow knights and colleagues, but sadly, not even all the strength of their best warriors could have been enough. Albedo had no desire for his friends in Mondstadt to see him descend into something unrecognizable, least of all Klee, the child he had come to see as a sister. When he had met her, she gave him something even more precious than certainty, beside stealing his heart. With her, Albedo found a rare stability, a feeling he had never known before. Her smile and laughter lightened the weight of his turmoil, leading him to gravitate towards her. She was enigmatic, mysterious, a weaver of arcane arts, yet her charisma and charm had captured his mind. Albedo learned so much from her, from her creativity to the knowledge that sometimes seemed to test the limits of his own. Slowly, his world had softened, and for the first time, he dared to believe that perhaps, things did not have to end in disaster. As far as possible for a being like him, he could even live a normal life.

But fate had never been this kind.

For all the terrible outcomes the alchemist had envisioned, he never imagined this. Never had he thought that, out of all the people in Teyvat, it would be Lumine standing before him, facing him, fighting for him and against him, willing to sacrifice everything to save Mondstadt or him.

His memories were already fractured, blurred at the edges, but he could still recall the moment with painful clarity: the cold bite of a blade piercing his flesh, the sharp jolt of pain that, to him, had almost felt like a relief. Yet, a part of him that was not fully sentient kept finding new ways to attack her, to inflict the same amount of pain, if not worse, death. Both had begun to bleed, crimson on the carpet of white snow that covered the icy ground of Dragonspine.

And yet, her tears, warm and relentless, had rained down upon her cheeks, reddened by frost and fatigue. Through the haze of his faltering consciousness, he could heard her voice, distant yet desperate. Words he couldn’t fully grasp, but their meaning was unmistakable. Trying to bring the man she fell in love with back.

She had begged him to stay.

Begged him not to leave.

Begged him to think of Klee, of the little girl who would never understand why her brother was suddenly gone.

And the blood continued to flow copiously, carrying itself with the aftermath of the battle, the two exhausted and far too wounded.

"No matter how far apart we are, my soul and yours will always be intertwined." she said once, looking at the same sky that she dedicated to him every time.

Albedo hadn’t fully grasped the extent of the injury he had inflicted on Lumine. They had been locked in battle for quite a while, and the young witch’s energy was gradually fading. Blood surrounded them; she had lost a significant amount, and soon her blurry vision began to getting concerning. Despite her condition, she had still managed to stab Albedo in the chest.

Now, they were both laying together in the vast, icy wasteland that enveloped them. Their breaths were heavy and faint, both exhausted. However, Albedo eventually sensed that he was starting to come back to his former self, even though he felt weak and the pain was so intense it felt almost hollow. He could barely hear whispers, his beloved’s fingers tightening around his tense body. He began to feel a strange sensation crossing through his fibers like a stream, as if a hand was lifting him from the weight of his own flesh. A realization struck him as if another blade had been thrust into his heart. A bluish halo surrounded his wounds, suddenly lighter than the rest of the snow. He couldn’t believe that she was gathering her last strengths to perform that extreme gesture, a miracle and the greatest of sorceries at the same time.

A life for another life.

An extreme act of love and desperation. Lumine had performed a miracle, bittersweet, imperfect, a desperate attempt to undo what should have never been. For a moment, it had felt unreal, like slipping into one of his many dreams, visions where he had rehearsed, time and time again, the ways in which he might face his worst fears.

Albedo had never imagined, never dared to even consider, that he would awaken from his state of pain and confusion only to find her lifeless in his arms. The shift had been instantaneous, a cruel reversal of fate he could not comprehend. His hands, once steady, now trembled as they held her cold, unmoving form. Disbelief took root in his mind, slow and insidious, creeping through the cracks of his shattered reality.

His breath hitched the moment he saw her. His heart clenched, his stomach twisted, and the world around him blurred.

He dropped to his knees beside her, trembling hands reaching out as if afraid to touch, afraid to confirm what he already knew. But the moment his fingers brushed against her bloodied skin, the dam inside him shattered.

A choked breath left his lips. Carefully, so, so carefully he pulled her lifeless body into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She was limp in his grasp, her head lolling slightly as he adjusted her, pressing her close as if he could somehow shelter her from the cold that had already begun to seep into her skin.

She was gone.

His hand trembled as he brushed her hair back, fingers ghosting over her face in a motion that had once been second nature. Now, it felt hollow. His grip tightened as a sharp gasp escaped him as grief struck like a blade to the chest, raw and unbearable. His breathing turned ragged, erratic, as the reality of what had happened sunk into his bones, coiling around his heart like a vice.

It was his fault.

His arms locked around her, his entire frame shaking as he buried his face into her hair, squeezing his eyes shut as if blocking out the world would make this moment unreal. The tears burned at the edges of his vision, threatening to spill over. He couldn't hold them back.

His voice was shaking, broken and raw. “No… no, no, no…” His tone shook, barely more than a whisper at first, before rising into something raw and desperate. His body trembled violently, his grip tightening around Lumine as if holding on a little harder could somehow tether her to life. He pulled her closer, his hold almost crushing, terrified that if he loosened his embrace even slightly, she would slip away forever. Until a few hours before, her body was full of life, and now she lay cold on the blanket of snow. What a cruel joke, fate! And was he the one who had killed her…? No, Albedo couldn’t even think so. He didn’t want to believe it.

Memories assaulted his mind in rapid succession-fragments of laughter, of quiet moments, of the warmth in her gaze when she looked at him. He had taken all of it for granted. He had been so careless. He should have seen it coming. He should have known.

But he hadn't.

He had been too blind, too caught up in his own thoughts to notice the signs, to save her before it was too late.

His grip trembled, his fingers digging into her bloodstained clothing. His entire body ached, every nerve screaming in protest, but he couldn't let go. He refused to.

She was still warm.

“Why did you do this? Why?” His breath shuddered, his words cracked and broken by the sobs building in his throat. “This wasn’t the plan. This can’t be how it ends. I—I can’t lose you. I can’t…” His usual composure, the mask of control he always wore so effortlessly, shattered in the moment he had her in his arms. The weight of Lumine’s limp body pressed against him, and with it came the crushing realization of what she had done. The responsibility. The guilt. The overwhelming disbelief. It all crashed into him at once, a tidal wave of emotion that left him trembling.

The snow around them had been pristine once, an untouched white expanse stretching across Dragonspine's frozen landscape. Now, it was stained with crimson. Albedo forced himself to look down. The blood pooled beneath them, thick and dark, seeping into the snow like ink on parchment. The sight made his stomach twist violently.

His fault.

His fault.

His fault.

His breath came in harsh, uneven gasps. He felt like he was breaking apart, piece by piece, with no way to put himself back together. And then his gaze drifted back to Lumine’s face. Her expression was soft, but twisted, frozen in time. Pain. She had died in agony. Her mouth was slightly parted, as if she had been trying to say something. Her wide eyes-once so full of life-stared up at him, unseeing, unblinking. A gaping wound marred her stomach, her white clothes drenched in red. Blood had trickled from her lips, from the corners of her eyes, now crystallized into fragile, frozen tracks.

She had suffered. Because of him.

His breath hitched again, and before he could stop himself, a sob tore free from his throat. His hands trembled as they cupped her cheeks, his thumbs brushing away tears that no longer fell.

It was unbearable.

She had saved him. One final act of defiance against fate, one last miracle-her life for his.

And what had he done to deserve it?

Albedo let out a shaky breath, his forehead pressing against hers, his tears mingling with the blood and snow beneath them. She was growing colder. He knew he couldn't stay like this forever. He knew, eventually, he would have to let go

But not yet.

Not yet.

His mind raced, frantically clawing for a way out, some other miracle that could undo what had just happened. But there was nothing. No solution, no second chance. The price had been paid, and Name had been the one to pay it. And he… he was powerless to do anything but watch as her warmth slowly faded.

The weight of it crushed him.

“Please…” His voice cracked, the desperation in it thick enough to suffocate. “Please wake up. Please don’t leave me…”

Tears streamed down his face, unchecked and unrelenting, as he searched for any sign of life. A flicker of breath. A faint heartbeat. Anything. But there was nothing. Deep down, he knew. He knew. And still, he refused to accept it. His alchemical knowledge could no longer solve the irreversible at that moment.

“You can’t be…” His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps. “You were everything to me… please… please come back to me…”

His grip tightened again, his fingers digging into fabric and skin as if sheer force of will could keep Lumine with him. His face, streaked with tears, twisted with pain, grief and desperation bleeding into every word, every breath, every sob that wracked his body.

Albedo did not know how long he knelt there, how long he held her, his tears falling like quiet snowfall onto her still face. He might have stayed there forever, frozen in time, lost in a grief so deep it swallowed everything.

And when help finally arrived, when another voice called out his name, it barely registered.

Because Albedo, the so-called perfect being, the prototype of a god—was broken.

“I can’t lose you…” His voice was hoarse, broken. “I can’t. You’re the one thing in this world I can’t stand to lose… please… come back to me…” His lips parted, but his voice barely made it past them now, nothing more than a whisper. A plea. A confession.

“…I love you.”

And yet, no answer came. No movement. No breath.

Only silence.

[1979semifinalist]

Hi Kelly! Love all your stuff! I was reading Absolute Wonder Woman and thinking back to your run of Black Widow (which is fantastic btw) and I was just wondering, what made you want to write comics? How did you get started?

I have wanted to write since I was little -- some of my earliest memories are around trying to not only write and draw but create physical objects that people could read. And though I loved Archie Comics when I was little (they were my first exposure to comics) -- I didn’t really know or understand there was a whole big world of comics -- they were just these cool books I used to beg my mom for at the grocery store check out line. But when I was a teenager my younger brothers Scott and Dave and I (though Dave was more casual with it) discovered comics and became huge obsessed fans. And it was then that I realized that comics were maybe this perfect merging of the things I loved -- words and pictures. Initially I definitely wanted to write and draw, but I eventually gave up the draw part (not good enough, not willing to devote the time to get better, impatient, blah blah blah). But I was very sure “making comics” was the thing I wanted to do -- comics and making them became my #1 hobby.

When it came time to go away to college I picked a truly baffling choice (don’t ask) and was thinking I’d probably study English and/or Art. English fell apart right away in my first semester (a bland uninspiring teacher who was equally uninspired with me). Art in the second semester was more promising (but I still knew I did not have what it takes to be excellent in that field). In my sophmore year I had been considering a transfer to an art school (SCAD was at the top of my list since they were the only college at that time that had an actual Sequential Art Degree). And some interesting things happened in my second year at college that really showed me that I was on the wrong path and that I should at least give SCAD a try, because maybe THAT would be the right path. So I left school at the end of my sophomore year, moved home, took a year off to work and earn some money for school and a car, and to take some additional classes at the community college that I knew would transfer to SCAD. And then applied and got a (very small) scholarship. And that was it. I loved it there. Whereas I had ached to be home with my family most of the time that I was at my first college, I loved this so much I didn’t even come home over the summer anymore. It was the first time I felt like I was finding my place in the world and maybe would do something interesting.

But I do things slow.

So after I graduated I took a normal day job and just tried to work on my stuff on the side. I did that for years and eventually... like 10 years later (oof).. it started to become something.

I don’t know if you’re trying to break in, or thinking about trying to do something really hard, but in case you are, here are my advice bits:

1. Everyone hates this advice, but it’s the advice everyone gives it because it’s true: To get noticed and get paid to make comics, you first have to make some comics. You have to show people you can do this, that you have something to say, and the only way to do that is to make some comics.

2. And this: Don’t give up until you’ve succeeded. Trite, but also true.

3. And this one is tough but: Finish your project. An 80% finished project is nothing. A 100% finished project is everything. Getting to the finish line is the hardest part, but if you can manage that you’ll be ahead of almost everyone. Which is encouraging... in its way.

If you are indeed trying to do something, whatever it is... good luck, and don’t give up!

[annarobszombies]

i feel so embarrassed typing this out but. Haha you'll know who this is by the request,,, ryusui x oc. can be literally anything [even inspired by the art i made i mean what art I MADE NO ART] fld vkjskaxfje rldfske. NOT SAYING HER NAME. I'M ASHAMED. HER OC DOC IS PINNED TO THE OC CHANNEL IN THE SERVER IT'S THE. ONE SENT BY ME. aka setra. Haha. Ha. [just dm for the link if you can't find it this is just me being insanely embarrassed about self-indulgence. Haha. Kill me.]

Ryusui x Miryuu

A match made in heaven honestly

“Mir-chan!”

She looks up from what she’s doing at the sound of Ryusui’s voice, her heart fluttering when she sees him running right to her with one of those big grins on his face. 

“Hey, Ryusui!” She says when he stops in front of her. He was breathing hard, he must have run all the way from the ship to get to her. How very like him, she thinks. When he wants something or to be somewhere, he makes it happen no matter what. 

“I have a gift!” He says. 

“For who?”

“You, of course!” 

She blinks at him, head tilting a little in confusion. She hadn’t asked him for anything before he left, that she can recall. She stands, holding out her hand for whatever he has to give her, only for him to shake his head. 

“No, you need to close your eyes,” He says

“Why?” She asks.

“Because I don’t want you to see it until it’s in your hand, of course!” He says, grinning at her.

There’s something in the way he’s standing, in the way his tone comes out a little shaky, that feels off. But she can’t quite put a pin in what it was. Could Ryusui be nervous? No, that’s not possible, he was never nervous. 

Closing her eyes, she wiggles the fingers of her outstretched hand, encouraging him to just give her what he has. She hears him take a breath then the rustle of a hand digging in a pocket. He mumbles something under his breath she doesn’t quite catch, then the tips of his fingers set something small into the palm of her hand. 

“Okay,” He says quietly. “Open.” 

She opens her eyes, inspecting the object that she’s been given.

It’s a ring, with an aquamarine gemstone in the middle. The band of the ring wrapped around the stone like waves on the sea, and had several smaller yellow gemstones set into it. The stones were no doubt lab grown, as she wasn’t sure where they would have found natural aquamarine in the stone world, but even still, it was beautiful. She could tell that a lot of careful care and craftsmanship had gone into making it. 

She looks up, lips parting to tell him what she thought of the ring, only to find him no longer standing in front of her. Instead, he was kneeling. Waiting patiently for her to give him her attention once more. 

“What…are you doing?” She asks, heart leaping out of her chest. There was no way he was doing what she thought he was doing. Not in a million billion years, was he about to ask her-

“Miryuu Capitana, will you marry me?” 

She stares at him, eyes wide. Was this real, or was she dreaming? Had he seriously just asked her to marry him? But-

“W-why?” She asks in her shock. 

“Because I want you,” He says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. 

“You want everyone!” 

“Not like this.” 

Miryuu looks between him and the ring, taking in the style and size of it. It was small and simple, nothing like what you’d expect to be given as an engagement ring from the Ryusui Nanami. And yet, it was perfect. It had her birthstone in the middle surrounded by an imitation of the waves encrusted with his birthstone. It was meant specially for her, to show just how intertwined the two of them always were, and always would be. 

No one else would ever be given something like this from him. Money, sure, but nothing this intimate. Nothing this special. Only she was being given that opportunity. 

“I- Ryusui-” 

“Please.” 

That startles her even more. Ryusui only pleaded with maybe two other people, and even then it was rare. Extremely, extremely rare. 

He was being serious, and he was showing her in every possible way he could think of. There was no wide grin, no laughter. Just a serious looking Ryusui, a ring, and his question. 

“Yes,” She finally breathes. “Yes, I will marry yo-”

She’s in his arms being spun around before she can even finish her acceptance. Ryusui was laughing now, excited and purely happy. She can’t help laughing too, wrapping her arms around him and pressing a few kisses into his hair. 

“We’re going to have the perfect wedding!” He declares. “Only the best for my wife!” 

Wife. She was about to become his wife.

[twompweek]

Hello all and welcome to the twomp week blog! I don’t think this will end up being a big thing, but with a few other people showing interest in participating it will still hopefully be a bit of fun.

I figured I’d put together this introductory post to explain a few things for those unsure, and later include any links to relevant other posts for ease of finding information. Of course, if there’s anything you find unclear or any follow up questions you might have, feel free to drop an ask or dm this blog.

So let’s get into things!

What is twomp week?

Twomp week is a week long, low pressure event for creatives within the twomp fandom. For each day the event runs there will be a list of prompts to help inspire those participating. Don’t feel like using those prompts? No worries! You can create anything you’d like for this event, regardless of the prompts for the day. And, of course, there is no pressure to post one thing for each day. Create as much or as little as you want! This event is only for a bit of fun so do whatever makes you happy :)

Who is running the event?

Me! Hello, I go by Squid. My mainblog is @thatgirlwithasquid but, while I do not enforce an 18+ following because I frankly don’t care enough to investigate who follows me, I do reblog and very rarely post more explicit content within my other fandoms on there. If you are under 18 or that content will bother you, I’d suggest going on my main blog with caution (though the #twomp tags on my blog should be perfectly minor friendly)

I love twomp but don’t create as much for it as I’d like, so I’m putting together this event both as a way to motivate myself and to share in some fun.

Is twomp week minor-friendly?

Hell yeah! I’m aware that there’s plenty of minors within this fandom so I want this event to be open to you to participate too. That means that I won’t be reblogging any nsfw content to this blog and politely ask that participants respect this and help to create an event that is safe and welcoming to all.

What can I make for the event?

Anything! Art, fanfic, music, edits, animation, gifs, character analysis… Anything that you like doing as a way to participate in this fandom is welcome. This isn’t an event tailored towards writers or artists or anyone else in specific. It’s for everyone.

I also intend for this event to be inclusive for all things twomp related. Want to create for a background character? A rare pair? Argos and Mr Plant? The plants? One specific episode? An OC? The voids themself? Our lord and saviour Argos’ Pet Rock? All perfectly acceptable and encouraged. As long as it’s linked to twomp its perfect for twomp week!

When will twomp week be?

Twomp week will take place on the week beginning with the 5th of August and run for 7 days. Prompts will be released ahead of this on July 15th so that anyone who may need/desire time to prepare their work beforehand has the opportunity to do so.

How can I find out more about the event?

I’ll be updating about the plans for twomp week as I work them out and posting about it on this blog, so following the @twompweek blog is the best way to stay updated as I figure things out. You can also just keep an eye on the #twomp and #the world of mr plant tags for anything I post about it, or the #twomp week tag itself which I will also start using.

You can also send an ask to the event blog or send me a dm here and I’ll do my best to get back to you about whatever you want to know!

How do I take part in twomp week?

There’s no sign up process! This is an open event that anyone can join in, no need to ask or feel worried about just jumping on. When the event rolls around, all you need to do is post your work here on tumblr with the #twomp week tag or @ this blog so that I can find and reblog your creations onto the event blog as well.

It would also be nice if you followed the event blog or the #twomp week tag so that you can enjoy and support other participants and all their hard work, but that’s optional and up to your preference.

[reignoftiramizu]

KINGMAKER in with the NEW EPISODE!!!!!! IN WITH THE NEW EPISODE!!!!

Oh You know what time it is!!!! Knocks on your door with a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies and smiles. Kingmaker Newest Episode live react time!!!!! (SPOILERS)

Oh you don't like oatmeal raisin cookies??!? Hrm. That is too bad. Perhaps my Ice Mage will have something to say about that. (You fucking die). Listen to @kingmakerpod or my Ice Mage will get you!!!

I need to start using the simile of “(blank) attracted (blank) like a flock of sheep attracts mantelopes” in my everyday vocabulary because A. Its funny and B. when people say What the fuck is a mantelope, Im going to say oh. Oh haven’t you heard??? Of Kingmaker??? And then I get them hooked on Kingmaker. My scheme

LEONIDS BACK, I LOVE YOU LEONID!!!! I LOVE HIM FACING UP AGAINST SOMEONE (HOLZMANN) WHO IS OF MORE THREAT THAN HE IS!!!!! “I KNOW MY RIGHTS!!!! I KNOW MY RIGHTS!!!!!” “Leonid, who as it turned out, did not know his rights” I grinned

MORETZ. MY FUCKING FAVORITE. I love announcing character names when they appear. Im introducing them at the door. SO MANY ANTAGONISTS IN ONE PLACE IN THIS EP, so fun. (Im scared). But Moretz you were always my favorite. Is this the infamous homoerotic scene that was discussed online/through DM. I will update in a few minutes. Update: “MY crime boss” Yeah this is it. Its already happening

DIETER 👹 And actually, fuck Moretz........ I have another evil person who’s name starts with an M that I love even more. (Its Margot. Its Margot). She steals the show for me

“You know, it pained me to sign your death certificate this morning.” “… I beg your pardon, sir?” WHAT A FUCKING HARD SET OF LINES. Also keep Telesphore’s name out of your mouth Kruger, I hope you get cinnamoned again. I HOPE YOU BLINK AGAIN!!!! LOSER OF STARING CONTESTS!!! FUCK YOU!!!!

“Holzmannisation” Fuck that word. Evil! ALSO. LEIPZIG PAUL IS BACK. “MORETZ: You’ll be luckier if you see us leave. Awfully drab little shop you’ve got here, Paul. Clearly your talents for Artifice don’t extend to interior design. Boys? Remodel the place. SOUND: Moretz’s boys start smashing up the shop.” Oh Moretz is so Camp. “I’m already doing you the kindness of redecorating. Don’t force me to paint the walls, too” HES SO CAMP

LOU SUTCLIFFE IS HERE. STACKED CAST. Sidenote, it’s so eerie not hearing the main 3 appear in this ep..... and that’s how I know shit is going down Real Bad in Kingmaker lore land...

Not the ice mage missing ☠️ …. Second time within a year I’ve said a relative “How did you miss”

Best. Fucking. Death Montage. In the world. I remember hearing a preview of this and absolutely going buckwild batshit. Off the charts..... OFF THE CHARTS!!!!!! THIS IS A MONTAGE FOR THE PORTFOLIO @ EVERYONE INVOLVED, Henry, Meg, VAs, EVERYONE!!!!! I could relisten to it 182107219 TIMES!!!!!

“I wouldn’t advise that, Herr Rothbart. I’m a very good shot.” (cocks gun) Oh.... a pit in my stomach formed. That line went hard

Dieter enrichment (Thank you artifeast for saying Dieter Enrichment, if ur reading this. I saw ur live reaction and it made me laugh. Ur energy for the show is infectious. THANK U FOR BEING SO SWEET ABT KINGMAKER, ALWAYS, everyone thinks u are so kind and encouraging and loves your art so so DEARLY!!!!!)

Iyer, Winterlich and Co. vs The Treasonous Three. This isn’t canon I just love their group-of-3 names and I think they should meet. (Too late, the latter is in a precarious situation. Aka Dead). Fuck. Holzmann’s arrival scared the shit out of me. He is so scary

“YOURE GOING TO TAKE US BACK TO THE FKA–“ “No, Labelle.” ✋ Love the sassy little delivery on No, Labelle.

“Perhaps someday we’ll live in a perfect utopia, populated by automatons under the command of a perfectly logical machine mind” Holzmann pro-generative AI.......... Oh he So Would Be.

IM FUCKING TERRIFIED OF THE WITCH KILLER. WOW! WHAT A CALMING END TO THIS EPISODE!!! THANK YOU!!!!! THANKS GUYS!!!!

[the-most-humble-blog]

🚨 THE VICTIMHOOD OLYMPICS: HOW TRAUMA BECAME CURRENCY 🚨

Suffering Is Real. Clout-Chasing with It Is a Disease.

Once upon a time, people overcame their struggles—they grew, healed, and maybe even helped others do the same. Fast forward to today? Healing is out. Milking your trauma for social capital is in.

Welcome to the Victimhood Olympics, where the gold medal isn’t earned—it’s claimed through compounding layers of oppression points. The grand prize? Clout, validation, and a get-out-of-accountability-free card.

🏆 HOW VICTIMHOOD BECAME A STATUS SYMBOL

✅ Pain used to build character. Now, it builds engagement. ✅ More oppression = more credibility. (Facts? Logic? Experience? No. Trauma trumps all.) ✅ Personal responsibility? A scam. It’s easier to say, “The system is against me” than “I need to change.”

The most dangerous part? It kills resilience. If you’re rewarded for being broken, why would you ever heal?

💀 THE HIERARCHY OF OPPRESSION: A GUIDE TO THE GAME

In today’s social clout economy, you aren’t measured by intelligence, skill, or contribution—you’re ranked by how many layers of victimhood you can stack. Here’s how it works:

🔺 LEVEL 1: Basic Trauma Starter Pack

Had a tough childhood? A bad breakup? Anxiety? Congrats, you qualify for entry-level sympathy points.

🔺 LEVEL 2: Identity Bonus Round

Marginalized in any way? Perfect. Each identity factor adds multipliers to your victim score.

🔺 LEVEL 3: Retroactive Trauma Claims

If you don’t have enough suffering points, just dig into your past and reframe minor inconveniences as life-altering events. "That time someone didn’t text me back? Emotional abuse."

🔺 LEVEL 4: Performative Public Meltdowns

Show your pain for maximum engagement. Crying selfies? Trauma dumps on Twitter? Milk it.

🔺 LEVEL 5: Attack Mode – Monetize & Weaponize

Once you’ve built enough clout, weaponize your victim status. Criticism? Oppression. Accountability? Harassment. Anyone who questions you is an abuser.

🔥 THE SICK IRONY: THIS DESTROYS REAL VICTIMS

For people who actually suffered horrific things, this trend is insulting as hell. Trauma isn’t a brand. It’s not a personality. And it sure as f-ck isn’t something to flex over like a Gucci bag.

When everyone claims to be a victim, real survivors: 🚫 Get drowned out. 🚫 Aren’t believed. 🚫 Get lumped in with performative frauds.

The worst part? This discourages healing because being broken gets more attention than being better.

🚨 COLD HARD FACTS: THE VICTIM MINDSET IS LETHAL

📉 Studies show that victim mentality leads to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced life satisfaction. 📉 People who adopt a victim identity are less likely to take action to improve their lives. 📉 Chronic victimhood is linked to narcissism—because it turns the world into a stage where your suffering is always the main event.

THE TAKEAWAY: HEALING IS A REVOLUTIONARY ACT

You want to be powerful? Get stronger. You want respect? Earn it. You want real freedom? Stop relying on pity and start relying on yourself.

The world owes you nothing. And if you think "being a victim" is your greatest asset? You’ve already lost.

💀 REBLOG if you’ve seen someone farm trauma for clout. 💬 COMMENT the worst performative victim take you’ve ever seen. 🥩 LIKE if you believe strength > pity points. 🚀 FOLLOW for more brutal truths, cultural dissections, and the art of not being f-cking fragile.

⚖️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This post is written for the purpose of artistic expression, cultural commentary, and psychological exploration of social and gender dynamics. It does not condone or encourage violence, harassment, or discrimination of any kind. Any references to power, strength, restraint, or critique are metaphorical, symbolic, and rooted in historical and cultural analysis. This is not a call to action — it’s a cultural mirror. If you feel offended, ask yourself if it’s from actual harm — or from seeing something you hoped no one would say out loud.

✨ TL;DR: If you're mad, it’s probably not because it’s wrong — it’s because you know it’s true.

[ohmynabiii]

𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 :,)

Okay, so I understand that this is far from what I usually post, but I feel the need to say it:

(apologies for any writing mistakes, I had a hard time holding back tears lol) So I recently saw a clip of Bang Chan saying he never takes care of himself because he's always busy looking after the other members. It must be such a difficult balance—producing, leading Stray Kids, and enduring the immense pressure of being an idol. Constantly having to look perfect, filter every word, and manage every action. I can only imagine how exhausting it is just being a K-pop idol, but Chan goes even further. He co-produces most of Stray Kids' songs and seems to be caught in this endless cycle of trying to prove himself, not only to his members but to the world.

It's that perfectionist side of him, the inner voice telling him he’s not good enough, when in reality, he is more than enough. He shines brighter than any idol I know. He's like a warm embrace at the end of a long day, the smell of freshly cooked breakfast in the morning, the beating heart of Stray Kids. So many people see what he and the members have created as "home." There is no Stray Kids without Chan. There is no sense of comfort without him.

I wish he could see that—how many people adore him and his art. He started so young, too, never really getting the chance to grow into himself before presenting to the world. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be, having millions of people know your name before you’ve fully figured out who you are.

It's not just the music, either—it's the connection he fosters with his fans, how he pours himself into every livestream, every word of encouragement. There’s something so selfless about him, the way he gives so much of his energy to others without asking for anything in return. It makes me wonder how often he gets to just *be*—without the weight of expectations, without feeling the need to constantly achieve. I think many of us see him as this pillar of strength, but even pillars need rest.

I hope he knows it’s okay to lean on others, to take a break, to simply exist without having to prove his worth. Because his worth isn’t tied to how productive he is, how many songs he writes, or how well he leads. His worth is in who he is, and that’s more than enough.

And maybe that’s the hardest part for him—the constant push and pull between being someone’s leader, producer, and friend, while also trying to stay grounded in his own sense of self. It’s hard to imagine where he finds the time to just reflect, to listen to his own needs when he’s so busy listening to everyone else’s. I wonder if he’s ever able to truly step away from the responsibilities, the unspoken expectations that come with being the ‘glue’ of Stray Kids. Maybe that’s why so many of us resonate with him—we see a bit of ourselves in his struggle, that desire to do everything and be everything for everyone, even when it feels impossible.

But I hope he knows it’s okay to put himself first, to protect his own peace. Because without him, there would be a void, not just in the group but in the hearts of the people he’s touched. His music, his kindness, his energy—those things are irreplaceable. He has given so much of himself to the world, and I think it’s time the world gives a little back to him. We all want him to succeed, not just as a leader but as a person, to find joy and fulfillment in the quiet moments, when the stage lights are off and the world isn’t watching.

He deserves to know that he’s enough just as he is—that even when he’s not creating, performing, or leading, his presence is more than enough. Chan isn’t just the heart of Stray Kids; he’s the heart of so many people’s lives, the comfort they seek at the end of the day. And I hope, more than anything, he feels that same comfort within himself. He deserves it.

But damn, do I miss those Channie’s hugs.

🦋

[artemistorm]

Why Podfics are Important

A big part of why I like podfics so much is because to me it is an accessibility feature. There are times when I cannot look at a screen due to light sensitivity or I don't have spoons/brainpower to interact on Tumblr or or I'm too unfocused to read a fic but I still wanna be distracted and think about blorbos and podfics are perfect for that.

The problem is that there aren't very many of them.

When I first discovered them, I filtered for LU fics with no smut or MCD and there were only like 27 podfics. I listened to all of them in about 2 days. I was disappointed there weren't more, but the ones that were there were all excellent. So I asked myself why not try my hand at making them?

It took me about a week to figure out how to record audio, edit, where and how to host it, and how to link to AO3; and now that I know how to do it, I can record and post a fic in a couple of hours. You don't get alot of attention or fanfare for doing it--podfics are nowhere near as popular as ordinary fics, but it's a public service and its just plain fun. Actually its addicting. Every time I finish recording and posting a podfic my brain is like a sled dog pulling on a rope begging "More! Do more podfics!"

In an ideal world, I think every fic should have a podfic version. It would benefit everyone, not just disabled people. Not only are they good for low spoons time, they're also great for ordinary times when you're doing chores or riding the bus or something and you want something to listen to, just like you would listen to any other podcast. Not to mention the fact that by making podfics, you get to learn the valuable modern skill of recording audio and posting it.

I have a motto: "Try anything once," meaning, I'm game to try out learning any new thing and there's no commitment to do it long term or even do it more than that one time. Its just fun to learn and experiment. I've been trying a new thing every year for the past several years and have had fun gaining a bunch of oddball jack-of-all-trades skills like slacklining, longboarding, watercolor, digital art, and podfics.

I'd like to encourage everyone to try making a podfic and seeing how they like it (it does take a couple of podfics to really get your feet under you though). If you like it, or if you're willing and able to, making more podfics would be an invaluable service to provide for the fandom. And if you can't make podfics for whatever reason, why not just listen to a podfic and drop a kudos or comment or something to let the person doing them know that you appreciate it?

If anyone wants to know how to podfic, please feel free to reach out to me and I'll do what I can to help. Also, I'll be putting together a "how to make a podfic" post in the near future so keep an eye out for that.

[luckyemi]

It's gonna me venting and talking about sensitive topics, so If you don't like that stuff you can freely skip it. (While it's my art blog I treat it as my personal blog as well. It's a mess. You have been warned)

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

I shouldn't talk about it that much, but these are my thoughts that can't leave my mind If I don't say it or type it

The reason that I was in that depressive state was that It was anniversary of my grandfather's(on my mom's side) death (15 years) couple of days ago. It's funny how that could make me sad as I was 9 (almost 10) when that happened. It didn't affect me how it affected everyone else. I was young and the only concept of death I witnessed was the death of our family cat at my age of 5 years old.

It's ironic. I'm proud of my memory, I trained it to be that way, but I can barely remember him. The only clear memory I have of him is when he visited us before New Year. He smelled like old books.He would stay close to me as I painted my window and speak softly to me. I was told that It was unusual as his voice was loud and commanding like my mother's. Much later on I realized that it was because lung cancer was eating him away.

It feels weird. Everyone was mourning him as everyone was old enough when that happened. When it was his funeral I wasn't there (thankfully), so the last picture of him in my mind was from that New Year's memory. I should feel sad as everyone else. I was mourning, but not in the way as everyone else.

While the rest of the family mourned him as a person, I mourned opportunities that I lost with him. Our family ( as my close family: mom, dad and my big sister) is the most ambitious of the rest of our relatives, we achieved a lot,but we were no one truly favorite. Funny, usually younger siblings/ children receive the most love and attention, but in our case it was the other way around. Don't get me wrong, there is no bad blood at all, but older siblings (my dad's brother and my mom's sister) get more love in general.

Would he be against that? Would he have spent more time with us? Mom adored him and was looking up at him so much. Would mom continue with her drawings If he was around? She stopped drawing as no one encouraged her. She is the reason I continue with my art as well.

Would he be proud of me? Would he visit my piano concerts/exams? My dancing concerts? Or take me to my English classes? Drawing classes?

Would he have helped me with my school homework? Would he be against me attending so many classes as a child ? Until I was 16 my schedule was fully packed, everyday was busy (even the weekends). While It is the reason for my burnout, It gave me opportunities, good memory and I'm not afraid to speak in public. I was not a perfect student, but I was above average. Otherwise I would have lost my mind.

So many questions that will never be answered. So many scenarios that will not play out.

To rub the salt on the open wound, the next day it's my grandmother's birthday ( on my dad's side). It feels weird being happy when you just mourned someone. They were good friends as well, so It's hard for her. Unfair even.

And then I realized, when I was sitting at her birthday table, that This will end as well. I was lucky that everyone is still alive, but we all grow old. One day the grief will hit me like a thunderstorm. We had close calls already. My grandad (dad's side) and grandma( mom's side) survived cancer several times. Even my cats are old, but alive. So the first real loss I will experience when I'm fully aware of everything. It's so scary

"You should celebrate the living and spend time with loved ones while they are here". It's so easy to say, but those constant thoughts are looming over me like a constant reminder. Everything in this world will end one day. In a blink of an eye.And we can do nothing about it.

I tried to do things as usual. But this realization hit me like a truck from isekai anime. When I started having losing streaks , something snapped inside. It's not about me. It's so stupid to be sad over something that happened so long ago. But that's human nature. We can't control our feelings and it sucks

[sweetbillwriting]

The Finer Things

Mask On, Mask Off - Part 4

Description: Ines lives a modest life in Brooklyn but has a secret, a valuable painting. Out of nowhere Vincent De Gramont appears and wants to help her sell it. He welcomes her into a life of luxury the question is just why?

Characters: Vincent De Garmont, The Marquis, From John Wick 4.

Setting: This story is set in my own universe, so not exactly the John Wick universe.

Warnings: 18+, prejudice and stereotypical thinking about nationalities, mentions about sex, mentions about prostitution.

She was at The Louvre. She would go to an event at The Louvre. Ines looked at the impressive glass pyramid outside of the museum with Vincent next to her. The car had just dropped them off and she wasn't prepared for the event being at the world’s most famous art museum. Christ, the Mona Lisa was hanging there!

She looked around with big eyes while Vincent showed their invitation for the guard. There were rich, well dressed people everywhere. The men in formal wear and the women in sleek dresses, showing off stereotypical Parisian curves, in other words, not many curves at all. Even if Ines was dressed up she felt like a stain on white silk. All the women looked perfect in high heels and smooth hair but it was also one more detail that stood out. All of them wore masks, extravagant masks fitting for a masquerade party in the 1800th century.

She had known she wouldn't fit in but had believed she would feel more okay with it but now didn't feel as sure. Without saying anything the Marquis took her hand and pulled her into a corner, hidden by a pillar. Ines looked at him curiously while he stretched out his hand. In it was a red mask, decorated with rhinestones in a similar color.

“I thought you would have a red dress,” he said, not as an excuse, more as it was just annoying facts. Ines looked at the mask.

“Will everyone have these sort of masks? Is it a orgy party or something?” She asked while putting the mask against her face. Vincent didn't say anything, just put on his own extravagant mask in black but with peacock feathers and gold glitter.

“Why is your mask so much prettier than mine?” Whined Ines and looked at her own mask again.

“Because I let a designer do it. I didn't have time to get one for you. I didn't know I would have a date for the night.”

Ines looked up at him from her mask, meeting his green eyes surrounded by the colorful feathers.

“Date?” Said Ines as a reflex.

“Yes. They call a guest a date in the invitation so you're my date.”

The Marquis didn’t give away any emotions so Ines accepted his answer.

“Should I help you with that one?” He nodded towards her mask and Ines took up it towards her face again. Vincent walked around her to tie it around her head, making a perfect bow with the red ribbon but it wasn't anything Ines noticed, how he put energy to make it completely symmetrical.

“When we are inside I will let you mingle,” said Vincent bluntly and fixed his cufflinks.

“Okay,” said Ines with a nod, she knew how to mingle.

“And I will be… around,” continued Vincent. Ines looked up at him with furrowed brows.

“Around? You mean we will not go together?”

“I promise you, having a tall, handsome, well dressed man like me by your side will not make rich men talk to you. It's better if you mingle alone, tell them about your painting… Maybe you can flirt a little?” He said the last part carefully, like he had encouraged her to prostitution. Ines smirked and looked down on her feet. It was noticeable he hadn't understood how her Friday nights used to look. She was an expert at flirting, how else would you get free stuff?

“Okay. That's fine. But can I call if there is something?”

Vincent looked down at her again and as a symbolic gesture he opened his jacket, showing off his phone in the inner pocket, but also a gun sticking up from the waistband of his suit pants.

“I will answer.”

×××

It came natural for Ines to mingle around with people and even if she was nervous at first, walking around among all the rich fine people she relaxed quickly. Behind the mask she could be someone else and instead feeling like the stupid American girl, she felt exotic and sexy. There were many curious eyes on her.

She told people about her painting, flirted and received business cards. She felt pleased with herself when she called Vincent. She hadn't seen him all night but if she was honest, when she was her flirty self he would just be in the way.

“Already done? Someone interested?” He said calmly. Ines stood in a corner outside the ladies restroom talking with The Marquis on the phone. She was a little tipsy on champagne and leaned against the wall. She couldn't understand how these rich people could drink so much without seeming affected.

“I have twelve business cards…” she said, pleased. Vincent cleared his throat.

“Mhm.”

“What? Isn't that good?” Ines said disappointed.

“No it's good…” The Marquis sounded weirdly detached and Ines felt the nerves come up again.

“Can we meet where the car dropped us off?” He asked.

“So we should leave now? I really thought it would be an orgy,” she joked but didn't get a reaction from Vincent.

“Just meet me, now.”

Ines had a weird feeling while walking out to Vincent. There was something that felt off. It was everything from his mood, the gun but also the fact she hadn't seen him all night. It felt like he was hiding something.

He stood by the black car without his mask, Ines took off hers too and walked up to him with quick steps. He looked irritated, with pursed lips and his hands deep in his pockets.

“Are you seriously irritated with me for something? I just did what you told me to do!” She said annoyed and crossed her arms. Vincent looked her up and down and she could see his hands move in his pants pockets. He cleared his throat and seemed to examine her face.

“Just let’s go home…” he muttered and opened the door for her. Ines rolled her eyes and jumped in. It felt like she could never do anything right. It had felt so promising in the beginning of the night.

In the hotel she walked to her room and pulled off the uncomfortable dress and put on a big t-shirt. She was ready to go to bed. She had nothing to do, no good company and was also tired by all the champagne she had been drinking but when she had just crawled down under the cover a light knock could be heard against her door.

“Come in,” she said just so Vincent would understand he could actually open the door and walk in and he did. He wore just his slacks and the suit shirt, his suspenders hanging on his hips. He had a glass in his hand and looked at her softly.

“I'm sorry for my bad mood…”

“Did I do something wrong?” Asked Ines carefully and played with the cover.

“No, no… It was just something else…” he said with a sigh. To Ines surprise he suddenly sat down on the side of her bed and placed his glass on her night stand. They weren't even three feet from each other. If she leaned forward she would have been able to look down his shirt, see his smooth chest but Vincent's usually proper manner made her feel weird about it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She said softly. Maybe he had things he needed to talk with a friend about but didn't have any friends? He gave her a look. He looked intoxicated and she wondered what the amber liquid in his glass was. The Marquis licked his lips and with some hesitation he leaned towards her and kissed her lips softly. Ines had seen it happen, his smooth but doubtful movement and felt her pulse go up at once. He actually kissed her. His lips were soft and plump and he tasted strong of the spirit. He opened his eyes slowly, they were obviously affected by alcohol but maybe something more. Ines couldn't tell.

“Do it again…” she whispered. Vincent laid his hand on her neck and with his thumb on her jugular, he pushed her face up towards his. He kissed her again, more determined this time and it made Ines moan into his mouth. He continued kissing her and a sneaky tongue pushed in between her lips. Even if she got exactly what she had wanted she wasn't pleased and stood up on her knees to be able to deepen their kisses even more. She moved his hand down from her neck to her waist where the thin cotton t-shirt was the only barrier between his hand and her naked body. With a hard grip around her waist he pulled her close to his body and leaned back on his elbow. The kisses heated fast and his hand moved up so his thumb dragged on the underside of her breast. To be close to Vincent was too amazing and Ines couldn't stop the giggle from jumping out from her full lips.

“And you said you weren't interested at all…” she teased and looked at Vincent's intoxicated eyes. For a moment she thought he would smile but it turned to a painful grimace and he shoved her away softly but determinedly.

“Of course you were forced to talk…” he muttered and stood up. Ines looked at him confused but it turned to anger fast.

“What do you mean with that? What? You come into my room and push your tongue into my mouth but think I should just be quiet??” She said upset and got a hard gaze from Vincent back. He snatched up his glass from the night stand and then turned to the door.

“Forget this happened.”

He chugged the last of the spirit in his glass and put it down on the stand again before walking to the door.

“C'est juste une jolie fille… Ne détruis pas tout pour une chatte…”

He muttered for himself. Ines looked at him upset, she was sure he had said something bad about her and without thinking she threw a pillow in his head. His perfect hair got ruined by his neck and he stopped in his steps.

“Did you just throw a pillow in my head?” He said through his teeth and turned around slowly. Ines felt a knot in her stomach when she saw his killer look. This was not the man she had been with this last week.

“No?” she swallowed hard and sank down on the mattress.

The Marquis stood and looked at her with dark eyes before walking up to her slowly. Ines felt panic spread in her body, would he hit her?

“Up!” He exclaimed when he stood by the bed. Ines looked down at the cover and swallowed hard but then did as he said. She was too afraid to find out what would happen if she didn't do what he said. She stood just in front of him. Even if she wasn't that short she felt tiny when she stood in front of him. He had his arms crossed and she could see the veins trying to push out from his skin.

“I should… Punish you for your behavior… But…” he threw his head back and groaned loudly. In a fast movement he attacked her lips with his, so hard it felt like she would fall. Ines just kissed back with a beating heart. She let her emotions guide her now and just let it happen. Her otherwise questioning self would have asked what he actually wanted but his kisses were too passionate to stop just to ask such a question.

Vincent sat down on the bed and with a hand on the back of her thigh he prompted her to straddle his lap. She just followed his directions and let herself disappear into his bubble where it tasted like spirits and spearmint and smelled like floral perfume and vanilla. She was used to men smelling bad or wearing too strong cologne but he smelled of the scents she herself liked.

Vincent threaded his fingers through her hair and with a light pull he got her to lean back.

“Yes I am interested. Okay? But I can't be. I can't. So now you must help me end this. Prove I can trust you,” he said slowly, like he explained something to a child.

Ines leaned back even more and looked between his eyes. She didn't understand but also knew she never would. Vincent let her go and doubtfully she stood up and let him do the same.

Vincent cleared his throat, fixed his hair and his clothes. It looked like he thought he could get back into his hard shell just by fixing his appearance but Ines looked at him differently now. There was something softer, more insecure behind his hard exterior. He wasn't as well polished as he tried to seem.

Vincent walked to the door and turned around and looked at her with big eyes.

“Good night.”

“Good night…” she answered while playing with her fingers in front of her. She wished he could stay, sleep close to her and maybe show more of his soft self but he had asked her to keep away and she would respect that. It was obviously important for him, even if she couldn't understand what a make out session with her would harm.

×××

The next morning Ines did everything to be ready to meet Vincent again. He had visited her dreams that night, with naked skin, soft kisses and an open heart. It felt like her own heart was trying to escape when she woke up with a sweaty neck and another moisture between her legs. She wanted him so badly and she needed to find out why he couldn't just let her come close.

She did her make up to perfection, in that natural, modest way he seemed to like and then looked through the clothes he had got her. She had a tight pencil skirt and a lavender colored silky blouse. It would do, even if it would have been a better outfit with heels. She left her feet bare just like he always did and tippy toed out from her bedroom. The big window in the room connecting all of the suite’s rooms welcomed her out with bright sunlight and she felt it gave her power to try to come close to Vincent, talk to him in a real, intimate way. She looked around in the suite but realized quickly that it was empty. He wasn't there. Ines looked in through the doorframe to his bedroom where the bed already was made and none of his things were on show. She thought for a second that he maybe had left her but knew he wouldn't. She knew him that well now, he wouldn't just leave.

She accepted that he once again had left and ordered up some breakfast. She didn't have a problem activating herself either and planned to go to the library and flirt with European tourists in hotel bars. Just because she wanted The Marquis she could still entertain herself. By lunch she left the suite to take the elevator down. She could see the other guard standing outside of the room they had the painting in, otherwise the corridor was empty.

“Excuse me, do you know where Vin… The Marquis is?” She asked him out of curiosity. He looked at her with a weird look before answering.

“Juste derrière toi.”

Ines looked at him confused but also a bit annoyed, if he could understand her, he must be able to speak English?

“Right behind you, he said.”

It was Vincent's voice, just behind her and that made her jump. As a reflex she turned around and hit his chest.

“Don't scare me like that!”

Vincent looked between her face and the spot she had hit with furrowed brows.

“Sorry, just a reflex,” she said, embarrassed and looked at him with blushing cheeks. She looked at him up and down where he stood in his camel colored three piece suit and perfect hair. He was so beautiful and the burgundy colored shirt made his green eyes pop. Vincent nodded a little and turned to the door to the suite. Ines didn't react to him being alone because she just admired his looks. The full lips, high cheekbones, his jaw… But what was that? Something red was smeared on his jawline and her heart stopped because it looked like the perfect shade of red lipstick but it wasn't lipstick. It was blood.

“Is that blood?” She walked closer to see better and Vincent gave her a wide eyed look. He looked stressed for a moment before he looked away.

“Where?” He dragged his hand over his neck.

“Here, let me,” she said and wet her thumb with her tongue before trying to rub the spot away.

“It's from a close shave, right?” She said with a smile and looked deep in his eyes. Vincent looked back at her, letting her wipe away the blood with her saliva. They look deeply in each other's eyes, much deeper than they had before. Something happened right then and there between them none of them had expected. Ines understood it wasn't his blood, Vincent's could see she didn't care whose blood it was. He nodded as an answer to her question even if the answer didn't matter.

Ines sucked her thumb clean while Vincent looked at her with big eyes. He cleared his throat awkwardly before taking her hand in his and opening the door to the suite.

“I met a person interested in your painting…” he said softly while leading her in through the door. Ines felt her pulse go up from his warm hand but also the memory of him watching her suck her thumb. She knew he was up to no good but she didn't care. He was a bad man, just like Faith had said but she had never cared about that.

×

[kkbardd]

hello! i haven’t sent an ask in a while because schoolwork has been piling up infinitely :[ , but your recent posts have been really interesting to me! i really liked the room sketch one, I can’t exactly explain why but there’s something so indescribably human about it. i love spaces that looked lived in, that have personality, and I think that your room (current one? made up? old one?) has done a great job of showing that. and I’m not very good at giving advice— I can hardly follow it myself, but if you don’t know something, don’t know what you want to do, try things. it’s okay if you don’t like them. i recently found out I’m more competent in languages than I thought! i can already read and understand simple sentences in german.

there’s always more to yourself than you’ll know, I think, but the world is kinder than people think. If anything, everyone is still very new at this. we’ve never lived before. do the things you like, branch out, don’t become less of yourself for other people. everything has a place, and my best advice is to treat life as you would a vacation. do all the things you can while you’re here. build a life that makes it worth it. (sorry for the long ask and my rambling, or if this is overstepping in any way. i just read what you wrote and kind of related to it in a way. thank you for continuing to create art, it brings me a lot of joy! :] )

hey isopod!!! thanks for the ask & I wish u good luck with ur school work!

Thank u so much for the compliments, im really glad the vibe of my room was conveyed in those doodles. i absolutely looove drawing my room! It’s extremely small (a renovated utility closet) and just barely fits a bed + my desk but its packed full of the things i love. It’s very lived in and I feel like it reflects my character well.

when i drew that page I was in my senior year of high school and pressures to decide my future were overwhelming. I never thought much about it until then and I didn’t have any idea of what I was going to do. The only thing I felt I had going for me was art but I didn’t want to turn my only hobby into a job I hated. I remember going through a master list of majors on random college websites and one-by-one asking myself if I’d be okay doing it. In the end I had nothing. I was really crushed about it and felt stuck. This was right after the covid quarantine too so focusing in school was difficult & I couldn’t bring myself to apply for scholarships. I started skipping classes, smoking weed, and pushing off my assignments. All of this only made me feel more miserable, of course, so everything seemed pretty bleak at the time.

But luckily I had the support of my family and especially my mother. She would always remind me that “we have option”, “we always have options”. Because I did! This was a fresh start to try my hand at a totally different experience than what I’ve done so far. I ended up choosing my major on a complete whim after hearing my aunt had a job in an adjacent field. I was pretty sure I’d drop out after a semester, yet here I am about to graduate soon & I’m having a ton of fun!! (Hell, I’m 10 hours out in the middle of nowhere right now for my Field Methods class!) It’s not that I had a knack for Geology that I just never tapped into, or that i secretly had a passion for rocks this entire time; I just found something that seemed like an okay fit and grew interest from there. I think that a small level of commitment like that is more than enough to get you going. I had a ton of ideas in my head about how I needed to have a perfect fit major that would connect every dot I’ve laid out in my life thus far, but that’s not true at all. Life is much more messy and unpredictable than that.

But enough of my rambling!! That time of my life may have been stressful but I’m very grateful that I went through it! It changed how I viewed problems and it taught me to always look for other options when everything seems helpless.

Thank u so much for ur encouragement, I really appreciate it <33 I completely agree with everything u said!! Life is an ever changing experience & often leads u in unpredictable directions!

[arewedoneyet]

Check out my story from "Here's to the Dreamers" campaign and Jeff Satur's Essentials Playlist on AppleMusic!

Playlist Link: https://music.apple.com/playlist/jeff-satur-essentials/ pl.7722c40a507a4309676225594450075

via jeffsaturthailandofficial @ facebook | 04082024

Disruptors, change-makers and boundary-pushers excite us with their diverse perspectives on art and life. Jeff Satur is one trailblazing storyteller whose unique story fascinates and inspires. Since picking up the guitar at the age of nine, the Bangkok-born singer-songwriter, producer and actor has lent his soulful voice to gorgeous ballads whose joy and heartbreak resonate with listeners—assisted by a consummate musicality that draws on a rich, varied vein of experience. Below, Satur shares with Apple Music some insights into his career as an artist from Southeast Asia on the world stage.

What challenges have you faced while pursuing a career in music?

“I think music is the only thing that can bring people together as one unit, creating a shared energy that inspires happiness and a sense of release in their lives. It’s almost like a form of medicine, unlike anything else in the world. Music helps you through difficult times and can alleviate sadness, especially when experiencing live concerts. For me, writing music is a chance to fulfil my purpose, as if I was born to do it—and it places me in the right environment. I have also learned that there is no definitive ‘right’ choice when it comes to music. You won’t know if it’s the best choice until you genuinely enjoy it. It’s like a challenge to stay dedicated and not drift away from your passion. So you just keep going for it.”

Can you share a moment when you felt like giving up on your dreams and what ultimately motivated you to keep going?

“I remember getting older, around 25 years old, and experiencing a wrong feeling that led me to consider quitting music due to the pressures of growing up. I had to get a job to earn money, and at that point, I didn’t believe that releasing a song would improve anything. Live shows and concerts had come to a halt, but despite those challenges, I remained determined to focus on my music. It was my primary source of motivation. I pushed myself to continue, even if the results weren’t perfect. To keep my inspiration alive, I attended movies and concerts, seeking more motivation to write—and seizing any opportunity that came my way.”

As a Southeast Asian artist, what unique cultural influences do you incorporate into your music?

“For me, there are no boundaries when it comes to creating music. In my song ‘Dum Dum’, I use traditional instruments that resonate with my identity and feel authentic. These instruments evoke the sounds I remember from my childhood, tapping into instincts that seem inherent, like an innate drawing that you’ve had since birth. Incorporating these instruments into my music is a way of expressing what I truly desire and wish to explore.”

Have you faced any specific challenges or opportunities as a Southeast Asian artist in the global music scene?

“I used to follow a certain pattern but I’ve learned how to distinguish myself from others because everyone’s style is unique. Why is it different? It’s because I’ve learned from series I’ve watched, songs I’ve been into, and books I’ve read. I try to be as authentic to myself as possible because I believe I’ve already internalised those influences and now want to share my true self with others without fearing judgment.”

Can you share any advice or encouragement for aspiring artists who may face similar challenges?

“As an artist in the global music scene, it’s crucial to leverage your unique background to set yourself apart. There are no boundaries between languages or challenges I’ve faced so far. While Thai may not be as familiar to many when writing music, I remain true to myself. I’ve explored both Western and Asian music and they have intermingled within me, allowing me to create something original that resonates with people—and the melodies flow naturally. The impact these melodies have on people is what inspires me even more.

“To reach a broader global audience, I enjoy surprising myself—for instance, by releasing two versions of my songs. This continuous effort breaks down the boundaries, making them thinner and thinner. My advice? The world’s market is expanding and there’s a lot to discover in Asian music. I immerse myself in Thai music and music from other countries, drawing inspiration and making the music my own. It’s essential to ensure it sounds authentic to myself, as differentiation from others is vital. In the past, I used to fear my music wasn’t good enough, so I didn’t write or produce my own songs. However, I realised the importance of being myself and changed my attitude towards my career, writing my music and embracing my true identity.”

[mitchelldailygames]

Heroes of Song Devlog Part 12: Refining

Now that all the Exemplar Hero art has been revealed, I can get back to my main devlog series!

Here’s a picture with all the heroes. The alt text is a little brief on this one because I was worried about it being more exhaustive than the casual scroller was looking for, but reach out or look at my previous posts if you’re interested in more descriptive alt text. Art is by Warren Kennedy. Follow him on Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter.

My design principles:

The heroes are cute.

Kindness matters.

The world is weird.

Sometimes you don’t fight. Sometimes you do.

Health is hearts.

I’ve made quite a few small changes and additions since the last devlog that I’m going to run through quickly. I’ll probably miss something, since I don’t really want to go back and comb through my edit history, but I should be able to hit the main points.

Exhausted

I’ve added a condition called exhausted which makes it so a character can’t add any of their positive Aspects to their rolls. Exhausted is most commonly a consequence for running out of Effort. If felt like there needed to be more of a cost to using all of your Effort to balance it with using Spirit and to make it feel like it matters when an ability is used to damage Effort. It also just gives me more conditions to work with for special abilities, both for the heroes and enemies. It hasn’t come up in play yet, but I think it could be pretty impactful.

Slippery Scamp

I changed the Scamp’s Life of the Party move to the Slippery move. I think the new move is going to be more useful to Scamp players and is going to make the Calling play more like people will be expecting it to when they choose it. In my most recent playtest (which I will give its own post later), it seemed to be a good fit. It basically means you can crawl, climb, and squeeze in and out of pretty much any situation.

In the Works

I have some dual wielding rules drafted up. I think these are going to mostly revolve around decisions about what to hold in your hands. The main downside for holding a sword and a dagger, for example, is that you wouldn’t be able to also hold a shield and neither has the damage output of a two-handed ax doing a power strike. What I initially drafted out is a little on the complicated side, so I’m thinking about slimming the system down a bit.

I also wrote up a couple more runes. One is a Deflect rune, which I think fits the Zelda-like genre well. The idea is that you could knock ranged attacks back at the attacker. The other rune I wrote before but didn’t include initially was the Hood rune which would block senses like hearing and seeing. Both of these are a little wordy as currently written, but I think have potential.

I also have a couple more enemies written out that I’ll probably drop into the doc soon. One is a flying enemy. Another is a lizard-person enemy called a scalikin (which will probably eventually be a player option too).

Why’d You Have to Go and Make Things So Complicated

Some of the new additions, plus mechanics already present like the dodge/perfect dodge and weapon moves, make me worry a little bit about a pitfall I often associate with OG Pathfinder. In Pathfinder, there is a system for everything and I love it. But, I also come by memorizing a bunch of numbers and being able to quickly reference things pretty easily. That’s not necessarily the play experience I want associated with Heroes of Song and it just isn’t accessible for everyone.

So, I could strip things way back and cut a bunch of features—many of which make the game feel more like its inspirations. What I think I want to do instead, while also being mindful of bloat, is find a way to encourage tables to start simpler and add mechanics to their repertoire as they go. This is how it is handled in video games where new systems are doled out over time with a tutorial to go along with each new mechanic. I’m not sure exactly how to work this into a game book, but I think some direction about how to start with less experienced tables would be helpful. I might note this in enemy descriptions (e.g. the hobkin is an “easy” enemy, both to run and fight, while a sawshell is “moderate” because heroes will need to know how to use the stun mechanics to take it on). I might also include some tutorial encounters to go along with different mechanics.

Anyway, I definitely have a lot of work left to do! Don’t expect a full release of this game any time super soon! But I feel like I got some momentum last month and am excited about how things are going.

I also have some other projects in the works, so there will probably be other game releases in the coming months.

The world is weird; kindness matters.

--Daily

[pbandjesse]

Today was a mixed bag. I am writing this at 6 because I am just so tired. And want to be able to just not think anymore.

I slept okay last night. James slept hitting me with their knees which was annoying but not the worst thing. My new pillow is great. My neck didn't hurt or anything.

But I did not want to be up. I was really upset about having to go to work. I didn't even feel that bad. But I did feel exhausted and full of cement and just so afraid of feeling bad.

James made me blueberry pancakes though and that was so sweet of them. I love them so very much. They tried to cheer me up. But it was a struggle.

It was very wet out in the world. And it would just stay that way all day.

When I got to camp I would walk down to the office to get my rain coat. And would chat with Sarah about the fall and field trips and rentals and such. And would head back to arts and crafts to figure out how to change the project for the day.

I just could not do plaster today. I couldn't do it. Everything was to wet. And I was just not feeling good and couldn't do it. So it would be a choice day!

I would give everyone the choice of clay, painting, or bracelets. And honestly it worked out pretty well. Like it was not great but everyone seemed happy.

I would eat my pancakes and thankfully eating today wasn't as bad. It wasn't perfect but I was able to eat a more normal diet. And that was good. I think it gave me just a little bit of energy to get through the day.

My first group was 20 minutes late and that was frustrating. I was already considering going to talk to Alexi about going home. But I would stick it out. And my first group was tough. Just not listening to instructions. Specifically at clean up. But they weren't with me to long.

And my second group was nicer. Mariana and Blanche are both really good counselors and I enjoy their company. Mariana would tell me about how she bought a memorial brick at the BMI but never heard about it after she paid for it! So I promised to get to the bottom of it. And would let James know and James would look into it. And would contact her. It is crazy how much for dropped by the woman who did the job before James and Jesse. Not me, boy Jesse. Between the two of them they get so much done that has just been out to the side. I really hope they can solve this.

I would lay in my car over lunch. Drank a yogurt. Tired to feel okay. Did not feel okay. I didn't that's my car blanket so I just laid under my hoodie but it wasn't perfect but laying down was something. But I felt terrible.

So I went to talk to Alexi. To let her know how bad I felt. And she gave me some encouragement and also let me know that if I cannot do it she would support me going home. That I need to take care of myself first. And I know she's right but I am so bad about feeling like the world will stop running if I go home. If I take a break. I know how stupid that is but I always do that and hurt my own heart.

So I promised to let her know if I needed to tap out. And went back to the art building to make it through the day.

My day camp groups were nice. We did clay and small wooden disk painting. They were nice and understanding. It was weird having everyone work inside on the picnic table but everything was soaking wet and muddy outside and I just couldn't deal. So we were inside where it was dry. It was also loud from the rain on the tin roof but at least we were comfortable.

My last group was stockade. And it was fun hanging out with them. Celia would come to visit and it was nice to see her. I told her about not feeling good and she was very gentle with me and I appreciated it a lot. She went to go see the animals down in nature while I hung out with Jorge and worked on my knitting.

Jorge worked on figuring out how to play the tongue drum I have. He can play happy birthday now. And it was just nice chatting. The boys were really nice.

And Celia would come back and we all hung out until it was time to go. The boys struggled to clean up their mess (putting the bead boxes away) but we got it sorted and put away.

Me and Celia sat and talked for a bit. And because I didn't feel to bad anymore I was like what if we went to the Dutch market? And so we would both get on our own cars to go meet there.

And I'm glad we did that. I didn't think we were going to be able to hang it because I have been falling apart so hardcore. But I had fun. I got a pretzel. And then a grilled cheese. She got mozzarella sticks. And we both got a half pound of fudge. She got peanut butter chocolate and dark chocolate sea salt caramel. And I got the dark chocolate one too and also one called tiger butter. Which is vanilla with peanut butter swirls. It was fun walking around.

But it was time to go before I did fall apart. And of course there would be traffic. So I gave Celia a hug in the parking lot. And headed home.

I would get back here at 515. James has been watching my little dot on the map and came outside when I got home. I was really happy to see them. They would walk me inside but then went to do their podcast with their friends. And I went to take a bath.

I brought Crabcake upstairs to walk around the bathroom and then the bedroom. Just some exercise. And I took an excellent bath and felt a lot better after. But now I am just really really tired.

Sweetp is cuddling with me and it is really nice. He's very warm. I am going to turn my brain off now. I will make it though tomorrow and evening will be okay. I love you all. I hope you all have a great night and take care of yourself. Until next time